Page:Tupper family records - 1835.djvu/204

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APPENDIX D.

COINCIDENCES.

In addition to the few mentioned in the text, (see pp. 14, 34, 44, and 101,) the following have been selected for insertion in this appendix. The subject may seem strange, but it is surely one which affords room for innocent speculation on the attributes of that Almighty Being, "who can make alive and who can kill." By many these coincidences will be ascribed to accident ; others may view them as something more than special ; while all must admit that so many links in the chain, if the effect of chance, do appear to be singularly casual.

Oh Providence ! how hidden are thy ways, — Who shall presume to fathom thy decrees? To thee let man his suppliant prayers raise, As thy dread mysteries he daily sees.

Sir Isaac Brock was born on the Cth October ; made lieutenant- colonel 25th October, 1/97 ; commanded his regiment at the battle of Egmont op Zee on the 6th October, 1799 (his birth-day) ; colonel 30th October, 1 805 ; assumed the office of president of Upper Canada 9th October, 1811 ; and killed 13th October, 1812.

War was declared by the United States on the 18th June, 1812, not without a strong opposition in the house of representatives, the division being seventy-nine to forty-nine votes. Thus this day, which became three years subsequently so memorable in the annals of Great Britain, was equally fatal to uncle and nephew, Major-General Brock and Lieutenant Tupper, and the forty-nine dissentients to the war tally with the former's favorite regiment. Moreover, the counter declaration of war, with the granting of letters of marque and reprisals, was not issued by Great Britain till the 13th of October, the day on which Sir Isaac Brock was slain.

Extract of a letter from Fordsgrove, near London, dated 27th June, 1806. — "Isaac left town last evening in the mail for Milford

Haven Dear fellow ! Heaven knows when we shall see him

again." — Thus Colonel Brock left London for the last time to embark for Canada on the 26th June, and his nephew, Lieutenant