Notes of Alexis de Tocqueville in Lower Canada: Difference between revisions

m
Line 107: Line 107:
The villages we saw in the surroundings are extraordinarily like our beautiful villages. Only French is spoken there. The population seems happy and well-off. The race is notably more beautiful than in the United States. The race there is strong, and the women do not have that delicate, febrile look that characterizes most of the women of America.
The villages we saw in the surroundings are extraordinarily like our beautiful villages. Only French is spoken there. The population seems happy and well-off. The race is notably more beautiful than in the United States. The race there is strong, and the women do not have that delicate, febrile look that characterizes most of the women of America.


The Catholic religion there has none of those accessories which are attached to it in those countries of the South of Europe where its sway is strongest. There are no monasteries for men, the convents for women are directed towards useful purposes and give examples of charity warmly admired by the English themselves. One sees no [[Madonnas]] on the roads. No strange and ridiculous ornaments, no ''[[ex-votos]]'' in the churches. Religion is enlightened, and Catholicism here does not arouse the hatred or the sarcasms of the Protestants. I own for my part that it satisfies my spirit more than the Protestantism of the United States. The parish priest here is in very deed the shepherd of his flock: he is not at all an entrepreneur of a religious industry like the greater part of American ministers. One must either deny the usefulness of clergy, or have such as are in Canada.  
The Catholic religion there has none of those accessories which are attached to it in those countries of the South of Europe where its sway is strongest. There are no monasteries for men, the convents for women are directed towards useful purposes and give examples of charity warmly admired by the English themselves. One sees no [[Madonnas]] on the roads. No strange and ridiculous ornaments, no ''[[w:Ex-voto|ex-votos]]'' in the churches. Religion is enlightened, and Catholicism here does not arouse the hatred or the sarcasms of the Protestants. I own for my part that it satisfies my spirit more than the Protestantism of the United States. The parish priest here is in very deed the shepherd of his flock: he is not at all an entrepreneur of a religious industry like the greater part of American ministers. One must either deny the usefulness of clergy, or have such as are in Canada.  


I went today in a lecture cabinet. Almost all the printed newspapers of Canada are in English. They have about the same dimension as of those of London. I did not yet read them. In Quebec City a newspaper called the ''[[Gazette]]'', half-English, half-French; and a newspaper absolutely French called the ''[[Canadien]]''. This newspapers have more or less the dimension of our French newspapers. I have carefully read some issues: they offer a violent opposition to the government and even to all that is English. The epigraph of the ''Canadien'' is: ''Our Religion, Our Language, Our Laws''. It is difficult to be more frank. The contents answers the title. All that can inflame both great and small popular passions against the English are carefully reported upon in this newspaper. I have seen an article in which it was said that Canada would never be happy until it had an administration that would be Canadian by birth, by principle, ideas, prejudice even, and that if Canada escaped England, it would not be to remain English. In this same newspaper one could find pieces of French verses that were quite nice. Was reported upon a distribution of prizes where the students had played ''[[Athalie]]'', ''[[Zaïre]]'', ''[[la Mort de César]]''. In general the style of this newspaper is common, mixed with ''[[anglicisms]]'' and strange expressions. It resembles a lot the newspapers in the [[Vaud canton]] in [[Switzerland]]. I have not yet seen in Canada a single man of talent, nor read a production proving it. The one who must awaken the French population, and rise it against the English is not yet born.{{Refl|5}}
I went today in a lecture cabinet. Almost all the printed newspapers of Canada are in English. They have about the same dimension as of those of London. I did not yet read them. In Quebec City a newspaper called the ''[[w:Montreal Gazette|Gazette]]'', half-English, half-French; and a newspaper absolutely French called the ''[[w:Le Canadien|Canadien]]''. This newspapers have more or less the dimension of our French newspapers. I have carefully read some issues: they offer a violent opposition to the government and even to all that is English. The epigraph of the ''Canadien'' is: ''Our Religion, Our Language, Our Laws''. It is difficult to be more frank. The contents answers the title. All that can inflame both great and small popular passions against the English are carefully reported upon in this newspaper. I have seen an article in which it was said that Canada would never be happy until it had an administration that would be Canadian by birth, by principle, ideas, prejudice even, and that if Canada escaped England, it would not be to remain English. In this same newspaper one could find pieces of French verses that were quite nice. Was reported upon a distribution of prizes where the students had played ''[http://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Athalie Athalie]'', ''[http://fr.wikisource.org/wiki/Za%C3%AFre Zaïre]'', ''[http://visualiseur.bnf.fr/Visualiseur?Destination=Gallica&O=NUMM-86441 la Mort de César]''. In general the style of this newspaper is common, mixed with ''[[w:Anglicism|anglicisms]]'' and strange expressions. It resembles a lot the newspapers in the [[w:Vaud|Vaud canton]] in [[w:Switzerland|Switzerland]]. I have not yet seen in Canada a single man of talent, nor read a production proving it. The one who must awaken the French population, and rise it against the English is not yet born.{{Refl|5}}


The English and the French merge so little that the latter exclusively keep the name of ''Canadiens'', the others continuing to call themselves English.
The English and the French merge so little that the latter exclusively keep the name of ''Canadiens'', the others continuing to call themselves English.
Line 116: Line 116:


=== Visit of a civil court in Quebec ===
=== Visit of a civil court in Quebec ===
We came into a large hall divided into tiers crowded with people who seemed altogether French. The [[British arms]] were painted in full size on the end of the hall. Beneath them was the judge in robes and bands. The lawyers were ranked in front of him.
We came into a large hall divided into tiers crowded with people who seemed altogether French. The [[w:Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom|British arms]] were painted in full size on the end of the hall. Beneath them was the judge in robes and bands. The lawyers were ranked in front of him.


When we came into the hall a slander action was in progress. It was a question of fining a man who had called another ''pendard'' (gallows-bird) and ''crasseux'' (stinker). The lawyer argued in English. ''Pendard'', he said, pronouncing the word with a thoroughly English accent, "meant a man who had been hanged." "No", the judge solemnly intervened, "but who ought to be". At that, counsel for the defense got up indignantly and argued his case in French: his adversary answered in English.
When we came into the hall a slander action was in progress. It was a question of fining a man who had called another ''pendard'' (gallows-bird) and ''crasseux'' (stinker). The lawyer argued in English. ''Pendard'', he said, pronouncing the word with a thoroughly English accent, "meant a man who had been hanged." "No", the judge solemnly intervened, "but who ought to be". At that, counsel for the defense got up indignantly and argued his case in French: his adversary answered in English.
Line 122: Line 122:
The argument waxed hot on both sides in English, no doubt without their understanding each other perfectly. From time to time the Englishman forced himself to put his argument in French so as to follow his adversary more closely; the other did the same sometimes. The judge, sometimes speaking French, sometimes English, endeavored to keep order. The [[crier]] of the court called for "silence" giving the word alternatively its English and its French pronunciation.
The argument waxed hot on both sides in English, no doubt without their understanding each other perfectly. From time to time the Englishman forced himself to put his argument in French so as to follow his adversary more closely; the other did the same sometimes. The judge, sometimes speaking French, sometimes English, endeavored to keep order. The [[crier]] of the court called for "silence" giving the word alternatively its English and its French pronunciation.


Calm re-established, witnesses were heard. Some kissed the silver [[Christ]] on the [[Bible]] and swore in French to tell the truth, the others swore the same oath in English and, as Protestants, kissed the other side of the Bible which was undecorated. The customs of [[Normandy]] were cited, reliance placed on [[Denisart]], and mention was made of the decrees of the [[Parliament of Paris]] and statutes of the reign of [[George III]]. After that the judge: "Granted that the word ''crasseux'' implies that a man is without morality, ill-behaved and dishonorable, I order the defendant to pay a fine of ten [[louis]] or ten [[Wikipedia:Pound sterling|pounds sterling]]."
Calm re-established, witnesses were heard. Some kissed the silver [[w:Christ|Christ]] on the [[w:Bible|Bible]] and swore in French to tell the truth, the others swore the same oath in English and, as Protestants, kissed the other side of the Bible which was undecorated. The customs of [[w:Normandy|Normandy]] were cited, reliance placed on [[Denisart]], and mention was made of the decrees of the [[w:Parliament of Paris|Parliament of Paris]] and statutes of the reign of [[George III]]. After that the judge: "Granted that the word ''crasseux'' implies that a man is without morality, ill-behaved and dishonorable, I order the defendant to pay a fine of ten [[w:Louis d'or|louis]] or ten [[Wikipedia:Pound sterling|pounds sterling]]."


The lawyers I saw there, who are said to be the best in Quebec, gave no proof of talent either in the substance or in the manner of what they said. They were conspicuously lacking in distinction, speaking French with a middle class Norman accent. Their style is vulgar and mixed with odd [[idioms]] and English phrases. They say that a man is "charge" of ten louis meaning that he is asked to pay ten louis. "Entrez dan la boite", they shout to a witness, meaning that he should take his place in the witness-box.
The lawyers I saw there, who are said to be the best in Quebec, gave no proof of talent either in the substance or in the manner of what they said. They were conspicuously lacking in distinction, speaking French with a middle class Norman accent. Their style is vulgar and mixed with odd [[w:idioms|idioms]] and English phrases. They say that a man is "charge" of ten louis meaning that he is asked to pay ten louis. "Entrez dan la boite", they shout to a witness, meaning that he should take his place in the witness-box.


There is something odd, incoherent, even [[burlesque]] in the whole picture. But at the bottom the impression made was one of sadness. Never have I felt more convinced than when coming out from there, that the greatest and most irremediable ill for a people is to be conquered.  
There is something odd, incoherent, even [[w:burlesque|burlesque]] in the whole picture. But at the bottom the impression made was one of sadness. Never have I felt more convinced than when coming out from there, that the greatest and most irremediable ill for a people is to be conquered.  


<div align="center">****</div>
<div align="center">****</div>
Line 159: Line 159:


* Q. There are still some traces of feudalism here?
* Q. There are still some traces of feudalism here?
* A. Yes, but so slight that they are almost unnoticed: 1) The lord receives an almost nominal rent for the land which he originally granted. It may for instance be 6 to 8 [[Wikipedia:French franc|francs]] for 90 acres [about 135 English acres]. 2) Corn must be ground at his mill, but he may not charge more than the maximum fixed by law, which is less than one pays in the United States where there is freedom and competition. 3) There are dues for ''lods et ventes'', that is to say that when feudally held land is sold, the seller must give one twelfth of the purchase price to the lord. That would be rather a heavy burden, were it not that the strongest determination of the people is to remain invincibly attached to the land. Those are all the traces of feudalism that remain in Canada. Beyond that the lord has no [[titular rights]] and no privileges. There is not and cannot be any [[Wikipedia:nobility|nobility]]. Here, as in the United States, one must work to live. There are no [[tenants]]. So the lord is normally a farmer himself. However, no matter how equal the footing on which the lords now stand, there is still some fear and some jealousy in the people's attitude towards them. It is only by going over to the popular party that a few of them have succeeded in getting elected to the House of Commons. The peasants remember the state of subjection in which they were held under French rule. One word lingers in their memory as a political scarecrow, that is the ''[[Wikipedia:taille|taille]]''. They no longer know exactly what the word means, but for them it stands for something not to be tolerated. I am sure they would take up arms if there were an attempt to impose any tax whatever to which that name was given.
* A. Yes, but so slight that they are almost unnoticed: 1) The lord receives an almost nominal rent for the land which he originally granted. It may for instance be 6 to 8 [[Wikipedia:French franc|francs]] for 90 acres [about 135 English acres]. 2) Corn must be ground at his mill, but he may not charge more than the maximum fixed by law, which is less than one pays in the United States where there is freedom and competition. 3) There are dues for ''lods et ventes'', that is to say that when feudally held land is sold, the seller must give one twelfth of the purchase price to the lord. That would be rather a heavy burden, were it not that the strongest determination of the people is to remain invincibly attached to the land. Those are all the traces of feudalism that remain in Canada. Beyond that the lord has no [[titular rights]] and no privileges. There is not and cannot be any [[Wikipedia:nobility|nobility]]. Here, as in the United States, one must work to live. There are no [[w:Tenant farmer|tenants]]. So the lord is normally a farmer himself. However, no matter how equal the footing on which the lords now stand, there is still some fear and some jealousy in the people's attitude towards them. It is only by going over to the popular party that a few of them have succeeded in getting elected to the House of Commons. The peasants remember the state of subjection in which they were held under French rule. One word lingers in their memory as a political scarecrow, that is the ''[[Wikipedia:taille|taille]]''. They no longer know exactly what the word means, but for them it stands for something not to be tolerated. I am sure they would take up arms if there were an attempt to impose any tax whatever to which that name was given.


* Q. What conditions of eligibility are there for entry into your House of Commons?
* Q. What conditions of eligibility are there for entry into your House of Commons?
Line 176: Line 176:
* A. Yes. A year ago our House of Commons passed a law to repeal the aliens legislation. After seven years' residence the foreigner becomes a Canadian and enjoys citizen's rights.  
* A. Yes. A year ago our House of Commons passed a law to repeal the aliens legislation. After seven years' residence the foreigner becomes a Canadian and enjoys citizen's rights.  


''We went with Mr. Neilson to see the village of Lorette three leagues from Quebec, founded by Jesuits. Mr. Neilson showed us the old church built by the Jesuits and told us:'' "The memory of the Jesuits is adored here." ''The houses of the Indians were quite clean. They themselves spoke French and have an almost European appearance despite their costume being different. All all were half-breeds. I was surprised not to see them farm the land. Bah! told me Mr. Neilson, these [[Huron]]s are gentlemen, they would think it a dishonour to work. Scratching the earth like bulls, they say, that is meant for French or English. They live from hunting and small crafts done by their women.''
''We went with Mr. Neilson to see the village of Lorette three leagues from Quebec, founded by Jesuits. Mr. Neilson showed us the old church built by the Jesuits and told us:'' "The memory of the Jesuits is adored here." ''The houses of the Indians were quite clean. They themselves spoke French and have an almost European appearance despite their costume being different. All all were half-breeds. I was surprised not to see them farm the land. Bah! told me Mr. Neilson, these [[w:Huron|Huron]]s are gentlemen, they would think it a dishonour to work. Scratching the earth like bulls, they say, that is meant for French or English. They live from hunting and small crafts done by their women.''


*Q. Is it true the Indians have a predilection for the French?
*Q. Is it true the Indians have a predilection for the French?
Line 184: Line 184:
*Q. What has happened to the Hurons who showed such a constant affection for the French and played such a great role in the history of the colony?
*Q. What has happened to the Hurons who showed such a constant affection for the French and played such a great role in the history of the colony?


A. They assimilated little by little. They were however the greatest Indian nation on this continent. They could arm up to 60,000 men. You see what remains. We think that almost all the Indians of North America have the same origin. There are only the [[Esquimaux]] from the Hudson Bay who evidently belong to another race. There, all is different: language, canoes... I was telling you a little earlier of your aptitude to become Indians. In Canada we had mostly such a race of men now almost entirely extinguished who were excellent in this matter. They were the agents of the fur trade known as the ''[[Voyageurs]]''. They were recruited among the whole population. I do not believe that intrepidity and spirit of adventure was even pushed further. They were surprising and subjugating the Indians themselves in their forests.
A. They assimilated little by little. They were however the greatest Indian nation on this continent. They could arm up to 60,000 men. You see what remains. We think that almost all the Indians of North America have the same origin. There are only the [[w:Inuit|Esquimaux]] from the Hudson Bay who evidently belong to another race. There, all is different: language, canoes... I was telling you a little earlier of your aptitude to become Indians. In Canada we had mostly such a race of men now almost entirely extinguished who were excellent in this matter. They were the agents of the fur trade known as the ''[[Voyageurs]]''. They were recruited among the whole population. I do not believe that intrepidity and spirit of adventure was even pushed further. They were surprising and subjugating the Indians themselves in their forests.


Mr. [[Richard]], Catholic priest, is sent to the Congress by a protestant population. Mr. Neilson is protestant, and sent to the Commons of Canada by a Catholic population. Do these facts prove that religion is better understood or that its strength is weakening? They prove, I think, one and the other.
Mr. [[Richard]], Catholic priest, is sent to the Congress by a protestant population. Mr. Neilson is protestant, and sent to the Commons of Canada by a Catholic population. Do these facts prove that religion is better understood or that its strength is weakening? They prove, I think, one and the other.
wikieditor
10,503

edits