Note 40 — V.
Reading edition
Page 20.—Dr. Louis Fréchette's poems are admitted to be the most finished illustrations of French poetic art yet produced in the Dominion; and one who reads them can easily understand that "Les Fleurs Boréales" and "Les Oiseaux de Neige" (now in the third edition, Montreal) should have been crowned by the French Academy in 1880, and that he should have been accorded the Monthyon prize as a matter of course. His other volumes of poems are these: "Mes Loisirs," Quebec, 1863; "La Voix d'un Exilé," Quebec, 1869; "Pêle-Mêle," Montreal, 1877; "Les Oubliés" and "Voix d'Outre-Mer," Montreal, 1886; and "Feuilles Volantes," Montreal, 1891. His poem on the discovery of the Mississippi is probably his best sustained effort on the whole. A number of his poems have appeared in the 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vols. i., ii., iii., iv. He has published some dramas and comedies (see 'Am. Cyclopædia of Biography,' vol. ii., p. 539), which have not been as successful as his purely poetic essays. He has also written several essays of merit in 'Harper's Monthly' and other periodicals of the day, as well as in the 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.'
The following is an extract from his poem on "La Découverte du Mississippi":
"Tantôt je croyais voir, sous les vertes arcades, Du fatal De Soto passer les cavalcades En jetant au désert un défi solennel; Tantôt c'était Marquette errant dans la prairie, Impatient d'offrir un monde à sa patrie, Et des âmes à l'Eternel. "Parfois, sous les taillis, ma prunelle trompée, Croyait voir de La Salle étinceler l'épée, Et parfois, groupe informe allant je ne sais où, Devant une humble croix—ô puissance magique!— De farouches guerriers á l'œil sombre et tragique Passer en pliant le genou! "Et puis, berçant mon âme aux rêves des poètes, J'entrevoyais aussi de blanches silhouettes, Doux fantômes flottant dans le vague des nuits: Atala, Gabriel, Chactas, Evangeline, Et l'ombre de René, debout sur la colline, Pleurant ses immortels ennuis. "Et j'endormais ainsi mes souvenirs moroses.... Mais de ces visions poétiques et roses Celle qui plus souvent venait frapper mon œil, C'était, passant au loin dans un reflet de gloire, Ce hardi pionnier dont notre jeune histoire Redit le nom avec orgueil. "Jolliet! Jolliet! deux siècles de conquêtes, Deux siècles sans rivaux ont passé sur nos têtes, Depuis l'heure sublime où, de ta propre main, Tu jetas d'un seul trait sur la carte du monde Ces vastes régions, zone immense et féconde, Futur grenier du genre humain! "Oui, deux siècles ont fui! La solitude vierge N'est plus là! Du progrès le flot montant submerge Les vestiges derniers d'un passé qui finit. Où le désert dormait, grandit la métropole; Et le fleuve asservi courbe sa large épaule Sous l'arche aux piles de granit. "Plus de forêts sans fin: la vapeur les silonne! L'astre des jours nouveaux sur tous les points rayonne; L'enfant de la nature est évangélisé; Le soc du laboureur fertilise la plaine; Et le surplus doré de sa gerbe trop pleine Nourrit le vieux monde épuisé."
Mr. Pamphile LeMay, one of the best known French Canadian poets, has published the following: "Essais Poétiques," Quebec, 1865; "La Découverte du Canada," Quebec, 1867; "Poèmes Couronnés," Quebec, 1870; "Les Vengeances," Quebec, 1875, 1876 and 1888 (also dramatized); "Une Gerbe," Quebec, 1879. He has also written "Fables Canadiennes," Quebec, 1882. A number of his poems have appeared in the 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vols i., iii., v., vi., ix. He has also written several stories of Canadian life: "L'Affaire Sougraine," Quebec, 1884; "Le Pèlerin de Sainte-Anne," new ed., Montreal, 1893; and "Rouge et Bleu," comedy. One of his best works was a translation of Longfellow's "Evangeline."
The following is a list of other Canadian books of poems, of varying merit, which have appeared within a quarter of a century:
"The Songs of a Wanderer." By Carroll Ryan. Ottawa, 1867. Indicated much poetic taste, but the poet has been submerged in the busy journalist.
"Songs of Life." By Rev. E. H. Dewart. Toronto, 1867. He was author of the first collection of Canadian poems made in this country. See infra.
