[4] Gladstone stoutly defended the propriety of his course, which had the assent of his whole Cabinet, and also the approval of such great legal authorities as Lords Selborne and Hatherley. This case of Sir Robert Collier is almost exactly on all fours with the 'Double Shuffle.' Gladstone did a similar thing a few months later in the appointment of the Rev. Mr Harvey to the Rectory of Ewelme. See Morley's _Life of Gladstone_, vol. ii, pp. 382-7. For further explanation of the 'Double Shuffle,' see Pope's _Memoirs of Sir John Macdonald_, vol. i, pp. 198-205. [5] If any one should doubt the ferocity of Brown's attacks on the Ministry, and especially upon Sir John A. Macdonald, let him turn up the _Globe_ files for that period--more particularly the issue of September 5, 1866, which contained an attack so violent as to call forth a protest from so staunch an opponent of the Conservative leader as Alexander Mackenzie. I commend also to the curious the _Globe_ of April 30, 1870. [6] From the Viscount Monck to Mr John A. Macdonald, dated London, May 24, 1867. [7] Sir John Rose, dated Ottawa, February 23, 1870. [8] Not the smallest reflection upon Sir Richard Cartwright's personal honour is sought to be conveyed here. Sir John Macdonald himself had been connected with the same institution for many years as shareholder, director, and solicitor, and its failure did not compromise either of them. At the same time, it is obvious that to appoint as Finance minister the president of a bank which had recently closed its doors (no matter for what cause) would be to invite criticism of the most caustic kind. [9] From Sir John Macdonald to George Stephen, dated Ottawa, December 1, 1869. [10] From the same to the same, dated Ottawa, December 9, 1869. [11] From the same to the same, dated Ottawa, December 13, 1869. [12] _Memoirs of Sir John Macdonald_, vol. ii, pp. 85-140. [13] From Sir John Macdonald to Sir John Rose, dated Ottawa, March 5, 1872. [14] To the Viscount Monck, dated Ottawa, October 11, 1872. [15] For the full text of this letter see Pope's _Memoirs of Sir John Macdonald_, vol. ii, pp. 174-89. In it Macdonald points out: 1. That Canada was under bonds to construct a railway from (say) Montreal to the Pacific. 2. That the House of Commons in the session of 1871, during his absence in Washington, carried a resolution, at the instigation of the Opposition, obliging the Government to build the road through the agency of an incorporated company. 3. That two rival companies--one under Sir Hugh Allan in Montreal, and the other under Mr David Macpherson in Toronto--were formed with the object of securing the charter. 4. That the Government, with a view to removing the great sectional jealousies which had developed between the provinces of Ontario and Quebec, in relation to this matter, endeavoured to secure the amalgamation of these two companies.