m 
 
 THE 
 
 Piti^h Empire Leape. 
 
 Offices at 
 BOTOLPH HOUSE, EASTCHEAP, E.G. 
 
 (C. FREEMAN MTJRBA,Y, Secretary.) 
 
 7 
 
 tt of XnauQural Qeetino 
 
 OK THE LEAGUE HELD ON 
 
 ednesday, January 29th, 1896, 
 
 AT THE 
 
 MRNSIOfl HOUJS.E. 
 
 Reprinted by kind permission from "The Colonies and India " of February i, 1896, 
 with article from " Standard " of January 30. 
 
 K.^ 
 
president : 
 HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIRE, K.G. 
 
 Ibon. treasurer: 
 THE RIGHT HON. SIR JOHN LUBBOCK, Bart., M.P. 
 
 Cbairman of lEjecutivc : 
 SIR ROBERT G. W. HERBERT, G.C.B. 
 
 Beting Iboiu treasurers 
 W. HERBERT DAW, F.S.I. 
 
 Secretary : 
 C. FREEMAN MURRAY. 
 
His Grace the Duke op Devonshibe, K.G., 
 
 President. 
 
THE BRITISH EMPIRE LEAGUE. 
 
 iNAU6URAL MEETING AT THE MANSION HOUSE. 
 
 The inaugural meeting of the British Empire League was 
 held on January 29, 1896, at the Mansion House, under the 
 Presidency of the Lord Mayor. The League is the outcome 
 of a conference held on July 20, 1894, when it was unanimously 
 resolved to establish an association with the object of maintain- 
 ing and strengthening the connection between the United 
 Kingdom and the outlying portions of the Empire, by the dis- 
 cussion and promotion of questions of common interest, more 
 particularly those relating to trade arrangements and mutual 
 defence. In pursuance of this resolution a further meeting 
 was held at the House of Commons on May 30, 1895, Sir John 
 Lubbock, Bart., M.P., in the chair, when it was determined to 
 constitute the proposed association on the following lines :~ 
 The association to be called *'The British Empire League." 
 It shall be the primary object of the League to secure the 
 permanent unity of the Empire. Tbo following to be among 
 the other principal objects of the League : — (a) To promote 
 trade between the United Kingdom, the Colonies, and India, 
 and to advocate the holding of periodical meetings of represen- 
 tatives from all parts of the Empire for the discussion of matters 
 of general commercial interest, and the consideration of the 
 best means of expanding the national trade. (6) To consider 
 how far it may be possible to modify any laws or treaties which 
 impede freedom of action in the making of reciprocal trade 
 arrangements between the United Kingdom and other parts 
 of the Empire, or between any two or more British Colonies or 
 possessions, (c) To promote closer intercourse between the dif- 
 ferent parts of the Empire by the establishment of cheaper and, 
 where required, more direct steam and telegraphic communication, 
 preference being given to routes not traversing foreign territory. 
 
 a2 
 
(d) To develop the principles on which all parts of the Empire 
 may best share in its general defence, endeavouring to bring 
 into harmony public opinion at home and in the Colonies on this 
 subject, and to devise a more perfect co-operation of the mili- 
 tary and naval forces of the Empire, with a special view to the 
 due protection of trade routes, (e) To assimilate, as far as local 
 circumstances permit, the laws relating to copyright, patents, 
 legitimacy, and bankruptcy, throughout the Empire. The 
 League will also advocate the establishment of periodical 
 Conferences to deal with such questions as may appear ripe for 
 consideration, on the lines of the London Conference of 
 1887 and the Ottawa Conference of 1894. The meeting 
 of January 29, 1896, was convened to consider the following 
 resolutions : — (1) That the attention of our fellow countrymen 
 throughout the Empire is invited to the recent establishment 
 of the British Empire League, and that their support by mem- 
 bership and subscriptions is strongly recommended. (2) That 
 this meeting learns with great satisfaction that His Grace the 
 Duke of Devonshire, K.G., has accepted the position of 
 President of the British Empire League, and also confirms 
 the appointment of the following officers, viz. : — The Right 
 Hon. Sir John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., hon. treasurer ; Sir 
 Robert Herbert, G.C.B., chairman of executive ; Mr. W. 
 Herbert Daw, acting hon. treasurer ; and Mr. C. Freeman 
 Murray, secretary. (3) That this meeting expresses its thanks 
 to the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor for granting the use of the 
 Mansion House, and for his kindness in presiding on this occa- 
 sion. There was a lar^^e attendance. Mr. Albert Sandeman, 
 Governor of the Bank Oi England, wrote regretting inability to 
 attend, and a letter of similar purport was received from Sir 
 Albert RoUit, President of the London Chamber of Commerce. 
 
 The Lord Mayor said he could scarcely conceive that a more 
 important matter could call them together, neither could he 
 conceive a more serious moment in which to discuss the ques- 
 tions before them. He trusted that whatever they did would 
 be for the benefit of the country to which they were all 
 attached. 
 
 Sir John Lubbock, M.P., moved the first resolution. He 
 said that, to the regret of the City branch, the Imperial Federa- 
 tion League had been dissolved by a majority of one in conse- 
 quence of some diflference of opinion on the council. The City 
 
The Right Hon. the Lord Mayob op London 
 (Sir Walter Benry Wilkiii). 
 
branch had been in communication with various branches in 
 this country and the Colonies, who were determined to continue 
 the work, though on a somewhat different basis. Though this 
 resolution had no reference to recent events, and had been 
 arrived at months ago, still the circumstances of the last few 
 weeks had shown the importance of, if not necessity for, some 
 such organisation. In ancient history there were great empires 
 which crumbled to pieces by their own weight ; but they rested 
 •on the power of a despotic monarch or were kept together by 
 armed forces. Ours was knit by affection for our gracious 
 Sovereign, by the force of our common interests, sympathy, and 
 ;goodwill, and our pride in the great Empire of which we formed 
 a part. In the words of an American statesman, " The flag of 
 England waves on every sea and in every port, and the morning 
 drum-beat of her soldiers, following the sun and keeping com- 
 pany with the hours, circles the earth with one continuous 
 ■strain of the martial airs of England." Our Army and Navy, 
 like our volunteers, are, however, for defence, not defiance ; 
 we threaten no one, bat fully intend to defend that which is 
 •our own, and we can trust them to protect the Empire from 
 any foreign foe. When we call it "ours" we include the 
 •Colonies as fully as the Mother Country ; we include India, 
 which we are glad to know is prosperous and contented. For 
 all this we have to thank our statesmen, our Army and oUr 
 Navy, and, above all, the character and indomitable energy of 
 our own people. No nation has contributed more to the pro- 
 gress of human knowledge. In mathematics we have Newton 
 and Young ; in astronomy, Herschell and Adams ; in chemis- 
 try, Dalton, Cavendish and Davy ; in physics, Dalton 
 and Tyndall ; in geology. Smith, Lyell, and Murchison ; 
 in natural history, Ray, Darwin, and Huxley. In medicine 
 the circulation of the blood was discovered by Harvey, vacci- 
 nation by Jenner, ansesthetics by Davy and Simpson, antiseptic 
 treatment by Lister ; in inventions, Newcomen and Watt, 
 Stephenson, Wheatstone, and Arkwright ; in political economy, 
 Adam Smith and Ricdxdo. No nation has a purer or nobler 
 literature : we have Shakespeare, Bacon, Milton, and many 
 immortal names ; and the English language — our mother tongue 
 — is a bond of union, and bids fair to be the general language 
 of the human race. These and other illustrious names are a 
 glorious inheritance, of which we are all proud. Lastly, in the 
 
8 
 
 art or science of government, is not our country the Mother of 
 Parliaments'? We often speak of these islands as the "Old 
 Country," but that is only by comparison : we still glow with 
 the fire and force of youth ; we are still growing — not merely 
 in numbers and wealth and material prosperity — but in 
 those social and moral conditions which constitute the 
 true glory of a country, and form the only solid basis 
 of the prosperity of a people. We are told that we are isolated. 
 This I deny. There may be jealousy in some quarters ; but 
 there are many countries which do us justice. In any case, it is 
 somewhat absurd to speak of the isolation of 300,000,000 men. 
 We have not owed our position either to the kindness or for- 
 bearance of other nations, but have won it for ourselves. There 
 never was, I believe, a time when the Mother Country and the 
 rest of the Empire were more firmly bound together by mutual 
 sympathy and goodwill. Of this our League is evidence, and to 
 promote and preserve this happy union is the main object with 
 which the League has been founded. The Duke of Devonshire 
 has consented to become President, and we could have no better 
 — none who would more unite us all. Sir Robert Herbert's 
 great experience will be invaluable in the chair of the Committee, 
 and in founding this League we shall show our desire to main- 
 tain the ties which bind us to the Colonies, and shall be taking 
 a step which will tend to maintain and to strengthen the unity 
 of the Empire. 
 
