The former principals of the Montreal Senior School have been:

F.S. Haight, M.A., 1877-1883; Alexander Pearson, 1883-1884; J.

MacKercher, M.A., LL. D., 1884-1906.

Since becoming the Commercial and Technical High School they

have been: J. MacKercher, M.A., LL. D., 1906-1914; E. Montgomery

Campbell, B.A., 1914.

MONTREAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL

In 1911 the “Ecole Technique,” or the Montreal Technical School,

maintained partly by the provincial and municipal governments by

a contribution of $40,000, each, opened its courses in September.

Its buildings, covering a space of 150,000 square feet, are on

Sherbrooke Street, facing St. Famille Street. It is claimed with

justice that it is equipped as well as any technical building of

modern times. It is undenominational and it has also a French and

an English side. There is in addition a further training school

in the applied sciences, the “Polytechnique,” founded in 1874,

which, having become affiliated, 1887, with Laval University is

described elsewhere.

[Illustration: HAUTES ETUDES COMMERCIALES]

[Illustration: MONTREAL TECHNICAL SCHOOL]

[Illustration: COMMERCIAL AND TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL]

II

ECOLE DES HAUTES ETUDES COMMERCIALES

A further school of a university character, but not affiliated

with Laval or McGill universities, is the “Ecole des Hautes

Etudes Commerciales.” It was established in 1910, being opened

on October 4th of that year, in its imposing buildings on Place

Viger under the protection of the government of the province by

the Premier, Sir Lomer Gouin, the first stone having been placed

in October, 1908. The building cost $100,000 and was erected by

MM. Gauthier and Daoust.

The object was to give a university college course in commerce

leading up to a doctorate in commercial science such as is

given in Europe under the title of “Ecoles des Hautes Etudes

Commerciales,” the English translation of which is a misnomer, as

it leaves the impression of the college being a mere “business

school.” It is distinctly a forward movement for Canada. The

tuition extends over a period of three years and includes

instruction in general commercial affairs, banking, stock

exchange and insurance business, and in the third year industrial

and maritime business. There are numerous laboratories in which

the chemistry of fabrics and other forms of analyses are taught.

The first board of administration was composed of: Isaie

Prefontaine, president; Honoré Mercier, M.P.P.; J. Contant;

H. Gervais, M.P.; C.F. Smith; and A.J. de Bray, the latter

being the principal. The first professorial staff consisted

of A.J. de Bray; Honorable Justice Laurendeau (civil law); E.

Montpetit (political economy); J. Contant, C. Martin and J.

Quintal (commercial science); Rev. Pére Bellevance (French);

Rev. M. Desrosiers (history); W.H. Atherton (English); A. Duval

(mathematics); H. Laureys (geography); C. Lechien (chemistry).

III

VOCATIONAL TRAINING

Vocational training for the blind, deaf, dumb and maimed, and

industrial training given to delinquents are both treated in the

section devoted to charitable works.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] The principal of Jacques Cartier Normal School was the Rev.

Hospice Verreau and of McGill Normal, Dr. William Dawson.

[2] The tax has by various amendments been increased until, at

present, it is ½ cent on the dollar for Protestants and ⅖ cent

for Catholics.

[3] Secular education of Montreal Jewish children is provided

for in the public schools. There was no provision specially

made for their education in the earlier education acts, but

they were admitted into the schools of either the Protestant or

the Catholic panels without question, so long as they remained

few in number. When, however, the Jewish children began to form

a very large percentage of those attending the public schools

difficulties arose, owing to the claim being made that the

taxes were not sufficient to cover the expense entailed. The

problem gave rise to considerable agitation, but eventually the

difficulty was overcome by an act passed through the Quebec

Legislature in 1903 by which the rights of Jewish children to

education in public schools on exactly the same footing as

the children of Catholic and Protestant fellow-citizens were

recognized, and for educational purposes the Jewish taxpayers

were joined to the taxpayers of the Protestant panel, and all

schools under this panel opened to them. These rights were

secured largely through the work of the Jewish Educational Rights

Movement Committee, which included a large number of the leading

Jewish citizens of Montreal and which intrusted the legislative

work to Mr. S.W. Jacobs, K. C, and Mr. Maxwell Goldstein, K. C.

Education in the Hebrew language and literature, as well as

religious education, is attended to by special schools organized

by the Jews of Montreal. The most important body for the study of

these branches is the Talmud Torah Association, which supports a

very large and important school.

[4] The Royal Grammer School was merged into the High School

about this time. Its master, Mr. Skakel, died in 1848.

[5] The first chairman of the High School under the newly

created Board of Commissioners was Rev. John Jenkins. The

secretary-treasurer was Mr. William Lunn. The commissioners were

Rev. Canon Bancroft, Rev. Professor MacVicar, the Hon. James

Ferrier, Mr. Alderman Thomson. Mr. W.C. Baynes was the secretary.

The head-masters were Professor Howe, Mr. D. Rodgers, Mr. S.P.

Robins; assistant masters, Mr. George Murray, Mr. J. Green, Prof.

Darey, Mr. J. Andrew; assistants in the preparatory department,

Miss A. Cairns, Miss Sicotte; infant class, Miss Dougall.

[6] Since 1894 nine members have been acting on the commission.

CHAPTER XXVIII

UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT

I. M’GILL UNIVERSITY

THE ROYAL INSTITUTION--JAMES M’GILL--CHARTER OBTAINED--THE

“MONTREAL MEDICAL INSTITUTE” SAVES M’GILL--NEW LIFE IN

1829--THE RECTOR OF MONTREAL--THE MERCHANTS’ COMMITTEE--M’GILL

IN 1852--THE HISTORY OF THE FACULTIES--BUILDINGS--DEVELOPMENT

SINCE 1895--RECENT BENEFACTORS--MACDONALD COLLEGE--THE

STRATHCONA ROYAL VICTORIA COLLEGE FOR WOMEN. NOTE: THE UNION

THEOLOGICAL MOVEMENT--THE JOINT BOARDS OF THE CONGREGATIONAL,

ANGLICAN, PRESBYTERIAN AND WESLEYAN AFFILIATED COLLEGES.

II. LAVAL UNIVERSITY (MONTREAL DISTRICT)

THE STORY OF ITS COMPONENT PARTS--EVOLUTION FROM THE “ECOLES

DE LATIN”--COLLEGE DE ST. RAPHAEL--ENGLISH STUDENTS--COLLEGE

DECLAMATIONS--THE PETIT SEMINAIRE ON COLLEGE STREET--THE

COLLEGE DE MONTREAL--THE SCHOOLS OF THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY,

CLASSICS, LAW AND MEDICINE--THE APOSTOLIC CONSTITUTION “JAM

DUDUM”--DESCRIPTION OF THE UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS--AFFILIATED

BODIES--THE FACULTIES AND SCHOOLS. NOTE: NAMES OF EARLY “ENGLISH”

STUDENTS AT THE “COLLEGE.”

I

M’GILL UNIVERSITY

As already said, the most important success of the “Royal

Institution for the Advancement of Learning” was the McGill

University, which still carries the official title. Its founder,

Mr. James McGill, who was one of the apostles of higher education

in Canada, was born on October 6, 1744, at Glasgow, Scotland. He

came to Montreal before the American Revolution with his brother

Andrew, and became connected with the North West Company. He

married Madame Desrivières, the widow of a French-Canadian. As a

citizen his name stands well, having represented the west ward

in the assembly and having been appointed also a member of the

legislative council. At the outbreak of the War of 1812, he was a

militia colonel and then, an old man, was made brigadier general.

By his will of January 8, 1811, Mr. James McGill, not having any

children, had bequeathed his landed estate, consisting of about

forty-six acres, on Burnside and University streets, to the value

then of £10,000,[1] and a like sum of money, for a university,

but although the college bearing his name was incorporated by a

royal charter in the year 1821, the bequest could not be used,

its validity being disputed by his relatives.

The object of the gift was to found an Anglican college in a

future provincial university, the erection of which had already

been promised by the British government. Indeed, the citizens

were led to believe that such a university was to be established

by George III and endowed with Crown lands.

The four trustees appointed under the will were directed to

convey the property of the bequest to the “Royal Institution

for the Advancement of Learning.” The conditions upon which the

property was to be transferred were that the Royal Institution

would, within ten years after the testator’s decease, erect and

establish on his estate on Burnside and University streets, a

college for the purpose of education and the advancement of

learning in this province and that the college, or one of the

colleges in the university, if established, should be named and

perpetually be known and distinguished by the appellation of

“McGill College.” Owing to persistent opposition by the leaders

of one section of the people to any system of governmental

education and to the refusal by the legislature to make the

grants of land and money which had been promised, the proposed

establishment of a provincial university by the British

government was abandoned.

In so far as the McGill College was concerned, however, the Royal

Institution at once took action by applying for a royal charter.

Such was granted in 1821 and the Royal Institution prepared to

take possession of the estate. But owing to protracted litigation

this was not surrendered to them till 1829, when the work of

teaching was begun in the incipient arts course and the faculty

of medicine. That of medicine, however, had been in existence

five years previously as a teaching body under the name of the

Montreal Medical Institution, with power to admit to practice but

not to confer degrees.

Since this body afterwards became the medical faculty of McGill

and saved the projected university from dying of inanition

it is entitled to special recognition. Its origin is closely

connected with the founding of the general hospital. When this

great charity was accomplished the attending medical staff was

composed of the most prominent and ablest men in the city,

Drs. W. Robertson, W. Caldwell, A.F. Holmes, J. Stephenson and

H.P. Loedel. On October 20, 1822, these men met together “for

the purpose of taking into consideration the expediency of

establishing a medical school in this city,” and it was resolved

“that the considerations which seemed to warrant so desirable an

object should be drawn out and laid before the next meeting of

the Board, to be held on the 27th of the same month, and that

Drs. Stephenson and Holmes be appointed a committee for the said

purpose.” Thus was started the first Canadian medical school,

which afterwards, as we shall see, became the medical faculty of

McGill University. The school was called the “Montreal Medical

Institution,” and received the approval of Lord Dalhousie, the

Governor-in-Chief of Lower Canada, and he appointed the members

of the Institution a Board of Examiners for the district of

Montreal. Formerly these examinations had been conducted by a

board of army medical officers, appointed by the Governor.

The first course of lectures was given in 1824, in a small wooden

house in Place d’Armes, the site of which is now occupied by

the Bank of Montreal. Twenty-five students attended the first

session, and for some years there was no increase in the number.

The following is the advertisement of the lectures:

Anatomy and Physiology, J. Stephenson, M.D.; Chemistry and

Pharmacy, A.F. Holmes, M.D.; Practice of Physic, W. Caldwell,

M.D.; Midwifery and Diseases of Women, W. Robertson, Esq.;

Materia Medica, H.P. Loedel, Esq.;[2] Surgery, J. Stephenson,

M.D. In the course of the summer, 1825: Botany, A. F. Holmes.

The leading spirits of the school were Stephenson and Holmes,

both Canadians, Stephenson by birth and Holmes by adoption, for

he arrived in the country when only four years of age. They

both received their preliminary education here and then went to

Edinburgh, where they took their doctor’s degree. The Montreal

Medical Institution, which afterwards became the Medical faculty

of McGill University, was modelled on the lines of the Edinburgh

University, and to this day the McGill Medical faculty bears the

marks of its relationship to the Alma Mater of its founders.

For four years the Medical Institution continued its work, when,

in 1828, to prevent the lapse of the McGill bequest to the

residuary legatees, the Montreal Medical Institution became the

Faculty of Medicine of McGill University in this wise.

Owing, as said, to litigation the Royal Institution could

not get possession of Mr. McGill’s’ bequest until 1829. Also

it was a condition of the gift that lectures should be given

within a certain number of years or the bequest would lapse

and the property revert to the Desrivières family. Only one

year remained, and no arrangement having been made for the

establishment of a faculty of arts, in fact, no money being

available for that purpose, the Montreal Medical Institution was

constituted a faculty of the University and this was chiefly

accomplished by the exertions of Doctor Stephenson, to whom the

University, in a large measure, owes the preservation of the

bequest of the Hon. James McGill.

The governors of the Royal Institution held a meeting 29th

January, 1829, with the members of the medical school, and the

following minute occurs:

After public business was over, the governors of the Corporation

held an interview with the members of the Medical Institution

(Drs. Caldwell, Stephenson, Robertson, and Holmes), who had been

requested to attend a meeting for that purpose. Owing to this

interview it was resolved by the governors of the Corporation

that the members of the Montreal Medical Institution be engrafted

in the College as its Medical faculty, it being understood and

agreed upon between the contracting parties that, until the

powers of the charter would be altered, one of their number only

should be university professor and the others lecturers. That

they should immediately enter upon the duties of their respective

offices, all of which arrangements were agreed to. The first

session of the new Medical Faculty of McGill College was held in

1829, with thirty-five students on the register. Thus the Medical

saved McGill University.

The staff of the university in 1829 was: Divinity, Rev. J.G.

Mountain, D.D. (Cambridge), principal; moral philosophy and

learned languages, Rev. J.L. Mills, D.D. (Oxford); history and

civil law, Rev. J. Strachan, D.D. (Aberdeen); mathematics and

natural philosophy, Rev. J. Wilson, A.N. (Oxford). The staff of

the Montreal Medical Institution, now become the Medical Faculty,

in 1829 was: Lecturers, A.F. Holmes, M.D.; W. Caldwell, M.D.; J.

Stephenson, M.D.; and W. Robertson, M.D.

After 1829 McGill College, rich in a charter, but poor in

students and educational facilities, struggled on, unsupported

by government amidst political rancour, financial embarrassment,

and internal administrative difficulties, and almost extinct as

a body with university pretensions with the exception of its

medical and its art faculty, the latter being erected as such in

1843 under the Rev. Dr. John Bethune, so long Rector of Montreal,

then acting as principal, till a number of citizens came to its

support.

Doctor Bethune’s dual position of principal and Rector of

Montreal was not a happy one, especially in 1845, when he was

in front of a movement to affix to the University a distinctly

Anglican denominational stamp. The appointment of the principal

was consequently disallowed upon the advice of Mr. Gladstone.

