Report of the Council of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, for the Year 1875[1]

 

[Originally published by the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec in Transactions, New Series, No. 12 (1877)]

 

The Council of the Literary and Historical Society have the honour to report to the members, that since the last Annual General Meeting held in their rooms, on the 13th of January, 1875, there has been the following change in, and addition to, the list of membership.

 

They have to announce with regret their loss by death of the following members:— J. B. Parkin, Esq., George Thomson, Esq., Edwin Trass, Esq., of Paris, and by resignation — nine members. On the other hand, they have great pleasure in announcing that twenty-three new members have been elected since the last Annual General Meeting. The number of members is now 345.

 

The following papers have been read :—

 

I. On the Aboriginal History of Great Britain, by Hon.W. C. Howells, Consul for the United States of America, read the 17th February, 1875.

 

II. On the Intellectual Progress of Canada since 1824, by the President, Professor James Douglas, Jr., read the 3^rd March, 1875.

 

III. Recollections of a Summer Cruise in the Arctic Regions, fifty-six years ago, by James Douglas, Esq., M.D.,read the 17th March, 1875.

 

IV. On Jerome Savonarola, by E. J. Fletcher, Esq., read the 7th April, 1875.

 

V. On some things belonging to the settlement of the Valley of Ohio, by Hon. W. C. Howells, Consul for the United States of America, read the 19th May, 1875.

 

VI. On the Roman Pandects, by R. S. M. Bouchette, Esq., Vice-President of the Society, read the 4th December, 1875.

 

The Council beg leave to inform the Society that a volume of the new series of the Transactions, Part II, has been published, and is now ready for distribution among the members.

 

It has also the pleasure to state that under the auspices of the Society the fourth series of manuscripts relating to the early history of Canada, has recently issued, containing four important MSS., viz:—

 

No. 1. A Journal of the Expedition up the River St. Lawrence, May 8, 1759,—the original MS. being the property of J. M. LeMoine, Esq.

 

No. 2. General Orders in Wolfe's Army during the expedition up the River St. Lawrence, 1759.

 

No. 3. Journal du Siège de Québec en 1759 — par Jean Claude Panet, témoin oculaire.

 

No. 4. Journal of the siege and blockade of Quebec by the American Rebels in Autumn 1775 and winter 1776. (Hugh Finlay.)

 

In addition to these valuable Historical Documents, there is one which will prove interesting to the student of History appended to the article in the Transactions on Card Currency, viz:—"Convention for the liquidation of the Canada paper money between the King of Great Britain and the King of France." The MS. is the property of Dr. H. H. Miles, author of the History of Canada, who kindly placed it at the service of the author of the article.

 

The Society, from its infancy, seems to have understood the important mission which its Charter imposed upon it, with regard to the publication of documents relating to the early times of our history. Many of its Patrons, Presidents and leading members specially favored this course. We may mention in 1838 the Earl of Durham- one of our ablest colonial administrators; the historian Garneau; the learned Abbé John Holmes, Director of the Quebec Seminary. One of our most laborious Presidents, the late G. B. Faribault, made it a life occupation and labor of love; and later on, circumstances alone prevented the Society from carrying out to its fullest extent, the publication of Champlain's voyages, which originated under another President, John Langton, Esquire. The first publication of magnitude was the printing in 1838 of "Mémoires sur le Canada, 1749—1760"- due chiefly to the efforts of the late G. B. Faribault. The most curious memoir, on the last years of French rule, was so much sought after that in a few years the edition was exhausted. It is one of the works we have lately thought proper to reprint. The re-printing and re-publication from Hackluyt of the Voyages de Jacques Cartier followed by the Routier of Jean Alphonse de Xaintoage, soon after attracted the notice of all students of Canadian History.

 

For some years the Society's zeal seemed to flag. In 1866 a Committee was formed to assist Mr. J. M. LeMoine in the selection of MSS. for publication; and from that time to the present of the MSS. printed save two, were selected and revised by him; this involved the correction of some thousands of pages of proofs.

 

The Society has long felt the want of a fire-proof chamber as a depository for the safe-keeping of valuable works, manuscripts, and records, the destruction of which would prove an irreparable loss. For the preservation of such, the Governors of Morrin College have, with their usual liberality, placed at the disposal of the Society an arched chamber in the basement of the building, which has been rendered fire and burglar proof by the addition of iron doors and other improvements which were deemed necessary.

 

The Misses Neilson offered to entrust to the keeping of the Society the invaluable collection of books, including a complete fyle of the Quebec Gazette since 1764, made by the late Hon. John Neilson. The Council hope that their successors in office may soon be in a position to announce that this collection has been placed in safety, by the ladies referred to having availed themselves of the provision which has been made for the preservation of books and papers that are most rare.

 

The Library has been enriched by the addition of 312 volumes of the higher current literature. The Council trust that the selection of books which has been made may be considered judicious, and calculated to minister to the varied tastes of the members of the Society. The report on the Library gives full particulars of the purchases during the last year, to which the Council refer.

 

The report of the Curator of the Museum will be found interesting. The specimens of birds are in a state of good preservation, and the collection no doubt continues to prove serviceable and interesting to the student of ornithology. The Council cannot allude to the few Indian reliques in the Museum without expressing the hope that donations and additions may be made to that department, such as pipes, axes, hammer-stones, spears, and arrow-points. It is most desirable to increase the archaeological collection. In this neighborhood, perhaps, more than in any other in Canada, reliques and memorials elucidating Indian life in the past majr be obtained in sufficient numbers to render the Museum more attractive and more interesting to the antiquary and the student of archaeology than it is at present.

 

The Council cannot omit making mention of the commemoration in the rooms of the society, of the centennial anniversary of the successful defence of Quebec in 1775. The co-operation of the members generally rendered the celebration a marked success. Historical papers bearing on the subject were read on the occasion by Colonel Strange and J. M. LeMoine, Esq., which, together with an account of the proceedings of the evening, will be published in pamphlet form.

 

With regard to the financial affairs of the Society, the Council refer to the accompanying report on the state of the funds, submitted by the Treasurer. It will be readily seen that, unusual expenditures have been made of late, viz :—In publishing, .and in the purchase of books for the library; in providing a place of safety for the property of the society; and in defraying the expenses connected with the commemoration. The balance, however, which would otherwise have appeared in the hands of the Treasurer is represented, in part, by well selected works now on the shelves of the library, by the printed transactions, historical manuscripts, and interchanges which have been made with kindred societies. There is no darkness but ignorance, and that we seek to dispel by diffusing knowledge, and by publishing interesting documents and information which may be useful to those who aim at improvement, and who labor for the advancement of art and science.

The Council announce with sincere regret the loss to the Society by the death of their Assistant-Secretary, Mr. William Judd, who for several years past had so efficiency discharged the duties assigned to him. They have engaged the services of Mr. Macdonald, who, they trust, will prove no unworthy successor to the former occupant of the office.

 

They very much regret the absence of the President, Professor James Douglas, Jr., who has left this city to reside in the United States of America. The Council cannot express themselves in terms too laudatory of the great services he rendered during his long connection with this Society, in which he filled every important office demanding mental labor. On leaving his native for a new home, an address was read and presented to him, which, together with his answer, is on record in the minutes of proceedings, It is gratifying to the Council to be enabled to state that Mr. Douglas' connection with the Society will not be entirely severed, as he will continue to contribute to the "Transactions;" and some time during the current session he will visit Quebec and read the address which he has prepared for the year that has just ended.

 

JAMES STEVENSON,

Vice-President.

 

REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN

FOE THE

YEAR ENDING DECEMBER, 31ST, 1875.

 

The Librarian, in rendering an account of the department under his care, would remark that the excellent Library on these shelves continues to be well appreciated, as is evinced by the large number of volumes taken out during the past year, viz:—2,912 against 2,653 of the year preceding. (Issues in 1873 2,108, in 1870, 1,499.)

 

Eighty-three vols, have been added to the Library by donation or exchange, The benefactors have been H. S. Scott, Esq., M. Latour Huguet, the Governments of Quebec and Ontario, and many learned societies whose transactions have been forwarded to us. A detailed list of these donations is appended to this report.

 

The additions by purchase during the past year number 312 volumes, which may be classified as follows: History 22, Natural Science 19, Travels 56, Biography 16, and Modern Literature, &c. 199. The Society considering that its duty lay in specially collecting the works of native talent has devoted a compartment to Canadian authors, and many additions have been made thereto during the past year, the works added being principally in the French language.

 

The departure of Mr. Douglas has been felt in the Library, as at the time of his leaving Quebec he expected to procure large additions to the Library by personal selection during his travels, but he was prevented from carrying out his intentions and thus the purchase of many useful works has been delayed, the procuring of which will devolve upon the Council for the ensuing year. Members are reminded of the Recommendation Book in which they may inscribe the titles of wished for works. These suggestions will always be thankfully received. The much regretted demise of the late acting librarian Mr. Judd, left a vacancy not easily filled, but his successor Mr. McDonald, when he will have had the personal knowledge of the books which time alone can give, will prove an efficient officer.

 

The chronic complaint of this, in common no doubt with all libraries, is that books are taken out and tardily returned, if returned at all. It is to be hoped, especially with regard to new books, that subscribers will pay more attention to the rule allowing fifteen days only for the detention of a volume. Books are sometimes lost completely, and sometimes though in the Library they can with difficulty be found. The latter trouble may be obviated by numbering the books and shelves, thus giving each volume its permanent place, and I would recommend that this should be done as soon as convenient, but the abstraction of books without the knowledge of the librarian can only be prevented by placing the books under lock and key or behind counters as is the case in most large libraries. However, the present system of open shelves is so much more convenient and pleasant to those members who frequent the room that a change cannot be recommended.

 

The reading room furnished with an increased number of periodicals continues to be largely used. The evening attendance up to date this winter is an improvement on previous seasons.

 

The whole respectfully submitted.

 

RODERICK McLEOD,

Librarian.

 

DONATIONS TO THE LIBRARY DURING THE YEAR 1875.

 

New England Historical Geneological Society—

Collections.: 36 Nos.

Harvard College—Memorial Biographies: 2 Vols.

Essex Institute—Bulletin: 1 "

Mercantile Library Association—Report: 1            "

Royal United Service Institution—Journal: 1 "

Boston Society of Natural History—Memoirs: 4 "

Henry S. Scott, Esq., — Jules Verne's Voyage autour du Monde: 1 "

Henry S. Scott, Esq.—Stadford's Map of Polar Regions: 1 "

Academy of Science of St. Louis—Transactions: 1          "

Quebec Government Statutes: 2 "

Quebec Sessional Papers: 2 "

American Academy—Proceedings: 1 "

Philosophical Society of Glasgow—Proceedings: 1 "

American Antiquarian Society—Proceedings: 1 "

Province of Quebec—Reports and Surveys: 6 "

Province of Ontario—Journals Legislative Assembly: 1 "

Knight Templars New Hampshire—Proceedings: 2          "

New Hampshire Historical Society— Proceedings 2 "

Public Library of Boston—Reports, &c: 3 "

Royal Geological Society  of Ireland—Reports, &c: 1 "

Through Smithsonian Institute—Sundry: 10 "

 

Total: 80 Vols.

M. Latour Huquet—Annales de Ville-Marie            r :  3 "

 

83 Vols.

 

REPORT OF THE CURATOR OF THE MUSEUM,

FOR THE

YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 1875.

 

The Museum of the Society is, comparatively speaking, of recent date. Two successive conflagrations, had swept the specimens of former years—less varied, and, in my opinion, less attractive than those we now possess. They were chiefly composed of ores, metals, some few birds, and last, though not least, the largest denizens of our forests.

 

A short retrospect of the past may not be out of place. Our seniors can yet recall to mind the Society's huge black bear, a colossal moose, some graceful red deers, together with the well known cariboo. The art of the taxidermist had made them loom.out as large as life; we can remember well their stately gravity, in the vacant rooms of the Union Hotel, Place d'Armes, and subsequently amongst the cobwebs, in the attic of the old Parliament Buildings. Doutbless, that enthusiastic naturalist, Pierre Chasseur, himself the proprietor of a museum, had been employed to procure, and Mr. Kendall, a good taxidermist, to stuff these samples of Canadian game.

