M /^ >J 
 
 
 
 What to do 
 
 WITH 
 
 OLD BOOKS 
 
 AND MAGAZINES. 
 
\ 
 
 °0 REPORT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ABERDEEN ASSOCIATION 
 
 i8q8. 
 
 OTTAWA ; 
 PAYNTER & ABBOTT. 
 
 1898. 
 
The Aberdeen Association. 
 
 FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF GOOD LITERATURE TO 
 SETTLERS IN CANADA. 
 
 l>atron : 
 
 His Excellency the Governor CJkneral. 
 
 preei&ent : 
 
 Her Excellency the Countess of Aberdeen. 
 Government House, Ottawa. 
 
 I>rc»i&cnt of tbe JBrancb In ©rent JBrltahi 
 anD Ireland : 
 
 The Marchioness of Dufferin and Ava. 
 Clandeboye, Ireland. 
 
 D(ce-©rc0t&ent0 : 
 , Lady Taylor, I Hon. Mrs. Montgomery Moore 
 
 Chesscls Croft, Fort Rouge, Winnipeg. | Bellevue, Halifax. 
 
 ©rt,ani3infl Secr«tarfi ixi (Breat Britain : 
 
 Mrs. Gordon of Ellon. 
 Office of the Aberdeen Association, Imperial Institute, London. 
 
 ttrcasurei : 
 
 Mr. Fred. White, 
 
 Ottawa. 
 
 ■RecocWtifl Secretary; 
 
 Mr. J. Herbert Larmonth, 
 
 Ottawa. 
 
 CorreeponWiifl Secretary : 
 Mr. C. F. Whitley, 
 
 Department of Agriculture, Ottawa. 
 
OBJECTS AND CONSTITUTION OF THE 
 ABERDEEN ASSOCIATION. 
 
 OBJECT. 
 
 The object (A the Association shall be to collect good and attractive 
 periodicals and other literature, and to distribute it in monthly parcels 
 to settlers who apply for it from outlying parts of Canada. 
 
 CONSTITUTION. 
 
 The Association shall be governed by a Central Committee com- 
 posed of the elected offi* ers and the President and one delegate from 
 each Branch duly constituted and affiliated. 
 
 The duties of the Central Committee shall be to supervise the 
 work of .ill the Branches, to keep lists of those receiving literature, so 
 that no over hi|jping shall occur, to receive literature sent from Great 
 Britain and elsewhere, to distribute it to the various Branches and to 
 provide for the extension of the work of the Association. 
 
 RULES. 
 
 1. The Association shall be known as the "Aberdeen Asso- 
 ciation," and each Branch shall add the name of the town in which 
 it is situated. 
 
 2. A supply of reading matter shall be sent to each applicant 
 monthly, except during June, July and August. In these months 
 Branches will act according to their knowledge of circumstances. 
 
 3. The Assiiciation shall be undenominational and shall rigidly 
 avoid any semblance of religious or political bias, and shall send out 
 such literatuie as shall suit the religion and as far as possible the tastes 
 of the readers. 
 
 4. There shall be an annual meeting of the Association to be held 
 during the meeting of the Women's Council to which the Central Board 
 and the Local Branches shall make their reports, and if any repre- 
 sentative of a Branch is unable to be present the Branch shall elect a 
 substitute. 
 
List of Quh:stions sknt to hach Applicant ior Literaturp: in 
 Order that ia'erv Rectpiint may Receive Suitap.le Parcels 
 
 AND SUCH RkLKHOUS PaPI KS AS Hi; MAY WISH. 
 
 What is your nalionnlily '! 
 
 To what ciuirch do you belong ? 
 
 Arc you uiarricd or single. If inarriotl, how many are there in the 
 family f 
 
 If children, state ages. 
 
 Do you receive any [xipers from other sources? 
 
 Are there any persons in your neighbourhood receiving literature 
 from the Aberdeen .Association 1 
 
 Can you i)ass on the literature to any neighbours ? 
 
 ACCOUNT OF THE FORMATION AND GROWTH OF THE 
 
 ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The idea of the Association first took shai)e at a meeting of the 
 ladies convened to meet the Countess of .Aberdeen at Winnipeg on 
 October 19th, 1890. after a trip which Lord and Lady .Abeidetn had 
 made to Southern Manitoba. The bare and cheerless aspect of many 
 of the homes on the prairie, the dearth of reading matter everywhere 
 apparent, and the consecpient hard -hip endured, especially by settlers 
 who have had a gcod education, were discussed. It was pointed out 
 that in many districts schools are often inaccessible during the winter 
 months, and the children are therefore entirely dependent on their 
 parents for means of education and recreation. Tliese are very difificult 
 to provide. The extremely isolated ])osili(Mi (jf bachelor settlers, 
 ranchers, miners and lumbermen was also brought under notice, and 
 plans were considered whereby periodicals and other literature might 
 be collected and sent out every month to such settlers as were not in a 
 position to provide it for themselves. 
 
 The result of this meeting was the formation of the parent branch 
 of the Association on November 12th, 1S90, at the Clarendon Hotel, 
 Winnipeg, when a number of ladies undertook to carry on this work 
 under the leadership of Lady Taylor, wife of the Chief Justice of 
 Manitoba. 
 
 The Association has at the present tirne fourteen branches in 
 Canada. There is a central office in Ottawa for receiving books 
 and general literature from Oreat Britain and for distributing to the several 
 Canadian branches. In Great Britain there are branches at London, 
 Glasgow and Liverpool. 
 
6 
 
 At the outset of its work the Association found the expense of 
 postage a very serious item to meet, even with the help of generous 
 subscriptions from friends. It could scarcely have reached its present 
 stage of development had it not been able to secure a kindly and favor- 
 able consideration from the Postmaster-General. The thanks of the 
 Association are due to the Post Office authorities, to the Dominion and 
 Allan lines of steamers, Canadian Pacific, Intercolonial and Canada 
 Atlantic Railways, for free transportation, and also to the English 
 railways for half rates, as well as to the authorities of the Imperial 
 Institute, London, for the aid they have rendered in providing rooms 
 for the receiving and transmitting of literature. 
 
 The growth of the Association has been very marked indeed ; new 
 branches constantly being formed and the number of recipients 
 increasing every day, there are now on the distributing list the names of 
 over thirteen hundred families. Taking on an average four persons to 
 each family this will give over five thousand readers ; even this large 
 number is somewhat underestimated as a great many of those who 
 receive parcels of literature pass them on to their neighbors after they 
 have finished reading them. New applications are constantly coming 
 in from settlers in all parts of Canada, making it almost impossible for 
 the supply of literature ever becoming too large for the requirement of 
 the Association. 
 
 With its better organization and ever-increasing sphere of activity, 
 large contributions of good periodicals and books, etc., are required, 
 and the Association needs all the assistance that it can obtain from all 
 sources. 
 
 LITER.\TURE MOST USEFUL TO THE ABERDEEN 
 
 ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Weekly and monthly religious and church papers and oeriodicals 
 of all denominations, in good condition. 
 
 Agricultural, scientific and technical journals of the current year 
 only. 
 
 Fashion papers of the current year only. 
 
 Good magazines of any date, in good condition. 
 
 Sets of magazines in consecutive numbers for the year are most 
 valuable. 
 
 Sunday School papers of all denominations for teachers and 
 scholars. 
 
 Christmas annuals and pictures. 
 
 Children's books of all kinds specially acceptable. 
 
Standard works of history, biography, travel and fiction. 
 
 All good books. 
 
 French, German, Scandinavian and GaeUc literature for appli- 
 cants speaking these languages. 
 
 Daily papers are not required on account of their transient interest 
 only, nor reports. 
 
 Such contributions can be sent eitner to the nearest branch, or to 
 the Secretary of the Central Board at Ottawa, Mr. C. F. Whitley, Office 
 of the Aberdeen Association, whence they will be distributed to 
 the branches most needing help. 
 
 Friends in Great Britain interested in the Association and willing 
 to send parcels or boxes can send them, prepaid, to the Imperial 
 Institute, London, or to Mrs. MacLehose, University Gardens, 
 Glasgow. 
 
 By sending parcels prepaid to the Glasgow Branch, all freight 
 charges will be avoided, as the Canadian steamers carry the packages 
 free. 
 
REPORT OF TFIE CEN TRAI, BOARD. 
 
 'I'lic ci^luh year of tliu lite of the Aberdeen Association will be 
 riMneinbeieiJ as the year when its organization on a permanent basis 
 tO'jk sliape. 'I'he time was ripe for such a development. 
 
 The work began in a very small way and its success and growth is 
 larguiy due to the wisdom and the earnestness with which its early 
 efforts were directed and systematised by its first promoters in Winnipeg. 
 They gave a three year course of object-lessons as to the need for the 
 work and how it could be best carried on, and so encouraged the for- 
 mation of other Hranches. 
 
 To-day we can number fourteen Branches in Canada whose order 
 of scni'>riiy ratiks as follows ;-- 
 
 WinnipL'g, Halifax, Ottawa, Calgary, Vancouver, Regina, Toronto, 
 McMiireal (I'lngMsh Branch), Montreal (French Branch), Hamilton, 
 Victoria, lirand'in, Kingston and Quebec. The last two Branches have 
 been fornud and duly affiliated since the commencement of 189S. 
 
 We leave the reports submitted by these iiranches themselves to 
 speak for the character of their work, and the specimens of fome of the 
 letters received speak eloquently not only of the gratitude 01 the 
 recipients but of the untold good that this distribution of literature is 
 accomplishing. 
 
 As far as we can judge, 1300 parcels are being sent out monthly, 
 as compared with iioo last year. 
 
 In order to supply the great amount of good literature required foi 
 this distribution, our friends in the old country were appealed to for 
 help, and in i8g6 a room was granted by the authorities of the 
 Imperial Institute where literature could be sent prior to being sorted 
 and forwarded to Canada. 
 
 The March.ioness of Dufferin and Ava consented to take the 
 Presidency of this Branch, with the Marchioness of Lansdowne, the 
 Countess of Dei'-y. Mrs. Chamberlain and other ladies as Vice- 
 Presidents. 
 
 Mrs Gordon of Ellon who took so keen an interest in the work of 
 the .Association whilst in Canada, became Organising Secretary for 
 Great Britain and has continued to hold that otifice until now. A 
 number of workers go over the literature received and despatch it, 
 receiving kind assistance in many directions from the authorities of the 
 Imperial Institute 
 
 Two other Branches have been working in Great Britain, one at 
 Liverpool under the Presidency of " Ian Maclaren " and the Secretary- 
 ship of Mrs. Henderson, and the other at Glasgow under the direction 
 of Mrs. MacLehose. The value of Branches at these two cities is very 
 great, as no freight charges are incurred for carrying the literature by 
 rail and the Steamship Companies ship it out free ot cost. 
 
9 
 
 Large supplies have thus been received from the old country for 
 which liie Association lenders its most grateful thanks, for without 
 them they wojld not be in a position to carry out their objects 
 efficiently. 
 
 Lady Dufforin is now organisinc; a B jok Guild in connection with 
 the Association, every member of wiiich must contribute two books or 
 magazines and one shilling yearly. 
 
 'I'his is adapting the idea which has proved so fruitful in Needle- 
 work (luilds, and its adoption n.ay well be commended to the various 
 Branches of the Aberdeen Associati mi in Can.ida who find it h-^rd to 
 obtain regular sup[)lies of reading matter and funds wherewith to 
 maintain running local expenses. 
 
 Tli(> mere mention however of these various Branches and the in- 
 crease o\ tlieir work indicates how necessary it was that the bonds which 
 united them should be linked more securely round some Central 
 responsible body than was formerly the case. 
 
 A long step in the right direction was taken at the last Annual 
 Meeting wlien the delegates elected a Central Board, the members of 
 which are able to meet periodically for the transaction of business in a 
 way whicli was impossihlo when neaviy all the member^; of the Board 
 were separated by hundreds and thousands of miles. 
 
 Your Board has very anxiously considered a system for the efficient 
 working of the Association and they recommend the adoption of the 
 following 
 
 BY-LAWS. 
 
 1. That the Central Board shall consist of the Presidents of each 
 Branch, together with a representative appointed by each Branch who 
 shall be able to attend meetings of the Board in Ottawa. 
 
 2. That the Central Board shall meet regularly three times a year 
 viz.- in October, February and May, and that special meetings shall be 
 convened by the President when required. 
 
 3. That the members of the Association, with the right to vote at 
 the Annual or Special Meetings of the Association, shall consist of: — 
 
 {a) Life Members who have subscribed not less than $25 at one 
 time. 
 
 (If) Subscribers to the Central Association of not less than $1 
 annually. 
 
 (c) All Members of Local Branches who have fulfilled the obliga- 
 tion of Memjbership imposed on them by their own Branch. 
 
10 
 
 4- That the Ofticers he elected annually at the Annual Meeting 
 hy the Members of the Association and that the Central Board have the 
 power to fill up v.irancies which occur during the year. 
 
 5 Thai every Htanch he retiuireu to furnish annually a full and 
 '•oiroi ]]■<[ f)f the names, addresses, religious denominations and 
 Miiinl)^T in fainilv, of recipients of literature which they supply, in order 
 to pr'.v.'ni overlapping, such list to reach the Corresponding Secretary 
 n(;t Liter tlian one month before the d ite of the Annual Meeting. 
 
 NoTK — Doubtless the Central Corresponding Secretary will en- 
 deavour lo lighten this task for the Local Secretaries by arranging a 
 plan whtMoy their (jld lists can be returned ft^r them to correi t instead 
 of ei.tiri!', ikw ones being required each year. 
 
 6. 'i'hat all riew applications received through any of the Branches 
 be forwarded direct to the (J(MTesponding Secretary to be distributed 
 by him to such lirjnches as can increase their number of recijtients. 
 
 7. 'i'hat the tiranrh Secretaries sup])ly the Central Corresponding 
 Secretary Irom time to time with information as to the special class 
 of li'.eia'iire recpiired, so th.it as hr as possible suitable matter may 
 bo -en; to each lliancu. 
 
 \'o.ii I'lO.ird has had to contend with the disadvantage of several 
 chanms of ofh'.^Ms during the year. 
 
 Tlie Rev. '1'. W, Wint'ieM who was appointed Secretary 'I'reasurer 
 at the last .\nnu.il Meeting an 1 who accomplished mucti arduous work 
 for the .Association under difliiult surroundings, with the assistance 
 of the Rev. (1. W. B.ick, was called lo the charge of \Vi.:4m(juiU Church 
 in Montreal and was obliged to resign his post last January. Vour 
 Board tendered him the heartiest thanks of the Association and con- 
 sidered themselves fortunate in being able to secure as his s'lccessor, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Hayter Reed as Secretary and 'I'reasurer respectively. 
 They entered on their work with the utmost zeal and interest but we 
 were soon deprived of their services by their also removing to 
 Montreal. 
 
 Your Board felt it a regrettable duty to have so soon to exjjress 
 their acknowledgement to tiieir new ot'ticers and to have to seek to 
 replace them. 
 
 It is with satisfaction that they are able to report that they have 
 been able to induce the followin,' gentlem.'n to take orfi:e : — 
 
 Frederick White Esq. — Treasurer. 
 
 C. I'". Whitley. Esq — Ciorresponding Secretary. 
 
 J. Herbert l.armonth Esq, —Recording Secretary. 
 
 These gentlemen have now taken up their duties and if it be your 
 pleasure to re-elect them, your Branch believe that the work of the 
 Association wi'l be very safe in their hands. 
 
11 
 
 One of the great drawbacks under which your Central Officers 
 have had to labour was the want of suitable accomodation, but in 
 the meantime this is removed by the kindness of Major Sherwood and 
 Mr. Slater, who have been good enough to lend the Association two 
 beautiful rooms in the Slater Buildings where their boxes and packages 
 can easily be taken and conveniently unpacked. 
 
 Attention must \)c drawn to the financial position of the Central 
 Association. 
 
 Through the kindness of Mr. Andrew Carnegie who sent us a gift of 
 $500 some three years ago. with one or two other gifts, our running ex- 
 pense? have been met, but we have no source of regular income wherewith 
 to meet necessary ex[)enses of carting, labour, printing, etc. let alone the 
 rent of an office (or the salary of a Secretary) wliich are contingencies 
 which may very possibly have to be met in the near future. 
 
 The matter must be seriously faced by the Members. Either the 
 Branches must make contributions in retu n for the supplies sent them, 
 or a number of independent subscribers must be obtained. 
 
 Your Hoard trusts that you will give this subject your earnest 
 consideration. 
 
 Your Board also respectfully desires to point out that the supplies o» 
 literature received from local sources by many of our Branches arj not as 
 liberal as might have b^en exfiected. Montreal indcjd now supplies it^^lf 
 as regards English literature though greatly needing further sup|)lies of 
 suitable I'Vench literature. Toronto also has received gentrou. con- 
 tributions, but your Ih'anch believes that th<.'re are many subscribers to 
 magazines and many p )ssessors of suitable books both for children and 
 for adults who do not know or who forg 't the exisienre of the Aberdeen 
 Association and therefore fail to send the help which would be so 
 valuable. 
 
 One other suggestion remains to be made. The eagerness with 
 which games and puzzles have been received, the interest with which a 
 competition for colouring picture-books was cnrried out, and the 
 pleasure expressed at the receipt oi the President's gift of little |)aint- 
 boxes to tlie biirns, suggest that the machinery of the .\berdeen 
 Association might well be used for even more helpful ends than at 
 present. Coaipetitions, suggestions for family or individual courses of 
 reading wuh lists of (piestions provided on the (Chautauqua |,lan, the 
 oflfer of rewards for prize essays on specified subjects, uiight all b > de- 
 veloped as time goes on, more especially as the jiersonal C(jrrespond t.ce 
 which is so essential a part of our system btings the workers to know 
 the circumstances and need} of their recipients more and more closely. 
 
 In conclusion, your Board has the pleasant duly of inviting the 
 members of the Association to tender their tlianks to their nnny friends 
 for all the assistance given in so many forms during the past year. 
 
 To the Postmaster (ieneral we renew our grateful thanks forenabl 
 ing our Association to i)rosecute its patriotic work of bringing happiness 
 
12 
 
 and comfort and intellectual food to the best kind of settlers — and in 
 the same spirit we approach the Dominion and Provincial Governments 
 and Munici|)al authorities for various rooms granted to us — also the 
 Railway and Steamship Companies for carrying our packages free. 
 
 To various publishers we are under deei) obligations, and especially 
 to Mr, W. T. Stead who continues his splendid contributions of 1200 
 copies of the " Review of Reviews" monthly besides n.any thousands 
 of his Penny Books. 
 
 The Djwager Countess of Aberdeen sent us a present of 250 bound 
 copies of the Lite of Loid Haddo which were most heartily appreciated 
 by the families to whom they were stnt. 
 
 The Central Board also desires to convey to the Hon. Mrs. 
 Montgomery Moore its sense of the deej) obligation under which the 
 Aberdeen Association rests with regard to the magnificent work done on 
 their behalf at Halifax where she not only organized the Bnnch, inspired 
 the workers and carried on the undertaking with ever increasing success, 
 but raised sufficient funds to leave the work in the most flourishing 
 condition. The whole Association will join with the Branch at Halilax 
 to bewail her dei)ariure and will scarcely be consoled by the knowledge 
 that she will co;itinue to work for us and to think of us from the other 
 side of the water. 
 
