New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-19
CANADIAN TOPICS.
LITERARY AND SOCIAL EVENTS.

LITERARY AND SOCIAL EVENTS.
MIR. rAHKMAN's "TuE OLD REGIME IN CANADA"
REVIEWED by THE ADBE CAsGRAIN-CANADiAN
TUNfRAIs-A NEW ORDER OF NuNS-rHE LOSS
OF THE yICKsBURG.
(FDOn AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TEIBuNEl
OrERrC. June 14.-Whcn Mr.. Parkman pub
lisLcd bis last volume "Thc Old Regime in Canada,
about year ago. it received almost IN silence ny
the pres. throughout Canada. But that silence has at
length been broken by very able reve" OF IRE Wok
from the pen of personal friend OF Mr. ParIman rAbhc
IT, H. Casgrain which appeared in La Ecruc C0n0dten'c
for April And before so on TO speak of the review
want TO say few words about the magazine III which 1t
was published
Iwonder if the many Americans who Iead French
know anything about it If not, all sure they Will
thank me for calling their attention to it, II IL published
at Montreal and has for contributors the best writers OF
Canada In The present number Mr. lie Nome OF Quebec
has most interesting article Les Rucs dc Quebec,
and Joseph Maottc, also of this city has several chap
of his historical romance, Id tianece du EeDee
Some of your readers must remember novel BY this
author which appeared several years ago In me Ae'c-
York Round Table and Cdize,, entitled Francois de
Bonylle" The translation very good keeping in a
remarkable degree the esprit of the author. think your
readers would find the Canadian writers exceedingly en-
tertainng aud they would get French literature Ameli-
cnized in La Rerne Cdna,ienne, and in that way made
more interesting TO the majority Of them.
But to return 10 Mr.. Parkman and his reviewer. AS
one would naturally think, rAbbe Casgnn reviews from
exactly the opposite point from which Mr. Parkman
wrote lie reads the book and clitciscs it rs toi
Cotoirc should agreeing in nowisc will its sentiments,
according it fullest praise work OF art perhaps,
since he does not regard it strictly true history
Gallo Wit ia said always to contain sting ana wile
tho Able only reserves TO himself the rights OF the critic,
he writes freely enough to show himself to be true
Frcnchnan in his of dealing with his opponent.
For instance he says that Nj Parkman has been an IN
deatgabe student of tie history OF Canada, but that
willie lie has studied the fcude system of new Franco
through microscope he has never laled 10 look al lne
result he gives ame pe'n'"y Mte'Lcssae saron,,
traits dc r9ris"di mas ga I'od"" ftUecf d"" 'ooo"
dc III gnh.' -. A.,
co iiG Of New ON gland ana c%fance when Away
give to The former such superiority over the later ana
tered in New England ana ignorance, superstition ana
slavery IN New rance saSanls from inc Ii,'' on @
history; and he also reminds that the uit College
of 0ucc was founded three years before Harvard lie
writes from his point Of View CONTINGENCY enough that
Mr.. Parkinan did not always do justice To Ncwffance
without its two sides, either of which be made good
ny its champion. Aud have enjoyed reading this
fair rev fair book am sure many others will
The review closes with compliments for the beauty ana
finish of Mr.. parnaus STYLE followed by these words
L" The book OF Mr. Parknan has something OF me las
cnaton aud dangers Of our early nature refer1ng to
picture OF primeva Canada. The prudent reader VIII
not however, embark without coiniss nor Hltnout
arms. AS Tor the critic, who judges IRON Catholic
of view what impression does ne gathcr
readings After having read studied, ieditated aud
closed the book with sigh, the mini Is divided between
a sentiment Of esteem and regret OF esteem Tor the
author whose character and talent lie cannot keep him
sell from adInIng: or regret IN ihlnhing tiIal so
calsc hostile to Catholicism" In spite Of Mr. Parkmans
book which attacked the institutions ana names dearest
10 the Canadian Unat Is French Canadianj heart, u
wOnd be hard TO find an American more admired Oh hhcd
than he l. in Canada -
find nothing impress him AS more foreign taan me
manner in which funerals are conducted The hsi one
seemed more solemn and reary than the many funerals
had witnessed in country. could not tell until
woman; and the large coffin carried at the head,
ana the little coffin carried at the foot of the procession
showed IL So plainly 10 be % wcDan's funeral too.
know that there is nothing harder IN all the drradinl
anguish Of ing up loved one than TO stand beside an
open grave while dust il given back to dust nse OF
dosolatiOn comes over nouIei at such tne That he
she does not feel even when n, standing
face grow pale and still. And yet, heartbreakng a. is
almost selfish not To listen To 1t not to drop sweet tear
stained flowers into the grave from loving Lands not TO
Lett into her bosoin This European custom of moi allow
ing any to attend funerals cannot understand,
but il is adopted here, and mother, sister, daughter
wife or friend is at funeral. All the men
and here business Is 80 pressing as to All OIL
Wear craze badge upon the hat and about the arm
while the lallbearers are weighed down win bck ara
pe ci 'nviuheiai 10 '"' Oh "si0"i p'''0" u ""''
on OF the first steamers that 20 Quebec this
Spring small party Of CaI1nelite nuns who were
their way from France To Montreal where they are to
establish convent Of their order They are the first OF
the Caelitcs that have come to Canada and they
found their convent at the relu ST and upon the money
given by Canadian lady OF wealth daughter OF this
lady went out 10 France time with The lncn
OF becoming Carmclite and returning 10 estab
lish Montreal But she died just before she
ready III return and the mother received permission
from the Pope TO found the convent as the daughter had
intended The order Is OF the srictest knOwn After
they have taken their last vows the faces OF The
nuns always remain covered. During their vOy
age their bishop allowed them to remove their walls
for d certain number OF days, In order TO travel
less helpsessy. l believe their conversation also
is even more restricted than that of other nuns.
Ihcy sleep upon the floor and their diet Is solely Nege
table Tis last fact makes tie experiment OF convent
on Canadian soil "A very doubtful meat is an abso-
lutte necessity here account OF tho severe climate
Some years ago several Tappist monks tried 10 settle
near lex, but their diet was the same as
that OF these nuns they died after another until the
few surviving returned w France and the
was abandoned.
In my last letter spoke OF the prevalence OF smallpox
Ia this city during the pasi Winter. am happy 10 state
that the disease has almost disappeared and tourists
contemplating visit TO Quebec during the Summer need
nave NO fears OF coming upon AN epidemic IN coming
here 1t VIII be perfectly SAFE even II there should dc
few scattering they not likely 10 be where
tourists Will encounter them.
The loss OF the Vicksburg has been terrible blow TO
many Canadian families Capt Bennett, lis commander
was married last september Ia "a daughter OF Major Pope
OF tuls cry. He was very popular 1 believe, both
land and and the news OF his trgca III has
recci cd witb sorrow by ALL while
10 iet ior his young Sue IN hs la OF L0e IN