The Cradle of New Prance. By Arthur G. Doughty, Litt.D.
(Longmans and Co. 6s. net.)—This "Story of the City Founded by Champlain" gives us an account of the growth of Quebec during three centuries. In July, 1608, was constructed the building, partly fort, partly store, which was named " Abitation de Quebec." Twenty years afterwards the country changed hands, Champlain being compelled to surrender to Louis Kirke. The English regime lasted for four years, when the French regained possession by Treaty, to lose it finally in the eventful year 1759, after the battle on the Heights of Abraham. Growth was very slow; the authorities at home had very narrow conceptions of colonisation,—the °verse& dominions were an appanage of the Court. Some immigration there was, and the Colonial authorities did their best to meet it. When a ship with marriageable women was expected, all the bachelors of Quebec were warned that their hunting privileges would be withdrawn unless they found a partner within a fortnight of its arrival. The history of the place was not very eventful during the next century; there was a succession of Governors, occasional difficulties between the secular power and the Church, dealings with the Indians, and wars and rumours of wars coining from the English neighbours. Then after a while came the English. conquest, and, less than twenty years later, the War of Independence, in which Quebec had to stand a siege. This ended in disaster for the American assailants. In 1812-13 the tide of war did not take this direction. Dr. Doughty has adorned his book with some excellent illustra- tions, views of the place at various times and portraits.
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