BAILIE D. WILLOX,
BRLVIDKRE B.C., GLASGOW.
^^/
*r
WITH THE
BRITISH BOWLERS
IN CANADA.
1906.
A HISTORY OF A FAMOUS TOUR WITH DESCRIPTIVE
SKETCHES OF MANY OF THE PLAYERS, AND
MOST OF THE TOWNS VISITED.
BY
D. WILLOX, GLASGOW,
Author of the following Poetical and Prose Works:—
POEMS AND SKETCHES (MOSTLY MASONIC),
POETICAL SKETCHES (ILLUSTRATED).
BLACK JOCK (A ROMANCE IN RHYME).
DIARY OF AN IRON WORKER.
LEAVES FROM THE DIARY OF AN IRON WORKER.
DIARY OF A TRIP TO CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES (1903).
HISTORY OF BELV1DERE BOWLING CLUB (1906).
RANDOM RHYMES AND AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH, ETC., ETC.
TO WHICH IS ADDED A LECTURE DELIVERED TO THE
PARKHEAD LITERARY SOCIETY ENTITLED:
"CANADA, AND THE CANADIANS AS I SAW THEM."
With Photos of several members of both teams, British and Canadian.
GLASGOW :
D. GILFILLAN & CO., 19 CANDLERIGGS.
av
c.op.2
SEEN BY
PRESERVATION
SERVICES
Befcicatefc
(BY PERMISSION)
TO
LORD STRATHCONA AND MOUNT ROYAL,
BARON, G.C.M.G., D.C.L., LL.D.,
PATRON OF THE CANADIAN BOWLING ASSOCIATIONS.
WITH THE AUTHOR'S SINCERE THANKS
FOR THE FAVOUR CONFERRED.
INDEX.
PAGE
"A Crack" in a Car, - - - - 117
Alexandria Bay, ..... 236
Arrangements, Preliminary, 9
Averages of Skips, 225
Aylmer, 196
Balmy Beach, 113
Base-ball Match at, - - - 115
Game at, 113
Barnesdale Wine Manufactory, - - 140
Beauharnois, 245
Berlin, Game at, 168
One Hundred Years "Young," - 170
Berths, etc., 13
Blenheim, 204
Both well, 204
Brantford, 151
Game at, 151
Brockville, 240
Brussels, 217
Butt, Mr. Henry, of Weston-super-Mare, 36
Bad News of, .... 130
Campbell, Mr. Peter, of Perth, - - 35
Cascade Rapids, 245
Caughnawaga, : 246
Cedar Rapids, 245
Charlton, Tom, of Northumberland, 40
Chatham, 207
Game at, 210
Clayton, 232
Clifton Hotel, Niagara, - - - - 137
Clinton, 188
Concert on Board, - - - - 38,44
Conclusion, ...... 249
Confirmation, Letter of, ... 12
Cornwall, 243
Coteau du Lac, 244
Dance on Board, A,
Departure from Glasgow,
Detroit, ....
Dinner in Glasgow,
Divine Service on Board,
Dresden, ...
Dress, etc.,
Embarkation at Liverpool, -
Entertainment at Westmount,
Excuse, a Lame, •
46
3i
212
29
39
207
- 33
78,84
- 40
Fascinating Run, A,
Feeding, Fads in, -
Fingland, Captain S.,
Frontenac,
136
39
53
233
Gall, Mr. R., of Aberdeen, -
Game, A, that did not come off,
Game at Balmy Beach, -
Brantford,
Berlin, •
Chatham,
Clinton, -
Goderich,
Granite Lawn
Guelph, -
Hamilton (Ontario),
London,
Mitchell,
Paris, -
Peterboro', -
Ridgetown, -
Springbank, -
St. Catherine's,
Stratford,
Toronto,
Valleyfield, -
Walkerville. -
Westmount, -
Woodstock,- -
37
32
H3
IS1
168
210
191
- us
- 156
- -144, 147
• 195
. I77
- 149
. 94
. 206
- 201
- 141
' ' I7l
- . 98
- 88
- 214
- 62, 69
- 220
Game with Royal Canadian Golf Club, - 117
Victoria Club, Toronto, - - 120
Gananoque. - 229
Gibbon, Mr. E., of Rutherglen,
Glaister, Professor,
Goderich, -
Guelph,
Game and Entertainment at,
- 37
- 37
- 187
- *55
- 156
Hamilton Asylum Lawn, Game at, - 147
Hamilton, Mr. A. H., Testimonial to, - 37
Hamilton, Ontario, - 143
Games at, 144
Hay, Mr. Frank, of Titwood, - - 39
Homeward Bound — Leave Montreal, - 248
International Bowling Board, Memoran-
dum by,
Introduction,
Itinerary of Tour, -
Jeffrey, Mr. , of Edinburgh, -
Kerr Mr. William, of South London, -
Lachine, -
Rapids, -
Ladies,
Ladies' Match,
Lambton Golf Course, The, -
Leamington, . . .
13
7
16
43
95
245
246
3°
77
117
208
VI
Lecture, " Canada and the Canadians," 250
Letters from Secretary, Scottish Bowling
Association, - 9, n, 12, 13, 28, 29
Lilly, Mr. Adam, Bellshill, - 35
Link that Binds, -A, - - - 45
Listowel, 217
London, _--.-- 193
Game at, 195
Long Sault, 242
Lost at Sea, .-.--- 109
Memorandum by International Bowling
Board. 13
Mitchell, 175
Arrival at, 176
Montreal, 72
Mount Royal, 76
Mount Royal Park, Montreal, - - 75
Nearly a " Goner," .... 192
News from Canada, - - • - 47
Niagara Falls, .... 137, 139
Niagara-on-the-Lake, - - - 102
Entertainment at, - - - - 103
Game at, 105
Notables on Board, • - - - 37
Ogdensburg, 240
Ontario Bowling Association, Itinerary
of Tour, 18
Oubridge, Mr. and Mrs., Anniversary of
their Marriage, .... 187
Our First Defeat, 120
Our First Match, 68
Owen Sound, 174
Paris, .......
Game at, -
Parting with his last Copper— a Noble
Act,
Paul, Mr. Robert, of Mount Vernon and
Belvidere,
Paul, Mr. Walter, Montreal, - - -
Peterboro* and Neighbourhood, - -
Game at, -----
Pillans, Mr. John, of Carluke, - -
150
149
38
37
72
93
94
44
Prescott, 241
Presentation to Irish Members at
Toronto, - - - . - -no
Port-Dalhousie, 139
Quebec, - ... - 50
Ridgetown, - 205
Game at, 206
Rockport, 232
Royal Canadian Golf Club, Game
with, 117
Scottish Bowling Association, Letters
from Secretary, 9, n, 12, 13, 28, 29
Seaforth, 189
Sea Sickness — a New Cure, - - -39
Shuffleboard (Bowling), A Game at, - 40
Somewhat Personal, - - - -73
Split Rock, 245
Springbank, Game at, - - - - 201
St. Catharine's, Game at, 141
Stevenson, Col. A. A., - - - - 63
St. Lawrence, Navigation of, - - 73
Stratford, 173
Strath roy, ...... 198
St. Thomas, 197
Summerstown and Stanley Island, - - 244
Synopsis of Results of Matches, - - 222
Team and Party, 29
Testimonial to Mr. A. H. Hamilton, - 37
Thames River, 210
Thousand Island Park, - - - - 235
Thousand Islands, The, - - - 227
Thunderstorm, A, 196
Tillsonburg, 218
Toronto, 94, 126
A City of Charming Homes, - - 132
A Great Distributing City, - - 130
Facts about, 134
Game at, 98
Its Famous Colleges and Schools, - 133
Its Public and Trade Institutions, 134
Luncheon at, - - - - -97
Our First Defeat, - - - - 120
Presentation to Irish Members, - no
The Mecca of Tourists, - - 132
Veterans at Play, - - • - no
Tour, Itinerary of, - - - - 16
Tournament on Board SS. Virginian, - 42
Valleyfield, 87
An Unfortunate Incident at, - - 89
Game at, 88
Presentation to the Visitors, - - 89
Victoria Club, Toronto, Our First Defeat, 120
Vineyard of Canada, The, - - - 145
Walkerville, 210
Game at, 214
Water Excursion, A, - - - 211
Weather on the Greens, The Effect of, - 47
Westmount Bowling Club, - - - 67
Entertainment at, - - - 78, 84
Games at, 62, 69
What is the Matter ? - - - 49
Windsor Hotel, Montreal, - - - 53
Wingham, 188
Woodstock, 216
Game at; 220
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.
FACING
PAGE
Bailie D. Willox, Belvidere B.C., Glasgow, 7
Mr. Colin R. W. Postlethwaite, Canada Club, Toronto, 14
Mr. James T. Morrison, Coatbridge B.C., 16
Mr. John C. Hunter, Belfast B.C., 25
Mr. A. H. Hamilton, Lutton Place B.C., Edinburgh, - - 27
British Bowlers in Canada, 1906, 28
Mr. Samuel Fingland, Broomhill B.C., Glasgow, 53
Mr. James Telford, West End B.C., Newcastle-on-Tyne, - - 62
Mr. William Miller, Lutton Place B.C., Edinburgh, 69
British and Canadian Ladies, 78
British Bowlers v. Queen City, Toronto, 98
Queen City B.C., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, 100
Mr. G. G. Eakins, Queen City B.C., Toronto, • 102
The Veteran Bowlers at Toronto, 112
Mr. H. C. Scholfield, Guelph, 120
British and Canadian Rinks at Paris, Ontario, Canada, - - 148
Group of the Clinton, Canada, Lawn Bowling Club, - - 164
British Bowlers v. Seaforth, at Clinton, August i8th, 1906, - - 188
British Bowlers v. Clinton, Canada, August i8th, 1906, - - 190
Mr. George Anderson, - 226
Mr. George J. Bennett, J. P., Toronto, 230
British Bowlers v. Wingham, at Clinton, August i8th, 1906, - - 232
British Bowlers v. Clinton, Canada, August i8th, 1906, - - - 242
Introduction.
IT is not intended in the following pages to give anything
like a full and detailed account of every incident and event
in connection with this most important bowling engage-
ment ; but, a desire having been expressed on every hand that
there should be some memento of the tour, the writer was
approached, and asked to undertake the work. After
considerable hesitation, a reluctant assent was given, the only
conditions attached to the agreement being that I would be
left full liberty in the selection and arrangement of the
materials comprising the work. Whether, therefore, these
lines may ever get beyond the MS. stage, I am, as yet, unable
to say ; that is still in the womb of the future. My task is
to do the best I can, and to abide by the decision of those
called upon to judge.
There may, and will, no doubt, be, many items of informa-
tion contained herein upon which a difference of opinion may
exist ; there may also be some matters included that had
better not have been recorded ; and there may be some
omissions which certain of my bowling cronies would have
liked to have seen rehearsed, but they must bear in mind
that, though playing in every match, I have not the powers
of omniscience, and very often had sufficient care on hand
in minding the affairs of my own rink without trying to gather
the details of the others. I hope, however, to be able to
give an intelligible and readable account of what must ever
remain one of the most important and remarkable perfor-
mances that have ever been undertaken in connection with
this historic and time-honoured game.
In deciding upon the plan of the work, I have resolved to
give it in the form of a diary, as the original notes were taken
down in that form, and also because this form of writing
seems to me the most suitable for an undertaking of this kind.
7
'Preliminary ^Arrangements*
HPHAT the reader may be able to form a correct estimate
1 of the importance attached to this bowling " Derby,"
and the arrangements necessary to its being carried
successfully through, I reproduce some of the correspondence
leading up to its completion.
It may be here added that the event now under review
was the natural outcome of the Canadian bowlers' visit here
two years previously, when they played a series of games
in different parts of the Kingdom. A strong desire was then
expressed that a return match, or series of matches, should
be played in Canada ; and, so favourably was the idea received,
that negotiations were shortly afterwards opened up with a
view to having a return match fixed up.
I annex copy of circular sent to the secretaries of the different
bowling clubs, with a view to laying the matter before their
members. It will be noticed that it bears the date of 25th
October, 1905 — about nine months prior to the date of leaving
for Canada. Doubtless much correspondence took place
betwixt the secretary of the Scottish Bowling Association
and those on the other side, even prior to the issue of the
circular.
" 25 GEORGE STREET,
" EDINBURGH, 25^ October, 1905.
" DEAR SIR,
"SCOTTISH BOWLING ASSOCIATION.
" As you are probably aware, an invitation has
been received from the Ontario and West Ontario Bowling
Associations, inviting a team of British bowlers to visit
Canada next summer. The invitation was considered by
the International Bowling Board (consisting of represen-
tatives from the Scottish, English, Irish, and Welsh
Associations), and unanimously accepted, and as secre-
tary of that board I have intimated to the Ontario
Associations an acceptance of their invitation.
B 9
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
" The International Board suggest that the four
Associations be represented, thus —
" Scottish Association by three rinks.
" English Association by three rinks.
" Irish Association by one rink.
" Welsh Association by one rink.
" The Ontario Associations propose that the team
leave this country about the beginning of July. The
whole trip will entail seven weeks' or two months' absence.
" I have made enquiry in regard to the cost of the
tour, and, approximately, this will be as follows : —
" Return fare from Liverpool to Montreal,
first-class, . . . . . . . . £25 14 o
" Railway fares, . . . . . . . . 600
" Hotels, $2 per day, say . . . . . . 20 o o
£5i 14 o
" I am instructed by the committee of this Association
to communicate with all constituent clubs in Scotland,
and invite them to send to me by the beginning of May,
1906, the name or names of any member or members
who, if chosen, would be willing to go to Canada and play
in the Scottish rinks. Kindly submit this circular to
your committee, and I shall be glad to hear from you
within the time I have mentioned.
" I shall be glad to give you any further information
I can in regard to the tour.
" Yours faithfully,
" A. H. HAMILTON, Secretary."
It will be seen from the foregoing that the idea of a return
match had taken concrete form, and all that was wanted
now was to ascertain how it would be looked upon by the
rank and file of the British bowlers.
It will be further observed that it was intended to have a
team thoroughly representative of the Kingdom — that is to
say, that England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales were to be
represented in proportion to their numerical strengths in
10
Preliminary Arrangements.
bowling ; and, while it was ultimately found impossible to
constitute the team as originally intended, it will be seen
that there was no lack of good men and true willing to do
battle for the old country, and to maintain its bowling
reputation.
• As soon as it became known that such an invitation had
been given and accepted, there was quite a flutter of excite-
ment in the clubs, and no little rivalry among the members
to secure places in the team ; and, although the time and
expense called for were both considerable, there were far
more applicants for places than there were places for. It
was therefore agreed that a spare man should be added to each
rink, so that, in case of illness or any other cause, there should
be no difficulty in filling up a vacancy, should such occur.
This arrangement still further widened the sphere of interest,
and gave more general satisfaction. The task of selection,
however, must have been one of considerable delicacy and
difficulty to the selecting committee, who could hardly be
expected to know the merits of each and all of the applicants
who were clamouring for places in the team.
As it is desirable that this record of our tour should be as
complete as possible, I insert another circular which was
forwarded to the secretaries of the various clubs, and which
further indicates the progress made in the arrangements —
" 25 GEORGE STREET,
" EDINBURGH, 2nd April, 1906.
" DEAR SIR,
"SCOTTISH BOWLING ASSOCIATION.
" VISIT OF BOWLING TEAM TO CANADA.
" After correspondence with Mr. Postlethwaite, the
secretary of the Ontario Bowling Association, the Inter-
national Board have arranged that the team should
leave Liverpool on Saturday, 2ist July, by the Canadian
Pacific Railway Steamship Empress of Ireland, which is
due to arrive at Montreal on 28th July, and that they
should return by the same steamer, leaving Montreal on
ist September, and due in Liverpool on 8th September.
ii
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
" Although the tour has not yet been definitely fixed, I
am informed by Mr. Postlethwaite that it is proposed
that the team visit the following places, viz., Montreal,
Ottawa, Peterborough, Toronto, Niagara Falls, St.
Catharine's, Hamilton, Brantford, Guelph, Berlin, Strat-
ford, London, Chatham, and Windsor.
" I have to remind you that if you have not already
intimated to me the names of any members of your
club who, if chosen, would be willing to go to Canada
and play in the Scottish rinks, you should do so as early
as possible, as it will be necessary for me to book berths
for the party early in May.
" Yours faithfully,
" A. H. HAMILTON, Secretary."
It will be observed in the first paragraph that the Empress
of Ireland is mentioned as the steamship by which it was
intended we should sail, and the 2ist July as the date of
embarkation ; but this was all altered, as subsequent com-
munications will shew.
In the second paragraph of the foregoing circular some
fourteen places are mentioned as falling within our programme
of visitation ; but the final catalogue of games gives a total
of twenty-two towns and twenty-three games.
The third paragraph has reference to those dilatory ones,
whose acceptance of their selection had not been received.
The following is a copy of the notice forwarded to every
member of the team upon his selection : —
" 25 GEORGE STREET,
" EDINBURGH, ijth May, 1906.
" DEAR SIR,
"SCOTTISH BOWLING ASSOCIATION.
" I have pleasure in informing you that you have
been elected one of the players in the Scottish Section
of the British team of bowlers to visit Canada this summer.
I shall be glad to know in course that you accept election,
when I will send you particulars in regard to the tour.
" Yours faithfully,
'•A. H. HAMILTON, -f Secretary."
12
Preliminary Arrangements.
On the acceptance being duly forwarded, the following
lengthy document was sent to one and all ; and as it gives
an amount of information that may be interesting to many
outside of the team itself, and much that may be useful to
future organisers of a similar event, I make no apology for
giving it in full —
" 25 GEORGE STREET,
" EDINBURGH, $th June, 1906.
" DEAR SIR,
"VISIT OF TEAM OF BRITISH BOWLERS TO
CANADA.
" I regret the delay in communicating with the
players chosen by their respective associations. This
delay has, however, been unavoidable, in consequence of
(i) a re- arrangement by the shipping companies of the
dates previously fixed for the departure of their boats
to Canada ; and (2) the programme for the tour in Canada
not having been received by me.
" As previously intimated, arrangements had been
made for the team leaving Liverpool on Saturday, 2ist
July, by the Canadian Pacific Railway Steamship
Empress of Ireland, but the date of departure of that boat
has been postponed until 27th July. As all arrangements
had been made by the Ontario Bowling Association on
the assumption that the team would arrive in Montreal
on 28th July, the committee of the International Board
have decided that it is impossible to delay departure until
27th July. It was necessary, therefore, that other
arrangements should be made.
" I have now completed arrangements with the Allan
Line, whereby that company accept the party on the
same terms as those which had been previously arranged
with the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, viz. —
£25 143. first-class return from Liverpool to Montreal.
The team will leave Liverpool by the turbine liner
Virginian on Thursday or Friday, iQth or 2Oth July,
and it is expected that the boat will arrive in Montreal
on 26th or 27th July. The tour will extend to 3ist
13
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
August, when the Virginian is posted to leave Montreal
for Liverpool.
" I have to-day received from Mr. Postlethwaite the
itinerary of the tour, and I have pleasure in sending you
annexed a tabulated copy of it.
" Mr. Postlethwaite says in his letter to me, ' We hope
there will be a number of ladies with you, as we are sure
our Canadian wives and daughters will give them a
warm welcome.'
" I also annex memo, by the International Board, to
which I would direct your attention.
" Referring to Article 3 of the memo., I shall be
obliged by your letting me have at once the quantity of
cloth which you will require for the suit, and also for
the cream worsted trousers. You might please also send
me the size of your cap. As indicated in the memo.,
arrangements have been made for the supply of the
suitings, etc., at wholesale prices, and they will be sent
by post to members of the team. The cost of the blue
suiting is 6s. per yard, double width, and the cost of the
cream worsted tronser stuff is 2s. 8d. per yard (single
width). The usual quantity required for (i) a suit is
about 3j yards (double width), and (2), for a pair of
trousers, 2|- yards (single width). The price of the cap
and hat will be about 45. each.
" In regard to the brooches referred to in Article 6
of the memo., I have received a supply, and shall be glad
to furnish you with the number suggested in that Article?
or with more if you desire them. The price is £i for 30.
" Each member of the party will require to make a
deposit of "£5 with the shipping company. The cost of
the cloth, cap, hat, and tie, will be about £2 los. To
meet these items, I shall meantime be glad to receive
your cheque for £7 los.
" Kindly fill up the enclosed form, and return it to me
at your earliest convenience.
" Yours faithfully,
"A. H. HAMILTON, Secretary."
14
MR. COLIN R. W. POSTLETHWAITE,
CANADA CLUB, TORONTO.
Hon. Secretary-Treasurer Ontario Bowling Association.
Preliminary Arrangements.
MEMO. BY THE INTERNATIONAL BOWLING BOARD
FOR THE TEAM OF BRITISH BOWLERS WHO ARE
TO VISIT CANADA IN THE SUMMER OF 1906.
1. The team will leave Liverpool on Thursday or Friday,
igth or 20th July, by the Allan Line's turbine steamer
Virginian, which is due to arrive at Quebec on 26th or
27th July. The tour will extend to 3ist August, when
the Virginian is posted to leave Montreal for Liverpool.
2. The Board have appointed from the members of the team
the following officials and committee, viz. : —
Captain — Mr. S. FINGLAND, Glasgow.
Vice-Captains — Mr. JAMES TELFORD, Newcastle ;
Mr. JOHN C. HUNTER, Belfast.
Secretary and Treasurer — Mr. A. H. HAMILTON, S.S.C.,
Edinburgh.
Committee — Mr. J. T. MORRISON and Mr. HUGH
M'CULLOCH (Scotland), Mr. H. SOUTHALL and Mr.
E. PICKARD (England), and Mr. W. M'LETCHIE
(Ireland), along with the above officials.
This committee will have full powers, and may add
to their number. They will have the entire charge of
the tour, will choose the teams for the matches, and
make such rules as they think necessary.
3. The Board has decided that the team shall wear a uniform
dress, and each member is desired to provide himself
with the following : —
Fine indigo-blue worsted suit.
P. and O. cap to match.
Cream worsted trousers.
Light straw hat, with blue and white band.
Silk Derby tie, shepherd check.
Arrangements have been made for the supply of these
suitings and ties at wholesale prices, and they will be
sent by post to members of the team. The suit and
trousers will be made up by each member's own tailor.
The shape of the jacket will be what is known as a
morning jacket, single-breasted.
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
4. Each member of the team is also required to provide him-
self with a pair of white india-rubber soled shoes.
5. Each member of the team should also take with him an
evening dress suit.
6. The Board has authorised the order of a supply of small
emblematic badges or brooches, similar to the maple
leaves which the Canadians distributed amongst their
opponents in this country, and the Board suggest that
each member of the team should provide himself with
at least thirty. These brooches can be obtained from
the secretary of the International Board.
7. The Board would impress upon members of the team the
necessity for strict adherence to the programme which
has been prepared for them by their Canadian hosts.
Signed on behalf of the Board,
JAMES T. MORRISON (Scotland), Chairman.
W. STONEHEWER (England).
JOHN C. HUNTER (Ireland).
A. H. HAMILTON (Scotland), Secretary.
ITINERARY
Prepared by the Ontario and Western Ontario Bowling
Associations for the team of British bowlers who are to
visit Canada in the summer of 1906.
Thursday or ( July 19 orl Leave Liverpool by Allan Liner
Friday, \ , 20 J Virginian.
Thursday,
Friday,
5 ?
Tuesday,
26, — Arrive Quebec.
27, 8.40 a.m. — Leave Quebec.
27, 2.50 p.m. — Arrive Montreal.
31, 8.45 a.m. — Leave Montreal.
31, 11.45 a.m. — Arrive Ottawa.
„ „ 31, ii. o p.m. — Leave Ottawa by sleeping
car for Peterboro'.
Wednesday, Aug. I, — Arrive Peterboro'.
Thursday, „ 2, 8. o a.m. — Leave Peterboro'.
,, „ 2. 10.25 a-m- — Arrive Toronto.
„ „ 9, — Leave Toronto.
„ „ 9, 12.30 p.m. — Arrive Niagara Falls.
16
MR. JAMES T. MORRISON,
COATBRIDGE B.C.
Treasurer S.B.A. and Treasurer for British Team.
Itinerary.
Friday, Ai
»>
Saturday,
ng. 10,
, 10,
, ii,
9.20
9.42
9.42
a.m.
a.m.
a.m.
Tuesday,
> ~*i
, 14.
IO.2O
8. o
a.m.
a.m.
Wednesday,
; i£
9- 5
9- 5
a.m.
a.m.
Thursday,
Friday,
! 15!
, 16,
, 16,
> / *
10.35
8-55
9.19
9. o
a.m.-
a.m.-
a.m.-
a.m.-
Saturday,
Monday,
5>
Wednesday,
Friday,
Monday,
Tuesday,
Wednesday, ,, 29, 9. o a.m.
'7
— Leave Niagara Falls.
— Arrive St. Catherine's.
— Leave St. Catherine's.
— Arrive Hamilton.
— Leave Hamilton.
— Arrive Brantford.
— Leave Brantford.
— Arrive Guelph.
— Leave Guelph.
— Arrive Berlin.
— Leave Berlin.
Arrive Stratford ; five
rinks will play Stratford.
Three rinks will go to
Mitchell.
-Arrive Mitchell.
-Leave Mitchell ; return to
Stratford.
-Leave Stratford.
— Four rinks will play at
Clinton (a station be-
tween Stratford and
Goderich).
— Four rinks will play at
Goderich.
6.40 p.m. — Leave Clinton for Gode-
rich.
7.15 a.m. — Leave Goderich.
9.45 a.m. — Arrive London.
7.15 a.m. — Leave London.
9. 7 a.m. — Arrive Ridgetown.
4.45 p.m. — Leave Ridgetown.
6.45 p.m. — Arrive Chatham.
— Leave Chatham.
Arrive Walkerville by
boat (party will be
guests here of Messrs.
Hiram Walker & Sons).
— Leave Walkerville by
special train.
-Arrive Woodstock.
-Leave Woodstock.
-Arrive Toronto.
-Visit to Toronto Exhibi-
tion.
-Leave Toronto.
Arrive Kingston.
„ 17, 10. o a.m. —
„ 17, 12. i p.m
,, 17, 12. 20 p.m
„ 17, 5. o p.m
„ 18, 9. o p.m
„ 18,
„ 18,
,, 18,
,, 20,
„ 20,
„ 22,
» 22,
,, 22,
„ 22,
„ 27,
„ 27, 12. o p.m.
,, 27, 6. 20 p.m.
„ 27, 9.15 p.m.
» 28,
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Thursday, Aug. 30, 6. o a.m. — Leave Kingston by boat
for Montreal (running
the rapids).
„ „ 30, 6. o p.m. — Arrive Montreal.
Friday, „ 31, — Leave Montreal for Q'bec.
To the foregoing I append the following itinerary of Jour
whole tour, as prepared by the Ontario Bowling Association
and the Western Ontario Bowling Association respectively :—
ONTARIO BOWLING ASSOCIATION,
ITINERARY OF TOUR, 1906.
MONTREAL.
Friday, 2jth July.
Arrive by S.S. Virginian. Reception by Westmount
Bowling Club, who will escort visitors to Windsor
Hotel.
Saturday, 2&th July.
3. o p.m. — Play on Westmount Lawn. Evening enter-
tainment by Westmount Bowling Club.
Sunday, zgth July.
Special service in Melville Presbyterian Church.
Preacher, Rev. Mr. Clarke.
Lunch at Windsor Hotel.
2.30 p.m. — Guest of Montreal St. Railway. Trolly drive
around city and adjoining municipalities.
7. o p.m. — Dinner at Hotel.
Monday, y>th July.
10. o a.m. — Civic reception, carriage drive and luncheon.
4. o p.m. — Game at Westmount Lawn.
4 to 6 p.m. — Garden Party at Westmount lawn.
Gentlemen will be entsrtained at dinner by members of
Westmount Bowling Club at St. George's Snow Shoe
Club House.
The Ladies will be entertained by a Ladies' committee
of Westmount Bowling Club.
18
Itinerary — Ontario Bowling Association.
VALLEYFIELD.
Tuesday, 315^ July.
7.50 a.m. — Leave Montreal for Valleyfield.
Visit Montreal cotton mills and other places
of interest. Lunch as guests of Valley-
field Bowling Club. Play in afternoon.
4.23 p.m. — Leave via N.Y.C. Arrive in Montreal at 5.30
p.m., and leave at 10 p.m. by special
sleeper via C.P.R. for Peterboro'.
PETERBORO'.
Wednesday, 1st August.
Arrive via C.P.R. from Montreal.
Reception at C.P.R. station by Peterboro'
Club, and escorted to Oriental Hotel.
10. o a.m. — Committee of Bowling club and city officials
will take visitors for sail on Otonabee
River, visit Hydraulic Lift Locks, the
largest in the world, return to city and
drive to parks, Canadian General Electric
Co. Works, American Cereal Works, and
Wm. Hamilton Works,
i. o p.m. — Lunch at Oriental Hotel.
3. o p.m. — Game with five rinks from Peterboro', and
one rink each from Port Hope, Oshawa,
Stouffville.
6. o p.m. — Banquet.
Stay at Oriental Hotel all night, and leave
next morning at 8 a.m. for Toronto.
TORONTO.
Thursday, 2nd August.
Arrive in Toronto at 10.25 a.m., be met by
reception committee and escorted to King
Edward Hotel.
12. o a.m. — Leave King Edward Hotel for City Hall for
civic reception.
12.45 p.m. — Return to hotel for civic luncheon at I p.m.
2.30 p.m. — Leave King Edward Hotel for Queen City
lawn. Play against five Queen City rinks,
two Lome Park rinks, one Parkdale rink.
6.30 p.m. — Dine at Queen City Club as guests of
opponents.
19
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Friday, $rd August.
10.30 a.m. — Leave King Edward Hotel for Niagara
Navigation Co.'s wharf, taking steamer
to Niagara-on-the-Lake, as guests of
Canada, St. Matthew's and Parkdale
Clubs.
1.30 p.m. — Luncheon at Queen's Royal Hotel.
3. o p.m. — Play on Niagara lawn against five Canada
rinks, two St. Matthew's rinks, one Park-
dale rink.
7. o p.m. — Dine at Queen's Royal Hotel, as guests of
opponents.
7.5.5 p.m. — Leave Niagara Navigation Co.'s wharf at
Niagara-on-the-Lake for Toronto.
Saturday, ^th August.
2.30 p.m. — Leave King Edward Hotel in special cars for
Balmy Beach lawn. Play against three
Balmy Beach rinks, three Kew Beach
rinks, two St. Matthew's rinks.
7. o p.m. — Dine at Balmy Beach as guests of opponents,
with entertainment in evening.
Sunday, $th August.
ii. o a.m. — Special service at St. James* Cathedral.
Monday, 6th August.
10. o a.m. — Leave King Edward Hotel in special cars for
Baseball Match.
2.30 p.m. — Leave King Edward Hotel for Granite lawn.
Play against five Granite rinks, and three
Prospect Park rinks.
7.30 p.m. — Dine with Granite and Prospect Park Club
members at King Edward Hotel.
Tuesday, yth August.
10.30 a.m. — Leave King Edward Hotel for Lambton Golf
Club, as guests of the Toronto Auto-
mobile Club.
12.30 p.m. — Leave Lambton Golf Club for Royal Canadian
Yacht Club.
2. o p.m. — Luncheon at Royal Canadian Yacht Club.
3.30 p.m. — Play on Royal Canadian Yacht Club lawn
against six Royal Canadian Yacht Club
rinks, and two Caer Howell rinks.
7. o p.m. — Dine at Royal Canadian Yacht Club, as
guests of opponents.
20
Itinerary — Ontario Bowling Association.
Wednesday, 8th August.
ii. o a.m. — Leave King Edward Hotel for drive, as guests
of City Council, visiting University,
Parliament Buildings, Rosedale, etc.
1.30 p.m. — Luncheon at Victoria Club, as guests of
Victoria and Thistle Clubs.
3. o p.m. — Play at Victoria Club against five Victoria
rinks and three Thistle rinks.
7.30 p.m. — Dine at King Edward Hotel, as guests of the
Ontario Bowling Association.
Thursday, gth August.
8.30 a.m. — Leave King Edward Hotel for Niagara Navi-
gation Co.'s wharf, en route for Niagara
Falls.
NIAGARA FALLS.
Thursday, qth August.
11.45 a.m. — Arrive at Lewiston and board electric cars
for trip to Falls by Gorge route.
12.30 p.m. — Arrive at Niagara Falls.
i. o p.m. — Lunch at Clifton Hotel.
The afternoon spent in visiting the many
places of interest around the Falls.
Stay over night at Clifton Hotel.
Leave at 8.30 a.m. for St. Catharine's by
special trolley cars.
ST. CATHARINE'S.
Friday, loth
Members of the St. Catharine's Bowling Club
will take charge of party at Niagara Falls.
Special car to Port Dalhousie, visiting
Canadian Henley Club House, Barnesdale
Vineyard.
i. o p.m. — Luncheon.
3. o p.m. — Play on St. Catharine's lawn against Home
Club and Niagara.
7. o p.m. — Dinner and Smoker. Leave next morning at
6.38 for Hamilton.
HAMILTON.
Saturday, nth August.
Arrive from St. Catharine's.
21
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Saturday, nth August.
Reception by committee of bowling club, and
escorted to City Hall, when a Civic
Reception will be tendered.
1. o p.m. — Civic Luncheon at Hamilton Club.
3. o p.m. — Play on Hamilton Thistle grounds against
Hamilton Thistle Bowling Club.
7. o p.m. — Dinner at Hamilton Club, as guests of
Hamilton Thistles.
Sunday, I2th August.
Visit Royal Yacht Club, Hamilton Beach.
Yachting in afternoon.
Monday, i^th August.
9.30 a.m. — Drive to Grimsby, through the vineyard of
Canada. Lunch at fruit farm.
3. o p.m. — Play on Hamilton Asylum lawn, against rinks
from Hamilton Asylum, Dundas, Grimsby
and Hamilton Yacht Club.
Leave Tuesday morning at 8; for Brantford
and Paris.
BRANTFORD.
Tuesday, i^th August.
9.55 a.m. — Arrive from Hamilton. Five rinks get off at
Brantford, three staying on cars and going
on to Paris. The five rinks will be
escorted by reception committee to
Brantford Club.
10. o a.m.— Drive around city and to places of historical
interest.
12.30 p.m. — Lunch at Kerby House, as guests of Brantford
Club.
2. o p.m. — Play on Brantford Club lawn.
7.30 p.m. — Leave Kerby House for garden party on the
lawn of Principal Gardener, Ontario
Institute for the Blind.
The three rinks going on to Paris will be met
at Brantford Station by reception com-
mittee of Paris Club. Play in afternoon
on Paris Club lawn, and, after match,
return to Brantford by electric cars and
join rest of party at 7.30 for garden party.
Stay at Kerby House at night, and leave
in the morning for Guelph at 9.5.
22
Itinerary — Ontario Bowling Association.
GUELPH.
Wednesday, i^th August.
10.35 a-m- — Arrive from Brantford.
Reception by Guelph Bowling Club.
11.30 a.m. — Leave by special electric cars for Ontario
Agricultural College, one of the finest
institutions of its kind in the Dominion,
i. o p.m. — Lunch at College.
2.30 p.m. — Leave by special cars for bowling green and
play" five rinks from Guelph and two rinks
from Brampton.
4. o p.m. — Tea and light refreshments by Ladies'
Bowling Club.
7.30 p.m. — Civic banquet.
Leave next morning at 8.55 for Berlin.
BERLIN.
Thursday, i6th August.
9.19 a.m. — Arrive from Guelph.
Reception by Berlin Bowling Club and break-
fast at Walper House.
10.30 a.m. — Drive through Berlin and Waterloo,
i. o p.m. — Lunch as guests of Berlin Bowling Club.
3. o p.m. — Play against Berlin, Waterloo, Gait, and
Harriston.
7. o p.m. — German banquet at Berlin Club.
Leave Friday morning at 9 a.m. for Stratford,
under the auspices of the Western Ontario
Bowling Association.
TORONTO.
Monday, 2jth August.
9.30 p.m. — Arrive in Toronto from Woodstock, and go to
King Edward Hotel.
Tuesday, 2&th August.
Visit National Exhibition, as guests of
Exhibition Directors. Luncheon on
grounds.
Evening at Exhibition, display of fireworks,
etc.
Wednesday, 2gth August.
9.15 a.m. — Leave for Montreal, via C.P.R.
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
BRITISH BOWLERS' ITINERARY.
WESTERN ONTARIO BOWLING ASSOCIATION.
STRATFORD.
Friday, ijth August.
10. o a.m. — Arrive in Stratford, where Mayor and Council
and representatives of Bowling Club will
receive party. Five rinks wiU be taken
to Windsor, Albion and Queen's hotels,
and three rinks will proceed to Mitchell
by special, as guests of the Mitchell
Bowling Club ; returning — leave Mitchell
at 5 '55 p«m., and reach Stratford at
6.20 p.m.
12.30 p.m. — Luncheon by Mayor and Municipal Council
in City Hall.
3.30 p.m. — Game on Stratford Bowling Green. Play
against three rinks Stratford Bowling
Club, and two rinks Owen Sound Bowling
Club.
6.30 p.m. — Dinner at hotels.
8.30 p.m. — Club garden party at grounds of Mr. E. P.
Winslow.
Saturday, iSth August.
8.30 a.m. — Drive to station.
9. o a.m. — Leave for Clinton and Goderich.
MITCHELL.
Friday, ijth August.
10.10 a.m. — Visiting bowlers arrive at Stratford. Three
rinks will proceed to Mitchell by special
train.
11. o a.m. — Reception committee at station on arrival
of special train. A short drive before
proceeding to hotel.
12. o noon. — Luncheon at Hicks House.
2. o p.m. — Game.
5. o p.m. — Reception and tea on Mr. and .Mrs. T. S.
Ford's lawn.
6. o p.m. — Return to Stratford.
24
British Bowlers' Itinerary.
GODERICH.
Saturday, iSth August.
The visitors will arrive on the 10.40 train,
and will be met by the Town Council
and reception committee of the Bowling
Club, and taken for a drive till noon.
3. o p.m. — Play three rinks of Goderich Club and one
rink of Wingham.
In the evening an "At Home " will be given
on the beautiful lawns of Mr. John Gait.
The 33rd Regiment Band will be in
attendance, both morning and evening.
CLINTON.
Saturday, i8th August.
10.15 a.m. — Arrive at Clinton ; drive to hotel ; reception
by local and visiting bowlers.
ii. o a.m. — Drive to Recreation Park. Lacrosse match.
12.30 p.m. — Return to hotel,
i. o p.m. — Luncheon at Town Hall, served by ladies of
Clinton.
3. o p.m. — Game — British bowlers v. two rinks of Clinton,
one rink of Sea forth, and one rink of
Wingham.
6. o p.m. — Depart for Goderich.
LONDON.
Monday, zoth August.
9.45 a.m. — Visitors will arrive at London, and be met
by reception committee,
ii. o a.m. — Leave Tecumseh House for trip on the
electric railway, returning to hotel at
12.30.
2.30 p.m. — Welcome by Mayor and Aldermen, on the
lawns of the London Bowling Club.
3. o p.m. — Game — Play against London Bowling Club
and Thistle Bowling Club. Reception by
ladies of London during the afternoon.
Tuesday, 2ist August.
10. o a.m. — Leave the Tecumseh House for Springbank,
returning to hotel at I p.m.
3. o p.m. — Game — Play against three rinks Aylmer Club,
two rinks St. Thomas Club, two rinks
Strathroy Club, one rink St. Mary's Club.
Reception,
c 25
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Tuesday, 21 st August.
7.30 p.m. — Banquet (ladies and gentlemen), guests of
bowlers and Municipal Council of London.
Wednesday, 22nd August.
Leave London, Pere Marquette Railway, at
7.15 a.m.
RIDGETOWN.
Wednesday, 22nd August.
9.10 a.m. — The visitors will be met at the railway
station by the members of the Town
Council and reception committee of the
Ridgetown Bowling Association, after
which the party will drive around the
town, to Talbot Street and to Govern-
ment Park.
i. o p.m. — Luncheon.
2.30 p.m. — Game — Play against three rinks Ridgetown
Club, two rinks Blenheim Club, one rink
Chatham Club, one rink Bothwell Club,
and one rink Thamesville Club.
5.55 p.m. — Leave for Chatham.
CHATHAM.
Wednesday, 22nd August.
6.45 p.m. — Visiting bowlers will be met at station on
arrival from Ridgetown by reception com-
mittee.
Thursday, 2$rd August.
9.30 a.m. — Leave Rankin Dock, on steamer City of
Chatham, for a trip down the Thames to
Lake St. Clair, returning at 2 p.m.
Luncheon on board.
3. o p.m. — Game — Play against four rinks Chatham Club,
one rink Dresden Club, one rink Thames-
ville Club, one rink Ridgetown Club, and
one rink Leamington Club.
7. o p.m. — Automobile ride about the city.
WALKERVILLE.
Messrs. Hiram Walker & Sons, Limited, have kindly
offered to provide for the entertainment of our guests,
the British bowlers and party, upon their arrival at
Walkerville.
26
British Bowlers' Itinerary.
Friday, 24^ August.
After looking over the town, there will be a water excur-
sion, with luncheon, followed by a motor car drive
about Detroit and suburbs.
Saturday, 2$th August.
2. o p.m. — Standard time (one o'clock Detroit time). —
There will be a lawn party on the office
grounds of Hiram Walker & Sons,
Limited, when the British bowlers will
play against bowlers of Walkerville,
Windsor, Detroit and elsewhere.
Monday, 27^ Aiigust.
8. o a.m. — Leave Windsor (special train, C.P.R.), for
Woodstock, arriving at 12 noon.
WOODSTOCK.
Monday, 2jth August.
12. o noon. — Visitors will be met by the reception com-
mittee.
12.20 p.m. — Leave Railway Depot for trip around the
city in carriages, arriving at the bowling
green for lunch.
1.15 p.m. — Welcome by Mayor and Aldermen of the City
of Woodstock and Warden and Councillors
of the County of Oxford, on the lawn of
the Woodstock Bowling Club.
1.45 p.m. — Luncheon.
2.30 p.m. — Game — Play against three rinks Woodstock
Club, two rinks Listowel Club, one rink
Brussels Club, one rink Mt. Forest Club,
one rink Tillsonburg Club.
5.30-6.30 p.m. — Refreshments.
7.15 p.m. — Visitors leave for Grand Trunk Depot.
These elaborate arrangements and preparations were fairly
well carried out, and they are inserted here so that all may
see what an amount of work fell to the lot of our able secretary,
Mr. A. H. Hamilton, whose courtesy and untiring attention
were at the call of every member of the team.
A few alterations in the foregoing programme were found
necessary in the working out, but these were of minor
importance, and will work out all right when we come to deal
with the tour proper.
But I have not yet quite finished with the work devolving
upon our secretary. The following letter gives a further
indication of his work : —
27
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
' 25 GEORGE STREET,
" EDINBURGH, jth June, 1906.
" DEAR SIR,
"SCOTTISH BOWLING ASSOCIATION.
" I have your letter of yesterday's date.
" I presume that you have already ordered the blue
suit, but probably you have not ordered the cap or the
hat of the shape which has been fixed by the International
Board. Perhaps you will kindly let me have the size
of your cap and I will order you one of each.
" In regard to berths, I have arranged for 15 rooms
on the saloon deck of the Virginian. You will see the
numbers from the plan in the pamphlet which I sent 3^ou.
You can quite easily secure one of the rooms for your
family. Three will occupy each room, although there are
four berths.
" I note that you are taking your wife and daughter,
and I shall be glad to have your cheque for £15, the deposit
of £5 each which will have to be made to the shipping
company. To this amount you had better add 303.
for the brooches, cap, hat and tie.
" I will be in Glasgow to-morrow, and at Edmiston's
rooms between six and eight making up the scores in the
Richardson trophy competition, and if you can find it
convenient to call for me there, I shall be very glad to
meet you. If it is inconvenient for you to meet me at
that time, I am arriving at the Central Station at 12.10,
and I have to meet Mr. Fingland there. Perhaps you
might be able to find it convenient to come down to the
station. I should like to meet you.
" Yours faithfully,
" A. H. HAMILTON."
The next note received sufficiently explains itself, and was
issued with the object of drawing the team together for the
purpose of making acquaintance with each other. It was a
very happy little function, and, although all the members
of the team did not find it suitable to attend, there were
many opportunities of making acquaintance and letting us
see something of each other, which made our after meeting
on board ship like a meeting of old friends. We had songs,
readings, and speeches, in which sentiments were expressed
that found a ready echo in every bosom.
28
List of Team.
" 25 GEORGE STREET,
" EDINBURGH, gth June, 1906.
" DEAR SIR,
"VISIT OF BOWLERS TO CANADA.
" It has been suggested to me by several members
of the Scottish section of the team, that an opportunity
should be given to them to meet before leaving for
Canada.
" With this object I have arranged that those members
who can find it convenient to attend shall dine together
in Ferguson & Forrester's, Buchanan Street, Glasgow,
on Friday, 15 th curt., at 6.30.
" Kindly let me know if you can be present.
" Yours faithfully,
" A. H. HAMILTON."
It might be well here to give a full list of the team and those
accompanying it, so that the reader may, at a glance, be able
to judge of its representative character. As originally
intended, there ought to have been three rinks from England,
three from Scotland, and one each from Ireland and Wales,
but it was found that England could only send one rink, and
Wales none, so that Scotland was called upon to make up the
number by sending six rinks, which there was no difficulty in
doing from among the many thousands of earnest and enthusi-
astic bowlers in her association.
LIST OF TEAM.
1. Addicott, Charles ..(Victoria), ... .Weston- Super-Mare.
2. Brown, Gideon (Gala), Galashiels.
3. Campbell, Peter (Balhousie,
Perth), Scone.
4. Cousins, George (Alloa), Alloa.
5. Fingland, Samuel . .(Broomhill), . . .Glasgow.
6. Firth, Thomas (Victoria Park), Leicester.
7. Gall, Robert (Whitehall), . . .Aberdeen.
8. Gibbon, Edward . . .(Rutherglen), . .Rutherglen.
9. Glaister, Prof (Broomhill), . . .Glasgow.
10. Hamilton, A. Haig .(Lutton Place), Edinburgh.
11. Hamilton, John (West End), . . Newcastle-on-Tyne.
12. Hay, Francis, (Titwood), . . . .Glasgow.
13. Hetherington, John .(Falls), Belfast.
14. Hunter, John C. . . . (Belfast), Vice-Captain.
15. Jagger, J. Johnstone (Abbotsford), . .Galashiels.
29
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
16. Jeffrey, Thomas . . . .(West End), . .Edinburgh.
17. Kerr, William (S. London),. . .London.
18. Lilly, Adam (Bellshill and
Mossend), ...Bellshill.
19. M'Coll, W. Erskine .(Partick), Glasgow.
20. M'Culloch, Hugh (Newlands), . . .Glasgow.
21. M'Gown, Andrew . . .(Clydebank), . .Clydebank.
22. M'Laughlin, Daniel .(Coleraine), Coleraine.
23. M'Letchie, William. .(Belmont), . . . .Belfast.
24. Miller, William (Lutton Place), Edinburgh.
25. Morrison, James T. .(Coatbridge), ..Coatbridge.
26. Murray, Charles (Belmont), Belfast.
27. Oubridge, John M.. .(Portland), Newcastle-on-Tyne.
28. Paul, Robert (M't. Vernon), .Glasgow.
29. Pickard, Ezra (Viet. Park), . .Leicester.
30. Pillans, John (Carluke), Carluke.
31. Ross, J (London County), London.
32. Smith, John P (Burnhead), . . .Larbert.
33. Scott, Robert (Willowbank), .Glasgow.
34. Southall, Henry (Brownswood), . London.
35. Telford, James (West End), . .Newcastle-on-Tyne
(Vice-Captain).
36. Twiss, Matthew (Maitland), . . .Davidson's Mains.
37. Watson, Robert . . . .(Gala), Galashiels.
38. Watson, Thomas (Hillside), Edinburgh.
39. Willox, David (Belvidere), . . . .Glasgow.
40. Welsh, John (Hastings), . . . .Hastings.
41. Butt, Henry Weston -Super- Mare.
42. Barclay, N Whitby Bay.
43. Charleton, Thomas Newcastle-on-Tyne.
LADIES.
Mrs. Brockett. Mrs. M'Culloch. Mrs. Oubridge.
Mrs. Hay. Miss M'Culloch. Miss Pickard.
Miss M'Coll. Miss M'Laughlin. Mrs. Robt. Watson.
Mrs. Willox.
The foregoing names are given so that, when reference
is made in the following notes to any member of the team,
the reader may consult the above list, and ascertain to which
club the member belongs and also the country he represents.
As the date of depaiture drew near, and when it had been
definitely fixed who were to be members of the team, interest
in the event seemed to grow and spread throughout the
bowling world, and several matches were arranged and played
by those who had been selected. I was present at two or
3°
Departure from Glasgow.
three of those matches, and can vouch for the earnestness,
if not the accuracy, of the play. It was no uncommon thing
to hear one of the selected " chaffed " severely when he hap-
pened to play " wide " or " narrow," and in some cases it
was said — " The Canadians 'ill hae a saft thing in beating
that ; " but, while such remarks ruffled just a little the self-
assurance of those they were meant for, they only nettled them
to do better and justify theii inclusion in the team.
All preliminaries being completed, we began to look forward
to the date of our departure with some degree of anxiety,
and no little amount of hope and pleasure. In this mood
the morning of the igth July found us making our way to
the different points of departure. The Glasgow contingent
was timed to leave by the 8.45 a.m. train from Queen Street
N.B.R. station.
THURSDAY, IQTH JULY.
The morning was rather cold for a July morning, and gusty
winds swept along the streets with a keenness that made one
feel thankful for the comfort of an overcoat and the protecting
warmth of a muffler. There were a few friends at the station,
even at this early hour, to see us away and wish us " God-
speed ; " and, among the salutations that I heard as the train
began to snort and puff in its endeavours to get a fair start,
were — " Play up for the old country ! " and " Let them see
that we're no' sleeping here."
Amidst hand-shaking, and the exchange of good wishes,
the train found its bearings, and soon we were on our way
to join our colleagues.
We picked up a few at Edinburgh, where a considerable
amount of shunting was gone through before we fairly set
out on our way south. At Galashiels we picked up Bailie
Watson and his wife, as also Major Gideon Brown and Mr.
J agger ; and this playing trio were destined to give a good
account of themselves in the forthcoming international
matches.
I am inclined to be somewhat gossipy in these notes, and
therefore I include little incidents that perhaps would have
been better left out, but I presume the reader does not want
a doctored account of this tour ; he wants " the truth, the
whole truth, and nothing but the truth," and I am prepared
to give it, as far as my information and knowledge of the
events go.
Well, in our party — that is, the Glasgow party — there was
an old gentleman, as fine a bowler as can be found in the whole
association, who, along with his wife, was booked for the tour ;
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
but, besides being a bowler, he is particularly fond of a game
at cards, and feeling the time lying rather heavily on hand,
he thought it would be a fine thing to form a whist party. I
declined the invitation, never having played the game, but
after canvassing the other compartments he at last succeeded
in getting a party together who enjoyed the sport as well
as he ; but, alas ! he had overlooked one important item in
the arrangements. It was found that they had neglected to
provide themselves with cards. Pen and pencil would fail
to portray the expression of disappointment on that gentle-
man's face, on the discovery of this seemingly simple overlook.
There was no means of remedying it. The train was whirling
along at forty or fifty miles an hour, and there would be no
stop until we reached Carlisle. All settled themselves down
to read, or to glance over some of the illustrated weeklies,
or stare out of the windows at the fleeting objects and land-
marks as we whirled along.
At Carlisle we stopped for some time, and were there
welcomed by Mr. W. Johnson, a famous international player,
and several other prominent Carlisle bowlers, who were kind
enough to hand into our carriage several baskets of straw-
berries. Here we were pleased to learn that a dining car
was being attached. Immediately after starting a rush was
made for that, but, after waiting for fully half an hour in the
corridor without gaining admittance to that necessary accom-
paniment to modern long-distance travel, many of us were
compelled to return to our compartments empty and dis-
appointed. The comments of some on the occasion were more
expressive than polite. Some of the knowing ones had taken
time by the forelock at Carlisle and had provided themselves
with little hampers containing the necessaries of a substantial
meal (the old gentleman above referred to was prominent
here) ; while others felt so disappointed that they made no
further effort to test the capabilities of the dining car, and
suffered it out the whole way to Liverpool, which was reached
about 5.20 p.m.
Here we had the first taste of " baggage bustle " — if I
may be allowed to use that term — for, although most of the
heavy baggage had been sent on a few days before, there were
many other trunks, baskets, bags, and boxes to look after.
Most of these were bundled on to a lorry and despatched
right away to the boat ; while other little things, such as
handbags, were kept possession of by their several owners.
Machines were in waiting to drive us to the landing stage,
and no time was lost in taking our places, as we were already
late — being due at the boat at five o'clock.
Pushing through the crowd as best I could, with a little
32
Embarkation at Liverpool.
handbag in hand, I had it grasped by a fellow with a red
band round his cap and, taking him to be one of the shipping
company's hands, I let him have it and followed across the
gangway on to the boat — a distance of some 20 or 30 yards —
there to discover that, after all my watching and some know-
ledge of the world, I had been " had " just once more. A
small gratuity of a " bob " (is. sterling) satisfied the " greedy
glour " of my unasked assistant, which he pocketed with a
smile and a " Thank you, sir," as I handed it over with a
grin of doubtful satisfaction.
One of the first greetings we had on stepping on board was
from our good friend and fellow townsman, Professor Glaister
of Glasgow. He had been spending a few days in Dumfries-
shire, and had joined the boat a few hours earlier.
In a few minutes we had located our berths and deposited
our traps there. We then got on deck to have a look at the
crowd watching our departure, and to wave adieux to those
we knew.
There is always an element of pathos in watching the
departure of a large passenger ship on a long voyage. On
such an occasion a feeling of sadness arises involuntarily in
the bosom, especially of those interested in her welfare. To
those on shore these feelings are perhaps the most acute.
They are parting with those they love, and they cannot
suppress the anxiety of mind which is born of the thought :
" Will we ever meet again ? " To those on board the same
feelings of sadness, and the same dirge-like echo of the " Will
we ever meet again ? " are somewhat mellowed by the
anticipated realisation of hopes born of man's desire to probe
the future and better his condition.
As yet all is bustle and confusion on board. The hands
are busy clearing away the mooring, and soon we are sensibly
drifting out into midstream. Cheers are raised, and hats,
handkerchiefs and hands are waved as we slowly glide down
channel. We watch the low sandy beach of New Brighton
gradually recede from view, and, last of all, the sun setting
in the West, in whose course we are now steering. It was a
glorious sunset, and many of us watched it until the glowing
orb had entirely disappeared in the Western sea. Then, and
then only, had we time to take note of our surroundings,
and forecast in our minds the amount of comfort we were
likely to enjoy during our long voyage.
The Virginian is a splendidly equipped boat, being fitted
up with all the latest improvements in lighting, upholstery
and ventilation, while the attendance is all that can be desired.
I am not sufficiently versed in naval architecture to give a
•detailed description of the construction of a large Atlantic
33
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
liner, but when it is stated that accommodation is provided
for 1,500 or 2,000 souls, some idea may be formed of the carry-
ing capacity of such a floating city. There are nooks and
crannies in it that I have never been able to explore. Every
inch of space is utilised for some useful purpose, and every-
thing is kept trim and tidy.
Dinner was served about seven o'clock, and the menu
might have done justice to a West End restaurant. After a
twelve hours' fast — owing to circumstances above recorded —
some of us did ample justice to the dinner.
The dining saloon is large and richly furnished, with two
or three long tables running the whole length of the saloon,
and a number of smaller ones on either side. There would,
I am sure, be over a hundred seated at dinner, so that it will
be seen that there was quite a large number of others besides
the bowlers and their friends. I found myself seated at the
same table as Mr. and Mrs. Hay (of Titwood), and Bailie and
Mrs. Watson (of Galashiels), who, along with my own wife,
completed our -table, and quite a teetotal one it was, as never
a drop of spirits or other alcoholic liquor was served at it
during the whole voyage.
Besides being thus situated at table with the abovenamed,
our rooms were all next to each other's — my own being betwixt
those of Hay and Watson. With regard to how the other
members of bur team were placed, suffice it to say that they
were comfortable, and cthat nothing but satisfaction was
expressed as to their accommodation.
The reader is perhaps anxious to get into the " hurly-
burly " of these notes — namely, the playing part. If so, he
may skip a few pages at once, as I intend to follow out my
original intention and arrange my matter as seems best to
my own mind. A glance at the title page will shew that it
reads : " With the British Bowlers," and, as my first acquain-
tance with many of the members of the team was made on
board the Virginian, I wish the reader to become acquainted
with them there too.
Cheerfulness and enthusiasm were the prevailing character-
istics noticeable in every one of the team at our first dinner on
board, and, as we sat in some cosy nook or strolled on deck
as the darkness of night fell upon the waters, the coming
contests often formed the subject of our conversation, inter-
spersed occasionally with rehearsals of games played and
victories won — of " ties " where the winning shot was taken
by a miracle, and where prizes were lost only by a hair's
breadth.
Thus closed the first day's stage of our journey — some going
to bed in good time, others indulging in a quiet game at
34
MR. JOHN C, HUNTER,
BELFAST B.C.
Vice-Captain.
Moville.
whist or " nap/' and others sampling the smoking room
steward's store.
FRIDAY, 20TH JULY.
We reached Moville about seven a.m. It was a lovely
morning, and the green slopes of the 'Deny hills looked
beautiful in the early morning light. Quite a number of our
boys were on deck as we came to anchor, and soon after the
saloon deck was thronged with eager and expectant faces of
both sexes. Here we were joined by our Irish rink, consist-
ing of Mr. J. C. Hunter of Belfast, vice-captain of the team,
and one of its very best bowlers ; Mr. John Hetherington of
the same city ; Mr. Wm. M'Letchie, also of Belfast ; and
Mr. Daniel M'Laughlin of Coleraine, who was accompanied
by his daughter. This quartette came with a great reputation,
and we all expected them to give a good account of themselves
against the Canadians.
Here we had to wait for the mails, which did not arrive
until about half-past one. The interval was filled up in
lolling about the deck, by occasional visits to the smoke room,
and by getting into closer acquaintanceship with each other,
while some went ashore for an hour or two.
Among the other notables on board is one whose presence
was bound to cast a mellowing influence over the whole
company, not only because of his patriarchal age and appear-
ance, but because of his words of wisdom and his good example.
Mr. PETER CAMPBELL, of Perth, is he to whom I refer.
He is one of our team, and we feel proud of him. He is said
to be a man of great wealth ; he is certainly a man of ripe
and rich experience. He has been round the world, but the
world has never got round him in the sense of robbing him
of his native goodness of heart, his sterling principles of
simple piety, and his love of mankind generally. He is an
enthusiastic bowler, and plays well himself, though burdened
by the weight of eighty- three years ; and on the occasion of
the Canadians' visit here two years ago, he entertained the
whole company at his own expense at his delightful home,
" Balhousie," Scone, near Perth. Further reference will be
made to Mr. Campbell in the course of these notes. His is
a personality not easily to be got rid of, and one which grows
upon you the better you come to know it.
