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Title: The Enquirer Issue 08 of 12 (December 1821)
Date of first publication: 1821
Author: Robert-Anne d’Estimauville (editor)
Date first posted: Dec. 19, 2020
Date last updated: Dec. 28, 2020
Faded Page eBook #20201248
This eBook was produced by: Marcia Brooks, David T. Jones, John Routh & the online Distributed Proofreaders Canada team at https://www.pgdpcanada.net
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Some disagreements in the French service resulting from certain new regulations in the particular corps in which I bore a Commission, added to some disappointment in love induced me to resign and to enter advantageously in the Prussian army, under the great Frederic. Nothing happened very remarkable during my stay there and on the death of that hero I resumed my station in the French army in the year preceding that in which the revolution began.
The embarrassed state of the French finances had induced the Government to call at the head of that department, a man whose abilities yielded only to his vanity, continually fed by flattery; I mean Mr. Necker. The system of political economy was a science almost unknown then in France, and it might be asserted, that many clerks, and even under-clerks of English Merchants and Bankers, at that time, would have been better able to sit at the Green Board than any one of those that composed it. No wonder therefore that the regularity introduced into that branch of the administration and that momentaneous credit that his name had procured made him to be greeted as the tutelary Angel destined to rescue France from utter ruin.
Being at that time in foreign parts, and judging only from the report of fame, I partook of that kind of enthusiasm so easily kindled but no less easily cooled. Impressed with those ideas on my return into France I became one of his warmest supporters and as such highly resented his dismissal from office, which I attributed to the intrigues of courtiers, who under his administration, could no longer plunder the public treasury. Neither the real ability of Mr. de Calonne, nor the motley schemes of the notables and still less the inaptness of the Cardinal de Brienne could keep afloat the vessel of State, and its government was again intrusted to the same tutelary Angel who for this time prescribed the conditions on which he would lend his all-powerful assistance. This triumph could only raise his vanity to the highest climax, and from that moment he thought himself omnipotent. More the speculative philosopher than the experimental statesman, he fancied that by flattering and gratifying the ruling passions of the people and by the magic of his name, he should be able to mould anew a population of thirty millions of human beings, he might at his will and pleasure pull down old establishments and erect new ones, and that, Jupiter like, at his nod tumultuary waves of an infuriated mob raising mountains high and threatening every thing around them with instant destruction, could as instantly subside into the profoundest calm, and thereby impress every one who should dare to oppose his measures with the idea of the danger of attempting it. Such was the principal guide of a Sovereign whose sense and abilities yielded only to the desire of relieving the distress of his people, whose diffidence induced him to prefer the advice of others to the dictates of his own judgment, and whose truly paternal affection for his subjects, made him regardless of every personal danger, and ready to sacrifice even his Crown and his life rather than to keep the one and the other by the effusion of a single drop of blood. In a word Louis the XVI was too virtuous for the time in which he lived, and to that excess of virtue is due all the horrors and crimes of an era that will forever pollute the pages of history.
The Parliament of Paris, always ready to take a part against the Court and which was glad of having an opportunity of avenging their late momentary dismissal, were the foremost in calling for the meeting of the General States of the Kingdom as the only means of rescuing France from its embarrassments. The idea of reviving an institution not resorted to for more than two centuries past, was received with avidity by the French, and seeming to be universally popular, was not resisted. From that moment politics became the only topic of conversation, and the freedom of the press having been, perhaps too far and too prematurely, allowed the public was immediately inundated with political pamphlets, wherein the most extravagant notions were boldly advanced, and thus disseminated.
From that moment may be reckoned the beginning of disorder and anarchy. That infamous character, whom I will not call by the name he bore then, out of respect for the Royal blood that flowed in his veins, but whom I will designate by the name adopted by himself, Egalité, whose vices and crimes are innumerable, and having left behind not a single virtuous feature to rescue his name from eternal scorn, after having glutted himself of those pleasures derived from sensual apetites and the means of gratifying them being exhausted, took in his fancy to become a popular character. Ambition crept in his vitiated bosom. His soul canckered with hatred for the contempt deservedly shewn him by his Royal relatives, he conceived the idea of either ascending the throne or at least to obtain the Royal power under any other title than that of King. His immense riches enabled him to purchase able advisers, and under their guidance, to form a strong party. From that moment nothing was talked of but the charitable and benevolent disposition of a man who looked upon his fellow creatures as mere tools for attaining his vicious or criminal ends. Amongst these tools the most conspicuous were the notorious Comte de Mirabeau and the profligate author of the liaisons dangereuses of the name of Duclos, acting Secretary of Egalité. The former a member of the noble cast had acquired a reputation by the disorders of his youth which had compelled the Sovereign to make use of the so galling lettres de cachet at the solicitation of his own father, and by the emphatic as well as exaggerated description of what he calls the prosecutions whereof he was the victim, which was published by him after his liberation from highly merited incarceration. That man who performed so conspicuous a part at the epoch now in review, and whose reputation has been so highly extolled owed his ephemereal success to the very peculiar talent of appropriating instantaneously to himself the ideas suggested by others, and to robe them on the spot with all the allurements of ready wit, the glittering tinsel of a forcible eloquence and the specious art with which he could give to the most glaring paradoxes, the appearance of sound arguments. Destitute of every moral virtue, self was the only idol worshiped by him, and equally wanting in principle, the gratification of his inordinate passions was the only end of his actions. Bold and daring without possessing the personal courage of a military hero, his audacious sallies against government, encouraged by impunity, commanded a kind of sentiment bordering on admiration, and which inspired confidence in the party which he had adopted. In a word he was endowed with those qualities, which in troublesome times, secure to him who possess them, at the least, a momentary success, and give him in the temple of fame, a seat with the Catilinas of old. As to Duclos, he never performed on the stage, but prudently acted merely as prompter. Judging from his literary production we find him very well calculated to plan atrocities, and to devise the means of putting them in execution.