 We have been fortunate indeed in our workers as a whole, and one 
 of the pleasantest features ot the Aberdeen Association is the keen 
 personal interest awakened by its work in ail who are connected with it, 
 which enables them to bring happiness to many heroic souls on whom 
 press the stern realities of life, and makes outside thanks and acknow- 
 ledgments very superfluous and trivial, liut we tender them all 
 the same. 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 (Signed) 
 
 ISHBP:L ABERDEEN, FREDK. WHITE, 
 
 President. Treasurer. 
 
 C. F. WHITLEY, J. HERBERT LARMON IH, 
 
 Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary. 
 
13 
 MINUTES OF ANNUAL MEETING. 
 
 The Annual Meeting of the Aberdeen Association was held in the 
 Normal School, Ottawa, on Tuesday, 17th May, 1898. Her Excellency 
 the Countess of Aberdeen was in the chair. 'rhere were present 
 besides, a number of the delegates to the National Council of Women, 
 the Treasurer ^nd Secretaries, and the following representatives of the 
 Branches of the Association : 
 
 Winnipeg — Mrs. Parker. 
 
 Halifax — Miss Parsons. 
 
 Ottawa — Mrs. Scarth, Mr. LeSueur. 
 
 Calgary — Mrs. Hewett. 
 
 Vancouver — Mrs. Beecher. 
 
 Regina — Mrs. Lake. 
 
 Toronto — Mrs. Edgar, Lady Thompson. 
 
 Montreal (English) — Mrs Hanson, Miss Reid. 
 
 Montrer '. (French)— Mr. De Celles. 
 
 Hamilton — Miss Kingsford. 
 
 Victoria — Prof. Robertson. 
 
 Brandon — Mrs. McEwan. 
 
 Kingston — Miss Eraser. 
 
 The minutes of the last meetmg were read and approved. 'I'he 
 Corresponding Secretary read a communication from Miss Varker 
 Secretary of the 'I'oronto Branch, asking for information regarding the 
 sending of packages of literature, free, from a distance to the 
 Branches. At the recjuest of Her Excellency, Mrs. Scarth ex|)laincd, 
 that it was necessary fur any one wishing to send parcels free, to apply 
 to the railway authorities for a permit, when this was granted, the 
 Local Agent of the Railway would have the parcels forwarded if marked 
 " For the Aberdeen Association." It was thought by a number of 
 members that small parcels being continually sent in to the Railways 
 would perhaps put them to too much trouble, and that it would be 
 better not to encourage people in sending small parcels without their 
 first paying the charges on them. The corresponding Secretary was 
 instructed to write to Miss Yarker to this efiect. 
 
 The Report of the Central Board was then read ; after altering 
 some of the By-laws submitted in it for the approval of the Association, 
 it was moved by Mrs. Scarth, seconded by Mrs. McEwan, that the 
 report be adopted as amended — Carried. 
 
 The Treasurer's Report was then submitted showing an expenditure 
 of $212.18 for the past year, leaving a balance in hand of $267.82. 
 
 It was moved by Mrs. Beecher, seconded by Mrs. Hanson, that 
 the Treasurer's Report be adopted — Carried. 
 
 Mr. LeSueur thought that owing to the Central Board being put 
 to a considerable expense in sending out literature to the difTerent 
 
u 
 
 Branches, it was only right that the Branches should contribute some- 
 thing annually, say $io or $15, to the funds of the Central Hoard. A 
 number of members however considered this sum too large, as two or 
 three of the Branches have a very small membership and could not 
 well afford so large a fee, so that matter was allowed to drop with the 
 understanding that the Central Board consider some means of increasing 
 their revenue. 
 
 The following otificers were then elected : 
 
 Patron — His Excellency the Governor General. 
 
 President — Her Excellency the Countess of Aberdeen. 
 
 Vice-Prebider.ts — Lady Taylor, Hon. Mrs. Montgomery Moore. 
 
 Treasurer — Mr. Fred White. 
 
 Corresponding Secretary — Mr. C. F. Whitley. 
 
 Recording Secretary — Mr. J. Herbert Larmonth. 
 
 Her Excellency gave a short account of the work being done by 
 the Glasgow Branch, which showed an ever increasing interest being 
 taken in the work by its members and the public in general. 
 
 Mrs. Scarth read the report of the Ottawa Branch and Mrs. 
 McEwan that of the Brandon Branch. The reports of the other 
 Branches having been printed, they were adopted without being read. 
 
 The meeting then adjourned. 
 
15 
 PUBLIC MEETINd, MAY 191M, 1898. 
 
 A public meeting of the Aberdeen Association was held in the 
 Normal School, Ottawa, on Thursday eveninjj. May 19th, 1898, with 
 His Excellency the (lovernor (leneral presiding. There was a large 
 altendaiicc ut' Caijinei Miiii teis, Menibers of Parliament, delegates to 
 the National Council of Women, and influential residents of the 
 Capital. 
 
 In ojjening the meeting His Excellency the Earl of Aberdeen 
 said : — 
 
 This is not, practically speaking, one of the meetings of the 
 National Council of Women. It is the annual public meeting of the 
 Aberdeen Association, the purpose of which is to distribute literature 
 to Canadian settlers in isolated districts. I mention that fart at the 
 outset, partly because I should be sorry to hear from any part a protest 
 regarding the apparent change in the arrangements from what might be 
 exjjected, I allude to the occupancy of the chair in this respect. During 
 this week you have been accustomed to see Lady Aberdeen in the chair 
 as President of the National Council of Women and, as will be seen, 
 there is a change so far as the occupancy of the chair is concerned. 
 
 Now, the Aberdeen .Association comes before you with the 
 healthy vigour of youth and the cheerful vitality which we associate 
 with youth, combined with a bright prospect for the future. When I 
 say that, you will be inclined to ask if it has gene through a certain 
 process, which, as a rule has to be gone through by young animals of 
 the human kind. I refer to the process of teething, and I answer that 
 in the afifirmative. 
 
 Of course, I allude to the fact that every movement, every institu- 
 tion of practical utility and real usefulness has to go through something 
 analogous to the process of teething. I refer to the process of criticism, 
 prejudice or misrepresentation, that, when we come to think of it, has 
 been the experience of every useful institution, as far as I know. Some- 
 times that process comes later than expected. 
 
 An institution, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty 
 to Children seemed to be an exception to the rule — had all kinds of 
 patronage, and its magnificent work was recognized, and it looked as if 
 it was to go through without the process of criticism I refer to. Hut, 
 after a time there seemed to be gathering clouds and disturbances and 
 by-and-by the storm burst, and this society, the Society for the Prcvcn- 
 iion of Cruelly, was represented to be in a very bad way. It might be 
 said that mountains were moved in preparing the overcoming criticisms, 
 and what is the result ? A mere mouse, and the Society is going ahead 
 to-day with prosperity and with the good wishes of the people. 
 
 Sooner or later every institution that is of any good has to go 
 through this experience. Thus, the work of the Aberdeen Association, 
 even, which is of a nature, which might be expected to be exempt from 
 
16 
 
 anything of this kind, has had to go through some kind of misropre- 
 sentation. I saw a spccimon th(^ other day, but it is hardly worth 
 while to quote criticisms except by way of explanation, when the 
 general feeling of the community is entirely in favor of this movement. 
 I say this emphatically, that this work tells its own tale in this sense, 
 that, those for whose benefit it exists, have given expression in a most 
 gratifying way in regard to its usefulness. 
 
 This work is twice blessed in a special way. It sends forth helpful 
 literature, and it establishc^s sympathy. This is a large country, and w<'. 
 require large sympathies to develop it ; nothing like narrow i^nions will 
 suit Canada (Applause), and, it is to be regretted that sometimes we 
 meet peopU; who do not recogni/.e the claims of people far off as well 
 as those at hand. (Ajiplause ) Instead of e ilarging upon the work I 
 propose to read this part of th(^ annual report which was presented to 
 the annual meeting of the National Council of Women, as a branch of 
 that association. (His Ivxcellency here read part of the Report.) 
 
 Well, I am sure the report supplies wliat we want — inff-rmation 
 and encouraging information. A great many name- are mentioned and 
 some are not that might be, but we feel sure that those who compilsd 
 this report knew what they were about, and, thoiigli we might have 
 expected a reference to the President's name you will not find it, he- 
 cause, as I said, uiose who prej^ared it knew what they wete about. 
 (Laughter and applause ) I think the safest courses is to K^frain from 
 any further remarks, Some letters from people in other parts of the 
 country will be read, and I have no d lUbt will be an interesting feature 
 of this evening's meeting. (.Vpj^lause ) 
 
 Her Excellency the Countess of Aberdeen, President of the Asso- 
 ciation, then .ddressed the meeting as follows : 
 Vcfitr Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen : 
 
 It is ditftcult for those who are in the inner circle of any Associa- 
 tion, and who believe in it, to re.ilize that there is a large circle of 
 people who know absolutely nothing of its operations, and to whom its 
 very name conveys nothing. We of the Aberdeen .V'jsociation, for in- 
 stance who have read hundreds of lecteis from lonely settlers in all 
 parts of Canada, who have been touched with the intense gratitude ex- 
 pressed for this simple monthly gitt ot a few old jjapers and magazines, 
 and who by degrees are realizing the really great bfMiefits that nny accrue 
 to the country at large by an organized and systematic circulation of 
 such literature, feel so confident of the sympathy of all good citizens 
 and kindly hearts for this enterprise, that we are apt'to forget that there 
 are thousands of people in Canada who know absolutely nothing about 
 our aims. The help which we need is easily obtained, and is not costly if 
 distributed over a large number, but we do not receive it simply be- 
 cause we have not taken measures to make our wants known, nor to 
 enlist on our side the help which would assuredly be ours if claimed. 
 
 Will you allow me this evening to treat you as if you belonged to 
 the outer world who are strangers to the Aberdeen Association, and 
 
17 
 
 may I tell you why and how it was originated, and a little about how 
 It is carried on, and what is the sort of help we require lor it ? 
 
 Thoje of U3 who know the great West of this continent can easily 
 picture lo themselves the country, the scattered homesteads, the 
 primitive shacks, the miners' huts, which are inhabited by those 
 pioneers who are winning for us this vast and fertile territory at the 
 cost of endless toil and hardship. i)oul)tless there are many here who 
 have brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, neigiibours and friends, 
 out in those western regions, and they will know something about that 
 life which looks so full of freedom and attraction and of golden hope on 
 the outside, and which, whon you come to it, means not only so much 
 grim toil, privation of all comforts, l)ut often the lack of all that makes life 
 worth living tc) men and women of education and culture. Such conditions 
 are inseparable from a new country, however full of beauty and of natural 
 resources. Its develoi^ment nmst be th,* price of isolation and much 
 hard work, and they are not true friends of the counry who would con- 
 ceal this from intending emigrants. The land is full of hope, and the 
 reward is sure to come, but it has to be striven for. 
 
 '•"he traditions of the fust scitlers of this contin.Mit are maintained 
 there by a i;reat effort. Where there are families of children, we will 
 find the little school-house within a posiible distance, available for per- 
 haps half the year, and maybe there will be thj church. But there 
 you come to the end of '.he resources of civilization which a'"e at hand. 
 
 Look at the walls, bare of pictures and ornaments ; look at the 
 little s!ie!f in the corner, with its few treasures which have been read 
 and re-read, and on the table the little sheet which is published weekly 
 or bi-weekly in the t )wn soaie dozen or twenty miles off, and which is 
 the only source of information as to what is goina; on in tlie outer 
 world. Think of the men, es[v.cially the b:\chjlors. who are living out 
 their lives amidst these surroundings, who have to come back to them 
 after their hard day's work. I'liink, still more, of the women who can- 
 not even have the variety of getting away to the fields or the market, but 
 who have to face the constait inon )tony and daily drudgery of the 
 housework, year in and year out, if the children are to be cared for 
 and the home is to be kept toi^ether. Think of the children who are 
 growing up amidst this environment, where the conversation must 
 naturally turn on the all-absorbing topics of cropi and the mi.rke's, and 
 whethertheendswill meet. Isit any wonderthatunder these circumstances 
 we hear of the drift of the young people to the cities? Can we balieve 
 that that life which is lived in so narrow a groove can tend to the 
 higher life of the nation of which these people must be *he backbone? 
 
 In the old country we hear a great deal about the monotony of 
 country lite, and of what can be done to overcome it. It does not 
 appear to us that country life in the ordinary sense of the w^rd suffers 
 from monotony when there is any centre of population at all. From 
 what we have observed, there is a flow of life, of fun and sport, and 
 interchange of neighbourliness and simple gaiety, and there is such a 
 
18 
 
 definite determination to have church and school and hall and hosjMtal 
 and library in every small centre — which make country life very 
 attractive. 
 
 But it is of those who live twenty and thirty and forty miles away 
 from post-office or village, and where neighbours are few and far between 
 — it is of the miners and lumbermen and keepers of lighthouses as well 
 as of the farmers and ranchers that I am speaking. 
 
 What can be done ? That is the (juestion which some ladies at 
 Winnipeg asked one another some eight years ago. Cannot we, whose 
 lives are so amply endowed with opportunities, help our brothers and 
 sisters who are doing so much for us and our country? Out of that 
 (juestion came an answer, which has by degrees grown into an associa- 
 tion which desires to reach, as far as possible, all these settlers who 
 cannot obtain reading matter for themselves, who feel that they cannot 
 afford to obtain the literature. These ladies organized a plan by which 
 monthly parcels of literature could be sent out to such settlers. They 
 were very doubtful of the experiment, at first. 1 hey did not know 
 how they could get the names of the people who really needed it, or 
 whether it would be abused, or the right people would not get it. 
 They did not know whether they would be able to get enough literature 
 to send. But no sooner was the announcement made to missionaries 
 and to immigration agents and to merchants and others living in these 
 districts, that they would be willing to send out the parcels of old 
 magazines and books to such persons, than the ap|)lications came in 
 fast and furiously. And from that time to this the work has grown, 
 until some thirteen hundred families are supplied every montli with 
 parcels of this literature. 
 
 One of our rules is, that parcels are only to be sent to such 
 families as are heard from twice a year. There must be correspondence 
 between each family and tiie lady who is sending out literature. In the 
 first place we always send out a circular asking what sort of literature is 
 desired, wliat church the family belongs to, whether there are children, 
 whether there is any particular kind of literature desired, and the 
 answer comes back. 
 
 Sometimes strange answers are received to these queries. Take 
 the following, reported by our Winnipeg Secretary, but which it is only 
 fair to say is quite of an exceptional character : 
 
 What is youi religion ? I have no religion. 
 
 Nationality ? I am a Canadian, horn in Manitoba. 
 
 Are you married or single ? I ar.i single. 
 
 How many in family, if any 
 children stale ages ? Have six sisters and seven brothers. The oldest boy 
 
 20, rext 19, next 18, then myself aged 17, then a 
 sister 15, 14, 13, 12, li, 8, 6 and 2, which is the 
 age of the rest of my brothers and sisters. 
 
 State what papers you would 
 
 prefer to receive ? Stories of Jesse James, stories of murderH. I do not 
 
 care for religious books, as I do not give any at- 
 tention to such matters. 
 
19 
 
 Another rule is that every parcel must contain some secular littrature 
 and some religious, the latter to be of the character preferred by each 
 recipient, according to the church to which he belongs. 
 
 Then, beside the literature, we try from time to time to send them 
 pictures, games, flower seeds, etc. We are now considering whether 
 something could not be done, by initiating some definite courses of 
 reading with ([uestions, giving certificates, etc. We have tried it in a 
 very small way for the children, and found the most ready res[)onse ; 
 and often they write us and ask us for school books, and other books 
 for the education of the children who cannot get to school through 
 many of the winter months. We think that th.ere is surely scope for 
 the useful development of our Association along the lines originated by 
 the Chautauqua system, but in a more simple form. 
 
 But far more elocjuent than any siieeches that can be made on 
 behalf of our Association are the letters received by our workers from 
 the recipients, and which make each feel conviticed that her particular 
 list requires the very best of the treasures we have to gi\e. Specimens 
 of a number of these letters, tioth from French and English families will 
 be found in our reports, but perhaps you will allow me to make a few 
 quotations from some. 
 
 One man describes the arrival of his parcel as " the welcome visit 
 of a dear friend," — another as "the light of our home." 
 
 (Her Excellency then read a tiumher of interesiin}^- and touching 
 letters which will be found in another part of the report.) 
 
 These letters requiie no comment. In the words of our Winnipeg 
 Secretary, "comedies and tragedies unfold themselves continually 
 throughout the year's correspondence, and it often strikes our workers 
 as indeed pathetic that in some instances our Association seems to be 
 the friend to whom they desire first to confide their trouble. The old 
 folks that loved them are no more. The friends whom they knew have 
 passed away, or have moved to another part of the country." 
 
 And so for these solitary lives this correspondence with an un- 
 known hiend, which seems such a little thing, may yet be doing a great 
 patriotic service, besides unlocking the hearts of those who have grown 
 weary of life's struggle, and who are tempted to think that '• nobody 
 cares." 
 
 And as regards the parcels themselves, do not these letters give us 
 an idea how the magazines and papers of the Aberdeen Association 
 may shed a radiance over life, charming away the aching sense of lone- 
 liness, the feeling of desolation that so often comes to those shut out 
 from the outer world? The story of adventure and the tale of heroism, 
 the explanation of a scientific truth, the picture of the lite of some 
 leaders in thought or action, which we passed over so lightly as we cut 
 ihe pages of the magazine, have a new meaning when received in those 
 far-away places of the earth. Can we not imagine the rush for the 
 papers when the mail arrives? Can we not picture the breathless 
 
20 
 
 interest of the group gathered round the father in the evening? Can 
 we not conceive how new aims and new motives transform the whole 
 life of many a young man and maiden who ponder over an article 
 which has revealed new truths to their hearts? 
 
 This then is the woik which those who sup|)ort the Aberdeen 
 Association are doing ; they are helping many a family to fight the 
 battle of life, lightening the burden of overworked fathers and mothers, 
 educating the children in a thousand pleasant ways, and giving whole- 
 some recreation and food for thought to many u. solitary young fellow 
 far from all kith and kin, and who may be thereby strengthened against 
 temptation and directed towards noble ends. 
 
 And now how do we want you to hel|) us ? I'or I know that 
 those letters have stirred your hearts and have made you long to be 
 participators in this. Perhaps you will say that with free postage 
 granted us by the Post Office authorities, free carriage by the ocean 
 steamships and railway comjianies, free service rendered by our officers, 
 and free quarters for many of our branches, that we rctiuin: no assist- 
 ance. And still more perhaps will you think this when you hoar of an 
 English Branch working under the Marchioness of Duffcrin at the Im- 
 perial Institute, and of a Scotch Branch working at (ilasgow, both 
 sending us large contributions. But the truth remains that we do need 
 hel[), for there are numberless small expenses to be con-.tantIy met, 
 the cost of conveying parcels from the railway depots to the various 
 offices, the cost of i:)aper and twine, the postage of letters, printing ex- 
 penses, and so forth. We should have been long ago bankrupt had it 
 not been for a generous gift of $500 from Mr. Andrew Carnegie, but 
 we feel that we ought to be able to support ourselves now, and 
 that we ought also to prepare for a time when we shall ])robably 
 have to pay for the rent of a Central Office and a paid Secretary, owing 
 to our ever-increasing business. We think that a large increase in our 
 membership would best meet the circumstances, each member paying 
 an annual subscription. Most of the branches already demand a fee 
 of 50 cents from their members, but I think that the Ottawa Branch 
 has no members except the active workers, and I would like to say a 
 word on behalf of our active Ottawa Branch, under the supervision of 
 Mrs. Scarth, one of the earliest friends of the movement. 
 
 But b?sides subscriptions we want our friends to bear us always m 
 mind when they are disposing of their old magazmes, or of any other 
 literature which would be bright and attractive. The Montreal Branch 
 now entirely supports itself with literature, and I should think that 
 Ottawa ought also to do the same. Please remember that the 
 ofifice of the Ottawa Branch is in the Langevin Block. Our 
 Central Offices are now in Slater Buildings, and it is there that 
 our good Secretaries, Mr. Whitley and Mr. H. Larmonth go 
 through the real manual labour of unpacking and sorting and re-pack- 
 ing and sending out to the branches all the piles that come from 
 
21 
 
 England. I am sure they will be proud to show our ([uarters and their 
 methodical arrangements to any of our friends. 'I'liey will also be very 
 glad for any supplies of French literature, in which we are lacking. 
 And then besides papers and books, and es|iecially consecutive num- 
 bers of the same magazine for a year, we are grateful for coloured pic- 
 tures or prints in '^oud condition, and games small enough to go by 
 post for our Christmas parcels. 
 
 And when you have become subscribers, when you have sent us 
 all the nice literature and pretty things you can, pleabc do us yet an- 
 other service — please speak a good word for us whenever you can. 
 Tell others what the Aberdeen Association means, and how gratefully 
 its parcels are rtceived— tell theni that there is no charity, no desire to 
 patronize about it, but merely ihe expression of a frank brotherly in- 
 terest between those who live in cities and have abundance of literature 
 at their disposal, and those who live in lonely places and have no such 
 advantages — tell them of the influence that tl'iis circulation of good 
 literature is having in the homes of the West, and especially amongst 
 the young people. Tell them that we are not crabbing the country or 
 minimizing its resources or its bright future because we speak of the 
 necessary solitariness of the lives of the brave, bright pioneers who 
 have shown their belief in it by making their homes there, but that we 
 are on the contrary helping to bring happiness and contentment to the 
 very best class of settlers, who desire something outride material ad- 
 vantages. And tell them too that apart from the direct helpfulness 
 and brightness which our organization brings in its train, chat the in- 
 direct good of forming links between East and West, between dwellers 
 on the prairie and in the forests with those in the cities is a very real 
 source of strength to the country. 
 
 Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you for coming here to-night, and 
 for showing your interest ir. this scheme. I thank especially the 
 Ministers and the other friends who are to speak to us, who have 
 spared time to come and express their personal approval, and T leave 
 the Aberdeen Association with the utmost confidence in your hands, 
 and I know that from this evening you will all be Aberdeen Associa- 
 tion members. (Applause.) 
 
 Hon. Sydney Fisher, Minister of Agriculture, on being called upon, 
 said : — I have great pleasure in moving the following resolution : — 
 
 That this meeting heartily commends the aims and objects of the Aberdeen 
 Association for supplying good literature to settlers in isolated parts of Canada, 
 recognizing that it is distributing reading matter of a high standard to people other- 
 wise unable to obtain it. 
 
 In moving this resolution, which I trust will be seconded, I am 
 glad indeed to be able in some slight measure to forward the aims of 
 the Association. In common with others Her Excellency has referred 
 to, I must confess that until quite recently I was very little acquainted 
 
22 
 
 with the work of the Association. Unfortunately, even members of 
 Parhament are not by any means omniscient and there are many good 
 things in Canada as elsewhere which have not come under our obser- 
 vation. It is perhaps the modesty of this Association that this fact is 
 due to. 
 
 The Aberdeen Association does not seem to me to have brought 
 itself sufificiently before the people of Canada, when we think of the great 
 good the Association has performed for the people of this country. 
 Those who dwell in the cities like most of this audience, can hardly 
 appreciate the isolation, the loneliness, the lack of information and 
 pleasure the ])eople in the country labour under. Coming as I do from 
 the country parts of Eastern Cat.ada I know perhaps better than you 
 do of this, and still more perhaps it is the case of the settlers who dwell 
 out in the Western plains, isolated miles and miles from the nearest 
 neighbor and away from all the advantages of older civilization. 
 
 We know that in the thickly settled parts of this young country all 
 sorts of facilities are given to supply literature to the people, to say 
 nothing of the immense importance of the daily papers. We have our 
 Public Library, Sunday School library, Y.MC'V.'s and varior.s other 
 associations whicli give the people in various localities abundance of 
 reading matter, but these people who live far off in the country have 
 not these advantages, and as I know well, even in the older parts of the 
 country they are very much in need of such advantages. 
 
 The Association seems to have been carrying on this work to a 
 very great e.xtent : I am surprised to find that they have some six 
 thousand odd readers whom they reach, and thirteen hundred parcels 
 of this literature have been sent out regularly every month, and all this 
 seems to have been done with hardly any expenditure and with a com- 
 paratively small membership. Her Excellency indicated that one con- 
 tribution coming from one of our neighbours to the South seems to be 
 practically all the money received by the Aberdeen Association. It is a 
 reproach to the people of Canada that such a statement could be made. 
 But when when we think that there are only a few score members in 
 Canada, we cannot but be impressed with the great work they are doing 
 for the people in the country who need this help, and then think for a 
 moment what a large number of Canadians who ought to belong to this 
 Association could do for the people needing such assistance. 
 
 It is fit and proper that this meeting should take place at the time 
 of the meetings of the National Council of Women, because it is a 
 women's association. We look to the tender heart of the women, we 
 look to women to do good, and here the means is supplied by the 
 woman whose name the Association bears, and I trust a large number 
 of members will be obtained. A hundred and fifty members is a mere 
 nothing ; it is no result as regards membership during the seven or 
 eight years the work has been going on, but I am satisfied that it is 
 because a knowledge of its work has not been spread among the people 
 
23 
 
 that this state of affairs exists. I believe that the .neans taken now to 
 make it kncnvn will lead to greater results, and I am satisfied I have 
 only to read this resolution to have it endorsed by you. 
 
 I have only to say that the fact that this Association bears the 
 name of the Countess oJ Aberdeen ought to be a reason of its increase 
 and growth among our i)eople. I cannot help thinking of a line or two 
 from the pen of a great divine : 
 
 " Do nol)Ie deeds, not dream them, all day long, 
 And .so make Life, Death, and that vast I'or Ever 
 One grand, sweet song.'' 
 
 It is a noble sentiment, a sentiment in which in the Countess of 
 Aberdeen wo have had for the last four and a-half years a living 
 example which should go forth among the i)eo]-)le of ('anadi and be an 
 impulse to them in carrying out the good work which she has so well 
 inaugurated in our country. (Ai'iplause.) 
 
 Sir Snndford Fleming fieing next called upon, said : — 
 
 l^. affords me very great pleasure to second this resolution for two 
 or three reasons. The object of the Ass (ciation is a most (kserving one 
 and has already been productive of great goo;). I need not go over 
 what has been so well said by Her Kxccllcncy and Mr. {'islur about 
 tho-ie people who in the long winter months have nothing except what 
 ■comes to iheni from a distance and which this .-X-^sociation largely sup- 
 plies. I am told that there are at least thirty thousand people in the 
 North-west ;ilone in settlements, and so far removed from the centres of 
 civilization that they are dependent solely upon su( h an .\s-ociati )n as 
 this, and I knf>w of no (Jlh-r to supply ihcm with wh;t they want. 
 
 I know somethimg abiut this .Vssoci ilion. .S )me of my dear 
 friends are members and enthusiastically engaged in the work. How 
 their enthusiasm and work have been appreciated has been outlined 
 by Her I'Acellency. They have told me of the letters tluy lec.Jved. 
 Some of them are amusing, some touching, and all intensely interest- 
 ing ; and 1 wish I had some of those I Inve read to read to you to 
 night, but I need not say \\\ )re, I will only say it gives me very yrcat 
 satisfaction indeed to second this resolution. 
 
 I'he resolution was then put to the mje;ing and unanim )u>ly 
 carried. 
 
 The Hon. Sir Adolphe Caron, being called upon, said : — 
 
 Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, — Your Excellency Lady 
 Aberdeen, on behalf of the Can.idian people, let me thank you and 
 express the deep gratification that every Cmadian feels to you for 
 having organized the Association which is doing so much good in 
 Canada. (.Apphuse.) 
 
 Ladies and gentlemen, we have within the confines of this great 
 
24 
 
 Dominion, we have possibilities which are inexliaiistible, and it was the 
 design of Providence, I believe, that the gifts given to Canada should 
 be developed by the introduction into our country of men and women 
 coming from other countries and wisliing to find under the same consti- 
 tution which gives liberty and freedom to everybody, to find in Canada 
 a happy home for themselves. (Applause.) 
 
 But, ladies and gentlemen, it was felt, and we know the pang of 
 thosu leaving their homes and coming into a new country with the 
 brighest i)rospects -we know how difficult it is for those who are leav- 
 ing their families and who are coming into a new country to forget the 
 old associations of the old home they left behind. Your Excellency, 
 you fell when coming trom the old country and coming to Canada, 
 you felt that it was necessary that there should be a connecting link 
 between the old country and the new settlement that was bringing into 
 Canada the people who were extending the great prospects of the 
 British l^mpire. Vou kiie--, that you could by giving to those who 
 came from the old country and settled in new homes, whether in the 
 great prairie lands of Canada, whether in the mining camp, whether in 
 the mining shacks all over this country, you felt that if you could keep 
 the men and women who were coining into the country in intimate 
 communication with their associations, you were contributing your 
 mite towards getting them to forget that they were separated from the 
 old associations. It is almost impossible to comijrehend how men go 
 forth spreading liberty, spreading the constitutional views of the P>rilish 
 Empire all over the world, without some Association like this. 
 
 But your Excellency, you gave to us Canadians the secret of how 
 these men could go forth and carry out all over the world the civiliza- 
 tion and the constitutional privileges which obtain in England. 
 You said, if you can keep the men who leave their old home in touch 
 with the hterature, with the news of their old home, you make them be- 
 come attached to their new home. Let me tell you, we Canadians 
 appreciate the work you have done among us. 
 
 You were kind enough to refer to me as one of the former Post- 
 masters-CJeneral ; I believe, I am not quite sure, that I was the first who 
 inaugurated the system of permitting this literature to be circulated free all 
 over Canada, because I thought it was the best news that could be con- 
 veyed to those who were adding to the wealth and prosperity of 
 Canada and settling in the western sections of Canada. But I was 
 carrying out the views of Her Excellency. I was asked if it was in 
 keeping with the statutes — and I would not do anything contrary to the 
 statutes — and I am not quite sure whether I found it or whether iHer 
 Excellency did, but combining our knowledge of the statutes of Canada, 
 to give literature to the people settling in our country, we found it was 
 within the statutes. 
 
 Can you imagine people coming from the Old Country, not in the 
 
25 
 
 sense of England alone, but taking the settlers from almost every por- 
 tion of the continent of Europe, can you imagine the privilege that 
 these people appreciate of receiving books and newspapers keeping them 
 in intimate touch with their oitl country ? Why, it makes them feel 
 that Canada is a country where everybody can settle and feel that 
 within this country they can be in intimate touch with their own land. 
 
 Your Excellency, I wish to refur for one moment to a question 
 which I think is of very f^reat importance. It is to us Canadians a very 
 important feature of the devclojjment of our national life that we should 
 have more population. We have an unlimited territory and Providence 
 has given us unlimited prospects as far as prosperity is concerned. We 
 want to have within our territory the best people to come and shake 
 hands and make Canada wh it we hope to make it, one of the greatest 
 colonies of the Britisli Em|)irL'. (Applause.) We want to have within 
 our own country people who will be good, educated people, not edu- 
 cated in the sense of being classically educated, but educated 
 sufificiently to make good citizens, and it there is one thing which will 
 contribute towards that object it is the establishment of this Aberdeen 
 Association, which is an institution destined to work, as it has worked, 
 for the greatest benefit to Canada. 
 
 I am glad to see the Postmaster General is now here and I know 
 that he absolutely agrees with me that the efforts made from time to 
 time in the introduction of spreading literature have met with good 
 results and upon that subject I am perfectly certain we agree. I can 
 only say I am happy to move the resolution placed in my hands. I 
 hope there will be no opposition (for sometimes I am accustomed to 
 meet opposition m the House). It is as follows : — 
 
 That this meeting place on record its appreciation of the great kindness of the 
 Post Office Department, al-o the Allan and Dominion SS. Lines and the Canadian 
 Railways fur free tr.insportation of parcels, and tenders cordial thanks for the 
 lirivileges granted. 
 
 The Hon. Sir Henri Joly de Eotbiniere, K.C.M.G., Minister of 
 Inland Revenue, said : — 
 
 I am very glad to be called upon to second this resolution. His 
 Excellency has tendered the thanks of this meeting to all those who 
 have assisted in the work, but if I might be allowed to do so, I would 
 like to go further and refer for one moment to those who receive the 
 benefit of the work done, those who in my own knowledge live many 
 thousands of miles away. I can draw a picture to myself of the pleasure 
 and gratitude with which they receive in their lonely homes those books 
 by which they are brought into contact with the civilization they have 
 left behind. Some of them, too, have left relations whom they may 
 not see for many years. 
 
 When I think what they owe to the generous idea of Lady Aber- 
 deen, I can well understand how, after seeing those Victorian Nurses 
 
who will go and relieve them in their loneliness and s(jliiud'-,iir when in 
 tini'.-s (jf suffering troni ill-health ihcy may owe their lives to these 
 nurses, and then again when their minds are freshened and kept in con- 
 tart with eivilization hy tliose books, I can readily understand that 
 from one end of the Dominion to the other, and e>i)ecially away from 
 the centres of civilization and amon;^ the jioorer people Lady Aber- 
 deen will always be remembered gratefully. (Ai)plause.) 
 
 The resolution was thereupon adopted. 
 
 « 
 
 The Hon. William Mulock, Postmaster-General, said : 
 
 May it please your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, — I beg to 
 move the following resolution : — 
 
 Resolved, Tliat lliis meiHing commends llie work of (he Aberdeen AssociiUion 
 to the attention of the I'res.s of the Dominion, believing that tlirougli its valuable 
 assistance the wi>rk can be largely extended. 
 
 Not having had the advantage of being at the meeting at an 
 earlier stage, I am not quite familiar with the proceedings prior to my 
 arrival. Her Excellency was good enough, however, to show me a 
 rejjort to which is annexed several letters from peo[)le in the North- 
 west who have been recipients of the literature, and among them I find 
 one which contains very touching sentiments in which the writer says, 
 " many thanks for your kind favor and long may the Association be a 
 light of knowledge and may the lady whose name it bears be long 
 spared to bless humanity." Further on I find a letter from a mother 
 who has lost her four children, and which is very pathetic. Therefore I 
 think that all who take part in the work can feel that they are contribut- 
 ing to the comfort of others at a very slight expense ; perhaps no other 
 work done with so slight expense bear such good fruit. Is it not a satis- 
 faction to know to-night that there is an Association gathered for the 
 promotion of the happiness of those i)eople faraway in their lonely homes 
 who will feel more associated with the more fortunate people, and will 
 feel that while their Excellencies are about to leave Canada, their hearts 
 are in the good work they have organized ? 
 
 When I took charge of the Post Office Department I was not aware 
 of this organization. And 1 iriade my acciuaintance with it in a very funny 
 way. The literature is taken on trucks to the Post Office. One morn- 
 ing I had enough curiosity to ask the porter what he had on that truck, 
 and he said, "Lady Aberdeen, sir." (Laughter.) On further explanation 
 I found what the true significance of it was, viz., that he had a load ef 
 literature from the Aberdeen Association. 
 
 Subseiiuently I learned the part the Department was playing in 
 assisting in the free distribution of literature, through the work undertaken 
 by my predecessor, Sir Adolphe Caron, and so far as I am concerned, as 
 long as I am in charge of the Department, the permanency of the 
 service through the mails will be assured. (Applause.) 
 
27 
 
 I think as there is a 'ong i)roi;ramme I \V(jiil{l not be doing my 
 duty in doiny more than submitting this resolution and stating that I 
 shall cheLrlully do my part to assist in the work. (.\i)plau50.) 
 
 Frank Oliver, Escj., NT. P., in seconding the resolution, said : 
 
 I am very much in the same position as some of the t)thei speakers. 
 Although a Mcmf)er of I'arliament and connected with the I'tes';, I 
 have not had that knowledge of the Aberdeen .Association which might be 
 exptc:ted. Tnat 1 cLiiin is my misfortun-", n^t my fault. Ii has been 
 the misfortune of a latge number of the people of the (^Muntry, and 
 the nsolulifjn I have the honor of seconding is to remove that draw- 
 [)ack - that is, to call unf)n the Press to Ljive publicity to the character 
 of th's work and thus promote it. 
 
 For myself and tb.e slight connection I have with the I'ress I can 
 assure the Association of my help, and with my knowledge of the people 
 connected with the Press gen^ raTy. with their philanthropi*^ sympathies, 
 and the. r general desire to do g'od, I have uu douln whatever that 
 ihr(jugh'.!Ut all Canada they will bo ghid \() assist the object ot the Asso- 
 ciation when they become awave of its existence and (/f its deserving 
 charncter. 
 
 I n;ight say one word as I come from the Western part of the country 
 wiicre I underst.ind th^ work of ttie society is chielly carried on. I vvill 
 supp rt, I think, what has been said in one of ihe letters, that i' i - li ird 
 to un ler-tand just exactly the extent of the advantages fr>)m the work be- 
 ing c>",rried on by the so( iety. It is hard for those who do not understand 
 the (imditions there to undersland the value of the distrdjuiion of good 
 litera^'U'c amongst {)co;)le who ajipreciate it, in that tountry. I will not 
 descr ')c the situation there as oiiiers have already done s •, but there 
 arc s> ne ilisadvantages, and it is on account of the disadvantages that 
 the opportunity is afforded for the good work of this society. The 
 peo])! J wlu) have gone there have gone there not as exiles or strangers, 
 but went there with big hearts and with the highest intentions of 
 building tor themselves homes and laying the foiirdati 'iii of such 
 instill. tions as you have liere. 
 
 This coimtry was u'lder similar disadvantages in its early days, and 
 it was the work of those who suffred tho^e disadvantages to rear l!ie 
 su[);.r-5tructure of civili/ati.tn which you enjoy tjduy. So is it the work 
 of those in the West who are bearing those dis.idv.intages and over- 
 coming them : it is their work which will build that country and this 
 country. So let the ycnmg ladies who collect those books and parcels 
 think when they are domg that v.-or!:,that it is certainly a way in which they 
 share in the building u])or that country. I ho|ie they will feel the import- 
 ance ol the work they are doing every time they tie a string around a 
 parcel of books. 
 
28 
 
 I would not like it to be understood altogether as a matter of 
 charity in the common usage of the word. It is an ex|)resbion of sym- 
 pathy on the part of the people here towards the people theie, and as 
 such it is especially elevating and valuable. It is womanly sympathy ; 
 and when I say that, I mean it is the most precious thing there is in 
 the world to day. 
 
 Realizing the value of the work I certainly hope that it will go on. 
 The field is large and is widening, and that is what wc want. And I 
 certainly think that as a tribute to the judgnient and the graciousness 
 of the lady whose name the Association bears, it would be one 
 of her happiest remembrances when she leaves this country, that this 
 Association should go on and flourish in the east and in the west and 
 for the good of all people in Canada. (Loud applause.) 
 
 'J'he resolution was then carried. 
 
 A. McNeill, Esq., M.P., said : 
 
 At this late hour of the evening I would not think of inflicting a 
 speech upon you, but whatever my desire might be in that respect, I 
 stand here at the present moment i eling very much embarrassed. 
 (Laughter.) 
 
 His Excellency — One moment ; Her Excellency is taken at a dis- 
 advantage, because I suspect she does not know what is on that 
 paper. (Laughter.) 
 
 Mr. McNeill — I might say I am not only embarrassed by being asked 
 to move a resolution, but by the very extraordinary course pursued by 
 my friend Sir Adolphe Caron. When I was asked to come here I 
 understood that I was asked as a member of the Opposition and as we 
 understand that, it is those who are opposed to Her Majesty's Govern- 
 ment, and 1 regarded this invitation as somewhat in the nature of a 
 challenge. Naturally I felt that as I was also an Irishman and conse- 
 quently " agin the Government " from every point of view and especially 
 "agin the Executive," I felt it was still more of a challenge and I could not 
 refuse. So I came here prepared to say what I could against this 
 movement. My friend Sir Adolphe astonished me by si)eaking strongly 
 in favor of it and very much embarrassed me. Then when I com- 
 menced to cudgel my brains to find arguments against the Aberdeen 
 Association I could not find one. (Api)lause.) Therefore I appear 
 before you in the situation of one who has been beaten and thrown up 
 the sponge. 
 
 Now I find I have to move this resolution which is one of 
 thanks to Her Excellency, and here is another embarassment, because 
 I always understood that it was not quite right to praise people to their 
 
29 
 
 faces ; but I am not sure after all ihat holds good, because I am in- 
 clined to think there is an exception made in regard to the ladies. I 
 fancy we are allowed to praise the ladies even to their faces, though I 
 am not sure whether that cannot be dune more satisfactorily in pr'vate. 
 However, Her ]v\cellency ocf ujjies altogether an excei)tiijnal position 
 and while I do not wish to say anythiiiL; frivolous in her presence, I 
 venture to say in all seriousness tluit this resolution reciuires no com- 
 mendation from me dr anyone else to recommend it to the meeting. 1 
 venture to think that among the many good, kind and wise things that Her 
 Excellency has done in Canada and which have endeared her to the 
 hearts of the people of Canada, one of the best, and kindest and 
 wisest things that she has ever put her hand to, is the establishment of 
 this Work I b: g to move the following resolution : — 
 
 Kc^ohcil, Thnt tlii^ inciting rc-^aids the organization of tlie work of the 
 AUcrdccn .As^ocialiiii liy tin.' C'ountuss of Ahenlcen as aiiotlier evidence of lier deeji 
 interest in tlie welfare of the jjeopie of Canada, and cordially lhard<s llcr Kxcei- 
 lency for her thoiij^htfulness, energy ami skill in organizing and furtherin;:; the work 
 both in Knyland and Canada. 
 
 Professor Robertson, Commissioner of Agriculture, in seconding 
 the resolution, said : 
 
 I cannot helji giving expression, although brief and inadecjuate ex- 
 pression, to our appreciation of the unselfish and self-spending labours 
 of Her Excellency in Canada. The work of this Association is closely 
 connected with nation building. Some men say that the hidies in 
 public affairs are always " pottering " about little things. That is ore 
 of the sayings men whisper among themselves. Let us think it is not 
 want of courage, but consiut. ration for the feelings of others which 
 keei)s them from proclaiming it alord. Home-making, whicli is at the 
 bottom of all wise nation-building, is not a trivial affair. A nation can 
 be no stronger than are its people in tbein^;elves and in their homes. 
 Just as far as this Association helps to make boys and girls ami women 
 and men stronger and better, just stj far is it a benefit to the nation. 
 
 A Scotch boy was sui)ping his porridge one evening with the 
 beams of the sun glinting across the kitchen and gilding his horn 
 spoon. Suddenly he put the spoon on the dish and holding his hands 
 over his breast said, — "My! I've swallowed a whole spoonful of sun- 
 shine." Later on hv said brighter things and did better things. He 
 fed other people on his sunny sayings and unselfish doings. The 
 supplying of good books is the shedding of the kindl> light of soul- 
 sunshine into homes. Two things make a boy strong, gentle and just 
 — his food and his sentiment. These are what hold a nation together. 
 Sometimes there is a weakness of sentiment or a want of robust and 
 loft sentiment. The remedy is to distribute more good books — or im- 
 migrate more Scotch people. (Laughter.) 
 
30 
 
 Pl'(>[)1u siKjn dclcrioiiatt; wlien there is a lack of fiin in their lives 
 and homes. As they are without that, just so far do liicy lack in the 
 sense of fairness. Vou will notice that people who do not appreciate 
 hinnf^r.ire edj;in^ towaids selfishness. 'I'he saving grace of humor, and 
 the gospel of it in fmc hooks, are a great power to prevent what is 
 wron.u' and to promote wh;it is ri[;ht. 
 
 The .\sso<iation df)es much good in strengthening the licarls (j1 
 men and wcjmen who gc) to scide and work in lonely [)laces. When 
 men and women, (;ld and young, are <;hecri'd in their lieart^ they tIo 
 better wcjrk, and they a'e able to be.u" wliat of |>rivation comes to them 
 with less crushing grief. While the bodies of tliose dear little ones 
 (referred to by Iler I'Acellency and Mr. Mulock) those sweet rh'ldrcn 
 who were drowned in the lake, are blanketed by Ood's green grass, 
 their souls gf) marching on. When the 'H).i1 is made good and glad, the 
 good is everlasting ; and that is the kind of work the AbiMdccn 
 Association is doing. 
 
 'I'he .Association is carrying on :i good work in creating new ties 
 of symjiathy and attachment b-. tween those who live wuleiy apart. 
 That d(jes good to all oncerned, It prevents that sort of separation 
 which is dangerous to the unity of the State, and whicli is sometimes 
 (■■..used by distance and difference of oc( upations and interests. It 
 helps to bind us all togeth; r. 
 
 The Aberdeen .\ssoci.ition is doing a noble work in helping to 
 make the [)eople gentle ns well as strong, in laying the foundation of 
 home life and national life. When men suppose that gentleness is a 
 little thing, thev should remeiiibjr th.it could the throre of IWilain 
 itself, in all the splendour (jf its might an J majesty with a firm foot on 
 every continent, uphe' 1 by the grateful love of free peoples, could even 
 t!ie throne and all that it stands for in greatness and goodness, find a 
 voice, it might we!! s:iy to our (jut-en, "Thy gentleness lias made me 
 great." .And when we look bin k on the many L;o)d works of Mer 
 I'Acelrjncy, her tiioughtl'ulness and arden! devotion to the welfare of 
 the people of Canada, wo nriy think of her and ^ay cf her, as also of 
 His I'Acellency who rLj)resents the (jueen in our country, "Thy gen- 
 tleness hath helped to m:ike us gieat." (.Applause ) 
 
 Hon. Win. Taterson, .Minister of (Customs, said: 
 
 I did say that I would prefer to conie as a listener, but if that is 
 not to be implied as a contract, I would like to say a word or two. I 
 did want to hear a little more about the work of the .\ssociation. I was 
 pleased to hear the way the aims of the .\ssociation h.avj bten endorsed 
 by the meeting, and although Her lv\cellency perhai)s thinks this reso 
 hit ion should not have been pr(j])osed to the meeting, I have evidence 
 of the interest that Her I'Acellency has taken in this work. In my 
 official capacity I had occasion to consider whether the usual formality 
 would not have to be observed as to the contributions of books from 
 
31 
 
 l''tii;land, hut when fh\n^cs iii Uic l.iriff did lake place il l!ai)i)efic(l ihat 
 these };itts loiintl a place on the tree hsl ot the ( "ustums. (Applaa^e.) 
 
 I am glad to endorse tiiis rescjliition. I am pleaM-l to nutiie the 
 way il is wuided ; as one evidence of tiie ir.itrcsi Her lv\i ellency has 
 in the welfare of Canadians Onr word is adtkd without \vhi( h it 
 would not he complete, and that is *.he (Av/' intu'c-a that Lady A!)cr- 
 deen has Lver i vinced. (Applause.) And that need not he mentioned 
 in Ottawa, alter this hearty response, f.-r 1 l.now that its inhahitaiUs 
 know that in Her ICxcellency Canada has (;ne <jt the truest . triends 
 pcihajis she lias ever possessed. The resolution couimends iier 
 ihou^htfulncss and there is that in the splendor of its j^ood work. Skill 
 is recjuired in the work of such an otgam'zation, and energy is re'iuired 
 too, even in those j^ood woiks which comrnend lhemr,elves to the 
 community as a whole. I trust that the men and wumen ui the counlry 
 will reco^ni/e that they are called upon, mu only to nive their sympathy 
 hut to L;ive material assistance towartls tlii^ i;ood wmk 
 
 I helie\e, with the expressi(;n I have heard to-ni,L;ht, that 
 in this work there is a hond of unicMi tliat is bringing the people 
 i.f < \mada closer together, and no one will dniht that it must 
 Ik, \e been due to J-ady .Aberdeen and her influence that this feehng 
 has been kindled. Canada is deeply indebted to Lady .Aberdeen not 
 only for this good work but for the eviden -e she has given time and 
 again of her interest in the country's good, while it has t)een our good 
 fortune to have her in our n.idst. (.\i)plause.) 
 
 The resolution was put to the meeting and carried with hearty 
 applause. 
 
 Lady Aberdeen, in reply, said : 
 
 I need not say that 1 am dee[)ly touched by the many kind things 
 1 have heard said to-night, but I cannot allow thi:> meeting to ])art 
 under a misconception. It has been said that I organized this .Asso- 
 ciation, and this is really not the truth. Let me tell ycni exactly what 
 hapi^ened. In 1S90 we had a meeting f)f ladies in Manitoba, and when 
 talking about the isolated condition of the settlers, I ventured to throw 
 out the suggestion. Lady Taylor, Mrs. Scarth, Mrs. Kirby and others 
 took up the matter heartily and showed how it could be carried out, and 
 it is due to them that this Association has been carried on. I really cannot 
 allow things to be said that are not true. (Laughter and applause.) 
 
 The meeting then adjourned with the singing of the National 
 A.nthem. 
 
■■{•-' . 
 
 WINNIPEC; BRANCH. 
 
 'I'hf Winnipeg liranch of the Aberdeen Association hc^ to report 
 the year terininating May, 189S ; — 
 
 The seventh annual meeting was held on Thursday afternoon 
 I''ehruary lyth in Holy 'iVinity School, when the followin;^ olticors were 
 elected : — 
 
 //o/i. President — Lady Schultz, St. Johns, Winnipeg. 
 
 President — \,:id)' 'i'aylor, Chessels C'roft, I'ort Roi^e, Winnipeg, 
 
 First Vice president — Madame (lautier, 5^ Edmon'.on St. 
 
 Second Vice-President — Mrs. Wickson, 61 Kennedy St. 
 
 Corresponding Secretary — Mrs. Kirl)y, 52 Kdmonton St. 
 
 Collectini:^ Secretary — Mrs. Dwight, Roslyn Roail, Forl-Rcju^c, Wuinipeg. 
 
 Recording Secfetary — Mi-.s Taylor, (Ihessels Croft, Kort-R) 140. 
 
 Treasurer — .Miss 'Thompson, 303 (.'(jlony Stieet. 
 
 Committee : 
 
 Mesda.Ties : 
 
 (lulver, 92 l^dmonton St., Howard, 93 Edmonton .St., 
 
 Clarke, 260 Colony St., Macdonald, Hargravo St., 
 
 Sutton, Kennedy St., Aikms, 15 Kennedy St., 
 
 Code, St. John-:, Winnipeg. 
 
 Misses : 
 
 Robinson, IJroadway, Howell, Carlton St., 
 
 Codd (Fort Osborne Barracks), Whitla, Carlton St., 
 Hart, Qu'Appelle St. King, 443 Ellice Ave. 
 
 The fee paid by the Committee and all our townspeople who are 
 interested in the work is 50 cents yearly. This fee constitutes being a 
 member of the Association^ and pays for paper, twine, labels, cartage, 
 etc., necessary for the carrying on of the work. 
 
 The meetings of the Committee are held the second Tuesday of 
 each month in the rooms kindly placed at the disposal of the Associa- 
 tion by the Local (lovernment in the Lands' 'Titles Building. 
 
 Two thousand four hundred and six parcels were distributed dur- 
 ing the last year, making an average of 301 a month ; the greatest 
 number sent out in any one month being 418, and the smallest 
 number 240. 
 
 Owing to the excellent direction of our most able President, and what 
 the experience of seven years has taught us, the working of our Branch 
 is in extremely good order. The Committee display the greatest 
 interest and intelligence in their work, and I may add each one feels 
 convinced that her particular list of twenty families is the one requiring 
 the best treasures ot the literature we have to give. 'This somewhat 
 grasping propensity has the great merit of showing that heart as vvell as 
 brain and labor, is in the work, and therefore, while protecting the 
 interests of the less clamorous it is a tendency our Presiden'^ likes to see 
 and does not discourage. 
 
33 
 
 I cannot express with siitticicnt force the appreciation of tiiose lo 
 whom we distribute the reading; matter. Letter after letter comes full 
 of gratitude, and telling of the pleasure and i)r(jfu derived. It has been 
 said that many of these people could afford to subscribe for magazines 
 and [)apers, did thiy wish to do so ; but I am convinced such is not tiie 
 case. 'I'here are very few, «. vcn at the end of this enlightened century 
 who would in any way starve the body to feed the mind, and besides 
 this, reading matter is still looked upon as a lu.xury, to be indulged 
 only where there is money and leisure U) spare, not a duty owed to 
 oneself. 
 
 With the advent of a regular monthly [)arccl of pure, elevating, 
 educating reading sent fiee of expense, goes incalculable benefit to 
 hundreds of fimilies, a benefit that must have a salutary and far 
 reaching effect in the future good of this country. 
 
 For example, let me give a copy of the following form returned to 
 me by a young girl : 
 
 What is yum relijjion ? I have no relijjion. 
 
 Nationality ? I am a Canadian, l)orn in Manitoba. 
 
 Are you married or sinqle ? I am single. 
 
 How many in family, if any 
 
 children stale ages i* Have six sisters and seven brothers. The oldest boy 
 
 20, next 19, next 18, then myself aped 17, then .i 
 sister 15, 14, 13, 12, II, 8, 6 and 2, which is the 
 aj^e of the rest of my brothers and sisters. 
 
 State what papers you would 
 
 prefer to receive ? Stories of Jesse James, stnties of murders. I do not 
 
 care for religious books, as I do not give any at- 
 tention to surli matters 
 
 Can anyone doubt the good these 13 children will gain from 
 wholesome reading being put in their hands ? 
 
 One man describes the arrival of this parcel as ** the welcome visit 
 of a dear friend." 
 
 Fathers and mothers thank us for the only means they have of 
 educating their children. In many instances distances are too great to 
 send children to school, and they also thank us for the happy recrea- 
 tion contained in each parcel. 
 
 Her Excellency's presents during the past year have called forth 
 the warmest ap])reciation and delight. 
 
 The jjicture books of well known " nursery rhymes " with box of 
 crayons and instructions to color and return same, so that Her Excel- 
 lency might send prizes, was forwarded to each family having children. 
 We cannot estimate how many little lives were thereby made glad and 
 happy. Several mothers wrote that the children loved their little books 
 too dearly to return them even for a chance of one of the coveted 
 prizes, or that after committing the rhymes to memory the little books, 
 through much fingering, were not in a condition to return. 
 
 One little girl, on hearing that she had been fortunate enough to 
 merit a prize, wrote exactly three times for it before we had time to get 
 
34 
 
 the n\wu(ls f( rwriKkd fi-diu Ilcr Isxccllcnry. Slif wrote: "It i-^ the 
 \c;) lust n:oriv I have ever h:'.il, and to think I ca'iKcl it myst If." 
 One (lai'd K ,.d l)ct\vtcn the liius that there was nothini; on earth the 
 (h;!(i 1;; d not (i)i,ti iviplatfd buying with that dollar. 
 
 'li I \ahi.d)le L;ift from Mr. Stead of liis Utiahrid-ed l''ditions by 
 ."■taiuiaid .\ii I ors and I'oris iiialiled lis to send to ivery nnmc on our 
 I oi)ks a .\ii a^ li.u( el of 14 work.-., and I have hearil he has made 
 , nolvi geneious grant of 26,000 penny novels whirls liave been dis- 
 pt.led lo Ottawa, and will in time be distributed atnonLj the different 
 braiK Iks. 
 
 W r a'si) have to thank the lMiL;lish branch of oin- .\ •, ^ociation for 
 the piint-^ of tlii' (Jiicen sent in commeinoration of 1 ler Majesty's 
 l»Mii)<)tid [iiljike. These were suitable for framiivj, and i;ave tir.ciuali- 
 fitd (Klii;Iir. 
 
 Hi:r IvscelK IK \'s uift of shrub and tkjwcr seeds also j^iveii in coni- 
 mcmoration of our be!o\ed S; vereij^n's I )i imond Jublee with direc 
 tion^ for planting ai:d caring f(;r theii» called f;)rih very many expres- 
 sion> ori;ratitiide aiul grc.a !il..-,-.-ure. I have since been infurnicd by 
 inai\- ii( t!u' tesiilt and well heitig of tl'.ese truly precious gifts to theui. 
 
 Our treasurer's st.itement lor last year >lv)ws a dellcit of .$1 . r j, the 
 e.xpcnses havii g hicn .f^>2 CS3 and the receipts $() i 76. 
 
 I ;i!ta;h the following Icfu'-; and txtraits from lel'.rts receiwd 
 dui ii)g tile 1 a.>t year. 
 
 rii'Ksrc.Ni', l''i li. 1S97. 
 
