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and of Ireland flows in their veins, and side by side the lusty young sons of an older civilization, born three thousand miles away, are working out a destiny, which three centuries ago was begun under conditions which more than once appalled the heart, but never crushed the spirit. Side by side, English Canadians and French Canadians are developing the resources of the land, rivalling each other in a friendly way only, dwelling together amicably, and working out, with equal intelligence and hope, the political and social problems which, from time to time, press for solution."

I heartily indorse the speaker's remarks concerning the loyalty of the people, their piety, industry, and excellent moral qualities, their free government, admirable parliamentary system, their independence, the freedom of the press, and particularly, their great natural resources; but in a complete survey of a subject, the shadows of the picture must be noticed as well as the lights. The perils of the political fabric, the serious disagreements among different races and creeds, the unfortunate condition of several of the provinces, some of them heavily indebted and poor, with no signs of early improvement, are entirely overlooked. Into the ill-governed provinces few capitalists enter, and few or no immigrants, while multitudes of their own people, chiefly natives, continually move off to the United States. The prospect for the Dominion is not flattering, many writers and speakers openly declaring, from time to time, that Quebec and some of the other provices have no other resource than an early call upon the federal government for increased subsidies in order to make ends meet. Present allowances come lamentably short of this result. And the provinces cannot safely levy heavier taxes upon the farmers, business men, and artisans, while the foreign creditors insist upon the payment of all their interest. Much discontent prevails among the farmers; they complain of constant increasing difficulties in their position, owing to heavier taxation of recent years, the greater cost of labor, and poor markets for their various products. In consequence of these drawbacks, there has been a material fall in the value of farms, even in the best districts. The American trade is sadly missed, and will be more so, and they sigh for a Reciprocity Treaty. But I do not wish to further enlarge upon such painful topics, and therefore return to the main subject of this paper.

The intelligent and educated French Canadians are easily moulded into politicians. They have a natural taste for politics, and possess the qualifications necessary, being fluent speakers, demonstrative, and excitable, with pleasing manners, which give a decided advantage over men less attractive, though otherwise as able. The system of education favored by their clergy, of combining classical with religious instruction, although adopted for the preparation of suitable candidates for their order, has been the means of preparing many a suitable man for the political arena. Of course, as regards immediate results, the clergy soon saw that only a portion of their pupils or beneficiaries entered their ranks, the majority always drifting to the learned professions ; but with true patriotism they continued to prepare the French Canadian youth for the higher callings, and start them in careers of honor and usefulness. In this way popular chieftains are prepared, the race enjoying an advantage over some others in the matter of a large proportion of college-bred political leaders. These facts explain the extent of the intellectual hiatus between a set of distinguished politicians and professionals, and a large body of ignorant peasantry. Most of the notable figures in French Canadian politics and literature have been the sons of farmers. Often, indeed, too, was their education obtained at the cost of much self-denial on the part of parents. The clergy, friends, and relatives, realizing the importance of education, often encourage in substantial ways promising young men to devote themselves to the religious and other professions. Such distinguished men as Sir Hypolite Lafontaine, Morin, Papineau, Laberge, Etienne Parent, F. X. Garneau, L'Abbé Ferland, Bedard, Sir George Cartier, Lieutenant-Governor Letellier, and many others, were of such