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