NEW BRUNSWICK.
The capital of New Brunswick was the scene of more than usual
excitement. Extensive preparations throughout the higher classes of
society indicated that some very important event or events were about to
take place. Extravagant purchases made in the several stores where were
displayed dry goods, intimated that the fair sex looked forward to the
approaching festivity with intense and joyous anticipation.
New-year's eve has arrived. Happiness expresses itself in rippling
smiles beaming upon all faces. Every citizen has cause for rejoicing.
The commodious structure planned under the supervision of His
Excellency, Sir Howard Douglas, is now ready for the reception of a
numerous assemblage of guests. The family are reinstated in Government
House, happy in being once more able to extend their far-famed
hospitality as on former occasions.
Nothing was wanting to make the present reception one of the most
gorgeous in the social records of provincial life. Every window in the
entire building was brilliantly illuminated in the most beautiful colors
of every hue and in a charming variety of scenes. There were represented
the western heavens at sunset in crimson and gold; the rising glories of
the approaching monarch shown on the eastern hill tops; scenes of
classical beauty shone in bewitching effect. Any attempt to
particularize fails in the very effort. Suffice to say Government House
blazed, not in the spontaneous spirit which displayed itself when the
former building succumbed, but by the heightening aid of artistic skill
and design. From a distance the sight was truly beautiful. Many gazed
with unwearied eyes anxious to behold a view which might never again be
afforded them. The incessant peals of merry sleigh bells seemed to
harmonize with the merriment and gaiety of the guests as they hurried to
their destination. The array of rank, wealth, youth and beauty thus
assembled are never again to be realized. Every colony in His Majesty's
domains in America was represented. Every one holding high rank or title
was present. Lady Douglas with kindling eye glanced through the
different rooms and pronounced the affair a decided success.
Mary Douglas experienced a feeling of sadness while drawing a comparison
between the present occasion and one in which Lady Rosamond was an
honored guest. She could not but feel a deep yearning towards her old
friend--a fond and tender longing to embrace the beautiful Lady Rosamond
Bereford.
The drawing-rooms reflected credit upon those who assisted in the
decorations. Brilliant colors, banners, emblems, mottoes, flags,
pennons, and coats of arms were intermingled with an eye to harmony and
graceful effect.
The military precedence on every hand shewed the spirit which influenced
Sir Howard and his distinguished family. Nearly all the gentlemen of the
household were distinguished by their uniform. Every attendant was in
uniform. Soldiers lined the grounds; soldiers kept hourly patrol;
soldiers executed every command. The social atmosphere of Government
House breathed of a true soldier-like element. The ladies felt its
influence as they took delight in listening to the chequered scenes
amidst the lives of the many veterans who sat at their table.
The 81st now graced the evening by a numerous body of officers with the
gallant Colonel Creagh foremost in the assembly. The genial countenance
of the old veteran, his sparkling eye and animated gestures found ready
entrance into many hearts. Conspicuous were Jasper Creagh, now attached
to the regiment as holding a lieutenant's commission, and his friend
Trevelyan, now promoted to the rank of Captain, and still enjoying the
unbounded good will and confidence of superiors and inferiors.
The faithful secretary still sustained his former resources for
enjoyment and festivity. He had made himself agreeable to many fair
ladies, acting the part of a gallant attendant, but his heart remained
unimpressed, often a source of keen enjoyment to Captain Douglas, who
vainly tried to captivate his friend in many ways. Mr. Howe was a
distinguished and fine-looking gentleman, remarkably tall and straight,
while the keen glance of his dark eye was sufficient to convince one of
the powers of penetration forming such weighty proportion in the make-up
of his character. His olive skin formed a pleasing contrast to the pearl
white complexion of the beautiful daughter of the household, as they
mingled together in the dance. The sparkle of that lovely eye was enough
to drive the adoring suitors to distraction, yet Mary Douglas coolly
withstood their ardent gaze. Dance and song mingle in successive round.
Youth and age alike join in the fairy scene. Arch glances pass from
courtly cavaliers to beautiful maidens who "blush at the praise of their
own loveliness." The rustle of silken draperies sound to the ear as
unseen music at the hand of the warbling genii. Robes of spotless purity
and gossamer texture flit around, keeping time to the merry ringing
silvery peals of girlish merriment. Such are the scenes that greet the
eye and ear in roaming amid the gay throng at Government House,
Fredericton, on the New Year's Eve of 1828.
