Our Intellectual Strength and Weakness / A Short Historical and Critical Review of Literature, Art and Education in Canada

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL, ART AND GENERAL NOTES.

LOWELL'S ADDRESSES.

[1] Page 1.—See "Democracy, and Other Addresses," by James Russell Lowell (Boston and New York, 1887) pp. 235–237. The address at the Harvard Anniversary, from which I quote in the commencement of the text, should be carefully read and studied by all those who are interested in education and culture in the Dominion, and do not wish to see the classics superseded by purely scientific and utilitarian theories. "Leave," he said, for instance, "in their traditional pre-eminence those arts that were rightly called liberal; those studies that kindle the imagination, and through it irradiate the reason: those studies that manumitted the modern mind; those in which the brains of the finest temper have found alike their stimulus and their repose, taught by them that the power of intellect is heightened in proportion as it is made gracious by measure and symmetry. Give us science, too, but give, first of all and last of all, the science that ennobles life and makes it generous.... Many-sidedness of culture makes your vision clearer and keener in particulars. For, after all, the noblest definition of Science is that breadth and impartiality of view which liberates the mind from specialties, and enables it to organize whatever we learn, so that it becomes real Knowledge by being brought into true and helpful relation with the rest."

JAMESTOWN, VA.

[2] Page 3.—"Nothing remains of this famous settlement but the ruins of a church tower covered with ivy, and some old tombstones. The tower is crumbling year by year, and the roots of trees have cracked the slabs, making great rifts across the names of the old Armigers and Honourables. The place is desolate with its washing waves and flitting sea-fowl, but possesses a singular attraction. It is one of the few localities which recall the first years of American history; but it will not recall them much longer. Every distinctive feature of the spot is slowly disappearing. The river encroaches year by year, and the ground occupied by the original huts is already submerged." Cooke's "Virginia" ('American Commonwealths,' 1884), p. 19.

CHAMPLAIN.

[3] Page 6.—Editions of Champlain's works appeared at Paris in 1603, 1613, 1619, 1620, 1627, 1632 and 1640; at Quebec in 1830 and 1870. An English translation was published by the Prince Society of Boston in 1878–80. The AbbÉ LaverdiÈre's edition, in six volumes, 4to., (Quebec, 1870), is the most perfect modern publication of the works. It printed for the first time the text of the voyage of 1599–1601. For bibliographical notes of Champlain's works see Bourinot's "Cape Breton," 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vol. ix., Sec. II., App. VIII. (also in separate form, Montreal, 1892); Winsor's 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' iv., 130–134; Harrisse's "Notes sur la bibliographie de la Nouvelle France."

French Canadian writers like Garneau and Ferland have exhausted the language of eulogy in describing the character and life of Samuel Champlain, but no one who follows his career can doubt the truth of this latest tribute to the French colonizer of Canada by Dr. N. E. Dionne in "Samuel Champlain, fondateur de QuÉbec et pÈre de la Nouvelle France: Histoire de sa vie et de ses voyages," QuÉbec, 1891: "Il possÉdait À un haut degrÉ le gÉnie colonisateur, et c'est dans ce rÔle, si difficile de tout temps, qu'il fit preuve de sagesse et de clairvoyance, et dans le choix des colons, et dans la direction qu'il sut imprimer À leurs premiers efforts. L'intelligence de Champlain se rÉvÈle dans de nombreux Écrits, oÙ l'observateur judicieux et pÉnÉtrant coudoie le savant et le marin aussi hardi qu'expÉrimentÉ. Comme cosmographe il a eu l'immense mÉrite d'avoir surpassÉ tous ses devanciers, par l'abondance des descriptions et l'agencement heureux des donnÉes gÉographiques. C'est un nouveau titre de gloire que l'on doit ajouter À sa couronne resplendissante de tant de rayons lumineux. Plusieurs historiens, mÊme de ceux qui ne comptent pas parmi les admirateurs des oeuvres franÇaises, lui out rendu le tÉmoignage d'avoir fait entrer la science cartographique dans une nouvelle Ère de progrÈs. Naturaliste, gÉographe, marin, cosmographe; Champlain Était tout cela À la fois, et dans une mesure hautement remarquable pour l'epoque oÙ il vivait.... Pas un gouverneur sous l'ancien rÉgime n'a donnÉ d'aussi grands exemples de foi, de piÉtÉ, et de droiture d'intention."

It is Captain John Smith of Virginia who, among the colonizers of America, can best compare with the founder of Quebec. The following estimate of his character, given by the historian George Bancroft (i., 138–139, ed. of 1866), could be applied in almost every particular to the Frenchman; all we need do is to read "New France" for "Virginia," "French" for "Saxon," "France" for "England," etc.: "He was the father of Virginia, the true leader who first planted the Saxon race within the borders of the United States. His judgment had ever been clear in the midst of general despondency. He united the highest spirit of adventure with consummate powers of action. His courage and self-possession accomplished what others esteemed desperate. Fruitful in expedients, he was prompt in execution. Though he had been harassed by the persecutions of malignant envy, he never revived the memory of the faults of his enemies. He was accustomed to lead, not to send his men to danger; would suffer want rather than borrow, and starve sooner than not pay. He had nothing counterfeit in his nature, but was open, honest and sincere. He clearly discerned that it was the true interest of England not to seek in Virginia for gold and hidden wealth, but to enforce regular industry. 'Nothing,' said he, 'is to be expected thence but by labour.'"

LESCARBOT.

[4] Page 6.—Editions of Lescarbot's "Histoire de la Nouvelle France" appeared at Paris in 1609, 1611, 1617 and 1618; but the most complete and available modern copy is that printed by Tross in three volumes (Paris, 1866). For bibliographical notes of Lescarbot's works see 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' iv., 149–151; Harrisse's "Notes."

CHARLEVOIX.

[5] Page 6.—Editions of Charlevoix's "Histoire et description gÉnÉrale de la Nouvelle France," etc., appeared at Paris in 1744, three volumes, 4to., and six volumes in 12mo., with maps. Dr. Shea's admirable English version and annotations were printed at New York in six handsome volumes, 1866–1872. For bibliographical notes see 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' iv., 154, 358.

HUTCHINSON'S HISTORY.

[6] Page 6.—For bibliography of Thomas Hutchinson's excellent "History of Massachusetts Bay" (Boston, 1749, 1767, 1795; London, 1750, 1768, 1828, three volumes), see 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' iii., 344. He was royal governor of the province, 1770–72, and died near London in 1789.

SAGARD.

[7] Page 6.—Editions of Sagard's works, "Le Grand Voyage," etc., appeared at Paris in 1632 and 1636, but Tross printed admirable copies at Paris in 1864–66. Charlevoix has not a favourable judgment of Sagard; but no doubt, while he is diffuse, he gives an excellent insight into Indian life and customs. For bibliographical notes see 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' iv., 290–291; Harrisse's "Notes."

P. BOUCHER.

[8] Page 6.—Pierre Boucher's "Moeurs et productions de la Nouvelle France" appeared at Paris in 1664 (sm. 12mo.), and is described by Charlevoix as a faithful, if superficial, account of Canada. For bibliographical notes, see 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' iv., 298; Harrisse's "Notes."

JESUIT RELATIONS.

[9] Page 6.—The Canadian Government published at Quebec in 1858, in three large 8vo. volumes, a series of the "Relations," from 1611–1672, and supplemental or complemental issues of allied and later "Relations" were printed through the efforts of Mr. Lenox, Dr. O'Callaghan and Dr. Shea, of New York. For bibliographical notes on these invaluable collections, see 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' 290 et seq.; Harrisse's "Notes."

PÈRE DU CREUX.

[10] Page 6.—PÈre du Creux or Creuxius published his prolix work, "Historia Canadensis," with map and illustrations, in Latin, at Paris in 1664. For bibliographical notes, see 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' iv., 296; Harrisse's "Notes." Despite its diffusiveness, it has value for the historical students of his times.

LA POTHERIE.

[11] Page 6.—Bacqueville de la Potherie's "Histoire de l'AmÉrique Septentrionale depuis 1534 jusqu'À 1701" was published first at Paris in 1722, four volumes, 12mo.; but a later edition appeared in 1753. Charlevoix's opinion, that it is an undigested and ill-written narrative, is prejudiced, as the work is on the whole a useful and exact account of the French establishments at Quebec, Montreal and Three Rivers, and especially of the condition of the Indians of the time. For bibliographical notes see 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' iv., 299, 357–358.

LAFITAU.

[11a] Page 6.—The following note with respect to this able priest's writing is taken from 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' iv., 298, 299: "The Jesuit Lafitau published at Paris in 1724 his 'Moeurs des Sauvages AmÉriquains' in two volumes, with various plates, which in the main is confined to the natives of Canada, where he had lived long with the Iroquois. Charlevoix said of his book, twenty years later, 'We have nothing so exact on the subject;' and Lafitau continues to hold high rank as an original authority, though his book is overlaid with a theory of Tartaric origin of the red race. Mr. Parkman calls him 'the most satisfactory of the elder writers.'" Garneau, ii., 154, mentions that he discovered in 1716 a plant in the Canadian forests which is of the nature of ginseng, which for awhile was a valuable article of export to Canton. Eventually it became valueless in China on account of its being prepared improperly.

C. LE CLERCQ.

[12] Page 6.—PÈre Chrestien Le Clercq's "Etablissement de la Foy" appeared in two volumes, 12mo., at Paris in 1691, and an excellent translation by Shea at New York in 1881. He also wrote a work, "Nouvelle Relation de la GaspÉsie," which was also printed at Paris in 1691. For bibliographical notes see 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' iv., 291; Harrisse's "Notes."

COTTON MATHER'S "MAGNALIA."

[13] Page 7.—For bibliographical notes on this curious olla podrida of religion and history see 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.' iii., 345; Stevens's "Historical Nuggets," ii., 505.

Dr. MICHEL SARRAZIN.

[13a] Page 8.—An interesting account of the life and labours of the eminent pioneer of science in Canada, who came to Quebec in 1685 and died there in 1734, will be found in the fifth volume of the 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.' (section IV.), by the AbbÉ Laflamme. See also Parkman's "Old Regime in Canada," p. 366, n. Also, pp. 390–393 for citations from Kalm and Charlevoix as to social condition of the French colony. Also, pp. 160–163 and notes, for an account and references to authorities on subject of the Seminary.

PETER KALM.

