, or pedagogical. In fact he was almost benignly human, even
humourous. And I concluded that if intimacy with the League of Nations
could work such a change in the average man connected with it, there is
surely some function for the League as a cheerful solvent for the world.

Sir Herbert Ames' previous work as Hon. Chairman of the National
Patriotic Fund of course did a good deal to reclaim him. Of all war work
this was among the most destructive of personal bigotry and political
prejudice. If Sir Herbert imbibed the real philosophy of the Patriotic
Fund he must be, speaking humanly, one of the wisest men in Canada. It
was a scientific fact that at a time when men in the army were displaying
incredible heroism, certain people at home were exhibiting unbelievable
meanness. The people who used to attempt graft on the Patriotic Fund
were the kindergarten of the college of national profiteers who came
later. They were happily out-numbered by the people who were thankful
for all they got and who in the greatest losses that life can inflict
showed almost sublime fortitude and patience.

Preparation for some form of public service by doing it as he went along
has always been Ames' strongest characteristic. He had eyes for the
homely, sometimes mean, job under his nose. There was an evangelism
about him. Why? Because he was a citizen. Where did he live? In
Montreal. No man can be a reforming citizen in Montreal unless he has
plenty of time, and some money. Mr. Ames has always had both. He also
has endless patience.

Perhaps the most remarkable proof that he intended to be a practical
philanthropist is the fact that for eight years he was one of the feeble
Anglo-Saxon minority in the Montreal City Council. An artist in search
of contrast could never have found a finer example than a comparative
study of the leader of the English section Ames, and the French boss, the
late L. A. Lapointe. In the bilingual Legislature of an incorrigible
city Mr. Ames spoke two languages. If he had mastered twenty he never
could have equalled Lapointe, who in my recollection of a long
conversation some years ago could genially and grandly boast that the fad
for reforming the City of Montreal would never make much headway so long
as he remained boss of the French section in Council. Lapointe was
Montreal's Tammany. He held Montreal under his patronage and executive
thumb before Mederic Martin had begun to achieve any fame beyo