# A Civic Holiday Trip explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

A poem describing a civic holiday excursion from Ingersoll to Toronto on the Grand Trunk Railway in August 1882, including a tribute to Mr. Hodge, conductor of the Caledonian games, and a visit to see a presentation to a Scottish son.

## Themes in this chapter

### Community and Social Gatherings

The poem describes a community excursion organized by the mechanics' institute, highlighting social bonding and shared celebration.

### Cultural Heritage and Immigrant Identity

Reference to Caledonian games and a 'stalwart son of Scottish nation' emphasizes Scottish cultural heritage in Ontario.

### Progress and Technology

The use of the Grand Trunk Railway for the trip reflects technological progress and modern transportation.

## Character check-ins

### James McIntyre

Author of the poem, narrating the trip.

### T. D. McKee

Addressed as Mr. Hodge, conductor of Caledonian games at Ingersoll.

## Key lines

> From Ingersoll, on Canadian Thames, We come to greet mine host of the St. James

We traveled from Ingersoll, located on the Canadian Thames River, to greet the host of the St. James hotel.

_Describes the starting point and destination of the trip._

> We came in part to contribute To our town’s mechanics’ institute

Part of our purpose was to support our town's mechanics' institute.

_Highlights the educational and civic motivation behind the excursion._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/a-civic-holiday-trip
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters