ung
Mr. Bidwell; but his father still remained disqualified, for it was
expressly re-enacted that no person who had been a member of the Senate
or House of Representatives of the United States, or who had held office
in any of the executive departments of "the United States of America, or
any one of the said United States," should be capable of being elected
to the Assembly. Under this clause the elder Bidwell was doubly
disqualified, for he had not only been Attorney-General of
Massachusetts, but had also sat in Congress. It was much, however, that
the son was rendered eligible. A general election took place during the
summer of 1824, at which he was returned for the constituency which he
then contested for the third time. He continued to sit in Parliament
for eleven successive years. He is properly regarded as one of the
founders of the Reform party in Upper Canada, and by his eloquence, tact
and discretion, no less than by the high respect in which his character
was held, he did much to advance the progress of Reform principles.

The general election of 1824 resulted in the return of a number of
prominent Reformers who now for the first time came forward to take part
in public affairs. It was evident that a spirit of Reform had been
awakened, and that from this time forward every important public
question was likely to have two sides to it.

The most conspicuous of all the new members was Mr. John Rolph, who had
been returned as one of the representatives for the County of Middlesex.
As he played an important part in the event which forms the subject of
this work, and as he was one of the ablest men who have ever taken part
in public affairs in this country, it is desirable to give some fuller
account of him than is to be found in the various books relating to the
place and times in which he lived.

John Rolph was unquestionably one of the most extraordinary
personalities who have ever figured in the annals of Upper Canada. He
possessed talents which, under favouring circumstances, would have made
him a marked man in either professional or public life in any country.
Chief among his qualifications may be mentioned a comprehensive, subtle
intellect, high scholastic and professional attainments, a style of
eloquence which was at once ornate and logical, a noble and handsome
countenance, a voice of silvery sweetness and great power of modulation,
and an address at once impressive, dignified and ingratiating. His
keen