Year: 1867

La Fontaine tells US the fable of the frogs
who, becoming discontented with their form
of government, besought Jupiter to send
them ruler. After much importantly
Jupiter sent them log. which, coming
down splash into the pond created consider
able CONSERVATION among the frogs, and
caused them to jump precipitately into their
holes. 1t was sometime before the boldest
ventured forth to see what sort of ruler
had been sent them, and, after a careful
reconnaissance, during which the frogs ex-
hibited much strategic skill, they discovered
that it was no ruler, but only log Jupiter
had sent them. Then they began to croak,
and nothing but croaking was in order in
the pond for many days and nights Finally
being no adopts at log rolling, like our Con-
gressmen, they appealed again to Jupiter,
declaring that it was a ruler and not log
they wanted. Whereupon Jupiter sent
them a stork for king. King Storl was
cordially and reverentially received by the
frogs, and, after becoming commander of the
situation began his reign by stalking majes-
tically through his dominions and gobbling
up his subjects whenever he felt inclined to
take meal. In due time the frogs found
their numbers diminish, and the remainder
croaking being no longer Of avail, saw their
folly in making such desperate efforts to
secure rulers like King Log and King
Stork.


This little story is suggestive of the con-
dition of our Canadian neighbors. They are
the most uneasy set Of reconstructed mortals
on the face of the globe They are neither
Canadians, English, French, Scotch nor
Irish. AT one time they grumble at having
too much independence, then at not having
enough. Then they want annexation, then
they don't. THIN they want republic, and
90 crazy upon the visit of the heir apparent
to the crown of Great Britain. They seem
to have day for everything like the frogs
in the fable they are croaking all the time
They have day for independence, another
for annexation another for a republic, anoth-
er for things to remain as they are, another
for consolidation, and finally one for a mon
archy. Consolidation has proved a king
log. Their monarchy is likely to prove
king stork-a ruler who will ultimately COB
bic up their political rights as the frogs were
in the fable But how will the French
Canadians take this nice little scheme of
planting prince of the blood of their heredi-
tary foes upon throne erected on their
native soil? The traditions of two hundred
years, when their ancestors fought the
British in the wilderness of Canada, are not
yet obliterated, but have been renewed by
the glory reflected upon the French arms in
rival contests with the British in the Crmea
The English in Canada, who have been in
the habit of snubbing the French Canadians
for years, will no doubt rejoice to see a scion
of the house of Guelph upon the throne
of Canada. But it will prove a patron tri-
umph. The diadem will become thorny if
not an empty bauble. The head that wears
it will prove the most uneasy that ever wore
a crown on this continent, MaxmiIian's not
excepted. The proposed King of Canada
may seek to pacify those implacabe foes, the
irate Fenians, by ascending the throne under
the title of Patrick 1.-The name of the patron
saint of Ireland being one of his patronymics
but that won't save him. He may attempt
to follow the example of his ancient and
illustrious namesake, and give the toads and
frogs in Canada a twist and Danish them
forever but he will find there are too many
of them on both sides of the border, and in
the end, instead of gobbling up his subjects.
like King Stork in the fable, King Patrick
will find himself fortunate if he can escape
with a whole skin himself This may be
accomplished without the aid of the Canadi-
ans themselves, for in their ignorance and
vacillation they know not what they do, nor
what they want, nor what they ought to ex-
pect. Their fate is a problem which is hap
PLY illustrated by the fable of La Fontaine