the society; one or two drunkards were reclaimed; a highly favourable opinion was formed of the Montreal local preachers, and an amount of good was accomplished, the effects of which are still seen and felt in the C-District, in the township of S.

In the place where these reminiscences are written, the temperance institution does not exercise a great deal of influence. Though the town is small, and the business carried on principally in a couple of streets, there are about thirty places including hotels, in which spirituous liquors are sold. I am not able to say whether there is "a total abstinence society," according to the old platform, here or not. There is a Division of "the Sons" here, and they meet regularly every week. It does not, indeed, include many members; but if they are few, they are very consistent, and much respected. The author has seen them in procession on a couple of occasions, when their appearance was highly creditable to them; and in the loyal demonstration got up to celebrate the success of "the allies" in the Crimea, they were neither the last nor the least in the pageant. This little band has lately received some accessions, by which their moral influence, no less than their numerical strength, has been somewhat increased.

But if temperance moves on rather slowly, educa

tion advances at a rapid pace. Both Romanism and Episcopacy are just now actively employed in this department. Both are doing everything they can to maintain their position, and increase their influence. The former has two day-schools, held in large substantial buildings owned by the church. Both are well attended; all the Canadian children. of a suitable age being among the pupils. These institutions are respectively under the superintendence of the Brothers and Sisters of the Christian doctrine.

There is in connexion with the Episcopal church, a respectable and commodious academy, where about sixty boys receive such an education as is afforded by seminaries of this class; also a French. normal, or training school; but touching the literary merits or other qualifications of these institutions, I am not able to speak positively, inasmuch as I am destitute of the requisite information. I am inclined to think, however, that they sustain a very fair character; and some are of opinion that they would be more popular, if they were less denominational. I have heard this urged as an objection against them, but I cannot see much force in it. It is quite natural for each religious body to do what it can to have its own educational institutions, and so long as this agency is used in an honourable manner, in

the spirit of the Gospel, and with a due regard to the rights and feelings of others, I am ready to bid them God speed.

A singular fatality has attended nearly all our Colonial universities, and no wonder; for establishments, less adapted to the wants and circumstances of the country, could not well be. What could be more absurd than to erect in a new country, seats of learning, encumbered and fettered with the obsolete and impracticable statutes of Oxford and Cambridge. It was like putting Saul's armour on David. Large tracts of the public lands, and immense sums of the people's money have been lavished upon these institutions; but all to no purpose; and, as might be expected, they soon became effete, and died of premature old age. Monopolies, family compacts, and political tergiversation have been the bane of these fine possessions of the crown. These have been almost the only hindrances to a more rapid progress, and a fuller developement of their resources. poor universities were strangled by the pressure of their kindness and corruption. Every attempt at reform was resisted, until reform became incapable; a new creation became indispensably necessary. The old establishments, such as Toronto, Windsor, Fredericton, &c., have fallen under the crushing, the overwhelming weight of antiquated charters,

Our

red tapism, religious tests, and ecclesiastical domination,

Genius is not like the peerage, or a commission in the army; it cannot be obtained by patent, or procured by purchase. Mind is not like an heir-loom, or an estate, transmissable from generation to generation. It is an emanation from "the only true and wise God"; a beam of light from "the Father of lights, in whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning ;" and when it is duly and properly cultivated, it asserts its own dignity, and tramples under foot all the senseless distinctions, and grotesque assumptions of both castle and creed.

CHAPTER XXIII.

OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING METHODISM-SOME REMARKS TOUCHING THE Validity of Wesleyan OrdinaTION, &c.-CONCLUSION.

THE far-seeing and sagacious policy of Rome, manifests itself just now in a very striking manner. The exodus in Ireland; the rise of Know-nothingism in the United States; the Anglican leanings of Louis Napoleon; and the anti-papal bearing of Spain and Sardinia-all these make her look round and bestir herself; and find out, if possible, some way of preparing for whatever emergencies may happen. The best thing she can think of at present is, an Austrian "Concordat;" and hence one has been just concluded between the Pope and the Austrian government. By this compact the imbecile and superstitious Emperor, Francis Joseph, prostrates himself and his nation at the feet of Pio Nono, while intolerance and bigotry lift up their heads as high as they did in the days of Ferdinand or the Rudolphs.

Methodism is said to be grasping and despotic, and with just as much propriety, and as little truth, as Christianity is said to be ambitious and erroneous.