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Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be fl!med at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hend corner, left to right end top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tabk^eaux. etc., peuvent dtre filmte A des taux de rMuction diffArents. Lorsque le document est trop grsnd pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, 11 est film* A partir de I'engle supArieur geuche, de gauche A droite. et de haut en bes, en prenant le nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 .N FRC n A^^ALS OF THE NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY OF HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, FROM ITS FOUNDATION IN 1768, TO ITS CENTENAKY CELELRATION MARCH 26tu, 1868. COMPILED BY JAMES S. MACDOJSTALD. I V \ HALIFAX, N. S. " CITIZEN " STEAM BOOK, JOB AND GENERAL PRINTING OFFICE, CITY BUILDING, SOUTH FERKY WHARF. . 1868. K^K PREFACE, In presenting to the notice of the North British Society the following compilation from its records, a short expla- nation may be considered necessary. Having held the office of Secretary of the Society during 1863-4-5, an opportunity was afforded of making myself acquainted with the facts connected with the early history and progress of the Institution. On becoming familiar with these facts, it occurred to mo that they might be preserved from oblivion and rendered available for historical purposes, by arranging them in a form in which they could be laid before my fellow-members for their perusal. While contemplating this task, I found that my views were concurred in by many of the members, and during the present year the Society unanimously resolved that this project should be carried out as soon as possible after the Centenary celebration. The principal events of each year of the Society's history will be found recorded in the form of a Diary, this being all that could be attempted in the limited time at my disposal. As a hand-book for our members it will be found to contain every incident of any importance con- nected with the past, of the North British Society, and will, it is hoped, be to some extent serviceable and interesting. 1 t*'-- t'^ii 3 . ANNALS OF THE ^^ OF THE ^"4 iriffel l„,i,|g HALIFAX, NOVA SCOT/A. l^ose'^ZoZ^Z tSf ''"'"" ^^ *>•« tot of '''^ 26th day of March 17fi«^ '''^" '"'''"^^ on ^-nded by Joh! Tly&^''"'''f"*' ''"-'"g been ;ho were founders of the 8oJ^^'n°''"^'•'''h-« founders, few tracea reLain.!'^-, .^^ «"« original these two kindred ass!^! • ' '*°"P' '" 'ho record of -re it not for theTTnir' ^l^ ''"^^'^ "•»' Bnt.sh Society and with sTT^ ''!"' ^""^ ^orth ^^nxrwtrSyt^--^^ ^*P- of a ZZy'^'Crr'^ -- in the jmbership of the So^'y b" h"'""^"'^'^ *^« of 't3 prominent characLv ' '^""^ «ome o'rcumstances connected wth^ ** *««• The Pap.tal, fostered amongC?: ""'^"'^"* "^ «>« ANNALS OF THE in thoir new abode, but the same fondness and recollections of the old country, a union of feeling and conviviality of spirit, which have been lessened in later years. As is well known the Scottish element predominated in Halifax from the period of its settlement down to a recent date, giving to the community most of its leading men, and maintaining the good fellowship and charitable disposition which generally characterize that element. The objects which our founders had in view appear to have been the assistance of Scottish emigrants landing in the Colony, and the establish- ment of a medium of communication with kindred Societies in the neighboring Provinces, (under which name were included the Colonies which subsequently obtained their independence,) as well as the maintenance of a friendly feeling among the Scotch- men resident in the community, and those who visited the country for the purposes of trade. That the North British Society usefully served these ends is made apparent by its history. It gave to the emigrant the assistance which he could not otherwise have found in a strange country, and which in many cases led on to success and fortune. It relieved the distressed, nurtured a patriotic feeling, and co-operated with such institutions as the Thistle Society of New York and St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia, tho latter having been founded as early as 17^9. These objects it accomplished, notwithstanding that for a consider- able time its membership was small and its funds inconsiderable. t L As stated before, the Society was formed on tlio 26th day of March, 1708. The first meeting was held at the house which still stands at the corner of Granville and Salter Streets, then the residence of Mr. John Taylor; and at that meeting the Constitution and Bye-Laws which follow, and which bear evidence of that careful thought and good principle which have secured the stability and usefulness of the Institution, wore unanimously adopted. " Articles of the North British Society, to be held at the house where the members of said Society shall think most proper, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, to commence from this day, 26th March, 1768." " The due consideration of these articles arc such, that Whereas sickness and death are the common lot of all mankind, in order therefore to assist each other, as much as in us lays, we the subscribers do bind ourselves into a Society under the name of The North British Society, or Scots Club, for the benefit of ourselves and assistance of each other, who may be aflicted with disease, or any other casuality or misfortune, in body, which God of his providence shall be pleased to send upon us. We do therefore by these presents, for the benefit of said society, agree to and oblige ourselves to each other, to observe the following articles, under all the restrictions and penalties herafter mentioned." "Article 1. Every member joining this Society shall pay seven shillings and sixpence, to be deposited into the Box, and one shilling for the good of the house the first night." 8 ANNALS OF THE " Article 2. That a proper Box be provided, at the charge of the Society, with three locka and keys, those keys to be kept by proper persona appointed by said Society, for to keep said money in, as may bo delivered into said box, from time to time, all the money that shall arise for the benefit of said Society.** " Article 3. That no person is to be admitted a member of this Society, who is above the age of 45, or is not in apparent good health, or is of a scan- dalous character, or is not a Protestant, unless ho be chosen by a majority of the members present, when application is made on his behalf." Article 4. The Society shall meet the first Thursday of every month, at the house that the majority shall think most proper, from the hours of seven until nine in the evening, from the 26th March until 29th September, and from the 29th September until 26th March, to meet from the hours of aiji. to eight, in the evening, at which time each member shall pay the Treasurer one shilling for the use of the box, and sixpence for the benefit of the house, where the Society may meet according to appointment." " Article 5. The Society shall choose a Foreman or Moderator, and also two Stewards, the first night of meeting, unto whom all things relating to the Society shall be proposed, and by him or them put to vote in said Society." " Article 6. That in case of any hurt or bodily disease of any member, the member so afflicted shall inform the Moderator ©r one of the Stewards, NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. who shall roport their condition to the Society, to know what may bo proper to bo done for the assistance of such sick member." " Article 7. That in case of any member con- tinuing sick any considerable time, and may havo occasion of watchers, each member in their turn shall watch with said sick member, beginning with the eldest and ending with the youngest, and shall be allowed proper Refreshment each night, accord- ing as the Moderator and the two Stewards may think proper, at the charge of the Society." " Article 8. That in case of the death of any member the charge of the coffin, pall, grave, and attendance, shall be taken out of the Box. Six scarves, six hat bands, six pair of black gloves, and six pair white gloves shall be purchased out of the Box as soon as circumstances will allow, and like- wise as much as can be aftbrded to be given to the widow and children of the deceased member, for their assistance ; the scarves and gloves to be returned into the Box." " Article 9. That no member shall be allowed any benefit from the Society's Box until he has been a member one year complete, and has duly paid contributions and fines, as is mentioned in these Articles." "Article 10. That if any member shall leave the Province for any length of time, and shall on his return pay into the Treasurer of the Society one shilling for each month he has been absent, for the use of the Box, he shall still continue a member 10 ANNALS OF THE of it, and bo entitled to all the benefits arisino: therefrom." " Article 11. That a book be provided, at the expense of the Society, wherein shall be inserted all the members names, and their proceedings from time to time, in which these Articles are to be inserted, with the payments made, fines, account of cash in the Box, and call over the members names, in order that if any member should be absent, that he may be fined or excused, as the Society shall direct, which book or books shall be open to the Society at every meeting." " Article 12. That if any member shall at any Monthly Meeting, or in Club hours, or at the time of business, presume to blaspheme the name of Almighty God by cursing or swearing, for every such offence he shall pay for the first the sum of sixpence, for the secoad one shilling, and sixpence is 10 be added at every time that such offence may b'^ repeated, for the use of the Box." " Article 13. Any member who shall not attend the funeral of any deceased member, after he being duly warned, shall forfeit the sum of two shillings and sixpence for the use of the Society." ** Article 14. That if any member shall absent himself three monthly meetings, and cannot give sufficient reason for his so doing, he shall pay into the box one shilling over and above his monthly contribution," " Article 15. Upon the Moderator striking with Bome implement on the table, there is to be a most profound silence, any member offending against NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 11 said Rule to pay sixpence for the use of the Box.'* Article 16. No liquor to bo called for but by the Moderator or Stewards for the use of the Society. Any member offending in this case is to pay for whatever he may call for himself." " Article 17. No member is to leave the room without the consent of the Moderator, or to pay into the box sixpence, as it will be deemed an offence." " Article 18. As our General Festival is kept on the thirtieth day of November, annually, in commemoration of Saint Andrew our Patron, we therefore think proper, on that day, to choose such persons to regulate the Society as the majority of the said Society may judge most fit to regulate them." *' Article 19. That if any member absents him- self from this Society upon a meeting night, after being duly warned, and does not send a sufiicient excuse, shall be fined sixpence, if an officer, one shilling, and if the Moderator, double to any officer." " Article 20. Any member found guilty of a breach of any of the foregoing articles shall be im- mediately fined by the Moderator, without putting it to vote in the Society." To the foragoing articles we subscribe our names. John Taylor, Walter Harkness, John Gillespie, John Geddes, William Scott, Daniel Morrison, William McLennan, James Thomson, Robert Killo, James Clark, John Fraser, John McCrae, William Jjuke, Thomas McLennan. 12 ANNALS OF THE -A.isrisrA.LS. 1768. As the first meetings cannot but prove interest- ing, I ahall copy them without abridgment from the original. Proceeding Ye 1st. It was agreed on by the majority of the Society met at ye House of Mr. John Taylor, Tuesday 29th March, 1768, to duly elect Mr. John Gillespie Mo- derator. William Scott and Thomas McLennan were duly elected Stewards, and Mr. James Clark, Secretary. It was agreed on, to meet the first Thursday of every month following, but John Gillespie having occasion to leave the Colony ap- pointed John Taylor to act as Moderator for the time being, and James Thomson, a Cabinetmaker, was ordered to make a Box and Mallet. Dr. the Box. £. s. d. To bal. by ye Society 4 2 6 To James Clarke's fine 6 £4 3 Bemains in the Box £2 15 8 Or 17 4 £4 3 Contra. Or. £. 8. d. By cash for a Box 12 3 locks and 3 keys for do 34 Painting the Box 2 6 A Book for ye Society 7 Nails for the Box 14 1 quire paper , 12 £17 4 adjourned to May 5th, 1768. May 5th, 1768 — Proceeding 2nd. At the House of John Taylor it was agreed by the Society that any person who has not yet made application shall at any time before the next meet- ing, on their being admitted, be allowed the same privilege as the present members, on their paying the full arrears from the first day of the Society's meeting until the time of their entry. It is also agreed that our friend Thos. McLennan is to warn all the members the next day of meeting. The Society closed at nine of ye clock in good order. Cash left in the Box this night £3 19 8 • At the House of John Taylor, Halifax^ 2nd June, 1768. Proceeding the 3rd. It is unanimously agreed that the Annual Feast of this Society be held on the thirtieth day of Novem- ber, yearly, it being St. Andrew's day. If it should happen on a Sunday, then it is to be kept the next day following. 14 ANNALS OF THE It is further agreed that persons applying to be- come members of this Society may be admitted upon the same terms as at the beginning of the Society, notwithstanding the Rule of last night's meeting, to continue until the next monthly meet- ing be passed, and no longer, except on further consideration. Paid to the Box £0 17 Remains in the Box 4 16 8 July 7th. — Proceeding the 4th. Mr. John Gillespie, Moderator of the Society, having returned to the place has taken charge of the Society this night, and had the implements of his office delivered to him, also a true account of the Society's cash then in the Box, and then took the Chair. Amount of cash brought forward £4 16 8 Paid to the Box 12 Remains in the Box this night £5 8 8 The Society closed at a quarter past nine o'clock. August 3rd. — Proceedings the 5th. The Society met at the house of John Taylor. Amount of cash in the Box, brought forward.. ...£5 8 8 Paid to the Box 12 £6 8 The Society closed according to their usual harmony. NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 15 Sept. 1st. — Proceeding 6th. The Society met at the house of John Taylor. It is unanimously agreed that the Box, and whatever money may at any time be in it, be kept by the Moderator for the time being, at his own house, for the better security of the same. Also, that this Society shall hold three monthly meetings at each member's house, that keeps a house of entertainment, in their proper turns. This motion was made from considering the distressed condition of a member through sickness, as well as from their mutual inclination of assisting each other. Amount of cash in the Box, brought forward £6 8 Received in the Box 12 Remains in the Box this night £6 12 8 The Society closed in great harmony, as usual. From this time on, till the November meeting of 1769, we find but little to note. The meetings, as already shewn, were held monthly, but little business was transacted, &s the sphere at that early period in the history of Halifax and of our Society was but limited. The Society met monthly, called the roll, paid the dues, and after slight refreshment, separated for their homes ; but no doubt their meetings, monotonous as they appear noted, were events in the month of each member, and were punctually attended by our founders. The next meeting of interest to note, is that of 16 ANNALS OP THE 1769. November 2nd. The Society met at[the house of Wm. McLennan. This being the last meeting before St. Andrew's Day, the Society p^'oceeded to elect officers to rule the Club for the ensuing year, when the following were elected : John Gillespie, Moderator (re-elected), John Taylor and John MacCra, Stewards, James Clark, Secretary. The Society agreed to dine at the Moderator's house on St. Andrew's Day, the 30th instant, and this because William McLennan could not under- take to prepare the dinner. The Society decided this a very fair reason. November 30th. The Scots Society met at the house of John Gillespie, Moderator. The Society proceeded to install their new officers, as before named ; this done, an elegant dinner was tabled, to which several gentlemen of this town, (our countrymen), not belonging to the Club were invited. After dinner, many loyal toasts, healths and sentiments were drunk, with the memory of St. Andrew in the conclusion of every one of them; in fine, the day was crowned with the utmost festivity, mirth, jollity, and ancient Scottish songs. Small comment is required on the above ; that they must have had a good time, the next minutes of meeting will testify, which read thus : — . i m' NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 17 December, 7th. The Scot's Society met at Mr. John Gillespie's, being the first meeting after the joyous celebration of St. Andrew's. In the Box £16 9 Capt. George Elliot became a member. From this time until the meetmg of 7th June, 1770, nothing of interest appears to have trans- pired ; but at that meeting Mr. Peter McNab (from whom the present well known family are descended) was pleased to offer himself as a member, and was unanimously elected. 1770. At the September meeting the Society was visit- ed by Mr. Mcllworth, a member and representative of thft St. Andrew's Society, of New York. November 1st. The Society met at the house of John Gillespie In the Box £19 14 10 this being the last monthly meeting at this house. It is for certain reasons unanimously agreed that the members meet at the house of John Taylor upon Wednesday, 5th December, and there spend Is. 6d. each. Any member not attending, or not sending his money, to be fined according to the Articles. It is further agreed that the Society dine at the house of John Gillespie, St. Andrew's Day. The officers of last year were unanimously re- elected. ^:^^^; . : • 18 AKNALS or THE November 30th. The Society met at the house of John Gillespie, and installed their officers and had another joyous time, chronicled in the very exact terms of the preceding St. Andrew's meeting, the day being crowned, &c. « The next meeting was held by appointment at the house of Wm. McLennan. The dues and entrance money, HOW amount in the Box to £23 4 4 1771. M/_Y 2nd. At this meeting Mr. John Patterson was unani- mously elected as a member. November 4. Meeting held at the house of John Gillespie, the office-bearers now serving were unanimously re- elected for the ensuing year, and the Society dined as usual on St. Andrew's at the Moderator's house, and the Box contains £27 12 4. 1772. May 7th. The Scot's Society met at the house of John Gillespie. In the Box £30 4 9 The above sum of the Society's money amounting to over Thirty Pounds, by the unanimous voice of the members present was deposited in the hands of Thomas McLennan [to keep safe, till demanded, by NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 19 reason of John Gillespie's bad state of health, and the confusion of affairs in his house occasioned thereby, by order of the Moderator, Stewards and members present. July 6th. se of the year ia the Box amounted to £31 7 0. 1776 Passed away like its predecessor;, no changes and not one acquisition. The disturbance in the neighbouring colonies, which was much felt in the city, having caused this apathy in- the Society's aifairs, but the anniversary was not forgotten. A large company of Scots assembled at the house of John Rider, the great Tavern at that time,, and honoured the day most heartily.. The dties collected in the Box now amounted to £37 10 At the above meeting the officers were installed for the ensuing year ; no changes ; all re-elected, 1777 Witnessed considerable improvement in the Soci- ety's affairs. The four quarterly meetings were held at the house of John Rider. The work of charity was well attended to^ apd the following gentlemen joined, viz. : — James Dickson, John Miller, John Ratrie, and William Bowie. Amongst those one in particular must he be noticed, Mr. Alexander Brymer, one of the most John Mowatt, Ale3?. Brymer, James Black, ■■MIMIV NORTH BIlTTISn SOCIETY. 23 useful and popular members the Society has ha William Forsyth, Alexander Brymer, Jr. 44 ANNALS OF THE The committee were to report for the approval of the Society sometime during 1791. The funds of the Society were in a flourishing state, although many claims had been satisfied, and much distress alleviated. The following were admitted ordinary members this year : Alexander Morrison, John RosM, William Thompson, John Morton, James Forbes, George Grassie. Andrew Gumming. At the annual meeting, Alexander Thomson was elected President, John Grant, Vice President, John Hunter, Archibald Ferguson, Colin Campbell, William Smith, ' James Forman, James Stewart, (2), William Lyon, ") :, Jr., J Asat. Vice-Presidents. Alex. Brymer, The Coiriiiittee of Charity, and Stewards, were unanimously re-elected, and a vote of thanks passed for their able management during the past year. The celebration of the 30th November took place at the Golden Ball, and was attended, as usual, by all the notables of the Province. 1791. This year the Society experienced a great loss, in the death of the Treasurer, Mr. Alexander Ross, who for many years took a very active interest in the welfare of the institution. His son, John Ross, was unanimously elected in his stead. Several special meetings were called, to take into con- sideration many cases which demanded the aid and NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 45 care of the Society, all of wliich were well attended to. The Society prospered during this year, and there appears to have been a lively interest taken in its affairs by the great majority of the members. It may here be worthy of note, that the quarterly meetings were summoned for a quarter before five p. M., and that they generally closed at 10 o'clock. The festival was celebrated, as usual, in grand style, at the Golden Ball. The cost of entertaining the public guests was covered by a grant from the funds of the Society. About one hundred and fifty sat down to dinner, and the day was closed, as usual, in great harmony. The committee appointed to revise and amend the Constitution and Bye-Laws, met in Sep- tember, and submitted a code for t^'^ future government of the Society. The committee, in bringing them forward, expressed a hope that they would be considered as the final Laws of the Society, and that no further amendments would be considered necessary. They improved several of the old Bye-Laws, and added those that had been passed since the last revision, in 1786. These Rules were passed unanimously at a large meeting, and were principally framed by the Hon. Michael "Wallace. With a few amendments, these were the Rules under which the Society was incorporated. The officers for 1792 were elected at the Novem- ber meeting, viz : — John Grant, President, V :> John Bremner, Vice Do., ti- I 11 46 ANNALS OP THE John Ross, Treasurer, George Grassie, Secretary, Rev. Andrew Brown, Chaplain, Peter Muir, Messenger, Committee of Charity — re-elected. 1792. The Society had many applications this year from distressed countrymen wishing to be relieved and enabled to reach their homes in Scotland. Many were from Boston and Philadelphia. The Society was ably seconded in its praiseworthy efforts by the firm of William Forsyth & Co., the partners of which house were active members on the Roll of the Society, as their ships generally took back to Scotland several of the poor at every trip. They have been publicly thanked on several occasions, for their meritorious services in this particular way. Several gentlemen were added to the Society this year, viz. : — Alexander Izatt, Archibald Wilson, Wickworth Allan, George Glennie ; Admiral Murray, Commander-in-Chief on the Station, To the Honorary List were added. Captain Duncan Campbell, Titus Levi, The above gentlemen attended several meetings of the Society. '' Mr. Andrew Cummings presented the Society with a ballot box, for which he received a vote of thanks. , HORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 47 Committee of. Chariti/, The November meeting wa3 largely attended, and the following popular gentlemen elected office- bearers for the ensuing year : — James Stewart, President, Wm. Lyon, Vice Do., jlmes^Forman, } ^''^- Vice-Presidmis, John Ross, Treasurer, James Forbes, Secretary, David Hall, Asst. Do., Robert Killo, Wm Annand Wm. Kidston, Peter MacNab, James Dechman, James Stewart, ) Stewards John Hunter, j ^««^«^^^> Dr. Andrew Brown, Chaplain, John Taylor, Messenger, The President, "Vice Do., Doctor Clarke, John Brown, Michl. Wallace, The festival was celebrated, as usual, on tha 30th, at the Golden Ball. Prior to the dinner the Society paraded throi gh the principal streets in procession, and then attended Divine Service, at the Presbyterian Church, where Dr. Andrew Brown, Chaplain to the Society, preached a sermon on "St. Andrew." Afterwards the members dined together with the leading men of the Pro- vince as guests: the Governor, Admiral, Heads of Departments, &c. The dinner passed off with A Committeeto superintend the Festival, -ii:! ,ji y 48 ANNALS OF THE \ great eclat, and was favorably noticed in the journals of the day. 1793. This was certainly a year of progress with the Society. The four quarterly meetings, held at the the British Tavern, were attended by almost every member on the roll, and no less than 17 members were admitted, viz. : — John Stewart, William Grigor, David Brown, John Black, James Geddie, Thomas MacKenzie, James Thorn, John Thompson, William Forsyth, (2nd), John Stuart, John Taylor, Duncan Brown, Lieut. John Fraser, Lt. Alex. Sutherland Capt. K. MacDonald, Lt. Donald Campbell. Vigour is perceptible in the records of every meeting; and we have but to mark the amount of business transacted, the number of poor relieved, and the general interest manifested in the different questions placed before the Society, to feel certain that the institution was a real benefit to the Town and to our countrvmen. At the November meeting, the following were elected to govern the Society for 1794 : — John Bremner, President, Alex. Brymer, Jr., Vice Do., Wmfam Ki'dston, } ^''*- Vi"^ P'<^idenU, Wick worth Allan, /Secretary, ^ James Ewing, Aast. Do., V = John Boss, Treasurer, ' ■'-. NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 49 P. MacNeil, Wm. Annand, ] Committee \Vm. Kidston, Robt. Lyon, > of William Hogg, J Charity, Jas. Stewart, 1 Mkhl^Qlace, Committee of Icstival, Doctor |Clarke, J Alex. Morrison, } '^<«^'"'<'' "/ "'^ ^''^''"'^' John Taylor, Messenger. The festival was celebrated at the British Tavern, on Monday, the 2nd December, the 30th falling on Saturday. It was, as usual, the groat dinner of the season. Including members and public guests, over one hundred and fifty were present. 1794. ■ This year the Society steadily increased in numbers and usefulnessi The gentlemen who had the guidance of the institution being popular citizens the meetings of the past year were all eclipsed by the attendance of an unusually large number of Scotchmen, who were this year passing through the Province, going to and returning from Scotland. The presence, also, at Halifax, of His Eoyal Highness the Duke of Kent, attracted a brilliant Staff to the Town, and there being many of our countrymen in the personal Suite of Prince Edward, this led to the meetings being 80 fully attended by many of the above as guests. During the year the following were enrolled members: — V'i- I'- :- 60 ANNALS OF TUB ■^ S Alexander Patillo William Findloy, James Donaldson, Thomas Donaldson, Robert Milne, Robert Ferguson, , James Kidston. The Society presented an address to His Royal Highness, which was well received, and cordially replied to. At the No\ ember meeting, the Treasurer presented a very interesting report, shewing that during the past year over £100 had been expended in charity, there having been many applications for relief. This alone exhibits the vigilance of the Society in giving relief, and the amount of good performed by the Society at that time. The election of offlco-boarers took place at this meeting, when the following were chosen : — The Honble. Chief Justice Strange, Pre. ..iit, Hon. Micha^el Wallace, Vice Do.f George Grassie, "I . , ^ Wickworth Allen, J ^*^^- ^^'^ John Ross, Treasurer, Robert Lyon and James Stewart, Secretaries, Peter MacNab, Wm. Annand, ") Committee William Kidston, William Hogg, > of Peter Lyon, j Charity, Dr. Duncan Clarke, John Bremner, William Forsyth, James Stewart, Rev. Dr. Brown, Chaplain, Alexander Izatt and Wm. Forsyth, Stewards, John Tayl«r, Messenger. Committee of Festival, NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 51 The moBt brilliant reunion, perhaps, which has ever taken place in Halitax, was witnessed at the Festival of St. Andrew this year. A committee, consisting of the President and Assistant Presidents, waited upon His Royal Highness Prince Edward, tendering him the hospitalities of the Society for that occasion ; which committee was most graciously received, and the invitation accepted for December ist, the 30th inst. happening on Sunday. The celebration took place at the British Tavern, Chief Justice Strange in the Chair, with His Boyal Highness on his right, and the Governor on his left. The tables were arranged in the form of a St. Andrew's Cross, and the decorations of the room were such, as to have oaken over three weeks to complete. The tables were covered with plate, the private property of members. The whole was arranged under the personal supervision of the Chief Justsce, a gentleman of taste and discern- ment. Over two hundred were present, and the Vice Chairman, Hon. Mich. Wallace, acquitted him- self in a manner which did great honor to himself and the Societv. The Prince was remarked for his unaffected ease, and his willingness to participate in the natural feeling of the Society, and also for his conviviality on this oocasion. A song from Mr. Geo. Grassie, founded on the lineage of the reigning Family as connected with the Scottish race, gave a happy tone to the entertainment, and was loudly encored by the Prince. This large and honoured festival was kept up with great spirit till 1 P. M., Dec. 2, The Prince remaining until I. . 62 ANNALS OF THE that hour. The whole arrangement was particular- ly flattering to the Society, and reflected great credit upon the oflSce bearers for their spirit in con- ducting the whole affair to such a happy conclusion. The cost of the entertainment was over three hun- dred pounds^ which was defrayed by the subscrip- tion of members, many of whom gave from five to twenty pounds. This entertainment was noticed by all the leading Journals of America and Great Britain, and the New York Press, in noticing the same, remarks that it was the greatest public dinner ever given by a charitable institution in America. It certainly was a most illustrious assemblage. His Eoyal Highness, the Governor of the Province, with a brilliant suite, Admiral Murray, the Commander in Chief on the Station, with a large assemblage of the Officers of the Army and Navy, must have presented a spectacle not heretofore noticed on this side of the Atlantic. 