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D3 " Entered according to Act of Piirliament of Canatli, in the ye ir one thousmd . .t hundred and sixty-nine-seventy,— (18G9-T0), by yExK.vs MacDonell Dawson in the Office of the Ministek ok AGKicri.TnKi:. OUR mmm\ m their strength. THE NORTH WEST TERRITORY, &c., &c., &c. PREFACE. TtiE matters, of' which this volume treats, are, no doubt, ■of sufficient importance to justify an endeavour to write about tliem, and in such a way, as to convey useful infor- mation and excite a salutary interest in the minds of in.tellii>'ent readers. But wliat are the matters treated of? The first limb of the title is mysterious and throws no light upon the subject. Nor is it intended that it should. 'Die author does not conceive that it would be proper iuiy more than it would be possil)le, to place everything wliich the book is intended to contain, on the title page. The series of letters Avhich are entitled ' Our S/reii^ih and 'b^ir Strength,^ will, it is presumed, alninduntly explain :md justify their heading. They have been already ac- cepted by very competent judges, as a complete refutation of the anti-colonial views of Professor Goldwin Smith a)id his following in England. The fact that they have appeared in the columns of other papers of the Dominion of Canada, Ijesides those of the Journal in which they were originally inserted by the writer, may, perhaps, be t'onsidered as corroborative of this position. IV Tile Paper on the Norlli West Ternfort/ met with a very favuraMe reception when puhlislied, lately, in the Literary Quarterly of St. John, N. B. The Ontario Ga- zetteer havinci' also pul>li.she(l it, and, in a very alu'idgetl form, it ought to jlnd plaee in its more extended dimen- slon>, the author coneeive.s, in this ecjUeetion. Several notes are a])pended, which, it is ]io})ed, will Ix^ found to he a not unimportant addition. The Treatise on the Poets of British North America^ now //'/'• Dominion of Cannda, was lirst connnunicated, in tliu form of a Lecture, at a Sitting of the French Canadian Literai'y Lisrituto of Ottawa. Some additions, and, may it l)e said, im2)rovenients ^ have been made in the c<»ur,se of its i)reparation for the press. It is the first attemj^t, as far ;is the writer is a^\•are, to make known our Enii'lish Poets of Canada to French readers, and the Cana- di:ui authoi's of Poems in French to English readers, at the sr vinie. It would appear, if some able writers may be relied on, that the attem])t has not been made Avholly to no purpo.-e. •' The Author," says Le Canada, " under- standing how necessary it was to commence by restoring poetry in public estimation, made a selection from the Canadian Poets of both languages, and won for them, \\hetlier by (pioting their works, or by his appreciations, ■ the sympathy of his hearers. This is a first, and hy no means an unimportant step; for, shoukl it once come to be believed that in Canada, there are Poets worthy of being lead; and should their names only become known, it is more than probaT)le that our Parnassus would be raised to its true position in the opinion of all who possess that deli- cacy of feeling, without which, Poeti'y can never find admirers/' — (Le Canada, 5 mat, 18C8.) (' il I' <1 The cordial greeting with which almost all the Poems, «'Oiitained in this volume, have already met, encourages the writer to publish them in a more permanent form. lie is not unaware that he sul»jects them to a severer or- deal. But he relies, at the same time, on the ()])inions» which have been expressed by the most competent judges on this continent. The Pieces which do not relate imme- diately to Canadian subjects, may, for the most part, be considered Canadian on other -j-rounds. The Vision at, Linrluden, for instance, cannot possildy shock the loyrlty or patriotism of any true Canadian ; for, it celebrates an Union which has promoted more than some believe, or any can express, the prosperity, power, ;iiid glory of the British Empir(\ The view of Kaminhtnp^uia, as it stood CO years ago, whicli accompanies the pai)er on the Nortli West Terri- tory, cannot fail to prove interesting at the ]>resent time. The author of this collection thanks Dr. VanCortland for allowing tlie curious old picture to be copied. CONTENTS. !( OUR STRENGTH AND THEIK STREN(nTI. p.voh PnKKACK 3 Letler Int. — The Capital of tbo Confoiloration ^t Letter 'Ind. — rrofessor (Joklwin Smith, vs. tht? Britisli Nortli American Colonies in general and their Union in pavtioul ir. '.) Letter 3;J.--Tlie Ut. Hon. Robert Lowe, M. P.. at w.ir with the B. N. A. Colonies l.{ Letter 4///.— The Rt. Hon. Robert Lowe, M. T.. still at w.a— The Colonies (letermined to give liini no (juarter M Lettei' fj^A.— Anti-colonial war — another assault by the Rt. Hon. Robert Lowe, M. P 2.'> Letter 0/A.— Kefutation of the .'>!mith-Lowo theories .31 Letter 1th. — Refutation of the .Smith- Lowe theories continue'l 17 The British Colonies— A Lecture 45 THE NORTH WE,y Mr. WiuMington 82 Distanc'.'s — Eiiglun-l to China, hulia, A;c 8.'i (.'ontral position ol" (»tta\va H4 THE l.ATE li. .1. riMEE. Esq S5 THE roE TS OF CANADA. l'i:i;rACK 109 Intiodn.'tory romarks Ill Tan I— I'.riti.sh C^anailian Poets 113 J'nrt II. — French ("anailian Poets 104 THE LATE IIoniim^. TI1(.»MA.S D'ARCY McCEE, M. P is;j DOMINION DAY AND OTIIEIl PUEM.S. Dominion Day 20 5 Solitude 210 Royalty at Ottawa 215 Battle of Hidgeway 21 7 A Day hi July 219 Vision of Burns at Lincludcn 222 Sondei'borg 234 Lord Elgin 230 St. Andrew's Day, 1864 241 Canida 245 The News from Russia 259 Dies Ino 205 Song of '."ymodooo 207 This world i- all a fleeting show 209 ! i VIII I'AON Ti» Deum liunlainuH 271 Ecoo (\w\m liomim 2TI Wi'lcomo to tho lion. T. D. McCicn, M. P 27 "» In Deffnco 277 Cliarlfs Siingstcr , I'sf rrologue to King AU'rod 2S4 Sic vos non vobis, ^c 2^0 Dishop (lillis 2S.S Notes ;}();; HEVIEWS. No. I. Bibliothoca Canadensis .'ilt» II. Droumlaml, iVc, l)y Cha.s. Mair 'iV.^ A LEARNED AND PIOUS CLEIUJYMAN. Ilia Scriptural stiulics, virtues, zeal, labours, painful illness, death and funeral o'2A 'I Ml 1 (t I'AON IN I .•Jl',» .]-2A €Ffi STREMTO ii\'l) THEIR STRElfGTD. I I " •■ «t : 15 I h^l :h,! i! I ri PREFACE This title, it is believed, the following kttera will be found to justify. In those portions of them, espe- ciall/, where the means of defence within reach of the Ca- nadian people, are discussed, it will be seen that their strength, although at first view and to a superficial ob- server, it may appear limited and unavailable, is by no means despicable, even when compared with the appa- rently greater power of the United States. At the time at which these letters were written, rather more than a year ago, the fallacious theories of Professor GoLDwiN Smith appeared to be gaining ground in Eng- land. Be this as it may, these theories were widely sustained and loudly proclaimed by the numerous follo\ving of the Utopian Professor. Within those walls, where true statesmanship ought to reign supreme, the views of the clever but inexj^erienced philosopher, found advocates and abettors. Such a man as the Bight Honorable Robert Lowe, (at this moment a Cabinet Minister), failed not to support these anticolonial no- tions in the House of Commons, and if the language which he employed in discoursing on them, could be relied on, gave proof that his mind was seriously im- bued ^\'ith opinions of a most dangerous tendency, and which, if carried into action, would materially interfere, the writer of the following letters conceives, with the in- tegrity of the British Empire, — might even be ' the be- ginning of the end,' — the immediate forerunners of im pending ruin. I'- I LETTER FIRST. The Capital of the Confederation. To the Editor of the Ottawa Times ; Sir, — Would you oblige some of your readers — nay, s great number of your numerous readers — by doing justice on a recent letter of Mr. Groldwin Smith, which, I observe, is finding circulation through the press of the maritime pro- vinces ? This letter may do a great deal of harm in those pro- vinces, as there are people there, as well as everywhere else, who are accustomed to think, when they take the trouble to think at all, just as superficially as the shallow philosopher who is treating them to a more than usually copious dose of his spurious wisdom. Let it not be supposed that I am dealing too harshly with this minor light of the Oxford firmament. Only take a specimen of his recent epistle, flippant in style as it is shallow in philosophy : " The new Confederation is to have a factitious capital at Ottawa, the counterpart of the factitious capital of the United States at "Washington. In the case of America, the worst results have followed from the removal of politics and public life out of the tempering inilu(!nces of general society, and the direct censorship of public opinion. If there were a North American nation, Quebec — historically, and in every other respect — would be the capital." What does the most learned professor mean by "facti- tiou>s capital ?" Does he pretend that only a rich and popu- lous city ought to be chosen for the capital of a country? If so, his notion is quite a novel one. What proofs does his- tory alford of cities having been chosen for capitals on ac- count of their wealth, commercial importance and numerous population ? He will find many instances, on the contrary, of cities liaving grown great in all these respects, chiefly be- cauwe they were capitals. The capital of the United States is not a case in point. It is quite exceptional. The enlight- IP I I .1 1 al 6 ened fathers of the American Union understanding their weak point, resolved that the seat of government should be remote, as much as possible, from sectional opinion as well as action, and be subject only to such influence as public opinioH, that is, the opinion of the whole country, should bring to bear upon it. This must be considered as a legitimate influence. But it can hardly be supposed that un- der an ultra-democratic system, such opinion could make itself be respected, especially at a time of popular excitement, in a populous city of the new world. The voice of the real people could not be heard there. It would necessarily be stifled by the noise and confusion of strange tongues. Men having no stake in the state, adventurers from foreign lands, the reckless, the dissipated, the ruined and the desperate would on such occasions swell the chorus ; empty things of every kind would sound loud. "Where, then, would be opi- won — anything in the shape of opinion? Public opinion — the calm, deliberate judgment of ^he people, — would remain unheeded and unheard, if indeed, it could exist at all. But leaving aside the wise provisions of the great "Washington, which it is about just as impertinent to defend as to attack, allow me, sir, a word or two, in defence of our own embryo capital. "Why it should be called factitious, I am at a loss to understand. Is it because it had to be created as if by some sleight-of-hand, or legerdemain process for the express pur- pose of being the seat of Grovernment ? It existed, and in a state of tolerable prosperity, whilst all the towns of the Pro- vince were contending for the honor. It had not to be made. It was making itself rapidly, and without any view to metropolitan dignity. Its happy position at a convenient point of the Grrand lliver, where this noble stream forms the boundary between Upper and Lower Canada, had already made it the chief mart, the resort — if not yet a very fashion- able resort — the totvn, in a word, of extensive districts in both Provinces. The rich and populous county of Carleton, Upper Canada, in which it is situated, is coterminous with two great counties of Lower Canada, and it is as much prac- tically, the capital of the county of Ottawa (L. C.) as it is of Carleton, the city of Lower Canada, as far as this Province is settled towards the North — more than a hundred miles, near- ly as far in an easterly direction, and much farther towards the west, whilst there is no city nearer than Kingston that )rac- lis of jce is liear- lards that can share with it the advantage of being the chief resort for an extensive dietrict of Upper Canada — a district rich in agriculture, rich in commerce, and richer still in its ever in- creasing and intelligent population. It is not to be won- dered at, if with all mese advantages the "factitious" little capital was growing even whilst it had no other pretensitm as yet than to be the capital of its own county. During the decennial period which ended 1860, its population had been more than doubled. The census taken that year shows that its increase was one hundred per cent. The resources of the district — a third part of Canada — of both Canadas — ftU CJentral Canada, in a word, which resorts to Ottawa as its chief town, are incalculably great. Much had been said about the extravagance of Canadian statesmen in expending so much of the funds of the country on the erection of the magnificent and costly edifices which now aidorn the City of Ottawa. A member* of the Legislative Council, not uncoli- nected with the interests of the " factitious " capital, and whose name you may mention if it seem good to you, Mr. Editor, for it is deserving of the most honourable mention, at once put an end to this noxious talk, by stating in his place in the Senate, that the duties arising from one branch of the trade of the district more immediately connected with Ottawa, would sufiice to defray in six years, the whole of the extravagant expenditure which was to weigh down and crush the entire country for generations. Clamour and mis- representation are at all times pernicious things ; and the better it is for the peace and prosperity of the community, the sooner those stubborn fellows called facts, receive orders to achieve their overthrow. " If British North America were a nation," continues Mr Smith, " Quebec (not Ottawa) historically and in every other respect, would be the Capital." Now, what has Quebec to do historically with Upper Canada? Compara- tively little. In the days of the Hurons and Iroquois and Algonquins, Quebec had indeed some claim to be looked to from Upper Canada. Yet it was beheld with no friendly eye by those tribes who saw nothing beyond a hostile camp within the walls where their powerful enemy had established his dominion. What has the Upper Canada of to-day in • The Honorable James Skeftd. I 1 il I \ I \> It H '5' Mil ! 8 common with the Upper Canada of the Indian tribes and the early French immigrants sparsely and insecurely scat- tered throughout the Province ? It is no longer the same Canada ; it is no longer the same people. The hunting grounds of the aboriginal savage have given place to cultivatad and teeming fields; the aborigines themselves have made way for an entirely new population, — a highly civilized popula- lation which possesses a capital of its own within its own borders, and which has never been taught either by histo- rical associations, or by actual political relations to look upon Quebec as the ruling city by which its future destinies wore to be guided. Let me not however be supposed to consider that the Upper Canada of to-day, and its people are without historical associaiious, their existence as a people, their social and political l)eing are closely interwoven with such asso- ciations, associations compared with which the most ancient epoch of Quebec history is but as a tale of yesterday. In regard to Lower Canada Quebec has some pretensions, and they will be respected. But Quebec has a rival in the city of Montreal — a rival a5j rcLrards the Empire of Lower Canada. But in what concents the Upper or Western Pro-^-ince, Mon- treal is even as Quebec without the shadow of a claim. A. place must therefore be sought that would prove equally suitable — equally unobjectionable to both Provinces — a place not connected with the one Province more than with the other, by any historical or any strong social tie. The history of Canada as an united nation, is all in the future, so ought to be the history of its capital, and why should not Canada be a nation, Professor G. Smith's annexation theories not- withstanding? The learned Professor must have failed to observe that he is laboring to impress the world with a very unfavorable idea of his friends (and why should I not also say our friends?) of the American Union, when he represents them as incapable of keeping friendship with any people who have not chosen to adopt institutions exactly similar to their own. I do not believe that they are so l)ad as this. At all events, whatever may be their shortcomings in this respect, they are not, surely, so great as to be proof against the well-meant exhortations of so learned a professor, so eloquent a writer, and such a warm friend of American Democracy as Prof. G-oldwin Smith. Let him, therefore, •exhort them to sood neighbourhood. It may avail them. 9 They are in strictest amity with the absolute rule of Russia, — Democracy with Autocracy ! Why not some Uttle friend- ship, too, with a people who have taken to themselves a Constitutional Monarchy as the golden mean ? Apply your wisdom, Professor Smith, your eloquence, your American sympathies. They will be better employed than in lecturing us Canadians into notions of annexation, democracy or any thing extreme, of which, at this present time, whatever may be our hallucinations in the future, we have not the faintest, remotest shadow of the shadow of a dream. .Nemo. Ottawa, 3rd April, 1867. LETTER SECOND. his. his ust so ■can Professor Gtoldwin Smith vs. the British North American Colonies in General and their Union IN Particular. Te the Editor of the Ottawa Times : Sir, — The hostility of a learned Professoi of Oxford to the British North American Colonies, or to any British Colo- nies, appears to me quite unaccountable. But this hostility once given, opposition to the union of these colonies is no longer matter for surprise. Union is strength. The ene- mies of the colonies, therefore must cry it down. It would be consoling to these gentlemen, if not indeed so encourag- ing to the friends of the colonies, if Prof. Smith had been able to adduce anything like an argument in support of his theory. " For my part," says he, " I have long ceased to be- lieve that British North America will ever form an united and separate state." What will be in the distant future, it lies not with you or me or any man to foretell, most learned Paofessor, But there is no question at present of the British North American colonies forming a separate State. All that they aspire to is that they should be as one people, in con- nection with their father-land. If at some period more or 2 i' t! >\ M \V r^ 'I 10 less remote, they do not form a great and powerful State, it will not be as Prof. Smith supposes, because they do not possess the elements of national strength and prosperity. Any one who has seen the Pro\ances of IBritish North Amer- ica will certainly demur to the Professor's assertion that their " territory is both too straq:gUng and too poor,'^ to form a na- tion. This territory, indeed, presents a rather extended fron- tier line, but within this line there is a vast country posses- sing all but impregnable natural defences, and extending as far towards the north as settlement is possible. On one side only, couH it have, in any conceivable circumstances, to meet the attack of an invader. On this one side, no doubt, there are extensive lakes — inland seas — and a Inroad river, which might facilitate the approach of a hostile armament. But, it cannot be forgotten that these same waters aftbrd equallv great facilities for defence to a people who know the value of their country, and are both able and willing to de- fend it. At many places along the frontier line, nature has placed barriers in the shape of extensive deserts, quite as hard to traverse as the steppes of Kussia, where so many brave subjects of the Tzar found a grave when marching to defend t^ebastopol. A perusal of Major Dennison's account of the Fenian campaign of last year will show that obstacles to invasion lar less formidable than these inhospitable re- gions, cannot be so easily surmounted. It would require a military genius to discourse lucidly on such matters. But if the long robe of Oxford meddles with them, why should not other civilians ? Let some military men of established re- putation come forward and tell us that our Provinces are in- defensible, and we shall try to wait patiently until our peo- ple put their learning to the test. Notwithstanding the great length of our frontier line, Canada is not so assailable as are almost all the countries of Europe, which, however, pretend to be nations, and hold to maintaining their inde- pendence. The British Isles themselves have more bound- ary line than all the colonized Provinces of British North America, and this boundary line mii^ht be approached at any season of the year. And yet the Emperor Napoleon al- though he had an admirable choice of places for landing an invincible army, along the whole of the channel coast, the entire eastern shore, — something more than a thousand miles from the Nore to the remote Shetlands, along the 11 re- .ire a lilt if not re- in- ^eo- the western from Land's End to Dunnet Head, — 1400 miles at least, or on any part of the coast line, 3112 miles of Britain proper, or on some point of the far extending shores of Ire- land, never dared to carry his cherished scheme into execu- tion. Russia, too, at a time when it was her interest to re- duce the strenj^th of a powerful adversary, miiJ^ht have land- ed an army — there was no want of men or good will — after a few hours' pleasant sailing on any part of those British shores with which her mercantile marine is so familiar. But the capability for defence does not depend upon a frontier line which nature has made mom or less defensible. Pow- erful and conquering nations liaNC always been able to find access tc the countries which they were bent on acquiring. No mountain range save one,='*= or stormy ocean ever checked the advance of all grasping Rome. "Why did Russia fall back from before the defenceless walls of Constantinople, whilst she could penetrate into the fastnesses of Circassia, which were deemed impregnable ? And more recently still, how came the quadrilateral to be no protection to one portion of the Austrian dominions, whilst another found no effectual defence in the mountain passes of Bohemia? Time only will show who is to be the power, and the conquering pow- er, on the continent of America — whether the more enerv- ated and ease-loving Southern, or the hardv pioneer from Northern Europe, who hews for himself a home out of the woods of the north. But it may be that happier destinies than those of war and conquest are in store. We live in a better epoch ; and it may also happen that the generations that are to succeed us, will improve still further on the growing wis- dom of our day, and learn to subdue the only enemies with which, let us hope, they shall have to contend — those ene- mies w^hich nature herself has given in the climate of the new world — its winter's cold and its parching summer heat — its dense forests and its rugged surface, which yield only to hard, indomitable, persevering toil. Does Prof Smith hold that Canada is a "straggling" country, because its boundary Une does not happen to be a straight line ? It is continuous and well defined. But within it the country is only sparsely settled, waste and uncultivat- ed regions intervening between the settlements. If this be the learned Professor's idea, it is founded on erroneous infor- MoHi Grampius— the Grampian Mountains 1 1 '> i ; I I h • i;i 12 mation — on such information as may have been once cor- rect, but which now finds its fitting place in the antiquarian department of his college library. G-enerally there is conti- nuity of settlement, wherever there is settlement at all. Newly arrived colonists do not seem to relish the idea of having extensive forests and uncultivated tracts between them and the parts of the country which are already inhab- ited. True, the country is better settled near the frontier than in the interior. But it must be remembered that no Canadian settlement is as yet of very ancient date. It was natural that the lands stretching along the St. Lawrence and the lakes, should be first occupied. And these lands are so well populated now, that settlement, as a matter of necessi- ty, is pushed every year more and more into the interior of tne country. With the exception of the hewers of wood who sometimes cut out a farm for themselves in the midst of the forest, Canadian colonists, with a degree of wisdom not unlike that which guides an army when advancing against a hostile territory, instead of going singly or in straggling parties, to seek new possessions, thus exposing themselves to wild beasts and all the difficulties and dangers and dis- comfort of an isolated existence, proceed in a compact body to the conquest of the rugged but fertile wilderness. Al- though venturing on the use of figurative language, which learned Professors may tell me is not suitable for an epistle, I do not mean to say that on any given day, or in any parti- cular year, legions of settlers may be seen axe in hand, marching in serried array against the pine trees and the wolves, but simply that township is in course of being add- to township, each new settlement being contiguous to, or very nearly so, as a general rule, to a part of the country al- ready cultivated. I must now, Mr Editor, take a little rest. But if you kindly allow me, I shall return to my task and shew that much poorer countries than Canada have enjoyed a national existence. "Why should I not persevere in vindicating facts so well known in these Provinces, even if my persistence should cause the Professor to cry out, like the one-tyed giant of Homeric story, — "no man hurteth me." Your faithful servant, Nemo. Ottawa, April 7, 1867. 13 LETTER THIRD. The Rt. Honble. Robt. Lowe, M. T.. at War with the B. N. A. Colonies. To the Ediloi- of the Ottawa Times: Sir,— Allo\v iiic to dclcr i'or a few day.s any further re- marks in reply to the sophisms and misstatements of Prof. Uokhvin Smith, in order that I may bestow a few moments on a more important enemy of th*'' British North American Colonies. A meml)er of the British House of Commons- Mr. Lowe— said, not loniy ao-o, in replyinp,- to Mr. Ghidstone, the Earl of Carnarvon, the Ui.uht. Hon. Mr. Cardwell and other g-entlemen, who reeommend«'d the making of an Intercolonial Railway as well as an union of these proWnces: " This plan of inducinrnnu'nt in (jufstion. It orui )(»rs th indotvl. witli llu' WDiuh^rlnl IS nicasuiv ni.'i willi unanimous api)roval. Wf arc struck ncurrciicc of opinion l)ctvvc«>n the stati'siucn oi'Clrcat llriiain and liiosc ol'ilu' Nortli Amor ican Colonics. l)ct\vc^'ii the lmi>crial rarliann'iil and the Pro- vincial Lc'jrislaluves. l)ut v,-c iail to di p/(ui ol' which Mr. Lov. c c(»mpiains ■over any(!iin«4' like llu What mou«'\ was re quired, whal p.'vsuasi(»n was Avantin^- to induce the colonies to enter inio a form oi" liovernment which their legislatures had already decided iii-ou adopting-, and which, through Iheir duly accredited delou'ates. they lormally iisked the li'^nerid legislature lo sanction .' 3Ir. Lowe proceeds to say that by inducing- the Ci)lonies to outer into a i)articula.i form of government •• we (the mem- bers of the r>ritish House of Commons) represent ourselves to tln?m and to the world as tnkinn' 'i peculiar interest in the manner in which they choose to r<'gulat( tln'ir internal ailairs and their relations wiin America." One would suppojse on TCftdinc" these words, that the lM>iiourabie member was sp(*ak- inc* of some other country than a British colony, If. indeed, there were question of a foreiuii state, it would be hii>hly in- decorous that British statesmen and legislators should inter- est themselves in its internal affairs and foreign relations. But in the case of a colony that has grown up under the fos- tering cafe of the parent land, it would be strange, indeed, if the rulers of that land took no great interest in its aifairs. It would become them so to interest themselves if it were only from motives of philanthropy, the greater and th<» richer, and the more powerful encouraging and aiding those who are weaker as yet, less wealthy and less important. But how much more must ii not appear to be the duty of the mother country to intervene, on all fitting occasions, in the affairs of the colony, when it is remembered that that co- lony does not stand in the position of a poor relation, but being an integral portion of the empire, has claims that can- not be set aside. How important are not her colonies to Great Britain ! Does Mr. Lowe consider that they ought to be abandoned, and that the British people ought to be satis- 4 i\sua.sion !ir I'orui in'jiihorK nritish ioit. It I' Ntruck X'tVViMMl I Ain.M- tho Tro- lilii' Ihc was r«'- Loloiiies slatuifs 4h llicir U'cnornl 'dIoiiios lo mcm- irsclvt's t ill the I I atlairs )0:>e on i sjx'ak- iiiclt'od, lily iu- iiitor- llatioiis. Ibs- udeed, allairs. t were \u\ tho those rtaiit. uty ol' US, in at co- in, but ,t can- ies to :ht to satis- 15 • fied to Tomain pent up within their j^en-ffirt inlands / Does he forjrot that they are essentially a maritime people— a man- ufacturing^ and a eommonial prople t Thry must therelore, have ships, and trade, and materials to supply th.'ir raanu- laeturinir wants. But all these thinirs are not derived Irom tho \\Y\i\sh N(»rth Americim .olonies. No. indeed. 15ut <>n the same principle. Auslrali;i and New Zealand, iho \V est Indian po^essii.ns and even India itself, must also he aban- boned. And yet. liow useful— how neeessary— are not all these countries', especially in -^-reat emerueucics. to a land that has (.utL'rown its airricultund supplies, and must relv for the susteiiiince of hov peoide. on her Inro-ely d<'vel(.ped industrial res(.urces. ind her vast trade which, chiefly throui-h her colonii^s, extends to every clime ? Hut. could iu)t the r.ritisli, inlluiMilinl i\s they nro. esiablish commercuil relations with foreiL»-n coinitries .'" Do they not already enjoy such relations ? It must, hcswever, l)e observed that all such ri'lalions are deptMident on the liood will of the people with whom th«>y are or may ]>e eslMblished. If nations that iire now Jealous of l?ritain's power and crlo- rv. beheld hi'r shorn of her colonies. Avould they not soon ^•ive her to understanride of his pertinacious adversary'? Neutrality in time of war within any foreign State, or of war between two or more lorein'U S^'ites. mic'ht not avail us. Duriiui' the civil war that rao'ed so long in the American Union, Avhere. but for a colony, would have been an impor- tant Itranch of commerce, the cotton trade, wliH-h is essen- tial to numerous populations both in England and Scotland? True, but this colony was India. India therefore must be retained, even although it should be manifest to the whole world, that British legislators interest themselves in her internal affairs as well as in her relation>: irith foreis;n States. Canada did not supply cotton in the emergency alluded to. Let the Dominion of Canada, therelore. ])e severed from the Empire. Agreed. But how is the operation of severing it to be achieved ? Only two ways are possible. It must either be w I '\ \n i I } : L' 1 • 16 given up in compliance with the wishes of its people, or it must be ceded to violence. The former wa,j it will be time to consider when the people express their desire for such a severance. The latter would indicate inferiority, decadence, downfall. It will be remembered that when Rome could no longer defend her most distant possessions, the enemy were not far from the heart of her power. As soon as her small- est colony could declare itself independent in defiance of her authority, nation after nation threw oft' the yoke, until the Huns, the Goths and the Vandals rushed like a whelming avaflanche on the renowned city, that had boasted herself so long the mistress of the world. But it is not the pride of Empire or of conquest, but only utility by which the British people ought to be actuated. They can therefore, well af- foayl, "without any diminution of their national glory, to rid iftiem^elves of certain colonies which are more expensive than they are useful. "Without admitting that this could be done — that British prestige would not be lessened if the Dominion of Canada w^ere severed, is there nothing to be said on the ground of \ tility ? Suppose the severance ef- fected, our ships and our ct mmerce both on the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans, would be wholly at the mercy of a rival power. This power, as is w^ell known, is somewhat jealous of our greatness. In the event of a cessation of the present friendly relations, — , a calamity with which we earnestly hope humanity will not be visited in our day, but the possi- bility of which we must nevertheless, contemplate, what supplies of any kind could we derive from any portion of the American continent ? The State with which we should be at variance, would of course afibrd none. The greater part of North America (not including the United States), which is at present so willing, so anxious to serve us, would like- wise be under the necessity of refusing its aid. But after all, in case of famine at home, what w'ould such aid avail us ? To all who know the productiveness of the British American Colonies, the reply is obvious. No doubt, English gold could purchase largely from other nations, but only in the event that they were willing to sell. National jealousies, the idea of protecting trade, war, famine, " continental systems " might prevail. In these colonies, only one of the e^dls alluded to, could by any posssibility exist. It would be a strange, — al- though a possible coincidence, if scarcity extended over British I 17 pie, or it be time H- such a cadence, could no Qiy were er small- ce of her until the helming erself so pride of J British well af- 7, to rid [pensive jould be d if the g" to be •ance ef- ntic and a rival jealous present arnestly possi- what n of the ould be er part which d like- It after 'ail us ? nerican d could event he idea ' might ded to, ^e, — al- British e America at the hamo time as in the British Islands. But in coun- tries the productions and the industries of which are so varied, famine can hardly be supposed. Among the grain produc- ing lands of the world, the Dominion of Canada ranks the fifth, and many parts of it are unequalled. The distribution of genial rain over its surface, and its unrivalled sunshine olier a sure reward to the toils of the husbandman. It abounds in cattle, sheep and horses. This was well shown when the immense demand by America immediately after the war, and up to the time of the expiry of the Reciprocity Treaty, could only raise somewhat the price of beef for a few weeks. Its numerous lakes and rivers swarm with all va- rieties of fresh water iish. Its extensive Atlantic coast pos- sesses the largest and most productive fishing grounds in the world, not excepting the far-famed dogger bank of Northern Europe. I should exceed the limits of a letter if I were to speak of the vast and varied mineral wealth of Bri- tish North America. It may be that the iron mines of Swe- den shall fail, or be closed against the British people, but from Canada may be drawn an endless supply of iron ore yielding 80 per cent, of the purest metal ; and steel, such as has never been seen or manufactured even at Sheffiield. "With the barest mention of the gold, copper and other me- tals which abound, it may be at once stated that the coal- fields of Nova Scatla and the Xorth-West Territory may one day prove to be a source of wealth and long continued na- tional, greatness, when the coal mines of England are ex- hausted. What with steam navigation, the vast railway system, the want of anything like an adequate supply of firewood in old England, the time might come when her people would bitterly regret having listened to the baseless theories of such enemies of the colonies as the right honorable Robert Lowe. M. P. and Professor G-. Smith. For the sake of this one commodity of coal it might be expedient, still for some time, that British statesmen should interest themselves both in the home and foreign relations of these promising and ever growing colonies. Favored they are indeed, with self-government, but which is not apart from or independent of the government of the good and dear old Fatherland. And until they can treat directly with foreign powers, to do which is beyond the privilege of any colony, the mother country will continue, not. it may be presumed, without the o If !i ; li' H^f!! I ; ■ I 11: i!it 18 permission of the Hcoi. Mcniher — Mr. Lowe (she has ah'eady the good leave of an overwhehniiig majority uf his fellow- members) to bear this burthen for them, and to regulate, as a sense of duty shall direvijltcirrelattofiswifh foreigif jioirers, even icitJt tlie /leighlwrtNg j/direr of the Anten'i an Union. The Hon. Member mnst bear to be told that stich things arc the affairs of the British people, as much as any other matter which nearlv concerns them, and that over these same afiairs the Briti.sh Parliament exercises, and for some time [pro- bably will continue to exercise very considerable and legi- timate control. I haA'e not yet done with the right honorable Robert Lowe. M. r. Bitt I dare say you will have no objections, Mr. Editor, to allow me to hav^e done writing for the mo- ment, my epistle being already, I fear, too long for your columns. A friend in New Brunswick wishes to hear what I have to say about Mr. Lowe and his anti-colonial doc- trines ; so, as soon as you have a little space. I shall return to the charge, Ottawa, April 29th, 1867. I am faithfulh', &:c., &c., Nemo. LETTER FOURTH. The RutHT Honorable Robert Lowe, M. P.. still at War — THE Colonies determinep to (4ive him no QUARTER. To the Editor of the Ottawa Tirnes ; Sir. — Having mentioned in my letter of 20th April, that a friend in New Brunswick desires to know my opinion of the anti-colonial and anti-British views lately expressed in Parliament T)y Mr. Loavc. I shall oiler no lurtlier apology for asking fmce more a little space in yotir cohtmns. Th'' honcnable member having advised his fellow mem- bers to ]v ovi' the Britisli Aivitaioan C\>lonies entirelv to them- 1!) has already his lellow- regulate, as 'ii^n jtoirers, yio)i. The ing's are the her matter *ame affairs time {"pro- [e and lesri- )le Robert objections, )r the mo- ? for your hear what lonial doc- ball return ., &c., Nemo. ^TILL AT HIM NO ^ril. that inion of ossed in log'V for ^v mem- them- » selves, as if thev were somethiiio- with which the British people have no concern, proceeds to lind fault with the admirable plan which has been adopted with a view to increasing- the strength and prosperity of these provinces. He considers, and I dare say, he sincerely considers, although it struck me at hrst that there was something lik<^ atlVctation in what he said, that the union of the British North Ame- rican Colonies as recently decided on by tht^ British Legis- lature, '"is a sort of challenge or dt'tiance to th(^ Unitt^d K^tates." In the days of knight errantry, perhaps the confe- deration of several neighboring States or Provinces would have borne the appearance of a <^liallenge. But in our sober times, when so great a portion of mankind hold the opinion that a much greater measure of national as well as indivi- dual happiness may be enjoyed by cultivating the arts of peace, than by sacking towns and devastating fields, a few provinces which besides, cannot be su.spe<:;ted of aggressive views, may be allowed to concur in adopting some plan for increasing their resources, their trade, their wealth, and even for mutual defence, without being accused of throwing down the gauntlet to a neighboring country. If any people of the United States, as well as Mr. Lowe, should happen to view the confederation of the provinces in the light of a challenge, as an union set up as a rival to their greater and now long establfshed union, Canadians are prepare I to undeceive them. But why should it be necessary to say that no such challenge, no such rivalry is meant? Must every householder who makes improvements in his dwelling in order to increase his comfort and that of his family give an account of all that he does to his neigbors, and explain to them the objects he has in view, lest they should suspect him of some sinister intention towards them :* A New York journal lately anticipated the answer which all Canadians are ready to give when it cordially congratulated them on the means which they so wisely have had recourse to, in order to increase their resources and their happiness, whilst they established at the same time a new safeguard for the continuance of rational liberty on the American continent. Such is also, I hesitate not to affirm, the opinion of the great majority of the American people. It would be unfair to form a judgment from the rash utter- ances lately delivered in the Congress of the United States, Iffl \ I I 1:1 I . !!i:> I ^^:'l :( V \- '(I kr I, i 11 1 'L>'ressi(>N, but that " ive are setlinii; them tip as a rinil to Anirrien." No wonder if the asseml^led Com- mons received this utterance with cries of " no, no." Not- withstanding this energetic denial of his charge, Mr. Lowe continues to discourse upon it as if it were well founded, and then proceeds to descant most learnedly on " the absurdi- ty of thinkinii: that ive can defend these colonies agaiml any at- tac/i by the United States^ There is no question, not the re- motest rumor of such an attack. But granting it for argu- ments sake, does Mr. Lowe pretend that the British Em- pire would be unable to repel it ? An invasion of Canada by the Americans would necessarily be the result of a c[uar- rel either with the Canadian or the Imperial Government. AVe cannot suppose so wise and considerate a people as the Americans plunging without cause, into the expenses and the horrors of war. A quarrel with the Canadians would be of their own seeking, and they would not think of provoking such a Cjuarrel unless they had a view to the annexation of Canada. That they trouble themselves about such a thing is more than I can believe, and there are man-"' reasons, which so acute a people cannot fail to see, for thinking that it is more conducive to the general well-being and happiness, that so large a continent as that of North America should be divided into several States or nations. Only think of Europe all under one Government! And yet the idea of such unity has more than once entered into the dreams of men. It has been realised, too ; but only for a moment. Charlemagne wisely divided the empire of Europe. Louis XIV. never could win it. Napoleon gained it, but only to see it scattered to the winds. America must appear, when its geography is considered, still less fitted to form one undivided dominion. No doubt, if the Canadians saw that the only safety for them- selves and their free institutions was to be found in annexa- tion te the United States, they would be the warmest advo- cates of siich annexation. But they will surely fail to be so, whilst they behold in their present relations a stronger and ii' h 23 vo- more permanent guarantee lor constitutional government and the liberties of the people than any lor which they could exchange it. The objects which the British North American Colonies are anxious to promote, by uniting in one dominion, are liberty through constitutional government, national pros- perity and happiness, but by no means rivalry, far less df fi- ance. The advantages for Avhich we strive, the Americans hold in honor. They cannot, therefore, quarrel with us for endeavoring to secure them. And we shall be careful to give them no other cause of quarrel. There are several reasons w^hy we should believe that the Americans will not seek to be at variance with their Canadian neighbors. One or two of these I shall now state as briefly as possible. In the first place the American people have too much sense to think of raising a quarrel with us without any provocation on our part. If they did so, it could only be for the sake of playing for a while at the melancholy game of w^ar. Now, it appears to me that they are a people w^ho with ever such great resources, would only resolve on a state of war when it became absolutely necessary. Their prosperity and happi- ness depend on their agricultural, industrial and commercial pursuits. "War requires that all these should be seriously interfered with, if not completely abandoned . If not for a mere point of honor, they might, however, determine on war for the sake of territory. This is equally improbable and unworthy of so great a people. Have they not already more territory than they can occupy or utilize for generations to come ? Are the resources of all their States as yet tho- roughly developed ? And how many " territories "' do they not possess, in which colonization is scarcely commenced ? If, besides, they wanted more territory, they could purchase it ; and this w^ould be cheaper than going to war for it. Of this there could be no better judges than the Americans themselves. For of la^e years they have transacted business in both w-ays. They know to a cent, what the extensive Northern region which they purchased, the other day, from Russia, cost. They have also reckoned what their rocG]it Avar expenses amount to. But before they pay the reckoning, they must groan for many years to come, under the heavy Inirthen of their immense iianoiial debt, In a friendly spirit, we may be allowed to express the hope that in the succeed- ing years in which they shall have to bear this wei^'hiy ..V 24 charge, the people of some of the most fertile States will not meet with such difficulties as they have to contend with this present year. Their debt at the conclusion of the war amounted to the large sum of $2,366,000,000 in gold. In the course of the nineteen months or so, that have elapsed since the war, a time upon the whole not unfavorable to the col- lection of revenue, it has been reduced by $6,000,000, still leaving as the national burden the enormous amount of $2,360^000,000 in gold. The reduction is a great, a noble effort. But it appears small, indeed, when compared with the heavy reckoning which must be provided for in years to come. A clever paper of the United States finds fault with Mr. Gladstone for dilating upon the " rapid reduction " of this debt. And not without reason ; for however laudable the effort as regards the country, it appears less considerable when compared with the ponderous balance which remains. The danger of increasing rather than diminishing this debt, is surely a subject for the gravest consideration. In case my correspondent in New Brunswick should think that I am concluding this letter somewhat abruptly as orators sometimes commence an oration by what is called an exordium ex abrupto, you will please do me the favor, Mr. Editor, to say, that on an early day, I propose considering the possibility of a war in which Canada should be involved, arising out of some difference between G-reat Britain and the United States. You may add that I intend to put the question boldly to Mr. Lowe, whether in such a case, he would consider the idea of defending Canada, " the most ridi- culous and chimerical that can possibly be!" I am your faithful servant, Nemo. Ottawa, May Yth, 1867. r i^^ 2.') 3s will not . with this the war d. In the psed since to the col- ),000, still imount of t, a noble ared with 11 years to fault with action" of r laudable nsiderable h remains. ■ this debt, ck should bruptly as 3 called an favor, Mr. pnsidering ; involved, ritain and put the a case, he most ridi- mt, Nemo. m LETTER FIFTH. Anti-Coloxial AVar — Anothkr Assault ijy the KitiiiT Ilux. Mr. Lowe, M. P. To (he Editor of the Ottawa Times : Sir, — Consideration for your space, which is so valuable, induced me to conclude rather abruptly the other day, my remarks in reply to the Kt. Hon. Mr. Lowe's anti-Canadian speech in the House of Commons. I had considered one of the two ways in which I conceive it possible that Canada might come to be engaged in war, a war purely on account of this colony itself, whether provoked by the Canadians or waged against them without provocation. I think I may take credit to myself for having given due weight to the impro})ability of any such provocation proceeding from a people who are wholly intent on promoting the improve- ment of their country, its prosperity and their own happi- ness without interfering in the allairs of other nations. But I omitted to say how an unprovoked attack, as I think I have good reason to believe, would be met. Such an attack, if successful, would place the country under foreign domi- nation, an evil which no people have ever willingly borne. That it would be resisted, therefore, any one who knows the spirit and mind of the Canadians will at once acknowledge. But the Hi. Hon. Mr. Lowe says it would be " ridiculous and chimerical to think of defending: Canada.'^ The attempt would certainly be made, however ; and in the event of such a war, as I suppose, che defence would be " pro aris ct foots,'' — for happy homes and altars free. A people engaged in such a cause cannot easily 1)e defeated. Li such wars it is not numbers that prevail, nor discipline even, nor superior weapons of ollence. In no case can it be more truly said, that "the race is not always to the s\\\['\, nor llie battle to the strong."' Let a people l>e sulliciently numerous to pos- sess even the smallest organized force that can take the Held, and unjust aggression, unprovoked invasion, will not be found to be so very prolitalile a speculation, even by the richest and most jiowerful nation. "We cannot fail to remem- 4 i !l I k ii'i i! 2t; l)(>r with what pow«»Tful oiiorn-y and snocpss, aiiciont (Jivoco, Avhile slio yet npprcciatiMl lihorly, and dcscrvocl it, con- tended ai^'ainst the more nnnievons and well appointed hosts of Persia. Greece was only a small and insiu'iiificant coun- try, as reg'ardcd extent of territory, rcvsourecs and popidation, compared to the Persian lilmpire. And that Empire was a warlike and conqu(M-in<>' power. Tln^ (Jreeks. nevertheless, so dreaded the evils of foreii^n rule, that, as is well known, they no}>ly fouj^ht for their ind(>pendence and maintained it. But do I comi^are our people, inexperienced as they arc in the art of w^ar, to the warriors and heroes of ancient Greece f Inasmuch as their cause would 1)0 the same, their love of liberty as great, their homes as happy, and their altars as sacred, the comparison is appropriate and well deserved. Invasion would render it com^^lete ; each new attack would improve their military skill, and heroes would arise on every battle-field. The determination to be free would increase with increasing difliculties. Better, would each one say, as he marched to the field of strife, better by far that we should have toil, and contention, and danger, for a time, even for generations, than be subject forever, to the galling yoke that conquerors are wont to impose. " Freedom's battle once begun, BeqiK'iithod from blooding sire to son, Though often lost, is ever won." A people inured to war and possessing vast resources might indeed invade these Provinces, might even obtain successes, but final success, never. Provided that the people who have adopted union as their watchword, remain united, and continue to be animated by that love of ]il)erty which has already won for them so mucli respect, thoy may defy the world in arms. AVhat experience in war had the ]\Ius- covite as yet, when he undertook the defence of his country against the warrior Swede ^ lie had no other resource, it may be truly said, than his determination to be free. And as he fought and l)led for liberty, he learned from his for- midable enemy the art of war, and snatched from him the power to conquer. AVas it numbers, was it great resources, was it even any marvellous skill in w^ar, that enabled Venice to resist and maintain her independence, against the nu- merous, or rather innumerable armies that overthrew^ the 'tSi 27 •icut Clivoco, \ t'd it, con- •oiiitcd hosts ifieant (.•oun- l j)(»p\ilation, mpiro WHS a icvortholcss, kVcU known, I iiiaiiitained 1 as they are s of ancient L^ same, their d their altars ell deserved, new attack 1 would arise 3 free would would each er by far that ir, for a time, o the galling- st resources even obtain t the people nain united, )erty which y may defy ul the :Mus- his country rosource, it free. And rom his for- 111 him the resources, hied A^enice ist the nu- L^-threw the it '*', *,,. •f' "Roman Empin^ '. She jiossessed a r«'W ships it is true, somr a))h' senmt'U, a <'oin[)act hand of brave soldiers, and she heJK'ld without dismay the ruin which spread its terrors all around her. These Provinces also possc^ss a few ships. They arc able to build more, and until they could do so, that Fleet which has not yet been swept from off the seas, woidd lend its aid, notwithstanding any serious objections which might be made by the lU. lion. Mr. Lowe. It would not wait to ask his leave. But as in the case of the invasion of British America, which was attempted last year, it would do its duty. It is sometimes enquired where this Navy is to be found. The enemies of the country without, and the mar- plots within, maintain that it is nowhere. What, though there may be some ships about the "West Indies, or in the , distant Blast, of what service would they be, in the event of any great and sudden danger ? Public men, by suggesting such questions, fail in their aim, fail to bring the country to undervalue and neglect the colonies. They only throw the enemy off their guard. Last year when certain filibusters assembled in numbers at Eastport, in the State of Maine, and hoped to make an easy prey of a British Province, the first object which they beheld between them and their in- tended victim, was a formidable representation, in the shape of a well appointed war ship, of that Fleet, which, they had flattered themselves, was invisible. This Fleet also, which, it is so often and so absurdly insisted on is never ready in any emergency, showed its colours in the St. Lawrence, caused some of its first-class ships to penetrate as far as Quebec and Montreal, and covered our lakes with gun-boats. Lleanwhile, how was the British army engaged ? Only a fev thousand men could b,i sent., says the lit. Hon. Mr. Lowe, to the assistance of Canada. Without admitting the position, why send more, Avhen a few thousands are equal to the work in hand ? But why limit the number ^ When an Empire is threatened whether the attack be directed against the members or the head, does it not become her to put forth her strength ? And if in 181.5, when the population and the resources of Crreat Britain were nothing like what they are to-day, she could call into the Held more than a million of native troops^ and if in 1815, when the caged Eagle escaped, she could, in the course of a few weeks, summon to arms no fewer tham 4^ 1 ^ . 1 . 1 ! f f li.i k>'l II' ,1 *l 28 <»00,0()() uu'ii and voto larg-o sums to suhsidizi' llir iinnirs ol' hot ullicH, what could slic not, wliat would slio not ac spirit which, dth fh it aiinouuii 11 may sicop, is ccriainiy not extinct, to cause ii demonstration ol" her latent slreni^th. that her honor should bo assailed in her romotest and most insiirniiicantdependen- cy, as much as if it were attacked on the hanks of tlie St Lawr(>nce, the (lan^i's or the Thames. 15ut what was done in 18t)6, when Canada and hev institutions, which she holds so doar, wore ihr(>atoued ? AVas therc^ any i)Voof p'iven of that indillbrcnco to the welfare of the (.^olonios, which some IIonoral)le and Ui<>ht Il(mora))le Members ot Parliament are constantly inculeatinuf ? If, however, on thut occasion the brave Canadian volunteers were sustained by re tended to aim at the emancipation of the Canadians can | hardly l)e called a war on account of Canada itself, although. \ indeed, it does not appear that they woidd have had any objections to possess the land, if we may judge from thi^ partition whi«di they made of its finest estates in anticipa- tion of a speedy conquest. This in'ccaution, no doubt, was * i 20 • ihi- iinuirs ol' 10 not nccoin- Aiul it would i» Npirit whicli, net, to cmisc n lioiior slioiild •antdcpi'iulm- 11 ks of tho St \'h;ii wns done hich sho holds prool' jiiven of R, which some I'arliamoiit are t occaKioii tho rt^f^ular troops by the enemy '. Itisditlicult n J'hnpire that ipire. But, in 3 character of j]^ok lip from ulent jiortions ueiiifhborinii" linable hatred A'able on any 38 not appear otive, must bo :»ntially trans- e beyond the is but a step iculous. This d themselves ■ to a people int gift, than >ple who pro- Canadians can self, although. lave had any ilge from tlio s in anticipa- 10 doubt, was } ndoptod in ordor to provido for a pr()nii)t solution of the dol)t ihiit must havo boon ((tntractod in aohioving tho moditated victory, l)Ut ))y no means to t'lirich the leaders of the new civili/ation. Theso modern Attilas were tho most disintorostod of mniluls. Thoy w«'ro wholly o(,vernedby an idea which was (piito othi'r«'al if not of the Utopian ordor. They would iiavo oonsidi^rod only liovv they should best have rewarded their Ilunnic legions with tho spoils of tho con- quercMl territory. Although this war, therefore, if war it could be called, was not waged purely for the sake of Canada, either on account of the liberty which it professed to bestow upon the Canadians, the liberty, doubtless, to go where they pleased, or on account solely of the rich booty, the spolia opima, which the enemy hoped so soon to grasp, but in some measure, in pursuance of tho idea which doomed the British lilmpiro to perdition, it was nevertheless a Canadian difficulty. As such it l)ohooved Canadians to deal with it. Nor was it a matter with which the mother country conceived that she had no concern, accordiiv^- to doctrines which are loudly preached both in parliament and out of parliament, but which we earnestly hop(! will never become the fashion. Nor, as we have seen, did the British Lion forget to roar, or Englishmen to do their duty. The effort which they so nobly and so promptly made, was ably and bravely seconded, by the Canadians themselves. The Kt. Hon. Mr. Lo-we need not tell us any more that it is absurd and chimerical to think of defending these Provinces. '■^ Ab actu ad posse,'" if I may be allowed the use of a theological argument, " valet consecution That is, they have been defended — sucsessfully defended, and, therefore, they may and ought to be still defended, and with the like result, whenever circumstances shall call for their defence. On occasion of the war alluded to, Canada, it is acknowledged on all hands, did all that could be reasonably required of her ; and she possessed the means of bringing into the field without biirthening herself, a recpectable array of soldiers. These were not mercenaries, but the children of her own soil who in the hour of threat- ened danger, hastened to the aid of their country. Some ten thousand more than were required, volunteered their ser- vices within a day or tw^o. And if the vmr had continued and become formidable, from 80,000 to 100,000 would have speedilv enrolled themselves in the ranks of the volunteers. Q \ ■ I 30 •i|| m iM ' 1 I I I*: Such propiiralions for dcronce were no sooner made than the war came to an end. At one point, the enemy lied \vithout heini^ defeated. At another, they barely crossed the frontier line, and dared not come Avithin reach of Canadian lire. If they lied, and without mncli honor, they could say that they were opposed hy superiors numbers. L ir defence, then, what say you lU. lion. Mr. Lowe? Avasnot quite vhimeriral. At a third point, the enemy were suddenly panic struck on beholding unexpectedly that odious thing the Union Jack waving from the mast-head oi' a British gunboat, the (leet not having been quite so distant at the time, as the West or .' dae East Indies. Whatmo^e need be said? Have not the preparations which the Canadians made, together with their patriotism which bore them as one man against the enemy, and their prowess in the Held, met with due appreciation amongst the British people ? It will not do then to tell us that there can be nothing more absurd and chimerical than to think of our defence. Such defence as the Canadians themselves could make, proved that they were deserving of more. This alone shews how valuable their preparations were, and how available also the like preparations would be in like circumstances, at any future time. There might, however, arise greater dangers. This is not to be denied. But it is now waxing late. So, with your good leave and pleasure, Mr, Editor, I will shortly ^ concoct one epistle more, in order to shew that in a country possessing so numerous a population, such varied and such great resources as the Dominion of Canada, it would be nothing short of disgraceful if these greater danglers were not adec[uately met. I am meanwhile. Faithfully, &:c., &c., Nemo. Ottawa, May 13, 18(37. Ii!i 31 le tliaii iho hI without tho IVonticr till iiro. If y that they I'lico, thou, ' chimerical. 'strnck on Jnion Jack it, the ileet he West or .ve not the • with their :he enemy, ppreciation n to tell us lerical than Canadians eserving of reparations Ls would be rs. This is So, with rill shortly a country and such would be s were not ij:tti:ii sixth. Nemo. Sixth Li:tti:k ix ItEi ttatiox of the Smith-Lcwe Theories. Tt» the Editor of the Ottawa Times : SiK, — As your paper continues to 1)0 diliavntly road in New Brunswick, allow me to oUor throuu-h its columns, some fulther remarks lor the consideration ol' my correspondent there, on the anti-colonial views that are still held by certain «, parties in Enjiland. The theories to which I allude, are not B indeed adopted by either ol' the great parties in the State, I both having concurred lately in promoting a very imi^ortant measure for the welfare of the North American Provinces. But, as they are held and insisted on by distinguished indi- viduals both in and out of Parliament, whose opinion can- not fail to have weight with a numerous following ; it is scarcely possible to say too much in order to show that they are unfounded, and although not intentionally so, unpa- triotic. The ]?ight Honorable Mr. Lowe, M. P., maintains that the country ought not to be ))urthened with expenditure for the defence of Canada in particular, and that moreover, such expenditure is useless, inasmuch as that important colony on account of its unfortunate geographical position, cannot be defended. The lliglit Honorable gentleman goes so far as to say that this unprofitable attempt at defence will finally cause the si^paration of the North American Provinces from the British Crown. " In the time of the American Revolu- tion," ho says, quoting in reply to Mr. Gladstone, an obser- vation which ho had made before a Committee of tho House of Commons, " tLo Cohmios separated from lilnghiiid because she insisted on taxing thorn. What I apprehend as likely to happen now, is, that England will separate from her Colo- nies because thoy insist on taxing her." Tho lioport states that the utt(>ranco of those words produced " much laughter," And no wonder ; for tho rt'mark. in as far as it was intended to be an argument, was I'xcoodingly comical. No compa- rison can be reasonably instituted between the colonial rela- !i i ,^ ' I 1' jM U 1; I) m 't '5 iiii: m iiii ii 111!- I'rl tioiis which existed at the time of the American Revolution^ and of those of Avhich we have any experience. At the time referred to, colonies were chielly, if not solely, valued on account of the pecuniary profit which might be derived from them. AVe are now-a-days, in a very ditierent era of colonial existence. Each colony considered separately is no more, it may be said, than an insignificant fragment of a great whole which constitutes the British Emjiire. But that Empire is not yet reduced to fragments. The vessel is com- plete. You cannot gather up and contemplate the elements not as yet scattered, of which it is comx:)osed, as specimens or memorials of the grandeur and beauty that are gone. You may yet behold the Empire in the proud condition to which it has pleased Divine Providence through the energy and enterprise of its people to raise it, firmly seated on its Island throne, exerting its power in the Mediterranean and Euxine seas, extending its sceptre, with undisputed sway farther into the distant east and tl.an Alexander the Great could ever penetrate, and ruling in the west over peaceful and pros- perous Provinces from its vast Atlantic sea; card to the fer- tile shores of the Pacific Ocean. The population of its Colonies amounts to 183,000,000 of souls inhabiting terri- tory 8,000,000 square miles in extent. This mighty whole contributes immensely towards, if it does not entirely con- stitute the greatness of the Empire. Generally these Colo- nies add to the wealth, the power, the commercial and poli- tical importance of the British people. They are a rich inheritance which their forefathers have bequeathed ta them, and which they and their Sovereign confide to the keeping of their Parliament and their statesmen. Some of them are in many respects unimporiant. Others are im- portant but unproductive and expensive. They are all intimately connected, however, with the Colonial system, which, to a state, situated as England is, appears to be essen- tial. To such a state there is nothing more necessary than extensive trade which brings to the doors of Britain proper, the productions of foreign climes. What although fleets and armies be reqiiisite for the prot<^ction of this varied and wide extended commerce ! Are our economists prepared to say that greater ileets and greater armies would not be required to guard the British islands if stript of the Colo- nies ? G reater standing armies than the British must always ! 