mother-country might be compelled to engage in war to protect one of her colonies, as she has been lately to protect an ally from a powerful oppressor. The colonies cannot be consulted about the question of war, because they contribute nothing to the expense of it, and would, in my opinion, be very sorry to purchase the privilege of being consulted at the price of bearing a just share of the burden. It is worthy of remark here, that the last war with the United States arose from a dispute on a question in which the North American Provinces had little or no interest. It was clear that the Canadians would be the principal sufferers, and it was imagined that they would be too glad to purchase tranquillity at the price of their allegiance. But the result proved that the British and French Canadians rallied with equal promptitude round the national standard, and the militia of the provinces, with very little assistance from the regular army, was strong enough to expel the invaders. With such a precedent I have no apprehension that the relations now subsisting between the mother-country and the colonies would be disturbed by the engagement of the former in a just war, and I do not believe in the probability of its engagement in an unjust one.'

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The 3rd great force, said to be 'more momentous still,' is the divergence of political character.' Under this the essayist descants on aristocracy, the Anglican Church, custom of primogeniture, militarism, &c., &c. The simple answer is, that England makes no attempt whatever to introduce into Canada any of her peculiar institutions or customs, and there has never been the slightest difficulty between the two governments growing out of divergence of political character. The fourth great force is 'sure in the end' to be attractive, but not a shadow of an argument is adduced to support the assertion except a vague reference to 'commercial influences,' already discussed under the second head of 'divergence of interest.' This is the single difficulty, for it must be admitted that, if it were practicable, the abolition of the frontier custom-houses would be beneficial to both countries. The question is not one that could be conveniently discussed on such an occasion as this, but hitherto the effect of discussing measures of commercial

policy with the United States has not been either to induce Canadians to admire the institutions of their neighbours, or to be attracted towards them in any way.

While the 'great forces' are so little likely to lead the Canadian people to engage in revolutionary projects, the essayist has enumerated a number of secondary forces, all sufficiently powerful at present to account for the loyalty of the people, but, in his opinion, ' of a transient character.' These are as follows-1st. The French Canadians are led by their priests, who are at present satisfied, but then in the future the ice will melt under the influence of the Jesuits and the leaven of American sentiment brought back by artizans.' 2nd. United Empire Loyalists are in the position of the Jacobites after the extinction of the House of Stuart, but all their loyalty has evaporated since the English Ambassador saluted the American flag in the celebration of the Centenary.' 3rd. English immigrants are rapidly decreasing, and as they die off natives take their places, so that Canada will soon be in Canadian hands.' 4th. The social influence of the British officers has ceased with the military occupation. I learn for the first time, to my great surprise, though I was not without opportunity of forming a correct judgment, that these officers 'exercised a somewhat tyrannical influence over opinion.' 5th. The Anglican Church still fosters loyalty, but its roots 'do not appear to be strong; it is rent by the conflict between the Protestants and the Ritualists, and 'discord has already taken the form of disruption.' Now I should admit the appositeness of this argument, if it could be shewn that either the Protestants, as they are called, or the Ritualists, or the members of the Reformed Church, were disloyal; but inasmuch as they are all equally loyal to the crown, I can conceive no reason for referring in this connexion to their differences as to ritualism. The connexion of Canadian Methodism with the States is said to be 'very close,' but it has never to my knowledge had the effect of making the members of that influential body disloyal to the crown. 6th. It is admitted that Orangeism is 'strong in British Canada,' but it is hoped that one day' Orangeism must die. Of one thing the essayist may be assured, and that is, that should any attempt be made to promote a revolution

