REPORT OF THE COUNCIL

OF THE

LITERARY & HISTORICAL SOCIETY

OF QUEBEC FOR THE YEAR ENDING THE 12^TH JANUARY,

1842.

 

At the season appointed for the Council to retire from office, it is a duty, according to one of the Society’s Bye-Laws, to lay before you a succinct account of its proceedings for the year at this time ending ; to give a statement of the Society’s income and expenditure for the same period of time : and to represent its present condition generally.

 

Among the losses of members by death which have occurred during the last twelve months, the Council has first to mention that of the Society’s late noble Patron, the Lord Sydenham, Governor general of these Provinces ; a Nobleman gifted with talents of no common kind, with habits of business acquired in early life and afterwards in the active duties of a Legislator, particularly fitting him for the administration of extensive public affairs. To all of our Patrons, the Society is indebted for many acts of munificence, tending in a greater or less degree towards its prosperity, and the consequent advancement of its objects. To His late Excellency we are indebted for the use of the spacious and convenient apartments which we now occupy, and it is hoped, we may long continue to enjoy.

 

The next death among your active members, is that of Joseph Bouchette, Esquire, late Surveyor General of Lower Canada. This Gentleman was greatly instrumental in the formation of a Society in this City in 1827, whose objects were of a somewhat similar nature to those of this Society. It was named “The Society for the encouragement of the Arts and Sciences in Canada, “ and of this he was the President during the time of its separate existence. Some few years subsequently a junction of the two Societies became desirable, and it was effected on the recommendation of His Excellency Sir James Kempt, then Governor General, with a common benefit : Mr. Bouchette on this occasion became one of the Vice-Presidents of the joint Society : an honour he continued to enjoy during several successive years. The following particulars of Mr. Bouchette’s public life, are taken from a sketch drawn up by one of his friends, apparently well suited to the task, and published in the Quebec Gazette, some time after his demise :—

 

“Joseph Bouchette was born in Quebec on the 14^th of May, 1774. Early in life his talents were displayed and obtained for him at the age of sixteen, the situation of Draftsman in the Surveyor General’s Office ; and some time afterwards a commission as Land Surveyor. Two years later in life he joined his Father, the Commodore on the great Lakes, as an ordinary sailor ; and frequently had assigned to him the most perilous duties. He was soon promoted to the grade of Mate, and in 1794 was rewarded with the Lieutenantcy in the Provincial Navy for having succeeded in saving H. M. Schooner Onondaga, which had been stranded on the shoals near Toronto. In 1796 he joined the First Battalion of Royal Canadian Volunteers as Lieutenant, and the following year he was placed in command of an armed Row Galley, to cruise between Montreal and Quebec for the detection of treasonable practices. At this period he married Madlle. Adelaide Chaboillez, younger sister of the Lady of Simon McTavish, Esquire, head of the North West Company. In 1804 he received the Kind’s Commission as Surveyor General of the Province.

 

“Lieut. Col. Bouchette was an active and enthusiastic frame of mind : as a public officer he was always efficient and zealous : he was thirty-seven years at the head of the Surveyor General’s department in Lower Canada, and was one of the few public officers who stood unimpeached alike by the Executive or by the Assembly. He twice proceeded to England for the publication of his Topographical works, and was graciously received by the Prince Regent and by the Duke of Kent. His heart was kind and sympathizing, hence he had a few, if any, personal enemies. Few men have lived more generally beloved, or have died more regretted. “

 

Although happily not cut off by the stroke of death ; yet we have equal cause to regret the loss by absence of some of our most active members and efficient officers. Captain Bayfield, R. N., Dr. Kelly, R. N., and Dr. Henry, D. I. G. H., the latter two, Vice-Presidents, and all, frequent contributors of excellent scientific Papers, have during the last summer, been called away from this Province on official duties. In bearing testimony to the zeal of your absent members, the Council feels confident of having the concurrence of the Society ; at the same time it is hoped that their example will serve as an excitement among us generally, in the endeavour to supply the want with effect.

 

Early in the year the Society having been officially notified by the Executive Government, that in consequence of giving up the lease of the building heretofore occupied by the public offices, and in which the Society had been accommodated with apartments since the date of its institution, it was necessary to vacate the same : it became the duty of the Council to use endeavours, with a view to procure suitable apartments for the use of the Society, elsewhere. After some research and correspondence on this subject, His Excellency Lord Sydenham was graciously pleased to confer on us the apartments in which the Society is now so well accommodated. If not quite so conveniently situated as was our former locality, we have the advantage of ample and suitable accommodation ; and let us hope that it may be of a permanent duration.

