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by edhird 2 Comments
Search for the historical Victor Hugo
With the success of the movie Les Miserables, people have been looking again at the author Victor Hugo. What is it about Hugo that enabled him to write what Leo Tolstoy called the greatest of all novels? Who was the real historical Victor Hugo?
Every day around 3,000 words are published about Victor Hugo. It has been said that to read the complete works of Hugo would take no less than ten years. Every important poet, novelist and dramatist of his age was shaped by Hugo's prolific endeavours. Some call him the greatest of French poets. He was the dominant figure in 19th century French literature. By the time he left France in 1851, Hugo was seen as the most famous living writer in the world. Upon his return to France, thousands of people in Paris chanted 'Vive Victor Hugo', reciting his poetry, and throwing flowers on him. On his eightieth birthday, six hundred thousand Parisians marched past his house in his honor. At his death, a day of national mourning was declared.
By the time Hugo died in 1883, he had become a symbol of France with all its struggles and challenges. Hugo lived through bloody uprising after uprising. Almost a million Frenchmen had died during this revolutionary period, half of them under the age of twenty-eight. Les Miserables with its passionate message about the barricades reflect this deep trauma of chaos upon unending chaos.
When Hugo was born, his parents were horrified by his appearance. His own mother could not bear to look at him. His own doctor indicated that without a miracle, Victor would not last out the month. With an enormous head and a tiny body, his father said that Victor looked like the gargoyles of Notre Dame. Such an insensitive comment led to his second most favorite novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Ironically after the success of his Hunchback novel, all the nouveau riche wanted their homes to be ornamented with gargoyles.
Victor adored his mother Sophie but she cared little for her children. During his childhood, Victor deeply resented his father Leopold who was always away at war. As an adult, Victor became his father's closest companion. His own parents had divided loyalties between the royalists and the republicans. Hugo's parents met in Brittany while his Napoleonic father was stamping out a local royalist rebellion. Both of his parents were unfaithful to their marriage vows, something that repeated itself in Victor's own marriage.
While only fifteen, Victor applied for the French Academy's annual poetry contest. His poetry was so advanced that the Academy refused to accept him until his mother produced his birth certificate. Victor loved to write, commenting that 'every thought that has ever crossed my mind sooner or later finds it onto paper. …Ideas are my sinews and substance.'
His father Leopold saw Victor's involvement in literature as being like 'pouring good wine down an open sewer'. So he refused to help fund his literary education: "If you were to elect a career as a lawyer or physician, I would gladly make sacrifices to see through university." Victor often went without food in his early literary years, saying 'I shall prove to my father that a poet can make sums far larger than the wages of an Imperial General.' With great talent and a strong work ethic, Victor became one of a very small band who could earn their living with their pens. One of Victor's closest friends was Alexandre Dumas, the famous author of the Count of Monte Cristo and the Three Musketeers.
One of Victor's greatest sorrows was that his wife Adele was indifferent to his writings. Even his passionate love poems for his wife, she ignored. Adele warned Victor that 'it is the fault of passionate men to set the women they love upon a pedestal. To be placed so high produces dizziness, and dizziness leads to a fall.' Adele's affair with her husband's best friend Saint-Beauve crushed Victor, leading him into his own ongoing infidelity. There was great tragedy in Hugo's life with his own brother Eugene having a mental breakdown at Victor's wedding and his youngest daughter suffering the same fate after being abandoned by her lover Pinson. One of the deepest wounds was the drowning of Victor's daughter Leopoldine shortly after her marriage. Out of this great sorrow came great dramatic writing, especially in his novel Les Miserables. Andre Maurois commented that Hugo possessed and would retain all his life long, one precious gift: the power to give to the events of everyday life a dramatic intensity.
Ground-zero in Les Miserables was the gracious Bishop Bienvenue who transformed Jean Valjean by his generous act of forgiveness. Victor Hugo's son Charles was upset by his father's choosing of Bishop Bienvenue. Charles suggested instead that his father should have made Bienvenue to be a medical doctor instead of a clergyman. Victor replied to his son: 'Man needs religion. Man needs God. I say it out loud, I pray every night…" Victor held that humanity is an 'unspeakable miracle.' Of all the French Romantics, Hugo made the most explicit usage of the Bible.
I thank God for the life and work of Victor Hugo who had such a passion for life, freedom and forgiveness, especially as seen in his novel Les Miserables.
(Click to watch)
-previously published in the Deep Cove Crier/North Shore News
award-winning author of the book Battle for the Soul of Canada
To receive a personally signed copy within North America, just etransfer at ed_hird@telus.net, giving your address. Cheques are also acceptable.
Categories: Victor Hugo | Tags: Adele Hugo, Alexandre Dumas, Andre Maurois, barricades, Bible, Bishop Bienvenue, bloody uprising, Brittany, chaos, Charles Hugo, Count of Monte Cristo, Eugene Hugo, forgiveness, freedom, French, French Academy, french literature, French Romantic, gargoyle, God, Jean Valjean, Leopold Hugo, Leopoldine Hugo, Les Miserables, Napoleon, Napoleonic, novelist, Paris, Parisians, poet, republicans, revolutionary, royalists, Saint-Beauve, Sophie Leopold, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Three Musketeers, Victor Hugo, Vive Victor Hugo | Permalink.
The Joy of Les Miserables
Photo by Nextvoyage on Pexels.com
People have been raving about the musical version of Les Miserable which has already had around three hundred million dollars in worldwide box office sales.
Nicky Gumbel calls it a superb film, a triumph of grace over law, good over evil, love over hate. Eric Metaxas said that it is one of the most vivid, most moving examples of God's goodness and mercy currently playing at a movie theatre near you. I enjoyed the new movie so much that it inspired me to again watch the 1998 version with Liam Neeson and Uma Thurman. Though my wife and I saw the Les Miserables production many years at Queen Elizabeth Theatre, this time round seemed to be striking a deeper chord with myself. The original novel, which I now have in eBook version, has been in print for over 150 years. Upton Sinclair calls the novel Les Miserables one of the five greatest novels of the world. With 1500 pages (1900 in French), it is also one of the longest novels ever written.
Many of you already know this delightful story of how an embittered ex-convict named Jean Valjean stole from a bishop who turns the other cheek and challenges Valjean to become a new man. Victor Hugo has the bishop say: "Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil, but to good. It is your soul that I buy from you; I withdraw it from black thoughts and the spirit of perdition, and I give it to God." In gratitude, Valjean spends the rest of his life showing amazing grace, love and forgiveness to others. The forgiven forgive. Valjean's life is based loosely on the life of Eugène François Vidocq, an ex-convict who became a thriving entrepreneur known for his good works. In 1828, Vidocq, like Valjean, rescued one of his factory workers by lifting a heavy cart on his shoulders.
The tension in the movie between forgiveness and judgment is expressed through the police inspector Javert relentlessly pursuing Valjean. Javert tells Prisoner 24601 (Valjean) that 'men like you can never change'. Again and again Valjean shocks Javert by forgiving the unforgivable. Valjean offered to Javert the same radical reconciliation and healing that had been given to him. Javert cannot handle forgiveness because he is so fixated on people getting what they deserve. Javert was legalistic and self-righteous. This caused him to persecute the very person whose life had been transformed, the very person who was doing so much good for others. Javert's compassion is completely lacking. Life becomes no more than following the rules and trusting in one's own efforts. For Javert, God is an unforgiving moralistic tyrant. For Valjean, God is personal, caring and loving.
Anne Hathaway's performance as Fantine was spectacular, particularly in her singing of 'I Dreamed a Dream.' In 1841, Hugo personally rescued a prostitute from arrest for assault. We grieve with Fantine over the injustice of her losing her job and being forced into prostitution to feed her child Cossette. Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times notes that Les Miserables 'delivers an emotional wallop when it counts. You can walk into the theater as an agnostic, but you may just leave singing with the choir.'
Les Miserables reminds us that anyone can change; anyone can become a new person. We are not fated to be bitter and miserable. We can choose the way of forgiveness and joy. We can choose to be a new creation like Valjean. My prayer for those reading this article is that the movie Les Miserables may inspire each of us to forgive and serve one another as did Valjean.
Categories: Victor Hugo | Tags: Anne Hathaway, Bishop, Eric Metaxas, Fantine, forgive, forgiveness, France, French, God, grace, Javert, Jean Valjean, judgement, justice, Kenneth Turan, legalism, Les Miserables, Liam Neeson, Los Angeles Times, mercy, movie, Nicky Gumbel, novel, personal, Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Rev Ed Hird, theatre, tyrant, Uma Thurman, Upton Sinclair, Victor Hugo | Permalink.
Louis Riel's Parting Messages to Humanity
"INTERVIEW WITH RIEL"
(Regina Leader Newspaper, Saskatchewan,Nov 19th 1885 )
by Mary MacFadyen McLean (my great grandmother reporter)
"His parting Messages to Mankind"
"The reporter of the Leader having received the orders of the proprietor to see Riel before his death and have an interview with him, waited on Captain Deane who was suffering from a severe accident, and who said he would be most happy to oblige the LEADER, but he doubted if he could do so were he in charge, but his superior officer was there, and he had no authority to act without his orders.
"Who is he?" asked the reporter.
"Col. Irvine."