[13b] Page 8.—He was professor of Economy in the University of Aobo, in Swedish Finland, and a member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences. His Travels in North America ("In Risa tel Nord America"), 1748–51, first appeared in Swedish (Stockholm, 1753–61), and subsequently in a translation, with the original somewhat abridged, by John Reinhold Forster (Warrington and London, 1770; 2nd ed., 1772). A translation in French by L. W. Marchand has also been published, and it is from that I quote in the text. (For German and Dutch versions see 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' v., 244.) I have since found that Forster, in a note (ii., 185, 2nd ed.) on the remarks of the Swedish savant with respect to the study of science in the English colonies, calls attention to the fact that "Mr. Kalm has forgotten his own assertions in the former part of this work." Dr. Colden, Dr. Franklin and Mr. Bartram, he continues, "have been the great promoters and investigators of nature in this country, and how would the inhabitants have gotten the fine collections of North American trees, shrubs and plants, which grow at present almost in every garden, and are as if they were naturalized in old England, had they not been assisted by their friends and by the curious in North America." Forster also refers to the schools, colleges and libraries already existing in the English colonies as evidence that Kalm hardly did justice to the men of culture in those countries. No doubt La GalissoniÈre, Sarrazin, Gauthier, and others created, for a time certainly, much interest in the practical pursuit of science in Canada. The interest, however, must have been necessarily confined to a very small class in the two or three towns and garrisons to which La GalissoniÈre's influence extended. Some of the Jesuit priests like Lafitau (see note 11a) had a taste for natural history, and have left us much information on the subject. But Lafitau, La GalissoniÈre, Gauthier, Sarrazin and others were not native Canadians, though, like Charlevoix and his predecessors who wrote of the country, they have left imperishable memorials connecting their names with the literary and scientific history of New France. On the other hand, Franklin, Bartram, Stith, the Mathers and Beverley, whose names will be always associated with the early culture of science and literature in the old English colonies, were American by birth and education. Still these men represented a very insignificant influence in the practical, money-making population of New England and the middle colonies of which Kalm chiefly spoke. Their influence would be relatively trifling compared with that which was necessarily exercised by a governor like La GalissoniÈre in New France, with its sympathetic officials and priests, and which was necessarily contrasted by Kalm with the indifference of the English colonists. Kalm failed, however, to recognize the public liberty, commercial enterprise and secular education which in New England and other colonial communities gave the people the advantage over the habitans and French Canadians generally. Instead, the spirit of materialism that was a distinguishing feature of the active, enterprising English colonists, must have grated on the susceptibilities of a student like Kalm, and prevented him from doing impartial justice to the strong qualities of a rising nation.

SCHOOLS, 1792–1840.

[14] Page 9.—For accounts of the deplorable condition of the public schools in the rural districts of Upper Canada from 1791 to the union of 1841 see Canniff's "History of the Province of Ontario" (Toronto, 1872). Canniff Haight's "Country Life in Canada Fifty Years Ago" (Toronto, 1885), and Bourinot's "Intellectual Development of the Canadian People" (12mo., Toronto, and 'Canadian Monthly,' 1881). At the present time there are 14 universities and 29 colleges in which a classical education is given; 6 ladies' colleges, and 5 agricultural colleges and schools of science. The value of their buildings, endowments, etc., is upwards of $12,000,000, and the attendance is about 9,000 students. The classical colleges of Quebec—which make up the greater number of the colleges in Canada—are a combination of school and college attended by both boys and young men. They confer certain degrees and are generally affiliated with Laval University. The effect of the classical studies encouraged in these colleges is very perceptible in the culture of the well educated French Canadian. At present there are in Canada upwards of 17,000 public, high, normal, and model schools, attended by about 1,000,000 pupils, and costing a total annual expenditure of between six and seven millions of dollars. In Ontario (once Upper Canada) there are 16 universities and colleges, including ladies' and agricultural colleges; about 6,000 schools of all kinds, attended by over 500,000 pupils, and costing annually over $4,000,000. See "The Statistical Year-Book of Canada," Ottawa, 1893.

UPPER CANADA, 1793–1840.

[15] Page 9.—Some interesting details of the early settlement of Ontario will be found in Dr. Canniff's "History of Ontario" (Toronto, 1872). As a local record or annals it is the most valuable yet given to the public by a descendant of the pioneers and U. E. Loyalists. Canniff Haight's "Country Life in Canada Fifty Years Ago" is a readable and sketchy account of old times.

CANADIAN JOURNALISM.

[16] Page 10.—A brief historical sketch of Canadian journalism will be found in Bourinot's "Intellectual Development of the Canadian People" (Toronto, 1881); also in Dr. Canniff's "History of the Province of Ontario" (Toronto, 1872), and in "Sketch of Canadian Journalism," by E. B. Biggar, "Canadian Newspaper Directory" (Montreal, 1892). Some of the statements in this article appear to require verification. I have now in my possession a copy of the 'York Gazette' printed in July, 1815, though Mr. Biggar states that no paper was published in York after the capture of the town by the American troops and the destruction of the press and type, in 1813, until 1817. The 'York Gazette' was originally the 'Upper Canada Gazette, or American Oracle,' first printed in 1793 at Niagara (Newark), when it was the political capital of Upper Canada after the passage of the Constitutional Act of 1791. It was removed to York (Toronto) in 1800, and became the 'York Gazette' a few years later. At the present time there are in Ontario alone, of daily papers, 47; weekly, 386. In the Dominion there are 98 daily papers, 1,035 weekly, bi-weekly, monthly, etc. In 1838 there were in all British North America not more than 70 papers, of which 38 were in Upper Canada. In 1864 the total was about a quarter of the present number.

HOWE'S SPEECHES.

[17] Page 11.—Joseph Howe's speeches were printed at Boston in 1858, two volumes, 8vo. For bibliographical notes see 'Am. Hist. Ass. Papers, 1892,' p. 396, at end of Bourinot's "Parliamentary Government in Canada."

"SAM SLICK."

[18] Page 11.—Judge Haliburton's famous work has the title, "The Clockmaker; or, Sayings and Doings of Sam Slick of Slickville." London and Halifax, 1st ser. 1837, 2nd ser. 1838, 3rd ser. 1840. Reprinted 1838–1843, three volumes. New edition 1845. Several later cheap English and American editions have appeared from time to time. A bibliography and sketch of the judge's life, written probably by his son, Robert G., appears in the "Bibliotheca Canadensis" (Ottawa, 1872). The humorous sketches, to which he chiefly owes his fame, were contributed anonymously to the 'Nova Scotian,' then edited by Joseph Howe. The paper is still in existence as a weekly edition of the 'Morning Chronicle' of Halifax. The judge was educated in old King's College, Windsor. See infra, note 31.

JUDGE HALIBURTON'S HISTORY.

[19] Page 12.—"An Historical and Statistical Account of Nova Scotia," with maps and engravings. Halifax, two volumes, large 8vo. For bibliographical note see Bourinot's "Cape Breton," App. X. A complete copy, with maps and illustrations, is now becoming rare.

W. SMITH'S HISTORY.

[20] Page 12.—"The History of Canada, from its First Discovery to the Peace of 1763; and from the Establishment of the Civil Government in 1764 to the Establishment of the Constitution in 1796." By William Smith, Esquire, Clerk of the Parliament and Master in Chancery of the Province of Lower Canada. "Ne quid falsi dicere audeat, ne quid veri non audeat." In two volumes, large 8vo. (Quebec, 1815.) He was a son of the historian of the province of New York, who after the war of the revolution became chief justice of Canada.

JOSEPH BOUCHETTE.

[21] Page 12.—The works of this eminent Canadian surveyor and hydrographer appeared under the following titles:

1. "A Topographical Description of the Province of Lower Canada, with remarks upon Upper Canada and on the relative connection of both Provinces with the United States of America." London, 1815, royal 8vo., with plates. Also an edition in French.

2. "The British Dominions in North America, or a Topographical and Statistical Description of the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, the Islands of Newfoundland, Prince Edward and Cape Breton, including considerations on land-granting and emigration, and a topographical dictionary of Lower Canada; to which is annexed the statistical tables and tables of distances, published with the author's maps of Lower Canada, in consequence of a vote of the Provincial Legislature. Embellished with vignettes, views, landscapes, plans of towns, harbours, etc.; containing also a copious appendix." London, 1831, three volumes, 4to., generally bound in two.

MICHEL BIBAUD'S HISTORICAL WORKS.

[22] Page 12.—"Histoire du Canada sous la Domination FranÇaise." Montreal, 1837, 8vo. Do., 1843, 12mo.

"Histoire du Canada sous la Domination Anglaise." Do., 1844. The third volume of the series appeared after the author's death, and was published by his son, J. G. Bibaud, at Montreal, 1878, 12mo.

THOMPSON'S BOOK ON THE WAR OF 1812.

[23] Page 12.—"History of the Late War between Great Britain and the United States of America, with a retrospective view of the causes from which it originated, collected from the most authentic sources; to which is added an appendix containing public documents, etc., relating to the subject." By David Thompson, late of the Royal Scots. Niagara, U. C. Printed by T. Sewell, printer, bookbinder and stationer, Market Square, 1832, 12mo., pp. 300. This was for some time believed to be the first book printed in Upper Canada, but Dr. Kingsford, F.R.S.C., in "The Early Bibliography of the Province of Ontario" (Toronto and Montreal, 1892), enumerates a list of some thirty-three publications that antedated it, and Mr. Charles Lindsey, a bibliophilist and littÉrateur of Toronto, adds a number of others. See Toronto 'Week,' Dec. 9, 1892, Dr. Kingsford's rejoinder, ib., Dec. 30, and another article on same subject by Mr. Lindsey, ib., Jan. 13, 1893. All these bibliographical notes are interesting, and show how insignificant in point of intellectual and original ability was the literature of Ontario for fifty years previous to 1841.

BELKNAP'S HISTORY.

[24] Page 13.—Mr. Jeremy Belknap's "History of New Hampshire" was published in Philadelphia and Boston in 1784–92, three volumes. See Bourinot's "Cape Breton," in 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vol. ix., p. 315, and p. 147 in the separate volume (Montreal, 1892).

THE POET CRÉMAZIE.

[25] Page 17.—Octave CrÉmazie was one of the vrai sang of French Canada, and a bookseller without the least aptitude for business. He left Quebec after his failure, and lived under an assumed name in France, where he died in poverty. His life was most unfortunate, and in the gloomy days of his later French career he never realized the expectations which his literary efforts in Canada raised among his ardent friends. His poems appeared at first in the 'SoirÉes Canadiennes' and French Canadian journals, but his works were published in full at Montreal, in 1882, under the patronage of the Institut Canadien of Quebec, of which he was one of the founders. The AbbÉ Casgrain has given the introduction for this edition, and added some of the letters written to him by CrÉmazie from Paris. CrÉmazie, and indeed many of his friends, considered the "Trois Morts" as the best effort of his poetic genius; but the AbbÉ truly says: "CrÉmazie has never really been original except in his patriotic poems; in them must be sought the secret of his popularity and his strongest claim to fame." And he goes on to say: "The old mother-country has so far given a warm welcome to only one of our poets. She has acknowledged FrÉchette as the most emphatically French of our poetic aspirants; but the time is not far distant when she will recognize in CrÉmazie the most thoroughly Canadian of them all. His verses have not the exquisite workmanship that is so much admired in FrÉchette, but it is full of a patriotic inspiration that is not so often found in the author of 'Fleurs BorÉales.' Despite his inequalities and imperfections, CrÉmazie must live among us as the father of our national poetry." The patriotic poem which has touched most deeply the hearts of his countrymen is "Le Drapeau de Carillon," in which he recalls the military achievements of the days of LÉvis and Montcalm—

"Les jours de Carillon,

OÙ, sur le drapeau blanc attachant la victoire,

Nos pÈres se couvraient d'un immortel renom

Et traÇaient de leur glaive une hÉroÏque histoire.

"O radieux dÉbris d'une grande ÉpopÉe!

HÉroÏque banniÈre au naufrage ÉchappÉe!

Tu restes sur nos bords comme un tÉmoin vivant

Des glorieux exploits d'une race guerriÈre;

Et, sur les jours passÉs, rÉpandant ta lumiÈre,

Tu viens rendre À son nom un hommage Éclatant.

"Ah! bientÔt puissions-nous, Ô drapeau de nos pÈres!

