Colonial Herald -- 1844-01-13 -- Page 2

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He Colonial Hpevary.

a

ing that two of you, Mr. James McNab and Mr. Howe, had 2
very few days previously, aad after mature deliberation, given in
their renewed adhesion to the existing Council, and to the prin-
ciples of Government on which [ had theretofore acted, abandon-
ing the project of a Party Government. Mr. James B. Uniacke
had never informed me, that he contemplated resigning, and
therefore no renewed expression of adherence was necessary on
his part. j

The reasons which make the appointment of Mr. Almon expe-
dient in my opinion at this time are such as, far from indicating
a change of policy, appear to me to aflerd couvinicing evidence
of the sincerity of my desire to avoid a change.

On the late dissolution of the Assembly the Council: became
openly divided on the question whether a Party Government is
or. isnot adapted to the actual condition of Nova Scotia, I myself
entertaining a strong opinion that suck a Government would be
injurious to the best interests of the Country, and that a Council

“formed on the principles on which the Board which had up to
that time assisted me in the conduct of affairs was constituted,
is pted to the exigencies of the'Colony than any which
cou)d be formed on any other principle. :

__, The menibers of the Government went to the Hustings, each

i his own. views—Mr, Howe declaring at Halifax that if

ie And hiS party succeeded in obtaining a majority, he should
"expect those who differed from him to retire, and that he would

reuire if he found himself‘in a minority.

Mr. Johnston, at Annapolis, unequivocally denounced the sys-
tem of a Party Government, and avowed his preference for a
Government in. which all parties should be represented.

' On the elections taking place, a, House was returned which I
believed would be opposed to the views of Mr. Howe. I sent for
that gentleman, and expressed my conviction’ to him. that such
was the case, iaviting him to remain in the Government. Mr.
Howe differed with me as to the probable feeling of the new
‘House of Seems and-said that nothing: but the most impera-
live necessity would induce him to retain bis seat in the existing
Executive Council,—but, afier consulting his political friends,
agreed to do'so, and to give a cordial support to the Administra:
tion. :

After sneh a public manifestation of differences of opinion be-
tween Members of the Council, itseemed to-me absolutely neces-
sary that the mode in which the Government was in future to be
conducted should be made apparent.—A vacancy in the Execu-
tive Council gave me an opportunity of appointing a gentleman.
known to be hostile toa Party Government, and by so doing. of
shewing to the Country: that I was averse to that principle; in
other words, that I was desirous of continuing to govern, as I al-
ways had. done, with the advice of a Council consisting of the
Jeading men of all parties. This was no change; and I do not
conceive that Mr. Howe, or those who act in conjunction with
him, had any right to complain of such 4 course, especially as
they had so lately, though so reluctantly, given in their renewed

vadhesion to the Government. Y

_d selected Mr. Alinon for advancement because, although the

-Fecent declaration (at tie Halifax election) of his sentiments with
_ Segard to a Council composed exclusively of persons belonging to

“one party, rendered my motives for his elevation unlikely to be

misinterpreted in this ‘respect, hé had previously to that event
been so little engaged in political life that it was not probable
that the distinction conferred on bim would. offend the prejudices
ofany portion of the commanity, he being known to entertain
liberal views on questions of general policy ; and farther because
from his affinity to Mr. Johnston, the leader of my Government,
his appointment would be looked wpon by the pabiic as a proo!

_ Of my confidence in that gentleman.

