FRASER'S DRINKING SONG.

"Thou'rt awa, awa, from thy mother's side,And awa, awa, from thy father's knee;Thou'rt awa from our blessing, our care, our caressing,But awa from our hearts thou'lt never be.* * * * *Thou'rt awa, awa, from the bursting spring time,Tho' o'er thy head its green boughs wave;The lambs are leaving their little foot-printsOn the turf of thy new-made grave."

"Thou'rt awa, awa, from thy mother's side,And awa, awa, from thy father's knee;Thou'rt awa from our blessing, our care, our caressing,But awa from our hearts thou'lt never be.

* * * * *

Thou'rt awa, awa, from the bursting spring time,Tho' o'er thy head its green boughs wave;The lambs are leaving their little foot-printsOn the turf of thy new-made grave."

What gentleness and sweetness in these lines! One of her prose works, "Cats and Dogs," still holds its own as one of the minor classics of natural history.

Rev. Robert William Fraser, a Perthshire man, succeeded Rev. Dr. Guthrie in St. John's Church, Edinburgh, in 1847, and was a learned and eloquent divine and a diligent pastor. He found time to write all but one of a dozen of important works on divinity, history, physical and natural science. He was a solid man.

I must not omit William Fraser, the educational reformer who helped David Stow to carry out his training system for teachers in Scotland, and who later investigated Scottish education, and wrote an important book on the subject of which the results were afterwards embodied in legislation. He died in 1879.

Along with him may well be mentioned the late James Fraser, Bishop of Manchester, a very famous man from Forfarshire, one of the Frasers of Durris, of whom it has been said that there has not been in this generation a more simple or noble soul. He interests us especially for his work in education, and forms a connecting link between our school system and English educational reform, for he visited Canada and the United States in 1865, and drew up a report whichhis biographer, Thomas Hughes, calls "a superb, an almost unique piece of work." It was the basis of the Foster Act of 1870, by which enormous changes were introduced in the direction of the American system.

Worthy of being put by his side was Rev. Donald Fraser, D.D., who died two years ago, of whom we should hear more under the head of theology. He received part of his education in old Knox College, Toronto, and was pastor of the Cote Street Church, Montreal, from which he was called to Inverness, thence to London, England.

In my mass of material, I had almost forgotten Patrick Lord Fraser, who died only five years ago. He was a very great man of the law, one of Scotland's greatest, and wrote extensively on legal subjects.

The Frasers, however, were not all heavy writers. Many of us remember John Fraser, who met his death by accident in Ottawa in 1872. He was best known as "Cousin Sandy." He had been a chartist before coming to Canada. He was a tailor by trade, and laid aside the needle for that other sharp pointed instrument, the pen. Most of his work was controversial and sarcastic. Here is a sample of his rollicking verse, reminding one strongly of the Ingoldsby legends:

"William Blyth was a scape-grace—as many boys are—Who with prudence and forethought was always at war;His genius was active; I've heard, or have read,That his grandma was nervous; his father was dead;And his mother, released from connubial vows,Brought home to her dwelling a second hand spouse,Who gave her a heart, somewhat hard and obtuse,In exchange for her furniture ready for use.Now William like others, without leave would roam,And be absent when lather the second came home;So he of the step, which step-father should be,Said 'To save the lad'smoralswe'll send him to sea.'"

The boy was confined in a water-cask for bad conduct.

"And the wave cleared the deck of the vessel, and sheLike one half 'seas over' rolled about in the sea.Then a shriek was heard, and the boatswain roar'd'There's Bill and the tub gone overboard!'"

He floated to shore after an interview with a shark, a cow switched her tail against the tub, and Bill caught it while the cow fled, and wrecked the tub, but saved Bill's life, although he remained unconscious.

"But was roused from his swoon by a beautiful YankeeWho brought dough-nuts and tea, it was genuine Twankay.An angel of light in the garb of humanity,And that garb of the Saxony's best superfine,What her countrymen term the 'real genuine.'Bill was charmed and concluded, with some show of reason,That to her annexation could never be treason."

And he was annexed in due time.

We have some poets still living, Gordon Fraser, John W. Fraser, and others; on them I must touch lightly. Gordon is a writer on "Lowland Lore," and writes good ballads of his own, like the one beginning:

"'Twas an eerie nicht, an' the storm-cluds lower'd,An the lichtnin's glent was keen,An' the thunner roll'd, but nane were cower'dI' the clachan till-hous bien."

It is a fearsome ghost story well told.

John W. is a very charming writer. His ballad of the courtship of "Bell" is first-rate, and it begins:

"Sin' Bell cam' to bide in our toun,The warl' has a' gaen ajee;She has turned a' the heads o' the men,And the women wi' envy will dea.O, but Bell's bonnie!Dink as a daisy is she;Her e'en are as bricht as the starniesThat shine in the lift sae hie."

