their material at hand they have usually revised it with care and had it published only when they thought it right. And whether produced by a man of letters with a due sense of literary proportion and form or by the historical pioneer who may have lacked a vigorous and elegant style it has generally been of value because it gave facts.

After the book is published and is in the hands of the public the writer has new situations to face, some pleasing, others less so. If he feels as Dr. Hart thinks, he may be disappointed in the reception of his work. That distinguished teacher says that "Every historical student likes to look on his own work as a road-book which not only describes the bridges and the turns and the hills but tells you where you can put up for the night and how far it is to Rome." However this may be, certain it is that for Ontario historical writers the congratulatory messages, both from reviewers and others, always outnumber the unfavorable comments, and the writer is thereby spurred to further effort. To those who should not have been so kindly treated, if such there are, this old Proverb may be of some slight consolation: "He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbor cometh and searcheth him.”

Even though our writer's treatment by his publisher may not be encouraging and his pleasure somewhat dampened by the lack of financial reward for his labors, his joy in the finished production is so great that the money consideration is forgotten.

VIII.

In conclusion, I would say that the various routes to pleasure that are open for the worker in our local historical field are broad and have infinite possibilities, whether through research, collecting, reading what others have written, criticism, association with those who have the same hobby or through writing. He should reflect diligently upon the words of our old friend Nicholas Flood Davin who says in his book on "Irishmen in Canada": "When the future historian of Canada sits down to write a story which, we may hope, will be illustrious with great achievements and happy discoveries, triumphs in literature and art, in his library, side by side with lore it has not entered into the heart of man as yet to conceive, will be found records such as the historian of Greece, or Rome, or Ireland, or Scotland, or England, looks for in vain." And he should read carefully the last paragraph from the Introduction in the first volume published by our Society: "A large portion of this Province is now beyond the mere bread and butter conditions; and, with an admirable school system, the time has come when our people may, with dignified leisure, recall the days of old, while it is a duty, as well as a privilege, of the younger generations to study by-gone events in the light of the present day, and to lay the foundations of the future aided by the experiences of the past."

This subject, of the pleasures we owe to the historical hobby, has been interesting to think of and study. Sometimes in looking for material the volumes consulted have been so fascinating that an evening has passed while the usable material has been but a single quotation. Many times I have felt like echoing the sentiments of our fellow member, Mr. H. F. Gardner, when he says in his preface to "Nothing But Names": "Should any reader of this book feel disposed to demand his money back, his outraged feelings may be mollified by the assurance that the book was not written with malice aforethought. Like Mrs. Stowe's Topsy, it never was born-it grew."

When we look into the future we understand what every new recruit for the work means. We must aim to make the beginner's lot entertaining, and in a very short time he or she will be as enthusiastic as those of us who already delight in the work. When John M'Gregor wrote his book on British America in 1833, he must have had visions of this country's greatness in the twentieth century, so it will not be inappropriate for me to close this paper of many quotations with one from his pen. At the present time it seems particularly fitting. "Men who can, with the minds of great statesmen, appreciate the present value of the British North American Colonies, will clearly anticipate, and justly estimate, not only their future grandeur, but their importance in main taining the influence of England over the whole of the western world, and their consequence in preserving British power in Europe."

June, 1916.

At this time, during the progress of the greatest war this world has ever known, it appears at first glance inappropriate to speak or write of a small engagement like that which was fought near Ridgeway.

But things are not always what they seem. Trivial actions frequently lead to important events, or prevent great evils. History has many an account telling how a small number has performed deeds that have had a deciding influence upon the course of events.

In telling of the fiftieth anniversary of the battle of Ridgeway it appears fitting to say something of the antecedent circumstances which resulted in that fight.

One result of the collapse of the Confederate States of America in April, 1865, and the discharge from military service of many hundreds of thousands of veteran soldiers, was a great addition to the membership of the Fenian societies then existing in the United States. The adoption of a militant policy by these societies accelerated their growth. And when they organized companies and regiments throughout the country many veterans joined who cared nothing about Ireland. These, with a multitude of Irish and Irish-Americans, were rapidly armed with rifles which the government was offering for sale at a low price, and which the Fenians converted into breech-loaders.

The number of men enrolled in this organization and armed is not known, but it is certain that there was a very large number.

A personal experience may help to prove this statement: In February, 1866, while a private in the 1st Provisional battalion of volunteer militia, and quartered in barracks at Windsor, a forty-eight hour leave of absence was given me, with permission to visit friends in the United States; but with the proviso that civilian clothes must be worn. It was not safe to cross the border in a red coat. The friends to be visited resided in the town of Wyandotte, and while there a visit was paid to the great iron works which were the pride of the town. Introductions were given to some of the foremen and to expert workmen. Later, when out of the hearing of these men, came the information that these men were all members of a Fenian regiment of 600 men which was drilling two nights a week. My informant was a Canadian who had been resident there some time and become very friendly with all classes.

