itish Democratic party, who, I
earnestly trust may never again be able to make head in Canada. That I,
in the slightest degree contributed to the victory will be to me a
source of pride. To the eminent Pilot who directed us no one knows
better than yourself how much is due. Would that he had been spared to
perfect the good work. My latest account of his health encourages the
hope that I may yet be permitted to see him again.

We closed the session yesterday, which was got through with success, and
I hope with some advantage to the public interests.

I regret very much that I have not had the pleasure of seeing you since
your return from Europe. Farewell!

J. M. H.

* * * * *

The appointment which Mr. Higginson received from the Queen was that of
Governor of Antigua. In his reply to an address from the Wesleyan
missionaries of that island, on his arrival, he thus referred to his
experience of that body in Canada:--

I have had frequent opportunities of witnessing in various quarters
of the globe the untiring exertions of your brethren in the sacred
cause of religion and humanity, and whether in the sultry heat of
Asia, ... or struggling against the rigours of a Canadian winter, I
have always found the Wesleyan missionaries animated by the same
benevolent and philanthropic spirit, and undaunted by obstacles,
however appalling, manifesting the same discreet zeal to spread far
and wide the healing influence of the holy Gospel of Christ.

CHAPTER XLVIII.

1843-1844.

Clergy Reserve Question Re-opened.--Disappointments.

Extraordinary efforts were put forth (as shown in Chapter xxxiii., page
263) by the leaders of the Church of England party in Upper Canada to
prevent the Royal assent being given to Lord Sydenham's Clergy Reserve
compromise Bill of 1841. Equally strenuous efforts were successfully
made to ensure the fulfilment of Bishop Strachan's prediction that the
rejected Bill of Lord Sydenham would form the basis of an Imperial Act,
which would secure to the national Churches of England and Scotland, for
all time, the lion's share of the proceeds of George the Third's
ill-fated gift to Canada of the clergy reserves. Lord John Russell, the
pretentious and vacillating Secretary of State for the Colonies at the
time, proved himself to be, in this matter, a pliant instrument in the
hands of Henry of Exeter.