When the parliament of Paris suggested the necessity of calling in the assistance of the general States, it was not the result of any preconcerted views besides that already mentioned, namely the gratification of vengeance. But no sooner was the measure sanctioned, and supported by the public voice, than the members of that body began to investigate the means of deriving from it the greatest advantage for themselves. The Parliament in France was composed of men of the greatest respectability as well by their birth as by their professional knowledge. They were all either nobles by blood or by virtue of their commission. Nevertheless, there existed a galling distinction between the Noblesse de robe, as this was called, and the Noblesse de cour. This latter assumed, and was in real possession of a precedence, supported by that elegance and ease of manners, and that fascinating levity which could not be acquired by the former, being derogatory to the gravity required by the dress and the important functions of the former. The pride of these was sorely mortified, and they thought that the moment was favourable to mount to the highest places. They had already laid claims to a right, if not of resistance, at least of control over the measures of government, as being a kind of permanent committee, representing the general States of the Kingdom. They hoped that their influence would in the present juncture insure the success of this pretension, as thereby obviating the necessity of a general convocation attended with the greatest difficulties and dangers. They were further encouraged in that hope by the numerous sets of men, in a manner their dependants and on-hangers. They relied on the assistance of the diverse classes of lawyers, or members of petty jurisdictions spread over the whole face of the country, of all the tribes of students in law, of clerks, of bailiffs, and of all the low class any ways connected with the administration of justice, the whole amounting to many thousands. This formidable body would effectually have carried every thing before them had they remained united, but the same cause that excited the jealousy of the Noblesse de robe against the Noblesse de cour, namely, mortified pride, acted as forcibly on the inferior magistracy and on the whole body of lawyers who were excluded from the higher places, so that, far from joining the members of the Supreme Courts, they were the very first to take part with their adversaries, in the prospect tendered to them of succeeding to their seats on the upper benches of Judicature. They were farther foiled in their expectations by their splitting into parties amongst themselves. Some adhering to the throne, some supporting Mr. Necker and some having enlisted under the banners of Egalité.
The same means of bribery had been employed to disunite the Clergy. The higher class of that order enjoyed immense riches, whilst the country priests remained without any prospect of advancement. To the latter, great promises were made that all distinction should be abolished, and that in future, both Bishopricks and fat livings should be within their reach. Those poor people, perfectly ignorant of the ways of the world, snatched at the bait, and repentance and persecution were the bitter fruits of their deserting their leaders.
To be continued.
No more would the first dignities of the Church sanction by their presence and patronage a system of Deism, or any institution destructive of religion, than the heir apparent, and other Princes of the blood Royal, would assume the direction and support of a fraternity whose principles were hostile to the Government over which, in the course of nature, they may be called, as Sovereigns, to preside[1].
I. M. remarks, with apparent exultation, “that the monster Egalité was Grand Master of Masons in France.” If this be true, it is to be lamented, that he should have had the power of dissimulation, so to have concealed his principles, as to have imposed on good men, who certainly meant only to avail themselves of his dignity and his importance in the state, to give the greatest sanction to their laudable pursuits. But, say he were
—— Vile and false
“As where is that palace whereinto foul things
Some times intrude not?”
The misconduct of one member (however distinguished) in a society, can surely be no impeachment of its general tendency.
What follows in the Essay, about the scarfs of apprentice Masons, and the hat of a venerable master, must allude (if it mean any thing) to modes and customs peculiar to that country, as they are assuredly not known in our assemblies.
With respect to the obligation which I. M. mentions, of “laying aside all marks of distinction, such as stars, garters, ribbands, crosses, &c.” before a brother is permitted to enter a lodge, (whence he sagely deduces the source of the French levelling system,) we know nothing of them.
He then goes on to say, “I must forget the marked protection which the new Legislature [of France] has afforded Freemasonry:” this certainly is but a very weak argument against our Order; a candid man, or one not predetermined to envenom the dart he meant to throw at an object, would rather have supposed, that as the members of our fraternity are in every part of the world so numerous, the greatest number of the persons who had usurped a power of governing France, being themselves masons, and well acquainted with the salutary influence of a plan which excluded all political discussion, and only tended to succour distress, and enforce the moral duties, might very naturally be led to countenance so numerous a body of the community, who by their indispensible tenets were prevented (as a body) from meddling with the springs of Government. But I. M. was, it is very manifest, predetermined to view every object through an inverted medium.
