Journal of education, 1 février 1869, Février - Mars

» «gjjkgJSg T H E JOURNAL OF EDUCATION.Devoted to Education, Literature, Science, and the Arts.Volume XIII.Quebec, Province of Quebec, February aud March, 1869.Nos.2 and 3.TABLE OP CONTENTS.EDUCATION.page John Bright on Education in England.17 The Dignity of the Teacher’s Profession.19 The Rewards of the Teacher.” What Every Young Man Should Do.20 Children’s Selfishness.” Permanent Teachers—.” The Most Precious Possession.The True Life.21 Enduring Influence of Human Actions.22 Why I Want the Boys to Learn Farming.Horace Grocly.” LITERATURE.Poetry,—The finding of Christ in the Temple, by Mrs.Lcprohon.23 Watt Institution and Schools of Arts, Edinburgh.” Fronch Canadian Poets, (ooncludod) Lecture by tho Rcvd.Æn.McD.Dawson 24 Canadian History Memoirs of the Richelieu.28 SCIENCE.Tho Origin of Minute Lifo by Ilonry J.Slack, F.G.S.29 Address of Principal Dawson before the Nat.Hist.Society, Montreal.31 ART.Tho Now Art of Fresco-Painting.Imitation Marble.32 OFFICIAL NOTICES.Appointments School Commissioners.Erections.Ac., of School Municipalities.Diplomas Grantod by Boards of Examiners.Teachers Wanted.33 EDITORIAL.To Our Correspondents.33 Meeting of American Philologists.34 Technical Education and Scientific Schools in the United States.” Visit of Ilis Excellency Sir John Young to McGill University, Museum of the Natural History Society, Monklands, and Tho Christian Brothers.35 Quebec Literary and Historical Society.37 Annual Report of the Superintendent of Education.Province of Nova Scotia for 1868.39 Canadian Publishers and Canadian Authors.40 Publications and Exchanges Received.42 MONTHLY SUMMARY.Educational, Literary, Scientific, Arts, Nocrological, Miscellaneous, and Motoorological Intolligonco.42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48 Advertisements.»> EDUCATION.John Bright On Education In England.“We are, ” said Mr Bright, “ according to the admission of all the world, a great nation.We have a population within these islands of thirty millions of people.We control the destinies to a large extent of nearly two hundred millions of men in other and distant portions of the globe.We have wealth which some people believe, and those who levy and decree the taxes appear to believe, to be inexhaustible.We have power which stretches to the ends of the earth.The English language, our English literature, our English morals, and our English freedom, affect the interests of mankind, not in those countries only that are subject to our sway, hut in every part of the earth’s surface where a civilized man or family exists.But though this is a grand picture, of which we are and ought constantly to be proud, yet, if we look at home, with all our greatness and all our wealth, we find amongst our population a mass of poverty, and of ignorance, and of suffering of which a Christian nation ought to be ashamed.I agree with an opinion which has been frequently expressed by my fiiend Mr Dixon, that at the basis of this vast mass of suffering which we would relieve is to be found the great ignorance in which two or three, or more millions of our people are brought up.What we want, at the very basis of society, is more intelligence, more instruction, more self-respect, and more hope.There are multitudes amongst us who are born and who live even to old age without apparently the slightest hope of improving their condition.Now, I have been an advocate for Parliamentary Keform especially with this object : that we might call in the great body of the people to frame the Parliament which shall govern us, chiefly for this purpose—that we might devise such a policy and such a .means as shall, if possible, lay hold of this vast mass of ignorance and raise it many degrees in the social scale, and remove from amongst us that which is a discredit and a shame to our civilization and to our religion.“ I said that three years would not pass after the householders of tho Uuited Kingdom were enfranchised, before we should seo some grand effort to give to the lowest, the humblest, the poorest classes of the community, that instruction, and the equal of that, which is given to the children of what are called the middle classes.I am weary, as I travel through the country, of looking upon the vast fabrics that rise up, which are, if you ask their names, poorhouses or lunatic asylums.We ought to have —throughout the length and breadth of a great and intelligent country like this— we ought to have buildings which shall strike the eye of every traveller through the country, and every foreigner who visits it, which shall he consecrated to'the greatest 18 THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION [February and March, and noblest of all purposes—that of instructing the great mass of the people, and raising them up to the position to which they have a right to aspire, and which God intends them to occupy.Up to thirty years ago, we had no pretence even to a system of general education.The voluntary system, as it is called, because it had no organization, was shewn to have entirely failed.There were many persons who thought it needless or dangerous to educate the working classes.Less than a hundred years ago, Dr.Johnson said something of this kind—that it was a very difficult thing to say how far the education of the masses of the people might be carried with a view to their own advantage, and to the safety of those above them.There was a general impression that some things which men consider venerable, I suppose because they are old, might not be safe if the people were so far instructed as to be able fairly to examine them, and particularly to look at their foundations.But thirty years ago an effort was made—a small and feeble effort.It was small and feeble to a great extent because the party to which we are opposed resisted the attempt.But an attempt was made by the distribution of funds voted by Parliament to establish or encourage the establishment of schools in many parts of the country.The system had one great source of weakness.It proposed only to give money to districts where money was already raised; and, therefore, in those districts which are poorest, in which there are no rich and benevolent men willing to give—to those districts the hand of the Government did not reach ; and the poorest of all, the most needy of all, were left unprovided for in this system of Government education.I put it to the heartand head of every man here, whether, during the last thirty years, far less has not been done than should have been done, and whether much more does not remain to be done than has ever yet been attempted.Shall I be mistaken in the prediction, that within three years after the extension of the franchise we should have some attempt to establish a grand system of education throughout the kingdom ?“ (Jannot we apply to the ignorance of the people some scheme of great reform, which all men shall think worth attempting and accepting, and which all men shall feel will, if established and adopted, change the whole face and the whole character of large portions of the population, within another or a succeeding generation ?What do people do in other countries ?I will not go into the particulars of some of the German States, or what is done in Prussia, or what is done in Switzerland.But L might say what was done in some of the Australian colonies, and what has been done for generations in the New England States.I will suppose that our counties are too irregular in size and population,—too extensive, many of them,—to form anything like a well-working municipality for purposes of education.Our parishes are so irregular also, in extent and population, that they probably would not be a good division of the country for this purpose.But we have Poor-law unions, which probably might afford a basis for the establishment of such a system as I would recommend.Every ratepayer now in a burgh has a vote ; every ratepayer in a poor-law union has, or might have, a vote.What should prevent the- passing of a law to enable the ratepayers of every poor law union to elect a certain number of their residents as a school committee, for the purpose of undertaking the great work of establishing in the local district the general system of education to which we are approaching?If a committee were appointed, I presume it would be chosen from the intelligent and earnest men of the district.They could easily have a map of the union.The population is known.Every school now existing might be marked upon this map, and it would easily be seen where there is a deficiency of schools.Then there comes the question of funds.It would be possible for the Act of Parliament to give the school committee so elected power to borrow a sufficient sum of money, within a reasonable time, to put up sufficient buildings for schoolhouses, and to levy from all the property of the district a sufficient rate to repay in time the money borrowed, and at the same time to support the schools.But I shall be asked what I would do with the present schools.I would leave them at present as they are.They would work on, doing their meritorious work, and without interfering with any of the new schools which would be created.But the new system would fill up every gap, would supply every want, would fill up every system which is now meagre, and poor to the last degree ; and the schools established by this new law would bo able to furnish the other schools with all the implements of instruction, such as books and maps, in a manner so complete and so admirable, and the shools thus established would be in all points so good, that gradually all disinclination on the part of friends of the present schools would vanish ; and I look to the time,—and not at a iemote period,—when all the existing schools,—I am speaking now of schools more for the working classes than for the richer people,—would be given up to the new and general system, until at last the whole education of the country would be placed under the general, broad system of district or municipal management.Every man who paid would have the greatest interest in the school being well managed, and every working man whose children attended the school would look upon it as the very saviour of his family from so many disasters which now happen ; and I believe it would be impossible to devise anything which would be of greater and more permanent value to the whole population of the kingdom.I recollect, some years ago, speaking to the American Minister, who was the son and the grandson of Presidents of the United States, and he received his education in their common schools.The material by which their education is conveyed,—their books, and so on,—very far exceed anything we know of.The best school books we have are those prepared by the National Board of Education in Ireland, but the educational school books of New England, which I have examined are, on the whole, superior to them.I do not underrate the difficulty of doing in this country all that we want for education.There is always difficulty in great achievements ; there is great difficulty in every great step which the nation makes forward ; but, though there be a difficulty, is it one that we cannot surmount ?And if you look forward and behold all the population, brought up two, or three, or four years in good schools of this kind, let me ask you, fathers of families,—and if your wives were here I would ask them, mothers of your families,—whether a better system of instruction for your children would not be of incalculable advantage to them and even to you ?I may be told that the great difficulty is called the religious difficulty.Perhaps it is.But that is a difficulty which every day is lessening.(1) “ Possibly some persons may think that there are rates enough, and to add a school rate would be only to add burden to burden.But let me remind you that, as the school rate would rise if it were well employed, the poor rate and the criminal rate would fall.Every man in the kingdom knows perfectly well that the want of instruction is the cause of a very large amount of the intemperance, the profligacy, the idleness, the poverty, and the crime by which our country is disfigured.Besides, we all know that those who have property would always feel not only that their property was more secure, but that it was more valuable, in the midst of an instructed population.We should not so often hear from judges and from associations established for the purpose of promoting education, with regard to the crime and suffering which are found in our towns.We are a great people now, but how much greater should we be then ! We are a people of great wealth, but how much greater would our wealth, be then ! For every instructed man is twice the instrument for the production of wealth that an uninstructed man is, and the enormous waste which is caused in this country by the recklessness and idleness, and the intemperance of the uninstructed is incalculable.I take this opportunity to make this statement because I feel, I think, a greater responsibility with regard to the course taken by the great constituencies probably than most other men in this country.I am told by my friends that I (1) Mr.Bright of course refers to England. 18G9.] FOR THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC.19 have, with more labour, with greater pertinacity, with more elaborate speeches, urged the enfranchisement of my countrymen than any other man.I have not done this that I might be for a moment the favourite or the idol of the multitude.My speeches during the last twenty five years have been as free from flattery of the poor as from submission to the rich.But, feeling this responsibility, and having you before me, and this great constituency about to pronounce a great verdict, I venture to tell you what I think ought to be done, and what the constituency of Birmingham, acting with the other great counstituencies in the kingdom, may soon do, and that you may give the lie to every man who said it was not safe to trust you with the franchise.The great council of the nation is now summoned, and this question of education is one of the greatest and foremost questions which you will be called upon to decide.“ I have proposed to-day a scheme, not with any elaboration, not with any pretence that it is not capable of great improvement, but one which would, I think, be the basis of a scheme by which we should stretch out a hand to the poorest and the humblest, and the most degraded, and the most hopeless, and say, ‘ Friend and brother, come up to the level on which we stand.’ And in taking this course—and it is the course that I have ever taken during my public life—I have appealed, not to the prejudices of mv country-men, but to their intelligence and to their virtue; and it is to this great quality that I appeal now, and I have the most undoubting confidence that you will listen to that appeal.The world is a great deal better than it was, and England is a great deal better than it was, and Birmingham is a great deal better than it was.One of our poets has said—and I take comfort in remembering his words— ‘ The time has gone by when oppressions and error, Like the mist on the mountains, enveloped the world j The time has gone by when the demon of terror, Leagued with wild superstition, his banners unfurled.’ And I can see in the course of this and of other contests that greater and nobler principles are constantly, from year to year, making their way, and taking their seats in the very hearts of this people.Depend upon it that it is not a question between this man and that man : it is a question of great and solemn principles, of great and solemn import to you, and to your families, and to your posterity.We are fighting no mean battle.It is a battle of light as against darkness ; it is a battle of justice against selfishness; it is a battle of instruction and intelligence against prejudice and against wrong.— The Museum.The Dignity of the Teacher'* Profession.In the Western Monthly published in Chicago, we find an excellent address, entitled “ The Education of the.lleart,” from the pen of lion.Schuyler Colfax, Vice President of the United States, from which we make the following extract : if:******** “ Of all the earthly professions, I know of none more honorable, more useful, wider reaching in its influence, than the profession of the teacher.If faithful in this vocation, they have a right to claim, as John Howard did, that their monument should be a sun-dial, not ceasing to be useful even after death.They are to so fill the fountains of the minds committed to their charge, that thence shall ever flow streams fertilizing and beneficent ; and they are to be the exemplars for the young before them in healthful, moral influence, which is the foundation of character.“ As no one is fit to be an officer in war who has not heroic blood in his veins, or to be an artist who has no aesthetic taste, or to be a poet who does not understand the power of rhythm or meter, or to be a historian or a statesman without a broad and comprehensive mind, so no one should be a teacher who has not a heart full of love for the profession, and an energy and enthu- siasm willing joyously to confront all its responsibilities.It requires great patience, untiring industry, abounding kindness pure unselfishness, and fidelity to duty and principle.And when happily combined, success is absolutely assured.“ And first let me say, as children resemble their parents in feature, so will they resemble in character the teacher who trains their youthful years.If that teacher has an excess of the gall of bitterness instead of the milk of human kindness, its daily exhibition will assist in the development of the evil side of all who witness it.But if, on the contrary, he or she bring sunshine into the room when they enter — diffuses happiness, by genial conduct, on all around them — plays on the heartstrings of their pupils by the mystic power of love - -the very atmosphere they thus create will be warm with affection and trusting confidence ; and that better nature which is ever struggling in us for the mastery over evil, will be strengthened and developed into an activity which will give it healthful power for all after life.“ It is for this reason the teacher should ever be just what he would have his pupils become, that they may learn by the precept of example, as well as by the precept of instruction.He should find the way to the heart of every one within his circle, and lead him thereby into the walks of knowledge and virtue, not driving by will but attracting by love ; and, if he searches faithfully, he will find the heart of the most wayward.It may be overlaid with temper, selfishness, even with wickedness ; but it can be, it must be, reached and touched.“ The teacher, too, should be an exemplar in punctuality, order and discipline, for in all these his pupils will copy him.He can only obtain obedience by himself obeying the laws he is to enforce.A minister who does not practice what he preaches will find that his most earnest exhortations fall heedless on leaden ears ; and children of both a smaller and larger growth quickly detect similar iuconsistencies.Whoever would rightly guide youthful footsteps must lead correctly himself ; and one of our humorous writers has compressed a whole volume into a sentence, when he says, “ To train up a child in the way he should go, walk in it yourself.” “ Finally, let the teacher, recognizing the true nobility and the far-reaching influence of his profession, stretching beyond mature years, or middle age, or even the last of earth, and beyond the stars to a deathless eternity, pursue his daily duties with ardor, with earnestness of purpose, with tireless energy.And let him feel that as a State is honored by its worthiest sons — as Kentucky enshrines the name of her Clay, and Tennessee her Jackson, and Massachusetts her Adams, Webster and Everett, and Rhode Island her Roger Williams, and Pennsylvania her Franklin, and Illinois her Lincoln, and New York and Virginia their scores of illustrious sons— so will his pupils rise up to honor him if he so trains them as to be worthy of their honor.Success will be his if he but deserves it.Gov.Boutwell, who added to his fame as chief magistrate of Massachusetts by gracing for years the superintendency of her unrivalled educational system, said truly and tersely, “ Those who succeed are the men who believe they can succeed ; and those who fail are those to whom success would have been a surprise.” —Normal, 111.The Rewards of (lie Teacher.THE shady side.Perhaps it is no more than fair to publish, in connection with the preceding article, the comments thereon by the Editor of The Chicagoan.“ Now, this is all very fine, and perhaps in the abstract true.But if we look at the veritable relation of our teachers to society, we find that they occupy a very subordinate position.The teacher is, for the most part, simply a servant, who, in a social point of view, Btands next above the family nurse.The great 20 THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION [February and March, body of our teachers are almost shut out from “ society.” The groom who drives Madam out for a ride, and sits on the top of the carriage waiting for her to come out of the theatre or the church, is neatly dressed ; but the humble teacher who helps Edgar through his Algebra and Greek, wears a threadbare coat all his life.He has spent the years of early manhood in study, He can tell Edgar all about Moses, David, Paul, Homer, Plato, Demosthenes, Cæsar, Heraclitus and Cicero ; and can even inspire him with admiration for the songs of Solomon.Yet, with all his learning and his faithfulness in the most honorable of earthly professions, he is always out at the elbows, and is not half as well fed or paid as Madam’s milliner, [f he happens to be a professor in a college, his prospects are a little brighter, but even then, unless he acquires fame in some other walk besides that of teaching, his reward is usually that good old cheap affair that any body can throw in his face — the reward of well-doing.“ Take the teachers of our public schools in this city, for example : As a class they are not clothed in purple and fine linen, and are seldom seen in “ society, ” though a more laborious, deserving class of workers is seldom to be found.Coming to the “ rewards, ” what have they beyond their meagre pay ?What teacher ever worked hard enough, in this noble enterprise, to have a school-house named after him or her ?Is there a street in Chicago named in honor of any of the worthy teachers who have for thirty years been laboring, with might and main, in this noble profession ?Is there a statue, or even a bust of any of these noble teachers to be found in our library or in any of our public buildings or school houses ?Mr.Colfax’ address shows how much easier it was for him to remember BIr.Boutwell, the Governor, of Blassachusetts, than to even mention Horace BIann or Mark Hopkins, eminent Teachers of that Commonwealth.“ The fact is, the nobility of teaching is a good subject for declamation ; but let no young man or woman be deceived thereby.However noble it may be intrinsically, it is practically the most laborious and thankless of all professions, and is not as apt to lead to wealth, or what the world calls honor, or even to “ society, ” as the business of selling peanuts or popcorn.” Wliat Every Young Man Should I>o.1.Every young man should make the most of himself, intellectually, morally, socially, and physically.2.He should depend on his own efforts to accomplish these results.3.He should be willing to take advice from those competent to give it, and to follow such advice, unless his own judgment or convictions, properly founded, should otherwise direct.4.If he is unfortunate enough to have a rich and indulgent father, he must do the best he can under the circumstances, which will be to conduct himself very much as though he had not that obstacle to overcome.5.He should remember that young men, if they live, grow old, and that the habits of youth are oftener than otherwise perpetuated in the mature man ; Knowing this fact he should govern himself accordingly.6.He should never be discouraged by small beginnings, but remember that nearly all great results have been brought out from apparently slight causes.7.He should never, under any circumstances, be idle.If he cannot find the employment he prefers, let him come as near his desires as possible, he will thus reach the object of his ambition.8.All young men have “ inalienable rights,” among which none is greater or more assured than the privilege to be “ somebody.’ ’—Exchange.Children's Selfishness.A love of property is generally considered so harmless in a child that it is encouraged rather than controlled.But surely it would be wiser, as well as more in accordance with truth, to bring up a child with the idea that almost all that it enjoys is lent or given to it by others, and that very little is really its own.Out of that little, not out of other people’s property, should come the gifts of the child ; the constant sharing with others of all which it most enjoys, not being enforced as a painful duty, but permitted as a privilege, without which no good thing would be either truly good or sweet.There are parents who conscientiously make-their children always pick off a little crumb from their cake for the mother, the nurse, or perhaps the elder sister, who has conscientiously received the crumb into their mouths with many grimaces, indicating the immense value and magnitude of the gift, while the little hero who has conferred this vast benefit sits down with satisfaction and gobbles up his huge slice of cake.This is considered to be making the child generous ; but alas ! how little is this generosity like that which will be required-of him afterwards, perhaps at some heart-rending sacrifice, before he can be a truly generous man.I know of nothing more likely to produce the effect desired with regard to property than the making of an equal distribution, wherever this can be done.The child, I think, should give as much as he takes himself, just as we are required to do in afterlife by good manners and good feeling.And here would be another useful lesson, that of teaching the child to share the common lot without complaining, than which there are few lessons more desirable to be learned in early life, few more difficult to learn for the first time in mature age.—Harper’s Weekly.Permanent Teachers, (l) In nearly one-half of our schools, teachers are changed twice a year.This glaring evil of perpetual change claims special attention.In chemistry, in the arts and agriculture, experiments, however expensive, are often necessary and useful.Persevering trials and repeated failures usually precede, and sometimes suggest valuable inventions.But for all experimenting, the most needless, costly, and fruitless, and yet the most common, is the practice of “ placing a new hand at the wheel ” annually, or even twice a year, in our school-houses.When passing Hurl Gate in a storm, some weeks since, I observed how much the apprehensions of passengers were quieted by the simple statement “ Our good captain has run safely on the Sound for forty years.” The assurance that an experienced hand guided the helm at once inspired hope and confidence.But if false economy, prejudice, caprice, or favoritism, placed new captains or pilots twice a year on our noble “ Sound steamers,” how soon would they be condemned and forsaken by an indignant public ! And yet not a few committees in our districts, from mere whim or pique, or more often from open nepotism, practice a system of change in teachers which introduces confusion, waste, weakness, discouragement, and often retrogression, in the place of system, economy, efficiency, and progress.This is the prolific source of most serious defects now hindering the usefulness of our schools.True, there has been an encouraging advance for some years in respect to the permanency of teachers.But my own observation convinces mo that there is a pressing need of far greater progress in this direction.There are still many towns which retain the old system of semi-annual changes, male teachers in the winter and female in the summer, and even in each successive summer and winter the same teachers are too seldom reemployed.In such places, I find (1) Changing, perhaps twice a year into once, this article applies equally to Canada as to Connecticut ; therefore would we call the earntst attention of parents, in general, and School Commissioners and Trustees, in particular, to its vital importance. 