CHAPTER I.
EFFECT OF SOCIAL AND POLITICAL CHANGES ON MENTAL DEVELOPMENT.
Introductory Remarks—Conditions of Settlement in Canada—Her History divided into three Periods—First Period, under the French Regime; Second, from the Conquest to the Union of 1840; Third, from 1840 to 1867—New Period since Confederation—Intellectual Lethargy in New France—Influence of U. K. Loyalists on Political and Social Life of the Canadian Provinces—Formation of two Governments in the East and West—Effect of Parliamentary Institutions on the Public Intelligence —Remarkable impulse given to Canadian Communities by the Union of 1840—Difficulties of the Old Settlers—Results of the improvement of Internal Intercourse, the growth of Education and Political Progress—Population in 1760, 1840 and 1870—Rapid increase of the Professional and Educated Classes—Wider Field of Thought and Activity opened to Canadians by Confederation—Effect of Climatic Influences on National Development—Distinctive traits of French Canadians—Influence of Union of Races—Usefulness of Religious Teachers in early times—Labours of the Journalist—Influence of Political Discussion— Development of Public Intelligence through the extension of Political Rights.
CHAPTER II.
EDUCATION.
State of Education under the French Regime—Its slow progress after the
Conquest—Schools in Upper Canada—Dr. Strachan's famous Academy
—Stimulus given to Public Schools by the Union of 1840—Schools in the
Maritime Provinces—Higher Education in Canada—The Quebec
Seminary—King's College—Roman Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian
Institutions—First Colleges in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick—Laval
University—Kingston Military College and other Educational
Experiments—Female Colleges—Statistics of Educational Progress—
Status of Teachers—Defects of the Public School System—Review of the
University System—Advantages of Special Professional Courses as in
Germany—A National University.
CHAPTER III.
JOURNALISM.
Influence of the Newspaper Press on the Intellect of the Country—First Newspapers in Canada—Review of Political Journalism up to 1840—Quebec Gazette, Montreal Gazette, Quebec Mercury, Le Canadien, etc.—Journalists of mark in old times—Gary, Bedard, Neilson, Mackenzie, Horne, Fothergill, Gurnett, Dalton, Parent—Mrs. Jameson on the Upper Canada Press—Advent of Joseph Howe—Journalism since 1840—Sir Francis Hincks—The Globe and Hon. George Brown—Le Journal de Quebec and Hon. Joseph Cauchon—The New Era and Hon. D'Arcy McGee—The Hamilton Spectator, Toronto Leader and other Journals of note established—Oldest Newspapers in Canada—Number of Papers, and their probable total Circulation—Influential Journals since 1867—Leading Journalists—The Religious Press—Illustrated Papers—Influence of the Press in Canada—Its Improvement in tone and its great Enterprise—The Old and New Times, as illustrated in two Toronto Papers.