There is something marvellous in the world-wide influence of this three-crossed flag of the parent nation, whose sons have followed its ideals through all the centuries. Sometimes they have made mistakes, or blundered into difficulties, but undaunted, masterful and confident, have profited by the hard-won experience, and progressing with the march of time, find at the beginning of this twentieth century that they "have builded better than they knew." Thus, when in the opening month of 1890 Britain stood alone, as said a Canadian statesman,[198] in "_splendid isolation_," there was heard coming, not only from Canada, but from every daughter nation around the seas, the same brave refrain which had been sung by a Canadian poet in 1861, when the sanctity of the flag had been violated in the stirring times of the "_Trent_ affair": "When recent danger threatened near, We nerved our hearts to play our part, Not making boast, nor feeling fear; But as the news of insult spread, Were none to dally or to lag; For all the grand old Island spirit Which Britain's chivalrous sons inherit Was roused, and as one heart, one hand, We rallied round our flag." [198] Hon. G. B. Foster, Minister of Finance of Canada, in a speech in the House of Commons, Ottawa. And yet again in 1899, when brother Britons in Africa were suffering injustice, when our British colonies were being invaded and the Union Jack attacked by a mistaken foe, the Empire arose, and the bold refrain passed into chivalrous action. In ships that ploughed furrows around the world the sons of the Empire came--colonists, yeomen and imperial forces--"in one united armament blent," to give their glad devotion in life or death for Queen and Union Ensign on the South African hills and veldt. Such, then, is the story, such is the meaning of our Union Jack; the emblem of combined constitutional government, the proclaimer of British liberty, the Union sign of British rule, the signal of the Realm of "_Great Britain and Ireland and of all the Britains beyond the seas_."[199] [199] His Majesty King Edward VII. caused himself to be so proclaimed at his coronation, when he added this recognition of the Britains over the seas to his title, being the first of our kings to so include them. Mindful of its story, happy in their lot, facing the World, its sons and their sons' sons stand up to their Union Colours and encircle the earth with their glad anthem, "_Send him victorious, Happy and glorious, Long to reign over us_, GOD SAVE THE KING." "_Qu'il soit victorieux, Et que son peuple heureux, Le comble de ses v[oe]ux_: VIVE LE ROI." APPENDICES. APPENDIX A. _THE MAPLE LEAF EMBLEM._ The maple leaf emblem of Canada, as compared with the rose, shamrock and thistle of the British Isles, has but so recently entered into the realm of national emblems that some of the reasons for its adoption may well be given.