Part 165

=Moodie, Mrs. Susanna=, was the sixth daughter of the late Thomas Strickland, of Reydon Hall, Suffolk, England, and was born on the 6th of December, 1803. This Strickland family was certainly one of the most remarkable known in England, since the famous “Nest of Nightingales,” five out of the six daughters having made themselves more or less celebrated in the realm of letters. At the age of thirteen, Susanna Moodie lost her father, at whose hands she had received her education. Mr. Strickland was a man of considerable wealth, highly cultured, and much devoted to literature, so he spent much of his means upon his library, and instilled into his family the same love for _belles lettres_ that he felt himself. Many have regretted that the excellent man did not live to see the fruition of his care. Susanna, it is said, began to write when in her sixteenth year, her early productions being poems and tales for children. In 1829-30, she put out a volume entitled, “Enthusiasm, and other Poems.” In the same year, during a visit to London, she met Lieutenant J. W. Dunbar Moodie, the fourth son of the late James Moodie, of Melsetter, Orkney Islands, to whom she was married on the 4th of April, 1831. Lieutenant Moodie belonged to the 21st Fusiliers, and was then on half pay. They left England in the following year for Canada, settling at Cobourg for a few months, thence proceeding to the township of Hamilton, eight miles from Cobourg, where they took a farm, and remained a year, after which they permitted themselves, unwisely, to be persuaded to settle in the backwoods, ten miles north of Peterborough. This region was then a perfect wilderness. There was no church, no school, no refined society, and very little cleared land near where they took up their abode. Here, struggling with all the privations belonging to life in the woods, they lived for eight years, in the meantime spending all their available money in the purchase of wild lands, and in the operation of the farm, an occupation for which the family, gentle bred, and unaccustomed and unsuited to labour, were singularly unfit. When, in 1837, the rebellion broke out, Lieutenant Moodie, who, from his birth and military training was a devoted loyalist, hastened away to Toronto, leaving his wife and four little children, the eldest only in her fifth year, behind him in the bush. The summer following, he remained absent, and much of the crops were lost, because there was no help to harvest it. All this Mrs. Moodie vividly and feelingly describes in her delightful book, “Roughing it in the Bush.” This was the first ambitious literary effort of Mrs. Moodie, and it attracted wide attention. The style was simple, limpid and picturesque: it was full of movement, and contained pen portraits, which were true to the life, of the hardships of the family’s wilderness life; of the character of the neighbours with whom she was thrown in contact, and of her alternating hopes and disappointments. When the book came out, the Canadians who were pictured in it were terribly wroth, and probably it was the sex of the author that saved her from maltreatment. But she never once exceeded the bounds of truth in her delineations, and invariably pictured the good traits as well as the bad ones, of the ordinary Canadian backwoods family. The book was brought out in England in 1850, but the greatest portion of its contents had already been published in the _Literary Garland_, Montreal. Encouraged by the success of this book, Mrs. Moodie afterwards brought out in quick succession, through her London publishers, the Messrs. Bentley, “Life in the Clearings,” “Flora Lindsay,” “Mark Hurdleston,” “The World Before them,” “Matrimonial Speculation,” and other works of a more or less fictitious character. It may be said here that after eight years of travail in the woods, Mrs. Moodie received the glad tidings that her husband had been appointed sheriff of the county of Hastings. In a late edition of “Roughing it in the Bush,” brought out by Hunter, Rose & Co., Publishers, of Toronto, Mrs. Moodie writes a preface recounting the social, industrial, educational and moral progress of Canada, since the time of her landing. After Sheriff Moodie’s death at Belleville, in 1869, Mrs. Moodie made her home in Toronto with her younger son, R. B. Moodie; but on his removal to a new residence out of town, she remained with her daughter, Mrs. J. J. Vickers, and passed peacefully away on the afternoon of April 8th, 1885, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Her aged sister, Mrs. Traill, was beside her at the last. Mrs. Moodie’s often expressed wish to be laid beside her beloved husband at Belleville, where the happiest part of her years were spent, was carried out, and her remains were followed to their last resting-place, close to the beautiful Bay of Quinté, by a large number of dear friends.

