It becomes our painful duty to announce the death of one of the
Directors of the Association. Mr. Hora died at his residence Glen
Lawrence, near Kingston, on Saturday, May 4th, 1878, of valvular disease
of the heart. He was born at Harwich, Essex, England, 31st January,
1820.
His father was a surgeon in extensive practice in Bayswater, London, who
intended his son for his own profession, and was greatly disappointed in
finding him very much averse to it, his tastes and talent qualifying
him, he felt, more for an artist’s life. He was for some months in the
studio of the late Daniel Webster, R.A., but an appointment being
offered him in the Commissariat department of the Indian Navy, he gave
up his favorite study and sailed for India, passing his 16th birthday at
the Cape of Good Hope. When in India his pencil was not idle. His talent
as a draughtsman was soon known, and he was transferred by the late Sir
C. Malcolm, Superintendant, I. N., who took a great interest in him, to
the surveying branch of the service. This life he enjoyed exceedingly.
For three years he was employed in the active duties of the survey of
the islands of the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, &c., &c. He was highly spoken
of as a draughtsman, his charts were considered beautifully finished and
were preserved in the East India House, London. While on this service he
was able to cultivate his taste for natural history, and made a very
fine collection of shells.
In 1841 he held an appointment in the civil branch of the service.
Having to live in the dockyard at Bombay, he was attacked with fever,
and after battling against it for 12 months, (from which time he dated
the commencement of the heart disease of which he died,) he had to go to
England on sick certificate. He returned to India for three years, but
his health again broke down, and he was sent to Europe on medical
furlough. On his return to London, 1849, he spent a great part of his
time in the British Museum among its hidden treasures, enjoying the
society of its curators Messrs. Grey, Doubleday, &c. Dr. Baird, the
conchologist, assisting him in classifying his fine collection of
shells. He returned to India in 1851 and served through the Burmese war,
which commenced soon after his arrival. Boat work in the rivers soon
laid him up with fever; he had to leave his ship and live on shore.
While an invalid at Rangrove he made a large collection of moths and
butterflies. His health was so thoroughly shaken by the climate that he
was not fit for active service, and in 1854 he returned to England and
retired on half pay. His wife and family were then living in Wales. Here
he was a most devoted and successful salmon fisher; with rod and
sketch-book he spent days enjoying the lovely scenery of the beautiful
Welsh rivers. His garden was a great delight, and with the enthusiasm of
a true florist, he raised flowers of great beauty and perfection.
In 1866 he decided to emigrate to Canada, thinking there would there be
a better opening in life for his sons. After he bought Glen Lawrence he
turned his attention to fruit growing, and entered into it with all his
constitutional enthusiasm, it became a perfect passion. He never was so
happy as among his fruit trees and vines. When almost dying he spoke of
them with tenderness, leaving them to the special care of his son.
To the Fruit Growers’ Association, of which he was a member in 1871, he
attributed much of his success in fruit growing. He always spoke of his
connection with the society with great satisfaction and earnestness, for
he thought that the information imparted by means of its reports would
prove a blessing to those settling in Canada, and save them from the
disappointments he had suffered in starting.
At the annual meeting, in London, in 1877, he was chosen to represent
the third Agricultural Division on the board of Directors of the Fruit
Growers’ Association, which position he filled with great acceptance,
constantly seeking to present to his constituents the advantages it
afforded to its members. Before his term had expired his seat has become
vacant, but he leaves the memory of an unblemished character, both in
public service and in private life. Thus we pass on, one after another,
in the hope “that the culture, training and sorrows of earth shall
culminate in the purity, perfection, and bliss of heaven,
“Where Gilead’s balm in its freshness shall flow,
O’er the wounds which the pruning knife gave us below.”
[Illustration: The Canadian Horticulturist]
=VOL. I.]= =JUNE, 1878.= =[NO. 6.=