252 A HISTORY OF THE COLONY OF VICTORIA 



they would shortly receive the honour of knighthood. Though not 

 officially confirmed, it gave rise to this singularly inaccurate forecast 

 in one of the journals : " It is understood in political circles that 

 Mr. Service might easily be prevailed upon to accept a mark of 

 favour which would be not only a recognition of his many services 

 as a statesman, but also of his special efforts to preserve the idea of 

 Imperial Unity, and to promote the consolidation of Australia in a 

 Federal Dominion. Mr. Berry, however, would feel compelled to 

 decline the honour if offered to him, as he deems it inconsistent 

 with the position of a politician leading a party which has always 

 protested against the principle of bestowing titles as a reward for 

 services, as tending to create a spurious aristocracy. With the 

 fate of Sir James McCulloch in remembrance, and his own strong 

 convictions on the subject, Mr. Berry would feel compelled to de- 

 cline respectfully the honour sought to be conferred upon him." 

 The blandishments of the real aristocracy, amongst whom his lot 

 as Agent-General was cast, and an alluring acquaintance with the 

 stately festivals of Court life, overcame those spartan principles he 

 had so often proclaimed, and within a year of leaving his adopted 

 country he had blossomed into Sir Graham Berry, K.C.M.G. 



By a curious coincidence he left Melbourne in the same mail 

 steamer with Sir James McCulloch, who was taking his final fare- 

 well of Victoria. If these two life-long political antagonists ever 

 exchanged confidences as they paced the quarter-deck, it would be 

 interesting to know whether Mr. Berry thought it desirable to 

 recant the opinion he so deliberately expressed on more than one 

 occasion, that to ensure any hope of prosperity " all merchants, 

 bankers, squatters and landowners ought to be excluded from the 

 Government of the country ! " A declaration which was primarily 

 aimed at Sir James McCulloch, and subsequently at Messrs. Service 

 and Francis. 



