Report of the Council of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, for the Year 1885[1]

 

[Originally published by the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec in Transactions, New Series, No. 18 (1886)]

 

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Annual Meeting, 13th January, 1886.

 

The Annual Report for the past year was read by the President, as follows :—

 

The President and Council of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, in submitting their reports for the past year to this annual meeting, have to express regret that the society's finances are not in as good a condition as they would wish. It has been found difficult to make the revenue balance with the expenditure, and the library, which ought to have been enriched during the year with many new volumes of value and merit, has consequently suffered. The expense of carrying on the work of the institution has been reduced to a minimum, and, in all directions, the greatest economy has been practised. The Council is anxious to increase the number of books in the library, but the funds are so low, and our facilities for raising money are so limited, that we have reluctantly been forced to make but few additions. It has been suggested that the annual subscription might be increased to $5, but the Council hesitates to recommend the change at present, and prefers to ask the members to make a strong and vigorous personal canvass to secure an increase in the roll of membership. The list at this moment contains 221 names,—a wholly inadequate number to enable us to carry out our well defined objects, and to render the society as attractive and useful as we would wish. "With persistent individual effort, we believe that at least 400 new members could be secured, and

with that increased number on our books no difficulty would be experienced in placing the society on a flourshing and hopeful basis.

 

During the year 24 new members were elected, and 12 withdrew. By the hand of death, six of our most esteemed members were removed from among us. These were Messrs. W. Darling Campbell, Ninian Davidson, E. C. Burke, William Home, Michael Stevenson, and Dr. Jackson.

 

His Excellency the Marquis of Lansdowne, Governor-General of Canada, was elected patron and honorary member of the society. The following letter of acceptance was

received :—

 

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

OTTAWA, Dec. 15, 1885.

 

DEAR MR. STEWART,—I am desired by His Excellency the Governor-General, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th inst., announcing the fact that you had forwarded the diploma of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, for His Excellency's acceptence.

 

His Excellency desires me to inform you that the diploma arrived this morning, and begs you will convey his thanks to the society for the "honour conferred upon him.

 

I am, dear Sir,

Yours very truly,

(Signed,)            MELGUND,

Governor-General's Secretary.

 

GEORGE STEWART, jr., Esq.,

Quebec.

 

I. Allen Jack, Esq, D.C.L, Recorder of the city of St. John, N.B., and B. Percy Scott, Esq., M.A., of Windsor, N.S., were elected corresponding members.

 

In May last Dr. Harper attended the annual meeting of the Royal Society of Canada, at Ottawa, as delegate of this Society, where he presented a report of our proceedings, and read a valuable paper before the English literature section of the Royal Society, which the Printing Committee of that body ordered to be published in its volume of transactions. The opening lecture for the session of 1884-5 was delivered on the 16th of December, 1884, by the president of the year, Hon. David A. Ross ; subject, " King Edward the 1st." The second lecture was delivered by Lt-Col. Wm. Rhodes ; subject, " Geography in connection with the Province of Quebec."

 

The opening lecture of the course of 1885-86 was delivered by the President, George Stewart, jr , F. E. G. S., on the 19th of November last, subject : " The administration of Denonville and the second term of Frontenac." The second lecture on the 3rd December was by Mr. W. A. Ashe, subject : "A year's experience amongst the Eskimos in Hudson's Straits." The third lecture on the 11th December, was by Lt-Col. Rhodes, subject : " Burmah and the Indo-Chino territory in its connection with the Canadian Pacific Railway." The fourth lecture on the 18th December, was by J. M. LeMoine, Esq., subject : " Impressions de Voyage, Sir Walter Scott, sa carrière, ses écrits, son château d'Abbotsford." The fifth lecture on the 30th December, was by the Hon. Judge Routhier, subject : "Une course dans le Nord de l'Afrique."

 

The reports of the Librarian and Treasurer are herewith submitted.

 

The Librarian, Mr. Fred. C. Wurtele, then read his report :—

 

This year the Librarian has nothing of importance to report. The number of volumes borrowed by members of the society during the year, is, 2,234 : which is 870 less than the previous year. The reason of this falling off, is owing to the fact that few new books have been purchased. The magazines and periodicals as usual form a large portion of the issues. Of the above number, 183 volumes still remain out over 14 days, the time specified by the rules.

 

Two hundred and six volumes have been added to the Library.

 

RECEIPTS.

Balance from 1834: $ 12 01

Papers sold: 31 75

Documents sold: 13 50

Members' fees    : 592 00

Member’s arrears: 154 00

Balance: 1 19

=$804 45

 

EXPENDITURE.

