Unless, indeed, sweet spring with Hope
Those hearts again should bless,
And bring our dear Inconstants back,
And spring without an S.
Quebec, 6th July, 1838.
(From Waifs in Verse, by G. W. Wicksteed, Q.C., Law Clerk, House of
Commons of Canada, 1878.)
To which melting address the "Inconstants," on their way to Britain,
feelingly replied. Our space allows us to insert but a few stanzas of this
poetical lament.
All language fails to tell how much
We value your address,
Or say how deeply we partake
The feelings you express.
Those Hastings are a hasty set,
And left you in a hurry;
Those Malabars are malapert,
And hot as Indian curry.
Be true, and then the breath of May
Shall fill our sails and bring
Our willing steps and eager hearts,
And Spring - and Pring - and Ring.
And each of you for one of ours
Shall change her maiden name,
And as we are all Inconstants, you
Of course will be the same.
Kamouraska, August, 1838.
Here we stand on the principal artery of the commerce of the city, St.
Peter street, having a width of only twenty-four feet. St. Peter street is
probably not so ancient as its sister, Sault-au-Matelot street.
