Tuesday, July 1st.

A wet morning, gloomy prospects for picnic. Started about one, sailed to McNabs island, had a jolly time, but pulled home quietly against a strong head wind and inspected the Halifax Rifles, Irish not mustering strong and postponed. Then to Mrs. Langley’s for a dance. Home after supper a little before two.

Wednesday, 2nd.

Getting through my office work a.m., joined Mrs. Hills’ riding party at twelve and stared about one with the others, but soon paired off with Miss Collins on the Margaret’s Bay road. Enjoyed my ride both out and home with her very much. Plenty of good sense and shrewd but neither a prig nor a rattle. Afterwards to Mrs. Hill’s house to spend the evening, coming away about eleven. Porter in great disgrace with Colonel Boothby and not very clear for what. Had a fairish horse to ride and half inclined to buy.

Thursday, 3rd.

Rising at five, started in uniform, Porter and skeleton ditto by 6½ train for Truro in the rain to inspect Volunteer company, but rain continuing, came back without finishing what I undertook. Introduced to Mrs. Creighton, a very nice person. Tired.

Friday, 4th.

Office and band. Danced at a capital bee at the artillery Mess, till all hours. Found some capital partners, Miss Fairbanks and others.

Saturday, 5th.

Getting to bed at four, rose at six to inspect Scottish Volunteers. Good. Rode with the Hills after noon. Danced at R.A. Mess. To bed, worn out.

Sunday, 6th.

To church at St. Luke’s. Afterwards lunched with the Langleys and went to Dartmouth, talking over matters with Sinclair. Came back with the ladies who went to church whilst I went to the Mess.

Monday, 7th.

Started for St. Margaret’s Bay at 10½, passing the road and scene of our picnic with the Hills. Really pretty and a good riding road. Got to Hoobly’s soon after twelve fed and on to Lower Ward, Hackett’s Cove. Captain Munroe and all his Company out fishing together and no men in, or very few. We went on to Peggy’s Cove and put up by the Captain, S. Milberry. I never saw a rougher or more rocky country than this; this part gets all the surf of the Atlantic, so it is well it is rocky and substantial.

Tuesday, 8th.

A thick fog followed by rain. Looked after my horse, who otherwise and without my oats would have done but poorly. Found my entertainers very hospitable and civil altho’ plain people. To bed after a wet day, reading and writing.

Wednesday, 9th.

Inspected the Peggy’s Cove at 8 a.m. Found them ignorant of drill but willing and able fellows, every able-bodied man in the place a volunteer – patriotic. Drove in, feeding at Hoobly’s, getting in to town in about 4½ hours’ driving – rattling good little horse. Dined at Mess.

Thursday, 10th.

Office a.m., rode to band p.m. Finished letters, two to my Mother, to Riley and Willie, Sergt. Hunt. Dined with the Langleys, quietly.

Friday 11th.

Office etc. a.m., band p.m. Inspected Irish Volunteers, pitching into them; thence to the Admiral’s to a party, pleasant enough. Home about two.

Saturday, 12th.

After office made some calls. Then rowed out and dined in the evening with the Governor, meeting Mr. and Mrs. Dundas, very nice people.

Sunday, 13th.

Church and lunched with the Langleys. Then looked up Sinclair and parted company for dinner, at Mess.

Monday, 14th.

Office a.m. P.m. rode to Oldham with the Hills, Miss Collins and Stokes. Very pleasant. Dined at Mess, very tired.

Tuesday, 15th.

Rained. Driving part p.m. Drove Miss Grassy who I like more, the more I see of her. Came home after tea at Sinclairs in pouring rain, wet through.

Wednesday, 16th.

After office did some duty calls in re bugle. To Volunteers Inspection soon after six, did not come off until eight when about 180 turned out. Mr. Dundas however was much pleased. They did not drill badly in battalion but not what it should have been. The Irish Company who I pitched into the other day were nowhere. Crossed afterwards to Dartmouth, had tea with Sinclairs who are, on account of servants, in real distress. By last boat home.

Thursday, 17th.

After lunch and finishing office work, to Bazaar; most stupid; dined with the Hills. Took in Mrs. Hill who apologised to me for dullness of party, that they were not my set and were only asked because I was going away. Afterwards chatted with Miss Collins to whom I have lent Whyte-Melville’s works.

Friday, 18th.

Some calls and then to band, dull. Dined at Mess. Played whist, winning one or two points.

Saturday, 19th.

Home early from office, called for subscriptions at some places, thence road with Mrs. Hill, Miss Collins and Miss B. Dawson, on Preston road. Pretty and pleasant except for the horses, the pace awful. Home in plenty of time for dinner and writing letters.

Sunday, 20th.

A capital sermon from Mr. G. Hill. After lunch, crossed to Dartmouth, explained whereabouts to Sinclair. Got on with my letters. Ordered bugle through W.H. Lloyd. Wrote to Richards enclosing subscription to 3rd London, sent cheque to Cox & Co. for £15: to my Mother and to Julius and to Charlton enclosing cheque. To bed about 1 a.m.

Monday, 21st.

Getting up again soon after four, packed and started picking up Jago R.A. Met Lord Mulgrave at the station and with him and family and the Dundases got to Truro. Inspected Captain Blanchard’s company who drilled as well as any company I have seen, line or Volunteer; decidedly good. Next starting the Dundases, visited the Normal School and heard instruction imparted. Put Lord Mulgrave into the train and knocked about till evening, meeting Mr. Scott. Mr. Cunard, and Mrs. Almon and daughter. To bed pretty tired although oddly freshened up towards night.