1809.] FOR THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC, £1 the schools in the lowest condition, with no uniform methods, or well-arranged plan consistently and persistenly sustained.This system, or rather want of system, is to so great an extent, sacrificing the benefit of experience, and hindering thoroughness of instruction, that the subject demands the consideration of the people.In no other way can the genuine improvement of our schools be so easily and economically secured, as by employing better qualified and more permanent teachers.It often requires nearly a term to initiate a new teacher into the policy of the school visitors who officially direct his course.He cannot perhaps in less time correct the mistakes and bad habits formed under his predecessor, and get his own plans and processes fully into operation, and the result is very likely to be neglect of system.The conviction that there will not be time to carry out any settled policy, and that, if commenced, it may be wholly counteracted by an incompetent successor, discourages the attempt.It has long been a conceded point among successful teachers that a second term in the same school is worth at least one-third more than the first.The school-room is the most unfortunate place for these experiments which “ rotation in office ” must here involve—entailing a dead loss of more than thirty per cent of the expenditure made for schools.A teacher must learn the character of his pupils, intellectual and moral, before be can successfully teach them, nc must make each child a study, and discover both the faults and virtues of his heart, and the difficult and easy processes of his mind.He must avail himself of every means to find out his entire character, as a discriminating physician watches closely all the symptoms of his patient, in order to understand what ought to be done for him.Until he knows the peculiarities, the attainments and wants of each pupil, he cannot adapt himself to them, and must work in the dark.There is a great variety of methods of illustrating and simplifying each branch and lesson, and only the teacher who understands both his profession and the character of his pupils can adapt these countless varieties of methods to the endless diversities of mind and character.The difficulty ot understanding little children is exceeded only by its importance.The internal history of a child is veiled from us, because it no longer lies within the view of our present consciousness and experience.In our eagerness to “ put away childish things,” we too soon forget how we “ spake as a child,” “ understood as a child,” and “ thought as a child.” But putting himself in the place of his pupil, and becoming literally childlike, renewing his youth, and by the help of imagination, where memory fails, reproducing his own early feelings, impressions, difficulties, and varying experience, the teacher can best prepare himself to appreciate the instinctive tendencies, danger, weaknesses, wants, and primal aspirations of the juvenile mind and heart.He who can thus come down where children are, and be a child again, instead of growing old in heart with advancing years, will ever maintain that rare grace and beautiful ornament of age, the vernal freshness of youthful feeling.Such vivid reminiscences of childhood, and such knowledge of the juvenile character, bring the teacher into close contact and conscious sympathy with his pupils, open their hearts, secure their confidence, and win their love.The man who retains a school for a single term only has little opportunity or motive to acquire this accurate discernment of character, this sympathy and sensibility to penetrate the youthful spirit and arouse its dormant faculties, this keen and practised eye to discern what motives to urge upon this pupil, what passions to repress in that, what habits to check in one, what good tendencies to foster in another, what weak points to strengthen here, and what peculiar gifts to develop there.The teacher must thoroughly understand his pupils before lie can discover, in each particular case, the best methods to subdue the obstinate, to stimulate the indolent, to arouse the stupid, to make the careless hunger and thirst for knowledge, and to win the confidence and affections of all.Surely, this is a great work, in which the most exalted talent, enriched by the treasures of science and experience, will find ample employment for all their resources.However large the school, the teacher should regard an intimate knowledge of each pupil as essential to his thorough instruction.This knowledge cannot be obtained intuitively, nor by the facile process of phrenology.It is the result of patient and long-continued observation of individual children, and it is well worth all the labor it costs.This most valuable acquisition belongs only to the permanent teacher.It is his most available capital.Some days usually pass before a stranger in the school-room learns the names and former classification of his pupils.Weeks or months are gone before he is fully prepared to judge of the propriety of this classification ; and then so little time of his short term remains that it seems inexpedient to introduce any changes, however needful.How different is the position of the permanent teacher on reopening his school ! He is cordially greeted and welcomed as a friend and benefactor, by the pupils, whose respect and love he has won.He knows every class and every scholar.On the first day, the school is in working order.The teacher and scholars alike enter upon the new term without any abatement of interest, and at the outset he is able to suit his modes of instruction to the character and standing of each pupil.The teacher, for the time being, stands in the place of the parent.And what results would be realized in the family, were a new stepfather or stepmother to be semi-annually invested with parental authority ?The picture of anarchy and alienation whieh this question suggests needs not here be drawn.The evil is hardly less serious in the school than it would be in the household.What would be the effect of a semi-annual change of clerks and book keepers in our mercantile establishments, or of agents and overseers in our manufactories, or of financiers in our banks, or of masters of our merchantmen, or commanders of our iron-clads, or of doctors in our families, or of pastors in our parishes ?Shrewd men never make such blunders in business matters, although such frequent changes would be less disastrous to worldly enterprises than they are to the best interests of school.Let us not practically deny the value of experience in the most vital interest committed to our charge, the training of our children.—B.G.Northrop, Sec y State Board of Education, Cl.The Most Precious Possession.I envy no quality of mind or intellect in others, be it genius, power, wit, or fancy ; but if I could choose what would be most delightful, and I believe most useful to me, I should prefer a firm religious belief to every other blessing ; for it makes life a discipline of goodness ; creates new hopes when all earthly hopes vanish ; and throws over the decay, the destruction of existence, the most gorgeous of all lights ; awakens life even in death, and from corruption and decay calls up beauty and divinity ; makes an instrument of torture and shame the ladder of ascent to Paradise ; and, far above all combinations of earthly hopes, calls up the most delightful visions of palms and amaranths, the gardens of the blessed, the security of everlasting joys, where the sensualist and sceptic view only gloom, decay, annihilation and despair.—Sir Humphrey Davy.The True IAfc.The mere lapse of years is not life.To eat, and drink, and sleep ; to be exposed to darkness and the light ; to pace around the mill of habit ; to turn the wheel of wealth ; to make reason our book-keeper, and turn thought into an implement of trade,— this is not life.In all this, but a poor fraction of the consciousness of humanity is awakened ; and the sanctities still slumber which make it most worth while to be.Knowledge, truth, love, beauty, goodness, faith, alone give vitality to the mechanism of existence.The laugh of mirth which vibrates through the heart ; the tears which freshen the dry wastes within ; the music which brings childhood back ; the 22 THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION [February and March, prayer that calls the future near ; the doubt which makes us meditate ; the death which startles us with mystery ; the hardships that force us to struggle ; the anxiety that ends in trust, —these are the true nourishments of our natural beino- G* —Exchange.Enduring Influence of Tinman Actions.We see not in this life the end of human actions.Their influence never dies.In ever-widening circles it reaches beyond the grave.Death removes us from this to an eternal world ; time determines what shall be our condition in that world.Every morning, when we go forth, we lay th* moulding hand to our destiny ; and every evening, when we have done, we have left a deathless impression upon our character.We touch not a wire hut vibrates in eternity,—we breathe not a thought, but reports at the Throne of God.Let youth especially think of these things ; and let every one remember that, in this world, where character is in its formation state, it is a serious thing to think, to speak, to act.— lb.Why I Want the Boys to Learn Farming.BY HORACE GREELEY.Every pursuit or calling that ministers to the sustenance, comfort, or enlightenment of mankind is honorable and laudable.That is a narrow and essentially false conception which regards the farmer as more a benefactor than a beneficiary, and stigmatizes as drones and cormorants all who do not directly contribute to the production and increase of material wealth.The upright, able lawyer ; the studious, skilful physician; the pious, loving clergyman, are workingmen, as truly and quite as nobly as though they were wood-choppers or bricklayers.He who, by whatever means, helps to diminish the fearful aggregate of ignorance, sin, and suffering in the world, and diffuse instead knowledge, virtue, and happines, is worthy of all honor, and far from me be the wish to discourage and degrade him.And yet I hold it the duty of every father to look well to the physical and industrial training of his sons and daughters—to see that each of them is early inured to some form of manual labor, and thoroughly trained to efficiency in some pursuit which ministers directly to the material or physical needs of mankind.My reasons for this conviction are summed up as follows : I.The demand for intellectual labor or its products, and even for mercantile capacity, is exceedingly capricious.In a season of commercial prosperity, a great city affords employment to thousands as clerks, book-keepers, teachers of music, languages, etc., etc., who will nearly all be left high and dry by the ebb of the tide.War, pestilence, a bad harvest, a business revulsion, throws them suddenly out of employment, and no merit or excellence on their part can avert the catastrophe.I would have every one so armed and equipped for the battle of life that, if suddenly unhorsed, he can fight on efficiently and undismayedly on foot.II.The professions are fearfully overcrowded.A Western village is half peopled by doctors and lawyers, who have rushed in ahead of the expected flood of immigration.Like miners in the Sierra Nevada or Rocky Mountains, they have severally staked out their claims, and are waiting for others to come in and help to develop and work them to mutual profit.But “ while the grass grows, the steed starves.” Whatever may be their fortune ten or twenty years hence—and events are constantly interposing to blast their sanguine hopes—doctors, lawyers, are often winning but a meagre, precarious support for the present.“ I cannot dig ; to beg I am ashamed,” is the plaint which many would utter if they could afford to be frank and outspoken.Thousands suffer and stagger on, oppressed by want and ever-increasing debt, who would gladly take refuge in productive industry, if they had been trained to familiarity with pitchforks and plough-handles.They would outgrow their present embarrassments if it were not for the new doctors and lawyers, annually ground out to compete with them for practice and whose training is as helplessly one-sided as their own.I would qualify the professional men who shall henceforth be trained for a broader and more assured usefulness than that of their elder brethren.III.New-York City swarms with hungry, needy, shivering, cowering, cringing fellow-mortals, all in eager, imploring, hopeless quest of “ something to do.” To the reproach of what passes for education, I must say that a majority of these have had considerable money spent in schooling them for lives of usefulness.They are qualified (I presume) to keep books, or copy manuscripts, or teach languages, or act as governesses, or follow some other of the frightfully over-stocked vocations.But when I say to one of them, “ The work you seek is positively not to be had, since ten want to do it where one wants it done ; you must strike off into the broad, free country, and ask farmer after farmer to give you work till you find it,” the general response, “ I know nothing of farming,” strikes on my ear like a knell.Even at seasons when the farmers were intensely hurried by their summer harvest, and ready to pay largely for any help that was not hindrance, I have known our city to be thronged with weary, sad petitioners for “ something to do.” If our current education were not a plunder or a fraud, this could not be.I live when I can in the country, though most of my sleeping and nearly all my waking hours are given to work which calls me to the city.My neighbors are mainly farmers, generally in fair circumstances, whose children are fairly educated, or may be if they will.I regret to say that a majority of them prefer not to follow their father’s vocation, but want to live by trade, by office, or something else thàn farming.And the reason to my mind, is clear : their education and their whole intellectual culture lead a way from the farm.Their school-books contain nothing calculated to make them love agriculture or qualify them to excel in it ; their fireside reading is not of chemistry, geology, and the related sciences, but of knights and fairies, troubadours and tournaments—in short, all things calculated to make them detest farming as a coarse, plodding, hum-drum pursuit, fit only for inveterate dunces and illiterate boors.I protest against this as false, misleading, pernicious, and demand an education and a literature whick shall win our farmers’ sons to prize and honor the calling of their fathers.A political economist has observed that labor, unless used at the moment of production, is lost forever.In most vocations, it is impossible to produce beyond the day’s needs.The doctor can only cure diseases as they manifest themselves ; the best lawyer cannot anticipate next year’s legal business; the carpenter and mason cannot build houses except as they are wanted.The farmer, on the contrary, may grow corn or cattle, flax, wool, or cotton in excess of the current demand, and store it against the time of need.Better still : he may drain, and subsoil, and fertilize ; may plant trees, and graft, and prune, so as to double his product in the future by a judicious expenditure of effort in the present.If a hundred thousand additional lawyers and doctors were let loose upon the community, I do not feel sure that the net result would be more justice or less disease and death, while I am quite sure that the national wealth would not be increased thereby ; but a hundred thousand enlightened, efficient farmers added to those we already have could hardly fail to add one hundred millions per annum to the property which shall be the heritage or our children.My contrymen ! let us each do his best to increase the proportion of useful workers to pestilent idlers in the community.Nay, more ; let us try to increase the proportion of producers to exchangers or distributors of wealth.Fences, and padlocks, and policemen, and revenue officers may be neeessities of our present condition—I presume them to be so ; but we might have our country so well fenced, and padlocked, and policed that we should 1869.] FOR THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC.23 all starve to death.There is no shadow of danger that too few will seek to live by law, physic, trade, etc., etc., while there is great danger that trade and the professions will be overcrowded, to the neglect and detriment of productive industry.Let us face the foo that menaces our position, and defeat him if we can.—Hearth and Home.LITERATURE.POETRY.