.o^Xt^^Tv^ % €>. ~^^' n^^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V / ^ *<° MP 7 v.. 1.0 I.I 1.25 m 112.8 IIIIIM li 1^ vs. 1.4 | Z2 2.0 1.6 VQ & /a '/a Si ^^ ■ o>^ > W ^'^ w •> "h o 7 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY 14580 (716) 872-4503 V iV '% o ^q) V (meaning "CON- TINUED "), or the symbol V (meaning "END "}, whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ^> signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre film6s d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est filmd d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ( f i'S%: V:i'»f''- '••'■«''b>r,,„Kl.e.'m(;,N''''"'* ^L-^-^f^^-^-t^^-- ■V, ) i !' \ V XZ *^ ^ s? 4 \ ;AAAM hm, Hwtfrf ^ ! V X J I . f i ^^^f -r ^ i^ r- BARRrS-lS£l7%HT-LAlV, (H^^^^'S COUNSEL AND MEMBER OF PARLIAMEN'r^^R THE NORTH RIDING OF * N- Ml!^LESEA\ CANADA. I O I R I lit-: l.ATE CATCHERD FAMILY RECORD. K Bv WILLIAM HOIi^^, Esq., UARRI9Kr.R-ATl-A\V L O N D O N, O N T j^ R I O . 1878. FC 307/ , I PREFACE. "\ ^ /"HEN a man is suddenly cut down in the prime of his life and usefuhiess, and is followed to the grave by thousands of mourners, the event naturally awalTeVis a desire to know something of his personal qualities and connection with public affairs. It is intended in this Memoir to briefly describe York- shire, home of the Scatcherd ancestry, and to present some prominent outlines from the life of the late Thomas Scatcherd. Also to present outlines of his paternal and maternal Grandfathers; his Father and Uncle Thomas; and, with these, mention incidents related to their early settlement in the country. Should these pages take a wider range than may seem proper for a Memoir, it is because the relatives and inti- mate friends have been kept in view rather than the general reader. And further, with the thought that this book might be acceptable in form of a Family Record, it is presented as such to the family. CONTENTS. C H A P T E R I. Ancient Voiksliire — Ancient Wyton — Thomas Scalcheid of Hull, . 9 CHAPTER II. John Scatcherd — His Apprenticeship — Arrival in Canada— First Sight of his Farm hi the Forest — Names it Wyton 43 CHAPTER III. Thomas Scatcherd, familiarly knc\ -> as Uncle Tom — Arrival in Canada — Corn-hoeing at Wyton— Buys Land— His Marriage, .... 54 CHAPTER IV. John Farley — Arrival on his Farm — Death and Funeral — His Family, 64 C II A P T E R V. Lost Neighbors — Pursuit of Bears — Thomas Ilowa. — Barnadine New- land, 70 CHAPTER VI. John Scatcherd — First Child Born — Letter "from Sister Mary, ... 82 VI CON'lENTS. 'I CHAPTER VII. John Scatcherd— Removes to London— Nominated for Parliament 1836— Elected for Middlesex 1854— Acquaintance with Dr. Church, M. P.— Death and Funeral— Personal Incidents, gg CHAPTER VIII. Thomas Scatcherd, M. P.— Bit th— Education— Law Student— Practices at the liar- City Solicitor— Member for West Middlesex, .... 135 CHAPTER IX. Thomas Scatcherd, M. P.-Elected for North Middlesex-Convention at Ailsa Craig— Remarks on accepting Nomination— Several Sessions in Parliament— Illness at Ottawa— Death and Funeral, .... 166 CHAPTER X. Thomas Scatcherd, M. P.— Public Estimation of his Character, . . 197 1- 1 The Family Record, 213 MEMOIR. MEMOIR. CHAPTER I. Mr. Thomas Scatcherd, Merchant in Hull, England — Ancient Yorkshire — Ancient Wyton. npHOMAS SCATCHERD, Barrister-at-Law, Queen's Counsel, and Member of Parliament for the North Riding of Middlesex, Dominion of Canada, was son of John Scatcherd, Justice of the Peace, Warden of the County, and Member of Parliament for the West Riding of Middlesex. John was son of Thomas Scatcherd, a merchant of Hull, Yorkshire, England, political associate and financial supporter of William Wilberforce in parliamentary elec- tions, and in the many good works which promoted public morality, free institutions and human well-being — good works which, through nearly half a century, made that one unofficial Yorkshire member a parliamentary power, with a name still surviving, still illustrious; and which, with other public services, and personal virtues eminently his own, keeps the name of Thomas Scatcherd, lO LAND OF DEER. merchant of Hull, pleasingly fresh in the civic records of that town. Two overflowing rivers, H umber and Hull, confined within embankments ; docks constructed for largest shipping; largest ships built; Baltic timber trade greatly expanded ; the Greenland whale fishery raised from small ventures to a national industry and commer- cially centralized in the river Humber; the importation of Swedish iron made a staple trade to supply wants m the mechanical arts, for which British iron was not at the time suitable — these were some of the local enterprises which Hull bankers and merchants undertook in years when the grandfather of the subject of this Memoir was among them, an adviser and enlivening leader. In rela- tion to national affairs, his correspondence and personal intimacy with distinguished public men — adverted to more in detail presently — shows that, in addition to a pleasing record in the municipality of Hull, the memory of this Yorkshire merchant belongs to the annals of English patriotism. The influence of his moral life is inherited by descendants. The coat of arms borne by the Scatcherds of Yorkshire and their descendants resident in Canada, and in the United States, is a stag proper, indicating an independent social condition in the feudal ages. The king was to them the Lord Paramount, their heritage lying in the territory of Deira — " Land of Deer." This Land of Deer comprised the counties of York, Durham, North- PHYSICAL ELEMENTS. II umberland, south r>f Tweed river, and parts of the counties of Berwick, Haddington and Edinburgh, north of Tweed. Edwin of Deira is reputed to have built Edinburgh Castle, giving his name to the city. A greater work was the Christian baptism of himself, family and people. Another coat of arms borne by Mr. Thomas Scatcherd of Hull, on sets of rich China ware, and on a baptismal font, was a raised arm, outstretched, grasping a naked scimeter. Under alternate shadows and lustrous lights ecclesiastical, around the Minster of St. John of Bev- erley, the Scatcherd ancestry drew swords in defense of country and king — civic borough charter and charter of the Church. At other times they took joy in the forests of Deira, hunting the stag. Hence the heraldic bearings. The physical elements of Yorkshire and its wide limits have physiologically and industrially given a special char- acter to the inhabitants. In geology the county is an epitome of England, Wales and Scotland. All the com- mon metals and coal fields are represented. The ocean v/ashes the east. The navigable rivers, Humber, Hull and Ouse, flow at the south. The Tees at north, with Durham and Northumberland coal fields in proximity. A surface of hill, dale, plain and marsh measures five thousand nine hundred and eighty-three square miles. ^ That area was peopled in 185 1 by one million seven 12 YORKSHIRE INFLUENCE. hundred and ninety-seven thousand nine hundred and ninety-fi\e inhabitants; increased to over two millions in 1878. Previous to the Reform Act of 1832, the parlia- mentary electors of that wide county were conveyed to vote at the Castle Yard in York city, many of them at cost of rival candidates, the poll being open three weeks. This explains both the great expense of a Yorkshire contested election and its influence on national opinion. The self-abnegation of voters who, refusing such convey- ance, and having none of their own, walked to York to vote, forty, fifty, sixty miles, proved the moral integrity of a goodly proportion of thinking Yorkshiremen. The generous amounts of money subscribed by wealthier freeholders, such as Thomas Scatcherd of Hull, to save a candidate from pecuniary ruin, was another characteristic of the great county. But in respect of Yorkshire influence it may be said that through most of the centuries, perhaps all since A. D. 71, the men and women of that land lying between the H amber and the Tweed, south and north; the ocean and the hills, east and west, have imparted to the other sections of Britain a tone and bias of thought. Let their historic shadows flit before us a minute. Dimly, indis- tinctly, they can only now be discerned. Yet through those fragments of a long-ago life Imperial Colonial Canada may obtain a glimpse of the British Empire in its cradle. And republican America, eldest daughter of ROMAN ROADS. 13 England, beautiful runaway bride, well wedded now, proudly independent, — she perchance may listen to the long-ago lisping of her mother's mother tongue. When the Roman general, Agricola, A. D. 71, pene- trated into the country which is now Yorkshire, Durham, and Northumberland, the land was inhabited by the Brigantes, the most powerful of British tribes, according to Tacitus, son-in-law of Ag-ricola. Roman roads were constructed in direct lines up hill and down, through marshes, and over streams; a union of several being made at suitable eminences near the banks of the larger rivers, as at Eboracum — York. The Roman road by Watling street, in the city of London, is still traceable in this nineteenth century through the parish of Isling- ton. At Battle Bridge, site of the Great Northern Railway Depot in London, Queen Boadicea, personally leading a British force, attacked the Romans, A. D. 61, but was defeated ; thirty thousand of her faithful people slain, and herself atrociously put to death. Agricola made treaties with the Brigantes, dissuading them from misuse of their fertile lands as mere hunting grounds. He taught them a way to wealth by digging ditches around marshy soils. He taught the arts of plowing, sowing of seeds, and harvesting ; introducing new vegetables and fruits. The domestication of fowls, and breeding of sheep were exemplified ; also improved methods of preparing, spinning, and weaving wool for 14 AGRICOLA-CULTURE. clothing. And from that time, in the country which is modern Yorkshire, the manufacture of woolen cloth has been, less or more, a distinctive industry. In the West Riding the quantities of woolens, linens, cutlery and mill machinery produced annually in this nineteeth cen- tury, are, in variety, commercial value and world-wide diffusion, marvelous ; exceeding the grandest fancy flights of poets or magicians. The Brigantes were teachable, and more, they were grateful. They named the arts of plowing, seed- . 'Owing, and harvesting, Agricola-culture. This was colloquially shortened to Agriculture. Roman men and Brigantine maidens loved and lived in happy matrimony ; the Cassarean nose in their posterity bearing witness. When the legions of Rome finally left Britain, A. D. 420, the physically vigorous, intellectual offspring re- mained. They took pride in burring the letter r as the Romans did. To this day the Northumbrian peasantry of the fields, and towns-people of Berwick-on-Tweed, burr in manner of Mark Antony's whispers to Cleopatra, when the very winds upon the Nile were love-sick. The Brigantes, under the prosperity which agriculture and wool-weaving conferred, neglected their warrior training, and frontier forts. Their wealth allured the Picts, Scots, and Highland Caledonians. The Picts (correctly Pedis) were a race of strong men, short in the lower limbs, short in body, but with arms long and MOON WORSHIP. 15 muscular. They wielded oaken and hazel cudgels on battle-fields, rushing into close quarters with the archers who shot with bows and arrows, breaking their limbs ; leaving them literally not a leg to stand upon. In build- ing walls of cities and castles, the Pechs formed lines of men, miles long, standing shoulder to shoulder up accliv- ities, down ravines, across marshes, passing stones one to another. After the Scoto-Irish the Caledonians and the Pechs had invaded and plundered the Brigantes, the Saxons came over the sea, from an opposite direction. For sake of the prolific lands the Saxons not only plundered the agricultural wool-workers, but slew them. Such as escaped fled, fc a time, to the mountains of Wales. At the Druidical British temple on Salisbury Plain, the mysterious astronomical stones still surviving and known to fame as Stonehenge, a vast concourse of midnight moonlight worshipers were slain as idolators by Saxon adorers of the god Wodin. But murder was done more probably for love of the new land, than through abhor- rence of the old worship. Changes in religious systems have not extinguished in Wiltshire the transmitted in- stincts of Moon-worship. The people all up through the Christian centuries continued to assemble, and still they gather in the light of Luna around the olden altars of Stonehenge. They are called Moon-rakers now-a-days. i6 SAXON ORTHOGRAPHY. Saxon policy changed the names of places, so far as a new orthography might promote change. One British term for a river was Yar, Ayr, Aire, Ewer, Ure, as variously spelt by their successors. The Ure river, sub- sequently by the Saxons named Ouse, flowed out of valleys among the western hills, and washed the walls of the old Roman fort, Eboracum. The Saxon effort to confer a ne.v name on that Roman fortress and on Brigantine territory resulted in this orthography: "Eure- wicscire." The ** Eurewic " became converted to York ; and the " scire " to shire. Thus from Wic, or Wick, or Wyke, a bailiff's district, and scire, a sheriff's district, England got her York and Yorkshire ; America its New York ; and Canada its ** Little Muddy York," now trans- formed to the beautiful city of Toronto. The East, West, and North Ridings of Yorkshire came from the "Thirdings;" locally pronounced, "Tridings." The landing of Ida, the Angle, and his tribal follow- ers, began a lingual epoch. They came from the shores of the Baltic sea. The name of this tribe took root and life, in land and in language ; growing from Yorkshire where the Angles stepped ashore, climbing the steep as- cent, to Anglo-land, and England. Growing and ripening to the English and Anglo-Saxon language. To Anglo- Saxon races of fair women and brave men. To Old England, and out of that to the New England of Amer- ica. To the ever-widening diffusion, the world over, of THOMAS SCATCHERD. 17 the language which governs international commerce and the attendant civilizations ; the language of the philos- ophy which gives free navigation to oceans ; free institu- tions to political communities ; and which promises to be a missionary tongue to a u liversal Christianity. That pa- ternal chieftain, Ida the Angle, gave first utterance on English soil to the tongue of the world's destinies at Flamboro Head, Yorkshire, A. D. 547. Ida settled with his people between the rivers Tees and Tyne, and founded the kingdom of Bernicia. In 617 the Angles of Bernicia and Brigantes of Deira united, and were called Northumbrians. Edilfrid, King of Northumbria, being slain in 621, Edwin of Deira succeeded ; and a few years later, was styled Rex Anglorum. Presently, in tracing the conflicts of the human intel- lect, struggling in the night-time of its natural religion to find the Deity, Edwin re-appears. And with him, Wyton ; — home of the Scatcherds. Thomas Scatcherd, the Hull merchant, was born in the town of Beverley, eighteen miles northwest of Hull, in the year 1750. Beverley was enfranchised as a royal free borough, and its grand Minster built and dedicated to St. John, by King Athelstane, A. D. 925. The place was named from the " Beaver lacs," small sheets of water in the Holderness marsh, fed by springs from the lower margins of the wolds ; the wolds extending to York city, i8 BEAVER DAMS. thirty-five miles westerly ; the marshes eighteen miles easterly and south to Hull. In early centuries of semi- civilization, in a sparsely peopled country, that admirable engineer, the beaver, abounded in the Holderness marshes of Yorkshire, as it did twelve hundred years later in the running streams of Nissouri township. Upper Canada. In this township the sons of Mr. Scatcherd, of Hull, pen- etrated the forest in vicinity of Beaver Dams, making farms and homesteads in the western wilderness, equal in beauty and abundant harvests to any in England. A re- newal of renown to the name of Agricola, and to the Northumbrian Agricola-culture. The marshes of the Holderness district were drained, and became the pasture-lands on which Flemish cows, i'.iported to Hull from Flanders, were mated in English herds ; producing the bovine parents of the deep-bodied, level-backed, short-horned progeny called Durhams. Within the Minster at Beverley, the book-reading boy, Thomas Scatcherd, saw on many occasions the two pict- ured figures of King Athelstane, founder of the Church ; and St. John of Beverley, patron and protector of Church and town. And he read in quaint orthography this coup- let between the king and the saint: " Als free, make I thee ; As hert can thynk, or eyh can see." The event which induced the building and endowment of Beverley Minster, and inspired Athelstane in a season BRUNEN BURH. 19 of personal gladness and local rejoicing, to grant Beverley borough a charter exceptionally liberal, freeing the town from tolls and taxes, and other burdens of feudal servi- tude ; conferring on it free lands, and within certain lim- its, free hunting of deer, — that event was one of a long series imprinted in the public memory, sung in ballads, told in story, and read of in books. It was the battle of the Brunen Burh. Water-springs issuing from the York- shire wolds (otherwise wool-lands or sheep pastures), out- side the town, were in Saxon the " Brunen," and *' Burh," the town. Athelstane had penetrated Scotland as far as a colony of ancient Britons in the vale of Clyde. A confederate force of Caledonians, Pechs, Scoto-Irish, Norwegians and Danes, led by the renowned Olaf of Norway, followed Athelstane into England by land, and partly by sea to the Humber. The two armies met at the Brunen Burh of Beverley. A sanguinary battle was fought. The English, victorious, drove the Danes to their ships, and the Caledonians to their mountains, slaying many thou- sands. Then arose the grand structure, Beverley Min- ster, and the people sang the heroic ballad of Brunen Burh. From Beverley and school Thomas Scatcherd, with a mercantile career before him, proceeded to Hull. This town is situated beside the estuary of the Humber, at mouth of the smaller river Hull, anciently the river 20 EARLY SURVEYS. Wykc. Distance from London, 183 miles north; from York, 53 miles east. Separating the counties of York and Lincoln, the Humber also unites them by its ferries. Over the water by ferry, or private boat when more agreeable, Robert Wilberforce, a Hull merchant, went to Barton in Lin- colnshire, to have joy in the presence of his future bride, daughter of Thomas Bird and his wife. The elder mem- bers of the Bird and Wilberforce families became friends, and the younger members associates of Thomas Scatch- erd. He in turn assisted in leading the youthful William Wilberforce to the political steps of his public eminence. In the early surveys of Upper Canada a prevailing nomenclature of townships came with Governor Simcoe and his assistants from old Lincolnshire and adjacent parts of the Land of Deira. From that land came Bev- erley, Scarboro and York. From the shire of Lincoln came Saltfleet, Grimsby, Welland, and twenty more. And the name of Barton came, the township in which Hamilton city lies, head reposing on the mountain slopes, feet dipping in the water of Ontario — lake of the sun's love. And from vicinity of the town which for six hundred years has been called Hull, came the name of a village to Upper Canada, to the township of Nissouri, which in English history is associated with holiest aspirations of the soul, profoundest of the mysteries of God, — the W\ TON. 21 advent of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The place is Wyton. It was anciently dedicated to the uses of two or more heathen temples. British Druids assembled there on a grassy eminence, geologically a drift of gravel, covered with the mold and verdure of ages. They kin- dled there the fires of Bel. Midsummer morn was watchfully awaited, and the rising sun adored as soon as the earliest gleam of the glowing god was discerned on the ocean out by Spurn Head. Romans came with a new religion, overthrowing the altars of Bel, burning the groves of oak trees, holly trees and mistletoe boughs ; building a temple, and erecting therein or around it the statues and images of Grecian, Phoenician and Chaldean astronomical deities. Scandi- navian mariners came, and, contemptuously deriding Roman and British mythological statues, erected the altars and image ^ of their own Thor and Freya, both inherited out of deep oriental Aryan antiquity. Suc- ceeding the earlier of the Scandinavian mariners came the Saxons. They erected altars to Wodin. The Angles next arrived, tolerant of Thor, Freya, Wodin, Jupiter, Juno, or the Bel-fires and mistletoe boughs, conditionally with their own Elfins, Minnikins and Water Kelpies. Of all these, Thor was at once the most terrible, most dreaded and most generally accepted. The altars of Thor, or their name, may be traced on a hundred hills within the British Islands at this day, where the prefix or 22 THE MISSIONARY. termination, Tor, still adheres. Also, at Gibraltar, the olden Gibel-Tor of Scandinavian mariners sailing to the Mediterranean, and there trading with the Moors of Spain and Morocco. Also, in the word tariff; merchant mariners, having paid customs taxes to the Moors at Tariffa in Spain, charged them to merchants at home as Tariffa dues — " Tor," place of worship ; *' Iffa," diminu- tive and feminine for the lesser Tor, near to the greater Gibel-Tor. Into the country of Deira, at the temple of pagan idolatry, came Paulinas, a missionary, preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He taught that the true God is a God of love, not a demon like the diabolical Thor; that Christ, the redeemer of souls and purifier of moral life, was the spiritual emanation of God's love ; that repentance for sins committed, renunciation of willful immoralities, and faithful service of this, the true God, would bring peace of mind at the hour of death, and secure for the departing soul a life everlasting in heaven, transcendently glorious, unspeakably happy. Edwin, King of Deira, listened to Paulinas. A brother- hood and sisterhood of love in this life would be much to gain from confession of belief and Christian baptism. Yet brotherly and sisterly love were conditions for this life only ; peace and good will among nations, offered by Paulinas ia name of the Gospel, depended on the peace- fulness of national neighbors. But the life of bliss WITANMOTE. -3 everlasting, what a prize to win ! Belief in the sanctifying efficacy of baptism and the eucharist ; belief in the divine nature and mission of Jesus; repentance for evil actions done and renunciation of every willful wickedness in the future, — these were the terms for the prize of the high calling to this offer of a happy eternity. And the very acceptance of the terms was happiness, even in this life. How beneficent, excellent, beautiful '\e religion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ ! Edwin summoned the Witanmote, a Parliament of Wise Men. This council of wisdom assembled in or about the year A. D. 625, within the hall of the Roman Delgovitia, formerly the Brito-Brigantine sacred grove of the Druids, Delgwe. Camden, following for authority the Saxon ecclesias- tical historian, The Venerable Bede, wrote thus: "And in-a little village not far off there stood a tem- ple of idols, which was in very great honor, even in Saxon times ; and, from the heathen gods in it, was then called God-mundingham, and now, in the same sense, Godman- ham. There, where Wighton, a small village well stocked with husbandmen now stands, upon the small river Hullness, Edwin of Deira declared his conversion to Christianity." The Wise Men being assembled, the unlooked-for inci- dent of a sparrow flying into the hali through an open doorway, fluttering there a minute, then out at the oppo- J 24 THE SPARROW. site doorway, gave a philosophic thinker of Edwin's council a theme for illustration. He spoke : " The present life of man, O King, seems to me in com- parison of that time which is unknown to us, like to the sparrow swiftly flying through this room, well warmed with the fire made in midst of it, wherein you sit at sup- per in the winter with commanders and ministers, whilst the storms of rain and snow prevail abroad ; the sparrow, I say, flying in at one door, and immediately out at an- other, is not while within affected with the winter storm ; but after a very brief interval of what is to him fair weather and safety, he vanishes out of your sight, return- ing from one winter to another. So this life of man ap- pears for a moment ; but o^ what went before, or what is to follow, we are ignorant. If, therefore, this new dr trine contains something more certain, it seems justly deserving to be followed." Bede gave the tradition, including the actual inflight and outflight of the bird. The incident was natural, possible and probable. In the year 1874, when clergymen of the English Epis- copal Church in Canada were assembled in the city of Ottawa, to inquire anc' decide about the truth, or untruth, of circumstances affecting the congregation and minister of one of the Ottawa English churches, a white dove flew in at the open window, and alighting on the shoulder of the clerical gentleman principally concerned, sat there WISE COUNCILOR. 25 a few moments ; then, fluttering around his head, took wing and away by the window where it entered. None there knew more of that white dove than is here told. The incident came to the Church Herald in Toronto, an item in general church news. The inflight and outflight of the sparrow at Wyton in presence of Edwin, King of Deira, was no doubt a nat- ural incident also. The memory of the occurrence lasts, and charms, by the aptitude of the councilor's illus- tration of the two eternities — that past and that to come. "If, therefore," said Edwin's Wise Councilor, " this new doctrine contains something more certain [than * chance at one doorway of life and utter darkness at the other] it seems justly to deserve to be followed." Edwin, the king, arising from the throne and uncover- ing his head in honor of the Majesty of the God of Heaven, and of the Son of God, Saviour of souls, spoke, standing, where otherwise he would have sat as a king with head covered : " Who of this assembled Council," he cried, " shall first take courage to desecrate the temple of the idols, which hitherto we have worshiped, but no longer believe in?" Coifi, chief priest of the heathen temple, who had already spoken, and declared for the doctrines of the Gospel of Christ, stood up, and to the King and Council opened his lips : 3 26 THE VALHALLA. ** I," said Coifi, " for who can more properly than my- self destroy those things that I wo'-shipcd through igno- rance? I do it as an example to others through the wisdom given me by the true God." Says a modern English historian : " The altars and images which the priests of North- umbria overthrew have left no monuments in the land. They were not built like the Druidical temples, under the impulses of a great system of faith which, dark as it was, had its foundation in spiritual aspirations. The pagan worship which the Saxons brought to this land, was * chiefly cultivated under its sensual aspects. The Valhalla, or heaven of the brave, was a heaven of fighting and feasting, of full meals of boar's flesh and large draughts of mead. Such a future called not for solemn temples, and altars where the lowly and the weak might kneel in the belief that there was a heaven for them, as well as for the mighty in battle." This is true of the absence of monumental structures. No ruin is preserved of the idol temple overthrown by Coifi and people of Deira baptized by Paulinas. But the village built upon or near to the ground where Edwin and Coifi accepted Christianity, has been memorable ever since the day of the sparrow and the Wise Man's speech — the day of the king's Christian baptism. It is cherished as a spot of ground to love, with a name to be revered. From it to Hull and return, Thomas Scatcherd took WILBERFORCE BORN. 27 pleasure in riding on his favorite gray horse. The name was affectionately brought to Canada by his son John. In the year 1296, Edward I., from pious sentiments when informed of the memorable Christian event, pre- vailed upon the Lord of the Manor, the Abbot of Meaux, and other proprietors sprung from the Norman Conquest, to sell to him the lordship of Wyton with the town of Wyke. To Wyke the king gave a charter of incorpora- tion, changing the name to Hull. On twenty-fourth of August, 1759, William Wilber- force was born in Hull. He was a feeble infant, but grew in boyhood to be the admiration of companions, both in physical and mental vivacity. Left fatherless when aged nine, he was sent to Wimbledon near London, to be cared for by his uncle Samuel, brother of his father, a wealthy gentleman who, dying soon after, left to Wil- liam a fortune, and the Wimbledon mansion, lands and gardens. With his widowed aunt the boy attended the assemblies who listened to the great preacher Whitfield. Removing to a school at Nottingham, and in due time going to the University of Cambridge, the religious im pressions derived from the eloquent Methodist preacher and his aunt were, for a time, effaced. But after a season of gaiety among fellow-students in Cambridge, conscience became awakened. In 1776, he separated from riotous associates, choosing for confidential friend William Pitt, a fellow-student, Premier of England in after years. 28 MEMBER FOR HULL. At the age of fourteen, Wilberforce wrote and caused to be published, in a city of York newspaper, a letter of protestation against the trade in negro slaves. This sub- ject gave character to the whole of his subsequent life. It was one of the many subjects related to human well- being and political justice, which began about that time to exalt the moral reputation of England ; to characterize the county of York somewhat specially, and the town of Hull pre-eminently. In 1780, a vacancy occurred in the parliamentary rep- resentation of Hull. William Wilberforce, aged a few weeks over twenty-one, was elected. Being a native of the town, his personal qualities were known. A good voice, fluent elocution, aptitude in the recital of anec- dotes, comely countenance, generosity to the poor, absti- nence from social excesses, reputation for practical piety acquired amidst the university jollity then prevalent, — those favorable attributes made young Wilberforce the choice of the leaders of public thought. In December, 1783, William Pitt was Prime Minister, and Parliament dissolved. A place in the Cabinet was offered to Wilberforce ; but the Premier being like him- self very young, the member for Hull declined office to avoid unpopularity for the Government. The dissolution of a Whig and Tory coalition had been effected, as well as a dissolution of Parliament. Wilberforce warmly sup- ported Pitt. From London he hastened to York city to CHOSEN FOR YORKSHIRE. 