IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 m Mm i 5 '""= I.I fM HAS IM 2.2 1.8 1.25 '•4 IIIIM.6 6" — P» ^^' ^/-M w < VI .%^^.c/ % "''■ v^ <*i ^ .•Ji Phctograpliic Sciences Corporation «■ ,. signific "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie "FIN ". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames Ps required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds & des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est film6 d partir de I'angfe sup6rieur gauche, de gauche k droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nonibre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. rrata :o pelure, 1 d D 32X 1 2 3 1 ^ 2 3 4 5 6 t > V •7 /^■M'/sA RECOLLECTIOHS ,11*'. - G' ,'\ IVTOWN AA» IT*' OJ.l) IN HA BITANT.S, »-. HY -WILLIAM PlITMAN LETT. on AW A I ],,■ 1 ' :;,!!; r. i' ; ;•; v 1 • *-. r. •1-4 f ■'i^"' .(-■ ' ^ \ I I ■-i-«' I.-,. RECOLLECTIONS ot BYTOWN AND ITS OLD INHABITANTS BY WILLIAM PITTMAN LETT. OTTAWA : 'citiziek" printing and publishing company, sparks street 7 874. T T -. -T €^d.QiTJiJro:'iK «*,. » »^ f * s "~T «♦ . W «'_ • ^ I K: I'SfSl ''■* ■;•■* ■ vr'"' n i OpD 3o if .'4. INTRODU(7riOX. As 110 book, .sinull oi- grciil — .u:ay oi- ,i,M-avo, witty or suhlime, scieiititie, draiuatic, pootic, trai^ic-, liistorical, metaphysical, pliilo- Kophieal, )K)leiiiieal, wise or otlierwise — can be eonsidered Cijinplele, pai'ticiilarly al the bci^innin^, without a preface ; I have deenied it <'xpedieiit that the contents of'thefoUowini^pai^vs should bcdij^-iiitied by a few lines of an introduetorv nature. It was not my intention Avhen I eommencod Jiese reminiweeiioi's to publish them in their present form, neither liad I any ido'i of their extending bej'ond a few hundred lines. That ] have changod my mind is entirely owing to the solicitations of friend.- desirous of having them in compact shape, and not to any particular am I »i lion •ofmvown to write a book. 1 do not pretend to present the reader vith anything perfect in rhythm, polished in measure, or labored in style of constiniction. J have aimed at the truth, and imagine I have hit it. My object has been, simply, to gather together as many ol'lho names and incidents connected with By town's earl}' history as memory .-done could recal. My desire lias been to rescue trom oblivion-ras fai* i\H my linmble efforts could conduce to such a desirable end — what otherw^ise might possibly have been forgotten. In the coiitem}>Iatiou (.nlitk«ss. oftlu. inl,;,lM(:,iils ofMt.jir old Hylowii. tliciv :tiv seme Jimoji.ii' llic litllr work. Thoso l.roken linUs in llu- chain will I.,- lo iiH' a sonrcc of ivgret. To the ^hados of IIk" drj.ai-lnl anerl by a friend and r. ni\ dcni-. that I do not j. ass yon will, niv heart." , Ottawa, Mmuu, iHl^l WILLIAM IMTTM.W MlT'f. I • < /\ • BYTOAVN. ('JJAITKi: I. Ill '2S, (.11 Patrick's Day, Al Olio [>.ni.. tlu'i'c came this way Fi'oin Jtichmond, in the dawn ()fs[>riin^-, lie W'\u) doth Jiow the _i;"l()ries sinij;" Of ancient liytown, as '(wan then, A ])hice of hiisy working men, Wlio handled harrows and ]»ickaxes, 'ram])ing irons jind hroadaxes, And jiaid no ( 'oi'jtoration taxes; Who, without license onward carried All kinds of trade, hut i^-ettiiif^ nuii-riedj Stout, sinewy-, and hardy chaps, Who'd take and ])ny hack adverse I'aps, Xoi- ever think of such a thino- As sc^uaring otl' outside the ring, Those little disagreements, wiiich Make wearers of tJie long i-ohe rich. Sueh were the men, and such alone. Who (pwirried the vast piles of stone, Those mighty, ponderous, cut -stone hlocks, With which Mackay huilt up the J.ocks. The road wound round tl»e Barrack Hill, By the old (Ij-aveyurd, calm and still ; It would have sounded snolihish, veiy, To call it then a Cemetej-y — <*ro!^sod the Canal below the Bridge, And then struck up the rising riilge * On Kideau Street, whei'c Stewart's Store 6 HVTOWN. StofMl in iUv ixnod old di\yn of yovo ; Thoiv AVilliam Stownrt flfMiiislicd tlion, A wan amoiin; old Hytowrrs men ; And (lu'iv, lion (ionlon ndod tho ronst, Kvolvln.i,' many a hearty toast, And pni-cliase from tlu^ thron<,'H who came To buy cheap <;o(kIs in frioiidship's name. I'Vieiid Hen, dates haelc a warm and tnie heart Todays of ^laekintosh and Stewart. Heside Aviiere Aiimond and Harreille Their fate too-ether erst did trv, In the old " French Store,' on'whose card Imprimis was J. JJ. Bernai-d. "' aniiuh Joe;' still stui-dy, stout and Htron^^, Lono; ho lie sr. ! Will o'er my sonju', -IVnd kindly, and |)erha[)s may siirji, ■• ■ ' Wiiile rapidly o'er days _L'(»ne hy, Jle wanders hack in memory. • ' Aj'e, si^di, tin- when he look's around. Ifow few, alas ! can junv he foun-inrs iiiado M'liiit jircli which casts into tlic shadt' All otht'i- aivhea in tlie laiiil,, n.v which Canals and streams are span'd ; The |)assing wayfarer sous noutfhl Jiiit a stone hridji^o hy lal>or wi-oiii-ht. The lV»ct's retrospective eye Searching the depths of ineinoi'y, A nioniniient to Colonel !5v, JJcholds, endurini; as each ]>ilc Which stands beside the Ancient N'ile. As o'er the past my vision runs, . \iy nu'iiiory's undying powei*; . •;:.'.■;; Seated upon his i^reat black steed Of stately fonn and nol>le breed. ^^ A man who knew not how to flinch — -%. A Mritish soldier every inch. > < <*ourteous alike to low and hiyh . - . * ,A «;entleman was Colonel By ! «• ^ v And did I write of lines three score "k? Al)oiit him, I could say no n< .o. C: fj--^ llowai'd and Thomi>son then ,vept stoi-e Ikm.i by '' the (!reek.' almost ne.\t door, (Jeor^e Patterson must claim a line Amoni;- the men of auld lani; svne ; A man of veiy ancient fame, Who in old '27 came. One ftf the first firm doth remain, IFe is our worthy Chaml>erlain, Who ne'er in life's farce cut a dash On other people's errant cash ; Who i>-uards, as it is right well known, Ik^tter than e'er he did his own, 8 llVTuWN'. Tiu' |K'<»|)lo"s iiioiicy, tinii and sure, To the last ct'iit. sat'<> and Ncciirc. And oppo, ito Jierosh the stret't, A IViejid or foe co-ild always meet A man deserviii*;- hei-o's title, I iU'oni[»roniisini'- Watson Tiitle! A stern Mpliolder of the law . \VIio nei'T in jnstiee found a flaw, AVith well ehari^ed bhinderbuss in liand -lie asked not order or eoini:iunut sallied i'ovth ftenijn'r /ximtia: To aid <]ie /Vv.w Conii*nfus! '• L'eaee to his ashes !" many a 'seoro Of heads I.c sr.iaslied in days of yoro! AVherens tl.e )naii)Ie tslah to nhow AVhere Watson Litles dust Hoh low? ( 'lose In- '• the (>?ek,' on the south side < )f Ikideau sStreet, diil then i-eside John Ciiznei-, a BritjsJi tar, For jiluek reiiown'd hoth near and fur! Xor would 1 willingly foj're the davH of l^)bert Eell. A little further up the street, Jsnnes Alartins name the eye did greet A roimd faeed Caiodonian, wlio uood eating and good rotten, The ancient Mosgrove be forgotten, A man of kindly nature, he Has left a spot in memory While ga/ing on each vanish'd scene That still remains both fresh and grt.i. Kor Avhen iii heat of hurling bent The hall oft through his windo.v went. Jle pltch'd it to us out again. And ask'd no piyment foi- the pane. 10 BVTOWV. On Sussex Street, James In^-lis flourisUVI, A cannie Scot, a>i(l well he iiourishM A very thriving dry gomls trade, And "piles" of good hard silver made, Almost amongst the forest trees, I>\' furs from Aborigines. ISo ''irotel' then was in the town, *' The British" in its old renown, ^)t'our Hotels the ancient mother -.IHul not one stone laid on another; Donald Me Arthur in a cavern Of \vo(>l sustained his ancient tavern, And there the best of cheer Avas found Within old BytoAvn's classic gif>und ; And now I'll close my i-oll of fame With a most Avell-remember'd name, A man of dignity supreme Rises to view in memory's dream, ritra in Toryism's taritf, AVas Simon Fi-aser, Carleton's Sherirt^ Personllied by the third vowel, forerunner of W. F. Powell, A high and most important man In the renown'd old Fraser Clan, Who well had worn the Highland tartan, Fov he Avas bold as any Spartan, And did his duty mildly, graA'ely, Ana wore the swoi-d and cocked hat braxelv. CHAPTER IT. Come, now, my gentle Muse, once more, Come Avith me to the days of yore, And let us Avake, Avith friendlj' hand The memories of that distant land, The past ; and Avhile th a' minstrel weaves BYTOWX. 11 ^^:% \ A cIiMplot from tlie S}'bil leaves - Ofroeollcftioji — let the liijht Of truth u])on his line>' be bright. iMay he with reverential tiead Apix-oach the dwellings of the dead, 8eelcing for some sweet flower of good AVI thin their solemn solitude : And if ho finds in fadelsss bloom Around some well remember'd tomb, Some chorish'tl record of the past Which lias defied time's rudes bl-^sl. And down futurity's deep vale Shod fragrance on the passing gale, Love's laltor, then, tlie task will be, My gentle Muse, for thee and me. 'Mongst those of old remember'd avoII, John Wade doth in mj- memory dM'olI, A Avit of mc.st undoubted feather — A might}- advocate of leather — A sfdomn man too, when required. With healing instincts deeply tired. Ho with, claw-instrument could draw Teeth defth' from an aching jaw, And ready Avas his hmcet too When nothing short of blood would do ; fJolievod he many a rucking pain. When shall we see his like again ? And Williaiu Tormey, stern and straight, A man who came ere '28, (.Hiief of the men who kept the fire on And hammer'd the strong bands of ir(»n. Which first securel}' bound together The old lock gates through Avind and weather, The old Town Council minutes bear The record that his name is there. And Thomas lla'dy, loud the praise I gave him in my early daj-s For Itread, that Kvc might tempted be 12 BYTOWlf. // To oiit, Iiiul it <;-r()\vu ^m tliat tree, Oil whu'li liuii^- the lbrl»iarley l»ree forii;ot ; An honest, siinjile man was he As ever loved good eoni])any ; Ajid Tom MeDermott, Avhile 1 Iwino The names of yore in s(jn\VN. m i )'i'i* its ic'c-l)()soi)i in w il\v few ofsMcl), alas ! are here To listen to the bve-^oiie ntory Of the old Creek's vanisliM u-lory ! 'Twixt •' wooden lock'' and I'ims and pierH— The features of a thousand years Of beauty ruthlesslj- defaced — The landmarkri of the past disphiced, And little left to tell the story Of Ottawa's dopa"*:ed g'-^y ; But water running whovo it ran When the red deer chase began. 