4' be in roadiness for tho defence of less important States, and these States being without Colonies, and comparatively with- out trade, have not the same means of maintaining them. A little reflection bestowed on the immense export and import trade of Britain proper with the Colonial portions of the Empire would hare enabled the lit. Hon. Mr. Lowe to avoid giving utterance to the opinion so unworthy of a Bri- tish statesman, that Great Britain " ivill probabh/ separate from her Cohrmies because they insist on taxing her.'' The important Colony of India has more than once imposed heavy taxes on the mother country. But if she has done so, the cause, o\\ due enquiry, will be traced not to the essen- tial relations of Colonies with the parent State, but to inju- dicious political arrangements — 13 bad Government. So long as the real statesmen of Great Britain, the Sovereign and her Ministers could only exercise a certain influence in the affairs of India, that Colony possessing as it did, inexhaustible wealth, paid back the taxes which it exacted of the mother country. But, since it became subject to regular and wise and unselfish Government, since, in other words, it ceased to be governed merely for the sake of the money which it could yield, it has done something more than just repay the expenses of its defence. In the palmy days of monopoly, the import trade with that great colony was valued at ^£10,672,000 ster- ling annually, the export at <£9,920,000. These are vast sums. But they appear insignificant when viewed in rela- tion with the Colony from whence they proceeded, — a Co- lony consisting of powerful principalities and extensive kingdoms, — containing a population of 130,000,000 of Bri- tish subjects. The consideration of the expense of govern- ing, when there is question of sustaining good government, will, I conceive, entirely vanish, when we compare with the state of matters just referred to under the old regime in India, which, as ev^ry body knows, ended with the " mu- tiny," the better things which so speedily came to light when good and rational, but perl^ aps not wholly inexpensive Government was established — when the British Constitu- tion spread its mantle over the vast countries bordering on the Indus, the Ganges and the Brahmapootra. In \}Ut- >suance of the argument which I am endeavoring to unfold, I must be aiiowed to leave out of A'iew for the moment, the consideration which I must acknowledge, takes M ^ ! !"< !'! tin* fo; omo.sl pliicc in iny iiiiiid ol the iinnnMiso bciielil inortilly, jis well ;is miih'riiilly, which accrues lo ?•;() iiiimy luiliioiis ol' llic imiujui race, IVom the chanu'c in India IVoni L;ias))iiii>; in()ii(»|)()ly lo ili(^ mild and wise hut Hrni sway ol' th<' consti- tution. CMosiiiL!,- our eyes, tiuMi, to this i;Ta]id I'ealui'e ol" lh«; mwv era in colonial adniinistralion, let us vii'W^ at i)resent only the prolit, and 1 think avc shall set* that i»'0()d govern- ment, althouiih it nniy ln' attended with some outlay, is not altoufether an unprolitalde speculation. The new order of thini»'s, to say the least of it, lias brought in its train an ex- traordinary extension of trade. In the course of the ten years preceding 18G4, the import trade with India had in- creased from .€10,672,000, as just mentioned, to £50,000,000 annually, whilst the exports rose to .i'20,000,000. These Jigures are still continuing to incrCv •;», But, what has all this to do with North America ? Much more than at iirst view, may be supposed. British North America is as much part and parcel of the colonial system as India is — even more so. The colonists are, for the most part, people of British origin. And where they are not so, they derive from a kindred European stock. Supposing, therefore, that they were one of those colonies which do not make, and cannot be expected to make, any pecuniary re- turn for tlie taxes which they impose, they would, never- theless, be entitled as parts of the w^hole to the cost of good government, and to the possibly greater cost of adequate defence. An enemy endeavoring to humble the power of Britain meets w^ith discomfiture and overthrow, at some remote rock or island, wdiich enjoys the privilege of being a British colony ; he will surely think no more, unless he aim at being further disgraced, of attacking the empire in her strongholds — of striking at the heart of her dominion. It w^as the boast of mighty nations in the olden time, that their great cities could be saved from beholding the smoke of an enemy's camp. Ought the people w^ho are i)owerful in modern times, to he less privileged ? Or must they volun- tarily and unnecessarily descend to the condition of minor states, and never own that they see an enemy till he plant his cannon at their gates i Let us now consider what in- ference mav be drawn as regards British North America, from the new^ order of things in India, and the greatly im- proved condition of that immense colony. •»•) ■5r- II cniiiiol !)(' saiil tli;it the Xorlli Aiin'ricaii I'roviiicos rnakt^ DO rciiini lor tin' liix wliidi us Cohtiiisls, ilicy iinposo oil Ihe inollifv couiiiry. Th*' iinj)!)!'! frivdc of (irciil IJriliiiii with th('S(i rroviiicfs iniioiiiits to ,CS,()()<),()(l() stcrliiiu:, uiid ilio export to .C;'), 000, Odd stcrlinn- yearly. As was the case with India some years an'o, they are eiiteriiiL^ ujmn a new, a ))etter, and may it be hoped :" a. hap])y and a])rosperous era. Their inereasi^ and improvement A\ill no doubt be ^reat in many ways, IJut should their trader ext(md even one-third part as much as that ol" the sister Colony, under its more auspicious (lovernment, honora})lo and ric^ht honoraWe members of ParliamcMit wnll hav(5 no pretext ibr suj^^^estinj^ that Great Ikitaiu w ill in all pro])ability, he d.riv(Mi to separate from some of her Colonies on account of the burthens which they impose on her, even as at a h^ss propitious epoch in the history of Colonial administration, certain dependencies re- nounced their conn(5ction with the parent land because she pushed her maternal authority too far in endeavoring to tax them Avithout their consent. The importance of commer- cial relations was not quite so well understood as it is now- a-days. If it had, direct taxation would have bt^en avoided, whether with or without consent, and much heavier taxes would have been exacted for mutual advantage, in the shape of imports and exports. It would be worth while to enquire in what amount of taxes the British North American Pro- vinces mulct tne mother country, whilst they pay to her, all in paying themselves, so much by means of trade relations. Suppose them separated, would the British standing army which is so moderate, be lessened by one man ? Or could the expenses of the British nav> be reduced by dismantling so much as a sinfyle sloop of w^ar ? As great a fleet would be requisite for the protection of the West Indies alone, as for guarding these valuable Colonies and British North America together. But why be taxed by the West Indies ? Let them be severed also. Is this what the anti-colonial writers and speakers in Parliament aim at? If so, are they prepared to accept the consequences which their unpatriotic position involves? Would it gratify them to see Great Britain and its mercantile marine without a port on any part of the Western Atlantic seaboard? Would it be a subject for triumph with them, if all our relations, and particularly our commercial relations, w^^re entirely at the mercy of a 86 I i It I'll •Ai'i ill ' 1 1 ij S i ' W>¥ ! :i; Ml. I ' III tii!l foreign power? Would they rejoice if a po^Yer which is naturally jealous of us, and which might be our enemy^ possessed the exclusive control of the entire American Atlantic coast, of the Atlantic itself ? Would they take delight iu seeing such a power the first commercial nation, hecausa owning the greatest mercantile marine in the world V Would they glory in b ^holding it become the most important, per- haps the only naval power that could show its flag on every sea ? They cannot pretend that all this would not happen. There is nothing more j)robable, and they ^vould be among the first, it is but justice to their proper feeling which they manage to unite with so many erroneous ideas, such destruc- tive i^olitical views, to say it, they would be among the first to deplore the decay and downfall to which the policy they advocate, necessarih'- tends. But there are honorable and right honorable gentlemen who think more soundly, Ji,nd are not ashamed to acknow- ledge the opinion that, so long as the British North American Provinces are true to themselves, do all that can be reason- ably expected of them in providing for their own defence, the mother land which still owns them as her children, wall not fail them in time of need. So eminent a statesman as- Mr. Gladstone may surely be considered a most faithful ex- ponent of the real opinion which prevails in England on the question of colonial defence. The following extract from the right honorable gentleman'*; speech in the British House of Commons, on the Intercolonial liailway question, will be- more than a fitting, it "will be a brilliant conclusion to this, tedious epistle, for v hich, but in furtherance of my desire to- impart information to my friend in New Brunswick on a subject, w^hich, in the estimation of many, is attended with serious difiiculty, I would not presume, Mr. Editor, to ask a place in your columns : " Now, when I have s':ated that it seems essential that British North America slio aid laigely undertake not only the charge but the responsibilily of her Gv;n defence. I don't mean to say that in the event of the occurrence of danger the arm of this country would be shortened, or the disposi- tion of this country to use its resources freely and largely in aid of that colony would be in the slighlest degree impaired. On the other hand, my belief is this, that there would be no bounds to the cilbrts which this couniry would make for the 1 purpose of aidiiiu^ and snpportinj^ tho North Aivioricaii Pro- vincos ill thoir willing and enorgotic of Forts to maintain their connection with this country. IJut this is a totally dilierent thing from saying that this connection is to be maintained by the expenditure of large sutus of i;ioney from the British Tre^asury either by way of p(mip and display in the colony or by w^ay of attracting favor there by a lavish charge." I am yours, ike, &c., Ottawa, May 31, 1867. Nemo. liETTER SEVENTH. Seventh Letter in Refutation of the Smith-Lowe .•■^.. ■-).- • Theories. To the Editor of the Oltaiva Times: Sir, — My friend in New Brunswick does not think that I have said anything particularly direct as yet in opposition to Rt. Hon. Mr, Lowe's greatest argument. I have endeav- ored, indeed, to show that it is not in defiance of the neighboring Republic, nor with a view to set up a rival state, that the North American Provinces have taken mea- sures in concurrence with, the Imperial Grovernment, for securing to themselves a greater degree of national prospe- rity and happiness. I have even dilated somewhat on the means of defence which the united Provinces could com- mand ih the event of any serious attack being made against their properties or their liberty. But I must own that I have not made any direct allusion to an observation which the Rt. Hon. Mr. Lowe, no doubt, wished the House of Commons to accept as an incontrovertible argument. The Provinces were too weak, individually, to be able to resist ^i I t i I 38 any vory poAvorful onomy. Thoroforo it was absurd that they sliould think it possible to Ix'ooino strono'cr l>y uniting. AVas this the arg'ument ? or did the Hon. gentknnan mean to say that it was quiie a hopeh\ss task to ])uild uj) a a power, which could not )>e expected at the cominencement of its career to keep its ground alone, or with the aid merely of a fow thousand men, and that for this very reason no- thing oiight to bo done for present good, or with a A'iew to the future '? Judging by a report of his speech, which I have seen, the Hon. member was at a loss to understand how the population of the Provinces, not as yet quite four mil- lions, could contend with, and defend themselves against a nation cl Ihirlij-five milliona. This was certainly not worthy of his learning. The nation here alluded to, the lit. Hon. Mr. Lowe's si^eech distinctly says so, is the United States. He does not suppose that any other power could as- sume a hostile attitude towards British North America. Be this as it may, where did the Rt. Hon gentleman learn that the population of the United States amounts to 35,000,000 ? The most recent statistical accounts set it down at 31,445,080. Some of the Rt, Hon. Mr. Lowe's friends might have whis- pered to him this fact before he made his too celebrated speech. There is an instance on record of such a thing hav- ing been done. Macaulay has handed over to fame a Minis- ter of the Coloniee, who, on the day after his api)ointment to office, went to inquire of his friends irh ether Cape Breton were an island or a cajie ? The lit. Hon. Mr. Lowe ought not by any means to have allowed yuch an example to go to w^aste. He might, at the same time, have inquired, also, how many millions the population of the United States would have to contend against in the evcMit of an attack on any portion of. the British Empire. Would they have to ':,cruggle with the four millions of Canada only, or with these and the 29,070,932 of the British Islands com- bined? These two forces they would undoubtedly have to meet. Nay, the whole Empire, 232,700,000 strong, would rise in the might of its anger, in order to repel their iniqui- tous agrcGsion ! Far be it from me to suspect our neighbors, giftcnl as they are like ourselves with free institutions, of meditating such aggression. But when we consider the prevalence of the Monroe doctrine, as it is termed, we feel bound to contemi^late and to provide against the endeavor =-i 89 Ihe as whicli, it is possible, may bo mado ono day to carry it out. Tho greater imirilxn- ol' millions on whom wo rely are attached ])y the strongest ties oi'aHection to the llritish Crown. They g-lory in being the Ireo citizens of so great a free state, and all of them, not excepting the tribes of llindostaii that have been so recently rescued from the intolerable tyranny of native despots, look to the British constitution as the Palladium of their liberties. As in times of peace, they pour their com- mercial wealth into the lap of the Parent Land, whilst en- riching themselves at the same time ; Lio, in the hour of dan- ger, their powerful aid would not be wanting. Only few- comparatively, of their millions would be required to take the field, whilst their accumuloted treasures—" the sinews of war "—would flow spontaneously into the public chest. To such an array of wealth and power and national spirit, what could the Monroe theories oppose ? The will and resources of a nation 31,450,000 strong ? This cannot be supposed. There would be no such power at their disposal. Of the population of the United States, there are 480,070 free co- lored persons, 44,020 "civilized" Indians, 4,000,000 indivi- duals recently slaves, still accustomed to the habits of slave- ry and incapable of acting as freemen, together with 5,000- 000 inhabitants of the Southern States, who were, not long ago, engaged in civil strife with the Government of the United States, who would undoubtedly be a source of weak- ness rather than of strength, in the event of a war with any people who might become an enemy to the American Kepu- blic. Thus, considerably more than nine millions must be deducted from the numbers who, as tiie Rt. Hon. Mr. Lowe conceives, would unite as one man to realize the Monroe theories, and make Pritish North America their own. Can w^e for a moment, believe that it could be otherwise, when we take into account the exacer])ation of feeling in the south against the Northern States of the Union, which originated, indeed in the rebellion Avar, but which is maintained and increa's(Hl by the unwise policy of the North, more than it could have been by tl:o war itsc^lf. It may be that those Southern States would rally round the Monroe doctrine. But it is surely more natural to suppose that they would avail themselves of any United States' dilliculty, to establish their own indexiendencc rather than to destroy that of a hos- pitable and unolfending neighbor. At present they enter- Il>l JM.! B 40 tain no hoslilo ftM'liiiir to\vnr(ls British Xortli Anu'ricaiis. Is it roa.s()ua])le to think that they woiikl nndcvtakc tho toils and l)raYo tho perils of war, in order to conior n])on us, as a boon, that subjcM-tion to tho Northern Stales, which they consider so dotrini«Milal----so ruinous to themselves? And what motive apart i'roni a vag'ue and ill established theory, could those same States have to encounter tho dauji^ers, tho diiliculties, tho toils and tho horrors of such a war as they would havo to wage, in order to oliect tho annexation to thoir Republic of tho Dominion of Canada? They are a practical pooplo, and I cannot but conceive that for long years to come, they will prefer to behold Canada as it is-— a free country, as open to them as it is to its own people,— -a favorite and a fashionable resort for their men of pleasure and their men of science, and a hij^hw^ay, as far as they re- quire it, and choose to use it, for their own increasing trade. Their more eminent and enlightened journalists have not feared to express this tru.ly rational view, so worthy of the age in which w^e live, when discussing tho now politi- cal arrangement, which w^e need not assure such men, has been entered into solely for the purpose of enabling our peo- ple to attain to a greater degree of national, as well as indi- vidual prosperity and happiness, than has been possible, hitherto, for so new a country. What the well informed people of the United States have blamed us for, and not without reason, is our want of enterprise. When they be- hold us connecting our Provinces by a great system of railway communication, and establishing peaceful and in- dustrious populations in the w^aste and unoccupied portions of the continent which have fallen to our share, they will be among the first to applaud and welcome our endeavour, as a new and noble effort in the cause of mankind- " Hitherto," the Now York Alhiun justly observes, " Canada has done nothing to encourage immigration, which is the life and strength of a new country." No remunerative employment has boon offered to the emigrant on his arrival on our shores from the over-crowded land of his forefathers, no free home- ateadti for himself and his descendants, no prairie land ready for the plough, intersected liy railways already comxileted, and in full operation, nothing at all to induce even the most enteri)rising to enter and settle down in the excellent, regions lying both east and west of Lake Superior, and jounded 41 a only by the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. "But need this bo lonj:^ the case ? " onqiiires the liberal-minded and enlightened journalist. " Need the new Dominion be thus robbed of its legiti- mate fruits for want of proper enterprise and necessary legislation ? V^e think not. Already Canada has secured *the appropriation necessary for the immediate construction of the long needed Intercolonial Kailway, and no unneces- sary time should now be lost in placing it under contract. This alone will open a new field to the lately arrived laborer, British America may, also, soon have its Pacific Railway in progress, as well as the fertile and inviting prairies of the Saskatchewan and Assiniboine valleys, to olfer as " free homesteads" to the poor, but deserving emigrant. If the statesmen of the new Dominion but prove themselves equal to their responsibilities, and insist upon immediate settle- ment of the doubtful Hudson's Bay claims and speedy ex- tension of the new Dominion to the Pacific. "VVe cannot understand why this " white bear and black fox " parchment has not been cancelled, or annulled, long since. The inter- ests of civilization have long demandt I it ; the organization of the new Dominion renders it imperatively necessary that the traders' titles to half a continent should be promptly repudiated by the power that early granted these privileges. We grow impatient under this unnecessary delay. Already more than ten years of most precious time has been lost since the first serious agitation of this subject ; and still com- munities of British subjects petition in vain for the removal of these hampering disabilities, and for relief from the ener- vating thraldom and rule of one of the most mercenary organizations of hucksters that the world has any record of. The United States' Grovernment, on the contrary, compre- hend the position. They appear to know the value of time, particularly in anew country. Where th.' Aborigines ruled supreme a short half century ago, now rise cities of nearly a quarter of a million population ! " Numerous territories have been transformed into States, even during the decade that has been wasted in the fruitless investigation of a miserly company's rights, and millions of population, and hundreds of millions of wealth, that quickly follows the settlement of a vast area of new and productive country, are being, meantime, rejected. And for what? 5 'If 1 ^\ fl \ if. i m .!■ i !:ul: li 42 Simi)ly to pormit tho richost nation on oarth to huxtor about a paltry million oi" dollars. We read of cnornioiis grants by tho Unitod States' Govornmont to a Pacific Uailvvay enter- prise; of a gratuity of nearly $50,000,000 in Government bonds, and of more than 20,000,000 acres of Government land, to giv(! an impetus to this important work, which will quickly add millions a year to the national revenue. But we looK in vain for any decisive news in reference to the opening up of tho vast country stretching from the groat lakes to the Pacilic ocean on liritish territory. " Tho new Dominion has much to do in organizing its government and nssimilatnig its various systems, both politi- cal and commercial, but we hope tho people; will also early uw^ik(; to tho importance of retaining tho population that annually lands upon its shores, as in this is to be found the real source of lasting wealth and greatness in all new coun- tries." AVith such writnigs before our eyes, exciting, as they must excite, in every giuierous mind, the warmest feelings of friend.ship towards our neighbours of the Republic, can we possibly talk of war and its dreadful Idood-stained glories? Tho lU. Hon. Mr. Lowe and such men will even have it so. And if 1 for one, with all but invincible reluc- tance, discuss such a subject, I do so with no other view than to contribute, in some degree, towards "driving it as far from tho minds of the Smith-Lowe following, as it is from my own thoughts and wishes, as well as from those of the sensi])le and well-informed portion of the people of the United States. On this account, not for tho reasons adduced by Mr. Lowe, I am inclined to consider all serious variance with the TTnited States extremely improbable. The lit. Hon. Mr. Lowe speaks only half the truth when he says that " the good sense and moderation" of the citizens of the United States is, apart from tho rigour of our climate, the best guarantee for peace. No people have, for any length of time, enjoyed the blessings of peace, who could not, or would not, adapt themselves for a state of war. Our climate would be no protection. It is less severe in many parts of Canada than in the interior of the neighbouring States. And countries far to the South of the fertile prairie lands of our Northwest Territory, labour under the disadvantage of more rigid seasons than are known in any of the regions of % 48 Caiiiulii alroady occupi«»(l, or which it is propoaod io oocilpv- It is idit', th«>rolbro, to say that our safety lios in tho rigour of our ciimat«», coupled with the for])earanco of a people who ,. ii^ht be our enemies. It is even comical in the estimation of all who know anything about British America to pretend that us climale would he as o;viK\\ a safeguard as would be that of Norway against the eHeminale people of modern Italy. Would the Mi. Hon, Mr. Lowe do us the favour to explain how '.t cnmo to pass that climate never proved an obstacle to those same Italians when they wore known by the name of Romans, and achieved the conquest of the world Y It may perhaps puzzle the llight Hon. Mr. Lowe, M. P., to find an answer to this question. It appears to me, also to be, according to his theories, an inexplicable mystery. If, however, I should be favoured with any new light in regard to it, I shall not fail, Mr. Editor, to impart the same to you in my next communication, as well as to my friends in New Brunswick. Meanwhile, I have the honour to remain, &c., &c., &c., Nemo- Ottawa, June 18, 1867. or late Its of lAnd our lore of T)* •1 ,11 '^ 'i, !l \ ■St THE BRITISH COLONIES. Report of a Lecture Delivered before the Mechanics' Institute, of Otta^va, 8th Nov., 1864. It may not perhaps be out of place to publish in con- nection with the foregoing' letters, all that remains of a lecture on the same subject, a brief report or sketch of which appeared in the newspapers of the time. The object of this lecture was to shew the importance of the British Colonies, and how desirable it is that they should remain politically connected with the Crown. He would not undertake to discuss the general question whether colonies be so essential to the prosperity and great- ness of a Nation, that every people, when they have reached a certain degree of power and renown, ought to aim at possessing colonial dependencies. He w^ould at once proceed to consider the British Em- pire as at present constituted. Our colonial possessions are more extensive than those of any other nation, and give to Britain proper, dominion over 200,000,000 of the human race, and influence almost boundles over nearly 400,000,000 more. The loss of one or several colonies would not seriously afiect the well-being of so great an Empire, what- ever might be the consequences to the separated colonies themselves. But Britain could not allow even any of her lesser colonies to be taken from her by force of arms, with- out showing signs of national decay. Foreign States no longer sought alliance with ancient Rome, when the depen- dencies of that mighty Empire began successfully to resist f . i^ n:^i'i I m M' I Bi 46 the Eoman legions. Colonies might indeed be lost through other causes than war. But no cause could be named that would not be derogatory to the dignity and honour of the Nation. And if at the present time no colony desired sepa- ration, this happy state of things must be ascribed to the wisdom with which the government of the colonies was administered, and tlie constitutional liberty which they en- joyed under the auspices of the British Crown. Even those colonies where the population was almost wholly foreign, such as the island of Mauritius, possessed more a])undantly the rights of free people, than if still under the governments by which they were originally ruled. It would not be possible to imagine a state of things in which their reliu-ious as well as civil institutions would be treated with more lespect, or more powerfully protected. The policy of our statesmen in regard to the colonies might be gathered from a recent speech of Mr. Gladstone, (Chancellor of the Exchequer). "The administration of the old American Provinces," said this eminent statesman, addressing, the citizens of Liverpool, " was based essentially upon the idea, so far as economical and commercial purposes were concerned, that the interests of the colonies were to be made subservient to those of the mother country, and that the channels of its trade, and even of its industrial exertions, were to be forced in a direction different from that which nature would point to, in order to make it a tributary to the greatness of the mother country. Well, gentlemen, we have thoroughly and entirely escaped from any such dream. We have given to our colonies practical freedom. (Cheers). I think with respect to the government of those dependencies in general, there is yet much to be done, slowly, perhaps, and cautiously, but firmly and resolutely, in rectifying the distribution of burthen and of benefit in order to place the people of England, not in that position of ascendency and security which they have in good faith renounced, but in that position of justice and equality to which they have an inde- feasible claim. What, I think, we desire is, to give freedom as far as we can, to our Provinces in the affairs of our fellow subjects abroad— to lend them, as far as we can, the shelter and protection of the power of this great empire—but not to consent to be charged with the payment of vast sums of money for the sake of performing duties which belong to them ' •tions, hich to the have We I 3ncies haps, g the ice the and I that inde- edom ellow lielter not to ms of them 47 rather than to ns, and tho perf6rmanco of which, in erory case, is an inalienable part of tho functions of freedom." — (cheers). , The ])lcssing-s of liberty are not to T)e counted like pounds, shillings and pi^nce ; and tho colonies Avill g'ladly make sacrifices in connection ^vith th(^ mother country, in order to retain them. AVilliuu'ly, moreover, Avill they con- tribut(^ their due share of the burthen Avhen there is ques- tion of defending them ugainst invasion. But in tho case of the North Amc^rlcan colonies, for instance, would it not be unjust to requive that, if (ireat Uritain were attacked through these Provinces, they should have to b<'ar alone, even if it were in tlieir i)o\ver, the brunt of the battle — that they should have to sustain, unaided, a protracted war perhaps, solely aimed at the honor and greatness of the parent state ? If such things could be, what reality \VOuld there be in tho idea which they build upon — that they are an integral portion of tho greatest empire under heaven ';? But their loyalty. — let certain writers discourse as they may — will never be subjected to so severe a test. Did the empire which is called, and which is, so great, vAdien there was imminent danger of war, leave it to this Province — ^this comparatively small sectiLii of its colonial dominion — to defend, alone, the national honor which was not more threat- ened on the shores of the Canadian lakes than in London itself and even on the distant banks of the Indus and the Gang-^s ?* Li, a commercial point of view, no possible relations with foreign states could compensate for the loss of the colonies. Great Britain was in alliance with the United States, and yet owing to the civil war which raged there, wei „ not the supplies which the cotton manufacturers had so long relied on entirely cut off? And how are they now supplied ? It is they chiefly who deny the use of colonies, but they must acknowledge that it is one of the rich depen- dencies of the British Crown which, since the commence- ment of the American rebellion, has produced, and how sends to them, more cotton than they can ever use. *It will be remembered that on occasion of the Trent affair, British troops, ready for action, ceased not to pour into the Canadian Provinces, until the United States Minister finding that they were in earnest, and dreading the alternative of war, thought proper at length to beg pardon. 48 '*f, '111 ComuuM'cinl rolsilioiis with oolonios can l)o roliod on. Thost' which may bo i'stahlishrd with allied Stat«»N ani at tho iiuM'oy of evory aocidfiil. Tho policy of such Statofi, their tradiiit!: iiitovosts, ovon ilu' oaprico of their Ktato.suien may, at any moment, ]mt an end to the most advantaf>e(ms inter- ehani:^,' of IxMielits, and redmn^ to miHery inimeiiHe seetionH oi" the population. One third of our import trade and iully one half of our exports were derived from the Colonics. Was this to he sa<'riliceil to the theories of im^xperience ? Since India wns takiMi from the hands of a monopolising^ comi^any, and nu\de subject to a wise colonial administra- tion, its trade with the mother country hiul anuizinu^lv in- creased. Private fortune's were not, so rai>idly accumulated as in the good old days of AVarrcn 1 Inst inns— in the ])almy times of monopoly — but the community benclited more largely, and an inlinitely greater number of individuals were moderately enriched, whilst the native population, instead of being oppressed, shared abundantly in the advan- tages that accrued to the parent p(Mii>h\ and wer«* tauglit to k)ve the sage rule which so powerfully promoted their haj)- piness. Within the last ttMi yivirs the imj^ort trade with India had risen from .t'10,()72,O()0 annuallv. to .€r)0,000,()00 ; the exports from X0,020,000 to .€20,000,000. The current year shows a still greater figure. The North American colo- nics allbrded yearly .€8,000,000 of imj>orts, and .er),000,000 of export trade. AVas all this to be thrown away ])ecausc some very classical younu* ii*entlemen had endeayored to preach down the colonies ? Was there not something due to our position as a great civilizing power ? Great empires, like private individuals, had duties as well as rights. And is it not a source of true glory for Great Britain to fulfil, as she nobly does fulfil in our day, the duties she owes to her immense colonial depen- dencies ? Take away these dependencies and you cut from beneath her feet the path to lasting renown. The idea was indeed received in ancient times that a conquering and colonizing powder ought to aim at civilizing sul)jugated nations. But ^yhat Alexander the Great failed in accom- plishing — what the Caesars most imperfectly accomplished — what Charlemagne, if time had been given him, would have done — what the gvoatest conqueror of modern times could Ilw U) . to Ive lid if only dronm of— (1 real l?rii!iin is ]K)\V('rrully achicviiif^ through- out the length and hrcadtli of her vast colonial (Mnpiro. Ill KUi)|>ort of hiH viows, which Ik^ dovclo])cd at consi- doral)lc hMi^th, th(^ \iov. Speaker (juotcd some passai^cs from an ahh; lecture delivenul not lon«:>' ixr^o at "VVick, in Scotland, by Mr. Lainpc, lat«'ly I'Mnance Minister for India. This learned gentleman discussing the advantages of British rule in India says : " Wliftrcvcr tliis rule oxlmuls peace (ind order prevail, persons and pro- perty arc |)r()tec,t(!(l, et|ual l.iws are enforced, Hl.tvcry is extmct, trade is free, wealth accuiiiulateH and pro<;resH i.s tli(! order of th(' day. [Hear, hear.] Nor is this all. A coinmcree of unexriinpl- could mar these mighty purposed, c I ' I, I ' I, T 'i'l m 'H ''■r'!'''''&^mil!H-'\ ^)lflP91iii|il:'': V. z'. mm '^. s lOfiTii uyi m.^^'^'\ h ♦-»,>. y '•^ast-j ,#>-*si- '! ^ '.;r.ada. it f^ i-?uit any -3? .;'5!'M' «»t '>«■ k.l f I ' f 4k vT ^^ ■X.. <';^-"'' If k*« ^, > ( .4 ,.. 1 r 4; .^ ft ■-«im«i'-«-|iw^ :,, ( vrV '■pf- "^'^^ 'A.-- '.^^ ■h^- — t I 1/ i- •. J»3~-(Sf 4 1,1 . .! - \^.V;ii:;^/-; 'jzi^if't 5-'f4' .i'.'^'i 'iTf/l.. /'.. •'& l^;i:i: W u'.i ' (^' -■fii**i. i';f J^'fi,! ly'i ■>s ^;'* ikh THE NORTH WEiiT TERRITORY. PREFACE. The idea appears more or less to prevail that the acqui- sition of the North- West Territory will he more an ima- ginary than a real benefit to the Dominion of Canada. It will be a fine thing, say they who do not believe that any good can accrue from the possession of the vast regions situated between Lake Superior and the Pacific Ocean, to be able to boast that we are the Lords of so many millions of acres, — of so many fine countries, — and that our Empire extends from Sea to Sea. An attentive perusal of the following pages will shew that advantages of a more satisfactory kind must necessarily attend the occupation and colonization of lands so extensive and possessing such extraordinary varieties of soil and climate. It would be very difficult, if not, indeed, quite im- possible, at this date, to give a list of all the works that 64 have been had recourse to, or to lay before the reader all the evidence which the writer has studied, and, he trusts, tho^'oughly examined, before arriving at the conclusions which he now ventures to submit to the public. Let it suffice to say that not only the ablest and best known publications on the subject have l)een perused, and infor- mation derived from conversations with distinguished travellers but that also the greatest authority which we as yet possess on all cpiestions relating to the North-West Territorv, — the Blue Book — containino; the evidence given on oath, before a Select Committee of the House of Commons, has been carefully consulted. :.l I Tall usts, dons ,et it town nfor- shed 1 we West lence se of THE NORTH WEST TERRITORY. The " North West Territory" is that portion of British North Amorica which is situated between Lake Superior to the east, the Pacific Ocean and the Itussian Dominions (now a portion of the United States) to the west. The 49th paral- lel of North latitude and the chain of waters from Rainy- Lake to the confluence of Pigeon river with Lake Superior, form the boundary between this territory and the tJnited States on the South. To the nort^ ., with the exception of some portions of Ahiska (lately Russian America), it has no other limits than those of the globe itself— the ice, the snow, the perpetually frozen seas and lands of the polar regions. THE PRINCIPAL RIVERS. North \Yestern America is watered by numerous rivers, the greater of which only need here to bo named. The Columbia, rising in the Rocky Mountains, traverses the Blue Mountain and Cascade Mountain chains. It then, after many windings, sometimes in a southerly, sometimes in a westerly direction, loses itself in the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, three degrees south of the boundary line. The treaty which depri\ ed Grreat Britain of the better part of the Columbia, left to her the right of navigating this nol^lo river in common with the citizens of the Unit<3d States. The Fraser river also has its source in the Rocky Mountains. After a circuitous course through the Bh.o Mountains, the Cascade Mountahis, and the intervening plains and valk^ys, it joins the sea A the strait or sound which separates Vancouver Island from the Continent of America. This river is celebrated for its sands of gold. Even as to California and Australia, thousands ot iu • ' F 56 adventurers have already ])een attraeted to its banks ; and their enterprise has l)een crowned with success unsurpassed as yet in the annals org-old-diii:g-ini*'. 01' Telly river there need be little mention, as it half belongs to a foreign power. It is quite possible, however, that arrangements might be made with that power (the United States) for navigating this great river to its junction with the S(ni. The MacKenzie river is wholly within British territory. It is one of the greatest rivers in the world, its course being two thousand iive hundred miles from its source in the Rocky Mountains to its debouch in the Arctic Ocean, It is navigable for about twelve hundrc^d miles, thus affording easy access in the summer months, from the Arctic Sea, and from the North Pacilic by Behring's Straits, to the interior of fhe North West Territory. It Hows through a fertile and finely wooded country skirted by metalliferous hills. Ac- cording to the best computation, it drains an area of 443,000 geograx>hical square miles. The Elk and Peace rivers, although great and ])eauti- ful streams, are only tributaries of the MacKenzie. The Coppermine"^ and the great Fish river also dis- charge their waters into the Arctic Ocean. The former abounds in copper ore and galena. On the banks of the latter, it is credibly said that there is excellent grazing. f Next comes the Churchill river which Hows from the interior of the country, across the granitic belt, to Hudson's Bay. * ''Taking the lines of those rivers," says Dr. King, '• I have always iniderstootl the Cojjpermine river and others to be very rich in galena. The Coppermine river is very rich in copper. Coal and galena were also found along the whole line of that coast. " "That is on the Arctic Sea?" enquired Mr. Edward EUice. "Yes; still it is within the Hudson's Bay Company's territory as far as the MacKenzie." Mr. Christy then asked: " You dill not hear of the Company having developed these resources at all?" "Not in the slightest degree." (Keport of Committee House of Commons on the Hudson Bay Company, 1S57. Evidence of li. King, Esq., M.D., p. 316.) t "The whole of the great Fish river down to the Polar Sea, is the finest grazing country in the world as far as grazing is concerned. Of course it is alluvial soil based upon sand, and therefore, not an arable land." " ^Vhat would be the climate there ?" " The climate there of course would interfere very largely with it ; but still, comjjaring it with Northern Europe, it has all the facilities of the Northern parts there." (Same report, — evi- dence of R. King, Esq., M.D., page 314.) ; and massed [t hair • (the uction ritory. being in the It is ording ja, and ^rior of le and •;. Ac- 143,000 beanti- iso dis- Ibrmer of the azing.f iterior always giilcna. Lro also loSea?" Vs Bay asked : u'cos at Hise of Esq., The Snskatchewan \vilhits two l)ranchos arisinn- in the Rocky Mountains, drains an area of ;1G'),000 square miles. The ived riv(>r inul tlie Assinilmine ll()\vin<>- from 1 lie heights ]iear the sources of th(^ Missouri and tlie AIississii)pi. luld immens(>ly io the wattM's of Lake AVinnipi'!i\ and thence iind their way by th(^ Nelson river lo Hudson's lUiy. ( 5 K N E 1 J A Ti I) r: S C IJ T PT I O N . There is admirabh' unity in the geoloq'ical appearances of this vast territory. ]>y nature it has been made one land, however much it may hereafter be divid(>d by the policy of man. The li'reat chain ol the Kocky Mountains extends from its southern to its northern boundary, rising- at its hiu'hest elevatioii, to the luMiiht of sixteen thousand feet above the level of the ocean. =^ Parallel with these, to the west, rise the Blue and (-ascade Mountains, as if intended for a van-^-uard towards 'he waves of the racilie. h'rom the base of the liocky Mouirtains, ea.-tward, the country is a ii'ently sloping- plain for 800 or!M)0 miU"'s, to the commencement of the great Chrystalline Belt, which takiuLi' a North-westerly direction about the head of Lake Superior, continues in this course and almost ])arall(d with the Jiocky Mountains as far as fif- teen hundred mih\s, and with only a sliu-ht elevation above the neighbourinu' plain until reaching the Coppermim* river near the Arctic Ocean, it Ibrms hills eiu'ht hundred feet in height. Its average breadlh is two hundred miles. On the side that looks towards" Hudson's Bay, its outline is pretty much the sanu^ as thai of the shores of this sea, thus verify- ing what G(H)lou'isls say as to the wati'rs of this ]'(\gion hav- . ing been conlined within their actual limits by the upheav- ing of these ])rimary formations. Between this belt or platcniu and the lUry, there is a narrow strip of limestone. From this bed of limestone to the sea, the land is low, Hat, s"\vampy, and, in part alluvial. is the ' course land.-' would purope, L— evi- * The liij^'host mouutuin in the Territory mid, iudoed, in all Xonli Amorica, is Moi'Nt Saint Ei.ias, which docs not I'orin a i)ortioii ol' the liocky ^[ouutiin eliain. lioiiiij; an isolutod mountain, f^ituated near tho con- fines of what was, until recently, Kui^siau .\merica. It attains the height of lT,SGOfeet. '»' 'I -,. .. ' f 58 li A K E S . ft J On the wostoru odgo of tho ^reat Cliry,stalliiio PlaUniu are sitnatod the princix^al Lakos ol" tho. North-Wostorn Con- tinent — Winnipeg' two hundred and thirty miles in kuigth and ibrty mihvs broad ; Atliabasca, CIreat Slave Lake, and the largest of them all, Great Bear Lnko, which is inter- sected towards its North-western extremity, l)y the Arctic Circle. To the west of this grinit chain of wat(>rs the country is all habitable, and in a northerly direction, as far as the sixty- lifth degree of north latitud«\ If, indeed, tlu^ MacKenzie; river should ev(n' be what nature has adapted it for IxMUg, the principal channel through which a great portion ol' the trade of the ^vestern world must ilow, there may on(^ day ])e a dense population ev<'n so far north as the junction of its waters Avilli the Arctic ()cean. i I COUNTRY WE! inleresis ol' hunia.jily niusi he eiiaru'ed io I he Hudson's Hay Company, whose poliey, Jio\ve\'er W'orlliy or iiKM'ilorious each leading' nu'niher is well known lo he, is Heo(\ssarily iiosiih^ lo every (Milerprise llial is nol ealculaled lo preserve and increase I lie prolilahie hreed of mai'lens, heavens, musk-rals, foxes, w ihl cats and olher vermin, (()i>'e- llier with Ihe al)oriu-inal races in llieir riuh' slale, w lio are (he Ix^st hiinlers ol" such animals and the most exjierl i)ur- voyors ol' skins autl I'urs Tor (he great rur-iU'aling company.^- TIIK S.VSK.VrCllKWAN COUNrKV. I li< < This exltMisive (errilory strelciies IVom (h(> horih'rs ol' (he granitic plateau ah'cady allu(h>d lo, and from wliich it is sei>arated l)y a chain of Avalers consisting of (ledar Lake, a portion of (he river Saskatchewan, JMne Ishuul Lake and Beaver Lake, for a, distance of 800 or 1K)0 miles westwards to the Rocky Mountains. It is divided into numerous phiins and vaHeys hy (he river Saskatchewan, its two great branches, and its nunuM-ous tributaries, which rising for th(3 most ])art, in the vast mountain range, rush down the innu- mera])le vales and gh'us on its eastern sh)pe, giving life, beamy ami ferdlity to a region which would otherwise be a rugged and for])idding wihhM'uess. The travellers who have ^■isit(Ml this reijion bear ample witness to the fertility of the soil. The scenery they deseril)e as "magniricent," and the banks of (he rivers on either side, as luxuriant beyond description. " Vast forests," says Lieu- tenant Saxon, "cover the hill-tops and iill the valleys. The climate is mild, and cattle keep fat in winter as well as in summer on the nutritions grasses." Sir George Simpson who had been for thirty year.s Goveri.or of the Hudson's Bay Company, in his l)eautiful and interesting ])ook {ro>/ap;c. round lite inorUI)^ informs lis that "the rankncss of the vegetation between the forks of the Saskatchewan, savoured rather of the torrid zone with its perennial spring- than of the northern wilds.'' He speaks of 61 ould un- 11(1 ulow- If it has lor such »'d to llio ^'orlliy or lo \)i\ is alculiilt'd mart^'iis, iiin, loii'iv wlio avo perl i)iir- iinpaiiy.'^ ordiM's of ■Inch il is r Lake, a l^akc and est wards Ills plains vo u;reai <>• i'ov Iho \\\u' innu- inti' lile, vise 1)0 a jar ample dcscvihc Ihor side, jiys Lieu- ys. The ;ell as in y years Leautilul Is us that Is oi' the Uvith its Ipeaks of hiniscH'aiid liis rcllow-lravellers as " hrnshini^- the Inxuriaiii yrass with our kiiecvs, and I lie iiard LC'"<>'i"d of Ihc surface was hcaulifuliy r(^ the select eoininittee of the House of Coninions, (1lied. '•(juile succcssrul ; tlie wiie;il was looliiiiti,' \ci'y luvui'iant ." Wei'c there jiiiy othei" kinds of crojjs ? "Thei'e \\'ere pota- toes and hiirlev, also ])iu's, cows and iiorses." In this small setthMiienI, (>ach man had his own ])articular allotment, and everythiiiLj', accoi'dine- to tfm (wideiuMi of Dr. Kinir, Avas in lh(^ most nourishing- condition. Th<' learned witness, how- c^:o\\ further slates — ''When I was u'oinq- away they said: 'cannot you helj) us ? You ar«^ a p,'overnment ollicer ; the Company have ordered us to rpiit, and we shall l)e ruiiuMl.' " Of course a^'riculture and colonixati(ni were not the objects of the ('ompany ; and, /n. raiso)/ dii plus fori csl tojonrs la nidl- leiirc. What became of this interestinn' little colony de])onent said not. '^I'he day may not, perhaps, ])e far distant, wIkmi colonization will be undertaken on a liToater scale and under more fosterinu; auspices. lUit il has been stated that owIiiiq; io periodical inunda- tions which, evcn-y sprino-, lay the whole country under w^ater, for nearlv 200 miles from the iunction of the river Saskat- chewan with the lakes, cultivation, th(; raisinc of crops, — settlement — are impossible. This objection, if, indeed, it be a serious one, applies only to a very limited section of the country. And, 'could no means l)e discovered by which these inundations miiirht be prevented or at least reii'ulated and rendered advantao-eous V There are falls of cfreat mao'- nitude near the point where; the Saskatchew^an joins Lake AVinnipeg ; and, although the people at Ked river do not r r J w : 02 think Ihiil l)y nMuovinij: a corlnin inill-pond in ihcir counlry. an iniUKMiNt' swinni) wliicli il dams np wonid lui draiiM'd, it is novorllioKvsM beyond tpuvslion, Unit if tlie wants of nnin r«»(|uir«Ml it, the annual Hoods of the tSiiskatdu'Wiin niiu'hl he nnuh' to lind their way into Lake WinnipeiJ!' without lirst inun- thitijiii' the country. Hut, in a region wlicre il r:iins so litth*, tlie preeipiliition heinn' in tlie course ol'thv* y»*iii' only mteen inches, it niiLiht tend more to the raisini»' of .Mhundnnl crops, io rt»iiulat(» and even extend the rush ol' the sprinu-tide vvuters. To wliat, does /Muypt ove the Irrliiily of its plains, H' not to the Nile's inun' ilioie 'he whole valley throuuh wb'ch the a;rea.i river ll<. i s . often to excess ; vet who !;.■•■ \''<.n t to I )e overllowe< an( 1 :!rendous works were «M'ect(»d hy th(» L>-en(>rosiiy of tlie kinu's of /lyi>yi)t and the inu'cnuity of her peoi>le. Tlius \veri» the sui>(>rlluous waters incriMse to an anni/inii" extent the fertility ol' the laud. Who knows but, when ])eo])le if not priiu-cs have been multiplied on the earth, similar works may be un(hn*- iakeu in th(> hitherto neii-lectt'd reo'ions of the North-West ? — and who dare say that the vast coiuitries there, which have known no sound as yet save the lowinii; of wild < attle and the war-whoop of the herein red-nuin, shall not rejoice 0 deuTces north lati- tude, on Mountain river, another tributarv of the MacKen/ie. ♦;.T I'ountry. iiiiH>(l, it of innn uiiilil l)t' isl iinin- y lil'hMMi III crops, rinii-lidc Is pliiins, llnouu-h V('(l, and li(» hidiks m\ when rdcr lliiil iidaiions, 'lUM'osity r people, 'i'-ulnled, I y ol" the e-es have )e uiuh'sr- Wesi ?— \ which d ' atlh* rejoice inc vocal liappy u\ TilK aries of le couu- he o.Mh and soil kinds ol" y in the Drth lati- L'Konzio. Wi Althouyii we have no positiv*^ evidence hel'ore uh wliich (lecide, says Ihat "already (he Ixilialoes were seen with their yonJiLi' ones IViskinii' ahoul them." y\t. this time also(H)tli May), "the 'Ahoh^ country,-' he writes, "displayed an exuherant xcrdure. The trees that hear a hlossoui were advanciuLi' last to thai (leliiiliHiil appearance; ami the velvet, rind ol' their Inaiiclies, relleclinu' the (»Mi(jue rays ol" a risini^ ■<»rsettinu' sun, added a, splendid ^"aiety to the trees, which no expressions of mine are (jualiliecl lo descrihe." Iletween the two ri ver.s— t he l']lk and the TcMce, — i- T))! N. latitude, "the in'ound rises at intervals to a cons'ler- ahle heii^hl, anace or lawn, which is alternate with ahn ;t ])recii)ices to the summit oi" the whole, or at least i\> ^ar as t'^e ey(^ could distini^-uish. This Tna^iii.licent iheu <• of natun^ has all the decorations which tln^ trees and animals of the country can ali'ord it. (irov(»s of poplars, in ev<^ry shape, vary the sc(Mie, and their intervals are enli\'ened with vast herds of J«]lk and liu//'aloes — the forn)er choosing the steep uplands, and the latter ])referrinj^ the plains." {Sir Alex. MacKenzie's Jourrtu/, 1703.) KXTUEMK MM ITS OF CIILTI VATION. At fort Norman, within a few miles of the ijhth parallel of iu)rth latitude, harley and i)otatoes have heeii raised, (evidence heiore a select eomnntte(? of the I louse of Com- mons, IS")?, p. ^^■>'2) althouL^h, i^ro])ah]y, wheat could not be cultivated. It is well known, how(nM>r, that in Juiroi^e it ixrows to ]-)erIection as far north as latitude oO. J>ut, neither wheat crops nor cereals of any kind are destined to form the resources and th(vwealth of this portion of the country. Tlu^ navi^-ation of the MacKenzie will he its treasurt*. And surely if the enterprising' citizens ot the United States Jind it ])roiitahle to convey from the K"as which receive the waters of this irreat river, shiploads of whale oil and i 1 ^ I -i G4 oth(^r morrlumdiso. it will ]>(« still moro so for vi- donco hidbre select committee of House of (\)mmons, ISoT) the sum iiccruinu: to the Tnited States from the whale ilsh- eries alone, arc surely but an inconsiderable fraction of the jtriceless treasures that miuht be fished ui> from the inex- hauslible (b'plhs of the «?reat Arctic Sen. Ak^"" this will l)e, one day, the rich ]>ossession of th*^ numerous people wlio will iind tlieir homes on the enstcrn slopes of tlu^ Jiocky Mountains, and in the fertile ^'alleys and verdant prairies which end only where the settled country of Canada ])ei>'ins. BUITISII COLU.MIUA, Fc^TtMi^KIA' CALLi:i) .\i:W CA LI'.Do.Nl A. The country watered by the iM'aser rivor must now l)e spoken of. It consists chiefly of mountainous reaions, but there are also plains and numerous vabeys as ricli as iiny 14^ the world. It is wholly witliin liritish territory, and has been erected into a colony, with a CJovernor, Council of State, &:c. Althoua'h many parts of it can never be inhabited, it is destined, no doubt, to afford homes at ii;> distant period to a numerous and wealtliy population. It had l)een known hitherto ])v the beautiful name of Nkw Caledonia; and it was surely much to be regretted that the Uritisli (lovern- ment had thought lit to change the name of this magnilicent country to British Columbia. The learned Colonial Min- ister ought to have acted on the idea that the territory w^atered by a river bearing the name of one of the most illus- trious of th<^ Scottish races, should have l)een allowed to retain the name of Caledonia. AVas there not a marked similarity between the two countries? AVere not l)oth, as had been said of one of them bv an eminent poet, " the land of the mountnin and the flood :•"' The rivers of New Cale- donia flow in all directions — east, w^est, north and south — from the highest mountain ranu-es of North America, over- 4 OAV 1)0 IS, |)Ut niy iii 1(1 has «lato, 1, it is d to a nown ind it i)vern- iceiit Mill- ■itorv illus- ed to rkod h, as land ^ale- tli— )yc]r- 0") lookini^ ih»^ rafifio Ocoan. Thosi^ of ancioiit (^ilodonia risiiiii-iii ihc hitj;h<'st vnoiurtains ol' Ihc British Isles, in their hoadloiio- conrso, rnsh roaniiiii»' throiiirh their roeky IxmIs till, reachinuc tho more level country, they How in lran([iul beauty throu^-h Fertile Tk'UIs and linely wooded valleys to th(3 Northern, Atlantie and (ierinan Oceans. Is New Caledonia without any other inhabitant than the aboriij^inal savag-t' — without any other habitation than the rudo tent or tho wretched wi^'wani * Are its waters without trade as yot^ and unknown to soni^ :* T^ven so, ancient Caledonia, some two thousan'o, had no (»iher iidiabitant than tlu^ l)arbarian, whose only ciolhini:;" was paint — no i>etter dwel- ling- lor its peoi)le than the })urrow in the hillside. No ])ard had as yet w to the ancient Caledonia, that r»ritish Columbia is e<[ual only in jioint of soil and climate to North Britain. l)oth were, indeed, lands of "tho mountain and tho Hood:" but tho climate of the former country is superior even to that of tho south of l']ni.;-land. Tho endless variety of its trees and shrubb and wild plants, which utow in th(» utmost luxurlanco. h?avos no room to doubt of its fertility. ])eini^ a nountain- ous country, it is necessarily more humid than tho prairie laiuls of tho Saskatchewan ; but it possesses tho advantasrc^ of beino- less subiect to severe summer droughts than many * TIk" eponiiiir ol' the fjolil miin's at ('iiril)oo. und tlic i'o;i'l to tlint rojiioii. ucanly -too miles ill len.Uth, rocciitl^* consti'uctoil, IiiV(^ causod a wonilcrful revolution, as rc'g.mls trado and truvid, along the rugged lianks of tho J^'raser. t 'riici'c is iiiiother sti'iking jioint ot'reseniUlaiieo Iietwoen New and ancient CalcHlonii. Who his not he.ird ol'tlie "]>arallel roads" or(;ienrov, in tho latter country? Trav(dlors s])eak oC similar roads or /(rwrr.y on the gi'eat rivers of British Columliii — tlit^ Fr.iser, the Thomson, the Colnmhia. These terraces of tlie new world art^ on a 1 irger .s(Mh> than those of S>'otlaud : liut they uidic ite similar geologieal revolutions, which nmst have emancipateil the waters from tluur mountain fastnesses at ditlereiit epochs in hoth countries. if 3 1 6Q I('V«'l iiiicls of country to tho oast of the Kdcky Mountiiin«. VVlitit Ihoiiiili its ruirycd moiiiituiu rt'i^ioiis must cvt'r viMnain imi)iM*vious io the ])loui'h, thoy will always bo crowJiod witli maii'Jiilicont forests, cxci'pt wIkm'c the lifiirlit is too i^roat to admit of such cxuhiM'anl vcu'ctation, thus allordimra pleasiuir contrast witli tlic uiululatiiiu- plains whicli divv ^ify the nu- merous hikoH and streams. Chief amoiiu' tliesc^ is ''m» «ifreat Fraser river, whicli i)ursiu's a rapid course between st ep and rocky l)aiiksuiitil, approaching' the sea, it presents a fertile and finely wooded valley from .'tO to (10 miles in leiiiith. Such -also is the Thomson, which, surpassing- thi> former in the ])cauty of its scem^ry, accordiiiLj to tho evidence* which so lately as IS,")? was yiven before a select committee ol the Mouse (►f Commons, ilows " throuLi'h one of tho most l)eau- tiful countries in the world." Its climate is one of thi^ best und is eminently calculated to favour the production of all the crops that are produced in l!]ni»land. Towards the north tho Columbian coast becomes rocky and precii)ilous, ap])ear- ing to* 1)0 unapproachable ; but inside this rugged belt there is " a line open country." Is it too much to hope, that a land which many who have dwelt in it and know it well, speak of as " extremely fertile," and which possesses treasures of unfold gold that have already attracted the people who hold California and its golden stores, will rejoice ere long in numerous popula- tions, and may even behold tho commerce of the world crowding its shores ?=^ * The gold mines of the Frasor River have now beoome better known ami attract a coiisider.ible ftoating poj)ulation. That they will hasten the colo- nization of the territory or make it a desirable country to settle in is (juito another question. They have been, however, tlio cause of great improve- ments which will eventually promote settlement. A waggon road 87H miles in length h:is lieen constructed, notwitlistsnuling very serious engineering dilficulties, from Yale, tlie i)lac(i where the Fraser ceases to be navigable, across the Ciscade mountains to tht> cliief mining districts at Cariboo. In addition to this imjiortant liigliway. thei'e is also a bi-anch waggon road of lOT miles from Clinton to Douglas vii Lillooet. r>y means of these I'oads, opened in 1S(VI. tlie ex])cnse of living at C.ii'ihoo has been diminished by onedidf. 'I'liey nmst also ficilitite comnnmicition witli the rest of British Nortli Amcrici : and thus will the whole breadth of the Continent, from the I'acilic to the Atlmtic Oce in, b<^ thrown ojkmi to colonization, civilizi- tion and commercial eiitei'prise. Tliis road, surmounting the (,'ascades, enters tlu^ great plafean, which lies lietwtM-n them and the Kocky Mouut- tains. Ac'-ess could easily be h ul along this uiidulating plain to the more 67 COLONY OF VANC^OUVEU. wn and lie colo- js (luite nprove- |h miles leorinj; ■if,'al)le, lo. In •Olid of I'oads, icd by F^ritish |, Iron I livilizi- hofidos, [loiuit- mor(! Viiucouvor Island, so iiaiiH'd IVom its disco vortM', Cap- tain Vancouver, lies close to the mainland, cxlciuliiii,' *J70 miles in iciiutli, and varviim' in hrcadlli IVom loity to lil'ty miles. The al)orii»inal population is sui)posed to amount to 17,000 souls. This island is in every respect wonderrully adapted for settlement. The climate, moderated hy the mild winds of the I'acilic ( )cean, resembles that of the soulli ol' Jllni^land, with the dilit>rence chielly that there is a ii'ieater deo-ree of summer-heat, Its vicinity to the soa remliMS it more humid than the more inhunl parts of the iu^i'j^hl)ouri no- territory of British C'olumhia. IJut this circumstance only confers upon it the privileuc and tlie ahidino' Ix-auly of ])er- petual vi'rdure. The trees with which it is adorneil, and in many places encund)ered, are (piite e(|ual to those which art; the pride of the royal ijardens at Kensington, '{'he culti- vable parts of the Islaiul ])resent a A'ery plcasinu- ap])ear- iince, the country Ixuiiir divided into wo<»d and prairii* land, the prairies stretching extensively in [)ark-liki forms into the primeval forests. Tho low lands generally are fertile — some of the val- leys, such as the C^)W^ichan, which «»xtends along the beau- tiful bay of the same name, i)articularly so. The finest wheat is easily raised, and vields from 2') to 40 bushels per acr«». Very little of tho Island had been explored at tho date of the parliamentary report of 1857 ; but although pnu^tiwihlc pa+is •whicli Mr. Alfretl Wiuldington Ins pointed out, towards tho lion h end of the Rorky Mountain chi in. A loid will no dou!)t Hoon he made from this comparatively cisy niount:iin j)iss to the point where th(; north fork of the Saskatehewpu hccomes naviuihle. Thus will British Col- umbia be brought within convenient travelling reach of Jlcd Kivcr and the <.'ana' the emj^orium, as it may yet become one day, ol' the trach^ ol' both heniispheres. In 1(S4o, the work ol' colonization had been commenced in Vancouver Island so fertile and so rich in resources ol' every kind, and was advancinii" slowly in tlu» face of many obstacles, w^hen it was ('reeled into a I)vitish colony in 182S.^ This imi^'rial I'avour Avas no sooner extemlc>d to it, than, as if impelled by the inlluenee of some mn^'ic ]>ower, it rose \vith ast(>nishiiiu' ra})idily to the condition of a jn-ovince of no ordinary importance. Already it ])oss(\ss(^s an embryo city on its south coast, with a pojndation of recincts. the Celt as well as the ^:^axou. Its press, thus early, has Ix^ii'un to speak the lan- li'uau'e of both races. \'ictoria is also tln^ child' st\it of a bishopric Avhich Avill no doubt, in the course of time. b(» cir- ciimscril)cil, and to its own j2,Teat satisfaction, by several new soes. THE WAY TO THE XOinil WEST. Hitherto it has been too ^'eniM'ally beli(n"(Ml that access to the beautiful countries of the North AVest is extremely diffi- cult, if not impossible. This idea may have arisen from the cir- cumstance^ that the Hudson's Way (\:>mpany have be(Mi in the habit of traveliiin; thither l)v lonii", circuitous, and * ViiUi'ouviM' is now (ISGS) pfiliti;' illy uuitril will; tlic nt'i,i:hltnrin,c: muii- lan known iicnt'cl'orth iis BiUTisii (\u.i'.Mi;iA. Tliis colony is I'oiin'liil to llic sontli liy tln' Tnilcil iStatos of AiiKMica. to the west liy tli" l'aci!ic oco ui ai"l llio iVoniii-r ol' .\las- ka (nntil r(HH'ntly the Unssian tcnatoiics in Noi'tli Annn'ici); to tlic noi'tli liy tlio OOtli parallel oi' noi'tli latituilo ; anl to the oa.st, from tiio lioundary f)ftlio United t^fafes, northwards, l.y tlir l\(ichy Maniioiiis and tlio J2()th meridian of west joniritndo, int'iiKiin;.' (^icen < 'h ulottc's Island, Vani'oiivcr Island, tlic !sl in is iidjiu'cnt tlici'oto, ;iud all r^tin'i' islands adjicent to the tei'ritorii's wJiii'Ji constiluti' ]5ritisli ( 'nlnmbia. 