1833. He is the second son of Michael Spurr Harris, who came to Moncton

with his family in 1836. Here John L. Harris received his education, and in early life became engaged with G. &. J. Salter, shipbuilders, as their bookkeeper and chief business man. About the year 1856 he associated with him his brother, C. P. Harris, in the shipbuilding business, which they carried on under the firm name of J. & C. Harris. And since 1858, as general merchants, they have largely imported British, foreign and West India goods. From this business it may be said was developed some of the most important industries of the town of Moncton, viz.: a sugar refinery and a cotton mill—and these were established in 1880 and 1882, under the supervision of this firm—J. L. Harris being the president and managing director of both companies. But it is largely to Mr. Harris’s own personal exertions and untiring energy that his native town is indebted for the accomplishment of its most important public benefit—a work which has been of equal benefit to every citizen, and has not only placed Moncton at once in a position to prosecute the industries and arts of life, but has fixed a permanent value to real estate, while it protects property from fire, and insures health, cleanliness and comfort for future generations. It was in 1878 that he organized the Moncton Gas Light and Water Company, the works of which, although extensive, were carried to completion with great promptness and success during the same year. Within three months 30,000 days’ labor were performed; and combined with this was erected the gas works, during the same year, which subsequently included a system of electric lighting. Mr. Harris has been the president and managing director of this company, as well as of the sugar and cotton manufacturing companies, from their organization to the present time; and he has for many years been active in advocating and promoting a harbor improvement enterprise for Moncton, having, with his colleagues, obtained acts of the Dominion and Local parliaments incorporating the Moncton Dock and Harbor Improvement Company. He has also been identified with other public enterprises in the town, and generally those called into existence by reason of the national policy of Canada, which he has warmly supported. He is an upholder of the principles of the Liberal-Conservative party. In 1881 and 1882 Mr. Harris was elected to the position of mayor, and thus served two years as presiding officer of the Moncton town council. He has been for many years very active in Freemasonry, and is a past master of Keith lodge; past first principal of Botsford Royal Arch Chapter; a member of the order of Knights Templars, and has taken other advanced degrees. In religion he is an adherent of the Presbyterian church. He was married August 11th, 1864, to Mary, second daughter of the late Alexander Cowie, M.D. * * * * * =Joncas, Louis Zephrin=, General Agent, Grand River, M.P. for Gaspé, is of Norman descent, and was born at Grand River, in the county of Gaspé, province of Quebec, on the 26th July, 1846. His parents were Léon Joncas and Esther Beaudin. His family was during many years engaged in the fishing industry. Mr. Joncas, the subject of our sketch, received his education at the College Masson, in Terrebonne, near Montreal, and after having gone through his classical course of studies he began studying law in Montreal, but in consequence of ill health was obliged to discontinue it and go back to his native village, where during twelve years he has carried on the business of fish-curing. In 1876 Mr. Joncas was appointed sheriff of the county of Gaspé, in place of John Short, and this office he held until the 20th February, 1887, when he resigned to run for the House of Commons. Under the name and style of L. Z. Joncas & Co., he keeps at Grand River a general agency and accountant’s office. In 1883 he was chosen by the Dominion government one of the commissioners to represent Canada, and more especially the province of Quebec, at the International Fisheries Exhibition, held in London, England, and in this capacity he won golden opinions both from the British and from the Canadian press. At the Fishery Congress in connection with the International Fisheries Exhibition, Mr. Joncas read a paper on the “Fisheries of Canada,” which has been greatly appreciated both abroad and at home. Speaking of this lecture, the London _Canadian Gazette_ of the 5th July, 1883, said: “At a conference held on Monday, the 2nd day of July inst., at the Fisheries Exhibition, the Hon. A. W. McLelan, minister of marine of Canada, presiding, a remarkably comprehensive and interesting paper upon the various fisheries of British North America was read by Mr. L. Z. Joncas, one of the Canadian commissioners at the Exhibition. The subject was a large one, but Mr. Joncas’ practical knowledge of it enabled him to do justice to all its branches, and he concentrated in his paper much information of great value upon all sections of the trade. We hope at an early date to give some extracts from it of interest to our readers. By order of the executive committee of the Exhibition this work has been published and thousands of copies are being distributed.” The London _Daily Telegraph_, alluding to the same paper, says: “The most important of the papers yet read at the International conference was that of Monday, 2nd instant., on the ‘Fisheries of Canada,’ by Mr. L. Z. Joncas, one of the executive commissioners for Canada, which was at once able, valuable, and as far as possible exhaustive.” In 1884 Mr. Joncas was asked to lecture on the same subject before the members of the British Association then assembled in Montreal, and he read a paper considering the fisheries from an economical point of view. This paper, which makes a pamphlet of over sixty pages, has been largely distributed both in Europe and in Canada by the Dominion government. In 1887, when Dr. Fortin, who had represented Gaspé in the House of Commons since 1867, signified his intention of resigning, Mr. Joncas was asked to come forward by a large number of the electors of Gaspé, and he was elected at the general election held on the 22nd March, 1887, to the House of Commons of Canada. In politics he is an independent Conservative; and in religion is an adherent of the Roman Catholic church. On the 18th July, 1870, he married Emerentienne Blouin, of St. Valier, in the county of Bellechasse, province of Quebec, a sister to the Right Rev. F. A. Blouin, curé of Carleton, Bonaventure county, and general vicar of the diocese of Rimouski, P.Q. * * * * * =Law, William=, Shipping and Commission Merchant, Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, M.P.P. for Yarmouth, was born in Belfast, Ireland, on 5th August, 1833, and in October, 1847, he came to Yarmouth. Here he remained until 1849, when he went to Oxford, in the state of Massachusetts, and did business there until 1855, when he again took up his abode in Yarmouth. Since that time Mr. Law has been extensively