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 THE 
 
 OLD JUDGE; 
 
 OR, 
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 
 
 BY THE Al'THOE OF 
 
 "SAM SLICK, THE CLOCKMAKER," 
 
 " THE ATTACHE," &C. 
 
 Habeoque senectiiti magnam gratiam, quae mihi sermonis aviditatem auxit, 
 potionis et cibi sustulit. Cicebo de Senectute. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 HENRY COLBURN, PUBLISHER, 
 GREAT MARLBOROUGH STREET. 
 
 1849.
 
 p. Shoberl, Jun., Priuter to H R.H . Prince Albert, 51, Rupert St., Haymarket. 
 
 * * • 
 
 • • * - * * •
 
 a 
 
 V 
 
 Q 
 
 c 
 
 CO 
 CO 
 
 C7) 
 
 ■a: 
 
 
 PEBFACE. 
 
 The following sketches of" Life in a Colony" 
 were drawn from natm^e, after a residence of 
 half a century among the people, whose habits, 
 manners, and social condition, they are intended 
 to delineate. I have adopted the form of a 
 tour, and the chamcter of a stranger, for the 
 -2 double pui*pose of avoiding the prolixity of a 
 p journal, by the omission of tedious details, and 
 i^ the egotism of an author, by making othei's 
 speak for themselves in their own way. The 
 utmost care has been taken to exclude any 
 thing that could by any possibility be sup- 
 posed to have a personal reference, or be tlie 
 subject of annoyance. The " dramatis per- 
 sonae" of this work are, therefore, ideal repre- 
 sentatives of their several classes, having all
 
 IV PREFACE. 
 
 the characteristics and peculiarities of their own 
 set, but no actual existence. Should they be 
 found to resemble particular individuals, I can 
 assui'e the reader tliat it is accidental, and not 
 intentional ; and I tnist it will be considered, 
 as it really is, tlie unavoidable result of an 
 attempt to delineate the featui'es of a people 
 among whom tliere is such a strong ftimily 
 likeness. 
 
 In my previous works, I have been fortunate 
 enough to have avoided censure on this score, 
 and I have been most anxious to render the 
 present book as unobjectionable as its pre- 
 decessors. Political sketches I have abstained 
 from altogether; provincial and local affairs 
 are too insignificant to interest the general 
 reader, and tlie policy of the Colonial Office is 
 foreign to my subject. The absiu'd import- 
 ance attached in tliis country to ti'ifles, the 
 gi-andiloquent language of rural politicians, 
 tlie flimsy veil of patriotism, mider which 
 selfishness sti'ives to hide the deformity of its 
 visage, and the attempt to adopt the machinery
 
 PREFACE. V 
 
 of a large empire to the government of a 
 small colony, present many objects for ridicule 
 or satire; but tliey could not be approached 
 without the suspicion of personality, and the 
 direct imputation of prejudice. As I con- 
 sider, however, that the work would be incom- 
 plete without giving some idea of the form of 
 government under which the inhabitants of 
 the lower colonies live, I have prepared a very 
 brief outline of it, without any comment. 
 Those persons who take no interest in such 
 matters, can pass it over, and leave it for 
 others who may prefer information to amuse- 
 ment. 
 
 I have also avoided, as far as practicable, 
 topics common to other countries, and endea- 
 voured to select scenes and characters pecu- 
 liar to the colony, and not to be foimd in books. 
 Some similarity there must necessarily be be- 
 tween all branches of the Anglo-Saxon family, 
 speaking the same language, and living under 
 modifications of the same form of government ; 
 but still, there are shades of difference which, 
 
 A3
 
 VI PREFACE. 
 
 tliougli not strongly reniarked, are plainly dis- 
 cernible to a practised eye. 
 
 Facics non omnibus una nee tamen div 
 
 ersa. 
 
 Tliis distinctive cliaracter is produced by the 
 necessities and condition of a new country, by 
 the natui-e of the climate, the want of an Esta- 
 blished ChiuTh, hereditary rank, entailment of 
 estates, and the subdivision of labour, on the 
 one hand, and the absence of nationality, inde- 
 pendence, and Republican institutions, on the 
 otliei'. 
 
 Colonists differ again in like manner from 
 each other, according to the situation of their 
 respective country ; some bemg merely agri- 
 cultural, others commercial, and many par- 
 tiiking of the character of both. A i)icture of 
 any one North American Province, therefore, 
 will not, in all respects, be a true representa- 
 tion of another. The Nova Scotian, who is 
 more particularly tlie subject of this work, is 
 often found superintending the cultivation of 
 a farm, and building a vessel at the same time ;
 
 PREFACE. Vll 
 
 and is not only able to catch and cure a cargo 
 of fish, but to find his way with it to the West 
 Indies or the Mediterranean ; he is a man of 
 all work, but expert in none — knows a little 
 of many things, but nothing well. He is ir- 
 regular m his pursuits, " all thmgs by tm'ns, 
 and nothing long," and vam of his ability or 
 information, but is a hardy, frank, good- 
 natured, hospitable, manly fellow, and Avithal 
 quite as good-looking as his air gives you to 
 understand he thmks himself to be. Such is 
 the gentleman known throughout America as 
 Mr. Blue Nose, a sobriquet acquired from a 
 superior potato of that name, of the good 
 qualities of which he is never tired of talking, 
 being anxious, like most men of small property, 
 to exhibit to the best advantage the little he 
 had. 
 
 Altliough this term is applicable to all 
 natives, it is more particularly so to that por- 
 tion of the population descended from emi- 
 grants from the New England States, either pre- 
 viously to, or immediately after, the American
 
 viii PREFACE. 
 
 Revolution. The accent of the Blue Nose is 
 provincial, inclinuig more to Yankee than to 
 English, his utterance rapid, and his conversa- 
 tion liherally garnished with Ameiican phraseo- 
 logy, and much enlivened ^vith dry humour. 
 From the diversity of trades of which he knows 
 something, and the variety of occupations in 
 which he has been at one time or another 
 engaged, he uses indiscriminately the technical 
 terms of all, in a manner that would often 
 puzzle a stranger to pronounce whether he was 
 a landsman or sailor, a farmer, mechanic, lum- 
 berer, or fisherman. These characteristics are 
 more or less common to the people of New 
 Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Cape 
 Breton, and the scene of these sketches might 
 perhaps to a very great extent be laid, with 
 equal propriety, in those places as in Nova 
 Scotia. But to Upper and Lower Canada they 
 are not so applicable. 
 
 Tlie town of Illinoo, so often mentioned in 
 this work, is a fictitious ])lace. I have selected 
 it in preference to a real one, to prevent the
 
 PREFACE. IX 
 
 possible application of my remarks to any of 
 the inhabitants, in accordance with the earnest 
 desire I have already expressed to avoid giving 
 offence to any one. Some of these sketches 
 have already appeared in " Fraser's Magazine" 
 for the year 1847. These have been revised, 
 and their order somewhat transposed, so as to 
 make them blend harmoniously with the ad- 
 ditional numbers contained in these volimies. 
 Having made tliese explanations, I now submit 
 the work to the public.
 
 CONTENTS 
 
 OP 
 
 THE FIRST VOLUME. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Chapter I. The Old Judge . ... 1 
 
 Chapter II. How many Fins has a Cod ? or, Forty 
 
 Years Ago . . • . .14 
 
 Chapter III. Asking a Grovernor to Dine . . 47 
 
 Chapter IV. The Tombstones . . .100 
 
 Chapter V. A Ball at Government House . .120 
 
 Chapter Yl. The Old Admiral and the Old General . 162 
 Chapter VII. The Fu-st Settlers . . .196 
 
 Chapter VIH. Merrimakings . . . 205 
 
 Chapter IX. The Schoolmaster ; or, the Hecke Thaler 230 
 Chapter X. The Lone House . . • 2.54 
 
 Chapter XI. The Keeping-room of an Inn ; or. Judge 
 
 Beler's Ghost. No. L . . . 281
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 The copyright of this Work being the exclusive property of Mr. 
 Colburri, any person attempting to infringe his right will be im- 
 mediately prosecuted. 
 
 The Publisher also begs to state that, by the late Copyright Act, 
 the 5 and 6 Victoria, c. 45, itis enacted, that any person having in his 
 possession, within the United Kingdom, for sale or hire, one or more 
 copies printed abroad of any English work protected by the Act 
 referred to, is liable to a penalty, which, incases affecting his interest, 
 he intends to enforce. 
 
 The public are further informed, that the Act 5 and 6 Victoria, 
 c. 47, s. 24, prohibits the importation of all works printed in foreign 
 countries, of which the copyright has not expired. Even single copies, 
 though for the especial use of the importers, and marked with their 
 names, are excluded ; and the Customs' officers in the different ports 
 are strictly enjoined to carry this regulation into effect. 
 
 N.B. — The above regulations are in force in all British colonies 
 and dependencies, as well as in the United Kingdom.
 
 THE OLD JUDGE; 
 
 OE, 
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 THE OLD JUDGE. 
 
 A few days ago two strangers were shown into my 
 study : one of them, stepping aside, pointed to his 
 companion, and said, " This, sir, is the Reverend 
 Gabriel Gab of Olympus." The other performed the 
 same kind office for his friend, saying, " And this, sir, 
 is the Reverend Elijah Warner, of the Millerite per- 
 suasion, from Palmyra, United States of America." 
 
 The former, whose name was by no means inappro- 
 priate, explained, with great volubility, the object of 
 their visit, which he said was twofold : first, to pay 
 their respects to me ; secondly, to make some inquiries 
 about the great bore in the river in my neighbourhood. 
 
 Had there been a mirror in the room, I should have 
 been tempted to have pointed to it, as they would 
 have there seen two much greater bores in their own 
 persons ; for, if there is any one subject more than 
 
 VOL. I. B
 
 2 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 anotlicr, of whioli I am lieartily tired, it is the extra- 
 ordinary tide of this roinarkablo river. It attracts 
 many idlers to the villaire, wlio pester every one they 
 meet witli questions and theories, and seldom talk of 
 anything else. If, however, the visit of these orentle- 
 men wearied me, in consequence of the threadbare 
 subject of our discourse, it amused me not a little by 
 the whimsical manner of its introduction ; it not only 
 had novelty to recommend it, but its brevity enabled 
 tliom to enter in medias res at once. I sliall there- 
 fore imitate their example, by introducing myself and 
 explaining my business. 
 
 I am, gentle reader, a traveller, and my object also 
 is twofold : first, to pay my respects to you, and, 
 secondly, to impart, rather than solicit, information. 
 When I left England, my original destination was 
 New York and the far West, after which I purposed 
 making a rapid tour over our North American Colo- 
 nies. In pursuance of this plan, I took passage on 
 board of one of the British mail-steamers for America. 
 
 It is well known that these ships touch at Halifax 
 on their way to and from New York and Boston ; 
 this apparently circuitous route being actually thirty- 
 six miles shorter than the direct course,' In twelve 
 days after leaving England I found myself in Halifax. 
 
 Of my voyage out I shall say nothing. He must 
 
 ' See the second series of The Clockmaker, chapter xxii., in 
 •which this route was first suggested, and the actual distance 
 given.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 3 
 
 be a bold man indeed who would attempt to describe 
 the incidents of a common passage across the Atlantic, 
 with any hope whatever of finding a reader. It was, 
 like all similar trips, though as comfortable as such an 
 affair can be, anything but agreeable, and, though 
 short, tedious to a landsman. Off the Port of Halifax 
 we encountered a thick foo;, and were oblioed to 
 slacken our speed and use the lead constantly, when 
 we suddenly emerged from it into bright clear daz- 
 zling sunshine. Before us lay the harbour, as calm, as 
 white, and as glittering, as if covered with glass ; a 
 comparison that suggested itself by the beautiful re- 
 flections it presented of the various objects on shore ; 
 while behind us was the dense black mass of fog, 
 reaching fi'om the water to the heavens, like a wall or 
 cloud of darkness. It seemed as if Day and Night 
 were reposing together side by side. 
 
 The first object that met our view was the pic- 
 turesque little church that crowns the clifi" overlooking 
 the village and haven of Falkland, and, like a stella 
 maris^ guides the poor fisherman from afar to his home, 
 and recalls his wanderino- thouo;hts to that other and 
 happier one that awaits him when the storms and 
 tempests of this life shall have passed away for ever. 
 The entrance to this noble harbour, the best, perhaps, 
 in America, is exceedingly beautiful ; such portions 
 of the landscape as are denuded of trees exhibit a 
 very high state of cultivation; while the natural sterility 
 of the cold, wet, and rocky soil of the background is 
 
 b2
 
 •i THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 clothed and concealed by verdant evergreens of spruce 
 fir, pine, and hendock. On either hand, you pass 
 formidable fortifications, and the national flag and the 
 ]3ritish sentinel bear testimony to the power and 
 extensive possessions of dear old England. 
 
 On the right is the rapidly increasing town of Dart- 
 mouth ; on the left, Halifax, situated in extenso on the 
 slope of a long high hill, the cone-like summit of which 
 is converted into a citadel. The effect from the water 
 is very imposing, giving the idea of a much larger and 
 better built place than it is — an illusion productive of 
 much subsequent disappointment. Still further on, 
 and forming the northern termination of the city, is 
 the Government Dockyard, of which I shall speak 
 elsewhere. Here the harbour contracts to a very nar- 
 row space, and then suddenly enlarges again into 
 another and more sheltered body of water, cinlit or ten 
 miles in length, and two or three in width, called Bed- 
 ford Basin. 
 
 On a nearer approach to the Quay, old dingy ware- 
 houses, trumpery wooden buildings, of unequal size 
 and disproportioned forms, and unsubstantial wharfs, 
 in bad order and repair, present an unpromising 
 water-side view, while the accent of the labourers and 
 truckmen who are nearlv all Irishmen form a sin<;ular 
 combination of colonial architecture and European 
 population. The city itself, which has been greatly 
 improved of late years, docs not, on a further ac(juaint- 
 ance, altogether remove the disagreeable impression.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 5 
 
 Although it boasts of many very handsome public as 
 well as private edifices, it is well laid out and embellished 
 with large naval and military establishments ; it has 
 not the neat or uniform appearance of an American 
 town, and it is some time before the eye becomes at;- 
 eustomed to the card-board appearance of the houses, 
 or the singular mixture of laroe and small ones in the 
 same street. The general aspect of the city is as dif- 
 ferent from that of any other provincial town, as it is 
 from a place of the same size either in Old or New 
 England. The inhabitants, who are composed of 
 English, Irish, Scotch, and their descendants, are 
 estimated at twenty-two or twenty-five thousand. It 
 is a gay and hospitable place, and, until recently, when 
 agitation and political strife made their baneful ap- 
 pearance, was a united and happy community. 
 
 It is not my intention to describe localities — my ob- 
 ject is to delineate Life in a Colony. There is such a 
 general uniformity in the appearance of all the country 
 towns and villages of these lower provinces, and such 
 a similarity in the character of the scenery, that details 
 would be but tedious repetitions, and, besides, such topo- 
 graphical sketches are to be found in every book of 
 travels on this continent. I have said thus much of 
 Halifax, because it is not only the capital of Nova 
 Scotia, but, from its proximity to Europe, has lately 
 become a most important station for English and Ame- 
 rican Atlantic steamers, as it always has been for the 
 British navy. A few words will suffice for Nova
 
 6 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 Scotia. Tlio surface is uiidulatins::, seldom or never 
 exceeding in altitude five hundred feet above the level 
 of the sea. It is greatly intersected with rivers and 
 their tributary brooks, on the margins of which are 
 continuous lines of settlements, and the coast is every- 
 where indented with harbours more or less capacious, 
 in most of which are either towns or villages. In the 
 background, the forest is everywhere visible, and 
 penetrated in all directions with roads. Although 
 extensive clearings are made yearly in the interior, 
 principally by the children c>f old settlers, in which 
 backwood life is to be seen in all its simplicity, yet 
 the country has passed the period of youth, and may 
 now be called an old colony. 
 
 Of the habits, manners, and modes of thoufrht of 
 the people, few travellers have had such an opportunity 
 of becoming acquainted as I have. At the suggestion 
 of Mr. liarclay, a member of the provincial bar, with 
 whom I accidentally became acquainted on my arrival 
 at Halifax, I abandoned for a time my intention of 
 proceeding to New York, and from thence to the 
 South and West, and renuiiucd in this country for a 
 period sufficiently long to acquire that knowledge of 
 Anglo-American character without wliieh nij)id tra- 
 velling on this continent is neither convenient nor 
 instructive. J}y liiiii I was conducted to lUinoo, an 
 interior town, about fifty miles from Halifax, and 
 there introduced to Mr. Justice Sandford, a retired 
 Judge of the Supreme Court of Judicature. By the
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 
 
 considerate kindness of these two gentlemen, I was 
 enabled to see all that was desirable to be seen, and to 
 understand many little points in the character of the 
 people, which, without their valuable explanations, 
 would have either escaped my notice, or have been un- 
 intelligible. 
 
 Illinoo is situated at the head of the naviga- 
 tion of the Tnganish river, and is a neat, thriving 
 town, consisting of about a hundred and fifty 
 wooden houses, painted white, after the prevailing 
 American taste, most of them being decorated with 
 green Venetian blinds, and all enclosed by board 
 fences of different patterns. The glare of the glossy 
 white is somewhat relieved by the foliage of the gar- 
 dens that everywhere surround the houses, and supply 
 the inhabitants with fruit and vegetables. Such is 
 Illinoo, the description of which will answer for any 
 other rural village, the difference in general being one 
 of situation, rather than appearance and of size, more 
 than beauty. 
 
 Three miles further up the river, and above the in- 
 fluence of the tide, is Elmsdale, the residence of Judge 
 Sandford. The house stands on a rising piece of 
 ground in the centre of an extensive island, formed 
 by two branches of the river, one of which is a small 
 brook of about twenty yards in width, and the other 
 the main stream. The island consists principally of 
 alluvial soil, but is interspersed here and there with 
 gently swelling knolls of loam, covered with oaks.
 
 8 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 iiiaplo.'*, aiul yellow birches, while the meadow land is 
 decorated with lar^e single elms of immense size and 
 jjreat beauty. The nuiririn is secured airainst the 
 effects of the current bv the roots of the shumach, the 
 wild flowering pear, and dwarf rowan tree, and the 
 still stronirer network of the roots of the iriant elms 
 that enclose the place on all sides. On the south-west 
 and east, this valley is sheltered from the wind by 
 a mountainous ridge, through a winding and almost 
 concealed gorge, of which the river precipitately issues, 
 previously to its forming the biforcation that converts 
 Elmsdale into an island. 
 
 The house, which was built by the present pro- 
 prietor's father, an American Loyalist, is a large com- 
 modious cottage of one story in height, covering a great 
 deal of ground, and constructed after the manner of 
 the German settlers on the Hudson, having long pro- 
 jecting eves, and an extensive, elongated range of 
 buildings protruding from the back part, devoted to 
 the use of domestics and farm purposes, and which is 
 effectually concealed from view by an almost impene- 
 trable hedge-row of spruces. Two noble, primeval 
 elms, at either side of the hall-door, rejoice in their 
 native soil, and with their long, umbrageous, pendent 
 branches, equally deny admission to the rain and sun. 
 The interior of the house corresponds, to a great ex- 
 tent, with its outward appearance. The furniture is 
 in general old, solid, and heavy, like that used in our 
 former colonies before the rebellion, which contrasts 
 
 I
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 9 
 
 oddly with an occasional article of lighter form, and 
 later and more fashionable manufacture. They are 
 types of the old and the present generation ; for, alas, it 
 is to be feared that what has been gained in appear- 
 ance has been lost in substance, in things of far more 
 value and importance. It is a place of great beauty 
 at all seasons of the year ; but, in spring, when vege- 
 tation first clothes the mountains, and in autumn, when 
 the frost tinges it with innumerable hues before it dis- 
 robes it, it is pre-eminently so. The forest, to which 
 you are attracted in summer by its grateful shade, is 
 rendered still more agreeable and cool, by the numerous 
 rapids and cascades of the river; and even winter, dreary 
 as it is everywhere in the country, is here stripped of 
 half its rigour, by the barrier the hills present to the 
 stormy winds. 
 
 To this hospitable and charming mansion I was so 
 fortunate as to be invited by the Judge, at the sugges- 
 tion, no doubt, of his nephew, my friend Mr. Barclay. 
 •• He will be delighted to see you,"" he said, as we 
 drove thither from the village. " He is one of those 
 persons with whom you will feel at home and at ease 
 at once. Such is the force of professional habit, that 
 there is something of judicial gravity in his manner 
 when abroad, or among those he does not know, but 
 there is not the least of it about him when at home, 
 or among his friends, A.lthough far advanced in years, 
 he is still as active in body and mind, as quick of per- 
 ception, and as fond of humour, as when he was at 
 
 B 5
 
 10 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 tlio bar. He abounds in anoodotc; is remarkably well 
 informed for a lawyer, for their libraries necessarily 
 contain more heavy learning than lii^ht reading; and 
 he has great conversational powers, ki religion he is a 
 Churchman, and in politics a Conservative, as is 
 almost every gentleman in these colonies. On the 
 first subject he never speaks as a topic of discussion, 
 and on the latter very rarely, and then only to those 
 who, he knows, entertain similar opinions with him- 
 self. He will press you to make his house your home, 
 as far as is compatible with your other arrangements, 
 and 1 hope you will not fail to do so, for he is fond 
 of having his friends about him, and in this retired 
 place considers it a great piece of good fortune to have 
 an opportunity of conversing with a person whose 
 ideas are not all bounded by this little province. On 
 the other hand, you will find a kind, frank, but plain 
 hospitality, that is comfortable without being oppres- 
 sive ; and, as your object is information about colonial 
 life, I know of no man in this country so well qualified 
 or so willing to impart it as he is. There is capital 
 ?ihooting and fishing on his grounds ; and, when you 
 feel inclined for a ride or a drive, either ho or his 
 niece (for he is an old bachelor) will be happy to 
 accompany you, while I am always on hand, and at 
 your service. Don't be afraid of my fair cousin," he 
 continued ; " thouu:h not too old to be agreeable, (for 
 my uncle is an instance of the dilliculty of deciding 
 when that period of life commences) she is of a cer-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 11 
 
 tain age, when she may be considered no longer 
 dangerous." 
 
 Leaving the highway, we crossed the brook that 
 separates the island from the main land over a rustic 
 arch, so constructed between clumps of large French 
 willows o-rowino; on the banks as to have the effect of 
 a natural bridfje. The road wound round the base of 
 a knoll, through a forest of elms, from which, with an 
 easy sweep, it suddenly terminated in front of the 
 house. From thence we proceeded to the garden, 
 where we understood the Judge was superintending 
 some improvements. This enclosure covers about 
 two acres of land, and embraces the fruitery, shrub- 
 bery, kitchen and flower garden ; thus combining use- 
 fiil with ornamental cultivation, and keeping both 
 within the limits of moderate means. In summer, he 
 spends most of his time here, when the weather 
 permits. 
 
 As soon as he perceived us, he advanced, and cor- 
 dially welcomed me to Elmsdale, which, he said, he 
 hoped I would make my head-quarters and consider 
 my home, as often and as long as I could, while in 
 this part of the country. 
 
 Though thin, his frame was strong, and well put 
 together, and therefore, though short in stature, he 
 could not be called a small man. In figure, he was 
 erect, and in motion active, while his quick bright eye, 
 notwithstanding the snowy whiteness of his hair, and 
 a face in which the traces of care and thought were
 
 1- TJIIi; OLD JlDfiE ; OR, 
 
 "loeply marked, suggested the idea of a niucli younger 
 person than lie ri'ally was — an illusion not a little 
 aided by the sprlgiitliness of his conversation, and the 
 singular smoothness and expansion of the upper part 
 of his forehead. 
 
 In a few moments we were joined by Miss Sand- 
 ford, who entered tlie garden by a glass door from tlie 
 library, that opened upon the verandah where we were 
 standing, and admonished her uncle that, as every- 
 body was not quite as interested in gardening as he 
 was, it might not be amiss to recollect that it was the 
 liour of luncheon. From the ao;e aS well as the affec- 
 tion of these relatives, brother would have seemed to 
 be a more appropriate term for her to have used than 
 uncle ; but there was, in reality, a much greater dis- 
 parity between them in years, activity, and strength, 
 than there appeared to be at first sight. She was 
 admirably well (jualified to preside over his establish- 
 ment, and be his companion ; for she was a remark- 
 ably well-informed and agreeable woman, and, what 
 could scarcely be expected, and is rarely found in a 
 new country like this, was highly accomplished, which 
 latter advantaue she owed tu a lonij residence and 
 careful education in England. 
 
 Such was the place where I resided, and such the 
 people among whom 1 was domesticated so often and 
 so long. Having, like Boswell, kept a co})i()us journal 
 of the conversations I had with the Judge, I shall in 
 all instances let him speak for himself, as his power of
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 13 
 
 description far exceeds mine. When he was not 
 present, I shall endeavour to delineate the scenes I 
 witnessed myself, without embellishment on the one 
 hand, and, as far as practicable, without prolixity on 
 the other.
 
 14 THE OLD JLDtii:; OU, 
 
 CHAPTER IT. 
 
 HOW MANY FINS HAS A COD? 
 OR, FORTV YEARS AGO. 
 
 For several days past, nothing else lias been talked 
 of at Illinoo but the appi'oacliing term of the Supreme 
 Court. At all times, this is a great event for a quiet 
 village, where there is but little to diversify the mono- 
 tony of life ; but the arrival of the Judge and the 
 circuit lawyers is now looked forward to with great 
 interest, as there is to be a man tried for murder, who, 
 in all probability, will be convicted and executed. I 
 have much curiosity to see the mode of administering 
 justice in this country, because the state of the courts 
 is a very good criterion by which to estimate the state 
 of the province. The Bench and the Bar usually 
 furnish fair samples of the talent and education of the 
 gentry — the grand jury of the class inunediately below 
 them, and the petit-jury of the yeomanry and trades- 
 men. In a court-house, they are all to be seen in 
 juxtaposition, and a stranger is enabled to compare 
 them one with the other, with tiie condition of the 
 people and similar institutions in different countries. 
 
 The Judjre informs me that the first courts esta-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 15 
 
 blished in this province were County Courts, the Judges 
 of which were not professional men, but selected from the 
 magistrates of the district, who rendered their services 
 gratuitously. The efficiency of these courts, therefore, 
 depended wholly upon the character and attainments 
 of the Justices of the Peace in the neighbourhood. 
 In some instances, they were conducted with much 
 decorum, and not without ability ; in others, they pre- 
 sented scenes of great confusion and disorder ; but, in 
 all cases, they were the centre of attraction to the 
 whole county. The vicinity of the court-house was a 
 sort of fair, where people assembled to transact busi- 
 ness, or to amuse themselves. Horse -swapping or 
 racing, wrestling and boxing, smoking and drinking, 
 sales at auction, and games of various kinds, occupied 
 the noisy and not very sober crowd. The temperance 
 of modern times, the substitution of professional men 
 as judges, and an entire change of habits among the 
 people, have no less altered the character of the scenes 
 within than without the walls of these halls of justice. 
 In no respect is the improvement of this country so 
 apparent as in its judicial establishments. As an illus- 
 tration of the condition of some of these County Courts 
 in the olden time, the Judge related to me the follow- 
 ing extraordinary story that .occurred to himself: — 
 
 Shortly after my return from Europe, about forty 
 years ago, I attended the Western Circuit of the 
 Supreme Court, which then terminated at Annapolis, 
 and remained behind a few days, for the purpose of ex-
 
 1(5 TIIR OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 aniininir that most interestinir place, which is tlie scene 
 of the first eftective settlement in North America. 
 
 While engaged in these investigations, a person 
 called upon me, and told me he liad ridden express 
 from Plymouth, to obtain my assistance in a cause 
 which was to be tried in a day or two in the county 
 court at that place. The judges were at that period, 
 as I have previously observed, not professional men, 
 but magistrates, and equally unable to administer law, 
 or to preserve order ; and the verdicts generally de- 
 pended more upon the declamatory powers of the law- 
 yers than the merits of the causes. The distance was 
 great — the journey had to be performed on horseback 
 — the roads were bad, the accomuiodation worse. 1 
 had a great repugnance to attend these courts under 
 any circumstances ; and, besides, had pressing engage- 
 ments at home. I therefore declined acceptino- his 
 retainer, which was the largest that at that time had 
 ever been tendered to me, and begged to be excused. 
 If the fee, he said, was too small to render it worth 
 my while to go, hv would cheerfully double it, for 
 money was no object. The cause was one of great im- 
 portance to his friend, Mr. John Ikrkins, and of deep 
 interest to the whole community ; and, as the few 
 lawyers that resided within a liundred miles of the 
 place were engaged on the other side, if I did not go, 
 his unfortunate friend would fall a victim to the in- 
 trigues and injustice of his opponents. In short, he 
 was so urgent, that at last I was prevailed upon to con-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 17 
 
 sent, and we set off together to prosecute our journey- 
 on horseback. The agent, Mr. WiUiam Robins (who 
 had the most accurate and capacious memory of any 
 man I ever met), proved a most entertaining and 
 agreeable companion. He had read a great deal, and 
 retained it all ; and, having resided many years near 
 Plymouth, knew ever}'^ body, every place, and every 
 tradition. Withal, he was somewhat of a humourist. 
 Finding him a person of this description, my curiosity 
 was excited to know who and what he was ; and I 
 put the question to him. 
 
 " I am of the same profession you are, sir," he said. 
 
 I immediately reined up.« 
 
 •' If that be the case," I replied, "my good friend, 
 you must try the cause yourself. I cannot consent to 
 go on. The only thing that induced me to set out with 
 you was your assertion that every lawyer, within a 
 hundred miles of Plymouth, was retained on the other 
 side." 
 
 " Excuse me, sir," he said, " I did not say I was a 
 lawyer." 
 
 " No," I observed, " you did not ; but you stated 
 that you were of the same profession as myself, which 
 is the same thing." 
 
 •' Not exactly, sir," he said. " I am a wrecker. I 
 am Lloyds'' agent, and live on the misfortunes of others ; 
 so do you. When a vessel is wrecked, it is my busi- 
 ness to get her off, or to save the property. When a 
 man is entangled among the shoals or quicksands of
 
 18 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 the law, your duty is similar. Wo are both wreckers, 
 and, therefore, members of the same profession. The 
 only diftercnee is, you are a lawyer, and I am not." 
 
 This absurd reply removing all dilHculty, we pro- 
 ceeded on our journey; and the first night after passing 
 through Digby reached Sliingle Town, or Spaitsville, 
 the origin of which, as he related it to me, was the 
 most whimsical story 1 ever heard. It is rather long 
 for an episode, and I Avill tell it to you some otlier 
 time. The next morning we reached Clare, a town- 
 ship wholly owned and occupied by French Acadians, 
 the descendants of those persons who first settled at 
 Port Royal (as I have just related), and other parts 
 of the province into which they had penetrated, pre- 
 vious to the occupation of the English. I will not 
 trouble you with the melancholy history of these people 
 at present; I only allude to them now on account of a 
 little incident in our journey. As we approached the 
 chapel, we saw a large number of persons in front of 
 tlie priest\s house, having either terminated or being 
 about to commence a procession. As soon as Robins 
 saw them, he said — 
 
 " Now, T will make every man of tliat congregation 
 take oft' his hat to nie." 
 
 " How r 
 
 " You shall see." 
 
 He soon pulled up opposite to a large wooden cross 
 that stood by the way-side, and, taking oft" his hat, 
 bowed his head most reverently and respectfully down
 
 LIFE IX A COLONY. 19 
 
 to the horse's neck, and then, slowly covering again, 
 passed on. When we reached the crowd, every hat 
 was lifted in deference to the devout stranger, who had 
 thus courteously or piously saluted the emblem of their 
 faith. As soon as we had escaped the wondering gaze 
 of the people, he observed — 
 
 " There, lawyer, there is a useful lesson in life for 
 you. He who respects the religious feelings of others, 
 will not fail to win indulijence for his own."" 
 
 In the afternoon we arrived at Plvmouth. As we 
 entered the village, I observed that the court-house as 
 usual was surrounded by a noisy multitude, some de- 
 tached groups of which appeared to be discussing the 
 trials of the morning, or anticipating that which was 
 to engross the attention of the public on the succeeding 
 day. On the opposite side of the road was a large 
 tavern, the hospitable door of which stood invitingly 
 open, and permitted the escape of most agreeable and 
 seducino; odours of rum and tobacco. The crowd occu- 
 pied and filled the space between the two buildings, 
 and presented a moving and agitated surface ; and yet 
 a strong current was perceptible to a practised eye in 
 this turbid mass, setting steadily out of the court- 
 house, and passing slowly but constantly through the 
 centre of this estuary into the tavern, and returning 
 again in an eddy on either side. 
 
 Where every one was talking at the same time, no 
 individual could be heard or understood at a distance, 
 but the united vociferations of the assembled hundreds
 
 20 THE OLD Jl DCiK; OR, 
 
 blended togetlier, and formed the deep-toned but disso- 
 nant voice of that hydra-headed monster, the crowd. 
 On a nearer approach, the sounds that composed 
 this unceasin<>- roar became more distinouishablc. The 
 drunken man might be lieard rebuking the profane, and 
 the profane overwliehning the hypocrite witli oppro- 
 brium for his cant. Neighbours, rendered amiable by 
 liquor, embraced as brothers, and loudly proclaimed 
 their unchangeable friendship ; while the memory of 
 past injuries, awakened into fury by the li<juid poison, 
 placed others in hostile attitude, who hurled defiance 
 and abuse at each other, to the full extent of their 
 lungs or their vocabulary. The slow, measured, nasal 
 talk of the dejrenerate settler from I'uritanical New 
 England, was rendered unintelligible by the ceaseless 
 and rapid utterance of the French fisherman ; while 
 poor Pat, bludgeon in hand, uproariously solicited his 
 neighbours to fight or to drink, and generously gave 
 them their option. Even the dogs caught the infec- 
 tion of the place, and far above their masters'" voices 
 miiiht occasionally be heard the loud, sharp cry of 
 triumph, or the more shrill howl of distress uttered 
 by these animals, who, with as little cause as their 
 senseless owners, had engaged in a stupid conflict. 
 
 A closer inspection revealed the groupings with more 
 painful distinctness. Here, might be seen the merry, 
 active Negro, flapping his mimic wings and crowing 
 like a cock in token of defiance to all his sable brethren, 
 or dancing to the sound of his own musical voice, and
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 21 
 
 terminating every evolution with a scream of delight. 
 There, your attention was arrested by a ferocious- 
 looking savage, who, induced by the promise of liquor, 
 armed with a scalping-knife in one hand and a toma- 
 hawk in the other, exhibited his terrific war-dance, 
 and uttered his demoniac yells, to the horror of him 
 who personated the victim, and suffered all the pangs 
 of martyrdom in trembling apprehension that that 
 which had begun in sport might end in reality, and to 
 the infinite delight of a circle of boys, whose morals 
 were thus improved and confirmed by the conversation 
 and example of their fathers. At the outer edge of 
 the throng miffht be seen a woman, endeavourino- to 
 persuade or to force her inebriated husband to leave 
 this scene of sin and shame, and return to his neg- 
 lected home, his family, and his duties. Now, success 
 crowns her untirin2: exertions, and he vields to her 
 tears and entreaties, and gives himself up to her gentle 
 guidance ; when suddenly the demon within him rebels, 
 and he rudely bursts from her feeble but affectionate 
 hold, and returns, shouting and roaring like a maniac, 
 to his thoughtless and noisy associates. The enduring 
 love of the agonized woman prompts her again and 
 airain to renew the effort, until at last some kind friend, 
 touched by her sorrows and her trials, lends her the 
 aid of his powerful arm, and the truant man is led off 
 captive to what was once a happy home, but now a 
 house of destitution and distress. These noises ceased 
 for a moment as we arrived at the spot, and were super-
 
 22 ' THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 seded by a comnuind issued by several persons at the 
 same time. 
 
 " Clear the road there ! Make way for the p;entle- 
 men !" 
 
 We had been anxiously expected all the afternoon, 
 and the command was instantly obeyed, and a passage 
 opened for us by the people falling back on either side 
 of the street. As we passed through, my friend checked 
 liis horse into a slow walk, and led me with an air of 
 triumph, such as a jockey displays in bringino; out his 
 favourite on the course. Robins was an important man 
 that day. He had succeeded in his mission. He had 
 got his champion, and would be ready for fight in the 
 morning. It was but reasonable, therefore, he thought, 
 to indulge the public with a glimpse at his man. He 
 nodded familiarly to some, winked slily to others, 
 saluted people at a distance aloud, and shook hands 
 patronisingly with those that were nearest. He would 
 occasionally lag behind a moment, and say, in an under 
 but very audible tone — 
 
 " Precious clever fellow that ! Sees it all — says 
 we are all right — sure to win it ! I wouldn't be in 
 those fellows the plaintiff's skins to-morrow for a trifle ! 
 He is a powerful man, that !" and so forth. 
 
 The first opportunity that occurred, I endeavoured 
 to put a stop to this trumpeting. 
 
 " For Heaven's sake," I said, " my good friend, do 
 not talk such nonsense ; if you do, you will ruin me ! 
 I am at all times a diflident man, but, if you raise such
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 23 
 
 expectations, I shall assuredly break down, from the 
 vexy fear of not fulfilling them. I know too well the 
 doubtful issue of trials ever to say that a man is 
 certain of winning. Pray do not talk of me in this 
 manner." 
 
 " You are sure, sir," he said. " What, a man who 
 has just landed from his travels in Europe, and arrived, 
 after a journey of one hundred miles, from the last 
 sitting of the Supreme Court, not to know more than 
 any one else ! Fudge, sir ! I congratulate you, you 
 have gained the cause ! And besides, sir, do you think 
 that if William Robins says he has got the right man 
 (and he wouldn't say so if he didn't think so), that 
 that isn't enough? Why, sir, your leather breeches 
 and top-boots are enough to do the business ! Nobody 
 ever saw such things here before, and a man in buck- 
 skin must know more than a man in homespun. But 
 here is Mrs. Brown's inn ; let us dismount. I have 
 procured a private sitting-room for you, which on court- 
 days, militia trainings, and times of town meetings or 
 elections, is not very easy, I assure you. Come, walk 
 in, and make yourself comfortable." 
 
 We had scarcely entered into our snuggery, which 
 was evidently the landlady's own apartment, when the 
 door was softly opened a few inches, and a beseeching 
 voice was heard, saying — 
 
 " Billy, is that him \ If it is, tell him it's me ; will 
 you ? that's a good soul !" 
 
 " Come in — come in, old Blowhard !" said Robins ;
 
 24 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 an d, seizing the stranger by the hand, he led him up, 
 and introduced him to me. 
 
 " Lawyer, this is Captain John Barkins ! — Captain 
 IJarkins, this is Lawyer Sandford ! He is our client, 
 lawyer, and I must say one thing for him : he has but 
 two faults, but they are enough to ruin any man in this 
 province; he is an honest man, and speaks the truth. 
 I will leave vou together now, and go and order vour 
 dinner for you." 
 
 John Barkins was a tall, corpulent, amj)hibious- 
 looking man, that seemed as if he would be equally at 
 home in either element, land or water. He held in his 
 hand what he called a nor'-wester, a large, broad- 
 brimmed, glazed hat, with a peak projecting behind to 
 shed the water from off his club queue, which was 
 nearly as thick as a hawser. He wore a long, narrow- 
 tailed, short-waisted blue coat, with large, white-plated 
 buttons, that resembled Spanish dollars, a red waist- 
 coat, a spotted Bandanna silk handkerchief tied loosely 
 about his throat, and a pair of voluminous, corduroy 
 trousers, of the colour of brown soap, over which were 
 drawn a pair of fisher)nen''s boots, that reached nearly 
 to his knees. His waistcoat and his trousers were ap- 
 parently^ not upon very intimate terms, for, though they 
 travelled together, the latter were taught to feel their 
 subjection, but, when they lagged too far behind, they 
 were brought to their place by a jerk of impatience 
 that threatened their very existence. He had a thick, 
 matted head of black hair, and a pair of whiskers that
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 25 
 
 disdained tlie eiFcminacy of either scissors or razor, and 
 revelled in all the exuberant and wild profusion of 
 nature. His countenance was much weather-beaten 
 from constant exposure to the vicissitudes of heat and 
 cold, but was open, good-natured, and manly. Such 
 was mv client. He advanced and shook me cordially 
 by the hand. 
 
 " Glad to see you, sir," he said; " you are welcome 
 to Plymouth. IVIy name is John Barkins ; I dare say 
 you have often heard of me, for everybody knows me 
 about these parts. Any one will tell you what sort of 
 a man John Barkins is. That's me — that's my name, 
 do you see ? 1 am a parsecuted man, lawyer ; but I 
 ain't altogether quite run down yet, neither. I have a 
 case in court ; I dare say Mr. Eobins has told you of 
 it. He is a very clever man is old Billy, and as smart 
 a chap of his age as you will see anywhere a'most. 1 
 suppose you have often heard of him before, for every- 
 body knows William Robins in these parts. It's the 
 most important case, sir, ever tried in this county. If 
 I lose it, Plymouth is done. There's an end to the 
 fisheries, and a great many of us are a going to sell off 
 and quit the country." 
 
 I will not detail his cause to you in his own words, 
 because it will fatigue you as it wearied me in hearing 
 it. It possessed no public interest whatever, though 
 it was of some importance to himself as regarded the 
 result. It appeared that he had fitted out a large 
 vessel for the Labradore fishery, and taken with him 
 
 VOL. i. C
 
 26 THE OLD JUDGE J OR, 
 
 a very full crew, who were to share in the profits or 
 loss of the adveuture. The agreement, which was a 
 verbal one, was, that on the completion of the voyage 
 the cargo should be sold, and the net proceeds be dis- 
 tributed in equal portions, one half to appertain to the 
 captain and vessel, and the other half to the crew, and 
 to be equally divided among them. The undertaking 
 was a disastrous one, and on their return the seamen 
 repudiated the bargain, and sued him for wages. It 
 was, therefore, a very simple atlair, being a mere ques- 
 tion of fact as to the partnership, and that depending 
 wholly on the evidence. Having ascertained these 
 particulars, and inquired into the nature of the proof 
 by which his defence was to be supported, and given 
 him his instructions, I requested him to call upon me 
 again in the morning before Court, and bowed to him 
 in a manner too significant to be misunderstood. He, 
 however, still lingered in the room, and, turning his 
 hat round and round several times, examining the 
 rim very carefully, as if at a loss to discover the front 
 from the back part of it, he looked up at last, and 
 said — 
 
 " Lawyer, I have a favour to ask of you." 
 
 " What is it T I inquired. 
 
 " There is a man," he replied, " coming agin me to- 
 moiTOw as a witness, of the name of Lillum. He 
 thinks himself a great judge of the fisheries, and he 
 
 does know a considerable some, I must say ; but, d 
 
 him ! I caught fish afure he was born, and know more
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 27 
 
 about fishing than all the Lillums of Plymouth put 
 together. Will j'ou just ask him one question V 
 
 " Yes, fifty, if a^ou like." 
 
 " Well, I only want you to try him with one, and 
 that will choke him. Ask him if he knows ' how many 
 fins a cod has, at a word.' " 
 
 " What has that got to do with the cause f I said, 
 with unfei2:ned astonishment. 
 
 " Eveni;hing, sir," he answered ; " everything in 
 the world. If he is to come to give his opinion on 
 other men's business, the best way is to see if he knows 
 his o\\T3. Tarnation, man ! he don't know a cod-fish 
 when he sees it ; if he does, he can tell you ' how many 
 fins it has, at a word.' It is a great catch that. I liave 
 won a great many half-pints of brandy on it. I never 
 knew a feller that could answer that question yet, right 
 ofl^ the reel." 
 
 He then explained to me that, in the enumeration, 
 one small fin was always omitted by those who had 
 not previously made a minute examination. 
 
 " Now, sir," said he, " if he can't cipher out that 
 question (and I'll go a hogshead of rum on it he can't), 
 turn him right out of the box, and tell him to go a 
 voyage with old John Barkins — that's me, my name is 
 John Barkins — and he will larn him his trade. AVill 
 you ask him that question, lawyer V 
 
 " Certainly," I said, " if you wish it." 
 
 " You will gain the day. then, sir," he continued, 
 
 c2
 
 28 THE OTJ) .TIDGR ; OR, 
 
 much elated; " you will gain the day, then, as .sure as 
 fate. Good-by, lawyer!" 
 
 When he had nearly reached the foot of the stair- 
 case, I heard him returning, and. opening the door, he 
 looked in and said — 
 
 " You won't forget, will you ? — mj^ name is John 
 Barkins ; ask anylM)dy about here, and they will tell 
 you who 1 am, for everybody knows John IJarkins in 
 these parts. The other man's name is Lilluiii — a very 
 decent, 'sponsible-looking man, too ; but he don't know 
 everything. Take him up all short. ' How many 
 fins has a cod, at a word V says you. If you can lay 
 him on the broad of his back with that <juestion, I 
 don't care a farthins if I lose the case. It's a irreat 
 satisfaction to nonplusli a knowin' one that way. You 
 kniiw the question ?" 
 
 " Yes, yes," I replied, impatiently. " I know all 
 about it." 
 
 "■ You do, do you, sir?" said he, shutting the door 
 behind him, and advancing towards me, and looking 
 me steadily in the fiice ; " you do, do you i Then, 
 ' how many fins has a cod, at a word f " 
 
 I answered as he had instructed me. 
 
 *' Gad, sir," he said, " it's a pity your father hadn't 
 made a fisherman of you, for you know more about a 
 cod now than any man in Plymouth but one, old John 
 Barkins — that's me, my name is John Barkins. Every- 
 body knows me in these parts. Bait your hook with 
 that question, and you'll catch old Lillum, I know.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 29 
 
 As soon as he has it in his gills, drag him riglit out 
 of the water. Give him no time to play — in with 
 him, and whap him on the deck ; hit him hard over 
 the head — it will make him open his mouth, and your 
 hook is ready for another catch." 
 
 " Good night, Mr. Barkins," I replied ; " call on 
 me in the mornino-. I am fatii^ued now."" 
 
 " Good night, sir," he answered ; " you won't 
 forjjet ?" 
 
 Dinner was now announced, and my friend Mr, 
 Robins and myself sat down to it with an excellent 
 appetite. Having done ample justice to the good 
 clieer of Mrs, Brown, and finished our wine, we drew 
 up to the fire, which, at that season of the year, was 
 most acceptable in the morning and evening, and 
 smoked our cigars. Robins had so many good stories, 
 and told them so uncommonly well, that it was late 
 before we retired to rest. Instead of beins; shown into 
 the bed- room I had temporarily occupied for changing 
 my dress before dinner, I was ushered info a long, 
 low room, fitted up on either side with berths, with a 
 locker running round the base, and in all respects, 
 except the skylight, resembling a cabin. Strange as 
 it appeared, it was in keeping with the place (a fishing 
 port), its population, and the habits of the people. 
 Mrs, Brown, the landlady, was the widow of a sea- 
 faring man, who had, no doubt, fitted up the chamber 
 in this manner with a view to economize room, and 
 thus accommodate as many passengers (as he would
 
 30 TIIK OT,n .TUDGK ; OR, 
 
 designate his guests) as possible in this sailor''s home. 
 A hmip hung suspended from the ceihng, and ap- 
 peared to be supplied and trimmed for the night, so 
 as to afford easy access and egress at all hours. It 
 was almost impossible not to imagine one's self at sea, 
 on board of a crowded coasting-packet. Retreat was 
 impossible, and therefore I made up my mind at once 
 to submit to this whimsical arrauijement for the nijjht, 
 and, having undressed myself, was about to climb into 
 a vacant berth near the door, when some one opposite 
 called out — 
 
 " Lawyer, is that you ?" 
 
 It was my old tormentor, the skipper. Upon ascer- 
 taining wlio it was, he immediately got out of bed, 
 and crossed over to where I was standing. He had 
 nothing on but a red nightcap, and a short, loose 
 check shirt, wide open at the throat and breast. He 
 looked like a huge bear walking upon his hind-legs, he 
 was f;o hairy and shaggy. Seizing me by the shoulders, 
 he clasped me tightly round the neck, and whispered — 
 
 " ' How many fins has a cod, at a word V That's 
 the question. You won't forget, will you V 
 
 " No," I said, " I not only will not forget it to- 
 morrow, but I shall recollect you and your advice as 
 loni; as I live. Now let me jret some rest, or I shall 
 be unable to plead your cause for you, as I am ex- 
 cessively fatigued and very drowsy." 
 
 " Certainly, certainly," he said ; ^ turn in, but don't 
 forget the catch."
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. SI 
 
 It was some time before the hard bed, the fatigues 
 of the journey, and the novelty of the scene, permitted 
 me to compose myself for sleep ; and just as I was 
 dropping off into a slumber, I heard the same un- 
 welcome sounds — 
 
 " Lawyer, lawyer, are you asleep V 
 
 I affected not to hear him, and, after another in- 
 effectual attempt on his part to rouse me, he desisted ; 
 but I heard him mutter to himself — 
 
 " Plague take the sarpent ! hell forget it and lose 
 all : a feller that falls asleep at the helm, ain"'t fit to 
 be trusted no how." 
 
 I was not doomed, however, to obtain repose upon 
 such easy terms. The skipper's murmurs had scarcely 
 died away, when a French fisherman from St. Mary''s 
 Bay entered the room, and, stumbling over my saddle- 
 bags, which he anathematized in bad French, bad 
 English, and in a language compounded of both, and 
 embellished with a few words of Indian origin, he 
 called out loudly — 
 
 " Celestine, are you here f 
 
 This interrogatory was responded to by another 
 from the upper end of the room — 
 
 " Is that you, Baptiste? Which way is the wind?" 
 
 " Nor'-nor'-west." 
 
 " Then I must sail for Halifax to-morrow." 
 
 While Baptiste was undressing, an operation which 
 was soon performed (with the exception of the time 
 lost in pulling off an obstinate and most intractable
 
 32 THE OLD JL'DGE; OK, 
 
 j)air of boots), tl»c following absurd conversation took 
 jilace. Upon hearing tlio word ITalifac, (as ho called 
 it) ]3apt)ste expressed great horror of the place, and 
 especially the red devils (the soldiers) with which it 
 was infested. He said the last time he was there, as 
 he was passing the King''s Wharf to go to his vessel 
 late at night, the sentinel called out to him, " Who 
 come dare V to which impertinent question he jjave 
 no answer. The red villain, he said, repeated the 
 -challenge louder than before, but, as he knew it was 
 none of his business, he did not condescend to reply. 
 The soldier then demanded, in a voice of thunder, for 
 the third time, " Who come dare V " to which," to 
 nse his own words, " I answer liini, ' What the devil 
 is that to you V and ran off so fast as my legs would 
 carry me, and faster too ; but the villain knew the 
 way better nor me, and just stuck his ' bagonut*" right 
 into my thigh, ever so far as one inch. Oh !" said 
 Baptiste (who had become excited by the recollection 
 of the insult, and began to jump about the floor, 
 makins a most villauous clatter with the half-drawn 
 boot), " Oh ! I was very mad, you may depend. I 
 could have nmrder him, I was so vexed. Oh ! I wa.s 
 
 so d mad, I ran straight off to the vessel without 
 
 stopping, and — ;jumped right into bed." 
 
 Celestine expressed great indignation at such an 
 unprovoked and cowardly assault, and advised him, if 
 ever he caught that soldier again, alone and unarmed, 
 and had his two grown-up sons, Lewis and Dominique,
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 33 
 
 with him, to give him a sound drubbing, and then 
 weigh anchor, and sail right out of the harbour. He 
 congratulated himself, however, that if the soldier had 
 run the point of his bayonet into his friend, he had 
 lately avenged it by making a merchant there feel the 
 point of a joke that was equally sharp, and penetrated 
 deeper. He had purchased goods, he said, of a trader 
 at Halifax upon this express promise — 
 
 " If you will trust me this spring, I will pay you 
 last fall. The merchant," he observed, " thought I 
 was talking bad English, but it is very good English ; 
 and when last fall comes again, I will keep my word 
 and pay him, but not till then. Don't he hope he may 
 get his money the day before yesterday V 
 
 Baptiste screamed with delight at this joke, which, 
 he said, he would tell his wife Felicite, and his two 
 daughters, Angelique and Blondine, as soon as he 
 returned home. Having succeeded at last in escaping 
 from his tenacious boot, he turned in, and, as soon as 
 his head touched the pillow, was sound asleep. 
 
 In tlie morning when I awoke, the first objects that 
 met my eye were the Bandanna handkerchief, the red 
 waistcoat and blue coat, while a goodnatured face 
 watched over me with all the solicitude of a parent for 
 the first moments of wakefulness. 
 
 " Lawyer, are you awaked said Barkins. "This 
 is the great day — the greatest day Plymouth ever saw ! 
 We shall know now whether we are to carry on the 
 fisheries, or give them up to the Yankees. Every- 
 
 c 5
 
 34 THK OLD JIDOE ; OR, 
 
 thing depends upon that question ; for Heaven''s sake, 
 don''t forjret it ! — ' How many fins has a cod, at a 
 word C It is very late now. It is eight o\dock, and 
 the courts meet at ten, and the town is full. All the 
 folks from Chebogue, and Jegoggin, and Salmon River, 
 and Beaver Eiver, and Eel Brook, and Polly Crossby's 
 Hole, and the Gut and the Devil's Island, and Ragged 
 Island, and far and near, are come. It's a great day and 
 a great catch. I never lost a bet on it yet. You may win 
 many a half-pint of brandy on it, if you won't forget it." 
 "Do go away and let me dress myself!'" I said, 
 petulantly. " I won't forget you." 
 
 " Well, I'll go below," he replied, " if you wish it, 
 but call for me when you want me. ISIy name is 
 John Barkius ; ask any one for me, for every man 
 knows John Barkins in these parts. But, dear me," 
 he continued, " I forgot !" and, taking an enormous 
 key out of his pocket, he opened a sea-chest, from 
 which he drew a large glass decanter, highly gilt, and 
 a rummer of corresponding dimensions, with a golden 
 edsre. Takinji the bottle in one hand and the o-lass in 
 the other, ho drew the small round gilt stopper with 
 liis mouth, and, pouring out about half a pint of the 
 liquid, he said, " Here, lawyer, take a drop of bitters 
 this morning, just to warm the stomach and clear 
 your throat. It's excellent ! It is old Jamaiky 
 and sarsy-parilly, and will do your heart good. It's 
 an antifogmatic, and will make you as hungry as a 
 shark, and as lively as a thrasher !"
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 35 
 
 ' I shook my head in silence and despair, for I saw 
 he was a man there was no escaping from. 
 
 " You won't, eh V 
 
 " No, thank you, I never take anything of the kind 
 in the mornino-." 
 
 " Where the deuce was you broughten up," he 
 asked, with distended eyes, "that you haven't lost 
 the taste of your mother's milk yet ? You are worse 
 than an Isle of Sable colt, and them wild, ontamed 
 devils suckle for two years ! Well, if you won't, I will, 
 then ; so here goes," and holding back his head, the 
 potion vanished in an instant, and he returned the 
 bottle and the glass to their respective places. As he 
 went, slowly and sulkily, down stairs, he muttered, 
 " Hang him ! he's only a fresh-water fish that, after 
 all ; and they ain't even fit for bait, for they have 
 neither substance nor flavour !" 
 
 After breakfast, Mr. Robins conducted me to the 
 court-house, which was filled almost to sufibcation. 
 The panel was immediately called, and the jury placed 
 in the box. Previous to their being sworn, I inquired 
 of Barkins whether any of them were related to the 
 plaintifi's, or had been known to express an opinion 
 adverse to his interests ; for if such was the case, it 
 was the time to challenge them. To my astonishment, 
 he immediately rose and told the judges he challenged 
 the whole jury, the bench of magistrates, and every 
 man in the house, — a defiance that was accompanied 
 by a menacing outstretched arm and clenched fist. A
 
 '■Hi TIIK OM) .rilH;K ; OR, 
 
 shout of l:iui|,hter that nearly sliook the walls of the 
 hiiildiii"- followed this violent outbreak. Nothing' 
 daunted by their ridicule, however, he returned to the 
 charge, and said, i. 
 
 " I repeat it ; I challenge the whole of you, if you 
 dare !" 
 
 Here the Court interposed, and asked him what he 
 meant by such indecent behaviour. 
 
