[Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year eighteen hundred and ninety, by WILLIAM J. WHITE, at the Department of Agriculture.]

PRINTED BY THE GAZETTE PRINTING COMPANY, AT THEIR PRINTING HOUSE, corner

CRAIG AND ST. FRANCOIS XAVIER STREETS, MONTREAL.

"the

About 1830, or perhaps a little earlier, a fresh spring of life, the thrill of a new beginning, became perceptible in Canadian literature. The contagion of popular enthusiasm aroused a vigorous force of national life. The political events of the day gave birth to a strong, patriotic sentiment that before long clothed itself with burning words, rich with pathos and passion. The greater portion of the poetry of this era was written by those known as patriots of '37." These compositions were for the most part short, detached pieces, printed in the journals of the time. It is quite possible that for strangers, these songs would possess little interest. Many of them are imperfect in form and expression, and exhibit flaws in taste and finish, but the ardent national spirit which they breathe will keep them long alive in Canadian hearts. Among those whose work displays talent, grace and charm are F. X. Garneau, Bédard, Cherrier, Aubin, F. R. Angers, Petitclair, J. E. Turcotte, F. M. Derome, Barthe, Leblanc de Macounay and Pierre Laviolette,