 Sir Robert G. W. Herbert, in seconding the resolution, 
 said Sir John Lubbock had given them such a clear and inter- 
 esting account of the circumstances attending the origin of this 
 new League and the objects it desires to attain that there was 
 little left to say in that direction. As, however, he (Sir Robert) 
 was going to be proposed as one of the officers of the League, 
 it was almost necessary for him to say a few words as to 
 his view of the lines on which they hoped to work. They had 
 not yet been in a position to hold a public meeting, and the 
 present assemblage, therefore, was not so imposing in point of 
 numbers as some that had been held in that room. The attend- 
 ance of prominent public men and distinguished speakers not 
 already members of the League had not been secured on that 
 occasion ; it was simply the first General Meeting of the 
 members of the League. It was hardly necessary, indeed, 
 that there should be a public meeting to introduce this 
 
The Right Hon. Sib John Lubbock, Bart., M.P., 
 
 Hon. Treasfwrer. 
 
 ▲ 3 
 
11 
 
 organisation to the citizens of London, because they were 
 proceeding on the lines which were laid down in 1889 at the 
 great meeting at the Mansion House at which the London 
 Branch of the late Imperial Federation League was founded. 
 That house, as he might say, had been closed for repairs, 
 and was now about to be reopened with some substantial 
 alterations ; but the business to be carried on would be 
 much the same as that contemplated by the late Imperial 
 Federation League, with the material exception that it was 
 not proposed to advocate at the present time any scheme for 
 the political federation of the various parts of the Empire. 
 With other officers of the League, he felt that the duties 
 they were about to undertake were delicate and difficult, 
 and they must tread warily and discreetly if they were 
 to avoid giving offence to the feelings and principles of 
 those whom they wanted to support the League. In fact, if 
 he were asked to state the objects of the League, he should 
 begin by stating what the League did not intend to do. They 
 did not propose, for instance, to offer to instruct the brilliant 
 and energetic statesman who presided over the Colonial Office 
 how to conduct his business, or how to achieve that union of 
 hearts which he so heartily desired, and which he had alr< ady 
 done so much to promote during his short tenure of office ; nor 
 did they mean to lecture the statesmen or Parliaments of the 
 Colonies as to their duties and responsibilities. The Colonies 
 were sensitive in regard to the assumption by any volunteer 
 body of a dictatorial attitude as to the way in which they 
 should conduct their own affairs and the part they should play 
 in relation to the Empire at large. Their people could 
 be led, but certainly not driven, and everyone must have 
 observed how promptly and how heartily the Colonies came 
 forward the other day with assurances of their loyalty at a time 
 when these assurances were peculiarly acceptable. What the 
 League hoped to do was, on the contrary, to abstain from 
 embarking on political controversies, and from identifying 
 itself with any extreme views on fiscal and financial policy ; 
 but in public as well as in private life there was plenty of 
 room fwr the friendly intervention, whether of persons or of 
 associations such as the British Empire League, especially in 
 regard to the matters specified in the constitution ; and it? 
 opportunities of being useful in this way were enhanced by 
 
 A 4 
 
12 
 
 being located in the City of London under the auspices of the 
 Lord Mayor. The programme of the League dealt principally 
 with commercial matters, and in regard to one point of this 
 kind they had already taken action, which he trusted would 
 have the approval of the members. A few weeks ago a number 
 of leading firms called the attention of the executive committee 
 to the fact that there is in Canada no effective insolvency law, 
 which caused great distrust over here. Sir Charles Tupper, 
 who was still in this country at the time, accepted the League's 
 invitation to meet representatives of these firms, and read them 
 a very admirable paper explaining the position of the question 
 in Canada, and showing that the Canadian Government was 
 much disposed to address itself to the introduction of a tho- 
 roughly sound bankruptcy law, and that it would regard the 
 action of the League in recommending legislation as an assist- 
 ance rather than an intrusion. They were circulating a memorial 
 on the subject, and it had already been signed by a great number 
 of the leading firms in this country, and it would be sent to 
 Canada, with a strong representation of the commercial feeling 
 in Great Britain on the matter. Turning to the constitution of 
 the League, which was in the hands of the meeting, it should 
 be considered to be only in draft ; but in the present draft 
 it had been their desire to avoid giving oflFence to any section of 
 public opinion. It was possible that some amendments could 
 be made, and the executive of the League would be very glad 
 to hear from any gentleman who had suggestions to offer. One 
 of lihe articles of the constitution dealt with co-operation for 
 national defence, and on that he wished it to be understood 
 that the League were not proceeding on the principle advocated 
 by some well-intentioned gentlemen who required that certain 
 fixed contributions for Imperial defence, and more particularly 
 towards the cost of the Imperial Navy, uhould be made by the 
 Colonies. The Colonies did not approve of a demand made in 
 that form, but at the same time professed themselves ready to 
 bear in some form their reasonable share in the cost of defence. 
 The League was not about to propound any specific solution of 
 this question, regarding it as a political one. He made this 
 explanation because a distinguished Australian whom he had 
 asked to come and speak that day had desired to be excused 
 on the ground that he had misgivings as to the intentions 
 of the League in this matter. There was another subject 
 
