The Fortnightly Review: No. CCCCLXIII, New Series [‎603r] (96/239)

THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE.
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tour of the North-West Provinces and the Pacific coast occupied
the greater part of three months. Over 6,000 miles were tra
versed by rail or other means of transit. Everywhere the
Governor-General was met by the warmest protestations of loyalty
to the British crown.
It was about this time he made his first serious essay in diplo
macy. What was known as the Canadian Fisheries Question had
for a long time been the subject of diplomatic representation
between Washington and London. Hitherto neither country had
proposed a settlement which was satisfactory to the other. Of
late, indeed, the notes on both sides had been warded in an
acrimonious tone, which is always ominous in diplomacy. Lord
Lansdowne saw the absolute necessity of solving a question which
at any moment might bring the two nations face to face with a grave
crisis. Accordingly he laboured to find a solution acceptable to both
parties, and he set about his task with his usual thoroughness and
caution. He spent much time and labour in studying the question
in all its complicated bearings. He played the most important
part in the protracted negotiations that ensued. He was the
medium of communicating the views of both the Imperial Govern
ment and the Canadian Ministry to the White House. It was
generally conceded that no man occupying a similar position ever
rendered more valuable service in the settlement of a grave inter
national question. At length his labours were rewarded, and he
had the keen satisfaction of seeing the long-standing dispute
amicably closed with advantage to the party w T hose cause he
championed.
A persistent attack upon Lord Lansdowne by one of Mr.
Parnell’s henchmen, who had crossed the Atlantic to “ raise the
wind,” marked the last year of his administration. It only served
to increase his popularity. Counter-demonstrations were held by
the Canadians. That at Ottawa was the most imposing ever seen
in the capital. 1 It was an eloquent protest, as one of the speakers
—an aged Roman Catholic priest—said, against men “ who had
come to America with old quarrels in their mouths.” During his
term of office on his initiative the Dominion was represented at the
International Exhibitions held in London and Antwerp respec
tively. He took a deep interest in the literature, art, and science of
Canada, and in its educational and learned societies. He lost no
opportunity to urge the development of Canada on Canadian lines
Fo r instance, he advised Canadian artists to draw their inspirations
from Canada—a view quite compatible with that lofty imperialism
he instilled into the Colonial mind.
Lord Lansdowne was fortunate in the early opportunity afforded
(1) Times, May 28th, 1887.
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