Had Mr. Howe been in a position to insist on Mr Johnston’s
dismissal, he would have done so. Mr. Johuston only requested
tha! a vacancy in the Council might be filled up by a gentleman
agreeing with him in principle on one subject of deep importante,
and I cannot allow that a compliance with his request could
under the circumstances of the case_ afford any ground for assu-
ming that I intended to change my policy

The practical value of the admission made by you allof my mghi
to make appointments amounts to nothing, if you are justified in
seceding frum the Council; and opposing my Administrati6n, on
my making one which yot ;
Other members of the Board would be equally warranted in act
ting in a similar manner on an appointment being made conso-

_ nant to. your wishes, and in this way the prerogative of the Crown

would be wrested from the Queen’s Representative, who is respon-

sible to Her. Majesty for. its being judiciously exercised, and be-

come vested in certain Members of his Council responsible to

tbe Assembly. ; ; :
On a question relating to matters of a local nature, and which

did not aflect the Royal Prerogative. I should deem it my duty to

pay every regard and deference to the views of the Members of

Council, as well as tu the wishes of the people, however much

those wishes might militate against my own opinions, but the

claim which your resignations tead virtually to assert, I have no
power to recognise. :

1 am glad to teceive your assurances of personal respect, and
the express tecognition of the confidence and good feeling which
s0 long subsisted between us.

I am, gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,

e ‘. (Signed) “FALKLAND.
To James B. Uniacke, James M-Nab, and

Joseph Howe, Esquires.

REPLIES:
Halifax, 27:h December, 1843.
To His Excellency the Licut. Governor of Nova Scotia, §&c.
My Lord,
I have the honor of ackno

a nor ¢ wledging the receipt of your Excel-
lency’s communication, o

{the 25th instant, addressed to Messrs.
Howe, McNab, and myself, on the subject of our resignation of
seats in Council, to which your Excellency. was pleased to ele-
vate us, on assuming the government of this province.

hen I tendered my resignation to your Excellency, F antici-
ted that [might be required to defend that step in the Assem-
ly, and would have preferred a course more congenial to my
foelings that a discussion in writing, not likely to produce bene-
fit to those engaged in it; but the course adopted by your Excel-
mer compels me to offer respectfully a few observations.

The right of the Lieut. Governor, in the exercise of the royal
prerogative, to call to his Councils whomsoever he may, deem
eligible, I have always admitted, and still recognize, to the full-
est extent; but if, in wielding that power, any member of his
Council is convinced’ that a policy is pursued, by which the
Government is weakened, his usefulness impaired, or political
reputation hazarded, Iam of opinion that he possesses the con-
stitutional privilege of Withdrawing from responsibility whish
he has not been instramental in creating, and ‘is unwilling to as-
sume, more particularly us the Lieut. Governor is now clothed
with power to dismiss public officers, whether of honor or emo-
of the country demands it.
1

lument, if the policy

For some time previous to the departure of your [xcellency’s
predecessors, a large portion of the people of this colony had
pressed for the administration of the government, more in accor-
‘lance with their interests and feelings, to whom_were opposed a
numerous and influential body, whose opinions were expressed
py 4 minority in the Assembly ; and almost the first. duty which
devolved on your Excellency was, to work out this principle,
sanctioned by the Parent State, and Apptoved by a majority of
_ the Assembly, to accomplish which, you formed a Council, com-
posed of pettons entertaining various political views, announced
your approbation ofa mixed government, and so long as the
members selected by your Excellency co
harmoniously. confidetce was reposed in t!

submitted to the Assembly generally carried.
I was, as your Excellency is aware, opposed to the dissolution
ofthe Assembly. L could “not perceive the urgent necessity of
the measure, especially as that dessich of the Legislature had in-

ntitiued to co-operate
nat body, and measures

variably gmptained your Execellency’s Government, and signified,
by a prheir confidence. {certainly was uncenscions of the
Cou ing openly divided on the question’ of party govern-

ment—that never having be

t discussed, to my knowled i
the Assembly or either Cou : ‘ Re thet Sct

h ith 3 and I cannot believe that opi-
nions have been elicited from the people on that subject by the
recent elections. [ admit that individuals, differing publicly,
and openly addressing the people on those differerces, have en-
deavoured to gain influence with particular constituencies, by
espousi! oe! uncing such measure; but the general wish of
the people, is for a government, created bya union of persons in

