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 NOVA SCOTIA 
 
 
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• I 
 

 . 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 In the hope that they may be received as an acceptable contribu- 
 tion to East River Literature, and to comply with the vt-ishes ot not a 
 few of the readers of THE EASTERN CHRONICLE, in the columns 
 of which these sketches first appeared, they are now reproduced in 
 this more permanent form. 
 
 ROBERT GRANT. 
 
 (Mr. S. M. MacKenzie was Publisher and Proprietor of the East- 
 ern Chronicle when Mr. Grant's book was originally published) 
 
 SECOND PREFACE 
 
 In reprinting "East River Worthies" in book form "THE EVEN- 
 ING NEWS" and "FREE LANCE" do so with the full and free con- 
 sent of Mr. S. M. MacKenzie, who was in charge of the "Eastern 
 Chronicle" when the book originally appeared in 1895. 
 
 Rev. Robert Grant, the author, was a full fledged Presbyterian 
 minister, but was more given to writing than he was to preaching. His 
 grandfather, Robert Grant, came to Pictou County on the "Hector." 
 His nearest surviving relative is Donald M. Grant, Eureka, a grand- 
 ?on of James M. Grant and Janet Eraser, McLellan's Brook. James 
 M. Grant was a brother of Rev. Robert Grant. 
 
 The book is reprinted not from any desire to make any money out 
 of it, but simply to see it find a place of honor in the homes of Pictou 
 County, a link with the past, a reminder of the trials, troubles and 
 tribulations of those who made the name of Pictou County known 
 throughout British North America and in the great republic to the 
 South. Pictou County has produced many men who won a high place 
 amongst their fellows, and Rev. Robert Grant, in his "East River 
 Worthies" made a contribution which should endure. 
 
 Due credit, of course, is given to the "Eastern Chronicle" in which 
 East River Worthies first appeared. 
 
i 
 
REV. ROBERT GRANT 
 
t I 
 
 II 
 
 , 
 
1 
 
 ll 
 
 /Sl 
 
 Price 50 Cents 
 
 \=^ 
 
 Published and for Sale by 
 
 SCOTIA PRINTERS, LIMITED 
 
 NEW GLASGOW, N. S. 
 
 IIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHHMMIIMI IIIIIIIIMMIIIMHIIIIIIMIIIIII IMIII IIHIIIIIMIIIimilMIMIH lllliMMIIIIIMIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIMI 
 
 East River Worthies 
 
 By 
 REV. ROBERT GRANT 
 
 f.iiiiiiiiiiiiliiii iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiiiiii iiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii 
 
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EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 "Even then a wish (I mind its power) 
 
 Shall strongly heave my breast 
 
 A wish that, to my latest hour, 
 
 That I for poor old Scotland's sake 
 
 Some useful plan or book might make." — Burns. 
 
 The East River has ever been distinguished for grandeur and 
 variety of scenery. In fertility of soil, and untold mineral wealth, 
 it is not surpassed. This part of Nova Scotia has, thus, been much 
 favored by nature. But, in developing its resources, during the 
 last fifty years, nature has been marvellously assisted by Art. This, 
 however, must appear in the sequel. It was also inhabited, especi- 
 ally in early times, by a population whose worth is not appreciated. 
 Even their very names are being forgotten. This ought not so to 
 be. In humble life there have been those who, in order to procure 
 a subsistence for their tamilies. and also to have wherewith to con- 
 tribute towards the support of every good cause, are as much en- 
 titled to a niche in the temple of fame, as those who 
 
 "At Marathon or Leuctra bled." 
 
 The naked summits of Eraser's Mountain, Irish Mountain, the 
 table lands of Fox Brook, the heights of Elgin, with the "everlast- 
 ing hills" of Springville and Sunny Brae, setting at defiance the 
 puny attempts of man to change their features, will ever speak 
 for themselves, attesting that the "hand that made them is divine. 
 Not so, however, with those venerable men who, at one time occu- 
 pied their summits, but, now sleep peacefully in the vale below. 
 Life and health, therefore, permitting I, for one, will do my best 
 to rehearse the merits, and preserve from oblivion the names of at 
 least some of them To those in more favored circumstances — who 
 
 "Fare on costly piles of wood 
 
 Whose life is too luxurious to be good," 
 
 I would say 
 
 "Let not ambition mock their useful toil, 
 Their homely joys, and destinies obscure. 
 
 Nor grandeur hear, with a disdainful smile 
 The short, but simple annals of the poor. 
 
 There were some who were eminently men of God. Their 
 piety shone with peculiar lustre. Happily, of these there were 
 
4 EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 not a few. They shall, accordingly be classified as East River 
 Worthies. Others were possessed of amazing muscular power — 
 men who, either in self defense, or for the preservation of human 
 life, performed feats that would attract notice in the days of the 
 Psalmist. At one time it was Alex. McKay, of St. Mary's, chasing 
 cariboos in the woods; and running them down by swiftness of 
 foot. At another time it would be Farquhar Falconer, of Hopewell, 
 holding a full grown bear of monstrous size by the two ears, till 
 big John Falconer's father after many futile attempts ran the brute 
 through with a pitch fork. Even big John Falconer himself shall 
 receive honorable mention on account of one or two performances, 
 before rum and domestic infelicities had effected his ruin. These, 
 and similar exploits performed by others, shall be faithfully stated 
 as the achievements of East River Mighty Men. 
 
 Of others, honorable mention shall be made for their mental 
 superiority. Of this stamp were old Deacon Sutherland, of the 
 Narrows, and Deacon Duncan Cameron, of the Upper Settlement. 
 Theirs was truly "the tongue of the learned." Besides, little did 
 the votaries of fashionable life know that, fifty years ago, Spring- 
 ville had its Robert Burns, in the person of John Fraser (Catach), 
 and the '^.Ibion Mines its Dougald Buchanan in that of Colin Mc- 
 Kay. These and a few more shall be portrayed as East River 
 Gifted Men. 
 
 There was once, on the East River, an institution named the 
 Red Schoolhouse. And even at this date, 
 
 "Saints take pleasure in her stones, 
 Her every dust to them is dear." 
 
 Here, especially during the winter months of 1844 and 1845, 
 there met weekly a constellation of celebrities who, in fair debate, 
 would give Jeffrey and Brougham, or even Christopher North him- 
 self, something to do. For this, and similar reasons, there will be 
 an honest attempt made to reproduce the days of the Red School 
 House. 
 
 A few years ago, on the way to Fisher's Grant, there was an 
 ancient landmark, known to travellers, as the Smelt Brook. On 
 its unfruitful banks, were two human habitations — mere huts. But 
 there is no Smelt Brook noiw In its stead, there is the town of 
 Trenton, with its neat and commodious church, and "church going 
 bell," Hall well furnished Reading-Room, and Post Office. Here, 
 also, are the Glass Works, Forge, and Steel Works, where can he 
 seen evidence of man's ingenuity, that would make "Vulcan and 
 all his Cyclopes" stare with astonishment. 
 
 Fifty years ago New Glasgow was a scattered village. Today, 
 it is an "exceeding great city of three days' journey." And what 
 of Eureka? Surely it deserves the labor of some truthful pen to 
 depict its virgin growth. The same may be said of Bridgeville, 
 Sunny Brae and Hopewell, famed so long for its "abundant peace." 
 
 The East River has also had its martyrs. Of these one shall 
 be mentioned, as a sample. His name was Finlay Cameron. In 
 early life he enlisted in one of the Highland regiments, but ulti- 
 mately settled at Riverton. Being a tailor by trade, he had to ply 
 
t River 
 )ower — 
 human 
 of the 
 chasing 
 tness of 
 opewell, 
 sars, till 
 he brute 
 elf shall 
 rmances, 
 These, 
 y stated 
 
 mental 
 , of the 
 ttlement. 
 little did 
 Spring- 
 Catach), 
 olin Mc- 
 ist River 
 
 amed the 
 
 EAST RIVER WORTHIES 6 
 
 his craft for the benefit of his companions in arms. But, on one 
 occasion, he was court-martialled, and publicly whipped, in Hall- 
 fax, for refusing to worii at his trade op the Sabbath day. If this 
 was not being "persecuted for righteousness' sake" it was some- 
 thing very like. The venerable Finlay Cameron, Esq., of Riverton. 
 Is the grandson of this victim of oppression, as are also Rev.s John 
 and Alex. Cameron. Rev. Mr. Falconer, of Prince Street Church. 
 Pictou, is his great grandson. Others cf his descendants are to be 
 found in different parts of Pictou, Hants, Annapolis, and Cape 
 Breton. And, as far as is known to me, they, without exception, 
 are a respected as well as numerous race. 
 
 Seventy years ago, the East River was thickly peopled. Their 
 way of living, as well as their social customs were different Ircm 
 those of the present day. This, also, shall receive more than a 
 passing notice. 
 
 The above ar themes that have long "wild floated in my 
 brain." To do justice to them is a different thing. But I am now 
 committed to the self-imposed task. In executing it, I can only 
 do my best, with this understanding, however, that even East River 
 pugilists can "claim kindred here, and have their claims allowed." 
 and that the rivalry between Kirk and Antiburghers, with the 
 woes that sprung therefrom, will not be passed over in silence. 
 Notwithstanding all that hath been said and sung on this subject, 
 it will then be seen that each side had no unequal right to the 
 honors of that "holy war," and the causes that led to it. 
 
 ind 1845, 
 ir debate, 
 orth him- 
 re will be 
 ed School 
 
 *e was an 
 •ook. On 
 luts. But 
 3 town of 
 rch going 
 36. Hery, 
 re can be 
 iilcan and 
 
 i. Today, 
 And what 
 ;ul pen to 
 ridgeville, 
 nt peace." 
 
 one shaU 
 leron. In 
 , but ulti- 
 lad to ply 
 
 II 
 
 In all ages there have been men possessed of superior qualifi- 
 cations — qualifications that gave them a marked superiority over 
 all others. To this rule, my native East River affords no exception. 
 It has also been customary, since the days of Abel and Enoch, to 
 take special notice of this fact, to commit it to writing, that it 
 might be handed down to remotest posterity. Neither have there 
 been wanting gifted minds to devote special attention to this de- 
 partment of study. Accordingly, a Cornelius Nepos published his 
 well-known "Lives of Excellent Generals," and Plutarch his "Lives 
 of Illustrious Men." In the inspired productions of Paul and 
 Moses, too, there are specimens not a feivv of this species of com- 
 position; while the dying oration of the martyr Stephen is nearly 
 all made up of historical references attesting the everlasting merits 
 of departed greatness. If it was necessary, further instances could 
 be cited as proof that my present undertaking is not without pre- 
 cedent. But let the above suffice. 
 
 I commence with the names of four clergymen. Rev. Dr. Mc- 
 Gregor, Rev. Donald Allan Eraser, Rev. Angus McGillivray and Rev. 
 John McRae. It is true that none of these could claim the East 
 River or any part of Nova Scotia for his birthplace. But along its 
 peaceful vales and fruitful hills, they all — some of them for many 
 years — endured the summer's heat and winter's cold. On mountain 
 tops, too, very "beautiful," in their day "were the feet of those 
 
fi EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 .nat published salvation." Each of the four possessed his praise- 
 worthy traits, and they shall be considered in their order. 
 
 DR. McGregor 
 
 Already, much has been written in appreciation of the pre- 
 eminent endownments and services of Dr McGregor. And for me 
 to attempt to follow up the subject may appear like carrying coal 
 to Newcastle. But then, there is such a thing as acting Hamlet with 
 Hamlet left out, and to leave out the name of Dr. McGregor in 
 these sketches would be doing this. Besides, I am giving my o-wn 
 opinion of men and things, and not the opinion of others. These 
 opinions were logically formed in "life's morning march." They 
 are also correct. But they shall appear in print for what they are 
 worth. 
 
 Of Dr. McGregor's early arrival in Pictou, his child-like hu- 
 mility, his self-denying labours and powers of endurance, while 
 proniotiiig the best of <auses, much has already been written. It 
 will: however, take centuries to exhaust the theme. For. had it 
 not been for the far-reaching influences of his 44 years ministra- 
 tions, there would be no such East River, as now presents itself to 
 a stranger's eye. "Who called the righteous man from the East," 
 and caused him to plani hi,s habitation amidst the elms of Stellar- 
 ton? And what about that "fire of coal" in the old red bncU- 
 house on a bleak December day -9 2 years ago? According to Dr. 
 Patterson's history, it was Dr. McGregor, with the celebrated 
 Michael Wallace, Lawrence Hartshorn, Charles Morris, James Slew- 
 art, Cottnam Yonge, Edward Mortimer and James Fulton, as 
 guests. Was that or was it not the first regular fire of native coal 
 in Nova Scotia? And is it likely that these intelligent and influen- 
 tial men, on their return to their homes, would be silent as to what 
 their eyes had seen that day, on the banks of the East Iliver? 
 When starvation stared Jacoib in the face, word came to him iliat 
 there is corn in Egypt. This revived him, and afterwards led to 
 important results. In like manner, some 70 years ago, it was as- 
 certained in England that there was a place called Nova Scotia, 
 that there was an abundance of coal in it, that it was to be found 
 on the margin of a certain rivf r, that it was accessible to ships of 
 light tonnage, and that the "coal" of that land was good. A weal- 
 thy firm in London purchased the ground. To this epoch may be 
 traced the history of the coal mining industry in the county of 
 Pictou. And it would be rank infidelity to say that Dr. McGregor's 
 experiments had nothing to do with its origin. A cynic may sneer 
 at my reasoning. What man can today, survey the environs of the 
 East River, or look with grateful admiration on the stately elms by 
 which it is begirt and receive no inspiration from the remem- 
 brance of the stern warrior who once lived there? For my part, 
 the mere contemplation of the scene seldom fails to remind me of 
 the "plains ol Mamre,' and the "oak which was by Shechem." 
 
 It was her coal, and not her iron mines that made Pictou, 
 and especially the East River, what it is. 6 2 years ago there was 
 as good a steamer as the Egerton made her daily trips between 
 New Glasgow and Pictou — her decks crowded with 
 Her name was the Richard Smith. 
 
 passengers. 
 
EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 praise- 
 
 the pre- 
 tl for me 
 ying coal 
 nlet with 
 Iregor in 
 
 my own 
 s. These 
 
 ' They 
 
 they are 
 
 l-like hu- 
 
 ce, while 
 ritten. It 
 )r. had it 
 
 ministra- 
 ,s itself to 
 the East," 
 of Stellar- 
 red biicU- 
 ing to Dr. 
 
 celebrated 
 imes Stew- 
 Fulton, as 
 native coal 
 ad influen- 
 as to what 
 ast lUver? 
 o him that 
 irds led to 
 
 it was as- 
 ova Scotia, 
 o be found 
 to ships of 
 d. A weal- 
 )ch may be 
 ; county of 
 McGregor's 
 
 may sneer 
 rons of the 
 ely elms by 
 ;he remem- 
 Dr my part, 
 mind me of 
 ichem." 
 ade Pictou, 
 o there was 
 ips between 
 
 passengers. 
 
 I 
 
 The well-known Captain George McKenzie acted as Captain. 
 He was then in the prime of his manly youth. His slight lameness 
 only imparted dignity to his every gesture. It is needless to say 
 that that gesture would be all energy. But to juvenile beholders, 
 it was quite a treat to see him, in those days, issuing orders in a 
 voice that saw that every man was at his post. Through all his 
 life, Capt. McKenzie unconsciously fulfilled the words of Shake- 
 speare: 
 
 "He wore a swashing and a martial outside." 
 
 But, while Dr. McGregor is entitled to the credit to having 
 done his share in originating the coal industry, and thus contribut- 
 ing to all the consequences resulting therefrom, it is as an evan- 
 gelist that his name is to be specially remembered. That shall be 
 "through all generations." Scientists have affirmed that any sound 
 once emitted shall continue to reverberate forever, throughout the 
 regions of immensity. If this is true in the kingdom of nature, how 
 much more so in the kingdom of grace. It is, therefore, a mistake 
 to imagine that this devoted man's labours ceased to bring forth 
 fruit at his death. It is 62 years, last March, since he departed this 
 life. But, today, there are those who are not ashamed to venerate 
 the very ground that he is known to have trodden. It is thus the 
 old Irish Mountain road from Churchville to Springville possesses 
 a charm peculiar to itself, while "Drummond's Hill" becomes a 
 very Parnassus. For over its highest peak once went the road 
 from the Mines to what was then, the West Branch, but is now 
 subdivided into Hopewell, Lome and Elgin. And, as one finds him- 
 self on that Alpine height, the rising town of Eureka, with the 
 Cyclopean furnace of Ferrona are lost sight of in the remembrance 
 of him who once used to scale its highest summit on his way to 
 preach in the log church at Grant's Lake, or to address words of 
 triumphant consolation to some afflicted family. The remains of 
 that more than "Roman Road'' can be seen there yet, and, if the 
 proprietor would preserve it in its present state, it might, in future 
 ages serve as a memorial of departed worth. I know there are 
 those who will treat this train of reasoning with but meagie re- 
 spect. What would they say if I affirmed that the Son of Man once 
 frequented these old but now deserted paths. I hereby, assert that 
 He did so, in the person of this believing and faithful messenger, 
 and in the persons of that Messenger's spiritual children. The 
 gabble of all the wordings on earth won't prevent the "Angel of 
 the Lord from encamping round about them that fear him." 
 Neither will it refute the words of the first of English poets: — 
 
 "Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth 
 Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep." 
 
 Houseless and homeless, Jacob returns from his 20 years ex- 
 ile. His twin-brother, with a hilarious crew- of "400 men are on 
 their way to meet him." They are "men of men the chief. '• As 
 they continue their march, they have their jokes, and their fan. 
 The exile feels discouraged. "Within are feais. Without there 
 may be fightings." But the "Angel of the Lord met him." This 
 
 I 
 
I 
 
 EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 iM 
 
 li 
 
 I ■ 
 
 wo\i\d show him that he yet had friends. It would also cheer him 
 on, while the tables were being turned on Esau and his rough as- 
 sociates. It is, therefore, not for mortal man to say how often or 
 how seldom the solitary East River Evangelist, 90 years ago, or 
 even the humblest of his converts may have been benefitted by the 
 ministrations of these celestial inhabitants. Is there any supersti- 
 tion in taking the word of God as we find it? For these, and kin- 
 dred reasons, not only is 
 
 "The chamber where the good man meets his fate, 
 
 Privileged beyond the common walk 
 
 Of virtuous life, quite in the verge of heaven." 
 
 But even the very ground on which his feet once stood may 
 be entitled to special veneration. None but a vandal would drive 
 his plowshare through that spot of earth in reference to which a 
 voice from heaven once exclaimed, "Draw not nigh hither, for 
 the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.'' Others can use 
 their freedom, but, for my part, I shall ever maintain that to 
 revere places once frequented by eminent saints is a part of Bible 
 Christianity. Why do men visit the Mount of Olives, or the Garden 
 of Gethsemane? Along the Lakes of Cape Breton there are sights 
 equally beautiful. But Christ often traversed the one. He passed 
 through a midnight agony in the other. And this Invests them both 
 with an interest more endearing and more enduring than that at- 
 tached to much vaunted Crystal Palaces. 
 
 "Thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favor the dust 
 thereof." 
 
 DR. ANGUS McGILLiIVRAY 
 
 1 
 
 Personally, and in social life, Mr. McGillivray was one of the 
 most estimable of men. The "ornament of a meek and quiet spirit" 
 was eminently his. Dr. Chalmers, Dr. McDonald of Ferrintosh, and 
 Mr. McGillivray were men of exactly the same size — the same 
 height, broad shouldered, and deep chested. Dr, McDonald had 
 even the same rotundity of countenance and floridity of complexion. 
 
 For a period of about 40 years Mr. McGillivray was the min- 
 ister of Springville congregation, then including all the West 
 Branch. During all that time, he performed his pastoral duties with 
 a fidelity that may, at the present day, be considered remarkable. 
 At a time when "well earned" vacations were unknown, except 
 when sickness prevented (and that was not often) he never failed 
 to preach his two sermons every Sabbath. And whatever his people 
 had to complain of, they couldn't say they didn't get good measure. 
 
 In those days, two sermons, each an hour long, with a few 
 minutes intermission, would be considered a very model for brevity. 
 
 When Mr. McGillivray commenced his ministerial labours 
 everything was favourable. In his spiritual charge he found "a 
 people prepared for the Lord." From Churchville to Sunny Brae, 
 from the Fish Pools to the West Branch Lake, every family, 
 whether Kirk or Antiburgher, was a religious family. Under 
 "smoky rafters" joy and gladness were found therein — thanks- 
 giving and the voice of melody. Both by his teaching and example. 
 

 leer him 
 ough as- 
 often or 
 ago, or 
 d by the 
 supersti- 
 and kin- 
 
 00 d may 
 uld drive 
 
 which a 
 ither, for 
 •s can use 
 n that to 
 t of Bible 
 he Garden 
 are sights 
 He passed 
 them both 
 in that at- 
 
 )r the dust 
 
 one of the 
 uiet spirit" 
 intosh, and 
 - the same 
 3onald had 
 complexion. 
 
 IS the min- 
 the West 
 duties with 
 [•emarkable. 
 )wn, except 
 lever failed 
 r his people 
 Dd measure, 
 with a few 
 for brevity, 
 ial labours 
 e found "a 
 5unny Brae, 
 ery family, 
 lily. Under 
 — thanks- 
 nd example, 
 
 I 
 
 f 
 
 EAST RIVER WORTHIES 9 
 
 Mr. McGlllivray did much to fester the hallowed custom. In those 
 days, family worship was no unmeaning form gone through with 
 but scant reference. Not only did the "Saint, the father and tiie 
 husband pray," but he saw to it that ne had the whole family 
 before him, and, with ;i father s eye, he saw that every ear was at- 
 tentive. In the psalm sung, the chapter read, and the prayer made, 
 the vicissitudes of the day would be anticipated, and every wor- 
 shipper would feel as if he himself was specially included. They 
 would all then betaky themselves to their work with the conscious 
 assurance that the blessing of heaven accompanied their lai)oura. 
 Today, singing at family worship is getting to be one of the "Lost 
 Arts. Rut all the organs in the Dominion are but a poor substitute 
 ror It. Sing to the Lord in joyful strains." But can this be done, 
 when singing is dispensed with? 
 
 Secret prayer was, especially during the earlier part of Mr. 
 McOilliviay's ministry, a favourite recreation. Pious emigrants 
 from Glenurquhart. Kilmorack Sutherland and Rosshire, imported 
 the precious custom. Very often did 
 
 The Midnight air. 
 Behold the fervour 
 
 of their prayer, 
 
 Such is a reference to the slate of religion on the East River 
 tJO years ago. "The wilderness and the solitary place was made 
 glad." Deserts "rejoiced and blossomed," the Sabbath was kept 
 with much strictness. Any one speaking, or attempting, on that 
 day, to speak about world affairs, would find himself a marked 
 man. Ail this, without the aid of any "Endeavour," except the 
 endeavour to serve the Lord in the "beauties of holiness." sprang 
 from the seraphic preaching of the word, as it would be: 
 
 "By McGregor thundered 
 
 Or by McCulloch poured in gentle stream. 
 
 Fifty-eight years ago, a ma-n* whose word none would dispute, 
 and who vvas himself an eye witness of the scene, assured me that 
 when Dr. McCulloch preached there would scarcely be a dry eye. 
 And it was no wonder. For never did Napoleon survey the whole 
 field of battle with a more comprehensive glance than would be 
 depicted in Dr. McCulloch's countenance, as, in a way peculiarly 
 his own, he wielded the "sword of the spirit," and caused the keen- 
 ness of its edge to be felt. Mr. McGillivray's veneration for this 
 "Master of assemblies" knew no limit. And to his well-known 
 attachment, both to him and to Dr. McGregor, he was partly in- 
 debted for his own success. Dr. McCulloch often occupied Mr. Mc- 
 Gillivray's pulpit. No one would know he was to be there until 
 they saw liim hovering about the church Sabbath morning. But 
 every one, when they saw him. would know that he would preach 
 the English sermon. In his liabits he was simple and unassuming 
 as any child. The last time I heard him was in the old church at 
 Robertson's mill, now Churchville. His text was "Lazarus is dead; 
 and I am glad for your sakes that I was not there." On Sacramen- 
 
 (*) The late John Eraser, Deacon. 
 
fh'^:: 
 
 EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 tal occasions. Mr. McGilllvray would be ^^X^^^l^^^^^?.^:; 
 did men. There would be Dr. ^^^,^""°'%r Ross West River, and 
 Rev Mr. Patrick, of Merigomis . ?1^ ^n Ross ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ 
 
 fhat prince of P--«,f ''^l ^V^^^^^f,^^ not be long enough. They were 
 only have one ^^^^--1.! u^rng and we would all only wish that 
 masters in the art of preaching, an^ ^« p ^ Qiji ^t Thoas. II 
 Sey would continue their ^P^^l^^jVearers This ^vas the "Golden 
 t ley had, they would not ^^"^.J^^j^^ft^K^^-er; when each of these 
 -:;n:i:^sd^l:c^"rSr"3ii^iJ^b^t! or '••ha. his strength he 
 
 put not forth." 
 
 Popery Condemned. William and Melville, eic. 
 
 quently quoted in this paper. destined 
 
 By the bye. doesn't it look as if the East 
 to have a dynasty of SinclairsV 
 
 III 
 
 ro thee loved Nith, thy gladsome Plains. 
 Where late with careless thought I rang d. 
 ?ho' ?rest with care, and sunk \^-^\^^^^ 
 To thee. I biing a heart unchanged.-Burns. 
 
 REV. DONALD ALLAN FRASER 
 
 -.Qon Mr Fraser preached his first sermon 
 About the year 1S20 ^i- F^^^^^ P^^ belonging to Angus 
 on East River, in an "^.^ vacant^ ou ^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ gt^n^^^^ 
 Chisholm (Innkeeper), and f tu.te jvher^ ^^^ Antiburgher 
 
 The rush to l^^^^^J^^^Vm^oiS^eTme^e continued his ministrations 
 flocked to hear him. Foi some u ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ County. He 
 
 up and down the r,^^^': • ^^^!?^ Warding with that most inveterate of 
 
 even lived on the East ^^^y^^^; 7^Xe?on, whose house wa. within 
 Antiburghers--Deacon Duncan Cameron^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^j^. 
 
 tfew rods of where St. P'^^^Vh^^^^^^^.^i.^^peak very kindly of Mr. 
 tested by the Kirk folK. But ne wuu ^ jj q^ ^r. Eraser's 
 Eraser, 'on one occasion he did s to mjseU^^^.^^^ ^^^ ^ 
 
 status as a P^^^^^^^^^'',;" ^^°'' foHowing Reminiscences. For these 
 therefore, limit myself to ^he follow mg 
 
 I am indebted to personal k"°^^!f ^"j .^^3^ 1838-the time of 
 1 IL was a snowy time m «^jd-winter J« ^^^^ j^^^^t. 
 