Books and periodicals: $191 29

Printing and advertising: 180 70

Rent: 60 00

Fuel and light: 86 92

Salaries: 220 00

Miscellaneous: 65 54

=$804 45

 

The unexpected withdrawal of the Government's grant, two years ago, left the society in debt. The amount still due to various creditors is about $550 ; to balance this there is about $400, yet to be collected, for members' subscriptions leaving a deficit of $150.

EDWIN POPE,

Treasurer.

 

The following gentlemen were then elected office-bearers for the ensuing year :—

President: George Stewart, Jr., F.R.G.S., F.R.S.C.

Vice-Presidents: Wm. Hossack, Cyr. Tessier, John Harper, Ph. D., F.E.I.S., J. Whitehead

Treasurer: Edwin Pope.

Librarian: Fred. C. Wurtele.

Recording Secretary: J. F. Belleau.

Corresponding Secretary: W. S. Bennett.

Council Secretary: Alexander Robertson.

Curator of Museum: J. U. Gregory.

Curator of Apparatus: E. McLeod.

Additional Members of Council: J. M. LeMoine, F.E.S.C. Herbert M. Price. Hon. D. A. Ross, Q.C. Peter Johnston.

 

Mr. R. Turner was appointed Auditor for the ensuing year.

 

Presidents of the Literary and Historical Society.

1824   Sir N. F. Burton, Lt.-Governor.

1828   Hon. Mr. Reid, Chief Justice.

1829   Lieut. Frederick Baddeley, R. N.

1830   Hon. Jonathan Sewell, Chief Justice.

1831   Hon. Jonathan Sewell, Chief Justice.

1832   Hon. Andrew Stuart, .Q.C.

1834   Hon. Wm. Sheppard.

1835            Joseph Skey, M.D.

1836   Rev. Daniel Wilkie, LL.D.

1837   Hon. Andrew Stuart, Q. C.

1838   Hon. Andrew Stuart, Q.C.

1839   Wm. Kelly, M.D., R.N.

1840   Wm. Kelly, M.D., R.N.

1841   Hon. Wm. Sheppard.

1842   Hon. A. W. Cochrane.

1843   Hon. Win. Sheppard.

1844   G. B. Faribault, Esq.

1845   Hon. A. W. Cochrane.

1846   John C. Fisher, Esq., LL.D.

1847   Hon. Wm. Sheppard.

1851   G. B. Faribault, Esq.

1852   G.B. Faribault, Esq.

1853   G.B. Faribault, Esq.

1854   G.B. Faribault, Esq.

1855.  E. A. Meredith, Esq., M.A.

1856   W. Andrew, Esq.

1857   W. Andrew, Esq.

1858   G. B. Faribault, Esq.

1859   G.B. Faribault, Esq.

1860   E. A. Meredith, Esq , M.A.

1861   E. A. Meredith, Esq., M.A.

1802   John Langton, Esq., M.A.

1863   John Langton, Esq., M.A.

1864   John Langton, Esq., M.A.

1865   John Langton, Esq., M.A.

1866   Com. E. D. Ashe, Lieut. R.M.

1867   Com. E. D. Ashe, Lieut. R.M.

1868   Hon. P. J. O. Chauveau, LL.D.

1869   Prof. James Douglas.

1870   Dr. W. J. Anderson.

1871   J. M. LeMoine, Esq.

1872-3            Dr. W. J. Anderson.

1873   Com. E. D. Ashe, Lieut. R.N., F.R.S.

1874   Prof. James Douglas.

1875   Prof. James Douglas.

1876   James Stevenson, Esq.

1877   James Stevenson, Esq.

1878   James Stevenson, Esq.

1879   J. M. LeMoine, Esq., F.R.S.C.

1880   J. M. LeMoine, Esq., F.R.S.C.

1881   J. M. LeMoine, Esq., F.R.S.C.

1882   J. M. LeMoine, Esq., F.R.S.C.

1883   Hon. D. A. Ross, Q.C.

1884   Hon. D. A. Ross, Q.C.

1885   Geo. Stewart, jr. Esq., F.R.S.C, F.R.G.S.

1886   Geo. Stewart, jr. Esq., F.R.S.C, F.R.G.S.

 

Literary and Historical Society of Quebec.

FOUNDED IN 1824,

Incorporated by Royal Charter, 1831.

PATRON :

His EXCELLENCY, THE MOST HON., THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE, G.C.M.G,, GOVERNOR GENERAL OP CANADA.

HONORARY MEMBERS.

 

Sandford Fleming, C. M. G., LL. D.,CE., F.R.S.C.

Honble. George Bancroft, D. C. L., Washington.

President Daniel Wilson, LL.D., F.R.S.C, Toronto University.

General Sir J, H. Lefroy, R.A., F.R.S. T.

Sterry Hunt, LL.D., F.R.S., F.R.S.C, Montreal.