1 I ll 69 ).s to llilli- cir- iii \in- |)itli [UmI lias. Uh Bai'v [otlt jvcf OYon dangorous routos. It soonis oxlraordiiuu-y Ihat llioy should havo ])n'roiT('d to convoy their stores and morchaii- diso round ])y the stormy waters of tlie north, with their onlv l>ort at York Factory on Hudson's J>ay, wliicli is ahnost always i'ro/en, when a more dirt^ct Avay was at their com- mand, by th(^ Canadian lakes and ilie chain of waters which extend Irom J^ake >!ui)orior to the vicinily oi' their settlemeni on lied Jiiver. This nuiyhavi; led to the belief that there existed no better route, liecent exjdorations have shewn, however, that the journey from (^iiKida to the North West is shorter tlian has betni supposed, and comparatively easy ; that indeed, with a: little ouilay in road making wher(» there, are jiorluii'e,^ or carrying* plact\s, a gr(\»t hi^'hway might bt> ostablislied, only a little longer than the most direct or air liiu» from tort AVilliam at the II(>ad of Lake Superior to fort Garry on tlu> Ked Kiver. — (Air line oTT miles, — route by land and wtiter 4r)4 miles. )^ Nor does this route pass through a barren and inhospita- ble wilderness. The height of land separating l^ake Supe- rior from the countries to the westward once passed, the rivers and lakes are borderc^I by ])rairies and luxuriant woods. (,")) Nor are these regions witlnnit inhabitants. In addition to the Iiulian tribes who are by no means hostile, there are numerous settlers of European origin, and several missions have been in existence for many years. The colon- ists of Jied liiver, who are most anxious to hold relations with Canada, would prefer this route to the more circuitous, dilhcult and dangerous one by l'em])ina and through the State of Minnesota. They gave proof of this preference by undertaking themsi^Vves to make a road ninety miles in length, from that settlement to the Lake of the A\'oods which constitutes so large a portion of the chain of navigable * A I'onto has ,siii(^(\ Ikn'H tr:it'(>(l, -10.".', mil's ill lrtii,'(Ii, (Voiii a pdinf, invir Fort William, 'riiuiHliT I'.iy, I/ikc SuiuM'ior, to Vovt (iarry mi Kcil l^ivor : 332.^ miles of the joiiin''y over tliis route can lie aeeomplislied hy nutans dl" navi^' iMe \vat(M's, leavini; ureliase their siipjilies, eosts from four ami a hall' to live (loUai'S jier IdOlhs,, whei'e is hy the jiroiiosed route, it woultl amount only to om^ and tlir(M> quarters or at most three dollars, from Lake JBuperior to Fort Tiarry. — (See recent report hy S.J.Dawson, E^'{., '■ E.. to the Canadian (iovt.) i f I i i fi »» 70 waters extending to within thirty miles of Lake Superior. The Government of the Dominion of Canada, in consideration of the loss of the crops at Ked lliver this year, 1808, have relieved the settlers from this responsibility and are now actually directing the construction of a road from Fort Garry in connection with tne navigable waters. This route will in a short time hence, be available for travel and traffic, part of the land road from Thunder Bay, (L. Superior,) towards the lake region, which lies between Lake Superior and the lied River country, being already constructed, and an appropriation having been made by the Canadian Government for the construction of 90 miles of waggon road from the last of the chain of lakes (the Lake of the AVoods,) to Fort Garry, the chief place in the Ived liiver settlement. It is not unreasonable to suppose that, by opening com- munication with the north-west territories, an important amount of trading will be at once established between those regions and Canada. At jiresent, the settlers at ]ved river are dependent for their supplies on the state of Minnesota. Goods can only be conveyed from St. Paul, the chief city of that state, with considerable difficulty and at great expense. The north-western people would lind a cheaper and equally well supplied market in Canada : and as has just been shewn, the cost of carriage would be materially less. The able men who direct the energies of the Hudson's Bay Com- pany, would be among the first, undoubtedly, to see the the advantages of the new route, and to avail themselves of them. Canada cannot fail to recognize her interest in such great public, even national, improvements. Trade, to the value of many millions yearly, would be directed to her borders : wealth would How to her from the gold mines of the Fraser, the coal fields of Vancouver, the inexhaustible fisheries of British Columbia, and the fertile plains of the Saskatchewan, the lied river and the Assiniboine, — Waters which communicate by means of portages, lead all the way to the immediate neighbourhood of Lake Superior. And what if the highway to the distant east — to China and ,Ta])an ; § to the lovely islands of the Pacific — to Bor- neo, to New Zealand, to golden Australia and our vast Indian Empire — should pass through the beautiful and productive valleys of the North West ? 71 lortant ;i those d river nesota. city of License. ■qually ; been The Com- ee the Ives of L such the o her ! of stible f the aters way ^hina Bor- hdian ictivo A raihvay=^ from IIali{\ix or Quebec to the western coast of the American continent has been spoken of; and, indeed, such a way could be more easily made along- the i^lains of the Saskatchewan and the northern passes, than through the more mountainous country some degrees farther south. Nor would the ]tocky Mountains be an insurmounta])le barrier. They could be pierced without any serious engineering difti- culties at the sources of the ]\[acKenzie and Fraser rivers, or at the i^oint where they were traversed by vSir George Simi^sou, with a long train of horses, waggons and baggage, at the head waters of th(> Siiskatche\^'an and the Columbia. In the meantime, other kinds of roads and modes of convey- ance may l)e adopted with equally great advantage. The more direct way to lied liiver, ])y the chain of lakes and riA'ers which already almost connect the Canadian lakes with the settlement at Fort Garrv, once established, as il must be in a Year or two, the great highway as far as the Kocky Mountains, and within 200 miles of Fraser Iviver, is com- plete, th(^ rivers and lakes extending westwards from lied River, lieing navigable even for vessels of large tonnage, eight hundred miles of the way. At present there is no other route to the rich and populous lands of the eastern hemisphere than by the stormy seas of Asia and Africa, across the Isthmus of Panama, round Cape Horn, or through the dangerous strait of Magellan, or by what is called " the overland route," through foreign countries. Whether the nations of Europe will continue to prefer these ways, which, however long and difficult and dangerous, have the sanc- tion of antiquity, it is obvious that Canada, as she increases • A gviuiil inter ocoanic railway will no doubt be undertaken a.s soon as the tinances of the country are ill a condition to meet the cost. 8uch a railway once made, colonization would advance with giant strides, and com- numication with the remote east would be ojicned liy the shortest route. Nay, the distance from London to C'aliton would bo altridged by 5,218 miles and all other distances to ea'^tein lands in like proportion. The distance fi'om London to Canton, via I'aiiama, is l^.-OSO miles; via(Janada the valley of the Saskatchewan, and the ]'acitic. Ocean, 10,8.jO miles. The Sandwich Islands, the Fejee Islands, the Island of Labuau &:c., would be found to be convenient resting ]ilaces in the Pacilic, where steamboats could lay in su])plics of fr(\'n]ation, \vill iind tlie now way, althoucrli all hut \iiilrod(l(Mi as yet, more ('onvciiloni, ])('vliai)s ovon cssiMitial, lor the wants of ]wv I'xtondcd irad(\ Ivlot only ■\vill tills liiu'liway oi' tho world, willi ils myriads oi" levia- than sioanihoats constantly ]doULihinii; llie phu-id waters oi' Ihe Taeilic Ocean. tra\erse tlie Canadian provinces, it must also i)ass Ihrougli ihe valley oT tlie. Iviviu' Ottawa. This is an ahsolute requirement ol" the ^-eological structure of the globe. ]]ritish power has at command only two outlets, eastwards, Ironi the beautiful and I'ci'tih' lands oT the ncrth- west : one a land route, and a, dillicult one, by Ihe north shore of the C\inadian lakes; the other, more easy, by Lakes J^uperior and Huron, tlnmce by French river, Lake Nipis- singue, the Ottawa and the St. Lawrence, to the Atlantic sea- board. Thus it is manifest Ihat the city of Ottawa, which, ac- cording to the wise decision of our graci(ms Queen, | has become the capital of the Dominion of Canada, must also be, and that at no distant day, a great comnnvrcial emporium, a metropolis of business, the prosperous and crowded centre of the trade of both hemispheres. THE NORTH WEST TERRITORY. NOTES. ASSIKIBOIA AND IIKU ItlVKrw. Note i. — ''It is far from hciiig inte flint there ?".? onhj some arable land aloiuf the course of the great riversJ^ Tlie Rev. Mr. Corbett's evidence before the Ilouse of t'ommon.s may be very properly adduced here iu confirmation of what is advanced : Question 2,"12. — Mr. Gordon — Wliat Ls the physical character of the country ? A. It is very good for agricultural operations. Q. How far from tlio banks of the river, in your opinion, might agricultural operations bo proiitaljly extended ? A. For a very great distance. Q. More than a mile from the banks ? A. I have heard Mr. McDermott, who is, perhaps, the gi'catost mer- chant on the banks of the Red Kiver. say again and again, that ho is <|ui» surprised that the autliorities in England do not extend the route via I Superior, and open up a grand overLunl route, and form a great nat from Lake Superior right across the Rocky Mountains ; tliat it couLl be done, and that he is surprised that towns and cities have not been raised up, Q. Is there timber or coal iu the neighbourhood of your station ? A. There is a great deal of coal towards the source of the Assir"' oine River. Q. ITow far from your station ? A. Two hundred or thi'ee liundre 1 milos. Q. Which coal might Vie In-ought down the river, and which it would be very desirable to work, because timber in those parts of the country Is scarce ? A. The timber might 1 e use I for building purposes and the coal for fuel. 7 .!1 vi. i 74 Q. I suppose that 300 miles is a very interrupted u:i\^g:ition ? A. The Hu'lson's Biy Company bring their furs ami peltries all down the same river in l;irge bateaux. Selcci Com. njtd.-^on'n Day Co. Evidence of the Rn\ G. 0. Curbed, p. 1 iO. !; 1 ■ I * '•^FursJ'or the (jrcatfitr-dcalinij eoinpniu/.'' — The cise of tho attempted settlement .".t i'(V.'tig'i La Prairie on the Ixivcr Assinihoino. al)Out [>() or CO miles from the BiMt of (fovernment at Fort Oarry on Ked liiver, amply bears out the st items'ut mai'.e in this jupor as to the adverse policy ol' the Hudson's Biy Company. But who could lilame them as the proprietors of a great meranitile concern, for resisting all trespasses on their preserves? Have not .ill men and all compuiies a right to do whatth(\y like with their own ? Mfiy they not use and enjoy their ])roperty as they slrdl think best, whether that property consist in lands, houses, *iees, o* wild cats ? It must be admitted, however, that there are such things also as national rights, the rights that are ludd and acted on by 1 lie sovereign power of a nation. These rights although uridotibtedly possessed are never, or ought never to l)e p..'t in force, to the detriment however small, of any individual or ntimber of ■ndividm''s, excejit when the common good manifestly demands it. When there is iiuostion of a great national l^enelit, and, when the good of hnmanity is in view bv opening tip a new and immense field for the su))plying of human w;ints, for tlie extensio)i of 1 tanini liap]iiness, for the dilfusion of civiliz;ition and the filhng u]» of the v>aste places of the earth, private interest m ly surely be made to yield withottt uijustico to tho sttperior interests of a nation — oi'm;uikin'l. Does not tl;e sovereign autho- r'ty of every country claim and enforce tho right of causing private proper- ty to give way to public imin-ovement, even if in so doing, it she aid occa- sion a certain amount of loss to individual members of the commtinity ? If there existed no such right wli^n-e would be our railways and other great works which pay so little respect lo tlio amenities of private gentlemen? A policy dictated by the interests of a private commercial com]>.any hns hitherto marred all endt^avottrs, even the itiost laudable* t^florts of indivi- dtials to'promote gr^ ater nnd more extended well-being in tlu^ i'crtilo and prodnctive regi'"'is of iho NortJi West. Puit sooner or later, the gr.'^at mo- nopoly must yield to the national will, And even as some Kailway although not sustained by the greatest iiiiluences traverses the property of a power- ful proprietor by virtue of a parli:ment'uy _//'?/', so will the march, of im- provement advance with giant strides through the vast regions which have remained so long as 'Ui foiui tain scaled vp " to all btita favored few. The interference of these favoied and privileged few with the settlement at portage La Prairie clearly established that colonization is impossible so long as tho colonies of tho North West are controlled by a Company ivhich wiU not afford the slightest encouragement to any undertrking lliat does not promise to supply them with that species of merchandise from which accrue to tbem so much wealth and importance. 40 ill down . P- 140. Lteiupted ■A) or CO n-, amply cy ol' tlie ^rictors of .rcsorvos? with tlioir Idnk best, oats ? It s niUionid power of a ^ ov ought iudiviflual ninnii'ostly [and, whom iL'Use ticld [happiness, CCS of tlio Itico to tho ligii autho- tf propcr- r/Lud ocea- .ninuuity ? itlier great >Titlcmen? -i)>any hns of indivi- icvtilc nnd gr.^at mo- ' aliuough r a power- •cli of im- liicli havo [few. The |leinoi\t at |,lo so long ^•hic.h will does not licli accrue The Mov. J..0. Cohbett when qrieslioned Iieforc tho select Committor of the Jfouso of Commons on the lltMson'.s Jiay Company, staterl, shewing wh'it li>d to tlie desire for a missiiMiary establishment at " Portage La I'rai- rie " tliat tliere are many settlers congregated on the Assinihoine Uiver, about 5U or t>0 miles from the seat of Government, and tlid lhes(> settler.s petitioned for a missionary to bo despatched to them for tlic instruction of themselves and their chiUhen."' Q, Was any objection made to the form itiou of a stati(m there? A. Yes. Mr. AnDEHLEY— What was tlie dide of tbat olijeetion? A. About \>^h?t. I tliink ; tiie jieopb^ may have congregated to petition for a missionary earlier than thai d;ite, Iml 1 speak in rel'erenec to my own visit. Mr. ("ioRDOX — Wlrit objections were made to Tie formition of a settle- ment there, and by whom? A. I was given to understand that the Hudson's B ly Company would n£»t permit the formation of a setthanont there, LoKD 8tanli;y — It is anerely he^irsay? A, No, it is positive^ knowledge. When I arrived in tJio country, two stations were placed before mo, and I was to choose one of the two. • Among other features connected with those two spots, in respect of "Portage La Prairie, '" tliere was the prohibition of the Hudson's Bay Company ; so out of (ieferen;"e to the authorities in the country, as well as other reasons, I chose a station lower down on the same river Q. Were you informed of tho prohibition by any oft.-; .-.uthorities themselves ? A. Yes, it was well known througliout the settlement, Q. Eut were you informed of it ? A, Yes, by the Archdeacon and by the Bishop. Q. You were not informed of it by any otlicer of the Hudson's Bay Company ? A. I think I had intercourse with the olHcers of tho Hudson's Bay Company on the same sul ject. <2. Were you told to what limits that prohibition extended? A. I believe that tho prohiliition would extend as fir as this, that no missionary would be able to oi)tain his supplies for his station if he went to that spot, so that he would bo stai-ved ; if he ordered his goods, for example, from London, he could not rely upon getting them. You have misunderstood the quesciou whielr 1 intended to put to you. Q To what extent of country did this prohibition of settling in a par- ticular ])art of tho country applj ? A. The prohibition was diiocted to the formation of a missionary set- tlement in one particular place. Mk. C^ORuo^^ — What reasons were assigned for it? A. I believe it was stated that tho difUculties would 1)0 too great in croverning tlie people there, and also that the pc^ople might settle lower down towards tlie colony of tlie Ked River instead of settling so high ii]) on tlie Assiniboinc Kiver. But there- was a desire on tho part of the 7# Mi !•' ; 76 peojtlo at rortigfl La Prairio, on aooount of tho tim».r.r, to lorni a mottle- ruont tlieio. 'I'licy were also driven up there, I I»eliove, from th'^ uj«n.n- part of the settlement on !u;count of the llooil.s. Q. Are wo to umh^rstiiml that the i)rohibition was only to a missionary going an-l .settling there or to the people collecting there? A. To the people collecting as well as the missionaries going. Q. Was that ojjposition persovered in? Ji. Continuously, for several years ; 1 helieve it hns only recently been abolislied. Q. Jfow has it been at last overcome? A. By the coiitinueil perseverance of the missionari(>s, .and by tho perseverance of the peoi)l(> there, who turne/ the II. of Corn. bri^oT, pages 137, 13S, tl i i: ■^1 Other instances of diivoungem'^nt by the .I[udsoi\ .^ Bay Company arc didduce'l in Mr. (iorl)ett's evidence. He considered that, there were mea- sures taken in ref.-rence to his ovrn station, lleai a lot of land without going down to tho Agent of tho lluany have ex- pressed their opinion that it would ho hotter if the missionaries would give up their elliats there? J. We have heard them state that if missionaries and Fotthment^s in- crease, chii'/ FacUirs and fur irdding posts inual decrease. Mr. Luwi: — Who are you speaking of when you say "them?" A. The agents of the Company. iia7nc evidence 2'>iiijes loS and 139, Tho Kight Kev. Dr. Ani)I:i;sox llie Protestant I'ishop of Kuperfs Land gives evidence to the same otl'ect. (iiving the agents of tho Ilutlson's Bay Company full credit for tlicir courtesy and kindness to tifb clergy, and their anxious care of tho Indians in their present state, he fails not to represent that the policy of tho Company is essentially adverse to settlement on an C'Xtcnav>/ would not Ue to colonize or to settle. In tho memorial which I presented to them, I stated that I thouglittho time had come when immigration on a cautious scale might take place." Q. Do you consider that their government is favourable to tho deve- lopment of the resources of the vast territory under their jurisdiction ? A. Hardly of thos.' of the southern part of the country, where, I think, agriculture is possible; along tho southern parallels. Q. Do you think it favorable to the civilization and improvement of the inhabitnnts ? A. If colonization and gdiUvij are meant, I should say not to. .1 .i 78 1 ; \ 1 i 1 ! n} hi 1 1 ! 1 , i 1 1 1 1^ t 1 • 1 ' 1 ■ t ', ■'. :!i I SASKATCUKWAN COUXTUT. 3. " The 'utpi'i/ home of millions of inhahitanfs," — By rof'oroucc to •• th(. minutes of ccideiiin taken bvfurc I Iw select Committee (f the Jloiise of Commons on the Jlu(!s(iii\t Bail Ccmpdiu/,'' it will he .-oi'ii, that iH iT^'ari'ls tho Sns katclK'UMii comiliy, ilic ovidnico of'SirOiMirge SiiiiiisoM, althoiiijli ininifoHtly given \viili rcliictanoi', is in jxTlc't't accordauco with wlnt 1k' IkuI previously statod in liis intc resting book. Q. In reply to tlit» qur'stion liy. .Mr. Kinnairtl (pago .'>") "you say that there is no tiuiber on Iho Saskatchewan river? A. There is very little timber. Mu. Bin. I. — You say that there is very little timlior in tint country. I I5n(l that in your "Journal ot a, journey irom the Jteil liivcr isotlbincnt r-s,cros8 the Rocky Mountain.'?,"' you consuaitly tlescrilje tho country in this ■•■way: " ricturesiiue country, laki's with gently sloping banks, the green eward crowned with thick woods; then you say, ''l)eautirul ooiuitry, flofty hills, long valleys, sylvan lakes, bright green uninterrupted profusion >©1" roses and bluebells, softest vales, panorama of hanging copses? "' A. Yes, there were a great many flowering irhrubs. Q. Then you say that within a (ht the >as- ii.mifo.stly »rcviou-ly I say that untry. J L'ttl'inont ■y in this tlio groi.'U coiuitvy, prolusion 10 Saskat- an aljuii- country ? OSes of a that it hi vork, tho district ould not s in pro- must be quantity ulatioii. i;^ cliiotly tlement ? ujiply of for the ^st knows nihrokeii Simpson en to the ■rved for ' Saskat- necessa- the'' Assi- id would meadow, 79 nmply defra)' the onpt of such iniport-* ? Tf indeed tlio^o pnirie lands upon whioli Hti'isist iniiuni('ral)le hords of ]UilI,ili>, \>o as rich and fcitiU' as Sir (ieorg(^ Simpson and other writers di'srril)e them, tlie government could oidy fiiiiii l.y sn](plyin,i; the (\arly eoloni-ts with tini'ior until tlu'y could th( mselves j)rovide stone liuilt du'elljui."*, nnd supply themselves with comI from other jiarts of the ti'rritory. Whatever miiMit ho the amount of i»rolit or I'lss in dollars, the pivei'nmeJit woiddeertninly ae(|uire a new country, a now jieople and what is not th" least imjinitimt consideration, conifortahh* Jioni(.s for thi> ()Verer(>\vded and in some in-ssin,<^ one i)er]iaps of th'']n'esent tinn- hy openin.u' nj* these hitherto tnieultivnted tr;'Cts of '• heiuitil'ul counti'y with tluMr lofty hills, rolling praiiies, sylvan lakes, hriu'ht green swiu'd, uninterrupted profusion of roses and Mue liells, Hoftest vales and pMiioi'amns of hnniring copses," jind you will do moro towards redressing grievanc<'S ami ellecting real nnd salutary reforms than all that the politiciiuis of the time will Ite nMe to accomplish. in answer to a question Viy. Mr. ])
s of evidenrc as above. i^ir Georqe Simpson interrogated.) THE MACKENZIE RIVEPw COUKTRT. 4 " Grain whicheven cold Siberia refuses not to the labour of nian.^^ — " The nortliern parts of both the Asiatic and American continents down to a considerable extent, have the soil frozen for several feet deep. I believe that the ground ice, as it is called, commences in those parts of America, which have an average annual temperature of 32° ; that is a little to thrt north of the Saskatohew;ui River. It goes on increasing in depth until about Fort Simpson, where there is alxnit IT fectt of permanently frozen groimd. It thaws to a considerable extent in the summer time. But that does not interfere with the growth of trees, because they spread their roots over the frozen subsoil just as they would spread their roots over this table. Mr. KiNN-.viRD — They do not sink into it ? A. They do not sink into it. But those trees which have a large top root,_ such as tlie oak and the other deciduous trees, do not Hourish in tlioso portions of the country which have a permanently frozen soil. :m\ l! IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET {MT-3) A Zi i iil.O I.I 1.25 1^ 12.8 ^ lis IIIIIM 11^ 2.2 iA 1116 VQ ^' A c^l .^ > V /A PhotDgraphic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. HS80 (716) 872-4503 « iP ,\ V \\ '"".. % .V u% ^ M %^ r^ 80 Mn. rirvRr,r.« FiTZWU.i.iAM — To what depth does the soil thaw in tlic summer time? A. At Fort Simpson, lor oxamjile. in latitude 02®, the theriments made ui Siljeria by Professor Zaer of St. Petershurgh. Q. In the country that you are now sjieaking of there are thick forests of timb-^r, at Fort Simpson, at York Factory and at Severn ; it is a wooded country ? A. It is a well wooded coimtry. Q. In the event of the country being settled up, and the consequent lentiful giowth oi biicli, poplar, beech, elm and oak. Is it too much for the eye of ])hilantliropy to disci'rn, through the vista of futurity, this noble stream, coimetting as it does, the fertile shores of two spacious lakes, with crowdeil steiuuboats on its bosom and poi')ulou8 towns on its borders?" A. I speak of the bank of tho river there. Q. I am going to direct your attention to the river itself; tho river was at that time capable of bearing steamboats? A. Quite so. I m M 82 Q. Is it not so now ? A. It is. Q. And tlio land was vciy fertile thon, you say? A. Tho right l)ank of tho river which I speak of, indeed both bank.?, the lip of tlie river. Q. You say, "nor arc tho banks less lavorable," you allude to both bajiks ? A. Yos, I cnnline myself to the Ijanks ; the back country is one deep morass extending for miles. Q. So that anybody reading that passage wouM have very much mis- taken the nature of tho country, if he had thought that that was the deo- cription of it? A. Not as regards the l)anks ; I confine myself to the banks. Q. Does a traveller usually give such descriptions of a country as that? A. Yes; I, as a traveller, did ^o. Q. Then wo may take that to be a specimen of your view of tho country ? A. You may. (Minutes of evidence as above, Sir George Simpson interrogated.) BKITISn COLCMBIA. * t " The commerce of thevorld crowding its shores^ The gold mines of the Fraser River have now become better known, and attract a considerable floating population. That they will hasten the colonization of the territory or make it a desirable country to settle in, is quite another question. They have been, however, the cause of great improvements which will eventually promote settlement. A waggon road 378 miles in length has been con- structed notwithstanding very serious engineering difficulties, froiii Yale, the place where the Fraser ceases to be navigable, across tho Cascade mountiiins to the chief mining district at Cariboo. In addition to this im- portant highway, there is also a branch waggon road of 107 nules from Clinton to Douglas via Lillooet. By means of these roads opened in 18G4, the expense of living at Cariboo has been diminished by one half. They must also facilitate eommuniciition with the rest of British North America; and thus, will the whole brcatlth of the continent ha thrown open to colo- nization, civilization ami commercial enterprise. This road surmounting tho Cascades, enters the great plateau which lies between them and the Rocky mountains. Access could easily be had along this imdulating plain to the more practicable pass which Mr. Alfred Waddington h is pointed out towards the north end of the rocky mountain chain. A road Avill no doubt soon be made from this comparatively easy mountain pass to the point ^vhere the North fork of the Saskatchewan becomes navigable. Thus will 88 British ColumMa l)o brnuplit within convoniont triwolHng roarh of Uo>[ Kivcr nnd tlin C;in:iro can ho no ihiuht tiiat wlion thi ro;»d propostvl hy Mr. Wa ranj;o towards its norlliorn torniination, is coniph'tod as far as tho pass just rofcrrod to at or iioar thl^ nortii end of tho ifu-ky inoiuitains, an ovorlanil routf wiih very few inconvoni'-ncos an ddiilit ho inidortaivoii sonio tinio, and prohalily at no (Hstint jioriDiU ]!iit wliy wait for a raihoad whon such Hnos of connnunittition. as havo just hoon inchcatoil, can ho opt-nod up spoodily and at cojnpnrativdy htth^ cost? This routo niiu'lit I lo ready for travel and tratlio hy tho tiuK^ tiiat tlx^ Intorcolonid railway is open, and tlion wo should SCO tho Nova Sooti ins if not ri-joioinj; in, at least on- joyinj; the union. They anionp thoni who at pri^sont expriss so much dissa- tisfaction witli tho new state of thinjis, would soon ho induced to employ their energies more usefully and more wisely, than in ahusing tho only nrnmgement hy which it will ho possihlo for tho Provinces to attiin to any tlopreo of i)i'Ospcrity and national greatness. They woukl not, at any rat(\ refuse to recognize their own inmioiliato interest, and wo may yet hehohl them speeding over lake and mountain in order to gatlier gold and. wealth in other not less valnalilo foi'ms. May it not, therefore, ho safely concluded thatthey willnot ho tried hy that fertile source of temptation, — tlie union, — heyond what they are al)le to boar? Lot tho load of taxation ho as groat as tliey can possihly imagine, in consideration of immensely increased I'osoui-cos, it will he horno without dilliculty,— without murmur or com- plaint. §WAY.S~KKW BRITAIN, ENGLAND TO CHINA AND INDIA. In the whole way from London to Canton there is a difference of 5,218 miles in favor of the route hy Canada anil New Britain. London to Canton 10,008 miles via Panama. do do 10,850 miles via Canada a^d Now Britain — (the North West.) 5,218 in favor of the latter route. Tho same advantages are attainaldo hy means of the N. West route, in regard to all the coimtries that can ho roiu^hod hy tho great South Sea, or Pacific Ocean. Tho western coast of Amei'ica once gained, tliero aro 4,000 miles of the safest navigation in the world, to Jedilo in Jai)an, an, 5,0* M) miles of such navigation as tho Pacilic Ocean alono atforils, to Shanghai in Cluna ; 7.(XJ0 miles to Singapore (British India) ; 2,400 or 2,,31() to the Sandwich Islands : 6,000 to Australia. From Fort Langley, west coast of New Britain at tho mouth of Fraser River, distance to Siuidwich Islands 2,310 miles, and fi-om the Sandwich [ T - *' «| 1 1 1 1 1 1 84 Islands to Labnan (Ocoania)* 5,490 inil-s. Tlion from llio Sandwich Islands to tlio Fcojco Isliimi.-i there aro li,TT5 miles ; from tlii-so [sliinds to new Sf)tith Wales. l,(V.i.") miles, and to Aneklan (iueen and her newly establish(>d political et-ntre is exactly equi- distant from Hami'ax which is destined in all inobability, to be the chief Atlintic seaport of tlie DoMiNiox, and Foijt Gakkv on Red Kiver, which was imtil (juite rec(>ntly, the only scat of (<0V(.'rnment in Nkw Bkitaix. •Tho I.-land nf Labnan. ad.miniug Cornoo, belongs to Great Britain, whieh is ni>w worked by a company. It i^ rich in coal E SERMON DELIVERED IV TrTR CATIIEDKAL OF OTTAWA AT TIIK FCXRUAr- OF THE LATE H. J. FRIEL, ESQ., MAYOIl OF OTTAWA, ON WEDNESDAY, IPin MAY, ISOi'. I^REFj^CE. rich in coal " For my part," said Pericles tlie son of Xantippus, at tbe commencement of a funeral oration, "I think it sufficient for men wLo have approved their virtue in action, hy action to be honored for it — by such as you nee the public gratitude now performing about this funeral ; and that the virtues of many ought not to be endangered by the management of any one person when their credit must precaiiously depend on his oration, which may be good and may be bad. * * * The hearer enlightened by a long acquaintance, and warm in hia affection, may 86 f. \l quickly pronounce everything unfavorably expressed, in respect to wliat be wishes and what he knows, — whilst the stranger pronounceth all exaggerated, through envy of those deeds which be is conscious are above his own achievement. For, the praises bestowed upon others, are then only to be endured, when men imagine they can do those feats which they hear to have been done. They envy what they cannot equal, and immediately pronounce it false. Yet as this solemnity hath received its sanction from the authority of our ancestors, it is my duty also to obey the law, and to endeavour to procure, as far as I am able, the good will and approl)ation of all my audience.'^ (Thucydides — Hist, of Pelop. War — Dr. Stnith's translation, Philadelphia, 1840.) There were in the audience before which Pericles pronounced the panegyric of men who had deserved well of their country, many who knew their virtues and their public services, as well as a great number of younger or newly arrived citizens who were 'J)ut little, if at all, ac- quainted with them. This circumstance was calculated to cause that embarrassment of which the orator so can- didly complains. I must own that I laboured under the like difficulty when quite unexpectedly called upon to deliver an oration over the remains of our lamented Mayor. His actions, although not of the same brilliancy as great military achievements in defence of one's country, were, nevertheless, such as could not be allowed to pass without fitting praise. And although this praise was most eloquently expressed by the presence at the funeral of a very numerous congregation, consisting of the fellow-citi- zens of the deceased, as well as many of the most dis- tinguished men of this new nation, together with Senators, 87 Heads of the Goyernnient and members of the House of Commons, I could not refuse to comply with a custom which has the sanction of ancient as well as modem times. If in doing so, I could not hope to escape such charges as the Athenian orator alludes to, on the part of the newer men of our city, yet I had the consolation to reflect that in what I said regarding the virtues, the abilities and the services of the late worthy Mayor of Ottawa, I could not fail to be sustained by all who knew him intimately from the commencement of his career, and that, moreover, I conhl rely on their indulgence for my shortcomings in my eulogium of an upright citizen whose merits as a public man were so well known to them all. . t I' ill SKKMO]S ijKi,ivi:i;Ku IN THK ('\Tiii:i)r;Ai, oi- orrwv.v at tiii: iineum. oi tiii. LATE IT. J. FIMEL, ESQ.. Mmjnr of (JlUtifn, ON Wi:i>Ni:. lorrors. From flic hondnixf (tf feur Christ hdth srf liis folloirera J'rvr. (lid). 1 1. 1 '). 1 1. Tim. I. 7 Roin. 8, 1.').) " T/irrr is no lont/nnNnfioit lo //inn vlio tirr in C/irist Jf'siis, V'/io if'd//: not tircort/it/i;- /o //ir Jlrs/i." (K'om. 8; 1.) 1K» has ('(ni((Ut'rt'(l lor llicni death aiul the i;ra\'t'. (T. Cor. 1'), '2'2.) Kclyinu: upon his word, we can prcsuim* to say in the midst ol' this Tfiiiple, changed as it is into a house of mouruiiiir, and whilst shariny- the sorrows of an alilictiHl Iiimily, and most ioreihly reminded of tlie common doom ; "AVher(\ (), ^rave ! is thy victory:' Death! where is thy stinj;- :"" (I. Cor. 1 "», .")")). The more that we have reasf)U to lament the loss of our lato excellent chief mau'istrate, so much the morc^ have wo t»:round to hoi)e that whilst so suddenly called to iinder«>'o the awful chanuf<\ h«' has l)een ha[)i)ily summoned from the labours and usefuliu'.ss of this life to the rest and rewards of a l)elter state. His many virtues encourai>'e this hopo. What virtue was th«'re, enjoined ])y our Divin*^ ]veli- gion, that he did not jM-actice :" Jlis tempcM'ance, ]n'udence and self-denial throughout life, were truly remarkable. And let it not 1)0 said that he had no choice — that on account of his delicate constitution, these virtues were imposed on him by irresistible necessity. Necessity had no law^ for him any more than for other men, any more than for the many thousands who, with tln^ same incitements to virtue, walk in evil ways and hurry headlong- to perdition. Ah ! dearest brethren, wdio ever, no matter what the constitution with which nature had (Widowed him, no matter what his posi- tion in lile, or the didiculties or i'acilities with which he was surrounded, presumed to set at nought those law^s which the Creator has engraven in every heart, more legibly than they were inscribed on tables of stone when delivered to Israel of old amid the thimders of Sinai, and enjoyed the blessing of health, reputation or any degree of success in the world ? tSuch considerations were not for him, to honour whose me- mory we are assembled, in greater measure than for other men, inducements to virtue. And, how^ pow^erless are not such things in presence of human passion and wordly temptation ? It belongs only to the christian to surmount such formidable imxiediments. Before the grace of God was given through Christ, our Teacher and Redeemer, men could only have an im^^erfect conception of virtue. At best, they 91 could only adinirt* niul extol il. Vt(//n melioni /irobof/nr, tie- ttriorn ai't/Nor." " I know !»nvl iii)i)r<»V(' thf Ix-ttcr thiii'j's," said lh<' most ciniiit'iit niiioiiir lh«' sancs of pn'-clnistiiUi timos '• I choose the Worse and the unworthy" AVhenco this huniiliiitinir avowal, dear brethren f To the well ins- tructed christian it is no mystery. J'hilosophy possessed not, kni'W n«)t that u-raee Ihrouu'h which alone man can resist evil and I'ollow virtue. " tSinr nn' nihil /lofcs/is I'drrrt:'' Joan: 15; f). " \Vi/lionf me i/on ran do t/o/lii/ii:^."' 'Omnia poastnii in ro ijui nic roht/'orin/." Vhilii> : 4; l-'). I run f/o (ill t/iinL'-s in II IM ir/io sfrrni^,:.enr//i nir. And \vheu the will oi" the christian, like that of the heathen sa^-e, is tempted to rebel, or at least, would lain he delivered irom the dread i)rovocations to rebellion, the words once spoken I'rom above to the l)lessed Paul, are at hand : My C}k.V('K l!^ sui'M'TciKNT FOR THEE. SitJ/icif fihi v^roHa niea (11 Cor. 12: 1>.) Kelyini»- upon this Divine assurance and not upon mere human slrenc^th, or philosophy, or consi- derations of health, or iami», or success, our chief magistrate whoso too early death wo mourn, undertook whilst yet on the threshold of existence, the greatest of all works — the work of subduini? passion — resisting evil in all its forms — of doing- good — following- virtue. It was his merit, humanly speaking-, that in this noble iindertakini^ ho succeeded. But in reality, he claimed no merit that could be called his own alone. If his voice could now be heard as it has been j-o often heard amongst our people, we should hear him declar*? that it was by no other means than by the grace of God through Jesus Chsist, his saviour and ours, my dearest bre- thren, that he won in life the victory which beyond death and the grave is now crowned, may we not hopefully aflirm it ? with glory everlasting. AVhen only ten years of age Henry J. Friel was deprived of both his parents. About the same time, the ])roperty and business on which they relied, becoming unavailable the or- phan so tender in years, stood face to face with the world and its cares. He could not have had time as yet, to derive much benefit from educational training. So, quite unpre- pared, and at the age when youth requires to be taken by the hand, to be taught, encouraged, and sustained, he com- menced the great battle of life, alone and friendless, in the midst of a community where it was scarcely i)ossible that 02 i|i 'his position, or his merit, or his energy and darings should be appreciated. Such a mind Avas not to be held in bondage. It was not destined to be fettered by the hard and unre- mitting toil of a mechanic. The noble art of printing to Avhich he ardently applied in the newspaper ollice of the late Dr. Christie, must now give placv' to the labours of the pon. The most assiduous self-culture had done its work. The new writer becomes the editor and proprietor of a Journal and toils no longer on a newspaper stalf in the hum- ble capacity of a mechanic and ai^prentice boy. From Ihi^ time we l^ehold him exercising all the duties of a good and zealous member of the new community which was rising up around him. But here we must xiause in or- der to consider his literary talents. In literature Mr. II. J. Friel was the prodigy of the place. A correct and vigorous writer w'ithout having learned in schools, a graceful, elegant and iluent orator without having heard from Pedagogues that there were such men as Cicero and Demosthenes, our departed mayor has more than ordinary claims to our atten- tion and respect. There are many in this great assembly who are perfectly conversant with his writings on purely literary as well as political subjects, and who, I can rely upon it, will sustain me when I hesitate not to say that his was a high place among the best writers of the time. Qua eleganiia scribebat eadem dicere solebat. lie spoke with as much facility and elegance as he WTote. But why should I recount this fine accomplishment? You have often heard him. All they who have been dwellers in Ottawa for the last twenty years, will roadily bear witness to the pains which he bestowed la preparing those discourses — master- pieces of English composition and eloquence, — which he de- livered before the Mechanics' Institute and other societies of this city. Our citizens are also cognizant of the readiness and kindly feeling, with which he gave the aid of his eloquence on all occasions when it could be i)roperly available, in sup- port of our benevolent institutions. On such occasions he was always listened to with pleasure, and so popular w^as his style of addressing public assemblies that he w^as invariably called on to speak at all meetings of the people at which he happened to be present. There could be no better proof than this desire to hear him so frequently expressed by his -fellow citizens, of the excellence to which Mr. Friel had at- 93 tiould be bondage, id unre- inthig to CO of the :s of the its Avork. ^tor of a the hum- ;hc duties ity which use in or- Mr. II. J. vigorous l1, elegant idagogues lenes, our Dur atten- assembly on purely I can rely y that his me. Qua with as should I ten heard ,'a for the the pains 1 — master- ich he de- ocieties of iness and 'loquence e, in sup- •ns he was Ir was his Invariably [which he Itter proof id by his el had at- k^- tained as an orator. "With such recollections flashing on our minds in the mid^-t of this mournful scene, we cannot do less than assign to our chief Magistrate whose remains are so soon to be committed to the silent tomb, the First i^lace among ora- tors in this neighborhood — in central Canada, whilst there are few, if indeed arxV, by whom he was surpassed in the whole Dominion. If he has not left any Avork which would remain a monument of his abilities and great literary attainments, thi.s loss and it is undoubtedly a loss — a blank in the world of letters, must be ascribed not to any want of energy on the part of ]\Ir. Friel, but to the fashion of the time which renders all the talent it possesses chieily tributary to its periodical literature. If, indeed, anything could be said to surpass the accomplishments by which our late Mayor was distinguished and which were the honoral)le and well won fruit of the most meritorious self-culture, it was his in- dustry — his diligence and patience in accjuiring knowledge — the perscA'erance and the courage with which he pursued those objects of benevolenc(^ and improvement in which he was habitually engaged. The recpiirements of the age to- gether with his labours in the public service, left him no time that he could devote to the building up of an enduring- monument of literary fame. Those who desire to see 'the pi oof that he was equal to such a task, will find it, not only in the Journals which he himself so ably conducted, but also, in the Literary Garland of Montreal, and other maga- zines of the time. As a Journalist and political writer, Mr. Friel exercised considerable inlluence in his day, not only in his own locality, but also throughout the Provinces. I shall not here enter into the details of his career as a public writer. Let it suf- fice to say that he was always a reformer, holding firmly and defending fearh^ssly, the great reform principle of equal rights. This principle he considered as an essential element in our Constitution, — that time-honored constitution which dates from the earliest epoch of our country's history, and which, we trust, will be handed down unimpaired to our children and our children's children, till the remotest eras. llis principles and services were appreciated by those leading Ifelbrmers, Messrs. Baldwin and Lafontaine. These o'entlemen. in concert with their liberal minded colleagues, conferred o^\ him the offices of Deputy Clerk of the Crowrt 94 *M and Clerk of the County Court of Carleton.'^ Tliis was only a commoncoraont of their favor. But it was no sliuht mark of the improvement of the times, when a Catholic and a Ke- former could be api")ointed to olfices of even such moderate importance. Mr. Friel held these appointments for some years when, in 1857, he resigned them of his own accord, in order to become a candidate for a seat in the Provinciai Legislature. In this, however, like many an able man besides himself, he was defeated. As has been already observed, this is no place for details. But it may be generally remarked ;^liat the late H. J. Friel was as conspicuous and exemplary by prudence and moderation throughout his career as a political .Toutnalist, as by wisdom and sobriety in the tenor cf his life. He was more than once, in times less tranquil ffhan the present, the meaui. under Heaven, of preserving peace between contending parties. And is it nothing to be a peace-maker ? Such, Divine inspiration declares, ARE BLESSED. And does not society bless them ? And does not our youthful country bless them ? And will it not continue to extol them so long as peace and union and concord shall be necessary for our national existence, our prosperity, our glory, and our hai>piness both individually, and collectively as a people ? In a more advanced state of society than that in which the lot of our late Mayor was cast, his abilities and attain- ments might have been merely ornamental. But in a com- munity in which every thing had to be created on which the social state depends, such a man could not fail to be useful. If we may not venture to say that he was called into existence in order to meet the wants of the time, it is no exaggeration to affirm that his energies were awakened, and his character as a public man, chieily formed by the pressing sense of these wants. Accordingly we find that from the early age of twenty-three, when a member of the Municipal Board, till the time of his last illness, he never ceased to promote improvements of every kind and to en- courage the founding of those institutions which were so necessar^' for a community which was desthied to become • In oonnootiou wUli tlicsc oiliccs. ^tr. Fiid was also l?o,t;istrai' nf tlu> Siirrof^ato Court, Dc-puly Clerk of tli'- Crown au'l rk'.;K, ami Clerk of the Crown for the Count}' of Cuk'ton. was oniy li'lit mark nid a Ive- modorate I'or some II accord, ^•ovinciai ,n besides observed, remarked xemplary reer as a the tenor s tranquil •reserving ling to be ares, ARE i does not t continue cord shall erity, our 3llectively in which lid attain- in a com- on which fail to be vas called ;ime, it is Avakened, by the find that ber of the he never and to en- were so o become be res- Board of identified a leading ition as a nend this esses and place for ch he so was held military med that iwa now )ch more 5e this as Mayor, 3nfirmed ler most guments nt to ad- 'p Canal. vd, and lich that mo, it is lich will ^m alford access to the fertile hinds of the Kcd River, the Sas- katchewan and the As^iniboine, as well as to the coal mines, the gokl lields and the rucific Ocean hav])ours of British Columbia, from all Lower and Central Canada, no less than from the Atlantic Provinces of Nova Scotia, New IJrunswick, Prince Edward's Island, and Newfoundland, whilst Great Britain and other European countries will l)e glad to avail themselves of the new communication in the interest of their manifold relations with America and the distant East, may well be considered as a Work of more than national — of world-wide importance. Its merits could not fail to be appreciated by such a writer as the late Mr. Friel, and it highly redounds to his honor that at a time when public opinion was far from ])eing so matured as at the present day, he possessed the moral courage to devote his pen to the advocacy of a scheme so beneficial and so grand, but which at the time at which he first undertook to write in its sup- port, was so little understood. "What improvement can be pointed to that our late worthy Mayor did not countenance and even earnestly labour to forward ? It had become manifest that the city increasing rapidly as it is well known to increase, could not much longer remain without a system of water works. In this respect it was behind many towns of less importance than itself. It suffered, moreover, very grievously from the privation. It suffered in its funds more than can be calculated. It suffered in its credit, especially with Insurance Com- panies, for it possessed no means of extinguishing jiromptly the destructive fires which were of such frequent occur- rence. It suffered as regarded its extension and improve- ment, being less attractive to parties who might on other grounds have thought of choosing it as their place of abode. It suffered as concerned the health of its inhabitants, more perfect drainage, ventilation and cleanliness which an abundant supply of water fails not to secure, becoming CA-ery day more necessary as the population increased. May it not be said, even, that it suffered in respect of the piety and morals of its xieople ? For who does not know that cleanli- ness which is unattainable without fresh and limpid water, lied to Godliness ? To procure so oTcat an closely advantage tolthe city, as a never failing supply of the purest water from all uncorrupted source, was the latest labour of Ml 100 our lainoiilocl Mayor. And like all liis labours in the public cause, it was a labour ol' love. Fortunately his private aliairs were in such a position as to allow him the lull eoniniantl oi'his time, and he devoted it without I'ee or other reward than the inward satisiaction ol' doing good, to the service oi' his fellow citizens. ^[r. Friel was also as Car as his inlluence extended a patron ol' letters and the line arts, InstaiuM^s could be ad- duced ol' parlies who had learntnl to use their pen with fa- cility having obtained prolitable employment through his prompt and direct interrerence in their behall'. And it is still within the reeollection of many citi^^ensoi' Ottawa when there was question not over two years ago, of doing honor to a gifted and aspiring votary of the Muses, 11. .1. Friel as Mayor of the city, lent all his countenance, and even graced the Chair at the ]»anquet which it was resolved to hold ou an occasion not unworthy of such honor. As regards his readhiess and zeal in advancing the cause of thu line arts which he viewed as a powerful means of improvement, let a distinguished professor, the a1)lest artist of the place bear witness. That Mr. Friel posessed in an eminent degree the coniidence of his fellow citizens generally, is abundantly evi- dent from the fact that throughout the whole of his too brief public career, he continued to be a prominent member of the municii^al council, lie was first elected to this position in 1846 when the town was first incorx:)orated. He was sev- eral times chosen Reeve in the earlier days of the community. And when called from this earthly scene, he was for the fourth time Mayor of the city of Ottawa, No doubt in the course of his long and zealous services he must have excited opposition. The al)ility, the energy, the ardor with which he pushed forward so many improvements, could not fail to stir up hostility in the minds of parties less well informed and less appreciative than himself There may have been at times a certain amount of irritation. But who is there now that would not lay aside evia-y adverse feeling, resent- ment, even if it existed, in presence of his early and yet open grave ? If he used the weapon of lan- guage which he could wield so ably, in order to con- vince and to persuade unwilling minds, for what other purpose was it given him ? And if any ever fr It its sting — and if a remembrance still remain, let it be ]aid with him L. 101 whoro ho now li(^s, lil'oloss, on thiit l)ior, ninitl tho sad and solomii i>oin]-) of doath ! All his aims wore good. And, ye ! it'llicro })(» any such, who think that he puvsuiHl thoni with more ardour than was littiuii', or misapplied his power of eloquence in uru'ini;' them in the lace of apathy or opposition, behold that countenance .so calm and serene in its everlast- ini^ stillness, which can ijive life no more, for its own is C'one, to the public nieetinii* or the social circle, — behold those lips which l)ut yesterday, discoursed so eloquently, now pale and cold and forever silent, and bid your souls be still ! Be hushed the storm of thouii'ht amid this mournful scene ! 13e the mind, _ self subdued — awed to composure and to peace in presence of the high decree ■which has snatched from life so early, a deserving citizen in the zenith of his reputation and midway in his career of usefulness ! If his span of life, too short alas ! was honorable to our lamented Mayor as a man and as a citizen, so Avas its close such as becomes a true christian. No sooner was he given to understand that the malady which ended his time on earth, would prove fatal, than he expressed his resignation to the Divine will. " I regret life," he said, " on account of the good I might still have been able to accomplish, but I willingly submit." The few hours that still remained were spent between prayer to God and conversations with his friends. We have been taught to admire the last moments ofsomeofthe pre-christian sages. But can they compare with those of the faithful christian ? He knows that they they are blessed ivho die in the Lord, (Apoc. 14, 13.) {Beati mortiii qui in Domino moriuntur), that there is no condemnation unto them who are in Christ Jesus. Relying on this knowl- edge, the christian soul is borne aloft upon the wings of hope. He has lived sober///, righteously, and godly in this world," shall he not then have confidence when called to meet his God and Saviour ? {Sobric ct Juste, ct pie vivamus in hoc srccvh, expectantes beatam spem- et adventum glorice magni Dei et Sahatoris nostriJesu Christi, TituH II, 11.) Such was the comforting reflection which sustained our good Mayor during the last hours of his sojourn on earth. Such was the Christian hope which enabled him to converse about high and holy and heavenly things with as much composure as if he had been only preparing for a temporary absence from his earthly home. At last as the day of rest 102 'li was about to dawn ho, said composedly, " it is f!;rowin;j^ darkP As ho spoko, his vision iailed ; his lilo ebbed awuy, and ho behold not the approachini^ lio-ht oi" God's day as it broke lor the slumberini^ world, liut with that new power of vision which came to him as his material sight declined, he lieheld the dawn of the everlasting sabbath day in the Heavens above. It was a]>pointed lor him no more to worship at our altars and celebrate an earthly sabbath. Nor could he account this appointment, so stern to our thinking, as loss. For he had gone to that Temple and to that Altar where CnPtiST ourllKiiT PiiiEST himseir ministereth, mcdiaiinf^for ita, lleb. (7, 25,)* havin'^ entered once into the Holies through his l)fooff of the Ncin Testament, (llel)rews 0.) There, — even in Heaven's high ^ianctuary, united with Christ .TESUii by the l)onds of redeeming love, participates the departed soul in that holiest worship and sacriiicial atonement of the Divine Son, the Sovereign IIioii Priest, the Mediator between God and men, (I Tim. 2, 5,) in respect of which our worship here below, notwithstanding that it is most holy and excellent and of Divine Institution, is, nevertheless, only as veiled and hidden glory. V 1 * Scniiior vivons ad intori)ollan(.lum pro nobis. ''■4^ FUXI^JRAL Hi- TIIK LATE H. J. FRIEL, ESQ., M.VYOJl UK OTTAWA ON WKMXKSDAY, I'.irii .MAY. IS.',,). From the Ottawa Times, Maij 20, ISOO. 1 The remains of the late IIenuy J. Frikl, Esq., Mayor of the city of Ottawa, whose mortal career was terminated by death on Sunday mornino^ last, were placed in their final restin£^ place yesterday afternoon. On Monday mornmi]^ the members of the Council assembled in the city hall for the purpose of considering what measures were most proper to bo taken under the cir- cumstances, when resolutions of condolence with Mrs. Friel, in her sad berearcment, were passed, and a committee ax)pointed to confer with the family as to whether a public funeral would bo acceptable, as the Council were desirous of paying this tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased. After some consultation t]'.e proposition was accepted, and a funeral committee w^as immediately ap- pointed to make the necessary arrangements. The committee at once conferred wath the presidents of the scA'eral national associations and other public bodies, all of whom promptly accepted the proposal. They sent invitations to the members of the Government, who expres- sed their intention of being present. They also invited the members of the Senate and of the House of Commons, receiving favourable answers in all cases. And similar results were obtained from a conference with the proper ,T" 104 autliorities in roi'crtMUM^ lo (lie voluntocvs and tlio lire brij»ji(le. I'ho undcvtnkci'sdcjiiiitnu'iit was assiirnod to ^Ir. Swal- ■\vell, wlio carrioil out tlic iiilcntioii ol' tin- Council in the most satisfactory nianncr. The linun'al was arrann'cd to tak«; placo ycstcvdiiy at two o'cloclv. For an liour or two hcforo tluit tinio tlu? streets were tlironycd witli ])(M)plo, busy in preparations to attend the ujournrul c(>renionie8. A larii'o nuni])er ol' the IViends ol' the deceased visited the house to take a last look at the well known features, and presently the members of the City Council, with the oiH- cials, arrived in carriages and entered the house for the same friendly puri^ose. AVe also noticed ^ir .lohn A. Mac- doiudd, Hir George 1']. C^irti(>r, lion. Mr. Tilley, lion. Mr. Macdoun-all, lion. Mr. Hose, lion. Mr. Kenny, lion. Mr. Chapais, and we believe other ministers were present. We o])served also, several deputy heads and clerks of depart- ments. The corpse was placed in a beautiful metallic coffin, having six silver handles, and a silver breast plate, inscribed — " Henry James Friel, Esq., Mayor of Ottawa, died 16th May, 18G0, age"! 45 years." Beneath this was a beautiful cross formed of immortelles, and a bouquet of flowers. At two o'clock the face cover was placed on the coffin, and shortly after, the coffin was removed to the funeral car waiting to receive it. The signal men of the Ottawa Field Battery communicated the fact, and the first minute gun was fired, which was continued until the coffin was received in the Cathedral. The gun was also the signal for the funeral cortege to move. The following is the order of the proces- sion, marshalled by Mr. Thomas Langrell, as chief, assisted by six aids : — St. George's Society with Union Jack and Cross of St. George. Pupils of Ottawa College. St. Jean Bai)tiste Society with Tricolour. St. Andrew's Society with St. Andrew's Cross. Irish Protestant Benevolent Society with Union Jack. St. Joseph's Society with Tricolour. Medical attendants and profession. The Clergy. Undertaker. Band of Rifle Brigade. 105 I ho firo r. Swiil- il in the 111;ihI to r or two L piM>pl0, il vi>y »ix lir>i...,'s, lod Ity hI.x ivlvanood jmll liciiriTs, fiiriii-'licd fi'oin tlu^ imtionil siuictii's. Tw»'Iv«' pall IxMrors, viz.: .Ifiscpli AuimoikI, 1'>i|., Alf.xainlrr Woikimn, E-*t\., 'riminaH Manly, Ks(|., 10. M<ishop of Ottawa, His TiOrdship Bishop Laroque, of !St. llyacinihe, and a large number of thi^ clergy and accoliies accomj^anied the collin to the lofty and beautifully designed catafalque erected in the cathedral for the purpose. TIk^ sacred edi- fice, including the altar, the pulpit, and the gallery, was ele- gantly draped with black crnpt^ mixed Avitli white. As soon as the cofhn was brought into the Cathedral, the organ sealed forth Beethoven's grand funeral march. Sub vcnile was then chanted, aiid afterwards Dica irt. Joseph's Church, of which the de- ceased was a parishioner. THE SERMON. fj ( The Rev. Father Dawson ascended the pulpit, and tak- ing for his text : " It is appointed for men once to die," delivered a most eloquent discourse on the personal quali- ties of the deceased. After describing the terrors naturally insx^ired by death he spoke of the glory achieved by Christ over death and the grave, of the Christian's faith robbing death of its horrors, and making of it but the passage to eternal life. Applying this to the late Mr. Friel he passed a warm tribute to his Christian virtues, to his self control and moderation of life, his triumph over his own passions, and his cultivation of his great talents, and the application of his abilities to the good of his fellow citizens. In these respects Mr. Friel had deserved the respect and gratitude which had been shown to him on this solemn occasion. The late chief magistrate had been honoured by his fellow citizens with their confidence, which had raised him to a most exalted po- sition in their midst ; and he had performed all the duties ■'in xt bands uclosiiig umber of ) got near ivred, the ;he doors, 10 Ijishop lyaciuilie, •cnnpauied catalalque acred edi- y, was ele- e. - Cathedral, .ral march. )i>s ir(c \vas lich the de- »it, and tak- jice to die," [sonal quali- rs naturally Id by Christ ^ith robbing passage to he passed a control and rassions, and Jcation of his [lose respects ]c which had [ho late chief pitizens with [t exalted po- dl the duties 107 of that high position in a disinterested and devoted manneiv caring only lor tho pvibMc good. After recapitulating Mr. FrioFs services in a pul)lic capacity, his ability as a writer and an orator were next reviewed. In both capacities the highest praise was bestowed on him as one of the foremost in the country. His career was held up as an example to young men to imitate his industry and perseverance in the cultivation of the talents with which he had ])een gifted. The liev. gentleman closed his discourse with a touchiiig re- ference to the Christian example displayed in the last hours of the deceased, who when the dawn of the Sabbath morn was l)reaking, said to those arouiul him, " it is growing dark," andg(^ntly passed from the darkness of this world to tlie eternal light of the everlasting Sabbath in Heaven. After the sermon the Pie Jesn, from Beethoven, was sung, and afterwards the Injhiminaf us choviiH and solo. This was followed by the Libera, a plain chant, sung l)y both choirs united. The Bishop assisted by the clergy, Monsei- gneur Larocpie, Bishop of St. Ilyacinthe, also being present, performed the services for the dead in tho most solemn manner. This concluded, the colTm was removed and borne from the church, the organ playing Smith's funeral march. The cathedral which had been entirely lilled by people of all religious denominations now poured forth its vast multi- tude to rejoin the procession which, in the same order as before, proceeded with slow and solemn step up Sussex-st. dean to the Eoman Catholic Cemetery on Sane ly Hill. up AT THE (iRAVE. The cofTin was now brought from the fuiu^ral car to the family grave. Previous to l)eing lowered to the last earthly resting place the coffin was placed in another coffin covered with cloth, and that again in a shell. His Lordship the Bishop, assisted l)y the Rev. leather Dandurand, Vicar-Ge- neral ; llev. Father Pallier, Parish Priest of St. Joseph's ; and the Kev. Father Collins, performed tho last ceremonies in a voice tremulous with emotion. Tho A'ast crowd stood uncovered in almost breathless silence to catch every word till the last word was pronounced. And all that was mortal 9* 108 I i of him, who but a few days ago was the city's chief magis- trate, lay cold and lifeless in the grave. He discharged his duty to the city well when he was living, and the city has honoured him in his death, and thus honoured itself. We cannot conclude without expressing our satisfaction at the general compliance, on the part of tradesmen and storekeepers with the request of the council, that they should close their places of business from two to live o'clock. Not only was this cheerfully done, but many persons very fully draped their houses in mourning, and the public generally join us in thanking them for it. I W'i TnE POETS OF OAiSADA, -A. LTECTUKK DKI.IVKRED IN FKKXCII AT A SITTIXO OF THE FRENCH CANADIAN' I.ITKUARY INSTI- TUTE OF OTTAWA. I>KEFA.CE. The fiivor witli "wliicli this lecture was received, botli when delivered at a meeting of the Canadian LriEKARY Institute of Ottawa, and when it appeared in a monthly magazine at the request of a highly valued friend who is now no more,* has encouraged and not unreasonably, it is presumed, its publication in a more permanent form. Would it were also alcove doubt that this favor fully justified such pu]>lication ! Although the remarks on the * ThefuUowing note v)as appended to the lecture tvhen it appeared in the Journal of Education, Quebec, Vol. 12, Nos. 10, &c. : It may be projter to observe that it was resolved to insert the lecture on the Poets of the Canadrin Provinces in the Journal of Education at the request of the hate Hon. Thomas D'Arcy McCiee. It was the last or almost the last ref|uest that the honourable and lamented gentleman ever made to any friend in tliis world, having been adih'essed to the autlior only a few days before the foul and i'atal deed which put an end to the brilliant but brief career of Thomas D'Arcy McGee. The Poets forming the subject of the lecture will be honorably named as nearly as possible in the order in which it was dolivered. It is presumed that they who prefer French to English jioetry, will h-^'e as little objection to this arrangement as was shewn ])y the audience to whom tlie lecture was atldressed, the peroration not being considered the least interesting portion of a discourse. I B! I 110 Poets of Canada wliich are now presented to the public, have found acceptance Avitli friends, the soundness of whose judgment is beyond question, tlie author does not venture without miso-ivinc^, to commit them to the more trying ordeal of that puljlicity Avbich may cause their merit to be searchingly enquired into. Without inviting criticism, but at the same time far from defying it, he will • derive confidence from the consideration that he has made :ciu. honest and painstaking endeavour to make known to ;British readers the Poets of this new Dominion. The Lecture, it may be observed, has been somewhat ^extended in the course of its preparation for the press. Many works in addition to the productions of the Poets have been consrJted. Not only was this necessary for the better accomplishment of the task in hand ; the kindness of the waiter's friends left him without excuse for neglect in this respect. Among these he has much pleasure in naming Hexry J. Morgan, Esq., of the Department of the Secretary of State, author of the Bihliotheca Canadensis and the Distinguished Men of the British N. American Provinces, who generously contributed every work with- in his reach which had any bearing on the subject ; Gerin "Lajoie, Esq. , of the Library of the House of Commons, who most obligingly afforded the use of the treasured up compositions of both English and French Poets; and finally, Joseph Tasse, Esq., lately Editor of Le Canada^ an Ottawa paper, who not only procured for the author many numbers of the more recent periodicals of the Province of Quebec, but also very kindly imparted to him much valuable information both in conversation and by letter. fl le public, luliiess of docs not the more luse their t inviting it, he will I has made I known to L. somewhat L" the press, f the Poets jary for the e kindness for neglect pleasure in ment of the Canadensis A merican work with- ect; Gerin Commons, reasured up Poets ; and Le Canada^ the author cals of the irted to him itiou and by V O E T R Y . A Leotcre demverkd i\ Fiji:n(!ii, at a sittixu ok Tiir; Fukxcii Canadian' iNSTITUTi'i or (^'TTAWA, ON FUIDAA', Till-: 'Z^Tll rillJUl.'AUY, ISOS. IIV TIIK. REY. iEN. MacDONELL DAAVSON. No excuse need be offered for commencing' with roetry. The Poets were the earliest instructors of mankind. They were the >!