34 TOURING QUEBEC AND THE MARITIMES‘

To Mr. Wagner I owe the explanation of the term “Blue Nose,” commonly applied to the people of the Mari— times. Very few Westerners have the right idea of its meaning. The Maritimes were settled after the French by Scotch, English and Irish. After the American War of Independence, many who fought for England had their property confiscated and left the country; in 1783 large numbers of these U. E. Loyalists arrived at St. John, Hali- fax and Prince Edward Island. They took ,a prominent part in the conduct of the government, many having been teachers, doctors, lawyers, etc., for they were generally better educated than the first British settlers. Now, the latter grew jealous of the U. E. Loyalists, and in derision called them “Blue Nose.” The newcomers did not resent this and the name stuck. Only the descendants of the U. E. Loyalists can claim this distinction.

Mr. Wagner got this information from his grandfather, who was one of the early settlers.

On the bank of the Nerepis River, not far from Mr. Wagner’s old home, is the Manor of General Coffin, who, after the American War of Independence, escaped from the United States with his family and two negro slaves. The States offered a reward of £10,000 for his head. New Brunswick granted him 1,000 acres of the best land in this part. After the slaves gained their freedom, General Coffin’s 01d negro slave and his wife never claimed theirs, but lived on with the General until their death. His home, the Manor, is now in possession of Mr. Wagner’s cousin, Richard Borden, of Boston. .

. Mr. Wagner had dinner with his two brothers and two sisters at the old homestead, and then joined our party at the Admiral Beatty Hotel, our headquarters in St. John.

The grey and ancient city of St. John, climbing over its surrounding hills, is the oldest incorporated town in