It would be a difficult task to make particular mention of the
aristocratic matrons; still it would be a great injustice to pass over a
matter of so much importance. In fact, by some, the married ladies bore
off the palm for beauty and intelligence. Of a certainty the comparison
excepted the ladies of Government House, there being none who could
compete with Mary Douglas, her beauty being of a superior type.
At the ball a married lady of rank wore diamonds valued at a cost
seeming fabulous. Others followed in the wake of such extravagance by
wearing necklaces, bracelets, head-dresses, ear-rings, and brooches, in
almost unlimited profusion. Add to this the magnificent array of Sir
Howard's supper table, its glittering plate in massive style, its
enormous chandeliers, its countless train of liveried attendants, and
you can then only form a very faint conception of the first ball given
in the present Government House, nearly half a century in the past!
Truly this was the chivalric age in the history of the capital of New
Brunswick--the age when proud knighthood was the ruling passion in the
breasts of the sterner sex, when true heroic bravery was the quality
which won the maiden fair, when the breath of slander could not be
tolerated without calling forth a brave champion on behalf of the
wronged. This is the age that has passed away never to return. Progress
and Reform are the two great powers combined to crush out all traces of
those by-gone days. In united action they ruthlessly wipe out every
vestige or lingering relics of past greatness. Nothing must stand in
opposition to their will. Reform suggests, Progress acts--Reform
suggests the removal of all old landmarks--Progress assists in the
accomplishment. By such means, and through successive stages, did those
days pass away, now to be reviewed, as a beautiful dream of the past.
Leaving this point we will proceed with the facts of the story.
The day following marked an event of much greater importance than that
of the preceding evening--it was important to all--all classes were
afterwards to be benefited by the great boon thus conferred on the
people of New Brunswick. Every parish and county had reason afterwards
to rejoice in the great work of this auspicious moment.
On New year's day of this year was opened the College at Fredericton.
The Charter had been procured by Sir Howard after having withstood a
storm of violent opposition, under which an ordinary spirit would have
sunk in hopeless despondency; but the iron will and calm judgment of the
wise statesman and ruler had outlived the fury of the opposing element,
who now reaped the reward of his indefatigable labors by the
accomplishment of the great work.
The king showed his sanction by conferring upon this Institution the
name of "King's College, New Brunswick," while to Sir Howard he assigned
the honor of being its first chancellor, in acknowledgment of the great
service thus rendered to the cause.
In this office His Excellency was duly installed on the present
occasion. Divine service was performed as the first ceremony. The
professors and students were in their places. Members of the legislature
and the royal council occupied seats, while the public thronged the
building to the utmost capacity.
Great and heartfelt was the burst of applause that greeted Sir Howard as
he took his place: greater still, when he announced the intention of the
king in conferring his name upon the College. The expressive features,
high, broad intellectual forehead, earnest eye, benign countenance and
honest smile perhaps were never more significant of the earnestness that
pervaded every thought and action of the gentleman, scholar, and
soldier, as when he uttered sentiments which shall be cherished through
after ages, so long as King's College shall remain a monument to the
memory of the best and greatest man that ever trod the soil of New
Brunswick.
Let us make use of his own words: "I shall leave with the College," he
said, "I trust, for ever a token of my regard and best wishes. It shall
be prepared in a form and devoted to an object which I hope may prove a
useful incitement to virtue and learning; and at periodical
commemorations of the commencement it may serve to remind you of the
share which I have had in the institutions and proceedings of a day
which I shall never forget."
Nor did this friend of education ever forget his promise. The Douglas
Gold Medal is still competed for though many years have rolled between
the time when the first and last were presented. The distinguished donor
has passed away, but his pledge remains. Memory fondly clings around the
deeds of Sir Howard and throws over them a halo of light that will shine
with increasing splendor as time lengthens the distance between.
The boundary question still assumed a troubled and unsettled state. Many
complaints were laid before his Excellency, but he calmly resolved to
grant no concessions. He treated every messenger with polite firmness.
