Chapter 35

[1]“Chi-on-der-o-gameans great noise (say the Indians). It was near Fort Carrillon of the French, built and occupied by them in 1756, and was a strong post. Its ruins are seen in Essex county, N.Y., and are annually visited by a great number of travellers.” A few years ago the compiler of this sketch picked up a couple of rough hand-made bullets on the battle field (where a heavy rain had washed away the turf) which must have lain hidden there for more than 100 years, since her great-granduncle, Sir Jeffery Amherst took Fort Ticonderoga.

[1]

“Chi-on-der-o-gameans great noise (say the Indians). It was near Fort Carrillon of the French, built and occupied by them in 1756, and was a strong post. Its ruins are seen in Essex county, N.Y., and are annually visited by a great number of travellers.” A few years ago the compiler of this sketch picked up a couple of rough hand-made bullets on the battle field (where a heavy rain had washed away the turf) which must have lain hidden there for more than 100 years, since her great-granduncle, Sir Jeffery Amherst took Fort Ticonderoga.

[2]A stone, forming part of the wall of the old fort there, bears Amherst’s monogram and the date, 1759, at the present day.

[2]

A stone, forming part of the wall of the old fort there, bears Amherst’s monogram and the date, 1759, at the present day.

[3]Vide—“l’Histoire du Canada,” by F. X. Garneau, book eleventh.

[3]

Vide—“l’Histoire du Canada,” by F. X. Garneau, book eleventh.

Smith, Rev. John, Erskine Church, Toronto, was born in Armagh, Ireland, on the 28th March, 1824, and died on the 20th January, 1888, after a few hours’ illness. He came to Canada with his parents in 1827, and spent the earlier part of his life in the neighborhood of Brampton, where his brother, Robert Smith, ex-M.P. for Peel, still resides. Mr. Smith entered Knox College as a student in 1845, and after completing his course of study was in due time licensed, and very shortly thereafter settled in Bowmanville, where for twenty-four years he made full proof of his ministry, and secured and retained the respect and affection not only of those more immediately under his pastoral charge, but of the general community in which he lived. In 1875 he received and accepted a call from what was then known as the Bay Street Presbyterian Church, in Toronto. In this charge he was permitted to labor, until his demise, with great assiduity, and with an encouraging amount of success. The congregation, when Mr. Smith was called, was comparatively a handful, but under his faithful ministrations it made great progress both in numbers and influence. In 1878, under his leadership, it erected a fine new church at the head of Simcoe street, which was named “Erskine Church,” and here Christian work in all its departments has been constantly carried on with ever-growing energy and success. In addition to performing with characteristic fidelity and zeal all the duties of the pastoral office which he held, Mr. Smith showed himself to be a public-spirited citizen, who was ready to do all in his power for the best interests of the country and city in which his lot was cast. He was specially earnest in the work of temperance, and spared neither trouble nor toil in his efforts to put a stop to the ravages of strong drink. Mr. Smith was married in 1851, shortly after his settlement in Bowmanville, to Elizabeth McArthur, of West Gwillimbury, sister of F. F. McArthur, of Bowmanville, by whom he had a family of seven children. The widow and four children survive him.

Parker, Rev. William Robert, M.A., D.D., Toronto, Ontario, was born in West Gwillimbury, county of Simcoe, Ontario, June 20th, 1831. His father, Robert Parker, was a native of Limerick, Ireland, whose paternal ancestors were from England, and whose maternal ancestry were German, his mother being a descendant of the brave band of exiles that found shelter in Ireland during the reign of Queen Anne, from the bitter storm of religious persecution that drove them from their pleasant homes in the Palatinate on the Rhine. It is held to be a proud distinction to be identified with this people, especially because of their ultimate influence on the character and destiny of the United States and Canada, through the agency of Methodism. In his early visits to Ireland, Wesley found this colony of erstwhile devout Germans sharing the religious apathy and demoralization so lamentably prevalent in those times. Wesley and his itinerants preached Christ to those strangers that had been as sheep without a shepherd for fifty years; and he soon rejoiced to see them revived and folded again. Wesley bears this testimony concerning the towns in which they lived: “Such places could hardly be found elsewhere in Ireland or England; there was no profanity, no Sabbath breaking, no ale-house in any of them.” Thus, these children of persecution became the fit progenitors of the American contingent of the most zealous type of Christianity known since Apostolic times; for these German-Irish Emburys and Hecks founded in New York, and in Augusta, Canada, the Methodism destined to be the predominant Protestant belief of the New World, from Newfoundland to the Pacific coast. Mr. Parker’s father was one of the heroic pioneers of Upper Canada. Upon his leaving his native land he came to Baltimore, Md., where he spent some time with an uncle, a merchant, dealing in paints and oils, and for whom he visited the West Indies, acting as supercargo of his merchant ship. He settled in West Gwillimbury about the year 1826, where he cleared one of the finest farms, and established one of the most comfortable homes of that wealthy township. He was industrious, economical, thrifty, and hospitable to a proverb. He was a devout and active member of the Methodist church, and one of its stewards and trustees. He was a Liberal in politics, though not partisan. He took an active part in suppressing the rebellion of 1837, and served as quartermaster-sergeant. After his children left home he sold his farm, and lived retired in Bradford, where he died on the 7th July, 1881, in the 84th year of his age, and was interred in Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto. Dr. Parker’s mother, Sarah Sutherland, still surviving, and resident in Bradford, was a most intelligent and hearty sympathizer and co-operator with her husband in all his business plans, his home hospitality and religious duties. Her mother was one of the Talbots, and one of her kinsmen, Hon. Thomas Talbot, was recently governor of Massachusetts. Her father was one of the pioneers of West Gwillimbury. One of the Methodist appointments bears his name, the church having been built on the corner of his farm. The youngest son, Captain T. G. Sutherland, sold the homestead a few years since, when he retired to Alliston, where he and his wife now reside in a comfortable home. Dr. Parker had but one brother, the late Dr. T. S. Parker, M.P., of Guelph. He represented North Wellington in the old Canada parliament for a term just before confederation. After the formation of the Dominion of Canada, he was elected to the House of Commons for Centre Wellington by acclamation, for which he sat till the time of his death, which took place in 1868, through an accident that occurred to him while returning from a visit to a patient. He was a pronounced Liberal, and had won for himself a foremost place in his party, and a prominent position in the county and on the floor of the house, because of his personal qualities, and by his powers as a debater. His early death was a great loss to the Reform party, for he would no doubt have become a member of the government upon their coming into power. His widow is a daughter of the late Archdeacon Brough, of London, and cousin to the Hons. Edward and S. H. Blake. The subject of this sketch was educated in Victoria University, Cobourg, where he graduated, and received the degree of B.A., in 1858. He was the valedictorian of his graduating class. Some five years thereafter he received the degree of M.A., and in 1885, that of D.D. He was received as a probationer for the ministry of the Wesleyan Methodist church in 1856, and received into full connection and ordained in 1860, at the conference in Kingston, held in the Sydenham Street Methodist Church, the Rev. Dr. Stinson being president. Dr. Parker has been stationed successively in the following places: Toronto, Montreal, Odelltown, Stanstead, Brantford, St. Catharines, London, Woodstock, Thorold, Chatham, St. Thomas, and is now (1888) pastor of the Spadina Avenue Methodist Church, Toronto. He was chairman of the following districts: Niagara, London, Brantford, Chatham and St. Thomas. He was twice elected president of the London Conference. His second election was in 1886, to the present London Conference, held in St. Thomas First Methodist Church, where he was then pastor. The first election was in 1883, when he was stationed in Chatham, and when the old London Conference covered nearly all the territory now embraced in the present, London, Niagara and Guelph conferences. He has been a member of all the general conferences of the Methodist church held in Toronto, Montreal, Hamilton, Belleville and Toronto, respectively. He was opposed to the lately consummated union of all the Methodist churches, because of points in thebasis, and of the haste with which it was pushed. He has pronounced views in favor of university federation. He is a member of the Board of Regents of Victoria University. His political views have been largely in harmony with those of the Liberal party, but he is now convinced of the necessity of consolidating the temperance forces of Canada in a prohibitory party, as both the existing parties so far decline to adopt the entire abolition of the liquor traffic as a plank in their platform. He has travelled in several states of the Union, and visited England, Scotland, Ireland and France. In England he “did” the International Exhibition, visiting in Scotland, Edinburgh, Glasgow and the lakes; and in Ireland, besides several centres and the Lakes of Killarney, his father’s and mother’s native places. As a preacher, Dr. Parker is clear, forceful, eloquent, and eminently practical. He fearlessly attacks the vices of the age, while insisting strongly on the great Methodist doctrines of repentance, conversion, and the necessity of true, practical holiness of heart and life. He is a vigorous opponent of all forms of priestcraft and sacerdotalism. He is no theorizer, nor idealist, but a firm believer and teacher of the great truth, that the religion of the Lord Jesus is designed to meet and bless all the requirements of human life; that in all civil, political and social life, it is not only possible, but imperative, that God should be honored, and that as a nation we are responsible for obedience to all God’s laws. In September, 1863, he was married to Annie Sophia Ruston, of Montreal. She was a native of the ancient capital, Quebec, where her father was a grain and flour merchant. She had an aunt, sister of her father, who was the wife of a Methodist minister, the Rev. R. A. Flanders, and two sisters of her mother, wives of Revs. G. H. Davis and Dr. Cox. She has one sister the wife of a Methodist minister, Rev. Dr. S. J. Hunter, now of the Centenary Church, Hamilton. Her grandfather Ruston, a Yorkshire Methodist local preacher, was induced, while a resident of Odelltown, near Montreal, to assume pastoral work by a people there as “sheep without a shepherd.” He was made eminently useful, and when Dr. and Mrs. Parker were stationed there, their first circuit after marriage, they found several of the most devout and venerable members of the church, who had been brought to Christ through his ministrations. Dr. Parker’s wife early evidenced literary taste and ability, and has contributed several articles and tales to different periodicals. She is now responsible for editing the ladies’ department of the “Missionary Outlook,” published under the direction of the General Missionary Society of the Methodist Church. This ladies’ department is conducted in the interests of Women’s Missionary Society of the Methodist church. Dr. and Mrs. Parker have been blest with three children. One dear son was called to an early immortality, and his body rests in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto. A daughter and son are yet left with them, the eldest and youngest. The daughter is a graduate of Alma Ladies’ College, St. Thomas, in the Provincial Arts Department. She took two prizes in paintings, “Studies,” in the Industrial Exhibition, in this city, last autumn. The son is in the fifth form in Upper Canada College, and has proved a diligent and successful student. If spared he will pursue a university course.

