be conciliated by
flattery and servility on the part of those who would become their
idols. Now flattery is lying, and a habit equally demoralising to the
party who gives and to the party who receives it. Depend upon it, there
is no government so contemptible or so unpleasant for an honest man to
live under as a democracy."

"It is my opinion, sir, and I believe a very general one," said Alfred.

"How far the Americans may disprove such an opinion," continued Mr
Campbell, "remains to be seen; but this is certain, they have commenced
their new form of government with an act of such gross injustice, as to
warrant the assumption that all their boasted virtues are pretence. I
refer to their not liberating their slaves. They have given the lie to
their own assertions in their Declaration of Independence, in which they
have declared all men equal and born free, and we cannot expect the
Divine blessing upon those who, when they emancipated themselves, were
so unjust as to hold their fellow-creatures in bondage. The time will
come, I have no doubt, although perhaps not any of us here present may
see the day, when the retribution will fall upon their heads, or rather
upon the heads of their offspring; for the sins of the fathers are
visited upon the children, even to the third and fourth generation. But
it is time for us to think of retiring--good night, and God bless you
all."

CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

THE MILLS PROPOSED.

In two days Malachi and John returned, bringing with them the skins of
three bears which they had killed--but at this period of the year the
animals were so thin and poor, that their flesh was not worth bringing
home. Indeed, it was hardly worth while going out to hunt just then, so
they both remained much at home, either fishing in the lake, or taking
trout in the stream. Alfred and Martin were still occupied with the
farm; the seed had come up, and they were splitting rails for the
prairie fence. About a fortnight after Captain Sinclair's departure,
Colonel Foster came in a boat from the fort, to pay them a visit.

"I assure you, Mr Campbell," said he, "I was very anxious about you
last winter, and I am rejoiced that you got over it with so little
difficulty. At one time we had apprehensions of the Indians, but these
have passed over for the present. They meet again this summer, but the
Quebec government are on the alert, and I have no doubt but that a
little conciliation will put an end