(Written for The Journal of Education ) THE FINDING OF CHRIST IN THE TEMPLE.By Mas.Leprohon.In all its gorgeous splendour the Temple proudly ro3e, A source of joy to Israel—of envy to her foes— Its altars bright with gilding, odorous with rare perfumes, Rich with the costly fabrics of far famed Tyrian looms.Yet none gazed on its glories though filled the holy place With high priests and with Doctors, and the Levite’s favoured race, Old men whose lives pure, blameless, had been passed within those walls, Whose thoughts had seldom wandered beyond its outer halls.And there thronged stately Pharisees, skilled in deceptive arts, Self righteous in their looks and tones, self righteous in their hearts, Their broad phylacteries round their brows, worn with such boastful pride, These were not men to learn from a Saviour crucified I All stood ia compact circle, listening in wond’ring awe To one more deeply learned than the Doctors of the law, Who every doubt refuted—the darkest point made bright, With a more than earthly wisdom, a more than earthly light.And He, on whose strange eloquence that crowd suspended hung— Who words of abstruse science uttered with that silver tongue, Was a boy of but twelve summers with golden curling hair, Worn, parted, as by Nazarenes, adown his forehead fair.His eyes were strangely luminous as with an inward light, Though the face was that of childhood—his skin its pearly white— T’was but by his deep Wisdom that He made the power felt Of the God-head’s full perfection that there within Him dwelt.But softly stealing towards Him see a matron, gentle, fair— With the same deep orbs, calm, holy,—the same sun-tinted hair,— Followed by a man, poor, aged, yet of reverend, tranquil mien ; In their garments, threadbare, worn, their humble rank was seen.A hard task t’was for Mary to speak out before that crowd Of priests and doctors hoary, Levites, Scribos, Pharisees proud, But at length she softly questioned, as courage borrowing, “ Why hast thou done so to us Son ?We have soughtthee sorrowing.” Then the boy-God gently answered in tone with music fraught, As he looked towards his young mother ; “Why have you me thus sought ?11 Know you not ?” —and look more solemn to lips and brow were given,— 11 I must be about the business of my Father who’s in Heaven ! ” Then rising He went out with them and down the temple hill— Journeyed into Nazareth and was subject to their will, He—Saviour and Creator—and the Gospel tells us then, “ He grew in grace and wisdom before angels also men.” Watt Institution aiul School of Arts.Some kind, unknown friend sont us the Edinburgh Daily Review of December 1, 18G8, containing an abstract of a lecture oil “The Study of French,” delivered by Monsieur C.A.Schneider, M.R.C.P., before the students of the above named institution,—Dr.Donaldson of the High School occupying the Chair.The following is the address : STUDY OF FRENCH AN AID TO MENTAL CULTURE.It is acknowledged by all those most competent to form and to express an opinion on the subject, that there is no means so well adapted as the study of a new language to secure a thorough mental culture.Viewed simply in this light, the study of French has strong claims on your regal'd.It is not alone that the analysis of the gram- matical structure and idiomatic expressions of a foreign language affords the best 'possible whetstone on which to sharpen the mental faculties ; nor even this other fact, that translating from another language is perhaps the best means of enabling us thoroughly to master our own ; but, in addition to, and beyond all that, the knowledge of a new language brings us into contact with the mind of another nation ; it withdraws us from that narrow and contracted domain of thought within which we would otherwise be confined ; it helps to free us from those partial and one-sided ideas and theories by which we are so often sadly hampered, and the real truth of things so much obscured or distorted — in a word, every language that a man learns multiplies his individual nature, and brings himself one step nearer to the general collective mind of man.ADAPTABILITY OF FRENCH AS A MEANS OF COMMUNICATION.The utility of the French language as a branch of education is incontestable.If the industry, the commerce, the navigation of the Anglo-Saxon race have established the language of England among vast populations in distant colonies, so numerous throughout the world that on them the sun never sets, various causes, equally great in their effects, have given to the language of a country within sight of the English shores an extension which has everywhere kept pace with the progress of refined civilization.Voltaire tells us, that of all the modern languages, the French ought to be the most generally spoken, for it is the one most fitted for conversation.In fact, it is distinguished by the clearness, the order, the precision, and purity of its phraseology.It is the language of princes, of their ambassadors, of the great, and of all men throughout Europe whose education has been cultivated with care.Travel where you may out of France, and you will find the French language used for the mutual interchange of thought among well-educated foreigners.To them French is a universal communication, and, in matters of education, they appear to consider it as next in importance to their vernacular tongue.It is not too much to say that French is the language of the Continent : it is the language most commonly used and mo3t generally understood.ADVANTAGES OF FRENCH.In travelling, the most efficacious passport is to speak fluently the language of that country which we may happen to visit; we can then act°in a direct manner on the minds of those who surround us, and reap the full advantage from the manifold opportunities of observation aud improvement which foreign travel affords.CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LANGUAGE.The nature of the French language has been most conducive to the useful purpose of its adoption.Its chief characters are precision and clearness ; and these qualities do not in any way check the freedom of that copious phraseology required in familiar and iutimate conversation.With regard to its vocabulary aud to certain grammatical forms, the French language is chiefly derived from the Latin tongue.A RETROSPECTIVE VIEW.No vestiges of the language spoken by the French people in those dark ages when the kingdom of France first took its rise have been obtained.The earliest national records which bear undoubted author-rity are dated from the subsequent period of Charlemagne, the imperial successor of the decayed Merovingians.Under him France made rapid progress in civilization.He founded public schools, which became the precursors of the University of Paris, and he was the first monarch of France who attempted to organize for the people a system of secular education based on Christian principles.LATIN AN AID TO THE STUDY OF FRENCH.A pupil who learns Latin, independent of that thorough drilling of the intellect which results from the labour of mastering its difficult inflections, soon becomes possessed of a vocabulary which serves him for the living languages of Europe.After learning the syntax of the Latin grammar, the student of French descends, as it were, from higher and more difficult constructions, to a simple and easy one.Having pointed out the value of a knowledge oi the derivation of words, he proceeded to describe the effect which the Norman rule had upon the language of this country.For a time two languages were spoken in Great Britain — the Norman-French by the upper classes, and the Saxon tongue by the peasantry.In this manner a large number of French words were imported into the language, and the meaning of which could only bo understood by an etymological knowledge of their French origin. 24 THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION [February and March, USE OF FRENCH IN THE COMMERCIAL WORLD.In regard to commerce, I need only remind you that French is the language of the continental world ; and so much and so justly is the knowledge of French regarded by some mercantile men, that any one absolutely unacquainted with the language would find it difficult to obtain an introduction into their counting-houses.The same language is indispensable if you aspire to a clerkship in a Government office.To the skilled mechanic, also, I should think the language most valuable, affording, as it does, a key not only to a vast storehouse of mechanical and mathematical knowledge, but also to all those mechanical inventions that French ingenuity is daily bringing forth.FRENCH LITERATURE.I have scarcely time do no more than allude to what I would be disposed to regard as the strongest stimulus to the student of French— I mean the exceeding value of the literature to which the knowledge of F rench is the key.It is true that many of those works have been translated into your own language, but allow me to tell you that almost every translation, however good it may be, may be compared to a carpet turned wrong side upwards, if not worse.Before coming into England, I read a good translation of Walter Scott’s novels, with which I was much pleased ; but reading them a second time in Euglish gave me far more pleasure.And yet the works of Walter Scott are not difficult to translate.In every department of literature, science, and philosophy, the student of French will here find authors who will bear honourable comparison with those ot any age or country.I need only refer to the names of Molière, Corneille, Racine, Fénélon, Massillon, Bossuet, Pascal, La Place, Voltaire, d’Alembert, Cousin, Arago, Lamartine, Chateaubriand, Victor Hugo, &c., and a host of othbrs as celebrated, whom even to name would be tedious.The lecturer then read various extracts from some of the more distinguished French writers, both in prose and verse, translating each piece a3 he proceeded, to the great gratification of the audience.In conclusion, having offered a few words of advice to those about to begin the study of the French language he said—My last words are an earnest appeal to those young students among my auditory.An opportunity is now offered to you to propagate the good of this noble institution, and to disseminate afar its many advantages.Let us unite our energies for the prosperity of the School of Arts.Let us anticipate the day when with grateful recollection you may acknowledge the blessings of the education given and received within these walls.On the motion of the Chairman, a hearty vote of thanks was awarded to Monsieur Schneider for his excellent lecture.French Canadian Poets.Lecture by the Rev.Æxeas McDonell Dawson on the Poets of Canada.(Concluded from our last.) This audience will not I am sure, be displeased to hear something about those amongst our Poets who have written in French and who are for -the most part, of French Canadian origin.It is, indeed, time that after hearing so much about English Poets, you should be invited to listen to some discourse about those sons of Genius and the Muses who have done honor to your own people and tongue,—have done so much by their highly finished compositions, to preserve the sweet and musical language of old France.You will allow me to dispense with any fixed order, (a privilege which I claimed in regard to the English Poets) in enumerating the authors of French Poems who have won for themselves a name in these Provinces.The gift of Genius, it is scarcely necessary to observe, is conferred without reference to nationality.But as regards Literature and Literary pursuits, the French Canadian people have greater difficulties to contend with than their fellow-countrymen of British origin.The chief of these, perhaps, is the circumstance that the ranks of their literary- men are not recruited from the Parent Land, whilst British men of letters who have won honors at the Schools and Universities of the United Kingdom, or have attained there to more or less literary distinction, are constantly taking up their abode in Canada.It is, besides, deserving of remark, that the French language, however beautiful when wielded by an accomplished Poet, presents difficulties to the aspiring Bard that are unknown to the composer of English verse.Both languages, indeed, must be handled by a master-hand when there is question of rising to Poetic excellence.But of the two, considered as weapons at the disposal of the Poet, the French is undoubtedly the more difficult.Honor then to the Poets of Canadian origin who have cultivated and enriched the language of their race 1 In recounting them, we wonder not that they are comparatively so few, but rather that their numbers are so much greater than could well be hoped for.As I have not decided on any order whether alphabetical or according to merit or seniority, you will not conclude that I consider Mr.Benjamin Sulte as positively the most meritorious of our French Canadian Poets, nor yet that I set him down as in any respect, inferior, and so commence at the foot of the ladder.His name and age suggest that I should present him to you, and I do so with no ordinary pleasure, as the Benjamin of the Poet family.Bornât Three Rivers in 1841, ho was early distinguished by his taste for letters.Whilst still a resident of his native city, he laboured assiduously to promote the elevation of Literature amongst his fellow-countrymen.With a view to this noble end, he founded a club known as ‘ The Three Hirers Literary Institute.’ He became, its first president, and, it flourished under his fostering care.I am not aware that his poems have appeared as yet, in a collected form, but, many elegant compositions from his pen have figured most favorably in the periodicals of the time ;—such as the Revue Canadienne, the Écho du Cabinet de Lecture Paroissiale, and the Journal de V Instruction Publique.The critics, among the rest, Hector Fabre, highly eulogize his style, describing it as at once simple and graceful, vigorous and perspicuous.All agree in foretelling that he will occupy one day, the highest rank among the gifted sons of Genius.The Literary men of Ottawa ratified this verdict and marked their appreciation of the success which he has already achieved as a Poet, by inviting him to a public banquet at which the Mayor of the City filled the chair, on occasion of his departure for Montreal where he was asked to accept the office of Secretary to an importaut manufacturing company.This need not, and we may rely upon it, will not, sever him from the society of the Muses.I shall not pretend to say which of all Mr.Suite’s numerous compositions is the best,—his master-piece.I would rather refer to a few pieces selected at random.In his “ Canada Français à V Angleterre,” —a Poem in which—it were hard to say whether patriotic indignation combined with the most generous sentiments, or elegant poetic expression, abound the more.As I must quote something, according to my programme, and still more, according to my inclination when there is question of Mr.Suite’s compositions, I shall ask you to listen for a moment, whilst I read to you that amusing popular ballad : LA BELLE MEUNIÈRE.—Par les chemins, qui donc, ma belle, Vous attire si bon matin ?— Et rougissant la jouvencelle Dit : “ Seigneur, je vais au moulin.” —Le cristal bleu de la rivière A bien moins de limpidité Que ton joyeux regard, ma chère.—“Monseigneur est plein de bonté.” —Quel frais minois ! quel port de reine ! Approche, enfant : vrai ! tu me plais! A tant de grâce souveraine Il faut pour logis un palais.Monte en croupe et sois ma maîtresse, Viens ! je suis chevalier-baron.Mais pourquoi cet air de tristesse Et cet incarnat sur ton front ?Ne fuyez pas, mademoiselle, Vous aurez mon titre et mon cœur ; Je vous conduis à la chapelle.—“ Merci, c’est beaucoup trop d’honneur.” —Qui donc êtes-vous, ma charmante, Pour refuser un chevalier?^ Quelque dame riche et puissante ?—“ Je suis la fille du meunier.” —Quoi, du meunier !—Dieu me pardonne ! J’en suis marri pour ton bonheur : Je ne puis t’épouser, ma bonne.—“ Qui vous a demandé, Seigneur?” At the risk of changing your mirth to sadness, I shall now read a short Poem of a quite different character,—one that is more in keep- 1869.] FOU THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC.25 ing with Mr.Suite’s cast of mind.Although not one of his greatest poems, it shews admirably that he is eminently serious, pensive and inclined to melancholy.LUCIE.Je la voyais dans mon enfance, La blonde enfant aux grands yeux bleus, Mêlée avec insouciance Aux bruyants éclats de no3 jeux.“ 8a rêverie est singulière,” Disaient les gens des alentours, “ Pourtant elle est douce et peu fière, “ Lucie, où donc sont tes amours?” Dans sa jeunesse radieuse Je la revis à dix-huit ans, Bonne, indulgente et gracieuse, Mais le désespoir des amants ! Son front où rayonne une flamme, Pensif est le même toujours.Qui donc préoccupe ton âme ?Lucie, où donc sont tes amours ?Pour elle les plaisirs du monde Remplissent en vain la cité ; Partout où la misère gronde, C'est l’ange de la charité 1 On dirait que la Providence Sans elle ne suivrait son cours, Tant elle est chère à l’indigence.Lucie, as-tu là tes amours ?Belle à voiler un marbre antique, Esprit calme et délicieux, Couverte d’un reflet mystique, Qui rêve d'elle songe aux cieux.Hier, passant au cimetière, J’entends prier, sitôt j'accours, Je vois des fleurs sur une bière : Lucie est avec ses amours.Louis Honoré Fréchette.—A very young Poet also.He was born at Lévis in 1339.Canada claims him not only for his birth, but also on account of his education.He studied successively at the Seminary of Quebec, St.Ann’s College and Nicolet.His profession is that of a lawyer.He was called to the bar of Canada East in 1861.Mr.Fréchette is one of the few who can claim to be a dramatic Poet.Not only has he contributed many lyrical pieces of great merit to the “ Foyer Canadien” and the “ Soirées Canadiennes”, he has also attempted, and not without success, a dramatic composition.His drama of “ Félix Poutré ou l’échappé de la Potence, Episode de la Révolution de 1838,” has been often publicly performed at Montreal and Quebec.No doubt the subject of this play was highly popular among the French Canadians.But, it could not, if devoid of poetical merit, have appeared so frequently on the stage.Théodore Vibert a French critic, in discussing Mr.Frechette’s merits, speaks of Canada as having “ given birth to writers worthy in every way of (what he calls) its glorious metropolis,” meaning, I suppose, the French Capital.He alludes, moreover, to Mr.Fréchette as “ one among a hundred, who on account of his youth and genius, sheds on his Father land a gleam of his own glory.” Mr.Fréchette no thanks to his former fellow citizens of either the commercial or the other capital, on whom he shed so much lustre, is now a citizen of Chicago.Mr.Eustache Prud’homme, in the few pieces from his pen which I have had the good fortune to meet with, shews wonderful descriptive powers and the true feeling of a Poet.Some of his compositions and among the rest, “Mon Village ” may be seen in the " Revue Canadienne.” Mr.Edouard Sempé, a native of France, has contributed since he came to Canada, many highly meritorious Poems to the news papers and other more important periodicals.His Cantate in.honor of the Prince of Wales does him much credit as a writer of verse.There is more, however, of the true spirit of Poesy in his sentimental and reflective pieces.His Cimetière is very fine.You will allow me to quote two lines of this poem as a specimen of some very beautiful stanzas : Que pour l’homme rêvant dans ces vastes ruines L’Univers est petit et ses pompes mesquines ! There is much power of imagination in the following stanzas : Toi, dont le char vainqueur, émule du tonnerre, Sur des monceaux de corps a sillonné la terre, Homicide géant, où sont tes fiers soldats ?Comme un éclair, a fui ta gloire passagère, Et tu dors sous un tertre, inutile poussière, Malgré tes longs combats.En vain sur tes débris, de pompeux mausolées Elèvent jusqu’aux cieux leurs cimes désolées ; Sans ranimer ta cendre ils disent ton orgueil ; La mort te tient captif, sous la dalle glacée, Et d’un nom qui n’est plus la splendeur effacée Gît au fond d’un cercueil.Et la pourpre ’îles rois et les lauriers du brave, Et les haillons du pauvre et les fers de l’esclave, Tout au sein du sépulcre un jour s’évanouit.Telle, après avoir un instant battu la rive, Dans le gouffre des mers la vague fugitive Se plonge et s'engloutit.Mr.Alfred Garneau must now be mentioned, not as some of you might suppose, on account of his Father’s high name who as you are all aware, has won renown as the historian of Canada, but on account of his own merits as a Poet.Fabre, the rigid critic of Lower Canada, speaks of him as a brilliant versifier.This is great praise from a critic of confirmed habits, to a young Poet.May it encourage him to greater and more sustained efforts ! You will find that the critic was not too indulgent (what critic ever was ?) whenever it shall please you to read Mr.Garneau’s poetical compositions in the periodicals of Quebec and Montreal.I cannot do more at present, than present to you a few lines from his “ Bon Pauvre ” which appeared in the “Foyer Canadien.” You will like myself be at a loss to decide whether sound philosophy or true poetic expression abound the more : Non, jamais je ne dis une parole amère ; Mon regard troublé par les pleurs, Ne s'est jamais dressé contre la main sévère Qui m’a brisé dans les douleurs.O Christ ! devant ton front que les épines ceignent Je bénis mon sort et ta loi.N’as-tu pas dit : “ Heureux celui dont les pieds saignent “ Sur les ronces derrière moi ?“ Il faut que l’homme souffre en son corps, en son âme ; “ Seule une larme est un trésor.“ Les pauvres brilleront au ciel comme une flamme, “ Et tiendront une palme d’or.” Tu comptes tous nos pas, nos peines infinies Tu le dis, soudain je te crois.Frappe donc, ô douleur ! redoublez, avanies, Que je tombe sous votre poids ! Louis Joseph Cyprien Fiset holds a high place among Canadian Poets.At an early age, and whilst yet a student at Quebec his native city, he shewed a remarkable taste for literature, and gave proof by the excellence of his compositions, that he had become perfectly master ol his mother tongue.He studied law with success, and became a Barrister.But his professional studies by no means deadened his poetic fire or lessened his liking for literary pursuits.Fabre gives him the praise of fascinating, imaginative power, delicate and graceful expression, elegant versification.Most of his Poems have appeared in the Literary periodicals of Quebec and Montreal.Such was his reputation as a Poet in the former city, that the high honor was done him of being requested to write the Ode of Welcome to the Prince of Wales, on occasion of the Royal Progress through Canada in I860.It is superfluous to say that this composition by a Poet so highly distinguished, elicited an appropriate eulogium from the Youthful Prince, inspired, no doubt, by the able and learned mentors who surrounded him.I must refrain from quoting from Mr.Fiset, and proceed to tell you someting about another eminent Poet of Lower Canada.Mr Joseph Lenoir.—This eminent Canadian Poet whose too early death, all friends of the muses sincerely lamented, was born at St.Henry, Lower Canada, on the 25th September 1822.His death on THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION [February and Marcii, 3rd September 1861 closed a brilliant, but unfortunately for his country and the cause of letters, a brief career.He studied law and became a Barrister.The severer study which his profession required, did not hinder him from cultivating that poetical genius, and it was of the highest order, of which he gave proof whilst yet at school.He wrote chietly in “ L' Avenir ’ and the “ Journal de V Instruction Publique.” Of the latter publication he was for some time assistant editor.Some ol his poetical compositions have been selected for publication in the u Répertoire National." Of these an oriental piece, “ D ay elle'1, remarkable for its flowing Hues, its eastern imagery and ardour ; “ The Dying Huron to his Favorite Oak Tree" equally flowing, but wherein the Indian does not appear in his usual stoical character ; his “ Genius of the Forests ’ which combines boldness with elegance,—may be all safely mentioned, I conceive, as fair specimens of the productions ot Mr.Lenoir’s genius.His “ Fête du Peuple” will always be read with pleasure in Canada.And they of foreign climes, who mayhap cannot admire its nationality which, however, it sets forth in a very amiable light, will be compelled to acknowledge its poetical merit and its truth of sentiment.This elegant composition pays well deserved homage to the Canadian people.Long may they retain the unso-phisticatecf and amiable character which it so truly ascribes to them ! L’érable est sa couronne ; L’écharpe qu’il se donne, Quoique noble, rayonne Moins que sa gaitc franche et ses regards sereins 1 Cette bannière qui déploie Nos couleurs sur l’or et la soie N’est-elle pas bien belle à voir ?Dirait-on pas que cette brise Qui fait ployer 3a lance grise Anime son beau castor noir ! Amis ! j’ai vu de douces choses, Des filles, des perles, des roses, Mais pour se contenter, il faut Voir ce navire aux pleines voiles, Disaut : “ Je voguerai plus haut! ” Quand il a déroulé les plis de ses bannières, Quand le parvis du temple a brui sous son pied, Le peuple était sublime !.Oh ! j’aime les prières Et les chants de ce Temple où tout homme s’assied ! Time will not admit of more quotations or a longer review.I must now in obedience to its demands, .take leave of Mr.Lenoir and proceed to make some mention of other distinguished Poets who have written in French.You will not be surprised to hear that I number among these sons of Canada who have done so much honor to their country, the Hon.Pierre J.O.Chauveau, LL.D., &c.Although this gentleman may be said to have commenced his career as a Poet, and was first known as an author, by his poetical efforts, he has since become so eminent as a parliamentary orator and a statesman, that we can hardly think of him as a writer of verse.And yet, it is in this last capacity only that we can consider him here this evening, and offer him the well won meed of a passing eulogium.I cannot now, it is so late, enter upon a detailed review of Mr.Chau-veau’s poetical productions.Nor is it necessary that I should do so.His fellow country-men—the most competent judges,—have already pronounced their verdict.I need not say that it is a favorable one, and highly complimentary to his poetical genius.Many of his earlier Poems which appeared in the ‘Canadian,'and other publications,were republished in the 1 Répertoire National’ (1850),—an undoubted proof of the high appreciation in which they were held.Although an able prose writer, Mr.Chauveau has never ceased to contribute in verse to the peridiocals of the time.1 Le Castor,’ ‘ Le Canadien,’ 1 Le Fantasque,'‘La Revue Canadienne,’ 1 Le Journal de V Instruction Publique’ and ‘Les Soirées Canadiennes’ have all been enriched by his compositions and have become monuments to his fame as a Poet, whilst they shew at the same time, how ably and how elegantly he could wield the powerful weapon of vigorous prose in the cause of his country and his country’s Literature.The Honble.Mr.Chauveau now for the third time, holds high office in the state, as Premier of Quebec, having previously been Solicitor-General for Lower Canada, and Provincial Secretary.I must now conclude, but not without expressing my sincere wish and earnest hope that neither his great honors and arduous labours in the State, nor his important and useful efforts in the cause of Education and the intellectual improvement of his fellow country-men, will ever hinder him from cultivating as he has hitherto so nobly and successfully done, the Society of the Muses.I shall now invite you to consider the merits, as a Poet, of an author whose principal work is the History of Canada.You already divine that I allude to Mr.F.X.Garneau.When I mention the History of Canada as the one great literary achievement of this eminent Canadian, I speak more according to the opinion generally prevalent in Canada, than my own judgment.This opinion is no doubt well founded, for it is entertained and expressed by the leading Litterateurs of the Country.But it must be acknowledged that the Canadian people, literary men and all, could not fail to be agreeably affected when they found that the tale of their earlier settlement and their more recent colonial existence could be handled by a man of such talent and high culture as Mr.Garneau, and that it came from his elegant and flowing pen a work of such calibre and importance as to be dignified with the name of History.I am far from denying that it is a History.It is moreover, and surely justice demands this admission, a work which gives proof of wonderful ability as well as of untiring industry.But, it might have been the fruit of less exalted genius than that by which Mr.F.X.Garneau was distinguished.Ilis early education, his travels, his conversations with some of the most eminent literary characters of Europe—with Campbell the Poet, Mrs.Gore, the Historian and Statist,McGregor, the patriotic Czartoriski, the Poet Niemce-wicz,—his intimate relations above all, with the Patriot Statesman of Canada, Mr.Viger, who introduced him to the scientific world of the French Capital, together with superior talent and a taste for study, might alone have qualified him to become a writer of history.But none of these things,—not all of them combined could have enabled him to write so much as one of his many beautiful Poems.I ask no excuse therefore, when I claim Mr.F.X.Garneau as a Poet, and maintain that as the author of so many exquisite poetical compositions, he holds afar higher position than as a writer of history.Talent with labour and apportunity makes an Orator, an Essayist, a Historian.The Poet derives his inspirations from a higher source—from genius even, and if there be anything higher he can claim than this high gift, from that also.Allow me now to give you an idea in a few words, of the opinion which eminent critics have expressed in regard to Mr.Garneau’s efforts as a historian.I shall then impart to you my view of his poetical powers.The Rev.Abbé Casgrain alluding to his history says : “ C’est dans un élan d’enthousiasme patriotique, de fierté nationale blessée qu’il a conçu la pensée de son livre, que sa vocation d’historien lui est apparue.Ce sentiment qui s’exhalait à mesure qu’il écrivait, a empreint son style d’une beauté mâle, d’une ardeur de conviction, d’une chaleur et d’une vivacité d’expression qui entraînent et passionnent,—surtout le lecteur Canadien.On sent partout que le frisson du patriotisme a passé sur ses pages.” The Count de Montalembert, himself so well known as an Orator, Essayist, Critic, Historian and Statesman, also speaking of Mr.Garneau’s historical efforts admits that he was struck with admiration.“Je dirais volontiers, avec ce patriotique écrivain, 11 Que les Canadiens soient fidèles à eux-mêmes, et j’ajouterai qu’ils se consolent d’avoir été séparés par la fortune de la guerre de leur mère-patrie, en songeant que cette séparation leur a donné des libertés et des droits que la France n’a su ni pratiquer, ni conserver, ni regretter ! ” The country of which such a man as M.de Montalembert could thus speak is surely entitled to its place in history ; and it is destined, no doubt, to fill a brighter page than it has been possible as yet to write.I do not think that my judgment even as regards French Poetry, will be questioned when I pronounce Mr.Garneau the Lamartine, of Canada.The same ardour, the same enthusiasm, the same vigour of thought and power of imagination characterize his compositions.His versification like Lamartine’s, is bold, but like his also, correct, elegant and flowing.He has not written so much ; and in this he has done well, and has left only Poems that do honor to his memory and will secure his fame.I shall not pretend to say which are his more excellent pieces.Such of his poetical works as I have seen, are in point of style beyond any criticism I might think of exercising.But the subjects of some must necessarily interest more than others, and readers generally will make their choice, not rigidly according to merit, but rather according to the memories and associations that will be revived in their minds.The “ Rêve du Soldat” is a very fine historical Poem ; “ La Presse,” a politico-philosophical piece, is notwithstanding its subject, full of grand poetical ideas and splendid imagery ; “ Les Oiseaux Blancs' is replete with fine feeling expressed a« a Poet only can express it.“ Les Exilés" in addition to being 1809.] FOR THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC.27 highly poetical and patriotic, shews how the author could appreciate the love of country ; “ L'hiver” is a charming composition, and “ Le Dernier Huron” has been pronounced Monsieur Garneau’s masterpiece and even more, the masterpiece of Canadian Poetry.There are some who deny it this honor.But as so good a critic and competent judge of French poetry as the Hon.Mr.Chauveau, insists upon such high praise, I am by no means inclined to call it in question.Allow me now before taking leave of Mr.Garneau, to quote a few words from that intensely patriotic Poem : “ Au CanadaThe Poet introduces some sinister oracle or evil genius anathematizing the Canadian people after this fashion : “.Laissons tomber ce peuple sans flambeau, Errant il l’aventure ; Son génie est éteint, et que la nuit obscure Nous cache son tombeau.III Pourquoi te traînes-tu comme un homme ii la chaîne, Loin, oui, bien loin du siècle, où tu vis en oubli ?L’on dirait que vaincu par le temps qui t'entraîne, A l’ombre de sa faulx tu t’es enseveli ?Vois donc partout dans la carrière, Les peuples briller tour à tour.Les arts, les sciences et la guerre Chez eux signalent chaque jour.Dans l'histoire de la nature, Audubon porte le flambeau ; La lyre de Cowper murmure, Et l’Europe attentive à cette voix si pure Applaudit ce chantre nouveau.Enfant de la jeune Amérique, Les lauriers sont encore verts ; Laisse dans sa route apathique L’Indien périr dans les déserts.Maid toi, comme ta mère, élève à ton génie Un monument qui vive dans les temps ; Il servira de fort à tes enfants Faisant par l’étranger respecter leur patrie: Cependant quand tu vois au milieu des gazons S'élever une fleur qui devance l’aurore, Protège la contre les aquilons Afin qu’elle puisse éclore.Honore les talents, prête leur ton appui; Ils dissiperont la nuit Qui te cache la carrière : Chaque génie est un flot de lumière.” The poet now recalls the great intellectual efforts that were made under the ancient civilisations of Rome and Greee, and then resumes his despairing strains : Mais pourquoi rappeler ce sujet dans mes chants ?La coupc des plaisirs efïémine nos âmes ; Le salpêtre étouffé ne jette point de flammes ; Dans l’air se perdent mes accents.Non, pour nous plus d’espoir, notre étoile s’efface, Et nous disparaissons du monde inaperçus.Je vois le temps venir et de sa voix de glace Dire, il était ; mais il n'est plus.Peuple, pas un seul nom n’a surgi de ta cendre Pas un, pour conserver tes souvenirs, te9 chants, Ni même pour nous apprendre S’il existait depuis des siècles ou des ans.Non I tout dort avec lui, langue, exploits, nom, histoire ; Ses sages, ses héros, scs bardes, sa mémoire Tout est enseveli dans ces riches vallons Où l’on voit se courber, se dresser les moissons Rien n'atteste au passant môme son existence ; S'il fut, l’oubli le sait et garde le silence.” This is more than poetry.It expresses in such language as the poet only can command, the profound convictions of the author, convictions which impelled him and sustained him in the execution of his herculean task, the labour of his life-time, his history of Canada, which has so nobly given the lie to his melancholy forebodings and snatched from oblivion tbe memories, the traditions and the people that were so dear to him.After this lengthened notice of so popular an author and poet as Mr.F.X.Garneau, you would not easily pardon me many details concerning several distinguised poets who however, cannot be passed over in silence.• Their names, so well known to their fellow-countrymen of Eastern Canada, must suffice on this occasion.There is not time for biography and critical appreciations of their works.Among these honored names which the Literature of their country has enshrined, aro Pierre Petitclair, A.S.Soulard, J.T.Loran-ger, Levesque, Laviolette, Hon.Justice Morin, Jeanmenne, Pi.a-mondon, Barthe, Dérome, Gérin Lajoie, Arthur Casgrain, Jean Ciiarles Taché, Achille Fréchette, Quesnel, Bibaüd, Aubin, Bédard, and last, but not least, Joseph Octave Crémazie to whom that Prince of Canadian Critics, Hector Fabre, assigns the highest rank among the Poets of his country.A few extracts from the poetical works of this eminent Poet would no doubt be acceptable.But, I must remember that this is only a Lecture, and shall now hasten to a conclusion.An Ottawa audience would not however easily excuse me, if I closed my remarks, without some allusion to a Poet whose name must ever remain an honor to our City.M.Léon Pamphile Lemay although a native of Lotbinière, Province of Quebec, claims affinity with Ottawa.Whilst he was yet a student unknown to fame, and the City of the woods was no less obscure than the future Poet whose genius was maturing within its walls, Ottawa became for a considerable time, the scene of his persevering studies.He aspired at that time to the Christian Priesthood.But the requisite study and discipline were too much for his delicate health, and after persevering with the most commendable zeal, for no less a period than two years, he devoted himself once more to literary pursuits.In this congenial field of intellectual labour he has met with more than ordinary success.Not only have his earlier poetical compositions which appeared in the literary periodicals of Lower Canada, attracted the notice and elicited the highest eulogiums of the Literati of his native Province ; they have also been the subjects of eulogistic criticism in France aud the United States of America,— thus imparting to distant and jealous lands, a distinct and unmistakeable knowledge of the fact that learning and talent can find an asylum,—an honored home, on the banks of the remote St.Lawrence and the remoter Ottawa.Mr.Lemay has published a volume containing a highly finished translation of Longfellow’s “ Evangeline,” and a considerable number of lesser Poems.You will allow me to say that the translation is an improvement on the original.All the fine feeling of Longfellow is preserved.His lines of intolerable length are changed as if by some magic power, into the elegant and flowing and never tiresome measures of the French Poet.A very beautiful Poem from the pen of M.Lemay has since appeared in “La Revue Canadienne” (No for April 1867,) entitled “ La Débâcle du St.Laurent.” This is a composition of some length in the Epic style.It is full of masterly descriptions and breathes, throughout, the finest feeling.Hear how the Poet appreciates the joys of spring.“ Avril ! Avril ! ton souffle est plein de volupté ! Tes matins et tes soirs, ô beau mois enchanté, Naissent dans l’harmonie et les flots de lumière ! Avril, c'est toi qui viens égayer la chaumière, Dont la bise d’hiver attristait le foyer ! Avril, c’est toi qui fais sous ton souffle ondoyer, Les flots du St.Laurent redevenus dociles, Quand tes feux ont fendu leurs cristaux immobiles.” There is no time for a longer quotation.Let these few lines suffice for an introduction to a fine descriptive passage.Whilst he was yet indulging in such strains, “ Un barde jeune et bon, Doué du plus fatal mais du plus noble don ; Et pendant qu’il chantait, son œil mélancolique, Suivait avec ivresse une scène magique : * C’était le St.Laurent qui, las d’être captif, S’agitait sur son lit comme un coursier rétif, 28 THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION [February and March, Secouait le fardeau de ses glaces massives, En éclats scintillants les poussait sur ses rives, Les broyait sur son sein avec un bruit affreux Comme un bruit de volcan par un soir ténébreux, Ou les traînait au loin dans sa fuite rapide, Comme au fond des forêts un lion intrépide.Emporte les lambeaux de ces liens honteux, Qu'un dompteur osa mettre à son pied généreux.'1 I cannot without regret take leave so soon of our gifted follow-citizen.Hut my lecture must come to an end.M.Lemay is still young, (born in 1837.) What great things may we not hope for from his geuius and well known industry ?And now, craving your indulgence, and nothing less than a plenary one, for the many omissions of this necessarily hurried discourse_____ but what do 1.see?There’s old Fadladeen again ! will there be no end to cant ?Criticism—sound criticism—all must bow to.But the cant thereof ! Of all the cants that are canted in this canting world, although indeed, it cannot be denied that the cant of hypocrisy is the worst—the most criminal, the cant of criticism is the most pretentious and the most tormenting It never has been known to be productive of good.Evil only can arise from its application.It is one of those things which appear to exist for no other purpose than the punishment of mankind.By its stolid persistencv, it ruffles the sweetest temper, makes tne warm current of life ’ grow chill and stagnate in the veins, sours the very soul itself, and like vermin on the expanding buds of spring, seizes with deadly grasp, the most promising seeds of genius the moment they have begun to germinate.It is the “ malignant star" under the influence of which the most gifted among the sons of song are doomed, not unfrequently, to wither away and perish.( The pompous Fadladeen desires to be heard).Why my Lord Fadladeen, I thought you were gone : “I did not go far.I rejoice in being here, not for any pleasure I have enjoyed, but because it afiords me an opportunity-of protesting against such lecturing.The dignity of the sublime art of oiatory requires a more sustained and formal style.It is completely thrown from its exalted sphere when it descends to the familiar forms of conversation.So great an art was never designed for any less important purposes than to intluence the judges of mankind or to move vast assemblies.I grant, indeed, that oratory may be employed in order to inform the minds of men.But when so employed, it must appear in its proper garb.When stripped of its befitting ornaments, and exposed in rags and almost nude, before the rude world, it can no longer be recognised as oratory.It sinks into that contempt which is the well deserved lot of those, who whilst they might be, and ought to be, rich and distinguished, aim at finding happiness in poverty and obscurity.It will be pretended, perhaps, that when oratory becomes conversational and discursive, it is capable of embracing a greater variety of topics and of discussing them more copiously and completely.But it cannot be maintained that any purpose however good and noble, can be sought by means that are unworthy.The diffusion of knowledge no doubt, is a great end.But can it justify the most ignoble means ?Ought the divine power of oratory to be sacrificed for the sake of communicating information which may be acquired by reading and in many other ways?OuHit the goddess of the sublime gift of speech to be stripped of her garments, torn from her pedestal and dragged in the mud, in order that people may be told in a homely style quite unsuited to godlike eloquence, how many songs have been written for their amusement?“ I deny that Poetry is intended only for amusement.-’ “Let me proceed, if you please ; you hold that by adopting that undignified conversational manner, you can discourse more freely and impart knowledge which could not be conveyed in the more lofty and appropriate style of oratory.But, what have you done?You have talked only of some poets who, you say, are more distinguished.You have indeed given dates of birth and other circumstances which have their proper place in a Parish register, but which are quite superfluous and irrelevant in a discourse on the noble art of Poetry.It would have been more to the purpose if you had spoken more at large and in language suited to so high a theme, of all our talented youth who have been favored with the divine afflatus.It is well known that there are many in this privileged land, where the language of the primitive Bards and Troubadours is still spoken, who are gifted bejond their fellows.It is notorious that there are manv such.But who they are is not so generally manifest.To withdraw these sons of genius and the muses from their unmerited obscurity, is a task worthy of the sublimest oratory as well as of that learning which, you say, can be imparted in an undignified tête-à-tête fashion, but which, I insist upon it, ought never to be degraded any more than oratory itself, by the trivial and colloquial manner of the drawing room,—a manner, I am sorry to observe, which is passing from the fashionable circles to the lecture room, and must speedily corrupt, if it does not meet with some salutary check, that eloquence which if allowed to appear only in its native grandeur, could not fail to maintain its empire over the minds of men.” Notwithstanding all this pompous criticism, the Lecturer was honored with a -unanimous vote of thanks.He bowed his acknow-nowledgments, and lest even a work of supererogation should go vvithout its reward, he proposed three cheers for that Prince of critics, My Lord Fadladeen! CANADIAN HISTORY.Memoirs of tlie Richelieu.No.G.— Rouville Mountain.The chain of mountains named Rouville, Rougemont, St.Pie and St.Thérèse is doubtless part of the system in which the White and Green mountains are included.The first of these is a distinctive feature of the Richelieu river, and for that reason, claims our attention in these historic papers.It commands the stream from Rouse’s point to Sorel.It is visible in every part ofit, and forms in the different windings a variety of views which are one of the peculiar beauties of the Richelieu landscape.The mountain takes its name from the Sieur Ilertel de Rouville, who was the first Seignior of the domain on which it stands.It is also called Belccil or St.Hilaire mountain, after the two villages that lie at its base.Besides being one of the highest elevations in Lower Canada, it has other characteristics which give it a special picturesqueness.Its side from the river is a pricipitous crag of syenitic rock, but its land-sides are beautifully undulated in gradual slopes.It was for along time famous for itssuermes, that is its abundantgrowth of superior maple, which yield unusual supplies of the saccharine water.In old times, the declivities of Rouville mountain were merry with laughter and song, when the white March sunlight played in among the fair girls that braided St.Catherine’s tresses, or in plainer language, made taffy under the bleeding maples, Rouville Mountain was likewise celebrated for its apple orchards.These have not yet entirely disappeared, but they are not what they used to be, when the Grise and Famctise were among the glories of this boreal climate.The mountain possessess a geological curiosity, which is, of itself, sufficient to deserve a visit.It is a beautiful lake, nearly on its summit, and situated between two slopes.A ramble over the mountain in summer and sailing on this lake, would well repay any tourist in an artistic or scientific point of view.The history of Rouville Mountain is limited to an imposing religious ceremony, which took place on the 6th October, 1841.The celebrated preacher, Forbin de Janson, Bishop of Nancy, France, after some missionary labors in Canada, proposed to erect a 1 w Crucis on the slopes of the mountain, and plant a colossal cross on its highest point.