TORONTO OP OLD. Ill 



pore over these was his favourite occupation. After chatting with him in his room, we 

 attended Divine Service with him in the magnificent Cliapel of St. George, close by. Wc then 

 strolled together round the ramparts of the Castle, en.joying the incomparable views. Sinoo 

 the time of .William IV. the habit of the Military Knights is that of an oflBcer of high rank in 

 full dress, cocked hat and feather included. As our venerable friend passed the several sentries 

 placed at intervals about the Castle, arms were duly presented ; an attention which each time 

 elicited from the Colonel the words, rapidly interposed in the midst of a stream of earnest talk, 

 and accompanied by deprecatory gestures of the hand, ' ' Never mind me, boy ! never niiud me ! " 

 Colonel Pitzgibbon toolc the fancy of Mrs. Jameson when in Canada. She devotes several 

 pages of her " Winter Studies " to the story of his life. She gives some account of his marriage. 

 The moment he received his captaincy, she tells us, "he surprised General Sheaffe,his commanding 

 officer, by asking for a leave of absence, although the war was still at its height. In explanation, 

 he said he wished to have his nuptials celebrated, so that if a fatal disaster hajipened toliimself, 

 his bride might enjoy the pension of a captain's widow. The desired leave was granted, and 

 after riding some 1.50 miles and accomplishing his purpose, he was back in an incredibly short 

 space of time at head-quarters again. No fatal disaster occurred, and lie lived," Mrs. Jameson 

 adds, "to be the father of four brave sons and one gentle daughter." The name of Colonel 

 Pitzgibbon recalls the recollection of his sister, Mrs. Washburn, remarkable of old, in York, for 

 dash and spirit on horseback, spite of extra en bon point; for a distinguished dignity of bearing, 

 combined with a marked Hibernian heartiness and gaiety of manner. As to the "four brave 

 sons and one gentle daughter," all have now passed away : one of the former met with a painful 

 death from the gi'V'lng way of a crowded gallery at a political meeting in the Market Square, as 

 previously narrated. All four lads were favourites with their associates, and partook of their 

 father's temi^erament. 



Of Spadina Avenue, which we crossed in our approach to Col. Pitzgibbon's old home, and of 

 Spadina house, visible in the far distance at the head of the Avenue, we have already treated 

 in our collections and recollections, connected with Front Street. 



In passing we make an addition to what was then said. The career of Dr. Baldwin, the projec- 

 tor of the Avenue, and the builder of Spadina, is now a part of Upper Canadian history. It 

 presents a curious instance of that versatility which we have had occasion to notice in so many 

 of the men who have been eminent in this country. A medical graduate of Edinburgh, and in 

 that capacity, commencing life in Ireland — on settling in Canada, he began the study of Law 

 and became a leading member of the Bar. On his arrival at York, from the first Canadian home 

 of his father on Baldwin's Creek in the township of Clarke, his purpose was to turn to account 

 for a time his own educational acquirements, by undertaking the office of a teacher of youth. 

 In several successive numbers of the Oracle of 1802-3 we read the following adverti.9ement : 

 "Dr. Baldwin, understanding that some of the gentlemen of this Town have expressed some 

 anxiety for the establishment of a Classical School, begs leave to inform them and the public 

 that he intends on Monday the first day of January next, to open a School in which he will 

 instruct Twelve Boys in Writing, Reading, the Classics and Arithmetic. The terms are, for 

 each boy, eiglit guineas per annum, to be paid quarterly or half-yearly ; one guinea entrance 

 and one cord of wood to be supplied by each of the boys on opening the School. N.B. — Mr. 

 Baldwin will meet his pupils at Mr. Willcocks* house on Duke Street. York, December, 18th, 

 1802." We have not at hand any record of the results of this enterprise. 



The Russell bequest augmented in no slight degree the previous possessions of Dr. Baldwin. 

 We have probably in the magnificent dimensions assigned to the thoroughfare opened up by 

 him m the neighbourhood of Peterfield, a visible expression of the large-handed generosity 

 whicli a pleasant windfall is apt to inspire. Spadina Avenue is 160 leet wide throughout its 

 milc-and-a-half length ; and the part of Queen Street which bounds the frout of the Peterfield 

 park lot, is made suddenly to expand to the width of 90 feet. Maria Street also, a sliort street 

 ■here, is of extra width. The poi-tion of York, now Toronto, laid out by Dr. Baldwin on a frac- 

 tion ot the land opportunely inherited, wUl. when solidly built over, rival Washington or 

 St. Petersburg in grandeur of ground-plan and design. 



The career of Dr. Rolph, another of our early Upper Canadian notabilities, resembles in some 

 respects, that of Dr. Baldwin. Before emigrating from Gloucestershire, he began life as n 

 medical man. On arriving in Canada he transferred himself to the Bar. In this case however, 