'Twould startle even Philemon Wi ight With all his wisdom and foresight. Could he*arisc, good man of old, And m dern Ottawa behold. He'd feel himself a stranger too — 'Mid scenes of wonder strange and new — In Hull, of little worth for tillage. The spot on which he built his village. licturn I now, this slight digression Was worth the time, I've an impression ; Clouthicr, the Indian, was a giant, And "Squire Wright," strong, self-reliant, Was he who oer the border came And gave to Hull its ancient fame ; A man of enterprise and spirit Who in this histor}' well doth merit, Such place of j^romiuence as can Be given to such a stirring man. On the way back I see the ground Where fenying Odium was found, And afterwards, next in ]»rogression, Friend John Betlard came in nossession. And certainl}- much monej' made By a successful carrying trade. The place seems alter'd, art and skill Have built up Wright and Batson's mill At the old wharf, or near at hand, Where the fii*st steamer used to land. Before even that small craft could ride 18 HYTdW.V, At any wlmrt'on Bytowifn side. And not far ott", in days of yore A cottai^c stood — 'tis thcro no niorc, And iflliorc oror was a spot Where friend and f()e a weleome ^ot— Where i^enerons liospitality Prcsi(U'd o'ei" tlie liantjuet free, And f'riendshi})'s hand for rich and poor Was ever oj)enin^ tlie braggju't While i^pcaking thus of John ^[acTaggart, A genius of tlie highest grade In that most scientific trade, Who plann'd Avith Avise, consummate skill, Even from the lock-gates loAvbst sill To Kingston ^lills, the undertaking Wliich cost such time and cash in making, Eidcau Canal, the work of years, And England's l^>yal Engineors. UYToWN. 19 n^w" Brotlier of rsmir, om-e known Ium-o As C<)ri»or!UiMn Kn^inooi-, OrSli'oct Sunoyor in that tinu' Wlion Ottawa's fin- was not, so i»riine, Whom well of old tlie writer know, And as he comes up for review — Like volume taken from the slulf— ; Heharm'd no one hut himself, ., Is all his bitterest foe ean say . ^„ . - Of Inaae who has passed away. . And .lames Kilzi^ibhon, where is he? Beneath the weeping will'jw tree, Ketired, quiet-going man Who ne'er his heaa 'gainst faction ran. And close upon his fading track I Bce the shadow of .lames Black, Who once on llideau Street kept store In the rememher'd days ol'yore, A stirring, active man was he, ^ , ' Genteel, ])olite to a degree, , .*; That customers were always fain ; . Who saw him once to cull again ; His wife in the old churchyard lay— Her epitaph J know today. And there stands Thomas Jhirrows, to.>, As lie appeareil hefore my view, Leaning upon his ganlen gate Beside the Creek in '28; He held of trust, an office high Under the reign of Colonel By. And Tom McDonald, as we then Were Avont to call the best of men ; A man of spirit rare was he Who never had an enemy. And thei-e, too, (Japtain Victor goes With most aristocratic nose. And maniuM-s haughty with the ring Of ton when (ieorgo the Fourth was king. 1! 20 BYTOWN. And Liout. Pooloy, for whoso Hkill The "Gully" bnd/je is immcd ho still, Ank Lynuin Porkins, if you doubt it, And lie will tell you all about it. And Dr. Tutbill, who with skill Could euro more readily than kill, ThyHic'd, cmctic'd, too, and clyster'd, And eon nmore, blod and blistor'd, In the old llonpital, whieh stood Unscathed l)y tempest, tire, or flood, For fifty years, to be down cast, liy chance, or carelessness, at last. Theme for conjecture, most prolific, Another phase of the Pacific IJailway which will cause a broil, Unless 'tis built on British soil ! And there, too, Joseph Coombs was found, With solemn step his march around Amon^r the patients, pacing slowly — Disciple of the meek and lowly. Who afterwards oft turned the key On nniny a goodly company. In that strotjg work of mason's trowel, Eulcd now by Alexander Powell. And William Addison, no more — As trin\ a soldier as e'er wore The uniform, or bravely bore' His head erect, with step as light As wings thai touch the air in flight. Well had he Avon and kept from harm The honor'd stripes upon his arm. »Such men as he have been the stay Of Britain in her darkest dnj ! And Sergeant Johnston who, with skill. The raw avd awkward squad could drill — A wfirrior in air and tone, AVho had his counfjy service done — Straight as a ramrod,'and his might BYTOWN. 21 01' voice would Luinhkiii's soul dolight. And bmvo John Murphy— champion John ! I cuii't forget as I pass on. As lino a fellow as e'er wore The Hcai'lct coat in days of yore. With upright form of mardiest grace, With wondrous beauty in his face, And perfect symmetry of limb ; AppoUo might have envied him ! And then he was as brave and true As o'er the sword or bayonet drew, Full many a battle did he tight, Ills injured comrade's wrongs to right ; For well he knew each mood and tense Of the old art of self-defence ; And woe to him vvho dared a fling With bold John Murphy in the ring. Ther> many a pugilistic martyr Met his match and caught a Tartar. CHAPTER IV Near whei-e the George Street market stood Lived William Northgraves, then a good And skilful watchmaker, who's chime JM regulate the march of time. And Arthur Hopper, sporting blade. Was in the same time serving tnule. Though guiltless of the modern tricks Of time serving in politics ; He made gold rings for bridal matches, As well as cleaned and mended watches. And last of old watchmakers three, I mention mild Maurice Dupuis, Who's even tenor ne'er did var}-- From the upright and exemplary, 22 BYTOINX. At Covcoraii'H coiner, now the stand For cai'ters, very near at hanil, Dwelt one Avho's nnforg-otten name Is worthy of poetic fame; With scientitic sleiv ancient iioets it Avas <.m\\f Those whom the <>;odH k)VO all die 5'ounii,v Tom Ilickeys eai'Iy death did prove That those die youno- whom all men love. I must not liere omit the name Of lleubach from nn' roll of fame, lie ])asses undei* men\ory's scan A simple nunded honest man, "With mannei's quiet, miUl and bland. An emigrant from fatherland. And Josejdi Xadeau, far and near Famed 'mongst the boy^; for i,ood La Tir, And old John Cochran stern and tall, Immoveal)le as a stone wall ! Staunch to his principles stornl Ise, Ko matter vv'hat thp cost might be; Oh ! for a few of his old stamp, To trim with fire the waning lamp! And Louis (irison, worthy man, In "]\laviile's village," first began His little trade, Avhich wider spread As ancient Bytown went ahead. Twf) rows of houses built of wood, jS^'av Enoch Valkley's brewery stood It BYTOWN. 23 Witii narrow little street between, Tliiis was the vilhige that 1 mean. Then Willium Graham kept the ])eac'e Of all the town with perfect ease; Potato whiskey then was cheap, And we had little ])eace to keep. Such monstrous practice was unknown As klckiiiii; wheu a man was down. Thoui^h rvany .. atunnins" hlow was felt, None ever struck below the belt ; The ring was form'd, and fair jday IJeign'd without challenge at each fray, And never yet, that I could liear, Bid constable e'er interfere, Or even think that am rngst crimes Ilaidc'd this brave pastime of olvest border of the swrmp Whore cedars gi-ew mid mosses dam])', Just at tha corner where to day BYTOWN. 25 Ben Huekell doth his name display, . In other days dwelt William May, A member of the old " Alliance" Which easily put at defiance The conflagrations that were seen '' Like Angel's visits far between," For By town then was almost f o From an Insm-ance Company ! Poor fell(»w i by a sudden stroke Death's gloomy shadow o'er him broke, Upon that well remembered day — When the old town was wild and gay. From veidant vale to sunny ridge, On which the new Suspension Bridge Was opened- and crowds congi*egated To sec it then " inaugurated." To use a woixi from Uncle Sam, The concourse was a perfect jam. 'Twas built by Alexander Christie, From the land of mountains misty ; And though the whirlwind and the storm For years have revelled on its form — Though i)ond«rou8 loads for many a year Have passed it o'er from from far and near. It stands in strength unshaken still, A monument of art and skill ; Long may the builder dash the tide Of Joi-dan's swelling surge aside ; And when the lot of all mankind Overtakes him, may ho safely find A bridge across to Canaan's shore. To pass in peace death's valley o'er. » While rambling backwai-ds «p life's hill, I meet the stern Paul Joseph Gill, A man with much tuition fraught. Who youth at the old cj-eok side taught, Where Thomas Dowsley doth display, His maps of land for sale to-tlay. 2G BYTOWN'. Pnul Joseph (I ill could with a frown Keep juvenile ottentlei's down ; ilis I'ulor flat I cunt Ibr^et, My lingers seem to tingle yet. As recolleciion o'er me brings That ruler amongst other things, Which come around me link by link, ' "While of the vanishM past I think. Join. Fi'ost, too, rises n[) betore M3' viNion of the time that's o'er; He built upoM foundation damp, I'l Lower Town's groat cedar swamp. Which stretched from Sussex Street to where That engineering structure fail' — The fond-admiring eye doth greet, Spanning the stream at Ottawa Street. And " '-iandy'' Gi-aham, strange it is,* That I thus fa/ Ids name should miss, AV^hile tracing from the scenes gone by Each unfbrgotten memorv Sandy was, aye, a joyous bhule, And many a good stroke of tiado He with commercial wisdom made. In other times when he was 3-oung. And Yankee silver round was flung With lavish baud bv low and hiiib I In the goride. Caused me fo fe6l a man beside The urchin in the pinafore Which I had just arisen o'er; In Daniel Fisher's shop 'twas made — Headquartei's of the fig-leaf ti-ade — In that most ancient grand device Which ha> whiH, "The Kcholnmstoi-" defiant camo And walked oft' chani])ion oftlie game. I^Vom first to last J've found him tiMie, McT3oiii;;al ciamnr tha sibhti dieutjh ? And Charles SparroAv, whei'c, oh, where Ih he who onee Mas Bytown's ^fayoi', Ere, J. B. Tiir<^eon took the ehair? Lost 'mid the ovej'whelmini^ blaze Of eluuiii^eH new ; <;one fi"oni the i^iv/.v Of public life, like ?nany a man Who, onee for pul)lie honors ran. And (Jeor^eand JJobert Lan^ are ,i,enee and tone. Who held positions marketl and hii>;h In Bytown's old societ}-. Nor has amongst the aneiont few Captain ^IcKinnon fr(mi my view — Thoufnh lonjr a tenant of the toml) — Padetl into oblivion's gloom. • If I?ov heart and hand In love to the old M( iher Land ! Boh Boyle, '• I thank thee" that thy name Hath stirred the patriotic flame, In davs like these, when treason's veil Drops when passions tierce assail, And leaves exposed to ])ublic vieAV The traitor double-dyed in hue ! Hear, spawn of disaifeetion's thrall I Eouge, Annexationist and all This_ere the Uinon Jaek shall fall, The path of trcjison red with blood Shall siidc beneath a crimson flood, I BYTOWN. 35 While o'er it from tlu* liii^lu'-it n-iXfx, Will wave llio ifloi'ioiis jiu'teor tlni;- 1 I've wiiiulcied somowliiit from my liuck, But (iiiiotly J now coiin' Inick ; Into my triiiii of tliou;j;ht tlioro l)lo\v A pasKiiiu; Hj)iU'k, away it flow. And I was ^ouv bofon^ I know — Liko nitro-u;lyoei'iiu' it sprung-, ilnd from tho pathway I w There Pierre J)osloi^es, a man was lie, But little known beyond tho spot Wliere first he Ituilt his little cot. And Alexander Kthii-r too, A carpenter, hoth i^oot he An Inn of quite a i^ood do^j^ree Of excellence in the old time Which lias evoked this lengthy rhyme. John was a man of sturvly frame As any that hath borne his name. Even Brave Bob Klliot wn)uld delight His prowess to hehoUl in fight ; And Ilobert Elliott was not sh)w To give or to resent a blow In other days, wlion not as now, The olive branch of ]^.eace is seen Between the orange and the green. And Bichard Stethom in tl»e haze Of Bytown's distant early days 36 BYTOWX. ijcfniv my vision dotli Jippt-m*. To claim Itis ri^ht of entry here. And l^obert Stetliem, too, h.is In-other, Of vilhigo denizens anotlier ; John Millc'r lOO, of leather fjimo. Wlio from the ( -onnty AVoxtoi'd came, And tirst made liorc such l»ootsand yhoes As fashion eould not now refuse In this fastidious a;Lije tn take And Avoar tliem for their mateldess make. And liow have i not had hetore .lames Anderson, a man of yore, Wild pitched his tent in (Uu's gone by 'Mnn*; Bvtown's ancient company, An honest iiearted Jovial Scot As e'er in exile cast liis lot ■-Mongst those wiio pioneered the track Down which my memory's muse look's back. And now as I stretch fiu'th .ny liand 111 search ot one trom Paddy's land. A man of wit and humom- rare, 1 touch him still and tind Jujii there. From Erhi, scarcelvfrom Armai^h. 'Po Carleton came Denis Mcdrath, JiOiid has his Xorth 'libernian tongue ri»on the JJyward market rung r<»r six and thirty years ; in truth, I've known him since tlie days of youth, John Litle can mv tale revicAV Of Denis, he will tind it true. And John ^lacdonald, of the Isles, With face clad in perennial smiles, Ivtn'ght of the knock-dowu liammcr, he Claims passing notiie now from me — A well rotn\ man, f(»r truth to tell, He .studieil Burns Uiid IJvron well ; And Avhich iwo^)f tlie wizard fcAV J lave touclie*! with tuneful hand so true^ KYTOWN. .J7 Tlic throbbing ]>iilsos of the soul, AVhich vibvaxe 'iieath their wihl control. Friend John Macdonald, lioj-e's my hand, Thou YiAic of the vanished land I Michael McBean I can't pass by, He kept of oUl a «;rocery — .lust opposite McDou^al's gate, AVhero the hv^ auger hangs in stale. Kichard McCann, too, did abi(!o In peace the Sappers' Bridge Ixjside, In house we ne'er shall see again, Onee tenanted l\y Andrew Main — A cannie, sober, honest Scot, ^VaH Andrew Main — an humble lot, With patient industry he Im)i-o, Till fortune smiled, and then a stt, On Creorge Street noj'th, in days gone by Taught in his own academy ; * At length the birch he threw a«iv«e, And floated proudly' on the tide Of commerce — and his name aj^poars Where it was found in other years. Next Eichard Thomas comes to v iew, And Xpt and Jonas Barry too, All plasterers of the old time Who made their bread by sand and lime, Joachim Valifpiette, a baker, And Joseph Valiquette, shoemaker, A votary of the rtxl and line When summer evenings are fine, lie like a nightingale can sing A holy strain — as well Jis bring From well known spot — a gooattle brand Among the guardians of the land. JJeady alike to fall or stand As duty's accents gave command ; Far jnight you seek, and tind not then A soul more genial amongst men, A lot unmarked bV mortal ills Is all I wish to Major Wills. ciiAPTEii yn. 'I'liougli strictly not of By town fame, I can't tbrget .lohn Egan's name, Jt well deserves what 1 can give. To make it unforgotten live; For 'mongst the sons of enterprise. Who rose with Bytown's early rise, When ' .Norway Pine" was nmnbor one, John Egan 8tanil» almost alone — The king r»f the Grand River, then The Wellington of lumber men BYTOWX. 39 A mail of l)ouiulless onor^y, And vast eapticity was hu, All difficulties had to fly, A lid cower before his dauntless eye ! Kight Avell iiia}'^ Aylmor nioui-u and botiHt The cntorprisini^ so.u she lost, Upon the l\e of victc/y. Both at Ti-afalgar and the ISiile. Ave. saw the hero'.> 'J^'ir.g smile Of triumph, when his cruise was o'er, And to the vast eternal shore, liaunchod forth by death's o'erwhelniing gale His gallant s]iirit spread its sail ! O'er flowing bow! with might and main. He fought his battle's o'er again. Talked of chain shot, and '• Stinkjjot's'' stench, And hatel cordially the Fi-ench, Whom he believe I were but ereated To 1)6 by sailors killed and hated What e'er he was, what ]»assage o'ei*. He took to the mysterious shore, Old Charon never cleft the wave. Yet with a soul more true and brave ! '^ BYTOWN. Xm\ Bajitistt^ ILmiier, wlien alive, I tliiiik luul children twont^-fivo, Presided o'er a tJivern ue'it. On the sontli side of Eidemi street. A ])luee well known both near and far, And there John Jolinnton kept the bar, Jlelated baekward up the streani, To hin. wl;o had the lucky dream ; WiHi t >N« Chief, who in " a fix" Was foun ' Te old Tu Colonial hisv / has told The stoi'V in the da^ s of old. The Indian dreamed, the General lost llis uniform, but to his cost The wily chieftain tpiickly found The fJeneral's dream, l)ou^ht solid ground, And Martin, Jamos, and Darby Keally Fi'om the green land of the ''Shillaly." Kichai'd Fitzsin)mons, too, was found, The Paganini of sweet sound 111 days gone b\-, with memories big, And well he dancetl an Irish jig. Most incomplete would be my tale, Did I not draw aside the veil. And bring from distant vistas through. The ancient fiddler into vieM'. While strolling downwanl by tlie locks, One of those reminiscent knocks I felt, which brought my eye before Another of the men of yore; I gazed, as the dim shadow neared, And then i»cfore my sight appeared The recollection of a name, 'Twas Commissary Ash worth came. And not far off, with business hK)k And pen in hand o'er ponderou.-i book, I see another friend of youth Noted for probity and truth ; BYTOWN. 41 ' Tis Thomas Doiiclly, Avoi'th}' man ! AVhoDi now with motnoiy's oyc I scan. Still as the mist of memory clears, J meet the men of other years ; Another page 1 now nnfold, And (Jjiptain Bolton I behold, Or .Majoi" ]iolton the "Major's Hill," Whieh got his I'ank and bears it still. It ihsed to l>e in days gone bj', " The Colonel's Hill," si rank more high, And worthy of the aneient treed, Whose foliage rustled in the breeze, Where pigeons, in their annual flight, Were wont by thousands to alight, O ! nmny a fusilade I've seen. Of flint locks in its bowel's green; It got the inune recorded here, From Colonel Bj', who first livey all, 'twere luird to mate Irlni, Jlo had no enemies to hate hiri, His friends wore neither scarce nor few They numberetl every soul he knew. Who e'er remerabers Isaac Smith, Mounted top Ijoots and breeches with, Upon his stately old l>lacl< mare Will i"et^)llect u horsemaii rare. <7hristO}>her (\»vlton, where art thou ? Come here, old friend, 1 want, thee now To ramble back with mo agaiji 42 BYTOWN. .s To whcM-c of old Mcpherson and ( -'rano, And Francis Cleniow, too, 1 tliiidv, Did hiisiiicss at tlio Basin's brink. And Bindon Jiiirton Alton, who lEas vanislied from terrostial view ; The poet with the flashing eye — The true born son of minstrels}- ! Who san<^ so sweetly, memory still T'rombles with the undying thrill. Which throbbcl in melting tone-* of fire hVom Biiidoii liurton Alton's lyre, A las ! alas ! tha^ such a soul Should siidx a victim to the bowl. Thomas MacKay, who's worthy name Is well known even to modern fame. The worth which honest men revere Deserves a fitting record here. With mighty gangs he excavated The ancient quarry situated On west side of " the Major's Hill." AVhich modei-n hands find hard to fill ; The stones from thence by powder rent To build the seven Canal Locks went, T^he Suppers' Bridge, too, was erected By blocks of limestone thence ejected. Like many another i-ising man, Mackay for ancient Eussell '' ran" To use a term, which moans to-day Tluit he runs l)est who best can pay ! The declaration found him seated And his antagonist defeated. New honors came his name to greet, A TiCgislative Councillor's seat Was given next to liussell's jiride, (Mad with which dignity he died. And no more upright man has e'er Deserving of the post sat there. And William S!e\vart, too, wlio's namo BYTOWX. 4a Klscvvlioi'e has graced my roll of tamo, Was as the reader will rcniembor, For BytOA\Mi louj^ a^o a member, (4o(kI re[)reHeiitative he made, And his constituents ne'er betrayed. AVe were l»y taxes lightly rated When BytoAvn wm incorporated, l]y the Bill by him jiresonted When he this village represented In '47, the year, no other, AVlien to that stingy old step motliei-, • The Connty ofCarloton we were tied And had our temper sorely tried. This was before Lord Sydenham's reign AVhich gave that legislative strain To our Colonial Constitntion. And inainu; in clionis o'oi- Mic phiin, We'll nevoi- hoc such sport again ! Who would at longtli the istory hear, dm ask tlie Sherift*, he wan there, And bravely in his headlong way IM '• Shamrock" carry him that day. Close in the teri-or stricken Avake Of Jleynard, over bush and brake, James Kraser, too, can tell the tale, For lie went over hill and dale. And sAvam]) and fence and ditch and bush, Foremost in the determined rush, To get up tirst and win the brusli, While loud above the yelling din, Sounded the Doctor's horn of tin, That hunt the ])ublic healtli to save Was the best prescription e'er he gave. ClIAPTEPt VIII. Can I, an ancient friend, pass by. Who even to-day still greets my eye, And brings up among modern men 'i'he dearh' che.-ish'd past again ? 'Tis far, far back, 1 scarce can fix The date, perhaps, 'twas '2<), When he, in lluntly, on a farm, Once tricil his iniaccustomod arm At work for which 'twas never made. In that most indejwndeijt trade. Ho left Jiucolics, trees, and all, And moved awaj'- to Montreal, BVnAVX. 41^ To teach, as l>oltcr him did suil, "The y^(H)d hoi'Hi' kojd, and well could ride liini, When h(»i-semanshii> was in(»ro in fash ion Than sitlinj,' still and layinj;; lush on, fn tour-wheeled vehicle at ease, Whi. !i inotleni Jehuisni doth please. And (ralipcau, who kept jiood whiskey, And old Janiaicu to make li'lsky The visitors to his retreat, On the east sidt^ of Siiasox Street, (Moso to the very spot, 1 think, Where now James Thompson deals iu mink, Otter and other kinds of fur, I'lime and unprime, without demui*. Twas at this inn one afternoon In 'ii'd, the month was .Tune, Tiiat Martin llennessy once tried On horscl>ack n^) the stairs to ride, And would have done mo, hut tor this, A pistol shot that did not miss, Which gave him, oh, most foul disgnuo! A charge of buckshot in the face, Which spoiled bis beauty witlumt doubt. And knocked his <' dexter peei)er" ont. And E. S. Lyman, old cathartic ! With lengthy form and features arctic — Dispenser of blisters, pills and potions, IJoluses and specific lotions, And panaceas in variety To cram the ailing to satiety — Succeeded Auld, Apothecary, A scientific quoiter, very. Who rightcnl phisiologic faults With Calomel and Epsom Salts, And made prescriptions np with skill Of aqua pura, . which doth still Maintain its place as chief ingredient, In every mixture, quite expedient, BYTOWN. 