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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too ierge 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 es required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent Atre filmic A des taux de reduction diffirents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seui cliche, ii est fiimi A partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche A droits, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'imeges nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 w^ ^ OS THR MMMmnm ReRistered, according to Act of Parlia- ment, in the year 1884, by Jamu MclNTTRB, in the office of tbe Min- ister of Ag^culture. MUSINGS ON THE Banks of Canadian Thames, INCLUDING POEMS ON LOCAL, CANADIAN AND BRITISH SUB- JECTS, AND LINES ON THE GREAT POETS C P ENGLAND, IRELAND, SCOTLAND AND AMERICA, WITH A GLANCE AT THE WARS IN VICTORIA'S REIGN. BY JAMES McINTYRE. INOERSOLL, ONT. INGERSOLL : PRINTED BY H. ROWLAND, AT THE "TRIBUNE" PRINTING HOUSE. 1884. 71083 J MUSINGS — OH TBI— BANKS OF CANADIAN THAMES, -BY- JAMES McINTYRE, INGERSOL.L. PROLOGUE. My friends, we sing Canadian themes, For in them we proudly glory ; Her lakes, her rivers and her sti'eams. Worthy of renown in story. And in these leaves we hope is strewn Some wheat among the chaff, And maple boughs, bv rude axe hewn. Where one may find a rustic staff To help him o'er the rugged lines. Some see no beauties near to home, But do admire the distant far — They alwavs love abroad to roam, •View gloiv in but far off star ; But, let it never be forgot That distant hills, when closer seen. Are after all a barren spot — Not like your own hills, clad in green. You'll find they are but idle dreams. To search for happiness afar : r if PROLOGUE. At homo there*8 lovely lake?) and streains. Remain content now where you are. At us we hope you will not rage Because we sing of local charms Id each varied town and village, As well as round our rural farms. But our address it must be brief, So now we bid you all adieu ; But, of our book, pray road each leaf. Until the whole you have gone through ; E^ch one doth know it is not wise, Though our song may not be vocal. Chants of our home for to despise, But prize them 'cause they are local. From our experience of over a quarter of a century, writing rhymes on local subjects, we find they are preserved more carenilly, and are more impressed on people's minds than prose articles on the same svbjects. This has induced us to compile this little volume. Please accept this apology. The Author. BEMINI8CENCK. REMINISCENCES On the laying of the comer stone of the Brock Monument, at Queenston Heights, and the final interment of the General who had fallen at the battle of Queenston, Oct. 13th, 1812. The remains of his Aid, Col. McDonald, were also depos- ited under the new tower. A wail went o'er broad Canada, When it was known a vile outlaw Had, at midnight's awful hour. With ruffian hand, blown up the tower 'Neath which had slept the gallant Brock, Who bravely fell on Queenston 's rock ; But graceful column soon shall rise. Its beauteous shaft will kiss the skies. For, from Queenston's woody height You may behold a pleasing sight. The grim old veterans of the war, Militiamen with many a scar, Indian braves from each nation, Group'd to pay the last ovation, 'Round the remains of General Brock, Who led them oft in battle's shock. Old heroes now again do rally — Feebly they move along the valley, Not as they rushed in days of yore When torrent-iike thiey onward bore And swept away the foeman's ranks O'er Niagara's rugged banks ; So indignant was their grief On Using of their warrior chief. Now, with triumphal funeral car, Adorned with implements of war. tn O KUPTIAL ODI ON CANADA. The lad proceMion ilow Moendi, Ai round the hill its way it wendi, Marching to mournful, eolemn note, While brave old flagi around it float. And now, may peace be never broken 'Mong lands where saxon tongue ia spoken, *' For peace hath victories by far More glorious than horrid war." Enffland doth Longfellow revere And America loves Shakspeare. The oration on the above interesting occasion was de* livered bv the late Hon. William Hamilton Merritt, projector of the Welland Canal. He served at the battle when & voung man. The remains of the General had been removea to a gentieman's residence in the valley while the vault under the new monument was being prepared. We witnessed the im- pressive ceremony and shall never forget it. — The Author. NUPTIAL ODE ON CANADA. Written during the visit of delegates from the Lower Provinces to negotiate for confederation. Hail Brittannia's noblest daughter. Who is surrounded by the water Of manv a lake and broad sea, Land of Beaver and Maple Tree. Her lofty brow is wreathed with smiles, ^For, from the far Atlantic isles In pomp, have come their delegates. All seeking to unite their fates With Canada, great Northern Queen. And now, throughout the land, is seen WILCOMK TO THE PRIKCE OF WALKS. Hlffh festival and stately dance, Tnumphant nuptials to advance. And soon shall Red River valley And distant Vancouver, rally To form this empire gigantic, From Pacific to Atlantic. WELCOME TO THE PRINCE OF WALES. Lines written when the Prince of Wales was about embarking for Canada, May, 1860. In his long voyage o'er the sea, To where doth grow the maple tree. May he be blest M'ith pleasant gales — The coming man, the Prince of Wales. The Maple grows but in good soil, Where nature doth reward for toil. The farmer, splitting his fence rails. He welcome bids the Prince of Wales. In the woods the axe is ringing. And the yoeman merry singing ; The song resounds o'er hills and dales — Our future king, the Prince of Wales. 'Round the brow of our future chief We'll weave a wr ath of maple leaf. For o'er broad Canada prevails Kind feeling^) to the Prince of Wales. When in this land the Prince arrives May he have man 7 pleasant drives. And on our lakes nave merry sails — Great king of princes, Ptince of Wales. fl'^ LAMENT OF THE MAPLE TREE. * LAMENT OF THE MAPLE TREE. [a vision] ** We had a dream which toca not aU a dream."— Bteoic, I laid me down one day in June ; It was late — lonkj after noon — A very sultry summer's eve, Such times the senses oft deceive. The place was 'neath a maple tree, Soon from all cares and troubles free, By a gentle, kindly slumber, % No more our sorrows we could number. But we heard a plaintive wail, ^ 8uch as we find in fairy tale ; It was the genius of the tree. Who, in sad guise, appeared to me. And then she sadly did give vent Unto this awful, grave lament, *^ Though I am gay in month of June, All decked in green ; yet very soon, Alas ! my beauty will be faded, And my charms be all degraded, For is my time of glory brief ; So often flattered is my leaf. In Canada, so broad and free, All poets sing of the maple tree. High I stand, in their opinion, Emblem of the New Dominion. The reason I do them upbraid, iSome never slept beneath my shade ; And yet they take the liberty To chant about the maple tree. They dare to poetize my leaf — This is the source of all my grief. I think their praises all so rude, And as but base ingratitude ; So often hackneved is my name. That every fall I burn with shame — Like maiden's cheek which blushes red LAMENT OF THK MAPLE TREE. When vain rash youth asks her to wed. Then do these foolish ones descry In me fresh beauty, and they sigh, Add then renew their songs of praise — But unto me now sad their lays ; For then I know my days are brief, 'Tis hectic flush upon my leaf. True poets, then, should mournful sing, When the destroyer's on the wins ; For then I know my leaves of gold Will all soon mingle with the mould. No one does ever think to praise The fell destroyer when he slays ; None rejoice in the flushed cheek. When the poor girl is low and weak. Perhaps they'll say, and it is true, In Spring my glory I'll renew ; But tis poor comfort after all, To lose my offispriug every Fall, Small consolation to mother To tell her that soon another Will replace her fond darling boy. Who has been source of all her joy. But you know all about my wood. You know that it is strong and good ; And I have full many a curl, And pleasing eye and charming nurl. Some love me as fond nature grain'd And some prefer my beauties stain'd ; But my dear friend I hope that you My varied shades like pure and true, For of the woods you know the staple, Stoutest and beat, is gr)od maple. The youth my sugar eat with glee And old maids love me in their tea. In me do various uses meet — In summer shade, in winter heat, For I do make a glorious blaze. All worthy of the poet's lays ; But to their praises I'll be deaf If more they harp about my leaf — If 10 LINES ON VIOLETS. They call me gay when I am sober, To me 'tis gloomy month, October. But saints on earth, when they die Hope for true bliss beyond the sky, So winter does bring no alarms Though it strip bare my trunk and arms, For now I know that time will bring More glorious foliage in the spring. Then, all nature will rejoice. Triumphing with glorious Toice, And birds will, in my branches, sing Hosannas to the lovely spring. [The nurls and bird's eyes and curls were highly prized in furniture thirty years ago, when we used the smooth plain.] LINES ON VIOLETS. Once, while digginir 'neatli the snow, 'Mid Canadian winter, lo ! To our joy and surprise. We saw some violets in full bloom, Gazing at us with loving eyes. Thanking us for opening their tomb Yet still they seemed so cozy and nice. Enshrined in tlie crystal ice. While all else was d> ooping, dead, Gaily they held up their head. L<^. FIOHT OP A BUFFALO WITH WOLVES. 11 PATRIOTIC ODE. Written during the last excitement on the Canadian frontier. Rejoice, rejoice, we all do stand. United in one mighty band ; No traitors in our land we find, \ All one in heart all one in mind. Resolute in their opinion — None shall conquer our Dominion ! For every man with dauntless mien Will rally round our flag and queen. FIGHT OF A BUFFALO WITH WOLVES. Wt were so deeply impressed with the courase displayed by a buffalo in a prose tale that we transposed the description into verse. A buffalo, lord of the plain, With massive neck and mighty mane. While from his herd he slowly strays. He on green herbage calm doth graze ; And when at last he lifts his eyes, A savage wolf he soon espies ; But scarcely deigns to turn his head. For it inspires him with no dread. He knows the wolf is treacherous foe. But feels he soon could lay him low. A moment more, and there's a pair, Whose savage eyes do on him glare ; But with contempt them both he scorns. Unworthy of his powerful horns . Their numbers soon do multiply, But the whole pack he doth defy ; He could bound quickly o'er the plain. And his own herd could soon regain. His foes they now are full a score. With lolling tongues pant for his gore ; w 12 DISASTER TO STEAMER VICTORIA. He hears their teeth all loudly gnash, - So eager his big bones to crash. On every side they him infest, The north, the south, the east, the west ; Fierce rage doth now gleam from hi& eye. Resolved to conquer or to die. 'Round him they yelp, and howl and growl, He glares on them with angry scowl ; They circle closer him around. He roars and springs with mighty bound ; And of his power gives ample proof. Felling them with horn and hoof. Though some lay dead upon the plain. Yet their attack was not in vain. For they have tasted of his blood. Resolved it soon shall pour a flood. He feels that they have torn his hide, And streams gush from each limb and side ; He rushes on them in despair And tosses them full high in air. But others rush on him and pull Down to the earth that glorious bull ; On the flesh of this noble beast. Their bloody jaws they soon do feast. Full worthy of a better fate, Far from his herd and his dear mate ; And they do look for him in vain, His bones do whiten now the plain. DISASTER TO STEAMER VICTORIA AT LONDON. ft At London, Thames is a broad stream Which was the scene of a sad theme. A fragile steamer there did play O'ercrowded on a Queen's Birthday, While all on board was bright and gay ; But soon, 'neath the cold water, lay Naught but forms of lifeless clay, Which made, alas ! sad month of May. FIGHT WITH A BEAR. 13 [DON. FIGHT WITH A BEAR. The following appeared in Truth in the form of a prose tale of coDsiderabie length. We have concentrated the essence thereof into the few verses below. It is a tale of the Canadian North- West, during the times of the Hudson Bay Company's rule. Two youths, employed at the fur fort. Resolved to have half-day of sport ; From Jasper House, in the far north, ' For game, they joyous issued forth. The factor of the Hudson Bay Granted them a few hours' play, And it was in cold winter time, * When thick on lake was glassy rime ; Bat beneath, o'er all their route. They saw below big speckled trout. With hatchet, ice they did clear And the beauteous trout did spear, For they were longing tor a dish Of this sweet and eavory fish. And they caught many, too, with bait. For in the day it was not late. But it was cloudy with snow storm ; Yet they saw the noble form. While the hurricane did blow, Of a fine, noble bu£falo, So they resolved to have a treat Of the delicious buffalo meat ; But he did on his haunches rear — To their surprise it was a bear. The lake being smooth, the youths did ska te. Resolved for to seal his fate ; A pistol shot made bruin roar, And from him trickled drops of gore. They round him skate, and fresh olood drew When they at him the hatchet threw ; 14 FIGHT WITH A BEAR. He chased one and then the other, For men on skates did him bother. But the bold Scottish lad, McBeath, Alas ! he nearly met his death, When he so boldly did press near To probe him with the sharp fish spear, For with fell swoop the paws of bmin To him they almost did bring ruin ; But he so dexterously did skate That he escaped suck horrid fate. And now they skated back to fort For aid for to renew the sport. They knew their game was no trifle So they secured a trusty rifle. , Ketuming he had fled to wood, But they tracked him with his blood, For they did not yet despair But that they would capture bear. They saw the elder bushes sway While he did force throush them his way. And heard the brushwood loudly snap, Where he went through he left a gap. They akated swiftly o^r the ice * And were near brushwood in a trice ; Full soon the savage beast is slain, W^ith rifle bullet in his brain. And now these himters do take pride In skin as large as buffalo hide. For Indian stripped the skin of bear And left the carcass in his lair. {. CANADIAN SPORTS AND GAMES AND PLAYS. 15 CANADIAN SPORTS AND GAMES AND PLAYS. Bums sang of joys of Hallowe'en, But in Canada is oft seen By far more jolly times than these, At logging raising, paring bees, For here the youth is not afraid To dance long side of pretty maid, For this, at night, is his leviard For working at the bee so hard. And oft times till the break of day At forfeits they will merry play. For he doth win, e'en though he miss, If from sweet lass he gets a kiss. But in its place doth justly prize His tea and cakes, and pumpkin pies. When winter comes it brings no gloom. But makes fresh pleasures spring and bloom, For when the youth longs for a bride He gives his girl a grand sleigh ride. Which to them both doth pleasures bring, While merry sleigh bells cheery ring ; And, with the fair maid of his choice. He graceful skates with her on ice — Charming mode of locomotion. Gliding o'er a polished ocean. Such joys they soon do love evolve, And they on union do resolve. He is happv with his chosen. For warm love gets never frozen. And young folks oft they do take pride How swift they down the hill can glide, ■ And they bravely dare the forest king So they may enjoy the coasting, Each striving for to lead the van In the swift-shooting toboggan. » And on the ice men love to hurl The polished blocks, to skilful curl, 16 LINES ON METHODIST UNION, And curlers all do proudly claim T heir's is a manly, nealthy game ; And in Canadians you trace > A generous, hardy and brave race. And brilliant as a fairy hall Is scenes on ice at carnival. Before the gale in an ice boat, It swiftly o er the ice doth float, The sensation is, you fly Like lightning shooting through the sky. In summer time, the youth do toss The ball at the keen game, lacrosse. And tradition doth for it claim That it is ancient Indian game ; And if a foe invade; we can Drive them back with clubs Canadian. LINES ON METHODIST UNION, Sept. 1883, whereby the whole of the churches of that denom- ination were united into one body. A pleasing sight to-day we see. Four churches joined in harmony ; There difierence was but trivial, But strove eetch other to outrival. In friendship now they do unite. And satan only do they fight ; And they'll plant churches in North- West, Where they can serve the Lord the best. MIAGARA^S CHARMS AND DF.ATH OF WERB. nr LINES On Niagara's Charms and Death of C»pt. Webb. Gazing on rapid's mighty sea, Struggling fiercely to be free, But drawn downward in its course By gravitation's wondrous force, O er those perpendicular walls, Hurled 'mong mighty rocks it falls, Causing the earth to throb and shake Like to the tremor of earthquake; Thus the world's greatest wonder Reverberates like peals of thunder. Enshrined with mist and beauteous glow Of varied tints of the rainbow. Most glorious sight the human eye ' Hath ever seen, beneath the sky ; Alone these banks none ever trod But aid feel grateful to his God For lavishing, with bounteous hand. Glories majestic and so grand. The foamins billows soon a e seen, . Transformed into a beauteous green ; Plunged by whirlpool's dread commotion,. It becomes a seething ocean Where furies join in surging dance From centre to circumierence. - This is the favorite abod^. Of Neptune, mightiest sea god — He hath decreed none shall sur\4ve Who will into this vortex dive. Webb swam the English channel bravc^ Like sea bird he