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=McMillan, John=, M.D., Pictou, Nova Scotia, was born in London, Ontario, 18th January, 1834. His parents were William McMillan and Anne McKenzie. He received his early education at the schools of his native place, and afterward attended McGill University, Montreal, where he graduated in May, 1857. He then removed to Nova Scotia, and began the practice of his profession in Wallace, Cumberland county. After remaining there for some time he removed to Sherbrooke, Guysborough county, then to New Glasgow, and finally to Pictou, Pictou county, where for the last thirteen years he practised, and has succeeded in building up a good business. He is quarantine officer for the port of Pictou. He belongs to the Masonic order, and is a past master of Caledonia lodge. He was married on 11th June, 1868, to Annie, youngest daughter of the late Senator Holmes, of Pictou, N.S.

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=Larocque, Rt. Reverend Bishop Joseph=, was born at St. Joseph, Chambly, the 28th August, 1808, of one of the most respectable families in that place, and from his earliest years gave evidence of unusual piety and talent. It was no doubt owing to this fact that in 1821 he, with his cousin Charles, who afterwards succeeded him as bishop, upon the recommendation of Mr. Mignault, was educated at the expense of Mr. de St. Ours, and other true friends of education, at the College of St. Hyacinthe, then in its infancy. Young Joseph Larocque was a model scholar, always first in his studies, and practising those virtues which distinguished him in all the varied phases of his after life. In 1829, after having terminated a very brilliant classical course, he entered the ecclesiastical state, and until 1847 we find him working zealously to conquer all difficulties and gain for the St. Hyacinthe Seminary the great renown which it now enjoys. He received the order of priesthood at the hands of his Lordship J. J. Lartigue, on the 15th of March, 1835, and occupied with distinction successively the posts of professor, director, and superior of the institution to which he owed so much. A priest of the merit of Abbé Larocque could not long remain without attracting the attention of Bishop Bourget, who at this time occupied the episcopal seat at Montreal. The eminent prelate summoned him, and conferred upon him the canonship, thereby procuring a most valuable auxiliary in the administration of his diocese, one who, in his manifold duties and work, exercised his natural talent, profound science, and indefatigable zeal. He was entrusted with the editing of _Religious Miscellany_, published under the auspices of Bishop Bourget. Mgr. Prince, then coadjutor bishop of Montreal, being delegated to take to the Holy Father at Rome the decree of the first council at Quebec, Canon Larocque received orders to accompany him as secretary. During his sojourn in the Holy City he was named Bishop of Cydonia, by his Holiness Pope Pius IX., and coadjutor of Montreal, in place of his Lordship J. C. Prince, promoted to the new bishopric of St. Hyacinthe. On the 28th of the following October he was consecrated in his native parish (Chambly) by Bishop Bourget, assisted by their Lordships Guigues, bishop of Ottawa, and Cooke, bishop of Three Rivers. During the next eight years Bishop Larocque fulfilled his numerous duties in a most exemplary manner, to the detriment of his health. In June, 1860, he was transferred to the bishopric of St. Hyacinthe, but owing to his constant suffering and infirmities, he asked the permission of the Pope to abdicate his charge, which was granted by a Papal decree, dated August 17th, 1865. In July, 1866, Mgr. Larocque was nominated by his Holiness Pope Pius IX., bishop of Germanicopolis. The principal work of the pious prelate during his short term as head of the diocese, was the founding of the Community of the Precious Blood, which in a few years became renowned for piety and virtue. This community owe to the venerable and devoted father the constitution which governs them, and several spiritual works, among others, “Manner of Devotion to the Precious Blood,” and “Meditations for each Month of the Year;” also, “The Liturgical Year,” comprising meditations for Sundays and all the notable feasts of the year. The Lord remembered this faithful and earnest worker in permitting him to see the success which crowned his many efforts, for which the diocese of St. Hyacinthe owes him a debt of gratitude, only to be repaid by continuing in the noble work so ably mapped out for them. Bishop Joseph Larocque died November 18th, 1887.