>a<4-es and Theolonians of the primitive ages. Their language was indeed hiably jirivileged; lor God himself was pleased to make use of it in communicating his will to men. The greatest of his chosen servants who acted as his ministers and ambassadors to the world, were eminently poets. "What could equal the sublime strains of Isaias and Ezekiel, the plaintive notes of Jcremias, the varied harmony of David, or the entrancing songs of Solomon, the wisest of men ? This King, so renowned for his learning, was also the greatest poet of his time. His poetical compositions were remarkably numerous. (III. Kings 4 ; 42.) " Solomon also spoke three thousand parables ; and his Poems were a thousand and five." Who has not heard of the Bards of ancient times ? Among the Celtic Nations especially, they enjoyed much respect, and a high social status. They were not unfrequently the Rulers of their people, and they always possessed political power. This may have had its inconve- niences, which however were outweighed by the many blessings that attended this salutary and civilizing influence. It was a powerful corrective to the despotic tendencies of warlike chiefs ; and it kept within bounds the selfishness of the powerful and the theories of politicians. Whilst it pre- vailed, the numerous Celtic people of the pre-Christian ages I I 112 \i<\ i •>• m enjoyed a degree of civilization and refinement quite un- known to the Frank and Saxon. No wonder if poetry and its votaries exercised so miich power of old in the world ; for song is of heavenly origin. It is the language of those who dwell in Heaven. Did not the beloved Disciple when he beheld in vision (Apoc. 15; 2,8.) the celestial abodes, hear the servants of the most High "singing the song of the Lamb," whilst they held in their hands " the harps of God ?" Are we not also informed (Luke II; 18, 14.) that when an- nouncing the Saviour's birth " a multitude of the Heavenly Host were heard praising God" in these sublime strains : " Glory be to God on high, and on earth Peace to men of Good will ? Honor then to divinest Poetry ! If it has enshrined the Myths of Pagan Antiquity and so preserved the early tradi- tions of the human race which they wonderfully shadow forth, it expresses also those sublime conceptions of the Patriarch and Prophet world, together with those revelations from above, tliose manifestations of the Divine mind which constitute our lieligious System. Few, only a select lew, are privileged to speak its language. Fewer still are gifted to discourse in its loftier strains. That Canada, so young a Country as yet, should have produced any Poets at all is more to 1:>(^ wondered at than that it should have i>roduced so few. vSuch a thing as learned leisure is scarcely known in these regions, so lately a howling wilderness, so recently snatched from their wild forest state, and from the possession of the bear and the wolf. Who, in so new a state of Society as Canada presents, has time to labour in the field of Literature, or who can gather and enjoy its fruits? "Where there is so little appreciation of literary efforts, is it matter of surprise that such efforts should be proportiontitely few. Every species of labour deserves its reward. In whatever field the lahimrer is employed, he is ivorthy of his hire. The Poet even must enjoy this meed. Nor does he toil for sordid gain. He, more, far more, than men generally, is above mere material considerations, but, he is entitled to his reward. And if he find it not in the good taste and the appreciative mind of his fellow-country- men, where in this world, shall he look for it ? He speaks not the language, — he knows not the sentiments of foreign lands. He must have his audience at home. And it must I quite un* oetry and Ic world ; 3 of those iple when il abodes, onu; of Iho of God?" when an- Ileavenly 10 strains : to men of hrined the arly tradi- y shadow nis of the revelations ind which select few, I are gifted ould have od at than as learned a howling brest state, Who, in las time to ■ather and ciation of )rts shonld deserves ployed, he his meed. nore, than itions, but, not in the v-country- Ile speaks of foreign [id it must 113 consist ol those, who have everything except perhaps his genius, in common with him, — the same country, the same kindred, the same feelings, the same tongue and the same destiny. Grant him this and he will rejoice in his abundant recompense. Our Canadian Poets enjoy not as yet, any • such advantages. They are not known as they ought to be known. Huch an evil, time only and the growth of knowledge, can remedy, as it will one day be remedied. Meanwhile, let all the friends of letters not only aspire to, but also labour to bring about this inost desirable consumma- tion. In naming to you the Poets of Canada, this evening, I shall not pretend to class them according to their merits. Let it suffice for the present, to enumerate them in such order as I have been able, rather hurriedly, to collect their names and some particulars of their lives, I leave it to those dictators in the republic of letters, — the critics, — to assign to each one, his proper place on that far famed hill, the summit of which so few can reach. I would not, however, have it to be understood that I aim at presenting to you a com- plete Canadian Parnassus, Whilst ; hose Poets only will be noticed whose works are decidedly before the Canadian public, and have attracted more or less critical attention, others of equal merit perhaps, may ho omitted, either be- cause they are less known, or because I have not yet become acquainted with them. PART I. BRITISH CANADIAN POETS. Allow me now without further preface, to offer to you a cursory view of our British Canadian Poets. AVe are all, indeed, British Canadians. But you will understand that I sj)eak of such Canadian Poets as have written in ICnglish. Mr. Isidore 01. Asoiikr may surely be classed among our Canadian Poets. Although born at Glasgow, Scotland, and now a Citizen of the British Metropolis, he acquired his early knowledge of Letters in Canada, having come, or rather having been brought by his family, to this country when only eight years of age and having spent here about thirty years of his life. The date of his arrival in Canada is 114 t» • \ ' i :.i i 11; I' Mj|:|, L jiilUi 1835. IIo wont to Eiii^land in 18(54. lie loads there the life of a literary man contri])utini^ to the more celebrated periodicals, &;c. Critics speak of his ^emane poetic feeling, his melody of diction and happinpas of e.r/n'cssion. An edition of his lyrical compositions, toiivther with more recent pieces havino- been published in 18(i8, under the title of "VuiCEH* OF THE IIeauth," was speedily exhausted. Colburn's Monthly says, referring to this work : " Wc loose ourselves in that ind(\scribable absence from sensual objects which is a vision of our hinher humanity." Henry triles writes in the Boston Transcript that " the moral spirit throug-hout (this same work) is of the highest." The latter jioems of Mr. Ascher give proof of more matured poetic ability. I cannot give a better idea of his style than by quoting one or two pieces. What a beautiful allegory is not " ►Sleep and Death? " Tho gontlo nif^lit, triiiiquil as Edon's calm, Before the voice of sin distuHu'd tho air. ( )'or cro])t and nestled to the weary earth. The moonbeums stol(» to kiss lier loveliness, And blent their mellowed splendour with the dark, To beautify the shadows of the world. And then, the unchanging galaxies of Heaven Flasheil out eternal rays, to stamp the niglit With glory and immutability. Tlien fl(nv with lightning wing, through f[uickened space, Two messengers from Heaven, clad alike in purity and calm ineffable. The splendid vesture of the gentle night Clung to tho skirts of both : a crown of stars Circled tho head of one, whose beauty seemed Diviner than her sister's; soon they touched The summit of an undulating hill. Bordering the noisy haunts of busy men : And the red moon showering yellow flames, Illumed the clumps of furze and trailing weeds To seeming asphodells and amaranths ! With arms enfolded tenderly o'er each, As if a H'lbtle sympathy of love Had knit their souls, they hushed their dreamy flight ; — Then sleep, beneficent, scattered abroad Th" invisible seeds of slumber, taking root Within the jaded hearts of human kind, To blossom into gossamer flowers of dreams, Casting a fragrance through the resting brain Lightly and fleetly in an aerial maze. Then jjuling Infancy, and fretful Age, And querulous Youth, and sighing Maidenhood, Ho s there the colehratod die feeling, An edition 'cent pieces )f " Voices • rork: "We 'om sensual /Hhat "the e highest." )of of more idea of his ; a beautiful k, I spacp, ight ;— I/\y smiling in tlio l)0(iuty of ropnso ; And lie ivi'ii-l'orn Pcu'c, luifousrious of Ikm- pnw.'r Tlii'ou^ili sli idowy cliiiHilii'rs ciitcrc:! noisclrsslyj And dini]tli'd Innoct'iuM- with l<)V(linrs>, And llnnj; a oiiistcnin;,' cnhn and ti>nr smile On fact's li;irsli witli fujikfiin;^ ti)il .-ind caro; Tlicn Sli'i'p, ciu'aptnri'-l ;it \\vv marvillDUs \V(irk, lake fine lU'i-wscil of l-iindncs-:, who ml^rlit diojt A lowly -,'1 mcc. miwilliii;,' to Ik- piMiscd, in hri^iil contcntniciit ^'a/i'd upon tho oiith. T'pon tln> hippy dwidlin^^s wiM[it in cdni, And gave hiT sister Death, this uttciMUCf : '•Whit song cxnUant can Ix' ])r,iisi> to (iod For clioosing mo to lavish good on mm? Wh"n Night, stamping hef Jiolincss on oirth, Flics at tho tender touch of w.u-hling Dawn, ^Nfcn clasp my memory, and hless my name; "Whiit trui-r recompense, can angel know Than liomage of a i>rayer and grateful love V Then Death, — a (|uict sadness in hor tones, A tender melancholy in her ^.mile, Ifer starry eyes suil'used witli starry ti'ars, .Such as iunnortals weep — gave answi>r thus : *'If casting forth the h(>avtMdy halm of goo;l, And earning gratitude of lasting love. Is even angel's highest jjrivilege, would that ] might earn a grati^ful i)rayer! .Mas ! nKMv hate me in their restless fear, For I am, hi ilieir thought, an enemy, — A cruel, hit.er vengeful enemy," Then sleep iei)lied : "What 1 oots it that nn n fear, Not knowing what they fear, as children droad The ominous darkness of a lonely room, As palsied Age may loathe to scan the jjast, The ruhied chasm of the hurled years, Filled with a wasted heap of cankering hope?, Defeated plans and bafHtnl aims of Youth ; — Not deeming Endless Wisdom shattered them, We both are peaceful messengers from God : Thy touch may hush, like mine, the sorrowing soul, And banish evermore the groans of pain ; Tho peace I breathe is but a fleeting cahn, But thine is like tho eternal cdm of stars ! My love a boon for earth, hut thine for Heaven ! The dead Bay summons me to heal men's griefs The pallid Dawn eni'old m(^ in her arms. And the world wakes to cares of yesterday; But thy far reaching endless love, like His, Which finite wisdom never wholly grasjjs. Casts infinite peace upon the soul of man. Who wakes to bless thee in Eternity !"' 116 Tlio iingol conHcd, nn(| on tlio iinu ol" SIcc)), nml pciioi't mlin Slirddin^ a Itlissl'iil Hfuiclily o'er <• It'll, l.ik(Mis tlii> angels (o om- niortnl cycnl Olio moro pi ;x()"js mici' snow! While scMi't'liin;^ wiiid-j ;irt> ro.iniiii;,' aliroMd Fall, in your wciillli. on tin* world licluw, r.ikc a lilcsscd i.alni IVoni (Jod ! Fall, lik.> kiss( (>artli. ' 'riiit is cold and ilKN'ilrss and I'lill of woc^ .Ami fill ils heart wilh a sense of iniith, Nilenl ;uid loving snow I Fall, in your Avonderfnl ]iin'ity, l-'air as a hrido'.s nsnllicd di-(>ss: Fall tVoni heaven' s nnniensitv, On our autunin (h'earine.s.s. 1 ! i i 1 1 i'i ■A 1 'i, J '1 I I ■'i Fall like a lover's ]ihintasy Thai the heart ol' a maiden might yearn to 1 Fall like a loving mmnory On a soul o'lM'laden with wo(\ Fall hke llu^ light of an infant's smili^, 'riiat sw(>etly luvims for a niotli(>r alone; Fall lik(> hoj)(> wIh'u it ting heart of st one Fall like tears that 1 eave us resii^n » 1 WIkmi the soul submits to a hapless d Fall lik<^ light that falls on the Mind On u life o'ersteeped in gloom. Fall lik(> th(^ hountii^s (iod his given, ooni While the mournful wind are pijnng ahroad Fall like tlu» hints we have of lu-aven Like a bless'd balm from (iod ! The next Poet on Avliom I must ])estow a few words is a native Canadian,— the hite Joiix\ Macpheesox who was 117 ])orn lit Livorpool, Nova Srolia, in 1H17, nnd who «li(Ml IHH, iiillic |)roviiH'«' of his nuHvity. Ihis diildot'lht' Muses iravo proof ol' a serious ;m(l sludious iiiiiid in his early hoyhood, i)eli('al(» lu'idlh, lou,-elh<'r willi llie h:ird and thiiiildess j>roJ'es- KJoii ol' i« schoohiiiisler, siiy his frieiul Mr. J. S. Tho.mpson, attracted much attention. It has been warndy euloiii/t-d l)y th(^ most com- pet(»nt ju(lu:es. '^rhejKxMns which it contains do not evince groat imaginative ]>ower, nor are (hey rich in f>-orj,^eous des- criptions, or tlie lire! of sustained passion, "Imt," says tho accomj)lishe(l authoress, Miss CJiiOTiLDA .Tki\niN(IS, "they arc melodious, tender and orii^iiud. They are not tlie reflex oi'his readinuf, tli(»y are his own •j^enuiiK! utterance. CJrace and persi)ica('ity of expression, usually one of the charms last acquired l)y accomplished and well trained authors, seem to have been the unconscious possession of this one ; and Avhen we remember how litth; he was aided in this way by the society of lluent talkers, the su!?i:^estion of judicious critics, or the inlluence of early discipline, we venture to conclude that he was taui^ht and endowed very much as the ravens are fed and the lilies clothed." Edward J. Chapman, Professor of Miiun-aloq-y in T"ni- versity Collei>v, Toronto, althouq-h devoted to seientilic stu- dies, has produced some poetical compositions oi'very great beauty ; a proof, if any were lu^eded, that Poetry and S.ienc(», are not antagonistic. His chief poetical work is called "A Song of Charity," published at Toronto in IS")?. Critics are agreed that this learned Professor possesses the genius of Poetry. Mr. Bigney, a native of Nova Scotia, but now resident at New Orleans, has published a work of 258 pages IGmo, called " The Forest Pilgrims and other Poems." Some of the w m lis purrly iinn<;in:>liv«' ])i«'f(>s in IIuh work aro spokon of by cri- tics as l)oiiiL»; of a liiyli oidrr ol" iiicril. Miss Mauv .1. llAii/MAN ol' Nova Scolia lias wriHon Bom(» clciJi'aul riii;iliv(' jticccN in vitsc lor I lie press ol" (hat rrovinco. Mk. Damkl Cakicv, an tMiinicnt JonrnalisI of Qn('])or, hiis cnrichctl (he lilcriilurc ol" tlir connlry witii some vory meritorious poi'li«'al coiMpositions. Mks. K'oda A\n r\MiiiKNKi{ (]nM« raii>('), was horn at Hackney, near London, I'iiiii-iand, in I Slid. This vory ac- conii)lislH'cl Lady had scart'cly uix en proof ol' iicr liin» i)Oot- ical lalcnl in a liill** work called " Wild Nolesfroni the Back- woods, " when she was called from this t'arlhly sphere. Mr. Dewart relates a pleasant hut melancholy circumstance con- nected with her early death at Cohouri-- in 1 8().*5. lie had Avritlon to ask some conlrihulions for his " Schntlions," Her husband replied that lhroui»h severe illness, she was imablo to comply Avilh this re(juest. A few weeks after, " Wild Notes'' was sent to Mr. J)ewart ])y IJr. Pow(dl of Cobourpr, with a re<]uest to insert sonn^ pieces of it in his work, and stating' at the same time thai lh(» author had died the week before. One of the pi«H'es which Mr. 1). selected — ''DliEAMS," and which I need ask no ai)olooy for quotiiifr, would alono suffice as an enduring- monument of her genius : Diviims, im'? from a hoautiful world af ir — Tlie land wher(> the lost and the loved ones aro,- That ye oft luitig haek ui your shadowy reign The .sound of their voices to earth again, And their sunny smiles and their looks of light, in tho silent hour.s of the (juiet night? Ye have brought again to tho inothor's breast Tlie ehild she hath laid in his grave to rest, And lo ! she hears him prattling at her knee, I 119 Ami hIic wiiti'lif's witli joy lii-< irilinit tih'i', All' kisses ii;;iiii thai Liiifst yiniiij; liiow Tlmt cull moet l>ut u worm'M mrt'HHi'H now. Y»* liivvf> oiH'iictI till- raittivi''M piisr^n «loor, Ami li"' Htands nn liis own luiirtli slonc onca moro, Aii is tli'i't' with woids of Mcssinjr, His Mothi'i' with Icai's aiiil \'>n\i[ carcssinj.', Ami II Sislcr'M t'onii In liis In art is clasiMil, Ami ii lirndii'i'M li iml in iii-: "wn is ;;ni^l"fl, An dreams! y(( ari' sti-an;."* and lenihie thin;^s, When yo conio in the mi^liL ofcoii.sdcncc .stings 1 Lo ! tlin child licvs down in his nrndlo l>od ; And his soCt hiny sorrow, nnstained hy ^'nilo ; Falls Heaven's sweetest li;,'ht on his liuliy hrow, And he lists to th(i " An^jels whisper'' now. () l)ri;.!ht aro yo, dreams, and boantil'nl thin<^s When ye visit tho child on Seraph wingHl Tlio wairior dreams of the Imrol wreath, And he inshes on the lield of death. The minstrel dreams of the nc^'er fading hay, While potning his .soul in his fervid lay; And tlui soKlier lies with thou.sano)ile's love Tliat tlie waniuf^ years o^ his life may prove ; And wiien a;.,'e liath palsied Loth lirain and limb, Oh, sad is tlie wakhig aw.dting him ! The lover oft dreams of a mortal brow To .shme ever blessed and brifiht as now ; Of an earthly love which no power may change, 120 UN No sorrow o'er darken, nor time estrango. That shall know no shadow, no foar no fall, — Uh, his is the wildest droam of them all ! Wo are dreamers all, we slmll still d and ehilled, Till the iluttering lieiirt is for ever stilled. Till tlie Ihial struiigle at lenj^tli is o'er. And we quiet lie down to dream no more. You may not all be a^Ya^c that British America claims an Oliver GoLDhMiTii. This gentleman whose sweetness of versification and happy smoothness of expression have been praised by critics, was a collateral descendant of the celebrated Oliver Goldsmith who wrote that beautiful and justly admired poem : S\seet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain I He attained the rank of Commissary General in his native Province, — Nova Scotia. lie devoted much of his time to literary pursuits and published a Poem of 144 pages called " The Rising- Village,'" which reached a second edi- tion in 1834. The Rev. Archibald Gray, Rector, (Ch. of Eng.), of Digby, Nova Scotia, has published " Shades of the Hamlet and other Poems" This work, it has been said, must add to the lustre of our native genius. Sarah and Mary E. Herbert have published a volume (237 pp.) of Miscellaneous Poems under the title of " The Eolian Harp" which entitles them to a distinguished place among the I'oets of British North America. Miss Clotilda Jennings is an accomplished prose writer as well as a Poetess. Few of her waitings have appeared separately. Her " Linden Rhymes " in a volume of 152 pages 18mo, under the assumed name of "■ Maude'^ were published at Halifax in 1854. The following year she published " The White Rose in Acadia" and '^Autumn in Nova Scotia," a prize tale and Poem. As a proof of her poe- tical talent, it may be mentioned that the poem which she composed in honor of the Burn's Centenary Celebration, 121 was so highly thought of by tho Cominittoe in London, that they caused it to bo included in '' The Burns Centenary Wreath^ (London, IHoO). In 1855 Miss Jennings won the prize olfered at llaliliix on the occasion of the general jiublic exhibition of the products of the Trovince of Nova tScotia, for the best Tale and Poem illustrative of the history, man- ners and scenery of Nova vScotia. TiiK IIoxoi:at{lk .Tosjepii TTowe, M. P., so well known as a Politician and an ( )rator, has written verses occasionally in the course of his long career. A little Poem entitled " Melville Island,'' which he published in his earlier days, has been niuch praised. The best proof of the high appre- ciation of his fellow-countrymen is to be found in the fact that one of his best poetical compositions " TiiE t^oNO for THE Centenary " of the foundation of Halifax, written in 1849, has been set to music. It opens in the following bold and patriotic strain : " Ilfiil to tlio (I'ly ! whon tho Britons onmo ovor, And i)l:»nt(Hl tlioir stundard with sou foiini still wet! Above and around us theii- sjiirit sli dl hover, Rejoicing to nrnk liow ^\^^ honor it j'ot. Beneath it the emblems they cherish are waving, The Rose ol" old ICngland the road side perfumes ; Tho yhamrock and thistle the North winds are braving ; Securely the May-flower blushes and blooms." Miss Helen Mar Johnson was born at Magog, Pro- vince of Quebec, in 1835. Her too early death occurred at the same place in 1863, This lady may be said to have been born with the genius of Poetry. At the age of fifteen she composed elegant verses. Only five years later, she published a volume of poems (240 pages) which was received with great favor. Her diction was spoken of as rich and varied, not unfrequently pleasingly figurative and the versification as regular and pleasing. Her wonderful gift of song, how- ever, is more apparent in her unpublished compositions, some of which may be seen in Dca^ art's " Selections." This gentleman, himself a Poet, exx^resses a very high apprecia- tion of Miss Johnson's genius. " Her Poetry," he observes, *' is characterized by unaffected simplicity, genuine sensi- bility, often tinged by sadness, a deep sense of the insuffi- ciency of earthly good, and ardent aspirations after the things 10 122 ill m, that are unseen and eternal." Iler love of Poetry was a perennial source of solace to her in the trying circumstances of her short and suffering life. The deej) feeling ol melan- choly which pervades some of her compositions may be partly ascribed to this state of sulferiiig, and to the idea, always present to her mind, that her da^'s were drawing to their close, as well as to her poetic genius. It belongs to such minds to be eminently pathetic, and this is always akin to melancholy. The deep pathos which characterizes the genius of Miss Johnson is chiefly shewn in the pieces which Mr. Dewart has preserved, " I shall Depart" " To a Dande- lion" and " Good Ni^hl." At the risk of rendering you melancholy for a moment, I shall quote this last piece. The sweetness and affection which it breathes, will relieve some- what its awful solemnity. GOOD NIGHT. Mother, good niglit ! my v'ovk is done, — I go to rest with the setcii <^ sun ; But rot to wake with the morning light, So, dearest Motlier, a long good night ! Father, good night ! the shadows glide Sih^ntly down to the river's side, The river itself with stu's is bright, So, dearest Father, a long gootl night ! Sister, good night ! the roses close Their dewy eyes for the night's repose, — And a strange damp mist obscures my sight, So, dearest sister, a long good night ! Brother, good night ! the sunset flush Has died away, and the midnight hush Has settled o'er plain and mountain height, So, dearest Brother, a long good night ! Good niglit ! good night ! nay, do not weep ; I am weary of earth. I long to sleep ; I shall wake again with the dawning light Of eternal d.ij ; — good night ! good iiight ! The " Watcher " is not without a tinge of melancholy but you wtll be pleased to hear how graphically the •y was a instances A melan- may be the idea, rawinfT to lolongs to ;vays akin erizes tlie ces which J a Dande- ering you Loce. The ieve some- I 1 I'jj; 123 poem describes some of the things that are apt to happen iis the course of a Canadian winter. Night conT^s, Tnit lie comos not ! I fear Tho troaclierr«us i>'o i what do 1 hear? Bells? nay, 1 am dceoiveil again, — "Tis but th(> rhiging in my hrain, — O how the wind goes shrieking past! Was it a voice upon the blast ! A cry for aid ? My (lod protect ! Preserve his life — his course direct 1 — IIow suddenly it has grown dark ! IIow very dark without ! — hush ! hark 1 — "lis l)ut the crocking of the door ; It opens wide and nothing more, The wind and snow came in ; I thought Some straggler food and shelter sought; But more I feared, for fear is weak, That some one came of him to speak, To tell how long he braved the storm, Ifow long he kept his bosom warm With thoughts of home, how long he cheered Ilis weary horse that phmged, ami reared, And wallowotl through the drifted snow Till djylight foded, and the glow Of Lope went out, — how almost blind, Tie peered around, below, behind, — No road, no track, the very shore All blotted out, - one struggle more It is thy 1 >st, perchance, bmve heart ! ( ) God ! a reef ! the masses part Of snow and ice, and dark and deep The waters lie in deathdike sleep ; — He sees too late the chasm yawn ; Sleigh, horse and driver, all are gone I Father in Heaven ! It m;iy be thus. But thou art gracious, — pity us ! iSave him, and me in mercy si)are ! Wiiat 'twould 1)0 worse than death to hoar. — Hark ! hark ! am I deceived again? Nay, 'tis no ringing in my brain, My pulses leap, my bosom swells — Thank God ! it is, it is his bells ! lelancholy lically the Evan McColl a native of Scotland. This Poet whom Canada now claims, was born at Loch Fyne side in the year 1808. He was and is still known there as " The Mountain Minstrel." Since the days of McLachlan, McLeod and Macdonald of Crief, no writer has done so much honor ta the Graelic language. It was indeed his mother tongue, and he owed it, as he paid to it, the tribute of his earliest poet:- 10* Ill II! 124 ical compositions. His first work, " A collection of Poems and Songs in Gaelic,''' at once secured for him a high place among the Bards of his country. On the appearance of these poems, the critics were pleased to pronounce him second to none among Celtic Poets. His inimitable '^ Ode to Loch DuicW^ shows well how he appreciated the picturesque scenery of his native hills and Lochs, — that " land of the mountain and the flood," which has often been the Poet's theme. No wonder if he loved that land, and so dearly loved it, that when his Father and family emigrated to Canada in 1831, he could not be prevailed upon to accompany them. It was not till 1850, and when compelled by the state of his health to seek a change of air and scenery, that he visited Canada. He soon decided on remaining in this country ; and an ap- pointment in the Provincial Customs at Kingston induced him to make his home in that City. He is the Bard of the Caledonian Society there ; and he has composed several Poems for its annual celebrations. Some of these are much admired, and his " Robin" composed for the *' Burns' Cen- tenary Festival," is considered by the Kingston critics, quite equal, although, indeed, this is saying a great deal, to the Countess of Nairn's very pathetic song " The Land 0' the Leal." In 1846, Mr. McColl published a volume of Poems and songs in English. These compositions also have com- manded the attention of eminent critics. Dr. Norman Mc- Leod whilst finding fault with some imperfections of Rhyme, says " there are thoughts so .new and so striking, — images and comparisons so beautiful and original — feelings so warm and fresh that stamp this Highland peasant as no ordinary man." This audience, I am sure, will hear with pleasure, one of Mr. McColl's English songs. It alludes to scenes with which you are familiar, — " The Lake of the Thousand Isles." The Lake of the Thousand Isles. Though Missouri's tide mnjestic may glide There's a curse on the soil it laves ; The Ohio too, may ho fair, but who Would sojourn in a land of slaves ? Be my jjrouder lot a Canadian cot, And the broad of a freeman's toil ; Then hurrah for the land of the forests grand, Aiid the Lake of the Thousand Isles ! 125 I would seek no wealth at tho cost of health, 'Mid the City's din and strife ; More I lovo the grace of fair nature's face, And tho calm of a woodland life : I would shun tho road by ambition trod, And tho love which the heart defiles ; — Tht-u hurrah for the land of tho forests grand, And the Lake of tho Thousand Isles ! away, away, I would gladly stray Where the freedom I love is found ; Where the Pine and Oak by the woodman's stroke Are disturbed in their ancient bound ; Wliere the gla tli<* ro.sos (hi tlio rutlly cloiuls of dawn, Whoii tli(\ I'uvious SHU disclosos His lliiino, and morning". s gone. Sho died — like waves of sun glow Fast by tlie sliidows cliasoti Slio diocl liko Hoavou's raiuliow By gushing sliowois ollaced. She died — like fl ikos appearing On the sliore beside the sea ; Thy snow as bright ! but Hearing The ground swell broke on thee. She died— as dies tlie glory Of music's sweetest swell ; She died as dies tlie story When the best is still to tell. She died — as dies moon-beaming When scowls tlie rayless wave ; She died— like sv/eetest tlreaniing, That hastens to its grave. She died — and died she early : Heaven wearied for its own ; — As the dijjping sun, my Mary, Thy mornhig ray Wt-nt down. This reminds one of the magnificent imagery of Ossian. But I must now take leave, although reluctantly, of Mr. McColl. I come now to tell you something about a gentleman of quite a dift'erent cast of mind — of an author who is not only a Poet but a prose writer, whose style is remarkably peculiar and original. I am far from saying that I endorse all his ideas and opinions. Nor do I admit that satire is laudable QX of any use at all, except when employed to lash the vices 127 and foUios of mankind. Even \vhon 8o cmidoyod, it is seldom prolitii])lo. If you really wish to correct any evil, you must set about doin^' so in a serious, sober, earnest a)id kindly spirit. Mil. James McCaukoi.l, of whom it behoves mc now to speak, is perhaps more a wit and humourist, than a wn-iter of satire, lie is un(|uestionably a man of many accomplishments. lie excels in music, can write; beautiful verses, and discourses Jluently. I am perha])s too i'astidious to call him an orator, althoui^h he has delivered with ap- plause in many places, a Lecture called, "The House that Jack Ikiilt." An orator at all worthy of the title would dis- dain to repeat the self-Sc^ri^'^ omlion in all the cities of any country. He would fear lest by so doin"', he should be likeiu'd to certain "metre-ballad mounters" (Slia/iSpeare) of certain times, who not unlike the strolling- play-actors of a more recent date, set up to auction their literary merchan- dise, in every available market place. I do not by any means wish to insinuate that Mr. McCarroll is a literary pedlar. So far from my thoughts is any such intention, that I rather consider this witty and versatile writer as one who has done essential service to the cause of literature here in Canada. In this new country where things material so completely engross the minds of our people, it is of very little use to write books and compose learned lectures and elegant orations, t^uch things must be brought to the doors of all who have any claim to be intelligent. Without some such process, the greatest thoughts will pass unheeded, and the most erudite and most pleasing authors will only have disappointment for their pains. Mr. McCarroll is deserving of all praise as a valiant pioneer in the cause of our nascent literature. His success, there is but too much reason to fear, has not been commensurate with his zeal and powerful efforts, for he has left Canada (temporarily, may we hope ?) and taken up his abode in the neighboring Itepublic. "We must nevertheless, lay claim to him as a British American Poet. Since 1831 when he came with his family to Canada, he has been resident until quite recently, in this country. Although he w^as liberally and classically educated at Lanes- borough, the place of his birth, in Ireland, it may be said that his taste for literary i)ursuits was acquired in Canada. Here, at any rate, he wrote all liis w^orks, and here it is not unreasonable to suppose, he will publish the volume of 11 ' h ' f '; ' ■ I 1 .1 ' 1 , : . ■ , i 1 |; ' 1 i, ,. •'■ 1 ■■ i^ (1. !■ l!.!! '■I 128 poems which his Biographers tell us that we may soon ex- pact. Some of his poetical pieces have elicited much praise, his " Madeline " among the rest. Ilis ode in honor of the " Royal Progress " by the Prince of Wales in Canada, was highly complimented by the able men who surrounded, on that occasion, the heir apparent to the British throne. To give you an idea of his style, alloAv me to quote that amusing little piece, Turj Gkioy Linvet. There's a little grey friar in yonder green bush, (.lotluHl in saek-(!loth- a little grey friar Like a Druid of old in his teniijle — but, hush I lie's at vespers; you must not go nigher. Yet, the vogue ! can those strains be addressed to the skies, And ai'ound us so wantonly Ho;it, Till thf> glowing refrain like ii shining thread flies From the silvery reel of his throat ? When he roves, though he st:iins not his path through the air With the splendor of tropical wings, All the lustre denied to his russet plumes there, Flashes forth through his lay when he sings. For the little grey friai-'s so wondrous wise, Though in such a plain garb he appears, That on finding he can't reach your soul through your eyes, He steals in tlu-ough the gates of your ears. But the cheat! 'tis not heaven he's warbling about — Other passions, less holy, boti'^:; — For, behold ! ihere's a little grey nun peeping out From a bunch of green leaves at his side. " Now, do try to shorten your notices." Certainly. The sittings of this Institute are never long. And besides, I am already quite tired talking in French all this while. Brevity will be a new soul to me as it is said to be the soul of wit. Many thanks for your timely hint. If I should so far forget myself as to require another, do not fail to give me, and yourselves more particularly, the benefit of it. Meanwhile, many distinguished Poets must be sacrificed to your con- venience and mine. Only a passing notice can be now bestowed on that very able and learned writer, orator, and Poet, the late very 129 I Rev. "William McDonell. Although he was born in Scot- land, Canadian litoraturo is entitled to lay claim to him. He spent the greater part of his life and wrote his elegant and classic poems in Canada. His great abilities, more perhaps than his sacred oIRce, gave him a high social status. He enjoyed the consideration and friendship of the Royal family. But here it behoves me to speak of him only as a Poet, and I will say that it is very much to be regretted that his very beautiful and highly finished poetical compositions have not yet been collected so as to be made to appear in a permanent form. He exercised the office of the Christian Priesthood for a length of time at Ottawa, and departed this life at Hamilton in the Province of Ontario. Mr. John F. McDonell is eminently Canadian, having been born .at Quebec. (1) Critics speak of his versification as correct and musical. Why should he confine himself to the prosaic labour of editing a newspaper ? It is a great thing, in this country, to be editor of such a newspaper as the " Quebec Morning Chronicle!'' I, with my old country notions, would rather see such abilities as Mr. McD. is known to possess, employed in a wider and more congenial field. Mr. Charles Mair is a native Canadian Poet and prose writer. As a Poet only, can he be noticed here. He has writen some very fine descriptive pieces. Mr. Mair is a very young man as yet, and I have no doubt that by the next time I give a lecture on Canadian Poets, I shall have to ex- patiate on the beauties of many more poetical compositions from his pen. (2) (1) Mr. MoDonoll dhnl at the same placn on tlio 30th April, 1868. (2) Since this notice was written, Mr. Mair's proniis(>d volume has ap- peared. It has not disappointed the admirers of his Muse. The press especially has given it a warm reception. The Oflawa Citizen having bestowed the liighest praise on some of his finer compositions, concludes with the following words: "The poem^. of Charles Mair are indeed a gift, and a right Royal one, to the New Dominion. As regards correct, flowing, elegant, melodious versification, true, chastened, original, elevated thought, the most exquisite pathos, and philoso])hy, at the same time, of a high standard, — no*^hing superior, if indeed, anything equal to the com- positions of our Bard, has as yet appeared in Canada. Well might this votary of the Muses say with Rome's immoi'tal I'oet : Faveto linguis ; carmina non prius Audita, Musarum Siderdos, , Virginibus puerisque canto."' m I 130 Tho Rev. J. Reade of tho Cliurch of lilnrrland, a native of Canada, writes olcj^-antly both l^atin and En^j^linh vorwo. Ho possesses tho po(»tic mind. AVo can only wish that ho may continue to cultivato tho muses. Mis.s rAMELL.i S. ViNiN(} to whoso gcnius those Pro- vinces have an undou])ted chiini, has enriched nun^'rous perioicals of ])o'e of poetry, assigns to her a place in tho highest ranks of the iin'ored few who cultivato tho divine art. Many, of her pieces, (may it not bo said all ?) breathe the true spirit of poetry. Her versification is correct and perfectly musical. Mr. Dowart is in raptures as he extols her " beautiful imag-ery," her " sound and elevated philoso- phy of suffering," her " great depth and tenderness of feel- ing," the "rich exquisite rythmic music " of her poetry, that lingers in " the chambers of the brain," like " the memory of a speechless joy." Her poem, " Under the Snow," is eminently illustrative of all this ; and I would now read it to you, if I did not dread so completely engross'ag your attention as to render you incapable of listening any more to my prosaic lecture. H is a work for private perusal, and will amply repay tho pains of every thoughtful rea- der. H* you wish for a new sensation, seek it otherwise (always consistently with moral duty) than in your read- ing. Read such things only as appeal to your nobler sen- timents, and tend to awaken the better feelings of your nature. No gloating over improbabilities and exaggera- tions. Leave all such things to weak and shallow minds. With such only can you be classed if 3'ou derive no pleasure from such feeling and musical compositions as those of Miss Vining. " Shallow and thoughtless hearts," says Mr, Dowart, " blinded by the glare of frothy pleasures and sordid pursuits, may see no special beauty in such poetry ; but readers of more delicate sensibility, whose by- gone years are shaded by the memory of deep sorrow, will feel the influence of its uncommon beauty, tenderness and truth." But Miss Vining's compositions are by no moans, all of a melancholy cast. When she chooses to assume the heroic style, she can rise to tho dignity and grandeur of our greatest poets. There are few now-a-days who will consent iii 181 to be shackled by Iho laws of vorsc. Miss Viniiift- rospocts theso laws, and at tho saiiio timo win-^s hor iiiyi'ht with a freedom which cannot fail to astonish tliosc who despise them. The ibllovvini^ Po«>m which when you have heard it, you will pardon nic lor ([uotiii!;- (1 plead no excuse beibre- hand) reminds one ol' the correct, elegant and llowing linos of Pope. CANADA. Fair laml of poaco! to Biitniu's rule tml throno Adhoront still, yet hippii-r tliui alone. And free as hapjiy, ami a^il)r,iV(^ as ('re(\ Proml uretliy diilihen, — justly ])ron(l of thee: — Thou hast no streams renowned in elissif lore, No valos whei'e tal)led lieroi^s moved of yoro, No hills where |'o(>try (Mii'ajttured stood. No mythic fountains, no enchanted wood; But unaUH roar, il tlii'ir hIcjis,- a h appy wcstfrii homo. Tlio (oil worn pcasiml looked with (;<H O'er till' l'lui< watcis |o Ihosi" distant HkicM ; WIkm'c III) oMi> f^roaiicd 'iii'ntli uiiri>(|iiilt>d toll : WlitMi' lli(> stroll;,' 1 iKorcr iiii^'lit own tlio noil On wliii'li lie .st')od ; mid in his nianliood'H Htrciiglli, Siiiili> to lirliold liis growing; lit>lds at l»>n>;tli ; — Wlicro liis ln'ivf sons niiglil ("asily oMain Tin' loro lor wliicli lln-ir lathers si^'hcd in vain, And ill a lew short seasons take their Htand Amoii^ the learned ami J^il'ted of the land. Could oe(>an harriers avail to k»'ep That ytviriiini^ heart in lands lieyond tho deop? No!— tli(< sweet vision of a, home his own, Haunted his days of toil, his miilnijjhl lone; Till j,'ath'rinjj up his llttlo earthly stor«> ; In a t'(>M yi'ais to realize far mor<» Than in his wildost dreams li(> liojied heforo, W(» O'innot l)onst llmso skiin of mildor ray, 'Neath which the oran;;(< mellows day hy day; \Vli(>ro the migiiolia spreads her snowy Howors, And iiaturo revels in pertMinial hovvers: — Ih'iv. Winter holds his loiiff and sol(>niii reign, And madly sweeps tin* d(\sol;\t<>d })lain ; — But lu>altli iind vigor hail the wintry strife, With all tho Imoyant glow of happy life ; And hy tho Mazinsi »'himney's (-hoorful hoarth, Smiloat tho Mast 'mid songs and household mirth, Hero Freeilom looks o'er all theso hroad domnins, And he u's no heavy clank of servile chains; llcr(> man, no matter what his skin may ho, Can stand <>re('t, and pnnidly say ' I'm fukf I' No crouching slav(>s cower in our husy marts, With sti' lining eyes and anguish-rivoii liearta. The hcam that gilds alik(> tho ])alaco walls And lowly hut, with genial radiance falls On ])(H>r and peasant, - hut tho huniMest horo Walks in tho sun-shino free as is tho I'oc. Troudly ho stands with musclo strong and froo, Tho sorf— tho slivo of no nrm doomed to he. Ilia own the arm, tht> heavy axe that Aviolds ; His own, tho hand that tills (ho summor fields; His own, the hahos that i)rattle in tlio door; His own, tho wife tliat treads th(> colfeigo floor; All tho sweet ties of lii'(> to him are sure ; All tho proud rights of manhood are secure, I 133 Fair laii; siri'iii'lv lliy lui^lit ii|iwiri| roul, llonoiii'i'il of'n ili'iiM Mill ii|i|it'iivi'i| III' (iivi ! On lliy I'lii' I'nuil iiiil>l.i/,iiiiiil rlcnr iiml liii|;l»L — Kiir.iMioM, |'"u.\Tr;i!Ni'rv anh i;(>/.(>. 1 jilu(k<>i| it, ;iii(l kissed it. ;mil rallml JL my owa — Tiiis liiMiiiirnl, liciiitirnl llowfr', 'Vhd .iImiic ill lilt) t'lol sIihIow hid grown, I'aiit'H iind lii'Ht in tl»iii', VVhiiti U'nv iif'tcr toar lliiincd down niy cyoH ■ i\w ground As I, listening hnurd This .sorrowl'iil word, So breathing of" anguish prolouml : " I liavo gitliorod th(< fairoHfc and boHt, I have gatliorod i\w raro.stand HWootoat; — My lifo-lilood I'vo given A.s an oflering to lloavcn In this flower of all Howoi-h tlie coini)loto8t. Through tJK^ long (juiot ni'^ht With tlio paid Htiu'H in sif it — Through tho sini liglitt'fl day Of tho halm-hrcathing May I havo toihvl on in silt'iiiu* to liring To porfoction this beautiful flower — TIu^ pride of tho blos.soniing bowy day and liy night With nectar drops alowly distilled ; :-'i1 ,1 .f.' i' 1 134 In tho secret alombii of earth, An;l diffused through eaoli deUcate vein, Till the sunl)eams were charmed to remain, Entranced in a dream of delight — kStealing in with their arrows of light Through the calyx of delioate green — The close folded petals hetwee.i Down into its warm hidden heart; Wide opened the beautiful eyes, And lo ! with a sudden surprise, (•■night the gLmce of the glorious sun-- The ardent and worshipl'ul one — Looking down from his heavenly place : And the blush of delighted surprise IlemiiiK^d in its warm glowing dyes, ■ Evermore on that radiant face. "Then mortals in worsliipful mood ■• Bent over my wonderful flower And called it the "fairest, The richest, the rarest. The pride of the blossoming bower." But I am forgot ien. Ah me ! I the brown soil where it grew ; That cherished and nourished The st(nn where it flourished ; And fed it wHh sunshine and dew I " O man ! will it always be thus, Will you t;ik(^ the rich gifts which are given By the tireless workers of earth By the bountiful Father in Heaven ; And int(>nt on the worth of the gift, Never think of the Maker, the Giver ? — Of the long patient efTorts— the thought That secretly grew in the brain Of the Poet to measure and strain, Till it V)urst on your ear richly fraught With the wonderful sweetness of song ? — ! i>>|i " Whit av.'.iloth it, then, that ye toil— You, tlioughfs )):itient producers — to hi Unloved and unprized. Trodden down and des])ised, By tJiose whom you toil for like me — Forgotten and trampled like me?', Th(ni my heirt mule indignant leplj'. In spite of my fast f dling tears — In s))itc> of the wearisome years Of toil unrequited tint 1 (y In the track of the past, and the way Thorn-girded I'd trod in those years : — 135 •' So be it, if so it must bo ! — M;iy I know that tlio thing I 80 patiently l)ring From the depths of tlie heart anil the brain, A creature of beaiif;/ goes forth, 'Midst the hideous phantoms that press And crowd the lone patlis of tliis work-weary life, 'Mil the labor and eare, tlui temptation and strife, To gladden and comfort and bless. . " So bo it, if so it inii.if be ! — May I know that the tiling I so patiently bring From the d.'pths of the heart and the brain, (Joes forth with a (Jonfpun-or's might, Through the gloom of tliis turliulent world ; Potent for truth and "for right. Where truth has so ofien been luuled 'Neath the feet of the throng, The hurryhig, passionate throng ! "What matter though I be forgot, Since toil is itself a delight? Since the p iwer to do. To the soul that is true, Is the uttered command of the Lord To labour and faint not, but still Pursue and aeliieve. And ever believe That ACHIiiVEMKNT AI.ONE IS rkwakd!" " Very fine ! But why did you not give us those grave thoughts in the more stately measure of the former piece ? You do not surely pretend that those longer and shorter lines — that sort of up hill and down dale verse — that gayer, lighter Poetry which is all very well on the floor of a dan- cing-room, is suitable for a serious subject and calculated to convey an important moral." You will be pleased to observe, my Lord Fadladeen, (I believe it was your Lordship who spoke) that Miss Vining had no intention of preaching a sermon or delivering a moral essay on the subject of her poem. No doubt, the ingratitude to which it alludes, might very properly be thun- dered at from the pulpit. But it is not the Poet's Province to wield the thunders of the Church. A very solemn moral essay might be written on the text " Achievenicnc Alone is Reivardr But, we have no assurance that our Poetess is an essayist also. Aiid, if she w^ere, there are none, I am sure, 136 with the excei^tion of that venerable critic, my Lord Fadla- deen, who would not be sorely disappointed if it came into her mind to substitute j:^raYe and ponderous essays for such ilowinpf. musical and graceful lines as you have just heard. No more criticism, I insist upon it. It not only interrupts the lecture and consumes our precious time wilhout profit to any body, and without i^leasure too ; except ]ierhaps to its authors, it also tends to alter that cheerfvd frame of mind which is quite essential when discoursing on Poetry and Poets. Now, but not without regret, I bid adieu to Miss Vining for a season. When her promised volume appears, it will, I trust, be the occasion of such a conversation as that which is now brought to a close, and which ])ut for the un- generous remarks obtruded upon us by that critical old Lord, who, I am happy to observe, has just left the room, would have allbrded to us all only unmingled delight. Canada justly claims Mr. William Kiiujy of Niagara, who has resided in this country since 1832 when he was 15 years of age, and whose i^rincipal poem, U. E. L. in 12 Cantos, is peculiarly Canadian, the design of it being to celebrate and perpetuate the memory of those brave men, the United Empire Loyalists, who may well be looked upon as the founders of the Province of Ontario. Mr. Adam Kidd, of Quebec, who died there in 1831, published at Montreal in 1830, a volume of 216 pages 8mo, entitled : " The Huron Chief and other Poemsy Mr. George F. Lanigan, a native of Canada, is better known among the literati, as a prose writer than as a Poet. He has, however, contributed to the periodical press of the Dominion in verse as well as prose, and his published ver- sion of some very curious old Ballads shews not only that he is well skilled in the art of versification, but also that he possesses a mind capable of producing as well as of appre- ciating beautiful Poetry. He is at present, the Editor of a sporting magazine at Montreal. This is by far too prosaic an occupation for one who is so highly gifted. May we hope that he will yet exchange the literature of sportsmen if, indeed, there be such a thing, for the more congenial society of the Muses. 137 Who has not heard of Mrs. Moodie, so celebrated bv her writings both in England and America ? You may not all be aware, however, that she is a Poetess. Mrs. Mooc^.ie has published a volume of Poems. Some of her pieces which I have seen, are correctly and elegantly written and distin- jfuished by much poetical beauty. She is a sister of the eminent historian, Miss Agness Strickland, and came with her husband to take up her abode in Canada, so long ago as 1832. ♦ Mr. John J. Proctor, a native of Liverpool, England, has established his home in Canada. His poetical compo- sitions — " Voi.;eii of the nii^lU and other Poews,'" are charact- erised by a deep and unrelieved melancholy which renders the perusal of them painful notwithstanding great originality ofthoixght and ologance of expr«'ssion. No doubt, "man was made to mourn." But, what forbids that he should lighten his load of sorrow and of toil by a cheerful ditty or a soul stirring Lyric ? Some think that Mr. Proctor aif'ects to follow the style of Tennyson. But, is he not too original to be imitative V The Right Revd. Geo. JEiiosiiAniAT Mountain, Bisliop Mountain, who v as the son of the Jirst Protestant Bishop of Quebec, and wh-" viied at that city in 18G3, was chiefly cele- brated f r his amiability of character, and his numerous prose writings. His " Songs of the Wilderness,'" a volume of elegant and classical compositions published in London (184(j), is lost sight of in the numjjer of his more important works. We must claim, however, that he has added to the valuable amount of Canadian i^oetical literature. The most competent Judges have eulogized the poetical productions of Miss Harriet Annie Wilkinh. This Lady, better known as " Harriet Annie,'' possessed the faculty of writing in verse whilst yet a child. She had nearly a vo- lume of Poems composed before she was 14 years of age. Her published collections of Poems are " The Holly Branch,''' and " The Acacia.''' The latter work reached a second edi- tion which was published in 1864. Dr. Charles Mackay referring to these Poems, speaks of " the play of fancy," " the jioetical feeling," " the command of both imagery and language," which they possess. 11 ' ll 138 You will not expect that I should say all that could be said, or even all that I could say, concerning- the Hon. Thomas D'Aucy McGee. This gentleman is so eminent as an historian, an orator and a statesman, that we can scarcely think of him as a Poet. Who considers McCaulay or the late accomplished Earl of Carlisle as Poets ? And yet, both these orators, authors and statesmen have written poetical pieces of great elegance and beauty, which would have made a reputation lor less celebrated men, and clever men too. Mr. T. U'Arcy McGree would be renowned as a Poet, but for his greater renown as a writer and speaker of prose. We lose sight of his highly meritorious volume of ballads when perusing some of his orations. And thoiigh we de- light to behold him bending pensively over the tomb of the immortal Tasso, and expressing in classical and melodious verse, the emotions that arose in his mind, as he stood on the spot consecrated by the presence of departed genius, this incident, however interesting, dwindles into insignificance when we consider the statesman and the minister of state lepresenting the interests of this Dominion among the Powers of Euroi^e and at the centre even of wide Christen- dom. Mr. McG-ee enjoyed in his early boyhood the friendship and companionship of that truly great man the late Daniel O'Connell. At the age of seventeen, he came to settle in America. But soon afterwards, accepting the invitation of Mr. O'Connell to become a member of the editorial staff of " The Dublin Freeman,''' newspaper, he returned to Ireland his native country. Descended from a respectable family in Ulster, and rich in the friendship of the noblest and the best, he might have lived honored and independent, if not wealthy, in the land of his birth. But the cause of reform not advancing in that country according to his ardent wishes and as all right thinking men who had at heart the well- being of their fellow-country men, no less earnestly desired, he once more sought his home in the United States of America. He had not been long there, when his friends of Montreal invited him to that city where he became the editor of the journal known as " The New EraT Whilst yet en- gaged in editorial labours, his fellow-citizens deputed him to Tepresent them in the Canadian Parliament. He he is still 139 (1) (1868) their representative in the General Parliament or "House of Commons" of the Dominion of Canada. From May 1862 till May 1863, Mr. McGee held office as President of the Executive Council, and again from April 1864 until the Union of the Provinces. In that capacity, he represented the United Provinces of British North America at the late Dublin Exhibition and the Exposition UniverseUe at Paris If he does not since the Union of the Provinces occupy the high position of a Minister of State, his own disinterested- ness is alone to blame. At the banquet lately given in his honor, at Ottawa, and in which many leading representative men of all the Provinces took part, together with all the members of the Government except three whose health would not allow them to leave their homes, the Mayor of Ottawa who filled the chair, the Bishop and a fair represen- tation of the clergy, it was stated by Sir John A. Macdonald, K. C. B. and Premier of Canada, that Mr. McGee at the pre- sent moment, occupied a higher place in the estimation of his fellow-countryvien than if he ivere at the head of the Govern- ment ; for, he had sacrificed the position which he might have held there, — which he was asked to hold, in order that all the Pro- vinces might be more completely represented in the counsels of the Dominion. This was more than a well deserved compli- ment. Coming from the quarter whence it came, and deli- vered in the presence, in which it was delivered, it pos- sessed all the value of a tribute of the highest order to dis- interested worth, and became historically important. On his return from his public mission to Europe, — to Dublin, to Paris, to Rome, Mr. McGee was honored with an ovation by the citizens of Ottawa. With the Mayor at their head, they bade him welcome, presenting addresses, &c., before he landed from the steamboat, and escorted him with triumphal honors to his residence. Mr. McGee's history of Ireland and his other historical works together with essays and written speeches, have con- quered for him a very distinguished pLice among prose writers and particularly writers of history. Some of his Lectures and his speeches in Parliament give abundant proof of his oratorical powers. His grand oration especially, at the close of the last session (1867) in reply to the anti- (This lecture was delivered the 26th Feb. 11^ 1868. 140 "■ «,; m 111 a. "■:i ^i ki . I ^xn union views of the Hon. Mr. Howe of Nova Scotia, will be long remembered and must ever remain a monument of his undoubted eloquence. His " Canadian Ballads and Occa- sional Verses,'" entitle him to honorable notice here, and we can only regret that he has not revelled more in the conge- nial field of Poetry. Allow me to conclude by addressing the honorable gentleman in the words of the great Koman Bard; mox, ubi puMicas lies ordiniiris, granrUi umuus Cocropio reiietes cothurno, (Ilor: book II; ode I.) (1) I come now to speak of a Bard who is, in ever]'- sense of the term, Canadian, — Canadian by birth and education, Canadian by choice and Angling, Cana>lian also by his Poetry, for who has cclobratod more, in molodious verse, the unri- valled and hitherto unsung scenery of Canada than CHARLES Sangstee,? This child of the Muses possesses the iirst great essential quality of a Poet. He was born such. And who does not know that all the arts this world was ever master of will never supply what nature has denied. " Nas- ciiur not fit Poeta!^ Mr. Sangster was a Poet before he could write a verse. In his early days, the Poet's soul within him struggled for expression. But in vain. From defective edu- cation, the gift with which he was so richly endowed, could not become manifest. Art was still wanting, but it was des- tined to combine with genius and form a true Poet. The youthful aspirant to Poetic excellence was not t'; be daunted by the difficulties which beset his path. The disadvantages of early education must be struggled against and overcome. He had once set his foot upon th" "rugged steep where Fame's proud temple shines afar," and he felt that he must climb. His laudable perseverance has been crowned with wonderful success. About 12 twelve years ago, Mr. Sangster published a ^•oodly volume of Poems. Of these " The St. Laivrence and the Saguenay'" is the longest and the most elaborate. In this :;f",; i (1) ITow v.nn, nl's ! nre all hnmnn hopes ! The ink with which these words were written, was scarcely dry, when that deplorable event occurred which deprived the country and mnikind ol' the genius and labours of TuoMAS D'Akcy McGer. ,',::i I 141 Poem the author has attempted the difTicult Spenserian Stanza. I am far from saying, " Magnify tamen excidit ausis,^ in plain English, that he has failed. "Without reaching the perfection of Benttie, Campbell, Byron, he has grappled nobly with the difficulties presented by the style of his choice, and has produced a most beautiful Poem. If it has not all the pathos and the inimitable inspirations of " Childe Harold,^'' we must bear in mind, that his subjects, rich, indeed, in natural grandeur, but wholly devoid of any historical, or poetical associations, beyond a tale of yes- terday, were not so promising or so friendly to the Muse, as the many classic scenes which were visited by the " Childe'' in his memorable ' pilgrimage.' Mr. Sangster's Poem never- theless, abounds in original thought, poetical expression and stanzas truly elegant and harmonious. One does not require to be a Canadian in order to admire and enjoy his beautiful Ode to " The Thousand Isles ;" Here the Spirit of beauty keopeth Jubilee for evermore ; Here the voice of gladness leapeth, Echoing from shore to shore. O'er the hidden watery valloy, O'er each buried wood and glade, Dances our delighted galley, Through the sun-light and the shade — Dances o'er the granite cells Where the soul of beauty dwells. Here the flowers are ever springing, While the summer breezes blow ; Here the Hours are ever clinging, Loitering before they go ; Playing round each beauteous islet, Loath to leave the sunny shore, Where upon her couch of violet Beauty sits for evermore — Sits and smiles by day and night. Hand in hand with pure delight. Here the spirit of beanty dvvelleth In each palpitating tree; Tn each amber wave that welloth From its home beneath the Sea ; In the moss upon the granite, In each calm secluded bay li ;i: 142 With thp Z'phyr trains thit fan it With th-nr sweot hroaths all the day — On the waters on tho shore, Beauty dwoUeth evermore I You listen — and, indeed, who could not listen, with pleasure, to such Poetry as this ^ You will hear with no less delight, I am sure, some of our Poet's Spenserian Stan- zas. He is still linuering among " The Thousand Isles : " Yes ! hori> the Genius of Beauty dwells. I Avorshij) Tinth anil Boxuty in my Soul. Tho pure prism itic globule that ui)well3 From the l)lue deep ; the psalmy waves that roll Before the hurriciuie, the outspread scroll Of Ke.iven, with its written tomes of stars; The dew-tlrop on the le if ; those I extol, And all alike— each one a Spirit Mu's, Guarding my Victor-Soul a'jove E irth's prison bars. In two other stanzas, the Poet refers to a tradition that might form the subject of an Epic Poem : There was a st;Uely Maiden once, who made These Isles her home. Oft has her lightsome skiJ" Toyed with the waters ; and the velvet glade. The shiitlowy woodland, and the granite cliff. Joyed at her foot-steps. Here the Brigand ChiefJ Her Fathei", lived an outlaw. Iler soul's pride Was ministering to his w^mts. In brief. The wildest midnight she would cross the tide, Full of a daughter's love to hasten to his side. Queen of the Isles ! she well deserved the name ; In look, in action, in repose a Queen I Some Poet-muse may yet hand down to fame Her woman's courage and her clissic mien ; Some Painter's skiil immortalize the scene. And blend with it that Maiden's history; Some Sculptor's hand from the rough marble glean Thoughts eloquent whoso truthfulness shall be The expounder of her worth and moral dignity. One more stanza descriptive of such varied and delight- ful scenery ; On through the lovely Archipeligo Glides the swift bark. Soft summer matins ring From every Isle. The wild fowl come and go, Regardless of our presence. On the wing, K 143 Airl porchoLl upon tin' l>oughs, tho jiiyliivds siiig Tlioir loves. This is tliod moon irradiates the gloom And tills the air with light. Eieh Islet lies Immersed in shadow, soft as thy dark eyes ; Swift through the sinuous jvith our vessel glides, Now hidden hy th(^ m^issive pi'omontories, Anon the bulililing silver from its sides Spurning, like a wild Inrd, whose home is on the tides. Here Nature holds her Carnival of Isles. Steeped in warm sun light all the merry day, E "ch nodding tr':'e ami flo iting green wood smiles, And Moss-crowned monsters move in grim array ; All night the Fisher spears his finny preyj The piney fl imbeaux reddening the (leep, Past the dim shores, or up some mimic bay ; Like grotes(^]UO banditti they boMly sweep Upon tlrj startled prey, and stab them while Ih'^y sleep. Many a tale of legendary lore Is told of these romantic Isles. The feet Of the Red man have pressed each wav(! zoned shore, And many an eye of beauty oft did greet The painted warriors and their birchen fleet, As they returned with trophies of the slain. That race has passed away ; their fair retreat In its primeval loneness smiles ag an, Save where some vessel snips the-islo-enwoven chain. Save where the echo of tho huntsmm's gun StartLis the wild duck from some shallow nook ; Or the swift hounds' deep baying as they run, Rouses tho lounging stu(lent from his book ; Or where, assembled by sonic sedgy brook ; A pie-nie party resting in the shade, Spring pleasedly to th-nr feet to catch a look At a strong steamn-, through the watery glade Ploughing, like a huge serpent from its ambuscade. f • i ! |{ \ h I 144 But, in order to appreciate and enjoy Mr. gangster's poetry you must read lor yourselves. In the same volume with " The St. Lawrence and the Saguenay^^ there are many lesser pieces of great beauty. The sonnets are elegant and full of thought. S.'veral pieces in blank verse, such as " Autumn,'' and •' The Revels of the Frost King,'* remind forcibly of the lofty style of Milton. That the admirable compotitioLis contained in this volume should not have been more appreciated in Canada, will appear inconceivable to any competent judge of poetry who reads them. We must agree with Mr. Dewart, however, that the " subtle delicacy of thought" which pervades tnem, and their "elevated 4tyle" account for their being incomprehensible to the great mass of readers — the '* profanum vulgi's." But our Poet has »o enigmas for the well informed and intelligent reader. Such will find in the out-pourings of his Muse, and find in abundance, elevating thought and the sweet music of har- monious song. Hear a few lines of •' The Fine Old Woods," and you will acknowledge the justice of this remark. " Oh I come away to the grave old woods, Ere the skies are tinged with light, Ere the slumbering leaves of the gloomy trees, Have shook oft" the mists of night ; Ere the birds are up, Or the flow'ret's cup Is drained of the freshening dew, Or the bubbling vill Kissing the hill, Breaks on the distant view ; Oh ! such is the hour To feel the power Of the quiet grave old woods, Then while sluggards dream, Of some dismal theme, Let us stroll With prayerful soul, Through the depths of the grave old woods. Oh I come, come away to the bright old woods, As the sun nscends the skies, While the birdlings sing their morning hj'mns, And each leaf in the grove replies ; When the golden-zoned bee Flies from flower to tree, Seeking sweets for its honeyed cell, And the voice of proiso Sounds its varied lays, 145 From the dopthn of Oiich quiet dell : Oh I such is tho hour To tool tho j>o\vs range Weirdly strange, With a loud delicious wail : — This too is tht'! hour To feel the power Of the silent mild old woods. Oh I come, come away to the calm old woods, When the skies with stars are bright, And the mild moon moves in serenity,- - The eye of the solemn night. Not a sound is heard, Save the leaflet stirred By the Zephyr that passes by. And thought roams free In its majesty. And the soul seeks its kindred sky : This, this is the hour To test the power Of the eloquent calm old woods I While the thoughtless dream Of some baseless theme, Here we can stroll, With exalted soul, Through the eloquent calm old woods. I fear I have not mucli time now to talk to you about Mr. gangster's second volume. Critics prefer it to his first. Not perhaps because it abounds more in thought and poetic feel- ing ; but because all the poems which it contains, are highly finished and evince greater experience and facility in the art of versification. His "Hesperus" is very fine. But the Poet soars so far beyond the common sphere of thought, and so high into the mysterious ideal, that he will be little un- derstood or appreciated by any who are not like himself, gifted with the soul of poesy. ! ' ^1 I r E^^B ^B 1 ' 1 ■,, L'^H 1 I 1 ' 1 1 ■I '. 