forgives. Instances could be multiplied of brilliant politicians
retired to private life, of moneyed men who spent fortunes to buy a
knighthood, a baronetcy, an earldom--and died disappointed because in
early life they had used fiduciary funds or trafficked in politics. It
may impart a seeming snobbery to Canadian life, an almost crude
insolence; but it keeps a title from becoming the insignia of an envied
dollar bill. It keeps men from buying what their conduct failed to
win. It does more than anything else to keep down that envy of true
success which is the curse of many lands. Canadian papers rarely
trouble to chronicle whether a rich man wears the hair shirt of a
troubled conscience, or the paper vest of a tight purse. They are not
interested in him simply because he is rich. If he loots a franchise
and unloads rotten stocks on widows and orphans and teachers and
preachers, they call him a thief and send him to jail a convict. Three
decades ago the premier's own nephew misused public funds. It could
have been hushed by the drop of a hat or the wave of a hand. The party
in power was absolutely dominant. The culprit was arrested at nine in
the morning and sentenced to seven years in the penitentiary by six
that day; and he served the term, too, without any political wash to
clear him. Instances are not lacking of titled adventurers ostracized
in Winnipeg and Montreal going to Newport and capturing the richest
heiresses of the land. These instances are not mentioned in invidious
self-righteousness. They are mentioned purely to illustrate the
underlying, unspoken difference in essential values.


V

Set down, then, two or three premises! Canada is under a monarchy, but
in practice is a democratic country. Canada is absolutely impartial in