MATERIALS FOR CANADIAN HISTORY. 



To those conversant with the literary movement, 

 shall I say, intellectual awakening, attributable as one 

 of the results of the political upheaval in 1837-38, it 

 must be a gratifying spectacle to witness its progress, 

 as evinced by the constant accessions of works in 

 several departments of Canadian letters, especially 

 history. 



French literature, unlike English letters in the Pro- 

 vince of Quebec, has but slightly benefitted by the 

 importation in our midst of writers from old France. 

 With the exception of a few brilliant French journalists 

 (and some of them wisely expatriated themselves for 

 their country's good) — with the exception of a very 

 learned historian — the Sulpician Faillon, the province 

 has had mainly in her literary pursuits to depend on 

 its indigenous or native talent. 



However interesting this inquiry into our past, might 

 prove, the subject, if properly treated, would take one 

 much further than the scope of this a magazine article 

 would permit. 



Whilst wafting across the sea a grateful remembrance 

 to the distinguished nobleman, the Marquis of Lome, 

 for the impulse communicated to Canadian letters, by 

 the creation of the association which he placed under 

 the special patronage of our sovereign, through the priv- 

 ilege he obtained, of calling it the Royal Society of 

 Canada, I shall confine myself to noting a few very 

 useful contributions to the annals of the French pro- 

 vince of Quebec, issued of late years. 



How much more easy it will be hereafter to compile 

 a reliable and circumstantial chronicle of the eight pro- 