1795. Under the Presidency of Chief Justice Strange ilie Society kept well to the front in efficiency and spirit. The four quarterly meetings were held at the British Tavern, and the Chief Justice called several special meetings to look into cases of distress which presented themselves. During the year the follow- ing were enrolled members, having been proposed principally *by Mr. William Forsyth : \ William Eddy, Peter Eobb, John Lennox, ■ Kenneth MacKenzie, ^: . . ■>t*f « -r ■ ^.1 r" i^^ NORTH feEITISH SOCIETY. 63 James Mills, Alexander A^acLean, Wm. Gauld. ' l^homas Busaell, William Bremner, William Patterson, At the meeting of this year Admiral Murray was a most constant attendant, and at the annual elec- tion of officers he was unanimously chosen President but had to decline the honour, knowing that he would be unavoidably absent during the next year. The Society then elected the following : — Commander Duncan, President. , Hon. John Halliburton, Vice do. Dr. D. Clarke and John Bremner, Asat. do. Robert Lyon, Secretary. James Ewing, Assistant do. ' John Ross, Treasurer. Committee of Charity re-elected Rev. Dr. Brown, Chaplain. John Taylor, Messenger. The Festival, although not so brilliantly con- ducted as last year, was celebrated with great en- thusiasm at the British Tavern, all the leading men of the Army, Navy and Departments being present, The Governor, Admiral and Bishop amongst the number. 1796. The four quarterly meetings were held at the British Coffee House. The Committee of Charity was kept actively employed, as a large amount stands upon the Treasrer's account as having been expended. This yoar several gentlemen joined, viz.: I; lit r 1 I i 1- i irA mm^mmm 54 ANNALS OF THE 1$, James Wiseman, Rev. Dr. Arch. Gray, James Sharp, . Jpimes Smith, ,,,,,, James Munn, Alex. Fraser, ;i;v_. Matthew Richardson, Alex. Halkett, John Walker, James Romans, ' Alex. Barnett, James Pirnie. >' ' I b ; w I ; ■' i-.r.: t At the November meeting John Bremner and Richard Kidston became Perpetual Members by- paying £10 each to the funds. A ommittee was appointed to invest all the funds of the society in Provincial securities. A letter was read frbm^ Sir John Wentworth, the Lieut. Governor, asking the society to nominate two members to take charge of the estate of Mr. Samual Scott, a lunatic. Chas. Geddes and Wm. Lyon, were appointed to that duty. The election of office bearers resulted it the choice of the following : ' , Hon. J. Halliburton, President ^ Dr. D. Clarke, Vice do. ! ■; r A- William Smith, and \ a * ;i - • Capt. Alex. Sutherland, J ^*^^' ^^' ' Robert Lyon, /Secretary. i t ' Matthew Richardson, Asst. do, Wm. Kidston, Treasurer. ' ' hh Rev. Dr. Archibald Gray, Chaplain. The Committee of Charity were unanimously re-elected, and also the Stewards of the Festivsll. The officers elect had charge of the arrangements for the Festival which was held on the 30th at the British Coffee House. The company sat down at 4 and rose at 12 P. M. Among the invited guests were His Excellency Sir John Wentwotth, the I r^ NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 66 Admiral, the Bishop of Nova Scotia and the Secretary of the Province. I.; 1797. The Society this year held its position, and even an increased interest appears to have been taken in its affairs, by its large roll of members The meetings all took place at the British Coffee House, and the following were admitted members : — Bobert Nicholl, John Gauld, John MacAlpine, Duncan MacQueen, James Frame, James Barron, Peter MacNab, John MacNab. And the following elected Honorary members : — Captain H. Mowatt, H. M. Ship AssistancCf Captain W. Taylor, H. M. Ship Andromeda, Lieutenant Scott, Do., Lieutenant Chalmers, Do., Doctor Jameison. H. M. Ship Lynx, « The Society again passed a vote of thanks to Wm. Forsyth & Co., members, for their humanity and benevolence in forwarding to Scotland, free of expense, two orphans in their ship Cato. At the November meeting a large amount was devoted to charitable objects, and considerable business, in- volving the interests of the Society, transacted. The following office-bearers were elected: — •• Doctor Duncan Clarke, Prm(ienf, John Bremner, Vice > Do., ^ ' George Grassie and Eobert Lyon, Asst. Do,, William Kidston, Treasurer, .;•"•; ( , 'if'" > ■ ■r. , ■■^- !;■ i: I-'' M r .: lam! ^ AKNAL3 OF THE 1 James Ewing,. Secretary^ John Taylor, AssL Do.^ Committee of Charity — re-elected, Eev. Archibald Gray, Chaplain. The festival was celebrated with great eclat, on the 30bh, and was attended^ as usual, by a large number of the leading men of the country. 1798. It is surprising, in scanning the records of our Society, to observe how the interest was m.aintained in the affairs and routine business of the Association. Ater a term of years of uninterrupted prosperity, the zeal in the duties of such an institution, located in a small community, may be expected to flagg; but it was not so in this case, as the following additions to the roll were mad© during the year : — Donald Munro, Alexander Melvin, Alexander Philips, Thomas Neilson, Thomas Bichardson, Alex. McDougall, Alexander Fraser; Simon Fraser was elected an Honorary Member. This, with a large amount expended by the Charity Committee, serves to show that our fore- fathers looked upon this institution as worthy of attention and building up. At the November meeting, which was attviuded by over 80 members, the following were chosen oflSce-bearers for 1799 : — John Bremner,. iVmc?e?%^, V ) George Grassie, Vice Do. y \ Robert Lyon, \ a * n Matthew Richardson, J ^^*^' ^°" James Thorn, Secretary, James Kidston, Asst. Do., William Kidston, Treasurer, Committee of Charity — continued, Rev. Archibald Gray, Chaplain. John Taylor, Messenger, Archibald Wilson, ) James Barron, > Stewards, James Frame, j The 30th November was honored as usual; a Sermon was preached before the Society by the Chaplain, and the Society dimid together at the British Tavern, then the most noted place of entertainment in the city. 1799. This year was marked by the large attendance on the ordinary and extra meetings of the society on several occasions over one hundred were present. Several shipwrecked mariners were looked after and a great amount of distress alleviated. As this was noted as the most severe winter experienced since the settlement, the charity of the society was every day called upon, and the vital good of the institu- tion was amply exhibited. The meetings were held at the British Coffee House, and at the November meeting the office bearers for 1800 were elected. George Grassie, President, Wm. Smith, Vice Do., Matthew Richardson, ) i . . .7-, , James Thorn, j ^««»«to»< ^o., i! I. 11 r ; 68 ANNALS OF THE K # J Committe of Charity ^ /Stewards, Robert Lyon, Treasurer, James Fraser, Secretary, John Ross, Asst Do., William Hogg, William Annand, James Romans, Robert Lyon, A. Morrison, James Barron, James Wilson, James MacPherson, Rev. Archibald Gray, Chaplain, John Taylor, Messenger. During the year the following were admitted ordinary members :— John Hay, Duncan MacPherson, Hugh MacDonald, John Livingston, Donald Fraser, Alexander Mitchell, Captain Skene, H. M. Ship Dart, was unanimously elected an Honorary Member. ■ The festival was celebrated in the usual style, on the 30th, at the British Coffee House, there being over 100 present. William Robertson, George Donaldson, John Wilson, John James Grant, Thomas Buchanan, Hugh Ritchie. ^ 1800. This year the meetings were held in various places; the Wentworth Coffee House, Prince Edward's Hotel, and the British Coffee House, having been patronized. The Society acquired but two members: - ; . , .i • .^ William Strachan, John MacNaughton. :; I NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 69 A large sum was expended by the Charity Committee. - It may here be noticed, that on the death of a member the Society was summoned to attend, and six appointed pall-bearers, but in consequence of the increasing number of members, the deaths which happened from time to time were not noted on the records. A supply of mourning scarves, gloves, and hat-bands, were always kept on hand, and provided at the expense of the Society. ' ^ At the November meeting, which was attended by over sixty members, the office-bearers were chosen as follows : — "William Smith, President^ James Forman, Vice Do,, Captain Sutherland, ) AsmtantDo., James Eraser, J ' Eobert Lyon, Treasurer, John Ross, Secretary , Daniel Fraser, Assistant Do., Committee of Charity — re-elected. Rev. Archibald Gray, Chaplain, John Taylor, Messenger, > , Several shipwrecked seamen, who otherwise would have been uncared for, were forwarded to Scotland at the Society's expense. The festival was held at the British Tavern, on the 30th, and passed off as usual, well managed, and a complete success. By the Treasurer's Report this year, we find that the Society had now over £500 invested. M, i ' M . .. r ■ 'i 60 ANNALS OF THE 1801. The quarterly meetings were held this year at the British Coffee House, and were well attended, Over £100 was laid out by the Charity Committee- and £50 invested, shewing the funds of the Society to have been well attended to. Nothing of interest otherwise was transacted. Four ordinary members were admitted, viz. : — James Fergus, Alexander Brown, David Shepherd, Thomas Moir. The Hon. William Forsvth became a perpetual member, by the pay men '^ of the usual £10. The Hon. Alexander Brynier made a donation to the Society of £10, he being a perpetual member since 1783, and received the thanks of the members. At the November meeting, the following were elected office-bearers for 1802 : — James Forman, President, James Fraser, Vice Do., Captain Sutherland, ) > • . .7-. William Annand, j ^««»«to''< -^o., Eobert Lyon, Treasurer, Daniel Fraser, Secretary, John Taylor, Assistant Do., Wm. Annand, ] Alex. Morrison, \ ri -^^ r /rt u Bobert Lyon, [ Cb™™»««« "f Cha^V. James Romans, J Rev. Archibald Gray, Chaplain, John Ta.y\or, Messenger, : celebrated The duly by the dining together; this year about 150 sat Society own. NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 61 :e The ordinary subscription to dinners, by vouchers of that date of the Society, appears to have been about £1 5s. sterling. 1802. Under the care of such popular office-bearers, the Society progressed in its good work. A large amount was expended in charity. Amongst the number relieved, we find the name of Rev. Matthew Dripps, who received £20 from the funds. John Liddell and James Grant were admitted ordinary members ; and Vice Admiral Sir A. Mitchell, K. B., Rear Admiral Douglass, Sir Robert Laurie, Captain Oughton, R. N., Alexander Green, were elected Honorary Members. The meetings were well attended, and the festival on the 30th was celebrated at the British Tavern, with great eclat, at a cost of about £250. At the November meeting, the following were elected to office for 1803 :— James Fraser, President, William Lyon, Vice Do., James Thom, ) . j. Robert Lyon, ) ■^^^^' ^^'' Robert Lyon, Treasurer, James Fergus, Secretary, James Grant, Asst Do., Committee of Charity — re-elected, ' Rev. Archibald Gray, Chaplain, -^ , ■4 62 .. I ANNALS OF THE : ' ■ ' 1803. ''■•'' ■■•"■ •"■' ■' ' The meetings of the Society were held, for the first time, at the Jerusalem Oofifee House, a well- patronized and well-kept place of resort. But one ordinary member was admitted : William Bowie. By a statement from the Treasurer, it appears that the following is the correct amount of funds invested : — i Thomas Donaldson's bond for.. .......... .£360 Alexander Clunas do 70 KobertLjron ' do 60 Hands of Treasurer for interest 70 .. • . £550 This sum, with the large amount yearly distri- buted by the charity Committee shows the society's finances to have been in a prosperous condition. The following were elected office bearers at the November meeting which was largely attended, William Lyon. Presidentj James Thom, Vice Do. James Furffus, 1 j . -n ,; John Liddell, j ^f *• ,-°°-'. Sv. one specimen of tlie way in which our insti- tution performed its duty. • . ... •. , At the November meeting the following office- bearers were elected : — . 1 t. t Mr. James Ewing, President, Wm. Annand, Vice do. Peter Robb, \. , Wm. Duffus, ]^^*^- ^^' Bobert Lyon, Treasurer, James Fraser, Secretary. "''''' ' Committee of Charity re-elected, Chaplain, do. The ordinary members admitted, were : — David Ferrie, W. a. Forsyth, John Livingsto*! Three honorary members were elected, viz. ; — Robert Ferguson, Edward Mortimer, William Bannerman. The festival was duly celebrated at the British Coffee House on the 30th, and was attended by a large number of the members. ' 1806. But little of interest is recorded this year, and the attendance at the four quarterly meetings, was not quite up to the usual record. The British Coffee House was patronised this year, by the Society for its meetings. , ^ ; j,. James Donaldson, 2nd, was admitted an ordinary member. About seventy pounds was expended by the Committee of Charity, and it is noticed that many of the parties relieved were either Widows or Orphans of deceased members. At the November meeting the Office Bearers elected were the following : — Charles Geddes, Fresidentf Wm. DufFus, Vice Do., Alx. Morrison, and Wm. Forsyth, Asst Do, Robt. Lyon, Treasurer^ James Forman, /decretory, Geo. Donaldson, Asst. Do., Robt. Lyon, Alex. Morrison, ] Committee Wm. Duffus, Geo. Donaldson, > of Alex. Mitchell, j Charity Rev. Archd. Gray, Chaplain, Thomas Ross, Messenger. Owing to the objections already cited in 1804, the Society had no public dinner or demonstration on the 30th. These entertainments were at first designed to be of a quiet character, and to be simply social re- unions of the Society, but gradually many outside the pale of the association were invited, till at length the guests frequently outnumbered the members. This practise gave great dissatisfaction to many who could not afford the expense of such an enter- tainment as was sometimes provided when the Governor, Judges, and a large list of Military Officials were among the invited guests. In later years many worthy and talented members declined «;■■ ^.'' 1 ' i t ■,'•'. ■ ■ j ' ii ■ ?•? j ^ 68 ANI7ALS OF THE serving as oflSce bearers, for no other reason than that their circumstances did not admit of a display equal |to that of their brother members. There is no [doubt however that the practice had the eflfect of making the institution popular, and had influence in giving it a prominent position. 1807. The Records show a little more activity in the working of the Society this year, than in the pre- ceeding one. The meetings were well attended and took place at the British Coffee House, several ordinary members were admitted who were in after years conspicuous for their zeal in the Societies welfare, their names are : — John Ritchie, John Black, Jr., John Simpson, John Telford, Alex. Smith, And George Grant an old and respected member became a Perpetual member on paying the sum of Ten Pounds. Several immigrants from Scotland landed late in the autumn and were looked after by the Committee of Charity. At the annual meet- ing, which was well attended, the following Office Bearers were chosen : — ' ' . Wm. DvlSms, President, Peter Robb, Vice Do. Wm. Bowie ) ^ -^ James Grant, j Robert Lyon, Treasurer, Alex, ^mith, Secretary, \ John Telford, Asst. Do. - • « - NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 69 Committee of. Charity, ' Alexander Morrison, Alexander Mitchell, ,.• Kobert Lyon, George Donaldson, ' Thomas Donaldson, Chaplain, relected. Statement of Funds, at the Annual Meeting : — Robert Lyon's Bond ..£200 Thomas Donaldson's do 360 On hand for Investment 40 £600 The Festival was celebrated on the 30th, by the Society Dining together at the British Coffee House. 1808. This year the Society relieved many strangers and residents, who were in want, the Charity Com- mittise looked well after the distressed, and were enabled by the grants made at each meeting to uphold the name the Society had made f< r its liberality. Five ordinary members were admitted viz ; — , Alexander Fiddes, John Henry, , Thorn, 3 Mudie, Wm. Bremner, Daniel Sutherland, And G^o. Robinson, Esq., was elected an Honorary Member. At the August meeting the Society made a grant of Fifty Pounds to the Presbyterian Congregation, to enable them to purchase a Par- ' sonage House, this object being considered worthy of the Society's attention. ,vi,..>*-. A, *:■ 70 ANNALS OF THE (|!l! •i ■ At the Annual Meeting it was decided by a large majority to celebrate the Festival by Dining together, and that the office-bearers might not be put to much expense it was decided to have no public guests, the following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for 1809 : — John Black, Presidents, John Liddell, Vice Do., James Ewing, \ . ^ James Thorn, j ^'^^-^o. Robert Lyon, Treasurer, John Telford, Secretary, Alexander Fiddes, Asst. Do., Alexander Morrison, ] Robert Lyon, Alexander Mitchell, George Donaldson, Thomas Donaldson, Rev. Archd. Gray, Chaplain. The Festival was celebrated on the 30th with great satisfaction to the Society. 1809. The meetings were held at the Jerusalem Tavern, and great apparant interest is shown by the Records to have been taken by the members in the working of the Society. One hundred pounds was expended in Charity, and amongst the items we notice a vote of twelve pounds ten shillings to a poor immigrant for the purchase of a horse. The following ordinary members signed the Roll of the Society: — >^ John Bariron, George Mitchell, John Buchan, William Strachan, Jr. Committee y . Charity, \ NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 71 The steady increase of members from year to year, numbering amongst them the most influential men of the Province bears evidence to the fact of the pre- ponderance of the Scottish element in the Colony at the time. At the November meeting, the follow- ing office-bearers were elected : — John Liddell, President, James Irving, Vice Do., James Thom, } a * t\ John Henry,} ^»««- -O"-. Robert Lyon, Treasurer, John Telford, D. Sutherland, /Secretaries, Committee of Charity re-elected. Chaplain, re-elected. The arrangements for the Festival were left with the office-bearers, and was duly celebrated on the 30th, at the Jerusulem Tavern, at which His Excellency Sir Geo. Prevost and suite. General Houghton and suite, and the Heads of Depart- ments were the invited guests, at the expense of the Society. 1810. The Quarterly Meetings were held at the Ma- sonic Hall, they were meagrely attended, but the Committee of Charity looked well after such poor as were entitled to their consideration. Ten ordinary members were admitted, several of whom for a long period served the Society well, viz: — Richard Kidston, Jr. , James Bain, William Kidston, Jr., Michl. McNaughton, .72 ANNALS OF THE John Clark, David Muirhead, ; Samuel Thomson, John Henderson, . Bichard Scott, James Scott, John Tulles. . " ' At the November meeting the office-bearers for 1811 were elected as follows : — James Ewing, President, James Thorn, Vice Do., Wmiam^Bwie, } ^**'- Vio^' Presidents, Robert Lyon, TreasureVf James Telford, ) o ^ • William Bremner, P««'"«'«"«'' Rev. Arch. Gray, Chaplain, Committee of Charity, re-elected. No arrangements having been made for the Festival, it was passed by this year unnoticed. 1811. At the Exchange Coffee House the meetings of this year were held, but no members were acquir- ed, the Committee of Charity were as usual actively employed, as there were several families of immi- grants in want. The great good of such a national charitable organization as this Society proved itself at this time, as the ordinary charity of the city was quite inadaquate for the wants of the poor immigrants who were landing on our shores, nearly all in want of assistance. Numbers who had been unfortunate, or who getting old, and in poor cir- cumstances, wished to return to their native country to end their days with their friends, were NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 73 Committee of. Charity, forwarded home by the Society, who otherwise would have died miserable in the land of the stranger. At the November meeting which was well attended, the following gentlemen were chosen to govern the Society for 1812 : — James Thom, Fresidentf John Henry, Vice do, William Bowie, ) ^ . tt- -d -j a Bichard Kidston j ^*'* Vxce-PrmdenU, Bobert Lyon, Treasurer ^ William JBremner, Secretary ^ George Mitchell, Asst. do. Alexander Morrison, William Duffus, Thomas Donalduon, John Black, Alexander Mitchell, Rev. Arch. Gray, Chaplain. The arrangements for celebrating the 30th November was Jeft with the officers elect, and was duly honoured by the Society dining together at the Masonic Hall. The Governor and suite, and other notables being invited, and present on that occasion. 1812. The meetings were held at the Exchange Coffee House, and were largely attended. The following ordinary members were admitted : — James RusselU, George N. Russel, John Farquharson, James Gordon. ii-fr 74 ANNALS OF THE The Charity Committee expended a large sum as there were many applications for relief. We notice also that the society loaned a poor member £12, to be repaid when possible, without interest. A commendable act. £40 was funded this year, in addition to the large amount already at interest. The following were elected office bearers at the November meeting : — James Thom, President, John Henry, Vice Do., Wm. Bowie, } a j rz- j Eichard Kidston, ] ^''^- ^''' ^- Robt. Lyon, Treasurer, Wm. Bremner, Secretary, Geo. Mitchell, Asst. Do. Committee of Charity re-elected, Chaplain, do. The society dined together on the 30th at the Exchange Coffee House. No public guests men- tioned. 1813. The society this year held four interesting meet- ings at The Exchange, great harmony is apparent, as nearly all questions submitted, were passed unanimously. The following were admitted mem- bers : — William Murray, Patrick Ross, James Hogg, Henry Ford, William Daling, Alexander Grant, Arch. McDonald, David Dundas, Daniel Grant, James Grant, W^^?^^»lyV NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 75 J The sum of £9^53. Od. was voted to Mr. James Ewing, an old and popular member of the society, who had fallen into want. Nearly £100 was expended by the Committee of Charity. At the August maeting, Mr. John MofFatt was elected an honorary member. And the follow- ing gentlemen were, at the annual meeting, chosen office-bearers for 1814 : — James Forman, President, Bichard Kidston, Vice Do. James Bain, 1 ^ . tt- j Alex. Fidaes, | ^*»'- ^"" '^°- Robert Lyon, Treasurer , George Mitchell, Saretary, John Buchan, Asst. do., F. Mudie, 1 James Smith, | Alex. Mitchell, \ Committee of Charity. Robert Lyon, | Jas. Donaldson, J Rev. Arch, Gray, Chaplain, The Festival was duly honored by the society dining together at the Masonic Hall, about one hundred members being present. 1814. Under such a popular President as Mr: James Forman, the society, as might be expected, kept well up to the mark in usefulness and vigor, a large number were admitted as ordinary members, as the following list will testify : — Duncan McColl, James Leishman, John McPherson, Thomas Gentles, 76 ANNALS OF THE John Munro, John Scobie, . ; . John Roy, . •; Adam Ross, Stewart Wallace, Duncan McFarlane, John Fraser, Andrew Mills, Alex. May. Jas. McNab, (Hon.) the present Father of the Society. Among the gentlemen named above will be noticed several who were noted for their attention during long lives, to the business and carrying out of the objects of our institution. Samuel Muirhead was elected a Perpetual member. Over £80 was expended in charity. A committee was appointed to look over the bye- laws but reported at the November meeting that no addition or alterations a re necessary, but recom- mended that the society authorize the printing of 300 copies which was approved off and ordered to be carried into effect. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows : — Richard Kidston, Jr., President, James Bain, Vice do., Alexander Fiddes, ) a . tt- j Henry Ford, j ^»**- ^"" ^"^ Robt. Lyon, Treasurer, Geo. Mitchell, ] n . . John Buchan, } '^'«»-«to"««. Alex. Ross, Messenger. The Society celebrated St. Andrew's by the usual dinner at the Masonic Hall, which was well attended. This year the President was empowered to pro- cure a Silver Seal (or the use of the society. NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 77 1815. The quarterly and special meetings were held at the Masonic Hall. The following ordinary mem- bers signed the Roll : — Geo. Muirhead, Robert Penny, Andrew Nisbet, Peter McNab, David Walker, Chas. Dunbrack, James Donaldson, Geo. Innis, William Scott, James McCormack, Dunbar D. Stewart, Robert Brebner, . James Dechman, Alex. Murdoch, And the following gentlemen became perpetual members : — The President, Richard Kidston, Jr., James Ewing. Richard Kidston, Glasgow, Wm. Kidston, Esq., At Ihe February meeting, £32, was voted to applicant for charity. The thanks of the society was passed to R. Kidston, Esq., for the handsome manner in which he conducted the last festival. A vote of thanks was also passed to Mr. Robt. Field, for painting and presenting to the society a tran- parency of St. Andrew. At this meeting the society voted £62 19s. 3d. from the funds to defray the cost of curtains for the Masonic Hall, the society in con- sideration thereof to have the use of the Hall for the meetings for six ensuing years, by agreement with John Albro, Deputy Grand Master of the Masonic Body, for the Province. The President presented the society with two 78 ANNALS OF THE handsome Ivory Mallets, with the following inscription : — ** Presented by Richard Kidston, Jr., TO TIIK NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY, 30th November, 1814." This year the society lost two of its officers. The Treasurer, Robert Lyon, who had held the office for a long number of years, and Mr. Mudie, Asst. Secre- tary. Jas. Thorn was elected Treasurer, and Alex. May, Asst. Secretary, for the remainder of the year. At the May meeting £33 was voted to applicants. On Thursday 31st August a special meeting was called by the President to take into consideration the propriety of voting a sum of money for the re- lief of the families of the slain, in the late glorious victory of WATERLOO. A large meeting answered the summons and One Hundred Pounds was unanimously voted toward that object which amount was ordered to be paid by the President into the hands of H. H. Cogswell, Esq., Treasurer of the fund. At the August Quarterly meeting over £50 was voted to the Committee of Charity for distribution. The society also voted a new set of Scarves for the officers of the Institution. At the November meeting^ the following office-bearers were appointed for 1816 : — Richard Kidston, Jr., re-elected President. William Bowie, Vice do. NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 79 :s Duncan McColl, ) a * ^ Wm. Kidston, } ^''^' ^^•' Jamefl Thorn, 'Treasurer, Alex. K088, MeascngeVf James Thorn, ] David Muirhead, Alexander Phillips, [ Committee of Charity, John Farquharson, ( Wm. Forsyth, J John Munro, j ^O'^- M collectng back dues. £20 was voted to applicants at the November meeting. The society celebrated the festival by the annual dinner at Masonic Hall, which passed of very pleasantly. 1816 Was certainly not behind any of its predecessors in interest The meetings were held at the Masonic Hall, as per agreement. At the February meeting a matter without precedent in the socidty's history occurred. One of the members (William Anderson,) having dissented from the almost unanimous vote of donating £100 to the Waterloo fund, wrote an insulting letter to the President, calling into question the legality of the vote and reflecting on the President's position in 4he matter. Mr. Anderson was called upon by the society to apologise, but he refusing to do so, was, by the unanimous vote of the large meeting of members present expelled. At this meeting thirty 80 ANNAL3 OP THE . : -J- t pounds was voted to charitable objects. At the May meeting, four gentlemen were proposed whose namo deserve particular notice, three of whom passed through the Presidental chair of the society. John Young, (afterwardd Hon.) proposed by Mr. FarquLarson, Alex. Stewart, (Judge,) " John Liddell, Archibald Sinclair, " Mr. Farquharson, Alex. Primrose, " Mr. McOoll. At this meeting £23 was voted to the Charity Committee for distribution. At the November meeting a committee consisting of the following gentlemen was appointed to convey to His Ex- cellency the Earl of Dalhousie a copy of the rules of the society : — Hon. John Black, Richard Kidston, Jr., Michl. Wallace, James Eraser, James Stewart, James Forman, John Brown, Matthew Eichardson, , Wm. Bowie. The following were elected office-bearers for the ensuing year: — William Bowie, Fresident, Alexander Fiddes, Vice do. Duncan McOoll, \j Vice-President " George Mitchell, J^^*^* •'^^'^ -^-miacnJ, James Thom, Treasurer, James Russell, ] o * • . George Mitchell, j Secrdanes, • Rev. Arch. Gray, Chaplain, > ; '■;■■■■ ^ Thomas Ross, Messenger, v i NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 81 Committee Charity, . , James Thorn, David Muirhead, Alex. Phillips, William Forsyth, John Brown, A large committee was appointed to arrange for the Festival. Wm. Bowie, proposed Peter Donald- son, and Kobt. M. Brown, as ordinary members, to be ballotted for in February ensuing. The ordinary members admitted during the year were : — John Young, Archibald Sinclair, Alex. Stewart, Alex. Primrose, Dr. Wm. Petrie, Duncan McQueen, Matthew Forrester, The annual dinner was a most brilliant afifair. The Earl of Dalhousie, the Bishop of Nova Scotia, the Presidents of the Sister Societies, Heads of Departments, General and Suite, and other dis- tinguished guests being present. The President elect vacated the chair in favor of thj Hon. Michael Wallace on this occasion, who ably dis- charged the honours ot Chairman the of Festival. 1817. The Society held its Meetings at the Masonic Hall. At the February meeting, the committee of gentlemen appointed to wait upon His Excellency the Earl of Dalhousie, reported that they had done so, and had been graciously received, and Bichard Kidston, Jr., read the following communi- cation addressed to him as the President of the preceeding year. m . 