explored, and lack of transportation facilities hinders development there; but already Alaska has a large production, which shows that the Cordilleran Belt maintains its highly mineralised character throughout its length.” “And now, Mr. Brock,” I said, “there is another matter about which I should like you to express your views. How comes it that, when Canada possesses all this mineral wealth, the English people have, in the past, so often burnt their fingers in financing Canadian mines?” “I am very glad,” replied Mr. Brock thoughtfully, “you have raised this question, which is of great importance. Not all have burnt their fingers, but there have been too many instances, some of them notorious. You are thinking mainly, I presume, about events that are rather more than fifteen years old—events which resulted, necessarily but most unfortunately, in deflecting British capital from Canada; though happily, thanks to the lapse of time and the logic of facts, the financial suspicion and sensitiveness then generated have passed away. Of course in those affairs there were deplorable elements for which Canada was in no way responsible. One name in particular will be present in both our minds; but, at this time of day, the personal side of the matter need not be recalled; and I will only say generally that we had nothing to do with the ludicrous over-capitalising of good properties, and the crippling process of establishing offices and staffs on a scale which, though undoubtedly princely and imposing, was, from the practical point of view, not merely superfluous but ineffective. “Speaking generally,” continued Mr. Brock, “the causes of non-success are bad investment, bad management, and perhaps in some cases bad luck. There have not been many bad investments by mining companies that know what they are about, that employ experienced, technical men to look over the field and closely examine a property before purchase, and that move cautiously and intelligently, doing their developments step by step. It is quite common to see the investments made by men who are not sufficiently competent or experienced to form a sound judgment, or who do not carry out an adequate personal investigation before effecting their purchases. Sometimes it is very evident that knowledge and training were not the qualifications that led to their selection for such responsible work. It is by the merest chance if those investments turn out satisfactorily. Unfortunately, in every country, and in Canada as elsewhere, there are people ready to profit by such visitors. The knowing ones promptly take their mental measure, learn what financial backing they have, and very likely bait a trap for them.” “In other words,” I could not forbear to observe, “the innocent Englishman falls among thieves.”