QUEBEC.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12637, 26 October 1905, Page 7

QUEBEC.

The Canadian correspondent of the "National Review" dwells jri his last letter on the thoroughly exceptional character of the population of Quebec, Canada, he says, ie a species of Normandy* only with the spirit of nationality more pronounced. Not only do they maintain their nationality, but they absorb new-comers, including— wonderful to say-^the Scotch. In villages on the Lower St. Lawrence arc numerous settlers with stark old Scottish names, who cannot speak any lanSuage but tihe Frenoh of Quebec, and aye assumed the manners, customs, gesture, and habit of mind peculiar to French Canadians. Throughout the province tdie same dialect is spoken by ell* classes, and this uniformity of language is really the outward and visible sign <of a unity of religious and political .thought. In a word, the French Canadians form c nation in almost every sense of tfhe term. The capacity of heroworship (not possessed by Englishspeaking Canadians) is their chief national characteristic. The political leader who wins their confidence can wield the whole political power of the French Canadians as a weapon of precision in federal politics—iae Sir Wilfred Laurier does to-day. No doubt the French love of war — part and parcel of the Latin gaietyshould be included Bimong the traits of tiho Quebec nationality. But it is latent for tine present. The French Canadian •mind withdraws linto dteelf, like a sensitive plant, alt the mere suggestion that Quebec should contribute men or money Vo the ware of the empire. It is not fear, but a specnes of touchy shrewdness. French Canada would fight to the last to prevent its conquest or -absorption .by the United States. As regairds ithe economic consolidation of <£he empire, the 'habitant will follow his leaders, and his leaders—^as we know—■' discuss that scheme like reasonable men of 'business. They may be denned as Passive Imperialists.