 " Meant !" he said, " I mean what I say. The 
 strange lawyer here tells me now is my time to chal- 
 lenge, and I claim my right ; I do challenge any or 
 all of you ! Pick out any man present you please, 
 take the smartest chap youVe got, put us both on 
 board the same vessel, and I challenge him to catch, 
 spit, clean, salt, and stow away as many fish in a day 
 as I can, — cod, polluck, shad, or mackerel j I dou''t 
 care which, for it's all the same to me ; and Y\\ go a 
 liojjshead of rum on it I beat him ! W\\\ anv man 
 take up the challenge V and he turned slowly round 
 and examined the whole crowd. " You won't, won''t 
 you I I guess not ; you know a trick worth two of 
 that, I reckon ! There, lawyer, there is my challenge; 
 now ao on with the cause !" 
 
 As soon as order was restored the jury Avere sworn, 
 and the plantiff's counsel opened his case and called 
 liis witnesses, the last of whom was Mr. Lillum. 
 
 " That's him !" said liarkins, putting both arms 
 round my neck and nearly choking me, as he whis- 
 pered, "Ask him 'how many fins a cod has, at a
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 37 
 
 word V " I now stood up to cross-examine him, when I 
 was again in the skipper''s clutches. " Don't forget ! 
 the question is ...." 
 
 " If .you do not sit down immediately, sir," I said, 
 in a loud and authoritative voice (for the scene had 
 become ludicrous), " and leave me to conduct the 
 cause my own way, I shall retire from the Court !" 
 
 He sat down, and, groaning audibly, put both hands 
 before his face and muttered,— 
 
 " There is no dependence on a man that sleeps at 
 the helm !" 
 
 I commenced, however, in the way my poor client 
 desired : for I saw plainly that he was more anxious of 
 what he called stumping old Lillum and nonplushing 
 him, than about the result of his trial, although he 
 was firmly convinced that the one depended on the 
 other. 
 
 " How many years have you been engaged in the 
 Labrador fishery, sir ?" 
 
 " Twenty-five." 
 
 " You are, of course, perfectly conversant with the 
 cod-fisherv V' 
 
 " Perfectly. I know as much, if not more, about it 
 than any man in Plymouth."'*' 
 
 Here Barkins pulled my coat, and most beseech- 
 ingly said, — 
 
 " Ask him " 
 
 " Be quiet, sir, and do not interrupt me !" was the 
 consolatory reply he received. 
 
 f ^ ~* a*"^* ^ « j-^. ^ — Ik
 
 38 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 " Of course, then, after such loug experience, sir, 
 you know a cod-fish wlien you see it V 
 
 " I shoukl think so !" 
 
 " That will not do, sir. Will you swear that you 
 dor 
 
 " I do not come here to be made a fool of!" 
 
 "■ Nor I either, sir ; I require you to answer yes or 
 no. Will you undertake to swear that you know a 
 cod-fish when you see it V 
 
 " I will, sir." 
 
 Here Barkins rose and struck the table with his fist 
 a blow that nearly split it, and, turning to me, said, — 
 
 "Ask him ...." 
 
 " Silence, sir !" I again vociferated. " Let there 
 be no mistake," I continued. " I will repeat the 
 question. Do you undertake to swear that you know 
 a cod-fish when you see it ?" 
 
 " I do, sir, as well as I know my own name when I 
 see it." 
 
 " Then, sir, how many fins has a cod, at a word V 
 
 Here the blow was given, not on the deal slab of 
 the table, but on my back, with such force as to throw 
 me forward on my two hands. 
 
 "Ay, floor him!*' said Barkins, "let him answer 
 that question ! The lawyer lias you there ! How 
 many fins has a cod, at a word, you old sculpin ?" 
 
 " I can answer you that without hesitation." 
 
 " How many, then ?" 
 
 " Let me see — three on the back, and two on the
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 39 
 
 belly, that's five ; two on the nape, that"'s seven ; and 
 two on the shoulder, tliat''s nine. Nine, sir !" 
 
 " Missed it, by Gosh !" said Barkins. " Didn't I 
 tell you so I I knew he couldn't answer it. And yet 
 that fellow has the impudence to call himself a fisher- 
 man !" 
 
 Here I requested the Court to interfere, and compel 
 ray unfortunate and excited client to be silent. 
 
 " Is there not a small fin beside T' I said, "between 
 the under jaw and the throat V 
 " I believe there is." 
 
 " You believe ! Then, sir, it seems you are in 
 doubt, and that you do not know a cod-fish when you 
 see it. You may go; I will not ask you another 
 question. Go, sir ! but let me advise you to be more 
 careful in your answers for the future." 
 
 There was a universal shout of laughter in the 
 Court, and Barkins availed himself of the momentary 
 noise to slip his hand under the table and grip me by 
 the thigh, so as nearly to sever the flesh from the 
 bone. 
 
 " Bless your soul, my stout fresh-water fish !" he 
 said ; " you have gained the case, after all ! Didn't I 
 tell you he couldn't answer that question ? It's a great 
 great catch, isn't it ?" 
 
 The plaintiffs had wholly failed in their proof. In- 
 stead of contenting themselves with showing the voy- 
 age and their services, from which the law would have 
 presumed an assumpsit to pay wages according to the
 
 40 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 ordinary course of business, and leaving the defendant 
 to prove that the agreement was a special one, they 
 attempted to prove too nmch, by establishing a nega- 
 tive ; and, in doing so, made out a sufficient defence 
 for Barkins. Knowing how much depended upon the 
 last address to the jury, when the judge was incompe- 
 tent to direct or control their decision, I closed on the 
 plaintift"s case, and called no witnesses. The jury were 
 informed by the judge, that, having now heard the 
 case on the part of the plaintiffs and also on the part 
 of the defendants, it was their duty to make up their 
 minds, and find a verdict for one or the other. After 
 tliis very able, intelligible, and impartial charge, the 
 jury were conducted to their room, and the greater 
 part of the audience adjourned to the neighbouring 
 tavern for refreshment. The judges then put on their 
 hats, for the air of the hall felt cold after the with- 
 drawal of so many persons, and the president asked me 
 to go and take a seat on the bench with them. 
 
 " That was a very happy tliought of yours, sir,"" he 
 remarked, " about the fins. 1 don^t think another 
 lawyer in the province but yourself knows how many 
 fins a cod has. A man who has travelled as nmch as 
 you have, has a great advantage. If you had never 
 been in Enirland, vou never would have learned that, 
 for you never would have crossed the banks of New- 
 foundland, and seen the great fishery there. IJut this 
 is dull work ; let us retreat into the adjoining room, 
 and have a smoke until the jury returns. They will
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 41- 
 
 ."aoon be back, and I think I may venture to say you 
 are sure of a verdict. You displayed great skill in that 
 matter of the fins." 
 
 Just as we were about retiring, our attention was 
 arrested by a great noise, occasioned by a constable 
 endeavouring to remove a turbulent and drunken fellow 
 from the court. The judge promptly interfered, fined 
 him five shillings for his contemptuous conduct, and 
 directed the prothonotary to lay it out in purchasing a 
 bottle of wine wherewith to drink the health of the 
 Stranger Lawyer. Having settled this little matter 
 to his satisfaction, he led the way to the anteroom, 
 where pipes were provided, and the officer soon ap- 
 peared with the wine and some glasses. Filling a 
 tumbler, the prothonotary apologized for not being able 
 to remain with us, and drank respectfully to the health 
 of the Court. 
 
 " Stop, sir !" said the judge ; " stop, sir ! Your 
 conduct is unpardonable ! I consider your behaviour a 
 great contempt in helping yourself first. I fine you 
 five shillings for your indecent haste, and request you 
 to pay it immediately in the shape of a bottle of brandy ; 
 for that wine," of which he took a tumbler full by way 
 of tasting, " is not fit for a gentleman to drink." 
 
 " A very forward fellow that prothonotary !" said 
 the legal dignitary, as the officer withdrew. 
 
 " Instead of being contented with being the clerk of 
 the court, he wants to be the master of it, and I find it 
 necessary to keep him in his place. Only think of his
 
 42 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 confounded impudence in presuming to lielp liimself 
 first ! He would drink the millpoud dry if it was wine, 
 and then compUiin it didn't hold enough ! For my 
 own part, I am obliged to be very abstemious now, as 
 I am subject to the gout. I never exceed two bottles 
 of late years, and I rectify the acidity of the wine by 
 taking a glass of clear brandy (which I call the naked 
 truth) between every two of Madeira. Ah, here is the 
 brandy, lawyer ! Your very good health, sir — pray 
 help yourself; and, Mr. Prothonotary, liere's better 
 manners to you in future. Seniores priores, sir, that's 
 the rule." 
 
 Here the constable knocked at the door, and an- 
 nounced that the jury were in attendance. 
 
 " Don't rise, Mr. Sandford," said the judge ; " let 
 them wait : haste is not dignified. Help yourself, sir; 
 this is very good brandy. I always like to let them 
 appear to wait upon me, instead of their thinking I 
 wait upon them. What with the prothonotary tread- 
 ing on my toes and the jury on my heels, I have enough 
 to do to preserve the dignity of the court, I assure you. 
 But Temp us prwterlahetur est, as we used to say at 
 Cambridge, Massachusetts ; that is, John Adams, 
 senior, and our class, for I was contemporary with that 
 talented and distinguished — ahem — stingy rebel ! Help 
 yourself, sir. Come, I won't leave any of this aqua 
 vkw for that thirsty prothonotary. There, sir," he 
 said, smacking his lips with evident delight, " there is 
 the JinU and his /ine. Now let us go into court. But
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 43 
 
 give me your arm, sir, for I think I feel a sliglit t^yinge of 
 that abominable gout. A dreadful penalty that, that 
 Nature assesses on gentility. But not so fast, if you 
 please, sir! true dignity delights in otium, or leisure ; but 
 abhors negotium^ or hurry. Haste is the attribute of a 
 prothonotary, who writes, talks, and drinks as fast as he 
 can, but is very unbecoming the gravity and majesty of 
 the law. The gait of a judge should be slow, stately, and 
 solemn. But here we are, let us take our respective seats." 
 
 As soon as we made our appearance, the tumultuous 
 wave of the crowd rushed into the courthouse, and, 
 surging backward and forward, gradually settled down 
 to a level and tranquil surface. The panel was then 
 called over, and the verdict read aloud. It was for 
 the defendant. 
 
 Barkins was not so much elated as I had expected. 
 He appeared to have been prepared for any event. He 
 had had his gratification already. " Old Lillum was 
 floored," the " knowing one had been uonplushed," 
 and he was satisfied. He had a duty to perform, how- 
 ever, which he did with great pleasure, and I have no 
 doubt with great liberality. The jury were to be 
 " treated," for it was the custom of those days for the 
 winning party to testify his gratitude by copious liba- 
 tions of brandy and rum. As soon as the verdict was 
 recorded, he placed himself at their head, and led the 
 way to the tavern with as much gravity and order as 
 if he was conductins: a o-uard of honour. As soon as 
 they were all in the street, he turned about, and walking
 
 44^ THE OLD JUDfJE; OR, 
 
 backwards so as to face tlicm, and at the same time 
 not to interrupt tlieir progress to that mansion of bUss, 
 he said, 
 
 " A pretty fellow that Lilliim, ain^t he ? to swear 
 b(^ knew what a cod was, and yet couldn't tell how 
 many fins it had, at a word ! "SVho would have thought 
 tluit milksop of a lawyer would have done so well? He 
 actually scared mo when I first saw him ; for a feller 
 tliat smokes cigars instead of a pipe, drinks red ink 
 (port wine) instead of old Jamaiky, and has a pair of 
 hands as white as the belly of a flat fish, ain't worth 
 his pap, in a general way. Howsumdcver, it don't do 
 to hang a feller for his looks, after all, that's a fact ; 
 for that crittur is hke a sinoed cat, better nor he seems. 
 J3ut, come, let's liquor !" 
 
 I did not see him again till the evening, when he 
 came to congratulate me upon having done the hand- 
 somest thing, he said, as every body allowed, that 
 ever was done in Plymouth, — shown the greatest fish- 
 erman in it (in his own conceit) that he didn't know a 
 cod-fisli when he saw it. 
 
 '• It was a great catch that, lawyer," he continued, and 
 he raised me up in his arms and walked round the 
 room with me as if he were carrying a baby. " Don't 
 forget it, ' How many fins has a cod, at a word V Yaw 
 never need to want a half-pint of brandy while you 
 have that fact to bet upon !" 
 
 The next day I left Plymouth very early in the 
 morninir. When I descended to the door, I found both
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY, 45 
 
 Robins and Barkins there, and received a hearty and 
 cordial farewell fi-om both of tliem. The latter en- 
 treated me, if ever I came that way again, to favour 
 him with a visit, as he had some capital Jamaica forty 
 years old, and would be glad to instruct me in the 
 habits of fish and fishermen. 
 
 *' I will show you," he said, " how to make a shoal 
 of mackerel follow your vessel like a pack of dogs. I 
 can tell you how to make them rise from the bottom 
 of the sea in thousands, when common folks can't tell 
 there is one there, and then how to feed and coax 
 them away to the very spot you want to take them. 
 I will show you how to spear shad, and how .to strike 
 the fattest salmon that ever was, so that it will keep 
 to go to the East Indies ; and I'll larn you how to 
 smoke herrings without dryin' them hard, and tell 
 you the wood and the vegetables that give them the 
 highest flavour ; and even them cussed, dry, good-for- 
 nothing all-wives, Til teach you how to cure them so 
 you will say they are the most delicious fish you ever 
 tasted in all your life. I will, upon my soul ! And 
 now, before you go, I want you to do me a good turn, 
 lawyer. Just take this little silver flask, my friend, 
 to remember old John Barkins by, when he is dead 
 and gone, and when people in these parts shall say 
 when you inquire after him, that they don"'t know such 
 a man as old John Barkins no more. It is a beautiful 
 article. I found it in the pocket of a captain of a Spa- 
 nish privateer that boarded my vessel, and that I hit
 
 46 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 over the head witli a handspike, so hard that ho never 
 knew what hurt him. It will just suit you, for it only 
 holds a thinible-full, and was made a purpose for fresh- 
 water fish, like Spaniards and lawyers. Good-by ! 
 God bless you, sir ! A fair wind and a short passage 
 
 to you !" 
 
 I had hardly left the door, before I heard my name 
 shouted after me. 
 
 " Mr. Sandford! — lawyer! lawyer...." 
 
 It was old Barkins. I anticipated his object ; I 
 knew it was his old theme, — 
 
 " Lawyer, don't forget the catch, ' How many fins 
 has a cod, at a word V "
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 47 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 ASKING A GOVERNOR TO DINE. 
 
 The arrival of an English steamer at Halifax, and 
 the landing of a Governor-general for Canada, have 
 formed an all-engrossing topic of conversation during 
 the past week at Illinoo. In the winter season, when 
 but few vessels enter the port, and during the period 
 that intervenes between seed-time and harvest, when 
 the operations of agriculture are wholly suspended, 
 politics are ably and amply discussed, and very sapient 
 conjectures formed as to the future, in those interest- 
 ins; and valuable normal schools for statesmen — the 
 debating societies, taverns, blacksmiths'* shops, tap- 
 rooms, and the sunny and sheltered corners of the 
 streets. Every one, however humble his station may 
 be, is uncommonly well-informed on affairs of state. 
 A man who can scarcely patch the tattered breeches 
 of a patriot, can mend with great facility and neatness 
 a constitution, and he who exhibits great awkward- 
 ness in measuring a few yards of riband manifests 
 astonishing skill in handling the measures of a govern- 
 ment. Indeed, provincials have a natural turn for
 
 46 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR. 
 
 political economy, as the (xermans and Italians have 
 for music ; and it is the principal source of amuse- 
 ment they possess. 
 
 If Lord John Russell were to spend an evenini; at 
 the puhlic room of the Exchange in this town, he 
 would find such topics as the corn-laws, free trade, 
 responsible government, and repeal of the union, dis- 
 posed of to his entire satisfaction, in a manner so lucid, 
 so logical and conclusive, that he could not fail to be 
 both astonished and edified. He would be convinced 
 that the Colonial Office should be removed from Down- 
 ing Street, London, to Shark Street, lilueberry Square, 
 Illinoo, where there are master minds capable of 
 directing, reconciling, and advancing the complicated 
 interests of a vast and populous empire. To such a 
 zealous statesman discussions of this kind would, no 
 doubt, be exceedingly interesting; but, as tliey are too 
 deep and difficult for my comprehension, I prefer listen- 
 ing to the graphic, though rather ascetic, " Sketches 
 of Life in a Colony," by my friend Barclay : — 
 
 Two such important and simultaneous arrivals, sir, 
 he said, as those of a steamer and a ijovernor, ahvavs 
 create "reat interest in this countrv — the one for won- 
 ders achieved, and the other tor wonders to be per- 
 formed. Indeed, they arc so identified one witii the 
 other, that the reception and farewell tiiey severally 
 receive are precisely simihir. The approach of both 
 is regarded with intense curiosity, and witnessed with 
 great anxiety by the whole population, on account of
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 49 
 
 the novelties they are expected to bring with them ; 
 and both the great ship and the great man depart, so 
 noiselessly and so quietly, as not even to disturb the 
 dulness of that drowsy town Halifax, for, alas ! their 
 sojourn here is a tale that is told. The formal land- 
 ing and final embarkation of a Governor present such 
 a singular contrast, that they are well worth de- 
 scribing. 
 
 As soon as it is known that this high functionary 
 is on board, all the little world of Halifax rush with 
 impetuous haste, like a torrent, into Water Street, 
 and from thence through a narrow passage like an 
 arched tunnel, down an abrupt declivity, to a long, 
 narrow, dingy, and unsafe wharf, the extremity of 
 which is covered (with the exception of a footpath of 
 about nine feet wide) by a low miserable shed, that is 
 dignified with the name of the " Customs"' Ware- 
 house." The whole of the surface of this danfferous 
 place is crowded to excess, by a mixed and motleyed 
 multitude of black and white of both sexes — porters, 
 truckmen, and cabmen, vociferouslv demand or enforce 
 a passage, while those on the outer edge, pressed to 
 the extremity of the docks, utter loud screams of 
 terror from the impending danger of instant death by 
 drowning. 
 
 Amid such a confused and movino- throng it is not 
 easy to distinguish individuals, but any one acquainted 
 with the town can see that the heathen who worship 
 the rising sun are there, and the Pharisees, who 
 
 VOL. I. D
 
 50 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 waiters on Providence, the restless and the discon- 
 tented, the liungry and needy place-hunters, and, above 
 all, the seekers for position — not a safe position on 
 the Quay, because, in such a crowd no place is safe — 
 but for an improved social position, whicli the coun- 
 tenance of the Governor is expected to confer. This 
 holiday is claimed and enjoyed by the people and 
 their leaders. There is no place allotted for persons 
 of another class, and, if there were, they would soon 
 be compelled to leave it by the intolerable " pressure 
 from without," Many an anxious face is now illu- 
 mined by expectations of better times ; for hope, like 
 the Scottish fir, takes root and flourishes in a cold and 
 sterile soil, that refuses nutriment to anything less 
 vivacious. Far above the heads of the gaping nmlti- 
 tude rises the huge Leviathan, the steamer, equally 
 crowded with the wharf with strange-looking people, 
 habited in still stranger-looking foreign costumes, 
 staring with listless indillerence at the idle curiosity 
 of the idle mob beneath. The descent from the deck, 
 which is effected by a few almost perpendicular planks, 
 without railing, hand-rope, or any security whatever, 
 like the descent to the grave, is common to all, from 
 the viceroy, with his gay and numerous staff", to the 
 stoker with his sooty and cumbrous .-sack of coals, who, 
 reversing the order of things, imparts more than he 
 receives. 
 
 The thunder of artillery from the citadel and the 
 flag-ship of the Admiral announce to the world the
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 51 
 
 important event that the Governor has now landed ; 
 and the national anthem from the band of the guard 
 of honour, and the cheers of the free and enlightened 
 citizens of Halifax, are the first strains of welcome 
 that salute his ear. On his way to the palace he 
 stops for a few moments at the " Province Building,'' 
 where, among the fashion, beauty, and gentry of the 
 town, and surrounded by the executive councillors, he 
 takes the usual oaths of office, and assumes the reins 
 of Government. Leo-islative and civic bodies now 
 present to him addresses, expressive of their heartfelt 
 gratitude to their most gracious Sovereign for having 
 selected, as a particular mark of favour to themselves, 
 such a distinguished man to rule over them, which 
 they cannot but attribute to their own unquenchable 
 and unquestionable loyalty, and to the kind and good 
 feeling they ever exhibited to his predecessors. They 
 do not forget to remind him that they have always 
 felt as affectionately as they have expressed them- 
 selves decorously towards every Governor of this pro- 
 vince, none of whom they have ever placed in a 
 position of difficulty, or deserted when they found him 
 so situated ; and conclude with an offer of their cordial 
 and strenuous support. 
 
 The Governor, on his part, a gentleman by birth 
 and education, is much affected with this flattering 
 reference to himself, and the kind and generous greet- 
 ing with which he has been received. He naturally 
 supposes that such respectable looking people mean 
 
 d2
 
 52 Tin: c)[,n judge ; ok, 
 
 what they say; and as they have, with a tk'Hcac) 
 al)ovo all jiraise, made no mention of any difference of 
 opinion among themselves, he augurs well of his suc- 
 cess among a united population, whose leaders express 
 themselves so well and feel so warmly. Touched by 
 a behaviour that appeals directl}- to his heart, and 
 unwilling to be outdone in such magnanimous conduct, 
 he assures them that it will be his pleasure, as it is 
 his duty, to co-operate with tluin in any measure that 
 has for its object the benefit of the province; and that 
 they may confidently rely upon his untiring efforts to 
 develop the vast resources, both mineral and agricul- 
 tural, of this interesting and beautiful appendage of 
 the IJritish Empire. 
 
 As soon as these ceremonies are terminated, imme- 
 diate reference is made by some of his new and sincere 
 friends to the army list or peerage books for the pur- 
 pose of ascertaining his services or his pedigree, but 
 never, I am happy to say, for the credit of our popu- 
 lation, for discoverinsr some blot in his escutcheon, or 
 some failure in his conduct wherewith to vilify or 
 abuse him hereafter ; for such is the resource only of 
 low and iirnoble minds. But, alas ! colonial addresses 
 are commonly l»ut unmeaning compliments, and the 
 promises of support they contain are always accom- 
 panied by a mental reservation that a valuable equiva- 
 lent is to be rendered in return. As soon as he finds 
 it necessary to call for the fulfilment of this voluntary 
 enga"-ement, he finds to his astonishment that this 
 
 '&"o^
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 53 
 
 harmonious and happy people are divided into two 
 parties, Conservatives and great Liberals. What that 
 term Conservatism means, I do not exactly know ; 
 and it is said that in England Sir Robert Peel is the 
 only man that does. But in a colony it would puzzle 
 that wily and cameleon-like politician even to conjec- 
 ture its signification. I take it, however, to be an 
 abandonment of all principle, and the substitution of 
 expediency in its place ; a relinquishment of any 
 political creed, and the adoption of a sliding-scale 
 whereby tenets rise or fall according to popular pulsa- 
 tion. Great Liberalism, on the other hand, is better 
 understood, for it is as ancient as a republic. It rests 
 in theory on universal suffrage and equal rights ; but 
 in practice exhibits the exclusion and tyranny of a 
 majority. 
 
 The real objects of these two amiable and attractive 
 parties are so well masked under high-sounding words 
 and specious professions, that the limited period of 
 gubernatorial rule is generally half expired before a 
 stranger understands them. When, at last, he at- 
 tempts to reconcile these conflicting factions, and to 
 form a mixed government, that shall combine all the 
 great interests of the country, the Conservatives in- 
 form him, in very moderate and temperate language, 
 and with nmch complacency, that they are both able 
 and willing to govern the province themselves, the 
 prosperity of which has been greatly advanced by their 
 sound and judicious policy. Thev admit that they
 
 S-i THE OLD JLDGE; OR, 
 
 have confoiTod several important appointnient.s of late 
 upon their own relatives, but entreat him to believe 
 that afllnity never entered into their consideration; for, 
 as they are the best qualified themselves to form an 
 administration, so are their connexions the most suit- 
 able for public offices. At the same time, they pro- 
 claim their extreme anxietv to earn' out his views, 
 and promote the peace and harmony of the country ; 
 and, as a proof of the great sacrifice they are ■willing 
 to make, otter to him a resignation of one seat at the 
 council board, which is attended with great labour and 
 unaccompanied by any remuneration, and also one 
 legal appointment, to which the large salary of eighty 
 pounds sterling a-year is attached. 
 
 The Great Liberals, on the other h.and, with a vast 
 display of learning (for they have some distinguished 
 jurists among them), treat him to a long dissertation 
 on the Jh'itish Constitution, the principles of which 
 they have derived, Avith infinite industry and research, 
 from the notes of an American edition of " IMack- 
 stone'^s Commentaries," and inform liim that they are 
 ready to take office, if he will turn out all the present 
 incumbents for their benefit, or create an equal number 
 of situations (tf equivalent value, to support them 
 while thus engaged in their disinterested labours for 
 the public good. They frankly state to him tliat work 
 HMpiires food, that they are sturdy men and have a 
 orood appetite, and, moreover, tliat bread and honey 
 will not a])pea.se their hunger, lie therefore finds
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 55 
 
 himself, to his amazement, in what the Americans 
 with some humour, but more elegance, call "'a con- 
 siderable fix." 
 
 But this is a painful subject, and I will not pursue 
 it, for I have nothing in common with either Conser- 
 vatism or Great Liberalism, which I believe to be mere 
 modifications of the same thin"-. I have done with 
 politics long since. When I did think or talk of them, 
 1 belonged to a party now nearly extinct in these 
 colonies — the good old Tory party, the best, the truest, 
 the most attached and loyal subjects her ]\Iajesty ever 
 had, or ever will have, in North America. There are 
 only a few of them now surviving, and they are old 
 and infirm men, with shattered constitutions and bro- 
 ken hearts. They have ceased to recruit, or even to 
 muster for several years ; for who would enlist in a 
 body that was doomed to inevitable martyrdom, amid 
 the indifference of their friends and the derision of 
 their enemies 1 Hunted and persecuted by rebels and 
 agitators, they were shamefully abandoned to their 
 cruel fate by those for whom they had fought and 
 bled, and whole hecatombs of them were at different 
 times offered up as a sacrifice to appease the sangui- 
 nary wrath of the infidel deities of sedition. Of late, 
 they have enjoyed comparative repose, for they have 
 neither influence nor numbers now to render them 
 objects of proscription or insult. Let us, however, 
 throw a mantle over these disgusting ulcers in the 
 body politic, and amuse ourselves by shooting Folly as
 
 56 TUE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 it flies. Let us pass over the intervening space of the 
 Governor''s rule. I liave described to you liis landing; 
 we will now proceed to the wharf again, witness his 
 embarkation for Iiis native land, and mark the agree- 
 able change. 
 
 The steamer has arrived from Boston en route for 
 England. She has no passengers for Halifax ; and a 
 few bagmen and a subaltern or two, whom nobody 
 knows, are the only persons to be taken on board. The 
 rabble are not there, the Governor''s patronage has been 
 small, and he has not been able to find offices for every 
 applicant. The naked have not all been clothed, and 
 many of the hungry have been sent empty awa3\ They 
 have seen him continually ; he is no longer a novelty ; 
 his day is past, his power is gone, and they have now 
 nothing to hope or receive from his bounty, and nothing 
 to fear or endure from his disapprobation. Groups of 
 gentlemen and ladies, gay carriages containing many a 
 familiar face, heads of departments, and the respect- 
 able part of the comnnniity (manj^ of whom are per- 
 sonal friends, and warndy attached to him), occupy 
 the wharf, which now appears to afford sufficient space 
 for the purpose. Instead of the noisy and vulgar 
 cheer with which he was received, the tremulous voice, 
 the starting tear, the silent but eloquent pressure of 
 the hand, convince him that, if he has not received all 
 the support that was so spontaneously and insincerely 
 oftVred to him, ho has secured more of affection and 
 regard than he could have expected in so sliort a time;
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. o7 
 
 and that his houest endeavours to benefit the country 
 have been duly appreciated by all those whose good 
 opinion is worth having. 
 
 Such is the usual course of events here ; but some- 
 times the same idle and turbulent crowd attend a 
 Governor at his embarkation that honoured his arrival, 
 and when that is the case, and they form his exclusive 
 escort, he has good grounds for self-examination, and 
 he may, with propriety, ask himself what he has done 
 to deserve such a deo-radation. 
 
 Considering a Governor, apart from his political 
 opinions, as the head of society at Halifax, it is 
 amusing to hear the inquiries and conjectures a8 to 
 the probable manner in which he will receive his 
 guests, or whether he will contract or enlarge the 
 circle of people to be admitted at the palace. There 
 is no little anxiety among the mammas, to know 
 whether he is married or single, and Avho the persons 
 are that compose his staff. The young ladies are not 
 less interested in ascertaining whether he is likely to 
 enliven the tedium of winter by giving balls, for, on 
 this important subject, the practice has not been uni- 
 form. 
 
 Tradition has preserved, and affection has che- 
 rished, the memory of dear old Governor Lawrance, 
 who lost his life in the service of the fair sex, by over- 
 exertion in attempting to fulfil a vow to dance with 
 every young lady in the room. For this voluntary 
 martyrdom, he has been very properly canonized, and 
 
 d5
 
 58 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 .St. Lawrence is now universally cont-itlcred as the 
 patron saint of all Nova Scotia assemblies. 
 
 Among another class, there is an equally important 
 inquiry: \\'ill he dine out ? On this point also, as on 
 the other, there are many conflict ing precedents, from 
 Governor Parr, who preferred dining anywhere to 
 being at home, to his Excellency Governor /?n-par, 
 who, in my opinion, very properly dined nowhere but 
 at home. As the distributor of rank and patronage, 
 and the arbiter of fashion, the course to be adopted 
 bv one who is to adjninister the affairs of the country 
 for five years is a matter of great importance to people 
 who are desirous of acquiring a position in society; 
 for, until recently, any person whom a Governor coun- 
 tenanced by accepting his invitation, became thereby 
 a sort of honorary member of the higher class. 
 
 My attention was first directed to this peculiarity 
 many years ago, in tho time of Sir Hercules Sampson. 
 A merchant of the name of Channing, who had begun 
 life with a small property, which, by great industry, 
 and a long course of upright and honourable dealing, 
 he had increased into a large fortune, was very anxious 
 that the Governor should impress the Tower mark of 
 his approbation upon himself and his silver by dining 
 with him. He had looked forward to this period with 
 much anxiety for many years, and had built a large 
 and commodious house, which ho filled with rich and 
 expensive furniture. Upon the arrival of Sir Her- 
 cules, he waited upon him with slow and liositating
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 59 
 
 steps, and, according to the usual etiquette, solicited 
 the honour of his dining with him, and naming a time 
 for that purpose. The Governor, who was a conside- 
 rate, kind-hearted, affable old man, readily acceded to 
 his wishes, and proposed that day week for conferring 
 happiness upon him. 
 
 Channing returned, with a lighter heart and quicker 
 pace, to communicate the overpowering news to his 
 agitated wife. They were an affectionate and domestic 
 couple, and had always lived in perfect seclusion. 
 Great were the fears and many the conferences that 
 preceded this eventful day. Poor Mrs. Channing was 
 lost in a sea of doubts and perplexities. None of her 
 acquaintances were better instructed on these matters 
 than herself, for they were all in the same class of life, 
 and equally ignorant of what she desired to be in- 
 formed ; wheu, by great good fortune, she discovered 
 an able counsellor and valuable assistant, well versed 
 in all the forms and usages of the royal party, in the 
 butler of a former viceroy. 
 
 It was an anxious and trying week, and the longest, 
 in her apprehension, she had ever passed ; but weeks 
 and months, as well as years, come to an end at last, 
 and the long-expected and dreaded day had now 
 arrived. Chairs were uncovered, curtains unfolded, 
 grates polished, and all the finery and bijouterie of 
 the house displayed to the greatest advantage. Every 
 contingency had been provided for; every order given. 
 repeated, and reiterated, and her own toilet completed ;
 
 60 • THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 when, fatigued, exhausted, and alarmed, she descended 
 to the drawing-room, and awaited with her husband 
 the awful announcement of her distin^ruished ijueats. 
 The hands of the clock appeared to be stationary. It 
 was evidently going, but they did not seem to advance. 
 The arrival of myself and several others, at the same 
 time, was a great relief to her mind, as it diverted 
 her thouirhts from her harassing anxieties. At last, 
 heavy and long-continued knocks, like the rub-a-dub- 
 of a drum, that made the side of the house vibrate, 
 announced the approach of the Government-house 
 party. 
 
 In those days the magnetic telegraph of the door- 
 bell had not been introduced into the country, and it 
 is subject of great regret to all reflecting minds that 
 it ever has been imported. It is one of those refine- 
 ments that have debilitated the tone of our nerves, 
 and, by depriving them of exercise, rendered them so 
 delicate, that they are excited and shocked by the 
 least noise. Nor is the language it speaks by any 
 means so intelligible as that which is uttered by that 
 polished, deep-toned, ornamental appendage of the 
 hall-door, the jrood old brass knocker. At the same 
 time that that intelligent watchman gave notice of an 
 application for admission, it designated the quality 
 and sometimes the errand of the visitor, A timid, 
 sinMe beat bespoke the beggar, whose impatience was 
 very humanely allowed to cool while he was studying 
 tlic form of his petition. A stout, bold, single blow
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. • 61 
 
 announced a footman, who was immediately admitted 
 for the nmtual privilege of an interesting gossip. An 
 awkward, feeble double knock was proof positive that 
 a poor relation or shabby acquaintance was there ; and 
 a slow and reluctant attendance operated as a useful 
 hint to wear better clothes, or carry a heavier purse 
 in future. But there was no mistaking the sledge- 
 hammer blows that made the door tremble for its 
 panels, as it did at present. They had a voice of 
 authority, a sort of bear-a-hand command, as sailors 
 call it ; their tones were those of fashion, rank, and 
 dio-nity. They were well understood, from the mis- 
 tress, who fidgeted uneasily on the sofa in the drawing- 
 room, to the lady's-maid, who flew from the servants' 
 snuggery with the lightness and fleetness of a fairy to 
 receive the Governor's lady and daughter, and ascer- 
 tain with her own eyes whether these divinities were 
 decorated with ermine and diamonds, or only cat and 
 paste, as she had heard it whispered, with a con- 
 temptuous sneer, by her confidant at the Admiralty- 
 house. 
 
 At last, the door flew open with such impatient 
 haste as nearly to demolish a gouty foot that had pro- 
 truded itself with careless ease within its fearful reach, 
 and the servant announced Sir Hercules and Lady 
 Sampson, Miss Sampson, Lord Edward Dummkopf 
 and the Honourable Mr. Trotz (the two aides-de- 
 camp), and Captain Howard (the military secretary). 
 It was a large and formidable party from one house ;
 
 62 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 aiul the clatter of swords, and jingle of spurs, and the 
 glitter of gold lace and epaulettes, and the glare of 
 scarlet cloth and blaze of jewellery, was quite over- 
 powering to the timid and unaccustomed senses of 
 poor Mrs. Channing. 
 
 The Governor was a tall, gaunt, iron-framed man, 
 with an erect and military bearing, that appeared to 
 increase a stature naturally disproportioned. His head 
 was bald ; the hand of Time, or of the Philistine 
 woman his wife, having removed his hair, which gave 
 a more striking appearance to an enormous nose that 
 disfigured a face which would otherwise have been 
 called handsome. His manner was kind without con- 
 descension, and his conversation agreeable without 
 humbug. Lady Sampson, had she not inherited a 
 large fortune, might have been supposed to have been 
 selected by her husband on that principle that so 
 many men appear to make choice of their wives, 
 namely, for being the very opposite of what they are 
 themselves. She was a short, but uncommonly stout 
 person — unwieldy, perhaps, would be a more appro- 
 priate term, and very vulgar. Her dress was a curi- 
 ous and rather complicated mass of striking contrasts, 
 which, notwithstanding her size, awakened the idea of 
 an enormous salmon-fly. " Kich and rare were the 
 gems she wore," and from their dimensions, iu excel- 
 lent keeping with the circumference of her huge arms 
 and neck. Her charms had been duly appreciated by 
 her discerning husband when on duty with his regi-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 63 
 
 ment at Birmingham; and her heart was besieged 
 with such mihtary skill and ardour, that she soon 
 surrendered herself and her treasure at discretion to 
 the conquering hero. 
 
 Miss Sampson was an only child. Her glass, and 
 the admiration of her friends, convinced her she was 
 handsome ; her mother had informed her of her large 
 fortune, and she saw the station, and knew the high 
 reputation of her father. Unlike him, she was well 
 proportioned ; and, unlike her mother, she was 
 graceful. Her complexion, which once boasted of the 
 pure red and white of England, had slightly suftered 
 from the climate of the West Indies ; the colour, like 
 that of a portrait of Sir Joshua Reynolds, being some- 
 what impaired. Young and beautiful, it is not to be 
 wondered at if she exhibited a little of the pride and 
 haughtiness of a belle. She lisped a little, either 
 naturally or aftectedly, and " danthed only with her 
 own thett," or with a few officers of good family be- 
 longing to the " thixty-thixth" regiment, whom she 
 condescended to honour with her hand. Still, though 
 she talked more, perhaps, than was agreeable to colo- 
 nial ears of her " own thett," it was evident she con- 
 sidered herself among them, but not of them ; for, 
 notwithstanding the rank of the gentlemen on her 
 father"'s staff was superior to his own, which was 
 merely local, she would sometimes speak of the aides 
 with a slight curl of her pretty lip as "our daily bread." 
 
 Lord Edward Dummkopf was decidedly the hand-
 
 Gt THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 soiiicst man in lliilii'ax; which, considering that it 
 contains a rcniarkalily good-hx)king popuhition of 
 25,000 inhahitants, throe regiments, and the olli- 
 cers of several men-of-war, is bestowing no small 
 praise upon him. He was tall, rather slight, 
 graceful, remarkably well got up, and had an air 
 of fashion and elegance about him, which is alone 
 acquired in that high and polished society of which 
 lie was such a distiniruished member. He had a 
 beautiful head of hair, the value of which was evi- 
 dently well appreciated by the care bestowed upon it ; 
 also a moustache and an imperial of the most approved 
 form and unexceptionable colour. His pale complexion 
 gave the idea of a poetical turn of mind. His fore- 
 head was high, though rather narrow, and slightly 
 receding ; the oval of his face was well defined, but 
 the centre was somewhat concave, which, to a critic, 
 perhaps, would suggest the idea of the inside of a 
 spoon. It did not, however, to a casual observer, im- 
 pair its general beauty, which was illuminated by eyes 
 so bright as to glisten, and ornamented with teeth of 
 unrivalled whiteness. AV'ith respect to his talents, a 
 physiognomist could bo at no loss ; for it waa evident 
 that the brilliancy of his eyes arose from their peculiar 
 texture, and not from that which usually produces 
 animation. But this secret was well concealed from 
 the world by his great reserve, for he was seldom 
 heard to utter anything beyond " How very good !" a 
 remark which every occurrence elicited. In one respect.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 65 
 
 he evinced a little humour, by adding the syllable 
 " bus" to words— as dogibus, horsibus, and catibus. 
 So distinguished a man could not fail to have imita- 
 tors ; and many a pretty young lady was heard to 
 speak of her pin-a-bus, thread-a-bus, and book-a-bus, 
 as Lord Edward says. Take him altogether, he was 
 without a rival for personal appearance, if we except 
 the exquisite drum-major of the before-named "thixty- 
 thixth" regiment, who divided the empire of hearts 
 with the aristocratic lieutenant ; the one leading cap- 
 tive the mammas and their daughters, and the other 
 their maids. On entering the room, he bowed conde- 
 scendingly, though somewhat formally, to ]\Irs. Chan- 
 ning ; the inclination of the body being from the hip- 
 joint like that of a wooden doll. 
 
 The Hon. ISIr, Trotz, on the contrary, was more 
 distinguished for a form that exhibited a singular com- 
 pound of strength and activity. He was the heau 
 ideal of a light infantryman. He was the boldest rider, 
 the best swimmer, the most expert pugilist and swords- 
 man, an irresistible billiard-player, and the best shot 
 in the garrison. His habits were temperate, which, 
 with continued and systematic exercise, enabled him to 
 be always ready, or on hand, as he called it, for any- 
 thing. He was a good economist, and understood how 
 to make the most of the small allowance of a younger 
 son. He sported the best-appointed tandem of any 
 man in the place, which he kept jointly with another 
 ofRcer, who paid more than his share of the expenses,
 
 66 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 in consideration of bciuc: relieved from the trouble of 
 usinij it. He had also a beautiful and very fast yacht, 
 which he sustained upon the same friendly and equi- 
 table terms. The Governor, perhaps, was not aware 
 how admirably well calculated he was to aid him in 
 conciliating the aftections of the people; for, in his 
 absence, he was very fond of informing: colouists, for 
 whom he liad a profound contempt, how much he was 
 interested in the Negroes and Indians of Nova Scotia, 
 who alone could boast of purity of blood, and were the 
 only gentlemen in it. He would inquire, with an in- 
 nocent air, when the province first ceased to be a penal 
 colony; and, when informed it had never been one, 
 would aftect great surprise, as he thought he could 
 trace the debasing effects of the system in the habits 
 and morals of the people. He was indignant at the local 
 rank of Honourable being conceded to people filling 
 certain public offices, whom he called honourable carri- 
 boos; and requested that that prefix might be omitted 
 in any written comnmnication to him, lest he might 
 be supposed to belong to such an ignoble herd, ^^'hen 
 he entered the room, he was evidently suffering from 
 cold, for he proceeded directly to the fire, turned his 
 back to it, and put his hands behind him to warm them. 
 It was an advantageous position, as it enabled him to 
 take a cool and leisurely survey of the company, and 
 to be seen to advantage himself. 
 
 Captain Howard, the military secretary, was a phi- 
 lanthropist, and a pious and zealous member of the Low
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 67 
 
 Church party. He was a distributor of tracts, and talked 
 very eloquently and learnedly of such books as " The 
 Drunkard's Grave," " The Sinner Saved," " The Peni- 
 tent Thief," " Prodigal Son," and " The Last Dying 
 Confessions of a Convict." He was a great enemy to 
 private balls and amusements, and to public assemblies 
 and theatres. The only pleasures to which he was in- 
 dulgent were the pleasures of the table, being a capital 
 judge of wine, of which he drank freely. He abhorred 
 beggars, whom he threatened to send to Bridewell, and 
 orthodox clergymen, whom he devoted to a worse place. 
 He disapproved of indiscriminate charity as encourag- 
 ing idleness, and preferred seeking out objects for his 
 benevolence to their obtruding themselves ; as it ena- 
 bled him, when he gave a sixpence, to accompany it 
 with that which was far more valuable, a long lecture. 
 
 Some of the party, following the example of his 
 Excellency, now took their seats ; but the Governor, 
 who had sat down on a small ottoman near Mrs.Chan- 
 ning, was restless and uneasy. At first, he drew him- 
 self a little further forward, and then removed as far 
 back as possible ; and, finally, rose up and turned to 
 ascertain the cause of the inconvenience he had expe- 
 rienced. He immediatelv exclaimed — 
 
 " Good God, I have killed this cat ! AVas there 
 ever anything so awkward or so shocking V 
 • Mrs. Channing said the cat was only worsted. 
 
 " Pardon me," he answered ; " I wish with all my 
 heart it was only worsted, for then there would be
 
 G8 TilE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 some hope of its recovery ; but it is as dead as Julius 
 Caesar !" 
 
 " I raised it myself, Sir Hercules !" she continued ; 
 "and...." 
 
 " Oh, if you raised it yourself, madam, it must have 
 been a pet!" he replied ; " and so much the worse for 
 me. I beg ten thousand pardons ! It is quite dread- 
 ful!" 
 
 Mrs. Channing explained again — " It is only a bad 
 piece of work, your Excellency, and 1...." 
 
 " A very bad piece of work, indeed !" said the in- 
 consolable offender. " IJut the truth is, my eyes have 
 never recovered the injury they received in Egypt." 
 
 " It will rise again, I assure you, Sir Hercules ! A 
 good shake...." 
 
 " Never ! never, my dear madam !" he persisted. 
 " Cat though it be, if it had fifty lives instead of nine, 
 it will never rise again !" 
 
 Here Lady Sampson came to the rescue. Taking 
 an enormous eye-glass set with brilliants out of her 
 bosom, she examined the defunct cat, and pronounced 
 it a most beautiful piece of rug-work ; and, on a nearer 
 inspection, exclaimed — 
 
 " But where did you get those beautiful eyes of 
 yours, my dear Mrs. Channiiig ? and those bright and 
 sharp claws? They are the most magnificent I ever 
 saw! I used to think my eyes and claws perfection, 
 but they are not to be compared to yours ! Where in 
 the worM <lid you jjet them ?"
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 69 
 
 " At Storr and Mortimer''s," replied the delighted 
 hostess, who had spent so much time and valuable 
 materials in this valuable employment. 
 
 Lady Sampson was an enthusiast in the art, and 
 pressed her friend to accept a pattern of a real Angola 
 cat, which she would send her in the morning. It had, 
 she said, a splendid tail, like that of a spaniel dog ; 
 and a bushy tail was, in her opinion, one of the most 
 beautiful things in the world. She then asked a lady 
 who sat near her if she was fond of rug-work ; but she 
 said she was sorry to confess her ignorance or awkward- 
 ness, for she had never raised but one cat, and that 
 she had killed in shaving. 
 
 " How very good I" said Lord Edward ; " only 
 think of shaving a little catibus !" 
 
 But Trotz, who never lost an opportunity of being 
 impertinent, asked her if it was the custom in this 
 country to shave cats ; and observed that it would be 
 a capital employment for the young monkeys of the 
 town, whom he had seen grimacing a few evenings ago 
 at a public assembly at the Masons' Hall. Lady 
 Sampson, whose perceptions were none of the quickest, 
 very gravely explained to him that shaving a cat was 
 a term of art, and meant the close and uniform shearinsf 
 of the irregular and protruding ends of the worsted. 
 
 The door now opened, and several persons (not ne- 
 cessary to enumerate or describe) were announced, 
 amonfj whom were the Bishop of the Isle of Sable, 
 recently arrived from England on his way to his diocese^
 
 70 TIIF, OM) JIDGE; OR, 
 
 and Colonel Percy, of the "tliixty-tliixtli," There was 
 nothing remarkable about the former. One bishop is 
 very like another bishop. Their dress is similar, and 
 their conversation generally embraces the same topics. 
 You hear a little too much of what they are pleased to 
 call church architecture, though why I could never 
 quite understand ; and you are somewhat fatigued with 
 prosy dissertations on towers, spires, transepts, galle- 
 ries, and buttresses. This, however, is a matter of taste, 
 and they have as good a right to select " church archi- 
 tecture" for their hobb}^ as a sportsman has his dog 
 and his gun. He was, however, a new one ; and it is 
 singular that these novi episcopi bear a still more 
 strikiuir resemblance to each other than the senior class 
 do. Besides the never-ending topic just mentioned, 
 which they have in common with all their brethren, 
 they have a great deal to say about themselves — a 
 subject no less interesting than the other. New dignity, 
 like a new coat, is awkward and inconvenient. It is 
 stiff and formal, and has not " a natural set." Time 
 takes off the vulirar ijloss of both, and directs your 
 attention from things that annoy yourself, and are apt 
 to excite remark in others. They have also (I mean, 
 colonial bishops) one grand object in view from tlie 
 moment of their landing in a colony ; and that is, the 
 erection of a cathedral so large as to contain all the 
 churchmen of the province, and so expensive as to 
 exhaust all the liberality of their friends ; and this 
 unfinished monument of ill-directed zeal they are sure
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 71 
 
 to place in a situation where it can be of no use 
 whatever. 
 
 His Lordship, Job Sable Island, as usual, had his 
 model, his plans, and his subscription-list ; and, as 
 usual, thouoh warned that no suitable foundation for 
 such a massive structure could be found on that enor- 
 mous accumulation of sand, was determined to persevere 
 and exhibit another melancholy instance of failure, to 
 warn the Christian public how careful they should be 
 into whose hands they entrust their donations. 
 
 This, as I have said, was a characteristic of his 
 order ; but there was one peculiarity that concerned 
 himself as a man, and entitled him to my warmest 
 sympathy. He had no doubt supposed, when he left 
 his native land, that all he would have to do in his 
 diocese would be to discharge the ordinary episcopal 
 duties, onerous as they might be, and responsible as 
 they undoubtedly are, but that there his labours 
 would end. To his astonishment, however, he had 
 not been ten days in Halifax before he found that he 
 would have everything to do. He discovered that 
 colonists, although natives of the country, and accus- 
 tomed to its climate, knew nothing of either. They 
 knew not how to build houses, or to warm or ventilate 
 them, to cultivate their fields, clear the forest, or even 
 how to manaofe their o^vn affairs. With a zeal that 
 did his head and heart great honour, he resolved not 
 to content himself with merely showing his people the 
 road to Heaven, but also how to make, use, and enjoy
 
 72 THE OLD Jll)(;i:; OR, 
 
 roads on earth, while permitted to remain there. But 
 there was one consolation to be drawn from his mis- 
 fortunes, and that was, that time would lessen his 
 labours ; for he who attempts to teach another that 
 which he does not know himself, cannot fail to acquire 
 some information in his endeavours to advance his 
 pupil. ^ 
 
 Colonel Percy, of the " thixty-thixth," just men- 
 tioned, was one of the most delightful men I ever met ; 
 
 ' A bishop for any of the North American provinces should 
 in all cases be selected from the colonial clergy, most of whom 
 are natives, and all of whom arc well educated ; while the great 
 majority, I am happy to say, are not only scholars and gentle- 
 men, but pious, laborious, and most exemjjlary men. These 
 persons, from their thorough knowledge of the state of the 
 country ; the habits, feelings, prejudices, and means of the 
 people ; the peculiar relation subsisting between the rector and 
 his parishioners, and the Church and Dissenters in this part of 
 the world ; the extent to which episcopal authority ought to, 
 or can be pushed with safety ; and many other things of no 
 less importance, are infinitely better qualified than any English 
 clergyman can possibly be (for this information can only be 
 acquired from long experience, and, after a certain periotl of 
 life, is very difficult to be attained at all). In other respects, 
 to say the least, they are quite equal to the episcopal specimens 
 we have been honoured with. I am quite aware that, in high 
 quarters, where a better feeling should exist, and wiiere it is 
 most important they should be better informed, it is heresy to 
 say colonial clergymen are not only qualified, but they are the 
 most suitable persons to fill the higher offices of their profes- 
 sion in their own country ; but magna est Veritas.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 7o 
 
 clieerfiil, humorous, filled with anecdote, well-informed 
 and well-bred, he was, in reality, what Miss Sampson 
 called him, a " hotht in himthelf." 
 
 The guests having now all arrived with the excep- 
 tion of Captain Jones of the Navy, Channing was in 
 great perplexity about ordering dinner. He would 
 like to wait for the gallant captain, but the Governor 
 was remarkable for his punctuality. What was to be 
 done ? He argued it over in his mind, for he never 
 did anything without a sufficient reason. Jones was 
 notoriously the most absent man in the service. He 
 was as likely to forget his invitation as to remember 
 it, and was sure to make some blunder about the hour; 
 and time, tide, and Governors wait for no man. 
 
 The dinner was ordered ; and, when the folding- 
 doors were opened, Channing, with a palpitating heart, 
 offered his arm to Lady Sampson, and conducted her 
 to her place, while his Excellency honoured his better 
 half in a similar manner. It was a moment of pride 
 and pleasure to them both. They had attained a long- 
 cherished object of ambition. They had " asked a 
 Governor to dine," and had thereby taken another 
 and higher step in life. They were now people of " a 
 certain position." Channing asked the bishop to say 
 grace, but he had repeated that formulary so often for 
 " the squire" in Kent, when rector, that, now he was a 
 lord of a manor himself, he was unwilling to perform 
 the duty any longer, and bowed (or rather nodded, 
 for there is more palpable meaning in a nod than a 
 
 VOL. I. E
 
 74 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 bow) to Lis chaplain, who was but too happy to gratify 
 his excellent friend and patron. 
 
 The soup was capital, conversation became general, 
 and everything seemed to be going on remarkably 
 well ; but the hostess was dying with apprehension, 
 for a critical part of the entertainment had arrived, 
 the thouirhts of which had filled her with terror diirinor 
 the whole day. 
 
 At the period I am speaking of, no person could 
 venture to give a large dinner-party at Halifax (such 
 was the unskilfuluess of servants) without the assist- 
 ance of a professional cook, a black woman, whose 
 attendance it was necessary to secure before issuing 
 cards of invitation. Channinij had not forfjotten to 
 take this wise precaution ; but the artiste had pre- 
 pared some side-dishes, of which, though she knew the 
 component parts, she did not know the name. By the 
 aid of a Housewife & Manuel, Mrs. Clianning judged 
 them to be " Cotelettes a I'ltaliennc," " Chartreuse 
 d'un Salpi^'on de Volaille," " Boudins a la Richelieu," 
 " Quenelles de Vulaille," " Croquets," &c. &c. ; but 
 she was uncertain. They were too difficult to remem- 
 ber ; and, if remembered, unpronounceable. She was 
 afraid of huvin<; her knowlediie tested and her iirno- 
 ranee exposed by Trotz, wlio was noted for hi.s mali- 
 cious impertinence. Fortune, however, favoured her, 
 and she owed her escape to the tact of a servant, wlio 
 found liimself in a situation of similar difficulty. The 
 first of these mysterious dishes that he presented to
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 7o 
 
 the troublesome aide, called forth the dreaded inquiry, 
 " What is the name of it V Equally ignorant with 
 the rest of the household, he affected not to hear the 
 question, withdrew the dish, passed on to the next 
 person, and never offered him another until he found 
 one he knew by name as well as by sight. The crisis 
 was now passed, the lady's fever instantly subsided, 
 and she breathed freer. At the mention of moose- 
 meat, Lord Edward, to the astonishment of every- 
 body, commenced a conversation himself, a thing al- 
 most unknown before. He asked the young lady who 
 had amused him so much by saying she had killed a 
 cat in shaving, what the plural of moose was. 
 
 " Mice," she replied, with great readiness. 
 
 " Miceibus !" he repeated. " How very good !" 
 and relapsed again into his usual taciturnity. 
 
 The two favourite wines at Halifax at that period 
 were champagne at, and Madeira after, dinner. Trotz 
 therefore, of course, voted them both vulgar, called 
 them kitchen wines, and, when pressed by the host to 
 take a glass with him, and asked which he would 
 take, — 
 
 *' Anything Mit champagne, sir," he said. 
 
 Channing was shocked ; he had imported it himself, 
 he had spared no expense, was a good judge of its 
 quality and flavour, and he could not understand how 
 it could be rejected with such evident disgust. He 
 prudently asked no questions, but smiled, bowed, and 
 talked to some one else. 
 
 e2
 
 76 THE OLD JL DOE ; OR, 
 
 Miss Sampson observed to the bishop that Trotz 
 was like a " thithle, he thcrathed tho thockingly !" 
 
 Which was honoured with the usual remark from 
 another person, " How very good !" 
 
 Captain Jones now made his appearance, and a very 
 odd one it certainly was. He was one of the most 
 eccentric men in the navy. In roughness of manner 
 and disregard of dress, he was of the old Eenbow 
 school ; in practical skill and science he was at the 
 head of the modern one. He was so dreadfully absent 
 that he unintentionally said and did the most awkward 
 things imaginable ; and the only redeeming point in 
 his absurd behaviour was, that it was entirely free 
 from affectation. He was dressed in an old shabby 
 frock-coat with a pair of tarnished epaulettes, his 
 hands bore testimony to their familiarity with the 
 ri2;2;infr, and he had not sul)mitted himself to a barber 
 for two days, at least. He took his seat near me, and 
 then for the first time appeared to be conscious that 
 he was late for dinner ; but he applied himself withcjut 
 loss of time to remedy the defect. The arrival of such 
 a man in such an attire naturally occasioned a pause, 
 by attracting everybody's attention to him. 
 
 " Pray," said Trotz (who sat nearly opposite to us) 
 to his neighbour, but loud enouirh to be distinctly 
 lieard, " who is that ohl quiz? Is he a colonist T"" 
 
 " Captain Jones, of H.M. ship Thunderer, sir ; very 
 much at your service !" said the sailor, with a very 
 unmistakable air and tone.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 77 
 
 Trotz quailed. It was evident that, though a good 
 shot, he preferred a target to au antagonist, and 
 wanted bottom. True courage is too noble a quality 
 to be associated with swaggering and insolent airs. 
 
 " How very good !" said Lord Edward. 
 
 " Very," said the charming Colonel ; " very good, 
 indeed ! He may be an oddity, but he is a fine manly 
 old fellow ; and your friend had better be cautious how 
 he wakes up that sleeping lion." 
 
