Lord Selkirk was actually Thomas Douglas right? He was just called the fifth Earl of Selkirk, which meant "man with a vision".
Selkirk overlooked the difficult climate of the region, which was much harsher than the climate of Scotland. Upon learning of Selkirk's plan for a farming colony, on of his London friends was cynical.
What does Cynical mean? Does it mean Sarcastic?
Please translate this phrase for me, I don't understand it at all.
By God, Sir, if you are bent on something futile...why not plough the deserts of the Sahara, which is so much nearer?
And when the first contingent of Scottish colonists arrived, an NWC employee remarked on their future prospects:
I don't understand this phrase either...
The emigrants...will be subject to constant alarm and terror: Their habitations, their crops, their cattle will be destroyed, and they will find it impossible to exist in the country.
Your first sentence is right.
Cynical: belief that people are motivated by selfish interests
By God Sir: You're doing something stupid and useless.
The Scottish colonists will face a terrifying situation. Their homes, crops, and animals will be destroyed.
Thank you so very much again Ms. Sue:)
You're welcome.
To answer your first question, Lord Selkirk was indeed Thomas Douglas. He was given the title of the fifth Earl of Selkirk. The title "Earl of Selkirk" does not mean "man with a vision." It is simply a noble title indicating his rank in the peerage.
Now, let's move on to your second question about the meaning of the word "cynical." Cynical does not mean sarcastic, although the two can overlap in certain contexts. Being cynical means being distrustful, skeptical, or having a negative outlook on people's motives and actions. It often involves a belief that people are primarily self-interested and that their actions are motivated by selfishness or cynicism can sometimes be seen as a defense mechanism against disappointment or disillusionment. Although similar to sarcasm, cynicism generally refers to a broader attitude or perspective rather than a specific way of expressing oneself.
Regarding the phrase you mentioned, "By God, Sir, if you are bent on something futile...why not plough the deserts of the Sahara, which is so much nearer?" This statement is sarcastic, implying that the plan being discussed is both unnecessary and unlikely to succeed. The speaker suggests that if someone is determined to pursue something futile, it would make more sense to engage in an equally impractical task that is at least geographically closer.
Lastly, the phrase "The emigrants...will be subject to constant alarm and terror: Their habitations, their crops, their cattle will be destroyed, and they will find it impossible to exist in the country" expresses the belief that the Scottish colonists who arrived would face continuous fear and distress. It suggests that their homes, farms, and livestock will come under frequent attack or destruction, making it extremely difficult for them to survive in the new country.
I hope these explanations help clarify the meanings of the phrases and concepts you mentioned.