Voir tous les Canadiens, unis comme des frÈres,

Comme au jour du combat se serrer prÈs de toi!

Puisse des souvenirs la tradition sainte,

En rÉgnant dans leur coeur, garder de toute atteinte,

Et leur langue et leur foi."

When we hear aspirations whispered nowadays that there may be only one language in Canada, it is well to consider the influence of such nervous poetic French on the national feelings of the large population in the province of Quebec. The French language is likely to be deeply seated for some generations yet while there are French Canadian poets.

CHAUVEAU AS A POET.

[26] Page 17.—Hon. Mr. Chauveau's poems appeared at different times in the 'Canadien' of Quebec, 'Le RÉpertoire National,' 'Les SoirÉes Canadiennes,' 'La Revue Canadienne,' and in other papers and publications from 1838 until the year of his death, 1890. One of his latest poems, "Le SacrÉ Coeur," was printed in the second volume of the 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' Sec. I. A valuable paper by the same littÉrateur, "Etude sur les commencements de la poÉsie franÇaise au Canada," appeared in the first volume of the 'Trans.,' Sec. I, p. 65. In "Songs of the Dominion" (London, 1889, App., pp. 455–448) the editor gives an illustration of his spirited style by citing "Donnacona" at length.

HOWE'S POEMS.

[27] Page 17.—These were collected by his son after his death, and printed in a little volume with the title "Poems and Essays." Montreal, 1874, 12mo.

THE POETS SANGSTER AND McLACHLAN.

[28] Page 17.—Charles Sangster was a native of Kingston, and consequently a native Canadian like the others mentioned in the text. His principal poems appeared in the following books: "The St. Lawrence and the Saguenay, and Other Poems." Kingston and New York, 1856, 8vo. "Hesperus and Other Poems and Lyrics." Montreal, 1860, 8vo. Oliver Wendell Holmes, Bayard Taylor and Jean Inglelow wrote of his verse in terms of eulogy. See "Bibliotheca Canadensis," p. 337.

Alexander McLachlan was a poet contemporary with Sangster, and imbued with much poetic fervour and Canadian sentiment, but he was born and educated in Scotland, and came to Canada when a young man. His "Emigrant and Other Poems" (Toronto, 1861) merited the praise it received, though this, like his other poetic efforts, are now rarely cited, and no new edition of his works has appeared of recent years.

CHARLES HEAVYSEGE'S WORKS.

[29] Page 18.—"Saul: a Drama in Three Parts." Montreal, 1857, 8vo. 2nd ed., 1859.

"Count Filippo; or, The Unequal Marriage: a Drama in Five Acts." Montreal, 1860.

"Jephthah's Daughter." London and Montreal, 1865, 12mo.

"The Advocate: a Novel." Montreal, 1865, 8vo. This was a decided failure.

TODD'S WORKS.

[30] Page 18.—The first edition of Todd's "Parliamentary Government in England" appeared at London in 1867–68, two volumes, 8vo., and the second after his death in 1887. An abridged edition, by Spencer Walpole, an English writer, was printed in 1893, two volumes, 12mo. For bibliographical notes of this and other Canadian constitutional works see the Appendix to Bourinot's "Parliamentary Government in Canada: an Historical and Constitutional Study," 'Am. Hist. Ass. Papers,' Washington, 1892.

CHRISTIE'S HISTORY.

[31] Page 18.—Mr. Christie's "History of Lower Canada" embraced the period from the commencement of its political history as a British dependency until it was reunited with Upper Canada in 1840 by act of the imperial parliament. It appeared in Quebec and Montreal from 1849 to 1855, when the sixth volume, a collection of valuable documents, completed the work. Previously the author had published several memoirs and reviews of political events and administrations, which were all finally embraced in the history. For bibliographical notes see 'Am. Hist. Ass. Papers,' 1891, p. 393; "Bibliotheca Canadensis," art. "Christie." It is noteworthy that Mr. Christie was, like Judge Haliburton, born and educated in Windsor, Nova Scotia, where old King's College still pursues its calm academic studies amid its sheltering and ancestral elms. In 1890 this venerable and interesting institution celebrated the centenary of its foundation. See Hind's "University of King's College, Windsor, N.S., 1790–1890," New York, "The Church Review Co.," 1890. But Robert Christie could not in those times be educated in King's, as he was not a member of the Church of England like the Judge.

GARNEAU.

[32] Page 18.—The first volume of FranÇois Xavier Garneau's "Histoire du Canada depuis sa dÉcouverte jusqu'À nos jours" appeared at Quebec in 1845; the second in 1846; and the third, bringing the history down to the establishment of constitutional government in 1791, was printed in 1848. A second edition completed the work to the union of the Canadas in 1841, and was published in 1852 at Montreal by Mr. Lovell, the well-known publisher. A third edition appeared at Quebec in 1859, and a somewhat slovenly translation was made by Mr. Andrew Bell and printed at Montreal in 1860. The fourth edition appeared in four volumes after the historian's death. It is the third edition, as originally written by Mr. Garneau. The fourth volume of this edition contains an eulogistic review of the author's life by Mr. Chauveau, a poem by Mr. Louis FrÉchette on "Notre Histoire"—also printed in 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vol. i., Sec. I.,—and an analytical table by Mr. B. Sulte. A portrait of Mr. Garneau is the frontispiece to the same volume. The 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vol. i., Sec. I., has a paper by AbbÉ Casgrain on Garneau and Ferland, "Notre PassÉ LittÉraire, et nos deux historiens." In the same volume appears a paper by Mr. J. M. LeMoine on "Nos quatre historiens modernes, Bibaud, Garneau, Ferland, Faillon," which, like the preceding essay, certainly does not fail in the way of eulogy. French Canada assuredly is proud and not often too critical of her eminent writers.

FERLAND AND FAILLON.

[33] Page 18.—"Cours d'Histoire du Canada. PremiÈre partie, 1534–1663." Par J. B. A. Ferland, prÊtre, professeur d'histoire À l'UniversitÉ Laval. QuÉbec, 1861, 8vo. Seconde partie, 1663–1759; do., 1865, 8vo. The second volume was going through the press at the time of the author's death, and subsequently appeared under the careful supervision of his friend the AbbÉ LaverdiÈre, to whose historical labours Canada is deeply indebted. Indeed French Canada owes much to Laval, with its able teachers, historians and scientists.

The AbbÉ Faillon, a Sulpician, who wrote a "Histoire de la Colonie FranÇaise en Canada" (Paris, 1865) in four 4to. volumes, was not a Canadian by birth and education like Ferland and Garneau, but came to Canada in 1854, and, after residing there for over ten years, returned to his native country, where he published his well known and valuable work.

DENT'S WORKS.

[34] Page 19,—John Charles Dent was an English journalist, who subsequently became connected with the Toronto press. He wrote the two following works: "The Last Forty Years: Canada since the Union of 1841," Toronto, 1881, two volumes, sm. 4to.; "The Story of the Upper Canada Rebellion," Toronto, 1885–86, two volumes, sm. 4to. He also edited the "Canadian Portrait Gallery," Toronto, 1880–81. Although not a Canadian by birth or education, he identified himself thoroughly with Canadian thought and sentiment, and was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada before his too sudden death. A criticism of his work on "Canada since the Union" by the AbbÉ Casgrain ('Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vol. iii., Sec. I.) indicated that his opinions did not always meet with the warm approval of the French Canadians of a very pronounced type.

LOUIS TURCOTTE'S HISTORY.

[35] Page 20.—This work appeared at Quebec in two 12mo. volumes in 1871. Mr. Turcotte was a French Canadian by birth and education, and connected with the legislative library at Quebec when he died. See a favourable review of his literary work by Mr. Faucher de Saint-Maurice, F.R.S.C., in 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vol. i., Sec. I.

B. SULTE.

[36] Page 20.—"Histoire des Canadiens-FranÇais, 1608–1880. Origine, Histoire, Religion, Guerres, DÉcouvertes, Colonisation, Coutumes, Vie domestique et politique, DÉveloppement, Avenir. Par Benjamin Sulte. Ouvrage ornÉ de portraits et de plans." Eight volumes, 4to., Montreal, 1882–1884. Mr. Sulte is also the author of several poems, (See Note 40) and numerous essays and monographs of much literary merit and historic value. He is one of the most industrious members of the Royal Society of Canada.

ABBÉ CASGRAIN.

[37] Page 20.—The AbbÉ H. R. Casgrain's best known works are the following:

"LÉgendes Canadiennes." Quebec, 1861, 12mo. New ed., Montreal, 1884.

"Histoire de la MÈre Marie de l'Incarnation, premiÈre supÉrieure des Ursulines de la Nouvelle France. PrÉcÉdÉe d'une esquisse sur l'histoire religieuse des premiers temps de cette colonie." Quebec, 1864, 8vo. New ed., Montreal, 1886.

"Guerre du Canada, 1756–1760. Montcalm et LÉvis." Quebec, 1891, two volumes, 8vo.

The AbbÉ has been a most industrious historical student, and to enumerate all his literary efforts would be to occupy much space. He has been a principal contributor to the 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.' His monographs, "Un pÈlerinage au pays d'Evangeline" (vol. iv.) and "Les Acadiens aprÈs leur dispersion" (vol. v.), are particularly interesting, and the former has been crowned by the French Academy, and appeared in book form at Quebec. He is very much imbued with the national spirit and fervour of his countrymen.

KINGSFORD'S AND OTHER HISTORICAL WORKS.

[38] Page 20.—Six volumes of Dr. Kingsford's "History of Canada" have appeared since 1887. Volume i. embraces the period from 1608 to 1682; vol. ii., 1679–1725; vol. iii., 1726–1756; vol. iv., 1756–1763; vol. v., 1763–1775; vol. vi., 1776–1779. Toronto and London, 8vo. For bibliographical notes on various works relating to the political and general history of Canada see Bourinot's "Parliamentary Government in Canada," 'Am. Hist. Ass. Papers,' 1891, App. References are there made to McMullen, Withrow, Murdoch, Campbell, Hincks, etc. Also 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' viii., 171–189. As usual, the learned editor, Dr. Winsor, supplies by his notes many deficiencies in the text. Also, Edmond Lareau's "Histoire de la LittÉrature Canadienne" (Montreal), c. 4, and Mr. J. C. Dent's "Last Forty Years; or, Canada since the Union of 1841," c. 42, on "Literature and Journalism." Among the later French Canadian writers who are doing excellent historical work is Dr. N. E. Dionne, F.R.S.C., author of several books on Cartier and his successors and Champlain. Mr. Hannay of St. John has written a "History of Acadia," which has been well received (St. John, N.B., 1879, 8vo.) The AbbÉ Auguste Gosselin is another industrious French Canadian writer. Mr. Joseph TassÉ, whose "Canadiens de l'Ouest" (Montreal, 1878, two volumes) was distinguished by much research and literary skill, has of late years devoted himself mainly to politics and journalism, though he has found time to write several essays for the 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' and a small volume, "38^me Fauteuil, ou Souvenirs Parlementaires" (Montreal, 1891), a series of political sketches, written in excellent French. A monumental work is the "Dictionnaire GÉnÉalogique des familles canadiennes" by Mgr. Tanguay, F.R.S.C., invaluable to students of French Canadian history and ethnography.

CANADIAN BIBLIOGRAPHY.

