48 ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 
harsh and husky voice. ‘ What do you want?” was the peremptory 
inquiry which opened the interview with the trembling and anxious 
immigrant unskilled in the ways of Talbot. Having made known his 
desire for a particular location, the intending settler was obliged to 
undergo a rigid cross-examination as to his antecedents, means and 
motives. If the application was granted, he went away rejoicing that 
he had escaped so easily. If refused, the applicant exercised his 
democratic privilege of abusing and cursing the Colonel and all his 
belongings. Then came the conclusion of the ceremonial. The Col- 
onel’s rough voice called out, “ Jeffrey, set on the dogs,” the pane of 
glass was closed, and with it the interview. 
XXVIII.—THE TEMPERANCE MOVEMENT. 
A hard drinker himself, Talbot was shocked beyond measure at 
the rise of the temperance movement in the ‘early 30’s. He quickly 
disposed of moderate drinkers by classing them with the objectionable 
triumvirate of Radicals, Ryersonians and Rebels. Sir James Alexan- 
der, an officer in the garrison at London, who visited him about the 
year 1842, with the regimental doctor, expecting to spend a week at 
Port Talbot, was promptly undeceived. Dinner was served shortly 
after their arrival. The host grew more and more observant, as the 
officer passed the decanter without replenishing his glass, and, at the 
conclusion of the meal, calling him into another room, said, decisively : 
“JT have ordered your horses to be got ready; you will be able to reach 
St. Thomas before dark.” In his book entitled “ L’Acadie,” Sir James 
records the incident with much gusto; but local tradition asserts that 
he was not even permitted to finish his dinner before Talbot ordered 
Jeffrey to have the horses saddled and bridled. 
His deterioration in habits and manner was owing partly to early 
military and court training, but largely to his situation. He never 
associated with the settlers; he lived aloof from his neighbours. Human 
sympathies perished from atrophy. Mrs. Jameson was moved to tears 
by the pathos of his situation as he recited it to her. She adds: “ He 
has passed his life in worse than solitude. He will admit no equal in 
his vicinity. His only intercourse has been with inferiors and depen- 
dents, whose servility he despised, and whose resistance enraged him— 
men whose interests rested on his favour—on his will, from which 
there was no appeal. Hence despotic habits, and contempt even for 
those whom he benefitted; hence, with much natural benevolence and 
generosity, a total disregard, or rather total ignorance, of the feelings 


