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Page 2. same characteristics which made him widely appreciated abroad, brought to him an unfailing source of love and respect from those who knew him more intimately at home. He was a man of varied talent. As a conversationalist he excelled. His fund of reminiscences, oftentimes quaint and humorous, frequently dealing with interesting facts of a semi-historic character, seemed unfailing. Genial at all times, he was much sought after by those who appreciated his companionship and their numbers seemed innumerable. Generous to a fault he frequently came to the rescue of his friends at great personal disadvantage to himself. Mr. Isbester was from his earliest youth an ardent Conservative, and the party to which he gave an unfaltering allegiance owes much to him. Nearly all the cabinet ministers in the last quarter of a century were his personal friends, and he was as well known and as highly appreciated by those in lofty station as by those in the humbler walks of life. He was a warm personal friend of the late Sir John A. Macdonald during the life-time of that illustrious statesman, and had he been so disposed he might have cast a sidelight upon certain important crises which have attended the history of Canadian political parties, and of which as matters stand the general public have only a vague and imperfect knowledge. With those who made up the Liberal party while in opposition he was also on the best of terms. While ever loyal to his own political convictions, his was not a blind adhesion to party; he was as liberal minded as he was wholehearted. Career of the Deceased Mr. Isbester was one of the most prominent contractors in Canada. Born in the Orkney Islands, 59 years ago, his parents came to this country when he was still very young, settling near Woodstock. His father was a retired sea captain. While still a young man he acted as mechanical engineer on the Great Western Railway. In I869 he commenced his contracting experience by building a portion of the Rimouski bridge under