The Government of Quebec lately instituted a " Canadian History
Competition " and prescribed a dozen subjects for study. An outcome of this is an essay by Miss Dorothy A. Heneker, LL.B., B.C.L., of Montreal, on The Seigniorial Regime in Canada, whida deserves the serious attention of all who are interested in Canadian history (Quebec : L. S. A. Proulx). For Miss Heneker shows very conclusively that the feudal system, when transplanted from France to Canada in and after 1808, was shorn of much of its native harshness and -proVed indeed very suitable to the' needs of a struggling colony, menaced by savage Indians and the forces of nature. In particular, the seignior could not-hold up his lands as a modern speculator might do, awaiting the unearned increment due to the progress of the community ; on the contrary, he Was bound to sub-grant his lands if settlers wanted them, and his feudal charges and rights were not burdensome and were balanced by the duty of >providing a mill, and so forth. Miss Heneker explains very clearly why trouble arose after the English conquest when English colonists _bought seigniories and wanted to develop them on, modern lines. The land question had a good deal to do with the unrest in Lower Canada which Lord Durham was sent to quell ; it was not settled until 1854, when the feudal system was swept away. Miss Heneker is much to be congratulated on her valuable book. We shall look for further contributions from her pen to the history of Canada.
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