29 address a meeting of freeholders which had been sum- moned to sustain the late coalition and oppose the parti- sans of the new ministry. In the midst of an emphatic speech which carried the listeners, voices were heard calling: "We'll have this man to be our county mem- ber." They had him ; and before any of the contested elections were advanced beyond a day or two in the three weeks of polling, Wilberforce was elected by accla- mation as one of the two members for Yorkshire. That return led national opinion ; arud Go , ornment obtained a majority. In the earlier years of Pitt's ministry, Wilberforce, assisted by his friends in Hull, prominent among whom was Thomas Scatcherd, introduced a bill for parliamen- tary reform in Yorkshire. He proposed to give that county additional members; several polling-places instead of one ; and to shorten the contest from three weeks to three days. Pitt had previously introduced a reform bill, but withdrew it. So did Wilberforce withdraw his proposition, shrinking before the opposition raised against it. But, strengthened by influential supporters at Hull, and by their associates in Yorkshire, Wilberforce ob- tained in 1787 a royal proclamation, willingly acceded to by the pious King George III., lamenting the preva- lence of vice and immorality, and paternally enjoining on leaders of society especially, and people generally, an improvement in morals ; a more faithful observance of 30 PEACE AND PLENTY. religious ordinances, and of Sunday, day of worship and of rest. The sentiments of Thomas Scatcherd in the years of war between England and France, from the outbreak of hostilities in 1792, may be inferred from letters of cor- respondents and from his personal friendships. In 1801, after a series of bad harvests, excessive prices of food, suspension of specie payments at the Bank of England from 1797, and a few military mistakes, though enlivened by some great naval victories, the nation joyously welcomed the negotiations for peace. The Mayor of Hull presented to this representative townsman an arm chair, with engraved silver plate, as a memorial of the return of " Peace and Plenty." The chair is now in Canada, at Wyton, township of Nissouri, in possession of his son Thomas Scatcherd. The silver tablet bears this inscription : " Presented to Thomas Scatcherd by William Jarret, Esq., Mayor, in Memory of Peace and Plenty. Hull, Oct. 12, 1801. May. £ s. d. Wheat, per quarter, ..700 Beef, per lb., .... o o 10 Mutton, per lb., ...009 Potatoes, per lb., ...014 November. £ s. d. Wheat, per quarter, ..330 Beef, per lb 006 Mutton, per lb., ...006 Potatoes, per lb., ...004 In addition to the influence of the treaty of peace, the weather in 1801 had been favorable, and harvest MEMORABLE ELECTION. 31 abundant, compared with the harvests of three previous seasons; long remembered as "The Dear Years." War was resumed in 1803. Napoleon had been elected First Consul of France for life. In all but name the Consul was sovereign. He was not willing to lose dominions won by the sword, and equivocally affected by the recent treaty. The projected invasion of England ; the detention of English travelers as prisoners of war in France, and the successive defeats of Austrian and Prus- sian armies, gave a unity of thought to all Englishmen in the matter of national defenses, though divided in opin- ion as to the fitness of statesmen for their several offices. Addington succeeded Pitt in 1801 ; Pitt returned to power in 1805. His colleague, Lord Melville, Treasurer of the Navy in previous years, was impeached by the House of Commons on a charge of malversation. For this impeachment Wilberforce voted against his former friends. William Pitt retired, dying, as popularly said, of a broken heart. The Whig and Tory coalition cabinet of " All the Talents," under Lord Grenville, held office in 1806-7; and the most memorable of Yorkshire elections ensued. Wilberforce had for twenty years led an agitation to extinguish the negro slave trade in so far as Great Britain shared it. He was now the independent candidate. Mr. Lascellcs, the Tory, was son of a West India proprietor of sugar estates and slaves, and fifteen years the col- 32 SLAVE TRADE ABOLISHED. league of VVilberforce as second member for Yorkshire. The Whi^ candidate was Lord Milton, son of Earl Fitz- william. It being known that the Grenville ministry in- tended to lay before Parliament a bill to abolish the slave trade, the whole slave-trading interests of Britain were allied in support of Lascelles. It was known Lord Milton, if elected, would support the Government meas- ure for abolition. Tories who had long supported Wil- berforce because he generally voted with Pitt, were sup- posed to be now alienated because of the vote on the Melville impeachment. The adherents of Lascelles, and of Milton, respectively, opened the conflict, conveying their voters from all parts of the five thousand nine hun- dred and eighty-three square miles of Yorkshire, to the Castle Yard in the city of York. In name of travel- ing costs the Tory and Whig committees expended in fifteen days all the money at their command, one hun- dred thousand pounds sterling each. The election lasted three weeks. The first three days Wilberforce was lowest on the poll. He had publicly said that his object in seeking a seat in Parliament was to support measures of general usefulness, and one especially which concerned human well-being and the honor of Christian nations. But he hesitated to believe that going to Parliament with a ruined fortune, would promote such objects. His friends in Hull subscribed money for costs strictly legiti- mate. They enjoined on voters to give Wilberforce DENISON TO HCATCIIERD. 33 plumpers until his name headed the poll ; afterward the voters to prefer Wilberforce and Milton. At the end of fifteen days those two candidates showed so well ahead that the Lascelles party ceased to collect more voters. Mr. IF. J. Denison to Mr. Scatcherd. This letter; without date other than ** London, Mon- day," refers to the contested Yorkshire election of 1807. Dear Scatcherd : I have paired off with Mr. Bethell, the chairman of Lascelles* committee at the British Coffee House. I have worked like a horse, and flatter myself I have done more good among the city people (non-resident Yorkshire voters) than if I had gone down. Our meet- ing on Saturday evening was highly respectable. It will half break my heart if we are beat. Yours ever, affectionately, W. J. Denison. Subscriptions in money to defray costs incurred for Wilberforce came to the committee from most parts of England and from Edinburgh. Scottish Glasgow, like English Bristol and Liverpool, was interested in the slave trade and West India produce ; the merchants of those places subscribed for Lascelles. At close of the poll in York city, Mr. Wilberforce vis- ited Hull. In his diary the words are : " I was espe- cially indebted to my old friends in Hull." He went 34 A SPECIALTY. first to Mr. Scatcherd, who, at his office, received the visitor's warm hand-shakinj; and con<^ratulations for the eminently influential services rendered in the great contest. A few passages quoted from correspondents writing to Mr. Scatcherd in those years, reveal sentiments common to them all in the matter of European disturbance under Napoleon's victories. The following from Mr. W. J. Denison, of London, one of a well-known Yorkshire family, unfolds not alone the sentiment of patriotism common to good Englishmen, but a specialty of his friend not so common : [Extract.] Dear Scatcherd : I am much obliged to you for the turkey ; still more for your kindness to Mrs. Sjostedt. She does not know how to express her grati- tude to you and your family, and says, with tears, you are the best friend she ever had. * * * What sad news from the continent. Where is it all to end? London, 38lh November, 1806. A single sentence of history may tell what were the sad news from the continent : " Prussians irretrievably ruined at the battle of Jena; fortress after fortress sur- rendered to Napoleon, and the unfortunate king, stript of the greater part of his dominions, had no hope but in the assistance of Russia." A BAD BUSINESS. 35 The kindness rendered Mrs. Sjostedt, a foreign lady landed at Hull, and desiring to reach London, was an advance of twenty guineas, on her own credibility, and domestic hospitality at Wyton, the family residence. Mr. Clarke, East India House, London, to Mr. Scatchcrd. East India Ho., Oct. 24, 1S08. Dear Sir : On Sunday, the 2d instant, I experienced your liberality in the form of two brace of partridge, and a very fine hare. They were all excellent, and came in good condition, for a\ hich we thank you. * * •5* Really, I do not see any likelihood of our prospects brightening. That convention must be fully investigated. British valour never shone brighter. The convtiition cer- tainly has shaded it in a disgraceful manner. I think with you the people at Hull have forgot themselves; but they want an able instructor, and when you left them their good judgment, etc., etc., seems to have retired also, but I hope not irretrievably. The convention was a d-mn-d bad business. I beg you will excuse haste, as I am at present engaged officially with several persons. Accept our united thanks for your numerous favours, and believe me to remain, with respect and gratitude, dear sir, your much obliged and most humble servant, A. Clarke. N. B. Our respectful compliments, with every good wish, to Miss S., yourself and family. 36 CONVENTION OF CINTRA. The convention referred to so indignantly was an agree- ment known as the Convention of Cintra, signed by two British generals, Dalrymple and Burrard, subsequent to the battle of Vimeira, successfully fought and won, twenty-first August, 1808, under Sir Arthur Wellesley (afterwards Duke of Wellington). Wellesley had pre- viously defeated the French in the battle of Rolica on the seventeenth, having only landed with his army in Portugal on first of the month. The British nation were enthusiastic at the reported uprisinp- of Spanish and Portuguese people against a French invasion ; and all but a section of opposition Whigs and some of their adherents, as at Hull, approved and urged the British intervention. The army under Wellesley had begun valliantly, but he was superseded by arrival from Eng- land, first of Burrard, next of Dalrymple, to the command in chief. A Russian fleet lay in the Tagus. The Con- vention of Cintra provided for the security of this fleet, and for the unmolested transport of the French army to ports in France. The English admiral, Sir Charles Cot- ton, refused assent to the convention in respect of the Russian fleet. It was captured, conditionally, to be restored to its own country six months after a conclusion of peace. Portugal by that arrangement being cleared of the French, Sir John Moore, who had been appointed chief in command, was directed by home authority to assail the French in northern Spain. DEATH OF J. N. SCATCHERD. 37 In that campaign, closing with the battle of Corunna and death of the commander, January, 1809, Mr. James N. Scatcherd, son of Mr. Scatcherd of Hull, served as a commissioned officer, dying of hard service in campaign and combat the following year. Colonel Wardle to Mr. Scatcherd. London, - i8og. Sir : I have to thank you sincerely for the very hand- some manner in which you are pleased to express yourself upon my conduct respecting H. R. H. the Duke of York, our late commander-in-chief. To be possessed of the confidence and support of those who are the real friends of their country is the utmost of my ambition. Amongst that number I am sure your name will ever be enrolled ; and I trust a determined opposition to corruption, let it appear where or in what form it may, will continue to me your good opinion and approbation. Mr. Maskew has forwarded the haunch of venison you are kind enough to send me ; and I shall certainly, as you wish, invite Lord Folkstone and Sir Francis Burdett to partake of it, when we shall have pleasure in drinking your health. I am, sir, your much obliged and obedient servant, Geo. W. Wardle. The allegations against the Duke of York referred to an irregular and corrupt sale of army commissions. A committee of Parliament, led by Colonel Wardle, took evidence on the subject. After a prolonged investigation. 38 DEATH OF THOMAS SCATCHERD. a decision was given acquitting the duke personally, but leaving on him the imputation of negligence in permit- ting a certain member of his household to exercise undue influence among subordinates in the War Office Depart- ment. His Royal Highness, feeling himself not wholly absolved, resigned command of the army. The Lord Folkstone mentioned in the letter was then a leading Whig, afterwards the Earl of Radnor, politically a philo- sophical Radical. Sir Francis Burdett was M. P. for Westminster ; Radical in early life ; Conservative when the Reform Act of 1832 had accomplished the object he so long contended for. He was father of the Baroness Burdett Coutts, a lady who, possessing the revenues of a long-established bank, and inheritress of a fortune be- sides, clothes herself in the moral grandeur of trustee for humanity, promoting numberless good works, all of them utilitarian, moral, beneficent. On the tenth of December, 1809, Mr. Scatcherd died at his residence near Hull. His sickness lasted but a few days. The latest of letters on public affairs, received by him and still preserved, was that just quoted. In the Hull Rockingham Newspaper of December i6th, an obit- uary was published. It is here reproduced : ** On Sunday last, died at Wyton, in Holderness, in the fifty-niiith year of his age, after an illness of only three days, Thomas Scatcherd, Esq., of this town. mSmit^atammBmrn^^ii^ HIS PUBLIC CHARACTER. 39 "A man whose memory, we trust, will long be cher- ished in this town and neighborhood. If widely-extended benevolence, heartfelt hospitality, sound sense and hon- est principles can protect their owner from the oblivion of the grave, who can expect to live longer in the mem- ory of their friends than honest Tom Scatcherd ! Besides possessing these qualities in an eminent degree, he super- added that energy which was peculiarly calculated to give them their due effect. His benevolence never slept, and his happy witticisms, the natural effusion of a joyous soul, enlivened every society. His fine open countenance bespoke the good humor that dwelt within ; melancholy and misanthropy fled at his approach. " His patriotism partook of the general warmth of his character, and no exertions were ever wanting on his part to arm every hand and encourage every heart against our foreign enemy, or to detect and punish corruption at home. ** On the election of members of Parliament for this and the neighboring boroughs, Mr. Scatcherd's exertions were most conspicuous ; and to his well-deserved popu- larity, the successive Whig representatives of this town have been greatly indebted for their election. With these . qualities it is not surprising that his society was much sought after, and his connections widely extended in the upper as well as middle ranks of life. 1 40 FROM ANOTHER WRITER. « In politics he was warmly and steadily attached to those principles which have been supported and adorned by a Chatham, a Saville, a Fox and a Fitzwilliam. But it is not on the shifting ground of party politics that Mr. Scatcherd's character is to rest. It will find a more en- during basis in the many social virtues which endeared him to the larg circle of his friends ; in his hospitality, his charity, his parental affection ; in the powerful facul- ties of his mind, and the kind feelings of his heart. He was buried at South Cave, and though his funeral was performed according to his own direction with great privacy, many of his friends attended, unbidden, to drop a tear over the grave." Another writer, familiar with the history of the time in which this well-esteemed gentleman lived, has sketched his connection with contemporary men and events. Thus : — " Thomas Scatcherd was a successful merchant, de- scended from an ancient Yorkshire family. Active and earnest in political life, he took a spirited part in the elections of his city and county; especially in those of the well remembered William Wilberforce, conspicuous type of sterling British philanthropy in his day, who de- voted himself earnestly, both in and out of Parliament, to various benevolent projects; such as abolition of the slave trade ; society for bettering the condition of the poor; improvement of the condition of children em- HIS FAMILY. 41 ployed in cotton mills ; the better observance of Sunday, and many other matters of a like nature. It was well said of him that, ' Not one nation, but the whole human family participated in the benefits he conferred on his fellow-men.' He was a man after Scatcherd's own heart and correctly reflected his principles, as was shown by the strenuous efforts made against corrupt influences which were so strong in the Yorkshire election of 1807 that the Tory pro-slavery candidate, Mr. Lascelles, and his party, expended ;{J" 100,000 sterling to defeat him. A like sum being spent on behalf of the Whig anti-slavery candidate, Lord Milton, who stood in opposition to Lascelles ; and ;^28,ooo to secure the return of Mr. Wilberforce, who stood as independent. The united expenses at this elec- tion amounted to $1,140,000. From being lowest on the poll for some days, the influence of Mr, Scatcherd and his policy of inducing voters to give " plumpers " for the independent candidate, advanced Wilberforce to head of the poll. " Few, if any, residents in Hull were held in higher esteem than Mr. Scatcherd. He had a large family, three members of which came to Canada; John, Thomas and Lavinia. An older son, James Newton Scatcherd, a com- missioned officer in the British army under Sir John Moore, died while on active service in Spain." Lavinia Scatc ^erd was the wife of Dr. James Campbell, of Montreal, and mother of the Hon. Alexander Camp- 4 42 THE PEN LINGERS. bell, Barrister-at-Law ; a Privy Councilor and Life Senator of the Dominion, who has successively filled, in the gov- ernment of Canada, the Cabinet offices of Commissioner of Crown Lands and Postmaster-General ; and, at pres- ent holds ministerial office in the Cabinet as Receiver- General of Public Revenue. The pen lingers beside the grave just closed at ancient Wyton in England, before opening to view the hopeful adventurous footsteps leading to beautiful young Wyton of the woodlands in Western Canada. It lingers, held back by a desire to write more, and still more, of the amiable Thomas Scatcherd of Hull. But lapse of time, with remoteness of place, covers in obscurity the uncol- lected matter of the unwritten record. CHAPTER II Mr. John Scatcherd, of Wyton, Canada. JOHN SCATCHERD, popularly Squire Scatcherd of Wyton, father of the subject of this Memoir, was born at Beverley, in Yorkshire, on twenty-first of Janu- ary, 1800. When nine years of age he was left an orphan. At the age of sixteen he left school and quickly decided on a future career. Familiarity with ships in the Humber, and inspired with songs of the sea, then com- mon to every patriotic boy in England, led this lively lad to engage as a sailor in the Baltic trade. The prospect was a ship of his own to command soon as competent ; with several ships and much merchandise to accumulate in the ports of Hull or London when older. The voyages to St. Petersburg in summer were pleas- ant ; in the latter end of the year, disagreeably otherwise. The ship was driven by storms through blinding snow ; the deck and rigging coated with ice, and the salt junk not good. Prolonged passages out and home, with mid- night duties often calling him aloft, took all the poetry out of him for " a life on the ocean wave." When Thomas, his brother, filled with a lively desire to wear a 44 APPRENTICED TO A FARMER. suit of blue and visit foreign countries, ran to rneet him on the wharf, and said : " How do you like being a sailor?" he was answered, "Tom, I am going to swallow the mast." That was the figurative expression of sailors when a shipmate decided, without giving notice, he would not be on board when his vessel left port. John Scatcherd, tired of the sea, determined to be a farmer. In pursuance of that intention, he was articled for three years to practically learn agriculture with Mr. Jobson, an extensive farmer near Belford, county of Northumberland. He left Hull to enter upon this term of education on Wednesday, thirty-first January, 1817. The conditions were : Payment of fifty guineas per annum ; and in return to receive board and lodging, with continuous practice in every department of Northumbrian farming, at that time, as still, the best system of culture in England. Mr. Scatcherd now found an occupation congenial to his taste, and felt a pride and pleasure in pursuing it. This love for agriculture never throughout life forsook him. The following letter expresses his sat- isfaction, and no doubt had much to do in deciding Thomas to become a farmer also : Newtown, Belford, Northumberland, May 25, 1 8 17. Dear Thomas : You must excuse me for not writing to you sooner, for, really, I have had so much to do I can scarcely find time to write to any of my friends. I under- SATISFIED WITH FARMING. 45 stand you are determined to be a farmer. I will endeavour to give you a particular account of my own situation : In the first place, I get up every morning at half-past four ; clean my horses ; fodder them ; get my breakfast at five o'clock ; have my horses harnessed by six, and be ready when the steward calls for the ploughmen. I am always either ploughing or harrowing. We loose at eleven, yoke again at half-past one and quit at six. The horses are foddered at eight, and I generally get in bed between nine and ten o'clock. If you were to come, you would have exactly the same to do for the first year or two, or, perhaps, longer. We have five boys about the size of you and I that do exactly the same work. Besides these boys there are five men. Each has two horses, and noth- ing else to do but take care of his own. Ploughing is one of the finest jobs you can do ; I take very great delight in it. To be a good plougher is one of the principal things in a farmer's business. I can assure you, Thomas, I think farming one of the finest and pleasantest lives a man' can lead, and I am extremely fond of it myself. If you are to be a farmer, you could not learn it better than in this county with Mr. Jobson, who, I am sure, would take very great pains in teaching you everything that is necessary to make you a farmer. And let me advise you to make up your mind to something, as you have not long to stay at Cottingham. You must not think you will be a farmer or anything else without considering well what you pro- pose doing. With best love, I remain, dear Thomas, ever affection- ately yours, John Scatcherd. 46 GOES TO CANADA — BUYS A FARM. At end of his term of three years, Mr. Scatchcrd deter- mined on going to Canada and there purchase land. Such a life as he proposed suited his tastes. His whole ambition was to acquire and possess a goodly number of acres of fertile soil, covered with a natural forest, so that he might clear it with his own hands and have a farm to his liking. On the fourth of April, 1821, he sailed for America in the ship Isabella of Hull, with a fair wind and fine day. He had just passed his twenty-first year. When arrived at Little York, now Toronto, Mr. Scatch- erd was much disappointed at the roughness and rawness of the new country, and thought seriously of returning home. While thus undecided about his next step, he met Colonel Adamson, an old acquaintance and friend of the family, who had come over in the same ship. The colonel expressed himself as perfectly satisfied, and spoke so hopefully and confidently of Canada's prospects and future greatness, that his young friend, concealing his own thoughts and feelings, decided to remain and take his chances in the young colony. While Mr. Scatcherd was in conversation with Colonel Adamson, a bystander heard him say he was desirous to obtain for a farm a piece of land that had all the trees on it, and where he would have no neighbor near him. The stranger introduced himself, saying he could supply the want, as he had three hundred acres of wild land in the township of Nissouri, with a beautiful trout stream JOURNEY TO THE FARM. 47 running through it, distant from Little York one hun- dred and twenty miles west. A bargain was soon effected; a deed, dated thirtieth June, 1821, executed and delivered. Mr. Scatcherd was now owner of the coveted tract of land, with " all the trees orl," without having seen it. The next thing was to find this newly-acquired estate. He was directed to make his way along the lake shore to Hamilton, and then go westward, inquiring for " Bold Kelly," who kept a tavern in Westminster and would furnish directions for the rest of the journey. Packing a few necessary articles in convenient form, the adventurer set out on foot and alone with his burden on shoulder. After five days of weary toil, making his way through swamps and over treacherous mire holes, wading streams, combating voracious flies, and without meeting one single human being as a traveler on the whole journey, he found himself face to face with the long-desired " Bold Kelly." In the afternoon of the same day he made the acquaintance of a man named Gardener Merrick, living near by, who, chancing to call at Kelly's, invited the new-comer to his home. The hospitable offer was thankfully accepted ; and the kind attentions received in that primitive woodland home, was ever afterwards gratefully remembered. Mr. Merrick was a pioneer; a genial and hospitable man. Nature s- emed to have made him for a backwoodsman. Forests, swamps, 48 ARRIVES AT THE FARM. venomous flies, had no terrors for him. He had the happy faculty of impressing on others the charm he felt in overcoming obstacles and difficulties incidental to life in a new country. After resting two days, Mr. Scatcherd made another start for his new home in the woods. The directions were, that he should follow the sled road until it reached a certain hill ; that he should go thence along the hill- side to the river Thames ; up the river bank to the first small creek ; up the creek to the first clearing ; and — " that is the place." It was early in the morning of a beautiful day in July, that he set out on this part of the journey of discovery. After walking fourteen miles in the forest, part of the distance on a sled road and the balance without a track up the river and creek, he found himself on the much- coveted land. There was on it a rude trough-covered log hut, an opening in the roof serving for chimney. On four acres the timber was cut down ; three acres cleared and planted with turnips, potatoes and buckwheat. After surveying the premises and building on the out- side, he opened the door and walked in. There were no locks to doors, nor tramps in those days. The house was without rooms. The roughly-hewed troughs forming the roof answered equally well for a ceiling. The floor was made of split timber, the hearth of dry clay, and the andirons were small boulders. Apart from a bedstead. HEARS THE WOLVES. 49 digged on split poles, the only piece of furniture was a four-legged bench, made of a slab cut from a tree with an axe. The proprietor sat down to rest with feelings of utter loneliness and desolation. For the first time he fully realized his presence there to be voluntary banishment. : Little more than twenty-one years of age, without kin- / dred, friend or acquaintance near him, he was not only . a stranger in a strange land, but an inexperienced youth. Accustomed to the social privileges and refinements of I city life in the Old World, he was now in the wilderness, solitary, alone. John Scatcherd, in his solitude, spent the afternoon on the banks of the creek, and in looking over his new pur- chase. The woods abounded with partridge, wild turkey and deer ; the creek with immense quantities of speckled trout. Beneath the trees the land was covered with lux- uriant vegetation, waist high. Wherever turning, he saw proofs of a rich and fertile soil. Sunset found him with more hopeful feelings, and with a renewed determination to clear up the farm. The first night spent in his own house was one of intermittent sleep, varied by a sense of loneliness and alarm. Inside legions of mosquitoes paid him their attention. Outside wolves made the forest tremble with their howling. He could hear them break- ing the bushes in the near distance, as they changed posi- tions around the small clearing. He expected to find them in the morning waiting for him at the door ; but 50 NAMES THE FARM WYTON. when daylight came all was peace and solitude once more. With sunrise buoyancy of spirits returned. After naming the farm Wyton, and the streamlet River Wye, the lord of the freehold of Wyton began operations by the easy task of burning some brush-heaps. The solitary settler had been told that when desiring to find his nearest neighbor, he should look for a " blaze" at one corner of the clearing ; and following that about two miles, he would come to the Bailey settlement. Th " blaze" was perseveringly sought ; but as no signs of fire or burning could be found, the search was given up. The instructors had omitted to explain the nature of those finger-boards of the forest ; they were marks made by an axe on bark of trees to point the way through pathless woods. The next day Mr. Scatcherd returned to the house of Mr. Merrick, and from him obtained two axes, provisions, and much valuable information, the nature of which he was beginning to understand and appreciate. At the Merrick homestead he met a man known as Doctor New- land, who wished employment. An engagement was made and the two started for Wyton, each carrying an axe in hand and a load of provisions on shoulder. They took a nearer route home, the Doctor, an experienced woodsi'.an, leading. He boasted of abili'- to find his way through the densest forest by day or Light. Why he was called Doctor was then a mystery to the oldest CUTS THE FIRST TREE. 5 1 inhabitant, and so, doubtless, will remain. He was an American ; wore buckskin knee-breeches, and had his hair tied into a queue, vulgarly a pigtail. This append- age he regarded with excessive tenderness. The Doc- tor's best known accomplishment was that of cook. In this capacity his rare ability found full scope. The first dinner being over, and the Doctor washing the dishes, his employer thought he would try the new axe cutting down his first tree. He selected a cherry stub, dry as a bone, thinking it would cut easy because it had no limbs. They who understand the different kinjs of wood in Canada, know he had chosen one of the worst trees for his purpose ; in such a condition it was scarcely less hard than lignum-vitae. The afternoon was nearly over, and his hands covered with blisters, before the cherry stub fell. When that time came, Mr. Scatcherd understood how arduous is the labor of clearing a farm, especially to one not brought up as a backwoods- man, and, as it were, " to the manor born." All thought of clearing away the forest with his own hands was aban- doned. The stump of the cherry tree remained until the year 1848. It stood in the field now inclosed by pine trees of his own planting, and was often pointed to as showing how much or how little he had known about chopping. Other men were now hired, and fields cleared, fenced and planted. 