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ding railroads, but taking due precaution not to legislate in a way to put much money into the pockets of contractors and jobbers. Reckless politicians, like the one above referred to, never fail in Quebec to make out a strong case for the most visionary or dishonest projects if they promise large profits or advantages to party. A gratifying contrast to such a charlatan is Hon. Wm. Joly, who was premier of the province of Quebec for about eighteen months. This gentleman's name is a synonym with all parties, races, and creeds, for probity and political honor.

One day, conversing with an able French Canadian journalist on the regrettably backward condition of education among the masses, and the lamentable ease with which quacks and plausible political humbugs can carry their points outside or inside of parliament, he remarked: "There is no such thing as public opinion among French Canadians, though the press will talk habitually of public opinion. We tell the people they think this or thus on such a subject, and whether they think so or not in the first instance, they finally persuade themselves they did originally." Without undertaking to strictly define the line of error or indifference at which a great number of those people halt in public or political action, I must admit that in this way, as also through weakness or apathy, too many come far short of duty to themselves and honest party, or country, by which all suffer and run serious danger. More knowledge, intelligent study of political questions, as well as firmness and justice in judging between political rivals, are urgently needed to secure that wise and honest system of government essential to the peace and prosperity of this important central province. No matter how trivial or improbable may be an accusation against a political opponent, if he be not eloquent and ready to reply at the instant—donner la réplique, and with wit or force as well, he falls at once in the estimation of the people. Even if he be undoubtedly wrong, let him make an earnest and stirring defence, a little in the tu quoque style, and he will be sure to win much sympathy, if he do not actually turn the tables on a much better and honester man than himself. A_politician of unenviable reputation, whose long flowing locks and charlatan looks are familiar to most of the people in the province, on one occasion was aggravated by the offensive personalities of a political opponent. He denounced from the public hustings the course of his adversary, characterizing it as the most infamous and ignominious he had ever known, stamping the base perpetrator of it as the vilest creature on earth. "But let him beware," he exclaimed, in his usual melodramatic tones, throwing his head backward and at the same time nervously raising one of the stray locks from his forehead with his right hand, "if he continue to pursue such slanderous methods, I shall follow him on his chosen ground and repay him in his own coin." (Je le suiverat sur son propre terrain et le paierai de sa propre monnaie.) This unique style of defence aroused the speaker’s unsophisticated hearers to no ordinary enthusiasm and admiration.

One unfortunate habit of the people is that of looking to the government, or their rulers, for everything. If a bridge is wanted in a parish, a wharf or landing on a river bank, or a highway, or a public structure of any kind, the government must be appealed to through the popular representatives, or other leading citizens. Much money has been injudiciously spent in this manner, instead of the people being taught to depend upon their own efforts and resources. In Ontario we find a material contrast in this respect. Local councils or rulers look mainly to the people for local improvements, from the cutting out of the newest road into the last surveyed patch of bush, to the construction of the last schoolhouse erected for the children of the pioneer settlers. It would appear from a remark of Napoleon III. to the late Mr. Washburn, minister to France in 1870–71, that the same tendency exists among the French. "The great trouble with the French," said Napoleon, “"was that they always looked to the government for everything, instead of depending upon themselves."

A Gascon politician secured his election by acclamation, by assuring the