The New York herald., 1871-02-28
TEE KNIGRT OF KINGSTON
The Honorable Member from
Canada.
His Personal Appearance, History, Character and
Sentinsnts-An Abs Han Probable Exit
from Political Life-A Canadian Know 10
thing-Peerages and Positions-sir
Johns Views on the Fenians the
Fisheries, Annexation, Indspen-
dence and Kindred Subjects

PRESCOTT Canada. Feb. 81 1871.
Sir John A. Macdonald, M. p, X. G. b., Minister
of Justice and Premier or Canada d. C. L. OF Ok
iord &C., &C., is man Of about flfty-ive years OF
age. He strongly rese mbles In his personal appear
anco Disraei, the renowned English statesman.
There is the Mosaic cast of features, pllable
mouth, hair disposed down the left side, so as TO
make little go long way, and velvet coat. Sir
John is net young man, and having been a bon
Cfpant in his day Is in but ordinary health. Last
year no was Frustrated for some time by an attack
OF a most painful disease ana his attendants
fear that his strength will never be fully restored.
Personally he Is "devillsh good fcllow' brilliant
conversationalist given little to anecdotes which
Beecner might call "Gele,;' ana the life and soul
Of the festive boardn as Mr.. Ward described him.
self to the editor. AS politician he is perhaps,
one OF tie
ABLEsT IN AMERICA.
He has engaged in politics for the last thirty years
ana for fifteen sixteen years has maintained him.
self in power with hardly moment out Of Office.
IN company OF Sir George e. Cartier he has headed
the conservative ministries siuce 1885, as they were,
II not nominal leaders, the actual chiefs OF the
BeeauCampbcll Cabinet. He was made Knight
Commander Of the civil Order of the Bath for his
distinguished services in bringing about conledera-
fton and When he visited England, in 1854 was
made D. @. L. by Oxford University. He is lawyer
by profession. AS speaker he Is eloquent per.
suasve and, above ALL excels in the peculiar style
necessarily demanded Of leader OF the House, who
has to introduce bills ana answer questions hun
drcd times day. His speeches confederation
display, If not the eloquence OF McGee much more
practically and infinitely more research. He is
deeply read in everything, from novels up to Ia
fistlcs and this
UNIVERSAL INFORMATION
tonduces 10 make him SO brilliant politician aud
10. pleasant companion. HIS mind is well stored
with facts and precedents, and In knowledge of par
l,amentary tactics he has few equals AS party en-
gineer ne Is perfection ITSELF With ability he COM
hiaes good temper. he Is always as fresh and aunty
rs Falmsrsron, ,evokos the most astounding ana un.
expected combinations when on his last political
iegs-as witness his coalition with Brown after op-
posing him for q Life time, and the rapidity with
which he appropriated to himself all OF Browns fol-
i0wers'and then kicked that ilustrous dcmagogue
out Of the Cabinet His mrudepcc is perfectly
natchless, and ne holds On 70 ONCE IKE ringtailed
monkey 70 pain, trec. He does not scrupe, IL he
cannot carry motion Of his own to vote against
And claim the defeat as victory, and last year he
performed that great political feat,
AQ TRIPLE soMERsAULr,
ia three heurs. Having introduced tarlfr in the
afternoon he found the House against it, withdrew
IT. went home to dinner, came back reintroduced
tfc measure and carried it. regret to add that tho
conservative press at distance suffered. They got
the first teIcgraJns announcing the withdrawal Of
tue bill, and rs 1t was very unpopular enc, wrote
leaders praisng Sir John for his wisdom, then went
ome ana lett the midnight dispatches to take care
Of themselves. or course next morning they were
picased,to find that the news column proclaimed the
cditor Aar, a. it generally docs in papers which
lon't folldw the example OF the HERALD.
Sir Jouil,A A. Macdonald, familiarly known as 'tho
KNIGHT OF KlNGsruN,'
ias been twice married. Lady MacdoDad--noe
Bernard alM sister OF Colonel Bernard. the Deputy
Minister of 5usice--'was married 10 inm az 81.
Gsorse's church, Hanover square, London, when he
was present with the Canadiau delegates settling
about Inc other union. Sncjs much younger Than
ne, husband, Dnt very devoted ana clever Last
year his recovery was hasteneS by her wiiely care