Picturesque Quebec
J. M. (James MacPherson) Le Moine
118 chapters
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118 chapters
TO THE CITIZENS OF QUEBEC
TO THE CITIZENS OF QUEBEC
Respectfully Inscribed...
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PREFACE
PREFACE
This volume, purporting to be a sequel to "QUEBEC PAST AND PRESENT," published in 1876, is intended to complete the history of the city. New and interesting details will be found in these pages, about the locality, where Samuel de Champlain located his settlement in 1608, together with a rapid glance at incidents, sights, objects, edifices, city gates and other improvements, both ancient and modern, which an antiquarian's ramble round the streets, squares, promenades, monuments, public and priva
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
Quebec as seen by Tourists—Descriptions—by Francis Parkman—M. Sand— Eliot Warburton—Thoreau—Mrs. Moodie—Charles Dickens—Marmier—Sir Charles Dilke—Henry Ward Beecher—Professor Silliman—Charles Lever— Capt. Butler—Alfred Hawkins—Hon. P. J. O. Chauveau....
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
Samuel de Champlain— L'Abitation —the Dwelling of Champlain—Chief Donaconna—Jacques Cartier's Landing—Interview between Cartier and Donaconna....
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
Streets and By-ways of the Old City—Names of Famous Men preserved by Street Names—Dangerous Streets. Louis Hébert, the First Resident—The First Street—The First Horse— Marquis de Tracy—St. Louis Street—The Quebec Gazette—William Brown— Samuel Neilson—Dr. Wilkie—Lawyers—Madame Péan—Montgomery's Assault— Death of Montcalm—SOCIETY IN EARLY ENGLISH TIMES—Theatre—Early Society Poets—Literature—United Empire Loyalists,—ST. LOUIS HOTEL—THE FRÉCHETTE DINNER—Mr. Fréchette's Speech—Mr. Lamier's Speech—Mr.
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
St. Louis Road—Parliament Buildings—Bleak House—Martello Towers— Buttes-à-Nepveu—Wolfe's Landing Place—Ste. Foye Road—Association Hall....
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CHAPTER V.
CHAPTER V.
City Government—Boundaries of the Wards—War Department Property....
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PART II.
PART II.
THE ENVIRONS OF QUEBEC.   SILLERY   OUR COUNTRY SEATS   THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM   THE BATTLE-FIELD   BATTLE-FIELD PARK   THE DUKE OF KENT'S LODGE—MONTMORENCI   L'ASYLE CHAMPÊTRE   MARCHMONT—Anecdote of Wolfe's Army   WOLFESFIELD—Carlyle's Account of the Capture of Quebec   ELM GROVE   THORNHILL   SPENCER WOOD—The Perceval Family—A Fête Champêtre in 1809   SPENCER GRANGE—Audubon at Quebec   BAGATELLE COTTAGE   WOODFIELD   SOUS LES BOIS   SILLERY HOUSE   ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH—SILLERY   MOUNT HERMON  
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CHAPTER 1.
CHAPTER 1.
Quebec, founded by Samuel de Champlain, in 1608, has certainly much to recommend her, by her monuments, her historical memories and her scenery, to the traveller—the scholar—the historian. The wintering of the venturesome Jacques Cartier on the banks of the St. Charles in 1535-6, by its remoteness, is an incident of interest, not only to Canadians, but also to every denizen of America. It takes one back to an era nearly coeval with the discovery of the continent by Columbus—much anterior to the
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THE DWELLING OF CHAMPLAIN.
THE DWELLING OF CHAMPLAIN.
"Above the point of the Island of Orleans," says Parkman, "a constriction of the vast channel narrows it to a mile; on one hand, the green heights of Point Levi; on the other, the cliffs of Quebec. Here, a small stream, the St. Charles, enters the St. Lawrence, and in the angle betwixt them rises the promontory, on two sides a natural fortress. Land among the walnut-trees that formed a belt between the cliffs and the St. Lawrence. Climb the steep height, now bearing aloft its ponderous load of c
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CHIEF DONNACONA.
CHIEF DONNACONA.
On the 14th of September, 1535, under the head "Shipping News, Port of Quebec," history might jot down some startling items of marine intelligence; the arrival from sea of three armed vessels—the "Grande Hermine," the "Petite Hermine," and the "Emerillon." One would imagine their entrance in port must have awakened as much curiosity among the startled denizens of Stadacona—the Hurons of 1535—as did the anchoring in our harbour, in August, 1861, of Capt. Vine Hall's leviathan, the "Great Eastern.
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
  "I pray you, let us satisfy our eyes   With the memorials and the things of fame   That do renown this city."—( Shakespeare .) What a field here for investigation? Has not each thoroughfare its distinctive feature—its saintly, heathenish, courtly, national, heroic, perhaps burlesque, name? Its peculiar origin? traceable sometimes to a dim—a forgotten past; sometimes to the utilitarian present time. What curious vistas are unfolded in the birth of its edifices—public and private—alive with the
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ST. LOUIS ROAD—CAP ROUGE—STE. FOYE ROAD—THE ROUND DRIVE.
ST. LOUIS ROAD—CAP ROUGE—STE. FOYE ROAD—THE ROUND DRIVE.
On emerging from St. Louis Gate, several handsome terraces and cut stone dwellings are noticeable. We may mention Hon. Frs. Langelier's, Mr. Shehyn's, and the Hamel Terrace—quite a credit to the new town. The new town outside of the walls, like that of New Edinburgh, in beauty and design will very soon cast the historical old town within the walls in the shade. The next object which attracts the eye is the spacious structure of the Skating Rink, the only charge we can make against it, is that it
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THE PARLIAMENTARY AND DEPARTMENTAL BUILDINGS.
THE PARLIAMENTARY AND DEPARTMENTAL BUILDINGS.
When completed, the Parliament and Public Buildings of the Province of Quebec, erected on the Grande Allée , outside of St. Louis Gate, will form a square, each side of which externally will measure 300 feet and will enclose a court l98 x l95 feet. Three facades are now completed; they are tenanted by the various Public Departments of the Civil Service—the Halls of the Legislative Assembly alone remain to be built and the foundations are now in process of construction in consequence of the vote
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ASSOCIATION HALL.
ASSOCIATION HALL.
"The first Young Men's Christian Association in this city was organized about twenty years ago, but it soon collapsed, having run into debt. A second attempt resulted in the formation of another Association in 1867, which was also a failure. The present Association was established in January, 1870. It had a very small beginning—five young men met in a merchant's office in the Lower Town for prayer and conference and they formed the nucleus of the present Association. John C. Thomson, Esq., now P
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BOUNDARIES OF THE WARDS.
BOUNDARIES OF THE WARDS.
"The said city is divided into eight wards, to wit: St. Louis Ward, Palace Ward, St. Peter's Ward, Champlain Ward, St. Roch's Ward, Jacques Cartier Ward, St. John's Ward and Montcalm Ward. 1st. St. Louis Ward comprises all that part of the Upper Town within the fortifications, and south of a line drawn from Prescott Gate to St John's Gate, along the middle of Mountain street, Buade street, Fabrique street, and St. John street. 2nd. Palace Ward comprises all that part of the Upper Town within the
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WAR DEPARTMENT PROPERTY IN QUEBEC CITY AND DISTRICT.
WAR DEPARTMENT PROPERTY IN QUEBEC CITY AND DISTRICT.
As per Schedule, Consolidated Statutes of Canada (22 Vict.) Cap. 36.     Exercising Ground, Plains of Abraham—Leasehold from the Ursuline     Nuns, 99 years from 1st May, 1802.     No. 3 Tower Field, N. W. of the Grande Allée, Plains of Abraham—    Leasehold from the Nuns of the Hôtel-Dieu, 99 years from 1st May, 1790;     space covered by the tower is freehold.     No. 4 Tower Field, N. W. of St. John's Road—Leasehold from the Nuns     of the Hôtel-Dieu; 99 years from 1st May, 1790; including a
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SEIGNIORY OF NEUVILLE COUNTY OF PORTNEUF.
SEIGNIORY OF NEUVILLE COUNTY OF PORTNEUF.
( Site of Fort Jacques-Cartier. )     A strong defensive position, on the right bank of the River Jacques     Cartier, about 30 miles above Quebec.—Acquired by purchase from the     Seignior, 26th June, 1818.   "Oh give me a home where the maple and pine   Around the wild heights so majestically twine;   Oh give me a home where the blue wave rolls free   From thy bosom, Superior, down to the sea." "Could you not write the history of 'Our Parish,' and also sketch briefly our country seats, markin
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SILLERY.
SILLERY.
Henry IV. of France had for his chancellor, in 1607, Nicholas Brulart de Sillery, a worthy and distinguished magistrate, who, as state councillor, ever enjoyed the confidence of his sovereign until death closed his useful career in 1627, at the ripe age of 80. He was the eldest brother: his father had also for years basked in the smiles of good King Henry IV. for his unwavering adherence to his fortunes. To this eminent lawyer and statesman was born a patriarchal family of sons and daughters. Th
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OUR COUNTRY SEATS.
OUR COUNTRY SEATS.
In the preceding paper a general sketch has been attempted of that portion of the St. Lawrence highlands adjoining Quebec to the west—a locality remarkable for the numerous residences it contains of "the nobility of commerce," as a contemporary facetiously styles our merchants. We shall, in the following go over a great portion of the same ground, delineating, first the land area west of Quebec proper, where was fought the battle of the 13th Sept., 1759, the Plains or Abraham , and next detail,
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THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM.
THE PLAINS OF ABRAHAM.
"Aux plaines d'Abraham, rendez-vous des batailles, revenez voir ces lieux, oh! revenez encore, officiers du Grand Roi , revenez tous aussi, La Barre, Frontenac, Denonville, Tracy! alignez vous, soldats, Carignan et Guienne, appuyez, Languedoc et Béarn et la Reine."— Alp. de Puibusque . "Among modern Battle-fields," says Col. (now Lt. General) Beatson, "none surpass in romantic interest the Plains or Heights of Abraham." No Quebecer would have the hardihood to challenge the assertion of this able
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THE BATTLE FIELD.
THE BATTLE FIELD.
Two highways, lined with country seats, forest trees or cornfields run parallel, at a distance varying from one to half a mile, leading into Quebec: the Grande Allée , or St. Louis and the Ste. Foye road. They intersect from east to west the expanse, nine miles in length, from Cap Rouge to the city. These well known chief arteries of travel were solidly macadamized in 1841. At the western point, looms out the oak and pine clad cliffs of a lofty cape— Cap Rouge or Redclyffe . Here wintered, in 15
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BATTLEFIELD PARK.
BATTLEFIELD PARK.
The departure from our shores of England's red coated legions, in 1871, amongst other voids, left waste, untenanted, and unoccupied, the historic area, for close on one century reserved as their parade and exercising grounds on review days—The Plains of Abraham. This famous battle-field does not, we opine, belong to Quebec alone; it is the common property of all Canada. The military authorities always so careful in keeping its fences in repair handed it over to the Dominion, which made no provis
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THE DUKE OF KENT'S LODGE,—MONTMORENCI.
THE DUKE OF KENT'S LODGE,—MONTMORENCI.
  "Oh! give me a home where the cataract's foam   Is admired by the poor and the rich, as they roam   By thy banks, Montmorenci, so placid and fair,   Oh! what would I give, could I find a home there." The Montmorenci heights and beaches have become famous on account of the successful defence made there during the whole summer of 1759, by Montcalm, against the attacks of Wolfe's veterans. Finally, the French lines having been deemed impregnable on the Beauport side, a fort and barracks [211] wer
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THE DUKE OF KENT, THE QUEEN'S FATHER, AT QUEBEC, 1791-4.
THE DUKE OF KENT, THE QUEEN'S FATHER, AT QUEBEC, 1791-4.
Of the numerous sons of King George III., none, perhaps, were born with more generous impulses, none certainly more manly—none more true in their attachments, and still none more maligned neglected—traduced than he, who, as a jolly Colonel of Fusileers spent some pleasant years of his life at Quebec from 1791 to '94, Edward Augustus, father of our virtuous and beloved Sovereign. We wish to be understood at the outset. It is not our intention here to write a panegyric on a royal Duke; like his br
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L'ASYLE CHAMPÊTRE.
L'ASYLE CHAMPÊTRE.
Founded by Joseph Francois Perrault, the pioneer of lay education in the Province of Quebec. "In these days of ambitious, showy villas and grand mansions, whose lofty and imposing proportions, elaborate architectural ornaments, conspicuous verandahs and prominent sites are all designed, not only to gratify the taste and pride of their owners, but to impress with wonder and admiration the ordinary observer, it may be interesting to give a description of Mr. Perrault's residence, a fair specimen o
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MARCHMONT.
MARCHMONT.
      "Oh! give me a home on that bold classic height,       Where in sweet contemplation in age's dark night,       I may tread o'er the plain where as histories tell       Britain's stout-hearted Wolfe in his victory fell." Adjoining the expanse of table land, now known as the Plains of Abraham, and divided from it to the east by a high fence, lies with a southern exposure a level and well-cultivated farm—Marchmont— tastefully laid out some sixty summers ago by Sir John Harvey, next occupied f
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WOLFESFIELD
WOLFESFIELD
"The hill they climb'd, and halted at its top, of more than mortal size." "The horror of the night, the precipice scaled by Wolfe the empire he with a handful of men added to England, and the glorious catastrophe of contentedly terminating life where his fame began… Ancient story may be ransacked, and ostentatious philosophy thrown into the account, before an episode can be found to rank with Wolfe's."—( William Pitt. ) The successful landing at this spot of the English forces, who, in 1759, inv
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MONUMENT TO THE LATE WILLIAM PRICE, ESQ.
MONUMENT TO THE LATE WILLIAM PRICE, ESQ.
"A large and costly monument in granite is now in course of erection at Chicoutimi to the memory of the late Wm. Price. The people of Chicoutimi are erecting the monument as a token of their respect and admiration for the memory of their late representative in the Legislative Assembly of Quebec. The column will be fifty feet in height, and will, it is expected, be completed by the month of September next. Being placed upon an elevated site, it will be visible for many miles up and down the Sague
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THE CAPTURE OF QUEBEC.
THE CAPTURE OF QUEBEC.
The following dramatic account of the capture of Quebec is taken from the fifth volume of Mr. Carlyle's Biography of Frederick the Great : "Above Quebec, night of September 12-13th, in profound silence, on the stream of the St. Lawrence, far away, a notable adventure is going on. Wolfe, from two points well above Quebec ('as a last shift, we will try that way'), with about five thousand men, is silently descending in rafts, with purpose to climb the heights somewhere on this side of the city, an
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ELM GROVE.
ELM GROVE.
Elm Grove, until recently owned, though not inhabited, by the Marquise de Bassano, will be familiar to many, from having been the residence during the summer of 1878, of His Holiness the Pope's Apostolic Ablegate—Bishop Conroy. This eminent prelate, prematurely struck down by death at Newfoundland, in the midst of his mission of peace and good will to all men spent many busy, let us hope pleasant, hours in this cool retreat. The plantation of elms from which this seat takes its name, together wi
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THORNHILL.
THORNHILL.
  "…..let us pierce into the midnight depth   Of yonder grove, of wildest, largest growth,   That, forming high in air a woodland quire,   Nods o'er the mount beneath" There is a peculiar feature noticeable about Quebec country seats which speaks volumes for their attractiveness as healthy and pleasant retreats; not only have they been at all times sought after by wealthy and permanent residents, Canadian born, but also by men of European birth, holding for the time being the highest position in
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SPENCER WOOD.
SPENCER WOOD.
