1672.] SIGNS OF STORM. 21 



Here, in brief, is the whole spirit of the French 

 colonial rule in Canada ; a government, as I have 

 elsewhere shown, of excellent intentions, but of 

 arbitrary methods. Front euac, filled with the tra- 

 ditions of the past, and sincerely desirous of the 

 good of the colony, rashly set himself against the 

 prevailing current. His municipal government, 

 and his meetings of citizens, were, like his three 

 estates, abolished by a word from the court, which, 

 bold and obstinate as he was, he dared not dis- 

 obey. Had they been allowed to subsist, there 

 can be little doubt that great good would have 

 resulted to Canada. 



Frontenac has been called a mere soldier. He 

 was an excellent soldier, and more besides. He 

 was a man of vigorous and cultivated mind, pene- 

 trating observation, and ample travel and experi- 

 ence. His zeal for the colony, however, was often 

 counteracted by the violence of his prejudices, and 

 by two other influences. First, he was a ruined 

 man, who meant to mend his fortunes ; and his 

 wish that Canada should prosper was joined with 

 a determination to reap a goodly part of her j)ros- 

 perity for himself. Again, he could not endure 

 a rival ; opposition maddened him, and, when 

 crossed or thwarted, he forgot every thing but his 

 passion. Signs of storm quickly showed them- 

 selves between him and the intenclant Talon ; but 

 the danger was averted by the departure of that 

 official for France. A cloud then rose in the direc- 

 tion of the clergy. 



" Another thing displeases me," writes Fronte- 



