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HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY

OF THE

BRITISH DOMINIONS

VOL. V

CANADA--PART II

HISTORICAL

BY

HUGH E. EGERTON, M.A.

FELLOW OF ALL SOULS COLLEGE

BEIT PROFESSOR OF COLONIAL HISTORY

IN THE UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD

SECOND EDITION

OXFORD

AT THE CLARENDON PRESS

MDCCCCXVII

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PREFACE

WHEN Sir Charles Lucas came to the conclusion, from which others as well as myself vainly endeavoured to dissuade him, that he was unable himself to finish his series of volumes on the Historical Geography of the British Colonies', he asked me to undertake the volume dealing with Canada under British rule. Whatever be meant by historical geography and I should myself describe the series as histories, laying especial stress on geographical considerations-the practice has been in some, at least, of the previous volumes to separate the purely historical from the geographical portions of the work. In these circumstances I undertook the historical portion, leaving to the competent hands of Mr. J. D. Rogers the task of dealing with the geography. An English writer cannot but approach with diffidence ground which could better be covered by many of the distinguished living Canadian historians. No country perhaps gives its own history more systematic and organized treatment than does Canada. The work of the Dominion Archivist, Mr. A. G. Doughty, C.M.G., and the annual Review of Historical Publications relating to Canada, edited by Professor Wrong and Mr. H. H. Langton, are conspicuous proofs of what is being accomplished. In spite, however, of the numerous histories of Canada, there is no book, I

think, which deals with the subject from quite the same point of view as is here attempted; and in one or two cases recent research has thrown light on questions, which has not been hitherto made use of in popular histories. It must be remembered that this series is intended primarily for the advanced classes of secondary schools; but, so far as possible, recourse has been had to first-hand authorities. I have to express my most hearty thanks to my colleague, Mr. W. L. Grant, who has read my manuscript and proofs, and assisted me with valuable suggestions and advice. I have also to express my thanks to the librarian of the Royal Colonial Institute for the loan of books from that invaluable library.

HUGH E. EGERTON.

OXFORD,

May, 1908.

In this edition one or two necessary corrections have been made, and the names of a few books that have appeared since the issue of this volume have been added. Otherwise this edition is a reprint of

the first.

H. E. E.

OXFORD,

March, 1917.

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