Description
Book SynopsisThis fifth volume continues the dialogue between the present and the past begun in 1957 in this series of public lectures sponsored by the Institute of Canadian Studies of Carleton University. The theme of French-Canadian nationalism appears, directly or indirectly, in most of these lectures: it is present in George Stanley’s account of Louis Riel, the “martyr of the French-Canadian nation”; and in John Matthews’ discussion of the long life of Charles Mair, who is studied today mainly by historians because of his participation in the first Riel Rebellion. Mair was a poet too, and Matthew finds in his life and work a dichotomy which he believes reflects the dichotomy of Canada itself.
Blair Neatby’s tribute to the skills of Mackenzie King as a party leader includes a reminder that King’s severest test as a party leader was in the task of keeping English and French Canada together in time of war.
Jean Ethier-blais considers that Paul Emile
