Читать книгу No Ordinary Man - Lois Winslow-Spragge - Страница 14

SUMMERS ON THE LOWER ST. LAWRENCE RIVER

George’s father thought very highly of the health-giving properties of .the lower St. Lawrence River, saying that the ozone was the best found anywhere. George, now nearing eighteen in the summer of 1867, was sent to Cacouna just east of Riviere-du-Loup, on the south shore, to stay with his mother who had a cottage for the season. From here, George wrote the following letters to his adored sister, Anna, his beloved and lifelong friend.

George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Cacouna, Quebec, 21 June 1867.

My Dear Anna

I must confess that writing (as I am now) with nothing to say is a sort of ceremony more than anything else. About the only observation which I made on the way down was one which I have often made before: namely the very curious way everyone, the moment they get their foot on board claim proprietorship in the steamer and always talk about “Our steamer” and funnier still the way they take credit for all the steamer does well, saying for example, “We are gitting up steam” but if anything goes wrong then it is all the “captains” fault. Just as the steamer got to Murry bay it began to rain furiously and all the people who landed there got wet to the skin or even deeper; it fortunately however held up while we were landing.

The house is just about what I expected it to be, the worst of it being that but one pane of each window opens. The first flat of this house is arranged so: [illustration in letter]

1 Drawing room (center with a flower of trumpets) and the small stove)

2 Apology for dining room.

3 Mamas bed room containing a red faced attenuated chest of drawers

4 My bedroom containing all the modern conveniances including an oven &c

5 enormous oven.

6 gallery (intended to come into fashion when crinoline goes entirely out

7 Lean-too kitchen decidedly airy

8 Pantry or antichamber to the before mentioned

9 stairs with a cupboard underneath access to the top shelves of which is only to be obtained by climbing up the front like a ladder.

10 Last but not least the glass door on which papa founded all his hopes.

We have a very good view and might have had a much better but that “the man” (on the principle no doubt that we may have too much of a good thing) <had the> has put the F’house between us and the best view, and the milk house in the same position relatively to us and the next best.

Now I have got a conundrum for William to puzzle out in what part of the house can you you see into every room in the lower flat at once?

“The man” is just now making “des ameliorations”³⁹ in front of our house before he began the strata or rocks (Ahem) were all sticking up among a medly of chips and stones, at an angle just as if they wanted to look in at our front windows.

The musquitoes here are abundant, at home when you see anything flying along in the dusk you look twice at it to see if it realy is a musquito, but here you never need to do that; hit at any thing you see flying, even a flock of dust and when you get it down it is sure to be a musquito. Mama says she wants part of the back of this sheet so I must pull up short. [Note added by Margaret Dawson] Please tell papa that I took those moths down here and that there are two moths out now, one of whom has laid some eggs so I want him to send me the American Naturalists. Or at any-rate the one which gives an account of the management of the eggs and young caterpilars by the earliest opportunity. I sent the A. N.’s down with some other books to the library before leaving. You may distribute <a little of> my love, but only to those who will value it as I am saving it all up down here.

I suppose I need not mention that I still remain.

George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Cacouna, Quebec, 24 June 1867.

My Dear Anna

I had just finished Williams letter and was going to begin yours when (astonishing phenomenon!) an old man with a smiling face, a towsy wig, and a peep show walked in, so after being refreshed by the sight of “fifteen dirty pictures of palaces &c for deux sous par tete” I now commence yours.

I hope you have got on well with your examinations I suppose that they will be over by the time this reaches you.

It is awfuly dull down here I do wish that you would come down, tell Nina if she will come down we will be eternally obliged to her. By the weather we are having here I should think you are having it very hot in Montreal.

Meat is pretty scarce here just now but fish is plentiful we have already had Salmon, Shad, herring, sardines, smelts, and tom cods.

Sophia and Rankine went to the little English church yesterday where there was just a bakers dozen including the preacher.

You must write soon and If you are too buisy to write yourself get it done by proxy. Mind and tell me all about how you and Nina got on at your examinations.