 Rev. Kenneth John M^Kenzie's and Dickson s e^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ ^ 
 S were in Metcalfe's ^^ore somewhe e n ^^^^^^ ^^^^_ ^,^^ 
 
 Tsons Hardware ^^ove now stanc^^s. Thi^ ^^^^ ^^^^ ^^^^.^ 
 the McCoulls were ^berem then pun ^^ ^^^^^^ ^ ^ ^^ 
 
 peacemakers. The very sight ^^^IZ^xv He looked like a polar 
 Anthony wore a^^^^^ gray Jom^^P^^^^^^ -Aicides of the field' 
 bear, and almost as .l^^^^^^^^e- .KODeri ^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^e 
 
 __was well dressed m Enslisl^^ ^roajclo . ^^ ^^^^^^^ Canadian 
 l^e^ds, r;?sT^t=s."sJ;;^ U^: ^urmg the day. While con- 
 
EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 11 
 
 of splen- 
 
 . Trotter. 
 
 liver, and 
 
 1(1118 would 
 
 They were 
 
 wish that 
 
 Thoas. If 
 
 lie "Golden 
 
 •h of these 
 
 itrcnsth he 
 
 s author of 
 
 It is so fie- 
 
 ^as destined 
 
 d, 
 ns. 
 
 first sermon 
 ig to Angus 
 V now stands. 
 
 Antiburgher 
 
 ministrations 
 
 ! County. He 
 
 inveterate of 
 e was within 
 was much de- 
 kindly of Mr. 
 
 Mr. FrHser's 
 , and, I shall, 
 3s. For these 
 
 — the time of 
 in. The hust- 
 ; Thos. Eraser 
 ond week, and 
 were there as 
 quell a riot, 
 d like a polar 
 i of the field" 
 as always sure 
 ashy Canadian 
 lay, while con- 
 
 versing with Rev. Angus McGlllivray, just outside the polling place, 
 I noticed Mr. John Cameron, merchant, conversing with a respect- 
 able looking genileman. It was Rev. Donald Fraser. I knew he 
 was, then, settled at Lunenburg, and his appearance in New Cllaa- 
 gow, and in such stormy weather, struck me with surprise. There 
 he was, however; and it was tlie first time I ever saw him, though 
 I had been liearing about him for 20 years. But even now, I saw 
 him only for ii minute and at a distance. In appearance he bore 
 some resemblance to the late IJasil Bell, Esq. — A. C. Bell's father. 
 But he was taller and larger l)oned. Mr. Fraser, postmaster, can 
 tell whether there is any tnitli in this comparison, as he must 
 have known liini well. He had now come of a long journey of about 
 180 miles. His old friend, Mr. McKenzie, was engaged in an 
 arduous struggle, and he would be naturally desirous to lend him 
 a helping hand, and also, with his own eyes, to see how things 
 stood. On liis massive liead was a large fur cap tliat had seen 
 some service. The rest of the dress corresponded with the cap. The 
 day was bitter cold, but he wore no overcoat. 
 
 2. In 183 5 Mr. Fraser and Dr. McCulloch had a furious con- 
 troversy. Mr. F's. share of it consisted in reply to a communication 
 of tiie Doctor's that had appeared in the Acadian Recorder. Any 
 one wishing to see either the '•ommiinication or the reply, will find 
 both at Mrs. Donald Allan Holmes' in a vol. of the Pictou Observer. 
 Dr. McCulloch told Rev Angus McGillivray that it was the first 
 time he ever got the worst of it in a controversy. This concession 
 won't be found in either the Recorder or the Observer. 
 
 3. It is now September, 184 3. At this time I was engaged 
 teaching in the Red Schoolhonse. Such was the number of 
 branches taught, and so thronged was the school, that the Board 
 of Commissioners constituted it into a Grammar school, thus secur- 
 ing for it a douI)Ie allowance of government money. Among my 
 pupils were Hon. S. H. Holmes, ex-premier of Nova Scotia, Hon. 
 Angus McQueen, of New Brunswick, Rev. Jas. McG. McKay, Rev. 
 Jas. McLean and Rev. J. D, McGillivray. A year ago, with my own 
 money, I had bought, a ad paid for a horse, saddle and bridle. And 
 one Saturday afternoon (in those days, school teachers had two 
 holidays in the year — Christmas and New Year's day, every Satur- 
 day they had to teach till 12), thus accoutred. I rode down to New 
 Glasgow. There it was rumored that "Donald Allan Fraser" was to 
 preach tomorrow at MoLellan's Mountain. Having heard so much 
 about Mr F. — Kirk folk extolling him as a prodigy in the pulpit, 
 Antiburghers putting him down as no preacher at all — I thought 
 I would go tomorrow and hear for myself. With that object in 
 view instead of returning, that night to my home in Springville, I 
 remained in New Glasgow. Sabbath morning found me on my way 
 to McLellan's Mountain. This was a place I had never yet seen. 
 As I neared the place of my destination, I was very much captivated 
 by the lovely scenery. It was autumn. But 
 
 "Birds sang love on every spray, and 
 Flowers grew wanton to be pressed." 
 
 About 11 o'clock the church appeared in sight, I could say with 
 Watts, "O thou transporting rapt'rous scene." It was a tiwo story 
 
I'J 
 
 EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 edifice, with a gallery all round, either on the very spot occupied 
 by the present place of worsiiip, or within a few feet of It. The 
 service iiad just commenced. Rut the place was crowded. Inside 
 every seat was full, every inch of standing room taken up Win- 
 dows and doors were wide open, but gathered around them was a 
 group of anxious hearers. From the green hills of Sunny Brae, New 
 Glasgow and the Albion Mines they were there. 
 
 The service was in Gaelic. Text, "And 1 was with you in 
 wealiuess, and in tear, and in much trembling." The audience was 
 much affected. Tliere was loud sobl)ing and weeping. "O ye of 
 McLeUan's Mountain, the congregation that I liked the best of any 
 congregation I cvt-r had, (putting mucii emphasis on over) you did 
 give me your love. But when you did. It was you that loved the 
 man that was unwortliy of your love. It was the person of the man 
 you loved, and not his work, and I could never get you out of my 
 mind. 1 would be thinking of jou by day, I would be thinking of 
 you by night. I would be thinking about you by land and by sea, 
 and now, I have come all the way from Newfoundland to see you 
 once more, (Mr. F. died durivig the following winter) publicly to 
 confess what an unworthy servant I was when going out and in 
 among you." 
 
 Of the Gaelic sermon the above was about all I could hear. 
 But the above I did hear distinctly, and I had given it in Mr. 
 Fraser's own words. McLeUan's Mountain Church, that lovely Sab- 
 bath forenoon, was literally a "place of weeping." The sobbing 
 and weeping could be heard at a distance. 
 
 During the intermission, the church was emptied. For the 
 service which was soon to be resumed, I was one of the first to 
 secure a seat. I happily found one. It was in the front of the gal- 
 lery, on the left of the pulpit, and about 15 feet from it. Mr. Fraser 
 was in his place. For the first time in my life, I could now see him 
 to some advantage, and I made the most of the opportunity. With- 
 in, and around the church, there must have been scores with whom 
 he was acquainted. But he did not go flying about them. If he 
 did, I must have seen him, calm and serene, he was sitting down 'n 
 the pulpit. On the seat, at his right hand, was what, in most other 
 places, would be a tumbler of milk, but, here, it would, no doubt, 
 be one of the best of McLeUan's Mountain cream. Beside it was 
 his manuscript. But, he never looked at either during the inter- 
 mission, or during the delivery of the discourse. In his hand was 
 a pair of gold spectacles. If he had a gold watch chain, he hadn't 
 the bad taste that some ministers have. In the pulpit, he kept it. 
 where it ought to be kept — out of sight. 
 
 But the time is up. The people are all in, and, as Mr. Fraser 
 stood up to resume and finish the work of that Sabbath day any 
 one could notice 
 
 1st. The appearance of the man. The very picture of liealth. 
 Age about 55. Ruddy complexion. Few gray hairs to be seen. 
 Dress, rich and well fitting. Height 6 feet 2. 
 
 "What nervous arms he boasts; how firm his tread. 
 His limbs how turned; how broad his shoulders spread." 
 
1 
 
 EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 13 
 
 t occupied 
 )f It. The 
 pd. Inside 
 
 up VVln- 
 licni was a 
 
 Hiue, New 
 
 ith you In 
 
 (licnce was 
 
 "O ye of 
 
 best of any 
 
 it) you did 
 
 t loved the 
 
 of the man 
 
 out of my 
 
 thinking of 
 
 and by sea, 
 
 to see you 
 
 publicly to 
 
 out and in 
 
 could hear. 
 
 n it In Mr. 
 t lovely Sab- 
 The sobbing 
 
 id. For the 
 the first to 
 It of the gal- 
 ;. Mr. Fraser 
 now see him 
 unity. With- 
 es with whom 
 them. If he 
 tting down 'n 
 in most other 
 lid, no doubt. 
 Beside it was 
 ing the inter- 
 his hand was 
 lin, he hadn't 
 it, he kept iu 
 
 as Mr. Fraser 
 )bath day any 
 
 ure of health. 
 •s to be seen. 
 
 tread. 
 5 spread." 
 
 I 
 
 Text: "There Is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." 
 As he proceeded, be quott'd tbesf lines from nurns' "Man was made 
 to mourn." The poet faid it beautifully, but falsely. 
 
 "() death, the poor mans friend. 
 The kindest and the best." 
 
 "Ah, no, JesiiH of Nazar3tli is the poor man's friend, the 'kind- 
 est and the best.' When Joseph made himself known to bis breth- 
 ren. It was, "I am Joseph whom ye sold into Egypt." Ah, but this 
 was most unkind. How different from our friend. He won't say, 
 I am Jesus whom ye cnicified, etc. It was easy to see how exalted 
 a conception the venerable man had, as to the nature of true 
 friendship. Here Is another quotation: "I speak advisedly, I fear 
 the world's favors more than its frowns." He said something to the 
 effect that a true friend would not "shake" hands with a strani?er. 
 Perhaps he little thoiulu tiuit, in less than '2i hours he would 
 have an opportunity to reduce the maxim to practice. But It was 
 so. That Sal)l)ath night he put up at Kev. Dr. Alexander Mcdiiliv- 
 ray's. Monday mornin;; Rev. Mr. MoRae made his appearance. Of 
 course he came to see Mr. Fraser. Rut ho had seen Mr. Fraser for 
 the last time some year'* ago. In the winter of 1839-40, Mr. Fraser 
 had, over his own nanip, publislied one of his many letters in the 
 Nova Scotian, and, without having the fear of Mr. McRae before 
 his eyes, he spoke favorably of Mr. Howe, the Youngs, etc., and 
 wished them God speed in their exertions to obtain Respon^^lble 
 Government. If he did, there soon appeared in the Halifax Times, a 
 bitter anonyiuous attack on Mr. Fraser. For this he blamed Mr. 
 McRae, and, for this reason, he declined the honor of an interview 
 that Monday morning — he "practised what he preached." 
 
 4. About this time there was a public meeting in St. John's. 
 The object of the meeting was ♦^o adopt measures to found a 
 college, in which the youth of Newfoundland could obtain the bene- 
 fit of a university eduration. The Lieutenant-Governor, Sir John 
 Harvey, was chairman. Thsre were addresses by members of the 
 learned professions A certain lawyer in his speech, spoke sneer- 
 ingly of Scottish Universities, P^dinburgh, Glasgow, St. Andrews, 
 and Aberdeen; Scottish literati, all over, were an inferior race. To 
 such an address Mr. Fraser felt it his duty to reply. His speech 
 was published in the Halifax Guardian ot the day. This is a 
 quotation: 
 
 "I come now to speak of the modest proposal which 
 requires that none but a graduate either of Queen's 
 College, Dublin, or the University of Oxford, be 
 eligible to a professorship in this contemplated insti- 
 tution and the stilj more modest comparison, in which 
 the learned gentleman introduced the name of Dr. 
 Chalmers as "a solitary eagle among the sparrows of 
 Scotland." What! are there no eagles in Scotland? 
 Are there no ea?les in the land where Allan Ramsay 
 lived, and Burns the Ayrshire peasant? What! are — 
 there no eagles in the land of a Leslie, a Forbes and a 
 Playfair, and a greater than Playfair — Playfair's 
 
14 
 
 EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 deen? Wlu.t! ^u-e thore no eaK s U^^ 
 
 cradled nr...mham'H ^^f 7)'""' ;'"" ,, [.rUs r lys over 
 
 mighty mind of «i^ Y'^' ''. ^' "^m^ed work 
 
 the louKth and l.r.udth of the ;\^ ' =':^ \^.,";^'p\ j^ontlo- 
 
 are eagles In Scotlan.l. . " ;^.^; ^\. ^'^'yX.'lvilch it 
 
 nu.n. chirping in l^»«\.;;' 1'!, '" J^'^'^o encounter, even 
 
 ;^;:;;:^h'"ci:;S" 'ir all Jlle'^IS^lative wlBdo. and 
 
 sanctity of Minerva's bird. ' 
 
 my youtlilul ml.i<l. I 1« "f "'^^^Ja ,„ch a masterpiece 
 
 Ld hy him. I read also " \ ;^^.,^' J^ 'J^^ approach him. Excruciat- 
 unspeakahle privile.u^ "'iVrendui-ed no traces of mourning wero 
 ing as were the sufferings ^^^^ .''"'^"'^"^nity of that nohle c^ounten- 
 
 £- r ;;r,r. ••r'LTerr^. £H?.'r^ ^^^z:'^. 
 
 h°;nrs\nAr;ne"l"T, 'r;'rrS.;e?n tUen. >nto U,e ann. 
 
 Of my Saviour." ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ .^^ ^^^^ 
 
 * But splendid as was the "J'P^^^^J^'B^.it^ House of Commons. 
 • pulpit, his appropriate sphere was ^heBun ^^^^^ ^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ 
 
 ?:4r V"L\;^dorht^.r-KnS oTKerry would also have found 
 his match. 
 
 HEV. JOHN McRAE 
 
 . • 1097 and from that time till 
 Mr. McRae came to ^'^ "J^J^^/^^eKTrk congregation of the 
 
 1844-45. was the la^^"'-'«"%P^.!,\"'^ °Ln of buP^^^^^ «^^"^^^ T^ ''1 
 East and West Branch "^.J^^'j^^^^i the pen of a ready writer. I 
 and great bodily activity. He J^^^^^^^^J^^r. shrill voice, spoke wi h 
 heard him preach twice. "?^j',^^_„^^'at a great distance. He would 
 great distinctness, and could '^^^ ^'^f ''J^^; Vpinch of snuff, and then 
 stop in the middle of. his sermon t« t^^^Vknown before. With this 
 finish off with an ^mmation and energy u ^^^ ^^ ^^^ 
 
 rXS^to'be^r :^/ityrnt IZST^'n. exceedingly able. 
 July 23rd., 1892. 
 
1 
 
 EAST RIVER DEBATING SOCIETIES 
 
 16 
 
 )or- 
 iliat 
 
 I he 
 aver 
 iK'fe 
 itU- 
 
 h It 
 even 
 
 and 
 
 1. But. on 
 11 that liaa. 
 
 Mr. Fraser's 
 he was fre- 
 ct that thift 
 )hn's Is suf- 
 were worrls 
 "It was an 
 Excruc'lat- 
 )urning wero 
 )l)lo counten- 
 e been faith- 
 the one side, 
 bto the arms 
 
 made in the 
 of Commons. 
 
 boy ni com- 
 30 have found 
 
 that time till 
 :>gation of the 
 nental powers 
 ;ady writer. I 
 ;e, spoke with 
 ice. He would 
 nuff, and then 
 lore. With this 
 t; but he was 
 y able. 
 
 EAST RIVER DEBATING SOCIETIES 
 
 IV. 
 
 Ever since puihlic spcultint,' bc^an to be practiced as an Art, 
 uud learning began to flourisli. tliere have been debating societies, 
 under one name or another. In Bible times, there were the schools 
 of the prophets. Clreeco had her Ivi.uunis. her Academic groves. And 
 even In the Olympic cimea, feata of Oratory and Eloquence consti- 
 tuted pait of the programme, lu Scotland, these associations as- 
 sumed the name of Mechanics' Institutes. In Edinburgh was the 
 famous Speculative Society when Hroug^ham, Jeffrey and Horner 
 v.'fre striplings, and where they took their first lesson in Oratory. 
 Halifax had once a flourishing Mechanics' Institute. So had I'ictou. 
 At the former George R. Young. Joseph Howe, Andrew McKinlay 
 v/ere frequent lecturers, as were J. VV. Dawson, J. D. B. Fraser, .Mr. 
 Fogo and Rev. Mr. Trotter and Rev. Dr. Smith, Stewiacke, and 
 many others, at the latter. The poet Burns, too, before he was out 
 Gt his teens, got up his debating society at Tarbolton, at one of the 
 meetings of which the hapless Dr. Hornbook made such an offen- 
 sive display of his attainments as to draw on himself the immortal 
 castigation contained in "Death and Dr. Hornbook." 
 
 The first Debating Society on the East River, that I had any 
 personal knowledge of, was at Bridgeville, 58 years ago. It met 
 weekly in the house of Mr. Peter Grant — uncle to the present young 
 Grants of Bridgeville. My impression is that this was after Mr. 
 Grant had emigrated to Canada, and that the house was unoccu- 
 pied at the time. It was a two-story house, I think it is standing 
 yet. Senator Holmes took a leading part in conducting the meet- 
 ings of this Society. He had recently bought the Holmes farm at 
 Springville, and was living there But, when I. think of it, up to this 
 date, tliere was no Sprinaville. The name had no e.xistence. It was 
 the go )d old James Fraser — Donald Fraser, Geologist's father — 
 that about this time bestowed on the place the name of Springville. 
 Some of your readers are familiar with that beautiful stream that 
 glides so sweetly by the residence of Mrs Donald Allan, -ind Jamci- 
 Holmes, Esq. It is a perennial stream. There are other streams in 
 tlie vicinity, and from these the place derived its name. These wa- 
 tPTs are exquisitely sweet and refreshing. Even an editor might 
 be benefited by the taste of them. 
 
 Of the Bridgeville Debating Society, Senator (the then only 
 squire) Holmes was the main spring. For this his education and 
 natural abilities qualified him. He was then a young man full of 
 activity, physical and mental. During all his life lie was distin- 
 guished for his social qualities. I was about 15, and one night, 
 went (4) miles to hear a debate. I made a speech, and got myself 
 laughed at for my pains. It was for a homely argument I used to 
 prove that enjoyment is better than hope. Either the next winter or 
 that following they held their debates in the Red Schoolhouse. And 
 
16 
 
 EAST RIVER DEBATING SOCIETIES 
 
 h«;re again Mr. Holmes took a leading part, assisted by a native of 
 the place whose originality and intelligence made him the life and 
 soul not only ot Springville, but every adjacent settlement. This 
 was John Fraser, Catach. He and Mr. Holmes were often antagon- 
 ists in debate. This was the first Debating Society in Springville. 
 
 During the winter of 1837-38, there was a strong Debating 
 Society in New Glasgow. The following were active members, and 
 took a leading part in the debates, P. G. McGregor, Robt. McGregor, 
 Capt. Thomas Graham, Sr., his brother, Wm. Graham, Kenneth 
 Forbes, Wm. Chisholm, Saddler, Isaac Matheson, Mr. Milne, the 
 Brewer, etc. My impression is that tihe present J. W. Carmichaei 
 was from home that winter. I was a mem'her myself — going to P. G. 
 McGregor's school at the time. They held their meetings weekly in 
 the only school-house then in New Glasgow. It was situated either 
 on the spot where A. C. Bell's Feed Store is, or a few ?eet to the 
 nfirth of it. Even then. New Glasgow was divided into two parties 
 — aris4:of'rati(' and plebeian. On the one side were the McGregors', 
 the Carmichaels'. and family connections. On the other the Gra- 
 b,!ms'. Forbes' Chisholms', etc. Of course I cast in my lot with the 
 latter. They had wealth and rank. We had independence. 
 We looked up to Thomas Graham as our leader. And an 
 able leader he was. No matter v\hat the topic for debate would be, 
 th'- McGregors, Mathesons, etc., would be ranged on the one side, 
 and the Grahams, Forbes, Chisholms, etc., on the other. This was 
 invariably adhered to with a tenacity that Kirk and Antiburgher 
 heed not have been ashamed of. One of the bye-laws subjected any 
 member to a fine of $1.00 for disobeying the chairman. On one 
 occasion this dignitary ordered me to sit down. Conscious of hav- 
 liig right on my side, and that the mandate originated in a disposi- 
 tion not only to put me down, but to keep me down, I simply said 
 I wouldn't. A prominent member on the opposite side moved that 
 Mr. Grant be fined $1.00. Mr. Wm. Graham moved in amendment, 
 that the fine be one penny. The amendment carried. 
 
 Debates would occasionally be dispensed with for a lecture by 
 some member. Mr. P. G. McGregor gave one on the Useful Arts, 
 and Mr. Isaac Matheson on Political Economy. The writer gave 
 <.'ne on the East River. At the close of this latter performance, Mr. 
 Kenneth Forbes got up and said, "that was the best lecture ever 
 delivered in this house." For this he was instantly brought to 
 tiisk. And, considering who had preceded me, in the Fame capa- 
 city, it was no wonder if he would be made to do penance for his 
 indiscretion. Perhaps some reader would like to know how a 
 greenhorn of 20 would write about the East River fifty-four years 
 ago. If so, here is a sample. 
 
 "As the traveller approaches New Glasgow, the incessant 
 rattlinig of railroad cars, with their appendages, produce deafening 
 convictions of the present prosperity and future importance of this 
 interesting place. But he is now at New Glasgow. It is situated on 
 the eastern bank of the river, and connected with the opposite side 
 by a well-constructed wooden bridge The village, a few years ago. 
 consisted of a tew scattered buildings But. owing to the enterprises 
 of its inhabitants, it has rapidly increased in size and commercial 
 importance For the most part, the buildings were constructed of 
 wood. A goodly proportion are of stone, and they afford specimens 
 
EAST RIVER DEBATING SOCIETIES 
 
 17 
 
 a native of 
 he life and 
 lent. This 
 !n antagon- 
 
 pringville. 
 
 g Debating 
 mbers, and 
 McGregor, 
 , Kenneth 
 Milne, the 
 Carmichaei 
 ing to P. (j. 
 s weekly in 
 uaied either 
 ?eet to the 
 two parties 
 McGregors', 
 ler the Gra- 
 lot with the 
 idependence. 
 And an 
 ite would be, 
 the one side. 
 3r. This was 
 Antiburgher 
 subjected any 
 lan. On one 
 scions of hav- 
 l in a disposi- 
 I simply said 
 le moved that 
 n amendment, 
 
 r a lecture by 
 e Useful Arts, 
 e writer gave 
 •formance, Mr. 
 It lecture ever 
 ,ly brought to 
 he pame capa- 
 enance for his 
 know how a 
 ifty-four years 
 
 the incessant 
 duce deafening 
 ortance of this 
 t is situated on 
 le opposite side 
 
 few years ago, 
 
 the enterprises 
 md commercial 
 
 constructed of 
 Cford specimens 
 
 ot workmanship that cannot easily be surpassed. For some dis- 
 tance ur the river, the country presents the appearance of a long 
 extended vale, intersected by well cultivated farms, and densely set- 
 tled habitations. Here, the traveller can find two things which to 
 contemplate. Here is the grandeur of mountain scenery to the 
 east, with a vast extent of monotonous forest land terminating the 
 view to the wtst. If his mind is so constituted as to take pleasure 
 in contemplating the workings of art, he can survey the Albion 
 Mines with all their surroundings. He can see there how the in- 
 genuity of man, by mechanical contrivances, has concerted plans, 
 and erected supei'structures by means of which commerce is con- 
 ducted on a superior scale. A minute description of these appli- 
 ances would be difficult. The works are there, and any one can 
 see and examine them for himself. He can also notice what vast 
 sums of money were expended (around .Mount Rundell) in cultivat- 
 Mig small pieces of land. The taste and siimptuousness displayed 
 ahout some of the private residences, mark thiF as a place where 
 high life in all its grandeur, is studiously cultivated. (This was 
 v.M'itten in the days of Turtin, Joseph Smth. Neil .McKay and David 
 Dickson, when there was no such place as Mount Rundell on this 
 side of Government House, Halifax.) As the travellei proceeds 
 III) the river, he enters a region the scenery of which is considerablj 
 d'versified by hill and dale, until the emotions of admiration .sub- 
 side into those of peace and tranquility. The region he has now 
 centered differs from that which he has left in its external aspect, 
 while the people inhabiting it differ from the former in many of 
 their ma.iners and customs. He is now in Churchvillp. The road 
 for 2 mile.s conducts him along a plain bounded by Irisli Mountain 
 ot: the east, and an upland tract of gentle elevation or. the west. 
 The inhabitants live in mutual harmony, and by frugal industry, 
 enjoy all the comforts of life [n the centre of the settlement, and 
 in close proximity to Robertson's Mills, is Churchville Meeting 
 House, more distiiiguishe'd by simplicity than grandeur. Of the 
 sctnery nothing in particular can be said, except that, during sum- 
 mer when the "sun shoots full perfection." it is attractive and beau- 
 tiful. The rugged summit of Irish Mountain forms an agreeable 
 contrast to that gentle sheet of water that ripplfs along its base — 
 Forbes' bake. For about two miles more the road leads through a 
 woodland tract Here, the works of nature, unalloyed by those of 
 art. afford fresh matter for reflection abruptly emergino from this 
 sylvan scene, the hills and vales of Springville appear in view. 
 
 Here, landscape wide, in all its majesty and grace. 
 
 Presents itself, in rudeness sweet, before the face. 
 
 Here, rugged cliffs and sunny plains, in beauteous foliage clad, 
 
 Rejoice the mind, and mingle pleasing thoughts with sad; 
 
 Here Springville's pure transparent streams 
 
 Or Limehrook's hollow murm'ring roar, 
 
 In accents sweet conspire t'impart 
 
 A solemn air to the surrounding shore. 
 
 These hills, alas, by nature's touch are rudely decked. 
 
 And on the stranger's mind no thoughts of interest can reflect. 
 
 Yet your lofty steeps have often borne me in my youthful joy$ 
 
 Therefore. I love you; and me your mem'ry ever will rejoice. 
 
 In fertility of soil the East River will compare favorably with 
 
18 
 
 EAST RIVER DEBATING SOCIETIES 
 
 any part of Nova Scotia. But iu mineral resources it is unequalled. 
 During the summei months, its hills are "a place for the herds to 
 lie down, and its valleys are covered with corn." At this season. 
 Pictou Harbor is truly "an haven of ships," coming from the ends 
 of the earth to waft cargoes of our coal to supply the furnaces and 
 dwellings of many lands with fuel. Springville and Churchville 
 olone have lime enough to supply British North America.* Last 
 summer, at the former of these places, by three individuals- - Da vid 
 McLean, James Fraser and James Grant, there were manufactured 
 and conveyed to the Albion Mines. 3000 bushels of this aniclp of 
 commerce. This they did beside cultivating their extensive farms 
 and raising abundant crops therefrom. Last spring (1836) the 
 Quantity of square tinvber sent down the river, amoun'ed to 2500 
 tons. And it was quite a si^ht to see the athletic sons of Sunnv 
 Brae — 'Chisholms, Kennedies, Thomsons, McDonalds, Mclntoshes. as 
 they streamed this vast quantity fighting and surmounting the 
 rtipids of the "Black Teeth." Around Bridgeviile, there have al\\a>8 
 been found specimens of iron ore of a superior quality. This, at no 
 distant period, will also contribute to the prosperity of this favor- 
 ed place." 
 
