John Tully’s dinner, Montreal, 1849

Punch in Canada

2 June 1849

Great Banquet

Mr. John Tully, on his confidential appointment to secret service, entertained a select part at his castle in Griffintown.  We observed that Mr. Lafontaine was absent, he having differed with his colleagues as to the propriety of the appointment, and was “too disgust” to attend.  It was reported that the Hon. Inspector General was present; but as he was in New York at the time, we can scarcely think it probable.  Mr. Blake came armed with an offensive tongue but harmless pistols, and Mr. Drummond wore his celebrated pumps with iron heels, in which he is wont to perform his favourite dance upon the Queen’s Commission.  Dr. Dill, who had just arrived as a deputation from the inmates of the Provincial Penitentiary, with an address expressing their approbation of the Governor General’s conduct and their entire and unlimited confidence in his Ministry, was an honored guest; and declared, that to support the cause, he would do anything or anybody.  Every arrangement was made to do honor to the Press, and at a late hour in the evening, the Minerve was sent home on a stretcher; which, we regret to say, is not an unusual occurrence.  The Banquet passed with no disturbance, excepting a slight quarrel got up by Mr. Blake, but as that was expected, it excited no surprise.  Everybody was toasted, and, of course, everybody was drunk, and the guests returned to their homes delighted with the beer and benevolence of the future Wellington of Canada.

Obituary of JE Mills, Mayor of Montreal, 1847

Montreal Transcript

13 November 1847

It is with deep regret we announce the death of JE Mills, Esq., Mayor of this city, which melancholy event took place yesterday morning.  For some days past Mr. Mills has been in a state which left hardly a hope of his recovery.  His loss will be public one.  Succeeding to the office of Chief Magistrate at a time of great excitement, and after much opposition, he had succeeded by his impartial and upright conduct in gaining the esteem of his political opponents, and securing the goodwill of all classes.  In private life he was an amiable, liberal, kind hearted man, affording in his conduct and his prosperous career throughout life, a worthy example to others.  He falls one more victim to a disease which has deprived our city of some of its brightest ornaments and most useful members, while a large and amiable family is alike deprived of a centre and a head.

We learn that the funeral is to take place on Monday, at 2 o’clock, pm, and at hour the procession will leave Blair’s Cottage, and proceed to the American Presbyterian Church, where the funeral service will be conducted, commencing at half past two.

We are instructed to say, that the family will not issue any special invitations.  Through this and other public channels an invitation to unite in the last melancholy testimony of respect for the deceased, is extended to all.

St. David’s Ball, Montreal, 1847

Montreal Transcript

9 March 1847

 St David’s Ball

St David, who, though the patron of Britons the most ancient, has been quite overlooked by Montrealers in the brotherhood of the saints, was honored on his anniversary (Monday eve) by a ball and supper given at Mayo & Flagg’s Exchange, in a style equal to any, and superior to most things of the kind got up this season.  The assemblage of ladies, mostly young, and all looking so, appeared to have been studiously selected from the most beautiful of the city, and in point of tasteful dress they were all perfection.  In the matter for which they were met- dancing- we could only wonder where so many were found so accomplished in the art.  Maffre’s band appeared really inspired by the graces their music brought into action, and, with little intermission, kept the whole in motion till many hours “ayount the twal.”  Not could anything exceed the excellent order maintained by the managers, throughout, in all things.  The ball-room, tastefully decorated with festoons of evergreens, mirrors, flags, and banners of national societies, was brilliant in itself.  And then the supper- the sight alone was a feast- such delicacies, and such profusion- more like the displays we read of in fairy tales, than any thing usually given to mortals, either to witness or enjoy.  Truly, the Old Exchange Coffee House is in good hands, for Messrs Mayo and Flagg proved themselves masters of their profession, and all beneath their roof on the eve of St. David’s day will long remember it as one of the most brilliant and agreeable in their lives.

 

Ladies Benevolent Society, Montreal, 1849

Punch In Canada

3 February 1849

 

Female Wisdom

The feminine dragons of propriety who presides over the destinies of the Ladies Benevolent Society refused a donation of £25, (a sum which Punch has for years considered fabulous) from the Committee of the Odd Fellow’s Ball, because it was the produce of “Promiscuous dancing,”- at least this was the reason alleged.  It is odd in these times to offer such gifts, but to refuse them is odder.  The Odd Fellows met with Odd Females.  Let Punch ask these paragons if they always put odd questions to those who wish to give; as to how they became possessed of the money they are giving away.  If they do, it is odd, indeed, if they do not get odd answers.  Let none for the future send cash or debentures to the benevolent ladies without a certificate how it was procured, and will the ladies inform us what of the world’s money getting ways they object to.  Would they accept of California gold or of the profits of Punch?