Normal School established for teacher training and named after the French Écoles normale supérieure

Tuesday, 22nd.

Got away from Truro about eight, through a slight shower to Mount Thom, Porter riding the roan ahead. Jago doing the agreeable, rode to the Mines on the roan. Picked up Mr. Scott who asked Jago to come and stay. Put up horses and otherwise made thoroughly comfortable. To bed tired. Mrs. Scott and family cordial and kind.

Wednesday, 23rd.

As Jago wanted to go down a Mine, I could not do less than go too. Went down 280 feet in the cage, and following the incline about 400 feet lower. Not at all disagreeable, altho’ I would not go down another from choice, once is enough. Still am very glad I went. Formerly could not have gone down this way without great nervousness, so am evidently getting over that. Rode to New Glasgow with Jago p.m. and telegraphed to the Captains en route that I was coming. Back, inspected the Miners again, not much improved; Dunning is but very little use in out districts. Afterwards had a dance, I believe in my honour, a really pleasant dance kept up until three o’clock. Three Miss Davis, most capital dancers, pulled me well through; so tired.

Thursday, 24th.

Decided upon staying at Mount Rendell without much pressing from Mrs. Scott, drove to Green Hill, whence had a beautiful view of really pretty country, much more cleared and settled than I should have expected, and very undulating, with still plenty of wood and lots of water to vary the scenery. Pictou Harbor looking pleasant. Back to dinner and a pleasant family evening. Tired.

Friday, 25th.

Starting later than we should have done, got to Barney’s River, roan horse with slight sore back. Drove him and let Porter ride the bay. Saw the Antigonish company at drill, much improved, Sergeant Cunningham evidently attentive. Liquored up the Officers, McKenzie and Beche, and to bed latish; one room between us, and lots to talk about.

Saturday, 26th.

Starting earlier, got to some horrible house in the woods, feeding on fried salt pork and potatoes. On to Guysborough, arriving about four. Put up at Mrs. Tory’s, pretty comfortable. Disappointed in Sinclair’s friend Mr. Marshall. Captain Malcolm and the company appear to pull all ways. Liquored the officers that night. To church next day to hear a very prosy preacher. Guysborough is a small scattered town with but little doing, a good land-locked harbour but shallow channel approached from a deep bay. The view from Mr. Marshall’s hill where we went to take tea on Sunday was very pretty. Pulled home late, liquoring Marshall’s junior.

Monday, 28th.

Started for Port Mulgrave over a road in great part very villainous, after getting my letters and papers. Bad news of Riley’s health.

Julius dissatisfied, application for promotion refused by secretary for War, altho’ forwarded from C. in C.’s office. Altogether a mail full of bad news. Still, it might indeed have been much worse and when things are bad there is a chance of their mending, so I must look out for the best news by next mail. Arrived at Port Mulgrave about two, put up by Mr.Hefferman, brother-in-law to Captain Wylde. There is no hotel in the place which is a rising place as port of call and refit for the fishing schooners on the banks. Herfferman is an enterprising fellow and deserves success. Nova Scotia wants a few more pushing men of the same sort to make it thrive. Inspected the Volunteers at six. Arms in bad order as usual, Drill no great shakes, but very young company. Scotch airs played and sung to an harmonium gave a queer affect to the evening.

Tuesday, 29th.

Breakfasting at eight, pushed across in the ferry. Inspected the Hawkesbury company, very rusty both men and arms. In volunteer Lieutenant’s boat manned by Volunteer crew to Arichat through the Gut of Canso, the coast on both sides very pretty, width nominally varying from two miles to three quarters of a mile, the former decidedly nearest the average. Wend fell light, boat very heavy and but for tide we never should have reached Arichat which we did an hour after time. Inspected Captain Ballam’s company and after a glass of wine at his house and plenty to eat and drink at the Hotel feeding our crew of six, started for Fort Mulgrave. Tide or the best of it was lost. Pulled two big sweeps as wind was light. Two of the crew turned pugnacious (drunk) and, as we would not allow them to throw one another overboard, tried each to throw himself, one nearly taking the Captain, McDonald, with him until interfered with and saved by me. They were then put to sleep and we, Jago and I, had to take the lion’s share of the work, pulling until two o’clock when we anchored for a couple of hours and, starting again at four, pushed on until nine when we reached Port Mulgrave knocked up. Mr. Hefferman looked to us, gave us breakfast etc., and at eleven we left Port Mulgrave driving through a part of the country the wildest and worst roads imaginable. Thence into Tracadie, a pretty part peopled by French settlers; accommodation however not over good. Recommended to Mrs. Simon on the Cape Porcupine Road. Got to Antigonish late in the evening and talked over Militia matters with Mr. Henry who is to be Colonel of the Antigonish Battalion. Thoroughly worn out, to bed among the feathers.

Thursday, 31st.

My Father’s birthday; thoroughly wet. No good for the horses, so made a push for the Albion Mines, trusting to Mr. Scott’s hospitality; passing Barney’s River heard of the accident, but pushed on and found the whole family down hearted but cheered up really with our presence. Still as the coroner’s verdict was not yet given, they were all in an anxious state. Music and chatting late.