high seas. When his death was announced in 1805 there was universal sorrow in Canada. I have heard a hymn sung in the churches to the air, 'Nelson est mort au sein de la victoire' (Nelson is dead in the hour of victory), proving the popularity of his name. The Bishops recommended the King's armies to the prayers of the faithful. The citizens of Montreal erected on Jacques Cartier Square the Nelson Column, in memory of the famous Admiral, which may still be seen. In the list of subscribers to the monument one finds the names of all the prominent French-Canadians of that day. We commemorated the centenary of the event this October. The first steps to this end being appropriately taken by the French-Canadians, who have so faithfully been attached to the British Empire.
The war of 1812-1815 was precipitated unexpectedly at a moment when the Imperial Government was too seriously engaged in Europe to send troops to Canada. The legislature of Quebec promptly and unanimously voted the funds necessary for the defence of the country, and passed at the same time an Act calling to arms every able-bodied man in the province. The clergy stimulated the enthusiasm of the militiamen, who accomplished prodigies of valour during the three years of the war. Without the French-Canadian Militia the conquest of Canada would have been an easy task to the Americans.
The extraordinary rejoicings which marked among us the alliance between England and France in 1854-1855 reminds one of the happy understanding which fortunately exists to-day between the two countries. To our eyes nothing is more consoling, because, though on the one hand none of us dream of restoring the French regime in Canada, it is nevertheless certain that while these two Powers are united and working in harmony, peace and prosperity must reign.
We have the freest Government in the world; we are proud to form part of an Empire that protects us everywhere throughout the globe; and our people who
