272 CANADIAN NOMS-DE-PLUME IDENTIFIED. 



waters '—ah ! how nnlike that sweet valley in our own dear isle, witli 



' Her purest of crystal and brightest of green !' 

 — the rapid river hastens on through a fertile country, until it pours 

 its tribute into the lap of St. Clair, some miles below Chatham. 

 Long previous to the foundation of the town, the surrounding coun- 

 try was well settled, and contained many wealthy fai^mers, and the 

 spot was called by the uncouth familiar appellation of 'The Forks.'" 

 In another place, we Ijave a reference to the University of Toronto, 

 or, as it was called in 1848, the University of King's College. At 

 that time the work of the University was carried on in the Parlia- 

 ment Buildings, the Government having been removed, when the 

 two Canadas were united, from Toronto to Montreal. A flagstaff is 

 also spoken of in Government House grounds, whereon, when the 

 Governor was here, a flag used to be displayed. After numerous 

 vicissitudes of local history, it is pleasant in 1876 to have our Parlia- 

 ment Buildings at Toronto again put to their proper use ; and to see 

 the symbol of a Governor's presence amongst us again floating over 

 the same Government House grounds, which had been for a time 

 deserted. A humorous allusion occurs to the fact that while the 

 University was in occupation of the central Parliament Building, one 

 of the wings of the same building was made a receptacle for lunatics. 

 It is singular that it has been the fate of the University, since its 

 removal to its present magnificent quarters, to have again become a 

 close neighbour to a receptacle for lunatics. " The long ranges of red 

 brick, towards the left of the view," Maple Leaf says, speaking of 

 an engraving of Toronto, " were once tuneful with the eloquence of 

 our legislators, but are now the peaceful retreat of learning. In the 

 main structure and west wing are the temporary halls and lecture 

 rooms of our noble tmiversity, while the building on the east is at 

 present occupied by the Lunatic Asylum, a playful illustration of the 

 poetic adage, 



' Great Wit to Madness nearly is allied.' " 



"A little in the rear," the account of the engraving goes on to say, ' 

 " above a thick plantation, may be seen the staff which, in days gone 

 by, was wont to bear the flag that indicated to the lieges of Toronto 

 the presence of the Lieutenant-Governor, in the ofiicial residence 

 embosomed by those dark trees." 



Maple Leaf, who thus in 1848, and ten years earlier it may be 

 said, was the first to call forth with sensible effect, and mould into 



