112 OVER ON THE ISLAND

without the aid of a strong force—perhaps not without the aid of the military. ”

On March the nineteenth, a third attempt to hold an election in Belfast was made. But the government had learned by experience. A strong constabulary and military force‘was sent down. The election was held!

It was in Belfast that I was shown a most charming letter. Oh, for the good old days when men chose their wives’ bonnets and saw that they wore them!

Dear Sir:

I now forward the Tuscan bonnet fall trimmed according to your orders. We hope it will reach you safely, afford satisfaction, and that your good wife may long wear it, blessed with best of health.

Yours truly, PETER MACGOWAN. 11 August, 1847.

It was probably a substantial hat with plenty of flowers and birds and ribbons and things.

There is a spring in the district where these Scots settlers had their first draught of Island water. And still, to-day, you may stand at that spring and ponder and dream of the past and present, in that old district, the Canterbury of Prince Edward Island.

3

We went on down to the point to camp for the night. Our brains were weary from all the pictures which the district had brought to mind, and our legs were tired from pedalling. Then, when the little pup-tent was pitched and Jean was preparing an