humberland and
Westmorland streets, in which was constantly pouring an unlimited source
of supplies for conducting the immense lumber trade established by this
firm, whose name shall be remembered while New Brunswick shall continue
to produce one stick of timber. Many farmers of that time yet have
occasion to refer to the generosity which characterized this long
established firm. Many yet bless the name of Rankine & Co.

The public buildings of our city were in keeping with the private
residences. No Barker House or Queen Hotel adorned our principal street
as now; no City Hall, Normal School, or Court House. On the present site
of the Barker House was a long two-story wooden building, designated as
Hooper's Hotel under the proprietorship of Mr. Hooper. This was the only
accommodation for public dinners, large parties, balls, etc In this
hotel the St. George Society annually celebrated their anniversary by a
grand dinner party where heart-stirring speeches, toasts and patriotic
songs, were the general order of programme, of which the following
verses are an example. They were composed in April 1828, and sung by one
of the members of this society at a public dinner that year, after the
toast of "Lord Aylmer and the Colonies." The idea was suggested to the
young law student by looking upon a map showing the territory explored
by the Cabots and called Cabotia. The writer will be readily recognized
as one of New Brunswick's most eloquent, gifted, and favored statesmen,
recently holding the highest position in the Province:--

When England bright,
With Freedom's light,
Shone forth in dazzling splendor,
She scorned to hold,
The more than gold,
From those who did befriend her;
At space she spurned,
With love she burned,
And straight across the ocean
Sent Freedom's rays,
T' illume their days
And quell their sons' commotion.
Hail, Britannia!
Thou loving, kind Britannia!
Ne'er failed to wield
Thy spear and shield.
To guard our soil, Britannia!

But rebels choose
For to refuse,
The boon thus kindly granted,
And with vile art,
In many a heart,
Black discord's seeds they planted;
Now civil war,
In bloody car,
Rode forth--and Desolation,
Extended wide,
Its horrid stride
For mock emancipation.
O Cabotia!
Old England's child Cabotia!