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r Flower Garden and Plant…

Hardy Fruit and Kitchen Garden.

SPORTS AND PASTIMES. --+---

AMERICA AFTER THE WAR.

THE PRETENDED MAN CASE.

FACTS AND FACETIAE. 0 -

WHAT SHOULD CANADA DO?

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WHAT SHOULD CANADA DO? A correspondent of the Daily News writes as fol lows on the question of the separation of Canada from the mother countryNobody, he says, in these days believes that the greatness or the prosperity of England depends in tha slightest degree upon the fact A 9?nac*a *8 a British province. It appears to me that the only question with which a statesman has anything to do is the question—which is the most ad- vantageous course for the mother country and the colony to pursue—should the mutual connection between them be maintained, or should it be brought to a close? I hear a good deal said about loyalty and patriotism in Canada. It is but a few years ago I travelled through that province, and things must have changed very much since then if the mass of the Canadians are swayed by any such sentimental enthusiasm. It is true that in Lower Canada the French were vehe- mently opposed to annexation with the United States. Bat why ? Not because they loved the British. On the contrary, it was almost painful in society to observe the supercilious contempt which the French Canadians entertained for everything British, and the spiteful joy which they seemed to feel in giving a side-blow to anything English. The French Canadians cling to the connection with England, not only because they got more out of the English Exchequer than they hope to get out of the Yankee Exchequer, but because they fear if they were annexed to the United States the ascendancy of the Roman Catholic Church would be destroyed. In short, it is not love for England but hatred of Yankee Protestantism that keep the French Canadians true to the Union Jack. But I have little doubt that if their religion were secured, the Canadians would range themselves under the Stars and Stripes, perhaps with alacrity, certainly without regret. To England, Canada is not a source of strength on the contrary, she ia the source of weakness. She lies there the victim of the United States, whenever the Government of Washington chooses to attack her; and even if England were to succeed in driving back the invader, the reconquered province would be as barren a possession as it is at present. Canada is not a source of wealth. On the contrary, that province compels ngiand to maintain a much larger army than would e required if it were independent. And as for deriv- ing any sort of revenue from a province, the very thought would rouse Lord North from his grave. TT .j*0 defence of Canada against the power of the j united States is almost impracticable. The Canadian I country is so extensive from east to west, and so j narrow from north to south, that the military problem of defending this line is one of the utmost difficulty At all events, it is obvious that, as soon as the Americans succeed, in establishing 100,000 men on the north bank of the St. Lawrence, east of Montreal, the conquest of western Canada is complete. Is it I possible to prevent this catastrophe? I think not. Bat even if the defence were possible, is it worth the cost ? That the sum required will be enormous is certain. Is it right that either England or Canada. should incur this expense ? Is there anything to be gained by it ? Is it essential in order that the Cana- dians may continue to enjoy all the liberties which they now enjoy, and may spread themselves to the Pacific ? Would the blessings of civilisation and liberty be less secure under the President at Washing- ton than under Lord Monck ? So far as England is concerned it is a.dmitted'-ostelltatiously admitted- that she would gladly retire from the position which she now occupies. England only waits for the Cana- dians to declare themselves. There is, then, only one mode in which the Cana- dians can secure the advantage, which they now pos- sess without incurring burdens which must grievously oppress them and materially retard their improve- ment. That mode is by joining the United States. Assume that England is prepared to abandon Canada, and that Canada cannot stand alone. Would there' be any difficulty in Canada negotiating a treaty with the United States, stipulating that thev should enjoy their own separate institutions; but they should not be liable to the debt already contracted by the United States, whilst they remained liable to their own debt; that they should have the appointment of their own governor, and that they should furnish a certain num- ber of men to the United States army, and a certain sum towards the expense of the fleet ? I cannot doubt that the Government at Washington would gladly accept these proposals. It is true that Great Britain would relinquish a province, but she would also be relieved of the anxieties and dangers which the possession of such a province entails, Canada. would become a part of the United States instead of being part of the British empire. But with this change she would relieve herself from the danger to which she is now exposed, of being the first to suffer in any war between Great Britain and the United States. These are views which to some may seem extravagant and even pusillanimous, but I cannot doubt that they are dictated by common sense, and deserve ,at least, candid consideration.

ICRUEL SWINDLE AT OXFORD.

,"AGRICULTURE. --+--