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PREFATORY NOTE
This series of papers has been
prepared in accordance with a plan marked out by the writer, some
years ago of taking up, from time to time, certain features of the
social, political and industrial progress of the Dominion. Essays on
the Maritime Industry and the National Development of Canada have
been read before the Royal Colonial Institute in England, and have
been so favourably received by the Press of both countries, that the
writer has felt encouraged to continue in the same course of study,
and supplement his previous efforts by an historical review of the
intellectual progress of the Canadian people.
HOUSE OF COMMONS,
OTTAWA,
February 17th, 1881.
CONTENTS
Chapter I. - Effect of Social and
Political Changes on Mental Development -
Introductory Remarks--Conditions of Settlement in Canada--Her
History divided into three Periods--First Period, under the French
Regime; Second, from the Conquest to the Union of 1840; Third, from
1840 to 1867--New Period since Confederation--Intellectual Lethargy
in New France--Influence of U. K. Loyalists on Political and Social
Life of the Canadian Provinces--Formation of two Governments in the
East and West--Effect of Parliamentary Institutions on the Public
Intelligence --Remarkable impulse given to Canadian Communities by
the Union of 1840--Difficulties of the Old Settlers--Results of the
improvement of Internal Intercourse, the growth of Education and
Political Progress--Population in 1760, 1840 and 1870--Rapid
increase of the Professional and Educated Classes--Wider Field of
Thought and Activity opened to Canadians by Confederation--Effect of
Climatic Influences on National Development--Distinctive traits of
French Canadians--Influence of Union of Races--Usefulness of
Religious Teachers in early times--Labours of the
Journalist--Influence of Political Discussion-- Development of
Public Intelligence through the extension of Political Rights.
Chapter II. - Education
State of Education under the French Regime--Its slow progress after
the Conquest--Schools in Upper Canada--Dr. Strachan's famous Academy
--Stimulus given to Public Schools by the Union of 1840--Schools in
the Maritime Provinces--Higher Education in Canada--The Quebec
Seminary--King's College--Roman Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian
Institutions--First Colleges in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick--Laval
University--Kingston Military College and other Educational
Experiments--Female Colleges--Statistics of Educational Progress--
Status of Teachers--Defects of the Public School System--Review of
the University System--Advantages of Special Professional Courses as
in Germany--A National University.
Chapter III. - Journalism
Influence of the Newspaper Press on the Intellect of the
Country--First Newspapers in Canada--Review of Political Journalism
up to 1840--Quebec Gazette, Montreal Gazette_, Quebec Mercury, Le
Canadien, etc.--Journalists of mark in old times--Gary, Bedard,
Neilson, Mackenzie, Horne, Fothergill, Gurnett, Dalton, Parnt--Mrs.
Jameson on the Upper Canada Press--Advent of Joseph Howe--Journalism
since 1840--Sir Francis Hincks--The Globe and Hon. George Brown--Le
Journal de Quebec and Hon. Joseph Cauchon--The New Era and Hon.
D'Arcy McGee--The Hamilton Spectator, Toronto Leader and other
Journals of note established--Oldest Newspapers in Canada--Number of
Papers, and their probable total Circulation--Influential Journals
since 1867--Leading Journalists--The Religious Press--Illustrated
Papers--Influence of the Press in Canada--Its Improvement in tone
and its great Enterprise--The Old and New Times, as illustrated in
two Toronto Papers.
Chapter IV. - Native Literature
Society in New France--Intellectual lethargy--First Books published
after the Conquest--Bouchette's Works--New Era in French Canadian
Letters--Periodicals, Histories, Poems--Garneau, Ferland, Cremazie,
Frechette--Antiquarian Research--Canadian Ballads--Literary Progress
of English-speaking People--Society previous to the Union of
1840--Early Libraries and Magazines--Authors of Repute--'Sam
Slick'--Professor Dawson--Charles Heavysege--Poetry--Romance--History--Miscellaneous
Works of Merit--Mr. Alpheus Todd's Constitutional Researches--
Contributions to Colonial Literature by Public Men--Talent in the
Legislature--Results of a Century of Progress summed up--Mental
Activity among the Intelligent and Educated Classes--Increasing
Issue of Works and Pamphlets from Canadian Press--Signs of General
Culture--Public Libraries--Literary and Scientific
Societies--Mechanics' Institutes--School Libraries--A Grand
Opportunity for the Rich Men of Canada--Literary, Artistic and
Scientific Topics engaging greater Attention--Writers of
Intellectual Power on the Increase--Encouraging Signs of
Intellectual Development--Brighter Auguries for the Future. |
