The British Association's Visit to Montreal, 1884 : Letters Part 6

Bidgelow, a very cordial lady who had invited us to West Point; she seized me and exclaimed, "I am so glad just to have caught you and seen you once more," and she called me "dear," sometimes, and begged she might kiss me at parting, and as she was nice looking I didn't mind!

That night being engaged to go with Mrs. Belmont to the opera, I felt, in spite of the risk, I must do it. So I went well wrapped up and sat behind in the beautiful large box, so that I could cough without at any rate being _seen_, and I hope did not much interfere with the enjoyment of _Patti_ by others, but for myself it was no enjoyment at all. There were smart and well-dressed people in the opera house, but _not up_ to _our_ upper "ten thousand" and they talked while Patti was singing in our box which was close to the stage.

_Tuesday_.--Mr. Cleland Burns of the Cunard Company, an old acquaintance, came to see me with many kind offers to arrange everything for my comfort, as he and his daughters were going in the _Oregon_, and also Mr. W. Cunard, and his son; a Mr. Morgan, a banker and friend of Mrs. Pruyn's, has put off coming unfortunately, for from all accounts he is much to be liked; he called twice, and the second time I was able to see him. I remained quiet, but saw many visitors, and many I was obliged to decline seeing; the _sons_ both went out to dine.

_Wednesday, 12th_.--At half-past ten we started with baggage for s.h.i.+p, got all on board comfortably, found one lady in my cabin, and I spoke to Mr. Burns, who said he would arrange for me after we had started; lots of people came to see their friends off. Mr. Neilson, brought me some beautiful b.u.t.ter for the voyage! Mrs. Pruyn telegraphed and sent me the biscuits; Mr. Hall, a brother of Mrs. Edlmann, and Mr.

Eyre, friends of d.i.c.k's came, and Mr. Carpenter an acquaintance from New Brunswick, and Mr. Whitehouse, a literary acquaintance. At six o'clock we started in the fine s.h.i.+p _Oregon_, in which I am now writing. It was a lovely _Indian_ summer day, _clear_ as we rarely see it in our Islands, sun s.h.i.+ning, and so we saw the splendid Bay of New York to great advantage, it seemed wonderful to us after our experience going to Quebec, to see how calm and blue the great Atlantic _could_ be.

Mr. Burns put me into a cabin to myself near _them_, but unfortunately it was also very near the engines, and after two nights, I sneaked back to my own berth, and put up with a very quiet little lady in preference! Mr. Burns placed us at their table, and I have the benefit of his cheerful company and his lively daughters, as well as the champagne and good things he shares with us, and we are a very merry party, and enjoyed ourselves much, until Friday, when the weather changed. A Mr. Clinton, a fine looking man of six feet six inches, son of Lord Charles Clinton, a Mr. d.i.c.kson, a very gentlemanlike nice ex-guardsman, a Mr. and Mrs. Drake, who are very musical, and he plays the flute better than anyone I ever heard, all sat near us, but for two or three days we had the _old story_, and the waves beat and rolled us about, and the pa.s.sengers disappeared like mice to their holes, and we could not go on deck.