‘whom they rely, and who repose mutual confidence in each
other. st }

T understood. from your Exeelleney, that differences be-
: rs of your Executive were reconciled, that they
had consented to act together, and that you intended to meet the
convened with the same Council that surrounded you at the dis-
solution of the late Assembly, of corse, as I had kept aloof from
the dissentions which existed, and had avowed myself free from
the influence of any individual, f could have no objection to con-
tinuea member of that body, and lend my aid to support’ your
Excellency’s administration; but the change of your Excellency’s
determination influenced mine, and the appointment ofa gentle-
inan, for whom personally 1 entertain great regard, evinced a
Jine of policy so destructive to the vigour of your Excelleney’s go-
vernment in the Assembly, that f felt’ anable to defend it to the
saisfaction of myselfor that body. é

1 deem injurious 10..your influence.’

mo :

A Council formed on the principle of representing differen-
political sentiments ard interests, existing in the Legislature,
with a view of producing concord between its branches, can only
be useful so long as those interested have confidence in the jus-
tice of those who create it; and. even the appearance of depres-
sing one interest or elevating another will unsettle the equili-
brium so essential to its preservation, and produce discord instead
of harmony. The party forming a majority inthe Assembly, du-
ring Sir Colin Campbell’s administration, and an equality, if uot
majority in the late House, although they complained that they
were not ntimerically represented at your Excellency’s Council,
‘yielded cordial support to your Government, which, upon the
principle advérted to, it would have been pradent to retain ; yet
the advisers of your Excellency, notwithstanding the public ma-
nifestation of differences of opinion, on various subjects, between
leading members of your Government, and the reluctance evinced
by Mr. Howe, in renewing-his adhesion tovit, recommended the
appointment ofagentleman to the Council, who, it is said, was
conspicuous atthe late election, in opposition to members of your
Excellency’s Council. ;

I do not think any Government can remain powerful, unless.it
possesses the confidence of the majority of the people, and their
political sentiments, [ believe, are liberal, giving so numerous a
party cause for withdrawing support I deem unadvised, and the
conrse pursued, I apprehend, will produce that effect, ans dimi-
nish the influence of those who approve of it% therefore f ought
not to hold offices, the tenure of which I have always understood
from your Excellency rested our politicat support. 3

I feel that your Excel'ency is under the impression that a
large majority of the Assembly will sustain the views of your
PExcellency’s advisers; if'so, the removal from your Council of
myself and others will materially increase the powbr of your Go-
vernment, and the mere cirenmstanee of our withdrawal does
not imply opposition to your Excellency’s administration, unless
the measures of it are considered objectionable.

The experiment of wresting the prerogative of the Crown from
the Queen’s Representative will not be attempted by any public
man responsible to the people of Noya Scotia, who entertain a
just estinjate of Constitutional Government, and prize that pre-
rogative as highly as their more immediate privileges. I never
wish to see it attacked, and will be found foremost in its defence,
ifinvaded.and Lregretthat the conscientous discharge of a public
duty should have occasioned such an idea, or that reluctance to
sustain and defend an appointment of a gentleman who had
never sought the suffrages of the people, when others are com -
pelled to ask renewed assurances of their confidence, which
seemed to disregard the claims of many whose poliveal support
for years has been given to Government, and to some of whom
such marks of distinction have been almost proffered, should sab-
ject me to snch an. imputation; but £ tust, notwithstanding, re-
peat what heretofore has been unquestioned, the constitutional
right of retiring from a Government, when unprepared and un-
willing to defend its acts, thé judicious exercise of which privi-

«

the people. ;
T have the honour to be, ‘
Your Excellency's obdt Servant.

JAMES B. UNIACKE.

rY

Halifax, December 26, 1843.

