ase in the domestic expenditure.
As neither Lady Mary nor her husband was possessed of much property, and
as the latter's income was almost entirely derived from his profession,
he resolved to try for some public appointment whereby his pecuniary
condition might be improved. Early in 1827 the project of establishing a
Court of Equity in Upper Canada was for a short time under some sort of
consideration at the Colonial Office. Through the influence of his
father-in-law, Mr. Willis was mentioned as a most suitable man to
undertake that important duty. His heart responded to the idea. He felt
that he was well fitted for such a responsibility, and that a congenial
sphere of usefulness would thus be presented to him. His vanity also
seems to have been flattered by the prospect of being raised to the
bench--even the colonial bench--at so early an age. Visions of social
and intellectual supremacy among the magnates of Upper Canada doubtless
presented themselves in alluring shapes before his mind. He had no
difficulty in obtaining a promise that in the event of the contemplated
appointment being made it should be offered to him. The project,
however, was still in embryo, and--as the event proved--was not fully
carried out until about ten years later. It was meanwhile desirable that
a puisne judge of the Court of King's Bench for Upper Canada should be
appointed without delay, and that position was offered to Mr. Willis. It
was at the same time represented to him that his acceptance would in no
wise interfere with the scheme of the establishment of a Court of
Chancery, and that he would be none the less fitted, to carry out such a
scheme from his having resided for some time in the Province, and from
his having become to some extent familiar with local laws and
institutions. After mature reflection he accepted the offer, and set
out for Canada towards the end of the summer, accompanied by his wife,
mother, sister and infant son.

His marriage had not proved in all respects a felicitous one. Lady Mary
was imbued with patrician ideas, and bore herself towards her husband's
family with considerable hauteur. She was very particular in exacting
certain observances in which she considered herself entitled. There were
doubtless faults on both sides. Mrs. and Miss Willis took umbrage at the
patronizing airs of Lady Mary, who, in her turn, complained that she was
made a cipher in her own house. There were also petty jealousies on the
par