An extract from his letter to Earl Cathcart is of interest and

shows how desperate were its straits to merit such a complicated

utterance:

“Into the various and somewhat complicated charges which have

been brought against Doctor Bethune, in his capacity as principal

of the College, I do not find it necessary to enter; nor do I

wish to state at the present moment any decided opinion as to

the extent to which the present condition of the Institution

is, owing to the character and position of its principal. My

decisions are founded upon reasons which are not open to dispute:

the first, the weight of the Bishop’s authority together with

your own, independently of any reference to that of the Board

of Visitors, which may be considered to be to some extent, at

this moment in dispute; next, the fact that Doctor Bethune did

not himself receive an university education, which I must hold

to be, unless under circumstances of the rarest occurrence,

an indispensable requisite of such a position as he occupies.

To these I am disposed to add, although I express the opinion

without having had the advantage of learning what may be the view

of the Lord Bishop in this particular, that I cannot think it

expedient that the offices of principal and professor of divinity

in McGill College should be combined with that of Rector of

Montreal. This circumstance is not much adverted to in the papers

before me; but I am strongly impressed that the incongruity

of this junction of important collegiate appointments with a

no less important pastoral charge in the same person; either

the former or the latter of which, especially considering the

large population of the town of Montreal, I must, as at present

advised, hold to be enough to occupy his individual attention.”

In 1851 its total income was only £540 per annum and even with

the small staff employed, the expenditure was £742, consequently

a large debt accumulated. A committee of Montreal merchants arose

and relieved the stringency, an example which has never failed

to be followed with like success in succeeding crises of its

growth.

[Illustration: McGILL UNIVERSITY BUILDINGS]

[Illustration: Engineering Building]

[Illustration: Medical Building]

[Illustration: Art Building]

[Illustration: Mining and Chemistry Building]

In 1852 an amended and favourable charter was secured. Its new

era of progress was assured in 1855 by the advent of Dr. William

Dawson as the new principal, invited by the Hon. John Day,

the president of the board of governors, and backed up by the

personal solicitation of Sir Edward Head, the governor-general.

He was a young man, having been born at Pictou, Nova Scotia, on

October 13, 1820. His studies were commenced at Pictou College

and continued at the University of Edinburgh. In 1850 he was

appointed superintendent of education for Nova Scotia and became

soon distinguished as a geologist and educationalist. On his

appointment to McGill he found the little, feeble, struggling

college with about eighty students, with two faculties, those of

arts and medicine, and the nucleus of a faculty of law begun in

1853. The School of Medicine of this period sent out, however,

such men as Duncan McCallum, George E. Fenwick, Robert Palmer

Howard, William Wright, Sir James Grant, Robert Clark, and Sir

William Hingston of a later period.

Dr. Dawson has described his first impressions, which were

anything but agreeable, in the following words: “Materially, the

University was represented by two blocks of unfinished and partly

ruined buildings, standing amid a wilderness of excavators and

masons’ rubbish; overgrown with weeds and bushes. The grounds

were unfenced, and pastured at will by herds of cattle, which,

not only cropped the grass, but browsed in the shrubs, leaving

unhurt only one great elm, which still stands as the founder’s

tree, and a few old oak and butternut trees, most of which have

had to give place to our new buildings. The only access from

the town was by a circuitous and ungraded car track, almost

impassable at night. The buildings had been abandoned by the new

board, and the classes of the Faculty of Arts were held in the

upper story of a brick building in the town, the lowest part

of which was occupied by the High School. I had been promised

a residence, and this I found was to be a portion of one of

the detached buildings aforesaid, the present eastern wing. It

had been imperfectly furnished, was destitute of nearly every

requisite of civilized life, and in front of it was a bank of

rubbish and loose stone with a swamp below, while the interior

was in an indescribable state of dust and disrepair. Still, the

governors had done the best they could in the circumstances.”

In 1892, when Sir William Dawson retired, he left it a university

of the world, with about one thousand students and almost

eighty professors and lecturers. He added the faculties of

applied science, which, though instituted in 1870, was regularly

organized in 1878, comparative medicine and veterinary science.

As far back as 1870 he began to plan for the higher education

of women, founding the Ladies’ Educational Association and the

Girls’ High School. In 1883 he opened the Donalda department in

the faculty of arts, which after his resignation, developed into

the Royal Victoria College. During his régime the university

buildings began to appear on the campus, then a bare, almost

treeless, weedy, partly swampy field, bearing but small likeness

to the present noble campus with its imposing piles of buildings

and its fine avenue of Canadian trees.

The course in law begun in connection with the faculty of arts

was made a separate faculty in 1853. The course of applied

science was organized in 1856 in connection with the faculty of

arts. It did not become a special faculty till 1893. In 1855 two

detached stone erections, an arts building with a residence for

the principal about sixty feet to the east, stood there alone.

The medical building, in existence before the university was

established in 1829, still stood downtown, its first location,

the original home of the Montreal Medical Institute, being No.

22 St. James Street, within reasonable distance of the General

Hospital on Dorchester Street, with which its staff were closely

connected as its earliest physicians. Subsequently it moved to

the corner of Craig Street and St. George and again to Coté

Street. Shortly after 1855 the west wing of the present arts

building was added by Mr. William Molson for the purposes of a

library and convocation hall, and in the course of a few years

both these wings (the Molson Hall on the west and the principal’s

residence on the east) were joined to the center block. The

west wing was used as a university museum and the east for the

chemical and natural science rooms and laboratories. All four

parts are now devoted to entirely different uses. The Molson Hall

serves chiefly as an examination room for arts students (having

long ago proved wholly inadequate for meetings of convocation),

and when the Peter Redpath Library was erected in 1893 the

library portion of it became available for class-rooms. Both

wings, with a story added, now contain only the regular lecture

rooms of the Faculty of Arts and the principal’s residence serves

several purposes--for the offices of the administration, the

Zoological department and the Faculty of Law.

It was not until 1872 that a medical building was provided on

the University campus. This building was enlarged in 1885 and

again in 1895--this time chiefly through the generosity of the

late Mr. John H.R. Molson. Further enlargement was found to be

necessary within two or three years afterward, and in 1895,

through the bounty of Lord Strathcona, who remained during his

life, the mainstay of the Medical Faculty financially, extensions

and alterations were made, at a cost of at least one hundred

thousand dollars. The Faculty were thus enabled to provide for

the increasing demands upon them. The fire of 1907 destroyed the

original building. The newer portion was, however, saved and

the work of the departments of medical chemistry, physiology

and histology are still being carried on therein. To complete

the story of the Faculty it must be added that the fire was

not after all the worst thing that could have happened, for it

necessitated the erection of a new building. This has been placed

at the corner of University Street and Pine Avenue (some distance

north of the old site), on ground donated by Lord Strathcona, who

also generously contributed over half a million dollars towards

its erection and equipment. It is one of the finest and most

up-to-date structures for the purpose of medical education on the

continent.

In 1905 the medical faculty of Bishop’s College, Lennoxville,

established in 1871 by Drs. Charles Smallwood, A.D. David, Sir

W.H. Hingston, E.H. Trenholme and Francis W. Trenholme, was

absorbed into that of McGill.

Beyond the eminent men already mentioned McGill Medical Faculty

has had associated with it as professors men of wide European

reputation, honoured by other universities. Among them have

been Drs. Racey, Archibald Hall, O.T. Bruneau, S.E. Sewell,

MacCallum, Fraser, Sutherland, Drake A. Hall, I. Crawford,

William Fraser, W.E. Scott, William Wright, Robert MacDonnell,

Robert Palmer Howard, George Ross, George E. Fenwick, T.A.

Starkey, Sir William Osler, W. Gardner, Sir T.G. Roddick, G.P.

Girdwood, A.D. Blackader, H.A. La Fleur, H.S. Berkett, George

Armstrong, F.E. Fenley, C.S. Martin, F.J. Shepherd, dean, and

J.G. Adami, Strathcona professor of bacteriology, the holder of

the Fothergill medal in 1914.

The third building on the campus, in what may be called the Greek

style, was added in 1882--the Peter Redpath Museum. In 1889 a

bequest of $57,137 by Thomas Workman enabled the Thomas Workman

mechanical shops to be undertaken. In 1892 there followed the

first Macdonald engineering building, with its annex, the Thomas

Workman shops, the Macdonald physics building and the Peter

Redpath library building for the university library which had

already been organized in 1857.

The Faculty of Applied Science is perhaps the most striking

example of growth in connection with the University. Organized

first as a department of the Faculty of Arts in 1856, it

developed rapidly, not however, “coming into its kingdom” until

it was provided with a home of its own in 1893 by Sir William

Macdonald, that most generous friend of scientific education in

Canada. At that date there were 165 students in the Faculty,

today there were 612 before the war of 1914 affected the

attendance. The progress within the last few years under the able

administration of Dean Adams has been especially marked, the

number of students having increased since his appointment, six

years ago, by 40 per cent.

As an expert in geology Dr. Frank D. Adams has an international

reputation.

In 1895 Dr. William Peterson, who had recently resigned the post

of principal of the University of Dundee, succeeded Sir William

Dawson and has maintained the high intellectual and material

ideals of his predecessor, while he has brought the university

to be well esteemed among the universities of the world. The

material progress of the university has continued. Six new

buildings have been added to the above group, the Chemistry and

Mining Building in 1898, the Conservatorium of Music in 1904,

Strathcona Hall, the home of the McGill Y.M. C.A. (strictly

speaking, however, not a University building) in 1905, the

McGill Union in 1906, and the New Medical Building in 1911. In

this list no account is taken of the imposing pile of buildings

erected by Sir William Macdonald at Ste. Anne de Bellevue for

the purposes of education in agriculture and domestic science

and for the training of teachers. The original property there

comprises 560 acres and the probable cost was two millions of

dollars. Since then 228 acres were added in 1913 by the same

benefactor. Nor is account taken of the addition to the campus of

the Joseph property, the gift of Sir William Macdonald, at a cost

of $142,500, nor of that other notable addition, forming indeed a

new campus of about twenty-five acres in extent (the Molson and

Law Properties), which Sir William conveyed to the University

in 1911, having purchased it for this purpose for no less a sum

than one million dollars. This magnificent donation insures the

future of the University, providing as it does for the greatest

possible expansion. It is even now being converted into a site

for a gymnasium and a second campus.

To resume, in 1893 there were but five faculties; today,

in reality, there are eight, a Faculty of Agriculture, a

Department of Music, a Dental Department and a Graduate School

having been established in the interval, whilst on the other

hand, one--the Faculty of Comparative Medicine and Veterinary

Science, established in 1889, as the result of the amalgamation

of the Montreal Veterinary College, founded in 1866--has been

discontinued since 1903, but it is likely to be resurrected in

connection with the Faculty of Agriculture at Macdonald College

within a year or two. In 1893 the different Faculties were

almost separate entities, bound to the University by a slender

cord, indeed. The Faculty of Medicine was almost an independent

institution, so was the Faculty of Veterinary Science and to a

less degree also the Faculty of Law.

The faculty of agriculture mentioned, at St. Anne de Bellevue,

dates from 1907. The department of music, as conducted in the

conservatorium of music, was established in 1904. The Graduate

school for advanced students was established in 1906. In 1907 a

course in military science, a school of commerce, and several

summer schools were added, and several extension courses have

been added, notably in political economy, commercial law and

accountancy.

The Donalda movement for higher education of women, which,

as stated, was promoted by Sir William Dawson, was furthered

by the chancellor, Lord Strathcona, who made it possible to

establish, in 1884, courses leading to a degree, and to whose

further generosity it was that the Royal Victoria College was

opened in 1899, being founded and endowed by him at the cost of

$1,000,000. His object was to establish an institution which

should afford the opportunity of residence and college life to

women students of McGill University, working in accordance with

the system previously organized in a special course in arts, but

under greatly improved conditions. By his recent death McGill

University has lost a great patron.

There is no theological faculty as such, though four of

the leading Protestant denominations, the Presbyterian and

Congregationalists on the one hand, and the Episcopalians and

Wesleyans on the other, are affiliated in the arts course. A

further movement among these four bodies in cooperation within

the last year or two has resulted in a Union Theological College.

McGill University has a great influence on the life of the city.

Its professors keep in touch with civic affairs. In consequence

the relations of town and gown are amicable. The merchants are

proud of the city’s world-famous university and generally came

forward to relieve it in its growing pains.

The following table of 1913 shows its growth:

M’GILL UNIVERSITY (FOUNDED 1821)

Chancellor--The Right Hon. Lord Strathcona and Mount Royal,

G.C.M.G., LL. D.

Principal and Vice Chancellor--William Peterson, M.A., LL. D.,

C.M.G.

Number of students, 1,644.

No. of Non-

Faculties. Students. Matriculation. Matriculation.

Arts 490 391 99

Applied Science 558 521 37

Agriculture 95 95 --

Graduate School 112 112 --

Law 64 64 --

Medicine 304 287 17

Music 21 8 13

Number of Professors, 115; number of Lecturers, 74; number of

Demonstrators, 60.

Total Revenue, $859,825.37, made up of: Government and Municipal

Grants, $45,000.00; Income from Endowments, $348,962.67; Fees,

$216,079.63; Other Sources, $249,783.37.

NOTE

THE JOINT BOARD OF THE THEOLOGICAL COLLEGES AFFILIATED WITH

M’GILL UNIVERSITY

Four Theological Colleges are affiliated with McGill University,

namely, the Congregational, the Diocesan, the Presbyterian and

the Wesleyan. Ever since their foundation these Colleges have

taken advantage of the classes in the University for training

their students in the Arts subjects required of candidates for

the Ministry, and the results have been so satisfactory as to

encourage the idea of extending the sphere of cooperation.

Early in the year 1912 careful investigation was made by

representatives of the four Colleges into the requirements of

their several Theological Curricula, with a view to ascertaining

what subjects, if any, could be taken in common classes. As

the result of prolonged consideration and negotiations, it was

unanimously agreed that a large portion of the work which had

hitherto been done separately by each of the Colleges could be

taken profitably in joint classes, without prejudice to the

principles of the Communions represented and with increased

efficiency in the work.