 

Among the benefits likely to accrue to this Society, as well as to the public generally ; the Council has to congratulate you on the prospect of a Geological Survey of the Province being effected at no distant period. In the Session of the Legislature which closed in September last, an appropriation of funds was made to the amount of £1500, to carry out this desirable purpose. In conjunction with our sister Society in Montreal, the Council recommended to the Legislature the expediency of providing for the accomplishment of such an useful object. If the execution of this survey be confided to competent person, (as there is no doubt it will be,) not only will the mineral riches of the Province now lying hidden and unknown, be brought to light ; but important additions to Science generally connot fail to be elicited in Geology, and in its auxiliary branch of knowledge, Palceontology ; possibly also in the Zoology and Botany of the remote and unfrequented parts of the country. The accomplishment of such a survey will likewise assist in extending similar investigations made and making in the neighboring Provinces and States, tending to an uniform and general exposition of the formation of the Earth’s crust throughout the northern part of America. A general benefit to the scientific world.   

 

During the past year, several interesting and scientific papers on various subjects, have been read ; the titles of which may be enumerated here :—

 

Notes on the Labrador Coast, by Mr. Robertson, a gentleman who resided many years in that country.

 

On the Natural History of the American Bean, and on the causes of disease among Emigrants coming to this country ; by Dr. G. M. Douglas.

 

On the importance of a general system of Education in Canada, and some observations on the discriminating power of the human ear ; by Dr. Wilkie.

 

On an Epidemic Disease in this country, eighty years ago ; by the Honble A. W. Cochran.

 

Notices on the Natural History of the Minobranchus Lateralis ; by the President.

 

Notes on the History of Alchymy ; by Mr. Fletcher.

 

And an Analysis on the Water of the Georgian Spring on the Ottawa ; by Dr. Archd. Hall.

 

Considering the accumulation of Literary and Scientific Papers now in possession of the Society, of which the above form but a small part, the Council has judged it expedient to begin the publication of a new volume of transactions : in this intention a committee of members has been named to make a selection of Papers, and to procure their printing and publication on terms the least onerous to the Society.

 

Lately, Mr. S. Phillips has volunteered to give a course of Lectures in these rooms, open to the Public, on several branches of Natural Philosophy. No doubt these Lectures will contribute to the intellectual improvement of many who can spare an hour from the usual entertainments of the season.

 

The Librarian reports an addition to the Library of 78 volumes and pamphlets, mostly by donation, this year. And it is due to the Librarian to notice the trouble and pains he has taken in the classification of the Books in separate cases, into the different subjects of Literature, History, Science, &c. rendering the finding of any work much more easy than heretofore. This work was accomplished at the time of the removal of the Library from our former apartments facing the Place d’Armes.

 

The Curator of the Museum had also, on the same occasion, his share of trouble, aided by the Assistant Secretary. The cases of Minerals and Shells have all been put into proper order ; and the cases containing the Birds, have been reformed ; the specimens being now arranged in the order of Buonaparte’s synopsis.

 

The Curator, in his Report, mentions an addition to the Museum of a collection of Plants from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, by Dr. Kelly, with some specimens in Geology, Zoology and on Ornithology, from various sources.

 

The Council now comes to the subject of ways and means, and it is with deep-felt regret we have to state that the funds are in a very low condition. It appears by the Treasurer’s Report, that the Society is indebted to him in a sum of £47 0 0. This is a deplorable state of things, yet let us hope that it is not without remedy : a great many subscriptions are yet unpaid, most of which it is thought will be forthcoming when called for. The collection of these, aided by the proper use of the economy in expenditure, will relieve the Society from its present difficulties.

 

In the course of the last year the Society has received an addition of seven Associate Members, with two Corresponding and one Honorary Member. By the personal influence of one of your Members, who continues to take an uncommon interest in the prosperity of the Society, many more new Members have this day been added to our number to be enumerated in the next year’s report. From this and further additions yet to be expected, from the influence of Members it is hoped a fresh energy will be added to the Society.

 

You are now, Gentlemen, to proceed to the election of Officers for the year about to commence ; and may your choice be fixed on members suited by taste, by habits of business, and by the necessary acquirements to the respective offices. Such a judicious choice will mainly contribute towards carrying out the purposed ends of the Society, and its consequent prosperity.

 

OFFICERS FOR 1841.

 

PRESIDENT:

HONORABLE W. SHEPPARD.

 

VICE-PRESIDENTS:

REVD. D. WILKIE, L. L. D.,

DR. KELLY, R. N.,

HONBLE A. W. COCHRAN,

DR. HENRY.

 

RECORDING SECRETARY,

WILLIAM BRISTOW, ESQR.

 

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY,

T. AMIOT, ESQR.

 

COUNCIL SECRETARY,

HONBLE F. PRIMROSE.

 

TREASURER,

R. SYMES, ESQR.

 

LIBRARIAN,

D. WILKIE, ESQR.

 

CURATORS:

OF MUSEUM,

P. CHAUVEAU, ESQ.

OF APPARATUS

V. DAINTRY, ESQR.

 

COMMITTEE ON HISTORICAL DOCUMENTS,

G. B. FARIBAULT, ESQR.

REVD. D. WILKIE, LL. D.

HON. A. W. COCHRAN,

DR. HENRY.

DR. G. M. DOUGLAS.

 

CHAIRMEN OF CLASSES

LITERATURE.—REVD. D. COOK,

NATL. HIST.—REVD. H. D. SEWELL,

SCIENCE.—G. W. WICKSTEED, ESQ.

USEFUL ARTS.—E. T. FLETCHER, ESQ.

FINE ARTS.—ARCHD. CAMPBELL, ESQ.

 

DONATIONS TO THE MUSEUM

OF THE

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY, 1841.

 

Capt. Bayfield, R. N.—A three pound Bank Note of the colony of New York, 1771.

            “                          A Utica Bank Note for 50 cents, 1813.

Dr. Kelly, R. N.—36 preserved Botanical Specimens.

John Parker, Esquire.—A Hanoverian Coin, 1691.

C. C. Sheppard, Esquire.—2 Lampreys of the River St. Lawrence preserved in spirits.

Henry Weston, Esquire.—A specimen of Raised Printing for the use of the Blind.

 

DONATIONS TO THE LIBRARY, 1841.

 

R. C. Geggie, Esquire—Vasconiæ utriusque, tum Ibericæ, tum Aquitanicæ, Notitia, 1 vol. 4to.

                                        1656.

The Author—Latin Language, its affinity to the Celtic of Scotland, by Thos. Stratton, 1 vol.

                        8vo. 1840.

Author—Geological Survey of New Brunswick, 3d report of, by A. Gesner, 1841.

Archd. Campbell, Esquire—An Indian Grammar.

Dr. Kelly, R.N.—A pamphlet on the Indians of North America. Continuation of the Nautical

                             Magazine.

Author—Ferdinand & Isabella, History of, by W. H. Prescott, 3 vol. 8vo. 1839.

H. C. Bohn—His Catologue of Books.

Geo. Bancroft, Esq.—Massachusetts Bay, History of the Province of, by Geo. Minot, 2 vol.

                                     8vo. 1803.

Author—Papers on Iron & Steel, by D. Mushett, 1840, Magnetic Curve, properties of, (single

                sheet.)

Society—Botanical Society of Edinburgh, 3d annual Report.

Society—Geological Society of France, 2 vol. of Transactions.

Revd. Mr. Grasett—Michigan, Report of the State Geologist.

Society—Quebec Mechanics’ Institute—Catalogue of Library, Rules, &c.

P. Chauveau, Esquire—Rules and Regulations of the Canadian Militia, 1vol. 8vo.

            “            Les Parliamentaria ; ou Traité de la Loi et Coutume des Parlements, traduit en

                        Français par Jos. F. Perrault, 1 vol. 8vo. 1803.

            “            Roman Civil Law, Analysis of the, by Halifax, 1 vol. 1775

            “            Poésies de Marie de France, 2 vol. 1832.

Publisher—Catalogue of Books on the fine and useful Arts, by Weale, 1841.

Society—Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, Proceeding of the Society for 1839 and 1840.

Sir C. O’Donnell—Earl of Stirling’s Narrative of the Law Proceedings against himself, 1 vol.

                                4to. 1838.

From the Society—Royal Society of Rdinburgh, vol. 14, part 2d, of the Transactions, and

                                Nos. 17,18 of Proceedings, 1840.

Author—Mondelet’s Letters on Education in French and English, 1841.

V. Daintry—Chemical Apparatus, descriptive catologue of, by Griffin & Co. 1841.

Bishop of Montreal—The Publisher’s Circular, 1841.

            “            Quarterly Advertiser of Books, 1841.

Isaac Weld, Esquire—Geological Map of the City of Dublin.