ç1anadians are by nature tall, well-built and of strong character. Since the trades are not encumbered by guilds and since workers were scarce at the beginning of the colony, Canadians by necessity have become industrious over the generations. The habitants in the country are handy with an axe and make most of their implements and agricultural tools themselves. They also build their own houses and barns. Several of them are weavers and make a coarse cloth and material they call droguet, which they use trclothe themselves and their family.
They like honours, endearments, and pride themselves on being brave. They are extremely sensitive to scorn and to the slightest punishment. They are selfish, revengeful and subject to drunkenness. They drink large amounts of
brandy and do not have the reputation of being trustworthy.
l’his description fits the majority, especially those in the country. City dwellers have fewer faults. All follow the Faith with devotion and there are few villains. But they are changeable and have too good an opinion of themselves, which prevents them from being as successful as they might otherwise be in crafts, agriculture and commerce. Their idleness due to the length and hardship of the winter further contributes to their lack of success.
They like hunting, boating and travelling. They do not have the coarse, rustic features of our peasants in France. They are generally quite manageable when encouraged with rewards and governed with justice hut they are by nature unruly.
Copyright © 1995 McGraw-Hill Rycrson Limited. Reproduction granted for classroom use Only.
CANADIAN MEN AND WOMEN IN THE EARLY 1 700s
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CANADIAN MEN — GILLES HOCQUART, 1737
Gilles Hocquart (1694—1763) was Intendant of New France from 1729 to 1748. In this memorandum, dated November 8, 1739, he comments on the nature of Canadian men.
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