WHEN we contrast the condition of the people of Blanshard to-day with that of the early pioneers, the difference is very great indeed. The hardships and inconveniences which were inseparable from the lot of the early settlers are now unknown. In the early days the wants of the people had to be confined in very narrow limits. Many of the modern conveniences which have arisen through the agency of human thought, energy, and enterprise, and are demanded to satisfy the requirements of a luxurious people, were not then in existence. There were no railroads, no telephones, no roads, no schools. The backwoodsman preceded the present order of things, and, as it were, cleared the way for advancing civilization, with its train of costly and luxurious trappings and refining influences. He was not surrounded by the beautiful in art, and his lonely shanty in the forest contained nothing that tended either to elevate or dignify the man. The great domain of nature everywhere around him was as it had been since the world began. Impressive, no doubt, it was in its vastness, and the stillness of its deep leafy solitudes would rouse in the heart of the settler that feeling Much is akin to fear, and which men experience when alone and far from human habitation. The ever-present thought of the home he had left far away across the sea, it may have been, seemed to embitter his feelings in the exile he had imposed on himself. But nothing could be gained by brooding over his present condition. He had determined to make a home for himself and family, and with time and labor he would doubtless accomplish it. Hope, like a siren, still beckoned him on, and where ordinary thrift was thrown into the struggle the reward was sure. In all the difficulties of pioneer life one feeling seemed to be shared in common by the settlers, that was the feeling of warm mutual sympathy. The lives of all were so much alike that a bond of union sprang up amongst them, so strong that the greatest sacrifices would be made for one another. They were all poor, and this effectually set at defiance those petty jealousies that we so frequently notice at the present day. They helped each other to build houses, clear the land, reap the little crop they were able to grow among the stumps, and shared the last morsel of food with each other. That need of excitement which seems to be necessary to human happiness and human enjoyment could be satisfied only at the raising, or the logging bee. Strong liquors were used freely by nearly all in most sections, and after the labor of the day was over in the field, the night would often be spent in revelry and song, until the very woods rang again with their mirth. In the summer a walk in the woods was glorious indeed. The thick canopy of foliage effectually intercepted the hot rays of the sun, and the aroma which everywhere filled the atmosphere, from the ferns and other plants that grew in luxuriance in the shade, was delightful. Of flowers there were but few, and these few delicate and spiritless, offering but scant sustenance to the little humming-birds that darted here and there in search of food.

The few cattle which were owned by the settler roamed at will through the woods, one in each herd carrying a bell, the tinkle, tinkle, tinkle of which would be heard all the day long, some near and distinct, and some far off, the faint tones falling on the ear like a distant echo. Each settler knew the sound of his own bell, and could easily distinguish it from all others.

In the spring, when the snow had disappeared and the warm April sun drew energy and sweetness into the maple, sugar camp fires blazed everywhere. The great cauldron kettle was placed on the ox-sled. The tapping gouge, the spiles, the troughs which had been piled up, were brought into requisition. The mistress of the house and all the children were set on the sled, and away to the woods, laughing and shouting with glee at the glorious prospect of abundance of sugar, taffy, and maple molasses ! The night has been a little frosty, but the sun is shining clear and hot, and when the axe is struck into the great old maple, the sap literally gushes from the wound. By the time the kettle is hung over the pole the buckets are nearly half full, and the great logs are soon blazing up around it. The little ones are yelling with delight as each, with a little pail, runs from tree to tree, gathering the sweet sap and emptying it in the cauldron, which soon begins to give as much steam as an engine. The day wears on, and the sap in the kettles is taking-on a different hue; the little ones have ceased to carry from the trees, and remain near the fire, watching the fast diminishing fluid as its particles become more tenacious. At last the grand climax of their hopes is reached, and pails, skimmers, cups, plates, and vessels of all descriptions are brought into requisition, so that each and all can taste of the sweet reward of their labors. But the sun is now far in the west, and a cold feeling is in the atmosphere. The fires are burning low, and the results of the day’s labor are prepared for removal to the shanty. The oxen are put to the sled ; the children, with faces covered with a mixture of taffy, smut, and leaves, clamber on, each more anxious than the other to protect the contents of the vessel holding the sweets; and the whole equipage starts through the woods towards the little clearing, all fatigued with the labors of the day.

