Mr. Hart had been
elected to succeed him. Mr. Hart was a merchant of good standing. Of
the most spotless private character, he stood in high esteem with his
neighbours and fellow townsmen. But Mr. Hart was not faultless. He was,
by birth, education, and religion, a Jew. When he prayed, he placed the
ten commandments next his heart. In him, those devoted members of the
Society of Jesus, found neither a sympathizer nor a persecutor. A
Christian Legislative Assembly, like that of Canada, of which Sir James
Craig afterwards privately expressed an opinion so ludicrously high,
could not be contaminated with the presence of a Jew. By a vote of
twenty-one to five, it was resolved:--"That Ezekiel Hart, Esquire,
professing the Jewish religion, cannot take a seat, nor sit, nor vote
in this House." Ezekiel departed. The word "_baruch_," was on his
tongue, the signification of which, like that of the French word
"_sacre_," may signify, according to the humour of the utterer, either
an anathema or a blessing. The Assembly being, however, ignorant of the
Hebrew tongue, Mr. Hart was not sent to gaol for breach of privilege,
nor was he even required to apologize. These were the chief topics of
debate, and much time was occupied with them. A sum was voted to repair
the Castle of St. Louis then tottering to decay. The Militia and the
Alien Acts were continued for another year. A bill for the trial of
controverted elections was passed, and in all thirty-five bills were
carried through, all of which His Excellency, the Governor, sanctioned,
except that relative to gaols in Gaspe, which, though afterwards
sanctioned, was reserved for the pleasure of the King to be expressed
on it. On the 14th of April the Parliament was prorogued. The speech
was somewhat lengthy, and on the whole, it was a good one. Sir James
was induced to put a period to the session that he might be enabled to
issue writs for a new House. The critical situation of affairs made him
anxious for legislative assistance, under circumstances, that would not
be liable to interruption from the expiration of the period, for which
one of the branches was chosen. He was glad that so much attention had
been paid to business. He was very much pleased to find that a sum of
money had been granted for the repair of the Chateau. Events of great
magnitude had taken place in Europe. Napoleon had succeeded in exciting
Russia, Austria, and Prussia, to hostilities, against England, and the
Mini