Among merchants he has shown himself conversant with the great commercial questions of the day, and in the presence of the leading men of the bar, the clergy, and other professions and callings, His Lordship has been equally at home. It would be unfair to conclude these remarks, imperfect as they are, without some allusion to the hearty sympathy which His Excellency has manifested for our national sports,-a kindness on his part which has given an impetus to these healthful recreations. But the time devoted to the encouragement of athletic pursuits has not interfered with the fulfilment of a long list of more serious engagements. Our columns during the past month afford ample evidence of the liberal attention bestowed by their Excellencies on the various institutions of the city, and the kindly expressions with which their work has been commended. Even the deaf have not been strangers to their words, nor have the blind missed the genial influence of their presence."*

A St. John, N.B., journal thus alludes to this visit to Montreal: "Every institution of a public character is attended to, His Excellency shewing a decided inclination for such as are of a literary or educational character. His tour is not a mere round of festivities, and his replies to congratulatory addresses, instead of being a tissue of stereotyped platitudes, are bona fide speeches, abounding in sound common sense and valuable suggestions. Very good illustrations of this are furnished by extracts from some of his late speeches already published in our columns, especially his remarks on the Educational Controversy, and the necessity for cultivating national politeness."

CHAPTER V.

CONTENTS.

State of Parties after the General Elections in the Autumn of 1872-Opening of Parliament, 5th March, 1873-His Excellency's Speech from the Throne-Social Life at Rideau Hall-Ontario House of Assembly-Orange Bills-His Excellency declines to deal with them-Sir John Macdonald's opinion on the Constitutional Question-Mr. Huntington's Motion in the House of Commons for a Committee to investigate charges made against the Ministry in respect to the Pacific Railway-History of the events leading up to the "Pacific Railway Scandal "-Defeat of Mr. Huntington's motion-Motion of Sir John Macdonald for a Committee-Committee appointed-The Oaths Bill,-it is passed, and disallowed by Her Majesty-Proceedings of Committee adjourned to 2nd July -House adjourned to 13th August-His Excellency leaves Ottawa 10th June for the Maritime Provinces-Visit to Quebec-Baptism of Lady Victoria Blackwood-Her Majesty's present as Godmother-Visits the Wimbledon Team en route for England-Sir John Macdonald offers a Royal Commission to the Parliamentary Committee-Declined by Messrs. Dorion and Blake-Publication of the "McMullen Correspondence," and Sir Hugh Allan's statement-Their Excellencies leave Quebec for the Maritime Provinces-Progress to Prince Edward Island—Cape Breton-Halifax-Speech at Halifax Club-His Excellency obliged to return to Ottawa to meet Parliament on 13th August-Interview with the deputation from the "Ninety-three "Their Memorial-His Reply-Meeting of the Pacific Railway CommitteeOpening of Parliament, 13th August-Mr. Mackenzie's motion-Turbulent conduct of the Opposition-House Prorogued-Meeting of Opposition Members after Prorogation-Full text of His Excellency's celebrated despatch of 15th August, No. 197-Despatch of 18th August-Despatch of the Earl of Kimberley, 9th October,-London Times-Return to Maritime ProvincesVisit to St. John, N.B., 19th August-Visit to Fredericton--Nashwaak-Woodstock-Grand Falls-Return to Quebec, 5th September-Members returned to the House of Commons for P.E.I.-Newfoundland-Charter of the Canadian Pacific Railway surrendered-Meeting of Parliament, 23rd October-Speech from the Throne-Report of the Royal Commission issued to enquire into Mr. Huntington's charges-Debate on the Address-Mr. Mackenzie's Amendment -Speakers on both sides-Resignation of the Ministry, 5th November-Mr. Mackenzie sent for to form a new Ministry-Names of Ministers-Remarks on the Pacific Railway matter.

LORD DUFFERIN had now been in Canada about eight months. He

had fully developed the social system he had proposed for himself. More than usual prominence has been given to the festivities attending his movements, because under these lay a policy far more important in a political point of view than would, at the first blush, appear. It will have been observed that in all his replies to addresses he takes care to emphasize the fact that he appears as the representative of Her Majesty, and he had evidently determined to bind the people. to her, through himself, by exhibiting an honest and warm interest in their institutions, their welfare, and their happiness, by a respectful consideration for their manners, their habits, their creeds and their language. A ball was to him not a mere gathering of beauty and fashion,-it was a school where he could learn the tastes of the people and test the degree of refinement to which they had attained. A cricket, or a lacrosse match was not a mere passing amusement,—it was an exhibition by which he could compare the physical strength and the manly qualities of the Canadian youths with those of their transatlantic cousins. A visit to universities, or colleges, or schools, was not to him a vain show, but a means of increasing the dignity and value of a liberal education. The unwonted affability both of Lord and Lady Dufferin drew to them the hearts of all classes, and their geniality, and kindness, brought them in these few months to a height of popularity never before reached by any Canadian Governor. This geniality and kindness were so abundant, and were exhibited so constantly, and in so many varying ways that the people, taken by surprise, were sometimes inclined to fear that the exhibition was spasmodic, and that their Excellencies would soon sink into the accustomed seclusion and indifference of former representatives of British power, but after six years' residence in Canada, they left the country, as will be seen, after enjoying a constantly, and steadily increasing popularity, which had known no check, and had never suffered the slightest diminution of warmth. But now, Lord Dufferin was to enter upon another phase of his life. Settled at the Seat of Government, just after a General Election throughout the Dominion, his attention was about to be drawn to the more serious subjects of his rule.*

