OF THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 3I 



to prosecute investigation, without being hampered with pro- 

 fessional or bread winning duties, he may accomphsh much in 

 scientific knowledge, but even he, in old age, must feel but a 

 child in the great matter of final research. Even if he takes but 

 one department of scientific investigation his life will appear but 

 all too short to exhaust it. It reminds us of the old song: — 



Could a man be secure 



That his days would endure 



As of old, for a thousand long years, 



What things might he know ! 



What deeds might he do ! 



And all without hurry or care. 



But we do not live for a thousand years or anything like it. 

 Moreover in this young country especially, where bread winning 

 and work are all important, where nature bestows time and leisure 

 upon but a few, we can not hope for much learning and research. 

 It is possible indeed for the commercial spirit to be carried too 

 far. As yet Canada has produced very little in the way of litera- 

 ture. No great poet, novelist or artist has yet made known her 

 name, and but few authors of any description have appeared in 

 our midst. Nor can we say very much for the prospects for the 

 future. The age seems to be shaping in a practical direction 

 somewhat to the exclusion of literature. In the mother land 

 such names as Charles Dickens, Bulwer L3'tton, Geo. Elliot, 

 Anthony Trollope, Wm. Makepeace Thackeray have passed 

 away with but little prospects of successors in any way worthy 

 of them ; and in the United States men like Longfellow, Pres- 

 cott, Bryant, Irving and Fenimore Cooper seem not to have thrown 

 their mantle upon others. The loss to the present age of a 

 Victor Hugo, to whom I shall make some further references 

 presently, is great. 



It would seem then that there is room for authors among 

 the higher circles of literature all the world over. How far 

 Canada dare hope to yield a supply in that direction it is im- 

 possible to say. But there are other directions in which, with a 

 suitable training of the young, hopes might yet be confidently 

 entertained for our own country. If this country from the very 

 nature of the case, must be a practical country, why n ay not 

 some distinguished point be gained in that direction ? But 



