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Maps, platee. charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely Included In one exposure are filmed beginning In the upper left hend corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illuatrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmte i des taux de rAduction diffArents. Lorsque Ie document est trop grand pour Atre reprodult en un seul clichi, II est fllmA A partir de Tangle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut an bas, en prenent ie nombre d'images nAcessalre. Les diagrammes suivants illustrsnt la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 6 6 I ■■^■— f 'P " *"■■ ■ 1 !■ ADDRES 8 DBLfVEIlfeO BT TBI AT THK OFEMNO OF TUB SECOND WINTER SESSION OP THB THREE RIVERS LITERARY AS80€IAXI0]¥> On the 2d November 1842^ • •■.•■ . - . ... • > • • *• * » • • . •, •. • ■ • • THREE RIVERS t PRINTED BT OSOROB STOBB& 1842. P825.89 !j^l;tf. -mi^:m:£mm^^"'*^''Wf^. ^ i > • • ff PS rs ij M'""l'iHH I HWmnH II IWHIu . 1 I i j 1 I l iH W .IHW'"-" '■ INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS, »#^#a- Mr. President. — Now that 'We are again assembled, aftet a recess of about six months duration, the first point to be observed is, — to congratulate each other, on our being in good health and spirits ; and that we are again enabled to join in the business of the Literary Association of Three Rivers, now met, for the purpose of entering upon its second winter of literary labours. And who among U8 does not feel, that the bracing cold of a Canadian winter is far more favourable to the prosecution of any intellectual pursuit, than the languor and listlessness induced by the stifling heats of our almost tro- pical summer 1 In this respect, the season is to our advan- tage. My present purpose, however, is to draw your attention to the condition of this Society, in as far as its literary character is concerned, as well as to the general usefulness of literary institutions of a like nature with our own. And first, frnm what has alrnady hepn arrnmpliAhed, I and led to argue favourably of the literary aspect of the Associa- tion. For, certainly, hardly any of us, about two years ago, could have easily supposed, that this secluded town cuuld aflford an audience, sufficiently imbued with a taste for litera- ture, so as to pass an evening, once in each week, in ution- tlvely listening to Lectures on scientific subjects, as well as to debates on serious topics of history and morals. But, now that the attempt has been made,— now that we have passed through a season of literary exercises, well considered, and attentively listened tO| we need be under no apprehension that our effort! I 53903 •hall be considered abortive, either through a lack of Lectures or debates, or an audience talking a lively interest in the seve- ral subjects discussed and enlarged upon, I maintain, therefore, from what I have myself heard and witnessed, that there is no probability of our failure in either of these three main cicaients of our social and intellectual composition, as the Literary Association of Three Rivers. First, as to the Lectures : — (and I must here regret my distance from this scene of action, which disables me from par- ticipating in the business of ihc Institution, as often as my in- clination would otherwise lead me to do ;) I shall, therefore, speak only from what 1 have myself known. What could bo more interesting and pleasingly inielligiblc, than the Lecture delivered last winter on the study of Dotany t We must all remember the explanations given of the general structure of flowers and plants ; and, from the thousand instances of pal- pable design exhibited in the floral kingdom, that remarkable one selected by the Lecturer, which he had drawn out at large, ifor the sake of rendering its peculiar construction more sensi- bly apparent,— I mean the design of that flower, whose frame enabled it to entrap insects, with all the ingenuity of an un- derstanding will; and, after its particular purpose had been attained, released the distressed prisoners, by withdrawing that vegetable grating, that had so craftily and securely incloned thera. I am not aware of the permanent winter residence of the Doctor; were it in our neighbourhood, it might not, Iierhaps, be too much to hope, that be would continue to end his aid occasionally, to set forth more at large, the results of his studies in this particular department of knoivledge ; seconded, as I know them to be, by an unwearied pursuit after the wonders of vegetable nature, in the forest, in the plain, on the mountain, and among the lakes and streams. A person of bis enthusiastic love for botany, and ready talent for commu- nicating what he has ascertained, is not everywhere to be found; still we must not despair, even in iliis department, for there are others Interested in the like pursuit, and their assist- ^co may perbaps be counted upon. If it be not too much to touch upon such a subject, I may merely bint, that the postpenenpent of the period for the necessary regiitratton of oar Ud«f and leaiest «c nay to ur prove a benefit to us, u 'y» T J ^:;;. Sft fy by reason of the unexpected leasure afforded, to draw forth the talents of our Registrar, in supplying the absence of our former botanical lecturer — lie surely cannot refuse, since a certain sort of smile, we all know, very plainly means — ^yes. Again : in the Lecture on Conchology, I am sure I speak the sentiments of all the auditors, when I express the satisfac- tion derived from listening to a clear and unpretending dis- course, elucidated by so splendid a collection of shells as we saw arranged on that table. The very sight alone of such an assemblage of marine curiosities, — their lustre and polish,— their lovely colours, — their strange and interesting forms,— » tiio general design adhered to, in the convolution observed in the structure of the se]>nratc classes, — the fan-like radiation of some, — the spiral consiniction of others, — and the great beauty of all : why, the very display of them, even scattered at ran- dom, were a treat ; but, when wo beheld them arianged in families, associated togpihcr by peculiar characteristics of shape, then was an intellectual charm superadded, wiiich was again heightened by the instructive information delivered, re- specting the depths and localities, where each hap|)y resident delighted to abide ; — to dwell at ease among rocks, on shoals, or in the deepest hollows of tliosea; — to lio and await their unfailing sustenance from the inoxhaustiLle stores of Provi- dence, acting ill the depths of the waters; from Him, who " openeth his hand, and fillelh all things living with plcntcous- ncss. II The only amendment required in treating theso subjects was, — that, instead of roni|ircssing so much varied informa- tion into one Lecture, let the subject bo divided and expanded, the former discoiu'se preparing the way for what is to come,-*— and the latter, leaning back, ns it were, for the elucidation of what is advanced, upon tho preparatory instruction delivered in the former. WouKl the dili'irent avocations of the T.';"'urer8 permit ihoui to employ this moro difluso method. Hit gain would be greater to all : — to the Lecturer, in obliging him to think more clearly and closely, and to express himself more minutely and copiously, than a compendious discourse would enable him to do ; — and, on tho other hand, the audience would be moro easily and surely instructed, and far more would be presented for the memory to dwell oui by .the indispeniablft I 6 F aid of specimens and draughts. What I have been now men- tioning refers to the only Lectures I had it in my power to attend. But I hear, that all were conducted in a similarly creditable manner, with a manifest ciTect upon those who listened to them. I, therefore, conclude, tliat we stand in no danger of failure from the want of competent persons to lec- ture on the different subjects a Society like ours may deem it fitting to discuss. Our aim is improvement and instruction, followed by rational delight ; and not the mere pastime and amusements, which may serve to wile away a few, otherwise dull, evening hours : for, when once the mind is really awak- ened to the true pleasures arising from earnest intellectual contemplation, it is hard to draw it entirely away from such an ennobling pursuit. 2. Our second point for consideration, Mr. President, is the actual state of our Debating Corps, whose ranks, we must allow, have been much thinned, in consequence of the depar- ture of several most active members. Still, even here, if we consider fairly, we need not despair of continued success. For there are still some remaining among us, who are able, and we trust willing, to take an active part in any debate ; which, we should remember, is not an olT-hand exercise, but is publicly given out, for about a week beforehand. Now, during the in* terval that elapses between the public notice and the day ap- pointed for the debate, there is ample time allowed to consider thfl subject ; to view ils strong and weak points — to refer to history, if it be historical, or to ethical writers, if it be moral — to arrange the argument -—to think upon its commencement, its middle, and its sequence ; and, lastly, in a solitary walk, to clothe the whole in apt words, wliich will generally follow the orderly marshalling of our subjects oi thought. Such an ex- ercise especially befits the younger portion of our Society, as lecturing does the older : fur the Lecture is always presumed to have the character of sure and ascertained knowledge in it ; while the debate is on a subject that will admit of a latitude of decision and opposing argument. Thus the debate aObrds scope to youthful abilities and vigour; to attack and defend ; to be ready at reply, and eflective in onset ; and in this exer- cise it will be always remarked, that when once the subject hus been well and fairly thought upon, — words, which are the ve- hicles of thoughtiti-^foUow very readily, as the attendant ox- 'i> 4^ ? « ) ponents of our various mental movements. Besides, in every country, blessed with a free constitution, all young men should be able to speak on occasion, in public ; and, from the want of some such institutions as this of our debating department, the facuhy of public speaking is never exercised : and the in- evitable consc(]iiencc is, that, with (ew exceptions, the speakers at public assemblies are those hackneyed orators, whose speaking is their trade — and is