Report of the Council of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, for the Year 1853
LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF QUEBEC
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL, &c.
WITH LIST
OF
OFFICERS AND MEMBERS
JANUARY, 1854.
QUEBEC:
PRINTED FOR THE LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
BY THOMAS CARY.
REPORT
OF THE
LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
OF
QUEBEC
FOR THE
YEAR ENDING 11TH JANUARY, 1854.
QUEBEC:
PRINTED FOR THE LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY,
BY THOMAS CARY.
1854.
REPORT OF THE COUNCIL
OF THE
LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY
OF
QUEBEC,
AT THE GENERAL ANNUAL MEETING, 11th JANUARY, 1854.
Tho Council- in resigning their trust have the honor of laying before the Society the usual Annual Report, reviewing the principal subjects which have more immediately .marked the proceedings and operations of the Society during the year just expired.
Amongst the more prominent of these, the Council beg leave to advert to the efforts lately made towards obtaining a permanent residence, suitable to the increasing exigencies of the Society : The want of such a building has never at any previous period been so severely felt ; for, on account of the increase of accommodation required by the Legislature, the three apartments hitherto occupied by the Society are now reduced to two rooms—in one of which, the Library and Museum are crowded together.
The other is only temporarily occupied, being very small, and (except during the recess of Parliament) most inconvenient of access. On some occasions indeed, the Society has been under the necessity of holding its meetings at some public Hotel in this City. It is therefore a matter of painful regret to know that after 28 years' existence, the Society has not yet been enabled to procure a suitable edifice for the prosecution of its labours.
The Council would here venture to observe that in Europe, institutions of a similar nature are either sustained by the State, or their permanent existence and support amply provided for by the munificence of generous donors and patrons, whilst in the Colonies kindred associations are left to struggle unaided against numerous difficulties, and too frequently perish for want of those resources and that encouragement, which elsewhere build up such institutions and foster the zeal and devotedness of their members.
With these facts in mind, the Council applied to the Officers of the Board of Ordnance for the free grant of a lot of ground, in a central part of this City, on which, in course of time, a building might be erected, not merely for the purpose of the Society, but as a place of deposit for the various models upon which Government Patents are obtained. Another part of this building might serve as an Observatory, which is a most desirable object to the Society, although hitherto unattainable. The Council have since learnt that their application had been referred to the Home Government, but they do not indulge much hope in the successful result of their earnest petition.
In the meantime, the Council have had the honor of several interviews with His Excellency Lieutenant-General Rowan, the Commandant of the Forces and present Administrator of the Government. From him they have received every assurance of his willingness to promote the object in view, and the Council venture to express further their confident expectation that the illustrious Patron of this Society, His Excellency the Earl of Elgin, whose return to the Government of Canada is expected, will be kindly disposed to give his sanction and support to such measures as may forward the views of the Society. With these hopes, the Council recommend to their successors in office, the prosecution of this desirable object, being convinced that its success will prove of the most vital importance to the future destiny and prosperity of the Institution.
Your Council have also to state that the number of Associate Members who have joined the Society since the last Annual Report amount to forty-four.
From information obtained from the Treasurer's Books it appears that the sum of £122 0s. 2d. is funded and available only for the purchasing of Historical Documents or subjects connected with Canada, and that the sum of £60 8s. is the amount funded and available for the general purposes of the Society.
The following is a list of the names of those Associate Members who have read Papers at the Stated Meetings, during the year 1853 :
Geo. Andrew, Esq.—On the Rise and Progress of Literature
Hy. D. Thielcke, Esq.—On the Practical Art of Painting.
E. T. Fletcher, Esq.—On the Siege of Candia by the Ottoman Power.
E. A. Meredith, Esq —On the Tragedy, of Ion.
Lieut. Noble, R.A.—On Magnetism.
Dr. Geo. Douglas.—On Animal Magnetism.
Geo. Andrew, Esq.—2nd paper on the Rise and Progress of Literature.
Lieut. Ashe R. N.—On the Theory of the Vibrations of the Pendulum.
Lieut. Ashe, R. N.—On the Experiment made on the Vibrations of the Pendulum.
Wm, Andrew, Esq., M. A.—An Introductory Paper on the Opening of the Stated Meetings.
Geo. Andrew, Esq.—3rd Paper on the Progress of Literature down to the present time.
Lieut. Savage, R. E.—On the Greek Drama.
Lieut. Ranken, R. E.—On Criticism.
Your Council have further to state that the arrangement and expenses of the Museum have been very great, but that the liberality of The Honorable Legislature's donation of one hundred and fifty founds, has enabled us to present to the Members of the Society its Museum in such a state of completeness, as will do credit to the Institution, and afford a high gratification to the Public, who are admitted gratis.
The expenses incurred were :—and now paid.
Mr. Kendall: £4; 0; 0
Mr. May: 75; 0; 0
Mrs. Martyn: 50; 0; 0
Carpenters, &c: 8; 0 ; 7
Mr. Archer, repairing frames, &c: 26; 7; 7
Total: £163; 8; 2
The Council have learnt with the "greatest satisfaction that no less than 600 pages of manuscript documents have lately been received from Paris, containing the official correspondence which took place between the Colonial Governors and Intendants of Canada and the Mother Country, during the period when this Colony was under the French dominion. These documents were obtained from the different public Archive's in Paris, by Mr. Faribault, during his mission to Europe in 1851-2. They are a continuation of another series of documents of the same nature, copies of which were obtained in 1845, from the collection made in Paris by Mr. Broadhead, an American Agent, bound up in 17 folio volumes, and are now on the shelves of our Library. The newly acquired documents from Paris, now being bound, will form 11 large folio, volumes ; and should the Legislature permit these also to be deposited in the custody of the Society, they will present a splendid and unique collection of 28 volumes, replete with the most valuable information on the early colonization of the country, the history of its wars with the aborigines and numerous thrilling events, affording an inexhaustible source of information to the future historian of Canada. In connexion with this subject, the Council would therefore earnestly recommend to the Committee on historical Documents, the propriety of making judicious selections froth these most valuable records, for the purpose of having one or more volumes printed under the directions of the Society.
It now only remains far the Council, in rendering up, the trust they have held during the past year, to solicit your favorable acceptance of their imperfect service, and your indulgent allowance for whatever may seem to you deficient of remiss in it ; and they express the earnest hope that they may be succeeded by those by whose zeal and labors, the objects of this Society, its interests, its prosperity and its honor may be ably and effectually promoted.
G. B. FARIBAULT,
PRESIDENT.
LIBRARIAN'S REPORT.
The expiration of his term of office having arrived, your Librarian has the honor to submit the following Report of such proceedings during the past year, as relate to that branch of the Society's interests which has been placed under his charge.
The following donations have been received-:
PRESENTED BY THE HON. THE EAST INDIA COMPANY.
Bombay Magnetical and Meteorological Observations, for the years 1845-46-47-48 ; 9 vols. Madras Meteorological Observations; years, 1841, 2 vols. ; 1844-45, 4 vols.
Meteorological Observations made on the Dodabetta : years 1847-48-50, 3 vols.
BY THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT.
Magnetical and Meteorological Observations made at the British Colonial Magnetical Observatories, under the departments of the Ordnance and Admiralty ; 1 vol.
Magnetical and Meteorological Observations, made at St. Helena, years 1840 to 1843 ; 1 vol. Magnetical and Meteorological Observations, made at Toronto, years 1840 to 1842; 1 vol. Magnetical and Meteorological Observations, made at Hobart Town, Van Dieman's Land, years 1841 to 1848 ; 2 vols.
BY R. SYMES, Esq.
Report of Juries of the Exhibition Crystal Palace, London, 1851.
Two Copies of Vol. I., Literary and Historical Society's Transactions.
Minutes of the Emigrant Society, from 1832 to 1840. (MS.)
BY THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH.
The Proceedings of the Royal Society, session 1851 and 52.
BY HIS GRACE THE ARCHBISHOP OF QUEBEC.
Rituale Romanum.
BY R. C. GEGGIE, ESQ.
History of the Rebellion of 1715. By R Patten.
A Report of the Special Committee of the House of Assembly, appointed to inquire into the state of Education in this Province, February 25th, 1824.
Observations on Epidemical Diseases. By R. Cleghorn.
BY REV. RABBI DE SOLA.
The Sanitary Institutions of the Hebrews.
BY DR. GIBB, OF ENGLAND.
A List of Silver and Copper Coins to be sold by F. Lincoln. London : 1853.
BY THE AUTHOR.
Philosophy of Railroads. By T. Keefer.
BY CAPT. J. MCDOUGALL.
The American Coast Pilot.
Observations on the advantages of using Steam Power as an auxiliary to Sailing, with Remarks on the success of its application of the Barque Isabella Blythe. By J. and A. Blythe, Engineers
Memoria que tiene por objeto manifestar la posibilidad y facilidad di hacer navigable el Rio Tajo. Par Don Francisco Xavier de Tabanes, 1829.
Planos qui representan los reconcimientos de las riberas del Rio Tajo.
Pocket Dictionary of the Portuguese and English Languages.
A Method to find the position of the Arc in a Great Circle ; and to ascertain the Courses and Distances.
Plan of a Colonial Steamer for the Protection of the Fisheries.
Plan of a Schooner, fitted with Sliding Keels.
Plan of the Duke of York Packet. .
History of Marine Architecture, from the earliest period to present time ; 3 vols.
Regulation for the Examination of Masters and Mates of the Merchant Service.
Plan for conducting voluntary Examinations in Steam.
Practical Rules for ascertaining the Deviations of the Compass
The Lighthouses on the Coasts and Banks of British North America.
A List of the Life, Ordinary and Associate Members of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, from 1831.
An Introductory Lecture to the Quebec Library Association By the Rev. C. Churchill.
Steel's Improved Tables of the most approved class of Ships.
A Catalogue of the Exhibition of Models and Manufactures of the Society for the Advancement of Science. Glasgow.
Description of various Plans for the Improvement of Naval Architecture. By R. F. S. Blake.
General Application of Low Steam Power to Vessels instead of Sails.
On the Establishment of Navigation Institutions at the Outports. By J. A. Sharp.
A Letter to the Right Honorable William Ewart Gladstone, M.P., on the extension of Steam Navigation from Singapore to Port Jackson, Australia. By Lieut. Waghorn, R.N., F.R.S.
Steam Communication with India. By A. Anderson, addressed, in a Letter, to the Directors of the projected Steam Navigation Company.
The Present Condition of the Merchant Service, with suggestions for the amendment thereof, by the Legislative Enactments, by a Marine Code of Laws.
Blyth's Patent for Improvements in Marine Engines.
BY THE BOARD OF STATISTICS.
Two Copies-Table of the Population, Origin, and Religion of the Canadas.
BY E. T. FLETCHER, ESQ.
Westermann's Demosthenes.
BY CAPT. J. H. LEFROY, R. N.
A Pamphlet on the Native Population of Canada.
From 1 to 9 of the Farmer's Journal.
BY THE AUTHOR.
Charles Guérin, Roman de Mœurs Canadiennes. Par P. J. O. Chauveau.
BY THE AUTHOR.
Histoire du Canada. Par F. X. Garneau. 3 vols.
BY P. SINCLAIR, ESQ.
Transactions of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Proceedings of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Journal of the American Oriental Society ; 3 vols.
Popular Educator, for May, June, and July.
Herschell's Outlines of Astronomy.
American Archaeological Researches. By G. Squier, A.M.
BY E. A. MEREDITH, ESQ.
A Pamphlet on Hurricanes.
A Pamphlet on Compensating Portable Barometer.
A Pamphlet on the Mercurial and Aneroid Barometers.
