PREFACE. THE following Address is reprinted for private circulation in England, with the view of showing at this juncture, when parties are endeavouring to inflame the passions of their countrymen on the subject of the supposed hostile designs of the United States upon Canada, that, in the opinion of an influential Canadian clergyman, no such danger exists, provided "Wisdom," which "is better than weapons of war," is allowed to govern our actions. The Address is calm, moderate, and logical throughout, and is commended to the careful perusal of every friend of humanity and true patriot. MANCHESTER, MARCH 21, 1865. (From the "Daily News," March 6th, 1865.) "A WORD spoken in due season, how good is it!" This will be the silent thought, if not the exclamation, of nine out of ten of the readers of a Christmas Address by a Canadian clergyman which has just reached this country. More recent events, and the aptness of the speaker's mind to appreciate them, have evidently given a growing importance to what he said at the close of the year. The address, after appearing in some of the Canadian newspapers, has been published as a pamphlet, the whole edition of which was at once cleared off, as the Canadian newspapers record, with patriotic satisfaction. In a few days more the loyal people there will be lamenting that Lord Derby and Lord Lyveden had not seen this address before the opening of the session; for it is inconceivable that it would not have been an admonition to them to forbear their exasperating assumption that the Americans would make war upon us as soon as they should be at liberty to send their forces to Canada. As it is, the thought which must occur to all |