[39] Page 20.—A bibliography of the members of the Royal Society, on the plan of one given in the sixth volume (1892) of the 'Papers of the American Historical Association,' is now being prepared for the eleventh volume of the 'Transactions.' It will be much fuller necessarily than the bibliographical notes that appear in this monograph.

LATER CANADIAN POETS, 1867–1893.

[40] Page 20.—Dr. Louis FrÉchette's poems are admitted to be the most finished illustrations of French poetic art yet produced in the Dominion; and one who reads them can easily understand that "Les Fleurs BorÉales" and "Les Oiseaux de Neige" (now in the third edition, Montreal) should have been crowned by the French Academy in 1880, and that he should have been accorded the Monthyon prize as a matter of course. His other volumes of poems are these: "Mes Loisirs," Quebec, 1863; "La Voix d'un ExilÉ," Quebec, 1869; "PÊle-MÊle," Montreal, 1877; "Les OubliÉs" and "Voix d'Outre-Mer," Montreal, 1886; and "Feuilles Volantes," Montreal, 1891. His poem on the discovery of the Mississippi is probably his best sustained effort on the whole. A number of his poems have appeared in the 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vols. i., ii., iii., iv. He has published some dramas and comedies (see 'Am. CyclopÆdia of Biography,' vol. ii., p. 539), which have not been as successful as his purely poetic essays. He has also written several essays of merit in 'Harper's Monthly' and other periodicals of the day, as well as in the 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.'

The following is an extract from his poem on "La DÉcouverte du Mississippi":

"TantÔt je croyais voir, sous les vertes arcades,

Du fatal De Soto passer les cavalcades

En jetant au dÉsert un dÉfi solennel;

TantÔt c'Était Marquette errant dans la prairie,

Impatient d'offrir un monde À sa patrie,

Et des Âmes À l'Eternel.

"Parfois, sous les taillis, ma prunelle trompÉe,

Croyait voir de La Salle Étinceler l'ÉpÉe,

Et parfois, groupe informe allant je ne sais oÙ,

Devant une humble croix—Ô puissance magique!—

De farouches guerriers Á l'oeil sombre et tragique

Passer en pliant le genou!

"Et puis, berÇant mon Âme aux rÊves des poÈtes,

J'entrevoyais aussi de blanches silhouettes,

Doux fantÔmes flottant dans le vague des nuits:

Atala, Gabriel, Chactas, Evangeline,

Et l'ombre de RenÉ, debout sur la colline,

Pleurant ses immortels ennuis.

"Et j'endormais ainsi mes souvenirs moroses....

Mais de ces visions poÉtiques et roses

Celle qui plus souvent venait frapper mon oeil,

C'Était, passant au loin dans un reflet de gloire,

Ce hardi pionnier dont notre jeune histoire

Redit le nom avec orgueil.

"Jolliet! Jolliet! deux siÈcles de conquÊtes,

Deux siÈcles sans rivaux ont passÉ sur nos tÊtes,

Depuis l'heure sublime oÙ, de ta propre main,

Tu jetas d'un seul trait sur la carte du monde

Ces vastes rÉgions, zone immense et fÉconde,

Futur grenier du genre humain!

"Oui, deux siÈcles ont fui! La solitude vierge

N'est plus lÀ! Du progrÈs le flot montant submerge

Les vestiges derniers d'un passÉ qui finit.

OÙ le dÉsert dormait, grandit la mÉtropole;

Et le fleuve asservi courbe sa large Épaule

Sous l'arche aux piles de granit.

"Plus de forÊts sans fin: la vapeur les silonne!

L'astre des jours nouveaux sur tous les points rayonne;

L'enfant de la nature est ÉvangÉlisÉ;

Le soc du laboureur fertilise la plaine;

Et le surplus dorÉ de sa gerbe trop pleine

Nourrit le vieux monde ÉpuisÉ."

Mr. Pamphile LeMay, one of the best known French Canadian poets, has published the following: "Essais PoÉtiques," Quebec, 1865; "La DÉcouverte du Canada," Quebec, 1867; "PoÈmes CouronnÉs," Quebec, 1870; "Les Vengeances," Quebec, 1875, 1876 and 1888 (also dramatized); "Une Gerbe," Quebec, 1879. He has also written "Fables Canadiennes," Quebec, 1882. A number of his poems have appeared in the 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vols i., iii., v., vi., ix. He has also written several stories of Canadian life: "L'Affaire Sougraine," Quebec, 1884; "Le PÈlerin de Sainte-Anne," new ed., Montreal, 1893; and "Rouge et Bleu," comedy. One of his best works was a translation of Longfellow's "Evangeline."

The following is a list of other Canadian books of poems, of varying merit, which have appeared within a quarter of a century:

"The Songs of a Wanderer." By Carroll Ryan. Ottawa, 1867. Indicated much poetic taste, but the poet has been submerged in the busy journalist.

"Songs of Life." By Rev. E. H. Dewart. Toronto, 1867. He was author of the first collection of Canadian poems made in this country. See infra.

"The Prophecy of Merlin and other Poems." By John Reade. Montreal, 1870. In many respects the best sustained poems written by a Canadian can be read in this book.

"Les Laurentiennes." By Benjamin Sulte. Montreal, 1870.

"Les Chants Nouveaux." By the same. Ottawa, 1880.

"The Legend of the Rose." By Samuel J. Watson. Toronto, 1876. Mr. Watson was a writer of promise who died in the maturity of his power.

"The Feast of St. Anne, and other Poems." By P. S. Hamilton. Montreal, 1878; 2nd ed. 1890. Has some interest from its description of the ceremonies at the feast of Sainte-Anne du Canada—the tutelary saint of the Canadian aborigines—which is held by the Micmacs on the 26th day of July in each year on Chapel Island, in the beautiful Bras d'Or Lake of Cape Breton. See Bourinot's "Cape Breton."

"Waifs in Verse." (Ottawa, ed. in 1878, 1887 and 1891.) By G. W. Wicksteed, Q.C., for fifty years the able law clerk of the Canadian Commons.

"A Collection of Poems." By Miss Williams of Grenville, P.Q., 1879.

"The Coming of the Princess, and Other Poems." By Kate Seymour Maclean of Kingston. 1880.

"Lyrics, Songs and Sonnets." By A. H. Chandler and C. Pelham Mulvany. Toronto, 1880.

"The Times, and Other Poems." By J. R. Newell of Woodstock. 1880.

"The Consolation." By George Gerrard. Montreal, 1880.

"Poems of the Heart and Home." By Mrs. J. C. Yule. Toronto, 1880.

"Poems, Songs and Odes." By Archibald McAlpine Taylor. Toronto, 1881.

"The New Song, and Other Poems." By Mrs. W. H. Clarke. Toronto, 1883.

"Zenobia. A Poem in Rhymed Heroics." By Rev. Æ. McD. Dawson, F.R.S.C. 1883.

"The Mission of Love, and Other Poems." By Caris Sima. 1883.

"Lorenzo, and Other Poems." By J. R. Pollock of Keswick, Ont. 1883.

"Caprices PoÉtiques et Chansons Satiriques." Par RÉmi Tremblay. MontrÉal, 1883.

"Les Echos." Par J. B. Routhier. QuÉbec, 1883, 12mo. Judge Routhier is a member of the Royal Society of Canada, in whose 'Trans.' (vol. iv., Sec. I.) appeared "Lettre d'un Volontaire du 9^ieme Voltigeurs campÉ À Calgary." His literary reputation stands high among his countrymen.

"Old Spookse's Pass, and Other Poems." By Isabella Valancy Crawford. Toronto, 1884.

"Marguerite, and Other Poems." By George Martin. 1886.

"Laura Secord: a Ballad of 1812." By Mrs. Curzon. Toronto, 1886.

"Songs, Sonnets and Miscellaneous Poems." By J. Imrie. Toronto, 1886.

"Dreamland, and Other Poems" (Ottawa, 1868), and "Tecumseh: a Drama" (Toronto and London, 1886). By Charles Mair, a poet of original talent, and descriptive power, who is now a resident of the North-west Territories.

"Orion, and Other Poems" (Philadelphia, 1880), and "In Divers Tones" (Montreal, 1887). By Prof. C. G. D. Roberts, who is the best known abroad of all Canadian poets, and represents that Canadian or national spirit which has been slowly rising from the birth of Confederation. Since the days of CrÉmazie—over thirty years ago—there are other poets who recognize the existence of a Canadian people in a large sense—a Canadian people of two races, born and educated in the country, and having common aspirations for a united, not an isolated, future. Prof. Roberts is now bringing out a new volume of poems in London.

The poetic taste of the Archbishop of Halifax, the Most Rev. C. O'Brien, F.R.S.C., is well illustrated in the following volume: "Aminta: a Modern Life Drama," New York, 1890. The Archbishop is also the author of a novel, "After Weary Years," (Baltimore and New York, 1885), the scenes of which are laid in Rome and Canada, and are described with much power of invention and fervour. As the author himself says, "historic places and events are accurately described." He has, it will be seen from his preface, great confidence in the future national greatness of the Dominion.

"A Gate of Flowers." By T. O'Hagan. Toronto, 1887. He has another volume in press.

"The Masque of Minstrels, and Other Pieces, chiefly in verse." By B. W. and A. J. Lockhart. Bangor, Me., 1887. These two brothers are Nova Scotians by birth and education, who lived their youth in the land of Evangeline. The GaspÉreaux and Grand PrÉ are naturally the constant theme of their pleasing verse.

"Among the Millet, and Other Poems." By Archibald Lampman. Ottawa, 1888. Some of Mr. Lampman's most finished sonnets have appeared in the best American periodicals, to which he is still a frequent contributor; his work shows the true poetic instinct. He holds a position in the Civil Service at Ottawa.

"The Water Lily. An Oriental Fairy Tale." By Frank Waters. Ottawa, 1888.

"De Roberval: a Drama. Also the Emigration of the Fairies, and the Triumph of Constancy: a Romaunt." By John Hunter Duvar. St. John, N.B., 1888. Mr. Duvar, who has fine literary tastes, has been a resident of Prince Edward Island for some years.

"The Epic of the Dawn, and Other Poems." By Nicholas Flood Davin. Regina, N.W.T., 1889. Mr. Davin is the clever "Irishman in Canada," and while the most pretentious of his poems in this little book were written across the ocean, others are the product of Canadian thought and sentiment.

"Lake Lyrics, and Other Poems." By W. Wilfred Campbell. St. John, N.B., 1889. Mr. Campbell, who was originally a clergyman of the Church of England, is now in the public service at Ottawa, and has written some of his best poems for American magazines. One on "The Mother," in 'Harper's Monthly' is full of poetic thought and deep pathos, and should be better known by Canadians than it appears to be. At this time of writing his new volume of poems entitled "The Dread Voyage" (Toronto, 1893), has appeared; it sustains his reputation, though one can hardly encourage his effort to imitate Tennyson in such poems as "Sir Lancelot." Canadian poets too frequently are imitative rather than original. Mr. Campbell's verses on the varied scenery of the lakes of the West show the artistic temperament.

For instance:

"Domed with the azure of heaven,

Floored with a pavement of pearl,

Clothed all about with a brightness

Soft as the eyes of a girl.

"Girt with a magical girdle,

Rimmed with a vapour of rest—

These are the inland waters,

These are the Lakes of the West."

ON THE LEDGE.

"I lie out here on a ledge, with the surf on the rocks below me,

The hazy sunlight above and the whispering forest behind;

I lie and listen, O lake, to the legends and songs you throw me,

Out of the murmurous moods of your multitudinous mind.