Such are some of our literary men, and they are very creditable specimens. I know that I have left out more than I have given. I have not said a word about all theFrasers in Gaelic literature, whose name must be legion, because I cannot follow them in that language.

Our Clan has a good proportion of the literary in it, and I believe we are all literary critics. I never knew a Fraser yet who had not excellent literary taste and judgment. The reasons why more literature has not been produced is very clear to my mind, and depends on a prominent characteristic of the Clan—great modesty. This must be thrown aside if you are going to rush into literature. Many a Fraser has had it in him to produce the highest sort of literature, who from this cause has never written a line for the public. When the Clan succeeds in throwing off this defect, we may expect the production of literary works on a par with the best that has been written.

The reply to the toast of "Frasers in Theology" was entrusted to theRev. Mungo Fraser, D.D., of Hamilton, who had to leave by train for home before this toast was reached. His reply summarised is as follows: "There are many clansmen who stand high in theology, if we be allowed to understand by that term the wider and more comprehensive sphere of work in the Church of Christ. In the memory of those who admire subjective writings of an extremely searching character, the name of the Rev. James Fraser, of Brea, will occupy an undying place. To those who give the highest rank among ministers to pulpit ability, the Frasers of Kirkhill, for three generations, will afford examples of eloquence and those gifts of oratorical power that appeal so irresistibly to the popular ear. By those who regard the administrative functions of the pastor as of importance, the name of Bishop Fraser, of Manchester, is justly esteemed,and in a less prominent, but not less important degree, the name of Dr. William Fraser, for a long period the senior clerk of the Presbyterian Church in Canada; and theological literature finds a writer of ability and copiousness in Dr. Donald Fraser, at one time of Montreal and afterwards of London, England. The Clan contributed a great many names to the roll of distinguished clergymen, men who, in their different spheres, rendered noble service to the cause of Christ. And among them are men, some of whose names have been mentioned by the Vice-chairman, of ability, of high character, whose personal influence over the people was strongly felt. In Canada the name of Fraser has an honored place among the ministers of the churches. They are doing their duty nobly and well, and if the names of some of them be not widely known outside of their own country, it must not be forgotten that a clergyman's best fame and best reward is his good name among those for whom he directly labors, and for whose welfare he gives his best endeavors. Did time permit, it would be comparatively easy to speak at length of those who have held their own in the theological sphere, but sufficient has probably been said to indicate that the Clan has done its duty in one of the most interesting and important fields of human effort open for the welfare of man.

The part of the toast dealing with "the Frasers in War," was replied to byMr. Alexander Fraser(of Fraserfield, Glengarry). He said: After what we have heard of the Clan this evening we must come to the conclusion that it has always been distinguished for its military spirit, and I regret on that account, all the more, that the duty has fallen upon me to reply to the "Frasers in War." Not that I do not appreciateto the fullest extent that spirit which distinguished them and probably in no small degree share it, but I am not a man of words, and I feel I shall not be able, even in a small way, to do justice to this theme. Undoubtedly the military character of the Clan goes back to its very origin, for if the Frasers did come from Normandy, they must have been selected on account of their military ability, for those were the days when length and strength of arm and good generalship were the most valuable qualifications a man could possess. But, coming down to the earlier times in Scotland, we find our clansmen heading the warlike and chivalrous nobles of that country, in their devotion to the Crown, and in their exploits in the field in defence of country and patrimony. I need not enter into a detailed description of the times when the Lowland Frasers served their country and their king with an unswerving devotion whose lustre time will not dim, nor the researches of modern historians tarnish. Down through history in the Highlands they have ever shown themselves to be a brave and warlike race, furnishing individuals of conspicuous ability and distinction in arms. No treatment of this toast would be complete that should omit a reference to Fraser's Highlanders that embarked under the command of the Chief of the Clan in 1757, and took part with Wolfe's army in all the engagements, from Louisburg to the close of the war. At Quebec the Frasers distinguished themselves in an especial manner. In the struggles which took place early in the century, between the Canadians and Americans, the Frasers did their duty, proving that down to our own times they maintained their old reputation. In the British army, from the formation of the Highland regiments, in 1739, to the present day, theClan has given many distinguished officers and many brave men to its country's service, and I know I can speak with truth when I say that the old spirit still prevails, whether you look at home or abroad. So true is this that I may conclude these remarks in the stereotyped words of the after-dinner speaker by saying that should the occasion ever demand it, the Frasers will be ever ready to draw their claymores and shed their blood in the country's service as of yore.

