the publisher of a
newspaper, and that he was a man of strong opinions and superabundant
energy in giving expression to them.

The elder Baldwin was a gentleman of high character and social position,
resident at York. He had emigrated from Ireland to Canada towards the
close of the last century, and, like Mr. Rolph, had for some time
practised law and medicine concurrently. He achieved considerable
success, both pecuniarily and otherwise, and, notwithstanding his
political principles, which were of a decidedly advanced character, he
was respected by the entire community of the little Provincial capital.
The family to which he belonged were well known in Ireland for their
adherence to advanced political doctrines, and he himself remained true
to family traditions. At a time when it required no slight courage to
espouse the Liberal side in York, Dr. Baldwin was always to be found in
the ranks of Reform. He was wealthy, as, in addition to the property
which he had personally accumulated, he had succeeded, by bequest, to
the bulk of the large possessions of the Honourable Peter Russell--whose
method of doing good unto himself has already been glanced at--and of
that gentleman's maiden sister Elizabeth. Miss Russell resided in Dr.
Baldwin's family during the last few years of her life, and survived
until 1822. The Russells and the Baldwins were remotely connected by
ties of relationship, and as neither the Administrator nor his sister
ever married, there was nothing strange in the disposition made by them
of their property.

High as Dr. Baldwin stood in the Reform ranks, however, he was destined
to be eclipsed by his more distinguished son. It is safe to say that no
public man in Canada has ever gained so enviable a reputation as
attaches to the name of Robert Baldwin. As was intimated two or three
pages back, he stood upon a lofty pedestal, and was a very man _per se_.
And this high position he attained, not by means of brilliant oratory,
keenness of perception, or subtle comprehensiveness of judgment. No one
has ever pretended to claim for him any special intellectual greatness
of any kind. He was a plain man, of abilities not much above the
average, who possessed strong convictions, and whose high principles,
sterling honesty and disinterestedness of purpose were unimpeachable.
Had he been a member of the British House of Commons during Sir Robert
Walpole's regime, the proverbial dictum of that high priest of
corruption