"Reporter: "I fear Col. Irvine is not friendly to the LEADER, which, in the public interest has felt bound to criticize him. However I must not enlarge on that head with you. My marching orders were to 'See Riel,' whom it was understood desired to see the Reporter of the LEADER with whom during his trial he frequently communicated." Believing it useless to wait on the gallant Col, I repaired to the Queen City of the plains and went to my lodgings where I had the 'Materials' with which I had long been armed in preparation for this crisis. When first the officer in command of the LEADER said 'An interview must be had with Riel if you have to outwit the whole police force of the North-West,' I resolved various schemes. I reflected what great things had been done by means of the fair sex, and I thought, suppose I enlist on my side the fair 'Saphronica' and get her to put the 'Comthethes' on 'Irvine's susceptible fancy, and let her represent the LEADER. Saphronica was willing. A young lady of undoubted charms and resolute will, she essayed the officer in command, and, strange to say, his sense of duty or his fears of the Government, were stronger than his gallantry and Saphronica utterly failed to corrupt the guard. But on this, the Editor in chief frowned. At last I hit on a plan of my own. Accordingly on the evening of my refusal by Deane, I repaired to my lodgings, put on a soutaine (liturgical term for a robe) armed my chin with a beard, put on a broad brimmed wide awake, and stood Mr. Bienveillee the ancien confesseur of the doomed Riel. I hung at my bosom an enormous silver crucifix and now, speaking French, presented myself at the Barracks. The guard made no difficulty, and I believe they took me for Pere Andre. Entered his cell, I looked round and saw that the policeman had moved away from the grill. I bent down, told Riel I was a LEADER reporter in the guise of a pretre, and had come to give his last message to the world. He held out his left hand and touching it with his right, said: "Tick! Tick! Tick! I hear the telegraph, ah ca finira, "quick, I said, have you anything to say? I have brought pencil and paper — Speak". Riel: "When I first saw you on the trial, I loved you."
Messages: "I wish to send messages to all. To Lemieux, Fitzpatrick, Greenshields. I do not forget them — They are entitled to my reconnaissance. Ah!" he cried, apostrophizing them, "You were right to plead insanity, for assuredly all those days in which I have badly observed the Commandments of God were passed in insanity (passé dans la folie). Every day in which I have neglected to prepare myself to die, was a day of mental alienation. I who believe in the power of the Catholic priests to forgive sins, I have much need to confess myself according as Jesus Christ has said: "Whose sins you remit, they are remitted."
Death: "Here he stopped and looked in his peculiar way and said: "Death comes right to meet one. He does not conceal himself. I have only to look straight before me in order to see him clearly. I march to the end of my days. Formerly I saw him afar. (O rather 'her' for he spoke him in French). It seems to me, however, that he walks no more slowly. He runs. He regards me. Alas! He precipitates himself upon me. My God!" he cried, "will he arrive before I am ready to present myself before you. O my God! Arrest it! By the grace, the influence, the power, the mercy divine of Jesus Christ. Conduct him in another direction in virtue of the prayers of Marie Immaculate. Separate me from death by the force the intercession of St Joseph has the privilege of exercise on your heart, O my God! Exempt me lovingly by Jesus, Marie, and Joseph, from the violent and ignominious death of the gallows, to which I am condemned.
"Honorables Langevin, Caron, Chapleau, I want to send them a message, let them not be offended if a man condemned to death dares to address them. Whatever affairs hang on you, don't forget, 'What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?'
"Honorable Messrs. Blake and Mackenzie, I want to send them a message. For fifteen years you have often named me, and you have made resound the echoes of your glorious province, in striking on my name as one strikes on a tocsin. I thank you for having contributed to give me some celebrity. Nobly take from me advice nobody else will dare to give you. Prepare yourself each day to appear before your God.
"The Vice-Regal throne is occupied with magnificence. He who occupies it is brilliant, and my eyes cannot fix on him without being blinded. Illustrious personages the qualities with which you are endowed are excellent. For that reason, men say 'Your Excellency'. If the voice of a man condemned to death will not appear impertinent to you: it vibrates at the bottom of the cells of Regina to say to you: Excellencies, you also do not fail to hold yourself in readiness for death, to make a good death, prepare yourself for death!
Sir John Macdonald! I send you a message. I have not had the honour to know you personally. Permit me nevertheless to address you a useful word. Having to prepare myself for death, I give myself to meditation and prayer. Excuse me Sir John. Do not leave yourself completely carried away by the glories of power. In the midst of your great and noble occupations, take every day a few moments at least for devotion and prayer and prepare yourself for death.
"Honorable and noble friends! Laurier, Laflamme, Lachapelle, Desjardins, Taillon, Beaubien, Trudel, Prud'homme, I bid you adieu. I demand of God to send you the visit of Death only when you shall have long time desired it, and that you may join those who have transformed death into joy, into deliverance and triumph.
"Honorable Joseph Dubuc, Alphonse, C. Lariviere, Marc. A. Girard, Joseph Royal, Hon. John Norquay, Gov. Edgar Dewdney, Col. Irvine, Captain Deane, I would invite them to think how they would feel if they had only one week to live. Life here below is only the preparation for another. You are good Christians, think of eternity. Do not omit to prepare yourself for death.
"O My God! How is it death has become my sweetheart with the horror I feel towards her? And how can she seek me with an attention proportioned to the repugnance she inspires? O Death, the Son of God has triumphed over your terrors! O Death I would make of thee a good death!
"Elzear de la Gimodiere! Roger Goulet, and you whom I regard as a relative Irene Kerouak, prepare yourself for death. I pray God to prolong your days, Louis Schmidt, I ask of the good God to enable you to come to a happy old age. Meanwhile prepare yourself for death. Listen to the disinterested advice of one condemned. We have been placed in this world only for the purpose of probation.
"And you whom I admire and respect, Glorious Major General Middleton, you were kind to me, you treated me nobly. Pray see in my words the desire to be as little disagreeable as possible. Life has been smiling and fortunate for you. General, if there is one thing I have appreciated more than being your prisoner of war, it is that you chose as my guard Captain Young, one of the most brave and polite officers of the army. Captain Young, Be not surprised if I send you a message through the LEADER newspaper which I understand with reconnaissance has not called out against me, prepare yourself all your days. Death also disquiets himself about you. Do not sleep on watch. Be over well on your guard.
MESSAGES TO FATHER CHINUIQUY
"And you whom death spares and does not dare to approach and you whom I cannot forget, Ancien Preacher of Temperance, Chinuiquy, your hairs are white, God who has made them white slowly, wishes to make your heart white right away (tout d'un coup). O be not angry at the disinterested voice of a man who has never spoken to you, to whom you have never given pain, unless it be in having abandoned regrettably the amiable religion of your fathers. The grace of Marie waits for you. Please come.
The prisoner paused, and in the pause, one heard the skirr of the spurred heel of the Mounted Policeman and the neighing of one of the horses in the stables hard by, and I said: "Is this all? Have you no more to say?"
"No more", replied Riel. "Father Andre has been here. He has told me there is no hope, that he has had a letter from my good friend Bishop Grandin. I have taken the sacraments. I am prepared. But yet the Spirit tells me, told me last night that I should yet rule a vast country, the North West, with power derived direct from heaven, look!" and he pointed to the vein in his left arm, there the spirit speaks, Riel will not die until he has accomplished his mission and —
He was about to make a speech and I left him with some sympathy and no little sadness. I felt that I had been in the presence of a man of genius manque, of a man who, had he been gifted with judgement, might have accomplished much; of one, who, had he been destitute of cruelty might even command esteem, and as I rode over the bridge and looked down on the frosty creek, and cast my eye towards the Government House where happy people were perhaps at dinner at that hour, I said to myself: "Why did he murder Scott? Why did he seek to wake up the bloody and nameless horrors of an Indian massacre? Why did he seek the blood of McKay and his fellow peacemakers? Unhappy man there is nothing for it. You must die on Monday."
Here as I passed near the trail going northwest, the well known voice of a home-returning farmer saying 'Good night' woke me from my reverie. In twenty minutes, I was seated at dinner. I joined in the laugh and the joke, so passing are our most solemn impressions, so light the effect of actual tragedy. Our emotions are the penumbras of rapid transitions of circumstances and vanishing associations and like clouds, we take the hue of the moment, and are shaped by the breeze that bloweth where it listeth."
Regina Leader Newspaper Reporter, Mary MacFadyen McLean, maternal great-grandmother of:
The Reverend Dr. Ed Hird, BSW, MDiv, DMin
-award-winning author of the book 'Battle for the Soul of Canada'
Categories: Battle for the Soul of Canada, Canada, Canada on Track, Louis Riel | Tags: A. Girard, adieu, Alphonse, Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada), Barracks, Battle for the Soul of Canada, Beaubien, Bienveilee, Bishop Grandin, Blake, C. Lariviere, Canada, Captain Deane, Captain Young, Caron, Catholic, Chapleau, Colonel Irvine, Comthethes, crucifix, death, Desgardins, Editor, Elezear de la Grinodiere, eternity, Father Chinuiquy, Fitzpatrick, French, gallows, God, good death, Governor Edgar Dewdney, Greenshields, Honorable John Norquay, insanity, Irene Kerouak, Jesus Christ, Joseph Dubue, Joseph Royal, l'rud'hozime, Lacklaelle, Laflamme, Langevins, Laurier, Lemieux, Louis Riel, Louis Schmidt, Mackenzie, Major General Middleton, Marie, Mary MacFadyen McLean, Mary McLean, massacre, McKay, Metis, North West, Pere Andre, priests, RCMP, rebellion, Regina, Regina Leader, Regina Leader-Post, reporter, Rev Ed Hird, Roger Goulet, sacraments, Saphronica, Saskatchewan, Sir John Macdonald, Son of God, Taillen, Thomas Scott, Trudel | Permalink.
Who was Captain Robert Dollar anyways?
While visiting Dollarton, I met my good friend Keith Cameron who lives in the historic Dollar Mill Office built in 1918. Keith pulled out the book Echoes Across the Inlet published by the Deep Cove and Area Heritage Association, and said to me: "You need to write an article about Captain Robert Dollar. He was a sparkplug for this whole area".
The more that I have learned about Robert Dollar, the more fascinating I find his life-story. Captain Robert Dollar (originally spelt Dolour) was the founder of Dollarton and its first major employer with hundreds of local residents working at the Dollar Mill. He was a very visionary individual who could see North Vancouver's potential in terms of international trade and commerce.
Coming to Canada penniless from Falkirk in Scotland, Robert Dollar became one of Scotland's fifty wealthiest individuals, amassing a fortune of over forty million dollars. Leaving school at age 12 to work in Canadian logging camps, he saved up enough cash to buy into the lumber trade itself. As most loggers spoke French, Dollar taught himself French and took over the camp's accounting. At their peak, Dollar's mills produced fifteen million board of lumber.
As mentioned in Echoes Across the Inlet, even in the lumber camps, Dollar 'always made it a practice on Sunday to take out (his) Bible to a quiet place and read it, even in the coldest of weather." Dollar "attributed much of his success to the teachings received from this daily reading." Dollar advocated "clean habits, clean thoughts, plenty of exercise, fresh air and plenty of sunshine…and plenty of work….Last, but most important, fear God and keep his commandments."
In 1895, Dollar purchased his first ship in order to move his lumber down to American markets. His first boat became a huge success because of the number of people making their way to the Alaska Gold Rush. Out of this, he began the 40-vessel Dollar Steamship Company (later becoming American President Lines).
Known as the Grand Old Man of the Pacific, Dollar started three head offices in North Vancouver, San Francisco and Shanghai. Dollar's ships bore the famous "$" on their smokestacks. During his lifetime he made some 30 voyages to Asia, being the first to bring North American lumber to Asia. While in China, Dollar built a Y.M.C.A., an orphanage, a school for the blind and a village school.
In 1923 at age 80, Dollar purchased seven "president" ships from the U.S. government which enabled him to pioneer round-the-world passenger service, being the first to publish scheduled departure and arrival times. In 1925, Dollar Line acquired the Pacific Mail Steamship Company and its trans-Pacific routes. Dollar was on the cover of the March 19th, 1928 Time magazine, and written up in the Saturday Evening Post in 1929.
Dollar was a family man with a strong work ethic and solid faith. His granddaughter remembers visiting her grandpa, saying: "We all arose at 6 a.m. and went to bed at 9 p.m. Grandfather read a passage from the bible each morning and we joined in…Grandfather sat at the end of the table and said grace before each meal. At festive occasions he would tell us a story about his life in the Canadian north woods and have us all spellbound and laughing."
Dollar's mom died when he was nine; his grief-stricken father became an alcoholic. Out of his family pain, Dollar developed four principles to which he clung to: 1. Do not cheat. 2. Do not be lazy. 3. Do not abuse. 4. Do not drink.
In Dollar's 1920 diary, he wrote: 'Thank God, from whom all blessings flow …we start the year with supreme confidence in the future, knowing that God is with us and hoping prosperity will enable us to aid humanity with our money, and that we will be permitted to leave the world a little better than we found it."
Dollar never retired, saying: "It would have been nothing short of a crime for me to have retired when I reached the age of sixty, because I have accomplished far more the last twenty years of my life than I did before I reached my sixtieth birthday … I was put in this world for a purpose and that was not to loaf and spend my time in so-called pleasure … I was eighty years old when I thought out the practicability of starting a passenger steamship line of eight steamers to run around the world in one direction … I hope to continue working to my last day on earth and wake up the next morning in the other world."
Robert Dollar died of bronchial pneumonia in 1932, at the age of 88. Some of his final words were: "In this world all we leave behind us that is worth anything is that we can be well regarded and spoken of after we are gone, and that we can say that we left the world just a little better than we found it. If we can't accomplish these two things then life, according to my view, has been a failure. Many people erroneously speak of a man when he is gone as having left so much money. That, according to my view, amounts to very little."
May the example of Dollarton's Robert Dollar inspire all those reading this article to make a God-given difference in our lives.
– previously published in the North Shore News/Deep Cove Crier
Categories: Deep Cove, faith, Father Wound, history, North Shore, north Shore News, Deep Cove Crier, North Vancouver, renewal, REstoring Health | Tags: alcoholic, American President Lines, Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada), Battle for the Soul of Canada, Deep Cove, Deep Cove and Area Heritage Association, Dollar Mill Office, Dollar Steamship Company, Dollarton, Echoes Across the Inlet, exercise, family man, Fear God, French, Keith Cameron, lumber, lumber trade, mill, North Vancouver, Pacific Mail Steamship Company, pioneer, pneumonia, Rev Ed Hird, San Francisco, Saturday Evening Post, Scotlan, Shanghai, ship, Sunday, Thank God, time, work ethic, YMCA | Permalink.
Catharine Parr Traill: Pioneer Canadian Mother
Catharine Parr Traill was a pioneer Canadian mother who made a phenomenal impact on the life of our nation.
England in the early 1830s was caught in a Canada-mania. In the aftermath of the Napoleonic wars, England was thrown into an economic depression. Thomas Strickland, the father of Catherine Parr Traill, was caught in the economic downturn, resulting in near-bankruptcy and his premature death. He left behind an impoverished widow and six unmarried daughters whose chances of marriage were seriously limited.
Both Catherine Parr Traill and her sister Susanna married economically-challenged Scottish soldiers who were offered land grants in the colonies. Canada began to be seen as the land of milk and honey! Altogether 655,747 people sailed away from British shores between 1831 and 1841 (almost three times as many as had moved abroad during the previous ten years).
The two key Canada-promoters William Cattermole and Captain Charles Stuart were being paid so much per head for every Brit that they could recruit for Canada. In their glowing description of Canada, Cattermole and Stuart forgot to mention the backbreaking work required to clear the forests, the total absence of household comforts, the aching loneliness, and the grinding poverty of most early Canadian pioneers. Catharine Parr Traill and her sister Susanna, being gifted writers, were able to record a vital part of our Canadian pioneering history. In Catherine Parr Traill's book 'The Canadian Settler's Guide', she insightfully wrote:
"In cases of emergency, it is folly to fold up one's hands and sit down to bewail in abject terror: it is better to be up and doing."
Catharine's book The Backwoods of Canada quickly sold its first printing of eleven thousand copies, being translated into German in 1838 and French in 1843.
Of the six Strickland daughters including Catherine, five of them became published authors! Catharine's older sister Agnes in England was the leading royal biographer of the 19th century. Sister Agnes caustically commented: "Who in England thinks anything of Canada?" and "Nothing that is first published in Canada will sell well in England".
In Charlotte Grey's book Sisters in the Wilderness, Catharine Parr Traill and her sister Susanna are described as laying "the foundation of a literary tradition that still endures in Canada: the pioneer woman who displays extraordinary courage, resourcefulness and humour. This 'Canadian character type', as critic Elizabeth Thompson calls her, is a pragmatist who discovers her own strength as she overcomes adversity." Sir Sandford Fleming, inventor of one-hour time zones, and the engineering genius behind the Canadian Pacific Railway, said of Catharine: "She has rendered service of no ordinary kind in making known the advantages offered by Canada as a field for settlement, and by her very widely read writings she has been instrumental in inducing very many emigrants from the United Kingdom to find homes in the Dominion."
Catharine Parr Trail had a remarkable ability to rise above adversity and make the best of every situation. Charlotte Grey: writes in her book about 'the stamina, talent and determination that allowed two English ladies to overcome the hardships of pioneer life and leave a powerful legacy to Canadian culture.' It is hard for us almost two hundred years later to fully imagine the miseries of hunger, disease, cold, and disappointment faced by our early Canadian pioneers. I was shocked to discover that both Catharine and her sister's families came down with malaria, a widespread problem in Canada as pioneers were struggling to drain mosquito-infested swamps.
Catharine Parr Traill commented in the early days: "I have not seen a woman except those in our company for over five months…." As Charlotte Grey put it, "Being wrenched from one's homeland leaves deep scars in the psyche of every emigrant in any era: Susanna and Catharine bore these scars for the rest of their lives."
Catharine's motto was 'Hope! Resolution! And Perseverance!'. She would assure her relatives back home that Canada is the 'land of hope.' Her sister Sarah spoke of Catherine/Kate: "Her blue eyes always sparkled with happiness and curiosity about the world. She had a warm smile and an air of stolid contentment, and even as a baby, Catharine 'never cried like other children –indeed we used to say that Katie never saw a sorrowful day – for if anything went wrong, she just shut her eyes and the tears fell from under the long lashes and rolled down her cheeks like pearls into her lap. We all adored her."
Charlotte Grey commented how Catharine loved "the wild and picturesque rocks, trees, hill and valley, wild-flowers, ferns, shrubs and moss and the pure, sweet scent of pines over all, breathing health and strength." Nature, for Catharine, was saturated with divine meaning – its splendor and concord displayed the authority and goodness of its Creator. That is why Catharine wrote many "books that reflected sheer love of nature's bounty and admiration in God's handiwork." The flowers of the field, for her, were good reminders of the teachings of Christ. Catherine often illustrated her dried specimens with biblical quotes, particularly from the Psalms or the book of Revelation.
Charlotte Grey commented that in future years, Catharine would rely on her love of nature, the beauties of which she saw as the expression of God's will, to carry her through one disaster after another:
"Strength was always given to me when it was needed." As she dug and weeded in the kitchen garden, or lifted heavy cast-iron pans of porridge from the stove, she would pause briefly, straighten her aching back, close her eyes and utter silent prayers. She noted at the end of her life: "In great troubles and losses, God is very Good."
In the midst of her very busy writing and pioneering, Catharine never neglected her family. As Charlotte Grey put it, "Motherhood came as naturally to Catharine as breathing. It was the most meaningful activity in her life. She was always prepared to give more love than she took, and she saw no conflict between her family and her impulse to write."
My prayer is that every mother reading this article would receive that same strength as Catharine Parr Traill in the challenges of life.
-previously published in the North Shore News/Deep Cove Crier
Categories: Battle for the Soul of Canada, books, Canada, Canada on Track, faith | Tags: Agnes, Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada), Battle for the Soul of Canada, Book of Revelation, British, Canada, Canada-mania, Canadian Pacific Railway, Captain Charles Stuart, Catharine Parr Traill, Charlotte Grey, creation, Dominion of Canada, economic depression, Elizabeth Thompson, England, family, flowers, French, German, God, God's handiwork, hope, Jesus, malaria, mosquito-infested swamps, Motherhood, Napoleonic Wars, Nature, perseverance, pioneer mother, psalms, Resolution!, Rev Ed Hird, Sir Sandford Fleming, Sisters in the Wilderness, Susanna Moodie, The Backwoods of Canada, The Canadian Settler's Guide, Thomas Strickland, United Kingdom, William Cattermole | Permalink.
Louis Riel: Canadian Patriot?
By the Rev. Dr. Ed and Mark Hird
Who was Louis Riel? Was he a patriot or a dissident or both?
Louis Riel was born at St. Boniface (Winnipeg, Manitoba) on October 22nd 1844, inheriting from his father a mixture of French, Irish and Aboriginal blood, with French predominating.
Louis' mother Julie sent her son Louis to become Canada's first Metis priest. The 1864 death of his father however weighed heavily on Louis, bringing about an abrupt end to his seminary training. Four months from becoming a priest, Louis met a young Montreal girl, fell in love, and decided to marry. He rashly left the College of Montreal without obtaining his degree, and then his marriage plans collapsed when his fiancée's parents forbade this proposed union with a Metis. Embittered by this racist-rejection, Riel left Montreal in 1866 – without a wife, without a career, without money.
Returning home to the Red River settlement, Riel found that locusts had devastated the land. With the demise of the Hudson Bay Company's influence, both Eastern Canada and the United States seemed poised to swallow up the Red River settlement. The Metis felt forgotten, ignored and politically abandoned.
Without adequately consulting the local 12,000 Red River people, the Hudson Bay Company sold the Red River settlement to Eastern Canada. Louis Riel rallied the Metis people in 1869 to take over the local Fort Garry, the Western nerve centre of the HBC. Riel's goal was to force the Federal Government to negotiate Manitoba's admission into Confederation as a full province, not just a territory. The provincial name Manitoba, rather than the expected territorial name Assiniboia, came from Louis Riel himself.
Louis Riel proclaimed that the Metis were 'loyal subjects of Her Majesty the Queen of England'. "If we are rebels, said Riel, "we are rebels against the Company that sold us, and is ready to hand us over, and against Canada that wants to buy us. We are not in rebellion against the British supremacy which has still not given its approval for the final transfer of the country…We want the people of Red River to be a free people…"
The Americans watched the Red River Rebellion with keen interest. Ignatius Donnelly, a former Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, said: 'If the revolutionists of Red River are encouraged and sustained…, we may within a few years, perhaps months, see the Stars and Stripes wave from Fort Garry, from the waters of Puget Sound, and along the shore of Vancouver.' In the summer of 1870, Nathanial F. Langford and ex-governor Marshall of Minnesota visited Riel at Fort Garry. They promised Riel $4 million cash, guns, ammunition, mercenaries and supplies to maintain himself until his government was recognized by the United States. Riel declined.
After William O'Donohogue ripped down the Union Jack, Riel immediately reposted the Union Jack with orders to shoot any man who dared touch it. Despite his rebellious reputation, Louis Riel showed himself to be a Canadian patriot who single-handedly kept Western Canada from being absorbed by the USA. Riel prayed in his diary: "O my God! Save me from the misfortune of getting involved with the United States. Let the United States protect us indirectly, spontaneously, through an act of Providence, but not through any commitment or agreement on our part." Riel also prophetically noted in his diary: "God revealed to me that the government of the United States is going to become extraordinarily powerful."
"The Metis are a pack of cowards", boasted Thomas Scott, "They will not dare to shoot me." If it was not for Riel's sanctioning of the tragic shooting of the Orangeman Thomas Scott, he might have ended up in John A Macdonald's federal Cabinet. Thomas Scott's death made Riel 'Canada's most hated man'.
After fleeing to the United States, Riel was then elected in his absence as a Manitoba MP. The Quebec legislature in 1874 passed a unanimous resolution asking the Governor-General to grant amnesty to Riel. That same year, after Louis Riel's re-election as MP, he entered the parliament building, signed the register, and swore an oath of allegiance to Queen Victoria before slipping out to avoid arrest. The outraged House of Commons expelled him by a 56-vote majority.
Exiled to Montana, Riel married and became a law-abiding American citizen. In 1884, with the slaughtering of the buffalo, many First Nations and Métis were dying of hunger. The Metis in Saskatchewan convinced Riel to return to Canada. Riel sent a petition to Ottawa demanding that the Metis be given title to the land they occupied and that the districts of Saskatchewan, Assiniboia and Alberta be granted provincial status. The Federal Government instead set up a commission. In the absence of concrete action, Louis Riel and his followers decided to press their claims by the attempted capture of Fort Carlton.
Due to the Canadian Pacific Railway, my great-grandfather Oliver Allen was shipped with the Toronto militia to quickly defeat Riel at Batoche. Using an American Gatling gun with 1,200 rounds a minute, the battle did not last long. While in the West, Oliver Allen met his future wife Mary Mclean a Regina Leader news-reporter sympathetic to Louis Riel. Right before Riel's hanging, Mary Mclean disguised herself as a Catholic priest in order to interview Riel. Before Riel died, he prayed in his diary: "Lord Jesus, I love you. I love everything associated with You…Lord Jesus, do the same favour for me that You did for the Good Thief; in Your infinite mercy, let me enter Paradise with You the very day of my death."
Categories: Battle for the Soul of Canada, Canada, Canada on Track, Louis Riel | Tags: Aboriginal, Alberta, Americans, amnesty, Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada), Assiniboia, Batoche, Battle for the Soul of Canada, Canadian Pacific Railway, CPR, dissident, Eastern Canada, First Nations, Fort Carlton, Fort Garry, French, God, Good Thief, HBC, Hudson Bay Company, Ignatius Donnelly, Irish, Jesus, John A Macdonald, locusts, Lord Jesus, Louis Riel, Manitoba, Manitoba MP, Mark Hird, Marshall, Mary McLean, Metis, Metis priest, Minnesota, Montana, Montreal, Nathanial F. Langford, Oliver Allen, Orange Order, Orangeman, Paradise, patriot, Providence, Puget Sound, Quebec, Quebec Legislature, Queen Victori, Red River Settlement, Regina Leader, Rev Ed Hird, Roman Catholic, Saskatchewan, seminary, St Boniface, Stars and Stripes, The Queen of England, Thomas Allen, Thomas Scott, Toronto militia, Union Jack, United States, USA, Vancouver, William O'Donohugue, Winnipeg | Permalink.
by edhird 1 Comment
Samuel and Helene de Champlain: A Canadian Romance
Before Samuel & Helene de Champlain came on the scene, the very word 'Canada' had become a joke in France, thanks to Jacques Cartier bringing back quartz and 'fool's gold' from Canada. The term 'diamond of Canada' became a symbol for deception and emptiness. During Champlain's lifetime, France largely ignored him. To most French citizens, Canada seemed distant and unimportant. Even well-educated Parisians denied the value of Canada, sometimes dismissing it as another Siberia.
In the 16th century, France's population was six times that of England, it possessed as much coastline, it was more affluent, its sailors were more skilled and were the first to consistently visit the Canadian seaboard. But in contrast to England, there was little vision in France for the priority of sending people to the New World. To immigrate to Canada, there was even a financial disincentive of 36 livres charged to anyone leaving France. As a result, Champlain and his Quebec people felt disregarded, deserted and discarded. King Louis XIII even had the thoughtlessness to cancel Champlain's modest pension of six hundred livres granted by Henry IV; forcing Champlain to successfully implore for its reinstatement.
Champlain was born in 1567 in the town of Brouage, then a bustling seaport on the southwestern coast of France, some 70 miles (112 km) north of Bordeaux. His father was a sea captain and as a boy he became skilled at seamanship and navigation. Champlain later commented: "…(Navigation) is the art…which led me to explore the coast of America, especially New France, where I have always desired to see the fleur-de-lys flourish." Ironically Champlain never learned to swim, even after crossing the rugged Atlantic Ocean twenty-nine times, as he thought swimming was too risky.
For a while Champlain served in the army of King Henry IV, fighting alongside Martin Frobisher in a joint undertaking by the British and French against the Spanish. In 1599 Champlain captained a ship which returned Spanish prisoners-of-war, allowing him to explore the Spanish-controlled West Indies and Mexico. As a result of his travels, Champlain prophetically suggested the idea of making a canal across Central America to shorten the trip to the southern Pacific Ocean. King Henry IV was so impressed by Champlain's map-making work that he granted him a lifetime income. Henri IV also gave Champlain the title 'de', which marked him as a man of noble rank.
Four hundred and seven years ago, in 1603, Samuel de Champlain traveled up the St. Lawrence River to the site of present day Montreal, the First Nations village of Hochelaga. In Champlain's 1604 Journal, he wrote: "So many voyages and discoveries without result, and attended with so much hardship and expense, have caused us French in late years to attempt a permanent settlement in those lands which we call New France." After two Acadian colonizing attempts at St. Croix and Port Annapolis in the Maritimes, Champlain turned his eyes to the future Quebec City, a name that he translated from an aboriginal word: 'where the river narrows.' Quebec City, the Iroquois village of Stadacona, became the earliest enduring city north of Mexico City and Florida settled by Europeans.
