Martha Douglas Harris/Reminiscences Of Early Life In Victoria
speak to you, I did not pay a great deal of attention to the history of the place. The gardens that were supplied from our gardens were numerous. My Father was very generous in giving plants and helping people. When I came upon the scene the gardens were all laid out by a very skilful old man named Thomas and he certainly did grow beautiful flowers. Everything was in apple pie order. On the West side of the house there was a beautiful shrubbery of spreading of spreading willows and under these willows seats were placed for people and there we played. On Sunday Afternoons my father used to spend many pleasant hours in the summer. Two large arbours which were covered by grape vines, brought from Fort Vancouver, formed one of the many beautiful spots in our gardens. These vines grew and flourished until the place was cut up for sale. I fortunately have some vines from that tree. As children we were not allowed out of these boundaries unless accompanied or riding or driving; My Mother was of course my first love (photograph) and truly her loving kindness as unlimited. One of the sad things that came early into my life was the sudden death of my Aunt Mrs. Cameron. I shall never forget going with my mother, after hearing the news, by water to "Belmont" in Esquimalt Harbour, -to help my Uncle and cousin Edith, who were both prostrated with grief. I can see the scene now, my Mother taking charge and putting the servants to work and performing the last sacred offices for the dead. No Strange hands touched our dead. My Aunt was always very kind to the Officers of the H. M. S. ships and they wished to take charge of the funeral arrangements. They brought the remains by boat from "Belmont" and carried it into the house, and placed it into the drawing room, which was all prepared to receive the body, and after resting and luncheon having been given to the Officers and sailors, the funeral went its way to the Church on the Hill and then to the cemetery on Quadra Street. My cousin Edith was then engaged to be married to Lieutenant Henry Montgomery Doughty. Shortly after her mother's death they where united and left for England. Her youngest son Charles gained one of the two Victoria Crosses at the Suddulbar Peninsular, afterwards killed. I never saw her again. She died before I left for England to attend school. I must take you now to some of the dear old people that I had the pleasure of knowing. First and foremost Mr. and Mrs. Work of Hillside, living In a lovely site, surrounded by a wooden palisade made of trunks of trees and gates near the house. The site was bounded by Douglas Street on one side, Dr. Tolmes's on one and Mr. Finlayson's on the other. Always such a treat to pay a visit there, my great, friend being Susette Work. Mrs. Work and my Mother were the most loving friends and such rejoicing when Mrs. Work came to pay us a visit She was such a lady. Such a loving friend, so true and sympathetic, and stood by my dear Mother on so many sad occasions. One of these occasions was the death of my dear sister, Mrs. Helmcken. Mrs. Work came and comforted my Mother and remained with her until the end. My Father was away at that time. I have never met such a grand woman. She was so clever she helped Dr. Helmcken in his work and saved the life of one of my nieces when the Doctors had given her up. She was a most wonderful women. As a child I loved her and rejoiced in her visits. I could not bear to leave her side. When my experiences began she was always ready with her capable, wise and loving ways. She helped me tremendously and when she and my Mother passed out I lost my true loving friends. 'Peace be to them". Mr. Work I can also remember so well; he was a very kind man. The garden at Hillside was so large and vegetables grew there. It was a true Bible place, filled with rich land and running streams and springs. Such a delightful journey to sweet Cloverdale where Mr. and Mrs. Tolmie lived. The long drive along Douglas Street and coming to a large gate which had to be unlocked and passing the lane that lead to the corn fields, barns and yards and another half mile to the house beyond, which was so beautifully situated on the top of the hill. The loving and heartfelt welcome from Dr. and Mrs. Tolmie, and such a wonderful playtime in the gardens with the children. How Mrs. Tolmie's sweet voice still remainr4 in my hearing and her kinds eyes and face in my mind. Such true hospitality. I also remember the magnificent picnics that Dr. and Mrs. Tolmie gave. Sometimes in the summer at Langford lake they had a magnificent picnic. They had all their servants out and all manner of gorgeous things to eat, such as turkeys, chickens, ducks, geese, hams, pies, everything