advice most cheerfully in many emergencies; and above all in the enjoyment of the Lakes and Mountains over every summit and point of interest, and up every glen he had wandered in solitary but satisfied enjoyment. His spirits generally were excellent, but occasionally he suffered from depression, of which, however, he gave very little outward sign.

If living in the daily exercise of every kind and generous disposition can give happiness, then, indeed, Sir John reaped a good harvest in his considerate kindness to the poor, and to all the little community with whom he came into contact. Can it be wondered that when men of the world saw the grave, and venerable gentlemen renouncing the solace of society without one particle of moroseness or asceticism in his nature; when they heard of his peculiar tenderness to every living thing— allowing moles to burrow the land unmolested, and the jays to build in his chimneys, and leaving them undisturbed till the brood took their flight; placing a hoarding round his house, in order that the tourist might land and walk round the Bay without invading his privacy by staring in at the windows; that they should come to the conclusion that his mind was distraught. Never was a surmise more unfounded. He was quite alive to the probability of such an interpretation, as will be seen by the following lines, evidently his own composition, and in his own hand-writing

They said his mind had wandered, his heart was ill at ease;

He loved the lonely mountain path, he loved the mountain breeze,

He loved its ripple on the lake, its murmur in the trees.

He loved the solemn hour of night, when night submits to morn,
When few were waking, none were near, his humble life to scorn;
And yet he was not all alone, he was not all forlorn.

To see the great Creator's works, to meditate his praise-
In that he passed his lonely hours, he passed his lonely days,
Where none were near to scorn or scan his harmless childlike ways.

And yet he was not all alone—he walked with God, and prayed
For that support God only gives, surpassing human aid,
Foreshadowing a future state, a promise God has made,

A future state? and what divides this life from that on high?
Can we be ever nearer God? is God not ever nigh?
Then why not live with God on earth-on earth before we die?

Why wait for Death to spread his pall, and memory to cease,
Before we join our soul above which lives in realms of peace—
Before mortality can claim mortality's release?

Before this mortal can put on the immortal, and regain
That bliss of heaven which ensues to earthly grief and pain!
For this he prayed to God, and thought he did not pray in vain.

Oh! let us pray that we may bear the trial and the test
Which He, our Maker, has ordained by His supreme behest,
Enjoining us to learn and own Whatever is, is best."

66

Even in his retirement from the busy outer world it cannot be said that his life was spent in vain. His opinions on many important subjects of the day found their way into measures adopted for the advantage of the country. He was a true patriot, and was keenly alive to the honour and prosperity of his Queen and his country. His deportment was that of a fine old English gentleman. Every one who conversed with him. was struck with his chaste and terse language, and the charming and varied topics of his conversation. In his rural walks he conversed with people of all ranks, both natives and tourists, in the most agreeable manner, and especially with children.

The Gordon family have been connected with this parish for nearly a century. The name of "Lord William's Woods" has not died out of memory yet, and the new name of "Sir John's Woods" will perpetuate the memory of the gallant old General for many generations to come. To be accessory to this end I have drawn up this paper, as well as to endeavour to interest the members of this society for the last hour of the present session.