did love to lave His breast upon the mightiest wave, Alas ! found here a watery grave. I'orrent onward rushes, frantic On its course to the Atlantic, But on its way doth gently flow Through blue Lake Ontario ; \\ — 18 ST. I'ATHAHISKS. Rejoicing on its .vay it siiiilea. Kissing the shores of thousand isles, Mingling witli St. LaMrence motion It soon is blended with the ocean. ST. CATHARINES. lines read at a l»anquet at the Welland House, St. Catharines, where the brotherhood of Odd-Fellows, attending Grand Lodge, were entertained. St. Catharines, famed for mineral waters » And for the beauty of her daughters ; For some do worship at the shrines Of the fair St. Catharines. St. Catharines, your greatness you inlierit • From the genius of the Merritt — You still would be a village dreary But for this canal from lake Erie. For, on its bosom there does float Full many a ship and steamboat. Brings world's commerce to your doors And many gifts on you it pours. Among its various great rewards It gives you dry docks an^ ship yards, To drive your mills, great water power It doth give you as a dower. LINKH ON A CANADIAN HUNTER. If arine». Grand LINES ON THE CREDIT VALLEY TRIP. The Credit Valley Railway company having placed a car at the disposal of the Ingersoll corporation, the Council kindly asked us to accompany them to Toronto, a short time after the opening of the road. Whene'er we take a tour abroad, , We love to travel o'er new road, Where scenery to us is new And landscape pleasing to the view. When invited for to rally, And take a trip on Credit Valley, We resolved for to afiford A day with Council and School Boanl, For to view the rural charms Of hills and dales and fertile farms. With joy we saw the sunbeams gleam On Grand River, beauteous stream, And those perpendicular walls Of rock, like old baronial halls. We saw the great lake ebb and flow. And Queen City of Ontario, While some enjoyed the genial smile Of Hanlon, on his lake girt isle. Returning home, each one exclaims "» *' Happiest spot is banks of Thames." LINES ON A CANADIAN HUNTER. Of Kentucky's great hunter bold. Old Daniel Boon, oft tales are told ; Of wild beasts he had no fear. But dangers loved, that pioneer. Canada hath hunters many. Yet perhaps there is not any For skill and boldness can compare With our own Daniel Hebner. I HOPE FOR INGKKSOLI.. In youth he was both tall and strong. And supple as a willow thong ; He never fled from savage bear, Though bruin on hind legs would rean In hunting mink, or fox, or coon, He was a second Daniel Boon ; His rifle oft brought down the deer. Which to his table brought good cheer* But through his life his highest aim Was to kill the savage game, To track the wild cat to its lair And see its eyes so fiercely glare. But he oft lonffs for a cut ham. Sweet as from bear near to Putnam, For he waged his fiercest war In big swamp of Dorchester. Now, in the winter, Dan he rides Warm 'mong his bear and coon skin hides. He lets the youneer men now snaro The beaver, muskrat and ottar. HOPE FOR INGERSOLL. Of IngersoU we're justly proud. Though o'er it hath hung a cloud ; It was heavy, dark, profound. Weighing o^r ten thousand pound. But now the clouds do disappear, And the sun is shining clear — Now, with pleasure, we do behold, Our railroaa boods are good as gold. The people now need not despair. But thank our Council and our Mayor. ^ * James Noxon, Mayor. LIFE IN THK WOODM, 21 CANADIAN RIVKUS AND LAKES. We have here a sight as fair As bonnie Doon or banks of Ayr. Like modest worth, meandering slow, The quiet waters gently flow. Rose, Thistle, Shamrock, all combine Around the Maple Leaf to twine — Whose outstretched arms, so gigantic. Clasps Pacitic and Atlantic. Embracing lakes like burnished gold, With joy a Shakespeare might behold, For either poet Bums or Moore * Such scenery they would adore. * Tom Moore paddled his own canoe along the Canadian ■hore of Lake Erie and was enraptured with the view. He luided and remained over night at a farm house. Hin "Cana- dian Boat Song " is immortal. LIFE IN THE WOODS Lines on the struggles of the early settlers. Canada hath wealthy yeoman Whose fathers overcame the foeman ; The enemy they boldly slew Was mighty forest they did hew. And where they burned heaps of slain Their sons now reap the golden grain ; But, in the region of North West, With prairie mrms they are blest ; Thougn this to them it may seem good Yet many blessings come from wood. It shelters you from fierce storm, And in the winter keeps you warni ; For one who hath his forest trees He builds his house and bam witph ease, And how quick he gets from thence Timber for bridge and for his fence. 22 NOVA SCOTIA. THE JOYS OF PRAIRIE FARMERS. "We let Ontario farmers sing About the joys the woods do bring, But we, in regions of North-West Do think prairie farms the best. For those poor men who swing the axe On their ste'ength 'tis a heavy tax ; For several years ^hey naught can grow, While from the first we plow and sow. And while we plow we don't get thumps By running it against the stumps ; Aiid where wild buffalo now doth feed There very soon we'll sow the seed ; Where Indian wigwams now do stand Will be the site of cities grand, And where the deer and wolf doth roam Millions will build each happy home. So quick as if by magic wand They will arise o'er the whole land ; But, this one fact we wont deny : Ontario, she can supply, For so skilfully she doth invent Each agricultural implement. |i'' NOVA SCOTIA. Lines written when Nova Scotia was threatening to with- draw from the Confederation. If you are sulky, Nova Scotia, We'll gladly let you float away From out our Confederation ; You sicken us with sily agitation. If any more our patience you do tax Wo'll let you go to Halifax. DON ALU ROSS. PORT STANLEY. Lines composed on an excursion to Port Stanley, 1883. In winter time 'tis sad and dreary For to gaze on stormy Erie, But here in summer time this port It is fashionable resort, For then it is always cheery For to gaze upon lake Erie. Or on the steamer you can sail^ All independant of the gale. Or here the youth can ply the oar And view the fast receding shore,. And be happy with his dearie On the bosom of Jake Erie. No one here need ever weary On the V)orders of lake Erie, With quadrille parties at S^tanlcy And games and sports all so manly, Or bathe in waves with friends near thee, Yov. fear not storms of lake Erie. DONALD 1U)S.S. , A Scottish-Canadian tale. By the side of a' moss Lived young Donahl Koss, Among the heathery hills And the mountain rills. In a snug little cot, Content with his lot. He never knew sorrow, With his wife and wee Flora. r^r^ h IM I DONALD ROSS. But an order went forth, O'er the land of the north, To bum many a home So the wild deer mieht roam. With grief he then did toss All that night, Donald Ross, And sad seemed the morrow For his wife and sma' Flora. Oh I it was a cruel deed, But nobles do not heed The sorrows ot the poor. Drove on a barren moor. Where he wove a wreath Of the blooming heath, For to crown with glory The brow of little Flory. He then bade farewell To his mountain dell, Where his fathers appears Had lived a thousand years, With their few eoats and sheep Which fed on huls so steep. Oh, it was a sad story For bonnie little Flora. He sought a distant strand, In Canada bought land. To him a glorious charm To view his own broad farm, His horses and his cows. Cultivators and plows ; And now his daughter Flora 8he is the flower of Zorra. LINKS ON' T. D. M'OKE. PORT BURWELL. About a quarter of a century ago, when Port Burwell was a busy, thriving place, several friends accompanied me to thQ port to attend a concert, we all being specially invited. It was in the winter, and there had been a race on the ice, in which the Port Burwell horse took the lead. We gave a local piece of some length, but only retain now a few lines. The people at the concert were highly pleased with the effusion. In winter time, who here resort To pay a visit to your famous port, They must be clad in fur well, For it blows cold at Burwell. But when you wish to trot your horse You make lake Erie your race course. And we believe at every heat All other horses you do beat. / LINES ON T. D. MoGEE. Having been kindly invited as a member of the Mechanics' Institute some 20 years ago, by the late Jeremiah O'Neill, Esq., after listening to a brilliant lecture by Mr. McGee, to meet that gentleman in company with a number of our townsmen, and knowing that Mr. McGee was an enthusiastic admirer of Canadian institutions, where even-handed justice was dis- pensed to all, I composed the following. The last verse was added after. DeArcy McGee, All compliment thee. The hope of the land, On your lectmre so grand. Though that is your fort, Oh, give us the sport m iii 26 CANADIAN THAMES. Of an hour of your chat ; Then we'll laugh and grow fat. For none but the vile Could e'er cease to smile When near to thee, So brilliant and free. Plant of Green Erin's isle, Long in Canadian soil, May you take deep root And bear much noble fruit. Our hopes were in vain, Alas ! he is slain By a crankish hand, The flower of the land. (CANADIAN THAMES Westward it winds pnst each town. Growing broader o^ it flows down. Onward it glides, never weary, Meandering so soft and cheery. The sunbeams on the waters glance. Skipping about in silvery dance, From morn till eve the cattle feed 'Neath lofty elms along the mead. And on its banks, in warrior pride, The brave Tecumseh fought and died. Peace and prosperity now reigns Along vhe fertile vale of Thames. Now soon the waters meet and pair With the wavelets of St. Clair ; As maids when wed do lose their names, No longer is it qalled the Thames. THE LONDON FLOOD. 27 THE LONDON FLOOD. ^ '/ Pencil sketch of the ruin left by the London flood, July From the long, continuous rains, O'erflowing were the swamps and drains. For each day had its heavy shower. Torrents fell for many an hour. At London, wh ire two branches join, It seem'd two f iries did combine For to spread far both death and woe, With their wild, raging overflow. E'en houses did on waters float As though each had been built for boat. And where was health, and joy and bloom 8oon naught but inmates for the tomb ; Flood o'erflowed both vale and ridges And swept railroads, dams and bridges. A m«ther climbed in tree to save Her infant from a watery grave, But on the house you saw its blood, Where it was crushed 'gainst tree by flood. Where cottages 'mong gardens stood ^. 'Tis covered o'er with vile drift wood. O'er flowers and bushes you may travel For they are buried under gravel ; Or, you may walk o'er barren sand, The crops washed out and fertile land. Two funerals we at once did see Of one family, who lost three. No longer river's deep and wide, But gently flows to distant tide. What is called in Canada a "creek " is in Scotland called a "burn." * • The muse, nae poet ever fand her. Till by himself he learned to wander Adown some trotting bum's meander." — Burns, 28 LINES ON STRATFORD. LONDON WEST. While the Thames meanders gently through the green pasture fields of Ingersoll, a pleasing picture to behold, how dif- ferent, alas, is the feeling in London West, where the river is an object of dread and terror, neither pleasine to the eye or nostrils. As we have been living tor the last quarter of a century on the edge of one of the tnbutarv streams of the Thames and were once overwhelmed with ruin dire by a number of the dams giving way, we can sympathise with them. They are now built strong and Bubstantial, and the ponds are an ornament to the town, as well as a source of wealth. The Caledonian Society, 4»f Ingersoll, donated $50 to the flood sufferers. The citizens of London West Their patience oft is put to test When they behold the various dama Do cause the floods and the ice jams. 'Tis true that fiercer rages floods Since country it was stript of woods, And river it doth broader spread With numerous tile drains quicker fed. If they did raise embankment high ' They might the raging floods defy. Shall they with sadness gaze ever, Or with gladness on the river ? River with dams it will not wed, , It wants no strangers in its bed, And 'gainst them it will rage and fret For 'tis no gentle rivulet. 1-1 LINES ON STRATFORD. In I ^— • •^ur Canadian County Perth .'ommemorates great bard of earth : Stratford and Avon both are here, •\ad they enshrine the name Shakspeare. iiUm ENGLISH NAMES ON CANADIAN THAMES. a» For here in Stratford every ward Is named from drama of great bard. Here you may roam o'er ilomeo , Or glance on Juliet bestow. The valley of the Thames we presume lAcludes Stratford on the north and Woodstock and JngersoU on tiie south. The Avon« on whose banks Stratford is located, joins the Thames near St. Mary's. The middle branch flows throngh Embro and Thamesford, the soiith and middle branches unite and flow through Dorchester and Westminster and blend with the northern branch at London, where it deviates to Elgin in the south. ENGLISH NAMES ON CANADIAN THAMES England hath given us the names To adorn Canadian Thames, And charms to them she hath lent, In Oxford, Middlesex and Kent. She Essex kisseth in her mouth, And Scottish names, one north, one south And London now she justly claims She's capital of vale of Thames, And her strong castellated tower Doth on the river frowning lower ; And Chatham is the river's port. There slaves for freedom did resort. And they did industrious toil And now many own the soil. Stratford, now, shall be our theme. On Avon, tributary stream. And its clear waters it doth launch Into the Thames, northern branch. '••Ml '\ '''■ ■ 1 30 LINES 05 BEACHVILLE. Near that substantial stone town, ►St. Mary's, with mills of renown. • Some imagine the Thames is too insignificant a stream to be sung in verse. " Distance lends enchantment to the view, and they fancy the old Scottish rivers are more worthy of aong ; but many af them are polluted of late years with vile odon from factories ; and, as the county of Oxford is agree- ably diversified with hills and dales, the clear, sparkling stream, flowing over a pebbly botttom, is indeed "a thing of beauty and a joy forever." LINES ON BEACHVILLE. K i I 1 i! Of Beachville, village of the plain. We now will sing a short refrain. For here the Thames doth pleasant flow And charms to landscape doth bestow ; Though river here it is not deep, Yet banks slope graceful up the steep And from the summit of the hills You look down ou the famed lime kilns, And 'tis full worthy poets rhyme The whiteness of thy pure fine lime . Your glory never shall be gone While you have quarries of this stone ; In influence you yet will wax With mills for flour and also flax. USES OX IXOKRSOLL. 31 LINKS ON INGERSOLL. The Thames, and tributary rilla Here they do drive numerous mills, Enabling millers, to compete, To pay nigh price for oats and wheat. Here streams do drire many a wheel For to grind both flour and oat meal. And town will extend its boundries With its enterprising foundries ; And, brighter day for it yet dawns With its grand mansions, and fine lawns. LINES ON WOODSTOCK. We fancy the lustre of the old town is reflected on the new. English Woodstock was a royal residence. English Woodstock had a Palace Where the Queen in jealous malice Slew romance's fairest flower, Fair Rosamond, in secret bower, Our Woodstock, pleasant county town — (This brings it both wealth and renown) — To your strong castle some are sent For to give them leisure to repent, And the Reeves will, in their bounty. Build court house worthy of the county. A charming vista you do view, Gazing on each street and Avenue, Mansions and lawns embowered 'mong trees ' Where wealthy owners live at ease ; And through the air there sweetly floats Harmonious Woodstock organ notes, And men employment secure In Factory for Furniture ; And the pacing of your horses 32 LINES ON EMBRO AND ZORRA. It is famed o'er many courses. Old Oxford was a seat of knowledge, Woodstock it hath a fine College. LINES ON EMBRO AND ZORRA. O'er various counties of the north, When cruel order did go forth For to destroy many a home So that the wild deer free might roam, The men of Sutherland and Ross The broad Atlantic they did cross. Each seeking for a fertile farm, ^ These rolling lands for them had charm. They ne'er desired again to roam, Each happv in his woodland home ; Where middle branch of Thames doth flow They built the village of Embro, And it the hill tops now doth crown Like its grand namesake, Edina town. And good flour mills you here do find. And oats, also, they here do grind. LINES ON SALFORD. Read at the opening of the New Parsonage* Some do boast of their pedigrees, But Salford's parent of the cheese ; Remiie, industrious and wise. Here started this great enterprise ; He did work on the dairy plan, While Farrington was factoryman. LINES ON NORWICH. 33 LINES ON THAMESFORD. Delivered at Masonic concert, Tliamesford — Grand Master Col. Moffat in the chair. The middle brjinch of Thames doth flow O'er pebble bed, and it doth glow And sparkle like silver in the sun, As it through pasture lands doth run. In dam is ample water stored, ' To drive flour mills in Thamesford ; Besides the power of the stream. Saw mills and flax are drove by steam. Our mind it doth with pleasure fill, To see fine brick chu ch on each hill. And that substantial omc of stone Owned by congregation of St. John. LINES ON NORWICH. The farmers they now all make rich. Since Farrington went to Norwich And the system first there began Of making cheese on factory plan ; He came from Herkimer county, To Canada he was a bounty. Norwich village moved but slow Till railways made i* quickly grow. And industries here now take root, The township's famous for its fruit. J^. ! ■!i, ' V. ■V' fiii.! 84 LINES ON MT. ELfJIN. LINES ON TIL80NBURO. After him who did mills own This place was called in honor Tilson. Bright gleaming like a morning star Is clear waters ot the Otter, And it doth form here a vast pond Which extends for miles beyond ; A fortune on town it will shower, This prodigious water-power. No other ^ots to youth appear Like lovely little lake Lisgear, And few small towns have fine roadwav, Lined with brick blocks, like your Broaaway. Elsewhere, the firemen slave like Turks, But you have got good water works ; And some do many a mile go For to see your famous silo. LINES ON MT. ELGIN. Delivered at opening of Odd-Fellows' Lodge. Dereham now hath wealthy yoemen Whose fathers overcame the foemen ; The enemy they boldly slew Was mighty forests they did hew, And where they burned heaps of slain Their sons now reap the golden grain. All will rejoice they took a trip On board the craft Odd: Fellowship ; Your candidates now, in their yonth, Will soon learn friendship, love and U-uth. We hope your influence will be good, A blessing to the neighborhood. A CIVIC HOLIDAY TRIP. S5 LINE8 ON CORNER STONE. Impromptu linus delivered at the laying of the comer atont of the church on Culloden road, witli Masonic honors. In this quiet spot, this day of June, Which will not be forgotten soon, For when your little church on hill You overflowingly did fill. You then resolved there should arise Church worthy of your enterprise. ' You've laid foundation broad and deep. And showers of blessing may you reap. Craft of King Hiram and St. John Have come to lay the comer stone. At the call of our Grand Master, * Who was invited by your pastor. With Silver trowel all so fair He laid foundation on the square. May you be blessed with christian love, And we all meet in Lodge above. * Grand Master Brigade Col. Mo£fat, of London. A CIVIC HOLIDAY TRIP. Lines on a civic holiday trip on the Grand Trunk, to Toronto, August, 1882. Address to Mr. Hodge, conductor of Caledonian games at IngersoU. From IngersoU, on Canadian Thames, We come to greet mine host of the St. James, This being our town's civic holiday ; Yet we remember twenty-feurth of May, For then at our Caledonian games He did loud proclaim the victors' names. We came in part to contribute To our town's mechanics' institute, I ■:* ''hii I ■. "1 1 IBI > lit ! •i^ ill!'' III 36 ROBERT ILEMING GOURLEY. Who got up this grand excursion Where qach one has his own diversion. Some did remain at Burlington Bay, While we to Toronto did wend orir way, And came to see this presentation To stalwart son of Scottish nation. m ,! l^OBERT FLEMING GOU/ILEY. Robert Fleming Gourley was a graduate of St. Andrews' , University, Scotland. W^hen he was crossing Niagara river, after being exiled, he asked for a brush to brush Canadian dust off his feet. Perhaps it will please some to see a little sketch of him, as he was a public man and gloried in that he had the honor of being sentenced both by the Canadian Government and the British. Exiled from Canada, he became a champion of popular rights in England. Lord Brougham opposed his schemes and he whipped His Lordship in the lobby of the House of Com- mons, for which breach of privilege of house he wad sentenced by the House. He preserved the whip as a precious relic in his house at Mt. Elgin. [We presume it would not have been prudent to have allowed an able agitator to disturb the country when Canada was but in its infancy, just entering the second quarter of the present century. Mr. Gourley owned several farms in Dereham and thought he would like to represent Oxford in 1858, after an absence from Canada of about one third of a century. Every one thought he was too old but the old gentleman being in exuberant spirits, having just been married as he said to a young wife, he would prove to them all there was life in the old dog yet. There came to Oxford Robert Gourley, In his old ace his health was poorly j He was a relic of the past. In his dotage sinking fast. '''H l i i J' i MWi'JJ WBWII! ODDFELLOWOHIP IN WOODSTOCK. 37 Yet he was erect and tall, Like noble ruined castle wall. Ifi early times they did him impeach For demanding right of speech, Now Oxford he wished to represent In Canadian Parliament ; But him the riding did not honor. But elected Doctor Connor. / ODDFELLOWSHIP IN WOODSTOCK. Impromptu lines delivered at the opening of Maple Leaf Encampment, Woodstock, in the year 1883, in connection with Oddfellows Lodge there. Olive Branch is the sub- ordinate Lodge. We'll tell a tale, it shall be brief It is of rise of Maple Leaf, From noble Olive Branch it sprung. And its good deeds shall yet be sung ; This Encampment, though in its youth, Glories in friendship, love, and truth Of all our lodges yet the chief May be this youthful Maple Leaf ; ' ' . Built of good timber, it doth launch Well worthy of the Olive Branch, And though it only is a shoot * We hope that it will take deep root, And soon be vigorous Maple tree In Canada so broad and free. And may its usefulness ne'er cease Sprung from the Olive Branch of peace, But comfort brothers in distress, * Widows and orphans it will bless, And console them in their grief, Protected by the Maple Leaf. Poor travellers in the wilderness They oft do suifer great distress. But may no pilgrim get rude shock Sojourning here in \\ oodstock. m 38 ODDFELLOWSHIP IN INOERSOLL. ODDFELLOWSHIP IN INGERSOLL. 11! i! .in Lines delivered at Oddfellows Concert, Town Hall, Ingersoll, December, 1883. We look in vain for our past grands, ' Now scattered over many lands ; For some o'er the wide world doth rove, And som^ have joined Grand Lodge above. But ever since Father Adam's fall, We are dependent creatures all. Though man is weak yet he may join With others, strength for to combine — A single rod is easily broken, Bundle is of strenth the token. The Illustration, it was grand Which was given by Reverend Bland, Five Oddfelk>ws all in one hand And yet thev all united stand. Each finger hath » different length Each finger varies in its strength. Each one is weak, but a firm fist . You can scarcely break or twist. Tis same with members of a Lodge, United, them you cannot budge. Then let us, linked with friendly chain, Friendship, love and truth maintain. And aid our brothers in distress, The widows and the orphans bless ; Then let each Lodge strive all it can. Both Oxford and Samaritan, To aid distresed brother man ; Extending influence for good And universal brotherhood. MMMMMIM CALEDONIAN GAMES. 39 LONDON CHILDREN. We have kad the pleasure of hearing and clever children from the city of London, orate them in the following. seeing several We comm em- Do you unto this world belong. To cheer us merrily with song ? Are you mortal like ourselves, Or are you, charming little elves. Sent from some higher sphere To bliss and comfort us while here I May you be spared from earthly woes And each blossom like the rose. CALEDONIAN GAMES. Lines on Caledonian games, May, 1884. On grassy ampitheatre Spectators sit, to view the war 'Nlong bold contestants on the plain, Where each doth strive the prize t« gain ; And when the little boys ana girls In highland GERSOLL. Written at the time of the disaster. 'Twas on a pleasant eve in May. Just as the sun shed its last ray, The bell it rang, citizens to warn, For lo ! a fire appears in barn. An ancient bam near hotel stood, The joining buildings all were wood ; This barn a relic of the past. There farmers' horses were made fast. Our once fair town is now in woe. And we have had our Chicago ; But soon a nobler town will rise, For IngersoU's all enterprise. For water far town need not seek. As there is river and the creek Just find the means it to apply And then all fires must quickly die. 41 OUR FIREMEN. Lines delivered at a Firemen's Soiriee in the days of the hand engines. Our youth and beauty here arranged, In honor of the Fire Brigade ; And now every man is ready To obey the bugle of Brady. And always willing for to ralley At the trumpet sound of Walley, 42 ST. THOMAS. To the fire they rush at once, Led on by gallant Captain Vance. The firemen, now, their only strife, It seems to be a race for life. Which engine first shall reach the fire And cause the wild flames to expire. ) i! ST. THOMAS. At time of Oddfellov. -i v/ih i^ci LodgA meeting, 1884. Oddfellows once they hn.d u. tr^idge O'er rough .cage ra^.of to tbc *ind Lodge, But now the> fwwn of t. t-^I ?,, And find it on the Kettle C'k^ck. , For industry it here prevails As it was built by the steel rails ; And here the wide expanded bridges Do connect the dist-ant ridges. No more need to stay at home, as There's lota of railroads to St. Thomas. You pluckily did boldly venture. Now you are great railroad centre ; , Your city now it hath high hopes From its great railway work shops, And higher yet it still will rise. This seat of so much enterprise. When young man longs for wedded mate. He seeks Alma girl graduate. St. Thomas is baby city named And for its youthful vigor famed. m i l, ij iii iwiau i i N MASONIC. MASONIC. a The prominent names connected with Masonary are Kings Solomon and Hiram and Saint John, the parent Lod^ is King Hiram in IngersoU, and Saint John is the off- spring. Both masters in 1884 are legal gentlemen. Craft of King Hiram and Saint John They figurative work on stone, King Hiram he is the old sire And he was famous King of Tyre. But great as King upon a throne Is the good, kind, true Saint John ; Cathedrals did craftsmen raise. Fills all our mind now with amase. No modem chisel hath the power To trace such leaf, and bud, and flower ; But though our structures now are rude Let us all make the mortar good. • And this injunction never spare To have the work both plum and square, And it must have no crack or flaw So masters will lay down the law. Of all our work this is the chief. To give the needy ones relief ; And with truth and brotherly love We sublime structure raise above. The greatest honor has been won By that great builder, Solomon, And craftsmen o'er the world do sing The praistfs of that mighty King. > 44 OXFORD CHEESE ODE. OXFORD CHEESE ODE. As cheesemaking in Canada first began in this county, and it has already become one of the chief industries of several counties, it is no insignificant theme. Mr. E. Casswell has just received this morning from Messrs. Millar, Mount Elgin, scale boards for thirty two thousand cheese ; each of those cheese which they are intended to protect will weigh about 65 lbs. each, or over; about three million lbs. in all. — June 14th, 1884. The ancient poets ne'er did dream That Canada was land of cream, They ne'er imagined it could flow In this cold land of ice and snow, Where everything did solid freeze They ne'er hoped or looked for cheese. A few years since our Oxford farms Were nearly robbed of all their charms, O'er cropped the weary land grew poor. And nearly barren as a moor. But now their owneis live at ease. Rejoicing in their crop of cheese. And since they justly treat the soil. Are well rewarded for their toil ; The land enriched by goodly cows Yields plenty now to fill their mows. Both wheat and barley, oats and peas, But still tiiuir greatest boast is cheese. Cow, you must treat her as a Queen, When grass is dry cut her feed green ; 8he will repay you for your toiling For there's profit in the soiling, Its benefits one daily sees Who takes an interest in the cheese. ■BK ABUNDANT HARVEST. And you must careful fill your mows, With good provender for your cows ; And in the winter keep them warm, Protect them safe all times from harm, For cows do dearly love their ease Which doth insure best grades of cheese. To us it is a glorious theme, To sing of milk, and curds, and cream, Were it collected, it could float On its bosom small steam boat. Cows, numerous as swarm of bees. Are milked in Oxford to make cheese. To prove the wealth that here abounds. One cheese weighed eight thousai.d pounds; Had it been hung in air at noon Folks would have thought it was the moon ; It sailed with triumph o'er the seas, 'Twas hailed with welcome "Queen of cheese." 45 ABUNDANT HARVEST. The follow ng was composed and read at a gathering in the new Parsonage, Salford, in the fall, 1883. V The farmers are in cheerful mood. For harvest all it hath been good ; And all the grain was sown this spring An •abundant yield will bring. And you can scarcely stow a'vray The yield of barley, oats and hay ; ~ Such pasture it is seldom seen. E'en now it is so fresh and green. This beauteous color nature decks While it insures you large milk checques. And certes you've much cause to praise For hogs and cikttle that you raise. 46 A CONCERT INVITATION. LINES ON A FOUNTAIN. We love cold water as it flows from the fountain, Which nature hath brewed alone in the mountain, In the wild woods and in the f ocky dell Where man hath not been but the deer loves to dwell, And away across the sea in far distant lands In Asia's gloomy jungles and Africa's drifting sands. Where to the thirsty traveller a charming spot of green Is by far the rarest gem his eyes have ever seen . Ana when he hath quenched his thirst at the cooling springf With many grateful songs he makes the air to ring. For many nights he dreams of this scene of bliss, And when he .thinks of Heaven it is of such as this. A (CONCERT INVITATION. The following invitation appeared on the progamme of a concert. If pleasant night you wish to spend, Go and invite your lady friend ; Oddfellow's concert is the place Where happiness beams in each face. • ' ' When you resolve to call her wife. And to enjoy the rest of life, . All furniture you may require You can get cheap from Mclnty re. . THOMAS CAMPBELL. 47 THOMAS CAMPBELL. As musings on Banks of Canadian Thames doth not necessarily consist of meditations in verse, but the monotony of the cogitations may be relieved by a soliloquy in prose, and aa Campbell manifested a deep interest in American subjects, we will give the following anecdote related by that genial American Author Washington Irvine, to Sir Walter Scott. Irvine, while in Britian, visited Campbell, but found him absent and he expressed a regret to Campbell's wife that her husband did not write more. She said that he was timid and he felt Byron and Scott overshadow him with their great poems. Sir Walter replied, *'I myself produce pebbles, Scottish pebbles, but Campbell is the creator of Diamonds of the first water." Byron also expressed himself in a similar strain as follows : — " Arise, O Campbell, give thy talents scope ; Who dares aspire if thou has ceased to hope/' Campbell wrote thus of America in the beginning of the century, and by comparing the facta as he describes them it shows the wonderous strides which the United States, especially, have taken on the Banks of Lake Erie, as Lake Ontario seems to be favorite location for Canadian cities. On Elrie's banks were tigers steal along. And the dread Indian chaunts his dismal song, Where human fiends their midnight errand walk ; And bathe in brains the murderous tomehawk. The poet then predicts that cities will there arise, but more wonderfully quick they have arisen then poets pen ever imagined. The poet also imagines the time will come when the fleecy flocks will be straying o'er the thymey pastures and the shepherds dancing at early mom and dewy eve, but alas, these predictions have never been verified, for the lands on Erie's shores are too valuable for sheep walks, and it is no Arcadian bower where the romance of the dreamy imagina- tions of the ancient philosophers are being enacted, but a vigorous, intelligent, and industrious population have arisen, T 1 i 48 POETRY. who have built villages, towns and cities along its shores. But the foundation of the whole prosperity is the intelligent, well directed industry of the farming population. Their industry is not in vain, b'or they have bounteous crops of grain. And you behold on e\ ?ry field Of grass and roots, abundant yield ; But after all the greatest charm Is the snmg home upon the farm. And stone walls now k<.ep cattle warm, The cold blast now doth them no harm. M:! >i t^-i; \m POETRY. Poetry to us is given As stars beautify the heaven, Or, as the sunbeams when they gleam. Sparkling so bright upon the stream ; And the poetry of motion Is ship sailing o'er the ocean, Or, when the bird doth graceful fly. Seeming to float upon the sky ; For poetry is the pure cream And essence of the common theme. Poetic thoughts the mind doth fill, When on broad plain to view a hill ; On barren heath how it doth cheer To see in distance herd of deer. And poetry breathes in each flower Nourished by the gentle shower, In song of birds upon the trees And humming of busy bees. 'Tis solace for the ills of life, A soothing of the jars and strife. For poets feel it a Huty To sing of both worth and beauty. OPENING ODE. 49 LINES ON COL. WONHAM, Formerly of IngersoU, now of the North Woat. When Wonham got orders To advance to the borders. His boys they were ready And fell in quite steady. They first marched to Woodstock, To prepare for war's shock, And soon camped at Windsor, * Facing American shore. OPENING ODE. I Delivered at an Odd-Fellows' Comcert. Some have formed strange conceptions about the mysteries of our order. They believe that enshrouded 'mong the deep and mysterious surroundings of our dark recesses and caves we have chained '• Gorgans and Hydras, and Chimeras dire," and that in our mazes and labyrinths, A horrid goat we have to ride, With long horns and shaggy hide. And that the beast we have to stride well Without saddle or a bridle. Friends, with pleasure we do meet you. And with hearty welcome greet you ; With many we have met before, So pleasantly in days of yore. But some new faces we do find, And hope they'll criticise us kind ; 50 ADVENTURE ON A RAFT. Abroad for talent we don't roam, But friendls and neighbors here at home Will give us now a splendid treat, With speeches good and songs so sweet ; And instruments whose soothing charms Will banish cares and our alarms. In friendly deeds they lead the van, Both Oxford and Samaritan, To relieve brothers in distress. And bounteously the widows bless. ADVENTURE ON A RAFT. The following adventure happened in the experience of an Ingersoll man. *^ Truth is atrangef stranger than fiction.'