My Lorp,—Having, at very heavy personal sacrifices,
deemed it my duty to resign into your Lordship’s hands the
offices I held, | was prepared to defend the course 1 bad
taken on the floor of the Assembly, and to meet the objec-
tions which might there be urged by your Excellency’s ad-
visers, in the preseuce of those who must ultimately decide
on the wisdom and propriety of my conduct. This, 1 be-
lieve, is the constitutional mode of adjusting such points as
are now at issue between us—a departure from it has else-
where produced embarrassment, aud may here complicate
what seems to be a very simple question. Further corres-
pondence, I fear, can now do no good, bat lam reluctant
to appear to treat with disrespect a formal communication
from your Lordship, and must therefore offer a few obser-
vations upon the letter of the 25th inst. with which I have
just been honored, ; :

When I consented to take a seat in the Executive Coun-

jority in the Assembly, whieh majority was not weakened
by the Elections of 1840. These gentlemen, during the
three years I sat in the Council, were represented at the
board hut by iwo, aud, for a short time, by three members
who enjoyed their confidence. Their Opponents, a minority
in the House, had, during all this time, six Representatives
in Council. This inequality, as your Lordship knows, pro-
diced much dissatisfaction among the Liberal party ; not-
withstanding whieh, by great exertions, x majority of them
were rallied to give a steady support to the Government.
This was done, because their leaders were anxious to give
to Her Majesty’s Government their best assistance in carry-
ing but a new and advantageous system of administration
in British America, and because they relied on the pledge,
giveiby Lord Sydenham, and subsequently by your Excel-
lency, that, as opportunities offered, the inequality should
be redressedl. In the new House, as I judge of the returns,
this party, without taking Mr. Uniacke and his friends into
consideration, will constitute at least one half the members
—they would have had, even if Mr. Almon had not been ap-
pointed, but two out of eight at the Board. ‘This, your Ex-
cellency must acknowledge, would have been a sufficiently
slender “representatién” of the “political sentiments and
mterests” of one large party “in the legislature ;” yet 1 was
willing to have met the House, rather in
wishes, and the advice of friends, th
dent hope, that, without an increase of influence in Council,
the party to whom I have reference wou!d have been satis.
fied. My argument to them has always been, “Have pati-
ence—as opportunities offer, justice will be done”? While
a dispositien was shown to do justiee, as vacancies occurred,
force was given to this argument. When, however, your
Excellency announced your intention toappoint Mr. Almon,
thereby giving one half the House a representation of two,
while the other was to have seven,I felt that the « policy”
was “changed,” that justice was not to be done—that the
only ground upon which I had induced my friends to sup-
port the Governinent, or could hope to induce them, was to
he struck away, and J left in the position of sanctioning a
policy by which a fair representation of their political senti-
inents and interests was to be indefinitely postponed,

It was wish, therefore, to “ wrest the prerogative from

an with any very confi-

the Qn epresentative,” which induced me to resign,
buta d guard myself from a total loss ‘of confidenee
and in in the Assembly, by which L would be dé:
priyed o power either to serve Her Majesty ot benefit

the Province. 1 respect the Queen's prerogative as much

as I do the¥ privileges of the people, and your Excellency
knows that during the three years 1 served you, I. never
counselled its, surrender, or attempted to tamper with it in
the slightest degree; but it would be a hard case, if the pre-
rogative could be so starined, as to compel - public nen to
serve the Crown, at the price of their consistency and the
wreck of their reputation, :
Assuming that Mr. Uniacke and his friends were to act
with mine, then the case would be but little better, because
we, who had good reason to count upen a majority of the
Assembly, were to have but three seats in the Council, while
the minority, led by Mr. Johnston, were to have Jive, even
without Mr. Alinen, and with him they were to have sir.
Under these circumstances, it. was a proof of our desire to
avoid all embarrassment, that we consented to meet the
House with a Couneil thus constituted, and it is not surpri-
sing that we should have opposed an appointment which
we believed could not, even upon your Lordship’s own
principles, be defended. ;
With respect to « party Government,”
well aware, that, for many years
government existed here in its
minority having all the Executiy:
distribution of patronage, while the great body of the peo-
ple had nething but a representation of two to one in the
Assembly. Your Lordship found the fxecutive and Legis-
lative Councils, and almost all the public offices, filled from
the minority, under this vigorous party government, to which
as long as it could be sustained.

your present advisers clung.

They now profess to dislike a party government, merely be-
cause her Majesty has declared that the interests and epini-
ons of the ‘minority are hereafter to be respected, and yet,
being a minority, they seek to preserve, in the Execntive
Council, an unvarying and clear ascendancy,
tis true that your Excellency has done a'good deal, as
opportunities offered, to win confidence and support by a

your Lordship is
prior to your arrival, party
most offensive forin—the
e influence, and the entire

lege will be tested by the increased ur diminished confidence of

.| minority.

cil, the party with whom I acted formed a considerable ma-!

deference to your |

and departments; the preponderance is still largely in favor
of that party who support your present advisers. It is, per-
haps, your Lordship’s misfortune rather than your fault, that
more could not be done ina short administration to redress
this state of things, but you will at once perceive, that the
only guarantee the people had, that it would ever be im-
proved, was founded on the assurance that the party who
haye equal, ifnot superior claims with those who haye so
long profited by this patronage, would fairly participate in,
those counsels which were to influence its distribution.

The desire for what is called “ party Government” has
arisen in this Province out of circumstances over which
neither your Excellency nor myself have had much con-
troul. For several years your Lordship was called upon,
almost weekly, by the friends and supporters of your pre- |
sent advisers, to dismiss from your Council the few Repre- |
sentatives which the majority of the Assembly had there—
and Jatterly othérs have claimed a party government, for.
two reasons, first, because they believed that those who gave
your lordship but hollow support fared equally well with
those who sustained the administration cheerfully—and, se-
condly, because circumstances, to which I need not. refer,
had created the impression that the Council was not only
divided upon. important. public questions, but that some of
its members entertained for each other no very friendly feel-
ings. :

‘l have never asked, and do not now desire, a party govern-
ment formed of but one interest, to. the exclusion of: all
others; but itdoes appear to, me that it would be better
to form a strong government, of gentlemen representing dif-
ferent interests and different sections of tbe country, but
agreeing upon common principles and common measures,
and secure a good working majority in the Asseinbly, rather
than to attempt, by any exercise of the prerogative, to bind
men together who'have but few private or public ties; and
who cannot fail to weaken any government by the absence
of that-united: personal; influence upon ’ society and public
opinion which the members of Council should steadily ex-
ert, and without which they cannot expect support either in
Parliament or throughout the country. :

To Mr. Almon, personally, I have no oljections—his ele-

vation to the Legislative Council L should not have opposed;
but your Lordship’s opinion of his political position differs
widely from mine. Mr. Almon supported the last adminis-
tration, which was of a decidedly exclusive party character,
and whatever he may have said} in a few brief public obser-
vations he made from the Hustings, he voted and acted with
the minority in this Township-against Mr. McNab, a mem-
ber of the Government, and with those who have incessant-
ly demanded a party government, based ona Representative
Mr, Almon’s party connexions and opinions were,
then, sufficiently decided; but L had other objections. he did
not think it wise, in making an appointment to the Execu-
tive Council, under the present system, to pass over the
| members of both branches of the Legislature, of all parties.
in favour of agentleman, whe had never represented any
constituency; and upon no graver public necessity than his
relationship to Mr. Johnston,
** That l did consider that those members of Council who
had opposed the dissolution, with their friends in the As-
sembly, were “in a position” to enable you to carry on
your government without Mr. Johnston, your Lordship may
remember—that: I did not “insist on his dismissal” is pro-
ved by the fact of my consenting to serve with him, although
I never attempted to conceal from your Excellency that
some change or modifiention of the Council might be forced
upon the Executive by the Assembly. What might have
been Mr. Johnston’s opinion as to the propriety of retaining
my services, had he been confident of a tnajority, | cannot
determine, but L would not much like to hold aseat hy so
frail.» tenure xs the moderation of those by whom he is sus-
tained. My belief is, that an erroneous impression has been
tnade upon your lordship’ @nind, both to the composition
of the’ new House and the construction which will he ‘pla-
ced upon the policy of the new appointment, ‘Those who
differ from my friends and niyxelf will soon have an oppor-
| uinity of testing the sobriety of our judgment and’ the aecu-
jfacy of their own calculations, I thought and still think,, it
| would have been better to have tried the temper of the new
| House, without making any appointment, orto have made
jone that would have brought tothe Government some par-
| liamentary support, ;