A Pamphlet on Lectures on Agricultural Chemistry. .
BY W. H A. DAVIES, ESQ.
Dutch and English Dictionary.
BY THE MONTREAL FIRE COMMITTEE.
Fire Relief Report.
BY LIEUT. NOBLE, R. A.
Dana's System of Mineralogy.
Herschell's Discourse on the Study of Natural Philosophy.
Meteorological Table of Observations, Toronto.
BY CAPT. J. BURNETT.
Des Barré's Atlantic Neptune, in two grand folio volumes.
BY THE AUTHOR.
A Pamphlet on the Preservation of Animal Substances. By Henry Goadby, M.D., D.C.L.
BY WM. HENDERSON, ESQ.
Leviathan ; or the Matter, Form, and Power, of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiastical and Civil. By J. Hobbs, of Malmesbury, 1651.
BY THE MONTREAL MECHANICS INSTITUTE.
An Annual Report of the General Committee of the Institute, 7th November, 1853.
In addition to these, the Society's Library has been increased by the purchase of nearly two hundred volumes, comprising a set of the Transactions of the London Royal Society, condensed by Hutton, Shaw, and Pearson, and other works, partly on Physical Science, and partly on historical subjects, having reference to the former or present condition of Canada, or the conterminous American States.
Your Librarian, therefore, has much pleasure in offering his congratulations on the large and important additions which have been made to the Society's books during the past twelve months. In this respect, it is thought that the past term will sustain a favorable comparison with most former years. In fine, no effort has been spared, by attention to this special department, to co operate in carrying out the large and noble views enunciated in the original Charter of the Society.
Respectfully submitted,
E. T. FLETCHER,
Librarian.
Quebec, 11th January, 1854.
REPORT OF THE CURATOR OF MUSEUM.
QUEBEC, 11th January, 1854.
The undersigned, Curator of Museum of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, has the honor to report:—
That during the past year the general appearance of your Museum has been much improved by a methodical arrangement of the cases containing the collections of Minerals, Shells, and Coins, and by the addition of between six and seven hundred specimens of Birds, and a number of Animals purchased al a large cost, by your Council, from Mrs. Martyn, of this City.
At a very considerable expense your Council procured the services of Mr. May, an experienced Taxidermist and Naturalist, who had recently arrived from England, to mount, arrange, and classify, according to their natural families and orders, the whole of the Birds, Animals, Fishes, and Reptiles, now in your Museum, and to affix to each individual specimen a label with its Latin and English name.
The faithfulness with which Mr. May performed his difficult undertaking can easily be ascertained by a visit to the Museum, which, as regards the very valuable collection of Birds and Animals belonging to your Society, now exhibits a marked contrast to its former unsightly mass of confusion and decay, and I may add that, distinguished strangers who have visited the Museum in its present improved condition, and who, from their scientific attainments, were competent judges, pronounced the collection of Birds to be the finest on this Continent. Mr. May estimated their value at a thousand pounds.
Mr. May also drew up a Catalogue of the Birds, Animals Fishes, and Reptiles in the Museum, with short, instructive ones upon each family and order, which your Curator of Museum would strongly recommend the Society to print.
On the other departments in your Museum your .Curator has nothing to report.
The whole respectfully submitted.
R. H. RUSSELL, M. D.,
Curator of Museum
TREASURER'S REPORT.
REPORT of the Acting TREASURER of the Quebec Literary and Historical Society, for the year ending 10th January, 1854.
Your TREASURER has the honor to report,
That he took charge of the Treasurer's department from the late Acting Treasurer, at the request of the President of the Society, on the 29th October last.
By the Cash Book it will be observed that on the departure of Mr. Davies, the former Treasurer, from Quebec, the funds were, left by that gentleman in charge of the President, Mr. Andrew, till the period of his removal to Montreal, when the undersigned was by him solicited to take charge of the books of the Society.
The available general fund of the Society, will be found by the annexed statement to be £66 3s., besides the government grant for Historical Documents, of which the balance on hand as per Bank Book, is £122 9s. 2d., exclusive of the interest accruing thereon for the current year.
Your Treasurer begs leave further to report, for the information of the Society, that during the year closed this day, seven subscriptions have been paid in for the year 1852, fifty-nine for 1853, five for 1854, and one for 1855.
The whole respectfully submitted.
G. T. CARY,
Acting Treasurer.
Quebec, 10th January, 1854.
OFFICERS
FOR 1854.
PRESIDENT,
G. B. FARIBAULT, Esq
VICE-PRESIDENTS,
E.A.MEREDITH, L. L. B.,
LIEUT. A. NOBLE, R. A.,
LIEUT. E. ASHE, R. N.,
G. T. KINGSTON, M. A.
RECORDING SECRETARY
H. D. THIELCKE, ESQ.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
LIEUT. H. G. SAVAGE, R. E.
COUNCIL SECRETARY,
LIEUT. G. RANKEN, R. E.
CURATOR OF MUSEUM,
ROBERT HENRY RUSSELL, M. D.
CURATOR OF APPARATUS,
WILLIAM BENNING.
TREASURER,
GEORGE THOMAS CARY.
LIBRARIAN,
E. T. FLETCHER.
Ordinary and Associate Members of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec.
His Grace The Archbishop of Quebec,
The Rt. Revd. Lord Bishop of Quebec,
Andrew, Wm. M.A.,
Amiot, Thos.
Ashe, E. Lieut. R.N.
Baird, Ebenezer,
Burstall, Hy.
Beswick, Geo.
Black, Hy. The Honble.
Belleau, N.F. The Honble.
Burroughs, Edwd.
Borlase, G.H.
Browne, Geo.
Bouchette, Joseph.
Buchanan, A.C.
Boulton, Geo. S. The Honble.
Bowen, Noel, H.
Benning, Wm.
Cameron, Malcolm, M.P.P., The Honble.
Caron, E.R. The Honble.
Campbell, Archd.
Campbell, W.D.
Chauveau, P.J.O., The Honble., M.P.P.
Cassells, Robt.
Cary, Geo. Thos.
Carden, R.A. The Revd.
Carter, John,
Davies, W.H.A.
Douglas, Geo. M.D.
Dean, Jas. Junior,
Faribault, G.B.
Fletcher, E.T.
Fournier, C.F., M.P.P.
Garneau, F.X.
Griffin, Wm. H.
Geggie, R.C.
Holwell, W.A.
Harington, Thos. D.
Hamilton, James,
Hall, G.B.
Henderson, Wm.
Harrison, R.M.
Henderson, Geo.
Herring, Wm.
Hatherly, Jas. J.
Jones, Chas. M.
Jones, Horatio Nelson,
Irvine, Geo.
Killaly, H.H. The Honble.
Kingston, G.T., M.A.
Le Mesurier, Hy.
LeLievre, Hy.
Mountain, A.W., B.A. The Rev.
McDougall, Jno., Capt. S.S., L.M.
Marsh, D., The Rev.
Middleton, Robt.
Meredith, Ed. A., L.L.B.
Montizambert, C.N.
Moore, Lieut. Col. 54th Regt.,
Neill Robt.
Noad, Hy. J.
Noble, A. Lieut R.A.
Pope, Thos.
Price, Wm.
Paterson, Wm.
Pope, R.
Panet, Chas.
Racey, J, Junior,
Russell, R.H., M.D.
Russell, J.P., M.D.
Ranken, Geo., Lieut. R.E.
Ross, Dunbar, Solicitor General,
Ryan, E.
Shaw, Jas., M.P.P.
Symes, Robt.,
Sewell, E.W.
Sinclair, P.
Steward, Wm. N.R.
Scott, H.S.
Sola, De, The Rev. Rabbi,
Sewell, Wm.
Savage, H.G., Lieut. R.E.
Spragge, Wm.
Thielcke, Hy. D.
Thomson, D.C.
Wilkie, D.
Wickstead, G.W.
Young, John.
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