82 ANNALS OF THE Halifax, 9th January, 1817. Sir, — I have requested my aide-camp. Major Cooper, to call upon you to know whether I may not be ad- mitted an Honorary, or Perpetual Member of the North British Society, in offering a small dona- tion to their charitable fund. I beg further to request, you .vould do myse f and Lady Dalhousie, the favor to acquaint us with any particular case of distress among our countrymen or woman that may require further aid. I am Sir with much respect. Yours faithfully, (Signed) Dalhcusie. ElCHARD KiDSTON, Jr., EsQ,, President N. B. Societv. T|ie above flattering note was accompanied by the liberal donation of twenty pounds to the funds. To which Mr. Kidston sent the following replv. ■ " ' ' ' I . I I ■ , . - J i I • - r r '. . I 1 Halifax, 9th January, 1817. My Lord, — I have this moment, had the honour to receive your Lordship's letter, and beg to acknowledge your liberal donation to the North British Societv of Halifax, who will be proud to consider your Lordship as a perpetual member of this charitable institution. Permit me in the name of the Society, to return your Lordship their warmest thanks for this testimony of your beneficense, and to express their NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 83 fevont wishes, that your Lordship and amiable Countess may long enjoy every happiness that this world can afford. The Society will not fail in complying with the request, of your Lordship and Lady Dalhousie, in the event of any particular case of distress occuring to our countrymen or women, that may require any further aid than is provided for by the Rules of the Institution. I have the honour to remain, My Lord, Your very respectful and » Obliged humble servant, (Signed) Richard Kidston, Jr. To His Excellency, The Right Hon. the Earl of Dalhousie, Halifax. The Earl was unanimously elected a perpetual member. The following gentlemen were admitted ordinary members : — Robert M. Brown, Peter Donaldson, Alexander Malcom, Thomas Muirhead, Alexander Sim, George Hamilton, Hector McDonald, 1st, James Johnston, Hector McDonald, 2nd, Colin Wilson, George Craigen, Alexander Boyd^ And the following as Honorary Members, Lieut. James Duffus, R. N.J Andrew Moffat, (Antigua) William Leslie, New York^ The following perpetual memibers were, added this year, ■ — ^ .- ^^ .iii^„rii.sJf'^,. joit^L.^ 84 ANNAL8 OF THE LV. General the Eight Hon. Earl of Dalhousie, xiatthew Richardson, John Dempster, Robert Lyon, Esq., At the ITovembor meeting the Treasurer laid before the Society the annual statement, showing the funds to amount to four hundred pounds, which aum was held by Lieut. James DufFus, secured by mortgage and bond, dated 8th December, 1815. A large surplus, considering the large amounts disbursed for various objects during the past five years, the quarterly reports show that over one hundred pounds was distributed by the charitable committee during the year. The following office bearers were elected for 1818, viz : — Alexander Fiddes, President y Duncan McColl, Vice do. George Mitchell, ) ^^^^ ^ John Dempster, j * '' George Mitchell, Treasurer, S'Ceretaries, Committee of. Charity. Illr.' James Russell, Hector McDonald, Peter Robb, ] Alex. Phillip, [ James Smith, )■ Patrick Ross, Geo. Hamilton, j Rev, Arch. Gray, D.D., Chaplain, At this meeting, tv/o Hon. Gentlemen were pro- posed for membership, Hon. Brenton Halliburton, Hon. S. G. W. Archibald, On the 30th November, a most magnificent Festival was held at the Masonic Hall, about NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 85 one hundred and fifty members and guests present. Hon. James Fraser, presided on this occasion, as Alexander Fiddes, Esq., the President elect, vacated for the time the chair in his favour. i8ia The Quarterly meetings were held at the Masonic Hall. The Charity Committee appear to have been well employed, as several Scotchmen were forwarded to Scotland, and a long list of names recievod relief each quarter. At the May meeting a communication was received from his Excellency the Earl of Dalhousie, enclosing a letter from the Highland Society of Scotland, requesting aid in publishing a dictionary of th« Celtic Language, this was at onoe attended to, and ^ committ-ee consisting of, James Forman, Edward Mortimer^ Duncan McColl, Arch. McDonald, were appointed to solicit subscriptions, and over one hundred pounds was raised in Halifax, and transmitted to Edinburgh. At the November meeting, among others proposed for membership, wo notice that of a gentleman who has proved a most indefatigable member and a most popular man with the Society, and his Townsmen, James Forman, Jr., proposed by the Hon. James Fra,ser, The following ordinary members were this year admitted, '.' ;)' l.i !l ' 86 ANNALS OF THE Hon. B. Halliburton, Robt. ^. Bigby, Hon. S. G. W. Archibald, Joseph Mundell. The Eev. Donald A. Fraser was elected an Honorary member, and John Williamson, Esq., John Brown, Esq., Alex. Eraser, Esq., (Miramichi.) became perpetual members. Over ninty pounds was disbursed this year in charity, and the follow- ing gentlemen were elected office-bear cjrs for 1819, Hon. Brenton Halliburton, President, George Mitchell, Vice Do. Geo. Mitchell, Treasurer, James Eussell, Secretary, Hector McDonald, Assistant Do., peter Robb, Alex. Philips, Patk. Boss, George Hamilton, George Craigen, Rev, Arch. Gray, D.D., Cha2ilain, James McNab, | Collectors of Matthew Forrester, J Back Lues, Committee "/. Charity, A large committee was appointed to arrange for the festival, which was duly celebrat^^d at the Masonic Hall, about two hundred were present, the Earl of Dalhousie, the Heads of Departments, and a large number of the Military, with the Presidents and Vice Presidents of the Sister Societies, were the invited guests. NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 87 We notice this year that a copy of the rules of which a new edition had been printed by Howe & Co., was sent to each member. The meetings this year were well attended, average attendance about sixty at each quarterly meeting. 1819. We notice that a special meeting was called to take into consideration the claim of a Mr. John Scobie, of Arichat, on the society's charity he having lost his house and barn by fire, the sum of £15, was granted for his relief. A large amount was distributed by the Committee of Charity, during the year. . The following gentlemen were admitted ordinary members : — James Forraan, Jr., Bobert Duncan, Charles S. Gray, Adam Esson, John Boyd, ^ James Boss, Donald McLennan, James Forester, James Fraser, Jr., And the Hon. John Black became a Perpetual Member of the society. At the November meeting among other orders we notice that a box be prepared to hold the trans- parency of St. Andrew, presented to the society and noticed in a previous year. This year Messrs. Ounard and DufFus became securities for Lieut. James Duffus, B.N., who holds part of the society's funds in his bond for £400, dated Dec. 8th, 1815. m !l!i| \ t m The following were elected ofl&ce-bearers for 1820:— James Forman, Tresident, John Dempster, Vice Do., Chas. S. Gray, ) a ^ t^ G. N. Eusseli; j ^»*'- •^''•' Geo. Mitchell, Treasurer, H. McDonald, Secretary,. James Forman, Jr., Asst. Do., Committee of Charity, re-elected, Bev. Arch. Gray, D.D., Chaplain. The festival was duly celebrated on the 30th by the usual dinner, which was well attended the members turning out in great numbers on the occasion. 1820. The Quarterly meetings were well attended, and took place at Masonic Hall, about £70 was distributed by the Committee of Charity. A considerable amount of back dues were collected by the committee appointed for that purpose. The following gentlemen were admitted during the year as ordinary members :— John McKenzie, Duncan Black, Allan McDonald, Thomas C. Allan, David Henderson, John McLean, William Wallace, Thomas Laidlaw, David Johnson, Alex. A. Ferguson, Samuel Mitchell. And the following as honorary members : — NORTH liRITISlI SOCIETY. 89 Archibald McNiven, Eov. Colin P. Grant, At the November meeting the following office- bearers were appointed for 1821 : — The father of the Society, ) -n - 1 j. Hon. Michael Wallace, \ ^^^^^^i, Geo. N. Kussell, Viae do., S. G. W. Archibald, ) . , , Alexander May, J ■^''^' ^^' Geo. Mitchell, Treasurer, James Forman, Jr., Secretary, Duncan Black, Asst. do. Peter Robb, Alex. Phillips, Patrick Ross, Geo. Hamilton, Geo. Craigen, Rev. Arch. Gray, D.D., Chaplain. The 30th was celebrated by a grand dinner at the Masonic Hall, and was as usual the event of the season. 1821. Committee of Charity. The meetings were held at the Exchange Coffee House, the six year agreement having expired for holding them at the Masonic Hall, and the Exchange being preferred by the members. About £60 was voted for charitable purposes by the society during the yoar. And the following ordinary members were acquired : — John Forman, Hunter St. Andrews, John Eraser, Jas. Cruikshanks, W. B. Robertson. &. i ! Hll'l'! i ' Sill?! 90 ANNALS OF THE It is to be noticed that among those relieved by the society, were to be found widows of former members, whose names are recorded as regular pensioners. Those cases had been under discussion for several years. It was decided that although strictly speaking the charity of the society was for transient distress, yet those widows claims could not be disregarded, and so they were kept on from year to year. At the November meeting, the society made choice of the following gentlemen for office-bearers : — Geo. N. Bussell, President, S. G. W. Archibald, Vice do. Alexander May, ) . j. Jas. Forman, Jr., J ^^^'^ ^^'^ Geo. Mitchell, Treasurer, Duncan Black, Secretary, David Johnson, Asst, do,. Committee of Charity, re-elected, Chaplain, do., Thomas Eoss, Messenger, The festival was celebrated on the 30th at Masonic Hall, and is noticed as ''a most successful and harmonious re-union." 1822. Four capital meetings were held this year at the Exchange Coffee House. The thanks of the society was voted to David Henderson, a member who composed the song Caledonia, which was sung at the anniversary meeting of 30th November, by Mr. NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 91 Dompstor. It was also unanimously agreed that the author ho ro(|uostecl to furnish tho Secretary with a copy of this admired production, to be filed with tho papers of tho society. Tho following well known and deservedly popular gentlemen were proposed at tho February meeting, viz. : — Eobt. Noble, proposed by Geo. Mitchell, Alex. Keith, " " Jas. Cruickshanks. A vacancy having occurred in the Committee of Charity in consequence of the death of Potcr Eobb. William Strachan volunteered and was ac- cepted to fill the same for the remainder of the year. About £80 was distributed by the Committee of Charity. At the November meeting the Treasurer presented the following statement of the funds of the society. Lieut. James DufFus Moi igage and Bond, £400 Interest, 24 Cash on hand for Investment 87.8.1. £511.8.1. A large amount considering the great call made every quarter on the funds by the Charity Committee. The following ordinary members were admitted during the year : — Kobt. Noble, Alex. Keith, Edward "Wallace, Andrew D. Russell, Hector McLennan, Andrew Mitchell, At the November meeting a large number of the members attended, and after the ordinary business IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) // .^/ &^ /- ^ .*^^ (A Si 1.0 ■50 "^ ^ u& titMU U£ ■ 2.0 llllli^s Kill 1.6 I.I 1.25 vl / Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MUSN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 # iV ;V \\ Po ^-\ ^o^ liil- 92 ANNALS OF THE had been despatclied, they proceeded to elect office- bearers for the ensuing year, when the following gentlemen were chosen : — S. G. W. Archibald, L. L. D., President, Alex. May, Vice do., James Forman, Jr., Sen. Asst. do., Duncan Black, Junr. Asst. do., Geo. Mitchell, Treasurer, Andrew D. Eussell, Secretary, Eobt. Noble, Asst. do., Patrick Ross, 1 William Strachen, | George Craigen, \ Committee of Charity. George Hamilton, George Inn is, Rev. Arch. Gray, D.D., Chaplain, Thomas Ross, Messenger, The office-bearers were appointed a committee to arrange for the anniversary. The festival was celebrated by the annual dinner at Masonic Hall, at which a large number of invited guests sat down with the members. S. G. W. Archibald in the chair. The band of the 74th Regiment occupied the orchester. No less than thirty-one toasts given from the chair, were drank, beside volunteer ones from parties present. All passed off harmoniously and with credit to all con- cerned. 1823. The meetings which were well attended, were held at the Exchango Coflfee House, about one hundred pounds was voted to applicants, many of NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 93 whom were the widowed pensioners before noticed. The names of two gentlemen proposed at the February meeting this year, deserve notice. Alex. McLeod, proposed by Alex. May, John Strachan, do. do. James Smith. These two were noted in after years for their steady attention to the society's interests, and for the faithful discharge of duties as committee men of the institution. At the November meeting, the Rev. John Martin, was proposed as an Honorary Member by Robert Noble, and elected by acclamation. The Rev. Gentlemen named, was a well known clergyman connected with the Presbyterian body in this Province. Combining great talents, with the enthusiasm of an ardent lover of his country, he possessed that calm self sacrificing disposition, that made him especially popular with his countrymen throughout the Province. He died universally regretted in February 1865. The members admitted during this year were, Alex. McLeod, William Sutherland, Esq., James Dechman, Rev. John Mai tin, John Strachan, John Lyle. By the annual statement produced by the Trea- surer at the November meeting, the funds amount to £531, 4 1. The following gentlemen were elected by a large meeting, to preside over the Society for 1824. Alex. May, President, James Form an, Jr., Vice President, Duncan Black, Sen. Asst. do., tmmmivmw^ 94 ANNALS OF THE A. D. Russell, Junr. Asst. do., Geo. Mitchell, Treasurer, Robt. Noble, Secretary, Robert M. Brown, A^st. do. , Thomas Ross, Messenger, Committee of Charity, re-elected. A large committee was selected to arrange for the national festival which was duly celebrated, at Masonic Hall on the 30th, about one hundred and forty present. :ir'i, llij ; 1824. Under the able Presidency of Mr. May, the society this year appears to have transacted even more than the general average of business, the meetings were held at the Exchange Coflfee House, were well attended, and over ninety pounds voted to the Committee of Charity for distribution. The follow- ing gentlemen were admitted during the year as ordinary members : George Little, Dr. John Sterling, Charles Alexander, Robert Robertson, John Fraser, 2nd., Andrew Crawford, Alexander Ross, James Pettigrew, Charles Coventree, John McKenzie, John McNie., One honorary member was elected, John Forman Esq., and Winck worth Allan, an old and esteemed member residing in London, became a perpetual member, by paying the fee of ten pounds. - NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 95 This year the SnufF Mulls were stolen from the chest in which they were deposited, and the silver mountings containing the inscriptions torn away, the Mulls were subsequently recovered, and the Society ordered new mountings with similar inscrip- tions to be procured for them. Several shipwrecked mariners were forwarded to Scotland, and a great amount of good effected by the active Committee of Charity. At the annual meeting the following office-bearers were chosen to preside over the Society for 1825 : James Forman, Jr., President, Duncan Black, Vice Do. A. D. Eussell, Sen. Asst. Vicc-Prsidentf 'Robert 'Noble, Junr. do. do. do. Robert M. Brown, Secretary, Samuel Mitchell. Asst. do. George Mitchelj, Treasurer. Patrick Ross, William Strachan, George Craigen, George Hamilton, George Monroe, Commitice of . Charity. Alex. McLeod, 1 ^ v^ ^ n n ^' D. McLennan, I Committeefor Collechng James Dechmkn, j ^^^ck Dues. The Festival was a most grand affair. A large number sat down with the President, Mr, May, and the company must have enjoyed them- selve exceedingly, as the Nova Scotian Newspaper in noticing the event, mentions that the company sat down at 7 P. M., and did not seperate until t|i;ii i ,il in* i!' il! 96 ANNALS OF THE '' the horses of the Sun wei'e spurring with their glittering harnass up the eastern horizon." 1825. This year the meetings were held at the Masonic Hall, and by the exertions of the office-bearers much good was effected. At the February meeting, two gentlemen were proposed, who in after years were honored for their steadfast attachment to the Society's interests, by being placed in the chair, viz : James Thomson, proposed by James Smith, Esq., James F. Gray, proposed by Alex. May, Esq., About eighty pounds was expended in Charity, and during the year the following honorary members were elected, Capt. Houston Stewart, H. S. Ship Menai, (afterward Admiral on this station.) Capt. Archibald Stewart, Kifle Brigade, Capt. C. Fitzroy McLean, 81st Begt. Duncan McColl, Esq., And the following gentlemen were admitted ordinary members, Clement H. Fife, James Thomson, John Eobb, Jas. F. Gray, David Spence, Wm. Kandick. During the year a considerable amount of busi- ness was transacted, and at the Auguut meeting it was passed unanimously that in future when the NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 07 sum of five pounds is drawn upon the Treasurer, the order must be signed by all the Committee of Charity. At the November meeting the society proceeded to elect office-bearers : — John Williamson, was elected President, Andrew D. Russell, Vice do., But Mr. Russell declining the office, and the Pre- sident being unavoidably absent, the election of office-bearers was potponed and a special meeting was called for that purpose on Thursday 10th Nov., the President, James Forman, Jr., in the chair, when the following were chosen : — John Williamson, President, Robert Noble, Vice Do., R. M. Brown, Senr. Do., Jas. F. Gray, Junr. Do., Andrew Mitchell, Treasurer, Samuel Mitchell, Secretary, Edward Wallace, Asst Do., William Strachan, ' Geo. Craigen, Geo. Hamilton, j- Committee of Charity. Geo. Innes, Robt. F. Bigby, Thos. Ross, Messenger, Alex. McLeod | Committee for eolleeting James Dechman, ^ lack due,. ^ D. McLennan, J At this meeting the President, James Forman, Jr. proposed the following gentlemen : George R. Young, William Young, Thos. Foreman. Charles D. Archibald, ■ri! 'Sii .1 ' 11' ''11 1 1 > 1' ! iii I 98 ANNALS OF THE A most enthusiastic celebration was held on the 30th, the dinner was largely attended, over 30 toasts were given from the chair. The company separated highly pleased with the entertainment. 1826. The society met at Masonic Hall. About £80 was voted to applicants. Amongst other transactions we notice the unanimous thanks of the society, were " voted to Alex. McLeod and the com- mittee, for the collecting of backdues and for their assiduous attention to the duties the have resulted so successfully during the past year." The thanks of the society was also given to Jas. Dechman, Jr., for his exertions in recovering posses^! "'i of the old books of the society, which had been for y ^a^s miss- ing, the following gentlemen were admitted ordinary members during the year : — William Young, (now Chief Justice), George K. Young, Thomas For man, James D. Fraser, Eobt. Eomans, 0. D. Archibald, William Gossip, James Purvis. One honorary member was elected, Francis A thole, Master Mariner. At the November meeting the following gentlemen were chosen to govern the society for 1827 : — John Young, President, Samuel Mitchell, Vice do., James F. Gray, Sen, Asst. do., Y Edward Wallace, Junr, Asst. Do., NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 99 "Wm. Young, Secretary, G. R. Young, j'lssi. do^ Wm. Strachan, Alex. Keith, Allaii McDonald, \ Committer of Charity, Robt. Bigby, George Innes, [ Andrew Mitchell, Treasurer, Alex. McLeod, ] D. McLennen, > Committee of hack dues, Jas. Dechman, J Thos. Robs, Messenger, It was unanimously agreed to dine together on the 30th, in honour of St. Andrew. On that occasion a large number assembled at the Masonic Hall, to h( nour the Saint, the band of the 52nd at- tended and added to the happiness of the evening. The journals of the day notice ii favourably, and chronicle it as a most happy re-union. The memoi y of King George, the health of the present Monarch, with the memories and healths of over twentv representatives, which their majesties had kindly sent us for the past fifty years, were respectively drank, over thirty toasts were given from the chair and several volunteer toasts from the company made the time go swiftly on to the separation, which took place as usual, harmoniously, 1827. This year the society had at its head a most able and talented gentleman, who under the nom de plume of Agricola, wrote those remarkable letters on Agriculture which have been the admira- ■f- 'ii 100 ANNALS OF THE tion of all who have read them, and which procured for him that jx)sitioii in the Province that his brilliant and varied talents deserved. The Hon. John Young, as President with his two statesmen sons, Wm. and Geo. R. as Secretaries, formed a trio of ability among the office-bearers never since equalled in the history of the society. During the year, John Richardson, James Lessell, Wm. Crawford, William Mills, Peter Manson, John Farquhar, Alex. Barry, were admitted ordinary members, over £80 was expended by the Charity Committee. At the November meeting a much respected gentleman was proposed by John Robb, viz.: Peter Grant, long after known for his zealous attention as a Committee man. The following office-bearers were chosen for 1828 :~ Samuel Mitchell, Presidentj Tlios. Williamson, Vice Do., Wm. Young, ISenr. Asst. Do., James Purvis, Junr. Asst Do., A ndrew Mitchell, Treasurer, Geo. R. Young, Secretary, J. W. C. Brown, Asst. Do., Alex. Keith, Jas. Dechman, Geo. Innis, R. F. Bigby, Robt. M. Brown, Thos. Ross, Messenger, Committee of Charity, \ NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 101 Tho thanks of the society were given to Wm. Strachan, for his prai.scworthy attention to his duties while on tho Committee of Charity. Tho society celebrated the 30th by dining together at tho Masonic Hall, it was as usual a splendid enter- tainment, and reflected credit on the management. 1828. The society's meetings were well attended and were held at the Exchange CoflPee House. During the year several gentlemen were added to the roll of members, who for many years after were dis- tinguished for their enthusiasm in the society's working, viz. : Wm. Grant for several years Mar- shall, and a most active member of the Committee of Charity. William Murdoch, afterward chosen President, Peter Grant, Adam Reid, Walter Robb, Daniel McKay, George Thompson, Eev. John Scott, for many years joint Chaplain with Eev. John Martin, who after a most exemplary life and faithful discharge of his duties as Pastor of St. Matthew's Presbyterian congregation, finished his course in March 1864. About £20 was voted each quarter to applicants for charity, and great interest was dis- played in every meeting. At the annual in Novem- ber the following were chosen office-bearers for 1829:— ■ ' Thos. Williamson, President y ,:] Wm. Young, Vice Do. j - I : 102 ANNALS OF THE **• Geo. E. Young, /Venr. Asd. Do j James F. Gray, Junr. Do, Do.^ J. W. 0. Brown, Secretary ^ John Strachan, Asst. Do., Andrew Mitchell, Treasurer, Geo. Inness, ) Alex. Keith, J Committee Eobt. F. Bigby, i of Bobt. M. Brown, ( Charity ^ Jamea Dechman, J James Grant, Messenger. At this meeting the former Messenger, Thomas Ross attended and handed in the following letter, which the secretary was directed to insert in the minutes as an evidence of the good feeling of the writer toward the society (of which ho had been Messenger for thirty years, but being too infirm to continue the duties, was at his own request superseded). To the members of the North British Society, Gentlemen, — Thirty years have elapsed since I came amongst you, and it has pleased God to spare me a living monument of his mercy, until I have now arrived at the advanced age of eighty-six years. Gentle- men, suffer me to return my grateful thanks for your unmerited goodness toward me. You have kindly overlooked all the failings of my age and have not sent me away comfortless. I most sincerely wish you all happiness, and may unity concord and good order ever prevail in the North British Societv, while there is a Scotch bairn in io. NOKTII BRITISH SOCIKTY. 103 I have only one favor to a.sk of you, — to permit mo tho con' fort of attending your |)iiblic meetings ao long as it pleases God to Rpare me, I am, Gentlemen, Ac, Thomas Rosh. Tho President assured Mr. Ross that the society complied most readily with his wishes. The festival was celebrated by the usual dinner at the Exchange Coffee House, it was a mast brilliant aflfair the mirth and jollity being increased by the fine band of the 9Gth Regt. and the soul-stirring notes of the Pibroch which enlivened the evening. 1829. The meetings were held this year at the Ex- change Coffee House. Se\^eral well known gentle- men were added to the Roll, viz : — Andrew Mackinlay, John Watt, for over thirty years Treasurer, John Eraser, James Thomson, James Nichol, and Liut. Col. Duncan McDougall, Inspecting Field Officer of Militia, was admitted an honorary member, whose admission was moved by G. R. Young, Esq., seconded by Alexander Fiddes, Esq. About ninety pounds was distributed"in Charity, and at the November meeting, which was a very large one, the election of office-bearers for 1830 resulted as follows : — George N. Russell, President, Robert M. Brown, Vice do. James F. Grav, Senr. Asst. do. W. Billop Robertson, Junr. Asst. do. i \ 'II' ' i ':'il' 104 ANNALS OF THE Andrew Mitchell, Treasurer, John W. 0. Brown, ) o * • James Lessen, j ^'^etanes, Committee of Charity, re-appointed, John Watt, ) Committee for John Farquhar, j back dues. The Festival was held on the 30th, at the Exchange CoiFee House, and the dinner reflected the greatest credit on Mr. Keefler, caterer. The usual number of Toasts from the chair (over thirty) were given, and as the two gentleman at the head of the Society, G. N. Eussell, and E. M. Brown, were universal favorites, the society well supported them on the occasion, and finally separated at about 3 o^clock in the morning. 1830. The Records of this year show that the members turned out well to the four quarterly meetings, that over one hundred pounds, was voted to the Charity Committee for disbursment, and that the greatest unanimity was displayed in the working of the institution by the members. During the year the following gentlemen were admitted : James Malcom, Robert Downs, Rev. Thomas Aitken, W. G Anderson, 'Angus Fraser, Wm. Mills, and Charles D. Archibald, being about to leave the Province, v/as unanimously elected an honorary member, also Charles Coventree, Master Mariner, and Charles Brodie, a resident of Manchester England. The thanks of the Society were this liORTII BRITISH SOCIETY. 105 year given to John Watt, and Jolin Farquhar, the committee of back dues for their exertions and success in collecting a large amount almost con- sidered lost to the society. At the November meeting the following gentlemen were elected office bearers for 1831. At this meeting the office bearers were proposed by ballot, it being specially mention- ed that Tickets were passed to each member to propose such candidates as they approved of. The following gentlemen were declared duly elected, Robert M. Brown, President, Alexander Keith, Vice do. William Billop Robertson, Senr. Asst. do. George R. Young, Junr. do. do. Archibald Sinclair, Secretary, Angus Fraser, Asst. do. Andrew Mitchell, Treasurer, Robert Noble, Alexander Keith, G. N. Russell, James Dechman, Robert J. Bigby, James Thomson, Thomas Laidlaw, ' Commitle of Charity. } Coynmittee of hack dues James Grant, Messenger, The unanimous thanks of the Society were voted to the retiring office bearers. The Festival was duly celebrated at the Exchange Coffee House, and was well attended by the Scotchmen of the city and their guests. This was a grand dinner, and as is recorded of the first meetings of \\\q institu- tion, niirth,jollity and ancient scotch songs prevail- pir -mi m 106 ANNALS OF THE ed during the evening, and our next merry meeting was given from the 6hair to a most enthusiastic company, who separated at an early hour with their attachment strengthened to the Society anji each other. 1831. The meetings were held at the Masonic Hall, and were all well attended. The Committee of Charity was actively employed, as over £100 was expended. Among the gentlemen admitted were two, whose exertions are worthy of recollection as committee- men and as gentlemen who have been always alive to the society's interests, viz. : Kobt. D. Clarke, proposed by Adam Reid, William Murray, " John Fraser. The following additional names were also added to the Roll, viz. : Alex. Paul, Alex. Ross, Alex. Smith, Robert Bigby, John Forest, Rev. JameS; Morrison, Lieut. Col. Marshall, Inspecting Field Officer Militia, Hugh Lyle and Alex. McGill were elected honorary members. It may be here stated that the widow pensioners before referred to, absorb a great portion of the charity of the society of the year, the instances of occasional and transient relief being few. At the November meeting the office bearers elected to serve for the ensuing year 1832, were the following : — ^;, Committee of ' Charity. Alex. Keith, President, William Billop Kobertsou, Vice Do., Robt. Romans, 1 ^ . t- -n > Alex. Paul, j ^''^- ^"" ^° '■• Archibald Sinclair, Secretary, John Watt, Asst. Do., Andrew Mitchell, Treasurer, Thos. Williamson, 1 Adam Esson, | John Farquhar, }■ Arch. McDonald, j Jas. Dechman, Sr., J James Thomson, ") Committee for collecting William Mill, J back dues. James Grant, Messenger, The thanks of the society were voted to Messrs. Jas. Thomson and Thos. Laidlaw, for their exertions in recovering a large amount of back dues during the past year. The festival was celebrated on the 30th by the usual dinner and was a most joyous gathering. The chair was ably filled by the Presidentelect. Mirth, song and sentiment prevailed until an early hour. 1832. Extraordinary interest is visible in the Society's working this year. The records show that every meeting was attended by a great number of members, and that no less than twenty four gentle- men were admitted. The worthy President, a most popular gentlemen, by his influence and enthusiasm promoted this large increase. Over 1 ' 'i i I :ii ii: .1; if: :i 'ill! Ii 108 ANNALS OF THE one hundred pounds was expended in charity, and tlie transactions of every meeting show that the utmost harmony and unanimity prevailed. Among the members proposed for membership, we notice the names of several gentlemen who have since been favourably known in this society, John Gibson, 1 -o j i, t wl Unh^ri. Mnin^m Proposcd by Jas. Thomson, Kobert Malcom, j John Esson, " " John Farquhar, Charles W. Wallace, " '' G. N. Russell, the above with the following were admitted during the year, Thomas Cummings, James Reid, Alexander DufF, Robert Wilson, Alexander McNab, David S. Sutherland, Hugh Anderson, Alexander Davidson, Jas. Anderson, George Barton, James Murdoch, Hugh Campbell, John McNab, John A. Mann, James Mcintosh, W. F. Black, Alexander Henry, Joseph Robinson, William McKay, Neil Mc Vicar, and the following were elected honorary members, James McDonald, (Master Mariner,) Lieut. Edward Stewart, R. N. Lieut. James Stewart, 74th Regt. Dr. Colin Allan, Medical Staff, Jas. Flockhart, Master Mariner, William Stevenson, Alex. Henderson. The Asiatic Cholera having visited several cities on the continent, and its ravages being anticipated in Halifax during the summer, led to the following motion being made at the May meeting, when G. R. Young moved '' That in the event of the Asiatic Cholera extending its ravages to Hali- fax, the office-bearers shall forthwith summon an extraordinary meeting, of this society for the pur- pose of adopting measures as may then be consi- dered expedient ir meeting the exigencies of the time." At the Novembermeetingwhichwas very largely attended, the following gentlemen were unanimously chosen office-bearers for 1833, viz. : William Billop Robertson, Fresideiit, Robert Romans, Vice do., Archibald Sinclair, Sen. Asst. Do., Alex. Paul, Junr. Asst. do., Andrew Mitchell, Treasurer, . John Watt, Secretary, David S. Sutherland, Asst. do., Thomas Williamson, ] Adam Esson, | John McLean, \ Committee of Charity., John Farquhar, I James Dechman, J James Malcom, Argus Fraser, James Reid, James Grant, Messenger, The annual dinner came off on the 30th Nov., at the Masonic Hall. A large number of the lead- ing men of the Province were present. The band of the Rifle Brigade was in attendance and added to the pleasure of the evening. Along with the very fine selection of toasts given during the Collectors of Back Dues, I- w ''4 I I; m i: 110 ANNALS OF THE night, we notice one to the memory of four active, energetic and influential members, who had well represented their country in this province, and who had been ever distinguished for their attachment to the society, viz. : Hon. Michael Wallace, Hon. Judge Stewart, Hon. John Black, Hon. Jas. Fraser, who had all lately passed from earth. This festival was like all its predecessors, a complete success. 