Monday, September 1st.
Waited on M.G. Hastings Doyle, acting in chief command to N.S.M. Looked to the drill of the N.Cs. p.m. rode with Jago, dining at Mess. Called a.m. on Mrs. Hill. Had a long chat and almost went into domestic details, did she understand why.
M.G. Hastings Doyle – Sir Charles Hastings Doyle, KCMG (1804-1883) was a Major General in 1860 and became Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in 1867
Tuesday, 2nd.
Called and saw Mrs. Hill and Miss Collins. Had a long chat, proposed riding party for Saturday, received warm approval. Could not get them to come to Truro. At office all day, schooner put off to wait for mail.
Wednesday, 3rd.
English mail came in. Riley better, others in status quo. Started at 1½ for Lunenburg in the schooner “Friend”. Wind at first favourable, fell light and left us rolling in the swell from the gale of yesterday. Berth is decidedly uncomfortable and not rendered the more tempting by the notification on the back of the door, “Passengers are requested to remove their boots before entering their berths”. From the state of the berths, I should say this request had not been complied with.
Thursday, 4th.
Still bobbing about in a dead calm but a breeze got up between eleven and twelve and took us up close to the wharf about 1½ after a trifling episode of getting aground, but were warped off by the united efforts of the crew at the windlass and the general public hauling ashore. Off to Mahone Bay and inspected the Company there, getting into order. Saw a couple of Militia Officers shut up Mr. Schneider, a bumptious person who presumed to interfere. Back to Lunenburg, about six miles through a pleasant, undulating well-cultivated country. Driven by Kaulbach, the son of the Sheriff, and Lieut. of the Volunteers. Inspected the Lunenburg company in very fair working order. Had some wine etc. with Mr. Creighton and turned in.
Friday, 5th.
Inspected the Lunenburg arms, also two guns, formerly in possession of the Militia; proposed the formation of a volunteer company to work them. Afterwards took in hand the Militia Officers and passed twenty, spurning one. Got Mr. Tramwieser’s resignation by dint of saying nothing, keeping very friendly and looking frightfully wise. Returned by the schooner at 1 p.m., getting to Halifax in time for the latter part of dinner at the R.A. Mess.
Saturday, 6th.
Riding party broken up. Went, however, for a ride with Hills and Miss Collins, very pleasant; to the Rocking Stone which would not rock. That did not matter, as we had our ride which I enjoyed much. Tea afterwards, before dinner, whist and to bed.
Sunday, 7th.
St. Paul’s, Mr Hill preaching. Raining hard. Lunched with Westmacotts, walked and to Mess.
Monday, 8th.
Preparations for Truro. Drill.
Tuesday, 9th.
To Truro by early train, getting range ready, pitching tents. A hard day’s work.
Wednesday, 10th.
At work about six. All ready and commenced shooting with Halifax and Truro competitors at eleven, finishing early. Tea and turn out: Crowder arrived.
Thursday, 11th.
Shooting pretty steady by country competitors more excitement manifested. Drove to Onslow Mountain later on, had or should have had, had the day been fine and clear, a good view of Cape Blomidon and the Basin of Minas, but weather unpropitious. Havilands from P.E.I. arrived, also Colonel Stewart whom we put up. No Atkinson.
Friday, 12th.
Intercolonial competition, immense excitement, General and staff in hats and feathers, ladies arriving by special train, guard of honour etc. combined to work up the people to a marvellous pitch; shooting ending after twice shooting off ties by Major Pollard beating Private McLaren, both of the Island, Halifax tying in points though not in hits. Cup presented by M.G. Hastings Doyle in a lengthy speech, not very much to the purpose. Three cheers for every body in conclusion. General having left my name out in his thanks, he was interrupted by three hearty cheers for me, so much as a reward from the volunteers for what I have done. Luncheon for all hands pretty successful and home by the train, we staying for the Ball given that evening.
Saturday, 13th.
After heat of yesterday weather became cold. Drove Miss Haviland along the Basin and back to an early lunch or dinner. Pleasant drive and pleasant ride in the train to Halifax afterwards. Putting Miss H. in a cab, went to R.A. Mess.
Sunday, 14th.
George Atkinson staying with me; to St. Paul’s. Pulled over and saw Hugemond at the Island, back latish for Mess.
Monday, 15th.
Not settled in our plans. Colonel Clifford and wife in possession opposite, G.A. gone to General’s. Drove to Point Pleasant to Mrs. Westmacott’s house, chatted with the same as usual – Miss .... (blank)
Tuesday, 16th.
Mail arrived. Riley no better, all else well. Bugle arrived. Expeditions to Scottish Gathering with General, Admiral etc. Dined with Chief Justice, displayed bugle and returned. Writing, etc.
Wednesday, 17th.
Busy a.m. Saw Mrs. Hill with headache and Miss Collins. Went to boating party, picnicked at Turtle Grove, Miss Haviland very blooming and pleasant. Returning drank tea with the Creightons who gave the pic-nic. Miss Collins returns my books. What am I to draw from that, probably simply that she has read them. This uncertainty drives me at times wild. I wish there were an end to it, and yet, courage.
Thursday, 18th.
Called at Mr. Sawyer’s and left parasol for Miss E. Haviland. Busied all day with preparations for our expedition and writing for mail etc. Got an invitation to Mrs. W. Lawson’s which accepted and after a quiet dinner with the General, went. Had “My Maryland” sung with great feeling and spirit by Miss Gaynor a Virginian young lady. Was pouted at and looked at askance by Miss Haviland because I did not dance with her for the first three dances, so had to make it up by dancing with and attendance on her all the rest of the evening. Walked home with her; to start at daylight. I like Miss H. but do not care about making such strong running as she seems inclined to do more than meet half way.
