and perhaps so win our way to power; we might think we could
use these to better ends, though that doctrine succeeds but rarely;--and
perhaps what we might achieve may appear to you of some value, even of
great value to you."

"Yet, no, my friends of Dormilliere, your very work is to lay the
foundations of sincerity deep in this sphere, and to withstand and
eradicate the existing political evils. 'One must determine,' said a
very great man, 'to serve the people and not to please them.' If some
youth replies, 'This is a laborious, troublesome, hopeless occupation,
in which there is not reward enough to make it worth my while,' I tell
him but 'Attack it: rejoice to see something so near to challenge your
mettle, and if you meet the battle boldly so, and ennoble yourself, you
will immediately understand how to think of the ennoblement of your
people and your country as glorious.' '_Altius tendimus_! We move
towards a higher!'--The country reads our motto, and is watching what we
practise. Give it an answer in all your acts!"

Chamilly's manner of uttering these words produced the only perfect
stillness the meeting observed during the evening, for the
French-Canadians have a custom of talking among themselves throughout
any ordinary debate. Their respect for Chamilly was striking.
L'Honorable listened with a smile of pleasure; Zotique looked all
loyalty: and the young men beamed their over-flowing flowing
endorsation of sentiments worthy of the Vigers, Dorions, and Papineaus,
those grand men whose portraits hung upon their walls.

As he stopped, there was a sudden movement all about. A spirit of energy
took hold on all. Zotique, posing at the head of a large table in front
of the Chair, almost at once had installed De La Lande assistant-secretary,
to do the real work of which punctilious old Maitre Descarries could only
make a courageous show; had swept towards him an inkstand, shaken open a
drawer and whipped out some foolscap, and darting his cadaverous eyes from
one to another around, despotically appointed them to places of various
service, now sharply answering, now ignoring a question by the appointee,
while De La Lande scribbled his directions; and everyone was so anxious to
find some post that there was no grumbling at his heedless good
generalship. In a trice they were all being called for at various tables
and corners, which he fixed for the operations of the Committees.

The most zealous and loquacious of thos