We seem not only to have lost the art of
governing, but the very wish to govern. It seems quite certain that Well, the Canadian, the pseudo-President of the Red River Republic, has actually shot one Scott, a Canadian, for aiding Major Boulton's enterprise, that is, for resisting the pretension of a knot of settlers to dismember the British Empire. Nevertheless, no movement against him seems to be in contemplation. It was stated in the beginning of the week that a steel battery and 1,000 men would be despatched to the Red River, but this was instantly contra- dicted, and the position of affairs appears to be this:—If the rebels can be soothed into obedience by a Canadian embassy, well. If not, Canada is to decide whether she will or will not reconquer Her Majesty's territory for her. With all our wealth, we are visibly sinking into the position of Spain just before her colonies quitted her.
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