Page:My Life in Two Hemispheres, volume 2.djvu/207

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
IN OFFICE
189
write to him, and add your weight to the influences now working upon his mind; and if you have any Imperial business of a bold, liberal, statesmanlike character such as the Union of the Colonies, in which the Home Government has an issue, now is your time to push it. All these fellows are working like men of genius and ambition—for the future. I never saw such a victory of brains, pluck, and experience as theirs has been. When they came in they could not rely on onethird of the House—now it is child's play to them to beat Palmerston to rags night after night."

We were planting new towns, and I determined to name some of them after men who had served the country, and I began with an old antagonist become Chief Justice, and Stawell is now a thriving and prosperous township. I communicated my project to Sir William, and asked him to name the streets in the settlement called after him. This was his reply:—

"Melbourne, May 26, 1858.

"My dear Sir,—I most cordially approve of your intention—carried out, it will produce, in my opinion, more beneficial results than may at first sight appear probable.

"With reference to the streets I have felt some difficulty in giving only to them the names of men who have done much for the country, whilst the town is called after myself.

"I trust that in avoiding this difficulty you will not deem me to have exceeded your permission if I propose to mark the streets with names of branches of my own family.

"Pray accept my best thanks for your courtesy and consideration, and believe me, yours faithfully,

The Archbishop of Tuam acknowledged some slight service I had been able to perform at his request:—

"Tuam, February 12, 1859.
"My dear Sir,—It is high time to acknowledge your very kind letter, for which, and the manifestation of that kindness practically, I feel greatly obliged. It is fortunate that those