56 JOHN M. HAEPEE ON THR 



as it is for the memories which linger around it, and which have formed the foundation 

 of many a romantic tale and memoir. As the enthusiastic lover of nature stands here in 

 the shadows of night, 



" Within a flood of festive light that glares 



A dazzling nucleus, 'mid encircling gloom, 



AVhere earth below seems heaven for brilliant stars, 



That twinkle in the landscaj» and the glass 



Of waters gleaming like a nether sky, — " 



his thoirghts naturally turn to the scenes of early times, when those gossip-groups of 

 knights and courtly dames, which William Kirby has immortalized, stood within the 

 Chateau's enclosure to admire the encirclement of nature's charms. The tints of tradition 

 in " Chien d'Or," however much they borrow their brilliancy from the imagination of its 

 author, are not inconsistent with the mental influences born of the locality he has described 

 and its picturesque surroundings. The spot is a pleasure ground for antiquary and poet. 

 Here the imagination may revel in its sweetest delights and draw sunshine from the 

 memorials of primitive colonial life. "Within the precincts of this little plateau the old 

 bourgeoisie and noblesse of Quebec were accustomed to throng on fête days, to pay court 

 to the representatives of Bourbon pomp and power ; and here it was, as fate's fitting 

 tribute to the strength of Champlaiu's fort, and the luxury of Frontenac's abode, that 

 an English Grovernor-G-eneral laid the foundation lines of the oldest historical society in 

 the country. 



In 1820, the Earl of Dalhousie became Governor-Greneral of Canada. He was no un- 

 tried man in affairs of state, and could boast of a military career of great distinction, 

 having served in the Peninsular War under Wellington, and in the later campaign against 

 Napoleon which ended on the field of Waterloo. As Governor of Nova Scotia, in the 

 face of political prejudice and party strife, he had succeeded in leaving behind him 

 the impression that he had wished well to that province, and to the present day, his 

 efforts to improve the intellectual status of the Nova Scotians, by suggesting plans 

 of collegiate consolidation, are happily commemorated in the success of the univer- 

 sity he founded and which still bears his name. Though more of the soldier than the 

 scholar, he took a keen interest in all that pertained to progress in the arts and sciences, 

 even when the pursuit of these was held in anything but favour by the communities over 

 which he was called upon to rule. Nor is it to be wondered at, that he should seek, 

 shortly after his arrival at Quebec, to throw his influence in the direction of literary pro- 

 gress. The history of the French régime had yet to be written. Canada had a past ; but 

 the memorials of that past were scattered everywhere, and had to be collected ; and, no 

 doubt feeling assured that these records, when collected, would be of service by promot- 

 ing in the minds of the colonists a deeper respect for Canadian institutions. Lord Dalhousie 

 was easily induced to inaugurate a movement having for its main intention the collection 

 and preservation of records referring to the annals of the country. 



To discuss the practical steps that had to be taken in furthering such an object, a 

 preliminary meeting was held in the Chateau St. Louis towards the close of the year 1823. 

 The meeting was attended by the principal citizens ol Quebec, having been called together 

 at the instance of the Governor-General, who was anxious, no doubt, to see his plans in 