"I lie and listen, a sound like voices of distant thunder,

The roar and throb of your life in your rock-wall's mighty cells;

Then after a softer voice that comes from the beaches under,

A chiming of waves on rocks, a laughter of silver bells.

"A glimmer of bird-like boats, that loom from the far horizon;

That scud and tack and dip under the gray and the blue;

A single gull that floats and skims the waters, and flies on,

Till she is lost like a dream in the haze of the distance, too.

"A steamer that rises a smoke, then after a tall, dark funnel,

That moves like a shadow across your water and sky's gray edge;

A dull, hard beat of a wave that diggeth himself a tunnel,

Down in the crevices dark under my limestone ledge.

"And here I lie on my ledge, and listen the songs you sing me,

Songs of vapour and blue, songs of island and shore;

And strange and glad are the hopes and sweet are the thoughts you bring me

Out of the throbbing depths and wells of your heart's great store."

"Pine, Rose and Fleur-de-Lis." By S. Frances Harrison ("Seranus"). Toronto, 1891.

"Songs, Lyrical and Dramatic." By John Henry Brown. Ottawa, 1892, 12mo. The New York 'Nation' truly says of this new poetic aspirant that he has Walt Whitman's tendencies, but nevertheless he "writes in a generous spirit, and may yet have thoughts and expression all his own." The fact is, I repeat, most Canadian poets are too imitative and too rarely original.

"Tendres Choses. PoÉsies Canadiennes." By Dr. R. Chevrier. Montreal, 1892, 12mo. That an author unknown to fame should give us his portrait, as in this case, is perplexing. Still the verse is frequently melodious, though it represents what is a feature of French poetry, melodious rhythm, rather than strength and thought.

"This Canada of Ours, and Other Poems." By J. D. Edgar, M.P., Toronto, 1893. This little volume contains "The White Stone Canoe: a Legend of the Ottawas," which had been published in separate form some years previously. His French and Latin translations are full of taste.

"Les Perce-Neige, premiÈres poÉsies." By NapolÉon Legendre. Montreal, 12mo. He is a member of the Royal Society of Canada, and constant contributor (generally in prose) to its 'Transactions.'

"Mes Rimes." By ElzÉar Labelle. Montreal, 1886, 8vo.

Selections of Canadian poems have appeared of recent years in the following publications:

1. "Selections from Canadian Poets: with occasional critical and biographical notes and an introductory essay on Canadian poetry." By the Rev. E. H. Dewart. Montreal, 1864, 8vo.

2. "Songs of the Great Dominion: Voices from the Forests and Waters, the Settlements and Cities of Canada." Selected and edited by W. D. Lighthall, M.A., of Montreal. London, 1889, 12mo.

3. "Younger American Poets, 1830–1890." Edited by Douglas Sladen, B.A., Oxon. With an Appendix of Younger Canadian Poets. Edited by G. B. Roberts of St. John, N.B. New York, 1891, 12mo.

4. "Later Canadian Poems." Edited by J. E. Wetherell, B.A. Toronto, 1893.

In the first mentioned work, which is judiciously edited, the poets until 1864 obtain a place. In the three other books we have selections from John Reade, Geo. Frederick Cameron, Prof. Roberts, Bliss Carman (now a resident of the United States), A. H. Chandler, Isabella Valancy Crawford, Mrs. Leprohon, Hereward K. Cockin, John Hunter Duvar, Rev. A. W. H. Eaton, Louis FrÉchette, James Hannay, Sophie M. Hensley, Charles Sangster, M. Richey Knight, Archibald Lampman, W. D. Lighthall, A. J. Lockhart, B. W. Lockhart, Agnes Maude Machar ("Fidelis"), W. McLennan, Charles Mair, Mary Morgan ("Gowan Lea"), Charles P. Mulvany, Rev. F. G. Scott, Philip Stewart, H. R. A. Pocock, Barry Stratton, A. Weir, Mary Barry Smith, John T. LespÉrance ("LaclÈde"), W. Wye Smith, Ethelwyn Wetherald, John E. Logan ("Barry Dane"), George Martin, Mrs. Harrison ("Seranus"), D. Campbell Scott, James D. Edgar, E. Pauline Johnson, George Murray, William Kirby, Annie Rothwell, W. A. Sherwood, Isidore G. Ascher, P. J. O. Chauveau, B. Sulte, P. LeMay, and others. I enumerate these names to show how many Canadians have ventured upon the field of poesy despite the practical realities of life in this relatively new country. The selections in the second of these works would have been more valuable had they contained "Our Fathers" by Joseph Howe—the most spirited poem in some respects ever written by a native Canadian. To the names of poetic aspirants, too, must be added those of M. J. Katzmann and of M. J. Griffin, whose fugitive pieces have attracted notice. Mr. Griffin has fine literary tastes and his few poems, only the relaxation of leisure hours, show he might win fame in this delightful department of letters. The reader will obtain some idea of the standard of Canadian poetry by reading the selections, and should not be carried away by the too obvious enthusiasm that has at times stifled the critical faculty in the editors. The poetic genius of Canadians is to be stimulated, not by sentimental gush, but by a judicious criticism that is not sufficiently cultivated by our writers who review the efforts of our poets, historians and essayists. These remarks also apply to such articles as that by the late Mr. LespÉrance on "The Poets of Canada" in 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vol. ii., Sec. II.

Mr. Evan McColl, F.R.S.C., is the Gaelic poet of Canada. Three editions have appeared of the "ClÀrsach nam Beann," which was printed as far back as 1838 in Glasgow. The same was also published in English in the same year, under the title of "The Mountain Minstrel," of which six editions have been printed. In 1883 he published in Toronto "Poems and Songs chiefly written in Canada." Mr. McColl is a great favourite among his Scotch countrymen everywhere; but his decidedly original poetic genius, rude and wild as it is at times, is not a Canadian product, for he was born at Kenmore, Lochfyne-Side, Scotland, in 1808, and it was not until he was forty years of age that he made Canada his home. He is now a resident of Toronto, and still comes to the annual meetings of the Royal Society, of which he was one of the original members.

[41] Page 21.—"IN MY HEART." By John Reade.

"In my heart are many chambers through which I wander free;

Some are furnished, some are empty, some are sombre, some are light;

Some are open to all comers, and of some I keep the key,

And I enter in the stillness of the night.

"But there's one I never enter—it is closed to even me!

Only once its door was opened, and it shut for evermore;

And though sounds of many voices gather round it like a sea,

It is silent, ever silent, as the shore.

"In that chamber, long ago, my love's casket was concealed,

And the jewel that it sheltered I knew only one could win:

And my soul foreboded sorrow, should that jewel be revealed,

And I almost hoped that none might enter in.

"Yet day and night I lingered by that fatal chamber door,

Till—she came at last my darling one, of all the earth my own;

And she entered—then she vanished with my jewel which she wore;

And the door was closed—and I was left alone.

"She gave me back no jewel, but the spirit of her eyes

Shone with tenderness a moment, as she closed that chamber door,

And the memory of that moment is all I have to prize—

But that, at least, is mine for evermore.

"Was she conscious, when she took it, that the jewel was my love?

Did she think it but a bauble she might wear or toss aside?

I know not, I accuse not, but I hope that it may prove

A blessing, though she spurn it in her pride."

LAURA SECORD'S WARNING.

[41a] Page 24.—In Mrs. Edgar's excellent annotations to the Ridout Letters in "Ten Years of Upper Canada in Peace and War, 1805–1815," (Toronto, 1890), appears the following account of a courageous woman's exploit which brought disaster to the Americans soon after their defeat at Stoney Creek:

"At a place called Beaver Dams, or Beechwoods, (about twelve miles in a direct road from Queenstown), where is now the town of Thorold, was a depot for provisions for the Canadian troops, guarded by a detachment of thirty of the 49th regiment under Lieutenant Fitzgibbon with some Indians and militia, in all about 200 men. In order to surprise and dislodge this outpost, an American force of 500 men, with fifty cavalry and two field-pieces, under Colonel Boerstler, set out from Fort George (Niagara) on the 23rd of June [1813]. A surprise was meditated, in retaliation, no doubt, for the affair of Stoney Creek. Laura Secord, wife of a Canadian farmer, who had been wounded in the battle of Queenstown Heights, accidentally heard of the designs of the Americans, and determined to give the outpost timely warning. She set out alone before day-break, on the 23rd June, from her house at Queenstown, and arrived at Fitzgibbon's headquarters, a stone house known as DeCew's, near the Beaver Dams, at sunset of the same day. On account of the American sentries and outposts, she had to avoid the high roads and beaten paths, thus making her toilsome journey nearly twice as long. In spite of weakness and fatigue, this heroic woman went on her way through pathless woods, over hill and dale and unbridged streams, till she reached her destination. Her warning came just in time. Lieutenant Fitzgibbon disposed of his little force to the best advantage possible, placing them in ambush on both sides of the road, and taking every precaution to make it appear that he had a large force in reserve. Between eight and nine in the morning of the 24th June, the advance guard of the American riflemen appeared. A volley from the woods received them and emptied their saddles. Soon firing came from all directions, and bugle calls, and Indian yells. The bewildered Americans imagined themselves in the presence of a much superior force. Finding that his men were losing heavily from the fire of the unseen foe, and that they were suffering from fatigue and heat, he consented to surrender. By the capitulation 542 men, 2 field-pieces, some ammunition waggons, and the colours of the 14th U.S. regiment were delivered over to the Canadians. For this brilliant achievement Lieutenant Fitzgibbon [afterwards a military knight of Windsor] received his Company and a Captain's commission. As to Laura Secord, her reward has come to her in fame. The heroine lived until the year 1868, and sleeps now in that old cemetery at Drummondville, where lie so many of our brave soldiers. There is no 'Decoration Day' in Canada, but if there were, surely this woman is entitled to the laurel wreath." Pp. 198–201.

AUSTRALIAN POETS AND NOVELISTS.

[42] Page 25.—The Canadian reader can profitably and easily compare his own poets with those of Australia by reading Slade's "Australian Poets, 1788–1883, being a selection of poems upon all subjects written in Australia and New Zealand during the first century of the British colonization, with brief notes on their authors, etc." (London and Sydney, 1889.) It will be seen, however, that nearly all the so-called "Australian" poets are English born, while with one or two exceptions, those of Canada best known to fame are the product of Canadian life and thought. Henry Clarence Kendall, "the poet of New South Wales," was born at Ulladulla, on the coast of that colony, in 1842. He is the one Australian poet of reputation, except his forerunner, Charles Harpur, who was actually born under the Southern Cross. Kendall's verses on "Coogee," a striking natural feature of Australian scenery, show true poetic instinct and rhythmical ease:

"Sing the song of wave-worn Coogee-Coogee in the distance white,

With its jags and points disrupted, gaps and fractures fringed with light;

Haunt of gledes and restless plovers of the melancholy wail,

Ever lending deeper pathos to the melancholy gale.

There, my brothers, down the fissures, chasms deep and wan and wild,

Grows the sea-bloom, one that blushes like a shrinking, fair, blind child,

And amongst the oozing forelands many a glad green rockvine runs,

Getting ease on earthy ledges sheltered from December suns."

