with the body of the empire, the better for the whole. It is acknowledged universally, that the strength of a whole is increased by the union of the parts. If the junction of the branch to the trunk is defective, if a fracture exists, the nourishment given is checked-the advantages mutually received are weakened. This has ever been considered an axiom both in the natural and political world. Every impediment to a close connexion between Britain and Canada ought to be removed or avoided, in order that they may fully enjoy all the benefits arising from their connexion. I, for my own part, have no doubt that the English language not being the language of Canada, is an impediment of this sort. Did the Canadians speak the German language, the Italian, or any other language, the effect would be the same. I do not mean to enter into any view of the comparative value of the French and English languages; but one thing I will venture to say, which is, that the English is the language which the Canadians would find the most useful; and I think I can prove it to their satisfaction.

I know well that it is generally said that

the French is the language most generally known; and that all the world speak French. These observations are far from being literally true. No doubt, most gentlemen, who have had a liberal education, know the French language; and you occasionally find some who speak it pretty well: but these are not the people with whom the Canadians are likely to be principally connected. Canada must, in time, become a great, populous, and trading country. Nature has given a great facility to mercantile intercourse; the large lakes and rivers open up a vast extent of country; and they will infallibly be surrounded by a people who speak English. The Canadians (of Lower Canada, to whom I beg leave to be understood to refer,) ought to recollect, that Canada forms a part of America; and that the language of America is English, and ever will be English. This too is the case with Upper Canada; a circumstance which they ought not to overlook. I also take upon me to assert, that no language on earth is so generally and universally spoken, both as to the extent of the countries which use it, and the number of their inhabitants. This

may be thought a bold assertion, but it is true.

English is the language not only of the British islands, but it is the language of the whole extent of America, from the frozen ocean to the gulf of Mexico. It is the language of a great part of the West Indies; it is the language of government, and mercantile men in the whole extent of the East Indies, a country as large as Europe; not to mention its being the language of New Holland, (an immense continent of itself;) and of the Cape of Good Hope, and many other British settlements: and, next to their own, it is the language generally used by mercantile men and seamen in Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and the Russian empire: so that the English language may be said to be at present even, but will most assuredly, in the course of time, be the most universal of all languages.

What the Canadians ought principally to regard is, that they must infallibly be surrounded by people who speak English, with whom it is their destiny to buy and sell, to traffic, and treat. They cannot turn to the right hand nor to the left with

out being spoken to in English. If they go into Upper Canada, there they meet it; if they pass the bounds of the Seigneuries, in Lower Canada, again they find the want of the English language. It presses upon them on all sides; so that, on this account alone, it is evidently the interest of the Canadians to learn English; not to mention how much it is their duty also to learn the language of the head, and executive part of the government. And let me remark, that those should be convincing arguments which shew us that both our interest and duty are connected with conviction.

It is not in these different points of view alone, in which it is the interest of the Canadians to encourage, in their young people, a knowledge of English: they ought to look a little into futurity; their neighbours are more advanced in useful improvements than they are; and although their parents have not done them justice, by putting it in their power to derive every advantage from their situation which it can yield, they ought not to retaliate on their children, by keeping them in equal ignorance. How can they profit from the ex

perience of their neighbours, if from an ignorance of language they cannot communicate their ideas to each other?

It certainly is surprising that the British government have paid so little attention to this point. So long as there is peace in Canada, the language (to Britain at least) is of less consequence; but, in case of war with America (which is at all events a possible case), the speaking French, and French only, must be a bar to the Canadians co-operating with British troops, or acting with effect under the command of a British officer. In this view of the case, the conduct of our governors has, I think, been contrary to every principle of common sense and prudence.

In Lower Canada there are about 60,000 militia. They are mustered at stated periods; and in the towns, they are clothed and armed, and have learned the business of soldiers so well, that they are fit to be brigaded with the troops of the line. One would naturally have supposed, that the Canadians and the English would have been mixed together, and taught their exercise in English, so as to do away, as much as