His details of “horrible ceremonies, imaginary combats, Rabinical tales, &c. &c.” I cannot speak to, as I have no knowledge of any thing to which they can allude; to contend with him on this subject, is a sciomacky for which I have no inclination; nor is it necessary, as his introduction, just afterwards proves that he is stumbling among the tracks of impostures, among fanciful establishments which have no analogy to, and which derive neither support nor countenance from, genuine Masonry.
The forced and affected compliment that I. M. then pays to “many Masons of this country of approved morality and sentiment,” but ill comport with the jaundiced aspect of the foregoing part of the essay; as to the second, it is difficult for us to say what irregularity some Lodges (if Lodges) in France may have been guilty of: as to the third, wherein he is pleased to give us Socinus for the founder of our order[2], and England as the place of its origin, and to complement the Brethren of this nation as the exporters of its supposed irreligious and republican principles into France, I shall leave the task of reply to some other writer. For my part, I am heartily tired of the subject, ashamed of having entered so much at length upon it, and by no means convinced, that either the book in question is not suppositious, or that I. M. is not himself the author of it.
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A Mason is a peaceable subject to the civil powers wherever he resides, and is never to be concerned in plots and conspiracies against the peace and welfare of the nation, nor to behave himself undutifully to inferior magistrates: for as Masonry hath been always injured by war, bloodshed, and confusion, so ancient Kings and Princes have been much disposed to encourage the craftsmen because of their peaceableness and loyalty, whereby they practically answered the cavils of their adversary, and promoted the honour of the fraternity, who ever flourished in time of peace. Constitutions, P. 802 |
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Faustus Socinus, it is to be observed, was born 1539, and died 1604, now a record in the reign of Edward IV, (about 1460,) in the Bodleian library, says, ‘The charges and laws of the Free-masons have been seen and perused by our late Sovereign King Henry VI, and by the lords of his most honourable Council, who have allowed them, and declared that they be right, good, and reasonable to be holden, as they have been drawn out and collected from the records of ancient times, &c. &c.’ |
We are sorry to be obliged to begin the resumption of this subject by an apology to our kind readers for the erratas that have crept in our last numbers. If they were owing to mere neglect on our part we should be inexcusable, but our public avocations have required our frequent absence from the town, and made it impossible for us to attend to the correction of the Press. To the same cause is to be attributed the omission of certain names in the enumeration made of the officers of the Royal Canadian corps, which we have improperly called the Loyal Canadian Volunteers, among whom ought to have appeared those of our worthy friends Vassal de Mouviel and Bouchette. Here therefore we give a more correct list of these names, namely Longueil and Salaberry at the head of the corps and Duchesnays, Rouville, Hertels, Sallaberrys, d’Estmanvilles, Lanaudieres, Bieury, Dupré, Bouchers, Vassal Mouviel and Bouchette. There is another erratum in the seventh line reckoning from the bottom of page 102, the last word of which ought to be ardor and not “order.” Relying on the indulgence of our friends, we are going to proceed again to our subject matter.
England has not been the only country wherein party spirit has created such a bugbear as a hidden baneful influence; the Demagogues created one likewise during the French revolution, to which they gave the name of the Austrian Cabinet (le Cabinet Autrichien). This was not the least powerful engine directed against the King, and still moreso against the Queen who was said to be at its head. The first idea of a hidden influence existing in this country was suggested, as already mentioned, by General Murray’s letter to the Government at home; it manifested itself in the political discussions during the administration of Sir James Craig and has assumed a tangible shape in the accusations since directed against some eminent characters in this Province. Let us stop for a moment and consider the proceedings here alluded to.
A French dramatist makes one of his personages exclaim “Que ces gens d’esprit sont bêtes.” We shall not go so far in our expressions; but we cannot help observing that, talents and judgment are not always going hand in hand. This is particularly the case when the clouds of party obscure the latter faculty. The charge was, for having misguided the head of our Provincial administration by pernicious advices. Now in what capacity were these advices given? It must have been in that of Members of the Executive Council, and in that case the whole executive council must necessarily be implicated in the charge either as assenting or for not having protested against the measures closed, as they were bound to do. On the other hand, are those advisers to be considered as private persons abusing their easy access to the representative of our Sovereign on account of their exalted stations? then the accusation must necessarily recoil on the latter, since he had under no kind of obligation to follow advices thus intruded upon him. What a vast difference between an Imperial Parliament and a Provincial Legislature! In the former the popular branch ever watchful, as in duty bound, over the acts of the Crown, possesses the inherent right to arraign the ostensible, constitutional and responsible servants and advisers of the Sovereign. When called upon to answer to charges exhibited against them, the latter are there at their places and ready to account for the measures advised by them. They disclose as much as is compatible with public safety the motives that have dictated the measures, and generally carry conviction in the breasts of the members who are not under the absolute influence of the spirit of party. Thus continually watched and sure that no one act of theirs shall pass over unscrutinized, they keep always within due bounds.