But among the many spirited poems written in Australia since its settlement not one can equal the "Sick Stock-rider," by Adam Lindsay Gordon, who came to South Australia in his early manhood, and attempted sheep-farming, with the result of "owning nothing but a love for horsemanship and a head full of Browning and Shelley." This is a quotation from an introduction to his book by Marcus Clarke, himself a novelist and poet. One can see in the mind's eye the scenes described in the following verses, so full of real life and genuine poetry:

"'Twas merry in the glowing morn, among the gleaming grass,

To wander as we've wandered many a mile,

And blow the cool tobacco cloud and watch the white wreaths pass,

Sitting loosely in the saddle all the while;

'Twas merry 'mid the backwoods, when we spied the station roofs,

To wheel the wild scrub cattle at the yard,

With a running fire of stockwhips and a fiery run of hoofs.

Oh! the hardest day was never then too hard!

"Aye! we had a glorious gallop after 'Starlight' and his gang,

When they bolted from Sylvester's on the flat;

How the sun-dried reed-beds crackled, how the flint-strewn ranges rang

To the strokes of 'Mountaineer' and 'Acrobat';

Hard behind them in the timber, harder still across the heath,

Close behind them through the tea-tree scrub we dashed;

And the golden-tinted fern-leaves, how they rustled underneath!

And the honeysuckle osiers, how they crash'd!"

The best known novels of Australian life are these: "For the Term of His Natural Life," by Marcus Clarke, who was an Englishman born and educated; "The Miner's Right," "The Squatter's Dream," "A Colonial Reformer," and "Robbery Under Arms," by Thomas A. Browne ("Rolf Boldrewood"), who was also English born: "Uncle Piper of Piper's Hill," by Madame Couvreur ("Tasma"), who is of Belgian descent, and is now a resident of Belgium, though she was born in Australia and there studied its social conditions; "The Australian Girl" and "A Silent Sea," by Mrs. Alick McLeod. Mrs. Campbell Praed, who is colonial born, has, in addition to several novels, written "Australian Life," which is described by Sir Charles Dilke ("Problems of Greater Britain," i., 374) as "a vivid autobiographical picture of the early days of Queensland." Copies of these and other Australian books the writer owes to the thoughtfulness of Chief Justice Way, D.C.L., Oxon., of Adelaide, South Australia. For many years he has been the recipient of these graceful attentions from friends in that fair land of the Southern Cross, and though it looks very much as if he will never meet some of them face to face—for the time is passing rapidly with us all—he takes this opportunity of now sending them his thanks across the seas.

HOWE'S "FLAG OF OLD ENGLAND."

[43] Page 26.—This spirited song was written for the one hundredth anniversary of the landing of Lord Cornwallis at Halifax. As many persons in old Canada do not know it—for it is not reproduced in recent collections of Canadian poems—I give it in full for the benefit of the youth of this Dominion, on whom the future destiny of the country depends:

"All hail to the day when the Britons came over,

And planted their standard with sea-foam still wet,

Around and above us their spirits will hover,

Rejoicing to mark how we honour it yet.

Beneath it the emblems they cherished are waving,

The Rose of Old England the roadside perfumes;

The Shamrock and Thistle the north winds are braving,

Securely the Mayflower blushes and blooms.

Chorus.

"Hail to the day when the Britons came over,

And planted their standard with sea-foam still wet,

Around and above us their spirits will hover,

Rejoicing to mark how we honour it yet.

We'll honour it yet, we'll honour it yet,

The flag of Old England! we'll honour it yet.

"In the temples they founded their faith is maintained,

Every foot of the soil they bequeathed is still ours,

The graves where they moulder no foe has profaned,

But we wreathe them with verdure, and strew them with flowers!

The blood of no brother, in civil strife pour'd,

In this hour of rejoicing, encumbers our souls!

The frontier's the field for the Patriot's sword,

And cursed be the weapon that Faction controls!

Chorus—"Hail to the day, etc.

"Then hail to the day! 'tis with memories crowded,

Delightful to trace 'midst the mists of the past,

Like the features of Beauty, bewitchingly shrouded,

They shine through the shadows Time o'er them has cast.

As travellers track to its source in the mountains

The stream which, far swelling, expands o'er the plains,

Our hearts, on this day, fondly turn to the fountains

Whence flow the warm currents that bound in our veins.

Chorus—"Hail to the day, etc.

"And proudly we trace them: no warrior flying

From city assaulted, and fanes overthrown,

With the last of his race on the battlements dying,

And weary with wandering, founded our own.

From the Queen of the Islands, then famous in story,

A century since, our brave forefathers came,

And our kindred yet fill the wide world with her glory,

Enlarging her Empire and spreading her name.

Chorus—"Hail to the day, etc.

"Ev'ry flash of her genius our pathway enlightens—

Ev'ry field she explores we are beckoned to tread—

Each laurel she gathers our future day brightens—

We joy with her living, and mourn for her dead.

Then hail to the day when the Britons came over,

And planted their standard, with sea-foam still wet,

Above and around us their spirits shall hover,

Rejoicing to mark how we honour it yet.

Chorus—"Hail to the day," etc.

ESSAYISTS.

[44] Page 27.—The principal contributors to the English and American periodical press of late years have been George Stewart of Quebec, Principal Grant, J. G. Bourinot, Martin J. Griffin, W. D. LeSueur, G. M. Dawson, S. E. Dawson, Arnold Haultain, John Reade, J. M. Oxley and Sir W. Dawson. Dr. Stewart of Quebec, despite the demands of journalism, has been always a most earnest literary worker, foremost by his own contributions and by his efforts to encourage the labours of others in the too indifferent little Canadian world. Goldwin Smith has always been a contributor of note, but he is rather an English than a Canadian writer. Among the names of the French Canadian general writers are those of FrÉchette, Sulte, Marmette, Faucher de Saint-Maurice, J. TassÉ, DeCelles, Dionne, Casgrain and LeMoine; but their efforts have been confined as a rule to the numerous French Canadian periodicals which have appeared for the last thirty years, and after a short career died for want of adequate support. In the numerous periodicals of England and the United States English Canadian writers have great advantages over French Canadians, who are practically limited to their own country, since France offers few opportunities for such literary work.

WILLIAM KIRBY'S WORKS AND OTHER ROMANCES BY CANADIANS.

[45] Page 27.—"The Golden Dog: a Legend of Quebec." New York and Montreal, 1877, 8vo. Also translated by Pamphile LeMay, the French Canadian poet, Montreal, 1884. Mr. Kirby is also the author of several poems of merit: "The U. E.: a Tale of Upper Canada. A Poem in XII. Cantos." Niagara, 1859, 12mo. "Canadian Idylls," Toronto, 1878, etc. He was born in England in 1817, but came to Canada at the early age of fifteen. He was one of the original members of the Royal Society of Canada.

Mr. LespÉrance, F.R.S.C., was the author of the "Bastonnais" and other historical romances of some ability, but not of that high order of merit which gives a permanent reputation. The Hon. L. Seth Huntington, long known in Canadian political life, was the author of a semi-political novel, "Professor Conant" (Toronto, 1884), which had its merits, but it fell practically still-born from the press. Many other efforts have been made in the same branch of literature, but the performance, as stated in the text, has not been equal to the ambition that prompted the experiment.

MAJOR RICHARDSON.

[45a] Page 27.—Major Richardson was born at Niagara Falls in 1797, and educated at Amherstburg, U.C., where some of the scenes of "Wacousta" are laid. He served in the war of 1812, in the West Indies and in Spain, where he belonged to the British legion. He came back to Canada in 1838, and was for years connected with the press. He wrote a number of novels and short histories of Canadian events, but they are now all forgotten. His historical narrative is not generally trustworthy, while his later romances never even came up to the merit of "Wacousta." He died in obscurity some time after 1854—I cannot find the exact year—in the United States, where he attempted to continue a career of literature.

MARMETTE.

[46] Page 27.—Mr. Joseph Marmette, F.R.S.C., is the author of several works of fiction, viz.:

"FranÇois de Bienville. Roman historique." 1^ere ed., QuÉbec, 1870; 2^e ed., MontrÉal, 1882.

"L'Intendant Bigot. Roman historique." MontrÉal, 1872.

"Le Chevalier de Mornac. Roman historique." MontrÉal, 1873.

"La FiancÉe du Rebelle. Roman historique." Published in 'La Revue Canadienne,' Montreal, 1875.

DE GASPÉ'S WORKS.

[47] Page 27.—"Les Anciens Canadiens." By Philippe Aubert de GaspÉ. Quebec, 1863, 8vo.

Several translations have appeared since 1863. That by Prof. Roberts (New York, Appleton & Co., 1890) omits the notes and addenda, which, if not interesting to the general reader, have much value for the historical student. Sulte's "Histoire des Canadiens," vol. vi., contains a portrait of the old French Canadian novelist. He also wrote "MÉmoires" (Ottawa, 1886, 8vo.), which have also much historic value on account of their fidelity and simplicity of narrative.

MRS. CATHERWOOD.

[48] Page 28.—Mrs. Mary Hartwell Catherwood, whose home is in Hoopeston, Ill., has so far written and published the following admirable romances of the old days of New France and Acadie:

"The Romance of Dollard." Illustrated. New York, 1889, 12mo.

"The Story of Tonty." Illustrated. Chicago, 1890, 16mo.

"The Lady of Fort St. John." Boston and New York, 1891, 16mo.

"Old Kaskaskia: An Historical Novel of Early Illinois." Boston and New York, 1893, 16mo.

She has now commenced in 'The Century' Magazine a new romance with the title, "The White Islander," a story of old Fort Michillimackinac, and in 'The Atlantic Monthly' another story, "The Chase of Saint Castin." Her romances are never long, but bear the impress of close study of the subject and of much careful writing.

GILBERT PARKER.

[49] Page 28.—He is a most industrious worker in various branches of literature in London. After a residence of a few years in Australia, where he was connected with the Sydney press, he went to England, where he wrote many sketches of Australian life which were well received. Recently he has been studying the interesting phases of French Canadian and Northwest life, and has produced, among other stories, "The Chief Factor," the principal scenes of which are laid in the great territories of the Dominion before they were opened up to the farmer, the rancher and the railway.

DE MILLE'S WORKS.

[50] Page 29.—James De Mille was a native of New Brunswick, and a professor in Dalhousie College, N. S., at the time of his death. His first work of fiction was "Helena's Household: a Tale of Rome in the First Century" (New York, 1858). His most popular works, "The Dodge Club Abroad" (1866), "Cord and Creese" (1867), "The Cryptogram" (1871), and "A Castle in Spain" (1883), first appeared in 'Harper's Monthly.' A strange, imaginative work, "A Curious MS. Found in a Copper Cylinder," was published in New York in 1888, and is understood to have been written by him. It was not until Rider Haggard's fiction became popular that the New York publishers ventured to print a book which so severely taxes the credulity of the reader. As a work of pure invention it is in some respects superior to those of the English author. Mr. De Mille died in 1880, at the age of 43, when much was expected of him. See Appleton's "Cyclo. Am. Biogr.," ii., 138, for a list of his published works except the one just mentioned.

SARA JEANNETTE DUNCAN.

[51] Page 29.—She is the author of three books. "A Social Departure" and "An American Girl in London" have had many readers and are full of promise. Miss Duncan, in company with another young lady, in 1889–90, went around the world, and made numerous contributions to the press of Canada during that tour, but its noteworthy result is the first mentioned volume. She is now married and a resident of India, whose striking aspects of social life she is studying and portraying in print. Her latest story, or rather sketch, of Indian customs, "The Simple Adventures of a Memsahib" (New York, 1893), has many touches of quiet humour. One must regret that her talent has not been directed to the incidents of Canadian life.

