In 1852 the Quebec house was closed, the brothers concentrating their energies upon the conduct of the Montreal business, out of which they made colossal fortunes, that of Mr. John Pratt amounting to about a million dollars. The tanneries at Roxton Falls were started by the Pratts, who for many years stood at the head of the leather business. In 1869, however, they put aside industrial and commercial interests, but while Charles Pratt confined himself to private affairs, his brother, John Pratt, whose name introduces this review, unable with his active temperament to remain comparatively unemployed, engaged in the conduct of several joint stock companies, with which he had identified himself. At the time of his death he was president of the Richelieu & Ontario Navigation Company, over whose board he had presided since 1867. He was president of the Banque du Peuple, of the Rubber Company, and others; and was vice president of the Citizens Assurance Company, a position which he also occupied in connection with other joint stock concerns. He was on the board of directors of the Valleyfield Cotton Company, an enterprise which he had done much to promote. Indeed, it may be said of Mr. Pratt that he was an undoubted authority on all business matters, being sagacious, practical, enterprising and energetic. He seemed to recognize almost from the beginning the possibilities of any undertaking, and he never faltered until his purpose was accomplished. In 1863 Mr. Pratt was placed on the harbor board, but the succeeding year the government of Sir John Macdonald removed him from office, doing exactly the same by Hon. John Young and Mr. Thomas Cramp. In 1874, however, he was placed upon the newly constituted board, of which he was an active, practical and influential member. His natural modesty impelled him, upon several occasions, to decline nomination for parliament, to which, there is no doubt, had he so desired, he would have been elected. Politically he was a thorough reformer and even by those who differed from him, his opinions were looked upon with great respect. He was at all times a thorough gentleman, a faithful and considerate friend and a real philanthropist. [Illustration: JOHN PRATT]