Chapter IV
Reading edition
NATIVE LITERATURE.
Society in New France—Intellectual lethargy—First Books published after the Conquest—Bouchette's Works—New Era in French Canadian Letters—Periodicals, Histories, Poems—Garneau, Ferland, Cremazie, Frechette—Antiquarian Research—Canadian Ballads—Literary Progress of English-speaking People—Society previous to the Union of 1840—Early Libraries and Magazines—Authors of Repute—'Sam Slick'—Professor Dawson—Charles Heavysege—Poetry—Romance—History—Miscellaneous Works of Merit—Mr. Alpheus Todd's Constitutional Researches— Contributions to Colonial Literature by Public Men—Talent in the Legislature—Results of a Century of Progress summed up—Mental Activity among the Intelligent and Educated Classes—Increasing Issue of Works and Pamphlets from Canadian Press—Signs of General Culture—Public Libraries—Literary and Scientific Societies—Mechanics' Institutes—School Libraries—A Grand Opportunity for the Rich Men of Canada—Literary, Artistic and Scientific Topics engaging greater Attention—Writers of Intellectual Power on the Increase—Encouraging Signs of Intellectual Development—Brighter Auguries for the Future.