s concerning Canadian opinion, and the general temper
of the populace, even the best men in England seemed singularly
ignorant. A second impression was that, while the colony remained
throughout essentially loyal, and while the political leaders in Canada
displayed really great qualities of statesmanship at critical moments,
the general development of Canadian political life was seriously
delayed by the crudities and rudeness of provincial politicians.
British ignorance was not the only obstacle in the way.

The last impression was that the relations between Britain and Canada
depended then, as now, not on constitutional forms, or commercial
bargains, or armed protection, but on racial solidarity, and community
in social and moral ideals. It was this solidarity, far more than
conscious statesmanship, which held Canada and Britain together. These
impressions I have tried to analyse and elucidate in the chapters which
follow.

{xi}

I have to thank the Dominion Archivist, Dr. A. G. Doughty, for many
kindnesses, and more especially for permitting me to read the
Elgin-Grey Correspondence. To my friends, Mr. K. K. M. Leys, of
University College, Oxford, Dr. Adam Shortt, Ottawa, and Professor W.
D. Taylor, of Queen's University, Kingston, I am indebted for advice
and information. Mr. James MacLehose and Dr. George Neilson made the
final stages of printing easy by their generous assistance. The
opinions which I express are my own, occasionally in spite of my
friends' remonstrances.

J. L. MORISON.

INNELLAN, ARGYLLSHIRE,
_May_, 1919.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER PAGE

I. INTRODUCTORY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
II. THE CANADIAN COMMUNITY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
III. THE GOVERNORS-GENERAL: LORD SYDENHAM . . . . . . . . . . 70
IV. THE GOVERNORS-GENERAL: SIR CHARLES BAGOT . . . . . . . . 126
V. THE GOVERNORS-GENERAL: LORD METCALFE . . . . . . . . . . 158
VI. THE GOVERNORS-GENERAL: LORD ELGIN . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
VII. BRITISH OPINION AND CANADIAN AUTONOMY . . . . . . . . . . 230
VIII. THE CONSEQUENCES OF CANADIAN AUTONOMY . . . . . . . . . . 293
INDEX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 347

{1}

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTORY.

There are antinomies in politics as in philosophy, problems where the
difficulty lies in reconciling facts indubitably true b