as Sir Allan MacNab of
_Caroline_ fame, a typical soldier-politician, narrow but honest in his
views, and, like his countryman Alan Breck, a 'bonny fighter.' It was
a momentous session. Reform was firmly in the saddle at last. No
opposition could hope to defeat whatever measure the government might
choose to bring forward. Nor could the government be reproached, as
before, with merely talking and doing nothing. Much legislation of the
first importance stands to its credit. One of the measures passed at
this session provided that the seat of government should be removed
from Kingston to the commercial metropolis, Montreal. For how short a
time Montreal should have this honour, none could imagine {87} or
foresee. By another wise measure placemen were removed from the
Assembly; that is to say, permanent officials, such as judges and
registrars, could not hold their positions and be members of
parliament. For this important change LaFontaine was responsible, as
well as for another bill which simplified the judicial system of Lower
Canada. An attempt was made to bridle the turbulence of Irish
factions, which had brought to Canada the long-standing, cankered
quarrels of the Old World. A bill was passed to suppress all secret
societies except the Freemasons. It was, of course, aimed straight at
the Orange Society, that vigorous politico-religious organization which
preserves the memory of a Dutch prince and of a battle he fought in the
seventeenth century. To this bill Metcalfe did not assent, but
'reserved' it, as was his undoubted right, for the royal sanction. In
the end that sanction was not given, and the Act did not become law.
The 'reserving' of this bill seems to have occasioned little comment;
but, as will be seen in a subsequent chapter, the refusal of another
governor to 'reserve' another bill caused a storm. Hincks, the man of
finance, gave the country 'protection' against the {88} competition of
the American farmer, a political device which was destined to much
wider use. The all-important matter of education received the
attention of the Assembly. What had been done before was, most
significantly, to make provision for higher education by establishing
'grammar schools' in the different districts, as foundations for the
superstructure of a university. It might have been called a provision
for aristocratic education. Now a measure became law for the better
support of the common schools. This was