MUSIC:
"Pianos at this time were unknown in Victoria and I question very much whether one existed in British Columbia, Washington, or Oregon, the latter to me doubtful anyhow. Probably no musical instrument existed in Victoria save the howl and barking of dogs, and the discordant music of Indians from the tomtoms."
The Music room at Helmcken was in the "new part" of the house, built when daughter Dolly married William Higgins. The piano in the Helmcken house today is not the original, but is a of a similar build and era.
ENTERTAINING
Christmas and new years were celebrated with family and festivity at the Helmcken house. Ainslie Helmcken, grandson of Dr. Helmcken, recalls: "Christmas dinner: At one of the table was a great big turkey, Grandfather was always supposed to carve it, but he just made one cut and then James carved it. At the other end was a goose, which Harry carved, and half way down was a big ham. Afterwards they took down the big table, wheeled it back and danced in the dining room, opposite to now, and Aunt Amy would thump away on it. Grandfather would sing "Old Uncle Ned" and "I'll take you home again Kathleen.. . .Three Chinese cooks came from these various households would get together to cook the meal. At New Year's, there were two or three seatings. Once, Abraham Ebenezer Smith, who was the Consul for the U.S. came to dinner at New Year's. His daughter Mrs. Walsh, brought in artists to British Columbia."
On his voyage to York factory, Dr. Helmcken learned the card game Whist, to later become a much enjoyed pass time: "Chief Factor Hargrave and Mrs. Hargrave and nurse were passengers also - so the Captain and the above and I had a rubber of whist every night, when possible. I knew nothing about whist, but they broke me in and account was kept of the games with the debt and so forth! At the end of the journey, I had only four shillings to pay!" John Helmcken (BCARS: ADD.MSS.505, V.12)
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