Mr. ADAM LILLY, of Bellshill, is another of the gentlemen
we got to know better in the interval of waiting. Having
made his little " pile " in business some years ago, he retired,
and is now enjoying it, wisely and well. He has a son or
two in Nova Scotia, and, as one of our team, he means to
"kill twa dogs wi' a'e stane," by calling upon them, and
35
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
afterwards joining the team at Toronto. He is a capital
bowler, sings a good song, and, though somewhat backward
in company, is both communicative and intelligent once you
get into closer touch with him. We had many opportunities
of judging of Mr. Lilly's good qualities, and have no hesita-
tion in saying he is one of the right sort and, what is perhaps
as good as anything, that he is one of the " old school "•
plain, pleasant, and practical, with a heart ever throbbing in
sympathy with suffering, and a hand that knows how to give,
as well as how to deliver a bowl. In addition to his many
other good qualifications, he is an enthusiastic Freemason,
and has held high office in the craft.
Mr. HENRY BUTT, of Weston-super-Mare, who is one of our
party, although not one of the team, is another gentlemen against
whom we happen to rub, and we find him, like Lilly, a most
enthusiastic Freemason, with many decorations of the order,
both " blue/' " red " and " black." He has one of the finest
albums I have ever seen, being composed of real flowers culled
from the Holy Land, beautifully arranged and bound in
cedarwood covers. He is a particularly agreeable gentleman,
and he made up with everybody and endeared himself to all.
Poor Butt ! He was latterly laid aside by illness, which
robbed the company of a pleasant companion, and denied
him the pleasure of a delightful tour.
At last the long delayed mails arrived, and the bustle of
shipment commenced, but by two o'clock or thereby our
good ship began to shake and tremble as the turbines started
to vibrate through the waters.
We are now under way and gliding along the Northern
coast of the Emerald Isle. Letters had been posted at
Moville to friends at home and, as the rugged headlands of
the Irish coast receded from view, we felt that the last con-
necting link that bound us to the old land had been severed
for a time, and we settled ourselves down to face the future —
buoyant, hopeful and happy.
It was intended to have a concert to-night, but this was
abandoned on account of a temporary illness to which Mr.
Hamilton, our esteemed secretary, had fallen a victim ; so
each spent the time as best he might, chaffing, cracking and
lolling about. In this way we were all getting to know each
other better ; friendships were being formed that might
carry sunshine into the future of many a life, and visiting
cards were being exchanged with many a promised visit.
SATURDAY, 2IST JULY.
I found a few of our boys up " with the screch o' day,"
only to discover it dull and hazy, so that the outlook was
36 *
MR. A. H. HAMILTON,
Lt-TTON PLACE B.C., EDINBURGH.
Secretary Scottish Bowling Association,
Notables on Board.
anything but cheering ; but the bowlers were so lighthearted
that nothing seemed able to damp the exuberance of their
spirits ; and little pranks were being played, and jokes cracked
with as much gusto as if the sun had been burning holes in
the deck. The afternoon cleared up a bit, and the sun shone
through the occasional openings in the cloudy canopy. Some
interest was awakened by the passing of a large steamer
comparatively near to us. She was made out to be a sister
ship to the Virginian, and belonging to the same company,
and was making her way to some of the home ports. More
promenading of the deck, more listless lolling about, and more
" couthie cracks " wear the time away.
Mr. PAUL and Mr. GIBBON are a pair well worth studying.
Mr. PAUL I have known for many years — as fine a fellow
as ever threw a bowl. He is a past Deacon of the Incorpora-
tion of Gardeners, which in itself is a sufficient guarantee of
character ; and, as to his bowling, let the victims of his
prowess speak.
Mr. GIBBON is a typical Scotsman, full of dry, pawky
humour, and with a strong bias towards playing pranks. He
became the wit of the party, and sustained his reputation as
such throughout the tour, especially in the making of
" Buffaloes." This was a mock secret society of which he
occupies the distinguished position of captain. Hailing from
the auld Burgh of Rutherglen, he worthily sustained her
dignity both at the festive board and on the bowling greens
of the West. His pawky remarks and his " cutty pipe " were
ever in evidence — the former enlivening all who came into
contact with him, and the latter affording solace to himself.
There was set afoot to-day a movement among our team
to inaugurate a subscription for a testimonial to our esteemed
secretary, Mr. A. H. Hamilton, in recognition of his unwearied
labours in connection with our tour. It was met with a
ready and hearty response. The presentation was, however,
delayed meantime until a more suitable opportunity should
present itself.
Our deferred concert came off to-night, Professor Glaister
acting as chairman and pianist, both of which duties he
discharged to the entire satisfaction of all present and with
great credit to himself.
A fine fellow is the professor, who, with all his learning,
is one of the plainest of men, and one of the most approachable.
There is nothing of the iceberg characteristic about him.
There is more of the magnet than there is about many you
meet. You feel yourself drawn towards him by an invisible
chain of affinity in thought, word and action, and, while the
predominant expression of his features is that of thoughtful-
37
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
ness and earnestness, underneath there is a latent fund of
humour that occasionally bubbles o'er and kindles a responsive
laugh or smile wherever it reaches. In addition to his many
other attainments he sings a good song, and he is not "sweirt"
to do it.
Our concert broke up about ten o'clock, and each made
off as inclination led — the smoking room attractions claiming
some, and the cosy berth others, while a few perambulated
the deck till well on to midnight.
SUNDAY, 22ND JULY.
This is a fine morning, and it does one good to be astir.
There are quite a number of early risers here, and, of course,
they all find their way upon deck to smoke and crack and
move about.
The sea is a little lumpy, but not bad, even for a landsman.
Our ship is making steady headway, and during the last
twenty-four hours we have covered 378 miles.
I have had a long and interesting conversation with Mr.
Campbell. He relates a little incident in his early life which
is worth rehearsing. It was some few years after the passing
of the Repeal of the Corn Laws, and during a period of great
depression of trade in Scotland — and, indeed, throughout the
Kingdom — that Mr. Campbell (who, in search of employment,
had travelled through several of the Midland counties of
England without success) found himself at last in the city of
Manchester almost stranded. The distress in this cit}' was
something terrible, and there were no prospects of success
for him. Where to turn to he did not know. His finances had
run out all but a copper or two, and there was nothing before
him but starvation or beggary, the latter of which was foreign
to his very soul. With this vision before him, and while he
stood irresolute as to how he should shape his course, a poor
fellow approached, with hunger written on every line of his
features and nakedness apparent on every part of his person,
and in tones of supplication begged of Mr. Campbell to save him
from starvation or crime. The appeal was irresistible, even
to the poverty-stricken . youth he addressed, and Campbell
handed him the last copper he had in his possession ; " and
do you know," he added, " I have never been so poor since."
Campbell had then to pledge his watch, upon which he received
fifteen shillings, and before that slender sum was expended
he had secured employment, and thereby was removed beyond
the shadow of the spectre of want. Who can tell what blessing
there was in the foregoing act of charity, or how divine good-
ness is dispensed, or for what purposes even our direst distress
38
New Cure for Sea Sickness.
is brought upon us ? Mr. Campbell belieVes that his little
act of kindness to the starving stranger had the blessing of
God with it — verifying the text that it blesseth him who gives
as well as him who receives — and his faith is shewn not in
words only, but in deeds. He has prospered far beyond many
men, and he gives of his abundance to many deserving objects.
Who knows but that the pence parted with in the streets of
Manchester to the starving wretch have acted like the pebble
cast into the lake — in ever-extending circles of goodness and
love, until they touch the shores of eternity itself ! Be that
as it may, Mr. Campbell believes it, and acts up to his belief.
Sea Sickness.
I hear of a new cure for the above ; at least it is new to
me, and I give it here, as it may be new to others — namely,
that a cloth wrung out of boiling water wrapped round the
head tightly removes the sickness. There you are, ye
sufferers from mat de mer. Of course, I have not myself
tested its efficacy, not having been sick, but it is simple and
may be worth trying.
Talking of sickness reminds me that Mr. Hay (one of our
team, and one of the " cracks " of Titwood) is ill. He and
his good lady occupy the next room to mine. He is a splendid
bowler, and as keen as a razor on the game. He carries his
weight of fully sixty years well, and retains all the agility of
youth, gambolling on and over the green like a young " entire;"
but, oh ! he is looking awfully woebegone to-day, and what
makes matters worse, the Professor has prescribed " Pollinaris"
for him, while others — non-professional, of course — say that
" a guid hauf " would set matters right at once. Perplexed
thus, he — being a very temperate gentleman — takes nothing
at all, resolving to starve the illness into submission.
Divine Service,
We are summoned to divine service at 10.30 a.m., and
most of us attend. It is the Church of England ritual, of
course, and even although a bishop performed, it was to
Scotsmen, at anyrate, tame in the extreme. We tried to
believe that we had done our duty in attending, but I should
not like to vouch for the amount of salvation that was dispensed.
" Och chone ! " as an Irishman would say, " this is a
lazy loife entoirely " — smoke, and crack, and sentry-go.
There is a good deal of psalm and other hymn singing
to-day by the Salvationists, of whom there are a few on board.
It became cold and windy towards evening, and most of
us sought the seclusion of our cabins. The head winds are
39
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
telling against us, but the good ship manfully ploughs her
way through the billows, trembling and throbbing like a
child in pain.
MONDAY, 23RD JULY.
It was dull, hazy and wet this morning when we stepped on
deck for a turn round, but it gradually cleared up somewhat,
and by-and-by we had a little mild excitement, due to the
appearance of a steamer upon our port bow, at a considerable
distance. Indeed, there was a good deal of diversity of
opinion as to the distance the stranger would be off, some
estimating it at ten miles, while one gentleman — evidently
ignorant of the possibilities of vision — guessed it to be fifty
miles away. We were unable to make her out, but we
watched her until she disappeared from the horizon, as doubt-
less those on board of her watched us.
There is much story telling and chaffing to-day. A
rather good story is told regarding one of our team. He had
lost his way (which is one of the easiest things imaginable
on board ship), and, as it happened to be in the early hours
of the morning, he was rather awkwardly placed. There was
no one moving about whom he could ask, and it was too early
to go on deck. What was he to do ? Latterly, finding
himself in the neighbourhood of the bathroom, a happy idea
struck him ; he would call up the bath attendant and get his
bearings from him. Acting on this impulse he rang the bell,
but he didn't want the steward to know he had lost his way,
it would look so silly, and he could not take a bath, as that
was one of his pet aversions, especially so early in the morning ;
but here comes the steward, and the difficulty must be solved
somehow.
Lost One. — " I say, steward, I was just wondering if one
might have a bath."
Steward. — " Certainly, sir ; I'll fix it up in a minute for
you."
Lost One. — " Oh, I didn't mean just now ; I meant at any
other time."
Steward. — " At any time at all, sir ; that's why I am at
your call."
Lost One. — " But I am not anxious to have it just now ; in
fact, I would rather call at some other time."
Steward. — " Then, sir, why did you call me ? "
Lost One. — " Oh, well, I wasn't sure whether there might be
anything to pay or not. Do you charge for the use of the
bathroom ? "
Steward. — " No, sir ; you can have it at any time free of
charge."
40
" Bowling " on Board.
Lost One.—" Well, then, look here, I think I'll take a bath
to-morrow morning and every morning thereafter ; and, I
say, steward, you might just shew me where room so and so is."
The stewarcl is said to have " winked the other eye," but
complied with the request with the best grace possible,
while the lost one, in the security of his own room, congratu-
lated himself on having done two smart things — namely,
having disguised his deep-rooted aversion to a bath, and
secondly, having discovered the location of his room.
We pass the Victorian to-day about mid-day. She is a
sister ship to the Virginian, in which we move and have
our being.
I have a long talk with Mr. Hamilton. He is now quite
himself, and he wants me to write an official description of
our tour, but I am loth to undertake such a task, as there
might be more expected of me than I would be able to perform.
I told him I was keeping a diary of our trip, and if I could
weave it into anything like decent cloth those interested in
it would be welcome to it, but there were far abler pens than
mine that might be employed in this matter. In any case I
would proceed as I had begun, let the result be what it may.
It cleared up beautifully about mid-day, and we had a
delightful time of it on the upper deck playing at what is
called " shuffle-board," but which we called bowling. Fog
came down about three o'clock, and tended to make things
unpleasant for us. The foghorn kept roaring every few
seconds, and speed was slackened, but this didn't prevent us
having our game. Rinks were drawn and allocated as
follows — Scotland v. Canada, and England v. Ireland. The
ties were entered into with the greatest spirit, and many
onlookers watched the progress of the game with the keenest
interest. The tie betwixt Scotland and Canada was a very
keenly contested one, only one shot being declared in favour
of Scotland at the last end. The game betwixt England and
Ireland was also closely contested, and resulted in favour of
England by a small majority. This left the final to be played
off betwixt England and Scotland, and the champions — or
rather representatives of the two countries — were each sanguine
of success. The onlookers were very fairly divided in their
sympathies, and the players in either rink were encouraged
to do their best by their several well wishers. Personally, I
wished the Scotsmen to win, but the skip on the English side
made that impossible. He was a perfect " demon," as the
saying is, and time after time he pulled his rink out of difficulties
by some of the most remarkable shots I ever saw. He was
a tall raw-boned Northumbrian of over six feet, named Tom
Charleton, and he never wore cap nor hat, and was one of
D 41
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906*
the best liked of our party. He seemed able to do anything
he liked with those circular pieces of wood, and the black
clay pipe he never was without lent additional interest to the
contour of his person. England won by three shots amidst
a scene of considerable excitement. Even the Bishop, who
was one of the English rink, could not disguise his satisfaction
at the result, and presented Charleton with a cigar, rivalling,
in length at least, the much-talked-of ones of the Glasgow
Corporation which were said to have cost a shilling each.
Thus another day drew to a close, and we found we were
other 390 miles nearer the " Land of the Maple Shade,"
that being the extent of the run we had made during the last
twenty-four hours.
TUESDAY, 24TH JULY.
Another dull and hazy morning, but there are quite a
number of the early risers on deck before breakfast time.
There is to be a bowling tournament to-day, and the entry
money is sixpence each. I join, of course, along with the
others. The drawing for partners is to take place after
breakfast time. This is quite an interesting event. How
little amuses us when cooped up like this !
After breakfast we gather on the upper deck where the
drawing for our tournament takes place. I have the good
luck to be drawn in the same rink with Hay, Glaister and
Charlie Murray, the latter an attractive son of Erin, and,
although we made a good fight of it, we were defeated in the
second round by the narrow margin of one shot.
Mr. Hay has now quite recovered, and is as lively and
spanky as a young one.
Need I say that there was considerable excitement over
the game in which we lost. It was such a " near thing,"
and Bailie Watson of Galashiels and his rink were somewhat
lucky in winning it.
We pass an iceberg to-day, but, though it was quite near,
weTdid not see it distinctly owing to the fog, which has caused
our^cautious captain to slacken speed ; but the fog, though
thick (which increases the dangers of ocean travel) cannot
damp the ardour of a bowler. Nothing can, indeed, but an
opponent's last bowl when it takes the winning shot and robs
him of the prize he had counted on winning. So the tourna-
ment proceeds, and the interest is sustained. Rain, however,
came on in the afternoon, which postponed the final tie for
some time. The decks become deserted. A turn round the
deck only discovered how empty it was ; and, oh ! how cold
it had become, even on this the 24th of July. The library
4*
Dense Fogs Dangerous.
on board affords a nice cosy shelter in such weather. There
you may recline on couches of the softest, and read at leisure ;
or, if you have any writing to do, you may sit down at nice
little square tables, furnished with all the materials for corres-
pondence. Some of our members make good use of this
convenience, and pay frequent visits to it.
The fog is so dense that we have now come to a complete
stop. Besides being disagreeable weather to travel in, these
fogs multiply the dangers of the deep greatly, especially when
these " tramps of the Atlantic' ' are knocking around — I
mean the icebergs ; for, though they are beautiful to look
upon, when seen in the sunlight — sparkling and glittering at
many points in prismatic beauty — they are as dangerous as
the night prowlers on land, who go about armed with "jemmy"
and loaded revolver. One shudders to think what the result
might be if we came in contact with one of those huge ice
mountains. What has occurred before might well happen
again, with all the horrors of shipwreck, starvation, thirst,
cold, and madness in its train. Of course, there is nothing
for us to do but doze, read, or loll about any way and any-
where. " Nap " and " whist " have always attractions for
those who play them, and the smoking room is well patronised
in such weather. Draughts, chess and other games also find
their share of patronage, and the steward is kept fairly busy
attending to the wants of all.
WEDNESDAY, 25x11 JULY.
We were early on deck this morning, and found Mr.
JEFFREY, of Edinburgh, there before us. He is one of our
team, and is said to be a good steady player. He is a retired
merchant, and is making good use of his leisure and his
fortune. He is rather a fine fellow to speak to, with a good
stock of sound commonsense, and what more does a man
with capital need to carry him through the world ?
This is a lovely morning, and seems to look all the brighter,
coming, as it does, so shortly after yesterday's dulness, fog
and rain. It gives promise of being a fine day, though there is
still a little haze, but not sufficient to interfere with our
progress. We were " held up " by that dangerous element
until about half-past one this morning.
There is land on both sides now, and the fog — what there
is of it — lies like a curtain along the water's edge and half
way up the barren slopes of the land on either side. We pass
several fishing boats, a large steamer or two, and a lighthouse.
After breakfast the remaining ties of our tournament are
gone on with, and, as Pillans beat Bailie Watson, he qualified
43
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
for the final, which it has been arranged will be played off
in the afternoon. I don't know that there is any betting
on the result, but the interest in it is sufficient to warrant
such.
One of our fellow passengers is a Mr. CRAWFORD, of Con-
necticut, U.S.A. He has been doing a tour of Europe as one
of the civic engineers. He is greatly delighted with what he
has seen of the old country, and is very anxious that some
of us should give him a call at his home. He says the
" Bowlers are a jolly lot," and so say we all of us. He is
particularly pleased with the reception he had in Glasgow,
his tour to Loch Katrine, and the night he spent at the Tros-
sachs Hotel. He says Bailie Alexander's singing was a
feature of the evening's entertainment that he will long
remember, and that the Glasgow civic hospitality was
unstinted and greatly appreciated.
The final tie in our tournament was played off in the after-
noon, when Pillans again won.
I have not yet got to know much of JOHN PILLANS, but am
told he is a capital bowler, and won the Newcastle Bowling
Tournament lately. He hails from Carluke — that well-
known Lanarkshire village, famous for its preserves and
world-renowned bowlers — the home of the Russells, the
Rogersons, the Frames, and many others who have made a
name for themselves throughout the length and breadth of
the land, a name that will live in the memories of bowlers
long after the turf has withered over their graves. Pillans'
victory was very popular, for, in addition to his other good
qualities, he has a certain amount of native modesty that
wins him many friends.
Quoits is another game that claims a certain amount of
popularity, and some of our boys have a spell at that occa-
sionally. Mr. Campbell is very good at this game, and can
ring the disks with astonishing frequency. He and Mrs.
Watson have some long spells at this game, and from what I
saw, there is not much between them, as she seems to be pretty
expert at it too.
Arrangements have been going on for some little time with
the view of having another concert, and programmes are
now on sale and are going like " penny pies," as the saying
is.
The concert turns out to be a rather grand affair. Most of
the gentlemen are in evening dress, and the ladies are simply
beautiful, their light dresses contrasting finely with the
gentlemen in black and the mahogany furnishings of the saloon.
The singing was excellent — Mr. Scott of Willowbank, Glasgow,
and Mr. M'Letchie of Belfast, sharing equally the honours in
44
Rimouski.
that line, and Miss M'Laughlin proving the " star " violinist.
The other artists did well. Votes of thanks, congratulations,
and the singing of " Auld Langsyne " and " God Save the
King," brought, the evening's entertainment to a close ; and
most of us found our way to our berths where we slept,
" Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep."
THURSDAY, 26ra JULY.
This has been the finest day we have had on the whole
passage. The sun has shone brilliantly throughout the whole
day. The early morning was fresh and bracing, and the
land on either side presented new and ever- changing features
of interest. The bowlers were early astir, and were in excellent
spirits, as was everybody else — all drinking in the beauties
of the scene and storing their lungs with the healthful air.
After breakfast time another tournament was set agoing,
but, as in 'all its main features it very much resembled the
former one, we need not dwell upon it in detail. Pillans
again won. He is a lucky dog ; but he plays well and deserves
his win. He is cool, confident, full of chaff, and never loses
his head when playing an uphill game.
I note the pretty little villages on our left as we sail along
in the bright sunsliine. We lose sight of land again on our
right, but it is always in view on our left.
It is very warm on board, and quite a number have donned
their summer wear, straw and Panama hats being now the
vogue.
We reach Rimouski about 5 p.m., and here it is that we
unship the mails into a little steamer that comes alongside.
It is quite an interesting sight to see how expeditiously the
pile of letter-bags and hampers are handled, and what a lot
of them ! You wonder if they will ever be able to stow
all these away in that little craft ; but they disappear here
and there in a way that baffles description, until the whole
have been disposed of, and she is ready to bid us good-bye
with her precious store on board.
Anyone with the slightest bent for reflection cannot help
moralising over the scene just witnessed. These bags, with
their blotches of red sealing wax, may contain oceans of tears ;
they may bring joy into many a desolate home, and into many
a saddened heart ; they may make the millionaire of to-day a
pauper to-morrow ; and they may raise many of the plodding
sons of toil into affluence and wealth. These are the links
that bind and blend the old world with the new ; they are the
ministers of social intercourse, and contain the balm, the
blessings and the bitters of life.
A few of our fellow-passengers get off here also, and among
45
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
them our good friend Adam Lilly who hopes to come up with
us at Toronto. He is going to see his sons in Nova Scotia.
Just as the little steamer is casting off her moorings, he
started a fine old Scotch song, which riveted the attention
of all on board both ships, for he has a good voice, and he
pitched it in a key that could be heard distinctly by all. The
song was — " There's aye a muckle slippery stane at ilka
body's door." How literally these words were to be fulfilled
in his own case the future will show, though no one could
dream of their particular application just then. He never
sang to a larger or more appreciative audience in all his life.
We all crowded round to hear the well-known strain, and not
a few joined in the chorus at the conclusion of each verse ;
and when the song was finished we cheered to the echo, and
responded by singing a verse of " Auld Langsyne " as the two
boats drifted apart, and waved our hats in a fond good-bye
to our departing friend.
The sunset this evening was beautiful — I should say gor-
geous— and would, I am sure, baffle the brush of the ablest
artist ; or, were it possible to truthfully portray it on canvas,
one would declare it to be a creation of the imagination.
After dinner — which took place usually about half-past six
— one of the promenades on the cabin deck was arranged so
as to form a ballroom for dancing in the evening. It was
curtained off at either end with sailcloth and decked with
flags, and all along the outer rail were also festoons of flags
and other drapery, which gave it quite a festive appearance.
Extra electric lights were introduced here and there, and a
piano, placed in one of the recesses, left nothing to be desired
but good calm sailing, a steady sea, and a light-footed partner.
On looking in during the evening we found the dance in full
swing. The spectacle was pretty ; indeed, most of the
gentlemen were in evening dress, and the ladies were not
much behind. As the dancers swung round and round in the
" mazy waltz," or chassed across from point to point, who
would imagine, looking on, that we were sweeping along at
something like twenty or thirty miles an hour on the bosom
of the mighty St. Lawrence ; yet so it was, and the bowlers —
at least some of them — were, for the time being, oblivious of
all else but the seductive strains of the music, and the grace
and poetry of motion shewn by the dancers. They were as
blithe as blithe could be — happy, hopeful, and heedless, so
far as present cares are concerned. Even old Mr. Campbell
looked on with approving smiles, and doubtlessly recalled
those happy scenes of youth, over sixty years ago, when he
clasped the partner of his joys and cares round the waist and
threaded with her the intricacies of the dance.
46
Canadian Preparations.
We had hoped to reach Montreal to-morrow, but just as
this hope had found a lodgment in our bosoms, there came a
rumour that we were likely to be delayed for some time owing
to some shifting of a sandbank, which had obstructed our
channel, and which would compel us to wait on another tide.
Should this prove true, it will be rather inconvenient, but we
must just hope for the best. We are already overdue,
" thanks " to the fog of the other day.
At Rimouski we had some Canadian newspapers handed on
board, and they contained some interesting reading. Here is
a cutting from the Montreal Daily Herald, dated the 24th
July, and, as it deals with the all-absorbing matter of our
tour, I give it in full : —
PREPARATIONS POR ENGLISH BOWLERS.
Westmount Enthusiasts Getting their Greens
into Shape and Arranging Programme.
" Westmount green bowlers are busy o' nights pre-
paring for the reception of their brother players now on
the voyage from the old country to make a tour of the
Canadian greens.
" The local turf is admittedly in a wretchedly bad
condition this season, worse probably than since it was
laid. For this the Westmounts are, however, in no way
to blame. Since the growing weather set in, in the
spring, much time and labour has been devoted to getting
it into shape, but so disastrously had the turf been
served by the remarkable weather of the winter, that the
task from the beginning seemed almost a hopeless one.
Sudden thaws and succeeding frosts had played havoc,
and when the snow cleared, there was a series of bare
patches that gave the enclosure more the appearance
of a huge checkerboard than of a bowling green.
" In the interval much has been done. For days the
patient keeper worked laboriously picking out by the
roots rank growths of grass that so plentifully showed
as the springtime advanced ; for days he sanded and
rolled alternately, and played the refreshing hosepipe in
long spells of drought.
" Last night many of the members, including ' Jimmy '
Wilson and ' Willie"' Brown, spent much time with sand
and roller eradicating ' lumps/ and testing the various
rinks running both ways of the green. The heavy rains
47
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
of the day had, of course, softened the turf very con-
siderably, so that the effect of the heavy roller was
quickly apparent as rink after rink was operated upon
and tested by ' the trial ends ' of Messrs. Brown and
Wilson.
" To-day, again, the green-keeper is hard at work, and
will be until the latest possible moment before the
appearance of the old country visitors on Saturday, but
all the same, these will find it a much more difficult
proposition than they are accustomed to face at home,
where ' keen ' true- drawing greens are in order.
" The British party which sailed by the Empress of
Ireland* on i8th July, number 43 players and nine
ladies. They are expected in Montreal on Friday,
playing the opening match, six rinks aside, on Saturday
afternoon.
" For this the Westmount executive have selected the
following skips : —
W. Brown. H. W. D. Howell. D. Wilson.
H. S. Mason. J. Wilson. J. B. Bell.
" The personnel of the respective rinks has not yet
been definitely arranged. There are still a few vacancies,
but these, it is expected, will be filled at a meeting called
for to-night in the club-house, for the purpose of making
final arrangements for the reception of the visitors.
" On Monday there will also be some rink play in the
course of the early afternoon, in addition to sight-seeing
in the city and district. At four o'clock there will be a gar-
den party in Westmount Park, given by the municipality,
and shortly after six the ladies and gentlemen from over-
sea will leave for dinner in the city, at which they will be
the guests of the club members.
" Tuesday morning the visitors take train for Valley-
field, returning to Montreal in the evening, after playing
the local representatives in as many rinks as can be
mustered.
" On the same night the party go out to Peterboro'
by the 10.30 train, leaving there on Wednesday night for
Toronto, where they are booked for a week's stay.
" The Canada Club, of Toronto, has arranged what
should prove one of the tit-bits of the tour. At half-
past seven the Britishers will be taken over at their
hotel and conveyed on board a specially chartered steamer
for Niagara Falls, returning for lunch at Queen's Royal at
Niagara-on-the-Lake. Green play will be indulged in
*S.S. Virginian.
48
The Wrecked 'Bavarian.
during the afternoon and, after dinner ashore, the party,
which is expected to be a large one, will re-embark for
the Queen City, the home journey programme including
a band smoking concert.
" Altogether the visitors seem like having a real good
time while in the Dominion."
The reading of the foregoing had rather a disturbing effect
upon some of us. We didn't doubt for a moment the hearti-
ness of our reception, but we wondered how we might acquit
ourselves upon such greens as herein described, and under
such conditions. No matter, we were bound to see it through,
and, come victory or defeat, we would do the best we could to
give a good account of ourselves.
FRIDAY, 27TH JULY.
Another glorious morning. We came to a dead stop about
a quarter to six this morning, just opposite where the Bavarian
lies high and dry upon the rocks, whereon she ran a few
months ago. How the sight of her recalls scenes of three
years ago, when I made my first trip across the Atlantic.
There are still hopes, I understand, of getting her off, but the
task is great. A little steamer comes alongside, and we
begin to wonder what is the matter when we see a child,
wrapped in blankets, taken in its mother's arms from our boat
and passed to the little one alongside ; a long coil of tubing
is then led from the smaller boat into ours, and into the berth
in the intermediate part which had been occupied by the child
and its mother, and a process of pumping began. What is
the matter^? What are they doing ? We learn that there
has been a case of measles on board our ship, that our people
had signalled the fact ashore, that the little boat had called
and taken the invalid off along with its mother, and that the
long tube and the pumping operation had to do with a process
of disinfection. The little boat with the yellow flag there-
after edged away, and we again got under way.
We are now 45 miles from Quebec, and expect to reach
there in about three hours. I learn we are not likely to land
at Montreal until to-morrow morning, but, as I heard one of
our fellows remark, there are few evils that do not bring
their compensations. This may save us a night's bill at the
hotel ; and so it did.
There are a number of our lads on deck already, and also a
few of the ladies. The scenery becomes very interesting,
with little townships and clustering villages on either side,
and islands dotting the surface of the river here and there.
We reach Quebec about eight o'clock a.m., and have
breakfast before going on shore.
49
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
QUEBEC.
We cannot dismiss this important and historical city simply
by saying we reached it at such and such an hour. Therefore,
as there is much about Quebec that is worth knowing, I annex
the following account of its origin and importance; as given
in one of the many guide books : —
" Quebec, the oldest city on the North American
Continent, was founded by Champlain in 1608, and the
capital of New France until its cession to Great Britain
in 1763. The city was formerly strongly fortified, and
is aptly called the * Gibraltar of North America.' At
this point the St. Lawrence is reduced to about one mile
in width, the cliffs on either side rising abruptly from the
water some 300 feet. It is a picturesque and interesting
city, with much in its architecture, its narrow streets,
numerous churches, and in its objects of historical interest,
to remind one of old France, and of the long duel between
France and England for the possession of the Continent
of North America. A large portion of the old ramparts
and several of the principal gates are still standing.
Beyond the city, on the plateau above the river, are the
Plains of Abraham, where Wolfe fell in 1759. Laval
University is the largest Catholic institution of the kind
in Canada. The Chateau Frontenac Hotel of the C.P.R.,
built in the French renaissance style of architecture on
the site of the old Chateau St. Louis, stands out pro-
minently on Dufferin Terrace. The lower town, or
business portion of the city, lies along the narrow shore
below the citadel, and on the right bank of the St. Charles
River. There are spacious docks and wharves, a graving
dock, and all the equipment of a large and thriving port.
A large export trade in timber is carried on. There is a
very important leather industry, including the manu-
facture of boots and shoes. The population numbers
70,000, mostly French-Canadian, and the city is the capital
of the province, and the seat of the Provincial Govern-
ment."
A great many of the steerage passengers get off here.
Indeed, the scene reminds one of the emptying of a music
hall or theatre, only that the crowd getting off here are
encumbered with all the various impediments of travel —
bags, baskets, hampers, trunks, etc., etc. There is consider-
able stir, and not a little confusion on shore. The landing
stage is crowded, and many and hearty are the greetings that
are extended to long-parted friends as they meet again.
Our own welcome was warm and unexpected ; for here
Quebec.
stood Mr. George J. Bennett of Toronto to bid us welcome and
to guide us in our goings to and fro for the time being. We
(the bowlers) form ourselves into little groups, and make
arrangements for having a drive through the city. The
bargaining with the drivers of the little buggy-looking carriages
is a matter of some little difficulty, as they are mostly all
clamorous and greedy, and our good old friend Hay is heard,
in an expostulatory tone, asking one of them if he (the driver)
thinks we are wanting to buy the machine.
Hay and I get fixed at last, without purchasing the carriage,
and with our wives set out on a tour of inspection, our hire
costing us only a couple of dollars. We visit, among other
places, the Citadel, the Plains of Abraham, the Wolfe Monu-
ment and other interesting places, especially in the upper
town ; and then we have a turn round the lower part, where
the streets are more congested and tortuous. We drive
round to the scene of the great accident which occurred a few
years ago, when, through a fall of rock from the cliff, many
people lost their lives. The fall was immense, and the poor
victims of the disaster were never unearthed, their bodies
being allowed to remain where they had been overwhelmed.
It was in this neighbourhood that Col. Montgomery fell
in his vain attempt to storm the Citadel, and a large board
marks the spot, on the face of the cliff, where he met his death.
On our return to the boat I learn that, as I intend going
to the United States, I will require to see the American
Commissioner for the purpose of having my passports made
out. I find the Commissioner a very fine fellow, and there
is no difficulty raised over the matter ; indeed, the whole
affair is quite formal, but, I suppose, necessary notwithstanding.
The weather has been keeping fine, and would have proved
very warm had we attempted to walk through the town,
which is very hilly. Many of the streets in the older part are
badly paved, some of the sidewalks being of wood, in many
places broken and patched in a not too tradesmanlike fashion.
The boat leaves punctually at twelve noon, and we have
a fine view of both sides of the river as we glide on our way,
until the bugle calls for lunch, after which intimation is made
that the rinks have been drawn, or rather made up, for our
first match at Westmount, Montreal, to-morrow at three p.m.
As more than usual interest attaches to this match, I here
append the names of the players in the several rinks : —
No. i. No. 2. No. 3.
S. Fingland. J. C. Hunter. W. M'Letchie.
J. J agger. R. Watson. C. Murray.
H. M'Culloch. Major Brown. C. Addicott.
F. Hay. M. Twiss. J. M. Owbridge,
5'
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
No. 4. No. 5. No. 6.
J. Telford. W. A. M'Coll. J. T. Morrison.
J. Pillans. D. Willox. A. H. Hamilton.
E. Pickard. R. Paul. T. Watson.
W. Miller. G. Cousin. J. P. Smith.
Skips will place their players. Players will please wear
blue suits, straw hats and check ties on landing. The
party will put up at the Windsor Hotel, Montreal. Each
member of the party will please look after his own baggage.
So ran the notice accompanying the list of players, and these
instructions were pretty fully carried out, although here and
there little matters of detail were omitted. Some had, for
instance, their blue suit stowed away in the hold, and, of course,
could not comply in that respect ; others again had laid aside
their checked tie ; but, generally speaking, the instructions
were complied with, for, whatever diversity of opinion there
may be as to the playing ability of the team, there can be no
doubt as to its loyalty and subordination. Of course, we did
have an occasional grumble later on, but even at their worst
these grumblings evaporated in presence of the enemy.
The scene from on board becomes more and more beautiful
as we ascend the river, which in some parts contracts to a
comparatively narrow channel, and at others broadens out
into an expansive lake. The shores above Quebec gradually
become low and flat, but in many places are beautifully
clothed with deep rich green forests or brushwood of less
stately growth. As we see it now, there is not a ripple on the
glassy surface, except those caused by the rush of the mighty
leviathan, on whose decks we perambulate, drinking in the
scene and inhaling the soft sultry air as it wafts like a zephyr
from bow to stern.
The evening scene is indescribably beautiful, the reflections
of the wooded shores darkening the narrow waterway along
the sides, and leaving the mid-stream all the brighter and
purer by contrast, while the purpling sky overhead, mirrored
on the calm bosom of the river, looks almost as real as the
scene above. Language fails to give an adequate idea of
what it is like, the whole being a panorama of indescribable
grandeur, peace and beauty. The placid calmness of the
river, the purity and stillness of the air, and the ever-changing
scenes on shore, dispose the mind to meditation, and enraptures
the heart with feelings of peace and love.
Word has just been passed that, as we will not reach Mon-
treal to-night, we are to have breakfast served at a quarter
past six to-morrow morning. This means an early start sure
52
MR. SAMUEL FINGLAND,
BROOMHILI. B.C., GLASGOW.
President S.B.A. and Captain of British Team
Montreal.
enough, and a repacking of our traps to-night. We expect to
land about seven to-morrow morning, hence the early break-
fast ; but we are all fit and firm, and in the best of spirits.
SATURDAY, 28TH JULY.
Dull and hazy, but dry. We were all early astir this
morning, and turned up for breakfast at the appointed hour.
Most of the packing had been done last night, and anyone
who had neglected to do so found himself rather hurried now.
We reach Montreal about seven o'clock, as expected. Here
there was quite a crowd to bid us welcome, and a right hearty
welcome it was. Among those to welcome us was our respected
captain, Mr. S. Fingland, who had gone over about a month
earlier, and now joined us here.
Mr. Fingland is a quiet — I had almost said a bashful — man
of some sixty years of age, and owes his present position of
captain of our team not more to the fact of his being president
of the Scottish Bowling Association than to his native good
sense, his sterling worth as a man, and his long experience
and knowledge of the game.
At last the good ship is safely and securely moored, the
gangways are placed, and we step jauntily ashore to have
our hands shaken, and words of welcome showered upon us
from all sides. The baggage shortly follows, and we are soon
in the throes of anxiety watching for our own. It is all
alphabetically arranged, and each man is asked to stand by
his own. The examination of the baggage by the Govern-
ment officials is, in our case, a merely formal affair altogether.
The bowlers' baggage was placed all in one group, and we had
simply to declare that we carried no contraband, when we
were allowed to pass, and mighty proud we were of that, not
that we had anything seizable in our possession, but those
officials might have put us to a great deal of trouble through
sheer " cussedness." A considerable time was taken up in
unshipping, but it was got through at last, and then we got
bundled into 'buses somehow, and away we set for the Windsor
Hotel.
Let us here learn something of the house we were to inhabit
as our first home in this great empire of the West : —
THE WINDSOR HOTEL
has been thoroughly re-decorated, and the proprietors are
determined not simply to maintain the hotel at the high
standard of excellence which has characterised its manage-
ment from the first, but to introduce all the improvements
53
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
constantly devised for the increased safety and comfort of
guests.
To visitors to Canada from a distance, it may he permissible
to state that the Windsor Hotel is incomparably the best in
the Dominion, and is ranked by its patrons with the finest
hotels in New York. Its airy and commanding site on
Dominion Square, in close proximity to Mount Royal Park,
and the main avenue leading thereto, makes it a delightful
place of summer residence, while it is within easy walking
<iistance of the chief places of interest in the city.
As one draws near the Windsor, its immense proportions
are apparent. Its great height and lateral dimensions make
the buildings surrounding it appear very small indeed.
The main entrance, facing Dominion Square, is on Peel
Street, which leads direct up to the famous Mount Royal Park.
The hotel has accommodation for about 800 guests, and
over one hundred and fifty of its rooms have bathrooms
attached.
As a safeguard against fire, it has been built with brick
partitions dividing all its rooms, and a double patrol is
•employed for the protection of guests during the night ; four
wide staircases indicated by red lamps, connect every corridor
with the ground floor.
The table and attendance will be found unsurpassed any-
where on the Continent.
Ticket Office.
The ticket office in the rotunda of the hotel issues tickets
over all steamboat, railroad, and palace car lines, at the same
prices as at the head offices of the various companies. Steamer
state rooms can also be secured here and the best choice
obtained. Travellers' insurance tickets are issued, and
information as to routes and connections can be secured at
this office.
The ladies' entrance of the hotel opens on Dorchester
Street, and is protected from the rain and sun by a broad
canopy, which stretches to the street. In close proximity
to the entrance are the waiting rooms for guests, and the
ladies' reception room, which is elaborately furnished and
decorated in the richest style, and is undoubtedly one of the
gems of the house. It is situated beneath the tower, and
commands a view up and down Dorchester Street and across
Dominion Square. The passenger elevator immediately
adjoins.
The main entrance leads directly into the
Grand Rotunda,
wherein are situated the office proper, the ticket and telegraph
54
The Windsor Hotel.
offices, and the cigar and bookstands. Occupying a position
in the open space within the square of buildings, the rotunda
has the advantage of a dome roof, and is lighted by large
skylights, which illuminates the artistic frescoing upon the
sides and approaches to the dome, as well as by a magnificent
stained-glass window, situated behind the office. The
flooring is of marble. Passages lead to the billiard room,
wash room, bar, barber's shop, cafe, gent.'s furnishing and
drug store, so that guests can supply themselves with almost
any article required without leaving the hotel.
The re-frescoing of the rotunda has just been completed,
giving this magnificent place a palatial appearance. The
visitor is impressed at once by its beautiful and graceful
proportions, so thoroughly symmetrical is every part of its
construction, and it displays more beauty in art and design
than any other rotunda on the Continent.
To the left of the main entrance is the gentlemen's waiting
room, which has been re-frescoed and furnished in strictly
Egyptian style, thus lending to the room a character of its
own, and making it one of the much-talked-of beauties of the
Windsor.
At the junction of the ladies' entrance hall with the rotunda
ascends the
Grand Staircase,
the steps of which are solid slabs of white marble. The
balustrades are carved black walnut, of most artistic design,
and are surmounted at the foot of the stairs with two huge
Indian figures of the famous Iroquois tribe, in bronze, each
bearing jets of electric light, which illuminate the staircase.
Halfway up is a small landing, and a few more steps and you
are in the
Grand Promenade,
which is one hundred and eighty feet in length, by forty in
width, and newly carpeted with the softest of Wilton carpets
of rich design. Its beautiful crimson colour lends an air of
home-like comfort, so much appreciated by the fatigued
traveller. The gasaliers are twelve in number, with six arms
and jets on each ; they are of finest crystal, handsome in
design, and present a beautiful appearance when lighted up.
Running down the centre of the promenade are beautiful
columns, around which at the top are circles of electric light.
Halfway down this palatial corridor is a large alcove in
which stands the grand piano. Here an orchestra plays every
night during the summer season, and twice a week during the
winter, for the amusement of the guests. The promenade is
55
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
furnished with comfortable lounges and chairs appropriate
to the place.
Running parallel with the grand promenade, and looking
out on Dominion Square, are the
Grand Parlours,
one hundred and thirty feet long by thirty feet in width,
fitted up regardless of cost. Your feet tread upon the softest
carpets ; the mantels of white marble at either end are
studies in themselves ; the chandeliers are of crystal ; the
tables are of Florentine ; the upholstery of the furniture is
beautiful, and covers every description of comfortable chairs
and sofas.
Adjoining the parlours are the bridal chambers and parlours,
which are the gem rooms of the house. The furniture is
unique and costly, and the apartments cheery and bright.
The rooms are large and airy, and the sleeping apartments
have closets and bathrooms attached. Immediately opposite,
and leading off the promenade, is the
Grand Dining Room.
This truly kingly dining hall is the crowning star of the
" Windsor." It is as unique and gorgeous in its decorations
and architecture as it is commanding in height and size. It
is one hundred and twelve feet long by fifty-two feet wide ;
ceiling, twenty-seven feet high ; the floor is of marble ; the
walls are surrounded by fifty- two columns and pilasters — the
bases of black walnut, and the shafts of butternut — highly
polished.
This mammoth banquet hall is lighted by three large
domes, around each of which is a circle of electric lights,
and when illuminated the room is magnificent indeed. It has
just been re-decorated by the Pottier & Stymus Manufacturing
Company of New York.
Above the pillars are a series of beautiful landscape views,
which encircle the hall ; they comprise scenes from Great
Britain, the Continent, and tropical climes, and form subjects
for prolonged study. It would tax the power of description
to literally portray the magnificent appearance of this princely
hall. At the east end is a gallery or band room, which can
be shut off from the hall by sliding doors.
Five hundred people have sat down at one time in this
palatial room, and it is a recognised fact that it is the largest
and best frescoed dining room on the American Continent.
Passing through a door at the west end of the dining hall,
the ladies' ordinary, or small dining room, is reached, small
only by comparison, as it is sixty feet long by forty in width.
56
The Windsor Hotel.
The delicate nature of the decorations is apparent, and on the
walls and ceilings will be found some chef d'ceuvres. The
kitchens, dish rooms and pantries lie between the dining halls,
and are simply and ingeniously arranged. They are models
of convenience and cleanliness.
The marble work of the hotel was executed in Montreal,
and the furniture of the parlours and first and second floors
was purchased principally from New York. All the other
furniture of the hotel was supplied by Canadian firms. The
cabinet, art work, and decorating are unsurpassed on the
Continent.
The remainder of the hotel proper is given up to bedrooms,
with parlours, etc., en suite, or in single rooms. Each room
is supplied with hot and cold water, and all the front rooms
have private closets and baths, a great convenience in a large
hotel. The ceilings are lofty, and heating and ventilation are
well provided for. The average size of the front rooms is
eighteen feet by fourteen ; of those in the rear, or facing the
central square, twelve feet by sixteen. The corridors are
uniformly twelve feet in width, and are bordered with black
walnut. The division walls are all of brick, and the floors
filled, ensuring quiet.
One great feature of this hotel is that there are no winding
passages. Four roomy flights of stairs, in addition to the
elevators, afford ample means of ascent and descent.
Above the sixth storey is the observatory or lookout tower.
It has two series of port holes, or windows, the upper one
being one hundred and thirty feet from the ground. Access
can be had to the dome, where a height of one hundred and
fifty feet is attained ; the flagpole which surmounts the dome
is forty-seven feet high.
The New Hall,
a magnificent addition in architectural conformity with the
hall proper, has been completed. The new building was
specially built for balls, banquets and concerts, and has already
become most popular. The hall is one hundred and thirty-
six feet long, sixty feet wide, and sixty feet high. At one
end is a stage, so constructed that it can be made either larger
or smaller, or be removed altogether. At the other end, over
the entrance proper, is a balcony capable of seating one
hundred and fifty people.
As a Ball Room
it is perfect. The flooring is of hard wood, highly polished.
When seen on the eve of a ball, with the shining surface
reflecting the countless incandescent electric lights on the
E 57
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
beautiful brass chandeliers and wall brackets, the room is a
sight truly magnificent and not easily forgotten.
As a Concert Hall
its'success has been assured. The leading artistes of the day
have sung in it, and pronounced its acoustic properties perfect.
Among the larger concerts held during the past season were
those of Montreal's great musical societies — the Philharmonic,
with a choir and orchestra of two hundred and fifty, and the
Mendelssohn, with a choir of over a hundred — who were
thoroughly satisfied.
The hall has a seating capacity of fifteen hundred when
used as a concert hall, one thousand as a ballroom, and a
seating capacity of six hundred for a banquet.
Every modern convenience has been thought of for the
comfort of those attending the different entertainments.
Large coat rooms, dressing rooms and clubrooms adjoin the
hall, and entrances communicate both up and down stairs
with the hotel proper for the convenience of guests.
The hall has now been very tastefully frescoed, and is
considered one of the finest in America.
For general information, and as shewing the spirit in which
we were received and entertained, I cannot do better than
here insert a rather lengthy cutting from the Montreal
Standard, dated 28th July. It is fairly correct, and may
be taken as authentic.
BRITISH BOWLERS VICTORS.
Westmount Club made Gallant but Ineffectual
Struggle.
" It is recorded of Lord Walsingham, a prominent peer
of Queen Elizabeth's time, that he was participating in
a quiet game of bowls when apprised of the fact that the
dreaded Spanish Armada was in sight, and that his
presence was needed elsewhere to discuss the measures
to beat back the invader. Without displaying the least
sign of perturbation, so the story runs, his lordship
finished his game, and then lent his aid in repelling the
Spanish onslaught.
" This story is generally accepted as authentic. But,
whatever be the opinions upon its veracity, upon one
point there can be no dispute — and that is, that the game
of bowls occupied then, as it occupies now, a secure place
in the affections of the sport-loving public of Great
Britain.
58
" British Bowlers Victors."
" So far as Canada is concerned, the game has no
historic associations. It is, as yet, comparatively speak-
ing, only in its infancy. But that it is rapidly gaining
ground in popularity is beyond doubt, and were anything
FKANC1J
AS HARRY
A UEN£
FACE "
From tJie " Toronto Daily Star,'
I
necessary to stimulate the growing interest in the pastime,
that stimulus has been most assuredly provided by the
advent of the British bowling team which has just landed
in Montreal. This team, the first of its kind to visit
59
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
this country, has been awaited with the keenest interest,
not only by bowlers, but by sportsmen generally, and it
may be justly considered that its coming marks a new
epoch in the annals of Canadian sport.
" FOG DELAYED THE TEAM.
" The team disembarked from the Allan Liner Vir-
ginian yesterday, at 7.45 a.m. They had expected to
arrive upon the previous day, but fog encountered in the
Straits of Belle Isle considerably retarded the boat's
progress. This apart, no untoward incident occurred to
mar the pleasure of the passage. The majority of the
team were wholly untroubled by sea sickness.
" The party comprises forty bowlers, some of whom
are accompanied by their wives and daughters. Of the
forty, twenty-six are Scotsmen ; ten come from England,
while four are natives of the Emerald Isle. Wales does
not furnish a single representative. This is not by any
means due to sporting inaptitude on the part of the
Welsh people, the fact being that bowling has not so
great a vogue in the land of the ' leek ' as in its three
sister countries. Mr. S. Fingland, the captain of the
team, and Mr. A. H. Hamilton, the secretary, are both
Scotsmen.
" While discussing the personnel of the team, it may
be of interest to mention that the average age of the
members is 55, and that the doyen of the party is Mr.
Campbell, of Perth, whose age is 83. Mr. Campbell, his
friends say, will make some of his younger opponents
' open their eyes ' before the tour is over.
" CROWD TO GREET VISITORS.
" A considerable crowd, consisting principally of
bowling votaries, had congregated upon the wharf to
greet the team. They had a most enthusiastic reception
upon landing. They were at once escorted to the Windsor
Hotel, where they are staying.
" After breakfasting, the team was enabled, through
the courtesy of the Montreal Street Railway Company,
who placed an observation car at their service, to see
something of the city and its environments. They were
much impressed by the scenery on Mount Royal, and also
with the view to be obtained from that vantage point,
and were unanimous in expressing their delight.
" PROCEED TO WESTMOUNT.
" After they had done justice to the mid-day bill of
fare at the ' Windsor,' the team proceeded to the
60
The Game.
Kensington green, Westmount, where they were due to
play the Westmount Bowling Club at three o'clock. The
whole party were anticipating this, the first contest of
their itinerary, with the utmost eagerness and enthusiasm.
The Westmount Club was en fete, the members and their
lady friends assembling in great force to welcome the
visitors. There was also present a numerous gathering
of non-members, who acted the part of interested specta-
tors from outside the club ground. The Britishers had a
most rousing reception from all.
" PHOTOGRAPHED FOR THE Standard.
" After the visitors had indulged in a little preliminary
practice, and the indispensable photographic ceremony
for the Standard had been undergone, the match was
begun. There were six rinks a side, each rink playing
21 ends. From the very outset it was apparent that
the local club would have to go ' all they knew ' to beat
their opponents. The visitors, without exception, showed
that they were thoroughly proficient exponents of the
game, and gradually, but surely, the disparity in the
aggregate scores increased in the British team's favour.
The contest, meanwhile, was contemplated by the spec-
tators with the greatest interest, the ladies particularly
being not slow to applaud the finer bits of play. Captain
Fingland's display elicited especial approval, and certainly
merited it. Some of the drives, when his adversaries had
the advantage of position, were models of precision. The
Westmount men, however, though somewhat overmatched
by their formidable opponents, persevered gallantly, and
when the halfway stage of the match had been reached,
they were not hopelessly behind.
" PLAYERS TOOK A REST.
" The game was suspended for a short interval, during
which period the players rested, and allayed ' that dry
,'eeling ' with some congenial beverage.
" It was after the second half of the contest had been
commenced that the superiority of the visitors became
unquestionable. The local men bowled well, but their
antagonists bowled better, and the result of the match
was soon placed beyond doubt. The first rink to finish
was Captain Fingland's, his side having achieved the
victory by a margin of 25 points to 9. The other rinks
quickly followed suit, the aggregate scores at the finish
being in favour of the Britons by a majority of 36. They
ivon four rinks and lost two.
61
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
"THIS RINK PLAYED WELL.
" A word of praise is due to Mr. A. W. D. Howell, who
skipped No. 4 rink for Westmount, and his three partners.
Playing against Mr. Telford, who is acknowledged to be
one of the very best skips in Great Britain, and who has
won 12 international matches, the Westmount quartette
gained the verdict by three points. Mr. W. Brown and
his men are also to be commended for their excellent
display.
" After the match was over, speeches were made by
Mr. H. S. Mussen (president of Westmount Club), Mr. S.
Fingland (captain of the British team), Mr. Anderson, of
Toronto (captain of the Canadian bowling team in
England), Col. Stevenson, the veteran curler, and Mr. A.
H. Hamilton (secretary of the Scottish Bowling Associa-
tion). All present joined in the National Anthem.
"SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS.
WESTMOUNT.
L. P. Snyder.
J. R. Adam.
W. S. Wilson.
W. Browne.
Skip -
18.
H. S. Mussen.
W. W. Pope.
A. Gardner.
A. W. D. Howell.
Skip - 22.
N. K. Macdonald.
T. H. Christmas.
A. J. Williamson.
D. M. Wilson.
Skip - 16.
T. de G. Stewart.
R. M. Liddell.
J. W. Brown.
Jas. Wilson.
Skip - 9.
T. H. Gardner.
R. H. Fulton.
E. G. Brooks.
J. R. Bell.
Skip - 15.
VISITORS.
C. Murray.
C. Addicott.
J. M. Owbridge.
W. M'Letchie.
Skip - 13.
J. Pillans.
W. Miller.
E. Pickard.
J. Telford.
Skip
R. Watson.
Major Brown.
M. Twiss.
J. C. Hunter.
Skip -
19.
23-
J- J- Jagger.
H. M'Culloch.
F. Hay.
S. Fingland.
Skip - 25.
J. P. Smith.
T. Watson.
A. H. Hamilton.
J. T. Morrison.
Skip - 24.
62
MR. JAMES TELFORD,
WKST END B.C., NEWCASTLE-ON-TYNE.
Summary of Results.
S. F. Rutherford. R. Paul.
J. W. Fulton. G. Cousin.
F. H. Scott. Bailie Willox.
H. Mason. W. A. M'Coll.
Skip • 13. Skip - 25.
" The visitors will leave Montreal on Tuesday for
Peterboro'. Thence they will gradually travel westward.
Their tour has been prepared for them by the Ontario
and Western Ontario Bowling Association. They will be
due back in Montreal on Thursday, 3oth August."
But we must not anticipate events in this way, so I will fall
back upon my notes, though there may be a repetition in
some minor matters.
Shortly after our arrival at the hotel, and after having
booked our room, identified our different packages, and
chalked the number of our room upon them, so that they
might be taken there, we find there is a couple of cars (kindly
supplied by the " Montreal Street Railway Company ")
waiting to drive us round the city. We leave at ten o'clock
sharp, our drive extending to some twenty-five or thirty
miles, through the principal streets and suburbs of the city.
Returning to our hotel about one p.m., we have just time
to swallow a hasty bite, and then " hustle " for our first
match, due at three o'clock on Kensington Green, Westmount,
against the Westmount Bowling Club. Not much time has
been lost here ; but the strain has not yet begun to tell upon
us, and we reach the green firm, fit and fresh.
I should have mentioned that in driving round the city we
had the good fortune to be accompanied by Col. A. A. Steven-
son, than whom no man is better able to point out the many
objects of interest. He is full of anecdote and pawky humour ;
his wit is sparkling and spontaneous, without being offensive,
and his repartee is as ready as it is effective. He is a wonderful
old man, and I count it one of the pleasures of my life to have
made his acquaintance three years ago, when visiting for the
first time the city of his adoption.
As there is always something worth learning from the life
of a remarkable man, I here append a short biographical
sketch of the Colonel's career, which appeared in the Montreal
Daily Witness so recently as the loth of July, fully a fortnight
before our arrival : —
HONOUR FOR LIEUT.-COL. STEVENSON.
Celebrates his Jubilee as a Mason, and is
Recipient of Handsome Presents.
" Lieut.-Col. Stevenson, who for many years was one
of the most active public men in the city of Montreal, is
63
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
to-day celebrating his jubilee as a Freemason, and the
local members of that order this afternoon signalised the
occasion by a special jubilee communication in the
Masonic Temple, and by making handsome presents to
him. The communication was held at 2.30, and was
attended by about one hundred Freemasons, representa-
tives attending from Ontario, New York, Prince Edward
Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and other places.
The grand master, Mr. D. A. Manson, presided, and every
office in the lodge was occupied by a past grand master.
" It was fifty years ago that Colonel Stevenson became
a member of the St. George's Lodge, and on behalf of the
members of that lodge he was presented with a magnificent
oil painting of himself, a gold watch, and an address.
" The address congratulated him on his long associa-
tion with the craft, upon his having attained the position
of Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Canada in Ontario,
and upon his appointment later by the Prince of Wales
as head of the Knights Templar in Canada. Reference
was also made to his long and honourable military career,
his services to the community during the many years
that he was a member of the City Council, and his public
work in many other directions. The address concluded
by wishing him many years of health, happiness, and
prosperity.
" At the conclusion of the reading of the address,
another presentation was made to Colonel Stevenson, in
the form of a purse of gold from the members of eight
or nine different lodges and chapters of which he is an
honorary member.
" Colonel Stevenson suitably replied, and warmly
thanked his brother Masons for the marked honour they
had done him.
" To-night a banquet in his honour is to be given at
the Windsor Hotel, and a company of between 200 and 300,
including many past grand masters from Ontario, is
expected to be present.
" Lieutenant-Colonel Stevenson was born at Riccarton,
Ayrshire, Scotland, on 29 th January, being a son of the
late James Stevenson by his wife, Janet Frances Allan,
a cousin of the poet Burns, and aunt of the late Sir Hugh
Allan. He was educated at his native place, and came
to Canada in 1846. He became engaged in the printing
business in Montreal, and in 1853 entered into partner-
ship with Messrs. Moore & Owler, under the firm name
of Moore, Owler & Stevenson. This firm carried on a
printing and publishing business for many years. On
64;
Colonel Stevenson.
the retirement of the two senior members of the firm,
Colonel Stevenson carried on the business by himself,
but in 1879 tne business was merged in the Montreal
Printing Company.
" Always keenly interested in public affairs, Colonel
From the " Toronto Daily Star."
Stevenson entered the City Council in 1861, and remained
a member until 1867, when he retired. He re-entered
the council in 1882, and continued to be re-elected as an
Alderman for many years.
" While a member of the council he was chiefly identified
with the fire brigade department, which he was instru-
65
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
mental in bringing to a high state of efficiency. It was
he who established the fire-alarm system. As chairman
of the Fire Committee in 1896, he accompanied a detach-
ment of the Montreal Fire Brigade to London, England,
whither they were sent to take part in the World's Fire
Congress.
" Prominently as he was identified with the fire brigade
department, it was in another direction that his greatest
service to the city as an Alderman was performed, and
that was in securing Mount Royal as a public park.