LIST OF SALOON Pa.s.sENGERS PER R. M. S. "OREGON," (CAPTAIN McMICKAN,) NEW YORK TO LIVERPOOL, Nov. 12TH, 1884

Miss Appleford Mr. Julian B. Arnold Mr. J. Fred Ackerman Mr. Jose d'Aranjo Mr. and Mrs. Edward Austin Mr. Alex Aitchinson Mr. C. D. Armstrong Rev J. A. Anderson Capt and Mrs. Bogle, six Children and two Servants Miss Bogle Master Bogle Miss Bodwell Mr. C. Bayley Mr. G. Bayley Mr. Thos. A. Bell Mr. J. N. Beach Mr. Arthur A. Brigham Hon. F. A. K. Bennett Mr. S. A. Budgett Mr. J. Cleland Burns Miss Jean Burns Miss Grace Burns, and Maid Rev. Geo. A. Brown Mr. B. Bonfort Miss Martha Bonfort Mr. J. Barnes Rev. Edwin M. Bliss Mr. F.D. Blakeslee Mr. J. Lomas Bullock Mr. W. b.u.t.terworth Mrs. Mary B. Byrne Mr. John Blair Rev. John Boylan Mr. J. Collins Mr. Stanley Conner Mr. Aug. T. Chur Miss Cranston Mr. and Mrs. Wm. M. Cranston Mr. J. P. Croal Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Russell Crampton Miss Florence A. Cordis Miss Nellie R. Cordis Mr. L. Crules Mr. F. M. Crick Mr. and Mrs. Woodie Cook, and Son Mr. John Cholditch Mr. Pelham Clinton Mr. John L. Chapman Mr. Alex. Campbell Mr. Wm. Cunard Mr. Ernst H. Cunard Mr. Geo. Dixon Mr. John Dixon Mr. Frank S. Dougherty Mr. Chas. Algernon Dougherty Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Drake Rev. and Mrs. W. E. Daniel Miss Annie Davis Mr. Walter d.i.c.kinson Mr. Ed. M. Denny Mr. Ed. Henry Denny Mr. Chas. Edward Denny Mr. J. H. Douglas-William Mr. F. J. Douglas-William Miss R. Emmett Miss Emmett Miss Lydia F. Emmett Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ea.s.son, and two Children Mr. A. S. Emmet Mr. Frank Evans Miss Alice Foster Miss Emma Foster Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Fiddian Rev. M. Flynn Mr. Chandos-Pole-Gell Mr. C. Gostenhofer Mr. G. Greiner Mr. R. Gebhardt Rev. Miles Grant Mr. and Mrs. C. W. Gordon, and two Children Mr. Francis Henry Mrs. H. J. Hastings Miss Hastings, and two Maids Mr. Nigel F. Hatton Mr. Michael Hughes Rev. and Mrs. E. P. Hammond Mr. F. Henriques Mr. Clarence M. Hyde Mr. Theodore Haviland Mr. C. T. Hunter Mr. F. W. Hutchins Mr. Henry R. Hoyt Mr. E. L. Hamilton Mr. John Hall Mr. W. Howden Mr. W. E. Jarratt Mr. Chas. Johnston Mr. A. de Journel Mr. T. O. Jones Mme. Marie Joseph Mme. Honorat Mme. Helena Miss Kenyon Mr. Adolph Keitel Mr. Richard Kibble Mrs. Kidd Miss Kidd Miss B. Kidd Master Kidd Mr. Frank Kemp Mr. and Mrs. A. Ladenborg Dr. and Mrs. Landis Mr. W. Liddell Mr. A. Lindsey Mr. Edmund Lees Mr. John Lawrance Mr. P. Lawrence Mr. John Leach Mr. E. Middleton Dr. Wm. B. Meany Mr. G. B. Mackintire Mr. Archd. A. McDonald Mr. Ch. Mordaunt Mr. M. L. Marcus Mr. and Mrs. W. T. Makellar Mr. Herbert Mead Mrs. L. Middleton Mr. W. W. Marks Mr. M. MacLehose Mr. Paul Meischer Mr. Alex. McEwen Mias Mills Mr. Robt. J. McClure Sister Eliza Monica Mr. Francis More Mr. A. Bishop Mason Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Nichols, and Child Mr. and Mrs. C. F. Noyes Mr. Jeffreys Owen Mr. and Mrs. Henry M. Peyser Hon. F. Petre Mr. Richd. C. Perkins Miss Puleston Mrs. C. B. Paulmier Miss Nellie Paulmier Miss Richardson and Maid Mr. and Mrs. E. G. Rideoot and Maid Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Richardson, and Maid Lady Rayleigh, and Maid Mr. J. E. Raymond Mr. J. F. Raymond Mr. Jno. F. Roy Captain Hugh Rose Mr. and Mrs. H. Skerrett Rogers Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Riches Miss Marion Riches Mr. Champion B. Russell Mr. W. Scott Mr. Harmon Spruance Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Schickle Mr. Frank W. Stokes Mr. C. F. Schmidt Mr. Matthew Snoeck Mr. Philip M. Smith Mr. O. Streatfeild Hon. Richd. Strutt Hon. Hedley V. Strutt Mr. G. S. Stephen Rev. Geo. Mure Smith Mr. I. L. Solomon Mr. Frank Sartoris Mr. E. W. Sawyer Mrs. Trielhard Mrs. Martin Thouron, and two Sons Mr. H Trevenen Mrs. Edwin F Taylor Mr. Alfred R Tregellas Mrs. L J Trowbridge Mr. John A. Talk Mr. A. Taylor Mr. A. M Talbot Mr. Jean Verga Sister Mary Virginia Mr. Chas E Willoughby Mr. Geo Windeler Miss Minnie Wilson Miss Walls Mr. Wm. Ward Mr. O. M. Warren Miss Adelaide Wilson Mr. Thomas Webb Mr. G. F. Watson Mr. Gordon Wendell Mr. A. H. Willey Mr. A. Woodthorpe Mr. A. J. Winn Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Watress Mr. W. A. Webber Mr. W. D. Webb Mrs. E. Wolfe, and Maid Dr. Wm. N. Wilson Mrs. Emily Woods Mr. H. R. Williams Mr. J. S. Wilson