1833. The meetings were held^at Mason Hall, and much interesting business was transacted. Twenty-two members were added to the Koll, among whom we notice the name of John Mackintosh, a most enthusiastic and warm-hearted Clansman, well known to every Scotchman of his time in the city. The above with the following signed the Roll this year. Alex. McKenzie, W. A. McAgy, James Lockerby, Alexander Troup, Alexander Hendry, William Robertson, James Grant, Alexander Stewart, William Grieve, David Calder, Winnie Johnston, James McDonald, Alex. Stewart, Danl. McLean, William Gerrad, John G. McKenzie, John McKay, David Stevens, William Scott, John Brander, and the following were elected honorary members. Hugh McDonald, (Antigonishe) a gentleman well known in this city, \ Alexander Farquharson, Dartmouth. -^^ NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. Ill • About eighty pounds was disbursed by the Com- mittee of Charity, and Lieut. James Duffus, this year surrendered his bond for four hundred pounds to the Society, which was deposited in the bank, on interest, untill an apportunity should occur for reinvesting. At the February meeting, a com- mittee was oppointed to revise sevord of the Rules who reported at the November meeting which was attended by nearly seventy members, as follows : t *' Ucport of the Committee appointed to revise] the Rules, procure new pamphlets cj-c, of the North British Society.'' " The committee appointed by the Society to revise its Code of Rules, and to prepare the same for publication, beg leave to report that they have proceeded with all diligence in the preformance of that duty." " They have thought it advisable to innovate as little as possible upon the ancient and established Rules, as most of them seem to have been through- ly digested, and found to answer the purpose of the Society, and as they are familiar and have been acted upon for many years, it appeared to them preferable to preserve their very form and arrange- ment, at the same time they find it necessary to ofifer a few material regulations for the considera- tion of the Society, and they feel assured the expediency of them will be so obvious that they will meet the general approbation, and these alterations are as follows : — " "The Rule relating to the admission of Honorary r ■ ■;iil. members as amended will now read as follows, Honorary members shall consi.st of those persons eligible into the Society, who are Passengers and Sojourners rather than resident in Town, or who being ordinary members, may remove from Town, or of those whom on account of their office and vocation the Society shall think proper to exempt though resident from the duty of oi'dinary atten- dance. In either case they shall contribute to the funds of charity, a sum not less than six dollars. The admission and enrollment of members of the first description shall as heretofore, be vested in the officers of the Society, namely in the President, Vice President and assistants. And it is to be understood that if any member of the first or second class shall become permanent residents in town, they shall pay the same annual contribution as ordinary members, or otherwise shall cease to be members of the Society." "The rule which to your committee appeared the most objectionable in point of legal construction, was part of section fifth, directing the mode in which the surplus funds were to be invested at interest, those suggested however seem to supply the defficiencies in the existing rule and to create those guards which are essential to protect the interest of the society, and are as follows. After the words in section fifth "shall lend out the same on interest." " On the credit of the Province or unex- ceptional personal security by bond, or by invest- ment in Real Estate within the Town of Halifax, by Bond and Mortgage. This security to be taken NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 113 in tlio name of the President and Vice President, for tho time being, and the survivor of them as Trustees for tho said Society, and in the said in- strument of security, it shall bo declared that the same is made in trust for the Society, and tho President and Vice President shall be parties to and shall execut the same in the presence of two witnesses, and the said securi' /shall be lodged with the Treasurer for the time being, and tho mortgage if any to be duly recorded, provided always that the said President and Vice President, or either of them, their Heirs, Executors, or ad- ministrators, shall at all times subsequent (on being required by the Society at a general meeting so to do) execute an assignment or assignments of the said instrument or instruments to their suc- cessors in office" " In carefully examining the book of record of the Society, the committee find only two amend- ments to the Rules which relate altogether to the duties and powers of the Committee of Charity, which will in the new pamphlet be introduced in their proper place. Those amendments empower the Committee of Charity to grant a sum from the funds, not to exceed five pounds, in such extreme cases as the Committee may think necessary, and where five pounds be drawn by order on the Treasurer, the order must be signed by every member of said Committee of Charity, and to prevent frauds and impositions on said Committee of Charity in future, all orders on the Treasurer shall be signed by at least three of said Committee." \ 114 ANNALS OF TUE " In preparing the list of names of the members of the Society, they have left out the names of such persons who, although proposed and admitted, have never enrolled themselves as members, and have rejected also the members expelled, who, to the honor of the Society, arc but few in number." " Your committee have also to report that they have agreed with Mr. John Munro, one of our mem- bers, to print and furnish complete 300 copies of the Rules of the Society, with the names of its members to the date hereof, for the sum of five pounds, as soon as the amendments have passed the meeting, and the present report be received and adopted." (Signed) Wm. Young, Robt. Noble, Arch. Sinclair, Robt. M. Brown, John Williamson. On motion of Rev. John Martin, it was una- nimously resolved that the report be adopted, and that the amendments be incorporated in the rules of the Society. The Society at this meeting, on motion of Robt. Noble, Esq., requested the President to address a letter of condolence to the family of our late lamented Treasurer, Andrew Mitchell, Esq., ex- pressive of the high respect and esteem entertained for him by his brother members, and of their gratitude for his faithful and zealous discharge of the duties of his office, which the Society considers but a duty of respect, and a just tribute to his memory. , ^.v^... ► Committee of Charity. The following ofRce-bearers were elected for 1834 :— Robert Bomans, President, Archibald Sinclair, Vice do., Hugh Campbell, Sen. Asst. Do., Angus Fraser, Junr. Asst. do., Alex. Fiddes, Treasurer, John Watt, Seeretary, Alex. Hendry, Asst. do., James Gr.'int, Messenger. Robt. Noble, 1 John McLean Adam Esson, John Fraser, Jas. Dechman Peter Grant, R. F. Bigby, )■ Back Dues. Wm. McKay, The Festival was celebrated on the 30th at the Exchange Coffee House. Great harmony and kindly feeling prevailed, and among the many healths drank we notice that of Jas. Forman, the father of the Society. The fine band of the 92nd Regt. enlivened the evening, and that with thirty regular toasts from the Chair, and several volun- teer ones from the company, made the night short, and all parted pleased with the honor given to the national saint, which on this occasion was equal to that of any former re-union. 1834. The quarterly meetings were held at Mason HalJ, and were well attended. About ninety pounds was IIG ANNAIS OF THE applied to cliiiritablo purposes, and the records show a well suHtiiined interest in the aflairs of the Institution by the members. This year the Society's Bond, surrendered by Lieut. James Duffus, was taken by Mr. James Lessell, a gentle- man long connected with the Society. Among the names of ordinary members admitted, we notice that of George Esson, a gentleman who lias proved himself during a long term of membership a most zealous and worthy adherent of the Society, and well known as an indefatigable member of the Committee of Charity. The following were also admitted during the year: — Rev. Alex. Romans, James Leitch, James Humphrey, Daniel Mclvor, George Nicoll, Alexander Carson, Jas. Flockhart, Jr., Andrew Oswold, James Irons, Gilbert Elliot, John McLeod, John Rhind, James Crawford. At the annual meeting a committee consisting of the following gentlemen were appointed to wait upon the Lieutenant-Governor, His Excellency Sir Colin Campbell, with a copy of the Rules of the Society, viz. : — Hon. B. Halliburton, James Forman, S. G. W. Archibald, Chas. W. Wallace, John Young, The President, V. P., and Trea., the following office-bearers were chosen for the ensuing year, 1835, viz. : Archibald Sinclair, President, • . ^ William Murdoch, Vice do.. NOIITII BRITISH SOCIETY. 117 it Committee of. Charity, John Watt, Sen. Asat. do., William Millor, Junr. Asst. do., John p]HHon, Secretary, John Gibson, Ai^st, do., Alexander Fidden, Treasurer, Adam Esaon, James Dechman, Robert Noblo, Wni. Billop Robertson, James Thomson, James Grant, Collector of back dues. James Grant, Messenger. The Festival was quite a grand affair, it was held at the Masonic Hall, and the President waived his claim of presiding to the Hon. Chief Justice Halliburton, who was ably assisted by the Attorney General as Vice Chairman. Among the distinguished guests were His Excellency the Lieut. Governor, Sir Colin Campbell and Staff, Hon. T. N. Jeff'rey, &c. In the course of the evening Sir Colin addressed the Society with much feeLiig, expressing his great satisfaction in meeting such a body of countrymen, and of the pleasure experi- enced by him in uniting with such a Society in doing honor to the National Saint. Speeches fol- lowed from John Young, and other talented members. The company broke up about 2 A. M., after a most enthusiastic celebration, at which wit and the expression of high patriotic thought, united with thorough Scottish convivality in making time fly swiftly to the hour, when the closing toast of our next merry meeting was given. 118 ANNALS OF THE 1835. The meetings were held this year at the Masonic Hall. Over £120 was appropriated to the charity of the Society. The committee appointed to wait upon the Lieut. Governor with a copy of the Rules of the Institu- tion, reported that thoy had done so, and that Sir Colin Campbell was much flattered by the call and signified his appreciation of the honor confered in electing him an Honorary Member of the Society. The following gentlemen were admitted ordinary members . — James Fraser, Thomas Elliot, Robert McHannay, Alex. Stewart, James Irons, John Oal, William Bauld, John Forbes. Not much of note was transacted at the meetings, but the Committee of Charicy were actively em- ployed, as the cholera visited Halifax during the summer. At the annual meeting in November the following gentlemen were chosen to preside over the Society fur 1836, viz. : Robert Noble, President, George R. Young, Vice do.j Andrew MacK inlay, Senr. Asst Do., Adam Reid, Junr, Asst. do., Alexander Fiddes, Treasurer, John EssoD, Secretary, John Gibson, -4*5^. i)o., Y James Grant, Jl/esseri^er, . ii NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 119 Robert Eomana, ] James Thomson, Committee Adam Esson, • of W. Billop Robertson, Charity, John Fraser, J T I TDk- J ' Committee for collecting John Rhind, \ . . , / "^ Daniel McLean, J A vote of thanks was unanimously passed to the office-bearers of the past year. The Society celebrated the anniversary of the Saint at Mason Hall. A numerous company sat down and did justice to a splendid dinner. The Chairman, the President elect, Robt. Noble, Esq., well discharged his duties and was ably assisted by G. R. Young as Vice Chairman. The splendid band of the 34th Regt. enlivened the evening between the toasts with their magnificent music, and also sung several Scotch Glees, the night was spent in harmony and mirth, and the jolity was still vigorous when the reporter of the above extract for the next day's paper left the scene, some time beyond that hour which is of " Nights dark arch the key stane." 1836. The meetings were held at the Mason Hall, and were all well attended. Much business was transacted, and with such a popular gentleman as Mr. Noble at the head of the society the busi ness, as might be expected, was carried on with great unanimity. About £100 was disbursed by the Committee of Charity, and the following were admitted Ordinary Members, viz.: 16 ^1 w. 120 ANNALS OF THE John McPheraon, Adam Black, Robert Mitchell, Neil McQuarrie, Wm. Stephenson, Allan Campbell, John Alex. G. Fraser, Geo. Henderson, Lawrence McLean, William McKinlay, Winckworth Allan, Donald McKay, Gorden. The Society having sent a copy of the Rules to Dr. McDonald, R. A., and Capt. Pringle, R. A., two fellow countrymen, each asked to be added to the list of Honorary Members, and were at the November meeting with Matthew McKenna and Alexander Duff, unanimously elected. At the Annual Meeting, which was attended by over seventy members, the thanks of the Society were unanimously voted to the Committee for col- lecting back dues, for their exertions in collecting a very large amount during the year, also to the retiring Treasurer, Alex. Fiddes, Esq., for his faithful services as Treasurer to the Society, and to the Secretary, John Esson, for his regular attendance during the last two years to the business of the Society. The following gentlemen were elected office-bearers for the ensuing year : — George R. Young, Prm(ieni{, John Munro, Vice Do.^ John Esson, Sen. Asst. do., James Murdoch, Jun, do. do., John Watt, Treasurer, Angus Fraser, AS'eeretory, George Henderson, Asst. do-, James Grant, Messenger, \ ■• ' \ NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 121 ' Committee of Charity. Committee for collecting back dues. James Thomson, " Robert Romans, William Grant, Adam Esson, John Fraser, John Brander, Wm. Murray, John McKay, The anniversary was duly honored by a magni- ficent dinner at the Exchange Coffee House on the 30th. George R. Young, aa President, ably presided, and was well assisted by John Munro, Vice President. The night was marked by great hilarity and harmony, and as if to do honor to the occasion the wife of the Host was delivered of a fine boy just as the band was playing the " Campbells are coming," after the health of Sir Colin Campbell, our Lieutenant-Governor. During the Festival twenty-two toasts were drank. Amongst others that of the living Fathers of the Society, James Forman and Alexander Fiddes, Esqrs. 1837. The meetings were held this year at the Exchange CcjQTee House, the Society well sup])orted their very popular President, a fair number was added to the roll, and over £100 was distributed in charity. The following were admitted ordinary members, John McGregor, Thomas Humphry, Rev. James Mcintosh, Alexander Fraser, Jacob Currie, W. Donaldson, •1 ;sl 122 ANNALS OF THE I' IK Joseph Gr. Ross, Edward Craigen, W. Donald, David Walker, John U. Ross, and the gentlemen named below were elected honorary members, Hon. Col. Dundas, M. M. 83rd Regt., proposed by- John Esson, E. Binchin, and Robert Mcintosh, of Shelburne, A considerable amount was collected by the " back dues committee." Among the members ad- mitted we would particularise, John McGregor, Esq., who was afterwards elected Pres'.dent, and who took a warm interest in the working of the Society, and Rev. James Mcintosh, a talented young clergman in connection with the church of Scot- land in this city. At the annual meeting the gentlemen selected by the Society to preside over its interests for the ensuing year wore, ^ John Munro, President , James F. Gray, Vice Do. Edward Wallace, Senr Do. Alexander Primrose, Junr, Do, John Watt, Treasurer, James Lessell, Secretary, George Esson, Asst. Do. James Thomson, Robert Romans, William Grant, John Eraser Adam Esson, William Murray, John Brander, John McKay, Committee Ctiarity, Committee of Back Dues, \ \ 'i ■ '■;■''", NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 123 A vote of thanks was mr-ed and passed unanimous- ly to the office-bearers for the past year for their faithful discharge of duty. The Festival was celebrated at the Exchange Coffee House by the Society dining together, a large number of mjmbers with several invited guests, sat down to an elegant dinner, and the occasion was ma^^'.ed by that friendly interchange of feeling and eentiiiient, joined to a cordial convivialty, which have made those re-unions of St, Andrew popular and to be looked forward to as Festivals in every way worthy of the Society, and of ushering in the winter enjoyments. 1838 This year the meetings were held at Mason Hall, and were v/ell attended. The Committee of Charity had many applicants for relief, and disbursed about £100. Two gentlemen were elected per- petual members, viz. : Thomas Williamson, Esq, Hugh Lyle, Senr. and fourteen names were added to the roll of ordinary members, viz. : Eobert Macdonald, Samuel Gray, Andrew Eichardson, Alexander Rhind, (Jeorge McKenzie, Dr. A. Sawers, John Watson, John C. Halliburton, William Campbell, James McKenzie, In the above list v/ill be noticed the names of several most worthy members, for few Societies have had the good fortune to possess such zealous and Donald Murray, John Grant, Alexander Bain, Anthony Ingles, ,.L-;t: ^■VP ^^■,. 11:11 .•!-.irpVI|-i(l; 124 ANNALS OF THE attached adherents, and no similar institution in the country we believe could present such an array of real earnest, talented and popular members as our roll exhibited at this period. Two names in the list of new members of this year deserve notice, viz. : Donald Murray, George McKenzie, gentlemen who have proved themselves well worthy the esteem of their fellow citizens and of their brother members, active, and faithful, they will be long remembered as being always foremost when any work of charity v/as in hand, and of being the moat popular of our Presidents. Mr. George McKenzie, after a most useful life, died regretted on 24th November 1867. Mr. Murray, a most estimable member has ever been distinprushed for his resularitv of attendance at the meetings of the Society, and the interest he has displayed in keeping the ins^'tution alive to its duties during several years of reaction and flagging attention on the part of the majority of the members, which has won for him the esteem of his brother Scotsmen, and will make his memory (when he leaves this scene) green with the North British Society for a long time to come. The Coronat'.on of our Soverign Queen Victoria, took place on tae 28th June of this year, and was celebrated with great honour by the citizens. The Society led the procession on that occasion, and presented an address to His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor for transmission to England, expressive of their loyalty and attachment to Her ■« NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 125 Majesty and the Throne. The address was drawn up by Wm. Young, C. \V. Wallace, R. Noble, and the office-bearers of the Society. A Banner was used for the first time by the Society at this celebration which was prepared under the superin- tendance of the office-bearers, and the expence was defrayed by subscription of the members. The 93rd Highlanders being stationed in this city, a copy of the Exiles were sent to the officers which resulted in several of them applying for admission as Honorary Members. At the August meeting the following letter was read by the Secre- tary : — Halifay, June 29th, 1838. Sir, - I have the honor to acquaint you that the officers of the 93rd Highlanders named in the margin, being natives of Scotland, are desirous of be- coming Honorary Members of the North British Society of Halifax. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your obedient humble servant, John Arthur, Major Commanding 93rd Highlanders, To the Secretary of the North British Society. The above were duly admitted by acclamation. At the November meeting Dr. Robertson, Staff Surgeon was also elected. The following office- bearers were chosen for 1838 : — Lt. Col. McGregor, Major Arthur, Lieut. Nielson, Dunbar, Buchanan, Agnew, Gordon, Dr. Campbell. II ti h' 126 ANNALS OF THE i^\ .'■5*', I'M James F. Gray, President, Alex. Primrose, Vice do., C. W. Wallace, Sen. Asst. do., John McLean, Jun. do. do., John Watt, Treasurer, John McGregor, Secretary, Samuel Gray, Asst. do. James Thomson, John Fraser, Kobert Romans, J- Committee of Charity, Adam Esson, William Grant, William Murray, ] John Brander, > Committee of back dues. John W. Ross, J The Festival of St. Andrew was mos<. enthusias- tically celebrated. The dinner took place at Mason Hall and was well attended, the officers of the 9Crd Highlanders being all present. The Band and Pipers of the Regiment added to the pleasure of the evening. The large company broke up at 2 A. M., delighted with the evening's enjoyment. Several speeches were made during the dinner, and the President, James F. Gray, was ably assisted by Alexander Primrose, Vice President, who discharg- ed the duties of the Vice Chair on the occasion with great credit to himself and the Society. 1839. The meetings were held this year at the Mason Hall, the February and November meetings being attended by over seventy members. The usual NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 127 amount was distributed during the year in charity. The following gentlemen were admitted ordinary members, viz. : George P. Mitchell, John Munro, 2nd, John McLeod, Hugh Munro, Thomas Rhind, and the following were elected honorary members : James Forman, Jr., Hugh Lyle, Jr., Master Mariner, and Robert M. Brown, Esq., became a perpetual member by paying the usual fee of ten pounds. The members were each called upon this year for a private subscription of two shillings each to liquidate balance due on Banner procured last year for the Society. Mr. John Watt, Treasurer received the thanks of the Society for his handsome presentation of a Treasurer's Insignia of office, consisting of a blue silk scarf with two silver cross keys, worn by himself in the Coronation Procession on 28th June, 1838. It was moved by William Young, and passed unanimously " That two additional officers be in future appointed by the Society to regulate and superintend the necessary arrangments for the Quarterly meetings to be called Stewards." John Richardson, and Alexander McKenzie, were accordingly appointed for the purpose expressed in the above resolution. At the November meeting considerable discussion is recorded on the subject of back dues, several members being in two and three years arrears. Resolutions and amendments were submitted on tlio propriety of writing to such dclinqncntH, expulsion if over two years in arrears Ac, but it was finally decided to leave the matter as at present to the committee for collection. At this meeting the Jbllowing office-bearers were chosen for 1840. Alexander Primrose, President, Charles W. Wallace, Vice do. John McLean, Senr. do. do. John Fraser, Ju7Lr. do. do. Samuel Gray, Secretary, George P. Mitchell, Asst. do. John Watt, Treasurer, William S. More, John Eraser, John Rhind, Robert D. Clarke, Adam Esson, William Murray, Alexander McKenzie, Joseph G. Ross, John Robb, Messenger, ■ Committe of Charity. Committee of back dues. The annual dinner of the 30th November took place at the Mason Hall, and was a splendid re- union of the Society. The President, Alexander Primrose, well discharged the duties of chairman with an able assistent in John McLean as Vice. The Band of the 23rd Welsh I'usileers was stationed in the orchester and enlivened the evening with a fine programme of Scottish Music. Songs, speeches, and sentiments from many talented gentlemen present made the hours pass swiftly away until " our next merry meeting" given at one of the NOTlTn nilTTISTr SOCIETY. 129 early hours, closed this most popular annual celebration of the Scottish Saint. 1840. This year was certainly an active one in the Society's history. A largo number of members wcro ai'quired and nearly £150 distributed in charity to worthy applicants. Several special meet- ings of the Society were called during the year> and a full attendance is apparent, from the record of those who responded to the summons. Nothing can show better for the vitality of an institution than the meetings being well attended, and this year the members appear to have been alive to the position and interests of the Society. At the special meeting of IGth April the Society decided to present an address to Her Majesty con- gratulatory upon her Majesty's marriage with His Royal Highness Prince Albert. The committee appointed at that meeting consisted of The President, Vice President, Rev. John Martin, Rev. Mr. Mackintosh, Wm. Young, Esq. The above gentlemen prepared the same, and on Tuesday the 21st April the Society, in conjunction with the office-besvrers and members of the High- land Society, proceeded to Government House, when the Address was presented by the President, Alex. Primrose, Esq., who at the same time in the name of the North British and Highland Societies ■■•) li 130 ANNALS OF TUE invited Ilia Excellency to a Ball to be given on the 5th May in honor of Her Majesty's nuptials. On that date a most magnificent Ball under the Banners of the two Societies was given at Mason IIoll, at which His Excellency and Suite and about 300 guests were present, the result of which was highly gratifying to all concerned. Among the gentlemen who were elected members this year we notice the name of Alex. Stephen, who has since been distinguished for hi3 energetic and successful efforts for the advancement of the Society, and who presided over its 100th Annual Meeting. The following were admitted ordinary members during the year : — William Eraser, Donald McKenzie, George Gray, Thos. Hutchinson, James Swan, Wm. F. Beid, David McAinsh, John Mcllreith, John Jamieson, Donald Sutherland, John McDougall, Duncan Patterson, David Bugg, Peter Imlay, •, Samuel B. Smith, Joseph A. Sievewright, and the following Honorary Members were ad- mitted : — Duncan Ma .T^arlane, Wm. Annand, Hugh H. Rosa. Three hundred copies of the Rules, with names of additional members who had joined since the last were printed, were ordered by the Society at the May meeting. At the November meeting a communication was received from Sir Rupert D. George acknowledging a despatch from Lord John Russell, by which he states that " Her Majesty had NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 131 expressed her great pleasure on receiving the con- gratulation of ti.o Society, and that an answer expressive of the same bo transmitted to the Nortli British and Highland Societies." At this meeting a very large number of members attended to elect officers for the ensuing year. A great discussion attended this part of the business of the meeting, as the President and Vice President were proposed and elected by acclamation, there being no other candidates proposed. This was objected to by many of the members as irregular, and the attention ol the President was called to the Rule of the Society on Elections. It was then moved and seconded that the election of the Pre- sident and Vice President be re-considered, which was lost, but the election of the remaining officers took place as usual, their names being proposed by ballot and not by open motion. The result was that the following gentlemen were elected office bearers for 1841 :— Cliarles W. Wallace, President, John McLean, Vice do., John Fraser, i^enr. Asst. do., Robert D. Clarke, Junr, Asst. Do., John Watt, Treasurer, Greo. P. Mitchell, Secretary, Alex. McNab, A&st Do., William S. More, 1 John Fraser, j Commiitte John Rhind, > cf Adam Eason, | Charity, Alex, Stewart, J • t i 132 ANNALS OF THE Committee for collecting hack dues. "William Murrav, Alex. McKenzie, Joseph G. E.088, John Robb, Messenger, The annual dinner was held on the 30th Novem- ber at the Masonic Hall, the chair was occupied by Chas. W. Wallace, Chairman, John McLean, Vice Do., The dinner was a most enthusiastic one, the Hall being crowded with members and their guests, and the table reflected great credit on tho Host Oob- lentz. Among the number of healths proposed, that of Sir Colin Campbell met with marked approbation. The toast was honored by the company hearty cheers, expressive of their high estimation of that gallant gentleman. The occasion was a most successful effort and reflected great credit on the office bearers. '}'"• 1841. The meetings were held this year at the Mason Hall, over JSIOO was expended by the Committee of Charity, and tho following gentlemen were admitted ordinary members : — Maurice Mcllreith, Francis Downs, Alex. S.Eeid, Jas. Cameron, Robert Kerr, Wm. Craig, Andrew Wilson, Jas. Barron, Wm. Forrest, Dr. Jas. C. Hume, Jas. Cameron, Jr., John McDonald, Hon. Alex. Stewart, John Wilson, Henry Gibson. rORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 133 The following Honorary members were elected : Jas. Berwick, Alex. Fiddes, J. Fraser, At the May meeting Alex. Prinrose became a Perpetual Member by paying £10 into the hands of the Treasurer for which he received the thanks of the society, A large amount of back dues having accumulated, it was determined to pay some member of the society five per cent., for collect- ing, and Wm. Craig was deputed to act as collector for the society and to pay over to the Treasurer monthly the amount collected. This year on motion of John Watt, it was determined to open a subscription list with the members for the purchase of Banners and Badges for the office bearers. At the November meeting the Secretary stated that an old and esteemed member Alex. Fiddes wished, on account of his advanced age and inability to attend the meetings, to withdraw, but the members unanimously decided to place his name on the honorary list. At the annual meeting the folk vving gentlemen were elected office bearers for 1841, their names being proposed by ballot :-— John McLean, President, Kobert D. Clarke, Vice Do., John McGregor, Senr, Asst. Vice Do. Wm. S. More, Junr, AssL Vice Do., Alexander McNab, Secretary, Donald Murray, Asst. Do., John Watt, Treasurer, , I. i ^ 134 ANNALS OF THE Committee of. Charity. John Brander, William Grant, John Esson, Thomas Laidlaw, Alexander Stewart, William Craig, Collector, John Eobb, Messenger, A vote of thanks was passed unanimously to the oflSce-bearers for their attention to their duties during the past year. The Festival was duly celebrated on ihe 30th November, by a grand dinner at the Mason Hall. John McLean, Esq., Chairman, Kobert D. Clarke, Vice Do., A large number of members and guests sat down, and the toasts which were many, enthusiastic, and patriotic, were enlivened in the pauses by th© splendid Band of the 64th Regt. Many talented speeches were made, and this splendid celebration was kept up with spirit untill the sma' hours of the 1st December. The conduct of the arrange- ments throughout reflected much credit on the President and office-bearers for their successful management. ' ' A special meeting of the Society was held at Mason Hall on the 14th December to take into consideration the presentation of an address to her Majesty in honour of the birth of the Duke of Cornwall, when it was unanimously decided to present an address, and to forward the same X through His Excellency the Lieut. Governor. The officers of the Society with the Hon. Alexander NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 136 Stewart, Hon. James McNab, William Young, James Thomson, and Robert Noble, were appointed a committee to prepare the same. It was also resolved to unite with the Sister Societies, and citizens in celebrating the Festival of the 23rd December, in honor of the birth of the Duke of Cornwall, and the Secretary was ordered to forward copies of the above resolution to the Mayor and the several sister societies. Arrangements for the celebration were made by the civic authorities, but in the programme of the Procession of Societies for presenting the address, the right of precedence belonging to the North British Society by age having been ignored, led to another special meeting being called on the 22d December, when the following resolutions were offered and passed unanimously. Moved by G. R. Young, and "Besolved, That this Society was founded in the year A. D., 1768, and has ever since been in existence, following up the charitable and useful views of its founders." '^Resolved, That it is the opinion of this Society, that in all public processions, the charitable and other societies established ought to take precedence according to seniority, and that such principle is invariably acted upon in general celebrations in the Mother Country." "Resolved^ That having understood that in the celebration of the 23rd inst., this order of arrange- ment cannot be followed out, this society cannot join in the same without painful collision with other societies or yielding a privilege conferred upon them ..U' :!' ^i; ■.