The Hon. Sib Robebt G. W. Herbert, G.C.B., 
 Chairman of Executive. 
 
16 
 
 which did not exactly lie within the scope of the League, 
 and as to which he would like to make an observation on 
 his own individual responsibility. He (Sir Robert Herbert) 
 believed that such an organisation might do good outside tho 
 Empire ap well as within it. Mr. Balfour had lately made a very 
 interesting reference to the necessity of having close and friendly 
 relations in regard to all subjects with our American cousins, 
 and he thought that this League might be taken advantage of 
 by those American gentlemen who were anxious to co-operate 
 with this country in commercial and other matters, and who 
 would be ready enough to grasp a hand held out to them. There 
 was a strong and increasing belief in the desirableness and the 
 possibility of establishing an efficient federation between the 
 two great branches of the Anglo-Saxon race, and, although this 
 was outside the actual province of the League, yet it might 
 possibly be made useful in this direction. In conclusion, Sir R. 
 Herbert said that he trusted that before the Lord Mayor's 
 tenure of office had expired it might be practicable to arrange 
 under his auspices, if he would kindly accord that further 
 favour to the British Empire League, for a public meeting 
 at which their distinguished President might be able to be 
 present. 
 
 The Chairman put the resolution to the meeting, and declared 
 it carried. 
 
 Mr. Richard R. Dobell, of Quebec, in moving the second 
 resolution, said it had afforded him the most lively satisfaction 
 to be present at that meeting. The subject of Imperial Unity 
 had occupied his mind for a great many years. Eighteen years 
 ago a resolution was passed at a meeting of the Dominion Board 
 of Trade in Ottawa, expressing the desire to draw closer the 
 trade relations between Great Britain and her Colo ies, and 
 also between the Colonies themselves. A deputation was then 
 appointed to come to London on the subject, of which he was 
 one. They had great difficulty in finding any representative 
 body to give them a hearing — it was that difficulty which led to 
 the formation of the London Chamber of Commerce ; and I 
 know that Sir John Lubbock will remember the efforts that he, 
 with Mr. Westgarth and others, made to establish it. After 
 some delay, and aided by the Council of the Associated Chambers 
 of Commerce, a conference was held, and it was attended by 
 representatives not only of this country, but also of our several 
 
16 
 
 Colonics. After three days' discussion the resolution of the 
 Dominion Board of Trade was carried unanimously, and an 
 association was formed, called the British and Colonial Union, 
 which, he was sorry to say, died when it was only two years 
 old. The next movement was under the presidency of the late 
 Right Hon. W. E. Forster. He initiated it by an essay which 
 was largely circulated, and called " Imperial Federation," and I 
 may say that this essay contained a clear exposition of what the 
 aims of the League were. The death of Mr. Forster was a 
 serious loss to the League, and, owing to the indifference of 
 some and internal dissension, the Imperial Federation League 
 was broken up, although the City Branch contini ed its organi- 
 sation. That day they were merely transplanting the tree 
 that was planted in the formation of the Imperial Federation 
 League, and were lopping off one of the branches in the 
 title ** Imperial," to meet the views of our South African and 
 Australian members. With this slight change, my lord, I 
 move that the names proposed as the permanent ofl9cers of this 
 League be accepted, and that with the fullest confidence we 
 leave to them the guidance of this movement, feeling assured 
 that their best efforts and personal attention will be given to 
 the work. It might be asked why Canada meddled with this 
 matter. At this meeting, my lord, it is neither the time nor 
 place to introduce any question that might raise up any dis- 
 cussion on the fiscal question. Sir Robert Herbert has pointed 
 out what the members in the Mother Country should not do ; 
 perhaps I might add that, however strong the Colonies might 
 feel in the wisdom of their policy, it would hardly be consistent 
 or considerate to press them unduly upon the notice of this 
 great country. It was in recognition of the great obliga- 
 tion that every Canadian owed to the Mother Country. The 
 feeling of union with the Mother Country was strong in 
 the heart of every Canadian. There was no example of any 
 other country than Great Britain giving to any of her peoples a 
 great continent like that of Canada without the slightest 
 charge — Crown lands, roads, and every public work which had 
 been constructed, had been given up without even the cost of 
 the parchment which embodied the gift. Every effort had been 
 made by Great Britain to make Canada strong, indepen- 
 dent, and as free as this country itself. Canada was almost free 
 to make her own treaties, and, at all events, no treaties were 
 
