CHAPTER IV.
NATIVE LITERATURE.
Society in New France—Intellectual lethargy—First Books published
after the Conquest—Bouchette's Works—New Era in French Canadian
Letters—Periodicals, Histories, Poems—Garneau, Ferland, Cremazie,
Frechette—Antiquarian Research—Canadian Ballads—Literary Progress of
English-speaking People—Society previous to the Union of 1840—Early
Libraries and Magazines—Authors of Repute—'Sam Slick'—Professor
Dawson—Charles Heavysege—Poetry—Romance—History—Miscellaneous
Works of Merit—Mr. Alpheus Todd's Constitutional Researches—
Contributions to Colonial Literature by Public Men—Talent in the
Legislature—Results of a Century of Progress summed up—Mental Activity
among the Intelligent and Educated Classes—Increasing Issue of Works and
Pamphlets from Canadian Press—Signs of General Culture—Public
Libraries—Literary and Scientific Societies—Mechanics' Institutes—School
Libraries—A Grand Opportunity for the Rich Men of Canada—Literary,
Artistic and Scientific Topics engaging greater Attention—Writers of
Intellectual Power on the Increase—Encouraging Signs of Intellectual
Development—Brighter Auguries for the Future.