Rousseau, Joseph Thomas, Artist, St. Hyacinthe, Province of Quebec, was born on the 9th of August, 1852, at St. Elzéard de la Beauce, P.Q. His father was Louis Rousseau, of the same place, a prominent merchant, who in later years devoted himself exclusively to agricultural pursuits. His mother’s maiden name was Luce Huard. He was educated at St. Elzéard, and also had private tuition. Having at an early age shown a decided talent for painting and drawing, his parents, knowing well the obstacles to be overcome and encountered, endeavored to dissuade him from adopting art as a profession. However, the germs of an artistic career were too strong to be lightly overcome. He went to Montreal, and there studied for three years under M. Ravau, after which he commenced church decoration, to which he devoted himself with great success for the space of five years. His great desire for improvement, and a dim sense of latent undeveloped power, induced him to go to Florence, Italy, to study the old masters and rare works of art to be found there. While thus engaged he took private lessons from the celebrated Professor Ciceri, commandant of the Artists’ Society, Florence, which art school he also attended, and passed successfully the examination imposed upon all those who are desirous of entering. After two years’ close application to his profession, he returned to Canada, and painted those many historical religious subjects which have made him famous throughout this continent. His celebrated oil painting of “Christ being Carried to the Tomb” was sold to St. Louis church, Nashua, N.H., for the handsome sum of $1,000. The paintings and decorations in the chapel of the Convent of the Precious Blood, at St. Hyacinthe, are masterpieces of art, and there is nothing in Canada or the United States to compare with it. The following is a list of some of Rousseau’s most celebrated pictures:—“The Dying Christ,” “Crucifixion,” “Mater Dolorosa,” “The Flight into Egypt,” “Adoration of the Magi,” “The Trinity in Three Figures at the very moment of the Annunciation,” “Christ Falling under the Weight of the Cross,” “Christ Giving the Keys to Peter,” “The Triumph of the Church,” a very large composition, containing more than sixty personages. In religion Mr. Rousseau is an earnest Roman Catholic, and in politics a staunch Conservative. He was married on May 2nd, 1875, to Hermine Gendron, daughter of Jacques Gendron, merchant, of St. Rosalie, by whom he has five children. Comparatively a young man, and judging by what he has already accomplished, it is safe to prophesy a still more brilliant future, and an immortal artistic fame.

Hale, Hon. Edward.—The Hon. Edward Hale, second son of the Hon. John Hale, of Quebec (formerly of “Plantation,” Yorkshire, England), a descendant of the Hales of Codicote and King’s Walden, in Hertfordshire, England, and Elizabeth Frances, daughter of Gen. William Amherst, A.D.C. to the King, lieut.-governor of Portsmouth, governor of St. John’s, Newfoundland, and adjutant-general of his Majesty’s forces, was born in Quebec, on the 6th December, 1801. His father had been A.D.C. and private secretary to his Royal Highness the Duke of Kent, who stood sponsor to the subject of this sketch. He was educated at Kensington, England. Returning to his father’s home in Quebec, he entered the office of the committee of audit as secretary, which post he held for three years, until, in the winter of 1823, he received the appointment of private secretary to his uncle, Earl Amherst, governor-general of India, and, accompanied by his father, set out at once on sledges for Boston, U.S.A., whence he sailed with Captain Heard, in the good shipBengal, for Calcutta. During his stay in India he acted for a time as military secretary, and accompanied the governor-general in his expeditions through the different provinces of India, visiting, among others, the king of Oude, the Rajah of Benares, the king of Delhi and some of the young princes who afterwards took such a conspicuous part in the Indian mutiny. A few remarks from Mr. Hale’s diary of that date may not be out of place here:

October 16th, 1816.—Having breakfasted, we prepared to hold a native durbar in the house of the Rajah of Benares, which had been placed at the governor’s disposal, and native gentlemen began to collect in the compound. Long before the appointed hour we were turned out of the billiard room, to make place for some princes of the Delhi family, who had arrived much before their time, but could not be allowed to remain outside. At eleven o’clock Lord Amherst took his seat on the throne, surrounded by his suite, while Lady Amherst and the other ladies were spectators in another room. The first was a private audience granted to the princes above mentioned, who were ushered in, and were met by his lordship at the door, who embraced them all, and they then sat down. The princes were a most wild-looking set of fellows, dressed principally in fur, and had all a cast of countenance that seemed to bespeak their readiness for any sort of desperate enterprise. They were, with one or two exceptions, nearly of the same age, being the sons of different Begums, and he who sat first on the right was a much younger man than some of the others, but the son of the eldest Begum. They requested leave to make their salaam to Lady Amherst, and having done so, took their leave. The other members of the same family then followed and took their leave; when notice was sent to the Rajah of Benares, Oodut Narrain, that he might now come. He had been waiting in his tonjon at the gate of the compound for an hour before. His procession accordingly entered, commencing with flag-bearers, then camels, elephants, a native band, empty tonjons and palanquins, tribes of sotaburdars, punkaburdars, assaiburdars, burchyburdars, and all sorts of burdahs, when the tonjon bearing the mighty man himself followed, and was accompanied by numbers of horsemen, who galloped about in all directions, going through an indiscriminate sham fight. The procession passed along the back of the house, round it to the front, and the “mighty” was ushered in, a visitor in his own house. He was so immensely fat that he could with difficulty walk, and he waddled into the room, occupying a space of at least two yards. He salaamed low, very low, much lower than I thought he could, and Lord Amherst, advancing three paces, embraced him, when he sat down in a chair which was purposely meant for him, but the exertion of coming up stairs and salaaming had deprived him of the necessary breath for talking, and he was obliged to remain mute for a short time. He was most splendidly ornamented with jewels, his turband was surmounted by a coronet of diamonds, with large emerald drops; his necklace was composed of immense diamonds, and his arms and various other parts were profusely covered with precious stones. Having offered his nuzzur to Lady Amherst he also retired, and his lordship then went down stairs to hold the public durbar.

