— 195 — 



Dorchester, surnamed in 1775, the " Saviour of Canada " 

 and the clerk of the weather. His Excellency had 

 retained the services of an estimable old captain of 

 militia (Captain Gouin, of Ste. Anne de la Perade) to 

 drive him one bitter winter day. " I soon noticed, says 

 Captain Gouin, that His Excellency's nose had become 

 perfectly white from the intense cold. The Governor's 

 nose was a marvellous one as to size ; I may be allowed 

 to venture so far without disrespect to his memory. 

 His Lordship, a thorough gentleman, as courteous tu a 

 peasant as he would have been to a king, spoke French 

 like one of us, and was quite communicative. 



" Your Excellency, " says I, " pardon the liberty I 

 take, but your nose is frozen to a crisp. " 



— " What then is to be done ? " replied his Lordship, 

 raising his hand to his unfortunate nose. 



" Well ! Hum ! Do you see, mon General" retorted 

 Captain Gouin, " so far, my experience has been limited 

 to dealing with Canadian noses ; an English nose might 

 possibly require a different treatment." 



— " What would you do to thaw a Canadian nose ? " 

 asked Lord Dorchester. 



" A Canadian nose, your Excellency, is inured to 

 hardship, and we treat it accordingly." 



— " Just suppose," retorted the saviour of Canada, 

 " that you are prescribing for a Canadian and not for 

 an English nose." 



" Very well, your Excellency, but an other difficulty 

 may arise. Englishmen are not all privileged to own a 

 Governor's nose, and therefore proper respect and con- 

 sideration is due. — " 



— " D — your eyes ! " ejaculated the agonizing Gover- 

 nor, " due respect and consideration be hanged ! Don't 

 you see, my unlucky nose will soon be dropping off ! " 



" That remedy is inexpensive and close at hand," 

 retorted the scared militia officer. " I have plenty under 

 my cariole. Snow ! " Eub well ! " 



