REPORT OF THE COUNCIL

OF THE

LITERARY

AND

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

OF QUEBEC,

FOR THE YEAR 1862

 

Submitted at the Annual Meeting held on the 11^th January 1863.

 

The Council of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec have the honor to present their Annual Report of the proceedings of the Society during the year 1862.

 

The President of the Society, in accordance with a resolution passed at a general meeting held in November, has executed an agreement with the Governors of Morrin College, a copy of which is submitted. By this agreement, the arrangement now subsisting between the two Institutions will remain in force for a period of three years from November 1st, 1862, and thereafter 'will continue to be renewed from three years to three years, unless either party to it should give six months' notice of their intention* to abrogate it at the end of any such period. It is to be hoped that the mutual advantages derived by both Institutions will make the agreement in effect permanent.   

 

The Society has already been informed, in the Address of the President at the opening of the session, of the extent of the loss which we have sustained from the late fees.

 

The Council lost no time in making preparations for replenishing the shelves of the library, and they have prepared lists of books to be purchased, which it is hoped that the position of our finances will yet enable them materially to extend. The orders for books which are to be purchased in England have not as yet been sent off, but considerable progress has already been made in procuring books from the United States. It was thought that the rate of exchange between the two countries afforded great facilities for making purchases there at the present moment; and with this view, as also for the purpose of establishing amicable relations with Societies of a kindred character, as well as of obtaining the important publications gratuitously distributed by the central and several State governments, the sum of $120 was placed at the disposal of the President to defray the expenses of a personal visit to Washington, New York, and Boston. The President associated with him the Rev. J. Douglas, and the result of their mission is already , beginning to be felt in the books which are arriving. Their purchases have only amounted to about $800, as it was found that a large number of European publications could be obtained more cheaply by direct importation ; but the additions to the library from the liberality of the several governments and of sister Societies, as well as of individuals, will be important in the number, and still more ' so in the value of many, of the publications contributed.. We are not in a position to enter into details as to these new acquisitions, as they have as yet but partially reached Quebec ; but the extent of these donations will form a marked feature the history of the year ; and, as most of the contributions will be annually repeated, our library will for the future be well supplied with everything, which illustrates the early history and present progress of the neighbouring States.

 

Although the public acknowledgement of the favors which we have received from individual bodies must, for the reason above stated, be postponed to another year, yet we cannot omit in this report a general recognition of the liberal spirit in which our applications have been universally met, and an expression of oar regret that we have it not in oar power to make any adequate return for the generous aid, which we have received from other Societies. From the almost entire loss of our own transactions by the fire, we could not even promise to complete the imperfect -sets which many of them possess ; but as this is almost the only recognition we can make for their much more valuable contributions, we would recommend that exertions should be made to obtain from our old members and others as many back numbers of our own publications as possible. Such loose volumes are not often much regarded by their possessors, and I hope that any of our members, who could assist us in this respect, will remember the object we have in view.

 

There is another way in which we may hope to make some return to the Societies in the United States. Our own Government exchanges publications with the library of Congress and all the several State libraries, but, with the single exception of the Smithsonian Institution, it makes no recognition of chartered Societies. To enable us in some measure to requite to them the liberality which we, as a Society, have experienced from the State governments, we would recommend the adoption of a memorial, which we submit, praying our own Government to place at our disposal, for distribution, some copies of such of its publications as maybe of general interest beyond our own borders.

 

The Society is aware that at a general meeting in October last, authority was given to the Council to commence the publication of a quarterly journal, which might take the place of, and to some extent embody, our transactions as formerly published. The occurrence of the fire, which called for all our means to restore the vigour of the Society in other respects, rendered it impolitic for the Council to undertake a publication involving some financial risk. The idea is, therefore, for the present abandoned ; but we are still of opinion that such a journal is much called for in the literary circles of Canada, and that, as soon as prudence admits of  it, it is a means extending the usefulness of the Society, to which we should look forward.

 

Totally irrespective of our ordinary transactions, the publication of historical documents is one of the express objects of the Society. Hitherto we have had a Historical Document Committee, unconnected with, and independent of, the Council. A general feeling, however, has prevailed that this division of work is attended, with great inconvenience, and that the Council, which is and ought to be the only responsible body, should have the entire control of all publications. A by-law will, therefore, be submitted to the Society, modifying the existing arrangement ; and it is proposed that the Council, to which, if necessary, some members might be added without special offices, should appoint a sub-committee of its own body, which should take charge of this important department ; and that an examination should be made of the manuscripts to which we have access, with the view of bringing out a volume during the current year,-embracing some of the most important of our unpublished archives.

 

During the past year a somewhat new feature has been introduced into the Society, by the delivery of a course of lectures in our rooms by a gentleman who was not one of our members. The arrangement entailed little or no expense upon us, and was in some respects an advantage to the lecturer, whilst it probably induced some of our members and their families to be present at an instructive course, which they ' otherwise might not hare attended. The success of Mr. Denton's lectures will probably induce the Council to repeat the experiment, and, especially if we can obtain access to a larger hall, such occasional courses may become an important means of increasing the general usefulness of the Society.

 

The year which has just expired, and which recalls to so many of us the individual losses in friends and relatives which we have sustained, has given us cause to lament, as a Society, the death of several honoured associates. The venerable Prelate whom we so lately accompanied to the grave, and Mr. Archibald Campbell, were two of the original founders of the Society, and, we believe, with one exception, the only ones which 36 years had left to us of those who, under less hopeful circumstances, projected a means of advancing the intellectual culture of their country, which their successors have been slow to carry out, Mr. Andrew also, who long occupied a prominent position amongst us, has departed from the scene on which he has exercised an abiding influence. They have not lived in vain they rest from their labours, and their works to follow them.

 

The general progress of the Society, in its ordinary proceedings, has been satisfactory. The following is a list of the papers read during the past year:—

"Architecture of Canadian Insects" by Wm. Cooper.

"The age of Timber Trees, and the prospects of a continuous supply of Timber in Canada," by J. Langton, Esquire, M.A.

 

 

"Half an hour with the Poets," by R. Nettle, Esquire.

"Ventilation of Railway Cart" by A. Wallace, Esq.

"Gas, Gas-Meters, and Gas Explosions," by S. Sturton, Esquire.

"The Cruise of the Portuguese Slaver ‘Negrinha,’ " by E. D. Ashe, Esquire, R.N.

"Music," by H. May, Esquire.

"Egypt," by Rev. J. Douglas.

"The Skin and its Appendages" by Dr. Racey.

"On a recently discovered M.S.S. of Champlain," by Hon. T. D. McGee.

"On the land and Fresh-water Mollusoa of the Neighbourhood of Quebec," by J. F. Whiteaves, F.G.S.

 

Upon the whole, we look forward to the future prosperity of the Society with considerable hopefulness. Our members have been increased by 48 since we last assembled at the Annual Meeting, and both in the interest they take in our proceedings, and in the increased use they have made of the library, we are happy to announce a marked improvement. Even the loss which we experienced by the fire has not been unaccompanied by some compensation. Our members have felt the necessity of greater exertions ; and although we have to lament some losses which we may never replace, in other departments our library will have increased in value ; and in spite of the calamity which all must deplore, we think that we can confidently state that there is more vitality in the Society at present, than there was at this time last year.

 

AGREEMENT WITH MORRIN COLLEGE.

Memorandum of an agreement entered into between the Governors of Morrin College and the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec.

 

It is mutually agreed by the Governors of Morrin College and the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, as follows :—

 

1.—The Governors of Morrin College shall provide free accommodation for the Library and Museum of the Literary and Historical Society, and for the Assistant Secretary of the Society.

 

2.—The Literary and Historical Society shall annually lay out in books to be selected by the Governors of Morrin College, the sum of £30; such books to remain the property of the College in the event of this agreement expiring,-and not being renewed.

 

3.—The Literary and Historical Society shall permit the Governors, Professors and Students of Morrin College to have free access to, and use of, the Library and Museum of the Society, subject to such rules for the safety of the collections as may be made by a Joint Committee, to consist pf the President of the Society, and two persons to be named by the Governors of the College, and two to be named by the Society.

 

4.—Any books or specimens for the Museum now possessed by the Society, or which may be hereafter acquired by it, and all books and specimens now possessed by or hereafter acquired by the College, shall, during the continuance of this agreement, form one collection, subject to the rules for its safe custody to be laid down by the Joint Committee ; but separate Catalogues shall be kept of the property of the two bodies.

 

5.—This agreement shall remain in force for three years from the 1st day of November in the year 1862, and thereafter it shall continue in force for a farther period of three years, and thereafter shall continue to be extended t from three years to three years, unless one of the parties in this agreement shall, at least six months before the expiration of any period of three years, have given notice in writing to the other party that it will not be renewed.

           

JOHN LANGTON,

            President, Literary and Historical Society.

            JOHN COOK,

            Principal of Morrin College.

 

REPORT OF THE LIBRARIAN.

 

The report of your Librarian, in consequence of the disastrous fire, is very much abridged.

 

As the reconstruction of the Library is only in its commencement, he considers it better for his report to terminate with the fire, and all that has been done since to be reported upon next year.

 

The copies of important M.S.S. in France, were saved uninjured, being at that time in safe custody elsewhere. Also the important documents respecting the history of England, Scotland and Ireland, given to us by the British Government, have been saved and only require to be re-bound.

 

The purchase of books from England, last summer, to the amount $320, was very valuable, and gave a fresh impetus to the use of the Library, and since then the Library has been used to an extent of which we possess no previous record on the books of the Society.

 

And your Librarian argues that as soon as the new purchases are complete, this department will exhibit a life which has hitherto been wanting in it.

 

(Signed,)

S. STURTON,

Librarian.

 

REPORT OF THE CURATOR OF MUSEUM.

 

Your Curator regrets being obliged to report the total destruction of your entire collection of objects in Natural History, Archaeology, &c. The loss is the more to be regretted in that a successful effort was being made to replenish the Natural History department, $157 having been expended within a few months previous to the fire, in the purchase of a case, and of specimens of Canadian quadrupeds and birds, which were admirably stuffed by Mr. Couper, in accordance with the agreement made with him last winter.

 

Your Curator would venture and recommend that in reconstructing the Museum, the Society sould aim at illustrating the natural history and productions of North America alone, and above all at making as complete a collection as possible of whatever might advance our knowledge of the aboriginal nations of this continent ; and that, not only because its limited means prevent it compassing thoroughly a wider field, but also because this is our proper sphere of labor and research.

 

Your Curator would further recommend that a liberal sum be set apart for refurnishing the Museum, as several valuable donations will be presented so soon as there are cases to receive them.

 

Subjoined is a list of donations, for each of which severally, thanks have been tendered to the donor. A longer list, it may be hoped, will appear in the next report, as a printed circular, soliciting specimens for the different departments of the Museum, has been printed and will be forwarded to all who are likely to be able in any way to render assistance.

 

Humbly submitted.     

JAMES DOUGLAS.

           

LIST OF DONATIONS.

 

From A. WALLACE, ESQ :

18 Uniform specimen* of the "Woods of Canada.

From MR. WH. COUPER  :

1 Winter Gull ; 1 Barred Owl ; 1 Garter Snake ; 1 Starfish, and a collection of Shells from the Lower St Lawrence.

From EDWIN A. Joires, ESQ :

A strip of Whalebone in the natural state.

From GEORGE T. CARY, ESQ :

An Austrian silver coin of 1780.

From MASTER O. FREMONT :

Birds in the flesh, for stuffing.

From MR. WM. COUPER :

Fossil Shells and Sponges from Anticosti.

 

THE TREASURER'S REPORT FOR 1862.

 

Your Treasurer begs to report as follows :—

The number of members of the Society at the commencement of 1862 was:

Honorary: 10

Life: 3

Corresponding: 24

Associate: 69

 

The members elected in 1862 number 48.

 

Your Treasurer is happy to state that the outstanding subscriptions are not many, accounting for every associate member whose name appears in the printed report of the Council for 1861, and the new members also.

 

Your Treasurer suggests that the names of members, who either decline to pay, or take no notice of repeated applications for the amount of their arrears, be now struck off the roll. The Society is only misled in regard to its strength by continuing them.

 

Your Treasurer appends an abstract of receipts and disbursements during 1862.

 

The former amount to $5429.57, composed principally of Subscriptions, Parliamentary Grant, and Insurance consequent upon the recent loss by fire.

 

The expenditure amounts to $2537.18, the heaviest items of which, as usual, are for books, rent, printing, Secretary's expenses, and this year, repairs, &c., rendered necessary by the recent fire and removal,—a special gratuity having been granted to Mr. Couper, your naturalist, to compensate him for private loss incurred while saving the Society's property.

 

A new insurance has been effected to the same amount as before, $3000. The available funds of the Society at this date are :.

General Fund: $2,628.57

Historical Document Fund: 209.17

Life Members' Fund: 54.65

Total: $2,892.39     

 

to which is to be added the normal balance of subscriptions due at the close of 1862, amounting to $44 ; and your Treasurer is not aware of any outstanding claims against the Society of any consequence.

 

All which is respectfully submitted.

T. DOUGLAS HAKINGTON,

Treasurer.

Quebec, 1st January, 1863.

 

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

 

LIST OF MEMBERS, 1863.

 

Patron.

His Excellency

The Right Honorable CHARLES STANLEY, VISCOUNT MONCK.

 

Honorary Members.

SIR D. BREWSTER,

COL. LEFROY, R. A.

ADMIRAL BAYFIELD,

F. X. GARNEAU,

SIR JOHN HERSCHEL,

N. GOULD,

SIR W. LOGAN,

STERRY HUNT,

GEORGE BANCROFT,

HENRY GOADBY, M. D.

PROF. D. WILSON.

 

Life Member.

 

THOMAS GLOVER

 

Associate Members.

 

His Grace the  Archbishop of Quebec.

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

Anderson, Revd. D.

Alleyn, The Hon. Charles.

Alley, J., Jr.

Baillargé, C.

Bernard, Hewitt.

Burroughs, Ed.

Bowen, N. H.

Beaudry, J. U.

Bowles, Jos.

Bouchette, R.S.M.

Budden, Heber.

Bulkeley, Chas. Williams.

Bramley, T. C.

Barber, C. E.

Cauchon, Hon. Jes.

Cary, G. T.

Campbell, W. D.

Carter, H.

Cayley, Edwardé

Curry. W.

Campbell, Evelyn.

Curry, Wm. A.

Cassils, Wm.

Dean, Jr., Jas.

Desbarats, Geo.

Douglas, Rev. J.

Douglas, Dr. J.

Dawson, W. McDonnell.

DeDerky, Dr.

Devine, Thos.

Dore, Frederic.

Fletcher, E. T.

Faribault, G. B.

Ford, Dr.

Fraser, Alexander.

Gowen, Hammond.

Godley, Denis.

Grey, Frost.

Gibsone, J. C.

Griffin, W. H.

Gibbs, H. G.

Harington, T. D.

Hall, F. A.

Hector, Thomas.

Hamilton, Revd. C.

Hossack, Wm.

Home, John.

Hatch, Revd. E., M. A.

 Harvey, A., F. S. S.

Himsworth, W. A.

Hamolton, Robert.

Joly, H. G.

Jones, H. J.

Keefer, Samuel.

Langton, John, M.A.

Lewis, F.

LeMoine, J. M.

Langlois, Fisher.

Meredith, E. A., LL D.

Montizambert, C. N.

Marsden, Dr.

May, Henry.

Morgan, H. J.

Macdonald, Hon. J. A.

Marsh, Revd. D.

Miller, M.

McGee, Hon. T. D’Arcy.

Moodie, Walter.

McLeod, Donald R.

Nettle, R.

Peters, Charles.

Powell, Grant.

Petry, Revd. H. J.

Petry, W.

Pearce, J., M. B. Oxon.

Ramsay, T. K.

Retallack, Capt., A. D. C.

Rowan, J. H.

Ross, Thos.

Racey, Dr. John.

Roe, Revd. H.

Robertson, Jas.

Rose, G. McLean.

Stevenson, Jas.

Sturton, S.

Shaw, P. A.

Selley, Revd. J. B.

Smeaton, Charles.

Sinclair, P.

Scott, H. S.

Steele, H. E.

Tate, C. M.

Tarbutt, John Coventry.

Taché, Dr. J. C.

Turnor, M.

Vansittart, J. G.

Veasey, George.

Wilkie, D.

Wallace, Alex.

Whitcher, W. F.

Worthington, Thos.

Wicksteed, G. W.

Walker, W., Jr.

 

LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

 

PATRON.

His Excellency VISCOUNT MONCK, Bart., Governor General, &c.,

 

LIST OF OFFICERS, 1863.

 

PRESIDENT.

JOHN LANGTON, M. A.

 

VICE PRESIDENTS.

E. A. MEREDITH, LL. D.

R. S. M. BOUCHETTE.

C. M. TATE.

E. D. ASHE, R. N., F. R. S.

 

TREASURER.

T. D. HARINGTON.

 

RECORDING SECRETARY.

THOMAS DEVINE, F. G. S.

 

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY.

W. D. CAMPBELL.

 

COUNCIL SECRETARY.

E. T. FLETCHER.

 

LIBRARIAN.

REVD. JAMES DOUGLAS.

 

CURATOR OF MUSEUM.

S. STURTON.

 

CURATOR OF APPARATUS.

G. W. WICKSTEED.

 

HISTORICAL DOCUMENT COMMITTEE.

G. B. FARIBAULT.

DANIEL WILKIE.

HON. T. DARCY MCGEE.

JAMES LEMOINE.

GEO. C. GIBSONE.

DR. TACHE.

 

With the President and Corresponding Secretary, ex-officio.

 

ASSISTANT SECRETARY.

WILLIAM COUPER.