Report of the Council of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, for the Year 1891[1]

 

[Originally published by the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec in Transactions, New Series, No. 20 (1892)]

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING, 13th JANUARY, 1892.

                       

ANNUAL REPORT.

QUEBEC, January 13th, 1892.

 

The annual general meeting of the Literary and Histo¬rical Society of Quebec was held on "Wednesday morning, in the library of the Society, at 10 o'clock. There was a good attendance of members. Dr. G-eorge Stewart, F. R. G-. S., President, in the chair. After reading the minutes of the last monthly meeting, the Council Secretary, "VV. 0. H. Wood, Esq., submitted the annual report to the Society for the past year :—

 

ANNUAL REPORT.

 

QUEBEC, January 13th, 1892.

 

The Council of the Society submit herewith, for the information of the members, their annual statement, for the year 1891. To this report are appended the returns of the Treasurer and Librarian, which, it is hoped, will prove satisfactory. By death, the Society lost last year two of its most prominent members, citizens of high character and integrity, viz :—Chief Justice, the Hon. Sir Andrew Stuart, and J. "W. Dunscomb, Esq., for many years Collector of Customs at this port. Both gentlemen were closely identified with the fortunes of the Society in earlier days, and up to a very short time ago, their zeal and interest in the aims of the Society, were unabated. Sir Andrew Stuart was ever willing and eager to advance the cause of historical research, and the study of letters. Mr. Dun-scomb was always in call, and his great abilities, allied to a fine literary taste, were at the disposal of the Society at all times. "With regret we have to announce, that twelve members have seen fit to send in their resignations. But on the other hand, the Society has gained eleven new members. The active membership is 181, while in 1891 it stood at 184. Six gentlemen were made corresponding members, viz., General James Grant Wilson, New York ; J. G-. Bartholomew, F.R.G-.S., London ; ¥m. L. Stone, Esq. ; Rev. Moses Harvey, LL.D., F.R.S.C. ; G-en. Charles W. Darling, Utica, N. Y., and James Groudie, North Evanston, 111.

 

During the year, a course of lectures was held in the rooms of the Society, and attracted very good audiences. The President, Dr. Stewart, opened the course, on the 27th January, with an address on the life and writings of Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes. On the 10th March, Mr. F. C. Wűrtele, Librarian, read a paper on The English Cathedral of Quebec, he was followed on the 26th of March by Mr. W. C. H. Wood, Council Secretary, who lectured on Novels. Archibald Campbell, Esq., one of the Vice-Presidents, read a paper on the 31st March, on the Royal William, the pioneer of ocean steam navigation, and Mr. W. A. Ashe, F.R.A.S., Corresponding Secretary, closed the lecture season, on the 17th April, with an account of a trip to Labrador, with notes on the projected Labrador Railway.

 

The Council, on the recommendation of Archibald Campbell, Esq., loaned to the great Naval Exhibition, held in England in May, the model of the Royal William, the first steamer to cross the Atlantic by steam alone. The Royal William was built in Quebec City, and the model was presented to the Society many years ago. It attracted much attention at the Exhibition, and the Honorary Secretary, Captain Sir Alfred Jephson, R N., thanked the Council for the privilege of placing so appropriate and interesting a relic on view.

 

All the Historical Societies of Canada have done good work during the past year, and very many papers of great historic interest have been read in each. Most of these have been published in the Transactions and Proceedings of the several bodies. The principal Historical Societies in the Dominion are the Royal Society of Canada, the Historical Society of Nova Scotia, the Historical Society of New Brunswick, the Historical Society of Manitoba, the Society of Canadian Literature of Montreal, Société Historique, of Montreal, Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of Montreal, Society of Historical Studies of Montreal, Cercle Littéraire Français of Montreal, Institut Canadien of Quebec, Canadian Institute of Toronto, Literary and Scientific Society of Ottawra, Institut Canadien-Français of Ottawa, Hamilton Association of Hamilton, Ontario, Wentworth Historical Society of Hamilton, Ontario, Cercle Catholique of Quebec, and our own.

 

The Royal Society of Canada held its tenth general meeting in May, at Montreal. This was the first time that that body ever held a meeting away from Ottawa. The session was largely attended, and there were many delegates from other learned bodies, from all parts of Canada and the United States. The Literary and Historical Society of Quebec was represented by Vice-President, the Very Rev. R. W. Norman, D.D., D.C.L., Dean of Quebec, who presented a report, which the Royal Society will print in its yearly volume of proceedings.

 

Last year, we published a volume of transactions, covering the sessions of 1889 to 1891. Separately were also published a copious index of the lectures, papers and historical documents published by our Society, with a list of the unpublished papers read before the Society, from 1829 to 1891,—the work of our indefatigable Librarian, Fred. 0. Wurtele, Esq.,—and a journal of the voyage of the Brunswick Auxiliaries from Wolfenbiittel to Quebec, by F.V. Mel-sheimer, Chaplain to the Duke of Brunswick's Dragoon Regiment, Minden, 1776. The Journal was presented to the Society by Wm. L. Stone, Esq., of Jersey City, N.J., author of the Life and Times of Sir Wm. Johnson. For the translation, into English, of the first part, we are indebted to Mr. "William Wood, Council Secretary. Mr. Stone furnished the translation of the second part. The Society hopes to be in a position to publish a volume of transactions this year also.

 

Several new books and periodicals have been added to the library, and a handsome new carpet has been put down. The room is now heated by hot water. These evidences of prosperity have only been realized by the strictest economy, and the Council hope that the members will strengthen them, by inducing citizens who are not now enrolled in our books, to send in their names for membership. Our library is rich in books, manuscripts and valuable historical documents, the reading room is well supplied with first-class periodicals, in English and French, the museum .though small, is interesting, and the course of lectures, annually provided, should attract the cultivated and studious. Members pay but four dollars a year for these privileges, and there is no reason why our membership should not, at least, be duplicated before the year 1892 has passed away.

 

The Council hope that the Government will see its way to continue the grant of five hundred dollars, this year, as usual.

 

On Thursday, the 15th of November, 1891, by special invitation, the President represented the Society at the ceremony of unveiling the memorial erected by the citizens of Quebec, to the memory of the late Major Charles J. Short and Staff Sergeant Gr. Wallick, of " B " Battery, Canadian Artillery. The exercises marked a deed of heroism which the people of Quebec will long remember with gratitude and pride.

 

In conclusion, it may not be out of place to mention here, that during the past year, the President has answered the following number of historical queries, viz., seventy-three from Canada, fifty-eight from the United States, nineteen from the British Isles, two from Calcutta, one from Spain and eleven from France,—all relating to our local and provincial history. Some of the questions were very trivial, but the greater of them necessitated careful examination of authorities, and various public documents.

 

GEORGE STEWART,

President.

 

WILLIAM WOOD,

Council Secretary.

 

REPORT OP THE LIBRARIAN.

 

The Librarian begs to report that 1,862 volumes have been issued to members during the past year, which is an increase of 300 volumes over last year, viz. :—

 

Total number of Books and Magazines taken out of Library during the year 1891.

 

BOOKS.

 

Fiction: 517

Historical: 507

Biographical: 112

Educational and Scientific: 99

Voyages and Travels: 82

Prose works—Essays: 54

Poetical works: 44

Miscellaneous works: 138

                        1,253

Magazines:    609

                       1,862

 

There have been 556 accessions to the library, consisting of 55 bound and 352 unbound volumes by donation and exchanges with other Societies, and 149 volumes by purchase ; among the latter are new sets of Sir "Walter Scott and Thackeray. From the repeated requests by our members for the latest written works of fiction of high standard, the Librarian would suggest that bound copies of such works be procured as soon as possible after their publication. The mainstay of the Society is the library, and there being no restrictions in either the charter or by-laws concerning the purchase of books, the requirements of the members should at least be favorably considered by the new Council. A card catalogue has been commenced and so far 2,000 volumes have been entered and numbered. There are still some 12,000 remaining to be done, and the work, which was stopped by the alterations to the room, will be resumed at once and pushed on as expeditiously as possible. According to new arrangements with the lessors, a hot-water heating apparatus has been placed in position, which, together with the new carpet, has added greatly to the comfort and appearance of the library, and it would be a further improvement were the tables recovered in leather.

 

The model of s.s. Royal William, loaned to the Royal Naval Exhibition, has arrived by s.s. Toronto, and will be in its old place to-morrow.

 

F. C. Wűrtele,

Librarian.

 

Quebec, 31st December, 1891.

 

Mr. Peter Johnston moved, and Mr. W. A. Ashe seconded, the motion, that the report of the Librarian be adopted as it stood.

 

As an amendment, it was moved by Mr. Archibald Campbell, seconded by Mr. Cyrille Tessier, that the Librarian's report be adopted, save that portion recommending the purchase of written works of fiction, leaving to the Council to purchase such works as they deem fittest for the object of the Society, as formerly. The amendment was carried.

 

The following letter, sent in by James M. LeMoine, Esq., was read in connection with this subject :—

 

SILLERY, 13th January, 1892.

 

To the President and Members of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, in Annual General Meeting assembled.

 

MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN,

 

Having been absent from the city, on the 11th inst., when the several reports for the year were discussed at a special meeting, I was debarred from suggesting any amendment and therefore avail myself of this opportunity.

 

It is said one report, asks for the admission on our tables, in the library, for additional light current literature, such as the popular novels of the day ; if so, I respectfully beg to enter my formal protest against this measure.

