'J give thefe Books for He founding if a. College in, tki:^ Colotiy" J907 LIFE AND TIMES OF XHB J^op.Josepl^J^ou;^, (The Great Nova Scotian and Ex-Lieut. Governor.) Witln brief references to sonqe of Ijis proEqirierit coriterriporaries. By G. E. FENETY, Author of New Brunswick " Political Notes," 600 pages, Royal ^^^Octavo, {the 27id vol. of 500 pages is half printed,) both vols. extending over aperiodof 20 years— from 1840 tolSSO; also a Halifax Story, 200 pages. — **The Dress Maker;" also " Imperial Federation — its Jinjyracticability;" *' Early Mecollec- tions of Halyax." Also several Pamphlets, dealing with Fredericton Corpo ration matters,, etc. , etc. ST. JOHN, N. B. Printed and Published by E. S. Carter, "Progress" Office. 1896. Entered according to the Act of Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand, eight hundred and ninty-six, by G. E. FENETY, at the Department of Agriculture, Ottawa. Cct6"^. ^^( DEDICATION. To E. G. W. greenwood, Esquiri;. Sir: — I have great pleasure in dedicating this Book to you AS AN old and HONOURBD CITIZEN OF HAI.IFAX ; and in recognition of the very valuable services which you and your fellow Jurors* rendered (you being the last survivor) in the CELEBRATED LIBEL CASE brought on by the Magistrates of Halifax, in 1835, against Joseph Howe, then Editor of the "Novascotian," WHEREBY THE LIBERTY OF THE PRESS of your native Province was for the first time fully vin dicated and established, and as a result of which THE PEOPLE OF NOVA SCOTIA AND OF THE SISTER PROVINCES are under a deep debt of gratitude for the numerous political and social reforms which have since been brought about. The Author. *Names OF THE Jurors : — Chas. J. Hill — Robert Story — Edward Fryor, Jr.— James W. Reynolds— David Hall— E. G. W. Greenwood— John Wellner— Robert Lawson— Arch. McDonald ^^amuel Mitchell — Thomas A. Bauer— Duncan McQueen. INDEX. Dedication, v Index, - - - vii Index to Ilt-ustrations, xii Introduction - xiii CHAPTER I. Early Recollections of Mr. Howe.— Old Party Lines Oblit- erated.-The Author's First Recollection of Joseph Howe. —The Father and Brothers of Joseph Howe— William Howe, the Great Racquet Player and the Earl of Dal- housie.— Joseph Howe's Birth Place.— Halifax Society.— St. Paul's Church Dignitaries. - - - - - - 1 CHAPTER II. Human Nature always the Same.— The Family Compact. — And the Political System of the Times.— The Condition of the Press.— Mr. Howe's Journalistic Commencement. — Attacks upon the Public Abuses of the Day— Colonel Cathcart and the Garrison Fire. 12 CHAPTER III. The Publishers in Halifax Seventy Years Ago.— Editor of the Acadian Recorder, Mr. John S. Thompson, Father ol the late Minister of Justice. — Afterwards Queen's Printer. — The Coalition Government. — New Queen's Printer Appointed.— The Subsequent Owners of the Recorder.— Halifax Mechanics' Institute.— The Acadian School and Dalhousie College Buildings. 20 CHAPTER IV. Dalhousie College.— King's College Founded upon Church Principles. — The Small Pox and Cholera Epidemics. — Sir Colin Campbell's Noble Conduct. — The Grand Parade.— The Able Men once Graduates of King's Col lege. — Generals Williams and Inglis. - - - - 28 viii Index. CHAPTER V. SirJWm.JJ. Ritchie, late Chief Justice of Caaada Bev. Dr. Crawley [and the Disruptions in the Church of Eng land.— Bishop Inglis and Key. Mr. Twining.— Church Families Turning Baptists. — Thomas C. Haliburton C" Sam Slick").— His Career in the Imperial Parliament. 37 CHAPTER VI. Residence of " Sam Slick." — Persons leaving their Native Homes to Reside in England. — A Late Rector of Trinity Church, St. John, and a Late Rector of St. George's Church, Halifax.— Bishop Inglis' Horse.— Admiral Sir Provo Wallis. — Battle Between the Shannon and Chesa peake. - - ... 45 CHAPTER VII. St. George's Church and the " Old Dutch Church."— The Pew System and Jealousies Therewith.— Old Mirey.— " The Club" writers In the Novascotian.- Howe's Friends and Contemporaries. — Imported OtHcials.— The Countess of Blesslngton and " Gore House," London. . . - - 57 CHAPTER VIII. Mrs. Howe, Wife of Joseph Howe Her Amiable Qualities.- " Rambles" Over the Province.— Natural Advantages of Nova Scotia. — Charles Dickens and Joseph Howe as Press Reporters.— Labour In the Gallery of the House of Assembly Reporting.— The Power of the Novascotian Newspaper.— The System of Government in 1S80 (Both Local and Provincial.)— Howe Destined to Become the Greatest Man in Canada. - - - . 66 CHAPTER IX. Mr. Howe's Serious Illness.— Mr. Howe the Originator of the "Cunard Steamers."— The First Atlantic Steamer, the Cyrius — Messrs. Cunard & Co. Place the Steamers on the Ocean, 1840.— The Halifax Hotel Fails and Is Turned Into an OiHcers' Quarters. — The Duke of Kent.— The Prince's Lodge.— The Duke of Orleans (Afterwards King of the French) In Halifa.x. - - .74. CHAPTER X. The Last of the Old Lodge.— Ruins of the Building.— Re mains of the Old Flower Beds.— The Hermit's Cell.— Departure of the Duke of Kent from Halifax.— Some of His Furniture Still in Halifax and New Brunswick.— Index. ix Suggestions tor Renovating the Lodge Accession of William IV. and the Dramatic Display in Halifax.— Public Lotteries in 1)he Olden Times.— The Avon Bridge, Windsor. --- .. ... ..$6 CHAPTER XI. Trial of One of His Majesty's Officers for Murder. — The Hanging of John Leigh. — Halifax Industries in the Olden Time.—" Pish, Flesh and Fowl."— The Dockyard. —Peculiarities of Intellectual Men.— William IV. a Great Babbler. ... . . . gg CHAPTER XII. Magisterial Corruption.— Howe Indicted for Criminal Libel. —Howe reading up Law to Defend Himself.— He Speaks for Six Hours.— Amidst Great Crowds and Great Excite ment.— Verdict of Acquittal. ... .104 CHAPTER XIII. Service of Plate Subscribed to Mr. Howe by Nova Seotians in New York.— Its Presentation and Address in the Old Court House, Halifax, by the Late Thos. Forrester, Esq. — Great Crowds Assembled. - 112 CHAPTER XIV. Mr. Howe Elected a Member of the Legislature.— The Able Men He had to Encounter. — His Great Abilities. — His Ambition Compared with that of Other Great Men. - 120 CHAPTER XV. Opening of the Legislature in 1837.— Commencement of the Reform Movement. — Howe's Maiden Speech. — Attack Upon the Closed Doors of the Old Council.— Howe at Close Quarters with an Old Antagonist. - - - . 126 CHAPTER XVI. Series of Resolutions Moved Against the System ol Govern ment.— To be Forwarded to the Colonial OfBce.— Anger of the Council.— Mr. Howe's Final Reply on the Closing Debate. - 131 CHAPTER XVII. Extracts from Mr. Howe's Abie Speech in Closing the Debate-Referred to in the Last Chapter.— He Discusses his Opponents Separately.— The Great Effect Produced by his Reply. - - 137 X Index. CHAPTER XVIII. Howe Challenged to Mortal Combat. —He Accepts the Challenge and Fights.— His Magnanimity.— Challenged a Second Time, but Declines the Honor.— Former Duels. —Monsieur Tonson.— Howe and Keefler.— Unlacke and the Bull. ---. --. 151 CHAPTER XIX. Mr. Howe and Railways.— Public Meeting at Saint John Mechanics' Institute.— A Dinner Party. — George Ban croft's Gratuitous Remarks over the Death of President Lincoln.— The Late Civil War in the United States.— Mr. Howe In a Novel Field ot Debate.— Howe's Speech at a Public Meeting at Birmingham, England. - - -159 CHAPTER XX. Earl Grey's Tribute to Mr. Howe's Eloquence.—" Joe Howe" Twelve Feet High.— George T. Phillis the Auctioneer.— Mr. Howe as a Poet.— Poems to Queen Victoria and the Hon. Mrs. Norton. .... - 169 CHAPTER XXI. Mr. Howe on Colonial Changes Mr. Howe Chosen Speaker ofthe House of Assembly. — Charles Dickens in HalUax. —The Canadian Rebellion of 1837.— The Disabilities of the Reformers. — Sir Francis Bond Head, a Failure.— The Old Family Compact. -179 CHAPTER XXIL The Rebellion Crushed.— Bad Generalship.— Order Restored. — Lord Durham Sent Out to Canada. — His very Able Report Showing the Causes of the Rebellion. — Tory Insult to the Governor General and Burning of the Parliament Buildings.-Effect of Lord Durham's Report. —Mr. Paulette Thompson Sent Out to Canada.— Coali tion Government. - 191 CHAPTER XXIIL "Daddy Chalker."— Old Liquors in Halifax.— Peppermint and Shrub.— The Popular Minister who Stole Sermons. —Mode of Burials in the Olden Time. — Wine at Fun erals.— Objections to the Hearse when Introduced. - 203 CHAPTER XXIV. Lord Falkland's Pranks. — His Scribblers in the Press.— Howe's Fight with Falkland. — The Latter Shoots his Index. xi Horses on the Common Befbre Leaving the Province.— The Johnstone Government Fast Sinking.— The Opposi tion Sticking Together.— Elections of 1847.— The Liberals Carry the Day.— New Brunswick Politics.— Mr. Howe as a Lecturer.— Railway Addresses.— Public Letters.— Ap pearance Before the House of Lords. - - 213 CHAPTER XXV. The Old Liberal Party in a Minority.— Attack Upon Hon. James B. Uniacke and Mr. Howe's Able Defence.— Meet^ ing of P. E. Island Delegates for a Maritime Union.— Its Failure.— Canadian Politicians with Other Plans.— Min isters ot State and "Lords." — Titles. — Confederation Carried. — Bad Treatment of Nova Scotia. — Hon. Mr. Laurier's Opinion of Said Treatment. - 224 CHAPTER XXVI. Mr. Howe's Opposition to Confederation.- He is Delegated to Proceed to England. — He Goes and Lays the Com plaint Before the Colonial Secretary.— Gets no Redress. — Returns to Halifax Broken Down in Spirit and in Health.— The Inhabitants Greatly Disappointed. — No Inconsistency In Mr. Howe's Course.— Past and Present State of Things.— Hon. Mr. Chamberlain's Speech on Imperial Federation.— Canadian Independence. — Why Mr. Howe Sought for Changes.— But Everything is Now Changed. — Too Much of Party at the Present Day. — Annexation to the United States Going On.— Mr. Howe on the Independence of Canada.— Mr. Howe as a Free Trader. - - - 234 CHAPTER XXVII. The Closing Days of Mr. Howe's Active Life.- Indifference of Canada Above the Maritime Interests.— Still Ambi tious for Public Life.—" Better Term.':."- His Acceptance of the Situation.— His Countrymen Loud Against Him. —Runs an Election in the Dead of Winter and Succeeds. —His Introduction to the House of Commons.— Victory Inverted.— Mr. Howe Appointed Lieut. Governor.— His Death.— Concluding Remarks.— A Monument Proposed. 247 Monument to Mr. Howe. - 255 Last Illness of Hon. Mr. Howe. - 258 Hon. Mr. Howe's Funeral. - 272 xii Index. APPENDIX. The Welsford and Parker Monument. - 283 Departure of the Duke of Kent. - - 290 Sunday on the Common. - 294 Bancroft's Eulogy of Lincoln. - - 298 Mr. Howe's Great Detroit Speech. - 314 Mr. Chamberlain on the Federation ofthe Empire. - - - 336 New Brunswick Statesmen. - 341 Sir Edward Belcher. - - - 354 Maritime Wit, Anecdote and Humor. - 861 ILLUSTRATIONS. Frontispiece— Portrait of Honorable Joseph Howe. Facing Title Page. John Howe, Father of Joseph Howe. 5 Old St. Paul's Church. 9 Dr. Gregor. 25 Old Dalhousie College. 29 King's College. ) „ ^ „ Province Building. S Ti^tv,<,^n Pages 36 and 37 Judge Haliburton (" Sam Slick.") - 41 Old Residence of " Sam Slick." - 47 Haliburton Club Room. - 49 Sir Provo Wallis. 55 Mrs. Joseph Howe. - 67 ¦ Sir Samuel Cunard. 79 The Prince's Lodge. - 83 The Round House. 89 Mr. E. G. Greenwood. - - 109 Pitcher Presented to .loseph Howe. - - 115 William Lyon Mackenzie. - - 181 Sir Francis Bond Head. - - 187 Lord Durham. - - -195 Grave of Hon. Joseph Howe In Camp Hill Cemetery. - 277 ¦ The Welsford and Parker Monument. - - 285 H. R. H. the Duke of Kent, Father of Queen Victoria. - - 291 Ex-Lieut. Governor, Hon. L. A. WHmot. - - 343 Hon. Charles Fisher. - ai5 : Sir Leonard Tilley, Ex-Governor of New Brunswick. - 349 G. E. Fenety, Author of this book. - - -357 INTRODUCTION. Biography, like History, is seldom if ever writ ten from information based upon personal know ledge of the subject, but rather from the gleanings of others gone before, whose opportunities had been contemporaneous or in touch with the times, the persons and the things described ; and there fore such writings may be called in a great meas ure borrowed information, though well sifted and applied. In offering this book to the Public — however imperfect it may appear — the circumstances are altogether different ; for the facts herein set forth, are derived, by the writer, in most instances, from personal observation and close intimacy with his subject, extending over the greater portion of Mr. Howe's private and public life ; and therefore no writer past or present has had better opportunities of dealing with the work he has undertaken in connection with this wonderful man. At the age of sixteen I entered the office of the " Novascotian" (newspaper) then owned by Mr. xiv Introduction. Howe, and in less than two years afterwards I found myself so much in that gentleman's confi dence and favour that I was placed in charge of his accounts as collector, (a position which I sup pose at the present day might more fashionably be called " Private Secretary,") and in the summer time I travelled through the Maritime Provinces, (stage coaching, no railroads) visiting most of the chief towns, in the capacity of collector of sub scriptions to the Novascotian. At times I had hundreds of pounds in my hands (the subscription price was one pound or four dollars) as there were nq such facilities as there are at the present day for making remittances to headquarters ; and although I withdrew from Mr. Howe's employ ment many years before his death to go into business for myself, I always flattered myself with the belief that I enjoyed his respect up to the last hour, instances in support of this will appear here after in this volume. More than this with regard to my early connection with Mr. Howe need not be said. Less, I could not have very well avoided and furnished reasons why I felt myself competent, even called upon, to undertake this duty. In 1858 the Hon. Wm. Annand published" -two large octavo volumes containing the " Speeches and Public Letters of the Hon. Joseph Howe," but 'Introduction. XV very little (a few pages) of his biography. Several of those speeches I have borrowed, and they will be found incorporated in this book. Four years ago I published in the St. John Progress a series of " Eandom Eecolleetions of the Hon. Joseph Howe." Beyond this I did not intend to pursue the sub ject ; but since then (last year) I noticed that a public meeting had been called in Halifax for the purpose of taking steps for the erection of a monument to the memory of Mr. Howe, and so I thought I might now venture, at this opjjortune time, upon a more pretentious field, even the re production of those articles, and enlarge upon them considerably, and publish them in book form — for it is likely the present generation have very little conception of the great man of whom doubtless they have heard so much, while Mr. Howe's contemporaries, fast dying out, may by this means have their recollections awakened to the trying scenes of their earlier days. For all of the above reasons I now launch my skiff upon the waters to bring up where it may. The Author, UFE AND TIMES OF HON. JOSEPH HOWE. CHAPTEE I. Early Recollections of Mr. Howe, — Old Party Lines Obliterated. — The Author's First Recollection of Joseph Howe. — The Father and Brothers of Joseph Howe — William Howe, the Great Racquet Player and the Earl of Dalhousie. — Joseph Howe's Birth Place. — Halifax Society. — St. Paul's Church Dignitaries Without attempting to more than outline the subject of these " Eecolleetions,'' it has more than once of late years occurred to the writer, that the publication in an ephemeral form, of some of the incidents in connection with the career of Mr. Howe, a gentleman who for fifty years filled perhaps the most conspicuous place in the public eye in all British America, would not prove uninteresting to his old friends and admirers. Mr. Froude in a recent work entitled " Peculiarities of Great Mon," in referring to Disraeli (Lord Beaconsfield) remarks, as below, and the character drawn seems so appropos to our subject that I cannot refrain from quoting : " As a Statesman there was none like him before and will be none hereafter. His career was the result of a combination of a peculiar 2 Life and Times of character with peculiar circumstances, which is not likely to recur. The aim with vs hich he started in life was to distinguish himself above all his con temporaries, and, wild as such an ambition must have appeared, he at last won the stake for which he played so brevely." The contents of this work will be given mostly from memory, as " Eandom Eecolleetions," without regard to the strict accuracy of dates, or the order of the dates themselves — but near enough to answer the purpose, even if a year or two out of the way in relating some of the incidents. Literary style is not attempted in these sketches ; they are undertaken and given in an off-hand, free and easy way, as a tribute of regard and to recall many matters that have come under the personal obser vation of the writer. With regard to the political aspect of the subject, the writer does not deal nor entertain any feelings of his own in giving expres sion to Mr. Howe's views. However, the politics of his day are not those of the present. The old actors and political prejudices and animosities which then divided parties, have long since passed away. The great dividing line forty years ago was on the Eesponsible Government question, now settled with Constitutional solidity, so that no one today denies its importance any more, it might be said, than the people of England deny their Magna Charta privileges wrung by the Barons from King John. The remnants of the old parties in Mr. Howe's day have become so fused of late years, or since Hon, Joseph Howe. 3 " confederation'' that the rule of discrimination is inapplicable altogether when we attempt to place politicians under their respective shibboleths. At the same time it is admitted that there are serious local and federal questions which divide parties now as of yore ; but nothing to be compared to the great issues of former years when Mr. Howe was at the front and confronted adversaries far more formid able than any that have been encountered since he gained for the Maritime Provinces, and it may be said all British America, a measure of freedom and independence far more precious than any states man has been called upon to accomplish since. C}f ' My first recollection of . Joseph Howe dates when he was about the age of 26. At that time he acted as Clerk in the Halifax Post Office, then kept on the lower side of the Grand Parade, towards the new City Hall. The building still stands. John Howe & Son were the Post Masters — the father and brother of Joseph. They wore also King's Printers. In those days the Post OflSce jurisdiction embraced Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P. R. Island. In 183Y (as far as my memory serves) Mr. Drury, the Post Master of St. John died, and Mr. John Howe, the Postmaster at Halifax, appointed his son John (still living in St. John) to the vacant post, which office he continued to fill down to a comparatively recent period, when he was superan nuated by the Dominion Government. Someyeafs before " confederation," the Post Office system was changed, whereby each of the Provinces controlled 4 Life and Times of its own Department. The first Mr. John Howe was one ofthe Boston Loyalists, and has been dead about 60 years, passing away full of years and full of honours — a venerable patriarch in appearance ; no man was ever more thought of for his charitable deeds and kindness of heart than the father of Joseph Howe. The sons were John, (father of our ex-Post master,) David, William, and the subject of this sketch by a second marriage. William and John died about the same time, and were buried on the same day, two most splendid specimens of men, tall, of great physique, altogether fine looking, as were David and Joseph. William belonged to the Com missariat Department, and was at that time the most famous racquet player in Canada, a game then very fashionable among the gentry, as base ball is at the present day among the " Boys." The Earl of Dalhousie, when Governor (about 1820) was . -also a good player, and could beat the best in the ' 'Garrison ; but when he invited Howe to an en- ' counter. His Excellency invariably came off second . -best. He (Howe) would take up an ordinary walking stick, and play a good game with a good player,.a substitute for a racquet never used by any ¦other person. David (whose son William died a ' few years since in Halifax, as Deputy Eegistrar of Wills and Deeds) was a man of fine intellect, but not of any fixed employment, or in any way con spicuous to render his fine talents available. So much, then, for the male members of the Hon. Joseph Howe. JOHN H(3WE, Father ol Jospph Howe. 6 Life and Times of Howe family ; and now for the chief member, the late Hon. Joseph Howe. Mr. Howe was born in December 1804 in a one and half story house occupied by his parents, situated on the Eastern bank of the North West Arm, about two hundred yards, as near as I can judge. South of t'he present Presbyterian Theological College. The house has long since disappeared. While yet in his teens young Howe gave promise of a brilliant future. His first effort was a Poem, his theme being " Melville Island," and the old French Prison, after the measure and metre of Goldsmith's Deserted Village. This Poem displayed so much originality of thought and talent and descriptive power in one so young and unknown, that the Lieut. Governor, the Earl of Dalhousie, invited the author to visit him at Government House where His Excellency bestowed upon him no meagre praise for his first literary flight in the realms of poesy, and he had the name of Howe registered for future invitations to Government House — to State balls and dinners, &c.; in short, to be recognized thenceforward as on a footing with tho quality, as then called, of tho land. Of course the official position of Howe's father and brothers gave them that right. Now, in thoiie days — sixty or seventy years ago — it was considered as great an honor and difficulty to pass muster and find entre into Government House and become an associate with the Halifax Hon. Joseph Howe, 7 beau monde, as it is at the present day to obtain admission to the Queen's drawing room receptions. No one not recognized within the magic circle had the least chance. So that young Howe in his first Parnassian flight, soared high over the heads of others of equal social calibre, but as yet unable to raise their pinions in the direction of the great society domicile of exclusives. And here is a fitting opportunity to give the state of Halifax, socially and politically, when Howe commenced his career, in order that the reader may understand at the beginning the great difficulties that stood in the young man's path, and the mountains of prejudice to be overcome, ere the silken cords of Society and the adamant political chains of official life, were forced to give way before the march of reform, led by this same Joseph Howe. But what gave hue to Society in Halifax sixty years ago, was that reflected through its political atmosphere ; the system was a monopoly of offices and exclusiveness among families dependent upon the State for their living and their grandeur, while industry and abilities formed no part of the oligarchical conception. St. Paul's Church upon the Sabbath was the grand pivotal centre next to Government House, where the great people con gregated. Looking down from a front pew in the gallery, my boyish eyes were regaled by all the splendor that fashion and quality could impart, while the fancy in its incipient weakness magnified all those shreds of humanity, as worshippers some- 8 Life and Times of thing more than human. Very few persons not " to the manor born," occupied pews below the galleries. The Governor's pew was on one side of the reading desk and pulpit, and the Bishop's on the other. At that time tho arrangement for conducting the services stood in the middle of the centre aisle, in front of the Communion table, made in three tiers, the uppermost of which was occupied by the Eector, Dr. Inglis, when preach ing, — the second by the Curate, the Eev. Mr. Twining — and the lower one by the Clerk (Mr. Collupy) who made the responses and gave out the hymns in a fine sonorous voice. The congregation were not yet evangelized in the way of performing this duty, but left that part of the service with the Clerk. At both ends of the Communion table the officers' pews were situated. There was then no Garrison Chapel as now. The soldiers occupied places in the gallery flanking the rear pews, where long benches were provided. But the array of scarlet below, the Govei-nor and his suite, the Bishop, and all the Judges, and all the great heads of departments, the great merchants, for the merchants (those especially connected by marriage with the officials) held place among the dignitaries — all presented a coup d'aiil, which to me was awe- inspiring, far more impressive than that in my manhood days, many j^ears afterwards, when I occupied a seat in St. George's Chapel, Windsor, where the Queen, Prince Albert and some of Eng- Hon, Joseph Howe. '*R.. "11 ~ OLD ST. PAUL'S CHURCH. 10 Life and Times of land's most illustrious Nobility worshipped beneath the same I'oof And then when death overtook those of more than ordinary mark, their dust was not allowed to mingle with common clay in the old burial ground, but must needs find place beneath tho floors of old St. Paul, where, as in Westminster Abbey, (the Pantheon of England's illustrious dead,) the bodies were interred. Some years ago the fioors of St. Paul's, being much decayed, they were renewed, when many mounds and sarcophagi were exposed to view. The last person interred here I think, was Eichard John Uniacke, Attorney General, in 1830. To-day this is all changed. Even the old burial ground is a sealed sanctuary. There is one common Cemetery now for all alike, while equality among the living appears to be more evenly balanced and recognized. In the month of August last I attended divine service in old St. Paul's ; every thing looked to me as it did sixty years before, except the makeup of the congregation, which I thought had undergone a wonderful transforma tion. The doors of the old stately pews, which formerly shut out, as it were, all intruders, were removed and the interiors considered free to all comers. I no longer beheld the old officials and their families, wrapped in their own exclusiveness and finery ; but a staid, respectable looking body of people of all professions, trades and occupations, resembling other ordinary mortals of other persua sions, who at the present day feel that they are Hon. Joseph Howe, 11 dependent upon one another for the riches they possess and are working for, and not upon the ¦Crown as of yore among the privileged classes. 12 Life and Times of CHAPTER II. Human Nature always the Same, — The Family Compact. — And the Political .System of the Times. — The Condition of the Press. — Mr. Howe's Jour nalistic Commencement. — Attacks upon the Public Abuses of the day — Colonel Cathcart and the Gar rison Fire. People are of course the same in all ages ; human nature is unchangeable. It is tho circumstances and accidents by which we are surrounded at different epochs which account for the changed manifestations. The man of affluence and import ance today, is another man tomorrow, when over taken by adversity — he then becomes as changed in himself as if two distinct entities were bound up in the one corporeal essence. The actors under the old system which reflected a lustre on Govern ment House and old St. Paul's, were no longer the shining stars which dazzled all beholders, after the doors of those establishments were made to lurn on new hinges. Now the occupants ofthe old pews seem to feel as if they believed they were saying their prayers undermore democratic surroundings, and that they are so many units in the great aggregation, depending upon vox populi for their living, and not upon a meritricious system which Hon, Joseph Howe. 13 proscribed all who were not in some way connected with the " governing classes." And yet according to this same human nature doctrine, so peculiar and perhaps selfish, it is questionable whether if the old system could be rehabilitated, might it not reproduce the same outward and visible signs as of old, notwithstanding our advanced civilization and more apparent fraternal tendencies ? To retrace our steps. At the time to which reference has just been made the Government of the country was under the absolute control of what was called " the family compact." The Gov ernor was sent from England, or from "home," as our Halifax friends continue to call it for some occult reason best known to themseh'es^clothed with plenary powers, although he had an advisroy board, consisting of twelve members, who exercised legislative as well as executive functions, in giving advice to His Excellency, whether he chose to accept and act upon it or not. Such a thing as a member of the Government holding a seat upon the floors of the House was unknown. They were all " Honorables, " and would have no intercourse with the peoples' representatives, unless to cross them and clog the Eoyal assent to any measure that did not harmonize with their prejudices. If one of them died, another was put in his place having the most influence. If the head of a department passed away, his office was quickly filled by one of his own kith and kin ; and so on in every case. The continuity or tenure was indis- 14 Life and Times of putable. Those officials were only amenable to themselves and the Governor ; and if the latter proved to be a simple or weak man, as some of them were, he was easily brought over to their own way of thinking. Thus all the offices in the country were in the hands of those twelve irrespon sible men, whose individual salaries or appurten ances arising from their positions, were large enough to maintain their families in regal splendor, of course at the expense of " the people" who were as much under their sway as the people of Eussia now are under their Czar. The subordinate Clerk ships in the various dejjartments were dealt with in the same manner — that is, all the employees were appointed by the irresponsible heads, whether good, bad or indifferent, and nobody outside the circle could utter a word of protest. Then the Press was shackled or held under the same re straining bondage — not but that there was freedom for the expression of independent thought, even to make war upon " the compact ; " but the publishers knew too well that it was at the risk of losing prestige and patronage, or incurring the displeasure or withdrawal of countenance of those who were linked in some way with the parties assailed. In deed the political atmosphere some sixty j'oars ago was so impregnated with the Tory prejudices and acquiescent feelings of the people themselves (taking it for granted that all was right, no matter how wrong,) that it required a journalist of most undaunted courage and ability to dare the lions Hon. Joseph Howe. 15 in their dens, mostly from this want of public sympathy and encouragement. It was not only the best blood in the land (as it was considered,) but the highest scholarship and talents that had to be encountered in an onslaught upon this con dition of things. But the deliverer was at hand, and he came forth in due season panoplied in full consciousness of his own strength, and possessing talents of the highest order — sound judgment — rectitude of purpose — persistency of will — and a courage equal to the emergency — all of which qualifications from the right time forward were brought into activity, and with such results as will appear further on in these Memoirs. Having then premised this much, in order to show what Mr. Howe, single handed, had to encounter at the beginning in his efforts as a reformer, we may now proceed to sketch in a fragmentary way, some of the steps taken by him as time went on to bring about a change, and thus pave the way for the entrance into office and society of a class of men hitherto unknown and uncared for. In 1824 the Novascotian newspaper was started by Mr. George E. Young, brother of the late Sir Wm. Young. The office was at the foot of " Jacob's Hill," so called at the time. It was printed in quarto form. I have seen nothing of it in late years, but presume it still exists, if not sunk alto gether or merged in the Morning Chronicle, which was an offshoot. After being in existence about 16 Life and Times of two years, Mr. Howe purchased the Novascotian plant and copyright, and continued its publication in a wooden building situated directly at the head of Bedford Eow, and nearly opposite what was then known as Eeynolds' Auction Eooms. The purchase of this paper was the dawning of a new era in what may be called Independent Provincial Journalism — -for its new proprietor immediately commenced his attacks upon the abuses of the day, more especially in reference to the political disabili ties to which the people, the ordinary people, had to submit. The temerity displayed in his editorials was so marked that Howe was threatened by those in high places, not only with the law's vengeance, but with personal chastisement. The latter course was seldom or never put into practice — for our hero was an athlete of the most pronounced type, physically strong and powerful, standing about five feet ten in height, and could handle any two ordinary men with ease, as I have seen. But no — he was reserved for battles of another and more in tellectual kind, and even in the field itself, as will be seen hereafter. But it must be observed here that Mr. Howe was not a writer who dipped his pen in gall, or in any way exhibited in his writings a rabid disposition. His attacks were always directed against existing and long standing abuses, and he would have preferred knocking these down with nobody standing behind them ; but this could not be done, for every abuse then as now, had its self- interested defender — no one hitherto having dared Hon. Joseph Howe. 17 even to point them out, much less try to overthrow them. About 1827 there was a fire at the Garrison Library, a building which stood in the vicinity of the Officers' Quarters, North Barrack, butting on to Cogswell street, as then called. There was no water works system — no steam engines — no such appliances as at the present day for putting out fires. Lines of troops and citizens were formed on two sides — leather buckets filled with water were conveyed up one side, while on the opposite the empty buckets passed — all conducted very slowly but systematically. The supply was gen erally obtained from neighboring wells, which soon became exhausted — and in most cases the fire burnt itself out, after consuming all within its reach ; the water supply at best was scant in any part of the city, unless the fire was in the vicinity ofthe harbor. The Fire Wardens were the great men on these occasions, running up and down the lines, compelling skulkers to fall in, even handling them roughly. There was one gentleman belonging to the Ordnance Department, named Eigby, who had been working steadily all the evening passing buckets, and at last became some what exhausted and was compelled to back out of the line, when immediately an officer, in the person of Colonel Cathcart, of tho 8th or King's Own, (who fell as General Cathcart in the Crimea in 1855, on what is now known as " Cathcart's Hill,") seized Eigby to drive him back, and so rudely that 18 Life and Times of he fell from sheer exhaustion, and might have been trodden to death had he not been raised to his feet by persons near by. But Cathcart was a martinet among his soldiers, and no civilian must disobey his orders. Mr. Howe learned of the out rage, and so did Mr. Ince, Head Ordnance Officer, and they both sympathised with the unfortunate young man. Eigby addressed a communication " to the Editor of the Novascotian," detailing the circumstances. [If Mr. Eigby is still alive and he reads this, I hope he will excuse me for giving away the author, no doubt for the first time after sixty years and upwards — sub-rosa.^ The idea of attacking a Colonel, and he an " honorable " by birth, of one of His Majesty's regiments, and in a common newspaper, was enough to turn out all the troops in the garrison and make for poor Howe, not to ask but compel him to give up the writer. The Editor well knew that if he disclosed the name, poor Eigby would have gone to bed that night without his official head — for the Ordnance Department would summarily have been closed against him. The Governor and the Military and the great Heads of Departments at that time were all supreme. The day after the paper was issued ¦the office was besieged by the great guns. The iGovernor's sou, Captain Maitland, was one of the 'first callers ; and every time there was a new- comer for the author, Howe appeared at the front for interrogation, but a polite refusal was always returned, and each in turn went away disappointed Hon. Joseph Howe. 19 and disdainful. Then His Excellency Sir Peregrine Maitland sent a peremptory demand for the author, but with the same success. Howe was inflexible, and at last began to get annoyed. The ghost, how ever, " evanished amidst the storm " after a nine days' chase, and so Eigby held his place unharmed. This incident will appear as of minor importance until we come to explain presently what may bo called the real commencement of the Editor's career as an independent man and politician. 20 Life and Times of CHAPTEE III. The Publishers in Halifax Seventy Years Ago. — Editor of the Acadian Recorder, Mr. John S. Thompson, Father of the late Minister of Justice, — Afterwards Queen's Printer. — The Coalition Government, — New Queen's Printer Appointed. — The subsequent owners of the Recorder. — Halifax Mechanics' Institute. — The Acadian School and Palhousie College Buildings. Dropping our thread for a little time, it may not be out of place here to make some reference to the status of the Newspaper Press of seventy years ago. Besides the Novascotian there were published the Acadian Recorder, by Anthony and Philip Holland, started in 1812 — the Journal, by John Munro — the Philanthropist, by B. A. Moody — the Free Press, by Edmund Ward — the Weekly Chronicle, by Wm. Minns, succeeded by the Acadian, James Spike publisher. These are about all I can call to mind. There were no religious papers, so called. The Recorder \ras like the Courier in St. John, published on Saturday, and brought up all the news and advertisements to date. News from England came to hand after being on the water two or three months, and then simmered mostly through the United States Press, the arrivals there being much Hon, Joseph Howe. 21 more frequent. News from Boston or New York was generally a week or ten days old by the time it reached Halifax. The Press in those days, it may be said was self- sustaining. The proprietor conducted every de partment of his paper — with one or two exceptions he was Editor, Eeporter, News-gatherer, and almost " devil." Editorial paragraphs were mostly furnished from outside. There were no steel pens in those days — blood letting was done by the old style goose quill, just as effective. The proceedings of public meetings even of the Legislature were unreported, unless on very rare occasions. Trials, whether in Court House or Police Office, went on from week to week without the least notice being taken of them. Indeed the public felt little con cern about public matters in which they were not individually interested, but " minded their own busi ness." How changed all this now ! There is no scarcity of Editors, or Eeporters, or Interviewers. There is nothing that escapes the lynx eye of the newsgatherer. Everything that happens is reported, and frequently things that don't happen. The Eeporter goes into the Courts and brings to light all the rascality committed outside — even tries a prisoner, convicts him, and all but hangs him. We aim to get on the right side of public opinion, failing in that we force public opinion over to our side and think we succeed. If a man falls down on a slippery sidewalk it is almost published before he has time to get up again. Our age is one of 22 Life and Times of steam, electricity, loud talk, tall gossip and — we had almost said, political depravity. Before the Novascotian the Recorder was pro bably the most independent paper published, as the word independent was understood at the time — that is, only to tell the truth with bated breath and avoid the penalty due to boldness of speech, or the too copious use of j^rinter's ink, and never stretch your tongue beyond the margin of a safe and wholesome intrenchment, lest dire consequences befall, which was not unfrequentiy the case. For example, some remarks apj)eared in the Recorder reflecting upon the management of the Commis sariat Department, in which the public interests were somewhat identified, and only the rectifica tion of which was sought. Immediately Holland's name was booked, and the advertising patronage which the paper always enjoyed, amounting to a large annual sum, was cut off as a penalty for his transgression. Mr. John S. Thompson, father of the late Minis ter of Justice, was the Editor, which post he filled for many years. He was an easy-going, pleasant gentleman, good writer, but lacked the essential elements of fire and aggressiveness for those days of close sailing — hence he was more safe than successful as an Editor. Mr. Howe in after life (when Eichard Nugent, a very peppery writer, had charge of the Novascotian in succession to Howe,) usedr to say that if Thompson and Nugent could be rolled into one, we should have the perfec- Hon. Joseph Howe. 23 tion of a genuine Editor. When the Liberal party came into power, Thompson was appointed Queen's printer, as a reward for his liberal editorial ten dencies, which office he held for a year or two, until Howe's party fell through a sort otcoup-d'-etat on the part of the Johnstone party. Eesponsible Government was then in its incipient stage^every concession from its enemies was gained by hard fighting and exaction, until finally the old Govern ment condescended to take into their embrace three Liberals (Howe, Uniacke and M'Nab,) a sort of tripartite treaty, or one-sided coalition, six to three. It was considered, however, to be a point gained ; it was the insertion of the Liberal wedge, but it turned out a blunt one. The majoiity continued to govern as before, without consulting their Liberal colleagues. At length they over-stejjped the mark, for without saying a word to the minority, they appointed a gentleman lo a seat in the Legislative Council — Mr. Mather B. Almon — when Howe & Co., (who by the way, had been appointed head of the Excise Department) struck — (in tho parlance of the day) — threw up their offices and came out ofthe Government. [Although breaking into our Biographical connection, the above incident is brought in for the purpose ot disposing of Mr. Thompson, while we have him in hand.] When the Liberal party was re-formed outside and the old one closed up its ranks, the leader of the latter (Johnstone) requested the Queen's Printer to espouse its cause, and wage war upon the 24 Life and Times of Opposition. Thompson said "No — I was placed in office by the Liberals, and for the sake of office I shall never desert them." This was about 1845. And so Thompson relinquished an office worth probably $8,000 a year. Mr. John M. CroskiU, who owned and edited the Daily Posi, received the appointment — for it was all one to John what side he espoused, for the shekels were of far more importance to him than political principles. When the Government Departments erased from their books the name of the Acadian Recorder as an advertising medium, the Editor addressed a long Memorial to the Home Government, explaining matters, and asking for a restoration of the pat ronage withdrawn. The only answer vouchsafed was a reference for redress to the parties over whose heads the shots had been fired. Of course there could be no appeal to those functionaries in Halifax, who dealt out the vengeful blow, unless at the risk of receiving a humiliating refusal. The Recorder did not recover the ground lost, an extensive patronage, for many years, for its quasi- independent manifestation on that occasion. So much then for tho independence of the Press at that day. Messrs. English & Blackadar succeeded the Hol lands in the ownership of the Recorder — since converted into a Daily, and still existing in the hands of the sons of Hugh Blackadar — fighting the Liberal battles of the day under new auspices, and with a freedom which its founders could Hon. Joseph Howe. 25 DR. GUEGOB. 