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Living as we do under the folds of the Union Jack, and keeping our allegiance unsullied to old England, these tracts have for us a far greater historic value than for those who now possess the land those noble pioneers of English civilization reclaimed with their labor and defended with their swords, as they throw a flood of light on the difficult paths the pioneers of English greatness had to tread, and the sacrifices they so freely made for their race.

In a literary sense the tracts are exceedingly instructive, showing the transformation that has taken place in English composition during the centuries, and, combining the beauties of expression with simplicity of language, make the reading of them a pleasure. But as a record of the greatness of English colonization effort these tracts should be valued by every Canadian and every lover of our empire.

The publication has been begun at a most singularly opportune time in the history of the Anglo-Saxon race; and may not these silent "Discourses" of the past stir men's thoughts to that brilliant past, before schism divided the race, and do their part in bringing together, in a united whole, the race so long divided?

The Germain street Methodist church, which stood at the corner of Germain and Horsefield streets, was the first place of worship in St. John to be lighted with gas. The date was Jan. 3, 1847.

The keel of a steam ferry boat to ply on the harbor of St. John was laid in Carleton, Dec. 8, 1838. The first master of this ferry was Nehemiah Vail, who died Feb. 12, 1842, aged 43 years.

The corner stone of St. Ann's Chapel, Fredericton, was laid May 30, 1846.