40 Ilo koi»t his (li'iii^ n1u))( at tho h[»()L Where lioHpitality has <;ot Ifei* Shil)olelh IVom land of Tara, Under the rnle of Pat. O'Meara! And Riihard Kneeshaw, man of j-cienco, Who phical in reason »m-\\ reliance, As made him ahnost think nalvalion OouM not he f( und in revelation : Chemist and druiji-ist hy profession, He Iield within his mind's possession Vast Htores of knovvletl/fe, ever breetlini-- Ideas new from constant readini;-. And Henry Bishoprick, a wise man, Who acted druix^ist and exciseman, And soi/-eil at loiided ] tol's muzzle Contrahanctisias, who could j)uzzlc An ordinary Clan;or's cunnini;- Whon tea and whiskey they ^^o^•e runnim^. And William Henry Baldwin, too, Who first ap])eared in public view At the old Albion, where in state, Bob Graham rules the roast of late ; Son of a U. E. Loyalist, Who found his wa}' out of the mist Republican whicli played »uch tricks With loyalty in '7«, He came, as many another came To Canada, in Britain's name, To live his life and die beside Tho flag that's still his country's pride ! Thomas Gillespie Bm-ns, " T. G.," I have not quite forgotten thee ; Thou wert an early importation From Erin's Isle, and thy migration Did little dami) in heart or hand Thy love for the old parent land, Who's green is greener in its pride Of bloom than all the world beside ! 50 BYTOWN. 1= m 1.4 Thy boast haw always boon true blue— To British institutions true ! And vVilliara Eogerson, 'tis well That I of him should something tell— A tall, majestic, looking sou Of Caledonia— he was one, In early timos, wlvo carried on The lunilier tvattlc with a will, \Vlien such t;ames as Price and McGill Were rttaudu-ds in the staple trade Which Bytowu Ottawa hath made. And William Dunning, who kept store The first old County Gaol before, Where now the Albion proudly stands And flourishes in other hands, And Clements Bradley, who lived near The border long ago, Avas here ; An agricuUuriBt of yore. Who settled near the llidoau's shore, And opened 'mid primeval trees A pathway for the passing breeze. Full half a century has flown Since the tirst tvoe he tumbled down. And yet his strength seems still unspent, His stop it firm, his back unbent. CHAPTER IX. Pierre Bocque, thou nn-ient man of stone 1 I had almost let thoe alom^ ; But 'twere not well to leave behind, A man of such a rocky kind ; Thy christian name is stone — that's hard, Rock is tliy surname, saith the Bard Thou art an ax'amantine oanl. And fkptiirt Cant in, too, it seems. BYTOWN. 51 Appeal's 'mongst rccolloelionb' (Ireamn, A carpenter of wortli .ind note, Who ne'er asked sixpence for his vote. Helaire Pinard prei:ive him place, A quiet, rare man, be it knowt), Who mindn no business but hi8 own. Joseph Pai^uette, to thee I give A line to nuvke i,.f memory live, 'Mid earliest rocoUectiona, thou Art not the one least thought of now ; Somclhing far better than mere Ikrao Is thine, it is an honeat name ! Thomas E. Woodbury, who made Tin canj? and stovepipes, when the trade And t<:»wn was in an infant state, Back iu the da3^H of '28. And Fletcher, an old Yankee, who Taught school and flogged his scholars, too With a good licalth-insxnring cat, My blessing on liis old white hat ! Tho' scai-eo, outitlwl like the vest By early attvent, 1 think best To name " The Orator of the West," James Spencer Lidstone, child of song, Thf " man of raemoiy," faat and long, Who had, reader \'0U need not start, All Milton's Paradise by heart; Strange mixture he of pvoso and rh^ !n», ilidic^'ous, and ♦he subline In him were singularly blended ; Whei'e one began or the other ended, It wnuM be difficult to tell. He played his part in each so well, James Spcticer Lidstone, fiire thee well f And 'raongst the ancient sons cf fame Who pays that Dinny Oantlin's name Does not d©H«^*ve n line or two BYTOWN. Ir. thci^c old clironicles most true ? Diiiny \va8 just four feet in length, Although a" man ol' pith and strength, His arm was always reaturcd in some sudden fray A fellow six feet high, or tailor, , And held him firmly by the collar ; And Dinny, as ho upward gazed At the colossus, o'er him raised, Exclaimed, " escape now, if you c^an, You're in the clutches of a man!"' Diiiny had a commanding eye. His liat was eighteen inches high (^.mc next to view, Denis 0':N^eill, A shii> cari)entor, who laid the keel * Of many a vessel in his day. And stiil he clinks and caulks away. James Finch, too, who died here of late, Was one of those of '28, Or '27 it may be, (bmes neai-er to the certainty ; James Fnch sledged stoutly with a will, In the old forge on " Major's Hill," In '2'.), he oj\co lay still For fifteen minutes on' the ground Insensible to sight or sound, 'Twas a stor.e that almost killed him «iuit«, 111 a most lively faction fight In Bytown's celebrated fair, Y/l;c'n stones flew thickly through tlm air, I cant foi-get it, I was there ; ItH history I'll not jot down Until I get to Upper Town. And Charles Rowan, well I know, The reader sought for him ere now, What shall I of friend Charlie say,- BYTOVVN. 53 sfe, .11 ■iM. Who came from Coiinaug-lit till the way ? Who well can speak the celtic toiiijue In which the Irish mintrols sung-. When famous Malachi of old The collar wore of beaten i,'old, Tom li'M'cely from the haiig-hty Dtme By his right arm in battle slain I Charlie is mild and full of 'neekness, Horses with hhix have been a weakness : A clipper spanking between trace»Mj He used » drive at trottinij races. And then his powers of selection In liquor almost touch perfection. Next comes James Whitty, man of old, Who once was a young sailor Ijold, A quiet, little Wexford mun. Who Avarmed his Jacket at Japan, And "dashed his buttons" gaily, too, In China with the pig-tailed < row •, Ere he in times thatar<> no m >i'o .., On Ottawa's bosom tu oai-. John Ashfield now in sigiiL appears, A gunsmith of the foded years ; Just as flint locks began to lapse, He came in with percussion caps. Here, too, is William Graham, the same, Who I'rom Fermanagh County came. And many a hard earned shilling made Hy groceries antl general trade ; Father of him once called " Black Bill,' That ,we might designate him still. From him of Madawaska note. Who oft on timber was afloat, And who has claim in song of mine To something o'er a passing line. Companion of my early youth. When time with us was young ; and truth Was all wa know in life's fair spring. R^JIP ^fMt 54 BTTOWN. w Thy name doth rocoUoctions bring Long shinibering in|" oblivions vale," 'Till waked by memory's jjassing gale; With thee I strayed in days of yore Beside old " Goodwood's" pleasant shore ; Each unforgotten scene by thee Js brought to life again for me; A child again v\'ith thee I stand, Among that childish happy band, Who thought not, dreamt not, that the day Of eai'ly bliss would jiass aw^ay ; No retrospect can be more fair That that I see behind me there, Friend William CJraham, I wish thee well, But this to thee I need not tell. Who is he with the cassock on, Wlio bursts my second sight upon, A merry twinkle in his ej'e. Not sanctimonious, nor yet si}'. His country, one can scarce!}' miss Such pure Ilil)ernian brogue is his ? Tis surely Father Ilei-on's gait, Bytown's tirst priest in '28. Close in canonical degeee, John Cannon's stately fonn T -ee, In bigotry no stern red-ta])ist, Favorite of Protestant and Papist ; A jovial blade M'ith soul elastic, No gloomy-faced ecclesiastic, He ruled his congregation well. Nor +aught them that the path to hell Was thronged by those who made digression From penance, fasting and confession. And there with academic birch. Stands Anslie of the English Church, Who preached in Hull and BytONvn too, Of old, to man}' a godless crew. Assembled on each Sabhath day BYTOWN, 55 To pass an idle liour away, Thouj^li doubtless soiue went there to pray, While here I pass in swift review The reverend and pious few, Who stood as fingei' posts of yore, Pointing the way to Canaan's shoie, John Carroll surely should apjiear. And take his yjroper station here, An honest Weslevan Avas he, Who never knew hv^10cris^^ (ilcorge Poole in daj's more distant still, In the little church on " Sandy Hill," Which gave its name to "Chapel Street," His congregation oft did meet. And John C. Davidson, also, Was one of those wlio long aijo 'Mid primal darkness, thick and gross, Unfurled the banner of the cross ; A Methotlist both sound and prime He was esteemed in the old time, 'Till something gave his faith a lurch. And he bolted to the English Church, In which 'tis said that he is quite " A burning and a shining light." CHAPTER X. And now another man I seek, Who lived on Creorge Sfreet, by the creek, Lo! memory's telescopic e^'c At once John Taillon's shsuie brings nigh, And as his form approaches near, His laugh I almost seem to hear. One of those lost with much regret, James Iieamy, T would not forget, Though not a man of '28, p^p 56 BYTOWN. llis early and untimely I'ato — His meny life and tnii^ic fall, Are in the memory of all. vVnd Andrew Leamy in IiIh time, Was head of many a stirring "shine;" A man of mark lie might bo singled, Jn whom the good and bad commingled, Jn equal balance in such way, That each in turn had its sway ; He's gone ! the grass grows o'er his head, The muse deals gently with the dead. James Devlin, where are you old man, Whose fingers o'er the catgut ran ? Professor of the art to foil Both " treason, stratagem and spoil," In days which now are but a riddle, When William Murphy played the fiddle .So meri-ily, long, long ago. To trip of" light fantastic toe." Fond were you of the rod and line When sport and profit did combine Jn other days, when mighty Bass And Pickerel lay upon the grass JBeside you, ;is with practised hand, You hauled the scaly kings to land Night- linos and gill-nets, may they be Accurst — have mined you and me ! And left us nought but " tommy cods" As trophies for our idle rods. Who is he with such pompou.-j air — Such magic curl of scented hair, Willi glass stuck tightly o'er one eye To scan the common passer by, While every air betokens well The ])resonco of a "howling swell ?" 'Tis Henry Howard Burgess, ! To him Dundreary's self were slow. And Thomas Burgess, too, was hero, BYTOWN.- 57 A swell, thouijh not quitj so severe. And the two Johnston's, born twins, As like each other as two ])ins, Olerks in the Ordnance Office were And sni'el}'' a most ]iroper pair. John Crrant, too, who quite early came, A constable of ancient fame, Who kept the peace, right well, 'tis true, When he had nothing else to do. Few were the summonses he got, Warrants fell seldom to his lot; The town was not by courts infested, Peo])le liked not to bo arrested. And seldom were — for to the King Complainants did their troubles bi'ing. And there found justice, sometimes too much Kedress, of which they oft did rue much. J. B. Lavois, with thee I close My lengthy memories of those I knew of old in Lower Town, Though last, not least in size, I own. A butcher of the olden time, Who furnished roasts and steaks most prime, In the old George Street Market House, Where cats held many a grand carouse. Ere rats to Bytown emigrated In swarms pestiferous and hated. And if I have Ibrgotten one, Whom memory could not fasten on. Let him feel no neglecting smart, I have not passed him with my heart, I vo done my best 'neath friendship's spell, So Lower Bytown now farewell! / 58 BYTOWN. UPPER TO^^N. i OirAPTEIl 1. And now, kind reader, westward ho I Acro»ot where the Algonquin ma*//, May have reclined " 6v/6 tegmim faji ; For when across the Happer'a Bridge, Tlio prospect was a fine beech ridge. And '•tfibson's corner," in old time. For squirrel hunting was most prime, " Prime" is a somewhat slangy phrase For these high philologic days, And in connexion, be it stated. ' BTTOWN. D With a spot to science dedicatod. J. H. P. Gibson's astral lecture Will place thiH fact beyond conjecture. Eound that old spot now thronged by all, Ha,s many a chipmonk met his fall By dart from youthful Hportsman'n l)0\v, Which laid the striped beech-iuitter low. No central Ottawa was then, As now, resort of busy men — The first stone of our centre town By Mason's hand was not laid down; A forest path across the hill To Bank Street led — the place was still ; No noisy vehicle passed there, The dwellei-s of the wood to scare* The road for carriages led round Old Bj'town's ancient burial ground, Upon the hill's south eastern base, Of which there is not now a trace ; And spreading off in endless green To the canal the bush was seen — The ancient forest — then the deer To Bank Street (Church's site was near. And niffed-grouse, wrongly named partridges, Whirled and drum'd between the ridges, Black ducks and Teal did oft alight In porids round Corkstown from their flight. And when the swamp down Slater Street Was cleared, a dozen snipes would greet At every step the sportman's eje, O ! glorious spot of days gone by. To listen, ah ! 