 The Captain ate heartily, though rather incon- 
 veniently slow, which protracted the removals, and 
 kept us all waiting. It was a matter of business, and 
 he performed it in silence. Once, however, he looked 
 up, complained there was a draught in the room, and, 
 drawing a soiled black silk cap with a long pendent 
 tassel from his pocket, put it on his head, and resumed 
 his employment. Although Mrs. Channing was un- 
 acquainted with the names of many of her dishes, 
 there was one she rather prided herself upon — a pud- 
 ding, which, when the Governor declined, she pressed 
 upon his attention, saying, that she had made it her- 
 self. This was too good an opportunity for Trotz to 
 pass unnoticed ; he, therefore, begged Miss Sampson 
 to partake of it, as the hostess had made it with her 
 own hands : laying an emphasis on the latter words, 
 which produced, as he intended, an involuntary smile. 
 Channing saw and winced under the ridicule, although 
 he was unable to discover whether it was excited by 
 the pudding or his wife. To make matters worse,
 
 /8 THE OLD .ILDGE; OU, 
 
 Captain Jones, whose appetite was now satisfied, and 
 who had only heard the word pudding, to whidi he 
 had just been helped, added to their mortification by 
 one of his blundering remarks. He said that it was 
 capital, and that he had never tasted but one like it 
 before, and that was in Mexico. 
 
 " 1 went there," he said, " with the Admiral, to 
 settle some little difterence we had with the govern- 
 ment of that country, and the President asked us to 
 dine with him. What makes me recollect the pud- 
 ding is his wife made it herself. He had two beauti- 
 ful dauijliters : one about ei<rhtecn, and the other 
 twenty years of age, who were covered with jewels of 
 a size, brilliancy, and value far beyond anything I 
 ever saw in Europe. I asked him where madam his 
 wife was. ' To tell the truth,'' ho replied, 'she is in 
 the kitchen superintending the cookery for the din- 
 ner.^" 
 
 The Governor, with his usual tact and good-nature, 
 turned the conversation to another topic. He adverted 
 to his recent government in the West Indies, and was 
 speaking of some very unreasonable request of the 
 people, the refusal of which had made him very un- 
 popular at the tinii'. Jones, with his customary in- 
 tention, thought he was speaking of some one else, and 
 said : — 
 
 " Your friend was a devilish lucky fellow, then, 
 that they did not serve him as I once saw the Chinese 
 punish one of their gods. They had been praying to
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 79 
 
 him for rain for thirty days, and at the end of that 
 period, seeing no appearance of a shower, they sent 
 three of their mandarins to him and gave him a sound 
 drubbing. Indeed it is a wonder that they did not 
 Lynch him, as they did the Governor of Antigua in 
 1710. Colonel Park having rendered himself ex- 
 tremely obnoxious, the whole white population re- 
 belled, and, besieging his house, put him to death, 
 and killed and wounded thirty-six people whom he 
 had assembled for his defence."^ 
 
 " How very good I" said Lord Edward. 
 
 Jones, to whom this remark had been several times 
 applied, was somewhat in doubt as to its equivocal 
 meaning. He had already repressed the insolence of 
 one aide-de-camp, and was quite prepared to avenge 
 that of the other. 
 
 "Grad, sir," he replied, "you would not have 
 thought it is so very good if you had been there, I 
 can tell you, for they hung his staff also !" 
 
 1 The Governor, Ensign Lyndon, and thirteen or fourteen 
 soldiers, were killed on this occasion; and Captain Newel, 
 Lieutenant Worthington, and twenty-six soldiers, wounded; 
 besides a number of the Governor's friends, who were dread- 
 fully beaten and bruised. On the part of the assailants, Cap- 
 tain Piggot and thirty-two persons were killed or wounded. 
 In the thirty-sixth volume of the "Universal History" (part 
 INIodern), page 276, a full account is given of this atrocious 
 affair ; it is also to be found in Bryant Edwards's " History of 
 the West Indies." Not the least extraordinary part is, that no 
 one was punished for it.
 
 80 THE OLD JinoK; or, 
 
 Then turning to me, ho said, in an under tone, — 
 
 " Who is tliat gentleman opposite, who did me the 
 lionour to call me an old (|uiz, ihr I intend to have 
 the pleasure of making his acquaintance to-morrow V 
 
 " T-r-o-t-z," I said, spelling his name, so that the 
 familiar sound might not strike his ear. 
 
 " Trotz ! Trotz !" he slowly repeated ; " does he 
 enjoy the title of honourable ?" 
 
 On my answering in the affirmative, he remarked, — 
 
 " I know him ! he is a son of that old scoundrel, 
 Lord Shoreditch, who sold his party and his reputa- 
 tion for a peerage, and the contempt of all mankind ! 
 The reptile is beneath my notice !" 
 
 Here there was a pause. To use the expressive 
 language of the country, there was a thaw ; the 
 sleighing had gone, and we had stuck in the mud, 
 when an old servant of Channing's entered the dining- 
 room, and, holding the door in his hand, either con- 
 founded at the sight of such an unusual party, or 
 waiting to catch the eye of his mistress, hesitated 
 awhile, and then said, in a loud voice : — 
 
 " Bears has no tails, ma'am !" and very deliberately 
 retired. 
 
 There was somethiiifj so comical in this unconnected 
 and apparently useless piece of information that laugh- 
 ter was irresistible. As soon as any one could be 
 heard, Mrs. Channing, with more coolness and self- 
 possession than I had given her credit for, explained 
 that as all sleighs were covered with furs, and of late
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 81 
 
 decorated with the tails of foxes and other animals, 
 she had thought in her simplicity that bears' tails 
 would admirably contrast with the grey wolf-skins 
 with which her sleigh was clothed, and for that pur- 
 pose had sent the groom for a furrier to procure some, 
 which caused this communication that " bears has no 
 tails." Having extricated herself so well from this 
 awkward affair, she rose and retired, accompanied by 
 Lady Sampson and the rest of the fair sex. As soon 
 as we had resumed our seats, the Governor started as 
 a topic of conversation the great improvement that 
 had taken place of late years in the soldier's dress. 
 He spoke of the inconvenient practice of using soap 
 and flour on the hair ; of their absurd and useless 
 queues ; of their troublesome breeches and long gai- 
 ters, the care of which occupied the time and destroyed 
 the comfort of the men, all which he illustrated by 
 amusino; anecdotes of the olden time. 
 
 " I quite agree with you, sir," said Captain Jones ; 
 " but there is great room for improvement yet, espe- 
 cially in the dress of the medical men of the army. 
 What a monstrous absurdity it is to put these people 
 in the uniform of soldiers, who have no fighting what- 
 ever to do, and whose arms and accoutrements are 
 emblems of a service they never perform ! If it is 
 necessary for the sake of appearance that they should 
 be habited hke other officers, I would make their dress 
 subservient to the objects of their profession. For 
 instance, I would have the gold band that goes down 
 
 E 5
 
 82 THE OLD JUD(iE; OR, 
 
 the seam of their trousers to bo gilt strips of diachylon 
 plaster ; their spurs should contaiu lancets ; their 
 scabbard a case of instruments instead of a sword, the 
 handle of which should be a pliable syringe. I would 
 give them a sabertash, and fill it with splints and 
 bandages ; their sword-belt should be so constructed 
 as to be made useful as a tourniquet, and their sash as 
 a sling for a wounded arm. They might also have a 
 cartouche-box, filled with opiates, pills, and styptics ; 
 while the cushion of the epaulette might be composed 
 of blisters and strengthening plasters. They would 
 then be always ready for immediate service, and would 
 be provided on the spot for every emergency. I can- 
 not conceive anything more perfect than this arrange- 
 ment. With his library in his head, and his dispensary 
 in liis clothes, what more efficient man would there be 
 in the service than a military surgeon?" 
 
 This very droll suggestion put every one in good 
 humour, and was followed by some capital stories from 
 the Colonel ; until the Governor having passed the 
 wine (for he was the first that curtailed the period spent 
 over the bottle), Channing proposed that we should 
 join the ladies in the drawing-room. The dinner had 
 been a good one, though rather too abundant ; and tlie 
 cook had introduced some dishes of her own that were 
 new to the Crovernment House party, and occasioned 
 remarks that annoyed poor Channing excessively. 
 A mono: these was one containinir a number of small 
 baked pears, the long and slender stalks of which were
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 83 
 
 bent backward and extended the whole length of the 
 fruit. Lord Edward had asked permission to help Miss 
 Sampson to one of these baked mice, as he called them, 
 to which they certainly bore a very striking resem- 
 blance. 
 
 " Mithibus! Oh ! you! thocking! quithe!" was her 
 reply. 
 
 Notwithstanding this and other mortifications that 
 he had endured, Channing was, on the whole, elated 
 and pleased. He knew that a man who steps out of 
 his proper sphere in life must inevitably provoke ridi- 
 cule, and although good breeding may suppress it in 
 his presence, it cannot fail to find vent at his expense 
 aftei*wards. He remained behind in the dining-room 
 a few minutes. His property had been acquired by 
 care and economy, and could only be preserved by the 
 same means. He was now enabled to be liberal, but 
 liberality does not necessarily include extravagance ; 
 he therefore locked up the wine and the dessert, and 
 then followed his guests into the drawing-room. 
 
 Here the attention of the company was engrossed 
 by a beautiful and precocious little boy, the child of 
 his eldest daughter, who was then living at Bermuda 
 with her husband. The moment he saw his grand- 
 father (which word he had abbreviated into Danny), 
 he ran up to him, and claimed the reward of his good 
 behaviour. It was evident he had been drilled and 
 bribed into silence upon the subject of the defect in the 
 face of Sir Hercules, for he said —
 
 84 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 " Danny, give me the orange you promised me, for 
 I did not say the Governor had a great big nose." 
 
 Even the terror of his relatives and the politeness 
 of the company were overcome by the absurdity of this 
 remark. Every one laughed, and among the rest none 
 more heartily and good-naturedly than his excellency 
 himself. 
 
 " Come here, my little man," he said ; " it is a very 
 big nose, a very big nose, indeed : but it has had too 
 many jokes cracked upon it not to be able to bear 
 another from such a pretty little boy as you." 
 
 As the Governor advanced the little fellow receded, 
 until his progress was stopped by the comer of the 
 room. His terror now became insupportable, and he 
 called to his grandfather for assistance. 
 
 " Kick him, Danny !" shouted the child. " Throw a 
 stone at him, Danny ! Make the dog bite him, Danny !" 
 
 He then threw himself on the floor, and kicked, and 
 screamed most furiously, until he was canned out of 
 the room by the nurse. 
 
 " How very good !" said Lord Edward. 
 
 " Capital, by Jove !" said Trotz. 
 
 ]5ut Miss Sampson, knowing the unfortunate cause of 
 it all, thouirht " it wath thockino;." 
 
 Lady Sampson, who prided herself upon her sing- 
 ing (as every one does upon wliat they cannot do), 
 was now induced to take a seat at the piano and favour 
 the company with a song, which she executed, if not 
 to the delight of all present (for her voice was very
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 85 
 
 false), at least to her own entire satisfaction. I have often 
 observed, that most people, however pleased they may be 
 with themselves and their own personal appearance, pre- 
 fer to sing of beings and characters wholly different. A 
 pale, consumptive, diminutive-looking little man, de- 
 lights in the loud and rough song of a sailor or pirate, 
 that speaks of thunder, and forked lightning, and moun- 
 tain waves. A grenadier-soi-t of person idolizes little 
 Cupid, and wishes to be thought to resemble him. If 
 asked for a song, he begins — 
 
 I'm the Cupid of flowers — 
 
 A merry light thing ; 
 I'm lord of these bowers, 
 
 And rule like a king. 
 There is not a leaf 
 
 Ever thrilled with the smart 
 Of Love's pleasant grief, 
 
 But was shot through the heart. 
 By me — by me — little mischievous sprite, 
 Kindling a love-match is all my delight. 
 
 Stout and well-developed women warble of elfs, 
 sylphs, and beings of aerial lightness. 
 
 The Grovernor''s lady, under the influence of this in- 
 scrutable law, sang — 
 
 Thine ear I will enchant, 
 Or, like a, fairy., trip upon the green — 
 
 and one or two others of a like nature, and was loudly 
 applauded ; for a little gubernatorial circle at Halifax 
 has its courtiers and parasites as well as that of the 
 Tuileries or Buckingham Palace. After this magni-
 
 86 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 ficcnt display of taste aud talent, Miss Sampson fol- 
 lowed the iri*cat ouchantrcss. She would have liked 
 to have sun<^ Italian, as most young ladies do who 
 neither understand the language nor know the pronun- 
 ciation, for they very properly imagine they can give 
 a greater effect to it on that account, and, besides, there 
 is something beautifully mystical in the strains of an 
 unknown tongue ; but Lord Edward was a judge of 
 music, and always applauded her singing : she there- 
 fore appealed to him to select a song for her. 
 
 " Oh, tliat charming little songibus," he said, " you 
 sing so sweetly, so divinely. It begins, ' Sing me those 
 fjentle strains ajrain.' *" 
 
 Sweetly and divinely are strong but most agreeable 
 words when applied to one"'s voice. She was pleased, 
 and consoled for having given up the horrid Italian, 
 and beaan, " Thinsr me thothe scutle thtrains ajrain." 
 With the exception of the air of absurdity given to it 
 by lisping, she sung it tolerably well, for ladies gene- 
 rally do well when they are pleased. 
 
 " How very good V said his Lordship. " Tliank 
 you, thank you — it is exquisite ; but there is a beau- 
 tiful little sonsjibus called ' Sinir me those strains ai'ain."' 
 
 O o O 
 
 Would you favour us with that V 
 
 Miss Sampson looked at him to see what he meant, 
 but, alas, the unalterable face told no tales ! Cold, and 
 bright like moonliglit, it wore its usual calm and in- 
 teresting expression. Still it was very odd, she had 
 just sung it ; but then he always expressed liimself
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 87 
 
 oddly. Was he quizzing her, or was he really so 
 pleased as to desire to hear it repeated ? Sweet-tem- 
 pered young ladies, like Miss Sampson, generally adopt 
 that interpretation where they can that is most agree- 
 able to their wishes ; and she sung it over again in 
 her best manner, and with very good eflfect. 
 
 " How very good !" he said, approvingly ; " but, 
 ah, pray don't leave us yet ! It is quite refreshing to 
 hear such sounds. There is a little songibus 1 think 
 I heard you once sing ; it is a beautiftil thing." 
 
 " What is it ?" said the delighted fair one, looking up 
 at her o-allant and charming friend, and at the same time 
 executing a chromatic run on the piano, " What is itf 
 
 " Perhaps I can recollect it. It begins, ' Sing me 
 those gentle strains again.'" 
 
 Her eyes became suddenly dim, there was a total 
 eclipse of those beautiful orbs, and for a moment she 
 was in utter darkness, she was so near fainting. There 
 could be no mistake now, he had not heard a word of 
 it ; and was so completely absorbed in contemplating 
 himself in a large mirror, that he had even forgotten 
 the phrases of unmeaning compliment he had so me- 
 chanically used. Exerting herself to conceal her vexa- 
 tion, she rose and returned to her seat. This painful 
 disclosure of total indifference had dissolved in an in- 
 stant some little airy fabrics her imagination had been 
 rearing during the past year ; and what rendered it the 
 more provoking was, that the slight was offered in public, 
 and by one of her own " thett."
 
 88 THE OLD JIDHE ; OR, 
 
 The Bisliop, iiioanwliilc, had taken but little part 
 in the conversation. The topics were new to liini, and 
 he was thrown out. Now he made an effort to draw 
 it towards the subjects that filled his heart, namely, 
 himself and his projects. He described the agreeable 
 voyage he had made with Captain Jones from England, 
 extolled his kindness in offering to land him at the 
 Isle of Sable, and expressed his wonder that clergy- 
 men should in general be so unpopular with sailors. 
 
 " I will tell your Lordship," said the Captain. '" I 
 am inclined to think, although you are better informed 
 on these subjects than I am, that Jonah nmst have 
 been a very troublesome passenger before such good- 
 natured fellows as seamen would have handled him so 
 rouo-hly as to throw him overboard. But, talking of 
 the Isle of Sable, reminds me of what I ought to have 
 mentioned to your Lordship before, that we sail for 
 that charming little island — that Paradise of the (Julf 
 Stream, that scene of primitive innocence, to-night, at 
 eleven o'clock. If you will be on the King's Wharf 
 at half-past ten, sharp, with your traps, I will liave 
 some of my ' little lambs' there to attend you. I will 
 answer for their being tliere at tliat moment, for they 
 know I am the most punctual man in the world." 
 
 The Bishop was disconcerted. It was a short no- 
 tice — too short, indeed, to be at all agreeabh.' ; but 
 eccentricity knows no limits, and recognises no laws : 
 so, making the best of it, he departed with his friend, 
 who took his leave contrary to all colonial ctifpiette,
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 89 
 
 which restrains any one from retiring until the Gover- 
 nor sets the example. 
 
 "• What a very odd man Captain Jones is !" said 
 his Excellency. 
 
 "Very," replied the Colonel; "but, at the same 
 time, he is one of the most valuable officers in the 
 service, although I confess his indulgence to his men 
 is sometimes very perplexing to his friends. He is an 
 exact and rigid disciplinarian, but shows them every 
 kindness compatible with a strict observance of duty. 
 He calls them ' his lambs,"* and they are allowed to 
 come on shore in very large parties, and have got up 
 a very pretty quarrel with my fellows. Sometimes 
 the soldiers charge them, and drive them into their 
 boats, but oftener they have the best of it themselves ; 
 yet, in all cases, he complains that those dare-devils 
 (his lambs) have a hard time of it, and are ill used. 
 Eccentricity is often the accompaniment of great talent, 
 and that is the reason so many blockheads affect it. 
 His, however, is genuine, although he is not to be 
 compared, in that respect, with a gentleman of my 
 acquaintance in one of the adjoining provinces. I took 
 shelter from a thunder-shower one day in a country 
 inn, to which others had fled for the same purpose, 
 and, among the rest, one of the most eminent men of 
 the bar of the colony. Every one was tired and bored 
 to death by the continuance of the rain, but he was at 
 no loss for amusement. He made a small bow of 
 whalebone, and, procuring a large needle (which the
 
 90 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 landlady called a darnin2:-needle), for an arrow, he put 
 on a pair of spectacles, and coninieuced shooting mos- 
 quitoes, as they flew by or about him, to the great 
 danger and infinite annoyance of every one in the 
 house. I never saw a more eager sportsman, or one 
 more delighted when he made a good shot. His shouts 
 of laughter came from his very heart." 
 
 Here the conversation was enlivened by a very ab- 
 surd incident. Amons: the guests was a rou<rh old 
 Commissary-General, who was exceedingly deaf. A 
 merchant, a vulgar acquaintance of Channing, taking 
 pity on his infirmity, sat down beside him for the 
 puq)ose of talking to him. The old gentleman, taking 
 up his trumpet, asked his friend why his wife was not 
 of the party. 
 
 " One of ' our brats' is ill," replied the merchant. 
 
 " Then I know how to pity you," said the Comniis- 
 sarj'. " They are a great nuisance; I am plagued to 
 death with them, I have so many." 
 
 " It has the croup," answered the other, raising his 
 voice. 
 
 " A coop !" replied the deaf man ; " that is not a 
 bad idea, if you could only manage to coax them into 
 it, but I never could." 
 
 " They have nearly eat mo out of house and home." 
 
 " How shocking !" said the other, in great amaze- 
 ment. " Shocking, sir !" he continued, becoming ani- 
 mated with his subject : " there never was anything 
 like it in the world. But FU tell you how to get rid
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 91 
 
 of them quietly. Dou't use arsenic, because you might 
 poison yourself, but steep some bread in prussic acid, 
 and give them as much of that as they can eat, and 
 you will soon find a difference in your baker's and 
 butcher's bill, I can tell you." 
 
 "What in the world," asked the merchant, with un- 
 feigned astonishment, " are you talking of 2" 
 
 " Rats, to be sure," was the answer. 
 
 " And I was telling you," rejoined the other, slowly, 
 distinctly, and loudly, " that one of my children had 
 the croup." 
 
 The effect was electrical ; everybody was convulsed, 
 except the unruffled aide-de-camp, who contented 
 himself with merely observing — 
 
 " How very good !" 
 
 Here the Governor's sleighs were announced, which 
 was a signal for the breaking up of the party. The 
 play was now concluded, and the actors withdrew to 
 their homes ; but there was an afterpiece enacting 
 elsewhere, the humour of which was broader than 
 was aafreeable, either to the host or his quests. 
 
 Channing escorted his company to the hall, where 
 were deposited their cloaks and wrappings, but led the 
 Governor and his staff into his study, where they had 
 disrobed. The door, though shut, was not closed suf- 
 ficiently for the action of the lock, and, pushing it 
 open, he found to his amazement another "thett," 
 enjoying themselves infinitely more than that which 
 had been assembled in the drawing-room. The black
 
 92 THE OLD JUDGE J OR, 
 
 cook had belted on the Governor's sword, and decorated 
 her woolly head with his military hat and Tjlunies, 
 
 ^ (.'1 
 
 which she wore jauntingly and saucily on one side, 
 while three black, supernumerary servant-men, who 
 had been hired for the day, having mounted those of 
 the two aides and the military secretary, were dancing 
 a reel, with their arms akimbo, to the great amuse- 
 ment of a boy, who hummed a tune, in an undertone, 
 for them, and beat time with his fingers on the crown 
 of his master's hat. So wholly engrossed were they 
 with their agreeable pastime, that they did not imme- 
 diately notice our entrance. I shall never forget the 
 appearance of the cook when she first discovered us. 
 She stood instantly still in her dancing attitude, her 
 feet widely extended, and her fists resting on her hips, 
 as if suddenly petiifiiMl. Her eyes enlarged rapidly 
 in size, while all the colour fled from them, and they 
 assumed the appearance of two enormous pieces of 
 chalk. Her mouth, which was partly open, exhibited 
 a long transverse streak of ivory ; and the strong con- 
 trast of black and white in her face would have been 
 extremely ludicrous, had it not also been very fearful. 
 Her nostrils, liko those of an aftVighted horse, ex- 
 panded themselves to their utmost extent ; and respi- 
 ration and animation seemed wholly suspended, when 
 she suddenly sprang up from the floor, perpendicularly, 
 nearly two feet, and screamed out — 
 
 " Gor-ormighty ! de Gubbenor !" 
 
 Instantly the hats flew, with the rapidity of shuttle-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 93 
 
 cocks, on to the table, and the usurpers of the trap- 
 pings of royalty sought safety in immediate flight. 
 But the poor cook, in her hasty and discomfited re- 
 treat, forgot the sword, and, stumbling over it, pitched 
 forward, and struck with great violence against the 
 stomach of Trotz, whom she overthrew in her fall, 
 and rendered speechless from the weight of her body, 
 and nearly insensible from the concussion of his head 
 against the marble column that supported the mantel- 
 piece. A shout of laughter from every one present 
 followed this summerset, in which the voice of the 
 good-natured Governor was most conspicuous, for there 
 is but little use in having aides-de-camp living at 
 your expence, if you cannot occasionally enjoy a joke 
 at theirs. Even Lord Edward smiled at the ionoble 
 overthrow of his coadjutor, and said — 
 " How very good !" 
 
 Trotz was seriously injured, and, for awhile, unable 
 to recover his breath, and, of course, even to attempt 
 to rise, or to remove the superincumbent weight of the 
 unsavoury cook ; while the unfortunate and affrighted 
 woman, catching the contagion of the general laugh, 
 was seized with hysterics, and grinned horribly over 
 the prostrate Tartar, whom she had so unwillingly 
 made a captive. 
 
 The first intelligible ejaculation of Trotz was, that 
 he was poisoned ; and he called, with many oaths and 
 imprecations, for instant aid to preserve his life. This 
 only excited fresh merriment, and awakened anew the
 
 94 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 iilniost convulsive slirieks of tlio sable artiste, who, 
 meanwhile, refreshed her nearlv inanimate victim with 
 the balinv air of a breath redok'ut of jrin and raw 
 onions, with which she supported her stren<^h and 
 spirits on days of great exertion like the present. Poor 
 creature ! though deeply versed in tlic mysteries of 
 her art, she was not well read. Her knowledge was 
 derived from experience, and not from books ; and she 
 knew not that Swift had cautioned cooks — 
 
 " But lest your kissing should be spoil'd, 
 The onion must be throughly boil'd." 
 
 A blow on the ear from the unmanly fist of the 
 prostrate aide-de-camp operated like a draught of 
 water on spasmodic hiccup ; it cured her hysterics 
 immediatelv, and restored her to her senses. Raising 
 herself on her knees, which in her haste she planted 
 on his stomach, and again nearly endangered his life, 
 she arose and fled from the room. Trotz now managed 
 to get upon his feet, and, putting one liand to the back 
 of his head, made the aiireeable discovery of a lariie 
 contusion, and the other to his hip, was not less an- 
 noyed to find a rent of sufficient size to admit of a 
 far freer action of his limbs. The presence of the 
 Governor repressed the repetition of language that 
 had already shocked the religious ears of Chauning, 
 but ho rendered his indignation quite intelligible by 
 signs and low mutterings. After enveloping himself 
 in his cloak, he drew out a cambric handkerchief, and 
 placed it over his head, and then, taking up his hat,
 
 LIFE IN A COLOXV. 95 
 
 looked at it and shuddered (as a man labouring under 
 hydrophobia does at the sight of water), and arranged 
 it so that it should not contaminate his hair. As soon 
 as the Governor descended the steps and was out of 
 hearing, Trotz, before he left the hall, said aloud — 
 
 " Dummkopf, this is too bad ! If the Governor 
 chooses to perform a part in the vulgar farce of High 
 Life Below Stairs, to make himself popular, you may 
 attend him if you like, but I won't." 
 
 " How very good !" Avere the last words of the 
 party heard within the walls of the mansion that 
 night. 
 
 Channing, though he could not help laughing at the 
 absurd scene in the study, was hurt and mortified at 
 the occurrence. He felt that it mi^ht be told to his 
 disadvantage, and subject him to ridicule ; but he con- 
 soled himself with the reflection that it was one for 
 which he was not answerable, and might have hap- 
 pened any^N'here else. It was also a comfort to him 
 to think that Trotz was the only man injured by it, 
 and that it might be considered not an inapt retribu- 
 tion for his insolence. On the whole, he was gratified, 
 not at the occurrences of the day, but that the day 
 was over, and an important object gained, and a dis- 
 agreeable duty performed. He knew that he who 
 passes securely over the shoals and the alarming eddies 
 of a rapid and dangerous river, has more reason to 
 rejoice at his safety, than grieve over any little damao-e 
 his bark may have sustained.
 
 96 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 Ho therefore returned to the drawing-rooin with a 
 cheerful face. Both himself and hisj wife breathed 
 freer, Hke people relieved from the weight of an op- 
 pressive burden. Patting his wife affectionately on 
 her shoulder, he said — 
 
 "Well, Betsv, notwithstanding some blunders and 
 mistakes, I think it went off very well, on the whole, 
 as lawyer Reynard said, when he returned from the 
 funeral of his wife." Then, passing his arm round her 
 waist, he observed to me (whom he had requested to 
 remain) — 
 
 "Doesn't she look well to-night, Barclay? I never 
 
 saw her look better since the day we first " 
 
 " Don't talk foolishly, Channing !" said his partner, 
 diseno-ao-inc herself from his embrace, but looking well 
 pleased with the compliment (for ladies of a certain 
 ao-e never hear with indifference that time has dealt 
 leniently with their charms). " Don't talk foolishly! 
 I am afraid you have taken too nmch wine to-night !" 
 He then turned to me, and rubbing his hands, said — 
 " Well, Jiarclay, that is a very nice, sensible, affable 
 old man, the Governor. Is he not ^ What do you 
 think of Lord Edward Dunnnkopf f 
 
 " I think,'' I replied, " that there is an uncommon 
 affinity between liimself and his name. He belongs 
 to one of the oldest families in England. He is of 
 Saxon origin, and in the German language his name 
 sif'nifies Blockhead. There is no harm in him ; in- 
 deed, there is no harm in an empty room; but the air
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 97 
 
 is apt to be so uncomfortably cold, as to induce you to 
 withdraw from it as soon as possible/"' 
 
 *' But Trotz V he inquired. 
 
 " He," I remarked, " is probably descended from 
 some low retainer on the Dummkopf estate, for his 
 name is also Saxon, and signifies Insolence. In the 
 olden time, most names had a pertinent meaning, and 
 both these people seem to have inherited the qualities 
 to which they are indebted for their ancestral cog- 
 nomen." 
 
 " I quite agree with you," he said, " in your esti- 
 mate of them; and Sir Hercules, I fear, will add 
 another name to the long list of governors whose per- 
 sonal staff have rendered themselves and the Govern- 
 ment-house distasteful to the public. But come with 
 me to the study, and let us have a glass of whiskey- 
 punch and a cigar, for it is not often we have the plea- 
 sure of seeing you at Halifax." 
 
 When we were quietly ensconced in this snuggery, 
 he passed his hand slowly and strongly over his face, 
 as if to repress a feeling of pain, and said — 
 
 " My good friend, Barclay, pray do not let the 
 folly of this day lower me in your estimation. This 
 is no idle vanity of either myself or my wife. I am 
 contented with the sphere in life in which Providence 
 has placed me ; and am far happier in it than I ever 
 can be in one for which I am not qualified, either by 
 my talents or previous habits. But I have acquired 
 a large property, and have an only son, to whom, with 
 
 VOL. L F
 
 98 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 the blessiiifj of God, I intend to give as good an edu- 
 cation as this country can afford. I am anxious, there- 
 fore, to acquire a certain position for his sake, for 
 whicli I am wilhng to pay the penalty, the first painful 
 instalment of which you have seen produced to-day. 
 I am not such a blockhead as not to know that I am 
 unacquainted with the modes and usages of society, 
 and that I am, what some people have been so anxious 
 to inform me, a vulgar man. Ihit, thank God," he 
 said, rising from his chair, and standing with au erect 
 and proud bearing, " I have also the good sense to 
 know and to feel, that on this occasion, with the ex- 
 ception of the Governor himself, we have entertained 
 a far more vulgar party from Government-house than 
 ourselves." 
 
 " Spoken like yourself, my friend," I said ; " and 
 now for the punch and the cigars." 
 
 Alas ! poor Channing is since dead, and his son, 
 who inherited his fortune, inherited also his sound 
 good sense and excellent qualities. His father fulfilled 
 his intentions as to his education, and sent him to 
 King's College, Windsor, where, under the paternal 
 instructions of its excellent princijKil,' he was made 
 
 ' The gentleman here alluded to is the Rev. Dr. Porter, 
 who, during an exile of thirty years in this country, educated 
 nearly all the clergy of this and the adjoining colony of New 
 Brunswick, many of the judges, and most of the conspicuous 
 lawyers in both provinces, besides many others, who are filling 
 various offices of importance, here and elsewhere, with credit
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 99 
 
 • 
 
 a scholar and a gentleman. He is now one of the 
 greatest ornaments of the bar in the colony ; and, if 
 he think proper to do so, can " ask a governor to dine" 
 without occasioning a remark. 
 
 to themselves and advantage to the public. He is still living 
 near Exeter in his native land, to which he retired some few 
 years ago for the benefit of his health, carrying with him the 
 respect and esteem of a people upon whom he has conferred 
 the most incalculable benefit. Should these lines meet his eye, 
 he will recognise the hand of an old pupil, who hopes that this 
 unauthorized use of his name will find a palliation in the 
 affection and gratitude that inserted it. 
 
 F 2
 
 100 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE TOMBSTONES. 
 
 After divine service yesterday, wc sauntered about 
 the churchyard, examining the tablets erected by tlie 
 affection or vanity of the living, to perpetuate the 
 virtues or record the rank of the dead. In this stroll, 
 we were joined by Mr. Barclay. He is one of a 
 numerous class of persons in these colonies, who, though 
 warmly attached to British connexion, feel that tliey 
 are practically excluded from imperial employment and 
 the honours of the empire ; and that no service ren- 
 dered the Government in a province opens the door to 
 promotion out of it, or ensures due consideration within 
 it, in any department not entirely local in its object 
 and manasemont. A brother of his, an officer of dis- 
 tinguished merit, who, by accident, had been enabled 
 to enter the naval service in his youth, had recently 
 died a lieutenant of more than forty years' standing." 
 
 ' The London Times, of November 8th, 1846, contains a 
 biographical notice of the late Lieutenant AVilliam Pringle 
 Green, R.N., a native of Halifax, Nova Scotia. After enume- 
 rating his eminent services, and valuable nautical inventions, it
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 101 
 
 His skill, his unblemished character, and his valuable 
 services had been repeatedly acknowledged, but as often 
 forgotten; and his case, which had been much com- 
 mented upon of late in the English papers, as one of ex- 
 treme hardship, had created great sympathy at a time 
 when, alas ! sympathy was unavailing. He will not, 
 however, have served his country in vain, if the dreadful 
 sacrifice he has offered of a life of unrequited toil shall 
 remove this distinctive badge of humiliation, and ame- 
 liorate the condition of his brave and loyal country- 
 men, the colonists of North America. , 
 
 Disappointment and grief at the unmerited neglect 
 of his broken-hearted brother had soured a temper 
 naturally cynical, and given a bitterness to Mr. Bar- 
 clay's language, which the Judge, however, assured 
 me was indicative rather of his habits than his feelings. 
 He is one of those anomalous characters we sometimes 
 meet, whose sarcastic tone and manner of conversation 
 disguise a kind and good heart. 
 
 " Here," said my eccentric friend, Lawyer Barclay, 
 as he is universally called, " here, as elsewhere, the 
 
 goes on to say: — "From 1842 until the time of his death, a 
 few days since, he was not only unemployed, but unrewarded 
 and neglected, though still devoting his time to the maturing 
 inventions for the improvement of that service in which he was 
 so ill-treated. He died at the age of sixty-one, more from the 
 want of the common necessai'ies of life, than from a decay of 
 nature ; and has left a widow and seven daughters to subsist (if 
 they can) upon the pitiful pension of a lieutenant's widow — a 
 lieutenant of forty -one years ! ! !"
 
 102 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 receipt wliich the grave gives for a human being is 
 written in a prescribed form. The name, the age, and 
 the date of his death, are minutely and accurately 
 entered. If ho has filled an office of importance, or 
 belonged to a learned profession, or served in the As- 
 sembly, and, above all, if he has been a member of the 
 Upper House of the Legislature, and borne the title of 
 Honourable, it is recorded at large; while, on the other 
 hand, if he has derived his support from an honest 
 trade, the dishonest tombstone retiises to mention it, 
 lest it might wound the aristocratic feelings of his 
 aspiring posterity. 
 
 " It is said that truth is to be found in the wine-butt 
 and the depths of a well. If revealing the secrets of 
 others be truth, wine may be the element it loves. 
 The well can only give it when exhausted, and then 
 the fact it has to conmiunicate is found to be scarcely 
 worth the trouble of the search, namely, that the well 
 is empty. Wherever it is to be sought for, one thing 
 is certain, it is not to be found on a tombstone. The 
 broken-hearted husband who erects a monument to 
 record his inconsolable grief for the loss of his wife, 
 ere one short year has passed, or the sound of the 
 sculptor^s mallet has ceased, refutes the pompous false- 
 hood 1)}^ a second marriage ; and eyes as bright and 
 voice as sweet as those that are closed by death se- 
 duce liini into a disavowal of his own words, ' Here 
 licth the best of wives,' and compel him to acknowledge 
 ' Hero tlic husband lies." The disconsolate widow
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 103 
 
 whose affections are buried in the grave of her dear hus- 
 band, near whom she desires soon to repose in death, 
 feels her heart reanimated with the genial warmth 
 of returning spring. It rises from the earth with the 
 primrose, shakes off its wintry torpor, and re-appears 
 with renewed Hfe and vigour after its short seclusion. 
 The admired of all admirers no longer refuses to be 
 comforted. The churlish miser receives the homage 
 of insincerity from his heir even after death, when his 
 cold and mouldering; ear can no long-er listen to its 
 flatterino- accents. A chaste and beautiful alleo-orical 
 figure of Affection is seen weeping over his urn, which 
 rests on a pedestal that resembles a money-chest ; you 
 are lost in doubt whether the tears so copiously shed 
 are caused by unexpected legacies to others, or by the 
 protracted delay of possession. This is a double fraud., 
 It represents the dead as worthy of love, and the living 
 as capable of loving. It is not gratitude, but a decent 
 observance of a hypocritical custom. 
 
 " But why are men so shocked at the mention of 
 that on a tombstone which the deceased published 
 throuo-hout his life to all the world ? In this church- 
 yard, numerous as the graves are, no man is designated 
 as tailor, barber, butcher, baker, or shoemaker ; yet, 
 doubtless, there are scores of each who placed these 
 ominous and forbidden words on their signs in the 
 largest letters, and the most attractive and conspicuous 
 form. There is, indeed, one exception, if such it can 
 be called. This marble was erected to a man who is
 
 104 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 described as ' a scrvaDt,*' but it was raised at the ex- 
 pense of ' a friend,'' that styk'd himself his master, 
 who, in ciiunK ratini:- his excellent qualities, luis not 
 forgotten to proclaim his own liberality, nor been 
 ashamed to inform us that he h.as expended more money 
 in extolling his services than in rewardino; them. It 
 has been said that the jri-ave knows no distinctions. 
 The rule is now reversed, it seems. All are not re- 
 duced bv it to a level, for the level is on a summit, 
 and all are elevated to it. Be it so ; but then strike 
 out all your degrees, your D.D.'s, your M.D.'s, the 
 words Judge, Councillor, Barrister, Esquire, and let 
 the rank of the dead be uniform. Of all places in the 
 world, a graveyard, at least, should be consecrated to 
 truth. As it is, it seems devoted to flattery, vanity, 
 ambition, ostentation, and falsehood. All sects retain 
 their peculiarities here, and endeavour to perpetuate 
 them. A little more taste, and a little more expense 
 in the monument (but with a contemptuous disregard 
 of veracity in its record), indicate that a churchman is 
 deposited there (for the Church in the colony embraces 
 the greater part of the upper class of society). A neat, 
 plain, substantial one, with the modest assurance that 
 the soul of the deceased was innnediately conveyed to 
 heaven, proclaims the saint to have been a Dissenter. 
 '' The common Cliristian emblem of the Cross is 
 more in use among Romanists than others, but you 
 may identify thcui by their pious horror of Protestants. 
 It would be dangerous to be found in such bud com-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 105 
 
 pany, for the Pope lias declared they cannot be saved ; 
 and who can question such high authority? They, 
 therefore, very wisely lie apart from the dust that is 
 polluted by heresy. If you are still in doubt, read 
 one of the inscriptions, and a scrap of Latin sets the 
 matter at rest. It is an appropriate tongue, for it is 
 " a dead language." In this curtilage, then, which is 
 the common burial-place of all, sectarianism and fashion 
 have found their way and offered their distinctive 
 badges to their followers. The highway of life has 
 been extended into the churchyard, and is thronged in 
 its usual manner. Here are the handsome equipages 
 and expensive trappings of the rich, the sobriety of the 
 middle classes, and the destitution of the nameless and 
 unknown poor. The scale of colonial precedence sur- 
 vives mortality. The mitred bishop still regards, with 
 a condescending and patronising air, the poor curate ; 
 and the grocer looks doAvn from his marble monument 
 upon his quondam labourer with his turf covering, and 
 maintains his relative position in the society of the 
 dead. The iron railing boasts of its quality and dura- 
 bility, and regards with pity or contempt the temporary 
 and trumpery wooden enclosure. The classic urn ap- 
 peals only to the hearts of scholars, and the bust to 
 the man of taste; while all look up to him who 
 represented his King, and whose titles are almost as 
 lono- as his eulooium — the old Governor — the foun- 
 tain of honour, and the distributor of patronage and of 
 
 rank. 
 
 F 5
 
 lOG THE OLD JUDGE ; OU, 
 
 '• Amid all this vanity — here and there is to be 
 t'uund some consistency — the antiqnated virgin pre- 
 serves her acidity of temper to the last. She is one 
 of those of whom vulgar people so idly and 11i[)puutly 
 predict ^ that they dry, but never die."* Accustomed 
 to hear such agreeable compliments, she anticipates 
 the sneer or the smile of youth upon linding the word 
 ' Miss *" associated with seventy-four years of age ; 
 and as in life she maintained the privilege of the last 
 word, so in death she claims a right to the first ; and 
 youth and beauty are admonished that ere long they 
 must undergo the penalty of the law of their nature, 
 and be humbled in the dust like herself. She thus 
 avenges the slights and injuries of an unfeeling world, 
 and, consistent to the last, evinces her fondness for dis- 
 agreeable truths. 
 
 " The houses of this silent city are of various sizes. 
 There are fashionable squares, there are streets of less 
 pretension, and there are suburbs that are but little 
 frequented, for they are the abodes of the lower orders. 
 If you nmst dwell among the latter, it would be best 
 to preserve a strict incognito. A mansion in St. 
 Giles's would prove your habits to have been dissolute, 
 your associates depraved, and your means exhausted. 
 It would disgrace your posterity for ever. A respect- 
 able address is a letter of credit, but the occupant of 
 mean lodgings is cut by his acquaintance and disowned 
 bv his familv. If you would be re<i;arded as a gentle- 
 man, you must associate with fashionable people, and
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 107 
 
 reside among them. The churchyard, strange as it 
 may seem, is a true but painful picture of Hfe — osten- 
 tation without, corruption within; peace and quiet on 
 the surface, but the worm at the heart. Ah, poor human 
 nature ! your last resting-place, the grave, would be 
 eloquent, if you did not stifle its voice. Do not read 
 these inscriptions, my friend," he continued, " there 
 is no dependence to be placed on anything but the 
 figures ; the tale they tell is not true. But come with 
 me, and I will show you a grave that bears that upon 
 it that carries conviction to the heart," 
 
 On a little mound, in a distant corner of the 
 churchyard, was a grove of spruce-trees, enclosing a 
 verdant spot of small dimensions. Here was a soli- 
 tary grave, having at the foot a common field-stone to 
 mark its termination ; and, at the head, another of 
 the same kind, one side of which was dressed with a 
 chisel, and bore the inscription " Mary Merton, 1840." 
 The whole of this little plat of ground was enclosed 
 by a rough rustic railing, having a small gate for the 
 purpose of access. The grave was not covered with 
 sods, but decorated with patches of forget-me-not and 
 other simple flowers, emblematical of the feeling and 
 the object with which they were placed there, and 
 was encircled by white rose-bushes. At the upper 
 part of the enclosure, but outside of the railing, stood 
 a weeping willow, the light pendent tracery of which 
 fell like the dishevelled hair of a mourner whose head 
 was bending over the body it loved and lamented.
 
 108 THE OLD .lUDCE; OR. 
 
 The little spot was kept in perfect order, and tended 
 ■with the most careful neatness. 
 
 " There, 8ir !'' he said, "there, at least, is truth. 
 That simple and natural enihelli.shnient is the votive 
 offering of a poor widow to her only child. Those 
 flowers are weeded by her hands, and watered with her 
 tears. Where is the sting of death, or the victory of 
 the grave, when, like that little innocent and helpless 
 victim, the dead survive decay, and rise again to dwell 
 in the hearts and affections of the livinjx ? It is re- 
 freshing to see simplicity and truth amid so much that 
 is false and unnatural. This is a strange world. 
 Take man individually, and there is much that is 
 good and amiable in liiiii ; but take men collectively, 
 and they are always rapacious or unjust. Parties 
 are but combinations, under plausible pretences, to 
 deceive the people ; public departments are stern and 
 cruel ; governments are ungrateful ; patronage is 
 either blind and cannot distinguish, or selfish and 
 capricious. A man who serves his country with 
 ability and zeal is too apt to find at last, to his cost, 
 that his country, like a corporate body, has neither a 
 soul to think, a heart to feel, a head to remember, or a 
 spirit of liberality to reward." 
 
 " Come, come, my friend," said the Judge, well 
 knowing the cause of this bitter ebullition, "■ you have 
 too much reason to complain, I fear, to do so calmly. 
 Let us not enter into these speculations on this day 
 and in this place. Let us rather yield to the influence
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 109 
 
 of the objects around us. I, too, am fond of this spot 
 for the lasting affection it exhibits. Fathers may for- 
 get their offspring, and children lose the remembrance 
 of their parents ; husbands and wives may be replaced, 
 and brothers and sisters be to each other as strangers 
 and even as foes, but the love of a mother endureth 
 for ever. A father supplies the wants of his child 
 from his purse, a mother from her bosom. Even the 
 grave itself cannot extinguish her devotion. She 
 mourns over her deceased infant in solitude and in 
 silence. It is always before her. Its voice is in 
 her ear, and its smile is in her heart. Memory 
 raises up the little idol to her admiring eyes by day, 
 and the too vivid dream reanimates it by night. Her 
 maternal aftections regard it as a living being, and 
 she longs to fondle and embrace it, while the divinity 
 within her sympathizes with it as celestial, and in- 
 vests it with the attributes of a ministering angel. 
 She holds strange and mysterious communings with 
 it, for love such as hers has an ideal world of its own. 
 Her wounded spirit flutters against the barriers of its 
 human prison, and strives to escape and join that 
 which has ' put on immortality C and at last, when 
 wearied with its ineffectual struggles, it yields in 
 timid submission to the law of its nature — it indulges 
 the hope that that which is imperishable may be per- 
 mitted to revisit the object of its love, and illumine, 
 by its mystical presence, the depths of its gloom. Her 
 grief, therefore, produces at last its own solace, and
 
 110 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 she cherishes it with an hunihle but a firm reHance upon 
 the mercy and goodness of God, that her ohild sliall 
 be fully restored to her in another and a better world, 
 where thev shall dwell tojretlior in unity for ever. 
 
 " There is something, as you say, about this little 
 gi-avc that is very attractive ; for youth is innocent, 
 and innocence is always an object of interest and of 
 love. Age, on the contrary, is venerable, but not 
 loveable. I see nothing in the termination of a ripe 
 old age to occasion grief, unless there has been a mis- 
 spent life. There is nothing to regret where all, or 
 more, has been given than was promised — 
 
 ' Lusisti satis, edisti satis atque bibisti, 
 Tempus abire tibi est.' 
 
 But youth, prematurely cut off, awakens many a pain- 
 ful reflection. I recollect being greatly struck with a 
 monument erected to a young oflicer at Shelburne, 
 who perished under very peculiar circumstances. The 
 story itself is short and simple, but, as it is connected 
 with the rise and fall of that ill-fatod and melancholy 
 town, I will give you the history of both together. 
 Let us sit down on this tombstone, for it is a fitting 
 seat from which to tell a tale of mortality. 
 
 " Last summer I made a tour of the province, and 
 revisited the scenes of my former judicial labours. 
 The growth and improvement of the country far ex- 
 ceeded my expectations. In many places where the 
 road ran, a few years ago, through an unbroken forest,
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. Ill 
 
 it was now bordered on either side by a continuous 
 line of farms ; and substantial houses and large herds 
 of cattle evinced the condition of the new population. 
 The towns and villages were greatly increased, and an 
 improved system of husbandry had changed the whole 
 appearance of the country. The habits of the people 
 also had undergone an alteration for the better no less 
 strikiuo; and oratifvinof. Still it was by no means a 
 journey of unmixed pleasure. A generation had 
 passed away, if not from life, from its business and 
 duties. Many whom I had known I could not at first 
 recoo-nise : care, time, and disease, had not been idle. 
 The young had become men, the men had grown old, 
 and the old had died or withdrawn from view. I was 
 a stranger araons: stransjers. The houses I had fre- 
 quented during the circuits were either enlarged, re- 
 modelled, or rebuilt. A new race of people welcomed 
 me, and the well-known voice and the well-kno\vn face 
 were nowhere to be heard or seen. My local interest 
 was the same, but my personal interest had gone, and 
 ffone for ever. 
 
 " At home, these changes are so gradual that they 
 are almost imperceptible. The vacant place soon col- 
 lapses, or is occupied by another, and harmonises with 
 all around. It becomes incorporated with the rest, 
 and cannot be distino-uished from it. In this manner, 
 an entire revolution is effected, and yet that revolution 
 is so slow and so gradual in its growth, and contains 
 so much to which we are daily accustomed, that the
 
 1 1 2 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 eye cannot discern where the old ceases or the new 
 begins. ]Jut, when we return to past scenes, after an 
 absence of many years, the whole change bursts on 
 our astonished view at once. We knew it as it was, 
 we see it as it is, and we feel and know it is not the 
 same. We are painfully reminded, at the same time, 
 that we have been ourselves no less under the influence 
 of this universal law of mutability : we return to our 
 own, and our own knoweth us no more. The face of 
 Nature, though here and there partially transformed 
 by the hand of man, was in the main unaltered. The 
 mountains, with their wavy outline distinctly marked 
 against the clear blue sky, or their summits enveloped 
 in mists, were the same as when my youthful eye first 
 rested on them. The rivers, the valleys, the nuirmur- 
 ing brooks, the wide-spread alluvial meadows, covered 
 with grazing herds, the sheltered and placid lakes, and 
 the rugged cliffs and bold promontories that invaded 
 the sea, or resisted its assaults, were all unchanged. 
 The road also on the sea-shore wore the same familiar 
 aspect, and the ceaseless roar of the ocean saluted my 
 ear with the same voice that first awakened my adven- 
 turous hope to pass to that fatherland that lies beyond 
 the great deep. At night, as I walked out meditating 
 on the past, the pale silver moon and its starry host 
 proclaimed that they also were unchanged, and re- 
 called many a long-forgotten scene in years by-gone, 
 before all that has been was, or reflection came to teach 
 us that youth has its shadow, that increases as the day
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 113 
 
 declines, and that that shadow is death. These visible 
 objects of nature, therefore, become dearer and dearer 
 to us as we advance in years. They are our early, our 
 constant, and sole surviving friends, the same to-day 
 and to-morrow as they were of old. They are typical 
 of Him who knoweth no change. 
 
 " As far as Shelburne, all was progressive or rapid 
 improvement, but that unfortunate town was in ruins. 
 It arose in the wilderness like a work of magic, but had 
 hardly been erected before it was in a state of decay. 
 Twelve or fourteen thousand emigrant lovalists from 
 New York sought shelter in this remote place at the 
 close of the war of rebellion, in the year 1784, and 
 built a large, commodious, and beautiful wooden town, 
 at the head of the magnificent harbour of Rosewav. 
 In their haste, or their necessity, they overlooked the 
 fact, that a town requires a country to support it, unless 
 a trade which has groAvn with its growth supplies 
 its wants upon equal terms. Remote from the other 
 settlements of the province, surrounded by a trackless 
 forest, that covers a poor and stony soil, situated too 
 far from the entrance of the harbour to reap the ad- 
 vantages of the fishing-grounds, and filled with a popu- 
 lation unaccustomed to the mode, and unequal to the 
 fatigues, of settling in a wilderness, it was impossible 
 that a town so constituted could Ions: exist. Some 
 returned penniless and destitute to their native land, 
 others removed to various parts of Nova Scotia, and 
 the grave-yard, from year to year, received great
 
 IJi THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 numbera of those that were left beliind, to mourn with 
 broken hearts over their ruined fortunes, their hopless 
 and helpless condition, and their dreary exile. When 
 I had last seen it, the houses were still standinc;, though 
 untenanted. It had all the stillness and quiet of a 
 moonlight scene. It was difficult to imagine it was 
 deserted. The idea of repose more readily suggested 
 itself than decay. All was new and recent. Seclu- 
 sion, and not death or removal, appeared to be the 
 cause of the absence of inhabitants. But now the 
 houses which had been originally built of wood had 
 severally disappeared. Some had been taken to pieces, 
 and removed to Halifax, or St. John's ; others had 
 been converted into fuel, and the rest had fallen a prey 
 to neglect and decomposition. Tlie chimneys stood 
 up erect, and marked the spot round which the social 
 circle had assembled; and the blackened fireplaces, 
 ranged one above another, bespoke the size of the tene- 
 ment and the means of its owner. In some places 
 they had sunk with the edifice, leaving a heap of ruins ; 
 while not a few were inclining to their fiill, and await- 
 ing the first storm to repose again in the dust that now 
 covered those who had constructed them. Hundreds 
 of cellars, with their stone walls and granite partitions, 
 were everywhere to be seen, like uncovered monuments 
 of the dead. Time and decay had done their work. 
 All that was perishable had perished, and those nume- 
 rous vaults spoke of a generation that had passed away 
 for ever, and, without the aid of an inscription, told a
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 115 
 
 tale of sorrow and of sadness that overpowered the 
 heart. 
 
 " A few new houses had recently been erected, and 
 a very few of the old had been snatched from decay 
 and repaired ; but, of the thousands of inhabitants 
 that this town once contained, four or five survivors 
 alone remained, and the entire population did not ex- 
 ceed two thousand souls. They were all attached to 
 the place, and spoke confidently of its revival, fondly 
 of its noble harbour, and proudly of its former pro- 
 sperity. Every spot had its little history. Here the 
 pilgrims first landed, and this spacious street was the 
 first that was cut out through the woods. On that 
 brido-e the bands of the reo-imeuts assembled on a 
 summer"'s evening to play the tunes of their father- 
 land. In the house which once stood over this large 
 cellar. Field- ^Marshal Beresford was quartered when a 
 young officer in the garrison, and in that sedgy piece 
 of ground was wounded in the face by an accidental 
 discharge fi-om the gun of a brother sportsman. On 
 that eminence, on the opposite side of the harbour, 
 stood extensive barracks, capable of accommodating 
 three regiments ; and on the point of land that termi- 
 nates King''s Street was a heavy battery, the guns of 
 which, coiToded by time, lie half-buried in the earth ; 
 for, alas ! there is nothinfj now to defend. At this 
 corner stood the great hotel of Shelburne, where the 
 weekly balls were held, and the beauty and fashion of 
 the old colony of New York (for the Loyalists were
 
 116 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 principally gentry) assembled for the last time. Driven 
 into exile by tiieir rebel countrymen, and environed in 
 the country of their adoption by poverty, and a dim 
 and lowering future, they vainly sought to fly from 
 regret, and lose the painful memory of the past in fes- 
 tivity and amusement. 'JMiat spacious chureli, which 
 is now so far from the village, was once in the centre 
 of this large town ; and the number of the graves in 
 the cemetery bear a frightful disproportion to the 
 present population. 
 
 " While strolling one afternoon through the deserted 
 and grass-grown street that passes in front of this 
 building, my attention was attracted by a very hand- 
 some and apparently new monument, which appeared 
 to have been just erected, — probably to one of the last 
 of this ill-fated emifjration. It was built of the bcauti- 
 ful granite that abounds in the neighbourhood, and its 
 fresh-chiselled surface glistened in the sun, as its rays 
 fell on the bright and polished particles of mica em- 
 bedded in its indestructible substance. It was a 
 costly structure, not in keeping with the means of the 
 present inhabitants, and evidently could not have been 
 executed by any workman then resident at Shelburne. 
 It occurred to me tliat, perhaps, the aflection or the 
 piety of a child had erected this tribute to the memory 
 or misfortunes of a parent who had found rest at last 
 ill this secluded spot. My curiosity was excited, and, 
 opening a little gate, I entered the yard to ascertain, 
 from the inscription, the name and history of this
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 117 
 
 venerable patriarch. I was, however, astonished to 
 find that it was nearly as old as the town, and de- 
 si|^ned, not for one of the pilgrims, but for a young 
 officer who had been drowned in the harbour. The 
 inscription was as follows : — 
 
 Sacred 
 
 to the Memory of 
 
 Patrick Maxwell, Esq., 
 
 Ensign in His Majesty's 6Ist or First 
 
 Warwickshire Infantry, 
 
 and Son of 
 
 Sir William Maxwell, 
 
 of Spring Hill, Bart., N.B., 
 
 who was unfortunately upset 
 
 in a Sail-boat, 
 
 10th July, 1790, and 
 
 drowned, 
 
 ^tat. 19, 
 
 deeply regretted by 
 
 his afflicted parents, 
 
 and all who knew hira. 
 
