The Prince of Wales in Canada and the United States

Front matter

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THE

Dedication

favours your Grace has added another, by your kind acceptance of the dedication of this book — an acceptance which I feel to be a most distinguished compliment to the general accuracy and impartiality of my narrative.

I have the honour to remain,

Your Grace's very obedient servant,

Preface

A very few words will suffice to introduce this volume to the reader. It is founded almost entirely upon the letters which, as Special Correspondent of " The Times," I forwarded to that journal, narrating the long progress of the Prince of Wales through Canada and the United States. Some portions — such as the description of the Saguenay, Niagara, and the visit to Washington's Tomb — have been reproduced almost verbatim. But during a tour of such extent, and conducted with such rapidity, it of course happened that, in spite of the kind assistance at all times extended towards me by members of the royal suite and Canadian government, many events of interest both to the English and Canadians were overlooked, and either left unnoticed or merely mentioned en passant. On the other hand, details and facts connected with our great North American colonies were viii

PREFACE* constantly arising, but for which, unfortunately, I could find no place in my record of the state receptions in Canada, which every day, and almost every hour in the day, awaited the Prince of Wales. These omissions I have endeavoured to rectify in the present volume.

The amount of additions and corrections thus necessary has swelled its bulk far beyond the dimensions I anticipated. The comparative absence of state and formality during the progress through the United States, gave me better opportunities of observing the resources and peculiar features of the country than any I enjoyed in Canada. But even the hurried sketch I am enabled to give of that gigantic colony will not be without its use, if it only succeeds in directing inquiry into the almost boundless and little known resources of our great North American dependencies. No one can feel more keenly than I do how small is the stock of information here contributed to this important subject; but,

<{ What is writ is writ : "Would it were worthier,**

PREFACE

The time, however, is fast approaching when the wealth, magnitude, and importance of the British possessions in North America will force their notice on England and its people, who will then learn with as much pleasure as surprise, that their colony, known under the general name of Canada, is an empire of the West, inferior only to that of the United States,

Grove Hill,

January 2, 1861.

N. A. WOODS.

Chapter I. Newfoundland And Nova Scotia

PAGE

Canada — Embarkation of the Prince and Suite — Yoyage to Newfoundland— Eeception — Departure for Halifax — Preparations in the Town — Excitement in Halifax — Arrival — Indians — Procession through the Town — The Weather — Festivities : The Ball — Illuminations — Eegatta — Visit to an Indian Encampment — Departure — Visit to Windsor 1

THE SAGUENAT RIVER.

The "Hero" aground again— Scenery of the Eiver — A little Excursion—Mountain Echoes — Arrival at Quebec . . . .75 xii

CONTENTS.

Chapter V. Quebec

PAGE

The Prince on Board — Aspect of the City — Sectarian Squabbles — ■ Illuminations — The Chaudiere Falls—The Speakers of the Upper and Lower Houses Knighted — Falls of Montmorenci — The Natural Steps — Ball at Quebec — Falls of Lorette— The Indians- Roman Catholics of Laval — The Heights of Abraham — Departure from Quebec . . 86

Chapter VI. Montreal

Situation of Montreal — The Volunteers — Address from the Corporation and the Prince's Reply — The Industrial Exhibition — The Victoria Bridge — Indian Games — Ball at Montreal — Rapids of the St. Lawrence — The Thousand Islands — The Lachine Rapids - — "The People's Ball" — Eccentricities of Dress — Unfavourable Weather 110

Chapter VII. Ottawa

St. Anne's River— Arrival at Ottawa — Canoe Procession of Lumberers —Aspect of Ottawa — Its want of fitness for a Capital — Laying Foundation Stone of Parliament Buildings — The Lumber Arch — Down a Timber Shoot — Commencement of the Orange Difficulties 148

Chapter VIII. Kingston

Scenery of the Upper Ottawa — The Chats Portage — Through the Woods — Brockville — Kingston — The Orange Procession — The Prince declines to land — Belleville— Cobourg .... 170

Chapter IX. Toronto

Reaction in Orange feeling— Peterborough — Port Hope — Whitby- Orange Arch at Toronto — Duplicity of the Mayor — Correspondence - — The Mayor's Apology — Reception at Osgoode Hall — Fatiguing Character of the Progress — Excursion to Collingwood — "Indian Summer" — Addresses from Kingston and Belleville— The Prince's Reply — Leaves Toronto , , . , , , . .197

CONTENTS.