In 1828, Lord Amherst’s administration being ended, Mr. Hale returned to England with the governor-general and his family, and after visiting Italy, Switzerland and France, sailed once more for Quebec, where, in 1831, he married Eliza Cecilia, daughter of the Hon. Chief Justice Bowen. Chief Justice Bowen was born in Kinsale, Ireland, in 1780. He was one of three brothers, the eldest of whom, Lieutenant-Colonel Bowen, C.B., Madras army, was killed at Seringapatam; and the youngest, while captain in the Royal Navy, won no little distinction for gallant conduct in H.M.’s frigateApollo. The Bowens are descended from an old Welsh family, the name being originally Ap Owen. Mr. Bowen’s father, M.D. and surgeon in H.M.’s forces, died in the West Indies, whither he had gone with his regiment. His mother was the beautiful Isabella Cassan, daughter of Richard Sheffield Cassan, and grand-daughter of Alexander Hamilton, M.P., of Knock, county Dublin. In 1833, Mr. Hale moved to Sherbrooke, and there built for himself a homestead, now known as “Sleepy Hollow,” to which, to his dying day, he was much attached. He was a member of the Special Council for Lower Canada in 1839, and represented the county of Sherbrooke in the Legislative Assembly from 1841 to 1847; and, besides many other public offices, from 1866 to 1875 he held that of chancellor of Bishop’s College, Lennoxville, an institution for which he had a sincere affection, and which owes much of its present prosperity to his energy and good management. In 1867, he was appointed a member of the Legislative Council for the province of Quebec, which position he held for the remainder of his life. At the meeting of the Legislative Council (next following his death) November, 1875, the Hon. Messrs. De Boucherville, Ferrier and Fraser offered many tributes of respect to the memory of their venerable colleague, and Mr. Fraser, addressing the House in French, said:

Mr. Hale was a member of the Special Council of Lower Canada in 1839 and 1840, and, as such, assisted in conferring important benefits on this province, such as the law which granted the seigniory of St. Sulpice to the seminary of that name, at Montreal, the acts or ordinances of registration, turnpike roads, and other measures, which powerfully contributed to the development of the country. His grandfathers were officers of high rank in General Wolfe’s army, and distinguished themselves in the important events of those times. On his father’s side his ancestors were persons of distinction in old England, and his mother was a sister of Earl Amherst, whose ancestors were followers of William the Conqueror, and one of whose descendants, Hamo de Herst, in the reign of Edward III. (1339), held large estates in the county of Kent, which the present Lord Amherst still holds. I feel it a most pleasing duty to recall to your memories his agreeable manners—those of the perfect gentleman—which were natural to him. He was open, frank and honest, never hiding his thoughts or opinions, but always expressing them in language at once courteous and elevated. He was as cheerful as he was amiable, his conversation was most attractive, his powers of narration were great, and his mind was filled with interesting and original anecdotes, at once lively and entertaining, which rendered him a most agreeable and much desired companion.

At a meeting of the Synod in Quebec, of which he had been a delegate for many years, his lordship Bishop Williams, made the following remarks in alluding to his death:

My reverend brethren and brethren of the laity.—Before proceeding to read, in accordance with our custom, the summary statement which I have prepared of the ecclesiastical events of the diocese, I must advert, however briefly, to a matter belonging to the history of the Synod itself. Since last we met, one who from the Synod’s first creation has been an honored member of the same, has been taken from us. The death of the Hon. Edward Hale caused us a loss not easily repaired. During the whole time of my residence in this country he has been my valued friend, but for a record of his fine qualities we need not go to the reminiscence of a friend. He carried it with him wherever he went. His prompt and punctual attention to all public duties, the kindness of his heart, and the courtesy of his demeanor are known to all. His genial presence we shall see no more, his peace-loving spirit will, I trust, remain with us for ever.

Mr. Hale died April 26th, 1875, at Quebec, whither he had gone to attend to his parliamentary duties, and was buried at Sherbrooke. Mrs. Hale died at Boston, United States, in 1850. She was the mother of seven children, of whom six are now living. The eldest son, Edward John, at Quebec, at the old house which has been the home of four generations of Hales. The second son, Edward Chaloner, at “Chaloner,” near Lennoxville; and the youngest, William Amherst, at the old homestead, “Sleepy Hollow,” near Sherbrooke. Two of the daughters live in Sherbrooke, and the third is the wife of Henry Turnour Machin, assistant treasurer of the province of Quebec. During a residence of upwards of forty years in the Eastern Townships, Mr. Hale aided materially, and watched with interest, the growth of Sherbrooke from an obscure hamlet of a few straggling houses to the large and prosperous town it now is. When the rebellion of 1837 and 1838 broke out, he joined the volunteers, refused a commission, and, for the sake of example, served in the ranks. Although a Conservative in politics, Mr. Hale placed individual merit far above party, creed, or class, and by his impartiality and just judgment, living above suspicion or reproach, he won the respect and esteem of all who knew him, and of him might truly be said, as he so often said of others, “the rank is but the guinea’s stamp, the man’s the gowd for a’ that.” But it was to his children and intimate friends that his noble Christian life was best known. Possessed of charity in the widest sense of the word, full of love and compassion for those in trouble or distress, ever ready to help the poor and needy, his active sympathy and generosity made him beloved and revered by all classes. The example of his pure, unselfish life is not forgotten, and he still lives in the hearts of those who loved him.

Withall, William John, Montreal, Que., was born on the island of Jersey, November 22nd, 1814. His father was born in London, and his mother in Jersey. He received what was considered in those days an education sufficient to commence training for commercial pursuits. Leaving school in 1826, and having a strong desire to visit other parts of the world, he pressed on his parents to grant him permission to leave home. Being only twelve years of age, and having an uncle and aunt in Gaspé, it was decided that he should go thither, and arriving there on the 30th April, found that country covered with deep snow. His uncle’s occupation was farming, fishing and lumbering. During that year his mother died, and being a minor, he had no choice but to make Gaspé his abode. That country was thinly populated, and almost isolated from the outside world. He received a letter from Jersey in winter, the postage of which was four shillings and sixpence. It was the custom then to dispatch a courier in January from Gaspé for Quebec, carrying the mail-bag on his back. This was a perilous journey, there being hardly any habitation between Gaspé and Quebec for two hundred and fifty or three hundred miles. When sixteen years of age, he thought, if his uncle would allow him his independence, he could, by working and trading, do something better for himself, but when he made the proposal, his uncle said he was too young, and could not provide for himself. His answer was, “Give me my freedom.” Although young, and feeling confident that where others could make a living he could do the same. On getting his uncle’s consent, he then commenced the battle of life. He managed, through perseverance and economy, to save a little money each year. At the time he arrived in Gaspé, the language spoken was French, which he could neither speak nor understand. There being no schools, he made use of the only means at his disposal. There was a local Methodist preacher from the island of Guernsey using the French language. Young Withall was punctual in his attendance every Sabbath (and has continued to identify himself with the same church ever since). He commenced by repeating the hymns and Scriptures when read out by the preacher, and soon acquired the French pronounciation, and became familiar in reading and writing that language. This in after life became very useful, and to some extent he attributes it to his financial success. The winter of 1832 was passed in St. Thomas, below Quebec, and between teaching, fishing and trading, he began to have a balance to the good. In 1835 he took passage to his native land, the island of Jersey. After visiting several places in Europe, he returned to Gaspé, having made an engagement with a Jersey merchant to take charge of his stores and fishing establishments. In 1837 he took a joint interest in purchasing a large block of land in the north-west arm of Gaspé Bay. The intention was to build a saw mill for the lumber trade. The prospect for the future not coming up to his ideas, he sold out his interests. In 1840 he left Gaspé for Quebec, and commenced, by opening a provision and grocery store. In 1841 he married Elizabeth, widow of the late Peter Bott, who departed this life in 1882. In 1883 he married Eleanor, widow of the late Richard W. Langmuir. In 1850 he commenced taking an active interest in the different institutions connected with the city of Quebec; was elected city councillor and director in the Union Building Society in 1865; was elected a director in the Quebec Bank; joined, as silent partner, in a soap and candle factory; and was one of the promoters of the National Bank; the Quebec Steamship Company; the Quebec Marine Insurance Company; the Quebec Street Railway Company; the Lake St. John Railway Company; was proprietor of the Quebec Rubber Company; took an interest in the Quebec Worsted Company; the Quebec Tow Boat Company; and was either president or director in the above companies until 1884. In 1867 he was appointed justice of the peace. In 1854 he joined a party of four for the building of two vessels intended to trade between Chicago and ports on the ocean. These were built by the Messrs. McCarthy, at Sorel, one being namedChicago, and the otherQuebec. These vessels made voyages direct from Chicago to Newfoundland and Liverpool, but, being built with centre-boards and considered unsafe, the underwriters declined to cover them by insurance, and the adventure, not proving profitable, was discontinued. It is believed these were the first vessels that sailed direct from Chicago to the ocean. In 1884 Mr. Withall left the city of Quebec, and is now a resident of Montreal, filling the offices of vice-president of the Quebec Bank, and director of the Sun Life Insurance Company, the Canadian Rubber Company, the Quebec Steamship Company, the Guarantee Company of North America, the Royal Electric Company, and still holding one-half interest with his nephew, Thomas A. Piddington, in the Bulstrode Tannery, near Arthabaska, Quebec. During his mercantile life he never entered into any transaction beyond his own resources, and when anything proved unprofitable, himself only was the sufferer. Mr. Withall is now in the seventy-fourth year of his age, possessing a good constitution, sound in body and mind, and enjoying the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends and acquaintances.

