The Clan Fraser in Canada Part 6

Now William like others, without leave would roam, And be absent when lather the second came home; So he of the step, which step-father should be, Said 'To save the lad's _morals_ we'll send him to sea.'"

The boy was confined in a water-cask for bad conduct.

"And the wave cleared the deck of the vessel, and she Like one half 'seas over' rolled about in the sea.

Then a shriek was heard, and the boatswain roar'd 'There's Bill and the tub gone overboard!'"

He floated to sh.o.r.e after an interview with a shark, a cow switched her tail against the tub, and Bill caught it while the cow fled, and wrecked the tub, but saved Bill's life, although he remained unconscious.

"But was roused from his swoon by a beautiful Yankee Who brought dough-nuts and tea, it was genuine Tw.a.n.kay.

An angel of light in the garb of humanity, And that garb of the Saxony's best superfine, What her countrymen term the 'real genuine.'

Bill was charmed and concluded, with some show of reason, That to her annexation could never be treason."

And he was annexed in due time.

We have some poets still living, Gordon Fraser, John W. Fraser, and others; on them I must touch lightly. Gordon is a writer on "Lowland Lore," and writes good ballads of his own, like the one beginning:

"'Twas an eerie nicht, an' the storm-cluds lower'd, An the lichtnin's glent was keen, An' the thunner roll'd, but nane were cower'd I' the clachan till-hous bien."

It is a fearsome ghost story well told.

John W. is a very charming writer. His ballad of the courts.h.i.+p of "Bell"

is first-rate, and it begins:

"Sin' Bell cam' to bide in our toun, The warl' has a' gaen ajee; She has turned a' the heads o' the men, And the women wi' envy will dea.

O, but Bell's bonnie!

d.i.n.k as a daisy is she; Her e'en are as bricht as the starnies That s.h.i.+ne in the lift sae hie."

Such are some of our literary men, and they are very creditable specimens. I know that I have left out more than I have given. I have not said a word about all the Frasers in Gaelic literature, whose name must be legion, because I cannot follow them in that language.

Our Clan has a good proportion of the literary in it, and I believe we are all literary critics. I never knew a Fraser yet who had not excellent literary taste and judgment. The reasons why more literature has not been produced is very clear to my mind, and depends on a prominent characteristic of the Clan--great modesty. This must be thrown aside if you are going to rush into literature. Many a Fraser has had it in him to produce the highest sort of literature, who from this cause has never written a line for the public. When the Clan succeeds in throwing off this defect, we may expect the production of literary works on a par with the best that has been written.

The reply to the toast of "Frasers in Theology" was entrusted to the REV. MUNGO FRASER, D.D., of Hamilton, who had to leave by train for home before this toast was reached. His reply summarised is as follows: "There are many clansmen who stand high in theology, if we be allowed to understand by that term the wider and more comprehensive sphere of work in the Church of Christ. In the memory of those who admire subjective writings of an extremely searching character, the name of the Rev. James Fraser, of Brea, will occupy an undying place. To those who give the highest rank among ministers to pulpit ability, the Frasers of Kirkhill, for three generations, will afford examples of eloquence and those gifts of oratorical power that appeal so irresistibly to the popular ear. By those who regard the administrative functions of the pastor as of importance, the name of Bishop Fraser, of Manchester, is justly esteemed, and in a less prominent, but not less important degree, the name of Dr. William Fraser, for a long period the senior clerk of the Presbyterian Church in Canada; and theological literature finds a writer of ability and copiousness in Dr. Donald Fraser, at one time of Montreal and afterwards of London, England. The Clan contributed a great many names to the roll of distinguished clergymen, men who, in their different spheres, rendered n.o.ble service to the cause of Christ. And among them are men, some of whose names have been mentioned by the Vice-chairman, of ability, of high character, whose personal influence over the people was strongly felt. In Canada the name of Fraser has an honored place among the ministers of the churches. They are doing their duty n.o.bly and well, and if the names of some of them be not widely known outside of their own country, it must not be forgotten that a clergyman's best fame and best reward is his good name among those for whom he directly labors, and for whose welfare he gives his best endeavors. Did time permit, it would be comparatively easy to speak at length of those who have held their own in the theological sphere, but sufficient has probably been said to indicate that the Clan has done its duty in one of the most interesting and important fields of human effort open for the welfare of man.

The part of the toast dealing with "the Frasers in War," was replied to by MR. ALEXANDER FRASER (of Fraserfield, Glengarry). He said: After what we have heard of the Clan this evening we must come to the conclusion that it has always been distinguished for its military spirit, and I regret on that account, all the more, that the duty has fallen upon me to reply to the "Frasers in War." Not that I do not appreciate to the fullest extent that spirit which distinguished them and probably in no small degree share it, but I am not a man of words, and I feel I shall not be able, even in a small way, to do justice to this theme.

