Some Reminiscences of old Victoria Part 22

"Friend after friend departs, who has not lost a friend?

There is no union here of hearts, that finds not here an end, Were this frail world our only rest, living or dying none were blest."

CHAPTER x.x.xII.

THE BEGINNING OF THE ROYAL HOSPITAL AND PROTESTANT ORPHANS' HOME.

In Mallandaine's "first directory" of Victoria, I note the following: "We have an hospital started by Rev. Edward Cridge, and now sadly overburdened with debt."

In course of conversation with Bishop Cridge one day I learned the history of this--the first public hospital of Victoria--which, in due course, became the Royal Jubilee Hospital.

It was in 1858 that one day a sick man was found lying on a mattress in Mr. Cridge's garden. The man admitted he had been brought there by certain parties, their names being known to Mr. Cridge. I asked Mr.

Cridge why they had brought the man to him, and clandestinely, too?

"Oh, they thought I was the proper man, and I suppose I was under the circ.u.mstances." He continued: "We set to work at once to meet the case, and temporarily rented a cottage owned by Mr. Blinkhorn, on the corner of Yates and Broad Streets, now occupied by the B. C. Hardware Company (the first patient's name was Braithwaite), and placed W. S.

Seeley, afterwards of the Australian House, at the north end of James Bay bridge, in charge as steward, and Dr. Trimble being appointed as medical officer in charge." This was the beginning. Afterwards there was a wooden building erected on the Songhees Reserve, on the site of the Marine Hospital. Later on the hospital was again moved to Pandora Hill, and by the exertions of Mrs. (Senator) Macdonald, Mrs. Harris (wife of Mayor Harris) and Mrs. Cridge, a female infirmary was built there, but afterwards merged into a general hospital. It will be seen from this that my dear old friend, Bishop Cridge, as also Mrs. Cridge, were first in this most important work for the relief of the suffering humanity of Victoria. Nor was this all.

I might state that Mrs. (Senator) Macdonald, with Mrs. Cridge, were the founders of the Protestant Orphans' Home, through Mrs. Macdonald having a family of orphan children brought to her notice by some friend. She first of all found homes for the individual children; then as other cases were brought to her notice she, with Mrs. Cridge, took the matter up and rented a cottage, putting a Miss Todd in charge of the children. In course of time, the children increased, so that a larger building was rented on the corner of Blanchard and Rae Streets. Even these premises in time became too small, and another and final move was made through the munificence of the late John George Taylor, a member of Bishop Cridge's congregation, who left all his property, some thirty thousand dollars, to the founding of the present home.

Mr. Taylor, whom I had known for many years, told me of the great interest he took in these orphans. He paid daily visits to the home, and a.s.sisted in many ways to help it along. Bishop Cridge and Mrs.

Macdonald have seen these inst.i.tutions grow from the smallest beginnings to their present state of usefulness, which must be a source of congratulation to both.

Craigflower School House.

With respect to what has appeared in the paper lately _re_ "Craigflower School House," the following may be interesting:

In early days (1856) Rev. Edward Cridge held services at stated times in the school house, and later on services were held regularly by the chaplains of H.M. ships stationed in Esquimalt harbor, and later on by Rev. (now Bishop) Garrett and Rev. C. T. Woods.

I quote from Mr. Cridge's diary, which is mentioned in his Christmas story of "Early Christmas in Victoria," that on August 24th, 1856, he held a religious service in the school house with Mr. Cook, the gunner, and Mr. Price, midshipman of H. M. S. _Trincomalee_.

In the Victoria _Gazette_ of August, 1858, Rev. Edward Cridge, acting for the Governor, examined the pupils and presented the prizes to the following: Jessie McKenzie, William Lidgate, Christine Veitch and Dorothea McKenzie.

The first master of the school was J. Grant; the second Claypole, and afterwards Pottinger, Newbury and Pope.

With respect to the building itself, I might say that it was built under the direction of Mr. McKenzie, of Craigflower. The lumber used in its construction was manufactured from fir trees on the ground in a mill built by mechanics sent out from England.

The residence of the late Mr. McKenzie, which stands to the west of the Craigflower bridge, was also built of lumber sawn in this mill, and not of redwood imported from California, as stated lately. There are several men and women living to-day who attended this school in the early sixties.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Craigflower School.]

CHAPTER x.x.xIII.

VICTORIA'S FIRST Y.M.C.A.

The _Colonist_ has been handed the following self-explanatory matter, bearing upon the founding in this city of a branch of the Y.M.C.A., which is of especial interest:

"Dingley Dell, September 29th, 1911.

"_R. B. McMicking, Esq., President Y.M.C.A._

"Dear Sir,--In searching through the files of the _Colonist_ of 1859 for items of forgotten lore that might be of interest to our early pioneers, I came across the enclosed interesting account of the forming of a branch of the Young Men's Christian a.s.sociation in Victoria fifty-two years ago (September 5th, 1859), and am sorry I did not remember it sooner, so that it could have been read at the opening exercises, but 'better late than never.' I shall accompany it with some comment.

