e sole official language of the legislature. Now, the astute
party leader managed to get this obnoxious clause in the Act of Union
repealed. He even went further and endeavoured to win over the
French-Canadian party wholesale by offering desirable positions; but in
this intrigue he failed.

In the meantime the Act appointing a new capital had come into effect.
Kingston gave place to Montreal, for a season. The huge Ste Anne's
market building in the west of the city was turned into a parliament
house, destined to the fate of Troy. Here was held {95} the session of
1844-45. Such legislation as was passed had no direct bearing on the
question of responsible government. Before the session ended news came
that the home government intended to raise the governor to the peerage
as Baron Metcalfe of Fern Hill. His brief two years in Canada formed
only an episode in the long career of a distinguished public servant.
He had made his name and spent his life in India. The contemplated
honour was well deserved; and it was designed by the home government as
recognition of his services to the state as a whole, rather than as
special approval of his administration of Canada. But so the Reformers
construed Metcalfe's elevation; and they were furious. Even the
moderate Baldwin was betrayed into unwonted vehemence. What would have
happened, if Metcalfe had remained in office, none can tell. Perhaps a
second civil war. But 'death cut the inextricable knot.' His deadly
disease returned after a delusive interval, as is its hideous custom.
His health failed; the cancer ate into his eye and destroyed the sight.
It was apparent that he could no longer perform the duties of his
office. He asked to be recalled; but the authorities at {96} home,
knowing of his malady, had anticipated his desire. The courage that
sent the boy 'writer' into the deadly assault on Deeg sustained the old
proconsul through the slow torture of the months of life remaining to
him. He quitted Canada in November 1845, a dying man, and, to the
shame of Canada, amid the untimely exultation of his political
opponents. In less than a year he was dead. Macaulay composed his
epitaph. Metcalfe was a man of mark; and he had his share in building
up the British Empire. His name distinguishes a street in Ottawa and a
hall in Calcutta; and his statue stands in the former capital of
Jamaica.

{97}

CHAPTER IV

THE GREAT ADMINISTRATION

On Metcalfe's dep