^ A man rafting down the river, Time he will remember ever. He shouted, ' * Pole, the raft to land. Or we'll be wrecked upon the strand." But captain gave him a reply -' That all danger he would defy ; But, in another moment more Part was wrecked upon the shore Of a Nova Scotian bay ; The other half was borne away. Enough to make a person shiver, Man was drifted out of river, All alone on the broken raft. Driven where e'er the wind did waft ; Right out on the open sea, Where the storm did blow so free. No shelter from the wind or wave, He thought the gulf would be his grave. CANADA, OUR HOME. dl He had no food, life to sustain, He laid him down, there to remain. What happened he did know no more. But old man on Prince Edward's shore. While gazing through his good spy glass, " What do I see ?" he cried, ♦' Alas ! Some poor man, and I fear he's dead. Drifting to my humble shed." The body acted like a sail. And wafted raft before the gale ; He called on men to man a boat, And quickly crew had it afloat, And in haste full soon they bore His lifeless body to the shore. But old man did them then desire To place body near the fire. And wrap it up in blankets warm — Which did act like to a charm — And soon the breath it did return. With gratitude his heart did burn. To think he was again restored Unto his friends, whom he adored; But worse misfortunes him befell. Yet he bears up 'neath troubles well. > CANADA OUR HOME. The following response to "Canada, our Home," was given at a banquet of the Caledonian Society, Ingersoll. In responding to the sentiment, *' Canada, our Home," perhaps it would be appropriate to point out the prominent and distinguishing characteristics between the land of our nativity and the land of our adoption. In this Canada of ours we have no bonny blooming heath, no banks and braes covered o'er with daisies and gowans, no fragrant hedges, showering down white spray in the May time, no whin and bro«m, prodigal in their gayety of yellow flowers ; no hilla 52 MRS. MOODY* nor glens, where fairies gambol in pleasant and harmless sport ; no grand ruins of ancient cathedrals and castles, no feathered songsters like the mavis aud blackbird. Full oft we did enraptured hark To heavenly song of the sky lark. But Canada is a young giant in its infancy. With the noblest chain of lakes in the world on its frontier, and the most mag- nificent river, the St. Lawrence, this land also possesses ^he largest fertile wilderness on the globe ; but it is one w^ich will, ^'er many years have passed away, blossom like a gar- den, and where naught but crass and flowers now grow in wild luxuriance, soon the husbandman will plow and sow and reap a rich reward in yellow, golden grain. H- MRS. MOODY. As we have given glances at various Canadian authors in this work, perhaps there is none more worthy than Mrs. Moody, whose vigorous pen was ever active in favor of Canaaa. She is a sister of the celebrated Agnes Strick- land, author of " The Queens of England." Mrs. Moody is enjoying reasonably fair health in Toronto. She was born in the beginning of the century. When this country it was woody^ Its great champion, Mrs. Moody, She showed she had both pluck and push, In her work, roughing in the bush. For there all alone she did dwell. At time McKenzie did rebel. Outbreak her husband strove to quell — Her own grand struggles she doth tell. Round bush life she threw a glory. Pioneer renowned in story ; JONATHAN WINGLE. 53 But her tale it is more cheering When she wrote about the clearing. Ker other sister, Mrs. Traill,* Though eighty -six, she doth not fail ; She now is writing of wild flowers Grown in Canada's woody bowers. ♦ Mrs. Trail, who is older even near Peterboro'. also a celebrated champion of Canada, than her sister, Mrs. Moody. She lives LINES Addressed to Jonathan Wingle, Esq. In summer time we roam o'er dingle, But winter draws us round the ingle ; Why do you remain thus single, When love would make two hearts tingle ? Pray tell me why, my dearest Wingle, With the fair you do not mingle ? Better with love 'neath cot of shingle Than all your yellow gold to jingle. For married life you would enjoy. And soon a little girl and boy They would your leisure hours employ. At Christmas you could buy each toy And fill their little hearts with joy. For their amusements never cloy. Business cares do men annoy, Child's happiness knows no alloy. 54 BRANTFORD. BRANTFORD. if In these sketches of towns in Western Ontario, we are not vain enough to suppose that because we have produced some rhymes thereon that said rhymes ire poetry. If we furnish an occasional poetic gleam, like a dewdrop sparkling in the sun, it is all we dare hope for. Brantford as thriving city's famed, And after Indian chief is named ; And here the sparkling Grand river, It doth flow a joy forever. Campbell, he sang a dismal tale Of horrors of Wyoming's vale ; The tale one's mind doth ever haunt, The cruelties of monster Brant, But the chiefs son to England went And Campbell to him did lament. And all the tale he did recant About cruel butcheries of Brant. Now pleasant thoughts it doth awake, When Brantford thinks of her namesake ; She evermore with pride will chant The bold, heroic name of Brant. We sing of two great Indian names, Tecumseh on the banks of Thames, And the Qfrand River it doth vaunt Of the historic name of Brant. The city's pride it doth find vent In building him a monument, And Indians will proudly stalk Past memorial of great Mohawk. LINES OX TIIOROLD. 95 THE POWER OF STEAM. We now do sing a new theme, It is prodigious power of steam ; And our little fast steam horse, How he works with mighty force. Instead of hay and oats, we thrust In his mouth chips and saw dust ; Which heats the blood in his veins. Then how he saws and bores and plains. He's never troubled with the botts,, But all the time he gaily trotts. And every day he is full able To make many a chair and table; Work for him is only sport, He feels so good he oft does snort. As he trotts along his course, Our little frolicksomf steam horse. LINES ON THOROLD. McCready the great Irish Tragedian said, the view from Thorold was the finest in America. Thorold is famous for its mills, And the grand view from off its hills — A view so charming and extended. Natures beauties sweetly blended. Poetic thoughts it doth awake To view Ontario's broad Lake, And husbandmen have their reward in Fruits of this provincial garden. For from the hill you see below Gardens, where choice fruits do grow^ 6» LINES ON THOROLD. The landscape all within your reacli Doth both pr oduce the grape and peach. McCready said, in the New World The finest view was from Thorold. You see St. Catharine's charming town And steamers sailing up and down. And you can see, on a clear All along Toronto Bay ; And you clearly see the haze Where Niagara doth amaze. day. And glance where Grimsby's gardens yield, Or view Beamsvill's fruitful field ; Then this thought yon can advance. This is Canada's sunny France. You see Niagara's ancient town * Though it has lost its old renown ; And you have a splendid view Of boats on old canal and new. * Niagara, once the capital and business centre of Upper Canada, and also an important fortress. It is located at the mouth of the Niagara river. ; - CRIMEAN WAR. 57 MUSINGS ON THE NORTH-WEST. Domestic cattle quiet will graze where now the Bufifalos roam, and in spots now covered o'er with Indian Wigwams, where white men never trod, cities will occupy their sites with busy trade, and millions throng from Eastern lands to take possession of the great North-West ; then Winnipeg, perchance, may be the capital of the Domin- ion. Li the days fortold, when this indeed shall be the ** Greater Britain," with Ontario's towns for work shops for this vast Prairie land. " And poets will arise and high their lays will soar, Worthy of the muse of a Bums or a Moore," A Shakespeare and a Milton, the great and the wise Will sing of the glories of our Northern skies ; Of its lakes and rivers, and its mountains grand, Of its fertile plains and great prairie land. A fit theme for song this empire gigantic Whose arms stretch from Pacific to Atlantic. CRIMEAN WAR. At the announcement that Britain was to declare War, Kossuth the Hungarian Patriot and orator, declared in an address in England, that the British Lion was a sea dog but helpless on land. Wiien the British Lion offered aid to the turk, Round many lips a sneer of serious doubt did lurk, They said he was at home on sea, but when on land He would be as a ship wrecked upon the strand ; . Or like some huge, ungainly crockadile, Upon the marshy banks of sluggish Nile, Who could move gayly on the deep But on dry land could scarcely creep. But up the Alma heights he rushed, like grayhounds after hare, 58 A CHRISTMAS TREE. And in a moment by the throat he seized the Russian Bear, Which begged so hard for mercy, his life he did it spare, And closely now it is confined within its native lair ; For its strong fortress, great Sebastapool, Was forced to submit to Great Britain's rule. 1^ A CHRISTMAS TREE. Read at a celebration of St. John's Sunday School, Thamesford. To night the children meet with glee To view the fruits on Christmas Tree, And when its beauties we behold We're very sorry we are old. The children all they have good cause To feel grateful to old Santa Claus, And to each teacher, and each friend, Who did these handsome presents send. To us it is a pleasant treat, With so many friends here to meet. You've well conducted public school Where master doth judicious rule ; The union it doth give its strength. Gives section breadth, as well as length. Nissouri here should build a Hall, For exhibitions in the Fall ; Its claims they cannot be ignored, For first in township stands Thamesford. This village keeps up with the age, For it he th a good daily stage And in its efforts never fails To carry passengers and mails. LINES ON A B. 59 DR. SPRINGER. Lines on presenting Dr. Springer with a diamond ring, when he was bidding farewell to Ingersoll, and was about journeying to California. Though we know we are no singer, Yet we will chaunt farewell to Springer, One of our oldest past grands, About to visit distant lands. And we all sincerely hope You may enjoy Pacific slope, < And when you gaze on this ring May it pleasant memories bring. Of good old Lodge, Samaritan, Where friendship makes us all as one ; 'Tis hard to strike your name from roll With us so long in Ingersoll. Though we regret to say farewell, May blessings rest where 'ere you dwell, And on the partner of your joy Happiness without alloy. LINES ON A. B. Who was expected to attend a BaiKiuet given by the Odd- fellows in London nearly thirty years ago. Several of the London Brethern were asking for Brother Abel. When vV3 went down to London in midst of the champaign A brother looked at me as though I had been Cain, And in a voice of thunder, as I sat at the table. He fiercely asked of me "where is your Brother Abel ?" To which I did reply " I'm not my brother's keeper. But at home you'll find him, in his bed asleep, sir." 40 OALT ANiD DUNLOP. BURNS AND SCOTT. Meeting of Burns and Scott in Edinburgh. When Burns did make triumphant entry 'Mong Edina's famous gentry, A discussion did there arise Among those solons, learned and wise, About some lines by a new poet ; The author's name none did know it. Poem was of Canadian snow, And how o'er it the blood did flow, For it had then been swept by war. Where armies met in deadly jar. But, 'mong philosphers, was boy Of tender years, now Scotland's joy ; He there did quickly quote each line, And author's name he did define. Bums glanced at him, with loving eyes. Youth ever more that look did prize The happiest moment in his lot ; Ever revered by Walter Scott, Thus Scotland's greatest poets met, And they did part with sad regret. :|i5 GALT AND DUNLOP. (The Town of Gait is named after Gait. ) Oalt was manager of the (Canada Companies Lands, and a Scottish Novelist, Dunlop was once a leading British journalist, but finally settled near Goderich. Gait and Doctor Dunlop, witty, Located and did plan city Of Guelph, and cut the first tree down, The stump was centre of the town, AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY. 61 From thence streets radiate like fan, And Stratford and Goderich on same plan, This last town stiinds on bluff so grand, 'Neath -vrhich doth flow the clear Maitland. You may of glorious view partake, Gazing on Huron's mighty Lake. AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY. Poor laborers, they did sad bewail. When the machine displaced the flail ; There's little work, now, with the hoes. Since cultivators weed .the rows. Labor it became more fickle When the scythe took place of sickle ; Labor still it did sink lower By introduction of mower ; And the work was done much cheaper When they added on the reaper. Another machine to it they join. Mower, reaper, binder, they combine. Machines now load and stow away Both the barley and the hay. And the farmers do get richer With the loader and the pitcher. There's little work now for the hoes. Since cultivators weed the rows ; They sow and rake by the machine — Hand labor's 'mong the things have been. Armed with scythes, the old war chariot. Cut down men in the fierce wa-; riot ;. f 62 SNAKE AND POTATO BUG. Round farmer's chariot falls the slain, But 'tU the sheaves of golden grain. Tliis harvest, now, of eighty-four, Will great wealth on farmers pour, For there is abundant yield Of fruitful crops in every field. N SNAKE AND POTATO BUG. A TRUE TALE. Mil **Can such things be and overcome us like a summer «loud, without our special wonder." — Shakespear. In a grocery store in IngersoU our attention was called to a copper-headed make wriggling in a glass jar. We noticed a peculiarity about its head, but soon found out it was a potato bug, which was afraid of being drowned ; and the only object above water being the snake's head and neck, it was fondly clinging thereto. There being "no jutty-frieze buttress or coigne of vantage, where it could make its pendent bed, elsewheie." Some poets they abroad do roam, But we find themes are near to home ; As we do seldom travel far. This is a soag of a glass jar. Snake of species of the copper. And on its head there was live hopper. For we saw that funny sight In a store, it was last night. There in water was a snake And a bug so wide av;ake $ A RABBIT STORV. 68 He was afraid that he wouhl drown So he clomb up on the snake's crown. Tliis snake it is near a foot long, Which doth suffer this great wrong, It thinks the bug wanta it to throttle This makes it wriggle in the bottle. But fondly the kind hearted bug, It doth its preserver hug, For the bug when on the water It is only but a squatter. And hath taken up homestead On tlie top of the snake's head. And on the waters it doth float Safe and happy on this boat. A RABBIT STORY. At a social society gathering, a quarter of a century ago, a member from a distance was called on by the gentlemen present to tell his Rabbit story. We got up in a few minutes afterward and gave it in verse as follows : — Our friend, Mr. Romley, He told the tale homley. And yet full of fun. How the Rabbits did run, In numbers a score, '^ All around his door. They were red, black and white, Their play folks did delight ; Bmt they got small by degrees, For the cats did them seise — All but one big black Rabbit, He got into the habit 64 AN AUTOGRAPH. Under gronnd he would dive- He long time did survive, 'Till owner, wanting fat poifc, He this great beast then shot. When police heard the gun. Full nuickly he did run, In a furious rage ; But his wrath did as-uage When he got a quarter Of the last martyr. LET HER GO. Will you please to let me go, Ma, To Mclntyre's, to buy a Sofa. AN AUTOGRAPH. Lines written at the request of a young lady and inserted in a mental Album. We looked over the book, it was in form of questions and answers. One of the questions was "who is your favorite poet ?" We were quite amused to find a number of difi^rent persons had written in answer, "Mclntyre." We believe that the most of th«m wer^ joking, but we hope to inspire them with a loftier idea of our poetic power in the future. In this Album you may trace — If not the lineaments of face — Here, at least, you will find Photographs of the mind. , i Some in earnest, some in fun. Some do lecture, some do pun ; LINES ON A TYPE WRITER, 65 Here the maiden and the youth, Each proclaim some precious truth. And there is some fine pages — Written by maturer ages — Where they show that time is brief, That soon comes sere and yellow leaf. But we must cease, 'ere your ire Be aroused 'gainst Mclntyre, Who doth reside in Ingersoll — Perhaps you'll think that he is droll. in in ions lite tten of a LINES ON A TYPE WRITER. Having received a letter from a gentleman, done with a type writer, and gloiying in its superiority ^o the pen, we replied as follows : — You glory in your type writer, . ' And its virtues you rehearse, But we prefer the old inditer — Moves two-forty, prose and verse. And let each man work his will. But never, never do abuse The ancient and glorious quil From the wing of a noble goose. * * A flock of geese, by there loud cackle in the m idst of a dark night, saved the city of rome from being captured by the Barbarians. KAiklM.'k'^.A r m LITTLE LAKE. IMPROMPTU. On a young girl showing me a scar on her check where a stick of wood struck her. In its own place 'tis very good Always to nave plenty of wood ; But, striking fair maid, that is rude, And puts me in an angry mood. • ( (I LITTLE LAKE. Sonnet on an incident which occurred on a small Lake in Northern Ontario. Pleasant memories it awakes, When musing on our northern lakes ; For thep I saw a charming Reed, A friend to me in hour of need. * I wished to cross to other shore, And deftly she did ply the oar. And o'er the Lake me swiftly bore. I was plunged in deep despair, Before I met this charming fair ; I could not go around by land, And I felt like shipwrecked on the sti'and ; Until fair vision hove in sight Graceful as a fairy sprite. May she be blest, is the desire Of her true friend James Mclntyre. PEOPLE WILL TALK. 67 PEOPLE \NaLL TALK. A NEW VKBSION. The following lines were written at the request of a little girl, who said she would recite them at a Sunday School entertainment. She wished it written to the refrain people will halk. I presume the ideas in the following are nearly altogether origiaal, or they are very differently worded from the old pieces under tne title of ** People will Talk." Dressing in fashion will be called vain, And they'll call you a dowdey if you are plain ; But do what is right, let that be the test Then proudly hold up your head with the best — For people will talk. You will never be wrong, if you do what is right. And this course pursue with all of your might ; And if you're a child, going to school. Or full grown up, take this for your rule — For people will talk. The best way to do is to let them rave,, And they'll think more of you, if you are brave ; For no one will ever think you are rude. If you are determined for to be good — For people will talk. Little girl, on her way to Sunday school clasi?, Rude boys sometimes will not let her pass ; But if they do see that she is not afraid They soon will respect the bra^e little maid — For people will talk. Little girls should learn to knit and to sew, Then, if to womanhood they ever grow, 68 ii A PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE. Their hose they can knit, and make their own dress, Then to their homes they will bring bless — For people will talk. « And their homes they should make tidy and neat, Everything should be so clean and so sweet. This line for ourselves out we will chalk. And we are determined in it to walk — Fot* people will talk. A CROOKED LOOKING GLASS. Dangerous effects of seeing onesself in a crooked glass. A maiden cried, " Alas ! With horror I'll expire, Unless you bring me That true glass I bought of Mclntyre." A PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE. Providential escape of Ruby and Niei McLeod, children of Angus McLeod, IngersoU, little Neil McKay McLeod, a child three years of age, was carried under a tsorered raceway, upwards of one hundred yards, the whole dis- tance being either covered over with roadway, buildings or ice. A wonderous tale we now do trace. Of little children fell in race ; The youngest of these little dears, The boy's age is but three years. A PROVIDENTI/VL ESCAPE. 