*

The observations of a correspondent of the New York World, who, we may suppose, was uninfluenced by any national or sectional views, are interesting. He says: "It would be trite to say that, since Lord Dufferin came to Canada, he has been winning golden opinions' from all classes. He is the most popular of royal representatives, and court journalists never tire of singing his praises. He has placed upon record his mature conviction that he has

The general elections had passed off in quiet. There was no great issue before the country. The Government of Sir John Macdonald had been sustained, notwithstanding the efforts of the Opposition to destroy his majority by their attacks on the Nova Scotia "better terms,"―their denunciations of the agreements by which Manitoba and British Columbia were induced to enter Confederation,—their protests against the inaction of the Ministry in omitting to provide legislation for the suppression of corrupt practices at elections,—their sharp criticisms on the Pacific Railway policy, and their insinuations that the Secret Service Fund had been used for illegitimate purposes. The Government of Sir John was at this period firmly rooted in power,— it possessed the confidence of the people, and had nothing to fear from a weak and disunited Opposition. It had survived the attacks

social as well as political responsibilities, and he has accordingly entered upon a ceaseless round of festivities and entertainments. Not only does he give splendid balls and magnificent dinners, but he holds levees, attends concerts, visits public schools, patronizes lacrosse matches, lays corner-stones, attends University convocations, receives addresses on all possible occasions, and delivers happy, though impromptu, replies. He mingles very freely with the people, and is altogether so unaffected, pleasant and popular that if the Great American Eagle were to be his guest at Holland House, Toronto, or Rideau Hall, Ottawa, the Geneva award might be cancelled, or perhaps handed over to the Dominion to pay for the enlargement of its canals. Not only does His Excellency guide the affairs of a growing nation but he buys dolls for pretty little girls on the street. The Earl of Dufferin is in fact the most wonderful and popular Governor that has been for years bestowed on the loyal Canadians." "He has discharged his social duties with a ‘graceful hospitality' worthy of the old days, though personal Government would, no doubt, be the last thing thought of by such a Liberal, and such a stickler for the Constitution as His Excellency. Lord Dufferin manifested great shrewdness, and a keen appreciation of the state of affairs, by spending some weeks in Toronto before taking up his residence for the winter at Ottawa. He rented Holland House, and gave a series of private and public entertainments which rendered society in the Ontario Capital exceedingly gay for a time, and gave the people a very favorable impression of His Excellency and his accomplished wife." "The Governor's affability may afford some scope for snobs and sycophants to ply their harmless avocations;-but, by mixing freely with the people whom he has to govern, he has shown more practical statesmanship, and become better acquainted with them and their aspirations than if, like his predecessors, he had gone quietly to Rideau Hall, and had seen nothing more of the people than could be noticed in a state tour. He has now gone to the Dominion capital, where he is displaying the same splendid hospitality which made his stay in Toronto very pleasant, and where he has promptly thrown off the shackles which a band of would-be fashionables and aristocrats would have fastened upon him."

made on it, on account of the alleged improper concessions made by Sir John in the Washington Treaty,—for the people had exhibited too much good sense, and too much respect for Imperial necessities, to carp at a measure which, though in some slight matters it was possible to be considered as inimical to their interests, was yet one of much importance to the Empire at large, since it buried forever several dangerous disputes which might at any moment have involved Britain in serious complications. The crowning success of Sir John was in transforming Nova Scotia from a passionate opponent of Confederation into one of its most loyal supporters, and in inducing British Columbia to join her fortunes with the Confederated Provinces.

The recent elections had developed to an alarming extent the fatal disease of corrupt practices. The evil had been steadily growing. There was no special legislation directed against it. It was universally admitted that corruption was making gigantic strides among all grades of the people. The usual venality of large towns had crept into even the farming districts, and bribes were now as unblushingly received as they were unblushingly offered. Neither of the great political parties could boast of their purity,-one was as bad as the other, the only difference being in the extent of means. The Liberal party laid hold of the obvious corruption as a charge against the Conservatives, and cried with all the semblance of honesty, "turn out the corruptionists,-put us in their places,-then, and not until then, will the reign of purity commence." This cry assumed an unusual importance in the course of subsequent events.

In the meantime each party was preparing for the struggle in Parliament, and Lord Dufferin was quietly studying the people, and the present needs of the country.

On his return to Ottawa His Excellency devoted himself to a preparation for the first session of the second Dominion Parliament. It opened on 5th March, with more than usual splendor. The Hon. James Cockburn, member for the West Riding of the County of Northumberland, Ont., was, on the nomination of Sir John A. Macdonald, elected Speaker without opposition.

In the speech from the Throne His Excellency expressed his deep sense of his good fortune in being permitted to associate himself with the Houses in their labors and aspirations for the welfare of the Dominion. He rejoiced to think that his assumption of office took place when the prospects of the country appeared so full of promise,when peace and amity prevailed amongst neighboring nations, and