MAJOR-GENERAL BROCK, GOVERNOR OF UPPER CANADA.


The appointment of Brock--with his exceptional military attainments--to
the chief command in Upper Canada, at the point of greatest danger, was
a rare piece of good fortune for the colony. Of the American military
leaders, Generals Howe, Dearborn and Wadsworth were all examples of a
common standard; even Sir George Prevost, the new Governor-General of
Canada and Commander-in-Chief, was tuned in a minor key.

Isaac Brock was the man of the hour. His star was in the ascendant.
Queen Victoria's father, the Duke of Kent, was anxious to meet the
soldier whose despatches had stirred the War Office. The Duke of York
was ready to give him a brigade under Wellington, while the Governor of
Jamaica, the Duke of Manchester, then touring Canada, begged Brock, whom
he looked upon as a "universal provider," to equip him with canoes and
guides for a western pilgrimage. If Brock's promotion brought him
distinction it also brought him work--Executive Councils,
court-martials, reorganization of militia, reconstruction of the ruined
forts on the Niagara frontier, the building of gunboats, the making of
roads. Never idle. To-day he was inspecting a camp of the 49th at Three
Rivers, near Montreal; next week at Fort Erie. Ever busy, ever buoyant.
Whether perusing documents, scouring the muddy roads at Queenston,
surveying the boundaries of the dreaded Black Swamp, or visiting the
points between Fort George and Vrooman's battery on his slashing gray
charger, he had a smile and cheery word for everyone. As for Dobson, his
profound awe at his master's progress was only equalled by his devotion,
that increased with the illness that threatened his life; while the
faithful sergeant-major, now Captain FitzGibbon, in command of a company