This morning, _Tuesday, 18th_, I awoke after a very "dirty" night, to find the sun s.h.i.+ning, and the sea comparatively calm. Last night we had a concert; on their requesting some American to lead off the "Star Spangled Banner," a nice looking elderly man, whom we had called G. O.

M., got up and said perhaps you may be surprised to hear that for one American who knows "Star Spangled Banner," one hundred and fifty know "G.o.d Save the Queen," upon which we cheered him, and stood up and _all_ l.u.s.tily sang "G.o.d Save the Queen;" after this dissipation we added that of an oyster supper and _toddy_! thanks to Mr. Burns.

Here is the Programme of our Concert:--

R.M.S. "OREGON," (Capt. McMickan).

"OREGONIAN COMPANY"

A GRAND CONCERT WILL BE GIVEN TO-NIGHT, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17th, 1884, IN AID OF THE LIVERPOOL SEAMEN'S ORPHANAGE. PATRONESS.--CLARA LADY RAYLEIGH. MANAGERS.--SIGNOR CUNARDO & SIGNOR BURNSEASI

PROGRAMME.

SONG ........ "Auld Robin Gray" Prima Donna DRAKE.

SONG ...... "For Ever and for Ever" ... Mrs. E. WOLFE.

SONG .............. "Sailing" ... Mr. C. E. WILLOUGHBY.

SOLO FLUTE ............................... Herr DRAKE.

SONG .................................. Miss PULESTON.

SONG .......................... Mr. CHANDOS-POLE-GELL.

SONG ............................. Mr. BRIGHTMAN, A.B.

SONG (Flute Obligato, Herr Drake) . Prima Donna DRAKE.

SONG .......................... Mr. J. SWANSTON WILSON.

STAR SPANGLED BANNER ) ) .................. The COMPANY.

G.o.d SAVE THE QUEEN ) ACCOMPANIST ........... HON. RICHARD STRUTT

AMERICAN MONEY WILL BE TAKEN.

CARRIAGES MAY BE ORDERED FOR 9.30 PM

My cabin is opposite d.i.c.k and Hedley's, and the latter has great jokes about my treatment of my small lady companion! He says she is frightened to death of me, and is afraid to come into the cabin until I am safe in my berth! My love for the sea has received a severe check, though I think no other sea can be as bad and uninteresting as this tremendous Atlantic! I have not an idea where you are, but hope it is at Margaret's, and I shall send this there, as the best chance of your receiving it soon. I shall post this at Queenstown, when d.i.c.k will also telegraph to Augusta at Ampton, and he has asked her to let you know of our safety a s far as that. The Americans have been singing in choruses while I have been writing, practising for a concert.

_Tuesday, 18th, eight o'clock p.m._--I hear we shall get to Queenstown to-morrow morning, about ten o'clock. I have a game of whist coming on, and there is to be an American concert, "Star Spangled Banner," and all. Miss Puleston, who I have chaperoned in the _Oregon_ from New York, is to be left at Queenstown.

_Wednesday, 19th, Queenstown._--The coast has been so pretty, and, of course, quite smooth, compared to what we have been accustomed to of late. I got up early, and saw all the sacks of letters, six hundred, from all parts of the world, carried on men's backs to the tugs on either side of the _Oregon_, and we parted with Miss Puleston and some others, and now I must stop as this is going to be posted. We expect to be at Liverpool some time to-night, and shall leave at once for Ampton, where I look forward to seeing so many of my dear ones. d.i.c.k and I agree that our happiest days have been the day we reached Quebec, and the day we left New York, both glorious in weather and scenery!