26 Life and Times of never have contemplated, even by Mr. Thompson himself, whose son in the Commons was the recipi ent of all the left handed political compliments which the present Editor of the Recorder appeared to pay him up to his last day. In 1827, Mr. Howe, Dr. Gregor, Mr. Dawson (whose sons are now in business in Montreal) and a few other gentlemen, met and organized a Mechanics' Institute, at that day very popular, in Scotland particularly. Dr. Gregor, a Scotch gen tleman, was elected first President, and tho meetings were held for a time in tho Acadian School Build ing. Afterwards the Society removed to one of the many vacant rooms in Dalhousie College. Lectures were given once a week, followed on each occasion by quite a lively and interesting discussion upon the subject matter of the lecture. It might have been called a veritable debating society, which brought out a display of talent highly creditable to the participants. Among the most prominent of the speakerswere Mr. Thompson, before referred to, Dr. Matthew Eitchie the great Methodist Preacher, Mr. Howe, Dr. Gregor, Wm. Ward, occasionally Eev. Mr. Twining, (of St. Paul's,) and a very clever schoolmaster, whose namo I have forgotten. Those debates gcnerallj' occupied more time than the lecture itself, but they served to bring out many pertinent matters in connection with the subject, which otherwise would have been lost upon most of the audience. In these discus sions, among men of the highest learning, Howe Hon. Joseph Howe. 27 exhibited a latent talent which in the future, promised to develop into large proportions. The shrewdness and good common sense of his observa tions, even upon scientific and highly literary subjects, raised him in the estimation of his con freres, as a young man who in time would be sure to make his mark upon his country's scroll. The lectures were tolerably well attended, but never like those in St. John — the presence of the ladies in sufficient numbers was wanting, as one of the attractions — at all events for this and other reasons, the Institute languished and finally ceased to exist, after doing good work for probably ten years. The St. John Institute lasted fifty years, when it too succumbed to the inevitable — want of funds. 28 Life and Times of CHAPTEE IV. Dalhousie College.— Kings College Founded upon Church Principles. — The Small Pox and Cholera Epidemics. — Sir Colin Campbell's Noble Con duct. — The Grand Parade. — The Able Men once Graduates of King's College. — Generals Williams and Inglis. Again, referring to Dalhousie College, it seems to have been an unfortunate enterprise from the day the Earl of Dalhousie laid the corner stone in 1820. It originated as an offset to Windsor College, which was a strictly denominational institution, under control of the Church of England, and it so remains to this day, but with considerable modification in its government and management, and is now more in harmony with the times. As everything was " church '' in the latter part of the century when the Charter was obtained, it can very easily be understood why King's College should have been conducted on strictly church lines, with all its Gov ernors and Senators and Professors belonging to the one persuasion. The effect of this beginning was detrimental to the College's advancement, as it was to be sustained out of the people's money, to which all denominations alike contributed, so that •there were heart burnings and jealousies all along Hon. Joseph Howe. 29 OLD DALHOUSIE COLLEGE. 30 Life and Times of from the start. Only the sons of Churchmen felt that they could breathe freely the atmosphere of King's College, while those of other churches stood aloof and waited for the time to come when they could have institutions for the higher education, which all alike might approve and feel at home in, as their own and only Alma Mater. Hence the Pictou Academy, under Dr. M'Cullough — hence Dalhousie College — Wolfville Academy — Sackville Academy — all now grown into the dimensions of Colleges — and all have greatly advanced, pecu niarily and in public favor, while the mother of all — King's College — remains to this day compara tively weak and helpless, and yet doing good work and conducted under far more liberal auspices than formerly. It may be asked here why if King's College did not succeed under " the church," how comes it that the Methodist and Baptist and Presbyterian Colleges have advanced so rapidly when they likewise are strictly denominational and flourishing ? The reason is obvious. When the charter was obtained for King's College, the popu lation was only adequate for the support of one high school of learning ; and had there been prescience enough among our fathers to see that as the population increased, embracing all denomi nations, and had they spread their nets to catch all the people alike, without creed or doctrine — in a word, opened the doors of a non -sectarian college, all might have been gathered in, and the one institution would have answered for all, even to Hon, Joseph Howe, 31 this day. Instead of having half a dozen Colleges at work in the lower Provinces, one grand University would be amply sufficient for all purposes. While jealousy operated against King's College at the beginning, and kept it back, today there is an esprit de corps among the several denominations, each vicing with the other for prominence, or the laudable endeavor to make their College a success and a praise among the churches and throughout the land. Still, there is no reason why King's College should not now be advancing in students, in funds, and in the confidence of the people. If there is still church about her, there is not enough to keep back those who can attend with all their scruples, and gain an education in Arts equal to that pro vided by any other college. If it is tho want of funds, then it is a reproach upon the Churchmen of the Province, especially the wealthy ones, that they do not lend a helping hand, and take a leaf from the books of members of other churches, who feel a pride in carrying on their own distinctive denominational work. " By their fruits ye shall know them." Let Churchmen lay this text to heart and do their duty. With regard to the failure of Dalhousie College in answering the expectations formed on the open ing by the Earl of Dalhousie, I am unable to assign a cause, unless it be due to the old school of politi cians, who did not only neglect to send their sons to it, but threw in its way all tho discouragements 32 Life and Times of within their reach at the time, to render it inoi)era- tive. I can account for the failure in no other way. Its large class rooms stood idle for years. Nobody but the Janitor occupied the premises, except that part in the basement which was let for storage. During the summer of the cholera (in 1834) the building was used as an Hospital, whither the sick and dying were carried daily in large numbers to be treated, and from whence many a dead body was conveyed for interment, scarcely coffined and without ceremony. It was a terrible scourge, upwards of 1,500 persons perished within eight weeks — it was an epidemic far worse than the small-pox, which visited Halifax in 1825, and carried off upwards of 800 of the inhabi tants. In the midst of the worst part of the cholera plague the Lieut. Governor, Sir Colin Campbell, performed heroic service, attending the patients day after day, and ministering to their wants, thus setting an example which did good and induced the attendants to likewise persevere in their loathsome work. Although His Excellency in a few years afterwards was one of the bitter opponents of Eesponsible Government, and for whose recall the Eeformers in the House petitioned the home government, still his memory must ever be held dear by the people of Halifax, for the humane services rendered by him during that terri ble visitation when the soul of every one was stirred to its utmost dejith, and the courage of His Excellency tested in its sublimest form. Hon, Joseph Howe. 33 This old College Building is no more. As soon as tho present Board got possession new life was infused within its walls, and in time its capacity not being equal to its patronage, the property was sold to the City, and a now College erected in the suburbs, in every way fitted for its increased and increasing numbers and popularity. Upon the old site stands the new City Hall, fronting which on the south is the Grand Parade, which presents a fine grassy parterre, with walks, and on the upper side west, a steep terraced slope margined with forest trees. The stone enclosure of the Parade ground is massive and highly creditable to the City. Although never a financial success as already stated, Windsor College has sent forth into the world men who in after life distinguished them selves in the service of their country, by land and sea, and in the field of letters, refiecting upon their Alma Mater perhaps more lustre than can be said of any other Colonial Institution. For example — the hero of Kars, General Williams, who during the Crimean War held the Eussians at bay for months, in the dead of an Arctic winter, amidst great suffering and privation, when beleagured in the fortress of Kars, a most strategic point, against which the enemy incessantly battered, at the sacrifice of human life and ammunition ; and when at last a breach was made in the walls, the, heroic band was forced to surrender from sheer exhaus tion. The Eussian General on entering, highly 34 Life and Times of complimented Williams for his bravery, endurance and skill. Then General Inglis, son of the late Lord Bishop, who heroically distinguished himself at Lucknow during the Indian Mutiny. Inglis on that occasion was outnumbered and outflanked by the enemy, and his little band of followers cut off from the main army. He accordingly sought shel ter in tho Fortress of Lucknow — among this little band there were many women and children. Day and night, with demoniac yells and menaces, the Sepoys bombarded the lonely garrison on all sides, and as often as breaches were made in the walls they were quickly repaired by tho defenders. During the wars of Cromwell's time, the Countess of Derby defended her Castle called " Latham House" for weeks against the besieging army, which came upon her unawares, and when the Earl was on the battle field at a distance. Her little garrison consisted only of her household servants and retainers, and her children ; and all of these were brought into service in loading the muskets while the Countess herself and her able- bodied men fired from the portcullis and windows of the Castle, and so the siege was finally raised by the ' enemy as abortive. Here, then, was a counterpart of that old heroic performance. Inglis knew the fate of his dependents if the Sepoys once gained an entrance, in his knowledge of the Cawnpore massacre a few weeks earlier, when men, women and children were thrown into a deep well and there murdered, many of them being buried alive. Hon. Joseph Howe. 35 As the days went on the enemy around Lucknow increased in numbers— so that at length it became apparent to Inglis that if succour was not soon at hand, he would be compelled to capitulate, or the walls would bo blown up from the outside, as the Sepoys now began to sap and mine at several points. But it was not to be so — a kind Providence stood by them — for just at the moment when despair had taken possession of every heart, from days of exhaustion, trial and hunger, and all hope of being rescued had fled, the sound of the bag-pipes was heard in the distance — every nerve of the watchers was strung to its utmost tension to catch the welcome signal. On fully realizing that the Campbells were coming indeed, one shout of frenzied joy went up from that little Fortress, the like of which perhaps had never been surpassed. It was the excitement of the moment — the shout of victory — the renewal of life, after weeks spent, as it were, in the agonies of death. The relieving army was under the command of General Havelock, while Sir Colin Campbell, Outram and other Generals were on the march, enfilading in the same direction. It did not require the Sepoy dogs long to get out of the way when the British came up. But they still held pos session of the Eesidency until the English Gen erals concentrated their forces round about, when after several hours of desperate fighting and terrible slaughter the capture was fully effected (21st March, 1858) and an awful retribution was visited 36 Life and Times of upon the rebels. The back bone of the rebellicn was now pretty well broken. The wife of Nova Scotia's hero, (daughter of Lord High Chancellor Chelmsford — Sir-name The- sigar,) was with him in the Fortress of Lucknow, and shared with him all the sufferings of the garrison. The long trials and anxieties of Inglis told upon his health, and he died at a comparatively early age. His portrait hangs in the Legislative Council Chamber, Halifax. W'^^^ ^fcHWT '^ "^ ¦'" i^^'-'^n^^^:^^^^^' /; .^^ ".ifiBI^H ' / " '^'' W ''* #^**~~''^-' ^'2]^..,^.--i^^^^^^M^fi^K^^^| "^^^ '""^""^ y •^f^^^'^BBfp^^ '^^^B t- V ^ vlyfi^ InH ''\ '..^^P Rll^hI^^I Ii^h^^^^HhH {¦ KING'S COLLEGE, WINDSOR. PROVINCE BUILDING, HALIFAX. Hon. Joseph Howe. 37 CHAPTEE V. Sir Wm. J. Ritchie, late Chief Justice of Canada. — Rev. Dr. Crawley and the Disruptions in the Church of England. — Bishop Inglis and Rev. Mr. Twining. — Church Families Turning Baptists. — Thomas C. Haliburton ("Sam Slick"). — His Career in the Imperial Parliament. Another graduate of King's College, (if I mistake not, at all events a Nova Scotian,) was the late Sir Wm. J. Eitchie,Chief Justice ofthe highest Court in the Dominion, who rose to his eminent position from sheer force of character and talents, united with industry and great j udicial skill. As a lawyer, Eitchie held first rank at the bar of New Bruns wick before ho ascended the Bench in succession to Judge Street, who died in England in 1855. Shortly after the confederation of these Provinces, he was elevated to the Bench of the Supreme Court of Canada, and succeeded Judge Eichard to the Chief Justiceship, the duties of which he continued to discharge with dignity and impar tiality up to the time of his death. Young Eitchie went to St. John in about 1836, from Annapolis, where he and several brothers, who all became men of distinction, were born, their father being one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Nova 38 Life and Times of Scotia ; and although the whole family were Con servative in politics, from generation to generation, through all changes of Government, William J. Eitchie struck out on the Liberal side from the day he landed in St. John, and adhered to the principles of liberalism through all vicissitudes, as well before as during his legislative career. As a representative he distinguished himself and helped to bring about the system of Colonial party gov- ernment,which wo enjoy at this day. Judge Eitchie will therefore be historically known as one of New Brunswick's early Eeformers. Another graduate of King's College was Eev. Dr. Crawley, of Wolfville College, who in 1825, together with a number of other first class church men, seceded from the Church of England in a body, on account of the inconsiderate conduct of the newly created Bishop — John Inglis — by ap pointing to the Eoctorship of St. Paul's the then Eector of St. John, instead of the Eev. Mr. Twining, tho favorite, who should have been the person. This gentleman had been Curate for many years, while Dr. Inglis was Eector — both were very much liked — and it was but reasonable and fair for the congregation to suppose that he would be the Bishop's choice as it was the universal desire. The Bishop's act caused a wound to the Church which it took many years to heal, notwithstanding the fruitless attempts at cauterization. Numerous families locked their pews and left the Church — so that the new Eector was obliged for a long time Hon. Joseph Howe, 39 to preach to empty seats. [It was not that the congregation had objections to Mr. Willis as a man and preacher— it was the action of the Bishop that caused tho difficulty.] Mr. Crawley, as just stated, withdrew from the Church of his fathers, and with others, represent ing some of the leading families of Halifax, set up an independent establishment, but for want of an independent Church minister, the building in Gran ville street, which they had erected, was turned over to the Baptist body, they themselves going with it, and so tho descendents of those families con,tinue to be good Baptists up to this day. Mr. Crawley was bred to the law, but shortly after the dis ruption he studied for the ministry, and became an able preacher. He died about six years since, at the age of 86, having been President of the Wolfville College for some years. Although Mr. Crawley entered Windsor College in 1816, ho only received his degree of D. D. from his old Alma Mater about seven years ago, the tardiness for which I sujjpose is hardly worth canvassing. Dr. CraAvley was a very able man, second to none of his College compeers for literary and scholastic attainments. The late Pastor ofthe Fredericton Baptist Church, Eev. Mr. Crawley, is a member of the same family. Indeed all the Crawleys rank high among the social and intellectual and religious forces of Nova Scotia. Thomas C. Haliburton (" Sam Slick ") was another graduate of Windsor, and who as a literary man has reflected lustre upon his Alma Mater and 40 Life and Times of native Province. In 1826 he published two volumes of the History of Nova Scotia, in the Novascotian office. This was long before the author intended to devote his leisure hours to literary work ; and it is a question whether Haliburton would ever have become an author had it not been for Howe, both of which gentlemen were on terms of the most intimate friendship. In 1836 Mr. Haliburton wrote several letters which appeared in the Nova scotian, entitled " Sam Slick of Slickville," and they were so amusing, and contained so many practical lessons calculated especially to work upon the dormant energies of the rural population, that Sam soon became a universal favorite, and the «xtra demand for copies of the Novascotian could scarcely be supplied. Mr. Howe advised the author to have his letters re-printed in a new and less perishable form, which was done, and as soon as the book appeared it obtained a rapid circula tion all over the Province, and a second edition was called for. This thou was the beginning of a very successful career in the literary field by the first Nova Scotian author and graduate of King's College. Having thus planted his feet upon solid ground and considered his reputation for literary work fairly begun, Haliburton devoted his talents and time thenceforward more to the cultivation of letters than to the dry subtilities of the law. The progeny of this once popular author may thus be gummed up — after Sam Slick the Clock Maker Hon. Joseph Howe. 41 JUDGE HALIBURTON (Sam Slick.) 42 Life and Times of came Wise Saws — Nature and Human Nature —Bubbles of Canada— The Letter Bag of the Great Western, &c. These works all took well with the reading public, but some were considered better than others. As in the case of Dickens' first pro duction — "The Pickwick Papers," ^ which was thought by many to be his chef d'ceuvre — so with Haliburton's first venture. In other directions he made no improvement uj)on the originality and popularity of " Sam Slick." His " Bubbles of Canada" was in my humble opinion a mistake,. and brought out in conspicuous relief the Tory proclivities of his nature, and furnished an inkling of the political school in which he had been reared. The work was written about the time of the Canadian Eebellion in 1837, and designed to show that the Canadians in their struggles for Eesponsi ble Government had but little of which to complain. It was demagogues who made all the trouble,. and that their grievances were imaginary, founded more upon the discontentment of their nature,. especially their French nature, than any tangible presentment of well grounded political grievances-. That every time tho British Government yielded to their importunities, the more they felt encour aged to renew their demands. [The further con sideration of this part of our subject, however, will come on later.] In short, our author was a Conservative of the first quality, and could see nothing unless through imperial spectacles — quite- the opposite of Howe, although personally they Hon. Joseph Howe. 43 were the best of friends, even companions. Like many other Colonists who get tired of the country of their birth and associations, and where perhaps they had made their money, and then leave all behind them for " home," there to reside and sink into ordinary mortals, our author finally quitted his native land and took up his abode in England where he married a rich lady, his second wife, and through whose influence he found his way into the British House of Commons ; but as a member of Parliament he was not in my opinion a success. On one occasion in particular ho displeased the Government and House, by insisting at an inoppor tune time upon the consideration of some Colonial question, thus bringing down upon himself rather caustic remarks from several leading members. Authorship in the House of Commons goes but a short distance among men of great statesmanlike qualities. You must not only speak to the point and at the right time, but say something in order to be listened to and not coughed down. In our Local or Dominion Parliaments, it is different. Here, as at Ottawa, a member is personally known to the whole house, and has the sympathy of a large pro portion of its members, his powers are well known, and though he may not be a " heavy weight," he is listened to, at all events, no matter to what side of politics he belongs. Now I do not mean to say that Judge Haliburton would not be a power any where and under any ordinary circumstance. I refer more to the exacting and arbitrary arena 44 Life and Times of presented by the British House of Commons, and the wonderful tact as well as abilities requisite to meet its demands. No doubt had our author lived long enough he would have found a better place among British statemen. Hon. Joseph Howe. 45 CHAPTEE VI. Residence of " Sam Slick." — Persons leaving their Native Homes to Reside in England. — A Late Rector of Trinity Church, St. John, and a Late Rector of St. George's Church, Halifax. — Bishop Inglis' Horse. — Admiral Sir Provo Wallis. — Battle between the Shannon and Chesapeake. In another place wo give a picture of the old residence of " Sam Slick," in Windsor, as well as his portrait. This once famous spot now resolved into " the Classics," but also dissolved of late years into very disproportionate proportions, is occupied by a small family from the interior, whose name is unknown to me. Forty years ago as a stranger I wandered about those once beautiful grounds, intersected by winding roads lined with locusts and acacias. Last summer I witnessed the scene again, but woefully changed — the roads were almost blotted out, the foliage matted and tangled, and half the shade trees gone. Tho Windsor and Annapolis Eailroad has also laid a sacrilegious hand upon the place by cutting through the middle or towards the back part of the property, so that the peace and repose once enjoyed here, are changed for the screech ofthe locomotive and the roar of traffic. The old house is in a good state of 46 Life and Times of preservation ; but the home of the author has departed. Sic transit gloria mundi. The memory of Judge Haliburton is kept green in Windsor by its spirited inhabitants. A Club called "the Haliburton Club " was started in 1884, (the President of which was Charles G. D. Eoberts, Author, who was then Professor of Classics in Windsor College,) which meet together periodically to revive and discuss the merits of their once " Patron Author," and in other literary ways pass the time profitably and pleasantly, no doubt heightened by the exhilarations which wait upon good appetites and gentle indulgences. Long may they live to meet and have a good time — and help to keep alive the name of Haliburton. With regard to persons abandoning their own country for " home," 1 remember listening to a University Oration delivered at one of the New Brunswick Encsenias by a distinguished son of Halifax ; and in the course of his able remarks he expatiated grandiloquently, even vituperatively, upon the conduct of so many rich men after making their money in our large cities, turning their backs upon their native land and going abroad to spend it, and live the remainder of their ¦days in England, ostracising themselves from old friends, exchanging the pleasures of the social circle in which they were reared, for the dry con ventionalities of a new existence, one to which they are strangers — while the positions \?hich they hefore occupied are unknown and uncared for by cT' OLD RESIDENCE OF "SAM SLICK." 48 Life and Times of their new acquaintances. What followed this patriotic expression of fervor ? This very same gentleman a few years afterwards " went and did likewise." Perhaps he will see this and re member the circumstance ? But to enumerate all the graduates of King's College, who in after life became somewhat famous in professional ways, would occupy more space than is necessary. But before closing with this college, reference to two more of her graduates might not bo uninteresting, viz : the Eev. J. W. D. Gray, Eector of Trinity Church, St. John, and Eev. Fitzgerald Uniacke, Rector of St. George's Church, Halifax, both of whom graduated at the same time — 1814 — studied together — were close companions, almost inseparable — the one appeared to be necessary to the existence of the other — and in death they are not divided. In the centre of the little grave-yard, foot of " Dutch Village" hill, surrounding the church, two sarcophagi built side by side, may be seen covering the dust of these once very able divines. As theologians and pulpit speakers, both rose to eminence in their respective churches and towns. As a polemical writer, Dr. Gray excelled, and was recognized beyond the bounds of his own Province as a force. Eev. Mr. Uniacke held his congregation in increasing num bers, growing in strength until his last days. His sermons were sound and evangelical and well delivered. His memory is held sacred to this day by the old residents of St. George's Parish. Bishop Hon. Joseph Howe. 49 HALIBURTON CLUB ROOM. 50 Life and Times of Inglis and Bishop Suther, who recently died a Bishop in Scotland, were also graduates of King's. [On one occasion when Bishop Inglis as Patron of the College was on a visit of examination, and having spent the night with tho President, he was greatly chagrined next morning when preparing to leave for Halifax, on being informed by his groom that the tails of both his horses had been shaven clean off, not a hair scarcely left uj)on the stumps. The Bishop lost no time in going out to see for himself the outrage that had , been perpe trated upon his horses and his own dignity ; and when he came in sight and beheld the awful spectacle, if he did not actually anathematize he talked very loudly against the guilty sinner, and if he could only catch him he would give him "the benefit of clergy " in such a way as the culprit would remember to his dying day. The Bishop had to get other horses to take him to town, for his own presented a jiicture worthy of a Hogarth. The Bishop's son, afterwards the famous General, got the credit among his College chums of having been the culprit on this oc casion.] Although in no way connected with King's College, while upon the subject of distinguished Nova Seotians, the opportunity is here improved of introducing to the readers of this Book, Admiral Sir Provo Wallis, who died in England a few years ago at the age of 101. He was born in the Naval Yard, Halifax, in 1791, his father at the time Hon. Joseph Howe. 51 being Chief Clerk in that interesting and very active department. When 14 years of age young Wallis entered the Eoyal Navy as a midshipman on board the frigate Cleopatra, and from that time forward, until the crowning victory on board the Shannon, he was, so to speak, continually under fire ; lor in the early part of tho century England and France under Napoleon, were seldom out of a broil. Space or the intention of this work, will not jermit even a reference to the many engage ments in which our hero took part — whether in single combats or squadrons — until we come down to the time of his participation in the engagement between the Shannon and Chesapeake, which took place off Boston Harbor in May, 1813. The United States and England then being at war, a number of naval duels were fought along the American coast, with varying success on both sides respec tively — sometimes the .Americans were the victors, and at others the English. The American ships were largely recruited by deserters from the English Navy, which fact was the main cause of the war. Still, to lose an English frigate in battle was a galling humiliation to a nation whose prestige upon the high seas was great and sublime, since Nelson a few years before at Trafalgar had destroyed a French fleet far superior to his own. Whatever may have been the disproportionate armaments or strength of any two of the English land American vessels which had met and won I or lost, Captain Broke of the Shannon, which ¦12 Life and Times of was lying at Halifax, resolved in his own mind to find a solution for this problem by ascertaining what men-of-war were lying in any of the Ameri can ports, and to satisfy himself of one of his own size and metal and number of men. Hearing of just such a vessel — the Chesapeake — lying in Boston 'harbor, he despatched a challenge to Captain Lawrence to meet him on the high seas — and to test the prowess and gallantry of each vessel — after explaining to him in his letter the exact size of the Shannon, number of guns and men, in order that Captain Lawrence might prepare himself accordingly, and that it should not be said after wards that any disguised or unfair means had been taken, or trap laid. The challenge was accepted — the Shannon by this time was cruising off Boston harbor, awaiting an answer, when the Chesapeake was descried from the mast-head bearing down with all sail set and flags flying, in the direction of the English sea dog. The two vessels soon afterwards met, when the engagement began — it was over in fifteen minutes, but terrible while it lasted — the number of mon killed and wounded in that short time was said to surpass what might have been expected from an action of several hours' duration — and among those who fell was Captain Lawrence himself ; and among the wounded was Capt. Broke, while his first Lieutenant was killed — so that upon his second Lieutenant Wallis (the hero of this sketch, then only 22 yeara of age) devolved the duty of taking charge of tho ship. Hon. Joseph Howe. 53 Before Lawrence died the last words he uttered were "Don't give up the ship," which, like Nelson's signal at Trafalgar, " England this day expects every man to do his duty," will last forever in the annals of naval heroism and epigrammatic signifi cance. It may be somewhat interesting to quote here Captain Broke's own version of the battle : " The enemy," says Captain Broke, " came into action in very handsome fashion, having three American ensigns flying ; when closing with us he sent down his royal yards. I kept those of the Shannon up, expecting the breeze would die away. At 5.30 p. M., the enemy hauled up on the starboard side, and twenty minutes later tho battle began, both ships steering full under topsails." Three broadsides were exchanged between them, and then the ships fell on board each other, the mizzen channels of the Chesapeake locking with the Shan non's forerigging. Captain Broke instantly gave orders for boarding. " Our gallant hands," ho writes, " appointed to that service immediately rushed in under their respective officers, driving everything before them with irresistible fury. The enemy made a desperate, but disorderly resistance. The firing continued at all the gang ways and between the tops, but in two minutes' time the enemy were driven, sword in hand, from every post. The American flag was hauled down, and the British Union Jack floated triumphantly above it. The whole of this service was achieved in fifteen minutes from the commencement of the I action." 54 Life and Times of [The revival of this story is not at all pleasant, since tho two nations are now interlaced in the most friendly, peaceful embrace, it is to be hoped forever (notwithstanding the Venezuelan trouble); but it is unavoidable while the person who per formed such an important part in the tragedy is the subject of this sketch, and so identified with the history of Halifax that it cannot very well be passed ov^er.] Lieut. Wallis set sail for Halifax with his prize so crippled that it took many days to reach port, while he was in constant danger of being over taken by the enemy and himself and prize retaken. It was on Sunday morning when the vessels were descried in the offing. The news soon spread through the town. The churches were all in at the time, but were out, emptied in a trice when the news reached the different congregations — nor did they "stand upon the order of their going," or wait for the benediction, but rushed out helter skelter and quickly down upon tho wharves. [This I learned from " one who had been present."] Captain Lawrence was buried in the old Church yard, his funeral was attended by all the pomp and ceremony due to a British General, while minute guns were fired from all the ships in the harbor and from the Citadel. As soon as the war was over application was made by the American to the British Government for the remains of the gallant Lawrence. They were accordingly disin terred and conveyed to New York, where they Hon, Joseph Howe, 55 SIR PROVO WALLIS. 56 Life and Times of now repose in Trinity Church-yard, just at the head of Wall Street ; the sarcophagus may be seen near the left or lower entrance door to the Church. Wallis' promotion was rapid from that time forward — now Commander, then Captain, Admiral, and so on in regular gradation. But our limits forbid further references. At the time of his death his namo stood at the head of the British Navy as " Admiral of the Fleet," a mark of distinction conferred upon him some years since by the Lords of the Admiralty, in recognition of past and gallant services, a mark never conferred upon any other officer in the British Navy. He stood at the head ofthe list as Vice- Admiral, and bore all his honors and full pay as if in active ser vice, until the day of his death. Her Majesty took great interest in him. On the anniversary of his centennial birth, she manifested her concern for his health by not only sending cheering words, but more solid tokens of her regard. Mrs. Lawrence survived her husband many years. A person of my acquaintance was intimate with her at Newport, E. I., where she then resided, (say 60 years ago) and describes her as being an interesting lady with flowing silvery hair, and the traces of early beauty, which still lingered on in her declining years. And the old lady spoke in fine terms of Captain Wallis, who frequently visited the United States since the war, and always called upon, Mrs. Lawrence. Hon. Joseph Howe. 57 CHAPTEE VIL St. George's Church and the " Old Dutch Church." — The Pew System and Jealousies Therewith. — Old Mirey.—" The Club " writers in the Nova scotian. — Howe's Friends and Contemporaries. — Imported Officials. — The Countess of Blessington and " Gore House," London. St. George's Church (Eound Church) already referred to, is the outcome of the little Dutch Church, situated near the upper end of Brunswick street, which was built between the years 1758 and '60 by the Gorman settlers in that part of the town. It does not stand up to this day as an enduring monument of the architectural skill and enterprise of its founders, so much as it does of their piety and zeal as a God-fearing people. The grave-yard about it contains the last of many of its original worshippers, some of the dates go back to 1775 or 120 years ago. The building is of wood — probably 40 by 30 feet in size. The steeple surmounted by a " Eooster," which denotes the trend of the wind, is the most imposing part ofthe edifice. In this little temple then, the Lutherans were wont to congregate at least once a week. The pews were of the high back pattern, as in many of the old churches of the present day, so that not 58 Life and Times of much more than the heads of the occupants were visible. I suppose so long as tho preacher could be seen the fashions in the next pew were of no consequence — the flower bed of bonnets were sure to bo noticed, no matter what else the ladies wore behind the partitions. Thus was the pew system in full vogue in those days. Tho innovation of free sittings — (which allows every-one to occupy the same seat regularly und statedly without paying pew rent for the support ofthe church) — had not then become part of the Dutchman's creed, and so they were very jealous of their pew rights, so much so that if an outsider, not belonging to themselves, happened to stray into the fold and within tho sacred precincts of one of these pieces of private property his chances of remaining till the end of the service was somewhat doubtful. On one occasion, so tradition saith, a South-ender (persons belonging at the lower end of the town, then called Irish Town) happened to take a seat in Hans Sourkrout's pew, and when that worthy citizen (whose occupation was that of a truckman) arrived, he was taken all aback at what he considered to be an impertinence, and on recovering his breath, he thus interrogated the intruder : " I say Friend, who does your trucking ?" Eeply — " John Eex." " Den you jist go and sit in John Eex's pew." The congregation having out grown in numbers the dimensions of the church, the site upon which the present Eound Church stands, was secured and a more suitable edifice Hon. Joseph Howe. 59 commenced, and fully completed in about 1820, although the foundation was laid in 1800. As soon as the congregation took possession of the new church tho little old historic one was closed, but afterwards opened for school purposes, and it still continues as such I believe. As a connecting link between the German and English worship pers — by this time the tongues of the former had become pretty well Anglified — it was deemed expedient and proper to continue the services of the old Clerk — known as Old Mirey — for it would never do to ignore one of the standards of the little old Church ; it was enough to abandon the building itself. The Clerk in those days occupied a seat directly below the Minister and made all the responses on behalf of the people. Now Mirey spoke more broken English in one sentence than any Dutch man that I ever knew, and wore it possible to convey to the reader in print the modulation of his voice, his emphatic manner, tho twist in his words, — in a word, a verbal fac-simile of the whole man while following the Minister, and the effect he produced upon a stranger in attendance for the first time, it would be more than comic. Had the phonograph been among the discoveries of the day, as now, and a few passages from the voice of Mirey been secured, it would be worth a good many nickels dropped in the slot for a person now to listen to the interesting tones of the Clerk of the Round Church seventy years ago. But after 60 Life and Times of hearing him a few times people got used to him. Then again he felt the importance of his position by his affectation when off duty. The strut in walking to and from church (he lived directly opposite) was a study of itself amongst us youngsters, who loitered about " Stairs' Corner." This distinguished individual was finally super ceded by another Clerk, who spoke better English. The interior of St. George's Church has undergone several great transformations since I first knew it. The singing gallery, or " choir," formerly occupied the Eastern bulge facing the pulpit. Now the singers are behind the pulpit. Before the Eector- ship of Mr. Uniacke, the Eev. Benjamin Gray officiated, and was thence transferred to Trinity Church, St. John, where in a few years afterwards his house was destroyed by fire and his wife burned to death. The house stood on Wellington Eow, the site about where the late Dr. Botsford resided. In 1827 a series of articles appeared in the Novascotian, under the heading — " The Club," written in a colloquial and somewhat satirical vein in the nature of dialogue, the object of which was to criticise the acts of public men, especially the family compact officials. These were written in isuch a good natured way and so wittily that no one could get angry — it was the iron hand masked under a silken glove, and its weight was felt by those assailed, but no retaliation was possible ¦unless at the risk of being laughed at. The articles Hon. Joseph Howe. 61 continued from time to time, extending over a long period, once a week, and became as popular as the sayings of Sam Slick before referred to, which came out later. The authorship of those " Club" articles was as profound a secret as that which enshrouded the Junius letters ; and these articles although long since forgotten, were very useful in their day, and it is doubtful if any one outside the printing office ever knew the writer, or writers. Sixty years have since passed away, and all the contributors likewise. Those writers formed a sort of literary guild, and held their meetings beneath Mr. Howe's roof, to which also belonged some of the ablest and " smartest" men in Halifax, such as Laurence O'Connor Doyle, and Dr. Gregor ; and casual attendants like Judge Haliburton (Sam Slick,) S. G. W. Archibald, one of the ablest and wittiest lawyers of his day, afterwards Master of Eolls, the Jotham Blanchard of Pictou, when in town. Beamish Murdock, the publisher of several volumes entitled " Epitome of tho Laws of Nova Scotia," and the "History of Nova Scotia," Thos. B. Aiken, of antiquarian research, (pretty much like Joseph W. Lawrence of St. John,) and a well read gentleman, Thomas Forester, who will come into more prominent notice hereafter. Then outside of this coterie was another circle of clever men, whose visits to Mr. Howe were very frequent, and of an intellectual character — such as Titus Smith, known as the Dutch Village Philosopher, a man of varied attainments, a standing referee in cases where 62 Life and Times of parties disagreed in their astronomical discussions for example, mathematical problems, hydraulic and other scientific topics, He made the astrono mical calculations every year for one of the Almanacs; and he frequently lectured in the Mechanics' Institute. Then there was Andrew Shiols of Dai-tmouth, afterwards Stipendiary Mag istrate of that town, a very well informed person and poet. Shiols, although in manner very unpre tentious, was a fine conversationalist and was thought a great deal of by Howe. Another was George Thompson, a good writer, and " good fellow." Probably the last named gentleman developed into the most important of all those named, in having been the innocent or accidental cause of Howe's after great ness as a Politician and States man, as Howe himself was the cause, as before shown, of Haliburton's brilliant career as an author. This will appear hereafter. Then there was the Eev, Eobert Cooney, who was educated for the Priesthood, but turned Methodist. He published in Halifax a brief history of New Brunswick, written when a resident of Miramichi. As an eloquent Pulpit Orator he was thought highlj' of by the Methodist worshippers in both Provinces. But Doyle was the witty man. He and Howe were " trump cards" — indeed a complete pack, and equal to a theatre. Their conversations corruscated with flashes of wit, sallies of mirth, and clever hits — while the burst of laughter, in accompaniment, Hon, Joseph Howe. 63 might be heard across the street. Howe called Doyle the wittiest man ho ever know. Space will not permit me repeating some of his anecdotes bonmots, repartees, epigrams, &c., let off in private and on the floors of the House of Assembly, of which ho afterwards became a lively member. I vrill endeavor to do so at the end of this volume. These then wore some of Mr. Howe's prominent literary associates, materials for all of whom would be abundant enough to supply an interesting biographical work well worth preserving. The writers then of the famous Club articles were : Joseph Howe, Dr. Gregor, Laurence O'Con nor Doyle, Capt. Kincaid, whose Book on the " Adventures in the Eifle Brigade '' at Waterloo was widely known in England and America. His regiment was then stationed in Halifax. These were the gentlemen who set the heather in a blaze once a week in the columns of the Novascotian. The subject matter treated in some of those Club articles may be here noticed by way of specimen. As these Provinces once upon a time were held as a nursery and feeding ground for the scions of influential place hunters in England, it was no uncommon thing when a vacancy occurred in some lucrative office, for the Governor to inform his superior at the Colonial office, when forthwith one of those favored youths would be sent out to fill the gap, while our own people loyally acquiesced. The names of some of those outsiders will readily suggest themselves to " the oldest inhabitants.' 