 Now, reader, the above was written before Graham Fraser was 
 born. "Duncan Penny" was the sole inhabitant of Ferrona. Eureka 
 was then an uncultivated waste. There might be here and there, a 
 tree "where the great owl would make her nest," but that was all 
 
 In the winter of 1824-25, there was another Debating Society 
 at Bridgeviile. This time they met in the house of Mr. Robt. Creel- 
 man. It was at the end of the bridige, and is there yet. I attended 
 once as a spectator. 
 
 I come now to speak of a society the name and fame of which 
 eclipsed all that were either before or after it — the Springville Lit- 
 erary Society. It was late in December, 1843. As previously stat- 
 eo, I then taught school in the "Red School-house." One evening, 
 after school hours, three or four of us happened to be together 
 around the stove. The party consisted of Hector McKenzie, after- 
 wards postmaster at Stellarton, Dr. McKay, John Fraser, Catach, 
 and the teacher. Before we separated, a new era began to dawn. 
 That winter, there was to be a series of fortnightly lectures. Every 
 alternate week we were to have a debate. Mr. McKenzie, especial- 
 ly, entered into the project with all the "perfervidum ingenium' 
 of his nature. Throughout the entire community, the affair took 
 like wild fire. And, during the remainder of that winter, the Red 
 School-house was a lively place. Every night, let it storm or shine, 
 the place was crowded. They would be there from Sunny Brae, the 
 Middle River, Hopewell, Churchville, Big Brook, McLellan's Brook, 
 and places that had no brooks. The course was inaugurated by a 
 lecture on Palestine, by Rev. Hugh Dunbar. This was followed by 
 others on Geography, Education, Astronomy, Atmospheric Air, etc. 
 Rut the great source of attraction was the debates. There were 
 about half a dozen members whose reading, versatility and gifts of 
 speech would excite admiration. Such were Hector McKenzie, Rob- 
 en Creelman, Jas. McGregor McKay, James Grant, and others. But 
 the principal attraction centred in a series of finished orations de- 
 livered with all the composure of a practiced debater by a young 
 
 (♦) This was written in 1836. 
 
EAST RIVER DEBATING SOCIETIES 
 
 19 
 
 unequalled, 
 the herds to 
 this season, 
 om the ends 
 furnaces and 
 Churchvilie 
 erica.* Last 
 duals — David 
 manufactured 
 his ariiclp of 
 tensive farms 
 (1836) the 
 n ed to 2500 
 ons of Sunnv 
 cintoshes. as 
 mounting the 
 e have al\\a>8 
 ^ This, at no 
 of this favor- 
 
 im Eraser was 
 rona. Eureka 
 e and there, a 
 t that was all 
 
 ibating Society 
 r. Robt. Creel- 
 et. I attended 
 
 fame of which 
 Springville Lit- 
 jreviously stat- 
 One evening, 
 to be together 
 cKenzie, after- 
 ■fraser, Catach, 
 jegan to dawn, 
 ectures. Every 
 enzie, especial- 
 lum ingenium' 
 the affair took 
 vinter, the Red 
 storm or shine, 
 I'unny Brae, the 
 Lellan's Brook, 
 augurated by a 
 .as followed by 
 pherio Air, etc. 
 s. There were 
 ity and gifts of 
 McKenzie, Rob- 
 ind others. But 
 ed orations de- 
 ter by a young 
 
 member who had, hitherto, been a perfect stranger to the art of 
 public speaking. He was the youngest of a numerous and well- 
 known family, at Upper Hopewell. Neither did "fortune smile 
 deceitful on his birth." Every time he spoke, it sounded as if 
 Edmund Burke or Pitt had risen from the dead. 
 
 "He spoke reserv'dly but he spoke with force. 
 Nor could one word be changed but for a worse." 
 
 That young man was the Rev. Alexander McLean, of New Glas- 
 gow. It is an attested fact that Lord Brougham could speak words 
 distinctly when he was eight months old. So one of his. biographers 
 remarked that he commenced speaking at the age of eight months, 
 and that he continued to speak all the rest of his life. At the date 
 referred to, Mr. McLean was of a maturer age. But, as far as is 
 known to me, his public utterances have, ever since, been distin- 
 guished for that ornateness, propriety and finish that, then, aston- 
 ished us all. 
 
 "Fit words attended on his weighty sense. 
 And mild persuasions flow'd in eloquence. '• 
 
 Senator Holmes was the most of this term, absent in Halifax. 
 But the young Holmes' all attended and gave us a helping hand. 
 
 EAST RIVER MERCHANDISING 
 
 V. 
 
 About a hundred years after the death of Noah — that Chris- 
 topher Columbus of the Antediluvians— Abraham buys a piece of 
 land and pays for it in "money current with the merchant." The 
 profession is tnus of ancient origin. In the days of Lot "they 
 I'ought, they sold." And ever since, merchandising and merchants 
 have occupied a conspicuous position in the history of our race. 
 This useful class have alas in all lands been noted for craft a:nd 
 dishonesty, resorting to every petty scheme to increase their store. 
 ' He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand, he loveth 
 to oppress" The same fact is often referred to by the ancient clas- 
 sics. Horace, who lived about 50 years before the days of Christ, 
 often speaks of it. 
 
 In Bible times, and as an emporium of trade, ancient Tyre must 
 have been unrivalled. Can anything be more splendid than the de- 
 scription given by Ezekiel of her commercial magnificence. When 
 reading it, one feels as if he saw, and heard her mariners with tune- 
 ful shouts, handling their ropes, and furling and unfurling sails, 
 and as if his ears were stunned by the barbarous jargon in her crowd- 
 ed markets. "They of the house of Togarmah traded in thy fairs, 
 v;ith horses and horsemen and mules. The ships of Tarshish did 
 sing of thee, and thou wast replenished, and made very glorious in 
 the midst of the seas." Such is the glory to which worldly prosper- 
 ity exalts a people. But in the history of this godless city there was 
 a period when things were on as small a scale as small could be. 
 
20 
 
 EAST RIVER MERCHANDISING 
 
 when her coasts were as destitute of inhabitants as were the shores 
 ol; the East River on the day that Columbus landed on the isiaud 
 of San Salvador. 
 
 As to the history of merchandising on the East River, its com- 
 rjencement was where New Glasgow is, about the beginning of this 
 (ientury, by Mr. Carniichael. As almost every one knows, his store 
 was opposite the Ottawa house. His was the principal store all his 
 life. But al)out the same period or very soon after, Alex Grant, 
 Miller, became a trader. Mr. Carmichael's name, as a merchant 
 prince has ever been a household word. But, among all your read- 
 ei's, there is scarcely one that knows the extent to which this Alex 
 Gfant "sousht goodly pearls," and dispersed them abroad, "iinvexed 
 with all the cares of gain." Bearing on this subject, 1 shall men- 
 tion two incidents. 
 
 1. On one occasion, there was a chest of tea for sale, and 
 Mr. Carmichael wished to be a purchaser. But he thought it too 
 much of a risk to buy the whole chest. And he wanted Mr. Graui 
 (Who was my father) to go shares with him. I had this from the 
 late Deacon Robertson, of Churchville, who may have been an eye- 
 witness to the transaction. It must have occurred at the very com- 
 mencement of Mr. Carmichael's commercial career. And, to me, it 
 is sufficient evidence that, by this time, this Alex Grant liad al- 
 ready embarked in the same calling. 
 
 2. The following incident I had from Mr. Carmichael himself 
 not long before his death. 1 record ii as an Instance of Mr. Grant's 
 well-known generosity. It also goes to show that, v^^ith him mer- 
 chandising was no idle form. Mr. Carmichael had chartered a ves- 
 sel to load her with timber. The vessel was waiting in Pictou har- 
 bor for her cargo. Mr. Carmichael said he had not a stick of 
 timber on hand. He had some up the river, but it could not be got 
 down. Said he, "youi father had his timber all down at New Glas- 
 gow. There was enough of it to load the vessel. He told me to 
 take it. I did so, and thus got the vessel loaded. Had it not been 
 for this obligement I would have been completely ruined." These 
 were Mr. Carmichael's words. 
 
 In New Glasgow, as already stated, Mr. Carmichael was the 
 principal merchant up to the last. Mr. Grant's place of business 
 was 10 miles up the river. It was his custom to so on to Halifax 
 once or twice every year with what spare money he n/iight be pos- 
 sessed of amounting at times to $2,000. This would be laid out in 
 the purchase of goods. These would be sent round by water to Pic- 
 tou. But how they could be conveyed up the river, when roads were 
 bad, is more than I know. But conveyed up the river they were. And 
 there they were sold. But, as his books show, some of his customers 
 belonged to New Glasgow, and even to the counties of Guysboro and 
 Colchester. The name of Rev. Dr. McGregor appears among the 
 nimber. As tar back as 1815 the following items arc charged to 
 
 him: 2 straw bonnets for the servant girls; 56 lbs. sugar; 4 
 tea. In 1S19. 8 quires writing paper bought at one time. The 
 count of another rev. gentleman commences thus: 
 
 1825 — May 19, To 2 gallons rum. 
 1825 — .luly 7, To 2 gallons rum. 
 182 5 — Aug. 9, To 6 quarts rum. 
 This was no Kirk clergyman. 
 
 hs. 
 ac- 
 
EAST RIVER MERCHANDISING 
 
 21 
 
 !re the shores 
 on the island 
 
 Liver, its com- 
 inning of this 
 ows, liis siore 
 1 store all his 
 , Alex Grant, 
 lis a iiu-rcliant 
 all your read- 
 hich this Alex 
 oad, "unvexed 
 , I shall men- 
 
 for sale, and 
 
 thought it too 
 
 tited Mr. Gran. 
 
 this from the 
 
 e been an eye- 
 
 ; the very com- 
 
 And, to me. it 
 
 Grant had al- 
 
 michael himself 
 
 of Mr. Grant's 
 
 with him iner- 
 
 :hartered a ves- 
 
 y in Pictou liar- 
 
 not a stick of 
 
 •ould not be 30L 
 
 vn at New Glas- 
 
 He told me to 
 
 Had it not been 
 
 ruined." These 
 
 nichael was the 
 
 lace of business 
 
 ^o on to Halifax 
 
 le might be pos- 
 
 Id be laid out in 
 
 by water to Pic- 
 
 when roads were 
 
 r they were. And 
 
 of his customers 
 
 of Guysboro and 
 
 pears among the 
 
 s arf charged to 
 
 bs. sugar; 4 lbs. 
 
 le time. The ac- 
 
 For a livelihood Mr. Grant did not depend on the sale of his 
 goods, but on the proceeds of the best of grist mills, wnich he own- 
 e,i cojointly with his brotiier Robert, and a many acred farm, al- 
 ways Itept in the highest state of cultivation. He could thus afford 
 and did afford to be indulgent with his customers. From what I 
 know of his far-reaching philanthropy — which was proverbial —it 
 was not to make money he submitted to the drudgery of storekeep- 
 ing, but because the goods were needed in a place so recently in- 
 habited. There consisted, besides groceries of all kinds, of hard- 
 ware, crockery, riding saddles, bridles, leather etc. I find one 
 blacksmith — it was big John Falcjner — charged with 2 tons, 16 
 (jrt't. Iron. As other stores increased in number, he gradually retir- 
 ed from business. But he kept flour for sale to the last. 
 
 The year IS 16 was the hardest year Pictou ever saw. The pre- 
 ceding summer there was a plague of mice that completely destroy- 
 ed the grain crop. Neither did the potato crop escape their ravages. 
 And this summer famine and starvation stared people in the face. 
 At last, in part to ward off the threatened ruin, Mr. Grant mounts 
 his horse and starts for Halifax, and purchased .$1,000 worth of 
 flour. On his way home in June the road was frozen so hard as to 
 carry his horse. The "heaven was brass and the earth iron." The 
 flour conies round by water. Late on a Saturday afternoon it is all 
 put into a barn at New Glasgow, belonging to .Mr. Carmichael, and 
 Mr. Grant wends his way to his home up the river. The probability 
 is that, Sabbath day, he would travel many a mile to hear Dr. Mc- 
 Gregor preach. But very early Monday morning he went down to 
 New Glasgow. When he got there, the barn was surrounded by a 
 crowd of men from many a mile round. The most of flour dea.ers 
 Avould ask intending purchasers as to their ability to pay. There 
 v.ere no such inquiries that morning. On the contrary if any one 
 had been so unwise as to say he had the 'noney, he would be told 
 ai once that he could get flour elsewhere. For during a long life, 
 he scarcely ever so.d flour to those that had the money to pay for 
 it. When flour was scarce, and the demand urgent, he never did it. 
 
 "There was a man, and some did think him mad. 
 The more he gave, the more he had." — John Bunyan. 
 
 At last the door is opened, and there is one mighty rush. Every- 
 one seizes a barrel. They threw themselves flat on their faces on 
 the barrel, and held on to it with both hands. There was nothing 
 said abort price or pay. Now, reader. I ask you, would every flour 
 dealer l)e so indulgent? I know the young Downies of New Glasgow- 
 have acquired a lasting reputation for their generosity to the in- 
 digent. But this is an instance that would test even theii liberality. 
 Dr. Patterson, in his history of Pictou, says that it was with diffi- 
 culty Mr. Grant preserved a barrel for himself. But this was not so. 
 He didn't try to keep one for himself. If he wanted one. he knew 
 he could get it from Mr. Carmichael, or anyone else that kept flour 
 -or sale. Not so with the destitute crowd surrounding that barn 
 on a June morning in 1S16. 
 
 About this time William [McDonald, J. Fred McDonald's (cus- 
 tom house) grandfather, engaged in mercantile pursuits. His dwell- 
 ing house stands yet at the upper end of the town, near the end 
 
22 
 
 EAST RIVER MERCHANDISING 
 
 was his store, and it was a 
 McDonald traded extensively, 
 at least, four additional 
 
 : '! :. 
 
 of the Merigomisli Roj^d. Here also 
 store that was much frequented. Mr. 
 
 By the summer of 1828, there were, 
 stores In New Glasgow. 
 
 1. Hugh Fraser, Drummond — a brother of Squire Fraser s. 
 I think the Windsor Hotel covers the site of his store. At all events, 
 it stood between the bank of the river and the Ottawa House. 
 
 2. Alexander Fraser (Red Alex). His dwelling house was at 
 the lower end of the wharf, on the River's bank. And here, at this 
 time, he sold his goods. 
 
 3. Squire Fraser's. It was about this time he, on a small scale 
 commenced his mercantile career, in a little wooden building on the 
 site at present occupied by a structure composed of solid masonry, 
 and here he made a fortune. 
 
 4. Either in 1826 or '27 James McGregor rented a house be- 
 Irniging to the already mentioned Alex. Grant. It was situated on 
 tile site now occupied by the Ottawa House. Mr. McGregor rented 
 the whole building. A room fronting the street he used as a store, 
 and the rest as a dwelling place. Here he did business for years. 
 And if any of his children wish to see the place wher^ their taiher 
 commenced that career of which he was so brisiht an ornament, ihoy 
 (an easily gratify their wish. It is still to the fore, and occupied by 
 Mr. Muir. Mr Grant, when preparing to build the Ottawa House in 
 J 839, moved the old house back to the rear of the lot. Some ypars 
 pfter this he sold it to a Mr. William Turnbull. At the death of the 
 latter it. no doubt, belonged to his widow, the present Mrs. .\iuir. 
 who can show the room used by I/Ir. McGregor as a store. 
 
 What convinces me that it was either 1826 or '27 Mr. Mc- 
 Gregor commenced merchandising is this. That great fire in Lon- 
 don was in 1666. The burning of Moscow was in 1812 But in 
 1825. and much nearer home, was a fire that, for awful grundeur 
 excelled both that of London and Moscow put together -the "Fire 
 of Miramichi," And well do I remember Mr. McGregor, the follow- 
 ing summer, being a night at my father's. He came up to rent the 
 old house just spoken of. It was in the month of July. In the morn- 
 ing, while his horse was grazing peacefully in the field. 1, at thp age 
 ,>r seven, was all attention, as two of the most intelligent of men 
 discussed one subject after another. Mr. .McGregor had b^en in 
 Miramichi the time of the fire. And his account of the dreadful 
 conflagration, and of the difficulty with which he and others es- 
 caped with their lives, wlum the whole place for 20 or 30 miles 
 round was an ocean of flames, was graphic in the extreme — not nn- 
 worthy of being placed beside Virgil's description of the burning 
 cf Troy. 
 
 i ; i i;! \ 
 
 The palace of Deiphobus in smoking flames ascends 
 Hecalegon burns next, and catches on its friends. 
 
 I think it was a little earlier than i:he last date mentioned, that 
 Alex Fraser, D. C. Fraser's father, kept goods for sale. To dis- 
 tinguish him from the other Frasers, he even went by the name of 
 ' Alasdair Ceannaiche" — Alexander the Merchant. He kept his 
 goods for sale about 14 miles up the river, about a mile below St. 
 Paul's church Whether he did business in New Glasgow, I canno^ 
 
EAST RIVER MERCHANDISING 
 
 23 
 
 id it was a 
 extensively. 
 
 additional 
 
 re Fraser s. 
 
 .t all events, 
 
 House. 
 
 louse was at 
 
 here, at this 
 
 a small scale 
 
 idins on the 
 
 ilid masonry, 
 
 a house be- 
 3 situated on 
 Iregor rented 
 Id as a store, 
 ;ss for years. 
 : their falher 
 nament, ihey 
 d occupud by 
 aw a House in 
 Some ypars 
 
 death of the 
 nt Mrs. Muir, 
 ore. 
 
 ■ '27 Mr. Mc- 
 t fire in Lot!- 
 1812 Rut in 
 Aful grindeur 
 er — the "Fire 
 jr, the follow- 
 up to rptil I lie 
 
 In the morn- 
 I. 1, at tiip age 
 lligeni of men 
 ' had t)°en in 
 f the dreadful 
 ind others es- 
 or 30 miles 
 reme — not nn- 
 if the burning 
 
 s ascends 
 lends. 
 
 lentioned. that 
 sale. To dis- 
 ly the name of 
 He kept his 
 mile below St. 
 sgow, I cannoc 
 
 say. One thing I do know, however, he owned a lot, and built a 
 house there. That tiouse was standing in 1834, and for a good many 
 years after that. My impression is that the Windsor hotel now 
 covers the ground it occupied. 
 
 In 1828, there was a store opened, whicli, in magnificence, 
 eclipsed anything that had, hitherto, been on the East Hiver. VV liai- 
 ever was the name by which it was designated in New Glasgow, it 
 vas known in the surrounding districts by the name of the "Mines 
 Store" or the "Big Store." I think the building is standing yet at 
 the end of the bridge at Stellarton. And it was in reality a big 
 store — big on account of the wealth at the back of it — the mining 
 company — big on account of the immense piles of goods on those 
 siieives — big on account of the crowds of customers, and tlvj 
 amount sold — big on account of troops of miners that used to con- 
 ijregate around it alter 6 o'clock with faces the color of Ethiopians- 
 but specially big from the size of fists that would, at times be 
 flourished in fierce pugilistic encounters on the esplanade in front, 
 tLus relieving tne monotony of life, and furnish abundant material 
 for remark for many a mile up and down the East River. These 
 were the days of Big John Falconer, Joe Calvrey, Tom Mac and Mar- 
 tin Boyle. 
 
 It was about this time, too. or not long after, that B. L. Kirk- 
 patrick commenced his mercantile career on the East River, first 
 ?n the capacity of a peddler selling his goods from house to house. 
 About 1830 he set up regular storekeeping, doing a more exten- 
 sive business than, perhaps, any merchant in New Glasgow. He 
 erected a store on the confines between Springville and Bridgevi.le, 
 where he merchandised for years till he moved to New Glasgow, 
 Here he added shipbuilding to merchandising. He was naturally 
 endowed with very superior business talents, and splendid intelli- 
 gence. He died in New Glasigow. 
 
 By 1842. John Cameron, John McKenzie, Roderick McGregor, 
 J F. McDonald and Hugh Fraser. Miller, flourished as influential 
 merchants. My memory does not serve me as to the exact time Mr. 
 Fraser postmaster, commenced. But he merchandised for years, 
 either on the site now occupied by the post office or in close proxi- 
 mity to it. Other names, such as Adam Carr, Mr. Metcalf, etc., have 
 unintentionally been omitted. All these are entitled to the credit 
 cl laying the foundation of New Glasgow, and rendering its name 
 famous. It is also due to them to assert that the goods they kept 
 I'or sale were of a superior quality — British manufacture. At thot 
 time one would not have to pay a dollar or more for a pocket hand- 
 kerchief that vvasn t worth ciirrying home. Is there a store in New 
 Glasgow where one could get a vest pattern? It was otherwise in 
 the days of the Carmicnaels, the John McKenzies and the Squire 
 Frasers. 
 
 Of country merchants, in more recent times, the principal were 
 Mr. John Forbes, at Bridgeville. and Squire -McDonald, at Sprinc- 
 ville. About the year 1833, Colin McKay (Colin Fox Brook) pur- 
 chased a lot In Hopewell, and set up storekeeping. For a year or 
 two. he was the only "Merchant Prince" in that famed locality. And 
 my impression is that he was the first. 
 
 The following explanation is due to the memory of two East 
 River Worthies — it is true that up to the commencement of the 
 
24 
 
 EAST RIVER MERCHANDISING 
 
 Temperance Ret'orniation, Alexander (3 rant kept lum for sale. So 
 flid almost every other merchant. James McGregor, did at New 
 (liasgow, and Mr. Matheson at the West River — men "whose prals':' 
 is in all the churches." As for Mr. Crant. as soon as the use of ar- 
 dent spirits began to be denounced from the pulpit as an evil, ana 
 vvhen, in 1832, the first Temperance Society was formed in Mr. Mc- 
 Ciillivray's congregation he imported, and he sold no more of it. As 
 <G the venerable clergyman that bought 5 1-2 gallons in four 
 'iionths, the probability is that he never tasted a drop of it. He harl 
 a small .salary, and a larne farm that was hard to cultivate, and a 
 great amount of woi-k was done by what was called frolics. On 
 such occasions men would not work without their "glass." That 
 would be the way the rum went. In addition to all this, at that time 
 Jamaica rum was not the poisonous stuff that goes by that name now, 
 is, and it was considered as one of the necessities of life — far more so 
 tl'an either sugar or tea. On a visit from Dr. McGregor or any other 
 tTentleman, housekeepers would feel small enough if the decanter 
 wasn't on the tal)ie; and none more relished a glass of its contents 
 than the Dr. himself. 
 
 REMINISCENCES 
 
 1. When about the age of 12, a friend in Springville sent mo 
 flown to Mr. Jas. McCJregor's for half a calion of ruui. Mi. Mc- 
 Gregor was in the store. On telling him my errand, there was a roar 
 ot laughter by a lot of boys who happened to be present. It was at 
 my bad English For, 
 
 ; "On his lips there hung 
 
 The .accent of the mountain tongue:." 
 
 However, Mr. M( Gregor with his own hands, and with liis a';- 
 ciistnmed accuracy, measured the desired quantity of the precious 
 liqiid, and I started for home — the ytU of laughter ringing in my 
 ears. 
 
 2. About the year 1831. Mr. Carmichael was loadin.g a vessel 
 Aith live cattle for Miramichi. He liought a cow from my father 
 The brute was to be delivered at New Glasgow by a certain day. 
 .'Xt the appointed time, there was a stout rope tied around her 
 horns. But she became utterly unmanageable. My impression is 
 that she would baffle all the men in Springville. She was got half 
 way to Springville bridge, when things came to a crisis. .-Vftei a 
 consultation held, my father sent one of the men to bring a favor- 
 •te horse. This is done. The next step was to tie the rope that held 
 the contrary brute to that horse's tail and to tie it so short that her 
 head — horns and all — was close up to the horse's heels. When let 
 CO, she began carrying on as formerly. But a clip or two from the 
 horse's hind foot soon sobered her. The next part of the programme 
 rtas to put the future historian of the East River, then about 13, 
 on that horse's back. This simply meant a 10 mile ride with a 
 wicked cow attached to the horse's tail — a berth that no compiler 
 of history would relish. But the best of fathers and one of the wis- 
 est of men wished it to be done, and that was enough. To pass 
 "thus accoutered," through Churchville and Irish town was no joke. 
 What a mark for the jeers of all the youngsters. But, horror of 
 
EAST RIVER MERCHANDISING 
 
 25 
 
 for sale. So 
 did at New 
 'whose praid*^ 
 he use of ar- 
 an evil, ana 
 ed in Mr. Mc- 
 lore of it. As 
 ons in four 
 of it. He had 
 Itivate, and a 
 frolics. On 
 lass." That 
 at that time 
 lat name now, 
 far more so 
 r or any other 
 f the decanter 
 of its contents 
 
 igville sent mo 
 
 nun. Mr. \lc- 
 
 lere wab a roar 
 
 ent. It wa.s at 
 
 I 
 
 # 
 
 horrors, to have to parade the stieets of New Glasgow. However, 
 without meeting with any disaster. Prospect Farm appears in siL;ht, 
 and is passed hy without danger, and then Potter's l)rid.ee is lef^ 
 h^liind. But Provost street did seem, that day. unmercifully loui;. 
 The wharf is at last reached, and the unruly animal is hoisteu on 
 board. This was the first time I saw \Vm. Graham, and "Rilly 0;';r," 
 dressed in regular sailors' garb, they were conspicuously active 
 among the vessel's crew. After the lapse of sixty years, I often 
 think of this adventure — of the wisdom that contrived it. and the 
 success that accompanied it. Could all the men in Springvillo tie 
 such a knot today? 
 
 3. In 1831, Mr. James McGregor wished to take the eldest of 
 his children to some famous medical spring, either at Shubenaca- 
 die or Wilmot. He wrote to my father to ascertain whether he won II 
 'pt him have the use of his gig for the journey. I read that letter. 
 And 1 have read and written many a letter since. But anything to 
 match that letter, of Mr. McGregor's I never wrote, and 1 never 
 r^ad. For depth and propriety, and as a piece of composition, it was 
 a masterpiece, to be equalled only by an obituary, the same hand 
 P'-'uned to commemorate the worth of a lifelong friend — the late 
 Deacon Hugh McKay, of Riverton. It was published in the Mission- 
 ary Record, and it was also a maisterpiece. In a day or two Mr. 
 Roderick McGregor comes up on horseback for the gig It was l 
 warm day in July. He was in his shirt sleeves, and wore a pair of 
 pants of blue superfine broad cloth. Would any of your readers 
 think that, so late as 1831, a leading merchant of N'ew Glasgow 
 would have to send 10 miles for a conveyance for a two or three 
 days' journey? Or is it likely that Mr. McGregor would do it if he 
 could accommodate himself nearer home. 
 
 nd with liis ao- 
 of the precious 
 ' ringing in my 
 
 MORE EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 ^oadiUig a vessel 
 rom my father 
 
 a certain day. 
 led around her 
 y impression is 
 he was got half 
 crisis. After a 
 ) bring a favor- 
 3 rope that hold 
 short that her 
 reels. When let 
 )r two from the 
 
 the programme 
 
 then about 13, 
 lile ride with a 
 hat no compiler 
 
 one of the vvis- 
 lough. To pass 
 wn was no joke. 
 But, horror of 
 
 
 VI. 
 
