Evangeline 
are the creatures of our imagination, and over 
them all we have cast the spell of Evangeline's 
future. They too go forth and suffer, but we 
do not think of that ; we follow only the figure 
the poet has shown us and the one life he 
has illumined. 
We see Gabriel, Evangeline's lover, but he 
is less well defined. Perhaps more clearly 
stands out Gabriel's father, Basil the black- 
smith, and Evangeline's own sunny-hearted 
and well-loved sire. These people are all, to 
our imagination, of superior clay; they are the 
well beloved of the poet, they and all their 
neighbours. 
It is from the first pages of Longfellow's 
" Evangeline" we get that sense of peace and 
blessedness which has confused Acadia with 
Arcadia in the minds of so many. 
From our place on the hillside, the magic 
book in our hand, we watch the peaceful days 
glide by, we see the coming home of the herds 
at night, and listen to the love-song of Evan- 
geline as she awaits the coming of her lover 
Gabriel. We witness the betrothal and attend 
the feast, and listen lightly to the ominous 
rumours of hostile import. 
73 
