Democracy in the Canadas, 1759-1867 by D. Hugh GillisReview by: A. R. M. LowerThe Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science / Revue canadienne d'Economique etde Science politique, Vol. 18, No. 1 (Feb., 1952), p. 114Published by: Wiley on behalf of Canadian Economics AssociationStable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/138548 .

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The Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science The Canadian Journal of Economics and Political Science

Democracy in the Canadas, 1759-1867, by D. HUCH GILLIS (Toronto: Ox- ford University Press, 1951, pp. x, 217, $2.50). Mr. Gillis's book consists in a

running commentary on Canadian history from the French regime down to Confederation. There are eleven chapters, among which typical headings are: "The Legacy of France," "The British Foundations"/ and "The Canadian Re- bellions." Most of the general aspects of the country's history during the period dealt with are included.

It is not easy to understand the reason for this book. It is not a history in the ordinary sense of the term, but rather an essay upon our history. As such it does not break new ground, though there is some mild originality of com- ment at two or three points: for example, in discussing the effects of frontier life on Canada, as contrasted with the United States, the author makes the

point that in Canada the traditional institutions brought across the sea never ceased to apply, giving to immigrants that sense of continuity which they did not find to the south.

The book contains quite a few errors or dubious interpretations. In chapter 2, we learn that the vessels blockading the St. Lawrence in 1759 were under Wolfe's command! Further on, the traders in Canada during the Murray regime are contrasted with the "American traders." On page 30, it is stated that feudalism was formally abolished in England during the reign of Charles I. On page 32, the majority of those returning to France after the cession are stated to have included members of "the old established nobility." How many colonial nobles were there among the seigneurs of New France? The only colonial barony remained in Canada-that of Longeuil. In New France, there were exceedingly few people who could "be assured of a place in the social

hierarchy of the mother country": the Vaudreuils were conspicuous in this

respect. As a piece of interpretative essay writing the book is of fair calibre but in

no sense outstanding. [A. R. M. LOWER]

Manual of Government Publications: United States and Foreign, by EVERETT S. BROWN (New York: Appleton Century Crofts, Inc., 1950, pp. x, 121, $2.00). This manual is the work of a scholar with long experience in the use of govern- ment publications and documents for research purposes. The manual covers the United States, Britain and the Commonwealth, Europe, Latin America, Japan, China, and international organizations. The United States is given the most

thorough treatment, nearly half the work being devoted to that country. No attempt is made to cover government publications in detail. The

purpose is rather to cite the major bibliographies, guides, indexes, digests, etc. which have been prepared by private parties and government offices in each country. The author gives brief comments on the usefulness and scope of each work mentioned. These are classified (with reference to the United States) under such headings as Federal Laws, Congressional Debates, Court Reports, State Governments, and so on.

Professor Brown has provided a guide that brings order and system into a field of research that has become excessively complex. [M. S. DONNELLY]

Democracy in the Canadas, 1759-1867, by D. HUCH GILLIS (Toronto: Ox- ford University Press, 1951, pp. x, 217, $2.50). Mr. Gillis's book consists in a

running commentary on Canadian history from the French regime down to Confederation. There are eleven chapters, among which typical headings are: "The Legacy of France," "The British Foundations"/ and "The Canadian Re- bellions." Most of the general aspects of the country's history during the period dealt with are included.

It is not easy to understand the reason for this book. It is not a history in the ordinary sense of the term, but rather an essay upon our history. As such it does not break new ground, though there is some mild originality of com- ment at two or three points: for example, in discussing the effects of frontier life on Canada, as contrasted with the United States, the author makes the

point that in Canada the traditional institutions brought across the sea never ceased to apply, giving to immigrants that sense of continuity which they did not find to the south.

The book contains quite a few errors or dubious interpretations. In chapter 2, we learn that the vessels blockading the St. Lawrence in 1759 were under Wolfe's command! Further on, the traders in Canada during the Murray regime are contrasted with the "American traders." On page 30, it is stated that feudalism was formally abolished in England during the reign of Charles I. On page 32, the majority of those returning to France after the cession are stated to have included members of "the old established nobility." How many colonial nobles were there among the seigneurs of New France? The only colonial barony remained in Canada-that of Longeuil. In New France, there were exceedingly few people who could "be assured of a place in the social

hierarchy of the mother country": the Vaudreuils were conspicuous in this

respect. As a piece of interpretative essay writing the book is of fair calibre but in

no sense outstanding. [A. R. M. LOWER]

Manual of Government Publications: United States and Foreign, by EVERETT S. BROWN (New York: Appleton Century Crofts, Inc., 1950, pp. x, 121, $2.00). This manual is the work of a scholar with long experience in the use of govern- ment publications and documents for research purposes. The manual covers the United States, Britain and the Commonwealth, Europe, Latin America, Japan, China, and international organizations. The United States is given the most

thorough treatment, nearly half the work being devoted to that country. No attempt is made to cover government publications in detail. The

purpose is rather to cite the major bibliographies, guides, indexes, digests, etc. which have been prepared by private parties and government offices in each country. The author gives brief comments on the usefulness and scope of each work mentioned. These are classified (with reference to the United States) under such headings as Federal Laws, Congressional Debates, Court Reports, State Governments, and so on.

Professor Brown has provided a guide that brings order and system into a field of research that has become excessively complex. [M. S. DONNELLY]

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