mental exercises, could have no other spur or solace than what they found in their clerical duties. The tedium of life, in its utmost oppressiveness, could be shaken off only by complete engrossment in their work and such satisfaction as its faithful discharge afforded. Very rarely would one or another of the Jesuits in the forests indulge a scholarly, artistic, or philosophical proclivity which had been manifested and encouraged in his education as a youth in the seminary. This might enhance his enjoyment of wild scenery, make him a curious observer of natural phenomena, of botany or natural history, give a zest to his life and converse with rude humanity, and yield him solace in his loneliness. Yet we have from the Jesuit Fathers, besides their Indian vocabularies and translations of religious works, a few excellent narratives of travel and adventure, some contributions to natural philosophy and history, and a few able scientific works written here. They were contented — yes, even happy — in their service, never complaining, reluctant, or regretful.
In the motives and instruments first engaged in behalf of France, for discovery and colonization in the New World, there was certainly no element of nobleness which exalts them above or even raises them to the level of those which insured success to the seaboard English colonies. The glowing zeal and the heroic devotion of the Jesuit Fathers gave to one period of the history of New France in America a sublime and a tragic interest, the narration of which will never fail to engage the profoundest homage of the appreciative reader. But they were not the earliest actors in the enterprise. The fisheries and the fur-trade, with reckless adventurers, felons, and outlaws, mingled with a qualifying but not an overruling element of men of loftier motive and purpose, came first upon the scene of New France. In inaugurating the work of colonization in Acadia, De Monts brought thither a mixed company of nobles, gentlemen, thieves, convicts, and ruffians. Champlain, as
