BISHOP HAMILTON.
About thirty years ago, there arrived fresh from college a newly-ordained clergyman of the Church of England. So youthful looking, so mild in character, it appeared at first as if he would hardly yet be fitted for the onerous position of pastor, but he was appointed. Family influence and money soon caused St. Matthew's to be most largely patronized, also free seats. In the meantime our young clergyman pursued his unobtrusive way. Daily he might be seen in the poorest and least frequented streets of the city, driving a little waggonette, evidently constructed to order from its capacity for holding comforts for his poor people. A thoroughly earnest, fervently pious man, our young clergyman, before many years, displayed his innate force of character, acquired great influence, and we know him now as Charles Hamilton, Bishop of Ontario.
ST. PATRICK'S CEMETERY, QUEBEC.
Formerly Woodfield, the residence of the late
James Gibb, Esq., previously the residence of
Chas. Sheppard, Esq.
As I tread the sod of this cemetery what a host of memories are evoked. Here was the handsome residence of Chas. Sheppard, formerly large timber merchant of Quebec, one of whose sons, Mansfield Sheppard, Esq., and his daughter, Mrs. Watt, I think still survive! This pleasant home was burnt down, the family having hardly time to escape, and many cherished and valuable mementoes of the past perished with it. It was purchased by James Gibb, Esq., as a homestead, and so occupied for many years; and who in the flush of enjoyment at the many pleasant entertainments given by the Gibb family would have foreseen the day when many of those dancing and promenading through those beautiful grounds would be treading over perhaps the very spot may be their own resting place in the quiet grave. Such is life. This cemetery, now of great beauty from its natural characteristics, is about two miles from Quebec.
MOUNT HERMON CEMETERY,
About three miles from the city of Quebec, is most beautifully situated on the St. Louis road its grounds at the back overlooking the St. Lawrence.
Amongst other noted monuments here is the slab that indicates the last resting place of the young son of Sir Edmund Head, who was accidentally drowned in the St. Lawrence river, and buried here in Mr. Price's lot. The Price family had long occupied a high position in Quebec society, and been intimate with the families of several of the governors. I see they had the honor of a visit from the Prince on his late trip to Quebec, who lunched with them.
I will attempt no further description of old Quebec, Mr. Le Moine has too thoroughly exhausted the subject, but confine myself to a description of people and incidents illustrative of the to me good old times. Perhaps the beauty of the prospective is enhanced by the distance, but to those who have passed the meridian of life the past must ever be dearer than the present, for it alone is peopled with so many of the loved we look for in vain now. So many of my once dear associates have gone on before me, I often ponder on what must be the feelings of one living to a hundred years, who stands totally alone without one he has known in his earlier days to greet him.
IN MEMORIAM.