RETROSPECT.
Sir Ronald leaned back in his easy chair;
He gazed abroad on the prospect fair.
On the soft, white carpet of new-fallen snow;
On the ermined branch with its gems aglow.
Snow white those locks of the threescore and ten
Yet, smooth is that brow as of younger men.
He beareth his years with a right good will,
And life floweth on as a placid rill.
For though evening's sun is well nigh set
His heart holds the dawn of the morning yet.
From memory's treasures of years gone by
He portrayed scenes for the mental eye,
Wondrous experience by land and by sea;
Fain would I tell as he told it to me.
II.
"But lo! from the casement, wide open thrown,
By loving hands carefully bound, A basket live-freighted is hastily launched
Through flashes of flame to the ground. Kindled is courage, strong effort revives,
Grim death and destruction are braved;— What matter the crash of that falling roof!
Dear life, in its lustre is saved."
III.
"But what recketh Ocean for pride of man!
The storm-wraith wails loudly on high; Till battered and torn is the gallant bark
In her wrestle 'gainst ocean and sky. Yet she conquers, she rideth the seething foam;
And, as bird from prison bars free, She spreadeth her sail 'yond the storm-cloud's rim
And skimmeth a tranquil sea."
IV.
"One glance to the stalwart form by her side,
Her spirit returns to its rest; And gaily she dreameth of happier days
In the new land, the glorious West. She raiseth the babe; Oh well for her peace!
Where had nestled the darling head, A fierce, flying ball from the Gascon grazed,
Ere it plunged in its ocean bed."
V.
"Now peaceful in shades of the gloaming I rest,
Unawed of the murkier night; Calm-souled I await for the upward call,
And the glow of the nearing light. The river's sad moanings I may not hear;
High over the murmuring foam Floateth rich music. Ah! sweet to mine ear
Those angel tones welcoming home."
VI.
Gladness for light of a long, lustrous day;
Sorrow for sunshine fast fleeting away.
More dense than the doole of a starless night
The gloom of a soul which knoweth no light.
Down-coursing as cataract o'er the steep hill
That will which opposeth the Higher Will.
Unbeauteous is age when it crusts itself round,
Or buries itself in a selfish mound.
But blessèd be those who in soul-growth expand
'Neath the milder beams from the glory-land.
Yea blessèd they be! when the river is passed,
They shall enter the gate with the palms at last.
FINIS.
[NOTES.]
"Skilled Nurses." Page 16.—
When the epidemic of small-pox visited Charlottetown in the year 1885, three nuns from the City Hospital volunteered their professional services. The generous offer was at first refused, but afterwards gladly accepted. Sister St. Thomas never recovered from the effects of her labours in the improvised Hospital; she died in Montreal the following Spring.
"Whose skill and courage." Page 19.
—Dr. Richard Johnson, Health Officer, distinguished himself by unremitting devotion to his arduous duties; and also, along with Dr. Warburton, attended all cases in the city; while Dr. J. T. Jenkins, with his son, Dr. S.R. Jenkins, were in constant attendance at the Hospital. Notable also were Mayor H. Beer, and clergymen Carruthers, O'Meara and MacIntyre.
"The Hiding-place." Page 29.—
Incidents in the career of the much beloved and widely lamented Bishop MacIntyre.
"In Memoriam." Page 98.—
In memory of the pious and charitable Mrs. M. M. T. Hodgson, daughter of the late Hon. J. Brecken, and wife of the Hon. Edward J. Hodgson, Master of the Rolls of P. E. Island, Canada; who died on the 19th October, 1889.
"The heroes of Skye." Page 143.—
During the Peninsular war the small island of Skye sent out, to fight the battles of Great Britain, no fewer than ten thousand men, many of whom arose to highest positions in the army.
"Two frigates." Page 153.—
When the descendants of many of those brave soldiers lately rebelled against landlord tyranny, warships were despatched to Skye, to intimidate the oppressed.
"Bonnie, braw Dundee." Page 145.—
Graeme of Claverhouse, created for his military services, Viscount Dundee; noted as an able General, but held in detestation as the cruel persecutor of the Scotch Covenanters.
"The Macneill." Page 142.—
Archd. MacNeill, Esq., long the President, and ever an ardent supporter of the Caledonian Club.
"The spirit which rose." Page 180.—
Daniel O'Connell, the Irish Liberator.
"Who dignifieth, etc." Page 186.—
Hon. Senator A. A. Macdonald, for some time Member of the Legislative Council, and one of the delegates to the Quebec Conference anent Confederation. Elevated to the position of Lieutenant-Governor of Prince Edward Island, 1884; since, in 1891, appointed to the Senatorship. For the last fifteen years the honoured Chief of the Caledonian Club.
"H. M. S. Blake." Page 191.—
H. M. S. Blake, Admiral Sir John Hopkins, anchored in Charlottetown Harbour, 18th August, 1893.
"Abegweit." Page 191.—
Home on the Wave—Indian name for P. E. Island.
"Port La Joie." Page 192.—
Former name of Charlottetown.
Transcriber's Note.
1. Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors.
2. Retained anachronistic and non-standard spellings as printed.
3. Text references have been linked to the "Notes" at the end of the book.