356a

in Ontario; James, the youngest, rests in the cemetery at Murray Harbour North, having passed away at the residence of his

’ grandson, James Graham, at an advanced age. Christina, wife of Donald Gordon, has already been spoken of. Isabel, wife of James Stewart and Elizabeth, wife of James McFarlane, are both buried in the cemetery on the south bank of Brudenell.

In this short sketch I have confined my- self almost exclusively to the history of James McLaren and his family. many of whom of the third and fourth generations have removed to the United States, who, with their descendants, are now scattered throughout the great Union from Maine to California, and some of whom we are happy to have with us here today.

Of the other families that composed part of the original colony or whose names appear on this monument there are descend- ants here today who are better able to tell their story than I am. But are not the names of Gordon and of Stewart written on every page of British history since the union of the crowns and wherever the “white man’s burden is to be borne is there not a “Struan” Robertson to do his share of “the day's work?”

Although this band of emigrants ar— rived at Brudenell at so early 3 period in the history of this Province they were preceded by a compatriot, a Scotchman named John McDonald, from the island of Uist, famil- iarly known to his acquaintances as Ian

PAST AND PRESENT OF

Deeng or, from his ruddy complexion, “Red John.”* This man's eicperience in the ways of the new country was of great assistance to our settlers. He taught them to build boats and traverse the pathless forests and un- knovm streams. Under his instructions, a giant pine which stood on the north bank of the river was felled, and with patient skill and untiring labour was fashioned into a dugout boat or canoe, in which, after being fitted out with oars and home-made flaxen sails spun, woven and fashioned by the hands of the women of the little colony, the young men made frequent trips to Pictou for neces— sary supplies which could be obtained no nearer home. Thus was established our first communication .with the mainland, this un— wieldy primitive craft being the first boat on the Georgetown-Pictou route, the humble prototype of our modern iron steamships, the Minto and the Stanley.

Such are the small beginnings from which the present prosperity and‘ greatness of our country originated.

To quote the words of the Quaker poet:

“I hear the tread of Pioneers, 0f nations yet to be.

The first low wash of waves where soon Shall roll a living sea."

So lived, worked and died the pioneers, the noble men and women who first opened up this country to the light of civilization.

May God keep their memories green.

'Red John finally sold his little holdings.bnilt.u boat. put his famil and belongings on board. and set Ell] for Cape Breton Island, followed by the good wishes of the settlers.

VOYAGE OF THE BRIG “FANNY.”

BY Gamma R. MONTGOMERY.

Few incidents in our colonial life are more deeply'impressed on the history of this province than the voyage of the good

ship “Fanny” round the Horn to San Fran- cisco in the year 1849. The gold fever had broken out a few years previously and a