London, and after that he performed further long, arduous labour which has given him Imperial renown and placed all Canada eternally in his debt. "He was," in Mr. Austen Chamberlain's words, "a splendid illustration of the opportunities which the British Empire affords to its sons, and of the use the best of them can make of those opportunities. With no advantages of birth or fortune, he made himself one of the great outstand- ing figures of the Empire. He made a great fortune, but, what was more, he used it nobly, not for himself, but for his country and his Empire. He did more than make a fortune. He helped to make a great nation, the greatest of our sister nations over the seas, and to encourage in that nation a larger patriotism which, abating not one jot of its own local spirit, can yet impress the Empire as a whole, can think Imperial and place Imperial interests before any local in- terests, however important at the moment they may seem. Such a life is an example to us all. And we must resolve that the great lesson which Lord Strathcona's life taught shall be learned by us all, and that each, according to his means and in his own capacity, will be a true and faithful servant, as Lord Strathcona was, of the country which bred him and the Empire of which he is a citizen." It came about towards the end that his weight of years, his venerable aspect and his high Imperial reputation, his vast wealth as well as his personal rank and representative capacity, made him a central figure in most gatherings at the seat of the Empire. He was, wherever he went, always an honoured guest, taking his place with the great by birth, or place, or intellect, or achievement. His part was always to serve some purpose, to represent some great in- terest, and it was remarked that, as High Commissioner in London, he never failed to appear when he deemed that by so doing he could at the same time further Canada's interests. Are men who have been so fortunate as Lord Strathcona -586- |