 " Such an untimely and melancholy death is un- 
 happily one of daily occurrence, and his was only dis- 
 tinguishable from others of the same kind by a trait 
 of generous manliness that deserves to be recorded. I 
 have just told you there was a large battery and 
 guard-house at the termination or commencement of 
 King's Street, and very extensive barracks on the 
 opposite side of the harbour — an arrangement which 
 had, probably, been adopted for the greater seclusion
 
 118 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 and better nianagonient of the troops. Between these 
 two stations boats were constantly passing and repas- 
 sing, eitlici- (lit l)iisiness or pk»a.siire. On the day 
 mentioned on the tablet, a victualling-barge, contain- 
 ing a party of soldiers and two (tflicers, was struck 
 about tlic centre of the harbour by a heavy squall, and 
 upset, ami every soul on board perished, with the ex- 
 ception of the sergeant. Young Maxwell was one of 
 the unfortunate sufferers.^ The sergeant, who was an 
 expert swinnner, generously took him on his back, and 
 struck out boldly for the shore. Miscalculating]: his 
 power, however, he swam too hastily, and had not pro- 
 ceeded fiir before his strensrth beoan to fail. Maxwell, 
 as soon as he perceived him falter, expressed his deter- 
 mination to relieve him of the burden he had so kindly 
 assumed. He exhorted liini to be cool and collected, 
 to proceed slowly, but, above all things, to persevere 
 on account of his wife and children ; and then, bidding 
 him adieu, relinquished his hold, and sunk to rise no 
 more. 
 
 - " My first feeling on reading the inscription was one 
 that is common to us all when we hear of the untiinely 
 death of the young, but rellection soon took another 
 turn. If now living, he would have been seventy-five 
 years of ag( — a tottering, decrepit old man like myself, 
 
 ' On the reverse side of this monument was an inscri[ition of 
 a similar nature to Lieutenant Nicholas Ball, of the same regi- 
 ment, who perished on this occasion. Both bodies were deposited 
 in one grave.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 119 
 
 fiill of years and infirmities. Had he been then spared, 
 I asked myself, would he have survived till this day ? 
 Or would disease have put in its claim, or the battle- 
 field held him as a victim ? Was ignominy avoided or 
 honour lost by that event ? Would his career in life 
 have been unmarked, or has a name perished that was 
 destined to grace the pages of his country's history ? 
 All, alas ! is hidden in impenetrable mystery. But 
 reason and religion alike teach us this great consola- 
 tory truth, that a wise and merciful Providence orders 
 all things for the best. 
 
 " As regards monuments, however, I agree with 
 you, Barclay. I neither approve of the imagery, em- 
 blems, or language we use. Less flattery and more 
 truth, less reference to worldly vanities and more re- 
 signation to the will of God, a total exclusion of heathen 
 allegories and the introduction of such only as are of 
 Christian origin, would be infinitely more appropriate 
 and becoming. If we are to be addressed from the 
 grave, it shovild be in language calculated to make us 
 wiser and better men ; for we do not seek these so- 
 litudes to gratify our tastes, but to purify our hearts, 
 and to enable us, by a contemplation of the fate of 
 others, to prepare for the inevitable approach of our 
 own."
 
 120 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 A BALL AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE. 
 
 On our return to Illinoo, our recent visit to Halifax 
 and its incidents naturally became the subject of con- 
 versation, and, among other things, Government House 
 and its inmates were adverted to. 
 
 " The situation of a Governor,'' said the Judge, 
 " is by no means an enviable one. He is insufficiently 
 paid, seldom properly supported by the Colonial Office; 
 and no sooner becomes acquainted with the people and 
 the country than his term of service expires. The 
 province is then again entrusted to a stranger, who 
 goes through the same process of acquiring experience, 
 with great personal labour, annoyance, and inconveni- 
 ence to himself, and with some danger, and no little 
 alarm, to the inhabitants; while his best exertions 
 and intentions are often frustrated, and his domestic 
 comfort destroyed, by the petty insolence and insigni- 
 ficant intrigues of the little leaders of little political 
 factions about him. 
 
 " "Recent democratic changes in the constitution of 
 the colonies have rendered his position still more diffi- 
 cult, by limiting the prerogative, transferring nmch of
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 121 
 
 his authority to his council, and making public offices 
 not the reward of merit, but of agitation. With po- 
 litics, however, I have nothing to do. I not only take 
 no interest in them, but I even dislike to hear them 
 discussed. A Governor, however, if he be a man of 
 honour, and a gentleman, is really an object of pity. 
 As far as we have been concerned ourselves, we have 
 been extremely fortunate in the selection that has 
 been made for us, and are enabled to enumerate a 
 long list of very clever as well as very amiable men ; 
 but as my experience extends over a long series of 
 years, and is by no means limited to our North Ame- 
 rican possessions, I have been sometimes amused at 
 them as a class, and at the diflferent manner in which 
 they severally attempt to accomplish the object they 
 all have in view ; namely, to conduct their admi- 
 nistration satisfactorily to their employers, and to 
 the people committed to their charge. To secure the 
 approbation of the authorities at home, it is merely 
 necessary to keep things quiet, for they have them- 
 selves made every concession for this purpose, to 
 every troublesome party, until there is little left noAv 
 but total independence to concede. To preserve this 
 tranquillity, therefore, necessarily involves the same 
 policy on the part of a Governor, and, consequently, the 
 necessity for a certain degree of personal popularity. 
 It is the pursuit of this popularity that calls forth 
 the peculiarities and character of the man : some 
 resting it, where it ought to be, on the honest 
 VOL. I. G
 
 122 THE OLD JIDGE; OR, 
 
 and inflexible discliarge of duty ; others on tact, a 
 knowledge of character, or some personal qualification, 
 that renders tliein agreeable. As a class, therefore, 
 they naturally present a great variety. 
 
 " For instance, there is ' your man-of-business Go- 
 vernor,' accessible at all times, punctual in the per- 
 formance of his own duty, and strict in requiring a 
 corresponding exactness in others — aft'able, cautious, 
 but decided. Then there is your ' scheming Governor,*' 
 a man before his age, who delights in theories — has 
 visions of greatness for his little empire, desires to 
 have the people habited in garments, which, if they 
 do not fit, are admirably well calculated to admit of an 
 extended growth of the body and limb ; who talks of 
 systems, heads of departments, and boards, and will 
 neither see nor hear of diffioulties, as, in his opinion, 
 there never are any that are insurmountable, and who 
 treats the Secretary of State to long reports, for the 
 amusement of the clerks to report upon. Next comes 
 your ' entertaining Governor,"* who keeps an hospitable 
 table, gives numerous parties, is full of anecdote, and 
 tells his stories well, pays due attention to country 
 members and their fashionable and agreeable wives 
 and daughters, takes care that his stafl' are attentive 
 to those who stand in need of attentions, and dance 
 M-ith those who cannot command partners, and who 
 arranges his dinners so as to bring together people 
 who know each other and are agreeable. As for busi- 
 ness, he obeys orders from home, interferes personally
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 123 
 
 as little as possible, and suffers things to take their 
 course. 
 
 " Then, there is your ' humbugging Governor,'' who 
 bows and smiles to all, says civil things to everybody, 
 and of everybody, makes long speeches, and writes 
 long messages, adopts no side warmly, has no decided 
 opinions, is with the majority, but lives with the mi- 
 nority, so he can co-operate with them, too, if they 
 become strong enough ; is attached to the Church, for 
 he was born and bred in it ; is fond of the Romanists, 
 for they are numerous, and devoted to British con- 
 nexion ; to the Baptists, because freedom of opinion is 
 the right of all, especially of those who form so large 
 a body ; and of the Scotch Dissenters, on account of 
 their abhorrence of democratic principles, and because 
 he has often witnessed and admired their amiability at 
 home, and the brotherly love they exhibit to the church 
 abroad. In short, he is 'all things to all men' — a 
 hand for all, a word for all, and a fig for all. 
 
 " Then, there is your ' dashing Governor,' a regular 
 politician, who believes that every man has his price, 
 reo-ards all provincials as scoundrels, and thinks their 
 price small ; will carry his measures coute qui coute ; 
 has a strons: smack of Eno-lish Radicalism, and flatters 
 the vanity of colonial Liberals ; knows the little points 
 of little men, and talks of the vast resources of the 
 colony, the important geographical, relative, and po- 
 litical position of it ; the able views and great scope 
 of intellect of its statesmen ; advocates a united legis- 
 
 G 2
 
 124 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 lature for all the colonies, the creation of a Viceroy, 
 and the construction of a railroad to the Pacific, and 
 other gigantic projects — tubs for the whale. 
 
 " There are also your ' purely civil,' or ' purely 
 military Governors.*' The former has no command, 
 and, of course, is by no means so well paid as the 
 other; is subject to some inconvenience from the want 
 of this control, and \s in occasional collision with 
 the Commandant, not in matters of importance (for 
 then it seldom or never occurs), but in insignificant, 
 and, therefore, more annoying afiairs. He procures 
 the attendance of a regimental band at his parties as a 
 favour, and tolerates their airs as an unavoidable evil. 
 Although familiar with, and hospitable to, the officers 
 of the garrison, ho never enjoys their sympathies like 
 an old General. Unless he is a man of rank himself, 
 the Admiral, it is observed, is more apt to stand on 
 etiquette and rights with him than if he were a soldier, 
 for they again both pertain to the profession of arms, 
 although not to the same branch of the service. The 
 latter, or purely military man, delights rather in the 
 appellation of General than that of Governor ; is 
 fonder of assembling his troops than his legislature, 
 and is more at homo with the officers of his brigade 
 than with the officers of his colony. He would rather 
 talk of the Punjaub than the Maddawaska, and the 
 heads of columns than the heads of departments. He 
 says but little, promises less ; but does what he says. 
 He refers every thing to the department to which it
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 125 
 
 belongs, and acts on the report of the principal. He 
 takes no responsibility. If the assembly flares up, so 
 does he ; begs them to accept the assurance of his 
 most profound indifterence, and informs them that he 
 was a General before he was a Governor. If they 
 petition the Sovereign, he thanks them for it ; tells 
 them he is an old and faithful servant of the Crown, 
 and has been so long abroad he is in danger of being 
 forsfotten : that their memorial will call attention to 
 the fact that he is still living, and serving his King 
 with zeal and fidelity. 
 
 " These peculiarities are either generated or dis- 
 closed by the duties and necessities of the station, and 
 are the various effects on the human mind of a morbid 
 de.sire for applause. Under any circumstances, this 
 high functionary can now personally effect but little 
 good, in consequence of the restrictions and limitations 
 imposed upon his authority : but he is by no means 
 equally powerless for evil, and, if he should, unfor- 
 tunately, be surrounded by a needy or unprincipled 
 council, and be deficient either in a knowledge of his 
 duty, or in firmness of purpose, the country may suffer 
 incalculable injury. 
 
 " One of my predecessors on the bench, a man of 
 great humour and eccentricity, used gravely to main- 
 tain, that the only person fit for the situation was a 
 wise man or a fool. ' If he really is a wise man,' he 
 used to say, ' he will govern by himself, and not by 
 favourites ; if he is a fool, he will not think of holding
 
 12G Tin: OLD jrnnE; or, 
 
 the reins at all, but entrust them wholly to the consti- 
 tuted authorities."" Your indift'orent Governors, gene- 
 rally speakina:, are your clever men, or, according to 
 the cant phrase of modern times, your 'talented men,' 
 — people who are intelligent enough to be conceited, 
 and yet have not sufficient ability to dispense with 
 advice. 
 
 " These great guns, therefore, as my friend Barclay 
 calls them, are, as a matter of course, of dift'erent 
 calibre and weight, and their effect is in proportion. 
 Some carry as true, and are as unerring, as a rifle ; 
 others, though they hit the mark, have no power of 
 condensation, and do mischief by scattering. This one 
 overshoots the object, and that falls short of it. Some 
 hang fire from indecision, and others go off unexpect- 
 edly from impetuosity. All these failures arise from 
 want of previous preparation, either by having served 
 in one or other of the houses of Parliament, or filled 
 some of the higher offices in a colony. Suitable per- 
 sons, I admit, are not easily found; but, confining the 
 selection to general officers increases the difficulty, in- 
 asmuch as a military education, and the life and habits 
 i)f a soldier, have a tendency to unfit them for consti- 
 tutional jrovernment. Indeed, somr difficulty will be 
 experienced in future, in inducing gentlemen to accept 
 an office, the emoluments of which are insufficient to 
 defray the ordinary expenditure, and the duties, both 
 onerous and responsible — many of them excessively 
 disaijreeable, and all accompanied by the most offensive
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 127 
 
 abuse and misrepresentation of an unbridled and licen- 
 tious press. 
 
 " Much of this, if not all, may be regarded with 
 pity or contempt by a well-regulated mind ; but, un- 
 fortunately, custom has sanctioned, until time has con- 
 verted into a duty, the practice of indiscriminate hos- 
 pitality, whereby the privacy of his house, and the 
 comfort of his family, are effectually destroyed. Men 
 are to be seen at a Governor's table who are to be met 
 with nowhere else ; and people are brought together 
 whose previous intercourse has extended no further 
 than purchases made through the intervention of a 
 servant at the market-place. The consequence is, that, 
 instead of exhibiting the best. Government House 
 affords the worst specimen of society in the province. 
 Independently of the annoyance to which all are sub- 
 ject by such an association, the Governor, his staff, 
 and strangers, naturally infer that this anomaly is the 
 general condition of colonial society. The ignorance, 
 awkwardness, and presumption thus displayed, are 
 taken as characteristics of the whole ; and many anec- 
 dotes are in circulation to the disadvantage of Halifax 
 and other provincial capitals, that are chargeable alone 
 on the extraordinary mixture that this ill-regulated 
 hospitality produces. 
 
 " You have seen the Governor under more favour- 
 able circumstances ; for you have merely dined with 
 him and some of his friends, and, fortunately, at a 
 time when the town was not filled with the 'gentlemen
 
 128 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 from the rural districts,"' and, of course, when he was 
 enabled to escape from tlieir intrusion. There are times 
 when the ' palace' may be said to be out of season, it 
 is so distasteful ; and it is necessary that you should 
 see it, and the balls given at that period, fully to 
 understand what I mean. The most amusing part of 
 this folly is, that people who are excluded for their 
 misconduct (although not admitted elsewhere) for- 
 mally complain of it as a grievance, and actually 
 maintain that the Governor is not only bound to ex- 
 tend his invitations to those that are unfit, but even 
 to those that are unworthy. One cannot but feel for 
 the indignity and annoyance he must continually endure 
 from this cause. It reminds me of an anecdote told 
 me by Sir John Sherbrooke, when he commanded here. 
 " He had given permission to his house-steward and 
 butler — two of the tallest and larijest men in Halifax 
 — to give an entertainment to their friends, and invite 
 as many as they thought proper, in their own apart- 
 ment at his house. A day or two after the party, a 
 diminutive but irascible barber, who was in the habit 
 of attending upon him, complained, in the course of 
 his professional duty, that his feelings were greatly 
 hurt by his exclusion from the festivities of Govern- 
 ment House, by the steward and butler, as it had a 
 tendency to lower him in the estimation of his ac- 
 quaintances ; and, if it had not been for the respect he 
 owed his Excellency, he would most assuredly have 
 horsewhipped them both.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. ] 29 
 
 " ' Would you V said Sir John, who was exces- 
 sively amused at the pugnacious little man. ' Would 
 you ? By Jove ! then, I give you my leave. Horse- 
 whip them as long as you can stand over them.' 
 
 " ' This is the manner,' he observed, ' in which the 
 good people here censure me. It appears that I oc- 
 casionally omit to ask some person who thinks he is 
 entitled to a card as a matter of right. I really 
 thought, at first, the fellow was going to complain to 
 me of myself, for, in fact, he has just as good a right 
 to come as some others who are admitted.' 
 
 " So far, therefore, from a Government house exer- 
 cising a salutary influence on the community, its effects 
 are in fact injurious. People who go from the coun- 
 try, and procure, through their representatives, ad- 
 mission to the palace, when they return to their 
 homes, contrast the facility with which this honour 
 has been obtained, with the utter impossibility of being 
 introduced to the families of gentlemen in their own 
 neighbourhood, attribute the difference to pride or in- 
 justice, and naturally attempt to vindicate their rights, 
 by striving to reduce to their own level those who 
 maintain this invidious reserve. It is natural for 
 them to think, if the first officer in the colony — he 
 who represents his sovereign, is willing to admit that 
 there are no distinctions of stations, or to waive the 
 consideration, that it is neither right nor expedient 
 that subordinate people should maintain a different 
 course. It is, therefore, the prolific parent of that 
 
 G 5
 
 130 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 respectable, as well as amiable aud attractive, virtue 
 known as ' Colonial Patriotism.'' 
 
 " It is some years since I was at a ball at Govern- 
 ment House. My age and infirmities render them irk- 
 some to me, and, of course, unfit me for enjoying them. 
 The last time I was there, was during the adminis- 
 tration of Sir Hercules Sampson. I need not de- 
 scribe him, or his lady and daughter, or his two aides. 
 Lord Edward Dummkopf and the Honourable Mr. 
 Trotz, for, if I recollect aright, Barclay has done that 
 already, nmch better than I could, in his graphic 
 sketch of ' Asking a Governor to Dine.' It was on 
 the first day of January, there was a lev^e in the 
 morning, a dinner party in the afternoon, and a ball 
 in the evening. A custom prevailed then, and still 
 does, I believe, at Halifax, as well as elsewhere in 
 the country, for the gentlemen to call that day on all 
 the ladies of their acquaintance, who are expected to 
 be at home to receive visitors, to whom cake and wine 
 are ofiered. Of course, there is at every house a con- 
 stant succession of people, from mid-day till the hour 
 of dinner ; and, at the time I am speaking of, these 
 morniuir libations to the health of the fair sex in- 
 creased not a little towards afternoon the dilKculty, 
 that always exists in winter, in walking over the slip- 
 pery and dangerous streets of the town. Although 
 generally considered a \ery troublesome ceremony, it 
 is not without its beneficial eftects, inasmuch as it 
 induces or compels a renewal of relations that have
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 131 
 
 suffered from neglect or misunderstanding during the 
 preceding year, and aff'ords a good opportunity for 
 reconciliation without the intervention of friends, or 
 the awkwardness of explanations. Indeed, it is this 
 consideration alone that has caused this rural practice 
 to survive the usages of the olden time. 
 
 " Many absurd anecdotes are in circulation relating 
 to the accidents and incidents of the ' New Year's 
 Calls,' among the drollest of which is the sudden 
 irruption into a house of the greater part of those 
 persons who had attended the Governor's levee, and 
 their equally sudden departure, amid shrieks of aff'right 
 and roars of laughter, as the cracking of the beams of 
 the floor gave notice of the impending danger of a 
 descent into the cellar, and the subsequent collective 
 mass of fashionables in one confused and inextricable 
 heap at the foot of the very icy steps of the hall 
 door. Ah, me ! those were days of hilarity and good 
 humour, before political strife had infused bitterness 
 and personality into everything. We were but too 
 happy before we became too free. The dinner was an 
 official one ; the guests were the various heads of de- 
 partments in the place ; and it passed off" much in the 
 same manner as similar ones do elsewhere. 
 
 " Of the ball, it is difficult to convey to you a very 
 distinct idea, such entertainments being so much ahke 
 everywhere. There may be more fashion and more 
 elegance in one assembly than another ; but, if the 
 company are well-bred people, the diff'erence is one of
 
 132 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 appearance, and not of character ; and even when the 
 company is mixed and motleyed, as on the occasion I 
 am speaking of, still, when the greater part of them are 
 gentry, the difference between it and one more exclu- 
 sive, though perceptible to the eye well defined and 
 clearlv distinjjuishable, is one of colouring;; and if, in 
 delineating it, the shades are made too strong, it be- 
 comes a fancy sketch rather than a foithful picture, 
 and the actors appear in caricature, and not in natural 
 and faithful portraiture. To give you the proprieties 
 would be insipid, as all proprieties are, and to give 
 you only the absurdities would be to make them too 
 prominent, and lead you to suppose they were samples 
 of the whole, and not exceptions. You must bear 
 this in mind, therefore, or you will think the account 
 exaggerated, or the party more exceptionable than it 
 really was. 
 
 " When I first knew Government House, the so- 
 ciety to be met with there was always, as I have 
 before said, the best in the place. In time, each suc- 
 ceeding Governor enlarged the extent of his circle; 
 and, at last, as a corrective, two were formed for even- 
 ing entertainments : one that was selected for small 
 parties, and for frequent intercourse with the family ; 
 and a second, designed for public nights only and rare 
 occasions, and so arranged as to embrace all within, 
 as well as most people beyond, the limits of the other. 
 The effect of this arrangement was, to draw the two 
 classes apart, to create invidious distinctions, and to
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 133 
 
 produce mutual dislike. Subsequently, the two have 
 been merged into one, which has consequently become 
 so diluted as to be excessively unpalatable. The best 
 part have lost their flavour, without imparting it to 
 others ; and the inferior, being coarser and stronger, 
 have imbued the rest with as much of their pecu- 
 liarities as to neutralize their effect, while they have 
 retained enough to be as disagreeable and repulsive 
 as ever, 
 
 " The evening to which I allude being a public 
 one, the invitations were very numerous, and embraced 
 the military, navy, and staff, the members of the legis- 
 lature, which was then in session, and all the civilians 
 whose names were to be found on the most extended 
 list that had been formed at the time. Having dined 
 at the palace that day, I happened to be present at 
 the arrivals. The guests were shown into the drawing- 
 room, and courteously, though ceremoniously, received 
 by the Governor, his lady, and staff. Those who 
 were wholly unknown, and the least acquainted with 
 the usages of society (as is always the case with awk- 
 ward people), arrived long before the rest, and were 
 not a little surprised and awed at finding themselves 
 alone in the presence of the ' royal party." The 
 ladies were unable or afraid to be at ease, or to ap- 
 pear at home, and sat on the edges of their chairs, 
 stiff, awkward, and confused. The utterance of the 
 gentlemen, who were no less conscious of being out of 
 their element, was thick, rapid, and unintelligible;
 
 134 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 while they appeared to find hands and feet an intoler- 
 able nuisance. The former felt into every pocket of 
 their owners for a secure retreat, but were so restless, 
 they had hardly secreted themselves before they made 
 their escape into another hiding-place, when they put 
 a bold face on the matter, advanced and clasped 
 each other in agony in front, and then undertook the 
 laborious task of supporting the skirts of the coat 
 behind. The latter, like twin-brothers, entered the 
 room together, and stood on a footing of perfect equa- 
 lity ; but it was evident ambition was at work among 
 them, for the right first claimed precedence, and then 
 the left, and then rudely crossed before each other, 
 and, at last, as if ashamed of this ineftectual struggle, 
 when their master sat down, hid themselves under 
 the chair, or embraced each other lovingly on the 
 carpet. 
 
 " Lord Edward could not, and Trotz would not, 
 talk. Sir Hercules, with great good humour, tried 
 every topic ; but ho no sooner started one, than it fled 
 in afii'ight at the cold and repulsive monosyllable 
 ' Yes,' or ' No," and escaped. 
 
 " ' How very icy the streets are !"' he said ; ' they 
 are really quite dangerous.'' 
 
 " ' Very, sir.' 
 
 " ' Does your harbour freeze over V 
 
 " ' No, sir oh, yes, often, sir ! — that is, very 
 
 rarely — when the barber rises, sir....' 
 
 " ' Perhaps, madam, some of these prints would
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 135 
 
 amuse you ! Here are some of the latest caricatures ; 
 they are capital....'' 
 
 " ' No, thank you, Sir Hercules — not any, sir,' 
 
 " ' Are you fond of driving in a sleigh V 
 
 " ' Some, sir.' 
 
 " ' Do you play V 
 
 " ' I never touch cards, sir.' 
 
 " ' No, but upon the piano V 
 
 " ' No, but my Anna Maria does ; and master says 
 she has a most grand ear, sir.' 
 
 " ' Perhaps you would like to hear some music ? If 
 so. Lady Sampson will have great pleasure in playing 
 for you.' 
 
 " ' For me ! Oh, dear, no — not for the world ! I 
 couldn't think of it for me, sir.' 
 
 " ' What a pity it is there is no theatre at Halifax !' 
 
 " ' Yes, sir — very, sir — for them as sees no harm 
 in 'em, sir — yes, sir.' 
 
 " The Governor gave it up in despair, and offered 
 me a pinch of snuff, with an air of resignation that 
 would have done honour to a martyr. They were 
 afi-aid of him, and knew not how to address him ; and, 
 besides, who could talk amid general silence, and sub- 
 ject their chit-chat to the critical ordeal of strangers ? 
 
 " Announcements now became more frequent, and 
 relieved the embarrassment of both parties. Major 
 and Mrs. Section ; Mrs. and the Misses de Laine ; 
 the Hon. Mr. Flint (a privy councillor) ; Mr. Steel 
 (the Speaker), Mrs. and Miss Steel, and Miss Tinder ;
 
 136 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 Colonel Lord Heather ; Vicc-Admiral Sir James Cap- 
 stan ; Lady Capstan ; Captain Sheet ; Lieutenant 
 Stay ; and so on. The room was soon filled, and it 
 was amusing to witness the eflect this reinforcen)ent 
 had on tlie spirits of the advanced party, who had 
 hitherto sustained, unaided and alone, the difficult 
 conversation, and to watch the eagerness with which 
 they recognised and claimed an acquaintance with 
 whom they could be at ease and talk freely. An in- 
 cipient attack of the gout compelling me to take a 
 chair, I sat down near the table on which were the 
 prints and caricatures, but soon became more interested 
 in the scene before me than in those over-drawn pic- 
 tures of life, and was excessively amused at the scraps 
 of conversation that reached me from detached groups 
 in my neighbourhood. 
 
 " ' Ah, Mrs. Section !' said Trotz, as he gave her, 
 very condescendingly, one finger, ' how do you do ? 
 And how is my friend, the major V 
 
 " • The major is poorly, thank you,' she replied ; 
 ' he caught a bad cold in going those ''orrid grand 
 rounds last night."* 
 
 " ' Ah,"' said Trotz, ' ho should have had a four- 
 post bedstead put upon runners, and driven in that 
 manner to visit the posts! The orderly could have 
 accompanied him, turned out the guards for him, and, 
 when all was ready, opened the curtains.' 
 
 " ■• How very good !"" said Lord Edward. 
 
 " ' What a droll fellow Trotz is V observed the ladv
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 137 
 
 to her neighbour : ' but those grand rounds really are 
 a great nuisance, and I get dreadfully frightened when 
 Section is out. Last night I wanted to have Sero-eant 
 Butter to sleep in the 'ouse ; but the major said, 
 ' ""Enrietta, don't be foolish V So I put my maid Hann 
 in the dressing-room. Presently I 'eard a noise, and 
 called to Hann, and we examined every place — and 
 what do you think it was I an howl tapping against 
 the heaves of the 'ouse !' 
 
 " ' I am afraid,'' said the Admiral to his flag-captain, 
 ' that Sampson will find himself in a scrape this winter. 
 I don't see how he is to get over the rupture of the 
 last session ; where it was tongued then, it has again 
 given way, I understand, and nothing holds it now but 
 the cheeks and back fish."* 
 
 " ' Dear me, Sir James,' said Mrs. Section, ' 'ow 
 very 'orrid ! do, pray, recommend to him 'Olloway's 
 'Ealino; Hointment — it's hexcellent! But what did 
 you say it was that 'ung by the Governor's cheeks V 
 
 " Their sense of the ludicrous overcame their sense 
 of propriety, and they both laughed heartily ; when 
 the Admiral said — 
 
 " ' Nothing, my dear madam — nothing in the world 
 but his whiskers !' 
 
 " Moving a little further ofi", their place was soon 
 supplied by another set, among whom was the pretty 
 Mrs. Smythe. 
 
 " ' Ah, Mrs. Section, how do you do to-night ? You 
 really look charmingly ! Let me introduce dear Mrs.
 
 138 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 Olaverliouse to you! How glad I am to see you, 
 
 Miss Schweineimcr ! Wlicn did you come to town ? 
 Has your father taken liis scat in the council yet? — 
 Stop, my dear, there is nohody looking just now ; 
 your dress is unhooked at the top ; let me fasten it. 
 What a lovely complexion ! I would give the world 
 for such a colour as you have. I suppose you ride a 
 great deal a-horseback in the country V 
 
 " ' No, I never ride ; father hasn't a beast fit for the 
 side-saddle."* 
 
 " ' Call it a horse, dear ; we call nothing a beast in 
 Halifax, dear, but Colonel Lord Heather, who won't 
 allow his band to play at private parties. Do you 
 know Lady Capstan ? I will introduce you.' 
 
 " ' Oh, dear, no, not for the world, before so many 
 folks ! I shouldn't know whether I was standing on 
 my head or my heels, if you did.' 
 
 " ' Don't talk of standing on your head, dear ; 
 women never do it here, except at a circus.' 
 
 " ' It's allowable to have one's head turned a little 
 sometimes, though, ain't it V retorted the young lady. 
 ' But who is that old fellow at the table V 
 
 " ' Don't call him a fellow, dear — fellows are only 
 found at colleges and workhouses : call him ' gentle- 
 man,' and leave the word ' old' out ; nobody is old 
 hero but the devil. It is Judge Sandford, dear. Shall 
 I introduce you? I think he knows your father.' 
 
 " ' Oh, no, pray don't ; he looks so horrid cross and 
 grumpy !'
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 139 
 
 " ' Who is to be the new Legislative Councillor T 
 inquired a member of the Assembly of another. 
 
 " ' Morgan, I believe.' 
 
 " ' Morgan ! why, he can't write his name ! You 
 don't mean to say they intend to put in ]\Iorgan ? 
 Why, he ain't fit to be a doorkeeper — and, besides, his 
 character is none of the best, they say.' 
 
 " ' It will conciliate all the clergy of ....' 
 
 " ' Conciliate the devil ! Well, you do astonish me ! 
 Did you get your vote through for the Shinimicash 
 Bridge V 
 
 " ' Yes.' 
 
 "'I wish you'd help me, then — log-roll mine 
 through, for an over-expenditure I have of five hundred 
 pounds.' 
 
 " ' I will, if you will support the academy in my 
 county. I was put in on that interest.' 
 
 " ' Done !' and the parties shook hands, and sepa- 
 rated. 
 
 " As they turned to depart, one of them struck his 
 elbow against a musical instrument, that gave out a 
 loud and long-continued sound. 
 
 " ' What's that !' he asked. 
 
 " ' They call it a harp,' was the reply. 
 
 " ' The devil it is 1 I wonder if it is like the harp 
 of Solomon !' 
 
 " ' I never heard of Solomon's harp.' 
 
 " ' Well, it's much of a muchness, then, for I never 
 saw it ; so we are about even, T guess.'
 
 140 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 " ' I say, ]3ill, that's a devili.sli pretty craft witli a 
 rainbow on her catheads, ain't she i — there, that one 
 \\-ith pink streamers and long-legged gloves,"" said one 
 little middy to another. ' Fm blowed if I don't go 
 and ask her to dance with me !' 
 
 " ' ^Vhy, Black, what are you at, man ! You 
 haven't been introduced to her.' 
 
 " ' The uniform's introduction enough to her ; there's 
 no harm in trying it, at any rate. So I'm ofl" in chase 
 of the strange sail, and will speak her, at all events.' 
 
 " ' How was dry cod at Berbice V inquired a little, 
 cold, calculating man, of anotiier (who, from his enor- 
 mous bulk, appeared to have fed upon something much 
 better than his favourite export) — ' how was cod, when 
 tlie brig Polly left Berbice ? And lumber — was the 
 market good? What a grand government contract 
 Longhead got for the supply of the army and navy ! 
 Tiiat fellow don't entertain the commissary people for 
 nothing; that's a fact! There's no use to tender 
 where he's concerned.' 
 
 " ' How late the officers of the 10th are in coming 
 to-night !' whispered a very pretty young lady to her 
 companion. ' There is nothing but those horrid 
 black coats here, and they look like ill-omened birds. 
 I can't bear them ; they take up so nmch room, and, I 
 fancy, soil my gloves.' 
 
 " ' I can't say I have any objection to them,' said 
 the other ; ' but I wish they were not so fond of 
 dancing. But just look at Ann Cooper, what a witch
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 141 
 
 she has made of herself; she actually looks like 
 a fright ! I ■wonder what Captain Denham can 
 see in her to admire ! Come this way : there is 
 that horrid Lawyer Galbanum seeking whom he 
 can devour, for the next quadrille : I shall say I am 
 engaged."' 
 
 " ' So shall I, for I have no idea of fisrurins: with 
 him. Look at Major Mitchell, how he is paying 
 court to Lady Sampson ! They say he is attentive 
 to ]\Iiss Sampson. They are moving this way; let 
 us go over to Mrs. Section, she always has so many 
 people about her that one knows."" 
 
 " ' What a magnificent screen \' exclaimed Major 
 Mitchell to the great enchantress. Lady Sampson. 
 ' How beautifullv it is executed ! It is the most ex- 
 quisite piece of embroidery I ever saw. I am at a loss 
 which most to admire, — the brilliancy of the colouring 
 and delicate shading, or the skilful way in which it is 
 worked in ; for it has a richer and softer effect than 
 anything of the kind I ever beheld. Where in the 
 world did you get it V 
 
 " ' I hardly like to tell you, after such extravagant 
 praise ; but it is the joint production of myself and 
 daughter. One has to resort to some such occupation 
 to pass the time in this horrid country ; and,"* looking 
 round cautiously, and lowering her voice, ' among 
 such horrid carriboos of people, too."" 
 
 " ' Exactly,"" said the major ; ' I know how to pity 
 you.'
 
 142 THE OLD JUDGE J OU, 
 
 " ' When I \vas in the West Indies, I used to 
 amuse myself by embroidering by way of killing time. 
 The weather was so extremely hot, it was impossible 
 to use any exercise.' 
 
 " ' Got this place made a free port, you see, Sir 
 Hercules,'' said a man, who appeared to have had an 
 interview on some occasion at the Colonial and Home 
 Office. ' I told the Secretary of State refusal was out 
 of the question, we nmst have it ; and threatened to 
 have a committee moved for on it in the House of 
 Commons, — regularly bullied him out of it. The 
 Chancellor of the Exchequer, who is a particular friend 
 of mine, told me before I went it was the only way at 
 Downing' Street. Bully them, says he, and you'll 
 get it. Jiut Peel, he said, was a different man : self- 
 created — a new man — important — feels himself — 
 stands before the fire with his back to it, and his 
 hands in his pockets. He knows who he is, and so 
 must you appear to know. I took the hint, pitched 
 into him about the confidence of the colonies iu his 
 great grasp of intellect, comprehensive mind, and so 
 on. Don't say another word, my good fellow, it 
 shall be done. / say it, you know, and that's enough. 
 I had a conversation with John llussell, too; and, 
 between you and me, they tell me his Lordship is a 
 rising man. Plumbstone, said he, Halifax is a 
 very important jilace, — a very important place indeed. 
 I really had no idea of it until you explained to me its 
 capabilities ; and then, tapping me on the shoulder.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 143 
 
 he said, and it has some very important men in it, 
 too! — a handsome compHment, wasn't it? And 
 then he quoted some Latin ; but I've grown so rusty — 
 hem ! — so long since I've had time — hem ! — I couldn't 
 follow him.' 
 
 " ' Stop a minute, Sarah ; let me pull out your 
 flounce, and fix your sleeves and braids for you,' said 
 an anxious mother to her daughter. ' There, now, 
 that will do ; but hold yourself up, dear. In a ball- 
 room, people look shorter than they are, and must 
 make the most of themselves ; and don't dance with 
 those horrid little midshipmen, if you can find any 
 other partners.' 
 
 " ' Why, ma V 
 
 " ' Exactly,' said Mrs. Smythe, who appeared to 
 be endowed with ubiquity, ' your mother is right. 
 Do you know Captain Beech, or Lieutenant Birch, of 
 the Jupiter ? I will introduce them to you ; they are 
 both well connected, and have capital interest. Take 
 my arm, but don't look at those country members, 
 dear, and then you won't have to cut them, for Sir 
 Hercules don't like that. Appear not to see them, 
 that's the most civil way of avoiding them. Recollect, 
 too, that walls have ears — especially when they are 
 covered with flowers, as they will be to-night. Now, 
 I'll tell you a secret, dear ; Major Macassar is engaged 
 in England, so don't waste your time in talking to 
 him this evening. Keep close to me, now, and I'll 
 take you among the right set, and introduce you to
 
 144 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 good partners, for I sec preparations making for 
 moving out/ 
 
 "Here Sir Hercules gave liis arm to Lady Cap- 
 stan, Lord Heather following witli Lady Sampson, 
 and led the way to the ball-room. It was a larixc and 
 handsome apartment, tastefully decorated and well 
 lighted ; and the eftect produced hy the rich and 
 various uniforms of the military and navy was gay, 
 and even brilliant — more so, indeed, than is generally 
 seen in a provincial town in England ; for the garri- 
 son consisted of three regiments, and the greater part 
 of the fleet upon the station was in port at the time. 
 At the upper end of the room were the Governor, 
 Lady Sampson, the Admiral and his lady, and the 
 heads of the civil and military departments of the 
 place and their families. Those next in rank adorned 
 the sides of the room ; and groups of those who made 
 no pretension to that equivocal word ' position ' occu- 
 pied and filled the lower end. 
 
 *' The indiscriminate hospitality that had thus 
 assembled together people of the same community, 
 wholly unknown to each other except by name, liad 
 the etlect of causing a restraint in the manner of the 
 upper class, in a vain and weak desire not to be 
 thought on a footing of equality with those beneath 
 them ; and, on the other side, a feeling that this 
 diftercnce was purposely rendered palpable, and main- 
 tained, if not with incivility, at least, with a total 
 want of courtesv. Where such was the condition of
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 145 
 
 things, the whole naturally suffered from the conduct 
 of a few individuals ; and those who exhibited or 
 assumed airs of superiority, on the one part, or re- 
 sented them coarsely, on the other, naturally involved 
 the right-thinking people of both in the censure that 
 belonged peculiarly to themselves. 
 
 " ' Who is that beautiful girl V asked a person near 
 me, of a lady belonging to the place. 
 
 " ' I don't know her."" 
 
 " ' And that extremely interesting young lady V 
 
 " ' I am not aware; I never met her before ; she 
 is not of our set."* 
 
 " And yet it was manifest she knew her name; 
 had seen her frequently, though not, perhaps, in the 
 same room ; and was well acquainted with the condi- 
 tion and respectable character of her parents. If any 
 allowance could be made for this absurd fastidious- 
 ness, some extenuation might be found for female 
 vanity in the fact, that what the lower end of the 
 room lost in station was more than compensated for in 
 beauty. Trotz, who had observed this littleness, did 
 not fail to use it, to the annoyance of those who had 
 been weak enough to exhibit it. He affected oreat 
 astonishment at their not knowing people so di.stin- 
 guished for beauty, ease of manner, and agreeable con- 
 versation. The lower they were in the scale of society, 
 the more he extolled them for these qualities, and 
 pronounced them decidedly the finest women in the 
 country. 
 
 VOL. I. H
 
 146 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 " In a short time, the quadrilles were formed, and 
 all (that is, all the younger part of the company) were 
 in motion ; and, whatever the undercurrents and un- 
 seen eddies of feeling might have been, all appeared 
 gav and happy. Indeed, some of the young ladies 
 from the country danced with a vigour and energy 
 that showed their whole hearts were engaged in dis- 
 playing what they considered most valuable qualities, 
 exertion and endurance. The eflfect of the sudden 
 cessation of music in a ball-room is always ludicrous, 
 as the noise compels people to talk louder than usual ; 
 and, when it terminates, the conversation is continued 
 for awhile in the same key. 
 
 '• ' My heart is as free as the eagle, sir,' were the 
 first words I heard from a fair promenader. 
 
 " ' Father is shocked at a waltz. I must wait till 
 he goes into supper.' 
 
 '' ' Ma says she's a sheep in lamb's clothing ; she 
 rioollects her forty years ago, dancing with a boy, as 
 she is to-night.' 
 
 " ' I say, Bill, look at the old ladies a-starboard 
 there, how they haul in their claws, like lobsters, when 
 the promenading commences !' 
 
 " ' Hush, there's Captain Sheet !' 
 
 " ' I hope he's not in the wind ! AVho is that he 
 has got in tow? She looks like a heavy sailor.' 
 
 " ' Hush, he'll hear you !' 
 
 " ' It's a great shame, now, to wear spurs in a ball- 
 room ! Major Macassar has torn my dress, and
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 147 
 
 scraped my ankle dreadfully. I'm really quite lame. 
 The gold wire, too, has made my neck smart as if it 
 was stung with nettles."" 
 
 " ' Well, if it's any satisfaction to retaliate, you 
 have certainly punished that Highland officer nicely, 
 for the beetle-wing trimming on your dress has scratched 
 his knees most unmercifully ! But, oh, Sarah ! look 
 at Captain Denham ! if his epaulette hasn't drawn off 
 a false curl, and there he carries it suspended from his 
 shoulder as a trophy ! Well, I never ! He needn't 
 think it will ever be claimed ! I wonder who in the 
 world it belongs to? How glad I am it isn't the 
 colour of my hair !' 
 
 " ' Oh, sir, if you haven't seen Carriboo Island, sir, 
 near Pictoo, you haven't seen the prettiest part of 
 Nova Scotia ! I never beheld anything so lovely as 
 Carriboo Island. We have such pleasant clam-parties 
 there, sir, especially when the timber- vessels arrive.' 
 
 " Lady Sampson had but one topic, which, though 
 it had lasted since October, was likely to endure 
 through the winter season. She had visited the Falls 
 of Niao-ara in the autumn, and was filled with wonder 
 and amazement. She was now describing them to a 
 circle of admiring friends. 
 
 " ' It was a mighty cataract !' she said. 
 
 " ' It might be removed by couching,' remarked a 
 deaf staff-doctor, who thought she was talking of her 
 eyes, which greatly distended at the time with the 
 
 marvellous story. 
 
 H 2
 
 148 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 " ' The Falls !' she said, raising her voice. 
 
 " ' Ah ! the effect of a fall — that will renckT the 
 operation doubtful."' 
 
 " ' Water-foil !' 
 
 " ' Ah, exactly ; the lachrj-mal gland is affected."" 
 
 "■ ' Ni-as-a-ra !' she said, raising her voice still 
 hi"-her, and pronouncing the word slowly. 
 
 " ' I beg your pardon, madam,"' he replied, 
 putting his hand to his ear, and advancing his 
 head much nearer ; ' I beg your pardon, but I didn't 
 hear.' 
 
 " ' Trotz ! do, pray, take that horrid man away, 
 and explain to him,"' said the lady, and then con- 
 tinued. ' I saw the pool at the foot of the rock where 
 the Indian warrior rose after going over the Fall, and 
 was whirled round and round in the vortex for a 
 great many days, in an upright position, as if he 
 were still alive ! They say it was a fearful sight ; at 
 last, the flesh dissolved, and the frame parted and 
 sunk !"" 
 
 " She then led the way to the drawing-room, to 
 show a sketch of Niagara, that the military secretary 
 had prepared for her. Trotz detained the doctor a 
 minute behind, and I heard him say, — 
 
 " ' Though the cataract was not, that story of the 
 Indian really was, all in my eye."* 
 
 " ' So I should think,' was the reply. 
 
 '• The ante-rooms through which we passed were 
 filled with persons playing cards, or taking refresh-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 149 
 
 ments. At a small table sat my friend, the midship- 
 man, with the little strange sail with pink streamers, 
 to whom he had given chase in the early part of the 
 evening, and, as he said, brought to. They were just 
 commencing a sociable game of chess. 
 
 " ' Suppose,' said the jolly tar to his fair friend 
 — ' suppose that we strip as we go ? It's great 
 
 fun.' 
 
 " ' I don't understand you,' said the young lady, 
 with an offended toss of her pretty head. 
 
 " ' What ! not know what strip as we go is V 
 
 " ' I don't know what you mean, sir !' 
 
 " ' Why, this is the rule. Any thing you can 
 take, you are boujid to take, and strip the board as 
 you go on. It shortens the game amazingly.' 
 
 " Lady Sampson now opened a large book, contain- 
 ing the promised sketch, and unfolded and extended 
 out a narrow strip of paper of immense length, painted 
 o-reen, and resemblino; an enormous snake, and ex- 
 plained it all in detail. 
 
 " ' There is the Gulf of St. Lawrence,' she said ; 
 ' and there's Quebec ; and there's Montreal ; and 
 there are the lakes ; and there— just there — no, not 
 there— a little higher up— just between your thumb 
 and finger — is Niagara, — vast, mighty and grand 
 Niagara ! Don't you see the grand Falls, Mr. Sec- 
 tion ? There, that little white speck — that's it ! It's 
 so mighty, that neither the eye nor the mind can take 
 it all in at once ! Captain Howard drew it ! Ain't it
 
 150 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 beautifully done ? He draws so well ! He can draw 
 any thing V 
 
 " ' I must introduce liim to you,' whispered Mrs. 
 Snij'tho to Miss Schweineimer. 
 
 " ' Yes/ said Trotz to Lord Edward, ' he can draw 
 any thing, — a long bow, a long cork — any thing but a 
 bill, and that he won't draw for any one !' 
 
 " ' How very good !' replied Lord Edward. 
 
 '"'■ ' Here is an epitome of it — an abridgment — the 
 ideas, as it were, itself, though not developed ;' and 
 she exhibited a very good and accurate sketch taken 
 by her daughter, infinitely better done, and more intel- 
 ligible, than the other. ' What do you think, Mrs. 
 Smvthe, of my transferring this to embroidery — 
 working it for a screen, or a cushion ? No, a cushion 
 wouldn't do, either; it's inconvenient to have to rise 
 every time you wish to show it. But for a screen^ 
 ehr 
 
 "• Another party, an exploring one, that was recon- 
 noitering what was going on in the drawing-room, now 
 arrived ; and the loud prolonged sound of Niagam 
 ^vas again heard in the distance, amidst the confused 
 hum of many voices, as 1 returned to the ball-room. 
 The dancing being about to be resumed, I took a seat 
 near a Mrs. Blair, an old lady who came for the pur- 
 pose of chaperoning her daughter that evening. I had 
 known her in her youth, but had not met her of late 
 years, and was shocked to see the change that time 
 liad effected both in her appearance and disposition.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 151 
 
 The playful humour, for which she was remarkable 
 when young, had degenerated into severe sarcasm ; 
 the effects, probably, of ill health, or of decreased 
 fortune, 
 
 " ' Who would have thought of seeing you here. 
 Judge ?"* said she. 
 
 " ' The truth is, my dear Mrs. Blair,' I replied, ' 1 
 have not been at a ball for many years, and probably 
 never shall be again ; and, as I dined here to-day, and 
 was in the house when the company arrived, I thought 
 I would stay and take one last long look at a scene which 
 recalls so many recollections of bygone days; and, 
 besides, it always does me good to see happy faces 
 about me.' 
 
 " ' Happiness in a ball-room !' she ejaculated, with 
 some bitterness of feeling ; ' I thought you were too 
 much of a philosopher, to believe in such a deception ! 
 Look at that old wall-eyed colonel, now (excuse the 
 coarseness of the expression, but I have no patience 
 with people of his age forgetting their years), — look at 
 that wall-eyed colonel, with an obliquity of vision, and 
 the map of Europe traced in red stains on his face ! 
 Happy fellow, is he not ? See, he is actually going to 
 dance ! It will puzzle those two sisters to know which 
 he is addressing."* 
 
 " She had scarcely uttered the words, when both 
 the young ladies rose at once, each thinking he had 
 asked for the honour of her hand. 
 
 " ' How happy he must feel,'' she continued, ' in
 
 lo2 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 havinoj such an ocular proof of the want of unity or ex- 
 pression in his eyes ! Oh ! look at that old lady, 
 with a flame-coloured satin dress, and an enormous 
 bag hanging on her arm, with tulips embroidered on 
 it, and a strange-looking cap, with a bell-rope attached 
 to one side of it, fanning a prodigious bouquet of 
 flowers in her belt, as if to keep them from fainting 
 with the heat, and losing their colour ! Oh, observe 
 that member woman, that lady from the rural dis- 
 tricts, habited in a gaudy-coloured striped silk dress, 
 trimmed all over with little pink bows, having yellow 
 glass buttons in the centre ; a cap without a back, 
 stuffed full of feathers, like Cinderella''s godmother ; 
 and enormously long gloves, full of wrinkles, like the 
 skin of an elephant ! They are both happy, but it is 
 the happiness of fools ! Happiness in a ball-room .' 
 Ah, Judge, you and I are too old for such twaddle ! 
 I wish you had been here when the yellow-fever was 
 raging ! In a garrison town, the young ladies liave 
 the scarlet-fever all the year round ; but last year the 
 yellow-fever predominated ; for, you know, two dis- 
 eases cannot exist in the constitution at one time. At 
 a sale of wrecked ffoods, a fashionable milliner bou<rht 
 a lot of maize-coloured satins so cheap, as to be able to 
 sell them for a mere trifle ; but disposed of them 
 skilfully, by exhibiting only a few at a time. The 
 consequence was, a great number of young ladies made 
 their appearance here in what each one considered a 
 rare fabric ; and, to their horror, found the room full
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 153 
 
 of them ! I christened it then, and it has ever since 
 been known as the bilious ball. Do you suppose 
 those maize-coloured satins covered happy hearts that 
 night ? There is Ella M'Nair, now, dancing with her 
 awkward country cousin, whom she is afraid to refuse, 
 yet unwilling to accept, as a partner, alarmed for the 
 horror of Lord Heather, the sneers of Trotz, and the 
 triumph of the Shermans. Sweet girl ! how joyous 
 she looks, does she not ? Oh, look at that supercilious 
 little fellow near the fireplace, whose elbow is resting 
 on the mantelpiece ! The education his foolish father 
 gave him spoiled him for the kitchen, without fitting 
 him for the parlour. Instead of being a cheerful, 
 thrifty tradesman, he has been metamorphosed into a 
 poor, shabby, discontented gentleman. He looks like 
 a grasshopper on half-pay. 
 
 " ' You see the same thing every where. Observe 
 that very pretty and remarkably well-dressed lady op- 
 posite. She is a widow of large fortune and good con- 
 nexions. Her affections are all absorbed by that lout 
 of a boy she is talking to, who is her only child. His 
 bent knees and stooping shoulders give you the idea of 
 a ploughboy, while his fashionable dress would lead 
 you to suppose he had clothed himself, by fraud or 
 mistake, from his master's wardrobe. She is beseech- 
 ing him to stand properly, and behave like a gentle- 
 man ; and, above all, to dance ; to all which he is 
 becoming more and more rebellious ; and now he has 
 jerked away his arm, and is diving into that croAvd of 
 
 h5
 
 \oi THE OLD JUDGE; OR. 
 
 men near the fire, to escape from hor importanities 
 and tlie observation of others. Her wealth and station 
 have given hor but little happiness, and her maternal 
 cares and devoted aftection are the torment of her son. 
 Did you use that word happiness, therefore, Judge, 
 as a connnon-place phrase, or did it express what you 
 really meant V 
 
 " • I meant what I said,' I replied. ' Happiness is 
 rather a negative than positive term in this world, and 
 consists more in the absence of some things than in 
 the presence of others. I see no harm in assemblies 
 where they are not the business, but the relaxation of 
 life, as they certainly are in this country. People 
 come together for the purpose of pleasing and being 
 pleased, of seeing and being seen, to be amused them- 
 selves, and to contribute their share to the amusement 
 of others. They come with a disposition and a hope 
 to be happy. Music and dancing exhilarate the spirits, 
 hilarity is contagious, and, generally speaking, people 
 do enjoy themselves, and I derive great gratification 
 in witnessing their happiness. That was what I meant, 
 for I never supposed there could be an assemblage of 
 two or three hundred people, without there being some 
 individuals unable or unwilling to partake of tho gaiety 
 about them.' 
 
 " Just then Miss Schweineimer, the young lady 
 that called her horse a beast, and myself an ugly old 
 fellow, passed, hanging on the arm of a subaltern 
 otHcer, iuto whose face she was looking up with evi-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 155 
 
 dent satisfaction, while listening to his flattering ac- 
 cents. 
 
 " ' Oh, charming !' she said. ' If I haven't enjoyed 
 myself to-night, it's a pity, thafs all ! How do you 
 feel ? I feel kind of all over. It's the handsomest 
 party I ever saw in all my life ! How I like Halifax ! 
 I wish father lived here instead of the Blueberry 
 Plains !' 
 
 " ' There, madam,** I said, ' let us abide by the de- 
 cision of that unsophisticated girl. I forgive her nasal 
 twang and her ignorance, for the simplicity and truth- 
 fulness of her nature ;' and I effected my escape from 
 my cynical companion. 
 
 " Conversation such as hers is depressing to the 
 spirits, and lowers one's estimate of mankind. It puts 
 you out of sorts ; for such is the mysterious effect of 
 sympathy, that a discontented person soon infuses a 
 portion of his own feeling into the mind of his audi- 
 tors. I did not, however, derive much benefit from 
 change of place, for the gentleman who next accosted 
 me was imbued with much of the same captious spirit. 
 
 " ' I have been pitying you for some time. Judge,' 
 he said. ' How could you think of remaining so long 
 with that bitter specimen of humanity, Mrs. Blair ? 
 She speaks well of no one, and has been amusing her- 
 self by feeling the silks and satins of her neighbours 
 this evening, so as to find fault with their texture, if 
 thin, and the extravagance of their owners, if other- 
 wise. She has been grumbling to every one that the
 
 15G THE OLD JUn(;R; OR, 
 
 room is so badly lighted, good dresses are lost in the 
 dim and gloomy apartment. I shall propose to Sir 
 Hercules to have shelves put up on the wall for those 
 old chaperons, with chandeliers in front of them to 
 show off their velvets to the best advantage ; when 
 they will be out of all danger themselves from heels 
 and spurs, and be deprived of the power of annoying 
 others. Capital idea, isn't it ? A very vulgar party 
 this, Judge? When the guests that are invited do 
 come, it's not fair to send to the highways and byways 
 for others. In the olden time, we are told, it was only 
 when a man's friends declined, that a press-warrant 
 issued to man the tables with the first poor devils that 
 could be found going to bed supperless.' 
 
 " The party now began to move towards the supper- 
 room, which generally presents more attractions to 
 persons who stand less in need of refreshments than 
 those who have been fatigued or exhausted with dancing. 
 The tables were tastefully and beautifully arranged; 
 but the effect was much injured by the profuse and 
 substantial character of some of the viands, which the 
 number and quality of the guests rendered necessary. 
 Whatever doubt there might have been as to the pos- 
 sibility of a ball conferring happiness, there could be 
 none as to the enjoj-^ment derived from the supper. In 
 approving or partaking, nearly all seemed to join ; 
 few claimed exemption from age, and no one objected 
 to a vis-d-vis; and, if some had danced with all their 
 hearts, an infinitely greater number eat and drank
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 157 
 
 with as much relish as if eating and drinking were as 
 unusual a thing as waltzing. 
 
 " I looked, but in vain, for my cynical companion, 
 Mrs. Blair, to draw her attention to my friend, the 
 midshipman, who had evidently made a prize of the 
 strange sail, and was behaving with the utmost gene- 
 rosity and kindness to the vanquished. He insisted 
 upon filling her plate with every thing within reach ; 
 and when it could hold no more, surrounded it with 
 tenders, deeply laden mth every variety of supply. 
 Nor did he forget champagne, in which he drank to 
 the fair one's health, to their better acquaintance, and 
 to a short cruise and speedy return ; and then, pro- 
 testing it was all a mistake to suppose he had already 
 done so, apologized for his neglect, and repeated the 
 draughts till his eyes sparkled as bright as the wine. 
 He cut the large cake before him, and helped his 
 partner to a liberal share, complaining all the time that 
 the knife was desperately dull ; that it was the severest 
 cutting-out service he was ever employed in ; and 
 vowed that the steward ouo;ht to have three dozen for 
 his carelessness. He succeeded, however, at last in 
 effecting the incision, and brought away several folds 
 of a three-cornered piece of napkin, exactly fitting the 
 slice, which had impeded the progress of his knife. 
 As he deposited this trophy of his skill and strength 
 on the plate, he said, in an under tone, ' It only 
 wanted a ring to make it complete ;' whereat the lady's 
 face was suffused with blushes and smiles, and, holdin""
 
 158 THE OLD JUDGE; OR. 
 
 up her glass, she said, ' A very little wine, if you 
 please/ Complying with this request, and filling his 
 own, they pledged each other again ; and something 
 was looked, and something was thought, and something 
 was felt, though not expressed on that occasion, that, 
 notwithstanding Mrs. Blair's theory to the contrary, 
 looked to me uncommonly like happiness. 
 
 " Miss Schweineimer was no less pleased, though 
 she thought that the sandwiches were rather bitey ; 
 and the little red things in the pickles, to which Trotz 
 had helped her, the hottest, not to be a fire, she had 
 ever tasted, for they burned her tongue so as to make 
 tears trickle down her cheeks. 
 
 " ' Do look !' said a young lady near mo to Mrs. 
 Smythe — ' do look at that strange creature covered 
 with pink bows, and yellow glass buttons in them ; 
 she is actually eating her supper backwards ! She be- 
 gan with fruits, and then proceeded to confectionary 
 and jellies, and so on, and is now winding up with the 
 breast and leg of a turkey ! Who is she, and where 
 does she come from V 
 
 " ' Her name is Whetstone ; I will introduce you 
 to her, by and by." 
 
