264 CANADIAN NOMS-DE-PLUMB IDENTIFIED. 



reproacli of wanting brains, a round head, and a thick skull, are 

 mere colloquial expressions, often spoken at random, to suit the 

 humour of the moment," Guy Pollock says ; " but on inquiiy they 

 are found to be sti'ictly philosophical expressions, sanctioned by the 

 experience of ages. This physical deficiency in the position and 

 quantity of the brain, explains, on philosophical principles, the grand 

 secret why the Ethiopians have so long been retained in a state of 

 slavery. That knovyrledge is power is an undisputed aphorishi, which 

 applies well to the present condition of the Ethiopian sj)ecies ; they 

 want knowledge to discover and appreciate their own power, other- 

 wise they would have broken the gyves of slavery in pieces long before 

 this evil hour : for the first use that every man makes of knowledge 

 is to turn it to his own advantage. It is the same want of know- 

 ledge, in a still greater degree, which constitutes what Ave call docility 

 in the horse or elephant. The strength of either of these animals, is 

 far beyond that of a man : but they know it not ; they cannot avail 

 themselves of their natural superiority in this respect, therefore they 

 are confounded by the commanding skill of their drivers, and tamely 

 submit to their dominion." 



Guy Pollock is understood to have been Robert Douglas Hamilton, 

 a Scottish M.D., who had seen service as a surgeon in the army and 

 navy. He emigi-ated to Canada in 1830, and died in Scarborough, 

 near Toronto, in 1857. Before his emigration Dr. Hamilton was 

 known in Scotland and England as the author of works of fiction, 

 and of essays on medical and other subjects. 



The Canadian Literary Magazine, published at Toronto in 1834, 

 was edited by a gentleman afterwards well known in the literary 

 world of Canada by the nom-cle-2olunie of Alan Fairford. Under 

 this signature appeared in a widely -circulated Canadian periodical a 

 series entitled " The English Layman." The subjects handled therein 

 were such as the following : The connection between Democracy and 

 Infidelity, Duties of the Laity, Plain Reasons for Loyalty, the Press, 

 Sacrilege, &c. In all the productions of Alan Fairford there is 

 noticeable a fine, manly sentiment expressed in remarkably vigorous 

 and pure English. I quote from the introduction to his paper 

 entitled, "Plain Reasons for Loyalty." The scene is Cobourg, on 

 Lake Ontario. We are reminded of the style, now of Paley, now of 

 Washington Irving. " I sit," Alan Fairford says, "while I write, 

 beneath one of those lofty, drooping elms which, having been spared 