64 Life and Times of In New Brunswick the old folks have a vivid recollection of those transplanted exotics. In 1835 a Judge was required and its own bar was consid ered to be so poor in material, or perhaps so uninfluential, that a young man was sent out from England to fill the place ; and although he proved to be an excellent upright Judge, the legal gentry continued to smart for some years under the wrong done them. But so decided a stand was taken on the occasion that the Colonies have been permitted to make their own Judges over since. Then a Surveyor General was wanted, when lo, another official was made to order in England and sent to Fredericton to fill the gap and pocket all the revenues of his department. Tho yield of the Crown Lands was not then what it is today ; the revenues probably amounted to ten or fifteen thousand dollars, and by the time the Surveyor General's and the other salaries were paid, there was very little left. But it was all right and dutiful in those days — for the heads of depart ments rode in their chariots, sometimes drawn by four horses richly caparisoned, with outriders and footmen. The business people of Fredericton were satisfied, because all this grandeur and big salaries brought wheat to their mills. As to the rest of the Province, no one seemed to care — it was too many hours before the dawn ere the people began to get their eyes open and compass the full glare of day. (Mr. Howe by this time had begun the dis semination of his reform doctrines.) Then again, Hon. Joseph Howe. 65 a head clerk is wanted for the Crown Land Office ; and if any one wants to know how this situation was disposed of, he will just refer to a work in the Legislative Library, called " The Life of the Countess of Blessington." " Gore House " in Lon don about this time was the most famous resort for men of culture, great generals, poets and leaders of fashion. Among her ladyship's visitors was the Duke of Wellington, then tho most influential man in England. Now the Countess of Blessington had a brother and she wanted the Duke's influence to procure for him a situation in New Brunswick. Sir John Harvey was Governor at the time, and when two such heads got to gether through letters of correspondence, it did not take long for the brother of the Countess to obtain a good soft seat in the Crown Land Office in Fredericton, next in position to the head ofthe department and over the heads ofthe native clerks. Now, the Club articles dealt with such subjects as these — for the same injustice prevailed in Nova Scotia as in New Brunswick, and indeed in all the British Provinces alike. But the Club articles applied to Nova Scotia only and said nothing about New Brunswick; and great indirect good came out of their publication. 66 Life and Times of CHAPTEE VIII. Mrs. Howe, Wife of Joseph Howe. — Her Amiable Qualities. — " Rambles " Over the Province. — Natural Advantages of Nova Scotia. — Charles Dickens and Joseph Howe as Press Reporters. — Labour in the Gallery of the House of Assembly Reporting. — The Power of the Novascotian News paper. — The System of Government in 1830 {Both Local and Provincial.) — Howe Destined to Become the Greatest Man in Canada. Mrs. Howe, the wife of Joseph, was the daughter of Captain John M'Nab, Eoyal N. S. Fencibles, and was born in 1807, in Barracks, at St. John's, New foundland, where her father's regiment was then stationed. Afterwards the family proceeded to Halifax where the regiment was disbanded. Her parents then removed to M'Nab's Island, a property which was owned by Hon. Peter M'Nab, brother of the Captain, he having obtained it from Gover nor Cornwallis on the early settlement of Hali fax. Here Miss M'Nab continued to reside with her parents until her marriage with Mr. Howe in February, 1828. Mrs. Howe died about six years ago, and reposes beside her husband in Camp Hill Cemetery. Ten children were the issue of this marriage, two only of whom survive, viz , Mr- Hon. Joseph Howe. 67 MRS. JOSEPH HOWE. 68 Life and Times of Sydenham Howe and Mrs. Cathcart Thompson, both residing in Halifax or its vicinity. As some of tho wives of famous men have much to do with shaping if not directing tho lives of their husbands, I have thought it not out of place here to intro duce to the attention of the readei, a lady whose superior qualities were highly adapted for the encouragement of a man who had to pass through many trying vicissitudes, during his checkered political course. Mrs. Howe was a lady of fine intellect, and her sound judgment and advice never failed in producing wholesome results. She was to her husband a help-meet indeed. Whenever the clouds lowered upon his house, as they some times did, she stood beside him as his stay and comforter, with words of cheer and consolation, always making the best out of the worst features of the trouble. She was fully aware of her husband's great talents, of his ambition and of his faults, which no man living is without, and she knew how to minister to every necessity as a " guid ing angel." and to lead by the hand, as it were, beside still waters. Preferentially Mrs. Howe was domestic in her habits ; but deferentially and in obedience to her position, society claimed a large portion of her time — indeed the time of the wives of leading public men, like that of their husbands, is regarded by the general public in the light of a bill of exchange — to be drawn upon at sight — so that during Mr. Howe's palmy days, extending over a long period, there was very little repose Hon. Joseph Howe. 69 and retirement from the cares and responsibilities of official life. But such must ever be the penalty that waits upon popularity. On the death of her husband Mrs. Howe was considerately remembered by the Legislature of tho Province, so that her closing days were passed in comparative ease at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thompson. In connection with his paper, Mr. Howe travelled all over his native Province, and thus made himself acquainted with " the people," and in this way laid up without calculation an amount of intangible and hidirect political capital, which stood him in good stead in a few years afterwards. On his return home, he described his " Eambles," both East and West, in the Novascotian, in such a free, colloquial, conversational style, that his letters became highly popular. The fine agricultural districts, the facilities for trade in other parts, the natural advantages for carrying on large industries, the fine streams of water coursing from the hills and running to waste without turning a mill, and other natural beauties and advantages, he brought so vividly to the notice of his readers, that an en thusiasm was generally evoked, and the people everywhere were made to feel by the descriptions that they really had a country worth living in, and a prospective business in various lines worth prose cuting. Many of these journeys were made on foot. Being a good and tireless pedestrian, Mr. Howe would ramble into the lanes and by-ways off the main roads, and visit people who seldom went to 70 Life and Times of town, and into whose homes the daylight seldom let in a ray of news as to what was going on in the outer world — [no railroads or telegraphs then] — while tho whole literature of the house consisted of the Bible, Belcher's Almanac, and perhaps the Novascotian. Being of a highly jovial nature, Mr. Howe would soon win his way into the good graces of the family, especially the mothers, whose children he would dandle upon his knee in true Malthusian style. Those hardy yeoman were seldom visited by politicians, except at election times, when candidates for the House would find them out through information obtained from the nearest neighbor on the main road. In Mr. Howe's visits — they all saw that he had no political ends in view, there was no pending election, or in prospective — his business was that of a purely business nature and the future would take care of itself, as it did in time, very much after all to his political advantage. He was indeed unwittingly laying up in store " a good political foundation against the time to come." Charles Dickens commenced his literary career by reporting for the London Morning Chronicle in the Gallery of the House of Commons. So with Joseph Howe. There was but one Gallery in the Nova Scotia House at that time, situated at the Eastern end of the Assembly Eoom. As the Press was of no account in those conservative and self- contained days, no provision was made for Ee porters. It was all one to the highly distinguished Hon. Joseph Howe. 71 members of the House — for it was a great distinc tion to be a representative — whether or not their speeches saw the light of day after delivery in the august presence of one another. Here then in this "pent up Utica, ' hustled by a grimy crowd, our future statesman might bo seen day after day tak ing notes upon the crown of his hat — then, after the House had adjourned at a late hour, and members and the multitude had gone homo to dine and wine and retire to bed, Howe would go to work to transcribe his notes for publication — for although his paper came out but once a week, he had to keep up with the day's work of the house, and so he labored day and night, doing with very little sleep. But there never yet was a self-made man whose laurels were gathered by the wayside, unless through hard up-hill toiling and determination. Until Mr Howe's time reporting for the news papers was a business seldom indulged in. Indeed it was considered next to a breach of privilege for a spectator to take notes in the House. Mr. Howe, at all events, broke the ice, and wrestled in his mind with all contingent probabilities, such as going to jail or having his ears cropped, or some other dire punishment, which it was at that time in the power of the House to infiict. Without reference to party — if there was any party at that time, except one, "tho Compact," — Mr. Howe published his reports, without flattery on the one side or acrimony on the other. His own views were sunk in the respective speakers — every 72 Life and Times of member was allowed the full benefit of his own utterances. But then the Editor also appeared in each day's debate under the editorial head, in juxta position, as it were, with each of the speakers, and expressed himself in no uncertain way upon the questions before the House, and in so able a way that the embryo or forthcoming member had a better hearing in the country than if he delivered himself orally upon the floor of the House. In looking over the debates, the reader of the Novascotian was not swayed by the contesting opinions of this or that member in the discussion, but as a general thing was more or loss influenced by the Mentor of the country , instead ofthe House ! Yes, in 1830, six years before Mr. Howe " had the honor of a seat in that House," his pen did more in shaping and moulding public opinion than most of the members — nor do I think it a stretch of the imagination in saying this. And he had ample and congenial work for the exercise of his abilities, in attacking the system of government hat then prevailed. The Executive and Legisla tive Councils formed one body — no two branches as at present— and their discussions were conducted with closed doors. The public had no rights to be respected in that " Star Chamber." There was no departmental government ; and the sizes of the salaries shared by the officials were measured and meted out with no ungrudging hand, but in keeping with the opportunities which the system favored. The City and County were governed Hon. Joseph Howe. 73 by a Board of Magistrates, appointed by the Crown, which in plain English meant the Lieut. Governor and Council, all firmly knit together by ties the most indissoluble — unanswerable to any other than their own authority, ^ hich was abso lute, and so far as the people were concerned irresponsible. (Upon this branch of the subject more definite reference will bo made hereafter.) City and Municipal Corporations were things unknown — not even contemplated as possible future eventualities. To these and such like mea sures Mr. Howe fearlessly addressed himself, and thereby was leading to his own entanglement — for his opponents left no stone unturned in their en deavors to work the coils of the law about him, as they well knew that the time was coming when such an outspoken fearless individual must commit himself, when his tongue through the law courts would be silenced forever. That time did arrive and his opponents were not slow to take advantage of it, as will be noticed hereafter in the great Libel suit ; but instead of killing their tormentor, the course pursued resulted in his be coming the greatest man in British North America. 74 Life and Times of CHAPTEE IX. Mr. Howe's Serious Illness. — Mr. Howe the Origin ator of the " Cunard Steamers." — The First Atlantic Steamer, the Cyrius — Messrs. Cunard & Co. Places the Steamers on the Ocean, 1840. — The Halifax Hotel Fails and is Turned Into an Officers' Quarters. — The Duke of Kent. — The Prince's Lodge. — The Duke of Orleans {After wards King of the French) in Halifax. But the time now seemed to have arrived (1830) for the end of Mr. Howe's career. He was stricken down with fever brought on by ovor-exertion and over-heating in the Garrison Eacquet Court, and his death was hourly looked for. Mr. Howe, like his brother William before referred to, was a fine player, but of course inferior to him as such. A game had been previously arranged ; the players were Captain Canning, E. N., son of England's great Premier, Captain Norcott, Eifle Brigade, and another officer whose name I am unable to recall, and Mr. Howe. The day was warm, and the playing was lively, both sides determining to win, and it was kept up for several hours. That night Mr. Howe was prostrated, and the next morning alarming symptoms supervened, and he steadily grew worse as the day advanced. Dr. Hoffman Hon, Joseph Howe, 75 and Dr. Gregor were his attendant physicians — both of whom pronounced his case very critical. His family and friends gathered around his bed anxious and expectant ; but having a vigorous constitution he rallied and gradually grew better. Had he passed away at that tim.e it is questionable whether Nova Scotia would not have been doomed for many years longer, and not obtained the reforms for which Mr. Howe so stoutly contended. There was certainly no public man at the time, of equal nerve and ability, to cope with the existing state of things — or with his aggressive powers to storm the enemy in his stronghold, and do as Howe did, batter down the buttresses behind which the officials wore so firmly intrenched. It may be new to many persons when informed that it is mainly due to Mr. Howe that the line of Atlantic steamers known as "the Cunarders," came into existence in 1840. In 1838, in company with T. C. Haliburton (Sam Slick,) Mr. Howe visited England and many parts of the Continent. When off Ireland the steamer Cyrius, one of the pioneer steamers, came in sight, and the Captain was ordered by the man-of war's man, to come to him — for the sailing vessel (with Howe and his friend on board) was one of Her Majesty's ships, and her Captain was supreme on the seas. From the Cyrius' Captain much nautical information was obtained— regarding tho behavior of the vessel in rough weather— (Dr. Lardner having predicted that steam in a storm was impracticable, as the rolling of the 76 Life and Times of vessel would prevent a steady generation of steam) — the working of the compass — whether steam could be depended upon without sails — the amount of coal consumed in a day — how many days out from New York, &c., &c. Messrs. Howe, Haliburton and tho Captain were attentive listeners, and prof- itted by tho information. The Captain returned to his steamer and was quickly out of sight, while the war ship floated like a log in a dead calm, unable to move, with her sails idly flapping against the masts. The thought struck Mr. Howe — why not have steamers like this to carry the mails from England to Halifax, and thus instead of being two or three months making the passage from land to land, cross over in one quarter of the time, as the Cyrius had done ? Here was j^roof of the feasi bility of the project. Accordingly, when in London, Mr. Howe interviewed Hon. Mr. Crane, then on a mission to the Colonial Office in the interests of New Brunswick, upon a certain j^olitical issue which had bitterly divided parties in and out of the Legislature for many years. The result of this interview was the drawing up of a Memorial to the Colonial Secretary^ — (Lord Glenelg) — [whose portrait, by the way, hangs upon the walls of the New Brunswick House of Assembly, obtained at the expense of the Province — 1,000 guineas— in commemoration of the services he rendered to New Brunswick in connection with the "quit rents'' question, and through which the Liberals — then known as such — gained a great victory} Hon. Joseph Howe. 77 setting forth in an able manner the great possi bilities of steam communication between England and America, in the saving of time, &c., and these suggestions were enforced through the personal observations had on the high seas in the case of the Cyrius. To this Memorial his Lordship made a very encouraging reply. (I have all the documents before me.) The seeds thus sown soon began to germinate, for in a short time after this, Mr. Cunard (a most enterprising merchant of Hali fax) having got a hint, proceeded to England, and in connection with Messrs. Mclver, Burns and Co., of Glasgow, all of whom no doubt had considerable influence at the Colonial Office, a Company was formed to carry out tho project of building a line of steamers for carrying Her Majesty's mails, and for which service heavy yearly subsidies were granted by the English Government. Over fifty years have since rolled away, and the Cunard Steamers and their officers are to-day looked upon with as much respect as those composing any one of the minor European Navies, if not England's Navy. So that it appears to me, if it was through Mr. Cunard's enterprise and energy that the world is indebted for this very successful venture, the meed of praise is no less due to Mr. Howe's fore sight and advocacy in " setting the ball in motion." In due time Mr. Cunard became wealthy and popular in England, and was created a Baronet of the Empire, which at his death passed to his son Edward, and is now worn by Edward's son, whose 78 Life and Times of residence is or was up to a short time since in New York. Mr. Cunard's father was a native of Pennsylvania, and went to Halifax some time in the latter part of the last century, when or about the time the Duke of Kent held command there, and was in the Duke's employ at the Lodge for several years, occupying a good position. When the Cunard steamers commenced their trips in 1840, it was supposed that the ports of departure and arrival would be Liverpool and Halifax. So satisfied of this were the people of the latter j)lace, that a Company was formed for tho erection of a Hotel large and grand enough for the accommodation of the great influx of trans atlantic visitors calculated upon. Capital enough was subscribed and the Hotel was built — but alas " the best laid schemes o' mice and men, gang aft a-gley'' — for after a few trips Halifax was regarded by tho Company as suitable only as a touching place, while Boston was selected as tho stopping point. The Hotel, if not its owners, at once took sick and languished, and hobbled along and finally succumbed for want of patronage. At all events its doors were closed, while the stockholders divided tho profits and losses among them, " share and share alike " — and so it remained closed for years, when the next I heard of it was as an Officers' Quarters, a sort of barracks for Her Majesty's officers. On the retirement of tho troops the building was rehabilitated as an Hotel, under the management of Mr. Heslin, and which since Hon. Joseph Howe. 79 SIR SA.VIUEL CUNARD. 80 Life and Times of his death has been conducted by his sons. The first lessees in 1841, wore two American gentle men, Messrs. Parker & Hinckley, most excellent caterers and managers. They left because the calculations in regard to the great business to be done through an increase ofthe Cunard population failed to realize. Although the Hotel has of late been renovated and modernized, so much changed in fact in its interior and exterior fittings, that its first patrons would now scarcely know it, still the old dining room remains intact, oris occupied today as it was fifty years ago, but much handsomer in its appointments. As near as I can learn Prince Edward (in a few years afterwards created Duke of Kent) came out from England in 1794 to join the Halifax Garrison, prior to being appointed Commander in Chief of British North America. He was a young man about 28 years of age. His town residence was afterwards converted into the Military Hospital, situated at the base of the Citadel glacis, and nearly on the edge of the road leading to the parapet, after turning in from Cogswell street a short distance. The present Military Hospital is a modern affair. In the summer he resided at " the Lodge,'' six miles above town, on the margin of Bedford Basin. The house was built and occupied by the Wentworth family some years before this, but extensively enlarged and improved in every way after the Prince became the lessee. Grottos and mimic temples, artificial lakes and winding Hon. Joseph Howe. 81 walks through the woods in all directions and long distances, were built and laid out at considerable expense. To this end, and for work continually going on from year to year, there were carpenters' shops, blacksmiths' forges, stone-cutters' yards, painters' shops, and in short, such other facilities for doing everything upon the premises necessary, that the place represented a miniature town of mechanical industry. This busy hive was situated a few hundred yards above the Lodge, and from twenty to thirty mon were employed at a time during six months of the year. Near the dwelling was the telegraph station, a wooden structure about 20 feet in height, supporting a flag staff and yard arms, for tho purpose of communicating with the telegraph station on Citadel Hill, six miles distant, by means of flags and balls — at that time the only system of telegraph known — and yet the interchange of words was as correct though slow as it is at the present day under the electric system. The Prince spent most of his time at the Lodge, and went in and out among the workmen, clad in homely attire, with the same ease and freedom as any country gentleman who takes pleasure in the attractions of a country life, and interest in seeing his men busy at work, and making free with them in conversation without fuss or formality. As a disciplinarian in uniform, however, he was of the tartar persuasion among his troops, several com panies of which he had quartered in a barracks called Eockingham, afterwards turned into an inn, 82 Life and Times of a short distance above the Lodge, on the margin ofthe Basin, the foundation walls of which, I am told, are still to be seen. Between the Lodge and the barracks it was a pleasant walk, and the Com mander was often upon his men in the grey of the morning, for he was an early riser, when they little expected him, and woe betide the officer in charge and his subordinates, if everything was not in prime order, and ready for a march or parade. Among his civilian workmen he was all affability, but the troops had to stand clear if anything went wrong with tho Prince's digestive arrangements, for at such times he would proceed to Eockingham and there explode in real muscular language. I have the names of most of the leading workmen who one hundred years ago toiled in the presence and under the direct patronage of Eoyalty, but like their royal master, they have long since gone to their rest. As their descendants now move out of the tradesman's rut, and among " the fashion ables," it would not do to stir up burned embers and fan them into a flame.* During the Prince's residence at the Lodge, the Duke of Orleans (afterwards Louis Philippe, King of the French) paid him a visit. The Duke was in exile after the French Revolution in 1799, and he spent a whole summer, going in and out *It may not be out of place here to say that the above account ot the Lodge, &c.. Is made by me on the authority of " one who was present" but now no more— a direct communication, as it were, between the past and present generations. Hon. Joseph Howe. 83 >..?^A??' -iirty Cf?.-i>i|?|^ 84 Life and Times of of town with the Prince, and moved about among the workmen on the grounds with all the ease and politeness of a Frenchman. When his son, the Prince de Joinville, visited Halifax in the Bella Poule, just after convoying the remains of the Emperor Napoleon from St. Helena to Paris, upon advice of his father and in company with Lord Faulkland, then Governor (1841,) he drove out to visit the ruins of the old Lodge, where the King (Louis Philippe) had spent so many happy days ; and when the Prince of Wales visited Halifax in 1860, ho did likewise, to take in tho old home of his grandfather, the Duke of Kent. Then again, every royal visitor to Halifax since has done the same — viz : Prince Alfred, Prince Arthur and Princess Louise. Truly this has been a royal spot, and is deserving of careful preserva tion. In fact I believe no other spot in the world outside of Princely residences, is so much associ ated with royalty as this. Our engraving represents the Prince's Lodge as it appeared in 1820 — it is taken from a picture an the possession of a lady residing in Halifax, and is said to be good — tho building gives evidence of decay, the grounds are somewhat rugged, and the front paling requires props to keep it up. But the 'building is now all gone ; and in its place, or near ty, I am told there is a small residence. The Eotunda or Band House opposite, has been separ ated by a deep railway cut, completely dividing the two properties ; and it will be seen by the engraving Hon, Joseph Howe. 85 that this Band House is boarded in as if used for a dwelling, or stable, or store house, or something of that sort. The dust of Alexander, says Shake speare, might bo traced to a bung-hole. Here we have a slight illustration of tho conceit, viz : in the Band Stand of Eoyalty being turned into the ignoble purposes of a stable. 86 Life and Times of CHAPTEE X. The Last ofthe Old Lodge. — Buins of the Building. — Remains of the Old Flower Beds. — The Her mit's Cell. — Departure of the Duke of Kent from Halifax. — Some of His Furniture Still in Halifax and New Brunswick. — Suggestions for Renovating the Lodge. — Accession of William IV. and the Dramatic Display in Halifax. — Public Lotteries in the Olden Times.— The Avon Bridge, Windsor. In 1828, I visited for the last time the Prince's Lodge, and published in Halifax at a later date my impressions of what I then saw, which might be repeated here, as follows : As a boy, I used frequently, with other boys, to go up to the Basin in a sail-boat and visit the Lodge, which at that time was left in charge of the bats and owls — for it seemed to have no regular care-taker. The walls of the dining room wore papered with old-fashioned landscape scenes, representing the English chase, in which deer, foxes, horses and riders, green fields, hedge-rows, trees, streams, and high barred gates, formed the picture. At this time the paper was hanging in tatters upon the walls, the doors were open, creaking upon their rusty hinges, and the sides of the building were in a state of decay. The winds Hon. Joseph Howe. 87 and storms of winter were fast destroying all that remained of this once regal residence. On one occasion we filled the boat with the paper we pealed off and confiscated to our own use — quite enough to decorate both sides of the proscenium of an improvised amateur theatre, which we boys fitted up in an old barn on Water Street, and where Mr. Eufus Blake (subsequently an actor of celebrity in the United States) was the leading spirit and stage manager. The Lodge stood about one hundred and fifty feet from the road — in front of which grew Lom- bardy poplars, tall and conical, overtopping all the other trees of the forest ; and skirting the road to the full width of the property was a paling fence with the scattered remains of what was once a well kept hawthorn hedge, after the English style. The grounds about and in rear of the dwelling gave evidence of having in their prime been well cared for. The formation ofthe beds in the garden was still visible. The walks or paths through the umbrageous forest were in a good state of preser vation. I have gambolled away a summer after noon with other boys, winding through those sequestered and deserted avenues — one running into another — away back into the dense forest. I suppose there must have been over a mile of those walks, if placed in continuation. There was an artificial lake a few hundred yards in rear of the dwelling — on one side of which was a wooden Chinese temple, which afforded a cover and shelter 88 Life and Times of to the sportsman, who might throw his line out of the door or window, in his angling propensities, upon a hot summer day. On the walls of this little structure were hundreds of names carved with a knife or pencilled by visitors who, as it is customary on such occasions, wish to leave some impress behind them of an event so important to themselves, but not to others, in carving their names. Then there were other ornamental houses and grottoes scattered about the grounds here and there, inviting leisure and repose to the wanderer in search of the picturesque, especially when the hospitalities of the place brought together large numbers of the gentry and their ladies from town. The Prince was known to be a liberal entertainer. All these places, even in their decay, with rank vegetation asserting its supremacy everywhere about and within, afforded a fascination to my boyish fancy, in which I feel an interest to-day in recalling. The Prince himself, it is true, was, I think, still alive (in England) but far removed from tho grounds in which he took such great delight, from his Acadian and Arcadian home ; but how many of those who had shared in his board and once sat in those fascinating grottoes had at this time passed away from earth forever ? I suppose to-day there is not a vestige of anything about the place denoting that it ever was a human residence, much less that of the father of the Queen of tho greatest nation upon the face of the globe ! And what were once pleasant walks Hon. Joseph Howe. 89 COP o § 90 Life and Times of through the woods, are now I judge, blotted out altogether. The spruce, the pine and the fir, have long since disputed the right of science and culti vation to hold possession of tho demesnes, especially since there was not one to follow in the foot-steps of the Prince and keep the woods back. The "Eound House" on the opposite side of the road, where the regimental band used to perform every evening, still stands a monument of the by gone. Let the inhabitants of Halifax guard this remnant of the glory of other days, and suffer it not to perish ! As you approach the Lodge from town there stood in the midst of the woods what was called " the Hermit's Cell." I have frequently been at that place. The story runs that there was a soldier belonging to one of the regiments, who took it into his head to live the life of a recluse ; and the Prince indulging his vagary, provided him a place in tho densest part of the forest, where he pitched his tent and lived solitary and alone ; and here he was found dead, after a separation from the world of three years and upwards. There is not a vestige remaining (1891) of the old resorts to indicate where pleasure once held high carnival ; even the once deeply cut fish pond, I am told is scarcely traceable. The whole land scape is as aboriginal in appearance as if it had never been cultivated, much less once a picture of rural grandeur and the highest landscape garden ing, performed by artistic hands. Hon. Joseph Howe. 91 In 1800 his Eoyal Highness left for England. Just previous to sailing he laid the corner stone of the old Masonic Hall on Pleasant street, and was presented with 500 guineas by the inhabitants for the purchase of a star, and an Address in the old Court House (since removed.) Such of his furni ture* which was not sold in Halifax (several pieces of which the writer pf this possesses) was shipped on board the Princess Amelia, and she was cast away on Sable Island and lost together with every soul, numbering 200 persons.f The day of his Eoyal Highness' departure was one of great sorrow among the inhabitants, — I suppose it was a somewhat sentimental sorrow, enhanced no doubt bj' the high rank of the Prince — the King's son — to say nothing of the lavish expenditure of money for which he had for six years boon most famous at the Lodge and in town — and for the associations which clustered around •Since writing the forgoing, I observe In Pkooress, a letter signed " A. F. Falconer, Sherbroolre, N. S." In which the writer states that he has in his possession the Identical piano, used by Madame de Lausent at tlie Prince's Lodge in ISOO. I am well acquainted with the lady's position at the lodge during the Prince's residence, and have several interesting anecdotes and memoirs connected with the society's gatherings, and of the lady's very interesting and agreeable manners. It was for her that all the winding pastoral walks were made by the Prince through the umbrageous forest. But as I had already extended the limits, perhaps too far, in dealing with the lodge, I thought it better not to go Into this part of the subject. My Information, with regard to all I have said and might say, is strictly accurate as I received it directly fi-om a once living witness who resided at the lodge during the five or six years residence of the Prince. But with respect to the very kind and liberal offer of your cor respondent, viz ; to present the historical piano to a restored 92 Life and Times of his every movement, and the prestige which was given to Society by his presence — and all of this was about to be severed forever. Hence this more than ordinary parting. [See Appendix. We read of the renovation of Cathedrals and old Castles, and restoration of old historic places after having been in ruins for centuries, even the excavation of long buried cities, upon all of which large sums of money have been lavished. Might not Halifax then with propriety and even profit, undertake to restore the Prince's Lodge and sur roundings to their pristine grandeur — erect upon the very same spot a second edifice precisely after the old architectural style, preserving inside the same form, lineaments and size as regards rooms, and tho outside the same filigree adornments — then set the gardener to work upon the lawn and grounds and there reproduce the old flower beds, walks, grottoes, lakes, temples — in short render the whole place so comj)lote and lifelike that it lodge, I (G. E. Fenety) beg to add that I will be pleased in such case to supplement the gift by offering a pair of mahogany arm chairs, once used in the Prince's drawing room, pur chased at the time of the auction sale by the father of the writer. Indeed, I have no doubt that If thi.- lodge were restored there would be as many relics of the Prince forth coming as would furnish quite a large portion ol the Mansion, for I am aware myself of several such memoirs lying about. In this way Mount Vernon contains relics of Washington. It only requires an effort to be made by some one or more of the spirited citizens of Halifax to take holdof the project and the work of restoration may be carried out. tl may here remark that I am not quite sure whether this calamity happened when the ship was on her way out to Hall- fax or when returning to England. Hon. Joseph Howe. 93 would puzzle the "oldest inhabitants," were they to revisit the earth to know any difference be tween tho past and the present. The house could be used as a summer hotel and the grounds for pleasure purposes. The old band-house could again be brought into requisition and music once more float upon the summer air. Is there a pleasanter site in all Halifax for the purpose men tioned — to say nothing of the historical associa- ti jns which would spring to the minds of visitors through means of this recreative enterprise ? I never witnessed anything more dramatic and beautiful than on the occasion of tho accession of William IV. in 1830. George IV. had been dead six weeks and his brother in his place, ere tho news reached Halifax. Today such an event would bo known in an hour. There were six men-of-war in the harbor at the time, one of which was com manded by the new King's natural son, Captain Pitz Clarence, a ruddy faced, compactly built man, seemingly fond of a jolly life. The Governor gave a large dinner party in honor of tho occasion — the King's accession. According to a preconcerted arrangement, when the King's health was proposed at nine o'clock in tho evening, that moment a piece of artillery placed in front of Government House, gave the signal shot, when every ship in the harbor, including tho Citadel, let bang their big guns, each firing a Eoyal salute — so that 168 guns wore fired at the same time, as fast as they could be loaded and discharged. The night was 94 Life and Times of dark, and the lighting up of the heavens and reverberating peals of thunder echoing among the hills, produced such a noise and weird appearance, that to use an old phrase, it would be easier to imagine than describe. It was perhaps the loudest response to a toast ever heard, and it came im mediately as the words fell from his Excellency's lips — truly in a voice of thunder. Lotteries nowadays are reckoned as uncond on- able legal offences and justly so. The Government of the United States has within the last few years placed its iron heel upon the greatest abomination of the age — the Louisiana Lottery — by prohibiting the circulation of its literature through the mails. The morals of Halifax in the early part of this century must have been considered by the Legis lature of the Province as somewhat dubious, and required legal restraints to keep the conduct of the people within due bounds — for an Act was passed many years since prohibiting horse racing, on the ground that such sports led to gambling, to which the tender susceptibilities of " the wisdom of the country " were stoutly opposed. Yet, strange to say, in 1819, another Act passed through the Legislature granting a charter to a Company, accompanied by an authorization to raise by lottery the sum of nine thousand pounds ($36,000) — for the purpose of building a Bridge across the Avon Elver at Windsor. Of course, the old law in opposition to horse racing must have been repealed, or its antithesis could not possibly have been recog- Hon. Joseph Howe. 95 nized — but what a perversion of ideas among our fathers at different periods, not very distant apart, when laws so contradictory and sublimated in character, could find their way upon the Statute books of the Province ! The Company commenced operations under tho law in the ensuing Spring. The tickets were placed at one pound each, and the whole town soon became lottery-struck, rich and poor alike invested, all feeling that as times were hard in Halifax, very little work doing, there was at least one chance in a hundred, and that one chance every one felt was his, in getting a hundred pound prize for one pound risked. The amount realized by this Lottery I am unable to state, but it was large enough to warrant undertaking the work, if not to finish it. I remember well the day of drawing — in the old Court House, Market place — the room was crowded with anxious expectants, holding their tickets, and watching the numbers as they came out of the pandora box, and were called out by the presiding official. As a matter of course there was blank dismay depicted upon the counten ance of tho luckless one whose number drew a blank ; but then as misery likes company then as now, there were many others besides himself who suffered that day from the bitter pangs of disap pointment. This, I think, was the last great public lottery held in these Provinces. The old Avon Bridge has gone, and another more substantial has taken its place. 