The authorities of the four Colleges accordingly offered for

the Session 1912-1913 a series of Inter-Collegiate Lecture

Courses, from which each College might select according to the

requirements of its own curriculum. The cooperative plan, which

was inaugurated in October, 1912, with lectures and addresses by

the Rt. Rev. Dr. Boyd Carpenter, formerly Bishop of Ripon, and

Dr. Robert E. Speer, of New York, has been abundantly justified

by the results.

During the second session of 1913-1914 an effort was made to

obtain funds with which to carry on the work of cooperation.

This effort was met by a generous response on the part of those

sympathetic with the scheme. More than five hundred thousand

dollars has been subscribed. With part of this sum the Board

of Governors purpose to erect a central building where all

inter-collegiate lectures will be given and where a well-equipped

library will be available to all students in Theology.

The advantages of affiliation with a great institution of

Continental reputation such as McGill University are obvious.

In the first place, a College is able to devote practically its

whole income to strictly theological work, thus assuring the

efficiency and thoroughness of the course. Secondly, the immense

resources and the high educational standard of a University

such as McGill afford theological students a liberal education

that could hardly be looked for under other circumstances. In

the third place, the broadening influence of life in so large a

University world, and contact with men of such widely different

views, aims, and pursuits are of inestimable advantage to every

student, and to none more than to the student in theology.

Affiliation also gives the Colleges representation on the

Corporation of McGill, and consequently a voice and influence in

University affairs.

The following Act of Incorporation was also secured from the

Provincial Legislature:

An Act to incorporate “The Joint Board of the Theological

Colleges affiliated with McGill University.”

Whereas the voluntary association known as “The Joint Board of

the Theological Colleges affiliated with McGill University” and

“The Board of Cooperation of the Theological Colleges affiliated

with McGill University” have, by their petition, represented as

follows:

That the theological colleges affiliated with McGill University

have found it advantageous to cooperate for the training of

students for the Christian ministry, and have actually so

cooperated for some time with success; that in consequence,

considerable sums of money have been subscribed by friends of

the movement for the purpose of furnishing means and equipment;

that a temporary joint board of managers (to-wit the petitioners)

representing each of the colleges concerned, has been in

existence for some time, engaged in organizing the work of this

cooperation; said joint board being composed as follows:

The Reverend Principal Hill, D.D., Rev. Hugh Pedley, D.D.,

Charles Gurd, Esq., Alexander M. Murphy, Esq., William D.

Lighthall, Esq., K.C., Thomas B. Macaulay, Esq., all representing

the Congregational College of Canada; the Reverend Principal

Rexford, D.D., Rev. Allan P. Shatford, M.A., George E. Drummond,

Esq., George G. Foster, Esq., K.C., Lieutenant-Colonel Carson,

Lansing Lewis, Esq., D.C.L., all representing the Montreal

Diocesan Theological College; the Reverend Principal Scrimger,

D.D., Rev. R. Bruce Taylor, D.D., David Morrice, Esq., John

W. Ross, Esq., William M. Birks, Esq., William Yuile, Esq.,

all representing the Presbyterian Theological College; the

Reverend Principal Smyth, D.D., Rev. W.R. Young, D.D., George F.

Johnson, Esq., Charles C. Holland, Esq., William Hanson, Esq.,

J.W. McConnell, Esq., all representing the Wesleyan Theological

College; the said persons being also the Board of Governors of

the said Voluntary Association; etc.

The Faculty for 1914-15 is as follows:

Rev. Principal E. Munson Hill, M.A., D.D., Professor of

Homiletics and Practical Theology; Rev. Principal Elson I.

Rexford, M.A., LL. D., D.C.L., John Duncan Professor of Dogmatic

Theology; Rev. Principal John Scrimger, M.A., D.D., Professor

of Systematic Theology; Rev. Principal James Smyth, B.A., LL.

D., Webber-Franklin Professor of New Testament Language and

Literature; Rev. G. Abbott-Smith, M.A., D.D., Archbishop Bond

Professor of New Testament Literature; Rev. Charles Bieler,

B.A., D.D., O.I.P., Professor of French Theological Subjects;

Rev. E. Albert Cook, B.D., Ph. D., Professor of Systematic

Theology and Philosophy of Religion; Rev. D.J. Fraser, M.A.,

D.D., LL. D., Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis;

Rev. Alex R. Gordon, M.A., D. Litt., D.D., Professor of Old

Testament Literature and Exegesis; Rev. Oswald W. Howard, B.A.,

D.D., Professor of Apologetics and Ecclesiastical History; Rev.

P.L. Richardson, B.A., B.D., Douglas Professor of Systematic

Theology; Rev. J. H, Robinson, M.A., B.D., Professor of Church

History; Rev. Paul Villard, M.A., M.D., O.A., Professor of French

Literature and Apologetics; Rev. W.H. Warriner, M, A., D.D.,

Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis; Rev. R.E.

Welsh, M.A., D.D., Professor of Apologetics and Church History.

Dean: Rev. Principal John Scrimger.

Secretary: Rev. Professor D.J. Fraser.

THE CONGREGATIONAL COLLEGE OF CANADA.

The Congressional College of Canada dates its history from a

class of four students who studied under Rev. Adam Lillie, at

Dundas, Ontario, in 1839. Mr. Lillie was educated in Glasgow

University. He went to India under the London Missionary

Society, but the climate did not permit him to stay. Returning

to Scotland, he was persuaded by Doctor Wilkes to come to Canada

and organized the Church in Brantford. He soon removed to Dundas

and began the instruction of young men for the ministry at the

urgency of Rev. John Roaf, on behalf of the Colonial Missionary

Society. From the beginning until 1869, Adam Lillie was the

presiding genius, with Doctor Wickson as his strong co-laborer.

Thus, Congregational Christians were the first Protestants in

Canada to make regular provision for education of the ministry.

In 1840, this gathering of students was moved to Toronto, and

called “The Congregational Academy.” This was an historic name,

coming from the time when “Dissenters,” in the seventeenth

century in England, were under the ban and their ministers

forbidden to come within five miles of any town, or to teach any

public or private school. But many of these men were eminent

scholars who braved the harsh law, and taught youth. When the

times of toleration came these groups grew into “academies.”

In 1842, a similar institution was opened in Montreal through

the pressure of Rev. Henry Wilkes, of Zion Church. Rev. J.J.

Carruthers, of the universities of St. Andrews and Edinburgh,

was brought out to conduct the Theological, Biblical, and

Classical courses. This was done with the sanction and help of

the Colonial Missionary Society. But funds fell short, and it was

decided in 1845 to unite the Montreal and Toronto Congregational

Institutions. This was done, and the name “Congregational

Theological Institute” was chosen, and its control was changed

from the Unions to the subscribers.

In 1848, a Congregational institution was opened in Liverpool,

Nova Scotia, the result of a bequest of Mr. James Gorham, and was

called Gorham College. But the building was burned in 1854, and

the Maritime Churches were unable to maintain it more than three

years. Its good-will and its library were given to the Toronto

Institute. Another advantage accrued to the common cause by

leading to the use of the name “College,” and making it possible

to adopt the comprehensive title “Congregational College of

British North America,” in 1860. And still greater was the fact

that Prof. George Cornish, who had come from English colleges

to teach in the Gorham College, became professor of Greek in

McGill, and was ready to teach in this college if it should go to

Montreal.

In Toronto the preparatory courses were taken with much

difficulty in King’s College. This was established in 1842, and

was under strong Anglican control perpetuating the old country

attitude toward Free Churches. In 1849 this College became

the University of Toronto, with a broader foundation. But no

affiliation was offered, and interest in the College was growing

less with consequent decrease of funds.

Stronger supporters were coming forward in Montreal, affiliation

could be secured with McGill, Professor Cornish would be a great

help, and church life in Montreal was vigorous and united. “The

movement for removal was prompted by western men and largely

carried by them. Montreal did not propose or vote for it,” says

Doctor Marling. After the final discussion by the corporation

of subscribers in Brantford in 1864, the vote for removal was

unanimous.

In 1864, the session opened in the rooms of Zion Church, on

Beaver Hall Hill, and the first Act of Incorporation was secured

from the Dominion Parliament. Then, from 1880 to 1884, the

library and recitation rooms were in Emmanuel Church. On coming

to Montreal the College was admitted to affiliation with McGill,

the first of the Theological Colleges to enjoy that privilege.

A great loss was suffered in the death of Doctor Lillie in 1869.

A memorial fund of $1,000 was raised, which was the nucleus of

the Endowment Fund. Doctor Wilkes was chosen Principal and gave

his great energy and business skill and his influence among the

British churches to the College.

In 1884, certain friends, chiefly in Montreal, generously erected

and presented to the College the building on McTavish Street,

which it now occupies, together with the ground on which the

Principal’s residence was afterward built. At that time an

amendment to the Act of Incorporation changed the name to “The

Congregational College of Canada.”

The Colonial Missionary Society of England was a large factor

in beginning the work of the College, and has stood by it in

all times of distress with generous financial aid. It will ever

remain first on the roll of the benefactors. Mr. and Mrs. S.H.C.

Miner have been the largest donors to the Endowment Fund and to

current expenses. The Endowment Fund now stands at $110,000.

The Principals have been as follows:

Rev. Adam Lillie, D.D., 1839-69; Rev. Henry Wilkes, D.D., LL. D.,

1870-83; Rev. John Frederick Stevenson, LL. B., D.D., 1883-86;

Rev. William M. Barbour, D.D., 1887-97; Rev. Joseph Henry George,

Ph. D., D.D., 1898-1901; Rev. Edward Munson Hill, M.A., D.D.,

1901-.

The Professors and Lecturers have been:

Rev. J.J. Carruthers, D.D., 1842-45; Rev. Arthur Wickson, LL. D.,

1850-62; Rev. Henry Wilkes, D.D., LL. D., 1841-86; Rev. George

Cornish, M.A., LL. D., 1864-91; Rev. Charles Chapman, M.A., LL.

D., 1871-76; Rev. Archibald Duff, Jr., M.A., 1875-76; Rev. K.M.

Fenwick, 1872-84; Rev. J. F, Stevenson, LL. B., D.D., 1877-86;

Rev. Edward Munson Hill, M.A., 1883; Rev. John Burton, B.D.,

1883-88; Rev. S.N. Jackson, M.D., 1884-93; Rev. W.H. Warriner,

M.A., D.D., 1886; Rev. E.C. Evans, D.D., 1898-1900; Rev. D.S.

Hamilton, B.A., 1899-1901; Rev. Harlan Creelman, B.D., Ph. D.,

1899-1908; Rev. Eugene W. Lyman, B.A., B.D., 1904-05; Rev.

Herbert A. Youtz, B.D., Ph. D., 1905-08; Rev. E. Albert Cook, Ph.

D., 1908-.

The office of Chairman of the Board was created in 1864, the

incumbents of that office since that date having been:

Rev. Henry Wilkes, D.D., 1864-71; Rev. Charles Chapman, M.A.,

LL. D., 1871-76; Rev. J.F. Stevenson, LL. B., D.D., 1876-83;

George Hague, Esq., 1883-91; Rev. George Cornish, M.A., LL. D.,

1891-96; J. Redpath Dougall, M.A., 1896-1902, S. Henderson Miner,

Esq., 1902-11; Charles Gurd, Esq., 1911-.

The following have filled the office of treasurer:

Rev. John Roaf, 1839-55; Mr. Patrick Freeland, 1855-64; Mr. T.M.

Taylor, 1864-66; Mr. J.P. Clarke, 1866-73; Mr. R.C. Jamieson,

1873-88; Mr. C.R. Black, 1889-92; Mr. T. Moodie, 1892-.

The Secretaries have been:

Rev. T. Machin, 1841-45; Mr. R. Beekman, 1845-48; Rev. Edward

Ebbs, 1848-50, Joint Secretary, 1854-5, 1857-58; Mr. Patrick

Freeland, 1850-55; Rev. F.H. Marling, 1855-64; Rev. George

Cornish, LL. D., 1864-91; Prof. W.H. Warriner, D.D., 1891-98;

Rev. E. Munson Hill, M.A., 1899-1902; Mr. A. McA. Murphy, 1903-.

MONTREAL DIOCESAN THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE

This College was founded in the year 1873, by the late Rt. Rev.

Ashton Oxenden, D.D., then Bishop of Montreal and Metropolitan

of Canada. He makes the following reference to it in his

autobiography:

“I, at length, felt justified in taking a step for the good

of my own Diocese. I decided on establishing a Theological

College in Montreal, for the training of our candidates for

Holy Orders. With this view, I procured from England, the aid

of a first-rate man, Mr. Lobley, a late Fellow of Trinity

College, Cambridge, who undertook the office of Principal. He

was a good and able man, and, in the face of many difficulties

which he fearlessly surmounted, he started the College, which

has now become a prominent and useful feature in the Diocese.

On his subsequent promotion to the Principalship of Bishop’s

College, Lennoxville, he was succeeded by Doctor Henderson, under

whose steady and unflagging superintendence the College still

flourishes.”--(Extract from “History of My Life,” 1891.)

The step was forced upon Bishop Oxenden by the rapid growth of

the Church in the Diocese, and the impossibility of securing

in any other way a satisfactory supply of clergy to meet the

increasing needs of his Diocese.

The work of the College began in the Library of the Synod Hall,

and was carried on there for eight years, when a more suitable

building was provided by the munificence of the late A.F. Gault,

who purchased the property, 896 Dorchester Street, now occupied

by the Young Women’s Christian Association, at a cost of $23,000,

and presented it to the College in trust.

There the work was continued under much more favorable

conditions, as a permanent home was provided for both Principal

and Students. Additional funds were raised which secured the

appointment of a resident Tutor to assist the Principal, and

provided remuneration for different clergy of the city who

lectured regularly in the College. Among the first lecturers were

the late Most Rev. W.B. Bond, Archbishop of Montreal; the late

Rt. Rev. James Carmichael, D.D., Coadjutor Bishop of Montreal;

the late Rt. Rev. E. Sullivan, D.D., formerly Bishop of Algoma,

and afterwards Rector of St. James Cathedral, Toronto; the late

Rt. Rev. Maurice S. Baldwin, D.D., Bishop of Huron; Rt. Rev. J.P.

Du Moulin, D.D., Bishop of Niagara.