'twas splendid fun ! To Commissar}' Oi'iel's gun, As with a quick well practiced eyo He made the quivering feathers fly ! There was not then one cabin sill Laid dowiii on famed Ashburnham Hill, Who's heights with pine and hemlock crowned, r*^ (iO BYTOWN. 4* i -jp 'it: Towered o'er the woodotl hindscapo round. Thou JJradish Billings farmed Jiwuy Wliere his descendunts live today, A man ofenterpriHing lame, Who from the land of jnimpkin's came, And pitched his tent in honor's track Beneath the glorious Union Jack ! Then Colonel By was in a jam l^]rocting the first hogsback dam, Which vanishoil with Spring's sweeping flood ; But science made the structure gO(xl By the advice of one, no civil Engineer, with whom a level Or other instrument of science, Had not the most remote alliance. 'Twas built as he proposed — I'm sorry I lis name from memory I en n't worry, Jf Lyman Perkins was beside me, To it ho ccrtainlj' could guide me, For he has got, of ancient bore, A well authenticated store. Now first among our old landma,iks, Comes Laird of Bytown, Nicholas Sparks, Who came across in '2G I^Vom Hull, his lucky fate to fix Upon a bush farm which he bought For sixty pounds — and little thought. While grumbling at a price so high, That fortune had not passed him by. He little dreamed of Ottawa now, When 'mongst the stumi)s his wooden plough Stir'd the first sod in times of old; He knew not then, that 'twas not mould He turno'd up, and fiUed, but gold. 'Tis not my business liere to flatter, Or with onconiums to bespatter The shadows of departed men Whom we shall never sec again. BYTOVVN 01 Yet I may say, wlio Icnow him well, And of lilm would not Falsehood tell, That as poor human nature ran, Ho was an lionest upright man, '* Close ti.sted" as the need oceurred, Yot one who alwa^.s kejit his word. "NVhate'er the cost — I say no more Of Nicholas Sparks — who for the shore Unknown, has shaken out his sail Where riches are of no avail To win calm sea or tiivoring gale And Lyman Perkins, what of thee, "Will pass for current coin from me V Thou art a man of early dale — Of '27 or '28— In Bytown's history, and 'tis said. Though hard to drive, thou may'st be led, That is, if one could just agree In view and argument with thee; When standing in the days of yoro At " Pooley's Bridge," thine eye ran o'er The pictm-e with a prescient glance; Experience taught thee that thy chunco Was then — thy foresight came To aid thee in life's winning game. Although no silver spoon was in Thy mouth, when to this world of sin Tliou camost, thou hast forged from falo A path in life most fortunate ; To praise thee T shall take no pains, Thy enterprise has brought thee gains — 'Tis something to be born with brains ! Daniel O'Connor there doth stand, One of the old departed band— Another of the pioneers Of Bytown in its early years ; In memory's magic glass I see ITim as he first appeared to me e2 BYTOWN. m In '28 \vhoi» pasHUijuf down Thn)uu;li tlio iiuiin jstroot in Upper Town. A ineivluint of a distant ilato Heforo the days of '28, Antl County Treasurer was ho, Loni^, too, a Carleton J. P., Rre Courts of Justice were inmtalJod, When Bytown " Nepean Point" \tjis ealJwl ; In politics he was a Tory, And thus doth end of liim my story. Nathaniel Slierrold Blasdell, too, Who onco a blacksmith's bellows blow In the old for^o, which in the shatlo Of the RussoU House stilJ untlecayod, Stands tirni a landmark of the past. How lon<)t'H iron hand, The best liotel in all the land; Who entei'ed there of human kind Wan lorecd to leave hi« do<; behind. For Doran hml a i'rowiiing i'aoe For each and all the canine race. And Daiiiel Fiisliei", who kept 8tore On \Veinn<^ton'.s west wide of yore, A most expcrjeneed auctioneer In somewhat more contracted t^phere, Than circles trade's expanding flow ."Round iJermingham, McLean and Rowe And Michael J3urke, who kept a Htill — • And maxle beer down below the hili "VVhero malt and hops together came, And gave the "Brewery Hill" its name — That hill with pathw:iy to the right, Where Hank Street cnd:^ upon the height. And many a barrel of his beer WeiTt down, the Iviwh hemit to cljeer, When angient crowdn did celebrate St. Patrick's Day in '28. But patriotism's spirit rose ; From words contention went to blows, And ero the little '< aca*immage" endetl A crack that never could be mended, Was in a luckless crflnium made, By one whom justice nevev paid ; I cannot tell what colored ribbon He woi-c— his name was Da» Mctribbon. m m BVTOWK. 'fr5 (JKAPTHJl 11. Gcori;"c William BakiT, bettor known Ah ''Captain 13ukor" in the town. Who oft the ii\nill)air'rt kx'k untied Long- after M'lttliew Con noli rliod — Ijon<; after Helen Denny's hand Sent postal, letters o'er the land ; An lM)g-lishnian of goml degree, A .InHtice of the Peace was he, And Ca])tain of Artillery — If raen\oiy has not gone astr.ty — lie was in his life's eai-ly day, lie shewed his claims to education '• ' In C'ounty Council legislation, Where he in intellectual pride Sat long by llamnett Pinhey's side, Onr Local Parliament .^ since then Have seldom witnessed two such men Paymaster T^uh'erd, too, I scan, A most important gent'emKn, Who carried in the dtiys of old The Crovern mental bags of gold ; Yet never did one less resemule lie, of the twelve who did dissemble, And for the thirty pieces paid, His master cru<>lly betrayed. • And .John iMcCju'thy, who can say That he's a man of yesterday? . Through the dim maze of vanished years His name to memory appeai-s, A dealer in strong leather ware That stotKl the worst of wear and tear. Since paths of '27 he tro«l. His eye hath scon the grassy sod O'er many a friend — lei's hopo no foe — •' With whom he started long ago, ■ V.i yf. 3%, BYTOWy. 65 In the loiii; race (Iduu life's steej) Iiill On which he treads securely still. Oaptaiii fictreton, too, I ssee, An officer of high clei^ree. The owner, ere the days of rats, Of that wide district called " the Flats" In modern times, where I beliold. A i)inerv as in davs of old. And Isaac Firth, an old John Bull, Of milk of human kindness full, Of rotund form and smiling- face, Who kept an entertaining place For rravel-worn and weaiy fellows Who landed where Caleb S. Bellows Out (Ml "the Point" his hal)itatiou Built in a pleasant situation, Before the days when piles of lumber Did first fair natures fa<;e encimiber ; (^uite near the spot where first with skill John Perkins built his little mill. Where Philip Thompson many a year Ago. commenced his bright career, And took the el>bing of the tide. Which into golden M'aves did glide ; He man'd Ins craft and'stoered her well O'er placid calm and tossing swell, ■ And independent of the gale Il'ith snap'd his oar and furled his sail. 'Twas just above " the whitefish hole," How dear that spot is to my soul ! There Allan Cameron and I , Together many a day did hie. To haul the silvery shining prey - From out the whirling eddy's spray ; ' In July, '32, to land, I drew two barrels with my own hand,' The trophies of the hook and line In ihe dear days of auld langsyn© €6 BYTOWN. That was the ftital nioiitli and year When cholei'a was rampant here ; Malignant Asiatic type, "Which from the book of life did wipe The name of many a sturdy one 'Twixt rise and setting of the sun. Dread terror brooded o'er the land, While the destroying angel's hand Smote h(!re and there each deadly blow, Which laid in dust the proudest low ! As I remeniber — those fared worst, Who in that dismal time were curst With dangerous and insatiate thirst. And II. V. Noel, sui-ely here His name is worthy to apjjcar; 'Mongst those whom I so long have known, Tis strange that he has not outgrown The friendship of the early few Into who's confidence he grew, By the unchanging honest course He steered for better or for worse, Well has he worn, long may he bear u Up stoutly 'gainst the world's care I John Cruickshank of the kirk, who ]u*ayed Beneath the old white birch's shade — The old white birch — that sacred trust! Improvement's hand hath to the diiwt U})turned to make fi'ontal space For temple of more mfxlern grace. A grander altar than of yore, The ancient "Black mouth's" knelt before. And Eobert Sheriff, statel}' man, Who the Crown Timber Office " ran" — To use a well worn Yankee phra«e Unknown in Bytown's early daj's. Ami A. J, Christie, what shall 1 Say of this old celebrity ? An M. T>. of exceeding skill •■r ,i *.■. BYTOWN. 