engaged in business, as head of the firm of William Law & Co., shipping and commission merchants. In 1870 he was appointed a justice of the peace for Yarmouth county. He has filled the office of president of the Oriental Marine Insurance Company for eight years; and was appointed manager, for Nova Scotia, of the Boston Marine Insurance Company, in 1881. In 1886 he was chosen to represent Yarmouth county in the Nova Scotia legislature. In politics he is a Liberal, and is a strong advocate of free trade and commercial union with the United States. In his religious views he is an independent. While living in Oxford, Mass., he was married to Mary A., daughter of Enoch and Abigail Brown, of Douglas, Mass. Mr. Brown represented the town of Douglas in the Massachusetts legislature. * * * * * =Laurie, John Wimburn=, Major-General, Oakfield, Nova Scotia, was born on the 1st October, 1835, in London, England. He is the eldest son of John Laurie, M.P. for Barnstaple, of 10 Hyde Park Terrace, London, and Marshalls, Havering atte Bower, in Essex; justice of the peace for Middlesex and Essex, and deputy-lieutenant for both counties. His mother is Eliza Helen Collett, youngest daughter of Kenrick Collett, master in Chancery, of Holcrofts, Fulham, Middlesex, England. Major-General Laurie received his education at Harrow, and Dresden, Saxony, and graduated with honors at the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, obtaining a commission without purchase. He was appointed to the 2nd Queen’s Royals in depot, in 1853, and volunteered for active service against the Russians in 1854, and appointed to the 4th King’s Own regiment of foot. With this regiment he served ten months at the siege and fall of Sebastopol. He was twice wounded in the trenches, and was mentioned in despatches for his gallant defence of advanced positions against a largely superior force of Russians. He never missed a day’s duty during the twenty months he spent in the Crimea, except when wounded. He was present at the attacks on Sebastopol on the 18th June, with a storming party on Barrack battery on the 8th September, and at the capture of the stronghold on the 9th. September, 1855. He served at Mauritius in 1857, to keep order among the Indian coolies during the excitement consequent on the Indian mutiny; and in Central India against the rebellious Sepoys during 1858-59-60, as staff officer of a field force with irregular cavalry and camel corps, making forced marches in the Rewah and Mahi Kante districts. He was promoted to major, unattached, for distinguished service, in 1861. In 1854 and 1856 Major Laurie attended the School of Musketry at Hythe, and took a prominent part in introducing musketry instruction and rifle practice in the army. He passed a competitive examination, and entered Staff College at Sandhurst in 1861; but on the occurrence of the _Trent_ affair he volunteered for active service, and was sent to Canada to organize the militia, and was retained in Nova Scotia by the Marquis of Normanby and General Sir Hastings Doyle, and remained as inspecting field officer until that province joined the confederation. In 1866 he placed 15,000 men under arms to repel the threatened Fenian invasion, and also took over the garrison duties at Halifax, so that the regular troops might go to the New Brunswick frontier. In 1869 he took over the duties of brigade major, and succeeded to the position of deputy adjutant-general on the death of Colonel Sinclair, continuing in command in Nova Scotia until 1881, when he was transferred to British Columbia. When on leave in England, in 1877, he offered to raise a regiment in Canada for active service against the Russians, and for this he received the personal thanks of the secretary of war; and in 1881 he volunteered and accompanied Sir Frederick Roberts to South Africa, with the expedition against the Boers of the Transvaal. On the conclusion of peace he returned and assumed command in British Columbia, and remained there until 1882, in which year he was promoted, by selection, to the rank of major-general in the army. In 1885, on the outbreak of the Servo-Bulgarian war, he was appointed commissioner to the headquarters of the Servian army, under the Red Cross Convention, and remained until the conclusion of peace in 1886, in charge of hospitals organized by him, and in carrying aid to the wounded and those suffering from contagious and epidemic diseases; and with Baron Mundy, the eminent philanthropist of Austria, jointly organized an ambulance train for the conveyance of wounded from the field by railway trains, for all of which services he received the personal and repeated thanks of the King and Queen of Servia, as well as of the Red Cross Society of Great Britain, and of Austro-Hungary. On the outbreak of Riel’s rebellion in the North-West of Canada, he volunteered for service under General Middleton, who was his junior in the army, and after joining the advanced column, was appointed commandant of base and line of communication, which position he filled until the close of the campaign. He has received, as decorations for his war services: from her Majesty, Queen Victoria, the Crimean medal, with clasp for Sebastopol, Indian mutiny medal for Central India, North-West Canada medal; from the Sultan of Turkey the Russian war medal and the Imperial Order of the Medjijie; from the King of Servia the Servian war medal and the decoration of Knight Commander of the order of St. Sava; and from the Queen of Servia, the order of the Red Cross for saving life. Major-General Laurie was elected councillor for his district, and first warden of Halifax county on the organization of the municipality in 1879, and again in 1880. He was appointed a justice of the peace for Halifax county in 1869. For ten years he has been president of the Provincial Board of Agriculture in Nova Scotia, and has been active in organizing joint stock companies for the development of manufactures. He carries on a large experimental farm at Oakfield, about twenty miles from Halifax. He has been elected for ten years grand master of the Freemasons of Nova Scotia; and was also president of the St. George’s Society of Halifax; and aided in organizing the Royal British Veteran Society, a self-supporting benefit society, composed of members who have served in the army or navy, and of which he is president. He contested Shelburne county, a Liberal stronghold, at the general election of 1887, as an independent supporter of the national policy, and was defeated by thirty-four votes. During the thirty-four years of his active service, Major-General Laurie served her Majesty in a campaign in every quarter of the globe; has written descriptive articles for the contemporary press, and was called upon by the Admiralty authorities in Britain to publish his views as to the most suitable position for a naval base for Great Britain in the Pacific. He is a strong advocate for closer union and more harmonious united work amongst all Evangelical denominations. He married, in 