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.




CHAPTER I.

EFFECT OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CHANGES ON MENTAL DEVELOPMENT.