Life was not easy for Champlain at Quebec City. While building a miniature Bastille-like 'habitation', Champlain had to stamp out an attempted murder plot against himself. When spring finally broke up the ice in April 1609, only eight of Champlain's 24 men who wintered at Quebec were still alive.
Champlain cared deeply about the First Nations people, building lasting friendships with many groups. Pere Lalemant in 1640 wrote: 'Would God that all the French, who were the first to come into these regions, had been like him!' Champlain spoke prophetically to a gathering of the Montagnais, Algonkin, and French: "Our sons shall wed your daughters and henceforth we shall be one people"
When Samuel de Champlain married Hélène Boullé on December 30, 1610 in Paris, she was only 12 years old while he was approximately forty! She was so young that her father insisted that she live at home for at least another two years. At age 21, she moved to Quebec City. The First Nations were intrigued by Helene who loved them dearly in return. A titled lady with elegant outfits and etiquette, Helene was the center of attention at Quebec. But for her the settlement held little joy. Unlike Paris, Quebec had no shops, lively crowds or interesting chitchat. As a high-spirited twenty-five-year-old, she pined for the exhilaration of Paris. Champlain, fifty-six, favored the companionship of his hardy French and aboriginal voyageurs and the untainted grandeur of the Canadian outback. And so, after four years, Champlain and Helene tragically parted ways. Out of love, Champlain named the 'Montreal Expo 67' Island after her: Isle Saint Helene. When Helene learned of her husband's death in 1635, she entered a convent, choosing to become a nun rather than to marry again.
More than half of the fur-trading merchants working with Champlain were Huguenot (French Protestants) from La Rochelle; France. The 1598 Edict of Nantes, which gave them religious freedom in Quebec and France, was first restricted in 1625 and finally revoked in 1685. Although the Huguenot were therefore forbidden to worship in Canada by royal decree, the crews of Huguenot ships could not be restrained from holding services on board when in harbour. The Huguenot loved to sing the psalms in French, a practice first encouraged and then outlawed by the French Royal Court. Both Champlain and his wife Helene had been raised in Huguenot homes. So thanks to Champlain, it was agreed that the Huguenot could hold prayer meetings on the ships, but sing psalms only at sea where no one else could hear.
After the English under British Commander David Kirke blockaded the French relief supply ships, Champlain and his men nearly starved, surviving mostly on eels purchased from the Indians and on roots & wood-bark. Champlain was forced to surrender in 1628 to David Kirke's brothers and was sent for four years to England. The Treaty of Saint Germain-en-Laye was signed in 1632 which brought Champlain back to Quebec City, much of which had been burnt to the ground by the British. After having devoted the last 32 years of his life to Canada, Champlain died of a stroke in 1635 at age 68.
Champlain was the most versatile of Canadian pioneers, at once sailor and soldier, writer and entrepreneur, artist and voyageur, visionary and pragmatist. He wrote four important books relating Canada's early history. He produced the best North American maps and its earliest harbour charts. Repeatedly Champlain put his life in jeopardy in order to discover routes to Canada's western wilderness. He nurtured struggling Quebec to steadfast life. "No other European colony in America, "commented the eminent historian Samuel Eliot Morison, "is so much the lengthened shadow of one man as Canada is of the valiant, wise, and virtuous Samuel de Champlain." I thank God for this courageous man Samuel Champlain who showed perseverance and dedication against impossible odds. My prayer for those reading this article is that we too may show that same perseverance in facing our God-given daily tasks.
Categories: Battle for the Soul of Canada, Canada, Canada on Track | Tags: Algonkin, Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada), Atlantic Ocean, Battle for the Soul of Canada, Bordeaux, British, Brouage, Canada, canal, Central America, convent, David Kirke, Deep Cove Crier, diamond of Canada, Edict of Nantes, Europeans, First Nations, fleur-de-lys, Florida, fools gold, France, French, French Protestant, French Royal Court, Helene Boulle, Helene de Champlain, Henry IV, Hochelaga, Hugenot, Iroquois, Isle Saint Helene, Jacques Cartier, La Rochelle, map-making, Maritimes, Martin Frobisher, Mexico, Mexico City, Montagnais, Montreal, Montreal Expo 67, Navigation, New France, nun, Paris, Parisians, Pere Lalemant, Port Annapolis, psalms, quartz, Quebec, Quebec City, religious freedom, Rev Ed Hird, Samuel de Champlain, Siberia, Southern Pacific, Spanish, St Croix, St Lawrence River, Stadacona, Treaty of Saint Germain-en-Laye, West Indies | Permalink.
Sir Martin Frobisher: the first Canadian Pirate
How many of us have realized that the Canadian North was first 'discovered' 434 years ago by an English pirate? A pirate, of course, is in the eye of the beholder. Sir Martin Frobisher was arrested at least four times for high-sea piracy, but was let go with a scolding by Queen Elizabeth I. Confiscating Spanish ships was one thing, but a good English 'sea-dog' was always supposed to keep his hands off English goods. Frobisher ended up spending time in jail for confiscating English wine vats that had been on a French ship. Upon release from prison, Frobisher decided to sail over the top of Canada through the mythical Northwest Passage to China. His goal was to become rich by finding an alternative route for Asian pepper. Because there was no refrigeration in those days, pepper was in high demand, being used by Europeans to make their meat palatable.
One of Frobisher's specialties as Captain was to punish sabre-duelling crewmates by chopping off their right hands. Frobisher was also a brave leader who thought nothing of diving into iceberg-strewn waters to rescue drowning sailors. Once while on their way to Baffin Island, his ship Gabriel fell over on its side and began filling up with water. Without a moment's hesitation, Frobisher grabbed an axe and hacked off the foresail, enabling the ship to right itself. Though a rough-and-tumbles privateer, he never went anywhere on his daring voyages without his bible. Upon returning to England with three Inuit hostages and a mysterious black rock, Frobisher kicked off Canada's first Gold Rush. The Russian Tsar officially protested this kidnapping of Asian Siberians! Frobisher claimed that his Inuit hostages were being held to seek the release of five of his crewmembers that had disappeared. Before dying from English fog and food, the 3 Inuits thrilled the Queen by shooting royal birds and kayaking down the Avon River.
All the credible scientists told Frobisher's financial backer, Michael Lok, that the black rock was worthless 'fools gold'. But Michael Lok, being an early stock promoter of the less reputable kind, ignored their advice and instead consulted an Italian alchemist, Giovanni Agnello, who used 'black magic' to discern that Martin Frobisher's rock was indeed gold.
The English business community, backed by Queen Elizabeth I, became so excited about the first Canadian Gold Rush, that they sent 15 Ships to Frobisher Bay on Baffin Island. The Queen even lent her own 200-ton ship AID. Gold Rush fever brought together the largest Armada of English ships ever assembled until World War II. Frobisher's public image was rapidly transformed by his stockpromoter, Michael Lok, from that of an uncouth pirate to that of the 'rare and valiant' Captain General embarking on a heroic mission. Everyone, including Martin Frobisher himself, believed that he had discovered the Northwest Passage to China, and that Baffin Island contained King Solomon's hidden mines. In this first English attempt to colonize the New World, Frobisher brought 120 would-be settlers, miners, carpenters, and an Anglican priest named Rev. Robert Wolfall.
On their way to Baffin Island, they faced desperate circumstances due to mountainous icebergs that could crush their ships like matchboxes. The hardened sailors knelt down on the decks and prayed for God's mercy. Two of the sailors' prayers recorded for posterity by Captain Best were 'Lord help us now or never' and 'Now Lord look down from heaven and save us sinners, or else our safety will come too late'. With no radar or telecommunications to guide them in the fog, they saved the sailors on the sunken 'Dennis' by using trumpets, drums, canons and the two passwords: 'Before the world was God', to be answered by 'After God came Christ His Son'. Captain Best recorded that Rev. Wolfall encouraged Frobisher's men 'to be thankful for their strange and miraculous deliverance' at sea. To celebrate their safe arrival on Baffin Island, Rev. Wolfall celebrated the first Anglican Communion service ever held in Canada, just 420 years ago.
After three Frobisher Bay expeditions costing over 20,000 pounds, including 3,500 pounds of the Queen's money, Martin Frobisher brought back 2,300 tons of alleged gold to England. This 'gold rush' treasure was promptly secured with 4 padlocks in the Tower of London and Bristol Castle. Once the geologists found out that the Baffin Island gold was fool's gold, Frobisher and many of his investors went into bankruptcy. His financial backer, Michael Lok, was sent to jail. To cover the embarrassment of Canada's first Bre-X-style disaster, the 2,300 tons of fools gold was dumped into the Bristol Harbour and also used to pave roads. Yet Frobisher never stayed defeated for long. Within a few years, he joined the British navy and ended up being knighted by Queen Elizabeth for defeating the Spanish Armada.
Sir Martin Frobisher's story teaches us that all of us are on a journey, that sometimes our hopes and dreams turn out to be fools gold, but that God can even use our mistakes and turn them to a higher good. My prayer for those reading this article is that God may turn everything that is against us to our advantage.(Romans 8:28)
Categories: pirate | Tags: Anglican Communion, Anglican Mission in the Americas (Canada), Baffin Island, black magic, Bre-X, Bristol Castle, British Navy, Canada, Captain, China, England, fools gold, French, Frobisher, Frobisher Bay, Giovanni Agnello, gold, Gold Rush, King Solomon, Michael Lok, New World, Northwest Passage, pepper, piracy, Pirate, Queen Elizabeth I, Rev Robert Wolfall, Romans 8:28, Russian Tsar, Sir Martin Frobisher, Spain, Spanish, Spanish Armada, Tower of London | Permalink.
Yoga: More than Meets the Eyes?


