*Catalogue of Canadian Newspapers in the Douglas Library, Queen's University,*
by Lorraine C. Ellison, et al. Kingston: Douglas Library, Queen's University,
1969. Douglas Library Occasional Papers, No. 1, xxi, 196 p. $3.00

With one of the largest holdings of Canadian newspapers in Canada it is appro-
priate that the Douglas Library has at last provided a catalogue of them for the
benefit not only of the scholars at Queen's University but also as an aid to other
interested scholars. Originally the conception of Mr. W. F. E. Morley, Curator of
Special Collections in the library, the work was carried forward by members of
his staff after his interim catalogue was produced in 1964, and was finally com-
pleted by Miss Ellison under his direction. An excellent explanatory introduction
is provided, followed by a listing of abbreviations and symbols used throughout
the work. As well there is a comprehensive bibliography which includes sources
cited and a geographical index; both of these should invite the particular thanks
of interested scholars as an aid to their research and as an additional control over
the material. The format of each entry is closely modelled on the CLA catalogue
of *Canadian Newspapers on Microfilm*, with the difference that greater precision
is used in listing the actual holdings. Short notes are appended on the publication
history of the paper and its editorial policy, followed by a copious list of sources
consulted. In addition to Canadian newspapers, there is a small listing of foreign
journals of Canadian interest held in the Douglas Library. Copies may be obtained
prepaid for $3.00 from Technical Supplies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ont-
ario.

*Canadian Notes and Queries / Questions et Réponses canadiennes.* Montreal: Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Canada, 1968- Gratis to scholars and institutions at present.

BSc readers will recall the proposal made in Volume v of the *Papers* (pp. 90-92) "for a medium of brief exchange between scholars ... in Canada" to aid bibliographical investigation of Canadian subjects in the Humanities. Mr. Bernard Amtmann and the Antiquarian Booksellers Association of Canada have generously supplied a *modus vivendi*, for the first number of *CN&Q* has appeared as a supplement to the Association's *ABACUS*, under the joint editorship of Mr. William F. E. Morley (English editor) and M. Antoine Roy (French editor). In the first issue (July 1968), "Notes" are defined as those "little discoveries encountered ... which have not themselves sufficient weight for development into a full study or even a journal article," and the hope is expressed that *CN&Q* would be a useful medium "to preserve these 'by-products' of original research." "Queries" are defined as problems which arise in the course of research "which [are] beyond your present resources to solve"; but by publicizing these problems it is pointed out that contributors can draw upon the knowledge of "subject specialists and others over a wide geographical area." For ease in referring to a query, these have been numbered consecutively over each calendar year. While
*CN&Q* is still in a formative period, the third issue shows a growing proportional balance between Queries, Replies and Notes, not only on a numerical basis but also in their wider geographical origins. It is unfortunate, though, that no French contributions appear after the first issue.

Complimentary copies may be obtained from the editors, and readers who wish to receive *CN&Q* regularly should write to the English Editor.

PETER E. GREIG
Massey College Library

*Federal Royal Commissions in Canada, 1867-1966: A Checklist*, by George F. Henderson, Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1967, xvi, 212 p. $7.50

Unless he has been exceptionally lucky, anyone who has had occasion to consult one or other of the lesser-known Royal Commissions among the 400-odd appointed since Confederation will have felt frustrated from the start in merely trying to locate a copy of the report in question. If one supposes that all such reports are to be found in the Library of Parliament, he will quickly be disillusioned. Indeed, incredible as it may seem, one hundred Royal Commission Reports – a quarter of the total number – seem to have disappeared completely. At least they have, so far, escaped the eagle eye and assiduous research of Mr. Henderson, aided and abetted by librarians and other officials of the Library of Parliament, the National Library and Public Archives of Canada, and various government departments in Ottawa. Some may not have been submitted; others, submitted in manuscript, were never published; still others were consumed in the fire that destroyed the Parliament Buildings in 1916. Previously published checklists of Royal Commissions, varying from 82 to 328 (the latter including commissions of inquiry) have all been incomplete and often failed to supply basic information which a researcher requires.

Henceforth graduate students and other scholars can turn with confidence to Mr. Henderson's checklist so long as the Report sought is among the 300 that have been located; and even if it has disappeared certain basic facts about the Commission are given. Entries include the full title of the commission, date of appointment, recommending Minister, names of commissioners, dates of Report and its tabling in the House, where and by whom printed (if information available), present location of copies, and Notes (e.g. where public hearings were held, number of pages of evidence, cost of the commission, etc.) The list is chronological; an index gives the names of commissioners, secretaries, titles and authors of special studies, and main topics covered. For this systematic, painstaking, and very useful compilation, Mr. Henderson is to be congratulated. The University of Toronto Press has issued the book in multilith form from an admirable typescript prepared under Mr. Henderson's supervision.

H. PEARSON GUNDY
Queen's University

(Reprinted, with permission, from *Queen's Quarterly*)