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This series of papers has been prepared in accordance with a plan markedout by the writer, some years ago of taking up, from time to time,certain features of the social, political and industrial progress of theDominion. Essays on the Maritime Industry and the National Developmentof Canada have been read before the Royal Colonial Institute in England,and have been so favourably received by the Press of both countries,that the writer has felt encouraged to continue in the same course ofstudy, and supplement his previous efforts by an historical review ofthe intellectual progress of the Canadian people.
HOUSE OF COMMONS, OTTAWA, February 17th, 1881.
Introductory Remarks—Conditions of Settlement in Canada—Her Historydivided into three Periods—First Period, under the French Regime;Second, from the Conquest to the Union of 1840; Third, from 1840 to1867—New Period since Confederation—Intellectual Lethargy in NewFrance—Influence of U. K. Loyalists on Political and Social Life of theCanadian Provinces—Formation of two Governments in the East andWest—Effect of Parliamentary Institutions on the Public Intelligence—Remarkable impulse given to Canadian Communities by the Union of1840—Difficulties of the Old Settlers—Results of the improvement ofInternal Intercourse, the growth of Education and PoliticalProgress—Population in 1760, 1840 and 1870—Rapid increase of theProfessional and Educated Classes—Wider Field of Thought and Activityopened to Canadians by Confederation—Effect of Climatic Influences onNational Development—Distinctive traits of French Canadians—Influenceof Union of Races—Usefulness of Religious Teachers in earlytimes—Labours of the Journalist—Influence of Political Discussion—Development of Public Intelligence through the extension of PoliticalRights.
State of Education under the French Regime—Its slow progress after the
Conquest—Schools in Upper Canada—Dr. Strachan's famous Academy
—Stimulus given to Public Schools by the Union of 1840—Schools in the
Maritime Provinces—Higher Education in Canada—The Quebec
Seminary—King's College—Roman Catholic, Methodist and Presbyterian
Institutions—First Colleges in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick—Laval
University—Kingston Military College and other Educational
Experiments—Female Colleges—Statistics of Educational Progress—
Status of Teachers—Defects of the Public School System—Review of the
University System—Advantages of Special Professional Courses as in
Germany—A National University.
Influence of the Newspaper Press on the Intellect of the Country—FirstNewspapers in Canada—Review of Political Journalism up to 1840—QuebecGazette, Montreal Gazette, Quebec Mercury, Le Canadien,etc.—Journalists of mark in old times—Gary, Bedard, Neilson,Ma