While its internal growth was thus satisfactory, the position of

the College as a Church institution was more clearly defined,

and its relations with the educational world were extended. In

1879, an act of incorporation was obtained from the Legislature

of Quebec, and in 1880, it was affiliated with the University of

McGill College.

In 1891, by the Canon relating to Degrees in Divinity, the

Diocesan Theological College, with the five other theological

colleges of this ecclesiastical province, was duly recognized by

the Provincial Synod of Canada, and entitled to representation on

the Board of Examiners for degrees in Divinity.

In 1895, owing to the increasing influence and needs of the

College, the late A.F. Gault announced his intention of

presenting a more suitable building and of adding to the

endowment of the College. The “Holland” property on University

Street was purchased for that purpose, and a very handsome and

commodious building erected. The building, which is in the

collegiate gothic style, includes a semi-detached residence

for the Principal, a chapel with a seating capacity for fifty

students, a convocation hall capable of holding 500 persons,

commodious lecture rooms, dining room, library, gymnasium and

accommodation for about thirty-five resident students. The whole

was also magnificently furnished by the same generous donor, and

the sum of $50,000 was added to the endowment.

The buildings and additional endowment were formally handed over

to the Bishop of the Diocese on the occasion of the opening

of the College, on October 21, 1906, in the presence of His

Grace the Primate of all Canada, and a number of other bishops,

clergy, and visitors, and these were given in perpetuity without

conditions of any kind in trust to the Bishop of Montreal and his

successors.

While the College was originally founded for, and has always

served to supply the needs of the Diocese, which has a first

claim upon it, its name Diocesan is not to be interpreted in a

strictly local sense. The aim of the College is to furnish a

supply of capable men, primarily for the Diocese of Montreal,

then for the wider field of the whole Dominion, and in some

degree also for the boundless field beyond--the harvest field of

the world.

The present principal, the Rev. Elson I. Rexford, M.A., LL. D.,

D.C.L., was appointed in 1903.

THE PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE, MONTREAL

The Presbyterian College, Montreal, is an institution solely

for the training of ministers. Its establishment was authorized

by the Synod of the Canada Presbyterian Church in 1864, at the

request of a number of ministers and prominent laymen in the city

of Montreal, with a special view to supplying the pressing needs

of the congregations and missions in the valleys of the Ottawa

and Lower St. Lawrence, for which it was found difficult to

secure a sufficiency of trained men. A charter of incorporation

was obtained in 1865, but work was actually begun only in

October, 1867, when classes were opened in the Lecture Hall of

Erskine Church, under the instruction of the Rev. Wm. Gregg, of

Toronto, and of Rev. Wm. Aitken, of Smith’s Falls, as lecturers

for the session. In 1868 the Rev. D.H. MacVicar was appointed

sole professor of Divinity. On the addition of other members to

the permanent staff, he was made Principal, and occupied this

position until his death in 1902. The Rev. Dr. Robert Campbell

exercised the function till the appointment of the present

principal, the Rev. John Scrimger, appointed in 1904.

The first building for the use of the College was erected in

1873, on a site immediately adjoining the grounds of McGill

University. This building soon became insufficient, and in 1882

it was greatly enlarged through the liberality of Mr. David

Morrice, the Chairman of the Board of Management.

The College is controlled entirely by the Presbyterian Church in

Canada, the General Assembly appointing its Board of Management

and Senate each year, as well as filling all vacancies on the

staff. For educational purposes it is affiliated to McGill

University, and maintains the closest relations with that

institution. The students receive practically all their literary

training in the University classes.

THE WESLEYAN THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE

This institution was founded in the year 1872, by the Wesleyan

Methodist Church of Canada, for the training of candidates for

the Ministry, and began its educational work, September 29,

1873. In 1879, by direction of the General Conference of the

Methodist Church of Canada, an act of Incorporation was obtained

from the Legislature of the Province of Quebec, and the College

was affiliated to McGill University. At the Union, in 1883,

of the several Methodist bodies in Canada, constituting “The

Methodist Church,” it was recognized as having the same relation

which it previously held as one of the Connexional Educational

Institutions of the Church. In 1887 the Charter was so amended

by the Legislature of the Province of Quebec as to give to the

Institution the power to confer degrees in Divinity.

The present buildings, which were erected in 1914, on the site

formerly occupied in part by the old building were formally

opened on Saturday, October 3, 1914, and are situated on

University Street, near Mount Royal, at the eastern entrance to

the University grounds and accommodate about one hundred students.

Rev. George Douglas, D.D., LL. D., the first Principal, held

that position for twenty-one years, and the late Reverend Doctor

Shaw was connected with the Institution, first as Professor and

afterwards as Principal, from its foundation till 1910.

The present Principal, Rev. James Smyth, B.A., LL. D., of

Belfast, Ireland, was appointed in 1911.

II

LAVAL UNIVERSITY

While the history of the University of McGill is largely

that of a small germinal University gradually developing the

potentialities of its charter, that of the University of Laval

at Montreal is one of a gradual evolution from the preexisting

embryonic schools of arts, philosophy, theology, law and

medicine which arose in due course, as the higher education of

Catholics, principally of the French Canadian population, became

gradually organized. In due course all these elements, when well

advanced, were absorbed into the university proper when founded

in 1876. Its story, therefore, involves the description of the

component parts of its constitution, and the first dates of

interest connected with the foundation of the predecessors are

those of the present “Montreal College.”

The “Collège de Montreal,” which would seem to be the logical

continuation of the _écoles de Latin_ in existence up to the

capitulation, and had supplemented the _petits écoles_ started

early in 1657, after the arrival of the Sulpicians, was founded

about 1767 in the presbytery of the Curé of Longue Pointe by

M.J. Baptiste Curatteau de Blaisérie, a Sulpician priest. He had

a decided taste for education and the direction of youth. To

provide the beginning of a classical education for pious citizens

and for the needs of the future aspirants of the clergy he had

added an annex to his presbytery, and rapidly a small boarding

school arose which became known as the “_Petit Séminaire_” or

“_Collège_.” He was assisted in his work by two ecclesiastical

students, Mm. J.B. Dumouchel and J.B. Huet d’Alude.

The success attending this venture encouraged the citizens to

establish a regular college at Montreal similar to that at

Quebec. Accordingly the church wardens of Notre Dame came to

the assistance of M. Curatteau to place him in charge of an

establishment at the Château Vaudreuil, the palace of the late

governor general, then for sale, buying it, and thus, in 1773,

the College of St. Raphael was installed on October 1st. The

college started with about fifty-two _pensionnaires_ and a like

number of _externes_. The prize list of 1774, proclaimed in

Latin, reveals six classes, the highest of which was called the

“Schola Humanitatis.”

The memory prize of this class was awarded to Franciscus Papineau

and Petrus Amabilis de Bonne de Missede, the future Judge of

Common Pleas (_Ex aequo_), while the first prize for French into

Latin fell to F. Papineau and the second to Ludovicus Bonnet.

In 1789 at the term composition proclaimed in January we find

the highest class named Rhetoric, the first boy called the

“Imperator” being Joannes Baptista Curot. Benjamin Dys Viger

comes second as “Cæsar,” and Ambrosius Sanguinet as “Consul.” In

Scholâ Tertia the Imperator is Jacobus Lartigue, the future first

bishop of Montreal.

M. Curatteau died in Montreal on February 11, 1790, at the age

of sixty years. His will of January 29, 1774, leaves all his

property to the college and should it fail, his estate should be

revertible, two-thirds to the General Hospital and a third to

the Hôtel Dieu. He was succeeded as principal in 1790 by M.J.B.

Marchand, a priest, with seven other professors, of whom five

were ecclesiastics, one a layman and the seventh a priest. M.

Ignace Leclerc, the professor of the philosophy class, started

his course this year. The terms about this time were for the

“_pensionnaires_” £14-11-8, and for the externes one guinea for

entrance and nothing more. The catalogue of students for 1790

reveals there were about ninety scholars, the ages varying from

twenty-one, in Philosophy (although one there is twenty-nine)

to eight, in the lowest class, with one of six years of age.

There do not appear many English names.[3] In the last class,

however, there are some beginning to enter, viz., Jean O’Sullivan

(aged nine years) and Nicholas Hamilton (aged eight years).

In the prize list of 1792 there is a “Patricius Smith” who

receives honourable mention for arithmetic. An English class

for French students was begun in 1789. This dual instruction was

then apparently developed in the colony. In later years it has

somewhat lapsed.

[Illustration: LAVAL UNIVERSITY]

[Illustration: MONTREAL COLLEGE]

Three years after its inauguration the Collége de St. Raphaël in

1773 staged a tragedy in three acts, presented by its scholars.

It was printed in 1776, “Chez Fleury Mesplet et Ch. Berger,

Imprimeurs et Libraires” and was entitled “Jonathan et David, ou

Le Triomphe de L’Amitié.” Declamations, little pieces, lyrical or

tragical, formal compliments to the students or the professors

used to take place at the end of the distribution of prizes or on

the _jour de fête_ of the principal.

M. Montgolfier wrote on August 25, 1778, to Bishop Briand

acquainting him that “His Excellency, Sir Frederick Haldimand,

had been present at the little tragedy of the Sacrifice of

Abraham at the completion of the classes; at the end of the

distribution of prizes he has given much praise to this

establishment and, having learnt from me that this house has no

fixed revenue he sent me next day a present of 100 guineas for

the college and at the same time, 50 guineas for the Hospital

General ‘for the work of the foundlings there.’”

In the great fire of 1803, the Collége of St. Raphaël was

destroyed in June 6th. It was rebuilt in 1804, at the expense of

the Seminary of St. Sulpice, on College Street, not far from the

“little river” and was opened on October, 1804, under the name of

the “_Collège or the Petit Séminaire de Montréal_.” The seminary

remained on College Street till it was transferred to a portion

of the fine establishment of the Grand Seminary which was built

between 1854-1857 by the Seminary at the old Mountain Fort or the

“Fort des Messieurs,” being opened the 18th of January, 1862. The

old college was rented to the British government for a barracks

for the soldiers who entered the city on December, 1861. The

Collège de Montréal has remained on its present site ever since.

The school of theology was founded in 1825 by Mgr. Lartigue in

his Episcopal residence at St. James church on St. Denis Street.

In 1840 it was transferred, having about fifteen students, to the

Collège de Montréal on College Street and took the name of the

“_Grand Séminaire_.” In 1857 it was again transferred, to the

present site at the old “_Fort des Messieurs_,” the new building

being commenced on September 8, 1854, and blessed on September 8,

1857. The superiors of the Grand Séminaire since its foundation

have been:

Pierre Louis Billaudèle, 1840-1846; Joseph Alexandre Baile,

1846-1866; Jean Baptiste Benoit Larue, 1866-1871; Jules Claude

Delavigne, 1871-1872; Frederic Louis Colin, 1872-1881; Isaie

Marie Charles Lecoq, 1881-1903; Ferdinand Louis Lelandais, 1903.

The Collège de Ste. Marie is the successor of the attempt made

in 1694 to establish a classical college in Montreal. After the

return of the Jesuits to Montreal on May 31, 1842, an early

invitation came from the citizens to commence a college. On

August 20, 1846, land was bought at a very favourable price from

M. John Donegani, but before the work was in hand the typhus

outbreak intervened. It was not till September 20, 1848, that

the school was opened with thirteen pupils in two classes in a

temporary frame building still standing at the corner of St.

Alexander and Dorchester streets. In May, 1850, the building of

the college was renewed and on July 31st the finished college was

blessed by Bishop Bourget with the public chapel attached. The

Gésu was not built till 1864. The classes to be given were the

usual classical course to be followed by a philosophical course.

In 1889 Loyola College was founded as an offshoot of the Collège

Ste. Marie, to conduct classical and philosophical courses in

English. Its first home was at the southeast corner of St.

Catherine and Bleury streets. Fire compelled these premises to

be vacated and in 1898 it was transferred to 68 Drummond Street,

hitherto known as Doctor Tucker’s School. In 1914 a large college

at Notre Dame de Grace is being built to be the future home of

the Loyola college.

The next educational venture was the foundation of the Ecole de

Médicine et de Chirurgie, founded in 1843 and incorporated in

March, 1845.

This was followed by the foundation of a school of law on May 1,

1851. It was named the Ecole de Droit and was conducted under the

deanship of the M. Maximilien Bibaud, LL. D., doctor in civil and

canon law, the classes being held at the Collège de Ste. Marie.

In 1876 the Seminary of Philosophy had become a separate body

from the Grand Seminary of Theology, but into which the students

graduated after three years of scholastic philosophy. The

superiors of the Seminaire de Philosophie have been:

Isaie Marie Charles Lecoq, 1876-1880; Jules Claude Delavigne,

1880-1900; Louis Marie Lepoupon, 1900.

These elements as chronologically stated were then ready to be

correlated into a university as a branch of the Laval University

already established at Quebec since 1852. In 1876 in consequence

of the petition of Mgr. Bourget, then bishop of Montreal, the

Sacred Congregation of Propaganda ordered its establishment at

Montreal. It was recognized by the civil law of the province of

Quebec in 1881.

In 1878 the schools of law and theology already described as

existing were inaugurated, to be followed in 1879 by that of

medicine also already organized. In 1887 the faculty of arts was

added.

The Apostolic Constitution “Jam dudum” of Leo XIII, of February

2, 1889, obtained through M. Colin, the superior of the seminary

of St. Sulpice, and Archbishop Fabre, gave the administrative

body at Montreal its practical autonomy under a vice rector,

while still requiring its degrees to be conferred through the

council of the University of Laval at Quebec.

The inauguration of the university buildings on St. Denis Street

took place on October 8, 1895.