Mr. W. P. Fraserspoke for "The Frasers in Politics." He said: Mr. Chairman, Vice-chairman and Brother Clansmen, it would seem that the toast of distinguished clansmen is quite an inexhaustible one. Much has been said of our clansmen in the various ranks of life, but I believe no more than is deserved. As a matter of course the Frasers have ranked high in politics. We have not had a Prime Minister of the name in the Dominion of Canada, but we have given to the Legislatures of Ontario, Quebec, and the Lower Provinces, many of their most useful members, their most eloquent speakers, and their most responsible statesmen. We have borne our share of public duty in this country, both in the rank and file of political workers, and as leaders. I do not need to go far afield to find some of the more striking examples. There is one name so long and honorably associated with the fortunes of this Province that it merits premier recognition. I refer to that of the Hon. Christopher Finlay Fraser, who would have responded to this toast himself to-night, were it not that he has been suffering from severe illness for some time, and has not sufficiently recovered to take his place among us. Reference has been made to his letter of regret, and I feel sure that every word in it is true—that it is the outcome of hissincere feeling; for Mr. Fraser is as much a clansman as he is a politician, and has ever manifested the same deep interest in matters connected with his Clan, as he has displayed in the public duties which he is called upon to perform. The position which he occupies, the services which he has rendered, his wide sphere of influence, his sterling honesty and unblemished record—these lie as an open book before you. For me to expatiate upon them would be quite superfluous. His name will go down in the annals of our statesmen as one of the most competent Ministers of the Crown who ever held office in this Province, as one of subtle intellect who served his country and his party in great crises, as one who gave his talents generously and disinterestedly to the welfare of his fellow-beings, and in a peculiar manner helped to lay the foundations of a great nationality in this country. Another of our clansmen, whose telegram of regret shows that he has been intercepted on the way from the far east to our gathering, has made the name famous in the politics of Canada, and is likely to attain to still greater eminence in the future. At his home in Nova Scotia he has long been known as a man of probity, ability, and capacity for public duty. It is not so long ago that he was first heard of in these western parts, but already he has sprung into notice, and his services are in request at many public gatherings. I am sure we all regret the absence of Mr. D. C. Fraser, M.P. for Guysboro', to-night. He is not only a politician but a patron of learning and celtic literature. To his generous heart and open hand many a struggling Highlander owes much, and through his encouragement not a few scholarly productions have seen the light of day. Were I to venture beyond Canada I should find Frasers playing aprominent part in the field of politics in South Africa, in the Australias, in the East Indies, and even in South America. It was only the other day we heard of a clansman born in Nova Scotia, but of good Inverness stock, who had been appointed delegate to the Inter-colonial Conference to be held in Ottawa this summer. I refer to the Hon. Simon Fraser, of Victoria. I have no doubt his clansmen here will be glad to welcome him, and to wish the utmost success to his mission. I must refrain at this hour from any reference to what Frasers have done in political life in the old land. The chiefs of the Clan numbered among them many men of eminence in politics. Of these we have heard something already to-night, and when the call of public duty comes, I feel sure a Fraser will be ready to step forward to perform his part in a worthy manner.

A resolution was carried in favor of the formation of an organization of clansmen in Canada, having for its main objects the promotion of social intercourse among the members, the collection of facts from which to prepare a biographical album of the members and other clansmen, and the promotion of objects which may be of interest to the Clan; and that those present form a general committee to act in the matter, the Committee of this gathering to act as an Executive Committee, for the purpose of drafting a constitution for the Clan to be submitted to the next gathering of the Clan.

The Clan song, composed by request, for this gathering, by Mrs. Georgina Fraser Newhall, and set to music composed by Mr. J. Lewis Browne, will be found, with a biographical sketch and portrait of the authoress, on pages 93 to 97.

AUTHORESS OF "FRASER'S DRINKING SONG."

MRS. GEORGINA FRASER NEWHALL

"The Frasers of Stratherrick, where are they?" To this pensive question by Charles Fraser Mackintosh comes an oft echoed and lusty answer from many distant lands. Indeed the question is, "Where are they not?" for it is safe to say that there is no country where the English language to-day prevails, in which Stratherrick may not claim a son. Their new homes have not the historical charm of the old, but wherever the Frasers have gone, away from the home of their fathers, they have acquitted themselves well. A scion of a Stratherrick house was James George Fraser, who many years ago settled at Galt, Ontario. Like his brother Capt. Charles Fraser, now residing in Glasgow, Scotland, he was attached to a Highland regiment in his younger days, but withdrawing from the service, he came to Canada with his young wife, Christina MacLeod. At Galt was born a family of three sons, William, Charles and Andrew, and four daughters, Christina, Jessie, Elizabeth and Georgina, the youngest of whom is the subject of this brief sketch. On the maternal side her descent is traced from the families of Lochend and Braemore. Her great-grand parents were George Mackenzie, second son of John Mackenzie I. of Lochend (of the Gairloch family), and Christina, daughter of Captain Hector Munro of Braemore. George Mackenzie was a distinguished officer, and attained to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel of the famous Rosshire Buffs, the 78th Highlanders. His daughter Christina married Angus MacLeod of Banff with issue, two sons, Donald and George, and several daughters,of whom Christina, as already stated, married James G. Fraser of Galt, Ontario.

