Ob LEAVES THEY HAVE TOUCHED. 



in 1792, Grovernor Simcoe desired Major Holland to give Mm, in 

 writing, whatever particulars lie could recall respecting liis father, 

 Captain Simcoe, then deceased some thirty years. Hence the letter 

 which I have. The Captain of The Pembroke, it will be observed 

 from Major Holland's account, was an enlightened and spirited naval 

 office!-, possessed of the dash and daring that marked Wolfe himself. 

 Cook too, it will be noticed, acknowledged in after years his great 

 indebtedness to his former siiperior on board The Pembroke. Hol- 

 land's letter to Governor Simcoe reads as follows : 



" Quebec, 11th January, 1792. Sir : It is with the most sincere 

 pleasure that I recall to memory the many happy and instructive 

 hours I have had the honour of enjoying in your late most excellent 

 father's company ; and with more than ordinary satisfaction do I 

 recollect the following circumstance which gave birth to our acquaint- 

 ance : — The day after the surrender of Louisbourg, being at • 

 Kensington Cove surveying and making a plan of the place, with 

 its attack and encampments, I observed Captain Cook (then master 

 of Captain Simcoe's ship The Pembroke man-of-war) particularly 

 attentive to my operations; and as he expressed an ardent desire 

 to be instructed in the use of the Plane Table (the instrument I was 

 then using), I appointed the next day in order to make him 

 acquainted with the whole process. He accordingly attended, with 

 a particular message from Captain Simcoe expressive of a wish 

 to have been present at our proceedings, and his inability, owing to 

 indisposition, of leaving the ship; at the same time requesting me 

 to dine with him on board, and begging me to bring the Plane Table 

 pieces along. I with much pleasure accepted that invitation, which 

 gave rise to my acquaintance with a truly scientific gentleman, for 

 the which I ever held myself much indebted to Captain Cook. I 

 remained that night on board, and in the morning landed to continue 

 m.y survey at Wliite Point, attended by Captain Cook and two young 

 gentlemen who your father, ever attentive to the Service, wished 

 should be instructed in the business. Prom that period I had the 

 honour of a most intimate and friendly acquaintance -with, your 

 worthy father ; and during our stay at Halifax, whenever I could 

 get a moment of time from my duty, I was on board The Pembroke, 

 where the great cabin, dedicated to scientific jDurposes and most 

 taken up with a drawing-table, furnished no room for idlers. Here, 

 tinder Captain Simcoe's eye, Mr. Cook and myself compiled materials . 



