Page:New Brunswick Magazine Issue 1.djvu/64

times. Years went by before a human being passed that way, and then there was only to be seen the singular contour of the ground and the vivid green of the moss.

For nearly half a century the grim sentinels kept their silent vigil, overlooking the thousands who passed and repassed on one of the great highways of the province. Two soldiers had been marked off from a muster roll; two men had dropped out of existence. On the hill beside them was marked out a city of the dead, that those who passed away might be recorded and remembered. Beyond its pale lay two who were forgotten. Grim guardians were they of the valley traversed by the multitude in quest of pleasure; so near is death to life, though life seems all in all to us, and death, unseen, is heeded not.

The road from Maguadavic to Lepreau, a part of the main highway and mail route between St. John and the United States, was completed through the wilderness and made passable for teams in October, 1827. Col. Wyer was the supervisor, and Rankin & Hinston were the contractors.

Workmen began digging for the foundation of the Provincial Lunatic Asylum, St. John, in September, 1846, at which date there were more than 90 patients in the old asylum in Leinster street.

The St. John Mechanics' Institute was established Dec. 10, 1838, and had a half-century of existence. Its early meetings were held at the St. John hotel.

Dr. Collins, the hero of the ship fever epidemic, died on Partridge Island July 2, 1847. He was in the 24th year of his age.

The St. John fish market was opened in 1838.