^ On the day just mentioned, the Catholic Bishops of Montreal, Kingston, Sydime and Nancy left the Seignorial Manor, in the state coach of the Hon.Ilertel de Rouville, and commenced the ascent, accompanied by an immense multitude of carriages, horsemen and foot pilgrims.When they reached the mills of the Seignior, the prelates were met by a host of clergymen, who had come from every quarter of the country, and bent their way towards the beautiful lake.There the Bishops put on their Pontifical vestments, then stepped on a raft which had been prepared for the occasion, and launched out some thirty or forty yards from the shore.There an impressive discourse was pronounced by the Missionary Bishop.His audience was immense—some 25 or 30,600 persons all pressed together on the shore, in the trees, on the impending rocks.An old man, who witnessed the scene, assured us he could never forget it.It reminded him of our Blessed Saviour preaching at Lake Tiberias. I860.] FOIl THE PROVINCE OF QUEBEC.29 After the discourse, the procession formed again for the ascent lo the summit.The women led the way, the clergy formed the centre, and the men closed the march.They stopped at every one of the stations of the Via Crucis, and recited the appointed prayers, after the blessing by the Bishop.On the pinnacle of the mountain, a gigantic cross had been erected, one hundred feet high, six wide and four thick.It was fastened in the rock by twelve enormous chains.At the foot of the cross, a chapel, twenty feet square, was built and intended for religious service.There, in that presence, at that height, under these most solemn circumstances, the emblem of our redemption was blessed and a magnificent sermon delivered by Bishop Janson.Among the spectators, was seen a solitary Indian, standing aloft on the angle of a rock and gazing with troubled eye on a spectacle so novel to him.He looked like a mysterious apparition of the past, a representative of those extinct tribes sent by the primitive masters of these realms to inquire into the strange noises that disturbed their slumbers.For six years from that date, the cross of Rouville Mountain stood there, amid the tempests and the convulsions of the elements like a benediction on the good people of Canada, followers of the Crucified.From the St.Lawrence, the Richelieu, the Yamaska, it could be seen towering in the high heavens, and travellers of every creed, looking up to it, exclaim in the words of the old mediaeval chant— 0 Crux! Ave ! Spes Unica! But the situation of the cross was too much exposed, or else it was not sufficiently well fastened to the crags of the mountain, for in November 1847, it was blown down during a severe storm of thunder and lightning.Nothing remained of it but the pedestal, which it still left standing as a memorial of a beautiful ceremony, and a religious enthusiasm.The view from the top of Rouville Mountain is unique in the country.It extends over a radius of fifty miles.The whole of Montreal Island, the Ottawa, Lake St.Francis, the whole of the Richelieu Valley from Lake Champlain to Sorel, portions of Vermont, New Hampshire and New York, most of the Eastern Townships, rivers, lakes, forests, villages, towns, cities, stretches of field and prairie, all enter within the marvellous vision.As a place of summer resort for families, there is none finer in Canada.We wonder that something is not done to utilize it for that purpose, and the more, that mountain scenery is comparatively rare in that part of the country.The whole mountain is private property.It has passed from the male line of the Rouvilles into the hands of Major Campbell, who resides at St.Hilaire.That gentleman places little or no restriction, however, on travellers who desire to explore the mountain.—St.John’s News.SCIENCE.The Origin vf Minute Lite.BY HENRY 3.SLACK, F.G.S., SBC.ROYAL MIC.SOC.Controversies about “spontaneous generation” ought in these (lays to be replaced by inquiries iuto the conditions under which organisms of a low character can exist, or become developed.“Spontaneous generation” is a bad term, involving a metaphysical idea not properly belonging to physical science, or to biological science either.The term would indicate that something is generated of its own accord—a notion barely intelligible, and bordering upon absurdity.What one set of investigators meant by it was, that, under certain circumstances, physical and chemical forces aggregated inorganic matter in such a way as to produce organic matter, or an organized being, which had no connection of hereditary descent with previously existing beings of the same species, or of any species whatever.Were it desirable to investigate this belief in an accurate manner, we should have to consider what various writers meant by physical and chemical forces; and by “ nature,” which was supposed to call them into action, and whether those terms were made to include what vitalists would call vital powers.The notionof life arising from a fortuitous concourse of atoms is an absurdity not contained in any speculations to which we need now pay attention, but there are two schools whose theories continue to exert a practical influence upon experimental inquiries and methods of reasoning.The one, in the words of Pouchet, affirms that, “ under the influence of forces still unexplained, and, as Cabanis says, which will remain truly inexplicable, either in animals themselves or elsewhere, there is a manifestation of a plastic force which tends to group molecules tegether, and impose upon them a special mode of vitality, from which results a new being, corresponding with the medium in which its elements were primitively drawn together (puiser).” (1) This plastic force is much like the “ vital force ” of a recent school of physiologists, but I do not understand where M.Pouchet supposes it to reside ; but, however that may be, he says that it does not create an adult being, but operates in the same way as sexual generation.The second school, at present of importance, adopts the idea of Otho Frederick Muller, cited by Pouchet, to the effect that animals and vegetables decompose into organic particles endowed with vitality, and capable of developing as germs.Pouchet also quotes J.Muller as admitting a spontaneous generation, which is only the result of the decomposition of large organisms, whose molecules dissociating themselves, become animalcules.A few years ago, Mr.H.J.Clark, of Cambridge, U.S., communicated a paper to the American Academy, which I find published in the “ Annual of Scientific Discovery for 1860,” in which he states, that a portion of the muscle of a Sagitta in a decomposing state formed vibrios out of its separating fibrillæ.He said that “ what would be declared by competent authority to be a living being, and accounted a species of vibrio, is nothing but dead muscle.” I have often observed, when soft creatures like freshwater worms, or large infusoria, break up, that some of their molecules behave very much like living beings, but appearances of this description do not give much help in settling the question.Vibrio-like things may result from a physical coalescence of particles, and move by some force quite distinct from vital.Unless they can be proved to perform some vital action, it may be unwise to conclude too positively that they are alive.The experiments of D;.Montgomery with myeline show how readily certain objects comport themselves like organic cells, although they are really nothing of the kind.To obtain myeline, the yolk of an egg is boiled with about one ounce of alcohol ; the liquid is filtered, and the sediment, myeline, collected.Dr.Montgomery states, (2) that the least particle of this myeline sediment will exhibit under the microscope, with the addition of water, the curious spectacle of tubes shooting forth, and wriggling about.When mixed with white of egg, bright globules formed instead of tubes.Very dilute nitric acid, added to the above, coagulated the albumen in the artificial cell, and gave the appearance of mucous nuclei.Blood serum answered better, and the resulting artificial cqlls are described resembling corpuscles of saliva.In other experiments various cell appearances were obtained, including those multiplications by divisions.I have nothing to do with Dr.Montgomery's reasonings upon these experiments ; I adduce them Simply for the purpose of showing that things which are not alive may, from physical agencies, go through a series of performances that might easily cause them to be taken for living beings, or for organic units, if that term be preferred, which is, perhaps, advisable.When a microscopist has to deal with objects of very minute size, it is clear that, unless great caution is used, he may ascribe life to them without sufficient reasons.Even with objects as large as Dr.Montgomery’s cells, deceptive appearances would be very likely to mislead.An observer might see a mother cell give rise to daughter cells, and forthwith pronouuce them alive.He tells us of “ the most splendid examples of ‘ cells,’ in all stages of fissiparous division,” resulting from the processes above described.In cases of true living cells, the physical results of absorption of water, or other fluid, the mechanical enlargement of the plastic material, fission, etc., probably takes place in simple accordance with natural laws.The old notions that life controlled and modified chemical and physical laws is exploded by the progress of discovery, especially in organic chemistry, and there is strong evidence that organic sub- (1) “ Heterogenie,” pp.7, 8.(2) “ On the Formation of so-called Cells in Animal Bodies;” by Edmund Montgomery, M.D., late Demonstrator of Morbid Anatomy at St.Thomas’s Hospital.Churchill. 30 THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATION [February and March stances are formed in living bodies exactly in the same way as the chemist can imitate many of them in his laboratory, although his apparatus is very inferior to that which nature employs.We conclude a simple plant like the yeast-cell to be truly alive, because it not only changes the food-matter with which it comes into contact, but assimilates it, and passes through a real growth.In Dr.Montgomery’s experiments his particles of myeline did not transform any adjacent matter.They absorbed water, which enlarged them, and they exhibited purely physical change, varied according to the viscidity or limpidity of the fluids surrounding them.In this there was nothing truly resembling life, though the process may be identical with some of the processes which living cells exhibit.When We come to consider what we mean by calling a simple cell alive we have to discard all the higher conceptions of life, as it exists in animals, or in man.The yeast-plant, for example, consists ot little bladders or cells, containing a substance in which nitrogen figures as a constituent.It takes in surrounding matter, it appropriates it, works a chemical change in it, enlarges itself, and makes offspring, or buds, with one portion of the material, and leaves the rest as the alcohol and carbonic acid which result from fermentation.The chemist can trace the nature of these operations, which differ from his own experiments chiefly in this, that the yeast-plant, which is a chemical apparatus for transforming sugar according to a definite formula, reproduces itself, and gives rise to a numerous progeny, all capable of doing the same work.But the yeast-plant is only one of a series ol forms capable of acting as ferments, though not limited to the alcholic kind.Smaller than the yeast-plant, and the blue moulds, and other forms which belong.to the same series, and are more or less convertible one into the other, are the vibrions, bacteriums, and similar organisms.The vibrions are, as most of my readers know, minute beaded chains, more or less spiral, from about 1—430" to 1—9200, or less, in length, and ot proportionate tenuity.Bacteriums are stiff, rod like bodies, equally, and more minute : and spirium is an elegant and very delicate helix, moving with a beautiful screw motion.Many micros-copists, especially in France, call these tkiugs, or most of them, animals, but they are probably either vegetable, or should be arranged in a group by themselves.Little regard can be paid to divisions of them into species, if by that is meant that their off-spring will always resemble their parents, but distinct forms have specific [lowers as ferments.When organic matter is decomposed under ordinary conditions, some of these organisms invariably appear, and they seem to act as the chief agents of the chemical changes that occur.By what means they move is not known.Dujardin and Ehrenberg have ascribed locomotive filaments to some of them, but I have never seen anytbiny of the kind, and conjecture their motions are the consequence of actions of endosmose, ex osmose, and contraction and expansion, arising therefrom.Minute objects of this kind are usually the subjects of discussion when the spontaneous generation controversy crops up, and from their extreme smallness, and the facility with which they appear, it is very difficult to trace either their structure or their origin.A single cell is probably capable of producing them, and that may be so small, that a negative decision as to its existence in any fluid or solid cannot be worth much, except we cau satisfy ourselves that we have rendered all life impossible in the substance to which reference is made.M.Pouchet is now the leader of those whom it is the custom in England to call “ Spontaneous Generationists,” but that term is incorrectly applied to him and to his colleagues, MM.Jolly, Musset, and others.Pouchet adopts the term, “heterogenesis,” which, as we have shown, he describes as a method of generation differing from that by means of eggs, or buds, and yet in affinity with it.As an account of Pouchet’s theories was given in the “ Intellectual Observer” vol.i., p.85, I need not now describe it at length, but shall advert to one or two points.He says, “ If, in our experiments, proto-organisms develope themselves by contact of divers bodies, we must not suppose the cause of their appearance is absolutely under the influence of affinities ; this would be to lower creation to the level of chemical attraction ; ” and he goes on to profess his agreement with Bremser, who alleges “ spirit ” to be the principal cause of life, which he declares does not arise from such a mingling of substances as the chemist can produce.Pouchet considers that it is “ an immense error to regard reproduction as an act accomplished by the mother.” The mother, he