96 Life and Times of CHAPTEE XI. Trial of One of His Majesty's Officers for Murder — The Hanging of John Leigh. — Halifax Indus tries in the Olden Time. — "Fish, Flesh and Fowl!' — The Dockyard. — Peculiarities of Intel lectual Men. — William IV. a Great Babbler. In this same old Court House, tho only one at the time, took place the trial (in 1821) of Lieut. Cross of one of His Majesty's Eegiments stationed in Halifax, on the charge of having murdered an old man from the country who by chance found his way into tho Officers' Quarters, a long wooden building one end of which stood on Cogswell street leading out to the Common. The man was found lying in the corridor in front of Lieut. Cross' room, having boon run through the body, and from this and other circumstances suspicion fell upon this young officer. He was accordingly placed under arrest and put upon his trial. The Court Eoom was densely packed, many of the officers of the Garrison also being present ; the occurrence was so exceptional, one of His Majesty's officers on trial for murder, that the whole town was greatly excited, and the general sympathy felt for one so young and high in society, found -expression among all classes — for be it known that Hon. Joseph Howe. 97 hanging in those days was not looked upon with the same abhorrence as at the present time, so that if brought in guilty, poor Cross would have to submit to the penalty of the law, no intervention of friends, or petitions for commutation, would have availed him. As an example of the rigorous mercilossness of justice in those days, it may be here mentioned that two persons were on their way from Mar garet's Bay, on foot — one had money on his per son ; and when darkness overtook them, John Leigh, the other person, dropped behind, took out his knife, and drew it across the throat of his companion, robbed him of his money and made for town under the impression that his victim was dead. The wound, however, was not fatal — the man struggled all night in his agony, and when daylight came a person going to town saw him and conveyed him in his waggon , and on reaching town the news of the attempted murder soon spread, and before he had time to escape Leigh was in the manacles of the Police. He was tried on a charge of having attempted murder and for highway robbery. The victim by this time was able to attend Court, and give evidence against his old friend. Leigh was found guilty and sen tenced to death, and the day of execution fixed. Petitions were got up and signed by hundreds if not thousands of the inhabitants for a commuta tion of punishment, in which many of the clergy joined, while the prisoner's own clergyman (Eev. 98 Life and Times of Mr. Cogswell) interceded as earnestly as if his own life stood in the balance. The Governor of the Province being absent in England, Hon. Thos. N. Jeffery occupied his place for the time being, as President. This gentleman was as hard as adamant ; under a sense of justice, no doubt, he thought it would be a violation of trust to inter pose his authority in arrest of judgment ; and so he was immovable to every entreaty and call for mercy. The principle of lex talionis, and drastic measures, seemed to form a part of his religious creed. Leigh was executed on the Common, East side, near the Citadel railing. Before this time the place of execution was on Camp Hill, near the Cemetery. Coming back then to the subject at which we broke off, viz., Lieut. Cross — after a long day's trial, the jury retired and in a short time brought in a verdict of " Innocent," which decision at once broke the spell and Halifax again breathed freely. Halifax was never famous for her great enter prise, except in one case to be referred to hereafter. Unlike her sister City, St. John, her living depen dence was upon resources more sure and lucrative. In the one case the fickleness of the English market rendered the sale of St. John's staples in the shape of ships and timber, always a matter of uncertainty. A constriction of trade on one side of the Atlantic was sure to produce a recoil on the other, so closely wrapped together were the interests of St. John and Liverpool ; and when those reverses came Hon, Joseph Howe. 99" St. John had nothing else to fall back upon in the way of trade, and general stagnation and no money always followed. The trade of Halifax on the contrary was more sure, or less liable to fluctuation, as it was dependent upon what may not inaptly be called—" Fish, Flesh and Fowl." Ist. Fish. Walking along Water Street a stranger on casting his eyes towards the harbor, would be impressed by tho immense buildings, large as churches, presenting themselves on al most every wharf, called fish stores, and acres of the finny tribe (basking^ drying in the sun, on stages, barrels and on whatever or wherever a vantage spot could be obtained, after having been brought to town in their green state, by the fisher men, and in this way manufactured, it may be called, for the West India market. The business in this article (before the emancipation of the slave, and the trade restrictions were removed by England on the foreigner in her Colonial ports) was immense and highly remunerative to the Halifax merchants, whose vessels were many, and brought return cargoes of West India goods, most of which were reshipped to all parts of tho Prov ince, Halifax being the only entrepot — the free port system as understood now, was a term which had not then entered into our mercantile vocabulary. When a change came (through the emancipation of the slave) the trade of Halifax in the fish line fell off considerably — so that her groat warehouses to-day stand only as memorials of her former 100 Life and Times of great West India business. But, then, unlike St. John in such dilemmas, Halifax has always had a substantial prop to support her, which may be explained under the second head of "Flesh" — viz : the Military — which for a century or more have not only been the flesh, but the bone and sinew and muscle of the town, in the immense sums of money that have been spent on her fortifications, the support of tho troops, barrack works, engineer ing operations — which if counted would amount to millions — all of which have gone to enrich the inhabitants, or keep them from the distresses of St. John on the failure of their industrial crops, or rather in the trade of their staple resources. Then, thirdly, the Fowl part ofthe business, (the term fowl is here used for the purpose of maintain ing the euphemism, although perhaps far fetched) — by this I mean the Navy, including the Dock yard. We sometimes hear of "flying squadrons," but mostly in time of war ; and this may almost be said of the North American fleet, which is on the wing at least twice a year — now at Halifax (in summer) and now at Bermuda (in winter,) the respective headquarters during the two seasons. Some half-dozen men-of-war lying at Halifax at a time, representing at least 2,000 men, must nec essarily expend largesumsof money in the interests of the butcher, the baker, the storekeeper, and in fact all classes of the community. Then there is a little town in itself- a town within a town — known Hon. Joseph Howe. 101 as the Dockyard, which affords another vast source of income. Whatever be the business carried on to day within its walls, seventy years ago and later, thousands of workmen might have been seen passing in and out of the gates daily on their way to and from work — all tho recipients of British gold. So that the advantages possessed by Halifax over St. John, as set forth at the beginning of ihis head, have been such as to secure to her a strong bulwark against ttie pressure ot the times, when ever overtaken by commercial cataclysms. But in spite of all these differences, the latter city has kept pace with the former ; and it is a question whether St. John would have been any better off to-day had the cases been reversed. While the one city has been obliged to work hard, the other has not felt herself compelled to do so to the same extent. I now come to the great stepping stone upon which Mr. Howe entered public life as a speaker and Statesman. Great writers and great speakers are not always convertible terms in the same person. A man may write well but be unable to place his thoughts upon paper in felicitous or equally forcible style. In tho one case the tongue delivers the words as fast as the brain conceives them — and tho reverse of this is the case when the same active brain attempts to give expression to ideas through the comparative slow process of pen upon paper. The great lexicographer Johnstone, whose wise sayings are apt to this day, could talk by the hour sitting, but when called to his feet, as 102 Life and Times of ho sometimes was, although in the company of his boon companions — Beauclerk, Thrale, Langton, Eeynolds, Goldsmith, Boswell and others — could speak only a few words at a time, and in such a hobbling, ricketty manner, that it was a relief to him when ho resumed his seat. Byron, with all his genius, made but one speech in the House of Lords, and that so worked upon his nervous system, before and after, that he declared he would never make another. The putative author of tho Junius Letters, Sir Philip Francis, was a poor speaker, and stammered and hesitated when addressing the House of Commons, andyet was full of information. Dr. Franklin's longest speech in Congress never occupied more than twenty minutes, but he tra velled over more ground in that time and to the purpose than any one of his ordinary contem poraries did in travelling over a tive acre field in as many hours. One of the most polished writers in the English language (Washington Irving) with whom I came in contact, on many occasions in 1835, invariably shirked the responsibility of making a speech. He had been known to stay away from a public dinner on the plea of illness rather than encounter the opportunity of hearing himself talk. Dickens, on the other hand, was more of a dual character in these respects — for as a post prandial speaker he was inimitable and effective. According to the Greville Memoirs William the Fourth was an incessant babbler — at all his banquets he thought it no less his kingly Hon. Joseph Howe. 103 office, to make speeches than to entertain his guests with the rarest vintages ; but he seldom spoke without making a fool of himself, or saying some thing which it would have been better for his Ministers had he left unsaid. Brougham could speak — tho greatest torrent of words would flow from his lips, even a Niagara in volume, and in chaste and appropriate language, abounding in metaphor, tropes and figures, and classical and historical references ; but place him at his writing desk with pen in hand, and he was only an ordin ary mortal, as his autobiography attests. But the cases that might be cited of illustrious men not always succeeding in both departments of literature, are too many to be recalled here. Now Howe could write well, and his speaking talents, as they afterwards proved, were no less effective. But as a speaker in public, his attainments up to this time had been unrecognized because unknown. The opportunity, however, had now arrived for the testing of his marvellous powers in this respect as well as the real versatility of his genius. 104 Life and Times of CHAPTEE XII. Magisterial Corruption. — Howe Indicted for Crimi nal Libel. — Howe Reading up Law to Defend Himself. — He Speaks for Six Hours — Amidst Great Crowds and Great Excitement. — Verdict of Acquittal. Mr. George Thompson (an old friend of Mr. Howe) addressed a communication " to the Editor of the Novascotian," (1835) setting forth the state of the Magistracy, and how the City and County of Halifax had been governed for a long series of years — how extravagance and waste of the public moneys had been the rule — how men grew rich, while the poor starved (especially in regard to the management of the Poor House) — and that the whole system was rotten to the core, while there was no responsibility to the people, or proper accounts and vouchers demanded by the Government for tho expenditures from year to year. The charge was certainly a grave one, and none the less libellous in the eyes of the law, as understood or administered at the time, even if the statements were true. The people generally knew the condition of affairs, but were helpless, prostrate, as it may be called, at the feet of their rulers, if not oppressors. Howe was not the man Hon. Joseph Howe. 105 to quail when the fitting opportunity presented itself, and so he published the communication, which no doubt, as was suspected, he had to some extent inspired . The effect of this publication was like one produced by a bull in a crockery store from the havoc created. The whole town was in a blaze of excitement. The Government, the Magistrates and their friends, did not for a mo ment stop to deliberate whether or not the state ments set forth might be true, but to fulminate as to the amount of punishment which should be meted out to the culprit for daring to slander the King's Justices, and bringing into contempt the great rulers of the land. This was a more terrible storm for Howe to pass through than that occasioned by the Eigby vs. Cathcart letter some years earlier, before referred to. But then the day of retribution had at length arrived, when Nemesis could have her revenge,, and so the magistrates and their sympathizers and abettors, had the opportunity long wished for, to crash by one fell blow their persecutor and slan derer. There would be no more cakes and ale for poor Howe once they got him into Court, whore justice, they thought, would all be on one side, on their side — and the meshes of the law would do the rest, by holding the offender in their iron em brace for a long term of years. The people gener ally looked over the shoulders of one another, tip toe, wishing in their hearts success to the Editor, 106 Life and Times of but hopeless that all would go well with him, as they were under the impression that the Bench, the Bar, the Church, and every official and man of influence, and hanger on, were all alike (to use a vulgar but apt expression, which may be allowed here) sweetened with the same stick. An indictment for Criminal Libel was accord ingly brought before the Grand Jury by their Worships and a true Bill found, and a day appoint ed for placing Howe upon his trial. I hero cite his own words made to a friend just before the trial, as to how he himself viewed the situation : " I went " ho says, " to two or three lawyers in succession, showed them the Attorney General's notice of trial, and asked them if the case could be successfully defended ? The answer was, No. There was no doubt the letter was a libel. That I must make my peace or submit to fine and impris onment. I asked them to lend me their books, gathered an armful, threw myself on a sofa, and read libel law for a week. By that time I had convinced myself that they were wrong, and that there was a good defence, if tho case were properly presented to the court and jury. Another week was spent in selecting and arranging the facts and public documents, on which I relied. I did not get through before a late hour of the evening before the trial, having only had time to write out and commit to memory the two opening paragraphs of the speech. All the rest was to be improvized as I went along. I was very tired, but took a Hon. Joseph Howe. 107 walk with Mrs. Howe, telling her, as we strolled to Fort Massy, that if I could only get out of my head what I had got into it, the magistrates could not get a verdict. I was hopeful of the case, but fearful of breaking down, from the novelty of the situation and from want of practice. I slept soundly and went at it in the morning, still har- rassed with doubts and fears, which passed off, however, as I became conscious that I was com manding tho attention of the court and j'lry. I was much cheered when I saw the tears rolling down one old gentleman's cheek. I thought he would not convict me if he could help it. I scarcely expected a unanimous verdict, as two or three of the jurors were connections, more or less remote, of some of the justices, but thought they would not agree. The lawj^ers were all very civil, but laughed at me a good deal, quoting the old maxim, that ' he who pleads his own case has a fool for a client.' " Thus spoke Mr. Howe. So great was the excitement that the Court Eoom was crowded, even on the outside passages leading to the room. It was truly " a day big for Csesar and the fate of Eome," as the question at issue was the freedom ofthe Press. Mr. Howe spoke for six hours and a quarter, and delivered the ablest speech, so stated by good judges, ever heard at any Bar on this or the other side of the Atlantic by a layman. The effect upon the vast audience was little short of that recorded of Burke at the great Warren Hastings trial at 108 Life and Times of Westminster, when so powerful was the speaker's arraignment and eloquence, that tho prisoner himself, was so overwhelmed and carried away, that he really thought he must be guilty of all the charges laid upon him. I here quote again from one who was present at the trial : " The delivery of this speech occupied about six hours. The defendant was frequently interrupted by expressions of popular feeling. The Attorney General rose to reply, but was interruped by the Chief Justice who said, that as the hour was late and the jury had been confined so long, it would be betior to adjourn the Court. Mr. Murdoch remonstrated ; Mr. Howe, he believed, had brought his defence to a close much sooner than intended, in order to avoid the necessity of adjourning the trial. It would be unfair, therefore, to allow the other side the advantage ofthe night to reconstruct their case. Mr. Howe begged the Court to believe that he did not wish to shut out anything that could shake his statements ; all he wished was to have the matter off his mind. The jury were consulted, and the foreman expressed their wish to remain ; it wa-- therefore determined to do so, but the crowd and the excitement being so great, and the difficulty of preserving order evident, His Lord ship adjourned the Court. On Tuesday morning the trial proceeded, when the Attorney General (Archibald) rose and addressed the Court, followed by the Chief Justice, both ably and fairly — after which the jury retired for ten minutes, when they Hon. Joseph Howe. 109 MR. E. G. GREEN wool I. 110 Life and Times of returned wiih a verdict of Not Guilty. The breathless silence in which it was heard, was broken by shouts of applause by the immense crowds in land around the Court House. After receiving the congratulations of his friends who were immediately about him, the defendant begged leave to return thanks to the Court for the kindness and consider ation which had been extended to hira throughout the trial. He trusted he had taken no liberty to which a British subject was not entitled, but he felt that the court might, as had been done elsewhere, have broken his arguments by interruptions, and tied him up within narrower limits. On leaving the Province building he was borne by the populace to his home, amid deafening acclama tions. The people kept holiday that day and the next. Musical parties paraded the streets at night. All the sleds in town were turned out in proces sion, with banners ; and all ranks and classes seemed to join in felicitations on the triumph of the press. The crowds were briefly addressed by Mr. Howe from his window, who besought them to keep the peace ; to enjoy the triumph in social intercourse around their firesides ; and to teach their children the names of the twelve men who had established the prbedom op the press." We give the picture of the only surviving Juror on that memorable occasion — viz : Mr. E. G. Greenwood — who was born in Water street, Hali fax, 1st April, 1803, so that he is now about 93 years of age. He was a merchant during his early Hon. Joseph Howe, 111 years in the hardware business ; and in 1865 was appointed to the responsible office under the Cor poration as City Treasurer, the duties of which he continued faithfully to discharge up to 1890, when he resigned and was placed upon a pension. His picture represents him as hale and hearty, and I am informed that his mind is as clear and his faculties as unimpaired as they were twenty years ago. Long may he continue to live as a reminder to the rising generation, of an occasion so preg nant to Nova Scotia and the Sister Provinces of the great political freedom we enjoy this day, for which he himself is largely credited. The last of the fifty-six signers of the American Declaration of Independence was Charles Carroll, of Carrolton, State of Maryland, and when he died some years ago, tho whole nation shrouded itself in mourn ing, flags at half mast, minute guns, orations eulogistic of the Patriot's virtues, and the great services rendered by him to his country, if in no other way than by subscribing his namo to that immortal document. No such tribute as this can bo expected at the obsequies ofthe gentleman now before us when the time arrives ; but during the remaining years of his life grateful Nova Seotians cannot fail to keep before them the name of the last survivor of that resolute band, who in 1835 declared that the Press of their country should be free. 112 Life and Times of CHAPTEE XIII. Service of Plate Subscribed to Mr. Howe by Nova Seotians in New York. — Its Presentation and Address in the Old Court House, Halifax, by the Late Thos. Forrester, Esq. — Great Crowds Assembled.As soon as the news of the trial and its result reached New York, upwards of one hundred Nova Seotians doing business there called a meeting to express their sympathy and jubilate over the vic tory. Patriotic speeches were made and resolu tions passed pertinent to the occasion — one of which favored an Address to Mr. Howe and the presentation of a piece of plate, which afterwards took the form of a Silver Ewer, at a cost, as near as I can remember, of $120, subscribed mostly by those present. It may not be out of place here to state that the writer of this book was present on that occasion ; and little thought had he then, when requested to write the Address and the Inscription upon the Cup, that in sixty years after wards he would feel himself called upon to refer to that occasion historically, as he is now doing. Thomas Forrester, an extensive dry goods mer chant (then doing business opposite St. Paul's Hon. Joseph Howe. 113 Church) and afterwards member of the Legisla ture, was requested by letter to make the pres entation, which took place at the Exchange in the old Court House building. Market Square. According to the newspapers of the day the room was crowded — speeches were delivered by several of the leading Liberals, all highly complimentary to tho contributors and the occasion. Mr. Howe of course accepted the present in a modest, becom ing manner. I am indebted to the Acadian Recorder of June 6th, 1835, for the following account of tho pres entation of the Cup : " Agreeably to a notice issued on Saturday morn ing last the committee of presentation met at 12 o'clock in the Law Eoom of the Exchange, amid a very large assemblage of the people of the town, when Mr. Thomas Forrester took the chair. Shortly after Mr. "Howe appeared the Chairman addressed him as follows : " Mr. Howe — On Friday Captain O'Brien and Mr. John Fenerty put into my hands this letter : " To Thomas Forrester, Esq., u SiH . — We the undersigned, together with our fellow countrymen now residing in New York feeling a pride and a pleasure in remembering the independent and upright men in Halifax, and knowing you to be one of this class, it was unani mously concluded to select you as the head of our committee together with Beamish Murdock, 114 Life and Times of and Lawrence O'Connor Doyle, Esquires, Captain O'Brien and Mr. John Fenerty, for the purpose of presenting to the noble champion of our coun try the accompanying piece of plate. " James Pirnie, Chairman. " James Talbot, Secretary." " New York, May 18, 1835. [General Committee — .'i.lexander RosS, James Pirnie, 'Geo. E. Fenety, James Marsters, James Talbot.] " Those gentlemen cheerfully accepted the trust reposed, and the public presentation was arranged in order that you might receive, in the midst of your townsmen, for whose benefit you labor, this token of respect and approbation of a large and respectable body of your countrymen in a foreign land. In their names. Sir, we beg your acceptance of this valuable piece of plate, purchased by their joint subscriptions and transmitted to our care, by the Brig Halifax, together with this letter addressed to yourself and by which it was accom panied. " The letter, signed by the Chairman and Secre tary, set forth, that at a meeting held at Crowley's hotel. New York, for the purpose of taking into ¦consideration Mr. Howe's trial and defence before tho Sujiremo Court at Halifax, it was resolved that a piece of plate should be presented as a token of esteem and admiration for Mr. Howe's noble defence of the freedom of the press, and exposing irregularities that had so long existed in different institutions of our country. In conclu- Hon. Joseph Howe. 115 pitcher PRESENTED TO JOSEPH HOWE. 116 Life and Times of sion tho letter said : " The names of the twelve men who so nobly discharged their duty on that ever memorable occasion, are indelibly engraven on our minds ; and may the tribunals of Nova Scotia ever have as competent jurors to decide upon the fates of their fellow men when under going the scrutiny of tho law." " The Chairman then said, that tho piece of plate being inscribed to Mr. Howe he would read the inscription to the meeting, and it ran thus : PEESENTED TO JOSEPH HOWE, ESQ,. BY NOVA SCOTIANS, EBSIDENTS OF NEW YOKK, as a testimony of THEIR RESPECT AND ADMIRATION for his honest independence in publicly exposing fraud, IMPROVING THE MORALS, and correcting the errors of men in office, AND HIS ELOQUENT AND TRIUMPHANT DEFENCE in support of THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. CITY OP NEW YORK, 1835. [Thus, sixty years afterwards, I had the pleasure last year of handling this cup once more— which Is in the hands of Mr. Howe's only surviving son.] " Mr. Howe then said : " Mr. Chairman : — -I accept with feelings, which I can very inadequately express, the handsome and costly present which a large body of Nova Seotians, resident in New York, have thought proper to bestow, and beg yourself, and the other gentlemen of the committee, to transmit to the Hon Joseph Howe. 117 donors this letter, in which I have endeavored to convey to them, my acknowledgements for the honor they have done me, and to thank them in the name of our countrymen for this substantial proof, that absence has not weakened their sym pathies with those from whom they have been in some degree separated by the spirit of adventure, or perhaps the storms of life.'' " Halifax, Nova Scotia, May 30, 1835. " Gentlemen : — I beg to acknowledge tho re ceipt of your letter of the 18th inst., written in behalf of a general meeting of Nova Seotians, resi dent in the city of New York, and accompanied by a handsome piece of plate which has just been presented to me in the midst of our fellow-towns men, by the committee selected for that purpose. Though conscious that I have done but little to merit the kind and complimentary expressions contained in your letter and inscribed on your gift, I should be sadly deficient in sensibility, if I did not feel gratified for sentiments so unexpected yet so flattering, and for a present which, though costly in itself is rendered doubly valuable by the circumstances in which it originated ; and by the proof it exhibits of the possession of feelings honorable to the donors, and to the country which gave them birth. The trial to which you are pleased to refer, I did not seek, but could not shun, — that it ended in the triumph of sound principles is to bo attributed more to the firmness 118 Life and Times of and sagacity of an intelligent jury, than to any ability displayed in the defence. They took a rational view of the responsibilities and duties of the press, and determined that their children should enjoy a blessing which their gallant fathers had bequeathed. Their verdict was hailed with satisfaction not only from end to end of our prov ince, but in the adjoining Colonies; and they will no doubt be pleased to hear, that it has been so highly apjjroved by the Nova Seotians residing at New York. " The conviction forced upon my mind by your generous conduct on this occasion, and by the as- isurance conveyed in your letter, that Nova Scotia still possesses the sincere regard and unalienated affections of her absent children, is more delightful to me than oven any personal share I may have in your esteem. That an individual should do his duty is but a small matter — that Nova Scotia should be loved and honored by her offspring at home and abroad, is of vital importance. Though comparatively insignificant in extent of territory and population, if she be rich in the affections of her sons and daughters — honor and prosperity must still be her portion. Those who remain upon her soil endeavor, even in the midst of her greatest trials, to cultivate and strengthen this feeling, and it is cheering to find that while shar ing the blessings, and enjoying the pleasures of countries more advanced, those who are seeking their fortunes elsewhere are still mindful of her interests and proud of her name. Hon. Joseph Howe. 119 " In conveying my best wishes for the health and happiness of the Nova Seotians, resident in New York, be pleased also to assure them that a sense of their kindness on this occasion will never be effaced from my heart, — but shall con stantly stimulate to a zealous pursuit of those objects which they so cordially approve. " I have the honor to be. Gentlemen, " Yours truly, Joseph Howe." "To Mr. James Pirnie, Chairman, and Mr. James Talbot, Secretary, of the public meeting of Nova Seotians held at Crowley's hotel. New York." "The Pitcher is of silver, about twelve inches in height, and holding nearly three quarts, with a handsome gilt stand four inches high. And we understand the number of subscribers to it were about fifty to sixty — all Nova Seotians." 120 Life and Times of CHAPTEE XIY. Mr. Howe Elected a Member of the Legislature. — The Able Men He had to Encounter. — .His Great Abilities. — His Ambition Compared with that of Other Great Men. The House of Assembly was dissolved by Proclamation in 1836, when Mr. Howe for the first time offered himself as a candidate for tho County of Halifax, and was elected by a thousand majority over his next competitor, which showed that the popularity he had achieved in his libel suit did not only continue, but was growing every day. In stead of the elections being conducted in one day and simultaneously throughout the Province as at present, they lasted for a whole fortnight, during which time there was much rioting, debauchery and drunkenness, and the friends of the respective candidates frequently collided, and broken heads, not a few, were the order of the day, and the night too. The Cork elections, a few years ago, where the Parnellites and the M'Carthyites found a battle ground fov the political expression of their feelings on both sides, emphasized with good sound hickory bludgeon whacks, will convey to the reader an idea of the great interest attached Hon. Joseph Howe. 121 to elections at the time of which wo are writing — when Howe was elected in 1836. Every party or faction had its shibboleth by which it was recog nized far and wide. On the banners of tho Howe party were inscribed "Joe Howe, our Patriot and Eeformer." The sobriquet " Joe Howe," now be came a household word, not only in tho County of Halifax, but throughout the Province. It was -' Joe Howe" here, there and everywhere — nothing could be done without Joe Howe's presence. He was the Jupiter Olympus on all ordinary as well as extraordinary occasions. By one leap and bound in tho course of a single year, he cleared all obsta cles and became the most prominent man and loudest talked of in all Nova Scotia. Having thus been elected to the Legislature at tho early age of 32, Mr. Howe now had his feet firmly planted in the stirrups, with a fine hobby to ride, over a wide road, upon which he could give reins to his ambition, no matter what the character of the pacers he might encounter upon the highway, and these were not a few nor less fast or full of fire than himself "The mills of the gods grind hard " and Howe in his novitiate must expect nothing but hard pressure between the upper and nether millstones of the House, so that he must depend altogether upon his own resources and mental powers. It is true Howe had the mettle and the bottom, but a mishap, or slip, or stumble, a mistake, an error of judgment, might at any moment precipitate him to earth ; 122 Life and Times of for those "old stagers" he would be required to run with, well versed in all the technicalities and practices within the Parliamentary arena, and of great experience, from their long service in the Legislature, would have no bowels of com passion for poor Howe, " the upstart" and ob noxious intruder upon the rights and franchises of the old noblesse and monopolists — so that if he tripped or got himself into a hard place, he might as well have expected sympathy or mercy from the Turks, had he been bold enough to have gone into their midst and disputed the tenets of the Koran. For be it known that at this time the House of Assembly contained a number of men who for their talents and abilities, and speaking powers, would have shed lustre upon a much more preten tious Parliamentary body— such men as Alexander Stewart, James B. Uniacke, William Young (late Sir William,) Mr. Marshall, Mr. Dodd, Martin Wilkins, J. W. Johnston, the great lawyer, and several other brilliant men — all of whom (except Young) were in opposition to the young Eeformer and inexperienced beginner. Before we go with him into the House of As sembly, where after all Howe's great trial was to begin, let us for a moment or two inquire why this young man should take it upon himself to wage war upon a system of government which had stood the strain of upwards of one hundred years, and no one till now had any complaints to Hon. Joseph Howe. 123 utter, and thus incur the enmity of nearly the whole community — for every strand in the great political cable was compactly knit and bound to gether without the possibility of a break. Was it ambition to shine ? No doubt this had some thing to do with it, but ambition cannot stand alone — to succeed in any great undertaking ambi tion must have something more than the vain hope of success to rest upon, even great talents allied to great courage and groat natural re sources. Howe well knew that if there were laurels to be gained, it was not by peaceful walks through green pastures. Briars and thorns, and hidden hornet's nests, and pitfalls, lay along his path. The highway to success with him was one beset with immense difficulties'. No — his ambition was that of John Bright, who, to provide the people of England with cheap food, and that the wings of commerce might expand to breezes more favorable to trade, boldly encountered the hostility of the great landed gentry and aristocracy of the Nation. It was the ambition of John Hampden, who, with Seldon and Pym, was determined to resist the unwarrantable encroachments of the Crown upon the privileges of Parliament and the rights of the people. (Indeed the cases of Howe and Hampden are remarkably alike. Charles vented all his spleen upon Hampden, as Lord Falkland did upon Howe, because each resisted their official superiors — but the Falkland em- broglio will come up hereafter.) It was the 124 Life and Times of ambition of Kossuth, who, to free his country, Hungary, from tho tyranny of Austria, led his people into hostility, and when success was near at hand the bloody Muscovite came down upon them, and by his interference crushed out all hope of emancipation. It was the ambition of the great and good John Howard, the English philanthropist, who during the latter part, of the last century spent his life in the reformation of the Prisons and Hospitals of England and the Continent, and in the pursuit of which he travelled oontinually throughout Europe spending large sums of money from his own private purse. Wretched, noisome prisons and colls, where the suffering of the unfortunate and helpless were ter rible, were exposed and their management alto gether reformed. Finally he fell a martyr to his own zeal, having contracted a fever in the Crimea, while pursuing his noble work. It was the ambi tion of Wilberforce, who as soon as he entered Parliament, when quite a young man, devoted all his talents and energies for the suppression of the Slave Trade. This accomplished by Act of Par liament, he next turned his attention to the aboli tion of slavery throughout the British Empire, and lived just long enough in 1833, to see this accomplished, and to receive the thanks of the Nation for his philanthropic zeal. It was the ambition of Cobden for his devotion in the cause of Free Trade, and having succeeded in England, next addressed himself to the Continental Powers, Hon. Joseph Howe. 125 with the desire of indoctrinating his views upon all its respective governments, and brought France over to his faith, while it lasted at all events, and doubtless had he lived a little longer would have succeeded with other nations. While the memo ries of two such statesmen as Cobden and Bright live in the hearts of Englishmen, what is called " Imperial Federation,' must be reckoned among the political impossibilities — for England can never go back upon a record which occupied thirty years to bring about through fiercest agita tion, It is the ambition of Gladstone (for many years the leading statesman of Europe) who at the age of 86, is full of fervor for Armenian retribu tion upon the Turks. In short, it was the ambi tion of a great heart and a great mind so essential to all great patriotic undertakings that actuated Howe throughout. This then was our hero, and this was his mission, on entering the Parliament of his native Province in 1836 ; and in nearly everything he undertook he succeeded. 126 JAfe and Times of CHAPTEE XV. Opening of the Legislature in 1837. — Commence ment of the Reform Movement. — Howe's Maiden Speech. — Attack Upon the Closed Doors of the Old Council. — Howe at Close Quarters with an Old Antagonist. The Legislature convened in January, 1837. The Eeformers commenced to show their hands almost immediately. Laurence O'Connor Doyle moved a series of resolutions, one of which was in opposition to the doors of the Legislative Council being kept closed to the public. Mr. Howe deliv ered his maiden speech on this occasion, and in the presence of all the great guns of the House awaiting an opportunity to discharge their heavi est metal upon him. It might be hero stated, that however much the " compact " of Nova Scotia assimilated in all its essential particulars to that of New Brunswick, indeed as was the case in all the Provinces alike, tho Council doors of New Brunswick had been thrown open to the public £ome years before this, which went to prove how hard and tight was the grip which held so many of the old school together in Halifax, and did not •care to have the light of day let in upon their Hon. Joseph Howe. 127 business doings. Doyle's resolutions passed unani mously, and were sent to the Council for its concurrence — for even the obstructives in the House could not resist that which everybody knew was reasonable and sure to come about. They would rather i-oservo their fire for an oppor tunity more momentous to the party with which they were identified and would require all their talents and speaking energies to defend. The Council in its reply to the Houso spoke in this wise : " His Majesty's Council denies the right of the House to comment upon its modes of procedure. Whether their deliberations wore open or secret was their concern, and their's only-'' This is a mere specimen of the language employed, to which taunts were added to open defiance. Hero then was the commencement of a fierce wrangle between the two branches which lasted for several years, before tho Council doors were forced open by the Eeformers. Then the duration of the House was for seven years as in England today. In order to get the time reduced to four years the Eeformers had many a hard up-hill fight. " Annexation" was not then one of the war cries — the Eeformers were dubbed "Eepublicans." Had any politician in 1837 been bold enough to suggest " Independence," he would have been throttled by both parties alike, and probably have the tongue cut out of his mouth in a figurative or disfigurative sort of way and been silenced forever. We understand those 128 Life and Times of things better now-adays. We are at liberty to discuss any question that affects the interests of the people, so long as we keep within judicious bounds, not excepting "independence." When the Bill came up for reducing the term of the House to four years, a leading politician, (afterwards Master of tho Eolls) one of the old school advocates led an attack upon Mr. Howe. This gentleman had a sharp tongue, good voice, and was an effective speaker ; but like many of the legal gentry of whose fluency of speech and the reading of the same speech in print, are as dissimi lar as though two distinct individuals had b^en concerned in the production, he appeared more formidable than he really was. He took occasion — now that he had Howe before him, and a chance to pay him off, or give him what is not inaptly called a good dressing — to resent the Editor's old newspaper criticisms upon the conduct of the last House, and he did this with great bitterness and severity, and there and then challenged Howe to a discussion of the points involved and to a defence of his opinions upon that floor. This speech occupied over an hour, three-fourths of which was devoted to pouring cayenne pepper and vitriol upon poor Howe's head, whose friends in the House and gallery were numerous, and felt for their representative, and that an impromptu reply was impossible from so inexperienced a youth. When Howe rose there was a breathless silence ; while his enemies chuckled in their sleeves over the Hon. Joseph Howe. 129 last speaker's supposed victory as they were sure Howe's friends on the other hand trembled as it were at the awkwardness of the situation — viz : their man to be flayed alive in their presence, after he had been in the House only four days and never before engaged in a public encounter. But once on his legs, and his feet firmly planted, he stood forth like " a giant refreshed with new wine," and as soon as he began his reply all doubt ofthe man's powers and ability to accept the gage of battle and do himself justice disappeared. Ho did not only defend every political statement he had ever made, but in turn defied his antagonist to contradict any one of them. He did not only argue all the points but elaborated upon them, showed up the evils of the system of Government that existed, and bore down upon them with even greater vehemence, by his voice, than his pen was even capable of Having thus disposed of the charges made in the challenge, and carried the House with him by storm, Howe next went at his adversary personally, the man who was to crush the political life out of him at the outset, not like the bull dog who feels he has his victim within his power, but like the feline with poor mousey, who plays with and worries it before making a moal of it. He turned the tables so completely upon his adversary, by anecdote, sarcasm, and gentle hits a little below the mental ribs, that the whole House was convulsed with laughter, nor could his able opponents refrain from joining in, and all at 130 Life and Times of his victim's expense. I know of nothing like it, unless it be like " Webster's reply to Hayne," on the floors of Congress once upon a time, so familiar to all American readers. Howe's enemies from this timo forward knew the quality of their man, and what to exjiect from him and how to govern themselves accordingly. No man had greater power of sarcasm, and the faculty of holding and pleasing an audience than Joseph Howe. His humor was inimitable. I propose in another chapter to make an extract from one of Mr. Howe's speeches, delivered a few days after his reply above referred to, that the reader may judge for himself his stylo of com position and force of language. Hon. Joseph Howe. 131 CHAPTEE XVI. Series of Resolutions Moved Against the System of Government, — To be Forwarded to the Colon ial Office. — Anger of the Council. — Mr. Howe's Final Reply on the Closing Debate. The Legislative Council having defied the House of Assembly in its reply to Mr. Doyle's Eesolu- tions for opening tho doors of the Council Cham ber to the public, Mr. Howe next moved a series of twelve Eesolutions in which the opinions of tho Eeformers were fully set forth — to two or three of which particular reference might here be made. " 1. Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to draw up an address to His Majesty to embrace the substance ofthe following resolutions : "2. Resolved, That in tho infancy of this colony its whole government was necessarily vested in a Governor and Council ; and even after a Eepre- sontative Assembly was granted, the practice of choosing Members of Council exclusively from among the heads of departments, and persons resi dent in the capital, was still pursued ; and, with a single exception, has been continued down to the present time. That the practical effects of this system have been in the highest degree injurious 132 Life and Times of to the best interests of the country ; inasmuch as one entire branch of the Legislature has generally heen composed of men, who, from the want of local knowledge and experience, were not quali fied to decide upon the wants or just claims of distant portions of tho Province, by which the efforts of the representative branch were, in many instances, neutralized or rendered of no avail ; and of others, who had a direct interest in thwarting the views of the Assembly, whenever it attempted to carry economy and improvement into the de partments under their control. " The subsequent Eesolutions narrate seriatim all the political grievances asked to be reformed. The 11th and 12th provide a solution for His Majesty's consideration, from which I quote a por tion : — * * * " They know that the spirit of that Constitution — tho genius of those Institutions — is complete responsibility to the people, by whose resources and for whose benefit they are maintained. But sad experience has taught them that, in this colony, tho people and their representatives are powerless, exercising upon the Local Government very little influence, and possessing no effectual control. In England, tho people, by one vote of their representatives, can change the ministry, and alter any course of policy injurious to their inter ests ; here, the ministry are His Majesty's Council, combining Legislative, Judicial and Executive powers, holding their seats for life, and treating Hon. Joseph Howe. 133 with contempt or indifference the wishes of the people, and the representations of the Commons. In England, the Eeprosentative branch can compel a redress of grievances, by withholding the sup plies ; here, they have no such remedy, because the salaries of nearly all the public officers being provided for by permanent laws, or paid out of the casual or territorial revenues, or from the produce of duties collected under Imperial acts, a stoppage of supplies, while it inflicted great injury upon the country, by leaving the roads, bridges and other essential services unprovided for, would not touch the emoluments of the heads of depart ments in the Council, or of any but a few of the subordinate officers of the Government. " 12. Resolved, That, as a remedy for these grievances. His Majesty be implored to take such steps, either by granting an elective Legislative Council, or by such other reconstruction of the Local Government, as will insure responsibility to the Commons, and confer upon the people of this Province, what they value above all other posses sions, tho blessings of the British Constitution." As these Eesolutions contain the gist of the Eeform " platform," and which led to an agitation of many years ere the principles contended for in their entirety were brought about, and through which Mr. Howe greatly distinguished himself as a leader, I feel that I shall not be trespassing upon the time and patience of the reader by dealing with this part of the subject somewhat more diffusively 134 Life and Times of than in treating of other matters. In support of his resolutions Mr. Howe delivered a speech which occupied him eight hours — in the presence of a crowded house, and alongside of most critical compeers, more than three-fourths of the latter clearly opposed to him — for although this was a new House and there were many able Eeformers in : it, it was not a reform House, for tho majority of members returned, fresh from tho people, were still bent upon an obstructive policy at the begin ning. The debate lasted for nine days, and when tho division came the Eesolutions were changed ; and barely carried. All tho able mon of the House spoke and bore down upon the mover with relent less and unsparing fury — such as James B. Uniacke, who led the Government party, a most splendid debater and orator, Martin Wilkins, Alexander Stewart, and others of good talents and great experience. [Hero it might be as well to say that Mr. Uniacke finding that Eesponsible Governraen t was destined to come sooner or later, subsequently left his party and joined the Eeformers like Sir Eobert Peel in abandoning the Tories to carry the Corn Laws repeal when Prime Minister. But more of Mr. Uniacke hereafter.] The staple argu ments of the Tories may be summarized thus — Eesponsible Government and Colonial dependence were not only irrelevant but incompatible in prac tice — how can a Colony govern itself without conflicting with the Imperial authority — co-exist ent Governments under one Empire, each in its own Hon. Joseph Howe. 135 way and distinctive in its operations, could not be carried on without continually clashing and would ultimately lead to Eepublicanism. And a great deal of nonsense like this. These vaticinations, as we all know today, have long since turned out to be mere will-o-the-wisps, while many of those who fought against the principles wore among the first to profit by the change when it came about. After all the speakers had borne down heavily upon Howe, six to one as it were, that gentleman's right to reply, he being the mover, gave him a fine op portunity to pay back to each individual much more than ho had received plus compound interest. Now, as Mr. Howe was an expert stenographer, a system he had acquired as a Eeporter, it gave him a great advantage, for he noted down in shorthand all tho utterances of his opponents and could answer them each in detail. In his reply there fore he handled the gentlemen in turn with bare hands, and caused the welkin to ring every time he made a point or a hard hit or a joke. Finally, when the general question on the Eesolutions was put to tho House it was sustained, as above stated, for the proofs frunished of the necessity were ob vious and irresistible. On being sent to the Council, against which one of them bore heavily, that body became angry and repelled tho charges contained therein, as being untrue and anything but courteous. However, the war was commenced in earnest and was by this time carried far into the Interior, no matter who was likely to be 136 Life and Times of wounded. As the Council was in possession of power, and in the enjoyment of its rights to hold on, and in control of the purse strings, the battle necessarily raged between the two ends of the building — or the North and the South — and to bring the Council into terms of capitulation was the great desideratum, for however much the two parties at the Northern end of the structure, or belonging to the House of Assembly, might pepper each other, both were powerless to upset the chairs occupied by tho old folks at the other end, especially while they had the Governor on their side and tho countenance of tho Tories every where. The final result of this important debate was an Address to the King, embodying the substance of the Eesolutions, when the Legislature was shortly after prorogued. Hon. Joseph Howe. 137 CHAPTER XVII. Extracts from, Mr. Howe's Able Speech in Closing the Debate Referred to in the Last Chapter. — He discusses His Opponents Separately. — The Great Effect Produced by his Reply. I have thought it worth while to copy here a portion of Mr. Howe's speech after being assailed by the whole Tory combination, day after day, as before stated — in order to show the man's force of language and infinitude of resources — and how he handled his opponents, embracing the ablest men in the Legislature at that lime : Mr. Chairman- There is a good story told of an Irishman, who was put in tho pillory for say ing that the city authorities were no better than they should be. He bore the affliction with ex emplary patience, and severe enough it was : for every silly fellow who expected an invitation to the Mayor's feast — every servile creature, who aspired to a civic office, strove to win favor, by pelting him with conspicuous activity. When the hour exiDired, and a goodly array of missiles had accumulated upon the stage, the culprit, taking off his hat, and bowing politely to the crowd, said : " Now, gentlemen, it is my turn, and 138 Life and Times of commencing with his Worship, pelted the crowd with great dexterity and effect. The Irish, who always relish humor, were so pleased with the joke, that they carried the man home on their shoulders. I have no expectation that my fate will be so triumphant, but no gentleman will question my right to follow the example. I have sat for ten days in this political pillory ; missiles of every calibre have hurtled around my head ; they have accumulated in great abundance, and if my turn has come, those by whom they were showered have no right to complain. As first in dignity, if not in accuracy of aim, perhaps I ought to commence with the learned and honor able crown officers ; but there is an old Warwick shire tradition, that Guy, before he grappled with the dun cow, tried his hand upon her calves ; and perhaps it would be as well, before touching the learned Attorney General, that I should dispose of the strange progeny his political system has warmed into existence. The eagle, before he lifts his eye to the meridian, learns to gaze with steadi ness on the • lesser lights by which he is sur rounded ; and " as Jove's satellites are less than Jove,'' so are the learned leader's disciples inferior to their master. I confess that I am a little at a loss with whom to begin ; but following the order in which they have spoken, the first favor is due to my honorable friend from the County of Pictou (Mr. Eolmes.) That gentleman and I have long been opposed in Hon, Joseph Howe. 139- this Assembly ; we never agreed but once or twice, when I was in the Government ; and then, I fear, I owed his support to his habitual reverence for the powers that bo. But I confess that I received it with strange misgivings ; i finding myself seated beside him, once or twice, in the edge of the even ing, I half fancied I must be wrong, for during a very long experience I had rarely known him right. He told me there was " nothing in my speech ; " I will not pay so poor a compliment to his own, but may say it was very like a page of Ossian, smacking of" the times of old," but having nearly as much bearing on the practical business of life. To my honorable friend's manliness and courtesy, I am willing to bear testimony ; but his- reverence for the past makes him a very poor judge or expounder of the now principles : like old Mortality he delights in haunting ancient places and refreshing broken tombstones ; while the stream of life goes by and fiowers bloom unheeded at his feet. He fears that we dislike " the ungenial soil of opposition," but we stand upon it still, regardless ofthe example set us in 1842, when we found him, despite the admonitions of his friends, abandoning the " ungenial soil," and coming over to the richer mould of tho administration. * * My honorable friend found fault with me for my reference to David, and told me that that great and good man "raised not his hand against the Lord's anointed." Neither have I. I have not killed Lord Falkland, but I have shown him, 140 Life and Times of as David did Saul, the folly and negligence of his advisers. When the drowsy guards left the master they should have protected, at his mercy, in the cave of Engedi, David cut off the skirt of his garment, to show the imbecility of the statesmen and warriors by whom he was surrounded. Again, when tho crown officers slept in the trench, David removed the pitcher and spear from the King's side to prove their incapacity. These innocent contrasts between the vigilance of the man he had injured, and the parasites who inflamed his passions, had the desired effect ; for we find Saul exclaiming — and who knows but that His Lordship (Falkland) may follow his example, — " return, my son David ; behold I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly." The honorable gentleman (Mr. Holmes) reminds me that Lord John Eussell supports good measures when Sir Eobert Peel brings them down. We would do the same, if any were brought here. But our complaint is, that His Excellency con ducts tho government of this country with half a Council, who, in two sessions, have introduced no measures at all. But did my honorable friend ever hear of Sir Eobert Peel complaining that he could not conduct the government on his own principles, because the Whigs would not help him? Did he ever offer them seats in the cabinet to sacrifice a leader, and then denounce him and abuse them, when the sage proposition was refused ? We are told that my friend Mr. Uniacke was not Hon. Joseph Howe. 141 the leader in the last House. He was ; if he bore his honors with less ostentation than his successor, he was acknowledged the leader of tho government from 1840 to 1843 ; and that rank was cheerfully yielded by his colleagues. My honorable friend tells us, that my popularity has declined. Perhaps so ; but ho forgets to add, that if it has, I lost it by supporting Lord Falkland's measures, and Lord Falkland's government ; by sharing the unpopu larity of those with whom I was associated, and who have made so ungrateful a return. But is this House the test of any man's popularity now ? We all know it was returned before Mr. Almon's appointment, before the retirements, before the proscription. The people of Nova Scotia have had no opportunity of pronouncing a judgment upon these acts of folly ; when they have, we shall see whose popularity and influence have declined. The honorable gentleman gave us a lecture on decency, but if he turns to my comparison again, he will find nothing which the most fastidious taste would reject. His name-sake was condemned by the fanatics of Edinburgh, for writing tho play of Douglas ; the critics have perished, but the drama still lives. I am surprised that the honorable member reads no lectures to his learned friends, who are greater transgressors than I ; and that he should have forgotten that The Pictou Observer, the organ of his own party, was remarkable for disgusting obscenity. I must now part with my honorable friend, whose joke at Mr. Uniacko's 142 Life and Times of expense might have been spared, had the member for Pictou remembered that the reflection conveyed on the piety and sincerity of the Presbyterians of that fine county, was most undeserved : although the wags do say, that, in his own person, by a similar stroke of policy, the Antibugers lost a mem ber, and the Kirk secured a deacon. Let me now turn to an opponent of different style of mind ; one with less originality but higher " pretensions." That I should have lived to be charged with " vapid declamation " by the honor able and learned member for Hants (Mr. Wilkins) was most unlocked for. I had nerved myself for everything else, but that quite overcame me. He whom I have seen day after day clear these benches, until you, Mr. Chairman, sat like a solitary victim ; he, whom the venerable President of the Legislative Council assured that he was not the only sufferer, when he complained of fatigue after a long oration ; he, whom I heard thus accosted by one of his own constituents at the nine mile river : " Are ye never gawn to be doon, sir, and let the ither man gie us a screed ?" Has it been my misfortune to outherod Herod ? To ap pear tedious to the ears of him who wearies every body else ? That gentleman and I met on several occasions last summer, and although the argument may have all been on his side, the free holders were generally on mine. He published his speeches subsequently, and I was strongly tempted to issue a new edition of them with this title : Hon. Joseph Howe. 143 Speeches of L. M. Wilkins, Esq., which did not convince the people." Vapid declamation ! Oh, no. Sir, I cannot admit the learned gentleman to be a judge even of the article in which he deals. It has been said that language was given us to conceal our thoughts ; if so, there has boon sinful profusion in the case of the learned gentleman, who has one living language and two or three dead ones ; yet so very few thoughts to conceal. He said I gave the House specimens of tragedy, comedy and farce. I regret that he has given us neither. The only character to which he aspires is the fine gentleman in the Vaudeville ; but even that he dresses with too much pretension, and plays with little ease. His form wants the rounded symmetry ; his features tho dignified re pose ; his mind the playful energy which is essential to the character. He is too "fussy." He might pass for a scholar but for his pedantry, and for a fine gentleman but for his pretensions. The learned gentleman appears to have leaned over the Castalian Spring, not to slake his thirst, or arrange his robe to 8'3t off the harmonies of nature, but to fall in love, as Narcissus did, with his own image, and die with admiration of himself. The learned gentleman favored us with a lecture on good breeding, the gist being summed up at the end. One thing which he said certainly did astonish me : " I will not extend my hand to, or sit at the festive board with a man who lampoons a Governor." Here is a social proscription with a 144 Life and Times of vengeance 1 How shall any man exist who has to cut his mutton without the light of the learned gentleman's countenance, and from whom his gloved fingers are withdrawn ? But is the learned gentleman consistent in his reverence for authority — with his virtuous hatred of those who write lampoons ? This committee, this community, know who was the reputed editor of The Pictou Obser ver, and they will judge by a very few passages whether that gentleman's own near relative has not committed the unpardonable offence. [Here Mr. Howe read a variety of extracts from The Pictou Observer, a paper said to have been edited by Mr. Wilkins' brother, in which Lord Falkland was accused of degrading his office by uncovering his head, and holding the Prince de Joinville's stirrup while he mounted his horse ; of going in plain clothes to a ball on the Queen's birthday, and having a foreigner for a secretary who might purloin official correspondence ; of endeavoring to concentrate all the powers of government and legislation in his own hands, &c. He also read several extracts reflecting on the House, tho Legislative Council and the Colonial Secretary.] Now, Mr. Chairman, will it be believed that the learned gentleman from Hants has maintained a brotherly intercourse with the person who openly countenanced, if he did not write those, and dozens of other attacks upon the Lieutenant Governor ? But, Sir, there is another passage in which it is said Lord Falkland " has not only the bend sinister Hon. Joseph Howe. 145 on his escutcheon, but on his heart." Little skill in heraldry is required to understand the malig nant indelicacy of that allusion ; and what shall we think of the man who would introduce the slan derer, not to his own board, but into the bosom of the Lieutenant Governor's family, after such an outrage ? This was submitted to because the learned member's vote could not be done without. I leave him and his party to reconcile these facts with their vehement regard for the honor and feelings of the Lieutenant Governor. The jioople of Nova Scotia will probably come to the conclu sion that jokes and lampoons are very innocent things when they come from the right side and the right family. All this has been forgiven and forgotten ; but I am to be remembered even when a new Governor arrives. Though he may " not know Joseph," he is to be told of his misdeeds, though Martin's are to be " cast discreetly in the shade." The learned gentleman tells me that I closed the door upon myself; but what are the facts ? That my friends and myself walked out of the door because we did not like the doings within the premises; when immediately a cry of burglary was raised. " Is not the Governor to be the judge of his own honor?" the learned gentleman asks. Were we not to be the judges of ours when false and de famatory charges were raised against us ? Were we to shrink from necessary self defence ? It is said that President Polk would not admit a man to his 146 Life and Times of cabinet who had laughed at him ; but what does this prove ? The superiority of British to Ameri can institutions, making, as they do, the will of the nation superior to that even of the chief magistrate. The learned gentleman favored us with the case of a gallant colonel, known to us all ; but I intend to show that it was a most unfor tunate illustration. His was an offence against majesty ; against a lady and a sovereign, unpro voked, gratuitous, gross. But even that has been forgiven and forgotten in the same reign ; the officer is at the head of his regiment again, and Her Majesty has one soldier the more, and one sullen and discontented servant the less. But what was said of the informer? What does Sam Slick say of him : " Tho' I was born in Connecticut, I have trav elled all over the thirteen united universal worlds of ourn, and am a citizen at large. No, I have no prejudice. Now, men that carry such tittle-tattle; no, I won't say men nother, for they ain't men, that's a fact ; they don't desarve the name. Thev are just spaniel puppies, that fetch and carry, and they ought to be treated like puppies ; they should have their tails cut and ears cropt, so that they might have their right livery. " Oh, how it has lowered the English in the eyes of foreigners ! How sneekin' it makes 'em look ! They seem for all the world like scared dogs ; and a dog, when he sneaks off with his head down, his tail atween his legs, and his back so Hon. Joseph Howe. 147 mean it won't bristle, is a caution to sinners. Lord, I wish I was Queen I " But without joking, though, if I was Queen, the first time any of my ministers came to me to report what the spies had said, I'd jist up and say, ' It's a cussed oninglish, onmanly, niggerly busi ness, is that of pumpin' and spyin' and tattlin.' I don't like it a bit ; I'll neither have art nor part in it ; I wash my hands clear of it. It will jisfe break tho spirit of my people. So, minister, look here ; the next report that is brought me of a spy, I'll whip his tongue out and whop your ear off, or my name ain't Queen. So jist mind what I say; first spy pokes his nose in your office, chop it off and clap it over Temple Bar, where they put the heads of traitors, and write these words over it with your own fist, that they may know the handwritin', and not mistake the meanin', ' This is the Nose of a Spy.' " The member for Hants tells us, it is " tho nature of his temperament to be excited." I should com plain less if he had the power of exciting other peo ple. The House decided, says he, " emphatically," that Mr. Almon's appointment was judicious ; but as they only decided by a majority of one, even if the emphasis was in the right place, it was not very impressive. But we on this side, hold that there was a decided false quantity in the sentence, and prefer appealing to the grammarians in the seventeen counties of Nova Scotia, who, fortunately, have the power to correct our errors. 148 Life and Times of I must confess that nothing surprised me more than the learned member's lecture on indelicacy of expression ; he. Sir, who has every line of Ovid at his finger's ends ; he who I have seen gloating over the gross obscenities of The Pictou Observer. His practice, even in that speech, was strangely at variance with his principles ; though Angelica was first introduced in the " cold abstract," gradually she began to grow beneath tho heat of his imagi nation, until, like Pygmalian's statue, she sunk into his arms in all the freshness of health and passion. She had not been long there, however, before he began to give her a bad character, and declared that he could not toll whether she was a harlot or an honest woman. I will not undertake to decide, but think that responsible government, or Angelica — for that seems to bo the fancy name will be very apt to bo judged by the company she keeps. Before passing from this topic, I may as well caution the learned gentleman not to set himself up for a moralist until he reforms a little ; and when he preaches sermons on delicacy, to be a '. little more choice of language, or we shall have to I apply the lines to him which Juvenal aims at Creticus : " Nor, vain Metellus, shall From Rome's Tribunal thy harangues prevail 'Gainst Harlotry, while thou art clad so thin , That through thy cobweb robe we see thy skin, As thou declaim'st." The learned gentleman, with a solemn invocation to Nemesis, asked me if I quailed before the '' air Hon. Joseph Howe. 149 drawn dagger," the whirlwind, or the " false fire" by which I was surrounded ? He shall be my judge. Three times I met him in his own county last summer ; he knows which of us shrank from the encounter, or won the victory. He has seen me here for the last ten days ; he sees me now. Do I quail ? No, sir, I take my stand upon tho constitution of my country, and all tho powers of darkness cannot disturb my mind. But, oh I sir, I should like to see him in my position, with an armful of despatches heaped upon his head ; with a Governor and all his patronage to sap and mine him ; with two crown officers and half a dozen lawyers in his front, and tagrag and bob-tail in his rear ; perhaps he might comport himself with more dignity than I do, but I confess I have my doubts. The reference to ray pilgrimage to Downing street, came with an ill grace from him. When I went to Downing street, some years ago, I went as a private gentleman, at my own cost and charges. My Colonial character was my only in troduction, and I received more courtesy and kindness than I deserved. When that gentleman went on his pilgrimage, — as my learned colleague wittily reminded him, — the Province paid for his staff and scallop shell ; £500 sterling was drawn out of the revenue of this country to furnish his script ; and his errand was hostile to the public interests, and to the wishes of the people. The learned gentleman cavils at my imagery, and tells us that Lord Falkland stands like an English oak. 150 Life and Times of verdant and vigorous. I will adopt the figure, and admit that he stood so once ; but I fear that the insidious ivy, the parasite plant, and other creeping things, have so wound their tendrils around him, and though there is the outward semblance of a tree, the core is decayed, and the fountains of life withdrawn. But, Mr. Chairman, I lingered long enough with the member for Hants. In closing I may as well give him a line or two of plain English, in return for all his Latin. They were addressed by a great poet to a great king, but always come into my head when the learned gentleman draws towards tho close of one of his " vapid declamations," and I long to ex claim — "Atlength proud Prince, ambitious Lewis, cease To plague mankind."' This was the strain in which Mr. Howe indulged in connection with all tho gentlemen in succession who had attacked him ; and I have thought it worth while to copy the remarks that his powers may be understood bettor than by making a bald reference to them. In future pages I will make quotations from Mr. Howe's Poetical works, for the purpose of exhibiting him in this lino of literature. With respect to the piquant references to Lord Falk land, these will be explained hereafter when the grip is taken with his lordship by Mr. Howe, for his unconstitutional and undignified conduct as a Governor. Hem. Joseph Howe. 151 CHAPTEE XVIIL Howe Challenged to Mortal Combat. — He Accepts, the Challenge and Fights. — His Magnanimity. — Challenged a Second Time, but Declines the Honor. — Former Duels. — Monsieur Tonson. — Howe and Keefler. — Uniacke and the Bull. It was impossible to refer to a political abuse and comment upon it, without striking somebody. In the language of Shakespeare, it was like " throwing an arrow over the house and wound ing a brother." In the course of debate Mr. Howe referred to the high emoluments derived by the heads of Departments and also by the mem bers of the Judiciary, and in doing so no doubt he expressed himself somewhat forcibly — perhaps that the judges did not earn the large salaries they were in receipt of. The son of the Chief Justice (Hahburton, afterwards Sir Bronton,) John Hali burton, thinking that Mr. Howe had gone a little too far with his venerable father, challenged the ruffler ofthe domestic circle to mortal combat. It was all one who should kill Howe about this time, as he was in the midst of his revolutionary propaganda, and if not got out of the way the whole country would ere long be permeated with 152 Life and Times of the destructive seed he was sowing and fast ger minating and taking root. John Haliburton, then, was the man for the slaughter, no doubt thought his "compact" friends. Had Sowe de clined the challenge, it would have told greatly against his courage, which was regarded in those days as a necessary qualification in a leading pub lic man ; and so he "joined issue," as the lawyers say, with his challenger, and accepted the gauge of battle at the hands of that gentleman's second, whose name I have forgotten. Howe's second was his old friend Dr. Gregor. It was on a fine bright morning at 5 o'clock when the parties wont forth to battle — tho one principal with deadly intent, the other with harmless design. When the word fire was given Haliburton " let bang " at the •enemy of the " family compact." Howe held his fire, and When Haliburton's smoke had cleared away he took deliberate aim at him — he had him at his mercy — and then, shot into the air. Howe's courage was vindicated — his magnanimity com mented upon — both parties and their friends marched off tho field — all fully satisfied with the morning's pastime— and no doubt enjoyed their matutinal meal with far greater relish than they did their potations the night preceding. But Howe was not to rest here. On a subse- •quent occasion, having made some reference to the office of the Provincial Secretary and its ex travagances, the great bead of that (irresponsible) department — Sir Eupert D'George, — taking Hon. Joseph Howe. 153 umbrage, sent a challenge to Howe to meet him in mortal combat. If Haliburton missed his man. Sir Eupert, a better shot, would be sure to wing him and put an end to his agitations. This second challenge Howe very wisely declined, saying in reply that he could not think of making a target of himself for every one to shoot at, who imagined he had a grievance, — besides, he felt quite satisfied that his country just at that time could not afford to dispense with his services. This was about the eubstance of his answer. While upon the subject of duels, it may not be out of place to refer to previous " affairs of honor," so called, in tho olden time. In 1819, or '20, a Merchant in Halifax, named Bowie, had a case in court, and Mr. Eichard Uniacke (after wards Judge Uniacke) was the lawyer in opposi tion. Eemarks wore made of an irritating nature when a quarrel ensued. After the Court was ad journed Bowie sent a challenge to Uniacke, and the combatants and their seconds met in what was then known as the Governor's Pasture, about a mile above the present Halifax Eailway Station — a place once containing a grove of trees, but now no longer recognizable, as it is well built up with dwellings. Bowie fell mortally wounded. His funeral was the longest ever seen in Halifax up to that time. A sort of trial was held — the form had to be gone through. Uniacke was ac quitted. About two years after this (1821) a very simi- 154 Life and Times of lar case occurred in Fredericton — tho parties concerned were George Frederick Street (after wards .Judge) and Mr. Wetmore— father ofthe late Judge Wetmore — then a rising and very clever lawyer. A misunderstanding between these two lawyers occurred in the course of a trial, in which each was engaged on opposite sides — sharp words passed between them— then angry recrim inations, then a challenge by Wetmore. They met on what is called the Maryland Eoad, just back of Fredericton, and a short distance off the road. Wetmore fell in the arras of death. A trial followed, as in the Halifax case. Chief Justice Saunders was the Judge on the Bench ; and an acquittal followed. In those days killing was no murder, when life was lost in duelling. There is an old French play called Monsieur Tonson come again — the scene is laid in tho Eue d'Eivoli, Paris — tho story is, that a very popular politician by the name of Tonson occupied quar ters on this street ; and he was beset day and night by callers — at length he moved out into a quiet quarter of Paris where he should not bo disturbed by his friends. Another Frenchman moved into the vacated premises, and he came in for all the calls — the friends of the former gentleman not be ing aware that Tonson had moved away. The chief feature of tho play is the annoyance to the new lessee, every lime he received a fresh call — "Is Monsieur Tonson in?" These calls came so often, the same query repeated, that it kept the Hon. Joseph Howe. 155 tenant continually on the go, answering the door bell. At length he got cross and swore out of the window upon the head of tho innocent intruder upon Monsieur Tonson 's successor; and finally was obliged to move away. Now the same story will answer for a modern occasion. Mr. Joseph Keefler (a gentleman well known for his urbanity and kindness of heart) was Sexton of St. Paul's Church, Halifax, a posi tion he had occupied for many years — he knew everybody in town and everybody knew him, and he was much respected. Indeed he was regarded as one of the main pillars of the church. It hap pened that Keefler occupied a house on Spring Garden Eoad, and a few doors from Mr. Howe's residence. As the latter gentleman, like Monsieur Tonson, was in great demand about this timo, he was called upon day and night at all hours, but his friends often mistook Keefler's house for Howe's — so that the former, like his illustrious Parisian predecessor in the same predicament, also began to get cross at the annoyance. " Is Mr. Howe in ?" was the invariable query at Keefler's door. One night, being a little out of humor — and who doesn't get out of humor at times ? — he made ready for the next comer, and to give him a bit of his mind for disturbing him. The usual knock at length roused Keefler and his ire at the same time. — " Is Mr. Howe in ?" "No 1 — he is not — he don't live here — he is killing the ' Tories — Joe Howe slays the Tories, and Joe 156 Life and Times of Keefler buries them. I'm Joe Keefler, dang you — go to the next house, or to pot if you like !" In the early days, and long before Eailways were thought of, the gentry had their country summer residences some distance away from Halifax, generally occupying a full day and more to reach them. For example, the Collector of Customs (Hon. T. N. Jeffery) resided about a dozen miles below Windsor, the Lord Bishop at Ayles- ford, Hon. Mr. Eobie and S. G. W. Archibald rusticated at Truro. So that they all spent a con siderable portion of their time on the road ; but having plenty of time and money at their dis posal, this was nothing considering the healthful pleasures of a rustic life. Eichard John Uniacko's country seat was at " Mount Uniacke.". Mr. U. was Attorney General of the Province — at that time a highly distinguished office, for the reason that great influence was required to obtain a lead ing public office independently of the people. " Mount Uniacke " was chosen by its owner on account of the fine lake on the premises. At the present day this lake fronts on the Windsor Eail road, and can be seen on passing, with the Man sion behind it. Formerly this lake was away back in the woods, whore none could see it, unless they were visitors to the grounds. When first occupied as a country residence, " Mount Uniacke " faced on the old Windsor Eoad, and the main gates at the entrance to the grounds were very fine, resembling the approach to an English Park. Hon. Joseph Howe. 157 On passing in the stage coach those gates were greatly admired. In a few years afterwards, in straightening the road, the supervisors, without stopping to consider the grandeur of the gates, took the road about half a mile away from them, and so left the gates, as it were, in the midst of the forest once more, much to the annoyance and inconvenience of tho proprietor. The Attorney General felt much interest in stock raising ; more for his own amusement than from any pecuniary gain. Among his animals he had a famous bull which was raised upon the Farm, and between the two quite an intimacy was formed, so that Uniacke would always make up to his pet and fondle it in a familiar way. Now Uniacke was an early riser ; and one morning, not making his appearance in tho house at the usual time after his rambles, the servant man crossed over the fields, and in the distance discovered his master and the bull in deadly conflict, each struggling for the mastery. Both were so overcome and ex hausted that they were down on the ground, Uniacke holding the bull by the horns in an iron grip. An ordinary man must have suc cumbed to tho attack of the ferocious monster and been killed outright. But U. was a powerful six-footer of herculean proportions, in the midst of his manhood, and strong as a bull. It seems that as usual when Mr. U. made up to the animal that morning, the first thing he noticed was a bold disposition to attack him ; and feeling the 158 Life and Times of difficulty of the position, with no one within call, be made up his mind that he must either be killed, or overcome his antagonist. Both were so exhausted when the man came up that neither could scarcely move. The animal was shot, and Uniacke recovered from the shock and his wounds after some little time.* *I give the story as it was told me when a boy, and not many years after the occurrence. I have frequently seen Mr. Uniack e In his later days and can call to remembrance his personal appearance yery distinctly. Hon. Joseph Howe. 159 CHAPTEE XIX. Mr. Howe and Railways. — Public Meeting at Saint John Mechanics' Institute. — A Dinner Party. — George Bancroft's Gratuitous Remarks over the Death of President Lincoln. — The Late Civil War in the United States. — Mr. Howe in a Novel Field of Debate. — Howe's Speech at a Public Meeting at Birmingham, England. During the great Eailway movements in the Provinces (say in the forties) Mr. Howe was con tinually on the go between Halifax and St. John and Quebec, in advocacy of one line or another, sometimes accompanied by other delegates and sometimes alone — he appeared to be clothed with full powers to negotiate such measures as he con sidered best for all interests, especially the line from Halifax via St. John and the " North Shore." A public meeting was called at the Mechanics' Institute, where Mr. Howe addressed a large gathering of the citizens. There was great rivalry and even jealousy between the two capitals in connection with this project, Halifax in favor of tho North Shore and St. John by the valley of the St. John Eiver. On this occasion Mr. Howe was confronted on the platform by several of our 160 Life and Times of ablest men, among whom was the late Chief Jus tice Eitchie and the late Judge Gray (afterwards- of British Columbia) — but Howe held his own in his answers to all questioners. As an old friend, I had tho pleasure of meeting Mr. Howe at this time at another friend's private table in St. John — the company numbered ten persons, all of whom are now dead, except two, viz. : Mr. John Howe and myself. It was a night ever to be remembered. Dinner was served at 7 p. m., and it was three next morning before the company retired to the drawing room, previous to separating. During all these hours Mr. Howe's stories and anecdotes of men and things never flagged five minutes at a time. He held that table in silken chains the whole night, and nobody seemed weary, sleepy, or desirous of getting away. Of course the "flowing bowl " went round in such a manner as would have furnished a thesis for a temperance lecturer to last him a whole year. I do not mean to say, however, that there was any one of the party " who was not entirely himself." Again I mot Mr. Howe on a subsequent occasion at the United States Hotel in Portland, Maine, when a number of Eailway delegates were pres ent, from different parts (if I mistake not it was the " European and North American Eailroad," in which Portland, St. John and Halifax were inter ested) — Portland was represented by the great Eailway magnate, well known at the time — John A. Pooro — Hon. Hannibal Hamlin (afterwards Hon. Joseph Howe. 161 Vice-President of the United States) and Hon. Judge Chandler of Maine. Our own people con- isisted of Mr. Howe — and if I mistake not the present SenatorDickey of Amherst. Ex-Governor Chandler, Eobert Jardine, and George Botsford represented New Brunswick. Although the meet ing was in a public hotel, tho dining took place in private. The old bacchanalian refrain about " good fellows '¦ found full expression and amplifi cation on this occasion. The eating and {I had come nigh saying) drinking occupied some five hours of precious railway time. The Maine liquor law (if there was such a law at the time) had no terrors for the belligerents. It was eating, drink ing, talking, laughing throughout this long trying period of five hours. Howe, indeed, was never happier or more brilliant than on occasions such as these. I was the fifth wheel to the coach on this occasion introduced by Howe. On the assassination of President Lincoln by Booth, the Honorable George Bancroft, the great historian, was engaged to deliver an Oration be fore Congress, in commemoration of the illus trious dead. All the magnates in Washington were invited to be present. Mr. Howe being there at the time on business (of an imperial na ture,) was, of course, provided like the others with a seat of honor. Now, had the orator confined himself to the subject in hand, instead of going off at a tangent, and drawing comparisons between the opportunities for rising into power in the United 162 Life and Times of States compared with those of England, all would have gone well and in harmony with the occasion. While in the Eepublic, said the speaker, a man like Lincoln, with a humble beginning, rose to the first office in the State, no such chance was offered in a Monarchy, especially in England. Here Mr. Howe's nationality and patriotism were stirred to their utmost depths, and if he only had had a chance to make a reply at that moment, he would have been in his element. But this was impossible. But he addressed a private letter to Mr. Bancroft (which only found its way into print several years afterwards) in which he contradicted his state ments, as far as England was concerned, clearly and unmistakably, by showing that some of the ablest Statesmen that England ever produced sprung from tho loins of the great masses. I do not remember all the cases Howe cited. There was George Canning, the great Prime Minister, whose mother was an actress — Lord Brougham of humble parentage — Mr. Copley (Lord Lyndhurst) son of a Boston Portrait Painter — Sheridan and Burke, both of humble origin — to which might be added among many more, a late leader of the House of Commons and Chancellor of the Ex chequer, Mr. Smith, a newspaper man and book seller. In short, Howe showed that real genuine talents had a better chance of coming to the front and being universally recognized in England (in spite of the accidents of birth) than even in the great Eepublic — for it is patent to every one that Hon. Joseph Howe. 163 men of great genius and renown, like Webster, have never yet risen to the foremost place in the Nation. The Prime Minister of England, clothed with sovereign powers, stands upon tho same foot ing as the President of the United States — aye, with even greater powers ; and there have been Prime Ministers in England of as humble origin as even Lincoln himself. Shortly after the Civil War had broken out in the United States, in 1861, there was a great deal of hard feeling expressed by the Northerners against Canada and England particularly, under the impression that they were in sympathy with the South, even affording it " aid and comfort." No doubt, there was everywhere outside the United States warm feelings and wishes for the success of what is now called "the lost cause," not for the upholdence of slavery, but on account of the political and economic grievances of which the South complained, and had been complaining ever since the days of Calhoun, and tho " nullifi cation " outbreak. Although this feeling in favor of the South was only shared in by a minority, it was somewhat excusable, on the ground that human nature is always on the side of the weak when in resistance to the strong ; and in no coun try in the world is this manifestation^more pro nounced than it is in tho United States, as, for example, during the Canadian rebellion in 1837 and the Irish escapade in 1847, when public meet ings were called in all parts of the country and 164 Life and Times of resolutions passed, supported by some of the lead ing public men, against England and for the encouragement of the rebels. All this was quite natural, if not justifiable. Therefore it should be considered in all such cases, that what is sauce for tho goose should be allowed to be tho right sort of sauce for the gander. At about this time (1861 or 2) Mr. Howe and a New Brunswick friend of his happened to be in London on some special business in connection with their respective Provinces, when one evening at a late hour they were walking through the Strand on their way home. Now, there is situated in the Strand an institution called " The Free Dis cussion Forum," its membership consists of any one who chooses to enter and take part in the debate of the evening. This club has been in existence for many years, and has proved to be a nursery for eminent statesmen and lawyers who have resorted hither to try their 'prentice hand at public speaking, and it has always been attended by the first people in the land — its proceedings are conducted with the strictest parliamentary etiquette, and here some of tho finest and most bril liant speaking is to be heard, and yet the speakers may be unknown as the name is given under a pseudonym when the Chairman's eye is caught. When our Colonial friends entered the hall of this intellectual gathering, over a thousand persons being present, the subject of tho evening's discus sion was the President's Message just delivered to Hon. Joseph Howe. 165 Congress — an important topic at the time as Eng land received a considerable share of attention in said message growing out of the civil war. When our friends entered there was a tall, lank Georgian upon his feet declaiming bitterly against the South, (probably he was then a resident in the North) and ho was immediately followed by a Connecticut Editor who was death upon the slave-holder and the effete citizens of the South whose lives were spent in idleness and debauchery, a wretched lot the whole of them, residing South of Dixon's line. No doubt the Editor was under the impression that he was pouring out his talents on a sympa thetic audience, since " slavery" was tho principal plank he used in his platform. As soon as the last gentleman finished, Howe sprang to his feet, caught the Chairman's eye and went ahead on the side of the South — not that his sympathies were in that direction, but rather Northwards — as it was a sort of free lance, however, a man was at liberty to argue against his own convictions, ad capitan- dum, and so our hero improved the occasion in his own off-hand, nonchalant way, to the delight of his audience. Everybody was amazed at the speaker's powers, his minute knowledge of the subject under discussion, his mastery of language his oratory — in short all felt that England's great est man had the floor, but who that man could be was the great puzzle to them all. The arguments of the poor Georgian and Editor were turned in side out and they themselves mercilessly held up 166 Life and Times of to the ridicule of the vast assemblage who enjoyed the " circus " heartily. It was now after ten o'clock, tho hour for clos ing, an hour rigidly adhered to, no matter who the speaker having the floor at the timo ; but tho audience was boisterous for Howe to go on — time with them on this occasion did not count for much, and so tho more he talked and attempted to sit down the more they insisted upon his going on. It was after 12 o'clock when Howe finished, when suddenly a wiseacre in the audience sprang to his feet, none other than the irrepressible Citi zen George Francis Train. Howe knew that he was caught, his individuality discovered, although he felt sure up to this moment there was not a soul in that vast assembly who could have pos sibly known him. Train's rising was to announce to the Chairman that he wished to reply next evening to the gentleman from Nova Scotia. [My informant who was present on the occasion said that that speech of Howe's was the most powerful he had ever heard him deliver, and ho also re marked that the audience were so carried away by his eloquence and good humor that he believed they would have remained half the night had he kept on speaking.] A few years after the above episode (I got my information from a gentleman who was in com pany with Mr. Howe) a public meeting was held at Birmingham — it was during the time of the cotton famine, when thousands of working men Hon. Joseph Howe. 167 were out of employment, and the object of the meeting was for the encouragement of emigration to the Colonies. It had been previously announced that several Colonial statesmen would be in attend ance and address the meeting. Tho hall was an immense one in size, but not half large enough to hold all who wished to gain admittance. The chairman announced that each speaker would be allowed twenty minutes to address the meeting. After several talented able gentlemen had spoken, " Mr. Howe from Nova Scotia" was introduced to the assemblage. He created such a powerful im pression, by his speaking powers, that all the gavels within reach brought down upon the desk after the twenty minutes wore up, could not have been heeded, so greatly was that vast audience swayed and carried away. Instead of speaking twenty minutes he held the floor for a whole hour, and oven then had some difficulty in being allowed to stop. After the meeting was over, several persons, which soon became a little crowd, went up to Howe, with delight beaming on their countenances, to get further information about this Eldorado, Nova Scotia, whose charms and attractions Howe had so vividly portrayed — for its great agricultural capabilities, its mineral and mining resources, its magnificent climate, its fauna and flora, and in fact for being a land " flowing with milk and honey" — and so impressed were his hearers by the description that they had made up their minds, " there and then" to emigrate forth- 168 Life and Times of with, as there was nothing at home for them any longer but starvation, the cotton mills all being "shut down." My informant says ho never in all his life saw an audience so worked upon as that Birmingham gathering under Howe's magica powers of persuasion. Hon. Joseph Howe. 169 CHAPTEE XX. Earl Grey's Tribute to Mr. Howe's Eloquence. — "Joe Howe" Twelve Feet High. — George T. Phillis the Auctioneer. — Mr. Howe as a Poet. — Poems to Queen Victoria and the Hon. Mrs. Norton.When Mr. Howe returned from England in 1851, after having secured from the British gov ernment a pledge of a loan of seven millions of pounds sterling at a low rate of interest for the construction of the Intercolonial railway, he de livered a speech in Mason's hall on the 15th of May of that year, which Earl Grey declared " one of the best that he had ever road." The follow ing passage is quoted from it because it not only serves the purpose of giving a fine specimen of Mr. Howe's rugged eloquence, but also indicates his great breadth of view, exalted patriotism and keen political foresight ; and for which informa tion I am indebted to the Halifax Mail : " England virtually says to us by this offer : There are seven millions of sovereigns, at half the price that your neighbors pay, to construct your railways ; people your waste lands ; organize and improve the boundless territory beneath your feet ; learn to rely upon and defend yourselves, and God 170 Life and Times of speed you in the. formation of national character and national institutions. " But, sir, daring as may appear the scope of this conception, high as the destiny may seem which it discloses for our children, and boundless as are the fields .of honorable labor which it presents, another, grander in proportion, opens beyond ; one which the imagination of a poet could not exag gerate, but which the statesman may grasp and realize, even in our own day. " Sir, to bind these disjointed provinces together by iron roads ; to give them the homogeneous character, fixedness of purpose, and elevation of sentiment, which they so much require, is our first duty. But, after all, they occupy but a limited portion of that boundless heritage which God and nature have given to us and to our children. " Nova Scotia and New Brunswick are but the frontage of a territory which includes four mil lions of square miles, stretching away behind and beyond them, to the frozen regions on the one side and to the Pacific on the other. Of this great section of the globe, all the northern prov inces, including Prince Edward Island and New foundland, occupy but four hundred and eighty- six thousand square miles. The Hudson's Bay territory includes two hundred and fifty thousand miles. "Throwing aside the more bleak and inhospita ble regions, we have a magnificent country be tween Canada and the Pacific, out of which five Hon. Joseph Howe. 171 or six noble provinces may be formed, larger than any we have, and presenting to the hand of indus try, and to the eye of speculation, every variety of isoil, climate and resource. With such a territory las this to overcome, organize and improve, think you that we shall stop even at the western bounds of Canada ? or even at the shores of the Pacific ? Vancouver's Island, with its vast coal measures, lies beyond. The beautiful islands of the Pacific and the growing commerce of the ocean, are be yond. Populous China and tho rich east are beyond, and the sails of our children's children will reflect as familiarly tho sunbeams of the south as they now have the angry tempests of the north. " The Maritime Provinces, which I now address, are but tho Atlantic frontage of this boundless and prolific region ; the wharves upon which its busi ness will be transacted, and beside which its rich argosies are to lie. Nova Scotia is one of these. " Will you, then, put your hands unitedly, with- order, intelligence and energy to this great work ? " Eefuse and you are recreants to every princi ple which lies at the base of your country's pros perity and advancement ; refuse and the Deity's- handwriting upon land and sea is to you unintelli gible language ; refuse, and Nova Scotia, instead of occupying the foreground, as she now does, should have been thrown back, at least behind the Eocky Mountains. " God has planted your country in the front of this boundless region ; see that you comprehend its- 172 Life and Times of ¦destiny and resources ; see that you discharge, with energy and elevation of soul the duties which develop upon you in virtue of your posi tion. Hitherto, my countrymen, you have dealt with this subject in a becoming spirit, and what ever others may think or apprehend, I know that you will persevere in that spirit until our objects are attained. " I am neither a prophet, nor a son of a prophet, yet I will venture to predict that in a few years we shall make the journey hence to Quebec and Montreal, and home through Portland and St. John by rail, and I believe that many in this room will live to hear the whistle of the steam engine in the passes of tho Eocky Mountains, and to make the journey from Halifax to the Pacific in five or six days." A bucolic gentleman having heard a great deal about " Joe Howe " and being a great admirer of his reputation, was very anxious to see him. He accordingly called one day at the secretary's office. He saw Mr. Howe as he entered, standing at his desk, engaged in writing. Our friend from the country soon felt himself at ease in the presence of tho Nova Scotia wonder. On stating his errand, Mr. Howe said he was glad to see him, and talked with him as freely as though they had been life long companions — so that our friend felt all over as if '• Joe Howe " was not only the great est man in the world, but the most agreeable that ever lived since Adam. Had Mr. Howe invited Hon. Joseph Howe. 173 him to dine which was no uncommon thing for him to do, even with comparative strangers, our friend would have gone off in a blaze of excitement and perhaps never have got over it. At all events in due time the gentleman backed himself out ofthe office, and was soon afterwards on his way home rejoicing. Shortly after this he was asked by an acquain tance what he thought of " Joe Howe " since he had had an interview with him. " Think of him," was tho reply ; " there is no room to think at all. He is the most wonderful man I ever saw. When I entered his office he seemed like a very ordinary mortal, about five feet high. I had not been there more than half an hour when he seemed like a man eight feet — but before I left, to my astonishment, his head touched tho ceiling — twelve feet high." [It should here be stated that I have read in the papers a story something like the above, in' reference to another person ; but who the original was I am not prepared to prove. It is my opinion, however, that it is applicable to the Howe case.] Another great admirer of " Joe Howe" was George T. Phillis, Auctioneer, whose business establishment was on Water street, a short dis tance south of the " Ordinance." He was one of the wits (after Doyle) of the times. Persons of leisure from all parts of the town would make it a point to pass along when an auction was under- 174 Life and Times of way, in order to be regaled with Phillis' stories, while selling goods. "Here's a fine box of dip candles for you, warranted to burn faster than any other dips in the town — by lighting them at both •ends, you may have the protection policy (at this time the talk was English free trade and protec tion, both parties for or against at bitter variance) illustrated — you see, in this way, you make money by encouraging the domestic workman, and the faster you burn the candles the more light you have for yourselves, and the more money you save to the country." Again, " Here is a feather bed made upon a new pattern — [bed somewhat ancient but in the interests of good taste I omit the gen tleman's intrusions, although they contain the pith of the joke.] Why, gentlemen, this Map if sent to the British Museum would bring its weight in gold — going, going — are you all done — gone. Some of you will feel sorry when you come to reflect that a feather bed Map of Europe should pass out of your hands, on account of two pounds ten" — [no cents then.] " Next, gentlemen, I have to offer you is a lot of India Eubber overcoats, warranted to keep the rain from penetrating the skin. These holes, gentlemen, [referring to several worn holes,] are intended to let the water out, when it rains too heavily for it to run off, made after a new pattern, and of great historic value, as they were used by the antedeluvians when coming out of the ark." Then, again, " here is a lot of old iron, the remnants of a Bankrupt Estate, the irony Hon. Joseph Howe. 175 of fate had a good deal to do with tho articles getting into my hands. Here you have tongs, shovels, old scraps, nick-nacks, and here is the re mains of a big gridiron of great historic value, as it was used in tho Masonic lodge for a great num ber of years, and is capable of broiling anything, from a Free Mason to a tough beef steak." As a Poet Mr. Howe contributed to different Magazines, and also put to Press a volume of be tween three and four hundred pages. As a metrical writer he stood high in the opinion of capable judges — while his Poems and Songs and Lyrics are highly felicitous in expression and poetical fervour. Besides this volume, from which I quote what follows, ho has left in manuscript, a number of fugitive pieces highly creditable to the genius of the writer, and which may some day find their way into print. The first selection I make is addressed — To The Queen — and was presented to Her Majesty by Lady Laura Phipps, at Windsor, at the request of the ladies of Hants County, who were greatly interested in tho Poem when it ap peared among private friends. " Queen of the Thousand Isles." Queen ofthe thousand Isles ! whose fragile form, 'Midst the proud structures of our Father Land, Graces the throne, that eacli subsiding storm That shakes the earth, assures us yet shall stand. Thy gentle voice, of mild yet firm command. Is heard In ev'ry clime, on ev'ry wave. Thy dazzling sceptre, like a fairy wand. Strikes off the shackles from the struggling slave, And gathers, 'neath its rule, the great, the wise, the brave. 176 Life and Times of But yet 'midst all the treasures that surround Thy Royal Halls, one bliss is still denied — To know the true hearts at thy name that bound, Which ocean Irom thy presence must divide. Whose voices never swell the boisterous tide Ol hourly homage that salutes thy ear ; But yet who cherish, with a Briton'spride And breathe to Infant lips, from year to year. The name thy budding virtues taught them to revere. How little deem'st thou of the scenes remote, In which one word, all other words above. Of earthly homage seems to gaily float On every breeze, and sound through every grove — A spell to cheer, to animate, lo move- To bid old age throw off the weight of years. To cherish thoughts of loyalty and love. To garner round the heart those hopes and fears Which, In our Western Homes, Victoria's name endears. 'TIs not that, on our soil, the measured tread Of armed legions speaks thy sovereign sway, 'TIs not the huge leviathans that spread Thy meteor flag above each noble bay. That bids the soul a forced obedience pay ! — The despot's tribute from the trembling thrall- No ! At our altars sturdy freemen pray That blessings on Victoria's head may fall. And happy household groups each pleasing trait recall. And gladly, with our Country's choicest flowers. Thy son and heir Acadia's maidens greet. Who shared thy roof, and deigns to honor ours For moments rapt'rous, but alas ! how fleet ! And if in future times the thoughts be sweet To him, of humble scenes beyond the sea. When turning home his mother's smiles to meet. And mingle with the high born and the free- Well long remember Him who best reflected Thee ! The next poem is addressed to the Hon. Mrs. Norton, whom Mr. Howe met at Lady Palmers- ton's Soiree in London, her ladyship being the wife Hon. Joseph Howe. \*l*l of the then Prime Minister. Hon. Mrs. Norton was a grand-daughter of the Eight Hon. Eichard Brinsley Sheridan and aunt of our late Governor- General, Earl Dufferin — now Marquis. At this time the lady's fame as a poetess extended to both hemispheres — she ranked as such with Mrs. Hemans, Mrs. Sigourney, " L. E. L.," and other bright female stars of the period. Several of her gems I have beside me — most beautiful pieces of composition, but not required here. Her husband was the Hon. Fletcher Norton, the son of a Vis count, from whom she separated, as there was inequality of dispositions. I remember his brother well in Halifax, as son-in-law and aide-de-camp to Sir Colin Campbell, Lieut. Governor. He was a fine-looking, tall young man of ruddy complexion, and was what the ladies, I suppose, would call — handsome — an adjective out of place, as it has always appeared to me, when applied to the stronger sex. At all events, this Captain Norton would be noticed in ten thousand for his good looks. When on duty in Halifax in the dead of winter he contracted a severe cold, which soon settled into congestion, and his death followed in a few days afterwards. He was buried from Government Houso with military honors. These matters, however, are only by the way. A few days after his return from the Soiree in London, Mr. Howe sat down and indited the fol lowing lines, addressed to tho Hon. Mrs. Norton, which will be found on tho next page : 178 Life and Times of ' Hon. Mrs. Norton. Lady, how eagerly I thread the maze Of rank and beauty, 'till thy noble form Stands full before me — 'till at last I gaze, In joy and thankfulness, to flnd the storm That shook the fruit profusely, spared the tree ; To realize my dreams of time and thee — To flnd the eye still bright, the cheek still warm. The regal outlines swelling, soft and free, And lit by luminous thoughts, as I would have them be. Unconscious thou, how, far beyond the wave. The lowest murmur of the softest strain In early life articulate music gave To thousands, who, when agony and pain Shook every tremulous string, yet sigh'd again. That ever sorrow should the notes prolong. Unconscious thou, that 'midst the light and vain. The stranger turns hira from the glittering throng, ^ In Mem'ry's stores to hoard the graceful Child of Song. How oft, in weariness, we turn away Prom what we've sought, from picture, lane, or stream ; But well dost thou the llng'ring glance repay With full fruition of the fondest dream ; The light that o'er the billows used to beam. Lodged in a stately tower. The minstrel's smile Is sweeter than her Song— the playful theme Of early genius, even less versatile Than are the matron charms that Soul and Sense beguile. The Maple, in our Woods, the frost doth crown With more resplendent beauty than it wears In early Spring. Its sweetness cometh down But when the Woodman's stroke its bosom tears. And thus, in spite of all my doubts and fears, I joy to see thy ripened beauties glow 'Neath sorrow's gentle touch that more endears ; To feel thy strains will all the sweeter flow From that deep wound that did not lay thee low. Hon. Joseph Howe. 179 CHAPTEE XXI. Mr. Howe on Colonial Changes. — Mr. Howe Chosen Speaker of the House of Assembly. — Charles Dickens in Halifax. — The Canadian Rebellion of 1837. — The Disabilities of the Re formers. — Sir Francis Bond Head, a Failure. — The Old Family Compact. In 1846 Mr. Howe addressed a series of letters to the Colonial Secretary (Lord John Eussell) upon the re-organization of the Empire — a sort of Imperial Federation idea of the present day — but then politics were altogether different at that time. Then the Eeformers were struggling for Eesponsi ble Government and saw no chance of getting it, unless through process of still heavier battles, the success of which would enable Colonists to hold seats in the Executive Council, and not to be kept continually before the gangway by a small, narrow exclusive circle in Halifax. It was to break these bonds asunder that the Imperial Government was asked to open the doors of Parliament to Colonial talents. Again, there was at that time a Trade Zollverein between England and her Colonies — the great days of protection, when her colonies were all but obliged to consume British manufactures. The system was then something like what the 180 Life and Times of Imperial Federationists are asking for to-day, and their desire that the whirligig of time shall re volve backward — in other words, that in consider ation of her Colonies, England shall re-impose a portion of the duties ancillary to her free trade days, and that foreign articles entering our markets shall be somewhat weighted — in a word, asking that the old boot shall bo revamped and placed on the other leg this time. Ay, and there are combinations simple enough to believe, or are trying hard to make themselves believe, that the Bright and Cobden school of politicians are all dead and buried, and because Lord Salisbury is at the head of affairs John Bull is going down on all fours in order that the protectionists, or fair traders, as they now call themselves, may walk over his body, However, what I wish to convey is, that persons should not run away with the no tion, that because Mr. Howe wrote in favor of the re- organization of the Empire fifty years ago, at a time when the circumstances were altogether different to what they are now, he would if alive to day entertain similar opinions. [Further re marks upon this subject in a later chapter.] After the elections in 1847, Mr. Howe was chosen Speaker of the House. At this timo the Great Novelist Charles Dickens, arrived in Halifax on board a Cunard steamer on his way to the United States. Now both these gentlemen had formed an intimacy in London when Howe was on a visit there a few years before. As soon' as Hon. Joseph Howe. 181 WILLIAM LYON MAOKENZIE. 182 Life and Times of Dickens landed Mr. Howe took him in charge and introduced him to honorable members, and had a chair placed beside that of the Speaker's for " the distinguished visitor." Now Dickens at this time was the lion of all English speaking leaders — for his works were just fresh from his pen, and the sayings of the elder Pickwick and Sam Wellor, were in everybody's mouth. Dickens afterwards dined with Howe, and they kept well together during the remainder of the former's stay on shore. On his return to England Dickens de scribed the occasion, and likened the Legislative Chamber in Halifax to that of London, by bring ing the former into view looking through tho big end of a telescope. In 1837 while the reform agitation was in its full plentitude and the most bitter political feel ing everywhere prevailing between the opposing parties throughout the Province, the excitement in Canada as then called, growing out of the same causes — viz., the Eeformers against the Compact — was now about assuming a very aggressive shape — in short nothing less than the taking up of arms by the agitators for the redress of their grievances and ultimate independence. The leader of the Ee form Party was Wm. Lyon Mackenzie, a man of good talents, force of character and influence ; but unlike tho Nova Scotia leader, he lacked judgment and prudence, hence his failure at the critical moment and finally was compelled to flee the Province, when tho patriotic army which he had Hon. Joseph Howe. 183 organized and taken into the field was overthrown and routed by the loyalists. It must not, however, be supposed that the malcontents of 1837 were composed of the rag-tags of Canada, mere des peradoes, rough characters full of adventure, whose only aim was to destroy and pillage. No thing of the kind. Some of the best blood of the country was either in participation or in sym pathy ; but in saying this a large proportion of Eeformers, however bitter they were against, the Tories and their oppressive practices of Govern ment, were opposed to overt acts of treason — they rather counselled a continuation of agitation, and that a day must come when their wrongs would be righted through Constitutional means. Among this highly respectable class were Mr. Hincks (afterwards Sir Francis,) Mr. Bidwell, Mr. Baldwin, Dr. Nelson, and many other such dignified but moderate men. In Lower Canada the excitement was even greater than in the Upper Province. Louis J. Papineau was the leader of the Eeformers, a man of great eloquence and talents, and of most commanding presence, and he was assisted by others of the highest respectability among the habitans. Public meetings were called in all the towns of both Provinces, at which the boldest and most defiant language was used by the respective speakers — not against the Constitution or Govern ment, but against the " family compact," and what they called " the plutocracy." All they asked was I a reform of the existing abuses — and as an alter- 184 Life and Times of native revoluntionary action and independence. It was the same in Nova Scotia, where the Gover nor and Council were banded together, and held in contempt as it were the remonstrances of the people's representatives. But the Nova Seotians would not go into rebellion. This agitation in both Canadas as in the Lower Provinces had been going on for years, without producing the smallest effect upon the Govern ment ; and when in 1836 Sir Francis Bond Head was appointed Governor, it intensified the excite ment, as he was quite unfit for the position. Brought up in the most straight-laced Tory school in England, had been one of the Poor Law Com missioners, his dealings hitherto mostly with paupers, so that his feelings and disposition were attuned to very common place observances at home. This then was the man sent out to govern a highly spirited, intelligent people ; and he proved himself in the end to be no better than was pro phesied of him at the beginning. Then the Tories, as in Nova Scotia, had ready access to the back stairs of the Colonial Office, and their side of the story was always listened to, whatever it was, and acce]ited as gospel truth — while the Eeformers had no other way of making themselves heard than upon the floors of the House of Assembly, and that availed them nothing. In the elections in Canada in 1836, this Sir Francis Bond Head threw himself into the contest with all the ardour of a candidate, and this for the purpose of de- Hon. Joseph Howe. 185 feating the Liberals; and thus (as Mr. Charles Lindsey, Mackenzie's Biographer, observed) car ried despair into many a breast where hope had till then continued to abide. The coercion of Lower Canada by the Imperial and Local Governments caused the most excited persons in both Provinces to look to a revolution as the only means of relief. Mr. Mackenzie was among those who came to this conclusion. But he only shared with a large class of the population a sentiment which was the in evitable outcome of the existing state of things, and which affected masses of men, at the same moment, with a common and irresistible impulse. The Toronto " Declaration," made on the 31st of July previous, was the first spark to kindle the flame of insurrection. It committed all who ac cepted it to share the fortunes of Lower Canada. The machinery of organization and agitation, which was created at the same time, became the instrument of revolt. At one of the public meetings it was com plained that " a bribed and pensioned band of official hirelings and expectants, falsely assuming the character of the representatives of tho people of Upper Canada, corrupted by offices, wealth and honors bestowed upon their influential members by Sir P. B. Head, since they took their seats in the House of Assembly, have refused to allow a free trial to candidates ready to contest their seats — have refused to order new elections for members who have accepted places of gain under the gov- 186 Life and Times of ernment — have refused to institute a free and constitutional inquiry into corruptions practiced at the elections through Sir F. B. Head's patent deeds and otherwise ; and although they were re turned for the constitutional period which the death of the King had brought near to a close, they have violated the most solemn covenant of the British Constitution, by resolving that their protended powers of legislation shall continue over us three years longer than they were appointed to act." Now with regard to the conduct of the British Government towards the Canadian Eeformers, it must be said that the former were kept in perfect ignorance of the nature of the complaints of the latter through, as just now stated, the secret machinations of the Tories in their back stairs access to the Colonial Secretary. This ignorance was only removed by the outbreak and what fol lowed, as will be shown hereafter. Mr. Hume and others in the House of Commons used strong language against the outrageous system of Colo nial Government, and did not condemn the out break. Then there was a large body of Orange men in both Canadas, well organized — so that to them was finally duo the suppression of tho revolt and restoration of peace, and relieving the Com pact and the Tory Officials of their fright and returning to them their offices and emoluments — but, only for a time longer. Although the " rebels " were meeting in public Hen. Joseph Howe. 187 SIR FRANCIS BOND HEAD. 188 Life and Times of everywhere, and great preparations being made for an outbreak at an opportune moment ; and this going on for weeks in Upper Canada, Sir P. B. Head took no heed of the situation — nor did he make the least preparation for taking the field, but listlessly played with the cat in his chimnoy corner (figuratively speaking) ; let what might come it was all one to him, as it appeared by his apathy. There were very few regular troops in Canada at the time, and those were under the coEomand of Colonel Gore (who had married a Halifax ladj', and finally settled down in England as a knighted General.) The "patriots" or " rebels " had mustered at different points in the Province, and their object was to make a descent upon Toronto and capture it. All told they had probably 2,000 men to operate. But as Mackenzie himself was the General in Command, and did not know the first thing about military tactics, all his movements were nothing but a series of blunders and disasters. In one skirmish at St. Charles they gained a victory, and that was all. Had they a good Geneial to load them Toronto might have been taken with ease. Not having a leader and poorly armed and equipped, they advanced, were repulsed and ran. Historically, they can only be remembered in the same light as Falstaff's regi ment marching through Coventry. Indeed, I know of no such blunders in history, except they be in the cases of Louis Napoleon in his descent upon Bologne in 1845, with a handful of men to Hon. Joseph Howe. 189 overthrow the Government of Louis Phillipe ; or the mad attempt of Aaron Burr, ex- Vice Presi dent of the United States, who in 1806, attempted to seduce the Western Slates from their allegiance to the union, and join with him to revolutionize Mexico, then under Spanish rule, with the inten tion of having himself created Emperor of Mexico including said Western States. On proceeding down the Mississippi a flotilla of a dozen flat boats with but sixty followers he was trapped a little below Natchez, his forces scattered and himself, after many hardships caught, and finally tried in Eichmond, Virginia, on a charge of high treason, but he escaped conviction through a mere techni cality. Burr, though of brilliant talents, was reported to be a great villain. Louis Napoleon was imprisoned in the Fortress of Ham, but after a year or two made his escape in the disguise of a carpenter, and afterwards became Emperor of France. As before observed Mackenzie, the chief pro moter of the rebellion, although a very able, honest and courageous man, lacked discretion and judgment, which this outbreak fully demonstrated — for he should have known that a man untrained to arms was no more fit to lead an army into the field, especially against the Tory forces and all the Orangemen in all the Provinces, numbering many thousands beyond what he could possibly muster — had no more chance of success than hitherto he had of convincing the Compact that they ought to 190 Life and Times of place their offices at the disposal of the people. If there were but few troops in Canada, there were several regiments in Halifax, and Militia aglore in all the Provinces, all of which would have been marched to the scene of action — so that had the " rebels" taken Toronto, they could only have held it for a short time. It was a vast, stupid mistake for a civilian to attempt the conquest of Canada, and bring into terms the Tory Compact through force of arms. Hon. Joseph Howe. 191 CHAPTEE XXII. The Rebellion Crushed. — Bad Generalship. — Order Restored. — Lord Durham Sent Out to Canada. — His Very Able Report Showing the Causes of the Rebellion. — Tory Insult to the Governor General and Burning of the Parliament Buildings. — Ef fect of Lord Durham's Report. — Mr. Paulette Thompson Sent Out to Canada. — Coalition Gov ernment. The rebellion was crushed at a single blow, al though a number of lives were lost in the respec tive skirmishes. Mackenzie and Dr. Eolf, another of the active spirits, made their way to the frontier — as did all the other leaders of the revolt — and thus saved their necks but not their rep utations in this direction of the " forlorn hope." Mackenzie after being in the United States a short time, obtained a good position in the New York Custom House, but even here the restlessness of his nature overmastered him, and he again got into trouble. He discovered something wrong in the management of the department — perhaps " boodling" — and instead of minding his own busi ness and holding on to his office, he must needs take it upon himself to right matters by giving 192 Life and Times of information, accompanied by remedial proposals. The consequence was, especially being a foreigner, he lost his place. When the amnesty was pro claimed by the British Government a few years afterwards, (Mackenzie returned to Canada — a broken-down man, health shattered and a sport for Tory, gibes and squibs, until the day of his death, not long after. The publication of the amnesty brought back all who were concerned in the rebellion, with some exceptions ; and in not many years after some of the leaders, for whose heads large sums of money had been offered, wore elevated to high positions in tho Provinces, and even honored by the Sovereign with titles. All this came about after the smoke of battle had cleared away and the British Government could clearly discern the real condition of affairs, and the cause of the dif ferences between the parties, brought about by Lord Durham, in his able " Eeport," as we shall see hereafter. Order having thus been brought out of chaos, so far as the suppression of the rebellion was con cerned, and Eadicals and Tories agreed together to live at peace, and yet holding to their respective principles, it was after all only the calm that presaged another storm ; for when the Legislature subsequently met in Quebec, a Bill was passed for tho idemnification of those loyal subjects who had lost their property through the rebellion, which loss should be made up by the Province ; but of Hon. Joseph Howe. 193 course as the Liberals were not recognized as LOYAL subjects, no matter what the innocent ones lost, they should not bo included. But at length at a subsequent meeting of the Legislature, when the Liberals were in the ascendant in the House, they in common justice to their friends, brought forward a similar measure, on the ground that as those Liberals who also lost heavily were equally loyal to the Crown, no matter what they thought of the Compact, and equally opposed to the ex treme measures of the "rebels," why should not they be compensated as well as those who after all were virtually the main instigators of the re bellion ? This Bill was carried, and when the Governor (Lord Elgin) came down to the Houses of Parliament to assent to all the measures that had passed during the Session, this among the number, he was met at the door of the building after prorogation by a howling mob, imprecating upon him everything that was disgusting to hear — not only so, but they volleyed upon him every missile they could lay their hands on, rotten vege tables, rotten eggs, and even worse and harder substances. The Governor, however, managed to escape injury. After thus venting their spleen upon His Excellency, the next course was to set fire to the Parliament Buildings and burn them to the ground, and this they accomplished appar ently without interference. Here was a specimen of Spartan chivalry with a vengeance ! The " old 194 Life and Times of flag" loyalty touters were chiefly responsible for this disgraceful proceeding. But what came out of the rebellion ? Let us see. We are told in the good book, " out of evil good comes," but no one sows bad seed and ex pects profitable returns ; and yet, perchance, good growth often springs from poor tillage. So in life among men. The effect of the rebellion was to arouse the attention of the British Nation, and an inquiry into its cause was demanded ; and when the people of England speak the Government have to listen. There must be something serious at the bottom of all the trouble to account for such a terrible outbreak — besides the great sympathy manifested by the United States on the side of the revo Iters, had a very decided meaning. Accordingly the British Government now saw the importance of appointing a special commission to go out to Canada and intelligently ascertain tho cause of the trouble ; and Lord Durham was the nobleman selected as the intermediary, with that end in view. On arriving in Canada he did not allow himself to be taken in hand by either party ; but resorted to the most studious ways possible to get at the bottom of the whole story. His first «tep was to ascertain the names of the leading -politicians on both sides and upon whose modera tion and judgment reliance might be placed. He •called just such persons together, and thus after sifting all the evidence and making allowance for the partisanship as exhibited on both sides, he was Hon. Joseph Howe. 195 H5^^^Hj^ra|p^ ^^^^E-'^l^^e^" ^^^ mf-^^ |^^r.