generally pursued in the spirit of trade — for imnicdiutc and tangible gain : while those, who really know what is good to be uttered, and could persuade their auditors, by the reason and force of their materials for speech, hang back in a foolish, unmanly shame-facedness, for want of tlio timely exorcise of that tongue, with which they have been gifted, as well as any, the most ready speakers of the land. Take wo our examples from history. All ominonl characters, almost, have been remaikablc speakers. It was said of Caesar, " that he spake with the same force with which he fought." There was tlic same orderly arrangement of his intellectual means ; the same compact and irresistible move- ment, as when he was fighting at the head of his invincible Roman Legions. His foreign enemies and political opponents felt, and were obliged to acknowledge, his power. His Commentaries are plainly tbe ilionirhis, and reasonings, and descriptions of an ancient Roman general. And, again : our modern Ct-esar,— that illustrious Duke, whose name is synonymous with military glory, — is remark- able for his close and forcible speeches in the Senate. He sees as it were, intuitively, the several bearings of his subject, speaks with a manly plainness — a majestic brevity of utter- ance ; and his conclusions are presented in all their force. Here is no nice search for Hue :ind gfiudy words, that nuuseato a healthy taste ; but the language is energetic — the argument compact : and even though you may not agree with him, still you cannot but admit, that lie is a fair and formidable warrior in the Senate, though not as uniformly successful as in the field. But 1 must restrain my speech, h^st 1 should be drawn on to deliver my sentiments on what 1 deem true and wliat- spurious, oratory — a subject worthy a far abler tongue than mine, and a most attentive audience. For, wo nmst remem* ber, it is by public speaking, in the Senate especially, that the grout movements in our outward condiiioo* have been mainly (t ' I i \ brought about. The crowded thoughts, and fiery energy of Fox; the clear and luminous and commanding speaking ol his great rival Pitt ; the playful though kcenly-biting satire of Canning, on a later day : these, with the consideration of the methods employed by the great masters of eloquence in the old European world ; of Demosthenes in Greece, and ot Cicero in the Eternal City: here, I say is a theme that might warm the coldest, one would think, into a superior strain of speech, or of written eloquence ! 3. But, Mr. President, my present object warns me to descend to cooler prose, and to a nearer subject, which was our third point to be treated of; i. e. an audience that takes an interest in intellectual pursuits, that can derive delight Irom the serious consideration of matters not reudily within the reach of every man alike. And here again, I shall pronounce, that we are really fortunate. For, during the storms and snow- drifts of last winter»s evenings, when the lecturer, while re- pairing to his appointed post, was, perchance, floundering in the snow,— his mind intent on some astronomical scene ;— .our room was always well and cheerfully filled. There were, no complaints of the bitter cutting of the northern wind :--but the cloaks and the furs were tasked to their respective services ; even the distressing bursts of irritating cough seemed charmed and soothed ; and all appeared to hang in attentive silence on the lips of the lecturer or speaker. No want of zeal was sliewn, in a prompt attendance at the place and hourot meeting ; no frivolous excuses were heard ;— no ; all pressed on, as to a treat, that wa. agreable to them. These were the practical proofs, that the evenings occupations were grateful ; iollowed up by more decisive evidence, viz., that of future questioning on the subjects of the evening's discussion. In fact, there is no need for me to dwell upon this topic ; since the i^ady at- tendance and attention bestowed, on all the subjects offered for notice or debate, were uniformly conspicuous, and are inti- mately known. 4. I shall, therefore, Mr. President, proceed at once, to my last head of discourse ;— the general utility of literary institu- tions, such as this, to which I have the honor to belong. It requires but little experience to discern readily, the great us© of poiltive inititulion* of a public and. ascertained character, in such as our own. For we all require the stimulus of novel ly,— the excitement of whrit is new and striking to rouse ns to miike exertion in any one direction. As an example. What pot sua does not know, how boneficlal bodily exercise is, wliiit a genial and comfortable glow of circulation follows a long and cheerful ramble over the hills ? — h»ve we not felt it ourselves a thousand times? — can we bo more convinced, than we are, of the salutary effect of such exertions ? — and yet, we know» that in civili/ed and highly refmed society, some of the most active and valuable minds will neglect such efforts, will suffer themselves to be weighed down, into the deep sloughs of spleen and melancholy, because they will not do, what yet they know they ought to do ; i. e. get up, — bestirring, — employ the body and mind both ; — the body in vigorous and healthful exercise,— the mind in all those sprightly and intellectual employment!