Report of the Council of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, for the Year 1865

 

[Originally published by the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec in Transactions, New Series, No. 4 (1866)]

 

THE Council has the honor to submit the following Report of the general progress of the Society during the past year:—

 

The long list of members laid before the Society at its Annual Meeting, has been considerably reduced by striking from the roll all who were in arrears, and who refused to pay, and by the loss of over thirty members, who removed to Ottawa with the Government. To compensate for this, there have been added twenty-four new associate members; and sixteen were proposed, at the last stated meeting, to be balloted for to day. Our present number of associate members is 116. Two corresponding members have been elected, viz.,—Professor P. C. Sinding, and Com. Fortin; and one honorary member—the Abbé Brunet.

 

The stated meetings have been regularly held, and more than usually well attended. The following papers were then read before the Society:—

 

Jan. 18.—BY A. HARVEY, ESQ.—"On the occurrence of Gossamer in Lower Canada."

 

" BY J. LANGTON, ESQ.—"On the form of skulls as distinctive of different races."

 

Feb. 1.—BY S. STURTON, ESQ.—"On Specific and latent heat."

 

" 15.—BY REV. J. DOUGLAS.—"On two Egyptian mummies."

 

March 15.—BY H. WILLIAMS, ESQ.—"On the Copper Mines of Lower Canada."

 

April 5.—BY Prof. P. C. SINDING.—"On the ancient Scandinavians."

 

" 19.—BY Prof. P. C. SINDING.—"On the Schleswig-Holstein question."

 

May 1.—BY W. J. ANDERSON, M.D.—"On Animal Magnetism."

 

" 17.—BY E. T. FLETCHER, ESQ.—"On the secular changes of the Magnetic Declination in Lower Canada, from 1790 to 1850."

 

" 31.—BY Prof. P. C. SINDING.—"On the division of time."

 

Nov. 15.—BY REV. J. DOUGLAS, Vice-President—"Opening address."

 

" 29.—BY W. J. ANDERSON, M.D.—"On the coal-like substance, or altered bitumen, found in Fort No 3, at Point Levi."

 

Dec. 6.—BY J. M. LEMOINE, ESQ.—"On the history of Literature." (in French.)

 

Papers are promised for all the remaining stated meetings of the winter. Several of them are by French members who have lately joined, and who, we ardently hope, are the precursors of many others, actuated by the same aims as ourselves, and who will be willing to cooperate with us in prosecuting them.

 

Another number of the Transactions has been published, forming the 3rd part of the 1st vol. (New Series) The 4th part is being published, but on a different and, the Council believes, more advantageous system than that herefore pursued. The papers appear first in the columns of the Quebec Gazette, and are then reproduced in pamphlet form. By that means we reduce the cost of publishing more than one-half, and give greater currency to our proceedings. The same plan has been adopted in the publication of our Historical documents, of which it is expected there will be a small volume completed before the close of the year.

 

The original arrangement with Morrin College expired in November, and it was then agreed that, as it was uncertain whether the College would continue to occupy the present buildings, the Society would consent to the connection being dissolved at any time, on receiving three months' notification. The College, however, has released them for another year, and desires to retain the existing relation for that period at least. We, on our part, had no wish to sever a connection which has been productive of much benefit, and has worked so harmoniously.

The Library continues to be widely used. 873 books and periodicals are entered as having been taken out during the year. But this is far from representing the full extent of its utility; for a glance at our table, and the incomplete files of periodicals, show the extent to which the library rules are disregarded, and call for some amendment of our regulations in this matter.

 

The Museum is steadily growing.

 

The Treasurer's Report shows the state of our finances to be good.

 

For nearly two years there has been affiliated with this Society a branch of the Entomological Society, which has held its meeting monthly in our rooms, and stocked for the Society a cabinet of entomological specimens of great beauty and interest.

 

Although the Society has sustained a heavy loss in the departure of the Government, we look forward with confidence to the future. So many new members have been elected, and so hearty a determination has been shown to work vigorously and maintain its character, that we have no fears lest failure and decline succeed the prosperity of the last few years.

 

REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN OF THE LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF QUEBEC FOR THE YEAR 1865.

 

THE undersigned, before surrendering his trust into the hands of the Society, begs to report as follows.—

 

The duties devolving on him, as custodian of the books and manuscripts of the Society during the last twelve months, have been comparatively light; the late period of the year at which the Provincial grant was received leaving little time to select new books. The addition to the books has consequently been inconsiderable.

 

The Librarian having thought it incumbent on him to urge the Society to devote a portion of the funds in the hands of the Treasurer to the publication of manuscripts relating to the early history of the country, the Society unanimously supported him in his efforts; and three important additions to our publications have in consequence taken place, on terms most advantageous.

 

The undersigned has also brought under the Society's notice the dilapidated state of several volumes, requiring new bindings or repairs to the old binding; and he is glad to state that steps have been taken, in compliance with the expressed views of the Directors, to remedy this evil. The principal Reviews and Magazines have also been bound ; and steps ought to be taken to get back numbers, which may be missing.

 

The undersigned has made an energetic appeal to the French Canadian gentlemen, through the press, to join the Literary and Historical Society, extending hopes that the Society would devote still further funds to publish documents relating to the History of Canada; and he is happy to be in a position to say that the appeal has met with a responsive echo.

 

Amongst the attractions to the general public, frequenting the Society's rooms on lecture days, the undersigned fully believes that the procuring of a large historical Album of the celebrated Canadians and Americans, together with an Album of Canadian Scenery, would tend to enhance the interest of visitors; and that a plan could be devised by which this idea could be carried out at very little cost

 

The undersigned begs to call the attention of the Society to the fact, that several important documents for the History of Canada exist in the archives of Halifax, according to the statement of Dr. Anderson ; and that by corresponding with the proper authorities of that city, these documents might be made available to us.

 

The whole respectfully submitted.

 

J. M. LEMOINE.

 

Quebec, 10th January, 1866.

 

MUSEUM REPORT OF THE LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF QUEBEC FOR THE YEAR 1865.

 

YOUR Curator has to report that during the past year there have been added to the Museum fifty-eight geological specimens, nineteen authenticated and rare eggs of Canadian birds, at a total cost, for specimens, stands, and stuffing the same, of $211.60

 

Your Curator was informed, in 1864, that Sir W. Logan would send us a collection of Canadian minerals. Not having been in office this year till the last few weeks, he has had no opportunity of enquiring respecting them ; but it shall be attended to this summer.

 

A perfect collection of Canadian minerals is a great desideratum, and your Curator thinks that no reasonable pains or cost should be spared to secure the same.

 

The department of Ornithology is so far advanced, that your Curator hopes you will sustain him in completing the same as soon as possible, in order that they may be properly classified.

Your Curator respectfully thanks the various parties who from time to time have assisted him by donations.

 

S. STURTON,

Curator of Museum.

Quebec, January, 1866.

 

DONATIONS TO THE LIBRARY OF THE LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF QUEBEC DURING THE YEAR 1865.

 

A MS. document, relating to the death, burial and sword of Montgomery—from Dr. Rees.

 

Etat présent de l'Eglise.

 

The North Kingdom—from Mr. Plante.

 

Mémoire de Montcalm—from Mr. LeMoine.

 

Journal and Proceedings of the Boston Natural History Society— from the Society.

 

Catalogue of Plants—from the Abbé Brunet.

 

An old letter from Lord Dalhousie to the Society—-from J. Langton, Esquire, M.A.

 

History of Scandinavia; 1 vol. 8vo.—from Professor Sinding, the Author.

 

United States Diplomatic Correspondence; vols. I., II., III. and IV. —from the Consul of the U. S. A.

 

Specimens of Copper Ore from Harvey Hill Mines—from Herbert Williams, Esquire.

 

Two Coins—from W. White, Esquire, Post-Office Department.

 

5-Cent United States Paper Currency—from A. Harvey, Esquire.

 

Canadian Fossils—from G. J. Bowles, Esquire.

 

Specimen of Iron Ore—from M. Miller, Esquire.

 

Spanish Grass, used for paper-making—from G. T. Cary, Esquire.

 

Twenty Stuffed Birds—from Mrs. Dixon, of Bowmanville; presented through R. S. M.

Bouchette, Esquire.

 

A number of Fishes and Crustaceans from the Gulf—from P. Fortin, Esquire, Corresponding Member of the Society.

 

Lime Incrustations from the north shore of Newfounand—from Capt. Aocah, Gaspé.

 

A Star Fish—from A. Holliday, Esquire.

 

An Opossum—from the Smithsonian Institute, Washington.

 

G.F. Bowles, Treasurer in account with the Literary and Historical Society.

 

Dr.

 

1865
Jany. 1.	To Balance fund from last year
	General Fund	$238 65
	Historical Fund	209 17
			$ 447 83
March.1.	To Interest from Savings Bank		9 10
Sept. 27.	To Parliamentary Grant		750 00
Dec. 30.	To Sale of Transactions		2 50
¨	To Subscriptions received from Members		306 00
			$1515 42
1866
Jany. 1.	To Balance on hand deposited in Quebec Provident and Savings` Bank		$ 670 68

 

 

Cr.

 

1865

Dec. 30.	By Books, Periodicals and Binding		$ 197 21
"	By Specimens for Museum, and mounting same, and Cases		211 60
"	By Historical Documents published		20 00
"	By Printing Transactions		159 55
"	By Stationery, Advertising, &c		40 49
"	By Insurance		25 00
"	By Refreshments at Meetings		49 07
"	Secretary’s Salary, Gas, Postage and other expenses		126 14
"	Commission on collecting Subscriptions		11 50
"	Balance carried forward to next year :—		$1515 42
	Historical Fund	$189 17
	Life Members’ Fund	54 65
	General Fund	427 04
			$ 670 68
			$1515 42

 

Quebec, 1st January 1866.

 

GEO. JNO. BOWLES,

Treasurer.