 Gigantic mental powers, when associated with corresponding 
 bodily strength, is something that has never failed to excite ad- 
 miration, and when infinite wisdom has condescended to make men- 
 tion of some of this class by name, and even to specify some of their 
 achievements, it cannot be amiss for me to make a few observa- 
 tions on such a subject. The Bible gives a minute account of the 
 combat between David and Goliath, and Moses' figlit with the 
 Egyptian. It tells also of the man who "slew a lion in the midst 
 of a pit in a time of snow." 
 
 But what is it to oe a mighty mair? Of course there is, as a 
 rule, superior bodily strength — the ability, on an emergency, tc 
 perform prodigies of valor. There must, however, be something 
 more — there must be a mighty mind. 
 
 Wer-e I so tall that I could reach from pole to pole, 
 
 Or grasp creation in a span, 
 
 I must be measured by my mind. 
 
 The mind's the standard of the man. 
 
L'6 
 
 MORE EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 But, kind reader, 
 overltiipinj; lime and 
 IVIizar. Who "is this 
 
 To he enfitlod to the epithet mighty one iiiust he possea.sed of 
 a soul not to he dJHcouram'd l)y any difl'iciilty. not to l)e appalled 
 by any danger. "'What he greatly thinks he nol)ly dares." In every 
 age and in every conmiunity, men of thvA stamp have, like poets, 
 orators and philosophers, heen tew in numl)er. At no period, do 
 they seem to have heen ;is numerous as in i lie days of David. In 
 addition to the "thirty and seven" specified by name, tiiere were 
 of the (iadites "men of might and men of war fit for the battle, 
 wliose faces were like the faces of lions." But at the sieg(- d' 1 r(iy, 
 tlu rt, was only one Ajax, ani (^ne Hector. Among the millions of 
 Scotland, there vva'^ only one Wallace and one Bruce, one Knox and 
 one Burns. In Kngland there was only one Shakespeare, and one 
 JMil'on. So, in (icrmany, tluMi' was only one Lntlicr. 'i'lliese, 
 however, were all "mighty men," "men of renown." But what 
 was it that made them so? It was that invisible, mysterious some- 
 thing within us called mind — that princiide of man that thinks, 
 acts, and is the source of his (conduct— that principle which, when 
 sanctified by grace, makes some of the sons of men only "a little 
 lower than the angels." 
 
 ' exalt thine head, and lift thine eyes," and 
 space, direct your vision beyond the hill 
 that Cometh from Edom, travelling in the 
 greatness of his strength — mighty to save." There is a sacrifice 
 in Bozrah, and a great slaughter in the land of Idumea. The uni- 
 corns are coming down, and the bullocks with the bulls, and the 
 whole land is being soaked with blood." But "what nughty man 
 or mighty God" is that that stands undisma>ed in the midst of 
 the dreadful scene. "Strong bulls ot Bashan" have beset him 
 round, and there is none to help. This was he who 
 
 Burst the iron gates of death, 
 And tore the bars away. 
 
 A Wallace and a Bruce did nobly "stem tyrannic pride," they 
 saved their country. But their achievements, and the sufferings 
 tlv^y endured were nothing when compared with Him who "trod 
 the winepress alone," and accomplished man's deliverance. Let 
 this meek and lowly One ever be our beau ideal of a mighty man. 
 And it is because Alex. McKay, St. Mary's; Deacon McKay, River- 
 ton, and James Fraser, Innkeeper, New Glasgow, in addition to 
 their matchless bodily strength, possessed so many of those traits 
 of childlike humility because they were harmless and peaceful, 1 
 have singled them out as East River mighty men. They were miru 
 who would be "lamkins in peace, but lions in war." And this has 
 ever been characteristic of true greatness. 
 
 "Meek, affable, and mild. Sir Isaac was 
 And such was Boyle and Locke." 
 
 But I must specify some of the things that these men did to 
 entitle them to the pre-eminence ascribed to them. 
 
 1. Alex McKay. On one occasion when residing at River- 
 ton, he and his brothei, the Deacon, then a mere boy of 14, were 
 working quietly in the field planting potatoes. While thus em- 
 
MORE EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 e pOHSGSHt'd of 
 
 () 1)0 appalled 
 •en." In every 
 •e, liko poets, 
 no period, do 
 of David. In 
 le, tile^•^' were 
 :'or tlie l)attle, 
 siej;(- >f 1 i'(iy, 
 le millions of 
 oni' Knox and 
 )eare, and one 
 tlii'f. Tiliese, 
 Hut what 
 sterions sonie- 
 n that thinks, 
 e which, when 
 only "a little 
 
 line eyes," and 
 
 eyond the hill 
 
 ivelling in the 
 
 is a sacrifice 
 
 niea. The uni- 
 
 bulls, and the 
 
 at niis^hty man 
 
 II the midst of 
 
 ave beset him 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 lie pride," they 
 
 the sufferings 
 
 i-Iim who "trod 
 
 liverance. Let 
 
 a mighty man. 
 
 McKay, lliver- 
 
 in addition to 
 
 of those traits 
 
 and peaceful, 1 
 
 They were men 
 
 ' And this has 
 
 'as 
 
 ese men did to 
 
 iding at River- 
 joy of 14, were 
 iVhile thus em- 
 
 ployed, there came two men from the West River — a place that 
 has ever been proverbial for able men. They told McKny that they 
 came to give him a beating. 1 he boy got seared and ran home to 
 tell that there were two men in Mie fi.dd going to kill his brother. 
 Hut there was no harm done. The brother told his visitors that 
 If it was to beat him they came, the sooner they would clear out 
 the better. They took tlii' advice given they i)eat a hasty retreat 
 The Deacon is my authority for this incident. 
 
 2. On another occasion, there was to be a muster at the 
 Middle River, and .\lcKay received a chalieng(> to be there to meet 
 the McCoulls and the Blaikies of the Green Hill, ile told me of 
 this adventure himself I asked him if he went. He said he did. 
 I asked lilm if lie wasn't afi'aid lo go alone. He n'plied. "In tiiose 
 days, I feared no man though he was as big as a mountain." 1 
 asked him If these men, the McCoulls and the Hlaikies. were there. 
 He said they were. Did they s» c you? lie said they did. Did they 
 meddle with you? He said they did not. I wondered at this, and 
 asked him how he couid account for it, if he thought it would be 
 be(•aus^> tiiey were afraid of him. Said he, "I don't know i»ul that 
 they would be a little afraid, too." And there was no moi(> about 
 it. McKay accepted the challenge. He kept his ground for a whole 
 day. In the evening he returns to his peaceful home, with thouglita 
 of peace and '^ood will tor all men. 
 
 3. Another time, he is in the woods looking for a cow and 
 a oalf that had strayed away. He gets a blink of what he thought 
 was the calf. He gave it chase. The race continued among thick 
 woods and over windfalls till he overtook it. WHien he got hold 
 of It, it raised the most dreadful bawl. He then thought it was a 
 moose calf. And, fearing the old moose would be on the scene, he, 
 with the rapidity of thought, takes the handkerchief off his neck, 
 ties its four feet, ajid climbs up into the nearest tree, but no moose 
 came. The noisy captive turned out to be a young carribou. This 
 is a true account of tlie catching of the carribou. I liad it from his 
 own lips. 
 
 4. Another time McKay and his brother, the Deacon, went 
 to butcher a cow. It was a very ferocious animal. They got her 
 into a building, the walls of which were standing. Hut it had no 
 roof on. They went in, and sluit the door. If they did. the mad- 
 dened animal made one spring, clear over the wall, and made off 
 for the woods. If she did, McKay made after her. to head her back. 
 But she turned on him to head him back. She made for him with 
 lowered horns. Now, any other man would have got out of the en- 
 raged animal's way. But McKay stood his ground. He took hold 
 of her, and, before the Deacon could get to his assistance, he 
 butchered her on the spot. Not many years ago, on mentioning this 
 adventure to the late Mr. Robert McCoull. a very compe'tent judge 
 of such things, and on asking him if it would not take a man out 
 of a hundred to do what McKay did to that cow, he replied that 
 perhaps twelve men could not have done it. But about McKay 
 there was something altogether different from ordinary mortals — • 
 something inexplicable. In stature he was not superior to hundreds 
 around him — much smaller sized man than the Deacon. The secret 
 of his matchless superiority consisted in that nobility of mind, that 
 
2f. 
 
 MORE EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 heroism that aituated and animated hi? whole being. In the words 
 of Homer " what he Ri'iatly thought he nohly dared." Of old Alex. 
 McLean (ban) Irish Mountain, It used to be said that such was the 
 swiftness of foot, that. In an open field, he could catch a sheep. 
 Even that was what few could do. But what about catching a car- 
 rlbou — the swiftest of all swlftfooted animals? In McKay's hands, 
 all kinds of horned cattle — from the fiercest of bulls downwards 
 were as helpless as so many pups. 
 
 To Rive the reader anythlnp; like a Just conception of this ex- 
 traordinary man is a difficult task. "Ills ways," were not the ways 
 of other men, nor his thoughts as their thoughts. With a rather 
 large face, tuid large hands, not tall, but broad-shouldered and stal- 
 wart, and somewhat colossal in his build. In the pathless forest. In 
 which he delighted to roam, as if he would shun the abodes of men, 
 he could "dwell In the wilderness, and sleep in the wood." In his 
 own house, he was scarcely ever known to speak a cross word to 
 wife or children. 
 
 Among his associates, for his equal did not exist, while all 
 stood in awe of his matchless prowess, his childlike humility and 
 playfulness made him a favorite with all. There was only one 
 thing he could not stand — bragging and boasting. He would not 
 take this even if it came from the son of Thetis. And had he been 
 in the days of Saul, the mouth of a certain gentleman from Gath 
 would have been shut without the aid of David's sling. Ur. Mc- 
 Gregor, Dr. McCulloch and Old Mr. Ross of the West River were 
 well acquainted with him, and that they esteemed him is evident 
 from the following incidents. 
 
 1. Over 80 years ago, McKay had sold a pair of oxen to an 
 East River man, who was working at Halifax. McKay, knowing 
 that he was working for money, went to Halifax thinking he might 
 get his pay. But he got nothing. Consequently, before he got back 
 to Pictou he had an empty pocket. At Truro he fell in with the 
 three apostles just mentioned. McGregor, Ross and McCulloch. On 
 their way home they put up at an Inn at Salmon River, where they 
 were to have dinner. While this was being got ready, Mr. Ross and 
 McKay happened to meet out about the door, when the following 
 dialogue occurred: 
 
 McKay addressing Mr. Ross — "Ah, the like of this never hap- 
 pened me." 
 
 Ross — "What is It?" 
 
 McKay — "I haven't money to pay for my dinner." 
 
 Mr. Ross — "Is that all? I am as bad off as yourself, for I 
 haven't a penny." 
 
 In a little while, Mr. Ross comes along, and back foremost, 
 walks up to McKay, with a silver dollar peeping between his 
 fingers. From this incident the following things are self-evident. 
 1. If McKay was without money, so was Mr. Ross. 2. Mr. Ross 
 must have borrowed that dollar, either from Dr. McCulloch or Dr. 
 McGregor — probably from the latter, for he would always have 
 money. 3. It also indicates not only Mr. Ross's generosity, hut 
 that he was above doing anything small. A much smaller sum 
 would have paid for the dinner. 4. It also shows the respect these 
 
MORE EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 29 
 
 In the words 
 Oi: old Alex. 
 
 Huch was the 
 atch a sheep. 
 ntchiiiK a car- 
 (Ktiy'H hands, 
 Is downwards 
 
 on of this ex- 
 not the ways 
 With a rather 
 erod and stal- 
 iloss forest, in 
 l)odes of men, 
 vood." In his 
 cross word to 
 
 xist. while all 
 
 linmility and 
 
 was only one 
 
 He would not 
 
 d liad he been 
 
 lan from Gath 
 
 slinK. Dr. Mc- 
 
 ?st River were 
 
 him is evident 
 
 of oxen to an 
 ?Kay, knowing 
 iking he might 
 re he got back 
 }11 in with the 
 ^cCulloch. On 
 er, where they 
 , Mr. Ross and 
 
 the following 
 
 his never hap- 
 
 yourself, for I 
 
 back foremost, 
 ? between his 
 re self-evident. 
 2. Mr. lioss 
 Culloch or Dr. 
 i always have 
 generosity, but 
 li smaller sum 
 e respect these 
 
 n 
 
 superior men had for McKay. And there Is a charm about the 
 boyish Jocular mode In wliich the favour was conferred. There was 
 Boniething Martin Luther like about it. Sometime after. Mc- 
 Kay met Mr. Ross on the intervale between Irish Town and Stellar- 
 ton and returned the dollar 
 
 When Dr. McCJregor went to Halifax to get married, from 
 among the thousands of Plctou, he selected this Alex. McKay for 
 his "best man." Another evidence of the esteem In which the latt(>r 
 was held. 
 
 I knew this McKay intimately — having spent days and nights 
 with l»ini in his house at St. Mary's, having sat with him for hours 
 in an Indian wigwam, having walked along the road with him for 
 miles, and conversed with him about men and things having seen 
 him in all kinds of company. I sat at his bedside and conversed 
 with him for hours, two days l)efore his death in September, IMlCt, 
 but no matter whether in the company of well-dressed, well-educat- 
 ed ministers, or in that of the untutored denizen of the forest, like 
 Shakespeare's Ajax, he always was a man "per se" — he "stood by 
 himself." Among these he ever bore himself with the same re- 
 served but dignified mien If his words would be few, they were 
 the offspring of a colossal thought. In the company of clerical 
 magnates, he maintaiufd the same superiority that Rurns did 
 among the llt( ' iti of Edinburgh. It is very doui)tful if mortal man 
 
 ever heard AU- 
 or out of taste, 
 could mention i 
 Howe's. Blake's, 
 McKay's superior 
 
 k'Kay, of St. Mary's speak a word out of place 
 were I to speak of "men that I have met," I 
 
 i .es that would outshine even Mr. Longley's 
 ry Ward Beecher's. etc. But I never met with 
 
 111 all that constitutes true greatness. There is 
 one feat of his I omitted mentioning. The late Jas. McGregor. Esq., 
 Is my authority. It was this. At the raising of a barn somewhere 
 near the bank of the East River, at a time when there was a big 
 freshet, there was a man got into the river. McKay was fixing the 
 ridge pole into its place. But when he heard the cry, he ran down 
 the ribs, made one spring from the plate, and had the drowning 
 man safe on dry land. Allowing this to have been an ordinary 14 
 feet post barn, what a leap was that? It would be fifti^en or 
 sixteen feet. 
 
 He lived to the age of 9 7. But he was never known to be 
 sick, his eldest daughter told me so. The crowning ornament of 
 his life was his piety. His every gesture, as well as speech and 
 accent, was devout — "was strong in death." The near approach of 
 "the last enemy" disturbed not his equanimity. The day he died. 
 a female friend came to see him. He asked her if she would do 
 him the last favour he would ask in this world. She said she would, 
 well, replied he. I want you to fix up my bed thoroughly. This 
 done, he then lay gently down, stretched himself at full length, and 
 breathed his last. "O Death, where is thy sting." 
 
 Squire Eraser, of New Glasgow, and Senator Holmes both 
 knew this McKay — they knew him in "his glorious youthful prime," 
 and were they living, they would more than confirm all that is. in 
 this sketch, said in his praise. Even Dr. McGregor has been known 
 to assert that "his match nevei walked Pictou ground." That men- 
 tioned hv Dr. Patterson in History of Pictou, is not the only In- 
 
30 
 
 MORE EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 Stance in 
 
 which ferocious 
 
 l)nllH have been known to roar helpless 
 
 in his grasp. Kev. James McGregor McKay is his youngest son. 
 
 2. Deacon McKay. Riverton. Historians relate that a famous 
 Athenian received the name of Plato from the largeness of his 
 shoulders, and that the life of Pythagoras and his pupils was once 
 saved by the strength of an athlete named Milo. When the pillar 
 supporting the roof gave way. the latter supported the whole weight 
 of the building on his shoulders. Tried by this standard, Deacon 
 McKay would, by the size of his shoulders, and his great l)odily 
 strength, be at once the Plato and the Milo of the East River. Of 
 a swarthy fomplexion, and taller and bigger every way than his 
 brother ' i x., he was the very personification of muscular power 
 so that >. was said of him. that, like a certain Bible hero, "his 
 strength was not known." Of this, the following examples may 
 serve as illustrations. 
 
 1. When til? Deacon was 22, there came to Pictou town a 
 professed Avres-tler from the United States. His name was William 
 Allan. He put up at Lorraine's hotel, and sent forth his challenge 
 to any hluenose within twenty miles, for a trial of strength and 
 skill. In the prosecution of his colling, the best wrestlers about 
 town and the West River lay prostrate, on the floor. In these ex- 
 tremities, after consultation held, the future Deacon is waited on 
 by a delegation, at his house at Riverton. Everyone knew his 
 matchless strength. RuL would he try the Yankee? Ali they want- 
 ed of him was to go down to Pictou, and see the champion and 
 form his own opinion. If he thought he wouldn't be able for him. 
 they wished him not to try. He consented to go, and on the ap- 
 pointed day he went, and all the East River with him. He found 
 Allan in his room, sitting in front of a blazine fire. I.iaving taken 
 a good look at him there, he went out and ttild liis friends he had 
 his mind made up to try him. It was midwinter. The "sublime 
 was to be got at" in a large building at the rear of the hotel. Mason 
 hall. Rut it was a sad oversight that they had no Robert Burns 
 on hand 
 
 "To witness the fray, 
 
 And tell to the ages the feats of the day." 
 
 All around the hall was a row of benches. On these stood the 
 spectators of the scene while 
 
 Amid the ring, each nervous rival stands, 
 Embracing rigid with implicit hands; 
 
 Close locked above, the head and arms are mixt; 
 Below, their planted feet at distance fixed; 
 
 Like two strong rafters which the builder forms; 
 Proof to the wintry winds and howling storms. 
 
 The highlander gained an easy victory, and the assembled 
 bluenoses, elate with joy. and proud of their youthful hero, for 
 further recreation repaired to the ice on tlie harbor to skate and 
 play ball. While thus enjoying themselves to their heart's content, 
 a messenger appears in their midst, with a fresh challenge from 
 the hotel — the Yankee wished to wrestle again. Nothing loath, 
 skates and hurlies laid aside, there is another rush for the hall. 
 
MORE EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 31 
 
 )ar helpless 
 ncest son. 
 
 t a famous 
 less of his 
 
 s was once 
 
 II the pillar 
 lole weight 
 
 lid, Deacon 
 ^icat l)odily 
 River. Of 
 ay 111 an his 
 ulav power 
 hero, "his 
 unples may 
 
 ftou town a 
 was William 
 lis fhallenjie 
 strength and 
 stlpi's ahont 
 
 III these ex- 
 is waited on 
 le knew his 
 II they want- 
 lampion and 
 ible for him, 
 d on the ap- 
 n. TTe found 
 F.iavins taken 
 iends he had 
 rile "sublime 
 
 hotel, Alason 
 Robert Burns 
 
 ese stood the 
 
 ' mixt; 
 ced; 
 forms; 
 storms. 
 
 le assembled 
 fill hero, for 
 to skate and 
 art's content, 
 allenge from 
 othing loath, 
 for the hall. 
 
 ■a 
 
 4 
 
 'If 
 % 
 
 
 '"I 
 
 The combatants assume their former position and attitude. The 
 benches are more crowded than before. But the Deacon told me 
 that, this time, Allan was a totally different man from what he was 
 in the forenoon — acting entirely on the defensive. 
 
 Nor could Ulysses for his art renown'd; 
 
 O'erturn the strength of AJax on the ground; 
 Nor could the strength of Ajax overthrow 
 
 The watchful caution of his artful foe. 
 
 After being thus locked in a loving embrace for ever so long 
 and the one mak-ng nothing of the other, Allan proposed to drop 
 it. No, replied the Deacon, I have strength enough yet to break 
 every bone in youi' body. You are the challenger, and I will keep 
 you there till midnight, if you don't acknowledge that I am a better 
 man than you. Allan made the required acknowledgement, and the 
 affair ended in peace and mutual good will. 
 
 There have been various versions of this wrestling match. But 
 the above is the true one. I had it from the Deacon and I have 
 used his very words. 
 
 2. About SO years ago, before there was a bridge at New 
 Glasgow, the Deacon came down for a barrel of fish. But the ice 
 not being fit for horses, he left horse and sleigh on the west side 
 of the river, crossed on foot to the wharf where the fish was, got 
 the barrel on his shoulder, and walked off with it, up to A. C. 
 Bell's corner, then along I'rovcst street to where the post office is, 
 then down by the shipyard to the river, and across the river to 
 place of beginning where he left the horse and sleigh. This is also 
 tlie correct version. I had it from himself. He said that he did 
 not mind the weight of the barrel; but that it bothered him to 
 keep it from rolling off his shoulder. And no wonder, considering 
 the length of the tramp — more than a quarter of a mile. 
 
 3. The following anecdote I had also from the Deacon him- 
 self ever so long after it took jilace. It was in the days of liicliard 
 Smith. By this time, he had stood high for years, as an influential 
 elder under Dr. McGregor. He was ever esteemed for his blame- 
 less life, and fervid piety. But his was not that spurious piety that 
 disqualifies one from either asserting or defending his rights. Ac- 
 cordingly, one day, in company with his brother at Fox Brook, he 
 went to transact some business at the Mines They were on horse- 
 back, and, with wonted caiefuliiess, lied tli.'ir horses in some seques- 
 tered place. When ready to start for home, they made for wht-re 
 the horses were. The horses they found where they had left them. 
 But the saddles were gone. His brother insisted on going to tell 
 Mr. Smith. The Deacon wanted him not to. But he went. In the 
 meantime, while he was gone, the Deacon walked up to a crowd 
 of miners who stood at no great distance off, watching the scene, 
 and. no doubt, having a hearty laugh at the expense of the two 
 countrymen. Said he to them, "come, what have you ones done 
 with these saddles?" niey answered "give us a treat, and then 
 we will talk to you about «addies." He told them they would never 
 get a treat from him, that they took the wrong way with him for 
 that. To this they replied that they would hurl him into that pit 
 
32 
 
 MORE EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 (there was a coal pit handy) if he didn't keep quiet "No," said 
 the Deacon. "I defy any three of you to do that." Now, reader, if 
 either Joe Calvrey, Tom Mack, or Martin Boyle was among the 
 crowd, that was a great challenge. It used to be said that the 
 Deacon gave them five minutes to get the saddles. But it did not 
 occur to me to ask him about the truth of this. At all events, be- 
 fore his brother came back the saddles were on the horses. 
 
 4. Another time he and some men were in the woods with a 
 pair of horses, hauling logs. But, at the foot of a hill, one of the 
 horses refused to pull. After spending some time to no purpose, 
 with the stubborn animal, he sings out to them, "Take him out of 
 that." This was done. He then took hold of the double whipple- 
 tree, and pulled against the other horse till the log was at the 
 top of the hill. Finlay Cameron, Esq., of Riverton, was an eye- 
 witness of this affair. 
 
 Such was the Deacon physically. There might be, and there 
 were differences of opinion, as to the athletic powers of McCoulls 
 and McLeans. But Liberals and Tories, McCoulls, McKenzies, and 
 Big Evans, all united in ascribing him the palm of superiority. "At 
 kirk or market, mill or smiddie" his swarthy face, towering stature 
 and jovial company ever made him a favorite. But it was in general 
 society, in the company of his brethren in the ministry, but especi- 
 ally in his own house, that he appeared to advantage. God "knew 
 Abraham that he will command his children, and his household 
 after him " In this respect he was a perfect model — a model of 
 which a numerous offspring are a living illustration. He had a 
 peculiar tact in "making himself all things to all men." When 
 conversing with that prince of scholars, Rev. Thomas Trott?r. his 
 want of a college education did not appear. Rev. Dr. Sedgewick 
 knew him well, and he said that he was a man that made it an 
 honor for any one to be connected with him. As for Rev. Mr. 
 Walker, he next to idolized him. In him was verified the inspired 
 saying, 
 
 A good man's footsteps, by the Lord are ordered aright, 
 
 And. in the way wherein he walks, 
 He greatly doth delight. 
 
 He's ever merciful and lends 
 His seed is blest therefore. 
 
 3. Contemporary with the Deacon, and of a kindred spirit; 
 fully as tall, and with the same "Atlantean shoulders" — the very 
 personification of bodily strength — was James Eraser, Inn Keeper. 
 The only occasion on which I knew him to have preeminently dis- 
 tinguished himself was at the big election of 1830. The opposite 
 party took possession of the hustings; and for a whole day would 
 not allow any of Eraser's friends to vote. In this posture of affairs. 
 Mr. Carmichael mastered the able bodied of the East River men 
 from New Glasgow to Bridgeville; got them on board of the steamer 
 Richard Smith, and landed them at the wharf at Pictou. There 
 they were joined by the West River and Green Hill men. Mr. Car- 
 michael, being a Militia Officer, drew his men up in martial array. 
 and marched at their head to the scene of conflict, and a severe 
 one It was. Mr. Eraser and his brother. (Simon Basin) stood side 
 
MORE EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 33 
 
 "No," said 
 )w, reader, if 
 3 among the 
 said that the 
 lilt it did not 
 11 events, be- 
 lorses. 
 
 woods with a 
 11, one of the 
 ) no purpose. 
 :e him out of 
 uble whipple- 
 g was at the 
 
 was an eye- 
 be, and there 
 3 of McCoulls 
 cKenzies, and 
 )eriority. "At 
 vering stature 
 vas in general 
 :y, but especi- 
 God "knew 
 his household 
 I — a model of 
 a. He had a 
 men." When 
 IS Trott?r, his 
 Dr. Sedgewick 
 at made it an 
 
 for Rev. Mr. 
 d the inspired 
 
 ered aright. 
 
 kindred spirit; 
 ers" — the very 
 r, Inn Keeper, 
 ^eminently dis- 
 The opposite 
 lole day would 
 ture of affairs, 
 ast River men 
 of the steamer 
 Pictou. There 
 men. Mr. Car- 
 martial array, 
 ;. and a .severe 
 sin) stood side 
 
 by side in the front rank. The Conservatives fought as Highland- 
 ers have ever fought. They never fought better at a Pictou election 
 than they did that day. There were broken sticks, and there were 
 broken heads. But the hustings were cleared. And up and down 
 the river the talk then, and for many a day after, was that IMr. 
 Fraser greatly distinguished himself on the occasion, that to his 
 prowess, assisted by his valiant brother, the success of the outset 
 was indebted. But he did not retire from the field unscathed; one 
 of the opposite party with a stick aimed a deadly blow at him that 
 would have killed any common man. As it was, it inflicted a severe 
 wound on his head, and Mr. Carmichael would have been roughly 
 handled only that he hid too uisny friends in the liattle. However, 
 the vengeance that would not be inflicted on his person was wreak- 
 ed on some portions of his dress, in particular. In those days no 
 gentleman was well dressed unless he sported a "frilled" «hirt. 
 This constituted a part of Mr. Carmichael's garb that day. But. in 
 the melee, the offensive appendage disappeared. One Malcolm — 
 up near the West Branch lake— got it into his full grasp. 1 cannot 
 tell what the said Malcolm himself thought of the feat; but I have 
 heard a friend of his assert that to be able to disengage that frill 
 from its fastenings proved that he had the strength of a horse. 
 