" Colonel Stevenson's military record dates from the
organisation of the Montreal Field Battery in 1855. He
became second lieutenant, and then first lieutenant in
the course of the following year. In April, 1857, he
attained the command of the battery, and was with it in
1858, when the battery marched through the streets of
New York and Boston, carrying the British flag, this
being the first occasion on record when a British military
organisation had appeared in those cities since the revolu-
tion. During the Fenian Raids in 1866 and 1870 he
commanded the battery while it was on active service
on the Huntingdon frontier, and he has the medal awarded
him for that service.
" The battery, while he was in command of it, played
an important part in obtaining the present excellent
quarters of the Montreal Militia Corps. When first
organised, the battery had the use of the Artillery quarters
at the old Quebec Gate Barracks for the guns and for gun
drill, while the eastern part of the upper storey of the
Bonsecours Market was used for the foot and sword drill.
This was during the absence of the Imperial troops in
the Crimea. When they returned, the battery had to
leave the barracks, and, some objection having been made
to the use of part of the Bonsecours Market for evening
drills, Lieut.-Col. Stevenson and Captain A. W. Ogilvie,
then commanding the Montreal Cavalry, had the Victoria!
Hall on Victoria Square erected as a drill shed for the two
corps. Ultimately this shed collapsed, and Colonel
Stevenson then got the other commanding officers to make
a strong united demand for a drill hall. A general municipal
election was approaching, and all the aldermen were
canvassed to say whether they would support the demand
of the militia or not. One of them flatly refused to
pledge himself to the scheme, and at the last moment
Colonel Stevenson was brought out against him, and he
was elected. In the City Council he would not allow
the drill hall project to drop out of notice, and, largely
66
On Westmount Green.
/
owing to his efforts, arrangements were completed in
1882 for constructing the present commodious structure
on Craig Street. The building was completed in 1888,
and the battery took possession of its quarters in May
of that year.
" In 1891 Lieut. -Colonel Stevenson retired from the
battery, after thirty-six years' service with that corps,
which he commanded for no fewer than thirty-four years.
He was greatly beloved by the men, and his farewell
to the corps was quite affecting. When he handed the
corps over to his successor, Major Hall, he turned it over
with all the stores and equipment complete, an achieve-
ment of which the veteran officer was justly proud, it
being remarked at the time that there was not another
corps in Canada that could show its stores in such a
condition.
" Of the many positions filled by him at different
times may be mentioned the following : —
" President of the Montreal Curling Club, President of
the Mechanics' Institute, President of the St. Andrew's
Society, and President, of the Council of Arts and Manu-
factures for the Province of Quebec."
I was sorry to notice that my old friend had aged con-
siderably during the last three years, but this, he explained,
was the result of a recent illness, and he hoped soon to be
quite himself again.
Well, we reach the green in good time, and find a lively
and animated scene there. As had been reported, the green
looked anything but inviting ; but what it lacked in appear-
ance was fully made up for by the members of the Westmount
Club and their friends, both male and female. Many of the
latter sex were there in summer dresses, while most of the
players on both sides were in white pants, white shoes and
straw hats, which made a very pretty picture indeed. The
president (Mr. Mussen) and his secretary (Mr. Brown) left
nothing undone that could add to our comfort and accom-
modation.
By-the-by, Mr. Brown is a son of the late Mr. James Brown
of Sanquhar, who was well known as a bowler throughout
Scotland, and as the " father " and first secretary of the
Scottish Bowling Association. The son bids fair to sustain
the family reputation in that respect. He is a " chip off the
old block," and no mistake ; and that is saying a good deal.
There was quite a large crowd of spectators outside the
enclosure. As the railings were low, they had no difficulty in
seeing the game ; and a most enthusiastic, but impartial
67
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
crowd they were ; their praise and blame were indiscriminately
distributed, and doubtless added " vim " and " go " to the
players.
After being duly photographed, the preliminary two trial
ends were engaged in, and many a shake of the head and
suppressed " swear " was indulged in.
The following will give a fair outline of the game, together
with the scores of each rink. Being the impressions of a
Canadian, and coming, as it does, from an outsider, it will be
all the more valuable : —
" At three p.m. the British and Westmount teams, to
the number of 24 players, were ready to commence the
official game which was to decide the supremacy of the
visiting team or that of Westmount. As they all lined
up in their club costume before the match began, they
presented a very pretty and picturesque appearance,
with a number of lady and gentlemen visitors in the back-
ground. In fact it was a regular gala day for the members
of the Westmount Bowling Club and their English, Scotch
and Irish visitors, the event being one of the most
important in the history of the club.
" The game started at about 3.20 o'clock, and by the
time the first half was played, the Westmount rinks found
they were up against a much harder problem than was
anticipated, and they adjourned for refreshments. Upon
resuming play there was no change, the Britishers main-
taining the lead they had secured to the end of the game.
The strong rinks that were pitted against those of H.
Mason, James Wilson, J. B. Bell and D. M. Wilson, were
simply cyclonic combinations that swept everything
before them. Even the two rinks that came out ahead
did so by very narrow majorities, namely, those of Mr.
William Brown by five, and Mr. A. W, D. Howell by
three shots.
" At the conclusion of the afternoon's play, which
showed 129 shots for the Britons, and 93 for Westmount,
speeches were made by Mr. W. S. Mussen, president of
the Westmount Bowling Club, in which he praised the
splendid play of the visiting team, and referred to the
fact that, whilst the Westmount Club was only in its
infancy, the visitors had been inured to the ancient game
of bowling from their boyhood. He welcomed them,
however, to Canada, and hoped to have the pleasure of
another visit from such fine bowlers.
" The members of the Westmount Club then gave three
cheers and a tiger for the British team.
68
MR. WILLIAM MILLER,
LUTTON PLACE B.C., EDINBURGH.
The Scores.
" Mr. S. Fingland, the captain of the British team,
responded in a few well chosen sentences, after which
Mr. Anderson, captain of the Canadian team that visited
the Old Country in 1904, said a few words, followed by
Lieut. -Col. Stevenson, the veteran curler, and Mr. A. H.
Hamilton, secretary of the Scottish Bowling Association,
after which all joined in singing the ' National Anthem.'
" As illustrating the great antiquity of the game of
bowling on the green, Mr. Anderson stated that, when in
England two years ago, he was on a bowling green in
Southampton, whose history dates back so far as the year
1299, and another that had been in existence since 1611.
" The following were the scores of the different rinks: —
VISITORS. WESTMOUNT.
F. Hay.
H. M'Culloch.
J- J- J agger.
S. Fingland.
Skip, -
25-
T. Watson.
J. P. Smith.
A. H. Hamilton.
J. T. Morrison.
Skip, - 24.
M. Twiss.
Major Brown.
Robert Watson.
C. J. Hunter.
Skip, - 23.
J. Oubridge.
C. Addicott.
C. Murray.
W. M'Letchie.
Skip, - 13
E. Pickard.
W. Miller.
J. Pillans.
T. Telford.
Skip,
19.
T. de G. Stewart.
R. M. Liddell.
J. W. Brown.
Jas. Wilson.
Skip, - g.
F. H. Gardner.
R. H. Fulton.
E. G. Brooks.
J. B. Bell.
Skip, - 15.
N. K. Macdonald.
T. H. Christmas.
A. Williamson.
D. M. Wilson.
Skip, - 16.
L. P. Snyder.
J. R. Adam.
W. S. Wilson.
Wm. Brown.
Skip,
18
H. S. Mussen.
W. W. Pope.
A. G. Gardner.
A. W. D, Howell.
Skip,
22.
69
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
G. Cousin. S. F. Rutherford.
R. Paul. I. \V. Fulum.
Bailie Willox. F. H. Scott.
W. E. M'Coll. Hy. Mason.
Skip, - 25. Skip, - 13.
Total, - - 129. Total, - 93.
Majority for the Britons, - 36.
"The members of the Westmount Club and their
British visitors yesterday morning attended divine service
at Melville Church, Westmount, and in the afternoon a
number of the members of both clubs visited the Shamrock
Lacrosse grounds to see the baseball match between the
Montreal and Rochester teams.
" The visitors, who had never seen a baseball match
before, were much interested in the game. To-day they
and their friends will be tendered a drive by the city.
Mayor Ekers will meet them at nine o'clock at the Windsor
Hotel, from where they will be driven up the mountain
and back. They will then be entertained by the municipal
authorities of Westmount at luncheon in the Victoria
Hall, and in the afternoon some friendly matches will be
played on Kensington green between the players of the
two teams. In the evening a dinner will be provided
at the St. George's Club-house, Westmount, at 7.30.
" To-morrow the visiting team wiU play at Valleyfield,
and then leave for the West, returning to Montreal on
30th August."-— Extract from Montreal Press of 30** July.
Such was the result of our first match, and such was the
scene that falls to be recorded on many a similar occasion.
My difficulty in putting these notes in consecutive form is
not the want of material, but how to arrange it so that it
may be readable ; hence, if I write in the first person occa-
sionally, it is with a view to giving the narrative a little variety,
and at the same time include such scraps of information as
may be useful.
1 have said that the trial ends were anything but satis-
factory. The fact is, they were positively disheartening. We
thought, from the appearance of the green, that it would be
" heavy," but such was not the case. It was much " lighter "
than \\v expeeted. and many of our bowls in these ends found
a resting place in the " ditch.*' We soon, however, got our
bearings, and our confidence grew with our experience. It
was tantalising, though, at times, to sec a bowl, winch had
70
Tantalising Bowls.
been properly delivered, take some of the queerest courses
you ever saw in making its way towards the jack. It was no
uncommon thing to hear a skip shouting up the green to his
players : —
HV' Oh ! man, you're miles narrow ; can ye no' tak' green ?
Noo, haud on ; you'll dae ! Oh ! that bumping ; dash it,
Frotn the " Toronto Dally Star.'
you're awa' wide. Noo, man, it's coming a' richt. Ach !
there it's awa' narrow again ; I ken't ye hadna enough o'
claith, but it's no' your fau't efter a'. You'll maybe dae
better the next time."
I am not positive that I heard any swearing on such occa-
sions ; but the temptations were great. One of the noisiest
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
players in our team, and one of the best, was Mr. J. Pillans.
His antics and expressions furnished an unfailing fund of
amusement to the " gods," and were the subject of some
comments occasionally among ourselves.
We were again photographed after the match ; then the
usual after-match speeches were delivered on either side ; and
thereafter we were at liberty to find our way back to our hotel
— by this time pretty well tired out, but all pleased that we
had been able to pull off a victory under such conditions.
It was now fully seven o'clock, which meant that we had been
over twelve hours on our feet, and not one minute lost in the
whole twelve.
Persona!.
After our return to our hotel, I call upon Mr. Walter Paul,
of Montreal. He is an old friend of our present Lord Provost
Bilsland of Glasgow. Indeed, as Mr. Paul himself says, they
were " licked wi' the same tawse." A fine type of a Scotsman
is Paul, and he is in a good way of doing, having a large
grocery and fruit store. His spare time is taken up with
church work. He invited my wife and daughter and myself
home to have dinner with him to-morrow, but regretted that
Mrs. Paul would not be there to bid us welcome, as she had
gone to visit some friends at a distance. We accept his
invitation, and return to our hotel glad to have a few minutes
to ourselves.
This closes our first day at Montreal, and it just occurs to
me that I might here fittingly introduce a few facts relating
to this important city.
MONTREAL.
This city was founded in 1642 by the French, and called
" Ville Marie/' and subsequently renamed after the hill
Mount Royal that overshadows the city. It is the com-
mercial metropolis — population, 350,000 — and the chief port
of Canada. It is ideally situated at the terminal of ocean and
lake navigation. Chief industries : cotton and woollen
factories, paper mills, iron foundries, car and locomotive
works, sugar refineries, tanneries, boot and shoe, tobacco and
cigar factories, etc. There is a most important export trade in
grain, agricultural produce, dairy produce, fruit, cattle,
timber, etc.
Montreal is a great railway centre, and the headquarters
of the two largest Canadian railways — the Grand Trunk and
the Canadian Pacific. A ship channel, allowing the passage
72
Personal.
of the largest ocean steamers, has been dredged in the river
and through Lake St. Peter, between the city and Quebec ;
formerly only ships drawing n feet of water were able to
ascend to Montreal.
The celebrated Lachine Rapids, just above the city, have
been harnessed for the generation of electricity, and the
extension of the works, when completed, will be only second
in importance to those at Niagara.
The obstacles to the continuous navigation of the St.
Lawrence and the Great Lakes have been overcome by a
series of canals, affording a uniform depth of 14 feet of water
throughout, enabling ships of over 2,000 tons burden, carry-
ing from 75,000 to 100,000 bushels of wheat, to ply between
Chicago, Port Arthur and Montreal without breaking bulk.
This improvement to navigation must inevitably attract to
the St. Lawrence route the transportation of the bulk of the
staple products of the Western States of the Union destined
for export, as well as of Western Canada. The cost of these
works was upwards of £15,000,000.
Montreal possesses splendid private and public buildings
and churches. The Windsor Hotel is admitted to be one of
the finest hotels on the North American continent. M'Gill
University is the wealthiest and most important university
in Canada.
SUNDAY, 2QTH JULY.
Somewhat Personal.
This was a lovely morning, and many of our fellows were
astir early, and out having a stroll and getting a " sniff of
the caller air." I also indulge in this, and ultimately find
myself back into the square in front of the hotel — Dominion
Square, I think it is called — a fine open space, well wooded
and having several beautiful flower plots, a fountain or two,
and an unfinished monument to the late premier of Canada,
Sir John M'Donald. This space was formerly, I am told,
the old French burying ground.
There are a number of seats around, and, throwing myself
into one of these for a few minutes' rest, I am shortly after
joined by a stranger, with whom I soon get into crack. I learn
that his name is Johnstone, and that he originally came from
Motherwell. He is communicative — the very thing I desire —
and he tells me that he came out here about three years ago,
but it has not been all smooth sailing with him. Indeed, he
has a longing to return to the Old Country, and has not an
enraptured idea of Canada at all. He says he could get on
well enough if he could get constant work. He is a plumber,
but, betwixt the extremes of summer and winter,, and the
F 73
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
difficulty of finding a " boss/' he never gets more than half-
work, and asserts that, when he does get work, it is " hustling "
all the time. He says some very hard things about Canada,
but I will not repeat them ; they would only offend my
Canadian friends, and serve no useful purpose.
While we are talking, I am startled by the blaring of
trumpets and the beating of drums, and learn that they are
due to the parade of several companies of French volunteers
on their way to worship in St. James' Church, which is one of
the finest buildings in Montreal, and is said to be an exact
miniature of St. Peter's at Rome.
The volunteers look pretty in their purple and red facings,
and make a rather attractive show. There are some three or
four bands accompanying them, and altogether they look a
rather prepossessing lot.
We (the bowlers) have also to have a church parade to-day ;
so bidding my newly-made acquaintance good-bye, I prepare
with the others to attend the Presbyterian Church at West-
mount. The preacher was a Mr. J. G. Clark, M.A., and he
preached a very good sermon. The service concluded with
the singing of " God Save the King " which to us was rather a
new feature in divine service.
I visit Mr. Paul in the evening, as arranged, and have
dinner with him and his son. He is really a splendid fellow,
and makes one of the best of hosts. After dinner we have a
drive round the mountain on one of the " observation cars."
These cars are splendidly adapted for sight-seeing, there being
no covers on them nor side obstructions of any kind ; and,
as the seats rise in tiers from the front towards the rear,
everyone has an equal opportunity of seeing all around. They
are besides so cool and airy that they are in great demand,
especially in hot weather, when many take advantage of them
for the purpose of cooling down a bit — some taking two and
three runs without an interval.
The run round the mountain occupies an hour, the scene
changing at every turn and offering fresh objects of interest
every few minutes. To strangers this is a deeply interesting
and delightful drive, especially if accompanied by a friend
who knows the landmarks well, and who is also of a com-
municative turn of mind.
Mr. Paul is one of the best of companions. He is well
acquainted with the whole neighbourhood, and is intelligent
and communicative. He keeps on pointing out the many
changes that have taken place during the last forty or fifty
years, and those that are going on still ; how the city has
grown and continues to grow, spreading over hill and hollow ;
and how cottages, villas and clustering suburbs spring up here
74
Mount Royal Park.
and there, giving life and animation to scenes that were once
rural and wild.
Mount Royal Park.
I was much impressed by the scenes in Mount Royal Park.
Here thousands of children were at play, romping about in
all the happy forgetfulness of childhood, while little groups
of elderly people sat looking on at the gambols of the children
with smiles of pleasure and looks of approval. Many people,
I was informed, find their way here in the early morning,
HERE 5 AN£ F02
THE VICTORIA
CROSS .-
n/\JOR
From the " Toronto Daily Star"
and when the weather is fine spend the whole day lounging
about and passing the time as best they can in healthful and
harmless recreation. There are no railings nor barriers to
restrict their movements, and you may " go as you please/'
the only restrictions placed upon you being that you keep
good order and be of decent behaviour. There are no notices
of " Please keep off the grass," such as we see in many of
our home parks ; but every spot is available for the public
use, and the public use it to the best advantage.
Mr. Paul and his son come along to our hotel, where I
introduce them to a few of my fellow bowlers. Mr. Paul is
75
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
rich in anecdote, and full of rare and racy stories, which he
tells with a pawky humour that seldom fails to elicit responsive
and approving smiles from his hearers. While he relishes a
joke, solidity is, however, his prevailing characteristic ; and
no man could have a safer, truer and wiser guide than Mr.
Walter Paul.
It has been very hot to-day, the sun registering over 90°
in the shade — a fair sample of heat, surely ; yet it is not so
oppressive as one might imagine.
MONDAY, 30TH JULY.
To-day dawned with a thunderstorm, and rain fell in
torrents in the early morning. After breakfast- time, however,
it cleared up and, as arranged, carriages were in waiting at
ten o'clock to drive us to the top of Mount Royal. Entering
the carriages we were driven through some fine streets and
past some fine buildings* There were occasional showers, but,
notwithstanding, we made a fine turnout, there being some-
thing like a score of carriages, and we reached the top without
a single hitch.
The view from the top (which is 763 feet above the level
of the river) is simply grand. As already explained, this fine
mountain — thanks to the energy and far-seeing intuitiveness
of our old friend, Col. Stevenson — has been turned into a
people's park or pleasure ground. It is laid out in broad
and winding walks, with beautifully wooded vistas and green
glades. A drive from top to bottom — or rather from bottom
to top, as in our case — offers opportunities of seeing the
natural beauties of the place — beauties that cannot be matched
anywhere in or about Montreal.
On the summit there are several refreshment rooms, where
the tired and weary traveller may refresh himself with the
lighter and non-intoxicating beverages which abound in all
places of amusement and leisure here ; and there are also
one or two of those stalls where the curios of the country may
be purchased, such as Indian shoes, bead purses, and other
articles of Indian manufacture, which always have an attrac-
tiveness for the visiting foreigners, who seldom fail to visit
the summit of Mount Royal. Quite a number of our party
invest in little nick-nacks, views, curios, etc., but the favourite
article of purchase was a pair of spectacles which gave a
yellowish, sunshiny tinge to everything looked upon. Dull
and showery as the morning was, when looked at through
these spectacles everything seemed to be bathed in sunshine.
These purchases were made in what is called the " Wigwam,"
probably on account of its being devoted almost entirely to
the sale of articles of Indian manufacture.
76
Ladies' Match.
On ourTway|down, we drive through the grounds of the
M'Gill College, one of the most important educational centres
in Montreal. The buildings, which are in blocks, are very
pretty, and the grounds are beautifully laid out.
We pass many fine villas on our way to the Victoria Hall,
Westmount, where we were received by the Mayor and
Council with all the honours and formalities due to an
important " deputation." Here we had to undergo a process
of introduction, which lasted for some fifteen or twenty
minutes, Aldermen and Councillors, and their wives and
daughters, being as plentiful as curious ratepayers at a Glasgow
civic banquet. The Corporation of Westmount was well
represented, and the luncheon they had provided for us
sumptuous and expensive. The Mayor himself presided, and
the toasts were both loyal and fraternal. The speeches were
of the usual complimentary character on both sides, and our
captain briefly and fittingly acknowledged the honours that
had been done us. I should mention that there were no
intoxicating liquors at this lunch, but in every other respect
it was as elaborate as anything of the kind I have been at.
After the toasts and speeches, an adjournment was made
to the bowling green, where a " scratch " match was entered
into, most of the British bowlers taking part in it and acquitting
themselves with customary credit.
Here I should mention that a very interesting rink match
was arranged between four Canadian ladies, and four repre-
senting the Old Country. We were all in holiday form, and
the fair sex seemed to partake of the spirit of the sterner
sex. It was an interesting match, and, although not counting
as an official one, is worthy of recording.
LADIES' MATCH.
Though many of the contests proved very close and inter-
esting, decidedly the chief object of attraction was the game
which took place between four ladies representing Canada,
and a quartette doing duty for Britain. This rink had been
organised during the afternoon, and interest was concen-
trated principally upon its doings. One of the Scotch members
undertook the duties of coach to the two sides, but before the
game had far advanced, it was very evident that his ofiice
was a superfluous one. The ladies, indeed, showed a remark-
able aptitude for the game, and it may be justly suspected
that most of them were not manipulating the spheres for the
first time. Where all did well, it may appear invidious to
make selections, but a word of especial praise is due to Mrs.
J. H. Chapman for her display, which was a real model of
precision and accuracy. Her play would have done credit
77
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
to a seasoned expert. Miss Brown also acquitted herself
much beyond anticipations. In the end the Canadian ladies
defeated their opponents by a substantial margin. The
names of the fair combatants will be of interest : —
CANADA. BRITAIN.
Mrs. J. H. Chapman. Miss M'Culloch.
Miss Galbraith. Mrs. Brockett.
Miss Brown. Miss Pickard.
Mrs. Rees. Mrs. Watson.
I may here fittingly transcribe the opinions and the expres-
sions of the Canadian press in relation to our entertainments
at Westmount.
Extract from Montreal Daily Star, 3ist July : —
BRITISH BOWLERS WERE LAVISHLY ENTERTAINED.
They were entertained at Luncheon by the
Westmount Club, and at Dinner in St. George's
Snowshoe Club-house by the
Westmount Club.
" The wind-up of their second day's stay in Montreal
was one to send the British bowlers back to their hotel in
a decidedly happy frame of mind.
" The dinner tendered them at the St. George's Snow-
shoe Club-house was one of the best and most enjoyable
that has ever taken place in that home of sporting
rivalry. It is but seldom that such functions are held
there in summer time.
" The winter entertainments there have acquired'
world- wide fame ; perhaps from now on, after the British
bowlers get home again, the same thing will happen in
regard to the summer festivities.
" It was a most delightfully informal affair, at which
good fellowship reigned supreme, and yet none of the
solid and liquid necessities of a formal dinner were
missing.
" Fortified by these, the hosts and guests both felt
in good fettle for speech making ; and there was much of
it, all of a quality, however, that tended to keep
those present — and they numbered close upon a hundred
>— entertained throughout the evening.
" The dinner committee of the Westmount Bowling
78
Luncheon Entertainment.
Club, which provided the dinner, Messrs. H. S. Mussen,
R. M. Liddell, and James Jephcott, deserve great credit.
Even the service was excellent, and the guests looking
through the open windows, down the green slopes of the
mountain upon the darkening panorama of Montreal,
and listening to the music that enlivened the meal after
the piper had played them into the dining-hall, expressed
themselves one and all to the effect that this was one of
the finest experiences of their lives.
" President Mussen of Westmount started the ball
rolling by proposing the health of His Majesty, ' who
needs no words from me, and for whom we are all prepared
to sacrifice our lives/
" This was followed by the toast of the Governor-
General, ' a gentleman who has not been long with us as
yet, but who has already managed to gain our affections/
" Mr. D. de G. Stewart then sang ' The Maple Leaf/
all those present arising when the chorus was sung.
" After that Mr. Mussen proposed the toast of the
guests, in the course of which he said that he was mightily
pleased to be permitted to act as host to such a repre-
sentative number of men from the Old Country, such a
representative number of bowlers. He jokingly referred
to the fact that the majority of them seemed to be Scotch,
and continued : —
" ' As soon as I saw these men, when they arrived,
I was sure that we were going to be friends, and that we
were going to have a very good time, and my premonition
has not played me false. I was sorry that our green
was not as keen as it might have been, so that it would
have given our friends an opportunity to show what
really wonderful bowlers they are.
" ' I hope they will give us two or three days more
to entertain them when they are on their way back to
the Old Country.
" ' They want us to go to the other side, and I am
sure if we do we will have a most excellent time.
" ' Their visit here will aid in making stronger the unity
between Canada and the old land, and all I hope is that
this bond of unity will continue to grow/
" Mr. H. Reeves then sang ' Rule Britannia/
" Captain Fingland, of the British Bowling Team,
then replied : —
" FORTY THOUSAND BOWLERS.
" ' I thank you from my heart for the kind way in
which you have given and drank this toast,' he said ; ' but
79
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
I want it thoroughly understood that our team is a
united team, representing the United Kingdom of Great
Britain, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. It is thoroughly
representative British, and we really represent from
thirty-six to forty thousand bowlers over there.
' They are first-class bowlers, it is true, but you are
younger at the game, and are not by any means far
behind.
' I would like to say something about my impressions
of Canada.
" ' What do you think of Canada ? ' is the first thing
we are asked when we arrive, and when we have hardly
seen anything of it. Well, I arrived a little before the
others, and I can truthfully say I like it very much. I
have travelled quite a little bit, and I have been much
impressed with what I have seen. I thought when I
came that your guide-books had played up the attractions
a little. I find out that they haven't. They do not do
your magnificent scenery justice.
" ' Why, I have seen mountains in the West as fine,
if not finer than I have seen between Mount Rosa and
the Jungfrau ; and as to your western lakes, they compare
most favourably with that of Lucerne/
" Mr. F. Fowler proposed the toast of the City of
Montreal.
" ' I could perhaps say more in favour of Westmount
than in favour of Montreal/ he started out ; ' but I'll do
the best I can. Montreal is a fine large city ; it is the
finest city in Canada. When you go to Toronto you will
hear the people there tell you that their city is the finest,
but don't you believe them. There is only one city to
live in in Canada, and that is Montreal.
' A peculiarity of our population is that there are
a large number of French-Canadians here, but we are
all a happy family. The South African War proved the
loyalty of the French-Canadians, for then they all rallied
loyally around the flag to fight the battles of Britain.
" ' We are going to be large exporters in this city of
Montreal, if you will only give us preferential trade/
" When he said this there were several shouts of ' You
shall have it/
" Mr. M'Kergow responded for Montreal.
" He was sorry the mayor could not be present, and
was sure that the visitors would agree with him that if
there was anything lacking in Montreal it was not loyalty.
80
Speeches.
" OVERLOOK DEFICIENCIES.
" He hoped they would overlook some of the little
deficiencies, muddy streets and bad side walks, for
instance, for Montreal before it was much older intended
to improve its streets and to have better side walks.
" He was very glad Westmount had looked well after
the visitors, and he was rather glad also that after the
Westmounters took them to church in the morning and
gave them spiritual food, they were compelled to con-
duct them into Montreal to give them amusement by
letting them see a base-ball game.
" He wanted them to remember that Canada and
Montreal could accommodate a large population.
" When he was last on the other side, he was sorry for
Great Britain, when he saw how many of its magnificent
sons were leaving for Canada, but his delight on behalf
of Canada at knowing that they were going there over-
shadowed his sorrow."
" He finished by saying : —
" ' In extending you my welcome for Montreal, I want
to couple it with the wish that you may come again, for
I am certain that the more you see of us the better you
will like us.'
" Mr. J. B. Stewart then gave a humorous song, and
then Dr. Russell of Hamilton was called upon to propose
the ' Town of Westmount.'
" He felt that a great honour had been conferred upon
him, he, a representative of the great province of Ontario,
the great bowling province of Ontario. Some of his
fellow delegates from there had gone back, but he had
remained because the Ontario people were a little jealous
of the possible great hospitality which visitors would
experience here.
" WESTMOUNT ALL RIGHT.
" When Ontario had sent a team to Great Britain there
was no Westmount representatives on it. He hoped there
would be some the next time, but he wanted to testify
that when the Ontario team went away and passed
through Montreal, Westmount gave them a match and
beat them, and treated them well in general, and gave
them a good send-off and their blessing. He was glad
to see that the visitors were so well treated in Westmount,
but he was afraid that the great province of Ontario
would not be able to do much better for them. Ontario
wished all prosperity to the town of Westmount, the
81
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
beautiful town of Westmount, the residential town of
Westmount, where all the wealthy people lived.
" When the Ontario team went across they suffered
certain disadvantages. He was afraid the British team
would suffer similar ones as they progressed on their tour,
although they would not by any means be evil unmixed
with pleasure. If the Ontario team did not win many
games on their trip, they won many hearts. That was
the great purpose of such visits ; therefore these visits
should be made once a year, or at least every two years.
" Visits like the one being paid now would dispel many
prejudices against Canada. Canada had been found out,
and he wanted every one of the visitors to act as emigra-
tion agents, and to tell their wives, their sweethearts and
their descendants to the third and fourth generation what
Canada has to offer.
" Then Mr. Campbell, the ' grand old man ' of the
visiting team, 83 years of age, spoke —
" ' Bowlers all, from all ends of the world/ he said,
* I am pleased to acknowledge your great kindness.
Bowling is a great game. There is no gambling about it.
I am sorry to say the trend of sports now-a-days is in
the direction of gambling. Gambling is the curse of
sport, and a sport that can keep clear of it must be a
pretty good one.
" No OLD MAN'S GAME.
" ' I have heard bowling called an old man's game.
" ' It is not ; it is a game for young and old. The
beautiful part of it is that it helps us to form associations
which last a lifetime.
" ' I wish all sorts of success to the town of Westmount,
which was only a small colony when I visited here twenty-
two years ago. I am glad I have come this time again,
and I intend to come again two years from now. God
intended that we should enjoy this beautiful world as
we are doing now, and an interchange of visits such as
we are now indulging in will help us to do so.'
" Captain Victor Buchanan, president of the M.A.A.A.,
speaking at the banquet in honour of the British bowling
team, at the St. George's Snowshoe Club last night,
observed that the M.A.A.A. were seriously contemplating
the raising of a bowling team, and that when the British
representatives next toured this country his team might
have the pleasure of being numbered amongst their
opponents. He said that he hardly thought they could
fail to a greater extent than the Westmount team had
82
Importance of International Sporting.
done. Mr. Buchanan concluded with a brief allusion
to preferential tariff, which he advocated.
" COUNCILLOR LEE SPOKE.
" Councillor Lee of Westmount, in the course of an
impressive speech, laid great stress upon the important
part played by international sporting teams from over
From tht " Toronto Daily Star."
the water, in rendering even more indissoluble the ties
which unite our mighty Empire. Their coming had the
direct result of promulgating the good feeling which
prevails in England towards this country, and their
value could hardly be over estimated.
" Mr. Brown delivered a very entertaining speech also.
[83
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
" THE LADIES BUSY.
" Whilst the members of the British bowling team
were being feted at the St. George's Snowshoe Club last
night, their lady friends were passing the evening at
Mrs. H. S. Mussen's residence in Westmount. They had
a very enjoyable time, and the general goodwill found
expression in many admirable sentiments from the lips
of both Canadian and British ladies."
THE LUNCHEON YESTERDAY.
Visitors Entertained by Mayor and Council
of Westmount.
" After their trip up the mountain yesterday morning
the British bowling team straightway proceeded to the
Victoria Hall, Westmount, where a reception and luncheon
tendered by the Mayor and Councillors of Westmount
awaited them. The hall was gaily decorated in honour
of the occasion, and the approach of the bowlers was
hailed by an outburst from the bagpipes, manipulated by
a trio of stalwart Highlanders who were stationed in the
vestibule. The guests were ushered into the lobby,
where, during the subsequent half- hour, they were accorded
a most animated reception by Mr. and Mrs. Knox.
" The reception over, the guests marched to the
dining-hall, accompanied by the martial strains of the
pibroch. An excellent repast had been prepared, and the
company immediately proceeded to do it full justice.
While their bodily needs were being appeased, their
musical tastes were regaled with harmonious selections
rendered by the very able orchestra which the executive
had provided.
" There were many local celebrities among the guests.
These included Hon. J. K. Ward, Alderman Sadler, M.
Decarie, M.L.A. for Hochelaga ; W. D. Lighthall, K.C. ;
A. G. Cross, K.C. ; Mr. J. R. Walker, Mr. H. S. Mussen,
Mr. G. Fowler, and Mr. H. Mason. Councillors W. H.
Trenholm, J. Rodgers, A. M. Murphy, A. H. Scott, W.
L. Lee, A. M'Goun, W. Galbraith, and A. D, Shipley
were present on behalf of Westmount.
" The luncheon concluded, many speeches were made,
most of them being excellent specimens of oratory.
" To commence with, Mayor Knox arose and greeted
the visitors to the Dominion, Montreal, and Westmount.
84
French-Canadian Greeting.
He said that the initials W.B.C., representing ' Westmount
Bowling Club/ might be accepted as symbolical of the
country's welcome to his guests — ' Welcome, Britons, to
Canada/ He concluded a brief speech by proposing the
health of the King, which was drunk with much
enthusiasm.
" FRENCH-CANADIAN GREETING.
" M. Decarie, responding to the toast of Lord Grey,
deplored the absence of the Governor-General. He
expressed the opinion that nobody would regret more
than his lordship that his circumstances rendered it
impossible for him to welcome the visitors personally.
Continuing, M. Decarie greeted the Britons on behalf of
the whole French-speaking population of Canada, and
wished them a pleasant sojourn in the Dominion.
" Councillor Alex. M'Goun's discourse was of greater
length than any that had preceded it. He commenced
by pointing out that the visits of British sporting teams
to this country did more than indicate a national love
of sport. They expressed in the most eloquent manner
the goodwill which existed in the Old Country towards
the Dominion. The intermingling of the people of the
Old Country and the new could not but result in reciprocal
benefits, the formation of a broader national character.
It was a significant fact, too, he said, that through the
ages a national propensity for athletics had gone hand
in hand with national supremacy.
"As an instance of this, he referred to the old-time
pre-eminence of the ancient Greece, and the popularity
of the Olympic games at Athens. Proceeding by
analogy, Mr. M'Goun recalled to the company the victory
in the Marathon race of Sherring of Hamilton. He
concluded his speech by a brief reference to the patronage
bestowed upon sport by kings, medieval and modern,,
none of whom had done more than our present sovereign.
" THE VISIT TO BRITAIN.
" After Mr. Fingland and Mr. J. C. Hunter (Belfast)
had contributed a few remarks, Mr. A. H. Hamilton
spoke reminiscently of his associations with the Canadian
team that toured Britain two years ago. Though that
team might not have created a favourable impression by
the results they had achieved, he said that they had
made a most excellent impression everywhere by the
business-like punctuality with which they had invariably
fulfilled their engagements.
85
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
" Judging from what he had already seen of Canada,
he regarded this as significant of the systematic methods
of Canadians generally, not only in sport, but in com-
mercial life. It was, he thought, a very happy augury
for Canada's future prosperity.
" After speeches from Professor Glaister of Glasgow,
and Mr. Campbell of Perth, all present adjourned to the
Kensington green, where friendly games with the West-
mount members were to occupy the afternoon.
" Mr. Campbell of Perth, who has attained the venerable
age of 83, turned out on the green for the first time, and
his display was naturally regarded with some interest.
In company with three other members of the British
team he opposed a Canadian rink, and though the British
four were vanquished somewhat easily, the result was
in no sense due to Mr. Campbell's shortcomings. Indeed,
without intending anything derogatory towards his
partners, it must be said that Mr. Campbell's exhibition
was the best of the four.
" One of the most interesting games was that between
a rink of Lanarkshire men and a rink of players from
Dumfriesshire, the latter being all members of the West-
mount Club. The game resulted as follows : —
DUMFRIESSHIRE. LANARKSHIRE.
Jas. Wilson. W. M'Coll.
J. W. Brown. J. Pillans.
W. S. Wilson. A. Morrison.
W. Brown. S. Fingland.
Skip - 15. Skip - io/'
I have been thus particular in giving these details that I
might retain some authentic record of the lavish kindness
showered upon us on all hands, and also in order that there
might be some permanent record of the doings of the British
team in Canada.
There are thousands of bowlers, both here and in Canada,
who were interested in the contest, and to these every detail
must have more or less of an interest.
The evening found many of us jaded and tired, and it was
a mighty relief to get to the quiet and seclusion of our own
rooms.
86
Valleyfield.
TUESDAY, 3isT JULY.
I have never before been so favourably impressed by the
efficacy of the scissors as in the compilation of these notes.
I have so many cuttings from newspapers giving a descrip-
tion of our proceedings, and so full and accurate are they that
I have again recourse to one of them for an account of our
doings at Valleyfield :—
TRIP TO VALLEYFIELD AND DEPARTURE OF
THE BOWLERS.
Were well Entertained by the People of the Cotton Mill
Town. They left for Peterboro', their first Ontario
Stopping Place, last night.
" The British Bowling team left Montreal at 7.50 a.m.
yesterday, and arrived in Valleyfield, P.Q., where they
were due to play the second match of their tour at nine
o'clock.
" Owing to an unfortunate misapprehension, only the
twenty-four members required for the team made the
journey, the others with their lady friends spending the
day in Montreal, employing the time in the somewhat
prosaic duties of shopping.
" Valleyfield was all bustle and animation. Barnum
& Bailey's great show was in the town, and the Valleyfield
Cotton Co., Limited, recognising the importance of the
event, had released their employees for the day. As
the company employs somewhere about three thousand
hands, some conception may be formed of what
this meant, particularly when we say that the town has
not more than 10,000 population all told.
" The British team received a very cordial welcome
from the crowd assembled in the station to meet them.
After a vigorous course of general hand shaking had been
got through, the visitors were at once conducted to the
Valleyfield bowling green, where the match was announced
to start at i o a.m.
" It may be said that the Valleyfield Bowling Club
is formed wholly of operatives in the service of the cotton
company. Furthermore, the club buildings and grounds
were provided by the company, and it must be said that
they have placed a most capacious and well-equipped
structure at the disposal of their employees, j-^
8?
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
" The clubhouse contains a library, six billiard tables,
and a skating rink, in addition to the bowling green.
The Britishers were not only very well pleased, but
somewhat astonished at its commodious and well-
furnished appearance.
" Indulging in a little practice before the match com-
menced, the visitors found the green in better order
than the one on which they beat Westmount, and, watch-
ing an end or two, it became palpable to the veriest novice
that they would be an even more formidable combination
than they were in the first match. The turf was even
more like the Old Country greens, and they felt more at
home on it.
" With regard to the match itself, not much need be
said. The superiority of the Britons was manifest from
the start, and became more abundantly evident as the
match progressed. In fact, the disparity between the
teams was of so pronounced a character, that the pro-
ceedings in so far as the result was concerned, after the
first few minutes, could not be said to have much interest.
All the visitors played a splendid game. They won all
the six rinks played, and led in the aggregate scores by
87 points. The results were as follows : —
VALLEYFIELD. VISITORS.
R. Pomfrey. E. Pickard.
Wm. Gall. T. Jeffrey.
Wm. Henshaw. J. Pillans.
A. Robinson. J. Telford.
Skip - 17. Skip - 22.
S. Hartley. W. Kerr.
J. S. Henshaw. J. M. Ou bridge.
J. Card well. Chas. Murray.
D. M'Bride. W. M'Letchie.
Skip - 14. Skip - 20.
J. Jackson. P. Campbell.
A. Slater. J. P. Smith.
J. Houghtop. Thos. Watson.
T. Houghton. J. T. Morrison.
Skip - 14. Skip - 29.
J. Howarth. G. Cousin.
J. Chadwick. E. Gibbon.
S. Smithson. D. Willox.
J. Jamieson. W. M'Coll.
Skip - 6. Skip - 32.
88
An Unfortunate Incident.
J. Waterhouse. H. Southall.
R. Blackshaw. Prof. Glaister.
C. Latham. H. M'Culloch.
J. Parker. S. Fingland.
Skip - ii. Skip - 34.
R. Thompson. M. Twiss.
M. Chadwick. J. Hetherington.
R. Houghton. R. Watson.
T. Forrest. J. C. Hunter.
Skip - 10. Skip - 22.
" After the match the teams went into luncheon, at
which Mr. Simpson, the manager of the Valleyfield
Cotton Co., presided. Luncheon over, a few brief
speeches were made.
" In the afternoon the visitors were shown around the
huge building of the cotton company. Mr. Simpson
acted as their cicerone, and the Englishmen were deeply
impressed with the place, not only by its size, but by the
efficiency of its accoutrements.
" A rather unfortunate incident slightly marred the
pleasure of the afternoon. Mr. P. Campbell, the aged
member of the team, caught his foot in a crevice in the
floor whilst inspecting the mill, and was thrown rather
violently to the ground. When seen at the Windsor
Hotel in the evening, Mr. Campbell had his arm in a sling,
and showed traces of the mishap on his face.
" A pleasing ceremony that took place during the day
was the presentation to the visitors, who accepted on
behalf of the ladies, of a dress length composed of fabric
woven at the mill.
" The bowlers upon their return to the city expressed
their very hearty appreciation of the manner in which
they had been received.
"The team left the city last night for Peterboro',
where they will stay for one day, and then journey on to
Toronto. A goodly company gave them a hearty
send-off. They are due back in Montreal on 3oth
August."
I should say here that the foregoing is slightly in error in
one little detail. At the beginning of the match we were a
little out of it, but we soon caught the green — the weight and
bias — and then we felt we had our opponents in hand. The
results show this, but the game was a keenly contested one.
One of the rinks (that pitted against M'Coll) was skipped by
G 89
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
a Paisley man, one who knew the game quite as well as we did ;
but we " kept our eye on Paisley," and landed him 26 shots
down.
We had a hearty send-off by our Valleyfield friends, and
reached Montreal without any incident of note.
The rest of the evening was spent in getting ready for our
night journey to Peterboro', where we play our next match.
A sleeping car has been engaged, and many of us are looking
forward to this new experience with interest.
A great crowd had assembled at the station to see us off
by the 10 p.m. train, and we bid our Montreal friends good-bye
with some feelings of regret. There is much hand-shaking,
and, amid the singing of " Auld Langsyne " and " God Save
the King," the train moves slowly out of the station, bearing
us on another stage of our journey.
The scene inside a sleeping car baffles description. To
many of us it is our first experience of the kind. Gradually
the different fittings are duly fixed, and at last we all find
ourselves ensconced in our little berths, which are both clean
and comfortable, considering the conditions. Being thus
disposed of, betwixt rocking and shaking we are soon sound
asleep.
Extract from the Montreal Gazette of ist August : —
BOWLERS' SEND-OFF.
Scenes of Enthusiasm at Windsor Station when
British Team left for Peterboro'.
VALLEYFIELD WAS BEATEN.
Visitors Played Six Rinks with Local Men, and
won by 87 Points.
" Amid scenes of enthusiasm, and with mutual expres-
sions of fellowship and goodwill, the all-British bowling
team was given a characteristic Canadian send-off by the
members of the Westmount Bowling Club at the Windsor
Station last evening. The crowd thronged the platform,
and prior to the departure of the train for Toronto, the
strains of " Auld Langsyne " and " Will ye no' come
back again " echoed through the station.
" Six rinks of the visitors journeyed to Valleyfield
yesterday morning, and played a series of games with
the club at that place, coming out victors by the majority
of 87 points. The visit to the factory town was much
90
Valleyfield Beaten.
enjoyed, and on their return to the city the Britishers
were loud in their praise of the hospitality of which
they had been the recipients.
" While the locals were not in the same class as bowlers
as their doughty opponents from over the sea, their play
elicited much praise from the visitors, and several of the
ends were closely contested. Twenty-four members of
BA1J-I.1-E
W i ;_ L Oj£
!
From the " Toronto Daily Star."
the team journeyed to Valleyfield, returning to Montreal
last night, and leaving for Peterboro' on the 10 o'clock
C.P.R. train.
' Those who did not take in the Valleyfield trip spent
the day quietly seeing the sights of Montreal. Although
there was no set programme for the entertainment of
Ihe visitors, individual members of the Westmount
9*
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Bowling Club accompanied them to the various places
of interest in the city, and it was certainly a tired but
enthusiastic body of men and women which boarded
the train last night for Peterboro'.
' The scenes on the platform were of an unusual
character. To many of the visitors a Pullman was a
thing of mystery, this being their first railway journey
on the tour. With one accord they all made for the upper
end of the platform, where on the English roads the first-
class carriages are. However, matters were soon
straightened out, notwithstanding the fact that the
dialect of the negro porter was unintelligible to the men
from the north of the Tweed and vice versa. The
baggage was another source of excitement, and, as the
custom is in England, venerable members of the team
were to be seen following the trucks containing their
belongings, firm in the conviction that unless they kept
their eyes glued on the individual pieces of ' luggage/
and saw it safely ensconced in the ' guard's van,' it would
be found wanting when the train arrived at Peterboro'.
" However, by ten minutes before the departure of
the train everyone was safely rounded up by the energetic
Captain Fingland and the assiduous Secretary Hamilton,
and the good-byes were made.
" The members of the Westmount Bowling Club were
there in a body. Mayor Knox of Westmount, Colonel
Stevenson, and many others were also present to say
au revoir to the visitors. There were many expressions
of thanks and appreciation for the hospitality and
kindnesses which have been heaped on the members of
the team.
" Captain Fingland declared that if Montreal was any
criterion of what might be expected at the other places
in the itinerary, the visit to Canada would stand out in
their lives as a constant whirl of unexcelled hospitality.
" Mr. Campbell, the doyen of the team, 83 years of age,
held an impromptu levee, and many willing hands
literally lifted the white-haired wizard of the bowl on
to the car. It seemed at one time as if his admirers were
going to give the octogenarian a taste of the delights of
a Canadian ' bounce.' Mr. Campbell, who has visited
Canada in years gone by, is very enthusiastic concerning
the country. He stated yesterday that he had since his
arrival in the Dominion decided to put aside £100 in
order that certain deserving young Scotsmen of his
native town, Perth, might make a new start in Canada.
" Then the warning bell rang, and amid the cheering
92
Peterboro'.
and the strains of the National Anthem the long train
pulled out Peterboro' -wards.
11 DOINGS AT PETERBORO*.
" Full arrangements have been made by the Peterboio*
Bowling Club for the entertainment of the British bowleis
on their visit here to-morrow morning. At eight o'clock
they will be informally welcomed by the local club, and
after breakfast will be taken for a street car ride and a
trip over the hydraulic lift lock, where Mayor Best will
officially welcome the visitors.
" After dinner there will be an eight-rink contest,
the Britishers playing rive Peterboro' rinks, and one from
Port Hope, Oshawa, and Stouffville. In the evening the
Old Country bowlers will be tendered a banquet at the
Oriental Hotel by the Peterboro' Bowling Club.
" On Thursday morning the visitors will leave for
Toronto." — (Peterboro', Ontario, 315* July.}
WEDNESDAY, IST AUGUST.
We reach Peterboro' about seven a.m., so that the run was
about a nine-hours' one, and here we have a repetition of the
welcome we are getting accustomed to.
Members of the reception committee meet us and guide
us into the town, which is looking its very best in holiday
attire, flags and streamers being observable everywhere.
Right across the street leading to our hotel — " The Oriental "
— there is an arch of flags of different nationalities, and even
at this early hour there are many of the town's people afoot
to bid us welcome and cheer us on our way.
We soon get our belongings deposited in our rooms, and
after breakfast we are taken for a sail on the river, where a
little steamer is waiting to receive us. We visit the locks
and water-lift, said to be the highest single water-lift in the
world, being 63 feet from the lower to the higher level. It is
certainly a great work for a small town, and cost, I am told,
500.000 dollars.
Briefly described, the boat sails into a lock and is lifted to
the higher level by a powerful hydraulic lift.
The sail along the higher river is a delightful one, and we
all enjoy it very much. The people are chatty and sociable,
and there are abundant refreshments on board to suit all
tastes. The weather was glorious, and everything just as
one could desire.
We return to our hotel and have lunch, and then make
tracks for the green to play our official match.
93
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Peterboro' bowling green is not what we could have desired,
but the players are all there. They have no ditches, but
simply a lime-marked line or lines to indicate where the
ditch should be. These lines serve the purpose very well,
but are somewhat confusing to a stranger, as the jack when
driven over the line has, according to their rules, to be
brought back to the point at which it crossed.
Flags and bunting are displayed everywhere, and the
enthusiasm is unbounded. Liquors and eatables of all kinds
are open to everyone, and are freely partaken of. Perhaps
the most relishable refreshment of the lot was a large can or
small tank of rich buttermilk. I made several calls upon it,
and can testify as to its quality. I heard one of our team
designate it as " sour dook," but, speaking from experience,
it was the sweetest drink I ever had.
I mention these little facts just to shew how considerate
our Peterboro' friends were, and how, even in the minutest
detail, our comfort was attended to.
The game was a keenly contested one, and the play was
good on both sides, although I noticed in this match we had
two or three " passengers " in our team, but these only
served as beacons in future matches.
We found the jack somehow, and played for all we were
worth, finishing 82 shots up — not bad after an all-night's
travel in the train and a day crowded with sightseeing, etc., etc.
The scene at the finish was one never to be forgotten, and
to an outsider it must have been hard to tell which side
had won. The Canadians were as jubilant as we were, their
only anxiety being as to whether we had had a good game.
The hand shaking and congratulations were warm and plenti-
ful, and the invitations to visit the refreshment tent persuasive
and almost forcible.
They are large-hearted chaps these Canadians, and they
have grit and stamina in abundance. They know how to
lose as well as how to play the game. They play it for all
it is worth, and are gentlemen all the time.
In addition to all the other good things that had been
provided for us during the day, there was a splendid banquet
set for us in the evening, at which quite a number of con-
gratulatory little speeches were made. The singing was good,
and the harmony kept up till after midnight. No wonder
we are beginning to feel tired !
THURSDAY, 2ND AUGUST.
Took train for Toronto at eight a.m., and, notwithstanding
the festivities of the preceding night, we felt fit and fresh.
94
Mr. Kerr's Trip.
Tt was a lovely morning, and no doubt this helped to put us
in good spirits.
We left one of our number here, who wished to have a
day's fishing and view the beauties of the place. The follow-
ing short extract gives an account of his trip round the lakes.
In connection with this, I should say that Mr. Kerr is one
of the most modest of men, and a man of sterling character
and steady habits.
COM5 UP
^N' JOss
THE JACK
From the " Toronto Daily Star"
Extract from local press : —
A SCOTCH BOWLER TOOK TRIP AROUND THE
LAKES.
Mr. Win. Kerr, with three local gentlemen, went to
Burleigh Falls. Is enraptured with the beauties
of Stony Lake.
" One of the British bowlers (Mr. Wm. Kerr of London,
England) remained over in Peterboro' for a day, and
95
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
with Messrs. J. E. A. Fitzgerald, R. Cotterell, and Dr.
M'Kercher, went up to Burleigh Falls to see the far-
famed Kawartha Lakes, and to enjoy a day's fishing.
The outing was a delightful one and was thoroughly
enjoyed not only by the visitor from abroad, but by the
local gentlemen. They had good luck in their piscatorial
pursuits, getting their limit of bass, and Mr. Kerr was
most enthusiastic in his praises of the beauties of Ontario's
Lake region.
" He expressed himself as greatly pleased with the
outing, and, while the game laws prevented him from
actively participating in fishing, he took great pleasure
in watching the efforts of his companions to land the
black beauties.
" To-day the four gentlemen had their pictures taken,
and Mr. Kerr promises that it will be preserved as a
souvenir of one of the most pleasant trips he has ever
taken. He is a Scotchman who has drifted down to the
English Metropolis to lend stability to that city, but is
still a Scotchman at heart."
Our arrival in Toronto was looked forward to as the " tit-
bit " of our tour, and in every respect our anticipations were
fully realised. Among the crowd on the platform to bid us
welcome, we noticed our old friends Mr. George Anderson,
Dr. Russell, Mr. George J. Bennett, Mr. R. MacDonald, and
Mr. Davies — all members of the team which visited the Old
Country two years ago. The utmost warmth and goodwill
were shewn by every member of the reception committee —
a.nd we were soon seated in open broughams and driven to
the King Edward Hotel, one of the very best on the Continent.
The following is an unvarnished description of our reception
and the details of our first match here (in Toronto) : —
BRITISH BOWLERS GREETED BY MAYOR AND
CITIZENS.
Happy party of Visitors received at City Hall
and Lunched at the King Edward.
" The British bowlers arrived in the city yesterday
morning, were received by the Mayor and reception com-
mittee at the City Hall, and played and won their first
match from the Toronto rinks on the Queen City grounds
in the afternoon.
96
Doings in Toronto.
" There are forty-five of them. All of middle age,
good-natured, like a big happy family these men of the
kitty and green are having the best time of their lives
seeing Canada.
" When they arrived at the depot they were received
by the bowlers' reception committee, prominent among
which were ' Dad ' Davies, George Bennett and Ruthven
MacDonald, members of the rinks that visited the Old
Country several years ago. The visitors spent an hour
or so meeting old friends and making new ones, after
which they were driven to the City Hall, accompanied
by the ladies in the party and members of the committee,
where they were met by chairman Alderman J. J. Graham,
J. L. Hughes, and Clerk Little John, and escorted to the
council chamber and introduced to Mayor Coatsworth
and Mrs. Coatsworth.
" LUNCH AT KING EDWARD.
" The noon-day luncheon at the King Edward was a
pleasant affair, presided over by the mayor. Milton
Druce of the Fall River team, and Captain Fingland of
the Britishers, made brief responses to the toast to the
guests, after the King and the President of the United
States had been honoured.
" Mrs. Coatsworth, Mrs. Alderman Graham, and many
ladies were present, as well as numerous members of the
city council and the Toronto bowling clubs. J. S.
Willison, in proposing the toast to the mayor and thanking
the council for its friendly attention to the bowlers,
intimated that his worship should be returned chief
magistrate next year by two or three thousand majority.
" The visitors left the ' King Edward ' for the Queen
City Bowling Club.
" THE BOWLERS AT BALMY BEECH.
" Saturday will be a gala day at Balmy Beech, as the
British bowlers will be the guests of the residents on
that day, and the preparations for their entertainment
are complete.
" The programme for the afternoon is as follows : —
" The visitors will leave the ' King Edward ' in special
cars at 1.30 p.m. for the Beach, and will be met at the
corner of Beach Avenue by pipers, especially imported
for the occasion, and escorted to the lawns on the sea-
shore, where they will be received by the reception com-
mittee, consisting of Messrs. Oakley, Forbes and Cleland,
97
'.
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
the presidents of the three leading bowling clubs partici-
pating in the game and entertainment — Balmy Beach,
Kew Beach, and St. Matthew's.
" An eight-rink game will then take place between the
visitors and three rinks from Kew Beach, two rinks from
St. Matthew's, and three rinks from Balmy Beach, and
at the same time two rinks from the three clubs will play
two rinks of the Fall River bowlers on the Kew Beach
lawns.
" Immediately after the game, luncheon will be served
by M'Conkey in the ballroom of the club-house, during
which a programme will be given by Mrs. Van Valkenburg,
and Messrs. M'Donald, Wright, Shaver, Pigott and
Kimber, interspersed with the usual toasts, under the
chairmanship of Inspector J. L. Hughes.
" The visitors will be made honorary members of the
club, and presented with the club pin.
" After the banquet the bowlers will be taken in motor
boats to view the famous Scarboro' cliffs, and will be
brought back to the club-house to an impromptu enter-
tainment on the lake front.
" The residents of the beach are taking a lively interest,
and illuminated boats and houses will be the order of
the evening.
BRITISH BOWLERS BY 43, WON FIRST TORONTO
GAME.
Beat Combination of Queen City, Lome Park
and Parkdale on Queen City Lawn.
" The British bowlers, eight rinks strong, played five
Queen City rinks, two Lome Park and one Parkdale,
yesterday afternoon on Queen City lawns, beating all
opponents, winning the match by 43 shots. It was the
Old Country men's initial appearance in Toronto. The
club-house and grounds were daintily decorated, and the
large crowd of spectators, including many ladies,
thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. Some of the sayings
of the visitors were amusing to the crowd.
" The closest games of the day were played on rinks
i and 2. Fingland and Webster were tie on the twentieth
end. On the twenty- first end the ' jack ' was carried
over to another rink, leaving it a burnt end. On the final
98
First Toronto Game.
head Fingland was lying shot close on the ' jack,' when
Webster, who had the last bowl, came up strong, taking
out the shot and counting himself.
" Rink No. 2 required an extra end. Hunter made
one on the last end, making it a tie, but on the final end
Rice counted two.
" Some great bowling was done, especially by the
veteran quartette skipped by M'Coll. Three men on his
rink were over 60 years of age, but all masters of lawn
bowling. They counted four four times, which gave
them a big lead, winning out by 32-13, and the margin
of 19 put them up against the Q.C. rinks, though each of
the other four were down.
" The greens were in splendid shape, being the best
they had yet in the opinion of some of the visitors.
" After the match the visitors were banqueted in the
Queen City Club-house. The scores : —
BRITISH BOWLERS. QUEEN CITY.
A. Lilly. W. Copp.
G. Cousin. J. P. Rogers.
H. M'Culloch. J. W. Corcoran.
S. Fingland. A. F. Webster.
Skip - 16. Skip - 17.
Fingland,. .on oio on no in 031 O2x o — 16.
Webster, ..300 205 100 ooi ooo 300 lox i — 17.
BRITISH BOWLERS. QUEEN CITY.
J. P. Smith. G. J. Henry.
A. M'Gowan. P. A. Blatchley.
M. Twiss. J. A. Jackson.
J. C. Hunter. R. B. Rice.
Skip - 15. Skip - 17.
Hunter, ...100 310 ooi ooi 023 101 ooi o — 15.
Rice, 012 ooi 201 101 ooo 103 200 2 — 17.
BRITISH BOWLERS. QUEEN CITY.
J. M. Oubridge. Dr. Frawley.
D. M'Laughlin. D. Simpson.
C. Murray. A. Hewitt.
W. M'Letchie. W. H. Irving.
Skip - 16. Skip - 22.
Irving, ...ooi 321 on 040 210 101 013 — 22.
M'Letchie, 240 ooo 100 302 ooi oio 200 — 16.
99
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
BRITISH BOWLERS. QUEEN CITY.
F. Hay. A. E. Huestis.
E. Gibbon. W. N. Shaver.
D. Willox. G. G. Eakins.
W. E. M'Coll. J. B. Holden.
Skip - 32. Skip - 13.
M'Coll, ...211 201 304 200 100 440 402 — 32.
Holden, . . .000 020 oio 014 on ooi 020 — 13.
BRITISH BOWLERS. QUEEN CITY.
J. Hamilton. John Turnbull.
J. Welsh. C. R. Cooper.
J. Firth. G. Anderson.
R. Watson. F. G. Anderson.
Skip - 16. Skip - 21.
Watson, . . . 230 ooo 100 241 oio oio oio — 16.
Anderson, .002 212 on ooo 101 102 031 — 21.
BRITISH BOWLERS. LORNE PARK.
T. Watson. F. Help.
C. Addicott. A. Jephcott.
A. H. Hamilton. A. E. Stovel.
J. T. Morrison. J. E. Atkinson.
Skip - 18. Skip - 14.