Georgina Fraser was born about the beginning of the sixties, and was educated in the public and high schools of her native town. After the death of her parents she removed to Toronto, and taking up the study of shorthand entered upon the life of an amanuensis and teacher of stenography. She taught large classes in the towns surrounding Toronto, and in Victoria University, when that institution was located at Cobourg. She was the first woman in Canada to adopt this profession as a means of self-support, and to her belongs the honor of adding a new vocation to those upon which Canadian women may enter. In addition to these duties Miss Fraser undertook journalistic work, and was the first lady writer in Toronto to conduct the department devoted to woman's interests, now so important a weekly feature in the great dailies in Canada.

In 1884, while occupying the important position of Assistant Secretary to General Manager Oakes of the Northern Pacific Railway at St. Paul, Minn., she became the wife of Mr. E. P. Newhall, of the Pacific Express Co. in Omaha.

Notwithstanding household cares and ill-health Mrs. Newhall still finds time to indulge in her old taste for literature, wielding an earnest pen in advocacy of those reforms which most interest women of advanced thought. She has achieved considerable fame as a writer of short stories, and her compositions of verse bear the mark of the true poet's touch.

As a clanswoman Mrs. Newhall is fond of claiming the right to call herself a "black" Fraser, nature having endowed her with that darkness of hair and eyebrow which is supposed to stamp all the possessors thereof as "true Frasers."

(The Fraser Motto is "Je Suis Prest"—"I am Ready.")

Words byGeorgina Fraser Newhall. Music byJ. Lewis Browne.

All ready?Let us drink to the woman who rules us to-night—To her lands; to her laws; 'neath her flag we will smiteEv'ry foe,Hip and thigh,Eye for eye,Blow for blow—Are you ready?2All ready?Then here's to the mothers who bore us, my men;To the shieling that sleeps in the breast of the glenWhere the stagDrinks it fillFrom the rillBy the crag—Are you ready?3All ready?Fill your glass to the maid you adore, my boys;Wish her health, wish her wealth, long life, and all joys;Full measure(May it swimTo the brim)Of pleasure—Are you ready?4All ready?And here's to the country we live in, my lads;It is here we have struggled and thriven, my lads?God bless it,May BeautyAnd DutyPossess it—Are you ready?5All ready?A Fraser! A Fraser forever, my friends;While he lives how he hates, how he loves till life ends;He is first,Here's my hand,Into grandHurrah burst—Are you ready?

All ready?Let us drink to the woman who rules us to-night—To her lands; to her laws; 'neath her flag we will smiteEv'ry foe,Hip and thigh,Eye for eye,Blow for blow—Are you ready?

All ready?Then here's to the mothers who bore us, my men;To the shieling that sleeps in the breast of the glenWhere the stagDrinks it fillFrom the rillBy the crag—Are you ready?

All ready?Fill your glass to the maid you adore, my boys;Wish her health, wish her wealth, long life, and all joys;Full measure(May it swimTo the brim)Of pleasure—Are you ready?

All ready?And here's to the country we live in, my lads;It is here we have struggled and thriven, my lads?God bless it,May BeautyAnd DutyPossess it—Are you ready?

All ready?A Fraser! A Fraser forever, my friends;While he lives how he hates, how he loves till life ends;He is first,Here's my hand,Into grandHurrah burst—Are you ready?

The life-work of the discoverer of the Fraser River illustrates the pioneer spirit which animated the early settlers of Canada. There was the pluck, the love of adventure, the endurance, the prompt response to the call of duty, the expansive idea which kept abreast of ever opening possibilities, and the rare tact displayed in new, embarrassing and important transactions. Simon Fraser was in many respects a great man and one of whom his clansmen may well feel proud. His grandfather was William Fraser, of Culbokie, whose wife Margaret Macdonell, of Glengarry, was the possessor of the famousBalg Solairin which was stowed away a manuscript of Ossianic poetry, which figures in the dissertations on the authenticity of MacPherson's Ossian, and regarding which the following interesting passage occurs in the correspondence of the late Bishop Alexander Macdonell: "I myself saw a large MS. of Ossian's poems in the possession of Mrs. Fraser of Culbokie, in Strathglass, which she called "am Balg Solair" (a bag of fortuitous goods). This lady's residence being between my father's house and the school where I used to attend with her grandchildren, at her son's, Culbokie House, by way of coaxing me to remain on cold nights at her own house, she being cousin to my father, she used to take up theBalg Solair, and read pieces of it to me. Although a very young boy at the time, I became so much enraptured with the rehearsal of the achievements of the heroes of the poem, and so familiar with the characters, especially of Oscar, Cathmor, and Cuthchullin, that when MacPherson'stranslation was put into my hands in the Scotch college of Valladolid in Spain, many years afterwards, it was like meeting old friends with whom I had been intimately acquainted. Mrs. Fraser's son, Simon, who had a classical education, and was an excellent Gaelic scholar, on emigrating to America in the year 1774, took theBalg Solairwith him as an invaluable treasure. On the breaking out of the Revolutionary war, Mr. Fraser joined the Royal Standard, was taken prisoner by the Americans and thrown into jail, where he died."

