Anglo-Saxon Snobbishness, Montreal, 1911

 

Montreal Daily Star, 5 January 1911, page 8

 

 

 

ANGLO-SAXON SNOBBISHNESS

 

 

 

A delightful French author, who writes under the name of Foemina has recently sent forth a book on the soul of the English people.  She says many charming things about the Anglo-Saxon race and also points out the same defects in the national character.  One of the most pronounced of these defects is the innate snobbishness that pervades all classes.  As she put it: On voit les plus grands d’entre eux, par la pensee et la caractere, temoigner une deference excessive au rang, meme recemment conquis meme occupe par de mediocres individus.  This excessive deference before persons of high rank is perhaps the defect in English character that strikes Canadians more than anything else.  It is noticeable in those English persons who have made their home inCanadabut who still cling to old sentiments, old cringings.  During the late elections inEnglandit was particularly to the fore and struck many thinking Canadians as a curious example of the survival of ancient modes of thought.  Just as the house dog to-day goes round and round to make a bed on a cushion, showing his descent from dogs eons back who thus made their beds in the forest, so does an Englishman reverence the House of Lords, a feeling which has survived from ancient feudal days in Britain.  To most Canadians the House of Lords is merely an upper house consisting of men who happen to be there by accident of birth.  To many Englishmen, and Englishmen who have been inCanadafor many years, the House of Lords is something almost divine.

 

This innate snobbishness survives to a certain extent even in our democratic country, more especially where society looms large in the horizon.  It is only necessary to go any function where vice-royalty, or in fact any titled persons are present to notice the almost servile attitude of our Canadian men and women.  Titled Canadians are not thus treated for their fellow citizens recognize the fact that Mr Brown is still Mr Brown although he happens to be called Lord So-and-so.  As a matter of fact Canadian titles are more worthy of respect because they are the outward and visible signs “something accomplished, something done,” while inherited titles are a mere accident of birth.  As far as regards Vice-Royalty, it represents our King and should therefore be treated with all due respect.  But due respect does not mean a cringing attitude and timidity that approaches very closely to the awe with which the Deity is regarded.  The same applies to the titled persons who swim into our orb from time to time.  They may be the most idle, profligate, worthless or mediocre persons, but give them a title and every knee is bent, every face wreathed in smiles.   I weigh the man, not his title,” says an old author and it is a good rule to apply in our social relations.  It is also a good rule to remember that we are self-respecting Canadians and worthy to stand before kings.

 

 

 

St George’s Day, Montreal, 1900

Montreal Daily Star, 24 April 1900, page 10

 

St George’sDay

Fittingly celebrated by a First Class concert

 

The Imperial spirit was much in evidence at the concert given in the Windsor Hall last evening under the auspices of theSt   George’sSociety.  It is many years since the celebration of the feast of the patron saint ofEnglandtook the form of a concert, and it was clearly evidenced last night that this form of celebration is a most popular one.  The hall had been tastefully decorated with flags and national banners, chief amng them being, of course, those which bore the red cross of St George, although the green flag of Ireland and the St Andrew’s Cross of Scotland, together, with the Dominion ensign were given places of honour. The audience was a large, fashionable and representative one, all the nationalities inMontrealbeing represented either on the platform or among those in the body of the hall.  Mr HA Hodgson, the president of theSt George’sSociety made an admirable president, and the programme was of a fitting patriotic character.  From the singing of “God Save the Queen” at the opening of the concert to its repetition at the close, the evening was marked by a strong spirit of patriotism, which was much aided by the excellent manner in which Mr Harry Rees rendered “Rule Britannia” and “God Bless the Prince of Wales”.  Miss Ruth Holt scored the success of the evening by her recitation of “The Defence of Lucknow,” “Play the Game,” and “Bobs,” her efforts arousing the audience to the wildest enthusiasm.

 

Mr. Barlow Cumberland of Toronto, supreme grand president of the Sons of England was down on the programme for an oration; instead he gave an eloquent fifteen minutes talk upon the process of development which is now going on in the British Empire, and his word picture of the scene at Paardeberg, when Canadians of all nationalities worked together hand in hand for the honour of the common flag, was most inspiring.  Miss Ada Frances Wait pleased many with her soprano selections; Mr Miles R Bracewell ofNew Yorkdid justice to the old English songs; Mr FC Capon sang “The Englishman” in fine voice; and Rosario, the boy cellist, delighted everybody by his artistic work upon that wonderful instrument.  A series of stereotypical views added to the pleasure of the evening.

 

 

 

St George’s Day, Montreal, 1887

Montreal Daily Star, 25 April 1887, page 3

St George’s Day

English Workingman celebrate their national festival

On Saturday evening the English Workingmen’s Benevolent Society held its annual dinner in the Terrapin, in honour of St George’s Day.  Only about 70 guests were present, owing to many members living at Point St Charles being detained by the flood.  Mr ET Perry occupied the chair and at the table of honor were seated Messrs Robert Hall, JH Isaacson, SS Grant, Samuel Gray, John Gauntiett, Secretary, and George Hobson, Treasurer.

After the excellent menu had been discussed, the Chairman proposed “The Queen,” which was received with enthusiasm.

The Chairman announced that in accordance with a resolution passed at their last monthly meeting, he had sent the following cablegram:

                                                            St George’s Day, April 23

To Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland:

We the members of the English Workingmen’s Benefit Society of Montreal, at their annual gathering, choose this opportunity to congratulate Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria on the completion of the fiftieth year of her gracious reign, and to assure her that although we have left the land of our birth and settled in this, the land of our adoption, we are proud of the fact that we are still British subjects, living under the same old flag and rule of our beloved Queen.  May she long be spared to rule and reign over an undivided Empire.

                                    Edmund T Perry

President English Workingmen’s Benefit Society, Montreal.

After a spirited song from Mr J Bacon, the toast to the “Prince of Wales” was proposed and followed by the singing of “God Bless the Prince of Wales.”  The Governor General’s health was also proposed, the assembly singing “For he’s a jolly good fellow.”  Messrs Hopper, Pembroke and Campbell then entertained the company with some patriotic songs, after which Mr Hobson gave his favorite comic song, “Up a tree,” which was encored.  The toast to “Canada, the land of our adoption,” was drunk with Highland honors.

This toast was responded to by Mr H Grant who, after referring to the pleasure it gave him to address such a gathering of the worthy sons of England, said, that although he had a heartfelt feeling for the land of his birth, he loved and honored Canada, the land which gave him a living now.

Messrs Clement and Livermore now rendered some capital songs, after which the toast to “Our Guests” was proposed and responded to by Mr JH Isaacson, NP.

Mr Hall added a few remarks and concluded with a song.

A Royal Message

Last evening the President received the following answer to his cablegram.

                                                “Aix-les-Bains, April 23, 1887”

To the President English Workingmen’s Society, Montreal, Canada:

The Queen is much gratified by your loyal expressions and thanks you for your congratulations. (signed)

                                    Ponsonby

The day in the city

The St George’s Society did not celebrate the day by any public demonstration this year, and the religious services were postponed until yesterday when a special service was held in St George’s church at 7 o’clock, and the Rev G Osborne Troop preached a sermon replete with patriotic sentiments.