1863, Frances Robie, youngest daughter of the Hon. Enos Collins, of Gorsebrook, Halifax, granddaughter of the late Chief Justice Sir Brenton Haliburton, and great-granddaughter of Bishop Inglis, of Nova Scotia, who, as rector of Trinity Church, New York, at the time of the revolution, continued to offer prayers for the king, although levelled guns warned him that his life would be taken unless he desisted. Two sons are now serving in the army: the elder in the 4th King’s Own, in which General Laurie won his spurs, and the younger in the old 86th, now the Royal Irish Rifles. * * * * * =Hall, John Smythe=, Jun., B.A., B.C.L., Q.C., M.P.P. for Montreal West, is a native of Montreal, having been born there on the 7th August, 1853. He is the son of John S. Hall and Emma Robins Brigham. Mr. Hall, sen., was a member of the old firm of Grant, Hall & Co., extensive lumbermen, and subsequently flour millers. Mr. Hall, jun., received his primary education at Bishop’s College School, Lennoxville, and afterwards entered McGill University, taking the degree of B.A. in 1874, and that of B.C.L. in 1875. He was called to the bar in 1876, and at once took a prominent place. He is now a member of the well-known law firm of Chapleau, Hall, Nicholls & Brown. He has always taken a deep interest in educational matters. In 1883 he was chosen representative fellow-in-law, and became a member of the corporation of McGill University, and re-elected to the same position in January, 1886. He was also president of the University Literary Society; in 1884 president of the Graduates’ Society; and in 1887 president of the University Club. In politics he is a Conservative, and an active member of the Junior Conservative Club, occupying the position of president in 1885. This year (1887) he was made a Q.C. Mr. Hall has taken an active interest in the volunteer force, and is now a captain in the Montreal Field Battery of Artillery. He is a member of the Church of England; and on the 3rd January, 1883, married Victoria Brigham, daughter of the late T. C. Brigham, of Ottawa. At the last general election for the province of Quebec, Mr. Hall contested Montreal West against G. W. Stephens, Liberal, and W. W. Robertson, workingman’s candidate, for a seat in the Quebec legislature, and was returned by a majority of 127 over Mr. Stephens, and 1,000 over Mr. Robertson. * * * * * =Labelle, Rev. François Xavier Antoine=, the “Apostle of Colonization,” Parish Priest, St. Jerome, county of Terrebonne, Province of Quebec, was born in the village of Ste. Rose, Laval county, on the 14th November, 1834, his father being Antoine Labelle, a master shoemaker, who was married to Angélique Mayer. In 1844 he was sent to the Seminary of Ste. Thérèse, and in that institution completed a full course of classical studies. He was chiefly remarkable at college for his sound judgment and his happy and retentive memory. The consideration he enjoyed among his fellow-students caused him to be chosen president of the Grammar Society, and vice-president of the Literary Society of the college. His favorite studies were history and philosophy, and his favorite authors DeMaistre, Balmès, DeBonald, and Nicholas, chiefly the latter, whom he possessed almost by heart, and thereby gained the surname of “Nicholas,” given him by his companions. He chose the ecclesiastical state, and received the first of the minor orders in 1852, at the Seminary of Ste. Thérèse, where during three years he was a teacher, performing at the same time the humble duties of recreation room master and attendant of the convocation room. In 1855 he went to the Grand Seminary of Montreal, where he devoted himself exclusively to the study of theology. He was only twenty-two years old when he was ordained priest, in 1856, in his native village, by Mgr. Pinsonneault, eight days after the consecration of that prelate. By virtue of an edict of the Holy See the privilege of ordaining a certain number of priests before they had attained the required age, was granted to the bishop of Montreal, and Father Labelle was one of the first on whom the honor was conferred. He was appointed vicar to Father Vinet, since promoted to the dignity of prelate to the Holy See, then parish priest of the beautiful and wealthy parish of Sault-au-Récollet. The young vicar rendered great services to his _curé_ in the difficulties the latter had to encounter in connection with the building of the Convent of the Sacred Heart. Father Labelle resided two years and a half in the parish of Sault-au-Récollet, and the parishioners expressed the livliest regret when he was sent to help the parish priest of St. Jacques-le-Mineur, Rev. Father Morin, who required rest; in this parish he resided nine months. In 1859 he was appointed parish priest of St. Antoine Abbé, a mixed parish on the border. Here he had many difficulties to smooth over as first resident _curé_ of this parish, which had been divided in two for civil purposes by the division of the counties of Huntingdon and Chateauguay. In the midst of the greatest obstacles he had to create everything; he succeeded, however, in having the parish civilly erected and organized as a scholastic and municipal corporation, in spite of the electoral influences which prevented him from attaining his aim immediately. Religious embarrassments also existed, but thanks to the energy and tact displayed by Father Labelle, these were overcome. The impetus given to St. Antoine Abbé during the four years’ residence of the _curé_ in that parish, placed it in the way of progress, and it is at the present day one of the most prosperous in the province of Quebec. A few years ago the humble chapel, which had been erected in the first days of the village, was demolished, and in its place stands one of the finest church edifices in the county. It was here that Rev. Father Labelle experienced a deep sorrow in the death of his father, who had followed the fortunes of his only son. In 1863 he was sent to Lacolle by his bishop, Mgr. Bourget, who had had occasion to appreciate his energy and charity. Grave difficulties had arisen, owing to the choice of a site for a new church, which had been selected outside of the village as the centre of the parish, causing division, fed by a few Protestants, who went even so far as to offer help to build the church in the village. When Father Labelle arrived to take the place of Father Bourbonnais, the situation was almost desperate; but the inhabitants of St. Antoine predicted to those of Lacolle that nothing would resist the efforts of their new pastor. And, in fact, despite the intelligence and wealth in league against him, despite the efforts of the Protestants who owned the greater portion of the territory, he succeeded through perseverance and diplomatic acuteness to make Lacolle what it is to-day, one of the finest villages in the country. When he left the parish, both Protestants and Catholics recognized his ability and admitted the justice of his previous claims. It was during his sojourn in Lacolle that the