* I •» I 136 ANNALS OF THE by age and custom established in the Mother Country." These resolutions were endorsed by a very large meeting, and the committee appointed to draw up the address were directed to wait upon His Excellency with the same at their earliest con- venience, and the Secretary was directed to enclose a copy of the above resolution to His Worship the Mayor. 1842. The Society met this year at the Mason Hall, and the records show a large attendance, and even more than ordinary amount of business transact- ed. Over £120 was disbursed in charity, and the following names added to the roll of ordinary members, William Finlay, George G. Gray, William Grant, Jr., *» Nicholas Vass, William Hutcheson, Hugh Morton, Rev. William DuiF, and the following were elected honorary members, Lieut. General Sir Colin Campbell, Vice Admiral Sir Charles Adam, William Strachan through extreme old age being unable to attend the meetings, was unanimously placed on the list of honorary members. A committee consisting of the President and office-bearers of the North British Societies, with James Thomson, having been appointed to procure Banners for the North British and Highland Societies held several meetings during the year. It NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 137 was unanimously decided that after having examin- ed several descriptions of Ba.iucrs, that the following be procured. First, a large Banner with the Royal Arms of Scotland, according to Ancient Heraldry emblazoned on both sides in the words, "North British Society, established at Halifax, 1768" to be the Banner of the North British Society, and that the Banner of the Highland Society have on the first side the arms designated in the charter, and on the reverse, the figare of Ancient Caledonia on red, also the two Standards of Scotland. The first to bear the Red Rampant Lion of Scotland upon a Golden Shield, the second, the Silver Cross of St. Andrew, upon blue silk, and a silk Union Jack for both Societies. The material was imported and the size of the Banners, making, and general superintendance was intrusted to Jas. Thomson, who with the painter, Geo. Smithers, produced those elegant Banners, which are now (1868) a little the worse of wear, but which still serve to show what beauty they once possessed. The President John McLean, generously presen- ted to the Society a splendid transparency of our patron Saint, St. Andrew, for which he received the unanimous thanks of the members. At the November meeting the following gentle- men were elected office-bearers for the ensuing year 1843:— Robert D. Clarke, President^ John McGregor, Vice Do., iWI •f; '11 . 1 m\ III : t. f 138 ANNALS OF THE Committer of. Charity^ ?ohf McDlgall, i ^"^- ^^" ^"'s., John Watt, Treasurer, Donald Murvay, Searetary, John Gibson, -45^^. Do., John Brander, Angus Fraser, John Eason, William Grant, Thomas Laidlaw, Jaa. Eraser, Messenger, • The society duly celebrated the festival of St. Andrew by dining together at the Masonic Hail- About seventy members and guests were present and under the able management of R. D. Clarke, Chair- man, and John McGregor, who occupied the Vice Chair, the company enjoyed themselves as Scots can do on such national occasion. Songs, toasts and talenitd responses, with good music soon brought around the time of parting, which took place at midnight, all present being delighted with the festival. ^ 1843. The society held their meetings this year at the Masonic Hall, and really done good service in the noble work of Charity, the Committee having had a most unusual number of applicants for relief- About £150 was disbursed in sending poor Scotsmen back to their native land, and relieving distressed fellow countrymen. ,^ : ; This year was also distinguished by the large amount of back dues collected, and the great interest NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 139 taken in the working of the institution. The following gentlemen were admitted ordinary- members : — ' Henry "Watson, Adam Hunter, Wm. McKay, Geo. Wilson, Wm. Clarke, Alex. McDonald, John Cormack, Eobt. Lindsay, Robt. Forrest, Robt. Balfour, Robt. G. Noble, Daniel Thompson. Henry Taylor, A donation to the funds was received from Sir Colin Campbell, the late Lieut.-Govenor, through John L. Starr, his senior aide-de-camp, accompanied with the grateful recollection of the affectionate respect displayed by the society on the occasion of the departure from Nova Scotia of the donor. At the November meeting, after the disposal of a great amount of business the society pi^^ceeded to elect ofl&ce bearers which resulted as follows : — John McGregor, President, John Richardson, Vice do., John McLougall, Sen. Asst. Do., Samuel Gray, Junr. Asst. do., John Watt, Treasurer, James Scott, Secretary, John Cormack, Asst. Secretary, ■ John Mcllreaith, John Esson, Wm. Grant, Jas. Findlav, Angus Fraser, Geo. McKenzie, Alex. Bain, W. B. Stephenson, Committe Charity, Colleetors of hack dues. iil m r •r I I ) iS?' i :. i:-i 140 ANNALS OF THE A unanimous vote of thanks was passed to the retiring office-bearers for their unremitting atten- tion to their duties while in office. The cele- bration of the festival was left with the office bearers elect. The 30th was duly honoured by a large and enthusiastic company dining together at the Masonic Hall. The chair was ably filled by the President who was the life of the assemblage. Toasts and good fellowship was enjoyed untill 3 a. m., Dec. 1st, when our next merry meeting was given to a very happy and animated company. 1844. This year the Meetings were held as for several past years attheic Mason Hall. Over £120 was distributed in relief, by the Committee of Charity. At the February meeting it was uuanimously decided to admit fellow countrymen, non residents, to the meetings of the Society, the member introducing each or any, to pay two shillings and sixpence for the summer, and five shillings for the meetings of November and February, for each one so intro- duced, such strangers not to take any part in the business. By this means it was supposed the Society would be better known and appreciated. The following were admitted ordinary members during the year, William Stevens, Charles Hamilton, William Robb, . Neil Eankin, James Williamson, Alexander McLean, \ ... William Kaudick, ^ . NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 141 and at the August meeting, Captain John Taylor, of the brig William was proposed as an honorary mem- ber, by John Cormick, and unanimously elected by a show of hands. The above well known gentle- men has proved a most valuable acquisition to our Society, and has been distinguished by an active zeal, which has been well appreciated by his brother members, who have marked their confidence by twice placing him in the chair, which he has filled with great honor to himself and the Institution, which he has so well represented. At the November meeting the following ofiice- bearers were chosen for 1846, John Richardson, Presic^en^, James Thomson, Vice do. Samuel Gray, Senr, Asst. Vice Do., Donald Murray, Junr. Asst. do. do., John Watt, Treasurer, Geo. McKenzie, Secretary, Wm. Grant, Jr., ^55^. Do.; John Mcllreith, Hugh Campbell, Adam Reid, Wm. Grant, Senr., Jas. Findlay, James Scott, William Finlay, William Stephenson, James Fraser, Messenger, The Festival celebration, was left as usual with the office-bearers. At this meeting a note was received from Lieut. Col. Crabbe, commanding the 74th Higlanders, enclosing the sum of one pound Committee of. Charity, Collectors of Back Dues, I M islt^ii '^ mmi as a donation from a Scottish commander, to tho chority fund of a National *fn8titution. Tho celebration of the 30th took place at Mason Hall. Over one hundred members and guests assembled to do honor to the occasaion, and tho Table reflected great credit on the caterer Hesslien. The Chair was filled by John Eichardson, well assisted by James Thomson, Vice Chairman, and Asst. Vice Presidents, Donald Murray and Samuel Gray. About twenty toasts were given from the chair and the time sped rapidly until the approach- ing Sabbath, wliicli forbad any encroachments, warned the company by the parting toast from the chair that time was up at a quarter to twelve. This dinner is remembered by all who had the pleasure of being present, as being the most social of the many gatherings that have taken place under the banners of the society. An incident in connection with the dinner may be noted. The city had but recently been lit with gas, and slight difficulties occurred occasionally with the meters, so it hap- pened that just as the company were comfortably seated, the gas suddenly went out and the hall was at once in darkness, happily no confusion followed, as all kept their seats and the trouble was almost instantly rectified. 1845. This year the meetings were held at the Masonic Hall and were very largely attended. The Com- mttee^of Charity expended about £100 in charity, IW: NORTH ERITISn SOCIETY. 143 and a largo number of new members were acquired, viz. : — Robert Boak, i James Magee, James Price, William Campbell, James Grieve, William Crawford, John Sinclair, William Jamison, Alex. Taylor, Donald Sutherland, Errol Boyd, Jas. Reeves, Jos. Robinson, John Lithgow, Wm. Boak, William Thomson, H. B. Reid, Angus McLean, Jas. Goidon, R. G. Fraser, Alex. McKay, Alex. McPherson, Jas. Mitchell, Jas. Rhind, Geo. Barron, John Mitchell, A large amount of back dues was collected and the meetings were all enthusiastic and interesting. The society celebrated the anniversary of Bannock- burn 24th June by a Procession and Picnic in which they were joined by the Highland Society, and the display of Scottish costume in the Procession joined with the splendid new banners, made it one of the most brilliant exhibitions ever witnessed in Halifax. The Picnic was a most triumphant success, and reflected the highest credit on Messrs. John Esson, Donald Murray, John Rhind, Maurice Mcllreith and John Brander, who so ably conducted the whole arrangements to such a successful issue. At the next meeting in August they received tbe unanimous thanks of the society for their exertions. A vote of thanks was also passed to William Grant, Senr., for his admirable marshalling the Procession on that day. At the November meeting after the usual routine business, the society 144 ANNALS OF TUB m m -■; ,/■ proceeded to elect the office bearers for the ensuing year when the following gentlemen were chosen : — Jas. Thomson, 1 resident, John Esson, Vice Do., Hugh Campbell, Sen. Asst. Do., Samuel Gray, Jun .Aast.do., John Watt, Treasurer, Wm. Grant, Jr., Secretary, Alex. H. Taylor, Asst. do., Wm. Grant, Sr., 1 Peter Grant, John McNab, '^ Committee of Charity. Adam Reid, Jas. Findlay, James Scott, ] Angus McLean, > Back Dues. William McKay, ] Rev. John Martin, j chonlains ^ Rev. John Scott, \ ^^^i'^^^^*; James Fraser, Messenger, A unanimous vote of thanks was passed to the office bearers for their attention to their duties during the past year. The celebration of the National anniversary took place on Monday 1st Dec, at Masonic Hall when a large company con- sisting of members and guests assembled, and as it is recorded " the gas did not go out this time." Jas. Thomson filled the chair, and John Esson the vice chair. About twenty six toasts were disposed of, and wit, conviviality, and good-fellowship reigned supreme until the sma hours of the next mirning. These reunions are productive of much good, as at them local prejudices are for- NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 145 gotten and all moot in a National sonso as brethcrcn cherishing kindly feelings toward each other, as sons of one particular family of the human race, feelings second only to the ties of kindred. At these re-unions recollections of the past history of our country are awakened and strengthened, and love heightened for our glorious fatherland. 1846. The four quarterly meetings were held at the Masonic Hall, and were each attended by from eighty to one hundred members. At the annual meeting over one hundred were present. £100 was disbursed by the Charity Committe, and a number of ordinary meml ore admitted, viz : — Thomas Bayne, John A. Moir, Philip Peebles, Wra. Kerr, Alex. Taylor, Stewart McDonald, John Wilson, Wm. McLean, James Scott, Wm. Wilson, Peter Ross, Thos. Cummings, David Smith, Wm. Woods, Wm. Hutchinson, Daniel McPherson, Jas. Hutton, Arthur McLeod, Wm. Laidlaw, W. A. Hesson, Alex. Ogston, Duncan Grant, Wm. Grant, (3rd). Wm. Murdoch, Esq. became a Perpetual Member, paying the U3ual fee of £10. The thanks of the Society were voted to Wm. Grant, Robt. Noble, and Angus McLean for their ti ^ *^.'i ii:- m ■ exertions in collecting a large amount of back dues. During the year Doctor H. McDonald, Maitland, Alex. Barron, Master Mariner, Forbes Black, Margarets Bay, and Doctor McDonald, Dartmouth, were elected honorary members. The office of Senior Asst. Vice Pr'^sident having became vacant by the deceace of Hugh Campbelh Samuel Gray, was chosen to fill his place, and Dr. James 0. Hume, Senir Asst. Vice do. In examining the Treasurer's account we find the same number of widows on the relieved list, old pensioners and steady ones, but although discussions on that subject took place almost every year, they were still retained and relieved. At the November meeting the following were elected office-bearers for 1847 : John Esson, President, \ Wm. Murdoch, Vice do, George McKenzie, Senr, do. do. John McDougall, Junr. do. do. John Watt, TreasureVy Wm. Grant, jr., Secretary ^ A. H. Taylor, Asst do. Wm. Grant, Peter Grant, Adam Reid, Jas. Findley, John McNab, Angus McLean, James Scott, * Alex. Davidson, Commitle of Charity, Committee of , back dues. \ Ohaplains re-elected. James Fraser, Messenger, The annual dinner took place at Mason Hall, and was, a capital re-union. Over one hundred mem- bers and guests were present. Thirty toasts were given from the chair, and the responses v/erc eloquent and patriotic. The health of Sir Colin Campbell was most enthusiastically drank, and the company separated early i/ext e gift will bo ap[>recrated and valued not only en account of the connection it had with the celebration of that important day, but also because it will be regarded as- an evidence of the kindly fee-ling entertained by your society ''owa.rds one of the- earliest Literary Institutions established in a colony befvring the name of your fatherland. Personally it will afford me much gratification to place the elegant Baton ih the In- stitute Museum for Hafe keeping, whe-re doubtless it will be a subject of admiration to visitors- of the present day, but more so from the associations it will naturally sugge&t to those who in after years may view it as an interesting re-lic connected with the history of Nova Scotia's capital.*' At the annual meeting, after considerable business had been disposed of, the society proceeded to elect office-bearers, viz.r — » John McDougall, President, Gea McKenzie, Viae Do.,, John Gibson, Sen. AssL do., Geo. P. Mitchell, Junr. Asst. D(\ . Wm. Grant, Jr.^ Seeretary, Samuel Noble, Asst. do., Wm. Grar.t, Sr.,, Marshall,, r it NORTU BRITISU SOCIETY. 155 Maurice Mcllreith, n rice Kichan a son, Job Archibald Sinclair, Jas. Findley, Wm. Grant, Sr., Geo. Anderson, Geo. Webster, Jas. Williamson, CommiHee '/ Charity, Back dues. iins. Bev. John Martin, ) ^7 , . Kev. John Soott, ] dtaplan James Fraser, Messenger. A vote of thanks was then passed to the Hon. Wm. Young for the handsome manner in which he had conducted the business during the past year, which vote was acknowledged in a most eloquent and feeling reply from that gentleman. The time honored festival of St. Andrew, the Patron Saint, was duly celebrated on the 30th Nov. Over 100 members and guests sat down at Masonic Hall to one of the most sumptous entertainments ever prepared in Halifax. The splendid Band of the 38th Eegt., under the direction of their talented MasL^j.', Ferrugia, attended and added to the enjoy- ment of the evening by a magnificent programme of Scottish music. The Colonel of the 33th Regt., Sir John Campbell, Bart., a Scotsman, was one of the public guests, and enjoyed the company of his fellow Scotsmen, and responded to one of the toasts. Seventeen regular toasts were given, beside many volunteer ones, and the arrangements of the evening spoke well for the Chairman, John McDougall, Esq., and George MacKenzie, who acted • as Croupier. r I: >1 :■ ■'■>.> 7 I ■\ 1 1 ;■ f\ H 'f- V 1 t 1 m\\ .m i8r)0. The four quarterly meetings wore held as usnal at Masonic Uali, a'jd under the direction of such popular office-bearers, the Society kept to the front. A large amount was disbursed by the Charity Committee to worthy applicants, and great interest was taken in the meetings. Four members were added to the roll, viz. : And Hugh Fraser, Wm. Blythe, ' Eonald Currio, Alex. Cameron, Wm. Finlay, Duncan McMillan, Robert Innes, Robert Waddell, were elected honorary members. A large amount of back dues were collected by the Committee during the year. 300 copies of the Bye-Laws were printed at an expense of £5. The following resolution was passed at the November meeting : — " That when the interest money on Perpetual Members lees shall exceed the sum of £50 the surplus shall be applied to the general charitable purposes of the Society." On examining the records of the year, we find that such a drain on the Society's funds had been made by continued allowance to old pensioners, that but a small amount was available for occa- sional distress, the real object of the Society's charity. Long discussions ensued on this vexed question, but they appear to have been of no eflfect, the pensioners being still retained, they being priocapally Widows of former members. len 's 10 NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 157 At tlio November meeting, the following gentle men were elected to rule the Society for 1851 : Geo. McKenzio, President, John StracliJin, Vice do., Geo. P. Mitchell, Scnr. Asst. do. Donald Murray, Junr. Asst. do., John Watt, Treasurer, Wm. Grant, Jr., Secretary, Thos. W. McKio, Asst. do. Alex. Sinclair, Committee of Charity. John Brander, Wm. Finlay, Robt. Boak, Jr., John Mcllreith, Wm. Grant, Senr., Marshal, Jas. Rcid, ] R. J. Mills, > Bach Dues. Danl. Thom, J Jas. Reid, Missenger. A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring offic- bearers. The Society celebrated the Festival by dining toGjether at the Masonic Hall. About one hundred sat down to Table. Geo. McKenzie, Esq. occupied the Chair, and proposed about twenty toasts. John Strachan, Esq. ably assisted. Many eloquent responses were elicited from members and guests, and the company finally separated among the sma' hours, delighted with the entertainment and their entertainers. i ^fi Ifp WW, ;■■« 1.58 ANNALS OF THK 1851. Tho meetings wcro hold as usual at Mason Hall, and appear to have been all well attended. Over .C8() was expended by the Committee of Charity, and the following wore admitted ordinary members: David Sterling, James, Watt, Alex. J. Nairn, George Gordon, James Kiddoll, Jas. W. IShirras, Alex. Fraser. And the following were unanimously elected honorary members : Dr. Reid, II. M. S. "Cumberland," Ciuarter-Mastcr McPher.son, Duncan VVaddell, Wm. Beverly, and David liugg. George P. Mitchell was added to the roll of perpetual members, paying the usual fee of £10. During the summer a Picnic, under the Banners of the North British and Highland Societies, was held at the Prince's Lodge. The procession to the boat which conveyed the party to the grounds, was a most bilUant one, and its arrangement reflected great credit on the Marshal, Wm. Grant, The Picnic was most successful, and nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of a most beautiful day, with wliich the occasion was favored. At the November meeting an interesting report from the Committee of Charity was presented by the Chairman, Archibald Sinclair, showing that several shipwrecked mariners had been forwarded to Scotland, and much distress alleviated. ...i, ; NORTH DRITISII SOCIETY. 159 Committee "f. Charity. The following woro elected offico-beftrera for the ensuing year : — John Straclmn, President, Donald Murray, Vice do., Alox. Bain, \ a * ir- j^ ■iir n I 11 f Assts. Vice do. W m. Uampbell, J John Watt, Treasurer, T. W. MoKic, Secretary . Errol B. Boyd, .-l-v.^^. do., Archibald Sinclair, Robert Boak, Jr., i John McKay, John Grant, John Brandcr, Wm. Grant, Marshal, Rev. John Scott, \ r^t^^?-^. Rev. John Martin, ] ^^«P^«^^«- The festival was celebrated on the 30th November, by the annual dinner. A largo and influential company sat down to a splendid table prepared by Hesslien. At 9 o'clock the President rose and said, ** This Society has been requested to join in a Toast with their brethren in nearly all the principal cities in the United States and sister Colonies, which is embodied in a despatch just now received from New York, * Brother Scots, our hands we cannot, but here's our hearts.' " It is needless to say the sentiment was drank with enthusiasm. Speeches were delivered during the evening by Hon. Wm. Young, Col. Hillyer, Rev. John Martin and Hichbourne, and by the guest of the evening, Major Cumberland, commanding the 42nd Royal Highlanders, the splendid baud of mm 1' Ji I k-5 Da'- - .It' f .'it]' m If > 160 ANNALS OF THE which Eegiment was stationed in the orchestra. About twenty regular toasts were given from the chair, and the company seperated shortly after twelve, well satisfied with the evening's entertain- ment. 1852. The Society met at Mfv^onic Hall, and but little of interest is recorded. The number of applicants for relief was unusually small, and not more than £60 was applied to the charitable objects of the Society. During the year James Hunter, Wm. Rhind, John McOulIoch, Patrick Graham, James Thomson, were added to the Roll of ordinarv members and David Patterson \7as added to the honorary list. A donation of £7 10 was made this year by the band and pipers of the 42nd Highlanders towards the charity fund of the Society, to which a suitable acknowledgement was made by the President, through Major Cumberland, commanding the Regiment. A Highland Bonnet was also presented by the President to the Society for the use of the Piper, for which he received a vote of thanks. At the November meeting the following office- bearers were elected : — Donald Murray, President^ Wm. Grant, Vice Do., Wm. M. Campbell, 1 j^^^^_ y^^ ^^ John Donll John Watt, Treasurer \ NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 161 John A. Sinclair, Secretary ^ David Ross, Asd. Do., Arch. Sinclair, John Richardson, Wm. McKay, )■ Coramiitee John Grant, John Mcllreith, Wm. Grant, Marshal. Rev. John Martin, ) /^, , . Eev. J. Scott, I Chaplains. Wra. Grant, ] "Wm. McKay, > Committee of back dues. Errol Boyd, J The Society dispensed this year with the usual expenssive and formal dinner, and supped sociably together on the 30th November. A numerous party sat down at Masonic Hall to a sumptuous entertainment, got up in Hesslien's best style. Donald Murray, the President, presided, ably assisted by William Grant, Senr., John DouU and W. M. Campbell, Assistant Vice Presidents. There were only two regular toasts given, St. Andrew and the Queen, but a variety of volunteer toasts followed. Songs and good fellowship helped to speed along the time until the wee sma' hours, sur- prised the merry makers in the height of their hilarity, and shortly after the inspiring notes of the Pibroach sounded what they never do in battle, a retreat. Altogether this social supper was a most pleasing re-union, and one of its most pleasing fea- tures was that the old maxim was kept steadily in view by all present, " Be merrv and wise." |.' V' ^1 ,'sl^i, 162 ANNALS OP THE 1853. The meetings were held at the usual place, and were all attended by a large number of members. About £100 was disbursed in charity, and the fol- lowing gentlemen were admitted ordinary mem- bers : — William Murray, Rev. G. W. Sprott, Alex. Henderson. John Sinclair, Wm. Farquarson, Alexander McKav James Irons, Duncan McQueen, William Miller, John Laidlaw, James Findlay, Alexander Fraser, William Wilson, George Inness, John 0. Drummond, Alexander McDonald. And the Right Hon. the Earl of Ellesmere, Capt. James A. Gore, 71st Regt., Alexander Scott, Glasgow, John Cameron, were elected Honorary Members, the first named making a donation of £2 10s. to the charity fund, and John Watt, John McKay, were added to the Perpetual List, they making the usual payment of £10. An application was made to the City Council for a Lot of ground in the Cemetery for the Society, when the following communication was received at the August meeting, from the Council : — Halifax, 18th July, 1853. Sir, — In answer to your application for the use of a certain portion of the Cemetery for the North British Society, I beg leave to state that the same , '--^^ NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 163 was referred to His Honor the Recorder for his opinion, and that opinion having been submitted to the City Council on Friday last the accompanying resolution was passed. I have the honor to be, Yours, (fcc, James S. Clarke, City Clerkj To Donald Murray, Esq., President North British Society. Resolved, That a portion of thirty feet of that part of the public Cemetery marked ^' Stranger's Burial Ground " in the plan, be sold to the North British Society for the sum of £2 15s. currency, the particular situation to be arranged by the Cemetery Committee, the deed to be in the name of such persons as the Society may appoint and in- trust for the exclusive burial of such persons and strangers as the Society may bury at their ex- pense. James S. Clarke, City Clerk. William McKay and John Watt were appointed Trustees to hold the Deed for the Society, but at a specii/' meeting called soon after, this motion was rescinu'^d and the President and his successors ap- pointed Trustees for the Society. The President made a donation to the Society of the amount of the Lots, for which he received the unanimous thanks of the members. The following gentlemen were appointed a Committee to procure subscriptions from members for the purpose of I vSri'i m u enclosing the ground with a suitable rail and putting it in order : — Geo. Esson, Geo. McKenzie, John Muneo. A most interesting meeting was held in Novem- ber, and after the transaction of a large amount of business, the following office-bearers were elected for 1854: Andrew McKinlay, President, Charles "W. Dickson, Vice Do., • Wm. Grant, jr., ) . ^ W. M. Campbell, \ ^^*^- ^^'' John Watt, Treasurer, John A. Sinclair, Secretary, John McCulloch, Asst. Do., Arch. Sinclair, 1 John Richardson, | W. A. Hesson, [ Committee of Charity. John Munro, Alex. McDonald, J \ Wm. Grant, Marshal, Rev. John Martin, ) mi- Eev. John Scott \ C^P'^^^^' The 30th November was observed as usual by the dinner at Mason Hall. A large number of the Society attended, and the celebration passed off happily. 1854. Under tho guidance of such an able and popular President as Andrew MacKinlay the society in- creased in numbers and usefulness, about £90 was NOETH BRITISH SOCIETY. 