180 CANADIAN LOCAL HISTOEY : 



future capital should be named Georgina, In compliment to George III. Had tliat intention 

 been adhered to, posterity would have been saved some confusion. To this hour, the name of 

 our Canadian London gives trouble in the post-office and elsewhere. Georgina was a name not 

 inaptly conceived, suggested doubtless by the title "Augusta," borne by so many places of old, 

 as, for example, by London itself, the "Veritable, in honour of the Augustus, the Emperor of 

 the daj'. We might perhaps have rather expected Georgiana, on the analogy of Anreliana 

 (Orleans), from Aurelius, or Georgia, after Julia, a frequent local appellation from the imperial 

 Julius. — Already, in a preceding reign, had Georgius yielded Georgia as the name of a province, 

 and more recently, Herschel's Georgium sidus, rather elegantly imitative of Horace's Julium 

 sidus. — "We presume, also, that the large subdivision of Lake Huron, known as the Georgian 

 Bay, had a like loyal origin for its name. 



An incident not recorded in Major Littlehales' Journal was the order of a grand parade (of 

 ten men), and a formal discharge of musketry, issued in jocose mood by the Governor to Lieut. 

 Givins ; which was duly executed as a ceremony of inauguration for the new capital. — The 

 name Georgina, wliich probably originated on this occasion, is preserved in that of the now 

 flourishing township of Georgina on Lake Simcoe. An adventure, however, in which Lieut. 

 Givins' name appears, is recorded by Maj(3r Littleiiales, as taking place at this time, in the 

 following terms : "Tiie young Indians who had chased a herd of deer in company with Lieut. 

 Givins," he says, "returned unsuccessful, but brought with them a large porcupine; which 

 was very seasonable," lie remarks, "as our provisions were nearly exhausted. This animal," 

 he observes, "afforded us a good repast, and tasted like a pig." The Newfoundland dog, he 

 continues, attempted to bite the porcupine, but soon got his mouth filled with the barbed 

 quills, which gave him exquisite pain. An Indian undertook to extract them. Major Littlehales 

 says, and with much perseverance plucked them out, one by one, and carefully applied a root 

 or decoction, Avhich speedily healed the wound. From Major Littlehales' journal it appears 

 that it was the practice of the party to wind up each day's proceedings by singing " God save 

 the King." Thus on the 2Sth Feb., before arriving at the site of London, we have it recorded : 

 "At six we stopped at an old Mississagua hut, upon the south side of the Thames. After 

 taking some refreslmient of salt pork and venison, well-cooked by Lieutenant Smith, who 

 suiiierintended that department, we, as usual, sang God save the King, and went to rest." Tlie 

 Duke de Liancourt, in his Travels in North America, speaks of Major Littlehales in the following 

 isleasant terms: "Before I close the article of Niagara," he says, "I must make i^articular 

 mention of the civility shewn us hj Major Littlehales, adjutant and first secretary to the 

 Governor, a well-bred, mild and amiable man, who has the charge of the whole correspondence 

 of government, and acquits hiuiself with peculiar ability and application. M ajor Littlehales,'' 

 the Duke says, " appeared to possess the confidence of the country. This is not unfrequently 

 the case with men in place and jiower ; but his wortli, politeness, prudence, and judgment, 

 give this officer peculiar claims to the confidence and respect which he universally enjoys." 



lu the Oracle of Feb, 24, "X798, a report of the death of this officer is contradicted. " We have 

 the pleasure of declaring the account received in December last of the death of Col. Littlehales 

 premature. Letters have been recently received from him dated in England." He had 

 probably returned home with Gen, Simcoe. In the same papier a fiying rumour is noticed, 

 to the effect "that His Excellency Governor Simcoe is appointed Governor General of the 

 Canadas." 



Major Littlehales' park-lot became subsequently the property of Capt. John Denison, and 

 from him descended to his heir Col. George Taylor Denison, from whom the street now passing 

 from south to north has its name, Denison Avenue. This thoroughfare was, in the first 

 instance, the drive up to the homestead of the estate, BeUevue, a large white cheery-looking 

 abode, Ijang far back but pleasantly visible from Lot Street through a long vista of overhanging 

 trees, — From the old Bellevue has spread populous colonies at Dovercourt, Rusholme and 

 elaewiiere, marked, like their progenitor, witli vigour of character, and evincing in a succession 

 of instances strong aptitude for military affairs. Col. Denison's grandson, G. T. Denison 

 tertius, is the author of a work on "Modern Cavalry, its Organisation, Armament and Employ- 

 ment in "W"ar," which has taken a recognized place in English stratagetical literature. 



In accordance with an early Canadian practice, Capt. John Denison set apart on his property 

 a plot of ground as a receptacle for the mortal remains of himself and his descendants. The 



