No Ordinary Man. Lois Winslow-Spragge
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may judge of the difference between Montreal and here, when I tell you that the lilacs are just coming into flower with us; you must not suppose that there are any such marks of civilization around this house it was someone in the village that gave Sophia a nice bunch, [illustration in letter] {You see while mama was thinking of her messages I employed myself in sketching this ladies slipper. Rankine got it the other day. The flower is pink.}
We have had very fine weather down here all the time as yet, and I fancy a shade or towo cooler than that at Montreal.
Messages.
Mary was told that five pounds of coffee were needed, see that it is got, and got at the coffee mills in St Gabriel street, at Is per pound.
Bring down the bottle of cod liver oil. (Not for yourself you know)
I thought that there were ever so many messages but it seems there are only two, I hope you will not be dissapointed.
If you think there is time ask William to get me 2d worth or so, of Pulverised Charcoal, at any druggists.
Another inconvenience here is the want of any gum or other sticky substance, perhaps you might bring some down. A man came here this afternoon with a very large fish, which he was selling in pieces from door, to door; it must have been nearly six feet long when it was perfect, he (the man) said he caught it down near Isle Verte yesterday, he also said that it was good to eat, so we bought a piece, Dear knows how it will turn out. Mama said she thought it was a Sturgeon.
Rankine and Eva43 send their love to all at home.
Hoping to see you all down here soon, believe me your affectionate brother
George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Cacouna, Quebec, 28 June 1867.
Dear Anna
“Here we are again”. We yesterday received your letters, papas letter, and Williams to Rankine all dated the 25.
We were very glad to hear of all the prizes which you have got, you must bring them down and show them to us. Also please congratulate Nina on Those which she has got.
This letter is writen at mamas instigation, principally to inform Papa that the ground, (or rather rocks) around this house is (or are) altogether too rocky for anything approaching to a garden, Mama has however got a stone wall built up with a cart load of earth inside, in front of the house, she wants to know if she could get two or more verbenas, or some other such flower, in pots to put in it. (Mind you in my own private imagination I consider it impossible, not only because of the lateness of the season but also considering the short time you will have to obtain them in when this reaches you).
We are suffering for want of you here, a fine large salmon was offered at the door today and as he (le garçon) would not cut it we could not get it, there not being enough of us to eat it.
You said papa had sent the American Naturalist, down by Miss Lamm. I suppose I will get it tomorrow; If he has only sent one, as your letter would lead me to suppose please ask him, when he comes to bring all the rest relating to the silkworms.
Mama asks me also to tell you that if you have the oportunity she would be glad if you would go to see Lena before you leave.
Mama wants to appologise for having sent the messages so straylingly.
Believe me your ever affectionate brother
Another year passed and George was again down the St. Lawrence, this time at Tadoussac on the east side of Riviere Saguenay as it enters the St. Lawrence, where once more he was staying with his mother.
George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Tadoussac, Quebec, 8 July44 1868.
My Dear Anna,
I am now settled at Tadousac at the hotel, there are very few people here as yet but we expect more soon. The people now here are Mrs Ogilvie45 who lives in St Catherine street I think and her two little children. Her sister from Upper Canada Miss Dow from Montreal, Young Mr Redpath46 and his wife who used to be Miss Mills, and their child. That queer young Mr Windham his little sister, little brother, and two governesses (one for each of the youngsters).
Mrs Ogilvie is very nice but has rather a fishy expression her sister ditto, with curls and freckles; Miss Dow is rather goodlooking. Mr Windham as usual, little Miss Windham an awful tomboy, and her little brother one of the crossest, noisiest most spoilt youngsters you ever saw.
I had a nice sail in a birch-bark canoe the other day all about the bay.
I do not finish the account of the Unions running ashore for Mama told me before she left that she had asked papa to send her letter out to you.
Maria intended leaving on Wednesday but the Union being disabled there was no boat that day so {Rankine and} she left by the Magnet last Sunday evening.
I cannot write you a long letter for I have to write so many this post, I shall not write any more to you at the Browns for I suppose you will be going home soon.
Please remember me to all the Browns and thank Dora for her correction with regard to the “Lightning Bugs”
Believe me your affectionate brother
George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Tadoussac, Quebec, 22 July 1868.
My Dear Anna,
I got your letter last night saying that you intended to return to Montreal on Thursday, & this one I hope will reach you soon after your arrival. You spoke though rather indefinitely of coming down here, If you do I would not advise you to come at present as the hotel is now quite full, & more people coming down tonight, & what they are going to do I am sure I dont know. It would be very nice if you could come down for a little while but under the circumstances I would not advise it at present.
You need not always be writing to ask if I am not lonely, for I am not at all, as yet. I suppose Mama has showed you the programme of the “Concert” I went off very nicely indeed & the “negro melody in costume” was encored. There were about a hundred & twenty people, & 30 dollars 50 cents were taken. We had the room nicely decorated with spruice, flags, &c. Mrs Lemon whose name you will see in the programme, is <a> very nice, from Guelph; and sung beautifully. Mr Holmes who sang the negro song, is an american here on his wedding trip, he is thirty five & his bride only fifteen the cruel parents would not consent, so she went out to go to sunday-school one day & ran away with him. Quite romantic? Both the Lemons & Holmeses have gone away now, however. The people here are always changing, something like a kalidescope changing a little every day & never coming round exactly the same as at first.
When you write will you please answer a few questions Has Nina come home? Has O’Hara gone away, & if so where? Have the Barnards gone, & if so where; &c. I hope by the time this arrives your great heat will have somewhat abated, and allowed you to enjoy the pleasures of summer without so many of its pains.
With love to all believe me your affectionate
George Dawson to Anna Dawson, Tadoussac, Quebec, 4 August 1868.
Dear Anna,