Hammond, John, St. John, New Brunswick, a professional Artist of many years’ standing, was born in Montreal in the year 1843; has studied in England, France, Holland, and Italy; is a regular exhibitor in the annual exhibitions of both the Royal Academy, London, and the Paris Salon, and is principal of the Owen’s Art Educational Institution of St. John, New Brunswick.

Mackenzie, Hon. Alexander, Toronto, M.P. for East York, ex-Premier of Canada. About the end of the year 1842, three young men resided in the city of Kingston, who were destined to act prominent parts in the public life of Canada. One of the three was a rising young lawyer of pleasing address and popular manners, who had won distinction by his defence of Von Schultz and other state prisoners connected with the troubles of 1837. The second had been a student in the office of this young lawyer, and was this year—1842—called to the bar. The third was a Scottish youth of twenty, who had landed in Kingston in April, and was beginning his Canadian life as a stonemason. The young lawyer is now the Right Hon. Sir John A. Macdonald, First Minister of Canada. His student is now the Hon. Oliver Mowat, Premier of Ontario. The youthful stonemason is now the veteran statesman whose name stands at the head of this sketch—a name respected and honored by every clean man in the Dominion of Canada. Mr. Mackenzie was born on the 28th January, 1822, and is two years younger than his friend, the Hon. Oliver Mowat, and seven years younger than his rival, Sir John A. Macdonald. He was born in the parish of Logierait, Perthshire, Scotland. His parents had neither poverty nor riches, but they and their connections had what was better than either: they had brain-power, intelligence, untiring industry, sterling integrity, and an honorable ambition to rise in the world. Along with these good qualities they had a strong liking for Whig politics. Alexander was the third son in a large family. His school days were few. Two years in a private school in Perth; two more in the parish school of Moulin; less than a year in the grammar school of Dunkeld, and the education of the future Premier of Canada was finished so far as the schoolmaster was concerned. At the early age of fourteen his father died, and, like many another brave Scotch lad who has made his mark in the world, young Mackenzie began to earn his bread on the old Eden principle—by the sweat of his brow. Like Hugh Miller, he learned the trade of stonemason, and like Hugh Miller, he was fond of reading. His spare hours were spent in diligent study, and the habits then formed have clung to him all his days. When twitted with being a book-worm, Thos. D’Arcy McGee replied that he always preferred the society of good books to that of middling men. No doubt Mr. Mackenzie has always cherished the same preference, though perhaps he has never said anything about it. A worthy member of the House of Commons, whose reading days were over, felt lonesome in the same boarding-house with Mr. Mackenzie and David Mills, because, as he explained it “the moment Mackenzie and Mills came in from the house they sat down to their books.” In the following year, 1843, Mr. Mackenzie was joined in Kingston by his brother, Hope F. Mackenzie, who afterward represented Lambton and North Oxford in parliament. Hope Mackenzie was a man of fine spirit, great energy, and high attainments. He was rising rapidly as a public man when his career was suddenly ended by death. Had his life been spared, his ability, industry, and natural force of character would soon have placed him in the front rank of Canadian statesmen. After laboring five years in Kingston, during which time he probably became familiar with the well-known force of the man he afterwards so often faced in parliament, Mr. Mackenzie moved to the neighborhood of Sarnia. His mother and brothers came out from Scotland about the same time, and the whole family made their first Canadian home in that western town. Here Mr. Mackenzie resumed operations as a builder and contractor, lines in which he had been successful before leaving Kingston. It is useless to speculate on what might have been; but had Alexander Mackenzie continued in the building and contracting business, he might perhaps have become the millionaire head of the syndicate that built the Canadian Pacific Railway. In a country where there was so much to be built, almost anything was possible to a man of his patient industry, economical habits, sterling integrity, sound judgment, and all but invincible energy. But Alexander Mackenzie was not to be a millionaire contractor. Like many Scotchmen, he had a keen relish for politics. Five years’ residence in Sir John’s favorite city probably increased his eagerness to join in the fray. In Scotland he had been a Whig, and in Canada he joined the Liberal party as a matter of course. Though a man of quiet, retiring habits, it is no secret that Alexander Mackenzie keenly enjoys debate. To measure swords on the platform with a foeman worthy of his steel was never to him an unpleasant duty. The roar around the hustings never made him nervous. To his natural liking for public discussion and his intensely strong convictions, his love of Liberalism, his popular sympathies, his intense hatred of tyranny in all its forms, his love for the people and desire that they should have fair play—to these qualities add his undoubted capacity for public affairs, and one can easily see why it was impossible for Alexander Mackenzie to keep out of politics. Keep out of politics he certainly did not, for five years after he had started business in Sarnia we find him editing the LambtonShield. Under his editorial management theShieldsoon became a power in the west. His editorials educated the electors of Lambton in Liberalism, and were extensively quoted by other journals. Sam Jones is credited with saying that if there is one thing in this world he does hate it is a quiet time. Whether a quiet time is a good time for Mr. Jones or not, it certainly is not a good time for a politician. Mr. Mackenzie had the undoubted advantage of entering the political arena in a stormy period. The battle for responsible government was being fought out and slowly won. The fight had been long and fierce. Under Lord Sydenham and Sir Charles Bagot the recommendations of Lord Durham’s report in favor of responsible government were being carried out. Sir Charles Metcalfe succeeded Sir Charles Bagot, and spent the four years of his official career in trying to deprive Canadians of the rights secured to them by his predecessors. Mr. Mackenzie resided in Kingston during the whole time that Metcalfe was governor, and it goes unsaid that when he removed to Sarnia he was in the right humor to do battle for responsible government. In 1861, Hope Mackenzie, who had represented Lambton in parliament, declined re-election. The future Premier was offered the nomination by a convention of the Liberal party, and accepting, carried the constituency by a considerable majority. When he entered parliament he had nothing to learn but the forms of procedure, and even these he probably know as well as many who had sat in previous parliaments. His accurate and full knowledge of all public questions, his almost infallible memory, his marvellous capacity for mastering the details of every question that came before him, and his power to make clear and concise speeches on any question on the shortest notice, soon placed him in the front row, along with the most experienced parliamentarians. Mr. Mackenzie has never claimed credit for his oratorical powers, nor have his friends put forth any such claim; but the fact remains that in twenty-five years of active public life he never needed to take a back seat in any oratorical company. He could always hold his own, and generally do a good deal more. He is one of the very few speakers in this Dominion whose speeches will stand averbatimreport. He builds a speech just as he used to build a stone wall—clear, clean-cut, concise; sentences are laid one upon another in an orderly and compact manner, and when the speech is finished you can no more knock a word or sentence out of it than you can knock stones out of a well-built wall. His accurate knowledge, never-failing memory, and quick perceptive powers, make him specially formidable in reply. Running through many of his speeches, especially those delivered in hot debates, there is a mingled vein of mild