“The elaim” which we “assert” in our “resignations,”
jyour Lordship will permit me to observe, 1s siniply this:—
| that we not only have a right, but are hound, to retire from
ithe Council, when a course is adopted which we believe will
damage our public characters, and shake the confidence of
| the Assembly in the Executive Government. Ishonld be
|ttnworthy to advise your Excellency, if 1 did not back the
[sincerity of my opinions by the cheerful surrender of office,
}and your Excellency might reasonably complain, if L clung
;to what was only given tome asa_guarante? for sincerity,
and ought to be yielded up as a pledge of grave and delibe-
rate conviction,

Retirement from the Council does not necessarily involve
* opposition” to the Government. Personal or factious op-
position to your Lordship- 1am incapable of. Whether or
hot your advisers are to meet with hostility in the Assem-
bly, will depend upon the wisdom of fature arrangements,
the soundness of their principles, and the value of the mea-
sures they bring down, -I fear, from the course pursued,
that a large body of the leading men in the Legislature will
be driven into opposition ; and it is more than probable that,

nless those that have advised it, materially change the
view by which they paralized the last Adininistration that
‘they almost exclusively influenced, 1 shall be compelled,
however reJuctantly, to press upon them, at times, what may

ypear to be the opinions and interests of the country.
| Lhave the honor to be with great respect, your Lordship’s
thost obedient, very humble servant,
/ : .. JOSEPH HOWE.
| To His Excellency the Lieut. Governor,

} . ae &e.. &e.
* Halifax, 28th December, 1843.
My Lorp,

' Thavethe honor to acknowledge your Exce!lency’s letter
of the 25th inst., addressed also.to Mr. Uniacke and Mr.
Howe, and think it due to yout Lordship and to myself to
State, that although Mr, Alnion’s appointment to the Exeen-
tive Council was the immediate cause of my resignation, it
as not the only circurustance which inhuenced me incoming
‘that conclusion, ;

Having been a Member of the Council under His Excel-
Ieuicy Sir Colin Campbell, your Lordship will not fail to re-
member that you urged upon me the necessity of obtaining
a seat in the House of Assembly, and that [ consented to
stand for the Township, in order to retain my place in the |
Government, and protect the interests of the party to which |
1 have always been attached. .'That party in the Assembly
and elsewhere uniformly and cordially sustained your Ex-
cellency’s adininistration, although they were far ftom satis-
fied with their share of power in the Executive Council, and
murmured against many of the appointments which were
conferred on their oppouents, My belief is, that their per-
sonal regard for your Lordship, and an. assurance of your
disposition to do them justiee, reconeiled them to some acts
which were distasteful to them, aud would otherwise have
been rejected in the Assembly, :

» Several Members voted for the Qualification Bill chiefly
ftom this feeling, and trusted to time to allay the discon-
tent whieh was excited by ‘that measure in many of the
Counties.

_ The majority of last House therefore were entitled
opinion, to the protection and faveur of Governme
having in some cases sustained jt at the risk of the
larity, they had reason to complain of the suddenne
dissolution and particular time at which it was determined
on. So decisive a step adopted by your Lordship, notwith-
standing the remonstrance of all the members of your coun-

os

» in my
nt; and
ir popu-
ss of the

‘ "7 iv ve { meet the Assi i
ments have been made to the Executi ¢ and Legislati emb V3
I ? ’ L ra pa y weakened andt
Councils, but, at both Boards, and in public coinmissions this, that the ibe’ ! . rty were to be

