This eBook was produced by David Widger
By Gilbert Parker
The Right Hon. Sir Wilfrid Laurier G.C.M.G.
Dear Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Since I first began to write these tales in1892, I have had it in my mind to dedicate to you the "bundle of life"when it should be complete. It seemed to me—and it seems so still—thatto put your name upon the covering of my parcel, as one should say, "Incare of," when it went forth, was to secure its safe and consideratedelivery to that public of the Empire which is so much in your debt.
But with other feelings also do I dedicate this volume to yourself. Formany years your name has stood for a high and noble compromise betweenthe temperaments and the intellectual and social habits of two races; andI am not singular in thinking that you have done more than most other mento make the English and French of the Dominion understand each otherbetter. There are somewhat awkward limits to true understanding as yet,but that sympathetic service which you render to both peoples, with aconscientious striving for impartiality, tempers even the wind of partywarfare to the shorn lamb of political opposition.
In a sincere sympathy with French life and character, as exhibited in thedemocratic yet monarchical province of Quebec, or Lower Canada (as,historically, I still love to think of it), moved by friendlyobservation, and seeking to be truthful and impartial, I have made thisbook and others dealing with the life of the proud province, which acentury and a half of English governance has not Anglicised. This seriesof more or less connected stories, however, has been the most cherishedof all my labours, covering, as it has done, so many years, and being theaccepted of my anxious judgment out of a much larger gathering, so manynumbers of which are retired to the seclusion of copyright, whilereserved from publication. In passing, I need hardly say that the"Pontiac" of this book is an imaginary place, and has no association withthe real Pontiac of the Province.
I had meant to call the volume, "Born with a Golden Spoon," a titlestolen from the old phrase, "Born with a golden spoon in the mouth"; butat the last moment I have given the book the name of the tale which is,chronologically, the climax of the series, and the end of my narrativesof French Canadian life and character. I had chosen the former titlebecause of an inherent meaning in it relation to my subject. A man bornin the purple—in comfort wealth, and secure estate—is said to have thegolden spoon in his mouth. In the eyes of the world, however, the phrasehas a some what ironical suggestiveness, and to have luxury, wealth, andplace as a birthright is not thought to be the most fortunate incident ofmortality. My application of the phrase is, therefore, different.
I have, as you know, travelled far and wide during the past seventeenyears, and though I have seen people as frugal