_Given by Mr. AUGUSTUS CHUR, American, of New York, of German descent, November 18th, 1884, on "Oregon"_

My country, 'tis of thee, Sweet land of liberty, Of thee I sing, Land where my Fathers died.

Land of the Pilgrims' pride, From every mountain side Let Freedom ring.

My native country thee, Land of the n.o.ble free, Thy name I love, I love thy rocks and rills, Thy woods and templed hills, My heart with rapture thrills Like that above

Our Father, G.o.d, to Thee, Author of Liberty, Thy name we sing.

Long may our land be bright With Freedom's holy light, Protect us by Thy might Great G.o.d our King

_November 19th._--I posted my letter to you at Queenstown. We had a very pleasant day on deck, and while playing some innocent whist in the evening, Mr. Burns announced, "We have arrived at Liverpool!" It seemed so wonderful! We remained at anchor after a very slow, careful steaming up the river, and it was pretty to watch the lights and the dim outlines as we pa.s.sed by.

_20th._--After a tremendous bustle at Custom House, where our boxes were all opened, but mine only just unfastened, d.i.c.k and I started in the train across country for Suffolk. We wished a hearty good-bye to our fellow-pa.s.sengers. It was sad to see poor Mrs. Bogle standing with her seven children among her great deal boxes, _screwed down_ (for she had only time on leaving Barbadoes to pack hurriedly), and then to look at the Custom House officials opening them all--thanks to the dynamite people, who make this precaution necessary. I must confess I thoroughly enjoyed our quiet smooth journey. All the time we had a carriage to ourselves (Hedley remained at Liverpool to visit the Woods at Birkenhead), and we only changed twice, having our luncheon comfortably in a basket _en route_, and reached Ingham about seven o'clock, where the carriage was waiting, and found dear Edward, Lisa, Augusta, and Rosa Paley at Ampton; Clara and Jack had been staying out, but returned after dinner when they heard of our arrival. It was so delightful to be among so many dear ones again, and oh! the luxury of a large comfortable bed, and how thoroughly I enjoyed it, and the quiet and beauty of Ampton altogether! I hear you are expected in London to-morrow. I never lost anything during my whole journey, excepting two things, which were left behind in our railway car at Winnipeg, owing to that horrid cook hiding them; but on this journey from Liverpool, my emerald ring, set with diamonds, must have slipped off my finger, and could not be found, though I telegraphed, &c., at once; this is an unpleasant episode.

_P.S. to my Diary._--I spent a fortnight of complete rest and quiet at Ampton with dear Clara, &c., and was under medical care most of the time with a bad cough and derangement of liver; notwithstanding, it was a happy, peaceful time, and I little thought it was my last visit to that dear old house!

On _Sat.u.r.day, 3rd January_, soon after my return from Weston, when I had been visiting Lady Camperdown, the three sisters Beatrice, Clara and Rosa arrived to tell me that the whole house, excepting the study and kitchen rooms, was burnt to a _sh.e.l.l_ that morning at three o'clock! A large children's party had been given Friday evening, and many people had scarcely left at one o'clock, and Clara was not in bed till half-past one o'clock. The fire broke out at a quarter to three o'clock, was discovered by a maid visitor, and nearly everyone had to leave their bedrooms with only the clothes on their backs, and for some time Clara and Jack, &c., had not time to think of putting more on, though it was bitterly cold. Thank G.o.d, no one was hurt, and as the fire spread rapidly, and the cold was very great, there was great cause for thankfulness. Everyone worked well and showed presence of mind, with one or two exceptions, and Clara and Jack were calm and active throughout, but it was a dreadful blow and I felt quite _knocked down_, and did not recover for some time.

On _Wednesday, 21st January_, I accompanied Clara and Arthur, and Miss MacCormack to Barton, where Jack joined us from Ampton.

On _Thursday_ we drove over there, and I had the melancholy satisfaction of seeing the ruins, and trying to find something for Rosa, who had lost everything; alas! without success.