165 disbursed in charity and among the number relieved the names of four raembers occur, who had long contributed to the charitable purposes of the society. The meetings were largely attended and the follow- ing gentlemen signed the roll of ordinary members. And Jas. J. Bremner, Peter Jack, Chas. H. Sinclair, James Parker, W. S. Forman, Wm. Currie, Wm. Sutherland, Jas. Wilson, Jr., Charles Lyle, John A. Johnston, Donald Fraser, Robt. Spiers, James "Wallace, W. A. Grant, John Christie, Cape Breton, Capt. James GriflSn, were unanimously elected honorary members. In consequence of several amemdments being suggested in the report of the committee of charity, the fol- lowing gentlemen were appointed to examine and revise the rules and bye-laws previous to publica- tion, and report during the incoming year. Arch. Sinclair, John Munro, James Watt, Adam Beid, John Watt. At the annual meeting in November which was attended by about eighty members, the society elected the following office bearers for 1855 : — C. W. Dickson, Fresiderit, Geo. Buist, Vice do., John A. Sinclair, Senr. Asst, do.j John Doull, Junr. Asst. do. , John Watt, Treasurer, John McCuUoch, Secretary, James Parker, Asst, do., % f/Alf -' aim ' \ (■■ ■ 166 ANNALS OF THE ( Chaplains, Committee of. Charity, Archibald Sinclair, ] Alexander McDonald, ( W. A. Hesson, Adam Eeid, J. R. Stewart, Rev. John Martin, Rev. John Scott. Wm. Grant, Senr., Marshal, Jas. Reid, Messenger, The festival was not forgotten on the 30th Nov. About one hundred sat down, the chair being sibly filled by C. W. Dickson, with Geo. Buist as Vice, the splendid band of the 76th Regt. occupied the orchestra and gave one of the best sustained concerts ever listened to in Halifax. Over twenty toasts were drank among them we notice the memory of Mr. J: Form an, given by Mr. MacKinlay, who passed a high eulogium on the deceased, declaring that Mr. Forman had not left behind him a warmer hearted man, or a bettar sample of his countrymen. The company separated early next morning, all having gone on happily and satisfactorily. 1855. The Society met as usual at Masonic Hall, and during the year the Committee of Charity dis- tributed over £90. The following were admitted ordinary members, John S. Maclean, David Ross, R. J. Romans, Thomas Hume, James Blair, George McKie, James Monteith, A. Stevens, and James Simpson, ' ^ were elected honorary members. NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 167 A commuication was tliis ye^tr received from Dr. Eobb, of Fredricton, containing proposals for a union of all the Scottish Societies in the Colonies to draw instruction and authority from a Head Association in Scotland, or on this Continent, as might be agreed upon. The proposal was favourably received, and a committee was appoint- ed to examine into the matter, but from some cause the scheme, although a most laudable one, fell through. Not much of interest to note this year. At the annual meeting, the following gentlemen were elected office-bearers, viz. : — George Buist, President, John Doull, Vice do. Peter Ross, Senr. Asst. Capt. John Taylor, Junr, Asst. John Watt, Treasurer, William Grant, Secretary, James Parker, Asst. Do. V Committee Charity, Archibald Sinclair, ] John Strachan, Adam Reid, W. A. Hesson, J. R. Wilson, William Grant, Senr. Marshal, Rev. John Scott, ] Charilains Rev. John Martin, J ^^«P^^^^*> The anniversary was observed with all the usual honours. A large company assembled at Mason Hall, which was beautifully decorated with appropriate I / • 168 ANNALS OF THE devices in gaslight, banners, evergreen, &c. Tiie Table was one of Hesslien's best efforts, and Ihe chairman George Buist, was ably assisted by John DouU. About twenty toasts were given from the chair, which together with volunteer songs, and sentiments, served to fill up the measure of mirth and enjoyment inseparable from the gatherings of the Society. :. 1856. The meetings were held at Mason Hall. A large number of members attended, and over £100 was disbursed in charity. During the year the following gentlemen were enrolled ordinary members : Jno. B. Campbell, John P. Muir, A. K. MacKiulay, Hugh Campbell; John Fraser, John Watson, J. B. MacDonald, E. Gr. Haliburton, John C. McKenzie. John "Watson, George Alexander, John McKenzie, Wm. F. Grant, Geo. McLean, ^ W. B. Smellie, Thos. Annand, Kobt. Fraser, And Sergt.- Major John Campbell. Alexander Fraser, Captain Johnston, Duncan MacDonald, Donald D. Green, Alexander McPhee. Were elected honorary members. At the May meeting, £20 was unanimously voted to the widow and family of Captain Hugh Lyle, a late member, formerly pilot of the Cunard line of NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 169 Bteamers, and latterly 1st officer of the Collins' Steamship Pacific, lost on her voyago between Liverpool and New York, on or about 1st February, 1856. This was acknowledged by Mrs. Lyle by note received at the November meeting. By the Report of the Committee of Charity, wo notice that forty-eight persons were relieved during the year, several of the pensioner widows being of the number. The following gentlemen were elected office- bearers for 1857 : — John Doull, President, Peter Ross, Vice Do\, Captain Johr. Taylor, Senr. Asst. do. Wm. Annand, Junr, do., John Watt, Treasurer, Alexander Scott, Secretary, Wm. B. Smellie, Asst do.,\ Arch. Sinclair, Committee of Charity, Donald Murray, W. A. Hesson, Adam Reid, Alex. McDonald, Chaplains re-elected, Marshal do. Wm. Grant, Senr., ] Geo. McKenzie >■ Back Dues. John Richardson, J The festival was held at the Mason Hall, and was the dinner of the season. Over one hundred sat down, and the whole arrangement reflected great credit on the office-bearers. During the year the Society lost one of its ii i A 1! ii\ w ft 170 ANNALS OF THE i Banners. It was lent for the decoration of the Province Building on the occasion of the Ball given by the citizens to the G2nd and G3rd Regts., who arrived from the Crimea, in June. It was stolen from the building after the conclusion of the Ball, or some time before the next morning. Diligent search was made for it, but without success. 1857. This year the meetings were each attended by from eighty to one hundred members. Groat interest was taken in the proceedings, and the Committee of Charity disbursed £117 to sixty-two individuals. The following were added to the ordinary list during I year : James Hunter, Peter Scott, Geo. Fraser, John Muir. And the following were elected honorary members : Oapt. J. C. Dalyrmple Hay, H. M. S. " Indus," David Johnston, John Blackie, Spencer Sutherland, A magnificent Ball was given by the Society on the 10th February, which was attended by a large company, which included the elite of the city. One of the workmen while engaged in decorating the room for the occasion, fell to the floor of Mason Hall, and sustained serious injury. At the next quarterly meeting the Society unanimously voted him Ten pounds. ^' ; w^, • James Kerr, Adam Burns, Robert Bauld, James Fraser, NORTTT BRTTISn SOCIETY. 171 by on Tlio thanks of tlio Society ^vcrc voted at the November meeting to the Committeo of Charity for their services during tlic past year, they having had many applications to inquire into and relieve. The following office-bearers were elected at this meeting for the ensuing year : Peter Ross, President, Capt. John Taylor, Vice do. Wm. Annand, tSem\ do., Wm. Murray, Junr. do., John Watt, Treasurer, W. B. Smellie, Sccretaryy John B. Campbell, Asst. Do., Donald Murray, Committee of Charity, Geo. McKonzie, J. P. Muir, John Brander, John Mcllreaith, Chaplains re-elected. The Festival of St. Andrew was celebrated on the 30th November, by the usual dinner at Masonic Hall. About one hundred sat down to a capital table, and the toasts and sentiments were of the most enlivening and inspiring character. On the list we notice that the Scot's Society of Boston that day celebrating their 200th anniversary was honor- ed bv beinff remembered on this occasion. 1858. This year was an important one in the annals of the society as much business was transacted and the meetings were well attended. At the February !;?i fl^ '», ■ i^i f 1 I 172 ANNALS OF THE mooting the committeo appointed to take stops towards incorporating tho society, reported, and the draft of act of incorporation prepared by Hon. Wm. Young, was unanimouHly approved of, and that gentleman requested to introduce the same into the legislature during tho session, this was done, and tho society was incorporated in tho name of tho office bearers and members and their successors, under tho rules passed on 7th Nov. 1843. The Committee of Charity during tho year distributed £117 to over forty applicants. Tho fol- lowing were added to tho roll of members : — Robert Penton, Jas. S. Hutton, John Campbell, Wm. Fraser, And David Hunter, John N. Boss, Geo. Laing, were unanimously elected Honorary members. Three hundred copies of the rules with names of members and list of office bearers were printed, the most complete set that has yet been issued. During the year the question of the banner lost in 1856 was brought, up when it was decided to replace it by private subscription. At tho November meeting the following office bearers were elected to serve for the ensuing year : Capt. John Taylor, President, Wm. Annand, Vice Do., Wm. Murray, Senr. Asst. Vice Do., Alex. Scott, Junr. Asst. Vice do., \ John Watt, Treasurer, NORTir URITTfin SOCIETY. 173 e fltofs and tlio ^ lion, of, and e same n, thia in tho id their \i Nov. lie year riio fol- ton, ambers, mes of ed, the During 5G was it by office year : John B. Campbell, Secretary, Charles W. Dickson, And. do., John McTlrcith, J. P. Miiir, John Brandcr, V John Bayno, Thos. I^ayno, Rev. John Martin, ) /^, 7 • T) T 1 a it r tkaviains Kev. John Scott, J ••• Committee of. Charity, Wm. Grant, Marshal, Jas. Re id, Mcs-^enger, D. Murray, ] Jas. Kerr, \ Back dues, J. J. B»-cnnner, ) A vote of thanks was passed to the Secretaries, W. B. Smellio, and J. B. Campbell, for their atten- tion during the past year. 1859. Under tho guidance of such an able staff of officers as those elected to govern the Society for this year, the business was well attended to, and marked progress is perceptible in the affairs of tho Institution. The 100th anniversary of the natal day of Scot- land's National Poet, was celebrated with all honor by the Society. Long looked for, the arrival of the day did not find the Society asleep. About half-past 2, p. m., the North British Society, joined by the Highland Society and by Scotchmen and their descendants, to the number of about three hundred marched in procession from Mason Hall to Tempe- rance Hall, which was at once filled with about 1 1 174 ANNALS OF THE IGOO persons. The Gliair was filled by Chief Justice Halliburton, a member of the Society, who introduced tho Hon. Wm. Young, who delivered aii oration which occupied an hour and a half in delivery, which was received throughout with enthusiastic applause. At G, p. m., tho members and guests assembled at Mason Hall, and partook of a magnificent dinner, served up in Nichols' best style. The Hon. "Wm. Young presided. On h's right His Excellency the Earl of Mulgrave, on his left Col. Dick. Oapt. J. Taylor filled the Vice Chair. Over twenty toasts were drank with unbounded enthusiasm by the company, which numbered about 300. At 10 o'clock the toast of the evening was given by the Chairman, at which hour the Society had been requested to join with their countrymen engaged in celebrating the day in New York and elsewhere, in drinking to the following: '*' Kindred associations throughout the world, may they preserve the songs and desiminate the senti- ments of Burns, till ' Man to man the world o'er Shall brithers be and a' that.' " This was followed by speeches from the Earl of Mulgrave, Hon. J. W. Johnston, and other dis- tinguished guests, and the company finally broke up at one a. m., after a most joyous dinner, thus completing the most successful celebration yet held in Halifax. The cost was large, but was partially defrayed by liberal subscriptions from members. Great credit is due to the office-bearers, but par- NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 175 ticularly to the Secretary, for the success which crowned the celebration. Over £130 was expended in charity by the Committee this year, and the following members acquired : Ordinary. Robert Muirhead, George 11. Anderson, Eobert Gray, David Crawford, Jap. C. Mackintosh, Andrew Wallace, William Henry, Eobert Urquhart. Honorary. Wm. Miller, David Petrie. James Matheson, John McGregor, Wm. Murray. Perpetual. George Esson, Hon. Stayly Brown. The thanks of the Society was passed to Wm. Cunard for his kindness in transmitting two poor Scotchmen to their native land at a reduced rate of passage, thereby greatly assisting the Committee of Charity in their duties. Over £113 was collected in dues from members present at the Quarterly Meetings, showing that they were all largely attended. At the November meeting the following were appointed oflfice-bearers for 1860 : W. B. Smellie, President, John A. Sinclair, Vice do., Jno. B. Campbell, Sen. Asst. do., George MacLean, Jim. do. do.. m- 176 ANNALS OF THE Chaplains. John Watt, Treasurer^ Andrew K. MacKinlay. Secretary, James Wilson, Asat. do., Thomas Bayne, John P. Miiir, John Brander, \ Committee of Charity George Alexander, James Rhind, Kev. John Scott, Rev. John Martin, Wm. Grant, Marshal, James Eeid, Messenger. The thanks of the Society were given to the Secretary for his services during the past year. The festival was duly honored on the 30th Nov. The Society with a large number of guests dined together at the Masonic Hall. The Earl of Mulgrave and other distinguished persons were present, and it, like all its predecessers, passed oif happily, and with honor to the Society. 1860. the Quarterly meetings were well attended at the usual ])lace. Masonic Hall. During the year about £65 was disbursed in Charity, ihere not being the usual number of applicants. The following were elected, and signed the roll of ordinary members : Henry W: Fish, James Malcom, Dr. W. H. Davies, Donald Boss, Alexander McLeod, John Davison, James Romans, John Drillio, Dr. Cowie, William Mason. J. W. Fraser. NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 177 Charity to the )ar. h Nov. s dined arl of were passed ded at year re not le roll And Malcolm McDougall, of Bras d'Or Lake, C. B., was elected an honorary member. The Society turned out in strength to line the streets on the landing of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, July 30th. At a special meeting, held previous to the occasion, a silk Union Jack was handed to the Society hy James Kerr, the expense of which had been defrayed by private subscription. Mr. Kerr received the unanimous thanks of the Society for his exertions in providing this Banner. The Society received the thanks of J. 0. Hali- burton and family for the respect shown by the members on the occasion of the funeral of the late Chief Justice Haliburton, an old and respected member, they having attended in large numbers to pay the last tribute of respect to the deceased. A letter having appeared in the Acadian Recor- der of 21st July, reflecting on the character of the President who had lately been in a difficulty with the government in regard to matters connected with the Railway Department, led to the following resolution being passed by the society at the August meeting, moved by Capt. Taylor, seconded and passed unanimously, that Whereas, In a communication signed a North Britisher, published in the Acadian Ilecorder of che 21st ult., aspirations have been cast upon the President and members of this socio '.y, and Whereas, the members of this society feel it due to themselves as a body to refute the vile insiiiuations fi' '•i i I 178 ANNALS OF THE contained in that communication. Therefore Hesolved, that this meeting express .the indignation felt at the appearance of said letter, that the state- ments therein contained are false, and their belief that ohe writer thereof is not, or worthy to become a member of this society, and this meeting is happy to have an opportunity of expressing its high ap- preciation of the talents and character of their young and able president, and of proving the writer of the above mentioned communication .a vile slanderer, further Resolved, that a copy of the foregoing be sent to the Acadian Recorder for publication. At the annual meeting the folio wing office bearers were elected for 1861. John A. Sinclair, President, John B. Campbell, Vice Do., Goo. MacLean, Sen. Asst. do., James Thomson, Junr. Asst. Do., John Watt, Treasurer, Robt. Gray, Secretary, J. 0. Mackintosh, Asst. do., Thos. Bayne, ^ Geo. Alexander, James Rhind, James Hunter, James Kerr, Rev. John Scott, Rev. John Martin, Committee Charity. } Chau ains. Wm. Grant, Marshal, Jas. Reid, Messenger, NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 179 The festival was celebrated by the usual dinner at Mason Hall. About eighty gentlemen present. Presided over by J. A. Sinclair, Chairman, J. B, Campbell, Vice do,, The evening was spent happily by all present, and was in every way a pleasant reunion, speeches, song, and sentiment occupied the time until the parting toast of ^'our next merry meeting" separated the company at about 1 A. M. 1861, But little of interest to record this year. The meetings were held at Masonic Hall,and about £100 was distributed by the Committee of Charity. In August a magnificent picnic under the auspices of the Society, was held at Bedford, which was at- tended by an immense number of citizens. James MacKintosh, Jas. S. MacDonald, were admitted ordinary members, and James Davy, Alex. McDonald were elected honorary members. At th^ annual meeting the Committee of Charity brought, in an interesting Eeport, in whici. they brought prominently forward the necessity of the large amount of back dues now accumulated on the books being collected. They recommended that some member of the Society be appointed collector, and receive a commission for the same. The report was received and adopted. At this meeting, which was well attended, the following were elected office- bearers for 1862 : 180 ANNALS OF THE Committee of Charity. George McKenzie, President^ George Alexander, Vice do., James Hunter, Sen. Asst. do., Dr. "VV. H. Davies, Junr. do. do.j John Watt, Treasurer, J. 0. MacKintosh, Secretary, Jas. S. MacDonald, Asst. do., Thomas Bayne, Dr. W. H. Davies, James Rhind, James Kerr, John S. MacLean, 1:;: Jtn Kin, 1 '^^P^^'- . Wm. Grant, Senr., Marshal, John Patterson, Messenger. The festival of St. Andrew was duly observed by the usual dinner at Masonic Hall. George McKenzie, President, in the Chair, Geo. Alexander, Vice do. Owing to various causes the members did not attend in any great number. But the fact is, that large set formal public dinners are not as much in unison with the feeling of the Society as in days gone by. And although the office-bearers who had charge of the festival were all popular gentlemen, still the dinner was not by any means a success. 1862. At the February meeting a case without prece- dent in the annals of the Society occurred. Letters from George McKenzie and George Alexander, President and Vice President of the Society, were Id le NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 181 read, tendering the resignation of their offices, on account of the members not giving them that support that was desirable in carrying out the arrangements of last Festival. This was the cause of great regret to the large meeting assembled, as these gentlemen had been unanimously elected to their offices. Considerable discussion ensued, when it was finally resolved and passed that their resig- nations be accepted. The Society then proceeded to elect members to fill their places, when James Thomson was unanimously elected President, and John P. Muir Vice President, for the remainder of the year, A special meeting was called in June, to consider the propriety of raising a sum of money to aid in erecting a monument to H. E. H. the late Prince Consort, a communication having been received from the Scottish Association, also a printed circular letter from the Duke of Bucclough, on the same subject. After due consideration it was decided not advisible to open a subscription, it being the opinion of the society that any effort for such a purpose should be made with a view to the erection of a monun:. ent in Nova Scotia. During the year the following ordinary members were admitted : — And E M. Macdonald, Wm. Murray, 2d, John MacKay, John McDonald, John H. Johnston, Alex. MacKenzie, Peter Ross became a Perpetual member by the payment of the usual fee of £10. II, I ':S 1 r At the annual meeting the Committee of Charity brought in their report to the effect that over £90 had been applied to the carrying out of the objeota of the institution. The following were elected office bearers for 1863 : — Dr. W, H. DavieS; Fresident, Geo. Maclean, Vice do., Dr. Cowie, Senr. Asst. do., Jaa. Kerr, Junr. Asst. Do., John Watt, Treasurer, Jas. S. Macdonakl, Secretary, Wm. Murray, 2d, Asst. do., "Wm. Grant, Senr., Marshal, Kev. John Martin, ) qi.^^i^-^^ Rev. John Scott, j ^./.a^tozn^, John S. Maclean, \ Peter P*oss, [ Committee John Watson, J- of W. B. Smellie, Charity, A. Stephen, J John Patterson, Messenger, The festival was not forgotten. A social supper was held at the Halifax Hotel, which was well attended. Dr. W. H. Davies, Chairman, Geo. MacLean, Vice Do., The usual patriotic and loyal toasts were drank. Songs, mirth and sentiment followed and the company finally broke up at 1 p. m., pleased with the social manner in which the anniversary had been celebrated. ■Bill I. NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 183 1863. The plj of changed thi meeting \vi trom itie Masonic Hall to the Jrlalilax notei, as being more convenient for members, and ii. every way better adapted for the purpose; about £100 was disbursed in charity, and the following admitted ordinary members : — Kobort Breckin, Neil Wier, James Fraser, Henry Inglis, Geo. Porter, Donald Fraser, W. S. More, an ordinary niomber of the society was placed by his own request on the Honorary list, and Jas. Forman became a perpetual member by the payment of £10. On the 14th April, a most enthusiastic celebra- tion was held in the city in honor of the Prince of Wales' marriage. A meeting of the various socie- ties was held and a committee from each were drafted to prepare an address to deliver to the Lieutenant-Governor, the Earl of Mul- grave, for transmission to their Koyal Highnesses. The committee met when the address prepared by the North British Society was unanimously adopted, and on the 14th inst., the National Societies, headed by the North British, marched in procession to Government House, where the address, neatly en- grossed and ornamented on parchment, was de- livered to the Lieut.-Governor, by the President, W. H. Davies, M. D. The address adopted as before noticed, was ordered to be entered upon the records, and reads as follows: — li.: w til: 184 ANNALS OF THE " Congratulatory Address presented by the North British, St. Georges, Carpenters, and Charita- hle Irish Societies, to his Moyal Highness the Prince of Wales, on the occasion of his marri- age with the Princess Alexandra of Denmark, March 10th 1863, delivered for transmission to His Royal Highyiess on the day of celebra- tion, held April Uth, 1863." May it please your Eoyal Highness, — *' We, the Presidents and Secretaries, on behalf of the North British, St. Georges, Carpenters, and Charitable Irish Societies approach your Royal Highness with our sincere congratulations on the occasion of your marriage with the Princess Alex- andra of Denmark." " In common with her Majesty's loyal subjects in this Her Majesty's Province of Nova Scotia, we have received with unbounded satisfaction the tidings of your recent nuptials. We sincerely hope that the event may be crowned with every happi- ness, and that the Great Giver of all Good may vouchsafe to your Koyal Highness and your amiable Princess, a long and unbroken career of conjugal felecity." '* Recognising in your Royal Highness, the Hope and stay of the crown, this event so intimately con- nected with your future welfare, could not on our part, be allowed to pass without some expression of heartfelt attachment to the Government, under which we have the happiness to live, and we there- fore beg to renew in this address, our warm loyalty to your Royal mother's person and family, and to assure your Royal IliglincKS that wo continue to cherish that faithful adherence to tlie throne which has ever distingui.shcd our colony. We hail the present joy, as the harbinger of that hapj)iness, which may be expected to characterise your future life, and fervently hope that generations yet unborn may refer to this event, as a bright era in the annals of the British empire." " Signed on behalf of the different Societies by the Presidents and Secretaries." At the annual meeting the following were elected office bearers for 1864 : — Capt. John Taylor, President j James Kerr, Vice Do., George Alexander, /Senr. Asst. do., John Johnston, Jy>nr. AssL do., John Watt, Treasurer, James S. MacDonaH, Secretary, Wm. Murray, Asst. Do., J. S. Maclean, ] Alexander Stephen, I Peter Ross, \ Committee of Charity. Duncan G-rant, j George Esson) j Wm. Grant, Marshal, Rev. John Martin, Rev. John Scott Alexander Stephen, ] James Kerr, > John McDonald, j A social supper was held on the anniversary of St. Andrew, at Halifax Hotel, about fifty sat Chajolains, Back Dues. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) .^^% i.O I.I 11.25 iap2.8 1 2.5 US ■ 2.2 ^ 136 ^Mi US 1^ I 2.0 m ^1^ 6" /: o / Photogr^hic Sciences Corporation : Back Dues. The Sec-vetary, J Peter Ross, ] John S. Maclean, | George Buist, \ Committee of Charity, John Gibson, John Johnston, John Patterson, Messenger. The Festival was not observed this year by the Society, although many members joined with the Caledonia Club in a social supper on the 30th, at which the retiring President, Capt. John Taylor, was Chairman. :^ 1865. Meetings held at Halifax Hotel during the year. The deaths of three most distinguished rriembers were announced, Hon. Judge Stewart, C. B., "William Grant, Senr., Eev. John Martin, ■■'■'«- . «7 r v'v''*-'*^' ■«,. The Committee of Charity expended about £90, in relic^nng the widow pensioners of the society and in forwarding several shipwrecked Scotchmen to their friends. John McDonald was elected an ordinary member, and John Drill io, An ordinary member, now residing in Maitland, was placed on thd honorary list. A communication was received from Vice Admiral Sir Jo,mes Hope, K. C. B., enclosing a donation of £5 stg., with a request that his name be added to the roll of the society which was carried into effect at the February meeting, by his being unanimously elected an honorary member. At the May meeting the Rev. Geo. M. Grant, pastor of St. Matthew's, and Rev. W. Maxwell, pastor of Chalmers Church, were unanimously elected joint Chaplains, the offices having become vacant by the recent deaths of Rev. John Martin and Rev. John Scott, who for along term of years had been annually elected to those honorary positions by the society. At the annual meeting in November the following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year : — John B. Campbell, 1 resident, Alex. Stephen, Vice do., James C. MacKintosh, Seiir. Asst. Vice do., James Scott, Junr. Asst. Vice do., John Watt, Treasure!-, Hugh Murray, Secretary, James Steinson, Asst. do., NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 189 £90, in ity and men to iinary litland, lication Hope, with a of the bruary ted an e Rev. I Rev. were offices 'i Rev. alona those mnual earers :edo., r Coiiuniitce Charity. Robert Breckin, Marshal, Rev. Geo. M. Grant, / ^, , . Eev. V,'m. Maxwell; } ion, among the past Pre.siclcnt.s, I liiul Chiof Justi<'oSir Thomas Strange, of whom an anocdotc is looorde*!, ilhi.'Urativ(i of his strict integrity, and of the (hjlicacy of the judicial conscience, lie kjft us in 17*.'7 on his apjiointment as llecorder of Jjomhay, and on his passage out, having convinced himself that he had unconsciously done injustice in one of liis decisions, ho wrote to a friend here, declaring his conviction, and enclosing a draft for the amount which the party had wronnfully paid — a bright example,whicli all judges shouM take to heart. Then we had my immediate predecessor, Chief Justice Sir ]5renton Halliburton, whose eloquent words at Burns's Centenary, all of us remember, whose loss we all of us deplore. We had another Chief Justice too, of a neighbouring colony it is true, but Master of the Holls in our own, S. G. W. Archibald, whose polished wit and powers of infinite persuasion were never equalled at our own, and rarely at the Eng- lish Bar. With these names before me I cannot but feel that however unworthy in myself, I am at least the successor to a brilliant line. On our list of Presidents there are many highly respected names, several of them unknown to the vouno;er but familiar to the older members. There are the names of Mr. Brymer, Deputy Paymaster General, Mr. John Black and Mr. Forsyth, of the great house of Black, Forsyth & Co., the Hon. Michael Wallace, who was twice President, and whom every Scotchman in the Province looked up to as a friend — the Hon. James Stewart whom I regarded as my \4 n :f- I' J own professional father, tlio Hon. Ja.s. Frasor, Mr. ^IcKab, Mr. Clrassio. Mr. Fornian, tlio father of our Vice President, — and who was tliero that did not low*, the kind-heaited genial old man? My own father, whom all the world accounted an orator and ii Hi'holar, while ho preferred to both the titlo of the " Farmer'n Friend." ^ly' brother George, who toiled too incessantly for his health and peace of mind, devoted months and years of nnre(|uited and gratuitous labour to the Intercolonial Ptailway, v;hich rseems, by .some strange fatality, as if it wero again to elude our grasp, and sacrificed his life for the ])ublic good — Mr. William Murdoch, wiioso splendid legacies for public-spirited and cluiri ta- ble objects will ever make his name revered in Halifax — my old friends, the Williamsons, Mr. Esson, Mr. Gray, Mr. MacKinlay, whom we have so recently lost, and wlio left not an enemy behind him. I speak only of the dead, the living I leave for some future orator. With names like these, it must be confessed, I think the Society has a splendid record. Its mem- bers in all, during the Century, have amounted to about 1000 in number. The manao;eraent of our funds, too, may afford some useful Jessons. I find shortly after its formation that the money on hand came to £101 17s. 7d., but our worthy predecessors didn't spend this in a dinner or ball. Scotchmen- like_, they set aside the £1 17s. 7d. for use, and invested the £100 at 6 per cent., where it remains to this day, having yielded four times its amount by interest, which we have expended in charity. NOllTU JaUTlSII SOCIETY. 211 By and hy I fitul the; fund-? had ri.scii to £550, and now, witli Afr. Murdocdi'n legacy of.Cl(X)(), wc havo .C1prohend the cause from whence it sprung. I have often visited the United States, and noted with an observant (^ye the evidence of their astonishing advance. In 1815 I spent a summer in the City of New York when its population was little more than 100,000, and the City of Brooklyn was an inconsiderable village. The three millions of people in the original thirteen States, have swollen in less than a century to thirty-five millions, or as the Tribune contends, to thirty-eight. Does this won- derful progress spring from the freedom of their institutions, or the universal education of their people? These have done much, but one leading and operative cause, I am pursuaded, has been the free and unrestricted intercourse between the members of that vast Confederacy — the practical establishment and recognition of the principles of free trade, even when these principles were theoreti- cally disowned, a homage paid almost unconsciously to their truth. The same principles came into full play in England and Scotland, as a consequence of NORTH JmiTISn SOCIKTV. 