The home of the pioneer usually contained an article of great utility which cannot be found, or rarely so, in the mansion of to-day. The spinning-wheel during the summer was kept steadily humming preparing the material from which was made clothing for the family. When the wool had been spun, bark was taken from the butternut tree, in a decoction of which it was dyed to the desired color. Weavers were plentiful in the country districts, who soon made it into cloth. In the month of October great webs of this homespun could be found in the house of almost every settler. From this was made the whole of his garments, as well as the clothing for the rest of the family. There was very little fine goods at that time, and the agriculturist, when he was “togged out” in his homespun, and his boots had got an extra dose of tallow, considered himself “nae sheepshank.”

The vehicles of the time were of the most primitive kind. The precursor of all was the ox-sled. With the axe and the auger this implement was always constructed by the settler himself. It contained no iron, and was made entirely with the axe. He went to mill with the sled, drew in his hay and grain with it from among the stumps, and it was equally handy either in the snow or in the mud. The ox-cart came next, which in turn gave place to the wagon. The wagon took first place for many years, both as an article of utility on the farm and for conveying the family on pleasure excursions. Two poles were placed along the sides of the box, and fastened at each end with hooks, and on these poles the seats rested. This was considered perfection itself, and the height of comfort was supposed to have been reached. But the spring seat loomed up. This was soon superseded by the light wagon. But the wildest dreams of the optimist had never reached the idea of the buggy. Those men, however, who were happy in the ox-cart, had grown better off in the world, and with the extension of their means came the extension of the idea for more comforts and luxuries. The step from the wagon to the buggy was one easily made. The faculty of adaptability in man is very great, particularly if it adds to his comfort or his glory.

Through the untiring efforts and industry of the early settlers great improvements were being made. The woods were being cleared, and fields laid out on the various farms, log buildings erected, with here and there on the corner a little square house for a school, all indicating progress and advancement. It was many years, however, after the first settlers entered Blanshard before that great convenience, the country post office, was introduced. In St. Marys, of course, an office had been established shortly after the township was surveyed. But to those people living in the forest twelve miles away the convenience afforded was small indeed. As a natural consequence few newspapers were read, and the correspondence of a pioneer was very limited. If a settler from the west end of the township undertook a journey to St. Marys with the oxen, he would bring the mail for his neighbors for several miles around his house. In the year 1852 or 1853, Mr. John Bell, an old pioneer residing near the tenth concession on the Mitchell Road, applied for and obtained a post office, which was named Fish Creek. Mr. Bell has the honor of establishing the first post office in Blanshard. This office was of little use to the people at that end of the township, where the villages of Woodhamand Kirkton have since sprung into existence.

In the year 1856 a young man from the north of Ireland came into the woods where Kirkton now stands, built a small log building on the bank of Fish Creek, and in this small log hut opened out a general store. His stock was very small indeed, and any two of his pioneer neighbors might have carried off the whole outfit of the commercial venture on their shoulders. He was a most energetic person, however, and soon had the honor of adding to his other lines of business that of being the first postmaster in Kirkton.*

*This office is situated across the line in the township of Usborne, although the post-master is a resident of Blanshard. The greater portion of the village is located in this township, as is the office from which a large section of Blanshard people receive their mail. It is, therefore, popularly considered as a Blanshard post-office, although the building in which it is kept is across the line. ‘

This man was Timothy Eaton, proprietor of the great departmental establishment on Yonge Street, Toronto.

