opelessly astray in gauging the public
opinion of the Province, for they looked forward to the approaching
contest with the utmost confidence in the result. The new society, it
was thought, would accomplish wonders in the way of thorough
organization, and it was confidently believed that the existing Reform
majority in the Assembly would be fully maintained, if not increased.
The efforts of the official party to spread a belief prejudicial to the
patriotism of the Reformers were laughed to scorn. So also was the
attempt of the Lieutenant-Governor to imbue the inhabitants with a
belief in the probability of a foreign invasion. Upon the promulgation
of the challenge to the imaginary invader, a number of the Toronto
Reformers, with Mr. Hincks at their head, amused themselves by
perpetrating a practical joke. Having taken counsel together, they
formed themselves into a deputation, and called upon his Excellency in a
state of well-assumed perturbation. In a formal address they expressed
much solicitude on the subject of the contemplated invasion. They
professed to re-echo his unbounded confidence in the Provincial militia,
but begged to be informed of the quarter whence the attack was
anticipated. "We do not doubt," said they, in their Address, "the
readiness with which would be answered upon any emergency your appeal to
the militia, which appeal we are satisfied would not have been made
without adequate cause. In a matter so seriously affecting the peace and
tranquillity of the country, and the security of its commerce, we beg to
learn from your Excellency from what quarter the invasion is alleged to
be threatened." To this not unreasonable demand the Lieutenant-Governor
was unable to make any definite reply. The absurdity of his challenge
was for the first time fully brought home to him. According to the
testimony of eye-witnesses, he "did not sit, but stood with that
personal oscillation which you witness in a man so situated as not well
to know what to say or what to do."[244] When at last his reply came,
it proved to be the briefest and most sensible of all his replies.
"Gentlemen," said he, "I have no further observations to make to you on
this subject." The deputation, struggling with suppressed laughter,
withdrew.

The Provincial Parliament was dissolved on the 28th of May, and as it
was thought desirable to strike while the iron was hot, the elections
were hurried on with unseemly haste. They began on the 20th of Ju