On the South side of the St. Louis road, past Wolfe and Montcalm's famed battle-field, two miles from the city walls, lies, embowered in verdure, the most picturesque domain of Sillery—one might say of Canada—Spencer Wood. [226] This Celebrated Vice-Regal Lodge was (1780-96) known as Powell Place, when owned by General Henry Watson Powell. It took its name of Spencer Wood from the Right Honorable Spencer Perceval, [227] the illustrious relative of the Hon. Henry Michael Perceval, whose family po
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THE LATE HONORABLE MRS. M. H. PERCEVAL. FORMERLY OF SPENCER WOOD, QUEBEC.
THE LATE HONORABLE MRS. M. H. PERCEVAL. FORMERLY OF SPENCER WOOD, QUEBEC.
Through the kindness of Mrs. Peter Sheppard, of Quebec, we are enabled to furnish some further particulars touching the estimable and accomplished lady who, during the protracted sojourn of her family at Spencer Wood, seems to have won the hearts of all those admitted to her charmed circle some fifty years ago. Mrs. Sheppard [228] not only renders to the worth of her lamented friend a merited tribute, she also furnishes a curious page of Quebec history, Quebec festivities in the olden times, whi
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SIR JAMES CRAIG TO MR. RYLAND.
SIR JAMES CRAIG TO MR. RYLAND.
QUEBEC, Powell Place, 6th August, 1810. My Dear Ryland,—Till I took my pen in my hand I thought I had a great deal to say to you, and now I am mostly at a loss for a subject. * * * We have remained very quiet; whatever is going on is silently. I have no reason to think, however, that any change has taken place in the public mind; that I believe remains in the same state. Bishop Plessis, on the return from his tour, acknowledged to me that he had reason to think that some of his curés had not beh
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A FÊTE CHAMPÊTRE AT POWELL PLACE.
A FÊTE CHAMPÊTRE AT POWELL PLACE.
(From the French of P. A. DeGaspé.) "At half-past eight A.M., on a bright August morning (I say a bright one, for such had lighted up this welcome fête champêtre during three consecutive years), the élite of the Quebec beau monde left the city to attend Sir James Craig's kind invitation. Once opposite Powell Place (now Spencer Wood) the guests left their vehicles on the main road, and plunged into a dense forest, following a serpentine avenue which led to a delightful cottage in full view of the
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SPENCER GRANGE.
SPENCER GRANGE.
"Retirement, rural quiet, friendship, books"— Thomson When Spencer Wood became the gubernatorial residence, its owner (the late Hy. Atkinson) reserved the smaller half, Spencer Grange, some forty acres, divided off by a high brick wall and fence, and terminating to the east in a river frontage of one acre. A small latticed bower facing the St. Lawrence overhangs the cliff, close to where the Belle Borne rill—nearly dry during the summer months—rushes down the bank to Spencer Cove, in spring and
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SPENCER OR BAGATELLE COTTAGE.
SPENCER OR BAGATELLE COTTAGE.
  "We have many little Edens     Scattered up and down our dales;   We've a hundred pretty hamlets,     Nestling in our fruitful vales,   Here the sunlight loves to linger,     And the summer winds to blow,   Here the rosy spring in April,     Leapeth laughing from the snow." On the western corner of the Spencer Grange property, and dependant to it, can be seen from the road, Bagatelle —a long, straggling, picturesque cottage, in the Italian style, with trees, rustic seats, walks and a miniature
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THE WOODFIELD OF THE PAST.
THE WOODFIELD OF THE PAST.
"Deambulatio per loca amoena."— Frascatorius "Unquestionably the most ornate and richly laid-out estate around Quebec is Woodfield, formerly the elegant mansion of the Honorable Wm. Sheppard, afterwards of Fairymead, Drummondville. For many years past it has become the permanent residence of the Gibb family. The horticultural department and conservatory are under the immediate charge of Andrew Torrance, Esq., Mrs. Gibb's brother. His taste is too well known to require any praise, and truly may i
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SOUS LES BOIS.
SOUS LES BOIS.
This country seat, two miles from the city limits, stands in view of Pointe à Puiseaux, at Sillery, exactly fronting the mouth of the Etchemin River Imagine a roomy, substantial, one story cottage equally well protected in winter against the piercing north, east and west winds, surrounded by large oaks and pines to temper the rays of an August sun, and through whose foliage the cool river breeze murmurs in the vernal season, wafting pleasure and health to the inmates Add one of those unrivalled
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SILLERY HOUSE.
SILLERY HOUSE.
This handsome dwelling, is situated at the foot of the Cape, close to the Jesuits' old house, on a line with the river: it stands in the centre of an extensive garden, with here and there some large forest trees interspersed. The residence was built a few years back by the late John Sharples, Esquire, of the firm of Sharples & Co., whose vast timber coves are in view from Sillery house....
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ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, SILLERY
ST. MICHAEL'S CHURCH, SILLERY
  "A rural chapel neatly dress'd,   In covert like a little nest;   And thither young and old repair   This Sabbath day, for praise and prayer."               — The White Doe of Rylstone . St. Michael's Church was built by some spirited parishioners, in front of Mount Hermon Cemetery; a not inappropriate monument on their part to the memory of the ancient and worthy patron of the parish. St. Michael's Church was weekly honoured by the attendance of the Sovereign's representative and suite when i
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MOUNT HERMON
MOUNT HERMON
  Oh, Hermon! oft I wander o'er,   Thy silent records of the past,   In fancy, when the storm and roar   Of icy winter holds thee fast,   But, when the gentle spring-time tells   'Tis time to rove amid the flow'rs,   I love to walk amid thy dells,   And dream once more of happy hours.   All seems a dream! thy lovely slopes,   O'ershadowed with primeval trees,   Are rich with many blighted hopes,   And ceaseless tears, He only sees   What broken hearts, and scatter'd homes,   And grief of mourner
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A VOICE FROM MOUNT HERMON
A VOICE FROM MOUNT HERMON
  My dust lies sleeping here,                        Mother dear!   In this, far off distant land,   Away from your little band,   And the touch of loving hand,   Your boy lies sleeping here,                        Mother dear!   The Ocean rolls between                        Mother dear!   You and your own boy's grave,   And the distant rush of waves   On the pebbly shore to lave,   Is the requiem sung between,                        Mother dear!   Mine is a sweet green spot.                   
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BARDFIELD
BARDFIELD
"Far from me and my friends be that frigid philosophy, which can make us pass unmoved over any scenes which have been consecrated by virtue, by valour, or by wisdom."—JOHNSON. Pleasant the memories of our rustic homes! 'Tis pleasant, after December's murky nights, or January and February's inexorable chills, to go and bask on the sunny banks of our great river, under the shade of trees, in the balmy spring, and amidst the gifts of a bountiful nature, to inhale fragrance and health and joy. Pleas
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THE FAMILY OF MOUNTAIN
THE FAMILY OF MOUNTAIN
The family of Mountain, which is a very old Norman family, and therefore of French extraction, originally wrote their name "de Montaigne," from the name of their estates at Périgord, near Bordeaux, and as stated in the life of one of its members, the well-known Michael Seigneur de Montaigne, the essayist and philosopher, "This race was noble, but noble without any great lustre till his time, which fortune showed him signal favours, and, together with honorary and titular distinctions, procured f
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BENMORE.
BENMORE.
We like to portray to ourselves our energetic neighbour of Benmore House, such as we can recall him in his palmy, sporting days of 1865; we shall quote from the Maple Leaves of that year: "It will not be one of the least glories of 'Our Parish,' even when the Province will have expanded into an empire, with Sillery as the seat of Vice Royalty, to be able to boast of possessing the Canadian, the adopted home of a British officer of wealth and intelligence, known to the sporting world as the Great
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IMPORTATION OF BIRDS.
IMPORTATION OF BIRDS.