The Radio Dept. have announced an extensive North American tour for next February and March, including a Feb. 17th date in Atlanta at The EARL. The trek comes in support of their long-in-coming fourth album, Running Out of Love, out October 21st via Labrador Records.
Although still rooted in what would generally be considered indie dream pop, musically the album is a notable departure from previous, with a demure electronic dance-pop approach more in common with Pet Shop Boys. Stringed instruments were used minimally, if at all.


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Q: Something strange happen during using variable.length in a for loop I am now practicing some methods in javascript, like shift(), unshift(), push(), pop(), and I want to write a little function that will take 3 arguments, an array, a start point, an end point. Which is used to cut a part of array out, and then return both the new array and the cut part. Not a useful thing or a big deal, just want to practice javascript.
But I encountered a strange thing, which I don't know why.
Here is the strange part
var a1 = [];
var a2 = [9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1];

for(var i=0; i<a2.length; i++){
a1.unshift(a2.shift())
}

So I wrote this code, and the expected result should be
a1 = [1,2,4,5,6,7,8,9]
a2 = []

However, when I run the code, this was what actually happened
a1 = [5,6,7,8,9]
a2 = [4,3,2,1]

It seems like the function was looped not enough time, so I tried to change the a2.length to a integer: 9
which make the code become
var a1 = [];
var a2 = [9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1];

for(var i=0; i<9; i++){
a1.unshift(a2.shift())
}

And that worked!
Then I change the approach to this
var a1 = [];
var a2 = [9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1]
var aLength = a2.length;
for(var i=0; i<aLength; i++){
a1.unshift(a2.shift())
}

And this worked too!!!
Could anyone tell me why is that ???
And how can I improve the loop?
Thank you very much, really appreciate for your time.

A: You could easily do this by using while loop
while (a2.length > 0)
{
    a1.unshift(a2.shift());
}

A:
Javascript Array: Shift() Method
The shift() method is like the pop() method, only it works at the
  beginning of the array. The shift() method pulls the first element off
  of the given array and returns it. This alters the array on which the
  method was called.

So when you do a a2.shift() it will actually modify (decrease the number of elements in the array) the array and thus the effect

A: The loop condition is re-evaluated for each iteration, and a2.length is constantly changing.
If you want to use its initial value, cache it beforehand:
var n = a2.length;
for (var i = 0; i < n; i++) {
   a1.unshift(a2.shift());
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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text:
ABC board moves Q&A to news division following Zaky Mallah controversy
August 6, 2015 6:10
by Nic Christensen
The board of public broadcaster the ABC has confirmed it will move political discussion show Q&A under the purview of the news division.
The widely expected move, which sees the show come under the more rigorous rules of the news division, comes after an ongoing public controversy surrounding the appearance of former terrorism suspect Zaky Mallah who asked a question from the studio audience in June.
In a board statement the ABC confirmed: "Based on the information provided, the Board considers both the program and the wider ABC would benefit by an orderly shift of Q&A into the ABC News Division.
"Q&A is a significant feature in Australia's news and current affairs cycle. Such relocation should provide the program with greater operational and cultural alignment."
Last month the ABC board announced that television journalist Ray Martin and former SBS managing director Shaun Brown will lead a review of the program and also reveals that Q&A executive producer Peter McEvoy has received a formal warning for misconduct over the inclusion of Mallah in the studio audience.
The ABC has previously apologised for an "error in judgement" in allowing Mallah, who pleaded guilty to threatening the life of an ASIO officer, to appear on the program.
The board statement noted that the timing of the move will be determined by management with the change to take effect no later than 2016.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott had asked for the change to take place before he would lift a ban on minister appearing on the program.
The Brown and Martin review on Q&A will report later this year.
Nic Christensen worked for Mumbrella from 2013 to 2016, in roles including deputy editor and media & technology editor. He is former media writer for The Australian and has also worked as a reporter for The Daily Telegraph and senior producer for Radio 2GB.
topics ABC, Q&A, Ray Martin, Zaky Mallah

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Sunday, January 24th 2016 by Stephanie. If you want to get new furniture design in chic appearance, then DIY wood crate can be a good choice. You can assemble the wooden material into these unique crates. It can be used as the coffee table, seating design or even storage for your home. The other benefits that you can get from this furniture are its advanced function as the decorating element for your interior. It sounds interesting, isn't it? Well, here are awesome ideas of the wooden crates that can be a great inspiration for you. It brings unique home decoration with advanced style on there. Let's scroll down for amazing examples below!..
Saturday, January 16th 2016 by Stephanie. If you want to plan some DIY project ideas, then here are several projects that you might interested to get. The Do-It-Yourself things are interesting because you can explore your own creativity on making things from your own design. It can be a fun activity with many projects and designs based on your own favorite themes. From decorative things for home interior improvement to useful accessories, just let your creativity expressed. You will get stunning DIY goodies with attractive result. The process on making these goodies are the other interesting factors that you will get. Here we go, let's check out the ideas!..


