the native nobility of his character
asserted itself. The generous impulse which moved him to defend Mr.
Bidwell, when maligned and misrepresented, and Sir Charles Metcalfe,
whom he looked upon as unjustly treated and as a martyr, prompted him to
do full justice to English institutions, and to parties and leaders
there, even at the expense of his own pre-conceived notions on the
subject.

By doing so he refused to be of those who would perpetuate an imposition
upon the credulity of his countrymen, and especially of those who had
trusted him and had looked up to him as a leader of men, and as an
exponent of sound principles of government and public policy. And he
refused the more when that imposition was practised for the benefit of
those in whom he had no confidence, and to the injury of those for whose
welfare he had laboured for years.

Dr. Ryerson preferred to risk the odium of interested partisans, rather
than fail to tell his countrymen truly and frankly the real state of the
case--who and what were the men and parties with whom they had to do in
England--either as persons in official life, or as members of
Parliament, or writers for the press. He felt it to be his duty to warn
those who would heed his warning of the danger which they incurred in
following the unchallenged leadership of men whose aim he felt to be
revolution, and whose spirit was disloyalty itself, if not a thinly
disguised treason.

After the storm of reproach and calumny had passed away, there were
thousands in Upper Canada who had reason to cherish with respect and
love the name of one who, at a critical time, had so faithfully warned
them of impending danger, and saved them from political and social ruin.
Such gratitude was Dr. Ryerson's sole reward.

* * * * *

It would be impossible, within the compass of this "Story," to include
any details of the speeches, editorials, or other writings of Dr.
Ryerson during the many years of contest for civil and religious rights
in Upper Canada. The _Guardian_, the newspaper press (chiefly that
opposed to Dr. Ryerson), and the records of the House of Assembly
contain ample proof of the severity of the protracted struggle which
finally issued in the establishment on a secure foundation of the
religious and denominational privileges and freedom which we now enjoy.
To the Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists, etc., who joined
heartily with the Methodist leaders in t