Year: 1878

forward toth events OF the present week
with anticipations not unmingled with care.
The preparations which they have made for
testifying their joy, their loyalty, the
heartiness of their welcome and their en-
thusiastic attachment to the royal Princess
who has come to reside among them are on
a scale suitable to the occasion; but the
success of the festivities, and especially Of
the pageants, depends SO much on ac-
cidents of weather that some anxiety
must be felt until it is seen what
the week will bring A binding snow
storm is not unusual in Canada at this Sea-
tunate if the rough voyage across the At
lantic should be followed by the early set
ting in of a Canadian winter. But the
protracted bad weather of the last week
makes it not improbable that bright sun
and cloudless skies will add lustre to the
successive pageants in different cities and
make every part of the reception as brill
liant and joyous in fact as it is meant to be
in intention.


Most assuredly there is nothing of politi-
cal calculation in the grand demonstrations
Of welcome which are intended to convert
this November week into brighter holiday
season than Canada has ever witnessed or
1860 was, perhaps, attended with an equal
outburst Of loyal feeling, and the season of
the year was more propitious for outdoor
parades and profuss floral decorations. But
in the thronging multitudes in the streets
which form great part of the spectacle
which they come to witness in the turnout
Of troops and the display Of flags; in the
multitude of carriages and extent Of caval-
cades; in the bright eyes which ''rain influ-
ence," and gloved hands that futter hand
kerchiefs from several stories Of windows
which line the streets; in the heartiness OF
the glad huzzas which will greet the vice.
regal couple as they pass the receptions of
1860 will be outdone, because the feeling
is equal and Canada is more populous,
more opulent and has larger means of
making a grand scenic display. If the
Prince of Wales was more illustrious
as being the immediate heir to the
throne the Princess Louise inspires



like fondness as a scion of the royal
family transplanted to the society of Can
ada, which she is to lead by her station and
adorn by her intelligence, virtues and
graces. If higher Difference was due to
the rank of the Prince q more chivalrous
sentiment is awakened by the sex Of the
Princess. kindlier and more afectionate
feeling, equal enthusiasm and more affiu-
ent means Of imparting splendor and eclat
to great festive occasion, will enable our
neighbors to surpass the ovations which
they Paid to the youthful heir-apparent
eighteen years ago.


But, although this great parade Of vel
coming loyalty is not prompted by political
motives, it tends to important political re-
suits. 1t will strengthen the ties Of al
legiance which bind Canada to the British
Crown and postpone for a long period both
the desire for independence and latent
leanings toward annexation to the United
States. This expected consequence is,
of course, founded on the supposition
that the permanent popularity Of Lord
Lorne and the Princess Louise will fulfil
the bright promise of their first setting out.
These exuberant reioicings bear, indeed,
some resemblance to q gay christening or
brilliant wedding, which are no guarantee
that the new born infant will not grieve his
parents or that the parties united in we'd
lock will lead happy life. But there is no
apparent reason for fearing that this grand
welcome is prelude to anything but
gracious condescension on the one side and
devoted loyalty on the other. All the
omens are auspicious, and although the
enthusiasm cannot be KEEP. up to
it's present pitch there is no reason
why the family Of the new Viceroy should
not grow in popularity and esteem as the
people of the Dominion become better ac-
quainted with them. If no blight should
intervene and the harvest fulfil the promise
Of the blossoms the loyalty of the Cana
dams to the British Crown will be so deep
ened and strengthened that independence
will not be sought in our time, nor, per-
haps, in the time of our children. The
magical effect Of near approach to
royalty is one of those unaccountable
spells which defy cold reasoning
and political philosophy. The sturdiest
democrat in the Dominion, even if
he be q demagogue and an Irishman
to boot. is not proof against lis influence.
When the Princess appears in the streets of
any Canadian town the verest democrat
nay, the veriest Fenian Of them all, will
catch the contagion and swing his hat and
shout his huzzas as Justify rs any royalist
in the crowd.


The general feeling will not be weakened
unless the Governor General falls into the
error Of taking an active part in politics
The government of the Dominion is organ
lied on the principle that the viceroy
shall maintain a neutral attitude to-
.-.1rl ....liti.al x.nrtia. tLn