LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

QUEBEC TERCENTENARY.—WOLFE AND MONT- CALM MEMORIAL.

[To THE EDITOR OF THIC " SPECTATOR:1

SvR,—In July of this year Canada celebrates the three hundredth anniversary of her foundation. The presence of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, of the Atlantic Squadron of the British Fleet, and of delegates from the other States of the Empire will afford a proof of the Imperial interest awakened

by this birthday of the first among the daughter-nations. The presence of a French squadron at the celebration will be a significant reminder that France also has played a great part in the making of Canada, and that many of Canada's foremost citizens trace descent from another stock than

our own.

To commemorate the founding of Quebec by Champlain three hundred years ago and the beginning of their national life, the Canadian people propose to purchase the land upon the Heights of Abraham, which was the scene of the ever memorable battle of September 13th, 1759. At present this, one of the finest sites in the world, is disfigured by unworthy buildings. It is proposed to clear the ground, and create a

large national park to stand to future generations as a memorial of the great past. It would ill become the Mother-country to have no share in this commemoration. We believe that the best way in which we can participate would

be by aiding in the presentation to Canada as a birthday gift of a Memorial to Wolfe and Montcalm, names for ever linked with the Heights of Abraham, and the twin heroes of the races which made up the Canadian people.

Horace Walpole, an observer not easily roused to enthusiasm, wrote on hearing the news of the capture of Quebec :— "The incidents of dramatic fiction could not be conducted with more address to lead an audience from despondency to sudden exaltation than accident prepared to excite the passions of the whole people. Joy, curiosity, astonishment, was painted on every countenance. The more they enquired the more their admiration rose. Not an incident but was heroic and affecting."

A century and a half has not dimmed the romance of that strange escalade in the darkness, gallantly supported by the British Fleet, or of that great day on the Heights when both generals died gloriously for their cause. Wolfe stands out in history as the type of single-hearted devotion, rising superior to bodily frailty and frequent failure. Not less noble was his

great antagonist, who, neglected by his masters and thwarted by his colleagues, kept unsullied the honour of a great captain, and redeemed defeat by a heroic death. But the

exploit of Wolfe was not only a brilliant feat of arms ; it was an event of profound political significance. "With the triumph of Wolfe on the Heights of Abraham," John Richard Green wrote, "begins the history of the United States." It was also a turning-point in our Imperial history. Had Wolfe failed, the fruits of Chatham's policy would have been lost to us. Because he succeeded, the way was prepared fOr the growth, first of British Colonies and then of the British nations, not in North America only, but throughout the world. In commemorating Wolfe we commemorate in the truest sense the founding of our Empire beyond the seas.

The present is a fortunate moment for such a Memorial. The French and English peoples in Canada, banded together in 1812 for the defence of their fatherland, were leagued in our latest war for the maintenance of the Einpire. It is a French hero, Champlain, who is the chief figure in the ter- centenary celebration, and a French hero is joined with an English hero in the proposed Memorial. The present' year sees an Exhibition opened in London in which France and England co-operate, and an alliance between the two countries based not only on policy, but on genuine friendship. Without bitterness or regrets, the two Powers of Europe who are the parent States of Canada can join in her birthday cele- bration and commemorate the deeds of 'those Englishmen and Frenchmen who built so much greater a fabric than they dreamed of.

An invitation to assist in the Memorial has been issued signed by the five ex-Governors-General of Canada,—the Duke of Argyll, the Marquis of Lansdowne, the Earl of Derby, the Earl of Aberdeen, and the Earl of Minto. As a result of the invitation a large and representative Committee has been formed, and at a meeting held under the presidency of the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House on April 14th an Executive Committee was appointed. It has been decided to hold a public meeting at the Mansion House at 3 o'oclock on the afternoon of May 15th, at which Lord Crewe, Lord Roberts, and others will speak. H.R.H. the Prince of Wales will be invited to hand the sum collected for the Memorial to the Governor-General of Canada when he attends the com- memoration ceremony in July. We appeal to the British people to make this Memorial worthy of our country and of its object. It is an opportunity for Great Britain to show her sense of the reality of the Imperial tie, and to do honour to the man to whom in great measure it is due that Canada is .a nation of the Empire to-day.

Contributions may be sent to the honorary secretaries, A. M. -Grenfell, Esq.; 6 Princes Street, E.C., and John Buchan, Esq., 35 Paternoster Row, E.C., or to the "Wolfe and Montcalm Memorial" account at the Bank of England.— We are, Sir, &c., MIDLETON (Chairman) J. C. BELL, Lord Mayor of London ROBERTS, F.M.

STRATHCONA MemberS MOVNTSTEPHEN

GRAHAM of the STANLEY HOWICK Executive J. Sr. LOE STRACHEY EDWARD T. HUTTON, Lieut.-Generzil Committee.

GEORGE PARKIN THOMAS .SKINNER

A. M. G-RENFELL

JOHN BUCHAN