Sixteen years have elapsed since these lines were penned, and the Colonel has devoted much time, spent a large amount of capital on his vegetable farm and his green houses. Agriculturalists and naturalists will know him as the introducer of the English sparrow and the Messina quail. Information for Mr. Lemoine on the importation of the European house sparrow and on that of the migratory quail. In consequence of great complaints all over the United States of the ravages of insects and particularl
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CLAREMONT.
CLAREMONT.
  "A house amid the quiet country's shades,   With length'ning vistas, ever sunny glades,   Beauty and fragrance clustering o'er the wall.   A porch inviting, and an ample hall." Claremont was founded by Lieut.-Governor R. E. Caron, and was his family mansion—ever since he left Spencer Grange which he had temporally leased,—until he was named Lt.-Governor of the Province of Quebec. We find in it, combined the taste and comfort which presides in Canadian homes; and in the fortunes of its founder,
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THE WILD FLOWERS OF SILLERY.
THE WILD FLOWERS OF SILLERY.
  "Everywhere about us are they glowing,     Some like stars, to tell us spring is born;   Others, their blue eyes, with tears o'erflowing,     Stand like Ruth amid the golden corn." Are you an admirer of nature, and sweet flowers? Would you, most worthy friend, like to see some of the bright gems which spring, whilst dallying over the sequestered, airy heights and swampy marshes of our woods drops along our path? Follow, then, sketch book and pencil in hand, the fairy footsteps of one of the mo
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BEAUVOIR.
BEAUVOIR.
"The merchant has his snug retreat in the vicinity of the metropolis, where he often displays as much pride and zeal in the cultivation of his flower garden, and the maturing of his fruits, as he does in the conduct of his business, and the success of a commercial enterprise." — Rural Life in England—Washington Irving . Situated on the left bank of the River St. Lawrence, about four miles from the city, on the Sillery heights, and overlooking the river. The site was selected about half a century
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MONTAGUE COTTAGE.
MONTAGUE COTTAGE.
  "I knew by the smoke which so gracefully curled,   Above the green wood that a cottage was near."                        — Moore's Woodpecker. Facing Sillery hill, on the north side of "Sans Bruit," formerly the estate of Lieut.-Col. the Hon. Henry Caldwell, Mr. Alfred P. Wheeler, [245] the Tide Surveyor of H. M. Customs, Quebec, built in 1880, a comfortable and pleasing little cottage. He has called it Montague Cottage [246] in memory of Wolfe's brave assistant Quarter Master General Col. Cal
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THE HISTORY OF EMILY MONTAGUE.
THE HISTORY OF EMILY MONTAGUE.
On the 22nd March 1769, a novelist of some standing Mrs. Frances Brooks an officer's lady, [247] author of Lady Julia Mandeville published in London a work in four volumes, which she dedicated to His Excellency the Governor of Canada, Guy Carleton afterwards Lord Dorchester, under the title of the History of Emily Montague being a series of letters addressed from Sillery by Emily Montague the heroine of the tale, to her lively and witty friend Bella Fermor—to some military admirers in Quebec, Mo
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KIRK ELLA
KIRK ELLA
"This villa, erected in 1850 on the north side of the St. Lewis road, facing Cataracoui, affords a striking exemplification of how soon taste and capital can transform a wilderness into a habitation combining every appliance of modern refinement and rustic adornment. It covers about eighty-two acres, two thirds of which are green meadows, wheat fields, &c., the remainder, plantations, gardens and lawn. The cottage itself is a plain, unpretending structure, made more roomy by the recent a
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CATARACOUI.
CATARACOUI.
The conflagration of Spencer Wood, on the 12th March, 1860, made it incumbent on the Provincial Government to provide for His Excellency Sir Edmund Head a suitable residence. After examining several places, Cataracoui, the residence of Henry Burstall, Esquire, opposite to Kirk Ella was selected, and additions made, and still greater decorations and improvements ordered when it became known that the First Gentleman in England, our Sovereign's eldest son, was soon to pay a flying visit to Her Maje
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ROSEWOOD.
ROSEWOOD.
  "Along their blushing borders, bright with dew,   And in yon mingled wilderness of flowers,   Fair-handed Spring unbosoms every grace;   Throws out the snow-drop and the crocus first;   The daisy, primrose, violet darkly blue,   And polyanthus of unnumber'd dyes;   The yellow wall-flower, stain'd with iron-brown;   And lavish stock that scents the garden round;   From the soft wing of vernal breezes shed,   Anemones; auriculas, enrich'd   With shining meal o'er all their velvet leaves;   And f
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RAVENSWOOD.
RAVENSWOOD.
  Near some fair town I'd have a private seat,   Built uniform, nor little, nor too great;   Better if on a rising ground it stood,—   On this side fields, on that a neighboring wood;   A little garden, grateful to the eye,   Where a cool rivulet runs murmuring by." In the year 1848, Mr. Samuel Wright, of Quebec, purchased from John Porter, Esq., that upper portion of Meadowbank (the old estate of Lieutenant Governor Cramahé in 1762), which lies to the north of the Cap Rouge or St. Lewis road, a
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THE WOODS OF SILLERY.
THE WOODS OF SILLERY.
      I know each lane, and every valley green,         Dingle, or bushy dell, of this wild wood;       And every bosky bourn from side to side,         My daily walks and ancient neighborhood.                      —Comus, Shakespeare . "You, doubtless, imagine you have now seen Sillery under every aspect; there never was a greater mistake, dear reader. Have you ever viewed its woods in all their autumnal glory, when September arrays them in tints of unsurpassed loveliness? We hear you say, no.
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LONGWOOD.
LONGWOOD.
  THE COUNTRY SEAT OF THE HON. WM. SMITH   (1760-1847.)   Here there was laughing of old, there was weeping,     Haply of lovers none ever will know,   Whose eyes went seaward a hundred sleeping                              Years ago.   The ghost of a garden fronts the sea,     A girdle of brushwood and thorn encloses   The — square slope of the blossomless bed     Where the weeds that grew green from the graves of its roses                              Now lie dead.   The fields fall southward,
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MEADOWBANK.
MEADOWBANK.
  Happy, is he who in a country life     Shuns more perplexing toil and jarring strife,   Who lives upon the natal soil he loves     And sits beneath his old ancestral groves."                        — Downing . Facing Ravenswood, on the road to Cape Rouge, on the breezy banks of the noble river, there lies a magnificent expanse of verdure, with here and there a luxuriant copse of evergreens and sugar maple. It crowns a graceful slope of undulating meadows and cornfields. The dwelling, a plain,
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A RAID ON MEADOWBANK IN 1775, AND HOW KING GEORGE'S FRIENDS, THE "QUEBEC TORIES" WERE THEN PLUNDERED.
A RAID ON MEADOWBANK IN 1775, AND HOW KING GEORGE'S FRIENDS, THE "QUEBEC TORIES" WERE THEN PLUNDERED.
    The following extract from Judge Henry's Diary seems to refer to the     country seat, now known as Meadowbank: Arnold's little army had retreated to Pointe aux Trembles on the 15th Nov. On the 2nd December, 1775, they retraced their steps to Quebec and in the evening arrived at St. Foy. On the 12th of December, Henry [253] says "The officers and men still wore nothing else than the remains of the summer clothing, which being on their back, had escaped destruction in the disaster of the wild
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THE HIGHLANDS.
THE HIGHLANDS.
The range of heights extends from Spencer Wood, west, to the black bridge over the stream at Kilmarnock, gradually recedes from the road, leaving at its foot a spacious area interspersed with green pastures, lawns, ploughed fields and plantations. On the most elevated plateau of this range stands "The Highlands," a large substantial fire-brick dwelling, with an ample verandah, erected a few years back by Michael Stevenson, Esquire, merchant, of Quebec. The site is recommended by a fine view of t
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WINTER FOX HUNTING IN CANADA.
WINTER FOX HUNTING IN CANADA.