 

We ought to bear in mind that when this Association Was formed, many and many years ago, at the Château St. Louis, under the auspices of Earl of Dalhousie, our Governor General, the aim of the founders was not to found for the citizens of Quebec a circulating library.

 

Such eminent scholars as Chief Justice Sewell, G-. Ë. Faribault, the Honorable Jérôme Demers, Andrew Stuart, Q.C., Dr. John Charlton Fisher, Commanders Bayfield and Ashe, the historians Garneau, Ferland, Casgrain, John Langton and their successors have arrived at a higher grade of information, than what is generally supplied by popular novels. To their joint efforts was granted each year by Parliament a generous subsidy, for prosecuting researches in science generally and especially for publishing new and useful information on the history of our common country ; this annual subsidy has been the life stay of our Society for years ; we at the present owe to it, we may say, the very existence of our Association.

 

There can be no doubt but that we will lose it, as soon as the object for which this institution was formed, is lost sight of.

 

In venturing so far, I think I am expressing the views of several members, but also of a larger class of outsiders, students of science and history. Historical Associations spread over the whole continent, who each year enquire for a,nd purchase the historical publications put forth by out Society.

 

As one of the oldest members and one whom you have honored with your confidence,—I am proud to say—and who, I hope, has not forfeited it, I beg to protest formally against the introduction in the library of light novels of the day and ask for a vote of the members on this point, if necessary.

 

I regret that an imperative call of duty prevents me from being present in person to urge these views.

 

Respectfully yours,

 

J. M. LEMOINE.

 

The election of officers for the ensuing year was then, proceeded with. The retiring President, Dr. Stewart, briefly thanked the members for the confidence which they had reposed in him, in electing him for seven years in succession to the high office which he had just vacated. Col. Prower and Mr. P. B. Casgrain were appointed scrutineers. The result of the elections is as follows:—

 

President: Hon. H. G-. Jolyde Lotbinière.

1st Vice-President: Wm. Hossack, Esq.

2^nd      “                  : Very Reverend Dean Norman, D.C.L., D.P.

3rd      "                  :           Cyr. Tessier, Esq.

4th      “                   :           A. Campbell, Esq.

Treasurer: Edwin Pope, Esq.

Librarian: F. C. Wiirtele, Esq.

Recording Secretary: T. Ainslie Young, Esq.

Corresponding Secretary: Wm. A. Ashe, Esq., F.R.A.S.

Council Secretary: W. C. H. Wood, Esq.

Curator of Museum:  Wm. Clint, Esq.

Curator of Apparatus: C. B. Langlois, Esq.

 

Additional Members of the Council—Dr. Ceo. Stewart, F.R G-.S., P. B. Casgrain, Esq., Peter Johnston, Esq., and J. M. LeMoine, Esq.

 

Mr. W. S. Bennett was appointed Auditor, and J. W. Strachan, guardian of the rooms.

 

Messrs. J. Ferguson and Stuart Oliver were elected Associate Members.

 

At the request of Mr. Campbell, Dr. Stewart vacated the chair, and Mr. P. B. Casgrain was called thereto. The following resolution was then put to the meeting, and carried amid much enthusiam : —

1G

Moved by Mr. Archibald Campbell, seconded by Mr. William Hossack, and

Resolved,—That ever since the organization of this Society, the oldest in the Dominion, having amongst others for its object, the advancement of the arts and sciences in this Province—as expressed in the Royal Letters Patent granting its charter—if we look at the distinguished names of those that have occupied the chair of President since 1830, when the Honorable Jonathan Sewell, then Chief Justice and a member of the Executive and Legislative Councils of the Province, was its first President under the charter, down to our time, it has evidently been the policy of our predecessors, as it has been our own, to select as first officer the most efficient man, him who had adorned the sphere of or walk in life best adapted to his predilections, whether as a learned jurist, eminent member of the medical profession, erudite historian, skilful naturalist, laborious antiquarian, prominent banker or celebrated journalist, and which policy dictated to the members of this Society the propriety of electing for their President for seven consecutive annual terms, George Stewart, D.C.L., F.E.S.O., F.R.G-.S., &c, &c. That during that unprecedented long term of office, he gave up his valuable time unstintedly to its requirements, always willing, ready and prepared satisfactorily to respond to the inquiries of such scientific and literary men of other institutions, whether foreign or home ones, who applied for information respecting the history, literature, arts or institutions of the country ; that in the chair, he displayed that ability, research and learning required by the occupant of a post that had been filled by such illustrious predecessors and added lustre to the same, and in performance of the duties thereof he was invariably urbane, and deserves that due and fitting acknowledgment thereof should be recorded, and further thanks, grateful thanks of the Society for the delightful lectures he favored us with during his period of office, as also for his able administration of its affairs, and that the thanks of the Society be now tendered him.

