Mother Incarnation and her first co-workers, that those patriarchal
families whose type still persists in our time, were formed in the early
days of the colony. The same services were rendered by Sister Bourgeoys
to the government of Montreal.

FOOTNOTES:

[7] Allusion to a verse of the poet Boileau.

[8] _History of the United States_, Vol. II., page 821.




CHAPTER XI

A TROUBLED ADMINISTRATION


A thorough study of history and the analysis of the causes and effects
of great historical events prove to us that frequently men endowed with
the noblest qualities have rendered only slight services to their
country, because, blinded by the consciousness of their own worth, and
the certainty which they have of desiring to work only for the good of
their country, they have disdained too much the advice of wise
counsillors. With eyes fixed upon their established purpose, they
trample under foot every obstacle; and every man who differs from their
opinion is but a traitor or an imbecile: hence their lack of moderation,
tact and prudence, and their excess of obstinacy and violence. To select
one example among a thousand, what marvellous results would have been