Thursday, May 1st.
A lovely day, altho’ cool wind. Wrote to my Mother, Helen, Julius, and Holloway. Later made all ready for a start home, in case the morning mail should bring me orders to go home; passage order, etc., all ready, but on the arrival of the mail I found I was to stay, so here I am settled for some time and must just make the best of it. Dined at 17th Mess and met Uniacke, home later.
Friday, 2nd.
Found my landlord again trying extortion on me which rouses the blood of all the Lauries – trifles in themselves, but which get serious be accumulation – so got angry and told Mrs. Anderson, so gave notice to quit. Looked for other lodgings all the afternoon, but found nothing likely, so will wait. My letters came in later, with the Volunteer Regulations etc. One from Mary and another from my Mother. My Father seems poorly. Should he not get better I must trundle home, for my presence generally seems to do him good. Nothing much else important, altho’ I am now sorry I did not do a little speculation in the Spanish bonds. Dined with Uniacke last night expecting a bull party and found ladies, not a very lively party however. Afterwards met Dirou(?) and walked up to the Artillery Mess. Found a “bee” in progress, so stayed it out. Field and Hardy assisted by Boothby appeared as the principal characters. Got my nomination as Inspecting Field Officer of Militia and Volunteers with the rank of Colonel – so much for Nova Scotia. Wrote an application to the M.S. and forwarded it with a letter to Mr. Freeth to have the honorary and local rank of Lieut. Colonel conferred upon me; with a letter to my father, a list of wants. Also wrote to Mr. Kane at New York. To bed about 3½ a.m. Starting my letter per Persia via St. John’s.
Saturday, 3rd.
Another raw, cold day, with heavy drizzling mists. Advertised for lodgings after disagreeing with my landlord.
Sunday, 4th.
To St. Paul’s church; the fog and mud gradually clearing away. Walked with Haliburton and Grogan. Dined at Artillery.
Monday, 5th.
Called p.m. on Colonel Ansell and Capt. Hardy. Dined at Artillery and to Theatre and afterwards ..?
Tuesday, 6th.
With Lts. Clair and Porter in uniform, waited on Lord Mulgrave who was pleased with the red. Looked to the Militia p.m., officers at drill. Missed the theatre as the night turned out very wet.
Wednesday, 7th.
Looking after the ball arrangements.
Thursday, 8th.
Busy all day with the ball, but had an hour in the morning to look at some Armstrong practice from Morris’s guns. Apparently very good, and this the first time that they had fired them. Very tired. Slept for an hour before going to the ball which we kept well up into
Friday, 9th.
morning. Scarcely any new faces, the same old lot. Found, however, one or two very good dancers and so passed a pleasant enough evening. Very tired. Afterwards busy at office writing announcing my approach to Militia and Volunteers, in the Pictou direction.
Saturday, 10th.
With Lord M. about the uniform etc. Afterwards tried and bought horse and wagon, and so set up myself for any tours of inspection.
Sunday, 11th.
To St. Paul’s church a.m. Walked with B. Haliburton p.m., calling on Sinclair at Dartmouth.
Dined at Artillery Mess. Wrote to Alexander Laurie.
Monday, 12th.
Working up the wretched horse and breakfasted with Haliburton. The fleet coming in filled up the afternoon and formed a great topic of conversation.
Tuesday, 13th.
Received Sir A. Milne with all the honors at 10 a.m. Then, making my preparations for a start, looked after my drill and made some calls. Was affiliated to the Royal Standard Lodge, Military, and after writing to my Mother and making my arrangements for absence, to bed about 1 a.m.
Sir A Milne – Admiral of the Fleet Sir Alexander Milne, 1st Baronet, GCB (1806-1896) was Commander in Chief, North America and West Indies from 1860-4
Wednesday, 14th.