Undoubtedly the military character of the Clan goes back to its very origin, for if the Frasers did come from Normandy, they must have been selected on account of their military ability, for those were the days when length and strength of arm and good generals.h.i.+p were the most valuable qualifications a man could possess. But, coming down to the earlier times in Scotland, we find our clansmen heading the warlike and chivalrous n.o.bles of that country, in their devotion to the Crown, and in their exploits in the field in defence of country and patrimony. I need not enter into a detailed description of the times when the Lowland Frasers served their country and their king with an unswerving devotion whose l.u.s.tre time will not dim, nor the researches of modern historians tarnish. Down through history in the Highlands they have ever shown themselves to be a brave and warlike race, furnis.h.i.+ng individuals of conspicuous ability and distinction in arms. No treatment of this toast would be complete that should omit a reference to Fraser's Highlanders that embarked under the command of the Chief of the Clan in 1757, and took part with Wolfe's army in all the engagements, from Louisburg to the close of the war. At Quebec the Frasers distinguished themselves in an especial manner. In the struggles which took place early in the century, between the Canadians and Americans, the Frasers did their duty, proving that down to our own times they maintained their old reputation. In the British army, from the formation of the Highland regiments, in 1739, to the present day, the Clan has given many distinguished officers and many brave men to its country's service, and I know I can speak with truth when I say that the old spirit still prevails, whether you look at home or abroad. So true is this that I may conclude these remarks in the stereotyped words of the after-dinner speaker by saying that should the occasion ever demand it, the Frasers will be ever ready to draw their claymores and shed their blood in the country's service as of yore.

MR. W. P. FRASER spoke for "The Frasers in Politics." He said: Mr.

Chairman, Vice-chairman and Brother Clansmen, it would seem that the toast of distinguished clansmen is quite an inexhaustible one. Much has been said of our clansmen in the various ranks of life, but I believe no more than is deserved. As a matter of course the Frasers have ranked high in politics. We have not had a Prime Minister of the name in the Dominion of Canada, but we have given to the Legislatures of Ontario, Quebec, and the Lower Provinces, many of their most useful members, their most eloquent speakers, and their most responsible statesmen. We have borne our share of public duty in this country, both in the rank and file of political workers, and as leaders. I do not need to go far afield to find some of the more striking examples. There is one name so long and honorably a.s.sociated with the fortunes of this Province that it merits premier recognition. I refer to that of the Hon. Christopher Finlay Fraser, who would have responded to this toast himself to-night, were it not that he has been suffering from severe illness for some time, and has not sufficiently recovered to take his place among us.

Reference has been made to his letter of regret, and I feel sure that every word in it is true--that it is the outcome of his sincere feeling; for Mr. Fraser is as much a clansman as he is a politician, and has ever manifested the same deep interest in matters connected with his Clan, as he has displayed in the public duties which he is called upon to perform. The position which he occupies, the services which he has rendered, his wide sphere of influence, his sterling honesty and unblemished record--these lie as an open book before you. For me to expatiate upon them would be quite superfluous. His name will go down in the annals of our statesmen as one of the most competent Ministers of the Crown who ever held office in this Province, as one of subtle intellect who served his country and his party in great crises, as one who gave his talents generously and disinterestedly to the welfare of his fellow-beings, and in a peculiar manner helped to lay the foundations of a great nationality in this country. Another of our clansmen, whose telegram of regret shows that he has been intercepted on the way from the far east to our gathering, has made the name famous in the politics of Canada, and is likely to attain to still greater eminence in the future. At his home in Nova Scotia he has long been known as a man of probity, ability, and capacity for public duty. It is not so long ago that he was first heard of in these western parts, but already he has sprung into notice, and his services are in request at many public gatherings. I am sure we all regret the absence of Mr. D. C.

Fraser, M.P. for Guysboro', to-night. He is not only a politician but a patron of learning and celtic literature. To his generous heart and open hand many a struggling Highlander owes much, and through his encouragement not a few scholarly productions have seen the light of day. Were I to venture beyond Canada I should find Frasers playing a prominent part in the field of politics in South Africa, in the Australias, in the East Indies, and even in South America. It was only the other day we heard of a clansman born in Nova Scotia, but of good Inverness stock, who had been appointed delegate to the Inter-colonial Conference to be held in Ottawa this summer. I refer to the Hon. Simon Fraser, of Victoria. I have no doubt his clansmen here will be glad to welcome him, and to wish the utmost success to his mission. I must refrain at this hour from any reference to what Frasers have done in political life in the old land. The chiefs of the Clan numbered among them many men of eminence in politics. Of these we have heard something already to-night, and when the call of public duty comes, I feel sure a Fraser will be ready to step forward to perform his part in a worthy manner.

