Our Intellectual Strength and Weakness A Short Historical and Critical Review of Literature, Art and Education in Canada

"Our Intellectual Strength and Weakness" by John George Bourinot is a speech given to the Royal Society of Canada, presenting a historical look at Canadian literature, art, and education in the late 1800s. The writing compares Canada's growth in these areas to places like New England, exploring both Canada's achievements and the problems it faced. The author explores the importance of a strong intellectual life, warning against focusing only on money and success. The speech divides Canada’s development into three time periods: the early French era, the later British control, and the current rise of Canadian identity. Through looking at historical figures and cultural beliefs, the speech wonders about Canada's continuing journey toward a fully developed and thriving cultural identity.