52 IS MARRIED. During the summer of 1822, Mr. Scatcherd was joined by his brother Thomas. They had a happy meeting. Thomas brought a large budget of news, of which the comparatively old settler was anxious to learn every item. The only difficulty was to find time to tell and to listen. On the first of August, 1822, Mr. John Scatcherd was married to Miss Anne Farley, who was born in the county of Armagh, Ireland, in the year 1802. She was daughter of Mr. John Farley, of whom more is related presently. For the sake of contrasting the present with the past, and to benefit those contemplating weddings and wed- ding trips, it may not be uninteresting to state how the day of the marriage was spent. Throughout the morn- ing the groom was diligently employed thatching a hay- stack. After dinner he made his toilet, and taking on his shoulder part of a sack of flour, with which to repay a loan of the same kind, and carrying the wedding-coat on his arm, he set out for the residence of the bride, nearly two miles distant. At four o'clock in the afternoon the ceremony was performed by Charles Ingersoll, Esquire, J. P., then an active magistrate, residing in the county of Oxford, where the town of Ingersoll now stands, brother of Mr. James Ingersoll, present Registrar of that county. Magistrates in those days officiated when clergymen were not residing within eighteen miles of the residence of bride or groom. In such cases the law required an ad- vertisement to be posted at the crossing of roads or other III MARRIAGE LICENSE. 53 places available for publicity. This public notice was posted : Whereas, John Scatcherd and Anne Farley, both of the township of Nissouri, are desirous of intermarrying with each other, and there being no parson or minister of the Church of England living within eighteen miles of them, or either of them, all persons who know any just cause or impediment why they should not be joined together in matrimony, are requested to give notice thereof to Charles Ingersoll, one of His Majesty's Jus- tices of the Peace for the District of London. Charles Ingersoll. Oxford, loth July, 1822. Soon as the marriage knot was tied, the newly-married couple set out for their future home. On arriving there the first duties of the young bride were performed in preparing their evening meal. CHAPTER II I. Mr. Tilomas Scatcherd, long and familiarly known as Uncle Tom. 'T^HOMAS SCATCHERD, the newly-arrived brother, -*• was born in Hull, on thirtieth April, 1 802. In his fifteenth year, he decided to learn the art of agriculture and live the life of a farmer. With that object in view he, in the month of December, 1817, left school and was articled to a farmer in Northumberland, near Belford, in the same locality where his brother John was then inden- tured. The articles bound Thomas for a term of four years ; and, in addition to his personal services, he paid a premium of fifty guineas annually. The harvests of 18 16 and 18 17 were deplorably late, and all grain crops of poor quality. In Northumberland, as elsewhere on the English and Scottish borders in 18 1 7, much of the oat crop, and most of the peas and beans, were carried in the straw to be trampled by cattle for manure. The meal for human food was made from grain, maltened in the sheaves. During that dreary win- ter, when the youthful apprentice to agriculture was eat- ing scones made from the meal of bad barley and unripe beans, helping in the threshing-mill to dress moldy CHEVIOT HILLS. 55 wheat for market, he became discouraged and wished to go again to school. But the genial summer of 1818 brought to him better health and greater strength ; and to the country an abundant harvest. Letters of affec- tionate solicitude came from the family home. One from Emily, added to the outflow of a sister's love the cheer- ing suggestion that he might, in the future, live near them as a Yorkshire farmer. The Cheviot Hills looked less gloomy ; Chillingham Park, with its herds of aborig- inal wild cattle, became beautiful. All nature was radi- ant, glad and fruitful. With sunshine in his soul the city-bred boy felt a new joy, a new hope, and decided to be a master in the art of agriculture. Extract from Emily's Letter. Newland, Beverley, February 4, 1818. My Dearest Brother : I often think if you get to be a clever farmer, Lord Fitzwilliam, who was one of your father's most intimate friends, will let you a farm of his, if you do not purchase one of your own. He is an excel- lent and good man. How delighted we would all be to have you near us, a successful Yorkshire farmer. After the first year's experience, Thomas became ar- dently attached to agricultural life, and continued satisfied with the choice he had made. Before his indenture ex- pired, although well advised by John of the difficulties and hardships incident to clearing up a farm in the woods, 56 GOES TO CANADA. he resolved to join his brother in America, and with him share his lot in life. In the spring of 1822, after com- pleting what he considered a proper outfit, the young farmer took passage for Canada in the good ship Isabella of Hull. Arriving safely at Quebec, he proceeded by steamer to Montreal. This vessel catching fire he nearly lost his outfit, but succeeded in saving it, although in a much-damaged condition. From Montreal his journey was by wagon to Lachine ; thence to Presrott by bateau. Taking a schooner there he sailed for Hamilton, landing at Chisholm's wharf on a Saturday, putting up at Chis- holm's tavern and remaining there over Sunday. Land- ing his goods, he hired two teams to take him and the outfit to Bold Kelly's, a distance of some seventy miles. For this service he paid twenty-four dollars. After rest- ing a night he set out, with Bold Kelly as guide, to find his brother. They had one horse betv/een them, and each walked and rode alternately. Arriving at Wyton on eighteenth of June, 1822, and finding no one in the house, they went to the field and found his brother and Doctor Newland hoeing corn, which was then six inches high. After fraternal greetings the news followed ; but with much to tell on one side, inquire about and listen to on the other, the economical use of time suggested itself. John handed to his brother a hoe, saying, " We will work and talk too." Thomas took the implement and vigor- ously applied it around stumps and among roots, making PRESENTED TO NEIGHBORS. 57 sad havoc with the young pumpkin plants, not knowing them from nettles and other weeds. So passed the first afternoon. The second day was devoted to calling on some of the neighbors. The first call made was on Mr. John Farley, who had settled a year or two earlier ; and who, besides being one of the oldest settlers, had an interest- ing family — two of them young ladies. Between the eldest and John a friendship, mutually agreeable, had already been form.ed. The remainder of that day was spent in making calls on neighbors in the Bailey settle- ment. Night found Thomas tired and exhausted, prin- cipally from efforts in walking along small poles, which formed the bridges over streams and swamps, one pole making a bridge. Thick-soled shoes with hobnails and iron-shod heels, rendered the crossing of those bridges peculiarly difficult and tiresome. The neighbors called on informed their neighbors of the arrival of the young Englishman, and, in turn, showed their respect and gratified curiosity by visit- ing him and his brother. The first introduction was: " Thomas, I make you acquainted with Uncle Perkins." The next was : ** Thomas, I make you acquainted with Father Comstock." The third was : ** Thomas, I make you acquainted with my friend George Belton." Then: " Thomas, I make you acquainted with neighbor Thomas Howay." To all of whom Thomas expressed his pleas- 5 58 UNPACKS HIS OUTFIT. ! ure in making their acquaintance with a bow, the essence of politeness and respect. As information of the newly- arrived settler spread wider and wider, new and hitherto unheard-of Fathers and Uncles made their calls; many of them barefooted and some bareheaded. The idea of finding so many Fathers and Uncles in the wilderness was as agreeable a?, it was puzzling. In due time the two wagon-loads of outfit left at Bold Kelly's were brought home. The preparation made in England, for the journey and new country to which Thomas was going, indicated, in part, his estimate of what might be required. Along with many, very many, other things, useful and useless, was an assortment of tools, including everything from gimlets to augers, and chisels to axes. Some of the axes were sixteen inches long from the edge to the eye ; ship-carpenters' axes, utterly unfit for a farmer's use, either in hewing or chop- ping. Next followed grain measures ; bushe s, half- bushels, pecks and half-pecks ; each handled, bound, and strapped with hoop-iron. An assortment of buttons so large that the supply has not been exhausted in the intervening fifty-six years. Corkscrews in such abund- ance, they also have lasted to the present time. In those days such articles held a prominent place ; nothing could go well, or pass off friendly and smoothly, unless there was something comforting around, requiring the services of a corkscrew. A medicine-chest, parti- FEARNAUGHT. 59 tioned off into numerous divisions, contained vials — round, square and octagon — of all dimensions; their labels covering nearly all the known remedies for disease or accident. The medicine-chest was supplemented by a canteen done off into larger compartments, filled with medicine in bulk. Those two articles are yet on duty, and, unless destroyed by fire or flood, are likely to last for generations to come ; nothing short of axe or sledge could damage them. The strength with which they were constructed indicates the hardships they were expected to endure before reaching their destination. Two guns, four pistols, and ammunition by the hundred- weight. A bale of mosquito netting. An ample ward- robe, in which hose led all other articles in quantity. Shirt collars, whose ample spread when in position reached the ears. A full dress suit of blue broadcloth with brass buttons, the collar of the swallow-tailed coat reaching half-way up the head. A black hat, very high, bell-crowned and narrow-brimmed. It would be rank injustice not to mention an overcoat, called Fear- naught. It was drab-colored, immensely high-collared, had three capes, broad belt, huge buttons, and when worn touched the feet. To the extent of ownership only, could this coat be considered individual property. For over fifty winters it served the owner and his family, besides doing constant duty in the settlement ; no long journey would be undertaken without knowing whether liiiiii 6> BOUND TO OVERCOME DIFFICULTIES. "Uncle Tom's" great-coat might be counted on or not. Once within its ge lerous folds, with all the large buttons fastened, pelting storms or biting frosts were powerless to harm. It also served as bed-quilt and horse cover, and still survives the wear and tear of time. During the spring of 1878 it was put on for exhibition, but minus capes and belt. If true merit were a guarantee against oblivion, this coat would long be remembered. Surely no coat ever better deserved the name of Great- coat, than this good old servant did. Thomas had just passed his twentieth year, was slender and delicate in physique, a d when attired in his elegant full dress suit, including high hat and bright bandanna, was certainly out of all proper keeping and character with his surroundings. A position in a counting-house, or as a private secretary, might have seemed in accord- ance with the fitness of things ; but the idea of a youth of his age, and apparently delicate strength, undertaking to meet and overcome the hardships and struggles in- cident to clearing up and making a farm in the wilder- ness, seemed preposterous in the extreme. His appear- ance did not reflect his thoughts or feelings. He had spent considerable time and means in learning the art of farming. He had come a long distance to put it in practice. He wa^ prepared to encounter hardships, struggle with difficulties, and bound to overcome them. His greatest desire was to make a beginning ; but think- FOOTSTEPS OF LOVE. 6i ing it better not to be too hasty in purchasing land, he concluded to remain awhile with his brother and gain some practical knowledge of the country. Not being robust, he undertook to perform the duties of the culinary department. The Doctor, who had hitherto done the cooking, was now relieved. The new cook succeeded to the entire satisfaction of all concerned but himself. Mis disappoint- ment and dissatisfaction arose from the ever-continuing difficulty of keeping his dish-towels clean. Soak, boil and pound them as he might, still the grease and rusty color remained. To replace them with new ones was a serious matter, when a yard of cotton or coarse linen was worth two bushels of wheat. Relating his distress and trouble one day to friend George Belton (who had mastered the art) he was told to put ashes in the water when he boiled his towels. The advice was followed with a result far beyond expectation. After rinsing the towels their whiteness and cleanness surprised and delighted him. It is doubtful if any improvement he found in after-life pleased him as much. In 1823 Thomas purchased four hundred acres of land adjacent to his brother's estate and began clearing it. The difficulty of crossing pole bridges did not prevent frequent visits to Mr. Farley's. The explanation of those visits might have been found in the person of a graceful young lady who had just said good-bye to sweet sixteen. I ■nil tattMUMl 62 IS MARRIED. The visits increased in number and grew in interest until, on the fifth day of February, 1824, Thomas Scatcherd and Miss Jane Farley were made one. The young couple at once began housekeeping in their own home, and together shared each other's burdens and toils. They had a numerous family, seventeen in all ; five dying in their infancy, the others growing up to man and woman- hood. As year by year passed, the forests on the lot dis- appeared, and field after field was added to the farm. A resolution and energy, backed with a perseverance that knew nothing of failure, succeeded in converting one of the heaviest timbered lots in the county into a farm at once beautiful and prolific. Shortly after marri3g<^ the young couple showed their good sense by uniting with a ,church. Both were members of the Established Church fof England ; but as there were no services of that com- lunion in the neighborhood, thty united with the ^Methodists, and lived God-fearing lives; an honor )to the Church, and an example to others worthy of imitation. On the twentieth day of November, 1865, death dark- ened and desolated that happy home, removing from it the beloved wife and affectionate mother. For over forty-one years she had devotedly lived and toiled for her family. The cares and anxieties of this mother's heart none can tell but He who knoweth all things. The IK)RN A REFORMER. 63 proper care and training of a family so large in a newly- settled country calls for a love and devotion that forgets self and surrenders all but a mother's love. Mr. Scatcherd, in his seventy-seventh year, is still liv- ing on the old homestead, enjoying the reward of his early toils and struggles. Although not robust in health, few men have the good fortune to arrive at his years in possession of faculties and stren^^th so little impaired. The evening hours of his life are soothed and cheered by the filial love and unremitting attention of his youngest daughter Lavinia. Were it possible to repay the debt of love and gratitude due a parent, this daughter's indebted- ness might be considered canceled. In politics Mr. Scatcherd may be said to have been born a Reformer. Through life he has voted as a Re- former, and will die a Reformer. In the election of 1878 he went to the poll and voted with all the glow of younger days. In looking over the past he considers that the early years in his log-house were the happiest, though toil was hardest. " Politics," says Uncle Thomas, " had not then stirred up strife between neighbors. Nor was selfishness so apparent as now. Mutual de- pendence was followed by mutual assistance. This fra- ternity of wants and sympathies bound us together. All were glad to know of the well-doing and well-being of one another." CHAPTER IV. Mr. John Farley. A /r R. JOHN FARLF.Y, father-in-law of Messrs. John and Thomas Scatcherd, was born in Armagh, Ireland. Leaving his native country for America with his wife and four children, Anne, James, Jane and Turner, aged respectively eighteen, sixteen, fourteen and ten years, he arrived in Little York, now Toronto, June 22, 1820. From there he moved into the township of Nis- souri, on Lot Seven, Second Concession ; arriving on the future farm during the latter part of September of the same year. Roads were so bad, the last nine miles, they had to complete the journey on foot, carrying on their backs provisions and such articles of household neces- sity as could not be dispensed with. There were no improvements on the lot ; not a stick had been cut. Shelter for the family must be provided. Taking advantage of a turned up root, leaning poles against it and covering them with brush, a hone in the woods was secured until a small log-house covered with split white-ash staves was put up, and considered a lux- ury, although without chimney or ceiling. During the sows THE FIRST WHEAT. 65 winter, sufficient skill in handling the axe was acquired to chop three acres of forest, which was cleared in the early spring without the help of oxen. When ready for the seed, two bushels and one peck of wheat was all the grain that could be found for love or money. After much deliberation, one bushel of wheat was sowed on the first ac-e; three pecks on the second acre; and two pecks on the third acre. By exchanging work with a neighbor, a yoke of oxen was secured to harrow in the wheat. The harrow, or drag as commonly called, was V- shaped, made from the fork of a tree, with wooden pins inserted for teeth. Persons not acquainted with the roughness of a new piece of ground when first cleared, can form no idea of undertaking to harrow in seed with a drag having wooden teeth ; but those familiar with this kind of work, will appreciate the difficulty and wonder how anything short of a factory could keep a drag supplied with wooden pegs until three acres of wheat were well covered on new land. Although the pro- portion of seed sown on each acre was so unequal, the difference in the yield of grain was not discernible. Dur- ing the ensuing winter a yoke of oxen, a cow and nine real iron harrow teeth were added to the farm ; the teeth being each twelve inches long and an inch and a half square. When the teeth were in position, in a drag made 66 EARLY DEATH. of oak timber six by eight inches square, it was a for- midable agricultural implement. Mr. Farley was unfortunate while chopping^ toward the latter part of the winter 1822, in cutting one of his legs very badly. Before the blood could be stopped he nearly bled to death. Although able to assist a little in planting and harvesting, he never fully recovered from the effects of losing so much blood. On nineteenth of August, 1822, the first sad wave of affliction and sorrow broke over the young settlement. Mr. Farley, feeling unable to continue his work in the harvest field, came home early in the afternoon complaining he did not feel well. By midnight he was so much worse Doctor Buncombe of Burford, forty miles distant, was sent for. Mc-anwhi'e everything that family and neighbors could do was done. Still each hour that passed left him worse. On the third day of this aggravated sickness he died. The disease was intermittent fever of a malignant type. As the doctor could be of no benefit now, a messenger was sent to meet him and announce the death of the patient. This death brought sadness and darkness to relatives and neighbors alike. John Farley was the idol and favorite of the settlement. A sad duty after death is the necessity of making preparations for returning the dearest object of the affec- tions to the dust. The mournful office on this occasion was intensified by the difficulty of procuring materials THE FUNERAL. 67 [^)i I necessary for burial purposes. Linen sheets by aching hearts were converted into habiliments for the cofifin. But Vv'here was the coffin to come from, when there was no undertaker to furnish it, nor material to make it of? While the necessity of digging out the trunk of a tree for a coffin seemed the only expedient, the per- plexity was settled by the arrival of a yoke of oxen, sled and driver. The oxen, with heads high, moved actively as horses ; the tips of their long spreading horns, jet black, glistened as if polished. They were owned and driven oy Mr. George Belton. This gentleman re ■ '-^d a little over two miles distant, on First Lot, Second Concession, Township of London. Soon as Mr. Belton heard of the death of his neighbor, the difficulty of procuring a coffin siggested itself. Having at considerable trouble secured two boards for a special purpose, he concluded to take them and see if they were required. Yoking his oxen to a sled, he put on the boards and brought them along ; thus greatly relieving his heart-broken friends. Viewed from the stand-point of value, the kindness amounted to but little ; estimated by the want supplied, it was immeas- urable ; and as such was received and remembered. Although the very best the neighbors could do, the coffin when finished was a rough piece of workmanship. At the funeral all the men, women and children of the settlement were present ; some coming on ox-sleds i;;i 68 HIS SONS MANAGE THE FARM. and others on foot. No clergyman being available, the funeral services consisted of singing a hymn, in which all jomed, and by Mr. Robert Webster reading a prayer. The number at the funeral was not large, but the sympa- thy wai'. heartfelt and genuine. Every step taken on way to the burial-place was a step of sadness and solemnity. And when the coffin vas lowering into the grave it seemed as if all earthly hopes were disappearing. There being no burying-ground, the deceased was interred on his own farm. Twenty-four years later, his remains were transferred to Robin's Hill, where they now repose along- side those of his beloved wife, who died in October, 1846. The duty of managing and clearing up the farm now fell upon the two boys, and never did sons more willingly meet and do their duty. Land was cleared and fenced ; a house and barn built ; horses, cows and sheep added to the farm. James, having a taste for business, went into London, formed a partnership with a Mr. Jones of London town- ship, and carried on a general store. He married Miss Jones, daughter of his partner. She died in 1836, leav- ing three children. Not being successful in business, he articled himself as a student-at-law with his nephew, the late Thomas Scatcherd, and remained in his office until expiration of the articles. Shortly after being admitted attorney-at-law, Mr. Farley received the appointment of THE YOUNGEST SON. 69 Clerk of the Peace for the county of Elgin, and moved to St. Thomas. The office was held until his death. Surviving all his children, he died on twenty-sixth of March, 1875. The youngest son, Turner, a justice of the peace, is still on the homestead, hale and strong ; and at his ease and leisure enjoying the fruits of his early hardships and struggles. In 1833 he married Miss Georgiana Phillips, of Freligsburg, Lower Canada, a young lady of superior education, who shared the toils and labors of her hus- band, and with him is now enjoying the fruits of their united industry. They raised a family of six children. The eldest, John, is a successful barrister in St. Thomas, having a large practice, and to the fullest extent enjoying the confidence and esteem of his fellow-townsmen. The youngest, James, a graduate of McGill College, Montreal, is practicing medicine in the United States. i»eteMMBR!«««neKii9M(>it)«in CHAPTER V. The Lost Neighbors. TAURING the spring of 1822 an event took place ^^^ which drew out the sympathies of the young settle- nnent to their utmost tension. Although the incident may have but Httle direct connection with the subject of this volume it is included to give an idea of the extent of the wilderness in which John Scatcherd and his brother had settled. Thomas Howay had settled on a lot of land in the township of London, a little over one mile distant from Wytcn, the Thames running through the lot. One morn- ing while at work he heard an unusual noise across the river, and on going to the nearest point of view saw some men, with guns and dogs, greatly excited. They had followed three bears to the river. The bears took to the water and swam across ; but the stream being too deep to ford, with no other means for getting over, the hunters could not follow. Howay, excited and eager for the chase, ran to Wyton and informed Dr. Newland, who, according to his own estimate, was one of the greatest bear hunters in the country. " If," he used to say, " I am good for anything at all it is for killing bar." BEAKS UP A TREE. 71 It was not long until Howay and the Doctor, with their guns and dogs, were in hot pursuit. A Hght fall of snow during the early morning greatly facilitated following the bears. The hunters were fresh and eager, the dogs fierce and keen. The bears, finding themselves closely pressed, took refuge in a monster water elm, in the Doctor's lan- guage, " tall as a pine and straight as an arrow." This tree stood on Lot Nine, Third Concession of West Nis- souri. The farm is now owned by Mr. J. Henderson. It is but a few years since the remains of this elm were piled together at a logging-bee, and burned. High in the tree top the bears concealed themselves in a large hollow completely out of sight'. The noise made by the hunters and dogs induced one of the bears to p' his head out and take a view of matters below. Quiciv as thought the trusty old smooth-bore flashed. The bear gave a terrific roar, sprang from its den, plunging and crashing down through the limbs and branches of the trees beneath. The hunters felt they had reached a point where it was either life or death, and prepared for a hand-to-hand conflict with an enraged and wounded bear. Great was their re- lief on realizing that the unerring aim of Howay had proved fatal to bruin. The bear was doubtless dead before it reached the ground, the bullet having en- tered at under part of the neck, and passed out at base of the brain. The hunters being so much elated M li 1 f^ 72 TREE CUT DOWN. and excited over this success, determined to have the other bears. Howay having killed one felt like killing another ; and the Doctor, feeling his laurels somewhat shorn, was ambitious to redeem himself. One of them went for re-enforcements and axes, while the other, with the dogs, kept guard at base of the tree. On arrival of the recruits, axes, wielded by brawny arms strong and willing, filled the air with chips, many of them popping like pistols as they started from the kerf; while the best shots prepared their guns and selected the most available positions for execution. The afternoon was well nigh gone before the wavering top of the huge tree gave indication of the coming crash. The excitement of men and dogs was intense. A few more well-directed blows, and down starts the sturdy elm, carrying with it a small forest of branches, limbs and smaller trees. The bears did not show themselves until just before their falling den touched the ground ; and then, as the hunters were ranged on opposite sides, fear of shooting each other prevented a free use of their guns. Between the confusion and the excitement the bears, partly protected by the limbs and brush, made good their escape, one un- harmed, the other slightly wounded. Then began a chase in earnest; the pursuers intending to tree the bears again, and the bears, doubtless profiting by their recent experience, determined to trust no more in the uncer- tainty of trees. RETURNING HOME. 73 One by r^e the pursuers fell to the rear and returned home, un*il only the Doctor and Hovvay were left; hav- ing with them an axe, gun and dog. They followed the tracks until nightfall, and then by starlight until completely tired out. Coming across a hollow tree they slept in it over night, and considered they had comfort- able quarters. In the morning they shot a partridge, and roasting it for breakfast started afresh after the bears. During the day a shower of rain took away the snow, which prevented them from longer following the tracks. They very reluctantly gave up the chase ; then hungry and tired turned for home. Not reaching home by dark they built a fire, made the most of it during the night, starting early next morning to complete their jour- ney. Without any food they traveled all day. The distance seemed never-ending. The Doctor, on account of his boasted skill in the woods had led the way, feeling confident he was right. He accounted for the long distance required to reach home by insisting that while they were fresh and under the excitement of the chase, they had traveled many miles farther than sup- posed. Seeing a light curl of smoke in the distance they concluded they must be near the settlement, and that the weary hours of hunger and tramping would soon be over. On approaching the fire they were horrified and amazed at finding themselves on the identical spot where they had spent the previous night. Their hearts sank pffi J. .i3| 3, '11 74 HUNTERS LOST. I 1 within them. They knew they had described the inevi- table circle of the lost and bewildered. The sky was cloudy and heavy. The weather had turned cold and they were chilled through, hungry and weary. But although much alarmed, both felt confident they would be able to find a way out to the clearing the coming day. The night was spent in keeping up their fire, deploring their condition, making plans for the next day, and sleeping but very little. Starting in the morning they laid their course with all the care and skill they were masters of; carefully observed the moss on the trees; fixed their attention on objects in the distance, and walked direct to them. They moved slowly and cau- tiously, using all the precaution woodmen take for their guidance. The forenoon and afternoon seemed flying as never so quickly before. Evening was soon followed by inky darkness. The day's work had to be given up, they as much in the wilderness as yesterday. They had satisfied their hunger with buds, roots, and the bark of slippery-elm trees. Another restless, shivering night was passed ; and to add to their misfortune the days and nights were still cold and cloudy ; and being without a compass they had nothing but the moss on the trees to guide them. The fifth day was the first one really unsat- isfactory. It was largely spent in disputing and disagree- ing as to which was the right or the wrong course to take. Sometimes one would insist on being the leader, SETTLERS OUT IN SEAKCII. 