In a Provincial Legislature the case is widely different. That the House of Assembly has the right, nay that it is its duty to canvas and present real and palpable grievances, no one can deny. But the representation must be void of any characteristic of party spirit or of personal animosity. It must be supported by undeniable proofs and completely substantiated. It must be fair, open and respectful, for respect and firmness are not incompatible. If such representation be the consequence of mere suspicion the motives on which that suspicion is founded must be clearly set forth, that they might be fairly and impassionately investigated, or either the suspicion itself or the cause of it will not likely be removed. But woe to him who lightly exhibits charges which prove on investigation false and malicious; for he loses forever his claim to confidence. Here, we repeat it, we have no ostensible and, to the Provincial Legislature, constitutionally responsible servants of the Crown: Complaining therefore of bad advisers amount to nothing at all. It is brandishing a sword in the air. If there exist just grievances, they must originate in some defects in the general administration of the Province, which, altho’ they might be the subject of representation to the Supreme Legislature of the Empire, cannot be redressed here. If there be some just grounds of suspicion against any influence considered as undue and baneful, let them be exposed, and mutual confidence must necessarily soon be restored. May that so much wished for object be yet attained before we close for ever eyes already dimmed with age, and may the dawn of that prosperity, which inevitably must be the result of harmony and good intelligence amongst the several branches of the Legislature and of the administration, raise in time yet for us to congratulate those friends and countrymen whom we must leave behind, are the most sincere wishes of
C. D. E.
With respect to the second cause of deficient production, I am not certain if it arise from a want of knowledge of the best mode of tillage, or, if it be not owing to an inability in the Habitant farmer to employ a sufficient number of labourers and cattle, for the purpose of thoroughly extirpating the weeds; but, if this latter, be the cause, I know of no method so likely to enable him so to do, as the increased wealth that is likely to follow his adopting the late improvements and discoveries in agriculture.
Concerning the third cause of deficient product, which by all I could learn applies at least, to that part of the Province before mentioned, it would certainly be of the greatest importance, to its increased fertility, if any mode, not too expensive could be devised, for adding to that strengthening ingredient of soils, clay on the uplands. I have above made a comparison between the yield of the high and low lands of St. Foy’s, the latter containing generally a greater proportion of clay in its composition, which by its quality of absorbing moisture from the air, and of retaining the rains, is a great cause of their superior fertility, for I have observed the same superior product of the low lands, altho’ the high were equally well tilled and manured.
Some of the Habitant farmers have an opinion, that the superior fertility of one year to another is owing to the “Bonne saison,” goodness of the season, that is, if I understand it right, that the manure is of little consequence, but the alternate rains and sunshine produce the good effect: Altho’ this might be disproved, easily, by a comparison of fields, with, and without manure, in the same season; it is yet true, that those alternate rains and dews which constitute a good season, form manures of the first quality for vegetable growth, and it is well said by Sir Humphrey Davy, “that the power of absorption of moisture is much connected with fertility, as the evaporation of it in the day is counter-acted by the attraction of aqueous moisture in the night.” “The most fertile soils,” he adds, “possess always the greatest absorbing powers, and the effects of good tillage, in improving this power, is, also, striking.”
The absorbing power of clay, as has been above said, is proved by Professor Leslie, to be double to that of sand; independant of its power of absorbing dews, clay also, possesses the equally valuable one of retaining the rains in the heats of summer: and, also, of supporting the roots[1]. What mode therefore can be devised for bringing the uplands nigh to the proper state, in this particular?
In several of the Parishes I have visited I have found Habitant farmers, who had themselves or by their fathers before them, found the good effects of claying sandy soils. And in the idea above mentioned, of the clayey parts being washed off by the rains, (which is indeed visible by the lower parts of many fields, consisting mostly of clay,) the replacing it is the more necessary, as the same cause of this deterioration of fertility, must be operating every year; and it will not be very expensive, where beds or banks of clay are found at moderate distances; and this operation will be requisite altho’ that excellent plan for manuring and enriching lands by rotation crops should be generally introduced, for as has been above shewn, the most abundant supply of manure, on the uplands, does not make up for a deficiency in the proper proportion of clay.
Clay more or less sandy is found in the valley below St. Foys, and I believe in considerable quantity at La Suede, it is found in some places at Cap Rouge, at Lorette, at St. Ambrouse and no doubt, more or less, in all the other Parishes, in their lower parts. There is also a considerable quantity of Terre Noir found four feet thick, in some parts of the low lands of St. Fois and probably in all flat low wood lands. This being the remains of decayed, and decaying vegetables, must therefore contain much clay, as all vegetables give clay by their decomposition. It may also be possest of a great deal of vegetating energy, which, when brought properly into action, might prove a very great restorative to the worn out lands.
In the old Country, manure is frequently carted from towns, eight or ten miles into the country, and, there can be no cause why it should not pay the charge equally well here, to cart the clay or Terre Noir on to the sandy soils, and, if well managed they would probably be equally beneficial as good manure, for, as has been observed, that natural moisture which lands well clayed absorb from the atmosphere and the rains they retain, form the most indispensible kind of manure.
On conversing with an old Habitant farmer, he said, he believed claying lands would answer well, but it would inquire “beaucoup de monde” many hands; and it has since suggested itself to me, that it would be a good plan, to make the restoring of the old worn out lands, by clays, Terre Noire, &c. a Parochial transaction; and to do the business much in the way that settlers on wood lands do, in clearing them, that is, helping each other, until all the lands are cleared, and that this would be an efficient and comparatively easy mode, should the Habitant farmers begin and continue this Great and Good work with Zeal and ardor, there can be no doubt.
