is so distasteful to loyal colonists as the idea that Britain would voluntarily abdicate her pride of place among the nations. Their reading of history convinces them that they are in peaceful possession of their vast island-continent, simply because Nelson and Wellington defeated and overwhelmed the navies and armies of Napoleon. And in this light Lord Beaconsfield seemed a worthier successor of Pitt than Mr. Gladstone. But even beyond this they judged this remarkable man more correctly than the mass of his countryman at "home," more, us the Colonial editor remarked, with the "impartiality and deliberateness of posterity." At all events, whatever may be the cause, these so-called democratic colonies felt a much greater admiration for, and a much stronger personal interest in. Lord Beaconsfield towards the close of his wonderful career than ever they have felt for his distinguished opponent. The colonial newspaper from which I have already quoted went on to say: "These meetings will also convince the Earl of Beaconsfield and his colleagues of the strength of the Imperial sentiment, even in the most distant portions of the Empire, and will help, we hope, to invigorate the feeling in England in favour of a closer union be-