complete; such a wonderful day as we spent there. There must have been 200 guests present such a beautiful summer day. To visit Rock Bay where dear Mrs. Finlayson lived was another of my delights. Mrs. Finlayson was always loving and kind. She still lives in my garden in the shape of some beautiful t poppies. The lovely parties and picnics that Mr. and Mrs. Finlayson gave were always a delight. There were no moving pictures and other distractions in those days. We had no Clubs or Leagues and never dreamed of having a vote, that was left for the men to settle. Just the cares of children and family and entertainment were left to the ladies, and were all the duties that counted for anything. No bridge, but I do not think the spirit of boredom had attacked the place. My Father and Uncle Cameron were good whist players and Ann and I were taught to play as we were sometimes the only partners available. We played a really skilful game. With the training we soon became players of knowledge and many a good game we had. One of the celebrated picnics (photograph) was given by the H.B. Company. This was a monumental event in our lives. The .H.B. picnic was for three or four days a trip down the Sound. The steamer "Enterprise" was chartered. There were invitations sent out to all of the officers and Army and civilians. There was a band on board and every evening there was dancing . We started out on the___________ and called at Port Townsend for clearance papers for clearance papers and then the sound calling at Seattle. After staying there a while we went on to Stillicium which was the U.S. Military Post. The officers were invited on board and they had a lovely dance given for them. The following day there was a drive to Fort Nisqually where Mr. and Mrs. Huggins lived, they having charge of H.B. post there, where we received such a warm welcome and a beautiful l luncheon spread for us and then the pleasant drive back across the plains and through the woods to Stillicum where there was a large dinner and dance given in the evening, and then our return home. The Admiral and Mrs. Denman. Etc. !. etc. This was the beautiful picnic that has never been repeated. It was a regular "Prince's Progress". Rod Hill was also the scene of another beautiful picnic. This was given by Mr. and Mrs. Young. All the guests were invited to meet at "Belmont"; they came by water, and the ladies who rode had their dresses brought down, so they could change into their party frocks. There was one Lady whose dress was not brought down, much to her disappointment, and she was prevented from dancing. There was a large canvass stretched and pegged down. Upon which we danced in the afternoon to the strains of the ship's band, and left in the evening, after having had tea, we all drove home and separated. The Clergy I knew. The Bishop and Mrs. Cridge arrived here with their servants and, I believe, lived in the Fort until the rectory was built for them. I do not know the time when first I became acquainted with them, I just remember going to Church and seeing them. Christ Church was built and as I can remember it, it was a very imposing building on the hill. In the interior a gallery at the west end held the organ and choir. Underneath was the big square pew reserved for the Governor with a big table in the center holding the Bibles and prayer books and cushion seats on three sides and a door opening. on the isle. The fashionable end of the Church was there. Many a time I have watched the people coming in and admired the beautiful big bonnets and pretty attire of the Ladies. Mr. and Mrs. Sparks and their daughter Margaret from Esquimalt were always A source of enjoyment to me, there being such a rustle of silks and waiving of feathers. I never remembered any of the Sermons, I was too busy taking notes. Mrs. Macdonald, Miss Reid and Miss Lilly Peid were also ladies I admired immensely. Attorney-General Carey always made an impression on my mind. Mrs. Carey was a very beautiful women, very spoiled and always late for Church. She used to come in, I could hear her little heels tapping on the floor, walking down the isle. She sat high up in the Church. She was very fond of maize and pink. She had dark blue eyes and beautiful hair (photograph). They built Carey Castle, the site of the present building , which was afterwards destroyed by fire. Mr. Carey fell into ill health and left Victoria for England where he died, Mrs. Carey surviving him. The Sunday School was built on the rook near the Christ Church, on the other side of Blanchard Street, and dear Mrs. Cridge used to look after all this department. How she did it I do not know. At all the treats she saw to the refreshments and made the cakes herself. The Sunday School flourished, atleast