Friday, 19th.
Off to the bush, horse having to gallop to “Four Mile House”, a nice preparation for going a long journey. From Brookfield drove in pelting rain first to Scott-Rutherford’s at Stewiacke, thence on to Chaplin’s, arriving about dark. Water pouring down in solid mass rather than shower, road but poor, accommodation at Chaplin’s no doors on rooms or banisters to staircase. Otherwise clean and respectable.
Saturday, 20th.
Indians arrived with canoe following. Drove on and started thus into the bush at Lake Loon, we putting up at Nelson’s on St. Mary’s Road for the night. Accommodation not bad, but no oats for horse.
Sunday, 21st.
Off after breakfast into bush sending horse to Chaplin’s. What with canoe journeys and portages over the most villainous walking I ever tried and that in moccasins so that my feet got bruised and battered, got onto Governor’s Lake and to lower end, putting up in a wigwam of Williams’ construction. Supped, faring sumptuously, and took out a good snooze ready for morning. I must own that I did not approve of the first and the cooking all going on inside. Weather most lovely.
Monday, 22nd.
On starting to call on our shooting expedition Paul, my Indian discovers he has left his moose caller behind. This lost us the morning and we returned empty handed, whilst Atkinson shot a nice young bull moose which took all hands the morning to cut up. Atkinson started to call at the upper end of the lake, sending in the boy with the head to go to Halifax at once. I went out calling this afternoon and camped out on a barren.
Tuesday, 23rd.
Rousing up at daylight, began calling, with no success until about eight when a moose looked at us but turned away on the bullet reception. Whilst tracking him saw another, called him with the cow call, and then gave him the bull call as a challenge, which he accepted and charged when two shots within two inches of each other toppled him over and left him dead; a very fine pair of horns and good head. I can’t help thinking how delighted my Father will be, nor my Mother’s look of horror at trying to find a place for them. They are however very handsome and worth preserving, so in I go with them to Nelson’s and getting there about 7 p.m. take his wagon on the Chaplin’s, pick up my own at 10.30.
Wednesday, 24th.
Morning bitterly cold. Travelled some forty miles in the night perched in the curve of the horns of the moose. Atkinson’s not having been taken into town by the uncivil coach driver, I had to do it. Lost my whip in keeping dogs off; broke my dashboard and lost my tempter. Whip soon found, temper not so easily. Roan taking a wrong turning took me over a bridge I did not know, which gave me another hour on the road. By dint of knocking up people I at least found I was in the right road and got to Brockfield just at daylight after five, very, very sleepy. Got into Halifax by early train. Left the heads at Downes to be stuffed. Called at the Hills, Mrs. Stokes, etc. Heard that the Bartons were on board the Himalayan but missed them. Dined with the R.A. Mess, bade Childs a long farewell and prepared for my fresh start.
Thursday, 25th.
Again a lovely day, the heavens have been very propitious. By train to Brookfield, thence to Nelson’s arriving at 5 p.m., driving from Scott Rutherford’s twenty-eight miles in three hours and ten minutes, fairish work for a broken-winded horse. Paul of course not arrived and did not till six o’clock when we started in the dark. Blundered through the swamps until we arrived at a barren that I had noticed as a place not good for calling, where of course the noble red man had made arrangements that I should spend a bitterly cold night, and the wretched men had not even brought their coats but I allowed no fire.
Friday, 26th.
The moccasins and socks I took off last night were so hard frozen this morning that it took an hour’s sun to thaw them and they did not get dry at all. “Called” but they did not come as made tracks to the Governor’s Island where Atkinson came and met me. He had killed another small one.
Saturday, 27th.
Went calling at day break but only saw a small one which I missed. Back to breakfast and afterwards in to Nelson’s so that the men might get back to finish the Moose salting. Cleaned guns and washed hands and otherwise prepared for civilisation.
Sunday, 28th.
Up with the sun to start Atkinson walking on ahead. Road villainous for great part of the way, drove to Brookfield, thirty-eight miles, feeding twice. Road horse rather done. Chocolate and turned in after a good read of Kate Coventry.
Monday, 29th.
Goose day and so I am. My gold pencil case turned up from the Truro practice ground, so I feel convinced there is a piece of good luck in store for me. I may wish and I hope my wish may be fulfilled. Wonderful luck we had in the weather during our excursion, rain going up, not a drop all the time we were there and now rain the morning of our return, or rather of mine, to Halifax, for Atkinson went back to the Island. Attending drill p.m. found Brenton Collins there to my intense astonishment. Now, if we can get one or two more such as G. Hill etc., we shall put the thing on a more proper footing. Saw the General about inspecting the Arms etc. and proposed the recommendation of an officer under him for the whole of the provinces in his command, which he thinks good but bold asking. No goose on Michaelmas day.
Tuesday, 30th. Had a long chat with Mrs. Stokes, who persists in twitting me about Miss C. To the twitting I have no objection, I would only that there were a more solid foundation, and could I but get an opportunity and summon up some courage I think there might be. I called there afterwards and they are all so friendly and kind, that I fear risking the loss of their friendship in my attempt at something nearer and dearer. Inspected the Volunteer Artillery at 4 p.m. with Capt. Morris. Turn out good and drill satisfactory. Afterwards to flower show. Fruit good, but still I am disappointed as it is not what I expected. Dined with the Hills and stayed chatting till 11 p.m. an hour after all others had gone. I must be a dreadful bore to them all. Charlton arrived en route to Boston.