CHAPTER XXIII.

Ode to Canada—Early events—First English child in America, 1587—In New England—First French child, 1621—First in Upper Canada, 1783—In Prince Edward—Adolphustown—Ameliasburgh—North of the Rideau—Indian marriage ceremony—Difficulty among first settlers to get clergymen—First marriage in America, 1608—First in New England, 1621—First in Canada, 1621—Marriageable folks—No one to tie the matrimonial knot—Only one clergyman—Officers marrying— Magistrates empowered—Legislation, 1793—Its provision—Making valid certain marriages—Further Legislation, 1798—In 1818—1821— 1831—Clergymen of all denominations permitted to marry—Methodist ministers—Marriage license, 1814—Five persons appointed to issue—A noticeable matter—Statements of Bates—Mode of courting in the woods—Newcastle wedding expeditions—Weapons of defence— Ladies’ dresses—The lover’s “rig”—A wedding ring—Paying the magistrate—A good corn basket—Going to weddings—“Bitters”—Old folks stay at home—The dance, several nights—Marriage outfit— Frontier life—Morals in Upper Canada—Absence of irregularities— Exceptional instances—Unable to get married, Peter and Polly—A singular witness—Rev. Mr. Stuart—Langhorn—McDowell—How to adorn the bride—What she wore—A wedding in 1808—On horseback—The guests—The wedding—The banquet—The game of forfeits—The night— Second day wedding—The young folks on horseback—Terpischorean—An elopement by canoe—The Squire—The chase—The lovers successful— The Squires who married 232