Clan Fraser in Canada

REV. DONALD FRASER, D.D. 85
his biographer, Thomas Hughes, calls "a superb, an almost
unique piece of work.'' It was the basis of the Foster Act
of 1870, by which enormous changes were introduced in the
direction of the American system.
Worthy of being put by his side was Rev. Donald Fraser,
D.D., who died two years ago, of whom we should hear
more under the head of theology. He received part of
his education in old Knox College, Toronto, and was pastor
of the Cote Street Church, Montreal, from which he was
called to Inverness, thence to London, England.
In my mass of material, I had almost forgotten Patrick
Lord Fraser, who died only five years ago. He was a very
great man of the law, one of Scotland's greatest, and wrote
extensively on legal subjects.
The Frasers, however, were not all heavy writers. Many
of us remember John Fraser, who met his death by accident in
Ottawa in 1872. He was best known as "Cousin Sandy."
He had been a chartist before coming to Canada. He was
a tailor by trade, and laid aside the needle for that other sharp
pointed instrument, the pen. Most of his work was contro-
versial and sarcastic. Here is a sample of his rollicking verse,
reminding one strongly of the Ingoldsby legends :
" William Blyth was a scape-grace — as many boys are —
Who with prudence and forethought was always at war;
His genius was active; I've heard, or have read,
That his grandma was nervous ; his father was dead ;
And his mother, released from connubial vows,
Brought home to her dwelling a second-hand spouse,
Who gave her a heart, somewhat hard and obtuse,
In exchange for her furniture ready for use.
Now William like others, without leave would roam,
And be absent when lather the second came home;
So he of the step, which step-father should be,
Said 'To save the lad's morals we'll send him to sea.' "