sarcasm and dry, pawky Scotch humour that is very effective. The effect is greatly increased by the manner in which the work is done. You see the bolt across the house and you see quite easily that it has struck. You look to the spot from which it was thrown and you see a serious, almost solemn-looking man, going on with his work as if nothing had occurred. The plainness and apparent simplicity of the speaker give the humor and sarcasm a great effect. Soon after entering upon his parliamentary duties, Mr. Mackenzie saw his political friends take office under the premiership of Hon. John Sandfield Macdonald, who had associated Hon. Mr. Sicotte with him as leader of the lower Canadian section. This government lasted about a year, and was followed by another in which Hon. Mr. Dorian took the place of Hon. Mr. Sicotte. Mr. Mackenzie had in those days some experience as a government supporter—a kind of experience which has seldom been his during his long parliamentary life. After a short and troubled reign Hon. Sandfield Macdonald resigned, and Mr. Deadlock reigned in his stead. Then came a truce and the negotiations which resulted in confederation. A coalition was formed for the purpose of uniting the provinces. Hon. George Brown and a large majority of the Liberal party were in favor of a coalition. Mr. Mackenzie was of the opinion that the Liberal party should give the government a generous outside support in forming the union, but at the same time keep itself clear of all entangling alliances. The union was not long formed until it became painfully evident to the Liberal party that Mr. Mackenzie was right. When the first parliament met after confederation the Liberals were without a leader, Hon. George Brown having been defeated in South Ontario. The position was offered to Mr. Mackenzie, who accepted it, and displayed great tact in welding into one solid body the somewhat discordant elements that came from the different provinces. The task was no easy one, but in discharging his duties as a leader of her Majesty’s loyal Opposition the member for Lambton displayed the same ability and unwearied diligence that have marked his whole parliamentary career. Ever at his post and ever faithful to his trust, Mr. Mackenzie soon gained the confidence of his followers from all parts of the Dominion. The crisis of 1873 found him not only a successful leader but a parliamentarian of recognized position and ability. When the government fell he was entrusted with the duty of forming a ministry. In less than two days the names of his colleagues were announced, and the new government was ready for business. The question on everybody’s lips was, will there be a general election? It is understood that Mr. Mackenzie received such assurances of support from some of his former opponents as might have induced a less cautious man to go on with the business of the country without an appeal to the people. But the new premier was not to be caught napping. His Scotch caution assured him that a parliament elected under the auspices of his opponents, and the influence of Sir Hugh Allan’s liberal contribution, was not the kind of parliament to be trusted in an emergency. He dissolved the house, and in January, 1874, swept the country. Had the majority given him by the people been half as large as it was, the task of the new premier might have been a good deal easier. To enumerate the good measures that were introduced and passed by Mr. Mackenzie’s government would be to write the parliamentary history of Canada for the five years ending in 1878. His friends may challenge their opponents to show a record of equal merit during any five years in the history of the Dominion, in the history of Old Canada, or in the history of any province that now forms part of the Dominion. Let these restless characters who are everlastingly clamoring for revolutionary measures and hunting for strange gods to worship, sit down for a moment, and quietly read over the titles of the acts passed by Mr. Mackenzie’s government between 1873 and 1878, and say if they have anybody in their ranks that can serve the country better than it was served by Canada’s Grand Old Man. It is quite true that he went down in ’78, but he went down with his escutcheon untarnished and all his colors flying. His was no milk-and-water policy. He did not try to run with the Free Trade hare and hunt with the N.P. hounds. He believed it was wrong to increase the burdens of the people in a time of depression. He went to the polls on this issue, and was defeated by the people he was bravely trying to help. Burke told the electors of Bristol that he advanced their interests contrary to their opinions. Mr. Mackenzie tried to do the same thing for the people of Canada and failed. A few years will show, if the revelation has not already been made, whether the electors of Canada did a wise thing when they dismissed a faithful public servant for not taxing five millions of people to enrich a few. Never did British or Colonial statesman display more moral heroism than was displayed by Alexander Mackenzie in ’78 when he stood by his principles while the pistol was pointed at his head—held at times, with shame be it said, by some who pose as moral reformers. If there is no room in the public life of Canada for a man who bravely faces defeat rather than do what he believes to be wrong, then Canada is morally rotten and should be buried out of sight. Soon after his defeat in ’78, Mr. Mackenzie became a resident of Toronto. Owing to declining health he found it inconvenient to represent a large constituency like West Lambton, and in 1882 stood for East York. For this constituency he has been twice elected. East York derives as much honor from its representative as Mr. Mackenzie derives from representing an historic constituency of which he is justly proud. For the same unfortunate reason, Mr. Mackenzie found it necessary some years ago to resign the leadership of the Liberal party. His strength was not equal to the task, and Alexander Mackenzie never was the man to undertake anything unless he could do it thoroughly. The arduous and irksome nature of the work of an Opposition leader in Canada may be learned from the fact that the distinguished gentleman who succeeded Mr. Mackenzie—a gentleman who once could work eighteen hours out of the twenty-four with impunity—has since broken down in health and has been compelled, temporarily at least, to leave public life. The one great mistake of Mr. Mackenzie’s life was his brave attempt to attend to the details of his department while Premier and Minister of Public Works. It is easy to be wise when events are over, but one cannot help thinking that had he worked less then he might be the able and trusted leader of his party to-day, and the party needs a leader badly enough. Mr. Mackenzie’s parliamentary services have not been confined to the Dominion parliament, and the parliament of Old Canada. In 1871, he ran for West Middlesex, was elected, and on the downfall of Sandfield Macdonald’s government soon after, took office under Hon. Mr. Blake, first as provincial secretary, and afterwards as provincial treasurer. Dual representation being abolished, both he and Mr. Blake left the Local Legislature at the same time. Besides his parliamentary work, Mr. Mackenzie has rendered Canada good service by his well-written biography of his friend and leader, George Brown. The tone of the book is moderate throughout, and though written by a strong party man, the facts, so far as we know, have never been seriously questioned. It has occasionally been charged against Mr. Mackenzie that his manner is cold, and his language curt. It is quite true that he calls a spade a spade, and a scoundrel a scoundrel. It may be true that when scaly politicians have asked him to help them to carry out dirty jobs he gave them a reply not always couched in diplomatic language. Quite likely he met the pious proposal of some moral reformers to tax the people for their benefit with language that may have seemed to them unnecessarily vigorous. All this may be so; but those who know Alexander Mackenzie know him to be a warm-hearted man, as kindly as he is firm and true—a man ready at any moment to help the needy, or make sacrifices for his friend. He hates humbug, and scorns shams, and can unmask a hypocrite with rare skill; but no more kindly man stands in the Dominion to-day. May a kind heaven send Canada more Mackenzies.