ORGANIZATION.

A resolution was carried in favor of the formation of an organization of clansmen in Canada, having for its main objects the promotion of social intercourse among the members, the collection of facts from which to prepare a biographical alb.u.m of the members and other clansmen, and the promotion of objects which may be of interest to the Clan; and that those present form a general committee to act in the matter, the Committee of this gathering to act as an Executive Committee, for the purpose of drafting a const.i.tution for the Clan to be submitted to the next gathering of the Clan.

The Clan song, composed by request, for this gathering, by Mrs.

Georgina Fraser Newhall, and set to music composed by Mr. J. Lewis Browne, will be found, with a biographical sketch and portrait of the auth.o.r.ess, on pages 93 to 97.

GEORGINA FRASER NEWHALL.

AUTh.o.r.eSS OF "FRASER'S DRINKING SONG."

[Ill.u.s.tration: MRS. GEORGINA FRASER NEWHALL]

"The Frasers of Stratherrick, where are they?" To this pensive question by Charles Fraser Mackintosh comes an oft echoed and l.u.s.ty answer from many distant lands. Indeed the question is, "Where are they not?" for it is safe to say that there is no country where the English language to-day prevails, in which Stratherrick may not claim a son. Their new homes have not the historical charm of the old, but wherever the Frasers have gone, away from the home of their fathers, they have acquitted themselves well. A scion of a Stratherrick house was James George Fraser, who many years ago settled at Galt, Ontario. Like his brother Capt. Charles Fraser, now residing in Glasgow, Scotland, he was attached to a Highland regiment in his younger days, but withdrawing from the service, he came to Canada with his young wife, Christina MacLeod. At Galt was born a family of three sons, William, Charles and Andrew, and four daughters, Christina, Jessie, Elizabeth and Georgina, the youngest of whom is the subject of this brief sketch. On the maternal side her descent is traced from the families of Lochend and Braemore. Her great-grand parents were George Mackenzie, second son of John Mackenzie I. of Lochend (of the Gairloch family), and Christina, daughter of Captain Hector Munro of Braemore. George Mackenzie was a distinguished officer, and attained to the rank of Lieut.-Colonel of the famous Ross.h.i.+re Buffs, the 78th Highlanders. His daughter Christina married Angus MacLeod of Banff with issue, two sons, Donald and George, and several daughters, of whom Christina, as already stated, married James G. Fraser of Galt, Ontario.

Georgina Fraser was born about the beginning of the sixties, and was educated in the public and high schools of her native town. After the death of her parents she removed to Toronto, and taking up the study of shorthand entered upon the life of an amanuensis and teacher of stenography. She taught large cla.s.ses in the towns surrounding Toronto, and in Victoria University, when that inst.i.tution was located at Cobourg. She was the first woman in Canada to adopt this profession as a means of self-support, and to her belongs the honor of adding a new vocation to those upon which Canadian women may enter. In addition to these duties Miss Fraser undertook journalistic work, and was the first lady writer in Toronto to conduct the department devoted to woman's interests, now so important a weekly feature in the great dailies in Canada.

In 1884, while occupying the important position of a.s.sistant Secretary to General Manager Oakes of the Northern Pacific Railway at St. Paul, Minn., she became the wife of Mr. E. P. Newhall, of the Pacific Express Co. in Omaha.

Notwithstanding household cares and ill-health Mrs. Newhall still finds time to indulge in her old taste for literature, wielding an earnest pen in advocacy of those reforms which most interest women of advanced thought. She has achieved considerable fame as a writer of short stories, and her compositions of verse bear the mark of the true poet's touch.

As a clanswoman Mrs. Newhall is fond of claiming the right to call herself a "black" Fraser, nature having endowed her with that darkness of hair and eyebrow which is supposed to stamp all the possessors thereof as "true Frasers."

FRASER'S DRINKING SONG.

(The Fraser Motto is "JE SUIS PREST"--"I AM READY.")

Words by GEORGINA FRASER NEWHALL. Music by J. LEWIS BROWNE.

[Ill.u.s.tration of musical score of Fraser's Drinking Song]

FRASER'S DRINKING SONG.

1

All ready?

Let us drink to the woman who rules us to-night-- To her lands; to her laws; 'neath her flag we will smite Ev'ry foe, Hip and thigh, Eye for eye, Blow for blow-- Are you ready?

2

All ready?