xxxvin] ON CANADIAN AFFAIBS.

935

neighbours arises from the connexion of Canada with this 1865.
country. In my opinion it is for the interest of both that Ztr.60.
we should as speedily as possible sever the political thread
by which we are as communities connected, and leave the
individuals on both sides to cultivate the relations of commerce
 and friendly intercourse as with other nations. I
have felt an interest in this confederation scheme, because I
thought it was a step in the direction of an amicable separation,
 I am afraid from the last telegrams that there may
be some difficulty, either in your province or in Lower
Canada, in carrying out the project. Whatever may be the
wish of the colonies will meet with the concurrence of our
Government and Parliament. We have recognized their
right to control their own fate, even to the point of asserting
 their independence whenever they think fit, and which
we know to be only a question of time. All this makes our
present responsible position towards them truly one-sided
and ridiculous. There seems to be something like a deadlock
 in the political machinery of the Canadas, which has
driven their leading statesmen into the measure of confederation.
 I suspect that there has been some demoralization
 and corruption in that quarter, and that it is in part
an effort to purify the political system by letting in new
blood. There is also, I think, an inherent weakness in the
parody of our old English constitution, which is performed
on the miniature scenes of the colonial capitals, with their
speeches from the throne, votes of confidence, appeals to
the country, changes of ministry, &e., and all about such
frampery issues that the game at last becomes ridiculous in
the eyes of both spectators and actors.”
A few days after Mr. Bright had left him, Cobden found
himself unable to resist the desire to take a part in the discussion.
 on the Canadian Fortifications, and on the 21st of March,
in bitter weather, he travelled up to London, accompanied