Charles Lanman, Esq., Washington, D.C

John Miller Grant, Esq., London.

John Langton, M.A., Toronto.

E. A. Meredith, LL.D., Toronto.

E Ï. Fletcher, Esq., British Columbia.

Matthew Arnold, D.C.L., London,

Francis Parkman, LL.D., Boston.

Rev. Charles Rogers, LL.D., F.S.A., Scotland.

Wm. C Howells, Esq., Virginia.

Sydney Robjohns, Esq., F. R. Hist. Society, Scotland.

James Douglas, Esq., M.A., Philadelphia.

Wm. Kirby, F.R.S.C, author of " Le Chien d'Or," Niagara.

John Reade, F.R.S.C, author of "The Prophecy of Merlin," Montreal.

James Ashbury, Esq., England.

Professor .Goldwin Smith, D. C.L., LL.D., F.R.S.C, Toronto.

Henry Phillips, Jr., Philadelphia.

Joseph W. Lawrence, Esq., St. John, N.B.

 

CORRESPONDING MEMBERS.

 

Akins, Dr. Thos. B., Halifax, N.S.

Bury, Rt. Hon. Viscount, London.

Benavides, Don Antonio, H.E., President of the Royal Academy of History, Madrid.

Baird, Spencer F., Professor Smithsonian Institute, Washington.

Bourne, Wm. Oland, New York.

Braekenbury, Col. H., R.A., England.

Bois, Abbé, L. E., F.R.S C, Maski-nongé.

Boucher de Boucherville, Hon., M.L C, Boucherville.

Brock, R. A., Richmond, Virginia.

Chauveau, Hon. P. J. O., LL.D., F.R.S.C, Montreal.

Cherriman, J. B., M.A.,' F.R.S.C, Ottawa.

Chapleau, Hon. J. A., Q.C, P.C., M.P., Montreal.

Campbell, Prof. John, Montreal.

D'Abbadie, Antoine, Membre de l'Institut de France, Paris.

Dont, John Charles, Toronto.

DeSechelles, Desmaziéres, St. Malo, France.

DeSalas, Don Javier, Member of the Royal Academy of History, Madrid,

D'Urban, W. S. M., England.

Dansereau, Arthur, Montreal.

Fortin, Hon. P., M. P., M. D., F.R.S.C, Laprarie.

Filippi, le Comte Waldémar, Paris.

Graham, Lt.-Col. U.S.A., Chicago.

Gérin, E., Trois-Rivières.

Grazillier, L'Abbé, Saintes, France.

Henderson, W.. Frampton.

Jack, I. Allen, D.C.L., St. John, N.B.

Kingston, Professor G. T., University College, Toronto.

Huguet-Latour, Major, Montreal.

Lee, G. Herbert, B.A., St. John, N.B.

Lefebvre de Bellefeuille, E., Montreal.

Le Gardeur de Tilly, le Comte Hyppolite, Chantreau-près-Saintes, France.

Marchand, Hon. F. G., F.R.S.C, St. John's, Quebec.

Morgan, Henry J., Ottawa.

Noble, Capt. R.A., F.R.S., F.R.A.S., England.

Provencher, Colonel N., Montreal.

Powis, Rev. H. D., Toronto.

Roberts, Professor, Chas. G. D., M.A., Windsor, N.S.

Saban, Don Pedro, Secretary-General of the Royal Academy of History, Madrid.

Scott, B. Percy, M. A., Windsor, N.S.

Simmonds, Peter Lund, London, Eng. Strange, T. Bland, Major-General, Manitoba.

Sinding, Professor Paul C, Copenhagan.

Suite, Benjamin, F.R.S.C, Ottawa.

Tilley, Sir S, L., K.C.M.G., C.B.,

Lt.-Governor of New Brunswick. Wynne, Thomas H., Richmond, Va.

 

COUNCIL FOR THE YEAR 1886.

 

GEOROE STEWART, JR., F.R.G.S, F.R.S.C.: President.

WILLIAM HOSSACK, CYRILLE TESSIER, JOHN M. HARPER, Ph. D., F.E.I.S, J. WHITEHEAD.: Vice-Presidents

EDWIN POPE: Treasurer.

F. C WURTELE: Librarian.

3. F. BELLEAU: Recording Secretary.

W. S. BENNETT: Corresponding Secretary.

A. ROBERTSON: Council Secretary.

J. U. GREGORY: Curator of Museum.

R. MCLEOD: Curator of Apparatus.

J. M. LEMOINE, F.R.S.C, HERBERT M. PRICE, HON. D. A. Ross, Q.C, PETER JOHNSTON: Additional Members of Council.

 

S MACDONALD: In charge of the Room.