The Following Excerpts are from Stars Appearing: The Galts Vision of Canada
2006 by Jane Harris.
ISBN:097809850
Copyright by the Author.

A young man towers over the other passengers as he gazes at the coastline. Before his eyes, the Mother Country’s coast grows greyer and paler. In spite of his size, other passengers cannot help noticing that this sturdy black haired youth still has the face of a boy. Eighteen year old Alexander Galt watches the ocean waves stretch out before him. Tears and salt water sting his eyes. His sadness lasts only a few moments. As his heart fills with excitement, he turns his thoughts toward the West.The ship sails into the open sea. Wind fills out its sails. Alexander Tilloch Galt has decided not to do as his father did. He will not come back home penniless or shamed... “It is fifth of July, 1858 when the provincial parliament gathers in Kingston. Alexander Tilloch Galt, Canada’s Inspector General stands to speak:

...Alexander’s voice echoes through the chamber. This British North American nation will expand through wide western expanse. And the vast wild land controlled by the London based Hudson’s Bay Company will provide room to grow.... (pp.80-81)

1881. The trip from the Assiniboine River to Coal Banks by horse and wagon is exhausting, especially for a man well past 60 years old who spends most of his time in meetings at gentlemen’s clubs.

As they travel, Alexander becomes painfully aware that his days of trekking through the wildlands of the Eastern Townships are long past. And this stark, flat prairie has none of the shady forests, clear lakes and rolling mountains of his beloved Townships....

Sun-burned and thirsty, Alexander almost gives up on this harsh, hot near desert. He would but for one thing. He is as determined to colonize the Canadian West as he was to confederate British North America thirty years ago. He and Elliott press on to the South Western corner of the Northwest Territories... (p.115)

.....Governor General The Marquis of Landsdowne, Sir Alexander Galt and Anglican Bishop “Saskatchewan Jack” officially open the line at Lethbridge.

Elliott knows from the smile on his father’s face that this celebration is as sweet as the day Alexander and Amy stood beside Governor General Lord Elgin as he opened the line that transformed the Eastern Townships from the backwater of Canada East into an industrial and agricultural heartland for the Province of Quebec. Today, no dream appears too big for the District of Alberta .... (p. 139)

There may not be a tree in sight. But Alexander is convinced Lethbridge will be as green and industrious as Sherbrooke and Guelph. His new town has streets 100 feet wide.... (P.140)