PROCEEDINGS FOR 1906 V 



merely honorary members. Sixteen corresponding members, four for 

 each section are provided for. The Transactions, as set forth in the 

 statute, are intended for original papers and memoirs of merit. They 

 are a 'medium for the pul)lication of papers of permanent value such 

 as find no place in popular periodical literature. The volumes are 

 sent to every important library throughout the world, and from the 

 letters received by the Secretary it is evident that tlXej are Jiighly 

 esteemed. Applications are incessant for separates of special articles, 

 and if a sheet happens to be missing in any volume, the Secretary- 

 hears of it at onoe, whether from Chicago or Sydney, Australia. One 

 entire paper has been taken as a chapter for an historical work of impor- 

 tance now being published in the United States. The name of the 

 author is given and though the Society is not mentioned and permis- 

 sion was not asked, this shows that the papers in the Transactions are 

 not neglected, but referred to and used in foreign countries. To build 

 up a memorial to science and letters in tins country of our own is a 

 patriotic duty which has been set for us to do, and only by unselfish 

 labour can it be done. The fact that there is a statute of the Dom- 

 inion to organize this Society is probably unknown to the later Fellows 

 and the chapter is reprinted in this year's Transactions. (Vide Appen- 

 dix B.) 



4. — Deceased Membees. 



The ranks of the Society were unbroken when the accustomed 

 time for sending out nominations arrived, and it seemed as if the 

 whole year would pass without a break, but within a very short period 

 four of our memliers were called away, one in Section I., two in Sec- 

 tion II., and one in Section III. 



Eaphael Bellemare was born at Yamachiche, February 32nd, 1821. 

 lie was educated at Nicolet College, and was professor of belles- 

 lettres in that institution from 1847 to 1855, during which period 

 he also was a regular contributor to La Minerve of ]\Iontreal. Soon 

 after he was called to the bar, and later was appointed revenue inspec- 

 tor, a position which he held until July, 1893, when he retired. He 

 was one of the founders and one of the most devoted members of 

 La Société Historique de Montréal and wrote a number of historical 

 studies upon the early days of Canada, and especially a book contain- 

 ing the annals of Yamachiche. He was for forty years president of 

 the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Montreal. He was also a director 

 of the Montreal City and District Savings Bank, of which he was for 

 several years vice-president. He was also a director of the General 



