PREFATORY NOTE

In conformity with its title, this volume, save for the earlier chapters, is history rather than biography, is of the day, more than of the man. The aim has been to review the more significant events and tendencies in the recent political life of Canada. In a later and larger work it is hoped to present a more personal and intimate biography of Sir Wilfrid Laurier.

O. D. SKELTON.
KINGSTON, 1915.

CONTENTS

Page
[PREFATORY NOTE ] vii
I. [THE MAKING OF A CANADIAN ] 1
II. [POLITICS IN THE SIXTIES ] 18
III. [FIRST YEARS IN PARLIAMENT ] 32
IV. [IN OPPOSITION, 1878-1887 ] 53
V. [LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION, 1887-1896 ] 91
VI. [LOOKING TO WASHINGTON ] 101
VII. [AN EMPIRE IN TRANSITION ] 126
VIII. [THE END OF A RÉGIME ] 153
IX. [NEW MEN AT THE HELM ] 169
X. [CANADA'S NEW PLACE IN THE WORLD ] 176
XI. [THE COMING OF PROSPERITY ] 218
XII. [CANADA AND FOREIGN POWERS ] 249
XIII. [NATION AND EMPIRE ] 270
XIV. [FIFTY YEARS OF UNION ] 321
[BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE] 331
[INDEX ] 333

ILLUSTRATIONS

[ SIR WILFRID LAURIER IN ACTION ]
After an instantaneous photograph taken during an address
in the open air at Sorel, 1911. 		Frontispiece
[ SIR ANTOINE AIMÉ DORION ]
From a photograph. 		Facing page 12
[ PRIME MINISTERS OF CANADA, 1867-1915 ]
From photographs. 		" 36
[ GOVERNORS-GENERAL OF THE DOMINION ]
From photographs by Topley. 		" 48
[ VICE-REGAL CONSORTS ]
From photographs by Topley. 		" 64
[ HONORÉ MERCIER ]
From a photograph. 		" 90
[ SIR WILFRID LAURIER ]
From a photograph by Topley. 		" 128
[ THE LIBERAL GOVERNMENT FORMED BY MR LAURIER IN 1896 ]
From photographs. 		" 168-9
[ SIR ROBERT BORDEN ]
From a photograph by Montminy, Quebec. 		" 194
[ SIR WILFRID LAURIER IN ENGLAND, 1911 ]
From a photograph. 		" 294