OUR ISLAND STORY 151 .

and occupied the position he gained but for his association with Coles. ”

In the year 1848, Mr. Coles paid a visit to the United States. While there he became interested 1n the Free School System. Thenceforward the policy of the Liberal party in Prince, Edward Island was Responsible Government, Free Education and Free Lands. As a result of the efforts of those of ‘whom Coles and Whelan were the leading and urgent spirits, Responsible Govern- ment was obtained for the people of the Island in the year 1852, and a measure of Free Education for their children was passed 1n the year 1854 These important reforms were obtained in the face of very great difi’iculties and obstacles. Under the leadership of Mr. Coles, the proprietory system was attacked in a practical way. A Land Purchase Act was passed; and, as a first result, two large proprietory estates—~the Morell Estate and the Selkirk Es- tate-*were purchased and sold to the tenants at prices within their means, so enabling them to become freeholders. The franchise of electors was considerably extended as a result of his leadership,

and other minor measures, more or less beneficial to the people,

were adopted. In 1867 Mr. COles’ faculties began to fail and his will power

to be impaired. He had been, in great measure, a self-educated and self-made man; and the strain of his private and public acti~ vities have been heavy and continuous. He was compelled to retire from public life in 1868; and for several years before his death, on the let of August, 1875, he was an invalid.

The following article from the Island Argus of August Sllst, 1875, is probably the best tribute paid to the life work of the late Hon. Mr. Coles at the time of his death No doubt it was from the - pen of Mr. I. H. Fletcher, the editor and proprietor of the paper. It reads: --

“Last week we had only space to make but a passing re- ference to the death of the Hon. George Coles——the brightest star that illumines the pages of the political history of his native Pro— vince. . Mr. Coles entered public life in 1842 as a representative of Covehead and Desable district and continued to hold a seat in the House of Assembly till 1868. Upon the readjustment of the