Reminiscences
On the laying of the corner stone of the Brock Monument, at
Queenston Heights, and the final interment of the General
who had fallen at the battle of Queenston, Oct.13th, 1812.
The remains of his Aid, Col. McDonald, we also depos–
ited under the new tower.
A wail went o’er broad Canada,
When it was known a vile outlaw
Had, at midnight’s awful hour,
With ruffian hand, blown up the tower
‘Neath which had slept the gallant Brock,
Who bravely fell on Queenston’s rock ;
But graceful column soon shall rise,
Its beauteous shaft will kiss the skies.
For, from Queenston’s woody height
You may behold a pleasing sight.
The grim old veterans of the war,
Militiamen with many a scar,
Indian braves from each nation,
Group’d to pay the last ovation,
‘Round the remains of General Brock,
Who led them oft in battle’s shock.
Old heroes now again do rally–
Feebly they move along the valley,
Not as they rushed in days of yore
When torrent-like they onward bore
And swept away the foeman’s ranks
O’er Niagara’s rugged banks ;
So indignant was their grief
On losing of their warrior chief.
Now, with triumphal funeral car,
Adorned with implements of war,
The sad procession slow ascends,
As round the hill its way it wends,
Marching to mournful, solemn note,
While brave old flags around it float.
And now, may peace be never broken
‘Mong lands where saxon tongue is spoken,
’For peace hath victories by far
More glorious than horrid war.’
England doth Longfellow revere
And America loves Shakspeare.
The oration on the above interesting occasion was de–
livered by the late Hon. William Hamilton Merritt, projector
of the Welland Canal. He served at the battle when a young
man. The remains of the General had been removed to a
gentleman’s residence in the valley while the vault under the
new monument was being prepared. We witnessed the im–
pressive ceremony and shall never forget it.-THE AUTHOR.