 ■' W'r rcci.'ivc tlic parccb r.f litir.iliirf regularly nnd cnjny iluni vi ry iinich aii'l 
 III iiaii}' cases (uir le.--s fdrliinnlc inijjlilinurs ]y.{\c nlso shared in the iiiiss'iif;. 
 l>|Kciar\' hr.vi' iluy hei n a L;ual Inmi in winter when we .Ui' in ;i t;real iiH'a-urr 
 .'hut in. M'liietinie.^ li r whule days •-ti'Mii'-. Our readint; in un;ter is a f;reat enjoy- 
 ir.eiit lo Uv. at iince ;, siu'ree of pIiaMUc and jirotit. W'e are well pleased with the 
 cliaiacler (if the iiteiature. " 'I'lie Review of l-Ii views '" is e\'er .1 wileonie visitor. 
 W'e like ihf " ('o.^mnpoliian " The " ,'^trand " " The Munsoy " " ,\Ien " ' ' ( )utlook," 
 '■ Interior ' " MeClure.'" 
 
 At present Diir iiouschold (•onsi>,ts of in\- lirother, myself and a Jouni,' I-lii;^lishman 
 who gives us a tune on tlie liddlc occasionally, .\fter our chores ar'j .lone we do our 
 readini;, play checkers, etc. 
 
 That wo arc still liviiv,' in sini^le hlesvjdness is ]H'rh ips 111 >re oar niisforiuiu- 
 than fault. Our sifter used to keej) liou^o for us, hut she left us for a home of her 
 own. and we have never leenal le to peisuade anyone to (ill her place. 
 
 I was li irn in I'ertii, when my father took a farm in Loj^iealmond I wasfoui- 
 leen. LoL;ieal!)iond is now known as DruintDchty. My father leased the farm of 
 I2i acres from the I'arl of Maiisliehl. The lease was for 15 years. The rent liiL;li, 
 limes were hard, at;t'cul'ural ilepression, foreign competition made it hard to make 
 ends meet. However, we worked hard and encononiicaliy lo pi'iy our way lionorahly 
 to the end of the lease. Our kuiillord would not renew our lease on terms we ci uld 
 live at, so conse(|uently we left the estate. My father, mother, two brothers and 
 n sister still live in Scotland on a farm in Forfarshire. Three of us are in Manitoba 
 (loiny; tie best we can to earn an honi'st livelihood. When we lived in Logiealmond 
 inv father wished me to learn the ndllinij business and I wont to the mill. A friend 
 lent m • " Ivanhoe " to read, no boy was ever more delii^hted and was not satislied 
 till I read all the Waverley novels, some of them three lime's. Some years later a 
 
35 
 
 trii'ini gave nic to read "Adam liodc " and fur year-, (n'or^^c KUint waN an in- 
 spiiatinn to nie. Then I j^ot hokl of Tliackeray, iJickciis, (.'liarlolto lironti-, 
 >Facaiilay's History of Krij^lanil, Kssays. 
 
 While in l-oj^ica'niond it was my t,'i)()d Inrliiiu; to enjoy ilir frienilsiiii) and ilie 
 iiiinitiation of |)i. |(]lin Watson " Ian Mcliaren," my (allur was one of liis session. 
 1 hi' rliajiter HI liie " lionny ilrii'r I'lish " " His Moiiier's Sermon " is an aulohio. 
 j^raphicai sketeii and we wlio iieard iiini (;ive out his text tiiat mornini; "This man 
 received .sinners and eateiii with liiem "' saw and heard tiial John Watson did not 
 for^^et iiis motlier's dyinj; ciiarj^e " mind and sjieaU a gude word forjesus." Ian 
 McLaren's characters are to ;i lari^er extent idealistic, but [ knew the old doilor of 
 Drunilochty and three old liii;liland elders in hi> sessiim, one an Argyleshire man, 
 til.: most intelleclual characler in his I'oniin^ation. There is no d(julit Drinnlochly 
 for beauty, and its men for tme woiiji anil sterUni.; inde|iendence, feaiiess in a-seitin^; 
 their freedom in matters civil, religious and ]>i)liiicai, have ever distinguislii'd iluni- 
 selves, 
 
 i'lease excuse ihis rather long and randiling e|iislle Maiiv 1 h.ndxs fur all the 
 trouble /ou have taken on my behalf. Wishing you all sucires. in your nobb' work 
 .uid long may the Aberdeen Associaliiui be a souri'e of light and leading, and may 
 ihe noble I.ady wh >-.- .lame it bears be long spared, honored and blissi;d in her 
 many noble efforts to laise and cheer the lot of humanity." 
 
 Ni'.Ei'AWA, March 1897. 
 
 "I nave bi.'en meaning to write for a long time, but whenever I sat down to do so 
 1 have become so overwiielemed with sorrow that I failed to do what I knew was my 
 dut). I feel sure you will fo'give me, for smce the 14th [uly I felt a different woman, 
 and can feel no interest in lile. I only write to my aged mother in I'.ni'l.uul, and 
 business letters. t)n the above d.ite my four beautiful lads ;uid wee girlie went to 
 the lake shore for a run (our homestead being about a mile from same) aiiti lu-vtv 
 'elm lied u^ain. 
 
 The second day the one aged lo was washed up. No sign of the rest was ever 
 loiuid. N'eighbiiurs helped search the Lake and shore for three weeks. Then as my 
 heauh was indiffireni and I was expecting a little one, my husband brought me here, 
 the nearest town. .\ daughter was born to us on the 4th of Sejitendier she is still 
 doing well, but I h.we never fully recovered my health. \'et I have to work hard 
 wheu often I would r.rther re"t. i.,ast week my husb.md returned to ])aupliin aiul I 
 am 1 ving with my wee girlie in a small shanty on the outskirts of this town. We 
 have suttered very much with cold this winter. .Sometimes I think it be I that they 
 vMTe t.iken, and then again I long for ihem. I feel so lonely andi|uiet, my husband 
 aKo has become a very silent man and he is old before \\v< lime, lie is not strong 
 and earns so little. I have lo-day received a letter from the district of our old home- 
 stead saying that all our line little things have been taken away ahho our neiglibors 
 all knew we intended returning after a time. Our one cow died just afier we left. 
 We could not bring our few trajis with us as we had to do the journey by road and 
 get a lift as we could. I asked my nearest neiglib r to try anil sell the chairs and 
 lalile, stove etc. I hear they have done so, but I have nt'ver had the cash although 
 I have expected it by every mail, but no, it seems hard, but may lie tli"y need it 
 nujre than us. 
 
 Don't send reading matter for little ones il breaks rny heart ; but I truly thank 
 you for making the last months of my dear ones' lives hapjiy. They were t.uly 
 delight' (1 with the books." 
 
 Alexa.ndi-.k, \vsy. i8in. 1897. 
 
 * &U.... >.....' .'.., ....... .w.... .w^/. 
 
 " I must thank you (or the charming selection of my last parcel, also the seeds, 
 and we hojje to plant them (as desired) on June 22nd. I liope they will grow. I 
 think maples are the (Uily trees to be depended up(»n out here. We are so interested 
 in the coming Diamond Jubilee. We hope from our hearts that tlu dear (,)ueen may 
 have strength to {ni through all the arduous ceremonies of the day and be spared to 
 
36 
 
 us for many years to come. I know every step o( the route she will travel. I saw 
 the procession of 1873 when the I'rince of Wales went to St. F.iuls to return thanks 
 for his recovery from fever. It was a sight indeed ; but this will be much grander. 
 We are isolated from most of these pleasures, but we look forward for the promised 
 picture of Her Majesty to be sent later on. 
 
 I must tell you how useful the picture papers are you send us. Our house is 
 nearly papered with them from top to bottom and we have made frames for the good 
 ones. We cover the walls with cheap factory cotton and then paste over. It is 
 more durable and warmer than any wall paper besides being pretty to look at and 
 soch a pleasure and amusement for winter evenings." 
 
 SoLSGiRTH November, 1897. 
 
 " I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the reading sent. It is such a boon 
 in the long winter evenings and I have ever been a " book worm." All you send 
 goes round quite a circle of friends. I try to carry out your wishes with regard to 
 " passing on " the literature. 
 
 In concluding, I should like to say that anything in my power that would be of 
 service to the Association in .iny w.iy I will most gladly do. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 Mrs. Kirby, 
 
 Correspotiiiinj^ Secretary^ 
 
 IVintiipe^. 
 
 HALIFAX BRANCH. 
 
 President — Mrs. Montgomery Moore, Bellevue. 
 Vice-Presidents — Mrs. Corey, 1 2 South Park Street. 
 Mrs. Henry, 26 South Park Street. 
 Treasurer — Mrs. Cameron, 162 Pleasant Street. 
 Corresponding Secretary — Mrs. Boak, Inglis Street. 
 Recording Secretary- — Mrs. Borden, Pinthurst, Northwest Arm. 
 
 Executive Covnnittee : 
 
 Mrs. Anstruther-Duncan, Mrs. Clements, 
 
 Mrs. Troop, Mrs. Let h bridge, 
 
 The Misses Dwyer, Miss Gilpin, 
 
 Miss Black, Miss King, 
 
 Miss Wood, Miss Troop, 
 
 Miss Daly. Miss Townshend, 
 
 Miss Hughes, Miss Cameron, 
 
 Miss Tremaine, Mi&s Chipman, 
 
 Miss Abbott, Miss Graham, 
 
 Miss Corey, Miss Wallace, 
 
 Miss Cady, Miss Willis, 
 
 Miss Bullock, Miss Wiswell, 
 Miss Story. 
 
37 
 
 In presentint^ the report of The Halifax Branch of the Aberdeen 
 Association, the Committee of management are glad to be able to record 
 the fact that the Association is in good working condition. 
 
 At the present time 190 packages of literature are sent to the 
 applicants every month. 
 
 In consequence of the growth of the Society, the Committee 
 have found it impossible to carry on the work in the Mollis Street Room 
 which they have occupied for the last three years. 
 
 A suitable room has been engaged in the Aberdeen Building 237 
 Barrington Street, at a rental of $75 per year. The Association lake 
 possession the ist of May. 
 
 In Feb' nary some ■' Tableaux Vivants " were given in the Academy 
 of Music in aid of the Association, and after all expenses were paid the 
 Treasurer was enabled to bank $370.56 as a fund for the /Xssociation. 
 
 The ordinary member's fee is one dollar. The office bearer's fee 
 one dollar. The extrutive committee's fee is fifty cents. 
 
 The committee feel that the good work that is being done by the 
 Association is so well known tliat it is(\uite unnecessary for them to 
 sound its praises. 
 
 A few extracts from letters received from the recipients during the 
 last few months will show those who have the welfare.of the Association 
 at heart that their efforts are appreciated. 
 
 "We arc in receipt of your kind letter .ind hasti'n to answer it at once. We 
 received llie parcel of itooks you sent and were well plea.scd with them. The little 
 magazines were a treat for the bairns. We have neither church or school although 
 we have been here tiiirteen years in May. It ii a very lonely [dace. There are a 
 few lini^lish farmers but their children are nearly all grown up and far apart. Our 
 nearest store and aaarket is thirty miles distant." 
 
 " \'our letter and form to hand. Have tilleil out form as per recjue.st. I also 
 received the parcel of literature, was very pleased with it. There are three families 
 living close by with a number of children in each family. One family cons'sts of 
 parents and six children, r.nother has live children, the other three chililren, the 
 younger ones were greatly pleased with the picture books. Poor little things, it is 
 lew pleasures they have in this far olf prairie land. It does one good t<j be able to 
 brighten up their lives. New settlers in a new country have a hard struggle in 
 making a home and pnrcuring the pleasures for their children that they would like." 
 
 " I think the association is a grand movement in putting good literature into the 
 hands of the older children who, during the long winter evenings, will devour any 
 reading matter that they can get h(;ld of and that not always the best. And I am 
 sure God will bless the .Society and indeed I think it is always blessed, for after all 
 the gieatesl [ileasure we have in living is in giving pleasure to others." 
 
 " Vour kind letter and parcel came duly to hand, and I beg to tender you our 
 warmest thanks for both. In respect to the kind of reading we should like, I think 
 you can scarcely make a mistake as to myself, as I am troubled with an omnivorous 
 appetite in reading matter, as for the "Sunday at Home " we shall bf. very much 
 pleased to hnve it. It is an old friend as we subscribed for it many years ago in Eng 
 
38 
 
 land. As to hciiii; in fi lonely district well I think we are, as we liavu very few 
 neii^hliors. We arc an old couple, 70 years old 25th March, wife 66 in Ajiril. All 
 the young birds have flown frcnn the nest. Our nearest neighbor is half a mile away, 
 the next a mile ami a half, others two, three and seven miles respectively, so yon will 
 see we are not crcnvded up much." 
 
 " Thank yuu so much for your never failing kindness. It was so kind of you to 
 send the two little books in the last jiarcel called "In the Evening" and 
 " Addresses on the Creed." 1 particularly write to thank you for ll;e Sunday read- 
 ing. It is mo>t welcome to us. We have had such a long winter it would have 
 been hard to get through, only for the nice ])arceli sent us." 
 
 " .May I ask a favor of you, dear .Madam : it is that for the next three n) nths 
 you wouM send our parcel of literature to my brother at I)avi])hin, instead of sending 
 it to us. He has gone u]) there ail alone to hun! and trap, and I am sure he must 
 be having a lonely time, as he is away from everyb uly, 45 miles northwest of 
 Dauphin, lie is about 20 years old and is very fond of reading. If you could send 
 him something that would help him onward and upward as well as entertaining I 
 would be so glad. He has neither father nor mother, and is the youngest of our 
 family." 
 
 " I receive my books with great regularity, and enjoy reading them greatly. 
 Imked I do not know how wo should got on without them, as literature is (lifficult 
 to gL't in these small towns. We have established a branch ot tlie W.C.T. U. in this 
 town and I am elected I'rcsident, so that is why I am enciuiring about temiierance 
 l.iooks. At [)resent we are busy protesting against the ho'el lifiuor licenses. 
 
 Wishing you a Happy New Year with every blessing spiritual and temporal." 
 
 All of which is respectfully submitted, 
 
 Lauk.\ Borden, 
 
 Recording Setietary. 
 
 OTTAWA 15RANCH. 
 
 President — Mrs. Scarth. 
 Secretary — Miss McLimont. 
 Recording; Secretaty — Mrs. Hewett, 
 Treasurer — Miss Kingsford. 
 
 Executive. 
 
 Mrs. Lake, 
 Miss Elsie Smith, 
 Miss Scarth, 
 Miss Caron, 
 Miss Hamilton, 
 Miss Ethel White, 
 
 Miss (Iwynne, 
 Miss Griffin, 
 Miss MacLean, 
 Miss Jessie Scarth, 
 Miss Clarke, 
 Miss Grace Ritchie, 
 
 Miss Toller. 
 
39 
 
 The Oilawa UmiicIi of the Aberdeen Association has had a very 
 Hucressful year A' a meeting of the I'.oard on May i .nh i8(}8 the 
 Secretary announced that Her lv\cellency the ('(junless (;l Aherde.n, 
 being President of the Association for the whole Djininion, de->ired I > 
 resign tiie Presidentship of the Oitawa Pranch, and asked the Officers 
 to elect a P.e^dei.t i.i her [)lace. Mis. Scarih was unanimously elected 
 President. P>y her election the Se( rela,y-,hi[.' becinie vacant .and Miss 
 Mcl>imonl was unanimously elected Secretary, 
 
 During tlie year 1896-97 the average number of parcels sent out 
 monthly was 135, and during the year 1897 98 the average number 
 has been 167 monthly, and new names are added to the list every 
 month. 
 
 The number?! of ajipreciative and grali ful letters received from the 
 readers are most touching, and help nujre than anything else to en- 
 couraj'c us in our work. One writes Irom Manitoba : — 
 
 'tr> • 
 
 " I received your kind and welc'iiiie leUer-, and three i):ireel-. of hjaiitiful 
 liler.Uure. Voii heem to miess oar ta^teN exactly. We are m ne than please! with 
 the matjaziiies and, as for the children, I -carceUnow how to open the [larcels (or the 
 excitement, and anxious eyes and iiand> also,'' 
 
 One writes from .X.'-siniboia : — 
 
 " Til. ink you very much for your kindness. The h jok> are a j^reat delight to us. 
 We like sinnelhiiii^ lo read, they are the only thinL; we have in thi^ lonely country, 
 and I have no chance of getting hooks for myself. 
 
 Another writes : — 
 
 " I am so tiiaiikful .U all times to gel the parcels of reading, and, now the 
 evenings are getting lung, I feel lonely withou". them, and in the next distribution 
 please don'i firget the old man .ind his hoys lui the lonely prairies." 
 
 A mother who is recovering from a surgical operation writes : — 
 
 " I received your kind letter hut coul 1 not answer U sooner. My arm is 
 ljan<laged to my siile. Tiie wound in my hrea^t is not healed yet, and I don't gain 
 .strength fast. The books are a great help to me to |)ass the lime. The children 
 are all well and were delighted with the \mas cards and bjoks. We live at amine 
 23 miles ffom town." 
 
 Another writes : — 
 
 " I am so pdeasecl with the reading we receive, and we never fad to bless and 
 thank the sender." 
 
 Another says : - 
 
 " Thank you for your kind letter.s. \'ou, who have all this world can give, can 
 never know how these little kimliies^es are a|i|ireciated, tm )re especially "Ut in this 
 lonely country. The books are indeed a great help to wile away the long winter 
 cvcning.s, and I hope and pray you may be long spared to send ihem." 
 
40 
 
 The two following letters i^ive interesting; parlieuhirs of uDrk 
 among the Indians : 
 
 I.Af Sin. Mission, 
 
 DiNOKWK, ()Nr., 
 
 Gel. 2cStIi, 1S97. 
 
 It is wiili ^TL-.\\ pleasure tlial I >ii ilnwn \<< acUnnwIc'l^f tlio rccL-ijit of your kind 
 note of llic 4th inst. nivl to tfll you tli.it ilic Iwd ] 1.1 reels dC liter.itiire have cunie 
 safely to hand for which please accept my hearty thanks. 
 
 I was very ;.^!ad In o,.( the tu'> luliiiti |)iclures of iht; (Jiieen. 'I'll'.' Cliief ^ot 
 one and svas so plerised wli'.ti I lipiil liini lie inis^hi h.ivcii, .As the Indian Deiiarlinent 
 sent us a coloured one last smnnier for the school I thoui^hi yi.ii would not mind my 
 ^ivint; the oilu-r to Charlie Carpenter the Indi;in Ind who liroui^ht the parcels in. 
 lie will treasure it. lie is >urh n nice Indian and I kn<"i<.v you would he deli^dited 
 to hear iiiiii ■-in^in^' " Ciod save the (Vaeen " and the " .M pie Leaf" all in Ivi^iish. 
 
 I am sorry to know that '' Wee Willie W'inkie " has come to an end. It was 
 such a bright cheery little pap.r and I am sure ilid much real ijood amoiiLj tiie younjj 
 people. .Many thanks for your kiml wishes. I am thankful to say the work has 
 prospered (kiriny the past sunimer and I liave had not a few evidences that Cod is 
 lilessini; the sowing; of the s<,'i'd. The Mission is rather descried just now, hut a 
 consideralile numlKr of the Indians will return as soon as the lakes set f;isi —the 
 latter part of next month. They are i n|.;at;ed just now in what they call the "fall 
 fishiiii;" and are cam|)ed at various |ioinls alonijthe shores ol this lake. The nearest 
 ones paddle in on Sunday morninLjs for the services —which is very encourat;in[j. 
 The Chief and family h.id a i)ndiile of aliout 10 miles last Sunday and did not at all 
 mind it. 
 