"In the first place, it is likely that all those present on that auspicious occasion are gone to their everlasting rest, with the notable exception of our dear friend, the Venerable Bishop Cridge, who is within a few weeks of entering on his ninety-fifth year. His has been indeed a life of doing good, for he, in early days, was at the head of all good work for the betterment of mankind. The chairman on that occasion was Colonel Moody, R.E., who had lately arrived in the colony with the sappers and miners.

"The three Protestant denominations then established in Victoria were represented by the Rev. Edward Cridge, as already stated; Rev. Dr.

Evans, of the Wesleyan Methodists, and the Rev. W. F. Clarke, of the Congregational Church. Of the laymen mentioned, there was Judge Pemberton, father of Mr. Chartres Pemberton; J. T. Pidwell, father of the late Mrs. D. W. Higgins; Judge Cameron, C.J.; Captain Prevost, father of Charles J. Prevost, of Duncans, who was a very prominent naval officer, and later an admiral, who was an indefatigable Christian worker. Mr. Sparrow, of the post-office, whose son is a respected resident to-day, and also William H. Burr, master of the Colonial School, of which I was then a pupil. Mr. John F. Damon, on second thoughts, may be in the land of the living, and a resident of Washington. The society must have fallen into disuse in later years, for I understand the present inst.i.tution is about twenty-six years old. I do not know that I can say anything more on this interesting subject but to wish it every prosperity.

"And believe me ever, yours truly,

"Edgar Fawcett."

From Victoria _Colonist_ of September 5th, 1859:

"Pursuant to public notice the Supreme Court room was filled on Sat.u.r.day evening by a large and respectable audience for the purpose of organizing a Young Men's Christian a.s.sociation.

"Colonel Moody, R.E., on taking the chair, requested the Rev. E.

Evans, D.D., Superintendent of the Wesleyan Mission, to open the meeting by prayer; after which the chairman explained the object of the a.s.sociation, and urged with great cogency the importance of scientific and historical knowledge to young men, and the immense advantages which they would derive from Divine a.s.sistance in pursuing those various branches of study which were essential to the good citizen and Christian.

"The Rev. E. Cridge, pastor of the Victoria Established Church, then moved the following resolution:

"'That this meeting, recognizing the usefulness and importance of Young Men's Christian a.s.sociations, is gratified to find that steps have been taken to establish one in this town.'

"He supported it at some length with many pertinent ill.u.s.trations, and expressed himself warmly in favor of the inst.i.tution.

"T. J. Pidwell, Esq., seconded the motion. He adverted to the good results from similar inst.i.tutions elsewhere; pa.s.sed some strictures upon the alarming increase of saloons, and concluded that the organization of a Christian a.s.sociation with its Library, and the opportunity which it would afford for the discussion of general theological and political questions would have a powerful tendency to guard the young men of this colony from falling into habits destructive of good morals.

"The Rev. Dr. Evans, with an eloquent and forcible speech then moved:

"'That this meeting pledge itself to encourage and support by every means in its power this the first Young Men's Christian a.s.sociation established in Vancouver's Island.'

"His remarks exhibited the greatest degree of tolerance. All narrow views in the organization and working of the a.s.sociation were undesirable. To cherish the great essentials of religion as laid down by the founder of Christianity was the princ.i.p.al object of the inst.i.tution. The moral and spiritual advantages to the young men of the colony arising from the a.s.sociation he was satisfied would be very great. It deserved every encouragement, and he heartily concurred in promoting the object of its founders, and hoped it would not only secure moral but financial support.

"The Rev. W. F. Clarke, Congregational Missionary, with great pleasure seconded the motion, and supported it with a speech of considerable length, replete with argument and ill.u.s.tration, portraying the advantages of the a.s.sociation in a community like this, where there was so little public opinion to influence and direct young men; whilst there were so many things incident to the love of money in a gold country to induce youth to contract habits adverse to the progress of morals and religion.

"A. F. Pemberton, Esq., then moved: 'That the following gentlemen be requested to act as office-bearers for the ensuing year. Patron, His Excellency, the Governor; President, Col. Moody, R.E.; Vice-Presidents, Judge Cameron and Captain Prevost, R.N.; Committee, Messrs. A. F. Pemberton, Pidwell, Sparrow, Burr, Holt, Damon, Evans and Cunningham, with power to add to their numbers; Secretary, Mr.

Cooper.'

"He concurred in the object of the a.s.sociation; and briefly adverted to the fact that the Rev. Mr. Cridge and himself had, a year ago, contemplated a similar inst.i.tution.

"John Wright, Esq., seconded the motion.

"Col. Moody having retired from the chair, it was filled by J. T.

Pidwell, Esq., when the Rev. Dr. Evans moved 'That the thanks of the meeting be presented to Col. Moody for the very able manner in which he had occupied the Chair.'