Character of the first Settlers of Dumfries—Education and Love of Knowledge - A Debating Society forty-five years ago—The names of its members—Subjects discussed—Would an Iron Ship Sink or Swim?— The Society’s Annual Dinner—Making a Haggis with Dundas oatmeal—The courage and energy of the early Pioneers—A tribute to their memory.

The first settlers of Dumfries were generally of a superior class. With few exceptions, they had received a good education at the Parochial Schools of their native land, and many of them brought with them to Canada a thirst for knowledge which even the necessities of bush life could not eradicate. This led to very early endeavours to combine instruction with amusement during their leisure hours.

It will surprise many to learn, however, that as early as 1834, when clearings were but few and far between, and when the wolf and bear were not unfrequent visitors, that a Debating society was in full blast during the winter evenings. Such was the fact, however, and long and exciting were the discussions which took place.

The scene of these intellectual combats was the house of Mr. John Reid, after whom the clachay of Reidsville has been called, and who only passed away to his rest a few months ago. The members of the society were Messrs. John Black, John Reid, Thomas and James Dalgliesh, William Veitch, Alex. Turnbull, Thomas Ritchie, William Hastie, Andrew Mathieson, James Cunningham, Andrew Elliott, John Currie, John Johnston, George Cunningham, Alex. Beckett, James Oliver, Thomas Cleghorn, and occasionally a few others. A majority of these gentlemen still survive, and the mere recital of their names will awaken in the minds of those acquainted with them, many pleasing, and possibly some sad, reminiscences of the past.

It is needless to say that this Society was an exceeding vigorous one, and that the questions discussed were characteristic of the time. Among them were the following: (1) Which is most benefit to mankind, Agriculture or Commerce? (2) Whether is the profane man or the hypocrite most injury to society? (3) Which is the most destructive element, fire or water? (4) Whether docs wood or iron most benefit mankind? and (5) Would a ship made of iron sink or swim? The debates upon these and similar subjects, which, in the absence of candles, sometimes took place by the light of burning pine knots, were characterised by deep interest and not a little talent, and, to use the language of one of the participants: “Nothing could exceed the enjoyment of these gatherings.”

The annual dinner of the Debaters was an occasion never to be forgotten. It was also held at Mr. Reid’s house, but the viands were provided by the members of the Society generally. It could not boast of the cuisine of Delmonico, nor of bills of fare in French and perfume. It was considered, however, a veritable feast at that time. The Society unitedly purchased a sheep. That was the first step. From this was made soup, a haggis—the oatmeal for which had to be brought from a drug store in Dundas—and roast and boiled joints. Add to this description, a few “cakes of the period,” and you have the dinner, gastronomically considered, in all its glory!

It was, however, “the feast of reason and flow of soul” which followed, that gave the occasion its principal attraction. The speeches—the songs—the hilarity— can be better imagined than described. As an illustration of the mirthful spirit which prevailed, it may be mentioned that, on one occasion, whilst ladling out huge platefuls of the steaming haggis, John Black, the chairman, vigorously recited Burns’ address to that famous dish :—

“Fair, fa your honest, sonsie face,
Great chieftain o" the puddin’ race;
Aboon them a’ ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe or thairm,
Weel are ye wordy of a grace
As lang’s my arm.”

Nothing could better illustrate the character of the early settlers of Dumfries than efforts at intellectual improvement under such formidable difficulties. It is not too much to say of them, that no part of Canada has been settled by a class of men of greater physical and mental energy. “None but Lowland Scotchmen would ever have cleared North Dumfries,” is a remark which has frequently been made. This may be an exaggeration. But those who remember how heavily timbered, how stony and how swampy its rugged hills and valleys were forty years ago, will readily admit, that only the highest courage, and most indomitable energy and perseverance, could have made the township what it is to-day in the same space of time. Had their work to be done over again, could a magician’s wand once more make Dumfries the tangled forest it was when this history began, we venture to say their descendants would never undertake to perform it!

The old Pioneers who came into Canada forty or fifty years ago, are our true Canadian heroes. They found the country a wilderness, and by their toil and sweat have made it blossom like the rose. They are as true heroes as those who have won a nation’s gratitude on the battle field or on the deep, and should ever be held in grateful remembrance. They are, alas ! rapidly passing away to “that bourne whence no traveller returns,” and in a few short years more, our Dominion will be as bare of them as our forests are of their beautiful foliage during the winter’s snow and ice.