6t Wlio dealt in hmect, leech and pill, Oantharides and laudanum, too, When milder meanuves would not do ; A ])olished scholar and a sai^e, A thinker far before his age, A writer of sarcastic vein And philosophic depth, who's train Of thought was comprehensive, deep. Peace to his ashes ! let him sleep ! In ancient times his prophet eye ♦Saw By town's future destiny. Fools laughed and disbelived the seer Who's second sight saw trium])h ncai* — A scene which fortune did fulfil " ' The Parliament on " Barrack Hill !" And Lawyer llagerman I knew, AVhen lawyers little had to do — Their briefs were few, their fees were brief, And bi'ief had been their Sunday beef, HikI they nought else to fill their maw Than the proceeds of briefless law ; litigation had not then For Curst By town's early race of men ! ' " And Robert Drummond, Engineer, Who built across the " Grande Chaudiere^^ , The old '' Swing Bi-idge," which many a day Amid the " Kettle's" curliiig spray, From side to side did gently sway. The adamantine iron tether ' ' ' Which chained two provinces together, Ere legislation's fiat came With moral might to do the same. Well's and McCrca of lumbering note, Who hatl on many a stream afloat Vast rafts of red pine timber, when White pine was little thougl t of; then Oak, elm, cwlar and red pine And staves, together did combine, ;' I es BYTOWN. With now ami then a mast or spar, To make iij) what would go at pai-, At Stadjicoua — old Quebec — Where brave ]\Iontgomery got a cheek In a most bootless, foolish strife, Whicli cost him his undaunted life — Where Arnold got a broken thigh, Ero at West Point his treachery Brought Major Andre without hope To Washington's relentless rope ! To Wolfe I'd lik'c to wander back, A But 'twiil not dt), so to my track I now reluctantly return, Who next is ready for the urn ? Adam Hood Burwell is the man, , .; , ;; -h;} An English Churchman he began, "^ • , , y But ended a most shining light, A mystic, full-fledged Irvingite, With pinions rustling for a sphere Of Hsefulness he found not here. Another of the reverend throng I'll introduce, 'tis S. S. Strong, A man who's memory I recall As one respected here by all. An honor to his cloth and race. With \vhom no strange fire left its trace, Ujion the shi-ine Avhero truth he found, Who preached and practiced jirecepts sound^ Nor wore his shoes on hallowed ground. William and Hugh Calder's names Arise, and now ]>resent their claimH To immortalit}- in rhyme, Both merchants of the olden time. John Anderson, a merchant was, And dealt with profit and with loss In groceries and dainty ''grub," With wine, Jamaica, rum and shrub, That had no leaves upon its stem, BYTOWX. GO Q"'l)oiigh beads like dcAvdrops did l)o^'om Its ruby rippling diadem. CHAPTER III. " And " Little Johnny Eoberti^on," But lately from unionist us gone, Took Oi,^b his '' sneeshin" and hi.s g'ass, • And let the tide of fortune pass. And Ewpn Cameron, who died By cholera in manhood's pride ; A Caledonian lithe and strong, As fancy ])aiats the dauntless throng, WliO dashed with claymore down the slope, On red Culloden's grave of hope. And Peter Aylen, wlio eoukl tell The j)ath he trod of yoie as well As 1, who from an early day Know Peter Aylen's every wa}' ? 'Tis not my purpose to indite A history of his life; or write A .1 u'ord of his strange careei', To interest the reader here. Howe'er his stirring life j'-ou scan, You'll tind that Aylen was a man i Afraid of nought that ever wore The human shape on Ottawa's shore! Chief of the " shiners," it was said, Caesar or nothing — never led — But always foremost in the fray, Was ever Peter Aylen's w?iy. A heavy lumJ)orer Peter was, When lumbei'ing was lilco ])itc}i and toss, IVday success, to-mori'ow loss. But let him rest, he sleeps beside Tlie Ottawa's majestic tide! 70 BYTOWN. ■T Perhajw I'd bettor mention here Who anil what the "shinerfs" were, Who gave of yore such stiirdj- thumps, And brought forth phrenologic bumps Unknown to scan of craniology, AVith bhidgcons or aid of geology. A band of Iri^^h raftsmen, who Were to each other always true, Combined together, war they made, To banish from the lumber trade All Fi-ench-Canadian competition B}- dooming it to alwlition ; They made the wild attempt, at least. To extirpate poor Jean Baptiste. Among their victims they enrol'd him. And made the place too hot to hold him, Vet were the tales that rumor told. Worse than the shiners' acts of old, Though memory's charged with man}' a fray That happened in the early day, When shiners with an iron hand Beigned here the terror of the land ! Few were the victims of the strife — If any — and the loss of life. Was fanciful much more than real In that blood-letting old ordeal. Among the medico's of old. Doctor Stratford 1 behold. Who foolishly I thought deemed best To emigrate towards the West, And leave behind a work which few Could with a single lancet do When vcuesection — old idea, Coml)ined with the Phamaco]iein>, Was patent as a panacea For almost every mortal ill. Like calomel jalap, or blue pill. He disa^^peared from healing fUme,. BYTOWN. 71 And vounij: Edward Viincoi'tlandt camo ; For he was young and active, too, When first he mot the minstrel's view, And striding rapidly did go Along full forty years ago ! VanCortlandt's had a long career Since first he bled and blistered here ; His own hand hath his fortune made — His own hand the foundation laid — And if success, with hoards of wealth He has not now — the public health Has never suffered at his hand ; Nor has the mystic spirit land Been peopled l»y the shades of those "Who in their last dissolving throes, Gave evidence that power to kill Was mingled with Vaucortlandt's skill — When to that distant coast he'll steer, No crowd of ghosts will hover near, And cry out, '-Van, you sent lis here !"' Edwai-d McClillivray, how is this, That I by accident should miss So long an ancient name like thine, 'Twould be unpardotuiblo, if mine The fault to leave thy well-known name Unwritten in m\- roll of fame? By town was Noung, and so wert thou, Years long before the "Shannon's" prow Cleft Ottawa's bosom on her way To Grenville in our early (lay. No steam whistle's discordant yell Shrieked on the evening zephyr's swell ; But from her deck the cannon's din Told Ji3'town that the boat was in, And at the .sound the signal man His banner up the flagstaff ran. It wa« a gootl old time when thou Bought beaver,s at a price wliich now, 72 BYTOWN. When l)oavcr skins arc somowluit iiu'O, Would oause even Cluinncoy Ban:;H to stare. Yes, 'twas a fine old time for trade, Money was plenty — easy juade, And thou w^ert, aye, a canine blade. Patrielc Delaney home has gone Prom earthly toil, and he was one Of those wlio in the distant past, His lot in Upper Town had east. James Elder, a majes*'<' Scot ! On whom of old it was my lot To look with veneration's eye. Kept Bytown's staid academy ; And here I dwell with fond delight, And view again with momoiy's sight 'J'he stately teacher in his chair, Xing of the throng assembled there. Now Allan Cameron comes to view, And Willijrm 8tubbs, there he is too.. AVellington Wright, too, I behold. And wild Jack Adamson, the bold. The Anderson's, both James and John, And Stephen Lett, my mother's son, Who stood upon Pai'nas,>*us' ci-own r»y might of Genius, and looked down 'J'o where with ei'rant steps I strayed Around its base beneath the shade. And many more were pupils there, , Whei-e are they ? " echo answers, where ?" ]m fancy I away have stepped l^'i'om where his school James Elder kept, In that old house remejubered well, After, as Joseph Kirk's Hotel, Kre it was haunted by a sound AVhich shed such mehxly around, tSweet almost as the songs of Zlon, From violin of Ilobinson Lyon, Who drew such music from its strings, BYTOWN. •73 Scotch reels, stratlispeys and liig-hlaiid flin^-s, AtkI Irifsh jigs in variation, Ah made one feel that '* all creation" (Jould scai'cely match his wizard s[)eir, 'Twas he that pla3'ed the fiddle well ! And Edward Malloeh, gone to rest, Was not the worst, nor yet the best. Perhaps, 'niongst those of other days To whom I dedicate these la^'s. 1 knew him well in '25, When Eichmond Village was alive, Willie Bytown's liead was scajvely seen, Emerging from tlie forest green. A captain of Artillery In '37'8 hot time was he, When Louis Joseph Papineaii Sought British power to overthi'ow ; And William L. McKenzie tried ^.^ (^'er loyalty and truth to ride ; Each found tho path, for what lie wanted, Too hot to Avaliv in — and " levanted ;" Von Shoultz, a soldier ablei-, riper, Jiemained behind and '• paid the piper !" Even T, ])oet''; man of peace. Have often marched anil stood at ease. Beside the Richmond guns, brought liere To thunder o'er the Grande Chaudiere, At the great Union celebi*ation, Tlie new bridge's inauguraton ; One thing is certain, those brass guns Were ne'er seen more hy Ilichniond's sons. They fell prey to official nabbing. And Governmental red tape grabbing, Like plundei- from the vanquished harried, To Montreal off they were carrieil ! Malloeh was member many a year For Oarleton when votes were not dear — When damaged ej'es, and smashed proboscis n BYTOWN. I WouM follow, UH the snuilkst losses, The offer ofu vile baiilc nolo As price of an elector's vote. Gold, said the sage, perhaps 'twas law, On Dian's lap the snow can thaw ; And jA'old has imrchased many a seat Where the " collective wisdom" meet, And many go to represent The weight of cash corrupt which sent Them wandering wickedly astray From honor's seldom trodden way. Where now, is Tm-ner, ^vh( ore, Ke])t school near the old Ottus>a's shore? And Jleath who came across the line In able teaching here to shine? And old John Stilman, who shoes made, Ansed and died. And Robert Hardy's name I find, In the old days long left behind. James Matthews, too, in death's re])ose, In early times was one of those Who helped to build the ancient town^ 7<5 BYTOWN. Whirh mcMloni taste is imlliii,:,' down, AHwisted now mul then by fires, PjiHt recollections primal pyres. John IJennett, eord-wainer of yore, And volunteer in Rifle corps, With muzzle-loaders past and gone, CJallant and bravo old Number One! Our civic army's primal rib, Onco called by Alexander < iibb, ''The Sleepy'H," in the good old time When ho dealt in both prose and i-hymc. And made opponents fume and fret With caustic in the old (kci'tte— Jlhyme, too, in which a critic's claw (jonld scarcely fasten on a flaw, lii8 verse was standard like his law. ■f: CIIAPTErv IV. .lohn Cobb, I'll take a glance at thee. Firm standard of Free Masonry I Mine eye delights to rest upon Thy iron frame, old " Uncle John." • If honesty and simple truth E'er " flourished in Immortal youth," Whore time can ne'er their glories rob. They rest with thee, my friend, John Cobb I And Dudley Booth, what shall I say Of this strange mortal passed away ? ]lis was a genius burning bright With brilliant and uncertain light — Proud in inventive dignity. And dark in inmate mysteiy, Jt fliekeretl only, when sublime, It might have left a light for time, And wondering mortals to admire, BYTOWMt 11 Tis fi;()nc! I huw its flanio expire. And John I?. Sliiiiley was oinon<>; Old Hvtown's well ivnionilxM-od tlii'oiijr, Whofn inemory's tiinoful nioasuro boars Baciv from the nhades ot other ^ears. 11. W. Cruiec in aneiont days Was fond of mirth and H])ortin<^ ways; I had almost forgot to tell How ho on horseback cut a swell, And made a fleet and daring rush At Barry's Imnt and won " the l)rush," When sportsmen gathered full of gleo Around the famed J.P., M.I). And here diverging from my road Into u little episode, I'll tear at once with gesture bn'ef ,, From memory's book a comic leaf, A tale from cobweb's volume hoary Of this Sangrado in his gloiy, Many will recollect the story. Edward Barry, grave J. P., Sometimes was given to a spree, Which interfered with the precision Of magisterial decision. So Edward Burr^- jiimjied the hedge And took the frigid temperante pledge; But soon the Justice of the Peace Found himself often ill at ease ; Pains through his gasti'ic regions I'an, Too hard even for a temjjerance man. Then Barry M. D., in a trice. Gave Barry J, P. an advice, After a careful diagnosis, Which placed him on a bed of roses. And eased his pains beyond description — A dose of brandy the prescription — Oft as required to be rejjeated — With which the learned J. P. was treated ^ 78 BYTOWN. li And history affirms that lie Oft took tlie prescribed remedy. John Cameron, oft oalNnl ''Black John," ComoH o'er my dream of old, Jis one ' ^ Who should not now forgotten be In this memorial strain by me, In days of yore, his trne-nosed hounds ■ To the Chaudierc with certain bounds, Oft chased the anther'd buck before ' ■ Their doep-mouthed yells to Ottawa's shore He waH a sportsman keen and true, Who deai'l}' loved the "view halloo!" And Graves, who near the old Scotch Kirk Jhvelt 'neath the shadow of the " birk;" And Isaac CluiJ' appears in view, A loyalist, both, staunch and true; James "Kennedy, the carter," too. Who the first tfuck through Eytowii di'cw With the assistance of a hoi-se, 1 mean, to be exact, of course. And " old Ben. RathAvell," now I've hit on, A true and honest hearted Briton, As evei" crossed Atlantic's wave To found a home and find a grave. And William Colter now doth rise Before my retrospective eyes, A saddler far from democratic — Professor most aristocratic, In art which claims the highest feather Among the fashionei's of leather; An active 8])ringing step had he,. As now his form appeal's to me ; Early he went to that far bourne " From whence no travellers returp." Thomas M. Blasdell, step this wa}'. And tell me how you feel to-day ? V^)u tliought I'd pass and let you go, Old twisted groove ! but 'tis not io, . ;• BYTOWN. Like charcoal, brimstone and salpctro. I'll touch you oti' now in short metro. 