the Orangemen will be ready to fight to the last in support of the connexion with the crown of Great Britain. 7th. The social influence of English aristocracy, and of the little court at Ottawa. I presume this has reference to the Representative of the crown, for the English aristocracy most assuredly do not seek to exercise influence in Canada. 8th. Antipathy to the Americans. 9th. The special attachment felt by the politicians to the present system. Some of these secondary forces are wholly unworthy of notice, while others are infinitely more powerful than the greater forces, and others again are wholly omitted. Surely, in a country where the Scotch exercise so large an influence, where the First Minister is of that nation, as well as many members of both Houses of Parliament, their force is worthy of notice. I have no doubt that it would be as it has ever been, with the loyalists. It does not appear, indeed, that there is any discontented class, for I have already shewn that the French Canadians and the Irish Catholics are perfectly satisfied with the institutions under which they live. The policy of a true Canadian statesman is to endeavour, in the improbable event of any cause of difficulty arising between the Imperial and Canadian Governments, by every means in his power to remove it. The essayist displays most bitter hostility to Confederation, and, as usual with him, the responsibility for that measure is thrown on England. He argues that, while ‘a spontaneous confederation' develops mainly the principles of union, 'a confederation brought about by external influence is apt to develop the principles of antagonism in at least an equal degree.' He proceeds to state that if an appeal be made to the success of confederation in Switzerland, the answer is that Switzerland is not a dependency but a nation. Now, as the writer has himself assured us that 'self-government is independence,' and as the Canadian Confederation has practically the same power as the Swiss, I am unable to discover how the control of its external relations tends to produce success. Those relations lead to complications and difficulties, but cannot in any way ensure the success of the domestic government. But surely the essayist must be well aware that no confederation could

It

be more spontaneous than the Canadian one. It was most assuredly not brought about by external influence, unless in so far as Nova Scotia was concerned. appears, however, that 'the proper province of a Federal government is the management of external relations,' and as 'a dependency has no external relations,' it is implied that the chief duty of a Federal 'government in Canada is to keep itself in existence by the ordinary agencies of party, a duty which it discharges with a vengeance. There is a simple answer to all this. The powers of the Dominion Parliament and of the Local Legislatures are clearly defined in the Imperial Statute, and during the ten years that it has been in force no serious difficulty has arisen. The essayist informs us that, had the movement in favour of nationality succeeded, the first step would have been a legislative union.' He admits that there would have been opposition to such a step on the part of Quebec, but this is no difficulty with an advanced liberal, for 'Quebec, if she had been handled with determination, would most likely have given away.' It is consolatory to find that, although our political horoscope has been cast, it is admitted that 'to specify the time at which a political event will take place is hardly ever possible,' and it is further admitted that there is a real complication of secondary forces,' in other words, the secondary forces are all at present loyal to the core but then there may be a continuance of commercial depression in Canada, accompanied by prosperity in the United States; then there may be financial difficulties in Canada owing to the Pacific railway; in short something may occur. critical moment may arrive, and the politicians, recognizing the voice of Destiny, may pass in a body to the side of continental union.' I will close these remarks by repeating what I have already stated, that I do not believe in the probability of a complete change of allegiance being brought about in any other way than as the result of a civil war, a calamity so fearful that it will not be hazarded unless some serious misunderstanding should arise between the two governments, and I cannot conceive that any such contingency is at all probable.

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THE

HE 'City of the Czars' has for the last year or more been rather prominently before the eyes of the world, as the scene of many a council on which, perhaps, hung the peace of Europe. As, therefore, any description of that far-off city and its inhabitants would likely be of interest to Canadians, I will endeavour to give a brief account of it.

As many are aware, St. Petersburg was founded about the year 1700, by Peter the Great, at the mouth of the river Neva. The land was very low and marshy, but this did not daunt that energetic monarch, who was determined to have a seaport to his great Empire. How his efforts have been crowned with success it is unnecessary to dilate upon.

The city, which has a population now of about 700,000, is built on a grand scale, its streets and squares being in most cases very spacious. The public buildings, of which there are a great many, are large and substantial, but rather unprepossessing, the bricks of which they are built being covered with plaster, painted a dingy yellow. The Nevski Prospect, the principal street, is fine and broad, with splendid stone pavement, and the stores on either side are a credit to the builders. A tramway on this street appears to be doing a thriving business, the cars being invariably crowded. A noticeable feature about this street railway is the fact of its always being in first-class order. During the winter months, it employs a great number of men, who, armed with shovels and switch-brooms, succeed in keeping the track clear of snow. They are, however, greatly assisted by the authorities, who, immediately after a snow storm, send out men to gather it up in heaps and then carry it off in sleighs constructed for that purpose. It is indeed a curious sight to see a string of 60 or 80 sleighs, moving along with their pure, white freight.

The Hotels in St. Petersburg are not particularly good, and in winter smell very close and stuffy, for the Russians seem to have a horror of fresh air, and with the aid

of double windows and thick walls, succeed admirably in keeping it out. Their stoves, or, as they are called there, 'Peeches,' are very large and ugly ; a birch-wood fire is lit in them, and as soon as the smoke and flames have disappeared, leaving only a bed of coals, all the doors are closed, so as to keep the heat in. This poor method of heating accounts for the bad habit of shutting out the fresh air, as it takes a long time with these stoves to heat a room, when once cold.