 " ' No, thank you ; Td rather not.' 
 
 " ' Tlie place is unpronounceable. It is Scissiboo- 
 goomish-cogomah, an Indian word, signifying The 
 Witch's Fountain.' 
 
 " ' Ah, indeed ! she is a fit representative.""
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 159 
 
 " The inventor of shelves for the chaperons now 
 accosted me again. 
 
 " ' I shoukl have Hked, Judge, to have had the 
 pleasure of taking wine with you, but really Sampson'^s 
 wine is not fit to drink ; he seems to have lowered his 
 standard of taste to suit the majority of his guests. 
 Did you ever see any thing so disgusting as the quan- 
 tities of things with which the tables are loaded, or 
 the gross appetites with which they were devoured ? 
 It is something quite shocking ! He is ruining the 
 state of society here. These people realize our ideas 
 of the harpies : — 
 
 Diripuuntque dapes, contactuque omnia fcedant 
 In mundo. 
 
 By the way, a little man, with a face like a squeezed 
 lemon, has done me the honour to notice me once or 
 twice to-night, with a half familiar and half obsequious 
 nod, whom I have been at a loss to make out. The 
 supper-table has betrayed him at last ; for its resem- 
 blance to his own counter, (for he keeps a confectionary- 
 shop in the country) put him at ease in a moment. 
 He is the most useful person here."* 
 
 " A message fi-om Sir Hercules to his aide, Mr. 
 Trotz, brought him to his feet, muttering, as he rose, 
 his discontent in very audible tones. The renewal of 
 the music in the ball-room at the same time intimated 
 that the last dance was about to be commenced. 
 
 " ' You ain't going, Mr. Trotz, are you V said Miss
 
 IfiO THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 Schweincimor, who had unconsciously been the object 
 of many ini[)ertiuont remarks (hiring the hist half 
 hour. ' Pray try one of those custards before you go ; 
 they are so good ! Do, just to please me. You know 
 I ate those fiery pickles, because you asked me ;' and 
 she handed him a liquid one, contained in a small 
 circular Mass. 
 
 " To the astonishment of every body, he complied 
 with her request ; but, being in a hurry to attend to 
 the Governor's wishes, drank it off without the aid of 
 a spoon, and replaced the glass on the table. In a 
 moment he became dreadfully pale, and, putting his 
 liandkerchief to his face, exclaimed — 
 
 " ' Good heavens, the mustard-pot !"' and left the 
 room in convulsive agony from the effects of this 
 powerful emetic, and disappeared amid the malicious 
 laughter and uproarious delight of all those whom he 
 had at one time or another annoyed by his insolence. 
 
 " ' Well, I never !' said the young lady : ' it looks 
 as like a custard-glass as two peas, don't it ? and it's 
 the identical colour, too ? I am sorry it's done ; but 
 rd rather it had hai)pened to him than any one else ; 
 for I believe in my soul he gave me the red hot pickles 
 a-purpose. I am up sides with him, at any rate.' 
 
 '-' ' So would I, my dear,' said Mrs. Sm ythe ; ' but 
 don't say so ; here, you nmst always appear to be 
 sorry for an accident. Let me introduce you to Mr. 
 Able, assistant-surgeon of the Jupiter ; for this is the 
 last dance, and he'll tell you where the red pickles
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 161 
 
 grow. I really love you, for putting that trick upon 
 that horrid Trotz.' 
 
 " ' I assure you it was a mistake....' 
 
 " ' That''s right, dear; look innocent, and say it was 
 a mistake.' 
 
 " 'But I assure you....' 
 
 " ' Oh, of course ! you really do it very well. You 
 are a capital scholar !' 
 
 " The last dance lasted for a long time ; for the 
 termination of every thing agreeable is always deferred 
 to the utmost moment of time. At lenfrth the band 
 played ' God save the King !' which was the signal 
 for parting, and the company took leave and disap- 
 peared in a few minutes, with the exception of the 
 awkward squad that first arrived. Owing to their 
 having made a mistake in the hour, or forgotten to 
 give orders as to the time their carriages were to come 
 for them, they were again doomed to annoy the guber- 
 natorial party, and to be no less perplexed and bored 
 themselves. 
 
 " Such were my last reminiscences of Government 
 House ; and, from what I hear, it has not at all im- 
 proved of late years. Don't let me be misunderstood, 
 however. I do not give you this as a sketch of society 
 at Halifax, but of a promiscuous ball at Government 
 House: nor are the people whom I have described 
 samples of the whole company; but some of them are 
 specimens of that part of it who ought never to have 
 been there."
 
 1G2 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE OLD ADMIRAL AND THE OLD GENERAL. 
 
 The quiet inn in which I have been doniicileJ ever 
 since I arrived at Illinoo was yesterday the scene of 
 the greatest disorder and confusion. Shortly after 
 breakfast, a party of midshipmen, mounted on horse- 
 back, dashed into the courtyard during a violent 
 thunderstorm, with the speed and clatter of a charge 
 of cavalry. The merry crew at once dispersed tliem- 
 selves over every part of the house, which rang with 
 tlicir loud and long-continued peals of laughter. Their 
 number was soon increased by the addition of three or 
 four young women, who joined in their play with equal 
 noise and delight, chasing their tormentors, or flying 
 in affright at their rudeness, or quietly enjoying with 
 them a game of leapfrog in the passages. 
 
 My landlady, Mrs. Smith, was in despair. All her 
 remonstrances were met either with the response that 
 she was a beauty without paint, an angel, a cherub, 
 and a divine creature, or an invitation to join in their 
 sport. An officer's wife, who was awaiting the arrival 
 of her husband from Fredericton, was so alarmed and
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 163 
 
 anuoyed at the indecent behaviour of the juvenile 
 party, that she summoned the hostess, and announced 
 her intention of immediately leaving the house. 
 
 " I am shocked and frightened beyond measure,''"' 
 she said, " at your permitting those young gentlemen 
 to make such a riot ; but, more than all, am I hor- 
 rified at the behaviour of your housemaids, who are 
 the most forward, romping, and shameless young 
 women I ever beheld. I just now rang my bell, 
 which was answered by the one who calls herself 
 Charlotte, the pretty girl vnih the curly head of golden 
 hair. ' Fasten my dress,"" said I. ' Yes, ma'am,"" she 
 replied ; and before I knew what she was about, or 
 could find words to express my surprise, my stays were 
 nearly undone, and my clothes unfastened. ' Oh ! 
 I beg your pardon, ma"'am,"' she said, on being repri- 
 manded for the mistake ; ' I thought you said unrig. 
 ril reave it up in a minute."" When this was efiected, 
 she said, ' I'm blowed if I can find the hooks ! are 
 they on the larboard or starboard side V — ' Don""t use 
 those dreadful words,"" I replied : ' you have learned 
 them from those rude young midshipmen, who appear 
 to have turned your head. Take care of yourself ; for 
 they are reckless creatures — here to-day, and gone to- 
 morrow, and do not care what they say or do."" What 
 do you think, ]\Irs. Smith, was the reply of that bold, 
 impudent creature ? I could scarcely believe my ears. 
 ' Oh, ma'am,"" she said, ' they are such nice young 
 gentlemen, and so handsome, too, a body can't refuse
 
 164 THE OLD JLDGE; OR, 
 
 tliem any thing ; and, besides, I don't see any great 
 harm in kissing. If you were to try....' — ' Leave my 
 presence directly,"' I said ; ' how dare you address me 
 in that manner! Where is your mistress?** — 'Up 
 aloft, ma'am."' ' Aloft again ! poor lost creature, dead 
 to all sense of shame, whatever ; I pity you, from the 
 bottom of my heart. Send j^our mistress to me."" 
 Now, Mrs. Smith, I have never been so vexed and 
 insulted in my life, and I have sent for you to inform 
 you I shall remove to another inn."'"' 
 
 My poor unoffending landlady excused herself as 
 well as she was able for an occurrence which she could 
 neither foresee nor control. She said she was happy 
 to say, for the credit of her household, that she had 
 no such maid as Charlotte, nor one'female in her esta- 
 blishment that would think of acting or talking as she 
 had done. That that person must been the Honour- 
 able Mr. Hawson, who, with two others, borrowed 
 female attire, while their own was drying at the fire, 
 as thoy had no clothes with them but what they had 
 on when they arrived ; and that the romping girls who 
 played leapfrog were, in fact, no other than midship- 
 men. She added, that nothing of the kind could occur 
 again, as they had just set out on their return to 
 Halifax ; and she hoped that nobody would be ridden 
 over or killed, for they started at full gallop, waving 
 their caps and cheering each other as they went. 
 
 The Judge was a good deal amused at the story, 
 and laughed heartily over it.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 165 
 
 " I am a good sailor,"" he said, " and fond of the 
 sea, and so well acquainted with the manly bearing 
 and noble qualities of our seamen, that I make every 
 allowance for the irrepressible delight and inexhaus- 
 tible fun and frolic of these youngsters, when just 
 landed from a cruise. Whatever croakers may say 
 about the condition of the navy, it is in as efficient a 
 state as ever it was, and, when occasion requires, will 
 give as good an account of itself. The Lieutenants 
 are, in my opinion, as a class, in reference to their 
 numbers, the most active, intelligent, and valuable 
 body of men to be found in any branch of public ser- 
 vice in any country in the world. In former years, I 
 used to see a great deal of the navy, but, alas ! all my 
 old friends are now either superannuated or dead. 
 
 " During the war, when the whole fleet of one hun- 
 di'ed sail rendezvoused at Halifax, such scenes as you 
 have described were of constant occurrence, and the 
 to\vn was daily amused or disturbed by pranks of the 
 sailors. I remember one piece of absurdity that occa- 
 sioned a good deal of laughter at the time. At the 
 period I am speaking of, before the expensive under- 
 ground reservoirs were cut out of the rock on which 
 the town stands, the streets were sometimes rendered 
 almost impassable, from standing pools of water. A 
 sailor, seeing a lady contemplating in despair one of 
 these lagoons, took her up most gallantly in his arms, 
 and, wading through it, safely deposited her on the 
 other side. Alarmed at the suddenness of the trans-
 
 166 THE OLD Jl'DGE; OR, 
 
 portation, she scolded her escort, in no measured 
 tenijs, for the liberty he had taken, when lie mounted 
 her aaain on liis shoulders, and, carrvinij her back, 
 replaced her where he had found her, humbly begging 
 pardon, and hoping he had rectified his error. 
 
 " The story of the man who laid a drunken ship- 
 mate at the feet of Captain Coffin., saying, ' Here's a 
 dead man for you !' was one that that eccentric officer 
 was always very fond of relating, as illustrative of the 
 humour of poor Jack. 
 
 " Nova Scotia was then the principal naval station 
 on this side of the Atlantic, but now shares that 
 honour with Bermuda; the Admiral residing in the 
 summer at the former, and during the winter months 
 at the latter place. The noble harbour of Halifax is 
 one of the best, perhaps, in the world : its contiguity 
 to Canada and the United States, its accessibility at 
 all seasons of the year, and its proximity to England, 
 (being the most Eastern part of this continent) give it 
 a decided advantage over its rival ; while the frightful 
 destruction of stores at Bermuda, from the ett'ects of the 
 climate, its insalubrity, and the dangers with which it 
 is beset, have never failed to excite astonishment at the 
 want of judgment shown in its selection, and the utter 
 disregard of expense with which it has been attended. 
 The dockyard at Halifax is a beautiful establishment, 
 in excellent order, and perfect of its kind, with the sin- 
 gular exception of not having the accommodation of a 
 dock from which it derives its name. This deficiencv
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 167 
 
 was severely felt during the late war, and even in these 
 peaceable times is a source of great inconvenience, ex- 
 pense, and delay. The arrival of the Admiral, in the 
 spring, is always looked forward to with anxiety and 
 pleasure, as it at once enlivens and benefits the town. 
 Those common demonstrations of respect, salutes, pro- 
 claim the event, which is soon followed by the equally 
 harmless and no less noisy revels of sailors, who give 
 vent to their happiness in uproarious merriment. The 
 Admiral is always popular with the townspeople, as he 
 often renders them essential services, and seldom or 
 never com.es into collision with them. He is inde- 
 pendent of them, and wholly disconnected with the 
 civil government. ' Lucky fellow V as Sir Hercules 
 Sampson, the Governor, once said ; ' he has no turbu- 
 lent House of Assembly to plague him.' 
 
 " On an eminence immediately above the dockyard 
 is the ofiicial residence, a heavy, square, stone build- 
 ing, surrounded by massive walls, and resembling, in 
 its solidity and security, a public asylum. The en- 
 trance is guarded by two sentinels, belonging to that 
 gallant and valuable corps, the marines, who combine 
 the activity of the sailor with the steadiness and disci- 
 pline of the soldier, forming a happy mixture of the 
 best qualities of both, and bearing very little resem- 
 blance to either. ' These amphibious troops,** my old 
 friend. Sir James Capstan, used to say, 'are very 
 much in the way on board of a ship, except in an 
 action, and then they are always in the right place.'
 
 168 TilK OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 " This was no mean praise for a man who thoroiiirhly 
 detested them, for an insult his dignity once suti'ered 
 from them, which he never forgot or forgave. Upon 
 one occasion, I attended divine service with him, on 
 board of liis magnificent flag-ship, the Graball. The 
 discipline, in those days, was dreadfully severe, and, I 
 may add, unmerciful. The men were punished so 
 often and so cruelly, that they became desperate, and 
 mutiny and desertion were things of frequent occur- 
 rence. Scarcely a day passed without the loss of a 
 man ; and even the extreme penalty of death, which 
 was the inevitable consequence of sucli crimes, did not 
 check their desire to escape from the service. The 
 chaplain took the opportunity to preach against deser- 
 tion, and selected, for his text, the eleventh verse of 
 the sixth chapter of Nelu-miah — ' And I said, should 
 such a man as I flee V He enlarged upon the duty of 
 sailors to be obedient to those who were set in autho- 
 rity over them, and to continue true to their engage- 
 ments, and enforced every exhortation by a repetition 
 of his text. He then concluded, by an eloquent appeal 
 to their feelings ; first eulogizing their coolness and in- 
 trepidity in danger, and then calling upon them to 
 stand by their king and country, and maintain the 
 honour of both, and slowly and emphatically reite- 
 rated, ' And I said, should such a man as I flee?' — 
 ' No,' said a voice, which arose from among the ma- 
 rines, and was evidently the eflfect of ventriloquism — 
 ' no, d — n you ! you are too well paid for that !' A
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 169 
 
 loud, long-drawn breathing, was audible among the 
 men, who, feeling that something atrocious had been 
 done, which, in all probability, would be followed by 
 some terrible retribution, while an ill-suppressed titter 
 was heard among the junior officers, at the suddenness 
 and quaintness of the retort. The chaplain paused, 
 and looked at the Admiral, and the Admiral glared 
 at the men, as if he could annihilate them all. Im- 
 mediate inquiry was made, and the strictest examina- 
 tion of every individual instituted, accompanied by a 
 positive declaration that the whole ship's company 
 should be whipped, unless the culprit was given up. 
 The secret, however, was never divulged, nor the 
 threat of indiscriminate punishment carried into effect. 
 
 " More attention to the comfort of the men, greater 
 regularity, and less caprice in their management, 
 and a scale of punishment more proportioned to 
 offences, have rendered flogging almost unnecessary, 
 and executions of very rare occurrence. Poor fellows ! 
 their lives are hard and perilous, but their hardships 
 and perils are occasionally aggravated by the tyranny 
 of their superiors. Admirals, though they vary in 
 size, temperament, and talent, all, more or less, bear 
 the same characteristic stamp. The difference is one of 
 class. For instance, there is your Admiral that is sent 
 out to die. Rising alone and unaided in the service, 
 it is late in life before he attains to the honours of his 
 profession, and, when he does, his palsied hand can 
 scarcely grasp his commission. Poor man ! his reign 
 
 VOL. I. 1
 
 1 70 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 is short ; for his life expires before his period of ser- 
 vice has teriniiiateJ. 
 
 " Then there is vour Admiral that comes out to 
 make money. He has noble connections, or parlia- 
 mentary interest, and his sei-vices through life have 
 consequently been duly appreciated and promptly re- 
 warded. Though he entered the navy many years 
 after the aged man who preceded him in the com- 
 mand, he is in fiict scarcely his junior in rank, so 
 rapid hds been his promotion. He has come to make 
 money — but, alas ! money is no longer to be made. 
 The steamers carty all the coin and bullion which 
 were formerly transported by men-of-war, and the 
 Admiral, like others, is reduced to his pay, his rations, 
 and his grog. 
 
 " Then comes an Admiral, because it cannot be 
 helped. He is old, and has been long since forgotten, 
 especially as he never performed any services worth 
 remembering : but his name is on the list, and he can- 
 not be passed over. He is accordingly traced to his 
 agents, and from thence to Cheltenham, and again to 
 a cottage surrounded by every plant of every part of the 
 world tliat will endure the damp and sunless climate 
 of Enuland. The jrate of this museum of relics and 
 i-uriosities is opened by a servant, dressed in a pair of 
 loose duck trowsers, a check shirt, and white canvass 
 shoes, who gives a twitch with both hands to his waist- 
 band, a knowini; nod witli his head, and, looking at 
 the postman with a mischievous air, as if he would de-
 
 LIFE IN A COLOXY. 171 
 
 light in tripping up his heels and scattering his letters 
 in the street, says, ' Well, master, what cheer now ?"" 
 Closing the door on the impatient visitor, he reads on 
 the letter the words, ' On His Majesty\s Service^ and 
 says, musingly, ' Some musty old return, I suppose ; 
 for, as for service, we are hardly seaworthy now/ He 
 then proceeds into a little room hung round with 
 charts, spy-glasses, swords, and pistols, and shelves on 
 which are exhibited South Sea war-clubs, idols, ostrich 
 eggs, and curious feathers, the mantelpiece being gar- 
 nished with an extensive collection of the pipes of all 
 nations : at one end of the apartment is a hammock, 
 in which reposes the unconscious commander-in-chief 
 of the North American and West Indian station. In 
 a short time, the little occupant of the little cottage is 
 transported to Portsmouth, where he hoists his flag as 
 Admiral on board of one of the noble seventy-four gun 
 ships in that harbour, and sets sail for Halifax or Ber- 
 muda. He comes, because it couldn"'t be helped. 
 
 " Fighting Admirals are, happily, not required ; 
 and, when the day of need comes, they will no doubt be 
 found, as they always have been, among that numerous 
 class of officers who enjoy the benefit of experience 
 without the infirmities of age. Admirals ao-ain, even 
 of the same classification, notwithstanding this strong 
 family-likeness to each other, equally differ in pecu- 
 liarities, which, however, affect their subordinates 
 rather than civilians. They are generally uncomfort- 
 able inmates on board ship. There is your Admiral 
 
 I 2
 
 1 72 THE OLD judgp: ; OR, 
 
 who never reads ; ho is an intolerable bore to the flag- 
 captain, whom etiquette requires to attend him on 
 deck and amuse him. He acts the part of dry nurse, 
 and loni;s to be reheved from his charge. 
 
 " Tlien, tlicre is your married Admiral, whose 
 ladies will violate all rules, by sitting on forbidden 
 parts of the ship, and insisting on his ordering sail t<» 
 be sliortcned unnecessarily to appea.se their fears, 
 while their horses, carriages, cows, cats, dogs, birds, 
 and furniture, encumber the ship to the annoyance of 
 everybody. They are very ungallantly styled live 
 lumber by Jack, and voted a nuisance, a term of re- 
 proach which is somewhat compensated for by the 
 evident admiration with which even the plainest of 
 their sex are reirarded in a place where women are 
 such a rarity that a petticoat is looked upon as the 
 attribute of Divinity. 
 
 '■'Tlien, there is the Admiral wlio does everything, 
 and he who does nothing. The first is adored by the 
 wliole fleet, for a sense of justice pervades all his acts : 
 services are rewarded, grievances redressed, and every 
 body and everything kept in their place. Where the 
 secretary rules all and does all, favouritism is dis- 
 covered or suspected ; and, like all favourites, he ie 
 exceedingly unpopular with everybody but his master. 
 Such are the men who so rapidly succeed each other 
 in the command on this station. 
 
 "Tlie old Admiral and the old General (for the 
 Governor is almost alwavs a military man) are the two
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 371 
 
 hio-hest officials in the colouv ; each have their staff 
 and their guards, and each their little empire to rule. 
 The one is a despotic and the other a constitutional 
 monarch, and severally participate in the convenience 
 or disadvantage of their respective systems. The one 
 promulgates his own laws, and issues his orders on his 
 own responsibility, which are implicitly obeyed. Tile 
 other summons a parliament, and assembles around 
 him his little Lords and Commons, and receives rather 
 tlian gives law. He is not the machinery itself, but 
 only a part of it — a sort of pendulum, that, by an 
 equal vibration, balances and regulates the motions of 
 both sides. They reside at different ends of the 
 town, and love to reign apart from each other ; a united 
 service being incompatible with the habits and disci- 
 pline of both. There is a marked difference in their 
 beariucr. 
 
 " The Admiral is a plain, unaffected man, with a 
 frank and cordial manner, somewhat positive in his 
 lanouao-e, and having a voice that carries authority in 
 its very tones. He is always popular, for he con- 
 verses so freely and affably with every one, especially 
 with the chronometer-maker, whom he visits daily, 
 and instructs in the mysteries of taking observations 
 of the sun. He delio-hts in hoisting a mast into a 
 disabled merchantman, provided the skipper will stand 
 out of the way during the operation, and hold his 
 tongue about matters of which it is impossible he can 
 know anything ; or in sending a hundred men to
 
 ( 
 
 174 THE OLD JUDGE J OH, 
 
 warp a vessel out of a place of danger ; or in exhi- 
 biting the agility and boldne.ss of his sailor in extin- 
 guishing a lire that defies the efforts and appals the 
 couraire of landsmen. He is liberal in his expenditure, 
 and subscribes munificently to every object of public 
 iiarity. 
 
 The old General is erect and formal, and is com- 
 pelled to be ceremonious in defence of his prerogative 
 and station. He is also reserved and cautious, afraid 
 to commit himself by promises or opinions, and, 
 whenever practicable, shelters himself behind gene- 
 ralities. There is an apparent object in his con- 
 descension ; he is desirous of standing well with the 
 community, for much of his success depends upon his 
 personal influence. The public have a claim upon and 
 an interest in him ; for, though appointed by the 
 Crown, he is their Governor, and they take the liberty 
 of criticizins; him. The one, therefore, naturallv and 
 unconsciously wins the good will of people, and the 
 other labours to conciliate it. Popularity follows one, 
 and is wooed by the other. Their mode of life and 
 style of entertainment, too, are equally dissimilar. 
 
 " The Admiral has nothing to do with the legis- 
 lature, a sort of imperiu/n iit imperio, wiiich he is not 
 altogether able to understand, and whose remon- 
 strances look very like mutiny to him, and always 
 sucrsest the idea of arrest and court-martial. The 
 country members, therefore, are not seen at his table, 
 nor do their wives and daughters grace his evening
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 17-5 
 
 parties. He is free and unfettered in the choice of his 
 society, and can select his associates from such portion 
 of the community as he pleases. His household is 
 principally composed of his attendants at sea, who 
 know his habits and humours, and can accommodate 
 themselves to them. His favourites, unlike those of 
 the other, who are always courtiers or politicians, are 
 a large Newfoundland dog, or a frolicksome goat, called 
 the Commodore, who knocks over the unwary in- 
 truder, to the infinite amusement of the numerous 
 domestics. The only part of his establishment that 
 is refractory are his sheep, which, notwithstanding that 
 the boatswain, boathook in hand, has been transformed 
 into a shepherd, are constantly breaking bounds, leap- 
 ing the stone walls, and scampering over the country. 
 His kitchen-garden is the best in the place, and he 
 prides himself not a little on his heads of cabbages 
 and lettuces, which, he says, are the whitest and 
 hardest that ever were seen ; and in his poultry -yard, 
 where white ducks, polar geese, guinea-hens, pea- 
 cocks, and Portugal fowls, sailor-like, are enjoying a 
 run on shore, and vie with each other in making the 
 most discordant sounds. His carriage bears the same 
 striking dissimilarity to the General's, The latter is 
 a state affair, displaying gay trappings and liveried 
 servants ; the former an unpretending, convenient, 
 little low-wheeled covered waggon, drawn by one stout 
 horse, and driven at a slow pace by his secretary, in 
 which he daily perambulates the unfrequented streets 
 
 ¥^
 
 17G THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 as well as the thorouuhfares of the town. His dinner 
 parties, also, are less formal. People are expected to 
 speak above a whisper, or they cannot be heard, and 
 to be at home, or they cannot be agreeable. The 
 dinner itself has a smack of the sea ; the dishes have 
 a liiuher seasoninir and a stronger flavour of vege- 
 tables, while the forbidden onion lurks stealthily con- 
 cealed under the crraw- It is more abundant and 
 substantial, and the decanters have a quicker pace and 
 travel, as if time were short, and a walk on deck was 
 soon apprehended. The servants move faster, though 
 more noisily, and retain a sidelong motion, bracing 
 out their feet, and hold fast the dishes as if they 
 momentarily expected a lurch, and were prepared to 
 maintain their equilibrium. Their apparel, too, is in 
 character— sliirhtlv varied, in some instances, and in 
 others not at all, from the regulation dress ; while the 
 butler (who is occasionally- heard to order, in an under 
 tone, Boy George to bear a hand, and IJill Gibson to 
 stow away tlie dishes), instead of looking like his 
 landlubber brotlier at Government House, heavy, 
 corpulent, and rosy, is a thin, sunburnt, weather- 
 beaten man, who has visited all parts of the world, 
 and undergone the vicissitudes of every climate, and 
 aj)pears to have selected Ids wines in the region in 
 whif^h tliev were made. The conversation, also, is 
 unlike that at the palace, having no reference what- 
 ever to local matters. You liear nothinjj of the !Mer- 
 rygomish Bridge, the election at Port Medway, or the
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 177 
 
 alteration of the road at Aspatangon, to which the 
 Governor is compelled to hsten, and, at each repe- 
 tition, appear as much interested as ever. 
 
 " The sea is the sailor's home, and his topics are 
 dra^Ti from every part of the globe. When at the Ad- 
 miral's table, therefore, you forget you are in Halifax. 
 The following scraps of conversation that reach 
 your ear convince you that you are not among pro- 
 vincials, but men of the world. 
 
 " ' You drive a wild horse into the stream, whom 
 the electric eel immediately attacks ; after a few shocks, 
 he exhausts his muscular powers, and you may seize 
 him with impunity. They are occasionally found six 
 feet in length."' 
 
 " ' The Canopus was one of Napoleon's ships. She 
 was built of Adriatic oak, and, old as she is, is one 
 of the soundest and fastest vessels in the navv.' 
 ' I don't think any thing of her age, and, as for 
 the timber, it is not to be compared to English oak : 
 last year, I saw in the harbour of St. John a mer- 
 chantman, that was employed by General Wolf, as a 
 transport, at the siege of Quebec' 
 
 " ' A double-bedded room does not mean, in the 
 States, a room with two beds, but a bed with two 
 persons in it. During the great embargo, I happened 
 to be at Oharlestown, South Carolina, when the land- 
 lord proposed to me to sleep with a dirty-looking 
 foreign officer. If I cannot have a separate bed, I 
 said, I prefer sitting before the fire all night to sleep- 
 
 I 5
 
 178 THE OLD JUIXIK; oR, 
 
 ing with tliat d- — d Russian ! Is ho a Russian, sir ? 
 said a tall, thin, intjuisitivc Yankee, that stood listen- 
 ing to the conversation — is he a Russian I Til take 
 him, then, if it convenes you, stranger. I should 
 rather like it, for I never sl('j)t with a Russian." 
 
 " ' Cape Breton was once a separate government, and 
 that little village, Sidney, was the capital. When I 
 commanded tlie Linnet, I put in there for a supply of 
 coal. The Governor, who was the most extraordinary 
 person I ever met, told me his Chief Justice had passed 
 him in the street without touching his hat to him, and 
 asked me if I did not think such insolence would 
 justify him in removing him from his ofRce. Upon 
 my answering in the negative, he said, Til tell you 
 what ril do. By Jove, I will declare martial law, try 
 him at the drum-head, tie him up, and give him three 
 dozen !"' 
 
 " ' The Chinese regard these matters very philoso- 
 phically. When Elliot was cannonading the forts 
 above Canton, an officer came off with a Has of truce to 
 one of the ships, and told the Captain that he thought 
 the effusion of human blood both useless and wicked. 
 If you no fire iron plumbs, then I no fire iron plumbs. 
 You bang away powder for half an hour, and so will 
 I ; then I will run away, and you come and take the 
 fort.' 
 
 " ' It depends upon what part of the coast you 
 are on. The Gambia is by no means unhealthy, un- 
 less, perhaps, at the rainy season. It is a magnificent
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 179 
 
 country ; I penetrated three hundred miles into the 
 interior, and the forest is like a vast umbrageous park. 
 I recollect riding one moonlight night through where 
 I was struck by the sound of the tinkling of innumer- 
 able little silver bells, which appeared to be attached 
 to all the trees. It was the African nightingale, with 
 which the forest was filled. I shall never forget the 
 eftect ; it was the sweetest and most charming thing 1 
 ever heard.** 
 
 '' ' He told me very gravely he saw a man breaking 
 a horse at Rio, upon which he had fastened a monstrous 
 pair of magnifying glasses, and, on inquiring of the 
 fellow what was the object of putting spectacles on a 
 horse, he replied that it was done for the purpose of 
 giving him a good action, for, by enlarging every ob- 
 ject on the road, it made him step high to avoid it. 
 He told the story so often that he began to beheve it 
 himself at last."* 
 
 ■' All this midit as well have been said at Ports- 
 mouth or Plymouth as at Halifax, but is more agree- 
 able at the latter place than elsewhere, because it is a 
 relief to the monotonous conversation of a provincial 
 town. 
 
 " The evening parties are much the same as those 
 at Government House, which I have already described 
 to you, but have more naval and fewer military 
 officers, which, in a ball-room, is a decided improve- 
 ment. Your subaltern, when he has taken his first 
 lesson in ' soldiering ' in England, of which, by the by.
 
 180 Tin-: ol.l) JUDGE; OR, 
 
 he is rather ashamed, for it is by no means the most 
 fasliionable amusement in that country, and hinds in 
 a colony, is rather a supercilious young gentleman, 
 that finds nothinir good enou<>h for him. lie talks to 
 young ladies of Almacks, where ho has never been ; of 
 the Opera, to which his mannna took him in the vaca- 
 tion ; and La Blache, Catalani, or Grisi, whom, if he 
 lias not seen, he has often heard of. He thinks it be- 
 neath his dignity to dance — the 10th never dance — 
 why should he ? But the days of puppyism soon pass 
 away, when their eyes are opened and they see as 
 well, and become as agreeable as other people. The 
 dear little middy is a different sort of person alto- 
 gether : he does not try to play the man — for he 
 actually is one, a frank, jolly, ingenuous fellow. The 
 cockpit is no place for afi'ectation and nonsense, and, if 
 by any chance they find their way there, they are ex- 
 pelled forthwith by common consent. There is no 
 pity or sympathy, even for the real distress of an 
 ' exquisite.' 
 
 " I recollect an anecdote of poor Theodore Hook's 
 on this subject. I never know, ho said, but one in- 
 stance of real sympathy. I was in an outward bound 
 man of war oft" the Cape of Good Hope: tln' weather 
 was very stormy, the sea ran mountains high, and the 
 ship laboured dreadfully. One night I put on my 
 dreadnought coat and norwester hat, and went on 
 deck. It was so dark, and the rain falling in torrents, 
 it was (lillii'ult at first to distinguish objects. The
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 181 
 
 boatswain was pacing to and fro as usual on his watch, 
 and I held on by the rigger, for the purpose of ascer- 
 taining his opinion of the probability of a change of 
 weather, when I heard a voice like that of a child cry- 
 ing. The sailor and I both approached the spot to- 
 gether whence the sound issued, where we found a 
 little midshipman weeping bitterly, as he clung to the 
 weather bulwarks to protect himself from the storm. 
 ' Hullo ! who are you that are blubberino: like a 
 baby tliere V said the veteran, in a voice that resembled 
 the roll of a drum. ' Lord Windlas, sir,' was the reply. 
 *• Who the devil sent you here V ' My father, sir.' 
 ' More fool he for his pains ! — he ought to have kept 
 you at school. Did you cry when you left home V 
 ' Yes, sir,"" said the little fellow, releasing his hold, 
 and putting both fists to his eyes, as if to stop the 
 gushing tears. ' And your mother, did she cry ?' 
 ' Ye-es, sir."* The old tar paused for a moment as if 
 touched by this instance of maternal tenderness, and 
 at last said, in a voice of great feeling, ' Poor old 
 devil !' and, twitching up his waistbands, resumed his 
 walk. Now that, said Hook, was the only instance of 
 real sympathy I ever saw. ' Poor old devil V how 
 much those words convey when they come fi*om the 
 heart ! 
 
 " But to return to what I was talking of. A man- 
 of-war is a capital school to train a youngster in. 
 Take a military man out of his professsion, and to a 
 certain extent he is a helpless being. A sailor, on the
 
 182 THE OLD JLDOH; OR, 
 
 contrary, is solf-relvin"-, bolil, liarcly, and well ae- 
 (juaintcd with everything that is useful tor making his 
 way in the world. This is the reason why a soldier 
 seldom succeeds, and a seaman rarely fails, when they 
 retire from their respective services and settle in the 
 colonies. The Admiral again is at home at a regatta ; 
 he is once more atioat and in his own element. The 
 first one that was ever held at Halifax was patronised 
 by my friend Sir James Capstan. He and I had been 
 boys together at school, and even, at that early period, 
 I was always known as ' Old Sandford," an appellation 
 probably derived either from the sedateness or awk- 
 wardness of my manner. We had lost sight of each 
 other for many years, wlien I was surprised and de- 
 lighted at hearinir that he had arrived at Halifax as 
 Connnander-in-Chief on this station. ' Good heavens ! 
 here is Old Sandford,' he said, as he saw me ad- 
 vancing towards him. Alas ! what had begun in jest 
 time had turned into reality. I had, indeed, become 
 an aged man. ' My good friend,' he said, ' your 
 country has had more than its share of your time and 
 attention. I must monopolize you now while you are 
 in Halifax, for we have our mutual histories to relate, 
 and nmch to say to each other. To-morrow we are to 
 have a regatta. I suppDse it would be infra dig. for 
 the old Judge and the old Admiral to dance a jig 
 together, before the youngsters, but Til tell you what, 
 old boy, I don't know what you can do — but I could 
 dance one yet, and, by Jove ! when we are alone this
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 183 
 
 evenino;, we will try. It will remind us of old times. 
 What has become of the Smiths I — monstrous fine galls 
 those — I have often thought of them since." ' Dead !' 
 ' Dead ! the devil they are ! how shocking ! and those 
 two romping little Browns ? married, I suppose, and 
 have romping little daughters.' I shook my head. 
 ' Gone, too,' I said. ' You forget that forty years 
 have passed since they were young, and that the 
 greater part of that generation has passed away.' 
 ' Well, thank God, you and I, old fellow, have not 
 passed away ! I don't know what you intend to do, 
 but I have no idea of going yet, if I can help it. I 
 am worth a dozen dead men, and so are you.' While 
 active employment had kept him so busy that he ap- 
 peared not to have been aware of the lapse of years, 
 time also had passed him without notice : his spirits 
 were as buoyant and joyous as ever. 
 
 ••' The following day was as brilliant and as propi- 
 tious as could be desired, and at an early hour the 
 harbour was covered with boats filled with light hearts 
 and merry faces. The noble ship, the Graball, was taste- 
 fully decorated with flags of every variety and colour, 
 and presented a gay and beautiful appearance. Every 
 convenience that ingenuity could invent, or delicacy 
 suggest, was provided for the comfort and accommoda- 
 tion of the guests ; every arrangement was perfect, with 
 the single exception, as a young lady observed, with 
 some degree of regret, that there was not a single pin 
 on the toilet-table of the dressing-room.
 
 184 TIIK OLD JLDGE; OU, 
 
 " Soon after the company arrived, and wliilc the 
 Admiral was surrounded by a numerous assemblage of 
 ladies, a little flotilla of canoes was observ^ed advanciuir 
 from the opposite shore of Dartmouth, led by a rival 
 officer, the Commander-in-Ciiief of his own navy, 
 Admiral Paul, the Indian. He was a tall, well made, 
 active man, in the prime of life. He was dressed in a 
 frock-coat witli red facings, secured round the waist by 
 a sash of scarlet wampum ; jiis feet were ornamented 
 with a pair of yellow moccasins, with a white and blue 
 edging, curiously v.rought with the quills of the por- 
 cupine, A military cap (a present from some officer 
 of the garrison) completed his equipment. He ap- 
 proached the quarter-deck with an ease and eleijance 
 of motion that art can never supply, and, addressing 
 Sir James, said, ' Are you the Admiral f ' Yes !' 
 ' So am I : I am Admiral Paul — all same, you see, as 
 one brudder/ 
 
 " Paul, notwithstanding that his manner was so 
 natural and unaftected, was a great rogue withal, and 
 found it convenient to invest himself with two com- 
 missions. With the officers of the navy ho was an 
 Admiral, and with Sir Hercules Sampson he was a 
 Governor, Ho was, therefore, to use his own lan- 
 guage, ' all same as one brudder' with both ; and, 
 standing on such a footing of intimacy, was enabled to 
 receive fraternal assistance without anv diminution of 
 his dignity. He also liad the misfortune to take 
 ' very big drinks,' which, though they did not lower
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 185 
 
 the respect of his tribe for him, had the eflfect of set- 
 ting them a very bad example. Upon one occasion, 
 when he was soliciting a loan from the Governor, 
 (for he never condescended to beg), he was unhappily 
 intoxicated; his wants were liberally supplied upon 
 condition that he should never appear at ' the Palace ' 
 again, unless he was perfectly sober, an agreement 
 into which he very readily entered. About a fort- 
 night afterwards he required another loan, but the 
 Governor refused it. ' Didn't you promise me never 
 to let me see you tipsy again V he said. ' Sartin !' 
 he replied. ' Why didn t you keep your word, then V 
 ' Sartin, I keep my word.' ' Why, you are drunk 
 now, man." ' Sartin,' he replied, very coolly, ' sartin, 
 but it's the same old drunk, though — Paul not been 
 sober since — all same old drunk, Mr. Gubbernor.' 
 The drollery of the reply has caused it to pass into a 
 bye-word in this country. Uniform occupations, or 
 frequent repetitions of the same thing, are constantly 
 denominated 'the same old drunk.' Having esta- 
 blished his relationship to the Admiral, Paul thought 
 the opportunity for obtaining a loan not to be omitted. 
 ' All same as one br udder, you see, Mr. Admiral, 
 so please lend me one dollar,' The novelty of the ap- 
 plication pleased my friend amazingly, and he gave 
 him several, adding, very needlessly, that there was 
 no necessity for returning them. Paul received them 
 with an easy bow, and deliberately counted them, 
 one, two, three, four, five, six ; and then, taking a fur
 
 186 THE OLD JUDGE; OH, 
 
 pouch from the back part of his belt, iu which were 
 liis flint, steel, punk, aud tobacco, he deposited them 
 safely iu it, and replaced it as before, merely observing, 
 ' Sartin, white Admiral makun money bery easy/ 
 As he turned to depart, his countenance suddenly be- 
 came very tierce. ' Mr. Admiral,"" he said, ' do you 
 know that man V pointing to a young olBcer of the 
 ship. ' Yes,' he replied, ' I know him ; he is one of 
 my midshipmen.' ' Sartin he one d — d rascal !' 
 ' Tut, tut, tut !' said the Admiral. ' Sartin, Mr. 
 Admiral, he one d — d rascal ! he kissum my squaw 
 yesterday." ' Tut, tut, tut !"■ he replied again, waving 
 his hand to him at the same time to go away, lest the 
 further continuance of the conversation might prove 
 inconvenient. ' Ah, Mr. Admiral,' he said with much 
 animation, and he advanced a little, and bending for- 
 ward held out his arm, in an attitude of elegance that 
 a sculptor might envy, ' ah, Mr. Admiral, if I kissum 
 your squaw ' (pointing to Lady Capstan) ' you no say 
 Tut, tut, tut, man !' and he retired, not quite satisfied 
 that justice had been done him. 
 
 " Of the regatta, you will perhaps be surprised to 
 hear that, in common with the young ladies, I saw 
 but little. I have always regarded a boat-race as a 
 very stupid, and a horse-race a very cruel thing. I 
 never could take any interest in them, and to describe 
 either would be to tell a thrice-told tale. The Admiral, 
 however, entered into it with all his heart, and was 
 delighted that the fishermen of Herring Cove and
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 187 
 
 the eastern passage beat (as tliey always do) the 
 barae of the man-of-war. He said it would take the 
 conceit out of the lubbers, make them mind their eye 
 for the future, for there was not a man in the ship 
 could pull an oar properly, 
 
 " I was more amused myself at what was passing 
 around me. A dance on board ship is always more 
 pleasant than in a ball-room, not that the latter 
 is less commodious or convenient, but because the 
 former is a novelty. The decorations are dift'erent, 
 and even the natural obstacles of the place are either 
 concealed with taste, or converted into objects of use 
 or ornament. The effect is produced by great trouble 
 and ingenuity, and who are there who do not person- 
 ally appropriate much of this as a compliment to them- 
 selves I The part of host is played not by one, but by 
 twenty, for every officer is interested in the honour of 
 the ship, and the reputation of her hospitality ; and 
 what cannot many hands, heads, and hearts accom- 
 plish ? The dance (for, after all, though the regatta 
 was the professed object, this was the real attraction, 
 which was on the main deck), from the hour, the 
 place, and the occasion, partook more of the character 
 of a private party than a public entertainment, and 
 was accordingly more agreeable, in proportion as it 
 was less formal. 
 
 " ' Ah, Sandford,"" said the Admiral, who was de- 
 lighted beyond measure, ' I wish you had your robes 
 on — we would try that jig now ; wouldn't we astonish
 
 188 THE OLD JUDGE; OR. 
 
 the boys, eli ? D — n tluni ! they look as solemn, and 
 dance as licavily, as it' tlu-y were stamping their feet 
 to keep them warm at a funeral in winter ! Look at 
 that dandy — it is half-past twelve o'clock witii the 
 navy, when you see such fellows as that on the 
 quarter-deck. It was a bad day for the service when 
 the kinir sent his son to sea. It made it fashionable, 
 and fashion plays the devil with a ship. We should 
 always keep up the distinctions between the services. 
 Let the army he fashionable, and the nary manly, and 
 if they stick to that, they may keep their troops at 
 home for parades and reviews, and we will do all the 
 fighting for them :' and, lowering his voice, said, ' I 
 don't know what you intend to do, but the sun is over 
 the fore-yard, and I am going to have a glass of grog. 
 I suppose it would horrify Sampson to ask him, for 
 he is too fashionable for that, and, if he wasn't, his 
 stock is buckled so tight, he couldn't bend his liead 
 back sufficiently to swallow it. He is not a bad fellow, 
 though, after all, but he is one of the old school of 
 pipeclay and pomatum soldiers, and is as stiff and 
 starched as a shirt collar.' 
 
 "• In the midst of gaiety there is always sadness. 
 The chords of pleasure are so interwoven with those 
 of melancholy in the Imman mind, that it is difficult 
 to touch the one without causing a vibration of the 
 other. Like the strings of an ^Eolian harp, they all 
 awaken to life under the influence of the same wliisper- 
 ing breeze, and blend their joyous notes and pensive
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 189 
 
 wailino-s tosfether. The Admiral seemed to be sen- 
 sibly affected by this mysterious feeling. But it was 
 a mere sudden emotion, as fleeting and as transitory 
 as a cloud passing over the sun. 
 
 " ' Sandford,"' he said, ' the other day — for it ap- 
 pears no longer ago — I was a midshipman in this 
 port — I am now commander-in-chief at the same 
 place : that was my first, and this will be my last 
 cruise in life, for, when I return home, I shall be put 
 on the shelf, or perhaps converted into a sort of hulk, 
 or receiving ship, an old port admiral : it is a short 
 run we make of it in this life, after all, ain't it ? How 
 sad a thing ? Hullo, sir !** he said, calling out aloud 
 to a servant, ' if you don't know better than that, by 
 Jove, I'll have vou tauoht in a way you won't forget ! 
 ril give you three dozen, as sure as you are born. 
 D — n that fellow ! he has knocked all the sentimenta- 
 lity out of me. And yet, I don't know but what I 
 ouo;ht to thank him for it, for a man that talks 
 foolishly, may soon begin to act foolishly. But come, 
 old boj'-, let us have that glass of grog. 
 
 " ' Talking of giving that fellow three dozen,' he 
 continued, ' puts me in mind of a prank of my uncle, 
 Sir Peter's. Previous to the American rebellion, he 
 commanded a frigate on the Boston station : having 
 put into one of the Puritanical ports of New England, 
 he happened to dine on shore, and, as usual with him 
 when not on board, got tipsy. The select men, who 
 afiected to be dreadfully shocked at such a bad example
 
 190 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 being set by people in hiirh places, apprehended him, 
 and put him in the stocks as a terror to all evil-doers. 
 For once in his life (for he was a violent tempered 
 man), he uttered no threats, and made no complaints, 
 but quietly submitted himself to the inevitable insult. 
 On the following day he called upon the committing 
 magistrates, applauded their zeal and impartiality in 
 administering the law, and invited them to come and 
 dine on board with him, as a proof that they no longer 
 liarboured any resentment against him for the heinous 
 oftence he had perpetrated. This they readily agreed 
 to do, and were accordingly most kindly received and 
 hospitably entertained, and enjoyed themselves exceed- 
 ingly. As the time approached for their departure, a 
 servant entered the cabin, and whispered to the custos 
 that there was a gentleman above who desired to speak 
 to him for a moment on urgent business. As soon as 
 the Justice made his appearance on deck, the boat- 
 swain seized him, stripped him, and, tying him 
 up, gave a dozen lashes. Each of the others were 
 severally summoned, and punished in a similar 
 manner, when tlicv were set on shore — the anchor 
 was hoisted, and the vessel put under weigli for 
 Eno;land.' 
 
 " liut to return to the party ; the company was a 
 mixed one, every officer having invited his own friends, 
 and some of them having made rather strange ac- 
 quaintances. — I heard one of the young ladies object 
 to a tune which she said was as old as ' three irrand-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 191 
 
 mothers ago,"* and another observe that Lord Heather 
 had his 'high and mighty boots on,'' and was quite 'high- 
 cock spotty' to-day. The sentiment was old, though 
 the phraseology was novel, and it must be admitted 
 that if there were nothing but proprieties in this life, 
 we might, perhaps, lose in insipidity as much as we 
 gained in refinement. The maxim that extremes meet 
 was fully verified, for the smallest midshipman seemed 
 to pride themselves on having the tallest partners. I 
 heard one little fellow, who threw back his head and 
 looked up at his cliere amie, as if he were addressing 
 the man at the mast-head, say, ' I hope you will 
 keep a good look-out, or we shall run foul of the 
 captain.' ' Starboard, Milne,' said one. — ' Larboard, 
 Skipsey,' said another, while a third advised his 
 friend, who appeared to be steering wildly, to ' port 
 his helm.' 
 
 " The great object of attraction was an American 
 heiress of immense fortune, a young lady from New 
 Orleans. She was the daughter of an undertaker in 
 that city, which was the best stand in the Union, as 
 he boasted, for a man in his line of business. His 
 coffins were made in Massachusetts by machinery, and 
 served the double purpose of conveying ' New England 
 notions' to the Mississippi, and the dead to the church- 
 yards. But, alas, for human expectations ! the deli- 
 cate girl of a sickly climate, who had been enriched 
 by the toll-house of the grave, vampire-like, was 
 plethoric and heavy. She looked like an hospital nurse
 
 1}>2 THE OLD JL l)f;E ; OR. 
 
 that faithfully tlolivorod the medicines to the patients, 
 and appropriated tlie wine and porter of the conva- 
 lescents to herself. Never was there such a disap- 
 pointment ; for, after all. it is easy to invest with 
 divinity the being that presides over funeral obsequies, 
 and there is sublimity as well as poetry in the grave, 
 but reptiles alone fatten on corruption. ' Stay, IJill,"' 
 said a little humourist to his companion, ' she may 
 have a million of money, but Fm blowed if she is 
 worth a d — n, after all V 
 
 " If, however, she had thriven by caring for the 
 dead, there was one of the company who was nearly 
 worn out by caring for the living. He was an active 
 little old man, with a benevolent thouirh remarkablv 
 ugly face, and, judging by his dress, belonged to some 
 public department. His head was uncommonh' bald, 
 and very nearly round, which, with the yellow tint of 
 the skin, suggested the idea of a ball of soap that had 
 fallen on the floor, and, rolling on the carpet, had 
 jrathered a few hairs. He attended at the ladder, atid 
 assisted the ladies in their ascent to the deck ; cau- 
 tioned them against portholes and hatches, which, 
 though closed, might open of themselves, and precipi- 
 tate them either into the hold or the harbour ; pointed 
 out the cannon, and entreated them not to stumble 
 over them, as they might fracture their lind)s ; and, 
 above all, advised them not to stand in draughts, or 
 take ice-creams when they were heated. He had a long 
 catalogue of accidents wherewith to illustrate every
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 193 
 
 caution, and several ingenious inventions to counteract 
 the effects of damps or chills. 
 
 " The Admiral, whose attention was directed to 
 him while he stood bowing to the ladies, and rubbing 
 his hands, asked who that ' httle wash-mj-hand sort 
 of a person was, and, on being informed that his name 
 was Davis, recooiiised him as a barrack-master whom 
 he had known at Malta, and immediately addressed 
 him, complimenting him upon having ' worn so well.' 
 ' Ah, my dear Sir James," he said, ' my good looks 
 have ruined me. It is the worst thing in the world 
 to have a juvenile face. The medical board refused 
 to superannuate me last year, saying I was an active 
 man yet, and fit for service. Most men hke to look 
 young, or to be thought young, but, alas ! my good 
 looks have been a great misfortune to me. They have 
 broken my heart — yes, yes ! they will be the death of 
 me yet. But don't let me detain you here, sir, in 
 the draught of this awning ; it is very dangerous, very 
 liable to give cold, or bring on rheumatism — they are 
 the cause of half the illness in the country." ' You 
 should have stood in one of them yourself, then, my 
 old friend,'' was the good-humoured reply, ' before you 
 applied to the board for your superannuation."' 
 
 "• The lunch, which was a capital one, was a merry 
 affair, and everybody seemed to enjoy themselves un- 
 commonly. But where was there ever a midshipman 
 without a practical joke attesting his presence^ The 
 Governor's hat had exchanged its plume for a sprig of 
 
 VOL. I. K
 
 194 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 spruce, and a commissary-general, whose sword-belt 
 had been shortened so that it would no longer buckle 
 round liiiii, was heard to exclaim, ' Good heavens ! is 
 it possible, the luncheon could have made all this dif- 
 ference in my size V 
 
 " While roaming about the ship, I was a good deal 
 surprised at the apathy of a sailor, who was sitting 
 with his back turned to the gay scene, quietly stitching 
 a pair of shoes, with the most philosophical indifference 
 to all that was passing around him. In reply to some 
 remark I made on the subject of the party, he said, 
 ' Ah, sir, I have seen enough of them in my day — 
 our part of the entertainment will come to-morrow, 
 when we have to clear up the ship, which will be in 
 a devil of a mess when it's all over/ 
 
 " The big-wigs, as the naval and military com- 
 manders-in-chief were called by the youngsters, were 
 now preparing to go on shore, and the former pressed 
 me to accompany them. As they were about to de- 
 scend the side of the ship, our old friend Paul made 
 his appearance again. ' Ah, Mr. Gubbernor,"' he said, 
 ' sartain me lose very much yesterday — my camp all 
 burned up — Paul very poor now.'' ' I am very sorry 
 for you,' was the reply. 'Yes, brudder, but how much 
 are you sorry ? Are you sorry one pound V The ruse 
 was successful, and the contribution, as a measure of 
 grief, was paid to him. ' And you, Mr. Admiral, 
 how much you sorry T Another pound rewarded this 
 appeal also. ' Thank you, brudders — sartain white
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 195 
 
 man's pocket, like brook, keep run all the time, and 
 never get empty. Indian man's pocket all same as 
 glass of rum, one drink, and it's all gone.' 
 
 " We now left the ship ; and at the dockyard gate, 
 where their respective carriages were in attendance, 
 the old Admiral and the old General cordially shook 
 hands with each other, and parted." 
 
 K ::
 
 19G THE OLD JUDGE; OH, 
 
 CPIAPTER VII. 
 
 THE FIRST SETTLERS. 
 
 Nothiii"; astonishes the inhabitants of these colonies 
 more tlian the poverty, ignorance, and degradation of 
 the people who are landed upon their shores, from the 
 passenger ships that annually arrive from Europe. 
 The destitution of these unfortunate emij;rauts so far 
 exceeds any thing ever Seen among the native popula- 
 tion, that they cannot understand how it is possible 
 that human beings cfin voluntarily surrender them- 
 selves as willing victims to starvation, who have the 
 bodily strength to work, and the opportunities of earn- 
 ing their bread, as it is well known they have in their 
 own country. Although they are too often the dupes 
 of demagogues themselves, they are too proud to 
 receive alms, live in a country too poor to feed 
 wilful idleness, and no man has ever yet had the 
 hardihood to incite them to rapine and murder. 
 
 Though neither frugal nor diligent, they cannot 
 conceive a people being satisfied with less than a decent 
 maintenance, or being so debased as to beg, or so 
 wicked as to take by violence what they can earn by
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 197 
 
 labour. They are a kind and affectionate people, and 
 hear with horror of the atrocious crimes with which, 
 alas ! so many of these strano^ers are familiar at home. 
 
 A group of these unfortunate and misguided people, 
 arrivino; at Elmsdale this morning, sought, or, I 
 should rather say, demanded, pecuniary aid, for their 
 tone was more exacting than supplicating. As they 
 were all able-bodied men, they received an offer of em- 
 ployment, which, they were informed, was the course 
 usually adopted at that place, as best suited to the 
 means of the proprietor, and the object they had in 
 view, of earning a subsistence. This they refused, not 
 only with incivility, but with a distinct avowal that, if 
 they were in their own country, they would take a very 
 summary mode of enforcing compliance with their 
 wishes. 
 
 " Oh," said the Judge, " what a change has come over 
 this continent ! These men, who begin by begging or 
 stealing, end by governing. Political power is pos- 
 sessed by the mass, and this stream of pauperism in- 
 creases and pollutes it ; and, whatever our neighbours 
 may say to the contrary, civilization is retrograding, 
 and not advancing. In this province, all our emigrants 
 of late years have been poor and illiterate. The first 
 settlers were scholars and gentlemen. You may recol- 
 lect I related to you, some time ago, the particulars of 
 a sincrular trial I was concerned in at Phnnouth, in 
 which one Barkins was my client, and the reluctance I 
 had to go there, in consequence of an interesting exa-
 
 198 THE OLD JUDGE; Oil, 
 
 mination I was making of the scene of the first effective 
 settlement made in this continent at Annapolis. The 
 people who discovered and colonized this country 
 were so different from those who come to us in the 
 present day, that it may amuse you to hear the result 
 of my investigations. 
 