'Hm I : ^ p«' lil; 146 •' The happy iiakvesterh " is a very beautiful Poem, and one that must go home to the hearts of our intelligent rural populations. •' O^fortunatoa nimium sua si bona norint /" •' The Ode to Autumn " in this Cantata is deserving of your best attention. It is very musical and breathes the true Religion of Poetry, or, I should rather say, the poetry of Religion. The '' Somr for the Flair' and " The Soldiers of the Ploutrh,'' yon cannot fail to read with delight. No maiden droam, nor fancy thomp, Brown luhour's inuso would ning; Ilor stately mien and russot sheen Demand a Htrongcr wiiij?. Long ages since, tlie sage, the prince, Tlie man of i.nrdly lirow. All honor gave tint army brave, The soldiers of the plough. Kind heavt>n speiMl the plough I And hless the hinds that guide, it; God gives the seed — The bread wo need, — Man's labour must i)rovide it. In every land the toiling hand Is blest as it deserves ; Not so the race who, in disgrace, From honest labour swerves. From fairest bowers bring rarest flowers, To deck the swarthy brow Of those whoso toil improves the soil, The soldiers of the plough. Kind Heaven, &c. Blest is his lot in ILiU or cot. Who lives as nature wills, Who pours his com from Ceres' horn, And quaffs his native rills I No breeze that sweeps trade's stormy deeps, Can touch his golc en prow ; Their foes are few, their lives are true, The soldiers of the plough. Kind Heaven speed the plough ! «fcc., &c. ' Malcolm' ' Colin' ' Marp^eri/,' ' The Wine of Song^ ' The Plains of Abraham ;' ' The Death of Wolf 'Brock,' ' The Song for Canada,' ' I'd be a Fairy King,' ' The Rapid,' ' Young Again,' and ' The Comet,' are all Poems of rare beauty. Mr. Sangster also celebrates the genius of the Ottawa whom he pictures 147 to us as dwelling in the raiu-bowod manj*ions of tho Chau- cUoro. IIo penetrates further still iilonu" th»^ i)i(tureK(|nc banks of the p:reat Ottawa, uiwl arrivinii* -^ the remote Kupida called ' The K^noias* he brinvks out in the following* strain : Ovor the Hnows Ikioviintly goos Tlic lunjborcrs" biirk canoo ; I-i>rlitly tlicy sweep, Will let' eacli l<'ii]), Rending the wiiile cups lluough. Away ! nway I With the speo'l of a Htartled deer, While tho steersni in tiiie, And liis 1 lughing ciew, Sing of thoir wild career : " Mariners glide Far o'er the tide, In ships that are staunch ami strong; Safely as they, Speed wti away, Waking tho woods with song " Away I away I With the Hight of a starthxl deer, While tho laiigliing crew Of tho swift canoo Sing of the raftsmen's cheer : " Through forest and brake, O'er rapid and l;ike, We're sport for tho sun and rain | Free as tlio child Of the Arab wild, ■ Hardened to toil and pain. Away ! away t With the speed of a startled deer, While our buoyant flight And the rapid's might Heighten our swift career. Over tho snows Buoyantly goes Arc, ice. Away I away ! With the speed of a startled deer ; There's a foavl(>ss crew In earh li^ht canoe, To sing of the raftsmen's cheer. 148 If I dare not now read to you the charming song : " Vd be a Fddry King " — which I had, marked for quotation, or those truly patriotic, as well as truly poetical, eflPasions * Brock ' and the ' Song for Canada.' They who remem- ber the inauguration (1859) of the new monument to General Brock on Queenston heights, the scene of that hero's glorious victory, and no less glorious death, will understand the Poet when in soul stirring words, he addresses a people- one in heart, I ill-' I :,h'' ■' And soul, and feeling, and desire I Raise high the monumental stone ! A nation's fealty is theirs, And we are the rejoicing heirs, The honored sons of sires whose cares We take upon us unawares, As freely as our own. We boast not of the victory. But render homage deep and just, To his — to their immortal dust, Who proved so worthy of their trust. No lofty pile nor sculptured bust Can herald their degree. No tongue need hlazon forth their fame — The cheers that stir the sacred hill Are but mere promptings of the will That conquered then, that conquers still ; And generations yet shall thrill At Brock's remembered name. t: U1 A few lines of the " Song for Canada,'^ and I take leave, although reluctantly, of Mr. gangster. if^: Sons of the race, whose su'es Aroused the martial flame That filled with smiles The triune Isles, Through all their heights of fame I With hearts as brave as theirs With hopes as strong and high, We'll ne'er dis^-ji-ace The honored race Whose deeds can never die. Let but the rash intruder dare To touch our darling strand, The martial fires 149 That thrilled our sires Would flamo throughout the land. Our Lakes are deep and wide, ■ Our fields and forests broad ; With cheerful air We'll speed the share, And Vjreak the fruitful sod ; Till blest with rural peace, Proud of our rustic toil, On hill and plain True Kings we'll reign The victors of the soil. But let the rash, &c., &c. TTealth smilns with rosy face Amid our sunny (l.ilcs, And torrents strong Fling hymn and song Throuj.'h jdl the mos,sy vales; Our sous are living men, Our daughters fond and faiv A thousan'.l Isles Wliere i>^"nty smiles, M:dce glad the brow of c;ire. But let the rash intruder dare, A'C, &c., cfcc. You are now I am sure, qnito tired listening to my talk abont Anglo-Canadian Poetry and Poets. I must, neverthe- less, ask your indulgent attention for a few moments longer,' There are still some of these Anglo-Canadian Poets who have not been noticed, so highly distinguished that I cannot pass them over without honorable mention. Of this niunber is Alexander McLachlan. Although a native of Scot- land, Canada justly claims him as one of her gifted children. He was only 20 years of age when he came to this country in 1840. Since that time, laljouring assiduously in Canada and as a Canadian, in the not ungrateful held of literature, he has carved out for himself an eminent place in the Te.nple of Fame. His extraordinary taste for reading ena- bled him to make up for whatever was wanting in his early education. Although a mechanic's apprentice in Scotland is less UiifavoraMy situated as regards learning, than in most other countries, his opportunities cannot have been very con- siderable. They were sufficient however to encourage and sustain him in the arduous but laudable task of self-culture. 150 His labours have already been crowned with no ordinary success, and, as yet, he is only mid-way in a great career. He cannot be compared with any Canadian Poet I am as yet acquainted with. As regards originality of thought and beauty of poetic expression, he has not perhaps any peer among them. Our best critics remark, in his compositions, a strong sympathy with humanity in all its conditions, a subtle appreciation of character, deep natural pathos, noble and manly feeling, the expression of which awakens the res- ponsive echoes of every true heart. In 1856 he published at Toronto a volume of poems chiefly in the Scottish dialect. Some of these have been pronounced by the Honorable Thomas D'Arcy McGree, a very competent judge, it will be admitted, as not unworthy of Tannahill or Motherwell. In 1858 appeared his "Lyrics and Miscellaneous Poems," and in 1861, " The Emigrant and other Poems." In the lyrics there are many pieces of surpassing beauty. They alone justify all the praise that has been bestowed upon him. I had an idea of pointing out to you some pieces as being more particularly beautiful, but on glancing over the volume anew, I found that this was impossible. In order to indi- cate all the poems that I consider masterpieces of lyrical composition, I should have to read to you the table of con- tents. I must, however, in carrying out my programme, give you a specimen or two. What could be more feeling than his " Old Hannah ? " 'Tis Sabbath morn, and a holy balm Drops down on the heart like dew, And the sunbeams gleam, Like a blessed dream, Afar on the momitains blue, Old Hannah's by her cottage door In her faded widow's cap, She is sitting alone On the old gray stone With the Bible in her lup. An oak is Iwinging o'er her head. And the burn is wimpling by, The primroses peep From their sylvan keep And the lark is in the sky. Beneath that shade her children pi lyed, But they're all away with death I 151 rdinary career. I am as rht and iiy peer osiiions, itions, a IS, noble the res- iblished L dialect, onorable t will be ^ell. In- ns," and 'he lyrics ey alone him. I as being 8 volume sr to indi- of lyrical e of con- )gramme, :e feeling And she sits alone On the old grey stono, To hoar what the spirit s.iith. Her years are o'er three score and ten, And hor eyes are waxing ilini, Bvit the p;ige is briglit With a living light, And her heart leaps up to hini Who pours the mystic harmony Which the soul can only hear ; She is not alone On the old grey stone, Though no earthly friend is near. There's no one left to cheer her now ; But the eye that never sleeps Looks on her m love From the hei;ven above. And with quiet joy she weeps ; She feels the balm of bliss is poured • In her worn heart's deepest rut ; And the widow lone, On the old grey stone Has a peace the world knows not. "What an admirable reprimand does he not administer in " The G-keat Old Hills," to those who can see nothing better in these beautiful objects than the deformities of nature ? To the hills all hail I The hearts of m lil ; All hail to each mighty Ben ! They were seated there — On thrones of air — Long ere there were living men. From the frozen north The storm comes forth And lushes the mountain rills, But they vainly rave Around the brave The gveat old hills. They are fair to view With their bonnets blue ; They are Freeilom's old grey guards, Each waving a wreath Of purple heath To the songs of Scotia's B.'.rda. The tempests come 1^^ f t- i'l il 152 And veil the sun While ire his red eye fills, And they rush in wrath On the lightning's path From the great old hills. Men toil at their walla And lordly hall^*, But their labour's all in vain, For with ruin gray They ])iss MWiiy But the great hills remnnin While the lightnings leap From ))eak to i)pak And the frighted vnlley thrills. O'er storm and time Tlioy lower suMimc The great old hills. In the " Ode on the Death of the Poet Tannahill," it is dilTicult to decide \vlietlier the tenderness of feeUng; which it expresses, or the delicacy, ek^i^anco and poetical beauty of the hinguage are most to be admired. ■I; ,\- ii "■ hi Lay him on lii^ grnssy pillow, All liis toil and trouble's o'or ; Hang liis liarp upon the willow Foi' he'll wake its soul no more. Let tlie jiiwthoii) and the rowan Twine their branches o'er his head, And the bonnie little gov.in Come to deik his lowly lied. Let no tongue profane upbraid him, Th(^re is nothing now but clay; To the spirit piuo that made him Sorro A-iiig ho stole away. Let the sliide of gentle Jessie From the wooils of old Dumblane — Innoc'nce he elotlud in beauty — Plead not for the Bard in vain. Let the braes of grey OlenifFer, And the wimling Killoch burn Lofty Lomond ami Bahjuidder, For tlieir sweetest Minstrel mourn? And tlie Stanely turrets hoary. And the wood of Craigielee, Waft his name anil mournful story Over every land and sea. iil)lc's o"(M' ; Iliing his hiirp upon tho willow; For he'll wake its soul no more. NAHILL," .f feeling: I poetical Mrs. Eos anna Eleanor Leprcuion, (nee Mnllins.) This accomplished lady has won celel)rity more by her nu- merous very beautii'ul and entertaining tales than by her poetical compositions. None ef her poems which are of a high order of i^oetical excellence, have as yet been published in a separate volume. "We are indebted to Mr. Dewart's se- lections for some of her bes^, pieces. Her impressions on arriving at the sea-shore from her inland home, are very .elegantly conveyed in the following lines : IIow oft I've longed to g izo on thee, Thou proud and mighty deo]) I Thy vast horizon, houndless, free, Thy eoast ss rude and steep ; And now entranced I V)roathless stand Where earth and ocean meet, Thy billows wash the silver sand, And break around my feet. Lovely thou art when dawn's rod light, Sheds o'er thee, its soft hue. Showing fair ships, a gallant sight, I'pon the waters blue ; And when the moonbeams sofily pour Their light on wave or glen And diamond spray loa])s on the shore, IIow lovely art thou then ! Still as I look, faint shadows steal O'er thy calm heaving brea^ t, And there are times I sadly feel Thou art not thus at rest ; And I l)ethink me of past tales. Ships that hav(! left the shore, And meeting with th(> fearful gilos. Have ne'er been heard of more. (1) From tho beautiful old Scotch biiUad,— 12 " Willy, waly. up ynii bank. Andwaly. waly, di>wa yon brae. 154 >ii Thoy say tliy dcptlis liolil trofiKuivs rare, (irovt's ol' t'or 1 simds of gold — I'ciirls lit hutl'or iiioiiMi'ilis woar Ami }»^'nis of worth untold; But thi's(^ cniilil not to lil'c rcHtoro The idol of ;>•!•• hoiiio, Noi makohravi' licnrts heat lii.i^h once nioro Wli) slicp li'iuvitli lliy f'oun. But I iimst chisi' such thoui^lits aw.y, They mar this hai>i>y hour KcUKMnluTiji;^ thou dost laitolicy 'I'hy j^i'cat ("I'catof's jMiwvr — And in my own Canadian homo, Mysti'i'ious hoiuidlcss ni dn, In dreams I'll sco thy snow white fo.m And l'ro\', nin;,' roidvs again. That litiM-aiy py^diuy Ciiarle^j HivWYSI^ge oI' Moiit- Toal, may well bo classed a,ni()ni>- Canadian poets, his works of greatest note having l)een written and published since ho came to settle permaniMitly in Canada. His success is all the more wonderful thtit his educational advantages were A'ery limited, ^uch a mind as his could not long be tram- melled even by the narrowest education. Nature designed him for a Poet and gifted him accordingly. It renuiined for him only to cultivate the gift. If it can be said that he owes it to assiduous self-culture, that he is ranked among the Poets of his time, it cannot be averred that he is not endowed with genius far more richly than he could have boen by the highest wordly fortune. Nor has he dug a pit, as so many do. wherein to bury his talent. He has labored and not in vain, to render it productive. AVhilst on the one hand, he has sought knowledge above all price in the divine book, on the other, if we may judge from his productions, Shake- speare has been the chief source of his secular learning. He has endeavoured to penetrate the secret of that f^iscinating style in which the Uard of Avon has led captive so many generations of his fellow-countrymen. The Muses may wadl take pride in the care which they have bestowed on his initia- tion. aiul no Eleusinian or other Mysteries were ever more creditably mastered. The Poem of " Saul" is the gre*atest Avork which Mr. Heavysege has as yet attempted, and it is a bold attempt, but certainly not an unsuccessful one. Hear in regard to it a not unfriendly voice from the Athens of our time, but not the Athens of King Otho : 155 " Saul is i,: tlirt'c parts, eacli of fivo Jict!5,—jiltofj;ctlier about 10,00r« lines long. In it the <,'ro!iti'st sul)jrot of tlio wliolo rant^o of history for n drain!), lias boon treated with a |i(uitical ].o\ver and a depth ot psyco. lo!j;ioal kiinwle(];;e whieh tiro oft(Mi (|uiti' startlinir, tliouj:;h wc may sjiy, incvitalily below tiio mark of Ihe suhjeet matter, wliich is too f^rcat to be done full justioo to, in any but the words in which the oriifiniil story is related."— (77t.' Xcrlh Br!ilsh Rrvinr.) AVo cannot fail to l)o (MlifitMl by this last rcmarlL And wo nuist always T(\spiM:t th(^ views of thoso who think that ^vTipi"vo. subjects can bo litly treated only in th(; lani>'ua«^o of {Sciiptvire. At the same time, wo cannot allow ourselves to Ibro-et that there are some in the world who have nO' relish for thohiL'-her Poetry of ][(dy writ. This may b'C per- haps, (and why not pass on all a lavourabh^ judii'ment ?) because it cannot be enjoyed in ils])ristine beavity of style, measure and harmony. What forbids that such minds should be reached and won by tlu' fascination of verie and rhythm that are suited to the modi'rn ear V It is impossible to convey an adequate idea of such a Poem as " t^AUL," by a short quotation, One might as soon protend to show the nice proportions, the solid mason-work and rich architectural decorations of a spacious and elegant building, by exhibiting a brick. You will not, however, be displeased if I read a few lines from Avhich you will learn how the Poet represents the unfortunate Monarch contend- ing with his evil genius. 12* Saul to Malzau Creature, begone, nor harrow me with horror! Tliinf i^yes arc stars; oh! eover them, oh! wrap Them np within thy cloudy 1)row.s: stand otij Contend not with me, l)ut say who thou art, Methinks I know tiiee, — yes, thou art my demon, Tliou art tlie demon that tormentest me. I charge thee, shy, my.-tcrious visitant, At whose behest thou comest, and for wliat Otiences (h'ep of mine : nay, nay, stuid off; Confess, malicious goblin, or else leave me; licave me, oh! goblin, till my hour is come : I'll meet thee after deatli ; appoint the place ; On Gilead or beside the flowing Jordan ; Or if parts gloomier suit thee, I'll repair Down into Jlinnon or up to the top Of Iloreb in the wilderness, or to the cloud Concealed height of iSinai ascend, Or dwell with thee 'midst darkness in the gravo^ 156 ' ])0.sido.s the Poom ol' " Saul," Mr. lloavysoo-e has writ- ten " CouKT FiLiiM'o oil Tin?: UiNEQUAL Mauria(}e," a drama in five acts. ".Tephtiiaii\s Dauohteii," and ".TiiZEBEL," which last appeared in the January number, 1808. ol' the " Dominion Monlhly." You will hardly belie vo that such a poet could descend, if indeed he can be said to descend, i'rom the lofty style of the Drama, io the writing of a son- net. {Such is the fact, however. But he has tt^ken care not to leave his style behind. Hear a specimen : ! f| i; 1'*; ) 'Vi.N loi: Xk;iit. Tho stai's '.1 ;a.>)iin;' in the frosty sky, Numoroi. ['. w; u"< on a bro.id soi-ooust ; Wliile o'ertlu^ vault ■ ■ "louil-liko galaxy lias inai'shalled its iunuuicmlilii host. Alive all lloavon s(v>ms : vvitli wondrous glow, Tenfold refulgent every star apjx'ars : As if some wide eelestial gale did hlow, And thriee illume the ever-kindled spheres. Orbs with glad orlis rejoicing, burning beam ' Kay -crowned, with lambent lustre in their zones; Till o'er the blue bespangled spaces seem Angels and gieat archangels on their thrones ; — A host divine whose eyes are sp u'kling gems, And forms more bright than diamond di.idems. Miss Jennie E. Haight enjoys great pojalarity, and not undeservedly, among Canadian readers of Poetry. I am not aware that this lady has written any Poem of great length. But her very numerous poetical compositions have appeared in almost all the newspapers of the country as well as other periodical publications. I cannot better impart to you an idea of Miss IIai chit's merits as a poetess, than by quoting Mr. ISancistek's enlightened appreciation of them. " There is a genuine womanly sincerity, womanly feeling, and deep sympathy with all that ennobles our nature, in her thoughtful strain ; there is a largeness of heart, and a burn- ing desire to assist the lellow-traA'eller over the rough and in- tricate paths of the wearisome journey of life." Mil. Dewart himself (The Rev. E. H. Dewaet) must 1 be passed over without honorable mention as a poet. The cause of the Muses would be largely indebted to this accomplished gentleman if he had done nothing more than favor the Canadian public with his " Selections." He has 157 been sino-ulaily Judif ions in his clioice ol' pieces for quota- tion ; and ho oi'ten adds critical remarks, always in good taste, which tend to complete what his selections, necessarily few, could only in part accomplish, — the iraj^ortant work of leading the uninitiated to a knowledge of Canadian poetry — of imparting the information so much needed in many places, that there are, even in Canada, hitherto reputed " the har/c-woof/s,'' at least a few Poets whose compositions would have coiKjuered for them literary renown in lands where letters were in honor centuries before this 'Dominion' of British \orth America had a place or name among the peo- ples of Ihc earth. I hav(» not had an opportunity of seeino- much of Mr. Dew art's own Poetry. AVhat I have s' ^i ' ' of a high order — elegant and classic. The volume of pov s which he is preparinu' for publication, will, no (kH, • v-nfirm this view of his lili^rary accomplishments an-' j^'o*.'ical ability. A lady who sometimes uses the nam de .'i/iie of TlHBlE Walki:r, l)ut whoso real name I am n ^t at liberty to com- municate to you, has contributed to the riddian periodical press, some very beautiful pieces of poetry. She possesses the faculty, now rare, of writing in the Scottish dialect as well as in classical modern English. She was awarded the prize a year or two ago, by her fellow countrymen of Mont- real, for her Poem in honor of Hallowe'en Avhen there were, if I remember well, about thirty competitors, and siirely, not undeservedly, whether we consider the versification which is flowing and harmonious, or the fine feeling and elevated sentiments in which the composition abounds. A stanza or two, I am confident, will not prove unaccejitaljle : VVo'll no vf'pino tlio' summer's flinl, An' louil tho temposts Maw; For itlier joys aye tak the place O" thorn tint wear awa. A f^reat asseml)la<2;e 1 holioM, The like O't "s seldom seen; For Cilodonia's sons are met To haiul their Hallowe'en. -I ' I f I HI nil Solia (liMp, my inliv.« I iii'l ! \Vli('n> e'er tliy luiinis iiuiy In', dill joy or HinTiiw i., (Iic'ir lot, 'VUi'W luviits iiyc WMiiii |(» Tln'i'. Liiii.l (f wild Aliens (Mid li(>iillur ln'iics Wlnr killed cliiiis h i,> I,,., mi. 1/iiiid ( »' ltiiiiiiini-(> jiiid dii)llimld IrcidiS 'riiiit iiiiik a lliiilowc'cii. Willi' [;;issirs lilt tli(> I(';,'('iid.s (J' Ilk castlt* Httu'ii iitiil ^I'liy, Whir wiinior Kni^dits Iiiil;,' I lid at rest, Woo'd L('ddi(>s I'liir tind cruy ; Whar nionic a dalf im' l(>iu'ly muir Has been a liattlt* Hfciio. iSic are tlic aft told stories () Tho land ()• llall()wo\>n. An," Cauiida, wo lo'o yo — tho' 'IVaditioiiM aiild as lliese, Ne'er lint \vi' varied hues your st-oues, As Autumn tints your tiees. Your phiins are l>roa'y 've glen To niony a hardy pionc'er Wha there ha'uds Hallowe'en. Nae Wizird ()' tln^ Xorth hns yd Anvmg your sous lieen found, To trcail a while your ru;.'j,'ed j)aths, Then leave them elassie grouml. Nae rioughman T^ird Ins o'er youi' I/ikes Thrown l-ancy's miiy "ill no he seen.) We trust h(M- hairns will n(>'er forget To liauil tlieir Hallowe'en. : ■ ir,!» The iillusioii l(Mlii' Afl;uilif Ciihlc is i>iirt iciiln-ly nice and llicn* is Homclhini;' more lli;iii [mlrioli' icfliiiL'" in IIk* coiK.'ludiiii'' lines. All' now iiiiillicr link is loi'}.'i'i| 'I'll it I imls IIS to oiir liiiini' ; Th' Allantii- cil.lir.s tctlnTfil fist,-- Dcspito tlir stortiiy rn:iin, An' ilkii diiy tlic mvvs is IIisIh'iI TIh' iiiiM nn' mw woiM atwccn : It Miidit Irif li'l lis k<'!i f,'in IViiu's Aro liaiidin ilailovvt^'rii. We niMV i'or^'ct tlic lionnicst fai-o 'J'lio' it sniilcil on u.s y<'strf<'n ; lU\t WJ'II iic'iM' roi<.'ft our nnlivt' lan more ([generally appreciated when he chooses to come more prominently Ix'lore the public. The' very titles of some of his works make it appare-nt how admira})ly his mind is adapted for philosophical r "search, and an attentive perusal of them wull show that he has not meditated and enquired to no purpose. No doubt our Christian Faith in- structs us as to the unity of the human race. But in these our days, there are not wantinj:^ men, and men pretendinj^ to science too, who do not accept the t(;stimony of our sacred books. "Will they alike reject the witness of all history, — of all antiquity V or, will they be able to set aside the rea- soning and the conclusions d(>duceiven any of his poems to th(» i>u]»Iic. And if 1 am now able to tell you anythinLV tiboui them, it is because I have l)een favored "with a readinu' of a small coll>' 'iion of some charming' com- positions w hich have b(>en printc^l only for i>ri\al(^ circula- tion. When these poems ari> \\ idely ^iven to the ^^■orld critics uill discourse learnedly on their ele,!i'anc(\ i)Mlhos, purity of sentiment and (,'orrect versilic:ition. In the mc^au- time, you may take my word for it, that they [Possess all these (jualities. I shall not attempt to s:iy with wliat deli<»ht I perused them, or how much J regret that they are not more numerous. ])ut a writer \vho is so obviously endowed with the ii(»nius of Poetry, aiul who is skilled in the art of ex- pressin<»' his poetical conceptions with truly classic taste and accuracy, will not cease to seek the favor of the Muses, until they have placed him in th.^ highest niche of the Temple of Fame. Mr. llaliburton waf born in 188i], aiul may yet have time, (I for one most sin'" irely hope that he will), to com- pose a great poem, — an Vlpl that will do honor to our nascent Literature. The most fasidious critic could not require that it should be more correct or more beautiful, than those h^sser Poems, the secret of which I am communicating to you. There is no kind of verse that Mr. llaliburton does not handle with facility, — none that does not allbrd ready and apt expression to the inspirations of his muse. The stately numbers of Milton are cjuite familiar to him. He has used them to good i>urpose in his most beautiful Toem " Found Di'owt'ed.^'' The subject of this composition does not, perhaps, admit of the suhlimity of Milton ; but in pathos, it is certainly not inferior to anything that you or 1 have ever read : The description of the storm that howls through the dismal winter nisfht is very errand. Meanwhile what IGl has bocomi^ of th(» poor iriimiju,' — the lost erring one ? None know. AliHont ntvl pimufi on tli«< f;lirmiicriiig liri! 'I'lli^ IntlKT silent sits ; yet oft he MrnU A tcarl'iil cyt' nl, tlu^ lon^'ViH^mit rhiiir, 'I'lmt noni' is tluTc to occupy, iiml oft Tilt' niiiiilciis still their iiiiidi, ie-t it nny lifeiik His inoiifnl'iil revmie. At liii;.'tli tiie cliiek lieiuinils liiin of the hour I'or pmyer; tlieii low lie lj(i\v-t ill -ii|p|iliciition, timl Iciils mi , 'I'lie itiisuei ill!,' ;.'ron|) oryoiithl'iil worsliippors ; Now iiskin^' Ile;ivell |"(»r liiessili;;s on the iiend ' Of tliose that joiirTiey far o'er land ami sea, An adds liesponsively, " Allien."' Willi lile.itllillp;s hiisird, Eicli woturrinir strives to catch once more the sound ( )|' the deep ^loan. that Krouj^ht their prayer winged thouglits From Heaven to earth ii;.rain. 'I'liey listen lonj^; Hark! now it cniii,-i (nice nn>re. No I "I'is the moan ( •!' tlie complaining.; wiu'l. A;,'iiii he kneels To ur<;e th(> oarnest prayoi*, and to nwoko For each around a Messinj,' from on high. The passage which I'oUovvs is peri'cctly thrilling ; And now his dii'p voice trenihlinp hreathes tho namo < d' one who is not there, when shrinkini; close To its fond mother's hrea.^t, the f'righten'd child Hiding its tiic(>, in silent terror points At the stran;,')' eyos, that, wildly gazing in, (^l.'lr(^ through tlui snow-wrcatheids Ikm- welcome back ng.un ; But list'ning, hoars no answer, save the voice Of th(^ I'ude. hlast tint raises u)) on high Its liowl of mockery. Now when a lull Comes o'er the tempest's hreathings, he again Wastes his wild cries nj)on tlie mullied air : The didled tones soon unheard, are drowned beneath 'i'he rising stu'ges of the wind. He sighs, And silent, long he ilouljts : "It is not she, So frail ! so gentle ; She could never brave A night like this, when ev<'n the forest beasts Shrink shiv'ring to their deejiest 1 drs. Oh no ! It ^^•a!$ a waking dream. The name we bre'ithed one Imck iignin ; Or slic is not, iind htu' poor s2)irit sieks The Jioiiio of early iiniot'cni'c.'' He mirks Tlint nil nround him .soemetl to strive with death. The hemlocks shudder 'neith their snowy shrouds, As though they mourn earth's wintiy sleej) : the iirs Koek to and t'ro, as thf)ugh they fcid liis grief, And waii the hapless wraith, Reluetantly He houi. ward turns his lingering steps; yet oft He jiivnses on his way to gize again Through the thiek night. Again he wildly calls Her name, then listens to the forest din As the trees battle with the storm. At length He slowly shuts the door. The drifting sleet Beats on the frozen windows, and the wind Still sings its ceaseless dirge." Here I must close tlie quotation and spare the reader the horror of the awful plunge which ends the career of the lost child. The late John Breakenuidge, a Barrister of the Pro- vince of Ontario published a volume of Poetry (327 pages) entitled " The Cntmdes and other Poems'''' (1). One of our ablest critics, Mr. Dewart, says that " the compositions of this Author are distinguished by m.artial and chivalrous sentiments." This is worthy of a Poet, and essen- tial, especially, to a Poet who undertakes to celebiate the Crusades. I would add that Mr. Breakenridge also shews (1) The author himself feels that this title is not the most appropriate ; and he does not do himself justice in adopting it. "The Crusades" aro not a Poem, but a seric^s of Poems, or detached pieces l)earing relation to the great su1)ject of the Crusades, such as "The Battle of Doryloeum," " The Crutader's Hymn before Jerusalem," "The Siege of Antioch," '* The Troubadour to the Captive Richaru Cikur de Lioy," "The Battle of Tybe- rias," "The Amulet": — "Orient Pearls," indeed, but, "at random strung," and by no means a consecutive epic poem, although decidedly belonging to the epic style of Poetry. Tiie author in his preface apologizes, for what a too rigid critic might ell NP.iiinj sail vtider fnlie colouvi^, hy informing his readers th:it his greater Po(>m "Laiza," a Tale of slavery in tlu'ee Cantos, remained unfinished when the Prospectus was publislied. It may be objected to this beautiful J'oem, that it is all in octosyllabic lines. It must in justice^, however, I)e admitted tliat they are the best •vliich have appeared as yet in a Poem of (.'(pial l(Migth. Now that the Abys- synian expedition has occustomed us to read of things barbaric and Ethio- pian, this timdy written tvle must atFord great pleasure to the English reader, and he will i>e ('( li'^hted to tlnd that tlu^ heroic Jjaiza, meets with a ■destiny very dilierent from the richly w ; No time have they o'er sad defeat to brood. Onw.u'd, o'er dying friends so lute who stootl The sharers of their toil — for life, for life, The madd'ning race begins ! iti that dark wave, With every horror frauglit — with danger rii'e. Who dreamt of kindred ties, or felt sweet friendship's power? And fast and wild, in gdhering crowds they come ; And shrieks and gronis from out that mingling miss Tell that the iinguishi'd spirit wingetli home Its weary flight ! They win that narrow pass, But ever and anon the tliund'ring l)ass Of gims thfit, nnnbling in the distrnce, boom — Waking to on(» continuous pe.d ! alas ! Is there no hope for that once victor host? The despot's arm, earth's scourge, and Gaul's triumphant's boast? None! For the temi)est-brenthof heaven awakes, And darkly green tlie swollen waters How; The Wintry blast u2)on them col lly brcviks — The rear guard yields to the victorious foe ! It heaves, — it yawns— () (iod ! witli one droixl throe, The crowded brMge beneath the pressure sliaki's, Ami thri'>e ten tliousand souls are luu'led lielow Into that "hell of waters," tierce and strong, Whoso waves relentless bear the flower of France along ! Ay ! and her vine-clad valleys long shall hear The voi(!e of mourning for her sons who lie, Thrown by the sated wave on deserts dreur; 7^nd long slvall ring '' that agonizing cry," vVnil haunt his d.teams when none to soothe is nigli ! And fortune flown sliall tliuntler in his ear 'Mid Courts and Camps — the worm that ne'er shall die; And tell to every age like Heaven's own wrath. The vengeance dire that w.iits on tlie invader's path ! That accomplished scholar Mr. GrANE, better known in Canada, as '' The Loive Farmer'' has contributed many ele- gant and truly classical pieces of verse to the periodical press of these Provinces. S * ; 1(54 Tho Kkv. Mk. a. AVaij.ack, a (^ilholic I'ricsl of Porl- liind, Mninc, V. S.. is (Milillcd to notice licre, haviiiii" been horn jit, CMialhiiin ^^'^v llruiiswick. and cducaliMl at Halifax MovaSootia., of which place his I'aniily arc still citi/cns. In IS,").'), Mr. AV^allace ])ul)lishcd a volume of L'ocnis. It is a work of vtM'v 'A'rcat. indeed, hut une(|ual merit. Some of his ]iroducti()ns are of rare heauty and liive proof of a hijj;'h poetical mind and relined taste, whilst there are others which ai)i)(>ar to Ix^ wantinu' in warmth and imai;'ination, allhoui^h evidently the work oi' a man of classical education and the lincst, l(>elinir, Mr. llalihurton says of him that " he has a LVrcat deal ol \iijror and powei- as a satirist, as shewn hy his '' Men (tiid lliin'^s." Althoutrh ht> admires Horace, it is on the \>rinciple that we like our ()i)i)osites. Horace attacks \ ice be- caus(» it is unbecominu' a n'tMitleman. .luveiud assails it because it is unworlliy o[ a man. and our author assiudts it btH'aiise it is uidxH-oniinu' a christian. Horace laiiuhs and "shoots at folly as it Hies." Juvenal pursues it with a double edn'cd s\\()rd and shews no nu'rcy. Our a\ithor knocks vico and hypocM'isy on the head with a slcdu'c hammer. His allusion to i^overty is the b(\st thinu: \w has written. His soiiii' of Joseph bcLi'inninu' " ausi)i*ious, «S:c."' and his song of the an.uvls are very ])eautiful. The latter to my mind, is unsurpasscil in beauty by anythint;- yet produced iu the Dominion, iu that style of Poetry." Let the opinion of a Poet by a Poet sullice. T shall only say in t'ouidusiou : 3Iacfe, nov, to preserve the sweet and musical language of old France. You will allow me to dispense with any fixed ordtn-, (a i)rivilege which I claimed in regard to the ICnu'lish Poets) in enumerating the a\ithors of French Poems who have won for themselves a 105 of Port- iiq: bcon llalifiix iMiN. In 11 i.s ii in of his a hiiili IS which illliouyli and Iho ic ]ias a i» by his s on Iho ^sails ii saiths it ulis and - (U)uhh^ L:ks vice r. 1 1 is n. Jlis lis soni»' nind, is in the on of a hision : lo hoar vritteu (\uia- luch of no dis- > have Olio so vo the allow hich I |ii»- the Ivos a iiaino in lliost^ rrovincos. The n'in of i;onins, it is scarcely necessary to ol)servi\ is conferred wiUiout references to na- lionalily. Ihil as regards Litera,lure an cii'cunislance tliat, the ranks of their literary men nvr not recruited from the I'aront Land, whilst JJritish men of letters who have won h())U)rs at the Schools and Universities ol' the rniled i\ino(h>m, or have attained there lo more or less literary distinction, am constanlly takini:,' U]) their abode in C^inada. [t is, besides, dosin'vin^' of remark, that the I'rench huv^iuu'-e, however beautiful when wielded by an accomplished Toot, presents diilicullies to the asjnrini^' Hard that arc unknown to the composer of Enr^'lish verse. JJoth lani>-uan-es, ind(M?d, must be handh'd by a master-hand when then? is (|U(»stion of ris- ini^ to roelical excel hMic(\ Ihit of the two, considered as wea]>ons at the dis])osal of the Poet, the Frt'iich is undoui)t- cdly the more dillicult. Jloiu)r then to the Poets of Cana- dian oriii'in who have cultivated and enriched the lanji-uag-e ol'thoir race ! 1 n recountin;^' tln^n, we wonder not that they are comi>aratively so few, but ratluu* tliat their numbers arc so much greater thau could well bo hoped for. As I have not decided on any order whether alphabet- ical or according to merit or seniority, you will not conclude" that 1 considc^r Mr. r)EN.iAMiN 8ultk as positively the most meritorious of our French Canadian Poets, nor yet that I set him down as in any rcs])ect, inferior, and so commence at the foot of the ladder, llis name and age suggest that I should present him to you, and I do so with no ordinary pleasure, as the ])EN.iaaiin of the Poet I'amily. Born at Three Rivers in 1841, he was early distin- guished by his taste for letters. Whilst still a resident of his native city, he laboured assiduously to promote the eleva- tion of LitiM'aturc^ amongst his fellow countrymen. With a view to this noble end, he Ibuuded a club known as '' The Three Bhiers Literari) his/i/ufe.,'' lie became its first presi- dent, and it Jlourished under his fostering care. I am not awa.ie that his ])oems have appeared as yet, in a collected form, but, many eh^gant compositions from his pen have ligurod most favorably in the periodicals of the lime ; — such 166 as the Revue dniadieiuie, tho Echo du Caiiuel de Lecture Fa- roissifde, iiiul the Journal dc /']nsfruefiou Pid)liTacoru], vigorous and perspicuous. All ai>Tee in Ibretellini*' that lie ^vill occu- py one diu , the hin'hest raidc anioui*' the u-HIihI sons ot* Genius. The Ijiterary men of OttaAva rati lied this verdict and marked Iheir appreciation of the success Avhich he has already achieved as a I'oel, hy inviliii!;' him to a pu])lic ban- quet at which the Mayor of the city lilli'(l the Chair, on oc- casion of his de])arture for Montreal avIum'c lie A\as asked to fill the olhee of Secretary to an important nianuliicturing com})any. 1'his need not, and Me may rely upon it, Avill not, sever him from the society of the Muses. I shall not pretend to say which of all Mr. Suite's num- erous compositions is the best, — his master piece. I would rather refer to a few pi(>ces selected at random. In his " Ca- nadd FraHcais: a tAv^^lelerre,'' — a I'oem which was occasioned by the ill-timed and certainly not very enli«>htened remark disparai;-in Empire in the zenith of its strength, its day of danger having gone down with the Mien day star of the First Napoleon, was able to carry into ellect the large, enlightened and beneficent views of its ablest statesmen V But I must not be political. Well, am I not reviewing a somewhat political Poem i But I seek not to justify myself. I have done. As I must quote something, according to my pro- gramme, and still more, according to my inclination when th'^re is cjuestion of Mr. Suite's compositions, I shall ask you to listen ^br a moment, whilst I read to you that amusing popular ballad : it! 107 LA BELLE MEUNIEKE. — I'm- Ics clicniiMH, (|ui dunf,, ma hollo,. ^ Vijus utiiif si hoii iiiiitiii'.'' — lOt roiiif's-t.'iiit 111 joiivi iicello Dit : " .Si'igiiciir, je vu.s jiu niO!ili;i." — Lo crisl."! Mi'ii dr la I'lvicTO A liu'ii imiiiis i|(' liinpiiiiio 'I'lK' '"ii joyciix- rc;;anl, iiiii cliri-f. — " Moii.-ifigiieiir est idciii (U; b,,iiU'." — (Jiu'l (Vais iiiiiioi,-;! (;ucl pdit ilf nine '. Aiiiirdciic, cnraiil, : \i\iil lii im; |iliiis ! A lant de .i,^r;'i,c(; soiivcraino II rant, puiir iugis im ]ialaiM. M'Uite en croupe et k lis inii inaltresse, \ ' 'lis! jp siiis chevaliiT-ljanui . . . . Mais poiinpioi (■••t iiir de tristesse I'lt cot iacai'nat :jiu' loii front ? N(' I'nycy, pa.-^, iiiudoinoiriclle, Votia aurez uton tilro ct rnon co-'ur ; Je voiia condiiJH a la cliapflie. — " -Merci, c'est beuucouj) troj) dMidiinciir.'' — Qui doiif 6tcs-vnus, jna charmante, I'onr roAi.>ci- i;n clievfJir,-? QiKdifue dame rielie et puis>antc? — "Je aula la filledu meiiiiier." mi Mi — Qnoi; dti ]\reunier! — Dieu me ])ardouue ! J en suis marri pour ton bonlieur : Je nc puh t'epo ,sfr, nm bonne. — " tjui vous a d, II. undo, Seigneur ! " At the risk of chanr>iiig' your mirth to sadii' , 1 shall now read a short Poem of a quite different diu tei, — one that is more in keeping- with Mr. yuKe's cast o! .mnd. Al- tnongh not one of his greatest poems, it sho , admirably hat he is eminently serious, pensive and inclii.cd to melan* ;holy. LUCIE. Je la voyais dans mon ein'mce, La blonde enfant aiix (,rands yenx Lleus. Moiut on account of his own merits as a Poet. Fabre, the rigid critic of Lower Canada, speaks of him as a hrilliant reri^ifier. This is great praise from a critic of conlirmed ha])its, to a young Poet. May it encourage L'cn to greater and more sustained efforts! You will hnd that the critic was not too indulgent (what critic ever was?) Avhenever it shall please you to r<>ad Mr. (larneau's poetical com]>ositions in the periodicals of (^uelx^c and Montreal. I cannot do more at jiresent, than present to you a lew lines of his " Bon Fai/vre" which appeared in the " Foyer Cana- dien." You will like myself be at a loss to decide whether sound philosophy or true poetic expression abound the more. .! m Nou jamais jc ne dis une parole amorc ; Moti rc^iU'cl trouble par U'i ]ileurs, Ncci'ost juiuais dros^e coulre liiinaiu severe Qui m'abrise danslesdouleurs. Christ ! dcvant ton front que les epines ceignent Je benis mou sort et ta loi. N'aa tu pas diflleureux colui doat les pieds saignent " tSur les ronces derriere moi? " II faut que I'hommc souffrc en son corps, cu«on anir ; " Seule une larme estun triEPii Lenoir. — This emin(?nt Canadian Poet whose too early death, all fri'Mids of iYiv, muses sincerely lamented, was born at 8t. Henry, TiOwer Canada, on the 25th September 1822. Ilis death on 3rd Septem})er 1801 closed a brilliant, but unfortunately for his country and the cause of letters, a brief career. He studied law and became a Barrister. The severer study which his profession required, did not hinder him from cultivating that poetical genius, and it was of the highest order, of which he gave proof whilst yet at school. He wrote chiefly in " VAvenir " and the ''Journal de tlnstrvcticm Publique''' Of the latter publi- cation he was for some time assistant editor. Some of his poetical compositions have been selected for publication in the " R(^pertoire NalionaV Of these an oriental piece, " DayeJIe,'"' remarkable for its flowing lines, its eastern imagery and ardour; " The Dying Huron to hia Favorite Oal' Tree,'' er[ually flowing, but wherein the Indian does not ap- pear in his usual stoical character ; his " Genius of the Forests " which combines boldness with elegance, — may be all safely mentioned, I conceive, as fair specimens of the productions of Mr. Lenoir's genius. His " FHe du Peuple " will always be read with pleasure in Canada. And they of foreign 13=^ 172 IP 1 i » If ! I ' elime.s, who mayhap cannot adiniro its nationality \vhich, however, it S'^ts forth in a very amiable lii^ht, will be com- pelled to .K'knowledg'e its poetical merit and its truth of sen- timent. This eled (illts, (k'H pcik'S lies roses, Mais i>()iir s(! oonteiiter il faux Voir CO luivireaiix pleines voiles, Disaut " Jc vogiierai plus hiiul ! m ki\ Quand il a deroiil6 lea plis de ses banniero.^, CJiiaiid le parvis dii temple a brui sous sou pied, Le peuple etuit sublime ! Oh ! j'aime les pricires Et les chauta de ce Temple oii tout homme s'assied I Time will not admit of more quotations or a longer review. I must now in obedience to its demands, take leave of Mr. L?:noir and proceed to make some mention of other distinguished Poets who have written in French, You will not be surprised to hear that I number among these sons of Canada w^ho have done so much honor to their country, the Hon. Pierre J. 0. Chauveau, LL. D., &c. Although this gentleman may be said to have commenced his career as a Poet, and was first known as an author, by his poetical efforts, he has since become so eminent as a parliamentary orator and as a statesman, that we can hardly think of him as ! «i 173 a writer of vorso. And yot, it is in (his Inst rnparily only thiit ^v^' ran consider him hero this eveninii', and oiler him tho well won meed of a passini? «M\!o<^inm. I cannot now, it is so late, enter upon a detailed review of Mr. Chaiiveau's poetical prodnctions. Nor is it necessary that I should do so. His iel low conn try-men — th(^ most competent judg-es, — have already i)ronouneed (heir vt-rdict. I need not say (hat it is a favorable one, an»l highly com])lim(>n(ary to his poe(i- cal g-enins. Many of his earlier Poems which appeared in tho " Cdnndian,^ and other publications, were republish d in the 'Iv'pertoire National' (1S")()), — an imdoubted proof of the hiii' 1 appreciation in which (hey were held. Althouu'li an able ju-ose wri(er, Mr. Chauvtvui has never ceastnl (o con- tribute in verse to the periodicals of the time. ' Le Oisior,' ' Ln CdHd'Hoi' ' Le F(iuf(is(///i\' ' La llrviw Cnnddicunp,^ ' Le Journal de P hi^ilnirtion J*iih/fr///r^ {vnd ' Ar.s No/V'V.s- Cnna- (lic/i/ics' have all l)een enriched by his compositions and have ])eeome monuments to his fame as a Toet, whilst they shew at the same time, how ably and how eleuantly he could wield the powerful weajion of viu'ovous prose in the cause of his counli-y and his country's Lit(M-a(ure. The Honble. JNIr. Chauveau now for the third time, holds hiiih oflice in the state, as Premier of (Quebec, havinjTf previously ])een Solicitor for Lower Canada, and Provincial ►Secretary. I must now conclude, l)ut not without (express- ing my sincere wish and earnest ho]i<^ that neither his gTcat honors and arduous labours in the State, nor his important and useful ellbrts in the cause of Education and the intel- lectual improvement of his fellow country-men, will ever hinder him from cultivatinc^ as he has hith(n'to so nobly and successfully done, the Society of the Muses, I shall now invite 3'ou to consider the merits, as a Poet, of an author whose principal work is the History of Canada. You already divine that I allude to "Slu. F. X. (l.vr.NEAU. When I mention the History of Canada as the one great literary achievement of this eminent Canadian, T speak more according to the opinion generally prevalent in (\inada, than my own judgment. This opinion is no doubt well founded, for it is entertained and expressed by the leading L?7/pmfe«rs of the Country. But it must be acknowledged that the Ca- nadian people, literary men and all, could not fail to be IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) V. ^ /> A ,V^ /a 1.0 lir"^ I.I m 1^ 25 2.2 ■- ll po III 1.8 1.25 1.4 III'-* .« 6" — ► V] <9 /a ^> '^ylv'^ 7 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 '■«M^ * 174 agreeably affected when they found that the tale of their earlier settlement and their more recent colonial existence could be handled by a man of such talent and high culture as Mr. Garneau, and that it came from his elegant and flow- ing pen — a work of such calibre and importance as to be dignified with the name of History. I am far from denying that it is a History. It is moreover, and surely justice de- . mands this admission, a work which gives proof of w^on- , derful abil'ty as well as of untiring industry. But, it might have been the fruit of less exalted genius than that by which . Mr Grarneau w^as distinguished. His early education, his travek, his conversations with some of the most eminent • "literary characters of Europe — with Campbell the Poet, Mrs. /Gore, the Historian and Statist — McGregor, the patriotic . Cxartoriski, the Poet Niemcewicz, — his intimate relations 1 above all, with the Patriot Statesman of Canada, Mr. Viger, who introduced him to the scientific world of the French Capital, together with superior talent and a taste for study, might alone have qualified him to become a writer of his- tory. But none of these things, — not all of them combined could have enabled him to w^rite so much as one of his many beautiful Poems, I ask no excuse therefore, wiien I claim Mr. F. X. Garneau as a Pov^t, and maintain that as the author of so many exquisite poetical compositions, he holds a far higher position than as a writer of history. Talent with labour and opportunity makes an Orator, an Essayist, a Historian. The Poet derives his inspirations from a higher source — from genius even, and if there be anything higher he can claim than this high gift, from that also. Allow me now to give you an idea in a few w^ords, of the opinion which eminent critics have exi^ressed in regard to Mr. Garneau's efforts as a historian. I shall then impart to you my view^s of his poetical powers. The Rev. Abb^ Casgrain alluding to his history says : " C'est dans un t'lan d'enthousiasme patriotique, de fiert«5 nationale bless«5e qu'il a con^u la pensL'e de son livre, que sa vocation d'historien lui est apparue. Ce sentiment qui s'exhalait a mesure qu'il iessed as a Poet only can express it. " Les ExWa " in addition to being highly poetical and patriotic, shews how the author could aj)- preciate the love of country; "Z7//jTr" is a charming composition, and " Le Dernier Huron " has been pronounced Monsieur Garneau's master-piece and even more, the master- piece of Canadian Poetry. There are some who deny it this honor. But as so good a critic and competent judge of French poetry as the Hon. Mr. Chauveau, insists upon such high praise, I am by no means inclined to call it in question. Allow me now before taking leave of Mr. Garneau, to quote a few words fi-om that intensely patriotic Poem : " Au Canada.'* The Poet introduces some sinister oracle or evil genius anathematizing the Canadian people after this fashion : " Laissons tombcr ce pcuplt sans flair beau, Errant :\ raveutiiro ; Son gfinie c?t C'tcint, ut que la iniit oh-ciire Nous cache son tombeau. Ill Ponrquai te trnlnes-lu coniine uti lioinme a la clialne, Loin, oui,bipn loin ilu s'.iicle, ou tii vis en onbli? L'on (limit que vaiucu \v,ir lo teinjis (jui t'eiitralne, A I'ombra dc sa faiilx tu t'es enseveli ? .*v';' • i 176 Voia done iiartont dans la carrifere, Les peiiplf's brillcr tour a tour. Les arts, Ics scioiici's et la giierro Chez eiix tiigtiiilont (.hviiiue jour. Dans riiistf'irp do !'» nature, Aiiiiul)(>n poit" jo fl.iinbt'iiu ; La lyit: df (Ji>sv|t(.r luiiriniire, VA I'KuioiK' ultiiitive f\ coltL' voix si pure Appliiudil ce cliuntre uouvtau. Riif;i»t dc la jcmie AiiK'^riqur, Lcs la iiiiTs soul ciK'orc vt-rts ; T.Hi>Hi' diins I 'i i()!!to a[);illiiiiue r.'I ilUju pi'rlr duns los (lO.-iL'rts. l^ f! Mais toi, comiin' ta iiu'-iT, tMr-vi' a ton t,'<;iiic Un nioiiiiiiii-iU qui vivc dans It's loiups ; II sorvirfi ']<■ loit a Wa ciifaiiis Fai aat par lotrangcr rcspuctcr U'lir patrie : Crjxjndnut (pinnil tn vols nil inilicu dcs gazon? S'oJtvLr mio llciii- <|,ii dfv.na't; raarorr, PiMt,' r,. Ij, cofitrc !f^ .ni'iiloua Aliii qu'ellc pi!i>:sc' cdoi*.'. 1 i. 4 i ■ -ll 1 1 Ji Iloiiorc los talents, pretp leur ton appui ; i!s dhsip' finl la iiiiil Qui te caclic la (uiric'ro : Chaiiue genie est un Hot dc luniiorc' The poet now rooalLs the q^roat iiitelloctual efforts that were made under the ancient civilizations of Rome and G-reece, and then resumes his despairing strains : " Mais pi-.ur(pioi lappidor ce sujot dans nies cliauta ? La coupe dcs plaisira clioniine nos amcs; 1a.' salpOtic I'loullo ne jetto point dc flammes ; Dttus I'air st pei'di'nl mcs accunis. Non, pour iT^us plus d'( "poir, notrc dloik R'effacc, Et nous dispnriissons du ntondc iiia]>cr(,-us. Je Tois je tciniis VHiiir et de sa yuix dc glace Dire ii clait ; niais il ii'ust plus. PeuplOj pns un sod nom li'a surgi des ta ccndre, Pas un, i)our constM-ver tcs souvenirs, tes cbantg, Is'i ni(^ine jionr nouy appl'iMidic 8'il existrtit. depuisdcs siC;ol»s on dcs ana. Non ! lout dort avec lui, langue, oxi)ioita, nom,histoire; Sea sages, eeshcros, ses bardcs, sa momoirc 177 Tout est ensevcli dans ccs riches vallons Ou I'on voit 9C cour])cr, so dresser les moissons. Rien n'lUlosfe an jmssant nii'ine son existence, S'il fut, I'oublj Ic salt et garde le silence.'' This is more than poetry. It expresses in snch lani^uage as the poet only can command, the profound conviclions of the author, convictions which impelled him and sustained him in the execution of his hercul(>an 1;i.sk, th(^ labour of his life-time, his history of Canada, which has so nobly i>-iven the lie to his melancholy forebodings and sniitchcd from oblivion the memories, the traditions and the ix'oplo that were so dear to him. After this lenthened notice of so popular on author and poet as Mr. V. X. Garneau, you woukl not easily pardon me many details concernini:;' swcral disling-ui.'^heil poets who, however, cannot be passed over in silence. 1'lioir names, so well known to their fellow-countrymen of Eastern C'anadn, mu.st suffice on this occasion. There is not time for biog-raphy and critical appreciation of their works. Among- these honored names which the Literature of their country has enshrined, are PiEiniE Peticlaik, A. S. JSoulard, J. T. LoRANOEK, Levesque, Laviolette, lion. Justice MORIN, JeANMENNE, PlaMONDON, BaI^TIIE, D£R0A[E, GfiRlN La.toie, Arthur Cascirain, Jean Charles TAcmfi, Achille Frechette, Quesnel, Bihaud, Aubin^, B^-dard, and last, hut not least, Joseph Octave Cr^^mazie to whom that Prince of Canadian Critics, Hector Fahre, assigns the highest rank among the Poets of his country, A few extracts from the poetical works of this eminent Poet would no doubt be acceptable. But, I must remember that this is only a Lecture, and shall now hasten to a conclusion. An Ottawa audience would not however excuse me, if I closed my remarks, without some allusion to a Poet whose name must ever remain an honor to our City, Mr. Leon Pamphile Lemay although a native of Lothbini^re Province of Quebec, claims affinity with Ottawa. WhiL^it he was yet a student unkown to fame, and the City of the woods was no less obscure than the future Poet whose genius was maturing within its walls, Ottawa became for a considerable time, the scene of his persevering studies. He aspired at that time to the Christian Priesthood. But the requisite mi 4'^ b'i ■ 178 study and discipline were too much for his delicate health, and after persevering with the most commendable zeal, for no less a period than two years, he devoted himself once more to literary pursuits, in this congenial field of intellectual labour he has met with more than ordinary success. Not only have his earlier poetical compositions which appeared in the literary periodicals of Lower Canada, attracted the notice and elicited the highest eulogiums of the Literati of his native Province; they have also been the subjects of eulogistic criticism in France and the United States of America, — thus imparting to distant and jealous lands, a distinct and unmistakeable knowledge of the fact that learn- ing and talent can find an asylum, — an honored home, on the banks of the remote St. Lawrence and the remoter Ottawa. Mr. Lcmay has published a volume containing a highly fiinished translation of Longfellow'a '' Evanixetine,'' and a considerable number of lesser Poems. You will allow me to say that th3 translation is an improvement on the original. All the fine feeling of Longfellow is preserved. Ilis lines of intolerable length are changed, as if by some magic power, into the elegant and llowing and never tiresome measures of the French Poet. A very beautiful Poem from the pen of M. Lemay appeared lately ill ''La Revue Canadienne^' (No. for April 1867,) entitled " La D<^bnc/e dii St. Laurent.'' This is a com- position of some length in the Epic style. It is full of masterly descriptions and breathes, throughout, the finest Hear how the Poet api^reciates the joys of spring. feeling " Avril! Avril ! ton soiiUle est plciii de voluptol Tcs matiniet tps soirs, 6 beau mois cnchaiite, Naissent clans I'harmonie et Ics flots de lumiCire I Avril, f'est toi qui viens 6gajer la cliaumierc, Dontla bise d'hiver attristaii Ic foyer! Avril, c'est toi qui fais sous ton sonftle ondoyer, Les flots du St. Laurent redevenus dociles, Quand tes feux ontfendus leurs cristaux immobiles." There is no time for a longer quotation. Let these few lines suffice for an introduction to a fine descriptive passage. Whilst was yet indulging in such strains, 179 " Vn barJe jeune et boii Doui> du plin fiitftl tnnis du pliH noble don ; Et pendant (lu'il clmntuit Hon anl ni(3liincolii|UC, Siiiviiit avec ivresse iino sci!no iiia>ji(|ue : C'6tait le SiiintLaurPnt , rich and distinguish»Ml, aim at iiiidinu' hii])[)ine.ss in poverty and ol)scurity. It will be pre- tended, perhaps, that when oratory becomes conversational and discursive, it i.s callable of embracing a greater variety of topics iuid of discussing them more copiously and com- pletely. l)Ut it cann(>t l)e maintained that any i)urposG however good and no])le, can be sought by means that are unworthy. Tlu^ dillusion of knowledge no doubt, is a great end. ])ut can it justify the most ignoble means? Ought the divine powtM* of oratory to be sacriliced for the sake of com- municating information which may be acquired by reading and in many other ways ? ( )iight the goddess of the sublime gift of s]^eech to be stripped of her garments, torn from her pedestal and dragized in the mud, in order that people may be told in a homely style (piite unsuited to godlike oloquence, how many songs have been written for their amusement ? " "I deny that Poetry is intended only for amusement." "Let me i^roceed, if you please ; you hold that by adopting that undignified conversational manner, you can discourse more freely and impart knowledge which could not be conveyed in the more lofty and a]ipropriate style of oratory. But, what have you done ? You have talked only of some poets who, you say, are more distinguished. You have indeed given dates of birth and other circumstances which have their proper place in a, Parish register, but which are quite sui»'n-lluons and irrelevant in a discourse on the noble art of Poetry, It would have been more to the purpose if you had spoken more at large and in language suited to so high a theme, of all our talented youth who have been favored wuth the divine ajflatus. It is well knowni that there are many in !; i 181 this privilof^ed land, where the langunnfe of the j^rimitive IJavds and TroubadoiirM is still spokch, who are d;irted beyond their lellows. It is notorious that there are many such. Ihit who they are is not so generally manil'e.st. To withdraw these sons of j>enius and the muses from their unmerited obseurily, is a task worthy of the sublimest oratory, as well as of that learninjir which, you say, can ]>i^ imparted in an undii^nilied fitc-h-Ute fashion, but which, I insist upon it, ought never to be dec^raded any more than oratory itself, by the trivial and colloquial manner of the drawing" room — a manner, I am sorry to observe, which is passing from the fashionable circles to the lecture room, and must speedily corrupt, if it does not meet with some salutary chock, that eloquence which if allowed to appear only in its native grandeur, could not fail to maintain its empire over the minds of men. Notwithstanding all this pompous criticism, the Lecturer was honored with an unanimous vote of thanks. 1I(» bowed his acknowledgments, and lest even a work of supereroga- tion should go without its reward, he proposed three cheers for that Prince of critics, My Lord Fadladeen ! I h ' I f» J; I.I- IflllllJIIIll I'l-'DH II I'hiltlnJIllllll III! .\iltlllllll. iioN. runs, DAijcv m..-,.. AFIIIL, tSo- Wttl <*» -r-^' **' Rl* I i l?f li -; M ' t.N i i; t ' 1 I SERMON DKLIVERED AT TUB SOLEMN MASS OF REQUIEM, AVIIICn WAS Cl'r.KBRATEI) 1\ THE PARKH CHURCH OF L'ORlGxYAL, DIOCESE OF OTTAWA, ON TUESDAY, 28in APRIL, 1868 FOR THE RErOSE OF THE SOUL OF TUE HON. TllOS. D'ARCY M<^GEE. I ;li t ' '■ 1 r I ; W SEEMON AT THE REQUIEM OF TlIU HONORABLE THOMAS D'ARCY McGEE, &c. AC. If any one slioiikl tlilnk it wortli while to enquire wliy a Sermon delivered at tlie Village of L'Orignal, is given to the public rather than one which was spoken on the same subject in the Cathedral Church of the Canadian Capital, the answer is at hand. In the lirst place, there was very little time for i)reparing the discourse for the Requiem of the late ever to be lamented Hon. Thomas D'Aecy McGee, which was celebrat(^d in the Cathedi'al, no request having been made in regard to it, sooner than the previous evening. Secondly, there was not sufficient leisure at command to write tlie sermon after it was delivered. The proprietor of the "Times'' having asked 14 f)f: iil 186 for a copy of the discourse wLich accompanied the veiy appropriate celebration at L'Okignal, a manuscript was prepared "with all possible despatch. This discourse, however imperfect, being more complete, is now published as it appeared in the " Times,'' of Monday, 25fh May, 1868. The warm welcome which it has met with through- out the Provinces renders it quite unnecessaiy to make any apology for printing itjn a more peimanent foim. f ' SERMON KHLIVEREI) AT THE SOLEMN MASS OF KEQUIRM, WHICH WAS CKT.EBRATEl* IN THE rAHISH CHURCH OF L'OIUCXAL, DIOCKSE OF OTTAWA, ON TUEttDAY, £8th APRIL, 18('>8, FOR THE REPOSE OF THE SOUL OF THE "Thu.sdiil this mnn dio, leaving not only to yoiintf iiK'n, but also to thu wlinlo nation, tlia nioniory of his donth tor nn i'xanii>\c of virtue and fortitude."— 11. .^Lv('u. iv. 31. As the heroic Eleazar was barbarously slain by the executioners of a ruthless persecutor because he would not betray the laws and institutions of his country, so was that patriotic man — that faithful and powerful friend of Canada, the Hon. Thos. D'Arcy McGree, doomed to an untimely grave, by the members and ao-ents of an association or secret " brotherhood"' which aims at subverting the institutions and the State of Canada, None of you are unaware, dear Brethren," that in order to accomplish a purpose so odious to to us all, and in every respect so wicked and unjustifiable, the leaders of this association organized an armed force col- lected in the cities ard other places of the neighbori?ig Republic, and after having made the most formidable pre- parations of which they were capable, actually crossed the Canadian frontier, and carried the terrors of war into our peaceful homes. To resist this most lawless of all invasions, was, surely, the duty of our people — and of all our i^eople. To denounce the invaders was alike imperative on every 14* 188 r I J ■V* ' 3 "Srood citiztMi. As a voprosontaiivo citizon — as a pii))lie niaii in whom his Tollow coiuitrj'imni placinl uiilxjuiulod coiili- doucc, the slatesiiiim and orator whoso h)ss avi» mourn, exposed and ])ronn-ht to li«>-ht tho liithlcMi and hostih» machi- nations of tho worst (niomios that Canada lias ovor known. Tlioso Enomios of our poaco and prosperity could oxorcis(\ and, it is woU known, did exorcise, a certain inlluenco in our community, by means of spies and secret agencies in our cities. By denouncini^ these also, the learned and patriotic tyentleman rendered their wicked schemes abortive. Nothing more was necessary in order to draw down their vengeance on his head. For this they pursued him with unrelenting hate. For this they reviled and calumniated him. For this, one of their number more cruel, more fool- hardy, and more cow^ardly than the rest, struck him, an un- armed, defenceless man, at an unguarded moment, in the dead of night. But in proportion to their dark malevolence and inveterate hatred, is now and ever will be the gratitude of his fellow-countrymen. Ho long as liberty itself shall be appreciated, so long will Canadians be grateful to hnn who was its ablest defender. AVhere would be now those insti- tutions of which we are so justly proud, if the schemes which the enemy contrived and plotted in the dark had been allowed to come to maturity V Where the peace which w^e enjoy ? our prosperity ? our national happiness ? AVhere those equal rights which wo chiim and possess under the guardianship of our free representative Government ? All these were imperilled. And he who so nobly fell when labouring to avert tho threatened loss of so many blessings, may be well accounted a martyr in our cause, the cause of our institutions, whether sacred or political, no less than in the cause of our constitution itself, to which we firmly hold as the surest bulwark of oiir lil^erties. If an aged man of four score and ton is praised in Holy Writ because that he laid down his life for his country and his country's laws, even more must we bo permitted to extol a patriotic fellow- countryman who in the very prime of life, and in the midst of a career, brilliant as it was useful, exposed himself to deatlL, and met death, whilst courageously thw^arting tho designs of our enomios, and driving far from the land he loved — tho land of his choice and his adoption — the ruin with which it was menaced. 