221 the Uiiion, nncl were attcmlcd with the like results. Sometimes it is true, there has heen some little jarring. We all of us recollect the celebrated letters of Malachi Malagrowthcr, in which the pungent and witty pen of Sir Walter Scott defended the banking system of his country; prefacing them with tho rather ominous motto, — "When the pipes begin to pluy, Tutti taittie to tho Drum, Out with chiymoro and down with gun, And to the rogues again?" For which upon second thoughts he substituted a more pacific one taken from Mason, — *' Sinter, to thee no ruder spell Will Scotia use, than those that dwell In soft persuasive notes, that lie Twined with the links of harmony ;" Lines which I strongly recommend to our own a| j.'oval, substituting only the mother for the sistei. It will be expected that something should now be said of the literature of Scotland. Trade, manufactures and shipping are admirable things, but the true glory of a country lies in its cultivated minds — a glory of which Scotland has been always emulous, though she was late in entering the field. It has been said that up to the eighteenth century, but two or three Scotchmen deserved to be ranked among the literary or scientific benefactors of the world. George Buchanan, famed for the elegance of his latinity, has the merit of having first clearly defined the relations that ought to exist between Governors and the governed, and placed pop ular \i<\. m !| t k jii li 222 ANNALS OP THE riglitH on a nitioniil and solid basis. Napier of Mcrcliiston, tlio inventor ot logarithms, was a profound mathematical genius — ho belonged to a I'aco of heroes. Burnet is a well known name. Two of the earlier poets also deserve commemora- tion. Thomas the llhymer, in the thirteenth century, whoso tower at Earlstown is still stand- ing, produced the poem of Sir Tristam, which at- tained high colebvity in Europe. It was edited by Sir Water Scott, nvA is said to contain many fine touches of nature and many inteiesting pictures of ancient manners. The father of his hero he des- cribes "stalwart, wise and wight," but the dialect in which it was written is too obscure to be relished by modern scholars. He is still a favorite, and his prophecies enjoy a high reputation among the Scottish peasantry. One of these has reference to a family of the name of Haig, who had inherited the same property from the time of William the Lion, and ran thus : — Tide, tide, what e'er betide Theer'U be a Ilaig at Bemerside. For eighteen generations the inheritance was un- broken, and during the long period of 700 years every Haig had the good fortune or good sense to produce a son to succeed him. The nineteenth Haig married in due season with the same laudable and pious object ; but lo ! and behold, he had twelve daughters in succession, which, with all our regard for the fair sex, was, it must be confessed, rather too much of a good thing. (A laugh.) The popu- lar faith in Thomas the Rymer began to wane, NOKTll nrwITISII SOCIHTV. 223 I^jipior of , was a ^cfl to a n name, iincmora- hirtecnth ill Htand- ^vliicli at- 3tlited by lany fine icturcs of 3 he des- 10 dialect e relished , and his n^ the enco to a rited the he Lion, Wcxs un- 30 years sense to ith Haig able and twelve r regard rather le popu- wane, when lo ! thoro was a son, and tho prophet was restored to his ancient good name. In the Mth century, l^arbour, tho metrical historian of Kobort Bruce, produced his spirited and gra[)hic |)oom, — remarkable for tho strength and purity of its language, its noble sentiments and tho richness of its imagery. The 17th century, whih) it was a blank in Scot- land, was the golden age of English literature. Spenser belongs more properly to the IGth, and was greatly admired in his own day, though now he has almost become obsolete. But tho great names of Milton and Shakspeare in poetry, of Bacon and Newton in philosophy, belong to the 17th, and shed upon tho Knglisli name a lustre that will never die. Th^re is no name in the literature of France during that period that can compare with these; and German literature, which has since attained to such eminence, was then scarcely born. Newton possessed the rarest and most tranecendant genius that God ever gave to man, and the fame of Shakspeare is green as ever, and will last as long as human nature itself. Poets of the highest order, and prose writers like Bacon, with infinite wealth of fancy, and powers of original expression, ennoble and enrich a languago ; and one is astonish- ed on reading Paradise Lost, the dramas of Shaks- peare, and the essays of Bacon, to find how many of the phrases first struck out by the genius ol these men have passed into familiar use. It was not till about the middle of the eighteenth century that the mind of Scotland was thoroughly awakened, when all at onco a new and Bplcndid literature arose. BoliortHon lakea rank among our fineHt liistoriany. There is no nioro beautiful pieco of writing in our language than hif.dcacriptionof the voyage of Colunihus — it is far superior,! think, hoth in simplicity and beauty, to that of Washing- ton Irving, llumo can scarcely bo excelled as a master of English composition. His history is an excpiis'tc work of art ; and although his sympathy with the Stuarts was too strongly marked, and would scarce allow him to do justice to the I'yms, the Ilampdens, and the Cromwells, it is impossible to read his work without admiration and delight. But a greater than either of these two remains. In the little village of Kircaldy, in Fife, tho most pro- found thinker that Scotland ever produced, spent ten years of his life maturing his great work — having withdrawn from the society of his literary friends at Edinburgh, who had no conception of the task to which he had devoted himself. At the expiration of that time, Adam Smith produced his "Wealth of Nations " — a work which has done more to reform and revolutionize the opinions of mankind and the actions of governments, than any that preceded or followed it. I was present the other night at the meeting of the " Young Men's Early Closing Asso- ciation " — a movement of which I highly approve — and was delighted to hear the resolutions which some of them then expressed — to dedicate the time which the generosity and kindness of their employers had assigned them, to the improvement of their minds. They are mostly NOilTH IJUITISll SOCIKTV. 225 cngngcd In commercial |)UrsuitH ; many of tlu>in, I (l()iil)t not, will rise to Jcudiiig pOHitiona in this ooinnuinity ; and it is of great consccjuenco tliat they .should acquire accuruto ideas of the philoHO- phy a.H well as the practice of trade. Let ine strongly recommend to these ar.d to other young men, the .study of Smith's Wealth of Nations, not superficially, i)ut with the fixed purpose to under- stand it, and ^vith p(!n in liand. They will pei-mit lue perha[)H to cito my own exain[)le. I rend the work in that spirit upwards of iifty years ago, and the copious notes I then took have served me a hundred times sinto in good stead, Ijoth in the Assembly and at the Bar. In the notes I have before me, I intended to have said something of the writers of this period in the science of mind — Hutcheson, Eeid, and Dugald Stewart — but I find that time will not permit me, and I must pass for a little while to the poets, and delight you with a few extracts from Eamsay and the " Ettrick Shepherd." Burns I treated at large on a former occasion. I know no pastoral poem in the English language of equal merit to the " Gentle Shepherd " of llam- sav. It is far sunerior to the " Pastoral Ballad " of Shenstone, of which Dr. Johnston, in his "Lives of the Poets," sarcastically says that " an intelli- gent reader, acquainted with the real scenes of life, sickens at the mention of the crook, the pipe, the sheep and the kids," which figure so largely in that production. But Ramsay painted life as it is; and the Scottish dialect in which he wrote, which was a I ^ "m no vulgar ^a^oi5, but the language of polite life as well as of the shepherds, runs with a mellifluous flow. Mark the following extract, where one of his shepherds gives his comrade an instructive lesson in the manas]jement of the fair sex : — Pat. Daft gowk ! leave off that eilly whinging way, Seem car-^less ; there's my hand, ye '11 win the day. Hear how I served my lass, I loe as weel As ye do Jenny, and with heart as leel ; Last morning I was gay and early out. Upon a dike I leaned, glowrin' about ; , I saw my Meg come linkin' o'er the lee ; I saw my Meg, but Meggy saw nae me ; And yet the sun was wading through the mist And she was close upon me ere she wist. Her coats were laltit and did sweetly shaw Her straight bare limbs that whiter were than snaw, Her cockerony snooded up fu sleek. Her haffet locks hang waving on her cheek ; Her chaek sae ruddy and her een sae clear, And oh ! her mouth's like ony hinny pear ; Neat, neat she was in bustine waistcoat clean, As ehe came skiffing o'er the dewy green. Blythsome, I cried : *• My bonny Meg come here, I fer.ly wherefore ye're sae soon asteer ; But I can guess ye're gawn to gather dew." She scoured awa and said, " What's that to you?" " Then f&re ye weel, Meg, dorts and e'ens ye like," I careless cried, and lap in o'er the dike. I trow when that she saw, within a crack She came with a right thieveless errand back ; Misca'd me first, then bac? me hound my dog To wear up three waff ewes strayed on the bog. I leughand sae did she ; then with great haste I clasped my arms about her neck and waist, ., About her yielding waist. * * * * \ NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 227 ife as luous of his esson w, Dear Roger, when your Joe puts on her gloom Do ye sae too, and never fash your thumb ; Seem to forsake her, soon she'll change her mood Gae woo auither and she'll gang clear wud. Let U3 contrast with this a corference between the two Mistresses, winding up with a charming picture of rural life: Peg — Nae mair of that — dear Jenny to be free, There's eome men consfcanter in love than we ; Nor is the ferly great, when nature kind. Has blest them with solidity of mind; They'll reason calmly, and with kindness smile. When our short passions wad our peace beguile, Sae whenso'er they slight their maiks at hame, 'Tis ten to one the wives are maist to blame ; Then I'll employ witli pleasure a' my art To keep him cheerfu' and secure his heart. At e'en when becomes weary frac the hill, I'll ha'e a' things made ready to his will; In winter when he toils through wind and rain, A bleezing ingle and a clean hearth stane ; And soon as he flings by his plaid and staff. The seething pots be ready to take aff. Clean hag-a-bag I'll spread upon his board, A id serve him with the best we can afford. Good humour and white bizonets shall be Guards to my face, to keep his love forme. Jen,' — A dish of married love right soon grows cauld And dosens down to nane as fouk grow auM. Peg. — But we'll grow a,nd together auld ne'er find The lo6« of youth, when love grows on the mind Biirns and their bairne make sure a firmer tie Than aught in love the like of us can spy. See yon twa elms that grow up side by side — Suppose them some years syne bridegroom and bride, IT I'i M ■ It * i I"'- fe 228 ANNALS OF THE Nearer and nearer ilka year they've prest, Till wide their spreading branches are increassd, And in their mixture now are fully blest. This shields the other frae the eastlin blast, That in return defends it frae the west; Sic as stand single (a state sae liked by you) Beneath ilk storm, frae every airt maun bow. Lastly, I will give you a song which has always been popular in Scotland : — Jocky said to Jenny, Jenny, wilt thou do't ? Ne'er a fit, quo' Jenny, for my tocher good. For my tocher good I winna marry thee. E'en's ye like, quo' Jocky, I can let you be. Mause. Weel tiltit, Bauldy, that's a dainty sang. Bauldy. I'se gie ye'd a', its better than its lang. I hae gowd and gear, I hae land enough, I hae sax good owsen ganging in a pleugh ; Ganging in a pleugh, and linkin o'er the lee, And gin ye winna tak me I can let you be. I hae a good ha-house, a barn and a byre ; A peat stack 'fore the door will make a rantin' fire, Will make ia rantin' fire, and merry we shall be, And gin ye winna tak me I can let you be, Jenny said to Jocky, gin ye winna tell. Ye shall be the lad, I'll be the lass mysell — Ye're a bjnny lad, and I'm a lassie free, Ye'r-i wclcomer tc tak me than to let me be. I have three or four extracts from the poems of Hogg, but I find I must here content myself indth onlv one, entitled, " The Women Fo'k " :• — "'''I r" NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 229 THE WOMEN FO'K. sairly may I rue the day, I fancied first the woman kind For aye sinsyne I ne'er can hae Ae quiet thought or peace o' mind ! They hae plagued my heart an' pleased my ee An' teased an' flattered me at will, But aye, for a' their witchireie The pawky things I lo'e them still. the women fo'k ! the women fo'k But they hae been the wreck o* me, weary fa' the women fo'k, For they winna let a body be. 1 hae thought an' thought but darena tell, I've studied them with a' my skill, I've lo'd them better than mysell I've tried again to like them ill. Wha sairest strives will sairest rue To comprehend what nae man can ; When he has done what man can do. He'll end at last where he began. 0' the women fo'k! the women fo'k. But they hae been the wreck o' me, weary fa' the women fo'k. For they winna let a body be ! That they hae gentle forms an' meet, A man wi' half a look may see ; An' gracefu' airs an' faces sweet, An' wavin' curls aboon the bree ; An' smiles as soft as the young rose bud, An' een sae pawky bright an' rare. Wad lure the laverock frae the cludd, But laddie, seek to ken nae mair. the women fo'k ! the women fo'k, But they hae been the wreck o' me, weary fa' the women fo'k, For they winna let a body be ! i f...-,fn,'j' P ■ , J, 1 . .' ■ ■'■M 230 ANNALS OF THE And now I must draw to a close. I have already spoken of the rapid progress which the Scotch have made as a people in the Century we are surveying. My friend Professor Leone Levi, in a report recent- ly made to the British Association at Dundee, re- marks that for the fifty years ending in 1865^ the amount charged in England for income tax rose 128 per cent. — that is, the taxable income of Eng- land had more than doubled in that period, — while in Scotland it rose, in the same period, to 153 per cent. Scotland, at this moment, pays a larger pro- portion of the revenue than at any former period of her history. It was stated in the recent debates in Parliament, that while at the time of the Union Scotland paid only one fortieth of the revenue of the United Kingdom, now she pays one fifth. Her population at the time of the Union was less than one million — at the beginning of the present Cen- tury it had risen to one million six hundred thou- sand — it is now upwards of three millions. In other words, it has doubled within the last sixty years, — an advance of which there is no parallel in any of the old European Kingdoms, except in Eng- land herself — whose population in the same period has risen from nine millions and a half to twenty millions. It is singular to contrast the progress of other countries holding something of the same position. In 1857 I spent some days in Sweden, and traversed the country by the great canal from Gottenburg to Stockholm, and thence to Upaala, where I visited the University and formed the acquaintance of some NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY. 231 of her learned men. Sweden is a Protestant coun- try, with a population of three and a half millions, mostly Lutheran. Education is widely diffused. She has a free Parliament, consisting of four Houses when I saw them, now reduced to two. In the course of her history she has done great things. So early as the 14th Century she abolished the sale of slaves, and she has produced many heroic bouIb ; but in literature and science few eminent names are to be found in her annals. Puffendorf, Tychobrahe and Linnaeus almost exhaust the list. Switzerland, again, with which I am familiar, with a mixed population of two and a half millions and one-seventh of her population at her public schools — an independant Confederacy, with the rare distinction that she has no public debt — labors under the disadvantage of having no literary language of her own ; and her great writers, DeStael, Ptousseau, Dumont, Sismondi, Lavater and Ewler, rank under the French or the German schools. How different is it with Scotland ! I have spoken of the four or five great names that illustrate the 17th Century in England. We have four great names, not so eminent indeed as the English, but scarcely to be surpassed elsewhere — that illustrate the 18th in Scotland — Adam Smith, Walter Scott, Robert Burns and James Watt — to say nothing of a host of others, Chalmers the Prince of modern preachers ; Jeffery the Prince of critics ; Brewster the Prince of natural philosophers. (Applause.) And may it not be well to wind up with an in- quiry, how far the characteristic and homely virtues jir fi il i,< mr ) , , 14;: : rtunity of giving them, and others as well, a lesson which I had early in life, and profited by myself. When I was entering upon the law, upwards of forty years ago. Judge James Stewart, whom I have already mentioned, with true kindness, said to me, " Mind what I am going to tell you. When you open your office, make a fixed determination never to spend more than two-thirds of your income, invest the other third as fast as you make it in mortgages at 6 per cent. Enter into no speculations, but attend strictly to your office and your business. Under no temptation keep your client's money a day. Follow these maxims, and although you may be unable to make a fortune, you will always have independence and peace of mind." I commend these maxims to the thoughtful consideration of the young fellows before me. And now, as I have been saying so much of litera- ture, let me say a word upon two works that have been published this year in Nova Scotia, but have '/i • ■;! NORTH imiTISII SOCIETY. 235 attracted far less attention tlian they deserve. The one is the " Teacher's Text lirook," written by tlic Ptcv. Dr. Forrester, giving the results of his long experience, and containing the most comprehensive and the most philosophic account of the theory and practice of teaching that I have ever met. The other is entitled, " Helena's Household," the pro- duction of Professor De Mill, a picture of Roman society and manners in the tirae of Nero, and embellished by many passages of true beauty and power. Here I must close. I have spoken with great freedom, but I have spoken from the heart. The time must 'come when the risinjoc talent of Nova Scotia will be more assiduously cultivated and her resources more developed — when her population shall be fully alive to the immense ad- vantages which a bountiful Providence has showered upon her, — and whatever her political destiny may be, let us hope that she will prove herself worthy of the high position for which God and nature have evidently designed her. The Chief Justice resumed his seat amidst immense cheering, having spoken about an hour and a half. Rev. G. M. Grant said — It is my pleasing duty to move that this audience do convey to the Chief Justice their thanks for the oration which he has just delivered. I am sure that the Society, of which he is the honored head, will express its thanks in many ways, and right cordially, too; but it is also the duty of the citizens of Halifax, present t 236 ANNALS OF THE in this ansembly, to convoy ilio expression of their gi'atification. The oration, I am sure, charmed and delighted every one who listened to it; for tlie (/hit'f Justice wovo together materials the most diverse, gathered from many quarters. He has proved himself worthy of the honored line of men whose place ho fills, not only as the head of the h'gal profession, but as the head also of the com- munity to which wo are proud to belong, tho North Bi itons of Nova Scotia. John Taylor, Esq., seconded the motion, which passed by acchimation. The Chief Justice said — I feel deeply gratified at tiiis expression of thanks. This is the first occasion, since 18G0, on which I have delivered a lecture from this platform, and lam really delighted that I have come here to-day, were it for nothing else than to enjoy the vivifying response which I have seen in the faces of my countrymen. After which the Hall slowly emptied itself of its fair and gallant company, the procession reformed and marched through the principal streets, which were densely thronged with spectators, to the residence of the Chief Justice on South Street, then through Pleasant street back to the rendezvous, the Province Building. THE DINNP]R. In the evening the members of the Society and their guests, to the number of about 120, assembled . at Mason Hall to close the celebration of the . Centenary. The table was loaded v/ith the choicest NORTH BRTTTSTI SOCIETY. 1^37 viands, .served up in a nio.st excellent .^tylo. The Hall was tasttifully decorated with the Banners of tlio North British and Highland Societies. Tlie Ohair was occupied by His Honor Chief Justice Young, Prosident, supported by Cols. Lowrey and Martin, Judge Desbarres, Judge Jackson, U. S. Consul, Cora. Gen. Btouth, lion. M. B. Alnion, Capt. Doveron, H. I. M. Shi[) Onandago, llis Worship the Llayor, M. B. Paly, Escp, President of the Charitable Irish Society, and many distin- guished citizens and oflicers of the Array and Navy, James Forma n, Esq., Vice Presi(b.'nt, occupied the Vice Chair, supported by G. S. Yates, Esq., President of St. George's Society, and M. Liebraan, Esq., President of the Gerraania Society, and other guests. The fine Band of the 4tli Pegt. was in attendance, and at intervals enlivened the company with sweet music. Nor were the sounds of the pibroch, so pleasinn; to a Scotchman's ear, wanting. At about half-past nine the cloth was removed, when the drinkini^ of the toasts beiian. The Queen — the mother of the people — God blesi.s Iicr. (National Anthem by the Band, and enthusiastic cheers from the Company.) The Worthy President, in proposing this toast said that he was about to propose the toast, which on festive occasions like the present, rose unbidden to the lips of every Briton. The toast was received with unbounded enthusiasm, the whole company rising and singing the National Anthem. "The Prince and Princess of "Wales, and the other ij. .i '1^ 238 ANNALS OF THK inoinliorH of tlio \\uy\\\ Family." (Ueceivud with oil the lI(tn(>rH. fiu/f Dnfannifi.) "The Kmj)oror of tho BVench nnd the PrcHitlent of the United StateH." The Chairman, in propo"'ng this toast, prefaced it with a fow luo.st a.p[)ropriato remarks, and caUed upon iho Captain of the French iroa-chid now in our harbor, to respond on behalf of tho fornier, and Judge Jackson on behalf of tho latter. The captain arose and gracefully returned thanks on bclialf of the nation which ho represented, for tho cordial manner in which tho toast had boon received; expressed his sincere wish that the English, the French and American nations might always continue to live in perfect harmony, and said he w^uld bear a most lively recollection of the kindn he had roceivod at the hands of tho Halifax citizens during the long and cold winter. Judge Jp.ckson, in responding to the toast of the President, said he appreciated most highly the compliment which had been paid the American Presidert and people, and on his and their b3half he begged to tender his most sincere thanks. He heartily joined with the Chairman and the gallant French Captain in the wish that tho three nations spoken of would ever cultivate towards each other feelings of friendship. He paid a high compliment to the position and resources of Nova Scotia, and said it was now a well established fact that the sails of her ships whitened every sea on the globe. m mi NOUTII 131UTISII SOCIETY. 239 the " IIIh Kxcellrney the Oovornor Ciencrnl and tho f Jdvcrn irfl of tho 8iHter I'rovinceB." ((jiovcrnor (jieneral'M March.) This was received with the utmost onthuHiasm. " IIIm Kxccllcncy Major floncrnl Doyle; onjoyinj; tlio estocm of all rHiill f; I ;' '' 'hit I I* '!i; 11 :^ i)^ V ■) '••(-;■• i'-* H- 11^ '. r- iv ^> ' ^ f I ,. .r...i,H - -WiJ *■ \ * .-; ''"^-"-' - HOI 'I 1 I ' \ I 1 5 f ■-t . IN MEMORY OF REV. ANDREW BROWN, REV. ARCHIBALD GRAY, D.D. REV. JOHN MARTIN, REV. JOHN SCOTT. CHAPLAINS OF THE ^mf^ ^iUh\ ^wU%^. ZEALOUS AND FAITHFUL. ,> i :r t *ii ii ■ ff*. 1 ■ i ■ J 'fl|{ '" ;, . ■ . .: ■■^1 kll iff '' 'I' Ml ' V M 1, I (,'" \ \ L Amm^\ ^" \ . RULES FOE THE BEGULATION OF *m\ THE NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY, ti. ,1 If 4 IN HALIFAX, N. S. m \ i»iii WITH THE lb- wit ACT OF INCORPORATION, w ll; i \ . EOLL OF MEMBEES; &C. t INTRODUCTION. As every Association for the assistance and relief of our fellow-creatures is commendable and good, it is hoped the Nohth British Society of Halifax will be esteemed such by all who candidly peruse the Rules of its Institution. When people meet with misfortune, or fall into distress in a part of the world remote from the land of their nativity, they naturally select their coun- trymen to reveal their situation to them, and to claim their aid. That they might have it in their power to interpose with effect in behalf of such claimants, the natives of Scotland and those of Scotch parentage in the city of Halifax, agreed, in the year 1768, to form themselves into a charitable Society. The good effects of their association have now been experienced for one hundred years, and though the objects of their charity, like the contributors to it, have, according to their fundamental principles, been North-Britons only, yet there is nothing so narrow or illiberal in their Institution as to indis- pose them, in their individual capacity, from acting np to the principles of universal charity, and joining with the community at large, in acts of social or private beneficence. RULES, ETC. SECTION I. Designation of the Society : its Seal, The Society shall retain its present name, that is, — The Noetii Beitish Society, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The Seal now used by the Society, viz., a silver Seal, with a Thistle and Ciown engraved thereon, with this motto : ''Nemo me impune lacessit," shall be continued, subject to the regulations hereafter mentioned. so SECTION II. Of Members and their Qualifications : Election and Duties. As the existence and usefulness of the Society depends upon its ordinary members, what relates to them deserves the first consideration. Persons desiring admittance into thj Society shall consist, first, of natives of Scotland, secondly of those whose lathers or grandfathers are or were natives. The} shall be proposed by one or more members of the S ciety, at a general or special meeting, and their election shall be determined by a majority of votes by ballot, at next quarterly meeting. Every person thus elected as an ordinary mem- ber shall, at the time of his admission, subscribe the Rules of the Society, and pay into the hands of i i;', I r ! >» 258 APPENDIX. the Treasurer a sum not less than four dollars, to be applied according to the orders and regulations hereinafter specified. Every ordinary resident member shall pay quar- terly into the hands of the Treasurer, at the Board of the Society, the sum of 3s. currency, or such other sum as shall from time to time be judged sufficient for promoting the general purposes of the institution. Perpetual members shall consist of those persons entitled to admission into this Society, who deposit in the fund of charity a sum, the annual interest of which shall be at least equal to the ordinary dues of the four quarterly meetings, as now estab- lished ; they shall always have a right to take part in the business of this Society, and shall, with their own consent, be always eligible to its offices. Honorary members shall consist of those persons eligible into the Society, who are passengers and sojourners, rather than resident in the city; or who being ordinary members, may remove from the city; or of those \vhom, on account of their office and avocations, the Society shall think proper to exempt, though resident, from the duty of ordinary attend- ance. In either case they shall contribute to the funds of charity a sum not less than six dollars. The admission and enrolment of members of the first description shall, as heretofore, be vested in the officers of the Society, viz., in the President, Vice-President and Assistants. And it is to be understood that if any members of the first or second class shall become permanent residents in the city, they shall pay the same annual contribu- tion as ordinary members, or otherwise shall cease to be member.s of the Society. SECTION IIL Meetings of the SocicUj, and Order of ]3usiness. For cultivating a mutual good understanding among the members, and for conducting the busi- ness of charity, the Society shall be assembled four times in the year, besides its anniversary meeting, namely, on the first Tiiursday of the months of February, May, August and November, At all meetings of the Society, after the Presi- dent or Vice-President has taken the Chair, the Kules shall be laid on the table for the perusal and direction of the members; and nothing shall be talked of but the business of the Society, while the President keeps the Chair, Every member speaking on business shall stand up and address himself to the Chair, and no mem- ber shall speak more than once on the same subject^ except by leave from the Chair, or in order to explain something already oiered. When the subject before the Society is stated and discussed, the President shall propose the same to the decision! of the members, which shall be given by ballot in all eases when it is required, or by •a show of hands. Every member resident in the city, who shall be absent from any meeting, ordinary or extraordinary, l\i m 2G0 ArPENDIX. — X shall be noted in tlio Minutes by the Secretary, and filiail forfeit for every time he is absent, fifteen pence, for the use of the Society. Every member present shall pay Is. 3d. to defray the expense of the evening. Every member resident in the city, "who shall absent himself for four successive quarterly meet- ings, without making an excuse that shall be deemed satisfactory to the Society, shall na longer be considered a member. At the meeting in November the members present shall, by a majority of votes given by ballot, elect the officers for the ensuing year, to wit, a President, Vice-President, two Assistants, a Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Com- mittee of Charity and Messenger; and at this meeting, also, a regulation shall be made for cele- brating the Festival of St. Andrew. Any member being elected to the office of Pre- sident and refusing to act, shall forfeit twenty shillings ; Vice-President, fifteen shillings ; and all other officers ten shillings each, for the use of the Society. At the meeting to be held on the 30th November each year, for celebrating the festival of St. An- drew, or on the day following, if the 30th happens to be Sunday, the officers elected at the preceding meeting shall enter on their functions. At the said Annual Festival, every member of the Society who shall appear without a St. Andrew's Cross on his breast, shall forfeit and pay to the Society's use seven shillings and six pence. if — APPENDIX. 