so I believe. I was only present at the magic-lantern given at the school. St. Ann's Convent was the. second school established in Victoria and one morning my sisters took me to see if I would not like to go to school, and during the morning a girl was brought up for punishment, what she did I do not know, but the Sister in charge said she had to kneel and kiss the floor and I was so sad at the ides of that sort of punishment happening to me, I decided in my own mind that St, Ann's was no school for me, so they never got me to go back again. The Misses Katherine and Annie Penrose come from England to open a school in connection with the Church (photograph) and there I begin my lessons. Under their foster and care I became an expert both in writing, reading and needlework. The school flourished. The Misses Penrose afterwards returned to England. They had a great influence in my life and we corresponded up to '76, and I was quite near them in England but could not manage to visit them. I never saw them again. The first wedding that I can remember, I was an uninvited guest. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.C. Anderson of Belcher Street was to be married to Mr. Beaty. ? My Father and Mother and sisters were invited and everything was done beautifully. Bridesmaids and all the rest of the gayety attending such ceremonies.. After school I made up my mind that I would go to the wedding to see everything, so I hurried me up there, my school books etc. and found myself in the midst of this gayety and was overcome by shyness as I might well be. However they took me to my Mother and I sheltered under her wing. How I had courage to go I do not know. There I saw the lovely bride and beautiful things that appealed to my imagination and I thoroughly enjoyed the unexpected treat. The next wedding was that of Miss Jane Brew sister of the Stipendiary Magistrate Brew to Mr. Augustus Pemberton. My two sisters, Amy and myself, were bridesmaids. After the ceremony in the Church we all drove up to "Gonzales" where a large marquee was erected where the wedding breakfast was spread. The bride was charming. Everything went on as marry as the marriage bill and we were thoroughly contented with everything that went on, and I always remained a faithful lover of Mrs. Pemberton to the time of her passing away, and we often talked of the wedding. She and Mr. Pemberton were certainly the most charming people. The next wedding was that of my sister Agnes, who was married to Arthur Bushby in the month of May. Eight bridesmaids were in attendance, I being one of them. In those days the wedding had to be performed before twelve o'clock and a breakfast was held after the service in the Church. A most gorgeous banquet was held. A description of this wedding was written and is now in the Archives in England. My Father did not allow my sister to accept any wedding presents. Her trousseau came from England. The Puget Sound Company has three large farms, one placed at Craigflower (photograph) which is, in charge of. Mr. and Mrs. Mckenzie, who had a large family of handsome sons and daughters and were very pleasant and delightful people. The farm was beautifully laid out, bounded by the Gorge Arm on one side and the garden sloped to the foot of it. They had a large grist mill where they ground wheat and made the most delicious square biscuits for the fleet and Hudson Bay. I think they had the first mill in the place. The house still stands. The front door was such a dear. Made of Oak and studed with iron bolts. (photograph) It always fascinated me. One day when passing the place I took a picture of this door. Colwood was another delightful home where Mr. and Mrs. Langford and their family lived. Mrs. Lewis was one of the Miss Langfords, and many of you I have no doubt, remember her still. George Langford, the only son paid this place a visit some years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner lived at Constance Cove; they had a lovely farm. I can just remember Mrs. Skinner who had a handsome face and who had several beautiful daughters. Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Macdonald lived across the Bay from us. they were foremost in all good works, and leaders of Society, kept up the musical life of the place. Mrs. Macdonald was singing for years in the church choir; such charming evenings that I spent under their hospital roof and my first essays in theatricals where under her supervision. She was a true friend, so clever and energetic. I have never met such a woman that could rouse one's enthusiasms as she could. Her children were beautiful and her home filled with every comfort and luxury. It was a sad day when she passed out.
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