The Diary of David Ross - Excerpts ■ Aug. 21 - Observed a comet on Sunday with a long tail pretty brilliant nearly setting a little to the N of West about 8 o'clock which totally disappeared. On the following Sunday two Yankee ships of war steamers, one the flagship of a real Yankee Commodore, firing guns like gentlemen - took up an anchorage off the Battery in Ch'town on 25th & again arrived about the same time a genuine English General (Gore). Three wonders at the same time - a comet, a Com'ore, & Gen'l. Along the St. Peter 's Road and in many other places the oats entirely destroyed. Mr. Wright at the mill cut all down and made hay but supposed the cattle will not touch it. Dec. - Betwixt last night & this morning a most awful gale of wind from the E unroofed & levelled houses and barns throughout the Island, killing lots of cattle, horses etc. No damage of any consequence done with me but there is not a neighbor around that can say so McCallum, Road had 6 cattle & 2 horses killed - a new house partly boarded in completely smashed at the top of my farm. 1855 1862 January 18 - Long Willie Scott married today to Jean Appletree . February 8 - Thursday morning a most distinct shock of an earthquake between 6 & 7 o'clock felt by myself as by hundreds in town & country - stove pipes in town thrown down etc. etc. 1856 January 18 - My old horse (28 yrs.) died this morning called Captn. May - Smelts came up creek. News of peace pro¬ claimed. 1858 June 1 - Had a frolick 5 ploughs at roadside. ISM August 9 - The Prince of Wales landed on a visit to the Island - attended myself in capacity of Capt'n of Thistle R.C.V. An illumination & fireworks in evening. Ball & [the Prince of Wales ] sailed for Canada on Saturday in rain. September - Took bad middle of harvest - had a kind of Rheumatic fever - laid up, unable to walk. 1 S 64 June 18 - Attended funeral of Mr. Ian Stewart 's 2 eldest sons & a baby. The sons drowned at . 1865 December 11 - A demand for my cavelry sword being the last article of steel held by me of H. M. The Volunteers received these at first to be used if necessary for their own protection. What gross fools & idiots do affect to represent the War department here. If it is intended to represent the Island in a State of Rebellion why deprive me & the like of our arms. One would say sensible men would rather supply these at this time. When I made a demand for my own sword it is answered, "I know not where it is". This ought to have been my answer -1 lent musical instruments - field bugle (when there was not another in the Island) to help these miserable fools to make a decent display when the Prince of Wales was here. I asked a loan of Drum and Fife thereafter, when they had got them (by subscription observe) No, No, - give everything - receive nothing but towering insolence. 1866 Fenian excitement. Fears of an invasion. 1867 July 22 - Lieut. John Robertson of the Thistle Company Volunteers died Monday 22 July and was buried with military honours. July 24 - Myself figuring as Band ! He was a good young man, the only Gentleman in the compy - died of that horrid disease consumption some 2 yrs. after his wife, leaving 5 children quite young things. November 1 - The father, J. Robertson also died of the like disease this morning. -145-