From time immemorial, Merry England has been renowned for her field sports; prominent amongst which may be reckoned her exciting pastime of Fox-hunting, the pride, the glory, par excellence of the roystering English squire. Many may not be aware that we also, in our far-off Canada, have a method of Fox-hunting peculiarly our own—in harmony with the nature of the country—adapted to the rigors of our arctic winter season—the successful prosecution of which calls forth more endurance, a keener sigh
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CAPE ROUGE COTTAGE.
CAPE ROUGE COTTAGE.
With its rear facing St. Augustin parish, eight miles from the city a commodious dwelling graces the summit of the lofty cape or promontory, which terminates westward the elevated plateau , on the eastern extremity of which, Champlain, in 1608, raised the lily-spangled banner of the Bourbons. Unquestionably the environs of Quebec are rich in scenery, revelling one half of the year in rural loveliness, the other half enjoying that solid comfort, which successful enterprise, taste and free institu
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BEAUSÉJOUR.
BEAUSÉJOUR.
  Flooded in sunny silence sleep the kine,     In languid murmurs brooklets float and flow,   The quaint farm-gables in rich light shine   And round them jasmined honeysuckles twine,     And close beside them sun-flowers burn and blow. About one mile beyond the St. Foye Church, there is a fertile farm of one, hundred acres, lying chiefly on the north side of the road. The dwelling, a roomy, one story cottage, stands about two acres from the highway, from which a copse of trees interrupts the vie
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BELMONT.
BELMONT.
    Owners—Intendant Talon, 1670; General James Murray, 1765; Sir John     Caldwell, 1810; J. W. Dunscomb. Esquire, 1854-81. That genial old joker, Sir Jonas Barrington, in his Sketches , has invested the Irish homes and Irish gentry with features certainly very original—at times so singular as to be difficult of acceptance. True, he lived in an age and amongst a people proverbial for generous hospitality, for conviviality carried to its extreme limit. Gargantuan banquets he describes, pending w
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AN IRISH EDUCATION IN THE OLDEN TIMES.
AN IRISH EDUCATION IN THE OLDEN TIMES.
Among the old stories handed down in Canadian homes       "In the long nights of winter,       When the cold north winds blow,"     of the merry gatherings and copious feasts of other days, one is told     of a memorable entertainment at Belmont, given a crowd of friends. Some assert it was the Belmont anniversary dinner of the battle of Waterloo and bring in of course Blucher, Hougomont! Belle-Alliance and what not. It is, however, more generally believed among the aged, judging from the copiou
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HOLLAND FARM.
HOLLAND FARM.
This estate, which formerly comprised two hundred acres of ground, extending from the brow of the St. Foye heights to St Michael's Chapel on the Samoa or St. Lewis road, possesses considerable interest for the student of Canadian history, both under French and English rule. The original dwelling, a long high-peaked French structure, stood on an eminence closer to the St. Foye road than does the present house. It was built about the year 1740, by a rich Lower Town merchant, Monsieur Jean Taché [2
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THE HOLLAND TREE.
THE HOLLAND TREE.
"Woodman spare that tree." It has often been noticed that one of the chief glories of Quebec consisted in being surrounded on all sides by smiling country seats, which in the summer season, as it were, encircle the brow of the old city like a chaplet of flowers; those who, on a sunny June morning, have wandered through the shady groves of Spencer Wood, Woodfield, Marchmont, Benmore, Kilmarnock, Kirk Ella, Hamwood, Beauvoir, Clermont, and fifty other old places, rendered vocal by the voices of bi
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A SCANDAL OF THE LAST CENTURY.
A SCANDAL OF THE LAST CENTURY.
One of the young Hollands had also been a party to a scandalum magnum , which created much gossip amongst our grandfathers, about the time H.R.H the Duke of Kent was at Quebec. At a regimental mess dinner a handsome young fellow, having, in these days of hard swearing and hard drinking, exceeded in wine, was convicted of being a lady in disguise, attending as the guest of young Holland, and whose sex was unknown to young Holland.     This lady, whom all Quebec knew as Mr. Nesbitt, turned out to
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HAMWOOD.
HAMWOOD.
  How sweet it is, when mother Fancy rocks   The wayward brain, to saunter through a wood   An old place, full of many a lovely brood,   Tall trees, green arbours, and ground-flowers in flocks   And wild rose tiptoe upon hawthorn stocks,                            — Wordsworth . How many vicissitudes in the destinies of places, men, families, nations! See yonder mansion, its verdant leaves, with the leafy honours of nascent spring encircling it like a garland, exhaling the aroma of countless bud
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BIJOU.
BIJOU.
  And I have heard the whispers of the trees,     And the low laughter of the wandering wind,   Mixed with the hum of golden-belted bees,     And far away, dim echoes, undefined,—   That yet had power to thrill my listening ear,     Like footsteps of the spring that is so near.                       —( Wood Voices , KATE S. McL.) Shall we confess that we ever had a fancy for historical contrasts? It is our weakness, perhaps our besetting sin; and when, on a balmy June day, at the hour when the k
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ANECDOTE OF WOLFE'S ARMY (1760).—QUEBEC.
ANECDOTE OF WOLFE'S ARMY (1760).—QUEBEC.
By a volunteer (J. T.). "At the Battle of the Plains of Abraham we had but one Piper, and because he was not provided with Arms and the usual other means of defence, like the rest of the men, he was made to keep aloof for safety:—When our line advanced to the charge, General Townshend observing that the Piper was missing, and knowing well the value of one on such occasions, he sent in all directions for him, and he was heard to say aloud. "Where's the Highland Piper?" and "Five pounds for a Pipe
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MORTON LODGE.
MORTON LODGE.
The extensive green pastures which General James Murray owned, in 1768, on the St. Foy road, under the name of Sans bruit , [280] form at present several minor estates. One of the handsomest residences of this well wooded region was Morton Lodge, on the south side of the highway, and bounded by the Belvidère road,—about thirty-two acres in extent. It was honored with this name by one of its former owners, the builder of the lodge, some sixty years ago—the late James Black, Esquire. Morton Lodge
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WESTFIELD.
WESTFIELD.
"What, sir, said I," cut down Goldsmith's hawthorn bush, that supplies so beautiful an image in the DESERTED VILLAGE! 'Ma foy,' exclaimed the bishop (of Ardagh,) 'is that the hawthorn bush? then ever let it be saved from the edge of the axe, and evil to him that would cut from it a branch."— Howitt's Homes and Haunts of British Poets . At Mount Pleasant, about one mile from St. John's Gate, a number of agreeable suburban residences have sprung up, as if by enchantment, within a few years. This l
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COUCY-LE-CASTEL.
COUCY-LE-CASTEL.
  "Sol Canadien, terre chérie   Par des braves tu fus peuplé,   Ils cherchaient, loin de leur patrie,     Une terre de liberté,   Qu'elles sont belles, nos campagnes,   Au Canada qu'on vit content! About the year 1830 that portion of the environs of Quebec watered by the River St. Charles, in the vicinity of Scott's bridge, had especially attracted the attention of several of our leading citizens as pleasant and healthy abodes for their families. Two well known gentlemen in particular, the beare
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RINGFIELD.
RINGFIELD.
    FRANCISCUS PRIMUS, DEI GRATIA, FRANCORUM REX REGNAT.     Inscription on cross erected 3d May, 1536, by Jacques Cartier. We will be pardoned for devoting a larger space than for other country seats, in describing Ringfield, on account of the important events of which it was the theatre. Close to the Dorchester Bridge to the west, on the Charlesbourg road, there was once an extensive estate known as Smithville—five or six hundred acres of table land owned by the late Charles Smith, Esq., who f
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CASTOR VILLE
CASTOR VILLE
  "In woods or glens I love to roam, * * * * Or by the woodland pool to rest." In the deepest recesses of the Lorette woods, amongst the most shady meanders of the sinuous Cahire Coubat, some five miles due north from Castel-Coucy, we know a bank, not precisely where "The wild thyme grows," but where you are sure, in spring and summer, to pluck handfuls of trilliums, wild violets, ferns of rare beauty, columbines, kalmias, ladies' slippers, ladies' tresses (we mean of course the floral subjects)
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THE JOYS OF WINTER.