Ste Catherine Ball, Montreal, 1846

Ste Catherine is the patron saint of single women, and her day was celebrated often in Montreal by French Canadians.  This ball was an event that invited both French and English among the elite.

Montreal Transcript

26 November 1846

 

The ball in honour of St. Catherine, which took place in Donegani’s on Tuesday evening, went off, as it was to be expected it would do, with great éclat.  The numbers of persons present reached within a few of three hundred, amongst whom were most of the principal resident families of both races, and the officers of the garrison.  The ladies patronesses exerted themselves with the greatest success to render the visitors happy, and the supper which followed, and which was one of Donegani’s chef d’oeuvres, gave general satisfaction.  On all hands we hear the affair spoken of with delight, and we trust, now that a commencement has been made, that frequent opportunities will be afforded to the English and French populations to mingle together, as on this occasion, on a pleasant social footing.

We should observe that amongst the company were Lady Elizabeth and Major Douglas, and Col Bruce, the latter the brother of Lord Elgin, and who only arrived in Montreal the same day.

Remembrance Day- The price of freedom.

This was Victor R Pauline, who served in the Royal Air Force.  He died in a plane crash in May 1918.  He was the only loss felt by our family in the First World War. 

Loyal Protection Society and the sacking of Mr Brennan’s house, Montreal, 1845

Montreal Pilot

3 January 1845

We regret to say that two soldiers of the 93^rd Regiment acted in a most outrageous manner in Griffintown last evening.  At rather an advanced hour they went into the shop of Mr. P Brennan (whose premises, will be recollected, were recently destroyed by the military and LPS) and demanded liquor, and upon the person in attendance refusing to give them any, they entered into a violent tirade against him and the Irish generally of this city- said that “the three Irishmen in gaol would be hanged and those out on bond would be transported, and if not that they (the soldiers) would burn Brennan’s house to ashes.”  Such was the alarm their conduct excited that Mr. Brennan felt it necessary to guard his premises during the night.  This it must be confessed is unusual conduct on the part of subordinate military men; but when we consider that it was the 93^rd Regiment that was called upon to assist the LPS’s in the late violent assault and plunder of Mr. Brennan’s house, and when we, moreover, remember that upon that occasion, Corse, the Magistrate, was heard to say, by the Military as well as others, “Brennan, it is good enough for you, you have been a long time earning it,” when we say, these memorable circumstances are considered it cannot be wondered at that Mr. Brennan is a marked man and that an identity of feeling towards him exists among the civil and military Tories of our city. But Mr. Brennan and Mr. Corse, will both get justice- ay as true as the light that shineth- and we would advise those whom it may concern to attend to the behaviour of the military of Montreal, high and low,- as such conduct has been recently exhibited cannot and will not be endured.  We have received information that leads us to believe that the LPS’s are endeavouring to provoke another disturbance in Griffintown.

[LPS denotes Loyal Protection Society]

Obituary, Dr William Robertson, Montreal, 1844

Montreal Transcript

23 July 1844

We regret that it is our melancholy duty to record in our columns, the decease of Dr. William Robertson, one of the oldest and most eminent medical practitioners in this city.  Dr Robertson is too well known in Montreal to need ~~~~ from the public press.  He was for 15 years one of the principal physicians of the Montreal General Hospital, and to his eagerness to attend to the welfare of the suffering poor, that Institution owes much of its present high reputation for successful practice.  He occupied for many years the chief Professorship in the Medical Branch of the University of McGill College; and the Province at large, owes to him a debt of gratitude for his anxious and unceasing attention to the medical education of the students who attended his lectures, many of whom are now ~~~~~ ornaments of their profession.  Deeply devoted to the cause of science, he neglected no opportunity of advancing  its interests, and Montreal owes much of the flourishing state of several of her institutions to his fostering care.  In private life, Dr. Robertson enjoyed the esteem of every one who had the pleasure of his acquaintance; and his generous and charitable character made him universally beloved.  He had been declining in health for nearly two years, and we have no doubt but that his valuable life was greatly shortened by his untiring devotion to his profession.