Mb. W. Herbert' Daw. 
 Acting Hon. Treasurer. 
 
19 
 
 made without advising with the High Commissioner. He might 
 say the same of Australia and of every other free and indepen- 
 dent British Colony. It must have been no little satisfaction 
 to the people of this country to have from Australia the 
 sentiments of loyal Irishmen who wished to show that they 
 had no part with that irreconcilable elempub which had declared 
 that if the enemies of Great Britain should arise against her 
 Irishmen would be glad. In Canada they would find Irishmen 
 expressing as heartily as he did the strong feelings of loyalty 
 which inspired Canadians from Quebec to British Columbia. 
 What was said by a hostile element in the United States looked 
 alarming when flashed across the cable, but it was the feeling 
 of only a small section in America. It was as if one collected 
 all the police reports in Great Britain and published them. 
 What a dreadful country this would seem ; but such a report 
 would not represent the happy life that existed here. Nor did 
 such expressions as were sometimes sent from America repre- 
 sent the generous feelings of the people of the United States. 
 He attended a convention in Cleveland, Ohio, lately, and was 
 greatly struck by the friendly attitude of the Americans he met 
 there, and a resolution was passed to the effect that if any 
 agreement was come to for an international deep waterway 
 canal being constructed, any dispute arising between the two 
 countries must be submitted to arbitration, and the object of 
 this League is to make every component part in complete 
 unison with this country. To-day Great Britain, instead of being 
 isolated, was never so jealously guarded by her sons all over the 
 world. 1 have much pleasure in moving the second resolution. 
 
 The Hon. Sir Charles Fremantlb, in seconding the resolution, 
 said that after the excellent speeches they had heard he would not 
 say much. There was no doubt about the usefulness of such a 
 body as the British Empire League, and he was glad to see that 
 so level-headed and cool-minded a man as the Duke of Devon- 
 shire — a constructive statesman and a good judge of men — 
 should have accepted the presidency of it. In regard to its 
 Chairman of Executive, Sir Robert Herbert, he had had a dis- 
 tinguished career in the Colonial Service, and although civil 
 servants did not call themselves statesmen, he might almost be 
 looked upon as such. 
 
 The Chairman having put the motion to the meeting, it was 
 carried unanimously. 
 
20 
 
 Mp. Faithfull Bego, M.P., in proposing the third 
 resolution, said that since 1889, when the City Bra ch of 
 the Imperial Federation League was founded, they had 
 been favoured with the patronage of successive Lord 
 Mayors. It was important to understand that this was a 
 revival of the City of London Branch of the Imperial Federa- 
 tion League. Indeed, it might be said that the City of London 
 Branch of that League had never been dead, for the secretary 
 had gone on sending out notices and collecting funds since its 
 apparent demise. They were fortunate in having a chairman 
 like Sir Robert Herbert. He (Mr. Begg) wished it to be clearly 
 understood that there was no mistake about the carrying out of 
 the general policy of the City of London Branch of the Imperial 
 Federation League by the new organisation, which, if it could 
 do anything to bind closer together the various parts of the 
 Empire when we were left in a position of what had been 
 called ** splendid isolation," would amply justify its existence. 
 
 The resolution was seconded by Mr. Herber t Daw in a few 
 well-chosen words, and carried unanimously. 
 