MATTHEW ARNOLD ON LITERATURE AND SCIENCE.

[52] Page 31.—The extract given in the text is taken from "Literature and Science," one of Mr. Matthew Arnold's "Discourses in America," published in book form in London, 1885. See pp. 90–92.

PRINCIPAL GRANT'S ADDRESS.

[53] Page 32.—This address to the Royal Society of Canada, to which reference is made in the text, is given in the ninth volume of the 'Transactions,' pp. xxxix-xl. Dr. Grant could never be uninteresting, but the address shows his ideas can now and then be a little chaotic or enigmatic. It is quite evident he has never studied with much care the volumes of the 'Transactions,' or comprehended the useful work the Society is doing in its own way. Never an active member himself, he has not done adequate justice to those who have been at all events conscientious labourers in the vineyard where he has planted no seed.

SIR J. W. DAWSON.

[54] Page 32.—This distinguished scientific man is a Nova Scotian by birth, who, before he became so closely identified with the prosperity of McGill College at Montreal as its principal, was superintendent of education in his native province. His scientific works are numerous, but the one which first brought him fame was his "Acadian Geology: an Account of the Geological Structure and Mineral Resources of Nova Scotia and Portions of the Neighbouring Provinces of British America" (Edinburgh and London, 1855, 8vo.), which has run through many editions, and is now a very large volume compared with the little modest book that first ventured into the world of literature nearly forty years ago.

MR. BILLINGS.

[55] Page 33.—He was born on his father's farm, in the township of Gloucester, near Ottawa. A bibliography, evidently prepared by his own hand, is to be found in "Bibliotheca Canadensis," pp. 31–34. His most important memoirs are on the third and fourth Decades and the PalÆozoic fossils of the Canadian Geological Survey, in which nearly all the genera and species of the fossils there described were discovered by himself.

ORIGIN OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA.

[56] Page 33.—The first volume of the 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.' (1882–83), pp. i-lxxiv., contains an account of the proceedings before and after the foundation of the Society, with the addresses in full of the Marquess of Lorne and of the first President and Vice-President of the body. On the occasion of the Montreal meeting, 1891, a handbook was largely circulated by the Citizens' Committee with the view of giving information of the object and work of the Society. It was written by Mr. John Reade, F.R.S.C., and contains a succinct history of the origin and operations of the body until May, 1891. It contains plans of McGill College grounds and of Montreal in 1759, and sketches of the old Seminary towers, St. Gabriel-street church, St. Ann's, besides some interesting facts relating to Montreal's historic places.

SIR D. WILSON, T. S. HUNT AND MR. CHAUVEAU.

[57] Page 34.—Dr. Kingsford has given a paper, "In Memoriam, on Sir Daniel Wilson" ('Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vol. xi.) in which he briefly reviews the excellent literary work and the wide culture of that eminent man. In volume ix. of the 'Trans.,' Sec. I., pp. 53–58, there is a well-written paper on the late Mr. Chauveau, by his successor, Mr. L. O. David of Montreal. The presidential address of AbbÉ Laflamme in 1892 (see 'Trans.,' vol. x.) was devoted to a review of the scientific attainments of Dr. T. Sterry Hunt.

CANADIAN SOCIETIES.

[58] Page 34.—At the present time there are over twenty Canadian scientific and literary societies associated with the Royal Society in its work. Mr. John Reade, in the "Montreal Handbook of 1891" (see Note 56), gives the following list of societies established before 1867: Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, 1824; Natural History Society of Montreal, 1827—act of incorporation five years later; Institut Canadien, Quebec, 1846; Canadian Institute, Toronto, 1851; Institut Canadien, Ottawa, 1852; Hamilton Association, 1856; SociÉtÉ Historique, MontrÉal, 1858: Nova Scotia Institute of Natural Science, 1862; Natural History Society, St. John, N.B., 1862; Numismatic and Antiquarian Society, Montreal, 1862; Entomological Society of Ontario, 1863.

THE EARL OF DERBY AND THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA.

[58a] Page 42.—Four years ago you were good enough, in offering me the position of your honorary president, to ask the sympathy and encouragement which the governor-general, as Her Majesty's representative, might rightly be asked to manifest towards the representatives of science and of the liberal arts. I am afraid that my contributions to literature and science have been few. I do not know they are such as would have merited the notice of the Royal Society, but I can assure you that none of the members of your body take a deeper interest in all that concerns the welfare of your Society than he who is now laying down the office of honorary president. (Cheers.) There were some persons who considered that in a comparatively new country like Canada it was ambitious on her part when the foundations of the Royal Society were laid, but there must be a beginning of all things, and I think I may appeal to the work which has been and is being done by the different branches of the Society as evidence that its establishment was in no sense premature, but that it was fittingly determined that the progress of science and literature should take place coincidently with that of the country. In a new country like this—I think you have touched upon it in your address—there is a great tendency to further one's material wants, to promote trade and commerce, and to put aside, as it were, literature and the sciences; but here the Royal Society has stepped in and done good work by uniting those who were scattered by distance and who find in the meetings of our Society a convenient opportunity of coming together for the exchanging of ideas and renewing of those friendships which, though perhaps only yearly meetings permit, are nevertheless enduring. If we look back we shall best see what good work is being done. If we could imagine the existence of such a society as this in the older countries in olden times, what a mine of wealth of information would have been afforded us! We see that from the very first, whether in literature, which forms so important a part in our Society; whether it be in the constitutional studies, in which our President is such an adept—and I was glad to see his authority has been quoted on the other side of the Atlantic as well as on this—whether it be in the literature of the chivalrous pioneers of France, who first led the way into the unbroken wilderness, or whether it be in the latter days of constitutional progress of this country and its relations both to the old world and the country growing up alongside of us.

In literature, history and poetry, also, the Society will from the first have its stamp, as we trust, upon the future of the Canadian race. (Cheers.) That science and the arts to an equal extent may find a place here is our earnest wish, in order that by sentiment and feeling we may bind together in the closest ties that by which she must achieve a great and enduring success. I must not detain you from your other duties, but I could not refrain from saying in a few words how heartily and truly I appreciate and believe in the work of the Royal Society. At your next meeting, as you truly say, I fear I shall not be amongst you; but though the Atlantic may roll between us, you may be certain that in spirit, at least, I hope to be present at your meeting, and shall follow with the liveliest and deepest interest any record you may be good enough to send me of what takes place on that occasion. * * * * * I appeal not the less to my French colleagues than to my English ones in all matters which relate to the welfare of the Society. Science, art and literature, it is true, are cosmopolitan, but they are well knit together in this Society. We who have experienced in Canada the hospitality of its people are grateful for it. We have admired the greatness of the resources of this country, and we look forward to a society like this as having ample work to do in the future. As in every respect Canada seems to be disposed always to take a forward part, so I hope the Royal Society will ever press on to a higher and higher goal; and, gentlemen, I can wish to the Royal Society, to all my friends and brothers of the Society, to whom I once more tender my hearty thanks, no greater blessing than, like Canada itself, that they may be happy, united and prosperous. (Loud and prolonged cheers.)

S. E. DAWSON ON TENNYSON.

[59] Page 40.—"A Study, with Critical and Explanatory Notes, of Lord Tennyson's Poem, The Princess." By S. E. Dawson. Montreal, 1882, 12mo. 2nd ed. 1884. The preface contains a long and interesting letter from the poet, which "throws some light upon some important literary questions regarding the manner and method of the poet's working." Tennyson describes the "Study" truly as an "able and thoughtful essay."

THE OLD 'CANADIAN MONTHLY.'

[60] Page 40.—It first appeared in Toronto in 1872 (Adam Stevenson & Co.), soon after Prof. Goldwin Smith took up his permanent residence in that western city. Much of its reputation for years necessarily depended on the contributions of a writer who, if he has failed to identify himself of late with the national or Canadian sentiment of the people, has at all events done something in the past to improve the style of Canadian littÉrateurs and to elevate the tone of journalism. The 'Monthly' was the ablest successor of a long list of literary aspirants in the same field, the majority of which had a still shorter existence. See Bourinot's "Intellectual Development of the Canadian People" (Toronto, 1881), chap. iv. and 'Canadian Monthly,' March, 1881.

FORM OF ROYAL SOCIETY 'TRANSACTIONS.'

[61] Page 42.—Since the delivery of the presidential address the Royal Society decided by a considerable majority—chiefly made up of the two scientific sections—to continue the quarto form for the present. Under these circumstances the compromise suggested may be adopted—that of printing separate editions of important monographs and works from time to time by some understanding with the author.

THE STUDY OF THE CLASSICS.

[62] Page 49.—The following is a fuller quotation from Prof. Goldwin Smith's very apposite remarks delivered before the Classical Association of Ontario (see 'The Week,' April 28th, 1893): "No age has stood more in need of humanizing culture than this, in which physical culture reigns. One of the newspapers the other day invited us to take part in a symposium the subject of which was 'How to Produce a Perfect Man.' The problem was large, but one help to its solution might have been a reminder to keep the balance. A romantic age stands in need of science, a scientific and utilitarian age stands in need of the humanities. Darwin avows that poetry gave him no pleasure whatever. This surely was a loss, unless the whole side of things which poetry denotes is dead and gone, nothing but dry science being left us; in which case the generations that are coming may have some reason, with all their increase of knowledge and power, to wish that they had lived nearer the youth of the world." See supra, Note 1, for Mr. Lowell's remarks on the same subject.

CANADIAN LIBRARIES.

[63] Page 53.—Some interesting facts as to the evolution of libraries in the Dominion can be gathered by reference to Bourinot's "Intellectual Development in Canada" (Toronto, 1831); Canniff Haight's "Country Life in Canada Fifty Years Ago"; Dr. Canniff's "History of Ontario"; and Dr. Kingsford's "Early Bibliography of Ontario." The principal results of the Ontario law providing for the establishment of free libraries by votes of ratepayers in a community have been the opening of two excellent libraries in Hamilton and Toronto—the latter under the judicious superintendence of Mr. James Bain.

CANADIAN ARTISTS.

[64] Page 54.—An Art Society was founded in Upper Canada as far back as 1841, but its exhibitions were necessarily representative of British works of art. The present Art Association was founded in Montreal in 1860, and the Ontario School of Arts, which is doing excellent work, twelve years later, with its headquarters in Toronto. The Royal Canadian Academy, mentioned in the text, was established in 1880. The influence of these and two or three minor institutions in Canada has been on the whole in the direction of stimulating art, but their efforts are not adequately encouraged by government or people in the provinces.

