hero and defender of Upper Canada," was then a flaxen-haired boy of
eight.

Anno Domini 1769 will remain a memorable one in the history of the
empire. Napoleon, the conqueror of Europe, and Wellington, the conqueror
of Napoleon, were both sons of 1769. This same year Elizabeth de Lisle,
wife of John Brock, of St. Peter's Port, bore him his eighth son, the
Isaac referred to, also ordained to become "a man of destiny." Isaac's
future domain was that greater, though then but little known, dominion
beyond the seas, Canada--a territory of imperial extent, whose resources
at that time came within the range of few men's understanding. Isaac
Brock, as has been shown, came of good fighting stock, was of clean
repute and connected with most of the families of high degree on the
Island. The de Beauvoirs, Saumarez, de Lisles, Le Marchants, Careys,
Tuppers and many others distinguished in arms or diplomacy, were his
kith and kin. His mind saturated with the stories of the deeds of his
ancestors, and possessed of a spirit of adventure developed by constant
contact with soldiers and sailors, it was but natural that he became
cast in a fighting mould and that "to be a soldier" was the height of
his ambition.

Perhaps Isaac Brock's chief charm, which he retained in a marked degree
in after life--apart from his wonderful thews and sinews, his stature
and athletic skill--was his extreme modesty and gentleness. The fine old
maxim of the child being "father to the man" in his case held good.




CHAPTER II.