 REMINISCENCES OF SCOTTISH LIFE, OR 
 *'MEN THAT I HAVE MET." 
 
 VII. 
 
 DR. .JOHN BROWN, OF EPIXBrROH 
 
 Bound for Greenock. Captain McKenzie. Master. \Villiam 
 nnnd first mate, the Sesostris weighed anchor in Pictou Harbor 
 on the mh of July, 1S45. There were four cabin passengers, the 
 Captain's wife, the Captain's brother, John McKenzie and his wite 
 an tie writer of these lines. By dark we were opposite Mal'^nan 
 Cove, and by 2 o'clock the next day at the entrance of the S. ait 
 of Canso. The Strait was crowded with sailing vessels of all sizes. 
 I counted 45 at one time, but th-re were many more that I could 
 not see on account of the windings of this famous channel. Hiis 
 was previous to confederation. Thursday morning. August <th 
 rfrer'asick^ening passage of twenty-six days, ^nr ^e^t.j.ere^ 
 dened by the sight of land. It was the mountains of that dieadti 1 
 Ireland The nonhwest coast of that unhappy land, as we approach- 
 ed, appeared bold, rocky and precipitous— nothing to be seen n 
 the distance, but "Hills on hills, and Alps on Alps arise ( . 
 how I shuddered at the thought of being landed among them. 
 From such a contingency: 
 
 "My soul with inward horror shrunk 
 And trembled at the thought." 
 
 In the evening, the lighthouse of Tory Island twinkled from 
 afar and this boded no good. Next morning we were opposite 
 
S4 
 
 REMINISCENCES OF SCOTTISH LIFE 
 
 Belfast. By this time the hills of dear Scotland could be seen on 
 the left. It i.s separated from Ireland oy a channel of no great 
 breadth. But what a difference between the two. In the former, 
 in every poor man's cottage, and "under smoky rafters," God is 
 worshipped in song.s of praise. In every hut in the latter there are 
 "morning, noon and night" schemes laid, and plans contrived to 
 promote rapine, murder and robbery. Never did the religion of 
 Jesus making "lions and beasts of savage name put on the nature 
 of the lamb," appear so precious in my estimation as on that 
 morning The Scottish Highlands, in the days of John Knox, were 
 inhabited by a race fully as ferocious and lawless as the Irish. But 
 they have been christianised, "but they are washed, but they are 
 sanctified, but they are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and 
 by the spirit of our God." And all this has actually been done 
 years before Gladstone and his Home Rule were heard of. The 
 blessed work will also go on and prosper, and bring forth fruit 
 when Gladstone who one bright morning, without any divine assist- 
 ance, undertook to make "the Ethiopians change their skin and the 
 leopards their spots." A nice "guide, philosopher and friend'' he 
 is. It took him thirty-nine years to find out that toryism is wrong. 
 He wrote volumes in defence of the connection between church and 
 state. Now he is ready to do away with that connection. Ten years 
 ago he had the Irish leaders in jails. Today these same leaders are 
 his darling pets. If this is not inconsistency I do not know what 
 is. Of course Ireland has its grievances. If so let them be redress- 
 ed. This can be done any day without home rule. None ought to 
 know better than Gladstone that no human legislation will ever 
 pacify Ireland. Let him christianize it, and then he will find that 
 they can get along without his Home Rule. 
 
 I have been led into this disgression by the remembrance of 
 what Ireland was in 1845, and the horrid impressions produced on 
 seeing iis gloomy mountains, as we sailed along within a few miles 
 of them. The idea of baing landed among the Zulus of Africa would 
 be little less terrible. Daniel O'Connell was busy at his monster 
 meetings, shouting for repeal, and telling his dupes that by such a 
 day they would have their parliament in 'College Green." He was 
 then at the height of his fame. That was 47 years ago, and what 
 has been the history of Ireland ever since? With the exception of 
 Ireland, during that time, every other nation in Europe — Italy, 
 Austria and Spain in particular, has made great progress in the 
 march of improvement; so has Egypt and other portions of the 
 Turkish empire. But Ireland has been going from bad to worse, 
 the prey of designing demagogues. And if Gladstone wislies to do 
 it a real favour, like St. Patrick, let him assume his pilgrim's staff. 
 and instead of home rule, let him "preach to men." Let him get the 
 "wicked to forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts." 
 He will then find that his terrible home rule can be dispensed with. 
 
 At sunset, August 8th., we had a good view of the Giant's 
 Causeway, and two hours after we sailed by the island of Rathlin 
 on the Irish coast. It is about the size of Pictou Island. With the 
 naked eye I could see a man catching a horse in a field I took 
 him to be an Irishman. He appeared to have a lock of oats in his 
 hand. This was a welcome sight, it put me in mind of home. That 
 
OR MEN THAT I HAVE MET 
 
 35 
 
 i be seen on 
 
 of no great 
 
 the former, 
 
 ers," God is 
 
 ter there are 
 
 contrivt^d to 
 
 ! religion of 
 
 n the nature 
 
 as on that 
 
 11 Knox, were 
 
 e Irish. But 
 
 but they are 
 
 d Jesus, and 
 
 y been done 
 
 ard of. The 
 
 ,g forth fruit 
 
 divine assist- 
 
 skin and the 
 
 Id friend'' he 
 
 ism is wrong. 
 
 ;n church and 
 
 )n. Ten years 
 
 le leaders are 
 
 5t know what 
 
 m be redress- 
 
 'Jone ought to 
 
 :ion will ever 
 
 will find that 
 
 membrance of 
 s produced on 
 n a few miles 
 : Africa would 
 t his monster 
 hat by such a 
 3en." He was 
 igo, and what 
 e exception of 
 rope — Italy, 
 ■ogress in the 
 )rtions of the 
 bad to worse, 
 ; wislies to do 
 )ilgrim's staff. 
 et him get the 
 eir thoughts." 
 ispensed with. 
 
 )f the Giant's 
 nd of Rathlin 
 nd. With the 
 field I took 
 of oats in his 
 f home. That 
 
 afternoon we entered the mouth of the Clyde — the Cumbrays and 
 Burns' Ailsa Craig on our right, the lovely shores of Bute on our 
 left. The river soon got so narrow that fields, houses and gardens 
 could be seen distinctly. Oh, how beautiful, how superior the cul- 
 tivation, how rich the verdure, everything as smooth as a velvet 
 lawn. "Sweet fields arrayed in living green." How rough and 
 coarse anything then to be seen in Nova Scotia appeared in com- 
 parison. By sunset we were at Greenock. Next day I went ashore, 
 I stood on Scottish ground and like Addison in Italy, really felt that 
 
 "Every place I trod was classic ground." 
 
 This is a land of a Wallace and a Bruce. At no great distance 
 from Greenock, the former had his estate, and the latter "shook 
 his carrick spear." I was much moved at the contemplation of the 
 scenery up and down the Clyde. For it is no exaggeration to say 
 that with the exception of Palestine, there is no country that will 
 compare with Scotland's in the sweetness of its historic remin- 
 iscences. And the only thing that gives Palestine the superiority is 
 that David and the Saviour once lived there. In the outskirts of 
 the town I noticed a particular kind of grass growing by the way- 
 side, the very same that was so plentiful about Springville. This, 
 too, produced its agreeable sensations. It satisfied me that, though 
 on the wrong side of the Atlantic, I was not out of the world. When 
 teaching school in .\ntigonlsh three years before this, I had a dream 
 one night, in which I found myself landed in Scotland. In that 
 dream the landscape possessed the same features that it now did 
 to the living eye. 
 
 "Here rivers in the sea were lost; 
 There, mountains to the sky were tost." 
 
 The first "man that 1 met'' in this favored land was a Nova 
 Scotian, George R. Young. That man seemed to have the attribute 
 of omnipresence. This day, he was walking along one of the streets 
 of Greenock, arm in arm with a gentleman whom he introduced to 
 me as Mr. Wallace, member for Greenock. The next day I met Mr. 
 Young in Glasgow, and once more, by his expiess invitation at Mc- 
 Kay's hotel in Edinburgh. Since commencing these sketches, often 
 have I thought of this Goo. R. Young. For me it is a herculean 
 labour to get up one in three weeks. What a prodigy of ener.i^y and 
 ability must he have Deen. From July to November, 1852, and 
 three times every week, there came from his pen a series of letters 
 addressed to the Liberals of Nova Scotia. As a master in the art of 
 composition Mr. Young had few equals in Nova Scotia. In this and 
 some other respects, he was twice the man that ever his brother. 
 Sir William, was. 
 
 August 10th being Sunday, I went to hear Rev. Dr. McFarlane, 
 of Greenock. But his preaching did not come up to my expecta- 
 tions. On my way home from church I had the good fortune to 
 "meet" a lady acquaintance all the way from Pictou — a very Mary 
 Queen of Scots for personal charms, and the gift of making fools of 
 the other sex. At this time, with two young ladies from Glasgow, 
 she was spending a few weeks at a neighboring watering place. 
 
SG 
 
 REMINISCENCES OF SCOTTISH LIFE 
 
 She kindly invited me to accompany her to their residence. It is 
 needless to say Lhut I went, and for the next few hours my un- 
 favourable impressions of Dr. McFarlane's preaching were very 
 much confirmed. What struck me as strange was this, the 
 longer I remained with these kind friends, the drier did the Rev. 
 Doctor's oratory appear. Such is the effect of pleasure after pain. 
 August 12th. Left Greenock for Edinburgh. In order to see 
 more of the beauties of tli^ Clydt. I took a steamer as far as Glas- 
 gow. Oh, but the scenery was enchanting. Hitherto Halifa.x was the 
 largest city I had ever seen. But here was Glasgow with twice the 
 population of Nova Scotia. I went into a store to get a pair of 
 gloves. A gentleman of tli<> name of Wilson waited on me. Some 
 ■way or other he found out that 1 was from Nova Scotia. He asked 
 me if I was a native. I said yes. He was surprised at this, as he 
 always understood that all natives of America were copper colored. 
 And he was equally astonished at my not being acquainted with his 
 brother, who was a Presbyterian minister in St. John, N. B. This 
 day, about the middle of the afternoon, I got to Edinburgh. In 
 Glasgow it was all rain, smoke and noise. Here it was beautiful 
 sunshine. I was literally overwhelmed at contemplating the mag- 
 nificence of "stately Edinburgh throned on craigs." "Its palaces and 
 towers." its monuments of art, its castellated rock, and a thousand 
 other things brought the mind back at once to the days of the 
 Caesars, imperial Rome and classic Athens. I had an intuitive 
 conviction that what this lovely capital was then, something similar 
 must have been 2000 vears ago. But while the besom of destruc- 
 tion had swept all that was glorious in these godless cities from 
 the face of the earth, here the religion of Jesus has established its 
 throne. And, in answer to the prayers daily offered by its believing 
 population no "weapon formed against her shall prosper." 
 
 "Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth is Edinburgh, 
 God is known in her palaces. 
 
 Walk about this ancient abode of Royalty, tell the towers thereof, 
 Mark well her bulwarks." 
 
 If there is a place on earth to which these words of Israel's 
 Psalmist can be applied, it is "Scotia's darling seat." 
 
 "This is my rest, here still I'll stay, 
 For I do like it well." 
 
 August 18. Confined to my room with two sore feet caused 
 by wearing tight boots. Tomorrow afternoon, feet or no feet, I 
 hunted up Rev. Dr. John Brown. His house was in Gayfield Square. 
 I met him in his study. I felt myself to be literally a stranger in a 
 foreign land. The only letter of introduction in my possession be- 
 ing a small piece of paper with three lines written on it certifying 
 that I was a student in theology of the third year. Attached to 
 this document was Rev. Dr. Roy's signature as clerk to the Pres- 
 bytery of Pictou. On presenting the said document to Dr. Brown, 
 he read it, and then looking me in the face, with a pleased smile, 
 addressed me by name, and asked me if I came all the way from 
 Nova Scotia to attend their Theological Seminary. My reply was 
 
OR MEN THAT I HAVE MET 
 
 37 
 
 lence. It is 
 )urs my uii- 
 
 were very 
 this, the 
 lid the Rev. 
 
 after pain. 
 
 order to see 
 
 far as Glas- 
 
 ifa.K was tlie 
 
 th twice the 
 
 et a pair of 
 
 nie. Some 
 
 He asked 
 
 t this, as he 
 
 P(>r colored. 
 
 ited with his 
 
 N. B. This 
 
 inburgh. In 
 
 'as beautifnl 
 
 ng the niag- 
 
 i palaces and 
 
 I a thousand 
 days of the 
 an intuitive 
 
 thing similar 
 
 II of destruc- 
 s cities from 
 stablished its 
 
 its believing 
 sper." 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 wers thereof. 
 
 in the affirmative. He took me by the hand, and gave me such a 
 welcome as to make me feel at homo. While ho was reading Dr. 
 Roy's certificate, I took a good look at him. Tho siiape of his liond 
 put me awfully in mind of one of the most venerable of all East 
 River worthies, my uncle Rol)ort. The Doctor had a splendid fore- 
 head. I knew well enough that Abraham must liavi^ boon such an- 
 other good looking nmn. But the talk in Edinl)urgh was that he 
 was the picture of tho Apostle Poter. In out' of tho poriodicals of 
 the day I saw nim spoken of as "one of the handsomest of the sons 
 of men." His eye was dark and penetrating. "His head and liis 
 hairs were white like wool, as white as snow.'' This was the first 
 time in my life in which I came into personal contact with a good 
 and great man, in whose presence I felt perfectly at home. His 
 age was then 64. As a pulpit orator he had no superior then in 
 Scotland, but Dr. Chalmers. As a scholar and as an accomplished 
 theologian, it was allowed he liad no superior, at all events it is so 
 said in Chambers' Encyclopaedia. 
 
 The ne.\t day I met Dr. brown in the professor's chair in the 
 act of addressing his class from the words "Hope maketli not 
 ashamed.'' I was an.xious to get in without being noticed. With 
 a view to this I took the precaution of being two or three minutes 
 behind the time, knowing well that if the Doctor and his class 
 would be in their places all that would be necessary would be to 
 open the door as easily as possible, and thus slip in unobserved. 
 With every confidence in this plan, I cautiously approached that 
 door, and opened it without making as much noise as would dis- 
 turb a mouse. But, alas, for "best laid schemes." With all my 
 caution, the Doctor was too many for me. He was evidently watch- 
 ing the door. For it was scarcely half opened when he sung out to 
 me by name to come forward and take a seat. This drew the at- 
 tention of the students. They were about 100 in number, every one 
 of them seated with his back towards the door. With military 
 precision they all turned their faces to see who was it. It was a 
 gaze that tested all my nerves, less fatal, it is true, but almost as 
 annoying as the "charge of the light Brigade." 
 
 Is of Israel's 
 
 ; feet caused 
 Dr no feet, I 
 ■field Square, 
 stranger in a 
 ossession be- 
 lt certifying 
 Attached to 
 to the Pres- 
 ) Dr. Brown, 
 leased smile, 
 he way from 
 ly reply was 
 
 Learning on right of them, 
 
 Learning on left of them. 
 
 Learning in front of them, 
 
 How stared the one hundred'.' 
 
 With his "ore rotundo," 
 
 The Professor vollied and thundered. 
 
 But all the more stared the one hundred. 
 
 They knew at a glance that there was none of my name about 
 fJdinburgh. So they concluded that it must be some minister from 
 the "frozen North," that had strayed away from his orbit in some 
 untutored Highland Glen. Some of themselves told me so after- 
 wards. But when the lecture was over the Dr. told them who I was, 
 where I came from and what I came for, adding that he hoped I 
 would meet with a friend in everyone of them. And it is but due 
 to them foi- me to certify that for more than two years this hope 
 was verified to the letter, especially on the part of the Doctor him- 
 
3^ 
 
 REMINISCENCES OF SCOTTISH LIFE 
 
 sflf. It was unknown to me at that time, but they told me again 
 that I was the first that ever went from the continent of America 
 to study in their hall. When the class was dismissed, they gather- 
 ed round me at the door to take me by the hand, and gave me the 
 most lovely welcome. Ah, reader, it is little you know what a treat 
 this was, and what a load of anxiety was then removed from the 
 mind of the expatriated Nova Sootian. I had had some experience 
 of student life both in Pictou and Halifax, and had often seen how 
 country greenhorns would be made a butt of by town students. 
 Thanks to the fear of getting a pounding they would be civil 
 enough with me. But, "as far as the East is from the West," so 
 far were the ways of these Edinburgh young gentlemen different 
 from the fops that I had been acquainted with. The loving pro- 
 fession of friendship thus volunteered did not evaporate in a few 
 days. Neither was it confined to words. Lots of them would come 
 to see me at my lodgings, and invite me to theirs. Some of them 
 belonged to families residing in the city; and for two years I could, 
 and did. go out and in to see them at their firesides, with less re- 
 straint that I could ever do on the East River. And why? Just 
 because they were more the citizens of heaven — more what every 
 Christian ought to be. As a general rule the U. P. ministers were 
 just as frank and free in their friendship as the students. Alto- 
 gether it was "heaven upon earth" to be among them. Something 
 assured me that these young men "walked with God." 
 
 For the first few days the students continued to flock round 
 me at the Hall door. On one occasion, 1 had to tear myself away 
 from them by main force. And of all the questions they would 
 have to ask about Nova Scotia One would say "Did you ever walk 
 on snow-shoes?" Another, "How old will the snow have to be be- 
 
 fore it is fit for snnwshoes 
 
 For a week or so the "minister from 
 
 the Highlnnds" was niiite a lion among them. These words of the 
 yonthful Monbiteg literally expressed my feelings while in their 
 society. "Whither thou goest I will go; and where thou lodsest I 
 will lode-e: thy people shall b>^ my people, and thy God my God." 
 
 Two or three weeks after this there was a party of aborit 
 thirty students, "the minister from the Highlands" being one of 
 them, invited, by the Doctor to tea. They were all here before me. 
 seated around the room, nnd "forming a circle wide." with the 
 Doctor in the chair. On taking my place in their midst T noticed 
 Dr. Brown eyeing me with a smile on his countenance. There was 
 ro mistake but he was going to say something. And what do you 
 think it was? It was just this. "Mr. Grant. I suppose Nova Scotiana 
 don't think they are the kind of people that Sam Slick says they 
 are." There was an impertinent reply on the tip of my tongue, but 
 presence of mind enabled me to suppress it. and I simply said that 
 "Sam Slick could say what suited himself." Who would have 
 thought that the son of John Brown, of Whitburn, and the grand- 
 son of "Brown of Hadaington," one too inheriting the piety of all 
 his ancestors, would have Sam Slick at his fingers' ends? But it 
 
 was the same with Professo- Eadie, of Glasg 
 
 ow. 
 
 The first time I 
 
 met this accomplished scholar, said he, "So you are from the coun- 
 try of Sam Slick." He then mentioned how and where he fell in 
 
OR MEN THAT I HAVE MET 
 
 39 
 
 I nie again 
 jf America 
 
 ey gaiiier- 
 
 ive nie the 
 
 liat a treat 
 
 from the 
 
 experience 
 
 II seen how 
 n students. 
 
 d be civil 
 West," so 
 
 n different 
 
 oving pro- 
 te in a few 
 would come 
 me of them 
 •ars I could, 
 vith less re- 
 why? Just 
 
 what every 
 
 nisters were 
 
 ents. Alto- 
 
 Sometliing 
 
 flock round 
 myself away 
 
 they would 
 iu ever walk 
 ive to be be- 
 linister from 
 words of the 
 lile in their 
 on lodsrpst I 
 i my God." 
 
 'ty of about 
 )einp one of 
 e before me, 
 3." with the 
 1st T noticed 
 There was 
 what do yon 
 [ova Sootians 
 ck says they 
 ' tongue, but 
 ply said that 
 would have 
 d the grand- 
 piety of all 
 lids? But it 
 first time I 
 )m the coun- 
 re he fell in 
 
 with that popular work. It was in Switzerland. One day as he 
 was walking along the streets of one of its cities he stood at a Imuk- 
 storo and noticed the "Clock Maker" in the window, and went in 
 and bought it. I ask your readers who would have thought of find- 
 ing Sam Slick for sale in Switzerland? This is more than can be 
 .said of most bookstores in Nova Scotia. Professor Kadie was 
 shocked at Sam Slick's profanity. He said he wasn't a fit man to 
 be a judge. 
 
 Not long after this Dr. Brown invited the "minister from the 
 Highlands" to breakfast, after which, that eminent divine, for two 
 years, breakfasted with tlu; Doctor once every montli, but 
 never without being invited. This was an unspeakable privilege 
 — a privilege extended to me only because being from a "far coun- 
 try." I was a "stranger within their gates." "Be not forgetful to 
 entertain strangers." The hour for this meal was 8 o'clock. First 
 he had family worship with liis household seated around. He al- 
 ways sung and read the chapter himself. What a lovely singer — 
 as accomplished in this as in everything else, far more so than the 
 famous Dr. Chalmers. The latter didn't sing at family worship, 
 neither did he read a whole chapter, only a few verses in a busi- 
 ness-like manner, as if every moment of time was precious. And 
 it was preeminently so with Chalmers. But Dr. Brown would read 
 the whole of the chapter. And that was the reading, perhaps none 
 better in all the world. He was as hard a student as Chalmers. 
 But he did not bother himself with so many things as Chalmers 
 did. In addition to his duties as Principal and Professor in the 
 Free College, the latter wrote for reviews, squabbled every now 
 and then with government, had the care of all the Free Church on 
 his shoulders, and conducted an endless correspondence with per- 
 sons in every part of the world. He had "too many irons in the 
 fire." Dr. Brown acted a wiser part. He was, consequently, master 
 of his own time. It was a stai:ding rule with him, after breakfast, 
 to devote the time until 10 o'clock to conversation with any person 
 that might be present. It was next to impossible not to feel at 
 home in his company, or for one to rid himself of the Impression 
 that he was in the presence of a great man. Breakfast over, if it 
 was winter, he would draw his chair up to the fire and invite the 
 "Highland" divine to do the same. He was ready then to converse 
 about anything, no matter what. He had been personally acquaint- 
 ed with some of our ministers in Nova Scotia — such as Dr. Tiioinas 
 McCulloch and Mr. Trotter, and would inquire about them. One 
 morning one of his elbows seemed to be itchy, and, though one of 
 the handsomest and accomplished of men, he would scratch him- 
 self like any common person There were positively men on the 
 Ii]ast River who could scratch themselves just as well as he could. 
 His appearance, manner and delivery in the pulpit were splendid in 
 the extreme, not at all unlike Attorney-General Johnston at his 
 best, about tlie same in stature, the same flowing locks, tlie same 
 penetrating eye, and the same classic style, and overwhelming ear- 
 nestness. All the Browns — his father of Whitburn, his uncle of 
 Inverkeithing, and his grandfather of Haddington, were both or- 
 ators. Lord Brougham heard P'benezer Brown. Inverkeithing, 
 preach on one occasion, and he was greatly pleased with him. And 
 
40 
 
 REMINISCENCES OF SCOTTISH LIFE 
 
 he said It was a great treat to him. An aged United Presbyterian 
 minister in Scotland (Rev. Jamos Ellis) told me this in his own 
 house. Next chapter I will tell what Dr. Chalmers said al)out these 
 Browns, In the last speech he ever delivered. It was In Dr. Brown's 
 pulpit. I was present. That church is seated for 1800. In the 
 aisles there is standing room for 500 more, and the same in the 
 lobl)y. All tliese were crammed and there would he, at least, 500 
 more crowded around the door. I never took down a word of that 
 mighty speech. But there was such a charm in what he said about 
 the.sB Browns that I never forgot it. You know they were Anti- 
 burgher ministers while Chalmers belonged to the Kirk, and was 
 the ablest minister Scotland produced since John Knox's time. I 
 do tliink it ouglit to be interesting to your readers to know 
 how such a divine could speak about two ministers of the detested 
 seceders. Well. I will give it in Chalmers' very words. But this, 
 as well as a description of Dr. Chalmers' personal appearance, his 
 eloquence, how lie appeared among his own family, in the Profes- 
 sor's chair and on the streets of Edinburgh, as well as a description 
 of the personal appearance, and the oratory of a Lord John Russell, 
 a Right Hon. Thomas Babington, a Christopher North and others, 
 all of w^hom were "Men that I have met," must be left for another 
 sketch. 
 
 Nov. 13. 1892. 
 
 P. S. One peculiarity Dr Brown possessed in common with 
 Lord Brougham, and another, in common with Guthrie, giving 
 proof that, like the former, the fire of genius burned within him. 
 and. that, like the latter he had much self-control. Rroueham I 
 never saw or heard. But, in his highest flights in debate, his eyes 
 would look as if they were on fire — in a blaze, (or as George Gil- 
 fillan. who is my authority in this, as Rev. Alex. McLean, A. M.. of 
 New Glasgow, is about Guthrie) has It. "they looked like a pit of 
 firn" suddenly disclosed. It was often thus with Dr. Brown, when 
 with awful earnestness he would shake old Broughton Place Church 
 to its centre, while with one stamp of his foot, he insisted on it that 
 sinful men would "flee from the wrath to come." At such a time 
 his eyes really did look as if they were two balls of fire, reminding 
 one of the appearance Moses presented as he came down from the 
 mount. This was no optical delusion. And- the poor "minister from 
 the Highlands" would then feel as if he could never feel at home 
 with Dr. Brown in private. But no. The next morning the Dr. 
 would be as friendly and agreeable as ever. "And his eyes were as 
 a flame of fire; and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged 
 sword." Rev. 1, 14. 16. 
 
 In reference to Dr. Guthrie, "his head might be waters, and 
 his eyes a fountain of tears, that he might weep day and night 
 for the slain of the daughter of his people." But still, under the 
 influence of emotions that would have utterly unmanned most 
 pulpit orators, he could, if necessary, and without a tremor in his 
 voice, "continue his speech until midnight." It was the same with 
 Dr. Brown. 
 