Seem quite to have got into the way of waking when I am wanted. After four hours sleep I called Porter and only just in time saved the train with a great scurry, galloping all the way through the town. Prince, I think I must call my horse, behaved nobly. At Truro was met by Captain Blanchard and Colonel Archibald and Major Eaton, very enthusiastic in words. Fed at the 14 mile house out and after picking up a disabled traveller and giving him a lift, picked up Capt. Ross, and old R.A. Sergeant who asked after Lieut, now Lieut. Colonel Newdegate. Fed again at the Twelve Mile House inn, and including two stoppages of at least three quarters of an hour each and my disabled traveller, I did the 40 miles in just 7 hours, that is in 5½, an average of nearly 8 miles an hour and the horse only three days in my stable, and I was strongly advised not to buy him. Nothing like acting on my own opinion. Met Major Fraser, Captains McKinley and Doull and Colonel McDonald’s son called upon me to explain that his father is too unwell to attend. Harper’s Hotel seems a very comfortable, snug little place and my horse is nicely put up. The country through which I drove is very fairly under cultivation and the inhabitants seem a stalwart race. Red shirts seem favourites, so there is a chance for the Militia. Telegraphed to Antigonish that I would inspect them at 5 p.m. on Friday the 16th, and wrote to River John and Tatamagouche to look out for me, the former on the 22nd and the latter on the 23rd, also stirred up Capt. Fraser and Col. Murray for Monday at New Glasgow and Col. Conky at Tatamagouche on Thursday 22nd.
Twelve Mile House inn – Anthony Fultz, of German extraction, purchased 150 acres of land in 1812 and opened Fultz's Twelve Mile House, a rest stop on the corner of the ‘Great Roads’. Although the inn was destroyed by fire in 1890, Fultz House Museum remains on part of the original site
Thursday, 15th.
Inspected the Militia officers at 6½ a.m. They are still very far behind what they should be, but want working up. After breakfast took the Artillery, who are over-dressed and therefore undermanned. They drilled well under their Captain McKinley. Next took the Greys, who under their Captain Doull also did well. They then marched past in slow and quick time. Afterwards paraded the Militia undress and then started across the harbour in the ferry. Found the advantage of roped yarn in making shift to fasten my breeching instead of the broken breeching hook. Through New Glasgow 8 miles off, a thriving place; past Merigomish and on the Barney’s River where I arrived about 7½, driving about 30 miles this day. Put up at Francis McKenzie’s a comfortable enough farm house where I was regaled on ham and eggs both at night and the next
Friday, 16th. morning.
After breakfast in horse and off to Antigonish, a rather foreign looking place, got in about 1 p.m., nearly grilled by the heat, and quite worn out. Inspected the Volunteers at 5 p.m., a weak company and in poor order, probably the fault of their sergeant who is not fit. Had tea with Joe Howe at the Hotel but we did not cotton. Drinking whisky at Mr. Beech’s until late.
Saturday, 17th.
Up at 4½ a.m. and after feeding etc. got away about 6, day getting hot. Got to Barney’s River about 9½. Fed, washed horse and stayed until 11½ and then on to New Glasgow, 40 miles. Here found home letters and one from Col. Scott asking me to stay at Mount Rendell, which I accepted and, after washing my horse again, I reloaded and started for the mines. Mount Rendell is a charming place, quite English. It reminded me forcibly of what I had not seen before in this country, a well-kept English country house. Mrs. Scott is a very pleasant family person, and all the family are nice. The second Miss Scott I had met before and danced with in town, so we had something in common. Col. Scott is a gentleman in manner altho’ of course, from his employment, a little short and brusque. I was very tired after my drive and glad to get to bed.
Sunday, 18th.
Getting more intimate with the family. To church morning and evening, dining in the middle of the day. The weather very warm and oppressive, but this is a very great treat for me to be so hospitably received by such a pleasant family.
Monday, 19th.
Still very warm. Walked to New Glasgow and saw Capt. Fraser and Col. Murray, all pulling the things in various ways. Looked out a range with Col. Scott and placed the butt etc. Later had a review of the Albion Mines Volunteers. About 60 turned out, at first hopelessly rusty apparently, so I took them in hand myself and after three quarters of an hour they were coming fairly to handling, so I addressed and dismissed them. Practice rehearsal for the concert in aid of the Church lighting came off afterwards and then we wound up by a dance, and so passed our evening and I my last night at the house.
Tuesday, 20th.
Prepared to leave Mr. Scott’s house. This will be my pleasantest reminiscence of Nova Scotia, so thoroughly English, homely and yet comfortable a family. Their very comfort depressed me and set me thinking of what it is no use thinking about. A most capital Mother of a family is Mrs. Scott, and one whose children will always be her first care. I could have cried in church last Sunday, when set thinking of all this. I shall look back however to the hospitality, friendship and kindness shown me with much pleasure, and I really felt quite a sinking this afternoon at parting from Mrs. Scott and my oldest friend in the family, Miss Ellen. I drove them over to Pictou, the servant bringing round my wagon, and after calling on Mr. Crerar I saw them off and looked at and drilled my Militia officers who are looking more like work, but still very slack. Put up at Harper’s Hotel at Pictou, pretty fair.
