[BouRINOT] DUNDURN AND BURLINGTON HEIGHTS 9 
which would force him into private life, and declare him fit for nothing 
else. This scene recalled a still more memorable occasion in English 
history—the last appearance of the great Earl of Chatham in the House 
of Lords, when in the height of the American revolution he protested 
with something of his old fire “ against the dismemberment of this an- 
cient and most noble monarchy.” 
To-day as we take possession of Sir Allan’s old historic castle— 
henceforth a storehouse of science, arts and history—we should not for- 
get its first generous owner. He loved this country and its people right 
well, and they repaid that affection by their constant, staunch support 
through all the vicissitudes of his political and personal fortunes. Ham- 
ilton, in his life-time, grew from a humble village—sometimes addressed 
by mail as “ Burlington, near Ancaster ”—to a fine, city—not so large 
or prosperous or beautiful as it is in these days, but still sufficiently im- 
portant and handsome to be called forty years ago, “ the ambitious, stir- 
ring little city.” Ancaster on the Mountain?® had its ambitions once, 
but now it is only a place of ruins, redolent of memories. Dundas, 
would you believe it, had also the audacity to be the rival of infant 
Hamilton ; but though its commercial supremacy has long ago been a 
dream, yet the beauty of its situation and surroundings still entitles it 
to be called a paradise—not simply for sportsmen as in old times, but 
for the gratification of the eye and the pleasures of life. Sir Allan saw 
all these changes in the city he loved so well, and had his share in bring- 
ing to it the railway which had much to do with its rapid growth for 
years. Though his most ardent admirers and friends could never claim 
that he was a great statesman, yet he possessed qualities which endeared 
him to his fellow-countrymen, and made him for many years a great 
personal force in public affairs. He had a manly, sympathetic manner 
which invariably made him friends wherever he went. He had none of 
the business or economic traits of the canny Scotch race from which he 
sprang. The expenditure rather than the acquisition, or the saving of 
money, was his dominant characteristic. He may be called a Canadian 
Epicurean—Carpe diem,—enjoy life day by day, was his motto. To him 
we could well apply the words of a poet: 
‘“ Let to-morrow take care of to-morrow, 
Leave the things of the future to Fate, 
What’s the use to anticipate sorrow ? 
Life’s troubles come never too late. 
If to hope over much be an error, 
’Tis one that the wise have preferred ; 
And how often have hearts been in terror, 
Of evils that never occurred.” 