The main building of the university, which was largely raised

through the generosity of the Sulpicians, who have always

patronized forward movements in education, may be described as

follows:

The style of architecture of the building is a modern

adaptation of the Renaissance. It has been devised for the use

of two faculties for the present, with room for the general

administration. The cellar contains, as is usual in such

structures, all the necessary appliances, and in the most

recent and approved styles, for steam-heating, electric and

gas-lighting. The ground floor is occupied by lecture rooms,

museums of anatomy and the library of the School of Comparative

Medicine and Veterinary Science, and it has also large recreation

and club rooms, a large and commodious reading room for students,

and the janitor’s quarters. The first floor is devoted to the

Law Faculty, the reception parlors, the rector’s apartments, and

a suite of study rooms for the professors. There are on this

floor two amphitheatres, with a capacity of two hundred to three

hundred seats respectively, for the use of the Law Faculty. The

Peristyle, which is an imposing feature of the exterior, leads

to this story. The second floor is entirely occupied by the

Faculty of Medicine, and contains a general professor’s parlour,

laboratories and lecture rooms, also a library, and quarters

for the treasurer and secretary of the Faculty. The finest

rooms are perhaps a large laboratory of histology, perfectly

lighted, and provided with modern apparatus for the practical

teaching of normal and morbid histology. The amphitheatre of

the primary course, can accommodate 300 students. It can be put

into direct connection with the laboratory of chemistry. The

amphitheatre for the final course accommodates 400 students.

The Promotion Hall (third story) has a seating capacity of

nearly two thousand and has been much used of late for public

lectures. It is profusely lighted by electricity, and the day

light is also abundant. Its acoustic and visual qualities are

perfect. The proscenium is so constructed that it can be used

for concerts and other spectacular performances by the students.

Six large rooms, averaging 35 × 50 feet, are reserved for

museums and for collections of documents. The amphitheatre of

anatomy, accommodating 300 students, is in the last story and

in connection with the dissecting room, which is very spacious.

The disposal of the rooms, stairways, elevator, lavatories, and,

other necessary conveniences is very good, and there is not a

single room in the whole building which is not well-lighted. The

architecture of the interior is very simple, but quite effective,

especially that of the Promotion Hall.

There are affiliated with it several colleges and schools: the

Ecole Polytechnique, l’Ecole de Medicine, Comparee et de Science

vétérinaire de Montreal, l’Ecole de Chirurgie Dentaire, l’Ecole

de Pharmacie Laval, l’Institut Agricole d’Oka, l’Institut des

Frères Maristes et l’Institut des Frères de l’Instruction

Chrétienne, l’Institut des Frères de Sainte-Croix, the arts and

philosophical courses at St. Marys, Loyola and other classical

colleges and seminaries, as well as the College of Higher

Education for Young Women, conducted in French and English at the

Mother House of the Congregation on Sherbrooke Street.

The faculty of theology is constituted by the Grand Seminary

which was established in 1840. Its courses last for three years

and three months with a further six months for those preparing

for the doctorate. A great number of the students who come from

all quarters to this faculty, after having taken their courses

at Montreal proceed to Rome to the now famous Canadian College,

which is an offshoot of the Grand Seminaire of Montreal, being

founded in 1888 through the labours of M. Colin, who was superior

of the Sulpicians at Montreal from 1881 to 1902. In connection

with this latter faculty may be mentioned the Seminary of

Philosophy which has been a separate body since 1876.

While the medical faculty of McGill saved the fortunes of that

university from extinction, it is to the credit of the pioneers

of the medical faculty of the Montreal branch of Laval University

that the university movement received its inception. Before its

establishment a body of the medical men who had retired from

their connection with the medical faculty of the University of

Coburg agitated for the foundation of an independent university

in the city. Among these were Dr. Rottot, Brosseau, La Marche

and E. Persillier-Lachapelle, who acted as the secretary. On

approaching the gentlemen of the seminary it was pointed out

that it would be unwise and also against prearranged conditions

to establish a rival university to that of Laval at Quebec, but

that a branch was possible. This solved the difficulty and the

necessary steps were taken. The first medical faculty of Laval

at Montreal, soon to be formed, was composed of Dr. Rottot as

dean, with Drs. E. Persillier-Lachapelle, La Marche, Brosseau,

Desrosiers, Berthelot, Fafard, Filiatrault, Duval, Foucher,

Bienvenu and others.

Among the first members of the faculty of law was Mr. C.S.

Cherrier, Hon. J.P.O. Chauveau, Sir Louis Jetté, Sir Alexander

Lacoste, Judge Alphonse Ouimet and Sir H. Archambault.

The dean of the faculty of Science and Belles Lettres was the

Abbé Colin.

The faculty of medicine is a continuation of the L’Ecole de

Medicine et de Chirurgie de Montreal (the Alma Mater of our older

Montreal physicians) founded in 1843 and incorporated in 1845,

affiliated at first to the Victoria University of Coburg, in

Ontario, and from which it received its degrees up to 1890. At

this time the above medical school received a modified charter

from the government of Quebec and was allied to the faculty of

medicine of the University of Laval, with which it forms today

one body.

The faculty of Medicine is installed with that of Law in the main

building on St. Denis Street. There are large lecture halls and

sectional libraries. The Faculty of Medicine has an addition,

a dissecting hall and laboratories for chemistry, histology,

bacteriology, therapeutical electricity, etc.

The faculty of arts has not yet reached its fullest development.

As scientific and literary instruction which form the ordinary

courses of this faculty in English universities is carried out by

the classical colleges and petit seminaires, affiliated to Laval

University, in which students may obtain the degrees of Bachelor

of Letters, of science and of arts, it is unnecessary for the

university itself to undertake full instruction of this nature.

Three courses are, however, given in the faculty. The first,

that of French literature, founded in 1898 by the late M. l’Abbé

Colin, superior of the seminary of St. Sulpice, in Montreal, is

entrusted to a Fellow of the University of Paris. The second

course is upon public ecclesiastical law and the third is upon

aesthetics and the history of art. The other professors, whether

ecclesiastics or laymen, of the faculty of arts, conduct the

regular courses in the colleges affiliated with the university,

in addition to which they occasionally give public lectures in

the university itself. The library of the faculty contributes

generously to the intellectual development of the students and

the public in general. Large annual expenditures secure for it

the best current publications. The higher education of women is

encouraged by this faculty through the “Ecole d’Enseignement

Supérieur pourlles Jeunes Filles” which has its courses in the

handsome college on Sherbrooke Street in the Mother House of the

Congregation of Notre Dame, founded by Marguerite Bourgeoys, the

first teacher in Montreal. It was opened on October 8, 1908,

under the presidency of the vice rector of Laval University.

The following sections are taught in French and in English

by university professors and the ladies of the Congregation:

letters, science, arts, commerce and domestic economy. These lead

up to a degree in the faculty of arts. Already this school for

the higher education of women has shown very substantial results.

Another arm of the faculty of arts has been established in

certain congregations of brothers where a university course has

been organized modeled on the French system of modern secondary

education. The Marist Brothers were the first congregation

affiliated on December 15, 1909, being followed later by the

Brothers of Christian Instruction of Montreal and the Brothers

of the Cross of Jesus of the diocese of Rimouski. In 1912, the

same privilege was granted to the Brothers of Holy-Cross.

[Illustration: SCHOOLS AFFILIATED WITH LAVAL UNIVERSITY: School

of Dentistry]

[Illustration: SCHOOLS AFFILIATED WITH LAVAL UNIVERSITY:

Agricultural School at Oka]

[Illustration: SCHOOLS AFFILIATED WITH LAVAL UNIVERSITY:

Polytechnic School]

[Illustration: SCHOOLS AFFILIATED WITH LAVAL UNIVERSITY: School

of Theology]

The school of Dental Surgery, which is a continuation of the

French section of the Dentistry College of the province of

Quebec, founded in 1894, was affiliated to the university of

Laval in February, 1904, and obtained its civil status from

the legislature in May of the same year. This school, which is

intended primarily for young French Canadians, was rendered

necessary by the rapid progress which has been made latterly in

dental surgery. It started relying solely on its own resources

and upon the devotion of its professors. It has grown rapidly and

its courses annually attract a certain number of students from

Europe. Instruction covers a period of four years and leads to

the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. The theoretical courses,

clinics and demonstrations are given in the spacious buildings

opened on St. Hubert Street in 1913. In it are also magnificent

operating rooms with dental chairs and thoroughly equipped

laboratories. The infirmary in the same building is open every

day from 9 A.M. till noon, and in it those who cannot afford to

pay the full fee are treated by competent practitioners at rates

merely sufficient to reimburse the institution for the cost of

material supplied.

The Laval School of Pharmacy, incorporated by a special act

of the legislature of Quebec, adopted on March 9, 1906, was

affiliated to the university in the same year, on May 11th.

It aims to give instruction in and to promote all branches

of pharmaceutical science. The school is entitled to grant

university degrees. The courses are given in the university

buildings and last from the beginning of October to the

beginning of April. What corresponds in American universities

to the faculty of applied science is conducted by the “Ecole

Polytechnique” which was founded in 1874. A department of

architecture was added in 1908. This school has been annexed

to the faculty of arts since 1887. It has been generously

subsidized by the provincial government and the principal

railway companies. It prepares students for the several branches

of civil and industrial engineering, such as public roads,

railways, mechanical and mining engineering, bridge-building

and metal construction. The Polytechnic is housed on St. Denis

Street in large buildings suited to its special needs, in which

an equipment admirably adapted to scientific training, both

theoretical and practical, places it in the front rank of similar

institutions.

The School of Comparative Medicine and Veterinary Science which

was installed in 1913 in a handsome building on De Montigny

Street has existed since 1886. Although affiliated with the

university it is under the control and subject to the inspection

of the minister of agriculture of the Quebec government, from

which it receives a subsidy. The courses extend over three years

and lead to a doctorate. It includes numerous clinics, which are

held at the infirmary of the school. The school possesses fine

lecture rooms, an interesting pathological museum, a laboratory

of bacteriology, a laboratory of chemistry and other departments.

The number of students who are almost all from the province of

Quebec is as yet small, but it is increasing inasmuch as farmers

are beginning to understand the value of the services which well

trained veterinary surgeons can render them.

The science of agriculture is provided by the university through

the Agricultural Institute at Oka, which was affiliated to Laval

University on March 26, 1908. It had, however, been in existence

for several years, its regular activities dating from March 8,

1893, when it was opened by the Trappist Fathers of Notre Dame

du Lac at the request, and with the liberal support, of the

provincial government. Under the more modest name of the School

of Agriculture it had been increasingly successful until, during

the winter of 1907, it was completely reorganized, its equipment

was modernized and improved and its courses of study extended.

In addition to a preparatory course lasting for one year the

Institute offers a three-years’ course leading to academic

degrees. Special instruction, which includes several partial

courses, has also been arranged for in favour of persons who are

prevented from taking the full regular courses. The Institute

is liberally provided with books, museums and laboratories. The

grounds cover an area of 1,800 acres and are situated about

thirty miles from Montreal on the Lake of the Two Mountains.

All the faculties and schools above mentioned enjoy great

liberty of initiative and action in everything which concerns

their regular internal regulations and their courses of study.

The archibishop of Montreal in his quality as vice-chancellor,

controls the appointment and removal of professors and exercises

general supervision in matters of doctrine and discipline. He

is ex-officio president of the administrative board, which

holds the university properties and directs its finances. The

suffragan bishops of the ecclesiastical province of Montreal,

representatives and affiliated seminaries of the same province,

representatives of faculties and of graduates, also have a seat

in this body, which, as a general rule, acts through the board of

governors, composed of eminent financiers and professional men. A

vice rector, chosen by the bishops of the province of Montreal,

represents the university’s council, the administrative board

and the board of governors in matters of discipline and general

administration. An executive committee, appointed by the latter

board, assists him in regard to current financial questions.

The following statistics for 1912-1913 will give an idea of the

activities of the Montreal Branch University of Laval:

Professors. Students.

Faculté de Théologie (Theology) 12 251

Faculté de Droit (Law) 17 157

Faculté de Médecine (Medicine) 70 144

Faculté des Arts (Littér. Française) 22 36

Ecole Polytechnique 27 163

Ecole de Médecine Comparée et de Science

Vétérinaire 10 50

Ecole de Chirurgie Dentaire 13 119

Ecole de Pharmacie Laval 11 93

Institut Agricole d’Oka 12* 115

Ecole d’Enseignement Supérieur pour les

Jeunes Filles (Higher Education for

Women) 53 247 496 1,624

--- ---

Modern Secondary Teaching:

Institut des Frères Maristes 10 16

Frères de l’Instruction Chrétienne 10 43

Frères de Saint-Croix 10 30 15 74

--- ---

Affiliated Colleges:

Séminaire de Sainte-Thérèse 35 400

Séminaire Saint-Charles-Borromée 38 428

Collège de L’Assomption 36 370

Collège de Saint-Laurent 52 525

Séminaire de Joliette 39 402

Séminaire de Saint-Hyacinthe 36 476

Collège Bourget 31 371

Séminaire de Montréal 29 350

Collège de Valleyfield 35 302

Collège de Saint-Jean 22 353 195 3,819

------- ----------

630 5,517

* With the addition of 22 practical instructors.