Congratulations poured in from the Governor General from Canada and the
British Minister at Washington, regarding the cleverness and ability
displayed on the occasion. At last it became evident that no direct
conciliation could be effected between the disputants. Another course
must be adopted. An arrangement was agreed upon between the English and
Americans that the matter be left to arbitration, to the decision of the
king of the Netherlands. In such knowledge the people felt and saw a
common dread, a common anxiety, a gloomy foreboding. Such knowledge
brought the painful idea of separation. Sir Howard was appointed to
prepare the case for presentation. His presence was imperative in
England. A heavy blow fell like a death knell on the future hopes of the
colonists. Their true friend, sympathizer and ruler was about to take
leave. Many mourned his departure as that of a father or brother. Their
friend in prosperity and dire adversity; he who had struggled with the
calamities and worked for the advancement of his people, their interests
and direct benefits, was now to embark for his native land.
Regret was depicted on every face as the colonists moved in large bodies
to return grateful recognition for the zealous labors spent in their
behalf. Every society took active measures in showing their mingled
regret. Tears rained thick and fast as many old friends grasped the hand
of Sir Howard, murmuring a last God bless you. The kind-hearted soldier
could not but feel deeply when he witnessed such hearty demonstrations,
yet he had hopes of returning to New Brunswick. He cheered the people
with such remarks and strove to make the least of the matter.
Nor was the family of Sir Howard less to be regretted. Their kind
hospitality, generous hearts, and unassuming dispositions, had made many
friends in Fredericton and throughout the Province.
Lady Douglas strove to conceal her regret with many well-timed remarks.
Mary Douglas lovingly lingered among the well-remembered walks and paths
where she had spent peaceful and happy days. The lovely spring-time
which she had looked forward to, with its songs of birds, bright
sunshine, lovely flowers, and green fields, had come again, but not for
her enjoyment. Other ears would listen to the warbling songster--other
forms would sit in her accustomed seats and enjoy the pleasing
sunshine--other hands would pluck the lonely flowers blooming in beauty
all around--other footsteps would roam over the soft green grass that
gently raised its head as she tripped lightly along in former years.
_These_ were the friends of Mary Douglas, truly the child of nature.
Birds, flowers, fields, sunshine, rain, and storm, were the constant
companions of the gifted and beautiful student. The warble of the birds
was to her of more worth than the most bewitching strains of an English
opera; flowers taught lessons more inspiring and sublime than the most
profound theological discussion. Verdant fields and bright sunshine were
constant reminders of Heaven's choicest blessings and never-failing
truth, while the stormy conflicts of nature's elements taught the heart a
wholesome lesson in the thought that life has its changing moods, its
bitter conflicts, its merciless storms.
Sad was the heart of the dreamer as she wandered for the last time amid
these never-to-be-forgotten haunts. Tears dimmed her lovely eyes and
trickled down her cheeks. The scene was too sacred for other eyes. She
had started off alone, wishing to pay the last tribute of respect to her
silent friends in a manner becoming the solemnity of the occasion.
We leave Mary Douglas in her sylvan retreat and follow other members of
the family in their tender leave-taking.
Miss Douglas echoes the same spirit as her sister, but with less poetic
eloquence and fervent inspiration. She looks upon the faces of many dear
young friends and feels a deep pang of sorrow as their tears mingle with
her own. John Douglas, no longer a mischievous, romping, and noisy boy,
but an engaging and attractive young gentleman, ready to enter the army,
takes a hearty leave of his former schoolmates and companions with
sincere regret, bearing with him their united wishes for his future
welfare and success in life.
It would be an endless task to enumerate the bitter repinings and tender
leave-taking between each member of the family, and the numerous hosts
of sincere friends who pressed around them, eager to wish God speed on
the journey. Suffice to say, amid the last parting word, the last
pressure of the hand, and the last fond embrace, the beloved family of
Sir Howard Douglas took their last glimpse of Fredericton, dimmed by
their fast falling tears, as the steamer slowly passed from the wharf,
whence issued the plaintive strains of "Auld Lang Syne," to be borne
ever after in the memory of those who listened to the last parting
tribute wafted from the shores of Fredericton.