The St. Petersburgers, as a rule, live in flats. Immense buildings, of four or five stories in height, have on each flat two or more ranges of rooms, varying in size and number. Thus one building may have as many as twelve or fourteen families living under its roof. Generally at the top, or in some convenient part, a large room is set apart for the use of these families to dry their washing in. This leads to a considerable amount of squabbling, as frequently several families want the use of it at the same time. On such occasions Russian women become quite fluent. To each building there is a porter, whose duty it is to tend the principal entrance, answer enquiries, and make himself generally useful. There are also attached two or three 'dvomicks' (servant men), whose work is carry up fuel, water, &c., to the families, keep clean the yard and a portion of the street in front of the building, run errands, and also act as night watchmen, which duty they take turn about; during the winter it is not pleasant work. These men are generally dirty, uncouth, and stupid. The porters, on the other hand, are smart, tidy fellows, and quick of perception.

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Some of the Greek churches are very fine. The Kazan Cathedral on the Nevski Prospect, a fine semicircular building with a high dome in centre, was the scene of the late liberty demonstration of young, students male and female. Some two or three hundred of these young people marched, nto the church, and ordered the priest to

say certain prayers. This he refused to do, whereupon one of the rioters unfurled a red flag, and waving it aloft, raised the cry of 'liberty.' As they came out of the church the police attempted to arrest some of them, but were driven off; they rallied, and being assisted by a number of bystanders, succeeded in arresting the leaders, who have since been banished to Siberia.

The St. Isaac's church is a magnificent edifice in the shape of a Greek cross. In the centre rises an immense dome with golden roof, which can be seen for miles glittering in the sun. Four smaller domes support this. On each side are polished pillars of Finland granite, about sixty feet high and five in diameter, crowned with iron capitals. On a mild moonlight night in winter, when the pillars are covered with white frost, this noble pile is a lovely sight, once seen never to be forgotten. Inside, the church is one mass of gold, bronze, silver, marble, and precious stones. Some idea of its grandeur may be gathered from the fact that the building and its contents are said to have cost $80,000,000. The Christmas service is very interesting. Five or six priests, wearing gorgeous cassocks of cloth of gold-one, the metropolitan, having on his head a crown of gold covered with jewels stand in the centre of the church directly under the great arch, and chant the service in turn in deep tones. The choir, composed entirely of men and boys, at intervals sing, or rather chant, for the whole service is intoned. After a time the priests move up towards the 'great gates,' which in the Greek Church occupy the same position as the altar in the Romish Church. During the ceremony, the people stand around (there are no seats in the church), and every few minutes cross themselves, and frequently go down on their knees and touch the floor with their foreheads two or three times. The whole scene is brilliantly lit up, every shrine being loaded with small tapers, the offerings of the worshippers to their patron saints. About the middle of the service the 'great gates' are thrown open, revealing a large inlaid stone picture of our Saviour, which, with a strong light behind it, forms a beautiful transparency. The vaulted dome pillars, of malachite and lapislazuli, are magnificent beyond description; the rest is all gold, gold everywhere where there was a spot to place it. The malachite

and lapis-lazuli pillars which support the 'great gates' on either side, look rather unique, two being green and two blue.

There is a very handsome English chapel situated on the English quay; quite a large congregation attends this church, for there is a large English colony in St. Petersburg, some say as many as six thousand.

The Government buildings, such as the Admirality, the Senate, War-Office, General Staff, &c. &c., are fine large buildings, but all have the same dingy yellow look and the same style of architecture, which makes them rather monotonous to the eye. The Palaces are somewhat similar. The Winter Palace, the residence of the Czar, a large square building with quadrangle in the centre, covers a great deal of ground; it is stated that seven thousand people could live in it. Between the Neva and the Palace is a wide street, with a splendid embankment which is a fashionable resort. Here, in the winter, the traveller could spend hours watching the sankies, troitkas, and other kinds of sleighs dash by. The sankies are very small, just large enough to seat the driver and two others. The driver's seat is very narrow, and to one not accustomed to it would be very uncomfortable. The back seat is so close to the driver, that he is almost sitting on the knees of the occupants. The isvostics (drivers) wear long blue coats or dresses which almost reach to the ground; around the waist they wear a girdle. These dresses are very warm, a great desideratum in such a cold climate, but look odd; in fact at a little distance it is difficult to distinguish the wearers from women.

