92 ‘The French in Prince Edward Island

who offered the following interesting analysis of Roma’s character :

With much spirit there is so much causticity in the character of Sr. Roma, that it is to be feared he could not reconcile himself to anyone, and that, naturally inconstant and occupied with experiments and projects, he would cause much derangement in the establishments of the habitans. He is known, moreover, in Ile St. Jean as a partial man and they would be justly afraid to have him administer justice there. I believe him to be capable of conducting commercial affairs and of keep- ing books by double entry, but he is not acquainted with the rules and regulations of the service. . . . I doubt also whether he wishes or could settle himself at Port La Joye in an employment so mediocre.”

The Minister accepted the advice of Prevost, and Isle Saint Jean knew him no more, though his heart was still there. He found a temporary abode in Mar- tinique, whence he wrote the Minister urging upon him a still more elaborate scheme for the colonization of the island. It is interesting to find that misfortune has not crushed his spirit nor clouded his optimism. He is still the old Roma, the conscious artist, con- cerned as much about his style as about his project. He apologizes for his haste through necessity of catching the post and regrets that the despatch needs retouching for the diction (ces feuilles auroient besoin d’estre retouchées pour la diction et destre mises au net).**

17 C11 IV, Vol. 82, p. 242. 18 F, Vol. 161, p. 283.