xiii

Chapter X. London

PAGE

Welcome at London — Close of Orange Correspondence— Duke of Newcastle's Reply — Parallel between London in England and London in Canada West— Indians of Sarnia — Distribution of Medals— Proceeds to Niagara 226

Chapter XI. The Falls Of Niagaka

Temporary Quiet— Aspect of the Falls— How to see Niagara— The Falls Illuminated — Performances of Blondin— Visit to the Whirlpool—Fatal Accidents 235

Chapter XII. Hamilton

Laying corner-stone of Monument to Sir I. Brock — Address, and the Prince's Eeply— St. Catharine's — Contrast between Upper and Lower Canada— Situation of Hamilton — Reception of the Prince — Levee at the Royal Hotel— Ball at the Anglo-American — A Turbulent Dutchman — Inauguration of Agricultural Exhibition and Farewell Address— Excellence of Arrangements — Departure from Hamilton 258

Chapter XIII. The United States

American Railroads — Appearance of the Country — Its extraordinary Fertility — Land Speculations— Forest Scenery — Fugitive Slave Settlement at Chatham — Arrival at Detroit — Enormous Crowds — American Curiosity — From Detroit to^Chicago— A Glimpse at the Prairie .......... 271

Chapter XIV. Chicago

Arrival at Chicago — Procession of "Wide-awakes" — Growth and Prosperity of the City — Its importance as a Corn Dep6t — Moving a Dwelling-house — On a Shooting Excursion .... 285

XV

CONTENTS.

Chapter XV. The Prairies Near D Wight

PAGE

Sketch of Dwight — Difficulties as to Houseroom — Sport on the Prairies — Irish Visitors — View of -the Grand Prairie — Danger of Straying — -Peril by Fire — A Prairie Conflagration — Value of Prairie Land — Method of Cultivation — Wolves and Reptiles — Coal — The Prince leaves Dwight . * . . . . 293

Chapter XVI

ST. LOUIS AND CINCINNATI.

Mr. Lincoln's House at Springfield — Alton — Banks of the Mississippi — Arrival at St. Louis — Visit to Agricultural Show — Character - of the country passed through — Reaches Cincinnati — An American Hotel — Pigs in the City — Its situation — Ball at the Opera House —Leaves Cincinnati for Pittsburg— Mistaken politeness of the Mayor — Across the Alleghany range — The Cambria Ironworks — Mountain scenery — Harrisburg, through Baltimore, to Washington . , . ' . . .... . . . 314

Chapter XVII. Washington

The Prince's Reception — Meets the President — Levee — Unfinished Character of Washington City — The Capitol — Hall of Representatives— The Senate Chamber— The White House — Visit to Mount Vernon — Its neglected condition — Washington's Tomb — The Prince plants a chesnut 337

Chapter XVIII. Richmond, Baltimore, And Philadelphia

Departure from Washington — A "Strap Road" — Fredericksburg — Arrival at Richmond — Visit to the Capitol, and alleged Rudeness of 'the Crowd — Denials of the Richmond Committee — The North and the South — The Prince visits Baltimore — The Washington Memorial— Philadelphia — Ovation at the Opera House . . 356

Chapter XIX. New York

Enthusiasm -in Favour of the Prince — Its origin — Protest of the "Irish -born Citizens" — The New Yorkers lectured by a certain

CONTENTS.

xv

PAGE

Journal — Impressive Character of the Prince's Welcome — His Arrival and Reception — Down the Broadway — American Hotels —The Prison System— The "Tombs"— The Pirate Hicks- Attention paid to the Prisoners — Grand Ball — Accident to the Ball-room Floor — A Carpenter buried alive — Drive round the City — Grand Torchlight Procession — The English Royal Family prayed for at Trinity Church . . . . . . ,389

Chapter XX. West Point And Albany

The Prince leaves New York— Yoyage up the Hudson — Arrival at West Point — The Military School — Yoyage resumed — Enthusiastic Reception , 404

Chapter XXI. Boston And Poetland

Welcome at Boston — The Prince's Entry — Inspection of the Militia — Grand Musical Festival — New Yersion of " God Save the Queen" — Yisit to Harvard University 411

Chapter XXII. The Voyage Home

Reception at Portland — Embarkation for the Yoyage Home — A Winter Voyage across the Atlantic — Stormy Weather — Delay in reaching England — Home at Last— Conclusion 422

? OF THE ROUTE OE HE PRINCE oimiES is iridzcccted, t/ucs

6 0

THE PEINCE OF WALES IN CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES.