In 1857 the Hon. P.J.O. Chauneau, LL. D., the provincial minister of public works, who took a keen interest in educational affairs, founded the “Conferences des Instituteurs de L’Ecole Normale Jacques-Cartier,” and in October of the same year a literary society, under the patronage of the Séminaire St. Sulpice was founded under the title of “Cercle Littéraire” by Joseph Royal.
La Société Historique de Montreal, was founded in 1857, but was not definitely organized until 1858, under the presidency of Commander Jacques Viger, being incorporated by an act of the Legislature in 1859. The headquarters of this society had always been held in the Ecole Normale Jacques Cartier. This society has published important memoires relative to the history of Canada, and possesses valuable manuscripts which for want of funds it is unable at present to publish. It was on its initiative that in 1894 the monolith near Place Royale, formerly Pointe a Callières was erected to commemorate the precise spot of the landing of the first colonists in 1642. Its presidents have been as follows: Commander Jacques Viger, April 11, 1858; M. L’Abbe H.A. Verreau, January 14, 1859; M. Judge George Baby, May 18, 1904; M. Judge L.W. Sicotte, January 23, 1909; M. L’Abbe N. Dubois, May 6, 1912.
On May 3, 1858, the Institut Canadien-Francais came into existence, having as secretary L.O. David, now Senator David, historian and litterateur. The society which had its home on Little St. James Street was very active and many of its members occupied in after life responsible public positions. It began well with bright, eager students, but finally fell on evil days when owing to a tendency to liberalism it came under the ban of Bishop Bourget so that many of its members left and formed the Societé des Artisans Français-Canadiens and the Union Nationale. About the same time two others were formed, active literary bodies of today, the Cercle Littéraire de Ville Marie (1857) under the auspices of the Sulpicians, and the Union Catholique (1858) under the auspices of the Jesuits.
The Institut Canadien Library, which afterwards was held by the Club Canadien in trust, was finally transferred by arrangement to the Fraser Institute in 1885.
The suppression of the Institut Canadien is remembered by the Guibord case. M. Guibord, one of the condemned members, though not mentioned by name, after his death was refused burial in the Catholic cemetery, although he had owned a burial plot there. An action which finally was taken to the privy council by his widow was settled in her favour and the body was transferred from the Mount Royal Protestant Cemetery to that of Cote des Neiges. Fearing an émeute the police and military were present, but owing to the discretion of the mayor, Dr. William Hingston, nothing serious happened. A large boulder, unnamed, marks the spot of burial. Later the ground was deconsecrated and the wording of the law was changed so that burial in the Catholic cemetery may not take place, even with the prior possession of land, without the consent of the Catholic authorities.
The name of the Antiquarian and Numismatic Society is closely associated with the old Château de Ramezay, for it was through the initiative, beginning in 1894, of its members that the Château became, in 1897, its museum and consequently was saved from the hand of the vandal. The society was, however, first formed in 1862 by the juncture of two little groups, one French and one English, of numismatists who used to meet at the members’ homes to study the finds and histories of old coins and medals. Recognizing that the study of numismatics was largely connected with the broader subject of antiquities, it was decided to change the name of the society to the “Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal.” In 1912 a new charter under the title of “The Antiquarian and Numismatic Society of Montreal” was granted. Some of the earliest members were A.J. Boucher, Stanley Bagg, James Ferrier, L.A. Huguet-Latour, James Rattray, Dr. Hector Pelletier, Daniel Rose, J.E. Guilbault, Lavens Mathewson, J.L. Bronsdon, and since the society has included amongst its members a number of historical authorities of distinction, such as William Kingsford, William McLennan, Alfred Sandham, Dr. Samuel Dawson, Gerald Hart, Judge Baby, Sir James Lemoine, Henry Mott, Hon. P.J.O. Chauveau, M. l’Abbé Verreau, Judge L.W. Sicotte, Senator Edward Murphy, P.S. Murphy, I.B. Learmont, H.H. Lyman, Henry J. Tiffin, and M. l’Abbé N. Dubois; and such numismatic or antiquarian authorities as E.Z. Massicotte, P.O. Tremblay, R.W. McLachlan and W.D. Lighthall. The society, through its journal “The Canadian Antiquarian and Numismatic Journal,” which was first published in 1872 and which, notwithstanding several interruptions, has now reached its twenty-seventh volume, has gathered together and conserved for future generations invaluable records of Canadian history, while in its museum at the Château de Ramezay it has a collection of old portraits, antiquities, documents and books vying, according to Mr. J. Ross Robertson, with the richest of its kind on the continent of America. Amongst the contributors to its journal might be noted, in addition to those mentioned, such authorities as Henry Mott, Samuel Baylis, its present editor, Lapalice, Victor Morin, Thomas O’Leary, and others. Two very active members of the society have been De Léry Macdonald, whose extensive acquaintance with French-Canadian portraits and genealogy gave him the idea of the portrait gallery which is now part of the society’s collection, and Roswell Corse Lyman, who did so much in the saving of the Château. The present president, to whom is due the idea of the Château becoming the home of the museum, is Mr. W.D. Lighthall.
About 1892 a strong school of French litterateurs, still existing, sprang up with the Ecole Littéraire, which held its meetings in the Château de Ramezay. This produced a number of the best poets of the time, including Charles Gill, Jean Charbonneau, Doucet, A. Lozeau, Albert Ferland, Demers, Gonzalve Desaulniers and others. It published in 1900 the Soirées de Château de Ramezay, which was much praised in Europe and received special encomium from Ab der Halsen, a distinguished Alsatian critic.
Amongst the present English literary and debating societies, St. James’ Literary Society stands out because of the high standard of the papers and features given each session by the most able men in the city and Canada.
The society, which had its inception in the autumn of 1898, began with a gathering of twelve men, who met more or less casually for mutual intercourse and improvement in connection with St. James’ Church. As the society grew in numbers it was felt that a definite constitution should be drawn up and it became henceforth one of acknowledged force in the literary life of the city. Its motto Permitte lucem and its emblem the “Lamp of Literature” indicate its mission. The original name has been retained, but its membership is broadened for general acceptance. The addresses given during the season are kept on record for reference and perhaps for future publication.
Its presidents have been: Rev. C.G. Rollit, 1898-99-1900; J.H. Shaw, 1900-01; John Barrett, 1901-02; W.C. Wonham, 1902-03; F.W. Hibbard, K.C., 1903-04; J.S. Archibald, 1904-05; M. McD. Duff, 1905-06; Rev. H. Symonds, D.D., 1906-07; Maxwell Murdock, 1907-08; W.T. Castle, 1908-09; E.G. Place, 1909-10; J. Armitage Ewing, K. C, 1910-11; George Hale, M.D., 1911-12; H.A. Jones, 1912-13; James G. Gray, 1913-14; J.H. Shaw, 1914-15.