The career of Mr. Eaton from the log hut in the woods to the largest commercial emporium in Ontario should certainly merit for him the name of being the Wanna-maker of Canada. In 1863 application was made for an office at Woodham, which was obtained, with Walker Unwin as first postmaster. The next office opened was Anderson in 1867, with the late Humphrey White as postmaster. In 1886 Metropolitan office was opened, with William Spence as postmaster. In 1889 Science Hill office was opened, with William Dawson as postmaster. In 1896 Rannock office was opened, with John H. Jamieson as postmaster. The present postmasters in Blanshard are : Col. H. A. L. White, St. Marys; William A. Smith, Fish Creek (now changed to Prospect Hill); John McCurdy, Kirkton, who has held the office for twenty-seven years; Samuel Ford, Woodham; John Anderson, Anderson; Isaac Bailey, Science Hill; Patrick Maloney, Metropolitan; John H. Jamieson, Bannock.

In 1869 was organized the Blanshard Agricultural Society, an institution which has been of untold benefit to the agriculturists in the district around Kirkton, where the exhibitions are held. The society under the efforts of the secretary, Mr. Robert Beatty, who has held that position since the inception of the institution thirty years ago, has been a gratifying success. The first Board of Directors were : David Kirk, President ; Robert Beatty, Secretary; Henry Doupe, Treasurer ; Reuben Switzer, James Bryans, Angus Mc-Callum, Alexander Kirk, Adam Sparling, James Kirk, William Hazelwood, Philip Kerr, Robert Creary; Dr. Stubbs, T. D. Ross, Auditors. The present officers are: William Hazelwood, President; William Hanson, Vice-President; Robert Beatty, Secretary-Treasurer; John Fotheringham, Albert Scott, George Bently, John Sawyer, Amos Doupe, Walter Gowans, Samuel Doupe, David Roger. W. R. Carr, V.S.; E. D Shier and William Brown, Auditors.

The medical profession up till about the year 1868 was unrepresented in Blanshard. The section of country around Woodham and Kirkton depended on St. Marys and Exeter, ten miles away, for professional aid in case of sickness or accident. At that period Dr. Stubbs, a young graduate from Stratford, located in Kirkton, and soon built up a large practice. His health failing, he was succeeded by Dr. Hutchinson, who removed to London after some years, and is now city Medical Health Officer. He was in turn succeeded by Dr. William Irving, who removed to St. Marys, where he has obtained a large practice. Dr. Irving’s successor was Dr. Thompson, who remained only a short time, when he was sent by the Presbyterian Church to India. Dr. Ferguson, the present practitioner at Kirkton, has also a large practice, and holds the position of Medical Health Officer for the township.

On the 26th day of March, 1876, was issued the first policy by the Blanshard Mutual Fire Insurance Company. This institution had been agitated for some months in the township. The promoters of the scheme were Aaron Sawyer, James Dinsmore, John Dinsmore, Thomas Pearn, Alex. Smith, W. Johnston, and others. Mr. Robert Beatty, wras the first president, and Mr. Johnston was appointed secretary and manager. The present board is composed of Mr. W. F. Sanderson, president; Thomas Pearn, James Dinsmore, Peter McVannel, John Leslie, Amos Marriott, Eeuben Switzer, William Dale, Thomas Eppelett, directors; P. S. Armstrong, secretary and manager.

During many years Blanshard may be said to have been almost without a single magistrate within her boundaries. Although her citizens were law-abiding as a rule, still little complications would arise which rendered the intervention of a member of the “quorum” necessary. A few years ago a new commission of the peace was issued to several of the prominent ratepayers, and Robert Beatty, Fletcher D. Switzer, John Cameron, George Webster, W. F. Sanderson, Thomas Eppelett, Peter McVannel and William Johnston were appointed to assist Her Most Gracious Majesty in maintaining order amongst her lieges in the County of Perth, in the Province of Ontario.

In the meantime good roads had been made everywhere. Many of the farmers in Blanshard had become comparatively wealthy. In a great majority of the families, instruments had been brought into the home, and a taste for music as well as other of the fine arts was cultivated among the young members of the family. These in turn brought dignity and refinement, and many of the amenities peculiar to a cultured and enlightened age.

