The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-06-11

brings disa po.ntment as well as surprise
TO the French people Of Canada who were
scarcely prepared for the discovery that
the French race IN its old home was fall
ing behind in what Is 20 French Canadians
The principal source OF their national
pride
So rapid Is the increase In the French-
Canadian population OF the dominion that
these people have left their English
speaking fellow countrymen In a hopeless
minority. even In what were a few years
ago the almost exclusive English speaksng
eastern townships Of this province. and
they constitute now majority OF the
population OF several counties Of Eastern
Ontario. ana have very large and prcuis-
ing settlements IN Western Ontario In
Manitoba and in the Northwest Terri
tories. The late Premier MerciAr's dream
OF the establishment Of French republic
upon the banks Of the ST. Lawrence and
the prevalent French Canadian belief in
the future destiny OF the race as the
controlling influence IN the northern part
OF the continent stand much better
chance of fulflment than they otherwise
would have beMuse OF the similarity Of
the complaints that come from the Eng
iish-speakfng province Of Ontario TO those
tina; Emile lola makes In respect to
France. Were II not for the remarkably
low death rate OF Ontario. the population
last year would have stood ssili and shown
no increase At all. while In the province
Of Quebec the birth rate was 3ss7 per
thousand of the population. against 20s
in Ontario and ao.2 In France The enor-
nous birth rate in the province OF Quebec
must not be attributed solely TO the simple
manner OF living that marks the majority
OF the population. Early marriages are
the rule. dictated by the wonderfully
early development OF the people Tha
rapid growth % vegetation in the shor.
and hot Canadian spring and summer
finds its counterpart In the early masur-
i,y Of the youth Of the land Many
French-canadian girls. "a and Is syeass OF
womanhood than English or American
girls al IL or 81.
The duty Of fruitfuiness in the marriage
state IS urged by the Roman Catholic
priesthood. and patriotic devotion 10 eoun-
try - believed TO be proved by the rsar-
ing Of large families Of children Hence
too. the state awards premiums for large
families IN the shape Of free grants Of
public lands These grants consist q. a
hundred acres each 10 every father 90 a
family. whether he be born or na,uralfzed
in this province. who has twelve Children
living. Issue Of lawful marriage In
order TO obtain the grant he must ,re-
sent petition 90 the provincial secretary
accompanied BY bis certificate OF mar
rage. certificate Of hape sm ~ each a
his children, as well a a certificate sworn
70 before Justice ef the peace, giving
the number and names o. HI. children
Though this system nf bountles has been
In force for o5se nire years TO fewer than
80 grants have beer made under Il. Ar
unusually large number Of Applications
for these oounsass was naturally made
In The FIRST year that they were given
and the average number sIsd ~ from is,
20 20 year In Isss there were fss Of
them. And Jet cnIy small proportion
~ those vao retotce IN n family 81 n
tozsn or rnn-s children take the ,-n.,hGe
20 make the fact known 10 the govern
mens. for 80 dvsissrs In towns a hundred
acres q Wild land would be rather an
tncumS-snce thaa otherwise
Some interesting sacts are hscaRhs "a