 " During one of my visits to Paris, I had acci- 
 dentally met with the Journal of Mark Lescarbot, a 
 French lawyer, who had accompanied the exploring 
 party that first visited this part of America. With 
 this book in my hand (which was published as early 
 as 1609) I traced their movements from place to 
 place, in their attempt at colonization. On the Sth of 
 November, 1603, Henry IV. of France granted to the 
 Sieur de Monts, a gentleman of his bed-chamber, a 
 patent, constituting him Lieutenant-General of L' A cadi, 
 (now Nova Scotia) with power to conquer and Chris- 
 tianize the inhabitants. On the 7th of March, having 
 equipped two vessels, he set sail from Havre de Grace, 
 accompanied by the celebrated Champlain and Mon- 
 sieur Poutrincourt, and arrived on the 7th of May at 
 a harbour (Liverpool) on the south-east shore of the 
 province. From thence they continued coasting the 
 country, until they arrived at the Bay of Funday. 
 On the eastern side of this bay they discovered a 
 narrow strait, into which they entered, and soon found 
 themselves in a spacious basin, environed with hills, 
 from which descended streams of fresh water. Be- 
 tween these high lands ran a large navigable river, to
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY, 199 
 
 which they gave the name of L''Equille. It was bor- 
 dered by fertile meadows, and filled with delicate fish. 
 Poutrincourt, charmed with the beauty of the place, 
 gave it the name of Port Royal (now Annapolis). 
 After exploring the neighbourhood, and refreshing 
 themselves, they ascended the river Saint John, as far 
 as Fredericton, and then, visiting the coast of Maine, 
 spent the winter of 1604-5 at the island of Saint Croix, 
 the identity of which has lately been the subject of so 
 much discussion between the governments of Great 
 Britain and the United States. The weather proved 
 very severe, and the people suffered so much from 
 scurvy, that thirty-six of them died. The remaining 
 forty, who were all invalids, lingered on till the spring, 
 when they recovered, by means of the fresh vegetation. 
 " After an ineffectual attempt to reach a more 
 southern climate, they recrossed the bay to Port 
 Royal, where they found a reinforcement from France 
 of forty men, under the command of Dupont. They 
 then proceeded to erect buildings on the spot where 
 Annapolis now stands, with a view to a permanent occu- 
 pation of the country. De Monts and Poutrincourt, 
 having put their afiairs in as good order as possible, 
 embarked in the autumn for France, leaving Pont- 
 grage Commandant, with Champlain and Champdore 
 as Lieutenants, to perfect the settlement and explore 
 the country. During the winter, they were plentifully 
 supplied by the savages with venison, and a great 
 trade was carried on for furs. Nothing is said of the
 
 200 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 scurvy ; but they liacl a short allowance of bread, uot 
 by reason of any scarcity of corn, but because they 
 had no moans of sjrinding it, except a hand-mill, 
 which required hard and continued labour. Tiie 
 savaires were so averse to this exercise, that they pre- 
 ferred hun<;er to the task of grinding, though they 
 were offered half of the flour in payment. l)e Monts 
 and Poutrincourt were at that time in France, pre- 
 paring, under every discouragement, for another voyage. 
 •• On the ISth of May, 1 GOG, they sailed from 
 Rochelle, accompanied by Lescarbot, who has left us 
 a record of their proceedings ; and, on the 27th of 
 July, arrived at Port Royal. To their astonishment, 
 they found but two persons remaining. The rest, 
 conjecturing from the long absence of succour, that 
 the settlement had been abandoned by De Monts, com- 
 pelled the officer in charge to sail for Canseau, in order 
 that they might obtain a passage to France in some 
 of the fishing vessels that frequented that port. Two 
 men, however, having more courage and more faith 
 than the others (La Taille and Mequelet), volun- 
 teered to remain and guard the stores and the build- 
 ings. These faithful retainers were at their dinner, 
 when a savage rushed in and informed them that a 
 sail vvas in sight, which they soon discovered to be the 
 long-expected vessel of their chief. Poutrincourt 
 now began his plantation ; and, having cleared a spot 
 of ground, sowed European corn and several kinds of 
 orarden vefretables.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 201 
 
 " But, notwithstanding all tlie beautj^ and fertility 
 of Port Eoyal,*De Monts had still a desire to make 
 discoveries fiirther towards the south. He therefore 
 prevailed upon Poutrincourt to undertake a voyage to 
 Cape Malabarre (Cape Cod), and, on the 28th of 
 August, the ship and the barque both put to sea. In 
 the former, De Monts and Dupont returned to France, 
 while Poutrincourt, Champlain, Champdore, and others, 
 crossed the bay to Saint Croix, and then continued 
 their survey of the coast. In the mean time, Lescar- 
 bot, who remained behind at Port Royal, was busily 
 employed in the cultivation of the garden, harvesting 
 the crop, completing the buildings, and visiting the 
 encampments of the natives in the interior. 
 
 " On the 14th of November, Poutrincourt returned 
 from his exploring voyage, which had proved disas- 
 trous, and was received with every demonstration of 
 joy by the party at the fort. Lescarbot had erected a 
 temporary stage, which he called the ' Theatre of 
 Neptune,' from which he recited a poetical address to 
 his friend, congratulating him on his safe arrival, pro- 
 bably the first verses ever written in North America, 
 Over the gate were placed the royal arms of France, 
 encircled with evergreens, with the motto, — 
 
 ' DVO PROTEGIT VNYS.' 
 " Above the door of the house of De Monts were 
 placed his arms, embellished in a similar manner, with 
 the inscription, — 
 
 ' DABIT DEUS HIS QUOQUE FINEM.' 
 
 K 5
 
 202 THE OLD JUDGE ; OK, 
 
 " Poutrincourt's apartments were graced with the 
 same simple decoration, liaviug the classical super- 
 scription, — 
 
 ' INVIA VIRTUTI NVLLA EST VIA.' 
 
 " The manner in which they spent the third winter 
 (lGOG-7) was social and festive. Poutriucourt esta- 
 blished the order of ' Le Bon Temps,' of which the 
 principal officers and gentlemen, fifteen in number, 
 were members. Every one was maitre dliotel in his 
 turn for one day, beginning with Chaniplain, who was 
 first installed into the office. The president, (whom 
 the Indians called Atoctegi) having superintended the 
 preparations, marched to the table, baton in hand, with 
 the collar of the order round his neck, and napkin on 
 his shoulder, and was followed by the others succes- 
 sively, each carrying a plate. The same form was 
 observed at every meal ; and, at the conclusion of 
 supper, as soon as grace was said, he delivered, with 
 nmch gravity, his insignia of office to his successor, 
 and pledged him in a cup of wine. The advantage of 
 this institution was, that each one was emulous to be 
 prepared for his day, by previously hunting or fishing, 
 or purchasing fish or game of the natives, who con- 
 stantly resided among them, and were extremely 
 pleased with their manners. The chiefs of the savages 
 were alone allowed the honour of sittins at their table ; 
 the others partook of the hospitality of the kitchen. 
 The abundance and variety of the fare this winter was 
 a subject of no little boasting to Lescarbot, on his
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 203 
 
 return to Europe, where he taunted the frequenters of 
 la Rue aux Ours de Paris, (where was one of the first 
 eating-houses of the day), that they knew nothing of 
 the pleasures of the tahle who had not partaken of the 
 beavers' tails, and the mouffles of the moose of Port 
 Roval. The weather, meanwhile, was particularly 
 mild and agreeable. 
 
 " On the 14th of January, on a Sunda}'^, they pro- 
 ceeded by water two leagues, to a corn-field, where 
 they dined cheerfully in the sunshine, and enjoyed the 
 music of their fatherland. You will observe, there- 
 fore, my dear sir, that, from the earliest account we 
 have of this climate, it has always had the same 
 character of variableness and uncertainty. The winter 
 but one preceding this (when they were at St. Croix) 
 was extremely severe ; and, we are informed, that that 
 which succeeded it was remarkable for the most intense 
 cold the Indians ever recollected. Their time, how- 
 ever, was not devoted to amusement alone. They 
 erected more buildings, for the accommodation of other 
 adventurers, whom they expected to join them the 
 following year, in making pitch for the repairs of 
 their vessels, and, above all, in putting up a water- 
 mill to grind their corn. In this latter attempt they 
 completely succeeded, to their own infinite relief and 
 the great amusement of the savages. Some of the 
 iron work of this first North American mill is yet in 
 existence, and another of the same kind (Easson's 
 Mill) still occupies the ancient site.
 
 204 THE OLD JUDGE; OK, 
 
 " You will, porhaps, smile at the idea of antiquities 
 in a country which is universally called a new world ; 
 but America has a great advantage over Europe in this 
 respect, that it has a record of its birth, while the 
 orifrin of the other is to be souijht for in the region of 
 fable. I am a native of this country, and this little 
 settlement has always had great attractions for me, 
 who am an old Tory, from its primogeniture being two 
 years older than James Town, in Virginia, and three 
 years senior to Quebec, which was settled twelve years 
 before the landino: of the Pilfrrim Fathers in Massa- 
 chusetts."
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 205 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 MERRIMAKINGS. 
 
 The shooting season having commenced most 
 fevourably this autumn, Barclay and myself spent a 
 few days at Foxville, where the snipe are very abun- 
 dant, and on our return tried, with great success, the 
 copse that skirts the meadow between Elmsdale and 
 Illinoo for woodcock. While crossing a little wooded 
 promontory that intersected the alluvial land, and 
 interrupted our sport, I heard the shrill voice of a 
 female at some little distance, in great apparent dis- 
 tress ; and, stopping a moment to ascertain the direc- 
 tion from whence the sound came, I distinctly heard 
 the following extraordinary dialogue. 
 
 " Oh, John ! my head ! my head ! — let me die ! 
 rd rather die ! — oh, John, do ! How can you act 
 so? Oh, let me die !" — to which the person appealed 
 to so pathetically replied — 
 
 " Oh, no, Sally, don"'t be scared — it won't hurt you 
 — live a little long-er." 
 
 " I tell you, I'd rather die — I will die !" 
 
 " There, then, if you must die, die !"
 
 206 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 " Yes, but not so suddenly, John. Let me die 
 easy !" 
 
 Rushing forward with what speed I could, I sud- 
 denly caught a view of a young woman, seated in a 
 swing, suspended between two trees, having a rope 
 attached to the seat, by means of which her com- 
 panion forced her backwards and forwards, in her pen- 
 dulous motion. The alarniinir lanfjuajie she had used, 
 it appeared, was merely the technical term applied to 
 the cessation of the impulse given by the ropes that 
 regulated the movement. And dying, I found, to 
 my surprise, meant not to cease to live, but to cease 
 swinging. The fair one who had so unconsciously 
 terrified me by her screams of aflfright, and, as I 
 thought, by her threats of suicide, was a stout, strong, 
 blooming country girl, of about eighteen years of age ; 
 and her attendant a good-natured, awkward, rustic 
 admirer, but little older than herself. She had died, 
 as she desired, by the time I had reached the spot, 
 the swing being nearly motionless, and was ready to 
 be safely deposited on and not in the ground, as I had 
 feared, an office which I performed for her, to the sur- 
 prise and evident disappointment of her companion. 
 
 " I was properly scared, you may depend," she 
 said ; " that's a fact : a body that ain't used to carry 
 their liead so low, and their feet so high, is apt to get 
 kind of dizzy, and haven't ought to be throwed up so 
 hard, all of a suddent, lest the scat might sort of turn 
 bottom upwards."
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 207 
 
 Seeino- a number of tables with baskets upon them, 
 in an open glade, at some distance before us, and a 
 great concourse of people assembling, I asked her 
 what was the occasion of it. 
 
 " It is a pickinick stir, sir," was the reply. 
 " A pickinick stir !" I inquired ; " what is thatT 
 although, from the preparations that were making, 
 the meaning was perfectly obvious, but I wanted to 
 hear her definition yet, as I had no doubt she would 
 express herself in the same droll language. 
 
 " La^vful heart !" she said, "* I thought every body 
 knew what a pickinick stir was. Why, it's a feed, 
 to be sure, where every critter finds his own fodder." 
 
 " Ah," I said, " then I fear I am an intruder, for I 
 have no fodder ; and, what is worse, I am neither 
 invited nor expected. I regret this the more," I 
 added, " as I should like very much to see a pickinick 
 stir." 
 
 " Ah, you are funning now, ain't you ? Would 
 you, though, in rael, right down earnest f 
 
 " Certainly," I said, " I should be delighted." 
 " Well, that's very easy fixed, any how. John," 
 she said, " go and bring your basket, and look into 
 sister Hannah Dowler's waggon, and fetch the wooden 
 pail, with the birch bark cover, and no handle to it ; 
 and, if we can't find enough for the stranger, it's a 
 pity, that's all." 
 
 John hesitated for a moment, standing before her 
 with a very sorrowful expression of countenance, as if
 
 208 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 to catch an assurance from lier eye that he was not to 
 be deserted for another. 
 
 " Wliy, what ails the critter?" she said, "that you 
 stand starln' and a gapin"* there, as vacant as a spare 
 room, hjoking as if you couldn't hear, and had never 
 seed a body afore ;" and then, altering her manner 
 as if the trutli suddenly flashed upon her, she added, 
 in a milder and more conciliatory tone, " Go, John, 
 that's a good soul, and don't bo all day about it :" 
 words that inspired new life and most ra])id motion 
 into the jealous swain. She then seated herself on 
 the grass near the declivity of the sloping knoll, and, 
 leaning back, supported her head with her hand, by 
 resting on her elbow. 
 
 " Sit down," she said ; " sitting is as cheap as 
 standing, when you don't pay for it, and twice as 
 easy." Obeying her command, I assumed the same 
 attitude, and there we were, who, a few moments before, 
 had never seen each other, in tliis singularly easy 
 position, conversing face to face as unceremoniously 
 and as freely as if we had known each other for years. 
 " Dear me," she said, as her eye foil on my disengaged 
 hand, for the other was concealed by my hair, " what 
 a small hand you have, and how white it is ! — what 
 do you do to make it so white ? — washin them in 
 buttermilk, they say, is grand ; — what do you do f 
 
 " Nothing," I replied ; " wearing gloves produces 
 the effect." 
 
 " Ah !" she said, " I see, you belong to the (piality,
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 209 
 
 I suppose, or keep a store, or sell doctors' means — and 
 haven't to use your hands. Mine" (and she held up 
 one of hers, and examined it minutely) " are horrid 
 hard, ain't they? — all crinkum crankum like, and 
 criss-crossed every which way — sort of crisped and 
 chapped ; but it can't be helped, I do suppose, for they 
 are in and out of hot and cold water for everlasting." 
 
 " It is lucky it doesn't affect the Hps," I remarked. 
 
 " Well, so it is," she rephed, and added, in the most 
 artless manner possible, " I vow, I never thought of 
 that before. So you never see a pickinick stir, sir." 
 
 " No, not here." 
 
 " What, are you an entire stranger in these parts f 
 
 " Yes." 
 
 " Lawful heart, you don't say so ! So be I. I 
 live to the mill-ponds to Yarmouth, where I am to 
 home ; but now I am on a visit to sister Hannah, 
 who is married to the cross roads. Then, perhaps, 
 you never see a Bee stir 1" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Nor a raising ?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Nor a quilting ?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Nor a husking ?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Nor a berrying ?" 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Scissors and pins ! — why, you hain't seen nothing
 
 210 THE OLD JUDCK; OR, 
 
 of our ways yet ! Well, Fve been to 'em all, and 
 ril tell you what, I like a rolling frolic better tlian 
 all on them. There is always fun at the end <>f 
 the roll — if you'll — but here's John ; he's generally 
 allowed to be the greatest hand at a roll in these 
 clearings — the critter's so strong ! No, it ain't John, 
 neither. Creation ! how vexed he would be if he 
 knowed he was taken for that scarecrow, Norton Hog, 
 who looks, for all the world, like a suit of clothes, 
 hung on a bean pole stuck out to air ; he is so horrid 
 thin ! Well, there's no accounting for taste — what 
 do you think now? — he was married last week to 
 Betsy Spooner, as likely a gall as you will see any 
 where, I know — fact, I assure you, she is twenty and 
 he forty — exactly twice her age ; and so, as sister 
 Hannah says, when she is fifty, he will be a hundred. 
 Isn't it a horrible, scandalous match V 
 
 " Pray, who is John V I inquired, as I saw him 
 approach. 
 
 " Old Mr. Thad Raftise's son." 
 
 " Is he to be the happy man ?" 
 
 " Well, the critter is happy enough, for all I know 
 to the contrary." 
 
 " If I am in the country, may I come to the wed- 
 ding, and offer a bridal present in return for your 
 kindness to-day ?" 
 
 "Wedding! — oh, my! — well, I never! — now I 
 understand you. Marry John Rafuse ! Lord love 
 you, no I not unless I can't do no better, I can tell
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 211 
 
 you. He's well enough, and won"*! want, seeing his 
 father is well to do ; but he ain't got no force — he 
 wants a head-piece — he's sort of under-baked. I 
 ain't in no hurry to splice neither, at any rate, though 
 I won't just say I won't take John Rafuse at no time, 
 neither ; for, as Hannah says, a poor husband is 
 better than none ; and it's handy to have a man about 
 the house, for they can do little chores to home, and 
 run of errands. Are you married V 
 
 " No." 
 
 " Why don't you !" 
 
 " Who would have me ?" 
 
 " Ah ! you are fishing for compliments now, but 
 
 Praise to the face 
 Is open disgrace ; 
 
 and I won't humour you, for men are so a^vful con- 
 saited ! I guess the will, and not the way, is wanted. 
 Why, John," she exclaimed, on looking up, and ob- 
 serving him without his basket and pail, " what on 
 airth have you done with all those chicken-fixings, ham- 
 trimmings, and doe-doings, besides the pies, notions, 
 and sarces ; has any thing happened to them V 
 
 " Squire Barclay told me to thank you, and say he 
 had made provision for his friend and himself, and 
 here he is," 
 
 Having arranged matters so as to have the young 
 lady. Miss Sally Horn, as our neighbour at the table, 
 Barclay and I left the young couple together, and 
 strolled through the crowd, and mingled with the
 
 ■2] -2 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 various groups that were scattered on -the green, or 
 dispersed in the woods. 
 
 '' This," said Barclay, " is a pic-nic, given by the 
 owner and builder of the large timber-ship, of one 
 thousand tons, we saw launched at Illinoo yesterday, 
 to the families and friends of those who have in vari- 
 ous ways been engaged either in gathering or prepa- 
 ring the materials, or putting them together; for the 
 construction of a vessel of such magnitude gives em- 
 ployment to a vast number of people, who cut, hew, 
 or haul the timber. The owner is also desirous of 
 ingratiating himself with the people, over whom he 
 has some design of acquiring political influence, being 
 a violent democrat. If you took any interest in such 
 subjects, it would amuse, or rather I should say dis- 
 gust you, to see how men and not measures, office and 
 not principle, is at the bottom of our colonial politics. 
 As it is, his harangue would appear to you like a fo- 
 reign language, and really the idiom is not worth 
 acquiring. Come and look at the vehicles ; such a 
 stranije collection is worth seeinij," 
 
 Hay-carts filled with temporary seats, waggons fur- 
 nished with four posts and a tester-like awning resem- 
 bling a bedstead, carts ornamented with buffalo robes, 
 or having their rude timbers concealed by quilts, to- 
 gether with more ambitious gigs, cabs, cars, and 
 britzschkas of every variety, form, and colour, occupied 
 the field near the main road, to the fences of which 
 were fastened the horses, many of which, having huge
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 213 
 
 pillions attached to the saddles, appeared to have 
 carried several persons on their backs. 
 
 " A large temporary table, you observe," continued 
 Barclay, " is spread at one end of the Green, and several 
 of nearly equal size occupy the other; a division ren- 
 dered necessary by the scruples of the advocates of total 
 abstinence from all vinous or fermented liquors, who, 
 not contented with exercising the right of doing as they 
 please themselves, are determined to force others to 
 follow their example, and will not permit the use of 
 wine in their presence. How often does it happen in 
 this world that the most strenuous advocates for liberty 
 in theory are the most exclusive and tyrannical in 
 practice!" 
 
 Here a man wearing a badge to distinguish him 
 as a manager proclaimed, in a loud voice, " All ye in- 
 vited guests, fall into the precession, and come to the 
 platform !" This was a sort of circular scaftbld erected 
 in the centre of the glade, formed around and supported 
 by the trunk of a large elm. Three or four speakers 
 soon made their appearance, and, ascending this ele- 
 vated stage, addressed the company much in the same 
 style and upon nearly the same topics. The ship whose 
 launch they had come to celebrate was eulogized as 
 one of the largest, fastest, best built, and beautifully 
 modellel vessels ever seen in this or any other countrj'. 
 The builder was said to have done honour to the pro- 
 vince in general, and his native town in particular, 
 and was adduced as one of many instances to prove
 
 214 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 that Nova Scotians only wanted opportunities to be 
 afforded them to excel all mankind, the humblest of 
 them being fitted for the highest offices of state at 
 liome, or abroad ; but that, unhappily, during the long 
 Tory rule in Englaud, the aristocracy engrossed every 
 situation of honour or emolument in every part of the 
 empire. The company were assured that the Legislative 
 Council of this province contained as many learned, 
 and the House of Assembly as many able statesmen, 
 as the Lords or Commons'' Houses of Great Britain, 
 and that their integrity and honour were equal, if not 
 superior. 
 
 The colonies, it was said, were filled with mineral 
 wealth, so near the surface as to be exhumed with very 
 little outlay ; and all that was required was for Eng- 
 land to open their native treasures at her own expense, 
 and give all the returns to the people — an act of justice 
 which, ere long, she would be compelled to perform, 
 and which would long since have been spontaneously 
 done, had it not been for certain influential persons in 
 this country, who wanted the proceeds to be given ex- 
 clusively to them. It was confidently predicted that a 
 railroad would be immediately constructed by the mo- 
 ther country between Halifax and Illinoo, and another 
 between the former place and Quebec ; as the local 
 legislature had most liberally done its part by giving 
 permission to any company to be formed for that pur- 
 pose, to pass through the land of the crown, and take 
 as nmch of it as was necessary, which they had a per-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 215 
 
 feet right to do, the Queen being a mere trustee for 
 the public, and, of course, having no interest whatever 
 of her own. And much to the same purpose. 
 
 Mothers were then implored to look upon their 
 children with pride as having the honour to be Blue 
 Noses ; and were assured that Latin and Greek, which 
 had hitherto been upheld by Tories, to create a dis- 
 tinction between the rich and the poor, were exploded, 
 or, as it was quaintly expressed, " reformed out" ; and 
 that now, all speaking one language, (and it was well 
 known that they pronounced English better than the 
 British, for who could understand a Yorkshire or 
 Cornish man, or the Yankees, who were too lazy to 
 use their mouths and spoke through their noses ?) — 
 now that great object had been obtained, there was an 
 open field and fair play for all, and their children had 
 a high destiny before them, and honour and wealth 
 were their portion. 
 
 Here the herald again proclaimed, " The bankit is 
 now ready, and all ye invited guests will please to fall 
 to in your places." 
 
 Few people are unconsciously flattered, however 
 delicately the incense may be ofiered ; and this agree- 
 able and prophetic language I have related, although 
 artfiilly veiling any thing like broad compliment, was, 
 notwithstanding its skilful disguises, thoroughly un- 
 derstood by some of the male part of the audience, 
 for I heard one old man pronounce it all moonshine, 
 and another, addressing his little boy, say, " Well,
 
 216 THE OLD JUDOK; OK, 
 
 Zacky, you have a-niost a <;raiul iuhcritanci — that's a 
 fact. Doirt you hope you may live to get it ? Tell 
 you what — your lot and your luck is, your lot will be 
 hard work, and your luck to zave wliat you maku. I 
 hate all fortin-tellers — when they put their liands on 
 your ribs to tickle you, they are sure to slip their 
 fingers into your pockets and pick it — they are all 
 cheats. Look out always fur number one, Zacky, my 
 boy. Now, here"'s a hint for you — do you go and set 
 by your mother, for the men always give the women 
 the best, and the women always help the children 
 before they eat themselves : so you may guess who 
 gets the tid bits, Zacky. I have done my part now. 
 by helping you to advice. Jist you go and ask your 
 mother to help you to something to eat." 
 
 Having found my fair friend, Miss Sally Horn, 
 we proceeded to the table at the upper end of the 
 Green, and took our seats, placing her between us, 
 when a servant of Judge Sandford's spread before us 
 the contents of a basket he had brought from Elms- 
 dale, and we enjoyed a capital luncheon. Poor Mr. 
 John llafuse, not at all approving of the young lady''8 
 behaviour, and determined to make her feel sensible of 
 the danircr of losin<r an admii'cr bv such levitv of 
 manner, refused to make one of the party, and, oll'ering 
 his arm to another of his fair ac(|uaintances, led her 
 oft* to the other end of the field. Miss Horn observed 
 that "pickinick stirs" were stupid tilings, for a lady had 
 nothing to do but walk up and down, and stare, which
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 217 
 
 warn't wholesome for weak eyes ; and as for preaching, 
 as she called the speeches, she could hear enough of 
 that of a Sunday, but pronounced the repast the best 
 part of the entertainment, and evinced the sincerity of 
 what she professed by the justice she did to every 
 thing placed before her. 
 
 " Well, I declare," she exclaimed, " if I haven''t 
 dined well, it's a pity, for I have been helped to every 
 thing twice, and five times to blueberry pudding." 
 
 " Squire," said a man seated on the opposite side 
 of the table, and addressing himself to Barclay, 
 " Squire, may I trouble you for a piece of that 'are 
 apple-pie to your left there 1" pointing to a large tart, 
 the top of which had been accidentally crushed. 
 
 " With great pleasure," he replied ; and applying a 
 knife and fork to it, remarked, " I believe you are 
 under a mistake, sir — this is, I rather think, a pigeon- 
 pie, and this one must have been the father of the 
 flock, for my knife makes no impression on liim. I 
 will give you the whole bird, and you must dissect it 
 for yourself — here it is f and he raised on his fork, amid 
 roars of laughter, during which the table was nearly 
 overturned, a child's shoe, that had been acciden- 
 tally thrust into it, and lost in the deep and capacious 
 dish. 
 
 " Well, I declare," said Miss Sally, " if that ain't 
 little Lizzy Fink's shoe ! She has been hopping about 
 all day with only one on, like a land gosling. If she 
 hain't put her foot in it, it's a pity ! — don't it beat all 
 
 VOL. I. L
 
 218 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 uatur that? I wonder what bu.sine.'^.s children liave to 
 pickiuick stirs ; they arc for everlastin<^ly a-poking 
 their noses, or fingers, or feet, into something or an- 
 other they hadn't ought to." 
 
 " Well," continued the old yeoman, with philoso- 
 phical indifference, " that pumkin-pie to your right will 
 do as well, for, artcr all, I guess pumkin is about the 
 king of pies ; but, Squire, how is the Judgc''s pota- 
 toes I have they escaped the rot ? mine have got some- 
 thing worse." 
 
 " What's that r 
 
 " They are actually destroyed by curiosity. Every 
 critter that passes my field says, I wonder if neighbour 
 Millet's potatoes have got the disease ; and he pulls 
 and pulls ever so many hills to see, and then says, 
 well, that's strange too ; he is the luckiest man in 
 these parts, he hain't lost one, and the next one that 
 comes by just does the same thing, and so on till I 
 have lost just half my crop. 1 vow I will shoot the 
 first fellow I catch there, and hang him up to scare 
 away the curious. Thank fortiu, it hain't effected 
 the Indian corn !" (maize.) 
 
 This exclamation was occasioned by the introduc- 
 tion of a number of dishes of this dehcious vegetable. 
 In a moment, every one took an car, and, raising it 
 to his mouth with a hand at each end of it, began to 
 eat. The colour of the corn, and the manner of hold- 
 ing, gave the whole company the appearance of a band 
 jilaying on the flute. It was the most ludicrous sight
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 219 
 
 I ever beheld. It was a sort of practice in dumb 
 show. 
 
 After Miss Sally had finished two ears of it, she 
 drew breath, and rested a moment. " Why don^t 
 you eat ?" she said ; " you had better begin soon, or it 
 will all be gone f and then, looking at the long white 
 cob from which she had so expeditiously removed the 
 grain with her teeth, and holding it admiringly by the 
 end before she deposited it on the plate, she con- 
 tinued, " Them cobs are grand for smoking hams or 
 herrings — nothin' in nature gives the same flavour ; 
 and as for corking bottles, they are better than 
 boughten ones. Will you hand me the dish V 
 
 " With great pleasure ; but had you not better 
 take a little wine first V 
 
 " Well, I don't care if I do," she replied ; and, 
 holding a tumbler instead of a glass, observed, " I 
 like wine better than cider for consart ; it has more 
 body, and is a more cheerfuller drink, unless the cider 
 be first frozen down, and then bottled tight with corn 
 cobs. Here's to you, sir, and wishing you luck. 
 When you bottle cider, it must be always upended on 
 its neck, for bottoms are thicker than heads, and ain't 
 so apt to go ofi" onexpected ; and cider is a wicked 
 thing to burst. Have you been to Yarmouth lately V 
 she asked, abruptly. 
 
 " Yes, last week." 
 
 " Oh, Solomon," she said, " you don't say so ! 
 How glad I am I fell in with you ! Did you see any- 
 
 l2
 
 220 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 tiling of old Mr. Sam Horn\s folks down to the mill- 
 ponds T 
 
 As a matter of course, I neither knew nor had heard 
 of old Mr. Sam Horn or his family, hut, wishing to 
 hear her out, I replied evasively — " Not recently." 
 
 " Well, when you return," she continued, " 1 wish 
 you would tell them I feel kind of homesick and lone- 
 some, at the cross-roads — will you ? I think I shall 
 make tracks homeward soon." 
 
 " Why, your folks think you arc a-going to be 
 married," I said. 
 
 " Oh," she replied, with a piteous face, " there is 
 no such good news, I can tell you. A lady has no 
 chance of seeing folks there, unless, maybe, such a 
 chap as John llafuse, and the likes of him, is no great 
 catch for any likely oall thafs jjot a home of her own. 
 I^s kinder dull there, and there ain''t no vessels, nor 
 raisings, nor revivals, nor camp meetings, nor nothing. 
 Yd rather go back." 
 
 " Well, that's what old Mr. Sam Horn said ; he 
 remarked that he knew you would sooner be among 
 the bull-frogs in the mill-ponds at Yarmouth, than 
 amonij the owls of the cross-roads." 
 
 " Did he, though ? well, there's a great deal of fun 
 about the old gentleman, too — ain't there ? ]hit, as I 
 am a living sinner, if here ain't a fiddle — ain't it 
 grand ?" and, extricating herself from the table, she 
 was on her feet in a moment. 
 
 Shortly afterwards, the whole company rose, and a
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 221 
 
 benevolent matron present proposed that what was 
 left of the viands should be given to the negroes who 
 were in attendance. 
 
 " I guess," said Miss Sally, " you might as well 
 then butter the table-cloth then, for, excepting the 
 shoe-pie, which ain"'t fit for no christian to eat, unless 
 it's a darkey, I don't see there is anything else left.*" 
 
 " It would be just as well," retorted the other, with 
 an offended toss of her head, and not at all relishing 
 the general laugh raised at her expense, " it would be 
 just as well perhaps if some young folks know what 
 was due to their elders and betters, and didn't talk 
 quite so fast and so pert." 
 
 The black musician, to whose superior knowledge 
 and authority in such matters all deferred, now sum- 
 moned the young people to take their places on the 
 green. 
 
 " Will you dance V said my fair friend. 
 
 I replied, " I am sorry I am obliged to bid you 
 good bye, and leave you, for I have an engagement 
 elsewhere, this being altogether an unexpected pleasure 
 to me. But pray dance with your friend Mr. Rafuse, 
 who I see has returned : he seems hurt at your 
 neo;lect." 
 
 " Who cares ?" she said ; "if he don't like it, he 
 may lump it. Tell you what — if John Rafiise was 
 down to the mill-ponds to Yarmouth among the 
 ponders, they would call him Eefuse, and that's the 
 poorest sort of boards they have in all their lumber.
 
 222 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 Well, I am soriy you are a-going, too. There is 
 grand shooting to the cross-roads, I have heam 
 Hannah's husband say, only people are too lazy to 
 shoot. If you will come there, I will oet him to rrive 
 you a rolling frolic, for he has got one on hand, and 
 promised me a treat before I go home. Til hold back 
 for you. Oh, it's fun alive, you may depend ! — but 
 pickinick stirs are as heavy as dough — more trouble 
 to come and to go and to carry things than they are 
 worth, and dancing on the ground is hard work, and, 
 besides, it don't seem kinder natural in the day-time, 
 and so many folks looking on, and making their re- 
 marks, who have nothing to do with it kinder, puts a 
 wet blanket on it. Oh, a rolling frolic is just what 
 you would like, for it's sociable and onformal ; or, if 
 you can't come, next time you go to Yarmouth, just 
 give us a call to old Mr. Sam Horn's to the mill- 
 ponds. It's a most a beautiful place. It's generally 
 allowed to take the shine off this province, I tell you. 
 You won't forget to give us a call, will you? The 
 old gentleman will be very proud to see you, and 
 I'll " 
 
 The order of the musician was imperative ; and 
 Mr. Rafuse several times reminded the talkative lady 
 that she was keeping the company waiting. 
 
 " Don't be in such a plaguy pecky hurry,"" she an- 
 swered sharply. " If you can't wait, get another 
 partner. Don't you see, I am bidding good bye to the 
 stranger? manners before measures."
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 223 
 
 " Pray don"'t detain him," I said. " Mr. Barclay 
 and I will be at the cross-roads next week, if the 
 weather is favourable, and spend a day or two there 
 shooting." 
 
 " And the rolling frolic ?" she inquired doubtfully. 
 
 " Oh, certainly, I shall be delighted to accept your 
 kind invitation. Good bye, till we meet again." 
 
 " Then, I may depend T 
 
 " Certainly, I shall only be too happy." 
 
 " Come, now, I like that," she said, " you are the 
 rael grit, every inch of you. Seeing you*'re a touch 
 above common, I was afraid you would be too proud, 
 maybe, to come among the like of us poor folks. 
 Thank you, sir. Good bye ! mind next week. And 
 now, John, how sorry I am I kept you waiting so 
 long ! What''s become of Nabby Frisk I seed you 
 with just now ? She looks as yaller as a kite"'s foot. 
 What's that tune, Pompey, you are a-playing ? Is it 
 ' Off she goes to Mirimishee V " 
 
 " No, miss, ifs ' Come tickle my nose with a barley 
 straw.' " 
 
 " Oh, my !" she replied, pressing both her hands 
 on her sides, and laughing most immoderately — 
 ' Tickle my nose with a barley straw V well, if that 
 name don't bang the bush ! — it caps all." 
 
 The young people were now all in motion ; but such 
 a dance ! It was a serious business affair. Every- 
 body maintained a profound silence, and the only 
 voice to be heard was that of the black fiddler, who
 
 224 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 gave out the figures in a loud tone, that was distinctly 
 audible over the screaming notes of the violin, while 
 the dancers seemed most anxious to execute such steps 
 as they know with the greatest exactness and agility. 
 In describing this scene, I have preferred giving the 
 greater parts of the dialogue with Miss Horn to re- 
 cording the general conversation of the tables, because, 
 as this sketch is faithfully drawn from nature, it will 
 convey to the reader an accurate idea of the class to 
 which she belono-ed. 
 
 Taking Barclay's arm, I now strolled to the other 
 end of the glade previous to returning to Elmsdale. 
 This portion of the company had also left the tables, 
 and were scattered in detached groups ; some packing 
 up preparatory to leaving the place, and others listen- 
 ing attentively to a man who was denouncing those 
 who had profaned the place with wine and dancing. 
 He was a tall, thin, cadaverous-looking man, whose 
 long black hair, falling wildly over his shoulders, gave 
 liis face a ghastly appearance, while his wild and wan- 
 dering eye imparted to it a fearful expression. He 
 appeared to be labouring both under great excitement 
 and a considerable impediment of speech which aftected 
 his respiration, so as to contract and expand his cheeks 
 and sides, and make the indraught and exit of his 
 breath distressingly audible. Nothing could bo more 
 painful than to witness his convulsive utterance, un- 
 less it was to hear his dreadful lanijuaire. He con- 
 signed all those who were not members of Temperance
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 225 
 
 Societies to everlasting perdition, without the sHghtest 
 compunction, and invoked an early fulfilment of his 
 imprecations upon them. Occasionally, he would ter- 
 minate a period with a long unmeaning alliteration, 
 calling dancing a profanation of an ordination that led 
 to damnation, or point his harangue against wine- 
 drinkers, by observing, that they think it fine to drink 
 wine like swine ; but theyll repine, they'll repine. 
 
 Turning in disgust from this profane and uncharit- 
 able discourse, we crossed the lawn in the direction of 
 the post road. On our way, we met two young 
 women looking about them in great trouble and per- 
 plexity. As soon as they perceived us, one of them 
 approached, and, addressing herself to me, said, 
 " Pray, sir, did you see a beast down there V pointing 
 to the part of the lawn we had just left. Although 
 I should never have thought of the word brute, or 
 beast, as applicable to the wretched man I had been 
 listening to, I was not at all surprised at the terrified 
 girl using it, knowing that the population of rural 
 districts derive most of their epithets from the objects 
 about them. 
 
 " I have indeed seen a strange animal there," I 
 said. 
 
 " Was he a black beast, sir V 
 
 " Long black hair," I replied, " and a wild and 
 wicked expression of eye." 
 
 " Did you take notice of his feet, sir V she inquired 
 anxiously. 
 
 L 5
 
 226 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 I now perceived, by this reference to the cloven foot, 
 that the poor girl either thought he was the devil in 
 2)7'oprid persona, or was possessed of one. " Don''t be 
 alarmed," I said. " I didn't observe his feet." 
 
 " Had he a long black tail, and a cushion strapped 
 on behind for carrying a gall on ?" 
 
 Here Barclay, who had been enjoying my mistake, 
 came to the rescue. " You have lost your horse, I 
 suppose." 
 
 " Yes, sir, our beast has broke his bridle, and made 
 tracks. I only hope he ain't raced off home." 
 " Had he four white feet V 
 " Yes, sir." 
 
 " Ah, then, he's quietly grazing below the crowd. 
 Where is the bridle I — Ah, here it is. Make your- 
 self easy ; I will restore him to you in a moment." 
 
 On his return, the two girls were adjusted into their 
 seats ; one riding in front on a man's saddle, the other 
 behind, but on the opposite side of the horse. 
 
 " I agree with your friend. Miss Sally Horn," said 
 Barclay ; " pic-nics are stupid things, under any cir- 
 cumstances, but doubly so, when attempted by country 
 people, who do not understand them, are destitute of the 
 resources furnished by education for conversation and 
 amusement, and to whom unoccupied time is always 
 wearisome. Merrimaking in America, except in towns 
 or new settlements, is a sad misnomer, when applied 
 to such matters ; the religion of the country, which 
 is puritanical, is uncongenial to it ; dissent is cold and
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 227 
 
 gloomy, and represses the cheerfulness of youth, and the 
 buoyancy of healthful spirits. The people are not fond 
 of music, and are strangers to theatrical amusements ; 
 and, being dispersed over a great surface of country, 
 instead of dwelling in villages or hamlets, as in 
 Europe, have little opportunity for convivial inter- 
 course; while the exigencies of a northern climate, 
 and the hardships and privations of forest life, leave 
 but little time for relaxation. They are a business 
 and matter-of-fact people. ' Raisings,' which mean 
 the erection of the frames of wooden houses, are 
 everywhere performed by mechanics, except in new 
 settlements. ' Log rolling,' which is the process of 
 heaping together the trunks of trees that have been 
 felled preparatory to being burned, so as to clear the 
 land for cultivation, and 'the Bee,' which is the 
 gathering of people for the purpose of chopping down 
 the forest, or for harvesting, or some other friendly 
 act for a neighbourhood, are all, in like manner, peculiar 
 to remote places. 
 
 " When any of these occasions occur", they are fol- 
 lowed by festivities of a totally different character 
 from those in the old settlements. In proportion as 
 the country becomes more densely peopled, these acts 
 of mutual assistance, rendered necessary in the first 
 instance by the individual weakness and mutual wants 
 of all, become more and more rare, and finally cease 
 altogether, and with them, merrimakings cease also. 
 Festive assemblies occur now only in towns, or the
 
 228 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 midst of the woods : so true in all thin2;s is the old 
 maxim — 'extremes meet/ In that portion of the 
 country where these j^ood old ' Raisings,"' ' Bees,"" 
 ' Log-rollings,"' and other cordial and friendly meetings 
 have died out, nothing has arisen in their place to in- 
 duce or require a celebration. The formal manners of 
 the town sits awkwardly on the farmer ; its customs 
 and fashions neither suit his means nor his condition. 
 Unwilling to be thought rustic and vulgar, he has 
 abandoned the warm-hearted junketing of old ; and, 
 unable to accommodate himself to city usages, which 
 he sees so seldom as not thoroughly to understand, he 
 has little or no recreation to give his family ; a cold 
 hospitality that acquires ostentation, in proportion as 
 it loses cordiality, gradually supervenes. The charac- 
 ter and appearance of the man undergo a sad change ; 
 the jolly, noisy yeoman, becomes a melancholy-looking 
 man ; his temper is gradually soured by the solitude 
 and isolation in which he lives, and, resorting to poli- 
 tics and religion for excitement, he rushes to the 
 wildest extremes in both, howling for nights together 
 in the protracted meetings of revivals, or raving with 
 equal zeal and ignorance about theories of govern- 
 ment. 
 
 '• The injurious effects upon the health, occasioned by 
 the absence of all amusement, and the substitution of 
 fanaticism, or polities in its place, is not confined to 
 the male part of the population. It falls still heavier 
 on the females. The former have their field labours
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 229 
 
 to detain them all day in the fresh air ; the latter are 
 confined to the house and its close and unwholesome 
 atmosphere, and suffer in proportion. No merry laugh 
 rings on the ear of the anxious mother, no song glad- 
 dens her heart, no cheerftil dance of joyous youth 
 reflects the image of the past, or gives a presage of a 
 happy future. Sadness, suffering, or discontent, is 
 legible on the face. Silence or fretfulness pervades 
 the house. The home is not happy. 
 
 " I am glad you have arranged to go to the cross- 
 roads next week. You will at once see the effect of 
 merrimakings and cheerfulness, not only on the health 
 and looks, but upon the bearing and character of the 
 population. The Judge says ' Exercise is health,"' but 
 he is mistaken ; cheerfulness is an essential ingredient, 
 and where that does not spring from a well-regulated 
 mind, as it does among educated people, amusement, 
 in some shape or other, is absolutely indispensable."
 
 230 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE SCHOOLMASTER; 
 OR, THE UECKE THALER. 
 
 Ou our return to Elmsdale, the absurd scene of the 
 morning was adverted to, and the extraordinary man- 
 ner in which the people were flattered and hiuded by 
 the orators of Illinoo. 
 
 " That," said the Judge, " is the inevitable result 
 of the almost universal suffrage that exists in this 
 province. People accommodate themselves to their 
 audience ; and, where the lower orders form the ma- 
 jority of electors, their vanity is appealed to, and not 
 their judgment — their passions, and not their reason ; 
 and the mass, instead of being elevated in the scale 
 of intelligence by the exercise of political power, is 
 lowered by the delusion and craft, of which it is made 
 the willing victim. Nova Scotians have been so often 
 assured that they are the ablest, the wisest, and best 
 of men, though their rulers are both ignorant and 
 corrupt, and that they have a rich and fertile c<mntry, 
 blessed with a climate more salubrious and agreeable 
 than that of any other part of the world, they begin 
 to think that law and not industry, government and 
 not enterprise, is all that is wanting for the full enjoy-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 231 
 
 meut of these numerous advantages. If any man were 
 to say to them that their winters are long and severe, 
 their springs late, cold, and variable, while much of 
 their soil is wet, stony, or unproductive, and that toil 
 and privation are the necessary incidents of such a 
 condition ; or venture to assert that, although the 
 province abounds with mineral wealth, skill, capital, 
 and population are necessary to its successful develop- 
 ment; or, that, although the innumerable streams 
 that intersect the country in every direction are admi- 
 rably adapted for manufactories, the price of labour 
 is yet too high to render such speculations safe or 
 profitable ; and, above all, to tell them that they are 
 idle, conceited, and ignorant ; and, so long as they 
 maintain this character, they merit all their poverty 
 and all their wretchedness ; these demagogues, to 
 whom you listened yesterday, would call him a rabid 
 tory, a proud aristocrat, an enemy to the people, a 
 vile slanderer, and a traitor to his country. 
 
 "It is a melancholy condition of things ; and, so 
 long as education is so grievously neglected as it is at 
 present, there appears to be no hope of a change for 
 the better. The British Government, with that fore- 
 sio-lit and liberality which has always distinguished 
 it in its treatment of the colonies, founded, many 
 years ago, a- college at Windsor, an interior town, 
 situated about forty-five miles from Halifax, which 
 has been of incalculable advantage, not merely to 
 Nova Scotia, but to British North America. The
 
 232 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 system of common school instruction, on the contrary, 
 which depends upon ourselves, is founded chiefly on 
 the voluntary principle, which has proved as defective 
 in education as it always has in religion. When a 
 man fails in his trade, or is too lazy to work, he re- 
 sorts to teaching as a livelihood, and the school-house, 
 like the asylum for the poor, receives all those who 
 are, from misfortune or incapacity, unable to provide 
 for themselves. The wretched teacher has no home ; 
 he makes the tour of the settlement, and resides, a 
 stipulated number of days, in every house — too short 
 a time for his own comfort, and too long for that of 
 the family, who can but ill afford either the tax or the 
 accommodation. He is among them, but not of them. 
 His morning is past in punishing the idleness of others, 
 his evening in being punished for his own ; for all 
 are too busy to associate with him. His engagement 
 is generally for a short period. He looks forward to 
 its termination with mingled feelings of hope and fear 
 — in alternate anticipations of a change for the better, 
 or destitution from want of employment. His heart 
 is not in his business, and his work prospers indiffer- 
 ently. He is then succeeded by another, who changes 
 the entire system, and spends his whole time in what 
 he calls rectifying the errors of his predecessor. The 
 school is then unhappily too often closed for want of 
 energy or union among the people ; the house is 
 deserted and neglected, the glass is broken by the 
 children, who regard it as a prison. The door, after
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 233 
 
 a long but unsuccessftil struggle with the wind, falls, 
 at last, in the conflict ; the swine then enter, for pro- 
 tection, from the violence or heat of the weather, and 
 retain possession until expelled by the falling roof, 
 or the rod of a new master. It is evident, therefore, 
 that ' the orreatest, wisest, and best of mankind' either 
 do not need instruction, having the wonderful good 
 fortune to possess knowledge intuitively, or else the 
 rest of the human family, whom they are so often told 
 they far excel, must indeed be in a state of hopeless 
 and wretched ignorance." 
 
 The following day, as we were strolling through 
 Bridge Port, a small, straggling village, situated about 
 a mile and a half above Elmsdale, the subject was 
 again accidentally renewed by our hearing the piercing 
 cries of a poor little urchin, who was undergoing the 
 punishment of the rod in the schoolhouse. As Bridge 
 Port aspires to the honour of being called a town, 
 and its ambitious inhabitants entertain sanguine hopes 
 that it will one day rival Illinoo in importance, this 
 building exhibits much pretension, having a belfry 
 surmounted by a gilt weather-vane, which, though it 
 does not indicate the direction of the wind, being 
 stationary, either from accident or for the purpose of 
 displaying the broad, glittering side of a golden 
 quill at its top, fulfils all that it was designed for, by 
 ornamenting the village. So handsome a structure, 
 deserving a classical name, is dignified by the appel- 
 lation of Academy. It was from this seat of learning
 
 234? THE OLD JUDGE : OR, 
 
 tliat the young student's voice was heard complaining 
 of the thorny paths of literature. 
 
 " Ah, my good friend, Mr. Enoch Pike," said the 
 Judge, soliloquizing in reference to the teacher, " if you 
 had ever been in the army, you would have become 
 more indulgent by learning that the tables are some- 
 times turned, and the master punished himself. I 
 recollect," he said, addressing himself to me, " when 
 the Duke of Kent was commander-in-chief at Halifax, 
 going to the barracks to see an officer of the Fusileers, 
 and, as 1 passed the regimental school-room on my 
 way upstairs to the quarters of my friend, I found all 
 the children vociferating at the top of their voices, 
 almost wild with excitement and delight. ' Ah ! my 
 little fellows,"" I said, ' so you have a holiday to-day, 
 have you V — ' Oh, yes, sir,' several of them answered 
 at once, ' oh, yes, sir, master has been flogged to-day ; 
 he has just received three hundred lashes."" 
 
 "Ho who needs foririveuess himself ouijht to be 
 merciful to others. I have several times spoken to 
 Pike about his severity, and recommended to him 
 more forbearance, but he always has one answer. 
 Thinking to pacify me by avowing himself a conser- 
 vative, he invariably commences : ' Ah, Judge, when 
 I first took charge of this Academy, I was a Radical, 
 a thorough-going Radical ; but I soon found a school 
 required a good strict Tory government. Freedom 
 and equality sound prettily in theory, but they don""! 
 work well in practice. You, who have presided in
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 235 
 
 courts of justice, and I, who have presided in seats of 
 learning, know that nothing but a stern air and a 
 strong arm will preserve order/ — ' Oh, yes,' I reply, 
 ' that is all very well — but strictness is one thing, 
 and severity another. You must be moderate. Pa- 
 tience is a cardinal virtue in an instructor ."* — ' Oh, sir,' 
 he says, ' I am the most patient man in the world, 
 but there is a point — there is a line, you know, sir, 
 beyond which, ahem ! — there is a limit — a bound — 
 a terminus you may call it — a place where you must 
 stop. They talk about the patience of Job, Judge. 
 I have read every thing about that illustrious man 
 with great care, sir ; and, in my humble opinion, his 
 patience was never fairly tried. Job never was a 
 schoolmaster. Judge — oh, no ! oh, no ! he can't be said 
 to have been fairly tried. Job never kept a school. 
 Corporeal punishment. Judge, either in schools or the 
 army, cannot be dispensed with. We say, and say 
 truly, the rod of the empire ! I have often asked 
 myself with Virgil, Quid domini facient — What shall 
 masters do without the birch ? and answer with Ovid, 
 Principiis obsta — Nip an offence in the bud ; or with 
 Horace, Quicquid prcecipies esto hreve — Let it be a 
 word and a blow. All antiquity is in its favour, and 
 Solomon recommends a liberal use of it. Spare it, 
 says he, and you spoil the child. The quantity of 
 flogging is very properly left to the discretion of the 
 master ; the true rule, perhaps, is, Nocturnd versate 
 manu nersate diurnd — Turn tbem up and whip them
 
 23G THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 by day or night when needed, not urging them too 
 fast, but keeping a steady rein. Festina lent^ — An 
 even travelling gait is the proper course. In this 
 manner, he runs on, making tlie most absurd appli- 
 cation possible of his quotations, and regularly talks 
 me down, so that I am glad to drop tiie subject, and 
 quit the house. 
 
 " They have had a strange set of masters here : 
 one was a universal genius, and converted his school 
 into a sort of workshop. He painted signs and sign- 
 boards, gilded frames, repaired watches and guns, made 
 keys in place of missing ones, veneered bones and 
 tables, cut and lettered tomb-stones, and was devoted 
 to carving and turning. He prided himself upon being 
 able to execute any difficult little job, that exceeded 
 the skill of anybody else in the country. He pre- 
 ferred every thing to teaching, and his scholars pre- 
 ferred him to every other master ; for it seemed to be 
 a fixed principle with him not to trouble them if they 
 would observe the same forbearance towards him. 
 But the parents, not approving of this amicable treaty, 
 refused to ratify it, and he was discharged, to the 
 great grief of the young men, and the infinite loss of 
 all young ladies who had brooches, lockets, or bracelets 
 to mend. 
 
 " Universal Smith was universally regretted. His 
 successor, though equally engaged for others, was a 
 totally different person. Instead of mending and 
 patching up things for his neighbours, he made more
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 237 
 
 breaches than Universal Smith could have soldered or 
 welded together again in a long life. He set the 
 people by the ears ; and, when he failed in an attempt 
 to separate friends, got up a little quarrel with them 
 on his own account. He piqued himself on his know- 
 ledge of law, and advised tenants to overbold, and 
 landlords to distrain, and, being a talebearer, was a 
 great promoter of actions of defamation, in which he 
 was generally a witness, and attested to different 
 words from those laid in the declaration, whereby 
 his friends were nonsuited, and his foes escaped. 
 He induced several persons who were indifferently 
 honest to expose their roguery by endeavouring to 
 evade the payment of their just debts, by availing 
 themselves of the benefit of the statute of limita- 
 tions. Even his boys were set against each other, 
 so that scarcely any two of them were upon speaking 
 terms. 
 
 " At that time, there was a female school held in 
 one end of the apartment, which was divided into two 
 rooms by a temporary wooden screen. This afforded 
 too good an opportunity for hostilities to be neglected, 
 and he, accordingly, attempted to drive away the 
 teacher and her children by resorting to every petty 
 annoyance and insult in his power ; but, finding their 
 endurance superior to his patience, he commenced a 
 regular system of encroachment. He was always at 
 his post an hour before the school commenced, during 
 which time the partition was advanced a few inches,
 
 238 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 until he succeeded in thrustinj; tlicni out and cncfros- 
 siuir the whole buildin";. 
 
 " He was a constant contributor to a scurrilous 
 newspaper, published at Illinoo, in which he misrepre- 
 sented the motives and conduct of every gentleman 
 in the neighbourhood, and, as is always the case with 
 people of this description, seemed to take peculiar 
 pleasure in abusing those to whom he was most in- 
 debted for personal or pecuniary kindness. At last, 
 he managed to quarrel with the boys, their parents, 
 and, finally, the trustees of the school ; which ended, 
 first, in his dismissal, and then in a lawsuit, that 
 terminated, in his ruin and sudden disappearance from 
 the place. 
 
 " After this, the school was closed for some time, 
 for want of a master, when a stranger presented him- 
 self as a candidate, and was accepted. Mr. Welcome 
 Shanks (for such was his name) was one of the most 
 extraordinary-looking men I ever beheld. He was 
 very tall, and, though his frame was large and mus- 
 cular, exceedingly thin. His back, either from the 
 constant habit of stooping, or from a rheumatic aftoc- 
 tion so common in this country, was almost circular, 
 and had the effect of throwinij his lonir bony arms for- 
 ward, which looked as if they were still growing, and 
 in time would reach the ground, and enable him to 
 travel upon all-fours. His face was hard, hollow, and 
 pale, having an anxious and careworn expression, that 
 indicated either nKiital or bodily suffering. His eye
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 239 
 
 was bright and intelligent, but restless, as was liis 
 head, which he kept continually but slowly moving 
 from side to side. He was attired in a suit of old, 
 rustj black, which, though almost threadbare, and 
 showing evident marks of successive repairs, was scru- 
 pulously neat. He wore a white, Quaker-looking hat, 
 having a brim of more than usual dimensions, the 
 fronts of which was bent downwards, so as effectually 
 to protect his face, and especially his eyes, from the 
 strong light of the sun. His queue gave an inexpres- 
 sibly droll eff"ect to his figure, for he carried his head 
 and neck so much lower than his shoulders, that it 
 6ould not reach his back, but, resting on the cape of 
 his coat, stood up almost in a perpendicular direction, 
 and suggested the idea of its being the handle of the 
 protruding arms, or the root to which they were in- 
 debted for their extraordinary length. 
 
 " His manner was shv and reserved ; he held but 
 little intercourse with any one, appearing to have but 
 two topics of conversation in which he took any inte- 
 rest, namely, piracy, and the history of the early set- 
 tlement of the province by the French, their subse- 
 quent expulsion, and cruel dispersion in the other 
 colonies, to every detail of which he listened with the 
 greatest eagerness. He was accustomed to take long 
 and solitary walks, upon which occasions it was ob- 
 served he was armed with a huge club, which was 
 accidentally discovered to be hollow, and to contain 
 something of a smaller size within it, generally sup-
 
 240 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 posed to be a rapier, or dagger, lie also carried about 
 with him, wherever lie went, a thin, but broad tin 
 case, containing a pocket-book, which he would often 
 take out during school hours, and attentively study, 
 occasionally altering or making additions to what ap- 
 peared to be written in it. 
 