says, does not make the egg, which he supposes to be animated with a “ vital force ” of its own from the moment its two first molecules come together.He considers that fermentations and putrefactions “ disengage organic molecules,” and prepare the way for fresh combinations.First, he says, may be noticed in infusions a pellicle, which grows thicker, and becomes what he calls the “ prolific pellicle.” It is, he says, composed of the remains of animalcules, and acts as an improvised ovary, in which others are generated.At first, organizable matter in infusions, according to his views, in a state of solution, but in the course of fifteen or twenty hours, at a sufficient temperature, and under the influence of air, minute corpuscules appear, at first motionless, but afterwards moving in a way that distinguishes them from inorganic particles in molecular motion ; they are, ho says, monads of the smallest kinds.Passing from theories of heterogenesis to experiments, the thing to be ascertained is whether any bodies possessing organic life vegetable or animal, are produced in solutions or fluids in which all germs have been destroyed, and from which they are excluded.The opponents of heterogeny and similar hypotheses, exp'ain the appearance of animalcules in solutions exposed to the air, by referring them to germs, or eggs, floating about in the atmosphere, and ready for development if they fall under suitable conditions.M.Pouchet calls those who hold this view “ Pnnspermists,” and challenges them to prove the existence of the quantity of diffused germs their theory requires.He likewise continues, year after year, to adduce experiments in which Infusoria appear, although the fluids in which they occur have been boiled, and the only unadmitted has been passed through rod-hot tubes, or sulphuric acid.In another class of his experiments he obtains special growths under special conditions, and asks if we can believe that the air contains a great variety of germs capable of such varied develop ment.He affirms that, “ by varying to infinity the solid substance of an Infusoria, where the same air and water are used, thelnfusoria will equally vary infinitely as the character of the solution varies.” This may be tested by any mieroscopist, and I think the result will scarcely correspond with the very wide assertions M.Pouchet makes.One of his experiments in free air is a very pretty one, from his description, but I cannot speak of it from my own experience.He places some paste, made with wheat flour and boiling water, in a flat porcelain trough, so as to form a layer about one centimetre thick.When the paste begins to solidify, he traces letters on it with a brush, dipped in a strong infusion of galls which has been filtered.He covers the vessel over with a plate of glass, and in four days finds the letters in black, composed of a microscopic fungus he calls Aspergillusprimigenius.He tells us that only where tbe infusion of galls has acted do any organisms appear.In opposition to a multitude of experiments by M.Pouchet and his companions, MM.Joly, Musset, etc., M.Pasteur adduces a quantity of his own experiments, the result of which is to show that if organisms and germs are destroyed by boiling, and the vessels sealed, or only allowed access to air deprived of germs, no life of any kind appeals.M.Pasteur’s experiments have been usually regarded as conclusive in this country, and they certainly seem to be more exact than most of those adduced on the other side ; but he does not use high powers with his microscope, and it is difficult to reject counter experiments which are alleged to have yielded opposite results, and to have been made with equal care.Among the most noteworthy of these experiments are those which Dr.Gilbert W.Child has brought before the Royal Society, and which are collected together, with some additional matter, in a volume just published.(1) Dr Child’s firstset of experiments were made with milk, and fragments of meat and water, placed in glass bulbs about two inches and a half in diameter, and having two narrow and long necks.“ In one series the bulbs were filled with air previously passed through a porcelain tube containing fragments of pumice-stone, and heated to vivid redness in a furnace.In the others they were respectively filled with carbonic acid, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen gases.” The matter in some bulbs was boiled, and in others not.The joints of the apparatus were formed by nonvulcanized india-rubber tubing and india-rubber corks, previously boiled in a solution of potash.In every case but one, in which the substances had not been boiled, low organisms were found, and the bulb in which these were not seen burst from some fermentation, probably associated with life.In the boiled bulbs, no sign of life appeared in those filled with carbonic acid, or in those filled with hydrogen; but organisms did appear in that filled with the heated air, and in the milk bulb filled with oxygen.The oxygen and meat bulb burst spontaneously.In another set of experiments Dr.Child used a porcelain tube partly filled with grounded pumice, one end being connected with a gasholder, and the other with the bulb holding the putrescible matter.The bulbs had two necks as before, one connected by means of an india-rubber cork with the porcelain tube, and the other bent and inserted in sulphuric acid.“ The central part of the tube con- (1) “Essays on Physiological Subjects.” By Gilbert W.Child, M.D., F.L.S., F.G.S., of Exeter College, Oxford.Longmans. 1869.] FOR THE PROVINCE OP QUEBEC.31 taming the pumice was heated red hot by a furnace, the bulb joined to it when it attained a vivid heat ; the end of the porcelain tube which projects from the furnace being made thoroughly hot immediately before the cork is inserted, the cork itself being taken out of boiling water, and the neck of the bulb heated in a spirit-lamp immediately before it is inserted into the cork.” A stream of heated air was passed through the apparatus, and the bulb boiled for ten or fifteen minutes.When cool the bulb was sealed.Peameal, hay, coarse flour, sage-loaves, and celery were the substances employed for the infusion ; and Dr.Lionel Beale was present when some of them were examined on September 0.Small organisms were found in a bulb filled May 18 with peamal and water, and also in another filled with hay-water on July 18, and in a similar bulb filled the same day.Some dumb-bell crystals were also seen.In another bulb the result was “ unsatisfactory ; ” even with high powers no certain evidence could be obtained, as was the case in other instances when minute round spore-like bodies were seen moving about the field.” Other scries of experiments were undertaken.Dr.Childs says, “ Now, if we omit from these two series of experiments those which I have already shown reason to distrust, we have in all, seven in the first, and six in the second series, which seem fairly to test the question ; and these having been examined by Dr.Beale as well as myself, bacteriums were found and seen by both of us in three out ot the first seven, and five out of the remaining six.” Dr.Childs ascribes the discrepancy between his results and those of M.Pasteur to the fact of his having employed high powers, Ross’s one twelfth and Lealand’s one-twenty-fifth ; while the French chemist contented himself with a power of three hundred and fifty diameters, which is certainly very insufficient.I have paid considerable attention to the exhibition of minute-headed structures in investigations of various kinds, and I have found the most delicate can only be rendered visible by powers double, treble, and quadruple those used by Pasteur, and by very careful illumination.Further than this the eye must get accustomed to the objects, just as astronomers know is necessary in separating close double stars.Dr.Childs states that the cloudy appearance of a fluid is no indication of its containing bacteriums, or the reverse.He has now “ no doubt of the fact that bacteriums can be produced in hermetically scaled vessels containing an infusion of organic matter, whether animal or vegetable, though supplied only with air passed through a red-hot tube, with all necessary precautions for ensuring the thorough heating of every portion, and though the infusion itself' be thoroughly boiled.But how far this affects the question of spontaneous generation is quite another matter.” It seems, as Dr.Childs says, that either the germs of bacterium can resist boiliug water, that they are spontaneously generated, or that they are not organisms at all.The last he rejects, and there remain the two former, on which he does not decide.Dr.Childs cites some similar experiments of Dr.Wyman, “ in which organisms certainly appear under the same circumstances as they did in his own, and as they never did in M.Pasteur’s ; yet if the infusion were boiled for six hours no organisms ever appeared.” This looks as if the germs were only destructible by' prolonged boiling, but it does prune all that is wanted.M.Lemaire has shown a that the mere fact of an infusion being enclosed within a hermetically-sealed vessel, even without any application of heat, is in itself sufficient to check the production of organisms, for in such circumstances fermentation begins, but cannot continue.” I bave observed that it a small piece of organic matter is placed on Professor Smith’s growing cell, and covered with thin glass pressed close upon it, though bacteriums appear, they soon die, and do not propagate.My object in this paper is neither to advocate nor to oppose any theory, but simply to show what experimenters are doing on the subject, and what are their results.It seems difficult to account for a large class of Pouchet’s facts, upon the supposition that organic germs abound in the air, without ascribing to them a far greater minuteness than has hitherto been supposed, and without also presuming that the germs of simple organisms are capable of being developed into whole groups of organisms, commonly reckoned as distinct species.In one passage Pouehet says that air would be as heavy as lead if it contained all the germs the panspermists suppose ; and if the phraseology be a little exaggerated, we ought not to discard too summarily the reasoning on which it is based.M.Pasteur has collected, by means of an aspirator, the minute particles floating in the air, and entangled them in a tuft of «un cotton, which, being dissolved, left them behind, and he raised a crop of organisms from the germs the air contained.These objects were distinguishable with the low powers he employed ; but who shall say what is the smallest germ, or what portion of a minute globule to which that name is assigned is the real germ ?The question of the size of germs is not altogether unconnected with that of their destruction by heat or acids.Probably the germ of a higher animal or vegetable is a highly complex structure ; in fact, a congeries of simple germs arranged in a definite manner.This may be accepted whether Darwin’s remarkable theory be correct or not, and heat, or the action of an acid like sulphuric, abstracting water, may destroy the vitality of a compound germ by dispersing the particles, taking away their freedom of motion, or altering the order in which they are arranged.A single germ may be far more indestructible, and may survive a temperature or the action of a re-agent that would be quickly fatal to a complex germ.Important discoveries always cause a surprise, except to a few minds who have had some prevision of them.To ordinary mortals that which seemed impossible is very likely to be true, and although the mystery of life will probably remain inscrutable, honest researches into the origin of minute forms are sure to reveal striking and unexpected truths.I therefore recommend English observers to enter upon their investigation without compromising themselves by adopting theories upon insufficient grounds.— The Student.Address of Principal Dawson ai the Annual Conversazione of tlie Natural History Society of Montreal, Feb., 1869.Ladies and Gentlemen.—It is my pleasing duty to bid you welcome to the Seventh Annual Conversazione of this Society—a Society which has not ceased, since its incorporation in 1832, to lal our for the promotion in this city of a taste for natural science ai d al ied subjects; and this, with marked success.In addition to its Lectures and Meetings, I may mention as a permanent monument of its utility, the issue ot nine volumes of its Proceedings, containing more than 4,000 pages of matter of the highest scientific value, and of the utmost importance to the knowledge of nature as it exists in this country, and to the development of our resources.No other institution in Canada eau pretend to have made any contribution to the Natural History of this continent approaching this in value and extent.1 may also mention its Museum, which has within the last few years made great progress, under the care of Mr.Whiteaves, and by the patientlabour of our cabinet-keeper, Mr Hunter.When I look through this museum to day, and observe its admirable arrangement and the great amount ot scientific material of real value which it contains, 1 can scarcely believe that it has grown from the confused and paltry collection which was huddled together in our former rooms in Little St.James street.Nor has its growth ceased.The additions made within the last six months amount to 200 species of vertebrate animals, a lar^e number of invertebrates, and about 200 fossils, besides many other objects.Taking together, the collections of this Society, of the Geological Survey and ot the McGill University?Montreal now stands far in advance ot any other city of this Dominion in its museums of Natural Science ; and thus affords greater facilities than any other to the student of Canadian Natural History and Geology.This is no mean advantage, and is especially appropriate to a commercial and manufacturing metropolis ; and it will be far more strongly felt when we shall have in connection with the University, or with any other agency that may be established, Schools of Science for the trainin'»' ot our young men in the practical application of Science to the Arts° In this respect, this Society has all along been in advance of the a°-e • because here, as elsewhere, the accumulation of museums must always precede the establishment in any large and effectual way of the higher grade of scientific schools.A knowledge of this fact, has, I confess stimulated my own efforts in behalf of this museum and that of the university, since I hoped that here, as in the old world, the collection ot object swould afford a safe basis for the erection of scientific education.There are some branches of knowledge and culture, and these very valuable in themselves and the training they afford, which require nothing but teachers and books for their successful prosecution.But training in science, to attain to any useful results, must have laro-e preparatory appliauces in collections and apparatus.This alon suPcrvision of an Inspector.Through these officers the Superintendent has sought to awaken the interest of every portion of the Province, and render operative the educational enactments of the Legislature.I need not say that this work has required much vigilance and unwearied labour.7 The school accom modation of the Province has been improved both in extent and k “d donhlede