PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND. ,97

1829 a committee for promoting classical education presented their report recom— mending the establishment of the Central Academy.

The first Masonic Lodge, which was or- ganized in I 797, was the first society in Charlottetown and was mlled St. John’s Lodge, charter being granted by the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia.

The Benevolent Irish Society was organ- ized in 1826 with Frederick Goff, Esq., as first president. Associated with Mr. Golf were Messrs. Longworth, Palmer, Des- Brisay, etc. The meetings were held at the Wellington Hotel. This once popular host- lery of Charlottetown still stands on the cor- ner of Great George and Sydney streets, opposite the residence of Mr. Richard Heartz.

In 1837 a ladies’ benevolent society was formed under the patronage of Lady Har- vey, wife of the lieutenant governor, its ob- ject being to raise funds for the relief of the poor. The ladies held their first bazaar in the Barracks, at which the sum of seventy-two pounds was realized from the sale of useful and fancy articles.

Before the city was incorporated civic affairs were carried on by persons appointed by the provincial authorities. There were regulations governing the town pumps, wells, etc. Statute labor to keep the streets in condition. Any breakers of the law were tried before justices of the peace. The town was lighted by oil lamps which were kept bright and burning by the citizens who lived nearest them. Previous to the lamp system every one had to carry his own lantern as the mud was fully a foot deep at certain seasons of the year. The only protection against fire were the leather buckets which each citizen was obliged to keep in his house,

7

ready for use. If a fire occured two lines of men formed from the nearest pump; one line passed the full buckets, the other re- turning them empty. Relays of men did the pumping.

Spring Park used to be the public park in olden times. It was thickly covered with spruce and other trees and had a beautiful spring of water from which it derived its name. It was very cool and shady in sum- mer and was the favorite resort for public teas and picnics. In winter the plasure consisted mostly in lectures, concerts, ba- zars and tea-fights, which were usually held in the Temperance Hall, now known as the Kindergarten. One tea given in 1863 by the volunteers might be mentioned. It was a very brilliant afiair, under the manage- ment of the elite of the town, who brought their own' silver and china which, with the gaily decorated cakes, flowers, etc., which decked the tables, made a very attractive display. The hall was trimmed with mili- tary emblems and flags which with the il- luminations made a gorgeous scene. After the tables were cleared away a very jolly concert was given and was enjoyed by a crowded house.

In 1854 a review of the troops was held on Queen square in honor of the Queen’s birthday. A royal salute was fired and three hearty cheers were given for Her Majesty, but this was the last time for any military display by the troops of Charlottetown gar- rison. The troops were annually relieved by fresh detachments from headquarters at Hali- fax, thus a strong and suflicient force was canstantly in charge of the station, not only enlivening the town but being a safeguard if needed. Now, however, when war was de- clared against Russia a large portion of the troops from Halifax were called home to