^^^g K -y ^^*?^ 4rt -" "^M^^nB^^ ^^k """^m ^Hg^ ." V •*""-'-?!^ ^!^i^h!^^H Wmk .. - '^^Mi rM?i^ V ^^fc^.:^t.,-C\| flMuT-^Hftiw'" ""^ LORD DURHAM. 196 Life and Times of enabled to reach the prominent facts, and strike a just balance between the disputants. On his return to England he drew up his famous Eeport, which must forever stand in our Colonial Annals as the most important political document ever published by a British Statesman, in which is set forth in the most fair and masterly manner, the grievances of which the Liberals had for so many years been complaining, and which finally culminated in open rupture. But Lord Durham's Eeport must be read to be understood and ap preciated by all fair minded persons. The effect of its publication in England upon the British public and Government was prodigious. Mr. Charles Buller, private secretary (since deceased,) a very able man, rendered no unimportant service in the composition of this Eeport — so said at the time. What followed? — and now we return to our regular subject, after this long digression. Mr. Paulett Thompson, President of the English Board of Trade, was next sent out to Canada (1839) as Governor General, clothed with plenary powers, and as a pacificator, with a view of restoring peace among the contending parties and placing on a more equitable footing a system of Government, such as all parties might accept without prejudice. What was called " Eesponsible Government," a sort of mongrel affair, had been acknowledged by the Tories for several years back. Finding it impos sible to stem the incoming tide any longer, they Hon. Joseph Howe. 197 made a virtue of necessity and accepted the new order of things, but not with a very good grace. The old Adam was still living in the Tory breast, and Mr. Howe they thought was a dangerous man to be in power in Nova Scotia. The heads of de partments continued to hold on to their offices, without reference to the people's representatives. Eesponsible Government with the Tories did not mean the surrender of a single privilege they had always possessed — it simply meant a willingness to do what the people wished, so long as their own individual interests were not disturbed. To carry out the new system in its entirety meant party government, which in their opinion would never do for the safety of the Province, because, suppose the Howe party once got into power, British con nection would be at an end, being sustained by the Legislature they would some day bring in such radical measures that a second edition of the Canadian rebellion would be sure to follow. As soon as the outbreak in Canada had com menced, an earnest endeavor was made by the Tories to incriminate the Howitos, because the re forms for which they were contending were pre cisely the same as those of Papineau and Mackenzie — but with this difference, the action of the one set of men was treasonable, while that of the other was peaceful, constitutional, altogether within their rights as British subjects. Then there was a strange absurdity in the objection set up by the Halifax Tories when they sought to show the 198 Life and Times of danger of party government ; and yet they were at that very time carrying on party government themselves ? None but those of their own opin ions had ever been allowed to take part with them. As in Canada above so in the Maritime Provinces below — the Eeformers everywhere wore prostrate, so long as the Governors and Councils of the respective Provinces held the reins of power and were upheld by the Colonial Office, which until now had received all its information, ea;^arife, as before stated, surreptitiously, from behind, at the back door, through the many telephones (figuratively speaking) which the Tories had at command. But now Mr. Thompson came out — he landed in Halifax and there commenced to lay his plans ; but before accompanying him further on his mis sion, and by way of episode, an amusing incident might here be recalled. In 1837 (or about that time) this gentleman being President of the Board of Trade and an active free trader in the House of Commons, was very active against the best inter ests of the Colonies, as so stated. Now timber from tho Baltic entered sharply into competition with our New Brunswick staple, notwithstanding the high foreign levies. To remove this duty then as threatened at one fell-swoop, it was thought would be death to the St. John trade. Accordingly the citizens (the noisiest part of them) turned out and got an effigy of the right honorable gentleman prepared and bundles of faggots and set them in a Hon. Joseph Howe. 199 blaze on King Square, amidst derisive shouts and execrations by the motley crowd there gathered. The business ofthe Province, however, survived the threat and trade in timber went on as usual, or with perhaps some diminution. On arriving in St. John from Halifax, on his way to Canada, in a year or two afterwards, as Governor General, this same gentleman was received with open arms, and shouts of welcome. " Crucify him — crucify him," now gave place to pceans of rejoicing. Triumphal arches were erected at principal points for His Excellency to pass under. Nor was the irrepres sible Address omitted, exuberant with loyal and devotional expressions of attachment to " our beloved Queen." The fickleness of public opinion so often spoken of now found expression in its most fantastic form. To go back where we left off. When Mr. Thompson landed in Halifax, he called together the leading members ofthe ojDposing jiarties. Mr. Howe being the central figure in the opposition ranks, of course received the lion's share oi atten tion. Lord Falkland was then the Lieutenant Governor, a nobleman of most fickle temperament, moulded pretty much after the Sir Francis Bond Head pattern (before alluded to,) and of whose subsequent actions we shall see more presently. His wife was tho natural daughter of the King (Wm. 4th) through whose influence no' doubt he obtained the position for which he was altogether by nature unfitted. The hotter plan thought Mr. 200 Life and Times of Thompson for cutting the Gordion knot;, in a tangle about both parties, was to call upon Lord Falkland to form a coalition government — it would not do to dismiss the present Cabinet, that would be giving way too much to the opposition — nor would it do to form an out and out opposition government. As a compromise then, Mr. Howe was invited by the Governor General to take with him into the Cabinet two of his colleagues, and this at the time was considered all round to be the best possible arrangement that could be made. Messrs. Howe, Uniacke and McNab accordingly entered tho Government — three in number — while tho old party retained six, so that the balance of power was anything but fair, still it was an acknowledgement of the claims of the Liberals to a voice in the Executive. All went on well for some time under the new dispensation ; and had the Tory element possessed a little common sense, this state of things might have continued for years ; but No I thoir old proclivities were too rooted and grounded in their nature to enable them to keep their eyes open to the dire possibilities of their own fatuity. After the first year of the " coalition," the Liberals found that their colleagues were too many for them — in numbers — they discovered from time to time manosuvros of which they could not approve, and to add to their annoyance they saw that my Lord Falkland was playing into the Tory hands. Now, if Falkland had no brains his wife had. She was a person of remarkable talents Hon. Joseph Howe. 201 and accomplishments, a fine conversationalist, and an excellent lady in all respects. She thought that Mr. Howe was one of the most able and bril liant men she had ever met — so I was informed at the time. No doubt, then, this lady was the means of cementing the strong friendship between her husband and Mr. Howe. But after a year or so, perhaps finding his old boon companion (Howe) getting too many for him, in his views, his Lordship became jealous and more foolish than ever, and so his pliable majority, willing at any moment to drive the minority out, were ready to welcome tho first opportunity for the fulfilment of their wishes. There were rumors from time to time that all was not harmony with in the Council Chamber at Government House — in short, tho mountain was in labor and the air filled with sulphurous fumes, while other signs were ominous of an eruption to take place at no distant dav, and a great smash-up all round. And so it came to pass. At length the storm burst — the small cloud which for a long time had been gathering in volume over Government House, startled the community ono fine morning with a crash. Without consulting their three Liberal colleagues, the Tories advised tho Governor to appoint a gentleman of their own politics to a seat in the Legislative Council, and his Lord ship most stupidly consented. This was the last straw that broke the animal's back. Messrs. Howe, Uniacke and McNab immediately threw up 202 Life and Times of their seats — the " coalition" was at an end, the case with all coalitions, dissentions within and want of cohesion without among friends. The success, or rather want of it, in the Pitt and Fox coalition is familiar to the English reader. And as another instance of the want of harmony in such combinations, it may be mentioned what occurred in New Brunswick. About two years after the break-up of the Halifax coalition, the great Liberals over the way were wheedled into the committal of a similiar coalition blunder, when in 1845 Messrs. L. A. Wilmot, Charles Fisher and George Stillman Hill left their party as it were, and joined the Tory Government, and thus submitted themselves to a large majority of their opponents, and at the same time crippled what was left of the Opposition in the House. They did this with their eyes open to what had taken place in Nova Scotia ; and the same results followed in both cases. While the coalition lasted in Halifax, the Tories in the House and the Liberals were at peace. Both sides slaked their thirst at the same stream. It was a sort of truce, but was immediately broken after the Tory treachery instigated or acquiesced in by Lord Falkland had taken place. And now the old Government was resolved once more into its original form, as " compact" as ever. Hon. Joseph Howe. 203 CHAPTEE XXin. " Daddy Chalker." — Old Liquors in Halifax. — Peppermint and Shrub. — The Popular Minister who Stole Sermons. — Mode of Burials in the Olden Time. — Wine at Funerals. — Objections to the Hearse when Introduced. About sixty years ago there resided in Halifax an old gentleman of respectability and good plain standing who went by the name of " Daddy Chalker.'' He was one of the characters of the time, and possessed what is called strong " indi viduality." His principal mental endowment was in the knowledge he possessed of the ages of more than half the town, from infancy to old age ; and in this respect he was what might bo called a walking chronologer. How he came by this won derful gift of conjuration, was a puzzle to many, and he seldom made a mistake in singling out his victim. ¦¦> Now, to know tho individual ages of half the members of a population (then of fifteen thousand) either required a strong memory or a system of mental arithmetic not easily to account for ; but " Daddy Chalker " seemed to understand his business if nobody else did and seldom made a mistake. Of course, there were different theories advanced to account for the man's phenomenal 204 Life and Times of peculiarity. But the fact is incontestable that the girls of Halifax knew their own ages, and that Chalker knew as much as they did. On the occa sion of the anniversary of a birthday in any house hold. Daddy would call to compliment the individ ual, and his reward was generally a glass of wine. Now, as it is very likely that in a population of so many thousands, there must necessarily be several birthdays, taking one house with another, for every day in the year, our old peripatetic philosopher must have imbibed considerable wine in the course of his rounds — at all events quite enough to keep him going from one house to an other ; and as the wine in those days was pure he always managed to carry his head straight be tween his shoulders. We will suppose that Sarah Ann's birthday is at hand — to-morrow or next day. " Now, ma, don't let Chalker in, the nuisance." " But, my dear, he knows your age all the same, and you are aware of the penalty for closing the door against him ?" Sarah Ann begins to think, and then withdraws her objections. She knows better than to hold out — for the penalty is, if Chalker is not properly received, he feels himself at liberty to tell Sarah Ann's age to all the boys. He is thus " boodled " with a glass of wine, which is the black mail he levies, especially after the girls have attained a certain age, and don't want to be classified among post mortem female bipeds. When Chalker died the prayers of all the girls in town went up for the repose of his inquisitiveness. Hon. Joseph Howe. 205 But how could the man drink so much wine and not become obfusticated ? Easily enough — then "the pure juice of the grape " was the stimulating tonic — a bucket full would not intoxicate, for the stomach suffered worse than the head. Those were anti-temperance days, and dealers in wines had no temptation to adulterate their wares to make money. But then if a person was fond of tho real ardent sixty years ago, Halifax supplied any quantity of " Old Jamaica," also pure, but not to be trifled with. Then there was the old Schiedam, known as Holland's gin, white as water and purity itself, especially when it began to bite. The old codgers used to dilute their " Jamaica " with spruce beer and this they called calibogus. At evening parties the flowing bowl wont the rounds among the ladies in the shape of peppermint, shrub, clove water, aniseed, and such other innocent decoctions. The manufacture of all those things has gone out with the lost arts — for I only know of them now as historical reminisconses. The fine arts, however, have brought in something to take their places, (but these things too are destined to give way ore long to something less spoonerifflc) such as Old Eye, Tom-and- Jerry, Pig-in-tho-whistle, mint julep, hazel boor, and so forth. For which scientific beverages we are indebted to our uncle Jonathan, who in his progress of civilization takes care to provide means of irrigation, so that the land may not become parched, or suffer from undue thirst, 206 Life and Times of and Canada is not far behind. Although they may appear trifling for a book, these remarks are made for the purpose of showing the habits of the past in order to contrast them with the finer qualities of the present period. Some fifty years ago there was a young minister suddenly appeared in St. Paul's church, Halifax, and soon became the idol of the town for his elo quent sermons, his elocution, and oratorical powers generally. Ho held his congregation spell bound, as though ho possessed a magic, magnetic influence over every soul present. His sermons were delivered extempore, the only effective method of holding an audience whether religious or secular. Long before the hour of service the church doors were besieged by many persons desirous of getting in after the pew owners had taken their places. The appearance of this young preacher in the pulpit was very fine, and his graceful gestures were not surpassable. During the height of his popularity he paid a visit to St. John, and preached in Trinity church ; and as his fame had preceded him, and his coming known to many of the congregation, the church was filled to overflowing. Everybody was delighted, and his praises were upon everybody's lips. In the evening he preached in St. Luke's church, Port land, the Eev. Mr. Harrison being rector at the time. Here the young minister's reception was equally imposing. The church was crowded to the doors. Hon. Joseph Howe. 207 Bye and bye it leaked out that this highly popular minister was preaching other people's ser mons. In other words, he was a plagiarist, and the sermons not of his own composition. A re action set in, and this famous young divine disap peared from the arena as suddenly as he came forward. From that time to this I have been un able to trace or fix him anywhere, and he may be under ground for aught I know. The foregoing facts are brought to my recol lection from reading in the newspapers a few years ago that an excellent speech delivered in tho United States by Hon. Mr. Mercier of Quebec, was the production of a certain gentleman, whose name is given, and that tho hon. gentleman was merely " the mouthpiece of another man's ideas I " "Veil, vot of it,'' as Jimmy Twitcher says in tho play. To merely write a speech or sermon (I here desire to include the St. Paul Preacher) is a small matter. It is the delivery of either that tells. A mere writer is not to be compared with the speaker whose art is "listening Senates to command." Suppose the rev. gentleman in St. Paul's used other people's property as his sermon, so long as he was doing good, and no harm to the real author, is not such a man in the pulpit of far greater use than a dull, prosy preacher tiring everybody out even though his sermon may be full of brains ? The answer will be dishonesty — by appropriating the work of another as if it wore your own, and not letting on to the congregation what you are doing. 208 Life and Times of There may be something in this, but the point I make is, as far as the people themselves are con cerned, so long as good sound doctrine is preached in an attractive and telling manner, is it not better to ask no questions so long as you are receiving good from the preaching ? But even taking the view of plagiarism, if history is to be relied on I have road of sermons having been written by lay men hack writers as they were called, for the use of high dignitaries of the church, and for which they were but poorly compensated. If my mem ory serves me, I read of Johnston the great Lexicographer, earning many a pound by writing sermons. Nor did the ministers announce from the pulpit the names of their authors — this would be infra dig. But we come back to the starting point. It is the preacher or speaker who is entitled to all the credit for making good use of the material within his roach. In fact there is much more labour in memorizing a sermon or speech than in writing it for delivery. Meeting Mr. Howe in the street one day, a gentleman visitor remarked to him — how very dull Halifax appeared to bo — few people to be met with, while tho stores and business places were quite idle. (No doubt the person so remarking had just como from some largo bustling city, and noticed the great difference.) " O," replied Mr. Howe, " it may be dull just now — but you wouldn't say that if you saw some of our big funerals — then our streets are quite lively." But how changed Hon. Joseph Howe. 209 now is everything in regard to burials compared with the olden time. Sixty-five or seventy years ago a hearse was unknown in Halifax and I sup pose all over Canada. The dead were carried to the burial ground, sometimes a mile distant, upon a bier, four men having it upon their shoulders — no matter how heavy the weight, or warm or cold the weather it was work that had to be done, and the labor was immense. Over the coffin a black velvet pall was thrown, with cords attached which were held by tho pall bearers ; the ministers and physicians preceded the coffin. On one occasion I was present at the funeral of a person who had lived a long distance up town, and whose weight was not less than 300 lbs. ; on this occasion the coffin was placed upon three bars or long sticks, and carried by twelve men — not upon the shoulders but held directly in front of them at arm's length. It was a long, wearisome, solemn journey, and the day was hot withal. When the churchyard was reached the difficulty of lowering the coffin into the grave presented itself for tho first time. The usual means in such cases were here impracticable. The lower end of the grave had to be dug out and a long incline was made which extended some feet outside — so that by this slanting process and several rollers put down the coffin was finally rolled into its last resting place. Outside coffins or shells were seldom or never used — so that the body found its level without any obstruction in its 210 Life and Times of The pall holders in those days — six in number — wore long crape scarfs looped up on one shoulder, and tied with a bow on the opposite side nearly touching the ground, while the hat band of the same material was fastened in the same way at the •back of the hat and hung a foot or so down the back. For young persons the scarfs and hat bands were of white material. The mourners were also supplied by the friends of deceased with hat bands worn in the same way, the ends falling upon the back. It was customary for all the known friends to be invited — sometimes perhaps numbering 20, 30 and 40, and more. So that the m.ore friends one had the more costly the funeral, as everyone invited was provided with the em blems of mourning including kid gloves. All this is now dispensed with ; and oven pall bearers are not considered in most places as essential adjuncts to funerals, although still observed occasionally in some places. The coffins were usually made of pine wood, polished with lamp-black. Those who •could well afford it had the wood covered with cloth, with trimmings or edgings of tin foil ma terial, always on hand at the hardware stores, with breast-plate and handles ofthe same metal. What are now called caskets wore unknown, — made of •mahogany, rosewood, walnut, and other expensive materials. Nor were such things as coffins or other death accessories kept on hand by cabinet makers or undertakers, as at the present day. These had all to be made to order when wanted. Hon. Joseph Howe. 211 On assembling at the house of death the mour- ! ners and friends filling the rooms, sometimes to • overflowing, were provided each with a glass of wine and a biscuit, which were always considered to be very acceptable, and perhaps in some cases this custom caused more mourners than were de sirable. There wore no flowers used on such occasions. This is a modern innovation, o The presence of death, according to my judgment, was marked in a more becoming manner. At the present day we feel that we have not done our duty to the memory of our dearly beloved lost ones, unless we smother their bodies in flowers, and vie with one another in producing the most ex quisite designs. Flowers may be considered, when used in this way by the pious and well meaning, as symbols of the resurrection, and I have no doubt it is all right enough — but it always seemed to me as a perversion of these beauties of nature, and I prefer to see death in its deathly form, according to the old ways, in sombre hue, in plain simplicity. When the hearse was introduced, say 65 years ago, it was under great protest. Indeed, it was considered by many well meaning people a sacri lege to drag tho bodies of their friends to the grave by horses. The clergymen, some of them at all events, went so far in their objections as to say that they for their part, would never walk before a horse at a funeral. It was, therefore, a long time before the town got reconciled to the hearse. Nor was it tho custom for coaches to at- 212 Life and Times of tend funerals, which now-a-days add considerably to the expense. But then the cemeteries wore all in the towns and there was no need of them. Nor did the people place large elaborate monuments, or obelisks, and such like meretricious tokens over the bodies of their friends, as now, but contented themselves with plain headstones which told their grief just as well, and were as well recognized. Now there is rivalry in these things as in every other worldly thing no matter what the expense, or rather in my opinion the waste of money. Everybody wishes to be up to his neighbor, and we do not look in vain, although it is all vain, when in our cemeteries for such like fashionable observances. All right, however, to those who are of that way of thinking. Hon. .Joseph Howe. 213 CHAPTEE XXIV. Lord Falkland's Pranks. — His Scribblers in the Press. — Howe's Fight with Falkland. — The Lat ter Shoots his Horses on the Common Before Leaving the Province. — The Johnstone Govern ment Fast Sinking. — The Opposition Sticking To gether. — Elections of 184:1 .-^The Liberals Carry the Day. — New Brunswick Politics. — Mr. Howe as a Lecturer. — Railway Addresses. — Public Let ters. — Appearance Before the House of Lords. Eesuming our direct subject. When the next session opened (in Lord Falkland's time) the old war of parties was resumed with more intensity than ever ; but the strength of the opposition was augmented by several abler men than it ever pos sessed before, such as James B. Uniacke, one of Howe's most formidable opponents and debaters, Wm. Young, and others. Lord Falkland, once so fair minded as was thought at the time, now identified and allied with the Tories, had made himself particularly obnoxious, not only by al lowing his own Royal Gazette scribes to bitterly assail Howe in particular, but even had writers engaged to abuse him (so charged at the time) by communications in the New York Albion, then 214 Life and Times of the great English organ of Colonial Tory opinions, and in short did his utmost in other ways to humble Howe and give him his coupe- de-grace. But foolish man, as he was, he was finally hoisted by his own petard, and in a year or so afterwards left the country like those other great mistakes — Sir F. B. Head, Sir Colin Campbell, and at a much later date Governor Gordon, of New Brunswick — failures of the most pronounced type. Under these repeated provocations Mr. Howe again donned his war armour, and with more vigor and abilities than ever measured weapons not only with Attorney General Johnstone and his follow ers who stood as targets for his shots upon the floors of the House day after day, and receiving heavy shots in return ; but with the Governor himself, who had by his own volition become a conspicuous figure, and not only showed himself a prejudiced partizan, but full of personal spite and revenge, and thus fairly left himself open to all that could be said about him. Having violated the rules " which doth hedge a King," and by the observance of which the King " can do no wrong," and descended from his high position and become a political wrangler, he must now take the con sequences of his fool-hardiness. This, then, was Lord Falkland's case in 1845, when Howe took him in hand to show him that although a lord by birth, he was only a parvenue by nature. Volley after volley had been fired at Howe by the Gov ernor's organ, published by the Queen's Printer in Hon. Joseph Howe. 215 the official Gazette Office, when Howe took up the cudgels not only upon the floors of the House but in his old powerful newspaper the Novascotian, now in other hands. Soon Falkland became the butt of the whole town, from the published pas quinades and squibs of the Press under Howe's control. The poem called "The Tale of the Shirt," after the style of Hood, was especially amusing, in which his Lordship was lampooned in the most witty manner, and for having written which Howe was taken bitterly to task in the House by Attorney General Johnstone ; Howe turned the tables upon his opponents, Lord Falk land in particular, so that the whole scene was like that of a play house — everybody laughed and applauded, gallery included, notwithstanding the Sergoant-at-Arms was ubiquitous, crying out "Order" in all parts of the House, when Howe took the fioor. Said the chief actor and culprit, " had I stated that his Lordship did not wear a shirt at all — or that his shirt stuck to him when he attempted to rise, the Hon. Attorney General might feel justly indignant. But I cannot imagine how the mere mention that his Lordship wore a shirt like a mere plebian, although he had no pants on at the time the poem was written, and that ho was not made up of mere frills and collars — then, Mr. Speaker, I acknowledge that I would be justly amenable, not only to the censure of this House, but to the laws of outraged decency las well." 216 Life and Times of In fact his Lordship scratched a Eussian and aroused a Tartar ; and until the day ho left the Province for good, he was not spared the lampoons and criticisms of the gentleman he attempted to destroy. When a Lieutenant Governor demeans himself and his high office, by " rushing in where angels fear to tread," he becomes the author of his own condemnation, and this gentleman, con stitutionally speaking, richly deserved all that he received. A few days before leaving Halifax for England Falkland had his carriage horses, splen did animals, some throe or four in number, sent out to the Commons and shot by some half a dozen soldiers engaged for the purpose, and this barbarity was committed in order that the horses should not fall into plebian hands — and so he put them out of the way. This shows the manner of man that ho was. His wife having died in Eng land, he subsequently married the Dowager Duchess of St. Albans. I believe that his Lordship is now dead. But the warfare still continued in the House — the Government had a majority of three to keep their heads above water, so that matters were whittling down pretty finely. Attorney General Johnstone was the great Falkland leader and defender ; and although James B. Uniacke acted as leader of the Opposition, for prudential reasons, it was only nominal, for Howe was virtually the leader, as everybody knew at the time. With Howe it was aut Goesar aut nullus. The Liberals Hon. Joseph Howe. 217 were now gaining in strength every day, not in the Legislature, but in the country. Herbert Huntington of Yarmouth was a very able man on the Liberal side, and his influence was immense in all the Western Counties. At length the Govern ment finding that their craft was sinking under them, made overtures to the leader of the Oppo sition — viz : that he (Uniacke) and several other gentlemen should come over and join them, but not to include Mr. Howe. Their object was to break up the party and at the same time destroy Howe, while the bait or olive branch held out was so many fat offices. Howe expressed a willingness to the arrangement, rather than be considered as an obstructive to a better system of fair play in government management. He felt that whatever patched-up arrangement might now be made, every thing would come right at tho ensuing elections. Uniacko's reply — after consulting with his loading political friends — was in substance an emphatic " No ! As we have contended together in man fashion for principles which we think to be for the good of the country, none more so than Mr. Joseph Howe — we cannot think of such a thing aa laying down our arms at this time of day and going over to your camp — but under any circum stances we shall never abandon Mr. Howe." This was the substance of the answer given. But now came the day for a final settlement of old scores between the parties. The general elec tions which were held in 1847, gave the Liberals a 218 Life and Times of large majority in almost every County of the Province. This was the final victory, the con summation of a struggle which had been going on bitterly since 1836, when Howe first entered the House — for it meant party government at the hands of the people — it meant a surrender of all government power by the Tories, and more than all the surrender of the departmental offices, with very large salaries attached to each, but which have been since considerably curtailed. And this success did not only mean Party Gov ernment, but it meant Eesponsible Government in its purity, to bo conducted thenceforward pre cisely as it was in England. It was well under stood, for some time past, that thereafter the parties in office must retire as soon as the majority in the next new Houso should declare a want of confidence in the Government. Until now, while backed as they were by the Governor and Coun cil, the old party were safe ; but all this was to be changed on the working out of the prin ciples laid down in Lord Durham's Eeport, and which the British Government had recommended and declared through despatches should be the political guiding rule of faith, when the fitting opportunity should arrive. It had now arrived ? On the assembling of Parliament tho Conserva tives had to pack their trunks and move out, when the Liberals stepped in and took possession of their departmental offices — Mr. Uniacke as At- Hon. Joseph Howe. 219 torney General, Mr. Howe as Provincial Secretary, and so on. As before remarked, tho Liberals of New Bruns wick held together in a compact body, but in quite a minority several years, when their ranks were diminished by tho secession of Messrs. Wilmot, Fisher and Hill. The bait held out (1845) was the Attorney Generalship, which the former gen tleman had accepted, hook and all — which meant its hard conditions — viz : paralyzing their old con freres in opposition, and keeping the advancement of the party back for several years. And no doubt considering it was all for the best, the other two gentlemen went with Mr. Wilmot to keep him company, obtaining the usual prefix to their names. The Liberal Press at the time (or rather what there was of such an institution) denounced the movement with some ascerbity especially since the coalition in Nova Scotia before this had col lapsed into a calamity — a smash up, politically, leaving more than a wreck behind, even the restoration of the old party to power and stronger than ever. So it turned out in New Brunswick. As soon as the Chief Justiceship became vacant on the death of Mr. Chipman, the Governor, Sir Edwin Head, with a head almost as hard as that of his cousin, Sir F. B. Head, but of more mental weight, overlooked his Attorney General (to whom the office was justly duo, according to responsible government, which our Tory friends pretended to recognize at the time) and appointed Judge Carter 220 Life and Times of to the vacancy, and then very reluctantly offered Wilmot a Judgeship, which ho accepted, for the opportunity might not again present itself very soon ; besides the Governor's power remained un broken, and the advice of his advisers went no further with him than it did on any former occasion. Then the office vacated by the Attorney General was handed over to an outsider, Mr. John Ambrose Street, instead of oflering it to Mr. Fisher who was the next entitled to it in the order of promotion ; and this was done that the Tory ele ment in the Government might remain intact and without diminution of strength. This was too flagrant a breach in the understanding that both parties should be fairly treated by the Governor, and so Messrs. Fisher and Hill struck and came forth out of the fiery furnace, to commence again de novo as Liberal agitators. After several drawbacks through the arrogance of Governors and want of foresight and stability among the constituencies themselves, Eesponsible Government became a " fixture" in New Brunswick — 1855 — when the first Party (Liberal Party) Government was formed, or eight years after Nova Scotia had been in full possession. And yet some of the small wheels in tho now concern have from time to time become clogged for want of the right lubricating oil to allow of the machin ery running smoothly, when the Chief Engineers (former Lieutenant Governors) have taken it into their heads to run tho engine upon the high pres- Hon. Joseph Howe. 221 sure principle, at a faster speed than the Constitu tion required — for example, when Mr. Manners- Sutton (in 1856) objected lo the Prohibitory Liquor Law ; and again when Governor Gordon played antics on the Confederation issue in 1866. But those are subjects that may be presented more fully in detail at some future time. Having now obtained full power in the Govern ment of Nova Scotia the Liberals set to work in right good earnest, not only to reform old abuses but to work out Eesponsible Government in a truly British way, by introducing new measures for the benefit of the Province, and standing or falling by them — such as giving to tho Town of Halifax an Act of Incorporation and doing away with the old Magisterial body as a governing power — Opening the outlying Ports of the Province and making them free as shipping ports — Dividing the Execu tive and Legislative Councils and throwing open the doors of the latter to the public, and a num ber of other important measures of which the people of Nova Scotia are to-day in the full enjoy ment. As it was not the original design of the writer of these Memoirs to do more than refer to such matters and incidents in Mr. Howe's career as crossed his mind from timo to time, it is deemed inexpedient to follow Mr. Howe in his political course since the formation of the first party gov ernment in 1847-8. To do so, oven to take up the salient- points, would fill several volumes — for all 222 Life and Times of his principal political work really commenced after that year and lasted for ten or fifteen years longer, during all of which time Mr. Howe continued to bo a power in the Legislature, in the Government, and throughout the Province.* Mr. Howe's services in other fields of literature outside of the Legislature have not been more than alluded to— such as his Letters to Lord John Eussell on the reorganization of the Empire — his Eailway speeches in England, when the Halifax and Quebec Eailway project was mooted — his ap pearance and the impression he made before a Committee of the House of Lords, on Colonial subjects — and also at the Colonial Office and before Earl Grey — his Letters to Sir Francis Hincks — to Mr. Charles Archibald — to Lord Falkland — his numerous missions to England and to the United States — his services as Fishery Commissioner be tween England and the United States — his corres pondence with Sir John Harvey, Lieut. Governor, who died and was buried at Fort Massey Cemetery, (Halifax) following his wife, who passed away a few months earlier — his many lectures before Mechanics' Institutes and learned bodies — his great Trade Speech at Detroit, U. S., &c., &c. Indeed the labors of Mr. Howe were incessant from •still, even after this period, 1847, 1 do not fail to note any in cident of minor Importance that may have occurred in Mr. Howe's career likely to meet with popular acceptance — so that this book is complete in itself as far as the aim and object are concerned. Hon. Joseph Howe. 223 the day of his Libel trial until his death, thus proving that he was a man of great physical en durance as well as vast intellect, and all devoted to the interests of his country. 224 Life and Times of CHAPTEE XXV. The Old Liberal Party in a Minority. — Attack Upon Hon. James B. Uniacke and Mr. Howe's Able Defence. — Meeting of P. E. Island Delegates for a Maritime Union. — Its Failure. — Canadian Politicians with Other Plans.