 Lac Si;ui. Mission, 
 
 DlNORWIC, Ont., 
 
 Jan. 20th, 189S. 
 
 ; thank you very much indeed for your kind letter and all the other ^ood ihinjj.s 
 that arrived with it the cards, magazines, ]>a|)ers etc etc.. I am deejily tjrateful to 
 you for your continued kimliiess and >incerely trust there may be ahundaiit hiessinirs 
 in .store for you (hiring the year upon which we have just entered. It is indeed a 
 great pleasure as well as an encouraf^ement to know that you are so interested in 
 what is lieinj^ done for the Master here, and I do wi h you could arranj^e to 
 spend a lew weeks with us here in the sumnerwheti all the Indians r re here. If 
 there' is any chance of you cominir you must let me know so that I nn. arranf^e for 
 your |ia- ,aL^e from the railway to the Misson. 
 
 I am Ljlad to have the larije Xinascard— the copy of the fresco in i-lly Cath. Kng. 
 I have seen the orit^inal so th it it has a special interest for ine 
 
 The little calendar is so neat and useful— thank you for it. 
 
 We had a very ileliijhtful lime at Christmas. We had talked of the Messed 
 season days and weeks beforehand, wc ha 1 prayed tot:;clher for " prei)ared hearts" 
 and I think we all more or less realized the cause, theie was j(iy on tliat day. The 
 communicants '.net together on I'rlilay afternoon (the liay before Xmas) for united 
 meditation and prayer prepar.Uory to approa^ hinijllie Lord's Table. It was refresh- 
 int; to listen to our Chief i)lea<iinL;, in his own lanj^uai:e, svitli ( jod for clean hearts 
 for us all and not for us only, but " for all everywhere who intended to partake of 
 the Cood .Si>iril's l-'ood on the ai |iroachint; Clreat I'rayiii}^ Day " and it was eiiually 
 toucliini; lo see twenty-four ij^norant chil ren kneelint; at the Altar rail to receive 
 the lUessed Sacrament wdiich commemorates the sacritire of the Saviour whom they 
 have learned to love. Th« offertory amounted to $8.05 — almost all the money in 
 
41 
 
 circul.ition here— and tlic Indians wInIi it Id \iv dcvoit-d tuw.uds scndini^ the i^ospel 
 t(i the hcathi'U Indians. 
 
 We ha<l another enjnyaljle service vu New \'ear's Day- attended by a inost tlic 
 wh;)le l!and and at their civvn rerpiest. 
 
 The Chief at the conchision (if the service and jll^t liet'')re we dispersed, addressed 
 his Indians and I hojie his wonis of c(iiiii-<el and idvice may lie acted iijinn by us all. 
 The time is ns fully oc.niiiied as ever —in fa<-t more so since I iiegan teachini; at Canoe 
 River — the village where the Indians ar.'. 4 miles from here On my return late in 
 the p.m. I have 7 or S children to leach here besides ^et'in<j wood, cookinj^ etc etc. 
 I took over .-.ome yarn to liic school today and 3 sets of needles- 3 of the ^irls are 
 already able to knit, tluy wire .nil so inicrested. The childien .\re makint^ i^ood 
 progrcs.s I wish you could hear them sinij;inj; their lMi;.,dish and Indian Hymns. 
 
 I have dozens of other Ic ters eqiialiy totirhinj:, hut cnnuuli has 
 been (juoted to show how imicii the rcadiiij; is applet iated by our 
 readers. We are very anxiniis to h ive ihnse who feel inteiested in tin's 
 work join tis as Hon(jrary Members at an annual stibscrition ai 50 cents, 
 todo iioworkbut to send tis such hterature as they ran spare from time 
 to time, consecutively if possible. 
 
 It would encoura,L;i' us vli\ much if the citizens would help us in 
 this way, and 1 feel sure thai the ohj.ct of the Aberdeen .\ss'iciation 
 has only to be known to en.sure sympathy and support fro n tht- peo[)le. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 [1 .ss!K ^. I'". Scar in. 
 
 //('//. Sec. A. A. 
 
 Ottawa Jbamfi. 
 
 c:.\i.(; Mn' iir.ancii. 
 
 RKroKT OK THE (".\i.(;ak\- r.K'vNCH el I H I-: .\r.i f i)I£i:n .Association 
 
 I'OR rill' \'i \k 1897-98. 
 
 Preside?tt~'\\x^. Harwis. 
 Secretaty — Miss L Moddie. 
 Miss I'inkham, Miss Moodit; ar.d Miss M. Moodie. 
 
 The Calgary Branch of the .Abcideen Association was orpatiizid 
 on November 3cth, 1804, in ronrection with a ( ircle of King's 
 Daughters. 'I'here were eight members, and the ofhcets were as 
 follows: President, Mrs. Barwis ; Treasurer, Mrs. (hein; Secretary, 
 Miss Moodie. No fee vas cli;iri:ed for joiiiing the Association. 'I'he 
 work of the King's Daughters was sr on given up, at-d the society met 
 simply for the work of the Aberdeen .Xssociatic^n. 
 
42 
 
 It was decided at our first meeting to send out larcels montlily 
 from November to May, and during summer collect wiiat literature was 
 available for winter use. Notices were printed in the Calgary papers 
 q} the formation of this l)r:uich of the Association, and offers of liter- 
 ature to those in want ot it, and with a recjue'st for literature from 
 town jjeople wiio could spare it. 
 
 Work began with eight or ten i)arcels, most of which were left at 
 shops to be called for by the ap|)licants. Some few sent stain])s for 
 postage when a[)plying The \\<nV. was carried on without funds till 
 1897, when a recjuest for such helj) as en- Ul be given was made to the 
 api)licanls, and suKu ient was received to defray i)rcsent expenses. The 
 same recpiesl was sent out this year The Association has been suj)- 
 plied with pajjcr and twine free throui^h the kindness of Mr. Taylor, 
 Manager for the Hudson's Hay Co. at Calgary, almost since the forma- 
 tion of this branch, without which it would have been impossible to 
 carry on the woik without fur.ds. When h»'e p(jstage was granted to 
 the Association in 1895 our ai)plications largely increased, and we now 
 have 70 names on our list. We shall not be able to supjjly any abce 
 this number, as we have already experienced some difficulty in securing 
 sufficient li erature in spite of the help received from Ottawa. Any 
 Scandinavian or l-Vench reading would be very acceptable in this 
 branch. Since the last report was issued our branc h ha-i had a great 
 loss in the death (jf (Hir Vice-l'.esidcnt, Mrs. Morris, whi( h occurred 
 last August. The Association is poorly represented at present, and 
 work is done under some diilifulties. Grateful letters are occasionally 
 received from aijplicanls. I close this r* 1 ort with one recently to 
 hand : 
 
 " I iiiiist tl .ank yi.ii very iniich fnr your .iiindfuliiess of our family in sciulint; us 
 such nice i)arccls. Tiic ciiiidrcn dance willi ji>y, and won't gn to sleep the nit;lit 
 your parcel come.-."' 
 
 To many of us, surrounded by books, magazines, and pajjcis of all 
 kinds, a parcel of miscellaneous reading matter, much of it a year or 
 more old, would seem little worth such gratitude ; but such a letter 
 stirs one to do all one can for this work, which, brings a bit of bright- 
 ness into the lives of our hardworking and lonely brothers and sisters 
 in their prairie homes. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 1,. C. Mt)Oi)ii;, 
 
 Strn'/dfj'. 
 May 4th, 1898. 
 
43 
 
 VANCOUVER HKANCH. 
 Report kok ihk Vi;ai< iNyy-iScjS. 
 
 /■resident — Mrs. Otiarlcs M. Hjcchcr, Hastings Mill Minisc. 
 Secrtta>y -"SUs. Walter \\. (Iraveley. 
 Tieasuret — Miss Mayo I.awson. 
 
 Members. 
 
 \Jrs. Senkler. Miss Townley, 
 
 Mrs. 'I'uvey. Miss Lilian Moore. 
 
 Mrs. Plunketl. Miss Springer. 
 
 Mrs. Carroll. Miss Canibie. 
 
 Mrs. Weld. Miss Charleson. 
 
 Mrs. Sherlock, Miss A. Robertson. 
 
 Mrs. Ceperley. Miss Skene. 
 
 Miss Richards Miss L. Skene. 
 
 Miss Susie Richards. Miss Wilson. 
 
 Contributions for the Vancouver Jkanch nia)' be sent either to the 
 care (jf the President, Mrs. l?>:echer, Hastinj^s Mill House, to Miss 
 Cambie, (ieorgiu Street, or to Mrs. Tovey, 229 Columbi.i Street, Nesv 
 We'^tminster, \\X\ 
 
 'I'he work ot our Vancouver Branch has j^one on pros!)erously the 
 past ye.ir, and we feel that we have made progress in systematizing it. 
 As ccjnsiderable labor is involved we have welcomed every idea which 
 would save our steps and tune, while parcels have increased in number. 
 We meet the second 'I'uesday morning of nine months in the year, and 
 a few of us many extra times, spending whole days often in unpacking, 
 sorting, and arranging the generous sujjplies of reading from our own 
 region and the Old Country. Like last year so much lias been given 
 that we have not had to ap[)eal once to the public. The object of our 
 Association seems to win the approval directly of all who hear of it, 
 and many steadily donate their periodicals. The central society has 
 sent several boxes of valuable literature, including Mr. Stead's gift of 
 many copies of his " Review of Reviews," and penny publications, for 
 which we and our correspondents have been most grateful. We were 
 much pleased to have the Souvenir Wee \Villie Winkies, and the [)aint 
 boxes for the children, so kindly given by Her Excellency, for our one 
 want is more good reading and diversion for the young folks. 
 
 The pictures of Her (iracious Majesty,so suitable for her Diamond 
 Jubilee, were also highly ap[)reciated. Occasionally we supi)lement 
 our usual efforts by forwarding reading through i)rivate channels to 
 those not reached by the Post Office system. 
 
44 
 
 The Mounted Police in the Klondike and many other men 
 through them have received from us lari^e packages of literature — the 
 kinds we thought they would prefer. 'I'he (lovernment has only been 
 able to send in letter mail, owing to the great difficulties attending 
 transportation, but Mr. Wofjd, the Inspector, could forward reading 
 with their su])i<lies, and wrote most apjjreciative leltcrs, some of which 
 I sent on to Her Excellency our I'resiilent. l'rol)al;ly an opjjortunity 
 to help such isolated men eager for reading and otherwise unable to get 
 it, may never agaui occur, for we hope in behalf of the best isuerests of 
 that great and rich region thai development thtough railroads and tele- 
 graph systems may not be delayed — then reading w;!! l;c obtained 
 almost as easily as in other parts of our land. 
 
 In our December parcels we sent choice Ciiristmis cards, and 
 bought also about a hundred parcels for the I'rovincial Asylum in New 
 Westminster, supplementing this number with almost as many more 
 booklets and cards collected from our friends. Packages of reading 
 were also given to the Provincial Jail, City Hos;)ital, and Yoang 
 Women's Christian Association opened January ist, and some merchant 
 shi{)s with P^nglish crews. 
 
 The winners of (he Nursery Rhymes Competitio'i wrote grateful 
 letters of thanks,and the bachelors who won a prize gracefully j)resented 
 it to our Ass(jciation as a slight mark of appreciation of its l)eiiefits 
 received. We have had one other gift of money. In this connection 
 I would say that we have no regular elected coniniiltee— just officers 
 and members who divide the res])on>ibilities as seems convenient. Our 
 expenses are chiefly for wrapping paper and twine, as the fetching of 
 our literature by box loads, and the carrying of the mail bags to the 
 postoffice has been kindly done lor us tree of charge. For these services 
 our hearty thanks are rendered as well as to all those who have in any 
 way helped us in our work. 
 
 (ireatly to my regret our headquarters have had to be changed this 
 spring from my house as the room could no longer be spared. P>ut 
 the mayor and aldermen have been so good as to allo'.v us the use of 
 one in a city building, and the liranch is now comfortably established 
 there to enter, we hope, on a p-eriod of increased usefulness. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 AN>fA J. Beechkr, 
 
 President Vancouver Branch of A. A. 
 
KKGINA UkANCH. 
 
 //on. /^resident — Mrs. Richardson. 
 PresiJent~^\x'A J. H. Ross. 
 1st Vice-President — Mrs. Davin. 
 2nd Vice-President — Mrs. Benelce. 
 Corresponding Secretary — Mrs. McIUree. 
 Collecting Secretary — Mrs. J. \\\ Smith. 
 /Recording Secretary — Mrs. R. Martin. 
 Treasurer — Mrs. G. W. Brown. 
 
 Committee. 
 
 Mrs. J. W. Smith, Miss Macara. 
 
 Mrs. Scott, Miss Rothwell. 
 
 Mrs. A. S. Ross, Miss Benson. 
 
 Mrs, Robson, Miss Gordon. 
 
 Mrs. Kerr. 
 
 The Regina Branch is still growing though of course not so quick- 
 ly as during the first year. In February 1896, we had fifteen parcels — 
 last year in the same month we had sixty-eight, and now there are one 
 hundred and fifty. During the year owing to change in the Indian 
 Department, we unfortunately lost our vice-president — Mrs. Forget — 
 whose place it was very hard to fill, as she helped the association in 
 every possible way — indeed without her we should hardly have been 
 able to start. In the same way we also lost Mrs. Ponton, one of the 
 first members of our committee, who always took a keen interest in the 
 work — also Miss Robson, but I am glad to say several new members 
 have joined our committee. 
 
 Another loss, and a very important one, is the free twine and 
 wrapping paper we had given to us for a year and a half, now we have 
 to buy both, and find it comes to quite a big sum for our small funds 
 to meet. 
 
 Also from the same cause — the closing of the Indian Department 
 offices where we had our room— we were obliged to look for other 
 quarters to carry on the work and suffered temporary inconvenience 
 during the removal, but through the kindness of a friend of the associa- 
 tion who gave us the use of a room rent free, we were soon re-established 
 in very comfortable and even more convenient fjuarters. 
 
 We are almost entirely dependent on outside help for our litera- 
 ture, Mrs. Beneke has again come to our aid and got us four nice 
 boxes this winter from England and we got three from Ottawa and ex- 
 pect another. Lady Aberdeen sent paint boxes as Xmas gifts to the 
 children and a picture of the Queen. The following letter will show- 
 how these were appreciated : — 
 
46 
 
 1)1 Ak MaiiAM : - Many ihanks for parrels of Imdks rcccivcil la>l night also for 
 Xiii;is pnrctl cdnt.iinii;)^ Lad)' Al't'tclttn's Mcsstd gilt to the i-liilil.tii ssliicli has done 
 mere j^cud than sliu can ever re.ili/.e, and thank you ever so much for your extreme 
 kindness in taking so nirdi IrouMc for ijccple you r'o not know, hut who are indeed 
 gralefi'l and wish you cvtry lilessing and haiijiiness in the New Xear." 
 
 Another writes : — 
 
 "We receive y( >ir niontliiy packages of "Alierdecn's" as we call them many, 
 many thanks- we know well how to appreciate such high-class literature, especially 
 Munsey's, Slrr- (' and I'. Leslie's Maga/iiii', with novels hy standard authors. Many 
 thanks for l... pictuiesof the (Jueeii. I shall keep it as a juhilee souvenir, also for 
 the seeds you sent last spring. NVe had good results Ironi them. Please accept the 
 enclosed dollar for the association." 
 
 jiisl one more letter I will ciuote : 
 
 "I rec<ivcd the parcels of Looks and was very jilcased with them as I got no other 
 papers. I i)lanted ihesccds that yuu sent hut did nut have good success with them — some 
 of the majdes cauu' up liut md the other trees, liut the (lower seeds did splendid-- will 
 [ilant more nixt spring. I have lent the hooks you so kindly sent me to my neigh- 
 l)ors who arc very jileased to riad tliem. I also gave some to a few Indians who 
 were camping near here and were taught at Kamsack an<l Kegina schools. I found 
 much pleasuie in leading over the re|iorts of the association that you sent in last 
 parcel." 
 
 IIo])inL; the al ove will show our Uranfli is inciting on, 
 
 I-iiA' McIli.rkk, 
 
 Coms/'oin/ini^ Sihirtary, A'e:;/'//.! /u;i)/i/i, 
 .IhciJiu-)! .issoiiiitioii. 
 
 iORON'rO r.K.XNCH. 
 
 KKPORT I-OR THK YKAR 1897 98. 
 
 President — Miss Dickson, 7 ()iieen's Park. 
 
 Vice- President— Wr'-,. Brtice Harnian, 25 Cecil Street. 
 
 lion. Secretin)/— Mh^ Yarker, 58 D'Arcy Street. 
 
 Committee : 
 
 Lady Thompson, 631 Sherbourne St. 
 
 Mrs. Morris, 588 Spadina Avenue. 
 
 Mrs. Hay lie, 
 
 Mrs. White- I'raser, 7 Queen's Paik. 
 
 Mrs. Edwards, 598 Spadina Avenue. 
 
 Mrs. Holiwey, 13 Bedford Road. 
 
 Miss Boulton, 107 St Vincent Road. 
 
 Miss Darhng, 100 Avenue Road. 
 
 Miss Dewar, 112 St. George St. 
 
 Miss Mackenzie, 28 John Street. 
 
 Miss A. Campbell, Carbrook, Queen's Park. 
 
47 
 
 The list ut ordinary nitniljcrs luimbcrs 53, all ot wlu 111 pay a Huall 
 fee annually. 
 
 'I'lie Toronlo Mranrh (.f the Aberdeen .\ss( ( ialion l)0};s to report 
 a year of siicccssfnl work from May, iSc;; to Ma\, ilSi^S. 
 
 Last "-epteniher we were obliged o move from the i»aiilv (f Com- 
 merce r.uilding, and our address is now 87 Conf deration Life Huildinj^. 
 We are nnieh indebted to Mr. J. K. Mardonald who has kindly j^iven 
 us the use (.fa lar^e room on the t'outth lino;-. 
 
 Thanks are due to Mi ssrs. Kil^ou' Hros., who keep us sup|)lied 
 with wra|)ping pa|)er. 
 
 We also have to thank Mr. Hcnjimin for giving us a set of scales, 
 a most useful donation. 
 
 We have been well supplied with maLia/itus, iliuslratid pap> rs etc., 
 but liiid great difficulty in getting litera'ure for children. We never 
 have enough tf) supply the deu)and. If ai.y rontribulioiis are sent 
 fron» Ottawa we shall be glad to have something suitable for little 
 [)eo[)Ie. Last year the .Association sent out nim ty three parcels a 
 month. This y. ar the nunii)tr has inc ri-ased to one Inn or', d ii d forty 
 fixe ( being about i »,coo books and p.ipLr> montb'y). Manv t;r.i!(.hri 
 Utters have been received, and that the Soeit'ty is cUiim a gi'ol work is 
 shown by the loilowing extracts : 
 
 Minis ('in i kf, ( )\ 1. 
 