I hope you find all the alterations, and improvements (?) which are going on very conducive to your comfort. Here are the names of some books which I think would be nice, ask papa if he will get one or more of them; Izac Walton’s Complete angler, Dicken’s American notes, Mugby Junction, and perhaps Dicsons’ “New America”⁴⁰ though I dont think It would be very nice.

I have read the reports of the Y.M.C. association⁴¹ and so far I think it very like the award of prizes at the Paris Exhibition.⁴²

Believe me your ever affectionate brother

George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Cacouna, Quebec, 27June 1867.

Dear Anna

I Thought that writing home would have been finished by yesterdays letters but mama it seems has some messages to send and has not time to write herself, therefor I again take up my pen (cil).

You may judge of the difference between Montreal and here, when I tell you that the lilacs are just coming into flower with us; you must not suppose that there are any such marks of civilization around this house it was someone in the village that gave Sophia a nice bunch, [illustration in letter] {You see while mama was thinking of her messages I employed myself in sketching this ladies slipper. Rankine got it the other day. The flower is pink.}

We have had very fine weather down here all the time as yet, and I fancy a shade or towo cooler than that at Montreal.

Messages.

Mary was told that five pounds of coffee were needed, see that it is got, and got at the coffee mills in St Gabriel street, at Is per pound.

Bring down the bottle of cod liver oil. (Not for yourself you know)

I thought that there were ever so many messages but it seems there are only two, I hope you will not be dissapointed.

If you think there is time ask William to get me 2d worth or so, of Pulverised Charcoal, at any druggists.

Another inconvenience here is the want of any gum or other sticky substance, perhaps you might bring some down. A man came here this afternoon with a very large fish, which he was selling in pieces from door, to door; it must have been nearly six feet long when it was perfect, he (the man) said he caught it down near Isle Verte yesterday, he also said that it was good to eat, so we bought a piece, Dear knows how it will turn out. Mama said she thought it was a Sturgeon.

Rankine and Eva⁴³ send their love to all at home.

Hoping to see you all down here soon, believe me your affectionate brother

George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Cacouna, Quebec, 28 June 1867.

Dear Anna

“Here we are again”. We yesterday received your letters, papas letter, and Williams to Rankine all dated the 25.

We were very glad to hear of all the prizes which you have got, you must bring them down and show them to us. Also please congratulate Nina on Those which she has got.

This letter is writen at mamas instigation, principally to inform Papa that the ground, (or rather rocks) around this house is (or are) altogether too rocky for anything approaching to a garden, Mama has however got a stone wall built up with a cart load of earth inside, in front of the house, she wants to know if she could get two or more verbenas, or some other such flower, in pots to put in it. (Mind you in my own private imagination I consider it impossible, not only because of the lateness of the season but also considering the short time you will have to obtain them in when this reaches you).

We are suffering for want of you here, a fine large salmon was offered at the door today and as he (le garçon) would not cut it we could not get it, there not being enough of us to eat it.

You said papa had sent the American Naturalist, down by Miss Lamm. I suppose I will get it tomorrow; If he has only sent one, as your letter would lead me to suppose please ask him, when he comes to bring all the rest relating to the silkworms.

Mama asks me also to tell you that if you have the oportunity she would be glad if you would go to see Lena before you leave.

Mama wants to appologise for having sent the messages so straylingly.

Believe me your ever affectionate brother

Another year passed and George was again down the St. Lawrence, this time at Tadoussac on the east side of Riviere Saguenay as it enters the St. Lawrence, where once more he was staying with his mother.

George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Tadoussac, Quebec, 8 July⁴⁴ 1868.

My Dear Anna,

I am now settled at Tadousac at the hotel, there are very few people here as yet but we expect more soon. The people now here are Mrs Ogilvie⁴⁵ who lives in St Catherine street I think and her two little children. Her sister from Upper Canada Miss Dow from Montreal, Young Mr Redpath⁴⁶ and his wife who used to be Miss Mills, and their child. That queer young Mr Windham his little sister, little brother, and two governesses (one for each of the youngsters).

