mories of the past. Another great source of protection lay in
the composition of the character of the gifted ally.

Mary Douglas was possessed of a temperament most keenly sensitive to the
finest perception of poetic feeling. Life to her was music and poetry. A
beautiful picture either called forth joy or sorrow; a pathetic song
thrilled her soul with well timed vibrations of feeling; a touching
story brought tears to those lovely eyes, that would move one with pity.
Thus was concealed the sympathy for Lady Rosamond, as none would
sacrilegiously question those motives save in playful reminder from
Captain Douglas, who bowed in fond adoration to the shrine of his
sister's loveliness and goodness.

The entrance of Mr. Howe changed the current of conversation. Politics
naturally took the lead. The House of Assembly being now three weeks in
session, having opened April 15th, many important discussions took
place. Much turmoil had to be suppressed by the sagacious judgment of
Sir Howard. His predecessors had loudly contended against the troubles
arising from the sources and expenditure of revenues. Happily, in the
present administration, this matter had in a great measure subsided. For
the general advancement of the Province, His Excellency left no means
untried. His waking moments were almost entirely devoted to the
interests of political welfare. His conversation within the family
circle very often showed his zeal and the subject which lay near his
heart. It was at this very time that he assembled all the legislators
and influential citizens of Fredericton, addressing them in terms of
burning eloquence, impressing on them the value of extending the
progress of agriculture, showing the nature of the soil of New
Brunswick; its perfect adaptation to the different kinds of products,
and the independence of a country that can largely subsist upon its own
resources. "The day will come, I hope," said Sir Howard, "when our
farmers will be nobles of our land, and their sons and daughters
ornaments to society, proud of the soil which raised them above the level
of their less active fellow creatures."

As the speech had given rise to much comment throughout the different
classes, it was freely discussed at Government House. This intelligent
family often formed into a party of politicians and assumed the measured
terms and knotty difficulties of political lore with an ease that was
both instructive and amusing.

"If papa would fav