BRITISH NORTH AMERICAN.
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A very correct and ingenious French Chemist makes the following observations on the influence of Earth in vegetation. “As the earth is destined to transmit to the plants the water which is to support them, the nature of the soil cannot be a matter of indifference, but must be varied according as the plants require a more or less considerable quantity of water, and requires more or less in a given time, and as its roots extend to a greater or less distance. A proper soil is that, which, affords a sufficiently firm support to the roots to prevent the plant from being shaken; secondly which permits the roots to extend themselves to a distance with ease: Thirdly, which becomes impregnated with humidity and retains the water sufficiently. To answer these several conditions, it is necessary to make a proper mixture or the primitive earths, for none of them in particular possess them. N. B. The primitive earths are five, sand, lime, clay, barytes or ponderous earth, and magnesia. These mixed in various proportions, rarely all in one soil, but are in part contained in, and form the bases of all. “Siliceous or sandy and chalky earths may be considered as hot and drying; argillaceous or clayey, as moist and cold, and the Magnesian as possessing intermediate properties. Each in particular has its faults. Clay absorbs water, but does not communicate it; chalky earth receives and gives it too quickly, but the properties of these earths are so happily opposed that they correct each other by mixture. Accordingly by adding lime, to an argillaceous or clayey earth it is divided, and the drying property of the lime is mitigated, and the stiffness of the clay diminished.” N. B. What he says of chalks and clays above will equally apply to sandy and clayey soils, each of which will correct the other, by being added to the soil intended to be improved, in proper quantity, and I have given above, the proper proportion of clay and sand most fitted for soil, by the experiment of van Edler, see page 101. |
Viz. in No. 5, Page 74, line 31st. For, in a given piece of land, read, on a given piece of land. And line 39, for double read doubled. Page 75, line 3rd, for much more abundant, read so much more abundant. In No. 6, page 91, line 2nd, for in that Province read, in this Province. And page 92, line 7, for what a few read, that of a few. And line 10, for stated to be read, stated above to be. And line 41, for oeritorm read, æritorm. In No. 7, page 104, line 3rd, for argil aceous read, argillaceous. And line 4, for also absolutely read, absolutely. And line 14, after manured, read, a principal reason for this is the greater quantity of clay in the composition of their soils. And line 27, for were became, read, were become. Line 37, for this deficiency read, or this deficiency. And the last line, for most of this Province read, most of this part of the Province. And page 105, line 2nd, after more cattle read, than are produced by the present means of agriculture.
Mr. Editor,
When I was a young man (say about Forty years ago) the fair sex were much more lavish of their beauty than they are at present. The reason why, I have not been able to discover, unless it proceeds from ever carrying fashion, it certainly does not from a want of charms. It must be acknowledged that the public seeming rareness, of beauty arises from a superabundance of straw in summer and beaver in winter. The immense size of the present fashionable hat, the tremendous peak that is extended to so great a distance, o’ershadowing that part ever so agreeable to our sex’s eyes, entirely prevents an honest lover of beauty from beholding, what every man must desire to see, and which in my junior days I have frequently done with impunity (save once) an interesting and lovely countenance. Being now an old man, every one must acquit me of interested motives in what I am going to propose which is, that the present hat be diminished immediately one third and reduced to half its size at the end of six months, when custom must have gamed the fair sex that decorous behaviour which is removed from consequential modesty and which their ancestors (be it spoken to their credit) possessed. By such measures both sexes will be highly benefited, the females will have an excellent opportunity of exhibiting their beauty, and the males of regarding Nature in all her beautiful forms. It will be particularly beneficial to young men as frequent views will render more familiar their charms, while an unexpected exposure might be productive of very prejudicial results both in regard to the health and mind of the spectator, these are my thoughts on the subject and I hope your readers will take them into serious consideration.
Yours truly
An admirer of the fair sex.
P. S. when the ladies who wear these large hats, know that the fashion was introduced by a lady in high life not noted for her peculiar charms but rather for the contrary they may the more readily be prevailed upon to relinquish them.
ON WOMEN.
Ere Eve was made—the father of mankind,
Survey’d his Eden with a pensive mind;
With wandering steps the beauteous place explor’d,
And with sad heart his lonely state deplor’d;
Tho’ all combin’d to entertain the sight,
And fruits delicious did the taste invite;
Tho’ trees and flow’rs with richest odours grow,
And all luxuriant nature could bestow,
He was alone, which did all bliss destroy,
Nor could, till woman came, once taste a joy;
Then raptures fill’d his mind, nought was the same,
And Eden now a Paradise became.
Women still smooths the anxious brow of care,
And calms our passions with a pleasing air;
What’s life without enjoyment of the fair?
EWOL. I.
———————
ON THE LAMENTED DEATH OF GEORGE III.
We lament not a tyrant, whose monarchy stood
On the base of injustice, cemented by blood,
Who supported his splendour, and strengthen’d his store,
By the spoils of the rich, and the blood of the poor;
But the blessings of Heav’n have been shed on our Isle,
And Truth, Love, and Mercy bade Poverty smile!
We lament not a Monarch, whose high-soaring pride,
The dictates of feeling and nature denied;
Where the grief of the mourners that follow his bier
Is only express’d by the eloquent tear!