Fenian invasion of 1866 took place. The spot offered an easy access to the enemy, being at the entrance of the plain leading to St. John’s. The patriotism roused by the _curé_, however, in the hearts of his parishioners caused the enemies of the country to choose another point to enter Canada. “If the Fenians come here,” the pastor said, “I will place myself at your head to repel them.” In 1868 he was transferred to the curacy of St. Jerome. After having passed his first years of priesthood in the midst of struggles, it was a welcome change to the good man to settle in a quiet and well organized parish. He fell on his knees on the threshold of his presbytery to return thanks to God for his mercy. He discovered in his parishioners the spirit of union, so efficacious in the performance of noble works. The site of the village, the progress already made, the intelligence and ambition of its inhabitants, everything tended to forebode an era of happiness such as he had never before experienced. He knew the North only from geographical descriptions and hearsay; but the position of St. Jerome at the foot of the Laurentian mountains, in that broad and fertile valley of the Ottawa river, opened up to his view the perspective of a vast field for the exercise of his patriotism. He wanted to convince himself _de visu_ of the resources of the country, and with that end in view, he organized an expedition to explore the valley to its most extreme limits, and he returned with the conviction that this vast plain should be the cradle of a numerous and vigorous population, whose industry and needs would develop an important trade. The best means to attain that end, he thought, was to build a railroad, which, reaching the Gatineau, would in after years be an immense feeder to Montreal, whilst helping to colonize that part of the province; for he had found, during his voyage, a fertile soil and a wealth of timber and minerals hardly surpassed in any other part of the Dominion. He was also thinking of the great number of willing and vigorous workers who, after receiving so many favors in their native land, left it to go and enrich the foreigner, while their own country’s resources were undeveloped for the want of their sturdy sinews. “Any subject,” he would say, “who willingly leaves the benevolent shadow of the British flag, proves a loss to the country and an evil to the subject.” Before undertaking to build a railroad, however, colonization roads must be built, the country must be opened; so he turned his attention to the roads at once. Public men know what it costs to obtain favors from a government which, in spite of its patriotism and good-will, is often-times hampered in the distribution of its favors. The influences of the southern part of the province, which set up the plea that they had not obtained enough at the hands of the government, tempered the generous impulses of the ministers. To this Father Labelle offered a strong argument: “The south has received a great deal, the north almost nothing; when the south receives, the north derives no benefit; whilst, when the north is prosperous, the overflow of its wealth benefits the south.” He begged and supplicated, but was repulsed. Nothing daunted, he kept asking. “I wish you would send your _curé_ to his parishioners,” a minister said one day to the member for Terrebonne. “You can do that yourself,” said the latter; “if he annoys you, give him what he asks, otherwise you will never get rid of him.” After months of waiting and innumerable requests, the ministry acquiesced to the just demands of the north, and granted subsidies according to the means at the disposal of the government. Let us say right here that the zeal of Father Labelle was vigorously seconded by the Hon. Mr. Chapleau, who has always done all he could in the interest of his constituents, and also by the Hon. Mr. Masson, the late lieutenant-governor of the Province of Quebec, and the then representative of the county in the House of Commons. The zealous priest was also sustained by the successive administrations of the province, and by the sympathy and energy of the citizens of St. Jerome, among whom may be mentioned Messrs. Laviolette, M. J. B. Lefebvre-Villemure, Prévost, de Montigny, William Scott, J. A. Hervieux, and many others. The whole parish is in accord with its _curé_, for, in French Canada, when works of public utility are in view, political divisions are laid aside. The priests of the adjoining parishes also accorded a loyal and energetic support to Father Labelle. The principal work of this indefatigable man is certainly the railroad commenced under his auspices, known at first under the name of “Chemin à lisses de bois,” but laid to-day with steel rails. His matchless energy was displayed in its construction; and in the pursuit of this object he undertook struggles, voyages, writing, etc., the recital of which would be the recital of the stormy beginnings of two great railways which at the present day are the pride of the country. Father Labelle has always looked upon the “Colonization Railroad of the North” as part of the Canadian Pacific, and also took a great interest in the latter, which he considered as the artery destined to carry the wealth of the West, as well as the treasures of Japan and China, to our seaports through Canadian territory, favoring and feeding industry and commerce all along its immense length. He admired the plan of Sir George E. Cartier, and regretted the failure of Sir Hugh Allan, through the intrigues of his opponents, in his attempt to float the loan necessary to its construction. He foresaw, in the construction of the Pacific Railway, a powerful means of immigration, and calculated that in ten years, the indirect contributions paid by the new settlers into the Federal treasury, and the increase in value of the North-West lands, would pay the largest portion of the debt contracted for the undertaking. It is needless to add that his predictions were correct, as it has been amply proved since. His appreciation of the advantages and disadvantages offered by the diverse routes proposed, reveal the foresight of a true statesman. He worked also in the interest of the North Shore road, and helped it by his writings, visits and timely interference at critical periods. But his favorite road has always been the Colonization road. He is called its father, and he cannot possibly disclaim his offspring. He said one time, on the occasion of a visit paid him by the members of the Montreal press, that such children were the only ones the members of his calling were allowed to beget. At the same time he thanked the newspapers for the tender care they had exercised in nursing and clothing his child. If doubts existed on any one’s mind as to the important share of glory accruing to Father Labelle on account of this work, the following extracts which were communicated to us by an indiscreet friend of the _curé_ of St. Jerome, would be sufficient to dissipate them. Sir Hugh Allan wrote him on the 25th July, 