term as lieutenant-governor. The Hon. Mr. Blair was
premier of New Brunswick during the whole period, and there was no
political crisis of any importance to alter the complexion of affairs.
The only event in connection with the governorship which is worthy of
being mentioned is the change that was made by the abandonment of the
old Government House, at Fredericton, as the residence of the
lieutenant-governor. This building had become antiquated, and in other
ways unsuitable for the occupancy of a lieutenant-governor, and its
maintenance involved a very large expenditure annually, which the
province was unable to afford. It was therefore determined that in
future the lieutenant-governor should provide his own residence, and
that the amount spent on the Government House annually should be saved.
Sir Leonard Tilley built a residence in St. John, in which he lived for
the remainder of his life, and the seat of government, so far as his
presence was concerned, was transferred to that city. Sir Leonard Tilley
was always on the most cordial terms with the various premiers who led
the government of New Brunswick during their terms of office. He knew
well the strict constitutional limits of his office, and was always
careful to confine his activities within their proper scope. The lessons
of responsible government which he had learned in his early youth, and
which had been the study of his manhood, enabled him to avoid those
pitfalls which beset the steps of earlier lieutenant-governors.

During Sir Leonard Tilley's last term of office, and after its close, he
abstained wholly from any interference with public affairs in the
Dominion, and although he still remained steadfastly attached to the
Liberal-Conservative party, he gave no outward sign of his desire for
their success. This neutral position which he assumed in political
matters had the effect of drawing towards him thousands of his
fellow-countrymen who, in former years, had been accustomed to regard
him with unfriendly feelings. They forgot the active political leader
and saw before them only the aged governor, whose venerable figure and
kindly face were so familiar at social or other gatherings, or whenever
work was to be done for any good cause. In this way Sir Leonard Tilley
grew to assume a new character in the public estimation, and at the time
of his death the regret was as great on the part of those who had been
his political opponents as among those who had been