Clarke, Edward Frederick, M.P.P., Mayor of the City of Toronto, Ontario, was born in the county of Cavan, Ireland, on the 24th April, 1850. His father, Richard Clarke, was a general merchant and flax buyer, favorably known in that capacity throughout the whole north of Ireland. His mother, Ellen Reynolds, the only daughter of the late Charles Reynolds, of Belturbet, county of Cavan, Ireland, is still living, and resides in Toronto. Mr. Clarke came to Canada early in the sixties, and after a short sojourn in Michigan, moved to Toronto, where he has ever since lived. He served his time as a printer in theGlobeoffice, and afterwards, in the practice of his calling, was foreman of theExpress, theSunand theLiberal, and was compositor and proof-reader on theMail, etc. He took a prominent part in the printers’ strike and attendant labor troubles of 1872, being one of those arrested for alleged intimidation. In 1877 a company was formed for the purchase of theSentinel, the organ of the Loyal Orange Association. He was chosen manager and editor of the paper, but after a short time he purchased the shares of the stockholders, and became sole proprietor. He has since conducted theSentinelsuccessfully in connection with a large job printing business. He has for many years taken an active interest in secret societies, especially in the United Workmen, Freemasons and Loyal Orange Association. He is a past master of Rehoboam lodge, No. 65 A. F. & A. M., and at the regular annual meeting of the Loyal Orange Association, held at Belleville, in May, 1887, he was elected to the high office of Deputy-Grand Master of the Order in British America. At the provincial elections of 1886, Mr. Clarke was returned at the head of the poll as one of the city of Toronto’s quota of three representatives to the Legislative Assembly. In December, 1887, he was put forward as the people’s candidate for mayor of his adopted city for 1888, and was elected by a plurality of nearly nine hundred votes in a field of three candidates. He is a Liberal-Conservative in politics, and during the last session of the provincial legislature made a favorable impression as a speaker and debater. He is a fluent, ready speaker, of good address, and well informed upon all public subjects. He was married on 30th December, 1884, to Charlotte Elizabeth, fourth daughter of Dan Scott, of Toronto, and has issue, two daughters. Mr. Clarke is a consistent member of the Reformed Episcopal Church, and, although not a total abstainer, is an advocate of temperance reform.

Carignan, Onesime, Three Rivers, Quebec, was born on October 16th, 1839, at Champlain, district of Three Rivers, Que. His parents, Pierre Carignan and Josephte Turcotte, were well-to-do farmers, who were highly esteemed by their neighbors. The subject of this sketch was sent to the parish school, and at the age of fifteen, commenced his business career by accepting a clerkship in a general store in Champlain. Two years after he went to Three Rivers, where he procured a situation as clerk in a grocery store. In 1863 he entered into partnership with Francis Hamel, but two years after, this partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Carignan entered into business for himself in the house he still occupies. His business has continually increased, until now it is conceded that he has the leading grocery of Three Rivers, doing a wholesale as well as a retail trade. His success is due to economy, good administrative abilities, and constant attendance to the details of a growing business. He has been an alderman of Three Rivers since 1876, and has been acting mayor on more than one occasion. He has also held the position, of president of L’Union St. Joseph since 1885. Mr. Carignan has taken an active part in the public enterprises undertaken in his neighborhood, notably in connection with the Three Rivers Water Works, the St. Maurice Bridges, and the Three Rivers drainage. He has been president of several benevolent and religious societies, has been president and is now treasurer of the Three Rivers Conservative Association. He has always taken an active part in political movements, municipal, provincial and federal. In religion he is a Roman Catholic, an ultramontane. He was married on November 15th, 1864, to Aglaé Lebel, of Quebec.

Archibald, John Sprott, Q.C., D.C.L., Professor of Criminal and Constitutional Law in McGill University, Montreal, was born in the village of Musquodoboit, Halifax county, N.S., on the 8th September, 1843. His father, William G. Archibald, was a native of the same county, and his mother, Nancy Archibald, a cousin of his father, was born in Truro, Nova Scotia. Their ancestors came from Londonderry, Ireland, in 1719. John is the fourth child, in a family of five, and was educated in part in the Presbyterian Seminary, Truro. In 1864 he came to Montreal, and took the arts course in McGill University; graduated B.A. in 1867, and won the Prince of Wales’ gold medal for standing in mental and moral philosophy. He then studied law in the office of the late John A. Perkins, taking in the meanwhile the law course at McGill, graduating B.C.L. in 1870, and receiving the Elizabeth Torrance gold medal for highest general standing in his class. On the 18th of January, 1871, he was admitted to the bar, and since that time has steadily pursued the practice of his profession in Montreal, at first alone and subsequently as a member of the firm of Archibald & McCormick, until the present autumn (1887), when he dissolved his partnership, and formed a firm with the Hon. W. W. Lynch, Q.C., for many years solicitor-general of the province of Quebec, and George G. Foster, B.C.L., under the name of Archibald, Lynch & Foster. It is unnecessary to say that this new firm ranks among the leading law firms practising in Montreal. In the autumn of 1871, Mr. Archibald was appointed lecturer on criminal law in McGill University, and in 1880 he was made professor of criminal and constitutional law in the same institution, a position which he has filled with credit to himself and the college. He prepares himself with great care for his arduous duties, and is a great favourite with the students. In the spring of 1887 he received from hisalma materthe degree of Doctor of Civil Law, and, almost concurrently, the distinction of Queen’s counsel from the government of Canada. In 1884 Mr. Archibald was elected alderman for St. Antoine ward, one of the largest and most influential wards in the city of Montreal, which position he still holds, having been re-elected in 1887 by acclamation. In 1885 he was appointed revising officer, under the Franchise Act, for the electoral division of Montreal West, which office he still holds. Mr. Archibald is a member of the Presbyterian church, and in politics a Conservative. On the 13th July, 1871, he was married to Ellen Hutchinson, of Bluevale, Ontario, and has a family of five children.

Haanel, Eugene Emil, F.R., Ph.D., Professor of Chemistry and Physics, Victoria College, Cobourg, Ontario, is a native of Breslau, Silesia, Europe, and was born on the 24th May, 1841. He is a son of Franz Haanel and Ann Herde. His father is a government officer, and occupies the position of secretary of the council in Breslau. The Haanels were originally from Sweden, the great grandfather of Franz Haanel having been forced to leave his native country on account of his politics. Eugene, the subject of this sketch, commenced his studies at four years of age, and graduated at the Gymnasium in his native city in 1858. Soon afterwards he left for the United States, and being in Baltimore when the civil war began between the Northern and Southern states in 1861, he joined the Northern army, and spent three years as a hospital steward, and one year as first lieutenant Co. K., Second Regiment Maryland Veteran Infantry, leaving the army at the close of the war in 1865. He then became a student at the Michigan State University, Ann Arbor, and in 1866 was appointed assistant professor of natural science at Adrian (Michigan) College. The next year he held the same position in Hillsdale College, Michigan; and in 1868 was master professor of the same department in Albion College, Michigan, and occupied the chair for four years. In 1872 Professor Haanel returned to Germany, and on the 7th of June, 1873, took the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the Royal University, Breslau. He then left for Canada, to occupy the chair of chemistry and physics in Victoria College, Cobourg. His coming to Cobourg caused the erection of Faraday Hall, in 1876, a brick building, 50 by 100 feet, admirably arranged for the purpose it is intended, and equipped with apparatus selected by the professor himself in the cities of London, Paris, Bonn, Leipzig, Dresden and Berlin. While at the University of Breslau in 1873, for the purpose of graduating, Professor Haanel took for his thesis “The galvanometric method for the determination of the earth’s magnetism and its oscillations,” for which he constructed, in accordance with his original designs, “the galvanic bifilar magnetometer,” which at this day constitutes the principal instrument for observation at the magnetic observatory connected with the University of Breslau. A few years ago it occurred to him that he might remove the difficulty experienced by students in distinguishing the oxyd coating on charcoal of bismuth from the similar one of lead, by converting these coatings into iodides, and his experiments turned out very satisfactory. (See paper read by him “On the application of hydriodic acid as a blowpipe re-agent,” before the Royal Society of Canada, May 25, 1883.) The method adopted then was to touch the coatings with a drop of strong hydriodic acid, and direct the blowpipe flame upon the charcoal just in front of the moistened spot. The heat of the blowpipe flame volatilized the respective iodides, which were deposited again upon the cooler parts of the charcoal, at a greater distance from the assay. The iodide of lead gave a magnificent canary-yellow coating, the bismuth a chocolate brown; cadmium and antimony, when treated in a similar manner, a white and brick-red coating respectively. In the extension of this method to other substances he found that other iodides of very characteristic colours were formed. Many of these were, however, altogether too volatile to be deposited satisfactorily on the charcoal, charcoal being too poor a conductor of heat to lower the temperature of the vapours of the iodides in question sufficiently to permit of their condensation and consequent deposition as coatings. In order to utilise to the fullest extent the value of hydriodic acid as a blowpipe re-agent, it became necessary to adopt a support which, on account of its better conductivity, would condense the various volatile iodides on its surface as coatings. The choice of the kind of support best suited was farther restricted by the following characteristics which a support, to prove entirely practical and satisfactory, should possess. 1. It must be cheap and easily made; 2. The surface of the support must be smooth and white, to bring out the colours of the coatings, uninfluenced by peculiarities of surface or admixture of tint of the support; 3. It must resist the heat of the blowpipe flame; 4. It must be of sufficiently porous texture to absorb the hydriodic acid, and supply it to the assay gradually and constantly during the progress of the operation. After some reflection and experimentation, he finally adopted plaster of Paris casts in the form of narrow thin tablets as the support, and found that it possessed the above-mentioned characteristics in an eminent degree. Though a German, Professor Haanel speaks the English language with eloquence and fluency; he is clear and concise as well as accurate in his enunciation; an attractive lecturer, a successful experimenter, and a laborious and untiring enthusiast at his work. He was married on the 5th of November, 1866, to Julia F. Darling, of Lake Ridge, Michigan, United States, a graduate of Albion College, and they have a family of five children.

