CHAP. vir] RELATIONS OF THE HOUSES 591 
parties in the Senate when Mr. Mackenzie’s Government took 
dffice, was courteously but firmly declined, and no subsequent 
occasion has ever arisen in which it has even been discussed. 
The two nominee Houses of Quebec and Nova Scotia 
are hardly distinguished by any marked statesmanship. 
They are not liable to be swamped,? but on the other hand, 
the example of the Canadian Parliament, in which the 
Senate possesses only a weak position, has reacted upon 
them and has effectually prevented their obtaining any 
great strength. On the other hand, they still exist, owing 
to the facts that they are not prepared to surrender their 
existence, and that it is impossible to overcome that resis- 
tance by any constitutional means. The only way of doing so 
would be a wholesale dismissal of members by the Lieutenant- 
Governor, and such a proceeding would be altogether illegal 
and improper. In the case of Quebec it does not, indeed, 
seem that it is possible to remove them, as they are appointed 
for life under the Great Seal, but a legislative councillor 
may lose his position by various contingencies. as in the 
sase of a senator. 
In the case of Nova Scotia? the Upper House has still 
maintained its existence despite the general tendency which 
has been seen in Manitoba, New Brunswick,’ and Prince 
Edward Island ¢ for the Legislatures to reduce themselves 
to single-chamber assemblies. The constitution of the 
Council is very curious. It was created in 1758 by the 
commission to the Governor which authorized him to make 
laws with the Council and with the House of Assembly. The 
* See Senate Journals, 1877, pp. 130, 174. The correspondence was 
hen laid before the Senate, which passed a resolution asserting that the 
bower should only be used for emergencies, to bring about harmony between 
he two Houses. Cf. Senate Debates, 1898, p. 403. 
* The number is limited in Quebec by 30 Vict. c. 3, 5. 72, in Nova Scotia 
by the old royal instructions maintained in force by the same Act, s. 88. 
* See Bourinot, Transactions of the Royal Society of Canada, 11. ii. 143 seq. 
f In 1876 ; see Provincial Legislation, 1867-95, pp. 808 seq. 
* In 1891. For its demerits, see Hannay, New Brunswick, passim. In 
Pre-responsible government days it used repeatedly to reject Appropriation 
Bills. * In 1893: see Provincial Legislation, 1867-95, pp. 1221 seq.