But what shall be the new form of government for the new kingdom?  That is a speculation very interesting to a politician, though one which to follow out at great length in these early days would be rather premature.  That it should be a kingdom—­that the political arrangement should be one of which a crowned hereditary king should form part—­nineteen out of every twenty Englishmen would desire; and, as I fancy, so would also nineteen out of every twenty Canadians.  A king for the United States, when they first established themselves, was impossible.  A total rupture from the Old World and all its habits was necessary for them.  The name of a king, or monarch, or sovereign had become horrible to their ears.  Even to this day they have not learned the difference between arbitrary power retained in the hand of one man, such as that now held by the Emperor over the French, and such hereditary headship in the State as that which belongs to the Crown in Great Britain.  And this was necessary, seeing that their division from us was effected by strife, and carried out with war and bitter animosities.  In those days also there was a remnant, though but a small remnant, of the power of tyranny left within the scope of the British Crown.  That small remnant has been removed; and to me it seems that no form of existing government, no form of government that ever did exist, gives or has given so large a measure of individual freedom to all who live under it as a constitutional monarchy in which the Crown is divested of direct political power.

I will venture then to suggest a king for this new nation; and, seeing that we are rich in princes, there need be no difficulty in the selection.  Would it not be beautiful to see a new nation established under such auspices, and to establish a people to whom their independence had been given, to whom it had been freely surrendered as soon as they were capable of holding the position assigned to them!

CHAPTER VII.

NIAGARA.

Of all the sights on this earth of ours which tourists travel to see—­at least of all those which I have seen—­I am inclined to give the palm to the Falls of Niagara.  In the catalogue of such sights I intend to include all buildings, pictures, statues, and wonders of art made by men’s hands, and also all beauties of nature prepared by the Creator for the delight of his creatures.  This is a long word; but, as far as my taste and judgment go, it is justified.  I know no other one thing so beautiful, so glorious, and so powerful.  I would not by this be understood as saying that a traveler wishing to do the best with his time should first of all places seek Niagara.  In visiting Florence he may learn almost all that modern art can teach.  At Rome he will be brought to understand the cold hearts, correct eyes, and cruel ambition of the old Latin race.  In Switzerland he will surround himself