"The Prophecy of Merlin and other Poems." By John Reade. Montreal, 1870. In many respects the best sustained poems written by a Canadian can be read in this book.
"Les Laurentiennes." By Benjamin Sulte. Montreal, 1870.
"Les Chants Nouveaux." By the same. Ottawa, 1880.
"The Legend of the Rose." By Samuel J. Watson. Toronto, 1876. Mr. Watson was a writer of promise who died in the maturity of his power.
"The Feast of St. Anne, and other Poems." By P. S. Hamilton. Montreal, 1878; 2nd ed. 1890. Has some interest from its description of the ceremonies at the feast of Sainte-Anne du Canada—the tutelary saint of the Canadian aborigines—which is held by the Micmacs on the 26th day of July in each year on Chapel Island, in the beautiful Bras d'Or Lake of Cape Breton. See Bourinot's "Cape Breton."
"Waifs in Verse." (Ottawa, ed. in 1878, 1887 and 1891.) By G. W. Wicksteed, Q.C., for fifty years the able law clerk of the Canadian Commons.
"A Collection of Poems." By Miss Williams of Grenville, P.Q., 1879.
"The Coming of the Princess, and Other Poems." By Kate Seymour Maclean of Kingston. 1880.
"Lyrics, Songs and Sonnets." By A. H. Chandler and C. Pelham Mulvany. Toronto, 1880.
"The Times, and Other Poems." By J. R. Newell of Woodstock. 1880.
"The Consolation." By George Gerrard. Montreal, 1880.
"Poems of the Heart and Home." By Mrs. J. C. Yule. Toronto, 1880.
"Poems, Songs and Odes." By Archibald McAlpine Taylor. Toronto, 1881.
"The New Song, and Other Poems." By Mrs. W. H. Clarke. Toronto, 1883.
"Zenobia. A Poem in Rhymed Heroics." By Rev. Æ. McD. Dawson, F.R.S.C. 1883.
"The Mission of Love, and Other Poems." By Caris Sima. 1883.
"Lorenzo, and Other Poems." By J. R. Pollock of Keswick, Ont. 1883.
"Caprices Poétiques et Chansons Satiriques." Par Rémi Tremblay. Montréal, 1883.
"Les Echos." Par J. B. Routhier. Québec, 1883, 12mo. Judge Routhier is a member of the Royal Society of Canada, in whose 'Trans.' (vol. iv., Sec. I.) appeared "Lettre d'un Volontaire du 9ieme Voltigeurs campé à Calgary." His literary reputation stands high among his countrymen.
"Old Spookse's Pass, and Other Poems." By Isabella Valancy Crawford. Toronto, 1884.
"Marguerite, and Other Poems." By George Martin. 1886.
"Laura Secord: a Ballad of 1812." By Mrs. Curzon. Toronto, 1886.
"Songs, Sonnets and Miscellaneous Poems." By J. Imrie. Toronto, 1886.
"Dreamland, and Other Poems" (Ottawa, 1868), and "Tecumseh: a Drama" (Toronto and London, 1886). By Charles Mair, a poet of original talent, and descriptive power, who is now a resident of the North-west Territories.
"Orion, and Other Poems" (Philadelphia, 1880), and "In Divers Tones" (Montreal, 1887). By Prof. C. G. D. Roberts, who is the best known abroad of all Canadian poets, and represents that Canadian or national spirit which has been slowly rising from the birth of Confederation. Since the days of Crémazie—over thirty years ago—there are other poets who recognize the existence of a Canadian people in a large sense—a Canadian people of two races, born and educated in the country, and having common aspirations for a united, not an isolated, future. Prof. Roberts is now bringing out a new volume of poems in London.
The poetic taste of the Archbishop of Halifax, the Most Rev. C. O'Brien, F.R.S.C., is well illustrated in the following volume: "Aminta: a Modern Life Drama," New York, 1890. The Archbishop is also the author of a novel, "After Weary Years," (Baltimore and New York, 1885), the scenes of which are laid in Rome and Canada, and are described with much power of invention and fervour. As the author himself says, "historic places and events are accurately described." He has, it will be seen from his preface, great confidence in the future national greatness of the Dominion.
"A Gate of Flowers." By T. O'Hagan. Toronto, 1887. He has another volume in press.
"The Masque of Minstrels, and Other Pieces, chiefly in verse." By B. W. and A. J. Lockhart. Bangor, Me., 1887. These two brothers are Nova Scotians by birth and education, who lived their youth in the land of Evangeline. The Gaspéreaux and Grand Pré are naturally the constant theme of their pleasing verse.
"Among the Millet, and Other Poems." By Archibald Lampman. Ottawa, 1888. Some of Mr. Lampman's most finished sonnets have appeared in the best American periodicals, to which he is still a frequent contributor; his work shows the true poetic instinct. He holds a position in the Civil Service at Ottawa.
"The Water Lily. An Oriental Fairy Tale." By Frank Waters. Ottawa, 1888.
"De Roberval: a Drama. Also the Emigration of the Fairies, and the Triumph of Constancy: a Romaunt." By John Hunter Duvar. St. John, N.B., 1888. Mr. Duvar, who has fine literary tastes, has been a resident of Prince Edward Island for some years.
"The Epic of the Dawn, and Other Poems." By Nicholas Flood Davin. Regina, N.W.T., 1889. Mr. Davin is the clever "Irishman in Canada," and while the most pretentious of his poems in this little book were written across the ocean, others are the product of Canadian thought and sentiment.
"Lake Lyrics, and Other Poems." By W. Wilfred Campbell. St. John, N.B., 1889. Mr. Campbell, who was originally a clergyman of the Church of England, is now in the public service at Ottawa, and has written some of his best poems for American magazines. One on "The Mother," in 'Harper's Monthly' is full of poetic thought and deep pathos, and should be better known by Canadians than it appears to be. At this time of writing his new volume of poems entitled "The Dread Voyage" (Toronto, 1893), has appeared; it sustains his reputation, though one can hardly encourage his effort to imitate Tennyson in such poems as "Sir Lancelot." Canadian poets too frequently are imitative rather than original. Mr. Campbell's verses on the varied scenery of the lakes of the West show the artistic temperament.
For instance:
"Domed with the azure of heaven, Floored with a pavement of pearl, Clothed all about with a brightness Soft as the eyes of a girl. "Girt with a magical girdle, Rimmed with a vapour of rest— These are the inland waters, These are the Lakes of the West."
ON THE LEDGE.
"I lie out here on a ledge, with the surf on the rocks below me, The hazy sunlight above and the whispering forest behind; I lie and listen, O lake, to the legends and songs you throw me, Out of the murmurous moods of your multitudinous mind. "I lie and listen, a sound like voices of distant thunder, The roar and throb of your life in your rock-wall's mighty cells; Then after a softer voice that comes from the beaches under, A chiming of waves on rocks, a laughter of silver bells. "A glimmer of bird-like boats, that loom from the far horizon; That scud and tack and dip under the gray and the blue; A single gull that floats and skims the waters, and flies on, Till she is lost like a dream in the haze of the distance, too. "A steamer that rises a smoke, then after a tall, dark funnel, That moves like a shadow across your water and sky's gray edge; A dull, hard beat of a wave that diggeth himself a tunnel, Down in the crevices dark under my limestone ledge. "And here I lie on my ledge, and listen the songs you sing me, Songs of vapour and blue, songs of island and shore; And strange and glad are the hopes and sweet are the thoughts you bring me Out of the throbbing depths and wells of your heart's great store."
"Pine, Rose and Fleur-de-Lis." By S. Frances Harrison ("Seranus"). Toronto, 1891.
"Songs, Lyrical and Dramatic." By John Henry Brown. Ottawa, 1892, 12mo. The New York 'Nation' truly says of this new poetic aspirant that he has Walt Whitman's tendencies, but nevertheless he "writes in a generous spirit, and may yet have thoughts and expression all his own." The fact is, I repeat, most Canadian poets are too imitative and too rarely original.
"Tendres Choses. Poésies Canadiennes." By Dr. R. Chevrier. Montreal, 1892, 12mo. That an author unknown to fame should give us his portrait, as in this case, is perplexing. Still the verse is frequently melodious, though it represents what is a feature of French poetry, melodious rhythm, rather than strength and thought.
"This Canada of Ours, and Other Poems." By J. D. Edgar, M.P., Toronto, 1893. This little volume contains "The White Stone Canoe: a Legend of the Ottawas," which had been published in separate form some years previously. His French and Latin translations are full of taste.