69 .V v.\i coasting o'er the treacherous ice — These precious pearls of great price — The elder Ruby, the daughter, Was rescued from the ice cold water. But horrid death each one did feel Had sure befallen poor little Neil ; Consternation did people fill. And they cried ** shut down the mill." But still no person yet could tell W hat had the poor child befel ; The covered race, so long and dark, Of hopes there scarcely seemed a spark. Was he held fast as if in vice, W^edged 'mong the timbers and the ice, Or, was there for him ample room For to float down the narrow flume ? Had he found there a watery grave, Or been borne on crest of wave ? Think of the mother's agony, wild, Gazing through dark tunnel for her child. II of ., a jred dis- lings But soon as Partlo' started mill. Through crowd there ran a joyous thrill, When he was quickly borne along. The little hero of our song. Alas ! of life there is no trace. And he is black all over face ; Though he then seemed as if in deatli. Yet quickly they restored his breath. Think now how mother she adored Her sweet dear child, to her restored^ I( w A BIRDS NEST. And her boundless gratitude Unto the author of all good. Swept through dark passage 'neath the road, Saved onlj by the hand of God, No wonder Father now feels proud Of little Niel McKay McLeod. I Lines on TKE CHEESE PIONEER. Rannie, the cheese pioneer, written a quarter century ago. Rannie began with just two cows. Which he in winter fed on brouse, And now he hath got mighty herds, Numerous as flock of birds ; May he long live, our hearts to cheer. This great and usetul Pioneer of a A BIRD'S NEST. An old man, who had charge of field, With pride he saw two birds did build A broad, capacious, warm nest ; Soon full of young with speckled breast. And when the old man there did pass. They soon ran merry 'mong the grass ; But of the youth they were so shy, They made strong efforts for to fly. • Youths tried with old man to prevail. To let them blaze away at quail ; DEPARTED STATESMEN. n But, though they longed for a fat pot. At them they never got a shot. No more the old man doth them shield, For they have flown to broader field ; Long may they spread their wings and tail» And may no foe them 'ere assail. LINES ON REMOVAL. Come, listen, while we sound the lyre. To announce the fact, that Mclntyre Is back again to his old block, And he has got a splendid stock. He also hath a strong desire To see old friends, and new acquire ; His Furniture is cheap and good. In every style and kind of wood. But none in health need 'ere despair. If they buy from him an easy chair. When you his Warehouse then do seek, 'Tis where the brick bridge spans the creek. DEPARTED STATESMEN. Lines on our departed Canadian Statesmen, with a glance at our two living leaders. Joseph Howe, none higher stood than thou, Thou weit a man with lofty brow ; ¥ ; i ''■: i I ; il S5i i !! 72 A CONCERT IMPROMPTU. D'Arcey McGee, so brillant and free, From Green Isle yon came, 'oer the sea. George Cartier, to the French ever dear. So high you stood without a peer ; John Sandfield, * for long you did build Power under economy's shield. George Brown, thou man of renown. Confederation you did crown ; You now are all free from the strife, The wrangle and jangle of political life. But if a glance at this world you take. You will there see John A. and Blake ; But Sir John, the greatest power doth wield, Our Canadian Beaconsfield. f \ * John Sandfield McDonald. t Sir John A. McDonald, Canada's most celebrated statesman. A CONCERT— IMPROMPTU. The following impromptu was delivered in the Methodist Church Concert, March, 1883. It was expected that several annaunced in bills would take part, but from various causes they were not present. We were unex- pectedly requested to fill one of the vacencies. Doctor Gardiner delivered an address, showing how he had triumphed o'er the great snow drifts during the remark- ably severe winter then passing away, that we thought his courage and perseverance was worthy of being com- memorated in verse ; and the music of the White Brothers though simple, is natural, touching and sweet, and reaches the heart more easily than some of the highly \ HOPE M'NIVEar. 78 artistic styles now in vogue, on arising, we first gave some recitations from the Poets and concluded with the following Impromptu. It was of course impossible for me to have anticipated any of the above occurrances, as the Doctor's speach took the turn it did from the remarks of a previoui speaker. » ON WHITE BROTHERS. To «s it is a pleasing sight, To see so many here to night ; All listening with so much delight Unto those worthy men of might The charming songsters, Brothers White. ON DOCTOR GARDNER. ^d Gardner told a sad tale of woe, How he was oft o'erwhelmed in snow ; But was he frightened ? no ! no ! ! no ! ! ! He onward cheerfully did go, And though that he did frteze his cheek The fire side he did never seek. But straight went onward, in his course, So happy, driving his good horse, And merrily along the way The bells did ring around his sleigh. HOPE MACNIVEN. INTERESTING MEMORIES. CS id Mr. Hope Macniven, of IngersoU, had the pleasure in his younger days, during the first quarter of the present century, of seeing and hearing many of the most eminent men in Britain. He heard Doctor Chalmers and Sdward 74 IN MEMORIUM. Irving preach, before Irving went to London, where he became so famous ; he saw on the stage those eminent tragedians, the elder and the younger Kean ; he was also fortunate enough to have seen Sir Walter Scott and Thomas Campbell, the author of the ' 'Pleasures of Hope" and "Exile of Erin ;" And he also saw, in Glasgow, the distinguished author of * 'Virginius, " Sheridan Knowles, famous also as an Elocutionittt ; he had an opportunity of frequently seeing Lord Brougham, and Lord Byron s friend, Sir John Cam. Hobhouse ; he also beheld the burly figure of that bold champion of popular rights, William Cobbett ; and was in close intimacy with Henry Scott Riddel, author of that magnificent song " Scotland Yet," Mr. Macniven sent a copy of his poems to that distinguished statesman, W. E. Gladstone, and received a letter of thanks, under the seal of the Royal arms, with the Premier of Great Britain's autograph attached ; he received a similar mark of favor from Lord Lome. Mr. Macniven has had the honor of conversing with the brillant D'Arcy MacGee, and of an intimate acquaintance with A. McLauglan and Evan McCol, and Hamilton's sweetest song writer, William Murray. The late Mrs. Macniven published a small volume of poems some 20 years ago. IN MEMORIAM. Lines on the death of my son, Alexander Murray Mclntyre, who died on the anniversary of his mother's death, after being injured in my Furniture Factory. He died, after several days of great suffering, in July 5th, 1876. His mother from celestial bower. In the self same day and hour Of her death, or Heavenly birth, Gazed again upon the earth — BRODIE CASTLE. 76 And saw her gentle, loving boy, Once source ol fond maternal joy, In anguish, on a couch of pain, She knew that earthly hopes were vain, And beckoned him to realms above, To share, with her, the Heavenly love. BRODIE CASTLE. The following sonnet on Brodie Castle Nairnshire, Scotland, was written by my venerable Uncle, Thomas Mclntyre, of St. Catherines, and father of John B. Mclntyre, Ex-Grand Master of the Independant Order of Odd- fellows, and now, and for many years, an Alderman of the city of St. Catherines. It was written by him as an acrostic on the words Brodie Castle. I have taken the liberty of transfiis'ng it into common verse. The lines prove the old gentlemen to be kind hearted and as having a great affection for his native land. He has been in St. Catherines for half a century, engaged in the same business I have been employed in for about one-third of a century, in IngersoU. jr IT Scotland has produced three great shepherds Talford, the inventor of Suspension Bridges, Ferguson, the Astronomer, and Hogg the Ettrick shepherd, the great song writer. Brodie Castle, ever dear to my heart, For there I first played my humble part. ^V^hen only thirteen, I there had employ In the position of a shepherd boy ; V* »r I was born on that fine estate, Famed for its trees, so lofty and great. I M 7« GEORGE MENZIES POEMS. And its magnificent avenue grand, Which hath been famed over the land. And, though I did leave to learn my trade, And in Western world a home I have made, Yet, wh«n I look back, my heart it still cheers, Though it is now more than threescore years. Since first I went there as a shepherd boy. Thoughts of the time fill my heart yet with joy, Though, that I ne'er shall see Castle more, Fond memory reverts to the days of yore. GEORGE MENZIES POEMS. Ab out one-third of a century ago, tliere flourished in Canada three Scottish Editors, all of whom were Poets, McQueen of the " Huron Signal," Goderich, who wrote a grand song on ** Our Broad Lake," McGeorge, of the " Streetsville Review," who returned to Scotland nearly a quarter of a century ago ; he became a clergymen in connection with the Episcopal Church, of Oban, Argyle- shire, and was dean thereof ; he enjoyed the friendship of Dr. Norman McLeod, and many of the Scottish celebrities ; he died this spring highly honored by all who knew him. George Menzie, Editor of a Wood- stock paper, wrote, also, some fine poems. All of the gentlemen named hare fijone to "the land of the Leal," the following lines were suggested by finding a volume fcy George Menzie. One day, while passing 'long the road. On a small book we almost trod ; FEMALE REVEXr.E. n Its leaves were scattered o'er the ground, We picked them up, and when we found The author's name, it did inspire Us with a very strong desire To read the little volume through, For most of it to us was new. He doth sing of land of heather, And Canadian scenes together ; He did adore Niagara's roar Where mighty flood o'er falls doth pour. But poet's lives are often brief, And he kad his full share of grief — Which to his life did cloom impart ; But, he bore up with his brave heart. a fs, a lie |iy m fh LU 16 FEMALE REVENGE. Remarkable strong vengence on the part of a young lady who had always previously been considered of an amiable turn of mind ; but, how sadly, alas ! for the young man, her whole being, as it were, seemed to be transK)rmed into vengance dire, against the poor unfortunate youth who had vainly and rashly boasted of a glorious prize he in- tended to capture from the fair one's sweet lips« " Revenge is sweet, especially to Woman." — Byr^n, •* I heard Bill say to-day, Mary, That you are a charming fairy. And that to town he'd give you drive ; But, just as sure as you're alive He does intend to have the bliss Of stealing from your lips a kiss." mmmmmmawimmB 78 ii A ROMANCE OF CANADA. *' I'll let him drive me, now, Jane, His effwrts th«y will all be vain ; I hate him, and I him defy" — And anger flashed from her eye. " The monster's wiles I will defeat, Peck of strong onions 1 will eat. , A ROMANCE OF CANADA. An English youth to Canada came, A labourer, John Roe by name ; His little wealth had made him bold — Twenty sovereigns in gold. He was industrious and wise. And 6'en small sums did not despise ; He added to his wealth each year, For independence he loved dear. Ho knew a labourer he would be Forever, in the old country ; His forefathers had tilled the ground And never one had saved a pound ; On beds of down they did not lie. And frugally their goods did buy. Their one luxury around the door A few choice flowers their garden bore But never hoped to own the soil. But serve as hinds to sweat and toil. To work and toil, for him had charm. He hoped, some day, to own a farm ; So he hired with Rueben Tripp, The wealthiest man in the township. Trjpp's only child, his daughter Jane, He sought her love, and not in vain ; As Jacob served for Rachel, dear. So John he served, year after year — Till, rich enough to buy bush farm For to chop down with his strong arm. A r.OMANCI-: OF CANADA. 79 The truest iio1)leman of all, He lives not in ancestral hall, But ahelteretb family from harm By log3 rolled up with his strong arms In this young glorious land, so free, Where each may rear his own roof tree ; And the chief glory of old days. Broad 3re place, where big logs did blaze — As much as tiro strong men could handle — They served alike for heat and candle. He liis young oxen did adorn With fine gay ribbons on each horn, And to his home with joy and pride He did bring sweet, blooming bride S'. -h happiness is seldom seen. Happier far than King or Queen ; She helped him in the fields to reap. And span the wool from off their sheep. And from the yarn she wove the cloth, All they required, they had for both, And she was a good tailoress — Did make his coat and her own dress. The golden butter that she made Was of the very finest grade ; Each grace and virtue she possesa'd — Where 'c^re she was that spot was blessed. And, though they did not have stove then — Neither did they own an oven — She filled large pot with well knead dough And baked fine bread 'mong embers glow. He each 7,'inter the forest trees Did quickly hew them dt»wn with ease ; For, he to work had a desire And the skill did soon acquire ; But, 'round great giants heved a ring, Then storms would soon themprostrato bring For many a time the furious breeze Would quick o'erthrow the gird'ed trees. 80 A ROMANCE OF CANADA. P And sometimes they would kill the cows When they did feed on grass or brouse. But after reckoning damage all, A benefit was each windfall ; Though good fortune now he sees Might have been got from walnut trees. But trees were foes, in his hurry. All were slain, both oak and cherry, And to this day he doth incline . To mourn o'er slaughter of the pine, And reflects how he did o'er whelm Many a maple, beach and elm. And each summer day did toil, With his steers, drawing logs in pile. These giants of the forest dead. Fire did reduce to an ash bed, And soon potatoes, wheat and corn. They did the rugged stumps adorn. And Jane did help him with the hoe. And well she did keep up her row — No organs then they had to play. But she could work and sing all day. In spring he did live maples tap, To draw from theiii the luscious sap ; He gathered it in big log trough, Then boiled it down and sugared off Enough the household for to cheer. With all its sweets, for the whole year. And no such thing those times were seen, As the swift raising stump ma'^hine, And where main road was low and damp With logs he built a road through swamp. But a smooth ride could not enjoy While it was naught but corduroy — Each year added earth and gravel. Now smoothly o'er they can travel ; For, it doth make an excellent road For John and Jane to go abroad. And it is now a great highway * A ROMANCE OP CANADA. 81 Where hundreds travel every day. There were no roads in early days, But bridal path, their guide the blaze, And mills and marts so far away They never could return same day. Log school house served as church for all Of various creeds, and for Town Hall. These scenes to youth do now seem stiange, 80 wondrous quick hath been the change. O'er paths where oxen only trod, Cars quickly speed o'er the railroad, And every way, both up and down. There has sprung up a thriving town, ^ No more he figlits with Forest trees, But both enjoy their wealth 8 id ease. Long since the old folks both are gone. And left the whole to Jane and John. The log house, too, hath passed away AVith all its chincks filled in with clay. And in its place fine house of stone, With lawn where choice shrubs, are grown. With sons and daughters they are blest — The young men say they'll move north-west,. This g'ves their mother some alarm, She wfi nts them still on the home farm. But father will not have them tarry — They can plow so quick on praiiie — And they tind coal makes a good fire And build their fences of barbed wire ; They would not be forever gone. As they could talk by telephone. We have been congratulated by many on the truthfull- ness of the Canadian Eomance. They declare it is not a romance but a true picture of rise and progress of worthy industrious people in Canada. II I I : I-; msmmm 82 POTATO BUG EXTERMINATORS. FOR A LODGE. *' O tor a Lodge in some vast wilderness," A ma,n cryed out in his distress, For he was tired and sick of life, .\nd weary of this worldly strife. And longed for to be far away Froni the continous daily fray. ( ~! 2iut the foAid partner of his life, His own dearest, loving wife, Those sentiments did not admire, For fiercely they did rouse h^r ire. +Saidshe, " I'll never let you budge, 1o go and join another Lodge ; Your Lodges take six nijhts each week, And ptlil another Lodgo you seek — For your whole time they soon will steal, You won't get home even to a meal, Continuous abroad you'll roam. And never enter vour own home." POTATO BUG EXTERMINATORS. ,[■■:■ 1 During the summer of 1883 we were walking along past a large field of potatoes in North Oxford, where we beheld the strange spectacle of a pair of bipeds drilling there offspring to march up one potato row and down the other, so as to annihilate the enemy, who had assembled in vast armies, dressed in yellow garments, and who were committing fearful depredations on the fruits of the hu8l)andmen, until the valuable auxilliary forces rashed to the rescue of the farmer, o'erwhelming the enemy and witli one fell swoop, bringing on them consternation and POTATO BUG EXTERMINATORS. 83 ruin dire. It appears that the foe, or their ppogenitora, had been citizens of Colordo in the far West. And that, having conquered all before them, they sought another World to conquer here. When we do trace out nature's laws, And view effects, and muse on cause, For the future there's great hope If we our eyes do only ope. - •• With joy they will often glisten, If to truth one doth but listen ; - But people often turn deaf ear And what is useful will not hear. Now for a minute, lend your luggs, Our theme, it is potato bugs. Just buy a pair of young peafowl, Their voice may be like to screech owl, But soon as the potato shows You there will find the peafowl goes, Up one row and down the other \ Like loving sister with brother. And you will fiiid that down their muggs Have disappeared potatoe bugs, There's no more need of Paris green For they will keep potatoes clean. And faithful they will work all day. For to them 'tis gay sport and play ; No more you need their voice bewail. But admire beauties of the tail. ( ■nil mmmm M WARS IN QUEEN VICTORIA S REIGN, Lines suggested by examining the fruit evaporator at Mt, Elgin. DRIED APPLES. We fear to say, and yet we must, Dried apples once were full of dust. And you all know it is no joke Saturate with tobacco smoke, And the hole where string did go through Was nest for animalculae. And collected the kitchen steam. But process now is sweet and clean, Viewed with pleasure by spectator, , Work of the evaporator. i WARS IN QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN. ' , J." We will now sing in thoughtful strain Of wars in Queen Victoria's reign, The Russian Bear did ages lurk All ready for to spring on Turk, For Russian Statesmen did divine That they sluiild conquer Constiintme ; But like a ^' yhound after Hare, The Lion did drive back the Bear, And made it feel the British rule, At gates of strong Sebastapool, Then insolent was Persia, Till Lion had to dictate law ; And while engaged in scenes like these, He was attacked by the Chinese. And for this outrage all so wanton He then resolved to sei/e on Canton, But soon there came a dismal cry Of slaughtered Britons from Delhi ; The Bengal Tiger, sick with gore, WARS IN QUEEN VICTORIA'S REIGN. » Did tremble at the Lion's roar, But Briton's got a serious shock By losing of brave Havelock ; Bat Campbell, 'mid a numerous foe, Full quick these armied hordes did o'erthrow In Abyssinian dungeons vile Lay captives of Great Britain's Isle, But soon the tyrant Theodore Lay sadly weltering in his gore. The savage tribes of Ashanteee From British troops did quickly flee. In Afgan and Zulu wars Many did find their deadly scars. In the land of the Pharaohs The Christians suffered cruel woe'». Till in Alexandria Bay The British iron clads did display The mighty power they did wield. While their steel sides from harm did shield And British army on the land Marched bravely o'er the burning sand, And Arabi found 'twas useless laljor His strong trench of Tel-el-Kebir. Egyptians did not wish to feel In their breast cold British steel. Their great power was soon laid low And Wolseley entered Grand Cairo. Egyptians now no more revile The Christians on the Banks of Nile. We here have sung three heroes' names, Havelock from the land of Thames, And Campbell from the banks of Clyde, And Wolseley from LifFey's side. When rose, thistle, shamrock unite} They dojprove victors in the fij,ht. Now Britain once more does command Respect alike on sea and land. But now may wars forever cease And mankind ever live in peace. I I 86 ENOLISH POETS. ENGLISH POETS. We had the honour of delivering in 1864 the principal address at the tercentennial anniversary of Shakspeare in the Town Hall, Ingersoll, before a large audience, and we read the following ode on the occasion : TERCENTENARY ODE ON SHAKSPEARE. " Shakspeare requires no marble monument, He lives forever in our wonder and astonishment." BEN JONSON., Three centuries have passed away Since that most famous April day v When the sweet, gentle Will was born, Whose name the age will ere adorn. ini That great Elizabethian age Does not leave on history's page A name so bright, he stands like Saul A head and shoulders over all. Delineator of mankind, Who shows the workings of the mind, And in review in nature's glass Portrays the thoughts of every class. That man is dull who will not laugh At the drolleries of Falstaff, And few that could not shed a tear At sorrows of poor old King Lear. Or lament o'er King Duncan's death. Stabbed by the dagger of McBeth, Or gentle D^^sdimona pure, Slain by the misled jealous Moore. ENGLISH POETS. 87 Or great Ctesar, niiglity llom.au, Who o'ercame his country's focmen. His high deeds are all in vain, For by his countrymen, he's slain. The greatest of heroic tales Is that of Harry, Prince of Wales, Who in combat fought so iiereely With the brave and gallant Percy. Imagination's grandest theme, The tempest or midsummer dream, And Hamlet's philosophic blaze Of shattered reason's flickering rays. And now on every land on earth They commemorate Shakspeare's birth. And there is met on Avon's banks Men of all nations and all ranks. And here upon Canadian Thames The gentle maids and comely dames Do meet, and each does bring her scroll Of laurel leaves irom Ingersoll. MILTON. Like mightiest organ in full tone Melodious grand is great Milton. He did in lofty measures tell How Satan, great archangel, fell, When from heaven downward hurled^ And how he ruined this, our world, So full of guile, he did deceive Our sknple hearted parent Eve, Shows us how pardon is obtained, And Paiadise may be regained. COLERIDGE, SOUTHEY AND WORDSWORTH. England had triplets at a birth, Coleridge, Southy and Wordsworth, And these three were widely famed. And the "Lake Poets'* thcv were named. i \ 8a KNGLISH POETS. With joy they did pursue their themes, ''Mong England's lakes, and hills and streams; From there with gladness they could view The distant Scottish mountains blue. SHELLEY. \Te have scarcely time to tell thee Of the strange and gitted Shelley, Kind hearted man, but ill-fated. So youthful drowned and cremated. " .; BYRON, Poets they do pursue each theme Under a gentle head of steam. Save one, who needed tierce fire on,. The brilliant, passionate Byron. His Child Harold's Pilgrimage Forever will the world enga£;e. He fought, with glory, to release From Turkish yoke the Isle of Greece Her glories oft by him were sung, This wondrous bard, alas, died young. TEN.VYSOX. Of our Laureate we now do sing — His youthful muse had daring wing. He then despised Baronhood, And sang 'twas noble to be good. None siing like him of knights of old. He England's glory did uphold. In wondrous song he hath arrayed Glorious charge of light brigade. And he hath the people's benison. Greatest of living poets, Tennyson. DKYDEN AND POPE. Genius of Dryden and of Pope, Both did take a mighty scope ; IHISU 1'0ET8. 81) The first he Virgil did translate, The second showed us Troy's fate. On Englisli themes they loved to sing, AimI high tlieir muses flight did wing. IRISH POETS. TOM MOORE. Mooce found the ballads of Urcen Isla, / Were oft obscured beneath the soil As miner digging in a mine Finds rubbish 'mong the gold so fi le. So Moore placed dross in the waste basket And enshrined jewels in casket. Where all may View each charming gem In Irelaiid's gr^nd old diadem. In eastern lands his fame prevails In wondrous Oriental tales ; So full of gems his Lala Rookh Hindoos and Bramins read his book, And dark eyed Persian girls admire The beauties of his magic lyre O lowing like pearls of great price Those distant gleams of Paradise. He sang of Bryan Borohm's glory, Ptenowned in ancient Irish story, And shows the wide expanded walls Which once encircled Tara's Halls When joyous harp did there resound And Ireland's greatest king was crowned All wars and tumults then did cease, Ireland did prosper great in peace. He sung of meeting of the waters, And of Ireland's charming daughters ; •Great minstrel from his harp both flows / IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) A ^ .<.\ 1.0 li I.I 121 121 12.0 L25 i 1.4 m Ii4 Photographic Sciences Corporalion 23 WIST MAIN STMH WUSTM.N.Y. 145S0 (716) •73-4503 ^t '^f^ ^ ^ _1_1PJ Ji_J"!".'__¥'i*5_'! 90 IRI8H FOETS. Ireland's triumphs and her woes ; Canada doth his fame prolong, While she doth sing his great boat song. And his own countrymen adore The geni&l, witty, bright Tom Moore. T. D. m'kee. . While referring to past glories of Ireland, perhaps we mifl^t refer to that great Irish Historian, the late Honourable T. D. McKee, of whom we have written a poem in the earlier portion of this work, and we will give you an anecdote of him while here, showing his ready wit while he was rising from the supper table around which was a number of guests assem- bled, all eyes being naturally turned on him as the great centre of attraction, but the chair, being new, stuck to him ; he instantly exclaimed, I wish the Montreal people were a» anxious to retain me in my seat as you are in Ingersoll. He being a member for Montreal, wrote a iine poem on the St. Lawrence, where in Cartier describes to the King, on his re~ turn to Europe, the great river. *>* He told them of a river whose mighty torrent gave A freshness for a hundred leagues to ocean's briney wave." OLIVER COLDSMITH. Goldsmith wrote Peeerted Village, Now again reduced to tillage ; Once happiest village of the plain, Place now you look for it in vain ; There but one man he doth make rich. And hundreds struggle in the diteh ; " 111 fare the land to many ills a prey Where wealth accumelates but men decay." His honest Vicar of Wakefield Forever he will pleasure yield. AMERICAN POETS. 01 AMERICAN POETS. LONGFELLOW. Like fruit that's large and ripe and mellow, Sweet and luscious is Lonefellow, * Melodious sonss he oft did pour, And high was nis Excelsior. He shows us in his psalm of life The folly of our selnsh strife ; With Hiawatha we bewail His suffering in great Indian tale ; Indian nation was forlorn Till great spirit planted com. FOE. A great enchanter too is Poe, His bells do so harmonious flow ; Wondrous mystery of his raven On our minds is ere engraven ; His weird, mystei ious romances Imagination oft entrances. LOWELL. With pleasure we would love to dwell On the charming themes of Lowell. BRYANT. ■-^ome in front rank will defiant Boldly place the Poet Bryant. WHITTIER. Other seek for music in the twitter Of the sweet charming notes of Whittier ; SAXE. 'i'he mind thats sad it doth relax The humor of the witty Saxe. He puts us in a cheerful mood. Mirthful as our own Tom Hood. SCOTTISH POITS. WILL CABUETON. In homely apparal one Clothes farming songs, Will Carleton. But they have a manly ring» And we his praises hearty sing. ^ MILLA&. And Millar, Poet of Sierras, For bold deeds he doth prepare us. H0LME8. O'er flowerv fields full oft he roams, The leamou and pleasing genial Holmes. WALT WHITMAN. For erratic style he leads van, Wildly, wayward Walt Whitman. * Mathew Arnold saw fit to say that Longfellow was not the National Poet of America, but we presume few believed him ; one of Longfellow's grandest pieces, the scene is laid in Canada. It is a tale of love divine. Charming faithful Evangeline. S<;OTTISH POETS. ROBERT BURNS. The following ode was delivered by the author at the Centennial Anniversary of Bums, Ingersoll, in presence of a large assembly in the year 1859 : ' This night shall never be forgot, For humble life none now despise, Since Bums was bom in lowly oot. Whose muse's wing soared to the skies. \ . » " — — — -^ ' 1 • s SCOTTISH pons. 9^ 'Round Scotia's brow he wove a wreath And raised her name in classic story, A deathless fame he did bequeath, His country's pride, his country's glory.. ' He sang her hills, he sang her dales. Of Bonnie Doon and lEhlnks of Ayr, Of death and Hombrook, and such tales As Tam O'Shanter and his mare. • He bravely taught that manly worth More precious is than finest gold j He reckoned not on noble birth, fiut noble deeds alone extolled. Where will we find behind the plow Or in the harvest field at toil Another youth, sweet bard like thou Could draw the tear or raise the smile. We do not think 'twas Bums' fault, For there were no teetotalers then. That Willie brewed a peck of malt. And Robbin preed like other men. • 'Tis true he loved the lasses dear. But who for this would loudly blame,. For Scotia's maids his heart did cheer. And love is a true heavenly flame. So here we've met in distant land Poor honest Robin to extoll. Though oft we've differed, Let us stand united now in IngersolU « SCOTTISH POETS. Bums Banff so sweet behind the plow. Daisies we^ll wreath around his brow^ a 94 THE HHIBBfl ON THE MORAY FBITH. Musing, on tbee, what visionB throng Of floc^ you poured of Scottish song. Scott, he did write romancing rhymes • Of chivalry of ancient times. fr>^ For tender feeiins none can cope With Campbell, the sweet Bard.of hope. Eye, with sympathetic tear in Well shed it for exile of Erin, And Tannahil, while at his loom. Wove flowers of song will ever bloom. Hog^, Ettrick shepherd, did gain fame By singinff when the Kie comes hame. With good time coming Bard McKay Still merrily doth cheer the way. / LINES ON SOUTH OF SCOTLAND. The South of Scotland did produce Heroic Wallace and the Bruce, And even time will never blot The record of her Bums and Scott, And Tannahil renowned Bard, And that sweet songster Ettrick, shephepd. THE SHIRES ON THE MORAY FRITH . Worthy of either sone or story Are the Shires round Frith of Moray. Here lies the valley of Strathspey, Famed for its music — lively, say. Elgin cathedral's 'prentice aisle Is glory of that rumed pile. What modem chisel now could trace Fine sculpture of that ancient place ? And Forres, famed for Sweyn's stane, THE SHIRES ON THE MORAY FRITH. 95 In honor of that kinglv Dane. 'Graved with warriors runes and rhymes Long prior to historic times. For a thousand years it's been forgot Who was victor — Dane or Scot. It is the country of Macbeth, Where good King Duncan met his death. And Barren Heath — that place of fear — Stood witches' cauldron of Shakspeare. Nairn's Cawdor Castle strone remains — Full worthy of the ancient Thanes. And nestled 'neath the hills and bens, Queen of the moors, the loch's and glens. Full proudly stands, in vale of bliss, Chief Highland town of Inverness. Near here the famous Falls of Foyers, Where Burns and others tuned their lyres. And the fatal field of dark GuUoden, Where doughty clans wore once down trodden Here men yet wear the tartan-plaid. Ready to join the Highland Brigade. And when the Frith you look across, The eye behoMs Sutherland and Ross, Where Duke hath harnessed mighty team. Plows hills, and rocks, and moors by steam; Perhaps it may in part atone For cruel clearings days by -gone. And Cromarty, whose wondrous mason First learned his geologic lesson ; Friends may rear a stately pillar . . The "Old Red Sandstone" of Hugh Miller. Ben Wyvis towers, like monarch crowned, Conspicious o'er the hills around. With crest e'er white with driven snow ; Strathpeffer's water-cure below. 96 8T. ANDREW'S ANlf]VXR.SARY. ST. ANDREW'S ANNIVERSARY. The foUowinff is a clipping from an old IngenoU paper on St. Andrew's Anniversary, 30th November, 1868 : The Anniversary of Scotia's tetular saint was celebrated on Monday with great eclat by a dinner at Mr. Douglass*^ Hotel. The spread on the occasion was excellent ; not only Scotia's sons, but many who came from merry Ens- land and the Green Isle were present. After the cloni' had been removed Mr. Mclntyre took the chair, and Mr. Sorley the vice chair. Songs, speeches and toasts became the order of the evening. The following original piece- was rendered by Mr. Mclntyre in good style : — Scotia's sons to-night we meet thee With kindly feelings we do greet thee In honour of the land of Heather Around this board to-night we gather. Land where the fields for border edges Have garlands of blooming hedges. Land of the whin and of ^e broom, And where the bonnie blue bells bloom . Land where you may enraptured hark To heavenly song of the sky lark Which soars triv.mphant to the skies Above the gaze of human eyes. Land of bleak hills and of fertile dales Where they tell oft their fairy tales ; Land where the folks do love the Kirk,, And on the Sabbath cease from work. Land of porridge and of good brose, Of blue bonnets, and of Tartan hose. The land where all good wives do bake The thrifty, wholesome oaten cake. *^ per i on LaBs' noi Eng- ilowi Mr. same piece- UNES ox THE NOBTH OF SCOTLAND. 