The following is a list of the painters in oils and water colours whose pictures now make the principal features of the annual exhibitions in Ontario and Quebec, and the majority of whom were inadequately represented at Chicago: F. A. Verner, whose Indian and Canadian scenes are excellent; H. M. Matthews, who has made a high reputation for his Rocky Mountain paintings; L. R. O'Brien, essentially the most finished painter of picturesque Canada; T. Mower Martin, an industrious painter of wild sports and Canadian scenery; E. Wyley Grier, who has done some good work in portraits and natural scenery; W. Brymner, one of the most promising younger painters of Canadian scenes: George Reid, whose "Foreclosure of the Mortgage" is one of the best pictures produced in the Dominion; John Hammond of St. John, N.B., a painter of water life; Percy Woodcock, whose efforts at sketches of Canadian rural life are praiseworthy: F. M. Bell-Smith, who has a decided artistic faculty for the portraiture of our noblest scenery; Homer Watson, a favourite for his rustic landscapes and romantic pastorals; J. W. L. Forster, in some respects the best figure painter, but also capable of good landscapes; G. Bruenech, a careful artist of scenery; Ernest Thompson, who has made some good efforts at prairie subjects; J. C. Forbes, who painted Mr. Gladstone's portrait, and is one of the best artists of the class that Canada has so far known; W. Raphael and O. R. Jacobi, two of the oldest and best known painters of Canadian landscape. To these we must add Miss Minnie A. Bell, A. Watson, Miss Sidney S. Tully, Mrs. M. H. Reid, J. T. Rolph, R. F. Gagen, T. C. McGillivray Knowles, Forshaw Day, L. Huot, Mlle. Colombier, E. Dyonnet, C. Macdonald Manly, D. P. MacKillsan, J. W. Morrice, A. D. Patterson, Miss G. F. Spurr, F. S. Challener, Paul J. Wickson, Mrs. M. B. Screiber, W. Revell, D. Fowler, Miss E. May Martin, Miss Laura Muntz, Miss F. M. Bell-Smith, Miss Florence Carlyle, Miss I. M. F. Adams, Owen P. Staples, Mrs. M. E. Dignam, Charles Alexander, W. E. Atkinson, J. C. Mills, J. A. Fraser (in New York), Carl Ahrens, W. A. Sherwood, Miss Fannie Sutherland, T. C. V. Ede, H. Sandham (in New York), Mr. Harvey, Mr. Cruickshank, Mr. Seavey, A. Cox, Miss Edwards, J. Griffith, Colin Scott, J. Wilson, James Smith, C. J. Way, F. Brownell, A. P. Coleman, R. Harris, Miss Holden and Miss Houghton. Many of these artists, whose merits, of course, vary much, are not native Canadians. One of the strongest landscape painters, Mr. Matthews, is an Englishman, who has now, after some years, thoroughly understood the light and colour of Canadian scenery. O'Brien, Brymner, L. Huot, Forbes, Forster, Pinhey, Sidney Tully, G. Harris, Gagen, Knowles, Watson, Alexander, A. D. Patterson, C. M. Manly, E. May Martin and George Reid are Canadians. G. T. Berthon, who died recently in Toronto at an advanced age, and was known as a painter of numerous portraits, the best of which are to be seen in Osgoode Hall, was of French origin and education. Raphael is German by birth and education. Jacobi is a painter of the Dusseldorf school, and was at one time employed in the court of the King of Bavaria. Bruenech is a native, I understand, of Denmark, though educated in Canada. E. W. Grier is an Englishman by birth and education, with a knowledge of French art derived from study in Paris. So is Ernest Thompson, who also studied in Paris. Mower Martin is an Englishman, educated in that country and in Canada, with whose scenery he has been always enamoured. Carl Ahrens was born and educated in the United States. Miss Minnie Bell and Miss Laura Muntz are among the most promising younger artists of Canada. Both were born and received their elementary education in Canada. Miss Bell, after studying in Paris, is now in Montreal. Miss Muntz is still studying in Paris. Robert Harris is a native of Prince Edward Island. Mr. N. Bourassa, who is a French Canadian artist, has of late years devoted himself to ecclesiastical decoration. His best work is to be seen in the architecture and decoration of the churches of Notre Dame de Nazareth and Notre Dame de Lourdes, in Montreal, and he has the credit of having first applied probably in America "the art of painting to the adornment of Christian churches in the broad and thorough manner so common at one period in central Italy." (See Dr. S. E. Dawson's "Handbook of Canada," Montreal, 1888, pp. 183, 184.) The influence of the French schools of painting can be seen in the best works of Paul Peel (now dead), Forster, Harris, Geo. Reid and John Pinhey (born at Ottawa), all of whom have had success at the salons. At the present time there are some twenty-five Canadians, more or less, studying in Paris, and the majority are French Canadians. In fact, the French schools draw students from Canada as well as from the United States, and England is relatively ignored. The artistic temperament is more stimulated by the ateliers and the student life of Paris than among the more business-like and cold surroundings of a student in London. In sculpture the names are very few, Hamilton McCarthy, HÉbert and Dunbar having alone done meritorious work, but of these three HÉbert is the only native Canadian. One of the very first painters to draw attention, years ago, to Canadian scenery, especially to the wonderfully vivid tints of autumn, was Krieghoff, whose pictures have been so much copied that it is difficult now to tell the originals from the reproductions. He was, however, not a native Canadian but a Swiss painter from the German-speaking cantons, I believe. The name of Paul Kane (born in Toronto) will be always identified with Indian life and customs, and as the pioneer of art in Canada. A fine collection of his paintings is in the possession of Hon. G. W. Allan, who has always taken an active interest in the development of art in the city of which he has been so long an honoured citizen.

Among other Canadian artists who laboured in the commencement of art studies in this country may be mentioned the following: DulongprÉ, Samuel Berczy, Audy, William Berczy, Vincent Zacharie Thelariolin (Indian of Lorette, 1812–1886), Hamel, Carey, T. H. Burnett, J. J. Girouard, P. Leber—many of whose artistic efforts are already forgotten though their work was meritorious. With respect to Berthon, the following note by Col. G. T. Denison, F.R.S.C., of Toronto, which I have received since writing of the artist above, will be of interest: "His father was a court painter under the great Napoleon, and several of his pictures are now in Versailles. He was a Frenchman, and I think was in Vienna when his son, my old friend, was born; for I am under the impression Berthon told me he was born in Vienna. I think he was brought up in France, and went to London when comparatively young, and there set up as a portrait painter. He was induced to come out to Canada about the year 1843 or 1844, and settled in Toronto soon after, where he died about a year ago, over eighty years of age. He was certainly, when in his prime, the best portrait painter we ever had in Canada, and in my opinion was better than most of the men of great celebrity in London to-day."

The successful artists at the World's Fair, where 113 works in all were presented from Canada, were the following: Mr. G. Reid, whose great picture mentioned above could not fail to attract much notice, Mr. Harris, Mr. Ede, Miss Holden and Mr. J. A. Fraser. This is satisfactory in view of the fact that the best work of the majority of leading Canadian artists was not represented in the exhibition. Apart from Mr. Reid's painting, the pictures that were signalled out for special notice were not equal in some respects to other efforts of the same artists that have been seen in our annual exhibitions.

In closing this note I cannot do better than give the following judicious remarks on art in Canada, delivered before the Canadian Institute, by an able Canadian artist, J. W. L. Forster: "The art of Canada to-day is a mingling of elements.... The influence of the old world may be seen in the work of many who cherish still the precepts of their masters. Yet it is due to those who have adopted Canada as their home to say they are as Canadian in the faithful reproduction of the pure glories of our climate as those who first saw the sun in our own sky. Our native artists who have studied abroad are much inclined to paint a Canadian sky with the haze of Western Europe, and our verdure, too, as though it grew upon foreign soil. Our art is not Canadian.... Material is certainly not wanting, nor motif of the grander order. The first requisite is for a stronger national spirit. Events are slowly developing this; and the signs are full of promise in this direction. The second great need is for a museum equipped with well-chosen specimens of the world's art. Our government and citizens are establishing schools of industrial and fine art, yet when we would point our pupils to examples of pure art, lo! there are none; and when we would know what art has been, in order to discover what art may be, we must go as exiles and pilgrims to foreign cities. A museum that gives the best of their art history and achievement will greatly strengthen our hope and give rein to our ambition. A third need is for capable and generous criticism. There are many men whose discernment and sympathies fit them eminently for the role of art critic; but as yet journalism has not opened wide the door to advancement in such a specialty."

ARCHITECTURAL ART.

[64a] Page 57.—While Canadian architecture is generally wanting in originality of conception, yet it affords many good illustrations of the effective adaptation of the best art of Europe to the principal edifices of the large cities. These are the most noteworthy public buildings:

In Ottawa.—The parliament and departmental buildings, admirable examples of Italian Gothic of the 13th century, with a fine central tower, the effect of which has been marred by a later tower in the western block out of harmony with the general design of an otherwise perfect group.

In Quebec.—The legislative building in the French style of the 17th century, noteworthy for its niches containing statues of men famous in French Canadian history.

In Montreal.—The parish church of Notre Dame, on the Place d'Armes, of a simple Gothic style, attractive for its stateliness and massiveness.

Christ Church Cathedral, on St. Catherine street, worthy of study as an admirable specimen of the early English style of ecclesiastical architecture, exhibiting unity of design and correctness of proportions.

Notre Dame de Lourdes, whose interior has been already spoken of (see preceding note); a good example of the Byzantine order, combined with effects of the Italian Renaissance recalling Venetian architecture.

The Montreal Bank, on St. James street, an artistic illustration of the Corinthian order, with an interior interesting for the artistic effort to illustrate on the walls remarkable scenes in Canadian history.

The Canadian Pacific Station, on Windsor street, a fine example of an adaptation of old Norman architecture to modern necessities.

In Toronto.—The University, perhaps the best example in America of a modern conception of Norman architecture, with a tower of much beauty.

Trinity University, whose graceful Tudor-Gothic design, in which the tower is a conspicuous feature, is marred by the clumsy projection of a later chapel building, entirely out of harmony with the admirable front.

Osgoode Hall, of the Ionic order, modified by additions of the Italian Renaissance.

St. Andrew's Church, a combination of the Norman and Byzantine orders, more suitable for a great library or a hall than an ecclesiastical edifice. As a specimen of architecture, apart from its purpose, it is harmonious and artistic.

The new legislative buildings, which are the most pretentious in Canada after the Ottawa parliament house, are a praiseworthy effort to illustrate the Romanesque, with details of the Celtic and Indo-Germanic schools.

The Methodist Metropolitan Church, a judicious example of a modern form of the Gothic style which distinguished the 13th century in France. It is at once simple and harmonious in its general design, and has a massive tower which adds to the general effect of the whole structure.

St. James's Church, often cited as a good example of ecclesiastical Gothic, with a graceful and well-proportioned tower and steeple, conspicuous from all points of view.

In Hamilton.—The court-house is in some respects the best designed of its kind in Canada. The head office of the Canada Life Assurance Company is noteworthy for its graceful simplicity, in its way not equalled in Canada.

In Fredericton.—The Church of England Cathedral, a perfect specimen, on a small scale, of pure early English Gothic on the Continent.

The new library building which McGill University owes to the public spirit of Mr. Redpath, of Montreal, is distinguished by the graceful simplicity of its external form, and the conveniences of its beautiful interior. Apart from this fine edifice, however, and the parliamentary library at Ottawa, whose external design is harmonious and whose internal fittings illustrate the effectiveness of our natural woods, Canada has no such libraries—in special buildings I mean—noteworthy for beauty of architecture and convenience of arrangements as we find among our neighbours, illustrating their public and private spirit. Neither have we an art gallery of special architectural features, for the building at Montreal is simple in the extreme. Such as it is, however, it is an object of imitation to other cities in Canada.

"FIDELIS."

[65] Page 60.—The poetic citation which closes the presidential address is taken from Miss Machar's ("Fidelis") verses on "Dominion Day," which appear in "Songs of the Great Dominion," pp. 15–17, and merit a wide audience for their patriotic spirit and poetic taste.

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