than he had anticipated, and
did not return to Canada until towards the end of August, 1833. He was
absent in all nearly sixteen months, which was considerably longer than
was necessary for the accomplishment of the objects of his mission. He
doubtless enjoyed life in the metropolis, and was loth to relinquish
it.[165] His mission had not been wholly fruitless, for his
representations at the Colonial Office had led to the writing of Lord
Goderich's despatch already referred to, by which the faction in Upper
Canada were led to see that they would for the future be compelled to
act with somewhat more of circumspection. Several much-needed
suggestions were made in the despatch on subjects of practical
importance--among others as to the remuneration of members of the
Assembly representing Town constituencies; as to the extension of the
franchise to persons who, by reason of their religious scruples, could
not conscientiously take the prescribed oath; as to the repeal of the
law disqualifying British subjects from voting at elections till the
expiration of seven years after their return from a residence in a
foreign country; and as to the interference of ecclesiastical
Legislative Councillors in secular matters.[166] Mackenzie was also
entitled to claim credit for obtaining important reforms in the
management of the Provincial Post Office. He had brought the affairs of
the Province conspicuously before the minds of several eminent public
men, whose interest in Canada had thus been aroused, and who were
thenceforth able to display some familiarity with Canadian questions as
they came up for discussion in the House of Commons. During his stay in
London he had published a duodecimo volume, extending to 504 pages,
entitled "Sketches in Canada and the United States," in which a good
many Provincial abuses had been specified. The information contained in
this work had been thrown together in a higgledy-piggledy fashion, and
it could not be said to have much real value, more especially as many of
its statements were inaccurate, and must have been known to be so when
they were written.[167] Still, it probably had some effect in seconding
the author's efforts to attract attention to himself and the interests
which he represented. He had moreover acquainted the Colonial Secretary
with matters which could not possibly have been clearly explained
otherwise than orally. It was tolerably certain that information
furnished by him had led to