NOTE

Looking through the prize lists of scholars from 1773 to 1803 the

following names are found which will interest English readers,

the spelling being retained as found, latinized or wrongly

spelt: 1773, Aeneas McDonnell, Franciscus Mackaye; 1776, Aeneas

MagDonelle, Jacobus MagDonelle, Franciscus Mackaye, Hugonus

MagDonelle; 1775, Samuel Mackaye, John Mackay; 1779, Joannes

Mackaye; 1780, Joannes Jones; 1783, Laurentius Sylvain;[4] 1790,

Benjamin Kery; 1791, Petrus Christy, Nicholaus Hamilton; 1792,

Patricius Smith, Nicholaus Hamilton; 1793, Bernardus Bender,

Franciscus Bender, J. Baptista O’Sullivan; 1794, Franciscus

Bender, Nicholaus Hamilton, Gulielmus Sheppard, Joannes Dease,

Gulielmus Green, Carolus Davis, Paulus Green, Joannes Spearman;

1796, Gulielmus Sheppard, Gulielmus Fleming, Jacobus Taylor,

Carolus Daly, J. Baptista Connolly, Gulielmus Selby, Joannes

Pickle, Richardus Dillon; 1797, Joannes O’Sullivan, Gulielmus

Fleming, Carolus Daly, Lazarus Hays, Jacobus Stephenson, Jacobus

Milloy, Jacobus Fleming, Richardus Dillon; 1798, Hubertus

Heney, Gulielmus Fleming, Gulielmus Connoly, Gulielmus Wallace,

Jacobus Robinson, Joannes Turner, Jacobus Milloy,---- Macdonell,

Joannes Pickle, Samuel Hughes, Joannes Reeves, Gulielmus Reeves,

Gulielmus Dalton; 1799, Ignatius Macdonald, Gulielmus Fleming,

Carolus Daly, Jacobus Milloy, Thomas Seers, Jacobus Macdonald,

Gulielmus Hale, Joannes Turner, Gulielmus Reeves, Hugo Henry,

Jacobus Fleming, Joannes Pickle, Joannes Gordon, Gulielmus

Wallace, Joannes Burk; 1800, Ignatius Macdonald, Hugo Heney,

Jacobus Milloy, Jacobus Fleming, Allan Macdonald, Franciscus

Grant, Henricus Hybart, Gulielmus Seers, Ignatius Macdonald,

Ludovicus Maccoy, Joannes Turner, Franciscus Liemont, Alexander

McEnnis, Eduardus Cartwright, Richardus McEnnis, Fredericus

Lehn, Jacobus MacDonald; 1801, Ignatius MacDonald, Gulielmus

Selby, Hugo Heney, Ludovicus Willcoks, Hugo Fraser, James Molloy,

Guillelmus Seer, Alexander McEnnis, Joannes Gordon, Eustachius

Maccoy, Richardus Ennis, Jacobus Muir, Joannes Reeves, Ludovicus

Maccoy, Eduardus Sterns; 1802, Ignatius McDonel, Hugo Fraser,

Nicholaus Power, Alexander McEnnis, Gulielmus Reeves, Guillelmus

Murry, Georgius Gordon, Adrian Dow, Zephyrimus Kimbert,

Guillelmus Clark, Samuel White, Flavianus Fison, Edwardus

Kenderson, Josephus White, Arturius Kenderson, Joannes Wallace;

1803, Hugo Heney, Michael O’Sullivan, Nicholaus Power, Renatus

Josephus Kimbert, Guillaume Hall, Richardus Macgennis, Guillelmus

Reeves, Guillaume Murray, Henry Fison, Guillaume Clark, Adrien

Dow, Jean Wallace, David Flynn, George Gordon, Edouard Henderson;

1804, Michael O’Sullivan, Ignatius McDonald, Renatus Kimber,

Joannes McDonald, Guillaume Murry, Richard McGenis, Guillaume

Reeves, Edouard Kenderson, Charles Smallwood, Robert Magenis,

Guillaume Belcher, Jean Larkin; 1805, Renatus Joseph Kimber,

Nicholaus Power, Howard Tillotson; 1806, Arthur Kenderson,

Christin Deeze, Henri Conneloi, Edouard Kenderson.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Owing to the exigencies of pecuniary pressure, the greater

part of this estate which extended to Sherbrooke Street was

gradually parted with. Its valuation today would be indeed great.

[2] Dr. Lyons, one of the staff of the hospital, on Mr. Loedel’s

relievement a year or two later, received the appointment of

lecturer. (F.J.S., 1897.)

[3] See, however, the note at the end of the chapter for other

names in subsequent years.

[4] Probably Sullivan. Timothée Sylvain or de Sylvain, a doctor

of Montreal, who served the Hôtel Dieu Hospital shortly before

the fall of Montreal in 1760 was certainly a good Irishman,

originally Sullivan.

CHAPTER XXIX

GENERAL CULTURE

I. THE LIBRARY MOVEMENT

FRENCH:--L’OEUVRE DES BONS LIVRES, 1844--THE CABINET DE LECTURE

PAROISSIAL, 1857.

ENGLISH:--“MONTREAL LIBRARY” AND MONTREAL NEWS ROOM,

1821--MERCANTILE LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, 1844--THE FRASER

INSTITUTE, INCORPORATED 1870--ITS EARLY LITIGATIONS--ITS PUBLIC

OPENING IN 1885--OTHER LIBRARIES.

II. LITERARY AND LEARNED SOCIETIES

THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 1827--THE MECHANICS INSTITUTE,

1828--LA SOCIETE HISTORIQUE, 1856--CONFERENCE DES INSTITUTEURS,

1857--THE “INSTITUT CANADIEN”--CERCLE LITTERAIRE DE VILLE

MARIE, 1857--UNION CATHOLIQUE, 1858--(THE GUIBORD CASE)--THE

ANTIQUARIAN AND NUMISMATIC ASSOCIATION, 1862--THE “ECOLE

LITTERAIRE” 1892--ST. JAMES LITERARY SOCIETY, 1898--THE

“DICKENS’ FELLOWSHIP” 1909--OTHER LITERARY ASSOCIATIONS--THE

“BURNS SOCIETY”--THE ALLIANCE FRANCAISE--THE CANADIAN CLUB,

1905.

III. ARTISTIC ASSOCIATIONS

FOREWORD:--INTELLECTUAL AND ARTISTIC EXCLUSIVENESS.

ART:--EARLY ART IN CANADA--THE MODERN MOVEMENT--THE MONTREAL

SOCIETY OF ARTISTS--THE ART ASSOCIATION OF MONTREAL--ITS

HISTORY--ITS PAINTINGS--MONTREAL ART COLLECTIONS--THE ART

SCHOOL--MONTREAL ARTISTS--THE WOMAN’S ART SOCIETY--THE CHATEAU

DE RAMEZAY--THE ROYAL ACADEMY OF ARTS--THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF

CANADA--OUTSTANDING ARTISTS.

THE DRAMA:--PLAYS IN 1804--THE FIRST THEATRE ROYAL BUILT IN

1825--THE SECOND OPENED IN 1850--OTHER THEATRES TO THE

PRESENT--AMATEUR THEATRICAL ASSOCIATIONS--THE DRAMATIC LEAGUE.

MUSIC:--MODERN SOCIETIES--SOCIETE DE STE CECILE--SOCIETE

DE MONTAGNARDS--AMATEUR MUSICAL LEAGUE--MENDELSSOHN

CHOIR--MONTREAL PHILHARMONIC--INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC.

NEWSPAPERS:--MONTREAL HISTORIES.

The analysis of a city is not complete without a record of its

attempts through its educational, library, literary, artistic and

intellectual associations and its publications of newspapers,

journals, and books to realize its fuller life.

The educational attempts of Montreal, through the schools and

universities, have been told, but those further movements, so

necessary for all who would continue to learn through the above

associations, remain to be narrated.

I. THE LIBRARY MOVEMENT

In 1773 the Sulpicians of Montréal opened the Collège de St.

Raphael to teach the youth of the city, and its curriculum made

a feature of Belles Lettres. From those graduating from this

school sprang the societies and the great library associated with

the name of the Seminary of St. Sulpice. There had been small

libraries here and there but this first great French library was

formed in July, 1844, by the two congregations or sodalities

of men and women attached to Notre Dame parish, offering their

libraries, one of 600 and the other of 700 volumes, to form the

nucleus of a larger library. This was supplemented by 800 books

from the Séminaire St. Sulpice and some good books from other

sources, making a total of 2,200. The new library was called

“L’Oeuvre des bons livres de Ville-Marie” and was conducted

along the same lines as, and affiliated with, the famous library

at Bordeaux, France, which had been started about twenty years

before. This library was formally opened in September, 1845,

by M. Bourget, bishop of Montreal, when 200 more volumes were

added. The books were first housed in a building on Place d’Armes

belonging to the seminary, then afterwards in a building on

St. Sulpice Street loaned by the Hôtel Dieu Nuns and thence,

in 1860, it was moved to a house at 197 Notre Dame Street, the

building being that of the Cabinet de Lecture paroissial, then

completed and finally to its present home recently erected as the

Bibliotheque St. Sulpice at 340 Denis Street.

Early after the housing of the Cabinet de Lecture in 1860 a

lecture bureau was incorporated in connection with the library

and under the direction of the superior of the seminary. This

bureau published the principal papers in a monthly journal.

The first mention of an English library was in 1796 when the

“Montreal Library” was incorporated as a joint stock association

of 120 shares at $50 per share. The library had no permanent home

until 1821 when the upper part of the old Wesleyan Chapel on

St. Sulpice Street was taken, where for the next sixteen years

it served the English speaking population. In 1837 new quarters

were found in the Natural History Society, then on Little St.

James Street. In 1844 the Montreal Library was purchased by the

Mercantile Library Association which had been established three

years earlier by a number of merchants, the number of books of

the amalgamated library at this date being about 4,000. For many

years the Mercantile Association, at its headquarters at the

corner of Bonaventure and St. Joseph streets, was the meeting

place of the élite of the city. With new associations and clubs

coming into existence the popularity of the Mercantile waned

until the library was handed over to the Fraser Institute,

incorporated in 1870 by the Hon. J.J.C. Abbott, F.W. Torrance,

T. Workman, A. Molson and P. Redpath, which is the only public

library, besides the small Civic Library, in Montreal, with its

valuable Gagnon collection of Canadiana. Both libraries are very

popular and considering their limitations are doing useful work.

In addition might be mentioned the other valuable libraries

frequented by scholars and students, such as the Redpath

Library, built and given by Mr. Peter Redpath in 1893 to McGill

University, the library belonging to Laval University, the Ecole

Normale, the Bibliotheque St. Sulpice, under the auspices of

the Sulpicians, and the semi-public collections attached to the

many churches, colleges, schools and institutions, literary and

social, scattered throughout the city and suburban municipalities

such as the model one at Westmount.

There are some public libraries in the adjoining municipalities,

that at Westmount being a model one.

Thus Montreal is not so badly off in regard to the number of its

books, even in comparison to its large population. But what is

certainly wanted in some centralizing system by which they can

be utilized through the cataloguing, interchange and circulation

of the volumes. The city council is contemplating building a

large central building to house many of the smaller libraries,

which will again popularize the reading of good literature by

the masses, which for some time has fallen into disuse. But the

first step to be taken should be the harmonizing, if possible, of

the existing library systems in the city through an intellectual

central library organization bureau being formed. Such is more

immediately needed then a central library building to house books.

The early history of the Fraser Library is one of litigation.

Mr. Hugh Fraser, an unmarried man, but with several brothers and

sisters, about six months before his death, in 1870, conceived

the idea of an institute in the interests of literature, science

and art,--“of a free public library, museum and gallery to be

open to all honest and respectable persons whomsoever, of every

rank in life without distinction and without fee or reward of any

kind.”

His will, dated April 23, 1870, after making bequests to the

amount of $20,000 to his relatives and settling an annuity

of £5,000 on a brother for the life of himself and his wife,

bequeathed the bulk of his property to establish in Montreal the

“Fraser Institute.” He named as his trustees the Hon. J.J.C.

Abbott and Judge Torrance and authorized these to procure an act

of incorporation to carry out his ideas. On May 15, 1870, he

died. The executors immediately took possession of the estate and

commenced the administration.

But on June 15th the heirs commenced an action to set aside the

bequest as contrary to the laws of mortmain--which finally was

carried to the privy council in England, who rendered their

decision on the validity of the bequest on November 26, 1874.

Arrangements were then made to carry out the intentions of the

donor, but in 1875 an attempt was made by a bill in the Quebec

Legislature to be allowed to bring the action up again, on the

ground that the privy council had erred in the interpretation of

the law. This failing, a second attempt was made on January 5,

1876, on the ground that the testator of the will was _non compos

mentis_ at the time of execution. This also failed. Until 1883

further litigations embarrassing to the governors were carried

on, when at last they were able to take some steps.

Meanwhile, in 1882, the property lately used as the high school

was offered for sale by the school commissioners. This was a

desirable opportunity for establishing the Fraser Institute

by way of a free library and the Hon. J.J.C. Abbott bought

the property for $30,000. Arrangements for taking over and

shelving two libraries of about 15,000 volumes, the Mercantile

Library Association and the Institut Canadien, were made through

Messrs. Frederick Mathews, Theodore Lyman and Joseph Doutre

and there were added valuable engravings from France, the gift

of Prince Jerome Bonaparte. It was hoped to include as part

of the institute the museum of the Natural History Society.

The Free Library, then a novelty in Canada, was opened to the

public on October 5, 1885, when the Honorable Mr. Abbott, as

trustee, explained the long delay, owing to the above mentioned

litigations. Among the other speakers hailing the new movement

were: the Honorable Mr. Justice Torrance, Mr. Thomas Workman,

Sir William Dawson, Mr. Justice Jetté, Mr. Justice Mathieu, Mr.

Hugh McLennan, Mr. Justice Mackay, Principal McVicar, Reverend

Mr. Larose, a former director of the Institut Canadien, Professor

Coussirat, Mr. Henry Lyman and Lieutenant-Colonel Lyman, as a

member of the Mercantile Library. The mayor, M. Henri Beaugrand,

himself a littérateur, fitly declared the library open to the

public.

As a library the Fraser Institute has fulfilled a popular

service. It has a very valuable collection of French books, in

addition to the original nucleus of the French library, and

has rare volumes of English, French, Latin, etc. It has also

a very valuable collection of “Canadiana.” The library made

great progress during the presidency of Mr. McLennan, which has

continued during that of Mr. Joseph Rielle. Up to 1901 it had

increased from 40,000 to 70,000 volumes. The first librarian was

Mr. Boodle, and since 1901 Mr. P.B. de Crèvecoeur has served in

that capacity.

The Fraser Free Library during its long and useful career has not

yet realized the desire of the founder and the first governors

to become also a “museum and gallery, to be open to all honest

and respectable persons.” Certainly such is needed in the city

now. The future of the institute if it follows out its original

intention, is still before it, with the help of a generous public.

II. LITERARY AND LEARNED SOCIETIES

One of the earliest learned societies is the Natural History

Society which was founded in 1827 and the difficulty of its

founders in bringing it about is best shown in the following

extract taken from the first annual report, 1828:

“It is now only twelve months since a few gentlemen, who

casually, met together, proposed the establishment of this

society. They were not unaware of the difficulties they would

have to encounter. In all communities such as this where wealth

is comparatively little, where no opulent endowments take off

the necessity of attention to securing a livelihood, and where

as a consequence, the attention is directed into other channels,

very different from those of scientific research, not many can

be expected to join in assisting this society by their personal

exertions, however pleased they might be to see it arise.