75 and after hours of protests and fault-finding on tlic part of the other, would give up, saying : " Now you try it, and see if you can do better." Leaving the hunters awhile, we find at home there was anxiety and fears. The non-return of the men the first day excited no surprise, as remaining over one night in the woods was a common occurrence ; but seeing nothing of them on the second day was alarming. The third morning a few of the neighbors set out and spent the day in searching the woods ; and seeing or hearing nothing of them, came to the conviction they were lost. The alarm being spread far and wide, every neighbor tell- ing his neighbor, the whole country was soon out on the search. Horns were blown, guns fired, and fires built at night, but no success. A fruitless week was spent with- out a clue to the lost settlers. Thirty miles distant had been heard from, but no intelligence of the Doctor, Howay, or the dog. Most reluctantly the search was given up, the conclusion being arrived at that the Doctor and Howay were hopelessly lost, or had been devoured by wild beasts. Mr. Scatcherd and his brother offered a reward to any who might find them ; after which the people settled down to their usual every-day life again. Returning to the hunters, we find the sixth day was but little different from the fifth, except that confidence in each other began to diminish. The anxiety, along with cold, hunger and fatigue, made them irritable in the 1^ i^ 1^ WOKSK THAN LOST. I I extreme. The dog made night hideous, howling for want of food ; while its masters were afraid to go to sleep lest one might in desperation take some advantage of the other. In the early part of this day their mutual distrust led to separation. Taking opposite directions they were soon out of sight of each other, without wish- ing or expecting to meet again. In this they were dis- appointed. As the darkness of night was settling down they met not far from the place of parting. This meet- ing was dismally bewildering ; and a proof that they were helplessly and hopelessly lost. Worse than lost, unable to get away from each other* They spent the night without fire, and scarcely exchanged words. The seventh day they wandered aimlessly around, sullen and gloomy ; hunger pinching and irritating them ; and all the while their suspicions of one another increasing. •Each often eyed the dog and thought how good it would taste ; but neither dared express his thoughts, fearing the horrible suggestion it might beget. The eighth day one of them refused to walk ahead ; and, being the stronger, insisted upon and made the other walk before him. In the afternoon they came to a large stream. This revived their courage and spirits ; and, to some extent, renewed good feeling towards each other. They determined to follow the river downward, believing it must bring them out at some place if their strength permitted them to follow it. A little after sundown they ENDLESS SWAMP. n came to where some one had cut and stacked wild grass. They took up their quarters under shelter of the friendly hay-stack, and passed the night with dreams of coming relief, partially forgetting sufferings and fears. Next morning before it was fairly daylight, they started down the river and made good progress, until they came to where a large swamp emptied into the stream. Not being able to get over, they undertook to go around it. On and on they struggled and still there was no end to the swamp, nor opportunity to cross it. Coming to what appeared to be a large bend or curve, they concluded to save time and distance by going straight across. After eating some roots and bark, and resting a little, they started again, keeping the swamp as they supposed just in sight. Late in the afternoon they were greatly encour- aged and cheered in seeing evidence of a clearing ahead of them. This roused their flagging spirits and quickened their steps. On arriving at the supposed clearing they became speechless. They had returned to the hay-stack ! Dumb as mutes, stiffened and benumbed, they passed a long and dreary night. In the morning they separated, to dig and eat roots alone. Howay went to the Doctor and was the first to break silence, by proposing to try and cross the river and get down on the other side. The Doctor fell in with the idea, and both started for a pile of drift-wood they had noticed on their journey down the bank. With much Jii flf III: 73 THEY HEAR A COW-BELL. difficulty they succeeded in crossing. On reaching the high land on that side of the stream, they saw an opening in the woods which indicated a clearing. Drawing nearer to it and seeing a small log-house, their hearts bounded with gladness. They became delirious with the joyful excitement feeling as though they hardly pressed the ground they walked upon. On arriving at the house they found it desolate and deserted, with weeds and briars growing inside. No doubt a discouraged settler, unable to continue his struggles in the wilderness, had been compelled to abandon his little beginning. The disappointment and depression of spirits felt by the hunters were beyond description. They ceased to chide or mistrust each other, and lost all des're to make further efforts to save themselves by continuing their struggles. While there was nothing to gain by remaining at a deserted house, yet there appeared to be a something connected with it that held them there. Night came on and they, hungry, weary and heart-broken, took shelter beneath the cold and cheerless roof The fact that it was the only evidence of the existence of human beings they had seen since their wanderings and sufferings com- menced, shed a soothing ra}- of wa; 'th in their sad and weary hearts. The dog, unuble to follow them further, was dying at the hay-stack. During the night they heard a cow-bril, and oh! the sweetness of its music. They could not sleep ; they sat up and talked and cried OUT OF THE WOOD. 79 with joy. The night seemed endless in its length ; day- light would never, never come. They knew if they could reach the cows and start them they would go directly home. Before day had fairly dawned they were up and off for the cattle, falling over logs, stumbling over roots, and tripping at every twig. They did not reach them until nearly noon. The cows becoming frightened started for home direct, leaving their tracks to guide the wanderers. It was not far from sundown when the two walking skeletons entered a log-house, and frightened the good farmer's wife with their emaciated and worn appearance ; their cloLhes nearly torn off them. It did not take long to explain matters ; weakness and starved looks indicated their wants better than words. The Doctor, knowing food in large quantities might prove fatal, requested the iarmcr and his wife on no account to let them have more than a small quantity at a time, until their stom- achs got accustomed to it again. Food was given very sparingly, but disposed of eagerly. The first two days it was necessary to restrain them from eating, they could not control themselves. After restrictions were removed the justice they did to provisions was trul)^ surprising. Next morning the farmer went to the hay-stack and found the dog so weak it could not stand. He carried it in his arms to the house. The kindness of Mr. and Mrs. Townsend was never forgotten by the hunters. 8o RETURN HOME. i I The friendly river proved to be the Sable, which empties into Lake Hu'-on. During the ten days in the woods, the men had wandered to a point over thirty miles dis- tant in a direct line from Wyton. Thirty miles of dense wilderness then, without even a cow-path or Indian trail; now a beautiful, cleared up country, thickly settled and in a state of high cultivation. Soon as strength was acquired to warrant the venture, the hunters and dog set out for home. Arriving there they were hrrdly recognizable ; being still so emaciated and worn, as to be but little other than remnants of their former selves. Their appearance astounded the commu- nity ; it was as if they had risen from the dead. Although they had not been forgotten, all expectation of meeting them again in the flesh had been given up ; and the only unsolved mystery connected with them was, •' hether they had perished from exposure and hunger, or had fallen a prey to the wolves and bears then so numerous. It was something remarkable, and often noticed, that neither the Doctor nor Howay cared for telling the story of this adventure. They would not • recur to it unless specially urged, and in relating it they never precisely agreed. Certain parts of the story, each preferred telling in his own way, and so told it. Mr. Thomas Scatcherd was at the cutting of the tree in which the bears took refuge. Having just purchased a rifle he vvas anxious to prove its qualities ; but for ■■,J..H, ' V ' - HOWAY AND THE DOCTOR. 8i reasons before given dared not fire, and so lost the opportunity. He is now the sole surviving witness of the fall of the tree and return of the lost neighbors. Thomas Howay was a generous-hearted Irishman, who settled on Lot One, Fourth Concession of London. His first house was a cave excavated in the side of a hill. While it lacked ventilation and light, it had the advan- tage of being warm in winter and cool in summer. His physical constitution, like his courage, was robust. With clothes carried on shoulder, he often crossed the river when the water, waist high, was covered with slush-ice. He was a successful farmer and a respected citizen. Thomas Howay died about ten years ago. Barnadine Newland remained a year or two at Wyton, after the adventure with the bears, and then left to visit his friends. He was not 1 °ard of, except by letter, until the year 1872. Then, in old age, the bear-hunting Doctor returned to take a last view of Wyton. He was disappointed. Improvements made in the intervening forty years had transformed the wilderness to farms and fields, fruitful orchards and gardens. The Wye q,nd sloping hill-sides were the only familiar objects remain- ing. He talked of early times, and inquired about old acquaintances ; but said nothing about hunting the bears, until urged to repeat the story, which was done with reluctance and without comment. Dr. Barnadine Newland died in into Branch of the Canada Great Western. And at Stc. Anne's, three hun- 84 IN THE DILIGENCE. dred and fifty miles farther east, a glow of thought and musical harmony gave birth to the " Canadian Boat- man's Song." It can hardly be supposed that Miss Mary did not speak of her dear brothers in Canada, when Moore sang and told of his travels. Whether so or not, the following letter, in which Paris is described, came to her brothers in their far western woodlands, the welcome communion of a sweet sister. Newland, March i6, 182J. My Dear Brothers : I have so much to say to you, I scarcely can tell how to begin. It is now one year and three months since I left Eng- land. I am once again seated quietly at Newland. My coming home has been much earlier than I at first in- tended ; but my dear sister Emily so earnestly requested me to come that I could no longer resist. When I arrived at Calais, the rapid change of every- thing about me made me laugh most ridiculously. I had been but three hours crossing the channel and found men and women, houses and streets, all so different, it appeared like the realization of a dream. I had met with a large party of young people gomg to school ai; Paris, so joined them ; and we all (twenty-three) set off in a lumbering old vehicle, like a covered gig with two coaches fastened close behind it, and -all our luggage piled upon the top. This i.> called a diligence, ar ' is drawn by four, sometimes six, and even nine horses, l ir- nessed with ropes and going three and four abreast. A postillion rides one of the shaft horses, and with long ARRIVAL IN PARIS. 85 ropes guides the others before him, making such a tre- mendous noise with his whip, that really it quite frightens one. Figure to yourself a man dressed in an old sky- blue jacket, trimmed with tarnished silver, a pair of filthy nankeens, all shoved up from his legs, which, without any stockings, and with a pair of clumsy shoes, were thrust into two great boots, fastened to each side of the saddle, and which are large enough for a child to stand in. His powdered hair was tied in a thick club-knot, and by its motion had thoroughly larded the back of his coat with grease and powder. Upon his head, a little scrimpy- looking hat, stuck on one side with a green ribband round it, and a full-blown rose in front; the hair well frizzed out under it on each side. This is the common dress of the country postillions here. In Paris they imitate the English. On our way we passed through several fine towns ; but the road is very uninteresting, there is so little wood. The animals all seemed to me so thin and tall. A sheep appeared like a dog dressed up, and pigs have such long legs they look quite graceful. When arrived in Paris, I could not raise my head from pain and extreme fatigue, and for several weeks was scarcely able to crawl about. I went as a boarder in the school kept by a lady who was teacher where our sister Emily received her education. This lady's name was Mrs. Bray. I soon found it was not a place for me, for although I did as I pleased in many things, there were others very unpleasant. I endured many discomforts ibr two months. At the end of that time Mr. and Mrs. Sotheby came to see their daughters who were at the school. Those amiable it! If 1 v-il i my r 86 REV. EDWARD FORSTER. I people were all kindness and attention, and took me to the hotel where they were staying. They assisted me to look out for some other place of abode, and I was so fortunate as to receive an introduction to an English fam- ily of great respectability, who wished for two or three young ladies to board in their house to pursue their studies with the children. This family was that of the Rev. Edward F'orster, Chaplain to the British Embassy at the Court of Paris. Mrs. Forster had four daughters, two grown up and the others eleven and twelve years of age. 1 liked the appear, ance of these people, and blessed my good fortune. They were equally prepossessed in my favour, and everything seemed to promise that happiness I so much enjoyed while with them. I found the house always full of the first societ} Mr. and Mrs. Forster are both very clever, and every person of celebrity found a welcome reception at their table. There was only one other young lady with me. Miss Dundas, the daughter of Lady Charlotte Dundas, who often used to come to spend the evening with us. The eldest Miss Forster was in England visiting Lord and Lady Nugent, so that Clara, the second daugh- ter, was my companion. They took me to see everything worth notice, and behaved in the kindest manner possible. This was the more welcome to me as neither Mr. nor Mrs. Bray conducted themselves at all well. The former is an ignorant, ill-bred man, and really behaved like a brute when he found I was going to leave his house for one so infinitely more agreeable and respectable. Fortunately the Forsters lived at the opposite end of the town, therefore I had no intercourse with the Brays. GOES TO A FAIR. 87 Mrs. Forstcr's house was very large, as you will think when I tell you we had six women servants and two men. This is only large in comparison to the Brays' ; for I find New- land Hall quite a monster of a dwelling and the men and maids without end. I used to spend the days in seeing sights and the nights either in visiting or receiving com- pany. Everything was mirth and good humour, and I may truly call those my ** golden days," for such happiness can surely never be granted to e on earth again. I must begin now to copy fro. a my journal, for I cannot remember half I have to tell you. One of my first pleas- ures was a visit to the little town of Vincennes, about three miles out of Paris. There is a fair held in a wood close to this village every year, and we determined to see it for the sake of observing the manners and the customs of the people. We went a large party ; took our cold dinner with us and ate it under the shade of some oaks. The most busy hours for the fair are after it is dark. Numerous coloured lamps were lighted, and all the sports went on with double spirit. There were whirly-go rounds, and shows without end ; and among the rest a company of rope-dancers from England. We saw everything and left no place unexplored. Dancing seems indeed the universal delight of the French. Here, as at every other such place, you see large divisions fenced round, and attended by bands of music ; for the dances, quadrilles and waltzes are the never-failing sources of pleasure. The country people are dressed in very high caps, ornamented with long flying pieces of muslin and bunches of ribbon streaming from the top ; crimson aprons tied with bright green ribbon ; very short petticoats. These kind of 88 MARKET ST. GERMAIN. people dance with j^rcat spirit and delight ; but the better sort, such as apprentices and milliner's girls, imitate their superiors and scarcely condescend to do more than walk. Some of the young ladies had their fortunes told by a frightful old woman, while the common people flocked round in crowds to laugh at them. I refused, for I thought I had seen enough and felt certain that I could read my fate as well as the old witch before me. I made a point of paying an early visit to one of the best markets in Paris. This is the market St. Germain ; which is held under a very spacious shed, so contrived that the air comes in plentifully from above, and yet the heat is all excluded by an overhanging roof. The confu- sion of the different materials is very unpleasant to English taste, sight and smell. In one division of the long counters ranged down this place you may see fish ; next to it, and quite close, a fine collection of fruit ; then comes a row of unfeathered, scranny fowls ; and next a huge heap of cabbages, the dying and the dead. Again you see some gay ribbons, gloves, pin cushions, etc., where the purchaser may stand a chance of being regaled by the perfume of a neighbouring assortment of the refuse from every stall in the market. As I passed down, the people called aloud to each other: **0, look at the great lady; heavens, how tall she is ! " You may be sure such observations were not very agreeable, but I was at length accustomed to remarks on my uncommon stature. There are several other places in Paris appropriated for markets, but none are so large as St. Germain. HUM iitfiiiiiililiiiii BOULEVARDS. 89 The public build in<;.s of this far-famed city are cer- tainly very fine. The palaces, churches, and two or three streets are well worthy a journey from England ; but as a metropolis it should not be compared to our stupendous London. Paris is only about half the size of our capital, and its general appearance very far inferior. The streets are almost all narrow, and universally filthy. This you will believe when I tell you the channel is in the middle, and close to the houses is deposited every kind of nui- sance. Each person forms his own dunghill by the out- side of his gate. This is rather coarse language, but it is literally the case in almost every street. There are no causeways for foot passengers, who are consequently splashed with the mud and dirt, and can scarcely walk three steps in comfort. This in winter is horrible, liut the builders never considered the convenience of the middle classes, and those who have their carriages at command care little what becomes of the mobility. I dare say you have often heard of the boulevards of Paris. The word signifies bulwarks or outskirts ; and the parts so called consist of very wide streets, paved the width of eight or ten feet in the middle ; and on each side of this pavement is generally room for two carriages; then rows of fine large trees, and a very broad walk, with shops of every possible description on the right and left. Those places look uncommonly lively at night when all the shops are lighted, and the splendid coffee-houses crowded with company. It is the custom to walk on the boulevards at night in summer. Then the lamps amongst the trees, the people all in pgirties, some taking ices, 7 K^:^i.«tssmm IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) s 1.0 I.I 1.25 '(■ 113 2 u m 2.0 1.4 1.6 ^ <^ w A ' :^>^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 ^^ W c5> ^ i 90 KING S PALACE. others lounging on chairs, and others walking, form alto- gether one brilliant scene of enchantment. This, however, is much more the case in the Palais Royal ; a large building intended originally for a palace for the royal family ; but now used as a num.ber of shops. It is square and in the middle is a large garden. You may walk under a continued archway all round, having the most splendid shops on one hand close to you, and see the garden through the distances of the pillars which support the arcade, and enter it whenever you please. You will easily believe nothing can be more like a fairy scene, than to see such a place crowded with people in the midst of the blaze of light from lamps in the shops and coffee-houses. But I am sorry to add no lady of modesty can be seen with propriety in this gay scene after nine o'clock. In the day-time, between two and five o'clock, it is crowded with genteel society; and when you have once seen such a place it is sufficient. The king's palace is situated in the midst of an im- mense garden open to the public, and which contains some exquisite statues dispersed among the thick grove of trees ; which pleased me more than anything in the arrangement of French gardens. For the elegant forms and pure white marble have such a chaste, quiet beauti- ful effect ; besides, all the classical stories connected with them make them doubly interesting. The palace is very spacious and joined to it is the celebrated building called the Louvre, which contains some of the finest pictures and statues in the world. When the Emperor Napoleon conquered any place, his greatest desire was to rob it of all fine works of art with which he decorated his own THE LOUVRE. 91 capital, making the galleries of the Louvre the recep- tacle of everything worth notice ; and by that means he greatly increased the consequence of his metropolis, for every one who wished to study the fine arts of course flocked to Paris, to see the master-pieces of ancient artists. In the Louvre I have spent many, many delightful hours. I never felt so happy as when wandering among the silent crowds that decorate this superb place, and only hope I shall see it again many times before I leave the world. When Paris was taken by the allied sovereigns, each felt envious of this exquisite collection, and accordingly every nation and city was allowed to claim its own. This might be called strict justice undoubtedly, but in my opinion it would be of much greater advantage to every nation if those beautiful specimens of art had been allowed to remain together ; for artists who wish to imi- tate them now, must go into every kingdom to search for what before was all to be found in Paris. The far-famed Church of Notre Dame is not at all equal to our Minsters. The French look upon it as some- thing almost beyond imagination; but it struck me as much beneath our buildings of the same description. There arc a number of other fine churches well worthy notice ; but it would be tedious for me to describe them. Theatres are very numerous, but none equal to our Drury Lane and Covent Garden. The Opera House is, I think, larger than ours, but the music much inferior. The French taste in music does not please me, it is too noisy. I like the softness of Italian airs a great deal better. I went to the Italian Opera constantly. I was allowed the honour of always using the Ambassador's box. At the 92 THE MASQUERADE. French Opera we had Lord Glenlyon's ; and when I saw "The Wonderful Lamp," I could scarcely persuade myself but some genii had in reality assisted to arrange the scenery, it was so very beautiful. One evening I requested Mr. and Mrs. Forster to take me to a masquerade. This was held in the Opera House three nights in the week, the whole of the pit and stage being formed into one large room. You are at liberty to go into any part of the building; and you may be sure such roving about highly pleased me, who have naturally a wish to keep moving into different scenes ; and I verily believe if I were not bound by love and Christian duty to stay here I should set off again to-morrow ; and then, after all my wanderings were over, I should come home ** blind, lame, and comfortless, without a penny in my purse, a poor old maid ! ! ! " But I was talking about the masquerade. Well, I was engaged to two other places nf amusement the same evening ; so after being at two balls, about two o'clock in the morning, we all slipped on large' black silk loose dresses, just like night gowns, over our other clothes ; putting black masks and large black hoods on our heads. On entering the theatre you are sur- rounded with crowds of people dressed like yourself, for it is the fashion to go always in these black dominos ; and they chatter to you, and laugh, and make such a buzz it is scarcely possible to imagine where you are come to among so many blackies. I was taken for a gentleman from my height ; and consequently several ladies came up to me exclaiming, " Oh ! sir, I know who you are," and then told me tales of various fracas they had been in. Music in excellent style is going on all the time, and when THOMAS MOORE, THE POET. 93 you know any party of your friends are to be there it is great amusement to try and find them out. I early paid a visit to that place so celebrated, called the Louvre. (I find I have already talked of this, so will go to another subject.) There are in Paris a number of delightful public gardens similar to our Vauxhall. To these I went repeatedly. Fireworks form the principal amusement ; and then riding in little wooden carriages that go up and down hills with astonishing rapidity. This entertainment is adored by the French, and they flock in crowds to enjoy it. Imagine a circular building round a large space of ground, and one end much lower than the other. Little cars are placed upon it, as on the top of a wide wall, with the wheels sliding in grooves. When seated you are drawn up to the highest part by invisible chains and then come down swift as lightning. Only think how highly honoured I have been by going repeatedly down these wooden mountains with that bewitching poet, Mr. Moore ! Do you not feel, yourselves, some degree of pride, that any of your family should have been so gratified? Yes, indeed, I felt prouder than Miss Fanny Fudge when she imagined a count by her side. This dear little man I saw constantly and am half persuaded that my name will be transmitted to posterity along with his; because I had the exquisite pleasure of talking to him ; of hearing him talk ; of hearing him sing ; and of walking many a happy half-hour with him and his sweet children. Mr. Moore is short, and made compactly like a little doll. He has fine expressive, sparkling giey eyes, a sharp nose, laughing mouth, good teeth, and dimpled chin — 94 THE POET S WIFE. the very essence of good humour ; yet occasionally low spirited. He sings with feeling that would move a heart of stone ; and to hear from his lips his own beautiful song of ''Those Evening Bells," is almost too much to bear. He is partial to plaintive music, but pleases equally in gay ; for he throws a charm over everything he says or does. Mrs. Moore is a very beautiful and amiable lady ; and in spite of all the apparent levity of her husband's mind, perceptible in many of his songs, I think it scarcely possible for two people to live a life of more perfect domestic felicity than Mr. and Mrs. Moore. You must not set me down as " odiously vain," when I tell you this so celebrated bard used to consider me a great favourite. This is enough to make me walk two inches taller than ever. I have a pair of gloves belonging to the dear poet that are invaluable to me. Fortune favoured me particu- larly in allowing me to meet with men of celebrity. My heart has always panted after this kind of society with a most ardent enthusiasm, and I little thought when seated in our quiet home at Beverley that I should ever be gratified as I have been. It is customary in France for every one to make presents to their friends on New Year's day ; and although I was alone in the great capital many of my acquaintances paid me the compliment. Consequently the last day of the old year is a scene of great bustle. Everybody goes out to purchase, and all the fashionable places are crowded. It is supposed that more money is spent in two or three days, at this season of the year, in sweetmeats and jewelry than during the whole of the year besides. The town is like a fair, and every one you meet exclaims, P^fli VERSAILLES. 