William, of Culbokie, and his wife Margaret Macdonell had nine sons. Of these, Archibald and John fought under Wolfe at Quebec. John settled at Montreal, and became Chief Justice of the Montreal district. In 1774, or more probably in 1773, Simon left home, and settled near Bennington, Vermont. Here his son, the subject of this sketch, was born in 1776. His mother and her family came to Canada after the death of his father (as stated above), and settled in Glengarry. Simon was the youngest of the family. He was placed in school in Montreal, where he resided with his uncle, the Chief Justice. In 1792, at the age of sixteen, he became an articled clerk with McTavish, Frobisher & Co., to the North-West Fur Trading Co., which had its headquarters in Montreal. In 1802 he became a partner, and subsequently went out to the far North. In 1805 he came down from Fort Athabasca to Fort William, and was then nominated to cross the Rocky Mountains, to extend out-posts and form trading connections with the Indians. He responded at once to the call. He said he would undertake the expedition provided they gave him a sufficient outfit. This the Company were only too glad to do. It was a very hazardous undertaking.He crossed the mountains with thirty men—clerks, axemen, guides and interpreters. He soon found himself in a wild and desolate region. As he went on he built block-houses, and took possession of the country in the name of the King. In 1806 he discovered the river which takes its name from him. He discovered many rivers and lakes which he named after different members of the Company. He traced the Fraser river to its source, and met many different tribes of Indians, some friendly, others hostile. At one time they met different tribes who were very friendly and made a great feast for them; they killed theirfattest dogfor him, which of course he feigned to eat; but at the same feast the chiefs held a council and decided to put him to death, which the interpreter, who understood their language, told him, and they stole quietly away. He first named the river now known as the Fraser river, the "Great River," and called the place "New Caledonia." Here he left some of the party, and crossed westerly into the open country, and built another house near a lake, which he called Fraser's Lake. He was now with four men in the midst of Indians who had never before either seen or heard of the "pale face." On the border of this lake he witnessed an Indian ceremony. He was brought by the Indians to where they had a large burying-ground, where one of the Chiefs of their tribe was being buried. An immense number of warriors were assembled, and after a most solemn and impressive ceremony, Mr. Fraser was invited by signs to approach the grave. He did so, and gave immense satisfaction by engraving his name on a post which had been planted over the remains of the departed warrior. In July, 1807, he received fresh supplies from the North-West Co.,who at the same time urged him to trace with all possible speed the "Great River" to the Sea, they being apprehensive that the Americans would get ahead of the British in that quarter, as in the previous year 1806, Captains Lewis and Clarke had gone down the "Columbia," and were extending American authority along the western coast of America, and Astor, on the part of the Americans, was also looking anxiously towards the northern section.

The North-West Co. therefore urged Mr. Fraser to spare no expense in achieving the object of their desires.

Mr. Fraser built another trading-house on the "Great River" in 1807, and reached the Ocean in July, 1808. He remained but a short time there on account of the hostility of the Indians.

Returning he again met numerous and large bodies of Indians speaking several different languages. They assembled to see the wonderful pale faces who had come among them. An idea of how they regarded white men may be formed from the fact that when hundreds of them were congregated together, at the discharge of a single rifle they would fall prostrate on the ground, so great was their astonishment. Had it not been for Mr. Fraser's wonderful energy and enterprise, there would not be a railroad to-day from ocean to ocean over British territory.

No Fraser chief has achieved more notoriety than Simon, the fourteenth Lord Lovat. His enemies avenged themselves for the failure of their nefarious plots against him by supplying, at a cheap rate, the charcoal with which prejudiced historians have blackened his memory. But while his fate is still held up as a warning to evil doers, it has been proved, beyond peradventure, that his character has been much maligned, and that he appears rather as a man of inexhaustible resources, availing himself of whatever means lay nearest to his hand to extricate himself from enormous difficulties and to attain objects which, though of personal advantage to himself and Clan, were as honorable as they were just, and wholly in keeping with the customs of his day. His efforts to secure the chiefship and the honors of his house, and to extend the power of the Clan, were genuinely patriotic. His Lordship certainly was a man of learning and ability. He was an admirable letter writer, and passages in his correspondence show that he had wonderful facility in writing and a capital style.

The picture here given is from a mezzo-tint in possession of Mr. B. Homer Dixon, from a painting of Lord Lovat, by David Le Clerc, a Swiss who was in England in 1715 and 1716. The picture which is supposed to have been taken in 1715, when Lord Lovat was about forty-eight years old, is marked: "Le Clare,pinxt. J. Simon,fecit." Although armour had been disused before Lord Lovat's time, it was the fashion at that period for gentlemen to be painted in armour. The mezzo-tint is very rare.

