pp. 30, 31. Toronto, 1851.

[209] It has not been deemed necessary to go very fully into the Rectory
question in these pages. Anyone desiring to do so will find very full
details in the various authorities above cited.

CHAPTER XV.

"A TRIED REFORMER."

Sir Francis Head, upon reaching Toronto on Saturday, the 23rd of
January, temporarily took up his quarters at a hotel, where apartments
had been engaged for him. He was not a little surprised, as he rode
along the streets, to see himself placarded in large letters on the
walls as "Sir Francis Head, a Tried Reformer." What a farce the thing
must have appeared in his eyes, knowing, as he did, that up to the date
of receiving the king's messenger, he had never read a page of practical
politics; that he had never recorded a political vote, and that he was
at this present moment, to use his own frank expression, no more
connected with human politics than the horses that were drawing him! How
he must have marvelled at Fate for playing him such a trick! On the same
day, at the urgent request of Sir John Colborne, he removed to
Government House. On Monday, the 25th, he was sworn into office as
Lieutenant-Governor; and on Tuesday Sir John and his family took their
departure for Montreal. The Compact took care that their staunch friend
should not leave the seat of his Government without some mark of what
might pass for popular favour. A crowd of persons was got together to
cheer as Sir John passed along the streets on his way eastward, and a
stranger might have been excused for believing that the
ex-Lieutenant-Governor was regarded by the populace with feelings of the
warmest affection. He proceeded to Montreal, and had arranged to sail
from New York for England, when he received a despatch appointing him
Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Canada. He accordingly repaired to
Quebec, the capital of the Lower Province, which was already in a state
of ferment, and preparing for the outburst which ensued towards the
close of the following year.

Sir Francis being now formally installed in office, an era of Reform was
commonly supposed to have begun. His manner and address were in the
highest degree pleasing, and he at first produced a most favourable
impression upon all who came within the immediate circle of his
influence. The Reform press sang paeans in his praise. He held no sooner
received his appointment than Joseph Hume had written to Mackenzie
congratulating the