At that time, as a matter of course, the _Patriot_ and the _Globe_ were politically antagonistic. The _Colonist_, then conducted by Hugh Scobie, represented the Scottish Conservatives in politics, and the Kirk of Scotland in religious matters. Therefore, it often happened, that the _Patriot_ and _Colonist_ were allied together against the _Globe_; while at other times, the _Patriot_ stood alone in its support of the English Church, and had to meet the assaults of the other two journals--a triangular duel, in fact. A spiteful correspondent of the _Colonist_ had raked up some old Edinburgh slanders affecting the personal reputation of Mr. Peter Brown, father of George Brown, and joint publisher of the _Globe_. Those slanders were quoted editorially in the _Patriot_, without my knowledge until I saw them in print on the morning of publication. I at once expressed my entire disapproval of their insertion; and Col. O'Brien took the matter so much to heart, that, without letting me know his decision, he removed his brother from the editorship, and placed it temporarily in my hands. My first editorial act was, by Col. O'Brien's desire, to disavow the offensive allusions, and to apologize personally to Mr. Peter Brown therefor. This led to a friendly feeling between the latter gentleman and myself, which continued during his lifetime. On the 25th of May, 1849, the great fire occurred in Toronto, which consumed the _Patriot_ office, as well as the cathedral and many other buildings. Soon afterwards Col. O'Brien sold his interest in the _Patriot_ to Mr. Ogle R. Gowan. I have been favoured with the perusal of some "jottings" in the Colonel's own hand-writing, from which I make an extract, describing his first experience of the service at the age of fourteen, as midshipman on board H. M. 36 gun Frigate _Doris_, commanded by his father's cousin, Capt. (afterwards Admiral) Robert O'Brien: