Scholarship in the Social Sciences

LETTERS IN CANADA: 1947 285 tragic and disgraceful pattern ~f disappointment and departure which has ·for ·so long cramped and frustrated all those who attempt to establish a tradition of dra'ma and theatre in Canada. . CHECK·LIST OF TITLES (plays given on Stages 47 and 48 during 1947) Allan (Andrew), A midsummer night's dream (adap't.); The snow queen (adapt.); T1elawny of the Wells (adapt.). Braden (Bernard) and Patton (Stanley), Happy holiday (orig.). Bethune (John), Madnm Bovary (adapt.); Vanity Fair (adapt.). Greer (Robert and Rita), The white deer (adapt.). · Hambleton (Ronald), Sweeney Todd ·(adapt.); Three daughters of M. Dupont (adapt.). Ken1p (Hugh), A song for Joey (orig.); Two solitudes (adapt.); The young Stewardorig.). King (Alan), Bardel.l against Pickwick (adapt.). Markle (Fletcher), Carmen (adapt.); Treasure Island (adapt.). . Noxon (Gerald), The fight that leads to love (orig.). Peterson (Len), Cervantes of the woeful figure (orig.); Maria Chapdelaine (adapt.). Rittenhouse (Chsrles), The thirty-nine ·steps (adap·t.). Schull (Joseph), The bridge (orig.);; Cyrano de Bergerac (adapt.); The flower in the rock (orig.); Kennedy•s quest (orig.); The legend of Ghost Lagoon (orig.); Shadow of the tree (orig.). Sinclair (L. S.), Antigone (adapL); Dr. Fau~tus (adapt.); Encounter by moonlight (orig.); Justice (adapt.); A kiss for Cinderella· (adapt.); Skin deep is plenty (orig.); Socrates (orig.); We ali' hate Toronto (orig.). Stewart (Athol and Virginia)1 John Lander lived in a rickety house (orig.). Teitel·(lrvin), A crime of fashion (orig.). Tweed (Tommy), The insidious alien (orig.). Waldman · (Marian), Huckleb~rry Finn (adapt.); This n:an was my father (orig.). . .. IV. SCHOLARSHIP IN THE SOCIAL ·sciENCESl' A. BRADY In 1947~ as in most other years, works on history and biography, especially biography, in number and quality assume pride. of plac· e among the social studies published in Canada. In this category Egerton Ryerson: His Life and Lette,·s, volume II, by Professor C. B. Sissons is the outstanding book, completing' labours begun more than twenty years ago, and providing for students of the period. a rich mine of information. Til.e first volume of this valuable project (published in 1937) dealt with Ryerson an4 the history of his time to 1841. The present volume takes up the story at this date and carries it forward to the end of Ryerson's life, covering in detail his great achievement in establishing the educational system of Ontario. In· the life of Ryerson the dominant issues were those of church, education, and politics. Over tlwse he fought his notable battles andwaged his ceaseless campaigns, and, as the evidence in this book amply illustrates, Ryerson as a fighter was not characterized by mildness and forbearance, nbr at times even by Christian charity. Professor Sissons remarks that he "seldom turned to the Beatitudes for a text; and it is greatly to be doubted if he ever selected the ninth." The evangelical temper had many facets, and persons concerned to study its variety wiH ~The author wishes to~acknowledge some kind assistance rendered by his colleague, Professor S. D. Clark. 286 THE UNIVERSITY OF _ TORONTO QUARTERLY find in this volume invaluable matter. Issues which a hundred years ago aroused violent feelings now seem petty enough, but to the men of the time they were all-important. In the abundant details of Professor Sissons' broad canvas we can learn why they were important; in his numerous quotations from sources, especially letters, and in his marshalling of facts he gives us a clear and vivid sense of the controversies, the complexities, the passions, and the struggles of the era. Specialists in the period are not all likely to accept .Professor Sissons' · generous interpretation of Ryerson's character and behaviour. Professor Underhill for one has expressed doubt that Ryerson was as free from partisanship as Professor Sissons suggests. He is disposed to think 'that this zealous crusader "gave to his Victoria~College-Methodism the same partisan devotion that other men ordinarily give to a political party. He was as much a partisan ?-S George Brown, and his partisanship led him to similar excesses of word and action and to the same un-Christian attitude· toward opponents." (Ca11adian Forum, January, 1948.) Here we need not attempt to assess the point other...