Dr. Robertson was the son of the late James Robertson, Esq., of Kradrochet, in Perthshire, Scotland, one of the oldest families in the Highlands.  He came to Canada in 1806, to join the 49^th Regiment, as Assistant surgeon; he was afterwards promoted as Surgeon to the 41^st, and served in the American War of 1813 and 14.  He retired on half-pay in the year 1815, and immediately established himself in practice in this city, where he soon arrived at the top of his profession.

Dr. Robertson departed this life on Thursday night, after a painful illness of only two days.  His remains were interred yesterday.

Orangeism, Montreal, 1844

Montreal Pilot

15 July 1844

 

Orangeism- 12^th July in Montreal

Our contemporaries have given most dreadful accounts of the proceedings which took place on the 12^th July, in this city.  There seems to be a combination amongst them to screen those innocent lambs the Orangemen of all blame.  The Herald laboring in his vocation as usual reiterates some of the falsehoods of which we lately convicted him, and on which we completely silenced him.  He says of Orangeism that it is “a thing which was never heard of in Montreal until it was thrown into the city at the last election.”  That is falsehood no. 1 we proved by his own ally Mr. Parsons of the Times, that it had been in existence here long previously.  Again the Herald says that Mr. Molson’s supporters were all denominated Orangemen.”  This is falsehood no. 2 and we might go on with our catalogue were it worth while.  As to the existence of Orangemen in Montreal we only have to refer to the letter of an Orangeman in the Courier in which it is stated, “several masters of lodges in this city are Englishmen.”  Here is proof that there are several lodges in existence.  A few days ago Orange flags and emblems were produced on the occasion of laying the foundation stone of a new church at which the Governor General was to be present.  Surely this outrage committed only a day or two previous to the Orange anniversary was enough to create excitement especially when it recollected that just at the present the imprisonment of Mr. O’Connell and the riots at Philadelphia have contributed to cause a great deal of excitement among the Irish Catholic population.  Now it is notorious that on the 12^th of July many persons were parading the streets with Orange lilies with the obvious intention of insulting the Catholics.  We know of an instance of a young lady (sent no doubt by some evil minded person) who went into the store of a Catholic with a bunch of Orange lilies and asked to leave them on the counter.  The expectation doubtless was that some insult would be offered to the lady and that a handle might be made of it.

We are far from justifying any reprisals on persons guilty of such improper conduct.  We happen to know that in Canada Orange processions have very seldom been interfered with- The Catholic clergy have always exerted themselves to prevent anything like reprisals, and have warned their hearers to keep at home on the 12^th July, and not interfere with the Orangemen.

Had that lady been aware that Orange lilies are carried on the 12^th of July for the very purpose of insulting a portion of the population, she never would have placed one in her bouquet.  This case also should teach Irish Catholics how foolish it is in them to imagine that every one carrying an orange lily means to insult them.  There is but one feeling with regard to this outrage, and its universal condemnation will, we doubt not, have a beneficial effect in preventing similar ones in future.  The attack on the house in the Quebec suburbs, where, we understand, the members of an Orange Lodge had a dinner, was very unjustifiable, for although we believe that party tunes were played during the night, there can be no excuse for those who take the law into their own hands.  It appears that the Orangemen “were well supplied with arms and ammunition,” a strong proof that they intended to act in such a manner as to exasperate their neighbours.

 

Caleche accidents in Montreal, 1844

Dangerous driving- Victorian style!

Montreal Transcript

18 July 1844

 

It is only a few days since we drew attention to the ruffianly conduct of the fellows who are entrusted with the care of cabs and caleches in this city.  These remarks, however, seem to have had little effect, as the Montreal Herald of yesterday contain a fearful catalogue of accidents which have arisen from this cause.  In one instance, it will be seen that a respectable gentleman has been killed.  The number of the cab by which this tragedy, was accomplished is fortunately known, and we trust that immediate steps will be taken to punish the guilty parties.

Repeated acts of recklessness and disregard of life to notice on the part of cabmen and calechemen.  A few days ago, a woman was knocked down in the Quebec Suburbs by a cabman, who then whipped his horse and escaped.  A little girl was run over in Dalhousie Square on Monday.  A day or two since Dr. O’Doherty was knocked down and severely hurt by a cabman, and has been dangerously ill since.  And yesterday Captain Doyen of St Ours, a Canadian gentleman of respectability in that parish, was struck on the breast by the shaft of caleche no 149, belonging to one Milton, and driven by a little boy, and the wheel passed over his body.  He died in the course of an hour and a half.  The unfortunate gentleman was 74 years of age.