reading, and Locke's music to
Macbeth's witches in character. Sergeant-Instructor Smith and his
brother conducted the programme. No ladies took part. The characters
were all male, John Smith taking the part of Portia, and his brother
that of Shylock. Schoolmaster Ward made a good Antonio, Color-Sergeant
Pix made a splendid Duke, while the writer took the part of Salarino.
All the parts were well taken, being thoroughly rehearsed. A dancing
master in the city loaned us all the costumes necessary. The oration of
the St. George's Society was given at noon. Our entertainment was under
the patronage of the lieutenant-governor and the general, who, with
their respective staffs, were all present the night of the performance.
The hall, which was a very large one, was filled to the doors. The
performance commenced and continued to the end without a hitch. So well
did it turn out we were obliged, by special request, to repeat it the
following night, which was again a decided success. It was most
gratifying to us that we headed the list of the military subscriptions.
We found, after all expenses had been paid, five hundred dollars ($500)
was available for the fund, which was immediately remitted to the
secretary, and acknowledged by him through the London _Times_.

It goes without saying that after our grand success in playing before
the public such a programme that required the talent of old actors, we
felt that we were a regiment of intelligence and culture, and we also
considered that we had acquired a high state of proficiency in every
department, that we were an important unit in H.M. vast army.

I cannot proceed further without telling the reader that Colonel
McKinstry and officers appreciated all we did and helped us in every
possible way. The general was so much interested that he presented the
sergeants with his likeness, with the inscription, "From your friend
and general," and it was hung in a conspicuous place in the mess-room.
I hope it is still to be seen in the sergeants' mess of the dear old
regiment. It now fell to the lot of Sergeant-Instructor Smith to be
honored. He was clever and took great pains, and was always delighted
to have our social gatherings of the highest standard, and no doubt he
took notice of the beauties of nature in this, to us, new country, and
watched the coming forth and maturing of Nova Scotia's idol, the
mayflower. He wrote a poem on this pretty little flower, and it was set
to music by