THE JOYS OF WINTER.
  "Oh! the snow, the beautiful snow,   Filling the earth and sky below,   Over the house-tops, over the street,   Over the heads of the people you meet,        Dancing,                 Flirting,                           Skimming along,   Beautiful snow, it can do no wrong,   Flying to kiss a lady's cheek,   Clinging to lips in a frolicsome freak,   Beautiful snow from the heaven above,   Pure as an angel, gentle as love!   Oh! the snow, the beautiful snow   How the flakes gather and laugh as th
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THE MANOR HOUSE, BEAUPORT.
THE MANOR HOUSE, BEAUPORT.
Let us view a remnant of feudal times. On the Beauport road, four miles from the city and about forty feet from the late Colonel B. C. A. Gugy's habitation, stood until 1879 an antiquated high-gabled French stone dwelling, very substantially put together. About thirty years back there was still existing close to and connected with it, a pavilion or tower, used in early days as a fort to protect the inmates against Indian raids. It contained the boudoir and sleeping apartments of some of the fair
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THE SEIGNIORIAL MANOR OF THE FIRST SEIGNEUR OF BEAUPORT, 1614.
THE SEIGNIORIAL MANOR OF THE FIRST SEIGNEUR OF BEAUPORT, 1614.
In March 1881, the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, received from the widow of the late Col. B. C. A. Gugy, of Darnoc, Beauport, a lead plate, with the above quoted inscription, and a note, stating under what circumstances Col. Gugy's family became possessed of it. This lead plate, affords a written record of the laying of the foundation stone, on the 25th July, 1634, of the historical homestead of the fighting Seigneurs of Beauport: the Gifart, the Juchereau, the Duchesnay. The massiv
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THE BEAUPORT MANOR INSCRIPTION.
THE BEAUPORT MANOR INSCRIPTION.
(To the Editor of the Morning Chronicle.) "Whilst regretting the loss of the coins and document accompanying the inscription of the Beauport Manor, on account of the light it might have thrown on this remote incident of Canadian history, let us examine the case as it stands. This rude inscription of 25th July, 1634, gives priority as to date to the Beauport Manor over any ancient structure extant in Canada this day. The erection of the manor would seem to have preceded by three years the foundat
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COUNT D'ORSONNENS LETTER
COUNT D'ORSONNENS LETTER
A monsieur J. M. LeMoine, président de la Société Littéraire et Historique de Québec, etc., etc, etc. CHER MONSIEUR,.—Votre lettre du 1er avril, publiée dans le Morning Chronicle , en groupant, autour du premier Manoir canadien, des grands noms canadiens, des faits historiques et des traditions, semble vouloir nous faire regretter encore plus la perte d'un monument dont il ne reste plus qu'une plaque de plomb gravée sans art, avec une inscription sans orthographe. Je suis allé, comme bien d'autr
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L'INSCRIPTION DU MANOIR DE BEAUPORT.
L'INSCRIPTION DU MANOIR DE BEAUPORT.
Parmi une masse de vieux documents que je possède, concernant la seigneurie de Beauport et ses seigneurs, j'ai trouve le reçu suivant: "Je, soussigné, confesse avoir reçu un billet de cent cinquante livres de monsieur de Beauport, pour ce qu'il m'avait promis pour faire sa bâtisse de logis de Beauport. "faict ce 27ième juillet 1642. Cela donnerait peut-être une explication des abréviations "P. C." de l'inscription trouvée dans les ruines du vieux manoir. En effet, il est loisible de supposer que
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H. V'S LETTER.
H. V'S LETTER.
Une relique historique . La Minerve a publié l'inscription de la plaque trouvée à Beauport. Le Journal de Québec l'a reproduite aussi; mais avec une certaine différence. Pour l'étude des personnes éloignées et pour l'utilité de la science, il est bien désirable qu'on en prenne de nombreuses impressions sur plâtre. Si madame Gugy accorde la permission nécessaire, elle méritera certainement la reconnaissance de ceux qui étudient notre histoire. Il paraît que le dernier chiffre de la date se lit av
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MOUNT LILAC, BEAUPORT.
MOUNT LILAC, BEAUPORT.
Some thirty years ago, I saw, for the first time, the picturesque old manor of the Rylands at Beauport, this was in its classic days. Later on, I viewed it, mossy and forlorn, in what some might style its "non age". Of this, hereafter. The Château stood embowered amidst lilac groves and other ornamental shrubs, so far as I can recollect, with a background of elms, white birch, spruce, &c. Its vaulted, lofty and well-proportioned dining-room, with antique, morocco-covered chairs, and carv
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A VISIT TO THE INDIAN LORETTE.
A VISIT TO THE INDIAN LORETTE.
Of the many attractive sites in the environs of the city, few contain in a greater degree than the Huron village of Lorette during the leafy months of June, July and September, picturesque scenery, combined with a wealth of historical associations. The nine miles intervening between Quebec and the rustic auberge of the village, thanks to an excellent turnpike, can be spanned in little more than an hour. I shall now attempt to recapitulate some of the sights and incidents of travel which recently
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TAHOURENCHE.
TAHOURENCHE.
  "I'm the chieftain of this mountain,   Times and seasons found me here,   My drink has been the crystal fountain,   My fare the wild moose or the deer."                     ( The HURON CHIEF, by Adam Kidd ). There exists a faithful portrait of this noble savage, such as drawn by himself and presented, we believe, to the Laval University at Quebec; for glimpses of his origin, home and surroundings, we are indebted to an honorary chief of the tribe, Ahatsistari. [308] Paul Tahourenché (François
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INDIAN DRESS—LOVE MAKING-FEASTSBURIALS.
INDIAN DRESS—LOVE MAKING-FEASTSBURIALS.
From a MS. Letter of Soeur Ste. Hélène , published by Abbé Verrault. "Would you like to learn how they dress—how they marry—how they are buried? First, you must know that several tribes go completely naked, and wear but the fig-leaf. In Montreal, you meet many stately and well-proportioned savages, walking about in this state of nudity, as proud in their bearing, as if they wore good clothes. Some have on a shirt only; others have a covering negligently thrown over one shoulder. Christianized In
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CHÂTEAU BIGOT.
CHÂTEAU BIGOT.
  "Ensconced 'mid trees this château stood   'Mid flowers each aisle and porch;   At eve soft music charmed the ear   High blazed the festive torch.   But, ah! a sad and mournful tale   Was hers who so enjoyed   The transient bliss of these fair shades   By youth and love decoyed,   Her lord was true—yet he was false,   False—false—as sin and hell   To former plights and vows he gave   To one that loved him well."                      The Hermitage. From time immemorial an antique and crumbling
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CAROLINE, OR THE ALGONQUIN MAID.
CAROLINE, OR THE ALGONQUIN MAID.
"We drove, my father and I, with our vehicle to the foot of the mountain, and there, took a foot-path which led us through a dense wood. We encountered and crossed a rivulet, and then ascended a plateau cleared of wood, a most enchanting place; behind us and on our right was a thick forest: on our left the eye rested on boundless green fields, diversified [325] with golden harvests and with the neat white cottages of the peasantry. In the distance was visible the broad and placid waters of the S
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L'INTENDANT BIGOT—ROMANCE CANADIENNE. PAR JOS. MARMETTE.
L'INTENDANT BIGOT—ROMANCE CANADIENNE. PAR JOS. MARMETTE.
After perusing the Legend of Caroline, the Algonquin Maid , the lover of Canadian story, can find a more artistically woven plot in one of Mr. Marmette's historical novels L'Intendant Bigot. The following passage is from a short critique we recently published thereon: "It is within the portals of Beaumanoir (Château-Bigot) that several of the most thrilling scenes in Mr. Marmette's novel are supposed to have taken place. A worthy veteran of noble birth, M. de Rochebrune, had died in Quebec throu
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THE FALLS OF THE CHAUDIÈRE.