95 "What heave you bought? oh how beautiful ! where did you get it ? I must go too," etc., etc. The most favourite shops are those where you can buy a great variety of things for the same price. Some are called shops of five francs ; others shops of three francs, where you see all kinds of pretty trifles, and pay the same for each. About five miles from Paris, on the banks of the Seine, is the village of St. Cloud. Here the king's favourite palace is situated amongst the most beautiful gardens, where I have spent many happy hours rambling from one beauty to another. It was also Napoleon's favourite residence, and from his bed-room window is the most lovely view I have seen. About twelve miles from Paris is the elegant town of Versailles, containing another large palace and immense gardens. The palace is not occupied, but strangers are allowed to rove over its innumerable apartments, all bare and deserted. The gardens are laid out in beautiful lawns and fine walks, with elegant fountains in every part. These are arranged very fantastically, and when all play- ing are a beautiful sight. Imagine a number of large basins of water, and in the centre of each groups of figures bearing vases, shells, etc. The water rises from those figures in spouts to an amazing height ; and falls in silver showers over them. But I am talking to those who most probably have seen the giant cataract of Niagara, and listened to its mighty moans. Be sure to tell me what you thought on first seeing this exquisite wonder of Nature. We are all very anxious to hear from you, indeed. At Versailles I became acquainted with some young ladies who were extremely kind to me, and 96 RETURNS TO ENGLAND. with whom I staid many weeks. They are still my corre- spondents, and one of them my fondly loved friend, whom I hope to keep as such all my days. I was on the point of taking a trip into Germany, when my poor sister requested me to return, that I might take charge of her little ones. I was disappointed that I could not effect my purpose, but pleased to show my affection by giving up my own gratification to her. I came over last June, and went to see my dear Emily at Cheltenham, in Gloucestershire. There we staid some time, and she became evidently worse. We then went to Malvern in Worcestershire, and afterward to Leam- ington in Warwickshire ; all of these places much recom- mended for her complaint. We thus passed through a very beautiful part of England. While at Leamington I received a letter from my old school friend. Miss Henniker. Her father had succeeded to the title and estates of his uncle, and had become the Rt. Hon. Lord Henniker. She repeated an invitat'on, often urged before, that I would go and see her; and with Emily's permission I accepted. Thus, then. I left my dear sister at Leamington, and on my way home made a circuitous route through Norfolk, and staid three weeks with the Hon. Miss H. and her noble parents. My lord and lady received me with the kindest attention, and used every exertion to amuse me. Lord Henniker used to drive me out in his curricle to see the country, and Miss H. in her beautiful little gig to see the farmers. We had fine fun together, and used to set out such a cavalcade through the park as would have made the Beverley people actually expire with wonder. Imagine EMILY'S ILLNESS. 97 to yourself a carriage and four, then two or three on single horses, then a chariot, a curricle, a gig and little carriages belonging to the younger branches. All this set off with servants made no little show, and we used to sally forth and visit some distant friends, or gentleman's seat, repeatedly in this way. Lord Henniker has a family of eight children, two of whom are with Miss Sotheby, our former governess. After much brilliant gaiety I returned home to Newland, and found the children much grown. My poor Emily meanwhile became daily worse and went into Kent, thinking the mild air might restore her. She staid a month with Mrs. Grevis James, and then determined to come home. This was last September, which month she remained with us ; and then was so strongly advised to put herself under the celebrated Dr. Bailey, of London, that she endeavoured to summon all her courage and once more part from her dear family. You cannot easily imagine this melancholy scene. We were led to believe it was our last farewell. She was a perfect skeleton, beautiful still, but worn completely away. She shed not a tear, spoke not a word, but sat tranquil as a statue while the poor children kissed her in silent sorrow. I watched her step into the carriage, and thought it was an eternal look I gave her. Thank God, however, good Dr. Bailey has done wonders for her. She was with him six weeks, and then came down to York- shire, and is still residing with Dr. Haxby. She promises to come and see her children this spring, and then we must again banish her for the summer. The thought, 98 DOLLY THE MAID. and constant anxiety for such a family as this, is far too much for her. In beginning this letter I scarcely knew how or where to begin. In ending it, I scarcely know how or where to end. I often think I would like to get a peep at your home in the wild, wild woods, and see you in your little log cabin, without rooms. How I would enjoy seeing my dear Tom struggling with his dish towels. I would like to hear those wild beasts at their midnight concerts, and I would like to see the mosquitoes and help you fight them. I think I'll come over and live in your wild country, and milk your cows and be Doily the maid. Few people would be so nappy as I in such a state. Would you take me into your cabin if I wandered across the wide ocean ? God bless you both, my ever beloved brothers, and prosper all your plans. Think of me in your prayers; and believe me fondly your affectionate sister, Marv Scatciierd. ■ m CHAPTER VII. Mr. John Scatcherd and Family. 73 ETURNING to Mr. John Scatcherd and family, it ■^ may be again noted that no .services of the EngHsh Church had been held within or near the township of Nissouri previous to 1824. In the summer of that year the Reverend Mr. Mcintosh, a clergyman of the Church of England, held a service on the Proof Line Road of London township, at or near the house of a Mr. Fralick, in the vicinity of what is now known as the village of St. John's. Here Thomas was taken and baptized. In the summer of 1825, James Newton, the second child, was taken on horseback to Kettle Creek, now St. Thomr.s, a distance of twenty-six miles, and at the par- sonage baptized by the same clergyman. Mr. Scatcherd inquired of the reverend gentleman when he might be expected to hold services at or near Wyton. He replied, " The country is so new, the loads so bad, and my jour- neys through other parts of the country so long, I could not fix even on a remote day when I could do it." He asked, " Are there not some people near you called Meth- odists?" "Yes," replied Mr. Scatcherd, "but they go lOO UNITED WITH METHODIST CHURCH. !Ml about holding meetings in each others houses, and all seem to be preachers." " Never mind that," said the clergyman ; " you had better meet and worship with them, and they will do you good." The advice of the good man was followed, and soon afterwards Mr. Scatch- erd and his wife united with the Methodist Church, to which they became ardently attached. In communion with it they lived, governing their religious professions by godly lives, dying in the faith they embraced in early man and womanhood ; mourned by a large religious denomination with which they had been identified from its day of small beginnings in the colony, until it has reached an eminence and become a power in the religious world. • In 1824 Mr. Scatcherd brought a span of horses and wagon to the farm ; they are said to have been the first used in the western part of the township. He continued clearing and working his land until the year 1830. In December of that year the family removed into, what was then called. The Forks, now the city of London, for the purpose of educating their children. And, furtiier, having brought from the old country what, at that time, was deemed considerable means, and finding no oppor- tunity for investment in a new settlement, Mr. Scatcherd decided to engage in mercantile business. With this object in view, and a stock of goods having been pur- chased in Hamilton, he opened a dry goods and hardware HEAVY DAMAGES. lOI store on the north side of Dundas street. The banking was then done in Hamilton. Paper having twelve or eighteen months to run was discounted at the rate of six per cent, per annum, and at maturity was, if the maker required, renewed for six or sometimes twelve months. The penalty for a protested draft in early days, was as severe as the accommodation for discount was liberal. In this connection the following letter will explain itself: Bank of Upper Canada, York, 2gth Ma}\ iS2j. Messrs. Boulton & Co. : Gentlemen: I enclose herewith the draft of John Scatcherd, date loth December, 1822, on Kay Price and Holman, protested for non-payment, and have accord- ingly debited your account as follows : ^ s. d. Draft for ;^ioo sterling, .... Ill 2 2 20 per cent, damages, .... 22 4 5 4 per cent, premium at New York on ;^I20 sterling 568 Postage, 56 ;^I38 18 9 I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, Thos. G. Ridout, Cashier. Nearly one-quarter of the protested bill was charged as damages. 102 BUSH ROAD TO LONDON. In 1830, when Mr. Scatcherd moved to the village plot of London, none of the surve3'ed township road-lines had been opened. The bush road from Wyton ran through the forest all the distance, except where it passed the clearings of five settlers. Crossing the Wye, it entered the woods on Lot Eleven opposite to where the residence of Mr. William Scatcherd now stands. Con- tinuing through the forest, the traveler forded the Thames river ^t its intersection with Fourth Concession line of London. Mr. William Guest had a small clearing on the hill. He came into the township in the year 18 18. After passing his place, the heavy underbrush of the plains was entered ; the track continuing westerly until the river was forded again, sometimes on Lot Eight, sometimes on Lot Nine in Fourth Concession, according to the stage of the water. This was in the vicinity of the Ryan farm, afterwards known as the Killally property. From this point the road returned eastwa'*d to Lot Seven, Third Concessir>n. On Lot Seven, Mr. Robert Webster had settled in 1 8 19. The generous hospitality of this early pioneer was unbounded. Belated travelers, their families and teams were cared for free of charge. The frie idly latch-string was always on outside of Robert Webster's door, a stand- ing welcome to all who pulled. From Lot Seven, the route zigzagged through the woods south, passing Thomas Belton's clearing and crossing the VILLAGE PLOT SURVEYED. 103 Governor's road into the Gore near the present toll-gate, between Lots Eight and Nine. Keeping south and west- ward it passed to the east of where the Great Western Railway workshops, Salter's grove and the cemetery now are, and reached the Governor's road again a few hundred feet east of Adelaide street, opposite the clearing of Noble English ; then on to the village still in the forest, until Richmond street was passed. The road ran into the Gore to avoid what was then ^ large morass, named for many years the Priest's Swamp — a priest having lived on a lot near it on the east. The swamp extended from Salter's grove to the hill at the Asylum grounds. Although now in appearance only a wet piece of land, in those early days cattle entering on it at the east sank out of sight. The distance from Wyton to London in 1878 is less than nine miles. The bush road was over thirteen miles. When Mr. Scatcherd settled in Nissouri, July, 1821, the ground where the city of London now stands was an unbroken wilderness, in all its primeval wildness, except in so far as the surveying of London township and Gore gave indication of the approaching civilization. The village plot was surveyed in 1826. Previous to this there was a squatter named Montague on the flats be- low the forks of the river. His vocation was hunting, trapping, and occasionally ferrying settlers over the 11 I04 THE OLDEST RESIDENT. Thames in his canoe. The limits of the first survey were : Wellington street on the east ; North street, now Carling, on the north ; the river Thames on the south and west. The lots were numbered from Wel- lington street west. A few facts, given by one who was an eye-witness when the village consisted of only three structures of any kind, may be of interest to the five-and-twenty thousand people who, at the distance of fifty years, dwell in the beautiful and busy city now covering the meadows and sloping acclivities at the forks of the Thames. Mr. Robert Carfrae claims, and doubtless truly, to have resided longer in London than any now living there. At twenty-three years of age, June, 1827, he came to the surveyed locality, and has resided con- tinuously in village, town and city to the present time, 1878. Mr. Carfrae is a man of intelligence, vigorous in body and mind, and cautious in his statements. The road by which he entered from Westminster crossed the Thames by a bridge at foot of York street. On the hill across the flats, he found Mr. Yerkes and a few men putting up a hewed log-house. This was on north- west corner of Ridout and York streets. In answer to the inquiry: "How far is it to London?" the reply was: "You are in it." At this time there were only three houses all told, in the village ; two of them tav- erns, the other a court-house and jail. FIRST HOUSE IN LONDON. 105 The first tavern built was on southwest corner of Kinp^ and Ridout streets. It was a log-house and kept by Peter McGregor. The other tavern was an unfinished frame building, standing on south side of Dundas street, east of Ridout, kept by Abram Carrol. It was burned in the fall of 1827. The well-remembered Mansion House of later days was built on its site. The court-house and jail was a rough frame structure. It stood between the present court-house and Robinson Hall. In 1828 Peter Vanevery taught school in the upper part. Peter McGregor, the tavern-keeper, was the jailor. During the spring of 1827, a court was held there, said to have been the first which sat in London ; and thereafter for some years, a court was held every spring. The name of the first prisoner confined in the jail was Reed ; his offense, stealing an axe, the property of Mr. Dingman, a farmer in Westminster. The criminal was brought into the village and chained to a stump over night, in the tavern yard of the jailor. Next day he was removed to the jail, and chained to a block of wood in one of the unfinished cells. As this was the first known crime committed in the .settlement, it created a greater sensation than a murder would now. The heinous enor- mity of stealing a neighbor's axe, revealed a condition of human depravity in its direst form. None came to The Forks without paying a visit to the jail to see t^ 8 ic6 FIRST COURT-HOUSE. prisoner. Mr. James Ferguson, present County Reg- istrar, well remembers the prisoner chained to the block of wood. Late in December, 1829, this court-house was placed on runners and drawn by oxen to the southwest corner of the square, where it still stands and is the only struct- ure of any kind in London now, erected prior to the summer of 1827. Fcr over half a century it has stood unharmed by fire, and untouched by the march of progress, a monument of London in its infancy. Within the venerable- walls of this landmark of early days, the first court of London was held ; the first criminal sentenced ; and the first school taught, which in time gave way to the Grammar School, the Alma Mater of many boys and girls now in the sere and yellow leaf of life. And in that house, too, the first divine service was held. It was used by any denomination wishing to use it for divine worship. The first burying-ground was situate on the west side of Ridout, between Dundas and North, now Carling street. It belonged to the Church of England. In that ground all were buried, including the cholera cases of 1832. On this burial lot, opposite the present court- house, a frame was put up in 1.828, intended as a place of worship by the Church of England. This was the first effort at church building. The frame was taken down, put up again, finished and used as a place of PLACE OF WORSHIP BUILT. 107 worship, known as St. Paul's Church. On Ash Wed- nesday, 1844, it was burned. The Cathedral, built on the same ground, was dedicated Ash \v^ednesday, 1846. The Methodists put up, finished, and possessed the first place of worship in the village, a frame building plastered on the outside. It stood on the northwest corner of North (now Carling) and Ridout streets. In 1827 Mr. Goodhue, afterwards the Honorable G. J. Goodhue, kept a store in Westminster, on the First Concession, two miles from London. There the villagers did their purchasing. No goods were sold in London at that time, excepting the sales made by Dennis O'Brien, a peddler, from his wagon on the Court-house Square. During the year 1828 Mr. O'Brien took possession of a vacant blacksmith's shop, placed some rough boards on barrels for a counter, and there opened and kept the first store in London. He had also a store house. It was without chinking. Through wide spaces between the logs, in- quisitive eyes outside could observe the kinds and quantities of goods within. They were principally long-handled frying-pans, baking-kettles, griddles and spiders — the latter a cross between a frying-pan and baking-kettle. This incipient store was on south side of Dundas street, Lot 18, and was occupied fcr trade until a store and dwelling-house were built on the same io8 FIRST POST-OFFICE IN LONDON. lot ; to which the goods were transferred before any other place of merchandise was opened. One or two small places for sale of goods followed, but did not last long. In 1830 Mr. Goodhue moved his store from Westmin- ster to the northeast corner of Ridout and Dundas streets ; and in October of the same year Mr. John Jennings opened a store on Ridout near King street. Early in the winter of 1 83 1 Mr. John Scatcherd opened a ^tore on lot 18, north side of Dundas street. This was the fourth place of trade deserving the name of store. At that time the population did not exceed two hundred. The village was active and grew fast. Lots were taken up and cleared ; houses, frame and log, were built, though many of them were not finished for years. The post-office, in 1827, was kept in Westminster, on the First Concession, not far from Mr. Goodhue's store, at a tavern where the stage running between Toronto and Detroit changed horses. In the latter part of 1828 it was moved to Ira Schofield's house, on his farm, a few hun- dred feet east of the convent on Dundas street. Mr. Schofield was postmaster. Later Mr. Goodhue was ap- pointed, and kept it on the east side of Ridout street, near Dundas. Mr. John Harris succeeded Mr. Goodhue, and kept the office at his house on Ridout street for some time. Mr. Goodhue, being reappointed, transferred the office to the store of Goodhue & Lawrason, on northwest corner of Dundas and Ridout streets. In 1842 Mr. Good- RATE OF POSTAGE. 109 hue removed it to the east end of old Robinson Hall. He then built a one-story brick post-office north of and close to the residence of Dr. Anderson, west side of Ri- dout street. This building was destroyed by fire, and the post-office kept a short time in the lower part of the American Hotel property, east side of Ridout street, op- posite Court-house Square. It was removed from there to the Royal Exchange, near the northwest corner of Dundas and Ridout streets. From there the post-office business was removed in i860 to the present commodious building on Richmond street, Mr. Lawrence Lawless suc- ceeding Mr. Goodhue as postmaster. The rate of postage between Canada and Great Britain was, in 1822, the following : The inland rate was sixpence sterling for the first hundred miles, with twopence added for every additional hundred miles, plus the packet rate of one shilling sterling. A single letter from London therefore cost : London to Quebec, one shilling and two- pence; Quebec to Halifax, one and sixpence; Halifax to Britain, one shilling; total, three shillings and eight pence sterling, equal to ninety-two cents. A single letter consisted of one piece of paper ; double letter, two pieces, and so on. The first bank established in London was the Bank of Upper Canada, on Ridout near King street, in 1832 or 1833. The first magistrate was Ira Schofield and Mr. John Scatchcrd was the second. The first lawyer was I no FIRST NEWSPAPER. Mr. Timbrook, who came to the village in 1833. The London Sun was first newspaper, beginning in 1832, edited by Mr. Edward Allen Talbot. The Gazette was second newspaper, edited by Mr. Hodgkinson Mr. Carfrae came from Toronto to assist in building the present court-house. He found the square cleared, and men engaged grubbing out stumps, preparing for the foundation. William Hale came from Toronto to burn the bricks. Part of them were burned near Court-house Square ; the remainder on Walter Nixon's farm, now part of Petersville. The structure was built fronting west. After the foundation was laid Mr. Heward, the contractor, remonstrated with the commissioners against putting up the building with its rear towards the village, and offered to stand the expense of making the changes if the com- missioners would consent. One of them obstinately refused, and insisted on no change being made. He carried his point, and the court-house was built with its back upon London. It was finished in 1830. An interest in lands down the river was said to have been the cause of this obstinacy. The first execution in the village was that of C. A. Burley, in 1830, for shooting a constable. In 1830 Dundas street was cut out to Wellington, East of Richmond street, there was a swamp making Dundas street impassable, except in winter when frozen. Travel- ers coming into the village from the east kept on the high land north of Dundas street around the swamp. An ex- THOMAS AND JAMES AT SCHOOL. Ill cavation made on Dundas street near Ridout, in 1876, uncovered an oak stump, the top of it four feet six inches below the grade of the street. At this point there was seven feet of fiUing over the original surface of the ground. A portion of this oak stump is now in posses- sion of the County Registrar, a memento of primitive London. At London the first opportunity of sending the chil- dren to school being found, Thomas and James became pupils at the school of Miss Stimson. In the summer of 1831, Mr. Scatcherd went to Eng- land on business connected with his father's estate. His route was by Erie Canal on a packet boat to Schenec- tady, and from there to Albany on the first east-bound passenger train over the first railroad built in New York State. The business in London was successfully carried on during five years. But Mr. Scatcherd finding that the life of a storekeeper in a village did not suit his taste, returned to the farm. Before those events: took place Mr. Thomas Scatcherd had purchased lands adjoining his brother, and had cleared a large portion of his farm. Their houses were separated only by the Wye, and as the brothers had married sisters the family relations were doubly intimate. They united their means and built a grist-mill, saw-mill, woolen factory and tannery; all very desirable in a new 112 LETTERS FROM EARLY SETTLERS. country. While Mr. Scatchcrd was in London the first log school-house had been built. It was situate on the Side Road, eastern portion of the West Half of Lot VI, First Concession of Nissouri, two and a ht;lf miles dis- tant frdm Wyton. To that school such of the children as were old enough to walk so far were sent, except Thomas. Referring to the early settlement of Nissouri, Rev. Dr. Webster writes : "When Mr. Scatcherd came into the township it was almost an unbroken wilderness. His brother Thomas joined him in the following year, 1822, and found fields of wheat, oats, and corn, well advanced. The Messrs. Scatcherd soon adapted themselves to bush life. They hired men to assist in chopping and clearing and quickly had cultivated farms. In this way they helped the other settlers very much ; not only by circulating money, but by furnishing that which was better than money, wheat and corn. The Scatcherds, like all pioneers, had their privations and struggles ; but having means at command did not suffer for necessaries when these could be pur- chased, which, however, could not always be done." Rev. Thomas Brown, Nissouri, an early settler, says : "The Scatcherds came into Nissouri in 1821 and 1822. They were a wonder and astonishment to the more hardy and robust settlers. FIRST GRAIN FOR SALE. lU '* The idea of young gentlemen like them who had learned to farm by rule, undertaking to contend with the difficulties and hardships of backwoods life and make farms out of the wilderness, seemed preposterous in the extreme. All predicted that -fter a short time the young Englishmen would give up and return to England, minus their money and disgusted with the country. We were greatly mistaken in such predictions, and surprised to see how quickly they adapted themselves to their surround- ings. By an untiring energy, and judicious use of their money, they took the lead in the settlement and had the first grain and provisions for sale. By the year 1830 they had their lands well cleared and fenced ; the stumps out of some of the fields, and frame barns erected. " The training and experience the young men received during their apprenticeship inured greatly to their advan- tage, and was turned to practical account. Straight fences and straight furrows seemed the rule ; none of us could equal their ploughing. They stocked their farms with improved breeds of horses, cows and sheep. In this way they conferred lasting benefits on the neighbour- hood. Ever ready and willing to extend a helping hand ; ever kind and obliging, they were considered an acqui- sition to the neighbourhood and country, and were accorded the first place in the hearts of all who knew them." 114 A PRETEXT. As the population in the township increased, Mr. Scatcherd was early appointed a magistrate ; and when the benefits of municipal institutions were granted, he was among the first elected. He served his township and county as Councillor, Reeve, Warden, and Superintendent of Education. He held those positions for many years, when Nissouri township formed part of the county of Oxford ; and afterwards when it was set off to Middlesex. During the construction of the Great Western Railway, Mr. Scatcherd represented his county as one of the Board of Directors for that road. In loyalty to his sovereign and country he stood second to no man. During the misgovernment of the province which culminated in the rebellion, he was firm and un- flinching in favor of constitutional government. In every constitutional way within his power he opposed and vig- orously denounced all those in office who, under the guise of loyalty, oppressed the people. His name ap- pearing on a petition calling attention to existing griev- ances and asking relief, was a pretext for omitting him from the list of magistrates contained in a new commis- sion at that time issued. But that was not the real cause of offense. Mr. Scatcherd's independence and uncompro- mising opposition to wrongs daily increasing, and for which no redress could be had, made him distasteful to those who were misgoverning the country. He was not dismissed, there being no offense alleged ; the omission CANDIDATE FOR I'AULIAMENT. 115 of his name in the new commission was tlic farthest they could go, and exhibited the high-handed partizan spirit of the time. Before that occurred Mr. Scatcherd had received the nomination, and was the Reform candidate for London. This, according to a leading journal, was the cause of dropping his name from the Commission of the Peace and Court of Requests. Electoral Address. To THE Electors of the Town of LoNrv>N : Gentlemen : From a deep sense of duty to my country, and at your kind and frequent solicitations, I offer myself a candidate for your suffrages at the ensuing election. In thus coming forward I would say, that should you elect me as your Representative, I shall endeavour, as far as 1 am able, to support every measure that may tend to the good of your town, and zealously advocate every principle of Reform on which I consider the happiness and prosperity of our country depends. I am, gentlemen, Your obed't serv't, John Scatciierd. London, June 10th, i8j6. At close of the polls Colonel Burwell, the opposing can- didate, was successful. The omission of Mr. Scatcherd's name from the magistracy led to newspaper commenta- ii6 PRESS COMMENTARIES. ries, both in Canada and in the States. An act of injus- tice by Sir Francis l^ond Head, representing' England, was magnified in republican America, and used in distemjiered party controversy to alarm the United States about an impending Van Buren monarchy. Extract from the Cincinnati Whig and Commercial Intelligencer. In some parts of this country it is evident that there is a strong disposition, on the part of a portion of our fellow- citizens, the Van Burenites, for the establishment of a mon- archical goverment under a Kinderhook dynasty. As it is desiral)le that the advocates of such a system should occasion- ally obtain a little knowledge of the measures pursued under monarchical and arbitrary governments, we have annexed an extract from a recent Canadian journal for their guidance; so they may have some idea how matters proceed where the pco])le have no voice, and where their wishes are as little regarded as if they were the most abject slaves; where an upright, honest, public officer is sure to be objectionable to the minions who pander to the powers that be, so long as they are fed and pam[)ered for their pliant but contemptible subser- viency. [The following was copied from the Journal^ then a leading paper in Western Canada.] By the arrival of last Thursday's mail from Toronto the good i)eople of this town received the im[)ortant information that his honour Judge Young, has been elevated to the situa- tion of Commissioner of the Court of Retjuests, ince John Scatcherd, Kscj., dismissed for having had the temerity to allow himself to be put in nomination for the representation of the town of I-ondon, at the last election. 