My dearest Calvin,

I was just delighted to receive your letter and card last evening; it was the greatest relief to my mind, for it was so stormy on the Lake here, that I was somewhat anxious and feared at least you were having a miserable time. The fare on those boats is very excellent, and I am so glad you were able to enjoy it. It was perhaps trying not to have a free Sabbath, but you do not know the good you may have done, there are so few sermons with any thing in them and the old gentleman's encomium would cheer you.

We had a great storm of thunder lightning and rain, on Sabbath evening came on just as we were starting, so that Edna and Hilda fled into the English Church, but Tom and I pushed on to encourage Dr. McNair.¹ On Tuesday went up to H. [Hamilton] to inspect Bold St. houses, everything getting on well and the porch just what I like, suits the houses exactly.

Many of the club regret they could not buy our house, but a railway man warned Hugh Baker that the railway would have to have our property eventually.² It does seem such a strain. However we are just going to enjoy ourselves. Have heard nothing more whether Tom is settled or not. If he were, think I should have heard.

I am very indignant with these Oakville Presbyterians last night at Prayer meeting three people beside ourselves, Mrs. McNair and her servant. The Manse is so large, that Mrs. McNair has to keep a servant and the grounds so large, Mr. McNair has to have help with it. The church is in debt, they seem to have no system of envelope giving and I would like to shake them.

The family is forcing me into taking these grand furs and I feel as if I were too extravagant and yet I think it may not be in the long run, as that beautiful stole is reduced just because the skins were purchased last winter and they were "doing the best they could for an old customer." So I shall be a great swell.³

Well, Calvin dear, by this time I trust you will have found a place to lay your head. I earnestly pray that some comfortable home may be opened to you. With much love from all.

Your loving mother

M.B. McQuesten

List of Law Graduates
Graduates of Law School
[Illegible]
The Globe May 26th 1907

Post Card from F.A. Robinson
Sterling May 28/07
My dear McQuesten:-

It is very careless of me but I have really forgotten your address and though I have hunted all over for your letter I have failed to find it. I did not like to mail the films right to the college for fear of there being a delay in their reaching you. Immediately on getting your address I will forward. Yours truly,
F.A. Robinson

[Address on front of Post Card]
Canada Post Card
The address to the be written on this side.
Calvin McQuesten, B.A.
41 Jackson Street, Hamilton

¹ For Rev. Dr. John McNair, see W5868.

² Hugh Cossart Baker Jr. (1846-1931) was not related to Mary Baker McQuesten. He was a prominent businessman in Hamilton, a banker and stock broker and was instrumental in forming the Hamilton Street Railway. He "conceived the idea of using a telegraph line between his house and the houses of two fellow chess players . . . enabling each player to telegraph his moves to his opponents" (7 blocks apart). In 1875 they organized the West Side Domestic Telegraph Co. These were replaced with telephone lines in 1877 and he leased the second telephone in Canada in 1878 (the first went to Prime Minister Alexander Mackenzie in 1877). He became the manager of The Bell Telephone Co. in Hamilton. His father had opened the first life insurance company in Upper Canada in 1847 (W5854, W6053; DHB1.12-14; Burkholder 139-40; for more on telegraph, see W6336).

³ This is the first mention of any "extravagant" purchase for Mary. However, we note that they were last year's skins. The income from the Hamilton Club's rental of Whitehern likely made the purchase possible.