The intellectual standard of our legislative bodies; the literature of
biography, law and theology; summary of general results of
intellectual development; difficulties in the way of successful
literary pursuits in Canada; good work sure of appreciative
criticism by the best class of English periodicals like the
"Contemporary," "Athenæum," "English Historical Magazine,"
"Academy," etc.; Sainte-Beuve's advice to cultivate a good style
cited; some colonial conditions antagonistic to literary growth;
the necessity of cultivating a higher ideal of literature in
these modern times.