91 We hope some day to tread the itrand Of our own dear native land, And see the laasee shear the com * Near the banka of the Findhom. Where the Jeans and the Mag^iev Excel in making glorious hasgies, And o'er the sea we'll some day saif To get a bowl of good green kail. *Alas, the reapers and mowers have displaced the Bonnier Lasses in the fields, 1884. LINES ON THE NORTB OF SCOTLAND. Lines on the North of Scotland, delivered in Embso nearly quarter of a century ago : Scotsmen have wandered far and wide. From Moray Frith to Frith of Clyde ; McDonald, from his sea girt isle. And Campbell from his broad Argyle — But chiefly here yoii have come forth From those countries of the north ; Some oft have trod Dunrobins's Halls, And gazed upon its stately walls. Here to-night in this array Is Murray, McKen^ie and McKay ; And there doth around us stand The Munroe, Ross and Sutherland. Your young men have high honour earned ; In all of the professions learned ; Your Bonnie Lasses sung in song, And youths are famed for muscle strong. W THE BR0THKR8 STUART. THE BROTHERS STUART. In t'le year 184.3 we were, thoush but a boy, at a fair at Cawdor Castle. Readers of Shakspeare's Macbeth will have often found Cawdor mentionea therein ; the village of Cawdor is but a few miles from Culloden Moor Whue ^ we were there the old Highland people, in their broken English, were declaring that the Stuarts were collecting arms, and that the Clans were going to join them ; those gentlemen wore the Highland garb, and were highly re- spected. They had lived in Cawdor for some years ; one ox them built a Hermitage of wicker-work on high bank of river, which remains entire and in good repair to the present day. ^ Long 'ere Her Majesty the Queen Had visited of Aberdeen, 'Ere she in castle did abide 'Mong glorious hills on the Dee side, Or visited each Highland elen Or won the hearts of Highlandmen, There oft was seen in Highland dress Two Stuarts brave in Inverness ; Well worthy of the poet's lyre, They claimed Prince Charlie as Grandsire, And that they also did combine Stuart with Royal Polish line ; Their names, Sobieskie Stuart, They won many a Highland heart. But Royal order did go forth To build Balmoral Castle North, Then woundrous change was <][uickly seen — All heai'ts were captured by the Queen. ^1^^^^^ FACTS ABOUT OUBKSK. If SCOTTISH NAMES IN OXFORD COUNTY. We have the Murrav and McKay From the country of Lord Rae ; * McKenzie too from many a loch, From Dingwall, Fain, and old Dornoch. * Lord Rae, chief of the clan McKay. The family form- erly owned large estates in Sutherland, which they lost. The present Lord Rae was bom in Holland, and he married a rich udy with an estate near Edinbursh. He is one of the fore- most scientific men in Britain at tne present time, and he fre- ouently presides at assemblies both in London and Edinburgh lor the adv" ncemcnt of education and science. FACTS ABOUT CHEESE. When the price of cheese was so low a few years ago that the dairymen seriously thousht of giving up the manufacture of cheese and of selling their cows, we published the fol- lowing lines and distributed them by the thousand : Price soon will rise, though now 'tis low, And brooks of milk will onward flow ; Were it eollected in one stream There would be floods of milk and cream. Mr. T. D. Millar has just secured, Sept., 1884, the first £rize for cheese at the great cheese fair at Amsterdam, Hol- md. They weighed over 600 pounds each, and were manu- laetured by the burnside Factory of Dorchester. The Gallo- way Factory is manufacturing several cheese weighing one ton each. The mammoth cheese, alluded to in cheese ode, was manufactured by Mr. Tames Harris, Ingersoll Factory. The Dnnn Cheese Factory, North Oxford, secured first prize at the great Centennial Exhibition, but where all factories produce such excellent cheese perhaps it would be making invidious distinctions to specify the honours won by any par- ticular factory . The West Oxford Company have recently built a fine factory on the Cullodeu Road. 100 FAIRY TALE. FAIRY TALE. Babies carried off and chanffed by fairie»» In mid winter of l&at winter of 1884, in Burghed, in the North of Scotland, around great fires, incantations were pronounced to drive away the evil spirits. The custom has come down from the time of the Druids. Where'er you find the Fisher folk There, unaor superstitions yoke, For a strong faith 'mong them prevails Of truth of witch and fairy tales. Thev think that witch could hurl a shaft Which would o'erwhelm their fishing craft, For witches do with Satan truck, They can give good or bring bad luck ; Fish women do their children teach To bait the lines down on the beach ; Themselves do wade in sea for net So husband's feet will not get wet, For the women are barefooted, And the men are heavy booted. In Fisher, Town of Cromarty, There once did meet a noisy party, Cionfusion worse than Babel's Tower, It did prevail for a M'hole hour ; When from sea shore wives did return Each one did find good cause to mourn. For each babe was left in cradle, " Had been changed, 'tis no fable ; They said 'twas fairies did them chan^^e. And left with them but weaklings strange. Old wife, to end confusion wild. Said each must bring to her the child ; Soon mothers they did find their dears. And did wipe then from eyes all tears, While few young men across the way They glorious did enjoy the fray. For while the mothers were at beach They changed all babes within their reach. 8T. AVDRKW AND HALLOWE KN. 101 ST. ANDREW AND HALLOWEEN. We composed and read the following lines at the Caledonian Banquet, December 30tb, 1881 : Our ancient customs to renew, We meet to honour St. Andrew, He was of the Jewish nation, * A fisherman by occupation. No warlike knisht with lance and sword, But humbly following his Lord, And Scotia she justly claims Her soil contains his last remains. In oarlv times the pilgrims drew Unto the shrine of 8t. Andrew, For miracles it gained renown, And thence sprang up St. Andrew's town. And here to night we meet together. Rose, shamrock and blooming heather, For no more the Scottish thistle With warlike thorns it doth bristle. But clansmen twine round maple leaf, When rallying at the call of chief. And time will come when we'll be one And proud of name Canadian. A tale we'll tell of what hath been When maids and youths kept Hallowe'en. It is a tale of old-world lore. What happened in the days of yore, When fairies danced upon the green So merrily on Hallowe en, And witches did play many a trick, Assisted by their auld friend nick ; And lovers met around the fire Near to the one tl'eir liearts desire — For to bum nuts, for to discover The truthfulness of their lover They first did giv • each nut a name — This was Sandy — that was ./aue ; If they did b'.aze side by side — 102 LORNE AND LOUISE. She knew her husband — he his bride ; But if one up the chimney flew. One knew the other was not true. And one sure test did never fail : Blindfold to find good stock of kale, To pull the first comes to the hand With heavy roots ot earth and sand, For the very weight of mould Does denote the lover's gold. In tubs children love to splatter, Ducking for apples in the water ; For such were the delights of yore, Which soon will cease for evermore. At Balmoral Castle Britain's Queen Oft celebrated Hallowe'en. Princess Beatrice lights bonfire 'Neath the mock witches funeral pyre. But Highland landlords now do clear Land of men to make room for deer And where brave race did once abound ' ris wilderness of hunting ground. But Scotia must not be forgot. For sake of Chalmers, Barns or Scott. But here upon Canadian soil A man may own where he doth toil. For here each may enjoy the charm . Of owning fine prairie farm. LORNE AND LOUISE. Lines written on the^arrival of Governor Lome and the Prin- cess Louise in Canada. The tidings now all hearts do please That she has landed safe — Louise, Victoria's beloved daughter Who boldly has crossed the water. For Royal Princess doth adorn ELF SHOT. 103 The title of the Lord of Lome, For this union it doth join Campbell with Royal Stuart line. Lome will be Duke of broad Argyle And the lord ot many an isle . When he inherits broad domain May he strive tennants' hearts to*gain. To us it seems a brighter mom Hath dawned on us with Governor Lome. ELF SHOT. The following appeared as a prose tale in a Scottish paper published in New York. We have endeavoured to add to the dramatic eflFect thereof in our rendering it into verse : A lad, brought up in Highland vale, Who did believe each fairy tale Which his granney oft to him told. And of witches and of warlocks bold, And he himself would often pore For hours reading wizard lore. One night his mother to the town In a hurry sent him down, So o'er his poney he did stride, And to the town did fearful ride ; He thought that demons they would rush On him from every rock and bush. And as he went through the quarry It did great increase his flurry ; He felt that fiends with fiercest hate Would surely there seal fast his fate. But town he reached, and neath his vest He parcel pressed beneath his vest ; The poney now he mounts once more- For to pass quarry as before, But, alas ! at that fatal spot He heard a gun — he was elf shot ;, 104 GORDON CUMMINO— THE LION HCTNTER. He felt that from his breast a flood Was pouring down off his heart's blood, Bnt he clung fast to pony's back, Though loss of blood his frame did rack ; But in spite of his alarms He resolved to die in mother's arms ; And when he reached his own door He said that he was drenched in gore From bullet hole all in his .breast ; His father opened up his vest, And he did sadly fear the worst, But found yeast bottle had but burst. GORDON GUMMING— THE LION HUNTER. li'H li I Some thirty years ago, in conversation with an old sea captain who had visited or voyaged to all quarters of the globe, he was denouncing fiercely the degeneracy of these costermonger times. He said there was a book in our town library which was a tissue of falsehood from begin- ning to end, and that there never existed such a man as Crordon Gumming, the Lion Hunter. I told the old gen- tleman that I had seen tlie Lion Hunter hundreds of times and conversed with him in the woods of Aylten and that he was a descendant of the Royal Gomyn, one of whom was killed by King Robert the Bruce, and that I had seen the magnificent person of Gordon Gumming in the garb of old Gaul, succe^^sfully punish a huge prize fighter who kept grossly insulting him during the excite- ment of a general election — when Gumming's uncle, Major Cuniming Bruce, was running for member, this Major being father-in-law to Lord Elgin, formerly Gov- ernor of Canada. I also told him that Hugh Millar was a warm friend of the Inon Hunter's mother, as she was distinguished both as a geologist and a botanist, and that Livingstone, the great traveller, was a great admirer and intimate friend of the Hunter. After his return to Britain he exhibited himself and his magnificent trophies BOOK AGENT STORT. 105 throughout all the cities and towns of Britain and Ire- land. His own noble figure in full Highland costume was perhaps no insignificant part of the exhibition. Bamum ■afterwards secured the noble specimens of hides and 'horns and monstrous tusks for his New York museum. Now the youth in fertile Moray Do in Gordon Gumming glory, Bold lion hunter — first who made With Africa tribes successful trade ; First in those wilds to fire a gun, While he the mighty trophies won. The most celebrated lady traveller in Britain is Miss Cumming, a niece of the Lion Hunter. She has written .-several volumes of her travels in distant lands. , PROF. LONGMUIR. win Irize site- Lcle, I this rOV- Iwas I was bhat and to khies It hath been a source of considerable gratification to me Ihat one of mv school teachers afterwards became Professor Longmuir, of Aberdeen. Mr. Longmuir had large, black, lustrous eyes. He was an enthusiastic geologist and botanist. His name is referred to by Hugh Millar, as he was one of his correspondents. Longmuir died at Aberdeen in 1883. BOOK AGENT STORY. As we have given several humorous Scottish stories in verse we will venture to trespass on your good nature by giving an American specimen. The scene is laid in the st: burbs of New York. It was a prose tale, and we fancy we have not diminished the height, breadth or depth of the humour by grinding it in our poetical mill and having it £ow out in rhyme. • 106 BOOK AGKNT STORY. There is a man, hU name is Brown, He lives in a suburban town And has an office in the city, His misfortunes you will pity. His mind it was on stocks and change. He cared not for things new or strange ; But agent managed him to hook And sold to him a costly book. Brown cared not for those glorious names — Died for religion in the flames ; Now he felt agent was a Tartar For selling him a book of martyr. The agent knew it would make strife, But sold another to his wife ; She did not know that Brown had bought,. And agent on her easy wrought. Approaching her with winning smile He poor woman did beguile. He miwde her believe without a doubt No Christian could do without This book, which would all inspire With spark of celestial fire. With feelings like the first martyr Who had died for Christian charter. When Brown did home return at night His wife, to add to his delight. Resolved that she would, after tea, Get chatting with her husband free And tell him of fine book she bought ; Of trouble fresh she never thought, But she noticed a gloomy frown On the brow of her husband Brown, But thought when I my purchase tell Those dark clouds they will dispel ; She said, my dear, I bought martyr. He looked as if h« her could quarter. HARVEST HOME nSSTIVALS. And said the scoundrel sold me book ; Ont of the window then he did look And saw the agent haste to train ; He tried ^o stop him. but in vain ; Smith then was passing in spring waggon, And he kad his trotting nag on ; He told him to stop book agent ; His escape for to prevent, , Smith told him Brown wanted him ; But agent — nothing daunted him ; Said he : He only wants to barter With me for my book of Martyr. If that's all, said Smith, with quick dash, Give me his book, and here's your cash ; Book agent jumped aboard the car. For he knew there would be war ; Smith met Brown with triumphant look — Said he : I have got you the book ; Brown's feehngs now no one could paint. He there did show he was no saint ; But to his own home he now returned, And fierce rage in his bosom burned ; He was not fit for Knight of Garter When he brought in the third martyr. 107 HARVEST HOME FESTIVALS. SEPT., 1884. In summer time it doth seem good To seek the shade of the green wood. For it (loth banish all our care \\ hen we gaze on scene so fair. And birds do here in branches sing So merrily in early spring, And lovingly they here do pair, Their mutual joys together share. 108 OXFORD CHEISB MAKER'S SONO. Here nature's oharming never rude, Inspiring all with happy mood, Tables had choice fruit of season. And we too had feast of reason. BPI8C0PAL HARVEST HOME. I To dinner table all do march Through evergreen triumphal arch ; On top the Union Jack it floats On each side sheaves of wheat and oats. Great pumpkins and big ears of com ' They do this rural arch adorn : We are reminded now 'tis fall. And boys enjoy game of foot-ball. With joy at niffht each one did gaze At the mighty bonfires blaze ; The tree leaves shone like silver bright, The lanterns, too, were pleasing sight. OXFORD CHEESE MAKER'S SONG. One of our early cheese odes. (The lugersoll Factory fs now removed to Thamesford. ) When Father Ranney left the States In Canada to try the fates, ' He settled down in Dereham, Then no dairyman lived near him. He was the Hrst there to squeeze His cows' milk into good cheese, And at each Provincial Show His famed cheese was all the go. OXFORD CHEESE MAKER'S SONG. 109 CHORUS, Then long life to Father Ranney, May he wealth and honor gain, aye ! He always took the first prize, Both for quality and size ; But many of his neighbors Now pront by his labors. And the ladies dress in silk From the proceeds of the milk : But those who buy their butter, •' How dear it is,' they mutter. CHORUS. Then long life to Father Ranney, May he his health retain, aye ! Farmers now can not be beat With their cheese and their wheat, Though now their greatest care is For to watch o'er their dairies ; They carefully fill their mows With provender for their cows. And they tlius enrich the soil With much profit for their toil. CHORUS. now We will sing this refrain, aye. Long life to Father Ranney. The motto, * 'Union is Strength," Is carried out at length In the most compact array At every cheese factory. You'll see without going as far as There is one kept by Harris, The factory of IngersoU, Just out at the first toll. I! 110 OXFORD OHBBSS MAKER'S 80KO. CHORUS. May he never loffer pain, aye, The father of cheesemen, Ranney. Or you mav go all the way To see one keptlw Galloway, And out in the Norwiches Dairymen are making riches ; And honor has been won By Harvey Farrington ; The same path is trodden By folks al)out CuUoden. CHORUS. May his strength never wane, aye, ' The great dairyman, Ranney. And of late we saw some Very good cheese from Lawson ; All around Mount Klgin Dairymen have weL done ; And out in £!ast Nissouri ' They make some scores a day ; From Jarvis and Elliott Some good cheese is bought. CHORUS. And we will all remain, aye. Indebted to Father Ranney. Now we close this glorious theme. This song of curds and rich cream. Subject worthy of our muse. You can buy your hoops and screws, Boxes and vats, all things like these. In IngersoU, great mart for cheese ; Here buyers all do congregate. And pay for cheese the highest rate. CHORUS. So we call on you again, aye, To honor Father Ranney . ODE ON THE MAMMOTH CHEB8H. HINTS TO CHEESE MAKERS. HI All those who quality do prize Must study color, taste and size, And keep their dishes clean and sweet And all things round their factories neat ; For dairymen insist that these Are all important points in cheese. Each side of river hath its work Devoted to the cure of pork, For dairymen find it doth pay To fatten pigs upon the whey ; For there is money raising grease As well as in the making cheese. ODE ON THE MAMMOTH CHEESE. WSIOHING OVEB 7»000 POrNDS. We have seen the Queen of cheese, Laying quietlv at your ease, Gently fanned by evening breeze — Thy fair form no flies dare seize. All gaily dressed soon you'll go To the great Provincial Show, To be admired by many a beau in the City of Toronto. Cows numerous as a awarm of bees — - Or as leaves upon the trees — It did require to make thee please. And stand unrivalled Queen of Cheese. May you not receive a scar as ! We have heard that Mr. Harris Intends to send you off as far as The great World's show at Paris. 