mines of wealth, whose soil had scarce been scratched, peopled by
patriotic, zealous and toiling millions, honestly paying their way
through life by the sweat of their God-and-Queen-fearing brows. What
an example to the world! A country where the wage-earner hurried,
with eager footsteps, to place the honestly earned tolls at the feet
of generous and trusting landlords!

Then, on the other hand, he pointed to that small portion of the
British Isles, where to pay rent was a crime: where landlords were
but targets for insult and vituperation--yes, and indeed for BULLETS
from the hidden assassin whenever they were indiscreet enough to
visit a country where laws existed but that they might be broken,
and crime stalked fearlessly through the land. Such a condition was
a reproach to the English government.

"Why," he asked the astonished gathering of dignitaries, "why should
such a condition exist when three hundred and sixty-five men sat in
the House of Commons, sent there by electors to administer the just
and wise laws of a just and wise country? Why?"

As he paused and glared around the table for the reply that was not
forthcoming, the undying phrase sprang new-born from his lips:

"Oh," he cried; "oh! that for one brief hour Providence would
immerse that island of discontent beneath the waters of the Atlantic
and destroy a people who seemed bent on destroying themselves and on
disintegrating the majesty and dignity and honour of our great
Empire!"

Feeling that no words of his could follow so marvellous a climax, he