 

About 1854, and again about 1860, the fiery scourge, which has so often devastated Quebec, devoured these treasures of art and nature. A fresh collection was then commenced, in the rooms occupied at that date in the Ala-sonic Hall, St. Louis street. Our institution having engaged an assistant Librarian, Custodian and Taxidermist, Win. Couper, late of Toronto, a new impetus was communicated, especially to Ornithology and Zoology. Being at that time engaged in compiling the history of the Birds of Canada, I was asked to superintend the selection and formation of the new museum. To the Birds, eggs and specimens procured and stuffed by Mr. Couper, large additions were made, some by gift—some by purchase—others by exchange. It became a pleasant task to carry out a scheme which every successive Board of Directors seemed to have so much at heart. Our collection of birds and animals now comprises nearly the two-thirds of our Fauna, and the birds, eggs, contributed by gift and purchase, form a most valuable selection.

 

About three years back, the specimens requiring more space, the Society on the recommendation of the Curator incurred the expense of the handsome center square case in glass and mahogany in which, the ducks, grouse and some wold animals are seen to so much advantage-Other departments of the sciences soon claimed our notice, especially archaeology and numismatics.

 

Dr. Marsden, the Vice-President, was instrumental in obtaining for the Society, on reasonable terms, a most beautiful and complete sett of United States Medals—Presidential—Army and Navy—this is not the only debt of gratitude the museum owes to this old and valuable member. Mr. Alfred Sandham, Numismatist of Montreal, may also be considered one of the principal benefactors to this department. Another Branch which it has been my good fortune to see much increased was that relating to the Canadian and foreign woods. The latter was a gift from a member, Dr. H. Miles, the historian.

 

Our archaeological collection, our Indian curiosities, we owe to the untiring energy and to the generosity of a regretted late President, Dr. W. J. Anderson.

 

Want of space has compelled us to leave comparatively in abeyance the Ichthyology and Flora of Canada. A herbarium of lovely flowers is the source of too pure pleasure to the lover of nature to be long forgotten.

 

Our Vice-President has dwelt at sufficient length on other wants of the Museum; it is unnecessary for me to enlarge on them. Let us hope that, with a continuance of the prosperity which hitherto has lit up our path, ere-long, the Museum will be worthy of the enlightened Society which now claims it as its own.

 

Respectfully submitted.

 

J. M. LEMOINE,

Curator.

 

Literary and Historical Society

OF QUEBEC.

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM—1875.

 

P. Poulin, Esq.:—Horns of Chamois; Rosary from Jerusalem.

G. Vogt, Esq.:—Silver coin of Chili; Italian coin of Napoleon; 1 Russian coin.

Mrs. Algernon Sewell:—Knife from India.

J. S. Budden, Esq.:—Grape shop found on the Plains of Abraham.

J. C. Cattanach, Esq.:—Silver coin of the Republic of Haiti.

A. Graham, Esq.:—Medal of George I.

H. Dinning, Esq.:—Model of the "Royal William," first steamship that crossed the Atlantic. R. Craig, Esq. :—French silver coin found in the ruins of a house at St. Foye.

Rev. C. W. Rawson:—Two copies re-prints of the "Times."

Col. J. F. Turnbull:—Reprints of the first copy of the "Times" and other newspapers.

Prof. J. Douglas:—Tablet with Cuneiform characters.

 

OFFICE BEARERS FOR THE YEAR 1876.

President: JAMES STEVENSON.

Vice Presidents:

LT.-COL. T. B. STRANGE, R.A.

 R. S. M. BOUCHETTE (Advocate)

 H. S. SCOTT

 WM. BOSWELL, M.D.

Treasurer: WM. HOSSACK.

Librarian: R. MCLEOD.

Recording Secretary: C TESSIER, Notary.

Corresponding Secretary: WM. CLINT.

Council Secretary: ALEX. ROBERTSON, Advocate.

Curator of the Museum: J. M. LEMOINE, Advocate,Ex.-President.

Curator of Apparatus: COMMANDER ASHE, R.N., F.R.S., Ex-President.

Additional Members of Council:

REV. H. D. POV IS,

J. WHITEHEAD,

J. F. BELLEAU,

E. POPE.