The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1888-11-10

doners to enjoy little country life in the
interval which separates the end OF ono
weeks work from the beginning of that Of
the following week. | had a good deal Of
conversation with the high commissioner
during these two days, and I was particu-
larly struck with the extent and variety Of
his information on all public questions,
whether of colonial or imperial character.
He was very unassuming in his method of
imparting his own views, and | noticed
with what tranquil silence this master
of fluent and eloquent English could listen
deferentially to the wagging Of other tongues.
About this time heard him make speech
at colonial breakfast, given at the West
minister Palace hotel, which is within a few
hundred steps Of the houses of parliament,
and consequently a favorite resort for those
whose gatherings are intended to impress
public opinion or exert influence on the legis-
lature His manner was earnest and deliber-
ate and even grave, and | thought l could
detect, in the tones of his voice and the ex-
preston of his face, the traces of many a fierce
party contest in which he bad borne a part,
and in which perchance even victory could
not compensate for the stress and strain
which il had cost ] had the pleas
ure of renewing my acquaintance with
Sir Charles at Ottawa last summer 1t was
towards the close of the parliamentary SEES
sion, when, as usually happens, the govern
ment want to hurry through number Of
bills of minor importance, about which there
is no controversy. An obstructive opposition
can give infinite annoyance to the ministry
of the day and delay public business indefi-
nitely at this period Of the season, by inter-
posing technical objections, which are raised
fast enough if the minister in charge of the
bills is wanting in tact or i'll courtesy towards
his opponents Sir Charles Upper showed
all the art of the trained parliamentarian, in
getting his bills passed. He encountered each
objection with mild protest or few words
Of expostulation, founded on a reference to
the lateness Of the session, and the inconven-
fence caused to honorable members on both
sides OF the house. Sometimes this had the
desired effect, but when his persuasion failed
he did not rail ut the other side He merely
changed the form in which he approached
them He rose and said, ~ admit, Mr..
Speaker thl honorable gentlemen opposite
are within their right l admit, sir, We
are In the hands of the opposition"
After this little speech the opposition,
knowing that they will DO in office them
selves some day, cheerfully give way, and
fresh additions are made to the Canadian
statute book. Sir Charles held the office Of
high commissioner in London when the last
general parliamentary election took place in
1887, but his aid was Indispensable in the
contest which ragged all over the dominion at
that time, and he came over aud helped Sir
John Macdonald to win another big parlia-
mentary majority. He was then appointed
finance minister still holding bis London ap-
pointment, and be continued to look after
the fiscal affairs of the dominion while taking
al active part in the fishery negotiations in
conjunction with Mr.. Chamberlain, Lord
Sackville and Sir John Thompson, the Cana
dian minister Of justice. At the close Of the
session he resigned his post of minister Of
finance and returned to London.
At his house in the Cromwell road, there,
be dispenses quiet, transformations hospi-
tality, and he is to be met with in all those
social circles Of tho British metropolis which
are the offspring of the union of society and
politics had the honor of being a guest at
ono OF his parliamentary dinners in the house
Of commons ut Ottawa last summer. 1t was
party composed chiefly OF his political
friends, sprinkled with some Of his most