— Ministers of State and " Lords." — Titles. — Confederation Carried. — Bad Treatment of Nova Scotia. — Hon. Mr. Laurier's Opinion of Said Treatment. The latter years of Mr. Howe's life are not alto gether unfamiliar to the present generation — nor do they contain enough of interesting incident, suitable to the popular taste, to extend this work much more at length ; and yet one of the most try ing episodes in this remarkable man's political career requires to be considered. When Mr. Howe retired in 1863 from the Legis lature — at the very height of his popularity — it was to assume other duties, having boon appointed the year before by Her Majesty's Government — (in succession to Moses H. Perley, Esq., of St. John, who died on the shores of Labrador while in the discharge of his duties) as Imperial Fishery Commissioner — at the time the " Eeciprocity" negotiations were in progress, which treaty, was Hon. Joseph Howe. 225 abrogated in 1866 by the Americans. The Liberal Government in 1863 was in a minority, and Mr. Johnstone was Attorney General and Dr. Tupper Provincial Secretary. All the old members of the House — like Young, Doyle, Wilkins, Uniacke, Huntington, Stewart — had disappeared from the scene of former conflict, and Howe stood alone, as it were, like an ancient oak shorn of its living branches. And then there was quite a falling off in the mental calibre of the succeeding composi tion, although it contained some men above medi ocrity who could talk well, if not soundly, and were not always responsible for the correctness of their utterances — such as those at a subsequent period, who, without scruple, handed over their country to the tender embraces of their neighbours — with out " by your leave" — all of which will be explain ed presently. Nor were the men who composed the Government at that day strictly in line with the old reformers, but rather belonged to a school of their own, more ambitious for their own welfare than for the interests of their constituents — for at an earlier period, I read that the Provincial Secre tary (Dr. Tupper) with another of his colleagues bore down heavily upon the memory of Hon. James B. Uniacke, Mr. Howe's close, bosom, political com panion — for reasons which do not appear — and who at that time was upon the verge ofthe grave — when Mr. Howe turned upon his assailants and in defence of his friend delivered one of the most eloquent, scathing and severe philippics upon the 226 Life and Times of heads of his traducers ever heard, it was said, in any legislative body — and from this I make a single extract : " What shall I say of such foul birds as the Pro- " vincial Secretary and the honorable member for " Victoria, who have settled upon the reputation " of my departed friend, oven while his great heart " was breaking and his noble spirit was winging '¦ its upward flight ? What need be said ? We " all know him and we know them. A serpent " may crawl over tho statute of Apollo, but the " beautiful proportions of the marble will yet be " seen beneath the slime." In 1855 Members ofthe Governments of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and P. E. Island met in Charlottetown for tho purpose of working up a scheme for a union of the Maritime Provinces — a subject that had long been talked of, and to which the meeting of those gentlemen gave a practical bearing. No one for years doubted the feasibility of bringing about such an arrangement, and everybody seemed to be in favor of it. Had there been difficulties in the way, of an insurmountable nature, some of the critics of the day would not have been slow to discover and expose them. True, •certain minor objections were suggested, such as the location of the seat of government, the tarift', &c., but all small in themselves, and not worth con tending about. As soon as the Canadians heard of this conven tion a happy thought struck thoir leading politi- Hon, Joseph Howe. 227 cians, none other than to make a sudden descent upon the Maritimers and take the wind out of their sails, by getting them to, make common cause with themselves and embrace all the Prov inces into tho one congeries. They "came — they saw — they conquered." The delegates from above were (as near as I can remember) Sir George B. Cartier, Sir John A. Macdonald, Sir Edward Gait, George Brown. It did not take these gentry long to convince our folks of the grandeur of their conception and tho great possi bilities that awaited all parties officially. Instead of being mere honorables in their respective Executive Councils, they would become Ministers of State, while our Legislative Councillors would be turned into Senators and men of great National importance — a back ground imitation ofthe House of Lords. It did not require much coaxing to bring our folks into lino, especially our own Nova Scotia Eepresentatives, one in particular, whose mental vision sometimes ran in the direction of an acute angle, and somewhat interfered with the ethical considerations of a political question. But certainly our Maritime delegates returned home with -their views enlarged as to the future, and an nounced that there were so many difficulties in the way of a Maritime union that they were obliged to give it up ! Like tho King of France with his army, who went forth to do great things — he marched up tho hill and then marched down again. 228 Life and Times of It was considered very questionable at the time whether the people above would have thought of us at all, had it not boon for thoir own legislative complications. Parties were so evenly balanced — the French of Lower Canada and the English of Upper Canada — that often for days and weeks at a time there would be a dead-lock and all busi ness brought to a stand still. It was Nationality and religion on the ono hand, and Orangeism and political conservation on the other, which con tinually clashed and blocked the way ; and, there fore, if only the Lower Provinces could be worked into tho lump it would be soon leavened and legis lation thenceforward would flow on smoothly ? This then was the animating cause of our big sisters above visiting Charlottetown and patron izingly taking us by the hand and smothering our delegates with official kisses. And so it all turned out agreeably to the programme and promises made — our Executive Councillors were transform ed into Ministers of State and our Legislative Councillors into " Lords," after a pattern ! More than this, our democratic view of things on this side of the water was next to be subjected to an unusual strain, by the introduction of titles, such as had always and only been reserved and dis pensed by the sovereign for great services rendered to the Empire at large, whether in the field, in science, discovery, or some distinguished perform ance deserving of special recognition and reward. Since the union, knighthood, like the Nova Scotia Hon. Joseph Howe. 229 Baronetage of old, has become one of our inflated institutions ; and if we keep on in this way Knights will soon become as common as German Counts — for in Germany it is said 30 percent, of the popula tion are supposed to be thus stilted— or like the Mag istracy of New Brunswick where every tenth man is deputed to be a Justice of tho Peace, without ref erence to his chirographic handiwork, or acquaint anceship with Thomas Dil worth or Lindley Murray. Having agreed among themselves at Charlotte town for this Confederation and the terms thereof, the delegates next conferred with the English Gov ernment with a view of obtaining its countenance and support, which were as easily to be had as Canada united would save an immense deal of labour to the Colonial office, for thenceforward, instead of dealing with half a dozen Provinces, the one Government and Governor, would only require attention. Accordingly whatis called the " North America Act" was passed through the Imperial Par liament, and soon afterwards put into working order. When the question for acceptance or rejection of "Confederation" was submitted to the people of New Brunswick, in 1865, it was defeated by an overwhelming majority, but in a year or so after wards it was accepted by about the same majority, reversed — such a turn of the screw in a single year had never been known in any country, which showed that the Confederates had not allowed tho grass to grow under their feet during the in terval, while the Lieut. Governor (Gordon) was 230 Life and Times of obliged by the English Government to make a meal of his own convictions (for ho had all along showed himself hostile to the movement) and in swallowing them had to do all he could in his power on the opposite side, and have Confederation carried in New Brunswick, whether or not. Then again about this time the Fenians from the United States made a raid upon the New Brunswick borders with a view to a conquest, and this created a political diversion. The gallant Militia of that Province, however, met the enemy and drove them back ; but tho Fenians helped to carry Confedera tion just tho same, and they should not be over looked on that account. The dire necessity for a union after that was not to be blinked out of sight. To be always prepared for such an emergency was an idea that took with tho groundlings, and so to be loyal to the crown and save the country many of them changed their opinions and their votes. Confederation in New Brunswick was, however, accepted by the people of their own free will. And now with regard to Nova Scotia. The air about this time was filled with strange sounds (Mr. Howe, the " father of his country," was absent on his fishery business) — loud muttorings by the people were heard on all sides, with singular unanimity against Confederation, even upon any terms ; but when it came to be known that it was already a settled thing and to be carried, through the audacity and machinations of certain unscru pulous Politicians, the temper of the inhabitants was Hon. Joseph Howe. 231 aroused to fever heat. But let the people rage as they pleased, the deed was done — it was a foregone conclusion, and Nova Scotia was forced to submit. This is the way it was done. — In the session of 1866 a resolution was moved in the Nova Scotia House (the Conservatives being in the majority) by Mr. William Miller (now in the Senate I be lieve) authorizing the appointment of a delegate to London to co-operate with those to be appointed by the other Provinces, in order to make arrange ments with the British Government for the Con federation of the North American Provinces. The opposition to this resolution was led by Mr. Stewart Campbell, of Guysboro, who contended that it would be a gross outrage to pass such a resolution without first submitting the matter to the people at the polls as had been done in New Brunswick. But all of no use. The original motion was carried at half-past two in the morning and the people as it were put at defiance, in the solemn hours of darkness. No such dastardly act was ever perpetrated upon a free people, except it might have been at the time of tho union of the Irish and English Parliaments in 1800, and the attempt now being made (at this writing) to force Manitoba into a measure of which the people almost unanimously disapprove — and this is being done chiefly by the very same kind of man who coerced Nova Scotia in 1866. The leader of the opposition (Mr. Laurier) ventilated this subject pretty freely in the House 232 Life and Times of of Commons in March last upon the Eemodial Bill. It was no less an act of coercion of Nova Scotia than the attempt now being made towards Mani toba, with only this difference — while tho Legisla ture of tho former carried the Confederation Bill, the Legislature of the latter is in opposition to separate schools in any form, and tho majority of Hon. Joseph Howe. 233 brute force of the majority of a moribund parlia ment, and the hon. gentleman must to-day bear the responsibility and the stigma that for a whole generation the great idea of Confederation was to the people of Nova Scotia synonymous with op pression and coercion. 234 Life and Times of CHAPTEE XXVL Mr. Howe's Opposition to Confederation. — He is Delegated to Proceed to England. — He Goes and Lays the Complaint Before the Colonial Secre tary. — Gets no Redress. — Returns to Halifax Broken Down in Spirit and in Health. — The In habitants Greatly Disappointed — No Inconsis tency in Mr. Howe's Course. — Past and Present State of Things. — Hon. Mr. Chamberlain's Speech on Imperial Federation. — Canadian Independence. — Why Mr. Howe Sought for Changes. — But Everything is Now Changed. — Too Much of Party at the Present Day. — Annexation to the United States Going On. — Mr. Howe on the Independence of Canada. — Mr. Howe as a Free Trader. When Mr. Howe arrived upon the scene — to whom his countrymen had always looked for counsel, and to whom they were so greatly in debted for their political freedom — he naturally became indignant at the treachery of his old antag onist — of the very man who had so often crossed and annoyed him, (whatever Mr. Howe's proclivities might have been in the direction of Confederation of some kind,) and so he made common cause with his countrymen with a view of undoing, if possible, Hon. Joseph Howe. 235 what had been so infamously perpetrated. The people of Halifax — certainly all the old Liberal party — three-fourths of tho inhabitants — rallied around Mr. Howe, speeches were made and de nunciation found expression upon the heads of those who had thus betrayed and surrendered them to the Canadians. The conclusion finally arrived at was that Mr. Howe should proceed to England and lay the case before the British Government. But, alas, the mischief was completed ; for when Mr. Howe on his arrival in England remonstrated with the Colonial Secretary and other members of the Gov ernment, he was answered in substance, " Mr. Howe, it is too late — the papers are signed — and the Act of Confederation will go into effect immediately — and you are requested to show no more opposi tion." The big heart of Joseph Howe was crushed by this answer, from which there was no appeal, and so he returned to Halifax a disappointed and broken down man. When his fellow citizens (the old Liberal party) met to receive the bitter an nouncement of his failure, it was like a funeral gathering and a most solemn day in Halifax, or like the conquest of the Province by a foreign enemy. A short time after his arrival from England, I called upon Mr. Howe (the Hon. Mr. Eandolph of Fredericton was with me) in a friendly way — he then resided in Dartmouth, — and he did not hesi tate to freely express his opinions with regard to 236 Life and Times of the present and future prospects of his country and the great wrong that had been perpetrated, — the fire, however, no longer burned brightly in that bosom, when he spoke of being forced to accept the scheme — the absence of humour and anecdote so common to Mr. Howe's nature was conspicuous. He seemed to be transformed into the personifica tion of the strong man bowed down by a wasting sickness ; and I have no doubt that his years were considerably abridged through the disappointments of that the most trying event in his long political life. A man to have wielded supreme and healthy power, as it were, over his countrymen for more than a quarter of a century, to be jockeyed aside by a man in whom Mr. Howe never had any faith, and to see his country taken from under his feet, was a terrible blow to Nova Scotia's greatest states man and patriot, and he never after that was the same man. (Here I wish to pause for a few moments to meet the charges of inconsistency preferred against Mr. Howe's course in regard to Confederation. The whirligig of time like the kalediscope, which shows fresh prisms at every turn, brings about many changes in a few years. What would do for to-day might not do for to-morrow. Besides, Mr. Howe, however great, was like some others less gifted, not always successful in propounding theories capable of being reduced to practice. Saul among the Prophets was not always the wisest. Lord Durham in his famous Eeport sug- Hon. Joseph Howe. 237 gested a union of the North American Provinces as a panacea for certain political ills, before refer red to, and Mr. Howe had an inkling in the same direction. But it is one thing to speak well of a measure in the abstract, but altogether another to deal with it in the concrete. I have no doubt that Mr. Howe would have favoured Confederation in 1867, if he had been consulted on the subject, and took an interest in the details ; but to follow in the footsteps of a man in whom he had no confidence, was altogether against his nature, as well as against the disposition of the people generally. When his letters to Lord John Eussell in 1846 were written, in which Mr. Howe suggested a closer union between England and her Colonies, and for the latter to be represented in the Imperial Parlia ment, " high protection" was the order of the day — and the Colonists had a monopoly of trade in the markets of the mother country — (our federation ists wish to revive the principle to-day with their " preferential trade" ideas)— the foreigner was kept at bay to our great advantage, and England had a similar monopoly in her Colonial markets. So that had Mr. Howe's proposition been acceded to in 1846, England, if disposed, had not to recede one step to meet the case on commercial grounds. How is it to-day ? The ports of England are thrown wide open to the whole world, and her Colonies have to compete with the alien in the sale of their products — not only so but by the repeal of the Navigation Laws foreign vessels, to- 238 Life and Times of our great disadvantage, may be built and sold in her markets, and tho whole of our coasting trade is thrown open to the Americans, or any other power, and so they have the whole of our North American coast range — five thousand miles in ox- tent, and fifty ports of entry — in which to ply their trade and interfere with us, while the United States denies the Colonies any such privileges ! If it is to the interests of England to maintain this unjust balance, as far as we are concerned, no one can find fault — it is done in the interests of her own people ; but when we see Colonists (mostly on the Conservative side) trying hard to work their way up hill with a view to induce the mother country to come down in her tariff, in order to meet certain new fangled and impractica ble notions, yclept " consolidation of the Empire," it is enough to blanche the cheek of any high spirited patriot * Nor would Mr. Howe's repre sentations in the Imperial Parliament at the time have staved off any important measures the Eng lish people had sot thoir hearts upon — for the protests of our representatives would have been as a more whisper in the babel of six hundred English tongues in the Imperial Parliament, the interests of Colonists to the contrary notwithstanding. ¦¦I discussed this subject of "Imperial Federation" at lull length In a Pamphlet three years ago, and perhaps exhaus tively; and the last statesman-like utterances upon the subject were serai-offlcially delivered in a late speech by the Hon. Mr. Chamberlain, Colonial Secretary, wherein he shows, I think, the impracticability of such a measure, although the diplomatic utterances are well coated over with sugar. [See Appendix.] Hon. Joseph Howe. 239 But the advocates of Imperial Federation seem to take a deeper interest in this matter than the people of England, — at tho same timo unable to show in what way tho Colonies are to be tho gainers by such union. As remarked elsewhere Independence should weigh with such minds as the only possible change next in order, not that I consider it would bo to the advantage of Canada, but otherwise — for independence would involve a far greater expense to maintain than we are now under, however great that is. But the indepen dence of Canada must come in time according to precedent, the common nature of things, and tho accretion of population. The Kingdom of Prussia had long been a Nation before 1806, when the population, overrun by Napoleon, was loss than four millions — the population of the United States when her independence was declared, was only three millions — the same may be said separately of half a dozen European Principalities. So that Canada with its five millions to-day and tho pro spective millions fast coming along, according to Mr. Howe, and, of the old Confederate promises of twenty millions in twenty years, furnish almost absolute data that " cause and effect" are as ap plicable to Canada in this matter as to other countries. Do the federationists mean to say that a population of twenty millions, even twelve, can be kept on as a mere Colony ? While nobody wants such a change of policy the idea is nevertheless a strong buttress against 240 Life and Times of the notion of " Imperial Federation," which is like asking the young lad, on the eve of manhood, in full growth and vigour, not only to remain on the old farm on which he had been brought up, but to work with his brothers and sisters, to dig and moil along as usual, while the old mother (Mrs. Bull) loots on and says " that's good children, but after all you have got to do as I say while you are with me — but at the same time you are at liberty to go off and set up in business for yourselves." The notion of drawing the whole world togeiher in a single tie of affection, and co operation — fifty Colonies divided by vast oceans, and having no sympathies in common, as regards trade or any thing else, is so Utopian that tho great wonder is that sensible men can entertain it for a moment ! To compare the case with that of the United States, or the union of tho German Principalities, is sheer nonsense — for in both cases there are no geographical divisional limitations — both are com pact bodies like Norway and Sweden. Then we are told that by Federation, the Empire consolidated, would bo strengthened, even rendered impregnable. How ? Have not the Colonies always fought the battles of England on their own soil ? What more could Canada do if she senti mentally formed part of this grand " Federation," than she did on all former occasions when her soil was invaded, or the honour of the Crown threat ened ? Did not the militia of Canada save Canada to England in the war of 1812 ? Did not the Hon. Joseph Howe. 241 volunteers of the lower Provinces as well as the upper, spring to arms on every such occasion ? During the Canadian rebellion in 1837, the Legis latures of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick voted all their revenues away, the former amounting to half a million, and the latter to four hundred thou sand, to be called for if and when wanted. The same offers were made in the case of the North Western boundary difficulties in 1839. Why then talk of Colonial defence (as one ofthe great Fed eral planks) and thereby tacitly tell the people of England that the mother country alone fights for us, and that only by this visionary union can we be able to help her ? However, Mr. Chamberlain's last and great semi-official utterance upon this subject has given to the fad its coup-de-grace ; but oven should Mr. Chamberlain wheel into line with the agitators, the people of England themselves will have something to say as the final court of appeal. In 1846 Mr. Howe complained of tho quality of tho Governors sent out to the North American Provinces, mostly men appointed for thoir qualifi cations as soldiers in the field, or clerks in the great departments, or naval heroes; but seldom one of fitness to govern in the civil service of the Crown, as Governor, or with the least knowledge of what was duo to Colonial ways and habits, or a free spirited people. In this Mr. Howe was cor rect, as any one may recall by brushing up his memory in reference to the Maritime Provinces. 242 Life and Times of But to-day this is all changed — we now make our own Governors, and when we do not like them, wo have only ourselves to blame ; but it is ray opinion that since we have had this privilege, we have had men placed over us who will compare favourably with oven the best of " their illustrious prede cessors." Then, in 1846 many of our public offices, such as the Imperial Customs (and other offices named by Mr. Howe) were filled with English proteges, who had influence enough " at home " with in fluential friends to obtain for them such positions (for example as in the cases referred to in a former chapter when Messrs. Carter (Judge) and Powers (Crown Land Office, and Mr. Baillie) in New Brunswick were hoisted over the heads of the natives.) This is all changed in 1896. So that here again the cry for representation in the " Im perial Parliament " has lost another of its arguments. Again, in 1846 Mr. Howe complained that Colonists had no chance to serve the Queen in her military service — or rather had no footing com pared with the young scions of England, where commissions and promotions could only be had by purchase, and therefore our young mon disposed to enter the army had no chance, for want of money and influence at the Horse Guards. In 1896 this is all changed — the system of purchase has been abolished, and merit alone gains the coveted position. Not only so, but our Colonial Hon. Joseph Howe. 243 Military Schools have the privilege of sending four cadets a year to join the " Eoyal Standard " of England free of charge. Then, again, when in 1846, Mr. Howe addressed Lord John Eussell for a voice in the Imperial Par liament, the honors of diplomatic appointments among Colonists, were never once thought of on either side of the Atlantic by men high in office. In 1896 this is also changed. We now send diplomats to Washington and to Paris, (and have we not a High Commissioner in London, although his duties have never yet been publicly defined ; for we certainly overlook him or think we have no need of his services, when our statesmen in Ottawa require to transact any special business in England, such as tho raising of money, &c.) So that we are fast rising in the National scale of importance, and all this without representation in the Imperial Parliament I In 1846 we were held so fast by England in leading strings, and our complaints so indifferently listened to at tho Colonial Office, that any escape from this condition would have been preferable to tho doubts and uncertainties by which we were sur rounded ; and is it any wonder that a man with Mr. Howe's great capacity and talents should suggest some plan whereby Colonists might be placed upon a better footing, especially when he cast his eyes across the American border and saw how the same race of men, no better than we, enjoyed all the advantages of free men, and rose to become 244 Life and Times of men of world-wide distinction ? But this too is changed in 1896. We have now all that we re quire in the way of self-government. In fact we have too much of it — for the curse of party, and bad men and worse measures, promise to be our ultimate ruin, unless the intelligence and honesty of the land come to the rescue and teach men high in office, of whatever party, that public morality and private morality are synonymous terms. But then if our friends copy Mr. Howe as an authority in one thing, he should bo copied in others of equal importance. Mr. Howe, in 1846 estimated that the popula tion of Canada, would amount to fully 12,000,- 000 by the end of this century, which has only four years to run — the prophets who brought about Confederation and the purchase of tho great North West from the Hudson Bay Company, placed it at 20,000,000 in twenty years from tho purchase — the timo has long since lapsed, and here we are with 5,000,000 ! — a small increase in twenty years — and our utmost endeavor is to hold on to what we have got. " Annexation" is going on piecemeal — our people are detailing themselves across the border every day, individually, or in family platoons. But with regard to Mr. Howe's opinions (as above stated) upon other great ques tions, if the reader will turn to page 189 (2nd volume of Mr. Howe's speeches and letters by Hon. Mr. Annand) he will see that the speech de- Hon. Joseph Howe. 245 livered in the Nova Scotia Legislature on " the re-organization of the Empire," abounds in very free and liberal expressions in regard to the inde- pendence of Canada, and that she is able and can very well afford to go into business for herself. He shows the natural advantages, the great re sources, and the objects to be gained under a dis tinct nationality. But that ho may be thoroughly understood (and not by what is stated here) in all his arguments, his speech must be read, as an ex tract or two would not be enough to represent him correctly, but taking him in the abstract he cer tainly was not opposed to Canadian Independence, even fifty years ago, under certain favouring cir cumstances. Then with regard to his opinions in matters of trade. Ho was an out-and-out free trader, a follower of Huskisson, the great Palladium of British justice towards the poor man in giving him cheap food. In the course of a debate in the House (see page 157, 2nd vol.) on Protection and Free Trade, Mr. Howe remarked : " Even were his arguments [referring to the " previous speaker] sound, I represent Cumberland, " and I ask myself if I am prepared to tax the " farmers, lumberers, quarrymen, sawmen — com- " peting, as they are obliged to, with all the world, " — for the purpose of bolstering up certain " artificial branches of industry, which cannot " stand competition upon a fair and just basis ? " But the true reason why I am opposed to the 246 Life and Times of " imposition of the proposed duties is that I be- " lieve they can stand on thoir own strength, while " the fishermen and laborers would suffer. * * * " I aek the hon. gentleman if he would increase " the price of the articles they need, that a few " manufacturers — who now live, some of them in *' affiuence and splendour — may be better paid ?" The same arguments are as applicable to-day as they were when Mr. Howe spoke. Let his utterances then be ranked among future quota tions whenever the Imperial Federationists seek to bring him into court, especially tho National Policy Protectionists ! Hon. Joseph Howe. 247 CHAPTEE XXVIL The Closing Days of Mr. Howe's Active Life. — Indifference of Canada Above the Maritime Inter ests. — Still Ambitious for Public Life. — " Better Terms." — -His Acceptance of the Situation. — His Countrymen Loud Against Him. — Buns an Election in the Dead of Winter and Succeeds. — His Introduction to the House of Commons. — Victory Inverted. — Mr. Howe Appointed Lieut. Governor. — His Death. — Concluding Remarks. — A Monument Proposed. I now come to the closing chapters in this great man's eventful history. The afternoon of a life so brilliantly spent at its meridian, was now about to close somewhat in shadow. The evening of his days did not exhibit the rosy tints which fleck our summer horizon, while the great orb of day is sinking to rest. The shadows which crossed his path at this juncture, rendered his latter years very trying and even distressing. His old political friends who had always stood about him in a solid phalanx, now divided, and went into bitter opposi tion to him — presently to be explained. We have seen how Confederation was coerced upon Nova Scotia ; and tho reasons assigned by 248 Life and Times of the people for their objections to this union pure and simple, I have already said that Confedera tion was instigated by Upper Canada from being unable to maintain the balance of power with the Lower Province in Legislative matters, and so to overcome the obstacles they brought the Lower Provinces in as a make-weight — more that than from tho pure love they had for the people by tho sea, or to strengthen the Empire in North America.* At this moment Mr. Howe was in the zenith of his fame. His countrymen — his old political friends to a man — saw that he was powerless to right the great wrong that had been perpetrated upon his country. He could do no more, and he might then have folded his mantle about him, as the great tribune of the people, and said : " I know myself now ; and I feel within me A peace above all earthly dignities, A still and quiet conscience." Or with St. Paul he might have exclaimed : " I have fought a good fight — I have finished my course — I have kept the faith." But the great soul of our subject, still having a lingering ambition for public life, failed to meas ure the situation as his best friends did, and so he committed himself to a course of action which in •Instances might be cited of the indifference shown to our interests even up to this day, especially in driving their Atlan tic Steam Boat business through American Ports without re gard to Maritime claims. Hon. Joseph Howe. 249 the long run did him an infinite amount of harm and but very little good — in the estrangement of old political friends,— in the turmoil through which he had to pass, (at his advanced years) — in the humiliating (in my humble opinion) circumstances of his later surroundings — in the comparatively insignificant position he held at Ottawa in tho Government, and among "statesmen," so called, the chief of whom being a man of far inferior mould and abilities to himself, and of such make up as he had slain, politically, more than half a dozen like him, in his own legislature during his prime and palmy days. 0, but this was sad ! Now, had Mr. Howe retired from active politics at this time, no doubt his old political friends would have stood beside him and up to the day of his death. Even his former anti-responsible op ponents had learned to respect and admire him for his good and honest qualities, and that his former politics after all had been a great service to the country. As to the Governorship it would no doubt have fallen to his lot had he not stirred a finger, and by his retirement ho would have been saved all the drudgery through which he had to pass, (costing him his life I may say,) while this high reward (the Governorship) for long services in his own Province, could not have been withheld from him, if disposed to accept it at the hands of his enemies ! Mr. Howe's first step towards making overtures to the new Dominion Government — for terms of 250 Life and Times of capitulation as it seemed to me — was in the light of a suppliant for " better terms" for the Province. The insult had been given and the blow struck, but there was a disposition here manifested to for give for a money consideration ! The Dominion Government, seeing the opportunity as they thought, of placating and reconciling Nova Scotia to the new state of things, accepted the proposition, and ac cordingly Mr. Howe and Hon. Mr. McLollan, the latter afterwards Governor of Nova Scotia, drew up the necessary documents, embracing more money in the way of annual subsidy, and so the Province wis thought to be all right after that — but not so, for the old inhabitants are still cross, altho' the present generation accept the situation as all right — as our children have accepted Ees ponsible Government, without knowing what it cost their forefathers to obtain it. Mr. Howe's next step was to obtain a constitu ency and enter Parliament. Hants was the County which he chose for the trial. Here (1869) Mr. Howe was mot in opposition by Mr. Goudge, a highly popular gentleman living in Windsor. The election took jilace in the dead of winter, so that to get about among the numerous constituents in all parts, would be a serious undertaking for a much younger man. Mr. Howe was about 67 at this time. The snow storms and drifts on corduroy roads, sleeping in cold beds at night, and speaking in public day after day in exposed places, were all a terrible trial to him ; and when Hon. Joseph Howe. 251 he came out of the struggle barely victorious his health was shattered — indeed the seeds of perma nent disease and final dissolution, may be traced to that election contest. When Mr. Howe took his seat in the House of Commons for tho first time, he was, as is customary, introduced to the Speaker, and his escort for that purpose were two of his old Confederation oppon ents — a most remarkable and sorrowful spec tacle. It was like tho capture ofthe great Tribune of Nova Scotia by two persons, to be laid upon the altar of the new Dominion as an oblation for what they considered to be the political sins of their countrymen in their resistance to Confederation. Here was victory inverted I Mr. Howe was taken into the Government and appointed Secretary of State. These were the honors, if such they can be called, that awaited a heroic life, now drawing to its close — after thirty years a leader of some of the ablest men this country ever produced, now allowing himself to become the follower of a man (Sir John A. Macdonald) belonging to a school whose politics had ever been at variance with his own, and whose sympathies were en rapport with those persons Howe battled against for so many years of his prime ! Alas, that such a man should have lived to be the witness of his own fallen greatness ! He stood in that Assembly like a majestic oak in the midst of a forest, denuded of its foliage by the lightning's blast — or a Sampson after being shorn of his locks by a Delilah — an 252 Life and Times of emasculated form and a taunt by his enemies — or to use another similitude, he was like one who had fallen from tho Eitfel Tower, almost dead before reaching tho ground. In 1873, Mr. Howe was made Lieut. Governor of the Province he had so faithfully served ; but his health was now so much shattered, that his honors were but short lived, for he expired in a few weeks after his appointment. He died (a strong constitution suddenly broken down) at the age of 69. Mr. Howe's remains repose in the Camp Hill Cemetery, and his wife and children rest within the same iron enclosure. [See account of his funeral in tho Appendix.] Thus, I have endeavored, though perhaps inade quately, to draw a living picture of the life of a man who in his prime would have reflected lustre upon any legislative body in the world. Consider ing the work he had given himself to do, com mencing publicly at the early age of thirty, and what he accomplished in the face of most formid able odds — at a time, too, when these Provinces were sadly and unfairly governed, it must be ad mitted that Mr. Howe stands forth to-day on record as the greatest man that British North America has yet produced — if the term greatest may be applied to ono combining so many bril liant qualities. His abilities, his fearlessness, his command of language, his sententiousness, his speaking powers, his complete knowledge of men. Hon. Joseph Howe. 253 and his control (if the word may bo allowed) of mon — as a facile, trenchant writer, whether in prose or poetry (several volumes of his poems are in print) — his wonderful industry and aptitude, and on the whole the uses to which he devoted all these manifold natural gifts for the benefit of his country — I say considering all these things, no other public man, past or present, in British America, ever attained to the same political alti tude as Joseph Howe ; and it is doubtful if there will be one like him to come after. And then, he died poor I This implies more than can be written — for with all the opportunities he had for enriching himself, as other Nova Seotians have done, Mr. Howe would despoil a friend rather than touch unhallowed coin belonging to the State. He would not compound with his conscience and take advantage of his position to turn money into his own coffers, however excusable in certain cases, but rely altogether upon his salary for the allowance which the law made him. To connect such a man with what now-a-days is called "boodling" — in plain English, stealing — would have been an utter impossibility. " Howe died poor !" Let this be placed as a memento over the entrance door to the vault which covers his dust. He might have left his family rich had ho been unscrupulous, or like some other politicians. In private life, or among friends, Howe was a host indeed. He was full of life and humor and anecdote. No man ever laughed louder or en- 254 Life and Times of joyed the conventionalities of the dinner table with greater zest than he. For him money had no charms — it was come day go day ; while in pub lic, (on the floors of tho Houso and in his office,) he was all accuracy and regularity ; and yet in private in his own house, he took no heed of system or domestic requirements — that is to say, he would invite a friend to dine with him — the same day — and yet cause no preparation to be made at home for the occasion. He was hearty in his friendship, trusty and steadfast. As a loyal man in its real sense, and to British institutions, his Sovereign never had a trustier Knight ; but then, he was equally loyal to his country, to freedom and the rights of man, whether political, religious or social. There was no duplicity about him — nor did he show the usual art and cunning of the politician. If he made promises it was with the intention of keeping them. Even a political op ponent found favor in his sight — or rather he would not step aside to' throw a stumbling block in his way, but rather aid him. In a word : " He was a Man, take him for all in all, we ne'er shall look upon his like again." Hon. Joseph Howe, 255 MONUMENT TO MR. HOWE. Four years ago, 1 suggested through the •columns of St. John Progress, the following re marks, and I now repeat them, and am glad to find that a movement has been made in Halifax for the erection 'Of such a monument to tho memory of Nova Scotia's great benefactor : Tho memory of great men is always perpetuated by their countrymen in monumental stone, or marble, or bronze. The Central Park in New York, for example, contains many such works of art, either in the way of statuary, or monolith, or mausoleum, or cenotaph — in short they are of every variety of expression, recalling tho memories and performances of soldiers, patriots, poets and statesmen. But not alone Central Park — almost every public park or square, not only in American but European cities, contain one or more trophies to their great men. All these are the evidences -of pride and gratitude and public spirit on the part of a people, for the services rendered to their •country in whatever ephere, and who are un- 256 Life and Times of willing that their benefactors shall pass out of no tice or memory. Has not Joseph Howe done enough for his native Province, to render his name immortal in the hearts of a grateful people — yea as much so as any other man, dead or alive — cceteris paribus — in any city or country in the world, to whom monuments have been erected ? It cannot bo a mere matter of opinion as to the invaluable services rendered by Howe, not only to his native Province but to all British America as well. This is recognized and established beyond peradventure. Nor should a solitary mistake of a great life, stand in the way for a single moment, when placed in juxtaposition with the manifold acts and reforms which this able man so assidu ously struggled for and brought about. I do not presume to suppose that a suggestion of mine would lead to anything being done in tho way indicated. But I would express the hope that Halifax will some time in the early future see her way clear, to organize a movement, having for its object the raising not only of a Halifax, but a Provincial subscription, that a Monument may be erected on the Grand Parade to the Memory of Joseph Howe, the great Patriot and Political Bene factor. Shall it be said that while Canadians in the upper Provinces erect monuments to their public men far less gifted than Howe, we as Nova Seotians will continue dilatory and lukewarm in paying tribute to the memory of her most illus trious son ?- And thus I would have this Monu- Hon. Joseph Howe. 257 ment assume the attitude of Howe reclining in his seat as ho appeared in the House of Commons ac cording to tho portrait which appears at the be ginning of this Book. This figure would repose upon a base of granite, or Nova Scotia quartz, and be placed upon the Grand Parade. The cost of the whole work would fall very far short of the abilities of the inhabitants of Nova Scotia to provide. A similar monument to tho model here indicated stands upon ono of the public squares in Balti more, to tho memory of George Peabody, the philanthropist. The figure is seated in a reclin ing posture, and is admired by every one. I name the Grand Parade as tho site (not the Public Gardens,) in order that his fellow-citizens may have their great townsman continually before them, in crossing to and fro this historic and in teresting thoroughfare. 258 Life and Times of LAST ILLNESS OP HON. MR. HOWE. It was a most remarkable coincidence that the death of two Dominion Lieut. Governors should have occurred within one month, respectively, after being sworn into office — viz : Lieut. Governor Howe, of Nova Scotia, and Lieut. Governor Boyd, of New Brunswick, cases only paralleled by the death of General Harrison, President ofthe United States, which took place in 1842, after being Presi dent just one month. [ I might Slate here that since I have un dertaken this work, I have received many let ters and much valuable information, from kind friends, directing my attention to circumstan- •oes and articles in connection with Mr. Howe's