3J.0 ANTHROPOLOGY. 



readily understood, but unlike any of the patois of France. He is sur- 

 prised at their demonstrativeness and pleased with their urbanity. He 

 discovers in them the instincts of the Indian blended with and modified 

 by many of the moral and mental traits of the white, so that he is often 

 unable to tell which blood preponderates. Such are the first general 

 impressions made upon him by the French half-breeds. 



I. 



ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT. 



I shall first outline the history of their origin and gradual increase, 

 beginning with the various causes which sent their fathers from Cana- 

 dian towns and settlements into the wilderness to adopt savage life. 



Canada, during the seventeenth century, was a poor and snfferiug 

 colony. Severity of climate, wily savage foes, bad government, all 

 conspired against its prosperity and happiness. It became a severe 

 t mining-school in which was developed an enduring, hardy race of men, 

 eminently adapted to the hazards and toils of the life which awaited 

 them. 



The fur-trade was then the main resource of New France. In its 

 pursuit lay the only path to advancement and wealth, and the energy 

 and enterprise of the colony were bent in that direction. Daring canoe- 

 nun. not content to trade with the Indians at the settlements, set out 

 lor the wilderness in quest of savage fur-hunters, and met with great 

 success. The charms of this roving life, seasoned by danger and coupled 

 with a lucrative traffic, soon allured many of the strongest men into the 

 western wilds. ^ 



The population comprised a large proportion of disbanded soldiers, 

 mined gentiWwmmes, and lawless adventurers. To such men the nar- 

 row confines of Canada, then a mere strip of land on each side of the 

 Sainl Lawrence from Quebec to Montreal, was too restricted a sphere of 

 action, and the fur trade gave a vent to their restless activity. On the 

 other hand, the paternal solicitude of the home government and the zeal 

 of its clergy bound the infant colony within a net of ordinances and regu- 

 lations from which many were glad to break loose. 



The bold and greedy spirits who, to war< Is the middle of the seven- 

 tee^v"_ century, began thus to range forests and lakes for beaver skins 

 were known as coureurs de bois. It soon became evident that their ex- 

 ample was pernicious; but in spite of stringent repressive laws their 

 number constantly increased, and as the nefarious trade could not be 

 slopped it was deemed best to regulate it. 



The coureur de hois, or bush-ranger, would, at rare intervals, visit the 

 settlements of Montreal and Three Rivers and squander in a few wild 

 orgies the accumulated gains of a whole campaign; but, impatient of 

 restraint and fearful of the law, he would soon take in a cargo of pro- 

 visions and trinkets, and again set the prow of his canoe westward. 



