Everything Worthy of Observation; The 1826 New York State Travel Journal of Alexander Stewart Scott. Edited by Paul G. Schneider Jr. Excelsior Editions, 2019. 183 pages. $23.95
The book is based upon the diary of Alexander Stewart Scott, a 21-year-old Canadian who took a three-month long tour across New York State in 1826. This book offers first person insights to what travel was like in the days of canal packets, stage coaches and steamboats. Scott began his travels in Quebec City, then traveled south by boat along Lake Champlain and Lake George. He then boarded a coach to Schenectady, where he caught a packet boat west on the new Erie canal. He would then continue to Geneva and Niagara Falls. After experiencing both the American and Canadian sides of the Niagara, he returned home by the same route. Although this is not a canal book, you do read a brief description of travel on a packet boat.
The diary was found tucked away in the archives of the New York State Library, having been purchased from a local book dealer in 1954. The diary was rediscovered in 2015 by a doctoral student and soon after, Mr. Schneider took up the daunting task task of transcribing the entire journal. The book is more then a word for word transcription. The editor has employed a light touch in cleaning up the text, filling in the holes where Mr. Scott used abbreviations or punctuation that might confuse the present day reader. But more importantly, Mr. Schneider has researched Mr. Scott and his travels. For instance, he found documents that prove Mr. Scott was a passenger on a boat when he said he was. This is important as it demonstrates that what Mr. Scott is seeing and experiencing what he is writing about. All this background research is included in the book. First, a lengthy chapter introduces Mr. Scott, his family, and the world that he was traveling through. It also documents the diary, and the process that Mr. Schneider used to transcribe and present the work. Second, there is a very long end-notes section where the editor offers greater details and offers context when needed. The only issue with this method is that the reader needs two book marks, as you will find yourself constantly flipping between Mr. Scott’s diary, and Mr. Schneider’s notes. However, the book is much richer for these notes. An Afterword gives a short biography of Mr. Scott’s life, which sadly, ends in a tragedy not of his own making.
In addition to the end-notes, the book uses 44 maps and illustrations to compliment the text. The maps are from travel guides of the period, such as The Northern Traveler, and arrows note the route that Mr. Scott likely followed. The illustrations are also mostly from the period and help you to experience what Mr. Scott was seeing.
While there are no big plot twists awaiting the reader, reading Mr. Scott’s journal will greatly benefit those who study the history of early transportation in a young America, or those who act as docents, and wish to enrich there own historical narratives.