PROCEEDINGS FOR 1909 XLV 



5. — The Late Dr. Louis Frechette, 



The year now under review has been sadly marked by the decease of 

 nc less than three valued and distinguislied members of the Society. 

 The first to succumb — his death taking place at Montreal on the 31st of 

 May, 1908 — was the eminent poet, Louis Frechette, whose genius had 

 shed, and continues to shed, lustre on Canadian letters, and to whom, 

 perhaps more than to any other one man, is due the recognition which 

 French literature, as cultivated in Canada, has received abroad. It is 

 needless to mention, though it is with satisfaction and pride that we re- 

 member, the honours bestowed upon him by the highest of literary tribu- 

 nals. Of all our poets none h-âs struck a more profoundly national note. 

 Writing in the French language — though to a wonderful extent he was 

 master of English also — he could only hope to arouse very deeply the 

 sensibilities of those to whom tliat language was native, and who shared at 

 once the memories, emotions and aspirations of the poet; yet to every 

 (*anadian it is given to be proud of his great gifts and his ardent and 

 patriotic spirit. It would be impossible in a document of this nature to 

 do justice to the literary merits of so remarkable a writer. That task 

 will be performed by a competent pen, and a brief but, it is hoped, ade- 

 quate appreciation of our late illustrious colleague will, with the per- 

 mission of the Society, be incorporated in this year's Transactions. 



6. — The Late Dk. James Fletcher, Honorary Secretary of the 



Society. 



The matters of executive detail so far referred to all received the 

 attention of one whom it is a great grief to all of us not to see here in his 

 accustomed place to-day. It was, indeed, a severe blow which the Society 

 received in the death, on the 8th of November last, of its highly esteemed 

 and — the expression is surely not too strong — deeply beloved Honorary 

 Secretary, Dr. James Fletcher. The general opinion was that the Society 

 had in Dr. Fletcher precisely l]\e man who was best fitted by experience, 

 temperament, character and ability to be its chief permanent executive 

 officer. With what cheerfulness, geniality and courtesy, as well as 

 promptness and efficiency, he discharged the duties of his position, all who 

 came in contact with him — and which of us did not?i — in matters con- 

 nected with the work of the Society, can abundantly attest. The vigour 

 of his, constitution, and the light and happy way in which he seemed to 

 carry whatever burdens were laid upon him, gave promise of a long 

 career of usefulness; and the Society enjoyed, it may truly be said, a 

 sense of great security in the belief that he would be there for many 

 years to watch over its interests. But the utterly unexpected has hap- 



