76 TOURING QUEBEC AND THE MARITIMES most unfortunate, if these qualities were not retained. I do hope that the French and British will each learn to look upon the history of the other as the common history of both, and remember that in one sense at least, we British people should not forget, that in the holding of the St. Lawrence valley and of Acadia by the French race up to 1713, so far as Nova Scotia was concerned, and up to 1759, so far as Quebec and the St. Lawrence valley were concerned, we can perhaps base the fact that Canada is today still British, because if it had not been for the French hold, settlement would have come from the England or York into Acadia, or into the St . Law¬ rence valley. "States would have been formed and perhaps the whole world would have been swept into revolution in 1776, or at some later date; so we as a British people have good reason to bear in mind that the pioneer history of the French race in Canada , is now our own history, and may we hope, that at all times in the future, these two great races will go on hand in hand with their great qualities, to build up a splendid future in our country, and I know that you from Ontario and the West, in common with us in this Province of Nova Scotia , have every faith in the institutions, the traditions, and the future destiny of our great country." Rev. Dr. Charles Crowdis , Chairman of the Halifax Presbytery , spoke a few words of welcome to the guests, followed by Rev. Dr. Hamilton Wigle , former District President of the Presbytery , in charge of our reception. Rev. John Mutch then spoke of the assistance given by Mr. Dugald Macgillivray , Col. J. L. Ralston and Mr. Melvin Clarke, in entertaining the guests. The thanks of our party were eloquently and feelingly expressed by Rev. William Howey , of Webbwood, Ontario ,