The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-09-05
xIcroRlA.s FATHER.
Tho Duke OF Kent Lived In Nova scots
for Seven Years.


The Duke or Kent Lived In Nova Scot .
for Seven Years.
About seven miles west OF the CEN
ter of Halifax. near the head OF Bed
ford basin, is q beautiful spot now
much used as a picnic ground, which
every Haligonian knows as "Ine
Princes Lodge" says Harper's Bazaar.
Il is part of the estate in old times
leased by Sir John Wentworth TO the
duke OF Kent for his royal residence
during the seven years that that prince,
the father OF Queen Victoria. lived In
Nova Scotia. Sir John Wentworth
had his country mansion there, and
called it. in allusion to Romeo and
Juliet" ..Friar Lawrence's Cell"
The duke enlarged the original house
until it was fine two-storied villa
somewhat In the Italian style, with ex-
tensive wings at the north and south
and great hall and drawing-rooms in
the center.
Back of the house were stables for
his horses, and the grounds. though
rustic. and having all the marks that
nature had originally put upon them.
contained many charming surprises.
His royal highness. who was at this
time commander OF all the forces in
North America, had telegraph battery
on an adjoining hill, by means OF
which he could send his orders to the
citadel in town. In the neighborhood
OF the lodge were artificers OF various
rtfo haf hA ,1ao
feudal town. Indeed. the prince him
self used to put his hand to the jack
plane or drive the cross-cut saw. and
fancy there was little that went on
that he did not personally oversee.
He was strict disciplinarian, but
was very kind and affable in social
life, and especially interested In young
men. for whom he often did much. His
life had not been a luxurious one. and
he inherited many of the simple tastes
of his father, plain old Farmer
George" which, on the whole, COM
mended him to Nova Scotians. Society
In Halifax in those days was very gay.
and 1t is said that the prince, by his
moderation in the use Of wine, and by
abstaining entirely from cards. had
good influence over the young men OF
the town. To cure incompetence
among his men. 1t is said, he used to
make them turn out mt 5 o'clock in tho
morning for drill which. OF course,
made late hours away from barracks
His punishments were very severe
For one poor soldier he ordered /, 900
lashes on his bare back, and on the
Of the lodge is shown "a cave
where another was confined for two or
three years, until he died. Once or
twice, 1t is said. men committed
suicide from fear of his punishments.
Prince Edwards friend and COM
panion during his Nova Scotia life was
u clever Frenchwoman, Nine. AL
phousie Therese Bernadine Julie de
Montgenet de ST. Laurent baronne de
Fortisson, whom he first met in Mar
Unique, and who when he married
the queens mother, retired to con-
vent.
The Halifax people were dazzled by
the presence of royalty among them,
and when the princes seven-year term
hal expired it took society long
time to settle down TO its normal con-
1ition. In 1900 the duke OF Kent be-
gan the erection of the present citadel
IN Halifax, first removing the old. in
secure Notifications and then building
he massive walls that now include
he fort. A conspicuous monument OF
MS royal highness still remaining is
he square wooden clock tower below
he glacis. directly above the middle
Of the town.