l him obliging, honest and courteous,
speak also of his self-conceit, boastfulness, fondness for drink. At
Malbaie Nairne found him defiant when his spirit was aroused. Not less
tenacious than the men were the women. Malcolm Fraser tells how when he
was stationed at Beaumont, near Quebec, in January, 1761, he sent one of
his men to cut wood on the property of a certain habitant, the man
himself consenting. But Madame, his wife, was not pleased. She abused
Fraser, called him opprobrious names, and, in a war of words, remained,
he admits, mistress of the field. The wrathful virago carried her appeal
to Murray in Quebec, who, she said, had passed many officers under the
rod and Fraser found himself called upon to explain the matter. In a
petition he humbly begs that some "recompence" (of punishment of course)
may be made to the woman for "the insolent expressions used by her as
well against the general, as the officers, who have the honour to serve
under His Excellency."

Even when he knows only rude frontier life the French Canadian often
retains something of the politeness and deference in manner of the
nation from which he springs. But, unlike them, he has retained little
sense of what is artistic. No thought of beauty of situation seems to
determine his choice of the site for his dwelling. What he has in mind
is protection from the prevailing wind, if this is possible, and, for
the rest, convenience. So he puts his house close to the highway, in
many cases even abutting upon it. He shows no taste in grouping his
farm buildings. He plants few trees and his house stands bare and
unattractive by the road side. The absence of trees near his dwelling is
sometimes accounted for by the need, in earlier times, of clearing away
everything that might offer a chance of ambush to his Indian enemies. If
this is the true origin of the habit, an instinct survives long after
the need which developed it has disappeared. The houses are persistent
in type and nearly always of wood. The principle doorway opens into the
living room, usually of a good size. It is kitchen, diningroom, parlour,
often even workshop. In this chamber cooking, sewing, repairing of
tools, all the varied family activities, take place. One large guest
chamber or two small bedrooms open off it. In the corner there is a rude
staircase and up under the sloping roof are two more rooms; one a
bed-room probably with three or four beds, the other a general lumber
room. Oft