'Tis long since first 3'our eye, my man, Along the rifle barrel ran ; The " crotch" or "globe" was all the same, If you could only sue the game. ^)r the '" bulls-eye," the missile flew Jnto its centre stra -'it and true. In the old days wlicn practiced eye Was light, shade and trajectoiy. Does your keen eje obey your will, Is 3'our hand quite as steady still As when you knocked tlie turkey's o'er, At twenty I'ods in daj's ofyoi-e ? My blessing day and night upon The memory ol* the time that's gone. And Sergeant Major Ritchie, ijiere Ho stands before my vision, where In vouth I used to see him stand On Barrack Hill with cane in hand. For many a year ere death's disaster He held the post of Bari'ack Master, And amongst people who refl«H'ted Most highly always was respected. I had almost forgotten one Who's name should not be hf't alone In dark oblivion'^ envious shade Winle 1 the silent past invade — To light uj) the forgotten gloom ; To rescue from liiii« ^ early tomb And touch with friendly hand, and give To fading memories power to live. 'Mongst men of enterprising tame, I can't pass George Buchanan's name ; He built our first old timber slide, Down which the i"ed pine cribs did glide; And afterwai'dB with strength and skill, And an indomitable will, _ _ 80 BYTOWN. At the givfit Ea])ids of the Chats, 8us])cn(le(l natuiv's ('hani>;eless laws, And l>y an artificial ])ath Triiunpliod o'er the catai-act's wrath ! AYhilc standing quietly on shore, AVatehing the freight the current bore, A ' •I'^n crash from careless oar Endeu .lis enterprising life, AvA Hiado a widow of his wife. The ])ul)lic niourned, its great heart bled. With genuine sorrow for the dead. 'Tis hut as 3 estenlay to me, The history of that traced V. £re to the fair green now I go, I'll stir up the old " Buffalo.'' John [[ene^-, who his mark has made h\ .peculation's shifting trade, And built up witli both brick and sione, Memoria's, which, Avlien lie is gone, In Ottawa will securely stand. Proofs of his entei'prialng liand. Some years ago in learned debate, In Couiu-il Ilfill he sat i.i state. And in his reconl there you'll find, Xothing imfriendly or unkind. And while as gently [jog on, I caiuiot pass by •' honest John I" " 8haun Rhua," designating name. Who from the County (.'avan came, And in the U]>per Tom'u first started, Young, enterprising, and light hearted. At Civic I^)ai'd for many a year, For By Ward d(»(h his name apjjear ; And I cttii sa}', who ought to know, As far as my researclic*- ^t^. No public act has stain \*4i on The well-earned Jiarne of" h<^>nest John !** Turl;, Jew, and heathen all tine same, 5' BYTOWN. «i Speak kindly of John Honey's name. Mark Bishoprick has gone at last, An aged pilgrim from the past, Burdened with many years he stood Almost alone in solitude, ;, A record of an age that's gone, Who's lengthenetl shadow rested on The present, ere the distant light Sunk into eyerlasting night. •}S- !:M3 COEKSTO^V^^N, " Mother McGiuty won't forget To keep the tally mark." (Old Song.) In days of j ore, within a call Of where stands now the City Hall, 4? > A village built of mud and wood, ■ ' In all its glory, Corkstown stood, ■ • Two rows of cabins in the swamp — . • ,' Begirt by ponds and vapors damj) And aromatic cedar trees ' Who's branches caught the passing breeze-— StretchcKl upwai*d on the western side Of the " Deep Cut," where then were plied The spade and pickaxe side by side ; , , For, by the sha^ie of Colonel By, * Who shaj)ed this city's .destiny ! There delved full many a hai-d case in, That chaiuiel to the Canal Basin. ThiM-e, then dwelt many a sturdy blade, Adepts ut handling the spade. 6 { '- «2 BYTOWN. \\ ^■^■t ; -v; And bruisers at the wheeling trade, - ' Ab witness the vast mounds of clay . : ' ■ ; Remaining on the banks to-day. Lovers of poteen strong and clear, In preference to rum or beer, Sons of the sod who'd knock you down For half a word 'gainst Cork's own town, And kick you then for falling too, To prove that the old mountain dew Had frolic in it raw and strong, As well as music, love and song. And there in whitewashed shanty grand, With kegs and bottles on each hand. Her face decked with a winning smile. Her head with cap of ancient style, Crowned arbiter of frolic's fate. Mother McGinty sat in state, And measured out the mountain dew To those whom strong attraction drew Within the circle of her power, To while away a leisure hour. : She was the hostess and the host, >■. . , She kept the reckoning, ruled the roast, And swung an arm of potent might That few would dare to brave in fight ; ' Yet was she a good-natunni soul, As ever filled the flowing bowl ; In sooth she dealt in goo'*>, /■*' ',1 i . V^«.i'* *■'*' Unless with a good roaring song The recreant coiUd in his defence Atone for such most strange offence. Sometimes, nay oft, upon the street Antagonistic friends would meet By chance, or by some other charm, '' To try each other's strength of arm, :^'' And without legal process settle " ' ' ",; " Disputes, like men of taste and mettle; ' ^-' ' And while strict "Fair Play" ruled the fight. It was a sort of rough delitrht For youthful souls while hanging round ■, 'j^'" * That ancient famous battle ground, To note who first the claret drew — Who first doAvn his opponent threw— Who first j)ro<.hiced tlie limner's dyes Beneath his neighbors damaged eyes, Or sowed the trodden ground beneath With smashed incisors, like the teeth, The dragon's tusks of anci- nt ken P:om which sprung hosts of armed men. y^ri.. ■f j"lti>il t^;.' Ill BYTOWN. ',iL>9v Such pastime was a trcqueiit thing, The entertainment of the ring, Without equestrian or clown Was often seen in Cork's own town, And best, for impecunious boys Who boasted few of modern joys. Who daily went to see the play i, ;; ■ Had no admission fee to pay. But gone is Corkstown, vanished too The whitewashed shanty from our view, Where once the minstrel's youthfr.l eyes Beheld strange orgies with surprise. In dust its stalwai't hostess now, . ^ , Reposes, placid is the brow . That once frowned terror o'er the throng While revelling in the dance and song, Gone with them are the ftuling dyes Which tinged fair childhood's happy skies. The brilliant firmament of youth Has vanished, and but leaves the truth . Written wherever mortals range 'That things below are doomed to change. •6 •.V '^^ OWN. I I , ' 1 I ' Mi! \\ • H THE FAIR OF 1829. Kow, reader, j-ou and I must start Together with both hand and heart, Off to the far-famed level of green, Which once in verdure hiy between The old Scotch Kirk, and where now Hall Confectionery sells to all ; And we shall pass as something new, Old scenes before us in review, ' And I shall fire up these rhymes With battles of the good old times ; And out of what I shall relate No single case for magistrate, Or stern judge to adjudicate Arose, for then, a bloody nose, Or broken head, between fair foes, Was counted neither loss nor gain. Nor thought ot 'till they mot again. 'Twas in the glorious olden time When sm-.shing craniums was no crime — When people got no invitation At half-past nine for presentation Of damaged eye and broken skin, To answer for nocturnal sin Before that tribunal where bail Can't always keep one out of jail. 'Tw^as in July in '29, If time this memory of mine. At early morn upon that green Iff BYTOWN. :tk Woic many tents of canvas seen Within which raij^ht be found good cheer In whiskey kegs ami kegs of beer j And on a little table, too, - Tin measures were exposed to view, ' For thirsty souls their clay to slake, And draughts of inspiration take — For th«n the numbers wore but few, Who shun'd the sparkling mountain dew, And people under no pretence Could dream of total abstinence : Even John B. Gough's most magic sway Had failed in Bytown's early day. .. , .», Vast was the throng assembled there At Bytown's first and greatest Fair, „ ,v ,V And merry were the antics seen , ; Upon that famous ancient green. «; 'Twus not to buy or sell they came From far and near, the blind and lame, . , The grave, the merry, sad and gay, . Upon that old eventful day ; . . They all assembled, wild and free, ,^, . To have a ranting, roaring spree ! ^ ^ . And, by the shadows of the past ! Frolic flew furious and fast, ,.;, And many a head was pillowed on Old mother earth ore set of sun. A fiddler here the catgut drew. And there a highland piper, too, Shrieked tbrth with loud and stirring bar, The boding battle-notes of war 1 , And lavishly the whiskey flew , . ^ Among that mirth devoted crew, , : As oft into the tents they ran To renovate the inner man. 