 Mairh l^'Ji, iSyS. 
 
 All the |iac-ka};t.'> have nrnvcil .-.Tdly, iliaiik \.n\, and liavf ilc>t,e gL'Hi tmis sirvii-c 
 lu'if. Scinu liiiic aijd I was inttri^kii to dhj-irvc pic lurts cut Imin iho illii^lraliil 
 wt'fkly iiiij^nzines seiii .mli rtiing ijie \sallh of ihc < aliiiis (if soini' of th, Ill(lian^ li\ iiij.; 
 III! tlu- KcsiiVL- near by. I liiiiik I can assure ilie Sncitiy ihr(iii<.'li yo , that this 
 lileraliMf sent here I'ertoriu^ its ihily lo assi>t in the (■nteririiiinii nl (if fully as many 
 indigent ) ersons as (.11 any station of the Society, lor I lielieve that the nuniher must 
 rvin up to at least one Imndre'i and possibly (loui)le tlial number. As you may lie 
 interested to learn my nulliod of ilistribution I would say llial after rnjojiiij; the 
 magn/iius myself I pive the ones i-ontainini; illustrations and short .-ti'riesto a board- 
 ing; lioi.se here which caters to the miners and others of the jioorer clrss. i'"rom this 
 jioint the bonks are carried to all (|uarlers by the men themselves, into ramp>, mines 
 and dwellinj^s. Others of he list, such as the novels and p.ipers of the higher class 
 I donate li> private families here wht> have sufficient education to n|)preeiate them. 
 A very few of the best I keep mysilf and lend only to those (|ualificd to enjoy. 
 
 Thus I think I make good use ol all .sent, and as this is a new and stiuggling 
 district where few can afford t(> subscribe tocurrent literature I feel ihat your .Society 
 can feel assured that it is iloing an excellent and ajiprecLited work. I'Uase accept 
 therefore, my thanks, sincere and heartfelt, both for myself and lor the many others 
 who are the recipients of your boui.ty, 
 
 IJOKKI.KY, Ass A. 
 
 Dec. 28th, iSijS. 
 
 I was i;lad lo {;et your letter and the very nice parcel which was fetched from 
 the I'osl Office on (.'hrislmas Eve. Thank you for your kind wi.shes which we 
 heartily reciprocate, trusting sincerely Ihat 189S may prove to you a hapjiy year. 
 
48 
 
 IMcase convey ti) Ilcr I'.xci'll'.ncy our sfnsf of the kind interest she displays 
 towards us and assure her tliai the ^jresents she has sent arc thurou^ihly appreciated, 
 
 ClIUKCIIDRIUnB, AssA., 
 
 March 25th, 1898. 
 
 It was with ^jreat pleasure I received your letter. It is very lonely here all the 
 long winter through. Since C'hrislnias no one has been here except my sister and 
 her husband and tiiree dear little chiUireti twice, so you will think it is no wonder 
 we prize the books. I am sure if every one that ^cts a parcel feels as happy as I ilo 
 when they get it they must have a very hapi)y day. The book.s you sentl are so nice 
 I could not wish for any nicer. 
 
 Thank you very much. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 JCniTH Yarkek, 
 
 Hon. -Secy. A. A., 
 
 Toronto Branch, 
 
 MONTREAL, EN(;LISH BRANCH, 1897-1898. 
 
 President — Mrs. Gillespie, Upper Stanley Street. 
 jst Vice-Ptesident — Lady Hingston, 882 Shcrbrooke Street. 
 2ud Vice- Pre iident — Mrs Oxley, 474 Prince Arthur Street. 
 Corresponding Secretary — Mrs. Hanson, 1152 Dorchester Street. 
 Assistant Secretaries — Mrs. Minden Cole, 481 Guy Street. 
 
 Miss Reid, 2710 St. Catherine Street. 
 Recording Secretary — Miss Scott, 81 Redpath Street. 
 Treasurer — Miss Parker, 207 Stanley Street. 
 
 Executive Committee. 
 
 Mrs. Druminond, 874 Sherbrooke Street. 
 Mrs. Godfrey Weir, 155 University Street. 
 Mrs. Greenshields, 53 Simpson Street. 
 Miss David, 746 Sherbrooke Street. 
 Miss H. David, 746 Sherbrooke Street. 
 Miss Redpath, 24 McTavish Street. 
 Miss Gillespie, Upper Stanley Street. 
 Miss Laidlaw, 34 Luke Street. 
 
 Working Members : 
 
 Mrs. MacDuff, 222 Wood Avenue, 
 Mrs. Colby, 127 Bishop Street, 
 Miss Carruthers, 35 Luke Street, 
 Miss M. Gillespie, Upper Stanley Street, 
 Miss H. Redpath, 24 McTavish Street, 
 
49 
 
 Miss \'ascy, 752 Nulic D.iinc S:rcct, 
 Miss (Jonke, i,^j Mackay Stroct, 
 Miss I)unl()[>, 912 Slicrhrookc Street, 
 Miss L. Diiiilop 
 
 Miss I-yinaii, 72 McTavish Street, 
 Miss Kwan. 265 I )niinin()iul Street, 
 Miss MacXitler, 1018 Siieibrooke Street. 
 
 The Montreal I'aiL^li'-h iJrarich of the Alurdeen Association beg to 
 report a successful year's woik. 
 
 Throu.^h the kindness of Mr. Clouston the Committee continue to 
 hold their meetings in a conimoilious room overtlie 15ank of Montreal in 
 Seii^neur Street. I'nese mjetinLjs have been well attended during the 
 year, and the work of the .Association has jjrogressed satisfactorily. 
 
 Ordin.iry members of the .Association pay an annual subscri[)tion 
 of fifty cents. 
 
 Appeals for books and magazines are made periodically through 
 the medium of the daily press, and by this me;ins a fair amount of 
 literature is secured to the association. 
 
 To facilitate tlv; selection of literature the plan is ado[)ted of 
 keeping a register of the names of all settlers to whom reading matter 
 is sent, with particulars as to tiieir religion, etc. 'I'his has been found 
 to be of great assistance. 
 
 There are now 152 names on the association's list. 
 
 A corres|) mtlence is ke[)t U[) between the workers and recipients 
 and the Comruiitee have been greatly encouraged by tlu^ many letters 
 of gratitude and appreciation received from settlers. 
 
 L,i.is.M!KTn Scott, 
 
 Kccordiui; Secretary, 
 Montreal Eiii^l/sk Braiteh, Aberdeen Association. 
 
 RAPPORT 1)E LA BRANCHE FRAN(^AISE A MONTREAL. 
 
 Depuis notre dernier rapport nous avons continue avec bonheur a 
 contribuer pour notre modtste part a I'oeuvre eminemment charitable 
 etablie par son Excellence Lady Aberdeen en faveur des colons 
 etablis et isoles dans les diverses parties du Canada et en particulier 
 ceux du Manitoba et du NordOuest. 
 
50 
 
 Notre comitc est reste Ic meme. 
 
 Ptcsiiief:/(' — ^Madanie Louis Masson. 
 Vice-Pihidentes — Madame de lieaujeu ct 
 
 Mademoiselle M. Burtscli. 
 TVt'iv^m'/r— ^Mademoiselle Amelie Roy. 
 Seo'iiaires — Madame Arthur (lagnonet 
 Madame I'rovenchcr. 
 
 I.cs meni!)res de cttte branche sont au nombre de trente-deux, 
 e' hi soi:s(rii)tion antiuelle est 50c., mais quelques dames donnent 
 davantagc el c'est en paniculier a un cadeau tres genereux rc(;u dans 
 Ic cours de I'hiver que noire oeuvre doit sa prosperite actuelle. De 
 bons amis nous ont aussi aide en nous envoyant des livres.des brochu- 
 res et dts journaux illustres, mais nous avons tant de demandes que 
 nous crai^ncns toujours de ne |)ouvoir satisfaire tous ceux qui s'adres- 
 scnt a nous. Notre branche etant la seule qui s'occupe specialement 
 des colons de langue fsanriise, nous esperons que toutes les personnes 
 qui s'inleiesei.t a Tocuvre voudront bien nous venir en aide en nous 
 jivorurant des livres, suivani en cela rexemi-le de Son Excellence l.ady 
 Aberdeen qui est au^si venue a noire secours a plusieurs reprises. 
 
 Nf)us expejions cenicinquante paquets p'ar mois et nous con- 
 sacrons a ce travail la matinee de chacpie samedi. Notre depot de 
 livres el noire bureau d'expedition, sont comine I'annee derniere, au 
 chaltau de Ramezay, par la bienveilianle permission du president 
 el des membres de la Socieie des Anliquaires. 
 
 De meme que dans noire dernier rapport, nous publions ci-apres, 
 et avec plaisir, (juelques-unes des lettres de demandes et de remercie- 
 menls que nons avons re^^ues, car rien n'est plus propre afaire ap|)recier 
 noire oeuvre et a prouver son uliliie et ses bienfaiis (jue de faire 
 connailre remprtssement et la reconnaissance de nos lecteurs. Beau- 
 c:)up de lettres sont trop confidentielles pour etre publiees mais nous 
 en donnons autant d'extrails qu'il est possible de le faire sans indis- 
 cretion. 
 
 Quelques lettres .sont entre, les mains de Son Excellence Lady 
 Aberdeen, ce 5:ont celles qui la remercient des prix accordes par elle 
 aux heureux gagnants dans la competition des "Nursery Rhymes" 
 Cette annee, nouvelle faveur de sa part, chaque enfant a re^u une 
 petite boile de peinture. Le cadeau a du leur faire grand plaisir, car, 
 on le verra par quelques lettres, la moindre chose, une sunple image, 
 est appieciee comme un objet de i^rix et conservee comnie un precieux 
 souvenir. A la demande de Madame Hayter Reid, alors secretaire 
 generale de I'association, une lisle complete de nos lecteurs lui a ete 
 envoyee avec tous les details necessaires pour le choix des livres qui 
 leur conviennent selon leur age et leur degre d'instruction. Presque 
 tous nous ont ecrit qu'ils passaient leurs livres a leurs voisins,et plusieurs 
 
61 
 
 les remettent aux missionnaires qui, avec le temps, en foriiieront des 
 bibliotheques de circulation, ce qui est le nieilleur moyen de les con- 
 server et de les faire servir u un plus grand nombre de lecteurs. 
 
 Melfort. 
 A Madame la Cointcsse A ierdceii, 
 Aladavie la Cointcsse. 
 
 J'ai su avec joie que votre Kxcellence avait rrcc une associalion. Jc yous 
 demaiule si vous auricz la tiontc d'envoyer cette leltre a la hranclio fran^aise 
 afin que je sois sur la listc. Jc n'ai pas le moyen de jxiuvoir goutcr la joie (|ue tos 
 envois de livres pouriaient me procurer. J'aime heaucoup la lecture et j'envic 
 d'avoir tous ces beaux livres que votre Association a la honte de nous envoyer. 
 
 J'attendrai avec impatience et je me fie a voire bonte C'est une amie cjui m'a 
 
 appris c|ue vous aviez la bonte d'ame de creer cette belle oeuvre. C'est par elle que 
 taut de pauvre monde peul entin jouir du bonheur de ces belles kctures " 
 
 Madame : 
 
 Arrivee au Canada ily aquelquesmois, j'apprendsseulement ce jourl'existcncede 
 cette charitable socielc. le serais tres heureuse si vous pouviez m'envoyer un livre 
 pour apprendre aussi Tantjlais. Conniie lecture, je prefere I'instructif a I'amusant. 
 Agreez mes remercierments a I'avance ' 
 
 Les lettres suivantes retnercient des livres regus. 
 
 " Duck Lakk, 9 avril. 
 
 " Je viens par la presente vous accuser reception des trois derniers ])a([uets de 
 
 livres Ma femme se joint a moi pour vous rernercier des dons genercux que vous 
 
 daignez nous envoyer, car ils son' d'excellents auxiliaires pour I'instruction de nos 
 enfants. Eux aussi vous iienissent et si vous pouviez voir leurs figures rayonnantes 
 lorsqu'iis me voient arriver avec les paquets, vous pourriez voir que vous faites des 
 heureux " 
 
 " I)OMRF.M\, 14 aout, 1897. 
 
 " Je vous suis bien oblige et soyez assure de mi sincere reconnaissance. 
 
 Arrive de 1' ranee tout rouvellement je commence a metablir ici et m'y plais bien ; 
 la lecture des livres (|ue vous me procurez nous fera trouver I'hiver moins long . . . 
 La variete que vous faites dans la distrii)ution me siitisfait au mieux, quels que soient 
 leurs titres, ils seront toujours recus avec reconnaissance 
 
 " J'ai seme les grainescpie vous avezjointes a votre dernier envoi ; I'erable 
 
 de Manitoba est celle qui a le mieux leve ; ensuite I'arliusle a pris et le I'urjile 
 Lilac. J 'espere qu'elles pousseront et me seront avec le souvenir du Jubilee de la 
 Reine, le souvenir de mon installation au Nord-Ouest " 
 
 " BATli.F.KORn, 7 Janvier. 
 
 " Je desire vous diie un mot de remerciement pour les envois de lectures 
 
 qui nous arrivent si regulierement et si a propo- Nous vous souhaitons succes, 
 
 non seulement dans la bonne oeuvre ()ue vous poiirsuivez, nifiis encore dans 
 tout ce qui vous tient a coeur. Cordial merci et felicitations ii toutes les dames qui 
 vous aident a nous procurer ces doux plaisirs de la bonne lecture " 
 
 " St. Louis dk Langkvin. 
 
 " Je vous remercic du piaisir, que vous nous faites eprouver par vos 
 
 envois, c'est une precieuse oeuvre (|ue la votre ; tcut mon petit monde vous benit ; 
 j'ai dix enfants, I'aine a tpiinze ans : nons prions le bon Dieu de vous recomi)enser 
 de tout le bien que vous faites ; pour nous, chaque fois que vos livres arrivent, c'est 
 une r^jouissance extraordinaire " 
 
52 
 
 I.A« ClIArl.KAr, 22 I'lVKI! 
 
 " \()ll^ a\(ins roi.u vutir Kttir K' 51 ^K (.•(.■inlin.' avcc iin pai|iu;i dc livrcs cl 
 
 (les images liont Ics enfaiits (Hit cu hicu ilu la joic ct Ics conservciu con>iiic de 
 prcci'-Hix souvenirs. Millc nicicis du vos t^LiiLiosilc's, vos livrcs cliarniiMn Ics onfanis 
 ct Ics ^randcs i)cr^onncs, vl ils ■.'■^lycnl Ics loui^nes veillci'-- d'liiv(M- '' 
 
 Si. Loi'is UK Lan<;i-.\in, 24 jaw ik.k. 
 
 ]c iii'cni|iicssc d'accuscr rcccjiti'Hi <lc vo> deux dcriiicrs envoi-, ct je vou-; en 
 rcniercie bien cordialemenl. Mes cnfants ont heauoonp aini«.' les pouiMcsen p.-ipier 
 et les inuiLjes, il> vous tr<iuvent hien lioniiede leur envoyer cei.i. J'ailiuit enfant.-, ilmt 
 I'aine a seize ans, ils vous adies-enl li'ur^ niille rem^reiemenls . ..." 
 
 I'"i 1- rr Si'KiN A, I [aw II- k. 
 
 Lac .Marguerite. 
 
 .\Iille fois nurci pour \os envois de lix'irs i|uinoussont .>i uldes ct servent a nous 
 el a nos enfant-, pour les in^truire. (-"e>l l)'.i-n triple (Telre ici seul avec sa [letite 
 fainille, a 2000 lieues de ses jjarcnts (pie nous re|.Mettons ainsi (pie les .Ttnis Liisses la 
 has. Vos hoiis livres sont interessaiits. nous instruisent et nou.s rendent Je couraj^e 
 si utile ici jilus (uie parlont ailieurs pour rpii est sans autre f(jrtune (pai son courage 
 et son savoir. (i'est bit-n pen, el le-^ colons ipii emploieiU d'aiitrcs sont si rares et si 
 loin. \ous les pii'.-ion,, aux vo'sins (pii les aiiiiL'nl au^si. 
 
 En teniiinanl ce rapport, ciu'il nouK suit pcrmis d'offrir nos renier- 
 cie'ments a .Son I'Acellonco Lady Aberdeen ]v,ur s^n inciuiisable de- 
 voueiuent et sa j^enerosite envers les intciets intellectiiels dii Nord-Oucst. 
 Nous somines aussi hien rerDiiiiaissaiUes a Madanie Scarth dont 
 Tcxperience et les conseils nous ont ete si utiles. Enfin, nous reiiicr- 
 cions sincerenient lous les amis de I'oeuvre et toutes Its personnes 
 genereuses qui par lours aumones et lours dons nous ont permis de faire 
 un peude bien, et nous osons es[)6rer que lour precieux concours ne 
 nous fera pas defaut lant que nous travaillerons a rendro service aux 
 colons canadiens et franrais des vastes prairies du Nord Quest. 
 
 LoiisK-l). 1'hovp:ncher. 
 
 Secretaire ik la Bramltc Fraiicaisc. 
 
 Chateau de Ramezay, 
 
 Montreal, 10 mai, 189S. 
 
53 
 
 HAMILTON II RANCH. 
 
 ]Ioit<irar\ P/rsidtnt : 
 Mr?. MalKxh, 301 llnyStrert, South. 
 
 Ptciideiit : 
 Mis. W. a. I ,()i;ie, 79 Maikland Sttoet. 
 
 Ttcirsiiier : 
 
 Miss Dotililtle, 212 jaincs Street. 
 
 S< or/ttrv : 
 
 Mi,~s \'allancc, 42 Ilerkiiner Street. 
 
 E.\wii/irr < \>iiiiiiU/iC : 
 
 Miss Manoch, Miss Maclnncs, 
 
 Miss Hohsdii, Miss Harvey, 
 
 with the Officers. 
 
 Afew/K-rs : 
 
 Miss L. Harvey, Miss I. .Mardonaki, 
 
 Miss E. I.iicas. Miss 'I. Watson, 
 
 Miss M. I'iiuila}-, Mi.is Keiuiedy, 
 
 Miss )Vood. 
 
 Honotary Mciiibci's : 
 
 Mrs Malloch. Mrs. Kennedy, 
 
 Mrs, Wood, Mrs. Oerar, 
 
 .Mrs. Gc o. Vallance, Mrs. (Jil)son, 
 
 Mrs. Charlton. Miss Wilcox. 
 
 This branch of the Aberdeen .Association, tiow in its second year, 
 conunenccd in October, iS^T), by sending out ten j^arcels, we now send 
 fifty- six. 
 
 We are greatly indebted to Her ICxcellcncy Lady Aberdeen for 
 the copies of " Wee Willie ^Vinkie." We are also indebted to the 
 Ottawa Uranch for boxes of literature, which assisted us very much in 
 making u]) our parcels. 
 