Mrs Ogilvie is very nice but has rather a fishy expression her sister ditto, with curls and freckles; Miss Dow is rather goodlooking. Mr Windham as usual, little Miss Windham an awful tomboy, and her little brother one of the crossest, noisiest most spoilt youngsters you ever saw.

I had a nice sail in a birch-bark canoe the other day all about the bay.

I do not finish the account of the Unions running ashore for Mama told me before she left that she had asked papa to send her letter out to you.

Maria intended leaving on Wednesday but the Union being disabled there was no boat that day so {Rankine and} she left by the Magnet last Sunday evening.

I cannot write you a long letter for I have to write so many this post, I shall not write any more to you at the Browns for I suppose you will be going home soon.

Please remember me to all the Browns and thank Dora for her correction with regard to the “Lightning Bugs”

Believe me your affectionate brother

George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Tadoussac, Quebec, 22 July 1868.

My Dear Anna,

I got your letter last night saying that you intended to return to Montreal on Thursday, & this one I hope will reach you soon after your arrival. You spoke though rather indefinitely of coming down here, If you do I would not advise you to come at present as the hotel is now quite full, & more people coming down tonight, & what they are going to do I am sure I dont know. It would be very nice if you could come down for a little while but under the circumstances I would not advise it at present.

You need not always be writing to ask if I am not lonely, for I am not at all, as yet. I suppose Mama has showed you the programme of the “Concert” I went off very nicely indeed & the “negro melody in costume” was encored. There were about a hundred & twenty people, & 30 dollars 50 cents were taken. We had the room nicely decorated with spruice, flags, &c. Mrs Lemon whose name you will see in the programme, is <a> very nice, from Guelph; and sung beautifully. Mr Holmes who sang the negro song, is an american here on his wedding trip, he is thirty five & his bride only fifteen the cruel parents would not consent, so she went out to go to sunday-school one day & ran away with him. Quite romantic? Both the Lemons & Holmeses have gone away now, however. The people here are always changing, something like a kalidescope changing a little every day & never coming round exactly the same as at first.

When you write will you please answer a few questions Has Nina come home? Has O’Hara gone away, & if so where? Have the Barnards gone, & if so where; &c. I hope by the time this arrives your great heat will have somewhat abated, and allowed you to enjoy the pleasures of summer without so many of its pains.

With love to all believe me your affectionate

George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Tadoussac, Quebec, 4 August 1868.

Dear Anna,

I got a letter from you last night for which I am much obliged, it was a great deal delayed however by the fog, that is to say the steamer <was> only came in on Monday afternoon instead of Saturday night. You must not expect a very brilliant letter for I was up till twelve last night looking at the stars, and got up this morning at half past three to see a lot of people from the hotel off. We had a beautiful walk over to the wharf just as the day was breaking, and on the way home I went up one of the hills near the Coup sat down there and waited for sunrise, which was beautiful. The only dissagreable thing was the great length of time till breakfast at eight. Such a lot of people are going away now that the hotel is quite comparatively empty. Our second concert came off with great eclat last friday I have not got a programme, but the performers were Miss Rowell, Miss Hickman, Miss McIllree Miss Gough, Miss MacDonald Mr Rogers, and old Mr Hovington who sang two of the queerest old songs you ever heard in the queerest manner possible.

Forty three dollars were collected partly by the sale of small boquets, of which Miss Radford supplied a basketfull. Mr Rogers sang a comic Irish song in character splendidly was encored & gave the Irish jaunting car. We had also a band of musicians from the boat consisting of a harp, flute and violin, who played some very nice pieces. After the concert the chairs were cleared out and they had a dance

Give my love to all at home and believe me your affectionate

George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Tadoussac, Quebec, 12 August 1868.

Dear Anna,

I have received both the paper, and the pamphlets for Hovington safely. I had a very pleasant boat sail a few days ago with a party of people, we went up the Saguenay two or three miles and then went on shore and had “bit of a peruse” getting some very beautiful moss, and returning to the hotel rather late for tea.

I had another very nice sail or rather row the other day. I went out in a small-boat to Lark shoal to look for sea-weeds &c. I had two little french boys to row, and spent a very pleasant time, though without success in the sea-weed line.