 " The story of the hollow cane, or sword-stick, filled 
 the school with wonder and fear, which the mysterious 
 case and black book raised to the highest pitch. His 
 scholars, however, soon perceived the danger of ap- 
 proaching him when thus engaged ; for, though at other 
 times the gentlest and most patient of beings, he be- 
 came furious, and almost frantic, if disturbed in the 
 apparently abstruse calculations of this magical book, 
 seizin"- the thouo-htless offender bv the collar, with liis 
 giant arm, and swinging liim round and round in the 
 air with fearful rapidity, gnashing his teeth the 
 while, and accompanying these gyrations with dread- 
 ful threats of vengeance. These outbursts of passion 
 were of a violent character, but happily of short dura- 
 tion. They ceased as suddenly as they arose, when 
 he would place the culprit on his feet, and, patting 
 him tenderly and affectionately on his head, say, 
 ' Don't interrupt me, my son, when 1 am at my 
 j^tiidies — it agitates me.' His size, his strength, his 
 o-enerally calm and imperturbable temper, and occa- 
 sional fits of fury, ensured implicit obedience, and the 
 silence, order, and diligence, observed in his school, 
 excited the astonishment of everybody.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY, 241 
 
 " One day, just as he had finished a diagram, and 
 entered it in his pocket-book, he was suddenly sent for 
 by a passenger in the mail-coach that passed through 
 Bridge Port, who desired to see him for a few minutes 
 at the inn. In his haste to join his friend, he forgot 
 his mysterious manuscript and its case, both which 
 lay on his table, in full view of the boys. In a mo- 
 ment, all eyes were turned on those objects of wonder. 
 ' The book — the book !' was whispered round the 
 school ; but, such was the awe inspired by the man, 
 and everything that belonged to him, that for a time 
 no one ventured to leave his seat. At last, a sentinel 
 was placed at the door, in order to give notice of his 
 return ; a consultation held; and one more bold than 
 the rest, with palpitating heart and trembling hands, 
 opened the fearful volume. ' Ah V he exclaimed, ' it's 
 all magic — look here, boys ! Ah ! you are afraid, 
 are you ! — then keep your places : it's filled with 
 magical figures, and the writing and all is in magic. 
 I cant make head or tail of it !' Then, taking up the 
 tin case, he drew, from the opposite end to that which 
 usually contained the book, a measuring tape, a long 
 cord, with a bullet fastened to the end of it, a box of 
 phosphorus-matches, and a small travelling pocket- 
 compass. ' Here's the things to make the magic ring 
 with, boys ! — wouldn't you like to see him do it ? 
 Who's afeerd 1 I ain't. I'd give anything to see the 
 Devil.' — ' Here he is !' said the sentinel. ' Who ? 
 Who V shouted the boy, in great alarm . ' Wh}-, the 
 
 VOL. I. M
 
 212 THE OLD JUDCSE ; OR, 
 
 master, to bo sure/ replied the other; 'wlio dkl you 
 suppose it was V — ' Oh, my sakes !' said the little 
 boaster, ' liow you scared mc ! I actilly thought it 
 was the Devil himself agoing to take me at my word !"" 
 and, hastily replacing the things where he had found 
 them, he withdrew to his seat. 
 
 " NV'hen Shanks returned to his desk, and saw the 
 book and the case lying exposed on the table, he 
 turned suddenly pale. He clinched his fist, and 
 strode up and down the room with great rapidity, 
 glaring on the boys like a tiger, with a searching look, 
 as if selecting a victim for pouncing upon. In a few 
 moments, the paroxysm, as usual, passed oft". He sat 
 calmly down, and, taking up the book, examined it 
 carefully page by page, when he suddenly paused, and, 
 looking attentively at something that attracted his 
 attention, held up the writing to the light, first in one 
 direction and then in another, and finally applied a 
 magnifying-glass to it, when he pointed to the boy 
 who had called him a magician, and said, ' John 
 Parker, come forward. How dare vou meddle with 
 my property, sir, in my absence?" — ' I didn't,' replied 
 the boy, with the c;reatest assurance. ' T haven"'t been 
 oft' my seat.' — ' You did, sir V rejoined the master, in 
 a voice of tli under. ' I appeal to every scholar pre- 
 sent ; and if they all were to lie as you have done, and 
 say that you did not touch this book, I wouldn't be- 
 lieve them. The name of Two Thumb Parker is written 
 liere in your own hand. Vou are your own accuser.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 213 
 
 and have borne testimony against yourself. Leave 
 me, sir — leave me, instantly, while I am calm, and 
 don't return aoain ! Go !' and, raisins; his voice, and 
 stamping passionately on the floor, he shouted out, 
 ' Go ! go !' when the terrified boy, recovering from 
 the stupefaction into which he had been thrown by the 
 marvellous discovery of his name and guilt, suddenly 
 bolted out of the room, without waiting for his hat or 
 coat, and hurried homeward, with all possible speed. 
 The truth is, the unfortunate urchin had a very re- 
 markable thumb on his right hand. It was only half 
 the usual length, and was divided from the last joint 
 outwards into two parts, each being perfect, and having 
 a nail upon it, from whence he was called ' Two Thumb 
 Parker/ While holding the open book in his hand, 
 he unconsciously left the impression of his deformed 
 and soiled thumb on the leaf, which the master not 
 inaptly denominated 'his name written by his own 
 hand.' 
 
 " The secret was known only to Shanks ; but the 
 story of the magical book, of the Devil entering the 
 bov's name in it, and of the tin case, with its contents, 
 circulated far and wide over the whole country. Other 
 peculiarities in his conduct increased and confirmed 
 the general suspicion with which he was surrounded. 
 He had a remarkable-looking old silver dollar, that 
 he called his ' Heche Thaler^'' two magical words, of 
 which he never could be induced to explain the mean- 
 ing. He would often take it from his pocket, and ex- 
 
 M 2
 
 244 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 amine it with as much care and minuteness as if he 
 liad never seen it before, and then poise it on the point 
 of one of the finders of his left hand, strike it with the 
 blade of a knife, or ring it on the stove, and listen to 
 its tones, with the greatest deliijht. Whenever he 
 saw dollars in other people"'s possession, he invariably 
 entreated to be permitted to examine them, and com- 
 pare them with his own, expressing the greatest 
 anxiety to procure one exactly similar, in all respects, 
 to that to which he was so much attached, and offered 
 a large sum to any one that would procure him its 
 counterpart. 
 
 " All schools throughout the country are closed 
 at twelve oVlock on Saturday, which is invariably 
 considered a half holiday. He deviated from this 
 custom, by giving the boys the entire day ; and, 
 whenever the weather permitted, always left the vil- 
 lage on Friday afternoon, habited in a suit of strong, 
 coarse homespun, carrying a large and heavy knap- 
 sack on his shoulders, and the ominous hollow walking 
 cane in his hand — a useless and inconvenient thing in 
 the woods, and one with which no other man would 
 encumber himself. V\'hither he went, or how he oc- 
 cupied himself, no one could tell — all that was known 
 was, that he invariably took the same route into the 
 forest, walking at a rapid rate, and never returned 
 airain until Mondav morning, about ciLrht o'clock, in 
 time to open his school, greatly fatigued and ex- 
 hausted.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 245 
 
 " I have already observed that, when he presented 
 himself as a candidate for the situation of master of 
 the academy at Bridge Port, he was a stranger. No 
 one knew who or what he was, or whence he came, 
 although, from his accent, manner, and habits, it was 
 thought probable that he was either a Nova Scotian, 
 or a native of the New England States. A residence 
 of several months among the people did not enlighten 
 the curious upon these points, and public opinion was 
 much divided as to the real nature of his character. 
 Some thought him to be a spy in the employment of 
 France, a suspicion encouraged by the fact that he 
 had several French books descriptive of British North 
 America, and one in particular, written by a Jesuit 
 priest, (Charleroix) containing numerous maps of the 
 harbours, coasts, and rivers of the country, and also 
 by the minute inquiries he made about the removal of 
 the Acadians. Others believed he was eno-atred in 
 devising or executing some extensive plan of robbery ; 
 for his landlady, unable to endure the oppression of 
 her curiosity, had opened, by the aid of a neighbour's 
 key, a wooden chest of his, while he was absent at 
 school, and discovered in it a dark lantern, a crowbar, 
 a cold chisel, and a hatchet, as well as other tools 
 suitable for breaking into houses. But the better 
 opinion appeared to be that he was a magician, and 
 was in league with the powers of darkness. His 
 pocket-book, the contents of the tin case, the HecJce 
 Tlialer^ and, lastly, a crucible and some charcoal, found
 
 24() THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 in his client, togetlier with some extraordinary-looking 
 fossils, which were no doubt ' Philosopher's Stones,' 
 seemed to put tlie matter beyond all dispute. If 
 further corroboration were needed, his face furnished 
 it, by the expression it wore of care and anxiety ; for, 
 as it was shrewdly observed, although the Devil im- 
 parts knowledge and wealth to his votaries, he is a 
 stranger to happiness himself, and cannot confer it 
 upon others. 
 
 " No man was ever so unconscious of the feelinffs 
 and suspicions he had given rise to as poor Welcome 
 Shanks : loving solitude, and avoiding society, he was 
 not aware that he was avoided himself. The awe with 
 which lie was regarded rather flattered liis vanity 
 than awakened his apprehensions, tor he mistook it 
 for respect for his great erudition and unimpeachable 
 character. Poor man ! he thouirht if he had a secret, 
 it was his own, and he had a right to keep it. Had 
 he mixed more with the world, he would have found 
 that it is an offence against society at large, for a man 
 to presume to have a secret at all, unless the fact of 
 his having it be carefully concealed also. 
 
 '* No avowed secret ever was permitted to be re- 
 tained inviolate ; even the freemasons liave had theirs 
 disclosed. A lady once told me, she had discovered 
 it, after years of anxious perseverance ; and, as it was 
 one of the most singular mysteries in the world, she 
 would communicate it to me. She said she had ffiven 
 her husband no peace by day or night, until he re-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 247 
 
 vealed it. She had coaxed him with endearments, 
 teased hira with importunities, tormented him with 
 annoyances, and entrapped him when unguarded ; 
 and, finally, extorted from him the disclosure, which 
 was, that in reality there was no secret, after all, there 
 being, in fact, nothing to tell. Many consultations 
 were held by the people, as to the best mode of making 
 him give some account of himself; and at last it was 
 decided to have him apprehended, and examined before 
 a magistrate, but the difficulty was to find a charge that 
 would justify his arrest. While this embarrassing 
 subject was under consideration, he saved them the 
 trouble of proceeding any further in the matter, by 
 relinquishing the school and quitting the place. 
 
 " A few evenings previous to his departure, he 
 called at my house, and, sending in his name, begged 
 the favour of a private interview. After carefully 
 closing the study-door, and looking round the room, to 
 ascertain that we were alone, and out of the hearing 
 of others, he said, ' Judge, I have discovered that there 
 is a treasure buried in this estate,' — ' I know it,' I said. 
 — ' Ah,'' he replied, his countenance beaming with joy, 
 ' ah, I am right, then ! I knew I could not be mis- 
 taken. When, and by whom was it hidden, sir i — I 
 will not ask you where, for that I have discovered 
 already."* — ' By my father and myself: we have sunk 
 more money, in clearing, cultivating, and improving 
 Elmsdale, than would purchase it twice over ; but that 
 money neither you nor I will ever my find, my friend."'
 
 248 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 '' His face sudtlenly became overcast with au ex- 
 pression of disappointment and mortification. I had 
 unintentional!}-, it seemed, wounded his feelings, by 
 subjecting him and liis theory to what he considered 
 ridicule. ' Will you permit me to dig for the trea- 
 r^ure where I know it to be V — ' Certainly,"" I replied ; 
 ' you may dig wherever you please, provided you do 
 rne no damage, and do not disfigure my grounds/ — 
 ' What proportion will you require as owner of tlie 
 soil V — ' You are welcome to all you can find. I only 
 ask the privilege of a friend, to advise you to save 
 yourself the trouble. It is impossible there can be 
 any hidden treasure on this property. It never was 
 inhabited, previous to our occupation, but by Indians, 
 who, we all know, had neither gold nor silver, and by 
 the French Acadians, who were almost equally poor. 
 Tiiey were mere peasants, who lived on the produc- 
 tions of their farms, while the little trade they had, 
 either with each other or the savages, was conducted 
 by barter. They had nothing to bury."* — ' Pardon 
 me,'' he said ; ' many had not, but some had money — 
 so my information goes — and I can rely upon it.*' — 
 ' Yes, large sums of money for conducting the fur 
 trade with France; although I must admit that this 
 district is not rich in treasure.' — ' But Chester Bay, 
 .ludcTc — Chester Bav, Judire !' and he straitened him- 
 self for the first time, 1 believe, since he came to 
 Bridcje Port ; and exhibited his great height and 
 manly frame to such advantage, that he seemed as if
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 249 
 
 he had been suddenly transformed into anotl)er being. 
 ' Chester Bay, Judge, is the place for treasure. Mil- 
 lions were buried there by the pirates j whole cargoes 
 of Spanish galleons, coin and bullion, jewels, precious 
 stones, and wealth untold, I am on the track of it 
 at last — a few weeks more, and it is mine : where the 
 rod first pointed, it now bends down as if to touch it. 
 But the propitious time of night is now come, and, 
 by your leave, kind sir, I will go and dig for this 
 Frenchman"'s money,' and, seizing his hat, disappeared 
 from the room. 
 
 " Shortly afterwards, we were disturbed by a violent 
 knocking at the door, and my servant was not a little 
 alarmed at finding the unwelcome visitor seekino- ad- 
 mission ao-ain at so late an hour. ' Show me into 
 your raaster"'s study," he said. ' Judge,' he exclaimed, 
 ' I have found it ! I have found it ! it was concealed 
 under the root of an old tree. Here it is ! — but you 
 were right, sir, in saying the Acadians were generally 
 peasants. This was the saving of a poor man, for it is 
 chiefly in small silver pieces."' 
 
 " He then unstrapped his knapsack, and, taking 
 from it a rusty old tin kettle, removed the cover, and 
 exposed to view a quantity of silver shillings, sixpences, 
 Spanish pistareens, and quarter and half dollars, amount- 
 ing, in all, to about seventy-five pounds. — ' This is not 
 the property of the French,' I said, after examining a 
 number of the different coins : ' the Acadians were 
 transported from this country in the year 1755 j but 
 
 M 5
 
 250 THE OLD JlDCiK; OR, 
 
 nearly all this money bears a subsequent date ; I 
 think that I know to whom this packai^e belonged."* — 
 ' Ah,' he observed, with a sad but decided tone, and 
 an air of grievous disappointment, ' if there is an owner, 
 I will restore it : treasure-trove — I think that is the 
 word, Judge — treasure-trove in this country, where 
 the King makes no claim, is the property of the 
 finder, but treasure lost belongs to the owner — it must 
 be restored."" 
 
 " ' About thirty years ago,"" I said, ' there was a 
 knife-grinder wandering about the country, who was 
 always in the habit of getting drunk on Saturday 
 night, on which occasion his wife very prudently hid 
 his money, lest he should squander more of it than he 
 could aft'ord. Once she hid it so effectually, that she 
 could never find it again, and loud and long were the 
 lamentations of the poor people over their lost property. 
 She always believed that it had been stolen by some 
 person who had observed her concealing it. The follow- 
 ing year they were both drowned, by the upsetting of a 
 ferry-boat, where the bridge now stands at the village. 
 They were strangers unconnected with, and unknown 
 to, anybody in the province, and have long since been 
 forgotten. Can you show me the spot where this 
 money was found V — ' Certainly,"" he replied ; and, 
 taking out the mysterious pocket-book, he showed me 
 a .sketch of the stump. — ' I always mark places,"* he 
 observed, ' where the hazel wand points to metallic 
 substances, and take their bearings by measurements
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 251 
 
 to other objects, so that I can find them again. My 
 observations are all entered in a cipher of my own in- 
 vention, for fear of losing my book and disclosing my 
 secret.'' — ' Will you show me your wandf — ' Cer- 
 tainly ; here it is ;"* and, unscrewing the top of his 
 cane, he drew out the prophetic hazel — ' Ah, sir,"* he 
 exclaimed, with evident satisfaction and pride, ' this is 
 a beautiful wand — a real German hazel from Upper 
 Saxony — it is as true as a load-stone. — How truly it 
 indicated this treasure ; and it points as decidedly to 
 that of the pirates, which, by God's blessing and the 
 aid of this little windfall of money, I hope to reach 
 soon. That wand. Judge, and this inestimable Heche 
 Thaler^ showing me the renowned old silver dollar, 
 ' cost me a great deal of money — all that I was worth 
 in the world at the time, a very large sum for a poor 
 man, but a mere trifle for such invaluable things — I 
 gave a thousand dollars for them.** 
 
 "'Pray, what is a HecJce Thaler?'' I inquired, 'I 
 never heard the term before.' — ' A Hecke Thaler, 
 Judge, is a sympathetic dollar. Everything in nature, 
 animate and inanimate, is endowed with sympathy. 
 In the animal world, it exists in sex ; in the mineral 
 world, in kindred, affinity, or identity. This dollar 
 is know^n to be sympathetic. It has been proved to 
 be so in Germany. If a kindred or identical dollar 
 can be found of equal purity and texture, size, and 
 density, and brought into contact with tlie sympathy 
 of this one, they can produce a third dollar, and so
 
 •).-;9 
 
 '1-y'l THE OLD JUDOE ; OR, 
 
 ou ad Jinitum, from which woiKhrful power it derives 
 its name of Ilecke Thaler, or Hatcliiiii; Dollar. It is 
 one of th(> mysteries of nature that science cannot 
 explain or imitate — one of the iimumerable wonders 
 with which an inscrutable Providence surrounds us on 
 all sides, though, in reality, no more strange or mira- 
 culous than we are ourselves. Like begets like — un- 
 like begets unlike : steel and flint produce fire — they 
 are not like, but wheat brings wheat of its own kind, 
 and in its own likeness — so silver produces silver. It 
 is the restorative power of nature that thus counter- 
 acts the tendency to decay in all things terrestrial. I 
 bought the Hecke Thaler and the hazel wand from an 
 
 aged German in Lunenburg, whose father "* 'You 
 
 have been grossly deceived and shamefully treated, 
 my good friend,' I said. ' Is it possible that a man of 
 your good sense can believe in such a palpable ab- 
 surdity as the Hecke Thaler V 
 
 " He rose hastily, in great agitation, and held up 
 his hand, as if to waive the discussion, and said, ' I 
 know all you would say, Judge — I know all you tliink. 
 You imagine that my head is aft'ected, and regard me 
 either as a madman or a fool. It is natural, very 
 natural you should. T iiave not your knowledge. 
 Judge — I am not so learned nor so wise as you are ; 
 l)ut I crave your pardon, good sir — tliink me not pre- 
 sumptuous if I say there are some things I know 
 which you have not studied. The l)hnd hear more 
 accurately and have a keener sense of feeling, than
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 253 
 
 those who have eyesight ; they have less to distract 
 their attention, and observe more accurately. I have 
 thought deeply on this subject, and must not lose my 
 faith because I cannot explain the mysteries of nature, 
 else am I an unbelieving heathen. I follow my des- 
 tiny, whatever is, is, and whatever is to be, will come 
 to pass — neither you nor I can alter the decrees of 
 Fate. Next week my term expires at Bridge Port. 
 Will you be so good as to allow this money to remain 
 in your safe till that time, when I will call and take 
 it on my way to Chester Bay, where it is my inten- 
 tion to prosecute my search until I obtain the object 
 of my wishes."* 
 
 " In a few days he returned, accompanied by Bar- 
 clay, who converted his money for him into the more 
 portable and convenient form of gold, and, thanking 
 me for what he called my great condescension and 
 kindness, bade me farewell. 
 
 " A month or two after this, I observed a notice in 
 one of the papers of the death of Mr. Welcome Shanks, 
 who lost his life by the collapse of a shaft in which 
 he was working on Tancook Island, in Chester Bay. 
 The object of the excavation, it went on to say, ap- 
 peared to be so perfectly unintelligible, that it was 
 generally supposed the unfortunate man must have 
 been of unsound mind.
 
 254! THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE LONE HOUSE. 
 
 This morning, I accompanied the Judge and Miss 
 Sandtbi'd in their sleigh on an excursion into the 
 country. Tlie scene, thougli rather painful to the 
 eyes, was indescribably brilliant and beautiful. There 
 liad been, during last night and part of yesterday, a 
 slight thaw, accompanied by a cold line rain that froze, 
 the moment it fell, into ice of the purest crystal. 
 Every deciduous tree was covered with this glittering 
 coatino-, and looked in the distance like an enormous 
 thou'rh o-raceful bunch of feathers ; while, on a nearer 
 approach, it resembled, with its limbs now bending 
 under the heavy weight of the transparent incrus- 
 tation, a dazzling chandelier. The open fields, covered 
 with a rouirh but hardened surface of snow, glistened 
 in the sun as if thickly strewed with the largest dia- 
 monds ; and every rail of the wooden fences in this 
 (reneral profusion of ornaments was decorated with a 
 delicate fringe of pendent ice, that radiated like bur- 
 nished silver. The heavy and sombre spruce, loaded 
 with snow, rejoiced in a green old ago. Having its 
 massy shape relieved by strong and numerous lights,
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 255 
 
 it gained in grace what it lost in strength, and stood 
 erect among its drooping neighbours, venerable but 
 vigorous, the hoary forefather of the wood. 
 
 The tall and slender poplar and white birch, which 
 here and there had sprung up in the new clearings 
 from the roots of old trees, and outgrown their strength 
 and proportions, bent their heads gracefully to the 
 ground under their unusual burden, and formed fanciftil 
 arches, which the frost encircled with numerous wreaths 
 of pearls. Everything in the distance was covered 
 with the purest white, while the colours of nearer 
 objects were as diversified as their forms, 
 
 . The bark of the different trees and their limbs ap- 
 peared through the transparent ice ; and the rays of 
 the sun, as they fell upon them, invested them with 
 all the hues of the prism. It was a scene as impos- 
 sible to describe as to forget. To the natives, it is 
 not an unusual sight, for it generally occurs once a 
 year, at least, and its effects are as well appreciated as 
 its beauty. The farmer foresees and laments serious 
 injury to his orchard, the woodman a pitiless pelting 
 of ice as he plies his axe in the forest, the huntsman 
 a barrier to his sport, and the traveller an omen of 
 hard and severe weather ; and yet such was the glory 
 of the landscape, that every heart felt its magic, and 
 acknowledged the might and the beauty of this sudden 
 transformation. It was the work of a night. The 
 sun set with chilling showers. It rose in all its 
 splendour to witness and to heighten, by its presence,
 
 25G THE OLD JlDfiE; OR, 
 
 the magnificence and brilliancy of the scene. We 
 constantly recurred to this topic after our return, and 
 again and again went to the window, as the day de- 
 clined, to catch the last parting glimpse of the "silver 
 frost" before it dissolved from view under the gaze of 
 the sun, and vanished for ever. In the evening, 
 winter and its scenery, its festivities and j)rivations, 
 and its effects on the habits, feelings, and tastes of tlie 
 people, formed the subject of a long conversation, in 
 which the Judge told me the followiuii sad and inter- 
 esting story : — 
 
 On one of the shore-roads, as the highways near the 
 Atlantic are called, in a distant part of the province, 
 there is a lone house, situated in the midst of one 
 of the wildest and most barren tracts of country in 
 these colonies ; on either side of it are enormous bogs, 
 stretching away in the distance for miles. IJehind it 
 is an undulating country of granite formation, covered 
 with enormous masses of detached rock. In front is 
 a lake, in a deep and sunken hollow, so still, so cheer- 
 less, and repulsive, that it looks like the pool of death. 
 Beyond this, a mountain wave of granite rises and 
 shuts out the sea, which is not far distant. The place 
 where the house stands is a small ridge of land in the 
 form of a wedge, which formerly bore beech and birch 
 trees ; and not only had a tolerable soil, but was 
 exempt from the incumbrance of loose stone. Beyond 
 this ridge, however, all is barren. The surface is 
 either naked rock or partially covered with moss, the
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 257 
 
 wild strawberry, and the hardy white clover. Here 
 and there a stunted birch or dwarf larch finds a scanty 
 subsistence in the crevices of the rocks, or in coarse 
 o-ravel formed bv the disintefrration that time and the 
 alternations of heat and frost have produced in the 
 granite. In the hollows, which resemble basins or 
 stone reservoirs, a boggy substance has accumulated, 
 that nurtures small groves of ill-conditioned and half- 
 fed firs, which seem to have grown prematurely old, 
 and grey before their time, being covered with white 
 moss, which, climbing up their stems, hangs pendent 
 from their limbs, like hoary locks. The larger bogs 
 on the right and left are in part covered with a long, 
 coarse, aquatic grass (which the moose and carraboo 
 feed upon in winter, when the frost enables them to 
 travel over these treacherous and dangerous places), 
 and in part by the yellow water-lilies, the wild iris, 
 and clusters of cranberry -bushes. 
 
 It is impossible to conceive anything more lonely 
 and desolate than this place. Even in summer, when 
 the grassy road is well defined, and vegetation has 
 done its best to clothe the huge proportions of the 
 landscape and conceal its poverty and deformity, when 
 the glittering insects flutter by to withdraw your at- 
 tention from their dank, stagnant, and unwholesome 
 cradles, to their own beauty, and the wild bee, as he 
 journeys on, whispers of his winter''s store of honey, 
 and the birds sing merrily that contentment is bliss ; 
 even then, excited by the novelty of the scene, and
 
 2.58 THE OLD JL'DGE; OR, 
 
 intfirosted, as you are, in the little, lone housoliold of 
 the desert, its total seclusion fnun the world, and the 
 whole human family, overpowers and appals you. A 
 crowd of ideas rushes into your mind faster than you can 
 arrange and dispose of them. Surely, you say, Here, 
 at least, is innocence ; and, where there is innocence, 
 there must be happiness. Where there is no tempter, 
 there can be no victim. It is the "still water" of 
 life. Here, all is calm and quiet, while, on cither side, 
 is the rapid or the cataract. The passions can have 
 no scope; the affections must occupy the whole ground. 
 How can envy, hatred, malice, or uncharitableness 
 find an entrance ? There can be nothing to envy 
 where the condition of all is alike, and where all that 
 is garnered is a common stock. There can be no 
 hatred, where there is no injury or no superiority; but 
 they can love one another, for they are all in all to 
 each other ; and they can trim their fire for the poor 
 wayfaring man, feed him, and send him on his journey 
 rejoicing. They can hear from him of the houseless 
 stranger, and bless God with thankful hearts that Ho 
 has given them a home to dwell in. He may tell them 
 talas of war, but they feel they are beyond its reach ; 
 and, what is far better, learn that, if poverty has its 
 privations, it has also its own peculiar privileges .and 
 innnunities. Thouo-hts like these naturallv force them- 
 selves upon you in such a scene. Your feelings are 
 subdued and softened. You behold the familv with 
 interest and affection, but still you shrink at a full
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 259 
 
 view of their situation, and involuntarily regard it 
 with pity as a hopeless exile. You are a creature of 
 habit ; you cannot understand it ; you feel you have 
 social duties to perform ; that grief is lessened when 
 the burden is divided, and happiness increased when 
 it is imparted ; that man was not made to live alone ; 
 and that natural wants, individual weakness, and com- 
 mon protection require that, though we live in families, 
 our families nmst dwell in communities. 
 
 If such be the feelinffs that a traveller entertains, 
 even in summer, how must he shudder when he re- 
 gards this lone house in winter I I have seen many 
 solitary liabitations as well as this, and some of them 
 much farther removed from any neighbourhood, but 
 never one so dreary and so desolate. Follow any 
 new road into the wilderness, and you will find a 
 family settled there, miles and miles from any house. 
 But imagination soon fills up the intervening space 
 with a dense population, and you see them in the 
 midst of a well-cultivated country, and enjoying all 
 the blessings of a civilized community. They are 
 merely pioneers. They have taken up their station : 
 the tide of emigration will speedily reach them, and 
 pass on. Go into that house, and you are at once 
 struck with the difference of the two families. The 
 former is still life and contentment ; the latter is all 
 hope, bustle, and noisy happiness. The axe is at 
 work on the forest, that is ringing with its regular 
 blows. Merry voices are heard there, and the loud
 
 2G0 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 laugh echoes through the woods, for friends liave come 
 from the settlements, and ten acres of wood are to be 
 cut down in one day. Sleighs are arriving with their 
 neighbours and relations, from whom they have lately 
 parted ; and at night there will be a festive assembly 
 at a place whicli, until the year before, when the road 
 was made and the house built, wa« in the heart of 
 a howling wilderness. There is nothiuir about such a 
 dwelling to make you think it desolate, although lone- 
 liness is its characteristic. Converse with the forester, 
 a fine, manly, native settler, and you find he has 
 visions of a mill on his brook ; he talks of keeping 
 fifty head of horned cattle in a few years. As soon 
 as his mill is finished, this log-hut is to be superseded 
 by a large framed house ; and that miserable shed, 
 as he calls his stable, is to give place to a spaci- 
 ous barn, seventy feet long and fifty feet wide. He 
 is full of merriment, confidence, and hope. In the 
 former place, a pious resignation, a placid content- 
 ment, hearts chastened and subdued into a patient 
 endurance of toil, and a meek but firm reliance on 
 the superintendence of a Divine Providence, form a 
 strong contast to the more animated and self-relying 
 forest family. 
 
 The wintry blast howls round their dwelling, like a 
 remorseless and savage foe. Its hollow, mournful 
 voice appals the heart with painful recollections of its 
 overpowering strength ; and the poor besieged family, 
 as they encircle their little fire at night (drawn still
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 261 
 
 closer too-etlier now bv tlieir mutual fears and affec- 
 tions), offer up a silent prayer to the throne of grace, 
 and implore the continued and mercifiil protection of 
 Him who is always a father to the fatherless. At this 
 season the road is covered, in common with the dreary 
 desert, with deep snow. In the clear light of an un- 
 clouded sun, its direction may be ascertained by an 
 experienced traveller, and by him alone ; but, at night, 
 or in stormy weather, it is a vast and trackless field, 
 where the fatigued and bewildered stranger is doomed 
 to inevitable death. 
 
 To afford shelter and assistance to the traveller, 
 to furnish him with a guide, and speed him on his 
 way, was the object which John Lent had in 
 view in settling on the " Ridge.'" He was aided by 
 the subscriptions and encouraged by the personal as- 
 sistance of those on either side of the desert who 
 were interested in the road, or in the benevolence of 
 the undertakinsr. A house and barn were erected 
 with much labour and difficulty (for all the materials 
 were brought from a great distance), the Court of Ses- 
 sions granted him a free tavern license, and the legis- 
 lature of the province a small sum of ten or twelve 
 pounds a-year, in consideration of the importance of 
 this house to the mail communication to that part of 
 the province. 
 
 The Ridge contained about thirty acres of land. 
 These were soon cleared and brought into cultivation, 
 and produced his winter's store of hay, and yearly
 
 262 TllK OLD JLDGE; OR, 
 
 supply of wheat and vegetables. His sheep and cows 
 wandered over the plains, and found in suunncr. in an 
 extended rang-c, sufficient food nn the scattered and 
 short, but sweet, herbage of white clover, and the 
 leaves of the dwarf bushes. The bog supplied him 
 with fuel and materials for cultivating his fields, while 
 the proceeds of his little inn enabled him to obtain some 
 of those articles of groceries that habit has rendered 
 indispensable to the poorest people in this country. 
 
 Such was the condition of this family. They de- 
 rived a scanty l)ut a certain provision from the sources 
 I have described. Year followed year with little 
 variation. Their occupations came and ceased with 
 the seasons. Time passed silently away, and, as there 
 were few incidents of importance that interested them, 
 its flight was unperceived and unmarked. The three 
 eldest dau'diters had severally left home for service 
 in the next town, which was a seaport ; had married 
 and quitted the country ; and the family, at the time 
 I am speaking of, consisted of John Lent, his wife, 
 and three little girls, the youngest of whom was seven 
 years of age. When I arrived at the house last 
 summer, Mrs. Lent did not at first recognise mo. Old 
 age had so completely covered my visage with Ins 
 wrinkled and repulsive mask, that the features of 
 manhood were effectually concealed from view. It had 
 removed my hair, deprived me of my teeth, obscured 
 my eyes, and disfigured my cheeks with unseemly 
 furrows.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 263 
 
 These rava^'es of time, however, are wisely per- 
 mitted or ordained, to prepare us to leave a world 
 which we can no longer either serve or adorn. In 
 proportion as we lose our personal attractions, man- 
 kind recede from us ; and, at last, we mutually take 
 leave of each other without a sio-h or a tear of regret. 
 
 What years had gradually effected for me, misfor- 
 tune had suddenly and deeply engraven upon her. 
 The young and cheerful woman whom I had known 
 was now a staid and care-worn matron ; the light and 
 elastic step of youth had been succeeded by the slow 
 and heavy tread of limbs stiffened with toil, and her 
 hair had blanched under grief and anxiety. My voice 
 first attracted her attention. She said she knew it, 
 and was certain it was that of an old and kind friend, 
 and entreated me not to think her ungrateful if she 
 could not recall my name, for her poor head had been 
 confused of late. On discovering who I was, she com- 
 municated to me a brief outline of her melancholy 
 story, the details of which I subsequently heard from 
 others at Shelburne. 
 
 During the previous winter, her husband had set 
 out on foot for the nearest town, to procure some little 
 necessaries for the house, and intended to return the 
 next day. The subsequent morning was fine, but the 
 weather, as is often the case in this variable climate, 
 suddenly changed. At noon it began to snow ; to- 
 wards evening the wind had risen to a gale, and clouds 
 of sleet were sweeping over the desert with resistless
 
 264 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 fury. Once or twice she went to the door, and looked 
 out, but withdrew immediately, nearly blinded and 
 suffocated by the drifting storm. Her evening meal 
 was prepared for her husband. The table, with its 
 snow-white cover, stood ready for his reception. The 
 savoury stew simmered on the hearth, and the pota- 
 toes gave out their steam in token of readiness, while 
 the little eartheru teapot and unleavened cake, the 
 never-foiling appendages of a settler''s meal, were ready 
 to cheer him on his return. " Ah, here he is !" she 
 said, as the outer door suddenly opened, followed by 
 thick volumes of snow that nearlv filled the little 
 entry. " No, that is the wind that has forced it open. 
 He won't be here to-night ; we had better go to 
 supper. He saw the coming storm, and remained in 
 town. I often wonder how he can fortel the weather 
 so well. He knows when a thaw, or a frost, or a fall 
 of snow, or a tempest is approaching, hours before- 
 hand. He was too wise to try the barren to-day."" 
 
 His absence gave her no anxiety whatever; she 
 had become familiar with the storms, and dreaded them 
 only for others who were strangers and unwary. He 
 had often been away before, and there was nothing 
 unusual in his not arriving now. It was a proof of 
 his sairacitv, and not of his danirtT. 
 
 The gale continued unabated throughout the second 
 day, and she neither expected him nor prepared for 
 his reception. The third day was calm and tranquil ; 
 the whirlwind had spent its fury, and, having rolled
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 265 
 
 up its wreatliy pillows, sunk down and reposed in 
 utter exhaustion. The snow-birds came in numbers 
 about the barn, to feed on the hayseed of the stack- 
 yard, and the cattle were set at liberty, to relax their 
 stiffened limbs, and to go to the spring in quest of 
 water. The affrighted and half-famished poultry issued 
 from their hiding-places, and clamorously demanded 
 that attention that had been so long withheld, while 
 the ill-omened crow came at the well-known signal, 
 to enforce his claim to a share of the food, as a house- 
 less and a friendless stranger. The children, too, 
 were released from their prison, and life and animation 
 were again to be seen round the Lone House. 
 
 As the mother stood at the door, and looked abroad 
 upon the scene, a little spring bird, the first harbinger 
 of that glad season, carolled merrily from the leafless 
 apple-tree at the side of the cottage. 
 
 " Thank €rod !" she said, " winter is now nearly 
 over, and its storms and trials ; we have seldom more 
 than one very heavy gale of wind after that little bird 
 comes to sing us a song of spring. Your father will 
 be at home early to-day." And she sent the eldest 
 girl to the snares set for catching wild rabbits. " They 
 will be all abroad to-day," she said ; " see if there are 
 any there for his dinner." 
 
 In a short time the child returned, with two of 
 these little animals in her hand, and the table was 
 again spread ; but he came not. He would return, 
 perhaps, she thought, in the evening ; for, when he 
 
 VOL. I. N
 
 266 THE OLD JlDflE; OR, 
 
 did not arrive at noon, he seldom reached home until 
 sunset. But niijht came with its accustomed meal, 
 and his place was still vacant. To-morrow would be 
 post-day; he had very properly waited, she said, to 
 come with Ainslow. She was glad of it, for he was 
 lame, the walking was heavy, and he had a pack to 
 carry. Yes, they would both bo here early in the 
 day. Doubt, fear, or misgiving, never entered her 
 mind. She had great confidence in his judgment ; 
 whatever he decided on was right, and it was prudent 
 and much more agreeable for him to travel in company 
 with the postman, who had all the news, and was a 
 pleasant and obliijing man. The next dav brought 
 again and again merry faces to the door, to look over 
 the dreary bog, and catcli the first glimpse of the 
 sleigh. 
 
 At last, a shout proclaimed its approach, and the 
 whole group were assembled to see the little dark speck 
 tliat was moving forward in the distance, and gradually 
 enlarging into a distinct form. It was anxiously 
 watched, but was slow in coming, as every thing in 
 life is that is impatiently waited for. 
 
 The arrival of the postman was an important event 
 at this little habitation. He was a part of that world 
 on either side of them, of which tliey had heard and 
 formed vague conceptions, but which they had never 
 seen. Their father's return, too, was an aftair of great 
 interest. Ho <lid not very frequently leave home; 
 and, when he did, he alwavs brought back some little
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 267 
 
 present to the mother or her children, from some kind 
 persons, whom their attentions and peculiar situation 
 and character had converted from strangers into friends. 
 They were little events, to be sure ; but these little 
 incidents constitute " the short and simple annals of 
 the poor." They are all that occur to diversify the 
 monotony of their secluded life. The postman came, 
 but he had no companion. He drove his sleigh to the 
 opposite side of the road, where the barn stood, and, 
 leaving it there, he proceeded to the house. He was 
 met by Mrs. Lent, who shook him cordially by the 
 hand, and said that she had expected her husband 
 with him, but supposed he was not ready to come. 
 
 The dinner, however, was now waiting, and she 
 pressed him to go in and partake with the family of 
 their humble meal. 
 
 " Have you seen John f 
 
 The truth had now to be told, which Ainslow did 
 in the kindest and most considerate manner. After 
 preparing her mind for the reception of very bad news, 
 he proceeded to inform her, that as he crossed the 
 wooden bridge, at the black brook in the bog, he ob- 
 served John Lent sitting on the floor, with his back 
 resting against the rail, a stifiened and frozen corpse. 
 He had evidently been overpowered by the storm, 
 which, comins: from the eastward, blew full in his 
 face, depriving him at once of his breath and his 
 streno-th : and, haviuo- sat down exhausted to rest 
 his wearied limbs, he had sunk into that fatal sleep in 
 
 N 2
 
 268 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 which the soul, without a struggle or a sigh, passes 
 into another ami a bottir world. He added, that he 
 had taken him up in his arms, and lifted him into the 
 sleigh, where he now was ; and that he had covered 
 him with a rug, and driven to the barn, that she niiuht 
 not be too suddenly shocked by the awful sight of 
 the dead body; and concluded with those consolatory 
 remarks which, though unheard or unheeded, are 
 usually addressed to those who are smitten down by 
 sudden affliction. 
 
 Before ho had finished his narrative, a loud, hncr- 
 continued, and piercing cry of distress arose from the 
 sleigh that thrilled the whole group, and brought them 
 instantly to the door. The poor man's fiiithful and 
 affectionate dog had discovered his master, and the 
 strong instinct of the animal revealed to him at once 
 that ho would never more hear that voice of kindness 
 and fellowship that had cheered him from day to day, 
 or receive his food from that hand which had always 
 been extended to feed or to fondle him. The postman 
 then drove the sleigh to the door, lifted out the life- 
 less body, which had been frozen in its sittino- atti- 
 tude, and, placing it in the .same position on a large 
 chest, in a corner of the strangers' room, rested its 
 back against the wall. It looked like a man not dead, 
 bnt sleeping. He then withdrew the family into their 
 sitting-room, and, having placed some oats in a bucket 
 before his horse, who ate them as he stood in his har- 
 ness, ho occupied the few remaining minutes of his
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 269 
 
 time in endeavouring, as he best could, to condole with 
 and comfort the poor widow and her helpless family. 
 He was astonished at her fortitude. Her agony, it 
 was evident, was almost insupportable, but she gave no 
 vent to violent and unavailing lamentations. He was 
 not the first, as he will be by no means the last, to ad- 
 mire this quality of the female mind when roused by 
 great events to deep thought and cool and deliberate 
 action. Weak, timid, and powerless as woman is, in 
 the minor troubles and trials of life, when real danger 
 and great affliclions are to be encountered, she rises 
 superior to fear, calls in the aid of a judgment always 
 good, when confidently relied on, and a moral courage 
 surpassing that of man, because its foundations are not 
 built on the delusive laws of honour, but deeply laid 
 in conscious innocence, in a strong sense of the obliga- 
 tions of duty, and a pious and firm reliance on the 
 might and goodness of God. Thus supported and 
 strengthened, she sustains burdens disproportioned 
 to her sex, and successfiilly resists afflictions that over- 
 power the vigour and appal the courage of man. 
 
 The poor widow heard him calmly and patiently, 
 thouo-h words seemed to fail her when thanking him 
 for his kindness. This portentous silence, however, 
 deceived him. There are calamities too heavy to be 
 borne, and misfortunes may overpower by surprise, 
 that could be successfully resisted if their advent were 
 known. Although the blow did not prostrate this 
 miserable woman, it stunned her into insensibility.
 
 •270 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 Thought Jiiul memory seemed suspended. Tncaj)able 
 of action herself, she was passive in the hands of her 
 chihh-en. Slie had but one confused and indistinct 
 idea that remained. She tliought her husband was at 
 home, and asleep in the adjoining room, but his long 
 slumber and unbroken silence did not alarm her. 
 When her meals were prepared by her daughter, she 
 would look round and say, " Call your flither — tell 
 him we wait for him ;" or, at night, she would look 
 into his room and admonish him it was prudent to 
 wake up and go to bed, or he would take cold. The 
 poor children gazed at her, wondered, and shed tears. 
 Helpless, unprotected, and alone in the world, their 
 little hearts failed them ; and the inquiry often and 
 often occurred to their minds, What is to become of 
 us ? Death, that sat embodied in one human form in 
 that house, and had laid his cold, benumbing hand on 
 another, whom he apjicared to have marked for his 
 victim, seemed rcadv to devour them all. Silence first 
 disclosed to them their solitude, and solitude their 
 dano-er. On the third evening, they clustered as usual 
 round their mother's chair and prayed ; but she was 
 unable to join them. She looked at them, but did not 
 seem to comprehend them. They then tried, with 
 faltering lips and tearful eyes, a verse of a hynm, one 
 that she had always been fond of; but two voices were 
 now wanting, and they were alarmed at the feeble and 
 ])laintive sound of their own. The chords of the 
 widow's heart vibrated at the sound of the nmsic, and
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 271 
 
 she looked about her as one awaking from slumber. 
 Thought, feeling, and sensibility returned ; the foun- 
 tains of her affections opened, and a flood of tears 
 mingled with those of her children. She inquired of 
 them the day of the week, and whether any person 
 had been at the house since the postman left it, wrung 
 her hands in agony at the thoughts of the length of 
 her stupor, and, having affectionately kissed and 
 blessed her little ones, went to bed to weep unseen, and 
 pour out her griefs and petitions undisturbed to Him 
 who has graciously promised His protection to the 
 widow and the orphan. 
 
 In the morning, she rose more composed but sadly 
 changed. Years had revolved in that night, and left 
 their tracks and furrows on her faded cheek ; and the 
 depth, and strength, and acuteness of her mental 
 sufferiuo-s had rendered her hair as white as the snow- 
 wreath that death had folded round her husband as a 
 winding-sheet. The struggle had been violent, but 
 successful. She was afflicted, but not subdued — bereft, 
 but not destitute. She was sensible of her situation, 
 and wilHnij to submit with humble resis-nation ; aware 
 of her duties, and ready to undertake them. She stood 
 between the living and the dead. A fearful debt was 
 to be discharged to the one, subsistence and comfort 
 were due to the other. She commenced the morning 
 with prayer from a church formulary that had been 
 given her by a travelling missionary, and then went 
 about her usual duties. As she sat by her fireside in
 
 272 THEOLDJUDGK; OR, 
 
 the cveuing, she revolved iii her iniud the new sphere 
 in which she was placed. As any doubt or difficulty 
 suggested itself, her loss became more and more ap- 
 parent. How was her husband to be buried ! The 
 ground was frozen to the depth of three feet, and she 
 was unable to dig a grave. She dare not go to the 
 next neighbour*'s, a distance of seven miles, for she 
 could not leave her children. She could not send her 
 eldest daughter, for she did not know the way ; and 
 she, too, might be lost. She must wait for the post- 
 man ; he would arrive in three days, and would assist 
 her. If not, God would send relief when least ex- 
 pected. Everything, however, about her, everything 
 she had to do, and everything she required, mixed it- 
 self in some way with recollections of him she mourned, 
 and reminded her of some habit, word, or act of his. 
 Even the weather now made her shudder. The storm, 
 like a giant refreshed with sleep, arose again in all its 
 might, and swept across the desert with such unbroken 
 force that the snow appeared rather like a movuig mass 
 of drift than distinct and separate flakes. It was just 
 such an evening as when her husband perished. 
 
 She shuddered, and drew her children nearer to her 
 on the hearth. They had always loved each other, 
 but their affection was greatly increased now, for they 
 knew that death was a reality. Tliej- had seen it, and 
 felt its effects. It had lessened their number once — 
 it could do so again. They had been told they were 
 mortal, now they knew it. It was an awful disclosure
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 273 
 
 to them, and yet what was death 1 It was not annihila- 
 tion, for the body remained. That which had in- 
 habited and animated it was incorporeal, and had de- 
 parted unseen. It was that unknown, invisible, and 
 mysterious spirit, they had unconsciously loved, for 
 the corpse shocked and terrified them. They had been 
 instructed that there was a soul that survived the 
 body, but they could not comprehend it. They now 
 saw and shuddered at the difference between the living 
 and the dead. It was palpable, but still it was not 
 intelligible. Poor little innocents! it was their first 
 practical lesson in mortality, and it was engraved on 
 their aching hearts too deeply ever to be forgotten. 
 Their affection now became more intense and far 
 more tender, for solicitude had blended with it and 
 softened it. Yes, their little circle was stronger for 
 having its circumference reduced ; it could bear more 
 pressure than before, if the burden were unhappily 
 increased. 
 
 The time for rest had now approached, and the widow 
 was weak and unwell. The thought of her unburied 
 husband oppressed her. The presence of death, too, 
 in the house, for so long a time, was a heavy load for 
 her nerves ; and, unable to sustain her feelings and her 
 reflections any longer, she resorted to her evening 
 prayers with her little family, and added to the pre- 
 scribed form a short and simple petition of her own. 
 Her voice was almost inaudible, amid the din and roar 
 of the tempest, to those around her ; but it penetrated 
 
 N 5
 
 274 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 far above the elements, and reached the throne of mercy 
 to wliicli it was addressed. 
 
 llclieved, refreshed, and strengthened hy this devo- 
 tional exercise, they gathered again around the hearth 
 ere the fire was secured for the night, and were engaged 
 in some little consultation about the daily duties that 
 were to be assigned to each, when they were aroused 
 by a loud and violent knocking at the door. The 
 mother arose and opened it witii a palpitating heart. 
 Three strange, wild-looking, haggard men, entreated 
 admittance for God's sake, for they were famished, and 
 nearly chilled to death with the cold. What a con- 
 trast for that hitherto quiet and noiseless household! 
 There were these men stamping on the floor, shaking 
 ofi" the snow from their clothes, beatinj; their hands 
 together, throwing down their packs, talking loudly, 
 and all speaking at once — all calling for food, all de- 
 manding more fire, and all rejoicing in their shelter 
 and safety. The children huddled tojiether in affi'iirht, 
 in the corner of the room, and the poor mother trimmed 
 her lamp, rebuilt her fire, and trembled as she reflected 
 that she was alone and unprotected. Who are these 
 men ? she asked herself Houseless in the storm, her 
 heart replied, " Would to Heaven there had been such 
 a shelter for my poor John Lent ! We need not fear, 
 for God and our poverty are our protection."' Slie 
 told them they were in the house of death — that her 
 liusbaud lay dead, and, for want of assistance, unburied 
 in the next room ; but that all that could be done for
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 275 
 
 them she would do, though at such a time, and in sucli 
 a place, that all, of course, would be but very little. 
 She advised them to keep at a distance from the fire ; 
 and, having ascertained that they were not frost-bitten, 
 set about getting them some refreshment. 
 
 While at work, she heard all that they had to say 
 to each other ; and, with the quickness of observation 
 peculiar to the natives of this country, soon perceived 
 they were not equals — that one of them spoke with a 
 voice of authority ; that another called him, Sir ; and 
 the third only answered when he was spoken to, and 
 that all three were sailors. They had a fearful tale 
 of trouble and of death, to which frequent allusion was 
 made. They were the captain, mate, and steward of 
 a ship that had been wrecked that day on the coast 
 beyond the hilly land in front of the cottage, and 
 were the sole survivors of ten, who, on that morning, 
 were pursuing their course on the ocean in perfect con- 
 fidence and safety. A hearty meal was hastily pre- 
 pared, and more hastily despatched. Liquor Avas 
 then asked for ; she trembled and obeyed. She was a 
 lone woman, it was a dangerous thing, and she hesi- 
 tated ; but a moment's reflection suggested to her that 
 it was impossible that they could either forget her loss 
 or their own. 
 
 A fresh difficulty now occurred, to understand whicli 
 it is necessary to describe the house. The chimney 
 stood in the middle of the building, opposite the front 
 door, which opened into a small entry. On the riglit,
 
 '276 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 was the family sitting-room, or kitchen, where they 
 were now assembk>d, adjoinini; which wore two bed- 
 rooms. On tlie left, three rooms were similarly ar- 
 ranoed, and devoted to the accommodation of strangers. 
 In the apartment corresponding to the one they were 
 in, was the frozen body of her husband, resting on 
 a chest, in a sitting attitude, as I have before de- 
 scribed. In order to prepare their beds, it was neces- 
 sary to pass through that room, into which she had not 
 ventured since she had recovered from her stupor. 
 She was perplexed and distressed, but, at last, having 
 stated to the captain her diflBculty, he at once ordered 
 the steward to go and make the requisite arrangements. 
 The master and mate having been thus provided for 
 the night, some blankets were given to the steward, 
 who slept on the hearth, before the kitchen fire. 
 
 In the morning, the latter was sent to dig a grave 
 i'or poor John Lent, while the other two, having pro- 
 cured the requisite tools, made him a coffin, into which 
 he was placed with great difficulty, from the rigidity 
 of his limbs. The little pony was then harnessed to 
 the sledge, and the body was followed by the family 
 and their guests to its last resting-place. The beau- 
 tiful burial service of the church was read over the de- 
 ceased by the captain, amid the heartfelt sobs of the 
 widow, the loud lamentations of the children, and the 
 generous tears of the sailors. Tiie scene was one that 
 was deeply felt by all present. There was a commu- 
 nity of suffering, a similarity of situation, and a sym-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 277 
 
 pathy among them all, that for the time made them 
 forget they were strangers, and feel towards each 
 other like members of one family. The mariners had 
 twice narrowly escaped death themselves : first, from 
 shipwreck, and then from the intensity of the weather; 
 while seven of their comrades had been swept into 
 eternity before their eyes. The poor widow, in losing 
 John Lent, appeared to have lost every thing — her 
 friend, her support, her companion, and protector ; the 
 husband of her heart, the father of her children. She 
 had afforded them food, shelter, and a home. They 
 had aided her in a most trying moment with their 
 personal assistance, and comforted her with their sym- 
 pathy and kindness. 
 
 The next morning, her guests visited the seashore, 
 in order to ascertain whether any portion of the cargo 
 of their vessel could be saved. When they arrived at 
 the scene of their disaster, they found that the vessel 
 was gone ; she had either fallen off from the precipi- 
 tous cliff upon which she had been thrown by the vio- 
 lence of the sea, or been withdrawn by the reflux of 
 the mountain waves, and had sunk into the deep 
 water, where her masts could just now be discerned 
 under its clear and untroubled surface. The cabin, 
 which had been built upon the deck, had been broken 
 to pieces, and fragments of it were to be seen scattered 
 about on the snow. Some few barrels and boxes from 
 the steward''s pantry had been thrown on shore, con- 
 taining stores of various kinds, and also the captain's
 
 278 THE OLD JUDGE J OR, 
 
 hammock and bedclini^. These were divided into two 
 small lots, of equal weight, and constituted two sleigh 
 loads, for the travelling was too heavy to permit them 
 all to be carried at once. The captain j)rcsented them, 
 together with a purse of ten sovereigns, to the poor 
 widow, as a token of his gratitude for lior kindness 
 and sympathy for his distress. She was also recom- 
 mended to examine the shore from time to time, after 
 violent gales of winds, as many loose articles would no 
 doubt hereafter float to the surfiice ; and these, by a 
 written authority, he empowered her to apply to her 
 own use. 
 
 On the succeeding morning, the postman returned 
 with his iiuiil, and furnished a conveyance for the 
 steward. The captain and mate followed, under his 
 guidance, with Mrs. Lent\s little pony and sledge. 
 They now took an affectionate leave of each other, with 
 mutual thanks and benedictions, and the widow and her 
 family were again left to their sorrows and their 
 labours. From that day she said an unseen hand had 
 uplield her, fed her, and protected her, and that hand 
 was the hand of the good and merciful God of tbe 
 widow and the orphan. There were times, she added, 
 when the wounds of her heart would burst open and 
 bleed afresh ; but she Iiad been told the affections re- 
 quired that relief, and tliat Nature had wisely pro- 
 vided it, to prevent a worse issue. She informed me 
 that she often saw her Imsband of late. When sitting 
 by her solitary lamj), after her children had fallen
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 279 
 
 asleep, slie frequently perceived him looking in at the 
 window upon her. She would sometimes rise and go 
 there, with a view of conversing with him, but he 
 always withdrew, as if he was not permitted to have 
 an interview with her. She said she was not afraid 
 to meet him ; whytshould she be ? He who had loved 
 her in life would not harm her in death. As soon as 
 she returned to her seat, he would again resume his 
 place at the window, and watch over her for hours to- 
 gether. She had mentioned the circumstance to the 
 clergyman, who charged her to keep her secret, and 
 especially from her children, whose young and weak 
 nerves it might terrify. He had endeavoured to per- 
 suade her it was the reflexion of her own face in the 
 glass ; that it was a natural effect, and by no means 
 an unusual occurrence. But no one, she added, knew 
 so well as those who saw with their own eyes. It was 
 difficult, perhaps, for others, who had not been so 
 favoured and protected, to believe it, but it was, never- 
 theless, strictly true ; and was a great comfort to her 
 to think that his care and his love existed for her be- 
 yond the grave. 
 
 She said many people had advised her to leave that 
 place, as too insecure and inconvenient for a helpless 
 woman ; but God had never failed them. She had 
 never known want, or been visited by illness, while 
 she and her children had been fed in the wilderness, 
 like the chosen people of the Lord. He had raised 
 her up a host of friends, whose heart He had touclied
 
 280 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 witli kindness for her, and whose hands He liad used 
 as the instruments of His mercy and bounty. It 
 would bo ungrateful and distrustful in her to leave a 
 place He liad selected for her, and He might perhaps 
 turn away his countenance in anger, and abandon her 
 in her old age to poverty and wanti* And, besides, she 
 said, there is my old man ; his visits now are dearer 
 to me than ever; he was once my companion — he is 
 now my guardian angel. I cannot and I will not for- 
 sake him while I live ; and when it is God's will that 
 I depart hence, I hope to be laid beside him, who, 
 alive or dead, has never suffered this poor dwelling to 
 bo to me a " Lone House."
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 281 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 THE KEEPING-ROOM OF AN INN; 
 
 OR, JUDGE BELER's GHOST. 
 
 NO. I. 
 
 The more I see of Nova Scotia, the more I appre- 
 ciate the soundness of the counsel given me by my 
 friend Barclay, who recommended me, instead of com- 
 mencing a continuous tour of the provinces, to select 
 some one colony, live in it for the space of a year at 
 least, and study the people, their habits and institu- 
 tions, and then resume my travels. " The store of 
 knowledge thus acquired," he said, " would enable me 
 to comprehend many things afterwards which would 
 otherwise appear unintelligible." I am now daily reap- 
 ing the advantage of this judicious advice. Neither 
 the Americans nor the provincials, who differ from 
 each other nearly as much as from the English, are 
 so easily understood as the vanity of a traveller would 
 lead him to suppose. To be known, they must be 
 studied ; and to study them properly requires time 
 and the aid of resident friends. We have lately been 
 spending a fortnight at Halifax, amid the festivities 
 and gaieties of that hospitable town.
 