Our Government was not ignorant of this movement; but had information that a raid would be made when the rivers were frozen and a crossing could easily be made. In November, 1865, three battalions of volunteers were placed on the frontier. The 1st battalion was sent to guard the Detroit and St. Clair border, with headquarters at Windsor; the 2nd had its headquarters at Niagara-on-the-Lake, and the 3rd battalion was posted along the St. Lawrence River and on the Quebec border.

Early in March, 1866, alarming reports reached the authorities through the secret service, and on the 10th of March ten thousand more volunteers were called out and strong re-inforcements sent to the border. This show of force caused the Fenians to change their plans and no raid took place at that time. In April nearly all the volunteers were returned to civil life, and in May the Government evidently thought the danger over for they dismissed the few remaining guards.

The Fenians thought this was their opportunity and at the end of May they began to gather on the border. Many thousands met in Buffalo, Detroit and other cities. On June 1, 1866, about 1200 crossed at Fort Erie, cut the lines of communication and proceeded toward the Welland Canal. They may have intended to use the Buffalo and Lake Huron Railway as a means of transport, for among them were many skilled mechanics, including trained railway men. If that was their intention their plans were frustrated by the superintendent of the railroad. the arrival of the enemy in Fort Erie he removed all his locomotives and all or nearly all the rolling stock to Port Colborne and rendered the bridges in the vicinity of Fort Erie useless for the time being. This body of Fenians considered themselves as the advance guard of a large invading army and they knew that many thousands were already in Buffalo and more on the way.

On

In the meanwhile, however, the Government of Canada had not been idle. Early in the morning of June 1st the alarm was sounded by bugle and gun in every village, town or city where there was a volunteer corps. These men were fairly well trained citizen soldiers, armed with Enfield muzzle-loading rifles and comfortably clothed, but otherwise without equipment for a campaign. They had but a small supply of ammunition, no camp equipage, no reserve ammunition, no commissariat, no ambulances and no transport except railways. At that time there were a few Imperial troops garrisoned in Canada and these co-operated with the militia, though none of them were at Ridgeway.

On the evening of June 1st a force of about 800 men had been gathered at Port Colborne, being composed of the 2nd Queen's Own Rifles of Toronto, the 13th Infantry of Hamilton and two independent rifle companies from the villages of York and Caledonia. They spent the night crowded in railway cars, having scarcely any provisions and getting little or no sleep. At an early hour in the morning of June 2, Lieut. Col.

*This information is derived from an article about the raid written by the then superintendent of the Buffalo and Lake Huron Railway, and published in the Hamilton Spectator several years after the raid.

Booker, the senior officer and acting brigadier of this small brigade, received orders to proceed by train to the village of Ridgeway and thence to march by the nearest route to Stevensville, where they were to join the 16th regulars and a battery of Royal Artillery. These troops were then at Chippawa, commanded by Colonel Peacock of the 16th, under whose orders the volunteer force was acting. Lieut.-Col. Booker and his men set out to obey this order, soon reached Ridgeway and proceeded by the Ridge Road toward the rendezvous. They had only marched about two miles when they came in view of the Fenians who had established themselves in a good position directly in the way which our men must take to reach Stevensville. The action which ensued resulted in the retreat of the Fenians; but the false report of cavalry, shortage of ammunition. and apparently conflicting orders prevented our force from obtaining the full success they had earned. When Lieut.-Col. Booker ordered the skirmishers to retire and form on the reserve, the Fenians, who had been forced back a considerable distance, rallied a little, but soon resumed their retreat to Fort Erie. Here another small force of volunteer militia, less than 100 men, met them with an active resistance. By this time another large body of Fenians had embarked at Black Rock and were about to cross to Canada, but were speedily disembarked and the transports used to convey back the crestfallen invaders, except those that had been killed, wounded or made prisoners.

So ended the Fenian Raid of 1866, and what promised to be and might have been a very serious invasion was promptly met and turned away by volunteer militia. Many students of the history of that time believe that had the Fenians been unmolested for a couple of days longer they would not only have seriously damaged the Welland Canal, but would have established themselves in such force as to have made it very difficult to eject them. Perhaps the confederation of the provinces would have been prevented.

Now fifty years have passed, the men who promptly rallied to arms in 1866 planned a great demonstration in commemoration of the Battle of Ridgeway, and their friends gave much assistance. The Militia Department also gave its aid by sending a battalion of the Overseas Expeditionary Force and detachments from the Queen's Own Rifles, the 10th Royal Grenadiers, and the 12th York Rangers of Toronto, the 13th Royal Regiment of Hamilton, the 19th Regiment of St. Catharines and the 44th Lincoln and Welland Regiment.

One feature of the celebration decided upon was the dedication of Memorial Park, on the ridge overlooking the battle-field, a beautiful site. This historic spot is the generous gift of five veterans who were engaged in the battle, viz.: Major-General Sir Wm. D. Otter, C. V. O., K. C. B., of Ottawa; Brig.-General Sir John M. Gibson, K. C. M. G., of Hamilton; Lieut. Col. J. E. Farewell, R. O., of Whitby; Sergt. E. Wheeler, of Tor

*These messages and other information regarding the raid were published in a pamphlet written and published in 1866 by Alexander Somerville, The Whistler at the Plow.''