Acadiensis/Volume 1/Number 2/Kind Words
Kind Words.
WHAT is more disheartening to the promoters of any enterprise than to find the results of their efforts received with that cool indifference, like the frosts in the early summer, which check the upward flow of life-giving sap in the rose-tree, wither the green leaves, and kill the half formed bud, which, if it had been tended with a little kindness, might have developed into a full-grown lovely flower, a thing of beauty, capable of producing pleasurable emotions within the bosoms of all who behold it or obtain a whiff of its balmy fragrance.
Upon the other hand, what a little thing is a kind word, and yet what joy it begets in the hearts of those, who, having done what they could in aid of a good cause, find their efforts appreciated to an unlooked-for degree, and words of kindly encouragement flowing in upon them, in an uninterrupted stream from the length and breadth of the land.
From among many hundreds of letters received, we take the liberty of publishing extracts from a few, none the less valuable for the reason that they were entirely unsolicited and therefore not written with a view of publication.
"Acadiensis is the title of a new Canadian Quarterly published at Saint John, N. B., and edited by David Russell Jack of that city. It is devoted to the interests of the Canadian Maritime Provinces, and promises, according to the prefatory note of the editor, to deal with matters largely historical. The contents of the first number are of sufficiently high merit to warrant the expectation of still better things to come. * * * The field which Acadiensis proposes to cover is rich in historical associations and in the traditions and legends which cluster round the story of the stormy years that followed the French Settlement of what is now Nova Scotia and New Brunswick."—Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
"Please enter my name as a subscriber to Acadiensis, which pleases me very much."—Henry J. Morgan, Ottawa.
"I trust that Acadiensis may live to see the dream realized of the union of the Maritime Provinces into the Province of Acadia."—Rev. James M. Gray, Boston, Mass.
"Pray command me at any time, and believe me to be very faithfully yours."—Martin J. Griffin, Librarian, Library of Parliament, Ottawa.
"I like the general make-up of your magazine, and am much interested in it."—Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts Macdonald, Fredericton, N. B.
"We enclose order for Acadiensis for Yale University Library for 1901. If you have not already done so, we respectfully suggest that you send a sample copy to each of the following large libraries, for which we act as agents."—Eastern Subscription Co., Wallingford, Conn.
"I am glad that you are starting an Acadian Magazine. If I had been in the way of writing I should like to contribute an article strongly urging the advisability of "Maritime Union." I have long been convinced that it is the most important issue for us Bluenoses if we ever wish these provinces to attain the position in the councils of the Dominion to which they are entitled. I wrote a short letter to the London Canadian Gazette on the subject several years ago, when I was living in Brittany. I shall be very happy to become a subscriber to Acadiensis."—Neville G. D. Parker, M. D., St. Andrews, N. B.
Mr. J. Murray Kay, of the firm of Houghton, Mifflin & Co., publishers, of Boston, New York and Chicago, prefatory to a valuable letter, full of practical hints as to the best means of conducting a magazine such as Acadiensis, writes as follows: "Your note of the 22nd instant, refering to your new magazine, a copy of which has also come to hand, has been duly received and perused with much interest. Some points present themselves to my mind, and I give you the bearings of them in the modest hope that they may be of some use to you. * * * If there is any other point on which you would like to consult me, please let me know and I shall be glad to be of service to you."
"I shall be pleased to do anything in my power that will assist you in your new venture, as I believe that the Magazine is one that well deserves public support."—H. S. Bridges, M.A., Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools and Principal of High School, St. John.
"I wish you success in this undertaking. The first part is good."—Phileas Gagnon, Quebec, Historian and Bibliophile.
"I shall be glad to give you what assistance I can. * * * I am obliged to you for the copy of Acadiensis which I read with interest, and of which I hope, ere long, to become a subscriber if not a contributor."—L. W. Bailey, M. A., Ph.D., F.R.S.C., Prof, of Chem. and Natural Science, U. N. B, F'ton, N. B.
"May I congratulate you upon your debut, and wish you, very sincerely, all success in your venture? Please count me at once among your friends, and if, at any time, I think I may venture to hope that anything I may write may be desiring of a place in your pages as likely to interest your readers, I shall most certainly, and with delight, send you some copy."—Lawrence W. Watson, Charlottetown, P. E. I.
"I am greatly pleased with the first number of Acadiensis. There is, in my opinion, a fruitful field for such a magazine as is outlined in your prospectus, and the names of the gentlemen under whose auspices it is published is a sufficient guarantee for the character of the work. I wish you full success in this enterprise."—J. B. Inch, Chief Supt. of Education, Fredericton, N. B.
"Whitewater, B. C., February 8, 1901.
I saw an account of your magazine in the Oxford Journal; please send me a sample copy. If it is as good as the paper claims, I will subscribe."—Norman McLeod, Sunset Mine, No. 1, B. C.
Whitewater, B. C., March 5, 1901.
"The sample copy of Acadiensis is to hand. Enclosed please find my subscription for one year."—Norman McLeod.
"I am delighted to hear of the new quarterly magazine. I wish you every success."—Harry Piers, Curator Provincial Museum, Halifax, N. S.
"I wish you success with your new magazine."—Alfred H. Peters, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.
"My grandfather, Moses Ward, was a cousin of Major John Ward (Father of the City of St. John.—Ed.) and had the honor, as I understand, of wearing His Majesty's commission in the same regiment, 'DeLancey's American Loyalists.'
"P. S.—Not being acquainted with exchange rates, I have ventured to enclose five dollars. Any surplus you will please pass to profit and loss account."—Edmund A. Ward, Richfield Springs, New York.
"Please send Acadiensis to this library, t f."—Avern Pardoe, Librarian, Legislative Library, Toronto.
"Please send me a copy of your new Quarterly, with subscription blank order."—C. C. James, Department Agriculture, Toronto.
"I wish you every success."—Mr. Justice Landry, Dorchester, N. B.
"You have my good wishes for the success of your enterprise."—Mrs. Wm. J. Robinson, Moncton, N. B.
"I congratulate you upon the neat and attractive appearance of the new magazine, and on the appropriate name, Acadiensis. I wish it every success, and enclose an express order for a year's subscription."—James Vroom, Historian, etc., St. Stephen, N. B.
"I have much pleasure in asking you to enroll me as one of your subscribers. I do not know that I have an article on hand just now that would be suitable for your publication. I have been looking into the history of education in Nova Scotia, and have sketched an article which might be suitable."—A. H. MacKay, Superintendent of Education, Halifax, N. S.
"I shall be glad to forward your work by every means in my power. I dare say you can advance the cause in your region in a variety of ways. You have a fine field. Particularly I might suggest the gathering of proverbs, and of old songs and ballads. I wonder if fairy tales are still preserved in your region? I shall be glad to see that some extracts from Acadiensis get into our Journal."—W. W. Newell, Secretary American Folk-lore Society, Editor Journal American Folk-lore, Cambridge, Mass.
"I wish every success to your new magazine, Acadiensis."—Mr. Justice Savery, Annapolis Royal, N. S.
"I learn from Mrs. Kate Gannett Wells that you have started a new magazine. Will you not send me a copy? I have not lost my interest in New Brunswick affairs, nor in my old St. John friends."—Montague Chamberlain, Boston, Mass.
"I have received the first number of Acadiensis, and am delighted with its dress as well as with the subject-matter. Mr. Dole's translation of French song is charming, and Mr. Roberts' verse says just what we all feel when reading Kipling. I find the historical articles intensely interesting to a New Brunswick woman. I send the names of two persons who, I think, would subscribe, and there are others whom I may send later."—Miss M. R. Hicks, Noroton Heights, Conn.
"Born in New Brunswick and an alumnus of Acadia, I note with pleasure the appearance of your quarterly. I enclose $1.00 for a year's subscription. Please commence with the first number, if the edition is not exhausted. Wishing you every success in your new venture."—Archibald R. Tingley, B. A., etc., Russell, Man.
"I send you three subscriptions for Acadiensis. Send me some of your circulars and I will distribute judiciously. I wish you every success."—H. W. Bryant, Bookseller and Antiquary, Portland, Me.
"The first number of Acadiensis reached me in due course. I must congratulate you heartily upon its form and contents, and my best wishes for a long and fruitful life are cheerfully given."—Ramd Renault, Editor North American Notes and Queries.
"Kindly let us know by return mail the subscription price of Acadiensis. Some of our customers wish to take the journal and your prompt reply will greatly oblige."—Gotthold Haug, Philadelphia.
"Enclosed find $1.00 for one year's subscription Acadiensis. I trust that the magazine will find the large constituency that it deserves."—H. A. O'Leary, Editorial Department, New York Press.
"I have the honor to propose that the Reports of the Bureau of American Ethnology be sent you regularly as issued, in exchange for Acadiensis."—F. W. Hodge, Librarian, Smithsonian Institution, Washington.
"I am deeply interested in the new venture which takes the form of Acadiensis, and hope that it may have free course and be glorified. I have long thought that the lower provinces were in need of and could easily support a publication similar to that which you own as yours. We Canadians are far too modest & yet in that respect."—Rev. W. T. D. Moss, Pictou, N. S.
"Your first number reached me to-day, and I cordially wish you every success."—F. G. Jemmett, Editor Commonwealth, Ottawa.
"I shall be glad to be of any assistance to you in your literary work. I am preparing some notes which I will forward to you presently."—H. Percy Scott, Windsor, N. S.
"I can only say that I am prepared to give my hearty endorsation to your proposed publication; that I shall be pleased to be an occasional contributor and do anything that I can to assist it."—Hon. J. W. Longley, Attorney General, Halifax, N. S.
"Every word of the Magazine I have read, and I am led to believe that the publication will become a valuable addition to the historical literature of Eastern Canada. I have been surprised that so rich a field has not been more thoroughly cultivated. A more romantic, a more fascinating, a more instructive history no country on this continent, other than Canada, presents to the writer qualified to picture it. If, at any time I can be of service to you, I shall with pleasure be at your command."—J. Emory Hoar, Brookline, Mass.
"I am much interested in all old historical things, and Acadiensis appears to me as most interesting and valuable."—Mrs. J. Owen, Annapolis Royal, N. S.
"I am glad that such a work has been brought out, and congratulate you on the nice appearance of the first issue. I can assure you, that as a loyal Canadian, anything pertaining to Canada's advancement will receive my hearty support. The Canadian Club of Boston is a most influential body here, and at our next meeting I will make it a point to introduce the first issue of Acadiensis to them."—W. B. McVey, Toxicologist, etc., College of Physicians and Surgeons, Boston, Mass.
"As soon as I received it I read it with profit. I hope you will find adequate encouragement in the Acadian Provinces, where it appears to me there is much need of such a periodical to create an interest in historical studies."—Sir John G. Bourinot, L.L.D., D.G.L., Lit.D. (Laval) etc., etc.
"Just a line to wish you success in your undertaking. There should be a good field for such a publication.—Rev. W. Kendrick, Placentia, Newfoundland.
The present number of Acadiensis contains sixteen pages of printed matter more than the standard issue of forty-eight pages. We trust that our subscribers will appreciate this extra effort and expense upon our part, and endeavour to interest their friends in our venture.