'I'his information has IMl'Ak'llAL MACISIKA'PE. 117 been quite unexperted, .-md has created a degree of excitement which will not soon be allayed. Mr. Scatcherd is an old and respected ni;i<^istrate, esteemed by all who know him as a man of unbending integrity and sound judgment; and we believe it may be safely said that there exists not in the Province a man who has fewer enemies or more friends. Retired in his hal)its, unassuming in his manners, he may not have attracted much the smiles, or the adulation of upstart snobs, but in the estimation of thinking men who look beneath th'- surface of human life, he stands deservedly high, and by such men is regnrded as a most valu- able member of society, Whigs and Tories, Radicals and Repid)licans, all unite in declaring that a more conscientious, more upright, a more independent, or more mild and impartial magistrate never sat upon the Bench of the London District, Mr. Scatcherd came to this country about seventeen years ago, with what in those days was esteemed a princely fortune, lie has since, almost annually, received remittances from Eng- land, his native country, and has expended every shilling which he has obtained in the imjirovement of the country, and in alle- viating the sorrows of many a broken heart. And he is now, no doubt by the recpiest or by the influence of some ujjstart offuial, dismissed from an office, in discharging the duties of which he gave to all parties the utmost possible satisfaction. As far as regards Mr. Scatcherd himself His Excellency has doubtless conferred a favor of no inconsiderable magnitude; but the country feels — deeply feels — the loss of his valuable services; and the people witii one accord regard his dismissal as an act of petty tyranny which plainly conveys to them that from henceforth no indei)endent man can hold office of any kind without risk of arbitrary dismissal. Cardinal \V(jlsey is represented as saying: "Had I served God as faithfully as I have my King, He would not have deserted me in my old age," And Mr. Scatc herd may say in a more noble and infinitely less repentant si)irit: "Had 1 served Sir Francis Bond Head half N ii8 NAME RESTORED. as zealously as I have my adopted country, he would not have cast me off as one of the lost sheep of the House of Kent." Sir Francis has displayed more political acumen than he got credit for. However much the death of William the Fourth, our illustrious sovereign, may be deplored, it is an event which from His Majesty's advanced age and impaired consti- tution may ere long occur, then another election takes place. His Excellency and the offical gang are now engaged trying what effects intimidation may produce on the minds of the people. The weak and the timid, the vascillating and the ignorant will doubtless be more or less affected by such a system. The people in this part of the country intend to address Mr. Scatcherd, congratulating him on dismissal from an office which in some degree identified him with a base, corrupt and vindictive administration. Although party feeling ran high in those days and was very bitter, yet, as already stated, no v rd nor act of Mr. Scatcherd was adduced, nor alleged, capable of being construed into disloyalty. In the year 1840, a new Com- mission of the Peace was issued, and his name gazetted. The following letter came officially : Clerk of the Peace Office, Woodstock, loth March, 1840. Sir : I have this day received the Commission of the Peace for the District of Brock, and have the honour to inform you that your name appears <-here as a Magistrate for the said District. I have the honour to be, sir, Your obedient servant, W. Lapenetiere. John Scatcherd, Esq., Nissouri, London. BUYS A SAW-MILL. 119 ve :e. During the spring of the year 1849, Squire Scatcherd, with some members of his family, went .on a visit to Mr. Wesley Freeman's near Simcoe, where his daughter Jane was then spending a few weeks. Stopping at Dorman's tavern on the Burford road for dinner, he noticed a saw- mill not far distant, stocked with large, fine-looking pine logs. An examination of the mill led to inquiry respect- ing the property connected with it. Four hundred acres of well-timbered pine land ; and fifty acres on which the mill, a fine dwelling, store, and several other houses were built, all made a desirable-looking investment, provided it were for sale and the price suited. It was found the mill and lands belonged to the Crapo estate, and were in the market. A short correspondence led to a purchase of the property. Soon after, Mr. Scatcherd took up his residence on this newly-acquired possession. A few weeks were" spent in repairing and putting the saw-mill in order. The day fixed for starting arrived. For the first cut two logs were selected as an average of the whole, because on the qual- ity of the logs depended the value of the purchase. The two logs were placed in position on the carriages and securely fastened. The steam valve was opened, and off went the machinery, the wheels spinning like tops and the belts running swiftly. The mill was of excellent con- struction, and in the best of order. The saws seemed to dance with delight, as they tossed the rich yellow saw- I20 ROBINS AND BLUEBIRDS. i ' I dust in the air. On removing the slabs one or two dark- colored knots were visible ; and as each board thereafter came off the knots increased in number and blackness. Mr. Scatcherd watched the cutting of these logs with much anxiety, until they were finished. Finding the knots increased in number and blackness, he became dis- gusted ; turned around to his son James and said : " Here, my lad, take the mill and do what you like with it ; I have had enough." After which he left the mill and logs, and returned to his farm. The fact was, the logs were not as good as they appeared to be ; they turned out too much poor common lumber, and too little clear stuff to make saw- milling profitable. The mill was run for one year, stocked with a new lot of logs, and then sold to Messrs. De Blaquiere & Elwes, of Woodstock, at an advance over the first cost. There was also a small profit on the lumber cut. Dismissing Burford and the saw-mill from his mind, Mr. Scatcherd took delight in the cultivation of his farm. Country life had many fascinations for him. He was restless and impatient for frost and snow to disappear. In early spring he offered rewards to whoever would show him the first robin, or bluebird. To him the coming spring was a source of inspiration. The first notes of early songsters, the first peeping blade of grass and budding flower, gave him intense pleasure. At that THE WAVING PINES. 121 season he arose with the dawn and walked about his fields. The forest enrobing itself in its summer dress ; the blossoming flowers and shrubs ; the growing crops and waving grain, were year by year a recurring exhilara- tion and delight to him. " Give me," he used to say, ** the bud, the blossom, and the full-grown leaf." For him, the maturing harvest-field had a charm and a prophecy above and beyond the yield of grain. From beginning of spring to autumn, his spirits were joyously exuberant. But the fading and falling leaves gave his mind a tinge of sadness, and winter was a dreary and dismal prison. There are few events in the routine of a farmer's occu- pation worthy of noting. Planting and harvesting fol- lowed by winter, season after season, leaves but little of interest to record. Mr, Scatcherd's time was fully taken up with his offi- cial duties of township and county, managing his mills, cultivating his farm and beautifying it with ornamental trees. The evergreen grove in front of his dwelling bears witness to his taste and success in tree-planting. When through the tops of those waving pines the soft winds murmur, it seems as if John Scatcherd was walking beneath them once more. The Squire's services as magistrate were frequently called for, and always reluctantly performed. He exceed- ingly dislif:ed hearing and determining cases between ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT. neighbors, and would not do so until all effoi-ts at per- suading them to settle their differences were exhausted. In the year 1854 Mr. Scatcherd was prevailed upon to accept the nomination as Reform Candidate for the West Riding of Middlesex. At close of the polls, having received a inajority of the votes, he was declared duly elected. Mr. Scatcherd represented the West Riding of Middle- sex in Parliament to the close of his life, enjoying the full- est confidence of his constituents. He took an active part in the debates of the day with a hearty earnestness. On all measures coming up before the House he followed his own convictions, whether agreeing with the party or otherwise. Always in his seat, he never avoided the responsibility of having his vote recorded. Squire Scatcherd was a man of the people, from the people, and legislated for the people. In politics he was an Independent Reformer, and while true to the principles of the body with whom he was asso- ciated, would never acknowledge the party whip. He entered into his electioneering campaigns with energy and earnestness. As a public speaker he had not the practice of eloquent or florid oratory ; but in dealing with his subjects evinced a warm, manly, honest frankness, that carried conviction. This made him a welcome speaker; always insuring a respectful and attentive audience. FORMS A FRIENDSHIP. 123 During the years he served as Member of Parliament, Mr. Scatcherd formed an acquaintance with Dr. R. Basil Church, who represented the county of Grenville. Their mutual appreciation ripened to an intimacy exceeding what is usually termed friendship. They lived in the same hotel, had their rooms near together, waited for each other at meals, went in company to the Parliament house, sat up for each other when either returned late, parted reluctantly when they retired for the night, and greeted each other in the ni ning as if they had been separated for months. Each wrote constantly to his own family concerning the other in terms of praise and tenderness. Yet, notwithstanding all this affection, they were is far apart in politics as an ultra-Conservative and unchanging Reformer could be. They were as far opposed to each other in religious views as thorough Methodist and zeal- ous Universalist ever were. In person also, their dissim- ilarity was striking. While absolutely the opposite of each other in some seemingly essential characteristics, they were one and inseparable in all else. In the last session of the Canadian Parliament at Toronto, winter of i857-'58, the first indications of failing health appeared in Mr. Scatcherd. His previous election- eering campaign occurred in December, 1857. The con- test was close and spirited ; party feeling ran high ; his exposure to inclement weather; long weary journeys undertaken over roads in their worst condition ; address- 124 DEATH OF THE FRIEND. ■f I 1| ing meetings frequently twice a day, with the attendant excitement, causing him loss of sleep — these toils were too much for his physical strength. Parliament assembled soon after the election. He took his seat in the House, and although with health somewhat impaired, attended to the duties as usual. In the latter part of the session he received a shock which affected him very injuriously. One bright and unusually genial afternoon in March, 1858, as he and Dr. Church were conversing together, the latter said : " Well, Scatcherd, I will go upstairs and write a letter to my wife," and immediately left for that purpose. A few minutes later Col. Playfair, a brother member, came into the room and inquired for Dr. Church. ** He has just gone upstairs to write a letter," replied Mr. Scatcherd. The Colonel went directly upstairs and saw Dr. Church resting his head upon his arms on the table, apparently asleep. After pausing a moment, he said : " Church, are you asleep ? " Receiving no reply, the ques- tion was repeated. No response being given, Playfair advanced to Dr. Church, and was shocked to find him dead. The Doctor had only written half a dozen lines, the last words being : '* I fear that poor Scatcherd will not last out another yea ." The word "year" was not completed. Life had fled ! Thus, peacefully and instantly, and no doubt painlessly, the strong and vigor- ous man, the dearly beloved and constant associate, DEATH OF JOHN SCATCHERD. 125 entered upon the sleep that knows no earthly \vakin 1 ! - I -f ■ i I due time was called to the Bar and practiced his profes- sion. A warm and lasting friendship sprang up between the fellow-students. While still in that office Mr. Scatcherd, by his steady habits and the implicit confidence reposed in him by the public, secured a large amount of business in the way of the collection of small accounts, and in Division Court matters; and from the business habits thus acquired he laid the foundation of his future success. In the spring of 1847 ^^ l^^t the office of Mr. Horton and finished his studies with the Messrs. Duggan, barris- ters in Toronto. • Mr. Scatcherd was called to the Bar in Hilary term, February, 1848, and immediately commenced the prac- tice of his profession in London. There a partnership was formed with his intimate friend and old school-fellow, E. Jones Parke, Esq., who managed the business of the law firm at the town of Woodstock, county of Oxford. This copartnership lasted until the year 1852. It was then dissolved and Mr. Parke returned to London. Mr. Parke was son of the late Hon. Thomas Parke, who, after the Union, was appointed to the ministry as Surveyor-General of Canada ; which office he held until it was abolished in 1844. The long period of thirty years has now elapsed (1878) since Mr. Scatcherd was called to the Bar. To those whose memory does not extend so far back, and to those AS A SPEAKER AT THE BAR. 147 only it is necessary to say that he at once took a high position. His well-known honest, straightforward char- acter combined with industrious business habits, together with his great abilities and sound judgment, brought him friends from all quarters ; and the result was that he secured a leading and respectable business in his profession. As a speaker at the Bar he displayed an earnestness and candor of expression which invariably had great weight with the jury. And although he made no preten- sion to the display of florid oratory, nor to any of those clap-trap tricks which are occasionally practised for the purpose of influencing a jury, he at times, when laboring under a deep sense of wrong inflicted upon his client, spoke with an eloquence and force rarely exceeded by any of his professional brethren. Always cautious in advising a resort to litigation, he rarely became engaged in a cause in which he did not feel certain of success ; and the result was that he very sel- dom lost a case before a jury, except when clients insisted on litigation contrary to his advice. He detested fraud or wrong of any kind ; and when he had occasion to denounce them, brought to his aid pow- ers of invective, sarcasm and wit, under which the un- fortunate delinquent was made to feel that the way of the transgressor is hard ; and that honesty is the best policy. Every one who has habitually attended our courts of justice, has witnessed the difficulty of eliciting 148 HIS SERVICES IN DEMAND. truth from an unwilling witness ; and the evasions to which witnesses resort to favor the party in whose interest they are swearing. Mr. Scatcherd in the course of his practice had many an encounter with characters of this sort, and generally succeeded in compelling them to tell the whole truth. He possessed an excellent knowledge of human char- acter; was an exceedingly close observer; and being intimately acquainted not only with the habits and mode of thinking among the jury, but well understood the business of their every-day life, he knew precisely what chord to strike in order to excite their sympathies. He thus enlisted their feelings in favor of his client to a de- gree altogether unattainable by an advocate less accus- tomed to study mankind. During the commercial crisis of 1856, which involved thousands of persons in difficulty and some in ruin, so great was the confidence reposed in Mr. Scatcherd by business men, that his services were in constant demand either in assisting to wind up estates, or in the securing and collecting of debts. His time was wholly occupied, and the weight of business thrown upon his hands would have been a strain upon the mind of any man. But by perseverance, and untiring industry, he found himself equal to the occasion ; and so far as we have heard, per- formed his work to the entire satisfaction of all parties. I IMPORTANT LAW SUIT. 149 o ;e ;e :'.S A difficult task indeed, when the conflicting and adverse interests which he had to contend with are considered. Of all the important cases in which Mr. Scatcherd was concerned, perhaps there was not one, the result of which afforded him more unmixed satisfaction and just pride, than the celebrated action brought some ten years ago by McDonoug1i_&^en,t, against several insurance companies. This firm, then carrying on an extensive mercantile business in London, had their stock and property de- stroyed by fire ; having at the time a large insurance on their goods. This insurance the companies refused to pay, on the ground that the value of goods destroyed was greatly over-estimated. Several actions were insti- tuted against the companies. Some of the most distin- guished members of the Bar of Ontario were engaged. The battle was fought out to the end, extending over several days, and resulted in verdicts amounting to over thirty thousand dollars against the companies. Mr. Scatcherd, as solicitor for the plaintiffs, felt that most of the responsibility of preparing the cases, looking over the pleadings, and having the facts fairly laid before the different juries, devolved upon him. When we consider the technical difficulties attend- ing actions such as these, and the manner in which the insurance companies arc protected by conditions and rules, applicable to no other corporate bodies, railways only excepted ; and that however just a claim may be, or I 150 HIS MARRIAGE. I I I no matter what the loss a party may have sustained, he is liable, at any moment during the progress of the trial, to have his claim thrown out of court and himself de- prived of the fruits of his insurance : And, if he fail in proving that immediately after the fire he gave the proper notice of his loss, and made affidavit how the fire originated — or, if he otherwise neglected to comply with the many conditions with which these companies are hedged in, the case may Ic lost : And further that, after all has been done by the assured and every condition complied with he may still fail to recover, unless he has a host of witnesses on hand at the right time to prove the conditions have been fulfilled. Such being the con- tingencies, the fact is realized that all these matters, requiring to be looked sharply after, subjected Mr. Scatcherd to many anxious thoughts during the pro- tracted trial of those important suits. When the trials were over and the victory won, the whole party — plaintiffs, attorneys and counsel engaged on their behalf — sat together for their photographs ; copies of which were distributed amongst them, and will long remain in their families, as mementoes of one of the most important events in the legal history of the county. On the 25th of June, 185 1, Mr. Scatcherd married Isabella Sprague, an exceedingly amiable young lady, daughter of the late Thomas Sprague, Esquire, of the ■ MODE OF DOING KINDNESS. 151 1, h township of Yarmouth, in the county of Elgin, and grand-daughter of the late EHas Moore, Esquire, M. P. for the county of Middlesex, in the Parliament of Upper Canada, previous to the Union of 1841. Early in the career of Mr. Scatcherd, he received the appointment of City Solicitor, a position held until his death. The duties of this office are sometimes difficult, and always important, involving the advising upon and framing of by-laws, on all sorts of matters ; the con- struction to be placed upon the various and often con- flicting sections of Acts of Parliament ; the drafting and examination of covenants and deeds affecting the corpo- ration ; the defending of actions brought against that body; and many other things, requiring the greatest care and the strictest attention. In the year 1861 Mr. Scatcherd took as law partner his former pupil, Mr. William R alph Mere dith , present mem- ber of the Ontario Legislature for the city of London. In all matters connected with business, the strictest con- fidence and most friendly relations existed between them. Mr. Scatcherd was practically generous, but did good in secret, not allowing his left hand to know what the right hand did. No apology need be made for giving publicity to his characteristic mode of doing kindness in the following instance, as it has already been referred to in the public press : One of the most worthy citizens of London, many years ago, was threatened with the loss of U~~jl^ 152 BETTER THAN WORDS. a valuable office under the corporation, unless he could immediately raise $1,200 to pay off a supposed deficiency caused in adding up an account. He told his trouble to Mr. Scatcherd, who was at the time engaged writing, and who expressed sorrow for him, but could not see any way out of the trouble, and feared the position would be lost. The gentleman got up to retire almost heart-broken, when the barrister, handing him a letter, said, " My clerks are out ; will you be kind enough to hand this to the teller of the bank, and ask him if the contents are right?" Upon the letter being handed to the teller, he asked the gentleman how he would have his money. The letter contained Mr. Scatcherd's check for $1,200. This was the act of a Christian ; equal, so far as example goes, to the work of the Good Samaritan. It was in practical harmony with the Sermon on the Mount. Many other acts of kindness and benevol ice, always performed by stealth, have accidently come lo our knowledge. A mere verbal sympathy was not given. He appeared to know nothing of that way of assisting others, or expressing his own feelings. As some trouble or necessity was related, his lips became thinner, the face and features more pale and cold. As you proceeded with a statement of wants, specifying the extent of aid desired, an impression came that the application was a failure, and words were being wasted on a cold, apathetic listener ; but, in this momen- tary des} 'ndency, you would receive sympathy so sub- AT NEW ORLEANS. 153 stantial as not helped merely a little, but completely ended the trouble. And this would be done in such manner as to leave no opportunity for returning thanks. The act was ended and the gentleman out of sight before you were aware of what he had done. " Careless their merits, or their v;ants to scan, His pity gave ere charity began." Instances of impulse, with an affinity to the sentiment of those lines, have been related by associates. One or two, though inconsiderable in degree, may be re-told here as personal characteristics of the man. In New Orleans, Mr. Scatcherd stood with a friend one day on the levee. They were a few feet, apart when he was approached by an Italian orange-vender, who, with beseeching eyes, said, "Buy orange?" Looking for a moment at her tattered clothes and weary face, he said, " How much ? " Her reply was, " Two, twenty-five cent." He took from his pocket a silver twenty-five-cent piece," holding it in view in one hand, while with the other he began turning the oranges over, digging down to the bottom of the basket. Her eyes caught sight of the coin and glistened as she viewed it. The premium then made the currency value of it fifty cents. "Perhaps the stranger may give me that for two oranges," was the anxious expression of her features. On raising her eyes and noticing the cold and hardening expression of the T r 154 BUYING ORANGES. cv.stomo«''s face, as he continued to turn the fruit over and over, her countenance fell. Taking another look at him, she evidently gave up hope of his taking even one orange, and began hitching away, her face crimson and eyes flashing with indignation. Just before it was too late he took two oranges, handed her the silver piece, and returned the fruit to the basket with a smile so sweetly filled with kindness it seemed to reach and warm her heart. Quick as a flash the woman took in the situation, and moved to thank him ; but too late, he was walk- ing away. She looked after him a moment or two as if wishing he might turn around, but he did not. She laid her basket down and gazed, as if expecting the by-standers must have noticed the transaction, and then resumed her business. As he was walking next day with his friend, they met the woman. The bow with which she expressed recognition and remembrance of the occur- rence, was as graceful as his embarrassment was con- fusing. He remarked to his friend, ** That woman thinks she must have seen you before." Mr. Scatcherd remained over night at a hotel in a small village, where his profession frequently called him. On one occasion having no smaller money than a twenty-dollar gold-piece, he handed it to the landlord in settling his bill. Unable to make the change, the landlord returned the money, saying: "You ca.i make it right the first time I am in London." HAS IJEEN HERE FORTY TIMES. 155 The hostler, hearing the conversation, vohintcered to make change. The offer was accepted. Disappearing for a few minutes, he returned with a small bag contain- ing twenty dollars in silver, all fifty-cent pieces. After Mr. Scatcherd left, the landlord, curious to know where his hostler got so much money, asked the ques- tion, and received this reply : " I got every piece of it from Mr. Scatcherd ; he never stopped here without giving me a fifty-cent piece. I can tell by the number I have, he has been here just forty times since I came to work for you." Although Mr. Scatcherd had not yet " fallen into the sere and yellow leaf," he had long acquired in an eminent degree " that which should accompany old age — honor, love, obedience, troops of friends." He seldom lost a client or a friend ; and indeed it was impossible he could do so, as his kind and obliging manners endeared him to every one with whom he came in contact. We are aware that during the time of the great depression in the country — 1856-'57 — to which reference has already been made, he frequently indorsed heavily for his friends and clients ; and indeed for many others who had little or no claim upon him, and thus saved them from bankruptcy or ruin. But owing to his sound judgment and foresight, he did not lose largely as the result of his kindness ; although, no doubt, the liabilities incurred in this way often caused anxiety and trouble. 156 I'ERSONAL ArPEAKANCi!:. Had it not been for his large and lucrative practice, he would, from good nature, have suffered serious embar- rassment at times. Before dismissing this part of the Memoir, the learned gentleman's personal appearance may be described. He was of medium height, standing about five feet nine inches, with broad shoulders and strong muscular frame. Rather stout in person than otherwise, but by no means corpulent. The head was unusually large, towering above the ears ; the broad and massive brow indicating a very lurge brain, with great intellectual power and firmness. The eyes were gray. The hair brown and wavy ; in his younger days exceedingly thick, but latterly thin. The complexion rather dark than fair. Quiet and sedate in all movements, he never appeared in a hurry. Having complete control of his emotions, and observing everything done b/ others, it was exceedingly difficult to penetrate the thoughts working in his mind. He cared little for general society, or for the gaiety and frivolities of large parties. With one or two intimate friends, when he could discuss professional or political matters and news of the day, or relate anecdotes affect- ing public and professional men, he greatly enjoyed himself. But knowing his affectionate disposition, and extreme fondness for his beloved wife and children, we fe.el assured that his greatest enjoyment was at his own POLITICAL LIFE BKGINS. 157 fireside, in the society and companionship of those dear objects of his affections. The death of Mr. Scatchcrd's father in 1858 provea the signal for several candidates to assert their preten- sions to the vacant seat in th'i Reform interest in West Middlesex. Amongst others, the Reverend William Wilkinson, Mr. James Danicll, and Mr. Archibald Camp- bell may be mentioned. Mr. Wilkinson was, however, chosen the standard-bearer to fight the battle, having for his opponent an old friend, A. P. McDonald, who had unsuccessfully opposed the lately-deceased member in the previous contest. Upon this occasion, Mr. McDonald was elected over Mr. Wilkinson, and held his seat until the general election of 186 1. This is, proper))' speaking, the commencement of the political career of the late Thomas Scatcherd. In 1861 he came for the first time before the public as a candidate for political honors. Recalling the fact that Mr. A. P. McDonald was a resident of the Riding, and was already the sitting member; a man of large means; undoubtedly p'opular; a supporter of the ministry and thoroughly versed in all the arts of managing an election, we realize that it required moral courage on the part of Mr. Scatcherd, an untried man and member of a profession which is generally supposed to be too strongly repre- sented in the Legislature, to oppose such a man as Mr. McDonald. He was, moreover, opposed by the Free 158 ELECTED TO PARLIAMENT. Press and Prototype newspapers, and had no local city organ to support his claim. On loth of June, 1861, a Reform Convention was held at Strathroy, when the claims of several parties were freely discussed. It was, however, pretty well understood that Mr. Scatcherd would be the almost unanimous choice of that body, and upon a vote being taken, he stood 43 to 4. Mr. Scatcherd having thus proved the strongest man to fight the battlq of Reform against his formidable opponent, threw himself into the contest. His friends went vigorously to work. Meetings were held throughout the Riding, and as thorough a canvass of the electors made as the space of time per- mitted. It was well known the contest would be a close one, and consequently extraordinary efforts were put forth by the friends of each contending party to insure the desired result. At close of the poll the votes stood : Scatcherd , 1532 McDonald, 1342 Majority for Scatcherd, igo Having thus been elected by a handsome majority he took his seat in Parliament for the West Riding of Mid- dlesex ; which position was held until the general election of 1863. He voted and acted generally with the Reform party; and introduced a bill, having for its object the reduction of law costs. Although he failed to carry this IN THE LEGISLATURE. 