The Chestnut Pipe: Folklore of Shelburne County

Edith Fowke is a professor emeritus at York University and author of the
recently published Canadian Folklore: Perspectives on Canadian Culture.

Robertson, a historian who has been honored for her writings on Nova
Scotia history, is also devoted to folklore. For 50 years she has been
collecting items about the life of people in her home county of
Shelburne. She previously published an article on children’s skipping
rhymes and a pamphlet, “Old Home Remedies.” This more extensive
report is an excellent book that relates the lore to the people from
whom she got it.

She gives a few ghost stories and tales of hidden treasure, sections on
children’s lore (children make pipes from chestnuts to smoke
goldenrod), and descriptions of customs and celebrations, but the major
emphasis is on popular beliefs and superstitions. Helen Creighton
documented most of these earlier in Bluenose Magic, but two sections are
more unusual: the report on sea lore, and an extensive glossary that
runs to nearly 60 pages. In “Sea Lore,” Robertson describes the
tools and customs of fishing, lobstering, and boat- and ship-building,
and gives stories of shipwrecks, deserters, and privateers. The glossary
details terms used by Nova Scotians that may be unfamiliar to outsiders.

This book is a significant contribution to Canadian folklore. Scholars
may regret that Robertson does not give comparative references or motifs
for her material, but will appreciate her careful report on Shelburne
County’s folk.