Morrison, .. 112 012 ooo 121 112 ooo 021 — 18.
Atkinson, .. ooo 200 131 ooo ooo 113 200 — 14.
BRITISH BOWLERS. LORNE PARK.
P. Campbell. R. N. Brown.
W. Miller. E. G. Hackborn.
Major Brown. A. Shaw.
J- J- Jagger. J. H. Rowan.
Skip - 25. Skip - 15.
Jagger, oio ooi 030 no 210 241 251 — 25.
Rowan, ...203 no 103 002 002 ooo ooo — 15.
BRITISH BOWLERS. PARKDALE.
E. Pickard. W. J. Barchard.
T. Jeffrey. G. Dunn.
J. Pillans. F. Ramsay.
J. Telford. J. Lang.
Skip - 34. Skip - 10.
Telford, ...ooo 201 620 043 621 100 141 — 34.
Lang 121 ooi ooo 210 ooo on ooo — 10.
TOTALS — British Bowlers, 172 ; opponents, 129."
100
ffl
A Festive Function.
The Queen City Bowling Club had certainly put every
effort forward to make the place attractive. Flags, streamers
and bunting met the eye at every turn, and every available
inch of vantage ground was taken up by interested spectators
JP1LLAM.S
THE SA3Y Of*
THE PARTY
From the " Toronto Daily Star."
of both sexes, while the men of the camera persuasion dogged
you at every turn.
The festive function after the match was quite in keeping
with all that had gone before. The solids were varied and
101
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
substantial, and the liquids were all of a non-intoxicating
character. The songs and toasts met with hearty responses,
and every one tried to make himself as agreeable as possible.
My table companion was Mr. G. G. Eakins, a splendid fellow
and a good bowler ; and, if my boots had been able to have
partaken of the good things there, they would have had a share.
It is not often that one sees a party of gentlemen sit down
to dinner in their shirt sleeves. They did so on this occasion,
my friend Eakins setting the example in this respect, which
was soon followed by all present. I thought it a very wise
thing to do, considering the heated condition of the room,
and the tired and heated condition of the diners. The sun
had simply been scorching us during the playing of the game,
there being registered 95° of heat in the shade.
After dinner we made our way back to our hotel, there to
rest and loll about for a short time before turning in for the
night.
FRIDAY, 3RD AUGUST.
From the Toronto Globe, 4th August, 1906 : —
TORONTO RINKS PLAY GOOD BOWLS.
Almost defeat British Tourists at Niagara.
FIVE CANADA RINKS UP.
Closest Contest British have had in Canada.
PARKDALE PROVES WEAK MEMBER OF TORONTO COMBINATION.
THE VISITORS SPLENDIDLY ENTERTAINED AT QUEEN'S
ROYAL BY CANADA, ST. MATTHEW'S AND PARKDALE.
" NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, 3rd AUGUST. — The British
bowlers came nearer to defeat on the Queen's Royal
green here to-day than in any previous game on their
Canadian tour. They won out by 14 points, and they
confessed that they had had stronger competition than
they had anticipated.
" Five rinks of the Canadas won from the British
players by 17 up. Two rinks of the St. Matthew's Club
were only four down. Parkdale did not fare so well as
the other seven Toronto rinks, and they were 27 behind
when time was called. As a matter of fact, seven Toronto
rinks defeated the famous bowlers from the British Isles
by the respectable score of 123 to no, but the unlucky
13 of a majority was considerably offset by Parkdale's
defeat.
102
MR. G. G. EAKINS.
QUEEN CITY B.C., TORONTO.
Toronto Hospitality.
" The British players enjoyed the keen contest better
than any game they had played in the Dominion, and
they were not slow to express pleasure at finding opponents
who could make the game so interesting for them. "
" Notwithstanding the threatening weather, it was a
delightful day here, and the green was in excellent
condition. It was scarcely as keen as was the Queen
City Club green yesterday, but it was none the less a
pleasure to play on it. The game was played by time
rather than by ends, and it lasted two hours and a half.
" Two rinks from Fall River, Mass., played with the
Canadas, and the Americans were defeated. The British
and American bowlers and their ladies were the guests of
Canadas, St. Matthew's and Parkdale Clubs. They came
over from Toronto on the boat which reached here at
1.30, and left again on the 7.55 boat.
" They were entertained at an informal luncheon in
the Queen's Royal Hotel by the three Toronto clubs
mentioned. Mr. H. R. O'Hara, president of the Canadas,
was in the chair. In a few words he welcomed the
visitors on behalf of Canada, St. Matthew's and Park-
dale Clubs. Mr. C. Caldwell, president of St. Matthew's,
briefly supplemented the chairman's greeting.
" HOSPITALITIES TO VISITORS.
" The kindliness of the hospitality of the three Toronto
clubs was accentuated at the close of the afternoon's
play, when they further entertained their guests at dinner
in the Queen's Royal. Mr. O'Hara again presided. The
toast list was short, and the speeches necessarily brief,
owing to the party returning to Toronto on the evening
boat.
" In deference to the American visitors, a toast to
' The President of the United States ' was drunk after
' The King ' had been honoured in the usual way.
" Mr. George Duthie, vice-president of the Parkdale
Club, who confessed himself of Scottish origin, proposed
a toast to the ' Dominion Parliament and the Legis-
lative Assembly of Ontario/ In doing so, he said Park-
dale need not feel so badly over their defeat, as they had
as opponents men like James Telford, an old world
champion. Mr. Duthie, in coupling the name of Mr. J.
S. Willison with the toast, referred to Mr. Willison as
the ' coming great leader of the great Liberal Party of
Ontario.' Mr. Willison laughingly retorted that if ever
he became leader of the Liberal Party, or any other
party, he would never show his face on the green again.
103
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
He referred to the British bowlers as sports and gentle-
men. Mr. Thomas A. Reid of the Canadas, proposed a
toast to the ' Guests,' and responses were made by Captain
Fingland and Mr. Peter Campbell for the British bowlers,
and Mr. Milton Druce for the Americans.
" Captain Fingland referred to the close contest of the
afternoon, and frankly said it would take a strong team
to defeat them. They were sportsmen and always
played to win. He congratulated the three Toronto
clubs on their fine play, particularly Mr. Willison, who
had been his opposing skip. The captain said he had
not in a long time seen a rink that played so well together
as Mr. Willison's rink had done.
" OVATION FOR PETER CAMPBELL.
"Mr. Peter Campbell of Perth, the oldest of the
British bowlers, who carries his 83 years with wonderful
lightness, was given a great ovation when he rose to
speak. The gathering stood and cheered the Scottish
octogenarian, then sang ' He's a Jolly Good Fellow.'
Mr. Campbell said the visitors from across seas felt
highly honoured in being entertained by the Canadian
bowlers, whose kindly hospitality was beyond the most
sanguine expectations of the Old Country people. When
he was a ' boy of sixty years ' he had taken a trip from
ocean to ocean in Canada, and was privileged to see
something of its greatness. Now, when he was a com-
paratively old man, on the wrong side of 80, he was
rejoiced to see the great progress the Dominion had
made, and he rejoiced in its prosperity. He would like
to see Canada take her place as a food-producing field
for the world. Mr. Campbell said the British Isles
wanted a place for their surplus population, and they
wished to see a desirable class of immigrants to this
country. He intimated that he and others were going
to interest themselves along the line of sending people
to settle in the Dominion.
" Mr. Milton Druce of the Fall River Club, in expressing
gratitude for the hospitality given to the visitors from
Massachusetts, said they had been * overwhelmed by
the magnificence and magnitude of this country, and by
the unity and fellowship of its citizens.'
" Mr. John A. Ewan of St. Matthew's Club, proposed
the toast 'The Ladies,' and Mr. John Pillans, the
youngest member of the British party, responded thereto-
Both gentlemen were happy in their remarks.
104
I
Summary of Contest.
" MOST CANADIAN RINKS WON.
" The following brief summary will show the results
of the contest with the British players as they affected
the different Toronto clubs : —
BRITISH. CANADA.
S. Fingland, - Skip, n J. S. Willison, - Skip, 14
J. Hunter, - Skip, 15 G. B. Woods, - Skip, 20
J.T.Morrison,- Skip, 17 A. S. Wigmore, - Skip, 16
W. M'Letchie, - Skip, 12 H. R. O'Hara, - Skip, 27
J. J. Jagger, - Skip, 18 W. K. Doherty, - Skip, 13
TOTAL, 73. TOTAL, 90.
Majority for Canadas (five rinks), 17.
BRITISH. ST. MATTHEW'S.
W. E. M'Coll, Skip, 23 C. Caldwell, Skip, 13
R. Watson, Skip, 14 A. Allison, Skip, 20
TOTAL, 37 TOTAL, 33
Majority for British, 4.
BRITISH. PARKDALE.
J. Telford, Skip, 40. J. A. Harrison, Skip, 13.
Majority for British, 27.
SUMMARY OF CONTEST.
" Following is a complete summary of the eight-rink
contest with the British : —
BRITISH. CANADAS.
Adam Lilly. J. H. Mackenzie.
Geo. Cousin. C. Postlethwaite.
H. M'Culloch. T. A. Hastings.
S. Fingland. J. S. Willison.
Skip - ii. Skip - 14.
Willison, ..01100310131010011 o — 14.
Fingland, ..10012002000101100 2 — n.
M. Twiss. W. A. Strowger.
J. Welsh. F. Pole.
P. J. Smith. S. Jones.
J. Hunter. G. B. Woods.
Skip - 15. Skip - 20.
Hunter, ...01001102001001112001021 o — 15
Woods, 10230010110310000130200 i — 20
H loq
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Thos. Watson. E. H. Anderson.
Andrew M'Gowan. M. Rawlinson.
A. H. Hamilton. Dr. Kenwood.
J. T. Morrison. A. S. Wigmore.
Skip • 17. Skip - 16.
Morrison, ..110411000021031000 2 — 17.
Wigmore, ..002000232300100111 o — 16.
J. M. Oubridge. R. Greenwood.
D. M'Laughlin. G. A. Brown.
Chas. Murray. T. Reid.
W. M'Letchie. H. R. O'Hara.
Skip - 12. Skip - 27.
M'Letchie,.o 010100040000003120 o — 12.
O'Hara, ..2201043105121120001 1 — 27.
Wm. Miller. F. H. Ross.
C. Addicott. H. J. Fairhead.
Major Brown. R. Armstrong.
J. J. Jagger. W. K. Doherty.
Skip - 18. Skip - 13.
Jagger, 40404040000200 o — 18.
Doherty, ..01021101112001 2 — 13.
BRITISH. ST. MATTHEW'S.
F. Hay. J. A. Swan.
E. Gibbon. Dr. Kennedy.
D. Wfflox. H. H. Warren.
W. E. M'Coll. C. Caldwell.
Skip - 23. Skip - 13
M'Coll, ...00211500240200102 3 — 23.
Caldwell, ..21000022002021010 o — 13.
J. Hamilton. J. D. Jones.
T. Firth. L. L. Martin.
J. Hetherington. Joseph Taylor.
R. Watson. A. Allison.
Skip - 14. Skip - 20.
Watson, ...101020201100500 I — 14.
Allison, ...030202020044021 o — 20.
1 06
Nearly a "Spill."
BRITISH. PARKDALE.
E. Pickard. J. A. M'Causland.
T. Jeffrey. Geo. Duthie.
J. Pillans. Thos. Cannon.
J. Telford. J. A. Harrison.
Skip - 40. Skip • 13-
Telford, .401013102430036202404 o — 40.
Harrison, 010300020001200010010 2 — 13.
GRAND TOTAL, - 150. GRAND TOTAL - 136,
Majority for British, 14 "
E PICKAC.P
From the " Toronto Daily Star"
Pretty near making a " spill " here. Not much to brag
of this time, and had it not been for Telford's big haul we
would have been on the wrong side.
Yes, this was as keenly a contested game as we had in our
whole tour. The green was certainly better than some of
those we played on, but, oh ! it was far from being like our
Old Country greens.
Let anyone who cares to scan the itinerary of our tour
glance over the programme for to-day and he will see that it
was a heavy one. The delightful rest and sail across the
Jake was much enjoyed. The morning had been dull and
threatened rain, but it held off. The sun broke through
107
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
about mid-day in all his splendour, and his heat and light
fell upon us as if intent on scorching us up.
Niagara-on-the-Lake lies on the left bank of the River
Niagara at its junction with the lake, and is a somewhat
scattered town composed principally of wooden erections of
no particular architectural features.
The Queen's Hotel is a good half mile from the landing
stage. It is both airy and commodious. We have lunch
here, but in the ten or fifteen minutes intervening betwixt
our landing and our lunch we indulge ourselves in trying the
green, which we found played better than it looked. No
time was wasted at table. The service was all that could be
desired. The attendants were all ladies, but even that
attraction did not induce us to tarry, and we are soon on the
green and in the thick of the fight for supremacy.
Ere long we were fairly on our mettle ; indeed, at one
stage of the game things looked rather " blue " for us. At
about half game it was reported that we were " down " over
all, and as word went round that we would not have time to
play 21 ends, but would require to cease play at a quarter-
past six so as to give us time to catch the boat for Toronto,
we saw we had our work cut out, and that, if we meant to win
and retain an unbroken record, we would have to " put our
best foot forward and toe the mark like men." As we say at
home, we put " a stout heart to a stey brae," and with that
dourness and doggedness so characteristic of our country we
pegged away until " cease play ! " sounded — like " cease
fire ! " in a sham fight — and each was asking his neighbour
how things stood. It ultimately transpired that there was a
majority of 14 shots for the Old Country. You ought to have
heard the cheers that greeted the announcement ; perhaps
some echoes of them yet remain lingering among the rocky
gorges, through which the mighty Niagara forces its way into
the bosom of the peaceful lake. A hurried dinner and a few
hasty speeches brought our proceedings to a close, and we
made for the wharf in something like a scramble.
We leave Niagara-on-the-Lake about 7.55 on our return
to Toronto. The homeward passage of something like thirty
or forty miles across the lake (Ontario) was without any
incident of note. We gathered in groups on deck as the
shadows of evening fell upon us, and during the three hours
or thereby occupied in the return many were the jokes and
stories told as we ploughed the peaceful bosom of the
lake.
A very good story comes to our knowledge, among others,
and as it relates to one of our most popular members I will
here rehearse it.
108
A Midnight Prowler.
Lost at Sea.
I have no desire to harrow the feelings of my readers by
recounting the horrors of storm and shipwreck incidental to
a seafaring life. The story which I am about to relate,
while true, contains none of those heart- thrilling incidents
that appeal to our deepest sympathies and melt the most
unsympathetic into tears.
I have already indicated how much alike the different
passages and general surroundings are on the several decks
of a large ocean-going steamer, and how difficult it is to
locate one's particular berth. This difficulty is immensely
increased if you have been sitting late, especially if you have
been sitting under the care and attendance of the smoking
room steward.
Well, it so happened on our way out that the member of
our team to whom I refer had been somewhat late ere he
thought of making tracks for his berth, and, when he did,
he couldn't find it. How long he had perambulated the
different passages, scanning the numbers on the doors and
vainly trying to make out whether or not he was on the right
deck — I had almost said the right boat — we won't say ;
but in the sma' hours of the morning he was discovered
prowling about like a spirit of evil as near the object of his
search as when he commenced. The newcomer upon the
scene, astonished to see his friend so forlorn looking, exclaimed,
" Bless ma' heart, G — , what are ye doing here at this hour
of the morning ? Hae ye no' been in bed yet ? " To which
the lost one replied, " Man, if ye want to do an act of Christian
charity, tell me the street I stay in, and show me hame ;
I never was so much at sea in a* my life before."
It is needless to add that the lost one found the street
he lived in, with the assistance of his friend, and the two
of them sealed a compact of secrecy over a dram ; but the
joke was too good to remain long in oblivion, and was often
referred to, to the no small discomfiture of G — , who always,
however, took it in good part.
We reached Toronto about ten o'clock, after an uneventful
but pleasant sail.
On arrival at our hotel I learn that a single-rink match has
been arranged for to-morrow between four old veterans of
Toronto and four old men of the British team. Being one
of the latter, I must brace myself for the ordeal, as I hear
the Toronto quartette have never been beaten in combination.
SATURDAY, 4TH AUGUST.
The morning broke dull but dry. Many of us were early
astir, notwithstanding the fatigues of yesterday. Some of
109
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
usjhad two matches to play to-day, in both of which we felt
that the reputation of our dear old Motherland was at stake.
But who ever heard of a Scotsman funking ?
Perhaps the most important side match played during the
whole tour was that which falls here to be recorded. A
challenge from four of the oldest bowlers in Toronto had been
issued to play four of the oldest members of the British team,
and in the spirit of true sportsmanship it had been taken up.
At 8.30 an open brougham drove up to the door of the
" King Edward " to convey the British champions to the scene
of battle. We felt determined enough, but from the reputa-
tion of our opponents we were not quite sure how things
might go. The Toronto champions we found to be gentlemen
in every sense of the word. They entertained us to breakfast,
and showed us over the fine premises of the Toronto Curling
Club, after which we were duly photographed in the order
herein shown, and then began a battle " dreich an' dour "
which will live in the memories of those playing, if not in
history, while the few remaining sands of life run out.
The following short extract is the notice of the game which
appeared in one of the Toronto papers : —
Veterans at Play.
" The game between the rink of veteran British bowlers
and a quartette of Toronto's oldest exponents of the
game is being played to-day on the Victoria lawn.
" The Toronto rink will consist of Dr. Richardson of
the Granites ; J. Bain, Victorias ; Spooner of the
Canadas ; and Russell of Victoria.
"The British rink will be— Adam Lilly, D. Willox,
Mr. Kerr and Mr. P. Campbell. The latter is 83 years of
age, and he will skip his rink.
Presentation to Irish Members.
" The Irish rink, skipped by Mr. Hunter, are the
guests of the Caer-Howell Club to-day, and will play a
game with a Toronto rink of native-born Irishmen made
up of Mr. C. Caldwell, Geo. Foy, Geo. Bennett, and
Bob Moon.
" Mr. Hunter will be presented with a life membership
in the club, and his rink will be presented with illuminated
addresses and gold medals to commemorate the event.
" Controller Shaw, who is a member of the club, will
make the presentation."
no
Match Between Veteran Bowlers.
The play of the veterans is worthy of a few comments.
The game was one of the most keenly contested (notwith-
standing the difference in the score) that I have ever played.
We early came to know that, if our opponents had lost some-
what in the elasticity of step, their right hand had not forgot
its cunning. Time after time they cut us out of almost
untakable shots, and could you have seen the spirit, the
PETE.R
CAMPBELL
From the " Toronto Daily Star."
vigour and the craft they put into their'play, you would have
declared that the young ones had something to learn yet.
This match is of such an important and interesting character
that I venture to trouble the reader with the details of play,
as also with the individual and aggregate ages of the two
rinks. It will be observed that the Canadians are much
the older lot, and therefore deserve all the more credit although,
defeated.
in
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
BOWLING MATCH.
PLAYED ON LAWN OF VICTORIA CLUB, TORONTO, 4th AUGUST,
1906. OLD COUNTRY VISITORS V. TORONTO OLD RINK.
PLAYERS.
Age. Age.
Lead — William Kerr, . . 72 Lead — Dr. Richardson, 83
Second — Peter Campbell, 83 Second — Jas. Spooner, 82
Vice-Skip— D. Willox, . . 61 Vice-Skip— John Bain, 78
Skip— A. Lilly, .. ..67 Skip— J. S. Russell, . . 81
Total,
.. 283
Total, ..
324
VISITORS.
CLUB.
A. LILLY, Skip.
J. S. RUSSELL, Skip.
END.
SCORE.
SUM.
END.
SCORE.
SUM.
I
4
—
I
O
2
2
o
—
2
2
—
3
2
—
3
O
—
4
O
—
4
2
—
5
3
9
5
O
4
6
o
6
I
7
i
—
7
O
—
8
2
—
8
O
—
9
0
—
9
I
—
10
3
15
10
o
6
ii
0
—
ii
I
—
12
0
—
12
3
—
13
0
—
13
2
—
14
4
—
14
0
—
15
0
19
15
I
13
16
3
16
0
17
2
—
17
0
—
18
0
—
18
2
—
19
3
—
*9
O
—
20
o
27
20
I
16
21
o
—
21
I
— .
TOTAL,
27
27
TOTAL,
17
*7
10 Ends.
ii Ends.
112
9°
O ;
h '
z
o
DC
O *
h - <
05
?!
ta
o
in ^'
f
J2
o
Balmy Beach.
It will be here seen that the united ages of the Toronto
rink total 324 years, and those of the British 283, making
a grand total of 607 years, or an average of 755, or nearly
76 years. Rather unique, isn't it ?
We have a very pleasant adjournment after the match,
and then we — the British rink — have to hustle to get ready
for Balmy Beach, but not before our opponents congratulated
us on our victory. They said they drew consolation from the
fact that they had been beaten by Old Country players, and
not by their own countrymen, by whom they had never yet
been beaten. We complimented them on their play, ac-
knowledging that we had possibly had the greater proportion
of luck, and that were the game to be played over again the
balance of shots might be on the other side.
On reaching our hotel we were questioned on all hands as
to the result of our game, and general satisfaction was expressed
that we had been able to " pull it off."
A hasty wash and a brush down made us ready for Balmy
Beach. Hard work this, isn't it ? with hardly ever five
minutes to rest ourselves ; indeed, we had hardly time to
fill our pipes.
We learn that while we had been engaged with the veterans,
other three rinks had been engaged somewhere else, and had
won by nine shots. Of course, these are not official matches,
and should hardly be recorded here ; but I wish to keep my
readers in mind that these notes are entitled " With the
British Bowlers in Canada," and therefore I wish to include
all particulars in connection with our tour.
At 2.30 prompt a special car came along to the main
entrance of the " King Edward." We board it at once, and
are soon whirling along eastward for about five or six miles
to Balmy Beach. We were greeted occasionally along the
route by rousing cheers^ Everybody seemed to " spot " the
British bowlers, and everybody rejoiced.
Balmy Beach was gay with decorations in our honour,
and the cheers that hailed us on our arrival were loud and
warm. The green embankments were literally packed with
admiring spectators, ladies and gentlemen vieing with each
other in their expressions of welcome, and in their desire to
see the game.
Here we had to undergo another photographing operation,
after which we were permitted to step upon the green for
another tussle. We soon entered upon " our preliminary
canters," as they say in " horsy " circles, and discovered that
it would require all the craft we knew to negotiate the " outs
and ins " of the green we had now to deal with. It was
several " ends " before we caught the weight, and I think I
"3
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
am safe in saying that up till the very last " end " not a man
of us had mastered the " draw." Sometimes it drew one
way, and sometimes another, but hardly ever the way you
wanted it ; indeed, on some occasions the bowl ran against
the bias, and you felt thankful if it came to rest anywhere
within a yard of the " jack." You should have heard the
groans and lamentations, loud and deep, as the players watched
their bowls scurrying along the green on their erratic way,
and the skips shouting, " Man, it's no' your fau't ; you'll
maybe hae better luck wi' your next." You would have come
to the conclusion that bowling after all was not a game of
skill, but a game of chance. Be that as it may, our lucky
star was still in the ascendant, and at the close we found we
had won by 76 shots.
In this match, as in some of the others, we had a few Old
Country players pitted against us — notably one who, before
going to Canada, had made a name for himself of more than
local celebrity. I refer to Mr. J. Russell, late of Carluke,
who figured in many tournaments and bore prizes from not
a few.
Congratulations and hand shakings galore brought the game
to a close, and then we were invited to the " spread " which
had been provided, and which was as lavish as any of the others,
and, like many of them, was run on teetotal lines, but there
was no scarcity of " soft " drinks, and these were greatly in
demand. The dinner here was served in the club-house,
which was literally packed. The toasts and speeches were
of the usual " after the match " character, and brought out
no new point worth recording.
Our good old friend, Mr. Campbell of Perth, was in great
request at these functions, and always acquitted himself well.
Patriotism and friendship were the prevailing sentiments
all round, and, as we sat under a canopy of " Union Jacks "
and rose to the strains of " God Save the King," we felt our
blood tingle and not a little proud that we were representatives
of an Empire whose hardy sons had peopled and pacified this
great domain.
The festivities over, we made tracks for our hotel. Some
went to see illuminations on the lake, but others made direct
for the car. By this time darkness had cast her mantle over
the earth, but not so over Balmy Beach. The green whereon
we had been playing was brilliantly lit up with electricity,
and innumerable Chinese lanterns hung on bush, branch and
bower. It was like a scene one reads of in the " Arabian
Nights," and gave an entrancing appearance to all around.
Good old Balmy Beach ! you sought to please us, and you
succeeded ; but nature seems only capable of taking in a
114
At Granite Lawn.
certain amount of pleasure, and, notwithstanding the variety
of our entertainment and the warm-hearted treatment we
had met with, many of us felt tired and fagged out, and were
glad to reach our rooms in the hotel, where we changed our
sweaty, mucky fighting garb for something cooler, drier, and
fresher, and have a quiet rest, read and smoke.
I have not here given any detail of the individual play.
Suffice it to say that, as usual, Pillans " played to the gallery,"
and the others plodded on determined to win, if possible.
So ends another busy, bustling day with the British bowlers,
who, by this time, are getting pretty well tired out.
SUNDAY, 5TH AUGUST.
I throw this day in simply for the sake of continuity and
as shewing how even our hours of leisure were spent. I copy
from my original notes.
This was a day of rest in more senses than one. We had
no compulsory engagements to-day, except a special service
in St. James' Cathedral, which a number of our fellows
attended ; but feeling tired I didn't go, but kept my room all
day writing up my notes and some letters, and posting some
newspapers. The weather was very sultry and warm —
somewhere about 95° in the shade.
I took a turn down to the hall of the hotel in the afternoon,
but only stayed a few minutes, and kept on writing till after
ten p.m. Most of us were inclined to take all the rest we could
get and stuck to our hotel.
MONDAY 6xH AUGUST.
Rested very badly all night owing to the heat. Many of
us up early.
Programme for to-day as per " Itinerary."
Leave King Edward Hotel in special car at 10.30 for base-
ball match.
2.30 p.m. — Leave King Edward Hotel for Granite Lawn.
Play against five Granite rinks and three Prospect
Park rinks.
7.30 p.m. — Dine with Granite and Prospect Park Club member^
at King Edward Hotel.
This was another day of varied interest and sight-seeing.
Most of us went to see the base-ball match in the forenoon.
The members of the reception committee being anxious to do
all they could for us, looked after our comfort and accom-
modation. The special car was well filled, and was an object
"5
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
of considerable interest en route. Arriving at the ground we
found a fairly large and an unquestionably enthusiastic crowd
there to witness the game, which was betwixt teams repre-
senting Newark and Toronto, and there was no mistaking on
which side the bulk of sympathy lay ; but the crowd was
orderly and well behaved for a holiday crowd, this being the
" Civic Holiday " as it it called.
Base-ball is something like our old-fashioned game of
" rounders," but played with more precision and exactness
than we usually associate with " rounders." The ball is sent
with considerable force by the pitcher (bowler) to the batsman,
and a certain number of throws are allowed, which must be
at a certain elevation at the point where the batsman takes
delivery. A referee cased in pads and with a vizor over his
face stands behind the batsman and watches every ball
delivered ; and it is his duty to see that the bowler or pitcher
delivers fair balls. A certain number of badly delivered balls
are penalised by allowing the batsman to pass unchallenged
from the batting point to the next dill, but if, on the other
hand, the batsman refuses to take delivery of a certain number
of properly delivered balls, then he is declared " out," and
another takes his place.
Some of the cracks at this game, I am told, command
large salaries, running into thousands of dollars, and great
competition exists in securing promising players.
A considerably activity is shewn in the fielding. Some of
the catches are really clever, and the rapidity with which the
ball is passed from point to point to intercept a runner is
smart in the extreme.
They play nine a side, and when six players have been put
" out " the innings are considered at an end.
The game we witnessed was pretty evenly contested, and
there was not much betwixt them when we left, the Newark
team being up only one run.
The special car took us back again to our hotel, and it
was another case of " hurry up " to get ready for our match
with the Granite Lawn people, with whom we were timed to
meet at three o'clock prompt.
Having described our reception at, and the appearance of one
green, I need not say more than that our reception here was
equally as warm and enthusiastic as any we had yet met
with. The game was keenly and closely contested, especially
in the first half, and it was only after that that we began to
pull away with a decided lead, which at the finish left us a
majority of 74 shots over all — thus still retaining an
unbroken record in our tour so far.
The dinner in the evening was a very elaborate affair, and
116
A Break Down.
the toast list was faithfully adhered to. There was not
anything new in the speeches, so I will not try to reproduce
them here. The fact is most of us were dead tired, and some
of us sought the seclusion of our own rooms long before the
proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of " Auld
Langsyne " and " God Save the King."
TUESDAY, 7TH AUGUST.
10.30 a.m. — Leave the " King Edward Hotel " for Lambton
Golf Club, as guests of the Toronto Automobile Club.
12.30 p.m. — Leave Lambton Golf Club for Royal Canadian
Yacht Club.
2 p.m. — Luncheon at Royal Canadian Yacht Club.
3.30 p.m. — Play on Royal Canadian Yacht Club Lawn
against six rinks of Royal Canadian Yacht Club and two
rinks of Caer Howell.
7 p.m. — Dine at Royal Canadian Yacht Club, as guests of
opponents.
This morning broke dull and threatening, but the " autos "
were promptly in attendance, and all got seated and away
for a spin to Lambton.
As usual, I was one of the unfortunates, and happened to
get into a car that broke down ere we had well started on
our journey. The driver tried all he knew to set things right,
but failed, and so telephoned for an engineer, but he also
failed ; so, after a long delay, I was compelled to take a street
car and find my way as best I could, in the hope that I might
come up with our party, if not at the Lambton Golf Course,
at least on their way back.
There are few evils but have their compensations, and in
this instance I was fortunate in dropping into a car which
was going in the direction of the golf course, and, better than
all, I happened to drop into a seat next to an old gentleman
who seemed to realise my predicament and to sympathise with
me at once. On asking him if this car would take me to the
Lambton Golf Course, he entered into conversation with me,
and not only undertook to see me right but volunteered
a good deal of useful information besides. He turned out to
be a cousin of our own Bailie Watson, one of the most prominent
members of our team.
In the course of conversation I learn that he settled down
here many years ago. In his youth he had travelled a good
bit and " roughed " it among the gold miners. He likes
Toronto, and speaks highly in its praise. He says there are
only about 150 saloons (" pubs ") all told, and about 300
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
policemen are sufficient to look after the safety of person
and property. He pointed to a suburb of Toronto, with a
population of 10,000, where there is not a single public-house.
I parted with my communicative old friend, and took
another car, which conveyed me to within a short distance
of the Lamb ton Golf Course, where I found the rest of our
party just about to start upon their return journey. I had
a few minutes, however, to look through and around the place,
and found the club-house to be large and well furnished
with every convenience that modern taste could suggest.
The house is finely situated on the brow of a rising swell
overlooking a piece of finely wooded and undulating country.
The " autos " being got in readiness once more, we mount
and are soon flying through the air and the rain — which had
now begun to fall — like things possessed. Where the roads
are good and even a ride on a motor may be all very well ;
indeed, it may be healthful and exhilarating ; but, oh, dear !
where the roads are rutty and bad, one gets a terrible jolting
and shaking, especially if you are driving fast.
We reach the town once more in safety and make at once
for the wharf, where we take boat for the Yacht Club's green,
which is upon one of the little islands that lie out from the
harbour of Toronto, and which form a series of natural break-
waters to the place.
Incidentally I may here mention that it was here where
Edward Hanlon, the at one time world's champion sculler,
took his breathings and practised for those contests which
astonished the old and new worlds alike.
We have lunch in the club-house, and a very substantial
lunch it was, after which we make for the green, which is in
front of the house, and where they had a band discoursing
music. They don't do things in a half-hearted way in this
country ; it seems to be " fill and fetch more " the whole time.
We soon set the balls a-rolling, and earty in the game we
feel we have the yachtsmen in hand. We won by 124 shots,
but it must not be inferred from the largeness of the score that
we had a particularly " soft thing " to tackle. All bowlers
know how easy it is to be down a few shots, and how some-
times the merest chance will account for a few shots. How
often have we all seen when lying the shot, in our anxiety to
improve it, we have driven ourselves out or knocked our
opponents in and thereby altered the score materially. It is
not an uncommon thing for a single rink to get beaten by
twenty or thirty shots, and if you analyze the figures here
you will find that the eight Canadian rinks were down only
15 J per rink.
The rain which had fallen earlier in the day had made
118
Pleasant Dinner Party.
the green heavy and sodden, but it played not badly, and
as the rain kept off during the game, the play was not only
interesting but pleasant, and not nearly so exhausting as
some of our previous games.
The dinner which followed was lavishly spread and well
served, and the toasts were gracefully put and fittingly
responded to. Our own good old man Fingland worthily
, From the " Toronto Daily Star,"
sustained his reputation for point and brevity, and the 'pro-
ceedings wound up with the singing of " The Maple Leaf,"
" Auld Langsyne," and " God Save the King." We then
returned to town richer in pleasant memories than we had
been, and happy in the thought that we had been able to
maintain an unbroken record.
119
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
WEDNESDAY, STH AUGUST.
It has been said that " pride goeth before a fall." It did
in our case, as the following extracts will shew. Last night
we were jubilant over our series of victories ; to-day we have
to record our first defeat.
From The Toronto Globe of gth August, 1906 : —
DEFEAT OP THE BRITISH BOWLERS.
Triumphant March Checked in Stubborn
Fight.
THE VICTORS APPLAUDED.
A Banquet to the Visitors who leave to-day.
" EXCELLENT SPEECHES BY LOCAL BOWLERS AND THEIR
GUESTS. — HON. MR. FOY'S ADDRESS. — THE FALL
RIVER MEN PARTICIPATED IN THE BANQUET.
" The last day of the British bowlers' visit to Toronto,
at least for the present, was marked by their defeat on
the Victoria Club lawn yesterday afternoon, and a banquet
given by the Ontario Bowling Association in their honour
at the King Edward Hotel last night.
" In the morning they were given a drive around the
city as guests of the City Council, and in the afternoon
they were entertained at luncheon by the Victoria and
Thistle Clubs. These two clubs won distinction by
inflicting the first defeat suffered by the visitors since
they landed in Canada. They piled up a score of 162
to the British team's 155, and won out by a majority of
seven shots.
" This morning the British bowlers leave by boat for
Niagara Falls, whence they will go to St. Catharine's
and later to Hamilton. The two visiting rinks from
Fall River, Mass., leave this morning for Montreal, and
after spending a few days there they will return home.
" A FEAST OF GOODFELLOWSHIP.
" The banquet given by the Ontario Bowling Associa-
tion was a very happy conclusion to a week of more
than ordinary sociability. The hospitality of the local
bowlers was on a keen edge from the moment the visitors
arrived in town, and every possible moment in the interval
120
MR. H. C. SCHOLFIELD,
GUELPH,
President, Ontario Bowling Association.
Appreciation of Toronto Hospitality.
that could be devoted to their pleasure was so devoted
heartily and with the utmost good cheer.
" That the visiting bowlers were successful in their
games with the Toronto men until the last game of all
had no dimming effect on the kindly treatment, and
throughout the week everything that careful thought
could suggest for their comfort and pleasure was planned
and carried out with gratifying success.
" Mr. H. C. Scholfield, Guelph, president of the Ontario
Bowling Association, was in the chair at the banquet,
which was attended by about 100 gentlemen. A number
of ladies were welcomed to the banquet room after the
speech making had begun. Mr. J. S. Willison, chairman
of the committee, and Mr. E. T. Lightbourne, vice-
president of the O.B.A., were vice-chairmen. Toasts
to the King and President of the United States were
honoured.
" THE MEN WHO GOVERN Us.
" In proposing the toast to the Dominion and Ontario
Parliaments, President Scholfield said it was a privilege
as well as a pleasure to welcome the British and American
bowlers. The Ontario players were but beginners at the
game, whereas the Old Country players were ' fathers '
of it. The Ontario bowlers owed a debt of gratitude to
their British visitors for the points they had picked up
while being defeated on the green.
" Hon. Mr. Foy, who spoke for both the Dominion
and Ontario Parliaments, said the Parliaments in Canada
were modelled on the same principles as the British
Parliament — they had the same opportunities to do good
or evil as the Parliament in the old land. Mr. Foy said
he was sorry the Premier of Ontario was not able to be
present to speak for the Ontario Government. The whole
Province welcomed the visitors, and the country would
benefit by their Canadian tour. They were better aware
of the possibilities of the Dominion now than before they
came across the ocean, and doubtless the praises of Canada
would be sounded by them when they returned home.
" APPRECIATED CITY'S HOSPITALITY.
" Mr. E. T. Lightbourne, in proposing the toast, ' The
Mayor and City Corporation of the City of Toronto/
took occasion to thank the Mayor, Alderman Graham
and the civic reception committee for their kindness and
hospitality to the bowlers.
" Mayor Coatsworth was pleased to welcome the visitors
I 121
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
on their arrival in Toronto, and to supplement that
greeting at the Ontario Bowling Association's banquet.
The Americans were welcomed as cousins, and the British
as their kith and kin.
" Alderman Graham spoke in the same strain.
" ' I am glad we're not without scalps to our belts/
said Mr. J. S. Willison, in proposing the toast ' Our
Guests, the Bowlers/ ' We managed to squeeze through
to-day with a small majority/ he said, ' and while it
does not seem to distress the visitors, it certainly does
us a lot of good/
" The visitors from across the seas were regarded as
good sportsmen, distinguished alike for intellectual
strength and physical prowess. Mr. Willison said he
never saw a finer body of men, and the older members
of the team seemed as young as the younger Canadians.
The bowlers, he said in conclusion, represented relations
which ought to prevail between Great Britain and
Canada and the United States. He had no idea that
there ever would be organic union between the United
States and Great Britain, but the countries should be
united for the promotion of the world's peace and the
good of civilisation.
" To OUR" GUESTS.
" In response to the toast, ' Our Guests, the Bowlers/
the following briefly expressed gratitude for kindnesses
received by the visitors : — Captain S. Fingland, J. T.
Morrison, E. Pickard, and D. M'Laughlin of the British
team, and E. Cook of the Fall River team. Captain
Fingland and Mr. Morrison congratulated the Victorias
and Thistles on their victory, which would give an impetus
to bowling in Canada.
" The toast ' The Ladies ' was proposed by Mr.
John Pillans, the youngest member of the British team,
and responded to by Mr. C. Murray, the other bachelor
of the party.
" Mayor Coatsworth proposed a toast to the chairman,
which was briefly responded to by Mr. Scholfield.
" The long series of successive victories by the British
bowlers in Canada was broken on the Victoria Club
bowling lawn yesterday afternoon, when five Victoria and
three Thistle rinks defeated the famous Old Country
players by seven shots. The win was greatly appreciated
by the local bowlers and their friends, and the successful
rinks were heartily applauded. The continued victorious
march of the men from across the seas had come to be
122
The Final Game.
regarded as the thing to be expected, consequently the
victory of the Toronto players was hailed with special
delight by the large gathering of spectators.
" The British bowlers, true sportsmen as they are,
appeared to be about as well pleased with the turn in
the tide as the Toronto people themselves, and they were
not slow in offering hearty and genuine congratulations.
It was a great day for the Toronto bowlers, and the
visitors admitted that the Toronto men had won a well-
earned victory.
" SCORES OF FINAL GAME.
41 Following were the scores yesterday : —
BRITISH. VICTORIAS.
F. Hay. A. J. Williams.
E. Gibbon. F. J. Lightbourne.
D. Willox. D. Henderson.
W. E. M'Coll. A. T. Lightbourne.
Skip - 18. Skip - 15,
M'Coll, 40100001300020202011 1 — 18.
Lightbourne, .01011210011201030100 o — 15,
C. Murray, W. H. Grant.
D. M'Laughlin. W. A. Hargreaves.
J. M. Oubridge. F. J. Glackmeyer.
W. M'Letchie. A. J. Taylor.
Skip - 19. Skip - 28.
M'Letchie, ...00030120420201010001 2 — 19.
Taylor, 21401001003050101360 o — 28.
T. Watson. G. S. Pearcy.
J. Hetherington. E. R. Beatty.
A. H. Hamilton. E. M. Lake.
J. T. Morrison. C. A. Swabey.
Skip • 19. Skip - 24.
Morrison, 10400332000030100001 I — 19
Swabey, 04016000111103031110 o — 24.
T. Firth. P. C. Keyes.
R. Paul. H. J. Coleman.
G. Brown. John Bain.
J. J. Jagger. — Paton,
Skip - 20. Skip • 17.
Jagger, 10121020100001420212 o — 20.
Paton, 02000300023310002000 i — 17.
123
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
B. Cousins. J. S. Russell.
J. Welsh. E. Crockett.
A. Lilly. W. J. M'Murtry.
S. Fingland. Dr. C. T. Clarke.
Skip - 17. Skip - 18.
Fingland, 11411131000000001020 i — 17.
Clarke, 00000000121235110101 o — 18.
BRITISH. THISTLES.
E. Pickard. T. H. Litsler.
T. Jeffrey. R. A. Baker.
J. Pillans. J. W. Hickson.
J. Telford. C. H. M'Donald.
Skip - 24. Skip - 14.
Telford, 00201233112110005110 o — 24.
M'Donald, ..21020000000002210002 2 — 14.
M. Twiss. Geo. A. Ball.
P. Campbell. Dr. Chamberlain.
F. P. Smith. C. E. Boyd.
J. C. Hunter. H. Martin.
Skip - 16. Skip - 26.
Hunter, 00120202200000032020 o — 16.
Martin, 31002020032314100201 i — 26.
J. Hamilton. H. W. Martin.
H. Southall. C. Warwick.
H. M'Culloch. W. C. R. Harris.
R. Watson. J. R. L. Starr.
Skip - 22. Skip • 20.
Watson, 00120201000010501041 4—22.
Starr, 22001020123201030100 o — 20.
GRAND TOTAL, 155. GRAND TOTAL, 162,
MAJORITY FOR TORONTO, - 7.
" BRIEF RESUM£ OF GAMES.
" In the first contest between the British and Toronto
bowlers, which took place on the Queen City Lawn
Bowling Club's Green on 2nd August, the day of the
visitors' arrival in Toronto, three rinks of the Queen City
Club won from the British bowlers by 12 shots, but the
visitors defeated three other Queen City rinks, and a rink
from Parkdale, and one from Lome Park, by a total
majority of 42.
124
Summary of Games in Toronto.
" The second day's play was held on the Queen's
Royal lawn at Niagara-on-the-Lake, where the British
visitors were given the closest contest of the series with
the Toronto bowlers up to yesterday's game. Five
Canada Club rinks defeated them by a majority of 17,
but Parkdale made a poor showing, and the ultimate
result was a win by the Old Countrymen by 14. There
were five rinks of Canadas, two of St. Matthew's, and one
of Parkdale in the group against the British at Niagara.
" The visitors had it comparatively easy last Saturday
at Balmy Beach, where they scored a victory by 76 shots
against three Balmy Beach rinks, three Kew Beach rinks,
and two rinks of St. Matthew's. On that occasion,
however, two Balmy Beach rinks were 10 up.
" On the Granite Club's green, on 6th August, the
visitors' majority was 74 over five rinks of Granites and
three of Prospect Park. The British won in every rink
on the Granite Lawn.
" They did likewise on the handsome R.C.Y.C. green
on Tuesday, 7th August, when they scored their greatest
victory against a Toronto aggregation of players. They
defeated six rinks of the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, and
two Caer Howell rinks, by a majority of 122.
" In the final Toronto contest, the Victoria rinks were
nine up, and the Thistles two down, the scores being : —
British, 93 ; Victorias, 102 ; and British, 62 ; Thistles, 60.
" SUMMARY OF GAMES IN TORONTO.
" Following is a brief summary of the five games won
from Toronto by the British, and the game they lost to
the Victorias and Thistles : —
BRITISH. TORONTO.
Aug 2, 171 129
,,3, 150 136
,,4, 194 "8
,,6, 199 125
,,7> 2I1 89
,,8, 155 162
I
Grand aggregate, . . 1*080 759
Total Majority for British, 321."
The chief characteristic of an historian should be impartiality
and truth ; hence I give all the particulars of this game which
I have been able to collect, and those mostly from the opposite
side. Little remains to be said about it. We did not grudge
'25
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
our opponents their well-earned victory ; indeed, many of us
openly expressed our satisfaction at the result.
Having spent a full week in this charming city, and having
been received everywhere by her sons with unbounded kind-
ness and hospitality, I cannot depart from it without giving
the general reader some idea of its importance among the
cities of this great Continent ; therefore the following facts
relative to its rise and progress will be interesting.
I am indebted to the pages of Toronto Illustrated for the
condensed historical sketch which I here give. I should
perhaps apologise to the author for making thus free with his
work, but it is all intended for the good of the city he has
so well described.
There was a meeting of our team at 9.30 this morning,
and at 10 o'clock a presentation of silverplate to Mr. Hamilton,
our indefatigable and courteous secretary.
TORONTO.
" Toronto, the capital city of Ontario, the centenary
of whose foundation was held in 1884, occupies a position
which was of great importance long before the advent
of the white race, at a time when the entire province was
covered with a dense hardwood forest, penetrated only
in a few directions by the Indian trails.
" The site of Toronto was the termination of the most
important of these trails which supplied the shortest
and most convenient road between Lake Huron and
Lake Ontario. The name itself is of Huron origin, and
means a ' place of meeting/ a term applied to the neigh-
bourhood of Lake Simcoe, which was the northern end
of the first stage on the great portage.
" In course of time the name has been transferred
from the neighbourhood of Lake Simcoe to the southern
end of the trail. It was by this road that the Six Nation
Indians passed, during the middle of the seventeenth
century, through to the present County of Simcoe, and
in a series of bloody conflicts almost entirely exterminated
the Huron Indians. At the time of the conquest of
Canada, the province was occupied by the Mississaugas,
a branch of the Algonquin people.
" During the latter part of the seventeenth and the
beginning of the eighteenth century, the fight for the fur
trade with the Indians was maintained with great vigour
between the English from Albany and the French from
Montreal. The control by the French of the trade
126
Toronto in 1788.
passing by the Niagara River led the English to establish
a fort at Oswego for the purpose of gaining the traffic
from the North-west, and as a counter- stroke a French
trading-post was established in 1749 on the site of Toronto,
which was named Fort Rouille, after the French colonial
minister. It was situated on the lake shore in what is
now the western part of the city, and its site is marked
by an obelisk in the south-west corner of the exhibition
grounds.
" In 1758 the threatened attacks on Quebec, Montreal
and Niagara by the English forces under Wolfe and
Amherst, compelled the governor of Canada, M. de
Vaudreuil, to withdraw his force from the smaller forts,
and under his instruction Fort Rouille was burned in
1759-
" In the period intervening between the destruction of
the fort and the settlement of the town, the fur trade
continued to be very valuable, and it is said £1,000 was
offered by traders for a season's monopoly as far back
as 1767.
" The termination of the American Revolution and the
declaration of Independence was followed by the expul-
sion of the United Empire Loyalists, many of whom
settled in Upper Canada. Some of these settlers found
their way to the vicinity of Toronto and civilized settle-
ment had then made its beginning. At that time the
eyes of the Imperial officials were cast on it as a suitable
site for the future capital of Ontario. Surveyor General
Collins reported it in 1788 as possessing a capacious,
safe, and well-sheltered harbour. The Surveyor-General
at Lower Canada, Colonel Bouchette, who conducted
extensive surveys in the western lakes, wrote approvingly
of it, giving among other information the following
interesting description of it : —
" ' I distinctly recollect the untamed aspect which the
country exhibited when first I entered the beautiful
basin. Dense and trackless forests lined the margin of
the lake, and reflected their inverted images in its glossy
surface. The wandering savage had constructed his
ephemeral habitation beneath their luxuriant foliage —
the group then consisted of two families of Mississaugas —
and the many neighbouring marshes were the hitherto
uninvaded haunts of immense convoys of wild fowl/
" Its situation certainly commended it as a convenient
and safe place for the capital of the province, and when
Lieut. -Col. John Graves Simcoe, the first Governor of
Upper Canada, came to the conclusion that Newark, as
127
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Niagara-on-the-Lake was then called, was unsuitable for
the seat of government, on account of its proximity to
the United States' border, and its not being central enough
for provincial purposes, he had no difficulty in selecting
Toronto as the place best suited for his capital.
" Accordingly he did so choose and promptly made a
progress by water to lay the foundation of the new town,
accompanied by his officers of state and a detachment
of the Queen's Rangers. The town plan was very simple,
and was in the form of a parallelogram, the street area
being bounded on the west by George Street, on the south
by Palace Street, on the east by Ontario Street, and on
the north by Duchess Street.
" At this interval of time it is worth recalling the
meaning of the early street nomenclature of the city.
George Street was named after George, Prince of Wales
(George IV.) ; Duchess Street after the Duchess of York,
the King's daughter-in-law ; Frederick Street after the
Duke of York ; Caroline Street after Queen Caroline,
then Princess of Wales ; Yonge Street after Sir Frederick
Yonge, Secretary of State for War. Governor Simcoe
changed the name of the new town from Toronto to
York, and for many years it was so known.
" At the beginning of this century the town had taken
form and was spreading its buildings over the fairly
large area laid out. Public buildings were erected and
others were projected and residences sprung up of goodly
proportion and architectural variety. At this period the
town was twice captured by the Americans. It sur-
rendered in 1813 to General Pike, when the Houses of
Parliament and the records were burned and much
damage inflicted on property ; and three months later
the town was taken by the American fleet under Commo-
dore Chauncey . The social and commercial life of the town
was progressing very rapidly, but in this brief sketch
cannot be dealt with. Some of the leading men, however,
may be mentioned, and their names will revive the scenes
in which they moved as controlling actors.
" Following Simcoe as governors were Peter Russell,
Peter Hunter, Sir Francis Gore, Sir Isaac Brock, and
contemporary were Baldwin, Jarvis, Robinson, Powell,
Osgoode, Small, Hagerman, Chuwett, Draper, Ridout,
Boulton, Bidwell, Allan, Shaw and Denison. One figure
stands out pre-eminent in the person of Bishop Strachan,
the sturdy Aberdonian who was an ecclesiastic and states-
man who left his mark on the events of the day as probably
no one else did.
128
Toronto's Motto.
" Meanwhile the town grew and prospered. Successful
business enterprises were established, churches built,
schools provided, and colleges for the higher branches of
education founded. The printing press poured forth its
broad sheets, and ' York,' then as now, was the provincial
centre of political agitation and literary activity. As the
seat of government, this was only natural, but the
circumstances of the time were favourable for civil
commotion and public unrest.
" The family compact reigned supreme ; popular rights
were ignored or neglected and constitutional agitation
having failed in effecting redress and reform, the people,
or a portion of them, arose in revolt, the outbreak being
known as the William Lyon Mackenzie Rebellion. Three
years before that extreme step was taken, York once
more changed its name, reverting to ' Toronto/ and it
became a city. From that year, 1834, it dates its second
birth, and the man upon whom was bestowed the dis-
tinction of being the first mayor was the agitator and
reformer, William Lyon Mackenzie. The steps taken to
incorporate Toronto are worth reciting. Mr. Jarvis,
member for York, introduced the bill for incorporation
in the Legislature in February, 1834. In March it became
law, providing for a city divided into five wards, with two
aldermen and two councilmen from each ward, from
whom was to be elected a mayor. The first meeting of
the new council was held on the 3rd of April, 1834, and
Mr. Mackenzie was elected mayor, and it was he who
designed the city arms and motto : ' Industry, Intelli-
gence, Integrity.'
" Here it may be proper, as it surely will be interesting,
to give the names of the chief magistrates who have
ruled the city since its incorporation, viz. : — 1834,
William Lyon Mackenzie ; 1835, Robert Baldwin Sullivan;
1836, Thomas D. Morrison, M.D. ; 1837, George Gurnett ;
1838-40, John Powell ; 1841, George Munro ; 1842-44,
Hon. Henry Sherwood, Q.C. ; 1845-47, William Henry
Boulton ; 1848-50, George Gurnett ; 1851-53, John George
Bowes ; 1854, Joshua Geo. Beard ; 1855, George W.
Allan ; 1856, John Beverley Robinson ; 1857, Jonn
Hutchison ; 1858, William Henry Boulton and David
B. Read, Q.C. ; 1859-60, Adam Wilson, Q.C. ; 1861-63
John George Bowes ; 1864-66, Francis H. Medcalf
1867-68, James E. Smith ; 1869-70, Samuel B. Harman
1871-72, Joseph Sheard ; 1873, Alexander Manning
1874-75, Francis H. Medcalf ; 1876-78, Angus Morrison,
Q.C. ; 1879-80, James Beaty, jun., Q.C. ; 1881-82, W.
129
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Barclay M'Murrich ; 1883-84, Arthur R. Boswell ; 1885,
Alexander Manning ; 1886-87, William H. Rowland ;
1888-91, Edward F. Clarke ; 1892-93, Robert J. Fleming ;
1894-95, Waring Kennedy ; 1896, Robert J. Fleming ;
1897, Robert J. Fleming and John Shaw ; 1898-99, John
Shaw ; 1900, Ernest A. Macdonald ; 1901-2, Oliver A.
Rowland, C.M.G. ; 1903-4-5, Thomas Urquhart ; 1906,
Emerson Coatsworth.
" At the date of its incorporation the population of
Toronto was under 10,000, and the ratable property
within the city limits did not exceed three-quarters of a
million dollars. The western boundary was Peter Street,
and the city did not extend beyond the Don. There
were few buildings to the north of Queen Street, then
known as ' Lot Street,' the primeval forest being still
uncut and uncleared on the northern border. In this
year the newly-born city suffered from an outbreak of
Asiatic cholera, which proved a terrible scourge, the
death rate being one in twenty of the population. The
gloom caused by this disaster deepened the dissatisfaction
caused by the misgovernment of the province, and
emphasised the disaffection of the populace. Yet the
city prospered well on the whole, notwithstanding these
untoward experiences.
" With the rebellion of 1837, already mentioned, we
shall not deal. Toronto was, of course, the object of
attack, but the defence was more than sufficient to
prevent a siege or inroad, Montgomery's tavern to the
north being the point of rally, and a few volleys of
musketry the only expressions of war. From '37 to the
present time the leading events must be passed under
review kaleidoscopically.
A Great Distributing City.
11 The city of Toronto is the largest and most important
wholesale jobbing centre of Canada, its output of merchan-
dise for distribution to dealers in various lines of trade
far surpassing that of Montreal. To its warehouses come
the buyers from contractors and lumbercamps, supply
firms and retail stores all over the Dominion, its diversified
stocks and exceptional shipping facilities attracting a
custom which has increased very rapidly within the past
few years owing to the active development being carried
on in the newer portions of the country.
" The dominate position of the city as a wholesale
supply point is primarily due to its unequalled advan-
tages for cheap freightage, both by lake and rail, and is
130
Toronto's Trade.
assisted by its undisputed possession of the most lucrative
purchasing market of Canada lying adjacent to its
boundaries. An index of the traffic of which it is the
pivot-point is found in the fact that more than 200
freight trains enter and leave Toronto daily.
" In addition to many business houses not here enumer-
ated as not being strictly jobbers, though they do a
From tJtf " Toronto Daily Star,"
partial wholesale trade, one finds in Toronto strong
wholesale houses, in the following among other lines : —
grocers, dry goods, hardware, hats, caps and furs,
jewellery and silverware, lamp goods, lumber, millinery,
paints and oils, paper goods, seeds, sporting goods,
stationers, teas and coffee, tobaccos and cigars, small-
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
wares, underwear, wines and liquors, woollens, pro-
visions, produce, etc.
A City of Charming Homes.
4 ' It is safe to say that no city of equal size in America
contains so many substantial and artistic homes, and so
delightful a series of residential districts as Toronto. It
is essentially a city of homes — a city which presents
attractions to home life unequalled elsewhere. In
summer the thousands of wide-spreading trees throw
their cooling foliage across the roadways, forming, with
the well-trimmed and flower-bordered lawns, many
vistas of surpassing charm. Parks of large expanse and
great natural beauty may be found in every section of
the city, while the deep ravines of Rosedale, the heights
on the northern boundary, and the wonderful panorama
of Lake Ontario's changing tints lend their added loveli-
ness to the surroundings.
" In front of the city is Toronto Island, where, within
but a few minutes of the busiest streets, one may find
quietness, fresh air, and all the delights of shady groves,
sandy beaches, and tumbling waves. Several other
summer suburbs of the same attractiveness exist along
the lake shore, while steamers ply in every direction,
affording a wide variety of pleasure excursions at moderate
cost. The climate of Toronto is very moderate, and the
somewhat short winter is full of pleasant occupations,
each season bringing its series of notable dramatic,
musical, and other entertainments ; for Toronto is a
generous patron of good art, and never fails to attract
to its doors those who are most famous on the lecture
platform or the dramatic stage.
The Mecca of Tourists.
" Each year sees an increase in the tourist traffic of
Toronto, and in the number of conventions held within
its borders. Even yet, however, the almost limitless
attractions of the city and country behind it are but
partly known. The Muskoka Lakes, famous for their
beauty and their sport, are each summer the haunt of
thousands from Canada and the United States. Georgian
Bay, with its 30,000 islands, is now rivalling Muskoka
in popular esteem, while the Kawartha Lake District,
with its magnificent bass and trout fishing, is each
season becoming a great favourite.
" These are only three out of many such resorts that
Ontario possesses, and which can easily be reached from
132
Its Colleges and Schools.
Toronto. The vast regions of New Ontario contain
thousands of miles of lakes, forests and streams, whose
resources for sport and pleasure have not yet been even
touched. To the tourist from other cities, Toronto itself
is a delightful visiting-place, replete in beauty and
opportunities for enjoyment. Its situation gives it an
equable and healthy climate ; its excellent street railway
service affords great convenience for sight-seeing, and its
hotel accommodations are both extensive and moderate
in cost.
" It has been called the ' Convention City,' and the
thousands who have visited it on such occasions bear
cordial testimony to the hospitality of the people and the
multitude of its attractions. The city contains 147
hotels, 300 boarding-houses, five theatres, twenty-two
music and concert halls, and nearly 250 public buildings
and halls for meetings of all kinds.
Its Famous Colleges and Schools,
"As an educational centre, Toronto possesses advan-
tages unsurpassed by any city of equal size in America.
It contains three large universities — Toronto, Trinity and
M'Master. In federation with the university of Toronto
are several strong colleges with courses in theology and
arts, namely — Knox, St. Michael's, Victoria and Wycliffe.
This university is supported by the province, and the
wide range of its usefulness is shown by the following list
of its affiliated institutions in various departments : —
Toronto School of Medicine, Royal College of Dental
Surgeons, School of Practical Science, Women's Medical
College, Ontario School of Pharmacy, Ontario Veterinary
College, and two Colleges of Music.
" The city contains 53 public schools, 16 separate
schools (Roman Catholic), one model school, one normal
school, three collegiate institutes, four industrial
schools, one technical school, seven ladies' schools, one
residential boys' college, and several excellent business
colleges.
