48 



ONTARIO. 



in holding up certain acts of English statesmen to con- 

 tempt. Under the specious pretext of fostering a national 

 sentiment, he endeavours to inflame the minds of Cana- 

 dians against England and England's policy. In a less 

 loyal country he might work mischief. If he transferred 

 himself and his pen to the Emerald Isle, one-half the 

 malignity he displays would give him a proud place in 

 the roll of Irish patriots. But in Canada he is harmless. 

 Party spirit runs high there, and both sides are glad to 

 avail themselves of the assistance of able men with 

 grievances at their command. It is therefore saying 

 something for the loyalty of Canada that each party 

 has discovered in this discontented stranger an enemy 

 of England, and as such has tabooed him. 



The province of Ontario has a preponderating power in 

 the Dominion of Canada, and this will undoubtedly in- 

 crease, as it is by far the most growing province. Ke- 

 presentation by population, one of the main principles 

 adopted at the confederation of the British North Ameri- 

 can colonies, gives Ontario 88 members in the House of 

 Commons, as against Quebec 65 and the maritime pro- 

 vinces 45. 



Some years ago there was amongst certain people at 

 home a feeling that England would be better without her 

 colonies, that the old country should be turned into a 

 gigantic shop to sell to all the nations of the world, that 

 her colonies were a waste of money, and that if they were 

 gone no army or navy would be necessary ; that Prussia, 

 France, and Kussia might do police duty in the world, but 

 that John Bull would dwell at peace for evermore, and sell 

 cottons and ironware to all the world. This policy showed 