Ah, no! by the sighs that our sorrow bespeak
By the tear of Affliction that moistens the cheek,
We lament not a tyrant, whose monarchy stood
On the base of injustice cemented by blood;
We lament not a Monarch whose high-soaring pride
The dictates of feeling and nature denied;
But we mourn a fond parent whose cherishing hand,
Bid the blossoms of Liberty freely expand;
The hearts of his subjects supported his throne;
Their joys and their sorrows he shar’d as his own;
While around him, like children, we crowded the Isle,
He rewarded our duty and love with a smile!
Such a Monarch, ye Britons, ye well may deplore,
His virtues can now be your pattern no more;
But, oh! let the maxims those virtues impart,
Be the theme of elogium engrav’d on the heart!
And while, in mute sorrow, surrounding his bier,
The breast heaves the sigh, and the eye drops the tear,
Round each heart may the blossoms of Loyalty twine,
To bedew his pale ashes and honour his shrine!
While the tears of Britannia shall hallow the tomb
Where her Monarch’s pale ashes in silence consume.
E. G. S.
———————
HOW COLD IT IS!
How the blust’ring Boreas blows,
See, all the waters round are froze.
The trees that skirt the dreary plain,
All day a murm’ring cry maintain:
The trembling forest hears their moan
And sadly mingles groan with groan.
‘How dismal all from east to west!
Heav’n defend the poor, distrest!’
Such is the tale,
On hill and vale;
Each trav’ller may behold it is!
While low and high
Are heard to cry,
‘Bless my heart, how cold it is!’
Now slumb’ring Sloth that cannot bear
The question of the searching air,
Lifts up her unkempt head, and tries,
But cannot from her bondage rise:
The while the housewife briskly throws
Around her wheel and sweetly shows
The healthful cheek industry brings,
Which is not in the gift of kings.
To her long life,
Devoid of strife,
And justly too, unfolded is;
The while the Sloth
To still his loth,
And trembling cries, ‘How cold it is!’
Now lisps the Dandy, tender weed!
All shiv’ring like a shaken reed!
‘How keen the air attacks my back
John, place some list upon that crack
Go, sand-bag all the sashes round,
And see there’s not an air-hole found—
Ah! bless me now I feel a breath,
Good lack ’tis like the chill of death.’
Indulgence pale
Tells this sad tale,
Till he in furs infolded is;
Still, still complains,
For all their pains,
‘Bless my heart how cold it is’
Now the poor milkman through the sleet,
Explores his path along the street;
His frozen fingers sadly blows,
And still he seeks and still it snows.
‘Go take his milk pray Richard go;
And give a dram to make him glow:
This was thy cry,
Humanity’
More precious far than gold it is,
Such gifts to deal,
When milkmen feel,
All clad in snow, how cold it is.
Humanity, delightful tale.
While we feel the winter’s gale,
May the cit in ermin’d coat,
Incline the ear to Sorrow’s note:
And where with misery’s weight oppress’d,
An Emigrant sits, a shiv’ring guest,
Full amply let his bounty flow,
To soothe the bosom, chill’d by woe.
In town or vale,
Where’er the tale
Of real grief unfolded is,
O may he give
The means to live,
To those who know how cold it is.
Perhaps some warrior blind and lam’d
Some tar for Britains Glory maim’d—
Consider these; for thee they bore
The loss of limbs; and suffer’d more:
Then pass them not, or if you do,
I’ll sigh to think they fought for you.
Go pity all; but ’bove the rest,
The soldier or the tar distrest
Thro’ winter’s reign,
Relieve their pain,
For what they’ve done, sure bold it is
Their wants supply.
When’er they cry,
‘Bless my heart, how cold it is’
And now, ye sluggards, sloths, and beaux,
Who dread the breath that winter blows,
Pursue the council of a friend,
Who never found it yet offend,
While Winter deals his frost around,
Go fall the trees & clear the ground;
With cheerful spirits exercise,
’Tis there life’s balmy blessing lies;
On hill and dale
Though sharp the gale,
And frozen you behold it is,
The blood shall glow,
And sweetly flow,
And you’ll ne’er cry, ‘How cold it is.’
———————
LINES ON THE LATE QUEEN.
Not the solemn tribunal of Judges and Peers,
Nor the mask of deception that perjury wears,
Or the crimes her traducers had heap’d on her name,
Could mantle her cheek with the blushes of shame.
Supported by Truth, and with Innocence arm’d,
No falsehoods appall’d no dangers alarm’d,
To the hearts of her subjects she made her appeal,
Whose attachment has prov’d what the Briton can feel.
And where will that stoical bosom be found,
That slumbers regardless of Calumny’s wound;
Go seek it where slavery forges her spell,
For with Liberty’s children it never can dwell.
Ah! vainly did friendship essay to impart
A cure for that sorrow, a balm for its smart,
Too subtle the venom, too deadly the sting,
That poison’d contentment by tainting its spring,
Alas! royal victim! how brief was thy doom;
How short was the passage that led to thy tomb;
An example ye Britons behold in your Queen,
Her conduct was upright, her death was serene,
Tho’ the victim of malice her foes she forgave,
In the name of that Saviour who suffer’d to save.
Oh! can ye forget when your Monarch expir’d
The deep silent sorrow his mem’ry inspir’d,
The mournful procession that followed his bier,
The heart rending sigh, and the eloquent tear.
On your Queen the same tributes of grief were bestow’d,
For her the same tears of affliction have flow’d,
Tho’ in far distant realms her remains shall consume
The future historian will hallow her tomb.
E. G. B.
———————
EPIGRAM.
‘By Jove,’ cried Ned, ‘young Chloe glows
Resplendent as the Moon!
Her coral lip much beauty shews;
Her cheek the boasted rose o’erthrows;
A kiss!—a precious boon!—’
‘Good l—d,’ quoth Tom apart, ‘what stuff!
Yet rightly he divines;
Her lips and cheeks with paint are rough!
Yes—as the Moon—’tis plain enough!
In borrowed light she shines!!’
LELIS.
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QUEBEC, PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY W. H. SHADGETT
AT THE NATIONAL AND BRITISH PRINTING OFFICE.
The Register Established last year for Emigrants &c. will be continued at the Quebec General Agency Office, adjoining the National Printing Office, Hope Street. Persons in want of Servants, Mechanics, Labourers &c. can be supplied.—
Charge for every separate Registry, 1s. 3d.
To be Paid at the time of Entry.
All possible attention will be given to the Character of Individuals; though the proprietor cannot be answerable for such.
Sales and Transfers of land and every description of business transacted by Commission.
———————
FOR SALE,
Several Lots of excellent land directly on the line of the road called Craig’s Road, in the Township of Ireland, the situation most eligible for the erection of Stores, Taverns &c. Purchase Money 20l. for each lot of 100 Acres. Apply to
COL. BOUCHETTE,
Land Surveyor General,
Or the Printer.
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The Proprietor having from 200 to 300 pounds at his command would be happy to engage with any experienced of Grazier possessing a like Capital, to undertake the purchasing and rearing of Live Stock for the Quebec Markets, and superintend and direct the management of a Grazing Farm.
Enquire at the Office.
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| For 1st insertion six lines and under, | 2s. 6 d. | |
| each subsequent insertion, | 7½d. | |
| First insertion, ten lines and under, | 3s. 6 d. | |
| each subsequent, | 10 d. | |
| First insertion, above ten lines, per line, | 4 d. | |
| each subsequent, | 1 d. | |
In both Languages, Double the above rates.
N.B. Every 1st insertion must be paid in Advance.
———————
ORDERED That the Rule established bye the House on the third day of February, one thousand eight hundred and ten, concerning the notices for Petition for private Bills, be printed once monthly in the public newspapers of this Province, during three years.
Attested by Wm. LINDSAY,
Clk. Assy.
RESOLVED, That after the close of the present session, before any Petition is presented to this House for leave to bring a private Bill, another for the erection of a Bridge or Bridges, for the regulation of the Common, for the making of any Turnpike Road, or for granting of any individual, or individuals, any exclusive right or privilege whatsoever, or for the alteration or renewing of any Act of the Provincial Parliament for the purpose of notice of such application shall be given the Quebec Gazette, and in one of the newspapers of the district, if any is published therein, and also by a notice affixed on the Church Doors of the Parishes that such application may affect; or in the most public place, where there is no Church during two months, at least, before such Petition is presented.
Attested by Wm. LINDSAY,
Clk. Assy.
The Printers of the Newspapers of this Province are requested to insert the above Resolution in the manner directed by the first. Their accounts will be paid at the end of the year at the Clerk’s Office, House of Assembly.
Resolved, that after the present Session, before any petition paying leave to bring in a Private Bill for the erection of a Toll Bridge be presented to the House, the person or persons purposing to petition for such Bill, shall, upon giving the Notice prescribed by the Rule of the 2rd day of February, 1810, also at same time and in the same manner, give a Notice stating the rules which they intend to ask, the extent of the privilege, the Right of the action, the interval between the abutments or piers for the passage of rafts and vessels, and mentioning whether they purpose to erect a Draw-Bridge or not, and the dimension of such Draw-Bridge.
Ordered, that the said Rule be printed and published at the same time and in the same manner the Rule of the 3rd February, 1810.
Attested Wm. LINDSAY, Jr, Clk. Assy.
ORDONNE, Que la Règle établie le trois Février, Mil huit-cent-dix, concernant les notices pour les requêtes pour des Bills privés, soit imprimée une fois par nous dans les papiers publics de cette Province, pendant trois années.
Attesté WM. LINDSAY,
Gref. Assée
RESOLU, Qu’après la fin de la présente session, avant qu’il soit présenté à cette Chambre aucune Pétition pour obtenir permission d’introduire un Bill privé pour ériger un Pont ou des Ponts, pour régler quelque Commun, pour ouvrir quelque Chemin de Barrière, ou pour accorder à quelqu’individu ou à des individus quelque droit ou privilège exclusif quelconque, ou pour altérer ou renouveller quelque Acte du Parlement Provincial pour de semblables objets, il sera donné notice de telle application qu’on se proposera de faire, dans la Gazette du Québec, et dans un des papiers Publiés du District, s’il y en a, et par une affiche posée à la porte des Églises des Paroisses qui pourront être intéressées à telle application, ou à l’endroit le plus publié, s’il n’y a point d’Église, pendant deux mois, au moins, avant que telle pétition soit présentée.
