The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-23
VI.


Those who knew the two statesmen intimately
say that the resemblance between them went
beyond mere physical likeness. and extended TO
habits of mind and temper. Sir John had the
reputation of being a procrastinator. and to
this was due his nickname of odd Tomorrow"
According to his biographer, the soubriquet, so
far as 1t attributed the habit OF elaboration TO
a constitutional defect, had no foundation.
Rather was this habit, he thinks. the outcome
of an instructive caution which regulated Sir
Johns life and prompted him TO weigh all the
circumstance OF a case before acting on II.
His caution was exemplihed In the choice of col
leagues and in the administration OF patron
age. 1t is very easy for a Prime Minister to
invite q man to enter his Cabinet. but very
difficult to repair a mistaken selection. It is
equally easy to I'LL a vacant office, but the step
once taken is practically irrevocable. Sir John
was OF opinion that his disposition to make
haste slowly had often saved him from disas-
trous blunders. He was a firm believer in the
efficacy of time as a solvent of many difficulties
which beset his path. II Is at the same time
admitted that In matters OF departmental ad-
ministration there may have been some color for
the charge of procrastination, but here the delay
was due. II is maintained, not to Incidence. but
to the impossibility even by working. as Sir John
worked. twelve TO fourteen hours a day. Of find
ing adequate time for their consideration.
Akin to the habit OF csution was the patience to
which he himself attributed no little of his sue
cess as a party leader. Writing to NJ. c. Cameron
in 1872, he said The great reason why / have
always been able to beat George Brown is that
/ have been able TO look q little ahead. while he
could, on no occasion, forego the temptation of
a temporary triumph" This patience is attrib-
uted by the biographer TO power OF will on the
ground that by nature Sir John Macdonald
was inclined to be impatient, and even at times
irritable. But he laid TO heart Pitts saying that
the first, second. and third requisites OF a Prime
Minister are patience. Another rule OF conduct
which Sir John laid down for himself was that
embodied in the axiom, "A public man should
have no resentments." $50 and So" he said TO
his secretary one day, is governed entirely by
his hates, a fatal mistake In one who aspires 10
success in politics" Naturally of strong likes
and dislikes himself. there were many
men in public life whom he regarded
with feelings the reverse OF cordial,
but he never allowed any personal feel
ing to interfere with public duty. The biog-
rapher recalls a striking exhibition OF this trait.
Under circumstances connected with the Cana
dian Pacific scandal a GOODNESS arose between
himself and Sir Alexander Gait, which culmi-
mated In 1875. One OF his first acts on returning
TO power in 1873 was to offer Calf the position
OF High Commissioner for Canada in London.
On learning this an intimate friend expressed
surprise that he should have done so.
Have you forgotten" said he, "Galt's treat
ment OF you while You were in Opposition ?"
Forgotten it9 No, | can never forget Il; but
Gait is the most available man, and do you think
that under such circumstances | should be JUS
titled in gratifying my private resentment II
had any, At the public expense ?"
As must needs be the case with self-educAted
man WIN have N mAka nm In yoluma and rangs
OF acquisition what they lack in method and
training, Sir John was an omnivorous reader;
history, biography, travels, philosophy. in fact
everything, except, perhaps, natural science.
We are told that, II there was one class OF lit
erature he preferred II was political Memoirs,
one OF his favOrite books being Stanhope's +" Life
of Pitt" He also read constitutional works a
good deal. and thought much OF Bagehot. re-
~specting whom he used TO tell a story. On one
OF his visits 10 England he dined at the house
Of a gentleman whom he knew but slightly.
Most Of the company were entire strangers to
him. The conversation turned on constitutional
history, and Sir John happened To remark that
he thought Bagehot the best authority on the
British Constitution Il AM glad TO hear you
SAy that" said his left-hand neighbor,
"for | am Mr.. Bagehot." To pass
from reading to writing. we learn that
he attached great Importance 10 the
cohouct OF MS correspondence, and made .
point OF answering all letters addressed to him
As promptly as circumstances would permit.
He sometimes dashed on important letters on
the spur Of the moment, but, after writing theru
he would frequently let them lie for twenty-four
hours. especially II they contained reprOof, or
conveyed unWeleOme Intelligence. lie was al
Ways particular about . correspondents initials
or title. There are few things" he used 70
cay, mar resents more than 10 receive = let
ter In which his name Is misspslled." In the
matter Of ordinary spelling he adhered - the
British usage. and disiksd excessively the
msthOd Of photography In vogue In the United
States. With the yis~ Of diseouraEing is
spread IN Canada be caused . RiRIts 81 COUR-