142 HISTORICAL SKETCH 0F PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

comprised of members of the fire department, carrying some eighty tapers, under the direction of Captain Strickland; when passing Rochford Square a bonfire blazed forth, while the young and merry gamboled and frolicked round the burning pile.

The Prince upon his arrival opened the ball; and as the music was played in lively strains, dances followed fast upon each other till the hour of four a. m., when the brilliant assem- blage retired from the festive scene, delighted with the enter- tainment.

The 24th witnessed the departure of the Prince on board Her Majesty's Ship Dart, bound for Quebec. A guard of honor was in attendance as His Highness quitted our shores, while at Fort Edward, the artillery, under Capt. Lord, thundered forth a farewell salute.

His Royal Highness holding a commission as lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade, joined his regiment at Quebec. Having passed through various regimental ranks, he now fills that of General in the army, and commanded a division in Egypt a few years since—during the war in that country.

During the interval of those distinguished visits, some rascal under cover of a dark night, set the Victoria Barrack’s on fire, with the intention no doubt of consuming the whole pile. But the alarm having reached the city, the fire companies with engines were soon on the ground, and by great exertions saved all the buildings, with the exception of the one known as offi- cers’ quarters, in which the fire originated. As the conflagra- tion was said to have been the act of an incendiary, the Gov- ernment oflered £300 as reward, in order to obtain such evidence as would lead to the conviction of the guilty party, which, however, failed in its object.

The 9th rifle competition was held at Kensington range dur- ing September; there were 120 competitors, 3 matches and 20 prizes. The ranges for the first match were zoo and 500 yds. for the others zoo and 400 yds. positions as formerly. At the close of the leading match W. C. White, of the P. W. Rifles, was declared the winner of the medal and a purse.

At the opening of the Legislature on March 3rd, 1870, Colonel Beer commanded the guard of honor, which consisted of several volunteer rifle companies, accompanied by the band.