110 OVER ON THE ISLAND

He was so ignorant of English that I could not exchange one word with him . . . but I gave them several religious tracts in return for their kindness

Tracts in English, no doubt! That was a really suitable return, probably much appreciated!

But Johnstone was really concerned about the spiritual welfare of the Islanders. He had found many parents who did not even reprove their children when they actually whistled on Sunday. In one house where Johnstone stayed, there was much giggling and sport among the young people, besides the whistling. One son played upon the Jews’ harp. The parents, however, sat in a corner and read religious tracts, quite unmindful of the sacrilege, but Johnstone could not. The sound of such music on the Sabbath was so grating to his ears that he had to reprove the father for his children’s conduct. The father explained that it was much easier to bring children up strictly in Scotland than it was here, for the youngsters would simply leave home and establish themselves elsewhere. And servants were hard to procure.

All was not sunshine in Belfast. Both Scots and Irish settled in the district—with the usual result.

It is the year 1847. A petition has been presented to the Assembly asking that the election held in Belfast be declared void as there had been intimidation and violence. A new election for the district of Belfast is thereupon ordered to be held on March the first. This election is destined to find a lasting place in the memory of Islanders as the Belfast Riot. It was a straight Scots—Irish contest. The Scots sup- ported Douse and McLean; the Irish, Little and McDougall. The fight, apparently, had been pre- determined. Even the minister’s son, hearing