'Twas twelve /jlock, and all was well, " And merry as a marriage bell," Thought one might see just here and there f; ■ / • ■^■ ''••' ^■^■",\ ■'"■■:■. :" ■■■;'/■";..' i ■ ' ■f €8 BYTOWN, : 1; Le^H Heomin^ Bomcwluit worno of wesir, . . And in the air perhaps might hoar i i. . The prescient Bounds of conflict near, 'v'f^. ' ; 1 \ For Irish accentH there were many, '-*" r i , Cork, Tipperary, and Kilkenny. - '" -^ ,\:■:^■rr:^'-''-■ '"T^yfiHi^S\iQvwoo^\ aw'X^voWa'ii-^&cmQ •. -'. : c Was then diversified by racing, •'* _" >; Then soon was cleared of busy feet - V' . The race coui"se, old Wellington street, i Bets then were made, and up the money, ., * Pat Ryan's horse, and Davy's pony, . ' !; , Together entered for the match — ^ 's ■ '. Perhaps it would be called a " scratch" < Race in the turf s expressive phrase ■" . Unknown in By-town's early days. ■ /» Pair, free and gallantly they started, And headlong up the street they dartcfl, ;' » ^ While loudly sounded cheer on cheer As swift the Avinning post they nearj ''•"' They ran together without check, ' - And passed it almost neck and neck, ■ ' " i So close, the judges, though they tried. The winning horse could not decide. The race was o'er and down the brakes, " ' * Each party shouted for the stakes ; ''♦ And loud and fierce the clamor rose, ■ And words soon lost themselves in blows; The very stones began to speak. ':*' And skulls, of course, began to brieak, i; And black thorns and maple sticks S; Played such fantastic ugly tricks. !' ■ That soon the well thronged battle plain Was strewn with bodies of the slain — f - The " Kilt," M-ho fell to rise again 1 Without the doctor's mystic aid. ^ i And plui.ge once more into the raid. ; Stones flew in showers, the windows shook t Around that famous Donnybi'ook, BYTOWN. While Tipperary'H battle yell, Did loiully (Ver the conflict s\vell ! And many a celt with accent racy . Roared for a Sleavin or a C.'ascy I And fierce the struggle raged around . Where the Hcven Sleavin's ntood their ground- Seven brotherH, buck to back thoy stood Like hero's, though their streaming blood Told how they bravely turned at bay 'dainst hundreils in that savage fray 1 O'erpowered at last they did retreat Face to the foe, still in defeat, - . Defiant as they moved along Pursued by the relentless throng I They reached their horn ^hut fast the door, And stood within upoji the floor, Ready to meet the coming foe, • : -. Who in their vengeance were not slow. ;. Stones showered from the assailing crew, \ In pieces every window flew. Then, with a loud and savage yell They rushed to storm the citadel ! A gun-barrel through a broken pane Made the invatlers pause again, A sharp axe sticking through another, Their thirst for slaughter seemed to smother; A battle council then took place. And very soon there was no trace. Of conflict or of bloody fray Round where the Sleavin's stood at bay I ^ •Thus ended By-town's first old Fair, A Donnybrook most rich and rare ; This annal of the olden time Was not premeditated crime, It sprung from what forms quite a part Of every genuine Irish heart, A Hort of Faugh a-BaUayh way ■That sticks to Irishmen to-day. ^^% ..A. IMAGE EVALUATGON TEST TARGET (MT-3) /? C V, ^^^ fA fc '^ 1.0 Jfitt IM wiM '»l| 2.2 .1 1.25 i^ 1.4 6" 2.0 i.8 1.6 % // c^^. /A vi^ «>; o ^ /# Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 4r '■ ^ 90 BYTOWN. Recited by the author in " Her Maje.sty'a Theatre,'' at a Festival of the Mechanics' Institute in March, 1868. In such a gay and festive scene as this, My worthy friends, it may not be amiss To mingle with the general notes of glee, , A rhyme or too, even if not poesy. Indulge me while in rude unpolished verse, The promptings of the mas*^ I now rehearse, And O ! deal gently with me while I try To bring the vanished past before your eye, ' f Fond recollections rapidly takes wing The fading scenes of other days to sing, The good old days, the dear old times of .yore. Which you and I, alas I shall see no more : When all around the spot on which I stand Was trackless forest and primeval land — The " Barrack Hill," a wilderness all o'er. And Lower Town to Eideaa's ancient shore A gloomy cedar swamp, the haunt of deer. In which the rufled grouse drum'd when spring was While hero and there a giant pina on high Towered with its spreading branches to the sky I I have the little village in my eye. BYTOWN. )91 a Before the locks were built by Colonel By, Before the Sappers threw the ponderous arch, O'er the Canal, to aid improvement's march, Ere by the muscular canaller's spade The ground was broken whore the '^' Deep Cut's" made — Long ere the iron bond of union span'd The vast Kah-nahjo, wonder of our laud ! Here mighty Ottav/a, in its grandest phase Bears some resemblance to itH bettor days, Ere sawdust, slabs, aad stern improvement gave A turbid deathstroke to its limpid wave ! That good old time, 'tis pleasant to recal, When one religion almost served for all — AVhen men together could in friendship join — When battered buttons passed for genuine coin— And silver pieces, do not think it strange, ■Were cut in too, and four, to make small change, When banks were few, suspensions heard of not, And specie was the only cash we got, • Hard silver with no discount on our dollars, Ere brokers reigned, or flouinshed paper collars. Tho' dim the light of learning's genial rays ' Amongst the masses in those bygone days— Tho' daily papers, modern luxury's food, The bold apostles of the public good. The tribunes of the people were not found On guard our infant liberties around, Tho' institutions based on mental light, Shed scanty radiance o'er that primal night, Tho' science, wealth and philosophic lore Were ram aves upon Ottawa's shore ; ^ Tho' commerce scarce had spread her gilded wingn, The herald of a costlier state of things ; Tho' such an institution as our own. Was to our early pioneers unknown, ' ' An institution, let me say, in short, . ^',: Worthy of every patriot's support; '" «2 BYTOWN. Established on a omprehensivc base, Where every man of wortli may tind liis place — A temple of intelligence to give To mind the sustenance on which to live, Tho' all such modern glories then were rare, Yet old Bytonians did not badly fare. , ,, Churches were few in that benighted time. Seldom wjis heard the Stibbath's welcome chime-- Yet brotherhood abounded in the land, And charity with soft and tender hand ' Relieved distress, and made the weeper smile, Scarce conscious of the good she did the while, And not the worst among poor sons of men, , Money was plenty in the village then, For Mother Britain with a lavish hand Scattered her treasm-es over all the land, ^ '. . , Simplicity then held her peaceful reign. And vice and crime were seldom in her train. No litigation marked our young career, ,. No Police Magistrate with brow severe. And frown of justice upon trembling crime, Made culprits shiver in that happy time ; Neighbor to neighbor owed so little grudge, Disputes were settled then without the Judge — The learned profession boasted not one gown. And but one lancet was in all the town — And it was busy, and got wondrous praise, For venesection flourished in those days . _ , People owed little, and were seldom sued, No bailiff marred our ancient solitude ; Duns were a nuisance in our soil not grown, Fifteen per cent, was totally unknown ! Things then were taken as they happened quite, And insults were decided by a fight, In boyhood I have witnessed many a fray Within the ring by daylight and fair jrlay — No constable poked his unwelcome nof.e Between the pastime of two transient foes. ' BYTOWN*. 93 Who choose like Sayers and Ileenan to decide Their dittereiice with ntrong nir.ews on each Bide. We had no nidewtdks then, not much taxation, No lock-up, co^mty gaol, no corporation, No aldc-manic wisdom, and no mayor, To fill with dignity the civic chair ; No tax collector with his pressing hill To cause consumption in an empty till ; (Corrupt electors trod not freedom's ground, No purchaseahle franchise could be found — Money was not the " altar and tl- 3 God," Before which manhood bowed a venal clod ! The reign of truth, ere x^olitics was made By infamy a money-making trade ! No costly vehicles w'^^h horses gay, In giVled trappings graced that rncient day ; Pedestrianism was fashionable t'len. For boys were boys, as 'twas, and men were men, And gi]-ls were what they ; I'-nys were, the best 'Blossoms in the garden . of the blest ! One steamer only cleft the Ottawa's sprsy, ' But did not, like the " Queen," come every day. No railroad engine snorted o'er the plain, Drairirinir alonjir behind its ponderous train — ' No telegraphic line with speed of light Scattered intelligence with lightning flight ; ' _ No gas-flame shed its artificial ray. Turning nocturnal darkness into day — / . . The tallow candle blazcti away supreme, And of the age of coal oil did not dream ; Yet, 'twaa " a gay old time," a happy time, And could I strike an upward note sublime, '" I'd strain my very heartstrings with the blast Of glory that I'd give the fine old past ! But times are changed, and things are altered too. Fair civilization bursts upon our view ; The old men of the old time have been laid In peace beneath the weeping willow's shade; n BTTOWN. The middle-aged are in the yello«v leafi Life's evening evanescent, sad and briefs — The little children who flourished then Are now the mothers of our land, and ncn — The wilderness has vanished, the old trees Have disappeared before improvement's breeze ; Commercial enterprise is busy now, The Ottawa's breast is cleft by many a prow, The roaring, rushing locomotives scour - ,: ^ , Along the track at forty miles an hour — r,;„., . >; The electric current cleaves the ambient air. Shooting the rays of thought round everywhere, Darting like sunbeams to the left and right. The swift-winged messengers of mental light I Disturbing 'neath the billows of the deep, Th« ocean monsters from then* dreamy sleep ; Cleaving resistless through the watery waste A miracle not dreamt of in the pagt, •> ,^^,f' . j Annihilating time, and leaving space, -f Like Noah's dove, without a resting place I Thy fame, too, " old brown Bess," hath passed away, And rifled gims in war and peace hold sway. And Britain's wooden walls with all their glories, Are now but one of fame's immortal stories ! But while I cast my wondering eyes around How grand the sight which doth their vision bound • A city stands in fair and youthful grace. Where once old Bytown had its primal place ; A nd lo I in grandeur toweriug the skies In mai'bled splendor upon yonder hill. Our Legislative Temples proudly rise, , .. k A columned glory of the artist's skill ! Thanks to our gracious Queen, who's royal hand Made Ottawa chief cit}- of the land ! Thanks to the men who fought thiough good and ill The fight of right, and bravely battled still ; Who stood unshaken, firm in their adhesion, Till victory crowned Her Majesty's decision ! BYTOWN. 95 God blesa our New Dominion 1 may it be Granted a proud and happy destiny ; Ontario and Quebec go hand in ha. 1 With Nova Scotia and New Brunswick's land ; Those noble borderers of the i ushing wave Grand, fitting birthplace of the free and brave ! May Newfoundland, British Columbia true, Prince Edwaj'd Island join *he Union, too, And the vast regions of the far North- West, Awake to form a nation great and blest ! May all in common brotherhood unite To live in peace, or for our freedom fight Beneath the flag for which oui- fathers died, And left us as their legacy and pride ! May heaven give strength and energy to those Who from political convulsion's throes — A proud example to the sons of earth, Brought union and an empire into birth ! May wisdom guide them as they onward steer The vessel of the State in her career — Smooth be the wave and gentle be the gales That fill our ark of safety's well trim'd sails- Strong be the vision of the pilot, too, To keep the port of uni3n full in view. Until the anchor's cast, the sails *»re furled, A spectacle of envy to the world i