Merry Hearts Make Light Days

A rare personal memoir by a British officer of the war in North America, this journal also provides an interesting and often humorous look at early 19th century Canadian society.
John Le Couteur writes about his experiences at the Royal Military College, and garrison life in the United Kingdom and in Canada, from 1808-17. A member of the 104th foot, a unit raised in New Brunswick, Le Couteur survived an epic march from Fredericton to Quebec in the winter of 1812-13. His unit fought in major actions in the Niagara Peninsula in 1813-1814.
A gifted writer and keen observer, blessed with a lively sense of humour, Le Couteur describes military and social life in Fredericton, Montreal and Kingston. Illustrated with his own sketches and watercolours, the memoir is extensively annotated by Donald E. Graves, who also provides a lengthy introduction placing Le Couteur in the context of his times.