In the meantime the Church had been doing her duty-The people had contributed liberally of tlieir means to her extension and support, and altars had been raised to her service everywhere in the township. Bible classes were established, missionary societies formed for the honor and worship of Him whom to know is life eternal.

Education, too, had been encouraged ; the old school houses had been supplanted in the fourteen sections in the municipality by costly and handsome structures for the education of the young and rising generation.

The old log shanties have everywhere disappeared. As late as 1860, Blanshard contained scarcely a frame barn ; at least in the west part of the township all were built of logs. On nearly every farm to-day stands a residence for the farmer and his family, constructed of the most durable material, and in every way fitted in the highest style of the builder’s art. And while these costly mansions have been erected for the comfort of the family, great barns and other buildings have been built for the protection of the stock and the care of the implements. When we consider that all this has been accomplished by men still living, such progress appears marvellous indeed. It exemplifies the fact that there are nearer gold fields than the Klondyke, and that Ontario has rewards for thrift and industry at least equal to those of any country in the world. While it pleases us to write of these great industrial achievements by the pioneers of Blanshard, we regret to say that a spirit of emulation had sprung up among the people that, in many cases, led to disastrous consequences. Many of Blanshard’s old settlers, vainly endeavoring to keep pace with their more fortunate neighbors in erecting buildings, incurred obligations which they were never able to discharge. It is sad to reflect that not a fewr have erred in this way, and in their old age have had to leave the scene of their early efforts and seek new homes in the far west.

The people of Blanshard, and indeed of the whole district surrounding St. Marys, rank high in point of intelligence, as the immense amount of newspaper literature weekly brought to the several post offices in the township amply attests. A high degree of agriculture has been attained, and her farmers are ever ready to adopt the most modern innovations in the line of their calling. They are sober, thrifty, and industrious, and, as a natural result, a very large number have become well-to-do in the world. The twelve or thirteen hotels that were located in different parts of the municipality have, with the exception of one, been all closed and turned to other uses. The roads are all gravelled and kept in the best repair. On every concession are appearances of wealth, prosperity, and happiness.

Blanshard has been particularly fortunate in her public men. During all those years since her foundation her representatives at the Council Board, without a single exception, have been guilty of no act dishonorable to themselves. They may have erred in judgment—“to step aside is human”—but theirs were errors of the head, not of the heart. Her people are loyal to the country of which they form a part, and have unbounded confidence in the future of the Dominion. Their love for their beloved Queen and the ties that bind them to Great Britain are more than a sentiment, they are a passion, and, we hope, as time passes away, they will become more and more indissoluble. We are proud to know that Canada is destined to be a great nation, over which will still float the grand old flag that has “braved for a thousand years the battle and the breeze.”

LIFT UP THE OLD FLAG

Lift up the old flag, lead on thy young scion;
To fame and to glory still marshal the way;
In its white folds of peace sleeps the voice of the lion.
The North shall assemble and march to the fray,
And forward shall lead the van;
Canadians, every man,
For our home and our country we’ll defy every foe;
From forest and distant plain
Roll on the mighty strain,
“The Dominion for ever, yo ho, i-e-roe! ”

Lift up the old flag, and name not surrender
While the banner of Britain still floats on the breeze.
From the hills of the North shall arise a defender
That shall strike for her fame, on land and on seas.
Our foemen shall tremble
Where our heroes assemble,
O’er the wild field of fury triumphant to go;
That old flag of the free
Our emblem shall be,
“The Dominion forever, yo ho, i-e-roe! ”

Lift up the old flag, let us gather around it;
Moor its staff in the rock, to the breeze let it fly;
’Tis the flag of our fathers, in glory we found it,
In glory we'll leave it, or defending will die.
Whose fame that won’t cherish,
Let his name ever perish ;
To the depths of derision the vile coward shall go,
While we sing out the happy strain,
Let hills and rocks ring again,
“The Dominion for ever, yo ho, i-e-roe ! ”