The Henson Journals

[49]

Thursday, September 12th, 1912. Toronto.

We walked round to see Edith Ripley, & the new house into which she & her husband are establishing themselves. It is small enough, but sufficient & well–arranged. The bull–dog & its little mistress are irresistibly comic or pathetic as the mood strikes one. The loneliness of female life in this immense country is terrible.

Next we were driven by Miss Baldwin into the city. We called on Miss Knox in her college for girls. The good lady seemed glad to see us, & insisted on shewing us over her establishment. It appeared to be efficient, commodious, & flourishing. Through the telephone she arranged for an interview with Archdeacon Cody, to whose house we next proceeded. There I found Dr O'Meara in conference with the Archdeacon. We had some conversation about the ecclesiastical situation in Canada. I tried to indicate to them that in my view there were other & deeper questions which ought to interest Christian clergymen than those which filled the minds of the Canadian factions. Cody is a well–built, vigorous man, (like Swayne of St Peter's Cranley Gardens to look at) who enjoys the dangerous reputation of a popular preacher. He was nearly elected Bp. of Toronto, but the High Church fellows just beat him in the clerical vote, & a non–committal duffer was made bishop! He took me to see the fine new Church which [50] he was building. It will accomodate [sic] 2300 people on the floor.

After lunch we were motored through and about Toronto, in a car kindly lent to us by Mrs Macdonald, our host's sister–in–law. The roads are excellent, and compare advantageously with the execrable ways of Montreal. I was impressed by the great extent of the city, & by the evidences of prosperity which the long lines of well–built & comfortable mansions provided. The cement pillars which carry the telegraph wires, & the electric lamps are a conspicuous feature of the streets: & the gaunt steel erections which convey the current from Niagara force the observer to remember at what sacrifice of natural beauty the conveniences of Toronto are provided. We had tea pleasantly with Mrs Macdonald, & then betook ourselves homewards to our packing. Our host's brother came to dinner. We discussed the tiresome & difficult question of the liquor trade. He allowed that drunkenness was increasing in Canada, & attributed the fact mainly to the incoming emigrants [sic]. He was interested in the Putumayo Episodes, & read through the 'Times' article. Then we made our way to the Railway Station, being accompanied thither by our host. We left Toronto for Winnipeg at 10.20 p.m.

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Issues and controversies: Putumayo