1883:— MY DEAR FATHER LABELLE,—You have been happy to hear, I am sure, that the contract for the construction of the Colonization railroad has at last been signed. This result is in a great measure due to your industry and increasing efforts, and if there is a man who ought to reap any glory from the completion of this work, that man is yourself. The Hon. Mr. Abbott wrote from London, under date May 5, 1873:— It is to be regretted that your holy office should prevent you from occupying in the enterprise the position to which your efforts and influence entitle you. I know, however, that the satisfaction of having accomplished a good work on behalf of your countrymen will reward you sufficiently, from your own standpoint, for the important help you have given us from the beginning. To-day the road is completed, and whoever is entitled to merit should receive it. Everyone knows that in consequence of unforeseen difficulties the future of the road was threatened even after the work had been undertaken. Father Labelle had arranged to get one million dollars voted by the city of Montreal, and he induced the ministry of the province to take the road under its control and to complete it. It is also said that the idea of getting the “Grand Trunk of the North” built by the government originated with him. The part he had taken in these events was recognized in a measure by the commissioners who named one of the first engines placed on the line, “Rev. A. Labelle.” On the fiftieth anniversary of Father Labelle’s birthday, at a dinner given at St. Jerome, on the 29th November, 1884, were gathered together ministers, journalists, members of parliament, aldermen and representative men from all parts of the province, and all with common accord applauded the work he had done. And we may say here that the tact he displayed in the circumstance justified what had been said of him on a previous occasion by a citizen distinguished among his English and Protestant brethren: “Father Labelle,” he said, “should be prime minister of Canada instead of _curé_ of St. Jerome.” The following is an extract of a speech delivered on that eventful occasion:— Father Labelle to-day can look back on thirty years of feverish and unceasing activity; thirty years of courageous and plodding energy; his career has been stormy rather than peaceful, and has already borne more abundant fruit than many ordinary existences. His physical health is good, but requires a rest which the will instinctively refuses on account of this fever of labor and activity which unceasingly devours and consumes. The mind is ever vigorous and keenly perceptive, while the intellect and judgment have ripened under the influence of work and time, and to-day the results are most abundant and precious. The nature of our good _curé_ is so full of vigor and exuberance that in his fiftieth year he spreads movement, activity and life everywhere around him; his character is so essentially expansive that his ideas, his projects, his hopes, so clearly elucidated, pervade those who come in contact with him. He carries so much conviction that one must needs yield to him. Is it astonishing that he should have wielded, in all spheres, an influence often dominating and decisive? The grandeur of conception, the vigor displayed in the execution of the most difficult enterprises, his proverbial disinterestedness, his sound judgment constantly seconded by deep and varied studies, an astonishing memory, a character bending itself to the most dissimilar circumstances, unassailable honesty of purpose, an openness of heart which has always proved to him the best of policies, are certainly, among others, enough qualities to make him, perhaps, the most popular and most enlightened man of our country. His influence has been felt everywhere. His counsels have ever been wise and cautious. His practical mind was never embarrassed by the most difficult problems of theology or social and political economy. His courage has ever been undaunted, either before obstacles or adversaries, and his honesty has never flinched or given way to the wiles of a corrupt world. The holy robes he wears have never been soiled, and at the present time they are as immaculate as on the day the young Levite donned them to devote himself to the service of the Divine Master. As the drop of water, slowly and patiently wending its way through the obstacles which men and accidents may throw on its passage; as the impetuous torrent upsetting all obstacles in its mad race, Father Labelle has succeeded in all his enterprises; but then these enterprises were great, they were national, they were undertaken in the interest of religion and for the welfare of the country, and only those who were traitors to their religion and their country were opposed to their execution. Is it to be wondered at, under such conditions, that he was enabled to occupy the most difficult positions and master fortresses, until his advent thought impregnable? He was never known, however, to soil his hands with the booty of the vanquished, to take a share of the spoils of the victor, or impose hard and unjust conditions under the assumption that might is right. He never exalted his victories over the weakness of those he disarmed. He always looked forward to the triumph of truth and justice and the greatness of our country; not to the humiliation of men and the abasement of character. Richelieu once said: ‘I never undertake anything without mature reflection; but my resolution once taken, I go straight to the end I have in view; I break all obstacles and I cover the whole with my purple robe.’ In his case the prince of the church gave way to the statesman. In the latter respect, it was not Richelieu who was the model of Father Labelle. But let us change the scene; we will transport ourselves to a more genial climate, far from the tainted atmosphere of the court of Louis XIII., far from the bloody fields of battle, of murder and assassination, where Richelieu had to play his rôle of statesman, and we will find, from the Canadian standpoint, a great similarity of character and works between the great French minister and the humble Canadian priest who, in the course of a few years, will change the face of a considerable portion of this province. The former contributed in large measure to the foundation of the colony; the latter, when his colonization scheme will be realized in all the grandeur of its conception, will have doubled the value, the wealth, the power of our province; both will have had the same energy and the same courage; on a different theatre, they will have obtained wonderful success. Let me add that the life of Father Labelle is an illustrious example to those who aim at being true patriots: to serve God and country. He is one of the most accomplished types of that hardy Franco-Canadian race which is called upon to accomplish grand and noble deeds, provided its descendants remember the history of its origin, its struggles and its triumphs; and rise to the height of the mission assigned them by Providence. To attain that end they must set aside the cruel broils of politics, the rancour of partyism we witness to-day, and they must work together for the common good of our common country, and, following the example of the beloved pastor, take as a motto: ‘Energy, faith in God, and hope in the future.’ The true Franco-Canadian race, the French-Catholic race, has become incarnate in the large heart of Father Labelle, and even to-day a monument might be raised to him bearing the inscription dedicated to the heroes of all times and all climes: ‘To Father Labelle, a tribute of love from a grateful country.’ Father Labelle’s winning affability is proverbial, and in the midst of his enormous labors he always finds a moment to speak on any subject that might be of interest to his listeners. Ever ready to help the humblest of his parishioners, his generosity often oversteps the limit of his means, for he has not the leisure to figure up his fortune. The following incident is an example of his charity, which we publish at the risk of raising his ire: During a very severe winter the price of cordwood had risen in the city of Montreal to the fabulous figure of $20 a cord, owing to a “combine” of men who would have been insulted had anyone dared to assert that they were not honest. Father Labelle called on his parishioners, in the name of charity, to help the poor of Montreal in their sore need of fuel, and the result was that an immense procession of sleds loaded with cordwood, the good _curé_ leading, was seen wending its way from St. Jerome to Montreal (a distance of thirty-three miles), and there distributed to the most needy and deserving poor of the city. This generous action was repeated the following winter. Besides his railroad undertakings, Father Labelle has been the means of a college being built in St. Jerome; a three-story brick building, having a frontage of eighty feet, with a lateral chapel, where the youth of the surrounding district receive a commercial, agricultural, and religious education under the direction of the Rev. Fathers of the Holy Cross. As soon as the railroad was completed to St. Jerome, Father Labelle undertook to supply the necessary traffic. He is convinced that the Laurentian range contains considerable mineral wealth, and geological reports prove his assertions. With the view of working and developing these mines, he immediately applied at every door to raise the necessary capital. His parishioners subscribed a few thousand dollars; but the resources are so slender, and the expenses so heavy to start on a solid basis, that he must receive more substantial help. It may be said, by the way, that minerals being one of the greatest sources of wealth of a country, there is no reason why the government should not give grants to the energetic men who undertake to search for those treasures in a practical manner. His many and varied occupations do not interfere with the exemplary regularity of the exercise of his holy ministry. His sermons are always remarkable for their characteristic clearness and practical common sense. Thoroughly orthodox, he never deviates from the strict doctrines of his church, which he believes accords with progress; as a result, in his parish, church and state go hand-in-hand, to the satisfaction of all parties. Far from feeling any pride in his successes, he makes them subservient to the glory of God, the primary cause and author of all greatness. The theological lore of Father Labelle is very profound, and he has had many occasions to elucidate very intricate questions. His lordship, Bishop Duhamel, honored him with his confidence, and delegated to him a part of his power for the purpose of erecting canonical parishes in the southern part of his diocese. Right Rev. Mgr. Conroy, delegated by the Holy See to adjust certain differences which had arisen in Canada in connection with the establishment of the branch of Laval University, at Montreal, wrote the following letter to Father Labelle, on the 19th March, 1877: “I reckon on your great and well-deserved influence. I shall always be glad to see you, and I shall do my best to meet your wishes as far as I possibly can do so.” After the decision of the Holy See in favor of Laval, Father Labelle was one of the most energetic workers, and did no small amount of work in connection with the establishment of the branch university in Montreal. The late Bishop Bourget was ably seconded by Father Labelle in the erection, for civil purposes, of the new parishes of Montreal. After the Guibord case had been settled, a bill was passed to prevent the recurrence of such difficulties and to meet the views of her Majesty, Queen Victoria, as intimated by her to Lord Dufferin; Father Labelle was entrusted with the drawing up of the bill. He was also instrumental, and did more than his share of the work, both here and at Rome, to obtain the division of the ecclesiastical provinces of Montreal and Ottawa. Since 1883, he has been sent to France by the Federal government for the purpose of making our country better known in Europe and promoting more extended commercial relations. At the present time (1887), he is engaged on the extension of the Montreal and Western Railway to Lake Temiscamingue, and there are already seventy miles under contract. He is also interested in a new cattle ranch at Wood Mountain, near Regina, N.W.T., etc. We cannot conclude this imperfect sketch without mentioning the charming _bonhomie_ which in Father Labelle’s case, takes the place of the most refined courteousness. When his wine cellar is empty, his smoking-room is abundantly supplied, and in either case he receives the most illustrious men of the country with the greatest ease. Let us add that his venerable mother, who presides over the internal administration of his household, contributes, by her politeness and kind attentions, to make the presbytery of St. Jerome the most popular resort of the surrounding parishes. The priests of the neighborhood and the notable men of the province frequently visit the worthy pastor when in need of information, or in quest of rest and relaxation from their onerous duties. * * * * * =Hale, Frederick Harding=, Lumber Merchant, Woodstock, M.P. for Carleton, New Brunswick, was born at Northampton, in the county of Carleton, N.B., on the 8th December, 1844. His father, Martin Hale, was born in Ireland, and came to Canada, when a child, with his parents. His mother was Hulda Dickinson, daughter of Harding Dickinson, a U. E. loyalist. Mr. Hale received his education in the schools in Carleton county; and afterwards turned his attention to mercantile pursuits, and for the last twenty-five years has been heavily engaged in the manufacture and sale of all kinds of lumber at Northampton and Woodstock. A few years ago he entered the political arena, and at the general election held in the spring of 1887 was elected to represent the county of Carleton in the Dominion parliament at Ottawa. Mr. Hale is a director of the St. John Valley