" The public and separate schools and the technical
school are absolutely free, and the Toronto public school
system is regarded as the most perfect in America.
School matters are governed by boards of public trustees,
representative in some cases and elective in others.
Education in Toronto is within the reach of all, and is
of a very high type. The public school system leads
naturally to the collegiate, and thence to the university,
and, while free education is obtainable up to a point
'33
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
sufficient for any branch of commercial life, the higher
branches may also be studied at comparatively slight
expense.
Its Public and Trade Institutions.
" In no way is the character of a people better shown
than in the number and strength of its trade institutions —
those organisations which, while serving no individually
selfish end, are yet of benefit to the public as a whole,
or to those whose misfortunes entitle them to the
sympathy of their fellows.
"In this respect Toronto can show a record of remark-
able achievement. Its Board of Trade is recognised as
the most influential colonial board in the British Empire,
and is unceasing in its efforts on behalf of the business
interests of the city and of Canada as a whole. Its
industrial exhibition, which in 1903 took rank as a
Dominion event, is the largest and finest annual exhibi-
tion in the world. Its public library, with five branches,
containing in all more than 130,000 books, ranks among
the great libraries of America. It is the home of the
Canadian Manufacturers' Association, which here had its
inception. Its great asylum cares for the insane, and
four large general hospitals, with emergency and isolation
branches, minister to the sick. The city contains 27
homes for the friendless poor, and 14 orphanages and
shelters for the young. Five hospitals are devoted to
special forms of disease, while three infirmaries and seven
dispensaries assist in caring for those who need their aid.
Besides these there are a great many semi-public enter-
prises for the alleviation of suffering, pain and want.
" An interesting feature of Toronto life is its military,
which includes, besides a permanent corps, a volunteer
force of two mounted bodies, battery of field artillery,
and three infantry regiments.
Facts about Toronto.
" Population, 262,749. Number of wards, 6. Area of
the city, i8J miles. Tax rate, i8J mills on the dollar.
"Assessment-Land, $65,386,502 -"buildings, $75,745,400;
income, $8,838,786; business, $19,224,628; total,
$169,195,316. Tax Revenue, $3,064,914. Total
Revenue, $4,471,971. Annual post office receipts,
$1,050,913.
" Building permits issued in 1905, 3,753. Value of
buildings erected in 1905, $10,347,910. Transfers of
property in 1905, 7,917.
134
Facts about Toronto.
" Average death-rate, 17*46 per 1,000.
" Police stations, 7 ; policemen, 325 ; fire stations,
17 ; signal boxes, 209 ; firemen, 208 ; street gas lamps,
964 ; electric arc lamps, 1,261 ; theatres, 5 ; hotels,
147 ; hospitals, 9 ; gas mains, 287 miles ; side-walks,
475 miles.
" Best annual exhibition in the world ; area of ground,
1 60 acres ; length of grand stand, 700 feet ; seating
capacity, 12,000.
" One of the finest city halls on Continent. Cost,
$2,500,000 ; total floor-space, 5.40 acres ; tower, 300 feet
high ; largest winding clock on Continent ; bell weighing
11,648 pounds.
" Fine harbour for lake vessels, used during 1905 by
3,400 vessels, representing a tonnage of 1,400,000.
" Free zoological gardens, containing 134 animals and
birds, including one elephant, five lions, one camel, three
buffalo, one polar bear and numerous others.
" Twenty-five public parks, containing in all 1,640 acres.
" Miles of street railway track, 94.69. Passengers
carried in 1905, 67,881,688 ; transfers in 1905, 23,625,752 ;
receipts, $2,747,324 ; city's share, $366,688.
" Public schools, 53 ; pupils, 35,000 ; teachers, 708.
Separate schools, 16 ; pupils, 5,297 ; teachers, 105.
One technical school, 1,200 pupils, 24 teachers. Three
High Schools, 35 teachers, 1,400 pupils.
" There are 265.45 miles of street, and 84^ miles of
lanes, of which 180.65 miles are paved and 75.80 unpaved.
" There are 230.31 miles of sewers, and 272.853 miles
of water mains, with 3,205 hydrants. The average
quantity of water pumped in 24 hours during 1905 was
24,799,758 gallons.
" The electric street cars run over 90,936 miles of
tracks, and more than 205 cars are in use.
" The banking clearings in 1899 were $504,872,846 ;
in 1905, $1,047,490,701.
" There are in Toronto 206 churches — 44 Anglican,
21 Baptist, 9 Congregational, 41 Methodist, 32 Presby-
terian, 15 Roman Catholic, and 44 Miscellaneous.
" Toronto citizens use about 11,000 telephones, which
is a very high average in proportion to the population of
the city.
" Toronto is the centre of the law system of Ontario,
having 27 law courts within its limits.
" There are 116 miles of railway line within the limits
of Toronto, and between 90 and 100 passenger trains
enter and leave the city daily.
135
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
" Journalism is represented in Toronto by 6 daily
papers, 49 weekly, 20 semi-monthly, 76 monthly, and
8 quarterly.
*' The four principal residential districts of the city
show that houses to the value of $890,000 have been
erected within the past year.
" The sanitary requirements of Toronto are admirably
managed by a Board of Health and Medical Health
Officer.
" Toronto is governed by a Mayor, Board of Control
(of four members), and 18 Aldermen."
THURSDAY, 9TH AUGUST.
"8.30 a.m. — Leave the King Edward Hotel for Niagara
Navigation Wharf, en route for Niagara Falls."
So ran our programme for to-day. This was supposed to
be a day off, in so far as there was no game ; but travelling
is fully as tiresome as playing, and we felt this ere nightfall.
We had to be up by six o'clock, so as to have an early break-
fast, pay our bills, and get our traps ready for removal.
The wharf is but a short distance from the hotel, so some
foot it and others take a 'bus or brougham, for which they
pay a quarter dollar — rather " salt," considering the distance.
We were all there in good time ; for boats, like trains,
don't wait for tardy risers. Some of us were pretty seedy-
looking, and felt quite as tired as we looked.
The large steamer was well filled by a crowd of holiday-
makers, all on pleasure bent — all joyous and happy, and all
very agreeable with one another, except poor Mr. Butt, who
has been taken unwell, and who looks very ill indeed. We all
feel sorry for him ; he is such a fine fellow when at himself.
He is hopeful that the trip across the lake may do him good,
The sail across the lake is very pleasant and restful, and we
land at Lewiston, on the American side, without incident,
where we have our baggage examined by the Customs' officials
— I should rather say passed, as the so-called examination
consisted only of a glance at it, which saved us a lot of worry
and annoyance.
By this time the haze which had overhung the earth had
cleared away, and the sun shone forth in all his glory and
splendour, sending forth such a glow of heat as to make us
glad to seek the shade wherever it could be found. We soon
got seated in the electric car which plies between Lewiston
and Niagara, and a moment later are whirling along one of
the grandest and wildest routes in the world. Some parts of
the line run quite close to the water's edge, rising higher and
136
The Falls.
higher above the water-level as the cars near their destination.
The scene is wild — ay, even fearful in many places — yet has
a fascination for the eye and mind that constrains you to look,
even though you shudder, at the mighty, rushing, heaving,
tossing and tumbling waters below.
Our immediate destination is at the Clifton Hotel, on the
Canadian side — a large and newly established house ; so we
cross the bridge immediately on our arrival at Niagara,
secure our rooms, see our baggage properly disposed of, and
then make for a look round.
The " Clifton " commands a splendid view of the Falls,
but we go forth in search of pastures new. I make no attempt
to describe the awful grandeur of the scene, either coming up
the gorge, or of the " Falls " themselves. Abler pens than mine
have tried this with questionable success. It must be seen
in order that its grandeur may be fully realised, as no pen
portraiture can convey to the mind the majesty and solemnity
of the scene.
I have been told that some people have expressed a feeling
of disappointment on first beholding this mighty phenomenon,
until the vastness of it grew upon them. I cannot say that
I am one of these, nor were there any such in our party,
judging from the expressions of wonder and delight on the
lips of all. Imagine, if you can, a hundred million tons of
water per hour falling over a precipice about two hundred
feet in depth, and rushing through a deep rocky gorge seven
or eight miles in length, and you have a faint idea of the
magnitude of this wonder of the world.
We have a hasty lunch, and then a run on the car out the
length of Chippewa, on the site of an Indian village, and once
the scene of a bloody battle long years ago.
We pass the new electric power works, a gigantic concern
for the supply of power even to such cities as Toronto and
Hamilton.
After a short rest at Chippewa, we return, cross the river
to the American side, and visit the places of interest there —
The National Park, Bath Island, Goat Island, Luna Island,
The Cave of the Winds, The Three Sisters Islands, and The
Three Sisters Bridges, besides many other objects of interest
that claim the attention of admiring visitors. Some of us
have a sail on the Maid of the Mist, a little steamer which
takes visitors up quite to the " Falls " through clouds of misty
spray that would drench to the skin, if not guarded against
by oilskin overalls, which we don, and strange-looking figures
we were when thus attired — only the eyes and nose being seen
peeping out of an oily head-covering, somewhat like a fire-
man's helmet. Indeed, it was very difficult to tell who was
K 137
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
who when thus attired, even the distinction of the sexes being
a matter of some difficulty. These coverings, if uncomely,
are very effective protectors against getting wet.
The trip is most exhilarating, as you feel the little steamer
bobbing up and down on the bosom of the turbulent waters,
and think of what the result might be in the event of it
capsizing.
A hurried drive through the public park, visiting the
islands and other points of interest, brought our tour of
sight-seeing to a close, and we return to our hotel, where we
have a good substantial dinner. Most of us felt rather tired
and not inclined to travel far ; and, as the shades of evening
were by this time beginning to fall, we felt more inclined to
rest, and smoke upon the verandah, chatting over all we had
seen and drinking in the glories of the scene before us, watching
the snowy sheets of spray as they rose high in the air, and
listening to the ceaseless roar of the " Falls " with awe and
wonder. Personally, I felt as if my soul would burst into song
in uni-on with the voice of the river, but the subject was too
grand for a muse like mine.
I learn we have to leave poor Mr. Butt here, arrangements
having been made for his removal to hospital to-morrow.
We are all greatly concerned about him, and hope for his
speedy recovery. This news casts a gloom over the whole
party, and one can hardly help wondering whose turn it may
be next.
FRIDAY, IOTH AUGUST.
This morning dawned with a little rain, but the promise
of turning out a fine day.
Mr. Butt is no better this morning, and goes to hospital.
Our programme for to-day is as follows : —
Members of the St. Catharine's Bowling Club will take charge
of party at Niagara Falls.
Special car to Port-Dalhousie, visiting Canadian Henley Club-
house and Barnesdale Vineyard.
i. p.m. — Luncheon.
3 p.m. — Play on St. Catharine's Lawn against Home Club
and Niagara.
7 p.m. — Dinner and Smoker.
Leave next morning at 6.38 for Hamilton.
We had an early breakfast this morning, and got our bills
paid, and our packages all tied up again and taken down to
the hall in readiness for the car which was to convey us to
St. Catharine's, and which arrived prompt to time ; but
instead of proceeding direct to St. Catharine's, our conductors
138
Port-Dalhousie.
arranged for us seeing the "rapids" above the " Falls," from
a point we had not yet visited. The point was on the car
line, and at a considerable height overlooking the river. The
view was indescribably grand, as the eye took in a far wider
view of the river than it had hitherto been able to do. The
river looked like a miniature ocean, lashed into fury by a
storm, the white breakers leaping and dancing in the sunlight
like spirits at play. All felt at a loss for words to express
their feelings.
After spending a few minutes in almost speechless admira-
tion, if not ecstasy, we again boarded our car, and were soon
fleeting along for St. Catharine's.
Our drive lay through a country fairly well cultivated, and
with numerous orchards, whose treasures shone and glistened
in the sunshine with a tantalising temptation to taste, but,
of course, that was out of the question, and one had to content
himself with the philosophy of the fox in ^Esop's Fable, and
admire them at a distance.
Remarking to a member of the reception committee, who
sat next to me, on the apparent productiveness of the country
through which we were passing, he told me that he had known
grapes to be sold at from twelve to fifteen dollars per ton.
Let the reader think what he likes of this. I simply give it
as a scrap of conversation, and am in no way responsible
for its accuracy.
The Barnesdale Vineyard, through which we pass on our
way to Port-Dalhousie, is perhaps one of the largest in Canada,
and seems to be under excellent care and management. The
sight of a real vineyard is new to many of us, and it was not
only refreshing to the eye, but fruitful to the mind of the
moralist.
Port-Dalhousie is a quiet little place on the Lake (Ontario),
and offers fine facilities for bathing. Indeed, at the moment
of our visit quite a number of youths were disporting them-
selves in the placid and calm waters of the lake, and, had time
permitted, the desire to do likewise might have become
contagious, as several of our party expressed a wish to test
the buoyancy of the lake.
There were a few old rickles of boats lying in port at the
time of our visit, but how they managed to weather the
dangers of the deep is a puzzle to me ; still, they seemed
not only weather-beaten, but worm-eaten, and I could not
help thinking that a can or two of paint would have covered
a multitude of sins.
Dalhousie is the outlet of the canal which leads from Lake
Erie to Lake Ontario, a very important waterway of fully
thirty miles. The making of this canal must have proved
139
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
of infinite value to the surrounding country. The work must,
however, have cost an immense amount of money, as the depth
is considerable, the embankments substantial, and the locks
numerous and well constructed. These great works, I under-
stand, were undertaken by the Government.
" All aboard ! " which is the signal for all to get on board
the car again, is sounded loud and shrill, cutting our reflections
short and bringing the wanderers from afar to take their
places on the car again ; and we are soon on our way for the
Henley Clubhouse, which we reach in a few minutes ; but,
not being nautically inclined, it fails to interest us as perhaps
it deserves. We have a look round, and see many specimens
of the sailing craft, some of them very frail-looking shells
indeed, in which I felt I would be loath to trust myself in the
calmest of weather, even with a life-belt attached.
The gathering signal is heard again, and the clans, responsive
to the call, once more board the car, and again we are on the
move, inhaling the fragrance of the orchards, vineyards and
meadowlands as we pass along.
Another halt is made at the wine manufactory of Barnesdale,
where we are met and welcomed by Mr. - - (I didn't catch
his name), who is manager of the establishment, and who
escorts us over the place and down into the wine cellars,
in which — never having seen anything of the kind before —
many of us are greatly interested, and not only so, but we
are treated to a sample of the " real M'Kay/' — the pure
juice of the grape. In addition to this, each one of the party,
both ladies and gentlemen, is presented with a bottle for home
consumpt. I don't know how many (if any) ever saw the
Old Country. I know that most of them reached the hotel,
that few of them were ever afterwards seen outside of the hotel,
that all the party were delighted with their visit, and that the
samples they had partaken of seemed to have a wonderfully
exhilarating effect upon the spirits of some. Indeed, in the
exuberance of his delight one of our party suggested that
to-day's match might yet be arranged to be played at the
wine manufactory instead of in the town of St. Catharine's.
The remainder of our run back to St. Catharine's was not
only delightful, but joyous.
It is wonderful the effect a visit to a vineyard has upon the
spirits of some, especially if the cellar is visited, as upon
this occasion. Tricks were being played, and jokes cracked
during the rest of the journey, with a frequency that bespoke
all freedom from restraint, and a happy abandon.
We got back to St. Catharine's in time for lunch, at which
the Mayor presided and welcomed us in a neat little speech.
The gieen was quite near to the hotel, and we were soon
140
British Victory at St. Kitts.
trooping upon it for a throw or two before the game began
in earnest. It was beautifully decorated, and a large crowd
lined the embankments all round, while a band discoursed
music all the time. We soon set ourselves agoing again,
and, notwithstanding the " samples " partaken of in the
earlier part of the day, we played a good game and won by
65 shots. Our opponents were in great form, and it took
" all we knew " to make our majority. The " Saints " were
ill to shake off, and " stuck to their guns " till the last shot
was fired, but after that they partook of the fun as heartily
as the winners, and it would have been hard for a stranger
coming upon the scene to say at a glance which side was up.
Here follows the score of the several rinks, with a few com-
ments by a Toronto paper (The Globe) : —
BRITISHERS WON AT ST. KITTS.
" St. Catharine's, loth August. — British bowlers con-
tinued their march of victory here to-day, defeating
eight rinks of St. Catharine's Bowling Club by a majority
of 65 points, 193 to 128. The only local rink which won
was that of M. J. M'Carron, who has something of a
reputation as a skip. He defeated skip M'Coll by five
points. This was the first defeat for M' Coil's rink since
they started.
" The city gave the British bowlers a warm reception.
This morning a deputation of members of the City Council
and of the bowling club met them at Niagara Falls and
escorted them to St. Catharine's. They were then taken
in special trolley cars to see the Canadian Henley course,
Barnesdale vineyards and other points of interest. At
one o'clock the visitors were entertained at luncheon by
the city at the Welland House, Mayor Riddell presiding.
" Play commenced at three o'clock on the Welland
House Lawn, and the last pair of rinks finished their
match about seven o'clock. There was a large attendance
of spectators. The igth Regiment Band played during
the afternoon. This evening the British bowlers were
entertained at a smoker by the local club. They leave
for Hamilton in the morning at 6.36. Scores : — "
BRITISH. Sx, CATHARINE'S.
Peter Campbell* Dr. Beam.
J. Welsh. J. N. Walker.
Thos. Watson. H. J. Johnston,
M. Twiss. J. K. Kernahan.
Skip - 24. Skip - 20.
141
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Chas. Murray.
D. M'Laughlin.
J. M. Oubridge.
J. Pillans.
Skip - 33-
C. Addicott.
J. E. Gibbon.
D. Willox.
W. E. M'Coll.
Skip - 17.
T. Firth.
R. Paul.
F. Brown.
J. J- Jagger.
Skip - 23.
E. Pickard.
T. Jeffrey.
F. Hay.
J. Telford.
Skip - 27.
W. Kerr.
H. Southall.
A. H. Hamilton.
J. T. Morrison.
Skip - 25.
Geo. Cousin.
Wm. Miller.
A. Lilly.
S. Fingland.
Skip - 21.
John Hamilton.
J. Hetherington.
H. M'Culloch.
Bailie Watson.
Skip -
Total,
23-
193-
J. A. Grobb.
W. Gourlay.
O. J. Phelps.
A. M. Ecclestone.
Skip - 17.
J. Dawson.
C. G. M'Ghie.
Wm. Peel.
M. J. M'Carron.
Skip - 22.
R. G. W. Connolly.
J. Hodgins.
J. G. Moore.
W. G. Finlay.
Skip - 15.
Capt. M'Avoy.
John Evans.
A. W. Marquis.
S. J. Inksater.
Skip - 14.
F. W. Martin.
J. T. Petrie.
J. P. Casey.
W. G. Yielding.
Skip - 13.
N. R. MacGregor.
A. Chatfield.
H. W. Calkins.
A. M'Lean.
Skip - 13.
Dr. Crysler.
J. D. Coleman.
W. S. Lansing.
J. H. Burns.
Skip • 14.
Total,
128
SATURDAY, IITH AUGUST.
All up and at it again this morning — I mean the packing
and strapping business — getting ready for the road. The
train for Hamilton was late and crowded, with the usual
142
George J. Bennett.
inconveniences, most of us having to stand sweltering and
sweating the whole way, until we reached our destination,
where there was quite a large crowd to welcome us, among
whom were our old friends, Dr. Russell and George J. Bennett,
both of whom we had met before.
Mr. Bennett is a prominent Freemason, being Grand Scribe
E. of the Royal Arch Order. He has quite a brotherly care
EDWARD
GUT Y€ KB
From the " Toronto Daily Star"
over us, and is most attentive in looking to our comfort.
A big hearted fellow is George — a credit to the craft and a
pleasure to know.
We find that accommodation has been secured for us at
the " Hotel Royal," and thither we are taken at once, but we
have hardly time to give our hands and face a " synd " until
we are hurried off to the Town Hall to be introduced to the
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Mayor and others, who are waiting to receive us. They
welcome us in a few well chosen words, in which there is a
ring of friendship, which makes us feel at home right off.
The Mayor informs us that there are a number of " autos "
outside waiting to convey us round the city, and he hopes
we will have a good time of it, which was fully realised.
Soon we were whirling through the wide, well-made streets of
Hamilton and away out into the country, where the dust
rose in clouds and nearly smothered us.
Hamilton is a healthy, thriving town of some 60,000
inhabitants, many of whom are of Scotch birth, or of Scotch
descent. They have all the plodding, persevering character-
istics of the Old Country, with much of the " go " and tireless
energy of a new land.
We enjoyed our drive notwithstanding the dust, and could
not but admire the many fine buildings, their public parks
and open spaces. Their streets are all in excellent repair and
clean, especially in the centre of the town.
But even pleasure palls upon the senses when the body is
tired, and we were glad when we got back to our hotel for a few
minutes' rest. After lunch, we repair to the ground of the
Hamilton Thistle Club to engage in a " fight to the finish."
The same ovation awaited us here, which we had received
elsewhere, the same hearty hand-shake and kindly greetings,
the same tokens of regard in the shape of ribbons and badges
with the club's name upon them, and the same invitations
to enter the refreshment tent. A large number of ladies and
gentlemen lined the green round and round, whose enthusiasm
found vent in rounds of applause when their favourites did
anything good.
A long and well played game on both sides ended in a win
by 45 shots in our favour, and even our opponents acknow-
ledged that we deserved our victory, as they themselves had
played an excellent game.
Immediately after the match we made our way back to
our hotel to prepare for dinner. The dinner on this occasion
was one of the most sumptuous of the whole series of enter-
tainments we had during the tour, and the spirit of harmony
which prevailed was made manifest by the clinking of glasses
and vows of eternal friendship on all hands. The toasts and
responses were all ably disposed of, and the singing was varied
in theme, but altogether good. All were agreed that this
was one of the best nights they had ever spent, and I have
no doubt these lines, if read, will recall to the memory of
those present many recollections which it is a pleasure to
preserve.
144
Through Canada's Vineyard.
SUNDAY, I2TH AUGUST.
This was a fine morning, but most of us felt tired after such
a week of jaunting, feasting, and playing, not to speak of
last night's finish up. Few were able to relish a hearty
breakfast this morning, and soon sought the seclusion of their
rooms. Some old friends, however, turned up who had left
the Old Country long ago, and relieved the tedium of lounging
and lolling about, with cracks of old times and enquiries about
old friends. Most of the people who have settled here are
doing well, and have no desire to go back to the Old Country
again.
There are many Scotch people here, as I have stated above,
and some of them fill important positions and are much
respected.
Quite a number of our party accept an invitation to visit
the " Royal Yacht Club-house " in the afternoon, and take
a run down on a street car. The club-house is on the margin
of the lake — large, airy and comfortably furnished. A nice
cool breeze fanning the surface of the water makes the rest
here most refreshing, as one sits on the spacious verandah
watching the little swan-like boats gliding about like things
of life.
We are entertained to dinner here, and only leave as the
shades of evening are beginning to fall, feeling well rested,
nicely cooled, and well pleased with all we had seen. This
was quite an unexpected treat to me, as I had neglected to
observe that it formed part of our official programme.
The Royal Yacht Club has a large membership, composed
of the well-to-do and retired gentlemen of the town, and forms
a splendid rallying point for those socially inclined.
MONDAY, I3TH AUGUST.
Here follows our programme for to-day : —
9.30 a.m. — Drive to Grimsby, through the vineyard of
Canada. Lunch at Fruit Farm.
3. o p.m. — Play on Hamilton Asylum Lawn against rinks
from Hamilton Asylum, Dundas, Grimsby, and Hamilton
Yacht Club.
Leave Tuesday morning at eight, for Brantford and Paris.
The drive through the vineyard of Canada was a sight
well worth seeing, and, having seen it, is one not likely to
be forgotten — thousands of acres being covered with fruit
trees and vines literally bending under their burdens of ripe,
juicy fruit, with little homesteads embowered among the
»45
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
shady trees, and groves of peaches, plums, pears and apples.
A drive of something like twelve miles brought us to the
fruit farm. We didn't get the length of Grimsby — some five
or six miles farther on — as time would not permit, but the
time spent at the fruit farm more than made up for what we
may have missed at Grimsby.
Here we at once got off the car, and were hailed by a number
of young ladies, dressed mostly in white, while elderly ladies
in holiday attire also greeted us with cheers of welcome.
There were also a few gentlemen to welcome us and show us
round. Our visit was most interesting and instructive, as
showing us the great possibilities of this part of the country
as a fruit-producing land. All kinds of fruit, generally
speaking, are grown here — peaches, pears, and plums pre-
dominating. I learned that the proprietor here has uprooted
many of his apple trees to make room for the peach, which is
a more reliable and marketable crop.
It is said that distance lends enchantment to the scene.
It is not so here ; distance only obscures the beauties and
natural productiveness of the place. You walk through
groves and avenues of fruit trees, whose laden branches
brush your face and hands, offering, as it were, their stores
to you. There were no restrictions, but strong invitations to
pluck at pleasure, and many of us sample the peaches ere
we leave.
Here light refreshments were served in abundance, with
ice-cream and wafer biscuits. We had at last to withdraw
ourselves from this scene of smiling plenty, and bid our kind
host and entertainers good-bye, amidst the singing of " Will
ye no' come back again," " Auld Langsyne," and " God Save
the King," and waving of hats, handkerchiefs and hands.
We reach Hamilton again, only in time to prepare for our
match on the Asylum Lawn. This lawn is beautifully situated
in the grounds of the asylum, and we found it in fairly good
order. A large number of guests had been invited to witness
the play, so the green had quite an animated look about it.
The rinks, however, were rather closely set, as on almost all
the greens we played upon, and it not infrequently happened
that a player, following his bowl, interfered with a bowl
played on the neighbouring rink — amidst shouts of " ice !
ice " ! — which usually set the offending bowler dancing an
involuntary jig to keep clear of the oncoming bowl, not infre-
quently with the result that he jumped upon it, or kicked it
right across the green. The game, however, was a pleasant
one all through, and at the finish it was found we had won by
109 shots. The following are the details of the individual
rinks : —
146
Another Victory.
TOURISTS' SWEEPING VICTORY.
" Hamilton, 13 th August (Special). — The British
bowlers played at the asylum grounds to-day. They
played two rinks from Dundas, two rinks from the Beach,
two rinks from R.H.Y.C., one rink from the Asylum, and
one from Grimsby. The Britishers won every rink.
BRITISH.
P. Campbell.
R. Gall.
J. O abridge.
J. Pillans.
Skip - 37.
BRITISH.
R. Paul.
E. Pickard.
T. Jeffrey.
F. Hay.
Skip - 28.
C. Addicott.
R. Scott.
D. Willox.
W. M'Coll.
Skip - 22.
BRITISH.
T. Watson.
H. Southall.
A. H. Hamilton.
J. T. Morrison.
Skip - 17.
J. Hamilton.
J. Hetherington.
H. M'Culloch.
B. Watson.
Skip - 26.
BRITISH.
G. Cousin.
W. MiUer.
A. Lilly.
S. Fingland.
Skip - 33-
BEACH.
J. P. Steelman.
Walter Anderson.
F. L. Thurston.
C. A. Birger.
Skip - 4.
DUNDAS.
T. W. Jardine.
C. Collins.
H. C. Davis.
A. J. Pear.
Skip - 15.
J. Pirie.
W. M. Clark.
R. Racey.
J. H. Taylor.
Skip - 20.
R.H.Y.C.
W. H. Levering.
C. A. Burton.
Walter Woods.
W. F. Montague.
Skip - 16.
R. J. Smith.
T. Upton.
J. Percival.
R. A. Milnes.
Skip - 15.
BEACH,
R. Junior.
— Scott
F. E. Kilvert.
Stewart M'Ghie.
Skip - 12.
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
BRITISH.
W. Kerr.
T. Firth.
G. Brown.
J. Jagger.
Skip -
BRITISH.
M. Twiss.
J. Welsh.
J. R. Smith.
J. C. Hunter.
Skip -
Total, -
36.
22.
221.
ASYLUM,
— Ironsides.
Dr. Wilson.
F. Moreland.
Dr. Russell.
Skip - 10.
GRIMSBY.
H. L. Roberts.
A. G. Pettit.
Dr. Clark.
Rev. J. Muir.
Skip - 20.
British Majority,
Total, -
109 shots.
112.
After the match there was a sort of impromptu dinner,
where the customary toasts and speeches were indulged in, to
the satisfaction of all present, the proceedings finishing up
about ten o'clock, when all our party make a " bee-line " for
the hotel, where the usual preparations took place for the
journey of the following morning.
TUESDAY, I4TH AUGUST.
All is bustle and not a little confusion this morning. We
have an early breakfast, get our hotel bills paid, and our
traps labelled, addressed, and taken down to the station ;
and we follow shortly after to entrain for Brant ford. Going
down on street car, one of our team (A. Lilly of Bellshill)
either dropped, or had taken out of his pocket, his purse with
seventeen or eighteen sovereigns in it, the loss of which he
only discovered when in the train. This was pretty rough
on poor Lilly, and, added to the amount of his hotel bill,
made a pretty round sum. The hotel was the dearest we had
yet tapped — no less than four dollars her head per night.
Those who had their wife and daughter with them must have
felt it pinch pretty severely. Lilly, no doubt, realised, on
the discovery of his loss, the truth of his favourite song,
' There's aye a muckle slippery stane at ilka body's door ! "
Our programme for to-day was a long and varied one.
Here it is : —
9.55 a.m. — Arrive from Hamilton at Brantford. Five rinks
get out at Brantford, three staying on car and going on to
Paris. The five rinks will be escorted by reception
committee to Brantford Club.
148
An Official Welcome.
10.0 a.m. — Drive around city and to places of historical
interest.
12.30 p.m. — Lunch at Kerby House as guests of BrantfordClub.
2.0 p.m. — Play on Brantford Club Lawn.
7.30 p.m. — Leave Kerby House for garden party on the
lawn of Principal Gardener, Ontario Institute for the
Blind.
The three rinks going on to Paris will be met at Brantford
station by reception committee of the Paris Club. Play
in afternoon on Paris Club Lawn, and after match return
to Brantford by electric cars, and join rest of party at
7.30 for garden party.
Stay at Kerby House at night, and leave in the morning for
Guelph at 9.5.
Surely the foregoing bill of fare might satisfy the most
gluttonous for work, and more than please the most fastidious
lover of variety. This long and elaborate, though divided,
programme was very fairly carried through, the party meeting
with the heartiest possible reception everywhere they went.
The Paris party were met at the station, as arranged, by
the Mayor and a number of his civic colleagues, who drove
us round the town, explaining the many natural advantages
which Paris possessed over every other city in Canada — its
beautiful and healthy situation, its matchless water power
for manufacturing purposes, it natural gas, and other elements
of wealth production — after which we were shown over the
fine buildings of the Y.M.C. Institute, where he officially
welcomed us in presence of a number of his townsmen, and
where a number of short speeches were made in acknowledg-
ment of the kindness we had received.
Here we were presented with books of views of Paris and
neighbourhood, and each of our skips was presented with a
volume by the Rev. Mr. M'Beath of his work on the " Develop-
ment of Western Canada."
We then adjourned to an hotel, where a very substantial
lunch was served, the Mayor himself presiding. After lunch
we repaired to the bowling green, and had a few throws before
settling down to the game proper.
Here the same enthusiasm manifested itself, as had charac-
terised all the matches we had played ; and, if the display of
flags and bunting was less than in some places, there was no
lack of hospitality and goodwill.
The game was like the others, and the result lay in doubt
for some considerable time ; indeed, it was only in the last
few ends that we were able to secure a decided lead, which
we held, and finished 22 shots up.
149
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Our Brantford contingent won by 25 shots, which made a
total gain of 47 shots on the day's matches.
The Canadians always take their beating like men, and come
up smiling all the time ; you can't knock a Canadian out.
He plays the game for all it is worth ; he knows it as well as
we do ; he builds his heads with care and forethought ; and
he " draws " and " drives " with an accuracy of aim, born of
long practice and good judgment. Of course, they have not
the same opportunities that we have for fine " drawing " and
accurate " driving." Their practice is principally upon
greens that would disgust an Old Country player, used to the
billiard-table-like lawns to be met with at home, but
" The heart's aye the pairt aye
That keeps us richt or wrang," —
and it is the Canadian's heart that keeps him up while fighting
an uphill fight, and it is his heart which forces his hand into
yours, even when you have beaten him, and which prompts
him to say, " The better man has won."
The Paris party were somewhat late in reaching Brantford,
but they were met by a number of their colleagues, all anxious
to learn the result, and, when notes and scores had been com-
pared and it was clear that we had won by such a handsome
majority, the welkin rang again with lusty cheers.
Little remains to be added concerning this day's performance.
The Brantford party were quite as fortunate as the Paris
one in point of hospitality and sight seeing. Some of them,
I am told, visited the bowling green at night and took part
in a game, the green being lit by electricity. This is quite a
common thing in Canada. Most of the greens are supplied
with this illuminant ; even the Paris one had the appliances
all there. I cannot speak from experience as to the effect, but,
judging from report, it cannot be as satisfactory as the light
of " Old Sol." Most of us had had plenty of it during the
day without tackling it at night.
Some facts about Paris, by a Parisian, may be here given
for the reader's information : —
PARIS.
" Paris is the prettiest and healthiest town in Canada.
On the main line of the Grand Trunk, it is situated in the
heart of the industrial division of Western Ontario, and
is one of the busiest manfacturing towns in Canada, being
the head centre of the knit-goods industry, with the
largest mills in the Dominion, the largest knit-goods
concern in the world.
" The town derives its name from the plaster of Paris
150
Match at Brantford.
made from the valuable gypsum deposits which underlie
it and form the raw material for an extensive business,
whose product goes into every part of Canada.
"Its people are progressive, and the regularity with
which the manufacturers increase the capacity of their
factories testifies not only to the excellence of their out-
put, but also to the facilities afforded them by their
location here, where labour troubles are unknown.
Cold Facts.
" Paris has municipally-owned waterworks, with spring
water 99 per cent, pure ; municipally-owned electric
plant ; cheap natural gas ; ten miles of granolithic
walks ; efficient fire protection ; four-master high school,
one separate and five public schools ; six churches ;
public library, erected at a cost of $10,000 ; two public
parks ; Y.W.C.A. and Y.M.C.A. (the latter is the finest
building in America in a town this size) ; an unequalled
record for health ; good golf links, bowling green, and
best facilities for all field sports. It has won champion-
ships in various amateur branches, lacrosse, hockey,
curling, etc."
Having said so much about Paris, it is but right that we
should give Brantford a look in. I am indebted to a local
print for the following : —
Extract from Brantford Daily Expositor, I5th August, 1906 —
BRITISH BOWLERS DEFEAT LOCAL RINKS IN
CLOSE GAMES YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
One of Brentford's Rinks Successfully Winning
Out.
A Paris Rink Plays a Tie— Great Enthusiasm
Manifested.
BRITISH. BRANTFORD.
T. Watson. Dr. Hart.
H. Southail. D. B. Wood.
A. H. Hamilton. B. J. Wade.
J. T. Morrison. J. P. Bell.
Skip - 22. Skip - 18.
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
E. Pickard.
R. Scott.
T. Jeffrey.
J. Telford.
Skip -
G. Cousins.
W. Miller.
A. Lilly.
S. Fingland.
Skip -
P. Campbell.
R. Gall.
J. Oubridge.
J. Pillans.
Skip -
23-
29.
W. Kerr.
T. Firth.
Major Brown.
J- J. Jagger.
Skip - 23.
H. F. Gardiner.
M. W. M'Ewen.
D. Adams.
T. Woodyatt.
Skip - 16.
J. E. Baker.
D. J. Waterous.
H. W. Fitton.
F. Howard.
Skip - 20.
F. Bishop.
F. Fawkes.
T. H. Whitehead.
W. Paterson.
Skip - 10.
C. A. Butterworth.
W. R. Turnbull.
F. D. Reville.
J. Adams.
Skip - 21.
" SCORE BY ENDS.
Morrison, 202040001 20000404003 o — 22.
Bell, 01020312001111010120 i — 18.
Telford, 12620000104101130100 o — 23.
Woodyatt, ...00001221020050001001 I — 16.
Fingland, 00200003021021002001 I — 15.
Howard, ... ..11022410200200110120 o — 20.
Jagger, 03040002003031022200 I — 23.
Adams, 30202110210500100012 o — 21.
Pillans, 13105210103120030012 3 — 29.
Paterson, ....00010002010002101200 o — 10.
" The match between the touring British bowlers and
five rinks from the local club, played yesterday afternoon,
resulted in favour of the visitors. The score was very
close, however, the Britishers having a lead of only 27
shots at the conclusion of a 2i-end contest. The local
players gave them perhaps the closest tussle that they
have had during their tour so far.
A Pretty Scene.
" The match was played at the club grounds on George
Street. The extreme warmth of the weather proved
somewhat of a drawback, but outside of that all con-
ditions were perfect. The grounds were in splendid shape,
and the players therefore had every scope to display
ability. In fairness to the visitors, it may be said that
the rinks were a little narrower than they had been
accustomed to, and this bothered them a little in the first
few ends.
" The scene presented was a very pretty one. The
club building has recently been improved and enlarged,
and now presents a very attractive appearance. The
spectators, a large percentage of whom were ladies, sat
on the broad piazza, or on the upper balconies, where
the full green could be seen, and the play followed closely.
The gay attire of the ladies added much to the attractive-
ness of the scene. Seats had also been placed along two
sides of the green for the convenience of the spectators,
and at most stages of the afternoon they were fully
occupied. In fact, the number in attendance, especially
towards the end of the match, was very large. Late in
the afternoon refreshments were served to both players
and spectators.
" The description given of the visitors at play in other
places have not been far short of the mark. They are
a whole-souled lot in their methods of play. They enter
into the game with great vim, and seem to become
oblivious to everything else. A good shot is loudly
commended, and a poor one just as loudly deplored.
The Britishers evidently believe in making lots of noise
and enjoying themselves fully.
" As an evidence of how keenly the visiting players
throw themselves into the game, most of them after
bowling their ball would run ahead of it to the other
end and watch it come in. If the shot appeared to be
running wide or " narry," or if it was " galloping "
instead of " running," the skip would frequently run out
and almost kneel down in front of it, coaxing it to " come
in," or " ease off," or take some other turn calculated to
have the desired effect.
" They shouted and cheered like the warmest enthusi-
asts, and at every good play would clap heartily, only
leaving off to shake each other by the hand or clap the
man who delivered it on the back.
" At first the local bo\\lers went at the game in the
usual quiet way, but after a few ends the enthusiasm
of the Old Country men became infectious. From that
L 153
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
time on almost as much was heard from them as from the
visitors, and it even went so far that Charlie Butterworth
would perform a sort of skirt dance every time things
went the right way in his rink. Lively demonstrations
were also made by Walter Turnbull, James Adams, and
even P. M. Woodyatt, when a shot of his had taken
deadly effect.
" Play commenced very close, except in one rink,
where skip Tel ford started in with a run of luck, winning
four ends. When five ends had been concluded the
visitors were eleven shots up. In the next five ends the
locals got closer up, and at the end of the tenth the
visitors were five up. At the end of the fifteenth the
British were drawing further ahead, having seventeen
to the good. The concluding score gave them a majority
of 27.
" The fight between the rinks skipped by Morrison
and J. P. Bell was one of the features of the match. It
was nip and tuck from start to finish, first one side being
up and then the other. The locals had hard luck on
several ends, and the visitors won three fours during the
match. Skip Bell, who played a wonderful game, won
most of his ends by hard- earned ones. All agreed that
the individual game played by the Brantford skip was
one of the best seen on the grounds in a long time. He
saved his rink time and again by clever shots.
" Skip Woodyatt and his rink had the hardest pro-
position of all perhaps, being drawn against Telford.
They played a brilliant uphill fight, however, and save
a close run. But for the first four ends, in which Telford
secured a lead of n, they would have stood a good chance
of winning out. Skip Woodyatt excelled himself on a
number of final shots.
" Frank Howard and his rink won a creditable victory
against Captain Fingland, being five points up at the
finish. The Brantford men played a very creditable
game, and were ahead almost from the start. They are
one of the first rinks to come out ahead of a British rink
since the tour commenced.
" Skip Paterson had hard luck against the rink skipped
by the voluble Mr. Pillans. His men started well, but
time and again were robbed of gains by fast running shots
made by Pillans. The latter led at most stages by a
substantial margin. His coaching of his rink was quite
a feature of the game.
" Another hard fight was fought between skips Adams
and J agger, of the visitors. The latter has not been
In Guelph.
beaten once on the tour, but it looked as though he were
going to meet his ' Waterloo ' yesterday, the locals
leading until the eighteenth end. The visitors finally
won by two points."
WEDNESDAY, I5TH AUGUST.
Up and at it again this morning as busily as ever. Some
confusion about the baggage leads to a little heart burning,
until Mr. Welsh (one of our party) took the matter in hand,
AN
From the " Toronto Daily Star" ,
and out of chaos brought order and good feeling, and relieved
the minds of all. He is a born " baggage master," with much
experience and urbanity of temper, and he is familiar with the
country and the methods of transit.
We arrive in Guelph fairly up to time, but owing to some
blunder on the part of the Grand Trunk officials, the baggage
car was run into a siding, which delayed us about an hour.
This unexpected hitch upset the calculations of the reception
committee — another instance that the " best laid schemes o'
mice and men gang aft agley."
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
But alTthe annoyance of missing baggage and other heart
scalds could not depress the enthusiasm of Guelph reception
committee. They actually brimmed over and infected all
with a like feeling. Here we were located in three different
hotels, which somewhat broke up our party, but for all^that
we had a right royal time of it in this royal town.
Wherever I have been able to secure cuttings from local
papers, I have been inclined to use them, as giving fuller
details and being less liable to be suspected of partiality ;
besides, we then have a chance of " seeing oorsels as ithers
see us." The following is from the Guelph Evening Mercury
of i6th August, 1906 : —
THEY CAME, THEY SAW, AND THEY CONQUERED.
A most successful and enjoyable event was
British Bowlers' Visit.
The Visitors won, but that didn't make any
difference.
" The visit of the British bowlers to Guelph yesterday
was one of the most successful sporting and social events
which the royal city has ever enjoyed. It was a charming
afternoon, and the spacious grounds of the club at the
Victoria rink were pretty well filled up with the competing
rinks and the scores of brightly attired ladies and inter-
ested males who watched the play. The event was not
thrown open to the public, simply because the committee
had not the necessary accommodation, the accommoda-
tion for onlookers being confined to the narrow strips
round the playing grounds. The big rink, however,
relieved any congestion, and there were very few who
were interested in the event, and had the time to witness
it, but what were present on the ground, the committee
having made their invitation list as wide as possible.
" The game went, as expected, to the Britishers by a
comfortable majority. It was 2.50 p.m. when the
visitors left the College after a comfortable half -hour
siesta after luncheon, and many were the encomiums
; passed by the bowlers on the handsome grounds and the
great work of the College and Institute.
" Mr. Campbell, the patriarch of the party, who
responded for the visitors at the luncheon, was most
earnest in his appreciation, and said he would like to have
156
" A Sight for the Gods."
sent his own sons and daughters there, because of the
practical education afforded. The luncheon was perhaps
the daintiest the bowlers have met with in their trip, the
appointment, menu and service being up to the high
standard of Macdonald, and reflected the highest of credit
on Miss Watson, Mrs. Fuller and their assistants.
" PLAY COMMENCES.
" At 3.30 the first rinks started play, the visitors putting
up seven rinks against six of Guelph's rinks and one from
Brampton. The Britishers are at a disadvantage in
playing on a new green every day, and on greens which
are, as a rule, narrower and less perfect than the veteran
turf of the old land. On the other hand, they have the
advantage of daily play, and of combination, the skips
being rarely changed. They play the full game of 21
ends, as their playing improves as they get acquainted
with the lawn, and the longer game favours them, and
fairly so. For instance, in Guelph yesterday they were
only seven shots ahead at 10 ends, when half the game
had been played, and at 15 ends were 17 up, but in the
last six ends they drew away rapidly and finished 41 up.
" It did one good so see the way the visitors bowl —
they put their whole hearts into it. Whether a British
bowler is standing on one foot with body tense or swaying
with the progress of the ball, and arms extended intently
watching the course of the bowl, or whether he is earnestly
following it up and caressing and encouraging its every
motion, he is oblivious to all other earthly surroundings.
Perhaps they are a shade too keen. They growl over the
green if it does not suit them like a bear with a sore toe ;
they are out for every point in sight, but they play the
game.
" If a Canadian bowler is four feet off the jack, the skip
has generally something encouraging to say ; if a Britisher
falls down that way, his effort is greeted with ominous
silence, or he hears about it. They are franker and more
truthful than we are, and a player who has much self-
respect puts forth his very best efforts.
" Skip Pillans would get down on his knees to coax
a ball in, while the way the elderly gentlemen danced
round the rink and shook each other's hands on a good
play was a sight for the gods. They play the draw game,
but when they want the kitty moved it is only a tee
shot that is asked for, not a rapid running shot, such as
is common in Canada.
157
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
" THE INDIVIDUAL GAMES.
" Vice-president Mackinnon was the first of the Guelph
men to finish ; an unfortunate eight end spoiled the
chances of his rink, though they got back five at the next
end. Skips Pillans and Presant on the new green had
a hard game, and the Guelph rink deserve credit for the
way they pulled a practically lost game out, making it
a tie. President Scholfield was the other skip on the new
green, and he had a comfortable lead at the middle,
but the visitors overhauled and passed him with some
fat ends. Skip Lockwood got off to a poor start, but his
rink played a good uphill game. The British rink had a
stern chase after Brydon, but they finally got him seven
down, six of which the Guelph man recovered in the last
two ends. Skip J agger was playing in fine form, and time
and again cut President Macdonald's rink out of good
ends ; the president had not his usual good fortune with
his running shots. The Brampton men were neck and
neck with Captain Fingland for three-quarters of the
game, but the latter finished strong. The rinks and
figures were : —
BRITISH. GUELPH.
P. Campbell. W. A. Clark.
T. Firth. W. H. Jones.
J. M. Oubridge. R. Mahoney.
J. Pillans. E. J. Presant.
Skip - 22. Skip - 22.
Pillans, 32031020103200031001 0—22.
Presant, 00101010030024100430 2 — 22.
John Hetherington. J. Strachan.
W. Miller. Geo. Chapman.
H. M'Culloch. N. Macdonald.
B. Watson. H. C. Scholfield.
Skip - 28. Skip - 23.
Watson, 03000020010434051030 2 — 28.
Scholfield, ..10414101101000600102 o — 23.
E. Pickard. Jos. Brown.
T. Jeffrey. J. O. Rose.
F. Hay. W. E. Buckingham.
J. Telford. A. M. Mackinnon.
Skip - 31. Skip - 21.
Telford, 00015100018032133002 i — 31.
Mackinnon, ..21300024100500000120 o — 21.
158
The Scoring.
J. P. Smith. Dr. Savage.
R. Scott. G. J. Newton.
A. H. Hamilton. G. C. Creelman.
J. T. Morrison. H. Lockwood.
Skip - 22. Skip - 18.
Morrison, 24402001112000002001 2 — 22.
Lockwood, ..00030110000412110310 o — 18.
C. A. Addicott. Dr. Lindsay.
E. Gibbon. W. W. Macalister.
Bailie Willox. C. L. Nelles.
W. E. M'Coll. R. H. Brydon.
Skip - 20. Skip - 19.
M'Coll, 00000100210112013350 o — 20.
Bryden, 21111021002000200004 2 — 19.
M. Twiss. J. Morlock.
J. Welsh. J. Kennedy.
C. Watson. J. M. Purcell.
J. J agger. D. E. Macdonald.
Skip - 22. Skip - ii.
agger, 101100020113203101400 i — 22.
"acdonald, ..010001002000020010031 o — n.
Total, - 145. Total, - 114.
Majority against Guelph, - 31.
BRITISH. BRAMPTON.
G. Cousin. Jas. Jackson.
R. Paul. G. L. Williams.
A. Lilly. Dr. Roberts.
S. Fingland. T. Thauburn.
Skip - 23. Skip - 13.
Fingland, ..02022030202010002231 1 — 23.
Thauburn, . .10200101020102210000 0 — 13.
Majority against Brampton, - 10.
Grand Total, - 168. Grand Total, - 127.
Grand Majority, - 41.
" THE AFTERNOON TEA.
" The co-operation of the Ladies' Bowling Club in the
reception and entertainment of the visitors was the
brightest feature of this most auspicious and successful
day. Mrs. E. Harvey, president, and Mrs. Kenneth
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Maclean, acting secretary, in the absence of Mrs. D. Allan,
assisted Mrs. Creelman, Mrs. Fuller and Miss Watson in
the entertainment and reception of the visitors, especially
the ladies, and they, with Mrs. Lockwood, had the ladies
in charge during the afternoon, and made things pleasant
for them. Mrs. A. M. Mackinnon, Mrs. W. A. Clark,
Mrs. (Dr.) Savage, Mrs. John Kennedy, on behalf of the
Guelph Club, assisted in looking after the welfare of the
guests. Afternoon tea was served from two marquees
to the 400 to 500 bowlers and guests who were present
in the afternoon, and most hospitably did the ladies
discharge their rather onerous duties. The tables were
handsomely set off with massive silver and nasturtiums,
the yellow, green and silver having a very pretty effect.
Mrs. M'Conkey and Mrs. Chadwick poured tea, while Mrs.
Dunbar, Mrs. Duff, Mrs. Murton, Mrs. Nelles, Mrs.
Wilcocks, and Mrs. Torrance served lemonade and
directed the service of a bevy of bright young girls who
waited upon the guests. Among these were the Misses
M'Conkey, Miss Duff, Miss Florence Shepherd, Miss
Mackinnon, Miss Gladys Wilcocks, Miss Guthrie, Miss
Jones, the Misses Howitt, Miss F. Mercer, Miss Savage.
The ladies, mostly in white, wore distinguishing little
flags.
" The handsome vinery which covered the fences, the
flag decorations on the grounds, the delightful music of
Thain's orchestra, the splendid exhibition of bowling, and
the deeply interested company of ladies and gentlemen
who watched the play, crowned, as everything was, by
the charming weather, made up a scene long to be remem-
bered.
Notes oT the Day.
" R-R-R-R-Run !
* *
" ' Narra as a hen's face/ is a comparison that took
the crowd. ' Narra as a spunk (a match),' or ' Narra as
the Free Kirk/ are also other local applications.
* #
" Said Skip Pillans towards the close of his hard-
fought battle with Skip Presant : ' Man, but it's a silent
skip this ye've given me to play wi'.' And the silent
one replied : ' You do enough talking for both.'
* #
" There were a large number of visiting bowlers.
Mr. Geo. Anderson was up from Toronto to help out the
i to
Notes of the Day.
Britishers, but two of their number had changed their
plans and came on to Guelph instead of going to New
York. Mr. Alex. Yule and Mr. Stewart were down from
Harriston ; Steel, Richardson, Gow, Kerr, and others
from Fergus ; Major Grant and Dayfoot from George-
town, Kay from Stratford, M'Dougall from Berlin, Bennett
from Toronto, Weaver from Hespeler, Smith and Chisholm
from Acton, Campbell from Georgetown, R. H. Harvey
and W. E. Broley from Elora.
* *
" There were some very fine ends, of course. At the
fourth end J agger went back to play with the shot
against him. His first ball displaced the shot, and he
lay one or two. Then he tried for a difficult rub out,
and almost succeeded in getting it ; there was a measure
for four ; but Macdonald with his last bowl drew in
beautifully, coming to the kitty and trailing it three or
four inches, with opposing balls touching the kitty when
it came to rest — a tie end.
" In one of Lockwood's ends Newton had carried the
kitty to the ditch and lay shot a yard away, but within
six inches of the dead line ; the Britishers drew in two
shots right on the line. Scholfield cleaned out the
visitors' shots through a narrow port and lay six. ' The
Master/ after losing his eight end through the failure of
any of them to get within a mile of the kitty, ran out the
visitors' second and claimed five.
" There was luck going for the Britishers also, though
their accurate playing leaves not much room for the
unexpected. Brydon was trying to get the visitors'
shot, but a wick turned his bowl on his own and the
visitors got three. A fortunate wick from an outside
bowl, which was not in the play aimed for, carried the
kitty back and across, and the Britishers lay five against
Brydon, and that usually reliable skip failed to draw in
a twenty feet margin. And there were lots of other
incidents. Several of the visitors concede that they had
a harder fought battle at Guelph than at any other points.
* *
" Did they win ? Of course they won. Canadian
bowlers play the game as a pastime. These elderly
gentlemen from across the pond play it as if all their
161
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
earthly pleasure is wrapped up in it, and they had only a
limited time to get the cover oft. They put an enthusiasm
into it that nothing can cool, an enthusiasm that is
infectious, capering and shouting and following their bowls
down the rink, talking to them tenderly, almost beseech-
ingly, in a last effort to get them to the required spot.
* *
" Canadian bowling is somewhat automatic. The
skip does the talking, except in cases where his third
player finds fault with his judgment, and the player
trundles his two bowls and goes and sits down or seeks
encouragement at the refreshment booth. In British
bowling, and particularly Scotch bowling, every member
of the rink talks, talks, talks. The vice-skip generally
walks down the rink after an end with his skip. They
start talking together when the jack is thrown. The lead
joins them when he has played, and then they all talk —
talk to the player in low, reproachful tones if he is wide
or narrow ; in high-pitched tones of exultation if he is on
the jack ; and all this talk in brands of Scotch that
mellows the evening air like the first faint odour from a
pot of porridge.
* &
" Alderman Macdonald, Mr. Scholfield, Mr. Jones, Mr.
Mackinnon, Mr. Neiles, Mr. Lockwood, Dr. Savage and
others worked hard to make the visit of the Britishers a
pleasure to the strangers and the bowling fraternity, and
they had a rich reward in the great success which attended
the affair.
* #
" The visitors left this morning for Berlin, accompanied
by Messrs. Alex. Yule, Harriston ; Chapman, Bryden
and Marlock, Guelph."
******
The Evening Banquet in Victoria Rink wound
all up*
" The formal entertainment of the British bowlers was
concluded by a banquet in the evening at the Victoria
rink, to which some 150 sat down, comprising the visiting
bowlers, members of the local clubs, and citizens generally,
and the function was a fitting and successful wind-up
of a red letter day in the annals of the Guelph Bowling
Club.
162
A Brilliant Assemblage.
" The rink gallery had been handsomely festooned in
red, white and blues, with a sprinkling of flags. The
tables were set at one end of the rink in the form of a
square, while a number of enthusiasts, ladies and men,
had seats in the gallery or listened outside the windows.
The rink was roomy and cool, the banquet was well
appointed and quickly served, the speaking and singing
were specially good, the proceedings closed at a seasonable
hour, and good fellowship reigned supreme.
" Alderman Macdonald, president of the Guelph Lawn
Bowling Club, occupied the chair. On his right were
Captain Fingland and Secretary Hamilton, of the visiting
team ; Vice President A. Mackinnon of the local club ;
Alderman Ryan, chairman of the civic reception
committee; and Mr. W. H. Jones, secretary of the club
committee. On the chairman's left were President
Scholfield, of the Ontario Bowling Association ; Messrs.
H. Guthrie, M.P., and J. P. Downey, M.P.P. Others
present were W. A. Mahoney, Harry Rooke, Fred.
Hendley, G. Powell Hamilton, F. F. Bogardus, C. M.
Gair, Harry Mahoney, John S. Cameron, A. G. Fletcher,
J. C. Kelcher, W. A. M'Lean, Hugh M'Lean, J. Hastings,
R. H. Rodger, C. M. Passmore, J. W. Kilgour, D. E.
Rudd, S. Neill, R. Mahoney, W. A. Clark, John Grey,
W. H. Jones, G. B. Ryan, Col. A. H. Macdonald, H.
Lockwood, J. M. Purcell, W. E. Buckingham, J. W. Lyon,
Robert Gall, Robert Mitchell, H. Gummer, J. G. Macklin,
Thos. Jeffrey, H. Macdonald, Alex. Yule, Harriston ;
John Robertson, John G. Morlock, A. F. H. Jones, I. M.
Levan, R. L. Torrance, Joseph Brown, Dr. W. F. Savage,
Geo. Chapman, John Strachan, Greg Frank, R. H. Brydon,
S. H. Marshall, A. E. Finnemore, E. J. Presant, R. E.
Nelson, C. W. Kelly, W. R. Graham, Dr. J. Lindsay,
R. Harcourt, Robt. Watson, John Kennedy, J. M. Duff,
D. Young, Dr. W. S. Galbraith, Lethbridge ; Wm. W.
Macalister, B. Sinner, J. O. Rose, G. B. Morris, C. L.
Dunbar, F. Panelo.
" THE TOAST LIST.
" The guests sat down at 8.15 to an elegantly appointed
table, and a very tempting menu was served in excellent
style by Mr. Geo. Williams' capable chef and staff. Grace
was said by Mr. Peter Campbell, the patriarch of the
visitors' party. After the guests had done full justice
to the banquet, the chairman called the gathering to
order, and briefly proposed the toast of ' The King,'
which was most heartily and vociferously honoured.
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
" In proposing the next toast, ' The Dominion and
Provincial Parliaments/ chairman Macdonald took occa-
sion to welcome the visitors formally on behalf of the
Guelph Club, referring to the cordiality and generosity
of the welcome he himself, with the other members of the
team, had received in the old land on the occasion of their
visit there two years ago.
" Mr. Hugh Guthrie, M.P., responding on behalf of
the Dominion Parliament, said that Canada as a country
welcomed the visitors as manly sportsmen, as brothers
from over the sea, and as sons of the blood. Such visits
as these gave them an opportunity of emphasizing
Canada's faith and pride in British connection and
citizenship.
" The meeting that evening had an imperial flavour.
The people of Canada felt more joy in the reception of the
British bowlers than the British bowlers altogether
realised. The Canadians about the board were, over
four-fifths of them, native born — a thing that could not
be said fifty years ago — and they were proud of that fact,
but proud also that they were Britons to the core. (Cheers. )
The Canadian laws and government were founded almost
wholly upon the British model, and their parliamentary
system had worked well.
" Mr. Guthrie made an eloquent historical review of
Canada's history from the glorious year in which Canada
really became a British possession, and the steps by which
the present Dominion was built up and cemented together
in confederation.
" The speaker referred to the magnitude of our national
heritage — ' we own the north pole.' A brilliant word
picture of the memorable game of bowls at Plymouth
which Drake refused to leave precipitately, though he
had news that the Spanish Armada was coming,
prefaced a few closing words, in which Mr. Guthrie
complimented the visitors upon their victory of that
afternoon — ' noble exponents of a noble game ' — and
expressed the hope and the confidence that at some date
in the not too far distant future the Canadian teams and
the home team would turn the tables.
" Mr. J. P. Downey, M.P.P., responded on behalf of
the Provincial Legislature. They in Ontario had reason
to be well proud of their province ; as Canada occupied
the premier place among the self-governing colonies of
the British Empire, so Ontario was the first province in
the Dominion in wealth, in prosperity, in education, in
the excellent character of its institutions, and the
164
A New Theory for Defeat.
integrity and industry of her sons and daughters. They
had opened out a new empire in Ontario within the past
few years.
