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of the United Kingdom gathering from Canada and from far-off islands of the sea to defend the majesty of the Empire. Yet it has not been mine to do anything to bring about so great a consummation, but to watch and wait. It is therefore with the utmost diffidence that I venture to express my mind on this gigantic and most complex problem. It seems to me that the final compacting of the Empire must in some respects resemble the formation of a crystal. In crystallization the microscopic particles which make up the whole are not drawn together, nor are they held together by any force externally applied, but by the force or forces immanent in each separate particle, each having an inward affinity for all the rest, and all the rest having a reciprocal affinity for each, which not only draws them together, but constitutes them one body which nothing but some conquering power can destroy. If in any degree my simile holds, then the first effort of Empire-builders should be directed to create and nourish in each separate part which is to be compacted into the larger unity the inherent virtue or force which will draw it into and hold it in perfect union with the rest. The Empire cannot be a mere mechanical aggregate. It must be, if it is to endure, an organism penetrated through and through with one self-harmonious and informing life. Here we must hasten slowly, trusting to that all-wise and powerful Divine Providence, which out of the warring elements of the Heptarchy forged a united England, to guide the whole formative process so as in due time to realise for us in a United British Empire, John Milton's glorious vision of a grand Christian man. It seems to me, therefore, that your proposal, which has been so happily formulated by the Ottawa Board of Trade, and which has found such general indorsement in all colonies, marks out the true line of effort. If it can be happily accomplished, all the rest will come in time. IX. From the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Nova Scotia, Halifax : — Your proposals are fully in accord with my own views. The strangely vague ideas which residents in different parts of the Empire have of each other, and their various resources and capabilities, would readily give place to a definite conception of the possibilities of all. Your proposals are both sensible and practical. X. From the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Niagara, Hamilton : — I have read your letters to the Canadian Club with a great deal of interest, as I think every patriotic member of the Empire cannot fail to do. I am in hearty agreement with your views, so clearly and powerfully put forward in paragraphs 9, 11, 13, 16, and 17 of your first letter, and paragraph 4of your second letter. There is no doubt that the Imperial Intelligence Department must precede the formation of an Imperial Council, and in fact lead up to it. The former can be entered upon immediately, and with small expense. It will be the forerunner of the latter. lam sure that on this point the largest possible consensus of opinion will be with you. XL From the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Ontario, Kingston : — lam in perfect agreement with all you say. I think that an " Imperial Intelligence Department " must precede, for a considerable length of time, an Imperial Council, if the latter is to be of any value. An Imperial cable service, by which the free transmission of news and general information could be daily given through the Press, to all parts of the British World, would be of incalculable value in cementing the different and widely separated portions of the Empire together. Knowledge must precede confidence, and confidence constitutes the only true foundation for union and stability. XII. From the Right Reverend the Lord Bishop of Ottawa, Ottawa : — There can be no doubt that free and frequent intercourse between the people in all parts of the Empire must promote that nearer acquaintance which produces and promotes mutual confidence, and which will bring us all in one; and the intelligent, powerful union of the British Empire means a great deal not only for the English-speaking people, but for the nations of the world generally. XIII. From the Reverend John Potts, D.D., Methodist Educational Society, Toronto : — There is no doubt that this movement is growing and is tending more and more to the unity of the Empire. Imperial unity is not a thing to be hurried too fast, but nothing will tend to draw the various parts of the Empire together as much as information. XIV. From the Very Reverend Allan Pollok, D.D., LL.D., Presbyterian College, Halifax : — I think that an Imperial Council of the Empire is most desirable, that the state of things which has long continued, however well it may have done in the past, is no longer advisable, and may be no longer consistent with the safety or even the perpetuity of the Empire, and that such a Council should always be kept in view by all who are friendly to British rule in the world, also that as means of communication have vastly increased, thus rendering such a Council possible, so the best wav of promoting this end is to make all parts of the Empire mutually and habitually acquainted, by "maintaining a system of constant communication leading to a more perfect acquaintance. This may be a slower way of bringing into existence a Council, but it will be a surer and safer way.