Part 7

A Peep into the hearts of the Reform Leaders during the interesting period of Sir John Macdonald’s political “indisposition.” The “Poor Dear Premier” may be seen, if the reader will take the trouble to peer into the bed-room.

OCTOBER 4th, 1873.

“PROGRESSING FAVOURABLY.”

MISS CANADA—(anxiously)—“DOCTORS, HOW DO YOU FIND THE POOR DEAR PREMIER?”

DR. B—N (for the M.D.’s)—“MADAM, WE’VE JUST HAD A CONSULTATION; THE SYMPTOMS ARE HOPEFUL—WE BELIEVE HE CAN’T SURVIVE OCTOBER!”]

NO. 19.

“Rehearsing for the 23rd.”

Representing the spirit in which the Leaders of the Respective Parties approached what was expected to be the decisive date.

OCTOBER 11th, 1873.

REHEARSING FOR THE 23RD INSTANT.

M—K—ZIE—“I WILL FIGHT HIM UPON THIS THEME UNTIL MY EYELIDS WILL NO LONGER WAG!”—HAMLET, Act v., Scene 1.

JOHN A.—“WHAT DO I FEAR?”—RICHARD III., Act v., Scene 3.]

NO. 20.

“Will he get Through?”

The question which was on all lips during the interim between the prorogation of the House of Commons on the 13th of August and the day fixed for its re-assembling, October 23rd. The prophecy conveyed in the unreasonable smallness of the hoop in the clowns hand, was duly realized.

OCTOBER 18th, 1873.

“WILL HE GET THROUGH?”]

NO. 21.

“A Case of Riel Distress.”

The murder of Thomas Scott, at Fort Garry, during the Red River Rebellion, naturally excited great indignation throughout the Dominion, and a universal demand was made for the apprehension and punishment of Louis Riel, the leader of the malcontents, at whose instigation the deed was committed. This righteous sentiment, however, ultimately resolved itself into mere political “claptrap,” and the action of the Conservative Government, then in power, was hypocritical throughout, they having secretly promised the rebels an amnesty, while publicly professing an anxious desire to “catch him.”

OCTOBER 25th, 1873.

A CASE OF RIEL DISTRESS!]

NO. 22.

“Of comfort no man speak; Let’s talk of graves and worms and epitaphs!”—SHAKESPEARE.

Typical of the overwhelming grief which seized the Conservative Party on being turned out of office, after a reign of nearly twenty years.

NOVEMBER 1st, 1873.

“OF COMFORT NO MAN SPEAK; LET’S TALK OF GRAVES AND WORMS AND EPITAPHS!”—SHAKESPEARE.]

NO. 23.