Wednesday, 21st.
Started about 9 o’clock with Major Matheson, 2nd Pictou Regiment, to inspect Capt. Ross’s (late Sergt. R.B.) Company at Rogers Hill, mostly young countrymen and sharp enough to pick up their work. Moved them about a little (their first time of moving) and they shewed considerable aptitude. Reviewed some civility from a native, in the shape of lunch, the first of the kind and this I believe at the instigation of an old countryman, Capt. Ross. Certainly, the Nova Scotians are the most inhospitable curmudgeons I have ever met. The Tartars of the Crimea were princes compared to them. So much for the frank and open hearted people. Drove back to Pictou with Major Matheson’s horse. Dined and was made to pay through the nose for my accommodation. £1.3.0 for 24 hours for self and horse, two beefsteaks included for myself and two bottles of beer. Still it was outrageous. Drove afterwards to River John, 10 miles, arriving about 7½. A poor hotel, let us hope not quite so expensive.
Thursday, 22nd
Inspected the River John Company (Capt. Kitchen) at 8a.m., poorly uniformed but have a knowledge of their work. Officers worse than men, the Sergeant apparently understanding his work fairly, seems able to teach; afterwards saw the arms and then after breakfasting, drove to Tatamagouche, 12 miles, to inspect their company at 5 p.m.; getting rather weary of this kind of life which is stupid and monotonous. Thank goodness Saturday will bring me in to Halifax, and so may have a change. One gentleman actually apologised for not showing me hospitality – wonderful – that such an idea should have struck a Nova Scotian. Inspected the Tatamagouche Rifles at 5 p.m.. only about two months raised and in plain clothes but willing and earnest. They approve of this present drill instructor – because he does not use profane language; this is rather rich. However very proper no doubt in the Tatamagouche. Inn not bad, but of course rough. I had to sit down to table with my sergeant. People very civil and horse taken care of.
Friday, 23rd
Breakfasted soon after 7 and made a push across the Cobequid Mountains to Truro. Had a nice specimen of the real Nova Scotian on the road. Gave a man a lift, he assuring me that it was quite level. Drove him for three miles up hill. He got out and never thanked or took any notice of me. So much for this country. Got into Truro very comfortably, dined, hotel (McCoy’s) very comfortable. Saw the Truro Volunteers, about sixty men out, really well drilled altho’ they have been only about two months at it. I was therefore able to butter them a little and they seemed pleased. Captain Blanshard, who commands them is a good man and Colonel Archibald, of the Militia is a private in his company. Early to bed 11½ p.m.
Saturday, 24th.
Up and breakfasted at 5¼. Put my horse on the train and left Truro at 6 a.m. met Porter at 9.45. Found the Queen’s birthday being kept as a holiday, altho’ without salutes or other observances. Called on Mrs. Hill and Major Ryut(?). Walked with Haliburton, Field and Childs; dined at R.A. Mess, whist, quits and to bed.
Sunday, 25th.
To St. Luke’s a.m., walked as yesterday p.m. Nothing striking. Church collection as usual.
Monday, 26th.
At office great part of day, with the news, etc., making report to Lord Mulgrave. Dined with him and Lady Mulgrave.
Tuesday, 27th.
Again at office. Saw the General about application, approved. Called on the Agamemnon and Medea. Dined at Government House; a very wet evening and rain much wanted.
Wednesday, 28th.
Drill a. and p.m.; dined at home, danced at Rough’s, pleasant enough, till 2 a.m.
Thursday, 29th.
Mail came in, dined at 17th Mess. Got my letters, all well at home. Wrote late in answer.
Friday, 30th.
Mail detained, went out about 12. Two French frigates came in to the tune of big guns. Dined at Mess and went to Mrs. Westmacott’s. Got up quite a small promenade at the Citadel with the band playing.
Saturday, 31st.
Horse arrived from Mr. Blanchard, not quite what I expected. Dined at Stewart’s. Very tired, head ache and bilious, see everything in a wrong light.