, 1866-11-20

were IN vain. Ine CITY anu the Wnole
province are doing what they can to re-
iieye the sufferers. The Governor-Gene-
raj ordered a large number of tents 10 be
forwarded to Quebec for the use of the
houseless. All who have anything left
are engaged in ministering to the neces-
sites of those who have nothing. But,
with all the liberality of their neigh
bours, the case of these poor people must
be pitiable. They belonged to the least
wealthy class, and have in most cases
lost all. Winter is approaching-indeed,
it may be said to have already set in, for
at this season the nights are often bitterly
cold, and good shelter indispensable. Yet
none can tell what is to be done with
this great destitute population, without
house, or food, or clothes, the victims OF
one of the greatest confagration in our
time.
In these circumstances we cannot but
support the appeal which Sir Edmund
Head makes 10 the British public in our
columns. AS q general rule, indeed, the
neighbours and fellow-countrymen or fell
~low-colonists of q suffering community
ought to be sufficient for the work OF
charity. It is India which is Justly
charged with alleviating the sufferings of
Orissa, and so the Canadas and the British
Provinces generally may be fairly requir-
ed to meet cases of distress that arise
within their borders. But this disaster
has been so sudden and general that it
seems likely the local charity, and even
the organized aid of Government, will be
insufficient to give prompt relief, and I'M
less the relief be prompt in this case it
will be useless 10 give it at all. Those
who are connected with the British Pro-
vinces, socially or commercially, will, no
doubt, be glad TO do something to lessen
the affection which has fallen on one OF
the chief cities of Canada and among
the public in general there will be a dis
u~osition to prove the friendly feeling
with which our fellow-country-men of
the New World are regarded by the in
habitants of the mother country. During
the last few years the people OF the Brit
ish Provinces have lost no opportunity
of declaring their attachment to British
institutions and their desire to remain
connected with the British Empire. In
the recent lawless aggression of the Fe-
mans they have one and all shown their
determination TO permit no revolutionary
movement to make head. Should any
such attempts be repeated the whole
country may be relied on TO aid again in
their repression. The French Canadians,
who are the larger number Of the suffer
ers on the present occasion, have given
many proofs Of their loyalty to the Gov
eminent under which they live, and they
eminently merit the sympathy of this
country. 80,
70 raise a fund for the relief Of the
sufferers by the late fire would, we think,
be an act of kindness not undeserved by
the people who would benefit by it; and,
though those who contribute would not
seek a personal reward, they would have
the pleasure of knowing that their bene-
violence would tend TO the national ad-
vantage by increasing the goodwill which
at present exists between the colcnists
and the Home Government. 10 o few
months the province to which Quebec
belongs will probably be. a member OF a
great Confederation. and we trust hat in
Course of time this Confederation will take
it's place among the independent nations
of the earth. In these altered political
circumstances acts Of mutual kindness
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