The troitka, as its name implies, is driven with three horses abreast, one inside of the shafts, the other two on either side. The middle horse is allowed to have its head pretty freely; but the other two have theirs drawn in tightly, with their noses within a very short distance of the ground. In this graceful but painful position they are driven at full speed. Some of the sankies are driven with two horses, one in shafts, the other on one side. The one in the shafts trots, while the other canters. This is a Russian fancy. Those wretched, unsightly, and worse than useless things called blinkers,' are not used by the Russians, for they consider, and with justice too, that they do more harm than good, as a horse is much less apt to shy when it can see

plainly in every direction, than when partially blinded. The public sankies for hire are used a great deal, as a course around the city is only about sixty copecks (45 cents). To one who is used to the merry sleigh bells, it seems strange to see sleighs dashing in every direction, and not a single bell, for inside the city they are prohibited, excepting on the troitkas; these latter, however, are not often seen on the streets. The drivers, to warn pedestrians or other sleighs, are obliged to shout, 'Beragees!' (take care). As this has to be repeated pretty frequently, it must be rather trying to the throat.

The isvostics, as a rule, are fine looking men, many of them wonderfully like Englishmen. No doubt they are descendants of those Normans who conquered Russia about the same time as the Norman conquest of Britain. Like all Jehus they are exhorbitant in their charges, whenever they can impose them; therefore it is necessary to bargain with them before hiring. An amusing incident happened with a traveller who had been told this. He had learnt the Russ for thirty copecks (tritsat copeck), and wishing soon after to drive a short distance, hailed an isvostic, gave his directions, and enquired the charge, as well as he could. 'Dvatzat-piat!' was the reply. The traveller, thinking by the length of the word that it was also a long figure, said, 'Niet!' (no); 'tritsat copeck.' Da! da!' (yes! yes!) exclaimed the isvostic most readily, and drove him to his destination. The traveller a short time afterwards mentioned to some friends his success at striking a bargain, and caused a great deal of merriment when it was discovered that he had offered the man more than he had asked, 'dvatzat-piat' being twenty-five (copecks).

There are several fine monuments in the city: one to Alexander I., which stands close by the General Staff offices, is a very fine column of Finland granite, with iron base on which warlike figures are wrought; surrounding this column is an iron fence made out of Turkish cannon. Handsome as this monument is, it will not compare with that erected by Catharine II. to Peter the Great, which is without doubt the most original and natural statue in Europe. It represents Peter in Roman dress seated on a horse, which appears to have just mounted an immense rock of Finland granite, one foot

of the horse trampling on a huge serpent. To one seeing this statue for the first time, it is startlingly lifelike. The monarch is facing the broad Neva, towards which his right arm is stretched, as if directing you to contemplate his great work on its banks. The labour of bringing this enormous block of granite to the city, which was performed by rolling it on cannon balls, was very great.

There are a number of bridges across the Neva, built on boats; but only one permanent one, called the Nicholas bridge, which is a very handsome and costly structure, and very wide. At one end is a small Greek chapel, on passing which most of the isvostics and moujicks (peasants) take off their caps and cross themselves most devoutly. It is a beautiful sight from this bridge, on a moonlight night, with the thermometer 25° below zero-the moon shining dimly through the frozen air-the long line of lamps on either side of the river, both up and down, as far as the eye can reach-men hurrying to and fro, with their long shubas closely wrapped around them, the immense collars reaching above their caps, the mist arising from the ground along with their breath turning their moustaches, beards, and even eyelashes into masses of frost. This mist or frozen air covers houses, trees, in fact everything, with a white mantle. The cold is sometimes so intense that numbers are frozen to death, particularly isvostics, who spend the most of the nights in their sankies. In the neighborhood of the Winter Palace, Grand Duke Nicholas's Palace, and other places, stoves are placed on the streets by which the poor isvostics warm themselves. Sometimes when the weather is unusually severe, ' chai' (tea) is served out to them from the Palaces.

The boulevards are fairly good in some parts of the city, but there is room for improvement in that line. The National Academy, which contains the works of Russian artists, was founded by Catharine II. The building, which covers a great space of ground, is not for painting alone, but also for sculpture, and a museum of Russian and other curiosities. There are only a few good paintings in this building, for as yet Russia has not turned out any celebrated painter. Still, there have been great strides in the art within the last quarter of a century. The Hermitage, which is connected with the Winter Palace, is the best