lose our sketch of this man, the greatest
that Nova Scotia has produced. Judging him not by single acts, {151}
as no one ever should be judged, but by his life as a whole, he may be
called a great man. His honesty of purpose and love of country, his
creative faculty, width of view, and power of will combined, entitle
him to be called a great statesman. He was more than a politician and
more than an orator. He had qualities that made men willing to follow
him even when they did not see where they were going, or only saw that
they were going in a direction different from their former course.
Steering in the teeth of former professions, he bade them have
patience, for he was tacking; and they believed him. True, they were
swayed by his eloquence, and gladdened by his sympathy and his humour.
The fascination of the orator thrilled them; but had they not believed
that at bottom he was sincere, the charm would soon have ceased to
work. As it was, they followed him as few parties have ever followed a
leader. Men followed him against their own interests, against their
own Church, against their own prejudices and convictions.
Episcopalians fought by his side against the Church of England;
Baptists fought with him against the demands of their denomination;
Roman Catholics stood by him when he assailed the doctrines of their
Church.

{152}

Though he was merciless in conflict, bitterness did not dwell in his
heart. He was always willing to shake hands, in true English fashion,
when the war was over. If friends expostulated about the generosity of
his language or actions to political opponents, 'Oh! what's the use,'
he would reply, 'he has got a pretty wife'; or, 'he is not such a bad
fellow after all'; or, 'life is too short to keep that sort of thing
up.' He was generous partly because he felt he could afford it, for he
had boundless confidence in his own resources. This self-confidence
gave him a hearty, cheery manner, no matter what straits he was in,
that acted on his followers like wine.

The one thing lacking was that he had not wholly subordinated self to
duty and to God. He was immersed in active engagements and all the
cares of life from early years. He was capable of enjoying, and he did
enjoy without stint, every sweet cup that was presented to his lips.
He was conscious of great powers that never seemed to fail him, but
enabled him to rise with the occasion ever higher and higher. Small
wonder, then,