 282 THK OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 Tlic hi.st tluvc days previous to our departure were 
 marked by intense cold. The harbour smoked like 
 a basin of boilinn; water (the steam of which is not 
 inaptly called the Barber), and then froze into a mass 
 of ice of great depth and solidity. The streets were 
 almost deserted, and the few persons who were to be 
 seen upon them hurried to and fro, as if unable to 
 withstand the severity of the cold. The snow sounded 
 hard and crisp under their feet, and the nails of the 
 wooden houses, vieldinjj to the sudden contraction 
 occasioned by the frost, separated with a noise not 
 unlike the report of pistols. Small and almost im- 
 palpable crystalline particles of snow floated in the 
 air like down. The western sky assumed a light, 
 reddish colour, resembling that of a summer'^s sunset ; 
 and the Dartmouth hills, on the opposite side of the 
 harbour, and all distant objects, appeared, not only 
 more distinctly visible, but very nmch nearer than 
 usual. Sounds underwent a similar change, and bo- 
 came more audible and more distinguishable. The 
 lieated air of our room, when it came in contact with 
 the glass of the window, froze into beautiful, trans- 
 parent, silvery coatings, exhibiting, in the delicate 
 texture of their brilliant tracerv, every imajrinable 
 form of landscape, figures, trees, and variegated pat- 
 terns, like exquisite embroidery. The beauty of this 
 partial encrustation of the glass no language can 
 describe, and I confess to having spent much time in 
 the childish amusement of studying and admiring the
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 283 
 
 infinite variety of shapes it presented. Our dinner, 
 though colder than was agreeable, smoked as if it 
 were still undergoing the process of cooking. The 
 strong, clear, blazing fire appeared to give out no heat, 
 and our visible breaths painfully reminded us that 
 the frost had penetrated everywhere but into our lungs. 
 The following day, the weather suddenly relaxed 
 (for it is said that extreme heat or cold seldom con- 
 tinues in this country beyond seventy hours). Its 
 last efibrt and whole strength were expended, during 
 the night, in a white frost, which, under the rays of a 
 clear and unclouded sun, illumined and beautified 
 every object covered with its white and brilliant 
 mantle. By ten o'clock, the magical transparencies 
 had disappeared from the windows. Large, clear 
 drops of water trickled from the roof, and, as if unwill- 
 ing to quit a bed on which they had so long reposed, 
 clung with tenacity to the eaves, and congealed again 
 in the form of long and pendent icicles. About noon 
 a shower of tears preceded their inevitable fall, and 
 gave warning of an approaching thaw. The wind, 
 which had blown steadily, but very moderately, from 
 the north-west for several days, gradually diminished 
 until it ceased altogether. A few long-drawn sighs 
 and audible breathings indicated the waking up and 
 subsequent approach of a southerly gale. Meanwhile, 
 the soft and balmy air, and the delicious weather that 
 generally intervenes between the departure and arrival 
 of these two contending winds, had tempted the whole
 
 2«4 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 population of the city to be abroad. The Tandem 
 Club and the four-in-hands of the garrison were out ; 
 and the double and single sleighs of the townsmen, 
 enveloped, as well as their inmates, with furs, and their 
 horses, decorated with bells fancifully arranged, and 
 many-coloured rosettes, enlivened the streets ; while 
 gaily-dressed people on foot and numerous equestrians 
 added to the animated and varieo-ated scene which 
 they themselves had come to admire. 
 
 Barclay, who had been only waiting for a change of 
 temperature, now drove up to the door in his tandem, 
 to take me back to Tllinoo. His sleiirh was a liirht but 
 compact vehicle, containing accommodation in front 
 for two persons, and a seat behind for a servant. It 
 was the best-appointed and most comfortable one I 
 had seen in the colony, and his horses were noted 
 for their beauty, speed, and docility. In a few 
 minutes, we were on our way to the country. 
 
 " I am in great doubt," he said, " how to drive. 
 I should like to proceed slowly, in order to enjoy the 
 charming weather ; but I fear we shall have a heavy 
 fall of snow, and that at no great distance. Observe 
 the singular aspect of the sky. It looks clear, but it 
 is not transparent. Although there is a strong light 
 and a total absence of clouds, the sun is, nevertheless, 
 obscured. Those Ions:, dark, heavv masses assembling 
 in the cast, and abiding their time for mischief, are 
 charged with snow ; and the heavens have a yellow, 
 and, what we call in this country, a creamy appear-
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 285 
 
 ance : all which signs, when they follow intense cold, 
 such as we have experienced these last three days, and 
 a heavy, white frost, like that of the past night, are 
 certain indications of a storm. It is bad philosophy, 
 however, to allow anticipations of the future to mar 
 the enjoyment of the present. We must govern our- 
 selves according to circumstances. Let us proceed 
 leisurely at first ; and, if a gale overtake us, my horses 
 have both bottom and speed to keep pace with it." 
 
 There is something very novel and amusing in the 
 scene presented by a main road in winter, in the pro- 
 vinces, when traversed by the extraordinary looking 
 vehicles of the country. Here you encounter a load 
 of hay, of such huge proportions as to occupy, not 
 only the whole track, but nearly the whole highway, 
 drawn by a long, extended line of five or six horses. 
 Nothing can exceed the difficulty and inconvenience 
 of passing one of these moving stacks of hay (for such 
 they appear), an operation always performed at the 
 risk of upsetting, and often occasioning serious injury 
 to the horses and sleighs of the less favoured travellers. 
 In any other part of the world, this is an evil that 
 would soon be remedied, but those who own or drive 
 these teams are the multitude, and the gentlemen 
 whose lives and property are perilled are but few in 
 number ; aud, according to every rule of responsible 
 government, it is held to be reasonable that the few 
 should give way to the many. Then you meet ano- 
 ther and still more powerful team, drawing the wooden
 
 286 THE OLD JUDGE J OR, 
 
 frame of a house, or an enormous spar, of dimensions 
 suitable for the mast of a seventy-four gun ship, either 
 end of wliieli is suppf)rto(l by a short, massive sled. 
 As soon as you have escaped these dangerous neigh- 
 bours, your nerves are again tested by a prodigious 
 load of wood, extending eight or ten feet in length, 
 and at least six or seven feet in heiirht, bound toijether 
 by four small stakes, the ends of which are secured in 
 the runners, and the tops insufficiently and carelessly 
 bound by a rope or chain. Seated on this travelling 
 wood-pile is the driver, M'ho, l)v the aid of a lon^ 
 whip and the intonations of his voice, without any 
 rein whatever, directs half-a-dozen horses, if not ac- 
 cording to your ideas of safety, to his own entire 
 satisfaction. 
 
 Having escaped these perils, you have leisure to be 
 amused at a countryman sitting astride on the back of 
 an enormous pig, tlie uppermost one of some twenty 
 or thirty frozen carcases of pork which he is carrvinn- 
 to market ; who is followed by a man with a load of 
 empty barrels, piled as high in the air as the tops of 
 the trees, and destined for the fisheries. Behind these 
 are numberless sleds, having bodies like large packing- 
 boxes filled with mutton, poultry, butter, cheese, and 
 other rural productions. Such are the objects you 
 meet in your progress to the country : those that you 
 overtake and pass are loaded with every conceivable 
 vanety of supplies for themselves or retail traders. 
 For some distance from Halifax you encounter but
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 287 
 
 few foot passengers, and they are so poorly clad, 
 and carry such heavy burdens, that you are struck 
 with compassion ; which you have scarcely time to 
 entertain or express before your ear is assailed with 
 the loud laugh or cheerful song of the merry, thought- 
 less Neoro. He has secured his food for the dav, and 
 doubts not that Providence will provide for him on 
 the morrow, and, therefore, like a true philosopher, 
 never suffers doubt or anxiety to trouble his mind. 
 
 While noticing and remarking on these objects, we 
 glided on with inconceivable ease. The snow had 
 slightly melted, and settled into a more compact form ; 
 there was neither friction nor resistance, and the 
 runners passed over it as lightly as an oiled substance. 
 Meanwhile, the colour of the road became altered. 
 The pure and unsullied white covering looked yellow 
 and dirtv — the usual forerunner of a chancre of weather. 
 A south wind, which had hitherto blown at intervals 
 in fitful ffusts, and moaned heavilv throuo;h the streets, 
 now arose into a steady gale, and the leafless branches 
 of the forest creaked and laboured under its influence. 
 A few loose, detached, and damp flakes of sleet, of 
 uncommon size, began to fall around us, Avliile the 
 hasty return of all the sleighs that had preceded us 
 bespoke the apprehension of their drivers. 
 
 We immediately increased our speed, but the falling 
 of the snow increased faster, and soon assumed, in 
 its rapid and compact descent, the appearance of a 
 dense cloud. The clear and cheerful sound of the
 
 288 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 bflls becaiiio dull aiul heavy, and finally ceased alto- 
 gether, and our sleigh and ourselves were soon covered 
 with a heavy, adhesive white coating. As we pene- 
 trated further into the country, we found that the road, 
 according to the prediction of Barclay, presented a 
 less hardened surface, and that the travelling was both 
 deeper and more laborious. 
 
 " Now, my friend," he said, " while I occupy my- 
 self with driving, endeavour, as well as you can, 
 to guard us on the right, wiiile my servant keeps a 
 vigilant watch on the left hand ; for I intend to put 
 my horses to their utmost speed, and am afraid of 
 running into some of the country teams. The flakes 
 are getting smaller, finer, and drier ; the wind has 
 risen higher, and shifted to the east ; and wo are 
 going to have a gale of unusual violence."'"' 
 
 The storm, fortunately, was in our backs ; but the 
 rapidity of our motion through the white and dazzling 
 snow nearly deprived us of the power of vision. A 
 sudden turn of the road, which momentarily exposed 
 us to the full sweep of the blast, showed me the accu- 
 racy of my friend's predictions, for we plunged directly 
 through an enormous drift that lav extended across 
 our track like a wave of the sea, particles of which, 
 lifted by the wind, nearly suffocated us and our horses. 
 As soon as we resumed a western course, our route 
 lay for several miles through a wood, and, availing our- 
 selves of its protection, we pressed forward as fast as 
 possible. "God iiulj) those," he said, "who are
 
 LIFE IN A COLOxNY. 289 
 
 travelling the other way, and have to face this storm, 
 with poor or jaded cattle ! as for ourselves, we are all 
 right, and shall soon reach Mount Hope. Our only 
 difficulty will be in the last mile of the road, which 
 we shall find, I fear, covered to the top of the fences. 
 Anything that horses can do, mine can effect ; but I 
 am afraid that, in their struggles, they will draw off 
 the shafts or the Whipple tree. This is decidedly 
 the worst tempest I have known for twenty years." 
 
 When we arrived at this critical part of our journey, 
 he requested me to take my seat in the back part of 
 the sleigh, in the lap of the servant, so as to lighten 
 the front of the vehicle when it pitched into the drifts, 
 and then, standing up himself, he slackened his pace 
 and drove cautiously. At times, our noble animals 
 appeared perfectly buried in snow, and could only pro- 
 ceed by rearing and plunging forward, and we were 
 often compelled to stop and lift up the sleigh, or lighten 
 its weio;ht, and disentano-le the traces from the legs of 
 the horses. The last drift terminated like a wall. 
 The wind passing between the house and the outbuild- 
 ings, which were situated on opposite sides of the 
 highway at Mount Hope, swept all that part of the 
 road perfectly bare, and rolled up the snow on one 
 side into a precipitous bank. Here Barclay got out, 
 and, examining the depth, pronounced it impossible 
 for horses to pass it in harness. Having released 
 them from the vehicle, and procured assistance from 
 the inn, we manaoed, thouo:h not without much diffi- 
 
 VOL. I. o
 
 290 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 oulty, to remove the fence, and, by a circuitous route, 
 to conduct them in safety to the stables. 
 
 Wlieu Avc arrived at the house, we were at first 
 shown into a room warmed by a stove ; and shortly 
 afterwards into another, having one of the large, bla- 
 zing, glorious, wood fires of Nova Scotia. There is a 
 hospitable profusion about these rural fireplaces, and 
 a hearty welcome in their appearance, that contrasts 
 most favourably with the ingenious city contrivances 
 to administer the exact amount of heat with the least 
 possible expenditure of fuel. After a capital tlinner, 
 for the larders of the inns at this season of the year 
 are always abundantly supplied, we drew up to the 
 cheerful fire, and admired the two brass giants, Gog 
 and Magog, (the andirons) who supported with ease 
 the enormous weio;ht of wood. 
 
 The gale we had encountered, which still raged 
 wildly and furiously, led the conversation to incidents 
 resulting from similar events. Jiarclay related to me 
 the particulars of the great storm of 1798, when it is 
 said the greatest quantity of snow fell that was ever 
 known at any one time, and also mentioned a curious 
 occurrence that happened under his own view. 
 
 A few years ago, he said, when on his way to Cum- 
 berland (N.S.) in the spring of the year, he spent a 
 night on the (Jobe(juid iMuuntains. For several days 
 previous the weather had been uncommonly fine, and 
 numerous flocks of wild geese were seen pursuing their 
 annual miii;ration to the north. The morninij after his
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 291 
 
 arrival, an enormous flock of these birds, meeting with 
 a storm of hail and freezing sleet, were observed re- 
 turning on their track in the form of the letter A, a 
 figure which they adopt to enable the stronger and 
 hardier ones to lead the advance. Their sagacity is so 
 great, that they are usually aware of the approach of 
 a tempest, and avoid its effects by seeking out a place 
 of shelter in due time. On this occasion, however, they 
 appear to have been unexpectedly overtaken ; and, as 
 the sleet froze on them as soon as it fell, they became 
 so overloaded and exhausted, that they descended into 
 a field immediately in front of the house, where the 
 whole of them were instantly taken prisoners, without 
 being able even to make an attempt to escape. Some 
 were eaten fresh by the family, others were preserved in 
 pickle, and the rest sent to the Halifax market, where, 
 he said, they put their feet to the fire before they went 
 to bed, and gave them a glass of hot whisk — whisk — 
 whiskey and water. The odd termination of the sen- 
 tence induced me to look up at the face of my friend, 
 and, lo ! he was fast asleep. The drowsy effects of the 
 large wood fire had mingled his thoughts or his wants 
 with his story of the birds. 
 
 For some time after we reached the house, there 
 were several arrivals from the country, among which 
 was the stage-sleigh from Illinoo, which had been up- 
 set more than once, and the top broken to pieces. All 
 the passengers spoke of the latter part of their journey 
 as one of greater difficulty and more danger than any 
 
 o 2
 
 2U2 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 the}- liad ever cxporienceJ. On the following inoniiiig 
 we found, to our dismay, that it was not only snowing 
 and drifting as fast as ever, but that there was not the 
 slightest appearance of a change. 
 
 " We mu.st make up our minds," said Barclay, "to 
 reinaiu here for a day or two. It is impossihle for us 
 to leave this place in the present state of the roads, 
 and equally impossible for any others to arrive. I will 
 go and see who is in ' the keeping-room,"* and what 
 amusement it can afford us ; for it would be quite ab- 
 surd for a traveller like you to be shut up all day at an 
 inn with such an old cynic as me, while there may be 
 many persons here well worth studying and knowing." 
 
 The house at Mount Hope was inconveniently 
 situated, being on the top of rather a high hill, but was 
 verv well arranijed for the accommodation of the ditie- 
 rent classes of persons that frequented it. It was a 
 long, narrow, two-story building, forming two sides of 
 a square, and having a double entrance, one at the side 
 and one at the front. Besides the apartments appro- 
 priated to the use of those who preferred to be alone, 
 there were two large rooms, one of which was devoted 
 to teamsters, pedestrians, and people of that descrip- 
 tion, connected with which was the bar. The other 
 was called the keeping-room, and generally reserved 
 for the use of the family, but where old patrons, friends, 
 and actpiaintances, were not considered as intruders. 
 In tlie rear, and attached to this, was the kitchen, 
 larder, pantry, &c.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 293 
 
 Barclay soon returned, accompanied by Miss Lucy 
 Neal, the manager of the household, a fine, hearty, 
 blooming, good-natured country girl, of about thirty 
 years of age, to whom he introduced me. After chat. 
 Aing awhile about the storm, and other indifferent 
 matters, she said she feared I must find it dull to be 
 confined so long to the house ; and added, that if I 
 felt inclined, she would be glad to see me after dinner 
 in the keeping-room — an invitation which I most rea- 
 dily and cheerfully accepted. 
 
 As soon as she retired, Barclay said — 
 
 '■' I have arranged it all for you. I have ordered 
 dinner at two o'clock, so as to enable us to spend thn 
 whole afternoon below, where you will see one of the 
 oddest fellows in this country, Stephen Richardson, of 
 Clements, in the County of Annapolis. There is some 
 drollery about him, inexhaustible good humour, and, 
 amid all the nonsense he talks, more quickness of per- 
 ception and shrewdness than you would at first give 
 him credit for. Take him altogether, he is what may 
 be called a regular character. If I can manage it, I 
 will set him and others telling stories ; for nothing 
 illustrates the habits, manners, and tastes of a popula- 
 tion more than their favourite topics." 
 
 About four o'clock we joined the party of travellers 
 assembled in the privileged room of the family. This 
 apartment was about twenty-five feet in length, but 
 disproportionably narrow. The floor was painted, and 
 not carpeted, and the walls covered with a yellow
 
 2y:t 
 
 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 wash. Tlu" fireplace, which was of huge dimensions, 
 was tarnished with a back-log that required the efforts 
 of two men to roll it into its bed; and surmounted by 
 a mantelpiece that was graced with one of Mr. Samuel 
 Slick's clocks, the upper half being covered by a dial- 
 plate, and the lower portion exhibiting a portrait of 
 General AVashington mounted on a white charo-er 
 with long tail and flowing mane. The sides of the 
 room were ornamented with a sampler worked on 
 canvass, and some coarse gaudy-coloured prints, among 
 which the most conspicuous were two representing 
 George III. and Queen Charlotte, wearing their cro^vns, 
 and severally holding in one hand a globe and in the 
 other a sceptre, as if pla^nng a game of coronella. In 
 one corner was an open cupboard, fitting into the angle, 
 and exhibiting the best china and glass of the house. 
 In front of each window, was a stand supporting some 
 geraniums, monthly roses, and ivy. 
 
 The company consisted of about six or eight persons, 
 besides Miss Lucy and her sister. Mr. Stephen Rich- 
 ardson, to whom my attention had been previously 
 directed, was a tall, muscular, awkward-look inc man. 
 with a slight stoop in the shoulder. His manners were 
 free and easy, the expression of his face knowing and 
 comical, and his dress the light blue homespun common 
 to the country. 
 
 When we entered, a small, thin man, with a sour, 
 bilious face, and dressed in a suit of black cloth, was 
 entertaining the party with a grievance, for which ho
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 295 
 
 expressed his determination to be avenged upon the 
 government at the next election. He had been at 
 Halifax, it seemed, from whence he was just returning, 
 to solicit some little petty local office at Aylsford, 
 where he resided, to which he thought himself emi- 
 nently entitled by his valuable political partisan ser- 
 vices, but which, to his dismay, he found had been 
 disposed of to an earlier and more fortunate appli- 
 cant. Loud and long were his denunciations and com- 
 plaints. 
 
 " I don''t pity you a morsel," said Stephen. " The 
 best office for a farmer is being his own overseer, and 
 the best fees those paid by his orchards and fields. 
 There is nothing so mean in folks like you and me as 
 office seekino;, unless it is in wearins; broadcloth instead 
 of homespun, as if a man was above his business. 
 Now, look at me," and he rose up and stood erect ; " I 
 am six feet four in my stockings, when unravelled and 
 bolt upright, and six feet five when stretched out on a 
 bench ; and, from the sole of my foot to the crown of 
 my head, I am dressed in the produce of my own 
 farm. I raised the flax and hackled it, and bred the 
 sheep and sheared the wool that made the linen and 
 the cloth I wear. I am sort of proud of it, too ; for 
 a farmer, according to my ideas of things, ought to be 
 known by his dress, like an officer or a parson ; and 
 then, when folks see him, they'll know he ain't run up 
 a bill at a shop, and ain't cutting a dash in things he 
 han't paid for.
 
 '29G Tin: OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 " Fve known some very mean men in my time. 
 Tlierc was Deacon Overreach, now, he was so mean, 
 he always carried a hen in his gig-box when he tra- 
 velled, to pick up the oats his horse wasted in the 
 manger, and lay an egg for his breakfast in the morn- 
 ing. And then there was Hugo Himmelman, who 
 made his wife dig potatoes to pay for the marriage 
 license. Lawyer," he continued, addressing himself 
 to Barclay, " 1 must tell you that story of Hugo, for 
 it!'s not a bad one ; and good stories, like potatoes, 
 ain''t as plenty as they used to be when I was a boy. 
 Hugo is a neighbour of mine, though considerably 
 older than I be, and a mean neighbour he is, too. 
 Well, when he was jroingf to set married to Gretcheu 
 Kolp, he goes down to Parson Rogers, at Digby, to 
 get a license. 
 
 " ' Parson,"" says he, ' what's the price of a license?"' 
 
 " ' Six dollars,' says he. 
 
 " ' Six dollars V says Hugo ; 'that's a dreadful sight 
 of money ! Couldn't you take no less V 
 
 " ' No,' says he. ' That's what they cost me to the 
 Secretary's office at Halifax.' 
 
 " ' Well, how much do you ax for publishing in 
 church, then?' 
 
 " * Nothing,' says parson. 
 
 " ' Well,' says Hugo, ' that's so cheap I can't expect 
 you to give no change back. I think I'll be published. 
 How loni? does it take?' 
 
 " ' Three Sundays.'
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 297 
 
 " ' Three Sundays !' says Hugo. ' Well, that's a 
 long time, too. But three Sundays only make a fort- 
 night, after all ; two for the covers and one for the 
 inside like ; and six dollars is a great sum of money 
 for a poor man to throw away. I must wait.** 
 
 " So off he went a-jogging towards home, and a- 
 looking about as mean as a new-sheared sheep, when 
 all at once a brio-ht thought came into his head, and 
 back he went, as hard as his horse could carry him. 
 
 " ' Parson,' says he, " IVe changed my mind. Here's 
 the six dollars. Ill tie the knot to-night with my 
 tongue, that I can't undo with my teeth.' 
 
 '' ' Why, what in uatur is the meaning of all this f 
 says parson. 
 
 " ' Why,' says Hugo, ' I've been ciphering it out in 
 my head, and it's cheaper than publishing bans, after 
 all. You see, sir, it's a potato-digging time ; if I 
 wait to be called in church, her father will have her 
 work for nothino- ; and, as hands are scarce and wages 
 high, if I marry her to-night, she can begin to dig our 
 own to-morrow, and that will pay for the license, and 
 just seven shillings over ; for there ain't a man in all 
 Clements that can dig and carry as many bushels in a 
 day as Gretchen can. And, besides, ft-esh wives, like 
 fresh servants, work like smoke at first, but they get 
 sarcy and lazy after a while.' 
 
 " Oh, my !" said Miss Lucy, " did you ever hear 
 the beat of that? Well, I never !" 
 
 " Now, that's what I call mean/' said Stephen. 
 
 05
 
 «>( 
 
 2i)8 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 " Mean V said Miss Lucy, who was greatly shocked ; 
 '^ I guess it is mean ! I never heard anything half so 
 mean in all my born days !" 
 
 " Well, I have, then," continued Stephen. " It 
 ain't near so mean as a farmer running about the 
 country, dressed up in superfine broad-cloth, a-looking 
 out for a little office. FU tell you what, when sitia- 
 tions in the country fall vacant, folks to Halifax know 
 it as well as can be, for the town is just like a salt- 
 lick at the full of the moon, it's filled with stray 
 cattle. When father and 1 lived on Bear Eiver, and 
 turned the young stock out to browse in the woods, 
 we never took the trouble to hunt them up, for they 
 were always sure to come to the banks at high-water 
 at the full to get a drink of brine, for they are great 
 place-hunters, are stray cattle." 
 
 Here the little man in black, though evidently ac- 
 customed to these rough, rustic remarks, appeared to 
 wince under their application before strangers, and 
 made an attempt to turn the conversation, by taking a 
 letter out of his pocket-book, and asking Kichardson 
 "■ if he would do him the favour to allow him to make 
 him the medium of transmitting it to Halifax, having, 
 unfortunately, forgotten to deliver it himself." 
 
 '■' Wliich means, in plain English," said Stephen, 
 " you fetched it back by mistake. Why the devil 
 can^'t you talk plain ? There is nothing like homespun 
 talk and home^;puu cloth for a farmer. Fll take a 
 hundred of them, if you like. Let's see it !"
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 299 
 
 He then took the letter, and examined the address, 
 and, reversing it, looked at the seal and returned it, 
 saying — 
 
 " Open that letter and read it to me, or I can't take 
 it. IVe made a vow never to carry a paper for any 
 man, unless I know whafs in it. I got into an awful 
 scrape, once, by carrying a letter that had a wafer in 
 it to Sir Hercules Sampson, the Governor that used 
 to be here a good while ago. I'll tell you how it was, 
 so that you may see it ain't because I don't want to 
 oblige you, but just to keep out of a scrape myself, 
 when I know I am well off. One fall, just as I was a- 
 startino; from home for Halifax in a vessel loaded with 
 apples and cider I raised on my own farm, and the 
 matter of five hundred boxes of smoked herrinfrs 
 (which I caught and cured myself), who should come 
 along but Pete Balcom, with a letter in his hand. 
 
 " ' Steve,' says he, 'just leave this at Government 
 House, will you, that's a good fellow, as soon as you 
 arrive in town, and I will do as much for you some 
 other time V 
 
 " ' Certainly,' says I ; 'but, as my hands are sort of 
 dirty, do you take my pocket-book out of my jacket, 
 and stow it away snug,' and he did so. Well, one 
 day, after I got to Halifax, and unloaded the vessel, 
 as I was a-going along the street with my working 
 clothes on, who should I see a-galloping along from 
 parade but the Governor and a couple of other officers, 
 with their spurs a-jangling, and their swords a-dangling.
 
 .*)00 TUF- OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 and their plumes a-noddiiiir, talkiiii; and a-langhing 
 away like anything. Thinks I, FU just follow ou to 
 Government House, and give Pete Balcom's letter to 
 one of his hired men. So, away I goes into one of 
 the great stone gates, and there was trees, and gravel- 
 walks, and little bushes, and a sort of garden-looking 
 place, and a great big front door. So, I backed out, 
 and went up the hill, and turned into t''othcr gate, and, 
 as I am a living sinner, there was another pleasure- 
 garden-looking place, and a front door there, too. 
 Thinks I, Goodness me, where"'s the back porch that 
 common folks like me go into ? These places are only- 
 meant for great men and office-seekers, like our friend 
 Broadcloth here. So, I took a circuit all round the 
 house, till I came back to where I started from, like a 
 fellow lost in the woods, when I saw a baker drive in. 
 Come, says I to myself, V\\ ax no questions, for that 
 looks as if you did not know, but Til just follow old 
 Dough, for, where the bread goes, he that raises the 
 flour has a right to go also. Well, out he jumps from 
 his cart, and takes a basket of loaves on his arm, and 
 dives down behind an iron railing alongside of the 
 street-door, and I after him. Though he knew the 
 way, and I didn't, 1 kept close up to him for all that; 
 for a man that can overhaul a moose, ain't easy left 
 behind by a baker chap, 1 tell you. Well, we no 
 sooner got into the lower regions, than Sixpenny Loaf 
 lays down his basket, up with his whip, knocks at the 
 door, and oft' like a shot, leaving me and the basket there.
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 301 
 
 " ' Hullo,' said I, ' Mister, deliver your own freio;ht 
 yourself, will you, if you please ? if s enough for me 
 to hand in Pete Balcom's letter j and, besides, I am a 
 stranger here/ 
 
 "But crack went the whip, and away went the 
 wheels, and the only answer I got was, ' Come in.' 
 So I opened the door, and there was a little, thin old 
 lady, with spectacles on, and her two daughters hand- 
 somely dressed. Mother was writing in a big book 
 that looked to me like a merchant's ledger, and the 
 two young women were making a bit of carpet, with 
 coloured yarns, in a small-sized quiltiug-frame. Thinks 
 I to myself, I won''t say nothing about that trick the 
 feller played me with the bread. If he don't choose 
 to stop for his pay, he may go without it. So says I — 
 
 " ' Marm, Fve a letter for the Governor, that a 
 nei<Thbour of mine, one Pete Balcom, asked me to 
 leave here for him ;'' and I out pocket-book and gave 
 it to her, and she handed it to one of the galls, who 
 went out to hand it to some one else. 
 
 " ' Take a chair and sit down,' said old mother, quite 
 sociable-like. ' Be so good as to wait a moment, per- 
 haps his Excellency the Governor may have an answer 
 for you ;"" and then she went on writing as before. 
 
 " That must have been the housekeeper you saw," 
 said Miss Lucy, with the patronising air of a person 
 that thinks they know the world ; " and what you call 
 bits of carpet in frames, was rug- work." 
 
 " I don't know who the plague she was," said
 
 302 Tin: OLD JLDGH; OR, 
 
 Stephen, " nor (lon"'t care. I never saw lior before, 
 and I never want to see her ajrain. 
 
 " Well, as I was a-saying, that gave mo time to 
 cast my eye round and tliink a bit upon things in 
 general ; and when I seed these uice-dresscd women, 
 and well-furnishod room, and flowers, and what not, 
 thinks T, if this is your kitchen-room, what must your 
 parlour be ? And then T looked at my clothes all 
 covered with dust, a little more nor half-worn, and 
 looking none the better for the tar of the ves- 
 sel. I won't say I wished for broadcloth, for I 
 didn't, but I did long for my new suit of home- 
 spun, for I feel sort of proud of it, seeing I raised 
 the stuff", and my old woman wove it and made it, as 
 I said bc'furc. 
 
 " Well, just then in come a servant with a pair of 
 red breeches on, and gold garters, and white stockings 
 
 pulled up tight over a pair of legs about as big as 
 
 as big as what shall I say ? why, about as big as 
 
 your drumsticks. Broadcloth, The fellow looked as 
 nmch like a gentleman, and was as well dressed as an 
 eddy-gong, or chaplain, or whatever they call them, 
 and as impudent too ; for, says he, ' Follow me V quite 
 sliort, like a chap that has received so many orders 
 that he bcirins to think at last he has a rinht to give 
 them himself. Thinks T, natur is natur, whether it''s 
 on a farm or in a Governor's kitchen-room, for every- 
 thing gets sarcy that's well-fed and has nothing to do. 
 ^Vell, he takes me through a long stone passage, as
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 303 
 
 cold as the nateral ice-house on Granville Mountain, 
 and as dark too, then up a pair of stairs, and then turn 
 to the rioht, and then to the left, and then to the right 
 again, as folks tell you when you don't know the road. 
 It sort of crossed my mind as I followed the critter, 
 who seemed most too lazy to carry his shoes, I sup- 
 pose the Governor is going to offer me a glass of grog 
 for fetching that letter, and that Fll take, for thafs 
 sociable and civil-like, though I wouldn't take all the 
 money in his house, for that's mean, and don't become 
 Homespun. 
 
 " At last. Breeches showed me into a large un- 
 furnished room, without a carpet or a curtain, as bare 
 as my thrashing-floor, with nothen in it but two un- 
 stuffed wooden sofas, and a table with a large writing- 
 book and an inkstand on it. On one side sat a ser- 
 geant with his sword on, and on the other a thirteen- 
 penny soldier with his baggonut on, and there he left 
 me standino; in the middle of the room, without 
 saying as much as, ' By your leave,' or anything else. 
 In less than half-a-minute out come the Governor, a 
 great, tall, thin, bony man, like myself, with a bald 
 head, a nose as big as a brass knocker, and a pair of eyes 
 as sharp, bright, and wicked, as Lucifer's, {hup cervier) 
 with his great big sword by his side, and his spurs on, 
 jist as I saw him in the street, only he had his hat 
 with its white feathers in his hand. As soon as he 
 came in, up jumps the sergeant and the soldier, and 
 stood as straight as two ramrods.
 
 304 Tin: OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 " ' How dare you hand me such a letter as that, M r. 
 13alconi V said he. 
 
 *' ' Governor !"■ says I, 
 
 " ' Silence !'' says he. ' It admits of no excuse.'* 
 
 " I never heard no more after tliat, I was so taken 
 a-back, and me with my old workin<;-clothes on, look- 
 ing like Old Scratch himself; but on he went, foam- 
 ing and roaring like a freshet, and klomping, klompiug 
 round on the board floor, and waving his arms like a 
 windmill. Tliinks I to m^-self. This is what I call an 
 indictment, and they are a-going to send me to the 
 guard-house as sure as the world ; and then I looked 
 first at the sergeant, and then at Thirtccnpence, and 
 I seed I could pitchfork them fellows out of the win- 
 dow as easy as a sheaf of wheat : but then there was 
 the Governor. If I was to lay hands on him, even in 
 self-defence, I knew it would be rebellion, besides 
 going agin the grain, for I am a loyal man, and so was 
 my father before me ; and besides that, I warn't sure 
 I could handle him either if I was to try. Then I 
 thought l\\ make a run for it, and if I had known the 
 way, I think I should ; but what in the world can you 
 do in a house that has as many doors in it, a*'niost, as 
 there are dajs in the year ? So I made up my mind 
 to face it like a man. 
 
 " ' Governor," says I, ' will you just answer me one 
 question V 
 
 "• ' Silence, Mr. Balcom !' says he ; 'I have nothing 
 to say to you.''
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 305 
 
 i.i I 
 
 Man alive; says I, ' do you call all this saying 
 nothing I Besides, my name ain't Balcom, and never 
 was, I tell you. You have got in a wrong pew, you 
 may depend,' 
 
 " ' What the devil is your name, thenf says he. 
 " ' Why, folks call me Stephen Richardson, when I 
 am at home,' says I ; ' and I know no more about that 
 letter than the man in the moon. I only brought it 
 just to oblige you and Pete Balcom.' 
 
 " ' Why didn't you tell me that before V says he. 
 " ' Because you wouldn-t let me,' says I. 
 " With that he half turned and waived his hand, 
 and the sergeant and the soldier sprung forward, and, 
 as I thought they were a-going for to seize me, and I 
 knowed I hadn't done nothing wrong, except not dres- 
 sing myself decent, I stepped back as quick as wink 
 two paces, and squared off. 
 
 " ' Stop !' says I. ' The first man that lays a hand 
 on me, I'll level him as flat as a pancake : so stand 
 clear.' 
 
 " The Governor laughed right out at that, and the 
 two soldiers opened the front door to let me out, instead 
 of leading me all round by the kitchen, the way I 
 came in ; and up steps Sir Hercules, and says he — 
 
 " ' You are a fine, manly fellow, and I admire your 
 spirit. I wish I had a battalion of such men as you 
 are. I am very sorry for the mistake. I beg your 
 pardon,' and so on. 
 
 " Well, when a great man like a Go vera or conde-
 
 306 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 scends that way to liuuible himself to a poor mau, to 
 say he begs his pardon, it kind of overcomes you, and 
 cools you down as quick as a cup of water does a kettle 
 of boiling maple sap. 
 
 " ' I don't blame you a morsel,"" says I, '■ Governor : 
 but I blame Pete Balcom, though : he hadn't ought to 
 have made a fool of me after that fashion. This is the 
 lirst office ever I filled in my life, and that was none 
 of my seeking being a letter-carrier; and when I get 
 home ril give Pete Balcom the first quarter's salary 
 in the shape of as good a licking as ever he got since 
 he was born, and then I'll resign the commission.' 
 
 " ' No, no, my good friend,' said the Governor, 
 patting me good-naturedly on the shoulder, ' pray 
 don't break the peace ; I should be very sorry to be 
 the cause of any further annoyance to you.' 
 
 " But I didn't promise him, for when T promise I 
 keep my word : and, beside, he sort of looked at me as 
 if he wouldn't care much if I did give him a quilting. 
 Well, the first time I met Mister Pete Balcom after I 
 returned home, I just up and says — 
 
 " ' Pete,' says I, ' what was in that letter of yours 
 that you gave me to take to the Governor V 
 
 "• ' What is that to you V says he. 
 
 " "• It is a good deal to me,' I said ; ' for I want to 
 know what sort of business I was partner in V 
 
 " ' Well, ask about and fijid out,' said he, quite 
 sarcy. 
 
 " 'I'll get it out of you as I get my wheat out of
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 307 
 
 the ear, by thrashing it out,' says I. 'So here's at 
 you ;■" and I turned to, and I gave such a tanteening 
 as he never had since he was raised, I know. The 
 postage of that letter came to a round sum, you may 
 depend. I got sued for an assault, was dragged 
 through two courts, and got cast in ten pounds' 
 damage, and twenty pounds' cost ; and whafs more, 
 after all, never found out to this day what was in that 
 letter. Since then I've made a vow never to carry a 
 paper for any man, unless he first shows me whafs in 
 it. If you don't think proper, therefore, to break the 
 seal of that one, and read it to me, you may send it 
 by some one else, and there is an end of it." 
 
 After some general and desultory conversation, my 
 friend Barclay related the particulars of an apparition 
 that had been much talked of at Halifax lately ; and, 
 for the purpose of drawing out a story from Richard- 
 son, which he knew he was very fond of telling, asked 
 him if he believed in the existence of ghosts ? 
 
 " Well, I don't know," said Stephen ; " I didn't 
 used to oncet upon a time, but I've larned better now. 
 I am not a man that's easily darnted. A feller that's 
 had a fair stand-up fight with a she-bear weighing six 
 hundred weight, and nothing but a jack-knife in his 
 fist to defend himself with, as I have, and killed her 
 too — ay, and skinned her arterwards, don't deserve to 
 be called a coward, 1 know. I warn't brought up in 
 the woods to be scared by an owl, I tell you ; and, 
 therefore, what I say I'll stand to. I have seed a
 
 308 
 
 THE UI.D JLDGE; oil, 
 
 ghost, ay, and fit with a gliost, too : and look here,'' 
 (and, undoing his cravat, ho exhibited tlie back part of 
 his neck), " look liere, tliere's the marks of its teeth ; 
 that I shall carry to the grave with me. It was old 
 Judge JJeler's ghost. You have hoern tell of old 
 Judge Boler, and how oneasy he was, seein" that he 
 never was buried, haven't you f 
 
 None of the company had come from that part of 
 the country where Stephen lived, therefore, no one 
 knew of a circumstance which had occurred in the 
 early settlement of the province, and all answered 
 in the negative. 
 
 '' Not hear of Judge Belcr !" he said. " Well, 
 that's strange, too ! I thouglit everybody had heard 
 of him and Jiis ghost. Well," says Steve, '' FU tell 
 you. There is Digby, do you see, as might be there," 
 pointing with the handle of his whip to the floor; 
 '* well, away up there," jx)inting to another spot, " is 
 Annapolis, as you might say ; and there they stand, 
 one at each end of the basin, looking at each other, 
 but just twenty miles off" by water, like two folks at 
 each end of a long election table. Well, all up this 
 side of the basin is Clements Township, stretching 
 right away from one town to the other. Well, when 
 the country was first settled after the American 
 rebellion, this Clements was laid out for the Dutch 
 and Germans that served in the war. There was 
 three locations : one on the shore, and that the Long 
 Island Dutch lived on ; behind that was another
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 809 
 
 range given to the Waldeck soldiers ; and behind that 
 another called the Hessian line, because the Hessians 
 had lands laid off to them there. 
 
 " In those days, there were nothing but bridle- 
 roads, because they always rode on horseback when 
 they didn't walk ; but they warn't turnpiked up for 
 wheels as they are now into highways. Weil, among 
 the Long Island loyalists, there was one Judge Beler — 
 at least, so they used to call him. He warn't like 
 our supreme judges, regular halter-broke and trained, 
 but a sort of magistrate jddge, and in his own country 
 (New York State) belonged to a kind of sheep-skin 
 court, as folks nicknamed them. Still he was called 
 Judge, and was a man well-to-do in the world, and 
 well-known, and liked all through them settlements, 
 and spoke German like a book, and could crack up all 
 the hard lumps of words like a harrow, into powder, 
 as fine as a b, ah. Well, he used to be often riding 
 away back into the Hessian line, and spendino- a few 
 days there. Sometimes they said he was surveyino- 
 land, and laying off lots. At other times, they said 
 he went to chat at old JSiilner's (not old Tom's that's 
 there now, but old Tom's father's), and talk and tight 
 over the battles of the rebellion war ; and sometimes 
 they said the Judge — for he warn't by no manner of 
 means up in years — used to go to see Vogler Vroom's 
 daughter, old Mrs. Wagner that was afterwards. 
 Minna Vroom, they say, Avas a rael fine gall in her 
 day, full of health, and strength, and spirits, as a
 
 310 THE OLD JUDGE J OR, 
 
 four-year old colt, and yet a great housekeeper too. 
 Judiiiiio: of her as she was when I seed her, which 
 was long after she had lost the mark of mouth "" 
 
 " ^^'hy, Mr. Stephen, ain't you ashamed to talk 
 that way of the ladies?" said Miss Lucy. 
 
 " A body could hardly believe she ever was so un- 
 common handsome (but then there ain't a wrinkled 
 old woman in the country they don't say was pretty 
 oncet) ; for she must have always been a little too 
 much of the Dutch build for figure, according to my 
 notions ; too short, too squftre about the " 
 
 " Never mind describing her," said Miss Lucy : 
 " go on with the story. There is nothing in nature 
 I am so fond of as a good ghost story." 
 
 " Well, I never knew it fail," replied Stephen : 
 " one handsome woman never cares to hear about 
 another handsome w'oman. Her father, by all accounts, 
 was plaguy well off, and as she was an only child, if 
 the Judge's mouth watered when he looked on Minna, 
 and thouoht of the beautiful rolls of yarn and home- 
 spun, and fat hams, and smoked beef, that were hang- 
 ing about so tempting, not to speak of the yellow 
 and white shiners tied up in the long stockings in the 
 big chests, — why it ain't to be wondered at, that's all. 
 Maybe he did, and maybe he didn't; but most likely 
 he went like other folks on his own business, whatever 
 it was, whenever he liked, and whenever ho pleased, 
 and gave no account and axed no leave. Well, oncet 
 he went, and, faith, he never retunied again. It was
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. Sll 
 
 in the forepart of winter 1786, as I have heard tell. 
 Folks down to the shore thought the Judge was pay- 
 ing a long visit, and wondered he didn't come back ; 
 and people on the Hessian line road thought it was a 
 long time since he had gone home, and wondered he 
 didn't come to see them again. At last, it was as 
 clear as mud he was missing. Some thought he had 
 got lost in the woods, others thought he had got 
 scalped and killed by the Indians, and some reckoned 
 he had got a cold shoulder from Minna Vroom, and 
 that he had taken it so much to heart he had left the 
 country ; and nobody knew anything for sartain. 
 
 " Well, days and weeks passed on and passed on, 
 and no tidings was ever heard of him, and at last 
 folks gave over talking of him, and he was sort of 
 forgot and out of mind. For time, like the big roller 
 of the Agricultural Society, as it rolls on, fetches all 
 things to a level, or presses them into the earth out 
 of sight, so that they don't attract attention no more. 
 And queer sort of farmers books make too : first they 
 plough up land to make it loose and light, and then 
 they roll it as hard as ever, and undo all they have 
 done, and that they call science ; and it may be science, 
 but it ain't common sense, and don't stand to reason. 
 But that's neither here nor there, and, as I was a- 
 saying, one day the next spring, just as the lakes had 
 opened, Frederic Crowse was ranging about the woods 
 for a stick to make ox-bows of, when who should he 
 see in the middle of the great lake near the Hessian
 
 812 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 road but Judge Jk'ler, seated as quiet and as iiateral 
 on his horse as life ! There was a httle wind at the 
 time, and a ripph> on the water, and the Judge was 
 riding with his head towards home, and his horse 
 making a slow motion like a canter, but not advancing 
 forward a bit. At first, he thou<irht he was swiiuniini: 
 the lake, for that would make a very short cut for 
 him, and he stood a while and stared at him ; but 
 seein' that he didn't go ahead, he called out to him as 
 loud as he could call. 
 
 "'Judge!' said he; but the Judge didn't look 
 round. 
 
 " ' Squire !' said he; but the squire didn't speak. 
 
 "'Mr. Beler !' said he; but Mr. Beler didn't 
 answer, but just went on rising and bending to every 
 wave like a bow of the body, but still remaining in 
 one spot. 
 
 "'Good gracious!' says Fred to himself; 'the 
 water is so shocking cold at this season of the year, it 
 has almost chilled him to death. What onder the 
 sun shall I do V 
 
 " Well, away he went asliard as he could run for 
 his life, and alarmed all the neighbours, and down 
 they came, with axes, and ropes, and tools, and what 
 not, and made a raft, and put off into the lake to help 
 him. 'i'he sun was just then setting as they shoved 
 out from the shore, and when they got about halfway 
 to him they saw that his eyes were gone, and his face 
 was all swelled, and his iUsh wa^^i bleached, and bloated,
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 313 
 
 and slimy, and that he looked awful bad ; and they 
 were dreadfully frightened." 
 
 " Oh, my !" said Miss Lucy, " how horrid ! But 
 it's a beautiful story: go on !" And she drew her chair 
 nearer to Richardson. 
 
 " Well, they were skeered to go up to him," con- 
 tinued Stephen ; " and they stopped, awed like, and 
 gazed and gazed, without saying a word ; and when 
 they give over rowing, the judge and his horse gra- 
 dually settled down, slowly — slowly — slowly, until 
 nothin' but his head was above water, and then he re- 
 mained for a minute or two longer, as if he didn't like 
 to leave his old friends for ever and ever, and down he 
 went altogether, and sunk to the bottom. 
 
 " It would have been no more than decent and 
 neighbourly, perhaps," he added, "to have fished him 
 up, and given him Christian burial. But I won't say 
 fished him up, neither ; for, poor man, he was passed 
 that, I guess, unless they had baited their hook with 
 Minna Vroora, and that would have made him jump 
 out of the water like a salmon, I do suppose. Many 
 a man has been cauo-ht...." 
 
 " Why, Mr. Richardson, how you talk !" said Miss 
 Lucy ; " it's actually ondeeent that — it's shockino- ! 
 You ought to be ashamed of yourself, so you ought." 
 
 " Well, grappled him up, then," he said: "for 
 folks that are neglected that way by all the world, ex- 
 cept by frogs and pollywogs, are oneasy, and walk 
 and he has terrified the whole country ever since 
 
 VOL. I. p
 
 314 THE OLD JUDGE; OR, 
 
 The old stock of them that knew him never mentioned 
 him without fear ; and some said that they had actu- 
 ally seen him afterwards in that lake (which now goes 
 by the name, and I suppose always will, of Belcr's 
 Lake). Well, the next generation, though they be- 
 gan to frighten children, by telling them they would 
 send for the Judge if they behaved bad, soon gave 
 over that sort of idle talk, and said there was no doubt 
 he was up and stirring sometimes. Many people de- 
 clared that they had heard him, in the winter time, 
 nmttering under the ice, in some unknown tongue ; 
 for the German language has long since gone out in 
 those parts. I know my father said he oncest seed 
 him gallop like mad on his old black mare across that 
 lake in a snow squall, and sink through the ice with a 
 report like a cannon. And old Dr. Uoehme said he 
 had known strange noises there, quite near ; and when 
 he'd stop to listen, he would hear the same at the 
 other end of the lake, as if he was trying to get 
 through ; and then he wouhl hear him strike the bot- 
 torn of the ice with his fist such a blow, that it seemed 
 as if it would crack it clear across, though it was three 
 feet thick. 
 
 " Well, I never met that man yet that I was afraid 
 of; and as for ghosts, I never see one in all my born 
 days, and did n't believe there was any, and therefore 
 couldn't tell whether I was skeered or not. Still, 
 somehow or another, it was a melancholy, dismal place, 
 for no one would settle near it, and I can't say I much
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 315 
 
 liked going by there alone, for it ain't pleasant to think 
 of spirits and such things in the dark, if you have no 
 one to talk to. I won't say, nether, I haven't heard 
 those noises myself, especially when the lake is a-going 
 to break up in the spring ; and I have heard some of 
 those awful reports, like thunder in the ice, too, but I 
 am not certain I haven't heard the same under other 
 lakes ; at all events, though they made me feel kind of se- 
 rious like, they never skeered me. Well, one night — it 
 was on the 1 7th of March, I recollect the day, for I was 
 at Pat Doyle's that afternoon at Digby, and he said it 
 was St. Patrick's day, and I drank a considerable some, 
 though not to say I warn't sober, nether — when I came 
 to the lake, it was a little after daylight down, just twi- 
 light enough to see the road, and much as a bargain, too, 
 when I heard this rumbling under the ice, a rolling, 
 moaning, hoarse, onnateral kind of sound, and then came 
 one of those cracks that go off like a twelve-pounder. 
 
 " ' Hullo !' says I to myself, ' the old Judge is on- 
 easy to-night ; howsumever, I never hurt a hair of his 
 head, and he has no call to me, good or bad ; so, dead 
 or alive, I don't fear him.' 
 
 " Just then, I sartainly did hear a most powerful 
 yell. It went through me like lightning, and seemed 
 to curdle my very blood. Oh ! it was an awful scream, 
 you may depend, and seemed onearthly like, or as if 
 the devil was in the unburied human that gave it. I 
 stopped a moment, and all was still again, but the 
 hollow, rumblin', echo-like voice under the ice. 
 
 p 2
 
 '316 THE OLD JUDGE ; OR, 
 
 " ' What in the world is all this V says I to my- 
 self; 'as sure as fate, Beler's ^host is no joke, but 
 downright reality. There's no mistake. Y\\ take my 
 oath I hoard that scream of his, and I think, Steve, 
 you had better be a-jogging on towards home, or you 
 may hear what ain"'t good for your hearing, and see 
 what ain't good for sore eyes.' 
 
 " So I just gave the beast a tap of the whip, and 
 moved on. Well, as soon as you leave the lake, you 
 come to a sharp pinch of a hill, and then you go down 
 into a steep, heavy-wooded hollow, and then mount 
 another smart hill, and pass on. This happened 
 twenty-five years ago next March, and at that time it 
 was still little more than a bridle-path, and the trees 
 lapped across it in places. Now, in that hollow, two 
 larc-e hemlocks had got canted well over on one side, 
 windfalls like, and were catched by two large spruces 
 on the other ; so there was just room to stoop low 
 down on the saddle, and squeeze under, and much as 
 ever, too — almost a scrape. Having rid that way in 
 the morning, I knew the track, kept to the left, bent 
 forward on the neck of the horse, and went through. 
 Just as I cleverly cleared it, old Beler sprung right 
 on the crupper, seized me round the waist, and yelled 
 just as he did when he got out of the lake, first in one 
 ear and then in the other. Oh, how the woods rung ! 
 His breath was so hot, it most scalded me, and the 
 scream cut me through the head like a knife ; and 
 then ho clasped me so tight round the body, he near
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 817 
 
 about squeezed the wind out of me. If I didn't sing 
 out, it's a pity, and the more I hollered, the louder 
 he shrieked. I won't pretend for to go for to say that 
 I warn't friffhtened, because that wouldn't be true ; 1 
 was properly skeered, that's a fact. I expected every 
 minute to be clawed off, and plunged into the lake. 
 I didn't know what to do. Human strength, 1 knew, 
 was of no avail agin supernateral beings, so I took tc 
 prayer. 
 
 " 'Our Father....' says I. 
 
 " The moment I said that, he let go yellin', and 
 seized me by the nape of the neck with his teeth, and 
 bit right through the grizzle. Oh, it was a powerful 
 nip, that ! the pain was enough to drive one mad, and 
 I fairly roared like a bull, it hurt me so. 
 
 " In the mean time, the horse began to rear and 
 plunge most furiously ; for the poor dumb animal 
 knew, as well as could be, it had a ghost-rider, besides 
 its lawful master, to carry. At last, it kicked so like 
 old Scratch, it sent us both flying heels over head, the 
 Judo-e on one side, and me on the other side of it. I 
 fortunately held on to the rein, and jumped up like 
 winkin', and the horse stood head to him, snorting 
 and blowing like a porpoise. I shall never forget that 
 scene, the longest day I ever live. The Judge had 
 no hat on ; his face was all hairy and slimy ; his eyes 
 looked some wild animal's, they had such a fiery, rest- 
 less, wicked glance, which I expect was the ghost 
 lookino" out of the dead sockets of the unburied skele- 
 
 p3
 
 318 THE OLD JLDGK; OR, 
 
 ton — at least, that's my idea of it ; and his teeth was 
 the only white-lookinj^ thing about him : but then, 
 teeth last a long time, particularly when kept from the 
 air, under water, in the long matted grass and lily- 
 roots, I hardly got a real good look at him, before 
 lie rolled himself up into a ball, like a porcupine, and 
 shrieked — oh, how ho shrieked ! I heard hira after- 
 wards, for the matter of three or four minutes, (for you 
 may depend I didn't stay to keep him company longer 
 than I could help) while I was galloping off as hard as 
 ever my horse could lay legs to the ground. I wouldn't 
 encounter that old Judire amn, for anythino; in this 
 blessed world. That's the first, and the last, and the 
 only time I ever see a ghost ; and I never desire to 
 see another." 
 
 " What did your neighbours think of that story ?" 
 said IJarclay. 
 
 " Well, I didn't want to brag," said Stephen ; 
 " but, since you've axed the question, this I will say 
 tor myself^ — there never was a man in the whole county 
 of Annapolis, that so nmch as even hinted that he 
 didn't believe it, except old Parson Rogers, of Digby ; 
 and plague take me if I think them ministers believe 
 half tliey preach themselves, they are so loath to be- 
 lieve other folks. The parson one day jist up and 
 axed me all about it. 
 
 " ' Steve,' says he, ' they tell me you have seen the 
 old Judge ; is that true ?' 
 
 *' ' Oh, parson !' says I, ' now you are only a goin'
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. S19 
 
 for to banter me ; let me alone, now, thafs a good 
 soul, for that ain't a subject to banter on ; and I 
 might say something I would be sorry for, perhaps."" 
 
 " ' I am not a going to tease you, Stephen,' he 
 said : ' I really want to hear it as it happened, if it 
 ever did happen. They say you had a hard struggle 
 with him ; is that true V 
 
 " ' True as gospel,"" says I. 
 
 " ' Were you quite sober that night, Steve,"" said 
 he. ' You know, folks sometimes see double on St. 
 Patrick's Day."" 
 
 " ' See !"" says I, ' parson ; I not only see him, but 
 felt him, too. Look here, where he left the marks of 
 his teeth on me !' and I stripped and showed him the 
 scars. ' Do you believe now r says I. • 
 
 " ' I never heard that ghosts had teeth before, 
 Steve,' said he, most provokin' cool — ' no, never.' 
 
 " ' Did you ever see onef says I ; 'so come, now, 
 answer me that.' 
 
 " ' No, says he ; ' I never saw one, and never ex- 
 pect to.' 
 
 " ' How the plague can you tell, then,' says I, 
 ' whether they have teeth or not ? But I have seen 
 one, do ye mind : and I can swear they have teeth — 
 plaguy sharp ones, too — breath as hot as a tea-kettle, 
 and claws as long and as strong a bear.' 
 
 " ' Stephen,' said he, ' my son, I didn't think you 
 were so easily frightened.' 
 
 " ' Frightened !' says I ; and I began to get cross
 
 320 Tin-: OLD jrnr.E ; or, 
 
 with his banter, as if I would go for to toll a lie, or be 
 such a fool as uot to know what I was a talking about 
 — ' frightoueJ, is it V said I ; ' ifs more than ever 
 you could do to skeer me, though you have been 
 preachiu' against the devil and all his imps ever since 
 1 was boni. But do you go to Bcler'^s Lake on St. 
 Patrick's night, and if the Judge is to home, and a 
 talking and a stirring under water, do you ondervalue 
 him as 1 did, and say you ain't afraid of him, dead or 
 alive, and if he don't frighten you into believing what 
 you hear, and believing what you see, and into know- 
 inor the difterence between a bite and a kiss, then you 
 are a braver man than I take you to be, that's all.' 
 
 "'I'll go with you the next 17th day of March,' 
 said he. 
 
 " ' Thank you,' said I ; ' I'd rather be excused."" 
 
 " ' Well, I'll go with or without you, just as you 
 please, on the 17th of next March, if you will first 
 go to Nick Wyland's, and see that Colonel Brown's 
 crazy boy (the one that roasted his brother) is well 
 chained up. It's my opinion that that mischievous 
 maniac broke loose, or slipped out that night, and 
 attacked you ; and the only wonder is that, with his 
 superhuman strength, he didn't kill you. You had a 
 great escape. But as for a ghost, Steve — ' 
 
 " *■ Parson,' says I, ' do you believe the ]Jible ?' 
 
 " ' Yes,' says he, ' I do.' 
 
 " ' Well, then,' says 1, ' believe in Judge Beler's 
 ghost. I have seen him, and heard him, and felt him,
 
 LIFE IN A COLONY. 321 
 
 and have the marks to prove it. You are Parson 
 Rogers, ain't you V 
 
 " ' Yes.' 
 
 ^' ' Well, so jou are ; but how do I know it ? Because 
 Tve seen you, heard you, and felt you. Well, that's 
 the way I know the ghost. I tell you, I have heard, 
 seen, and felt Judge Beler's ghost.' " 
 
 END OF VOL. I. 
 
 F. Shoberl, Jun.. Printer to H.R.H. Prince Albert, Rupert St.. Haymarket.
 
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