Attesté, WM. LINDSAY.
Gref. Assée.
Les Imprimeurs de Papiers-nouvelles en cette Province sont priés d’insérer les Résolutions ci-dessus, en la manière ordonnée par la première. Leurs comptes seront payés à la fin de l’année, en par eux s’adressant au Bureau du Greffier de la Chambre d’Assemblée.
RESOLU, Qu’après la présente Session, avant qu’il soit présenté à cette Chambre aucune Pétition pour obtenir permission d’introduire un Bill privé pour ériger un Pont de Péage, la personne ou les Personnes qui se proposeront de pétitionner pour tel Bill en donnant la Notice ordonnée par la Règle du 3e. Février 1810, donnera aussi en même tems et de la même manière un Avis notifiant les taux qu’elle se proposeront de demander, l’étendue du privilège, l’élévation des Arches, l’espace entre les Butées ou Piliers, pour le passage des Cageux, Cages et Bâtiments, et mentionnant si elles se proposent de bastion Pont Levis ou non et les dimensions de tel Pont Levis. Ordonné, Que ladite Règle soit imprimée et publiée en même tems et de la même manière que la Règle du trois Février, 1810.
Attesté, WM. LINDSAY.
Gref. Assée.
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D. Reader from London, late foreman to R. Gain, House, Sign and Ornamental Painter, Glazier, &c. Respectfully informs the public, that he has removed to 25, St. Ann street, near the Gaol. D. R. is enabled by a process (which has been approved of by the Royal Society at London) to render Fish Oil superior to Linseed Oil for all kinds of work exposed to the weather, as being far more durable, and at 25 per cent lower than the usual prices.
Chairs and all other furniture painted to any pattern, Maps and Prints varnished, Gilding, &c. &c.
Quebec, August 1, 1821.
———————
Stabling to Let. Enquire at the National Printing Office, Hope Street.
———————
For Sale, a Lot of Land, 45 miles to the east of Three Rivers, being No. 2 in the Township of Grantham, consisting of 100 acres five of which is cleared, with a Log House—For 10l. ready money.
PATRICK SMITH,
Drummondville
———————
WANTED to purchase a Cleared Farm of, from 50 to 100 Acres within nine miles of Quebec.
Inquire at this Office.
———————
The Undersigned, having one thousand acres of as fine LAND as any in the Province, in the Township of Ireland, (where there are several Settlers,) within one mile of the Main Road called Craig’s Road, is ready to treat with one person or more, to join in clearing the said Land, and raising a farm for the benefit of all concerned—No Purchase Money Required.
LIEUT. HORSELEY, R.N.
Additional Reference may be had of the Printer.
———————
FOR SALE—One hundred acres and more of Land, seven acres of which is cleared and in a state of Cultivation—With a good Log House, Barn &c. Price, 100 Dollars ready money. Apply to
Mr. THOMAS SHEPHERD
Y. Marks, near William Henry
———————
A Handsome second hand Portable WRITING DESK. To prevent trouble, Price 8l.
Apply at the Store adjoining the National and British Printing Office.
———————
RESPECTFULLY returns his grateful thanks to the Public, for the very liberal support he has received since he commenced business on his own account, and begs to make known that his Spring Goods arrived, which from the excellency of the Skins and Patterns will enable him to execute in a very superior manner any work with which he may be entrusted and on the most reasonable terms.
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Mr. Shadgett’s Academy is now open for the reception of youth at his residence No. 1 Hope Street, Upper Town.
Mr. Shadgett is known to the public, as having been selected and sent expressly from England, to introduce the Schools on the National Principle and the New mode of Tuition into this Country; and as having received the approbation of several Gentlemen and Scholars, well qualified to decide, who have honoured by inspection the Schools which have been formed by him.
The Academy now Opened will be found peculiarly adapted to the more respectable and advancing classes of youth, embracing (by a rational, explanatory and easy mode of conveyance) all the higher branches of an Academical instruction.
Young Gentlemen, (and Ladies) whose education has been neglected, or, whose Parents have hitherto regarded them as dull and unpromising, may be secure of advancement in this School.
Parents and Guardians of the higher order of CANADIAN youth, desirous of perfecting them in a thorough and intimate acquaintance with the English Language and its just pronunciation, will have every facility afforded them by Mr. S. who is a native of London.
The Terms are moderate.
Entrance to the School Room 2nd Door on the right from Hope Street or St. Famille Street, corner of Joseph Street.
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Mis-spelled words and printer errors have been corrected. Where multiple spellings occur, majority use has been employed.
Punctuation has been maintained except where obvious printer errors occur.
When nested quoting was encountered, nested double quotes were changed to single quotes.
Space between paragraphs varied greatly. The thought-breaks which have been inserted attempt to agree with the larger paragraph spacing, but it is quite possible that this was simply the methodology used by the typesetter, and that there should be no thought-breaks.
Advertising copy has been consolidated at the end of the magazine.
[The end of The Enquirer Issue 08 of 12 (December 1821) edited by Robert-Anne d’Estimauville]