Railway. He takes an interest in Masonry, and is a member of the Woodstock lodge; and also a member of the Woodstock Royal Arch Chapter. In politics he is a Liberal; and in religion an adherent of the Free Baptist church. Mr. Hale has been twice married. On the 20th June, 1869, to Rhoda, daughter of the late George McGee; she died on the 16th June, 1870. And on the 17th June, 1873, to Emma E., daughter of Moses Boyer. * * * * * =Nelles, Samuel Sobieski=, D.D., LL.D., who died at Cobourg, on the 17th October, 1887, on his sixty-fourth birthday, was born of worthy Methodist parents at Mount Pleasant, near Brantford, Ontario, on 17th October, 1823. He attended the Lewiston Academy, New York, during 1839 and 1840, under the tutorship of the poet, J. G. Saxe, whose peculiarly pungent wit the doctor often rivalled in after life. The year following he entered the Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, where he was converted and where he connected himself with the Methodist church. Two years later he became one of the two first matriculating students at Victoria University, Cobourg, the institution that was afterwards to achieve prosperity under his guidance, then presided over by Rev. Egerton Ryerson, D.D. During the two subsequent years spent at Victoria College he obtained a local preacher’s license, and distinguished himself, the venerable Dr. Carroll says, for “intellect and eloquence.” Seeking his degree at an older institution, he graduated at the Wesleyan University, Middleton, Conn., in 1846, and spent the next year as head master of the Newburgh Academy, whence he was recommended to the ministry by the Napanee Quarterly Official Board. In 1847 he was received on trial at Port Hope, and preached during 1848 and 1849 at Toronto East, in the old Adelaide street church, which has since been replaced by the Metropolitan, when he was received into full connection, ordained and sent to London as colleague of Rev. John Carroll, D.D., for the first quarter of 1850. It was then that the church wanted a man to take the presidency of their connexional university at Cobourg, an institution that had been founded in 1837 as an academy, had been created a university in 1841, and was then fighting a hard battle for a precarious existence. Samuel S. Nelles, M.A., was the man unanimously chosen, and taken, sorely against his will, from the London charge early in 1850 and installed as successor to the Rev. Alex. McNabb, D.D., in the president’s chair of Victoria University. From this time forward the career of Dr. Nelles is very closely identified with that of the college to which he fully devoted his best energies, his keen intellect, his marvellous power of management and his ripe culture. Finding the institution financially feeble, he travelled the country with persistent energy, appealing, and seldom in vain, to Methodists to support their college, and its rapid growth and success in keeping abreast with the times are largely due to his untiring labors. Together with the late Rev. Dr. Punshon, he undertook to raise an endowment of $100,000 for the college, and the best comment upon their faithful efforts is that they succeeded in swelling that amount to $150,000. Some ten years ago this indefatigable worker persuaded the people of Cobourg to erect a magnificent science building, known as Faraday Hall. In 1861 he received the honorary degree of D.D. from Queen’s University, which was followed in 1872 by the degree of LL.D. He was elected General Conference representative to the conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, United States, in 1864; and associate representative to the Eastern British American Conference in 1868; to the English Wesleyan Conference with Rev. Dr. Dewart in 1873, and to the British Conference, held in Newcastle, in 1883. The deceased was professor of moral and mental philosophy, as well as president at Victoria College, since his first connection with that institution; and in the University Act, passed at the time of Methodist union, he was created chancellor of the university. The doctor was one of the original framers of the University Federation scheme, and gave it vigorous advocacy by platform and press, but as the face of the scheme was changed, largely because of the defection of other colleges, he withdrew his support. He was married early in life to the eldest daughter of Rev. Dr. Wood, of Davenport, who survives him. Four children have blessed the union, all of whom are living. The only son is now practising law with Cameron & Co., at Tilbury Centre; the eldest daughter is the widow of the late Kenneth Dingwall, an eminent barrister of Hamilton, while the two youngest are still unmarried. * * * * * =Drolet, Jacques Francois Gaspard=, Quebec, Auditor of the Province of Quebec, was born at Quebec on the 23rd January, 1828. His parents were Gaspard Drolet, advocate; and Marie Antoinette LeBlond, daughter of Jacques LeBlond, advocate. He received a full and complete course of classics at the Quebec Seminary. He entered the public service in 1862 in the department of Public Works of Canada; and was appointed auditor of the province of Quebec in 1867, under section 20 of the Treasury Department Act, 31 Vict., cap. 9, province of Quebec; 46 Vict., cap. 4, section 3, 1883, which enacts “that the provincial auditor shall hold office during good behavior, but be removable by the lieutenant-governor upon an address of the Legislative Council and the Legislative Assembly.” He was president of the Institut Canadien in 1859-60. In 1869, he, along with J. W. Dunscomb, collector of her Majesty’s Customs at the port of Quebec, and François Vézina, cashier of La Banque Nationale, were appointed a Board of Commissioners to enquire into and report upon the civil service of the province. In 1875 he was on a commission with J. G. Bossé, Q.C., and James Dunbar, Q.C., to enquire into the settlement of the Quebec Fire Loan; and in 1883 he was appointed a commissioner along with L. Tellier and Lieut.-Colonel A. A. Stevenson, on an enquiry on the public service. He has taken an active interest in the Volunteer movement; and during the _Trent_ difficulty held the rank of captain in the 7th battalion of Chasseurs. Mr. Drolet is a member of the Roman Catholic church, and holds the position of church warden. He was married at Montreal, in August, 1850, to Marie Louise Eugénie, daughter of the Hon. Jean Casimir Bruneau, judge of the Superior Court, and niece of the Hon. F. P. Bruneau, one of the Legislative councillors appointed by Lord Sydenham in 1841, and of Dr. Bruneau, for a number of years professor and lecturer of McGill College, Montreal. The living issue of this marriage is three sons and three daughters. The eldest son is Joseph Eugène, advocate; Jean Casimir, Roman Catholic priest; third son, Joseph Charles Gaspard, captain in the 9th battalion Quebec Rifles. Captain Joseph C. G. Drolet went through the North-West campaign with his regiment, and is now adjutant of the Royal School of Mounted Infantry at Winnipeg, Manitoba. * * * * * =Whitney, Henry A.