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2.

Since the inception of your career, in
your capacity as Secretary to Lord Milner, High Commissioner
of South Africa, and as a brilliant writer, you have achieved
most remarkable success.

The Great War allowed you, moreover, to
distinguish yourself even more, on the soil of France, as a
member of the Intelligence Bureau of the British Army, and,
up to the present time, you have most admirably represented
in the House of Commons the Scottish Universities.

This by no means halted the production of
literary works which have placed your Excellency among the
best writers and poets of your Country. A worthy "émule"
of your illustrious compatriot, Sir Walter Scott, you will
be the first professional poet to occupy Rideau Hall officially.

Upon your designation as Governor General
of Canada, your Excellency has expressed yourself in words
which have deeply touched our hearts. May I be allowed to
repeat them, for they illustrate most fittingly your sympathy
towards this part of the Canadian Nation, of which Quebec is
morally considered the capital city. After having recalled,
in the most appropriate terms, your first visit to Canada,
as a guest of Lord Byng of Vimy, you declared: "I want to
see as much as possible of this marvelous French-Canadian race
which has produced some of the greatest pioneers of world
History.