" Mr. Downey advanced a new theory for the successive
defeats which were suffered by the Canadian bowlers in
the old land a couple of years ago, and which were now
being repeated, namely, that the hospitality in the old
land must have been strenuous, and that now being-
accorded the visitors rather meagre in comparison.
(No, no, from some visitors.) Mr. Downey congratulated
the visitors on their success, though regretting that the
mettle of the Canadian pastures had not been more
adequately shown, and dwelt upon the good fellowship
that was so evidently unseparable from the game. The
visitors played it for all it was worth. A fitting tribute
to, and definition of, true imperialism was eloquently
made by the speaker. In conclusion, he expressed the
hope that the visitors during their present tour might
gain a new idea of this country and the magnitude of its
resources.
"THE Civic DIGNITARIES.
" Alderman Ryan and Alderman Lyon responded on
behalf of the Mayor and Corporation, proposed by Vice-
president Mackinnon, who spoke of the afternoon as being
the most enjoyable he had ever spent.
" Alderman Ryan spoke of gain of association together ;
the more Britishers knew of Canadians, and vice versa,
the more they would respect each other, the kindlier
would be their relations. The more the British bowlers
saw of this country, the more they would be convinced
that Canadians were entrusted with a great heritage.
He trusted they would send out their sons and daughters,,
and Canada would treat them well. Alderman Ryan
referred to the changed attitude of Britons to Canada in
the past few years, and the greater information they now
had of this country.
" While the visitors had met some rinks from their club,
that did not follow that they had met the best players.
(Oh, oh.) They did not know what would have been the
result had the best players met them. (Laughter).
" Alderman Lyon made a business-like speech, referring
to the great work of the O. A. College, and Guelph's
municipal ownership record and success. They were now
co-operating with the Government and other municipal-
ities to bring in Niagara power. Alderman Lyon briefly
touched on the possibilities of the great North-west, and
165
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
urged the incoming of British immigration, British capital,
British enterprise. He closed with a loyal peroration.
" OUR GUESTS.
" President Scholfield, of the Ontario Association, in
proposing ' The Visitors/ paid a high tribute to the skill
of the British bowlers. They were exceptionally good
exponents of the game, and the Guelph Club were honour-
ably beaten after an enjoyable game. They had beaten,
he was free to say, the best rinks the Guelph Club could
put up as a whole. Mr. Scholfield also briefly commended
the valued assistance of the Ladies' Bowling Club ; they
had used the Guelph Club right royally.
" Captain Fingland, before calling upon Mr. M'Culloch
to reply, explained that, in justice to the Canadian team
to the Old Country, he ought to say that they were
playing against the pick of 40,000 bowlers on their home
greens.
" Mr. Hugh M'Culloch, in expressing the visitors'
gratitude for the welcome given them, referred particu-
larly to the wealth of oratory that they had heard earlier
in the evening. The British team had had since their
arrival in Canada a triumphal march, not a triumphal
march of victories upon the green, that was only an
incident, but a triumphal march of hospitality. He had
sung ' God Save the King ' within the past forty days
oftener than he had sung it before in forty years —
(Laughter.) Especially had they appreciated their
Guelph reception, because of the presence as a part of the
welcoming body of the Ladies' Bowling Club. The
shiploads of Britishers who came to Canada were no loss
to the home country ; but in Canada became a wealth
and strength to them. The speaker also referred in
highly commendatory terms to the O. A. College, and to
the capability of its worthy head. Mr. M'Culloch was
loudly applauded on concluding.
" To Mr. John Pillans, the vigorous young skip who
hails from Carluke, fell the task of responding to ' The
Ladies.' In doing so, he said that the visitors had that
evening listened to the greatest feast of oratory that they
had heard during their sojourn thus far in Canada ; to
Guelph they must come for ' brilliant orators and bonnie
lassies.'
" The singing of ' Auld Langsyne ' and the National
Anthem brought the gathering to a close at eleven o'clock,
and after informal individual leave-takings, all dispersed
to a well-earned rest.
166
The Orchestral Programme.
" THE MUSICAL PROGRAMME.
" Thain's orchestra, which had contributed so much
to the afternoon's enjoyment, was on hand at the banquet,
and again enhanced the pleasure of the occasion with
bright selections. H. Ruthven Macdonald and Chas. E.
Riener were the soloists, and the singing was perhaps
the finest ever heard at a banquet in this city. Mr.
Macdonald is the possessor of a baritone voice of excep-
tional power, and he sings with rare sympathy of expres-
sion. Especially did he reach the hearts of his hearers
with the rousing chorus of ' The Veteran,' and in the tender
ballad, ' Mary.' Mr. Riener was warmly welcomed on
his reappearance before a Guelph audience, and he never
sang better. Always a favourite during and prior to his
late residence in this city, he had apparently improved,
if possible, since he had been in Toronto, and his ringing
tenor voice, of wonderful range and with remarkable
clearness of enunciation, was heard to great advantage in
such favourites as ' Mona ' and ' Mary of Argyle.' Miss
Grant played the accompaniment in most acceptable
style.
" The orchestra's programme was as follows : —
March, ' The True Blue,' Morse.
Waltzes, 'The Yankee Consul,' . . . .Roky.
Overture, ' Italians in Algiera,' Rossini.
Schottische, ' Twilight Shadows,' Tobani.
Two-step, ' Silver Heels,' Moret.
Selection, ' Gems of Scotland/ Sikold.
Characteristic, . ' Mockin' Bird Rube,' Tyers.
Overture, ' Morning, Noon and Night,' Suppe.
March, ' The Gingerbread Cadets,' Sloan"
Surely the foregoing details will satisfy. Qne thing must
be apyarent to the most casual reader, and that is, that the
playing part of our official duties was not by any means the
most onerous. Nothing tries a man more than the discharge
of his social duties.
THURSDAY, i6xH AUGUST.
Some of our party who were feeling a bit " off " yesterday
are up and about this morning, and what a lovely morning it
is. Our programme for to-day is as follows : —
9.19 a.m. — Arrive from Guelph. Reception by Berlin
Bowling Club at Walper House.
167
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
10.30 a.m. — Drive through Berlin and Waterloo.
i.o p.m. — Lunch as guests of the Berlin Bowling Club.
3.0 p.m. — Play against Berlin, Waterloo, Gait and Harriston.
7.0 p.m. — German Banquet at Berlin Club.
Leave Friday morning at 9 a.m. for Stratford, under the
auspices of the Western Ontario Bowling Association.
This was another big order, and after the usual bustle of
packing and paying our bills, we had breakfast. I may
mention that our bills only amounted to one dollar per head-
dirt cheap, considering the accommodation we had, and this,
be it remembered, was for bed and breakfast. Why are hotel
tariffs not uniform ? Mark the difference betwixt the above
and that of Hamilton, where we were charged four dollars
per head. " Oh ! but," you say, " this was not class." Was
it not? What is "class?" I ask. Nobody wants "class"
but dudes, and there were none of them in our party. What
we wanted were cleanliness and comfort, and these we had here,
The reception which was accorded by the Berlin people
on our arrival was equal to anything we had yet experienced,
and the lunch which followed was plain, plentiful and
substantial.
In the game which followed we played seven rinks, and won
by only 19 shots, rather a narrow squeak this time again ;
but one is as good as a hundred for the purpose of a win,
so we added another laurel to our list.
Some of our party went to the banquet at night and some
didn't. Some of those who went would have been better not.
German banquets don't agree with some British stomachs,
and especially German cheese, when over-indulged in ; it
does not assist British digestion. However, it was voted a
grand affair for all that, and every one of us was well pleased
with the whole day's proceedings.
But we cannot part from Berlin in this summary fashion,,
and therefore a little historical sketch for general information
concerning it will not be amiss —
BERLIN -August, 19O6.
One Hundred Years Young*
" Local historians tell us that Berlin is one hundred
years old this year. No one would have suspected it.
The Germans and the Scotch are said to both trace their
descent clearly back to Adam I. To lay claim to the age
and dignity of a century, this aggressive community
requires to trace its course to the building of the first
168
Historical Sketch of Berlin.
camp fire by the pioneers from Pennsylvania in 1806 on
the site where the town now stands.
" When a family has become prosperous it oft-times
ransacks the past in search of ancestors and a coat of
arms. The coming celebration has set men of leisure to
work digging up facts concerning the founding of Berlin
From the " Toronto Daily Star,"
and its founders, and should they proceed according to
the information gathered, a befitting insignia for Berlin
would be a strong figure in his shirt sleeves, first a tiller
of the soil, then a builder of homes, and finally a manu-
facturer of the numerous and varied wants of this and
other communities. On his intelligent face one would
M 169
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
see stamped the lines of industry, frugality and integrity —
the face of a Lincoln. Our neighbours might choose
another figure to represent the town. Perhaps a beaver.
" Though the foundation of Berlin was well and truly
laid one hundred years ago, the commercial structure
reared upon it dates back scarcely more than twenty-five
years. Then it was that its leaders adopted a factory
policy and tried their strength in the manufacturing field ;
with what success the pages following tell. Suffice here
to say that Berlin to-day possesses seventy-five industries
all worthy of note, and a considerable number of national
reputation.
" Some cities, gray and great, boast of their terraced
hills. Berlin is hill-less. Other cities cite the advantages
of harbours and the possession of far-flung lines of ships
and carriers. Berlin is devoid of waterways and its
accompaniments. Still other communities can point to
near-by mineral deposits and forest resources as assets
to thrive upon. Berlin has neither. Nature gave the
district a fertile soil and a bracing climate, and there
stopped.
" But Berlin's claim to being the ' best town in Canada '
is not an idle boast. It has more industries to the acre,
and a greater variety of these than any other municipality
of its size. In the manufacture of furniture, leather,
shirts and collars, felt footwear and buttons, it is the
centre. It has the best equipped technical school in
Ontario ; the finest park in the province, and one of the
crack bands of the Dominion. More people own their
homes than is probably the case in any other community
in the country. The town owns and operates its own
water, gas and electric light plants ; was the pioneer in
establishing a sewer farm, and possesses a system which
is considered a model, and has received governmental
recognition and grants. It is negotiating for the purchase
of the local street railway system, and has its hand up
for cheap power from Niagara Falls in order to hold its
extensive Western trade. Its population has increased
from 3 900 in 1880 to over 12,000 in 1906. In the years
to come there will be a large centre midway between
Toronto and London, with a population of 25,000 to 50,000.
That city of the future is now in the making, and destiny
points to Berlin as being its choice for the position.
" Having no natural advantages to speak of, and yet
having outstripped communities which possess them,
the general public will desire to know the underlying
causes of Berlin's progress. These may fairly be ascribed
170
A Town of Hustlers.
to certain qualities possessed by its people and differenti-
ating them from others.
" Of late years numerous municipalities have evidenced
a communal spirit of progressiveness. This has been at
work in Berlin for a quarter of a century. Our citizens
saw the value and necessity of a national tariff law, under
which Canadians would be enabled to develop the
resources of their own land and make it practically self-
contained. They had the courage of their convictions,
and engaged in every line of manufacturing which they
believed they could make and make well. They struggled
and persisted, displaying that rare courage which believes
difficulties are made to be surmounted. There was no
turning back. The goal must be reached, and reach it
they did. In those trying early years the predominating
traits of the German character stood them well — industry
without measure ; a thoroughness that led them to
exhaust every subject necessary to be mastered ; and the
sheet anchor of thrift. Add a love of home and Berlin
and you have the groundwork on which the town's
success rests. Their intense loyalty to Berlin was
infectious. Incomers soon became affected and never got
over it. To-day it is a community of enterprising,
aggressive citizens. ' You can't keep a good man down,'
as the cannibal said after he had eaten the missionary.
A townful of hustlers is bound to make things move.
Each speaks well of Berlin wherever he may be, and has
done it so persistently that the Canadian public now
joins in the chorus."
FRIDAY, I7TH AUGUST.
Perhaps some of the remarks in to-day's notes will explain
what was hinted at in yesterday's. Here they are, as jotted
down at the time.
This is a delightful morning. We pay our bills and get
packed up and ready for the road again. Some of the boys
were late last night, being in different hotels and somewhat
scattered. Most of us, however, are up in good time and
asking after each other's welfare, how each slept last night,
«tc., etc. At the last moment, and just before getting on the
car, it is discovered that one of our party is not accounted for.
This calls for a temporary halt, and two of our party are detailed
to go on a voyage of discovery. They found the missing one
fast asleep and utterly oblivious of the cares and anxieties
of travel. His excuse, when awakened, was that he had
thought that eleven o'clock was the hour for leaving, instead
171
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
of nine. The excuse was accepted with a smile, and helping
hands soon had the drowsy one ready for the road. We get
a most hearty send oft from the Berliners — " Hip, hip,
hurrahs " ringing in our ears as the train leaves the station,
and some of them shaking hands as it begins to gather speed.
Our programme for to-day is a rather lengthy one, and very
divided, viz. : —
10.0 a.m. — Arrive in Stratford, where the Mayor and Council
and representatives of Bowling Club will receive party.
Five rinks will be taken to Windsor,1 Albion and Queen's
Hotels, and three rinks will proceed to Mitchell by special
train as guests of the Mitchell Bowling Club ; returning,
leave Mitchell at 5.55 p.m., and reach Stratford at
6.20 p.m.
12.30 p.m. — Luncheon by Mayor and Municipal Council in
City Hall.
3.30 p.m. — Game on Stratford Bowling Green. Play against
three rinks Stratford Bowling Club and two rinks Owen
Sound Bowling Club.
6.30 p.m. — Dinner at hotels.
8.30 p.m. — Club garden party at grounds of Mr. E. P.
Winslow.
SATURDAY, iSxn AUGUST.
8.30 a.m. — Drive to Station.
9.30 a.m. — Leave for Clinton and Goderich.
MITCHELL.
FRIDAY, I7TH AUGUST.
10. 10 a.m. — Visiting bowlers arrive at Stratford. Three rinks
will proceed to Mitchell by special train.
n.o a.m. — Reception committee at station on arrival of
special train. A short drive before proceeding to hotel.
12 noon. — Luncheon at Hick's House.
2.0 p.m. — Game.
5.0 p.m. — Reception and tea on Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Ford's
lawn.
6.0 p.m. — Return to Stratford.
In dealing with a programme so large and so diversified
as the above, it might be well to take the part with which
172
The Classic City.
the writer was most intimately connected — namely, that going
on to Mitchell ; but before doing so I may be permitted to
present the reader with the following little sketches of the
towns represented by the different rinks against whom we
played.
STRATFORD (the Classic City).
" So named because of its association with the home of
England's immortal bard. It may not impress the visitor
from the old land as a reproduction of the more famous
Stratford-on-Avon, but he will at least find here a River
Avon, and discover in the nomenclature of the city's
wards recognition of some Shakespearian characters —
namely, Romeo, Hamlet, Falstaff, Avon and Shake-
speare.
" While the Canadian Stratford has a proper apprecia-
tion of the finer arts, it has also an eye to the practical ;
and due attention having been paid the former in the
provision of a school system which embraces a Collegiate
Institute, kindergarten, manual training and domestic
science departments — all second to none in Canada —
encouragement has been given to the location here of
important manufacturing concerns, which have added
not a little to the city's prosperity.
" Prominent among these is the workshop of the Grand
Trunk Railway, which gives employment to 1,000 men,
to be increased this year by 500 or 600, following an
enlargement now being made. There are also extensive
furniture factories, mill-building works, a large meat-
packing house, the largest biscuit and candy factory in
the province, and many other institutions of growing
importance. The population is 15,000.
" Stratford is an important railway centre, the main
line of the Grand Trunk running east and west, here
intersecting the Wiarton and Port Dover, and Buffalo
and Goderich branches of that road, with a connection
direct to London. It is also the centre of the great
dairying district of Western Ontario, where the finest
cheese made in Canada is produced, and has tributary
to it a splendid agricultural population that is both
thrifty and enterprising.
" Its principal streets are well paved ; it has excellent
water works and sewer systems ; its hospitals and
charitable institutions are first-class, and its numerous
churches have open doors for all mankind. There is no
ostentatious display of wealth, but there are no slums
and no poverty.
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
" Stratford has always enthusiastically supported sport
of all kinds, but particularly bowling, curling, lacrosse and
hockey. In addition to one of the largest skating rinks
in Canada, a splendid curling rink is now being erected,
and a very successful trotting meeting is annually held
on the grounds of the driving club.
" The whole city will extend a most cordial welcome
to the British bowlers, and it is hoped they will discover
during their stay in the new ' Stratford-on-Avon ' many
features of merit not enumerated here."
OWEN SOUND.
" With a population of over eleven thousand, Owen
Sound this year celebrates its fiftieth year of incorporation
as a town. The county seat of the County of Grey —
the largest county municipality in the province — it has
an importance as an administrative point, while in matters
of transportation, commerce and industry it is easily the
metropolis of the Georgian Bay counties.
" Located at the head of Owen Sound Bay affords it
natural advantages unequalled. The bay, with its
eighteen miles of beautiful blue-green expanse of water,
extends between the highlands of the South shore of this
portion of Canada's great inland seas, and its converging,
verdure-clad shores lead to the harbour, which has no
equal on the lakes for convenience of access, perfect
safety and commodious accommodation. Canada's two
greatest transportation companies, the Canadian Pacific
Railway and the Grand Trunk Railway system, have
recognised the fact by the acquirement and construction
of miles of wharfage facilities.
" The former company in 1884 made Owen Sound its
lake steamship headquarters, and since that time there
has been steady growth, as through the port is transhipped
annually the hundreds of thousands of tons of east and
west bound freight to and from the great growing western
provinces of the Dominion, as well as to the Orient and
the Antipodes.
" The Grand Trunk, while not so heavy on through
traffic, does an immense local distributing trade at
present, while with the construction of the Grand Trunk
Pacific will undoubtedly come a large share of the traffic
which must develop along its many western lines.
" But while Owen Sound has transportation facilities
equalled by few ports in the Dominion, its commercial
174
Owen Sound's Scenic Beauty.
and industrial features correspond in importance. Blocks
of magnificent stores place it upon the level with the
largest commercial centres in every department of trade,
the immense stocks being largely imported direct from
the manufacturing centres of Europe and the United
States, or bought in Canadian industrial centres.
" Industrially its vast cement mills, steel works,
furniture factories, woodenware and wood- working estab-
lishments, its stove works, machine shops, its gigantic
sawmills and other industries, give exceptional strength
to the town's busy business life.
" For the past decade and a half Owen Sound's big
Collegiate Institute has led the province, while the public
schools have every facility and accommodation in advance
of the rapidly increasing demands.
" Owen Sound has more than a provincial reputation
for its beautiful residential sections, substantially built
up with a high class of red brick dwellings of varied
and attractive architectural designs set in well-kept
lawns and facing tree-covered boulevards.
" With all the town's acquired advantages, none equals
the scenic beauty in which it finds its setting. Built in
the valley, its main section is walled by horse-shoe-
shaped terraces, broken by the windings of the Sydenham
and Pottawatamia rivers, with their waterfalls and
cascades ; the forest-clad hills, with their outcroppings of
limestone, make a background beautiful in their contrasts
of deep green and rugged white.
" Enchanting driveways, well built as they are pretty,
make ideal driving and automobiling trips possible,
while the river, harbour and bay offer the best the world
affords for yachting and launch runs, making a most
desirable tourist point, where splendid hotel accommoda-
tion meets every demand. Along the bay shore, parks
and summer resorts abound, and summer cottages are
multiplying as the beauty of the surroundings and
convenience of access become known."
MITCHELL.
" The town of Mitchell is picturesquely situated on the
head waters of the Thames River, almost in the centre
of the County of Perth, and is surrounded by one of the
finest agricultural sections in the Province of Ontario.
Its streets are broad and well kept, and in the residential
sections thickly planted with shade trees. It is one of
175
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
the best shipping points for beef, cattle, and hogs on the
Lake Huron Branch of the Grand Trunk Railway.
"It is the oldest town in the county, and is well
lighted with electricity. It owns and operates its own
electric plant and has a good system of water works.
" In the town are four fine churches, two weekly
newspapers, a free library, and excellent high and public
schools. There are two public parks, in which the lacrosse,
cricket and baseball clubs can practise. But the most
noted association in the town is the bowling club, which
owns its own green. It was organised in 1891, and is the
pioneer club of Western Ontario. In 1897 it held the
Walker trophy, won at the Dominion tournament in
Toronto. Two of its rinks took first and second places at
the Ontario Bowling Tournament at Niagara in 1901, and
its members have won more prizes at the various tourna-
ments than the members of any other town club in the
Dominion.
The party going to Mitchell did not train it, as stated in the
official programme, but were driven there in three light
machines of the half-brake, half-buggy type, which, though
fairly comfortable, became tiresome in a drive of twelve or
fourteen miles over roads that were not granolithic. The
dust was awful, but the country pretty and well cultivated.
Over nearly all the distance through which we drove, the crops
were well forward and looked abundant. Many of the fields
had already been reaped and others were in stook. The
orchards were promising large crops of fruit, and the little
homesteads embowered among the trees looked pretty in their
varied coats of paint. The hour and a half's time occupied
in the drive was spent by our party in discussing the possi-
bilities of Canada as a grain and fruit-producing country,
and in comparing it with the limited area of the old land across
the sea ; but none of us being experts in agriculture, I refrain
from recording our conclusions.
We were somewhat behind time, and the first intimation
that we had of being near to our destination was the approach
of a cyclist at a great pace. He had come out to spy the land,
for on ascertaining that we were the party waited for, he turned
and soon disappeared in the dust and distance.
Shortly after we were brought to a halt about half a mile
from the town by a band lined right across the roadway,
which instantly broke into music and played us right into the
town, drawing up in the public square, where the Mayor and
his aldermen were met to receive us. He extended a hearty
welcome to us, told us that he granted us the privilege of
176
Match at Mitchell.
citizenship for the time being, and that whatever we wanted
we had only to ask and we should receive. He humorously
concluded by saying that, while everything they had was at
our command, there was nothing he so much desired us to get
as a right good " drubbing " at the bowls.
The surrounding crowds cheered him to the echo, and we
ourselves could not help but join in the applause. He added
warmly that, although hitherto so successful in our matches,
we were not to imagine that the men of Mitchell were in any
way discouraged. Every man of them had determined to do
his best for his town, and he had no doubt that we should find
they were no " duffers " at the game ; but, win or lose, he
hoped that we would have a real good time of it. " Hear,
hear," was echoed on all hands, and then the players of both
sides made for the Hicks House for a wash up and a " synd "
down, both of which some of us were sorely in need of.
Lunch was served here and heartily partaken of. Good-
fellowship was the prevailing sentiment expressed. The toast
list was short, and one or two songs brought the proceedings
to a close, when we all made our way to the green.
The green was beautifully decorated, and admission was
by ticket. The banks were well lined with spectators of both
sexes, and outside the enclosure there was a large crowd who
watched the play as interestedly as those inside. Here, also,
a band discoursed music during the whole game.
We found the green a bit spongy, and it had evidently
been well flooded shortly before our arrival. It played fairly
well, however, but one of the keenest tussles here began that
we had yet engaged in, and our three rinks finished 13 shots
down, amidst great enthusiasm among the Mitchell people.
They deserved their victory and played well for it. One of
our very best skips, however, was decidedly off colour in this
match, and his rink alone accounted for ten of the thirteen
we were down.
In addition to the band another treat was in store for us.
During the play Mr. Macdonald of Toronto, who had rendered .
yeoman service at many of our harmonies, got up on a pedestal
of some sort and sung " Bowling on the Green," and, further,
a gentleman who had held the championship of Canada for
fifteen years for Highland dancing, doffed his boots and, to
the strains of a tin whistle, gave us an exhibition of Highland
dancing that one seldom sees outside of a kilt and sporran.
I mention these incidents to shew how much the people of
Mitchell desired to entertain us. Any feeling of soreness that
we may have had over our defeat was dissipated by the
manifest kindness of our opponents and their unstinted
hospitality.
177
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Quite a number of us went to the garden party. It was a
grand affair, but was somewhat marred in effect by want of
time. We had to hurry through to catch our train for Strat-
ford, where, on arrival, we learned that they had been more
successful than we had been ; .they were up sixteen shots,
which left us with a clear gain of three shots over all — a very
narrow " squeak " this time.
A number of our people went to the garden party at night
and enjoyed the thing immensely. One of our party, I was
told, was induced to go and have a game upon the lawn by
electric light. Whether it was the light or the preceding
festivities that interfered with his usual accuracy of aim I
cannot say, as he scored only three shots to his opponent's
fourteen.
Lest I may have omitted many little matters in relation
to the Stratford party's proceedings, I again avail myself of
the local press opinions. The following is taken from the
Stratford Daily Herald of i8th August, 1906 : —
BOWLING FRATERNITY EN FETE ALL DAY TO
GREET BRITISHERS.
Civic Reception brought out Showers of
Eloquence.
Britishers beaten at Mitchell, and by Owen
Sound.
The Garden Party was a Fitting Conclusion to
a Great Event.
" The visit of the British bowlers has been a pro-
nounced case of Venij vidi, vici, with a truly Julius
Caesarian completeness. The day was taken up with a
civic luncheon at the City Hall, the games at the bowling
green, and a garden party at night.
" The bowling party with their ladies left for Goderich
this morning at nine a.m.
" The City Hall was en fete yesterday afternoon on
the occasion of the luncheon given by the city fathers to
the visiting British bowlers. The hall itself was taste-
fully decorated, the walls bearing looped muslin streamers
of red, white and blue tints, with bracketed Union Jacks
at various points around the building, the stage being
canopied by bunting and two drop flags at the back.
Above was a ' welcome ' sign.
178
A Mayoral Address.
" The general atmosphere of enjoyment was enlivened
by the Roger Robert's orchestra, which discoursed
popular airs during the progress of the serious duties of
the meal. After the repast the speech making began.
The oratory on both sides was a mixture of compliment
and criticisms, and was closely followed and vigorously
applauded from time to time. A song and a recitation,
by Mr. Pillans and Bailie Cousins respectively, rounded
off the function.
" OUR DISTINGUISHED GUESTS.
" At the beginning Mayor Ferguson gave the toast of
' The King ' in a few well chosen words. It was drunk
with considerable enthusiasm. After this the Mayor
proposed the toast of ' Our Distinguished Guests/ In
doing so he alluded to the presence there of the Hon.
Thomas Ballantyne, who was associated with him in the
toast. He continued by saying that his task was one of
the most pleasant functions of his municipal life. They
had been scanning the newspapers, and had seen the right
royal welcome that the bowlers had received on their trip.
(The bowlers endorsed this by loud ' Hear, hears,' and
applause.) He would like to impress upon them the fact
that though they might have been in more populous
centres, nowhere would they receive a more hearty and
sincere welcome than Stratford would give them. He
thought that they were not only there as bowlers, but
rather commissioned by the good old motherland to
convey to them sentiments of goodwill and good-fellowship.
" After touching felicitously on the late Queen and
Canada's affection for her, and on our veneration for the
present King, Mayor Ferguson reminded the audience of
the Dominion's association with Great Britain in all her
great deeds, on sea, on land, in peaceful times and in war,
and its appreciation of it. The British literature and art
were then dealt with by the speaker. Many authors'
books, said the Mayor, had delighted Canadians past and
present. Her educational institutions were admired by
all, whilst the galaxy of noble men who have gone down
into history as self-sacrificing empire builders had added
a lustre to England that the whole world appreciated.
Such thoughts, concluded the Mayor, were bound to occur
at such a time. What could be expected of Stratford
but a right royal welcome, second to none, to the British
bowlers ? His worship was roundly cheered on sitting
down.
179
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
" Hon. Thomas Ballantyne, who was warmly cheered,
intimated that he had not expected to be called upon, as he
had come to meet friends from the other side. He desired
to supplement the welcome the Mayor had extended by
one or two thoughts. They were all aware that that city
was called Stratford, but many of them, perhaps, did
not know why, and it was situated in a county of another
name to what it was in England. The speaker dipped for
a moment into history. Stratford had been named by
an early settler who was a great lover of the immortal
bard. The county had been named by men from Perth-
shire, Scotland, who were its earliest inhabitants. The
townships around were named after various members of
the Canada Company, who were the first owners of a lot
of the land hereabouts — for instance, Ellice, Logan, etc.
The visit of the bowlers, continued Mr. Ballantyne, would
keep alive memories of the dear old land, which he himself
had left 54 years ago, and of which he would ever keep
the fondest of recollections. Paying a compliment to the
pioneers of Canada by way of a finale, the honourable
gentleman said that all the money of the universe could
not have made it the country that the settlers had.
" For He's a Jolly Good Fellow " was lustily sung at
the finish of Mr. Ballantyne's remarks.
" CAPTAIN FINGLAND REPLIES.
" Captain Fingland, responding for the visitors,
thanked the Mayor and city for the hearty and cordial
way they had recei ed them. They had, indeed, been
treated so well all over the country that they were afraid
that they would never be able to give back what they
had received. They had with them representatives from
London, Leicester, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh and
Belfast. They were not a great nor extraordinary team,
and any country could produce a team equal in quality
to them. What they did come out here for was not to
win games, but to give a hearty handshake to Canadians,
and he hoped the good-fellowship they had found would
continue to the end. After speaking of the beautiful
country, the bowler again thanked the city for its welcome.
" Mr. E. Pickard gave the ' Canadian Bowlers.' He
remarked that he was sure all bowlers in England would
be glad to join in that toast. They all remembered the
large part Stratford had taken in bringing on that tour.
It seemed the further West they got the more enthusiasm
there was at the reception of them.
180
Compliments to Stratford.
" The welcome at the station had been royal, and he
could not say enough of the assistance they had been
given with their baggage, which had been a great trouble
to them. And now, again, they received a royal welcome
that afternoon. The speaker then paid Stratford a series
of compliments, remarking that it was the cleanest city
that they had been in on the Continent. Much good
would be done by the visit, both to Canada and to Great
Britain. When they went home they could dissipate
many of the errors told about the Dominion in the Old
Country. Though the impression had changed very much
recently, they over the seas did not know enough about
this country yet as a part of the empire, as they should.
He had found Canada a great country, prosperous and
industrious.
" Colonel Seyfert replied in a facetious vein for the
Stratford Bowling Club. He likened the welcome
Stratford had given the bowlers to the handshake King
Edward had given an impetuous Irishman who had
avoided the crowd and rushed up to the royal carriage
when it was passing through Dublin. The Irishman had
said when he got over the surprise, ' Begorrah, I'll never
wash that hand again.' They would not follow that
resolution literally, but their pleasure was just as warm.
After al uding to the great times Stratford has been
having with the re-union and circus, the speaker remarked
in verse :
" Things may come, and things may go,
But bowling goes on for ever ! "
" The Stratford Bowling Club, he said, was composed
of 100 members ; ninety-nine were the finest British
subjects he had ever met — the one hundredth part was a
Yankee, their humble servant. He had been asked to
say something about the club, because the Canadians
were too modest, and to say something nice, too. He had
been elected because he came from a country that pro-
duced the biggest liars. He had asked, ' How do you
know that the Englishmen will believe me ? ' He had
been told that Mr. Welsh would vouchsafe for all he said,
and, anyway, they were all going away the next day.
Considerable laughter greeted the speaker's droll style
of explanation.
" Continuing, Colonel Seyfert said he was not playing
that day, because the. club never tried to win from visitors.
That was an established rule, and was strictly adhered to,
as had, no doubt, been noticed. The speaker, before he
181
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
concluded, dealt with the good quality of their green,
the work of the Bowling club this year, paid a compliment
to the ladies, and, finally, wished the visitors God-speed
and a safe return to their native land.
" Hon A. G. M'Kay said he was sorry that the bowlers
could not come to Owen Sound, which, of course, he
considered the one city in Western Ontario. They did
not expect to win that day, but they hoped to enjoy the
pleasure of being beaten gracefully, and see how it was
done. They met as bowlers, as friends, but particularly
as Britishers. The same splendid spirit as was now
prevalent, he hoped, would always characterise Great
Britain and the colonies. It would be their own fault if
the people of Canada — the English, Scotch, Irish, French
and Germans — did not combine to make their country
one of the greatest in the world. The speaker compli-
mented the city. He said he had heard of the loyalty of
its citizens, and heard, too, that its bankers are reputed
to allow interest on overdrafts. The visiting bowlers
would be able, on their return, to assist Englishmen in
forming a toned and correct opinion of Canada. He was
not sure but that such visits assisted better at welding
together the empire than even its legislatures.
" Bailie Cousins having recited, Mr. M'Dougall of the
W.B.A. made a pleasing presentation. By the generosity
and thoughtfulness of Mr. Alex. Faill he was able to hand
to every visitor a maple leaf souvenir of their stop in
Stratford and the territory of the W.B.A. Captain
Fingland suitably acknowledged the gift. Mr. M'Dougall
afterwards referred to the wonderful impetus given by
the bowlers to the game in Canada.
" Councillor Oubridge was elected to propose the toast
of the ' Corporation and City of Stratford/ He dealt
with the wonderful increase in the population of late
years, which he pointed out was 10 per cent. He said he
was really no stranger to Stratford, as he had heard of
Mr. Thomas Ballantyne, and had had business relations
with him. He also promised that they would not exactly
become emigration agents, but would speak of the country
as they found it. The councillor before sitting down paid
a warm tribute to Mayor Ferguson, who, he said, he hoped
might be spared to be elected for a still further term in
the office he occupied so well.
" THE CITY REPRESENTATIVES.
" Alderman Eidt responded when the toast had been
warmly honoured. He referred to the familiar name of
182
Stratford-on-Avon.
the city — Stratford-on-Avon — and said he hoped it would
make them feel at home. The first settler, he said, only
arrived in the winter of 1831-2 and hewed out the first
logs from the forest to build a log cabin with. It would
therefore be seen that the city had made great and rapid
From the " Toronto Daily Star"
progress. The Alderman then mentioned that ten years
ago he visited England, and was surprised to find the
mistaken idea regarding Canada existing there. They
classed them as Americans, and this country as part of
the U.S. The visitors would find that they were
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Britishers and loyal subjects. They might, in Great
Britain, find fault with the smallness of the Canadian
contribution to the army and navy, but they would be
excused when it was remembered that they had assisted
the motherland in her past wars, and particularly in
South Africa. They were told that Canadians led too
strenuous a life. What they desired to be taught,
Alderman Eidt finished, was the secret of resting, so that
they could do more work.
" Alderman Dingman, who was coupled with Alderman
Eidt, said he was glad to be identified with such a mag-
nificent occasion. His ancestors had been amongst the
earliest settlers here in Ontario, and had borne the brunt
of the work of clearing the settlements. He himself had
lately visited the grand old land from which the visitors
came. It would be hard to do justice to it in language
by one who visited it for the first time. He had been
glad to see that Great Britain was not backward, as some
people seemed to imagine, and neither were they unpro-
gressive. He found there many evidences of progress,
and many things Canada could learn. But they were
doing well there, when it was considered that Great
Britain had been settled for twenty centuries, and Canada
only one. The city was trying to hold up its end, and he
was glad to hear the appreciation which had been
expressed. The Alderman joined heartily in wishing the
bowlers every happiness throughout their whole stay,
and a pleasant journey home.
" Mr. W. M. O'Beirne said he hoped that the visitors
would enjoy themselves.
" To Mr. J. Pillans was given the toast of the ladies.
He proposed his subject neatly and gallantly, and whilst
feeling sorry that there were not more Stratford ladies
present, recognised the evidence of their sympathy in
the decorations around that hall.
" The company broke up and made for the bowling
green, after a vociferous rendition of the National Anthem.
" THE GARDEN PARTY.
" A garden party was given to the bowlers in the
evening at the house of Mr. and Mrs. E. P. Winslow.
The grounds were artistically illuminated by incandescent
lights and Chinese lanterns, and the porch of the house
was surmounted by an electrical sign reading ' Welcome/
Altogether the whole function was a conspicuous success,
and was not the least pleasing of the various attractions
Stratford had inaugurated to make the visit of the Britishers
184
Unlucky 13.
one which will always be remembered by them. The
band of the 28th furnished suitable music, whilst an
interesting and appropriate selection of vocal music was
given by such well-known artistes as Mr. Ruthven
Macdonald, Mr. A. J. Blowes, Mr. A. Tilley, Mr. A. C.
Barnsdale, and Miss Knight.
BRITISHERS WON OUT HERE.
STRATFORD COULD ONLY WIN WITH ONE RINK.
Mitchell Thirteen up.
Owen Sound's Total Points better than the
Britishers' Score.
" The bowling matches in the afternoon were not quite
so exciting as they might have been, Stratford only
managing to pull out ahead in one rink — that of Mr.
Nasmyth's. Owen Sound won out in one of their two
games with the Britishers, Mr. J. G. Hay's rink winning
by a majority of nine shots, thus neutralizing and giving
Owen Sound the largest total when the six that Mr. J.
C. Telford was down was deducted. Mitchell swept the
board, winning by 13.
" The best games were those of Mr. Nasmyth's rink,
who was opposed by Mr. Pillans' aggregation. At one
period it looked as if the Stratford rink would make a
run- away affair of it, for they put on nine in four successive
ends. But the visitors fought pluckily, though the
Canadians always lead.
" The Owen Sound rink skipped by Mr. J. C. Telford
put up a superb game after a poor start. They were
13 down at the eighth. After that they set things going
for themselves, and wiped out some of the lead. Mr.
J. G. Hay's rink ran away with the match till the four-
teenth end, when the Britishers took a hand at scoring
and raised it a little in their own favour, though not
enough to win.
" Secretary Hamilton of the British bowlers agreed
that the games in which Mitchell had defeated them should
be counted as separate from those played in Stratford.
Had the total scores been counted, the visitors lead on
the Canadians as a whole would have been much smaller
than it is, though they would not have had a defeat against
N 185
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
them, as they now acknowledge their games with Mitchell
to be.
" During the game refreshments were served in a
marquee attached to the lawn, several young ladies
earning medals for the attentive way they waited on all
comers."
The Toast List at Luncheon,
" The toast list was as follows : —
" The King, Mayor Ferguson.
" Our Distinguished Guests, Mayor Ferguson and
Hon. Thomas Ballantyne. Responded to by Captain
Fingland.
" Canadian Bowlers, Mr. Pickard. Responded to by
Colonel Seyfert and Hon. A. G. M'Kay.
" The City and Corporation, Councillor Aldrich.
Responded to by Alderman Eidt, Alderman Dingman,
and Mr. W. O'Beirne.
" WHO WERE THERE.
" There were seated at the chief table at the right of
Mayor Ferguson, Captain Fingland, Mrs. M'Culloch,
Mrs. Oubridge, Miss Pickard and Mrs. Willox. On the
Mayor's left were Hon. Thomas Ballantyne, Mrs. W. J.
Ferguson (the Mayoress), Mrs. Hay, Mrs. Brockett, Mrs.
Watson, Miss M'Culloch and Miss M'Coll. About seventy
in all were present at the luncheon. Alderman Eidt
occupied the end of the right table, and Mr. T. H. M'Curdy
of the left table. Other Stratford gentlemen present
were — Aldermen Hamilton, Mallion, Roberts, Dingman,
and Waddell, of the City Council ; Hon. A. G. Seyfert,
Messrs. C. E. Nasmyth, George Kay, James Steele, Wm.
Maynard, E. P. Winslow, James Trow, A. Faill, Jos.
Orr, F. Buckingham, D. D. Hay, jun., W. M. O'Beirne,
J. P. King, James Pringle, jun., also ex-Mayor A. W.
Featherstone (Listowel , Wm. Andrews (St. Mary's), Hon.
A. G. M'Kay, and other Owen Sounders. Our old fellow-
townsman, ex- Alderman John Welsh, now of Hastings,
England, was also present as one of the British bowlers."
I should mention, before finally disposing of Stratford, that
a few of us formed a rather unique party. This happened to
186
Beautiful Goderich.
be the anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Oubridge's marriage, and
quite a number were invited to celebrate the occasion. We
had quite a nice little party gathering, at which the health
and happiness of the happy couple were toasted and drunk
in good old champagne. Mr. M'Culloch did the needful in
proposing the toast, and we all assisted in drinking it.
SATURDAY, iSxn AUGUST.
Our programme for to-day was again a divided and a
diversified one — three rinks dropping off at Clinton and the
remainder going on to Goderich — half an hour's journey
farther on.
I am here enabled to let my readers know something again
of the towns represented by rinks playing to-day : —
GODERICH.
" Beautiful Goderich, the county seat of the County of
Huron, is situated on the shores of Lake Huron. Nature
has done much to make Goderich a most attractive spot,
the town standing one hundred and twenty feet above
the level of the lake, and no place offers more attractive
charms for summer rest and healthful sojourn. The
summer breezes that come over the broad expanse of the
blue Lake Huron are messengers of health and most
refreshing to all.
" The town, named after Lord Goderich, was laid out
by John Gait, the celebrated novelist, on a plan peculiar
and admirable, the county court-house standing in the
centre of the town, and being encircled with a beautiful
park forming a complete circle from which the spacious
streets radiate like the spokes of a waggon wheel. The
roadway round the park being fronted with the places of
business makes a most beautiful driveway.
" All the streets are much wider than the ordinary,
and long avenues of shade trees line their sides. In the
town and for many miles around the scenery is varied and
picturesque, and affords the finest runs for wheelmen and
automobilists to be found in Western Ontario. The roads
are nearly all year round in splendid condition for all
kinds of travel. Goderich has been a favourite summer
resort for pleasure seekers from all parts of the continent
for many years.
" In Goderich you find up-to-date churches and schools,
grain elevators, flour mills, salt wells, organ, furniture and
knitting factories, electric light and waterworks, and
public library, besides many other industries.
187
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
" The harbour of refuge is the finest and safest on the
great chain of lakes, and the best shipping port on the
East Coast of Lake Huron for the North-west, the G.T.R.
and C.P.R. terminating here."
WINGHA/VI.
" Wingham, a thriving town of nearly 3,000 inhabitants,
is situated upon the banks of the Maitland River, in the
County of Huron, Ontario, Canada. It is the centre of
a magnificent farming district, where grain, fruit, live
stock and dairy products are produced in abundance.
Its shipping facilities are excellent, three lines of railway
centring here by means of which access to all outside
points is easily obtained.
" The town has many wide and beautiful streets, miles
of granolithic sidewalks, bordered by avenues of beautiful
maple shade trees. There are four large furniture
factories, a door factory, a stove foundry, salt well,
tannery, sawmill, grist mill, and many other smaller
industries. Besides its many handsome residences, there
are a number of fine church edifices, a town hall and
government post office. Three chartered banks supply
the necessary means of developing trade. It possesses
excellent educational advantages ; a public school with
a staff of nine teachers supplies primary education, whilst
one of the finest high schools in Western Ontario is now
nearing completion.
" All the fraternal societies are fully represented, and
all manly out-door sports are well sustained and
patronised.
" Municipal ownership is a success here. A well-
equipped and efficient electric light plant, owned and
operated by the municipality, gives efficient and satis-
factory service. Wingham is admitted by all to be one
of the most prosperous towns in the Province of Ontario."
CLINTON.
" Clinton is a growing town of 3,000 population, situate
at the junction of the Buffalo and Lake Huron and
Wellington, Grey and Bruce branches of the Grand Trunk
Railway. It was founded in 1844, first incorporated in
1857, and named in honour of Lieutenant-General
Clinton, of Devonshire, upon whose estates the founder
was born.
188
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Clinton and Seaforth.
" Its early progress was due to the facilities it offered
as a market for the produce of the rich farming lands
extending to the North and South ; but being deprived
through railway development of its prominence as a
warehousing and shipping point, it suffered a check for
a time, from which, however, it has recovered and is now
rapidly becoming a manufacturing centre of some pre-
tensions.
" The produce of its factories are distributed widely
over Western Canada, Europe and the British empire.
They include pianos, organs, threshing machinery, steam
engines, ready-made clothing, hosiery, flour and cereal
foods. Clinton has always been the centre of the salt-
manufacturing industry of Huron tract.
" Sports of various kinds are encouraged and liberally
patronised. Besides the bowling green, the golf links,
and the curling and skating rink, the town corporation
owns a recreation park laid out for football, lacrosse,
baseball, and kindred amusements.
" Clinton enjoys the distinction of being among the
first of the towns of Canada to lay a bowling green, and
during its fourteen years' existence the Clinton Club has
achieved a large share of success at the Canadian
tournaments."
SEAPORTH.
" Seaforth, so named by the late Hon. James Patton,
who first laid out the town site after his native home in
Scotland. Situated on the Buffalo and Goderich division
of the Grand Trunk Railway, Seaforth is the very centre
of one of the best agricultural and stock-raising districts
in Canada. In the early days it was the grain centre for
a large area of country. Of late years the farmers have
gone extensively into the raising of cattle and horses,
and yearly large shipments of cattle are made from this
point to the Old Country markets, while the draught
horses raised in this district are not surpassed by even
those of bonnie Scotland. In addition, large consign-
ments of eggs and other produce are made to the Old
Country markets.
" Seaforth is, besides, a most progressive and enter-
prising business and manufacturing centre.
" In the field of sports its history is unrivalled by any
town or city in the Dominion. It possesses » a large
recreation park, an excellent race track, and a fine bowling
green. The green is a gift to the club by the worthy
189
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
president, Mr. James M' Michael, the father of bowling
in Western Ontario ; and it is at few tournaments and
on few greens in this district that the ' wee bools ' of
James M'Michael have not assisted very materially in
carrying off first money. Seaforth may have a few rivals,
but no equals as the busiest, most enterprising, and
sportiest town in Canada."
There was some attempt made going along in the train to
re-arrange some of the rinks, but this matter was so much
kicked against that the re -arrangement didn't take place ;
so the rinks were left very much as they had been in preceding
matches.
The party going on to Goderich were received very much in
the same fashion as had been the Mitchell party — a band
being in waiting and playing us into the town, which was
decorated for the occasion. The town, as already stated t
is nicely laid out, with fine wide streets radiating from the
centre like the spokes of a wheel, the town hall forming the
" hub," surrounded by the public park, which is nicely wooded.
The principal buildings — and some of them looked pretty in
their decorations — are around this circle, such as hotels,
public offices, and the like. Lake Huron, which is only about
half a mile from the centre of the circle, offers grand facilities
for boating and fishing, hence Goderich is a favourite resort
for " week-enders."
Our destination was the " Bedford Hotel," a large and
commodious establishment, whose proprietor, Mr. Davis (who,
by the bye, is a son of the Mayor of Mitchell), is one of the
most obliging and courteous of hosts. He and his good lady
were untiring in their efforts to see us properly placed, and
our baggage disposed of in our several rooms.
There was no civic function here, as in many of the other
places visited, for which we were very thankful, as it allowed
us an hour or two to ourselves. It will have been noticed
that in nearly every other place we have been hardly a minute
has been allowed us for breathing space, and that sort of thing
had become very tiring. Here we have time to have a quiet
stroll, a look around, and a little time for reflection, before
engaging in our match in the afternoon.
The game was timed to commence at 3 p.m., and was
between three rinks of Goderich and one of Wingham ; and,
prompt as usual, we were there. We found the turf a bit
soft, a process of flooding evidently having been tried here,
as in some of the other places. This made the green look
fresh, but it was none the better of that, as there had not
been time to roll it properly ; indeed, the greenkeeper was
190
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Goderich Bowlers Win.
busy rolling it as we came upon the scene, where we met with
a perfect ovation. A few preliminary throws soon convinced
us that we had here a hard nut to crack, as the turf was
spongy, springy, and easily indented by heel marks and other
impressions that interfered with the smooth rolling of the
bowls. Many an ominous shake of the head and partially
suppressed expression of disgust was indulged in, and only
our consideration for the feelings of our gentlemanly opponents
restrained us from saying all we felt.
Goderich Club had done their best to have their green in
order for us, and we fully appreciated their efforts to please
us. We lost by 13 shots, and were thankful the difference
was not greater. The play was good all through, notwith-
standing the trickiness of the green, and the Goderich people
rejoiced greatly over their victory, as they had a right to do.
The Clinton party had quite as warm a reception as we had,
and were equally well treated and attended to. The game
there resulted in a loss of two shots, making 15 in all over
the day's play. This was our second defeat, and was the
last defeat that falls to be recorded. Of course, we had
individual rinks beaten now and then, but the aggregate was
usually in our favour by a good majority, as the synopsis
will shew.
We were not inclined to roam much about after the match
was over. The fatigues of the day and the furnace-like heat of
the sun had taken most of the " starch " out of us — if I may
be allowed such an expression. Our fellows were thoroughly
done up, and it was pathetic to see some of them at night
sitting almost naked at an open window trying to inhale a
mouthful of fresh air, and having a copious supply of ice water
beside them to try to allay a thirst that would not be denied.
With the sun raging at 95 degrees in the shade, and a long
drawn-out game of fully three hours, we had been beaten
in more senses than one. Had the shades of evening brought
coolness, it would have been refreshing ; but there was a
sultriness even in the night air that made you feverish, and you
were prone to lay yourself down upon your bed without
even a pretence of blanket or sheet over you. This state of
matters was the rule and not the exception, and it is surprising
to me still how we stood it so well, and were able to " face the
music " as we did. We had one or two laid aside for a day
or so occasionally, but they scon rallied as a rule, and were in
the thick of the fray at the earliest possible moment again.
191
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
SUNDAY, IQTH AUGUST.
" Nearly a Goner."
This was a very quiet day with the most of us. The fact
is, it was too hot to move about much, unless in some sort of
conveyance. Some kept their room the whole day, others
went for a drive, some went to church, and some for a sail
upon the lake. It is in connection with these latter that the
above head-line suggests itself.
Tom Charlton, one of our party, though not one of the team
proper, hails from somewhere about Northumberland. He is
fully six feet in height and built in proportion, being quite
sixteen stones in weight. Tom is not only remarkable for
his finely proportioned figure, but also for the fact that he
usually goes about bareheaded, with a large, well-seasoned
clay pipe in his mouth. Well, Tom thought he would enjoy
a sail on the lake, and so he did. The sail was all right,
although it cramped his legs a little ; so on his return to the
landing stage he sprang ashore to stretch himself, and, the
better to improve circulation, gave a leap in the air and
landed right through one of the rotten planks which formed
the so-called " quay " into the lake, dropping about ten or
twelve feet into the water and sinking some four or five feet
ere he found the bottom. A cry of horror and consternation
burst from all who saw the catastrophe, while a howl, like the
roar of an angry lion, burst from Tom himself. A rush was
made to render service ; but Tom, shaking himself like a
large Newfoundland dog emerging from the water, stepped
ashore, with a look more of anger than of fear upon his face,
and the everlasting clay pipe firmly pressed in his mouth.
Much regret, sorrow and sympathy were expressed by the
bystanders, but Tom's sole concern seemed to be about his
" baccy," and this concern found expression in the rather
characteristic exclamation — " Hang the blooming thing !
I've wet my 'baccy."
Stripped of his dripping clothes, and draped in some sailor's
overall, Tom soon found his way to his hotel, where doubtless
one of his first cares would be to take some means of drying
his " 'baccy."
The incident, though amusing in some of its aspects, was
not without a considerable element of real danger ; for in
dropping some ten or twelve feet, he fell among a lot of old
piles which had supported a former landing stage, and which
were still in the water. Had he struck any of these in his
descent, the result might have been serious. However,
192
London.
" All's well that ends well," so we all rejoiced at Tom's escape.
Several of our party had a quiet stroll in the evening down
to the bluff that overlooks the little harbour. The bluff
rises to a height of fully a hundred feet, and gives a fine view
of the little land-locked harbour of Port Huron. The wide
expanse of water was refreshing to the eye ; the cooling
breeze that came wafting across the scarcely ruffled surface
of the lake was refreshing to the feelings ; and the rest and
peacefulness of the scene before us made the hour delightful,
and disposed the mind as well as the body to rest and peace-
fulness. Slowly retracing our steps we are soon in the seclusion
of our rooms again arranging for an early start.
MONDAY, 20TH AUGUST.
There was a good deal of thunder and lightning during the
night, and the morning broke dull, close and warm. We
have an early start this morning again, and a hasty breakfast.
There is a sixty-miles' run before us, and the time taken is
said to be about three hours. All things being ready we bid
good-bye to our obliging host and hostess, and a short drive
brought us to the station in good time for the train for London.
Let me here, as in other cases, give a few facts concerning
the places which send their representatives to tackle us.
LONDON.
" So named by Governor Simcoe while the place was
still a wilderness, and designed by him to be the future
capital of Canada, is pleasantly situated on the banks of
the River Thames, over which picturesque stream its
suburbs have overflowed to the West and South. Like
the world's premier city, our London also has its Middlesex
county, its Thames, Covent Gardens, Westminster,
Oxford, Pall Mall, Piccadilly, and many other familiar
names.
"Although London has not become the capital of
Canada, yet, with its population of nearly 50,000 people,
it is easily the most important city in Western Ontario,
which has well been called ' The Garden of Canada/
" As a shipping and distributing point London is not
excelled, lying in the centre of a perfect network of rail-
ways, including four of the chief trunk lines of the
Continent, in this respect surpassing any other city in
Canada.
"It is the centre of a magnificent farming district,
and is called ' The Forest City ' on account of the superb
shade trees which everywhere line its broad and beautiful
193
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
streets. Its water supply is of the purest, and it has
excellent electric street railway service. If it has few
millionaires, it has no slums, a fact which evoked the
surprise and admiration of the present Governor-General
(Earl Grey) on his late visit.
"•It is said of London, with pride and satisfaction,
that a greater proportion of its citizens own their own
homes than in any other city in the world.
"It is an important educational centre, containing a
university, a collegiate institute, a medical school, a
normal school, and a splendid system of public and
separate schools.
" It has also a fine public library and two well-appointed
and equipped hospitals.
" Two excellent golf links, numerous baseball grounds,
curling rinks, skating rinks and three bowling greens
provide the citizens with healthy out-door amusements ;
and these, combined with the three fine parks — ' Queen's '
in the East, ' Victoria ' in the centre, and the very
beautiful natural park, ' Springbank,' three miles west
of the city, and connected with it by electric railway or
by the river — all contribute to make London (as it
undoubtedly is) the prettiest and healthiest city in our
Dominion of Canada."
We reach London about half -past ten, and find the platform
fairly thronged by a crowd of eager, anxious wellwishers and
expectant friends, all ready to welcome us with every mani-
festation of kindness that one could desire.
The hotel secured for us is called the " Tecumseh House,"
the name, I understand, of an Indian chief who fought as an
ally with the British in the struggle for supremacy betwixt
the French and British, and rendered signal service, having
great influence among his people. The " Tecumseh House "
is quite near to the station here, so having made sure that our
baggage would follow, we were soon exploring the corridors
in search of our rooms, which we found to be airy and well
furnished. A few minutes' rest was all we had ere it was time
for lunch, then a run on the electric railway, and then back
to the hotel to change our dress for the game.
I have already described our fighting garb, so need not here
detail it. Suffice it to say that it was cool and allowed the
greatest freedom of action.
We found the London Bowling Green gaily decorated, and
a large crowd of ladies and gentlemen there to watch the play.
There are two greens here — the one a little distance from the
other. Here also there was a band to cheer us on. The
194
A Kindly Criticism.
greens I should designate as the upper and lower, but most
of the play was on the latter, there being five rinks here and
three on the upper. These greens are prettily situated on the
banks of the Thames, but not much time had we to admire
the beauties of the place.
One of the aldermen, in the absence of the Mayor, welcomed
us and gave a brief outline of the city's wonderful rise and
progress, claiming that London had a greater number of
people who owned their own houses than in any city in Canada
of a similar size. Indeed, his speech bristled with facts and
figures in proof of his statement, and they seemed to go down
very well with the crowd. He claimed that London was one
of the greatest cities in Canada in some respects ; and so
much did he harp upon this string that one of our party was
heard to remark — " This is about the twenty-fourth greatest
city in Canada that we have visited ; everyone of which
claims to be or have something of the greatest, best, or prettiest
in the whole Dominion."
It is a great, a glorious, and a grand country, and, being a
young one, it is well that there should be a healthy rivalry
among its cities ; but it becomes a little tiresome to strangers
to have it eternally dinned into your ears that such and such
a city of a few thousand inhabitants is the greatest city on
earth ; it smacks too much of a certain other country, and
suggests to the mind Barnum & Bailey's globe-trotting
menagerie and the means taken to bring its claims before the
public. They seem either to forget, or have never learned that
in the Old Country we could point to cities which have grown
as much and as rapidly as their own, and whose energy and
enterprise will compare favourably with anything they can
shew us.
These reflections are drawn from me not, by any means,
in a spirit of bitterness. I love Canada ; I respect her people ;
and from the bottom of my heart I wish they may long remain
worthy of their great and glorious country ; but it is not by
puffing that they can maintain its greatness, but by deeds of
noble daring and enterprise, by industry, sobriety and frugality,
and by patient endurance in the paths of rectitude.
The greens here were in fairly good condition, and the
various rinks had a keen and close tussle for victory, which
ultimately rested with the Old Country by a majority of 37
shots for the eight rinks. Some of them had a very exciting
finish, and the crowd encroached upon the playing space in
their anxiety to witness the play ; but it was an orderly crowd,
and, when requested, widened out while the player was
delivering his bowl.
We were threatened with a thunderstorm during the play-
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
ing of the match, but it kept off, although a few flashes of
lightning and a few " splashes," I call them (drops) of rain
fell. It was not until we reached our hotel that the storm
burst in all its fury and grandeur. Then a scene of electrical
fireworks took place that baffles description, and such as few
Old Country people have ever seen. The lightning flashes
became intensely brilliant as the darkness gathered, and
illuminated the whole town in frequently recurring blazes of
light. The thunder roared and crackled in deafening peels
that caused the most fearless to start in awe. The very
buildings shook and trembled to such an extent that the
electric light was extinguished throughout the whole house,
almost causing a panic in the dining room, where a number
of us were at tea. Order was maintained only by the presence
of mind of a few of the bolder spirits assuring the others that
there was nothing wrong. Rain fell in torrents and brought
before the mind's eye the scene of what the deluge must have
been. The storm lasted well into the night, and while it
lasted, awe, fear and wonder mingled in our minds. No one
thought of sleep. The flaming sheets of lightning blazed
upon the eyes, and the awful roaring, rumbling, and rattling
of the thunder dulled the very senses. Such a storm, however,
has to be seen and heard in order that its severity may be
properly realised. Words fail to convey to the mind an
adequate understanding of the scene.
TUESDAY, 2isx AUGUST.
The storm continued, as I have said, well into the night,
and the morning was dull and grey, but it cleared up towards
breakfast time and gave promise of a fine day.
A meeting of the whole team was called this morning, but
the business was of no great importance. The weary members
responded to the call, however, although many of them had
the appearance of having rested badly.
I have no doubt the following little sketches of the towns
whose representatives we meet in to-day's match will be
interesting. The clubs pitted against us were — Aylmer, three
rinks ; St. Thomas, two rinks ; Strathroy, two rinks, and St.
Mary's, one rink.
AYL/HER.
" Like so many other places in Canada, the town of
Aylmer has a British connection, having been named
after Lord Aylmer, who was at the time Governor- General
of Canada. It is the centre of one of the finest agricultural
sections of Ontario, and has several large manufacturing
196
Aylmer and St. Thomas.
industries, the Aylmer Canning Company being the
largest institution of its kind in the Dominion.
