OF THE ENGLISH IN AMERICA BY THE AUTHOR OF "SAM SLICK THE CLOCK-MAKER," "THE LETTER BAG," DEDICATION. MY DEAR LORD FALKLAND, I DERIVE much more pleasure in having the opportunity of dedicating this Work to you, than, I am afraid, you will feel at your seeing your name attached to a book, containing many things in which I know you do not concur; and some that your friendship for me will cause you to wish were expunged. I do not, by any means, desire to have it supposed, that it has obtained your sanction, as a Colonial Governor, for you have never seen the manuscript, nor have I had the advantage of your valuable advice and experience during its progress. My reason for inscribing it to you, though two-fold, is altogether personal. First-It will recall to your mind. an old friend, who has spent many happy hours in your society, and partaken largely of your kindness and hospitality, in time by-gone, when we discoursed de omnibus rebus et quibusdam aliis. Those days can never be recalled, or renewed; but memory would indeed be a source of unmitigated pain, if it only reflected the dark shades, and not the sunny spots of life. This book will show you, that my political views are unchanged. I should be ashamed of myself, if a dedication were necessary to prove that my affection is also unaltered. Secondly-I know of no one so conversant with the subject as yourself. I never had a very exalted opinion of what is called "Responsible Government," knowing that the term was an indefinite one, and that an interpretation had been put upon it by many people, that made it almost amount to sovereignty. To you was intrusted the delicate and difficult task of introducing it into Nova Scotia. Of the independence, judgment, moderation, and manliness, with which this delegated duty was executed, I say nothing, because in all ages, and in all countries, there have been others, be-side your Lordship, who could justly lay claim to these qualities. But one thing is most certain, that the late Lord Metcalf and yourself were the only two men, either in the Cabinet or the Colonies, who understood the practical operation of the system; for while you conceded t the provincial Assembly, the entire control of its local affairs, you maintained your own position as the Queen's representative, asserted your rights, as an independent branch of the Legislature, and at the same time upheld the Royal Prerogative. Those Governors wherever situated, who have put a wider and more extended interpretation on the term than yourself, have become mere ciphers; while those, who may wish to follow your example, will find, that unwise concessions have rendered the task both hopeless and thankless. "Sibi quivis Speret idem, sudet multum, frustraque laboret." I am, my dear Lord Falkland, Very sincerely and affectionately, Yours, always, NOVA SCOTIA, March 31, 1851. THE AUTHOR. |