n the heart of Mary
Douglas and the entire household. She had wrought with a determination
to do what she could--aye, more than she could. On being advised by
Charles Douglas to desist, she firmly replied, "Not until everything is
done that I can do."

A young officer, who happened to hear these words, received them as a
valuable souvenir years afterwards, realizing their true worth.

It was, indeed, a most remarkable circumstance that so much valuable
furniture and perishable articles were saved. One act of recklessness to
be regretted was the cutting down of a valuable chandelier which,
falling with a heavy crash, was shivered in a thousand pieces.

In a few days Lady Douglas and family sought shelter among their
friends, from whom they received the strongest proofs of kindness. To a
lady friend in England her ladyship writes: "The sympathy and real
kindness received from the citizens of Fredericton I can never forget.
The fire proved that the old adage, though homely, is a true one--'a
friend in need is a friend indeed.'"

When Sir Howard returned, and was once more received in his family, he
felt grateful to Providence for His kind deliverance. No vain or useless
repinings marked the course of his conduct. With renewed energy this man
of indomitable courage was again immersed in the public weal as well as
the re-establishing of his family in comfortable quarters. A large and
commodious building on King street, the property of Henry Smith,
Esq.,[2] was now being prepared for the reception of His Excellency. The
Government expended a considerable sum in making the necessary
improvements, and within a very short time the citizens of Fredericton
had the pleasure of seeing their beloved ruler and his family once more
situated in a happy home. But Sir Howard was to face more terrific and
threatening dangers. His unbounded sympathies had further and unlimited
room for exercise.

[Footnote 2: The house at present occupied by Chief Justice Allen.]

October came, attended by the long continued drought. Gloom was depicted
on every side. Many conjectures were afloat regarding the vicinity of
the fire, which gave evidence of its existence in the density of smoke
that filled the atmosphere.

In the midst of this impending danger, on the 7th October, a fire broke
out in the woods surrounding "The Hermitage," the residence of the Hon.
Thomas Baillie, on the Government House road. Here the forethought of
Sir Howard was exhib