Three celebrated clubs nourished here long before the Stadacona and St. James' Club were thought of. The first was formed in Quebec, about the beginning of this century. It was originally called (after its London prototype) says Lambert, the Beef Steak Club, which name it soon changed for that of the Barons Club. It consisted of twenty-one members, "who are chiefly the principal merchants in the colony, and are styled barons. As the members drop off, their places are filled by knights elect, who are not installed as barons until there is a sufficient number to pay for the entertainment which is given on that occasion." John Lambert, during the winter of 1807, attended one of the banquets of installation, which was given in the Union Hotel (now the Journal de Quebec office, facing the Place d'Armes.) The Hon. Mr. Dunn, the President of the Province, and Administrator, during the absence of Sir Robert S. Milnes, attended as the oldest baron. The Chief Justice and all the principal officers of the government, civil and military, were present. This entertainment cost 250 guineas. "The Barons Club," says W. Henderson, "was a sort of Pitt Club,—all Tories to the back-bone. It was a very select affair—and of no long duration. Among the members, if my memory serves me right, were John Coltman, George Hamilton, Sir John Caldwell, Sir George Pownall, Herman Wistius Byland, George Heriott, (Postmaster and author) Hon. Matthew Bell, Gilbert Ainslie, Angus Shaw." (Notes of W. Henderson.)
The other club went under the appropriate name of "Sober Club,"—lucus a non lucendo perhaps: it flourished about 1811; we believe one of the By-laws enacted that the members were expected to get elevated at least once a year. It seems to be more than likely that it was the Club of Barons, and not the Sober Club, who caroused under the romantic walls of the Hermitage. The third Club flourished at Montreal in 1785 and later, it took the name of the Beaver Club) and was, I believe, composed of old Northwesters.
[325] It is painful to watch the successive inroads perpetrated by sportsmen and idlers on the old Château. In 1819, an old Quebecer, Mr. Frederick Wyse, visited it; doors, verandah, windows and everything else was complete. He, too, lost his way in the woods, but found it again without the help of an Indian beauty. It was then known as the haunted house, supposed to contain a deal of French treasure, and called La Maison du Bourg Royal.
[326] Error—he was a bachelor. These unions were not uncommon. We find the Baron de St. Castin marrying Matilda, the daughter of Madocawando—an Indian beauty; he became a famous Indian Chief, helping D'Iberville, in Acadia, and left a numerous progeny of olive colored princesses with eyes like a gazelle's.
[327] Melospiza melodia.
[328] Zonotrichia leuchophry.
[329] The Hon. Mr. Dunn, Administrator of the Province in 1807, was the senior baron; Hons. Matthew Bell, John Stewart, Messrs. Muir, Irvine, Lester, McNaught, Grey Stewart, Munro, Finlay, Lymburner, Paynter; these names were doubtless also to be found amongst the Canadian barons; the Hon. Chas. de Lanaudière, once a general in the Hungarian service, was the only French Canadian member.
[330] Book of Carthon.
[331] From Travellers' Guide Book, 1829.