The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-06
CANADIAN NEIGHBORS
HOW THEY DIFFER FROM Us IN
MANNERS, CUSTOMS AND SPEECH.
They Follow English Fashions More
than We Do, but Have Various
PecuIiaritfes All Their own.
Boston Transcript.

near as Canaua Is TO the United states,
in a geographical sense, the American WISH
tor TO the north has barely crossed the
line when he realizes he is in a strange
country, and among G people whose man.
ners and customs. and even language, are,
in many respects, very different from his
own.
There is a conspicuous scarcity of colored
people in Canada. The African race does
not take kindly to the cold climate of the
country. One might walk or drive a whole
day through the streets of any of the larger
cities, especially in western Canada, with
out meeting a single son of Ham. In Hall
fax, however, the colored element Of the
population is rather more numerous than
elsewhere in the Dominion.
In all the cities and towns east of Ottawa,
the capital, the population is largely com
posed of French Canadians, the direct de-
scendants of the first French settlers. Their
language, except among the b~est-educated
people, is a patois in which many English
words are Frenchifed and French words
clipped and compounded in such a manner
that the result is a jargon Ineligible only
to the accustomed ear The typical French
Canadians are dark-haired, swarthy-com-
plcxioned and understood. As a rule they
are good looking, having bright, dark eyes,
very white teeth. and an expression of
go~od-humored vivacity. They are a light
hearted race. exceedingly sociable, fond Of
music. dancing and good living. They are
natural vocalIsts, the women's voices being
very sweet and true; the mems deep, mel
low and sympathetic. Their church choirs
are invariably good, even in country dis
tricts. The popular music is of a gay and
tuneful order. 1t is never heard TO better
| advantapa than on n wipfarsc NIGHT xrho,
a party of white-blanketed young snow
shoers out for a tramp. make the welkin
ring with the lively strains of 'Brigadier''
or "Alouette." In summer, too, you can
hear the raftsmen singing as they go by on
the river, or while away an hour round a
blazing campfire before turning in for the
Canadians have a refined taste in music.
n carpenter, or plumber, or paper-hang-
ers as he plies his trade; whistles or HUNS
when three or four happen to be working
together they sing In parts. with results that
AS a rule the French Canadians are DO
lite, clean and thnttSs Domestic secluslon
Is e thing unknown to them, Even the
terms OF close intimacy with their friends
and neighbors. and drop in on one another
evening. Household and love affairs, hus-
bands and children are discussed by the
women ONE with the utmost freed o each one
and daily experiences of her neighbour.
Love and marriage and indigestion are the
Canadians are the most sentimental and
dyspeptic people In the world: A French
girl is hardly out of short frocks when
around for a suitable parti for her. One
gentil garcon after another is introduced
thrown as much as possible together until
an understanding is arrived at The an
nouncement of an engagement is received
with general excitement, and congratula-
tons pour in on the bride-to-be and her
mother. especially the latter, who is con-
of the responsibility of an Unmarried
daughter. The subsequent merry-makings
sometimes have disastrous results. The
writer knew a lady who. after many years
of maternal anxiety. at last succeeded in
marrying off her unattractive eldest daugh-
delighted mother ate. immoderstely of the
good things provided. and. being as dys-
peptic as the rest OF her race, paid the the
poor bride was summoned back from her
honeymoon to attend the funeral.
NATIONAL DYSPEPSIA.
The national dyspepsia is probably the
result of a rich diet, the French Canadians
being very fond of animal fat and grease
in any shape, and lack of exercise. AS a
general thing. too. the practice of regular
bathing is more honored by them in the
breach than the observance. and the ma
jority of them are, therefore, never in as
sound physical condition as their more
vigorous and active countrymen of Anglo
Saxon origin.
These latter have. of course. much more
in common with their American cousins
than may be looked for among the French
Canadians. Unlike. Americans, however.
they retain and sedulously strive TO pre-
serve the CHARACTERISTIC which they have
The English. Irish and Scotch elements
redominate, there being comparatively few
Germans, Swedes or other foreigners in
U.--
In conversation with Canadians Americans
notice many expressions which are not in
use among their own countrymen. The
Canadian eats his ''porridge" for break
fast like an Englishman, and stares when
he hears you ask for oatmeal a lady
from St. John, ". B., a friend of the wri-
ter's, once caused some CONSERVATION in
a New York boarding house by asking the
waiter to bring her some porridge at once.
The fellow FASTENED to the kitchen and in
formed the astonished ~landlady that Mrs.
- insisted on having partridge for break
fast. He had never heard called
The writer has seen Americans look puz-
zled when asked at table TO hand the IBIS
chiefly to not bread, but in Canada used
10 designate Crackers" Of every variety.
Canadians do not as a rule eat hot bread
sisting generally OF porridge. bacon, eggs,
dry toast with ,marmalade or jam and
coffee. Soft-boiled eggs are always eaten
from the shell, and the practice of break
ing them into a glass or cup is regarded
with horror.
Butter is never served at dinner, except
with the cheese course. when celery and
biscuits are also handed. \ Canadian.
like an Engl.shmap, uses mis- knife and
fork constantly during dinner, never taking
the fork in the right hard except 10 eat
pastry, or pudding or fsa, when no fish
knife is provided.
There are fewer sauces, pickles and rel
ishes on the Canadian than or the Amer
lean dinner table. but the mustard pot IS
in constant requisitiol. | know Canadians
in New York who carry their own about
with them, having experienced much diff
Guilty I'm persuaiing their respective board
:ng-house keepers of the necessity of this
article of diet. Canadians do not drink as
much iced water as Americans do. and in
fact rarely touch II except in hot weather.
The prodigality which is SO distinctive OF
American dinner tables is not often seen IN
Canada. Fruits ana vegetables are less
| arur6ant and higher-pricei there than here.
During the winter months especially only
The well-to-do classes can afford TO Indulge
In such l~uxuries. On the other hand. the
quality Of certain Canadian products is
much superior TO that of ths same articles
produced In this country. Just at this time
OF year Americans would consider an ordi-
nary Canadian dinner a feast fit for the
gods. The aipecue and ~Csragcette oysters
are so much superior IN favor 20 our blue
points that ;ae knpwilg gourmet never in