he elections in 1836 against the Reformers mainly
through the influence of the Rev. Egerton Ryerson, who, though
absent from Canada at the time, had, by his published impressions,
induced those who confided in him to abandon the Reform
cause."--_Reminiscences_, etc., pp. 17, 18.

[254] U.C. folio edition, p, 49.

[255] The House contained in all only sixty-two members, so that a
majority of twenty-five constituted what might be called absolute
control. The actual majority was twenty-six, as there were but eighteen
Reform representatives as against forty-four supporters of the
Government.

[256] See his despatch of 1st June.

[257] _Ib._

[258] This language aptly characterizes Mr. Thomson, for afterwards, in
the Assembly, it was impossible to predict how he would vote on any
conceivable question. His "Reform" principles must have been very
"moderate," for he frequently supported the measures of the Compact. His
votes seem to have been dictated by chance or caprice, rather than
political conviction of any kind.

[259] Dr. Baldwin was Judge of the Surrogate Court of the Home
District. His dismissal was probably due quite as much to the fact
that he was President of the Society as to his remarks about the
Lieutenant-Governor, or to the official address. Mr. Ridout was Judge of
the Niagara District Court, Justice of the Peace, and Colonel of the
Second Regiment of East York Militia. He was dismissed from all three
offices, although he was not a member of the Reform Society. Mr. Small
was Commissioner of the Court of Requests in Toronto, and also
Lieutenant-Colonel of the First East York Militia.

[260] _Ante_, p. 330.

[261] Written by Chief Justice Robinson, in opposition to the project
for uniting the two Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada.

CHAPTER XVII.

REACTION.

The closing weeks of the summer and a part of the early autumn were
spent by the Lieutenant-Governor in an informal tour through some of the
most interesting and picturesque districts of the Province. A great part
of the tour, which occupied in all about two months, was performed on
horseback, and with only two attendants. A pleasantly-written account of
some of the experiences encountered during this invigorating holiday may
be found in "The Emigrant," a light, sketchy, and most readable little
volume put forth by Sir Francis ten years afterwards. Soon after his
return to the Seat of Government his self-complacency received a check
i