Can last hot beverages for more than 8 hours.
Barely used. Used for a bit then stored for a few years. Looks very new and works well. We are getting rid of it as we hardly use this - got coffee at work and seldom at home.


You can install this curtain on your living room, bedroom, balcony and study for this wonderful undersea world. Thick polyester makes it have blackout, water-proof and durable features. Skillful process with 3d effect also make it look modern, fashion and creative. Meanwhile, it's easy to install to wash and also can be used for a long time without harmful smell. Its quality has successfully passed by QA.


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Q: Setting default font size in TinyMCE is failing I am using TinyMCE and I want to set the default font-size to 12.
Here, I assigned a variable to the active TinyMCE editor, but it's not working...
HTML content:
<textarea id="text_message"></textarea>

JavaScript:
$("#text_message").tinymce({
    // Location of TinyMCE script
    script_url: '/static/app/a/scripts/tinymce/jscripts/tiny_mce/tiny_mce.js'
});

var fontSize = 12;
tinyMCE.activeEditor.formatter.apply('fontSize',
{
    value: fontSize
});

A: There's a couple of different event stages you should wait for:

*

*The page is ready in some state. (tinyMCE.init() can also be used, depending on the situation.)

*The editor has been initialized and is ready for you to being working on it.

The first can be accomplished using either:
$(document).ready()

Or:
$(window).load()

Both handle events related to the readiness of the page. $.ready() triggers when the DOM is available, $.load() in the case of window triggers when the page content has been loaded (such as inline img, script, and link sources). .ready() fires slightly before the other, but in many cases either will work.
Note, below I've got jQuery(function($){...}); which is a shortcut to $(document).ready(); and helps manage conflicts with other frameworks that use $ globally.
At the second stage you need to add an initialization event handler to your editor creation request, such as:
$.tinymce({ init_instance_callback: function(){ ... } });

In full:
$tiny.tinymce({
    // ... other stuff here, comma-delineated
    init_instance_callback: function(){
        ac = tinyMCE.activeEditor;

        ac.dom.setStyle(ac.getBody(), 'fontSize', fontSize);
    }
    // ... other stuff here, comma-delineated
});

Here is where you can set the display value for font-size (using the Javascript property of fontSize, since Javascript doesn't allow - in labels such as font-size). This waits for the editor you're adding to initialize and say "Hey, I'm here now". Once you get that notification of the vent firing, you can set the editor body (what ac.getBody() returns) to be font-size: 18px.
What this means is that the font-size will not be returned once you choose the save the editor content; it's above it in in the editor "body" (literally, the iframe's body element), in most cases (unless you choose the plugins : "fullpage" initialization option). So it's a "default", but does not get set explicitly within the content itself.
If you have Chrome or Firefox with Firebug add-on installed, watch the console on this fiddle:
http://jsfiddle.net/userdude/9PuUx/1/
Here is the working code demo and link to a fiddle demo (I use 18px to easily see the change):
jQuery(function a($){
    var $tiny = $("#text_message"),
        fontSize = '18px',
        ac;

    $tiny.tinymce({
        mode : "textareas",
        theme : "advanced",
        theme_advanced_buttons1 : "fontsizeselect,bold,underline,italic",
        init_instance_callback: function(){
            ac = tinyMCE.activeEditor;

            ac.dom.setStyle(ac.getBody(), 'fontSize', fontSize);
        }
    });
});

http://jsfiddle.net/userdude/9PuUx/
The tinyMCE documentation and API can be a bit confusing and lacking, and I'm not an expert in using it either, so I know there's perhaps four or five other ways to interpret what's going on and how to do this. Your mileage may vary. If you have an issue with the way I did this or it does not seem to do what you want or expect, just leave a comment and let me know.


[arch-dev-public] [arch-general] What about gallium on r600?
> > it works not worse than classic mesa on my RV620.
> > I test current (20101213) git snapshot.
> > May be put it into testing and enable on next release?
> is knowledgeable about this so we should hang on for some more time.
when we will push new Mesa 7.10 to our repos.


text:
package com.common.util;

import redis.clients.jedis.Jedis;

public class RedisUtil {
    private static Jedis redis = null;

    public static boolean open() {
        return open("192.168.20.163", 6379);
    }

    /**
     * @param host
     * @param port
     * @return
     */
    public static boolean open(String host, int port) {
        synchronized ("redis init") {
            if (redis == null) {
                redis = new Jedis(host, port);
//                redis.auth("admin");
            } else {
                System.out.println("Please call close() firstly!");
                return false;
            }
        }
        return redis.isConnected();
    }

    public static boolean isOpen() {
        return redis != null && redis.isConnected();
    }

    public static void close() {
        synchronized ("redis close") {
            if (redis != null) {
                redis.close();
                redis = null;
            }
        }
    }

    public static Jedis inst() {
        if (!isOpen()) {
            System.out.println("Please call open() firstly!");
            return null;
        }
        return redis;
    }

    public static boolean exists(String key) {
        if (!isOpen()) {
            System.out.println("Please call open() firstly!");
            return false;
        }
        Boolean ret = redis.exists(key);
        return ret == null ? false : ret;
    }

    public static long del(String key) {
        if (!isOpen()) {
            System.out.println("Please call open() firstly!");
            return 0;
        }
        Long ret = redis.del(key);
        return ret == null ? 0 : ret;
    }

    public static String set(String key, String value) {
        if (!isOpen()) {
            System.out.println("Please call open() firstly!");
            return null;
        }
        return redis.set(key, value);
    }

    public static String get(String key) {
        if (!isOpen()) {
            System.out.println("Please call open() firstly!");
            return null;
        }
        return redis.get(key);
    }

    public static long hset(String key, String field, String value) {
        if (!isOpen()) {
            System.out.println("Please call open() firstly!");
            return 0;
        }
        Long ret = redis.hset(key, field, value);
        return ret == null ? 0 : ret;
    }