OR MEN THAT I HAVE MET 
 
 41 
 
 'resl)yterlan 
 ill his own 
 al)out those 
 Dr. Brown's 
 (H>. In the 
 same in the 
 
 It least. r)00 
 
 word of that 
 
 i(> said about 
 
 were Anti- 
 
 rk, and was 
 
 ox's time. I 
 
 ers to know 
 
 the detested 
 
 Is. nut this. 
 
 pearance, his 
 
 n the Profes- 
 a description 
 
 .Tolin Russell. 
 
 h and others. 
 
 M for another 
 
 fommon with 
 uthrie. giving 
 •d within him. 
 Rroueham I 
 ebate, his eyes 
 as Ceorgp Hil- 
 .ean. A. M.. of 
 d like a pit of 
 . Brown, when 
 n Place Church 
 isted on it that 
 At such a time 
 fire, reminding 
 down from the 
 "minister from 
 ■ r feel at home 
 orning the Dr. 
 is eyes were as 
 larp two-edged 
 
 be waters, and 
 day and night 
 still, under the 
 mmanned most 
 a tremor in his 
 3 the same with 
 
 VIII. 
 
 LOUD Ji)H\ iU'SSKIJi 
 
 In the parliamentary history of Ennhmd, thi.s has l)pen an 
 honored name. Nor ha.s it been unknown in the political history 
 of Nova Scotia. Who, without admiration and love, can read about 
 the judicial murder of that Ru.'^scll wlio. in tlie days of the wrelcli- 
 ed Stuarts, laid down his life lather tiian betray tht> libprtits of 
 his country — "He stemmed a ruthless tyrant's brutal rage." The 
 subject of the present sketch was a lineal descendant of this 
 martyr-statesman. When thevf fore, on the ."^rd of November, 1S4.''), 
 I heard In the course of the day, that this illustrious sire was. tliat 
 afternoon, to address a public meeting In the Music Mall of Kdin- 
 burgh. my expectations were raised to the highest pitch. In order 
 to l)e able to see as well as hear. I took t front seat In tiie gallery. 
 At that time Sir Adam Black was Lcrcl Provost. At the appointed 
 hour, that functionary assumes his proper position with a "train 
 attendant. ' The platform Is crowded with the elite of "no mean 
 city." But. to my unpracticed eye, there was no Lord John Russell 
 among them. Wiiat! The leader of the Whig party, the mover of 
 the Reform Bill of 1832, the rival and antagonist of Sir Robert 
 Peel. This must be a giant the size of Martin W^ilklns, at tjie very 
 least. Fingal was a regular son of Anak. though he never heard a 
 thing about Reform Bills. And, as to his two sons, Ossian and 
 Oscar, the Cape Breton giant would have made but a sorry appear- 
 ance standing beside them. By parity of reasoning, it was i)ut na- 
 tural for a greenhorn to conclude that one who had so long stood 
 the battle and the breeze in the field of fair debate — who had so 
 often faced a Sir Robert Peel in that arena, ought to be as large 
 a man physically as he evidently was intellectually. But it was the 
 very reverse. When he stood up to address the assembled audience, 
 I was taken completely by surprise. 
 
 1. At his diminutive stature, ne was ever so much a small- 
 er man than our own Sir William Young. 
 
 2. His youthful appearance. His age was about 50. But one 
 would not take him to be more than thirty. The cares of state, 
 with the wear and tear of party warfare seemed to sit 
 lightly on him. 
 
 3 The speech. He spoke for half an hour, and no more, 
 about the "Eminent Men" that had graced and adorned the literary 
 circles of Edinburgh at the commencement of this century. He 
 said some beautiful things about the "eloquence of a Dougald 
 Stewart," and the "worth of a Playfalr." He made some reference 
 to his own parliamentary career, trusting that, as a rule, he had 
 ever been enabled to do justice to his opponents, finishing with a 
 fervid eulogium on the British constitution. He said it was the 
 best system of government the world had ever seen. This was a 
 theme on which this veteran had a righi to speak. For it was one 
 that he had studied to some purpose. He was even the author of 
 a book entitled "A History of the British Constitution." The 
 British constitution? What food for tliought does the very men- 
 tion of that word present? It is the growth of ages, and, as depict- 
 
42 REMINISCENCES OF SCOTTISH LIFE 
 
 td in the piiKes of Do Lome, it Is tlie palladium of the nritlsh 
 Empire. OwiiiK to tiie stability of the maivcllous fal)ric. tlio 
 "MariiuTH of Kii.uiaiid" can do wiuit those of ancient Tyro never 
 did. A,s they ply tlieir dangerous calling, as they tliink of an Anson, 
 a lUake and a Nidson. tliey can .join in the lu-fraiii. 
 
 Britannia needs no t)nlwarks, 
 
 No towers along the steep. 
 Her march is o'er the mountain wave, 
 
 Her liume is (U tlie deep. 
 
 If I ever did my ix-st to master a book, it was wlien, in the 
 winter of 1S39-40, I did my l)est to master "De Lome on the 
 British Constitution." It is a work of sterling merit. The S. G. W. 
 Arcliil)iii(is, the Howes, tlie Johnstones, and the Youngs of bye- 
 gone days were deeply versed in tlic study of it. Yes, these sons 
 of Nova Scoiia consumed some "midnight oil" in the prosecution 
 of this and kindred studies. In addition to this, the "colleges and 
 scliools" in Nova Scotia, in those days, lurned out scholars. Some 
 of these scnolars became statc^^nien. They graced our legislative 
 halls. Let any one accustomed to witness feats of eloquence In the 
 days of the statesmen sjjoken of, visit these same legislative halls 
 today, and he may be well e.Kcused shonld he think of the words. 
 "Where is the Lord God of Elijah." But to return to this digression. 
 
 Nov. ;5, 1845, Lord Johr. Kussell was presented, in Edinl)urgh 
 with the freedom of tlie city, the day following happening to be in 
 the vicinity of the "Royal institution, wiiom did I see but the same 
 distinguished individual desiending the steps that led to the 
 entrance of that gorgeous edifice, he \^ as accompanied by some 
 ladies, on landing on the pavement they -eparated, he then crossed 
 to the other side of the street, and wall 1 along alone at a very 
 slow pace; being separated from him on by the breadth of the 
 street which was not crowded. I made the ,, ost of ihe opportunity 
 to have one more good look at him, as, with short and measured 
 steps, he proceeded along Prince's street. He was plainly, l)ut neatly 
 dressed. On his well-shaped head was an ordinary l)eaver Iiat. He 
 wore a top coat, l)ut it was not l)uttoned. on his small but neatly 
 shaped feet, were a pair of ordinary fine boots. There Is one 
 passage in Holy Writ that is descriptive of the appearance he then 
 made. The words referred to were lliundered l)y Moses in the hear- 
 ing of assembled myriads, and they are these. "The tender and 
 delicate woman among you would not adventure to set the sole 
 of her foot on tlie ground for delicateness and tenderness," etc. 
 Any one could notice that he was al)sorbed in his thoughts. 
 
 Isaac Watts commenced one of his heaven-inspired hymns with 
 the words: 
 
 "My thoughts on dreadful subjects roll, 
 Damnation and the dead." 
 
 And there is reason to believe that, on that very day, the 
 thoughts of his rival statesman boded no good for Sir Robert Peel's 
 govei'nnient. At all events in a few weeks, there was a change of 
 government, and this was owing to the effect produced by the 
 
OR MEN THAT I HAVE MET 
 
 43 
 
 the British 
 liibric, the 
 t Tyro never 
 of an Anson, 
 
 when, in the 
 
 .ome on the 
 
 The S. C. W. 
 
 UHKS of bye- 
 PS, these sdiis 
 le prosecntion 
 
 "(■(tlloses and 
 •holars. Some 
 our legislative 
 ixjiience in the 
 jgislative halls 
 
 of the words, 
 this digression. 
 , in Edinburgh 
 )ening to be in 
 e but the same 
 at led to the 
 anied by some 
 lie then crossed 
 \lone at a very 
 breadth of the 
 the opportunity 
 
 and measured 
 linly, but neatly 
 beaver hat. He 
 mall but neatly 
 There is one 
 earanee he then 
 )ses in the hear- 
 The tender and 
 
 to set the sole 
 enderness," etc. 
 thoughts, 
 ired hymns with 
 
 11, 
 
 t very day, the 
 Sir Robert Peel's 
 was a change of 
 produced by the 
 
 l)Ul)liHhlng of a sm:tll piece of writinu tluii wouldn't more than fill 
 half a column of the Eastern f'lironiile. It was the famou.s "Edin- 
 huruli MaiiifeHto." written at tills time, and <Ialed at "Donnhis 
 Hotel." Edinhiimh. I'p to tli;il llnn'. the ".Vatlonal Policy" of Sir 
 Kohcrt Pft'l had been I'rotfct ion, tliat Kdiubuigli Douglas Hotel 
 manifesto made u free trader of liini. it broke up his government. 
 it made :i libi-ral of f!Iadston<' a man of Disraeli, and a statesman 
 of Loid (Jcoiui' UiiilicU. it also restort'd the Whigs to office. "Up- 
 hold iiow great a matter a llltlf fire kindleth." Does it not look 
 as if that word "I)ouglas" must be invested with something of evil 
 omen for a certain class of pi liticiaiis. In thf liistoi'y i>{ nations, 
 tliere are ptMlods in wliicli a nanifesto, a bombshell, or a thunder- 
 bolt may be synonymous terms, and, If the present Dominion gov- 
 ernment were wise, they would get that dreadful Methodist min- 
 ister muzzled, of course I refer to Rev. Dr. Douglas. 
 
 Lord .lohn Russell used but few gestures. During the delivery 
 of his speed) on that November day. he would sometimes open his 
 mouth as wide as ever he could. This would be at the commence- 
 ir.ent of a sentence. It was a gesture that was, at that time, new to 
 me. But I was not a year in F^dinburgh when I found that it was 
 customai'y with some of tlie first orators in England to do the same 
 thing. It was specially so with (Jeorge Thomson, the celel)rated 
 anti-slavery orator. With respect to this George Thomson, it was 
 no trouble for him to speak for hours in the Music Hall, Kdin- 
 burgli, and it crowded to the door. And. among tho sludeiits of 
 that favored city, the talk was that Lord Brougham said thai he 
 considered this same (Jeorge T homsou the first orator in Enghind. 
 
 Seeing and hearing these two "masters of assemblies'' helped 
 to give me an insight into :he following passages of Scripture. 
 "Hear, for I will speak of excellent things; and the openii.g of my 
 lips shall be right things." Piov. S:G. "And seeing the miiitil iidns, 
 he went up into a mountain, and when he was set. his disciples 
 came unto him; and he opi'iH-d his nioutli, and taught th^m. say- 
 ing." Matt. 5, 1, I. 
 
 IX. 
 DR. ( HAL^IEHS — PART I 
 
 The year 1S45 was a stormy one in the politics of Nova Scotia. 
 This was the time when Mr. Howe, in a speech in the 1^""^: "f 
 asspmblv. threatened to hire a blackman to horsewhip Lord Falk- 
 land on' the streets of Halita.x. This itself raised a tempest in the 
 house, in the press, and all over the province. With a majority of 
 one Mr .Johnston was Premier. But with this slender support 
 he conducted the government for four years. Mr. Howe, the 
 Youngs tne Uniackes. Doyles. and Huntingtons were all in their 
 prime and occupied seats in parliament. Rut Mr. .Johnston fouglit 
 them all single-handed and kept them at bay until the general 
 election of 184 7 left him in a minority. Neither was it fair weather 
 at this time in some of the congregations of the East River. 
 Especially in James Church had there been, for some time, "mur- 
 
44 
 
 REMINISCENCES OF SCOTTISH LIFE 
 
 murs loud and deep" which uU.imately culminated in the formation 
 of Primitive Church congregation in the said year of 1845. 
 
 But "the spring came around." and, by the time the "bud was 
 on the tree," my arrangements for visiting Scotland were complet- 
 ed But there were lions in the "way." One of these was the risk 
 of crossing the Atlantic. I knew that it took Paul six months, and 
 Ulysses ten years, to cross the Mediterranean, and that it near cost 
 them their lives. Consequently, for weeks, my imagination con- 
 jured every kind of ship wreck and disaster. 
 
 How. with affrightened eyes, 
 
 I saw the wide extended deep. 
 In all its horrors rise. 
 
 Nor was this all. My home at Springville, with all its vicinity, 
 was endeared to me by a thousand ties. Scarcely a l)lade of grass 
 along its hills but I was acquainted with. Even the birds that sang 
 in its woods were favorites. This was the golden age of Springville 
 when it was inhabited by a race of men and women that would be 
 an ornament on the mountains of Israel in the palmiest days of 
 David or Solomon — Abraham would have recognized them as fit 
 associates. In addition to my own name-sakes, there were Frasers. 
 McLeans, McKenzies, Holmes, McPhies and Mclntoshs to mention 
 whose names is to pronounce their eulogy. My veneration and love 
 for these worthies were r.nbounded. And the idea of being separat- 
 ed from them for years, perhaps for ever, was not pleasant. Ac- 
 cordingly, one morning, influenced, in pait, by devotional feelings, 
 I rose long before day, and repaired to a neighboring wood in front 
 of my father's dwelling. I wanted, perhaps for the last time, to 
 know what it was to hear the birds salute the early dawn. And I 
 was well rewarded. Just at the peep of day, there was a distant 
 note, answered in a few seconds by another. Before sunrise, there 
 was a general chorus. The whole forest was vocal. This was 
 about the month of June. In seven weeks I was in Edinburgh. 
 
 In undertaking this trans-Atlantic trip, my principal object 
 was to complete my theological curriculum in the Secession Hall — 
 now the United Presbyterian Hall. But "I had heard of battles." 
 And though I had no desire to mingle in the fray, I did wish to 
 see some of those who had — to get a nearer view of these "warlike 
 lords" whose names figured so conspicuously at that time in the 
 ecclesiastical world — the Canllishes, and the Guthries, but especial- 
 ly Pr. Chalmers.. Ever since the days of boyhood my veneration 
 for the latter bordered on superstition, and, for the last few years, 
 his name, as the champion of the Nonintrusionists, and the oppon- 
 ent of voluntaryism was very conspicuous. True, his church was 
 not my church. But that did not blind my eyes to the honor of his 
 fame — a fame as much indebted to his scholarship as it was to his 
 matchless eloquence. My church was the church founded by the 
 Erskiiies — Ralph and Ebenezer. Much has been said about the 
 Disruption of 184;',, and that imposing procession of some 470 
 ministers from St. Andrew's church to Tanfield Hall. But it was 
 not the first, neither will it be the last great sight. There was a 
 greater on the shores of the Red Sea in the days of Moses, and on 
 
OR MEN THAT I HAVE MET 
 
 45 
 
 B formation 
 1845. 
 
 e "bud was 
 re coniplet- 
 as the risk 
 nonths. and 
 t near cost 
 nation con- 
 
 its vicinity, 
 de of grass 
 s that sang 
 Springville 
 It would be 
 est days of 
 hem as fit 
 ?re Frasers. 
 to mention 
 on and love 
 ing separat- 
 asant. Ac- 
 lal feelings, 
 )od in front 
 ist time, to 
 wn. And I 
 s a distant 
 nrise, there 
 This was 
 n burgh. 
 
 ipal object 
 ^ion Hall — 
 :)f battles." 
 lid wish to 
 36 "warlike 
 inie in the 
 lit especial- 
 veneration 
 few years, 
 the oppon- 
 'luirch was 
 :5nor of his 
 was to his 
 led by the 
 about the 
 some 470 
 Rut it was 
 lere was a 
 es, and on 
 
 those of the Sea of CJalilee in the days of the Saviour. To my mind 
 also, it had Us equal in a Sabbath morning in 17 10 on the heights 
 of the town of Stirling, when Ebenezer J'JrskiuL' preached in the 
 open air to a vast multitude from the words — "But the men mar- 
 velled saying, what manner, of man is this, that even the winds and 
 the sea obey him!" Moses had the Pillar of Fire to point out his 
 way. Dr. Chalmevs has the Cunninghams, tht> Candlishes and the 
 dulhries to hold up his hands, Ebenezer Frskine had no such 
 au.xiliaries— no support but a sense of duty. If ever man "walked 
 by faith and not by sight" he did. Like Sir Walter Scott's trooper 
 
 "He stayed not for brake, he stayed not for stone. 
 He rode all unarmed, and he rode all a'one." 
 
 It is true the surrounding scenery was fitted to inspire. Close 
 at hand were the ramparts of the town of Stirling, where Wallace 
 gained one of his greatest victories. Within five miles could be 
 seen the field of Bannockburn The very te.xt from which he spoke 
 was a proof of his own intellectual greatness "and the men mar- 
 velled saying. What manner of man is this," etc. The stand taken 
 by Chalmers led to a Disruption. That taken, Erskine on this 
 Sabbath morning led only to secession. But it was the "grain of 
 mustard seed" that eventually became the "greatest of all herbs." 
 Ciod also "caused it deep root to take, and it did fill the land." 
 That one congregation had increased into about (H)0. The stand 
 taken by the Erskines led to important results. It led to the Dis- 
 I'uption of 1848. This Disruption ultimately led to the consolida- 
 tion and improvement of the church of Scotland "as by law estab- 
 lished." That church was never so popular, never so powerful for 
 good as it is today. And all this sprang from the stand taken by 
 the Erskines 149 years ago. Had there been no Secession in 1744 
 th^-re would have been no Disruption in 1843. Now, reader, per- 
 haps you cannot believe this But it is true. Dr. Andrew Marshall, 
 of Kirkintilloch, is entitled to the credit of much of the success of 
 the voluntary controversy. Aiiout the year 1SM2 (It years before 
 the Free chuich disruption) he, one evening, preached a sermon in 
 Glasgow from these words — "The dark places of the earth are full 
 of the habitations of cruelty." This sermon in which there was one 
 passage that an Edmund Burke might be proud of, spread all over 
 Scotland like wild fire. Wha' do you think, reader? In that ser- 
 mon he spoke of the dreadful conditions of Asia, "Darkest 
 Africa" and all the heathen world, i)lamed the connection between 
 church and state for all of it. you may think was awful uncliari- 
 tal)le. I thought so myself. But that was the stand taken that 
 Sabbath evening by Dr. Andrew Marshall of immortal fame. The 
 Inglises, the Chalmers, the Cunninghams, Cnthries and Candlishes, 
 etc., took up their cudgels to wiite down and preach down such 
 outrageous nonsense. They continued at this work for ten years. 
 But Dr. Marsliall's sermot! remained unanswered. And ail tliat 
 Di' Chalmeis and the splendid writers and orators that assLsled 
 him. made of it was, that they got themselves into a "tight place," 
 — a place from which tl>ere was only one way of escape — the dis- 
 ruption of 1843. It was two years after this that I found myself in 
 Kdinbiirgh. But it was near three before I could set my eyes on 
 
 
4G 
 
 REMINISCENCES OF SCOTTISH LIFE 
 
 Dr. Chalmers. At long last, "in the gloomy month of November," 
 and on a gloomy day of that month, I did have a good look at him. 
 It was at the opening of the Free Church College. I knew I would 
 spe him Uure. and I did. Some one else delivered the inaugural 
 address, I think it was Professor Buchanan. But it was little I 
 cared for himself or his address. I wanted to see Dr. Chalmers, 
 and theiv hp was right before me. What a massive countenance, 
 what a head. He was then only 65. But he looked mu-'h older. 
 For a whole hour I scarcely took my eyes off him. That large face. 
 Dr. Guthrie, in his autobiography calls it that "large, German, 
 Martin Luther face." And this is a first-rate description of it. 
 
 Well, in about 24 nours, armed with a letter of introduction 
 from Dr. Brown, I found myself in front of Dr. Chalmers' house in 
 Morningside. It was a very plain house externally. He was at 
 home. The girl told me 1 could see him. Now. reader, just think 
 of it. He to whom I was about to be introduced was, ou* and out, 
 the first man in the world, and what was I? Ungainly in my very 
 looks, and awkward in my manners; so much so that the U. P. 
 students rook me for some half-educated Gaelic minister that had 
 strayed from some savage highland glen. But such as I was the 
 Doctor met me at the door of his study. He bowed and bowed. 
 My impression is that I did not say a word. I handed him Dr. 
 Brown's letter. He probably took me for a Free Church student. 
 If he did, the letter would undeceive him. He told me what hour 
 his class met. and invited me to take breakfast with him 
 on Saturday. 
 
 If Dr Chalmers was the first man in the world, Dr. Brown 
 was the first man among the Dissenters of Scotland. Now, reader, 
 perhaps you would like to know how one great man (Dr. Brown 
 was a great man) would word a letter to another great man. If 
 so, here is a copy of Dr. Brown's letter, word for word: 
 
 10 Gayfield Square, 3 Nov., 1845. 
 
 "My Dear Sir — Permi me to introduce to your rev'd 
 notice, Mr Roi)ert Grant, a student of divinity, belonging to 
 the branch of the Secession Church of Nova Scotia, ard the 
 adjoining colonies. He has come to this country to add to his 
 stock of theological acquirements before commencing his pre- 
 lections as a preacher. His circumstances require that his pur- 
 suit of knowledge should be as economically conducted as 
 possible. We admitted him without fees to the advantages of 
 our Seminary. If the arrangements of your College permit a 
 similar favour being granted him, he is anxious of attending 
 your prelections, and will, I am sure, highly appreciate such 
 a favour. Mr. Grant is a young man of whose talents, acquire- 
 ments, and character I think very favourably. 
 
 Excuse the freedom [ have taken, and believe me, my 
 dear Doctor, with most cordial esteem and affection, ever yours 
 faithfully. 
 
 JOHN BROWN. 
 To Rev. Dr. Chalmers 
 
OR MEN THAT I HAVE MET 
 
 47 
 
 November," 
 )ok at him. 
 ?w I would 
 ( inaiisural 
 k^as little I 
 
 Chalmers, 
 luntenance, 
 i'i''h older. 
 
 large face, 
 3, German, 
 n of it. 
 
 itroduction 
 s' house in 
 He was at 
 
 just think 
 1* and out, 
 in my very 
 
 the U. P. 
 r that had 
 
 I was the 
 md bowed, 
 'd him Dr. 
 C'h student. 
 
 what hour 
 
 with him 
 
 Dr. Rrown 
 
 ow, reader. 
 
 Dr. Brown 
 
 t man. If 
 
 1S45. 
 
 ur rev'd 
 nging to 
 
 ard the 
 id to his 
 
 his pre- 
 
 his pur- 
 iic'ted as 
 itages of 
 permit a 
 ittending 
 ate sucli 
 
 acquire- 
 
 me, my 
 er yours 
 
 -H. 
 
 OWN. 
 
 So thought and wrote Dr. John Brown, of Edinburgh, 48 
 
 years ago. Now, reader, peihaps you never knew that this Mr. 
 
 Robert Grant ever possessed ' talents, acquirements, and character" 
 
 sufficient to command the respect of such competent judges. If, 
 
 not, it is to be hoped you know it now. 
 
 X. 
 
 DR. THALMERS— PART II 
 
 Saturday morning. 6th. Nov., 1S45, according to the invita- 
 tion, found me at Dr. Chalmers' front door. The doctor's hour for 
 breakfast was 9 o'clock. In the dining-rooni there were some Free 
 Church students — al)0ut fi and an l':pis(opalian clergyman from 
 England. We formed a "circle wide" around the room, till the 
 venerable nian made his appearance, which he did in about 15 
 minutes. The students were, of course, strangers to me. During 
 this time, one of the Doctor's daughters was seated in the loom 
 keeping the company in face Of course I had the temerity to 
 address a few words to her. If I did I got pretty well snubbed for 
 my pains. She didn't take the least notice of myself or my "words." 
 By this time in comes the Doctor. I think he held his spectacles 
 in his hand. He walked up to the first student at his left, and 
 spoke a few words to him. Ho did the same with every one of the 
 rest, till he came to me. He looked out a window that was beside 
 me, as if to collect his thoug'.its. and then, addressing me. uttered 
 exactly these words: Question: "Did you come in a steamer or a 
 sailing vessel?" Answer: "In a sailing vessel." 
 
 Looking out of the window again, the venerable man says, 
 "I have always been of the opinion that the climate of Nova Sco«ia 
 Is foggy, damp and unhealthy." Thinks I, this is pretty good, 
 coming from one living in Edinburgh in the month of November, 
 where there has been nothing seen for weeks but fog and rain, 
 with the Shetland Island aim st in sight. Though all this passed 
 through my mind, this was my answer: "Dr. Chalmers, I don't 
 wonder at one forming that opinion of the climate of Nova Scotia 
 from what he may have seen in print. But I can assure you it 
 is not so." 
 
 The Doctor then took up a small sized family Bible and read- 
 ing one of the shortest of the psalms of David, he got the Church 
 of England minister to pray. All hands were then speedily seated 
 at the table. What thi^ edibles were, or if tliere w; re any. I have no 
 recollection. But during all the time of breakfast the Doctor con- 
 versed rapidly, and not in the best humour, with his reverence from 
 England. He was even cross — he spoke cross, and he looked cross. 
 "I tell you what it is," said he, "you haven't got head pieces in 
 England." 
 
 After this, I had two private interviews with him in one of 
 the college rooms I never happened to see him on the streets 
 but three or four times, and it was always on a cold raw evening. 
 On his feet he would have a pair of ordinary shoes. You would 
 never see a minister in Edinburgh wearing fine boots. This was 
 considered effeminate. I once saw the renowned Dr. Guthrie strid- 
 
48 REMINISCENCES OF SCOTTISH LIFE 
 
 ing along with a pair of awful coarse shoes on. As to Dr. Chalmers, 
 the cold, raw evenings I happened to meet him, he never had a 
 stitch of a topcoat on— nothing but one of those large silk pocket 
 handkerchiefs extemporized into a muffler round his neck. Ah, 
 but he was the man! 
 
 In mental science, there is a law that renders it next to im- 
 Tinssible to think of Dr. Chalmers, first as a leader in the estab- 
 Hshed ch rcli hen. as the life and soul of the Free Church, with- 
 out, at the same time, thinking of that collateral branch of the 
 church of Christ that grew up beside him—the church of Lbenezer 
 and Ralph Erskine. This church has ever been known in the col- 
 onies as the Antiburgher church, but in Scotland as the Seceders 
 But dear reader, don't judge of the Seceders of Scotland from what 
 you' may have known of the Antiburghers of Pictou. There was, 
 with some exceptions, no comparison. I speak of what I have 
 known and seen with my own eyes. When in Scotland. I preached 
 in very marv of the pulpits of these Seceders, all the way from the 
 Tweed to Dunrobin Castle. I associated with the people both in 
 the ministers' manse, and in every lowly dwelling, and this, to me, 
 was literally a heaven on earth. For, witnessing their "chaste 
 conversation," seeing also, with unprejudiced eyes, how their 
 Christ-like faith, amidst poverty and hardship, raised them far 
 aloft above the sufferings, but especially above the fears of this 
 life much did 1 wish to end my days among them. And more than 
 once, did I shed the bitterest of tears, while thinking about the ex- 
 patriated and infatuated Highlanders of Pictou. I could see the 
 homt^s they had left. But wliere were they themselves, and how 
 employed? The wide Atlantic rolled between them and their ancient 
 homes in Caledonia, while they themselves were struggling in the 
 woods of America. True, many of them had Isrought their Bibles 
 and their religion with them to the new world, and amidst its un- 
 broken forests not a few of tUem caused "their light to shine be- 
 fore men." Such was Holmes (the Senator's father), Chas. Mc- 
 Lean, old Deacon Macdonald, (the Chief Justice's grandfather). 
 Squire McLean, of the West Branch, Andrew Marshall, McPhies, 
 Ross's. Forbes, Fraser. etc. And, at least, some of my own an- 
 cestral Grants and McKays. But it was in the summer of '4 7 while 
 travelling the peaceful straths of Ross-shire and Inverness, that a 
 sad picture burst upon my sight — Kirk and Antiburgher, in my 
 native Pictou, biting and devouring one another. And for what? 
 In many instances for no reason at all, in others, to serve the pur- 
 pose of some political demagogue, who when he got his ends ac- 
 complished, showed but too plainly he cared as much for them as 
 he did for the cattle on their "thousand hills." Reader, I could 
 give names \o justify this stricture. And. perhaps, at some future 
 time I may. But for the present, let you and me beware of the 
 lesson contained in Cowper's "Modern Patriot." 
 
