FILLES DE LA CONGREGATION

This was an institution for teaching young girls to read and wTite ; they take the vows but are not cloistered, and go abroad about their business; they are poor ; however besides what they possess in the other two Governments, they

had a ho use in the Lower Town destroyed by our Artillery, one at Pointe au Tremble, and one with a snriall Farm at St. Famille in the Island of Orléans.

Their number at présent in this Government is four.

This Government is divided into fifty Parishes, some of which are small and not thoroughly inhabited as yet ; for want of regular Clergy, several of the Recollets serve the Cures, and in some places one Curé serve two, the whole is under the inspection of a Vicar General at présent, during the vacancy of the see.

OBSERVATIONS

1. The Canadians are very ignorant and tenacious of their religion, nothing can contribute so much to make them staunch subjects to His Majesty, as the new^ Government giving them every reason to imagine no altération is to be attempted in that point.

2. Care was taken under the former Government, to keep up a great part of the Clergy, French^ especially the dignified part ; to prevent the further importation of thèse, it would be necessary to encourage the natives to engage in the profession, which cannot be so well done except the see is fiUed up ; as without a Bishop there can be no ordination ; no difîiculty will attend this, as it is unendowed ; though hereafter means may be found ont for making up this deffîciency.

3. A hke difîiculty occurs in relation to the Chapter, their number might be reduced by letting the vacancies lie dormant, if some provision cannot be made for them, as will hereafter be proposed.

4. An expédient to assist the people in rebuilding their great Church, would much ingratiate their new masters with them.

5. The Jesuits are neither loved nor esteemed in gênerai, and this order may be easily removed, whenever the Government shall think proper, without giving

offence ont of part of their estate, and a sufficient fund might be made for the Bishoprick and Chapter, which would ease the Crown of further expence on that head.

6. The Recollets is an order of Mendicants ; as they dépend upon charity for subsistance, they are careful not to give offence ; probably, should they fmd the inhabitants upon the présent charge, cool towards their order, they will of themselves seek a better living some where else.

7. The Seminary educates the youth and fit them for Orders, it will be necessary to préserve and encourage this house on that account ; and it is to be observed, this was the only religions house or order, that heretofore did not participate in the French King's bounty.

8. As to the Community of women, they are much esteemed and respected by the people ; the narrowness of their circumstances will probably prevent their being filled up so easily as in former times. When the Canadians become a little more reconciled to British customs and Government, it may not be amiss, under colour of serving thèse communities in their distressed situation, to restrict the admission of any under a certain sum ; this régulation with another, fixing a certain âge, under which, no vows are to be taken, would probably soon reform the worst abuses of such institutions.

9. There are some few French Protestants in this country, who no doubt will be willing to remain. It would be a great confort to thèse, if a Church was granted for their use, and some French Clergyman of sound sensé and good character, with a tolerablo salary, was invited to settle among them ; such an establishment may be attended with the further good conséquence of enticing many of their brethren in France, to corne and

Li: DHOI r CIVIL CANAOIKN.

ciijoy thaï roligioiis liborly, aftor wiiich, tli(»y so ai'(I(!iiLly si^^li, amidst a [)«'()[)1(; , siirmif; from Ihc saiiuî origiii, spciakiiig the sanu; laiiguagu, and following tho sarnc; ciistoms ; it may likowiso bo con- (lucivetowards^)ringiiig aboiit a reforrnation by slnw dc^groes, and iiiiist at loast provo to llie (ianadiaiis, Iborci is iiolhing in oiir lloly Roligioii r(i])ugiiaiit to virLiio or moralily.