MILITARY AND CIVIL. 65 
     
    
   
   
    
     He was raised by farmer Peter Stewart, of Hillsborough River, 
     
     his proportions were: length 9 feet 6 inches; girt round the 
     
     body 7 feet four inches ; round the neck 5 feet; height 3 feet 
     
     11 inches, and weighed upwards of 1,000 lbs. This animal 
     
     was raised from a breed originally from Ireland; he was dis- 
     
     posed of by Mr. Stewart for the sum of £19 Island currency, 
     
     and sent to Halifax for exhibition there. 
     
    
   
   
    
     From the period of passing the Militia Act in 1783, annual 
     
     inspection of the force during summer months by the Adjutant 
     
     General was held at the various districts’ local headquarters. 
     
     The Commander—in-chief, who took a great interest in military 
     
     affairs, often accompanied the Inspecting Officer in his rounds 
     
     from one district to another. 
     
    
   
   
    
     On the occasion ofa muster this year on Queen Square, a 
     
     troop of horses were drawn up in review order across Queen 
     
     Street facing the Hillsborough River, a Companyof Artillery with 
     
     field guns joined them on their left, then the Regulars from the 
     
     garrison, the Ist, 6th and 9th Battalions of Militia extended the 
     
     line beyond the Market House in the centre of the Square. 
     
     Here, between Great George and Prince Streets, the forest 
     
     had been cleared away, but the surface was uneven while the 
     
     roots of trees projected above the ground. His Excellency the 
     
     Commander-in-chief, accompanied by his daughter and suite on 
     
     horseback, arrived and took post near the saluting flag. At 12 
     
     o’clock, as the first gun of a salute was fired, the horse on which 
     
     Miss Ready was mounted took fright, and with a bound went 
     
     off at full gallop. Seeing the peril of the young lady two or 
     
     three gentlemen put spurs to their chargers, thinking they would 
     
     arrest her frightened steed, but it was useless, for at the second 
     
     fire her horse increased his speed and fairly flew through the 
     
     Square, over hill and hollow, and as her would—be rescuers 
     
     closely followed they presented the appearance of a steeple 
     
     chase, where all were crazed or mad. Turning into Prince 
     
     Street the frightened horse headed up at full speed, and not 
     
     until the stable yard was reached did the panting steed halt. 
     
     The young lady maintained a firm seat during her perilous ride 
     
     and evidently enjoyed the swiftness of her noble animal. 
     
     Meanwhile the review proceeded, and although His Excellency 
     
     looked sad and troubled he did not leave his post. The glad 
     
     tidings of his daughter‘s safety being brought him, when 
     
    

    
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