Kelly, Thomas Eugene, Joliette, Province of Quebec, was born at Joliette, in 1861. He is a son of Francis Kelly and Mary Collins, his wife. The subject of this sketch was educated at Bryant & Stratton’s Business College, at Montreal, taking the commercial course. He afterwards travelled extensively through the Western States. He is a Roman Catholic in religion, and is unmarried. He is engaged in the manufacturing and wholesale lumber business, being a member of the firm of Kelly Bros., Joliette, Quebec.

Weir, W., Banker, Montreal.—There are few better known faces on the streets of Montreal than that of the above named gentleman, head of the banking firm of W. Weir & Sons, and president of the Banque Ville Marie. Mr. Weir was born at Greenden, near Brechin, Scotland, on the 28th October, 1823, and came to Canada in 1842, Like a good many successful Canadians, he began life as a teacher, having taken charge of a public school before he was twenty years of age. After two years engaged in this honorable but ill remunerated occupation, during which time he devoted himself to the study of the French language, and having further improved his knowledge of that language by a short course at St. Thérèse College, Mr. Weir accepted a bookkeeper’s situation in Montreal, commencing business on his own account in 1849. In 1856 he removed to Toronto, where he remained till 1859, when he returned to Montreal. During his stay in Toronto he published and edited theCanadian Merchants’ Magazine, a monthly periodical, the vigorous style of its editorials soon bringing their author into notice. In 1858 he took the prize of the Upper Canadian Board of Arts for the best essay on the manufactures of Canada, and contributed many articles to the local press on financial and commercial subjects. Among the early promoters of what has since become known as the National Policy, Mr. Weir was a leading spirit. At his suggestion, and largely through his exertions, the great convention of manufacturers was convened at Toronto in 1858. At this convention Mr. Weir was the secretary, and he held the same position in the “Association for the promotion of Canadian Industry” then formed. This society embraced among its members many prominent members of Parliament, and its exertions and influence secured the changes in the tariff of 1858 which gave the first great impulse to Canada’s manufacturing industries. To the present generation, Mr. Weir is best remembered for his successful efforts to effect the removal of the “silver nuisance.” The suspension of specie payments in the United States, in 1862, caused a large influx into Canada of American silver coin, which, passing current in retail transactions and in payment of wages, but not being bankable, caused great loss and inconvenience to the public, who had daily to carry nearly all their receipts to the brokers’ offices, to be sold at a discount for bankable funds. For several years Mr. Weir urged upon the Government the importance of removing the evil, and at his suggestion one million dollars was exported at the public expense, he himself exporting a similar amount by contract with the leading commercial houses. In 1869, he attempted to export two millions more, but the attempt fell through owing to inadequate support. Early in 1870 (the late Hon. Sir Francis Hincks having become finance minister), Mr. Weir succeeded in obtaining the aid of the Government to remove the whole depreciated coin from circulation. He contracted with the Government to effect its removal, and carried through that great work with complete success. Five million dollars were exported between March and July, 1870, at a cost to the Dominion exchequer of $118,000, the Government being recouped by assuming the one and two dollar note circulation, a measure suggested by Mr. Weir to meet the objection on the score of expense. Seventy banks and bank agencies assisted in the work, the shipments being made from every place of importance between Quebec and Sarnia. The coin was purchased at five, five and half, and six per cent discount, for half and quarter dollar pieces, the smaller coins, to extent of $500,000, being exported by Mr. Weir at his own expense, making the total amount exported by him over seven million dollars, or over two hundred waggon loads. Since 1870, Mr. Weir has taken an active part in discussing the leading financial questions of the hour. He assisted in reorganizing the Jacques Cartier Bank, of which he was vice-president when offered the presidency of the Banque Ville Marie, a position he has held for the last six years, during which period the bank has trebled its business and strengthened its position. To the people of Cote St. Antoine and west end of Montreal, he is best known for his services and public spirit in securing the opening up of Western Avenue, destined to be the great western entrance into the city. Mr. Weir married, in 1849, a daughter of the late John Somerville, of Chatham, P.Q., and has five sons living, and one son and one daughter deceased. Three sons are in business; the two youngest are graduates of McGill University, Arthur the youngest being already well known as a talented writer both in prose and verse.

Madill, Frank, M.A., M.P. for North Ontario, Barrister, etc., Beaverton, Ontario, was born in the township of Scott, in the county of Ontario, province of Ontario, November 23rd, 1852. He is youngest son of Henry and Eliza Madill, who came to Canada from Monaghan, Ireland, in 1837, and eventually settled in the township of Scott. Henry Madill is one of the old pioneers, and was for many years a prominent member of the council of that municipality, until his removal to the village of Vroomanton, in same county, a few years ago, where he and his good lady still reside, amidst a large circle of children, grandchildren and friends, universally respected. The subject of this sketch was educated at Uxbridge and Whitby high schools, and the University of Toronto, where he graduated B.A., in 1873, and M.A. in 1876; studied law in the office of the late Hon. John Hilliard Cameron, Q.C., M.P., and was called to the bar of Ontario, Michaelmas Term, 1877, and still practises his profession at Beaverton. During his university course he was one of the university athletes, and held the championship of the university. He was also a prominent member of the university football team,—the champions of the Dominion for four years. He was lieutenant of No. 4 company, 34th battalion, V.M.I., and is now paymaster of the same battalion, with rank of captain. He was first returned to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, 4th June, 1881, and sat until the general election, 1883, at which he was defeated by twenty votes. At the last general election for the House of Commons he was elected for the same riding by a majority of 158, over A. P. Cockburn, ex-M.P. He is a Liberal-Conservative, and Supporter of the government of Right Hon. Sir John A. Macdonald. He was a member of the Grand Lodge of Royal Black Knights, and was at one time D.M. of King Solomon Preceptory, 292, at Toronto. He is a member of the executive committee of the Liberal-Conservative Union of Ontario; is a Freemason, and is an ex-warden of Murray lodge, Beaverton. He has taken an active part in all political contests in the Midland District, but has never taken any active part in municipal matters. He is commodore of the Beaverton Yacht Club, vice-president of the Beaverton Gun Club, and president of the Chicker Lacrosse Club. His travels have been confined to the United States and Canada. He has always belonged to the Presbyterian church of Canada, in connection with the Church of Scotland, known as the “old Kirk,” of which his father is an elder. He was married on the 5th day of May, 1886, to Florrie, eldest daughter of Charles T. Young, of Beaverton, one of the village fathers.