 .\t first we had some difiiculty in |)rocuring suitable (luarters for 
 our Association. Mrs. ALalloch bad given us the privilege of using a 
 room in her house for a year, but we (elt we must not imi)ose U])on her 
 generosity longer. We now have a nice room in the Court House, 
 given us by the (bounty Council, whicii is central and convenient. 
 
 The members' lee is fifty cents, and the honorary members one 
 dollar. 
 
64 
 
 Many of the recipients of (Jiir parcels write us grateful letters, 
 which adds much to the interest of our members, who try to study the 
 tastes of those to whom they send. 
 
 R£f [)ectfully submitted, 
 
 Anni;tte Vali.anck, 
 
 Secretary Aberdeen .IssOiiuiion, 
 Hamiltun Branch, 
 
 VICTORIA BRANCH. 
 
 President — Mrs. J. H. Turner, Point EUice. 
 Vice-President — Mrs. McKilligan, Fort Street. 
 Secretary — Mrs. J. \V. Church, Beacon Hill. 
 Treasurer — Miss Finlayson, Douglas Street. 
 
 Executive : 
 
 Mrs, Carmichael, Mrs. Crompton, 
 
 Miss Newton, Miss Hall, 
 
 Miss Galley, Miss Devereux, 
 
 Miss Davie, Miss Davie, 
 
 Miss Loewen, Miss Rennie. 
 
 The Victoria Branch of the Aberdeen Association has entered 
 upon its second year, having been inaugurated in October, 1896. The 
 meetings of the Committee are held the first Monday of every month 
 in the room kindly placed at the disposal of the Society by the Govern- 
 ment in the Provincial Buildings, James Bay. The Committee have 
 been faithful in their attendance and interested in the work, sending 
 out an average of fifty parcels monthly. The increase is apparently 
 slight, but this may be accounted for by the Klondike fever. It is very 
 doubtful if the Association could have accomplished as much had it 
 not been lor the valuable aid from Ottawa through the kindness of the 
 Rev. T W. VVinfield. The thanks of the Association are also due to 
 the C.P.N, line of steamers going north, for free transportation of 
 parcels to missionaries and lighthouses. Personal correspondence is 
 kept up between the workers and recipients. To give an idea of the 
 value attached to the parcels I will give a few extracts from letters 
 received : 
 
 " Saahti.am, 1st March, 1898, 
 
 "I am in receipt of your letter of the 22n<l ultimo, .ind in reply wouKl first of 
 all endeavor to thank you and the kind ladies of your Association for your very jjreat 
 kindness to us people who arc, one might say, living out of the world. I am sure 
 
56 
 
 you can liave l)iit little notion of tin.' plLasuie your kind favor.-- have ^iven us Imm 
 time to time. 1 find no words sulticient lo sliow my i^ratilude. Therefore I shall 
 say noihini; but ju>t this, Ciod liloss you and the jjood lady of Aberdeen. What a 
 j;reat, j^raml, warm, livin;.^ heart she must have I She throws sunshine rountl 
 everywhere she goes. 
 
 " Now, as to tlip kind of r.-adit'ir'; I would jirefer, llr-l and above all would be 
 .some j^jood senible Christian literature ; seconil, anylhinf; except the usual abusive 
 twaddle touchiuL; Ireland ; third, beinj; an e.\-Colour-.Serf;eanl of Her Majesty's 
 Imperial .Service, anything; o! a military nature would t;ive nie nnich pleasure. 
 
 " I am, dear lady, 
 
 " Most j;ratefidly and respectfully, 
 
 " Vi'.siivius r.AV, S.M.r Si'Ki.N(; Lsland. 
 
 " I am in receipt <if your very kind note of the 7th iuslant. 
 I wish to say in rejjly that the literature so kindly sent to us by the lailies of the 
 Aberdeen Associati' n is indeed in every way satisfactory, and it gives us great 
 pleasure to receive your parcels of nice books. Then we hand them on to others 
 who care to read them. 
 
 " .Many liianks for the nice ("hristnias cards you sent for the children, they were 
 the only ones they received this year. We are out in B.C. alone, all our friends anil 
 relations in Kngland. 
 
 " r do hope your parcels will c )ntinue to come when the Countess leaves. She 
 is such a good, kind lady to tiiini^ of everyone as she does. Thanking you for the 
 books, cards, seeds and pictures you have so kindly sent us, 
 
 " Yours respectfully, 
 
 "Al.IiKRNI, H. C. 
 
 .Mrs. nird and myself wish to >ay that the literature sent us is very satisfactory 
 and very welcome, — when thoroiighl)' read is passed on. Unfortunately our Xmas 
 parcel got mislaid on the wharf here and we did not get it until lately. It contained 
 the prize of the crayon competition for the IJairns. Our little boy is delightetl. 
 However, it was just as welcome even if a little late. We have received each parcel 
 with that exception very regularly. 
 
 Yours gratefully, 
 
 The association is iiiuch indebted to Her Excellency for a box of 
 Wee Willie Wiiikie's and boxes of water colors, and for a valuable 
 parcel of Penny I'opnlar Novels, edited by W. T. Stead, all of which 
 must be productive of much pleasure and profit. 
 
 Respectfully submitted, 
 
 Elizabeth Turnek. 
 
56 
 
 IlKAXDOX I'.KAM'II. 
 
 President — Mrs. I).)nald MclCwcti, I'randon. 
 .SVc7V'A/;v— Mfi. J. .\. KirchlvifUr, ISrandon. 
 Treasurer Mrs. ( 'uinhoiland, liraiidon. 
 
 /■'.\eeiifi7'e Coiiiniittee : 
 
 .Mrs. Ik-arn, Mrs. ,\Icl )iarniid, 
 
 Mrs. Nation. Miss McKcn/.ic, 
 
 Mi-.s Kirrhlioffer, Mis^ Mcl'wcii. 
 
 Tiic ISramiui hramli of the .VljcrdcLn Associalion l)u..;s li) rc[)oil 
 thai it has sent o'.it 36 ])arccls of ho )ks and papers for tlic month of 
 I )ccciiil)(.!r, 1897. each of such parcels iiitended for fainihes incUidini; 
 children in its circle conlaining anion^sl its contents one of the en- 
 velopes ])r:)vitled witii such loving llvnightfuiness by our beloved 
 I'lesideul for "the bairns.*' 
 
 The last mail bag firw.irded to O.law.i contained 42 jjackaues. 
 Our menibjrship is yet small, being only ab !Ut twi.'lve. Our meniber- 
 ship' fee is fifi)' cents annually. We desire to teiidcr our warm thanks 
 toller I'^xcellency for lur kind git't of books and paint-boxes audio 
 the Central Committee for generous boxes of books sent us at different 
 times. \Vc have done very little as yet but hope to give a better 
 accoiMit of ourselves a^iolher )ear. 
 
 Respectfull)' submitted, 
 
 Ji;ssii', MclAvj.N, 
 
 Kixc.sroN r.KAXCii. 
 
 /■'res/ lie f/ /-Mrs. Skinner 
 ist /7rc-/V<',v.v/<';,7 -Miss Xichol. 
 j;/'/ Fiee Presidenf -Wx^. [cnkins. 
 I n'lisiney- W\>. K. \'. Rollers. 
 .SV(/c'A/n' Miss IKlen I'raser. jjS Johnson St. 
 
 Ci' III mi/ fee { />esides iJie 0£iee Bearers.) 
 
 Afrs. Yates, Miss Strange, 
 
 Miss J. Shaw. .Miss I )obbs, 
 
 Miss M. lirillon, Miss Tnnes, 
 
 Miss v.. .Mowat, Miss (farter, 
 
 Miss Dalton. Miss C. TJritton, 
 
 Mi>s F. CimninL;ham. 
 
57 
 
 'I'lu.' Kitii;-tiiii hiaiirli of ihc Aberdeen Associalinii bjiiv^ a very 
 young offshoot of tlie [)art.nt tree, lias a very short hist'-ry to relate. 
 
 At the siiygeslion of Mrs. Skinner, (Chairman of tiie "City Union 
 of 'I'he Kin;;'^ 1 )aui4hters," it was deritlcd In turni a branch of the 
 association having; the same executive as the Union, which for the 
 l^resent is also to jiay the expense^ of the new uiidert:iking. The 
 branch was formally organized ami authorized to jirocee*! with it's work 
 so lately as the end of April and wo sent out our Inst mail bag this 
 month to 27 families, all in the N. W. T. The members of tlie 
 committee who make up the ])ircels are yoMug giils, mvmliers of ihc 
 Order of the King's Daughleis, and they appear to enjjy the work. 
 
 We get the books from many sources, tor instance, an application 
 was matle to two book-stores for shop worn magazines and illustrated 
 papers and they at once sorit a goodly supply and we have to l! ank the 
 press for kindly notices which hive helped us in securing suitable read- 
 ing matter for the purpose of die assoi iation. 
 
 All our members are enthui.isiic and zealous in their desire to 
 promote the f)bjects of the a-is.iciation, and hope that when next it is 
 called up )!! to give an accoutu of its st-wird^lrp thi.: Kingston branch 
 will bt; able to sh iw at all evi'iits tha"; it has nol b':r':cd its talent. 
 
 I 1 I I IN I'k A^I.K, 
 
 S(,ifla>y. 
 
 I'A'c.l.lsii i;i;.\xrii. 
 
 PrcsiJiit/ iiiid //'■.'(,'v/^;(7- Mar! liioiuv^ of i)iilTcrin and .\\a. 
 
 Marchioness of Lan^downe Hon. Lady Kidlcy 
 
 (Jountess of Derby h.av. I.ady Twt.e('mouth, 
 
 Dowager Countess of .Vberdeen Dow Countess of.Mbemarle 
 
 Mrs. Chamberlain Mrs. Molesworth 
 
 Lady ILarriel Lindsay Hon. Lad\' .N'fjrthcote 
 
 Mi^s Monk. 
 
 Sccictai ij- W\<, ( lordoii of I'>lloii. 
 
 Since the last report sent by the London branch f)f the Aberdeen 
 .'\ssr)ciation to Ottawa m May of last year, consignments of literature 
 have been dispatched to Ottawa, consisting altogether of 4.S cases and .\ 
 bales. Of these, 25 ca^es and 4 bales lia\e been sent this year. 
 ISesides this. ^^r. Stead has very gcnerous'y made a further grant of 
 12,000 Penny Novels (ALister[iiece Librarj) which were dispatched 
 
68 
 
 direct from his office in 1 1 hales on March lolh. Mr. Stead also con- 
 tinues to contriljitte a consignment of "Review ot Reviews" monthly 
 direct to Ottawa. 
 
 An article written by Mrs. Mol.sworth on the objects and work of 
 the Association in ^L^cMillan's Magazine for December last has been 
 largely insiruinental in enabling the London Branch to send out such 
 good consignnlents, and the Committee hope that the public interest in 
 the Association may be kept u|) by the publication of another article 
 from a well known \)ttn shortly. 
 
 At a Committee meeting held in London on March 5th, Lady 
 Dufferin proposed the formation of a Hook Guild in connection with 
 the Aberdeen Association, members of which shall undertaketogive two 
 books, or 12 consecutive numbers of a magazine, and one shilling every 
 year. Cards of membership have already been printed, and a numbor 
 distributed, and it seems probable that the scheme will prove a most 
 valuable aid to the resource.s of the Association. 
 
 The consignments sent out to Canada being so far in excess of 
 what was anticipated when the Allan and Dominion Shipping Cos. were 
 asked to carry consignments of literature free to Canada for the 
 Association, the Heaver Line has been asked whether they would also 
 carry consigmenls free for the Association, and this they have very 
 kindly consented to do. It is hoped that by sending consignments 
 consecutively by the three S. S. Cos., the Association will not tax the 
 generosity of any one of them unduly. (Consignments are, however, 
 only sent by Dominion Line during the summer months, as in winter 
 this Line's Steamers go to Portland, thus creating complications with 
 regard to U. S. Customs.) 
 
 The 1000 reprints of a portrait of Her Majesty, the purchase of 
 which was mentioned in the last report as having been approved by 
 the Committee, were included in a consignment sent to Ottawa in July 
 last, and they ajipear to have given pleasure to many of our readers. 
 
 The Committee are of opinion that it is of the greatest importance 
 that a regular collecting Branch of the .-XsEociation should be established 
 in Liverpool, since Mrs. Henderson, who very kindly acted as a for- 
 warding agent during last year, states that she cannot continue to work 
 except within the limits of her own Church Guild, and that she does 
 not wish to receive or forward parcels from other parts of the country. 
 Under these circumstances steps are being taken to organize a branch 
 of the Association in Liverpool which shall conform to the main rules 
 of the Association, and work in connection with the Central Committee 
 under Lady Duflferin's Presidency, and it is hoped that this may be 
 accomplished before long. 
 
 C.'\ROLiNE Gordon, 
 
 //on. Ser. 
 
59 
 GLASGOW BRANCH. 
 
 During the last year magazines have been received from a number 
 of contributors, and bales havo be(Mi sont pfriodically to Canada. As 
 the result howevi'r, of the lell(!r which appeared in the Scottish news- 
 papers from the Counters of Aberdeen, there lias nscently been a very 
 large incr(!ase in the number of contributors and the quantity ot maga- 
 zmes forwarded to Canada is accordingly much greater than before. If 
 th(7 continue at the present rate, or if as a result offui'her appeals they 
 are still further increased, it will be necessary to take steps to find some 
 centn; for the r(!reption of the magazines in Glasgow, as the work will 
 be more than is suitable for the resources of a dwelling house. 
 
 M.VRV M.xcLehose. 
 
 7 University Gardens, Glasgow, 
 
 6th May, 1898. 
 
 LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND. 
 
 The Young Women's Guild of Sefton Park Church, was asked by 
 their President, Dr. VVatson, (Ian Maclaren) to take some interest in 
 the work of the Aberdeen Association. For the last twelve months 
 they have collected magazines from their own congregation and have 
 despatched three ]iarcels numbering in all over four thousand magazines 
 and a number of books. I'hey are hoping to continue the work, but 
 wish it clearly to be understood, that their efforts cannot go beyond 
 their own congregation which is a very large one and supplies as many 
 magazines as they can undertake to sort and despatch. 
 
 They regret that they cannot found a public branch in Liverpool 
 but believe there is room for one and hope their effort may have pre- 
 pared the way for a more extensive working of the scheme in this city. 
 They would advise that a note should be inserted in the new report 
 distinctly stating that there is no public branch in Liverpool as yet, 
 and that parcels are tiot carried free in England. 
 
 E. M. Henderson, 
 
 Secretary. 
 
Cil) 
 
 l)riu:<rit)N.s to Doxoks oI' LiTiiuAiTKr; 
 
 I'^-ioiuls dcsirfjiis (jf assistiiii;" the Asscclation cin do so 
 cither by seiidiiv^ donations of monej', or contrihutioiis of h'tera- 
 ture. 
 
 Those h'vinii "i a district where a Hranch of the Association 
 
 exists can send their ;^-ifts aihh'e^sed to 
 
 " Ai;i:ui)i;i;\ A^sociArmx," 
 at 
 
 IJrandon, .Man., care of Mrs. Kinhhoffcr. 
 
 r"a],L,^'ir)', Alta., '.-are of Secretar)-. 
 
 Halifax, N.S., j:;," HarriiiLjton Street. 
 
 Hamilton. Ont, (Jonrt Ilonse. 
 
 lvin!_;ston, Ont., care of .Secretary. 
 
 Montreal, Que. fji^lish Branch), care of iJank of Montreal 
 
 .Scii^Mieiir Street. 
 ( I'rcnch Ih'anch), Chateau i-lc R.iinc/.ay. 
 
 Ottawa, Out., Mrs. .Scarth, Lan,L',e\-in I!l()cls-. 
 
 Quebec, Que, care of .Secretary 
 
 Rcf^ina, Assa., care of Secrctar\-. 
 
 Toronto, Ont., S7 ('onfcileration Life lUn'ld'n;'. 
 
 \'ancou\er, 15. C , Mrs. lleechcr, llastinjjj.s Mill House. 
 
 Miss C'ambic, (icorL^ia .Street. 
 
 Mrs. I'ovey, 22<j ("oUnnbia Street, Xew 
 Westminster. 
 
 Victoria, B.C., Provincial Huildini^s, Jame.^ Ha\'. 
 
 \\'innii)eiT, Man., Lands Titles Huildin^.s. 
 
 It is advisal^le when forwardin;^ contributions of literature 
 to Branches as above, to send a post card at the same time to 
 the Secretary of the Branch 
 
 Donors are in all cases requested to place a label both 
 inside and outside the box or package, giving their name 
 and address and the date of the transmission of the contri- 
 bution, so that it may receive due acknowledgement. 
 
 A list of the literature most desired will be found on an" 
 other pai;c. 
 
CI 
 
 Friends in the Old Country intcreslccl in the Association 
 and wilh'ii^i; to send parcels or boxes direct can send tliem free 
 of cost diirii^i; the suinmer either \)y the Allan, Dominion (jr 
 licavcr Hncs of steamers, if addressed as follows : 
 
 I,n iKATUki'; loK luic Ai;i:kI)|;kn Associ.vriON. 
 
 J. coRiii'/rr, 
 
 (I'l'iu'rul Fn'Kjht A'/rnf, 
 
 ('. I\ A'., 
 Montreal, Canada. 
 
 Care of Agt'nt for ALLAN Sii.am.-iiii' Co.mi'ANv, 
 
 (or Bi:avku, or Dominion) 
 
 LIVERPOOL. 
 
 (or ( il.ASi.ow) 
 
 .cvt^^" .vuvv\'^^ 
 
 VN •> 
 
 X^-i' 
 
 .oc\^' 
 
 \\oV\^ 
 
 . OTto'**'" «.^•^>""^toe<4'■*■^,,,0>''■ 
 
 (From Ottawa the Central Cornmittco will distrihutc litera- 
 ture to the different liranches as it may be needed.) 
 
 In all cases the words " Literature for the Aberdeen Asso- 
 ciation " must appear above the address. 
 
 The Dominion Line prefer that the literature forwarded 
 through them should be packed in stout paper parcels, not ex- 
 ceeding 15 lbs. in weight. 
 
62 
 
 or if to Halifax direct like this 
 
 Lrj'KKAiURK roK THK Am;Ki)i;KN Associaiion. 
 
 Care of Agent lor ALIvAN Stkamship Company, 
 
 (or Dominion) 
 
 LIVERPOUL. 
 
 (or Glasgow) 
 
 It is more convenient that literature for the Halifax Branch 
 should thus be sent direct thither, as the .Mian and Dominion 
 steamers go to that port, and no further transmission by rail is 
 therefore required. 
 
 The only cost which the package will involve to the sender 
 will be the carriage to Liverpool or Glasgow. 
 
 Small parcels (and all contributions however small are 
 heartily welcome) will be gladly received by Mrs. MacLehose, 
 7 University Gardens, Glasgow. 
 
63 
 
 Any contributions sent to The Secretary^ Aberdeen Asso- 
 ciation, Inii)erial Institute.London, will be promptly acknow- 
 ledged and duly forwarded to Canada. 
 
 Mrs. Gordon, Ellon Castle, Aberdeenshire, who was 
 formerly Secretary in Canada, will gladly give information 
 and answer questions at an)' time.