112 CANADIAN THAMES. Of the youth — beware of these — Forsome of them might rudely squeeze And bite your cheek ; then songs or glees; We could not sing o' Queen of Cheese. We'rt thou suspended from baloon You'd caste a snade, even at noon ; Folks would think it was the moon About to fall and crush them soon. Mclntyre has a few rows Of the latest styles of Bureaus. CANADIAN THAMES. [old version.] We love to sing of classic names — Even if we choose a borrowed plume — Our theme, the Valley of the Thames, Where man may yet find ample room. It is not of old England's river, Covered o'er with many a mast ; But wher^ Cabot did discover The land of lakes and forests vast. Although we have historic claims, Yet them we now do lay aside j We pass the battle of the Thames, * Where foreign foe. did fiercely ride. We do not sing the graceful dames, No more than the fierce battle's shock* ; We merely trace old English names, Beginning first with the Woodstock. *Battle of the Thames won by American Cavalry. CANADIAN TUAME8. 113 _ ■ EnsUnd's Woodstock had a palace None was raised up grander, stronger ; Canadian Woodstock without malice, We may say your streets by far the longer.t Yet you are Oxford's County Town, And can boaat a fine new college, Which with old age may some day frown,^ Like Old England's seat of knowledge The next in order we enroll Is Westminster and Middlesex, With London for it capitol — These names a Cockney do perplex. EAch familiar name doth greet thee ! Its bridges, markets, and its halls ; All things in the Forest City Bears English names, eren to St. Pauls'. The next in order we do trace. Is Chatham — once a famed resort — For there the bloodhound dared not chase» Nor tear good colored men from sport. And now our verse draws to a close, Because beyond the County Kent The Thames by name no longer flows^ But in the lake it finds a vent. tWcodstock hath now breadth as well as length. The people all say and declare it is true, The best furniture is made of Mclntyre's glue 114 INDIAN MUTINY. .««!' LINES ON GUNN. Lines on receiving an announcement by card that Mr. Gunn had assumed the control of the Courier, My dear friend Gunni May you prize won, But to us nark y When you shoot mark, High you must aim And at riffht game, And truth employ Wrong to destroy. Your friend the Bard Hopes your reward , Will be furtiore For Courier. INDIAN MUTINY British infants who were nobly born Were from their bleeding mother's bosom torn And with the bayonet dashed upon the street There left to lie for native dogs to eat. But the British Lion he soon o'erthrew Both the high and the low Hindoo ; Now they respect the Christian laws For fear of British Lion's paws. Gunn X A MODBRN WONDER. A MODERN WONDER. CAMPBELL'S BLOCK. was curtained : " "^^ W'tnewed until the wiSdw VViththei;ttt.t^lj;,'i-,^ Ijt w^dJute^^^Ts" them we g..ed Three moon, the '^?Hi..^ *i"*^'' ' And«W„,,„'j:^J;d^beaut«„s^^^., MJdda;tdr.*''"""'<"y- At the .iBhtl. „"" """" in glory ; «o,uii''tea„T^e7.';;?.«-- . «plnVK;el^8'»ry.- Asi Editor oftheTriK" """"drou, A^utthi,ta%f^i|>-_^^_^ Gltgo'^mtht'"^I»*y- '«^ in wieirglonoua might. Pr»y think ?^t^J"?^°* »''ade ; story i r-M^n-t^- 116 ELECTRIC LIGHT. ELECTRIC LIGHT. Suggested by the brilliant display at Toronto, September, 1884. When the great Bulwer'i pen did trace The history of the comi::^g race His hero to us he hath unfurled The glories of his new found world. This bold traveller he did venture Far below cur world's centre ; He entered through an ancient mine And to us doth new world define. Once all was discord and fierce jars, Continuous engaged in wars Till they discovered great vrill power, Then wars did cease from that same hour. Mighty bolts from it were hurled ; Would soon have laid wstete the world ; So for world's preservation At once they stopped desolation. All wars by them are now despised Unfit for nation civilized ; Their peaceful glories they do sing And fly on artificial wing. Great blazing artificial light It ever bums both day and niglit, For they have neither sun nor moon. But radient, alw^ays 'tis high noon. When we beheld the glorious sight, High in the air did shine so brisht ; It seemed that it could banish night. Great refulgent electric light. WITCH STONE. But after all, 'tis children's play Compared with the great orrof dav AnJ«r *^' r^" ^* ^«*h sWne bright And stars do beautify the night. ^ 117 WITCH STONE. A man with veneration small • Broke stone and built it in his wall But the authorities of town ' • Made him full quickly pull them down. Replace each piece, and it environ With large bars of good Scottish iron • ijjfy fi°« old town thrive and adorn ' The beauteous banks of the FindS^ 118 LADIXS' AID. DICK AND EDWARD. The Thurso baker, Robert Dick/ Armed with his hammer and his pick. Dame nature's secrets did reveal. Which she for ages did conceal. ^ In Ban£f has genius found regard In the person of an Edward.r Who now does rank among the first In the world as naturalist. *Dick was both a geologist and botanist, and was of great service to Hugh Millar. tEdward is a shoemaker by trade, remarkable for his knowledge of the lower grades of animated nature. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. Are you a mason ? No ; I prefer To work at the trade of carpenter. Are you then an Oddfellow ? No ; I married Annabella. Are you a Son of Temperance ? No ; I am son of Joseph Vance. Are you then a Forrester ? No ; town life I prefer. LADIES' AID. After chatting with each friend, We our way to the table wend ; On it we all do make a raid. And this we call a Ladies' Aid. 'Tis pleasant way of taking tea, Improvement on the old soiree ; On such a time as this we find Food for body and for mind. RESPONSE TO SENTIMENT OF SCOTTISH POETS. Gladly all obey the call To attend this pleasant social, And we hope none will lament The time and money they have spent. The matron and the comely maid And youths attend the Ladies' Aid ; But now we close our short refrain, And hope to meet you all again. 110 'eat his RESPONSE TO SENTIMENT OF SCOTTISH POETS. In replying to this toast, we have no hesitation in saying that Bums stands pre-eminently in the first rank. His mind was so sensitive to the beauties of nature that he re- gretted plowing a daisy under, as evinced in the following tender lines : — " Wee, modest, crimson -tipped flower, Thou'st met me in an evil hour, For I maun crush among the stour Thy slender stem; To spare thee now is past my power, Thou bonnie gem." He was well aware that he was but little indebted to educa- tion, and he finely expresses it in the following : — **Gie me se spark o' nature's fire, 'Tis a' the learning I desi-e ; Then though I trudge through dub and mire. At plow or cart, My muse, though hamely in attire, May touch the heart. " He has encouraged many a poor man who was depressed and in despair with the ill assorted way in which this world's goods are aistributed with his grand song. 120 BESPONSE TO SENTIMENT OF SCOTTISH POETS. *' The rank is but the guinea stamp ; The man's the goud for a' that." Thomas Campbell had a warm feeling for depressed nationali- ties, and warmly expressed it on the fall of the Polish Patriot Kosciusko : — '* Hope for a season bade the world farewell, And freedom shrieked when Kosciusko fell." He had a deep sympathy for Ireland, down-trodden as it was eighty years ago, when he visited it, and gives vent to his feelings in the touching lament of the Exile of Erin : — **0 where is my cabin stood by the wild wood ? Mother and sistor did you weep for its fall ? And where is the sire watched over my childhood ? And where is my bosom friend dearer than all ?" Tanahill composed while at the loom. His best known, sweetest and most tender song is : * 'Jessie, the Flower of Dunblane." Hogg, the Ettrick shepherd, composed while tending his flock. One of his finest and most tender pieces is: "Meeting a Bonnie Lassie when the Kye comes Hame." Charles McKay, the greatest living Scottish Poet, is most favourably known by his splendid manly song : ** The pen shall supercede the sword. Right, not might, shall be the Lord ; There's a good time coming — wait a little longer." Imoat SALFORD PARSONAOE. 121 SALFORD PARSONAGE. Lines delivered at house warming cf Salferd Parsonage. Your pastor's fame first got abroad By his success on CuUoden Road ; He filled the church so that the fold No longer it the flock would hold. But soon a la ger church did rise, With fine ne it tower points to the skies ; When you o' 3rwhelmed with ruin dire Did lose your parsonage by fire. To his call with generous bounty You built best parsonage in county, But some good people in the town At this idea they might frown„ Unless we made this correction : The best in a rural section ; Your pastor he doth vigorous push, He's not afraid to enter bush. And 'tis a fact there's very few With him can stick of timber hew ; Ready for to superintend, ^ Or a helping hand to lend. When bold man's wanted at the front, You've but to call on Reverend Hunt ; In pulpit he conviction darts, And points the way to troubled hearts. But solemn thoughts we won't employ, As this is all a scene of joy ; Maids and matrons all charming Do grace this pleasant house-warmine. Here people come from near and far To purchase goods at this bazar ; And all is happiness and glee At festival of this soiree. /^ 122 LINES ON LONDON. TRANSFORMATION SCENE. A plain building was removed to a pleasant grove, and in a ftw weeks it was transformed into the neatest frame building in town . As westward we of late did rove We beheld in the maple grove An old church now owned by Peter ; In town there is no house looks neater, For those bay windows do look sweeter Than anything in prose or meter. LINES ON LONDON. Uniformed Encampment victorious at St. Thomas and at the great Forester's demonstration in London, August, 1884. They once in wilderness did ride On beast with horn and shaggy hide — A savag« goat or unicorn, But now parade in uniform ; As gay as ancient Knight or Lords, With their grand plumes, and belt and swords. Their graceful movements at their drill Doth all with admiration fill, And the chief glory it was won By the encampment of London ; For they at every tournament For drill are the chief ornament. So 8ki/f?iliy obey sword do wield, Victoj ^ ^m every field ; > > ri tc ry \ ;;j:aven on their shi'' J 1- h . .ir.kc .;heif rivals for to yie^-J ; ii /or\i> I ^^T, they out manoeuvre T^n Froiii ilevriouitdland to Vancouver. GRATIFICATION. 123 the GRATIFICATION. We occasionally get a tew gleams of encouragement^ while struggling through the trials of life. A number of years ago a person employed by the Dominion Government to give sketches of the various towns in Canada, and especially to describe the power of the various' streams and the number of streams in each town or neighbor- hood ; he came to us, as we had written rhymes on the rivers and creeks. Years afterwards we were informed by persons who came from Britain, as the book was to raicourage emigra- tion, that my name was the only one they had ever heard of in Ingersoll until they came here. The celebrated Spaulding, manufacturer and inventor of prepared glue, was in town a few days ago. He expressed to a gentleman in town that he was gratified with a conversation he had with me on poetic themes. As there is no natural afl&nity or adhesion binding glue to poetry, we might say we discovered that the inventor possessed a refined and cultivat- ed mind and a fund of American humor. An old lady expressed herself very warmly after reading my Canadian romance, that it was a true history of herself and husband ; that 35 years ago they were not worth a dollar, and now they had 500 acres paid for of good land. The reason why we alluded to this is : — Some have no faith that there is anything worthy of commemorating in their own country, but consider worthy themes for either song or story are three thousand miles across the Atlantic. FINALE. It is folly now to aim Or to seek for distant fame, But rest content if we can claim Something of a local name On the pleasant banks of Thame, Because in simple strains we sung The glories of this country young. 124 CARD or THANKS. ERRATA. In Irish Poets McKee should be McGee ; Fire Brigade Ode, arranged should read arrayed. There are a few more errors, which the reader will please overlook. Shakespear is spelled wrong, but in all of his own autographs he spelled his name different ; it is said there are 60 distinct ways of spelling it ; in Scottish Names Fain should be Tain. CARD OF THANKS. We have much pleasure in returning thanks for the kindness of many who gave us encouragement to go on with the work, among whom were Col Moffat, of London ; Col. Wonham, of Winnipeg ; James Noxon, Mayor ; Jos. Gibson, Post-master ; E. Casswell, Alexander Prentice, James Nors- worthy, P. J. Brown, M. Walsh, James C. Hegler, James F. McDonald, James Brady, Peter Kennedy, Peter Stewart, James Smith, William Partlo, John Ross, John Russell & Co, James Waterhouse, William Ewart, Thomas Brown, C. W. Ferguson, C. E. Chadwick, and the gentlemen connected with educational matters as well as the medlaal gentlemen of the town, and manufacturers and merchants and mechanics, and we would also return thanks to the people in the country who so highly appreciate the Cheese Ode, and to the cheese buyers of the town who so liberally have assisted to render it a success. James McIntyre. [the end.] INDEX. American Poets Agricultural Implements * ? ^^tograph Album . , Abel B- J». Beachville Brantford Burns & Scott Birds Nest ... Brodie Castle Book Agent Story Brock Monument Concert Impromptu Cheese Pioneer Christmas Tree Crimean War Canadian Sports and Games '" Credit Valley Trip Canadian Hunter Canadian Rivers and Lakes Canadian Thames Corner Stone Laying Civic Holiday Trip Caledonian Games Cheese Ode Colonel Wonham Canada Our Home . Cheese Facts Cheese Maker's Song Page. 91 61 .. 64 59 .. 30 54 .. 60 70 . 75 106 . 5 72 . 70 58 . 67 15 . 19 19 21 26 35 35 3a 44 49 51 99 108 126 INDEX. Canadian Thames [old version] Card of Thanks Disaster to Steamer Victoria at London Donald Ross Dr. Springer Departed Statesmen .... Dick and Edward English Names on Canadian Thames Embro and Zorra English Poets ElfShot Electric Light Fruit JJvaporator Fight of a Buffalo with Wolves Fight with a Bear Fire of IngersoU Firemen's Soiree Female Revenge ....... Fairy Tale Finale. ... Gourley ' Gait and Dunlop Gordon Gumming, the Lion Hunter . . . Gratification Hope for mgersoU Hope Macniven Harvest Home Festivals Harvest Home Episcopal Hints to Cheese Makers House Warming IngersoU Impromptu In Memorial .... Irish Poets . . . . . . Indian Mutiny . . Lament of the Maple Tree Lines on Violets Lines on Methodist Union ...... Life in the W^oods ...... .London Flood ..... Page 112 124 12 23 69 ...... 71 118 29 32 86 103 116 84 11 ...... 13 41 41 100 ... . . 124 36 60 105 23 20 73 107 108 Ill 121 31 66 74 89 114 8 10 19 21 • . ■ . . • mi INDEX. 127 Il07 I1O8 11 121 31 66 74 89 14 8 10 19 21 i27 •••«••• • • • • • • • London West ... London Children .... Lines on a Fountain Lines to Wingle .... Little Lake .... Lome and Louise . . . . , Lines on Gunn . . Ladies' Aid London Encampment McGeo . . .... Mount Elgin Masonic ... ..... Mrs. Moody .... Menzie's Poems .... Moray Fnth Shires Mammot'i Cheese .... Modem Wonder North of Scotland .... North Wv^st .... Norwich,. Nuptial Odfc on Canada ..... Niagara's Charms and Death of Webb Nova Scotia Oddfellowship in Woodstock ...'... Oddf ellowship in IngersoU .... Opening of Parsonage . . Opening Ode .... O for a Lodge Patriotic Ode Prairie Farms .... Port Stanley .... Port Burwell .... .... Poetry People Will Talk Providential Escape Potato Hug Exterminator ,.,.,. Questions and Answers Response to Scottish Poets Romance of Canada ...... Rabbit Story , . , . . Page. 28 39 • • • • • 40 63 66 102 114 118 122 25 34 43 62 77 94 111 115 97 67 33 6 17 22 37 38 45 49 82 11 22 23 25 48 67 68 82 118 119 78 63 128 INDEX. Page. Raft Adventure 60 Scottish Names in Oxford 99 Stuart Brothers 98 St. Andrew's Anniyersary 96 South of Scotland 94 Scottish Poets 92 Snake and Potato Bug ; St. Catharines 62 18 Stratford 28 Salford . . 32 St. Thomas .... 42 Steam Power 65 St. Andrew and Hallowe'en . . 101 Type Writer Thorold View from Hill .... 65 66 Thomas Campbell .... .... 47 Thamesford .... ,33 Tilsonburg 34 Transformation Scene .... 122 Victoria Park and Caledonian Games 40 Welcome to the Prince of Wales 7 Woodstock . • • • ol Wars in Victoria's Reign .... 84 Witch Stone ' 117 Page. 60 90 98 96 94 08 62 18 28 82 42 55 .. ... 101 65 66 47 33 34 122 40 .... 7 31 .... 84 117