Maple Leaves, 1894. Canadian History. Literature. Ornithology

Front matter

[From Montreal Gazette, 4th August, 1894.] I have been favored with advance sheets of the new volume of Maple Leaves, by Mr. J. M. LeMoine, president of the Royal Society of Canada. My first duty is to correct a possible misconception. This volume is not a second edition of a former work of the same title, but consists of papers never before published in book form. The first series of Maple Leaves was brought out in 1863. Its success induced the author to continue the series in 1864, 1865 and 1873. Since this last date, Mr. LeMoine has contributed to various perio dicals in the United States and Canada a number of essays on a wide range of subjects, marked by his characteristic charm of style and intimate knowledge of his country's annals. I have already in a general way indicated the contents of this attractive book,which, while comprising some things to be found nowhere else, sheds a fresh, warm light on many topics touched by less sympathetic pens.

As the title implies, Canadian his tory, romance, folk lore, biography and adventure take up the most of the five hundred pages, but this list does not exhaust Mr. LeMoine's themes. His book on Canadian Ornithology, now out of print, was one of the most successful of his works, and his admirers will be glad to know that his beloved birds have a place assigned them in these latest Maple Leaves. The late Xavier Marmier was one of Canada's best friends in the old land. Mr. LeMoine portrays him as he found him in his own hospitable home. Then we are invited to accompany the author to Edinburgh, where the Scotchman in him grows rapturous over the haunts ot Scott ; to Normandy, the home of his fathers, where his observing eye sees the source of many a Canadian usage and expression. A paper read before the Folk- Lore society in this city treats of some venerable oaths.

The paper on the Beaver club gives a vivid picture of old Montreal in the days when IS'or'westers ruled the roast. Of old Quebec the reminiscences are, as might be expected, rich and. vivid. Not the least pleasing feature of the book is Mr. LeMoine's tribute to his brethren of the pen, Abbe Bois, Garneau, De Gaspe, etc. Mr. William Kirby, the able author of •' Chien d'Or," prefaces the book with a sketch of Mr. LeMoine's career, while a portrait of him in winter garb, and a view of Spencer Grange and its vineries fiom the flower garden in the rear adds not a little to the reader's satisfaction. Such, in briefest outline, is this latest (but, his admirers will hope, not last) volume of Maple Leaves. It is entirely worthy of its name and of the reputation therewith associated. The work is dedicated by permission to the Countess of Aberdeen."