Our Intellectual Strength and Weakness

This concise monograph, originally delivered as a presidential address to the Royal Society of Canada, traces the nation’s cultural evolution from its early French foundations through the rise of responsible government and into the vibrant literary scene of the late nineteenth century. The author maps three clear periods—colonial scholarship under French rule, the modest growth of education and press under English administration, and the flourishing of poetry, history, and scientific writing after 1840—highlighting key figures, publications, and the persistent tension between material progress and intellectual ambition.

Beyond a mere chronology, the essay offers thoughtful criticism of Canada’s literary habits, the uneven quality of early fiction, and the challenges faced by scholars and educators in a young Dominion. It celebrates the Royal Society’s role in fostering rigorous inquiry while urging a higher standard of style and substance, making it a compelling snapshot for listeners eager to understand the roots of Canada’s intellectual landscape.