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The lamented death of the author, whose
clear, incisive style, vigorous thought, and painstaking research, have
imparted so much interest to the preceding pages, leaving the manuscript
of the concluding pages of this volume incomplete, renders apology
superfluous for all delay in presenting it to the public. Another hand
has completed the unfinished task with the honest endeavour to follow,
as far as possible, the lines laid down by the author. A generous, and
fair-minded public, will make due allowance for the difficulty of
undertaking, at short notice, to deal with a subject demanding accurate
historical and geographical knowledge and exactness of statement to do
even a measure of justice to the work.
It is eminently fit that a book of the
nature of the "Scot in British North America" should include
some notice, however fragmentary and imperfect, of the writer, whose
early decease has left such a void in the ranks of Canadian literature.
The personal details that, had he lived, the modesty which was so
conspicuous a feature in his character, would have prevented his giving,
may now appropriately be supplied. William J. Rattray was born in
London, England, about the year 1835, his father being a Scot and his
mother English. The family came to Canada about the year 1848, settling
in Toronto, where Mr. Rattray, Senr., was, for many years engage in
trade, being highly respected as a man and a citizen. William J. Rattray
entered Toronto University about the year 1854, and devoted himself
earnestly to study especially in the department of metaphysics and
philosophy. He soon developed rare intellectual gifts as a profound and
acute reasoner. He became Prize Speaker and President of the Literary
Society, and his clear and thoughtful utterances soon won him a
brilliant reputation among the young men of his time. On graduating he
won the gold medal in Mental Science. Mr. Rattray was for many years
before his death connected with the press of Toronto, his most
noteworthy work being done on the staff of the Toronto Mail. A
series of articles which appeared weekly during a period extending over
several years, dealing with the conflict between agnosticism in its
various forms and revealed religion, excited much attention and were
greatly admired by a wide circle of readers. They presented the orthodox
side of the question with much force and ability. Mr. Rattray’s
intellect was an unusually active one. His brilliant natural faculties
were cultivated by assiduous study and constant reflection. Essentially
a many-sided man intellectually, he displayed equal power and grasp of
his subject in dealing with current political and social topics, as in
grappling with the deeper problems of life and eternity, which, of late
years, engrossed so much of his thoughts. His style was notable for its
lucidity, smoothness, and finish, which made everything he wrote
readable, and fascinated even where it did not convince. Personally, Mr.
Rattray was one of the most loveable of men and though owing to a
somewhat retiring disposition, his circle of intimate friends was not
wide, there were many who, having but a slight and passing acquaintance
with him, felt a pang of sincere sorrow at his untimely death. He died
at Toronto on the 26th of September, 1883, after an illness,
the long and insidious approaches of which had considerably impaired his
customary mental force. The readers of the "Scot in British North
America" can best realize how great a loss Canadian literature has
sustained.
December 13th, 1883.
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