os
®

but Lhad no expectation when ldia
th ;
by «new appoint.
ment. ; ;
Mr. Almon’s opinion on a party Couneil | have le.
for the first time from your Lordship’s letter, having never
before heard of the declaration your Lordship refers to, ;
Mr. Almon’s political opinions were, however, sufficiently _
manifested at the Halifax Election, and although | woulg
not be undersiood as entertaining-any personal objection to
him, [am convinced that his personal elevation will be far
from aeceptable, and would have rendered it impossi ee
reconcile the Liberal Party in the Assembly to a Council so
constructed. I may, however, be mistaken in my ja Z
and if your Lordship’s present advisers can command a ma,
jority in the Hotise, it will approve the wisdom of
Lordship’s choice. But whatever the event may-be, Tw
hot regret the step I have taken, because I feel that] could
otherwise have preserved the confidence of the people which! f
{ have hitherto a nor of those with whom I have. ge
nerally acted in the Assembly. 3
I beg to renew to your Lordship the assurances of.
sonal respect, and have the honor to be,
Your Lordship’s most 0

bed’t. servant,
JAMES Me
His Excellency the Lieut. Governor. ‘Sn

ames

Cost or a Evrorean Tour.—Mr. Erastus k
of the Editors of the New York Express, having recet
turned from a rapid tour in Europe, gives the followi
count of travelling abroad, in answer to sundry inqui
« The route of the writer, after landing in England, at
Isle of Wight, and visiting Portsmouth and Brighton on
way to London and the towns in the vicinity, was thr
Belgium, Holland—from Amsterdam to Hamburgh, to
in Denmark, from Kiel to Copenhagen, and from
hagen to Elsineur and Gottenburg is Sweden, trom)
burg to Christiana, aodethe interior of Norway. - From }
way the writer retraced his steps to Gottensurg, and t
by post and canal to the capital of Sweden. In Sw re"
visited Upsala and the mining districts. Returning to Sto #3
holin he’ took passage for Abo and -Revel, in Finland, an
thence to Cronstadt and St. Petersburgh. In Russia he tra.
velled from eighteen hundred’ to two thousand miles, a
tenths of the distance by the land conveyances of the cor
try. Poland came-next in his route, and entering the cou
upon the Russian frontier, he left it by the Prussian, ~
route mm Prussia, after visiting Berlin, Potsdam, an
places of interest in the vicinity, was by mail road to Leipsie,
and. thence to Dresden by ‘the same conveyance, Havin,
spent a few days in Saxony, we passed on by land and
to Prague, and continued our route through Bohemia to
on the Danube, descending which, we found our way
Vienna. , Our route, after visiting all the country ia
neighbourhood, was to ‘Trieste, across the Styrian
Alps to Trieste, thence by the Adriatic to Venice,
By Padua, Ferrara, Bologua, Florence. Rome and Naples
we reached the Mediterranean, leaving Naples for
Pisa and Genoa. By Pavia we reached Milan, and re-
ed Sardinia, after crossing the Simplon. Switzerland cz
next, and after passing tiany pleasant days upon the
and mountains, we Jett Genoa by the Jura mountains aid
entered Paris by the iuteresting province of Burgundy, fol
lowing the’ Seine from Dijoi by the capital. By Rouenand
Havre we re-entered England, and after travelling one
sand miles in England, Lreland, and Scotiand, took passa
from Liverpool to New York, in the ship which, in sight
land ang home, had well nigh givem us a grave heneath
sea. We-have mentioned but few of the places we visit
—the time of absence was a few days short of erght mont
Our travelling expenses were a little more than one the
dollars. ‘The distance, including two voyages across tie
lantie, gbout nineteeu thousand miles. ‘The most expensiv
country for travelling we visited was Russia. England cam
next, and then Holland, In Norway, Denmark, Sweden
Poland, Prussia, Austria, and all the | rerman COUtrY, |
penses are about the same as they are in the United Sta
‘in Italy and Fragce, travelling is cheaper than. witht u
Russia, one of ‘the most expensive items, as well as _
greatest annoyance, is passports. The custom of feeing
servants prevails all over Europe, and the demand is legion.
At the respectable hotels in England, waiter, chambermai
and boots expecta per diem of fifty cents. If you ridea
htiidred miles upon an English or frist mail coach, you-mustt
pay the. guard and the coachman, who defmnd at least two
English shillings each. | The list of sundries, too, are o
for porterage. Railroad travelling in’ England pesca Be
peusive, and the price in the second class cars is considera:
bly more than in the first class cars in the United States. In
Prussia, Saxony and Austria, where altogether there are
about three or four hundred miles of railroads completed,
railroad travelling is’about the same as with us. In France,,
the difference 18 not material, but in the second elass cars, —
which are generally equal to our best, the price of travel
cheaper. ‘Travelling by coaches in Great Britain varies fre
$4,50 to $8 for one hundred miles, the inside seats ber
most expensive, and in good weather the least coinfortall ec
The prices in the French and Italian diligence also vary,
almost'in the same ratio, Throughout almost all Burop
buarding is almost a piece-work business, A Dane, Sw:
and Norwegian will eat four or five meals a-day; and
Frenchman never more tan two. -Bach pays for what hi
has, and the anount of a bill, ef course, depends altog
upon the fancy and appetite of the traveller, More 3
might add, and have given in the series of letters we
written, and which are now in the course of publicati
Our present aim has been only.to comply with the wishes
of several correspondents.” :
Some of our readers may ‘be curious to know the con
sition and estimated value of the crown of Victoria, Qu
of England. The crown itself weighs about three pou
and is composed of hoops of silver, enclosing a cap 0
velvet. ‘hese hoops are studded with precious stones;
upon the crown isa ball, set also with precious stones, 4
surmounted with brilliants in the form of a Maltese cross,
‘The rim is flowered with Maltese crosses and the fleur de
in the centre of the large Maltese cross, is a splendid sap-
phiregand in the front is the immense: ruby once worn,
Edward the Black Prince. Numerous other precious stone iy
rubies, ‘pearls, and emeralds, are intermingled with thes
gems down to the ‘rim, which is formed of ermine. |
following is ite estimated value:
20 diamonds around the circle, at £1500 each,
2 large centre diamonds £2000 each,
564 smaller diamonds, at the angle of the former,
4 crosses, each composed of 25 diamonds,