Welton, Daniel Morse, D.D., Professor of Hebrew, Baptist College, Toronto, Ont., was born in Aylesford, Nova Scotia, July 20th, 1831. His father was Sydney Welton, and his mother, Isabel Morse. His ancestors on both the father and mother’s side came from New England at the time of the Revolutionary war. He prepared for college in Horton Collegiate Academy, Nova Scotia; entered Acadia College, Nova Scotia, in 1850, and graduated therefrom in 1855. After occupying the place of tutor in Acadia College for twelve months (1856), he went to Newton Theological Institution, Mass., where he remained a year. In September, 1857, he was ordained to the pastorate of the Windsor Baptist Church, Nova Scotia, which position he filled till October, 1874, when he was called to the chair of Hebrew and Systematic Theology in the Theological Department of Acadia College. He remained here till 1883, with the exception of two years (1876 and 1877) which he spent in Leipzic, Germany, engaged chiefly in Semitic studies under Professor Delitzsch. He received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Leipzic in 1878, his dissertation for the same being “The History of Hebrew Learning in England.” His Semitic studies in Leipzic chiefly embraced the Hebrew, Chaldee, Syriac, Samaritan and Arabic. In 1883, he was appointed to the chair of Hebrew and Old Testament Interpretation in Toronto Baptist College, which he fills at the present time. In 1884 he received the degree of D.D. from Acadia College, hisalma mater. In the years 1876, 1877 and 1878 he also visited London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, and the principal cities of Italy. He was married to Sarah Eliza Messenger, daughter of David and Catherine Messenger, September 23rd, 1857.

Gagnon, Hon. Charles Antoine Ernest, M.P.P., Kamouraska, was born at Rivière Ouelle, Quebec, on the 4th of December, 1846. The family came originally from Vendee, France, and settled in Canada in 1633, being thus one of the oldest Canadian families, having representatives still living. The subject of this sketch is the son of Antoine Gagnon, merchant, of Rivière Ouelle, and a nephew of Senator Pelletier, C.M.G. He was educated at St. Anne’s College, and was very successful in his studies. Taking up the study of law, he was appointed notary public in 1869. In 1870 he married Marie Malvina, third daughter of Francis Gagnon, farmer. Throughout his life, Mr. Gagnon has taken the keenest interest in politics and has done yeoman service to the Liberal party with which he is identified, in numberless contests in both Provincial and Dominion affairs. He also directed considerable attention to municipal affairs, his knowledge of those being recognized by his appointment as secretary of the municipality, and, later, secretary of the Board of School Commissioners. He also fills the office of treasurer of the Fabrique. He was president of the board of liquidators of the late Stadacona Fire and Life Insurance Company of Quebec. In October, 1885, he was appointed president of the Board of Notaries, of the province of Quebec, and this position he still holds. In 1873 he was appointed valuator for the St. Lawrence District of the Intercolonial Railway, which was then under construction, and a year later was appointed receiver of wreck for the district of Kamouraska, holding those offices concurrently until March, 1878, when he resigned to contest Kamouraska in the Liberal interest. He was successful in the contest, as he was in the next election in 1881. He was unseated after this election, each party paying its costs, but was again elected in 1883, and has continued to represent the constituency ever since. He was one of the strongest and ablest supporters of the Joly administration during its short career, and when the Liberal party went into opposition he rapidly came to the front as a leading man in the small but resolute band which opposed the policy and methods of the Conservative government under its successive leaders. When the Nationalist agitation arose, he took the same position as his leader, Mr. Mercier, that the interests of the Dominion demanded that a fair field should be given to the people of Quebec, and that union on the part of those people was the best means of calling attention to their demands. Battling strongly on this line, it was natural that when the Nationalist cause triumphed under Mr. Mercier’s leadership, Mr. Gagnon should be called to a position of honor and responsibility. He was sworn in as Provincial Secretary and member of the Executive Council on 29th June, 1887.

Reid, Rev. Charles Peter, Sherbrooke, Quebec, was born at Cornwall, Ont., on the 14th of August, 1811. He was the eldest son of the late Rev. James Reid, D.D., for fifty years rector of Trinity Church, Freleighsburg. He was educated at the Grammar School founded by the Royal Institution in Montreal, and taught by the late Alex. Scakel, and for a while at the similar school in Quebec, taught by the Rev. R. R. Burrage. He took his Divinity course at the Theological Seminary at Chambly, at which the late Rev. J. Braithwaite, M.A., was the principal. He was admitted to the diaconate by the Right Reverend Dr. Stewart, bishop of Quebec, on the 23rd of June, 1835, and to the priesthood at the first ordination held by the late Right Reverend Dr. Mountain, bishop of Quebec, on the first of Nov., 1836. His first mission after his ordination was Rawdon, in the present diocese of Montreal, where he remained a short time. He removed from Rawdon to St. John’s, as curate to the Rev. D. Baldwin, and missionary at Laprairie. While at St. John’s he was married to Julia Gray, eldest daughter of John Gray of her Majesty’s Customs. He then removed to Compton, where he remained fourteen years, building two churches, and organizing the work of the mission on a secure basis. On the 1st of April, 1854, he was appointed to Sherbrooke, of which place he has been rector for thirty years. During this long ministry the church under his charge has grown into a strong and flourishing one, and he has been identified with every good work which has been accomplished in the town. Not only by active interest, but by liberal donations, he has helped to support various charitable institutions. Bishop’s College, Lennoxville, is specially indebted to him. There are few figures more widely known or more truly beloved throughout the whole District of St. Francis, than that of Dr. Reid. He is spending his ripe old age in Sherbrooke, and, still active in mind and body, is never so happy as when assisting in the services of God’s house or ministering in his old field of labor, to those who have become endeared to him by a life-time of loving intercourse. Dr. Reid has been one of the trustees of Bishop’s College from the foundation, in 1843. He received the honorary degree of M.A., in 1855, and of D.C.L., in 1884. He has been for many years rural dean of the District of St. Francis.

Power, Michael Joseph, was born at Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the 23rd day of February, 1834. He is the son of Michael Power. His mother’s maiden name was Ann Lonergan. Both parents are natives of Waterford, Ireland. Mr. Power received his early education at the Union Academy, in Halifax. He is a prominent representative of the Roman Catholics in that city. Mr. Power has taken an active interest in civic affairs for many years. He was an alderman for six years, representing ward 4. He has also been chairman of the City Board of Works for one term; chairman of the Fire department for eight years; vice-chairman of the Board of School Commissioners for two years; and president of the Charitable Irish Society. He does business at 75 Buckingham street, Halifax. He is the Imperial government army contractor for land transport. In his younger days he took considerable interest in militia affairs, holding various commissions in the 63rd battalion of Rifles, and is now retired with the rank of captain. Mr. Power’s connection with the city council brought him into relations with the Commissioners of Public Gardens, of which body he is vice-chairman. He is also a justice of the peace for Halifax county. At the general election of 1878, Mr. Power, together with Hon. P. C. Hill, then Provincial Secretary and Premier, and Donald Archibald, M.P.P. for several terms, and now high sheriff of the county of Halifax, were the candidates of the Liberal party, running in opposition to Charles J. McDonald, W. D. Harrington and John Pugh. The Conservatives carried the elections and the Liberals were out of power for one term. But in the next elections in 1882, Mr. Power, running with Hon. W. S. Fielding, now Provincial Secretary and Premier, and Jas. G. Foster, against W. D. Harrington, Jonathan Parsons and John Pugh, was elected. Messrs. Fielding and Harrington were also elected, Halifax being represented in that legislature by two Liberals and one Conservative. At the general election of 1886, Mr. Power, Hon. W. S. Fielding and William Roche, jr., defeated John Y. Payzant, W. D. Harrington and James N. Lyons by over 1000 majority. On the assembling of the Local parliament, Mr. Power was elected Speaker of the House. He married on the 20th November, 1860, Ann Sophia, daughter of the late Patrick Kent, a Halifax merchant. In politics Mr. Power is a Liberal.

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