    public static String hget(String key, String field) {
        if (!isOpen()) {
            System.out.println("Please call open() firstly!");
            return null;
        }
        return redis.hget(key, field);
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
New dimensions Petco Park
Javier Vazquez's Comeback and Potential Suitors
All Star Game, Award Winners, Ballparks, CBA, Cy Young Award, Draft, Fantasy/Roto, Free Agents, Games, History, Hot Stove, Management, Media, MiLB, MLB Trade Deadline, MLB Waiver Trades, Players, Playoffs, Prospects, Spring Training, Stats, Trade Rumors, World Series
Javier Vazquez surprisingly retired after a solid season for the Marlins in 2011 in which he posted a 13-11 record; a 3.69 ERA; a hits/innings pitched ratio of 178/192 with 50 walks and 178 strikeouts. It must be added that he also had a dreadful start, pitching terribly until mid-June. For the entire second half, he was a different pitcher, one who was in demand as a free agent and chose to "retire" at age 35.
He can still pitch, just not as a Yankee, having failed there twice. I certainly wouldn't bring him back to the Yankees, nor to Boston or Baltimore, but every other contending or would-be contending club is an option and Vazquez, while not saying he's definitely returning, will pitch in the World Baseball Classic for Puerto Rico and has said he's considering a comeback to MLB. For a $10 million payday, why not?
So which teams could use Vazquez and meet the criteria as contender?
The Blue Jays don't really need another starter, but I suppose they could trade Ricky Romero and attach Adam Lind to him to get Lind's contract off the roster in exchange for a 1B/DH bat and install Vazquez into the spot, but I'd keep Vazquez away from the AL East.
Vazquez isn't coming back for an incentive-laden deal with a low base salary, which is essentially the only method in which the Rays invest in free agents as they did with Roberto Hernandez (née Fausto Carmona). Tampa would be a good spot in every aspect, but they can't pay him.
The Indians agreed to terms with Brett Myers yesterday and are using him as a starter. They're clearly intent on trying to win within their means under new manager Terry Francona and Vazquez would fall into the veteran starting pitcher template. Francona's gentle handling of his players would suit Vazquez.
Vazquez is better than Joe Blanton, Tommy Hanson and Jason Vargas, but again, teams didn't know Vazquez was available. The Angels don't have any room for him now.
His penchant for allowing home runs is a concern in Texas, but their infield defense would also help him greatly. They're a contender, would prefer a pitcher on a short-term contract and have had success with pitchers like Colby Lewis who've left for Japan and came back to MLB making Vazquez's departure and return a non-issue.
The Rangers are a definite possibility.
The Nationals are waiting out Adam LaRoche and his free agency tour. In a free agency family tree sort of situation, LaRoche might go to the Red Sox if their contract snag with Mike Napoli isn't ironed out and the deal comes undone. If that's the case, the Nats won't be able to trade Mike Morse. If they can trade Morse, they can move him for a starting pitcher. Or they can sign Vazquez and worry about the other stuff later.
Vazquez spent the first six years of his career with the Nats organization when they were in Montreal. He's a perfect fit back in the NL East where he had his best years and pitching for a legitimate World Series contender in Washington.
The Braves have enough starting pitching, so much so that they traded Hanson to the Angels for Jordan Walden. But Brandon Beachy is returning from Tommy John surgery and Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado are kids, so there's a spot for a veteran like Vazquez if they want him. Vazquez had the year of his life with the Braves in 2009, won 15 games (he should have won 22) and finished 4th in the NL Cy Young voting. It's doubtful they'd do it, but it's logical.
Vazquez is better than John Lannan and Kyle Kendrick—the two pitchers at the back of the Phillies rotation and gigantic steps down from the top three of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels—but the home run ball would be an issue for Vazquez and the Phillies offense and defense aren't what they once were to account for Vazquez's faults. He'd surrender a ton of homers in Philadelphia. He's probably ill-suited mentally to the fans of Philadelphia booing him if he pitches 6 no-hit innings and then gives up a run in the seventh with the team leading 10-1.
They desperately need starting pitching and have money to spend, but I'm not sure they're contenders even though they can hit.
They just spent a large portion of available funds on Francisco Liriano. But they might be able to swing Vazquez. They're intriguing for Vazquez and vice versa. The Pirates are a NL Central club with a big ballpark and enough young talent to be taken seriously as a contender, so perhaps they can work something out with Vazquez if they clear some money elsewhere.
The Padres don't have a ton of money to toss around nor status as a winter contender, but they could surprise in 2013 with their onrushing young talent. They also brought the fences in and lowered the walls at Petco Park, which would affect a homer-prone pitcher like Vazquez.
They could jump in on him in a surprise move.
Vazquez didn't plan this very well if he wanted to start a bidding war. He realistically could've guaranteed himself $12 million if he'd made his services available at the conclusion of the 2012 season and seen the bidding go up with a 1-year deal plus an option with the requisite buyout. He could've made $15 million if he'd played it right.
All things considered, Vazquez and the Nationals are destined to wind up together. That's if he decides to pitch; and if the Nats don't trade Morse; and Yankees GM Brian Cashman doesn't try to prove himself "right" by going after Vazquez again for the Yankees.
January 2, 2013 Paul Lebowitz Tagged Adam LaRoche, Adam Lind, Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Brandon Beachy, Brett Myers, Brewers, Brian Cashman, Cleveland Indians, Cliff Lee, Colby Lewis, Cole Hamels, Fausto Carmona, Francisco Liriano, Indians, Jason Vargas, Javier Vazquez, Javier Vazquez comeback, Javier Vazquez stats, Javier Vazquez Yankees, Joe Blanton, John Lannan, Jordan Walden, Julio Teheran, Kyle Kendrick, Los Angeles Angels, Marlins, Miami Marlins, Mike Morse, Mike Napoli, Milwaukee Brewers, Nationals, Nats, New dimensions Petco Park, New York Yankees, Orioles, Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, Phillies, Pirates, Pittsburgh Pirates, Randall Delgado, Rangers, Rays, Red Sox, Ricky Romero, Roberto Hernandez, Roy Halladay, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Terry Francona, Texas Rangers, Tommy Hanson, Tommy John, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, WBC	5 Comments


Guys I had a puncture on my last long ride (yes typical, I have not had a training ride flat in several years),, and I used my only can of Pit stop to complete the ride.
Now I am going to the Hell of the west, and would require an emergancy tyre sealant/repair, and there is no bike shops in Roma.
Now.. if I mail order now, the stuff will not get here prior to Friday (we get to Gundi Friday arvo).
If anyone is going to Gundi, can I ask for someone to pick me up a can of either Vittoria or Scwable pit stop stuff. I will be staying at the Royal and pay you on your arrival. Thanks guys,,, hope some one can assist.
No probs Wayne I could bring it to you at rego on Sat arvo.


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Since obtaining the Mueller Report, Attorney General Bill Barr has reportedly not left his office for weeks, choosing instead to reclusively stay in his office with the lights turned off.
Several Department of Justice staffers, who requested anonymity to discuss the strange internal affairs of the DOJ, have told The Halfway Post that Barr has been heard late into the night making bizarre hissing sounds.
Another staffer commented on the disturbing changes in Mr. Barr's voice.
This report is still developing.


Well, I wasn't sure if I was going to be home today or not. Turns out, it wasn't my decision. Some black ice near Bridgman yesterday decided I was going to be in Kalamazoo and not in Chicago.
Since I was going to be gone, my Mother-In-Law drove up from Chicago to hang out with J. We had actually been invited to Salt of the Earth for the Food Network taping last night and since I couldn't go, J and her mom were going to go. I ruined those plans while I was sitting up against the cable guard rails facing the wrong direction on I-94.
Since J's mom was already here, she stayed the night hoping the weather would be better today. J was actually off this morning because she's attending a class to become certified as a MIFA judge which started just as her shift usually ends.
Since we were all here, we decided to get up for breakfast. Yes, I even got out of bed before noon on a day I didn't have to work.
We were planning on going across town to a place in Portage, but it was a little later in the morning than we planned on leaving, so J asked if there was anything close. There's always something close and surprisingly, there's a place near us we've never been to.
La Rue's Family Restaurant is on Stadium Drive in Oshtemo Township near Parkview and comes highly recommended. I have no idea why we've been in Kalamazoo a year and a half and haven't been there yet. Since moving to Oshtemo, I've been saving it for some rare occasion when we could actually go to breakfast.
It was surprisingly busy for a Tuesday morning at 10:30. The parking lot is a little weird and wraps around the building. We entered off Stadium and had to drive around the backside of the building to find an empty spot and we were kind of lucky we found one as close as we did.
Once inside, you come to a waiting room that is equipped with a TV. I'm guessing they are pretty packed on weekends which is why this room is large enough for a couple benches.
We made our way through the door leading from the waiting room into the restaurant. There was a hostess waiting for us and she showed us to a booth in the dining room to the right of the door. The building looks pretty large from the outside, but inside, they are pretty cramped for space. The aisles aren't that big and the booth was pretty cramped.
The place has the feeling of a home town diner. The waitresses are friendly, everyone seems to know everyone, and there were a few tables where people just came in for coffee and to chit-chat. On their way out, I heard several people say, "See you tomorrow" to the wait staff. Oh, and the big thing that makes me think home town diner, the advertisements. The place mats were paper and were filled with printed ads. Even the coffee mugs had ads printed on to them.
My MIL started with coffee, but neither J or I are really coffee drinkers. I really needed a Pepsi and was glad to see they carried Pepsi products. J got a Diet.
We were only 15 minutes short of lunch time, but La Rue's serves breakfast all day and that's what we all were really in the mood for. I found what I like to see on the second page of the menu. The Steak and 2 Eggs which comes with toast and potatoes. I went with the five ounce version medium rare. The steak is pretty much what I expect for breakfast. It was a little tough, but very tasty. It was pink the middle, but not runny. The eggs I got medium and they came out just a little bit runny…just the way I like. I got wheat toast and there were two pieces of bread cut in to triangles. They came pre-buttered so they had the great taste of the butter seeping into the bread. For the potatoes I went with the American fries. I only ate a couple because they were really potato-y tasting. I know, weird right. Potatoes taste like potatoes. Yeah, I'm weird. They had a good, greasy flavor, but not my thing. They weren't bad…I'm just a picky potato eater.
J ordered Two Eggs with Bacon, toast, and potatoes. She got her eggs scrambled but only ate a few bites. She's kind of like me with potatoes. The eggs were fine, but she likes the other things on her plate more so she filled up on them leaving only a little room for the eggs. The bacon were thick cuts, but very crispy. She pulled off a fatty piece for me and I was a little jealous that I didn't get any bacon. She also went with wheat toast and her potatoes were hash browns. J can be a picky hash brown eater. She really likes them cooked all the way through and these must of been because she didn't leave any on her plate.
J's mom was intrigued by the Egg on an English Muffin. It's like a breakfast sandwich from McDonald's, but much better. The English muffin is stuffed with an egg, cheese, and bacon. She opted to have the egg a little runny in the middle because that's the way she likes eggs. She didn't really make any comment about it, but cleaned her plate, so I take that as a good sign.
Our bill was right around $25 with my plate being the most expensive at a little over eight bucks. La Rue's was exactly what we were looking for in breakfast. It was a quick meal and a really good price (less than $10/person.) It's the perfect greasy spoon, home town diner that every community needs.