BRIGADIER-GENERAL FRASER,Younger of Balnain.

Among the officers of Fraser's Highlanders were several clansmen destined to rise high in military distinction. Of them few are better known in the Clan than Captain Simon Fraser of Balnain, afterwards Quarter-Master General in Ireland, a post which he quitted to serve as Brigadier-General in Burgoyne's Army in America. He had served in the Scotch regiment in the Dutch service, and was wounded at Bergen-op-Zoom. He spoke French perfectly and to this accomplishment and his coolness was due his signal service at Quebec, where he saved the transports from discovery at a critical moment before the precipice was scaled.

Smollet relates the incident as follows:—"The French had posted sentries along shore to challenge boats and vessels and give the alarm occasionally. The first boat that contained the English troops being questioned accordingly, a captain of Fraser's regiment, who had served in Holland, and who was perfectly well acquainted with the French language and customs, answered without hesitation toqui vive?—which is their challenging word—La France; nor was he at a loss to answer the second question, which was much more particular and difficult. When the sentinel demanded,a quel regiment? the captain replied,de la reine, which he knew by accident to be one of those that composed the body commanded by Bougainville. The soldier took it for granted this was the expected convoy (a convoy of provisions expected that night for the garrison of Quebec), and, sayingpasse, allowed all the boats to proceed without further question. In the same manner the other sentries were deceived; though one, more wary than the rest, came running down tothe water's edge and called,pour quoi est ce que vous ne parlez pas haut?'Why don't you speak with an audible voice?' To this interrogation, which implied doubt, the captain answered with admirable presence of mind, in a soft tone of voice,tai toi nous serens entendues!'Hush! we shall be overheard and discovered.' Thus cautioned the sentry retired without further altercation."

At the time of the Revolutionary War, Brigadier-General Simon Fraser was second in command of the British army, under Burgoyne. He fell at Saratoga under circumstances which prove his great ability as an officer. The American historians say that General Burgoyne had lost his head, and the American General Morgan perceiving it, called two of his best riflemen and said: "You see that fine fellow on the white horse? It goes against my heart to do it, but you must pick him off, or we lose the battle." They watched their opportunity, shot General Fraser, and the Americans won the day.

The picture here given is said to be a good likeness. It has been produced from a mezzo-tint in the possession of Mr. B. Homer Dixon, Toronto.

"Three triumphs in a day; three hosts subdued in one:Three armies scattered like the spray, beneath one common sun."

HE second Annual Gathering and Dinner of the Clan Fraser in Canada was held on the 25th day of February, 1895, that date having been selected in honor of the Scots' victory at Roslin on February 25th, 1303, when the army was commanded by Sir Simon Fraser, the patriot (p.48). The place of meeting was the Rossin House, Toronto. The gentlemen were accompanied by lady friends, a departure from the custom generally observed on similar festive occasions, that contributed greatly to the pleasure of the evening. The committee in charge of the arrangements was composed of Dr. J. B. Fraser (Chairman of Programme Committee), Professor W. H. Fraser, Messrs. G. B. Fraser, R. L. Fraser, Alexander Fraser (Fraserfield), Alexander R. Fraser, W. P. Fraser, Andrew Fraser, Alexander Fraser (MacFhionnlaidh), Chairman; and W. A. Fraser, Secretary. Those present were Rev. Dr. Mungo Fraser, Hamilton; Mr. W. Lewis Fraser, New York; Mr. Donald Fraser, Kingston; Mr. R. I. Fraser, Barrie; Mr. Andrew Fraser, Barrie; Messrs. Robert Lovat Fraser, George B. Fraser, and Miss Fraser; Professor W. H. Fraser and Mrs. Fraser; Dr. J. B. Fraser and Mrs. Fraser; Alexander Fraser (Fraserfield), Mrs. Fraser and Miss Kate Fraser; Alexander R. Fraser and Mrs. Fraser; Alexander Fraser (MacFhionnlaidh), Mrs. Fraser, Miss Fraser, Mrs. Georgina Fraser-Newhall, and Mrs. Ramsay; Mr. W. A. Fraser and Mrs. Fraser; Dr. Pyne and Mrs. Pyne; Alexander Fraser(Parkdale), and Miss Fraser; W. P. Fraser, Donald Fraser, Charles Fraser, Mrs. C. G. Fraser and Master Norman Fraser, James Fraser, Henry Sandham Fraser.

Letters of regret at their inability to attend were read from Messrs. E. A. Fraser, Detroit; D. Fraser, Montreal; Ex-Mayor Fraser, Petrolea; O. K. Fraser, Brockville; A. Fraser, Hamilton; P. M. Fraser, St. Thomas; Rev. R. D. Fraser, Bowmanville; and Rev. Dr. J. B. Fraser, Annan.