^, which, more than all the drugs that ever were compounded, may eminently be termed — " antibilious;" — for mental exer- cise bestirs the depths of the soul; drives off all those foolish, unreasonable whims and fears, that the sufferer from hypochondriasis labours under ; — and uniting with bodily exertion, renders the man harmonious both in soul and body : while, on the contrary, we see the idle and iiiilolent to be heavy, splenetic, peevisli, and altogothcr dissatisfied both with lliein- selves and all things else. And this is why wo see, that prison* who retire from active business, so seldom find that ease, they promised themselves, when th(*y were formerly in the Iniylit of bustle and occupation. Most often, they are obliged — again to return to what they call business : — i. e. sonie outward and urgent calls upon their daily attention and exertions. And thus it is, with regard to literary societies. Were all the different subjects thero discussed to bo sought for only by reading in solitude, the moral certainty is, that we should rarely attend to each. For, we may have the leisure i but of what avail is the am|ilest leisure, without the spiriinal thirst and inclination 1 and how often the mind is untuned if we trust to our own solitary efforts, we all must know. lie nee, we find it necessary to call In the aid of something outward and positive ;— somo rather public avocation, which,— urging n.< with a motive, stronger tlian that of our private and retired thoughts, — may force us, as it were, to act, and thus secure to ourselves a benefit, which we could not, or would not, (fi>r the effect is the same in either case) attaia by our own individual IQ ) efforts. We all require these moral goads, to stir us on, in any intellectual path. Hence arise such associations as this of ours. For here is a public institution, mailing demands on us, that even our own pride and sense of propriety will not allow us utterly to neglect. Heie is an honest emulation excited, to rouse and bestir ourselves, — each in his separate spliere, — that all may move on harmoniously, and receive an accession of mutual and lasting benefit. And thus, again, Mr. President, the circle of our influence spreads wider, than we can easily imagine, or perhaps, readily believe. For instance ; — any subject handled with force and originality in this literary arena of ours, — calls forth the energies, not only of those who hear, or who partake in the discussion, — but also of those, who are members of kindred societies, in the cities above and below us. For, it is a natural, and n not unworthy feeling, — not to like to be far surpassed, in what we ought, and are considered to be competent masters of. Hence, if Ii be known, that on any subject, much has been well and ably offered ; — on that very subject, will the lecturer or debater be led on to vie w; h, or even to excel, what was before attained to and executed. Just as two active lads start ofl', in sport, in a meadow, and at last persist in a serious straining race ; because each is determined not to be easily conquered. This is a laudable and a virtuous emulation, — innocent in its origin and most beneficial in its results. Thus the member of the society cither in Quebec or Montreal, does not like it to be thought, that at the small To\ni of Three Rivers, any subject proposed for intellectual discus- sion, shall be more clearly treated, more forcibly argued, or more eloquently set forth to view, than in either of the proud cities : while on the other hand again, we of this luimblo association shall be as determined, tliat our little community, shall stand as high, as our own best pains and efforts can fairly and honorably place it. In such a strife, wc may with credit say, *' lot us yield to none 1" In this manner, a fair emula- tion leads to mutual improvement. Tlio lecturer, or debater, or essayist, will think more ; will be moro exact ; will enter farther into the spirit of his subject ; will bo in a nuinncr carried away by it; — and then will follow in its natural train, that stream of pure and genuine uloquenco, dictated by a deep feeling of the truth or importance of tliu subject under discus- sion. For none can bo eloquent, on what they do not feel. The practised mind,— as with the touch of the spear of Iihuriul, F' l i^yr n," ' " ;i - -P - ^iy- 11 ■•■f detects artlftctal hypocrisy, and turns away disgusted from it : whilu U'liat flows freely from the human mind and licart is true and good and acceptable, even ttiough it be not of an eminently exalted grade of power. And again, Mr. Pi-esidcnt, in the tone of thought, that it unconsciously spread among (hose, who frequent our meetings, there is a vaiiiablo und gained. For, when we have attended to ihose prnssing and daily calls, which every man must give hoed to, if ho would be comforialile and happy; — and which no man can np<{loci without sorrow and di^igrdce, and consequent niistry ; — I allude )o Uie daily calls of our business or profes- sion, of whatever kind it b(« : — there arc those gracious hours of hoarl-fclt tranquillity, which the indolent can never know, (for (he very repose is the natural reward of toil and fatigue and honest industry ;) — which kfep ihu mind in that happy state, that, (he demands of this lifo being sciiisfied, we may (hen honestly provide for our immortal part. Then arises (hat curiosity, or rather natural thirst for knowledge, which Cicero 80 nobly pictures ; the desire to see or to hear of that, which is pleasing, or strance, or wouflerful ; the (ravels and voyages of wanderers over the enrih and sea ; — (ho perils rind escapes of (ho suHering sailor or soldier ; (ho reasonings of the wise and good, on the condition of mankind, and what may be hoped for them herealier ; (ho s(rango discoveries of (hose, who closely track, and search into, (he deep secre(s of nature;— in short, all that Wvs within the range of the himian understanding and hear( ; or has b(>on discovered by pr-rsevering effort, during (he successive generations of n unkind. This appe(i(e, we find, grows with our habittud application, and burns and lives on, even to ourextremest age ; is a source of never-ending Joy, of an endiuing pleasure, tha( injures no one ;— nay, radier is (bo secr(;( fountain of all beru'licial conversadon, of all dis* course, (ha( is really interesiing, and improving, and inspiriting. For, the nuin becomes, unknown (o himself, tinged with (he mode of thinking, of those noble masier-spirits uf (he world, to whose woiks ho devotes his atti'utive and earnest mind ; just as,-~tu use 11 homely simile, much employed by (he poe(s, the haiul of the dyer becomes stained with that peculiar tinge, — which ho is accustomed (o give (o the imbibing cloth. And (bus again, even with respcci to those, who benefit least, by what (hey hear, there is a practical sense given to thcni,of AS •pmething in man far nobler, far more worth Ins cherishing and serious care, thnn merely his animal nature ; — which in itself is good and excellent, and must be tended — and that with care and thankfulness, ihotigh it be inferior t(i the iininorlal n)ind within us. And tiiis is a proper foundadon for tliosn hijihcr exercises of iliu soid, with regard to our contemplations ui' the glorious world we live in, and what is rationally to bo hoped for, by each man after death, — which result in astonishment, and in unfeigned piaiseand gratitude to the bounteous Lord of alh It is on this account only, — were there no other good gained by our social union, — that I have hitherto proposed my services, and shall continue to render them to this society : since, I consider, there is a high duty discharged, in seriously endea- vouring to set foith in a plain and intelligible manner any subject of true and important science ; whatever tends to elevate the general mind and feelings of those, with whom it is our lot to live. Let our aim then bo, — never to degenerate ; — not to be content merely with bare amusement ; but rather to be ambitious of genuine instruction ; of desiring to have our views of society and social attainments, i. e. of the sublimities of morals, exemplified in history, or debated upon among us ; or else, the angelic exercises of the human intellect set forth to our minds in the wondrous discoveries perpetually abounding throughout the realms of nature ; — to have such pros|)ects I say, enlarged, accurately extended, and brought into thai truo point of sight, where all our knowledge shall unite and dis- tinctly harmonize, — displaying cleaiiy to our view, the good- ness, the wisdom and the power of that one great Being, who has created us all, in his own good and gracious imago ! But to gain this desirable end, JNIr. President, each must Join heartily in the work : the lecturers and debaters must put no indolent hand to the plough : they must he in eiirnest. And, on the other hand, the auditors must yield a willing attention to what has been proposed for their instruction and amusement, not without toil and patient ihouglit. Lot us each put our shoulder to the wheel ; and we shall then perceive tho fabled Hercules to bo already descending from tlio clourU to aid u^ If tho number of our forces be indeed diminished ; then let those who arc left, stand by their colours more closely : the harder the task, tho greater will bo the glory of success ! Lot us ihewi that fewer can accomplish, wliat no numbers %^ f .Ji, r ■ ?>^^ ^^ could enable us to do better. Never let it be said, that, bad < but striven more enr^'cstly, the society would have prospered and flourished. Ti. r, let sloth, and backward shame, and all unmanly fears L ,, ven to the winds ; for none ever fairly dared in the field ot wisdom, that were known to be truly and utterly driven back. The ancients feigned for themselves a goddess, wlio was helpful to all intellectual efforts :->-she wa« of a fair coiuitenance, representing the serene beauty of wisdom, and clad in armour, to imply the adamantine force of that wisdom, whether for attack or defence. But wo are better taught. Wo have disclosed to us, the one, living, eternal source •' of all utterance and of all knowledg-i," — who giveth wisdom *' to all men liberally, and npbraidetli not." Relying on thissuro strength, wo will commence our season of literarj labours without fear and doubtfulness ; — being sure of an ample harvest, if He only shall deign to bless our huubl* endeavours. Three Rivers, 2nd November, 1842. FINIS. • • • # ■ ' f»