In 1865 the first book of poems which appealed to the world from French Canada appeared. It was Frechette's 'Mes Loisirs' (My Spare Hours). Later came 'Pele-Mele' (Pell-Mell), full of fine cameo-like poems,--but like cameos that are flushed by an inner and vital fire. Longfellow praised 'Pele-Mele': it shows the influence of Hugo and Lamartine; it has the beauty of De Musset, with more freshness and "bloom" than that poet of a glorious past possessed; but there are more traces of Lamartine in 'Pele-Mele' than of Hugo. "Frechette's imagination," says an admiring countryman of his, "is a chisel that attacks the soulless block; and with it he easily forms a column or a flower." His poems have grown stronger as he has become more mature. There is a great gain in dramatic force, so that it has surprised none of his readers that he should have attempted tragedy with success. He lost some of that quality of daintiness which distinguished 'Le Matin' (Morning), 'La Nuit' (Night), and 'Fleurs Fanees' (Faded Flowers). The 'Pensees d'Hiver' (Winter Reflections) had this quality, but 'La Derniere Iroquoise' (The Last Iroquois) rose above it, and like much of 'Les Fleurs Boreales' (Boreal Flowers) and his latest work, it is powerful in spirit, yet retains the greatest chastity of form. M. Frechette translated several of Shakespeare's plays for the Theatre Francais. After 'Les Fleurs Boreales' was crowned by the Academy, there appeared 'Les Oiseaux de Neige' (The Snow-Birds), 'Feuilles Volantes' (Leaves in the Wind), and 'La Foret Vierge' (The Virgin Forest). The volume which shows the genius of Frechette at its highest is undoubtedly 'La Legende d'un Peuple' (The Legend of a Race), which has an admirable preface by Jules Claretie. [Signature: Maurice Francis Egan] OUR HISTORY Fragments from 'La Legende d'un Peuple': translated by Maurice Francis Egan O history of my country,--set with pearls unknown,-- With love I kiss thy pages venerated. O register immortal, poem of dazzling light Written by France in purest of her blood! Drama ever acting, records full of pictures Of high facts heroic, stories of romance, Annals of the giants, archives where we follow, As each leaf we turn, a life resplendent, And find a name respected or a name beloved, Of men and women of the antique time! Where the hero of the past and the hero of the future Give the hand of friendship and the kiss of love; Where the crucifix and sword, the plowshare and the volume,-- Everything that builds and everything that saves,-- Shine, united, living glories of past time And of time that is to be.