159 measure, his earnest advocacy of the bill was appreciated, not only by his constituents, but by many outsiders. In connection with this the following is reproduced from the local press : Deserved Compliment, — A few of the admirers of Mr. Thomas Scatcherd, intend presenting that gentleman with a very handsome silver snuff-box, as a mark of their esteem and regard for him; more particularly in consequence of his com- mendable efforts in Parliament with reference to the I^aw Reform Bill, which he so ably advocated, and which, if suc- cessfully carried through, will prove very beneficial to the Province generally. The inscription on the snuff-box is as follows : Presented to Thomas Scatcherd, Esquire, by a jew Friends in Westminster, C. W., as a Mark of Respect FOR HIS Upright Conduct in Parliament. June 4th, 1863. The presentation was made by the late Charles Stewart, Esq., J. P. Being a new member, modest and retiring in his nature and habits, he was not, at this early period of his career, a frequent speaker. Nor did he attempt to take a prominent part in the proceedings of the House ; but applied himself earnestly as a member of committees. From his legal knowledge, sound judgment, and well- known ability, he was called upon to perform a large amount of committee work. Co-incidently, he became acquainted with the rides of the House, and the details of parliamentary rouvinc ; laying a sure foundation for i6o PARLIAMENT DISSOLVED. the reputation afterwards acquired upon all points involv- ing the rules and manner of procedure in the Legislature. The writer of " Pen Pictures " in the Hamilton Times sent the following from Ottawa : Mr. Scatcherd, M. P. — On the front row of opposition benches, next to the member for Halton, sits Mr. Scatcherd, member for North Middlesex. This gentleman is son of the late John Scatcherd, who sat for a number of years in the old Parliament of Canada, and who was a consistent supporter of reform measures. Mr. Scatcherd is a well-known barrister of the Forest City, and much esteemed professionally and other- wise. In appearance he does not look unlike an Episcopal clergyman. He is a good speaker, both in matter and in man- ner. His speeches are not very long, but they are to the point, and are couched in unexceptionable English. He is one of the comparatively few members who are listened to with pleas- ure, only speaks when he really has something to say, and when he says it stops." In the summer of 1863 Parliament was again dissolved and writs for a general election forthwith issued. Mr. A. P. McDonald, who had been defeated by Mr. Scatcherd two years previously, declined another contest with his increasingly-popular antagonist ; but Mr. Thomas Moyle, a local man, residing in the township of Metcalfe, resolved upon entering the lists. This gentleman had been Reeve of his township, and being a man of excellent character, education and ability, he reasonably expected that nis claim upon the Riding might meet with success. But the result proved he had miscalculated the public feeling. Every effort was made to destroy Mr. Scatcherd's popu- ELECTED A SECOND TIME. l6l larity, by attempting to prove that as Solicitor for the City of London, he had been party to an arbitration, injuriously affecting the interests of the county ; a charge which so far as he was concerned had no foundation what- ever, and which was promptly confuted at the time. Notwithstanding all the benefit which Mr. Moyle's friends derived from the* circulation of this and other reports intended to prejudice his opponent's interests in the Riding, Mr. Scatcherd, at close of the poll, was declared duly elected. The vote stood : Scatcherd, 1626 Moyle, 548 Majority for Scatcherd, 1078 On the day of declaration, after the Returning Officer declared Mr. Scatcherd duly elected by this decisive majority, the member thanked the people for his return as their representative a second time. He attributed the result to his course in Parliament. He was gratified by the largt majority. He had been opposed on party prin- ciples, but had relied on the constituency for an approv- ing decision, on the ground of having fulfilled in Parlia- ment the pledges given at the previous election, namely : To judge bills introduced by Government, or by the opposition, on their merits ; and on those merits vote for or vote against them. If he could not discern right from wrong, irrespective of parties, his presence would be useless in the Legislature. 1 62 DEAD-LOCK IN PARLIAMENT. They had decided that the course pursued was alike honorable and useful. He thanked his friends in all the municipalities for their support, and in taking leave hoped if he came again before them it would be with as clean hands as at this time. Thus, in the space of two years from his first entrance into public life, the Member for Middlesex had been borne on the tide to the highest wave of popular favor. He had succeded in crushing out successful opposition in his constituency; ^nd, owing to the honest, straightfor- ward and moderate course pursued by him in Parliament, was almost equally approved and trusted by both sides of the House. He now applied himself vigorously to his public duties ; took part in the debates, and was listened to with the greatest respect His character became better known in the House ; and he was frequently appointed chairman of committees. In this position his judicial mind and well-known impartiality insured justice and fair-play to all parties. Canada was fast reaching an important point in her political history. The party in power — Conservative — had not an efficient working majority. The opposition was strong enough when party lines were strictly drawn to greatly impede, if not obstruct, legislation, but too weak to carry a vote of want of confidence. Business in Parliament was at a dead-lock. The exciting question of QUEBEC CONVENTION. 163 Representation by Population had been agitated by the people for years, and was then pressing on the Legisla- ture for settlement. The British Colonies in North America, extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean, divided only by ideal lines, each Province with a separate Legislature, had little interest in common except loyalty to the mother country. Thoughtful minds of both parties viewed the political condition of Canada with extreme anxiety. A confederation of the Provinces seemed a remedy for the present, and was likely to insure pros- perity and greatness in the future. Neither political party being strong enough to carry such a measure, some of the ablest men from both sides, and representative men from the different Provinces, united and held a convention at the city of Quebec, in October, 1864. The idea of confederation was freely discussed and the main principle approved. In the parliamentary session of 1866, Sir John Macdonald, Attorney-General and leader of the House, moved : ** That a humble address be presented to Her Majesty, praying that she may be graciously pleased to cause a measure to be submitted to the Imperial Parliament, for the purpose of uniting the Colonies of Canada, Novj. Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island, in one Government ; with provisions 164 CONFEDERATION DERATE. \m i 11 based on certain resolutions, which were adopted at a conference of delegates from th<^ said Colonies, held at the city of Quebec, on the tenth of October, 1864." As might be expected, there was diversity of opinion among the members, irrespective of party, on this great question ; and a lively debate followed, lasting considera- bly over a month. The debate was more than lively. It was character- ized by an out-flow of patriotic utterances from Canadian statesmen, diverse in race, language, religion, politics and social sympathies ; but in one sentiment all agree- ing, namely — to build up an enduring common country on principles harmonizing with the Imperial parent nations in Europe, and with the illustrious companion people in America. On the seventh of March Mr. Scatcherd addressed the House. The position taken by the learned member was judicial rather than political. He was not opposed to the principle of union in itself; but questioned the inter- provincial justice of the scheme in some of the parts, which imposed for a future time financial responsibili- ties of perilous amount, and redistributed the public debt unequally. The philosophic student of history will read [in the officially reported debates of 1865] the speech of Mr. Scatcherd in the light of the cir- cumstances then impelling political party leaders to seek constitutional experiments. In its study, now at KNEW HE WAS EARNEST 165 the distance of thirteen years, the mental powers of the man continue to come out before the intellectual reader with the reality of a personal presence. The speech was history, prophecy, current statistics, conflict- ing political circumstances, philosophically blended and unfolded on floor of the House of Parliament by a statesman of judicial mind, who was great because able and earnest ; who knew he was earnest ; hardly knew he was able ; did not know he was great. m CHAPTER IX. i Mr. Thomas Scatcherd, M, P. /^~\N the first of July, 1867, the Act of Confederation ^-"^ came into operation and a new nationality was conferred upon the people. Parliament expired by lapse of time, and a general election became necessary. In accordance with the Union Act, an increased represen- tation was granted to Ontario. The West Riding of Middlesex, hitherto represented by Mr. Scatcherd, was divided. By adding to the Northern portion the town- ships of Biddulph, and McGillivray taken from the county of Huron, a new Division was formed, called the North Riding of Middlesex ; comprising the townships of Adelaide, Lobo, Biddulph, McGillivray, East and West Williams. About the first of September, writs were issued for a general election; and Mr. Scatcherd, having been urged by influential parties in the new riding to take the field, consented. A convention was held at the village of Ailsa Craig, when the names of several prominent gen- tlemen were brought forward for nomination in the Re- form interest. Mr. Scatcherd, being called upon, made a speech, characterized by a high-toned and independent RECEIVES THE NOMINATION. 1^7 exposition of his past career, and of his intended future course, should they think proper to give him the nomination. " He did not engage that, in running for the Legisla- ture, he was to be tied fast to any political party, bound to follow it through thick and thin. Nor would he undertake, if returned, to support any particular Government." This is different from the style of address heard from political adventurers, who, for the sake of parliamentary honors suffer themselves to be blindly led to oppose everything, good or bad, which does not emanate from the party with which they are, for the time, in general accord. The delegates then proceeded to select their candidate, with the following result : Scatcherd, ^ G. \V, Ross (Lobo) ^3 H. M. Wilkinson (Widder), ^° Having obtained a majority of the votes of all the delegates present, Mr. Scatcherd was declared the nom- inee of the convention for the new House of Commons. Mr. William Watson was nominated standard-bearer for the Conservative party. He was long and favorably known as a resident of the riding, and being a farmer, and Highland Scotchman of good education and plausi- U t l68 ELECTED A THIRD TIME. blc manners, his party, and indeed his opponents, felt that he was no mean antagonist. The election took place about the 20th day of Septem- ber, when the following proved to be the result: Scatcherd 1602 Watson, 871 Majority for Scatcherd, 731 This majority was larger than Mr. Scatcherd or his friends anticipated. It certainly was a surprise to Mr. Watson and his friends; and proved how firmly the mem- ber elect was seated in the confidence and affections ot the people. He had now been returned three times to Parliament ; and in proportion as he gained ground in the esteem of his constituents, he likewise acquired the respect and regard of his fellow-members of both parties. He had become an experienced member of the Legis- lature, and exercised an influence in the House justly due to his popularity in the country, as well as to an exten- sive knowledge of parliamentary law, and his indepen- dent character. Mr. Scatcherd's duties on committee during the day, and in attending and taking part in the debates at night, engrossed his whole time. Whatever his doubts and misgivings may have been, as to the effec*" of the act constituting the Federal Union, he now felt that it be- COUNTRY IJKI'OKE TARTY. 169 came every lover of his country to assist the Government of the day, in rearing and consolidating that fabric, the foundation of which had only been laid. He knew that to succeed in that great undertaking, the Government required the assistance and encouragement of the people ; and he felt that it would be unpatriotic and unjust to thwart the party in power in their attempt to complete their work. He felt that it was a time when a public man, entrusted by the people with their interests, should rise superior to party, and act solely for the welfare of the country, in its attempt to enlarge its confines and emerge into a nation. Mr. Scatcherd occasionally voted with the Government, and against his party, when feeling, that by so doing, he was best serving the interests of his country. The Hon. Sir Francis Hincks had been a life-long Reformer ; and, as such, possessed the confidence of the Reform party. Upon his retirement from the govern- ment of British Guiana, being prevailed upon by Sir John Macdonald to assume the office of Finance Min- ister, it was well known that the office had fallen into the hands of a man of consummate ability in that particular department, however much the party-men may have dis- agreed as to the propriety of his joining a conservative government. The leaders of the opposition looked upon him as little better than a turn-coat and a traitor, who had deserted 12 I70 UNDEK-CURRKNTS. his old Reform principles, and were not disposed to give him that measure of fair-play to which he was entitled in the trying task of harmonizing and reducing into system and order the financial affairs of five different provinces. Mr. Scatcherd was, however, not among those who desired to throw obstacles in the way of this eminent minister; and, when Sir Francis introduced his Bank of Issue scheme, the Member for North Middlesex warmly supported the measure on the ground, as he himself alleged, that "The Bank of Upper Canada having failed, some such measure was requisite to prevent a repetition of that ruin." The leaders of the opposition, with whom he was iden- tified as a Reformer, \vere not well satisfied with the vote on this occasion, as they had strong hopes of defeating the Guvernment on this or some kindred measure. An under-current of disapproval in regard to this and some other votes, which he felt it his duty to give, in support of the measures of the party in power, had crept into parts of his constituency, and covert threats were made that a more advanced Reformer would be brought for- ward to contest the riding at the next general election. It was even alleged, we know not whether truly or not, that orders had been issued in high quarters, that he was to be opposed at all hazards, as not sufficiently in accord with the policy of his leaders, which policy was to over- TWELVE YEARS IN PARLIAMENT. 171 turn the government of Sir John Macdonald as speedily as possible, and seize the reins of power. It is true that he had always been a Reformer, as his father was before him. It is true that he had, for twelve years, ably represented West and North Middlesex in Parliament, after having overcome his Tory opponents in three fiercely-contested elections. It is also true that in 1867 he had been elected by the Reform party by an overwhelming majority, after he had declared his inten- tion of giving the Government of Sir John a fair trial. Yet, notwithstanding all this, the more violent party-men among his former supporters, considered that the only fair trial to be given the ministry was to oppose them on all questions r^nd on every occasion, and to defeat them on the first opportunity. Mr". Scatchcrd could not share in that kind of opposition. He felt that duty to himself, as well as to his country and to his constituents, was to judge measures on their merits, and to aid ministers, as far as he consistently could, in completing the great work of confederation then going on. Such was the political philosophy and legislative patriotism of the learned mem- ber in relation to the ministry, the opposition and the country. A member of the House of Commons says: "When I went to Parliament, Mr. Scatcherd was considered one of the old members. The scat assigned me was on his left, just across a narrow alley. We sat there two ses- ■Ite' '. SilJ 1/2 THE MEMBER IN NEXT SEAT. sions without either speaking to the other. During a third session, I inquired of a member, 'What manner of a man is that Scatcherd ? ' and related the kind of neigh- bors we had been, remarking that on account of my being a younger member, I naturally expected the first ad- vances would corne from him. He said, 'My friend, you don't know him. "^ tell you he is one of the most oblig- ing men in the House, when you understand him. The first time you feel in need of any assistance just go right to him, the same as if you had known him all your life, and tell him what you want.' A few days after, I washed to present a resolution of some importance ; and, feeling I needed advice and assistance, went to Mr. Scatcherd and told him. He took the papers from my hand, drew the resolution, givinj all the information I required ; and, without adding a single outside word about anything, returned me the papers. The way in which this little kind- ness was done, expressed the pleasure he felt in doing it. I saw plainly I did not understand the man, and there- after learned to appreciate and esteem him. From that time to his death a warm friendship existed between us. I think he rarely lost a friend after making one ; but, as a rule, he very . 4dom did the making." In 1872 Parliametit expired by lapse of time, and writs were issued for a general election. A convention was held at Ailsa Craig, for the purpose of bringing out a candidate for thj North Riding of Middlesex, which had "^ Tiii V^HH t' HE WOULD NOT BE DIVERTED. 173 been represented by Mr. Scatcherd since 1867. The con- vention system has now become a fixed institution in the country, and on the whole works well, but it is not always a reflex of popular feeling. In the present instance, the Lobo delegates, m casting their votes against the pre- vious member, represented no more than the choice of a minority of the Reform votes of that township. In other words, the delegation for that township was got up in the interest of a person supposed to be more in har- mony with the extreme views of some of the party. However this may be, Mr. Scatcherd was not the sort of man to be diverted from the course he had marked out for himself no matter whether they chose to nom- inate him or net. The name of Mr. John Waters, a highly respectable farmer of East Williams, who had held the office of Reeve of that township, and has since been chosen Warden of the county, w^as brought before the conven- tion by the party opposed to Mr. Scatcherd ; and now the test was to be made as to which of these gentlemen would be the nominee of this convention. Mr. Scatcherd was first called upon to address that body, and in a long and earnest addres:;, occupying over two hours, he fully explained his parliamentary action. A writer has said of him at this time : " When we consider the peculiar position in which he was placed, with a probable opponent to contend against t -i* i ?■ 'if :t.' i. ! 174 PRINCIPLE BEFORE PARTY. in the Conservative interest, and a division in the Reform ranks, we are justified in saying tliat his speech on this occasion was characterized by a bold, fearless and rrinly exposition of his political principles, almost amounting to rashness, evincing as it did that, however much he valued his seat and position in Parliament, he was willing to relinquish both one and the other, rather than submit to the dictation of party at the expense of principle. No doubt Mr. Scatcherd felt hurt and indignant that, after all his labors in the interests of Reform, an at- tempt should now be made by a wing of the party to cast him aside, and supplant him by a candidate less independent." The result proved, however, that he was as deep in the confidence and afifections of the great body of the people as ever, for when the vote was taken, it stood : Scatcherd, 48 Waters, 19 Majority for Scatcherd, 29 !i !!'■■ ({'' The following is a summary of Mr. Scatrherd's speech, delivered before the Convention voted. It was reported in the Park Hill Gazette^ which warmly advocated the interest of its friend, Mr. Waters : I v.-j..a>ti?{*-. ,. .'-.^A, ti:,"m«v^ ,.,i:.iMf.j,i..i:ML-^>jaa^.a- FxVIR-TRIAL POLICY. 175 Speech of Mr. T. Scatcherd to the Convention hehi at Aiha Cyaig, July, 1S72. He said he came before them at this time in no wny changed in principles or practice from the time he had last appeared before this convention. He had represented North Middlesex fcr the last five years, and had before that repre- sented the then united constituencies of North and West Mid- dlesex. Altogether he had been a representative of this county for about twelve years, and felt that he had reason to be proud of his position and the continuance of public con- fidence expressed in him. In viewing his votes and his con- duct for the term which he had represented them, he felt there was nothing to repent of; and there was not one vote that he had given, but he would repeat, were he placed in the same position again. All he had to say to this convention was, that if elected by them (and he would not run unless accepted by the convention) and accepted by the constituency, he would continue to act as he always had done. Five years ago when he last appeared to contest ihe election in this riding in the interests of Reform, there were very few Reformers who could be induced to offer themselves to the constituency. To elect a Reformer at that time was no easy matter. He had won back the constituency from the hands of the Conservatives to its proper position as a Reform con- stituency. Since he had been in Parliamei ^ some of his friends had called him in ([uestion for not voting strictly with his party; but those friei^ds and this convention would remember that he had promised a " fair trial " policy if returned, and that after being elected on such a vote, and after making such promises, it would have been unmanly and indecent in him to have turned round and fiercely C'posed the Government until they had had an opportunity to explain their policy. In abstaining from a factious opposition, he was prepared to justify in detail every vote given. He had no promises to make that he would do better than he had done ; '^1 'k r i U H 'i II 176 MEASURES, NOT MEN. but was prepared to meet any one who objected to his votes at every school-house in the riding, and there defend his votes, and leave it to the electors to judge whether he had been right or wrong. • He had never aspired for any office under Government ; nor had he ever received one. He did not rei)resent this constituency for any object of personal aggrandisement, but was proud of his position as representative of such a con- stituency, and laboring for their good and our country's, was his sole object and aim. He acknowledged that some of his votes were not strictly i)arty ones. He believed that many old issues between Conservatives and Reformers were dead, and should not be revived. He instanced the weakness of the Reform party in the country, and asked what was the use in such a weak party endeavoring to oust a Government which was in such a majority. It would have been a fruitless struggle; and he considered he was doing better by accepting every measure on its merits. He acknowledged that he had voted with the Government — every member in the House had done the same thing. He voted for the measures, and not for the Government ; and considered that his single vote was of no account, even had he voted against the Government and against their preponderating niiijorities. He had not deserted the party in 1864 for a coalition. His opinions about con- federation were expressed at last election, and were indorsed by this constituency. He had therefore nothing to urge on that subject, further than that his opinions then, were his opinions now. All this clamo. about Reform and Conservatism in Ontario amounts to very little in the Dominion Parliament. There were convened members from Nova Scotia and New Bruns- wick who knew nothing about the principles of the two parties. There was no such parties in the f, Iv/o provinces; with them it was — support the Government which would do the most for them. In detailing the Government majorities from each riiiiB MM I !5 DEFIES THE FINGER OF ENVY. 177 province, he explained that it was useless to suppose, that the present opposition could get into or remain in power, except they were willing to truckle to those provinces, which had no politics but that of tlieir own aggrandizement. These would support any Government which favored them, and it was useless for Reformers to expect success in the Dominion Parlia- ment while they held to their present extreme principles. After giving his views anent the Nova Scotia subsidy, and the evil results arising therefrom, he again recurred to his own votes and defied the finger of envy or scorn to point to one vote which he had given that was prompted by selfishness. He advised the convention to be careful of their position. They should endeavor to prevent anything like a division. In the cry that he had done nothing for his riding, there was neither sense nor reason. This county was an agricultural one, and it was impossible to legislate for the benefit of the country as a whole without benefiting Middlesex; and there was no opportunity or necessity for special legislation in our behalf. He then went on to speak of the different political parties. Reform and Conservative. He said that Reformers never made successful Governments, and instanced our own Govern- ment, from 1840 up to the present; also the Government v^f Gladstone, in England. Reformers, he said were too extreme in their views. They aimed at perfection, and the consequence was that they were governmental failures. Their utopianism did well for opposition, but so soon as they became the governing power, they at once saw the impossibility of carrying out their entire principles. If they persisted in legislating strictly according to their policy while in opposi- tion, they were sure to be defeated by their opponents and the moderate men. If hey forsook any of their previous plat- forms, their ovt^n friends would turn against them and they would lose the respect of all parties. Reformers ])rofessed too much — more than they were able to fulfill. Gladstone was an ■:-i| 178 MEN OF ONE IDEA. instance of this. He went into power with a hirge majority, bift on account of his persistant efforts for extreme reform legislation, he was now on the eve of defeat. In Canada we never had a single Reform leader of the Government, who did not become tabooed by his party in the end. He instanced Hincks, Baldwin, John S. McDonald, M. Cameron and many others, as once accepted Reformers, but who now were obliged to associate with the other party, simply because of the utopianism of Reform. In the Reform party there was no single object but a con- glomeration of advocates of different species of Reforms. These could never hold together, simply because of a dissimi- larity of interests. The C onservative party is a unit. It has no divisions nor undeviable line of p/inciple, and it therefore is wide enough to take in the disaffected of a'll parties and not quarrel with them. Hence its uniform strength. It seemed impossible for the Reformers, each one holding peculiar ideas of his own, and inflexibly insisting on them, to form a successful Government. Each member of a Government must understand that he is only one of perhaps a dozen, and that he must give and take, and bide his time for the accom- plishment of his cherished ovd idea. He said a man who manages a farm of one thousand acres, and employs twenty to thirty men ; or a merchant of a similarly important enterprise, although highly successful in their avocations, would, in going to I arliament, find they could not control the House of Commons as they had done cheir own particular business. He did not consider himself a heaven-born orator, lind it was beyond the powe»" of one little man like inmself to accon Mish the overthrow of the present Governmeni, however devoutly he n ^ht wish for such an event. He would, at any of the sessic is after the first one of the last Parliament, have voted a want of confidence had it been p'oposed, but such a motion would have been entirely ELECTED A FOURTH TIME. 179 fulile. Mr. Scatcherd then closed his speech by saying that on his past conduct the convention must jud^'^e him. He could promise nothing better. Thus were extinguished the hopes of the malcontents ; and Mr. Scatcherd, being now the only candidate in the field, was on the day of nomination at the general elec- tion in August, 1872, declared by the Returning Officer duly elected to represent the free and independent electors of the North Riding of Middlesex, without opposition. The Conservatives refrained on this occasion from offer- ing a futile opposition, by bringing forward a candidate ; and, indeed, the independent course of Mr. Scatcherd in Parliament had, to a great extent, disarmed opposition in that quarter. The Conservatives knew he was not a follower of Sir John Macdonald, and that no worldly consideration would induce him to forsake those princi- ples of reform which he had always professed. But they felt that he was thoroughly honest and conscientious in. his votes, whether for or against the policy of the Gov- ernment, and that he would never give a blind adherence or support to any party, whether in power or in opposi- tion, at the dictation of any leader. The Government of Sir John had been sustained at thj polls, and when the House met in the spring of 1873, there was a majority of some forty-five members, which might be reckoned upon ; and business of the House KVi^' Mljrr»n nuMi»i imn -ii ■ ni mii - ii H I " H: I V i'r' ■llij I' h 180 ELECTED A FIFTH TIME. went on smoothly until the Hon. Mr. Huntington's famous notice of motion was given on the subject of the ** Pacific Scandal." Parliament adjourned soon after the scandal was an- nounced, and met again in October, tc deliberate on the evidence taken before a royal commission held in Mon- treal. The result was the fall of the Conservative Minis- try in the month of November, 1873. The Hon. Alexander McKenzie, who had for some years been the able leader of the Opposition, was sent for by His Excellency the Governor-General, to form a ministry. This task he accomplished ; and having closed the more urgent business of the session, Parliament was prorogued and shortly afterwards dissolved, and writs for a general election issued. This general election was held in January, 1874, when Mr. Scatcherd was again the chosen candidate to represent the North Riding. No opposition being offered from any quarter, he was re- turned by acclamation. He had now been five several times chosen to serve his country in her chief national council. Thrice he suc- ceeded against strong opposition, and twice unanimously returned without a contest; thus proving that the longer he was before the public, and the better they were able to judge and scrutinize his political career, .the more firmly he took root in their confidence and esteem. MIDNIGHT SESSIONS. I8l Once more he was called upon to resume his duties in Parliament, where his well-known reputation for ability, experience and impartiality caused his services to be sought for on various committees; thus adding greatly to the labors usually performed by members. The session of the winter and spring of 1876 was a busy one ad, in defectively-ventilated chambers, poi- soned by vitiated air, proved a severe tax upon the health of many of the members. The duties devolving upon Mr. Scatc.ierd were exceedingly onerous. In addi- tion to his labors as a prominent member of several ordinary committees, he was appointed Chairman of the Committee of Supply. To those unacquainted with par- liamentary routine, it may be explained that this is a committee of the whole House ; the members not occu- pying a room apart in the day-time, like ordinary com- mittees, but is in itself a sitting of the House. The Member for North Middlesex was for the time being Speaker. The sittings extended frequently until long after midnight, during which he would not leave the chair. It is, therefore, not surprising that the severe labor, together with interruption of the usual hours of rest required to recuperate exhausted strength, caused too great a strain upon his usually robust constitution. That he succumbed to the accumulated evil influence of overwork and an impure atmosphere, is, alas ! only too true. 'I l82 LET US FINISH OUR WALK. A strong personal friendship had grown up between Mr. Scatcherd and the Member for Kent, Mr. Rufus Ste- phenson. While taking a walk, they stood a few mo- ments to observe the voting at an election then being held in Ottawa city. Mr. Stephenson, noticing that his friend looked unusually pale, remarked : " Scatcherd, do you feel ill? You look very pale." The reply was: *' No ; I never felt better in my life ; let us finish our walk." This was Saturday afternoon, April Lst. The follow- ing Monday, Mr. Scatcherd dined with Mr. Wright, one of the members. After dinner he went to the House, and took his seat as usual. He was observed to leave before adjournment, something uncommon with him. Immediately after reaching the hotel, he retired, and passed a very restless night. Early next morning he called Dr. Browse, who thought it a bil'ous attack. The prescription appeared not to have a beneficial effect. Other remedies were administered, but without any good result. His suffering in the meantime had be- come intense. Still, his condition was not considered alarming. He did not wish to give his family any unnecessary uneasiness, and consequently did not communicate with them. On Thursday a consultation of medical men was held, md different treatment prescribed. At this time, although the symptoms were such as to excite some FAMILY AND FRIENDS COME 183 decree of alarm, his case was not thouf^ht very danger- ous. The medicines were useless. On Friday, there being no indication of improvement, his family were advised of his illness, and on Saturday sent for. Sat- urday, Sunday and Monday brought no change, except for the worse, in the obstinacy of the disease. On the morning of Tuesday the I2th his wife, son and neice arrived and found him very low. Their presence soothed and appeared to relieve him very much ; he seemed to rally, and partook of refreshments with relish. The improvement did not continue long. It became evident to all he was in a most critical condition. Much had been expected from his strong and vigorous constitu- tion; but nothing seemed to avail. On Thursday dispatches were sent to his brother James and to his law-partner, Mr. W. R. Meredith. They arrived on Friday. He was greatly pleased to see them. His pleasure was expressed more by a feeling of contentment and resignation than by words. During the afternoon he felt better and was able to stand up ; asked for refreshments, partook of them, and spoke of their tasting good. He turned him- self unaided in bed, folded his arms, and fell into what appeared a placid and refreshing sleep. Those favorable indications raised the hopes of family and friends, and led them to think and hope the crisis in his disease had been reached and safely passed, notwith- standing the physicians had given him up. A sad disap- :i Bsai IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. ^ i^ 1.0 I.I 'iflllM IM ' m 1112.2 u m 18 1.25 1 1.4 1.6 .« 6" » y} ^ VI c^: ^^ s o A 7 W Photographic Sdences Corporation S ■4<- ■^^^ ^^ $s o ^■'.'*- PUBLIC EXPRESSION. 20 1 in Ottawa on Saturday morning last, causes a real loss to t' e body of which he was a member, and the constituency that he represented. He was an admirable example of that class of men who, though the outside public know but little of them as in proportion t^ their merits, nevertheless have a weight and value in the House that is not attained by many of those whom the Hansard has delighted to honor. The son of the late John Scatcherd, Esq., himself for some time the representative of West Middlesex in the Canadian Assembly, and a well-known figure for many years in Upper Canadian politics, Mr, Scatch- erd had been in political life since 1861. Able, clear-headed, and impartial, he was the almost invariable Chairman of the Committee of Supply, and there can be no doubt that the sev- erity of his labors in connection with this position, did much to sow the seeds of the disease to which he succumbed. It was hoped until the other day that his illness was not of a serious nature, and it was only for a day or two before his death that the gravity of his situation was realized. He v.'ts greatly liked and respected by all with whom he came in contact, both on ac- count of his ability and his character; and his death is a severe blow to his many friends. From the Montreal Gazette, April I'j (leading Conservative Paper). Death of Mr. Scatcherd, M. P. — We deeply regret to chronicle the death of Mr. Thomas Scatcherd, the Member for North Middlesex, which took place at the Russell House, Ottawa, on Saturday morning, Mr, Scatcherd was taken ill about a fortnight ago with what was thought to be a severe at- tack of bilious fever. For the first three or four days of his illness he suffered most severely, getting literally no sleep, and being unable to retain any food. Dr. Brouse, who was in con- stant attendance upon him, then regarded him as in a fair way of recovering, and, although he was very weak, no serious ap- prehensions for him were entertained. As his recovery was so 14 202 PUBLIC EXPRESSION. slow, however, it was deemed prudenl to send for Mrs. Scatcli- erd, who, with her niece, arrived in Ottawa on Tuesday last. Finding the patient so very feeble, it was decided to send for his brother and other relatives, among them his son, who, how- ever, arrived too late to see him alive. During the latter part of the week he sank rapidly, and, after some hours of uncon- sciousness, passed away on Saturday morning. Mr. Scatcherd was elected for the West Riding of Middle- sex at the election of 1861, and has since represented the North Riding in the Commons of Canada. He was a native of the county, having been born at Wyton, township of Nissouri, in 1823. His father represented the West Riding of the county in the old Parliament of Canada. He was a man of good though not showy abilities, and of very sterling common sense. He seldom took part in the debates of Parliament, although when he did so, he spoke tersely and to the point, and was al- ways well listened to. For some years past he has been the Chairman of the Committee of Supply, and his illness is at- tributed in part to the labor this position involved, especially during the absurdly long sittings which Mr. Mackenzie in- sisted on forcing upon members. In his last illness he was at- tended with unremitting care by Mr. Rufus Stephenson, the Member for Kent, who remained over after the adjournment in order to watch by his bed-side. The funeral took place from Ottawa on Saturday morning, the body being conveyed to London, where it will be interred. From the Hamilton Times. Mr. Scatcherd, than whom there were few, if any, more con- scientious and hard-working members in the House, was un- remitting in his attendance. Being well versed in the rules of debate, and on points of order, he was nearly always called to the chair when the House was in committee upon important legal measures, or in Committee of Supply, where he alone PUBLIC EXPRESSION. 203 shared the duties with Mr. Young, of Waterloo, who in Mr, Scatcherd's absence presided altogether. By his death the House will sustain an almost irreparable loss. His ability, fair- ness, assiduity and genial disposition made him one of the most respected and popular members in Parliament, and the illness of no one caused more regret than his. From the Toronto Mail. Mr. Scatcherd had been in Parliament from 1861 to the time of his death. A steady adherent of the Reform side of politics, he was a useful man to his party in the House of which he was a member. He rarely spoke at much length, but he invariably spoke in a way to command attention, because of the excellent common sense, which dictated his utterances. As Chairman of the Committee of Supply for several years he did good service. Though of quiet and unobtrusive habits, he made many friends and was universally liked and respected. Prom the Toronto Globe. He was known as a most efficient member of the House of Commons, and had, since the present Government came into office, usually occupied the chair in Committee of Supply, while on other occasions his sound judgment and practical knowledge caused his services in the Select and Standing Com- mittees of the House to be frequently called into requisition. He was not a frequent speaker, and seldom on the floor for more than a few minutes at a time, but his remarks were always shrewd and to the point, and listened to with the greatest re- spect. Although a firm supporter of the Government, he was accustomed to express his views with much frankness and inde- pendence. Beneath a somewhat reserved manner might be dis- covered a kind and genial nature, and a strong sense of justice in his relation to those with whom in his parliamentary career 204 PUBLIC EXPRESSION. he was brought into contact. With him a good and useful man has passed away, leaving, it may safely be said, in the constitu- ency he reprcaented and the assembly to which he belonged, not one who would begrudge this tribute due to his memory. From the London Advertiser. Death of Mr. Scatcherd, M. P. — The general public of Ontario, and more particularly that portion of it residing in London and the west, learned with much concern that Mr. Thomas Scatcherd, M. P., had been lying seriously ill at Ottawa for some time past. The reports received from day to day, led to an alternation between hope and fear on his account, but it at last became evident to most that a fatal weakness had set in. It is now our painful duty to record his death, which took place peacefully on Saturday, at three o'clock A. M. At the time of his decease he was surrounded by his family and many personal friends, including his part- ner, Mr. Meredith, Mr. Rufus Stephenson and others. Every- thing had been done for him which medical skill and individ- ual solicitude could devise, but without permanent avail. Mr. Scatcherd was eminently a London man. Born not many miles distant, at Wyton, in November, 1823; he finished his educa- tion at the London District Grammar School, and was called to the Bar in 1848. Soon after, he entered into a partnership in his profession with Mr. E. J. Parke, which continued suc- cessfully for some time. Subsequently, he pursued business on his own account, and for some years past in association with Mr. William Meredith, M. P. P., and acted for a consid- erable period as City Solicitor. In 1851 he married Miss Isabella Sprague, of Yarmouth. His father, Mr. John Scatch- erd — who emigrated to Canada in 1821 — was elected to repre- sent the important riding of West Middlesex in Parliament of United Canada in 1854, but dying soon after, was succeeded in the representation by his son Thomas. Upon the re-divis- PUBLIC EXPRESSION. 205 ion of the county for electoral purposes, he was invited to contest the North Riding, which he did successfully in 1867, and carried the constituency by acclamation in 1872, and again at the last general election in 1874. Mr. Scatcherd's political affinities were with what is known as the Reform party, but he had the good-will of men of all parties. He was not an extremist in anything, but held a well-balanced judgment upon all affairs. Within the walls of Parliament no one has been more respected, and his name has often been advanced as that of one whose position and services entitled him to a seat in the Government of the country. He was always a hard worker on important commit- tees, and as Chairman of the Committee of the Whole during some sessions past, won general approval by his assiduity, his fairness and thorough knowledge of affairs brought under notice. Though he could not be said to be a leading speaker in the House, yet when he did rise to his feet, he had always something to say that was worth listening to, and his eloquence, though unadorned, was none the less convincing. In his efforts before juries, he displayed the faculty of keeping his language within the comprehension of those whom he was called upon to address, and by the simplicity of his style and sincerity of purpose, attained the position of a favorite pleader at the London Bar. In his social capacity he was much es- teemed. Everybody had a good word for Mr. Scatcherd, and though in his professional as his political capacity, he was obliged to come in adverse contact with many interests, he has passed away without leaving an enemy behind him. Among the principal features in his character which contributed to his success, was a perfect trustworthiness in all his transactions, a probity and candor which were never found lacking. His decease in the fifty-third year of his age, is deeply regretted by a very large circle of friends, and will leave a painful gap in that community of citizenship, which dates in London from the day of small things up to the present prosperous condition 2o6 PUBLIC EXPRESSION. of affairs. The remains of Mr. Scatcherd will be attended to their last resting-place by a very numerous retinue of sorrowing friends and acquaintances. From the London Daily Advertiser, The Bar, Board of Education and City Council Express Condolence. — The universal regret felt by all classes of the community over the death of the late Thomas Scatcherd, Esq., is the best index of the esteem in which that gentleman was held during a long residence in London. He had grown up with the city, and had seen it rise from an obscure place in the wilderness to a thriving commercial center. His heartfelt desire was to witness London advance, and become what nature has intended it should be, the leading city of Western Ontario. As a professional man he was most widely known and respected hereabouts, and in West and North Middlesex in the capacity of politician the deceased was looked up to as a gentleman whose advice was worth procuring. No wonder then that sympathy of the sincerest kind should be shared by a large class of people, on the occasion of his death. The funeral, which has been arranged to take place from his late residence, Dundas street east, at three o'clock this afternoon, to St. Paul's Cathedral Cemetery, London East, will, we feel sure, bear out the remarks made above, both as regards numbers and respectability. The members of the Bar, the School Trustees, the Board of Alder- men, the Police Force and the Fire Department, in addition to very large deputations from the townships surrounding this city, together with citizens generally, will attend the obsequies of the deceased, which are to take place punctually at the hour named. On the plate of the metallic coffin is en- graved, **T. Scatcherd, aged fifty-two years; died April 15th, 1876," The pall-bearers on the occasion will comprise many of Mr. Scatcherd's warmest friends, namely, Messrs. MEETING OF THE LONDON BAR. 20/ J. C. Meredith, E, W. Ilyman, E. Leonard, Hon. John Carling, V. Cronyn, W. Horton, George Webster, S. H. Gray- don, M. Macintyre (West Williams), and John Flanigan (McGillivray). Action of the London ^ar. At three o'clock yesterday afternoon, and for the first time in twenty years, the members of the Bar of London met at the court-house to express regret at the death of one of their number, and he the late Thomas Scatcherd, Q. C, who died in Ottawa, at an early hour on Saturday morning last. There were in attendance, Messrs. W. Horton; E.J. Parke; James Shanly; C. D. Holmes; H. Macmahon, Q. C.; W. C. L. Gill; T. Partridge ; V. Cronyn; B. Cronyn ; T. O'Brien ; R.Bayly; J. H. Fraser, M. P.; D. McMillan, M. P.; E. Meredith; M, D. Fraser; E. R. Reid ; C. Hutchinson; A. Greenlees; C. Goodhue; John Macbeth; J. Martin; C. S. Corrigan ; J. R. Dixon; John Taylor; H. Becher; W, H. Bartram ; Geo. McNab, and others. On motion, Col. Shanly was elected Chairman and Col. Macbeth Secretary. The Chairman, in opening the meeting, referred to the purpose for which the meeting had been called — to express their sorrow at the death of our late brother, Mr. Scatcherd, a gentleman who was, during a long professional career deservedly esteemed and respected by all with whom he had professional intercourse. It was for the meeting to take whatever action might be deemed best to carry out the object for which the members of the Bar had been called together. Before resuming his seat he reati the following note from His Honor Judge Elliot: My Dear Sir : I should like to join in any expression of regret on the occasion of the removal from amongst us of one so much esteemed as the late Mr. Scatclierd. If, as I hear, there is to be a meeting of the Bar 208 EXPRESSION OF THE LONDON BAR. to-day for this, or for a kindred object, may I trouble you to give expression of my lieartfelt sympathy and concurrence with it. Believe me, yours sincerely, William Elliot, London, A/>nl 17, 1876. Mr. C. D. Holmes then moved, seconded by Mr. H. Macmahon, Q. C, that Messrs. Flock, Bayly, Horton, J. H. Fraser, the Chairman and the mover be a committee to draft resolutions (and prepare a programme) suitable to the occasion. The Committee presented the following resolutions : Whereas, We, the Members of the Bar of Middlesex, have heard the announcement of the death of our brother, tlie late Thomas Scatcherd, Esq., Q. C, with feelings of the deepest regret, and with the most painful sense of the loss the profession has sustained in his sudden and unexpected removal from amongst us. Resolved : That we attend the funeral of our deceased brother in a body, in our robes, and that we wear a badge of mourning for thirty days as a testimony of the profound respect which we entertain for his memory. Resolved : That while in common with the public generally we deplore the death of our late brother and feel that he will long continue to occupy an affectionate place in our hearts, we desire in an especial manner to tender to Mrs. Scatcherd, her children and the relatives of the deceased, our most heartfelt sympathy in this their great bereavement and affliction. Resolved : That the foregoing resolutions be engrossed on paichment and forwarded to Mrs. Scatcherd by the Chairman. Mr. Macmahon moved, seconded by Mr. M. D. Fraser, the adoption of the above resolutions. Mr. W. Horton said he desired to make a few remarks. When we last met here some three weeks since, I little im- agined we would be called together upon such an occasion as this. I have known Mr. Scatcherd longer than any other member of the Bar in London, and for no member did I entertain more respect and esteem than for him. Whetlier BOARD OF EDUCATION. 209 in a public or private capacity our late brother was invariably guided by honorable motives, and I feel that in his death I have lost a warm and sincere friend. I am sure that every member of the Bar will join with me in feelings of regret, and extend our sincerest sympathy to the bereaved family. Mr. Shanly felt sure that the sentiments uttered by his old friend Mr. Horton, would find a hearty response in the hearts of all present, and he could, on his part, but echo them. Mr. Flock then moved, seconded by Mr. Taylor, that the members of the Bar meet at the office of Messrs. Macmahon, Gibbons & McNab, to-morrow (Tuesday) afternoon, at 2.30 o'clock, and then proceed in a body to the late residence of deceased. i Action of the Board of Education. The Board of Education met in the Clerk's office at 4.30. There were present — Messrs. Cronyn (Chairman), Moffat, Reid, Wright, Orvell, Bayly, Cousins, Plummer, Miller, Sharman, Craig, Johnston, Shaw, Mcintosh, Reed, Wilson. The Chairman said he had called the members of the Board together in ^rder that they might have an opportunity of recording their sense of loss, in what must be to them, as it was to the city and to the country generally, a sad affair, and of paying a tribute to one whom they all so much respected. Although not a member of this Board, Mr. Scatcherd had acted as its solicitor for many years, and he believed the members of the Board individually had found in the deceased gentleman a true friend. The Chairman then referr( d to his personal friendship v, ith the deceased, stating that for the last few years he had been much thrown in contact with Mr. Scatcherd, and could bear testimony to his urbanity of char- acter, and to his many kind and sympathetic acts in private life as well as to his upright public conduct. 210 EXPRESSION OF THE BOARD. Mr. Wright moved, and Mr. Reid seconded, that the follc^v- ing gentlemen form a committee to draft resolutions in reference to the object for which the Board had met: The Chairman, Messrs. Moffat and Bayly. Mr. Reid claimed twenty-five years acquaintanceship with the deceased, and held the city and country generally had sus- tained a severe loss. He coincided in all the Chairman had said, and feeling this was not an occasion for much speaking, refrained from saying more. The Committee having returned with the resolutions, they were moved as follows : Moved by Mr. Alex. Johnson, seconded by Mr. Plummer, that the members of the Board of Education desire to join in the general feeling of sorrow occasioned by the death of Thomas Scatcherd, Esq., one of our most highly esteemed and respected citizens, and to record their deep sense of the loss which our city and country has sustained in the removal of one who in public as well as in private life was so much respected and esteemed, and they would express their sympathy with the family in their affliction. Moved by Mr. Reid, seconded by Mr. Cousins, that out of respect to the memory of the late Mr. Scatcherd, the members of this Board attend his funeral to-morrow, in a body, and that a copy of the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to Mrs. Scatcherd, by the Chairman. It is understood that the members of the Board (except those cor.iected with the Bar) will meet in the City Hall, this afternoon, at half past two and proceed with the City Council to the residence of the deceased. Action of the Board of Aldeimen. The Board of Aldermen met in the City Clerk's office, last evening. His Worship The Mayor, presiding, and present : Aldermen Ra[)ley, Skinner, Partridge, Sen., Minhinnick, Mc- II EXPRESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL. 211 Phail, Christie, Hiscox, Williams, McColl, Campbell, Pritchard, Brown, Lewis, Fitzgerald, Thompson and Ross. The Mayor, before proceeding with business, said it was his painful duty to inform the members — as no doubt they were aware of the fact — of the death of our valued servant, Thomas Scatcherd, Esq., for many years past our respected City Solicitor. He believed it was customary on occasions of this kind, out of respect to departed worth, to move resolutions of condolence with the family of berea^'ed ones, and he was ready now to receive a resolution of that character. Alderman Campbell then arose and moved : That this Council, having he^rd with feelings of extreme regret of the death of Thomas Scatcherd, Esq., M. P., which occurred while attending to his parliamentary duties in Ottawa ; be it, therefore, Resolved: That we hereby express our deep sorrow fit his sudden and unexpected removal, and our high appreciation of his long and valuable services as City Solicitor and legal adviser, as well as our heartfelt sympathy for his bereaved wife and family in their affliction, and that, as a tribute of respect to his memory, we do now adjourn, to meet here at 2.30 P. M., to-morrow, as a corporation, and attend the funeral of our deceased friend at the appointed hour, and that a copy of this resolution be engrossed and sent to his family. Alderman Campbell, in speaking to the resolution said, when it was known that the late Mr. Scatcherd could not recover, a veritable gloom was cast over the city, and not a house in town but the members thereof felt that a good man had been removed from amongst us. As a professional man, Mr. Scatcherd was universally respected, and as a Canadian, he was an honor to his country. During his term of office he had given the city sound, honest advice, and although it may not have been to our liking at times, still we knew that we were advised by an honest man. He was sure that but one feeling pervaded all cUsses, and that was one of universal regret at the death of an esteemed citizen, who could be approached by any one, no matter wliat his position in life. 212 EMULATE HIS EXAMPLE. Alderman Fitzgerald seconded the resolution. After instructing Captain Wigmore, Chief of Police, to make the usual arrangements, the Council adjourned to meet at the call of the Mayor. It only remains to be said, that if these pages should be the means of inducing others to emulate the virtues, to walk in the footsteps, or to become aroused by the example of THOMAS SCATCHERD, the labor bestowed in this attempt to delineate his useful and honorable life will be fully requited. The author would express his indebtedness to Mr. Alexander Somerville of Toronto, for valuable contribu- tions, and for his assistance in carrying this volume through the press. ,ke :he lid es, ;he in life V[r. bu- me FAMILY RECORD. iFamU» Jaetovlr^ THOMAS SCATCHERD'S CHILDREN. Born in Beverley and Wyton, Yorkshire, England. Emily ScATCHERD, May 6, 1788 Lavinia Scatcherd, June 12, 1791 James Newton Scatcherd, . . Feb. 6, 1793 Thomas Scatcherd, April 12, 1795 Jane Scatcherd, June 18, 1796 Mary Scatcherd, Aug. 20, 1797 Thomas Scatcherd, Jan. 21, 1800 John Scatcherd, Jan. 21, 1800 Thomas Scatcherd, April 30, 1802 Anne Scatcherd, April 30, 1802 nm iFamils Mecovlr^ JOHN SCATCHERD'S CHILDREN. Born in Canada. Born in Wyton. Thomas Scatcherd, Nov. lo, 1823 James Newton Scatcherd, . . Dec. 4, 1824 Emily Scatcherd Sept. 24, 1826 John Scatcherd, July 22, 1828 Jane Scatcherd, . . . . . . Aug. 3, 1830 Born in London. Robert Colin Scatcherd, . . . Nov. 12, 1832 George Scatcherd, Feb. 12, 1835 Born in Wyton. William Scatcherd, Jan. 22, 1837 Lavinia Scatcherd, March 5, 1839 Anne Scatcherd, Jan. 22, 1841 Mary Eleanor Scatcherd, . . June 18, 1843 Harry Newton Scatcherd, . . Aug. 3, 1845 .iFamtlj? Uttotlr* THOMAS SCATCHERD'S CHILDREN. Born at Terrace Bank, Canada. John Scatcherd, Nov. i6, 1824 Foster Scatcherd, Feb. 24, 1826 Anne Scatcherd, Aug. 22, 1827 James Farley Scatcherd, . . May 10, 1829 Thomas Scatcherd, .... Jan. 11, 1830 Turner Scatcherd, .... Jan. 11, 1830 Thomas Scatcherd, .... Dec. 18, 1831 Mary Scatcherd, Dec. i, 1833 Jane Scatcherd, . . . . . Dec. 14, 1835 William Bailey Scatcherd, . Jan. 7, 1838 Emily Charlotte Scatcherd, Dec. 3, 1840 Lavinia Scatcherd, .... March 11, 1842 Lavinia Scatcherd, .... July 12, 1843 Lavinia Amelia Scatcherd, . April 29, 1845 Edwin Scatcherd, . . . . . July 18, 1847 George Turner Scatcherd, . Aug. 6, 1849 Harry Newton Scatcherd, . Dec. 6, 1853 ■M Jfnmiln Mttov\i. JOHN FARLEY'S CHILDREN. Born in Armagh, Ireland. Anne Farley, Sept. i6, 1802 James Farley, Dec. 17, 1804 Jane Farley, Jan. 27, 1806 Turner Farley, Sept. 17, 1810