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of linseed oil, and wood fibre rolled on a fabric. On this the 
most delicate ornamented relief is obtained by machinery. 
Lincrista cannot be torn, it is impervious to damp, it is almost 
uninjurable, and it is difficult to think that anything more 
beautiful, useful, and permanent for interior decoration can be in 
store for us in the future. 
There was a profuse display of decorations, the principal 
exhibitors being Messrs. Jeffrey & Co., Scott, Cuthbertson & Co., 
William Woollams & Co., The Lincrusta Walton Co., William 
Dean & Co., and Messrs. Preston & Son. Hand-painted designs 
by Mr. Bottomley, of Leeds, and Mr. W. Henderson, of Burnley, 
were exhibited. In their inspection of the choice and varied 
articles, the members were assisted by Mr. Bottomley, Mr. 
Henderson, and the director of the soirée, Mr. Preston. 
CANADA AND THE MONTREAL MEETING OF 
THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION. 
By J. BROWN, M.A., M.D. December 9th, 1884. 
Dr. Brown pointed out that the Dominion of Canada covered 
nearly three and a half millions of square miles, being two-fifths 
of the British possessions throughout the world—a greater area 
than all the United States and territories. The early European 
settlements in Canada were alluded to, and the various steps 
taken by the English, French and Spaniards to colonize the 
region were traced, the conflicts between the English and French, 
ending in the downfall of the latter by the gallant victories of 
Wolfe, being vividly portrayed. The English colonists freed 
from all fear of their French neighbours now grew confident. 
England naturally tried to get from her colonies some reimburse- 
ment for the heavy sums the campaign had cost; soon began 
the troubles about the Stamp Acts, and within 23 years of the 
taking of Montreal what might have been the brightest jewel of 
the British Crown was gone. Benjamin Franklin had laid the 
foundation of that mighty nation which within one hundred 
years had numbered its fifty-five millions. The loss was ours, 
but the gain to the world had probably been great. An account 
was then given of the English settlements in various parts of 
Canada, the lecturer stating that seventeen years ago the British 
North American Act of 1867 was passed creating the Dominion. 
The Act was passed at the request of Canada, which then con- 
sisted of the two provinces of Quebec and Ontario, the other 
provinces accepting the Act as each joined the Dominion, viz., 
