be composed chiefly of disbanded soldiers.  These, being warriors as well as farmers, would be a strong barrier against possible Iroquois incursions.  His second object, to stimulate colonization in general, was anticipated by a provision—­inserted in each grant—­that the seigneurs should live on their domains, and that their tenants should do the same; this would mean the planting of many new settlements on both shores of the St Lawrence.  It was a sound policy.  For over a century the seigneurial system was to Canada a source of strength and progress. [Footnote:  This view is fully sustained by Prof.  W. B. Munro of Harvard University, who has made an exhaustive study of the subject.  The reader is referred to the narrative of The Seigneurs of Old Canada in the present Series, written by him.] Its organization was the crowning work of the intendant Talon in New France.

Talon’s task was over.  He had happily fulfilled his mission.  He had set government and justice upon a foundation which was to last until the fall of the old regime.  He had given a mighty impulse to agriculture, colonization, trade, industry, naval construction.  He had encouraged educational and charitable institutions, created new centres of population, strengthened the frontiers of Canada, and, with admirable forethought, had prepared the way for the future extension and growth of the colony.  He has had his critics.  The word paternalism has been used to describe the system carried out by him and by Colbert.  He has been accused of having too willingly substituted governmental action for individual activity.  But, taking into consideration the time and circumstances, such criticism is not justified.  When Talon came to Canada, the colony was dying.  A policy of ensuring protection, of liberal and continuous subvention, of intelligent state initiative, was a necessity of the hour.  Everywhere ground had to be broken, and the government alone could do it.  The policy of Colbert and Talon saved the colony.

The great intendant left Canada in November 1672.  It was a mournful day for New France.  In recognition of his services the king had made a barony of his estate, ’des Islets,’ and had created him Baron des Islets.  Later on he became Comte d’Orsainville.  He had previously been appointed Captain of the Mariemont Castle.

Talon never came back to Canada.  Louis XIV and Colbert received him with expressions of the greatest satisfaction.  After a time he became premier valet de la garde-robe du roi (first valet of the king’s wardrobe), and finally he attained the coveted office of secretary of the king’s cabinet.  He died on November 24, 1694, at the age of about sixty-nine years, twenty-two years after his departure from Canada.

Jean Talon is one of the great names in Canadian history—­the name of one of the makers of Canada.

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE