sixteen he began the study of law, at which he made such rapid progress and displayed such unusual legal knowledge, that when only twenty-one years of age he was made Attorney-General of Upper Canada. In order to accept this high office he was called to the Bar by a special action of the Court, and this was duly confirmed by an act of the Legislature.

At this time he also took up arms in defence of his country, and served during the war of 1812. Throughout the campaign he was conspicuous for courage and indifference to danger. He was with Brock on his western expedition, and took part in the surrender of Detroit. He was a member of the guard placed over the American General, Hull; took part in the battle at Queenston Heights, and was not far from General Brock when he fell. Lieutenant Robinson was foremost in the last desperate charge of the men of Lincoln and the York Volunteers. He was greatly admired by the troops for his military dash and bravery.

During his terms as Attorney-General-Dec. 3, 1812, to Jan. 6, 1815, and Feb. 18, 1818, to July, 1829-it devolved upon him to prosecute in the celebrated case of Robert Gourlay. In connection with this trial, grave charges were made against him by political opponents of tampering with justice, but there was never any ground for such an accusation.

In 1821, Mr. Robinson became the first representative of the town of York in the House of Assembly, and was at once the leader and mouthpiece of the Tory party. He was a ready and finished speaker, and having himself well under control, made comparatively few personal enemies. He possessed a commanding presence and the bearing of an English gentleman of the old school. In 1822 he successfully accomplished an important mission to Great Britain regarding the settlement of certain differences which had arisen between Upper and Lower Canada over the collection of custom duties at Montreal, and for this he received a vote of thanks from both Houses of the Legislature.

About this time the Imperial government offered to make him Chief Justice of the Island of Mauritius, an honor which he declined, although the office would have yielded several thousand pounds per annum. In 1829 he declined the office of Chief Justice of Upper Canada, but in 1830 he accepted

the position. As Chief Justice he was president of the Executive Council, and was also Speaker of the Upper House from 1828 to 1840. In debates his conservative cast of mind was generally apparent. He was ever in favor of maintaining the Clergy Reserves, and always opposed to responsible government as understood in those days.

In the Rebellion of 1837 he volunteered for the defence of Toronto against the rebels, and it was he who was obliged as Chief Justice to pronounce sentence of death on Peter Matthews and Samuel Lount.

While in England in 1839, he declined the honour of Knighthood, and at the union of the provinces in 1841, shortly after his return, his political life may be said to have terminated. For nearly a quarter of a century after this he continued to discharge the duties of Chief Justice in a way which brought him universal respect. His learning, acumen and stainless integrity were proverbial. His industry was as marked as his learning, and his judgments were very rarely at fault. In 1850 Chief Justice Robinson was made a Companion of the Bath. Four years later he was created a Baronet of the United Kingdom, and in 1856 received from the University of Oxford the honorary degree of D. C. L.

In 1862 he retired from the position of Chief Justice and accepted the less arduous one of President of the Court of Appeal. In January, 1863, he presided in this capacity for the last time, as a few days after he was seized by an acute illness and expired on the 31st of that month. His remains were laid to rest in St. James' Cemetery, Toronto.

For upwards of half a century he had held a foremost position in the history of the Province. Success not only came to him early in life, but remained with him. Throughout his entire career, whether as a boy at school, a student at law, a soldier on the battlefield, a leader in parliament, or as Chief Justice of the Province, he honoured each position and brought to the discharge of his duty that continued industry, nobility of character and splendid talent which ever distinguished his public and private life, and kept for him a high position amongst his fellow-men.

CHAPTER XXI.

LORD ELGIN,

A Critical Period in Canadian History-The Two Races in Canada Make Government DifficultThe War of 1837 Intensifies the Situation-Lord Elgin a Wise Ruler-His Birth and Descent-His Education-A Distinguished Scholar-Enters Lincoln's Inn-Member for Southampton-Appointed Governor of Jamaica-Ameliorates the Moral and Social Condition of the Negroes-His Return to England-Appointed Governor-General of British North America-Finds the French and the English in Canada in Bitter Antipathy to Each Other The Country in a Wretched Financial Condition-The Ravages Made by "ShipFever"-Canadians Indignant at England for Sending Pauper Emigrants to Canada— Makes an Extensive Trip Through Canada—Loyalists of Upper Canada Dissatisfied with Lord Elgin's Attitude—The Rebellion Losses Bill-The Tories of Montreal Create Riots on Passage of the Bill-Lord Elgin Tenders His Resignation to the Home Government-His Course in Canada Approved of by the English Government-Decides to Remove Seat of Government from Montreal-Once More Visits Upper Canada-The French Drawn Toward England by His Just Rule-The "Tories" Issue Annexation Manifestoes-Lord Elgin Endeavors to Establish Reciprocity with the United StatesVisits the United States-Concludes a Reciprocity Treaty-Opposed to MilitarismHis Immigration Policy-His Farewell to Canada-His Attitude on the Crimean WarThe "Arrow" Affair-Sent to China by the British Government-His Wise Action at Time of Indian Mutiny-In Calcutta-His Negotiations with the Chinese-On His Return to England Offered the Office of Postmaster-General by Lord Palmerston-Fresh Troubles Break Out in China-Lord Elgin Returns to the East with a Strong Force-Compels the Chinese Authorities to Ratify the Treaty of Tientsin-His Work Appreciated in England— Appointed Viceroy of India-Visits the Principal Cities of India-Seized With a Fatal Illness-His Death-Dean Stanley's Tribute to His Memory-A Great Empire Builder.

CA

ANADA, like every other young country of modern times, has had several decidedly critical periods in her history, but none is of more importance than that which occurred almost immediately after the Rebellion of 1837.

Lord Durham by his wise report to the Home government had suggested a way out of the difficulties threatening Canada, but likewise pointed out that the greatest of all difficulties was not a political one, but was racial. The great obstacle to Canadian development was the two distinct races, the French and the British, who in ideas, laws and in language, opposed each other.