and successfully combat and overcome 

 the many difficulties in their path. They 

 were grit right through and were not 

 made of the stuff that would sit down and 

 mope or indulge in useless repinings 

 under difficulties and privations. 



It often seemed to me wonderful how 

 cheerful, contented and happy these men 

 could be in their isolated condition, their 

 long distances from relatives and friends, 

 from whom they can only hear perhaps 

 one a year. Many of these Hudson's 

 Bay gentlemen, having been accustomed 

 to the best society in the civilized centres 

 of the Old World, yet we hear of them 

 quite contented in their solitary posts, 

 often with only dogs and savages for 

 their companions and sometimes entirely 

 alone in the snow-clad regions of the far 

 north. 



I well remember meeting one of the 

 Hudson's Bay officers on his return after 

 years of absence from an extended fur- 

 lough on a visit to relatives and friends 

 in England, some of whom he had not 

 seen for over 25 years. I said to him 



"Mr. , I am surprised that after 



tasting once again the.sweets of civiliza- 

 tion after a lifetime of banishment and 

 isolation, that you did not remain in 

 England and spend the rest of your days, 

 in peace and comfort and plenty, instead 

 of returning to again endure the priva- 

 tions and hardships of life in the frozen 

 north." He looked at me in surprise and 

 said " My dear fellow, in England I'm a 

 very small toad in a very large puddle : 

 in my district in the north I'm absolute 

 monarch." 



Your patience must be now fully ex- 

 hausted and I will not further try it, but 

 will conclude by reading a short poem 

 written by Wm. Gerrond Esq., lately of 

 High Bluff, but now of Prince Albert. 

 Mr. Gerrond was Bard of the Portage la 

 Prairie St. Andrew's Society and was 

 alwa3S ready with a poem to read on St. 

 Andrew's Day. Many of his efforts were 

 of very considerable merit, and when he 

 expressed the ideas of an old settler in 

 poetrj', on the old and new order of 

 things in this country he certainly did it 

 well. 



Before reading the poem I may explain 

 that there are perhaps some present who 

 will not understand that the words " me 

 whatever" which occur three times in 

 the poem, was and is yet, a very common 

 expression amongst the natives of this 



country, and they really mean, " for my 

 part." For instance instead of saying 

 "For my part I'm going to the Fort," 

 one wouldsay, "Mr. Whatever," I'm go- 

 ing to the Fort. With this explanation I 

 will give you the poem. 



WHAT WAS AND IS : AN OIvD SETTLER'S 

 IDEA. 



O for the times that some despise. 

 At least I liked them, me whatever, 

 Before the Transfer made wise 

 Or politics had made us clever 



Then faith and friendship, hand in hand, 

 A kindly tale to all were telling, 

 From east to west, throughout the land, 

 Contentment reigned in every dwelling. 



'Twas then we all in corduroys 

 Would travel to the church on Sunday 

 And listen.to the good man's voice. 

 And do as he had said on Monday. 



Our women too, both wife and maid, 

 Had lovely tresses for a bonnet, 

 A goodly shawl upon the head 

 Was all she ever put upon it. 



Then gold was scarce, twas very true, 

 But then it was not much we wanted, 

 Our artificial wants were few, 

 And we were happy and contented. 



But now alas the times are changed, 

 At least I think so, " me whatever," 

 And artificial wants are ranged. 

 And piled in heaps along the River. 



Our women's thrown away the shawl. 

 And got instead a showy bonnet 

 ■\Vith many a costly faiderall 

 Of feathers, silk and lace upon it. 



Our men despising corduroys 



In broadcloth grace the church on Sunday 



And then go home to criticize 



And do as they've a mind on Monday, 



Our good old Faith's supplied with doubt 

 And friendship killed by speculation ; 

 And sweet content is driven out 

 And grumbling envy fills her station. 



O for the times that some despise. 

 At least I liked them, me whatever. 

 Before the Transfer made us wise 

 And politics had made us clever. 



