Archives and Historical Research in the Maritimes

“The Mechanics’ Institute was organized in Halifax in 1832, and during the next three decades was a real university of the people for the city of Halifax, from which the idea spread to Dartmouth, Windsor, Truro, Stewiacke, Antigonish, Sydney and other places in Nova Scotia, as well as to Charlottetown, Saint John and Fredericton. In this institute weekly lectures were given during the winter months on literary and scientific subjects; and before it some of the most inspiring addresses of Joseph Howe were given. It was as President of the Institute, in 1834, that he gave that address on love of country and faith in Nova Scotia which inspired the youth of his generation and still speaks to the heart of those who read it to-day. It was that address which suggested to me a title for the period 1837 to 1867, as- the Age of Faith in Nova Scotia, of which more anon.”

Harvey, D.C. “Archives and Historical Research in the Maritimes” Dalhousie Review, Volume 23, Number 2, 1943 https://dalspace.library.dal.ca/bitstream/handle/10222/57703/dalrev_vol23_iss2_pp193_206.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y