"Les Perce-Neige, premières poésies." By Napoléon Legendre. Montreal, 12mo. He is a member of the Royal Society of Canada, and constant contributor (generally in prose) to its 'Transactions.'
"Mes Rimes." By Elzéar Labelle. Montreal, 1886, 8vo.
Selections of Canadian poems have appeared of recent years in the following publications:
1. "Selections from Canadian Poets: with occasional critical and biographical notes and an introductory essay on Canadian poetry." By the Rev. E. H. Dewart. Montreal, 1864, 8vo.
2. "Songs of the Great Dominion: Voices from the Forests and Waters, the Settlements and Cities of Canada." Selected and edited by W. D. Lighthall, M.A., of Montreal. London, 1889, 12mo.
3. "Younger American Poets, 1830–1890." Edited by Douglas Sladen, B.A., Oxon. With an Appendix of Younger Canadian Poets. Edited by G. B. Roberts of St. John, N.B. New York, 1891, 12mo.
4. "Later Canadian Poems." Edited by J. E. Wetherell, B.A. Toronto, 1893.
In the first mentioned work, which is judiciously edited, the poets until 1864 obtain a place. In the three other books we have selections from John Reade, Geo. Frederick Cameron, Prof. Roberts, Bliss Carman (now a resident of the United States), A. H. Chandler, Isabella Valancy Crawford, Mrs. Leprohon, Hereward K. Cockin, John Hunter Duvar, Rev. A. W. H. Eaton, Louis Fréchette, James Hannay, Sophie M. Hensley, Charles Sangster, M. Richey Knight, Archibald Lampman, W. D. Lighthall, A. J. Lockhart, B. W. Lockhart, Agnes Maude Machar ("Fidelis"), W. McLennan, Charles Mair, Mary Morgan ("Gowan Lea"), Charles P. Mulvany, Rev. F. G. Scott, Philip Stewart, H. R. A. Pocock, Barry Stratton, A. Weir, Mary Barry Smith, John T. Lespérance ("Laclède"), W. Wye Smith, Ethelwyn Wetherald, John E. Logan ("Barry Dane"), George Martin, Mrs. Harrison ("Seranus"), D. Campbell Scott, James D. Edgar, E. Pauline Johnson, George Murray, William Kirby, Annie Rothwell, W. A. Sherwood, Isidore G. Ascher, P. J. O. Chauveau, B. Sulte, P. LeMay, and others. I enumerate these names to show how many Canadians have ventured upon the field of poesy despite the practical realities of life in this relatively new country. The selections in the second of these works would have been more valuable had they contained "Our Fathers" by Joseph Howe—the most spirited poem in some respects ever written by a native Canadian. To the names of poetic aspirants, too, must be added those of M. J. Katzmann and of M. J. Griffin, whose fugitive pieces have attracted notice. Mr. Griffin has fine literary tastes and his few poems, only the relaxation of leisure hours, show he might win fame in this delightful department of letters. The reader will obtain some idea of the standard of Canadian poetry by reading the selections, and should not be carried away by the too obvious enthusiasm that has at times stifled the critical faculty in the editors. The poetic genius of Canadians is to be stimulated, not by sentimental gush, but by a judicious criticism that is not sufficiently cultivated by our writers who review the efforts of our poets, historians and essayists. These remarks also apply to such articles as that by the late Mr. Lespérance on "The Poets of Canada" in 'Trans. Roy. Soc. Can.,' vol. ii., Sec. II.
Mr. Evan McColl, F.R.S.C., is the Gaelic poet of Canada. Three editions have appeared of the "Clàrsach nam Beann," which was printed as far back as 1838 in Glasgow. The same was also published in English in the same year, under the title of "The Mountain Minstrel," of which six editions have been printed. In 1883 he published in Toronto "Poems and Songs chiefly written in Canada." Mr. McColl is a great favourite among his Scotch countrymen everywhere; but his decidedly original poetic genius, rude and wild as it is at times, is not a Canadian product, for he was born at Kenmore, Lochfyne-Side, Scotland, in 1808, and it was not until he was forty years of age that he made Canada his home. He is now a resident of Toronto, and still comes to the annual meetings of the Royal Society, of which he was one of the original members.