“Anticipating therefore, but a small list of members, and where

also that at different times associations have been founded

for literary purposes, which have gradually been dissolved,

the founders of this society saw the necessity of a bond of

union, independent of this personal characteristic of the

first members. As a visible sign of the existence and utility

of the institution, and around which the members might at all

times rally, with a view there to afford this bond, to prevent

this tendency to devolution, the proposers of this Natural

History Society resolved to found a museum, an institution

which experience has proved to have great power in calling

the attention to scientific pursuits and the wants of which

was firstly felt by several members, who looked back upon the

various causes which in their younger days retarded their own

improvement. But the new collections of the productions of nature

would leave the design of the society imperfect without the

possession of books, that treat of such subjects. One without the

other would leave the work half done, but both connected give the

greatest facilities for instruction which can be afforded. In

addition therefore to the possession of a museum, it was one of

the first objects of the society to secure a library of books on

science in general. On these principles and with these views the

Natural History Society was founded.”

This body holds a bequest, though slight, for providing

annually a lecture course for the public. It is known as the

Somerville Foundation. This unique distinction is credited to the

association, but it is also a sad commentary on the dearth of

provision for the general education of the public.

The institution is still with us and after having fulfilled a

valuable and no mean role in the past, may rise to the larger

demands and opportunities that the larger city which, at present,

still has no other museum of its kind, now offers to it to embark

on a larger venture than of old.

One of the earliest and more important factors in the

intellectual life of the city and in the creation of a real

love for the best in the existence of the working man has been

the Mechanic’s Institute which was founded in November, 1828,

by a body of earnest men, who felt that the worker should have

a chance to educate himself not only in science, but in art

and literature. The first meetings were held in the house of

the Reverend Mr. Esson, who with Judge Gugy, L.J. Papineau and

John Molson formed the executive. In its early years, not much

progress was made, but on its incorporation in 1845 new life was

put into the work. Seven years afterwards land was secured on St.

James Street for a permanent building which was opened in 1855.

In 1862 the building was enlarged by the addition of a large hall

to hold 800 people. For twenty-five years the institute was the

principal hall for meetings until the city spread more north when

it was divided into offices. Today its reading room and library

are but very little used in comparison with the past.

In 1857 the Hon. P.J.O. Chauneau, LL. D., the provincial minister

of public works, who took a keen interest in educational affairs,

founded the “Conferences des Instituteurs de L’Ecole Normale

Jacques-Cartier,” and in October of the same year a literary

society, under the patronage of the Séminaire St. Sulpice was

founded under the title of “Cercle Littéraire” by Joseph Royal.

La Société Historique de Montreal, was founded in 1857, but was

not definitely organized until 1858, under the presidency of

Commander Jacques Viger, being incorporated by an act of the

Legislature in 1859. The headquarters of this society had always

been held in the Ecole Normale Jacques Cartier. This society has

published important _memoires_ relative to the history of Canada,

and possesses valuable manuscripts which for want of funds it is

unable at present to publish. It was on its initiative that in

1894 the monolith near Place Royale, formerly Pointe a Callières

was erected to commemorate the precise spot of the landing of the

first colonists in 1642. Its presidents have been as follows:

Commander Jacques Viger, April 11, 1858; M. L’Abbe H.A. Verreau,

January 14, 1859; M. Judge George Baby, May 18, 1904; M. Judge

L.W. Sicotte, January 23, 1909; M. L’Abbe N. Dubois, May 6, 1912.

On May 3, 1858, the Institut Canadien-Francais came into

existence, having as secretary L.O. David, now Senator David,

historian and litterateur. The society which had its home on

Little St. James Street was very active and many of its members

occupied in after life responsible public positions. It began

well with bright, eager students, but finally fell on evil days

when owing to a tendency to liberalism it came under the ban of

Bishop Bourget so that many of its members left and formed the

Societé des Artisans Français-Canadiens and the Union Nationale.

About the same time two others were formed, active literary

bodies of today, the Cercle Littéraire de Ville Marie (1857)

under the auspices of the Sulpicians, and the Union Catholique

(1858) under the auspices of the Jesuits.

The Institut Canadien Library, which afterwards was held by the

Club Canadien in trust, was finally transferred by arrangement to

the Fraser Institute in 1885.

The suppression of the Institut Canadien is remembered by the

Guibord case. M. Guibord, one of the condemned members, though

not mentioned by name, after his death was refused burial in the

Catholic cemetery, although he had owned a burial plot there.

An action which finally was taken to the privy council by his

widow was settled in her favour and the body was transferred

from the Mount Royal Protestant Cemetery to that of Cote des

Neiges. Fearing an _émeute_ the police and military were present,

but owing to the discretion of the mayor, Dr. William Hingston,

nothing serious happened. A large boulder, unnamed, marks the

spot of burial. Later the ground was deconsecrated and the

wording of the law was changed so that burial in the Catholic

cemetery may not take place, even with the prior possession of

land, without the consent of the Catholic authorities.

The name of the Antiquarian and Numismatic Society is closely

associated with the old Château de Ramezay, for it was through

the initiative, beginning in 1894, of its members that the

Château became, in 1897, its museum and consequently was saved

from the hand of the vandal. The society was, however, first

formed in 1862 by the juncture of two little groups, one French

and one English, of numismatists who used to meet at the members’

homes to study the finds and histories of old coins and medals.

Recognizing that the study of numismatics was largely connected

with the broader subject of antiquities, it was decided to change

the name of the society to the “Numismatic and Antiquarian

Society of Montreal.” In 1912 a new charter under the title of

“The Antiquarian and Numismatic Society of Montreal” was granted.

Some of the earliest members were A.J. Boucher, Stanley Bagg,

James Ferrier, L.A. Huguet-Latour, James Rattray, Dr. Hector

Pelletier, Daniel Rose, J.E. Guilbault, Lavens Mathewson, J.L.

Bronsdon, and since the society has included amongst its members

a number of historical authorities of distinction, such as

William Kingsford, William McLennan, Alfred Sandham, Dr. Samuel

Dawson, Gerald Hart, Judge Baby, Sir James Lemoine, Henry Mott,

Hon. P.J.O. Chauveau, M. l’Abbé Verreau, Judge L.W. Sicotte,

Senator Edward Murphy, P.S. Murphy, I.B. Learmont, H.H. Lyman,

Henry J. Tiffin, and M. l’Abbé N. Dubois; and such numismatic

or antiquarian authorities as E.Z. Massicotte, P.O. Tremblay,

R.W. McLachlan and W.D. Lighthall. The society, through its

journal “The Canadian Antiquarian and Numismatic Journal,” which

was first published in 1872 and which, notwithstanding several

interruptions, has now reached its twenty-seventh volume, has

gathered together and conserved for future generations invaluable

records of Canadian history, while in its museum at the Château

de Ramezay it has a collection of old portraits, antiquities,

documents and books vying, according to Mr. J. Ross Robertson,

with the richest of its kind on the continent of America. Amongst

the contributors to its journal might be noted, in addition to

those mentioned, such authorities as Henry Mott, Samuel Baylis,

its present editor, Lapalice, Victor Morin, Thomas O’Leary, and

others. Two very active members of the society have been De Léry

Macdonald, whose extensive acquaintance with French-Canadian

portraits and genealogy gave him the idea of the portrait gallery

which is now part of the society’s collection, and Roswell Corse

Lyman, who did so much in the saving of the Château. The present

president, to whom is due the idea of the Château becoming the

home of the museum, is Mr. W.D. Lighthall.

About 1892 a strong school of French litterateurs, still

existing, sprang up with the Ecole Littéraire, which held its

meetings in the Château de Ramezay. This produced a number of the

best poets of the time, including Charles Gill, Jean Charbonneau,

Doucet, A. Lozeau, Albert Ferland, Demers, Gonzalve Desaulniers

and others. It published in 1900 the Soirées de Château de

Ramezay, which was much praised in Europe and received special

encomium from Ab der Halsen, a distinguished Alsatian critic.

Amongst the present English literary and debating societies, St.

James’ Literary Society stands out because of the high standard

of the papers and features given each session by the most able

men in the city and Canada.

The society, which had its inception in the autumn of 1898, began

with a gathering of twelve men, who met more or less casually

for mutual intercourse and improvement in connection with St.

James’ Church. As the society grew in numbers it was felt that a

definite constitution should be drawn up and it became henceforth

one of acknowledged force in the literary life of the city. Its

motto _Permitte lucem_ and its emblem the “Lamp of Literature”

indicate its mission. The original name has been retained, but

its membership is broadened for general acceptance. The addresses

given during the season are kept on record for reference and

perhaps for future publication.

Its presidents have been: Rev. C.G. Rollit, 1898-99-1900; J.H.

Shaw, 1900-01; John Barrett, 1901-02; W.C. Wonham, 1902-03;

F.W. Hibbard, K.C., 1903-04; J.S. Archibald, 1904-05; M. McD.

Duff, 1905-06; Rev. H. Symonds, D.D., 1906-07; Maxwell Murdock,

1907-08; W.T. Castle, 1908-09; E.G. Place, 1909-10; J. Armitage

Ewing, K. C, 1910-11; George Hale, M.D., 1911-12; H.A. Jones,

1912-13; James G. Gray, 1913-14; J.H. Shaw, 1914-15.

An interesting and flourishing literary society with a very

large active membership is the Dickens Fellowship, which was

established in 1909 as a branch of the parent English society of

the same name, its object being to study the works and the social

lessons of Charles Dickens and to apply his teachings as far as

possible.

Its presidents have been: J. Portcous Arnold, 1909-10; J.A.

Huchinson, M.D., 1911; W.H. Atherton, Ph. D., 1912-13; W. Godbee

Brown, 1914.

At intervals there have been societies for special literary

purposes, such as Shakespeare, Browning and Burns societies. Of

these one of the most prominent was the Burns Society, which was

started about 1857 and only lapsed recently.

Societies along national lines have been formed of late years.

The first established in Montreal is the Alliance Française,

being a branch of L’Alliance Française established in France

in 1883. This latter was approved by an act of the minister

of the interior on January 14, 1884, and was recognized as an

establishment of practical utility by a decree of the republic on

October 23, 1886. The end which the Alliance proposes to itself

is two-fold: (1) in the French colonies and protectorates to make

the language known and loved by the conquered people, to use it

for social and commercial purposes and to induce colonists to go

from France to a country where French is spoken; (2) elsewhere

to maintain relations, (a) with the French-speaking settlers

or groups away among strangers by encouraging them to maintain

the cult of their national tongue, and (b) with friends of the

French language and literature whatever their nationality, race

or creed, so as to draw closer the bonds of a literary and moral

sympathy which unites France to other peoples and to second in

the East, or in countries still uncivilized, French missionaries

of every denomination, and French lay teachers for the foundation

and maintenance of schools, teaching the French language. A

propaganda is carried out for this purpose with the result that

there has been formed more than four hundred and fifty committees

in France and other lands.

Among other general literary and debating societies of men

of today are the “Nomads,” and those in connection with the

universities and colleges, the Y.M. C.A. and other organizations

of a religious, fraternal or social character.

Literature is similarly carried on in women circles; the Montreal

Women’s Club, founded in 1893, being the most representative.

The club or society broadest in its conception in the topics

dealt with and in the cosmopolitan character of its speakers

at its weekly lunch is the Canadian Club, which was originally

organized in the city of Hamilton, Ontario, in 1892 with the

object “To foster patriotism by encouraging the study of the

Institutions, Arts, Literature, and Resources of Canada and by

endeavouring to unite Canadians in such work for the welfare and

progress of the Dominion.”

The Montreal branch, which was organized in 1905, has now a

membership of about two thousand, comprising representatives of

every race living in the city. Practically every person of note

who has visited Montreal since its incorporation has addressed

the club, including prominent men such as Jerome K. Jerome who

delivered the first address in 1905, Booker T. Washington, the

well known leader of the American negroes; W.T. Stead, the great

English journalist; Rudyard Kipling, the poet, who gave an

address on “Journalism and Literature”; Rt. Hon. James Bryce, the

English historian, man of letters and statesman; Lord Milner,

the great pro-consul; Lord Grey; Lord Balfour of Burleigh,

chairman of the commission on Canadian-West Indian reciprocity;

Lord Northcliffe, the principal owner of the London Times and

Daily Mail; Hon. C.J. Bonaparte, member of President Roosevelt’s

cabinet and direct descendant of the great Napoleon; Sir Andrew

Fraser, one of India’s public servants; Consul Nakamura of Japan;

Commissioner Coombs of the Salvation Army; and the Hon. W.J.

Bryan, American silver-tongued orator and secretary of state of

the United States, etc.

The Canadian speakers have included Sir Robert Borden, prime

minister; Sir George Foster; Hon. Rodolphe Lemieux; Dr. W.T.

Grenfell, the missionary of the Labrador coast; Captain Bernier,

the French-Canadian explorer; President Falconer of Toronto

University; Armand Lavergne, a strong advocate of French-Canadian

nationalism; the local speakers including Henri Bourassa, Doctor

Macphail, the writer; Sir Alexander Lacoste; Doctor Colby;

Principal Peterson of McGill University; Hon. J.I. Tarte of

La Patrie; Hon. L.O. David; Prof. Stephen Leacock; and Judge

Choquet, who spoke on the Juvenile Court in Montreal.

As the Canadian clubs were originally designed for men, the women

of Montreal, in 1907, determined to organize a “Women’s Canadian

Club.” This has proved successful, the subjects treated being

specially applicable to the women and the idea had spread to

thirteen other Canadian cities.

There is no doubt but that the idea of Canadian clubs has been

wonderfully successful, for they have given the busy business

men one day in each week to enjoy lunch at a reasonable price

and then listen for twenty or thirty minutes to the best man

who happened to be in the city at that moment or to have been

specially invited for the purpose. It has brought its members

into personal touch with the great leaders of thought and those

who control the destinies of the British Empire, and because of

its national character it has been a large factor in breaking

down class and racial prejudices that have too often been a

jarring note in the progress of Montreal.

III. ARTISTIC ASSOCIATIONS

A great influence in the intellectual and artistic life of the

City of Montreal has been gradually brought about by the church

amongst the French section, and amongst the English by little

coteries of friends meeting first at private houses and as the

circles became larger, in more public places. In this way the

Cultural Associations of Montreal arose.

In a number of the societies, such as the Antiquarian and

Numismatic Society, the two races have been brought together,

but generally speaking each race has developed mentally and

socially along its own lines, insufficiently co-mingling even on

intellectual and artistic grounds.

