To dive into the journals of the past, of which the loft above the offices here at Simpson is full, is even more interesting than talking with the people of the present. We take 1837, the year which saw the accession in England of the young and well-beloved Queen, and from these musty books unearth a running commentary of what is doing in Fort Simpson in that year.
"_1837, January 1_. The people were brought into the Hall, and enjoyed their meal with great appetites, being also treated to a glass of wine and a fathom of tobacco and a pipe. Wind East."
"_1837, February 11_. Rabbits are numerous, but the ladies of the Establishment make no great effort in snaring them."
"_1837, February 14_. Late last night arrived a woman, _Thawyase_, and a boy, the family of the late _Thoesty_. They have all come to take refuge here as they are starving. The woman at dusk decoyed old Jack away to camp in the woods--and the old fellow has found a mate."
One wonders if either _Thawyase_, the decoyed Jack, or the old chronicler was conscious of the fact that this was St. Valentine's Day.
"_1837, March 27_. Two geese have been seen to-day, the first this season."
"_1837, May 2_. _Marcel_ sowed some oats. Mosquitoes begin to become annoying."
"_1837, May 5_. Wild fowl are beginning to frequent the small lakes of the neighbourhood. The willows and young trees are now budding forth beautifully."
"_1837, May 18_. _Hope_ began to plough this morning with the bull, but as this is the first time he has been yoked, the day's work is found to be but poor."
"_1837, May 19_. Felix and Roderick McLeod made twelve bags of pemmican to-day."
_1837, May 21_. The Mackenzie River broke up to-day, and continued drifting pretty thick till evening."
"_1837, June 18_. Some of the Indians killed a bear before the door and it supplied us with a little fresh meat."
"_1837, June 19_. Flies so numerous that we are under the necessity of putting our cattle into the stable, otherwise they will fall victims to the cruel insects."
"_1837, June 20_. Weather very suffocating, thermometer 85 above at three p.m., not as much as a cloud to be seen in the firmament and not the least air to afford any refreshment; this along with the solitude of the time is enough to make people dull. No Indian from any quarter: well supplied with ammunition last spring, they forget us when they can get their own mouths satisfied. Ashley grinding barley in the steel mill."