PROCEEDINGS FOR 1899 XV 



crated as the place of his death, and at the same time it occupies the 

 most commanding position of the city. A combination of circumstances 

 rendered the ceremony particularly impressive, and instead of a civic 

 or local function it assumed an international aspect. 



The presence of His Excellency the latest English Governor, dedi- 

 cating a monument to the first French Governor, was in itself significant, 

 and an act which emphasized more strongly than words, the nature of 

 the bond of unity existing between French Canada and the Empire. 

 The sympathy of England was also shown by the presence of two of Her 

 Majesty's ships entering port under the command of Admiral Sir John 

 Fisher to participate in the festivities. 



The Eepublic of France was represented by her official envoy, and 

 the Eepublic of America by the officers and men of the United States 

 ship Marblehead, and also by the members of the International Com- 

 mission then in session at Quebec. 



It is also a fact worthy of note that the address delivered by the 

 Hon. Alex. Chauveau, and the speeches made respectively by His Excel-, 

 lency the Earl of Aberdeen, Monsieur Kleczkowski, His Honour the 

 Lieutenant-Governor, Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the Hon. Mr. Marchand, the 

 Hon. Judge Routhier and the Hon. H. Thomas Duffy, contributed to 

 make the celebration in Champlain's honour, a day to be remembered 

 not only in the province of Quebec, but throughout the Dominion of 

 Canada. 



The address to Lord Aberdeen was written' in French and English, 

 but at his request it was not repeated in English, and with the delicacy 

 which characterized all his actions His Excellency replied to the address 

 in French. 



Let US hope that year by year we shall see other noteworthy exam- 

 ples of the spirit of patriotism that has already raised in public places of 

 our cities monuments to Champlain, Sir George Cartier, Sir John Mac- 

 donald and the Hon. George Brown. Nova Scotia could well honour the 

 memory of the father of responsible government, Joseph Howe, poet, 

 printer and politician, and this mention of his name recalls the fact that 

 he was the son of one of those Loyalists who left ISTew England for the 

 sake of a United Empire, and whose memory ought to be perpetuated 

 by the erection of a national memorial. The people of St. John, the 

 most important place they founded, would only do justice to their 

 deeply interesting historic past if they would erect a building which 

 would be at once a home for Literature and Science, and a safe store- 

 house for the many valuable manuscripts and relics which could be 

 collected in all parts of the province, to illustrate its early history. An 

 effort has been made, but so far without success, by the historical socie- 