But while there is no amalgamation of the two races there is

great respect and harmony, mutual admiration, imitation and

assimilation, unless this state is upset by self-interested

demagogues, and it is in this tacit understanding that they

have built up side by side many French and English libraries,

and literary, artistic and musical societies, the influence of

which has considerably raised the mental standard of Canada’s

commercial metropolis. While, however, there is to be deplored

a certain weakness through the want of concentration, yet it is

somewhat productive of a healthy rivalry and a varied viewpoint.

More fusion, however, would be mutually advantageous, to gain the

fullest advantage from the juxtaposition of the heritors of two

great racial civilizations in one city.

ART

Art in Montreal can be divided into four periods, each having

its own influence, not only on the people of the time and on

the private collections, but on the work of local artists, many

of whom, until late years, were never able to study the great

collections of Europe. The first period might be termed the

church influence, for during the earliest part of the French

régime the Jesuit records indicate the fact that a number of

the earliest missionaries, men of learning and culture, did not

neglect art or music in bringing their Indian neophytes under the

spell of Christianity. Several of the Montreal Jesuits were no

mean artists or musicians. The members of the earliest religious

corporations also brought out works of art in furniture and

altar ornaments. Thus in the Catholic churches of the provinces

there are many fine pieces of decoration which were designed in

Europe of the sixteenth century. Later when the French became

more settled in New France, the officers, both military and

civil, brought out their families, who in addition to bringing

out the family paintings and decorations introduced the culture

of old France. In addition art began to be taught in the earliest

technical schools, one of which, the classes of the Fréres

Charron of Montreal followed somewhat the example of the first

technical school established by Bishop Laval outside Quebec. This

might be termed the second period. The third began soon after the

conquest, 1670, when, with the arrival of British officers and

officials, British art was introduced, not in specimens alone,

for it was found that amongst the officers of the engineers

and artillery there were a number of good artists who soon

mixed with the local art lovers. Thus they helped in forming in

1847 an art society under the name of the “Montreal Society of

Artists” which gave a modest exhibition to initiate the “Montreal

Gallery of Pictures.” The second exhibition was held in 1857 in

the Bonaventure Hall under the auspices and direction of the

Mercantile Library Association. The artists represented at this

exhibition were Cooper, David Cox, Kneller, Guido, Jan, Steen,

Reynolds, Raphael, Vinci, Rubens, Van Dyke, Titian, Lawrence and

Watteau. This being from local collections shows something of the

love of good pictures by the wealthy Montrealers of that day even

if only copies of these masters were available.

The fourth period is now with us.

The Society of Artists in 1860 believing that the time had come

for broadening its sphere of usefulness invited lovers of art

as well as artists to join them and “The Art Association of

Montreal” thus became formed. The act to incorporate this new

venture was assented to on April 23, 1860, at the request of

the Rt. Rev. Francis Fulford, Lord Bishop of Montreal, the Rev.

William T. Leach, William H.A. Davies, Thomas D. King, Esquires,

and others. Five years afterwards the association formed itself

into an Art Union, and in the same year published a catalogue

with articles on Oil Painting, Water Colours and Engraving, by

F.T. Palgrave, reduced from the art catalogue of the great London

Exhibition of 1862. The principal feature of the exhibition held

in 1867 was a number of water colours by the Montreal Sketching

Club, including two by Alfred Rimmer who afterwards made a

reputation by his beautiful book illustrations of English country

life. In the following year the Society of Canadian Artists held

its first exhibition in the Gallery of the Art Association,

then in a large room at the Mercantile Library Building. The

seventh exhibition of the association in 1872 was also held

in the same building, while in 1878 the eighth was held in the

Windsor Hotel. By the magnificent gift of Benaiah Gibb the Art

Association was enabled to have its own building on Phillip’s

Square. On the completion of the building in 1879 an exhibition

was held to celebrate the opening. Mr. Gibb’s munificence gave

a great impetus to art in Montreal both then and when he died

in the following year, bequeathing his valuable collection,

consisting of seventy-two pictures and four bronzes to the Art

Association in trust for the citizens of Montreal. In the earlier

part of the same year (1880) a loan collection of oil paintings

had been held including two sketches by H.R.H. Princess Louise,

wife of the governor general who had opened the art gallery. The

J.W. Tempest bequest in 1892 of $80,000 has also been one of

the God-sends to the association. He also left a very valuable

collection of pictures containing some very fine work.

[Illustration: ART GALLERY]

The first black and white exhibition was held in 1881, and

included the work of Durer, Bartolozzi, S.W. Reynolds, Charles

Turner and J.M. Turner. At this exhibition a paper was read by

Mr. McLennan on “Engraving” which was illustrated by woodcuts

and specimens of engraving on metal, and in the same year a

collection was held of the works of Canadian artists.

Since that time all kinds of exhibitions have been held in the

galleries of the Art Association, each one growing more popular

as the public taste in art has increased. So much so that the

association, finding the quarters on Phillip’s Square too small

to meet the increased attendances, determined to sell the

building which had been the home of art for so many years and,

with the proceeds together with the result of a special campaign

which netted over two hundred and sixty thousand dollars, to

build an art gallery worthy of the great City of Montreal. Such

is the present beautiful Art Gallery Building on Sherbrooke

Street, opened by H.R.H., the Duke of Connaught on December 9,

1912. Its architects were Edward and William S. Maxwell of this

city.

The late Mr. James Ross, besides contributing $125,000 during

his life time, bequeathed $100,000 to the association and the

late Mr. Learmont and his sister bequeathed between them their

splendid collection of paintings and china. The president of the

Art Association is Mr. H.V. Meredith, president of the Bank of

Montreal, and the membership is around two thousand; the curator

and secretary being Mr. J.B. Abbott, son of the late Sir John

Abbott, prime minister of Canada.

The permanent collection of the new art gallery consists of

626 pieces, including oil paintings, watercolours, etchings,

statuary, casts and bronzes, with the Learmont collection, the

donation of rare china and pottery consisting of 170 pieces, and

a number of pictures filling one of the rooms, among which are

works by Turner, Swan, Gainsborough and Reynolds. Among the other

artists represented in the gallery, are Bougeaureau, Constant,

Corot, Diaz of Peña, Goya, Henner, Monticelli, Millet, Pasini,

Raeburn, Soest, Tholen, Treyon, Van Goyen, Van de Velde, Van

Dyck, Whistler and Wilkie. There are also copies after Sarto,

Titian and Salvator Rosa; bronzes by Clesinger, Guillemin, Rodin

and Tout Mackenzie, and statuary by Benzoni, Bosio, Hébert and

Romanelli. The library of the association has, through the

generosity of its members, become one of the most complete

collections of reference books on art in Canada.

It has been said that Montreal has some of the finest private

collections of masters on this continent and that if all were on

exhibition under one roof, the artistic wealth of the community

would be found to be very considerable.

Among the notable collections of private citizens, the possession

of the following, among others, may be ascribed to the possession

of: The late _Lord Strathcona_: works by Turner, Henner, Jules

Bréton, etc.; _Sir William Van Horne_: Monticelli, Rousseau,

Daubigny, Corot, Delacroix, Rubens, Turner, Cuyp, Ruysdal,

Raeburn, as well as examples by the advanced modern painters of

the French post impressionist school; _Lady Drummond_: Reynolds,

Franz Hals, Rosetti, Turner, Ruysdal, Troyon, Daubigny, Duprès,

Peter de Hooge, etc.; _R. B. Angus_: Gainsborough, Romney,

Rembrandt, Dagnan-Bouveret, Swan, Reynolds, Monticelli, Ruysdal,

Hoppner, Aumier; the _late James Ross_: Rembrandt, Corot, Troyon,

Millet, Fortuny, Teniers, Turner, Cuyp, Joseph Israels, Romney,

Franz Hals; _E.B. Greenshields_: Turner, Ryder, etc., and a

number of the modern Dutch school including Joseph Israels,

Jacob, William and Maris; Mauve, Weissenbruch, etc.

All the owners mentioned above, as well as many others with

smaller collections, have been very generous subscribers to the

art gallery, both in pictures and money.

A special branch of the association is the art school under the

direction of Mr. William Brymner, president of the Royal Canadian

Academy, who has associated with him Maurice Cullen, R.C.A.,

and Miss Alberta Cleland. In addition might be added the series

of lectures that are given each season by specialists on the

different branches of art. Outside the convents, the principal

school of art attended by French pupils is the School of Arts and

Manufactures which is held in the Monument National. This school

was founded by the Abbé Chabert in 1860, who at one time had been

a successful professor of arts at the Ottawa College. He made the

school one of the best in Canada and many well known artists of

today received their first instruction in this school.

Coming to the personnel of art, Montreal has in Louis Philippe

Hébert one who takes a high place among Canadian sculptors. His

work, many examples of which are on the public squares of the

city, is equally a monument to his genius as to those whom he

portrayed in bronze and stone. When the honour of C.M.G. was

conferred upon him by King Edward in 1903 it was felt that the

representative of Canadian art was well chosen. Another fine

Canadian artist who has for many years made Montreal his home

is Mr. Robert Harris, also a C.M.G., a former president of the

R.C.A. Among other Montreal artists are Napoleon Bourassa,

decorator and architect of the Church of Notre Dame de Lourdes

and others; George William Hill, the designer and sculptor of the

Cartier memorial and many other monuments.

Among other artistic associations is the Woman’s Art Society,

which was founded in 1893 to encourage art amongst its members

and to assist kindred societies. Thus it presented a scholarship

to the Art Association for competition in the schools, and

cooperates with the Canadian Handicrafts Guild, which was

established in 1906 to encourage, retain, revive and develop

handicrafts and home art industries throughout the Dominion.

This guild with headquarters in Montreal, has as patrons T.R.H.

the Duke and Duchess of Connaught with a large general committee

and honorary council of men and women who give their time

ungrudgingly in the interests of homely crafts which are in these

days of materialism and utilitarism in danger of extinction.

The Château de Ramezay, as the home of the Antiquarian Society,

has many historical records of the art of the past, the chief

features being in the Elgin room, where are many historical

portraits and relics, including the bell of Louisburg and the

“Montreal” Room, where a valuable series of historical maps and

pictures of the city is preserved; while the council chamber, the

salon, the parloir, the vaults, the kitchen, and the bakery are

all reminiscent of the early days of the city.

There is also the valuable private collection of Mr. R. McCord at

Templegrove, known as McCord’s National Museum. It is to be hoped

that such collections will be gradually acquired for the public.

The Royal Academy of Arts, of which the director of the school

attached to the Art Association is president, has an exhibition

of paintings every four years in Montreal.

We may here mention the Royal Society of Canada, which has a

literary and scientific, as well as an artistic, scope and which

held its meetings in Montreal this year (1914), being largely

associated with the city because of its first meeting in 1882

taking place here and the first executive being principally

residents of Montreal. Its first president was the late Sir

William Dawson of McGill, and the first vice president the Hon.

Dr. P.J.O. Chauveau, LL. D., and amongst the charter members

appear the names of N. Bourassa, Louis Frechette, LL. D., John

L’Esperance, John Reade, J. Clark Murray, Sir A.B. Routhier and

other Montrealers. This year’s president is Dr. Adams of McGill.

In reviewing this chapter one would say that the City of

Montreal since it became the home of civilization has had great

opportunities to enrich itself artistically and mentally,

because of the environments of romance that surround it and the

atmosphere of cultured men and women, who in each generation

have breathed its air. The citizens are essentially lovers of

everything that will raise the standard of intellectual living,

but the temptation to the present generation to pursue more

seriously material success, has detracted somewhat from the

claims of literature and art as a valuable possession and a title

to distinction. Art, literature and culture have too few patrons

to endow struggling works which, if fostered, would be a lasting

memorial and satisfaction to their donors and benefactors. Yet

this failing is but temporary for with the passing away of the

false opulence begotten of real estate booms and financial

speculations, the people will come back to their real love, and

art and literature with the love of the true, the good, and the

beautiful in life, will take their proper place in the composite

life of Montreal.

For the sake of recording the names of those who have left a

reputation as artists at Montreal and Quebec the following notes

may be preserved:

Père André Pierron, S.J., before 1673; Frère Luc, a Récollet;

Père Pommier, about the same time; Pierre Leber; Jean Antoine

Créque, born 1749, died 1780; * De Beaucourt, born about 1735;

* Louis Dulogpré, worked in Montreal and Quebec from about

1790-1830; * William Van Moll Berczy, painted in Montreal from

about 1800-1818;---- Audy, from about 1804-1830; Joseph Legare,

born 1795, was working in 1826; * Antoine Plamandon, born about

1800, lived nearly through the century; * Cornelius Kreighoff,

born 1814, died 1872; James Duncan, born 1806, died 1881; *

William Sawyer, born 1820, died 1889; * Théophile Hamel, born

1814, died 1870; * Adolphe Vogt, born 1842, died 1870; * Allan

Edson, born 1846, died 1888; * Wyatt Eaton, born 1849, died 1896;

* O. R. Jacobi, born 1812, died 1901;---- Hawksett; * William

Raphael, died 1914; * John Pinhey, died about 1911; * Henry

Sandham, born 1842, died 1910; * Henri Julien, born 1846, died

1908.

Of artists now living and in most cases exhibiting regularly in

Montreal there are the following:

Napoleon Bourassa, born 1827; Robert Harris, born 1849; William

Brymner, born 1855; Edmond Dyonnet; Auréle Suzor Cote, born

1870; Maurice Cullen, born 1866; James W. Morrice, born 1864;

(Clarence) Gagnon; F. St. Charles; J.C. Franchere; Charles Gill;

William Hope; John Hammond; Horne Russell; Laura Muntz; G.

Delfosse. There are also many other artists in Montreal, but the

above are certainly all names which are well known to art lovers

here and have been for some time identified with the art we have

of the city.

THE DRAMA

Amateur theatricals have been in vogue in Montreal for many

years. Among the officers of the garrison under the French

régime, doubtless and certainly among the young scholars taught

by the “Congregation” and the Sulpicians, whose students of the

College de Montréal performed early in the British Rule the play

“David and Jonathan or The Triumph of Friendship.”