4 large diamonds on the tons of the crosses,
17 diamonds contained in the fleurs de lis,
do. smaller do. | do,
Pearls, diamonds, &c., on the arches and crosses,
141 diamonds on the mound, > © dit,

26 do, on the upper cross,

2 cireles of pearls about the rim,

:

Or halt.a million of dollars in. ro
the above from an instructive article on the commercial
value of gems, in Hunt’s Merchant's Magazine. —

Exrempore Preacnine.—'The following remarkable

claration is found in the statute book of the Univeeiies

und numbers. Piles

Cambridge, and should not, in fairness, be ove

those who indiscriminately charge those with idleness
preach “ without book :’— sy

“Mr. Vice Chancellor and Gentleman,—Whereas his
Majesty is informed that the practice of reading sern
generally taken up by the preachers before the Uni
and therefore continued even before himself, his Maj
hath commanded me. to signify to you his pleasure, that the
said practice, which took beginning with the disorders:
the late times, be wholly laid aside, and that the
preachers deliver their sermons, both in Latin and

ae ot

ons.

cil who represented. the feelings and wishes of the Liberal
party, seemed to indicate a change of policy, and would have |
Justified us, perhaps, in then resigning. :

After the Elections 1 was willing, and, as- your Lordship

fairer distribution of patronage ; a few satisfactory appoint-

is aware, induced Mr, Howe also,

to remain in Council and | that his Majesty’s Commands

by memory, and without book, as being a way of prea
which his Majesty judgeth most seréeebla to the use of all
foreign churches, to the custom of the University hereto ek
and the nature and intendment of that holy exercise. A

in the premises may be duly