s follows: "Mr. President and gentlemen, I wish to call your attention
to a subject which should fire the heart of every Irishman. Who was the
gallant soldier, the true patriot, the hero who never once shrank from
the fiercest of the fight, whose only glory was in his country's cause?
Who led his army conquering and to conquer, facing the foe with the calm
and intrepid coolness of one who knew not the meaning of fear? Who fought
with fierce determination to conquer or die when surrounded by thousands
of armed guerillas on the outskirts of Spain? Who dared to face Napoleon?
Who dared to conquer the iron will of the Bourbon mandate? Who but the
proud 'hero of a hundred fights,'--the Duke of Wellington! What country
gave him birth?" "Ireland!" was the answer, amid deafening shouts of
applause which caused the building to shake beneath their feet. This is
but one of the stories told of those meetings, showing the spirit of
interest manifested.

To return to hotels. On the site at present occupied by the Queen Hotel
formerly stood the Market Inn, kept by Mr. Richard Staples. This was a
comfortable and convenient house, frequented by farmers as they came to
the city to dispose of their produce. In those days people settled
principally near the St. John river and its numerous tributaries, with
their lakes; therefore farmers generally used small boats for means of
conveyance, waggons being looked upon as an extravagant
luxury. Another public house, kept by Mr. Robert Welch, and known as the
Albion Hotel, also occupied a prominent position, being well furnished
and affording comfort and good accommodation to the travelling public. On
Waterloo Row was situated the time-honored Royal Oak, kept by Miss Polly
Van Horn, a name well known to those residing in the lower country
districts.

Of other public institutions less may be said. On the square now adorned
by the imposing City Hall, with its memorable clock, formerly stood or
rather squatted the old Tank House, serving rather in the capacity of
use than ornament. An old marketplace occupied the ground on which is
now erected the County Court House.

It would be impossible to enter into details regarding every building;
we merely cite a few facts to give a general idea of the situation of
Fredericton at that time.

Before leaving these matters we must not omit mention of a quiet social
organization then known as the Philharmonic Society. It was composed of
a number of young gen