Rev. Joseph Léonidas Desjardins, secretary general of Laval University at Montreal since September 14, 1907, was born at Ste. Thérèse, in the county of Terrebonne, on the 27th of November, 1880, a son of Joseph and Odile (Boileau) Desjardins, the former of whom followed agricultural pursuits. The son pursued his early studies in the Seminary of Ste. Thérèse and in the Grand Seminary of Montreal. His determination to prepare for the priesthood, followed by a thorough course of study, led to his ordination by Monsignor P. La Rocque on the 3d of July, 1904. His time and energies have ever since been devoted to educational service save for a period which he devoted to further study. Following his ordination he became a professor in the Seminary of Ste. Thérèse, where he remained during 1904 and 1905. The following year he went abroad for further study in Rome, where he remained from 1905 until 1907, winning the degree of Doctor of Theology. Following his return to the new world he entered again upon active connection with educational interests as secretary general of Laval University at Montreal, being appointed to his present position on the 14th of September, 1907. In his life work mental and moral instruction go hand in hand, and his efforts constitute an important element not only in the upbuilding of character among individual students but also in the extension of Catholic teachings and influence. HIRSCH COHEN. Hirsch Cohen, most actively identified with the educational and moral progress of the Jewish people in Montreal, may point with justifiable pride to various schools and synagogues which have been established through his instrumentality. A Russian by birth, his natal day was in April, 1863, his parents being Hircom and Sarah Cohen, both of whom have now passed away, the latter dying in 1896 and the former in 1911 at a ripe old age, being over ninety years old. Liberal educational advantages constituted the foundation for the important and far-reaching life work of Hirsch Cohen who was educated in a Hebrew college in Russia. The year 1890 witnessed his arrival in Montreal, since which time he has been active in promoting work among the people of his own faith. He has established eight synagogues, including one in Lachine and one in the city of Quebec. At that period the people of his faith could not stand the regular tithing system and there were only a few small synagogues to carry on the work among the Hebrew people. Prosperity, however, has come to many and a fair degree of success to others and as they have prospered they have contributed to the work of intellectual and moral progress with a result that there are today a number of large congregations and various smaller ones, each an active force in promoting the moral development of the Hebrew people. Mr. Cohen has been a leader in this work and he is also a director on the school board of the Baron de Hirsch Institute. For the past seven years he has been