X ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



time. The defects which his tour of inspection brought to light would 

 have deterred a less earnest antiquary or a less faithfal and energetic 

 public sentant from prosecuting the task. But he persevered. Pro- 

 ceeding to Europe, he visited the documentary treasuries of the 

 motherlands and quickly won the confidence of those in charge of 

 them. In the organization of the bureau, therefore, no needed coun- 

 sel or help was witlilield. It was not long till historical inquirers in 

 and out of Canada, recognized the worth of the new source of infor- 

 mation. The yearly reports, at first hidden among the appendices to 

 the Agricultural Blue Book, were widely sought, even before they had 

 attained the distinction of separate publication. The correspondence 

 became more and more voluminous, and Dr. Bryimner and his assistants 

 tried to meet every fresh demand on their time. Long before Dr. 

 Brymner's death, the archives report, sold at a nominal price, had come 

 to be one of the most popular publications of its kind. It was in 

 as high request in the United States as in Canada, and helped to create 

 a new and fairer school of American historians. If the work of the 

 ciepartment in future years can be rendered more effectual it will be 

 cause for felicitation; but it will always remain to the credit of Dr. 

 Douglas Br}'mner that he laid the foundation on which others must 

 build, and that he set up a standard of official duty of which his own 

 life was the model. 



The death of the Honourable Joseph Royal removes from us one. 

 of our most able writers. He was not a writer of books but he was in 

 the front rank of French journalism. He was a frequent contributor to 

 La Revue Canadienne and assisted at its foundation. He contributed 

 also to other periodicals of high class. His first efforts appeared in 

 La Minerve where so many leading lights in journalism commenced 

 their careers. He founded L'Ordre in 1858, and, thirty years later, 

 in 1888, he was among the founders of Le Nouveau Monde. Later 

 still on the opening up of the West he founded Le Metis at St. Boni- 

 face in Manitoba. 



In Manitoba his influence was great and was always exercised in 

 ihe direction of peace and moderation. When he went there the fires 

 cf insurrection were scarcely cool. His incessant care whether as pro- 

 vincial deputy or minister was always to conciliate strife and remove 

 prejudice. He was a firm believer in the great destiny of the North- 

 west, for he studied its resources and knew of what he spoke and wrote. 

 In 1890 he became lieutenant-governor of the Northwest Territories 

 snd in that high offi.ce he served for five years with appreciation and 

 success, for it drew out his genial and conciliating character. 



On retiring from office he returned to the province of Quebec and 

 to the profession of journalism. His death was unexpected for his natu- 