1M9 '•And Ihiis. ill I'i'il. i\'u\ tlii- iMiin dii-, ItMvinj,' iKit only tci yciiiu' iiii'M. Iiiit iil.-ii (o till' wliiilc ii:itici|i, tiuMiiciiiiiy I'l' 111-; ijiMth t '"i" ;iii t'xniiiiilo !•(' virtui) nil. I I'nriitiiclc. • liitw (U'votccl was ho not to his a(l(ii)U(l country ! AVith- jii its l)orcl(>rs ht> Ibuiid rcali/od, and with the joy wliicli could till such a mind as his, that ideal ol' sound and rational li})crty which luid been the (hiy-drcjuii ot his youth — social and civil Hherly ; relij^ious liberty well understood, indivi- dual liberty in its n>reatest possible extent, and liberry of ihouii'ht and speech, such as is vainly souiiht I'or in States which boast themselves more completely free. AVho was ever more th(- friend of C^inada, lun- more eloquiMit advo- cate or wiser counsellor? As he was, if not wholly the founder, at least a chief architect in tln^ foundiiiij^ and build- ing up of her vierils to which he could be exposed, nor deterred ])y difliculty or any conceiv- able amount of fatigue, when there was qu(vstion of advanc- ing the interests of his adopted country. AVhat arguments did he not bring to boar against tliose who so pertinacious- ly opposed the Tni );i and raised obstacles to the future greatness of the u]iitv d Provinces ! "W.itli what elof|uence did he not enforce them ! "We have not yet had time to forget that grand and most successful effort of his oratory, — his oration in reply to the ingenious l)ut fallacious reasonings of the Hon. Mr. Howe. His untimelv fate, more even than 'm 100 tho ohxjvu'uco l>y which this oniliou is dislini^uislicd, will oauHc him lo be ht'lil in porpcjunl rciiu'inhraiKH', whilst //*>• memori/ of his ilrdlh, which no time can cHiUJc, in hj'l as tin f.r- ample, fo o/tr na/ion and ifs r/tih/rra. For !i<>'cs lo come it will he frreeii. and will llouiish amoni^stthe C^iuadiaii ])eoi)le. JCveii as the philli))i)ics ol" Demoslhenes, and the chissic orations of (Mc(M'o. al'ier Ihe lai)se ol' nutre than 1,'ive lessons to iinhorn «»'enera- tions. lielieve nol, Iherclore, (hat Ihey who (hirst(»d lor his blood, have ])ut him down. They thought to lay him low — lower than the dust beneath their leel. Ihit what have they ])een a])le to (^ll'ect ^ Truly, too truly, alas ! they hav«' broug'ht him to an early n'rave. Hut to humble him in reality, to lessen his renown, or silence his mighty voice, was l)eyond their power. By a crime unheard ol' hitherto in Ihe annals of our country, by a deed ol" darkm^ss, and cowardice, and villany unparalleled, perhaps, in the annals of the world, they have broken prematurely his thread oi'lile. But their deed ol blood and cruelty, and reckless veni^eaiu'e, has failed to bring- to the m the promised fruit. Instead of pro- moting their ini(|uitous purpose, the disorganizalion and des- trut 'ion of this newly constituted state — it has blasted their vain hoi)os and proved the death blow to (he most wretched and contemptible of all factions — the basest, and most crim- inal, and most irrational conspiracy of which history bears record. Their victim, meanwhile, is (^xalted above the ordinary lot of the children of men. His fame which was only growling whilst he lived, is made perfect in the grave, and so lirmly established that it can never perish. His elo- quence, before which all sophistry quailed, and which, like the sword of justice itsidf, was a t error to the plotters of evil deeds, far from being silenced, is more formidable than ever, and, from the ashes of his untimely urn, will speak in accents that will ever be heard with reverence, and that will never cease to move, to impress, to enlighten the minds of men, not the men of our country only, their children, and their children's children, but, also the men of all generations and of all nations, so long as there shall be civilization and Christianity on the face of the earth. AYell may this man s death be likened to that of the aged and patriotic Eleazar. His memorv like that of the heroic Martvr-Prince ol Judah 101 will survive and likc^ his will be chrouiclod in Iho KaddcKt hut least p(»risha))le l>ai^«! ol' history, and will ]n\ read tluM'e ^(.s an crumple of virtue and Jhilihnle, not fo our ffoulk (tn///, hut a/so fo our n^hole nafion : and not lo our nation only, hut to all nations. Like Round's lirst IJrutus, who, sternly virtuous, i)rert'rred principle and duty to natural ties, like Ihn un(hiunled K'ejjfulus iuid her Kcir-sacriMcinuf Cur- tius, — like, the heroes of liiore, recent times — the Tell, the AVallace, the Kosciusko, who I'earlesly [\u'v<[ death and con- I'ronted the enemies ol" their (country, our martyr statesman will live in lln^ remembrance ol' mankind; th<' memory oi' his dealh, enshrined iji Lk' annals ol' every civili/ed people, will stand forth, an example, ever bright and powerlully at- lractiv«\ ol' I'irlue and forlitmlr, not lo t/oulh onl//, hut aho to malurcst manhood. Well may we JMUjuire what education did for such a man. Whilst we admire; his ^-reat iibilities and extensive iearnin;?. the si>iind priiicii)le which i^uidisd his public lil'e commands still mor(» our approval and aj>plause. To what cause or ijilluence did lit^ owe this tjreat endow- ment? To nothing,- else than his early training', to the anxious care of an all'ectionati^ and accomplished mother. Genius was born with him, indeed, but, nevertheless, his mind mij:^ht have been narrowed and .varj^ed by unworthy prejudices, contracted views which w^ould have rendered un- availing all his intellectual power. If he was ever above such prejudices, if his mind was always open to conviction and ready to rec(»ive sound impressions, he was ind(d)ted above all for these qualities to the teachini^'s of his truly Christian mother. His iilial duty towards her was in pro- portion to her lovini^ and well directed care. His reverence for her when grown to man's estate, whilst it proves the du- tifulness of his early days, accounts at the same time, for his strict adherence to what he conceived to be principle and duty in after life. The taste for letters by w^hich he was so soon distinguished, was inspired, we canjiot doubt it, by the lessons taught him by his excellent mother. This lady was not only generally well informed, she also possessed re- markable knowledge of the poetry of her own land, no less than that of other countries. She was skiUed in music and could thus impart, as we are well assured that she did im- part, to her tender charge — the son who was destined to fill f ! I k ii I' hi m 11 m m 102 b 1-, ■t ii) KO l)vi!4h( ii p;iu«> ill llic luslory ol' Uic New AVorld, tli(» \o- UtMids (>r Scoli. 111(1 'IS \v« 11 JIN llidst' of licr n.'iiivc Ircliuul. in nii'Iodious verso iillic*] lo (he swrclcsl i)()\\ cr of soiin'. N() wonder if lie loved siieli ii iiKtiher. No woiidiM" il" Ihis duli- I'ul liliiil nlleetion Avns (o liiiii, as it eoiiKl not rail to ))«», the source ol'nianv MessiiiLi's. ISo wonder ilil remained deeply i»'raven in his iiiiiiost soul, and was dearer to him oviMi than lame it sell'. ••My iii'iIIi't! Ml lliiit Imly nanio Wiiliin niy Imi-oih iIhtc'^* m tiw<\\ < •!' r.'i'liii:.' n lii li IK) (ill II' t'Mii til Mil' \ Ircliiii: wliii^li I'oi^ y, was Tree from error, lew will now maintain. That lie was not hurried into greater and more endurino- aberrations was due to two very i)ow^er- I'ul causes, the sound j)rinciples imbibed in his tenderest years, and ihi^ companionship ol' the late Daniel O'C-onnell. It' we have to laini'ut that ho was borne away for a time on the tide of an ill reoulated enthusiasm, which like a inii>-lity current, swept over Europe, and in the continental nations aimed at the overthrow of all existing institutions, whilst in Ireland, it only contended with abuses, and by accident merely, may it not be said i or the force of untoward cir- cumstances, came to be in conllict with constituted author- ity. It soug'ht to remedy the crying evils which prevailed, by throwing light into dark places, — by educating a people who for centuries had been denied the blessing of educa- tion, — by creatinii' for them a literature, and a national liter- ature. Need AN (» wt)nder if in the sudden blaze of noon- day splendour which no daAvn preceded, men's vision was disturbed, and they failed to see their Avay in the confusion of thought and corJlict of opinion, which was necessarily consequent on the rapid and unexi")ected awakening of a nation's mind frcnii the sleep of ages ? As regarded one man, at least, correctives were at hand. Thos. D'Arcy McGee never could forget his early ]>rinciples. The good grain had fallen on good and very good soil. It could not fail ta spring up and in due time produce fruit a hundred fold. f (. a an, oe lad to Id.. The lessons of llic litcuI OCoinu'll Avert' as llir «!t'\vs which rrcshcii lh<' u'ood s\ and ardent and incxp rienced, liis wisely <'oncei\ed measures ai)peared to he inoperalivi^ and una\ ailinu'. hi their i'lilhusiasni I'oi' a I'ulurc, aiul not an i(h'al one, lor it is n(»w at hand, hut which had as yet to 1)1^ realized, they loru'ct the ])ast — they I'ornot that hy h'S kIow, hut sure moral nutans, he had overthrown in a coiu- parativ«dy short time, the i^iiiantic I'ahric ol' ini(|uity \vhid an e(jually sound apprecia- tion oi" his i»reat abilities. Th«'y invited him to take up his abode amonust them in the rich and i)rosperous city ol' M(mtreal. Jle was not Ioult there, api)iyinij, as was his wont, to the conu,'enial labours ol" literature and journalism, when at a neutral election which took place about a year after his arrival, he was chosen one of three re})resentatives of the city in the ('anare(l pioccs of initcldoss oloquomo wliich li(> ])oiirod forth, — lu.<5 immortal spocclK^s in and out of Parhaniont, — his vohuniiious politioal vvritinj^s, — and tho nrmy Htorary works in proso ;md ))ootry in liis n:uno, — and listly, tlu^ l)lastin^sliook of liis liidoous taking otl'lx-foro th<» hlossoming of minhoo(i ! sjtoak trumpot-tonguod for tho niO(h'ration and tho m uiy untokl virtues of his whole life." — Archliis/ioj^ of Halifax, funeral oration on the late T. J). McGee, Halifax. 1808. 105 memory The rccklt'ss, nn'jratcrul iiiul most crimiiiMl hnnd Avhirli loiisiiiJK'd liiiii to an imtimt'lv •.navf. struck at the licart of the Canadian j^'oplc, and all who ii- ([Uent orator. l»ut the cruel and UJiexpccled l)l(»w lias also hurried from our siuht and from our society, a deejdy read seholar, a pleasing" essayist, iv i>Teat historian and a irood ])()et. AVhat varied li>arninii'did lu> not brine- to hear on thesuhjeet.s which lie selected for the numerous lectures which ho so willinii'ly uiulcrtook in the cause of charity^ and benevo- lence ^ How v,ra<'efully and with what uiitiriny- eiuMii'y, did he not deliver those lectures .'' if any one thin^- more than another bo deservintr of s]>ecial uotice in this p!ac«» and on tliis oeeasion, it is this, tliat all the efforts of his fascinatinuif oratory tended to extin«»-uish animosities, reconcile dillereiu'es, promote. i)eace and ufood will amony- tin* various classes and denominations of liis fellow-countryuien of (^inada. This alont^ would entitle him. as it does entitle him, to the prayers and benedictions of the (Miurch. It does more ; it li'iv'cs him a rii^'ht to th(> blessinu' of (lod himself. " /i/rssr(/ arc Ihr itearc- vi(i/trrs,f()r Iheij slinl/ be (•(illcd the children of God ! (^^att.. .'), !».) If for this cause the grossest ignorance — i<»-noran('e that no toni»*ue of man or anlete, struck him down in the dead of niii'ht, his reward is beyoiul expression u'reat, in the Kin^-dom of (Jod. Blesufd ore Ihcj/ ir/io suj/rr prn^fru- 1 10)1 for j lint in> xake ; for (lipira is the Kitiixdoni (f Jlcaven ! {id. /6. ;v. 10.) AVith what humility did he not s]>(»ak of his great literary labours ? Not farther back than last St. Patrick's day, when he sat an honored and a des(»rvedly honored man in the midst of ilie most eminent representative men of this Dominion, who had assoi>i]>led at the national bancjuet, as it • In numlior over 1,000. — Archbishup Connully. 190 may well bo tm-motl, in ordor to miu-k thoir approcintion of his liToiit abilities and successl'ul services to the State, he very modestly, in re]>ly to a well-merited eompliment, addressed to him ]>y the Mayor of the Capital, who praised his History oi' Ireland as his n'reatest work, that lie iras well aware of its ttuu/// f'a/f/ts and ini perfections, and that if he were favored with life and health a few //ears ton^rr, he woidd endearoar to find time to correct them. And yet this is the work oi' which com- petent critics have said that it is th(> most to ])e relied on, of the few readable histories of Ireland that exist, while in point of style, orace and beauty of diction, it is inhnitely superior to several histories which arc considered authentic, but which none but the moft determined student would iindertake to read. Mr. McGee sehbnn wrote verses. But wh'^n hci dill, his poetry like his prose, was devoted to the cause of truth. How true in feelini>' and in sentiment arc not his lines on Tasso's tomb ! ITow nobly was he not in- spired by the sight of Christian and classic Ivome ! AVho among'st us, can ever forg-et his intensely pathetic, most moving' and truly pious stanzas to th-^ memory of his friend of Montreal, the late Mr. Devaney V Poet, historian, essayist, statesman I Who ever became eminent, and so greatly emi- nent, in so many ways ? AVell may C^anadians mourn. Qitando iiUnm invenient parem ■ His extraordinary intellectual powers were accompanied and graced by no les'j benevolence and amiability of character. Who ever sought his aid and was denied it ^ AVho among the lowly and the poor, that does ]iot now raise his voice to Heaven in prayer for his eternal peace ? AV'hat benevolent charitable association, throughout the land, that does not plead in his behalf the promise of the Lord to those who comfort him in the persons of his nlllicted servants i " T WHS hiinsiy. iiiiil yun (tmvc iiic to omI : I wa« Hiirsly. .indydii trMVc ii\(> tiMliiiik : Ai'". " AiucMi. I s;ty til yoi; .'is Imi^ ymi diil siii-ii tlr.iii;s \.'\ oiks iit" |iu'.: ,r., III. Xot only did Mr. I\IcC»ee contribute largely towards raising up a national literature in this new nation, Avhich his patriotic ellbrts had so powerfully aided in ])uilding up, he studi(Mt also to encourage and foster literary efforts on the l)art of others. It was not necessary in order to gain his m 197 r wa« Uucii. I lllKl (if -Matt, vards :h his he the 11 his favor and \viii his words of approval, that th(^ aspirant to literary honors should share his i)')litical or roliyious views. He knew noithor sect nor party in the hold of letters. Sound thouu'ht, pure, 'e every writer according to his merits. Nor was he a ri^id critic. It was his aim and policy, — a policy ^vhich ilowed from his inherent 2,'oodness, not 1 \ss than from his zeal in the cause of literature, to en- courage by commendation any dawning of authorship, rather than to correct and instruct by the strict truth of criticism. More matured works, he knew, would come with maturer years. The expanding buds of talent re(|uired only to be carefully tended. And who more considerate than D'Arcy McGree in his care for such i:)recious germs ? When he rose to a high position in the State, he was, it is far from being too much to say it, the Mectenas of his time and country. If it^had pleased Divine Providence to preserve him a few years longer from the savage hands of hidden enemies, we might haA'e indulged the pleasing hope of beholding in our own day, in these United Provinces, an epoch not less renowned in letters than the augustan age of Itome, or an era like to that of Leo X. in modern Italy, or to the reign of Louis XIV — the classic age of France, or to our own brightest days of literary fame — the Shakspearean, Miltonian, Addisonian, and Johnsonian epochs. But, alas ! how vain are all human hopes ; how are the mighty fallen ! Cities of Canada that have witnessed such a deed, lament and weep — weep until your tears have washed from your ])ol]uted land, so foul a stain. May never the rain of Heaven, nor its freshening dews de- scend upon you more, till your iniquity be blotted out !=^ And let the children of green Erin Aveep ! Their friend, their stay, their IJavid is no more! Their voice, toii-ether with his eloquent speech, is for ever silenced in these lands. Who \x\\\ ever respect i\\o\\\ ? Who will (>ver In^ed them anymore? Their enemies will say that they are men of strife, of violeiice and blood. In vain shall a friendly voice, ' Kiiif^ Pavid Lunciitin.Lt tlii> doatli of Saul aivl Joiiatlian i^aid ; "Y.; mountains of (Jcll)0>', li>t ncithci' dew noi' rain conic down upii)i yo!i, for there was oast aw.iy the shield of tlic valiant, the shield of Saul, iVe." [u KiMiSi. :M.] 'S >lm i''J 108 in (lays to como, be lifted in their cause. The awful hand- writing which the murderer's hand has written upon our cities' walls, and which neither time nor the skill of man can ever obliterate, will cry out auainst them. No power can still this cry — no reasonin;^ confute it. Ah ! mourn, O people that were late so iUyorc^d ! Amid the general sorroAV none have such cause to wee}) as you. "Who ever was — who ever could have been — more your Irieiul than him whose loss we deplore ^ No change of place, or time, or circumstances, could ever alter or dimini.sh his allection for you, Ilis love for Iieland only grew in intensity as he grew in years. Nei- ther the fame A\'liich crowninl his o-enius in the land of his adoption, nor the honors that were heaped upon him in the State and by the people, ever lessened his zeal for her wel- fare. Neither his varied literary occupations, nor his mul- tifarious duties in the Parliament and counsels of Canada made him forget, even for one moment, his loved Erin, or cease from laboring to promote her interests. On the occa- sion of both his visits to Europe, as a Caiuidian statesman, and in the furtherance of the affairs of the important Do- minion of Canada, he failed not to urge earnestly on the attention of the most eminent British statesmen of the two great parties, the necessity of reform in Ireland. When surrounded on last St, Patrick's day by the great men of the land, who assembled for no other purpose than to pay he well won tribute of honor to his great talents and public services, far from being elated by so great a triumph, for his modesty was ever eqnal to his merits, he declared emi)ha- tically in the midst of that illustrious assembly, that he thanked them more than for the great honor which their presence conferred upon him personally, for the opportunity afforded him of causing his views in regard t« Ireland, to be wafted over the Atlantic, and communicated to the states- men of Great Britain, in a way ^vliich, he hoped, would produce a salutary impression on Iheir minds for the good and thi^ happiness of his dear native land. " I shall ]iol," he said, " presume, Mr. Mayor, because I am youT chief guest, to monopolize the evening ; I will only say farther on the subject of Ireland, that I claim the right to love and serve her, and her sons in Canada, in my own way, which is not liy either approval or connivance with enterprises my reason condemns as futile in their concei)- 199 or hoir iiity be tos- uld ood io-ht tion, and my heart rejects as criminal in their consequences. (Loud cheers). Before I close, Mr. ^Mayor, permit me to add one thing more : speaking from this place — the capital of British America — in this presence — l^efore so many of the most honored public men of IJritish America — let me ven- ture again to say, in the nome of British America, to the statesmen of Greiit Britain — 'settle for our sakes and your own ; for the sake of international peace, s(^ttle promptly and generously the social nnd ecclesiasticnl condition of Ireland, on terms to satisfy the majority of the people to be governed. Every one feels that "while England lifts her white cliffs above the waves, she never can sutler a rival Government — a hostile Government — to be set up on the other side of her : whatever the aspirations for Irish auto- nomy, the Union is an inexorable political necessity, as inex- orable for England as for Ireland ; but there is one miracu- lous agency which has yet to be fully and I'airly tried out in Ireland; brute force has failed, proselytism has failed, angli- fication has failed ; try if only as a novelty, try patiently, thoroughly, statesmen of the Empire ! the miraculous agency of equal and exact justice, for one or two generations,' (Loud cheers). Gentlemen and Mr, Mayor, I again thank you for the three-fold gratification you have afforded me this evening ; for your great and undeserved compliment to my- self personally ; for being allowed to unite with you in this way in a union banquet of Irish Canadians in the capital of Canada ; and lastly, for the opportunity you have aflbrded me of saying a word in season, on behalf of that ancient and illustrious Island, the mere mention of which, especially on the 17th March, warms the heart of every Irishman, in W'hatever longitude the day may dawn, or the stars look down upon his political destinies, or his private enjoy- ments," (Loud cheers). On the day before that which fiendish malice resolved should be his Inst in this world, he wrote at length to a member of the British Government, thv^ Ivight Hon. the Earl of Mayo, not so much in order to thank that nobleman for the well deserved eulogium which he had pronounced upon him in Parliament, as to represent to him how necessary it was that the work of Kefbrm, and of thorough lleform, should be energetically proceeded with in Ireland. If a powerful section of the great Conservative party are now iM. 1 ;'i m 'I 200 ii ■] ■'! i "M i ^v h pr(^par<'(l io consider rijvoriihly Trcliuid's riu'lits, if the Ive- t'oniuM's of tiic l']in))ir(> now as one man aro cnii'iii^'iMl, luNivt and hiind, in iorwjirdinii' tlio esscniial work of Irish Ivclorni, who k)»ows ronounced upon him, he would disclaim the honor of a conquest more glo- rious to him than all the laurels he ever ijathered in the wide and varied Jield of literature, or in that arena which only few can strive in, tlnMuore exalted s]diere of statesman- ship ; he would have said, like him of th(^ g-iant mind, who was so intensely human, and yet so far beyond humanity, "ft// ///(' fry^ce of Cod I am irJiaf I am.^' (I. Cor.: 15, 10.) He Avas not indeed called to the same apostleship as Paul. But his was nevertheless, a c^reat apostleship. It was the apos- tleship of Peace. And he was not unworthy of it. He who called him to so 2:reat a mission, Idessed him with success; and an united people, may we ho]ie, will lom;" enjoy its happy fruits. His work whilst it follows him beyond the ii'rave. {lilrssed arc the dead ivho die in the Lord. From liencoforth now, saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labors ;/()/• ///('?"/• works fo/lotr /hem. [Apoc. : 14; 13].) * ''Aivl I'VAvlii-iin liis this troinoiiilous (1(><'(1 Ikm'II iMM-jirtrnliMl ? Was it Ity wil 1 liuliaus ? — a sav.!!j;o, a ( "lifi'dkci^ a lUackfoot, a Hottentot, or n New Z(>:ilan(l(M'? AVas it by an (>i'au,L'(Mii'ni — Kn^'lisli. Sfotcli, American, or Canadim? Was it liy a Bcni^'l ti.u't'r. a liycna. or a diMiion in Iiunnn I'oim? But. ( 111. (iod ! lo tliink tli it llii.» IMincc oi' Irishnion, lormcri' lilotul nioiicy, Tor i>rivalo vcnjirani'i', \V(Mi1(1 have heeii trailed lor montlis, and struck down liy the niisereiut lih)od red Irnid of nn(> of lii- (nvu eoinitryniou, i^> perfectly (ncrwlidniing."' — Arrhlnshup nf Halifax. 201 Whs t. or a :m. or lorm? yot remains Ix'hiiul liim. Tho mciiioiy ol' his martyr-i'al«^ will inipi'(\ss it deeper and d(}eper every day, lor ao'es to come, on the minds of his teUow-conntrynien, and unhorn tifeneral ions Avill not only point lo him a^ an r.rln of virhir and J\)i'Uht(h\ ))ut also as the preacher ol' peace and (he rei>e. neralor of his country. Nor ^vas D'Arcy MctJee a mere phihintiiro])ist. The (enchino- of Ihe (Mnircli Calholic found an echo in his expan(h'(l mind. The jiriiiciples of Christian- ity Avliich he hiid imhilx'd in eiirhest youth, were \\\i\ prin- ciph's ol']iism;ilur»'r manliood. \Vh;it he learned and followed in the simplicity and innocenc*; of childhood, he accepted in after years, as the o-uide of his powerful and highly develoj)od intellect. His was a ]>roI(mnd, but not a blind beliet. lie was hiifhly m'ifted with divine faith, as with many and extraordi- nary mental endowments. His enliohtinu'd reason Ix'lield in this faith a i^reater lio;ht than its own, and h(^ honoriul it wita the most humble ajul devoted ol)edien(!e, — obedience which was r(^asonal)h\ 1)ut compl(>(e ; tlius ro;ili',dn';- tlio ,'ni})lime and trvdy philoso[)hi(5 doctrini^ of St. I'aul : "' rdliomibile obii('(liiii(iii veslniniy (Rom.: ]-; 1). What lu^ believed he feared not to profess ; and many will ])less his memory for the loving' i>ains whicli ho l)estowed in i)rovin;4' to them, expoundini;' and imi)ressing upon their minds, those all im- portant doctrines which were a stay and a joy to himself. Nor did he fail to practice what both in private conversation and on all iitting' public occasions, he so ofti^n and so elo- quently preached. What could have been more edifyin«»' than his most regular and devout attendance at public wor- ship ? What more atlecting — what more ch(;ering to every christian mind, than his child-like attention to the preaching of the word of Clod V But he was also a most i)ious commu- nicant, fulfilling with iilial affection, all the spiritual duties which the Church imposes on her children. It was fitting, but not to bo wondered at, tluit when the hour of visitation came, such a man should be found at his post. If to love God and to serve him be one and the same thing ; surely his is now the lot of thos(> to whom all things happen oppor- tunely and concur lor their good, })ecausG tlujy love God. ^^ Di/iiJ^efilibNs Deum omnia co-o/)erani//r in bonum,'' (liom. 8, 28). On the day before that on which he was so suddenly, but surely not unpreparedly called away, he was engaged directly in the service of God on the Lord's own Day and 15 If ■ iiii i-if- 1 1; 1, I m i! I ' 202 in His holy place. Later, until the last moment, he was actively employed in doing the will of God — serving his neighbor — laboring to advance the cause of peace and friendly feeling amongst his fellow-men. " Well done thou s^ood and faithful servant!" Such are our thoughts regarding him whose loss we mourn. We can only add our earnest wish and fervent prayer for his eternal happiness. Requiem ^ternam dona ei Domine ! -«<^*- vas his md hou ing lest iem DOMINION DAY A N 1) OTHER POEMS. I* I -it 15"^ I 1= • #1 i'T I Iff' I.) r:'- < ■. I I fill I I i'!! DOMINION DAY, COMPOSED FOR THE N'AlION'AI- FESTlVAT, HELD TIinOUGirOUT CANMDA, IN nOXOR OF THE AUSPICIOfS TMON OF THE UKITISII NOIITII AMETJK'AX I'UOVIKCE,-', OX THE 1st ji;ly. 1867. 11 IE AIKJUMENT. The (icniii,^ of Ciiniida uiouriiiiiK in hor solitary liauntrf on Ihn hanks of Iho Ottawa. Consuliitiou is uffureil to her. A CouiumI of Chiefs is called from which tlio Rreatost resuU-s are antieipnted. ]JiU, evil passions interfere :— faetions and parties arise. The wliite man comes. Tlie witrwanis of the aborigcnes are seen near liis dwellings. This pietiiro of Peace eonitortsthe (iuardiiin Si)irit. >"' Her sweetest notes ; — the caverns echo round, The charmed Dryads warble to the song', l^]arth's loveliest scenes the enirancino- music hail, Ami vo(!al are the woods, the hills, the vale. Now as h(M' softest, holiest themes she chose, Were heard r(\sponsive murrn'rini;- at each close, Celestial voices round the listening- shore ; " Let joy prevail ! Pie hate and war no more !' The choral Naiads sang. The lied Man smiled, His soul with pleasure thrilled, and h<^ threw down His gory tomahawk ! No more deliled Shall be his hand to seek in blood his victor crown. Seeks choice delight A traveller wight. From distant clime Earnest he roams Charmed with the chime Of the rushing tide that foams Through varied scenes and new. By Ottawa's shelving shore. Bursts on his gladdened view, INIen's happiest homes before. The wigwam's curling smoke, What rapture to his soul the scene ! Is this the conquered lied Man's j'oke ? Free as the winds to roam through forests green 'Tis even so — and thus 'twill ever be So long as o'er the heaving ocean's wave Britannia's flag shall bravely float and free. i^f 209 The favored Iiuliau prays, "Our Mother save," 'Noath his root' of tho Kwoolost Nummor leavoH, With a heart as leal as tho bravest chief That ever ])ore a Hritoii's sword ; nor grieves O'er his altered state; aye liijlit as the leaf His ])Oundiiin- step, as he f«'arlessly roams III his native woods, 'mid the white men's homes. Well may thy (lenius, Canada, rejoice*. Peace like to thine nii'er yet to men was known. kStill ilows thy fortune's tide, thy noblest choice Fair Freedom slill; nor Freedom's uil't alone. Firi»d not by lust of ('on(|VU'st — pridi^ of power. Thy people bold with philanthroi)i(^ will, Their enterprise extend the world out o'er, Kiiiht "lad to mitinate the sum of ill. The nations meet th(*e with an e(puil soul; Their richest li;id<^ ships press arouiul thy shores. And far, beyond tin* rau-inu" main's control. The Avealth of worlds out-pour in boundless stores. '• O hapjnest lot !" the exultant Peri cries, " Lo ! more than e'er 1 dreamed I now^ behold ! " O ! blest the most of all beneath the skies! " Peace, Freedom yours, and Happiness untold ! " ! to the latest age of changeful time " May gracious Heaven this era l)right prolong !" So prays the Ivod Man too, unstained by crime ; Ardent he prays, and thankful pours the song ; '• Such tranquil days Gods only can bestow ; " Thanks even- to the Christian's Manitou! •' Benign Vk'TOUIa's Kule dispels all fears; " Be ours this happiness to latest years! " The CoNSTiTTiTioN FiiRH our iirmest stay; '' Late may 'orii "Motmkii (HJEat' to realms of day " Honored retnrn ! Above her Spirit ilown, '• Be Freedom, Peace and Plenty still our own, '• Britannia's o^uardian mantle o'er us thrown ! " i; n \\ I Lines for October. SOLITUDE solitude, thoii pleasing, dreadful power ! 1 court thee, yet i'eari'ul abhor thy spell. In my lone chamber here, at evening hour, The solemn thoughts I own, what muse shall tell ? 'Tis stillness all. Nor voice of living man, Nor ibot-i'all in the silent drowsy town. Nor song of merry bird since night began. Nor buzzing insect's hum with summer gone. Nor l)reath of gentlest zephyr greets mine ear ; The music of the awful stars is mute, The autumnal moon ruling the fallen year, "Wades through the stilly sky, as if to suit AYith melancholy face, the gen'ral gloom ; And now it seems to my alfrighted mind, As if were near at hand the iinal doom. And I should hear the knell of humankind, Hark ! — that sound ! list ! — only some creaking door No foot-step near, — no gladdening voice is heard ; Nought moves at all in the long corridor. Only a plantom noise have I fear'd, In thought at least I'll change the tiresome scene. And now upon imagination's wing Away I speed to lands where erst I've been, Aiid crowded Cities shall some solace bring. I mingle with the unsympathizing throng ; No cheering voice accosts, nor welcome's smile. For dearest solitude once more I long This dullest time its inusings shall beguile But ere the fancied pilgrimage be done. To climes remote where oft with men commune 211 Aneostrrtl spirits, eager I alone Hopeful repair, and anxious crave the boon • Of sweetest intercourse with hero minds — — Departed spirits of the mighty dead. Whose memory arrayed in glory binds Our favored peaceful age with days long sped. Nor vain my i")rayer. Descending from on high They who in days of yore, on earth held sway, And now are potent rulers in the sky, A vision gave radiant as brightest day. Varied their converse. Long I raptured heard How they discoursed of Virtue's noblest mood And graceful told how they in life prepared For deeds of high emprise, the common good By arts unsellish to secure, and strife Valiant maintained with ev'ry hostile band That desp'rate warred agnins't their country's lii'e ; How they in battle lor their native land Had struggled oit, and oft hj foes out-done, Their toil rem^wed, and greatly struggling still, Success achieved and glorious Fr(H^dom Avon, The worthiest meed of their unrsvNin'ving will. I stood entranced, and would have tarried long. Unconscious of the swiftly passing hours. But ah ! who e'er shall hope of mortal throjig {Society to hold with heavcMily Powtn-s — — "With Clods to dwell ? suiiiceth it their mind Favored to learn, their matchless gloiy see. Then back to wonted haunts of humankind, Striving 'mid strife all hero-like to be. Now fades the glorius visioij, and alone I'm left upon the misty hills, elate But yet disconsolate, the dyina- tone Of Spirit voices 'twas my happy fate To hear distinct, resounding in mine ear, As A'eiled in clouds the venera])le train To airy halls returning, disappear. To seek their awful presence more were vain. To scenes of rural bliss I bend my way The City's throng avoiding, fitting less Than dulness self my labour to repay AVith store of thought and social happiness. m If f :ii ^5!! If m 212 ■ « '*^ I' I' I 1} H Thoi'o. oach bolovod pursuit Ix' what it will, No bustliuo- crowd impodcs. IF social joys Dclii»ht, llnvsc Jill your own, and you may still {Solitary muse, a])art I'rom noise And the shrill stirrini^ war of mini^linu^ words That oft dislract th ditati d, on {iisiraci uic meditative mnui Now mirth exciting-, now liU«» clashinu' swords, riyin<»' the Sophist's art, as ii' combined Were ))lesstHl Truth with falsehood's hydra Ibrms ^Mankind to vex, tMich I'ury to I'voke '^rhat mars men's piNU-e, and the whole world del'orms As doonu>d to sink bemvith som(> venu'el'ul stroke. What store ol* l)liss tlie rural home allbrds ! None there need dread the over-crowded hall AVliert* oft, within, on creal^ini;' dusty boards, Keel stilknl revi'ilers, ard lor their stall ?^iu'h jadinl sIihhIs, wilhcut, their own death knell Cou<;hinu', as throun'h tiu' dark unwholesome niii'ht Dull peers the cold i;ray dawn. Tell us w .at spell Ye Genii, cnn mankind sc deliiiht That converse sweet, that joys ot'sacnHl lumie To lil'eless pleasures such as these must yield ! How l)lest are they at early nu>rn who roam Joyi'ul out o'er the dew-bespanuled held. Or by the limpid brook, buoyant with health, V\y the lii^'ht rod, coaxinu^ the linuy race, To IVai^ranl meads, oi' choicest rural wealth The ifladdenini;- source, direct their eauvr pace, Or viu-'rous climb tlu^ rug-i>HHl mountain side, Or led by love of antiquary lore. To iar TamtHl hoary rttins early ride, Or ii'in sultry day, it ]>lease Ihem more, AVheii sorely scorched by Sol's rerulu'eut ray. Their parchi'd litnbs in coolest waters lave. Sttch aye the healthl'til joys aloni;' each ])ay Laslied by Britannia's ever gtiardiiiu' wave. Hark I — that sound ! — sure 'tis the wild ocean's roar ! Sweeter than music were thy tones, j^'reat sea, As they resounded by my luitive shore. Still, as in days louii" li'one, thou'rt dear to me. To all thou'rt dear, thy ever changiuiv wave "Who rashly tempt not. On thy swelling tide 213 Arc l)orno mon's rioliost irndo ships, luivii^s l)vavo Arul ll«>ols ('X]>loriiiir on thy waters u'lido. Lot noiKMiisuU lh(M' ! On thy IViciuUy l)ro{ist llopiiii;' sr(;ur(> to rost, \vh(>u duriiij^j-, hold, III cralt nnwortliy, and ol' lloaveii uuhh'st, Men vtMilurc, rocklrss, nrfvinl ])y thirst oTgold ; Such prcsuinj)ln<)\is, in Ihinc a,nij,-ry mood, Thou wiu'hucst 'uoath thy stovni lossod ra^ini^ waves. To all Ihou'rt. kind, i^Tcat soa, hut iriosl, ihy ^-ood To Hritain's Sons apix'ars their lliis^- I hat saves And hears triuniphanl. Thou didsi wed ol' old And lo thy gen'rous hosom loudly press Thai lamed ivepuhlio, now^ so hasely sold To craven churls, ^vho vainly would express Degenerate Tools! Ihe o-lorios that were thim\ rrond Venice ! whon with Lihorty arrayiHl, Thou nobly satest Ihroned in the silver hrine, And the sceptre ol" a, vast Empire swayed. ]Jut I mistake. Thiit's not tin* Ocean's roar. Hearken attentive. — Still come soothinuf sounds Eorne, as on Ze[)hyrs, I'rom some distant shore. The Cataract in the still uiiiht resounds. Ivoll on, thou Ibamin^' Ottawa ! evt>r roll ! How many thousand years have silent ilowed Since thou in forests where no hiiman soul Had learned to dwa'll, hast ceaseless iiiiirm'ring glowed, Sweet is the music of thy boiling Avave ; Sweet to the woodsman as adown the stream Homeward he hi(\s ; sweet to the Patriot bravo Of dangers past and ])attles won, who dream ; Sweet to the traveller from distant clime Who hears thee and is glad. Sweet more to me In solitary hour, thy Cauldron's (.^hime When voice nor sound beside lends harmony. And thou wilt still be sweet, vhen all around. On rockiest bank and hills o'ergrown with pine, Millions shall dwell, and on thy forest ground Cities shall rise, — science with art combine Athwart thy Lakes rich Argosies to drive With treasure fraught, richest of Eastern clime. And they beyond th' Atlantic wave who live Thy stream shall seek, — in brightest march of time, li ml *( ,: i^l 214 ( )ooaii io Ocoiiii \vocl=^ and Cilios vast With Citios c:roator still, by coinnKMvo join, And man to IJrothor man unite at last l]y tios more strons;' than ])oastod kindrod's lino. Another sound! — Iho clock! — ihe witchinu; time is o'er; Nor li(Mid nor fairy now one soul can iouch. Nor Avakt4'ul, dreaming I'ancy's torturiii!»- Tower. The clock sirikes twelve. I'll to my lonely couch. And yet not lonely all. My solitudes No loneliness doth own. And more are mine kSociety and true beatitude Than Iheirs, who, scorninii', Avould my lol decline. The Phantom time is gone. I lay me dow^n, In him coii!idini>-, who (;ouId l/"! to sleep His Palriarch Servant in thi^ desevi lone. I'll rest. Me too will guardian Clu'rubs ke<»p. Ottawa, October, ISnd. * It is ln'lii>v<>(l (hat wluMi (lu^ l'iii(Mi ol' (Ik^ r.iilisii Nc.rtli Aini'i'icnii rroviiu'cs is ctr.H'lcd, 11 Ship Canal will hr iiin(U> ;!l()n!:; tlu' coiu'sc ol' t)i(> t'ltawa, Ac. t'stahlisliiiii!; (■oinnumi<'a(i()u liy l.ik(> Nii)issiimii(> and (Iks (u'oi'ijfan I) ly. with hake Huron, 1/iko SuiKM'iov anil (he n:ivi,L' ihh' watcts oi' du' >;or(hw.>st ti'i'i'ilc;: y as i'u' as (h> K'ocky MoinUaius, (Inou.uh (ho pai^sos ol' whii'h, as ('nnn(MU (ravi'llc's lu.ve shewn, r.cooss oan oisily he hail to the I'.icilic < )i;iMU. ROYALTY AT OTTAWA •• His ]i]xc('lloiicy, Viscount Moiick, iriiulc^ his public entry yesterday into the Capital oi" Canada. Ollawa Times, Mai/ '.Wd ISOd. In I'^iirope'.s Suii ht no nion^ alone, Mysteri(ms l^'ute ! Thy briu-htest jxii^'e unfold! Snatched Ironi the darkest nin'ht, ol' ai^cs u'one, 'Neath western skies, let ,i>'lories ncAv Im; told. Unlathoniahle power ! with hunnvn state, Thy sport and pastime. Now in u^ayest mood, UpUrtesi Thou the lowly — dost create M^hinu's ii'reat— colossal. Empires that withstood The ylioek of time, Ioni>' 'nealh thy plastic hand, Disported ^'hid, in heyday oi' their lame. Frowns thine awl'ul hrow, — smites thy scourging* wand, li(nne, Greece and JJahylon are hut a name. At thy command, up sprung MariMigo's C^hid'. Borne on thy fostering gah% liis fortune's tide Past glories all outshone, — surpa.ssed ])elief ; Yet could he not thy witluM-ing scowl abide. Tlis prosp'rous day, that dawned so glorious bright, 'Mid thickening clouds, its wondrous glory ])aled. His morn of splendour closed in dismal night, A.nd earth's Conqueror a lost world bewailed ! Thine awlul book, dire Fate ! unrolled ancAv, 4 v; Sends liercest warriors to the gory Jield. ^- 1 ITnchecked, would they fair earth with ruin strew. Thy frown forbids. — To braver men they yield. i) M; Mm 'jir. * p i ^ SlintMl IViMU \h\ (':«\iln'N «|(<|>(hs. () {'\\uA 1m\Io, lis l»looil-sli\in»'»l hiunu'r lonl rohclliou sproiulN. 'Vho 'Vi\v\:\\' V(M<;ns. wilh iiow-honi )>ri(l(» cliili* Holds iV'lhi's lo\\«Ms. Mini honsllul contju'iiny- I.umiIn O'lM' Imlin's plains. Hiij \;uii liis litMniisli piny. Nol Ins \o Yn\{\ A (It'sliny uion» oTiiiwI ll;\'h V:\\o ill slonv In i>lt)i y <>! iioon- lliiuloo liiiul. il?> In d;ivs \o\\ix ixoww lliy power. iUMMirsiMl l"':ilo ! This chtMishod soil o'or-sproiul. I);irk sdilo pii'ViiiltMl. And j;ininii' p;irly v»>ximI lli(> Ivoiihlod sinlo. blarh Inilhrnl Son Ihv hiiploss lol l)o\V!iil(>(l. Th«» rolls of l'';iio un\ (mI iin opocli n»»\v. Lo ! CoiK'onl roiiiiis ! Ihy (MiiKlion, loving' lunid, Aroinul ihv iM>lors piv^ss. lo lioiu>r ivuo ; Thv foi^s V(V'oil nor dnro invMilo Ihv liuul. $) iff! ' Nation of " hon !iO(H>rd "1 Tnion Ihy word. No ]i(Mtv Kind's, no sopjirjilo Slalos ho Ihino ! (Iniiod. iwor sh;ill KrilnnniM's sword Hoioro T\\y'o ulow. Hoavon wilh Ihy V'jih' oonihino Thy liroalnoss lo oxUmkI. Thy lol, niciinwhih*. Uoyond all ]>«Mh»sl I i^iiardod Ihy shoro \\\ Klools invinoihlo. iVoiu Britain's lsii» Tlial \villini;- sail. Thiiu' ovor n-rowini>' sloro ; Thino infanl powor. ils inlluonco l)iMni>ii C>"or (\>nlin(Mils and Islos. t^'on now. Ihal wiolds; And \o] a priooloss lr«»asnr(\ Iruly lhiiu\ — — Tho valour oT Thy Sons, ihy laud Ihal shi«»lds; — — All — wilh Iho lavoriusi" ualos of I'alo oouspiro, l^'roni olonuMils tiiv«M'so, a pros\>orous Slato (ilorious li> raiso. SwootosI IVaoo inspire Thy Oounsols ovor. and shall happy dato Affos of uUn*y ironi Ihis ]>riu:hlosl day Thai vol halii dawuocl o'or all ("olunihia's Land. Lustrous ihis o]>ooh nunv ihan Viotor's bay. lis praiso shall s]>oak o\ir Childrou, as Ihoy stand On Oltawa's lavorod shoro, and ra]>turod viow Thoso iroruoous Talacos and statoly Towors, Whoro Bkitaix's KoYAiiTY, so loviui»-, truo, Bivio constant dwell our Leiuslative Powkus. •rm; vu|,i'Nri;i:iis wiik ri',i,i, at iiii Li A n^ [. E O I "" \i\\) G E W A Y f .Il'NE L'M., isor;. l^illon .ii'c llii> !»i;)\t' ill yimlirM liri!.;lit yni's, SisliMs iiiul Mol tiers, yo \v<'c|> (»'«'r llicii- ^r!i,\ <•, A Niilioii lii'drws il willi IcMrs. (>'(«r lirvors Ilicii' lilf-Mood iioMy who ^iivr TliJil (\)imlry :ui(l P'rccdoiri iiiiL!.lil. live, I)«M>ply sorrows t'licli I'nlriol, licnrl.. Now^ H'ricvt' ye ! lime soolliiiiL!,' will ^\v^y Moods hrii^hlor iliitn Iciirs, liiL^licsl, raiiic, liVnvdlis (U'lilhlcss unriulini;- iiripiiil, Alul glory cncirclo their iuuik^ ! ^^lo(^l) lieroes! sleep! your Wiirl'iiTc; o'er. O ne'er o'or your vviirrior ,L!,riive, liy Ihe Li^nmd Oulario sliore, Shall the lone droopinji;" willow wave ! Strow ilowors ! yo pooplo all (M)inl)iii(.', From distant UiidKon's IVo/c-n zone To lsl«»H remote in Ocean's brine, With ])ritifhtest hero-hiiys iilone, Tho hallowed spot worthy to deck, Where first was, willing-, brav(dy poured, Tlie Patriot blood, your I'ocis could ch(!ck, When dark and om'nous war clouds lowered 16 218 h.i i Cor'nach nor Ullalula raise, Nor Pibroch's sole^an tones resound. From aj^e to age shall opeak tlieir praise Your free-born happ'est Sons, around These favored shores, from bondage foul Redeemed, and threatened chains, that long Would manacled have held each sorl. To Freedom bo.n and ha.e of wrong. 11 ^1 1 1 1 1 1 Long as beneath the Summer's glow, Shall heave Ontario's bo^om broad. And mock the dismal wJn er's snow ; ^ Long as shall pour its mighty load Of waters vast, great Erie's ilood, By foaixiing Catarocts, to join Ontario's wave, this hero-blood With glorious Victor-b ys shall t\\ ine. ' The w.Uers ofljivkc Ontario never frccz?. A DAY IN JULY AT OTTAWA, 1863. f}' '■M HORACE; ODE II, LIB. I. i Jam satis torris nivis at quo dine CinindinismiHit I'ater, et ruboutc Doxtora sncras jaculotus arccs, Torruit urbom ; &c, &c. 0, sure, Olympian Jove, 'tis timo thou'dst done Hurling o'er eurth and sea thy flaming darts, Us mortals of to-day for crimes by-gone So cruel scourging, and our timid hearts With dread inspiring lest should come anew The woes of other days, — the Pyrrhan age When Proteus' finny tribes to dry land flew, And, 0, sad fruit of thy celestial rage, The trembling fawn high on the mountain side, Aloft o'er gathering waves, astonished borne, Swam, panting, hopeless, 'mid the whelming tide, Vain these fears ; mightier than Jove hath sworn Such all-sweeping sudden inundations, Despite the once great thunderer's vengeful power, Never more shall overthrow earth's nations. Of lesser ills who knows what poisoned store Our sinning time awaits ? lo ! dismal lowers The northern plague cloud — Crime-dyed Russia sends Not Cossack hordes against our peaceful bowers ; Her trampling war steeds for more easy ends, But not less guilty deeds, cautious she guards, Her tyrant rule to spread, and freedom's ray Ruthless to quench, whilst hapless Poland's bards The bitter wail prolong, all hope away. 16=^ !f: : !!:'! m r^r: i^' 'Xi i' I i 220 No war she daros. ro8t-l)oarimv Artid g-alos Ooze from hor swainps ; hor arid stcppos pour lorfh VVithorinu^ simooms, and all tho crushiiin- hidos Mankind that vox, rush o'er the fatod iu)rlh. [ntostino strilb its o-ory banner sjn-eads, Reluctant still to sheath its reeking- sword , Now direful raids our infant nation dreads : Kash scribes the strife maintain ; — fell war their wovtl. With thirst of n'old Jierce burns each narrow mind. Vile pelf the idol, i^'rovellini;- souls adore ; All means to us alike ; perish mankind ! We ceaseless crj'', if only swell our store. With daring hand earth's depths we ])old explore. The accursed thirst to quench, and deadlier siill Our fellow-men down-tread, as if no more Were brotherhood below. Such height of ill Just Heaven beholds. We marvel at its blows Ahd ask why fall its thunderbolts so fast. Now here, now there ! where next, no mortal know.-j , But late it smote. — a nation stood aghast !=^ More daring still, we Heaven itself assail, (1) No bounds our ibliy kiiows ; we n'er can say, 'tis done Cease now the chast'ning thunder to prevail, G-reat Heaven at length, be merciful alone. Propitiation iirst, and then will smile Indignant Heaven propitious, — Hs favour, Even now. willing would it extend, the while Our crimes we ilaunt, and in behaviour, Our impious Sires outdo, — (2) a fouler race Hastening ourselves to leave, the fitting heirs Of each paternal vice, our emptied place To fdl too worthy, all the evils theirs, That please by turns, and punish erring man, Just Heaven, meanwhile, its friendly warning gives , — The plague spot in the distant sky we scan ; Rumour of war a wasting war outlives ; Our social state a source of evil shows ; The thunderer with flaming red right hand, (And when his awful wrath will end, none knows,) Strange terror spreads out o'er the astonished laud. * An allusion to tlio untimely docitli of i'vcsident Lincoln. 221 A panic Foniaii, now tho wido sproad talc, Lo ! now, but nol quite yH, the people's dread Theplauue from Cronstadi ; — sonic hideous ])ale Dl' ibreigii war. Not so. Wo'el have instead, Tliy fate so sad, Glencoo, when ])asc was poured Ts^ociurnal, on tho hearth ol' kindly men, V>y (.ruol trait'rous ^'uest, wliilst om'nous lowered The winter cloud, the best })lood ol' thy [!;li'n. Noughl quite so terrible, it would appear ; Merely some snudl scale Darien alliiir The only menace was, this hoj^erul year ; And not quite this ; ])ut something made us stare -Tust like that ol't lold tale oi'.Tack and Gill, Or him of France and his ten thousand men Who, long ago, we're told, marched up a hill ; This deed of glory once achieved, what then ? W]i\'. to he sure, the King marched down au'ain, Mel AN. (1)— '•Iloavcn'itsolf n.ssail " CVflum ip.ium potiniu^ stiiltilia No(|uo ir.'u iindi Jovcm siniums ronoro fulmina. C2) JFA(\9, pnrontum pojor nvis tulit Xos iK'iiuiores, mox dnturo.s J^rogenieni vitiosorcm. m t—^^f-^ - — — - VISION OF BURNS AT LINCLUDEN TlUTTEN, AND HATIIDR IIUKKIKUI.Y, ON' TIII^ OCCASIOX OF A Sr. ANMiI.I'W H Day Celeiiuation at ( »ttawa. TART I. Eono, by Lincludcn's roofless tower, Stood musing, Scotia's honored Bard. Still was the air ; — 'twas midnight hour ; — Nor in the stilhiess aught was heard Save doleful Clouden's murmuring sound, As rushing through its hazel shade, It glided o'er the hallowed ground. And by the ruined wall outspread Its widening stream, ere onward borne To Nith's fair tide, 'twas lost to sight : It seemed as nature all to mourn Were doomed. Here through the solemn night. In ivied bower, the dismal owl His sorrow poured, and on the hill, The fox's melancholy howl Gave bodings sad of darkest ill. All silent shone each lonely Star Through broken arch and shattered aisle. And wide o'er fields and woods afar The moon gaunt shadows cast the while ; The North wind rushing cold and shrill O^er tower and stream, was heard to moan. The Borean Aurora chill With doubtful flickering lustre shone. 223 N, i;\v A Dear to tho ponsivc Banl tho scono. Now pained, now iii ocstalic niood, Itack to thti days that orst had hocn, Whilst honored was Lincludon's rood, In thouc^ht ho roamiul, enraptured saw IJrio-ht visions of the days of yore ; Bl u:i days ! wlien Scotia's Lion strong' Her eii''H'd Freedom laithlul l)ore, And victory was enshrined in song ! Upstood tlie Nimrod of the North The miuhty Parent oilier Kin«»-'s; Came Victor Kenneth awl'ul I'orth, And Bards, that spoke oi' glorious thing's. Full joyous raised tho choral strain. Loud, jubilant and long their praise Of Koyal Margaret's prosp'rous reign, And good King Duncan slain so base, And Statesmen-Kings, — a noble line — Of Dalriad and Saxon race, All ancient lame that could outshine. Time's brightest epoch lit to grace. But hark ! What wotul sound assails Tho Poet's ear ? In solemn tone A venerable train bewails Some dear one lost. Nor they alone. But sages hoar and heroes old In sorrow crowd the broken aisle. Their words of anguish soon are told, And Patriot tears tho ruined pile In iloods bedew ! And can it be ? The mightiest fallen ! Thy Wallace gone Oh ! Scotia, thy Liberty — So hardly won, so long thine own, Powerless, alas ! — thine arm to save. Lies vanquished in its gory grave ! No marvel if the Bard o'ercome. In terror swooned. But such the power That lingered by the hallowed dome, A moment, and he felt no more, The crushing weight upon his mind, But quickly starting from the ground. He anxious looked in hope to find. I I •«'!f| i( t 224 Even yet, the Holy Fane around, The awful vision sad but bright, Which he could still, though late out-done, Contemplate ■svith intense delig-ht. The scene was changed. Now sorrow's tone Was heard no more. A sight all new »Saw" Cloudcn's stream. The Bard alone. This vision bright could fearless view. What rapture his, when i^lain and tower From Solway to the polar wave, Once more the rampant Lion bore ! And holy Priest and warrior brave With hope elate, thus solemn vowed ! '• Nor lands nor life itself we'll x^rize. Nor be a moment's rest allowed. Nor danger shunned, till glorious rise Our Freedom's Sun. Disloyal he At' I his country's shame. Who will i.ot to this pledge agree, And earnest battle for her fame." Now Scotia's stalwart sons are seen In vrarliive march o'er hill and field. As brave as they of yore had been ; The Bruce's banner floats aloft ; In serried column round it throng, They who of old, with Wallace oft 'Gainst Southron foes in ])attle strong-. The brightest victor-wreaths had won ; The men of Lanark brave and true ; Of Ettrick wild each hardy son ; And Teviotdale so fair to view. Her faithful bands in firm array, Around the patriot Lion gave ; Roused Scovia all, from Whitehorn bay To lands remote, where Ocean's wave Among her thousand isles resounds. The best and bravest of her youth From sweetest vale and rockiest bounds, Straight Marshals 'gainst the usurping South. Appeared the mitred Abbot now ; His reverend figure lean and tall The host o'ertopped ; upon his ])row I The lines of cnre. The warriors all He blessed ; but most, his awful word Out-poured to Scotia's Sovereign Lord : '■ De Bruce! I rose with purpose dread To speak my curse upon thy head, And s'ive thee as an outcast o'er To him who burns to shed thy gore ; — But like the Midianite of old. Who stood on Toi^him Heaven controlled. I feel within mine aged breast, A power that will not be repressed, It prompts my voice, it swells my veins. It burns, it maddens, it consrrahis ! — De Bruce, thy sacrilegious blow Hath at God's altar slain thy foe ; O'er mastered yet by high behest, I bless thee and thou slialt be bless'd ' Bless'd in the hall and in the field. Under the mantle as the shield. Avenger of thy country's shame. Restorer of her injured name, Bless'd in thy sceptre and thy sword. Be Bruce, fair Scotland's rightful Lord, Bless'd in thy deed and in thy fame, "What lengthened honors wait thy name ! In distant ages, sire to son Shall tell thy tale of freedom won, And teach his infants, in thej^use Of earliest speech, to falter ' Bruce.' Go, then, triumphant, sweep niong Thy course, the theme of many a song ! The Power, whose dictates swell my breast, Hath bless'd Thee, and thou shalt be blessed I '*^' And now with patriot ardour fired Thus Bruce, as if by Heaven inspired : " O Scotland, shall it e'er be mine To wreak thy wrongs in battle line. To raise my victor head, and see Thy hills, thy dales, thy people free, — That glance of bliss is all I crave, Sir Walter Scott. w !| ■! '•:.tU m i; '^'S 11 I I ■ ! w 226 Betwixt my labours and my £>Tavc ! " Lo ! Northward roll the Southern powers And far is seen their strong array 'Neath classic stirling-'s leaguered towers. Who shall this tide of battle stay ? " O Heaven ! when swords for freedom shine, And Monarch's right, the cause is thine ! Edge doubly every patriot blow ! Beat down the banners of the foe ! And be it to the nations known, That victory is from Crod alone ! " Knelt then each warrior in the sod And urged his prayer to Battle's God. Up sprang the Bruce : "My Scotsmen true. Fair Scotland now^ confides to you. Her liberty and hard won Fame ; Strike for your own, your Nation's name ! " 4^> -^ -iL* -^ -^ -ii^ -^ -^ T\* T^ ^ -Tv" 'TV' •7^ '"A* TT Impatient wait in war's array. That small but chosen patriot band, Each hero burning for the fray : Archers bold of the border land ; Men of fairest Teviotdale ; Ettrick's and Liddell's chosen few ; They of Nith's and Annan's vale. Right skilful famed to bend the yew. The Douglas these, of old renown. And Royal Stewart's youthful Chief Their dauntless leaders faithful own. Valiant men of the hardy north The sway obey of Moray's Lord, From Tay to Sutherland sent forth, The rest of Scotia's Host the word Of Edward Bruce receive, and next The Earl Marshal's high command ; Whilst in reserve, from Bruce not far, Appear the isles'men — fearles band — In hardest need to aid the war. In placid glory sank to rest. On Forth's dark wave the summer sun ; 227 Pale on her calm untroubled breast, The Silver Moon, her course nigh done, Was mirrored clear. More tranquil scene Was ne'er beheld ; it seemed to mock The coming storm as it had been Of gentle Peace, not War's fell shock, The welcome harbinger ; and well To Scotia's Sons it imaged forth An epoch new ! Ah who shall tell How blest, ausi^icious to liie North, Arose that happy June day morn ! ^ Smiled 'neath its ray t\u\ fields all round, As with new glory to adorn The Bannock's bright historic ground, In envy rival the great iame In after days bound to its name. 'Tis dawn. But scarce the early ray Peers o'er Demayet's lofty l)row. When onward rush in drinul array. Like thunder clouds the Southron ibe. Who shall that brunt of battle bide ? On ! Randolph, on ! the da r; thine own ! Lo ! fast recedes the invading tide ; — New wreaths thine ancient glories crown ! Ten thousand archers bend the bow ; The stoutest warriors well may quail As arrows like the whelming snow The Bruce's chosen })and8 assail. Speed now, each neighing charger speed ! Disperse that serried archer-band ! Bolf' Edward Bruce, — thy noble deed Will long be told in Scotia's land ! Proud Edward's horsemen scour the plain ; Like rushing waves of Ocean's tide. They sweep resistless on ; but vain Their giant strength ; down, side by side They fall, rider and steed, — ne'er more To rise and battle for their king. Stains the sweet rill their parting gore ; With dying shrieks the forests ring. i'i;^ • 1314. t I f «[■ M' i: !: ' i| h U ;il 228 Thy nol)lest, England, koop the liokl, — Thy heroes all of old rono\v;i. Now hand to hand, now shiold to shield. The battle's ragv. More liirious g-rown, Each dauntless warrior deals his blows Like awiul thunder on his Ibes. '• One ellbrt more, — and tScotland's free ! The conquerinu,' I'vuce exulting said : " IJrave Donald, iirni's my trust in Thee ! '• Charge with thy wonted chivalry ! " A banner waves on Stirling tower ! IJeneatli, the 1)ravest AVarriors lie, — Their toils, their life, their warfare o'er, — The moaning winds their lullaby ! TART II. The battle's won, yet mourns the Bard, (.) cruel fate ! must Scotia still, In many a gory iield fought hard, Her children's blood, like Avater spill, Her sacred birth-right to defend ? Will never cease thy scourge, dread war ? Will ne'er thy desolation end '? Must aye thy blighting- horrors mar This land so fair ; where endless Hows The fertilizing stream, to peace Inviting, and each art that strews The earth with beauty ! Cease, O cease To devastate the teeming fields ; Thy fury, impotent, no more The ocean mock, that faithful shields Against thy rage, our fovored shore. Accursed war depart ! Let reign Each iniluence benign to man That gives freedom, his dearest gain, Next order — the great social plan — A nation's weal — and the long train Of humanizing arts, our days Ever to bless, rich to bestow, In copious store, all that arrays In robo of s"^ory, uud niukes ^-low With tronsuivs now — wilh \vc>;illh unl)ouglil — ¥jiid\ niiiihty jiooplo as oxpivndy Thoir hiuli oslatc, Avhilnt tinio unsought Thoir destiny unrolls, — connnjvnds In its i>-ri»ai inai'ch, thoir onAv.ird courso, Appointi'd long' in ilio dark night or agos gon(\ (M'o yoi discourse 'Mong nion was held or known was light [7V/6' Genius of Libert jj appctirs atriot Z(»al renowned, My words attend: liong have 1 (nirnost toiled Thy nation to oxall, and now is crowned My cause victoriou-;. No more delihul By odious bondaive, shall thy honor(>d race To aliens crouch, nor ever vancjuishod bear A conquering tyrant's rule and I'oid disgrace. In me conlide — thy glory aye my care." Vouchsafed the Goddess now a vision bright. The Bard consoled, o'erjoyed, in rapture views A pageant grand, as from the realms of light To earth descending. Who are they who choose 'Mong mortals to return, and converse hold With sons of men ? That venerable throng My son, arc patriot statesmen, heroes l)old, And warrior kings, in battle oft and long. And counsel sage, my flag who fearless bore. With smile benignant 'mid the grand array The jieaceful Stewart see, a statesman more Nor yet a warrior less. Next, him, whose lay His foes o'ercame, a hostile Princess won. The Poet-King, who yet ere coyest fame On letters smiled, or war's dread hour was done, A Sago, and Bard, immortal wrote his name. Lo ! good King llobcrt, too, right well who know -SI, % (41*; -4. m 230 4ul inoro and kind. ^i I i^: It 11! The sword to wield, yot peace Icllho stood his friend). (Let Enirland's Hichard tell how linn and true That rahle ich monan The warrior brave you see, witli ghastly Drow% Yet laurel-crowned, of world-wide high renovni. Is Flodden's hero, in the held laid low, Who yet uncouquered fell, the regal crown Bequeathing stainless. AVho that stately dame? ller nol>le gait, and on her brow serene The triple crown exalted rank proclaim. !She mourns alns ! I^'air {Scotia's beauteous Queen, The tear-drop on her paly cheek, bewails Her hajiless country's ills. discord foul ! Wlijit cruel fate — what iiendish will prevails To mar each j^lan — bid Jarring factions scowl I '• Cheer ye my son, 'tis but a passing scene. Will rcMgn ere long, sweet j^eace and union's power. Look to to those mountains blue ! That armor's sheen ! tSee ! through the rugged gorge bravo horsemen pour ! Yet not in devastating war's array. What may it be that gorgeous cavalcade ? Proud I'iUgland's sternest Barons crowd tlie way. And trauquill o'er each hill and smiling glade, Kide Norman knight and Scottish cavalier. In triumph come they o'er their foes oiit-done ? Their triumph claims no mourning widow's tear. Was never victory like this, my son, No battle wreath adorns the victor's brow. Yet not to fame unknown, a halo briglit Serene ]>hilosophy delights to throw His diadem around, and lettered light With soft ellulgence glows, with glories new A threefold throne than pride of conquest more I'lnriclnng. Thus, amongst his people true Moves Britain's king. No conqueror of yore, Such greatness knew. Blest Scotia, ever thine This glory all ! With Saxon Margaret's son Thou'lt reign — King James — of Banquo's ancient line. Tnion with Peace thy meed, till time be done! AVith loud acclaim three mighty nations hail Fair Scotia's bridal day ! Thus when of old ' .'^ 231 It* O'er Vandal power was dcstinod to prevail A younp: Republic and a people bold, In union strength was sought, and Venice lone The o(!ean wed! With teniVud conqu'ring power Each i'oe she now repelled. The sea her own New glory she achieved the world out o'er. Yet hope not thou the wedding least each day. The brightest morn is olt with clouds o'crspread ; Yet vanish they bislbre thc^ sun's l)right ray. jilven so my Scotia's destiny is read; Dark as thc^ murkiest cloud will iicrccly rage, Intestine strife, and odious party l)r()ils Her peace will mar. lUit yet will she engage Tn contests grand, and oi' her warlike toils The I'ruits shall reap. Her own great battle won, AVheii others shall I'or emi)ire lawless strive, And seek their I'oes to crusli, the weak ontdon<>, Her victor sword shall wave and iVeedom give. Her union Hag unfurled, no tyrant dare O'er l<]urop(>'s tribes his l^anner proud to raise And ])oast himseli' alone the ruler there, ()]• o'er exclusive claim a monarch's praise. Thou'rt wed, my Scotia ! From thy nuptial day Shall glorious dnU^ imju-ovements piissing grand, Thy liberty secure, the northern ray ( )n teeming iii^lds all o'er thy rugged land. Shall da^^■n propitious ; — })right e^'en as the rose lilach wildei'iiess shall blossom, and shall yield To culture's genial i>ower each spot that shows In stul)born mood, how ])atient in the held Thy sons can toil. See like a garden smile The coldunwholeome swamp ! — the heath-clad hill A i'urrow'd plain ! Thy num'rous Hocks, m(>anwhile, Disporting by each grass lined murm'ring rill. How blest that pair ! ThiMr union ever sways Enduring love. Aye prosp'ring grows their store. ITnTailing sunshine brightens all their ways And happy children bless them evermore. So. Scotia, in love thy Union grows, '■ !^* a • ' if i '*• ^ H ; I } ( ■ ■. - 1. 1 ■ i ■ * lii 1 L' 232 And with it i^rows thy woaUli. In liinos p-ouo by, AVhat uToatnosK liko to thine ! Full constant llow.s Thy ibrtuno's tido ! Nations with nntions vie To ponr into thy hip each trtnisure now That time unlbkls! Even in those t'al)led days When rarest fruils of earth unl)i{Ulen u'rew, Less favored AV(>re inankiiul, less l)l(>st their ways Up sjirini;- thy numerous chihlren hy thy side In pride of stren'th to whclininir hosts opposo, Tho day roiricvc, — roll back th<' battle's (id«', And to a world, »'X])(M'taiit lonuf, discloso Its brii,diti'st pa^o ! and, ovor l^hirojxi vviSeot Victorions, conld his anciert Fame renew!" * (V)lon<'l Miller of tho guanls, ^m of Sir Williaiii MilliT, Lord (ilonl»»(» ; <"oloiicl ( "uiiid'oii of Kiissif'f'crn ; tlic lloiioralilc Sir Alcxandi'r (Jimlon, lirotlKM' of the late Earl of AlK'rdccii ; ami tlui Hero of Houj^otnont, tho Into Sir .lanif's MiWy Sir Walter S(;ott in his • l''i(,*l(.i of Wal(>il.)