was naturally incensed at the insults
offered to the governor-general and drew up an address expressing the
{128} members' detestation of mob violence, their loyalty to the Queen,
and their approval of his just and impartial administration. It was
decided to present the address to him, not at the suburban seat of
'Monklands,' but publicly at Government House, the Chateau de Ramezay
in the heart of the city. Such a decision showed no little courage on
both sides, but the end was almost a tragedy. Lord Elgin came very
near being murdered in the streets of Montreal. On the day appointed
he drove into the city, having for escort a troop of volunteer
dragoons. All through the streets his carriage was pelted with stones
and other missiles, and his entry to Government House was blocked by a
howling mob. His escort forced the crowd to give way, and the
governor-general entered, carrying with him a two-pound stone which had
been hurled into his carriage. It was a piece of unmistakable evidence
as to the treatment the Queen's representative in Canada had received
at the hands of Her Majesty's faithful subjects. When the ceremony was
over he attempted to avoid trouble by taking a different route back to
'Monklands,' but he was discovered, and literally hunted out of the
city. 'Cabs, {129} caleches, and everything that would run were at
once launched in pursuit, and crossing his route, the
governor-general's carriage was bitterly assailed in the main street of
the St Lawrence suburbs. The good and rapid driving of his postilions
enabled him to clear the desperate mob, but not till the head of his
brother, Colonel Bruce, had been cut, injuries inflicted on the chief
of police, Colonel Ermatinger, and on Captain Jones, commanding the
escort, and every panel of the carriage driven in.' Even at
'Monklands' Lord Elgin was not entirely safe. The mob threatened to
attack him there, and the house was put in a state of defence. Ladies
of his household driving to church were insulted. To avoid occasion of
strife he remained quietly at his country-seat; and, for his
consideration of the public weal, was ridiculed, caricatured, and
dubbed, in contempt, the Hermit of Monklands.

The riots did not end without bloodshed. Once more the rioters
attacked LaFontaine's house by night; shots were fired from the windows
on the mob, and one man was killed. The appeal to racial passion was
irresistible. A man of British blood had been sl