tive and too
often narrow groove, in which they have always laboured to keep it
since the days of Laval.

[Illustration: Louis Frechette.]

It is obvious, however, to a careful observer of the recent history of
the country that there is more independence of thought and action
showing itself in the large centres of population--even in the rural
communities--and that the people are beginning to understand that they
should be left free to exercise their political rights without direct
or undue interference on the part of their spiritual advisers. English
ideas in this respect seem certainly to be gaining ground.

{450}

In the days of the French regime there was necessarily no native
literature, and little general culture except in small select circles
at Quebec and Montreal. But during the past half century, with the
increase of wealth, the dissemination of liberal education, and the
development of self-government, the French Canadians have created for
themselves a literature which shows that they inherit much of the
spirituality and brilliancy of their race. Their histories and poems
have attracted much attention in literary circles in France, and one
poet, Mr. Louis Frechette, has won the highest prize of the French
Institute for the best poem of the year. In history we have the names
of Garneau, Ferland, Sulte, Tasse, Casgrain; in poetry, Cremazie,
Chauveau, Frechette, Poisson, Lemay; in science, Hamel, Laflamme, De
Foville; besides many others famed as savants and litterateurs. In art
some progress has been made, and several young men go to the Paris
schools from time to time. The only sculptor of original merit that
Canada has yet produced is Hebert, a French Canadian, whose monuments
of eminent Canadians stand in several public places. Science has not
made so much progress as belles-lettres and history, though Laval
University--the principal educational institution of the highest
class--has among its professors men who show some creditable work in
mathematics, geology, and physics. In romance, however, very little
has been done.

The French Canadians have a natural love for poetry and music. Indeed
it is a French Canadian by birth and early education--Madame
Albani--who {451} not long ago won a high distinction on the operatic
stage. No writer of this nationality, however, has yet produced an
opera or a drama which has won fame for its author. The priesthood,
indeed, has been a persistent enemy of