().' "Snv'st ^Mllniit ]\rii.i,i;u's failini.' cyo Slill licnt wild'*' AUiioii's Iiaiiiici's lly, And Camickon, in Mk- shock oi' steel, Die like thy olLjprin^ of Lochitl ; And f^eiiei'Dus fioKDoN "mid the '-irife. Fall wiiile he WMlehed his leader's lil"(\" " Yes — Aginc/juit may lie forgot, An tale ; Moiirn shall thy iron soul that gory grave. Thy war till uoW was ^^ ith the -^"^rrior Dane, Till now, 'twas man'gainst ma?i, 'twas steel'gainst steel ; Whilst only heroes fell n»)ne dared complain, But now thy light is 'gainst the oomnion weal. »— — — ■ ' ■ ■ ■ * Tlio London convsjioivlonL of the Ottawa Citizen (ne\\\sp;iiH'r), writes as iollow- : LoxDO!T, April 'Jtli JSC)4. '•Tho l'nin'.)ar(lmont ol' Dupjicl procoods at a stonily paoo, and with infivvcllous lit'it'ont'ss. hlondcrl-org lias l'(M'n nearly dostroycd l>y tbo I'nrs- sian ;-hells. It wa.s cruul policy to i';;sL tluso imiilcnK ids of rminates then'. Alsen is an i>land that, at tlu foot of the Puppcl ])romontory, apjiroaches within l!crg is liviilt on the [u)int of Alsen nearest Duppel. Two jiontoon lu'idgcs connect the batteiii's on the contnu iit with the town on the island. These bridges were not reached by the Prussian shells; therefore the command- ers decided to ]u):;>.bard the town. By Imiiiing and destroying it they would oblige the Danish ainiy to eneani}) i'urtlier Irom tlu-ir batteries. This step was allowable by the modern lules of war. It might have been followed, but lirst warning should have boon given to the helpicss inhabit- ants. Therein the ^russian^ failed— so shame rests on thcra." u m •235 ''.,1 Wtvs't not i'lumuh, pr''sumplu()\is, u\istart race, l*iUroi>o\s peat'o to imir, and proudly dofy npinioir.s j)o\v»'r and slni<';t''l(' to i'IDk »> A nation's nanu' in liistory so hi^h ? WoYO snch n lu'lpli'ss wonicii V ]j()ni( Ihou'It hear i\u\ stinn' Ui' 1)Ui'ninn' shaino, and cur.sc tliy lata! star. Tho\i, Prussia, llrsl 'nionir modc^rn statos, as sn2:o, Till now wert held. No more thou'lt lustrous .shiut** In wisdoms path hriu'hl ixittorn or()urai]^e. Hath I'alltMi th(> withering curst; an thci-and thino, or slaughtcnnl innocence ; and reekin!:»' homes In days t<.) eoirie shall f(dl of thy disgraco, ■Ind the dire tal(\ widi' o'er thy reual domes, Aloud [U'oelaimed, thy glories shall ellacc. Speak shall the nations still thy l)y-gono fame, But on* thy 'scutcheon dark wtll e'er he read The deep rej^roach that now must l)liu-ht thy name — The stain of hlood, so l)asely Ibully shed. C)h ! woful day ! — the fatel'ul book of timo Thy like contains not — when a desjwt king Crave men reluctant drives to deeds of crime. Yet o'er thee, Prussia, shall flap its wing Wronged tScaiidiuavia's luiven, and thou'lt share Strange ills thou wot'st not of — dread wars alarms, — intestine strife that knows not whom to si)are, — (Jainst tliine own children turned thy dastard arms V,* ft . t I) l> 1 11?^ ] : h t h ii .11 .!'!' If)' TlMIiUTE TO THE LATE EARL OF ELGIN, VIC y) li o V o 1^' 1 X D 1 ^v . rfc, <(<■., Winiiinii', \villi<'riiii»' words arc road. That hope shut out, thai rouse all true nicjr.s lear.s, lit'iicath tlic soiiihrt' crypt, is licairl a i:r(»au Kchocs the dim aishi that sliadowy f^traiii ; From hoar Dunrcrmlinc's tower, a (lismal moan To part'iil dust recalls, aud. ii«»l in vain, Our A(n<:'s IJuui'i:. As tolls that lutal hour. 'Noath India's sun. 8uccuml>s he in his i))im(», Tho Statesnuin and the Saiie, endowed with j^owcM', To C'Oh{juer worlds, and rule in every clime. III. I! !■ And, first, "•real Wil))errorre, thy work liis car** !^ Well hadst thou torn the letters IVoni the slavo ; Nohly ]>rilannia i)ressed, tliy toil to share. But vain the boon, even l''reedom's boon, she gave, li' ne'er in timely hour the mind liad ri.sen, Witli i»'enius hlesscnl as thine, lamented saii'e, That made avail to man the yiit of heaven ; Thai could in salutary toils eny-a^'e The hand unused to holy Freedom's sway, To sh^th inclined, and deadly pleasuie's lure, 'Neath Western skies, when Sol's rerul^-ent ray Kank weeds of vice uprears in soil impure. Thine was the task, each art of life to blend With liberty'o sweet joys, unknown before; And savage men, with rapture, learned to l)end Beneath the yoke thou bor'st from liritain's sliore, — Freedom'.; sweet yeke, — labour with social Idiss, Enrichhii>' commerce, — interchange of minds, — The sacred care, no useful aim to miss. That man to man in holy concord binds. ly. And mourn C^olumbia ! thiite, too, the soul That bade the Neii'ro live, in I'reedom live. And. when emancipate from base control, Of peace and order brightest lessons give. * I liavf hi-ard jx'i'soii-; of tljo most lilicnil oihifation, ml who wi'-rf^- deeply iiit('!('.st<''l in tin- wclt'irc of tli ■ W«'si Indi.'S. speak in tli.- Iiiirliest; w 238 Vain, but for him, wore liberal Duriia:\i"s toil : Long had st thou groaned beneath the ])igot swny Of narrro\'': -minded tyrants, born to foil The bes^ laid schemes, and drive fair Peace aAvay Divided wort thou, Canada ! the spoil Of faction, warring iierce, unsatisHed, Ambitious, grasping, — in eternal moil, — That held all minds^ and sacred truth defied Of what avail to thee, that Freedom's Sun, The irarty strife, that raged so long, now c[ueH\i -O'er Albion's favored Isles, triumphant shone , Thou from the Constitution's pale, expelled. An Iron age endured'st, and helx>less lay, Vanquished, despairing, powerless, at the I'eei Of enemies, who quenched the glorious ray — The '.ight of Liberty — thou deemed'st so sweet Ah ! long unheard thy voice — thy tale of woe ! It fainter grows I — But, ere 'tis stilled in thy gore, Enlightened Durham nobly strives to show Thy griefs, and Elgin hastens to thy shore. Victory awaits thee, Bruce, and fields are won, That long shall live in History's proudest page : And, w^hcn our Age's Warriors are gone, Will genius's toil, in days to come, engage Loud, jubilant and long, bid swell the strain, As erst o'er Him, who in the days of yore. By Bannock's brook, heedless of toil and pain. A Nation's Liberty victorious bore. Mourn not thy Bruce, the Saviour of thy Race ' He loved thee well, and did thy land adorn , But neer shall envious time his fame efiace. Although from bleeding hearts too early torn iCold wort thou, pale and dead ! He bade thee \h\- Fair Freedom's life ! and thou becam'st a gem, The Uichest, Eaith or Ocean e'er could give, The brightest in Victoria's Diadem ' !■ 230 V m [if':, And equal wert thou to the improving age, Great EntiN ! Nought but a vast Empire's fate. Thy course might stay. If India could engage Thy counsel and thy arm, its power shall date From that auspicious day thou lent'st thine aid ; And thou shalt honored live, in History's page, Mongst them whose memories shall never fade — With Havelock and Clyde, brave, good and sage ! Now onward speeds thy Bark, and Tartar hordes Vanquished recoil. The Conqueror Mongol's pride Subdued, craves Peace of Europe's mighty Lords, And vows that Europe's laws it will abide. Ye boast, in vain, proud Race, Celestial fire, Nought in your varied ways, was there of Heaven. Till He whose soaring genius could inspire New thoughts and sweet humanity, was given England, in rapture, hails her honored son. Rich with new spoil, returns he o'er the main ; Empires, not gold, the Glorious Trophies won ' Thine own, loved Albion, ever to remain. Elate, each haughty Conqueror of yore Fast bound to victory's car, the trampled foe ! Pageants, so monstrous, shall be seen no more. Impious, unworthy Britain's Crown, such show ! Isles, Diamond bright, in the far Eastern Sea, Thy power attest, sage Bruce, and long thy Name Thy country shall embalm, and twine for thee, Perennial wreaths, decay shall never claim ! Peace to thy shade ! Secure is thy Renown ! And thou, as calm, shalt sleep on Orient plains, As if by warm ai d weeping Friends laid down, By thy loved Foith's fair tide, 'mid Regal =^ Faues. "Tho nncicnt Abbey Clmi'rh oF Dunfbnnlino was, for several centuries, the burial place of the Royal Family. A t^tone snrcophapus containing tho remains of Kixo Rorekt the BKuei:;, the Hero of Bj.nuockburn, is placccl immediately under the great Tower. ?■'.: r^ti 240 Near Scotia's Tatriot Chief, thou may'st not dwell ; But, o'er thy Laurelled Bed, shall reverent sweep Saved India's perfumed gales, and thou, as well, Whilst Gruardian Spirits Holy, Vigils keep, Shalt patient wait, in Cashmere's balmy vale, The hoped for, glorious Ivesurrection Morn, As if recorded were thy death's sad tale, In that Dear Land, thou didst so long adorn. Febkuaky, 18()4. I |i \i hi li 111 ., ! Hi 1 '1 St. Andrew's Day at Ottawa, 1864.' ^|i Hail, patriot band, loved Scotia's children, hail ! Bid spread the feast, let joyous song prevail. How bright this day ! Each heart so gay. Yet long hath rolled time's course. Since first, this festive l)oard around, Flowed s\veet discourse And music's stirring sound. Now fill the bowl ! Let How the soul ! Lo ! Reason's fav'rite hour ! Blest union's power Her throne around. In sj>acious halls, "With charms all bound Her vot'ries calls. *Tlie natives of Soollnnil Mini miinorous jxm'sohs of Scottisli (U'scciii rcsidont on t\u> oontiuont of Amoricn, tiiko irrcat ddiglit in oeU'lu-ating their mitionai festival. Tliis year, the St. Andrew's Society of Ottawa eaused the feast to be observed with more than tlie nsnal oelat. A numerous body of the mem- bers, together witli invited guests, dined togetlicr in a large room attached to one of the Ilotids. A Legislative Comieillor. a Member of Parliament and many gentlemc^n of the learned professions honored the festive board with their presence. 'Die Artillery of tb(> ]ilac(> also did honor to the occasion by firing a salute as each toast was given. Speech and Song pn^- vailed throughout the evening, and it wei'e diilieult to decide whether the former or the latter expressed the gre;iler amount of jjatriotism and good humor, whilst tlu^re was not tlie sliglitest inclination t( depreciate the other important nationalities ol' which tlie llnipire is com])0;(>d. The hall was elegantly — even richly decorated. The Banner of St. Andrew was conspicuous. Full length portraits of tlu^ (^ueen, and other I h . ^1 M Hi 14 O'er war's alarms, And hostile arms, Victorious of yore, From never failinf^ store, Bold tScotia gave, Each warrior brave Nobly to cheer as home he sped, His toils achieved his foes all lied The wine cup flowed, Griaddened hearts glowed ; In thrilling strain — Song's deathless vein, — The tale prolonged each patriot bard, And highest praise, dear bought, was hi'ard Of victor Kings that valiant led The battle's van and glorious bled In Freedom's cause, a nation's life Foremost to save, in gore-dyed strife Lo ! now no more, "What was of yore, The nation's task now done, The hard-fought battle won, The Peace wreath, ])ri<2:htly now Surrounds her tranquil brow. New toils her care demand. New leaders take command ; Onward, aye, onward still ; Such the great age's will. Songs new be sung. The harp unstrung, aicmbers of the Royal Family ; a hoautiful transparency reprosonting the Poet Burns, together with other paintinjis suited to tlie occasion, were seen along the walls. Magnificent vases of ilowers, as fresh and fragrant as in ,July or August, adorned the taldos. And if in this, the feast was classic, no loss than as regarded the elegant ami recherche nature of the viands, it was more than classiv^ hy the admirable moderation which prevailed. It. may well bo. doubted whether suoli luxurious revellers ns those who gracciJ the banquets of t! recce and iiomo, wmdd have enjoyed witli so keen a relish, the remarks illustrative of the history, the warlike acliiovements and the philosopliy of ancient Caledonia, which the occasion called fortli. or could have pu'ticipated in the sentiments that opportunely found utterance, au'l were received with manifest delight. ; the soeii t as in ;is.sio, Is, it I. It, ;racetl vcoii a nioul< forth. found 243 Enchantress like that l)ound, The festive board around, Our hero sires, and lired The raptured breast, inspired Each ardent mind and nerved The arm that never swerved. Now chani^ed the tone ; To Peace alone, The gifted muse will bow ; Her victories to show. The sweetest songs will pour, And all the world out o'e^-. Her praises loud proclaim. Her paths to lasting fame. Aye leading sure, our days, (More blest than ancient ways.) Hastening by rapid pace, AVith trophies new, to grace. All strife away Bid cease the fray, So long that vainly raged. And war eternal waged And, cruel, made each mind, That else were good and kind, A shrine to hatred given, High swoln with evil's leaven Sweet Peace tmd Union dear, Arouud our board appear Our sainted Patron true. Bound by no narrow view, A debtor was to all ; Nor could his mind enthrall Sectarian bigot pride That dared the world divide. Made fiendish discord reign, And ills on ills, an endless train Let flow the bowl, Rejoice each soul ! So Bruce of old, I . ,. ■ .:.«! •S: ": 244 As bards have told, The wine cup quailed While l)aroiis laui2,hed Right jovial round, And music's sound The victor praised And sky-Avard raised Each victor bold, For deeds extolled, Of high renown The laurel crown That bravely won, All foes out-done, And Freedoni given Best gift of Heaven Our land to save, — Loved Scotia— ever great and ])rave. I 1 i. Hii' CANADA. To- EDTXBURGII. Good Tidinii's IVoiii your distant slioro ; For which my thanks, the ph'asuro more Than words, howoA'er true, can t'^ll. You joy, in turn, to learn all's well. Much doth your I'uvied land oi' Idiss Contam. Nor will it e'er to this Our upstart world, the palm resii^n. To speak its praise, no task ofmine. Its list of glories, bright and long, All chronicled in tale and song, . . Familiar to your patriot mind, Like golden links that Taster bind The many charm-bright I'airy chains, That tie you to loved fScotia's plains. Though proud be your historic name, Unrivalled in the rolls of fame, Far o'er the main with learning's eye, And taste refined, you can descry Whate'er of beauty boasts our clime, Its story read by hoary lime Unhallowed yet, and with the sage And statesman, w^atch jts tender age 240 With progress crowned, in all the ways ( )f various art, — a nation's praise, — With steps unbroken, onward borne, As erst, ere yet, by discord torn, In days primeval, Adam's race Strode powerful on, with giant pace. And all those wonders early wrought, Best fruit of knowledge, lore unbought, That still our admiration claim. And eternize the ancesti na' . Of mighty Nimrod's anci. • < ■ • . iy Of Nineveh's and iEgypt's ;lvv, Of Babylon the great, and L^ine, Of science as of power the homo. Till pride and pomp and wrecking war Stalked forth, man's noblest w^orks to mar. 'fi |4 Much that was great with you of yore, Its ancient greatness owns no more. Where proudly rise Edina's Towers, Exist not now those sov(>reign powers That wisely gave a nation's laws, And w\aved the sword in freedom's cauKC. Famed Stirling's grandeur's but a name, And now are only known to fame, Dunstaifnage and Diinolly hoar, With Royal Malcolm's rootless tower, And storied Lithgow's shattered walls, And stately Scone's historic halls. Even Holyrood is desolate, Its monarchs u'one and regal state. With you hath been what here may be, Yea, will be yet, and we shall see NeAV glories crown this virgin land, Whate'or is beautiful and grand Its own become, as time pours forth Of art and toil the varied store, Us now enriching, as of yore, The father people, with the spoil Of aces gone, the treasured hoard Into the lap unceasing poured 4* i 247 Of gonorations txS thoy rise, Ey lib'ral sires, whose hijuh emprise Bids earth and air and ocean uidc Their wealth untold with man divide. With you, Prometheus' like, Heaven's lire Bold men have stolen, and now aspire O'er isles and continents, its liyht Daring' to throw, its radiance bright Intellisence diilusing' wide. Vast seas beyond, where Ocean's tide Sweeps India's shores, and Tallied lave The (lanures and Euphrates wave The Hindoo land. Your conquest great, But, yields it yet to ours, complete Our victory more, in forests drear And dismal swamps that makes appear The atrial messenger to joy The exile, and bring sweet alloy To sorrow's cup, in log ])uilt home kSo oft that dwells, ere yet have come Toil's luscious fruits, and, cheering more, Loved friends, long lost, from Britain's shore. Aught, is there, favored, you possess This AVestern land that does not bless ? Famed are your num'rous streams, and long Have echoed to the voice of song. Not useful more than ours, which flow Unsung as yet. Long years ago Arose your Bards. The torrent wild Immortal grew, and to each child Familiar was your hero tale. And ev'ry hill and storied vale With life instinct, 'neath genius, spell, Forth mirrored as the limpid well, Your more than thousand years of fame That aye the Poet's meed will claim. Harp of the North ! thy deathless strain Be w^afted o'er the foaming main ! Let thine ecstatic numbers How, .jSj^ 24K li I •li I. M ■'iWi WluMM* l»riL;ht ('()lunil)ijin ■waters urlow. ]*]clu) thy music lo llu' ronr or ciihiracts! IJid siiiilc llic shoro ()ri)i'uulirul Ontario's Hood, AVhi'ro lato tho rod man's \vii>\vani stood, "With sonn' wreaths lunv ; — witli sucli of old. As thou didst crown each warrior hohl, "VVho lor his Scotia loved to wield In i)atriot warfare's jvory iield, Bright IVeedom's tlauntless sw^ord, and well His laurels won, as Ihi^y can i«dl, Exultant, free as ])ree/e of morn, Whom victory's happy IVuits adorn. The gifts so liiir, that hlessed their toil,— Laws ]*](iiTAii, — grace Canadian soil. Nor to her con(nun-ing patriot sires Ungrateful, C^mada aspires, Oinvard, in tiuie's great march to speed. Like them to win the A'ictor's meed. And now, with energetic will, Anxious her high career to 1111, The genius of her hdves appears, And as on Nith's lair stream, in years'^ Not yet long gone, the w^ondrous p'^-wer, — This age's boast, even now her own. Bids Irequent ply, w^here hite unknown All kind of sail, the steamship grand, The sons of trade from ev'ry land That willing bears, and on our shores The wealth of worlds continual pours. Yet is not cor»-imerce all our care ; Destined each blessing rich to share, ]^]arth's teeming bosom ceaseless pours Into the hand of toil, are ours * Millf>r of Dilswinton, whose mmsion wis on the| banks of the Eiver Nith, m S'otlaii I, wis tho iifst wlio apphcd steam i)oWer to navigation, and. setatloitthe tirst Ste mx^oat on D ilswinton Like, which is contiguous to the Nith. 249 le Eiver on, and uous to Tho hoallhful lal)f)urs ol'tho f'h'ld, And tho dark lorcsts «>v*'r yield Now s('(MU's ol" iiidu.slry, where* man All skill and art employs, that can Th«' uniamed wilderness subdue, And deck wilh verdur*' ever ni^w, Untrodden, trackless wihls, wln^re roamed Tli»» savatj,'!^ ]>ear, unheeded Ibamed Vhe torrent loud, and winter's rei«j-n ITnehe(>red, niicheeked l)y joy or pain, Held sway unhrolcen o'er the land, Fast elenehini"' in his i(;y hand, The mighty world that lay concealed, ]i]xpeetant still to be revealed, And open thrown, to ])less mankind. Thus, to the all-disposing- mind. Obedient more, than when unknown, And wolves fierce howled in forest lone. Nor woods and li*dds alone bestow The gifts by which we prospering grow. Lo ! treasures vast the mineral reign (1) Outpours, and now, advent'rous, gain Our hardy sons, whose skill explores Tracts desert, pathless, and their stores Plciiteous and rich, strives to possess, More than in ages gone, could bless The race of man, in fabled times. Or now, in earth's more favored climes. Nor Oural gold, nor gems of Ind The wealth surpass our children find, As aye with science for their guide, The held they search so grand and wide, From distant Hudson's frozen wave To lands remote, where lave The Atlantic tides bleak G-aspe's shore. Things beauteous, rare, unknown before, And imrest gold and marble bright, Their toils reward, — their minds delight With prospects grand ; — whilst bold aspires Our infant race, their giant sires To emulate ; from sea to sea, 18 250 iF: u\ li Their Empiro'K powor ono day io ])o. Whore IlovvH the vaHt Tacilic tide, (2) Even now inankiiid oiiv Jiuvs tihido ; Where sweeps the riiufucd Eastern strand Wild Ocean's loam, our rule and hind. Not lib'ral nature's liU'ts alone Our soil enrich; each art ils own Wants to sup]>ly, Hie to adorn. Here rev(»ls *^enius nalive-born ; Their yii'ted sons remotest climes lU\stow: these, lib'ral u'race, our times With ornanuMit and Avealth olmind, Their study to improve mankind. With soarinc^ view they anxious tend The oi)onins intellect to bend, By lures that art and science lend. Thus, where by great tSt. Lawrencj tide, Stately arise in martial pride, Quebec's famed walls, and Diamond's towers (3) Defiance frown to hostile powers, The painter's varied skill displays The artist mind of other days ; The architect's ingenious lore The art of times gone by, even more Sets forth, as wond'ring you behold Those massive walls now gray and old, That oft have beat the foeman back, Repelling, firm, each bold attack Against the compact, bomb-proof wall .5(4) Nor fail with time our wisdom powers Of modern skill the genius ours, Witness those edifices grand That deck the foaming Ottawa's land : Magnificent in all their parts, The Architect's and Sculi^tor's arts Our people's taste and gen'rous^wall Glorious display, as on to fill IT "-^^ Their high career, they eager^speed_^ f.l 2r)i \\y hoiior'.s ]>alhs, mon^ plpiisod tho moed Orinduslry to win, iliivn I'lmu^ Ol'htTo lM)ld, wlioNt' liiurclU'd luiino In (Iclds of l)lo()d that liislntus nImuio, Survives, — a sliadow, luiiilii l)ut loiio. Nor dcoin our lot so wn^lchrd horo ; Winter tcrrilio nioro thiin half the ycuir O'er rivers, lakes and siniliiin' li«'lds, {Sternly his frozen srepire wields. Meunwhiio, are we, not all forlorn, As if from ov'ry i>leasure torn. ChanL!,'ed is thci season, true ; arise Now scenes, and, IVecjuenl now Ihe ski(»s In all their wintry Lcrandeur lower. And conscious of their i^iant pow(;r, Tho tempest hurl. To r(>fun;<« driven, Wayfarini; men 'eainst uni,n'y ][eaven Contend not. To their homes they cling", Hopinuf the God of li^^ht will bring Ere hnx^, ihe sunshine'. ])ack, — tho ray So bright of the Canadian day, In winter, oven, so cloudless, — cl^ar, Wo think no more this time of year A period dull and tiresome grown, When summer's Halcyon days aro llown, And Autumn, as for very grief. Hath strewn the sere and withered leaf. I .; Each frame, the winter air so keen, Not languid now, as it had been In scorching Summer's heat, delights In healthful exercise, excites Anew its powers by manly toils And sports invir'^rating, spoils The forest of its ealth, and rears The fabric vast, in i'uture years Will bless the store, and make increase The nation's strength, secure its peace, Its bulwarks raise, that will defy Each foe that e'er shall daring try Its soil to win. Thus plies his axe 18=^ ?r' 252 i;^ • Sv i. \4' '% ) 11 li i The hardy woe dmaii, to relax Unwilling, even when rudely blows The biting wind, and gathering snows Whiten the grim pines, and all trace Of herb and footpath to elFace Hasten infallible. His art Fails not meanwhile, and his bold heart Exnltant wars against the blast. Nor thinks he till his toils are past. Of cot or wigwam. They who can Crush this unconquerable man. Dreaded is our winter; but amiss ; Sweetest home joys and social bliss [ts ever fruitful growth. These more Here dwell, than on the happy shore Of prosp'rous Britain. Here is found True happiness, and here abound Pleasures all pure, now long unknown Whence truth and frugal ways are flown. Favored Isles ! by Steamship and Rail Onward you speed o'er hill and vale. Nought can imi^rovement stay ; your ways Like net-work spread, the land unite As iiingic spell both strong and bright The votary binds in charmed tie That none may break, so wide and high Your art extends ; and now no more Your races foreign are, the shore Of mainland, in our day, conjoined With islands lone, cause live mankind In amity, by commerce bound, And social joys, your Empire round. Thus, they who barb'rous erst were deemed And lost their lot and hopeless seemed, Delighted now the progress share, — Our age's pride ; — and glad prepare For times to come, all that is grand In prospect yet to bless your land. Not yours alone, the power of steam. The sea-wide lake and limpid stream, 253 The light canoe so late that bore, Now, gladdened, wai't from shore to shore, The golden freight, 'neath swelling sail ; With conscious art, now make avail The mystic engine. Thus, on land. As on our waters, deep and grand, An ever living scene you view, Behold, with pleasure ever new. The fleets that richly laden glide. Aye bearing on the peaceful tide, Our people's hopes, — the costly stores That greatly bless these Western shores. Nor only this the victory we claim ; Even now much honored is our name 'Mongst all who for the love of gain Or pleasure's dreams, heedless of pain And travel-toil, seek distant climes. And here meet all that modern times To please or to enrich have found In art's or science' endless round. Welcome to these the coursing train That gladly sweeps the lake bound plain The gloomy swam^:) and forest wide. From farthest lake to ocean's tide. ^^evere our winder; grant you this ; But Vviio shall tell what store of bliss From climes remote, upon its wings. Unto these ice-girt shores it brings. Scarce wafted o'er the surging brine, Ttich laden ships with snows combine Thr'ir treasures on our land to pour ; And now, when howling tempests lower^ And blinding drift, each way to bar. Hastens resistless ; when the car Steam-power defies, then rajiid glide Through field and swamp and forest wide,. On thousand roads of beaten snow, 81eigh-horse and man; now brightly glow 'Neath wintry Sol's returning ray, The merchant loads that crowd each way ; '1 '. 1,1 E!! S u V- ^1'- 254 Now pleasure's vot'ries liealthiul scorn Both time and distance, liglitly borne O'er land and lake and ice-l>ound stream ; Nor pain nor labour now they deem The forest dark and dense to scour, Nor roek nor mount resists their power. On, on, they, joyous, enu'er, speed ; Nor the keen piercing cold they heed, Braced each nerve by the cheering day, And glowing warm in tarred array. "What with our Summer can compare ? Nought you possess, though great and rare. Our days of sunshine can excel ; Pleasing youi clime, and who can tell. What victories art with you hath won — — Art that can of Orient Sun The warmth, though not the light bestow ; That causes o'er the land to glow Each beauty of the iloral reign, Sweet, luscious fruits, your wondrous gain. But cheering more the gifts of Heaven Beneath our Sun spontaneous given. Too short, we own, our Summer time, But glorious bright, — in li^astern clime Unknown its splendour ; the clear day Sheds genial the refulgent ray Our earth that warms, and makes appear The lustrous honors of the year. Flowers of innumerable hues The eye in rapturous transport views The land around, — in shady vale, Hill-side retired and forest dale. The garden's various, rich array Even Science' pen could scarce portray, So vast the store kind nature "^ives "Where every plant unbidden lives. Some care in Winter's keener hours. Shelter from chilling Springtide showers, And each exotic you descry, Exultant in the Summer sky. K.r ff 255 Too brief, alas ! this soason bright ; Yot to a time oi' new delight Now it must yield ; cooler the days That, now, less vivid, mellowed rays Shed o'er the ripened lields ; and now Freshened with dews, the sweet llowers glow In chastened Sunshine ; now the leaves Their rich hues change, as fi^uminer grieves Her throne to abdicate, her ray Soft blending with th' autumnal day. Nor crieves she as if Winter's l)last When she withdraws, rushed lierce and fast, But mournfully recedes to own A rival worthy of her crown. Kind, fruitful Nature's revel time Is the resplendent Summer's prime ; Her rest, when torrid days are Uown, And Autumn's gentler breath hath blown. Far less exerts she now her power The conquest won. In tranquil hour Rejoicing, now her giant might Put forth no more, her sole delight Sweetly to ba^k in the mild ray Of the less warm September day. The Sun unclouded, brightly still His calm, cool beams o'er dale and hill Benignant pours, invites to rest. As now, serene, on Autumn's breast Ho sinks to sleep, the toil-worn race Of busy men, joys to efface Each furrow dark that care had wrought, Whilst striving to attain, dear bought. The wished for prize, in searching glow Of summer's heat. Now from the brow, Anxious no more, are wiped away The dews of toil, and the blest swain From labour now of Sun-struck plain Emancipate, with Nature's song. Blends his glad voice, loves to prolong Throughout the calm Autumnal-time Th;3 joyful strain, in fiivored clime That grateful swells around the land It 256 w I- "Where Summer with unsparing hand, Into the lap of Autumn pours Bounteous, her never failing stores. From heats oppressive now relieved, Sol's brighter, fiercer course achieved, The season ever calm, serene, G-racious, a sweet and soothing scene To wearied»men presents, each eye Sparkling with pleasure to the sky- Enraptured soars, and the joyed mind Expanding, grateful, calls mankind Melodious soncr and choral strains to raise And jubilant the King of Seasons praise. I, When from his couch of driven snow Came vig'rous Spring, and caused to glow The earth with verdure, and arrayed Each herb and tiee in garb new made Of richest foliage, the view So cheering, joyous w^as, that few Could look unmoved. Of coldest steel The soul, that could not inward feel The influence sublime, that ran Through ev'ry sense, and made each man Him worship by w^hose word appear The glories of the rolling year. I More lovely Autumn. Hoi^e's kind ray Cheering to man. In rich array Comes hoped for good, and now sweetly Yields promise to reality. Thus, Spring's live joys that hope insjiire. The banquet spread may all admire But taste not yet, pale their glad ray To glorioiis Autumn's teeming day. And nr ,v the feast, so rich prepared. And lib'rul gi\ en, is thankful shared. The happy gnesis expectant long. The bor.rct ari;t;:iu In rapture throng. H ffi 257 And lo ! this Autumn feast to grace, Their beauteous leaves the woods apace "With loveliest tints endless adorn. These ever chang-iv g hues, each morn. Rapt you descry in aspect new Of many colored robe, the view So rich and cheering, varied, grand, That annual decks this Western land. The forests vast in their array The glories of our autumn day, With fields and flowers conspire to raise, And waft to distant shores its praise. Adieu my Kavenscraio ! no more Behooves it now this gifted shore Joyful to sing. Will come the day When not unworthy Poet's lay, A fitting them, — its social state. Its Statesmen and its Sages great, — The Muses shall inspire, and song Shall sweetest eulogies prolong. Till field and flood and forest lone. Harmonious, echo to their tone. Remotest shores shall hear the strain. And, far, be^^ond the Western main, In days to come, shall speak its fame The Bard unborn. Its honored name Glorious, with wreaths unfading twined, 'Mong them whose labors bless mankind, Whose cinqu'ring power, nor warrior band Nor Ocea I's waves may now withstand. Deign, gf ntlest Peace, thine aid to lend ; Thy yok<; beneath, willing to bend, Let all ii cline, this favored soil Ever to bless ; the sons of toil Aye hapi y speed in the grand way This betttr age hath traced. E'er crow With time their growth. Bounteous bestow The progress meed. With garlands new Thy votaries enwreath. Their view Guide onward, till thy crowns of gold f m^ 1 m ir: 1 .'ii' ■ ■ t t, , II H ;/. 258 Their brows encircle, wealth untold, And all thy treasures. Peace, abound, And happiness each hearth surround. Ottawa, October, 1864. (1) " Lo ! treasures vast the mineral reign )utpours, kc. Pages 210 of Episile to — — Eih'nbiirr/h. It may be stated in reference to \\]v\t is said in the foregoing lines, in regard to tlie mineral resources of Canada, that no fewer than tliirty- five Acts have l»eoniiasseil in the Canadini i'arliann'nt, (hnang the course of the current year, for incorporathig (iold-nilning or otlicn- Mining Com- panies, or otherwise regulating the working of valuable mines in Canada. Thu", there are Acts to incorporate "The Eastern 'I'ownships' Eldorad() Gold and Copper T^Iining Company,'' "The Opliir Cold Mining Company,'' "The River r amine Crid Mining Company,"' ''The Du Loup (iold Com- pany,"' "The Atlas (jold Mining Com))any," ''The South Ham (lold and Copper Mining Cohi^vmy," "The Havalah Cold Mining Comiiany," "The Magog Gold Mining Company,'' "Tlie Bunker Hill (iold Mining Company," kc, «fec.. «kc. (2) It'has been prov;'d that those portions of the North- West Territory which border on the Pacific Ocean, were subject to Canadian law until erect- ed lately into separate C!olonies. They are still governed by the same laws and the same Sovereign authority as Canada, (3) The renowned Citadel on Capo Diamond, (4) iSome of the ancient buildmgs at Quebec are known to be l.oinb- proof. M XI- THE NEWS FROM RUSSIA/^- AuiTNsl, 186.3. mrgh. ing lini"'s, lan tliirty- l)f course iihig Com- II ('anada. ' Eldorado 'oinpany,'' iold Com- 1 (lold and ly," "Tho. iompany,"' t Territory in til erect - snnie laws > be i-omb- T>olieta iiKiji'iMim {fand) inuncritus lues lliiiniino. (lunee tcinflfv rot'croris ^■IaIcsiiuo lubeiito.s L)ooniin. .vc, Ac, iriKACic Oi)i;s ; lib. in., odo ''. Alas ! young' "RoinanofF, aye thine to ])car Of each paternal crime tlie damning load, Until the ruined temple thou repair, And honor pay'st to Poland's outraged God. That o'er so vast an Empire thou hear'st sway. To more than mortal choice, its cause must trace ; If men in millions prompt thy word obey, 'Tis that thou wiil'st to reign by Heaven's grace. * The latest newspapers present the most melancholy accounts of the cruel system by which Russia hopes to 'exterminate tlie nationality of I'o- lond. This system is pursued M'ith untiring zeal in Litluiania, Fodolia, White Russia, Volhynia and Ukraine. In all the Provinces which consti- tut.)d the ancient Kingdom of Poland, it is forbidden to speak the lan- guage of the country ; the nubility, landed proprietors and Burghers are deported ; the clergy and religious orders persecuted and exiled ; the youth of the land forced to servo in the Pussian army. Numerous arrests, tho motive or, rather, the pretext for which is xniknown, have lately been exe- cute'l at Warsaw. That city is filled with consternation. The KiefF Tele- graph j)ublishes a list of 52 Poles condemned for political oflences. (.)f these five have been deported to the remote regions of Siberia, declared to be civilly deiid and stript of all honors. P'ifteeii arc banished to the less distant provinces of iSiberia and dejirived of tlicir rights. Thirty-two, of whom three are peasants and the rest nobles, proprietors and burghers, aro ordered to tho interior of Eussia. In tlie (iovornment of Kieif alone 330 Poles have been condemned in the coin-se of six months. Tluis is Poland cruelly afflicted by the hand of man. A more pow^^rful hand strikes Pussia >«t m ^u li *!■ t m f \ ;i::,: I i \ '■ . m I i' : I 2G0 Of all things human this the mighty source ; Whatever agitates this nether sphere, Whate'er occurs throughout time's varied course, Must aye to this great power relation bear. What ills on ills o'er Muscovy have poured, A i^eople loved of Heaven too well declare. Ah ! long o'er them have whelming war clouds lowered. And long her tyrant arm doth Kussia bare ; Vainly the right of conquest doth she claim ; A nation, long in fragments hopeless riven, Jjj an • 3 to seize, unworthy w^arlike aim. Ignoble boast, that men, to ruin driven Ere dawnc^d thy day, by victory are won ! Not such the victories of Him whose r)ower Defied Marengo's hero, and alone Without ally from any foreign shore, Kolled back the conquering Gaul, and nobly gained To freedom's cause, an Empire throned in snow ; Not such the glorious deeds that erst constrained The haughty Swede in humble mood to bow, As brightly rose the genius of thy Tzar ; Not such the arts — that gave to deathless fame herself nt the same time. We should he hUml indeed if \vc faikni to sec that I'otrihutive justice which, sooner or later, must be meted out, in the calamities, which, i. > less terrible thsui war, are spreading ruin throughout that immetise Empire That unfortutiate country is devoured by frequent fires. In 1S64 there were lO.OSl. This figure is already exceeded this year, TambotF among other places, was during three days enveloped in Hanit^s. Tlu^ Poles were accused of these disastrous accidents. But the falst>hood of the accusation Tvas demonstrated by the Journal of (he Academy of 8t. Pda-aburgh itself. Epidemics rage at the same time. At iSt. Petersburgh there are 4,000 sick. The cattle are perishing by epizootic diseases. Terrible Imrricanes and tor- rents of rain are spreading devastation everywhere. The hopes of the harvest are destroyed by a season so unusual that it was still snowing at ISaratotf on the 4tli June. Enormous quantities of corn are annihilated in an unwonted manner. The cholera is spoken of. In a few words, there is no end to the diseases which appear to have combiiuvl, in order to crush this gigantic empire which emitraces nearly tlu^ lialf of Europe and the whole of Xorthern Asia — nvacliing from the Frontiers of China to the con- lines of l'(»land, Sweden and Turkey, besides having vast possessions on the northwestern coast of North America. Not satisfied with such immense tcrrittM'ies, Uussii, as ambitious as ever, is sju'culating at this moment, on the pe sonal situation of the Sultan with a view to carry out her hii(iuitous desigi s ag\inst Constantinople andTurkey.— Cojtnierrfw Canada, 16/A Aug.y 1S65. 64 there among 's wore usiition itself. K)0 sick. and tor- of the )\ving at ted in there i» crush ind the he con- on tlie nmcnso ent, on luitous h Aug.y 261 The wisest of thy kings, and made him war With error more and crime, that him whose name Than direful llanni])ars that spread dismay More terrible ; that was a hero age. Lustrous the name and honored was the sway Of him magnanimous, who could engage All J!]urope's sympathy, and c^mse revere Thy hiws humanity in war's fell hour ; And liberty, long lost, to all so dear, Gren'rous restored whilst shone great vict'ry's power In uiuliminislied glory, as were heard The cheering words that bade the vanquised live,"^ In honor live, ere yet fatal appeared Time's latest bale, the bitter feuds that give New horrors forth and far and near outspread The crime-dyed banner of intestine strife ; Such ills the Tzar exultant could not dread ; Heaven spread its n'u'is o'er so great a life. Ill omened age, that l)ids another reign ; For him thy star, l)right liberty, hath shone, Bootless, o'er serf-bound Itussia ; in vain Toileth he earnest in thy cause, alone Against a nation,! — retribution just For him who tyrant like, with cruel hand. Even as inspires the withering lust Of ill got power, crushes that fated land Rich in the growth of heroes 111 starred day, O youthful Tzar, first that beheld thee strike A people brave and true — in freedom's ray So long that gloried. Thine, O how unlike That sway paternal, which resistless claimed Men's willing homage and a halo threw Of matchless glory over him long named The father of his people. O renew That age of gold ! Thine iron rule no more, 111 favored, curse thy land, and blight thy fame. Let Justice reign, and they who oft of yore In freedom's battle led the van, thy name .«t * The Emperor Alexander's consideration for the French Nation. t The Tzar Alexander has decreed improvements in Russia j\irispiu- dence, such as trial by jury, &c., in opposition to a mojority of his senate. 262 I fr VlU Will ever ))loss. Ill aiipj'iir*^! p1s<» thy ways; Till th«Mi no lauvol wroath shall d('ck thy brow, No ravonii«^ aus[)i('(^ all thy mortal days, Thiiio or thy people's conquering' jwwcm* may show; IJy ][eaven\s decree, del'eat must e'ei- be thino. What l)ut the will thou spurnesf,, mad(? thee yield, When to thy shores, athwart the roamini;' l)rine, Two nations came, renowned on Hood and iield, They I'or tiieir Heels and seauien bold, wide liuned, And slalwari men and brave ; and they ol" old For valiant diMnls lonu' i>raised, — now hi>w '/ vV# Hiotographic Sciences Corporation '1 V •1>' ^\ 'o ^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14S80 (716) 873-4503 ^ <^ I 264 11 >4 Upon the saddened eai, a nation's tears And dark despair, the exile's piteous moan, — Cry loud to Peaven. Hast thou no rising fears ? Of all that live, unmoved art thou alone ? Unmoved amid the plagues that waste thy land, Thy burning cities, and thy drenched fields. Thy people writhing 'neath the flaming hand Of angry Heaven, thy clime no fruit that yields To i)atient toil, — strange frost and summer snow. Even in thy nOi. them zone, unwonted sight. Loud hurricanes athwart thy steppes that blow. That sweep the plains and every pros^iect blight. Die the starved flocks, disease the people mows. Like harvest scythe, and all out oe'r the realm Graunt famine stalks, and dark and dismal shows The lowering plague cloud ready to o'erwhelm. Shake not these woes, O Tzar, thine inmost heart ? Not hardened quite as yet, thy tender years Best promise give. Thine, yet the noble part, A people's wounds to heal. Full flowed thy tears When fell thy youthful Son, a pledge to Heaven, — A hostage from thy hearth so early torn. When bled thy land, erewhile, and hopeless riven Were thy strongholds, — when o'er the ocean borne Bold foes thine Empire shook. Ah ! freely flowed The scalding tear. In fragments now is thrown A people once so great, — now lowly bowed Their grandeur to the dust, their glory gon3. The nations weep — Hast thou no tears to shed ? Unnatural art thou, to all feeling dead ! Ottawa, August, 1865. DIES IR^. Day of anger, day of dread ! The world in fire shall pass away : The doom in David's and Sibylla's lay Oh ! what fear shall then prevail, "When God shall come, the judge of man, And all his deeds inexorable scan ! Loud shall the last trumpet sound ; Shall hear the silent grave its tone, Shall face each startled soul the judgment throne. Death and Nature both shall see, Spring from the dust each creature forth, Before the Judge severe, to plead its worth. The doom book in Heaven writ, "Wherein the witness all is read Mankind to judge, that day will be outspread. On his throne the Sov'reign Judge, Each hidden deed all earth shall see, And unavenged no mortal crime shall be. What, ah ! wretched, shall I say ? What patron's aid shall I invoke. When scarce the good shall 'scape stern justice's stroke ? Awful Thou, Heaven's Majesty ! Yet free doth thy salvation flow ; Bid ope Thy mercy's fountain, — favor show. 19 Wf^ Il iH' 266 Forget not, Saviour Lord, lour ;Rfy guilt hath caused thy mortal life, conqu Give me to in the final strife. Just Thou art, avenging judge ; Oh ! yet ere dawn that awful day, Do Thou, in pity, wipe each stain away. Ever scourges mo remorse. Ever biirns me sin's devouring shame, I, suppliant now. Thy generous pity claim. Thou did'st Magdalen forgive. And heard'st the ro})l)er's humble prayer ; Me, too, (I hope in Thee) Thou'lt gracious spare Ah ! how worthless all my vows ! Yet, for Thy bounteous. Heavenly name, My soul Thou'lt save from Hell's eternal flame Ever 'mongst thy faithful few, — Thy chosen ones, — Thy throne beside. My place secure, — far from Thy foes di^'ide. Be Thine enemies abashed ! Hopeless, condemned to endless fire ; Amidst Thy saints to dwell shall I aspire. . Humble and suppliant ever, Contrite, my soul each sin deplores ; Mine end be peace, — my treasure Heavenly stores. Oh ! that day ! w^hat tears shall flow ! When guilt-stain'd man from dust shall come. The Judgment seat around, to meet his doom. Spare, Lord, each sinner spare. Thy mercy, Jesus, liberal show, Thy blessed peace eternally bestow^ Amen SONG OF CYMODOCE, A (IRECIAN LADY, IMrRISUNED AT ROME FOR THE. CHRISTIAN FAITH. Swiftly, swiftly speed, Ansonian sails, Swiftly, swiftly, plough the dark blue sea; Lend, mighty Neptune, lend thy favoring gales, Let all thy min' string slaves propitious be. Waft me, O waft me to the happy shore "Where flows the bright I*amisus' silvery tide ; "Where oft in youth's gay morning, roamed of yore My guileless steps, once more, O, faithful guide The child of Grreece. Birds of the Libyan sky On beauteous wings that bear hope's cheering song, Far, to Ithome's height, O quickly fly ; These anxious words impart : " From spouse and parents' hearth, an exile long, " Great Homer's child, to pleasing home restored, " Messenia's laurels will rejoice to view, " And with a Father and a spouse adored, •' Youth' s happy days delighted will renew." Oh ! when shall to my longing soul be given. All that it loved of old ? My native G-reece : The flowery mead — the stainless azure heaven, — The limpid murmuring brook, sweet scene of peace, Where, rocked in pleasure's lap, my childhood's hours Flew blissful on ; not more the tender fawn "When joyful bounding from her shady bowsers. Led by the rustic pipe, enjoyed life's dawn. Alas, how changed my lot ! Oh ! piteous state' ! (ft ■1 ■ 13 12 2G8 Oh ! cruel doom ! in noisome lonely cell, The hapless victim oi' relentless late. In the fell tyrant's land, I hopeless dwell. Fain would I raise the merrj^ linnets' strain ; Like moaning- of funereal lyre, my song Meanwhile. Yet, surely, ))ear I, not in vain, This wedding- narb ; now glad will I prolong The joy-note ; like happiest mother now. In ecstasy, I clasp my darling boy. He, the while, clings fond to my shelt'ring side, Even as the timid bird, when foes annoy. Cowers 'neath the parent wing. But down my pride ! Ah ! wretched, here, of misery the prey, Lone timid bird am I, to sorrow given. From parent's roof and kindred torn away. From all I loved, and from my country riven. Father and spouse, ah ! why this long delay ? Could I my country's Genii implore. Enquire what immolated victims say ! But no ; the God I reverently adore Forbids : — the Cross alone, my light, my stay. t This World is all a Fleeting Show, &c., &c., &c. Moore. Who'd not this transient world forego, And longing look through Faith to Heaven ?- — To Heaven beyond life's lleeting show, Where joys that perish not are given ? No tears are there the eye that dim. Nor false the smiles which light that sphere ; The lips are true that raise the hymn — — The Hymn of rapture sounding there. Its glory knows no flick' ring flame ; Like brightest morning aye it glows ; To day and yesterday the same. No fading hues it can disclose. And love is there and beauty's bloom, Not blossoms gathered to decay ; Deceitful hope hath there no room, Nor pleasure's lure to block our way. There tossed no more on stormy wave, The wanderers of earth find rest ; Beyond life's bourn — beyond the grave. With glories ever new they're blessed. WR^ 270 Nor lights that realm fond Fancy's beam, Nor doubtinji^ Reason's feeble ray ; Ten thousand Suns rellecting gleam The light of God's eternal day. Serene that world ; no tempest howls ; No surging waves can shake its peace ; Calm and untroubled are all souls ; From care and warfare they've release. liiit ^Mff TE DEUM LAUDAMUS. Praise, praise ever, to God be given I Thee, Lord alone, all men proclaim ; Parent of all adored in Heaven, On earth. Eternal One Thy Name I Thee, rapt, extol the angel choirs, The Heavens and all the Heavenly The Cherub's strain to Thee aspires. The Seraphim his song outpours. powers With endless as with glad acclaim. Enraptured, they Thy glory sing. Holy, thrice holy is Thy name. Oh, thou. Lord God, great Sabaoth's King ! Thy majesty the world perA'ades, The Heavens immense thy glory own ; Apostles in exalted grades, The Prophet band of high renown. The Martyr host in robes of light. The Holy Church all earth around, Thee, Majesty, sole great and bright, Confess, and loud Thy praise resound. Thy venerable only son True God, alike, we, faithful, praise. itti :.. Ill 272 To Ilim, tho samo, till time ])o done, Tho Spirit I'aracloto, our lays We ceaseless pour, Christ evfr more, Of God alone, eternal Ki)run|^, In Truth and Spirit we adore. Oh ! let Thy praise be cordial suni^! Our errinir, liilli'ii rare to save, The meek and lowly Virgin's wojnb Thou willing* souuht'st, and I'reely gave In expiation to the tonil), The life which snatched from death its sting-, And Heaven's harred portals opened wide. To all who faithful round Thee cling; Whilst Thou, in glory, })y the side Of God the Father, reign'st supreme. From thence, one day, Thou'lt powerful come. The world to judge. That hour extreme Who shall abide ? But, Thou, the doom Piteous avert ! Thy servants pic. d, For whom was shed thy precious blood. Oh ! in their utmost, direst need, Thine aid extend ; Thy Mercy's flood Ne'er cease to flow ; and 'midst Thy Saints, Our place secure, in Glory's state, All power beyond of wordly taints, Of erring, blind, capricious fate. Thv people, Lord, look down to save, Thy choicest blessings ever pour On them whom Heaven propitious gave To dwell in shadow of Thy power. Oh, be they ever 'neath Thy sw^ay ! Do Thou exalt them evermore ! Humble and earnest, as they pray, Bounteous dispense Thy loving Store. Each day, our voice to Thee we raise : From age to age, we bless Thy name, And bid our children speak Thy praise — The praise Divine none else can claim. Hi JimujiuLJu.', 278 Vonchsafo, O Lord, that frco from stain, Wo pass Time's ])ourn ! Tliy jruard bestow : bin s lurinir snares, like victims shiiii O'erthrown, Thy shielding mercy shew. Fails not, j^ood Lord, our Trust in Thee ; AVhen Faint and weak, in darkest hour, Boundless to us thy «rraces ]h\ Oh, never can we doubt Thy power, And never shall confusion see. Amen. i* ♦ "if I ECCE QUAM BONUM., &c. (/Vi/wiCXXII.) Aug-ht is there 'neatli the azure skies More uood, more sweet, tliuii C.%>iicortl's ties i Less sweet tlie o'drous ])ahn, when spread On Aaron's consecrated head, Adown his heard and on his breast, It Hows, and o'er his hroidered vest. Less sweet the I'ertiHzino- sliowers That water Zion's h'aly bowers ; Less sweet the sparklinii' dews that glow On shady Ilermon's verdant brow. Clioice bh^ssing- aye, l)y ] leaven's decree, And lilb Divine, its meed eternally. fl-» WELCOME TO Tin; HON. TJIO»S. D'AJtOY McOJsK, "T. p. p., Mini.ilcr of A(/rirullure, \ HIS AHItlVAI. AT OTT. WA, MAY L>7tii, IsOT. rilOM HIS I'l llLir AXI> IMI'OKTANT MISSION' Tfi KIliOI'K IN (MNNErTh N WITH TliH KO.MINION (.1' CAXAI>A. Favorocl of cities most, Avhcvo rolls thy tide, Grand Ottawa ! No more by 'JMhcr's wave Moves the triiimplial ear ; nor doth abide The hero's name to cruel death that i»iive His slaui'-htered thousands. Cileries ever new, Yet ancient more, their ])ri^htest wreaths entwine Thy Victor chiefs to crown, Ihy patriots true. Thy Statesmen sa,2:e, who wisely could coml)ine Their noblest meed to win ! liejoice, Peace ! Thy victory complete ! To latest time A nation great })e thine ! Nor let it cease Thy praise to hymn, whilst echo to the chime Of rushing waters, Ottawa s Senate Halls, And Statesmen grave shall crowd around her Towers From climes remote, and AVarriors ])rave her walls Shall Guard. Thou, last, ])ut not the least, 'mong Power s, Shalt reign, loved Ottawa ! From age to age Thy Patriot Statesmen thou shalt joyful hail, .llll ,1 1 'I 276 With Victor bays shalt dock each lavorito Sago ! Proud Victor bays ! bought not by ( )rphan's wail ! Nor shiughtor-dyed, as was the wont ol" yoro When rose the triumpli shout, amid the thronp:, The haughty Victor dripping still with gore ! ►Such was thy glory, war ! alas ! too long ! Peace livings a conquest greater far than thine, Her power creative gives her high command, And lo ! Irom out the storm-tossed ibaming brine, 'Twixt Oceans twain, — l.y wild Atlantic's strand An Empire springs ! Firm oA'or be thy sway, Auspicious power ! Long may thy ^Statesmen sage Bright honor win ! And, often, as to-day, Triumphal glories crown this favored age ! And oft, to grace a chosen A'otary's brow, May Clio come ! And, aye, may willing twine Her laurel wreath, Molpomene, as now ; And with the iSister Muse the Muses all combine ! i I "IN DEFENCE." St. ANDREW VS DAY, 18G8. Lift high tho h\y ! 'Tis Scotia's clay ! Foremost in Glory's scroll, Tho Lion Flag unroll ! That Lion bold no victor owned, While vanquished nations quailed around, As Rome's proud lilagle sought the fray, And eager grasped his destined prey. Lo ! conquests new ! and ]!]mpires vast O'er Earth appear ! thou'rt fallen at last ! Brave as of yore, thou'lt own a Conqu'rors sway ! Yield to the Gaul's invincible array ! No ! — Not mighty CiiAULEMAaNE himself shall dare Thy Lion in his mountain home to scare. Thy love he'll court, — thy envied lavor gain, And cast his tressuke round thy Lion's mane ! f • The motto unil( r tlio civst on tlie Soal of St. Andrew's Society of Ottawa. t Jn tlio yoar of our Lonl 7'.)(), tlio Eniporor Ciiaumcmagxe souglit an alliance with Aciiau'S, King of StMHland. In nioniory of the "League" which was at tliat lime formed bftW(>('n tlie gr(\at(>st Kmpiri> of the day and the Nortlicrn nati • An allusion to the foulest deed of the time- T. D. McGee. -the murder of the Hon. iil ii LINES a» THE OPEXI\(J OF THE EKUCATIOXAL llUl'SE OF TKE COXdREilATIUN, (FOUMEULV THE VICTUKIA HOTEL.) OTTAWA, Isr MAY, 1*)','. " Sic vos non cobis ni(l{ficafis frrcs." (ViKUII-.) :; I ir'K liiftH iv' Siiild high thy nest, fond mortal, build it high ; Thy wonted cunning's all in vain. Thine art and curious labour boldly try ; Thy toil is for another's gain. So, defly wove the Roman Bard his song ; Not for himself the witching strain ; Lo ! to a stranjver doth his fame belong AVho, cruel, robbed the tuneful swain. liaise high thy gorgeous temples mighty Rome ! Thy stately Ralaces uprear ! Not for thy fav'rite Gods the costly dome ; E'en now the better age is near ! Is thine the lofty Basilic no more ; Ne'er, for thy pompous rites again, Shall ope the Fane, its portals as of yore ; Thy grandest toil, O Rome, is vain ! Ascends the smoke of incense never more. Nor lion in thy Capitol And' spacious amphitheatres shall roar ; All silent, — save thy death's dull toll ! •• ' 287 i ) #• Now fiillon thy Clods, thiii«^ F.mporors dothroiu'd. In Toinplo now and lordly Hall, Th«> Christian's holy anthom is intoned, The Heavens inclinini^ to his call. And Thou, the proudest city oi' the woods ! Build hi^h thine edilices grand ; Thou dost but vainly waste thy treasured snoods; For others works thy well skilled hand. But not like Heathen Kome's, thy willing* toil ; Thou, jyen'rous, could'st a Palace raise, — A shelter to the stranger on thy soil ; And this thy never dying* praise. To wearied and wayfaring 'twas thine aim, Cordial the bread of strength to break. This merit shall we say thou canst not claim ^ Ah ! no ! since for the JSaviour'.s sake, Is broken here, each day, the bread of life, — . That bread which knowledge is and truth. Light to the blind, toil's rest, and peace 'mid strife, Soul to the strong and hope of youth ! PI El 'I LAMENT FOR THE RIGHT REVEREND JAMES GILLIS, D. D.,=* BISHOP OF EDINBURGH, AC. I AC, AC. 0i But yesterday ! (we call it ;, ears, indeed, (x) So slowly, yet so swiftly flows Time's course,) By Death's sad couch, in hour of direst need, Mourning, thou stood'st, lone by that Prelate's corse Whose venerable age thy tears forbade. And hope inspired, that thou should'st long remain, Faithful, as he had been, in that high grade, To which a people's love thy mind could gain. And, hopeful, through hoar Time's eventful days, Didst thou look out, and many promised years. With richest blessiiig fraught, beheld'st, thy ways Ever to prosper and dispel thy fears. But vain those high aspirings ! Time, with thee, False reckoning hath kept. Scarce yet begun Thy greatest, noblest works, in fell envy, Remorseless, she's thy thread of life outspun. * Canada justly claims the late celebi-ated Bishop. Montreal was tho City of his birth. And he studied there, at tho Seminary, until ho wa» fourteen years of age, when he went with his parents to Scotland. i : ir, . m !=» ho ras 289 Too brief thy span ! yet' much didst thou achieve, Enliffhtened Prohite ! Still around the Throne Ofmighty Bourbon, doomed ko soon to grieve Its downfall, ere its powerful sway was gone, Stood marshalled haughty France's chivalry ; And thine the task, to wield a keener sword Than Bourbon's, long so famed in history. Vain their essay who dared repel thy word, (1) And Christian, pious men, list'ning, consoled, Beheld great Paul himself, as erst ho spoke In Athens' learned Senate, and unrolled , Salvation's plan, and Pagan minds awoke, And bade them revel in the noonday Light Of Revelation, — Heaven's l)e.st boon toman, — Joys unknown before, — deep, untold delight, — Bright thoughts, their utmost grasp of mind outspan. Mourn, loved Edina ! more was thine this Paul Than e'er thou 'It kiu)W. Thine all his thoughts, his care. For thee, for thine, not for the kindred Gaul, His love profound, no toil could ever spare. High soared his mind. No common man was he. Enthusiast say'st thou ? "Well, what e'er was done Without enthusiasm ? What e'er could be, Improvement's views apart, that ever won With firm resolve, the destined, wished for end, That haughty minds, impatient of control, To their great purposes could nobly bend, And bid celestial thunder dazzling roll ? Dear, ever, to his Patriot heart thy Fame. Vouchsafed had bounteous Heaven, the progress power Thy glories to extend, a mightier name Thou 'dst have, than Heroes gave, the world out o'er. His sphere though limited, he made thee shine. Like favored Orleans of high renown. Lo! now in Europe's Tale, two Stars conjoin. In one, two glories live ; — these both Ihine own. Heroic Joan, conqu'ring Orleans' pride ! This pride thou'lt share, remaining constant bounds By ties historic, to fair Joan's side ; Now Orleans and thou, one classic ground. (2) f it 2S>0 i» m ti llolior Hum Aiiron's IliMivonly Pricsllioocl, IhiiU'. llin'lj, 1») il loflii'sl lu'ii^lils, Ihoii sonrMsl suhliuu*. in llioiiuhl, ill (li'cd, ill cKxiiuMict' l)ivini', Tliy iiUMuoi'v sliull oiillivo (IcNouriin;- time. l<'iult' m:iy K*:ivii;niui's luid LiU'onliiirc's I'amt* ; Tliiiu' stTurt*, (he tulmirini;- world shall iMiuravc, |)(M»i>iii ils luMU'l oflifiirls, lliy honored niuni', In liiocktM'v ollhc »'old ohlivious ijraVtv With Orlcan'.s i>iriiMl I'rclaU', Icmih' conjoim^d, In !i()li«vsi bonds ol'CMirislian aniily ; Lik«> him, Ihoii. farnt'sl, rcrvcnl, laui^ht'sl mayUind (^(VtMil lessons of the (Minrrh's LilxMiy. Thv i;lo\vinL!,' words llu' haiii>hlit'sl. minds cni'liaincd, liiko liis, whom ai^cs stylo llic (loKlcn 'roni»-iu>, (A) Th" waywartl and Iho wa\(Mini>' llicy vt'slraiiUMl, Ami lisUMiinu; SiMiales on lhim» acr^'nls hnnu-. Thim> was Ihc ^-iri, rtdu'lli«ms wills ((► (jiudl. The Alhaiiasins of di'u»MUM'ati' limes, l*\'W dared against Ihy earnesi will relxd. And vainly Haunt, in opei; day, (heir erinu^s. (1*) An Amhrost* werl thou at (he (.'hureh's (J ale, AllhoU!^h wilii (lolden rini^', a;id Ivoyal Crown, Should eouu» the sinner, slill with i>ri. And sin unwept, and guilty lhout;iils hii>h llown. Thou hail'sl him siaiid aloof, and meekly slay The Mock apart, — 11 ni seek who hori' our slain, Lowly of mind, and penitent to pray. With joy fill h(>art, tluMi enter CliKlsr's hi^h h'ane. And open was Ihy Soul to I'^riendship's ray. Tender werl thou, Like Auuiisline, and kind. I>y goodness slill, autl love, (hou ledsl llu» way, AVIiilst i^usIumI, in torrents, from Ihy well stored mind, llneompromisin<.i' Truth. If stern Ihy mood, Indiu'nanI rolled Ihy siu-eond»'mnmi>- word, Dark, hardened nuill, all pale and InMuhlinn' stood, ])uml>, (|uailinn', shunned the Presence of the Lord. J>u(, softly, sweetly, llowed thy i-entler ton(\s ; "I^e'er broken be Ihe bruiswd n>ed," says Hi:, AVlio Ibv our errinn" weaknt»Ns all atones, And pltMids for us, His t)wn sad nt^ony. 'JIM N()l)ly lit' slrovo, lliy luniorcd sl>riu(' lo savt', tScoliii's Siiiul .Imiih's! Tlioii, loiiu', <» i (i('rm:iii pliiiiis, IvN'spli'iuU'iil shoiuv Hul, lV(Mii lliy (Icsliiu'il i;'i'ii\t', Tl»y lil'o lo simlch, viiin wen' liis cjuc mikI pMiiis. pMi'ful of lit';irMini'''s llouics. Ilioii ) Through iiuiirroiis sdvnnis, (Mili!j;hl('iiiMu\ NiiviM^- 'rrulli. Oin' (lumsaiul v>'nvs niul more, hy word and pen, (I) 'Twas lliiiic, (t) (cacli laiiicd I'aintpc'.s nohlrsi yoiilli. Dark o'(>r iliosc a'j,'t»s, l)r()()dt'd jlin'rul slril't'. luMi^'iu'd war siiprciMc. I>ut lor Ihy waniinL!," \ oii-c, To holler WorKIs Hint called, inspired new Lil*', liosl \vi'r(> mankind, in i^'iKtrancf and virc Most Holy luMicdicI ! was lliinc the lask, Ilii^h o't'r l!u» ni(M'al waslf, aloll li> hear Lovt'd Scicnct'' 'Porcli, llial nnxN' all I'luropi^ hask In llu' hriL'Jil S>in. Ihal cNcr .slionc no I'iiir, 'Phy P'anos Ihron^hoiil, Iho nialcliK'ss, radianl Sun or liil'o Ix'slow in<4' b'ailli, in nia/icsl way, llnorrinn" liiiido, like lo llial Liuhl, which siionc 0\m' Israel's llosI, ;ind niado lii«» nii;hl as day. Tinii' laN ovinu,' rolls; — Ihino honors prosp'rinu' i>'row. AVilncss l)ra\(' >>«'otia's sons, Hu' iioldrsi, hcsl, (,">) Wilhin Ihy walls Ihat dwtdl, an spruni;- horos ! iu'vorcnl, Ihoy ro\ iow Thy sloriod years, nor IVoni thy walls olliici' (t!) The record hoai', Ihal eenhiries had ('n!ji,ra\ed, J)eep in Ihy choral aisles. They, in Iheir liirn, MMiy lessons lu^ar, and thev, Ihe foe Ihal l>ra\ed So i^'alhtnlly, now with new rapture hum. Tlio slah^sujan and Ihe sa!j,-(\ with care outworn, Tlu' warrior, hy toil and sirile, heni hown, The honu'less exile, IVmn his country lorn, Dwell hy Ihy hearth, and lh(»u, St. .lames alone, (7) Amid i\\o uenoral erasii of Stales, art setMi 111 pristine L^lory, — not one lionor n'one, Tliy linlil reluli»-ent still, erect thy mien. More than tliiiio ancieiil, was thy mod*M'u Fame. ■J 292 And he, the Bard, a world's applause could gain, (8) Of Scotia sprung, new lustre on thy name, In deathless song conferred, as erst in pain. By thy lone streams, mourning and sad, he poured, O'er Erin's banished son, his thrilling lay. Or soaring high, in tones sublime, he towered, And sang of Hohenlinden's glorious day. But, thou hast been, St. James, and art no more ! Spared thee, dread, scourging war, in peace to fall, Of avarice the prey. Thou, long that bore A Nation's light, who shall thy life recall ? Niggard Bavaria ! was such thy need, (9) Thine ancient Church so fallen, that thou should' st steal The widow's mite, to satisfy thy greed ? In vain, thou plead'st, 'twas for the gen'ral weal. Rememb'rest not, that Justice is the good. The gen'ral good, of nations of men ? Thou could st not, in thy democratic mood, This truth behold ; — it fled thy downward ken. Such, ever. Continental Democrats. Not an enlightened people's noble mind. Nor the high soul of born Aristocrats, Nor that of old, which, powerful, ruled mankind, Rejected Royalty, — thy ways could guide. No counsel, wise and kingly, might avail (10) 'Gainst thy rapacious hand, and thou'lt abide The with'ring scorn, that ever shall prevail. And thou whom proud Toledo's mitre crowned ! But Peace, — indignant muse ! Thou 'rt humbled now The weeping Sister whom thy pride disowned. Forgives thy slight, and will not, spiteful, vow Eternal vengeance. More will she rejoice In thy regenerate country's hopeful state. And more Iberia's Future will she poise. And praise the glories of her new-born Fate, But, speak we now of Ilim, whose early call, In days of fitful change, a place to fill, That common minds could only hopeless thrall, Our age endowed, and is our honor still. 