 

Dr. Stewart thanked the members for this expression of their good will, and the meeting adjourned.

 

As the Hon. H. Gr. Joly de Lotbinière had declined the position of President of the Society, a special meeting was called by Archibald Campbell, Esq., one of the Vice-Presidents, for 27th January, at 4 o'clock, P.M., to elect a President,

 

The meeting took place at the time specified, when Cyrille Tessier, Esq., was elected President, and Dr. J. M. Harper, a Vice-President for the ensuing year.

 

EXCHANGE LIST,

 

Antiquarian Society of Montreal.

Academy of Science, St. Louis, Missouri,

American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Boston.

Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia.

Astor Library, New York.

American Geographical Society, New York.

American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Mass.

Academy of Natural Sciences, Davenport, Iowa.

American Historical Association, Baltimore, Md.

American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal, Chicago, 111.

Archaeological Survey Department of India, Calcutta.

Boston Public Library, Boston.

Buffalo Historical Society, Buffalo, N. Y.

Bourne, Wm. 0., Office of Board of Education of New York City.

Brymner, D., Dominion Archivist, Ottawa.

Connecticut Academy of Arts and Sciences, Newhaven, Conn.

Canadian Institute, Toronto.

Canadian Medical and Surgical Journal, Montreal.

California Historical Society, San Francisco.

California State Mining Bureau, do

California University,            do

Canadian Military Institute, Toronto.

DePeyster, Geo. J. Watts, New York.

Dawson, Sir Wm., Principal McGill College, Montreal.

Dwight, T. F., Librarian Dept. of State, Washington, D. C.

Elgin Historical and Scientific Institute, St. Thomas> P. 0.

Essex Institute, Salem, Mass.

Franklyn Institute, Philadelphia.

Fish Commission of United States, Washington, D.C.

Geological Survey of India, Calcutta.

Geological and Natural History Survey of Canada, Ottawa.

Geological Survey of United States, Washington, D.C.

Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Ga., U.S.

Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Historical Society of New York.

Historical and Genealogical Society of New England, Boston.

 

EXCHANGE LIST.—Continued.

 

Historical Society of Minnesota, St. Paul.

Hamilton Association, Hamilton, P.O.

Harvard University Library, Cambridge, Mass,, U.S.

Illinois State Historical Library, Springfield, 111.

Imperial Federation League, London, England.

Institut Canadien, Quebec.

Institut Canadien, Ottawa.

Instituto Historico de Brazil, Rio Janeiro.

Kingston, Prof., Observatory, Toronto.

Library of Parliament, Ottawa, P.O.

Library of Parliament, Toronto, P.O.

Library of Parliament, Quebec.

Library of Parliament, Halifax, N.S.

Library of Parliament, Predericton, N.B.

Library of Public Instruction, Quebec.

Laval University.

Maine Historical Society.

Manchester Academy of Arts and Sciences, Manchester, N.H., U.S.

Manitoba Historical Society, Winnipeg.

Maryland Historical Society,1 Baltimore, Md.

Magazine of American History, New York.

McGill University, Montreal.

New York State Library, Albany, N.Y.

New York State Museum, Albany.

Natural History Society, Montreal.

Nova Scotia Historical Society, Halifax.

Nova Scotia Institute of Natural Sciences, Halifax.

New York Academy of Sciences, New York.

New Brunswick Natural History Society, St. John, N.B.

New Hampshire Historical Society, Manchester, N.H.

Numismatic and Antiquarian Society, Philadelphia.

New Zealand Institute, Wellington, New Zealand.

Oneida Historical Society, Utica, N.Y.

Patent Office, Washington, D.C.

Philosophical Society, Glasgow, Scotland.

Peabody Academy of Sciences, Salem, Mass.,. U.S.

Quebec Geographical Society.

Quebec Garrison Club.

Rhode Island Historical Society, Providence, R.I.

Royal Society of Ireland, Dublin,

 

EXCHANGE LIST.—Continued.

 

Royal Historical Society, London, England.

Royal United Service Institution, London, England.

Royal Artillery Institute, Woolwich, England.

Royal Society, Edinburgh.

Royal Irish Academy, Dublin.

Royal Colonial Institute, London.

Royal Society of Canada, Ottawa.

Real Academia de la Historia, Madrid, Spain.

Surveyor General of India, Simla.

Society of Natural History, Boston, Mass.

Smithsonian Institute, Washington, D.C.

State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.

Société Historique de Montréal.

Toronto Public Library, Toronto.

University of Toronto.

United Service Institute of India, Simla.

Virginia Historical Society, Richmond, Va.

Vermis fiir Erdkunde, Leipzig, Germany.

Wyoming Historical and Geological Society, Wilkesbarre, Pa.

Wayne County Pioneer Society, Detroit, Mich.

West Virginia Historical and Antiquarian Society, Kanawha, Va.