" The town owns its own water works and electric
light system ; its public schools, collegiate institute and
public library are second to none.
" The main street is paved, and there are about 15
miles of permanent stone walks in the town.
" Three railways, the Grand Trunk, Wabash, and
Michigan Central, give its citizens the very best facilities
for travel and freight accommodation. In fact, it is an
ideal place for a home, and every one of its 2,500 inhabi-
tants claims for it ' the best town in Canada."
ST. THOMAS.
" St. Thomas, population 14,000, known as * The Rail-
way City,' is admirably situated midway between the
Detroit and Niagara Rivers, eight miles from Lake Erie.
It is regarded as one of the healthiest, liveliest and most
progressive cities in the Province of Ontario. It has
five steam railways, a municipal street railway, an inter-
city electric line opening up fine farming section, and
offers unequalled locations and transportation facilities
for manufacturing industries. It is unexcelled as a place
of residence, and its citizens are men and women of the
highest type.
" A few of St. Thomas' many features are as follows : —
Healthy climate, central location, a ladies' college, good
newspapers, collegiate institute, three stock yards,
population 14,000, a $50,000 city hall, beautiful resi-
dences, live board of trade, reasonable taxation, efficient
police force, centre of rich district, two colleges of music,
two historical societies, five express companies, two
handsome theatres, fifteen wholesale houses, a $100,000
court house, model school for teachers, assessed value
$5,525,625, forty-five miles of streets, about 100 acres
of parks, adequate fire-alarm system, two cold-storage
companies, retail merchants' association, sixty fraternal
society lodges, fifty miles of stone side walks, Alma
College for young ladies, commercial and business college,
freedom from labour disturbances, seventy-five miles of
water mains, over two miles of business houses, twenty-
five miles of underground sewers, two public markets
open twice a week, largest car-wheel factory in Canada,
city council composed of capable men, many factories of
different descriptions, a $27,000 public library just
completed, two telegraph companies, C.P.R. and G.N.W.,
197
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
one of the best water works systems in the world, nineteen
hundred square acres within its limits, newly remodelled
government and post office building, divisional head-
quarters of four of its five railways, seventeen first-class
hotels of various grades and prices, good gas, electric
lighting and power plant, owned by city ; five public
schools and a separate school, unexcelled anywhere ;
one consolidated trust and loan company, and branch
office of outside company ; one large hospital, with nurses'
training school and railroad hospital attached ; seven and
a half miles of street railway owned by the city, charging
a three cent fare ; branches of five national banks, two
having two branches each, and numerous private banks ;
telephone system extending to radius of ten miles and
connecting with all long-distance 'phones ; two large
railway shops, where locomotives and passenger coaches
and freight cars are manufactured ; many clubs devoted
to social, athletic, literary and dramatic objects, besides
a large number of lesser social organisations ; fine church
buildings, comprising three Methodist, two Anglican, two
Presbyterian, one Catholic, one Baptist, one Disciple,
and one Latter Day Saints, besides a Salvation Army
barracks and meeting places of several other denomina-
tions, a majority of the buildings being imposing and
up-to-date structures, while the rebuilding of others is
contemplated.
" No other city in Canada — or on the American
Continent for that matter — can boast of a better railway
service than St. Thomas. Five of the most important
railways of Canada and the United States run into the
city, and a large percentage of the citizens are employees
of one or other of these roads. The city is the divisional
headquarters of four of these lines, the fact that it is
located midway between Buffalo and Detroit being taken
advantage of. No better idea of the value of these
railroads to St. Thomas can be secured than by reference
to the amount of wages paid their employees in the city
alone. The Michigan Central pays out, approximately,
$90,000 per month, the Pere Marquette $45,000, the
Wabash $15,000, the Grand Trunk $12,000, and the
Canadian Pacific $1,500, a total of $163,500 each month."
STRATH ROY.
Busy, Bustling, and Progressive.
" Early in the year 1832, James Stewart Buchanan
made a small clearing on Lot 23, Concession 3, of Adelaide
198
Busy Strathroy.
Township, Middlesex County, Ontario, supplementing
this act the following year by the erection of a very modest
sawmill on the spot where now stands the fine modern
mill of Pincombe and Donaldson.
" From this unassuming spot has developed the fine,
From the " Toronto Daily Star"
busy, and progressive town of Strathroy, twenty miles
west of London, on the Grand Trunk Railway, and
having a population of about 3,000.
" The business portion of the town stands on a natural
plateau, which, running away indefinitely into a level,
199
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
richly producing country, not only makes a perfect
location for a town site, but leaves room as well for
practically illimitable expansion, which many manu-
facturers have already taken advantage of, and no doubt
many more will in this era of advancement do likewise
when the town fathers take full advantage of an
enlightened press to tell the outside world of the good
opportunities awaiting them here at a point in close touch
with all parts of the Western Peninsula of Canada.
" Alexandra Park, in the very heart of the town,
affords ample room for lacrosse, baseball, lawn tennis
and bowling on the green, as well as other sports."
Extract from London (Ont.) Free Press : —
BRITISH BOWLERS GO TO SPRINGBANK.
Enjoy Cool Ride on Electric Cars while Mercury
Stands at 9O Degrees.
" The British bowlers were entertained to-day to a
trip to Springbank, and were apparently pleased with the
scenic beauties.
" And they also had an experience that was not down
on the itinerary. The car on which they were going to
Springbank ran off the track at that point where the car
leaves the Belt Line for the regular Springbank route.
Some delay was occasioned by the accident.
" Fortunately there were plenty of interesting sights
in view to the bowhrs while the car was being replaced
on the track. That was one consolation.
" The British could see the construction operations
of the G.T.R. and the proposed elevation of the tracks.
" Perhaps no better day could have been chosen for
the trip. The thermometer stood nearly 90 in the shade,
and the ride to the park was a cool diversion that every-
one enjoyed.
" The visitors were shown through the water works
plant, and then proceeded to the end of the line. That
Springbank appealed to them as a picturesque spot was
evinced by the number of expressions heard on all sides.
" The ladies of the party accompanied the men."
200
A Good Game.
After the above very enjoyable excursion we returned to
our hotel in time to make ready for our match, which was
full of interest from start to finish.
Extract from local press, London, Ont. : —
GOOD GAMES ON GREEN CLOSE LAST DAY'S
VISIT IN CITY.
"The British*" bowlers did not get off so easily this
afternoon against the rinks from Aylmer, Strathroy,
St. Mary's and St. Thomas.
" Though they won on the grand total by a score of 177
to 126, a number of the visiting rinks won out.
"The closest game on the green was between the
British rink skipped by Watson and the Strathroy rink
skipped by Dr. A. S. Thompson. Two extra ends were
necessary ; the Strathroy rink won by one up, the score
being 18-19.
" Both of the St. Thomas rinks were trimmed badly.
" The British rink skipped by S. Fingland beat W.
K. Pearce's rink by a tally of 35 to 10. The other St.
Thomas rink was also scored upon in a somewhat similar
fashion, the score card showing a count of 27 to 15.
" The greens were in better condition than on Monday,
though they were still rather heavy.
" The scores : —
BRITISH. ST. THOMAS.
J. M. Oubridge. John Farley.
R. Scott. W. R. Jackson.
A. Lilly. J. M. Glenn.
S. Fingland. W. K. Pearce.
Skip - 35- Skip - 10.
BRITISH. STRATHROY.
— Firth. W. H. Stephen.
— Paul. M. Rapley.
— M'Culloch. L. H. Smith.
- Watson. Dr. A. S. Thompson.
Skip - 18. Skip - 19.
BRITISH. AYLMER.
W. J. Thompson. E. W. Hill.
H. Southall. E. C. Monteith.
F. Hay. J. C. Heiter.
J« J- J agger. W. W. White.
Skip - 16. Skip - 19.
o 201
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
BRITISH.
J. P. Smith.
G. W. Koft.
M. Twiss.
— Hunter.
Skip -
16.
BRITISH.
P. Campbell.
W. Miller.
A. H. Hamilton.
J. T. Morrison.
Skip - 27.
BRITISH.
E. Pickard.
J. Jeffrey.
C. W. Nasmith.
Captain Telford.
Skip - 25.
BRITISH.
— Addicott.
— Gibbons.
— Willox.
— M'Coll.
Skip - 24.
BRITISH.
D. M'Laughlin.
J. Welsh.
Major Brown.
J. PiUans.
Skip
Total, -
16.
177.
AYLMER.
as. Curtis.
M. Rutherford.
E. Caughill.
Dr. Sinclair.
Skip - 18.
ST. THOMAS.
W. Ross.
W. K. Cameron.
G. Geddes.
E. H. Hurton.
Skip - 15.
ST. MARY'S.
A. Mennie.
H. E. Wilson.
Wm. Andrews.
Jas. Maxwell.
Skip - 14.
AYLMER.
R. S. Moore.
W. C. Bingham.
R. Christie.
C. A. Bingham.
Skip - 10.
STRATHROY.
J. Angus.
Dr. Wilmot.
E. W. Ray.
L. H. Dampier.
Skip - 21.
Total, - 126."
The banquet in the evening, at which our ladies and their
lady friends were present, was a masterpiece of the purveyor's
art, and the speeches were chaste and warm, the singing good,
and everything went " merry as a marriage bell."
We had now entered upon the last week of our tour, and
the kindness and hospitality of our Canadian friends were
as bountiful as ever. If they cannot beat us at bowling, they
can give us points in the way of entertaining. In addition
202
A Catchy Refrain.
to the music purveyed for us on the different greens, there
were many little impromptu interludes that lent variety
and zest to the entertainments. It was no uncommon thing
at some of these, when a speaker rose, sometimes with
apparent embarrassment, to address the meeting, for the
whose company to break into singing the following catchy
refrain, and, with slight alterations, sing it over and over
again —
" He is smiling, he is smiling,
He is smiling just now ;
Just now he is smiling,
He is smiling just now."
varied sometimes by —
*' He's a dandy, he's a dandy,
He's a dandy just now ;
Just now he's a dandy,
He's a dandy just now."
These catches, sung to the air of " O ! my darling Clemen-
tine," never failed to infuse a spirit of harmony into the com-
pany, if they did add to the embarrassment of the speaker.
Thus ended our last day in London, whose public-spirited
people have not been overpraised, and whose enterprise has
not been overstated.
Most of us get to bed as early as possible, as we must be
up by " the skrech o' day," and there is a run of something
like sixty miles before us.
" Thus frae early dawn till dewy eve,
We, as we can, our laurels weave
To plait around Auld Albion's brow,
As trophies gathered here and now."
WEDNESDAY, 22ND AUGUST.
Dawned a beautiful morning. Most of us were early astir,
strapping up our baggage and paying our bills.
Tecumseh House is one of the best in Canada, and one of
the most reasonable. The tariff is only two and a half dollars
per head per night, all found.
Well, we had a run of sixty miles before us, but the incon-
venience of overcrowding was obviated by having a special
car all to ourselves, so there was no risk of having to stand the
whole pf the way, as had happened before. We therefore
had plenty of room and time for rest. Reaching St. Thomas,
where a short stop was made, we then had a run of forty-five
miles before us. This distance was covered in forty minutes,
the fastest run many of us had ever made. We reached Ridge-
town in good time.
203
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
I here give you similar sketches to what I have already
given you of many of the towns against whose representatives
we had to try our mettle. I hope my readers will find these
sketches interesting. Personally I could have desired more
of them.
BLENHEIM (Ont.).
" Blenheim, on a ridge overlooking the country from
Lake Erie and the Rond Eau to the River Thames, and
the centre of a land of beautiful farms, the home of an
independent and industrious people, wins the admiration
of every visitor. Its public buildings, town hall, power
house, schools, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican and
Baptist churches are worthy of a much older community.
Its business, shipping and manufacturing interests are
conducted by enterprising operators, and find support
from the Canadian Bank of Commerce, which has recently
erected a very handsome building, and from the Standard
Bank of Canada. It is the central point of the Pere
Marquette Railway in Canada, four lines meeting here.
" In bowling it was a pioneer town, and some of its
bowlers, notably R. L. Gosnell, affably addressed as
' Dick,' are known far and wide. A beautiful and well-
kept lawn is the afternoon and evening gathering place
of most of the business men of the town, and a hearty
welcome is given to visiting bolwers. The present officers
are — President, A. Denholm ; First Vice, W. H. Lugsden ;
Second Vice, H. M. Winters; Secy.-Treas., J. M.
Denholm."
BOTHWELL (Ont.).
" Founded by the Hon. Geo. Brown in 1855 >" a beau-
tiful and thriving incorporated town in the County of
Kent, on the Grand Trunk, Canadian Pacific and Wabash
Railways. It is the shipping point of large and productive
oil fields. The land adjoining the town is especially
adapted for grazing and farming.
" It has a chartered bank, express companies, weekly
paper, telegraph and telephone offices. Exports large
quantities of live stock, grain and fruit. The town has
an excellent public school, sawmills, planing mill, sash
and door factory, and machine shop ; a fine town hall,
and Roman Catholic, English, Methodist, Presbyterian
and Baptist churches ; daily mails, and is the distributing
office of seventeen other post offices."
204
"The Bean Metropolis."
KIDGETOWN.
" Ridgetown is pleasantly and healthfully situated on
the ridge running through the centre of the southerly
townships in Kent County, Ontario. It is a town that
appeals to the artistic sense of every visitor. Its clean
and well-kept streets, including every road of approach
from the country, are lined with maple trees, backed by
beautiful, well- trimmed lawns ; the business section, of
compact, substantial brick blocks, contains stores filled
with goods from the world's chief markets.
" Ridgetown lies in the centre of the southern peninsula
of the fruit and garden section par excellence of Ontario.
As a shipping point for live stock it stands in the first
rank, but it is known throughout the world as the ' Bean
Metropolis ' of Canada. Each year a half million bushels
of beans are marketed, cleaned and shipped from
Ridgetown.
" Ridgetown industries include foundries and machine
shops, planing, stave and heading factories, export flour
mills, creamery and minor industries.
"It has a first-grade collegiate institute, a ten-room
public school, a public library of five thousand selected
volumes, and an opera house seating over a thousand
people. Its other public buildings include a half dozen
churches, and a fine municipal and post office building,
fire hall, etc. The town also boasts of a park and athletic
grounds for baseball, cricket and lacrosse, with a rink
for curling and hockey, while its bowling green, centrally
located, is one of the best in the Province. All kinds of
outdoor sports are encouraged in Ridgetown.
" Excellent railway service is rendered by the Michigan
Central and Pere Marquette Railways, and a new line
from the North, running through Ridgetown to the
Government Park at Rondeau, ten miles away, is
projected."
The station for Ridgetown is a little distance from the town
itself — a half mile or so — but distance is nothing in Canada
in more senses than one. Here, as elsewhere, there was an
ample supply of machines of one kind and another, into which
the reception committee saw us safely seated, our baggage
following in a sort of lorry. As soon as we had got fairly
seated, we formed in procession with numerous other vehicles
all in line, and, headed by a respectable brass band, we were
driven into the town, which seemed to be on holiday. The
principal buildings and shops were profusely decorated, a
large triumphal arch of flags spanning the main street with the
205
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
word " welcome " in large characters woven artistically in
the centre. I hope His Majesty the King may not see these
lines, else he may think that we were having honours done to
us that only rightly belong to the kingly office. Be that as
it may, we certainly had a right royal welcome, which we fully
appreciated. We were driven to the Town Hall, from the
steps of which the Mayor himself welcomed us, in the name of
the town in a few well chosen words, in which there was the
ring of genuine feeling and informal fellowship. Our captain
replied, acknowledging our recognition of the honours paid
us, and our appreciation of all that had been done for our
comfort and entertainment.
Having a few minutes to spare before luncheon, there was
a rush made by our fellows to have a wash up. Provision
even for this had been made, and we soon found the necessary
materials and facilities for this operation.
We then return to the Town Hall where lunch was served,
a lunch that would not have disgraced the festive board of
the City of St. Mungo itself. In fact, it was " Fill and fetch
mair " "all the time. The very menu card was a work of art,
and besides indicating the various dishes in — to many of us —
an unknown tongue, gave a list of the rinks we had to play
against and the names of our opponents.
The game here was a short one, only consisting of sixteen
ends, on account of the time at which we had to get our
train.
The green, or lawn (as it is here, as elsewhere, called in
Canada), was both rough and uneven, with far too little space
allowed per rink, our bowls often encroaching on the next
rink. Indeed, it was no uncommon thing to see the bowls of
neighbouring rinks interfering with each other's play, and
thus sometimes spoiling what might otherwise have been a
" toucher." However, notwithstanding these drawbacks, we
won by 71 shots.
The Ridgetonians are a warm, as well as a large-hearted
lot, and took their beating with the best possible grace.
They congratulated us upon our play and our victory, and
if our boots, or rather shoes, had been able to have partaken
of the good things they pressed upon us, they would not
have needed polishing for the next twelve months at least.
They accompanied us to the station to see us off, and amidst
ringing cheers and good wishes we started on our way to
Chatham.
I here give you a sketch of this pretty, thriving, busy and
enterprising town, and also of Dresden and Leamington,
whose representatives we were to play in to-morrow's
match : —
206
Facts About Chatham.
CHATHAM (Ont.)-
" The city of Chatham is situated at the'head of naviga-
tion on the River Thames, in the centre of the County of
Kent, a county that has no equal in Canada for its
mildness of climate, productiveness of soil and variety
of products. It also has considerable areas producing
petroleum and natural gas ; here also is situated one of
the few factories in Canada manufacturing sugar^from
beets produced in the county. fc$i
" The city was first surveyed under the direction of
Governor Simcoe in 1795, and was intended for the
capital of the Western part of the country ; but this
idea was afterwards abandoned, and very little was heard
of Chatham till the stirring times of 1812 and 1813,
when the heroic Chief Tecumseh tried to persuade his
white allies of the British crown to make their final
stand against the American Army on the very spot now
occupied by the bowlers.
" Chatham is now one of the most progressive cities
in Canada, and is noted for its business-like and up-to-
date appearance. It has more miles of pavements than
any other city of its size on the Continent. Its churches,
educational institutions, hospitals, market and transpor-
tation facilities, together with its beautiful trees and
parks, make it a most desirable place to live in. Every
citizen is justly proud of ' The Maple City.'
Bowling Club,
" The Chatham Lawn Bowling Club was organised in
1895, and has steadily increased from year to year. The
green is beautifully situated on Tecumseh Park, at the
junction of the River Thames and McGregor's Creek. No
more delightful spot can be found in the country."
DRESDEN.
" A manufacturing and agricultural town of two
thousand, at the head of navigation on the Sydenham
River, Kent County, Ontario — the ' Garden of Canada,'
from an agricultural standpoint. Articles of manufacture
include wheels, hubs, spokes, flax products, small articles
of hardware and canned goods.
" Lawn bowling dates back six years, and during that
time the Sutherland-Innes trophy has been won twice,
1900 and 1902. First at the great Walker Tourney, 1900.
Free Press Trophy, W.O.B.A., 1904. Officers, G. A.
Miller, President; J. W. Sharpe, Vice-President ; Dr.
J. I. Wiley, Secretary and Treasurer."
207
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
LEAMINGTON (Ont.).
" On the western shore of Lake Erie is situated the
town of Leamington, with a population of 3,500. To the
west lies a stretch of country as beautiful as the eye ever
beheld, orchards and fruit farms forming a landscape of
incomparable beauty. At the east and north of the town
lies a stretch of level country of rich alluvial mould,
which has generously rewarded the agriculturist. To the
south, between the town and lake, and west on the ridge,
lies the richest and most productive fruit land in America.
It is the ideal home of the peach and grape.
" Leamington is the most southern town in Canada,
and is progressive. The railway facilities are good ; the
main line of the Pere Marquette and a branch of the
Michigan Central railroad both run through the town.
The Windsor and Lake Shore Radial Railway Company
is building an electric railway, connecting Windsor and
Chatham, passing through Leamington.
" Leamington is not only the centre of the fruit and
early vegetable district, but is practically the home of
one of the largest industries in Ontario, that of tobacco
growing. The Empire Tobacco Company has an immense
warehouse here, and pay out yearly about one million
dollars to the farmers of Essex County.
" The town has an abundance of good water, and
natural gas for heating and lighting. A short distance
east of the town are several oil and gas wells that are
adding to our wealth and importance.
" Our public buildings are good, our schools are second
to none, and our proximity to the City of Detroit gives
us many advantages not possessed by many inland
towns.
" Our Lawn Bowling Club, composed of business and
professional men, are antagonists not to be despised by
the bowlers of any town or city in Ontario."
We arrive in Chatham about 8 p.m. Here we are met
by the reception committee, as usual all brimful of good
fellowship, all anxious to do what they could for us, and
all bidding us welcome. They had made arrangements for
our accommodation — the married portion of our team, or
rather those who had their wives with them, being sent to the
Gardner House, while the others were disposed of among the
other hotels of the town. This arrangement broke up our
company for the time being, but saved any risk of over-
crowding, and helped towards the peaceful enjoyment of a
quiet evening's rest, of which we were all very much in need.
208
A Trip Down the Thames.
Each of us looked after our own belongings and saw them
safely deposited in our several rooms, where we mostly spent
the remainder of the evening.
The Gardner House is a very good establishment, with
ample accommodation at very reasonable rates, and those of
us who had the good fortune to be billeted here soon found
ourselves comparatively at home and in a mood to enjoy its
comforts as only tired-out travellers can.
THURSDAY, 23RD AUGUST.
This broke up a very fine morning, though there had been
a lot of rain during the night. It had been a close, sultry
night, and in consequence many of our party had not slept
well.
Our " bill of fare " for to-day included a trip down the River
Thames on the City of Chatham, a goodly-sized old-fashioned
steamboat of the ordinary river type, affording plenty of
accommodation and being gaily decorated.
Our whole party, ladies and all, availed themselves of this
opportunity for a cooling rest and for seeing more of the place.
The river here is about as wide as the Clyde at the Broomielaw,
and about twelve miles farther down it falls into Lake Erie.
Its course is mostly betwixt banks of a low-lying clayey
character, lined with a stunted growth of shrub and saugh.
The sun shone gloriously, and we kept well under the shelter-
ing shade of the awning which covered the upper deck. It
was interesting to see how the cattle here and there had
grouped together, and stood up to their girths in the cooling
but yellow liquid, trying to keep themselves cool while they
constantly whisked their tails in their vain efforts to keep
the flies off. Even " porky " was seen taking full advantage
of the mixture of clay and water. The river was particularly
dirty on this occasion, owing to the recent rains, and whole
flocks of geese seemed to feel themselves at home on the heaving
and swelling bosom of the yellow current.
During the run down stream there were ample oppor-
tunities for making the acquaintance of each other, and these
opportunities were fully taken advantage of, especially by the
ladies. They gathered in groups here and there, and the
treble tones of their tongues lent an additional charm to the
trip. The gentlemen not only introduced themselves to each
other, but introduced each other occasionally to the steward,
who was ever pleased to make their acquaintance.
Passing out into Lake Erie, our good ship was brought
about, and headed up stream on our return journey, during
which lunch was served with a profusion and variety of viands
209
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
that might have put a first-class restaurant to shame ; and
ample justice was done to it by a happy, chatty, and merry
party.
We reached Chatham just in time for our engagement at
three p.m. A hurried change of clothing brought us into
fighting trim once more, and a short walk brought us to the
green. No time was lost, and in a few minutes we were
trying to find out which was the " narrow hand," and which
the hand that " drew " most against the bias.
This game was remarkable mostly for the weather conditions
under which it was played. The sky had darkened ere we
had well begun, and a few large drops of rain fell, sending
the players skurrying into the bowl house like as many rabbits
burrowing for shelter from the fangs of a hunter's dog, and
threatening to put a stop to all further play for the day at
least. It was amusing to see the despatch with which the
green was cleared ; why, some of the sprints might have
broken record at a championship meeting and transferred
the glories of Powderhall to the wooded shades of Chatham
on the Thames, Ont. The storm held off, however, and the
game went on amidst the ominous grumbling and rumbling
of thunder, and the occasional glaring and flashing of light-
ning, and was won by us by a majority of fourteen shots only,
which was a pretty narrow squeak for it. We had our full
eight rinks playing, and at this strength we were at our weakest,
paradoxical though it may appear.
After the game there was an automobile drive round the
city, but as the elements did not appear propitious some of
us didn't go. Those who did enjoyed it very much, as the rain
kept off during the whole time of the drive.
FRIDAY, 24TH AUGUST.
WALKERVILLE.
" This town is very prettily situated on the magnificent
Detroit River, which river, it will be remembered, is one
of the great St. Lawrence chain of waters extending
through Canada's inland seas from Lake Superior at the
upper end, through Lakes Huron, St. Clair, Erie and
Ontario, thence to the St. Lawrence and the Atlantic,
which chain of waters is, without doubt, through its
various lakes, rivers and canals, the greatest and most
important shipping artery of trade known to the world.
" Adjoining Walkerville, and also on the river, is the
City of Windsor, and the united population of the two
places is about 17,000. Upon the other side of the
210
An Afternoon Excursion.
river, which here is about one and one-half miles wide,
is the City of Detroit in the United States.
" Walkerville is one of the most progressive and
flourishing towns in Canada ; it possesses many factories
and other industries. The most important business
concern, however, is the immense distillery business of
Messrs. Hiram Walker & Sons, Limited, which was estab-
lished by the late Mr. Hiram Walker (after whom the
town is named) and whose family are still identified with
the distillery business and many other large undertakings
in this part of the country."
The foregoing is a sketch of the town next upon our pro-
gramme.
This morning broke dull but dry, and we had another early
start. By some mismanagement on the part of some one,
we were hurried out of our hotel at least two hours earlier
than we should have been, with the result that a good deal
of confusion and not a little heartburning took place, until
Mr. Thomson, one of our Canadian friends, relieved us from
further anxiety by taking charge of the baggage for the rest
of our tour, and he managed it nicely ; but we reached Walker-
ville at least two hours before our time, with the result that
there was no one to receive us at the station, and something
like a hitch took place, no one knowing how to proceed. It
was found we were in the neighbourhood of Messrs. Hiram
Walker & Sons' establishment, whose guests we were to be-,
and there we drifted ; and they at once rose to the occasion
and invited us into their office, where we were soon entertained
to a light tea, after which a number of us were shown over
their gigantic works.
We here learned that arrangements had been made for
housing our party in Detroit, which is just across the river
from Walkerville, but some of us, on learning that the tariff
ranged from three and a half to eight dollars a head per night,
took alarm and found quarters for ourselves elsewhere at a
much more moderate rate. Thus some of us got located in
Walkerville, some in Windsor, and some in Detroit, each party
passing the day as suited their fancy.
There was a water excursion in the afternoon, which brought
us all together again. This turned out a most enjoyable
affair, and all of us availed ourselves of it. Luncheon was
served on board. There was a large party in addition to the
British bowlers, in whose honour this entertainment was given.
As before stated, we were the guests of Messrs. Hiram Walker
& Sons, and they had engaged a special steamer for the
occasion. Everything was provided that could add to our
211
The British Bowlers in Canada3 1906.
comfort and enjoyment. The deck of the steamer was con-
verted into a large banqueting hall, under an awning ; a
band discoursed music, and waiters, male and female (mostly
coloured), attended to our wants, and saw that we did not
want for anything. The tables were beautifully decorated
and well attended. One of the Messrs. Walker presided, and
made a most genial and entertaining host. Everything, in
fact, that one could desire was in abundance, and was set
before and pressed upon us.
The steamer glided along without a throb, and a cooling
fan-like breeze made the air delicious. Toasts, songs, and
speeches followed in due course, and altogether made two or
three hours of the pleasantest we had yet experienced.
On our return in the evening a number availed themselves
of a motor car drive about Detroit, when its finely made and
well kept streets were much admired and remarked upon ;
and its numerous open spaces and public parks were eulogised
on every hand.
Detroit is called " The Convention City," on account of
the great number of conventions that are held there on all
matters of social, religious and political interest. Detroit is
certainly one of the finest cities we have visited, and what
is better, it is one of the best governed in the United States,
being freer from what is called " graft " and political corrup-
tion than any city in the whole Union.
In the evening after the drive we each found our way to
our respective hotels, there to crack over the many sights we
had seen, the great kindness we had experienced, and the many
friends we had made. What made our sense of gratitude the
keener was a feeling that we could never adequately return it.
Under circumstances such as I have been trying to describe,
one has not much time for reflection ; and it is only in the
quiet of your own room, or on the verandah in front of your
hotel, while you are smoking the pipe of peace, with the blue
wreaths of tobacco smoke curling over your head, that the
mind pencils the lights and shades of past events, and traces
in faint sketches of colouring the visions of the future — not
amidst the hurry-burry of packing, nor the rush from place
to place, nor even among the enchantments of the bowling
green with its various hopes and disappointments.
Such was the mood of many of us as we retired from our
labours at the end of another day of bustle and change,
preparatory for our struggle of to-morrow.
SATURDAY, 25™ AUGUST.
This morning dawned dull but dry, and much cooler than
it had been ; indeed, it was just such a morning as we might
212
A " Scorcher."
expect at home about this time of the year, and we were
hopeful that it might keep cool during the day ; but the sun
gradually broke through and dispelled the mist or haze,
and our hopes alike, and we soon found it was going to be a
" scorcher." It is no easy matter to play bowls with the
glass standing at 95 degrees in the shade, as it had done during
the most of our games. Indeed, the Canadians themselves
said they could hardly remember such a long spell of such hot
weather.
* THEY t-u *o oeutve J^g \^ HAS NT
wy .M TME oto / » ^^v) W01?N A
Siu^%^ 7^v/?r HAT FOR
TK£ HtAT IN <Kt»'f-
From the " Toronto Daily Star"
Before the hour of commencing play, " Old Sol " had asserted
his supremacy, having brushed aside every obstacle to his
glory, and blazed down upon the earth as if with the intention
of converting it into a jelly. What mattered it that our
garb was light — indeed, of the lightest description — it soon
became like wrung rags upon our backs and felt disagreeable.
Up to the hour of starting play (2 p.m.) each of us spent the
time as suited himself. Some indulged in a drive around
Detroit, some in shopping, and some in strolling listlessly
about.
As has been stated, our game was to start at 2 p.m., standard
time (which means i p.m. Detroit time). This was a little
confusing, but we were all there in good time.
The grounds of Messrs. Hiram Walker & Sons, Limited,
were beautifully decorated, flags and streamers waving from
213
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
everywhere, and a large and select party of ladies and gentle-
men there to welcome us and witness the sport, while a band
discoursed music the whole time. There were several refresh-
ment tents, and in addition waiters of both sexes (white and
coloured) kept going around with light refreshments for the ladies
and smokes for the gentlemen, so that all tastes were met and all
wants supplied with a profusion and liberality in keeping with
the well established reputation of the firm whose guests we
were. Under such circumstances could we do otherwise than
enjoy ourselves ? But even under these seductive conditions
we determined to win if we could, and win we did by the
handsome majority of 56 shots.
I have not always taken note of the individual rink score,
as I have no desire to lengthen out these notes beyond reason-
able measure, and on this occasion will again refrain from doing
so. Suffice it to say that each rink did its best to keep up
the reputation of the country, and did so as the score shews.
It would be a great mistake on the part of any one to think
that, because of the largeness of our majority in many of the
matches recorded, we must have had " soft marks " to contend
against. Don't you believe that, and, should a return visit
be paid by the Canadians in the near future, don't base your
calculations upon any such sandy foundation, as the whole
fabric of your dreams of conquest may topple about your
ears like a house of cards.
This game, like all the others, finished amidst a scene of
great enthusiasm, the last rink to finish being somewhat
hampered by the crowd pressing in in their anxiety to see
the finish. There was considerable satisfaction felt on our
part at having brought off another win, especially on this the
last day of the week. The week end we felt was always our
most trying time, after the fatigues of the other five days.
There was much handshaking all round, and I believe that
even our ladies entered into the enthusiasm of the game and
rejoiced as much as we did to see their champions win. Indeed,
it was not an uncommon thing during the playing of a match
to be called aside by our lady friends to ascertain how the
game was going. It may perhaps be suggested that it was
because of their presence and encouragement at our matches
that we had such phenomenal success, but those who say so
forget that our Canadian friends had the same sources of
encouragement as we had. At every game their wives and
daughters were present, and they were not slow to shew on
which side their sympathies lay.
Congratulations were showered upon us on all hands ;
indeed, our opponents went so far as to say that we had played
the game as they had never seen it played before. Our fine
214
A Thunderstorm and a Fire.
drawing and getting through ports when they thought they
had the jack thoroughly guarded, was an eye-opener to them,
and the manner in which we built our heads to guard against
disaster many of them had never seen. It fairly " tickled "
them — to use an Americanism — and they admitted on all
hands that the " drawing " game was the best after all.
Thus closed another week of hustle, bustle, and varied
enjoyment ; and, oh ! we were tired and weary men, and
sought the seclusion of our rooms at the earliest moment to
rest, and muse over the events of the day.
SUNDAY, 26TH AUGUST.
This was a fine morning, with every appearance of turning
out a hot day, which it did ; so many of us kept within doors,
but Mr. Fingland, our captain, and Mr. Pickard, a member
of committee — than whom no member of the team did more
to keep us all in touch with each other — made a round of the
different hotels with final instructions for to-morrow's pro-
ceedings, which caused considerable alteration in some of our
personal arrangements. We go to Woodstock to-morrow to
play our last match — a distance, I am told, of something
like 130 miles from here. We are to meet at Windsor at
7 a.m. and go by the C.P.R.
In the afternoon the heat culminated in a pretty sharp
thunderstorm, with a downpour of rain.
Considerable excitement was caused in the afternoon in
Walkerville by an outbreak of fire due to the lightning, but
not much damage was done, as the fire was speedily got
under, and the crowd were somewhat disappointed in not
seeing a big blaze, though doubtless the proprietor of the said
building, or, at least, the insurance people, would be perfectly
satisfied with the amount of damage done, trifling though
it was.
MONDAY, 27TH AUGUST.
Our programme for this, our last engagement, was as
follows, in addition to the early start I have already indicated : —
12 noon. — Visitors will be met by the reception committee.
12.20 p.m. — Leave railway depot for trip around the city
in carriages, arriving at the bowling green for lunch.
1.15 p.m. — Welcome by Mayor and Aldermen of the City
of Woodstock, and Warden and Councillors of the
County of Oxford, on the lawn of the Woodstock
Bowling Club.
215
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
1.45 p.m. — Luncheon.
2.30 p.m. — Game. Play against three rinks Woodstock
Club, two rinks Listowel Club, one rink Brussels Club,
one rink Mt. Forest Club, and one rink Tillsonburg Club.
5.30 to 6.30 p.m. — Refreshments.
7.15 p.m. — Visitors leave for Grand Trunk Depot.
Methinks I behold many of my readers' eyes and mouths
watering at the temptations here laid before them. Let me
tell you right here that the reading is nothing to what the
realisation was. I do believe that the Canadians had prepared
this as the surprise packet of the whole tour. From the
moment we arrived at their depot, until the last alarm note
of " all aboard " sounded in the evening, there was not one
moment that was without some item of interest, some act
of unexpected kindness, some manifestation of kindly hearted
welcome, and some solicitation for our comfort.
Let me here give the usual sketches of the towns whose
champions we were pitted against on this occasion, and
whose hospitality we so lavishly shared.
WOODSTOCK
" Situated in the County of Oxford, on one of the
branches of the River Thames which forms its western
limits. It was one of the earliest settlements, dating
back to the time of Governor Simcoe, who originally laid
out the western part, which was known for a great number
of years as ' The Town Plot/ It was incorporated into
a city in 1901, and is known as the ' Industrial City '
on account of its numerous industries.
" There are five beautiful parks, which, together with
curling, skating and lawn bowling, also tennis and golf
grounds, give ample entertainment and recreation for its
citizens.
"It is surrounded by one of the richest and most
prosperous agricultural districts in Ontario. Its railway
facilities are unsurpassed, the Grand Trunk and Canadian
Pacific railways passing through the city, both of which
have branch lines leading out in different directions. An
electric railway extends to Ingersoll.
" There are several large manufacturing interests
located here, many of which send their products through-
out the known world, and consist of cereals, furniture,
pianos and organs, stoves and furnaces, waggons, etc.
" The city is noted for its beautiful streets, which are
lined with maple trees, well-kept lawns, etc., making it
216
A Town of Bowlers.
the attraction of every visitor. The business establish-
ments are large and equal to any in the western part of
Ontario.
" Its schools and colleges are unsurpassed in efficiency
and equipment, and it has one of the best appointed and
equipped hospitals in the Dominion of Canada."
LISTOWEL.
" The people of Listowel bowl. Between games they
carry on their business. Lying in the centre of a rich
agricultural country there is evidence of prosperity on
every side. Its 3,000 citizens take a just pride in their
town, and handsome homes adorn every street. The
' tenement district ' of the cities is absent, and the well-
groomed lawns testify to the thrift and health of its
citizens. There are many prosperous and thriving
industries that have their home here, and have made
the name of Listowel known throughout our fair Dominion,
and even into foreign countries. Our pianos, furniture
and other manufactures have earned themselves and the
town an enviable reputation in competition with the
world.
" Among sports, bowling on the green has taken a
strong hold on the people, and the club, which has
recently become incorporated, have purchased and pre-
pared a beautiful green on which they have erected a
commodious club-house. Here its sixty members, which
number is steadily increasing, find pleasant recreation
for the summer days and evenings.' '
BRUSSELS,
" This town was originally called Ainleyville, but in
1873 assumed its present name.
" Brussels is a picturesque place, being situated on the
Maitland River, and about thirty- two miles from Goderich,
the county seat. The town, though small in numbers,
has usually attained a high place in the field of sports,
having at various times reached the top in cricket,
baseball, association football and bowling. A bowling
club was organised here in 1899, but a number of years
passed before it was — as it is now — enthusiastically
received.
" The present officers of the club are — Honorary
President, Thomas Farrow ; President, A. B. Macdonald ;
Vice-President, R. Leatherdale ; Secretary-Treasurer,
W. Leatherdale."
p 217
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
TILLSONBURG.
" Tillsonburg, named in honour of its founder, is indeed
a picturesque and busy centre of trade ; but there is room
for more just such enterprising men as those who have
helped to place it in such an enviable position. Located
in the township of Dereham, on the Otter Creek, and
without a commercial rival nearer than Ingersoll on the
north, Aylmer on the west, and Simcoe to the east,
merchants and business men are ' monarchs of all they
survey.' The surrounding country is rich in fruit, grain,
stock and dairy productions, and railway facilities include
the Michigan Central, Grand Trunk, C.P.R., and Wabash.
" The church denominations having organisation are :
Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Church of England and
Catholic.
" Good schools are an important factor in the progress
of any town, and in this respect Tillsonburg takes first
rank.
" All the mills are driven by water, and towering high
above all is the graceful water tower, a shaft of white
brickwork 125 feet high.
" The water works comprises two distinct systems.
That controlled by the town is for fire protection, street
watering, etc., and is known as the Holly system. Power
is derived from the creek that flows into the Otter at
this point. A fall of 28 feet has been created, and Lake
Lisgar, half a mile long, is thus formed.
" The supply of water for domestic use is derived from
a splendid system owned by the E. D. Tillson estate.
The source is found in a series of living springs, a mile or
so from town. The tower of the Tillson Works is 125
feet high, and its fine proportions add much to the
picturesque beauty of a bird's-eye view of the town. The
water is elevated by two pumps, the larger one having a
capacity of 42,000 gallons per hour, and no purer water
can be found in Canada.
" Although nothing is left undone to advance the
business interests of the town, the business men find time
for considerable recreation, and one of the favourite
pastimes is bowling on the green. They have a splendid
lawn in close proximity to the business centre, and many
citizens will be found enjoying the pleasure of the game
on all favourable occasions for out-door sports."
The programme for to-day is one which might surely satisfy
the most exacting, and, let me add, every item of it was carried
out to the letter, with other items of interest thrown in which
218
Woodstock.
only enhanced its value and made it all the more interesting.
On our arrival at Woodstock, after a run of fully three
hours, we were met at the station by the reception committee
of the place, who had engaged a large number of carriages for
our accommodation, and a goodly show we made. We were
driven all round the town, and had a splendid opportunity
of seeing all that was worth seeing in Woodstock. The
streets are well laid out, and the side walks in the suburban
districts are nicely wooded. The town stands fully 800 feet
above the level of Toronto, of which fact the natives are not
a little proud, and it has all the advantages of the higher
level. Many of the walks, in addition to being well wooded
with shade trees, are well made and paved with cement,
making fine promenades, even in the hottest weather ; indeed,
they form natural bowers, well protected from the sun.
There are many fine residential houses in the outskirts,
some of them costing as much as 830,000 dollars, and they
look very pretty. One feature noticeable here, as in many
other places in Canada, is that very few of these dwellings are
enclosed. As for a garden wall round the premises, it does
not exist ; and even a fence of any kind is the exception and
not the rule, the finely trimmed and well kept lawn in many
instances running right down to the side walk. These buildings
speak of comfort and even affluence within.
Our drive took in the whole of the residential and business
parts of the town. The principal offices and public buildings
were pointed out to us with a pride and minuteness of descrip-
tion that at once interested and instructed us as we drove
along.
We were halted in the principal street and our carriages
lined up on either side. A wide, spacious thoroughfare it is,
with a tram line running the whole length. On asking the
reason of the delay, we were informed that there was to be a
turnout of the fire brigade. This was one of the extra items
thrown into our programme for our delectation. Presently
they came thundering along at a pace that would have drawn
forth the admiration of any firemaster in the empire. The
horses, which were lashed up till they fairly rattled along,
seemed to enter into the spirit of the moment to the no
small delight of all.
Casually asking one of the Woodstockians what time it
took their brigade to turn out from the moment of alarm,
he " guessed " they could do it in one or two minutes. This
was said with an apparent feeling of triumphant satisfaction,
which seemed to imply that this was considered a record, but
when I told him I had seen it done in eight seconds sometimes,
and ten and twelve seconds often, he smiled incredulously,
219
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
and I suppose his gentlemanly courtesy restrained him from
calling me a " liar." Of course, I didn't press the point
under these circumstances, and consequently there was no
interruption in our friendship.
The luncheon was held in a large marquee adjoining the
bowling green, and quite equalled anything of the kind we
had yet enjoyed. The tables were tastefully decorated and
well served, a host of lady waiters attending with promptitude
upon the wants of all. A few brief speeches brought this part
of our programme to a close, and then all made for the scene
of the coming tussle. A few preliminary throws while the
rinks were being arranged gave most of us the weight and
width of the green, and, it being made known where the
different rinks were to play, we soon got to know our opponents
and to exchange the usual civilities ; and then the " tug of
war " began in one of the closest and best contested matches
of the whole series, and I may also add upon one of the best
greens— if not the very best — we had played on. The lawn
was true and smooth, with a fair " draw " on both hands,
and reflected the greatest credit upon the skill and care of
that often overlooked individual, the greenkeeper. We
sought and found an opportunity to compliment him upon his
handiwork after the match, and he was a proud, proud man
indeed.
The tussle was long in doubt as to which side would come
out on top, but ultimately finished in our favour by thirteen
shots, certainly not a large margin for eight rinks.
Where all did their very best, it would be invidious to
mention any particular rink. There were, as usual, many
antics and moments of excitement, but these might be expressed
better by the kodak than by the pen, even of the ablest
writer, assisted by the imagination of a novelist. The finish
baffles description. The crowd of several hundreds broke in
and watched every motion of the bowls with as much interest
as the players themselves did, and when all was over they
actually attempted to carry some of their favourites shoulder
high into the refreshment tent. Cheers, singing and speeches
fittingly brought this, the last of our matches, to a close. It
was perhaps the best of the whole series played, the result
was so much in doubt and the play was so keen and close.
It may interest some, as shewing the enthusiasm that
actuated our players, to mention that one of our team at
great personal inconvenience travelled nearly three hundred
miles, counting the double journey, to participate in this
game, and throughout the tour there were many instances
of self-sacrifice for the sake of the team as a whole.
We returned our bowls to our bags with feelings of satis-
220
Back to Toronto.
faction that we had been so successful throughout, and that
we had done our best to knit the Old Country with the children
of the West, the most promising of her colonies, and to popu-
larise a game that deserves the encouragement of all right
thinking men.
7.15 p.m. found us on our way back to Toronto, after
bidding good-bye to our Woodstock friends, a great many
of whom accompanied us to the station to see us off.
The run through was" without incident of any importance.
Most of us felt tired and were inclined to doze. Some
passed the time in talking over events that had taken place
and various incidents of the tour.
We put up at our old quarters — the " King Edward " —
and found it literally packed, owing to the exhibition which
was being held. In fact, every hotel in the city was choke-a-
block, owing to the same cause, and it was well for us that
apartments had been previously secured, or we might have
fared badly.
By the time we reached Toronto we felt inclined for our
beds, and each sought his without delay, to sleep the sleep,
if not of the just, at least that of the tired.
SYNOPSIS OF MATCHES.
As a ready reference to the matches played, I here append
a complete list of the games, with the names of the various
clubs pitted against us in each match, also a synopsis of the
whole tour, shewing the records of the various skips giving
their individual scores at the different places, and, further,
the averages of skips who played in ten or more matches.
These figures must be interesting, and, arranged thus, should
prove a valuable item of information to all interested.
221
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225
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
TUESDAY, 28TH AUGUST.
Our sketch of the British Bowlers' Tour in Canada is now
drawing to a close. Little remains to be told ; indeed, with
the playing of the last match each of us felt relieved from
official restraint, and our party became somewhat broken up.
Each went as inclination and interest pointed, and, though
there was a semblance of unity among us, there was no
further organised cohesion. Some visited the exhibition,
some did a bit of shopping, especially the ladies of our party,
and some made a number of calls to bid a final good-bye to
their Canadian friends. There were some attempts made on
the part of the latter to get on a rink match or two, but I
didn't hear of such coming off, as the time at our disposal
here was too limited for anything but the preparations
necessary for our further journey. Indeed, one or two left
to-day for Montreal, so as to have a little longer to spare in
that city ; others were for the States ; and a few had gone
away to the " Rockies." Among these latter were Mr. John
Hamilton of Newcastle, and his brother-in-law, Mr. Barclay,
of the same neighbourhood — two as nice gentlemen as it was
ever our lot to fall in with. Hamilton was one of our team —
a good bowler, who played in several of our matches — but
Barclay, although one of our party, did not bowl.
The original intention was to take train to Kingston, and
the boat from there to Montreal, passing through the far-
famed Thousand Islands. This was held to by the bulk of
the party, though there were the break-offs I have already
mentioned, and a few sailed direct from Toronto a day earlier
than the rest.
WEDNESDAY, 29x11 AUGUST.
Found the balance of our party busy getting their traps
ready for the road, and packing away those little nick-nacks
that had accumulated during the tour. Our good friends
Anderson and Bennett, and others, left nothing undone which
could add to our comfort and pleasure. Nothing was too
trifling for their attention, nothing too onerous for them
to undertake. They were with us everywhere ; they were at
our call at all times ; they saw us away, and gave us the last
parting salute as we left, not without some feelings of regret
that they could not come with us.
The run to Kingston was uneventful, and we stepped on
board the magnificent steamer that was to carry us through
one of the most lovely regions on earth, with feelings of jrelief,
joy and pride.
226
MR. GEORGE ANDERSON,
I%;;st President Ontario Bowlirg Association.
A Wonderful Region.
THURSDAY, SOTH AUGUST.
To those who have never had an opportunity of visiting
this wonderful region, perhaps the following sketch may be
interesting : —
Front the " Toronto Daily Star."
THE THOUSAND ISLANDS.
" The Thousand Islands region is practically an estuary
of Lake Ontario, projected from its eastern extreme, and
thickly strewn with rocky islets of all shapes and sizes.
227
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
The actual number of islands, when considered as frag-
ments of soil or rock projected above the surface of the
water, is dependent largely upon the slight effect of a
dry or wet season, a fall of a foot in the depth of the river
adding very materially to the count. In the Treaty of
Ghent the islands are officially stated as numbering 1692.
" This remarkable archipelago begins near Kingston
at the outlet of Lake Ontario, and extends some forty
miles down the river to Brockville. They present to the
view of the passing traveller everything conceivable in
the way of an island from a bare rock a yard across to an
island covering many acres, some heavily wooded, some
covered merely with grass, some cultivated as farms,
some containing only a beautiful summer residence with
its surrounding pleasure grounds, and others fitted up
with rustic seats and tables for pleasure parties. Some
of the islands are hilly, while others scarcely rise above
the water's surface, and viewed from the deck of a steamer
winding its way among them, make an impression upon
the mind that memory tenaciously clings to.
" Between and among these thread innumerable
channels, here pouring a swift and crystal tide through
some pent-up chasm, and there forming in deep still pools
much loved by the wary black bass, 'neath the shadow
of some castellated crag. Of course these localities are
the haunts of sportsmen, especially those who enjoy
fishing and wild-fowl shooting, and every facility for
these pursuits, as well as for boating and other watering-
place recreations, is furnished by the summer hotels
among the islands.
" At times the vessel passes so close to the islands
that a pebble might be cast on their shores. Again,
looking ahead, it sometimes appears as though further
progress is effectually barred, but the boat winds about
tortuous passages until a ' clear road ' is once more seen.
Suddenly the river seems to come to an abrupt termina-
tion, but approaching the threatening shores a channel
suddenly appears, and you are whirled into a magnificent
amphitheatre lake. This is to all appearances bounded
by an immense green bank. At your approach the mass
is moved as if in a kaleidoscope, and a hundred little
isles appear in its place.
" These ever- varying features, and the constant change
of vista afforded the voyager, overflowing at every turn
with unexpected instances of those combinations of
water, land and sky which we recognise as beautiful, make
up the charm and glory of the upper St. Lawrence River.
228
A Devoted Daughter.
" These islands, too, have been the scene of most
exciting romance. From their great number, and the
labyrinth-like channels amongst them, they afforded an
admirable retreat for the insurgents in the Canadian
insurrection of 1837, an(i f°r tne American sympathisers
with them, who under the questionable name of ' Patriots '
sought to overthrow British government in Canada.
Amongst these was one man, ' Bill Johnson,' who, from
his ability and daring, became an object of anxious
pursuit to the Canadian authorities. Here he found a
safe asylum through the devotedness and courage of his
daughter ' Kate,' whose skilful management of her canoe
was such that, with hosts of pursuers, she still baffled
their efforts at capture, while she supplied him with
provisions in these solitary retreats, rowing from one
place of concealment to another under the shadow of
night.
" The trip by steamer among these islands lasts for
several hours, and for scenic effects and variety of
picturesque views is simply unrivalled. It is unique and
without a parallel in the world. The International
Boundary Line between Canada and the States is laid in
mid-stream, thus dividing the ownership of the islands
between both countries. While many of them might as
well be situated in an unexplored wilderness for all the
trace of civilisation they show, a great proportion of the
larger ones bear the handsome summer residences of
wealthy people, and at different points fine hotels have
been erected, the most popular of them being surrounded
by cottages presenting the appearance of thriving villages,
while the snowy tents of camping and picnicking parties
are here, there, and everywhere upon the smaller isles,
as the fancy of their occupants dictates.
" All the great hotels and the most imposing summer
residences are upon the American side, but it does not
follow that the portion south of the International Line is
the finest ; on the Canadian side, particularly in the
vicinity of Horse Block Point on the North Shore (main-
land), is beautiful Stave Island, an ideal spot for sports-
men and campers. Here is found the most beautiful
scenery, by far the best fishing on the St. Lawrence, and
the most desirable sites for camp or cottage.
GANANOQUE,
on the route of the Montreal and Hamilton Line of the
R. & O., is the first place of importance on the North.
229
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
Shore (Canadian side) after leaving Kingston, a pretty
town about 18 miles to the east, and situated at the con-
fluence of the St. Lawrence with the Gananoque River.
" Gananoque was famous as a health resort long before
the white man settled there. Before civilization reached
the lake and river regions in its march, the Indians of the
upper Ontario lake territory, suffering from malarial
diseases, were wont to tour in their canoes down the shores
of the lake until they reached the St. Lawrence, passing
the spot where Kingston now stands, finally halting at
the point where the swift running and rock-riven Cadan-
oryhqua river joined its waters with the St. Lawrence.
The Indian name ' Cadanoryhqua ' was pronounced as if
spelled ' Gananoque/ and translated means ' Place of
Health ' or ' Rocks seen under running water,' the location
relieving the red men of their malarial difficulties. The
place was located by them as the ' Place where the
running water danced over the rocks.'
"The town has a population of about 5,000, and is
noted for the number and variety of its manufactures.
To the tourist, however, its chief interest lies in the fact
that it is almost in the midst of the Thousand Islands, and
is easily accessible by rail and steamer from all points.
" The Gananoque Inn, The International and Provincial
Hotels afford excellent accommodation for tourists and
fishermen.
" Upon reaching the dock at Gananoque one at once
realises that he is in the heart of the Thousand Islands
THE GANANOQUE INN.
(A. Arch. Welsh, Proprietor).
" The Gananoque Inn affords excellent accommodation
for tourists and fishermen. The inn has this year been
renovated from top to bottom, refurnished and made more
comfortable even than in the past. It will be kept open
during the whole year, and will cater to the wants of the
tourist during the summer months and to the hunter in
the fall, as well as looking after the spring fisherman who
casts his line in the early days after the winter has left us.
" I have before me an illustration which gives an idea
of the symmetrical proportions of the Gananoque Inn,
and the beauties that surround its confines. The steamer
which has just left the inn wharf is one that makes what
is called ' Daily Rambles ' through the islands, and a
230
MR. GEORGE J. BENNETT, J.P.,
Fish in the St. Lawrence.
most enjoyable trip it is. The consensus of opinion of
those who have been through the channels in the Thousand
Islands on the Canadian side is that it is the most beautiful
part of this well-known territory, and a trip taken through
that portion of this famous resort is one never to be
forgotten.
" The guests find the office one of the most desirable
rooms in the house, and ladies and gentlemen alike enjoy
the fine views from its windows. An amusement hall
for the children is provided, also a bowling alley, billiard
room, tennis and golf.
" The hotel launch makes afternoon runs among the
islands, and guests never tire of this magnificent trip.
" The American Canoe Association holds its annual
meet during August at Sugar Island, which is near the
hotel. Canoe sports are held each day during the meet.
Especially interesting are the war canoe races.
" To partake of an island dinner (cooked by the guide
and furnished by the hotel free of charge) is a feast never
to be forgotten.
" In the St. Lawrence are found the maskinonge, the
black bass, the pickerel, and almost all the other varieties
of less ' gamy ' fresh water fish, such as the wall-eyed
pike, the perch, rock bass, etc. Skilled fishermen, with
elegant boats, complete fishing outfits, bait, etc., may be
hired by the day or week. The boat livery connected
with the hotel is stocked with St. Lawrence launches,
skiffs, sailboats, canoes, etc.
" Tourists from the West can leave Toronto at 2 p.m.
(G.T.R.), and arrive at Gananoque in time for supper and
a pleasant evening before starting on a trip down the
St. Lawrence.
HEART OF THE THOUSAND ISLANDS ROUTE.
Gananoque and Brockville.
" Since the Government of the Dominion of Canada
sold a portion of the Islands (formerly an Indian Reserva-
tion) much has been done in the way of settlement and
improvement on the Canadian channel, on the North
Shore of the St. Lawrence between Gananoque and
Brockville.
" The steamer leaves Gananoque in the early morning
and runs down through the Gananoque Narrows at
Macdonald's Light, passing Stave Island, where the
A.C.A. pitched their camps in 1889 and 1898, and which
231
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
location has been chosen as the site of the most attractive
and artistic summer camp on the St. Lawrence.
" The steamer route then follows the main channel
and up through the islands on the North Shore where
there is the best of fishing.
" While the ' Heart of the Thousand Islands Route '
is applied to the run from Gananoque to Brockville,
which embraces the most numerous islands and intricate
channels, the actual spot which is ' the hub,' as it were,
of this portion of the river is the Lost Channel and
Fiddler's Elbow.
" The celebrated ' Fiddler's Elbow/ and the ' Lost
Channel,' are within speaking distance of the famous
' Echo Rock.' The fishing and scenery here are
acknowledged to be the grandest on the river.
" Immediately opposite Alexandria Bay, on the
Canadian North Shore, is the village of
ROCKPORT.
" Rockport is situated twenty miles west of Brockville
and fifteen miles east of Gananoque, and three miles
from Alexandria Bay, from which point many American
sportsmen cross the river to avail themselves of its
attractive fishing grounds.
" Midway between Rockport and Brockville, on the
river, seven miles from Alexandria Bay, on the North
Shore of the St. Lawrence River, is situated Poole's
Resort.
" From Poole's to Brockville, Corn Island, a beautiful
and well situated island in midstream, and Chimney
Island, the relic of an old fort, on the North Shore, are
passed. Having made a detour through the Canadian
channel we return to the route through the American
channel at
CLAYTON.
" Originally ' French Creek,' was called Cornelia until
1823, when it was rechristened Clayton, presumably in
honour of the Delaware senator of that name. It is the
first stopping place of the R. & O. steamers on the
American side, and is the N.Y.C.R. R. terminus for the
Thousand Island resorts. Fine fishing is found in the
immediate vicinity. Experienced and attentive oarsmen,
the best of boats, and splendid hotel accommodation
render this the favourite resort for fishing parties. All
lines of steamers stop at Clayton.
232
Frontenac.
" There is no better fishing in the world than is to be
obtained in the St. Lawrence River at Clayton. The
waters teem with black bass, pickerel, muscalonge, and
wall-eyed pike. Expert river guides and boatmen with
first-class boats can be engaged at any time.
''It is well to note here that the river is about seven
miles in width at Clayton — all of the land seen to the
westward and north from the steamer's deck being
islands, beyond which, at a distance of about four miles,
the International Boundary line is drawn in midstream.
Immediately opposite Clayton about one mile distant is
Calumet Island, owned by Mr. C. G. Emery of New York,
this being one of the ideal private residences of this
section.
" At certain centres of these transient communities are
landings for steamers and objective points for the
traveller, the first of them being at Round Island, which
lies to the east of Clayton, whose shores are embellished
with scores of tasteful, and in some instances, costly
cottages.
FRONTENAC.
(Formerly known as Round Island.)
" Frontenac is situated in the American channel of
the St. Lawrence River, within the confines of New York
State, and embraces within its domains one hundred and
fifty acres of richly diversified land. It is but a quarter
of a mile from the American shore, but the Canadian
shore is seven miles distant. It is twenty miles to the
south of Lake Ontario, and Ogdensburg lies forty-two
miles to its north. In length it is just a mile, its width
varying from eight hundred to twelve hundred feet. It
is the first stopping point of the steamers, being one mile
from its nearest railroad station, Clayton.
" Toward the main shore the coast is thickly adorned
with forest growth, and has a gradual elevation from the
water's edge. On the other side the contrast is marked
by a rocky boldness, from which magnificent vistas are
to be enjoyed, while the interior is undulating in character.
The hand of man has proved of marked assistance to
nature, and the summer residents have greatly
strengthened the beauty of the spot.
THE FRONTENAC.
