Humberside Collegiate Institute - Hermes Yearbook (Toronto, Ontario Canada)

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on f ' - ' gflfj , Qi TH E H gm MQW MX XXX .The singing birds are all his frierzals, Because their rights he well defendsg E'eii chickadees perch on his thumbs Arid search his palms for sue! crumbs. 45

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THE t'lElQlNfIl2f rising sun was to me like gliding into a land of hope and glory. W'hile at -the museum I went about as though under tfhe spell of a dream, careless of everything except that I was there feasting my eyes on the bird collection, entranced at the mere sight of those gorgeous dis- plays. Oh -Io! -it was wonderful. That visit was the beginning of my studies as a naturalist. Later, when I took trips to the United State and saw the superb museums in America, my ideals were shatter- ed by the contrast, and when I came home I pledged myself to make my museum worthy of its city, its prov- ince and its country. I think l have done that. There is no doubt of it. This was his life work, besides which he had to support his family. To accom- plish something worth while for Canada, Mr. Pearce entered the business of mercantile taxidermy. For twenty years in his store on Queen Street, he worked at his col- lections, living his life of service. .-Xs a result, in 1908, Mr. Pearce pre- sented to the Royal Ontario Mus- eum the only perfect collection in Canada of the birds of prey, eagles, falcons, hawks, which are the most difficult species to collect. His has not been a glamorous car- eer, but one of profound yet moving interest during which he toiled in poverty and grief. He is not sorry for it, only intensely proud, as I gathered when he shook his head .reliectively at me: O money, money, money! I'd rather have a name than all of it. They were busy but happy, profitable years de- voted to the work which the old seer loved best. He took a special pride in his window displays which were so unique and effective that people came from coast to coast to see them and him. Two of these exhibitions he remembered exceed- ingly well. 'fOne winter there was a splendid visitation of Arctic owls as white as the drifting snow. 1 managed to get some tine specimens, which for the next few weeks were all about my store. Looking at them one day, an idea struck me. I bor- rowed a black silk velvet pall from Bates and Dod-ds, the undertakers. and stretched it across the back of the window, finishing it off with black lace. Then I filled the win- dow full of white owls in every con-- ceivable position. NVell, jo, it was such a success that people actually stood outside and stared. Later on in the evening at my re- quest lie told me about the other window. It was a sea-shore scene. I had myself brought the sand and stones and shells, even sea-weed from the lake, and had strewn them over the window-tloor. At the back I set up a blue sky whichl had painted in pastels. On the improvised shore l put gannets of all sizes which made an effective sight with their black feet, red bills and pearl-grey bodies, while above in mid-air, I suspended Hying gulls and gannets on invisible ' I was very proud of my wires. work, for that same year the Duke of York, our present king, was visit- ing Canada, and when in Toronto, his cavalca-de went by my door. He turned and looked at my humble effort-yes, he turned and looked at lt The place on Queen Street was shut down eight years ago when Mr. Pearce set up on the Humber , 44 .

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, 0 if - . ss . Cl 324-f ,J THE I-ngrawnzfn XXX Heights the shack with which we are all familiar. The story of its origin reveals the man more than any words of mine. L'Long years ago, before the Hum- ber had any buildings on it, there was one spot prettier than the rest, approached by a stiff incline, covered with dense foliage, at a bend in the river. On the top there was a little clearing at the edge of which stood a beautiful maple tree. ln the afternoon, Anne and I had been canoeing on the river. As dusk was falling, we grounded our canoe, went up the slope and sat under the tree. That night the june moon was in the south-west of the sky, and as it was shining down on us, round and full, I asked Anne to be my wife. I can see her still with her dark hair and her bonny blue eyes-when I lost her I built the cabin on the same spot. I went there to be alone that I might again experience some of the strange events that have swayed my life. Though they have never happened, yet it has been a very happy place- but I am boring you. After all, these are only the wanderings of an old mall, ell .IUTU I am very far from boredom, Mr. Pearce. But why shouldn't we have tendermemories? XVithout them I should think the world would be very commonplace. . That's it! that's it I he returned with a movement of his hand which indicated that he was pleased. You meet so many people in the world who blush to have tender feel- ings. I am bold about that. VVhy should I blush to own I love, Vflien it is love that rules the realms above? VVhy should I shrink to say to all That virtue holds my heart a thrall? NVhy should I seek the thickest shade l.est love's dear secrets be betrayed ? Or why the false brow deceitfully move VVhen I am languishing with love? lt was growing late, and we had talked all evening, yet there was still one side of his life which we had not discussed-his quaint the- ology. His conception of God is an especially happy Zlllll simple one. God is a spirit, not a judgeg His temple is in the face of day, the smiling morn, the sunset. He is the supreme, divine Being. India has her llhudda, China her Confucius and we have our God, the highest of all, for He said that which the others in their teachings never voiced: I came that ye might have life, and have it more abundantly. The jews, taking Him literally, were surprised and replied, Lord, we have lifef' llut he replied that His was a life glorified, that is, con- formity to the Christ life. Thus concluded an interview with one of Canadays greatest naturalists, one who believes everything: the poorest man of the noblest birth, the father of Controller Claude Pearce. If he is poor, he is rich in his pov-- erty. He has a mind mellowed by experience and has made a name for himself in the world. Among the many eminent men and women who have visited him at his cabin, john Burroughs, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, .lack Miner, Bliss Carman and Pauline johnson are only a few. In his old age, may he realize the satisfaction of his services and revel in the glory of what he has done for Canada. -form C. Urzrfmz, V-fl.