 "You roaring boys who rave and fight, 
 
 On t'other side the Atlantic. 
 I always thought them in the right, 
 
 But most so when most frantic." 
 
 These were my reflections at that time when the sun "shot 
 
OR MEN THAT I HAVE MET 
 
 49 
 
 Chalmers, 
 ver had a 
 ilk pocket 
 eck. Ah, 
 
 ?xt to Im- 
 Ihe estab- 
 rch, with- 
 ch of the 
 ' El)enezer 
 n the col- 
 
 Seceders. 
 from what 
 ;'here was, 
 at I have 
 [ preached 
 ? from the 
 le both in 
 lis, to me, 
 ir "chaste 
 low their 
 
 them far 
 irs of this 
 more than 
 )ut the ex- 
 Id see the 
 , and how 
 eir ancient 
 iiig in the 
 leir Bibles 
 dst its un- 
 I shine be- 
 Chas. Mc- 
 ndfather) , 
 , McFhies, 
 y own an- 
 f '4 7 while 
 ess, that a 
 ler, in my 
 
 for what? 
 '■e the pur- 
 is ends ac- 
 3r them as 
 2r, I could 
 3me future 
 are of the 
 
 sun "shot 
 
 full perfection" in '47. And. then and there, the irrevocable con- 
 clusion was arrived at, that no Kirk or Anlibursher, much less any 
 tory or liberal would ever involve me in his squabbles. But, reader, 
 it requires no trans-Atlantic trip to see the justness of that resolve. 
 Amois;- the sc(iuos(( red haunts of Spiinsvillo, especially durinsi the 
 summer of 1840, did I so th-ough the same mental process. To 
 borrow again from Cowper — 
 
 "He lives, who lives to God alone, 
 And all are dead beside." 
 
 Fifty years ago, Dr. Chalmers originated the Free Church with 
 a band of 570 ordained ministers, 100 years prior to that date, 
 Ebenezer Erskine, all alone laid the foundation of the Secession 
 church, with one congregation. That one congregation has become 
 600. Had the church of Dr. Chalmers increased in the same ratio, 
 it would today, have more than 20,000 congregations, and as many 
 ordained ministers. Dr. Chalmers' church could count some of the 
 nobility — Lord Panmure, the Marquis of Rreadalbane, etc. — among 
 its staunchest adherents. The church of the Erskines, with a very 
 few exceptions, has ever had its adherents among the poor of tlie 
 land — the heritage bequeathed by Christ as a legacy to all his 
 friends — that heritage for whose sake he has, more than once, 
 "reproved kings great and strong," and, to the credit of Chalmers, 
 he was never so much in his element as when laboring and toiling 
 to do them good. The same can be said of Dr. Cuthrie. Often did 
 he risk life and limb among the haunts of vice and crime. What a 
 "crown of rejoicing" will be placed on both their heads on tliat 
 day, when the whole army of martyrs — -martyrs to their own vices 
 and to man's inhumanity to man, but redeemed by their means, 
 from among the outcasts of Glasgow and Edinburgh, shall be pre- 
 sented, in the presence of men and angels, "without spot or 
 wrinkle, arrayed in white robes, palms in their hands, and ever- 
 lasting joy upon their heads." There never was a true servant of 
 Christ but was partial to the poor. Chalmers was so. The same 
 can be said of Spurgeon, and to some extent of Dr. Norman McLeod. 
 
 To mingle freely with th'^ Scottish peasantry was no ordinary 
 privilege. But, as my lot. during a whole summer, was cast among 
 the Seceders, it is their praise that must be recorded. The roof 
 over their heads may be covered with turf, a hole in that roof 
 might serve for a chimney, the cold ground would be a floor, and 
 the storms of heaven might find admittance through many a crev- 
 ice. But, day and night, a greater than the Queen of England had 
 his habitation among the contented inmates. "Their wilderness 
 was like Eden, their desert like the garden of the Lord." Some 
 years after this, much of the same blissful state of things, did I 
 witness among the woody glens of Cape Breton. The fruits of Rev. 
 Peter McLean's ministrv, as also among the old Kirk folk of the 
 Saltsprings. Gairloch and the backwoods of the East River. There, 
 could be seen a fair sample of that piety that shed so rich a luslure 
 over the peasantry of Ross-shire and Inverness — the same faith, 
 the same delight in gospel ordinances, and the same divine sim- 
 
50 
 
 REMINISCENCES OF SCOTTISH LIFE 
 
 pllcity of life. What was it to me whether this people would be 
 found among the sheep or the goats at a Pictou election? There 
 was a something about them that assured me they would be found 
 in the right place, when the heavens shall be on fire and the earth 
 and the works that are herein shall be burned up. 
 
 O, happy peasants. O, unhappy Laird, 
 His the mere tinsel, their the rich reward. 
 
 The laverock shuns the palace gay, 
 And o'er the cottage sings, 
 
 For nature shines as sweet, I ween, 
 To shepherds as to Kings. 
 
 The church of the Erskines has produced its scholars and au- 
 thors, Cairns, of IBerwick, and, a few years later one Stephen 
 Easton carried everything before them in the University of Edin- 
 burgh. The latter was spoken of in the newspapers as "the young 
 man that shot so far ahead of his competitors." When, for two 
 consecutive winters. Sir William Hamilton was laid aside by sick- 
 ness, a second student, one Robert Selkirk Scott, conducted the 
 logic class. It was this same church that produced Robert Er- 
 skine's gospel sonnets, Brown of Haddington's Cathechism for 
 children, the Self Interpreting Bible, and a dictionary of the Bible, 
 Dr. John Dick's System of Theology In four volumes. Dr. Thomas 
 Dick's Philosophy of the Starry Heavens, the Philosophy of a Fu- 
 ture State, and the Evil of Covetousness, eic, Pollock's Course 
 of Time, the Bards of the Bible, Martyrs and the Heroes of the 
 Scottish Covenant, and other works of sterling merit by George 
 Gilfiilan, the Hind Let Loose by Adam Gibb. The list might be con- 
 tinued. But this must serve for a sample. It was the same church, 
 too, that gave a Trotter to Antigonish, a Kier to P. E. I., a Mc- 
 Gregor to the East River, and a McCulloch to Pictou. 
 
 Chalmers in the class-room. Here, the principal attraction 
 about his prelections was — himself. He would come in with studied 
 gravity, take his place, bow to the students, and offer up a short 
 prayer, with his eyes wide open, always finishing off with the words 
 "be with us, now and ever." Dr. McCulloch, in his academic pray- 
 ers, never used the word amen, at the close, at least, he never used 
 it in my hearing, and often have I wondered what this could mean. 
 Could it be that there was a secret understanding with the Hearer 
 of Prayer, that one emphatic amen, at the close, would serve for a 
 whole lifetime Occasionally, Dr. Chalmers would take his eyes off 
 the manuscript, and attempt to extemporize. Rut it would only be 
 an attempt, he couldn't extemporize. Still the students, and 
 fellow professors, all but idolized him. and well they might. 
 Even his prayers would be written out before hand. 
 
 This sketch, as far as it goes, refers to one of the best of the 
 sons of men. The writer has been benefitted by the writing of it. 
 May the reader be benefitted by the reading of it, and to "one and 
 all of us" (a very common phrase with Chalmers) may this be one 
 of the happiest of New Years. 
 
OR MEN THAT I HAVE MET 
 
 51 
 
 3 would be 
 311? There 
 d be found 
 i the earth 
 
 ars and au- 
 ne Stephen 
 ty of Edin- 
 
 "the young 
 en, for two 
 ide by sick- 
 ad acted the 
 
 Robert Er- 
 lechism for 
 »f the Bible, 
 Dr. Thomas 
 hy of a Fu- 
 ick's Course 
 5roes of the 
 : by George 
 light be con- 
 ame church, 
 E. I., a Mo- 
 
 ll attraction 
 with studied 
 [■ up a short 
 th the words 
 idemic pray- 
 e never used 
 
 could mean. 
 1 the Hearer 
 i serve for a 
 > his eyes off 
 ^ould only be 
 indents, and 
 
 they might. 
 
 e best of the 
 writing of it. 
 I to "one and 
 y this be one 
 
 XI. 
 DR. CHALMERS— P.ART III 
 
 That address of which the following is the peroration, was 
 delivered by Dr. Chalmers in Broughton Place Churcli, (Dr. 
 Brown's) Edinburgh, some time in the winter of 1846-47, and, 
 though no one expected it, it was destined to be his last public ap- 
 pearance in modern Athens — that capital that the great "Magician" 
 loved so well, and which so loved him in return. At the date refer- 
 red to, the Evangelican Alliance was in its infancy. Under its au- 
 spices, several meetings had been held both in Scotland and Eng- 
 land. These meetings, however, were conducted but little to the 
 satisfaction of Dr. Chalmers. Every glib-tongned spouter would 
 jump at the opportunity thus afforded to air his powers of oratory. 
 But this Avas a recreation for which neither Dr. Chalmers nor any 
 other man of common sense ever had any patience. He, accordingly 
 gets up an alliance meeting on his own hook, and gives the whole 
 trilie of would-be Burkes and Sheridans a regular scolding. I think 
 he had been invited to address a public meeting in Leith. If so, he 
 declined the honor. "I am not," said he "to be paraded all the way 
 from Edinburgh to Leith, and from Leith to Edinburgh." A man 
 of action himself, he wanted action in others. The plaudits of the 
 "giddy crowd" were little to his taste. And, had he been at the 
 World's Fair last summer, the probability is that all Chicago would 
 be set at defiance, if they wanted him either to speak or to preach. 
 He would let the popularity hunter do that. But, on the night in 
 question, having addressed enraptured thousands for about an hour, 
 he finished m these accents: 
 
 "I am exceedingly obliged to Dr. Brown for the use of his 
 church on this occasion. From the place in which I now address 
 yon, I can look back on a period of fifty years — fifty years devoted 
 either to the work of the ministry, or to that of training up others 
 for that sacred office. And, in that lengthy review, there are few 
 things that afford me more genuine satisfaction than the remem- 
 brance of the intercourse that, once subsisted between me and two 
 of your venerable pastors's ancestors: the one, your venerable 
 pastor's father, .John Brown, of Whitburn, under whose hospitable 
 and hallowed roof I often met with a class that were then, I fear 
 more numerous than they are now, I mean the religious peasantry 
 of Scotland; the other, your venerable pastor's uncle, his father's, 
 brother, and his father's equal, in all that pertains to ministerial 
 efficiency I mean the good old Ebenezer Brown, of Inverkeithing. 
 The last'time I parted with him, I left him in his own parlor weep- 
 ing — weeping with all the simplicity of childhood, and, with mor« 
 than womanly tears, over peiverseness of those who, though they 
 take unto themselves the name of Jesus, refuse to walk even as He 
 walked. May the spirit of these patriarchs of our church continue 
 to descend on the men of the present generation until a Catholic 
 Christianity shall, once more, pervade the length and breadth of our 
 land." 
 
S2 
 
 REMINISCENCES OF SCOTTISH LIFE 
 
 The venerable man then resumed his seat, and Dr. Brown ad- 
 dressed the spell-bound audience. My impression is that this was 
 one of the occasions on which he spoke in ringing tones while the 
 tears streamed down his face. But his voice did not quiver, so great 
 were his power.s of self-control. 
 
 liEl Li:( TI()>S 
 
 1. What "manner of persons" uuist these Browns have been 
 that they would be such favourites with Dr. Chalmers. 
 
 2. Dr. Chalmers must have been on terms of endearing in- 
 timacy with the Browns. 
 
 3. Let no one after this, say that there were not, among the 
 Secedeis, ministers worthy ot the name. 
 
 4. How come Dr Chaluiers to select a Seceder Church to 
 deliver his last public address in? There were plenty Free Churches 
 in Edinburgh, Dr. Regg's. Dr. Guthrie's. Dr. Candlish's, etc. It 
 must have been l)ecause he preferred Dr. Brown's — he liked the 
 ve:y name and a heaven-born instinct told him that even among the 
 Seceders there was to be found a something not to be met with in 
 the othei churches of the land. In tills preference he did not stand 
 alone. Reader, you have only to read the celebrated Dr. Cuthrie's 
 autobiography, and you will there see that he, also, thought much 
 of some of the Seceder ministers himself, and that his mother was 
 a constant worshipper in the Seceder church in the town of 
 Brechin, and he adds this — "she was no loser by doing so," 
 
 .5. Xo one in Edinburgh, perhaps not even Dr. Chalmers 
 himself, ever dreamt that this was the last popular assemlilage he 
 was to address in this world. He was only 67. (Jladstone is S4. 
 But so it was, and in a few short weeks, he and his much-loved 
 friends of Whilburn and Inverkelthing were to meet in the golden- 
 streeted city, to be .joined in a few years by another of these Browns 
 —Dr. John Brown of Edinburgh, to l)e "afflicted by no more cruel 
 separations." 
 
 "There ever bask in uncreated rays. 
 
 Xo more to sigh, or shed the l)itter tears, 
 
 Together hymning their Creator's praise. 
 
 In such society, yet still more dear; 
 
 While circling time moves round in an eternal sphere." 
 
 DR. CH.ALMERS AT THE (LOSE OE THE COLLEGE TERM, 
 
 APRIL, 1847. 
 
 In addition to the staff of Professors, there were present, on 
 this occasion. Drs. Candlish. Guthrie and Regg. with Dr. McDon- 
 ald, of Ferrintosh. The e.xercis-es were concluded by Dr. Chalmers, 
 offering up the valedictory prayer. The last sentence in the piayei 
 was so pithy and uttered with such heroism that it impressed it- 
 self indelibly on my memory. It was this:— "And grant. Oh Lord, 
 that when we (himself and his brother ministers) lie mouldering 
 
OR MEN THAT I HAVE MET 
 
 in our coffins, they (the students) may be a seed to serve thee; 
 and when, collectively, we have bid farewell to earth and earth's 
 attractions, ^rant that we may be found standing side l)y side at 
 thy right hand." 
 
 As mentioned in a previous sketch, Chalmers and McDonald 
 of Ferrinosh, were of the same size. And they were l)otli of the 
 same size and make as the late Hev. Angus McClillivray, of Spring- 
 ville. Say, reader, was not I highly favoured tliat day? What a 
 "band of brothers"' was there l)efore me'.' All Christendom might 
 be searched, but it would be searched in vain, to find their 
 superioi's. Had Cairns of Berwick, Dr. John Brown, William An- 
 derson, of Cilasgow, and Dr. Norman McLeod been present, the 
 picture would have been complete. As pulpit or platform orators, 
 and Bil)le expositors, they could sweep the whole world. Put them 
 into tlie House of Commons and they would carry it l)y storm. On 
 any question affecting the eternal destinies of man, Cladstone 
 might cross the path of Candlish once. But he would think, and 
 think till doomsday, before he did it a second time. 
 
 Dear reader, did you ever see a lion. Well, as a lion is among 
 beasts, so was Chalmers among men. See that broad and massive 
 face. There it is in a state of repose. But it is marvellously leonine 
 — the same calm coirsciousness of power, the same disregard for 
 danger, the same mouth, tlie stubby nose. "Waken not the 
 terrible." 
 
 THK CLOSIXC; S( K.NE 
 
 The soul, confined and ill at ease at home. 
 Expatiates in a world to come. 
 
 So wrote Alexander Pope. And, to this peculiarity of our na- 
 ture, the world is indel)led for much that is great in literature, 
 such as Harvey's Meditations — that blessed book — Milton's Para- 
 dise Lost, and, a still nicer poem — his Paradise Regained, Pollock'r, 
 Course of Time, and all the masterpieces of Burns and Cowper, 
 etc. Tlie truth of the axiom was also verified in the subject of 
 this sketch. During his whole life, even in that early part of it 
 when his religious views were as far astray as the "poles asunder," 
 he was devoutly meditative and contemplative in all his habits. 
 This turn of thought, aided by his masterly proficiency in 
 the science of mathematics, directed his attention to the starry 
 heavens as a field for contemplation. At this time, he was in the 
 prime of life, and having, also, "passed from death to life," he was 
 enabled to look on men and things with new eyes. With this re- 
 generated vision, the book ot nature was open before him, and there 
 he saw. not only on the earth below with its "fields and floods, 
 and ocean's shores." but in the heavens above. 
 
 "How system into system runs, 
 What other planets circle other suns." 
 
 Something like this would be the origin of his celebrated as- 
 tronomical discourses. They were first preached in his own con- 
 
54 
 
 REMINISCENCES OF SCOTTISH LIFE 
 
 grPRiition in ClasKow, and then in London. Tho Impression pro- 
 duced i)y tlieni in the latter place was altogether unparalleled. 
 Wllherforce, on his way to hear one of them, accompanied by a 
 lady friend, wa.s a little late. The church was crammed to the 
 door: hut perceiving an open window,, he looked round till he 
 got a plank, one end of which he placed on the sill of the window, 
 and on this plank he and his lady friend crawled on their hands 
 and knees till they got safely landed inside. There he saw Can- 
 ning, one of the first statesmen in Europe, and 'Rev. Roland Hill, 
 from his place in the front gallery, bawled out in the middle of 
 the sermon, "Wt!ll done. Chalmers!" There was one member of 
 the Royal Family prijsent — the Duke of York. That niglit the 
 Right Hon. Mr. Wilberforce jots this down in his diary — "all the 
 world wild about Chalmers. Saw Canning shed tears. I thought 
 he would be too much hardened by debate to do that." 
 
 But the warrior is nearing his rest. On a Sabbath in June, 
 1847. the paniarch of a certain tenement in Morningshire conducts 
 family worship, and telling his household that they must be up 
 early tomorrow, retires for the night. I believe these were the last 
 words ever heard from Dr. Chalmers' lips. But when tomorrow 
 morning dawned there was something missing in that well-known 
 l)edroom — there was no Chalmers there. The "earthly house of 
 thi.s tabernacle" was there. But the immortal soul that had been 
 enshrined therein had fled. "A silver cord had been loosed, and a 
 golden bowl broken." Mourners go about the streets of Scotia's 
 darling seat In visions of the night, all unknown to the inmates, 
 there had been visitors In that house — visitors to whom locks and 
 bolted doors are of no account. "The angel of the Lord encampeth 
 round about them that fear Him." Ps., 34. 7. 
 
 There was, once, an awful night in the Mediterranean. A 
 
 craft of unique build, and crowded with passengers from stem to 
 
 stern, was at the mercy of the waves. All hands gave themselves 
 
 up for lost. Among the hundreds on board, however, there was 
 
 one good man. and. unperceived by the rest, an angel from 
 
 heaven stood by his side saying, "fear not. Paul." Acts 27, 24. 
 
 Such is the privilege conferred on the child of God in the time of 
 
 life and health. Is it, then reasonable to suppose that the child of 
 
 God shall be left helpless and unattended in the hour of death? 
 
 No. It is far otherwise. We are not left then to find our way to 
 
 the "house of many mansions," as we best can. For we learn that 
 
 when "the beggar died he was carried by the angels to Abraham's 
 
 bosom," Acts 16,22. This being a subject that the reader scarcely 
 
 ever hears mooted from the pulpit. I have given chapter and verse, 
 
 and, as it is one that the Bible is as pointed on as it is on anything 
 
 else, I make no apology for doing so. Let the reader only study the 
 
 history of Jacob, Moses. Joshua, Daniel, Peter and Paul and he will 
 
 there see that celestial messengers, in the livery of heaven, did 
 
 "encamp round about them," and also delivered them, when the 
 
 emergency required it; but "this honor is to all his saints," and 
 
 the Bible says so out and out. How does it happen, then, that the 
 
 pulpit is so silent about it? 
 
 On that June Sabbath night in Morningside, the inmates 
 
OR MEN THAT I HAVE MET 
 
 55 
 
 "slumbered and slept;" but there Is one bed the occupant of which 
 Is, In intellect and uersonal holineHS, only a little lower tlian the 
 angels. That very Sabbath evening as he walked in his garden he 
 was overheard conversing with his Heavenly Father in terms of' en- 
 dearing familiarity. As he laid down to rest, all his thoughts would 
 be on "things above." In that mood— a mood that is notliing new 
 to every child of God— he closes his eyes; but ere the rising sun 
 streaked the chambers of the eastern sky, "a watcher and a holy 
 one" (Dan. 4, 13) hovers over him. Yes, reader, and for anything 
 you and I know at the front door, there may have been 
 
 "Chariots of brightness,. 
 And horses of whiteness." 
 
 ready harnessed to convey all that was immortal of him who was 
 the pride of all churches in Christendom to these "peaceful shores 
 where no tempest rages, and all is calm and tranquil. "' As con- 
 stellation after constellation Is left behind, in that night's journey 
 heavenward, Chalmers would get an insight into his favourite 
 science that would compensate for the lal)ours of a lifetime fit- 
 ting sequel to the "Astronomical Discourses." 
 
 John Knox. Dr. McCulloch, of Pictou Academy, and Dr. Chal- 
 mers all died at the same age. G7 years. 
 
 XII. 
 
 AN EAST RI /ER BEAR STORY 
 
 It was about 90 years ago. Hectorean passengers had, by this 
 time, made for themselves farms in the "forest primeval." Among 
 the number was one Alexander Falconer, his house was near the 
 very spot where the Ferrona iron works now are. Two years ago 
 Mr. Roderick McKay, Fox Brook, pointed out to me the site on 
 which it stood. The waters of the East River then swarmed — yes, 
 literally swarmed with fish, and its woods with game — the moose, 
 the caribou, the fox, the martin, the otter and the bear. At the 
 date referred to one of the latter had his "social union" (bruin's) 
 rudely invaded and disturbed by man's "dominion." This occurred 
 in the following manner The said Alexander Falconer, (big .Tohn's 
 father) had a pair of oxen that strayed away in the woods, there 
 they remained till they got wild. They formed a yard, and moose 
 fashion, they lived by browsing. On discovering their retreat, the 
 owner made repeated attempts to get them home, but he couldn't. 
 They had their own beaten ground, beyond the limits of which all 
 his efforts to drive them were unavailing, even though it was 
 winter. One day. in his abortive attempts to get the oxen home, he 
 came across a bear's den On the morrow, armed with a gun and a 
 pitchfork, he got his neighbour, Farquhar Falconer, to accompany 
 him. On arriving at the spot, they found the bear comfortably es- 
 consed in his winter quarters. But his habitation was as black and 
 
M 
 
 AN EAST RIVER BEAR STORY 
 
 dark hh liiniself. so iniicli so tlwit Ihey could not take a rlKlu aim, 
 but one of tliom fiitd. Tli(> bullet only Kiaz^d his back. enraniiiK the 
 bear witiiont (Hsabiiiin him, and with an awful srowl, ho makes for 
 ills assailants, but as tlie fci'ocious Ijiiitc was rushing out of his den, 
 without a moment's hesitation, Farquhar cuuKht him by the ears, 
 and tlii'owiuK liiinsf'lf on the shaggy monster, pinned liis snout to 
 tliH ground; and lu'Vi-r letting no liis IioUi, lield him till the owner 
 of I he o.\(Mi dispatciicd iiini \^itIl tlu' pit(hf()rk. 
 
 HFFMM TIONS 
 
 It is now near 100 years since the date of this Ix'ar story. 
 These were in trutli tlie days of tlie "forest primeval. " I'p and 
 down tlie F^ast liiver. from India Cross point to Sunny Hrae, and 
 the West Brancii Lake, every liouso would be a loR house. But 
 ''ven then the "wilderness and the solitary place were made filad." 
 The apoHlIf^ of IMctou had. for eii;ht years, "done the work of an 
 evaiiuelist." Tiider the sliadow of the "murmnrinK pines and tlie 
 hemlocks." therc^ was the voice of melody. 
 
 ourseif nor your readers 
 
 Mr. William .Sniitli Eraser's version of tliis l)ear story in the 
 Eastern Clironicle is slightly different from mine, but my informa- 
 tion was received from F'arfiuliar Falconei's only surviving son, and 
 I went to see liim twice about it, once at)out twenty years ago, and 
 again two year."( ago. 
 
 In Mr. Fiaser's very interesting communication there is one 
 statement that must lie corrected. "Rev Robert Grant," nevrr in 
 this world, wrote about big John Falconer as one of the East Rjver 
 worthies; he simply mentioned his name incidentally as a victim of 
 "rum and domestic infelicities." Rig .lohn's proper place would be 
 among the Fast River pugilists. Tliere, he would l)p a very "Tip- 
 ton slasher." One reminispeiice of liini I had from "Rig Evan" Mc- 
 '■''' had It from the "Big heacon." In the early days 
 •r, there was a field day at the West River — a mus- 
 mething, and all in a peaceful way, the East, West 
 ' -n Hill men had various trials of strength, with 
 1 - . aa leaping, throwing the stone, etc. In these per- 
 form ues, the East River men had the liest of it. Then, when all 
 was iver, Big John, without saying a word, began to strip, coat and 
 vest were laid by themselves, stitch by stitch, and rolling up his 
 shirt sleeves to the sh. Iders, he, with the voice of a stentor. ban- 
 tered any man within ve miles round. But none accepted the 
 challenge. Said Big F i to the deacon. "Now, deacon, what would 
 
 Lean 
 
 T- 
 
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 tp. 
 
 
 
 d 
 
 feai.^ 
 
 agl 
 
 Ol 
 
 S 
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 Sf 
 
AN EAST RIVER BEAR STORY 
 
 B7 
 
 you have done If some one had taken John Falconer up, and licked 
 him?" "I l)Plleve I would have taken iiis place," replied 
 the ruling rider. 
 