Some gentlemen who were up the Saguenay fishing killed a wildcat on their way down, a few miles from here, it was a very large one, and looked as ferocious as could be. I was at the Urquhart’s for dinner yesterday and had a very pleasant time. Miss Darey, two of her sisters a few of her children, and a young lady relation, came to the hotel en passant last night, they were on their way up the Saguenay. Some of the Taylors I dont know how many are coming here tonight.

A pic-nicking party are getting off at present for the lake, comprising the greater part of those in the hotel and a good many others

Give my love to all at home, and believe me your ever affectionate

George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Tadoussac, Quebec, 20 August 1868.

Dear Anna,

We have had two days of fog, late boats &c. but this evening it is clearing off splendidly. It is a perfectly lovely evening, <and> the shore on the other side is a beautiful magenta purple, and the sky is full of lovely-coloured clouds. I am sitting out on the gallery watching them, change colour, as I write the whole is changed to deep indigo.

I received papa’s letter with money all right, on Tuseday evening. Please tell him so.

I am waiting for an answer to my letter to know about going home &c. I suppose I will get it tomorrow night. There are very few people in the hotel now, or in fact in Tadousac.

We had a very pleasant “reading” the other evening by a certain Mr Palmer he read very well and gave us selections from Dickens &c. The people from the “cottages” were here in full force; After the reading they took to dancing which was kept up till late with great pleasure to all concerned.

I had a very pleasant excursion to Lark reef a few days ago but did not get much, I afterwards went to St Catherines bay⁴⁷ to look for chrystals said to be there, I found lots such as they were, but that was not much.

Please excuse both the quality and quantity of this letter? and believe me with best wishes to all, your lazy Brother George

P.S. Just while I have been writing this letter the fog has come on as thick as ever

George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Tadoussac, Quebec, 23 August 1868.

My Dear Anna,

I dont know whether you will be at home or not to get this note, but write it nevertheless trusting that it will find its way.

I intend to start for home next Sunday afternoon, arriving there if all goes well Tuesday Morning I need not repeat all my reasons, which I have given in Mammas letter.

We have been having very fine weather here lately neither too hot or too cold.

I hope that you enjoyed yourself very much at the Abbots,⁴⁸ and had lots of boating, &c. I have been quite troubled by Papa’s and Mamma’s great anxiety about my coming home alone. Please try and persuade them that it is quite unnecessary.

I will be quite glad to get home again, though I like this place very much, and have spent a very pleasant summer

Please excuse this writing as I have a wretched pen. I suppose you will say that you never saw one to suit me yet. But really this one is particularly bad. There are very few people in the hotel now and will be fewer tomorrow.

Give my love to all at home, and with best love for yourself

Believe me your affectionate

³⁹Improvements.

⁴⁰Izaak Walton, The Complete Angler. . . (Boston: Ticknor and Fields, 1866); Charles Dickens, American Notes for General Circulation (London: Chapman and Hall, 1863); Charles Dickens and others, Mugby Junction (London: Chapman and Hall, 18—); and William Hepworth Dixon, The New America (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1867).

⁴¹Young Men’s Christian Association.

⁴²The Paris Exhibition of 1867 held at the Champ de Mars, covered forty one acres. Attendance topped six million and there were some forty three thousand exhibitors.

⁴³Eva Dawson (born 1864) was George’s youngest sister. She attended Montreal High School, graduating in 1877, then married Hope T. Atkin and moved permanently to England. She eventually had three children.

⁴⁴In the letter the date reads 8 June but at that time George was in Montreal.

⁴⁵A member of the well-known Ogilvie family of Montreal, owners of a large milling and grain merchant firm.

⁴⁶William Redpath, the son of Peter Redpath a prominent Montreal businessman, later died suddenly at a relatively young age. See p. 137.

⁴⁷Baie Ste Catherine.

⁴⁸Probably Sir John Joseph Caldwell Abbott (1821-1893), later prime minister of Canada, who was then dean of the Faculty of Law at McGill.