261 SECTION IV. Of the Officers of the Society : their Duty and Business. No person shall bo eligible to the office of Presi- dent who has not been at least twelve months an ordinary or perpetual member of the Society. The duty of the President, Vice President or Chairman, is to presido at all meetings, to regulate the deliberations of the Society; to state and put questions both in the affirmative and the negative, according to the sense and intention of the m.eet- ing; to check undue warmth or irregularity, and keep all persons in order; and for this purpose ho shall have the power ot fining, at his discretion, an offending member, not exceeding Is. for each offence, without putting a vote; to direct sum- monses for all ordinary and extraordinary general meetings ; and to execute or superintend the execution of all the rules and orders of the Society. The custody and use of the Seal, the power of naming the place of meeting, with all other powers vested in him by ancient usage, shall, as heretofore remain with the President, or, in his absence, with the Vice President or Chairman. The President, Vice President or Chairman, shall approvo of all disbursements, and sign all orders of distribution, the account of which shall, as usual, be submitted to the Society for its satipfaction. The Secretary or Assistant Secretary shall attend all meetings and Committees of the Society, with the Rules and Records; shall take down all I 1 'V. t 262 APPENDIX. Minutes, particularly noting, in a regular account, all monies received and disbursed, and shall pro- duce the same, fairly written, in proper books, at the next meeting ; shall read all letters, petitions or papers sent or communicated to the Society, and shall record such of them as may be deemed worthy of preservation ; shall ])repare all answers in such terms as may be directed; shall make proper in- dexes to the books of the Society, and allow no account thereof, under his direction, to be in arrear beyond the space of twelve months. The Treasurer shall give such security as the Society may require for the trust reposed in him; he shall recieve all monies belonging to the Society ; he shall regularly produce his accounts signed, and the state of the incidental resources of the Society; and shall annually prepare a correct view of the funds, and the savings or exceedings of the year. lie shall have no credit in his account for any sum disbursed for which he does not produce the order or approbation of the President in writing, or of the Committee of Charity. The Appointment J powe^^s and Ditties of the Committee of Charity. The Committee of Charity, consisting of five, shall, as heretofore, be annually elected by the So- ciety for the following purposes : To enquire into the claims, characters and cir- cumstances of all such as apply for the ordinary or extraordinary aid of the Society, to prevent the ■AlMIK APrENDlX. 203 charity of the Society from being improperly or fruitlessly a|)plied. To deliver their opinion candidly and freely with reepect to the general merit of claimants, and to the extent of the relief it may he necessary to afford them. To report to the Society any accident that may befall m.embers, and such as stand in need of aid, or any sickness they may labor under, and to de- scribe the nature and extent of the assistance it behooves the Society to give them, while in such circumstances. Provisions in case of the Absence ^ liernoval or Death of Officers. If any ofhcers of this Society are, by sickness or otherwise, necessarily absent from a regular meet- ing, others shall be called, for the time being, to act in their room ; and if any of the officers happen to remove out of the Province or to die during the year for which they were elected, the members assembled at the next quarterly meeting shall, as upon the meeting in November, choose others to serve in their room for the remainder of the year. SECTION V. Fiends of the Society and appropriation thereof. All the money coUecte'd from the members or re- ceived by donation or otherwise, shall be applied to the best advantage for promoting the ends of the Institution ; and if, at any time, there shall be more money in the funds than present exigencies m '^ M •I: ! 1 i!. !■ iiil .1 \ 11! 2(>4 API'ENDIX. require, the Treasurer, at tlio desire and Ly tlie direction of the Society at any general or quarterly meeting, shall lend out the same upon interest on the credit of the Province, or unexceptional )lo personal security by bond, or by investment in real estate within the city of Halifiix, by bond and mortgage; this security to be taken in the name of the President and Vice President for the time being, and the survivors of them, as Trustees for the said Society; and in the said instrument of security, it shall be declared that the same is made in trust for the Society, and the President and Vice President shall be parties to, and shall execute the same in the presence of two witnesses, and the said security shall b lodged with the Treasurer for the time being, and the mortgage, if any, to bo duly recorded. Provided always, that said Presi- dent and Vice President, or either of them, their heirs, executors, or administrators, shall at all times subsequent (on being required by the Society at a general meeting so to do) execute an assign- ment or assignments of the said instruments, to their successors in office. The charity of the Society shall be applied in the following manner, viz., the President, Vice President, with the other officers of the Society or the Committee of Charity, shall have power to dra '^ orders on the Treasurer for tha time being, in favor of such poor or distressed persons as they shall judge fit objects of the Society's bounty, which orders the Treasurer shall immediately pay, provided alwm/s^ that iiono but tlionc %vho luxvo tlic samo qualifications iu i\\^ar(l to country ami parontago as is f.tatcci in the rnlc ivspccting ad- mission of mcmbei's, tlioir ^vi(lo^vs and children, shall ever ho entitled to any part of thi.s charity. Provided aho, that the Hum so drawn for docs not Gxceed .£5 to any ono person, and when £6 arc drawn hy order on the Treasurer, the said order must be signrd by every member of said Com- mittee of Charity; and, to prevent impositions on said Committee of Charity in future, all orders on the Treasurer shall be signed by at least three of said Committee of Charity, when under £5. As a stated provision is made for the resident poor by the municipal laws of the city, to which the members of this Society contribute their pro- portion in their private capacity as citizens, the fund of charity shall bo rather applied to the relief and assistance of persons who have met with sud- den misfortune, or who suffer by occasional distress, than to continued allowance for tlie settled poor; but as no adequate regulation, suitable to all times and all circumstances, can be devised on this subject, the Society shall, notliwithstanding any- thing to the contrary in this rule, be always free to exercise its own discretion and humanity with regard to it. SECTION VI. Certificates to he granted to Resident, Perpetual, or Honorary Memben^'. All perpetual, resident, or honorary members removing from the Province, shall, upon applica- •''/' ,i;. I II ■ff. 'f ■5 ! ''ii ih4 tion, l>o furnished with a Cortificuto of their rtdmis- sion and attoidjinco, under the Soi'iety'H Seal, and signed i>y thf> rrt.'.sident or Vice President, and Boorotary, the form ot wliieh Hhall he a« iollowa : *' These are to certify tliat was regularly admitted a member of the North British fSocioty of tho City of Halifax, in the Province of Nova Scotia, at a meeting of tho Society tho day of , A.D. 18 , "Given under our liand.s and the Seal of the Society, tho day and year above written.*' But, as it may Ix) exixxlient for members of this Society to remove in quest of settleuient to other parts of this Continent, where similar institutions exist, whose countenance and direction might be of great assistance to them, a second form of Cortificato shall be granted, upon ap}>lication, to such members of this description as the Society shall think worthy of tho same, the form whereof shall be as follows : " These may certify that Mr. was regularly admitted a MemI>or of tho North British Society of Halifax, in Nova Scotia, on the day of , and having duly conl'ormed to all its Rules and Ilegulations during his residence hero, he is, therefore, recommended to the countenance and protection of any and all similar Societies." hi i AITKN^IX. 2(j\ SECTION vn. Provision in case of the Sickness and Death of Jlfonbers. In describing tho duties of tho Committoo of Charity, tho «u[)orintopdonco of the sick v/as men- tioned an a part of thoir charge, and as this hranch of tho Society's Institution may bo nioro ellectually managed by thorn, they shall, in case of the con- tinuance of tho sickness or incapacity lor Inisiness of such members as need the Society's care, make report thereof to tho oflicers and private members; and if he or they need assistance during tlio night, tho members of tho Society shall, u[)on tho roconi- endation of the Committee, watch with such sick persons, and shall, at the Society's charge, be allowed proper refreshment during their watch. In case of tho death of any member needing such aid, the funeral charges shall be defrayed by the Society, and such a sum as circumstances may demand and the funds allow, shall be given to tho widow or the orphans of the deceased. When the attendance of the Society is requested at the funeral of one of its members, or a country- man a stranger in the place, the President shall issue orders for that purpose ; and the customs of Scotland, as far as expedient, shall be adhered to in the procession on such occasions, and as little expense incurred as possible. i l\' I' MM III 268 ArrENDix. SECTIOIsT VIII. For tlie purpose of oxtonding tlio usefulness of the Society, and for making the objects of it more generally known, each member shall have the privilege of introducing, at the respective Quarter- ly Meetings, persons (non-residents) eligible to become membars of the Society; the member or members so introducing such visitor or visitors, to contribute towards the funds of the Societ]'- the sum of 2s. 6d., at each of the meetings in the months of May and August, and the sum of os. in the months of November and February, for each and' every visitor so respectively introduced at any such meet- ings; provided, however, that all and every such Visitor and visitors so to be introduced as aforesaid, shall be precluded from taking any part in the pro- ceedings or business of the Society. The foregoing rules shall be deemed the funda- mental articles and regulations of the North-British Society, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and shall not hereafter be altered or abrogated, on any pretence ^vllatever, otherwise than by consent of at least two-thirds of tho members regularly met at any Quarterly Meeting in November; provided, also, thit a Committee has been previously appointed, to consist of at least five members, and to have report- C'l such alteration to be necessary. Voted unanimously, and agreed to at a Quarterly Meeting at the Mason's Hall, in the town of Halifax, in the Province of Nova Scotia, the seventh day of November, in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Fortv- Three. 1> ArrENDix. 2G9 AN ACT TO INCORPOIIATE THE NOIITII- BllITISH SOCITY, IN HALIFAX, NOVA-SCOTIA. (Passed tilt' 24th diiy ol' March. iSni;.) Bg it enacted by the Governor, Council and Assembly, as follows : 1. The following persons, that is to say : Peter Pioss, John Taylor, William Annand, William Murray, John Watt, W^illiam B. Smcilie, and John B. Campbell, and all such other persons as now are or hereafter shall become members of the Society, shall be a body politic and corporate, by the name of " The North British Society, in Halifax, Nova Scotia." 2. The Eules of the Society adopted on the Seventh day of November, 1843, are hereby de- clared legal and binding, and the Corporation is empowered to collect all monies and arrears due thereunder. 3. The personal property, debts and effects now belonging to the Society, are vested in the Corpora- tion, and the Corporation is empowered to invest its funds to such extent and in such way as it shall think fit. hi \\ ;lv le, John Frasii , (3) llov. John AFartin. James Nichol. 1S24. I8;i0. John iSPKenzle, (2) William Mills, Charles Coventrco, Rev. Thomas Aitken, John Frascr. (2) Angus J''raser, Andrew Crawford James Malcolm, George Little, Robert Downs, James Pettijrrew, William G. Anderson. John M'Nlel, 18;{l. Cliaj-les Alexander, Alexander Paul, Robert Robertson, Alexander Ross, (2) Alexander Ross, Robert Bigby, Dr. John Stirling. John Forrest, 1825. Robert D. Clarke, C. II. Fife. Rev. James Morrison, John Robb, Alexander Smith, (2) James Tiiompson, William Murray. James F. Cray, 1832. William Kandick, Thomas Cumraings, David Spence. James Anderson, 1820. David S. Sutherland, James Purvis, James Reid, William Young, George Barton, Thomas Forman, Henry Anderson, Charles D. Archibald, John A. Mann, George R. Young, James M'Intosh, James D. Fraser, Alexander Duif, Robert Romans, James Murdoch, William Gossip, Ilujrh Campbell, Alexander Davidson, C. Brndie, Thrnias Williamson, Charles W. Wallace, John W. C. Blown. William F. Black, _ 1827. John Esson, .Tohn Richardson, AVilliam M'Kay, William Crawford, Alexiuider Henry, Peter MiUison, Robert Wilst)n, Willitim Mills, Robert Malcora, James Lcsscl, John Gibson, James Find lay, Alexander Al'Nab, John Farquhar, John M'Nab, Alexander T^arry. Neil M' Vicar, 1828. Josepli Robinson. Peter Grant, 1833. Adam Reid, Winnie Johnston, William Grant, .lames M'Donald, William Murdoch, James Grant, Goorne Thompson, Jv>hn Rrandcr, Daniel M'Kay, John M'Kay, Rev. John Scott, John M'Intosh, Walter Robb. AK'xarider Stewart, 1829. Ale::ander M'Kenzie, AndreAv M'Kinlay, William A. M'Agy, James Thompson, (2) James C. M'Kay, ^ ArPENDlX. 275 W. S. More, James Lockerby, Alexander Troup, Daniel M'Lean, David Stevens, Alexander Hendry, William Garrad, William Grieve, Wm. Robertson, John G. M*Kenzie, William Scott, David Calder. 1834. John Leitch, James Flockhart,Jr. Rev. Alexand«^r RoiHans, Andrew Oswald, George Esson, James Humphrey, James Irons, Daniel M'lvor, Gilbert EllioU, George NicoU, John M'Leod, Alexander Carson, John Rhind, James Crawford, 1835, James Eraser, Thomas Elliott, Robert M'Hannay, Alexander Stewart, James Irons, jr. William Bauld, John Oal, John Forbes, 1836. John M'Pherson, Alex. G. Eraser, Adam Black. George Henderson, Robert Mitchell, Lawrence M'Lean, Neil M'Quarrie, William M'Kinlay, Wra, B. Stephenson, Winkworth Allan, Allan Campbell, Donald M'Kay,. John Gordon. 1837 William Donald,, David Walker, William Donaldson, Jacob Currie, Alex. Eraser. Rev. James M'Intosh, Edward Craigen, Thomas Humphrey, John M'Gregor, Joseph G. Ross, John U. Ross. 1838. James M'Kenzie, Alexander Bain, Donald Murray, John Grant, Robert M'Donald, Andrew Richardson, Samuel Gray, Wm. Campbell, Anthony Ingles, Alex. Rhind, George M'Kenzie, Dr. A. Sawers, John Watson, John C. Halliburton. 1839. John Munro, George P. Mitchell, John M'Leod, Hugh Munro, Thomas Rhind. 1840. Wm. Eraser, Donald M'Kenzie, George Gray, Donald Sutherland, Thomas Hutchison, John M'Dougall, James Swan, Duncfin Patterson,. David Ruffg, Wm. F. Reid, David M'Ainph, Joseph A. Sievewright, Alex. Sfrachan, John M'ilreith, Alex. Stephen, Peter Imlny, John Jiimieson, Samuel B Smith. 1841. Maurice M'ilreith, Erancis Downs, Alexander S. Reid, William Forrest, James Cameron, James Cameron, jr. Robert Kerr, 276 APPENDIX. James C. Hume, Alexander Taylor, William Craig, Alexander M'Pherson, Joqn M'Donuld, Donald Sutherland, Andrew Wilson, •Tames Mitchell, Hon. Alexander Stewart, Errol Boyd, James Barron, James Rhind, John Wilson, James Reeves, Henry Gibson. George Barron, 1842. James Robertson,. Oeorxe G. Gray, John Mitchell. William Hutcheson, 184G. I Hug^h Morton, John Wilson, Nicholas Vasrs, Wm. Laidlaw^ Williaia Grant, jr. Wm. Woods, William Finlay, David Smith, Henry Wilson. Wm. Wilson, 1843. Wm. Kerr, Henry Watson, Philip Peebles, Adam Hunter, Alex. Ogston, William U Kay. Thomas Bayne, George Wilson, Daniel M'Pherson, William Clarke, Thomas Cummings, Alexander McDonald, Peter Ross, John Corraack, James Hutton, Robert Lindsay, John A. Moir, Robert Forrest, Arthur M'Leod, Robert G. Noble, Wm. M'Lean, Robert Balfour, Wm. A. Hesson, Henry Taylor, Stewart M'Donald, Daniel Thompson. Duncan Grant, 1844. Alex. Taylor, Wm. Stevens, Wm. Hutcheson, jr. Charles Hamilton, James Scott, William Robb, Wm. Grant, (3). James Williamson, 1847. Niel Rankin, James Kennedy, Alexander M*Lean, George Webster. William Kandick. John MTTiei-son, 1845. Samuel Noble, Robert Boak, Charles W. Dickson, William Boak, James Wilkie, John Lithgow, David Ross, James Magee, George Anderson, James Price, John Younnie, Angus M*Lean, Archibald Sinclair, William Thompson, William Campbell, John Taylor, Daniel Thom, Henry B.Reid, James Knight, James Grieve, John Murdoch, James Gordon, John Doull, John Sinclair, Alex. Dow. William Crawford, jr. 1848. Robert G. Eraser, John Watson, William Jamieson^ Wm. Stewart, Alexander M*Kay, Wm, Findlay, n APPENDIX. 277 Andrew M'Nnb, William Wilson, Thomas M«Kie, James Irons, James Walters, George Iniies, David C. NoJ)le, Duncan McQueen, Wm. M. (Janipbell, John C. Dfuinmond, Charles M* Queen, Alexander McDonald, Robert W. Fraser, 1854. Ocore;© A . Flowers, James J. Bremner, George Uuist, James Wilson, jr.. John Costly, Wm. Sutherland, John >Veir, Charles F^yle, James Romans, Robert Spiers, 184!). W. S. For man. John Kandick, James Parker, Wm. Eraser, Donald Fraser, John M'Leod, Charles H. Sinclair, James Rhind, jr. John A. Johnston, Andrew Barton, Wm. A. Giant, Bryce Gray, Wnu Currie, Rev. Alex. Forrester, Peter Jack. Tristram Halliday, James AVallace. Robert Munro, 1855. Wm. Pfnny, David Ross, George Ross, R. J. Rom ins, Wm. Smith. Thomas Hume, 1850, Jamed Blair, Hugh Fraser, John S. McLean, Wil iam Finlay, George McKie, Wil iam Blythe, James Manteith. Duncan McMillan, 185G. 1851. John P. Muir, David Stirling, George Maclean, James Watt, Hugh Campbell, Alexander J. Nairn, Andrew K. Mackinlay, George Gordon, John Mackenzie, James Riddell, John Fraser, James W. Shirras. Robert Fraser, Alexander Fraser. John B. Campbell, 1852. William F. Grant, Patrick Graham, John Watson, William Rhind, John C. Mackenzie, James Hunter, William B. Smelie, James Thomson, John B. MacDonald. John McCulloch. George Alexander, 1853. Thomas Annand, William Miller, R. G. Halliburton. Alexander Henderson, 1857. • John Laidlaw, John Muir, William Murray, James Kerr, John Sinclair, Joseph Hunter, James Findlay. George Fraser, William Farquarson, Robert B'uld, Alexander Fraser, Adam But 9, Rev. G. W. Sprott, James Fraser, Alexander McKay, Peter Scott, 1 ■ M i ;^l i 278 APPENDIX. 1858. 186B. Robert Pen ton, John McDonald. John Cumpboll, 1866. J. Scutt Iluttoo, Robert T. Muir, Wm. Frnser. ThoniaH S. Reid, 18M). John ('rook, Jas. C. MaoKintosh, Jameb Moocoush, Oeor^o R. Andeison, Benjamin A. Taylor, Robert Urquhart, George McGregor, Daviil Crawford, Rev. Charles McDonald. Robert Gray, 1867. William Henry, William A. McLeod, Andrew Wallace, Angus McLeod, Robert Muirhead. Alexander McDonald, 18()0. 8. D. McDonald, Henry W. Fish, Hugh Munro, John Drlllio, John McNiel, Wm. Mascn:, James White, Donald Ross, John Sutherland. John Davison, William Johnson, Alex. McLeod, 2nd. Robert Moyce, Dr. W. H. Davies, Duncan Campbell, Dr. Cowie, John N. Grant, John W. Fraser, Dr. Sutherland, James Malcom, Rev. Charles M. Grant. James Romans. 1868. 1801. Donald G. Keith, James Mackintosh, Hon. Robt. Robertson, James S. Maodonald, Charles Sinclair, " ' ■ 1862. W. 0. Adams, E. M. Macdonald, Alexander Sutherland, John McDonald, William McKinnon, ' John H. Johnston, William Montgomery, John McKay, John McLachhn, •• Alexander AIcKenzie, Donald Keith, William Murray, (2) James McEwan, 1863. ;. 1 W. H. Bauld, Robert Brechin, Alexander Moir, Georjsre Porter, Professor Lawson, Neil Wier, George Taylor, Henry Inglis, Charles Taylor, Donald Fraser, John B. Young, James Fraser. John McKenzie, 1864! Joseph D. MoNab, Charles Graham, David King, James Steinson, John MoNab, Adam McKay, Sanford Fleming, Alexander W. MoLeod, Hon. James McDonald, Hugh Murray, Peter Grant. Rev. George M. Grant, . ■ ::'.t! ■, . ' '■". A # APPENDIX. 279 PERPETUAL MEMBERS. 176.1. I8;w. Hon. Alex. Bryiner. Tfugh Lylc, 1784. Thos. Williamson, Esq. Alex. Thompson, Esq. 18;«». 1700. Robert M. Brown, Esc^. John Bremnor, f]sq., 1841. Richard KidHton, Esq. Alex. PrimroHC, EHq., 1801. 1847. Hon. Wm. Forsyth. William Murdoch, Esq., 1804. Charles Murdoch. Esq., Rt. Hon. Earl of Selkirk. 1840. 1807. John Esson, Esq., George Grant, Esq. 18r.l. 1814. George P. Mitchell, Esq. Samuel Muirhead, Esq. 1853. 1815. John McKay, Esq., Richd. Kid8ton,.ir., Esq., John Watt, Esq., James Ewinff, Esq., R. Kidston, Esq., (Glasgow) 1850. George Esson, Wm. Kidston, Esq. Hon. Staylcy Brown. 1817. 18<32. Lt-General the Right Hon. Peter Ross. Earl of Dalhousie. 18G3. Matt. Richardson, Esq., James Forman, John Dempster, Esq., 1800. Robert Lyons, Esq. John B. Cam])bell, 1817. Thomas Bayne, John Williamson, Esq. Robert W. Eraser, Alex. Eraser, Esq., (Mira- John C. Halliburton, michi.) Alexander McLeod, ' John Brown, Esq. James Thttnison, (Barrister,) 1810. William Esson, .Ion. John Black. Alexander Anderson. 1824. Winkworth Allan, Esq., (London.) HONORARY ' MEMBERS. 1786. 1 1791. 1 Col. Thomas Dundas, Francis Hunter. Major Hugh M. Gordon, 1792. Peter Hunter, Esq., Capt. Duncan Campbell, Hon. Henry Duncan, Titus Levi, Esq. 1788. 1797. Mr. Neil Robertson, Capt. H. Mowatt, R. N., General James Ogilvie, Capt. Wm. Taylor, Major Scott, R. A., Lieutenant John Scott, Major Thompson, 57tli Regt Royal Navy, Sir Thos. Andw. Strange, Wm. Chalmevs, R. N., Dr. Snipe, H. M. S. Rattler ^ Dr. Jaraiesoii, R. N., 1 :./ k IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) f// ..% , w ^VV %*^^ ^W Jh .^ /^^//,.. o 7 Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. USM (716)872-4503 ^\7S^ ^■*/* '^ 'v- I 280 APPENDIX. 1798. 1832. Simon Fraser, Esq., James McDonald, Mast. Mar. 1799, Lt. Edward Stewart, R, N. Captain Skene. Lt. Jas. Stewart, 74th Eegt. 1802. Dr. Colin Allan, Medical Staff Admiral Sir A. Mitchell, K.B James Flockhart,Mast. Mar. Capt. Oughton, R. N., Wm. Stevenson, do. Alex. Green, Esq., Alex. Henderson, do. Admiral Douglas, 1833. Sir Robert Lawrie. Hugh McDonald, Antigonish 1805. Alexander Farquharson, Robert Ferguson, (D>»^tmouth.) Edward Mortimer. Esq., 1836. William Bannerman, Matthew McKenna, Master 1808. Mariner. George Robertson, Esq., Alexander Duff, 1813. Walter Kobb, John MoflFat. Dr. McDonald, R. A. 1817. Capt. Pringle, R. A. Lt. James Duffus, R. N., 1837. Andrew Moffat, (Antigua,) Lt.-Col. Hon. H. Dundas, William Leklie, (New York,) Robert Mcintosh, 1818. Edward Binchen, Mast. Mar. Rev. Donald A. Fraser. 1838. 1820. Lt.-Col. McGregor,' Archibald McNiven, Major Arthur, . Rev. Colin P. Grant, Lieut. Neilson, W) 1824. •' Dundas, (S John Forman, Esq. *• Buchanan, ^-r. 1825. *' Agnew, ii Captain Houston Stewart, '* Gordon, a H. M. S. Menai, Doctor Campbell, J » Captain C. Fitzroy M'Lean, Dr. Robertson, Staff. 81 Regt., Duncan M' Coll, Esq., 1839. Hugh Lyle, jr., Master Captain Archibald Stewart, Mariner, Rifle Brigade. James Forman, Jr., Esq. 1826. 1840. Hugh McDonald, Mr. Duncan McFarlane, Duncan Black. Wm. Annand, Esq., 1828. Hugh H. Ross, Esq. Francis Athol, Mast. Mariner 1841. 1829. James Berwick, Master Lt.-Col. D. McDougall, I. F. Mariner, 0. of Militia. J. Fraser, (C. Breton,) 1830. Alexander Fiddea. Charles Brodie, 1842. C. D. Archibald, Esq., Lieut.-General Sir Colin Charles Coventree, Master Campbell, Mar.ner. V. Admiral Sir C. Adam. 1831. 1846. Lt.-Col. Mitchell, I. F. 0. of Alex. Barron, Master Militia. Mariner, Hugh Lyle, Master Mariner, Forbes Black, (Margaret's Alex. M'Gill, *' Bay) t APPENDIX. 281 4 Dr. ]VrcDonald, (Dartmouth) Dr. H. McDonald, Maitland, 1847. Francis Monro, (Margaret's Bay,) George McKenzie, Master Mariner, D. Grant, (Antigonish,) Charles Anderson^ (Musquo- qoboit, Robert Grant, (Margaret's Bay,) John Fraser, Mast. Mariner, David Falconer, Dartmouth, 1848. Major Robertson, 82nd Regt. H. Cameron, (Pictou,) 1849. Murdoch Smith, (C.B.) Geo. A. Currie, (xMargaret's Bay) 1850. Ronald Currie. Rjbert Innes, ditto. Alex. Cameron, (C. B.) Robt. Waddell, (Dartmouth) 1851. Duncan Waddell, David Rugg, William Beverley, Dr. W. Reid, H. M. S. Cum- berland, Quartei -Master-Sergeant McPherson, Roderick H. Fraser. (Dar+mouth.') 1852.' David Paterson, 1853. John Cameron, (Antigonish) Alex. Scott, (Glasgow,) Rt. Hon. Earl Eilesmere, Capt. Jas. A. Gore, 71st Regt. 1854. John Christie, (C. B.) Cupt. James Griffin, 1855. Alexander Stevens, J. Simpson, (England,) 1850. Sergt.-Major Jno. Campbell, Alexander Fraser, Alexander McPhee, Captain Johnston, Duncan McDonald, Donald H. Grren. 1857, David Johnston, John Blackie, Spencer Sutherland, Capt. J. C. Dalrymple Hay, H. M. S. Indus. 1858. David Hunter, J. N. Ress, George Laing, 1859. William Murray, David Petrie, William Miller, John McGregor, James Matheson, 18G0. Malcom McDougall, (C.B.) 1801. James Davy, Alexander McDonald, 1863. W. S. More, 18G5. Vice Admiral Sir Jas. Hope, K. C. B. John Drillio. 1867. John Crerar, (Pictou,) 1868. Robert l^'orman. m 282 APPENDIX. >■ H UJ 5 o CO UJ X H u. o o o u. LU Ul O z CO CO flC UJ o EZ u. O u. O CO LiJ a I • • ^ -Sflo 55'"' m CQ a O H 2 o ►-3 03 6 o I— I >» e8 • M O t"9 .oooooooo !^ d c d d d c5 o 6 -I 1-^ ^ ^ • Cj • • • • : 2 « - • «3 « «^ "^ -C r7? ^ i" 5 a a ? ^ o . o a a -"^ w o b I ^^ lis • : \. ■= :.«£if a : a m c c -■ 5 ? 5 o^- S; .7 a 5 « ^53 o a g cS— '"• a E.-=-§^-«r3'7: a. £•?:=« •^^•^^drtg^^^^KH, « «Ur, ^'EsS rl o C 'J3 - ' ^ = :.TJ . "=3 « S "^ t) a (« ti • : : ! > ■ : « 2_r : o 3—. ■ to «-.= «ra o U 9' K^r eriQ ■5 «*s e^ ^^ fi~ Sia*! EE^^gsEa^a ^^c - -« b V a o u .a l"Ba * £ 2 "* o o>. S <- : • ! i 3 : fcT -5 : « i « = ^ 9 .£ >■ « I1 S m ^ eQ a . a a m >.r is £.2 2 = S E.= a ►>. C< 0B>;» rt 05 * • • fc a ^^ 2se||e ■3: a a >, *a Ej; 08 O a o x a Ei? ,4^ a : o : ki . 08 t-* J- a • ^ CD • as^' Mho M M 2 55>^ 'u Ml :§ gag el-~ V «) " VI C 08 is 02 b, . aCBp; 5 ^a' - . "1 J- hT » 5 ^ CUB >t^ m ra ^% ai • TO _ _ .,. « 5ogES5E8«=||aE '-sC!5!>'-9-S*'-5'-sC!!>l-si-?l-5H5 OS— ^ , a e 5 ^ Hi ^05 »-ooo»o^e^co'f>'»«Ot>-oo04©i-i'Neo-i<>ooir-ar)o>Oi-CDoO«D©000000»-CT-<>-;i-lr-t-l^ k-»-t>.t-t-.t-t-t-t-r-t-t-t-eo<»aB«)OOooooaroo«ooooQOccocooao ■ >i;\ 284 APPENDIX. M M ei M OS -«; M 0> o O CO QC Ld O U. o CO UJ J'. C5 u ?; p »-« M IX, I H H H 1^ ^9 e 1^ — _« C c b ■ 5 « — il3 ? u O >C5 4) V '^ N a 4 rt *" t: * -- '-<» S ~ C — rt ;i!< tsP c • r- C "^ • Ci ;0 3 — * « rt u 57 1 CC ^ be = -2 o « 9 «n ?' * s - 5 o _j • O . c c i< fl 5 c O O o O OS ccooaooo»a3ciooooo«)cioaDX30co»e(oaococcccco».o -o -o ^^-5.*, iHi-li-nHI-tFHi-liHrHrHrHr-tt-ii-li-li-ii-tr-li-lc-ilHiHrli-d-ip-lr-lrHrlr-l H^ APPENDIX. 285 H^ a t- u a LJ M u O « c- a 2 « u H K •-5 01 S', H e JO H a Pi ,. i-llH ^ 'A U ««^W| 'J CD •E "^ to O . l-iO>-50h,!gl-5gl-;Og;g .<0^ tr, G C o c o m C. rt O £ a. O ct o M o :^ * V 6 ^ a d : 01 : a. Q E y-: = C5 1:1 . o 1^ Cj5 Ki5 a b B c « o 2"= * : Si; i»y I- B c Bx: a; o a- : cS • O : >— Ji 1- in c — ^£ CM * . ^3s .2 ® : i"r- cJ^ ococacoDixccococccacccccQcixoo 00 Qc.' ccocooa:) (1: ^ 286 APPENDIX. LIST OF ORDINARY, HONORARY, AND PERPETUAL MEMBRES . OF THE NORTH BRITISH SOCIETY, MARCH 26TII, 1868. cSev^ ORDINARY. Annand, William Alexander, George Anderson, George R. Adams, W. O. Brander, John Buist, George Bremner, J. J. Barton, Andrew Brechin, Robert Boyd, John Bauld, W. H. Cowie, Dr, Clarke, Robert D. Costley, John Crook, John Cankbell, Duncan DouU, John Fraser, John W. Fraser, Donald Fraser, James Fraser, W. J. Fleming. Sanford Grant, Peter Grant, Peter, C2nd) Grant, Duncan Grant, W.F. ^ Grant, John N. Grant, Rev. G. M. Grant, Rev. C. M. Gibson, John Graham, Charles Gray, Robert Hunter, James Hutton, J. Scott Inglis, Henry Johnston, John H. Johnston, William Keith, Hon. Alexander , Keith, Donald G. Keith, Donald Kerr, James King. David Little, George Lithgow, John Lawson, Professor, Murray, Donald Murray, William Murray, Hugh G. Muir. John P. Muir. R. T. Moir, W. C. Molr, Alexander Maxwell, Rev. W. Moyce, Robert Munro, Hugh Munro, George Malcom, Robert Montgomery, William Macdonald, Rev. Charles Macdonald, E. M. MacDonald, Simon D. M' Donald, John M*Donald, John, (2nd) M'Donald, Alexander M' Donald, Hon. James Macdonald, Jas. S. MaoKintosh, James C. Maclean, John S. Maclean, George Maclean, Angus Macleod, Douglas MacLeod, A. W. Macleod, W A MoLeod, Angus McQueen, Charles 1 APPENDIX. 287 ~l1 McKay, Adam Drillio, John Maitland, McNee, John Frascr, John Capo Breton, McKeuzie. John Fraser, Wm do McKerron, Wm. Fraser, Rod do UAL i MoEwan, James Fraser, Alex Pictou, * McLiichlin, John Falconer, David 1 McNab, Joseph D. Forman, Robt MoNab, John Grant, Robt Macllrcaith, Maurice Gray, James Maccoush, James Grithn, ,'apt. Noble, Robert Green, Donald Noble. R. G. 1 Noble, Samuel Porter, George Hay, Hon. J. C. Dalrymple Hope, Vice Admiral, Sir Jas. K. C. B. 1 ' Rhind, William Hunter, David Capt. Riddle, James Johnston. David Ross, Donald, Johnston, A. Capt. er , Reid, Thos. S. Munro, George Robertson, Hon. R. Munro, Frank, Portegucse Sinclair, Arch. Cove Scott, James Munro, Hugh Scott, Peter Muir, Hugh Capt. Strachen, John Malcom, James Sinclair, Charles Mason, Capt. Steinson, James Miller, Wm., London Stephen, Alexander Miller, Robert, do J Sterlin*;, David More, W. S. i Sutherland, Dr. W. S. Matheson, James, Little ^ Sutherland, Alexander Bras d'Or Sutherland, John Macdonald, Duncan Thomson, James McDonald, Alex. ! Thomson, Cathcart, McKenna, W. D. ^ ' Taylor, Capt. John McDonald, Archd. ! Taylor, John McDonald, D. H. Dr. Taylor, Benj. A. Mcintosh, Robt. Shelburne Taylor, Geo. McPhee, Alex. Taylor, Charles McKay, Alex. Truro 1 Wilson, J. R. McGregor, John Little Bras rles J Wallace, James d'Or! / Watson, John McDougall, M. Christmas Wallace, Andrew Island White, James Patterson, David P. E. I. I) 1 Young, Hon. Chief Justice Petrie, David Young John B. Rankin, Neil P. E, I. s 1 HONORARY. Robertson, J. A. Smith, Murdoch Capo Breton " Anderson, Chas Smith, Wm. Barron, Alex Scott, Alex. Glasgow Waddell, Robert Brown, Jaa Beverly, Wm Waddell. Duncan Cameron, John Cape Breton, PERPETUAL, 1 Cameron, Alex Anderson, Alex. Cameron, John Antigonishe, Bayne, Thomas ^ Currie, Geo Burns, Adam \ Crerar, John Campbell, John B. . > - il ■" :| ^i-j i / ■ 288 APPENDIX. Doull, A. K. Esson, Qeorge £s8on, William Forman, Jamca Eraser, Robt. W. Haliburton, John C. Mitchell, Qeorge P. Murdoch, Charles McLeod, Alex. Primrose, Alex. Ross, Peter Sinclair, John A. Thomson. James (Darrlstor) Watt, John \ a 7 5^-^ \ fV» ■ ^-.. -.•■»...■■ ^ .-..■„.-■ .^I-^....^ .:-^-y^w*--,^^^.^-,v,^>^-r^-^/.-~^--..rr^-..^.f.. ^.r, ,, ■ i *t..i. .t- Barrister)