THE FALLS OF THE CHAUDIÈRE.
A tourist of a cultured mind and familiar with classic lore, standing on the lofty brow of the Chaudière , might, without any peculiar flights of imagination, fancy he beholds around him a solitary dell of that lovely TEMPE immortalized in song:   "Est nemos Haemoniae, praerupta quod undique claudit   Silva; vocant Tempe; per quae Peneus ab imo   Effusus Pindo, spumosis volvitur undis,   Dejectuque gravi tenues agitantia fumos   Nubila conducit, sommasque aspergine silvas   Impluit, et sonitu pl
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JACQUES CARTIER'S OFFICERS AND CREW.
JACQUES CARTIER'S OFFICERS AND CREW.
Liste de l'Équipage de Jacques Cartier, conservée dans les archives de St. Malo, France—revue avec soin sur le fac-similé par C. H. Laverdière, Ptre., Bibliothécaire de l'Université Laval, 22 novembre, 1859. Jacques Cartier, capne. Thomas Fourmont, Me. de la nef. Guille. Le breton Bastille, capne. et pilote du Galion. Jacq. Maingar, me. du Galion. Marc Jalobert, capne. et pilote du Courlieu. Guille. de Marié, me. de Courlieu. Laurent Boulain. Estienne Nouel. Pierre Esmery dict Talbot. Michel Her
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"JACQUES QUARTIER, THE PILOT."
"JACQUES QUARTIER, THE PILOT."
"Gerald, eleventh Earl of Kildare, was born on the 26th of February, 1525. He was ten years of age at the time of his brother's arrest, and then lying ill with the small-pox at Donore in the County Kildare. He was committed to the care of his tutor, Thomas Leverous, who conveyed him in a large basket into Offaly to his sister, Lady Mary O'Connor. There he remained until he perfectly recovered. The misfortunes of his family had excited great sympathy for the boy over the whole of Ireland. This ma
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DISCOVERY OF THE REMAINS OF JACQUES CARTIER'S VESSEL, THE "PETITE HERMINE."
DISCOVERY OF THE REMAINS OF JACQUES CARTIER'S VESSEL, THE "PETITE HERMINE."
( Note for pages 429-431-455. ) On the 25th of August, 1843, there was much commotion among the antiquarians of our old city. Mr. Jos. Hamel, the city surveyor, had thought it proper to call the attention of the Literary and Historical Society to the remains of a vessel lying at the brook St. Michel, which falls into the River St. Charles on the north bank about half way between the General Hospital and old Dorchester Bridge. This vessel was supposed to be the Petite Hermine , one of Jacques Car
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"LE CANON DE BRONZE."—THE BRONZE CANNON.
"LE CANON DE BRONZE."—THE BRONZE CANNON.
"A few years ago an ancient cannon of peculiar make, and supposed to have been of Spanish construction, was found in the river St. Lawrence, opposite the Parish of Champlain, in the District of Three Rivers. It is now in the Museum of Mr. Chasseur, and will repay the visit of the curious stranger. The ingenious writer of the Treatise upon this piece of ordnance, published in the second volume of the TRANSACTIONS of the Literary and Historical Society of Quebec, has endeavoured to show that it be
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THE ARMS OF THE DOMINION.
THE ARMS OF THE DOMINION.
DOWNING STREET, October 14, 1868. My Lord,—I have the honour to enclose a certified copy of 26th May, Her Majesty's Warrant of Assignment of 1868, Armorial Bearings for the Dominion and Provinces of Canada, which has been duly enrolled in Her Majesty's College of Arms, and I have to request that your Lordship will take such steps as may be necessary for carrying Her Majesty's gracious intentions into effect. I have, &c, (Signed) BUCKINGHAM AND CHANDOS. TO THE GOVERNOR, THE RIGHT HON. VIS
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VICTORIA R.
VICTORIA R.
VICTORIA, by the grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, &c. To our right trusty and well-beloved councillor Edward George Fitzalan Howard, (commonly called Lord Edward George Fitzalan Howard), deputy to our right trusty and right entirely beloved cousin, Henry, Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal, and our Hereditary Marshal of England—Greeting: Whereas, etc,… We were empowered to declare after a certain day therein appointed, that the Pr
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MILITIA UNIFORMS.
MILITIA UNIFORMS.
Canadian militiamen will be interested in the following letter which appeared in the Toronto Globe . SIR,—I observe in your "Notes from the Capital" a paragraph to the effect that Major-General Luard has taken exception to the gold lace worn by certain arms of the active militia. I am aware that this point has been raised before, and perhaps it is not a very material issue; but there is a feature—an historical one—in connection with the subject that deserves attention, and I remember when the mi
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EXPORTATION OF CANADIAN CATTLE TO EUROPE.
EXPORTATION OF CANADIAN CATTLE TO EUROPE.
According to the statistics furnished by Mr. McEachran, V.S., and Government Inspector of live stock, the total shipments for 1879 from Montreal and Quebec from toe opening to the close of navigation, as compared with the two previous years, are as follows:—               1879 1878 1877   Cattle… 24,823 18,665 6,940   Sheep…. 78,792 41,250 9,500   Hogs….. 4,745 2,078 430 The great majority of animals shipped from Quebec were forwarded by sail from Montreal, and large as the increased shipments o
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THE FRENCH REFUGEES OF OXFORD, MASS.
THE FRENCH REFUGEES OF OXFORD, MASS.
An elegantly printed volume has just issued from the press of Noyes, Snow and Co., Worcester, Mass, from the pen of George F. Daniels, containing a succinct history of one of the earliest Massachusetts towns—the town of Oxford; we think we cannot introduce it to the reader more appropriately, than in the words of Oliver Wendell Holmes, whose graceful introduction prefaces the volume. Oliver Wendell Holmes to George F. Daniels:—"Of all my father's historical studies," says the Autocrat of the Bre
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OUR CITY BELLS—THEIR NAMES.
OUR CITY BELLS—THEIR NAMES.
1st. Bell, Louise; 2nd, Olivier Geneviève; 3rd, Pierre Marie; 4th, Marie- Joseph-Louise-Marguerite; 5th, Jean-Olivier, &c.   "Now, on the gentle breath of morn,   Once more I hear that chiming bell,   As onward, slow, each note is borne,   Like echo's lingering, last farewell."                  ( The Evening Bells , of the General Hospitals:                                                 by ADAM KIDD.—1829.) "Quebec Bells are an institution of the present and of the past:" so says every
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STATE OF VERMONT,
STATE OF VERMONT,
MONKTON, April 26th, 1875. J. M. LeMoine, Esq., Literary and Historical Society, Quebec. SIR,—Please find enclosed statement of Mrs. Strong relative to the pistols and sash of Gen. Wolfe. You will undoubtedly remember that I wrote to you last winter, and that you answered asking for something more authentic. Consequently I drew up a set of questions, leaving after each question space for answer. Now I return them to you. There is no question in the minds of people here about the facts as stated
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_THE POST OFFICE.
_THE POST OFFICE.
"In a recent issue of the Journal des Trois Rivières appeared a somewhat interesting paper on the Canadian postal system. From this paper we learn that on the cession of this country to Great Britain a regular mail courier was established between the cities of Montreal and Quebec. The celebrated Benjamin Franklin was the Deputy Postmaster General for the English colonies from 1750 to 1774. In 1776 this functionary, while giving evidence before a committee of the British Parliament, stated that,
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FINE FOR DUELLING GIVEN TO BUREAU DES PAUVRES.
FINE FOR DUELLING GIVEN TO BUREAU DES PAUVRES.