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=McDonald, Hon. James=, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, was born at East River, Pictou county, N.S., 1st July, 1828. His family were among the first Scotch Highlanders who came to Nova Scotia one hundred years ago. They established at Pictou a thoroughly Scottish community which bears their impress legibly to this day. The chief justice had very few educational or inherited advantages to help him in his early days, but he possessed a splendid physique, unfailing good-temper and kindliness, great shrewdness and common sense, and laudable ambition. He obtained his preliminary education at New Glasgow, the second town in Pictou county, being the seat of valuable collieries, glass-works and other manufactories, and one of the most flourishing and progressive spots in the province. After completing his course, he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1851. He at once obtained a good practice, and gained a considerable reputation as a platform speaker. He always took a great interest in politics, being a staunch Conservative. He first came to the front as a political candidate in 1859 when he successfully contested Pictou county in the general election of that year. The Conservative party were fast gaining strength and bidding again for the political supremacy which had been denied them for many years. Among the rising men was Dr. Charles Tupper, a bold and fluent orator, and a man of great administrative force and tact. Hon. J. W. Johnson, attorney-general and _facile princeps_ in his party for so many years, was getting old and unfit for a hard campaign. Sir William Young had been made chief justice, and other prominent Liberals were dropping out of the ranks. Railways were building and there was an impetus thereby given to the general hopefulness of the country. There were hot debates in the House of Assembly where such men as A. G. Archibald, Thomas Morrison, and Jonathan McCully strove for the reins of power. Hon. Mr. McDonald again offered, in 1863, when his party achieved a great victory at the polls. He was appointed by Dr. Tupper, provincial secretary and premier, to the position of chief railway commissioner for Nova Scotia, in June, 1863, and held this office until December, 1864. In December, 1864, he was appointed to a seat in the government with the portfolio of financial secretary. The celebrated conferences of Charlottetown and Quebec were held in the summer of 1864. There the preliminaries of confederation were discussed. At the latter conference Nova Scotia was represented by Dr. Tupper, Hon. W. A. Henry, now of the Supreme Court of Canada, Jonathan (afterwards Judge) McCully, and Hon. R. B. Dickey, senator. The next few months were times of fierce political debate in the maritime provinces. Confederation was consummated 1st July, 1867, and was shortly afterwards followed by general elections in the provinces and in the Dominion. The Conservatives were routed at the polls. Dr. Tupper won his election in Cumberland county, defeating Hon. William Annand by the narrow majority of 66. Not a single Conservative member followed him to Ottawa on his first appearance there. Among the defeated was the subject of this sketch, who stood for Pictou. But previous to this time, and during 1865 and 1866, he had been appointed a commissioner, representing his native province, to negotiate towards opening trade relations between the West Indies, Mexico and Brazil and the British American provinces. In prosecution of this mission he did some travelling in the Antilles. In 1867 he was made a Queen’s counsel. During the last years of his residence and practice at the bar in Halifax, the city barristers, on his attaining to the twenty-fifth year of his practice presented him with a silk gown accompanied by an appreciative and friendly address. In thanking the gentlemen of the long robe for their courtesy, he remarked that he was much touched by their kindness, but that the incident carried with it one element of regret in that it reminded him that he was growing old. The chief justice, however, enjoys robust health, and has probably many years before him. During these times he was working up one of the best-known practices in Nova Scotia. He had become associated in Pictou with Samuel G. Rigby (since Judge of the Supreme Court, a man who died two years ago greatly regretted while yet little over forty years of age), and removed to Halifax, establishing the firm of McDonald & Rigby. They generally had in their office six students and copyists, and their practice extended throughout the province. S. G. Rigby is believed to have been the peer of any _nisi prius_ lawyer who ever held a brief in Nova Scotia. James McDonald was skilled in all the arts of a cross-examiner and jury lawyer, whilst as a chambers counsel he was unsurpassed by any. Mr. Rigby generally went the Midland and Eastern circuits, where he never wanted a client. At the general election held in the summer of 1872, Hon. Mr. McDonald again contested Pictou for the House of Commons, and this time successfully. He was a strong supporter of Sir John A. Macdonald. The Pacific Scandal burst out in 1873, and in the debate in the Commons he made one of the strongest defences of the government. He was defeated at the general election of 1874, when the Reform government seized the reins of power, but fought a hard campaign in Pictou. At the general election in 1878 he returned with his party to power, and was made minister of justice. This appointment he held with credit until 20th May, 1881, when the late Sir William Young having resigned, he was appointed chief justice of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia. He is also judge of the Vice-Admiralty Court. He resides at a pretty villa on the North-West Arm, Halifax, called “Blink Bonnie.” He is a member of the Halifax Club, the town resort of the _elite_ of Nova Scotia. He married in 1856, Jane, daughter of the late William Mortimer, of Pictou, by whom he has a large family of children. One of his sons is in the North-West. Two are practising law in Halifax. Two of his daughters married sons of Sir Charles Tupper, viz., Charles H. Tupper, M.P. for Pictou county, and William J. Tupper, who saw service with the Halifax battalion during the North-West rebellion. The Chief Justice resides chiefly in Halifax but occasionally goes on circuit. His judgments are marked by great liberality and breadth of view. He has befriended many young men in their struggles to get a profession, and is an openhearted, openhanded man. No finer specimen of the Pictou Scotchman could be picked out than “Jim McDonald,” as he was familiarly, though respectfully called, during his long career, at the bar and in politics. Hon. Mr. McDonald is a member of St. Matthew’s Presbyterian Church, Halifax.