 The Chairman, in returning thanks, said the Mansion House 
 could hardly be put to a better purpose than to assist the 
 objects of the League. He did not need to remind them that a 
 Lord Mayor, after his election, existed by the prosperity of the 
 City, and he hoped the result of that meeting would be to 
 encourage that prosperity by advancing the interests of the 
 whole Empire. 
 
 The proceedings then terminated. 
 
Mb. C. Febeman Murray, 
 Secretary. 
 
23 
 
 Reprint of Leading Article in the ** Standard" 
 
 OP January 30. 
 
 An important meeting was held at the Mansion House 
 yesterday, under the presidency of the Lord Mayor, for the 
 purpose of laying the foundation-stone, so to speak, of the new 
 British Empire League, intended to cupply the place vacated 
 by the dissolution of the Imperial Federation League. The 
 object of the association is mainly, though not exclusively, of 
 a commercial character, and is intended to knit together the 
 various portions oi the Empire by still closer bonds than those 
 which unite them at the present moment. The means to be 
 employed for this purpose are set out under five different heads, 
 the most valuable of all, perhaps, being the suggested 
 '* periodical meetings of representatives from all parts of the 
 Empire for the discussion of matters of general commercial 
 interest, and the best means of expanding the national trade." 
 The second suggestion is one that looks extremely well upon 
 paper, but may possibly cover more than appears to lie on 
 the surface. It is to ** consider how far it may be possible to 
 modify any laws or treaties which impede freedom of action 
 in the making of reciprocal trade arrangements between the 
 United Kingdom and the Colonies, or between any two or 
 more British Colonies or Possessions." In the next place, we 
 are told that it is desirable, as undoubtedly it is, to promote 
 closer intercourse between the different parts of the Empire 
 **by the development of direct steam and telegraphic communi- 
 cation." The assimilation of the law relating to copyrights, 
 patents, legitimacy, and bankruptcy throughout the Empire 
 figures fourth on the list ; and last, but not least, we are 
 invited to " devise a more perfect co-operation of the military 
 and naval forces of the Empire, with a special view to the due 
 protection of trade routes." These are the principal objects 
 which the Bntish Empire League sets before itself ; 
 and they were fupported in a short but very eloquent speech 
 by Sir John LuSbock. He based the justification of such an 
 association on the paramount necessity of bracing the British 
 Empire together, and making it conscious of its unity at all points. 
 It is on the broad basis of common interests, sympathies, and 
 
24 
 
 r!iiiracter that he would weld our scattered Colonial Empire 
 into one Imperial unit, having regard, of course, to the separate 
 local institution3 which our Colonies have developed. Sir John 
 Lubbock drew the usual comparison between the Colonies of 
 antiquity and our own, reminding us of Mr. Balfour's refer- 
 ence to the Spanish Empire in his speech last week at Man- 
 chester. But it strikes us that Sir John Lubbock must have 
 been thinking also of the Colonial Empire of ancient Athens, 
 which was held together **by armed force," and which ulti- 
 mately fell to pieces through the unpopularity of the very 
 system which, according to Sir Robert Herbert, has been sug- 
 gested as an example to ourselves ; that Is to say, the practice 
 of levying contributions on the Colonies towards a general Im- 
 perial Defence Fund. Our Colonies would probably resent such 
 a proposal as this as much as the Athenian Colonies resented the 
 demands made upon them. Great Britain has wisely kept clear of 
 this most mischievous precedent ; and her policy is evidently 
 appreciated. Mr. Dobell, the delegate from Quebec, said that 
 there "was no example in history of any country dealing with 
 her Colonies as Great Britain had dealt with hers." We know 
 very well that there is a not inconsiderable party in the country 
 who think that England has shown herself less responsive to 
 the loyalty of her Colonies than she ought to have done. 
 Their attitude in the present crisis, however, does not seem 
 as if there were much ground for this indictment. And, at 
 all events, whatever may have happened in the past, we may 
 hope that all memory of it will die away under the influence 
 of such bodies as the British Empire League, which ought to 
 be a sufficient assurance to the Colonists of our desire to draw 
 together as closely as possible the bonds which now unite 
 us, be they material, intellectual, or political. In literature, 
 in science, and in the art of government the Mother Country 
 enjoys a pre-eminence which her children should be proud to 
 share, and which, in some future generation, they may be able 
 to emulate. 
 
 PRINTED By 
 
 BPOTTIS WOODS AND CO., NBW-f iHEET SQU'SB 
 
 LONDON 
 
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