The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-09-06
CANADIAN LETTER.
The British Association-Mineral Deposits
in the Province of Quebec, Etc.

Canada, Sept 2-Fhe animal
meeting of the British Association, which Is nox
IN session at Montreal, win attiact, for the time
being, much of the attention of scientific and
other learned men throughout the world, 30
Canada.
simultaneously with the assembling Of the
association comes the news that Prof. William
Dawson. one of Ganada's most earnest workers
IN tho field Of science, has been knighted for his
achievements in the peaceful field Of study and
investigation. Whatever of real honor and
glory there may be still attached to knighfhood
has heretofore been only bestowed upon Cana
dians as a reward for political or MILITARY
achievements.
That it should come to a quiet worker. an
humble Student; teacher and author, at q time
when there are SO many aspiring politicians
painting Tor the title of sir, which knighfhcod
%eonferss is another illustration, if one were need
ed, of the growing Importance of scientific re-
search and discovery. The young men and
women of The West must wake up to the neees-
sity of actual knowledge of the things that sur
round them, and cease to content themselves
with smatterings of law, medicine, literature,
and music, or be left behind in the race for
honor and distinction. With MS, who are we'll
along over the road of life, little beyond catch
Ing glimpses OF the broader knowledge has been
possible. But the young people of the present,
having better opportunities, will owe it to The
world to prepare themselves to carry forward
the spirit of research and discovery that has
already SO largely affected human affairs. The
British association is divided into sections. and
each section deyotes its time and attention to
q single branch, or two or more allied
branches Of science. If there is any iustifca-
lion for a system of peerage, with inalienable
estates, it must lie in the perfect ability which
IL bestows upon the favored lords. to devote
themselves to the pursuit of knowledge-theo-
retical and experimentation may be of benefit
to mankind. Great scientists as well as great
htterateurs have been heretofore much scareer
among the English mobility than great sports
men and accomplished masters of the hounds
Of recent years, however, a better and nobler
spirit is abroad, and this meeting of the British
Association brings to Canada quite a little
sprinkle of lords. The president Of the society
for this year is a lord-Lord Raileigh-and his
address at the opening of the meeting on
Wednesday last was an admirable review Of the
scientific progress of the world during the year
from the standpoint of one who
IS intensely Interested IN mathematics
and physics. Many of the great men of Canada
were present to welcome the distinguished visit
ors and take part In the opening ceremonies.
The Governor general. Lord Lansdcwne, made
the address of welcome, which was. in its way.
an admirable harangne. AS usual with him, he
threw a little sop of Aattery to the Americans,
saying that though they had separated from Eng
land when colonial affairs were not SO well. man
aged as now, stiIl they had never forgotten their
English origin. nor ceased to feel a just pride in
the ~triunphs Of the English race. Sir John "A.
Mcdonald. who is as sly as Joe Bagstock, got off
his little joke, and dealt his proverbial bit If taffy
with a wisdom and cunning worthy his we'll
earned reputation as an exceedingly shrewd po-
Iitical leader.
One of Sir Johns mDts, that the Canada
papers are just now telling to his admirers, was
got off in the office Of the Windsor Hotel.
where PIN, who is large and embonpoint, was
having a contention with a thin gentleman as to
which should entertain Lieutenant Grceiy.
Finally they referred the matter to the Premier.
Well. sir, responded Sir John, II should say
that PIN would furnish decidedly the best pro-
vision for the arctic explorer Of course, the
joke was not intended to reflect coarsely upon
the misfortuneS of the unhappy explorers. its
point being wholly directed against PIN.
tits but natural to suppose that the members
of the association have met in Canada this year
more with a view of seeing and studying the
United States than for any and all other reasons.
But while the United States can afford them
such a vast field for inquiry and enjoyment,
they should not forget that Canada, which is a
part OF their own great empire, has a wonderful
wealth OF undeveloped resources, and contains
M "a 6nFanoIL Af - ~ ~ -.-1--1
used in the industries and in the exchanges of
commerce.
None of these deposits are. perhaps, Of more
interest to the scientific man and the industrial
economist than those which abound in this
province of Quebec, in and about, and in easy
reach OF, the city of Sherbrooke. These embrace
iron, copper, sulphur, Nickel silver, gold
asbestos, ochre. anthony, slate. soapstone, and
several varieties of limestone, varying from the /
ordinary serpentine, TO which the great bulk of
the limestone here belongs, to an excellent i
article of slaek4ime for plastering, building and
other mechanical purposes. Efforts are being
put forth to induce the association to come to
Sherbrooke IN q body and go thence over the
Quebec Central railroad to that strange region
at Black lake and Thetford mines, where
asbestos abounds and antinony is found. That /
is a desolate country of bare rocks and blasted
evergreens, but great mineral wealth is stored
in it's bosom. Large quantities of asbestos are
quarried there and shipped to the United States.
The mineral is of superior quality, and the hbers |
very fine and tough, and it aoounds over quite
an extensive region. How extensive or valuable
the DEPOSITS are 1have had, up to tie
present. nj means of knowing. Gold is difused 4
over a large portion of the eastern townships. |
A few years ago a mine of the precious metal
WAS opened near Skerbrooke, and christeued
4sGolconda" 1t was worked for some time. with
varying success, and Buildings were erected and
machinery put In to facilitate the collection of
the valuable particles But the manager and
principal owner put ON SO much style and lived
q ranfdlH tho hn cn0n AroIn - - --sA. xE /. Il