in 1616. The unflagging efforts which he continued to
put forth on behalf of the starving colony at Quebec
demand all praise. But the years during which he was
incessantly engaged in exploration show him at the height
of his powers, with health still unimpaired by exposure
and with a soul that courted the unknown. Moreover, this
is the period for which we have his own narrative in
fullest detail.

Even were we seeking to set down every known fact regarding
Champlain's early life the task would not be long. Parkman,
in referring to his origin, styles him 'a Catholic
gentleman,' with not even a footnote regarding his
parentage. [Footnote: It is hard to define Champlain's
social status in a single word. Parkman, besides styling
him 'a Catholic gentleman,' speaks of him elsewhere as
being 'within the pale of the noblesse.' On the other
hand, the Biographie Saintongeoise says that he came from
a family of fishermen. The most important facts would
seem to be these. In Champlain's own marriage contract
his father is styled 'Antoine de Champlain, Capitaine de
la Marine.' The same document styles Champlain himself
'Samuel de Champlain.' A petition in which he asks for
a continuation of his pension (circ. 1630) styles him in
its opening words 'Le Sieur de Champlain' and afterwards
'le dit sieur Champlain' in two places, while in six
places it styles him 'le dit sieur de Champlain.' Le
Jeune calls him 'Monsieur de Champlain.' It is clear that
he was not a noble. It is also clear that he possessed
sufficient social standing to warrant the use of de. On