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=Merritt, Jedediah Prendergast=, St. Catharines, Ontario. The subject of this biographical sketch is the eldest son of the late Hon. William Hamilton Merritt, the well-known pioneer of the most prominent part of the peninsula of western Canada, and the originator and principal actor in obtaining the completion of the Welland and St. Lawrence canals, now connecting the upper lakes with the Atlantic ocean. Mr. Merritt was born at St. Catharines, county of Lincoln, on the 1st of June, 1820, and the whole of his life has been devoted to the material and æsthetical occupations which make history for the western hemisphere. At an early period he represented his native country as a student at Cambridge, England, and upon his return his further representation consisted in being familiar with English and continental society as it was associated with scholastic and political economy. His father, by the force of daily events, was engaged in promoting public important Canadian interests, whether included in commercial, political, or educational enterprises; and his son, being well qualified by natural and acquired attainments, gave these enterprises the advantage of his presence both at the desk and by his advice in the halls of the legislature. In 1860 he was appointed by a vote of parliament to a position now known as archivist. He collected the ten thousand folio pages of historical matter as put upon record by the lives of pioneers in Canada prior and subsequent to the revolutionary war. Whether, accordingly, information of large or small moment to families of the United Empire class or its government, or to families generally of Canada or the United States be required, it is derivable through the labors of the gentleman whose name is before us. Such a task as this brought into requisition varied talents and an unceasing industry for a number of years, and so suggestive of utility was his report that parliament renewed an engagement with him. The qualities of patriotism and generosity characterised his proceedings, for he not only gave his assistant the appropriation made for the purpose, but without opposition he permitted the adoption of a title which directs a searcher after knowledge formulated under his guidance to go to the Coventry Documents. On the 1st of May, 1845, he was appointed postmaster at St. Catharines, an office which he retained for a period of eighteen years. Mr. Merritt has distinguished himself both in poetry and prose. At an early age, and while at school, a taste for literature and science distinctly spoke out. And subsequently his poetical genius shone out in many effusions relating to his own and other countries, and in such as passed fitting encomiums upon the noble qualities of patriotism and valor. A poem written as a memento of the visit of the Duke of Kent to Canada received a distinguished acknowledgment from the Prince of Wales, his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, and the Earl of St. Germans. Many odes are also well known; among them may be found that “On the Opening of Victoria Bridge” by the Prince of Wales; “Ho, for Manitoba;” “Ontario;” those on the battles of “Lundy’s Lane”—“Crook’s Mills”—“River Rasin;”—that read by the Loyal Canadian Society at its anniversary picnic at Queenston Heights; “The rise and progress of St. Catharines,” in prose, and concluded in verse. Besides others in number to fill a volume, which fail to receive a notice here. The public journals of the day, for many years past, evidence by their columns that Mr. Merritt’s study and influence upon subjects of administrative policy and scientific economy have given to the public as much of instruction as of entertainment. An ingenious historical chart published by Mr. Merritt met with the approval of the British North American Historical Society, and commendation from the Prince of Wales, who sent him an appropriate medal. When decimal currency was introduced into Canada, Mr. Merritt brought before the legislature a system of weights and measures known as the “metric.” With these it is as easy of calculation as that of by tens with money. The government voted in its favor $50,000 to be used if necessary. Mr. Merritt’s life has been an unceasing application of advantages derivable from a patrimony, for the promotion of plans equal to the dignity and character of Canada; and his family promise to wear his mantle. He married on the 17th of August, 1864, the eldest daughter of the late George Prescott, for many years secretary and treasurer of the Welland canal, by whom he has six sons and two daughters.

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