(Sentence du Conseil Souverain du Samedy, septième avril 1691.) (Extrait par T. P. Bédard, archiviste provincial—Québec.) Le Conseil assemblé ou estoient; Monsieur le gouverneur et Monsieur l'intendant   Maistres Louis Rouer de Villeray, primier conseiller -+      " Mathieu Damours Deschampen |      " Nicolas Dupont de Neuville + Conseillers      " Jean Baptiste Depeiras |      " Charles Denys de Vitray -+ Et François de la Magdeleine Ruette d'Auteil, procureur général du Roy. Veu par le Conseil
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_MEMORABILIA.
_MEMORABILIA.
Jacques Cartier landed on the banks of the Saint Charles .. Sept. 14, 1535 Quebec founded by Samuel de Champlain ………………… July 3, 1608 Arrival of the Franciscan Friars (Récollets, Denis Jamay, Jean Dolbeau, Joseph LeCaron) at Tadousac, in the ship St. Etienne, Capt. Pontgravé ……………………………. May 25, 1615 First Mass said in the Lower Town Chapel, by Father Dolbeau. June 26, 1615 Fort St. Louis built at Quebec ………………………. 1620-4 Arrival of the First Jesuits ………………………… 1625 Quebec surrendered to Admiral
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QUEBEC GOLF CLUB.
QUEBEC GOLF CLUB.
The members of this Club had their annual meeting on Saturday last to compete for their "Handicap Medal" over the Cove Field, or Quebec links. The "Ancient game of Golf" having only recently been introduced into the country it may not be uninteresting for the information of the uninitiated to give a general idea of the game. It is played with a ball, weighing 1- 3/4 oz., made of "gutta percha" and a set of clubs of various construction suitable for the different stages of the game; the play is o
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LIST OF MEMBERS—QUEBEC GOLF CLUB.
LIST OF MEMBERS—QUEBEC GOLF CLUB.
PATRON: His Excellency, the MARQUIS OF LORNE, Governor-General of Canada. Captain : C. Farquharson Smith. Committee: James Stevenson. H. Stanley Smith. Peter MacNaughton. Herbert M. Price. Secretary-Treasurer: William P. Sloane. Beckett, Thos. Macpherson, William M. Campbell, Colin. MacEwen, Peter. Cook, William. MacKay, John. Denistoun, A. Roberts, Jos. Dobell, Richard R. Ruthven, Hon. E. De Winton, Lt.-Col., F. W. Richardson, D. B. C. Foote, John J. Smith, C. Chaloner. Griffith, W. A. Smith, R
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QUEBEC SNOW-SHOE CLUB.
QUEBEC SNOW-SHOE CLUB.
Founded In 1876. Colours: RED and BLACK. This Club, which counts upwards of 60 members in its ranks, meets weekly during the snow-shoe season; it has three rendezvous, viz., at Hamels on the Cap Rouge Road, at Belleau's, on the St. Foye Road, and at Chamberlain's near Beauport. At these tramps the members amuse themselves with chess, cards, draughts, singing, &c, to 11 P.M., when supper is served. The club is conducted on strictly temperance principles. The Annual Concert of the Club, us
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FRENCH GOVERNORS OF CANADA.
FRENCH GOVERNORS OF CANADA.
(LIST PREPARED BY FRED A. MCCORD)                              Date of                              Commission From To CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de Oct 15, 1612 Oct 15, 1612 July 20, 1629 CHAMPLAIN, Samuel de (a) —— —- —— May 23, 1633 Dec 25, 1635  Châteaufort, Marc  Antoine Bras-de-fer (b) —— —- —— Dec 25, 1635 June 11, 1636 MONTMAGNY, Charles  Huault de —— —- —— June 12, 1636 Aug 19, 1648 D'AILLEBOUST de Coulonge,  Louis —— —- —— Aug 20, 1648 Oct 12, 1651 LAUZON, Jean de Jan 17, 1651 Oct 13, 1651 —— —
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ENGLISH GOVERNORS.
ENGLISH GOVERNORS.
                                            From To AMHERST, General Jeffrey (f) Sep. 8, 1760 —— — —— MURRAY, General James Aug. 10, 1764 June 28, 1766   Irving, Paulus Aemilius June 30, 1766 Sep. 23, 1766   Carleton, Lt. Gov. Guy Sep. 24, 1766 Oct. 25, 1768 CARLETON, Guy (g) Oct. 26, 1768 June 26, 1778   Cramahé, Hon. Hector Theophilus Aug. 9, 1770 Oct. 10, 1774 HALDIMAND, Frederick June 27, 1778 Nov. 15, 1784   Hamilton, Lt. Gov. Henry Nov. 16, 1784 Nov. 1, 1785   Hope, Lt. Gov. Henry Nov. 2,
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CHAPTER I.
CHAPTER I.
[1] Mr. and Mrs. Dickens had lunched in the Citadel on that May 27th, 1842, the admired guests of the officers of the Grenadier Guards stationed there. [2] Lettres sur l'Amérique : X. Marmier. Paris, 1869. [3] The Highlanders—78th, 79th, and 93rd. [4] The New York Ledger. [5] Before the era of the Allan line, sailing vessels used to land their living cargoes of forlorn emigrants in the Lower Town, sometimes after a passage of fourteen weeks....
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CHAPTER II.
CHAPTER II.
[6] Parkman thus heralds the advent of this foreign arrival from sea:—"A lonely ship sailed up the St. Lawrence. The white whales floundering in the Bay of Tadousac, and the wild duck diving as the foaming prow drew near,—there was no life but these in all that watery solitude, twenty miles from shore to shore. The ship was from Honfleur, and was commanded by Samuel de Champlain. He was the Aeneas of a destined people, and in her womb lay the embryo life of Canada." ( Pioneers of France in the N
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CHAPTER III.
CHAPTER III.
[8] Six French Governors died and were buried in Quebec—Samuel de Champlain, Count de Frontenac, M. de Mesy, De Callières, Marquis de la Jonquière, and Marquis de Vaudreuil. Two English Governors—Lieut. Gen. Hope and the Duke of Richmond. [9] Up to 1617, and later, Cbamplain's residence was in the Lower Town, and stood nearly on the site of the Church of Notre-Dames des Victoires . [10] John London MacAdam, the inventor of macadamized roads, was born in Ayr, Scotland, on the 21st September, 1756
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CHAPTER IV.
CHAPTER IV.
[146] The residence of Jos. Shehyn, Esq., M.P.P., occupies now this historic site. [147] SAUNDERS SIMPSON.—He was Prevost Marshal in Wolfe's army of Louisbourg, Quebec and Montreal, and cousin of my father's. He resided in that house, the nearest to St. Louis Gate, outside, which has not undergone any external alteration since I was a boy.— From unpublished Diary of Deputy Commissary General Jas. Thompson. [148] Recent evidence extracted by Dr. H. H. Miles, out of Jas. Thompson's papers and lett
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PART II—ENVIRONS OF QUEBEC
PART II—ENVIRONS OF QUEBEC
[169] A. Brulart de Sillery, Marquis de Puisieux, was Minister of Foreign Affairs in France from 1747 to 1751.—O'Callaghan's Paris Document Table , vol. x. [170] His career furnishes a curious instance of the lavish expenditure which ambitious sovereigns formerly required on such grand occasions. Let us quote his biographer's own words: "Son entrée dans Rome fut superbe; il était dans un carosse ouvert, en forme de calèche, tout brillant d'or, même jusqu'aux roues qui étaient dorées. Ses chevaux
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APPENDIX
APPENDIX
[332] See Quebec Past and Present , page 34. [333] Relation de 1665, p. 25, Journal des Jésuites, 10 juillet 1665. [334] Lettres de Marie de l'Incarnation, lettre 76e, p. 621. [335] Archives de la Marine, vol. Canada, T. II, de 1670 à 1676, 20 août 1670. [336] Ibid. , lettres de Colbert à M. Talon, 11 février 1671. [337] Relation de 1668, p. 3. [338] Relation de 1667, p. 3. [339] Archives de la Marine. Registre des dépêches de Colbert pour les Indes, 1671, fol. 18. [340] Relation de 1672, p. 2.
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