 Mr. FraMHP makes no reference to Peter Ross teaching in 
 Hopfwell in tnc yenr« 1825-20-27. but ho did. I attended his 
 .school. The school-house was on iho corner opposite (lunii's. The 
 floor consisted of round poles laid close together. At this time the 
 late Mr. John di-ay met with the followiuK adventure. Mr. CJray, 
 then a young n>an of much activity, was the owner of a light-footed 
 red mare, a first rate traveller. The bridge at Gray's (then Squire 
 Eraser's) mills, had a gate right in the centre. One day Mr. (Jray 
 came along with the same red mare, and to save the lal)our of dis- 
 mounting, he pulled the gate towards him with his hand. Rut in 
 going through, the gate came in contact with the high-spirited 
 animal's ribs. This made it spring forward with a rush, closing tlie 
 gate and pitching man and horse into the river. Were this to 
 happen today, what a windfall it would be to those in Hopewell 
 who write notices for the Eastern Chronicle. 
 
 XIII. 
 
 MORE EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 UEV. ALEXANDER MacGIIJilVRAY, D. D. 
 
 With this gem of a man, and model minister, my personal 
 acquaintance was very limited. This meagre sketch, must, there- 
 fore, consist of two or three reminiscences, and what I knew of 
 him from common report. 
 
 1. Dr. McGillivray came out from Scotland in 1834, and on a 
 lovely day in the summer of that year, the Kirk held their annual 
 communion in St. Andrew's Church. New Glasgow — not the present 
 commodious structure. l)ut the original old-fashioned building that 
 at first had been built, and used as a church somewhere on Eraser's 
 Mountain. Six years before this time, Big John Falconer and Red 
 John Falconer had moved it from its windy eminence on that 
 mountain top to New Glasgow. There it stood — "thither the tribes 
 went up to the hill of God" for years. The Rev. Donald Eraser pro- 
 claimed the tidings of salvation. And my impression is that it was 
 in this same church Rev. Dr. Burns, of Paisley, preached in May, 
 1844. It was his first visit to America. He came in the capacity 
 of a delegate from the Free Church. I came all the way from 
 Springville that day to hear him. His text was "Awake, O sword 
 against my shepherd." But in 1834 I first saw and felt my need of 
 a Saviour. That summer, with me, "old things were passed away, 
 and a new world begun." There was a complete revolution, one of 
 the effects of which was an insatiable desire for knowledge and the 
 treasures of true scholarship. At that time Rev. John Campbell, af- 
 terwards of St. Mary's, taught in New Glasgow. I went to his 
 school for two months. Indeed Mr. Campbell had something to do 
 
68 
 
 MORE EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 with this. He more than once asked my father to send me. At 
 last the latter gave his const-nt, boarding me with Mr. Campbell 
 himself at James Eraser's, Innkeeper. This was the way I hap- 
 pened to be in New Glasgow at the time .of the communion in St. 
 Andrew's Church. Saturday, not having the fear of some of the 
 antiburgher deacons before my eyes, I went to hear a sermon by a 
 Kirk minister. This was the only time I ever heard Rev. Alex- 
 ander McCiillivray preach. He was newly arrived in Nova Scotia. 
 But if I heard him then I did not see him The church was so 
 crowded I stood at the door. The preacher's voice was strong. But 
 mine was the desire to be benefitted, not to criticize. While in this 
 posture, there was a passage of Scripture came home to me with 
 power. The words are these: "Blessed is the man that heareth me, 
 watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors." 
 These words did not come from the pulpit. But upon me, they had 
 the effect of a special message from on high. And while reflecting 
 on the blessed promise, and experiencing the good of it, 
 
 "I envied not the happiest swain 
 That ever trod the Arcadian plain." 
 
 2. It is now midsummer, 185 5. The Kirk Synod meets in 
 Halifax, and happening to be in the capital myself, I looked in one 
 evening to witness their proceedings. There again, was Dr. Mc- 
 Gillivray. he was speaking when I went in. The subject of hi', ad- 
 dress was Foreign Missions. He spoke in laudatory terms cL that 
 prince of missionaries, Mr. Geddie. He said he had lately rjad one 
 of his letters, and that it was the most eloquent producf'''ii he had 
 ever read. Said he, "it brought me to my knees." As a young anti- 
 burgher nreacher, it was soothing to my feelings to hear a vener- 
 al)le Kirk minister that had iiiniself graduated at a Scottish univer- 
 sity, i^peak so favorably of one who had beei. educated at the Pictou 
 Academy. Others spoke, but who they were, or what they said, I 
 have no recollection. This was when Sebastopol was being be- 
 seiged. The battles of Alma, Balaclava and Inkerman had been 
 fought. And four years later in April, 1859, 
 
 3. There was a funeral at the head of McLellan's Brook — 
 that of John McGregor, a member of Dr. Roy's church. McGregor's 
 wife was my niece. So, though the distance was considerable, and 
 the roads at their worst, I went to that funeral. The service was 
 conducted by Dr. Roy, but Dr. McGillivray also honored the occa- 
 sion with his presence, and as the deceased did not belong to his 
 church, I thought it in the least degree good of him to l)e there at 
 all. And I said so to himself as wp rode l)eside one another in the 
 funeral procession To this he replied that John McGregor was a 
 good neighbor himself. The venerable man did not like some 
 clerical fops attend that funeral as a mere matter of form. No. 
 Like the Master whom he served, he put himself on a level with his 
 neighbor, followed the procession for some miles, till he saw the 
 remains of his neighbor and friend safely consigned to "the house 
 appointed for all living." 
 
 4. Some years after this I met Dr. McGillivray in New Glas- 
 
 ol 
 b( 
 
 tl 
 n\ 
 
 ^i 
 
 isi 
 
 a 
 
 el 
 
MORE EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 59 
 
 gow. It was on the platform in front of Squire Eraser's store. The 
 interview lasted but a few minutes. As to his status as a preacher, 
 I can say but little. But according to all accounts, his pulpit per- 
 formance must have been respectable. To be able to "stamp and 
 stare theatric" and preach a track sermon is all very good. There 
 are pulpit orators that can do this, but, alas, they do not practice 
 what they pi each. They show too often, that "whoe'er was edified 
 themselves were not." It was otherwise with the subject of this 
 sketch. For years, he was the sole pastor, not only of his own con- 
 gregation of McLennan's Mountain, but all the other Kirk con- 
 gregations in the county of Pictou — New Glasgow, East and West 
 Branch, Barney's River, Gairloch, Roger's Hill. To these, his ex- 
 position of Scripture from the sacred desk was as "showers that 
 water the earth." And when the venerable old Kirk was assailed, 
 as assailed s^he often was by ignorant and narrow-minded men, both 
 lay and clerical, to my knowledge, at least, he was never provoked 
 to retaliate. The more "they cursed the more he blessed with lov- 
 ing voice." Then, how manly was the part act d by him at the Dis- 
 ruption of 1843. The rest of his co-preshyters all relinquished 
 their charges, to occupy vacant watchtowers in their native land. 
 But he remained at his post, and though his health was by no 
 means robust, he "nailed his colors to the mast." For about eight 
 years he did "the work of an evangelist" among the green hills 
 of Pictou, where, notwithstanding every effort made to shake their 
 loyalty, the old Kirk had still her thousands of devoted adherents. 
 What had they to do with the bitter controversies about "Intrusion 
 and Non-Intrusion" in the fatherland! No. The Church of John 
 Knox. Andrew Melville, Renwick, Welsh, Henderson and Andrew 
 Thomson was still the Church of Scotland, and in spite of the 
 crusade led on by a Chalmers, a Candlish, and a Cunningham — 
 admirable men though they were — the unsophisticated Highlanders 
 of Pictou stood true to their allegiance. And for doing so they had 
 to be reviled and nicknamed. No doubt, the .subject of this sketch 
 knew well that he would have to bear his full share of the re- 
 proach. But in his own peaceful way, he endured it all. Neither 
 himself nor his flock were ashamed of the old Church within whose 
 communion they had been born and educated. Nor had they any 
 reason. It would be difficult to mention any enterprise of Christian 
 beneficence for which that Church has not done her part. In litera- 
 ture and theology, she can point to a George Buchanan, a Robert 
 son, the historian, a Thomas Boston, a Guthrie, a Haliburton, and 
 many other eminent rrtn. Besides furnishing the Highlanders with 
 the Bible in their own tongue, she put them in a way to read that 
 Bible, by procuring immense grants of money to found a system 
 of common schools to teach the Gaelic population of Scotland the 
 blessings of education. But there is one work done by that Church 
 that entitles her to the gratitude of mankind to the end of time, I 
 mean the metrical translation of the Psalms of David in Gaelic. 
 While perusing that little Volume, he who is versed in the classics 
 is carried back to the days of Julius Caesar, and feel how superior 
 are the poetic flights of "the son of Jesse" to the loftiest effusions 
 either of Hesiod or Homer. Ask any finished scholars as Rev. 
 
MORE EAST RIVER WORTHIES 
 
 60 
 
 was not. But along the margin on ^yhl^l t^^^^ ^.^^^y ^^^^^'^^i^i ^y. 
 its head, a limpid stream (Cameron smooMghdedsm^^^^^^^^ 
 
 l^ZirS: 7:::^:X^^ ---^ heads! oomed in the 
 servi^cer That matchless p.almodist. Evan McQuarne, leads the 
 song Today "in such society." many of these worsh.ppers^s g 
 e song of Moses and the Lamb." Then, they ^^^^'-^^^^^^jXl''': 
 d ath. fhey sang the deeds of the Babe that f^^./J^f^;^^ f ^^j^"^'- 
 and thev fainted not, nor did they grow weary m the service, ue 
 cording aiige"s hovered over them, and conveyed to heaven the tid- 
 ings of the gladsome spectacle. 
 
 That sacred hour who can forget? 
 
 Who can forget the hallow'd grove, 
 When, bv the winding stream they met, 
 
 To live one day of heavenly love! 
 
 Nn dear reader and I don't wish to forget it. Neither will 
 vou i^v^ou ever witnessed the sight. There are. perhaps hundreds 
 Hving vet who not only beheld but took part in tliese sacramenta^ 
 solmenities. And if any of them ever see these lines, sure I am 
 that they will join with me in saying: 
 
 Still o'er these scenes my mem'ry wakes, 
 
 And fondly broods with miser care, 
 Time but the impression deeper makes. 
 
 As streams their channels deeper wear. 
 
 O that Robert Burns had understood Gaelic, and that, on some 
 great fie d day, he had heard Evan McQuarrie "giving out the line.' 
 Had tha been so, both the "line" and the man that sung it would, 
 fong eie now. have "gone through all the earth." and its words 
 "to the end of the world." 
 
 The writer o! these sketches wishes it to be understood that 
 in writing kindly about the old Kirk he has only written as he al- 
 wavs thought and felt. He believes that the connection between 
 Church and State is an absurdity. And he has often been amazed 
 that such a man as Dr. Chalmers could never see this. Still, not- 
 withstanding her alliance with the State, and all the evils of Pat- 
 ronage that Church has done a good work. And when herself and 
 other Presbyterian Churches in Scotland have become one, as in 
 due time thev shall, then, from the rising to the setting sun. the ad- 
 the morning," fair as the moon, clear as the sun, and terrible as an 
 miring cry shall rise to heaven. "Who is she that looketh forth as 
 army with banners." 
 
ANOTHER EAST RIVER BEAR STORY 
 
 61 
 
 XIV. 
 
 ANOTHER EAST RIVER BEAR STORY 
 
 It was in the month of August, 1834, when going to Rev. Mr. 
 Campbell's school, Mr. William Chisholm, saddler, asked me to go 
 with him to get blueberries. By his mother's side, who was a Grant. 
 Mr. Chisholm and myself were nearly related, and though consid- 
 erable my superior in years, he treated me as an equal. At this 
 time his shop stood on Provost Street, right opposite Mr. James Mc- 
 Gregor's store — now the Sheffield House. So one Saturday after- 
 noon we started for the blueberry plain, which was about two miles 
 from the west end of New Glasgow bridge. There was an old desert- 
 ed road that led to it — once the Middle River Road. By following 
 the course of this road for about an hour we got to the place of our 
 destination. There were blueberries in abundance with which we 
 soon crammed ourselves. But until Burns' "glowing west proclaim- 
 ed the speed of winged day." we were in no hurry to retrace our 
 steps homeward, which when we began to do we made for home. 
 About sunset when nearly out of the woods, we heard a terrible 
 yelling a piece to our left. There was the shouting of men, and the 
 barking of dogs. Knowing that there must be something unusual 
 going on, we made for the place whence the racket proceeded. On 
 getting there we saw, on an o'd road, a she bear lying dead. That 
 evening, Mr. John Fraser (deacon), with a loaded gun went back to 
 the rear of his farm to see if his sheep were safe, and he did not 
 go a bit too soon. For the first thing he saw was a large bear. 
 There was her shaggy ladyship sporting two cubs. On seeing Mr. 
 Fraser she stood erect on her hind legs looking savagely at Fraser 
 and gnashing her teeth. Mr. Fraser replied to this salutation by 
 firing. He aimed at her breast, and his aim was a good one. She 
 dropped dead on the spot, without time for even a death-bed repent- 
 ance. When we got to the scene she had just breathed her savage 
 soul away. 
 
 But what about the cubs? As quick as lightning they climbed 
 a large hemlock tree, away up among the thick branches of which 
 they hid themselves. It was now so dark that they could not ' e 
 seen. In this emergency the Fraser brothers — John, Thomas, and 
 others — gathered a monstrous pile of wood and brush around the 
 foot of the tree, and set fire to it. That fire was kept blazing all 
 night. At 8 o'clock one of the Frasers — it was Thomas — went home, 
 and brought something for all hands to eat. The fire was kept agoing 
 all night. Whether that night felt long or short, or whether I slept 
 
 ~ " " " 3o remember, that 
 
 any, 
 
 h£ 
 
 ling 
 
 morning at sunrise the little fellows in the top of the tree could 
 be seen, their eyes all on fire. By this time there were more men 
 and more guns. And two of them opened fire on the youthful cul- 
 prits up in the tree. After a few shots one of them came down with 
 a thud. But there was another that gave some trouble, after being 
 riddled with bullets, it held on to a limb with one of its forepaws. 
 Let go its hold it would not. It was a pretty sight to witness it 
 dangling in mid-air for some minutes. At last "some arm more 
 lucky than the rest" aimed, and fired at the little paw and down 
 
62 ANOTHER EAST RIVER BEAR STORY 
 
 it began to come, but not far. In its descent it lodged b^^^^^^ 
 trunk of the tree and a limb It was dead and theie it wo Ud ^ema 
 till it would rot. So they went to work and chopped the tiee ao 
 
 "Hush a by baby on the tree-top, 
 
 When the wind blows the ^^^dle will rock 
 
 But when the wind ceases the cradle ^iH fall, ^^ 
 And down will come the baby, cradle and all. 
 
 It was 
 
 thus with the hapless bear cub. It was now breaWast 
 time,- anl-an'Mmirnlade lor home the "''"^Jf^^.s oard n. 
 
 sirrproisT„-th';'"t^rohrrt''«sh'ioU"?„"h^LrorRor.each 
 
 two of his best sermons. 
 
 REILECTIOXS 
 
 1 What fine men these Fraser brothers were! John, Thomas 
 and Hugh (elder) were all that I remember as being present at the 
 slaughter of the bear-cubs. 
 
 2 There were marksmen in these days. Could there be a bet- 
 ter hit tlTan that aimed at the little paw? William Tell himself 
 couldn't have done better. 
 
 3. Is Ihat hemlock stump to the fore yet? 
 
 4. Is the writer the only one now living of those who witness- 
 ed the killing of those bears? 
 
 5 In 1834, sixty veais ago. This was the very time that the 
 Asiatic cholera raged with fatal violence in Halifax. Mr. Fraser, 
 fnTk'eper's brother, .lohn, fell a victim to it. Well do I remember 
 the day he heard of his brother's death. His sorrow was too gieat 
 to find relief in tears, but every groan he uttered was like the "P- 
 heaving of an Etna. 
 
 Even at the distance of (50 years, New Glasgow with its seven 
 stores Mr Carmichael's, Squire Eraser's and his brother Hugh, Adam 
 Carr's Alex Eraser's, Jauies McGregor's and William McDonald's— 
 wa« a stirring place. There was only one church, St. Andrew's, and 
 on all the East River, only three churches from the Loading Ground 
 to Sunnv Brae and the West Branch Lake, there were only three 
 n^inisters— Rev. Angus McGillivray, Rev. John McRae and Rev 
 David Roy. At the rate ministers are now flocking into it from all 
 quarters, "there will soon be that many in New Glasgow. 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES 63 
 
 XV. 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 SPRING VIT.LE 
 
 Dear reader, it is now three years since the first of these 
 sketches appeared, and, at the rate I am getting on with them the 
 millenium will be on us before they are completed. Some of you 
 know this picturesque Springville is my native place, and there was 
 a time when that well-watered district was really picturesque. But 
 that was in the halcyon days when such men as old Alex Grant, 
 miller, his brother, Robert, James Grant, dyer, Senator Holmes, 
 Duncan McPhie, James Ian Ruaidgh, his son, John, David McLean, 
 and a few more of a kindrea spirit were at the head of affairs. In 
 the presence of these master minds, the untutored and ill-bred up- 
 start would hide his "diminished head,"' and merit would meet with 
 its due reward, while "all iniquity" would have to "stop her mouth." 
 The consequence was that a high tone of morals pervaded the whole 
 community. 
 
 Who has not heard or read of "Picturesque Canada?" But I 
 say picturesque Springville. 
 
 Did Canada ever produce a man that could tell a story with 
 old Tailor Mcintosh? Abraham himself, if he had him in his house 
 tailoring for a week, would be amused at his funny jokes — they 
 would be so harmless and so truthful that, if the "father of the 
 faithful" had a laugh in him, it would come out. 
 
 Fifty years ago, there was another gentleman who shall be 
 nameless, but in his own line he passed for something in Spring- 
 ville. It is true that he did not add much to the material wealth of 
 the place. If not, he, "as poor, yet maketh many rich,'' did much 
 to put others on the pathway both of wealth and fame. Our late 
 premier, Hon. S. H. Holmes, Hon. Angus McQueen, of New Bruns- 
 wick, Rev. James McGregor McKay, Rev. J. D. McGillivray, and 
 Rev. James McLean, are specimens of his handiwork. It was this 
 same gentleman that originated and did more than his share in 
 keeping agoing the Springville Literary Society of "happy memory." 
 It is true that the Eastern Chronicle held up our Society to ridicule 
 but not with impunity. We gave as good as we got. 
 
 One John Eraser, if not the very first, was one of the first 
 settlers in Springville. To distinguish him from others of the same 
 clan, he went by the name of Ian Ruadgh — Red John. He landed in 
 Halifax two years after the arrival of the Ship Hector — 120 years 
 and, and settled on that farm now occupied by the Holmes. 
 He built the first frame house in Springville. It is standing 
 and occupied yet— the same house that Senator Holmes always lived 
 in, after he bought Eraser's farm, about 62 years ago, and in which 
 he ended his days. In my juvenile days it seemed to be a very big 
 house. Now, it looks quite small, reminding me of the low roofed 
 house of Socrates." There is negative proof that this Ian Ruaidgh 
 must have been a man of some worth. Though born and brought up 
 in the immediate vicinity, I never heard his name mentioned with 
 disrespect. With his three sons, James, Donald and William, I was 
 
64 
 
 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 well acquainted, and they were men of peace and sobriety, rather 
 above the common standard for intelligence. Of the daughters, one 
 was married to Simon Fraser, Basin; she was the mother of Thomas 
 Fraser. Foreman, and, consequently, the grandmother of your Iron 
 King, flraham Fraser. They were married by Dr. McGregor, and in 
 the doctor's house, in the midst of a tremendous snow storm. An- 
 other daughter, the motlier of Mr. Fraser, postmaster, was married 
 to a Fraser at Mcl^ellan's Mountain. The history of the other two 
 is unknown to me. Of the sons, Donald and William were decent 
 inoffensive men, above the medium size. Donald was sedate and 
 peaceful. William somewhat jovial and off-handed; but James, al- 
 ways called James Ian Ruaidgh, was somewhat of a character. Too 
 timid to be of much prominence in any community, he was, not- 
 withstanding this timidity, a n^an of some note in the annals of the 
 place of many springs. By no means deficient in mental power, he 
 ranked high for knowledge and intelligence. Neither was he desti- 
 tute of pul 'ic spirit. He was a reader, and what he read he remem- 
 berpd. Mucii of his knowledge was derived from conversation. He met 
 once with a man who had fought at Waterloo; from him he learned 
 how the Belgian regiments turned their backs and fled in the thickest 
 of the fight. He had Dr. McGregor's opinion of Robert Burns, that 
 "God had given him great talents but he made a bad use of them." 
 Of Dr. McGregor he was a devout admirer, and took pleasure in 
 relating his pithy sayings. I think I see him yet. He owned a famous 
 black mare, always very fat and sleek. Mounted on his favourite 
 quadruped, he would jog along through Springville and its environs. 
 In his hand he would have a rod which he would constantly flourish 
 in empty air. But so tender was he that the rod would never be 
 allowed to come in contact with the favourite animal's hide. Con- 
 sequently, himself and the favourite animal made slow progress. 
 
 But what distinguished him most was his honesty and goodness. 
 To was a devout man, and had he been in the days of Simon, none 
 would have rejoiced more than he at the birth of the Saviour, or 
 been more horrified at Herod's cruelty. Some days before the days 
 of Rev. Angus McGillivray, he would, on the Sabbath day, gather the 
 children around Springville together at some central place — first in 
 James Grant, dyer's, house, and afterwards in the schoolhouse. pray- 
 ing with and for them, hearing them read out of their Bibles, and 
 drilling them in their catechism. These services were very impres- 
 sive — all the more so from the reverential air with which the whole 
 was conducted, "The saint, the father, and the husband prayed." 
 Yes, dear reader, when thus met under the training of the venerable 
 man. 
 
 "We'd chant our artless notes in simple guise, 
 We'd tune our hearts, by far the noblest aim, 
 Dundee's wild warbling measures rise, 
 Or plaintive Martyrs, worthy of the name." 
 
 James Ian Ruaidgh was the Robert Raikes, of Springville, if 
 not of all the upper settlement. 
 
 His honesty was proverbial. It has been said of him that if he 
 found even a pin, he would scruple about keeping it as his own. But 
 
 hi 
 hi 
 
 ei 
 ai 
 
HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 65 
 
 
 he sometimes found more than pins. One day he picked up a genuine 
 darning needle. It was in an out of the way place in the woods, but 
 he preserved the needle till the owner turned up in the shape of a 
 decent neighbouring woman. Another time he picked up a three 
 shilling piece that someone had lost. He tried in vain to find an 
 ownei-. But one Sabbath there was a collection taken in the church, so 
 he put the stray coin into that collection, and another three shilling 
 piece of his own with it. He raised a large family, who were all of an 
 intellectual turn. His second son still lives in Springville, and is no 
 mean geologist. His second eldest daughter was the mother of James 
 A. Fraser. This James Ian Ruaidgh and his next neighbour, David 
 McLean, had each an inexhaustible lime quarry on his farm, of 
 which they manufactured large quantities into lime. For this they 
 found a ready sale at the Albion Mines. Selling to the company 
 they were sure of their pay. Thus they made a good deal of money. 
 But he was no lover of money. As long as he got what served his 
 purpose he was contented. His eldest son, John, was quite a celebrity. 
 He always went by the name of "Catach." On the East River he 
 would not he known by any other name. To do anything like justice 
 .0 this "son of the soil," is very difficult. He and ihe writer grew 
 lip in the same community, went to the same school, and went to 
 the same church. I have known many young men on both sides 
 of the Atlantic, but, for originality and versatility, I never met with 
 the superior of this John Eraser. For one in his station, he was re- 
 markably well read. The few books that he perused would be of 
 standard excellence. It is doubtful if he ever saw an entire copy of 
 Shakespeare but he had Shakespeare at his finger's ends. The 
 Colonial Patriot, the Nova Scotian, the Pictou Observer and the 
 Halifax Guardian, all of which he read, kept him well posted up in 
 the politics of the day. What he read he remembered, and he was 
 no niggard with the stories of knowledge thus acciuired, but would 
 retail them for the benefit of others. In those days the feud between 
 Kirk and Antiburgher was in full blast. Dr. McCulloch was the 
 champion controversialist with the Antiburghers, and Revs. Donald 
 A. Fraser and John McRae did battle for the Kirk. John watched 
 the varying fortunes of this wordy war with the keenest interest. 
 He could relish every good hit given by the Kirk belligerents. This 
 they were quite able to do, and vice versa when the Antil)urgher 
 combatant floored his antagonist, he would be in ecstasies. On one 
 occasion, the Rev. Doctor paid Rev. D. A Fraser this ccnipliment, 
 "I have, in my day, met with an opponent who could shit, an argu- 
 ment and grasp at a quibble, but you are the first I eve'.- met with 
 that lied as he wrote." John thought this was sublime. 
 
 His prevailing characteristics were seriousness and gravity. 
 The monthly prayer meeeting at James Grant, dyer's, he attended 
 regularly, and took an effiicent part in conducting it. For years he 
 superintended the Sabbath School in the red schoolhouse; at church 
 his place was seldom vacant, but at social or convivial gatherings, 
 his drollery knew no bounds. In 1834 there was an excellent circus in 
 New Glasgow. The veritable Jim Crowe was there and acted his 
 part to perfection. But John Fraser was also there, and that was 
 enough. Ever after he could act Jim Crowe as well as Jim himself, 
 and this he sometimes did for the amusement of us youngsters. 
 
66 HISTORICAL SKETCHES 
 
 He'd turn about, and wheel about, 
 
 And jump just so, 
 And ev'ry time he'd wheel about, 
 
 He'd dance Jim Crowe. 
 
 Tt would be a mistake to suppose he would go through such per- 
 formances to please himself. No. it would be at the request of others. 
 He wouhl exercise his gifts and do much to "drive dull care away," 
 and lot no "holy Willie" censure him for having done so. For he 
 had the esteem of the worthiest men in the community, and by none 
 was he more esteemed than by our minister. Rev. Angus McC.illivray. 
 Even Lord Brougham, when addressing the House of Lords, on one 
 occasion, quoted from .Jim Crowe. Fraser was also possessed of 
 poetical gifts; he could turn anything into rhyme. This, combined 
 with his unrivalled powers of mimicry, rendered him a general 
 favourite among us rustics of the upper settlement. 
 
 When these sketches are completed it will be seen that Spring- 
 ville need not be ashamed of its sons. Had there been no Springville 
 there would be no Thomas Fraser, foreman, and New Glasgow would 
 have no one to build iron steamers. Had there been no Springville 
 there would be no Graham Fraser. Had there been no Graham Fraser 
 there would be no Steel Works. Had there been no Steel Works 
 there would be no Trenton. U there was no Trenton there would 
 be no H R Grant. Had there been no Springville, New Glasgow 
 would today be without a Postmaster. Had there been no Springville 
 Literary Societv there would be no Rev. Alex. McLean, and just 
 think of it, had there been no Springville, the world would not be 
 benefitted— its literature would not be enriched by these immortal 
 Historical Sketches. 
 
 There was a time (when 'twas for Greece I fought) 
 When Hector's prowess no such wonders wrought. 
 
 ,,t*C»Al. I., 
 
 \ 
 
 ""V^ BCO^'"