=, Moncton, New Brunswick, Mechanical Superintendent of the Intercolonial Railway, was born at St. Stephen, New Brunswick, on the 11th February, 1834. His parents were Beriah Whitney and Lucy Hall, and both were descended from very early settlers in America. The first of the Whitney family emigrated from Wales, England, about the year 1640, and settled in the state of Connecticut. Of the mother’s progenitors, the Howland branch came over with the Pilgrim Fathers in 1620; and the Hall branch emigrated from Hull, England, about 1650, and made their home on Long Island. Henry A. Whitney received a common school education at St. Stephen, New Brunswick, and at Calais, Maine. As early as 1852 he began his connection with railways, and with the exception of a short interval in the years 1853-4, has been in the railway service ever since. During these thirty years he has occupied various positions on government railways, such as foreman, engine driver, shop hand, locomotive foreman, and is now mechanical superintendent of the Intercolonial Railway. He has been obliged to change his residence several times since he began his useful career, having removed from St. Stephen to Moncton in 1857; to St. John in 1858; to Shediac in 1861; and lastly to Moncton in 1872, where he has since resided. In politics Mr. Whitney takes little interest; but in religion he may be classed among the Universalists, having held, from youth up, that our Heavenly Father will finally bring all his erring children home to his house of many mansions. He was married on the 13th of December, 1861, to Margaret J. Lindsay, of St. John, New Brunswick. This lady died on the 22nd May, 1872. On the 5th of May, 1874, he was married to his second wife, Henrietta Elliott, of Moncton, New Brunswick. * * * * * =Fitch, Edson=, Manufacturer, Quebec, Grand First Principal of Royal Arch Masonry in the province of Quebec, is a native of Glen’s Falls, New York state, having been born there in 1838. He is a direct descendant of Governor Thomas Fitch, who was governor of the colony of Connecticut, in 1756, under the reign of George II. The family is one of the oldest in the United States. They were originally from Eltham, county of Kent, England, and came to America, landing in Boston, Mass., in 1634. The homestead of the governor, in Norwalk, Conn., is still in possession of the family, being owned by the subject of this sketch and his sister. Mr. Fitch received his educational training in his native parish. In 1861 he entered the American army as a lieutenant, and was at once sent to the front on active service. During the winter of 1862-3 he received a commission as captain, and was present with General McClellan during the peninsular campaign, and took part in all the principal engagements until the first day’s fight in the battle of the Wilderness, 5th May, 1864, when he was severely wounded, having been shot through the body. This confined him to the rear for about three months, at the end of which time he returned to his post, where he remained till the close of 1864, when, his time having expired, he was mustered out of the service. He was on staff duty most of the time, having been in twenty-seven engagements, fighting under Generals McClellan, Burnside, Hooker, Meade and Grant. When he returned from the service he held the position of acting assistant inspector-general and chief of staff of the first brigade of the second division of the Second Army Corps. On that occasion he received the following flattering letter:— HEAD-QUARTERS 1ST BRIGADE 2nd Div. 2nd Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, near Petersburg, Va. Nov. 3, 1864. Capt. Edson Fitch, Brig. In. 2nd Brig. 2nd Div., 2nd A.C., CAPTAIN,—Having learned that you are about to retire from the military service of the United States government, I avail myself of what may be the only opportunity I shall have of communicating to you an expression of the high regard I entertain for you as a brave, competent, efficient and gentlemanly officer, and of the regret that you are to be even temporarily lost to the service which you have honored on so many occasions by your gallant conduct. As chief of staff of the brigade which I had the honor to command at the late battle at Hatcher’s Run, you in no small degree contributed to that success which won for our brave troops the encomiums of the generals commanding. To the consciousness of having faithfully discharged your whole duty, which you will carry with you to private life, I desire to add the assurance that you also have the confidence and kindest regards of your old comrades in arms, who still hope, at no very distant period, to welcome you again to the tented field. I am, Captain, very truly yours, JAS. M. WILLET, Col. 8th N. Y. H. Art’y, Comdg. 1st Brigade. In 1867, Captain Fitch came to Canada with the intention of organizing the business he is now engaged in, that of manufacturing match splints, and settled at Montmorency, Quebec, but was burnt out there. He then removed to Etchemin, county of Levis, where he established his business, and has had a most successful career. Twice he has seen his factory destroyed by fire, but his indomitable pluck and perseverance have carried him through. The business of manufacturing match splints is one the magnitude of which few outsiders can realize. The factory owned by Mr. Fitch is the largest of its kind in the world, making nearly ninety millions of matches in a single day To reach this almost inconceivable result, five hundred hands are employed, and no less than twenty millions of feet of timber are cut up in the course of a single year. Early in life Mr. Fitch connected himself with Masonry, having, in 1861, been initiated in Senate lodge, No. 456, G.R. of N.Y., held at Glen’s Falls. In 1868, desiring further knowledge in Masonry, he applied for the Royal Arch degrees to Stadacona Chapter, No. 2, G.R.Q., and was exalted in that chapter on 22nd October, 1868. In 1873, he affiliated with Tuscan lodge, No. 28, G.R.Q., held at Levis, and occupied the worshipful master’s chair in that lodge in 1876 and 1877. In 1877 he was elected grand senior warden of the Grand Lodge of Quebec, and in 1880 was appointed D.D.G. Master for Quebec and Three Rivers district, and held that office two years and a half. In 1882 he was unanimously elected deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge. In 1884, the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons chose him as their grand third principal; in 1885 and again in 1886 as grand second principal, and at the last meeting of the Grand Chapter, held in the city of Montreal, in January, 1887, he was placed, by the voice of the companions assembled, in the exalted position of grand first principal. He was one of the charter members of William de la More, the Martyr Preceptory of Knights Templars at Quebec, with which body he is still connected. He has been chairman of the Committee of Benevolence and Charity of the Grand Lodge since