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2.

In reply to an address by the Prime Minister of Quebec.

Mr. Prime Minister, I thank you from my heart for your generous
words of welcome. I recognise that they are a tribute to the
King through his representative, and I shall have much pleasure in
reporting to His Majesty this expression of loyalty and devotion on
the part of the great Province of Quebec. Here, as you have so happily
said, the Canadian nation had its birth. Here, as you have so happily
said, the Canadian nation had its birth. Here the early history of
Canada was made. Here famous deeds were performed, a proud memory for
both France and Britain. He who comes today to Canada as Governor-
General stands in a high line of succession, and at the moment I feel
more conscious of the merits of my predecessors than of my own capacity.

Sir, it is the glory of our Empire to embrace within its
confines many races and many traditions. It is in its variety that its
strength lies, for it is no dull piece of mechanism, but a rich and organic
unity. Among its peoples none has behind it a finer record
of achievement than the French race in Canada, and none has older
and closer links with Britain. The head of a great Oxford College, when
he was here last year in connection with the Jacques Cartier celebrations,
told you that Quebec and England were alike in this, that they both
began by being colonised by settlers from Normandy. As for my own
country of North Britain, to which the Normans scarcely penetrated, I
need not repeat that for centuries Scotland was the ally of France.

I cannot offer you adequate thanks for the kind words you
have spoken of myself. One of my most cherished hopes in coming to
Canada is to see more of Quebec and its gallant, laborious and peaceloving
people. As an historian I am naturally drawn to a race who