Our Intellectual Strength and Weakness / A Short Historical and Critical Review of Literature, Art and Education in Canada

An assertive historical and critical review traces intellectual development in Canada through three eras—an early French colonial period, a subsequent phase dominated by political and constitutional struggle under British rule, and a later phase of growing literary, scientific and artistic activity. It surveys the rise of newspapers, historical writing, poetry, essays and successful scientific literature, assesses weaknesses in fiction and the superficial, utilitarian tilt of education, and praises learned societies for promoting research. The author critiques the scarcity of art galleries and original architecture, calls for stronger humanities, bilingual encouragement, wider sympathy for native talent, and greater self-reliance to overcome provincialism and material preoccupations.