[13] Page 7.—For bibliographical notes on this curious olla podrida of religion and history see 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.' iii., 345; Stevens's "Historical Nuggets," ii., 505.
Dr. MICHEL SARRAZIN.
[13a] Page 8.—An interesting account of the life and labours of the eminent pioneer of science in Canada, who came to Quebec in 1685 and died there in 1734, will be found in the fifth volume of the 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.' (section IV.), by the Abbé Laflamme. See also Parkman's "Old Regime in Canada," p. 366, n. Also, pp. 390–393 for citations from Kalm and Charlevoix as to social condition of the French colony. Also, pp. 160–163 and notes, for an account and references to authorities on subject of the Seminary.
PETER KALM.
[13b] Page 8.—He was professor of Economy in the University of Aobo, in Swedish Finland, and a member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences. His Travels in North America ("In Risa tel Nord America"), 1748–51, first appeared in Swedish (Stockholm, 1753–61), and subsequently in a translation, with the original somewhat abridged, by John Reinhold Forster (Warrington and London, 1770; 2nd ed., 1772). A translation in French by L. W. Marchand has also been published, and it is from that I quote in the text. (For German and Dutch versions see 'Nar. and Crit. Hist. Am.,' v., 244.) I have since found that Forster, in a note (ii., 185, 2nd ed.) on the remarks of the Swedish savant with respect to the study of science in the English colonies, calls attention to the fact that "Mr. Kalm has forgotten his own assertions in the former part of this work." Dr. Colden, Dr. Franklin and Mr. Bartram, he continues, "have been the great promoters and investigators of nature in this country, and how would the inhabitants have gotten the fine collections of North American trees, shrubs and plants, which grow at present almost in every garden, and are as if they were naturalized in old England, had they not been assisted by their friends and by the curious in North America." Forster also refers to the schools, colleges and libraries already existing in the English colonies as evidence that Kalm hardly did justice to the men of culture in those countries. No doubt La Galissonière, Sarrazin, Gauthier, and others created, for a time certainly, much interest in the practical pursuit of science in Canada. The interest, however, must have been necessarily confined to a very small class in the two or three towns and garrisons to which La Galissonière's influence extended. Some of the Jesuit priests like Lafitau (see note 11a) had a taste for natural history, and have left us much information on the subject. But Lafitau, La Galissonière, Gauthier, Sarrazin and others were not native Canadians, though, like Charlevoix and his predecessors who wrote of the country, they have left imperishable memorials connecting their names with the literary and scientific history of New France. On the other hand, Franklin, Bartram, Stith, the Mathers and Beverley, whose names will be always associated with the early culture of science and literature in the old English colonies, were American by birth and education. Still these men represented a very insignificant influence in the practical, money-making population of New England and the middle colonies of which Kalm chiefly spoke. Their influence would be relatively trifling compared with that which was necessarily exercised by a governor like La Galissonière in New France, with its sympathetic officials and priests, and which was necessarily contrasted by Kalm with the indifference of the English colonists. Kalm failed, however, to recognize the public liberty, commercial enterprise and secular education which in New England and other colonial communities gave the people the advantage over the habitans and French Canadians generally. Instead, the spirit of materialism that was a distinguishing feature of the active, enterprising English colonists, must have grated on the susceptibilities of a student like Kalm, and prevented him from doing impartial justice to the strong qualities of a rising nation.
SCHOOLS, 1792–1840.
[14] Page 9.—For accounts of the deplorable condition of the public schools in the rural districts of Upper Canada from 1791 to the union of 1841 see Canniff's "History of the Province of Ontario" (Toronto, 1872). Canniff Haight's "Country Life in Canada Fifty Years Ago" (Toronto, 1885), and Bourinot's "Intellectual Development of the Canadian People" (12mo., Toronto, and 'Canadian Monthly,' 1881). At the present time there are 14 universities and 29 colleges in which a classical education is given; 6 ladies' colleges, and 5 agricultural colleges and schools of science. The value of their buildings, endowments, etc., is upwards of $12,000,000, and the attendance is about 9,000 students. The classical colleges of Quebec—which make up the greater number of the colleges in Canada—are a combination of school and college attended by both boys and young men. They confer certain degrees and are generally affiliated with Laval University. The effect of the classical studies encouraged in these colleges is very perceptible in the culture of the well educated French Canadian. At present there are in Canada upwards of 17,000 public, high, normal, and model schools, attended by about 1,000,000 pupils, and costing a total annual expenditure of between six and seven millions of dollars. In Ontario (once Upper Canada) there are 16 universities and colleges, including ladies' and agricultural colleges; about 6,000 schools of all kinds, attended by over 500,000 pupils, and costing annually over $4,000,000. See "The Statistical Year-Book of Canada," Ottawa, 1893.
UPPER CANADA, 1793–1840.
[15] Page 9.—Some interesting details of the early settlement of Ontario will be found in Dr. Canniff's "History of Ontario" (Toronto, 1872). As a local record or annals it is the most valuable yet given to the public by a descendant of the pioneers and U. E. Loyalists. Canniff Haight's "Country Life in Canada Fifty Years Ago" is a readable and sketchy account of old times.