Chapter I: Preface

It was in consequence of a suggestion by the late S. J. Watson, Librarian of the Ontario Legislature--who urged that one who had gone through so many experiences of early Canadian history as myself, ought to put the same on record--that I first thought of writing these "Reminiscences," a portion of which appeared in the _Canadian Monthly Magazine_. For the assistance which has enabled me to complete and issue this volume, I am obliged to the kind support of those friends who have subscribed for its publication; for which they will please accept my grateful thanks.

In the space at my disposal, I have necessarily been compelled to give little more than a gossiping narrative of events coming under my own observation. But I have been careful to verify every statement of which I was not personally cognizant; and to avoid everything of a controversial character; as well as to touch gently on those faults of public men which I felt obliged to notice.

It has been a labour of love to me, to place on record many honourable deeds of Nature's gentlemen, whose lights ought not to be hidden altogether "under a bushel," and whose names should be enrolled by Canada amongst her earliest worthies. I have had the advantage, in several cases, of the use of family records, which have assisted me materially in rendering more complete several of the earlier chapters, particularly the account of Mackenzie's movements while in the neighbourhood of Gallows Hill; also the sketches of the "Tories of Rebellion Times;" as well as the history of the Mechanics' Institute, in which though a very old member, I never occupied any official position.

Since the first part of these pages was in type, I have had to lament the deaths of more than one comrade whose name is recorded therein; amongst them Dr. A. A. Riddel--my "Archie"--and my dearest friend Dr. Alpheus Todd, to whom I have been indebted for a thousand proofs of generous sympathy.

THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
Preface iii
Chap. I. The Author's Antecedents and Forbears 9
II. History of a Man of Genius 14
III. Some Reminiscences of a London Apprentice 19
IV. Westward, Ho! 21
V. Connemara and Galway fifty years ago 27
VI. More Sea Experiences 33
VII. Up the St. Lawrence 36
VIII. Muddy Little York 39
IX. A Pioneer Tavern 42
X. A First Day in the Bush 46
XI. A Chapter on Chopping 52
XII. Life in the Backwoods 65
XIII. Some Gatherings from Natural History 69
XIV. Our Removal to Nottawasaga 78
XV. Society in the Backwoods 84
XVI. More about Nottawasaga and its People 91
XVII. A Rude Winter Experience 93
XVIII. The Forest Wealth of Canada 98
XIX. A Melancholy Tale 101
XX. From Barrie to Nottawasaga 104
XXI. Farewell to the Backwoods 107
XXII. A Journey to Toronto 109
XXIII. Some Glimpses of Upper Canadian Politics 116
XXIV. Toronto During the Rebellion 119
XXV. The Victor and the Vanquished 134
XXVI. Results in the Future 140
XXVII. A Confirmed Tory 143
XXVIII. Newspaper Experiences 146
XXIX. Introduction to Canadian Politics 154
XXX. Lord Sydenham's Mission 156
XXXI. Tories of the Rebellion Times:
Ald. G. T. Denison, Sen 165
Col. R. L. Denison 171
Col. Geo. T. Denison, of Rusholme 172
Alderman Dixon 174
XXXII. More Tories of Rebellion Times:
Edward G. O'Brien 186
John W. Gamble 198
XXXIII. A Choice of a Church 201
XXXIV. The Clergy Reserves 210
XXXV. A Political Seed-time 215
XXXVI. The Maple Leaf 217
XXXVII. {St. George's Society 229
{North America St. George's Union 234
XXXVIII. A Great Conflagration 239
XXXIX. The Rebellion Losses Bill 242
XL. The British American League 245
XLI. Results of the B. A. League 261
XLII. Toronto Civic Affairs 262
XLIII. Lord Elgin in Toronto 268
XLIV. Toronto Harbour and Esplanade 274
XLV. Mayor Bowes--City Debentures 281
XLVI. Carlton Ocean Beach 285
XLVII. Canadian Politics from 1853 to 1860 288
XLVIII. Business Troubles 295
XLIX. Business Experiences in Quebec 300
L. Quebec in 1859-60 303
LI. Departure From Quebec 315
LII. John A. Macdonald and George Brown 317
LIII. John Sheridan Hogan 320
LIV. Domestic Notes 322
LV. The Beaver Insurance Company 325
LVI. The Ottawa Fires 326
LVII. Some Insurance Experiences 329
LVIII. A Heavy Calamity 333
LIX. The Hon. J. Hillyard Cameron 336
LX. The Toronto Athenaeum 340
LXI. The Buffalo Fete 344
LXII. The Boston Jubilee 349
LXIII. Vestiges of the Mosaic Deluge 365
LXIV. The Franchise 368
LXV. Free Trade and Protection 371
LXVI. The Future of Canada 374
LXVII. The Toronto Mechanics' Institute 377
LXVIII. The Free Public Library 384
LXIX. Postscript 392

REMINISCENCES

OF

A CANADIAN PIONEER.