Canadian Constitutional Development. By H. E. Egerton, M.A., and W.
L. Grant, M.A. (John Murray. 105. 6d. net.)—This narrative may be said to begin with the passing of Canada into British hands after the surrender of Montreal (1760) and to end with the union of the various provinces and the establishment of the Dominion. This volume, which gives the substance, and where expedient the actual words, of the statesmen who had to do with this highly interesting development, is welcome for its own sake, as being a valuable contribution to history, and as the first- fruits of the Beit foundation of Colonial History at Oxford. Professor Egerton holds the Chair, and Mr. Grant is the Assistant Lecturer. Very remarkable documents they are which are pre- sented to us in these pages. Among them we see one which may be said to mark the nadir of Canadian public life, a numerously signed document published in 1849 advocating annexation to the "United States. It deserves careful study, for it has a bearing on present-day questions. It was suggested by the Free-trade legislation of 1846, with the consequent abolition of Canadian preference, and the movement collapsed when the Navigation Laws were repealed. Free-trade must be thorough ; when you attempt to protect this industry or that disastrous complications are sure to follow.
Previous page