" The Frontenac (C. G. Trussell, manager) has been
built with every comfort and convenience suggested by
Q 233
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
modern civilization and the demands of the most critical
traveller. It is one of the finest appointed, best equipped
and most comfortable of summer hostelries, replete with
every convenience suggested by modern methods, and
leaving nothing to be desired on the part of guests.
" The piazzas, from which an unobstructed view of
the St. Lawrence River, free from the glare of the sun, is
obtainable at all hours, are wide and spacious, and an
enlarged rotunda, surrounded by a colonnade porch of
extensive dimensions, give it an impressive appear-
ance.
" About one hundred feet from the hotel, and connected
with it on the first and second storeys by covered walks,
is the Frontenac Annex, which contains unusually large
apartments and fifty bath-room suites. It is handsomely
furnished, has open fireplaces and an elevator, and is a most
charming place of residence. The hotel is surrounded by
extensive grounds which have been greatly beautified,
and which will be maintained in the choicest style of
landscape gardening.
" In a region of such an aquatic nature, boating and
fishing are naturally leading sports, and the wide channels
of the St. Lawrence River, with a current of less than two
miles in the vicinity of Frontenac, offer every opportunity
for a thorough enjoyment of these pastimes. The club-
house of the Frontenac Yacht Club is situated facing the
yacht dock, and its regattas and motor boat races are
features of aquatic interest on the St. Lawrence. The
stream teems with the gamiest of fish, such as black bass,
muscalonge, pickerel, etc. Connected with the hotel are
boats with experienced and trustworthy oarsmen. These
* St. Lawrence River skiffs,' as they are called, have a
beauty of line, strength, comfort, lightness, ease of
handling and swift-sailing qualities. They seat two
persons and the oarsman, and are equipped with all the
appurtenances for fishing and cooking, the oarsman being
adept at both arts.
" Yachts may also be chartered for sailing trips, and
steamers make daily excursions to the various points of
interest.
" There are courts for tennis and croquet, and a
baseball ground for devotees of the national game, while
bowling, billiards, and ping-pong are among the indoor
pastimes. A dark room has been fitted up for amateur
photographers.
" Round Island undoubtedly possesses the finest, most
equable, and thoroughly agreeable climate in America
234
Thousand Island Park.
for five months of each year, and is beneficial for all
complaints of a pulmonary nature.
" In midsummer there are really but five hours of
darkness upon the St. Lawrence. At ten o'clock the
sunset yet lingers in the western sky, and soon after three
o'clock there are manifest tokens of the coming of another
day.
GOLF.
" Golfers will find every preparation for their comfort.
The links are adapted by nature for the sport, the hazards
being mainly natural. The course was laid out and
constructed under the personal supervision of a well-
known golfer, and is in charge of a professional green-
keeper ; and the necessary paraphernalia can be procured
at the hotel.
" A few miles further on, and in the very heart of the
archipelago, is Thousand Island Park, one of the most
popular resorts on the river. A very short distance from
Clayton and opposite Round Island en route to Thousand
Island Park is Murray Island.
THOUSAND ISLAND PARK.
" Thousand Island Park began as a religious summer
encampment under the charge of a Methodist organisa-
tion, which purchased a large territory at the head of
Wellesley Island. Since 1875 nearly 400 cottages and
several hotels have been built there, also an immense
tabernacle for worship on Sunday, and for lectures,
concerts, and the instruction of classes during week
days ; but the enjoyment of yachting, boating, fishing,
and flirting takes up much more time among all the
visitors and residents than does attention to the season's
instructive exercises. At the lower end of Wellesley
Island is another hotel settlement named Westminster
Park, under the influence of the Presbyterian Church.
" From this point to Alexandria Bay, a distance of
about seven miles, the stream is contracted upon the
American side of the river to a width averaging about a
quarter of a mile. Groups of small cottages line the rocky
banks of Wellesley Island upon the left, and at some
points on the mainland. Situated midway between
Alexandria Bay and Thousand Island Park, on the
American channel, is St. Lawrence Park. Beautifully
located on a slightly elevated plateau of lawn and flower
235
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
beds, is the attractive hotel, a place of inspiration for
those who wish to be in view of the fashionable social
life of the St. Lawrence, but not ' of it.'
" At the commencement of the widening out of the St.
Lawrence, after passing the narrow channel from
Thousand Island Park we come to
ALEXANDRIA BAY,
which is the very centre of summer life in the Thousand
Islands. As a summer resort. Alexandria Bay is fairly
entitled to the name of the ' Saratoga of the St.
Lawrence.' It is one of the most popular, as well as one
of the most ultra- fashionable watering places in America,
and among its cottage owners and regular visitors are
many who have distinguished themselves in various walks
of life.
" Some two or three hundred yards below the village
is a position from which one hundred islands can be seen
at one view. Within sight of ' The Bay ' are the beautiful
lawns of Westminster Park, the handsome villas of Hay den
Island, the commanding situation of Mr. Hart's ' Eyrie,'
George M. Pullman's 'Castle Rest,' W. C. Browning's
' Hopewell Hall,' and the breezy site so dear to the
lamented Dr. J. G. Holland. ' Bonnie Castle,' the rugged
promontories of Carleton Island, associated with scenes
of the early French history of the Continent, and many
others, named and unnamed, upon which nature has left
her sweetest impress.
" For over half a century Alexandria Bay has been
the most attractive and popular resort for fishing parties
and tourists visiting the Thousand Islands.
" In the vicinity of Castle Rest and Hopewell Hall
is the new Thousand Island Yacht Clubhouse, with its
tennis courts, bowling alleys, and other attractive features,
for those of the wealthy island residents who are wont
to congregate there. On the main shore, or rather on
Wellesley Island, Mr. George C. Boldt has purchased
several hundred acres which he is transforming into a
model stock farm. This farm extends to the Lake
Waterloo and the famous ' Rift.' The majority of the
most ornate and costly island properties, which have
made the Thousand Islands so famous, are located in the
immediate vicinity of Alexandria Bay.
" The old Crossmon House, the pioneer of summer
resort hotels on the St. Lawrence, under the same manage-
ment as the new, had for over a quarter of a century been
236
Crossmon House.
the resort of fishing parties and tourists visiting Alex-
andria Bay.
THE CROSSAtON, ALEXANDRIA BAY, N.Y.
" The new Crossmon (Mr. Charles W. Crossmon,
owner and proprietor) is an elegant five-storey building,
constructed in the most substantial manner, and is
unsurpassed in arrangement and pleasing effect by any
hotel on the St. Lawrence. It is most charmingly
situated close to the river on the north, with the little
gem of a bay, from which the village takes its name,
on the east, thus having two water sides.
' The hotel will accommodate 300 guests. It is
supplied with an elevator, well lighted, bath rooms with
hot and cold water on every floor, electric bells, etc. ;
has telegraph office, and the table service will be found all
that could be desired. It has verandas around the second
and third storeys, and is topped by seven towers. The
grounds about the hotel, consisting of three acres, are
nicely graded, having a tennis court, etc., and at the
Crossmon docks plenty of good boats are always in
readiness for fishing parties. The majority of the most
ornate and costly island properties, which have made
the Thousand Islands so famous, are located in the
immediate vicinity of the Crossmon and Alexandria Bay.
THE THOUSAND ISLAND HOUSE.
" The Thousand Island House is another of the palace
hotels of Alexandria Bay. It was built by Colonel O. G.
Staples in 1873, and was successfully conducted by him
for eleven years, when he sold it and transferred his
labours to other cities. His re-purchase of the Thousand
Island House last summer is a guarantee to the travelling
public that first-class accommodation will be furnished.
The house has been entirely refurnished and decorated,
and every detail put in complete repair. Fifty bath-
rooms have been added, and the plumbing renewed
throughout. The hotel has been built upon a magnificent
scale, in a beautiful location, and is convenient and easily
accessible to the best fishing grounds and islands of the
river.
" It has accommodation for 700 guests, and visitors
stopping at the Thousand Island House will find the rest,
comfort and attention which they seek.
" The atmosphere of this place is an absolute cure for
hay fever, insomnia, and pulmonary complaints.
237
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
" The main building of the hotel is 276 feet long and
66 feet wide. The eastern portion is five storeys high,
and the western four storeys, this difference being occa-
sioned by the uneven lay of the rock upon which it is
founded. A tower 24 by 27 feet rises 160 feet above the
foundation. Under the east end is a natural cellar in
the solid rock 150 feet long. A new building has recently
been erected separate from the hotel for the use of the
servants.
" On the first floor, constituting the east end storey
mentioned before, are the office, reception and reading
rooms, bar-room, billiard room with six tables, telegraph
office, barber shop, wash room and bathroom ; the whole
being 100 by 50 feet.
" On the second floor are the grand hall from the
entrance, reception rooms, private dining room, parlours,
bedrooms, bathrooms and the public dining room.
" The house is lighted by electricity. A grand pro-
menade is furnished by the veranda, which, connecting
with the hall on the first floor, gives a length of 624 feet.
Every facility is afforded to guests for seeing and enjoying
the scenery and amusements of river and island. Row-
boats and guides may be obtained by applying at the
hotel office.
TO SEE THE ISLANDS TAKE THE "CAPTAIN
VISGER" LINE OF STEAM YACHTS.
" This is the best and most unique way to see the
Islands and to pass through the most enchanting channels.
Take either of the beautiful and charming steamers, the
Captain Visger or the Castanet, which are the largest
and staunchest yachts in these waters. The ' Visger
Line ' of yachts are the creation of Captain Walter L.
Visger, whose father was the pioneer steamboat captain
of the Thousand Islands. Captain Walter Visger realised
the attractiveness of the Islands to those making the tour
on a charter yacht through unknown and untried channels,
and evolved the idea that a yacht ' built to fit ' was what
was required, and the ' Captain Visger Line ' is the out-
come of this idea. They are staunch yachts with a
capacity of about one hundred and fifty passengers, and
during the midsummer months carry their full limit.
" These steamers have the air, appearance, con-
veniences and comforts of private yachts, and it is a
privilege to take the trip on them, even were the fare
$2.00 instead of the modest charge of 50 cents. They
338
Stave Island.
leave Alexandria Bay every week day at 8.30 a.m. and
2.30 p.m., and make the round trip in about three hours.
Nine-tenths of all the islands are passed in review —
most of them within speaking distance. All the beauti-
fully improved islands from Clayton to three miles below
Alexandria Bay, in either the American or Canadian
channels, are shown to passengers. Besides showing the
islands the boats take you through even the narrowest of
passages, including the Lost Channel, Rift Entrance,
Lake Waterloo, Fiddler's Elbow, Echo Point, and the
Gananoque Narrows separating ' Princess Charlotte ' and
' Little Stave ' (or ' Macdonald's ') Islands from the famed
and beautiful Big Stave Island — a charming, tract
embracing upwards of one hundred and fifty acres of
undulating meadow, orchard and forest, in the heart of
the Thousand Islands on the cool North Shore of the St.
Lawrence at one of its widest parts, equally distant from
Gananoque and Clayton.
" Stave Island has twice been selected as the camping
ground of the American Canoe Association on account of
the freedom from swift waters, its health-giving pine
groves and forest, and the beautiful shores and sandy
bathing beaches.
" To the east of Stave Island is Float Island, a very
high and sightly spot upon which is erected a spacious
and attractive building, erected specially for Float Island
Summer School conducted by the Rev. Aug. Ullman, late
rector of Trinity School, New York City. The equip-
ment, location, and attractions of this Summer School are
unexcelled anywhere. Excellent bathing beaches, a fleet
consisting of St. Lawrence skiffs, fishing boats and
canoes, render the place most desirable for those wishing
to have their sons obtain an all-round experience in
aquatic accomplishments.
" The islands surrounding Float Island are heavily
wooded, and prove a most desirable field for the young
naturalist. The Summer School launch, The Lady of
the Isles, affords an opportunity to the students and
those of their friends who may have been fortunate
enough to secure accommodation on Float Island, visiting
all the favoured and attractively isolated channels of the
Thousand Islands not reached by the larger yachts and
passenger steamers. A very attractive channel, which is
greatly favoured foy private yachts and fishing parties,
lies to the north of Float Island, between it and the
mainland, on the North Shore of the St. Lawrence.
" We return to Alexandria Bay from the wild and
239
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
natural North Shore, via the improved and much-
frequented American channel.
" Resuming the trip down the St. Lawrence from
Alexandria Bay, we shortly approach the cluster known
as the ' Three Sisters ' — the eastern sentinels of this
extraordinary group of 1,000 islands ; and after they are
passed, the glittering roofs and spires of the handsome
town of
BROCKVILLE,
on the Canadian side, are sighted. It is built on an
elevation which rises from the banks of the St. Lawrence
in a succession of graceful ridges, and is one of the prettiest
towns in Canada. It receives its name from General
Brock, the hero of Queenston Heights in 1812. It is on
the line of the Grand Trunk Railway, and a branch of the
Canadian Pacific Railway runs from it to Ottawa, the
Canadian capital. Many fine public buildings and private
enterprises attest the prosperity and enterprise of its
inhabitants. The hotel accommodation is very good.
The population is about 10,000.
" Brockville is probably brought more forcibly to the
notice of the general public at the present time through
the energetic and extensive advertising of a patent
medicine manufacturer whose headquarters are situated
here and whose enterprise has within a decade placed
him in affluent circumstances.
OGDENSBURG
is situated on the American side of the river, directly
opposite Prescott and connected with it by ferry. In the
year 1748, the Abbe Francois Piquet, who was afterwards
styled the ' Apostle of the Iroquois/ was sent to establish
a mission at this place, as many of the Indians of that
tribe had manifested a desire to embrace Christianity.
A settlement was begun in connection with this mission,
and a fort called ' La Presentation ' was built at the
mouth of the Oswegatchie on the west side. The remains
of the walls of this fort are still to be seen. In October,
1749, it was attacked by a band of Mohawk Indians,
who, although bravely repulsed, succeeded in destroying
the palisades of the fort and two of the vessels belonging
to the colony. t
" The Abbe Piquet retired from the settlement soon
after the conquest of Canada, returning to France, where
he died in 1781.
240
A Windmill Lighthouse.
" Ogdensburg has railroad connection in every direction,
and from its facilities for transhipping grain and merchan-
dise, has secured a large forwarding trade from the west.
PRESCOTT,
named after General Fresco tt, is situated on the Canadian
side of the St. Lawrence, opposite Ogdensburg, and has
4,000 inhabitants. It is one of the most beautiful towns
in the valley of the St. Lawrence. Among its principal
objects of interest are old Fort Wellington, named in
honour of the Iron Duke, and the tomb of Barbara Heck,
the founder of Methodism in America. Travellers
visiting Ottawa, the Canadian capital, only 54 miles
distant by the C.P.R., or those desiring a day's lay-off,
will find every comfort and convenience at the well
managed Daniel's Hotel.
" About a mile below Fresco tt, at a place called Wind-
mill Point, the Dominion Government has reconstructed
from the old windmill one of the largest and best light-
houses in the Dominion of Canada. It was at this place
that in November, '37, the patriots under Von Schultz, a
Polish exile, established themselves, but were driven from
it by the Canadian militia with fearful loss. About four
miles below Prescott, on the American shore, is Point
Arie, where the State of New York has erected an insane
asylum costing almost $3,000,000, the grounds comprising
1,000 acres. On the left of the steamer, and opposite
the new asylum, is Chimney Island, on which are to be
seen the remains of an old French fortification.
" About foureten miles east, at the foot of the Iroquois
Canal, is the village of Iroquois.
" The next town on the American side is Waddington ;
and in the river opposite it is Ogden Island. On the
Canadian side is Morrisburg, which contains about 2,000
inhabitants. A short distance below Morrisburg, on the
Canadian side, is Chrysler's Farm, where in 1813, a
battle was fought between the English and the Americans.
Thirty miles below Ogdensburg is Louisville, from whence
stages run to Massena Springs, distant about seven miles,
a place of popular resort and of beautiful surroundings.
" When six miles below Prescott the descent of the
Gallops Rapids is made, being the first rapids of the St.
Lawrence ; at the head of the Edwardsburg Canal, at
this point, the Dominion Government has expended some
two and a half millions of dollars in enlarging the canal
and removing obstructions from the river channel.
241
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
" Following the descent of the Gallops another rapid
is passed almost immediately ; this is called ' Rapid du
Plat.' The descent of these rapids is made with a full
head of steam on, yet there is scarcely anything to indicate
that our steamer is not pursuing its usual smooth and
even course, until after passing Morrisburg, tourists will
observe the steamer's increased speed, thus indicating the
near approach of the most fascinating and exciting event
of the trip."
LONG SAULT.
" The increasing swiftness of the current of the river
soon reveals the fact that we are about to enter the
first of those remarkable and celebrated rapids of the
St. Lawrence. ' Shooting the rapids ' (as this portion of
the voyage is termed) is a most exciting scene, but no
one need fear the undertaking, as fatal accidents have
been almost unknown. The rapid we now enter is known
as the ' Long Sault,' so called from its extent, it being a
continuous rapid of nine miles, divided in the centre by
an island. The rapids proper are scarcely a mile and a
half in length, but there is a continuance of comparatively
swift water for several miles further. The usual passage
for steamers is on the south side. The channel on the north
side was formerly considered unsafe and dangerous ;
examinations have been made, and it is now descended
with safety. The passage in the southern channel is very
narrow, and such is the velocity of the current that a raft,
it is said, will drift the nine miles in forty minutes. The
first passage made by a steamer down these rapids was
about 1840, and then under the guidance of a celebrated
Indian named Teronhiahere.
" The rapids of the ' Long Sault ' rush along at the
rate of something like twenty miles an hour. When the
vessel enters within their influence, the steam is shut off
and she is carried onward by the force of the stream
alone. The surging waters present all the angry appear-
ance of the ocean in a storm ; the staunch steamer
strains and labours, but, unlike the ordinary pitching and
tossing at sea, this going down hill by water produces a
highly novel sensation, and is, in fact, a service of some
danger, the imminence of which is enhanced to the
imagination by the tremendous roar of the headlong
boiling current.
" Great nerve, force and precision are here required
in piloting, so as to keep the vessel's head straight with
242
> g
en 8
flC C/2
ui
00
Shooting the Rapids.
the course of the rapid, for if she diverged in the least,
presenting her head to the current, or ' broaching to,'
as the nautical phrase is, she would be instantly capsized
and submerged. Hence the necessity for enormous
power over her rudder.
" When descending the rapids a tiller is attached to
the rudder itself, so that the tiller can be manned as well
as the wheel. Some idea may be entertained of the force
necessary to keep the vessel steady while descending a
rapid, when it requires four men at the wheel and two
at the tiller to ensure safe steering.
" A canal 12 miles long, with seven locks, offers safe
passage for such craft as dare not try the ' shoot,' and
also permits the passage of steamers on the upward trip.
There are four similar canals at other points. But our
vessel is already feeling the full power of the stream,
and after the first starting thrill of this sliding down a
water step comes a feeling of intense excitement which
never abates during the half-hour's run of the Long
Sault. Like the first experience of the arrowy rush of
the toboggan, running the rapids of the St. Lawrence
produces a sensation that cannot be described, but must
be felt to be understood. At the head of these rapids is
a village of some 500 inhabitants, and known as
Dickinson's Landing.
" At the eastern entrance end of the Cornwall Canal,
which all craft must use on the ascending journey, since
none could hope to stem the Long Sault, stands the town of
CORNWALL,
which, in recent years, has developed into a notable
manufacturing centre. Among the industries located here
are large cotton, paper and woollen mills. The govern-
ment has recently erected a handsome grey limestone
building for the accommodation of the Custom House and
Post Office. Cornwall has an excellent electric railway
service between the G.T.R. depot and the town and
wharves.
" At Cornwall the ' Province Line ' runs, and we pass
out of Eastern Ontario into Quebec. Near the same
point also, the boundary line which divides Canada from
the United States recedes from the St. Lawrence, and
the course of the river is hereafter in His Majesty's
Dominion.
243
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
SUAl/nERSTOWN AND STANLEY ISLAND.
About eight miles east of Cornwall is the pleasant
little village of Summerstown. Just off the shore lies
Stanley Island, quite a popular summer resort, furnishing
good fishing — black bass, pickerel and maskinonge in
abundance ; there is also good boating and a fine sandy
beach. The R. & O. steamers stop here on signal going
up and down the river. Under the control of the hotel
are a few small cottages which are rented at reasonable
rates for the season.
" Both sides of the river gradually open into the
wide expansion of Lake St. Francis, prettily diversified
with woods and farms, while bosky islands at intervals
afford a welcome retreat for campers, and tents and light
summer residences gleam pleasantly under the trees by
the river side. On the left bank is the little town of
Lancaster. On the right shore are St. Regis and Dundee,
on Canadian territory, with Fort Covington and Salmon
River contiguous in the United States.
" The tourist will observe from the deck of the steamer
the old church of St. Francis, built about the year 1700,
lifting its tin roof above the neighbouring houses. The
bell hanging in this church is associated with a deed of
genuine Indian revenge. On its way from France it
was captured by an English cruiser and taken to Salem,
Massachusetts, where it was sold to the church at Deer-
field in that state. The Indians hearing of the destina-
tion of their bell set out for Deerfield, attacked the town,
killed forty-seven of the inhabitants, and secured one
hundred and twelve captives, among whom were the
pastor and his family. The bell was then taken down
and conveyed to St. Regis, where it now hangs.
COTEAU DU LAC
is a small village situated at the foot of Lake St. Francis.
The name, as well as the style of the buildings, denotes
its French origin. Just below the village are Coteau
Rapids, which are about two miles in extent and very
swift.
" In the expedition of Gen. Amherst (1759), a detach-
ment of three hundred men sent to attack Montreal was
lost in the rapids near this place. The passage through
these rapids is very exciting. After leaving Coteau the
steamer passes under a magnificent new iron bridge,
constructed across the river by the Canada Atlantic
Railway, and one and a half miles in length.
244
The Rapids.
BEALHARNOIS
is a small village at the foot of the Cascades on the right
bank of the river. On the north bank a branch of the
Ottawa enters the St. Lawrence.
CEDAR RAPIDS.
" At first sight this rapid has the appearance of the
ordinary rapids ; but once the steamer has entered it,
the turbulent water and pitching about renders the passage
very exciting. There is also a peculiar motion of the
vessel, which seems like settling down as she glides from
one ledge to another. A short distance below this we
enter the
SPLIT ROCK,
so called from its enormous boulders at the entrance.
A person unacquainted with the navigation of these
rapids will almost involuntarily hold his breath until
this ledge, which is distinctly seen from the deck of the
steamer, is passed. At one time the vessel seems to be
running directly upon it, and you almost feel certain that
she will strike, but a skilful hand is at the helm, and in an
instant more it is passed in safety. We now come to the
CASCADE RAPIDS,
remarkable on account of the numerous white crests
foaming on top of the darkish waters, through which
the vessel passes ; and as the shortness of the waves
has the effect of pitching the steamer as if at sea, the
sensation is very enjoyable. After passing the Cascade
the river again widens into a lake called ' Lake St. Louis,'
where the dark waters of the Ottawa by one of its branches
join the St. Lawrence. This series of four rapids is
eleven miles in extent, and has a descent of eighty-two
and one-half feet. On this lake the tourist from the deck
of the steamer has a magnificent view of the Montreal
mountain about thirty miles distant. After passing
the lake,
LACHINE
is reached. It is nine miles from Montreal, with which
it is connected by railroad. It derives its name from
the first settlers thinking, when they reached this point,
that they had discovered the passage which would lead
245
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
them to China. The Lachine Rapids begin just below
the village. Opposite stands
CAUGHNAWAGA,
a quaint old Indian village, which derives its name from
the converted Indians who were called Caughnawaga or
praying Indians. These Indians are the remnant of the
once powerful and ferocious tribes of the Six Nations.
" Shortly after leaving this Indian village, the tourist
can contemplate the magnificent C.P.R. bridge recently
constructed, being the second span over the mighty St.
Lawrence we pass. The steamer now glides down the
rapid stream with increasing swiftness, which clearly
denotes that a formidable rapid is at hand. Stillness
reigns on board ; away goes the steamer, driven by an
irresistible current which soon carries her to the first
pitch of the
LACHINE RAPIDS.
" The next and last great obstacle is just ahead — the
far-famed Lachine Rapids. An Indian pilot takes
charge of the steamer at Lachine, in whose practised
hands the vessel is safe from the wrath of the torrent,
and immediately after passing the C.P.R. bridge (referred
to elsewhere), the first powerful influence is felt of the
current that plunges in foamy speed down the incline
below.
" One of the best features of this route is that excite-
ment steadily increases with the journey, until it cul-
minates with the exhilarating dash down the wild turmoil
of Lachine' s angry water. Though apparently exceed-
ingly dangerous, the passage is in reality perfectly safe,
but the suggestion of peril gives additional zest to the
adventure. The pilot is an interesting study as the
steamer begins the flying race. He stands with all an
Indian's stoical indifference, his strong hands grasping
the wheel and his keen eyes reading the tumult of waters
and tracing the path as you or I might read a book.
Not a rap cares he for the huge rocks that frown above
the flood nor their fellows ambushed behind the snowy
foam. He has iron nerve and the confidence born of long
practice and a perfect knowledge of the channel, and he
attaches but slight importance to the task of guiding
the vessel to the calm of quiet water below. What to
the tourist is a blood-stirring, intensely interesting
adventure is to him merely a matter of business ; and so
you dart down the daring rush, feeling a joyous excite-
246
A Sensational Experience.
ment, and wishing the ' shoot ' were many miles longer,
while the pilot merely holds the boat to her course till
the dash is ended, and he and you are again in smooth
water and the rapids are left behind. The actual running
of the Lachine Rapids is alone well worth the trip, for a
like experience cannot be enjoyed elsewhere ; it is a
popular amusement with citizens of Montreal. The
sensation tingles through every nerve as one stands on
a steamer pitching down an inclined plane of water at
the rate of twenty miles an hour. This is how the
experience has been described : —
' Suddenly a scene of wild confusion bursts upon the
eye ; waves are lashed into spray and into breakers of
a thousand forms by the submerged rock which they are
dashed against in the headlong impetuosity of the
river. Whirlpools, a storm-lashed sea, mingle their
sublimity in a single rapid. Now passing with lightning
speed within a few yards of rocks which, did the vessel
"but touch them, would reduce her to an utter wreck
before the crash could sound upon the ear ; did she even
diverge in the least from her course — if her head were not
kept straight with the course of the rapid — she would
instantly be submerged and rolled over and over. Ere
we can take a glance at the scene, the boat descends the
walls of waves and foam like a bird, and a second after-
wards you are floating on the calm unruffled bosom of
the river below.'
" But though this trip is full of pleasant excitement,
it is attended with practically no danger. An experi-
enced Indian pilot who knows each rock and almost
every wave has guided the steamers which make the
' shoot ' for years, and no accident of any consequence
has ever happened, nor has a single life been lost in this
beautiful but dangerous spot.
" ' And we have passed the terrible Lachine,
Have felt a fearless tremor through the soul
As the huge waves upreared their crests of green,
Holding our feathery hark in their control
As a strong eagle holds an oriole.'
" But we speedily forget the perils as we pass the
beautiful wooded shores of Nun's Island, with its shady
green pastures, and come upon the Royal-looking city.
On the opposite shore, behind the villages of Laprairie
and Longueuil, rise the isolated mountains of Montarville,
Rougemont, Shefford, and the nearer Belneil. As we
near Victoria Bridge it seems impossible that the steamer
can pass under, and the question is sometimes asked,
247
The British Bowlers in Canada, 1906.
whether there is any arrangement for lowering the funnels.
The steamer glides along ; we look up and see our mistake,
and then down upon the innocent questioner.
" The river itself is so fascinating in its strength of
crystal purity, so overpowering in vastness and might,
that it would dwarf an ordinary city. It does dwarf
every other place along its banks — Quebec alone excepted.
It bears lightly as a garland the chain of the great bridge
that binds its opposite shores with multiplied links of
massive granite.
" The green slopes of St. Helen's Island resting like a
leaf on the water, the forest of masts and red and white
funnels, the old-fashioned hay and wood barges, the long
line of solidly built revetment wall, the new guard pier,
the majestic dome of the Bonsecours Market, the twin
towers of Notre Dame, palatial warehouses, graceful
spires sown thick as a field, and the broad shoulders of
Mount Royal uplifted in the background, make up a
picture that poet, artist, merchant or patriot — each for
his own reason — may well delight to look upon.
" We take a wide sweep in front of the city, and come
into port near the Island of St. Helen's, past great hulls
of ocean steamers and full-rigged ships, where the old
weather-stained Bonsecours Market, and still older
Bonsecours Church, bid us welcome to Montreal. The
steamer rounds up to the Commissioners' Street wharf, to
discharge its Quebec passengers into the huge floating
palace alongside, and then continues its way to the
' Canal Basin/ where we all must leave her."
FRIDAY, siST AUGUST
found our party all looking forward to their return home,
as one looks at the photo of a friend within easy reach, and
with feelings of pleasure ; in fact, we were jubilant, notwith-
standing all the kindness that had been shewn us, the many
friends we had made and met with, and the uninterrupted
round of pleasures we had enjoyed. Home again ! What an
attraction there is in these two words, even for those who
have been absent only for a month or six weeks. You feel
it in the very air you breathe, and every beat of the pulse
seems to shorten the distance. Such were our feelings as we
stepped on board the good ship Virginian, where we renewed
pur acquaintance with the stewards and others, whose unfail-
ing attention added much to our comfort.
As the ship moved off from the quay we could hardly
repress a little sigh of regret at leaving so many warm-hearted
248
Safe at Home.
friends behind. They crowded the landing stage and cheered
us to the echo, while hats, handkerchiefs and hands waved
good-bye on either side. Will we ever meet again ? Ah !
who can tell. The game of life is slippery and uncertain, and
all get bowled over sooner or later — many sooner than they
expect.
Slowly at first the good ship works her way out into mid-
stream, then gradually getting up speed we are soon gliding
along, every throb of the turbines lessening the distance
betwixt us and our homes.
We need not enter into details of our homeward passage,
as in its general features it resembled very much the passage
out. Several of our party began now to feel the effects of
the past month's strain, and were laid up for a day or two,
but soon recovered ; • and it was interesting to observe the
little groups gathered on deck and to listen to the recitals of
their individual experiences. Some marvellous games were
played over again, and the " jack " was drawn to and driven
in a manner never before excelled, while the never-failing
theme of Canadian hospitality furnished the stock subject
of conversation.
All arrived safe and well at Liverpool, and here each
branched off to his own home, with vows of eternal friendship
and many a promised visit in the future.
Thus closed one of the most important bowling fixtures ever
undertaken — occupying a period of fully seven weeks, and
embracing a travelling journey of something like 9,000 miles.
Were it not that the work has already extended beyond
the limits originally anticipated, a few pages might be devoted
to reflections thereon. To those who were members of the
party the remembrance of the tour must live as a sunny
episode in their lives, and to the thousands of those who
witnessed the games it will form a subject of interesting
discussion for a long time to come. Not only will it give the
game of bowling an increased impetus in Canada, but it is
bound to do much to bring the motherland and her sturdy
offspring into closer, stronger and warmer contact with each
other — welding the ties of kinship, fraternity and brotherly
love, thus making us " a' Jock Tamson's bairns," and bringing
nearer the realisation of the ideal of our national bard,
embodied in the ever-living lines —
" Whtn man to man the warl' o'er
Shall brithers be, an' a' that ! ''
D. WlLLOX.
I haueto acknowledge with thanks my indebtedness to the ''Toronto
Star " for the line blocks which appear throughout this word, and also
to my many friends for furnishing me with photos.
R 249
CANADA AND THE CANADIANS
AS I SAW THEM.
A LECTURE
Delivered to the *Parkbead Literary Society
BY
D. WILLOX.
3 1 st JANUARY, 1907.
MR. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN, — The subject for our
consideration to-night is one that should awaken the interest
of everyone of us, no matter whether with a view to future
emigration we seek for information, or as a loyal citizen of
the empire we wish to know the relationship existing between
the empire itself and this the largest dependency she possesses.
In these days of intercommunication between the central
power itself, and those of her outlying colonies, it is astonishing
how little the great bulk of our people actually know of the
real conditions, geographical and social, of many even of our
most important dependencies.
This is particularly true of the country and its people who
are now under consideration. Canada, until within recent years,
was by the great bulk of the people of these isles looked upon
as a territory of perpetual snow, where frozen shores and ice-
bound rivers forbade eternally the opening up of the country
and the development of her internal natural resources. Time,
however, in whose bosom lies the latent forces of science, and
the arts and crafts have done and are doing much to open the
eyes of our understanding to fuller and truer conceptions
of the actual state of matters, not only in relation to Canada,
but in relation to many of the concerns of life that make it
worth living.
I can well remember some fifty years ago, when a number
of our fellow townsmen here went out as emigrants to that land,
which was far less known then than it is now, the flutter of
excitement, I had almost said wonder, that then spread
throughout the whole community, I mean of Parkhead, which
then partook more of a community in the real sense of the
250^
A Lecture.
term than it does now with its largely increased population.
The prospects of the intending emigrants were discussed
in all their bearings, and their hardihood and daring the never
failing subject of discussion.
That has all been changed now. People go from our midst
every season without comment, unless among those of their
immediate circle of acquaintances or the members of their
own families. Steam navigation has done much to break
the distance, and the telegraph and printing press keep us
in daily communication with all that is going on, hence the
novelty of the thing has worn off to some extent, and the real
condition of affairs is brought more immediately within our
knowledge.
But notwithstanding all these improved conditions of things,
there does exist, as I have already said, a good deal of mis-
conception as to what Canada really is, and it is to dispel some
of these misconceptions that I have undertaken to lay the
following facts before you. How to proceed so as to make
myself intelligible to you and at the same time claim your
attention, is alone the difficulty that presents itself.
It seems to me, as a first essential towards attaining a
knowledge of Canada, that some idea should be had of its
extent and natural resources. With regard to the former, then,
let us try to realise what 3,676,247 square miles of continental
area means, not to speak of the Arctic Archipelago, which is
supposed to embrace 310,000 square miles more. America
is said to be a land of magnificent distances. If this saying
is true of the States, it is more so of the land of which we are
treating. Can the mind grasp what the foregoing figures
mean ? I am afraid not, therefore I will have recourse to
comparison, and taking as the unit of comparison the size
of our own country, it may be the more readily understood.
Scotland, then, has a square mileage of 29,820 with a popu-
lation of something like five millions, about 150 persons to the
square mile. Canada has about six millions of a population
roughly estimated at two persons per square mile, or in other
words, were Canada as densely populated as Scotland, instead
of six millions she would have 331,836,100, or a population
approximating to that of the Chinese Empire. I might
further elaborate this comparison by saying that Canada
forms one-third of the British Empire. It is nearly as large
as Europe, it is rather larger than the United States of
America, and is 125 times the size of Scotland.
But I am afraid I am only making confusion worse con-
founded without conveying any real idea as to the actual size
of Canada.
In speaking of the natural resources of this great territory
251
Canada and the Canadians.
one must take into account its mighty waterways, its great
inland oceans and its rich alluvial soil, not to speak of the
possibly undiscovered mines and rich deposits of coal and iron.
The rivers of Canada, like the continental area itself, are
on a gigantic scale, and claim the attention and command
the admiration of all who have seen them. They stretch for
hundreds and hundreds of miles throughout the length and
breadth of the land, carrying the pulsations of life and com-
merce throughout the whole, as the arteries of the human
frame carry the essence of human life into the remotest parts
of our body. Of all the rivers of Canada, the St. Lawrence
claims first place, because of the important part it plays and
must play in the development of the internal economy of
the provinces through which it flows, and the interests it
awakens in the minds of all who look beyond the merely
natural beauty of its shores. While it is undoubtedly the case
that the Continent of Canada was really discovered as early
as the tenth or eleventh century, it was not until 1534, when
Jacques Cartier sailed up the Great River, that any serious
attempt was made at settlement. There had been a few
abortive attempts previous to this, but Cartier was undoubtedly
the real discoverer of Canaola. What may have been the
feelings of Cartier and his subordinates as they slowly made
their way up the river we have no means of knowing, but
doubtless they were those of hope, anxiety and ambition. As
they left the gulf and drew within the narrowing channel of
the river proper they must have had many watchful and
wakeful hours. At last, after a few days' cautious sailing, they
came to a bend in the river, where a rocky bluff rising some
two or three hundred feet above the bed of the river seems
to challenge their further advance, and here Cartier determined
to call a halt. This place afterwards became to be known
as Quebec, famous in the future history of the country.
Cartier here found the natives in considerable numbers,
and they hailed him with every manifestation of delight and
goodwill. The name they had given to the place was "Canata,"
which in their language signifies " collection of Wigwams."
This possibly was only a temporary local term, and did not
apply to the continent as a whole, but it nevertheless served
Cartier with a name whereby to designate the whole continent.
Cartier after a brief stay of a few weeks returned to his native
country with a report to his master, Francis I. He returned
again the following summer and extended his explorations,
and learned much of the country. On this occasion he sailed
up the river as far as Montreal, where he was welcomed in
state by the King Donacona, whom with nine of his chiefs he
took home as living trophies of his expedition.
252
A Lecture.
It had been well for Cartier and for the white race generally
had he acted in a more straightforward manner with the
people whose country he was exploring, and which he sought
to annex to the Empire of France.
Five years afterwards he again returned to Canada, and
the natives were at first as before very friendly disposed, but
became hostile on learning that Donacona and his companions
had not returned, and Cartier 's treachery began to recoil
upon his own head.
It is often thus the enlightened representatives of civilisa-
tion set the example of falsehood and deceit, and when the
poor unsophisticated so-called savages refuse to allow them-
selves to be swindled or sold into slavery, they must be
exterminated or loaded with chains. Witness the centuries
of bloodshed and unspeakable horrors that followed the
treachery of Cartier and his companions. Let us follow the
course of the gulf of that name to Quebec. Once fairly into
the river, you find it as wide as the Clyde at Gourock, with
high bleak banks on either sides, though here and there are
patches of forest and brushwood that give it a diversified
and interesting appearance, and though the scene must be
greatly altered from that that met the eyes of Cartier and his
companions, yet in the main outlines of the banks there must
be considerable similarity. Viewed in the early morning,
the rising sun on our stern sends his slanting rays across the
river and lightens up what I take to be the British possessions
on the further shore, causing the little white cottages to stand
out in bold relief against the rising sun like snowballs left
after a thaw. Indeed, it is difficult at first to say what they
are with the naked eye, but when the glasses are brought to
bear upon them, one at once distinguishes the indications of
life and domesticity around many of the little homesteads.
I am speaking of the Canadian side just now, as the sun
shining over the American throws it somewhat into shade,
which causes it to look bare and desolate, unless where here
and there the homesteads stand out in bold relief against the
sun's rays on the higher slopes of the shore.
As the sun rises the air becomes more and more temperate,
the shore on either side more lovely, and the homesteads
become more numerous as we wind our way along, until at
last they gather into little clusters and towns, with their tiny
looking public buildings and church spires glistening in the
early morning light. The scene is a perfect panorama of
ever changing views, and seen for the first time, strikes the
observer with impressions of its loveliness, its grandeur and
massive beauty.
Quebec, which we have not time to describe in detail, is
253
Canada and the Canadians.
an old and historic city. It has been called the Gibraltar of
the west, and it well deserves this title. The citadel, situated
on a rocky bluff some 333 feet above the bed of the river,
gives it an appearance of impregnability that forbids attack ;
the strong walls and fortifications bristling with cannon recalls
to mind the storming of Badajos and Saratoga. To the
student of history and the lover of the antique there is much
in Quebec to arrest the attention and inform the mind. Every
foot of it for miles round has been hallowed by the blood of
heroes, and here was fought out the life or death struggle of
two of the mightiest empires that the world has seen ; here
the gallant Wolfe fell in the arms of victory, and here the
vanquished but heroic Montcalm met his death gloriously
striving to stem the tide of British supremacy. Many of the
buildings, especially in the upper town, are splendid specimens
of the architects' skill, while the old or lower town reminds
one of medieval France. The streets are hilly, tortuous and
narrow, and in many places badly paved. The population
at the present time may be about 100,000, the greater number
being French, who mostly speak in the language of their
forefathers.
Quebec is the principal starting point for the great influx
of emigrants who find their way to the Dominion. From
here they radiate all over the Continent, the railways converg-
ing here from all parts. The St. Lawrence between Quebec
and Montreal, a distance of over 200 miles, is interesting all
the way, the river broadening out in some places to several
miles wide, and in others narrowing so that you might almost
cast a stone on either shore. The shores become less hilly
but better wooded, and you may in some parts see for miles
across the country from the deck of the steamer as she noise-
lessly ploughs her way through the glistening waters.
Montreal is the commercial capital of Canada, and has a
population of 300,000. It is peculiar in this respect, that it
is a fresh- water sea port, being 986 miles inland from the
Atlantic, 250 miles above salt water, and nearly 100 above
tidal influence. As a seaport let me give you a few figures
illustrative of its importance as a trade emporium, and of its
growth in this respect during the last 40 or 50 years : — " In
1850 the number of vessels arrived from sea was 210, of an
average tonnage of 220. In 1880 the number increased to
710 vessels, and the average tonnage to 900 tons. In 1890
the arrived vessels numbered 746, and the average tonnage
was 1,250 tons. In 1898 the vessels from sea arrived at the
port were 868, with a total tonnage of 1,584,072, an average
of 1,825 tons, and the largest vessel entered having a tonnage
°f 6,725 tons." Montreal thus leads the Atlantic ports of
254
A Lecture.
this Continent in average size, the port of New York coming
next with an average sized ocean going vessel of 1,769 tons,
and Philadelphia with a 1,660 ton vessel for its average size.
In actual sea going tonnage entered, Montreal rivals New
Orleans, and is only exceeded by New York, Boston, Phila-
delphia and Baltimore. It will thus be seen that Montreal is
steadily forging ahead with a determination to maintain her
proud position as the most important seaport of Canada.
This proud pre-eminence she has not attained without an
enormous expenditure of capital and labour, and this matter
brings home to the mind of a citizen of Glasgow a similarity
in the development of her trade and ours. Like the Clyde
(great river though it is, carrying the overflow of over 75,000
square miles of Canadian lake water, besides numerous other
tributaries) the St. Lawrence had to be deepened from time
to time throughout a great part of its length, between Quebec
and Montreal, the most notable undertaking being the forma-
tion of what is called a submerged canal to overcome a series
of shoals that barred the free passage of the river. These
shoals extended for a distance of 50 miles, divided among 20
different places, the widest being in Lake St. Peter, nearly
17! miles. The work of deepening was begun in 1844, and by
1869 the depth had been increased nine feet, giving a 20 feet
channel. By 1878 the depth was 22 feet, by 1882 it was 25
feet, by the end of 1888 it was 27 J. During the season of 1898
the depth of water varied 27 feet 5 inches to 32 feet. The
total cost, including the expenditure on the abandoned straight
channel to 3ist December, 1899, amounted to $5,366,000,
and the total quantity of dredged matter to 23,230,000 yards.
In some parts this submerged canal is cut 16 feet into the
channel, so you may see what was the nature of the under-
taking, but behold the result. Montreal has come to be one
of the most important shipping centres of the world, other-
wise it must have remained a third, fourth or fifth provincial
town.
We have already referred to the great lakes of Canada, the
principal of which are Lake Superior, a great inland ocean of
fully 31,000 square miles; Lake Huron, 23,780 square miles;
Lake Erie, 10,030 square miles; Lake Ontario, 7,330 square
miles ; besides other lakes of vast extent, which for the purposes
of this paper it is unnecessary to mention. I mention these
four as the most important, connected as they are by a series
of canals and lochs with each other and ultimately with the
Atlantic. Lake Superior, taking the riper or western lake first,
running from Fort William in the west to Lake Huron in the
east, empties itself into the latter at Sault St. Marie, commonly
called the Soo. This is a series of rapids fully a mile in length,
255
Canada and the Canadians.
which make navigation utterly impossible, but this great
natural drawback has been overcome by locks on either side,
which render the passage of vessels of a draught of about 20
feet. The sail through these lakes and locks is not only
interesting but pleasant and enjoyable, especially on a -fine
day. Sometimes you are out of sight of land for a considerable
time, at others you are worming your way among islands of
the greenest verdure, and clothed in the richest foliage. The
lake steamers are well equipped, and the accommodation is
all that could be desired even by the most fastidious. Lake
Huron again empties itself into Lake Erie, and Lake Erie by
means of the Niagara into Lake Ontario. As time and space
will not permit of treating each of the lakes in detail, let us
mention a few facts in connection with the latter lake and
its outlet, the St. Lawrence, in its upper reaches. We have
already dealt with the lower reaches of that river. Lake
Ontario is something like 27 or 30 miles distant from Lake
Erie, and the difference in elevation is something like 333 feet,
and while it is remarkable that the ascent from the Atlantic
to Lake Superior does not average more than six inches in a
mile, the greater part of this 300 and odd feet between Erie
and Ontario is confined to a few miles in the Niagara district,
the Falls themselves accounting for something like a drop of
163 feet, in addition to the descent of the whirlpool rapids,
where poor Webb lost his life in vainly trying to swim them.
To tell you of the Niagara and its mighty falls would require
a paper devoted to itself alone. Imagine if you can a hundred
million tons of water per hour, as has been estimated, falling
over a precipice of 163 feet in depth, and rushing with the force
of an avalanche through a rocky gorge of some 400 or 500 feet
in breadth, boiling and bursting into waves 20 and 30 feet
high, like an ocean lashed by a hurricane, and you have some
faint idea of what the Niagara is below the Falls. The
turbulence of the river is noticeable for miles below the Falls,
and it is only in the neighbourhood of Lewiston, seven miles
down, that the waters become placid and calm. This is the
landing place on the American side for tourists visiting the
Falls. Queenston, on the Canadian side, is directly opposite.
Both places are 9 or 10 miles from the mouth of the river
where it joins Lake Ontario, the connecting link between
which and Lake Erie is at Port Dalhousie, when the Welland
Canal by a series of 26 locks transports vessels from the
lower to the higher lake. I have given you the square mileage
of Lake Ontario as 7,330 miles, which means that it is 130
miles long from east to west, and 40 miles broad ; no insigni-
ficant sheet of water surely, though one of the smallest lakes
I have mentioned. At the western extremity in Burlington
256
A Lecture.
Bay lies the thriving and enterprising city of Hamilton, with
its 80,000 inhabitants, its finely made, wide and well-kept
streets, its electric cars and other modern appliances of
civilization, its museums, parks and picture galleries, its finely
shaded footpaths in the suburbs, and its busy business places
and manufactories, its bowling greens and yachting clubs,
and its unrivalled facilities for fruit growing and other garden
products, while further down on the left shore lies the large,
commercial and manufacturing City of Toronto, with its
teeming, toiling and tireless citizens of something like 250,000.
Toronto, in addition to her numerous other industries, does a
large shipping trade, and especially in the tourist season, it
being the main port of embarkation for the Falls. It is one
of the finest cities in the Dominion, and is expanding both
commercially and industrially at a rate that should satisfy
her most ambitious citizen.
The importance of Toronto as an industrial centre is shewn
by the fact that it is entered by six railways conveying from
different points of the compass, being situated in the centre of
a rich agricultural district. It is the centre of the religious,
educational, political, literary, legal and commercial interests
of the most populous province of the Federation, and has
advanced and is advancing with great rapidity. Its growth
is manifested by the returns. The value of assessed property
in 1878 was $49,053,765 ; for 1886 it was $72,721,559 ; and
for 1898 $126,681,312.
There are numerous fine buildings, and they have a fine
service of street cars electrically controlled on the five cent,
system of charging. The streets are open and wide, well
made and clean. One remarkable feature about Toronto,
which our Old Country cities would do well to note, is that
there are only about 150 drinking saloons of all kinds in the
city, and it is policed by about 300 guardians of the peace.
This surely speaks well for it, as compared with our own 1700
or 1800 pubs, and as many policemen. One district of over
10,000 inhabitants was pointed out to me where there was not
a single saloon. Whether this was brought about by local
veto or through the powers vested in the magistrates, I am
unable to say ; but I was informed that there was an almost
total absence of crime in the district. These are facts that
call upon us to reflect, and ask ourselves if we are facing and
handling this great temperance question in the manner we
should do.
There are many other outstanding features in connection
with this interesting and enterprising city that might instruct,
but time forbids me dealing with them. The steamer is just
about to leave the wharf, and as we intend to take the trip
down the St. Lawrence to Montreal, we must " hurry up."
257
Canada and the Canadians.
I have already told you that Lake Ontario, after receiving
the overflow waters of Erie, Huron and Superior, discharges
the accumulated waters at her eastern outlet, and forms the
head waters of the St. Lawrence over 700 miles from the
Atlantic. Well, it is to visit this portion of the river which I
have not yet described, that I wish you to accompany me on
board the steamer and see for yourselves the wondrous beauties
of a scene unrivalled on the whole Continent . Who has not heard
of the Thousand Isles ? Not even the Rhine with its historic
associations, its old and embattled watch towers and castles
grey, can fascinate the mind more than does the upper St.
Lawrence with its indescribable panorama of fairy islets and
bower-like abodes.
The steamer usually leaves Toronto for the Thousand Isles
in the afternoon, and the fare is fully $10. If the evening is
fine you watch the receding shore and the Queen City sinking
below the horizon, until at last there is nothing but the lake,
the sky and the sun to gaze upon. The sunset on the lake is
beautiful in the extreme, and the after glow tinges the heavens
with a thousand dyes. Darkness soon follows, and you seek
your berth to rest and sleep. You waken in the early morning
to find that the steamer has come to a standstill. We have
now reached Kingston, an important town, and next to
Quebec the strongest garrisoned town in the Dominion.
You hurry on deck and find that the first grey streaks of dawn
are beginning to outline the objects on land. The boat is
again under weigh and pointing eastward. You make your
way towards the bow to watch for the sun rising, and the
sight repays you well. The sun has not yet risen, but the
purple pencilling of the clouds bespeaks his early appearance.
There is quite a crowd of eager watchers gazing eastwards,
and you take your stand among the rest. Gradually the light
brightens, and you can see that you are in a fine straight
stretch of the river, with nothing to obstruct the view. The
eastern sky seems to be throbbing and glowing as if about
to burst into flame, and the fleecy clouds change their dark
purple hues to red and gold. Presently the great orient orb
rises from the bosom of the water, at first like a crescent of
fire gradually growing in size, till the full round disc is fully
seen burnishing the waters like a flood of molten gold. Not
a whisper is heard among the spectators ; the scene is too
grand for comment. At the moment all are wrapped in
admiration, communing with themselves on the glory and
power of the great Creator, who has made the sun, moon and
stars as witnesses of His greatness, and the earth as the
footstool of His throne.
Shortly we are threading our way through a seemingly
258
A Lecture.
interminable labyrinth of shoals and isles, some luxuriantly
clad, others bare and scarcely seen above the water. We are
now in the heart of the world-famed " Thousand Isles," and
the reality far surpasses our expectations. Occasionally the
steamer seems to be perfectly land locked ; you are heading
into what seems to be a little bay, making as it were straight
for the wooded shore, when all of a sudden the bow almost
grazing the shore worms its way into a narrow channel, and
in a few minutes you breathe freely again as you sweep into
a wider basin than before. The scene is constantly changing ;
you have hardly time to mark the beauties of one locality
till you are entranced by those of another. Great skill ancl
care must be exercised in the navigation of these channels,
and the pilot must ever be on the alert. Many of those
islands are occupied by beautiful buildings, these being the
summer residences of the wealthy Montreal merchants and
others. Shooting and fishing lodges are numerous, as these
sports offer unfailing opportunities for those so inclined.
After several hours' sailing through scenes such as I have
indicated (not described) we reach Prescott, where we transfer
ourselves, our goods and chattels on to a smaller boat — more
adapted for shooting the rapids now to be encountered than
the one we have come from Toronto by.
The shooting of the rapids, of which there are several, is
one of the sensations of a lifetime. The little steamer you
are in rushes into the frothy, foaming waters like a craft
doomed to destruction, and you feel the little floating thing
oscillating about as if at the entire mercy of the waves, which
rise to a considerable height all around. In some of the more
abrupt descents you have the feeling that the boat is dropping
from beneath your feet, a feeling akin to that felt in descending
a pit for the first time, or in the downward swing of a Waterloo
fly. How the pilot is able to worm his way through those
raging breakers is one of the mysteries of his craft. You
shudder to think of it ; you try to feel unconcerned, but you
heave a sigh of relief when you have passed through, and
you find yourself calmly floating on the untroubled bosom
of the river into the security of the harbour of Montreal.
I have detained you for a considerable time over the
geographical outlines of this great country, and must now
hasten to lay before you a few facts in relation to the social
condition of its people.
The Canadians, as I found them, are a warm hearted ,
hospitable and lively people, out and out Imperialists, whose
loyalty, without being obtrusive, bubbles over on every con-
venient occasion. They are intensely jealous of their country's
greatness, and never tire of talking of its wonderful extent
259
Canada and the Canadians.
and inexhaustible resources. The keenest but most friendly
rivalry exists among all classes to push forward the develop-
ment of its industrial and commercial wealth. " What do
you think of our country ? " is among the first questions
asked by a Canadian, go where you may. " You wont tell
the people at home that there is nothing but frost and snow
here, will you ? " This while the sun is beating down upon
us at the rate of 95 degrees in the shade puts the answer beyond
question, and you look round for a glass of ice water as one of
the luxuries of life. They are a temperate people are these
Canadians, as I have already indicated ; not that they are
indifferent to the social requirements of humanity, but from
habits of thrift and real conviction that true friendship, social
happiness and real enjoyment owe none of their attractions
to the " sparkling glass and flowing measure." I have sat at
many of their festive boards, and am bound to say that the
greater number were run on strictly teetotal lines, without
any apparent loss of harmony, enthusiasm and jolly good
fellowship. Even on those occasions where liquors were
served, it seemed to be more in deference to the possible
requirements of the guests than to the desire of the Canadians
themselves. I had the good fortune to be invited out to
several private parties, and, so far as my memory serves me, at
not one of them was there the vestige of intoxicating liquors.
This I thought was a particularly good sign, as after all the
home is the vital centre of habit as it is of happiness. Given
a pure and unadulterated fireside, the allurements of clubs
and cronies are less likely to lead astray. But these moralisings
are bound to be tiresome to you, and you would rather that I
should say something with regard to the prospects and possi-
bilities of intending emigrants. While this consideration of
the subject forms no part of my engagement, " Canada and
the Canadians as I saw them," yet I may offer a few observa-
tions on this point that may have some little interest.
When we consider that about 200,000 people are yeaily
pouring into the Dominion from all parts of the world, we
may rest assured that it offers exceptional facilities for settle-
ment, especially as many of these emigrants are people of
experience, being accustomed to the sort of life they con-
template leading. Many of them are farmers from the
United States, once the supposed Eldorado of the early
emigrant, and even yet no mean competitor in the claim for
colonization and settlement. In 1904 no fewer than 45,225
people left the States for settlement in Canada, many of these
taking up land and becoming farmers, others establishing
industries, and all helping to develop the great natural
resources of the country.
260
A Lecture.
To the agriculturist Canada offers unlimited opportunities.
Its great prairie lands of the west and north-west are even
yet but barely tapped, and while millions of acres lie unculti-
vated, its powers of production are but imperfectly understood.
Dividing the industries of the country into the extractive
and the constructive, I find that there are about double the
number engaged in the former as compared with the latter.
The actual figures for 1891 were 1,521 in the extracture, as
against 766 in the latter for every 16,000 of the population,
the detailed figures being —
EXTRACTIVE.
In Agriculture, 735. 207
Fisheries, 27,079
Lumbering, .... - 12,757
Mining, 15,168
Total, - - - 790,211
as against
CONSTRUCTIVE.
' - " ** per ,0,000
Thus you will see that agriculture leads by a long way all the
other industries put together.
" Go west, young man, go west," was the advice tendered
by one of the best known American editors of his day, Mr.
Horace Greely, when applied to for his advice, and that has
been supplemented by the late Sir John Macdonald, Premier
of the Dominion, in relation to Canada, that it was a country
of magnificent distances and unlimited possibilities, and so it is.
" Go west, young man, go west," is on the whole sound and
wholesome advice, but it is not applicable to all and sundry.
Remember that Canada, though large, is by far too small for
the loafer, the weed and the waster. Canada doesn't want
such characters. What she wants, and what she seeks to
encourage, is the thrifty, the sober and the industrious ; the
man who if foiled in his attempt to exercise his trade or handi-
craft turns at once to some other calling and commands success
by his perseverance.
Speaking with one who had been long resident in the country
and who had made for himself a comfortable, if not an affluent
home, he bore ample testimony as to the qualifications required
in those who sought to settle. He, himself a Parkhead man,
with a good trade at his finger ends, went out fully fifty years
ago, and not finding employment right off at his trade, tackled
the next best thing that offered. He had many ups and downs
before he felt himself secure from the spectre " want," but
261
Canada and the Canadians.
managing to gather a little capital, and being a joiner or
cart wright he sought to embark in the timber trade. Selecting
a favourable site on the shore of a moderately sized river, he
set about building a dam. He was his own engineer, architect
and builder, and set about his several duties with a will and
determination that astonished everyone who watched the
infant undertaking. For the foundation of his dam he was
under the necessity of swimming out several times to mid-
stream, and diving to find what kind of bottom he had to
deal with, a feat that fairly thunderstruck his neighbours
and established for himself a lifelong reputation for persever-
ance and pluck. He built a dam, and to this day it stems the
current of the Shawguen river, and the little sawmill he started
with has developed into an establishment of considerable
dimensions, besides a flour mill, his own property also, all
driven by the power extracted from the river by the dam he
so laboriously and heroically built. Such are the men whom
Canada wants, such are the men who, go where they may, will
leave their footprints in the sands of time.
I am afraid I may have imposed too severe a strain upon
your patience, and therefore hasten to a close. That Canada
is a great country with infinite possibilities before it no one
will deny. That its people possess all the elements of human
greatness is equally true ; they are temperate, intelligent,
industrious and thrifty ; they are intensely attached to their
country, and every man and woman of them in his or her
individual sphere is a missionary more or less of Canadian
growth and glory. It may be but a dream, yet who can tell
that by the time Macaulay's Maori sits sketching the ruins of
our present seat of empire from the broken piers of London
Bridge, another empire shall have arisen in the west, whose
birth was here, and whose heritage is that of a thousand kings,
an empire greater by far than anything the world has yet seen,
an empire founded in the affections of a peace loving and
prosperous people, whose aim and object will be the brother-
hood of man.
262
THE
Celebrated Bowl maker.
_
THO/VVAS TAYLOR,
2 RICHMOND STREET,
AND
60 MONTROSE STREET,
GLASGOW.
ESTABLISHED 1796.
Awarded Gold Medal
AT
Edinburgh Exhibition, 1886.
Bias Testing Officer for all the
PRINCIPAL BOWLING ASSOCIATIONS.
ILLUSTRATED PRICE LIST FKBB ON APPLICATION.
BOWLS.
R. G. LAWRIE,
BOWLING GREEN
BOWL MAKER
AND
IVORY TURNER.
STANDARD BOWL AAKER
TO THE
SCOTTISH, ENGLISH, AND COLONIAL ASSOCIATIONS.
Rules of the Game and Price Lists Jree on application.
44 AND 63 JOHN STREET,
GLASGOW.
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