Mr. Alexander Fraser (MacFhionnlaidh) presided, and the vice-chairs were occupied by Messrs. George B. Fraser and R. L. Fraser, and Mr. W. A. Fraser acted as Secretary.

The after-dinner programme was interesting and varied. Besides the usual toasts it included the "Fraser's Drinking Song," composed by Mrs. Georgina Fraser-Newhall, and sung by Mrs. Alexander Fraser; readings by Prof. W. H. Fraser, bagpipe selections by Pipe-Major MacSwayed, and Highland dancing by Master Norman Fraser.

The speeches contained a great deal of information regarding the Clan, and were very interesting. Most eloquent was the speech delivered by Mr. W. Lewis Fraser, of New York, who entered into the history of the Clan at considerable length; and that by Mrs. Georgina Fraser-Newhall, in response to the toast of her health.

A group photograph was successfully taken of the company by the aid of a flash-light, which will remain a memento of a very pleasant gathering.

Before dispersing the report of the Committee on the Organization of the Clan was read. It set forth that meetings had been held at which the Clan had been organized, and the annexed Constitution and By-laws prepared:

THE CLAN FRASER IN CANADA.————————(Instituted May 5th, 1894.)————————CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS.

ARTICLE I.—Name.—The name of this organization shall be: "The Clan Fraser in Canada."

ARTICLE II.—Objects.—The objects of the Clan shall be:

The cultivation of friendly intercourse and social relations among those bearing the surname "Fraser," and the promotion among its members of love for the Clan, and increased interest in its history and traditions:

The collection of Clan records, traditions and anecdotes; of documents bearing upon the Clan history; of information relating to notable clansmen, especially with reference to the early history of the Clan in Canada; and the compilation of an album of portraits and biographical sketches of Clansmen in Canada:

The furtherance of the interests of clansmen, whether in Scotland or in Canada, and the giving of such assistance to clansmen in need as may be within the power of the Clan.

ARTICLE III.—Membership.—Persons bearing the surname "Fraser," by birth or by marriage, shall be eligible for membership in the Clan. Honorary membership may be conferred on distinguished clansmen, or on persons, not clansmen, who have rendered conspicuous service to the Clan.

ARTICLE IV.—Arms, Motto and Badge.—The arms of the Clan Fraser in Canada shall be the same as those of the Clan proper, with the difference of a wreath of Canadian maple leaves intertwined (a fac-simile of which is impressed on this Constitution); the "Motto" and "Badge" shall be that of the Clan Fraser—motto, "Je Suis Prest"; badge, a sprig of yew—Taxus Baccata.

ARTICLE V.—(a)Executive Officers.—The Executive Officers shall consist of a Chief, Chieftains (as hereinunder provided for), Secretary-Treasurer, Historians, Curator, and a Bard.

(b)—Trustees and Councillors.—There shall be three Trustees, six Councillors, a Pipe-Major and Pipers.

(c)—Honorary Chief and Chieftains.—The Chief of the Clan Fraser, "Mac-Shimi," shall be the Honorary Chief, and Honorary Chieftainship may be bestowed on clansmen who merit very high clan honor.

ARTICLE VI.—Gatherings.—The Clan shall gather once a year, on a day to be decided upon by the Executive Committee, for the transaction of business. That gathering shall be known as the Annual Business Meeting of the Clan. On the evening of the same day a Clan Dinner, or other form of Entertainment, shall take place.

ARTICLE VII.—At the Annual Business Meeting of the Clan the Executive Officers, Trustees, Councillors and Pipers, Honorary Chief (when vacant), and Honorary Chieftains (when Honorary Chieftainship is conferred), shall be elected; and the roll of members, prepared by the Executive Committee, shall be revised.

ARTICLE VIII.—The principle upon which Chieftains and Councillors shall be elected shall be as follows: The Province of Ontario shall be divided into fiveDistricts, viz.: Ottawa, Kingston, Toronto, Hamilton and London, from each of which and from each of the other Provinces of Canada, a Chieftain shall be elected. A Chieftain may be also elected from each of the States of the American Union, as an interest in the Clan may be manifested. The Ontario Districts shall comprise the following counties:

Ottawa.—Glengarry, Prescott, Stormont, Dundas, Grenville, Carleton, Russell, Renfrew.

Kingston.—Addington, Lennox, Frontenac, Hastings, Prince Edward, Leeds, Lanark.

Toronto.—Northumberland, Peterborough, Haliburton, Victoria, Durham, Ontario, Muskoka, Parry Sound, Nipissing, York, Peel, Toronto.

Hamilton.—Wentworth, Lincoln, Welland, Brant, Waterloo, Simcoe, Dufferin, Grey, Wellington, Halton.

London.—Middlesex, Elgin, Oxford, Norfolk, Haldimand, Kent, Lambton, Essex, Bruce, Huron, Perth.

