^%- .r/W V^o\> * ^>^'..vting to allay the panic which threatened the breasts of many of Montreal b hurriedly assembled defenders. He early formed the connection as clerk with the old firm of Robert CamiJ jell & Co., Importers of dry goods, carpets, etc., which he re- tained in various capacities up to partner, until, in 1859, he severed his connection to establish himself in the new departure of an ex- clusive carpet business both in Montreal and Toronto. His sterling reputation even then stood him better than large capital with English manufacturers, who were liberal in proffers of all needed credit, and it was his life-boast that every penny then and after thus supplied in goods was fully paid in cash. The Toronto branch was eventually given up, and resources and ener;^y concentrated in Montreal. In 1876 the partnership of James Baylls & Son was formed, which con- tinued till, in 1896, his failing health determined him to seek rest in retirement, and the expediency of continuing the business not being apparent, the firm was voluntarily wound up by mutual agreement. His active and optimistic nature, unfortunately, however, led him into large railway enterprises in the seventies, which are now the success for others his best efforts and highest hopes failed to ensure to him ; and the Huron and Ontario Ship Canal project, in which he was earlier associated with the original promoters, who were com- pelled to abandon it, is even now among the possibilities for the betterment of Canada's trade highways. Mr. Baylis early identified himself with movements for the good of the community, and took part in their public discussion, his life story being bound up with that of his loved city. Among his first efforts was a resolution proposed to his fellow-members of the Mechanics' Institute in the early forties, welcoming the then newly-arrived Gov- ernor-General, and he was one of the moving spirits in the agitation about the same time for the early closing of shops at eight o'clock (!) and the then startling innovation of the Saturday half-holiday. t I 1 The Independent character of the Congregational body dPtermined his church connection, and he attached himself to " Old ' lun," fol- lowing all its vicissitudes of riot, fire and eecession, from small beginnings in St. Maurice Street, under the Rev. Henry Wilkes, to flnal dismemberment on Beaver Hall Hill at the close of the Rev. Mr. Bray's meteoric pastorate, when he formed congenial and lasting connection with the American Presbyterian Church. The Temperance Cause first had his support at a time when attach- ment thereto was often maintained at the cost of the sympathy of those near and dear, and his last public act was to join the national deputation of the Dominion Alliance — of which he was one time and for long the Treasurer — which waited on the Government at Ottawa, in the fall of 18^8, respecting action on the result ol the Prohibition Plebiscite. Among other public movements, Mr. Baylis was closely associated with the lute Juooph Douire, Q.C... aud the othur det'uuders of the celebrated (Juibord case, aud was treasurer of the fund. He was one of the promoters of the recent agitation resulting in the formation of a titizciiis' Cummittte for the abolition of the Quebec Commercial Tax, aud joint-treasurer of the fund ; and, a long-time member of the Board of Trade, he some years ago consented to be nominated to a seat ou the Council as reprcseutative of the retail trade, but failed of the support necessary to elect. He did not seek municipal honors, knowiUR well the saciilice of time aud meaus this involved for one atteniptiug to do his whole duty. He regarded public otfice as a public trufct, aud had intense hatred of every form of " boodiing " in public aud private business. In politics, whils on principle a Liberal, he was no bliud partizan, proving his independence on more than one occasion by voting against his party when their stand on broad public Questions would not square with his views of right and justice. He was on one occasion tendered the nomination for the County of Argenteuil in the combined interest of the Liberal party and the Temperance cause, but, notwithstanding infiueniial urging, did not see that his business engagements would permit his follow- ing his taste and bent into a field for which his gifts of careful deliberation and convincing speecli well fitted him. He was one of the founders of the Young Men's Christian Association, lovingly watching its growth from the acorn to the present spreading pro- portions, and holding high ofEce in the gift of fellow-members. He was a charter meriber of the Montreal Homeopathic Association, seeing its work develop from a handful of adherents to an influential clien^fele supporting a dozen or more practitioners and a well-equipped little hospital, of which he was one of the Governors. Last, but far from least in his thought and plans, was his long connection as Vice- President with the Boys' Home Corporation, which he saw rise from the small beginning at which he assisted 30 years ago into the im- portant and well-sustained work in -v^hich it is now engaged. He was twice maiTied, his first wife being Miss Jessie McCormack, who. with their two children, all died within a few weeks in the fall of 1850. In 1853 he married Sarah Jane, daughter of the late Samuel Mathewson, and of their eight children, two sons and three daughters, with their mother, suindve him. He passed peacefully aT"^ay, after a brief illness, in the enjoyment of the respect of his commercial associates, the confidence of his co-laborers in religious and philan- thropic work, the esteiem of friends, and the love of kin, in the sure f aitli that : " There Is no death ! What seems so Is transition. This} life of mortal breath Is bat a suburb of the life elysian Whose portal we call Death." ! il