350 CANADIAN LOCAL HISTORY : 



exceedingly comfortable. His unexampled exertions in forming and fostering the settlements 

 of the township, of which he may be considered the founder and the leader, have not been 

 attended with all the success that was desirable, or which he anticipated," Bouchette then 

 appends a note wherein we can see how readily his own demonstrative Gallic nature sympa- 

 thized with the kindred Celtic spirit of the Highlander. "The characteristic hospitality that 

 distinguished our reception by the gallant Chief," he says, "when, in 1S28, we were returning 

 down the Ottawa, after having explored its rapids and lakes, as far up as Grand Calumet, we 

 cannot pass over in silence. To voyageurs in the remote wilds of Canada," he continues,, 

 "necessarily strangers for the time to the sweets of civilization, the unexpected comforts of a 

 well-furnished board, and the cordiality of a Highland welcome, are blessings that fall upon 

 the soul like dew upon the flower. ' The sun was just resigning to the moon the empire of the 

 skies,' when we took our leave of the noble chieftain," he adds, " to descend the formidable 

 rapids of the Chats. As we glided from the foot of the bold bank, the gay plaid and cap of 

 the noble Gael were seen waving on the proud eminence, and the shrill notes of the piper filled- 

 the air with their wild cadences. They died away as we ajiproached the head of the rapids.. 

 Our caps were flourished, and the flags (for our canoe was gaily decorated with them) waved 

 in adieu, and we entered the vortex of the swift and whirling stream." In 1836, Rolph, in his 

 " Statistical Account of Upper Canada," p. 146, also speaks of the site of Kinnell Lodge as- 

 " greatly resembling in its bold, sombre and majestic aspect, the wildest and most romantic 

 scenery" of Scotland. "This distinguished Chieftain," the writer then informs us, "has- 

 received permission to raise a militia corps of 800 Highlanders, a class of British subjects 

 always distinguished for their devoted and chivalrous attachment to the laws and institutions 

 of their noble progenitors, and who would prove a rampart of living bodies in defence of 

 British supremacy whenever or wherever assailed." 



The reference in Dean Ramsey's interesting " Reminiscences of Scottish Life and Character" 

 to "the last Laird of MacMab," is perhaps to the father- of the gentleman familiar to us here in 

 York, and who filled so large a space in the recollections of visitors to the Upper Ottawa. 

 "The last Laird of MacNab before the clan finally broke up and emigrated to Canada was,"' 

 says the Dean in the work just named, "a well-known character in the country; and, being 

 poor, used to ride about on a most -wretched horse, which gave occasion to many jibes at his 

 expense. The Laird," this writer continues, "was in the constant habit of riding up from the 

 country to attend the Musselburgh races [near Edinburgh]. A young wit, by way of playing 

 Jiim off on the race course, asked him in a contemptuous tone, "Is that the same horse you- 

 had last year. Laird?" — " Na," said the Laird, brandishing his whip in the interrogator's face 

 In so emphatic a manner as to preclude further questioning, " Na ! but it's the same whup!" 

 (p. 216, 9th ed.) — ^We do not doubt but that the MacNabs have ever been a spirited race. Their 

 representatives here have always been such ; and like their kinsmen in the old home, too, they 

 have had, during their brief history in Canada, their share of the hereditary vicissitudes. We 

 owe to a Sheriff 's advertisement in the "Upper Canada Gazette or American Oracle" of the 

 14th of April, 1798, published at Niagara, some biographical particulars and a minute descrip- 

 tion of the person of the Mr. MacNab who was afterwards, as we have already stated. Usher 

 of the Black Rod to the House of Assembly and father of his successor, Mr. David MaoNab,. 

 in the same post ; father also of the Allan MacNab, whose history forms part of that of Upper 

 Canada. In 1798, imprisonment for debt was the rigorously enforced law of the land. The 

 prominent MacNab of that date had, it would appear, become obnoxious to the law on the 

 score of indebtedness : but findiiTg the restraint imposed irksome, he had relieved himself of it, 

 without asking leave. The hue and cry for his re-capture proceeded as follows : "Two hun- 

 dred dollars reward ! Home District, Upper Canada, Newark, April 2, 1798. Broke the gaol 

 of this District on the night of the 1st instant, fthe 1st of April, be it observed,] Allan MacNab, 

 a confined debtor. He is a reduced lieutenant of horse," proceeds the Sheriff, " on the half-pay 

 list of the late corps of Queen's Rangers ; aged 38 years or thereabouts ; five feet three inches, 

 high ; fair complexion ; light hair ; red beard ; much marked with the small pox ; the middle 

 finger of one of his hands remarkable for an overgrown nail ; round shouldered ; stoops a little^ 

 *in walking ; and although a native of the Highland's of Scotland,, aflfects much in speaking, th&- 

 Irish dialect. Wlioever will apprehend, &c., &c., shall receive the above reward, with all rea- 

 sonable expenses." The escape of the prisoner on the first of April was probably felt by tlie 