293 This child of Destiny, in days long gone, Villk-Maeie claimed. But no, aspiring land ! (C) Too youthful, yet, thou could'st not call thine own, A son so nobly born, his lot too grand. His country she, whom ages have endowed "With Patriots, Heroes, Sages, goodly throng ! And Scotia's Fate hath generous allowed. To Scotia, ever, shall his Fame belong. Truth's fearless herald, o'er her smiling plains. And in her crowded cities, long his name For M^ork and word extolled, and anxious i)ains He, faithful, patient, bore, as well became His Minister, who, meek and humble, strove Heaven's Gift on Earth to spread, and ever gave Bright proofs to man, of His Paternal Love, And bade forgive, as He Himself forgave. Witness, ye teeming fields, where Crala flows, "Where fabled li]ildon rears its verdant brow. And Melrose' hallowed light in ruin glows, — (D) Melrose, of old so bright, less bright than now. The vase, so sang the Bard, in fragments thrown. Of roses still the freshening perfume bears ; So, Holy Fane, thy shrines and altar gone, The Pilgrim more thy sacred influence shares. And thou, sweet silver Tweed, that reigned'st, of old, (E) Of Scotia's Trade, the Queen, now pour thy lays In mournful mood o'er him, who more than gold, Thy soil enriched, and claims thy brightest bays. Even as thy classic Erskine, pattern bright Of taste refined, and filial love, who gave Thy streams along, sweet bowers that could delight Declining age, and soothe the sinking Brave. With theirs, immortal, shall endure his name. Who o'er thy waters shed their deathless strain. The Bard, the Saint, alike Divine, to Fame Belong ; — in one, their memories shall remain. Thy honored Scott, 'mong Scotia's Great, renowned, To songs unheard before, attuned his lyre. So, he whom long thy erring sons disowned. With mind high soaring, caught; Celestial Fire ; "I k 'II m III 204 And bade it blaze, as erst was seen to burn The warning beal fire, from thy hills that drove The ro))ber foe ; and made him basely turn, So rolled his Thunder ; — all was peace and love. And speak, Columba's Fane, by Solway shore ; And Nith's fair vale, that daring claimed Our age's secret, — Steam's amazing power, — His cherished home, Dalswinton's Miller, named (F) Who bade the cleaving steamship plough the main ; Mightiest Kelbrmcr of advancing Time, Be his, loved Albion, thy noblest strain. Who pours into thy lap, from every clime. In stream continuous, all thy varied store Of boundless wealth, and far extends thy fiime To distant lands, and on thine Empire more Bestows, than Mode or Koman e'er could claim. But mourn, sweet Laud, thy glory needs no song. No more along thy plains, shall Heavenward call The inspiring voice ; — No more shall it prolong The choral strain ; — grim death extends his pall. Lone Clouden groans, and echoes to the wail, (Gr) The ruined aisle, whore Scotia's fated Queen (H) Sighed o'er her warriors fallen, and e'er her sail She spread, yet, hopeful, prayed, her griefs unseen. And they will earnest mourn, where tranquil Tay (I) AYith Northern waves, fearless, commingling, bears Her wealth untold ; and, where, of yore, held sway The untutored Piot, brave Scotia's soms, with tears (J)' Will pay their grateful tribute ; and, thy bays. Loved City, styled " The Fair," will ever crown (K) The Patriot and Sage, whose Heavenly ways Thou lov'dst, reforming, and could'st call thine own. And, far, where Caledonia's " Minstrel" song (L) Its rapiure flung, and wide o'er teeming plains, To Birnam's classic shades, the wail prolong ; (M) None worthy more, such melancholy strains. AVhere ope the portals of the mountain Land, Thy vales, Dunkeld, si:)ontaneous in his praise (N) Their lyre shall tune, and, o'er thy heath-grown strand", 205 ^1 In solemn tones, the choral anthem raise. Nor will I'orget to mourn that noble Fane, 'Mid hospitable bovvers, where frequent join In social bliss, from care exempt and pain. The Warrior and sage, whilst cordial combine Gl-ravity and "Wit, with choice rural joys, That ever on thy hills, and by thy streams. Abound, fair land. The mind with thee, employs Healthful, its Powers, nor e'er of Luxury dreams. If art shall please, along the storied wall, In rich profusion, lustrous, it displays Its glowing hoard, inviting to recall, Of Greece, Kome, Italy, the glorious days. If taste prefer, in rapture thou may'st view Scenes varied, rare, that will your thoughts engage {O) The day throughout, and far to worlds all new On vivid Fancy's devious pilgrimage. Your mind convey, — now mingling in the chase. O'er boundless meads, and now from rocky heights In Alpine grandeur, towering into space. Unwonted views beholding, — dazzling sights, — Vast rivers, in our narrower lands unknown, Internal seas, which cities, fields adorn, Isles, mountains, in these rolling Oceans thrown, — Suns, skies, stars, — bright as an Orient morn. Be hushed Imagination, stay thy wing. Dunblane, the Faithful, claims thy sorrowing lay. (P) And thou, Royal home, that gav'st to England's king, Shelter and safety, in that direful day, AV^hen banished Richard sought the peaceful strand Of Scotia ever true, where reigned of old, The Island Monarch, — Lord of half the land, Hospitable and kind, though brave and bold, — Stirling, that saw'st of yore, rolled back the Power That humbled Graul, in turn, by Patriot arms, Ta flight compelled ; ah ! now, your tears outpour, His grave to deck, more than for war's alarms. Ye too, shall grieve, DuNFER>njiNj:'s Regal Towers, Where flowed so late, the Patriotic tear O'er Him who, Scion of thine ancient Powers, Thy grief could claim ; — weep as on Bruce's bier ! (S) (Q) 'it "J i;;,' I 1^ lf :! 1 i i' M I m ^\ 296 But, most, Edina, mourn ! His gifts more thine ; Thy skill in art, thy bright historic page, All that the mind could store, or taste refine. Genius with Science crown, and thought engage In high pursuit, with thee, he early found. In vig'rous youth, thy learned sons he sought. Caught inspiration from thy Classic ground, — Of glowing eloquence, the grace unbought. Kichly and well, did he repay thy care ; And time will be, famed age, when thou'lt conceive, How in the march, he lagged not, but would share Thy progress power. Yet will Scotia receive His life bestowing views, and wise shall live, As none till now have lived, — a jieople, l)ound By concord's ties, and nol)lest lessons give To jarring sects, and hostile tribes, all round The spacious world, — proving how peace may reign, And bless'd of Him, to all, who said, " Grood wall," Sweet Union dear, that never can disdain A Brother man, — though fallen, a Brother still. With Murray, thus, he strove thy ways toguide,(T) And him alike, who from thy Ralph had sprung, (U) And liberal Ormelie, free from bigot pride. (V) He, too, though to his infant Church he clung, That Church they called " the Free," nobly combined Sage plans to execute, by sectary way. Untrammelled yet. And, thus, were youth inclined To sacred Truth, — from evil torn aw^ay. And long shall Erin, true, and steadfast tell How in her cause, he .toiled, and bade her live ,Mong free-born men, and, patient hope, and well, The wished for age, when fruitful time should give Renew^ed existence, — bright, projiitious days. "With Britons, in their varied w^orks, conjoin, — A lot, meanwhile, more grand than w^arrior's bays. Strenuous, with them to conquer, now combine. Much he aspired her children's state to raise, "Witness that Fane, amidst Edina's towers, Where thousands meet, the glorious name to praise, And man, in thought sublime, his soul out^Dours. More longed he to achieve, and would have done, 297 "Works grandor siil], our eyes would have l)elield. Lustrous, his name would live, in living- stone, But jealous time her lavoring aid witheld. Of mightiest men, long praised, who late held place 'Mong Seotia's sons, he idled the lol'ty seat. But lo ! I judge him ! No. Jle sate with g-race, Their la])ours not unwoitby to complete ; And higli this praise, Ids name fearless to join, "With his of ancient line, whose stainless life [I] "With learning- crowned, shall ever fragrant shine. Towering, serene, beyond all critic strife. "With him of Heroes sprung, Iberia claimed, [II] With him Iberian Mitre longed to crown. For v^aintly zeal, and Patriot "Wisdom famed, "Will he compare ; like merits all his own. Even with that light august, which later shone, [III] He might be kindred joined ; but cruel fate Envious forbids. Tho rontitfsage that's gOii(% "Whom faithful hearts still mourn, Divinely great, Like Patriarch of old, his honoured years Useful prolonged. Ilis venerable state Few may behold. Alone, he claims our tears. And great like His, was thy expanded mind, That, liberal, could the varied world enfold, In charity unfeigned, enlightened, kind. Richer thy welling heart than India's gold ; By narrow views unfettered, Peace thy word, Alike to all, and near thee, trusting, claimed Each weary soul that, earnest, sought the Lord, Shelter and Hope. Long, long wilt theu be famed, 'Mong them, our age's lights, who from them flung Ignoble prejudice, and wisdom's way E'er deemed, whilst to their honoured cause they clung, Thoughts to revere, wide from their own astray. Witness Adolphus. Thou can'st trtily say. His early friend, faithful in days long gone, Ere yet untimely fate had torn away Thy priceless life, how brightly ever shone His Spirit's fairness, how he zealotis spoke In sage's warfare, anxious to stistain Truth, one, esssential ; nor yet rash, awoke 21 «f I i 1 1 1 I! r; : r 298 The hostile mind, from the foiil venom stain Nobly exempt, of bigot rage, iicrce, proud, That argument delies, and reason's light Contemptuous shuns, and, scowling, throws its shroud On thoughts, facts, words, alFrightcd truth to blight. But foreign was lie all, in manner, gait? — It only w^as the culture of his mind, That to the highest, holiest mental state. Ceaseless aspired, by Gallia's art relined. And natural bent, that ever anxious sought Whatever was perfect, beautiful and good. Hence was to him that " grace of life unbought," Our statesman praised ; hence his more polished mood. "When, in his earlier days, the Northern wave Bore Gallia's exile to Edina's shore, He, not ungrateful, cordial w^elcome gave. He but obeyed thy gen'rous will — no more. And Scotia, long so hospitable famed, Magnanimous rejoiced, a son she owned, Who could misfortune, soothing, greet, that claimed His care not less, that 't was Gaul's King uncrowned. Happy, Britannia, thy favored land ! May never be the day, when adverse fate Scornful repelled, shall shun thy wave bound strand,. And struck by party, or by tyrant hate, A refuge seek, — a peaceful, honored stay, Far from thy shores, in stranger, distant climes More prosp'rous, potent, grown, thy power away, Or less than now. May Heaven avert such times ! The exile ne'er, in vain, thy shelter claims. No care of thine, his country or his cause ; No less the humblest, than the mightiest names Have ever sought the safety of thy laws. So he, whose lot we mourn, ne'er yet beheld, And steeled his soul, the banished, or forlorn, His favor need, nor e'er his care withheld. Alike to him the child in bondage born, And he whose sires in royal purple shone. dSPF ' m 299 The lall'ii lot, the caro-worn sorrowiiifr brow, The happier days, the gifts of fortune gone, E'er caused the sympathetic tear to flow. And equal was bestowed his Past'ral zeal. Gallia, indeed, might loving kindred own, And lair Italia for Keligion's weal, Her skill in art, and learning's high renown, Superior claim prefer ; while Britain's sons A faithful Patriot's love might all engage. Celts to him the same, Ausonians, Saxons, De])tor was he, gen'rous, alike to all. Greek or remote Barbarian, bond or free. Gentile or Jew, as taught the inspired Paul, Christ's Flock in all, his lib'ral gift to see. Expanded views, the glory of our age, His mind ilhimed, and great Redemption's plan. He knew, and could this Truth sublime unfold, For all was given, who bore the name of man ; Varied, though one, the Heavenly Shepherd's Fold. This Fold to guard, extend, his constant care. Its sorrows his, — its joys his brightest crown. Its walls to build, time's breaches to repair. His thoughts employed ; and this, his chief renown, That whilst, with vig'rous hand, he earnest toiled, The sword, like .Tudah's valiant Prince he bore, (IV.) And when foes, jealous, bold, in pride defiled The sacred pile, displayed his conqu'ring power, Rolled back the battle's tide, and bad revere The sacred place, so glorious of old ; In glory yet renewed to rise, whate'er The baseless tales, by Prophet vain foretold. To war of words, more than was meet inclined ? No. Such not the truth. Aggressive never. But e'er should they who boasted learning's mind, The light engage, forth from well stored quiver, AVith quick, unerring aim, his darts he flung, And, they who, inexperienced, victory sought, 21# :, i ■:;•» Iff Ij 1 II. 300 '" Struck down, with humbled crest, and bough unstrung-, Astonished iled, new wisdom dearly bought. And, surely, not so poor the cause he owned. As none dare si)oak, its honor to sustain ; So deep in mire of libel, hopeless, drowned. That honest words shall ne'er its truth maintain. If cause like this there be, 't was not the trust To him divinely given, — the sacred call To Israel's Holy Fold, that ever must Her champions arm, who, herald like, to all Her laws proclaim, and fearless of disdain, The trumpet sound, her Banquet, rich prepared, That chosen souls may share, and they may gain Who, ne'er before, such bliss to seek, have dared. A watchman true, high on her towers he stood, Her Peace to guard ; not his the ignoble part, Silent to cower, when bold, in hostile mood. Approached the foe ; he owned no coward heart. Such not his daily toil, in peaceful hours, — Those blessed hours, so frequent now enjoyed, When tyrant rule no more the mind o'erpowers, Nor cherished life, poi^' ned, destroyed. In sacrifice continual, writhes, nor dares, Hojieful, look up, and sigh for Freedom gone. On Time's wing change hath come ; and cheerful shares Each Briton now, rich gifts, none may disown, — Liberty's sweet gifts, — thought no thrall that bears. Save Heavenly Wisdom's sway, — words — acts, — all free, And, what the faithful soul delights and cheers. Religion free, in new prosperity Rejoicing, as in days of pristine power, Ere yet, by Time's dull course, her bright car wheels Encumbered, clogged, sad and reluctant, bore A crushing w^eight, — a weight the soul that steels 'G-ainst influencing Truth, — the incubus Of worldly favor, that, deceitful, smiles. Invites to iirosjier, luring, thus, and thus. Whilst ruin waits upon its treach'rous wiles. These Halcyon days, his best, habitual care. The highest, holiest duty to fulfil. 301 His Priesthood's work sublime, — continual prayer; Thus, earnest, and sincere, to that Tli^h "Will Del'errinii', which, in Heavenly Wisdom, made Each heart an altar, whereon sacrifice, In richest, choicest oiferings, daily laid, To the eternal Throne, doth grateful rise. Like od'rous incense ; such lamed maiiinns brought From eastern clime, the cradle of mankind, Where first, aspiring souls their author sougM. And soared, like J^eraphim, the adoring mind. Nor, now, with time, have ceased these lofty cares ; 'Tis but a change of scene; and^ cruel fate No victory hath won ; its victim shares, Subdued its power, in glory increate. The office high, angelic, which erewhile, In robe of light arrayed, and bade Him ])ear Grod's message unto men, and strenuous toil In Christ's great cause, that all might list'ning hear, Truth hearing, believe, and meet homage pay, Adoration, heartfelt, earnest, profound. To Him ever ; who Life it^, knowledge, way. Whose throne most soaring intellects surround. From earth removed, but to associate With spirits bright, pure essences, sublime, In bliss that dwell, in Heaven's exalted state. Whose sole employ, scarce known in earthly clime, His will to execute, who reigns alone,t Stand in His presence, and, delighted, bear In " golden vials," to the Almighty throne, J Vow^s of devoted souls, best, holiest x^rayer. Is ever glorious seen amidst this throng, Still, " as if slain," the Lamb that all atones.=i^ A thousand and ten thousand tongues prolong, Through Heaven's Dome, the Alleluia tones. That loud. His praise announce, and Seraphs kneel Around His mercy seat, and glowing pour Their burning thoughts, and blissiul min'st'ring feel, That worlds on worlds, upon their wings of power, Are Heavenward borne. — 'Mid these, now rapt adores 1 en lor months, more or less, an invalid, but a few weeks ago he rallied, and r«>mainept;>noo, heforo tlio Court und Aiistooraoy of Franco. AUhough liis olijoet was only to intst tho French people and thoir rulers in the cause of the Seottish ( "ntholie ('liiu'eh, wliich was, at *hat time, hejjinning to levivo, he produecd a proiound religious inipr(>ssion .>y his (extraordinary «doijucne(\ whieh was ]>i'onounee(l liy eonijtetent judges, to he unrivalle(l. Uis knowledge of tlie Freiieh language eould not he suipassed. His diction was considered i)ure and xniexeeptionahle at the polished Court of Charles XoTK '2. — **Xow Orh^ans and thou, one cla'-sic ground."' Bishop (iillis was invited liy the r.islio])s of I'^ivmee fo jireaeh at Orleans, on occasion of the magnilieent national eel(>lii'atiou there, of a centenary festival in honor of .Joan of Arc. The French i^^^ple, — and they were largely re])resented in the Cathedral of Orleans. — together with tln^ir Em- peror, their Prelates and their Senate. listcMK^l witli no Ardiniry delight, to the tridy grand oration of the Scottish ISishop. 'I'h(^ ])(>ople of Orh^ans, in order to mark their api)i'eciition of the leai'iied and highly giftei'ved in tlieir city, in orih-r that it might he borne hack in safety, to the couidry over which that monarch had reigned. :1 f NOTK ■"Parent of Loarnhig's Homes.'' »■ t FouttTKioN Scotch Monasteries in (lOi-many, had sprung from the Foun- dations of the Scottish Benedictine House of St. James at llatisbon. — (See a very able article — ' ScnUish lielh/loun Houses Abvoad,^^ — in the " Kdinhuryh Eevieto,^' fur January^ 1SG4.) Note 4. — '■ One thousand years and more." The Foundation of tlic Monastery of St. James, was co-eval with the Norman Conquest. But, it was a conseiiiiencf^ of the wonderfid Scoto-Irish civilization in th(> sixth and sevc nth centuries, which is, now at length, beginning to attract the attention of the more f ishional.)le Litkkati. It was more directly the result of those Hos]-)itals of the Scots which Holy men of that nation Iiad built in Cermany, previously to the ninth centiu'y. NoTK .'). — "Seotia's sons, the noldest, b(>st." In the latter years of St. James, after tlie re-modelling of the estab- lishntent by Father Plici(h]s Fleinirig. of the Scottish Family of the Earls of Wi'jtown. many of the leading familii^s of Scotland sent tlieir sons to ho edricat '^1 under tlie superinteinhMicc of the Benedictine Fathers. Of theso some tliirty made tludr religions ])rofession, either as Benedictines at Ratishon, as (Jistercians .at Waldsassas, or as Thealines at Munich, whilst ten, as nearly as can be at jirescnt ascertained, biH^ame Secular Priests for the Scottish ilission. The greater number romiiiKHl haymcn. Among their 305 .1 names, aro ohsorved thoso of (Jordon of Boldornoy, (iordon of Dorloathors, (jordon of Lc.choson, (iordon ol' l.cttorfoiirio, Andorson of 'IVinot, Arbiith- not of ]{oiM, Dnguid, Auchonleck, Druinmond (of tho Dukes of rerth), Leslie of Balquain, and Menzies of Pitfoddels. XoTio G. — ''Nor from tliy walls efllice the record, tV:c." At tlie l\>ao(> of AniitMis, Napoleon sjvirod tlip Inslitulion, oxrnipting^ it from secularization, on tlie , said, their brilliant tah^nts, pave th(>ma eonsjncuous position.'" The Britisli iMlvoy gener.dly availecl iiiniseli' of their s( rviees. as lntei'i)reters at the Diet, and, '• not imfrinpiently eonmiissioned them to act in his steatl." NoTi-: 7.— "Dwell by thy hearth, ite." Kosititality was always ehnraetoristie of tho Benivlietine House of St. -lames. Jt r(>maitied to tlie latest hour, true to its time-honored traditions. Jn tho days of Father L'laeidus, the ac'eoni])lish(>(l wi'iter in the Keview above (pioted, informs us, " we lind traces of aged Scottish Oenth'men, who H companion of Charles If. had Kindly them a library of valuable books."' tho risli Jgtlb It inen NoTK 8.— "And he the Bard, &c." Among those who resorted to tho Classic Ifalls of St. James, at the com- mencement of the pi'i>sent C(>ntury, was (/amplx'U the Poet. He was most kindly received, his bif)grapher states, by his fellow-countrymen, the mi>m- liers of the Benedictine Comnnmity at Jiatis!)on. It was here that he lirst beheld the sad r(>alities, and th(f horrors of war, and derived from thenco liis inspiration of '• the noblest lyric in the English language," his ( tde on the battle of llohenlinden. From the walls of the !Monast(M'y, ho beheld .«ights which nothing coidd ever oblitei'ate froiri his recollection. In company w''h his new friends, tho monks of St. ./ames, ho witnessed a charge of Klennan"s cavalry upon the l''rench. under (ireneir. ! I jal)- lu'ls bo leso at Ust for nr NoTH 0. — "Niggard Bavari.i! was snch thy need, Thine Ancient ("Inu'ch so fallen, that thou shouM'st steal T]\o widow's mite, itc." It is not yet very long since the miplcnstnit intelligence was published, that the Bavarian Government had s^'i/ed and appropriat(>d foi' llavarian ])UJ'i)Oscs, the Church and ^lonastery of St. .lames, with whatever pi'operty remained in connection with these buildings. None of these properties 806 iB ■,'; 1- \i '; 1 i, , ... J .»! were Bavarian. The circumstance that they were held for eight humh-ed years under tlao protection of (Jerman fJovornments, did not constitute thcni sucli. And the (rovernmont of Bavarii felt that in taking pos(>ssion of them, they were guilty of an ini(]uitous act. They acknowledge this by pi'ctending to p'.vj for them. People do not pay for ■isiou c this l)y idy their. 1st trans- t all, by a i-ances of given, as tor. The th which The Gov- emper of jver, and ho age in veiled so notes out no means Fiat ! ' January ion is not il City of or conve- the Latin I's of the ;hty com- et of the s of into- i termed, a most y of the He will ell deve- oir ; the 3rations ; so far as es which s well as Istinctive leserted a small e their ut some e of the t " lablished Iculty of Itransfer ji Vicars lalienate secular liul they 307 succcodod for a time, in staving off the evil day; but, within the last three years, a new enemy, in the form of the Bishop of Katisbon, has sucooedod in making good his point. Finding the remains of tlie ancient Nunnery of the Oliorminster, a very insufhcient Ei)iscoi)al Sominary, he determined upon possessing himself of the Schotten Klostor, and in spite of a spirited protest by Father Anselm Robertson, the only remaining professed Father, and the last of the Scottish Benedictines, this Prelate has induced the Ba- varian (rovernment to possess themselves of the buildings, and to bestow upon the Scotch, in lieu of all their i)Ossessions, the inadequate compensa- tion of £10,000, a)id, thus, the venerable foundation of Marianus, the last record of a Scotic civilization of nearly a thousand years duration, has passed, it is to be feared, for ever into (Jerman hands." The Reviewer may not V)e mistaken as regards the conduct of the Bishop in the nefarious transaction, (and this remark is not maing mean and dishonest things), but, it is well known that when, about 184S Bishop (lillis went to Germany, in order to negotiate with the Bavai'ian fTOvernment, as the representative of the Scotch Viciu-s Apostolic, he was kindly received by the Bishop of llatisbon, who moreover, employed his gootl services in support of the object he had in view. Since that time, however, there may have arisen a Pharaoh who knew not Joseph. Note 10. — "No counsel wise and kingly, il City of Dundee, where there are two large Catholic Churches, and a numerous body of Catholics. Note J. -"Where of yore, held sway, The untutored Tict, itc." Abehnethy, the ancient Pictish Cajtital. Note K.— "Loved City, styled 'the Fair,' &c." The ancient City of Perth on the river Tay. On account of the sur- passing beauty of its scenery, it is called " the fair city.'' In the time of the Romans, there appears to liave been a hamlet or village of some kind where the city now stands. When the invading legions first came in sight of it, they could not avoid exclaiming: " Ecce 'fiber im^ ecceliomam!" Note L. — "And far where Caledonia's 'Minstrel' song, &c." Lawrence Kirk, the birth-place of Beattie, the author of " The Min- strel," &c., &c. Note M. — "To Birnam's classic shades, &c." Birnam hill, near Dunkeld, celebrated by Shakspeare. —See Machefh. Note N.— "Thy vales Dunkeld." The Cathedral of this See has not been demolished. Cawin Douglas, known as the poeticiil translator of Virgil's ^Eneid, was Bishop) of Dunkeld. Note 0.— "Scenes, varied, rare, itc." ' In allusion to the highly artistic representations of American scenery, which decorate some of the apartments of Murthly Castle, on the Tay, near Dunkeld, Scotland. 310 NoTK P.—'' Dumblano, the faithful, &c." An allusion to the courageous resistiuico mide by the Clergy of Dum- blnne, when a lawless mob came to " purify" the Cathedral. Hi r, ' \ .' :ii g> ! VI i'i %{> Note Q. — " And thou Royal Homo, that gav'st to England's King Shelter and safety, &c." It is now a well established fact that Richard II, of England, escaped from the Castle of Pontefract, where he was supposed to have died soon after his deposition, and that he found means to convey himself in the disguise of a i)oor traveller to the Western Isles of Scotland, where he was accidentally rt>eognized by a lady who had known him in Ireland, and who was sister-indaw to Doniild Lord of the lies. Clothed in this mean habit, the unhapj)y Monarch sat down in the kitchen of the Castle (of Dunavertie) belonging to this Island Piince, fearful even in this remote region, of being discovered and delivered up to Henry. He was treated however with much kindness, and given in charge to Lord Montgomery, who carried him to the Court of Robert HI., where he was received with honor. It is certain, adds the eminent histoiian, Mr. Patrick FraserTytler, that during the con- tinuance of the reign of Robert HI., and after his death, throughout the regency of Albany, a period of nineteen years, this mysterious person was treated with the consideration befitting the rank of a king, although de- tained in a sort of honorable captivity ; and it was constantly asserted in England and France, and believed by many of those best able to obtain accurate information, that King Richard was alive and kei)t in Scotland, So much, indeed, was this the case, that the reign of Henry IV. and that of his successor, were disturbed by repeated conspiracies, which were in- variably connected with that country, and which had for their object his (Richard's) restoration to the throne. It is certain also, that in contem- porary records of unquestionable authenticity, he is sj^oken of as Richard the Second, King Sthling ; of England , that he lived and died in the of and that he was buried with the name, state and honors of that unfortunate Monarch. These facts are all confirmed by quotations from Bower, a contempo- rary historiim and the continuator of Fordun, as well as many other docu- ments of indisputable authority. Bower's account of the death of Richard, in 1419, is confirmed by an ancient manuscript (Extracta ex Chronicis Scotia^,) preserved in the Advocates' Libraiy at Edinburgh: ''Richard the Second, King of England, died in the C^^stle of Stirling, in the aforesaid year (1419), and was buried on the feast of St. Lucie the Virgin, on the North side of the High Altar of the Preaching Friars." King Richard's Royal image was painted there, and over it, were written the following lines : " Angliro Ricardus jacet hie Rex ipse sepultns. Lancastrt^ quem Dux dejecit arte, mota j^rodicione, Prodicione potens, sceptro potitur iniquo. Supplicium luit hujus-ipsius omne genus, Ricardum inferis hunc Scotia sustulit annis Qui Caustro Striveling vitio peregit iter, Anno milleno quaterceno quocjue deno Et nono Christi, Regis finis fuit iste." pa thci Ki{ X. I - <9' 311 t» y of Dum- nd's King d, escajiecl (lied soon elf in the 3ro ho was I, and who can habit, unavertie) I, of being 2ver with irried him is certain, ? the con- ghout the erson was lough de- sserted in to obtain Scothind. and that were in- 3bject his contem- 5 Richard Palace of •s of that mtempo- ler docu- Richard, /hronicis ard the iforesaid on the t, were The Church of the Dominican or Preaching Frinrs, no longer exists. But, the celebrated writer, Boece, speaks of this inscription over King Richard's Tomb, as visible in his dixy. — Jioece Hist. p. 339. The (Jkimberlain accounts translated antl quoted by Frasor Tytler, are conclusive as to the long sojourn of King Richard at the Scottish Court. The first passage occurs at the end of the accounts for the year 1408. It is as follows : " Be it remembered also, that the said Lonl Govenor, down to the present time, has neither demanded nor received any allowance for the sums expended in the support of Richard King of England, and the messengers of France and Wales, at different times, coming into the country, upon whom he has (.K'frayed much, as is well known.'" — Rotuli compotorum, vol. III., p. 18. At the Conclusion of accounts for the year Ml 4, there is the following passage: *' Bo it remembered, also, that our Lord, tlie Duko, Governor of the Kingdom, has not received any allowance, or credit for Hk; expenses of Khig Richard, incurred from the jieriod of the death of his brotlier, our Lord, the King of good memory, last deceased."' — lb. vol. III., p. \^. A similar statement is foimd, and in precisely the same words, at tlK,- termina- tion of the Chamberlain accounts for the year 1415. At the conclusion of these accounts for the year 1417, occurs the fol- lowing passage : " Be it remembered that the Lord Governor has not re- ceived anj' allowance for the expenses and burdens which he sustained for the custody of King Richard of Englaml, from the time of tlie death of the late King his brother of good memory, being a period of t'lcven years, which expenses, the Lords Auditors of accounts estimate, at the least, to have amounted, annually, to the sum of a hundred marks, which for the past years, nnakes in all, seven hundred and thirty-three pounds, six shillings and eight pence. — lb p. 95. It was generally believed in France, also, that King Richard had escajied and was in safety. A Poet of the time, Creton, addressed to him an epistle in prose, in ordcsr to express his joy at his escape, and his aston- ishment that ho should have been al)le to survive the wretched condition to which he had been traitorously reduced. The epistle is thus inscribed : " Ainsi come vraye amour reciuiert, ii tres noble Prince et vraye Catholique, Richart D'Engle-terre, Je, Creton, ton liege serviteur, te renvoye ceste Epistre." The same Poet wrote a Ballad, called, <'the metrical History of the deposition of Richard the Second." The first stanza is as follows : " O vous Seignors de sang Royal de France, Mettez la main aux amies, vistcment, Et vous avez certaine cognaissance Du Roy qui tant a souffert de tourment Par faulx Anglois, qui traiteusement Lui out tollu la domination ; Et puis do mort fait condempnation. Mais Dieu, qni est lo vray jugc es saintz cieulx, Lui a sauvo la vie. Main et tart Chascun let dit par tut, jeunes et vieulx, C'est d'Albionle noble Roy Richart." Note R. — "Stirling that saw"st of yore, &c."' The Castle of Stirling overlooks the Field of Bannockburn. ''i 812 NoTK S. — '' As on Bruck's bier, ttc." The late Earl ok Ei.r.ix, whoso lani'^ntod doatli so shortly preccilod that of thi' giftt'd i'iii:i,.\Ti;. Diuircrmline wa^ for scvi'i-id centuries the burial place of the Royal F;imily. It was also thi> "oyal residenc(> till the aeoession of .James ]. to tlie Eii[j[lish crown. Its historie-d iissoeiitions arc of the highest interest. The unfortun^ito Charles J. was born in its Talaco, and llobert 1., the Bruce of Bannoekburn, lies buried under Die Tower of its Church. NoTuT.— "MriiKAv."' I*! <■ f' The late Silt .Tonx Murray, B;u't., known o long celebratod as Lord Ormelie. m j|« Note I. — Bishop IIay. Born at Edinburgh in 1729; died 1811. He was the list of the Hays of Monoton, a branch of the Family of tl\e Manjuoss of Twecddale. Bishop Hay was not only a pattern of unattectcHl Piety and Pastoral zeal, but also a profound Theologian and painstaking Bil»li(!id Scholar. He is well known to the Catholic world by his learned works: "The Sincere Christian," "The Pious Christian," "A Treatise o:. Miracles," tkc., «fce., rerfect: " lie looks straightforwai'd to the inten^sts of his religion, and to ren- dering it aniialde, exeni}ilary, easy and resi)ectalilo. lie is jiiill, uniiilrcted, cheerful and gentlemanlike, 'i'liere is a heauty of holiness whii'h exalts him, and a highly tinished jiolish of niinners wiiieh lits hiin for any Court in Europe; nay, there is in him, even sueh a vivaeity of expression, aeeoni- panied l.y politeness, and the beams emaniting from a good heart, whieh so play over anortion of the Protestant press in recording the death of Bishop Gillis, had remarked that not only the Catholics of Scotland, hut also the country itself, had lost "an eminent man,'' and, indeed, there was scarcely a Prelate of our time, so highly distinguished. There were pious and very learned Bishops, hut with the single exception of Mgr. Dupanloup of Orleans, none had heon more prominently before the European world, in the zealous fulfilment of his sacerdotal functions. His fame would ever belong to the nation to whose families he owed his descent, and which Jiad been so long the scene of his labours and tho witness of his success. But Canada, the land of his birth, might well be proud of so great a son. llis extraordinary elofjuence, more a gift than an acfpiisition, was waimly ad- mired at the polished Court of Charles X. of France. At a later i>ei'iod, such was the estunation in which he was held, the Bishops of France invited him to preach in the Cathedral of Orleans at the national celebration in honor of Joan of Are, the heroic liberatrix of her country. On that occasion the people marked their appreciation of his character by confiding to his cure a precious relic which hsid long remained in their keeping, the heart of Jfenry II. of England, in order that it might be safely borne back to the country over which that monarch had reigned. ITis earnest labours in belrilf of the Church to which the learned Pre- late was called, were as successful, as they were strenuous and unceasing. He bore a principal part in providing funds for the reviving missions of Edinl)urgh, and he succeedod in endowing them with invaluable institu- tions. The Guild of 8t. Joseph, entirely his creation, will long survive, and prove a lasting monument to his memory. Generations to come will praise him for having introduced into the Scottish metropolis, that devout, and accomplished community of Religious Ladies, who act in the two-fold capacity of Sisters of Charity and t.-achera of youth. Of no Minister of religion could it bo more truly salt , that " he loved the beauty of God's house." The principal Catholic Clurch of the city which he improved and decorated, bears witness to his unquestioned taste, and to the soun Inesss of his views as regards the ornamentation of churches. 815 St. ratii'U's Cliurcli, Lntliinn Itoid, in tl»(» orcftion of'wliidi. tngfthor will) liis vi'iiiTiitcil i)ic'l(H'('ss()i', ho shiuvMl so lirj^jrly, cntitli-tl him to thf ^ratitii'h' of the Irisli poitioii ol' his rcUowcitizciis. I5ut this woik, how- ever iiiii)ort:int at tho tiino it was a(!cotiii)Ush('(l, is now lost sijiht of in tho pi('>(Mi('i' of tiii» ^;i('!it('r tilings that have sinco liccndono. To tin- /cal and tnuiiitici'ncc of lUsliop (iillis alono aio tho Irish iicojilc of Er treasures may ))e drawn to the light oT day, I'roni the still proh)under depths of the human intellect Y Ihit it cannot be denied that there arc many serious imi>iMlini('nts to the o-rowth of Canadian litt^rature. In these new ti.acs and newer lands of the "West there is no preux r//ftv;/t>/" or mighty feudal baron to pluck a diamond from his coronet, or a link from his chain of gold, as a recomi)ensc to the successful bard. Nor does there exist such a thing as lh(> patronage of later times, nor, to compensate ibr its hardly to be regretted loss, is th(n*e in these recently set- tled wilds, an appreciative public. We are not rich in ]iyrons and Tom Moores ; but if we were, where is the pul)- lishinglirm wealthy enough, or having spirit enough, to give <€3,00() sterling for one production of their muse 1 But the star of hope will guide our men of letters through the difii- culties and hindrances of ihe present time. Mind lives in the future. Our men of genius whilst they delight in the prospect that lies before them, will "nd true pleasure also in the sacrifices of the present passing hour, and the certainty of enduring fame will cheer them amid privations and dis- appointed hopes. It is no matter for surprise, if in a young community, almost wholly engrossed with the care of providinj^ for its material wants, there should be little leisure for the culti- vation of letters, scarcely time for reading anything beyond the news of the day, and consequently little desire for such works as are calculated to aflbrd rational and wholesome entertainment. Add to this, that it but too often happens that any leisure which our people can command, is not made avail- able for their own mental culture and the interests of Canadian literature. Productions of a lighter character, sensational and not over moral tales, together with sophis- tical treatises, written frequently in the most exciting style, and insidiously advocating x'rinciples that arc subversive of the happiness of mankind, are constantly emanating from the press of the great cities of this continent and are distri- buted at a cheap rate to the citizens of our nascent state. This is no fair literary rivalry. It can be characterized only I ^fi) 318 h ' m as a vilo pandorinsi- to the lower appetites and passions, and an unworthy endeavour to excite them to rebellion against the mind — their constitutional and legitimate sovereign. But it' our Universities and Colleges and numerous, schools are destined, as they are designed, to exercise a benelicial inlluence in the land, the time must soon be at an end when the mental food of our people can be derived from such poisoned sources. Then, indeed, we may hope that a new era will dawn on our country, and that the healthy tone of public feeling will render impos- sible all contamination from beyond our borders, and will encourage only that truly noble emulation which ought to exist between men of genius, men of letters and men of principle, in every nation under the sun. In i^romoting these great objects the work before us is eminently calculated to do good service. The author has taken extraordinary pains in ascertaining the names, t' 'j literay productions, and the biogiaphies of Canadian ar. well as other writers whose labors have tended to advance the interests or extend the fame of these coun- tries. He enters into the most minute details, and, without wearying the reader by their unnecessary length. From the most voluminous authors to the writers of the smallest pamphlets of 8 and 12 and 23 pages, none are forgotten. If we may be allowed to find fault in any degree, where there is so much that is deserving of the highest praise, we would say that some of the biographical notices appear to depart from the rule which the author had laid down for himself. They contain information,which, although most valuable, will, to the uninitiated, at least, appear to be unnecessary, together with quotations from newspajiers and reviews, the substance of which, wc humbly conceive, or a few lines of the tpsisflie. It is quite equal to the most sann-uine expectations that the warmest admirers of Mr. Mair's poetical talent could have entertained. His work, though iuconsidera})le as reg'ards bulk, is truly great as a production of genius, or rather of art and genius combined. A great master of the poetic art has said, " nascitur nan fit Poetar The Divine gift must ])e born with the favored child of the muses. But art miist also play its x)art. " Sccpe sty-lum vertas,'" says the poetical dictator, and your poem w^ill be all the better for Toeing subjected to this severe ordeal of the st/ylns during no less a period than seven long years. A formidable time truly, for the youthful Bard, conscious of his powers, to remain satisfied with obscurity ere he can touch the inheritance to which ho is l>orn, or dare to pluck the tempting wreath Avhich awaits him, from the temple of Fame. We cannot say whether our author has resorted to a seven years' application of the terrible stz/l/ix. But this we know, and the same must be manifest to every one who reads his book, with unjaundiced eyes, that he has applied it to good purpose. CKmius alone could never have ]n'o- duced such a work. Education, and no ordinary education must be allowed its share in so great an acliievement. The poems in Mr. Mair's volume give proof of the highi\st culti- vation. They whose genius shines, with all the charm of enigma and incomprehensibility, through sesquixiedalian m 820 IIP stanzas and intolerable doggrels, will make little account of the perfection of art which can only result from culture and the most rigid mental discipline. Our only wonder, in reading Mr, Mair's poems, is that so young an author should have attained this x>erfection. And yet that it has cost him much persevering labor to reach such heights of excellence, there is no room to doubt. The inevitable law which declares that genius shall not bo independent of toil and discipline, removes all question as to the fact, "What may be considered a fault, if fault indeed it be, in Mr. Mair's pro- ductions, the extreme polish resulting from a finished edu- cation and much reading, rather than from contact with the world, alfords to us an additional proof that our author has known how to combine, with the gift of nature, th&t art, without which, it would remain latent and veiled from view, like the diamond embedded in the rock, or would only burst lorth,like the fire of tht^ volcano, to disorganize and devastate. It will be said, i)erhaps, that the youthful poet employs some words that are not much in use, and which however respectable, inasmuch as they hold their place in the Dic- tionary, would nevertheless be more honored, if we may so express it, " in the breach than the observance." But it must be remembered that poetry has its privilege, and that time and society with their powerful correctives, rub off infallibly, the dust, and clear away even the mists of the school. Some critic has accused our author of having gone so far as to in- dulge in the spasmodic and unintelligible, sacrificing to the exigencies of Rhyme, If this be so we must humbly con- fess that we have not had sufficient penetration to discover the blemish. And it may be that our admiration has blind- ed us to smaller faults, "\Ye may even, like Horace, to whom all of the critic tribe must bow, presume to things. Ignore such *' Vernm uhiphtra nitcnt in carmine non Ejo paxids Offendar macuUs,''^ {Ilor : lus podica ) hi;! We cannot admit that our young poet offers sacrifice so largely as a recent critic pretends, to the Moloch of Rhyme, It would be hard to make us believe, for instance, that the expression '■'■ivatert/ doom" in the beautiful poem "'Night and Morn" has been chosen merely in order to suit the purposes of Rhyme, Is not the learned critic aware that many peo- 321 ^0 pie in England are addicted to the habit of pronouncing dome as if it were written doom ? " WaterT/ dome" may be very appropriately used to signify the ocean, whether we consider it as a vast abode, or as the great covering, which in dome-like form, envelopes so much of the terrestrial globe. That the author has written dome, as it miist be pronounced in his x)oem, or that the printer has so printed it, is either a fault of transcription or an error of that very erring institu- tion, the Press. The great beauty of the Poem would atone for many lesser, and even for a tolerable amount of major faults, if any such thero were : " Ubi plura nitent, Sfc." But, indeed, all the poems' in this small but rare collection, are very beautiful. Lei us select one or two at random. What could be more pathetic than " Alice ?" No wonder if tears gushed down the fond mother's cheeks whilst her dying child still possessing her fine appreciation of the beauties of nature, longed for the Spring. " Nor her sad swift tears could she hide, Nor her sighs could she stifle I trow, For the drooping child still cried " come ! " To the sweet iSjiring mead let us pass, For I long for the wild bee's hum, And the grasshopper's chirp in the grass I " The address to a '' Jiornin^ Cloud " ^'s very grand. The quoting of a few words can only convey an imperfect idea : O golden shape ! Fair full blown flower of Heaven ! Gift of the dawn and far possessing sea I Thou foster child of sun-shine and the free Wild air of summer, wherefore art thou given To mock us with delights which quickly flee Th' inviting of our souls 1 Pursuing this profoundly melancholy thread of thought, the poet continues : Nought lasts but sorrow, all things else decay. And time is full of losing and forgetting. • •♦••♦••♦ Our days are griof and scarcely woi'th their setting, Whoroin there is repose and slumber deep, And therefore are we thmkful for our sleep. • ••*♦♦»•• Perchance therein wo lose ourselves, and keep Part of an ageless silence; fH 322 Then how he speaks of what is so wisely but mysteri- ously appointed ! Th' inscrutable docroo which brouglit us hero ;Makos niyriiids wretched and wliall keep thorn so Till death uplifts tln^ bars for +hose v/ho wait Ami yearn along the soundless gulfs of fate ; He would have us wait, nevertheless, beneath the " Glorious Sun'' Let light come to our eyes, for it is good To see the small llowors open one by one, And see the wild wings flet^ting througli the wood. They grow and perish uncomplainingly, And blameless live and end their blameless years. And mayhap we are blind and cannot see The rainbow shining, in the mist of tears ; And mayhap we are dull, and cannot feel The touch which strengthens and the lips which heal. " The Little Wren''' is an exquisite piece. The subject of it, if we divine aright, is a more important one than feathered Wrens and Robins are accustomed to discuss. We like " The North Wind's TaleP We could listen with unmingled pleasure to old Boreas if he would give up his stern usage of blowing " Great gusts ivhich siveep away men's breath^'' and would only discourse in such sweet and melodious lines as those in which our poet makes him relate his tale of suffer- ing and death. But they who would know Mr. Mair must read for themselves. His sonnets are very beautiful, and notwithstanding the difficulties of this kind of composition, poetically correct. We shall conclude with a few lines of his fine tribute to the memory of the late Honorable D' Arcy McGtEE. Cold is the agent brow, And cold tlie lips are now, Which partecl, and strange rapture and delight Came to men's hearts and minds Like journeyings of the winds. Or stars which shine, or flowers which blow by night, And Fancy, like a dream, drew by The curtains of a cloudless destiny. PI iliii 323 Yea, wo liko oliiMron stood, Wlit'ii in his lol'ty mood, Ho spoke ofniiinly deeds which we might claim, And mide responses fit AVhiK» heavenly genius lit ^ His melancholy eyes with lamhent fliime, And siiw the , In power ami virtue great, The Lords and reapers of a virgin land — A mighty realm, where, liberty Shall roof the northern climes from sea to sea. The dentin cia lion of the murderers is very grand. It is deserving of onr attention if it v^ere only because it shews in very powerful language, what God and good men think of such libels on humanity. The Poems of Charles Mair are indeed a gift, and a right Royal one, to the new Dominion. As regards correct, flowing, elegant, melodious versification, true, chastened, original, elevated thought, the most exquisite pathos, and philosophy, at the same time, of a high standard, nothing superior, if indeed anything equal to the compositions of our Bard, have as yet appeared in Canada. Well might this gifted votary of the muses say with Rome's immortal Poet : Favete Unguis ; carmina non prius Audita, Musarum Sicenlos, Virginibus pueris<^ue canto. ■'■« [From the Daily Union, Ottawa, January 16, 18C6.] Death of the Rev. Thomas O'Boyle. mi Hi?'. • \ It is our mt^lanclioly duty to record the death of a learned and exemx:)]ary Priest, the Rev. Thomas O'Boyle, P.P. of Osgoode, C. W. He had been suifering' for a consi- derable time, from cancer, and his anxiety to be freed from this painful and lingering disease, had induced him to apply one of those severe remedies which, however powerful in eradicating cancers, seldom fail to prove fatal to the patient. The Rev. gentleman was able to discharge his parochial duties until the day after Christmas day, when he thought that he ought not any longer to delay having recourse to the dangerous remedy. It caused the most excruciating torture, and then inflammation and swelling in the throat, chest and hands. Unable to take any nourishment, he sank rapidly, and after having made his will and participated in the sacraments of the Church, through the kind ministra- tions of his friend and fellow laborer, the Rev. Mr. O'Brien of Grloucester, he departed this life on Sunday the 7th inst. Dr. Allen, of Metcalfe, watched over his last moments with all the care and considerate kindness of a faithful friend. In justice to this gentleman, it must be stated that it was not by his advice that the fatal plaster was applied. The funeral service was performed on "Wednesday, the 10th inst., in the Parish Church, which owes its erection to the zealous care of the deceased. The Rev. Mr. Morell, of Russell, chanted the Mass of Requiem ; Rev. Messrs. Mc- Grraw and O'Brien, acting as Deacon and sub-deacon. Im- mediately before the last funeral rites, the Rev. JE. McD. DawHon, of the Cathedral, Ottawa, delivered a well merited Taking for his text, the words, " Blessed are the oulogium 325 dead who die in the Lord," ho contrasted the death of the ■unbelieving^ who have no hope, with, that oi' tlie faithful christian, who, dying " in the Lord," is delivercnl from the "bondage of fear," and, in the awful passage from time to eternity, is cheered by the lirm ])elief that he is surrounded by the merits of his Divine Iledoemer, washed of every stain of sin in His all-a-toning merits, and that " his works — (whatever he has done in the cause of Christ, and for the glory of God) do follow him." Of none could it be piore truly said than of the de- ceased, that the virtues, works and labours of his life, were such as to afford him consolation at the hour of death, and to justify the belief, so cheering to his mourning friends and faithful flock, that his lot is now, and forever, with the blessed in the Kingdom of Heaven. It would 1)0 superfluous to give the details of a life which, all who heard him knew, w^as devoted to the cause of religion and the service of Grod. "Who ever fulfilled more piously the sacred duties of the priesthood and the laborious offices of his parochial charge ? Who could have labored more zealously to promote the spiritual, and, as far as lay in his power, and was consistent with his calling, the temporal well-being of his i)eople ? It could be truly said of him that " he followed peace with all men," not only by recon- ciling differences between the members of his flock, but also by giving frequent proofs of that good will, the most desired characteristic of the age, which tends so powerfully to effect a reconciliation of all who bear the christian name. They had always known him as a faithful minister of God's word, neither disguising its severities, nor withhold- ing its consolations,- inspiring always the well founded hope which cheers the earnest and persevering christian in the days of his probation. His flock had ever reverenced him as a zealous and charitable " Dispenser " amongst them, of the *' mysteries of God " ; but he would also live long in their remembrance because of the singular affection which he bore to his fellow countrymen, his zeal in promoting every undertaking that war^ calculated to increase their happiness, the care with whicli he studied their history, and- his scholarly knowledge of their ancient language. This knowledge he possessed not as a mere accomplishment. Skilled also in the Greek tnd Hebrew tongues, he made it ! i •il 326 available in the cause of truth, devoted it to the service of his country in preparing a Gaelic version from the original of the Holy Gospels. His friends regret, and the learned have also cause to regret that time was not allowed him to complete this valuable labour. His pious works and labours of love so zealously under- taken for his Brethren upon earth, were no longer theirs. They had folloived him. If they surround his bier with a halo of earthly fame, they did infinitely more in the world beyond the grave. Wrapped in the greater, — the inappre- ciable works of Him " who gav« Himself for us," merged in the ocean of His unfathomable love, they encircle him now, we have the confidence to think, with a " Crown of life," — even life everlasting in Heaven. The funeral was attended by the great body of his sor- rowing Parishioners. The Right Reverend the Bishop of Ottawa, several Priests of the Diocese, and some of the Oblat Fathers of the College of Ottawa occupied places in the Sanctuary at the Mass of Requiem, and followed the remains of the lamented deceased to their resting place in the adjoining Cemetery. Mr. O'Boyle was in his forty-sixth year. The Church and Presbytery which he built remain the property of the Church. The bulk of his private pro- perty he bequeathed to his nearest relations, setting apart a few sums for religious purposes, and some moveable pro- perty for the use of his successor. His Library — not very large, but select, he directed to be sent to His Grace the Archbishop of Tuam. THE END ce of filial rned m to ider- leirs. ith a orld )pre- rged him nof sor- p of the !S in the the ixth lain pro- rt a pro- ■ery the I 'f \ \ Ui OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. » # Some of the compositions contained in this volume have been already noticed by the Press. It may not be out of place to reproduce the remarks of the Canadian Review and the Oiiatva Union, ♦«» Our Strength and Their Strength ; The North-West Territory ; and other Papers chiefly relating to the Dominion of Canada. By the Rev. ^luaeas MacBonell Dawson. Printed at the Times Office, Ottawa. 32G p. 8vo. 1870. {From La Revue Canadtenne.) This work, an early copy of which has been communi- cated to us, is not as yet published. It will shortly appear, however, and we shall therefore speak of it by anticipation. The author does not come before the public without a well- founded claim to its sympathy and attention. ^ ■¥?■¥? ^ ^ ■¥? ^ ^ ^ ■¥? ^ His labours are not limited to a speciality. His thirst for knowledge requires a more extended field. He can pass adroitly from a dry page of political economy to a charming invocation of the Muses, and literally fulfils the word of Boileau : <' iSans cesse en ecrivant variez vos discours." (''Cease not, in writing, to vaiy your discouse.") This cannot fail to strike the reader as he peruses the elegant and substantial pages of the Rev. Mr. Dawson's volume. His modus dicendi is perspicuous, cften brilliant, and always subdued. The works which the book contains have almost all appeared already in Reviews c^nd news- fl papers, sometimes without the author's signature, but always welcomed with that interest which they were so well calculated to excite. Mr. Dawson bedns his work by accounting for the first portion of his title : " Our Strength, Sfc'' It is a scries of political letters which were published in the Ottawa Times in reply to the arguments of the Man- chester School on the British Colonial question. As is well known, this School endeavours to demonstrate that it is time for the British Empire to set about dismembering itself by separating from its numerous Colonies, the preser- vation of which, they insist, can only prove a burden to the Imperial Treasury, These theories, although wholly unfounded, have already gained ground in the opinion of the English people. They have found an echo even in the Palace of Westminister, and have, moreover, for their chief advocate there, the Right Honorable Robt. Lowe, who is, at present, a member of the Gladstone Cabinet, and whose opinions have commanded some attention. They are far, however, from having made such way as to induce us to believe in their speedy success. They appear, even, to be falling out of favor in very influential circles where Anti- Colonial views are known to prevail. We need not seek any better proof of this fact than the fall of the Star, one of the principal organs of the Manchester School, the recent conversion of the oracle of English journalism. The London Times, and the last letter which was published by Professor Groldwin Smith in the Daily News of the British Capital. This gentleman is pre-eminently the head of the School which opposes the Colonies. He has always spoken out distinctly in favor of the rupture of Colonial connection. He softens his tone considerably, however, in the letter to which we allude. He extols the importance and wealth of the British Colonies, and, as contradictions do not cost him a great deal, he affirms, although the contrary be alleged, that he has never been in favor of the separation of Great Britain from her Colonies throughout the world, except in the event of the branches having sufficient sap and maturity to grow up alone, when severed from the parent stock, under the fostering shade of representative institutions. The Rev. Mr. Dawson has made a defence of the Colonial policy of Great Britain, as full of weighty considera- I 60 IS I tions as it is ably writton. Ho fully demonstrates that the mother country could not now abandon its numerous pos- sessions without dealing a terrible blow to its commerce, its prosperity and its power, without yieldi.:^ up the promi- nent role which has devolved upon it in the direction of European affairs. The second work in the volume relates to the North "West Territory. It points out the natural resources and the material state of the vast regions which Canada has just acquired. The author believes in the fertility of the soil of thosu immense countries which will soon cease to be available only as hunting and fur-bearing grounds for the use of the Hudson's Bay Company, and will enjoy all the advantages of the new political organization which is on the point of being established. Mr. Dawson refers to the authority of several ocular witnesses in support of his views. Next comes an eulogium of the lamented Mr. H. J. Friel, late Mayor of the Canadian Capital. This gentleman was one of the oldest inhabitants of Ottawa, and he contri- buted powerfully by his intelligence and energy towards the progress of that city. He was also a distinguished writer and journalist. During the several years of his public career, his literary and political labours attracted considerable attention. The late Mr. Friel passed away at the moment when his services were best appreciated, and when his prospects were the brightest. He was always a zealous defender of the rights of his Irish fellow-citizens, and a fervent Catholic. We have noticed also a very interesting study on the Poets of Canada. It is of great length, and is enriched with quotations. It contains, also, most valuable information on the state of Canadian literature. It consists of two parts, in the first of which Mr. Dawson, himself a poet, speaks of the English writers who have left poems deserving of mention. In the second he treats in detail of the Canadian poets who have written in French. As may be supposed, the list of English literary characters is longer than ours. It is easily observed that the poetical effusions of our authors are perfectly well known to Mr. Dawson. He has read their longest compositions as well as thwr shortest sonnets. And, 80, he generally speaks pf th^XQ, with »» much intelU' gence as sympathy. Some of his opinions on the distinctive merit of the inspirations of our poets, may, however, be questioned. We believe, for instance, that he is wrong in comparing the style of ^1. Garneau, who was not only a great historian, but also an eminent poet, to that of the Songster of the Lake (Lamartine.) We consider them to be very different. Such errors of appreciation are very excus",- ble, «.nd we owe thanks to the author for having conceived the excellent idea of making known so well our men of letters to the English public ^ # ^ # * The volume contains, moreover, an oration in praise of the lat-^ deeply regretted Thomas D'Arcy McGee. There was great friendship and mutual esteem between our author and this celebrated man. Knowing him so well, he could not but speak worthily of him. This eulogy will be read with pleasure by all the admirers — and who was not an admirer — of the Prince of Canadian Orators. Ay. Dawson concludes his work with a considerable number of poems, and some reviews of English works. We shall not pretend to give an opinion of the poetical compo- sitions of a Bard who writes his inspirations in the language of Milton. But like all the other works in the volume, they must serve to enhance the value of this collection. We desire for the author all the encouragement which he deserves, and, we believe that his book will awaken so much interest that, like the volume of which Boileau speaks, :t will be it * * * Souvent chez Barbin entoure d'acheteurs." (**•'• Often sought at Barbin's by crowds of purchasers.") Some of the poems above referred to, when locally published, were noticed in several journals. The Ottawa Ufiion says : — The lament for Bishop Grillis is a beautiful specimen of the Epic style, and an appropriate tribute to the talents, learning and christian charity of one of the most eminent I fl i s rl / men of our day. The notes to the lament are of great historical value. The Dies Tree, one of the noblest of the early christian hymns, has been ascribed to Saint Athanasius. The author- ship is, however, uncertain ; but it dates back to the fourth or probably the third century of the Christian Era. The sublime latin version is well known, and only in one instance have we seen as good a translation, or rather rendering, as that offered by the Rev. Mr. Dawson, although several versions have been attempted. The style and subject present many difficulties which are greatly increased by the peculiar measure of the original. In this case at least, we have a vigorous and masterly rendering as near the original as any translation in our language can go. Te Deum Laudamus, the noblest hymn ever composed in any language, and, by far, the most magnificent and triumphant in our own, is very happily versified, and with such a subject, as much has been done as is possible. But, the noble English translation is poetry of the most sublime description in every line, a:;d no rendering can in any way improve its absolute harmony and actual music. The little volume, throughout, evidences the high literary attainments of our reverend fellow-citizen, and reflects great credit on his taste and poetic capacity. A subsequent issue of the Union presented a more detailed notice : " We had the pleasure some time since of receiving proof sheets of a collection of poems by the Rev. ^neas McDonell Dawson, and we then felt it our duty to compliment the talented author on his valuable contribu- tion to Canadian Literature. A few days ago we received a handsomely bound copy of the work. # =^ =i^ In the narrow compass of a newspaper notice, we can hardly do justice to the merits of these compositions. The style, as may be supposed, is chaste, finished and delicately worded. Imagination, the true charm of verse, the author possesses in an eminent degree, and, the poetic fire, giving life, spirit and force, is, by no means, of the smouldering kind." Then follo\" quotations from the poem in memory of the late Lord Elgin, and from the lines for St. Andrew's Day : *' All strife away," &c. I If* 6 "The rev. author's address to an Edinburgh friend, breathes the lofty spirit of an adopted citizen. After a pathetic wafting of praise to the land of his Sires, he thus foretells the greatness of the land he lives in : — '' With you hath been what here may be, Yea, will be yet, and we shall see New glories crown this virgin land, Whate'er is beautiful and grand Its own become, as time pours forth Of art and toil the varied store. Us now enriching, as of yore, The father people with the spoil Of ages gone, the treasured hoard Into the lap unceasing poured Of generations as they rise. By lib'rai su-es, whose high emprise Bids earth and air and ocean wide Their wealth untold with man divide. • ♦•««« "The gifts so fair, that blessed their toil, — Laws Equal, — grace Canadian soil. Nor to her conquering patriot sires Ungrateful, Canada aspires, Onward, in time's great march to speed, Like them to win the victor's meed." Proceeding in his eulogy, localities are mentioned. Alluding to our Canadian men of genius, he says : — II "With soaring view they anxious tend The opening intellect to bend, By lures that art and science lend. Thus, where by great St. Lawrence tide. Stately arise in martial pride. Quebec's famed walls, and Diamond's towers Defiance frown to hostile powers The painter's varied skill displays The artist mind of other days, The architect's ingenious lore The art of times gone by, even more Sets forth, as wond'ring you behold Those massive works now gi-ay and old. That oft have beat the foeman back, Repelling, firm, each bold attack As powerless fell the shattering ball Against the compact bomb-proof wall." " Nor fail with time our wisdom powers, Of modern skill the genius ours. Witness those edifices grand That deck the foaming Ottawa's land ; I a us ' ^i I Magnificent in all their parte, The Architect's and Sculptor's arts. Our people's taste and generous will (Tlorious display, as on to fill Their high career, they eager speed By honor's path, more pleased the meed Of industry to win, than fame Of hero bold, whose laurelled name In fields of blood that lustrous shone, iSui-vives,— a shadow, bright, but lone." We must find place for this glowing tribute to a Cana- dian autumn : — "And lo! this Autumn feast to grace. Their beauteous leaves the Avoods apace With loveliest tints endless adorn, These ever-changing hues each morn Rapt you descry in aspcc+ new Of many colored robe, the view So rich and cheering, varied, grand, That annual decks this Western land, The forests vast in their array. The glories of our autumn day With fields and fiowers conspire to raise. And waft to distant shores its praise." The book closes with the following fervent thouffhts and aspirations : — ° " Deign, gentle Peace, thine aid to lend, Thy yoke beneath, willing to bend, Let all incline. This favored soil Ever to bless, the sons of toil, Aye happy speed in the grand way This better age hath traced. E'er grow With time their growth. Bounteous ])ostow ■the progress meed. With garlands new Ihy votaries enwreath. Their view Guide onward, till thy crowns of gold Their brows encircle, wealth untold. And all thy treasures. Peace, abound, And Happiness each hearth surround." i