Section II., 1905. [3] Trans. R. S. C. 



I. — Brest on the Quebec Labrador. 

 By Samuel Edwaed Dawson, Litt.D. (Laval). 



(Read May 24, 1905.) 



While engaged in the study of the history of exploration in Canada 

 the writer's curiosity was aroused by an. entry on p. 25 of Harrisse's 

 " Notes pour servir à l'histoire, à la bibliographie etc., de la Nouvelle 

 Prance," in which he gives the title, in full, of the letter which follows. 

 Mr. Harrisse adds this extract from Brunet as his only comment: 



" Cette pièce rare est écrite de Brest en Canada, 13 Février, 1608 

 Vendue (annoncée sous la date de 1619) à la vente Coste et achetée 

 pour une bibliothèque en Amérique." Much mythology has gathered 

 round this locality and the writer felt that it was necessary to examine 

 this little book. It was found in the Lenox Library, in New York, 

 and by the permission of the courteous librarian it was copied in full 

 and photographs were taken of the first and last pages. These ai"e 

 reproduced and will convey to the reader a sufficient idea of the book. 



This little volume seems to be unique. Mr. Eames (the learned 

 librarian) freely gave the writer all the information within his reach 

 concerning it. A copy had been made in manuscript for the Carter- 

 Brown Library, a fact which demonstrates its rarity. No notice of 

 the volume is to be found in Sabin's Dictionary, and no copy is recorded 

 in the catalogue of the British Museum. Brunet had taken his descrip- 

 tion from the Coste sale catalogue, and, as Harrisse appears to have 

 copied Brunet, neither of them would seem to have seen it, and no 

 record is known to exist of any other copy. Oil the fly-leaf of the 

 book is a memorandum of Mr. Lenox, " Bought in Paris,, at the 

 La Coste Sale. No other copy as yet known, 1609 not 1619." Mr. 

 Lenox paid fr. 125 for it, and the sale occurred in 1854. 



Many interesting questions are suggested by this little tract, but 

 it will be best first to submit to the reader the letter itself before 

 making any remarks upon it. It may be observed, however, that Lyons 

 was not connected with Canada like the seaboard cities of Normandy 

 and Bretagne. One Jesuit "Relation," that of 1616 (Biard's) was 

 printed in that city, but Leon S a vine's imprint is not met with again, 

 so far as the writer can learn. 



