XIV ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA. 



province of Ontario. Similar organizations now exist in other parts of Ontario, and the Royal 

 Society will be glad to promote their objects by every means in its power. Its ' Transactions ' are 

 always open to the publication of reports of their work from year to year. Such societies should 

 make it their special duty to press on the municipal councils of their respective counties the value 

 of stimulating the compilation and publication of local or county histories, which must always have 

 a positive value for the historians of our general history, who have now to go through a great deal of 

 research and drudgery, which they would be saved in the way suggested. Such local histories, if 

 compiled in a conscientious and patient spirit of inquiry, and with some enthusiasm for the subject, 

 must always win the attention of those who have an interest in the past. The time has gone by 

 when it can be said that Canadian history, as a rule, is devoid of deep interest. It is not always the 

 subject, but rather its writers that are resjjonsible for an opinion which has no foundation in reality. 

 From Red River and Mackinaw to Louisbourg there are to be found themes which may inspire men 

 and women to imitate the example of Francis Parkman in history, and Mary Hartwell Calherwood 

 in romance. 



XVII. A Short Canadian History. 



In this connection refei'cnce may be made to the fact that for several years past there has been a 

 movement, not very weighty so far, which has for its object the production of a short Canadian 

 history which would be Dominion in its scope and interest, and written with that catholicity of view 

 which could make it a text book in all the public schools of this country. At the recent meeting of 

 the National Council of Women, established under such favourable conditions under the presidency of 

 Her Excellency the Countess of Aberdeen, the matter came up for discussion, and several ladies 

 interested in the practical work of education, or in the intellectual development of the youth of this 

 country, expressed views, some of them a little divergent, as to the practicability of the scheme. In 

 referring now to the subject, the Council of the Royal Society may say that they have no other desire 

 than to stimulate the ettorts of all historical students in this country, and they would gladly welcome 

 the publication of a work of moderate compass to meet what is probably a want in the public schools. 

 In short, such a history, to quote the National Council, as is " calculated to foster in the minds and 

 hearts of the young in Canada a spirit of loyalty and enthusiasm, a love of their counti-y and a pride 

 in its resources." One can quite understand that the short school histories which are used in some of 

 the provinces are not always calculated to encourage a love for Canadian history or stimulate Cana- 

 dian patriotism. But the very dulness of these scrappy, weary histories, of itself is an evidence that 

 history cannot be always produced to order like so many circulars, to meet the demands of publish- 

 ers, or the necessities of an educational department. The writing of a good history, large or small, 

 is not spontaneous, but the result of j^ears of thorough research, and a deep love for the subject. 

 Genius of any kind cannot be stimulated by mere prizes or lotteries, and it is safe to say that there 

 are few famous writers who have entered on their career by answering advertisements. When we 

 consider the excellent work that has already been accomplished, both in French and English Canada, 

 so far as the writing of large histories is concerned, we may have every confidence that a small text 

 book, vivid in style, correct in narration, and impartial in judgment, will sooner or later appear 

 naturally, without anj- of that artificial stimulus which is rather calculated to develop mediocrity. 

 The love of knowledge is a far more important factor with a true historical student like Parkman, 

 Kingsford, or Casgrain, or Suite, than the incidental advantages offered by a committee of judges, 

 not always selected with discretion or comjjiehension of their capacity for a decision. In the mean- 

 time, while this short school history is being developed in the mental crusible of some industrious 

 student, it may be suggested that the persons at the head of our educational systems can advantage- 

 ously avail themselves of the work of present historians. A work by Mr. Larned, the first volume 

 of which has been issued with the title "A History for Ready Reference and Topical Reading," may 

 give some of our educators an idea how the labours of Canadian historians can be well adapted to the 

 educational requirements of the Dominion. Mr. Larned's plan, for instance, is to give a historical 