There shall be at least one Councillor elected to represent each District in Ontario.

ARTICLE IX.—The Executive Officers, Trustees and Councillors shall form a General Committee, which shall prepare the business for the Annual Meeting. The Executive Officers shall form the Executive Committee of the General Committee. The General Committee and the Executive Committee may appoint Sub-Committees with power to transact business on behalf of the Clan.

ARTICLE X.—Duties of Officers.—TheChiefshall preside at all the meetings of Committees, at the Annual Business Meeting, and at the Annual Entertainment of the Clan; in his absence the duties of the Chief shall devolve upon theChieftainsin order of seniority, and in the absence of all of them the clansmen present shall elect a Chairmanpro tem. TheSecretary-Treasurershall keep a correct minute of the business transacted at the meetings of Committees and at the Annual Meeting of the Clan; he shall keep a roll of the membership of the Clan; with the Chief he shall convene the meetings, and shall conduct the correspondence and general business of the Clan; he shall submit his accounts to an audit annually or on the demand of the Executive Committee. TheHistoriansshall compile the Clan Album, and shall edit any papers containing information regarding the Clan or clansmen which may be secured for the Clan. TheCuratorshall have the custody of all property belonging to the Clan, including papers and books not in use by the proper officers, and shall account for the same to theTrusteesin whom the property shall be vested on behalf of the Clan, and who shall submit a report of their stewardship to the Annual Meeting of the Clan.

ARTICLE XI.—The roll of membership shall be compiled by the Executive Committee, and shall be subject to revision at the Annual Business Meeting.

ARTICLE XII.—The officers shall wear insignia of office; and an officer holding the same office for three terms (not necessarily consecutively) shall become the possessor of the insignia as his own property.

ARTICLE XIII.—The Constitution and By-laws may be altered or amended at the Annual Business Meeting of the Clan, by a two-thirds vote of the membership, personally or by mandate; but notice of any such alteration of amendment in specific terms must be lodged with the Secretary-Treasurer at least two months before the date of the Annual Business Meeting so that members may be notified when the announcement of the Annual Business Meeting shall be made.

BY-LAWS.

1. The fee of membership shall be one dollar annually for gentlemen, and the sum of fifty cents for ladies and minors.

2. The Annual Meeting of the Clan shall be held on a date to be decided upon by the Executive Committee; in deciding upon the date, however, the convenience of the greatest number of the membership shall be the chief consideration.

3. Twelve members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting.

4. A member may be expelled from the Clan for a transgression of any of its rules, or any other sufficient cause. Notice of intended expulsion must be given to the Secretary-Treasurer, who shall lay it before the Executive Committee for report at the Annual Business Meeting, and to the member whom it is proposed to expel. Voting shall be by ballot, and a majority must vote "yea" before a member can be expelled. The annual revision of the roll of membership referred to in the Constitution, Article XI., shall in no way be understood to imply expulsion from membership.

5. The following shall be the order of business: 1st. Reading of minutes of previous meeting; 2nd. Reading of communications and action thereon; 3rd. Unfinished business of previous meeting; 4th. New business; 5th. Election of officers; 6th. Adjournment.

Signed on behalf of the Committee.

ALEXANDER FRASER,Chairman. W. A. FRASER,Secretary.

The above Constitution and By-laws were duly adopted and ordered to be printed.

The following Officers were elected for the term 1895-'96:

Honorary Chief,

Lord Lovat.

Honorary Chieftain,

Mr. Charles Fraser MacKintosh, Inverness

Chief,

Mr. Alex. Fraser(MacFhionnlaidh), Toronto.

Chieftains,

District of Ottawa:Mr. Alex. Fraser, Westmeath.Kingston:Mr. Donald Fraser, Kingston.Toronto:Mr. G. B. Fraser, Toronto.Hamilton:Rev. Dr. Mungo Fraser, Hamilton.London:Ex-Mayor Fraser, Petrolea.

Provinces—Maritime Provinces:D. C. Fraser, M. P., New Glasgow, N.S.Quebec:Mr. Donald Fraser, Montreal.Northwest Territories:Mr. J. G. Fraser, Regina, N.W.T.British Columbia:Mr. W. Fraser, Vancouver, B.C.

State of Michigan:Mr. E. A. Fraser, Detroit, U.S.A.New York:Mr. W. Lewis Fraser, New York.

Councillors,

Secretary-Treasurer,

Mr. W. A. Fraser, Toronto.

Chaplain,

Rev. Dr. Mungo Fraser, Hamilton.

Historians,

Prof. W. H. FraserandMr. Alex. Fraser, Toronto.

Curator,

Mr. Alexander Fraser, Toronto.

Trustees,

Messrs. R. L. Fraser, Toronto;Abner Fraser, Hamilton;A. G. Fraser, London.

Bard,

Georgina Fraser-Newhall, Omaha.

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