The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-08-31

MoNTh6AL, mug ~, AcfO
The Departure from Niagara-Navigatiow Of the
st. Laurence Rapids--Ar,ivdl at Montreal
Description of the City-The Cathedral Orphan
Asyium-Races, &c.
left Niagara Falls on the morning OF the l4th
instant, and found waiting us at Lewistown the
splendid steamer Rochester. At about p M.
we got under way with fair complement of
passengers we were all struck with admiration
on approaching Fort Erie, where there opened to
our view the beautiful Lake Ontario, whose sur
face at the moment was smooth as a mirror,
with here and there dot on its bosom-a vessel
under easy sail. We touched at Rochester, Os-
wego, Sag Harbor, and arrived at Ogdcnsburg at
p. M. the 18th. Here we left the Rochester,
had comfortable nights rest, and at 3 A. M.
10th, embarked on board OF the British steamer
Express, which is hardly a third class boat with
u.s. Nothing can be more exciting, sublime, and
grand, than the navigation of the 81; Lawrence;
its innumerable rapids,s beautiful Islands, and
bold shores keeps the traveller in one constant
state of agreeable excitement. or these rapids
the largest and most dangerous is that of Cedras,
about twenty-five miles above this place; here the
na num1sS 81 H bsse
Islands in many places, the rapidly Of the cur
rent is sogreat to render navigation impossible,
even for the best steamers Tho Queen. ono Of
broke her rudder in passing through these rapids
the other day. Owing to the presence of mind Of
the Captain, the engine was stopped, and tho
boat side to the current drifted through in safety,
which, considering the number of eddies, whirl-
pools and boiling pots, must be considered almost
a miraculous escape.
have been informed that the Canadians are
about pefitioning the Crown, If not already done,
for the free navigation of the st. Lawrence.
have Just had conversation with person of re-
spectacle standing here, and he assured me in
Lawrence be opened to all nations, all the pro-
duce of the great west will flow through it. and
we shall have Montreal soon filed with enter
pr.sing Americans. How far the expectations Of
this friend may be realized, remains for the future
to be seen; but, in my humble opinion, the rapids
present nsurmountable barrier to the success.
full navigation of the ST. Lawrence, and it win b
expensive to transport through the canals
around these rapids, as it will be to convey pro-
duce from Lake Erie per canal to Albany. Thus
| do think, that although the free navigation
of the St. Lawrence may be ultimately obtained,
it cannot materially effect New York. have
been informed that General Cameron is one of
the leading men in favor Of the free navigation.
General Cameron is British Canadian, and here,
with us in the United States there are two par
ties.F The French Canadian force is by far the
sition to all advancemenis, and, indeed, il may
be doubted whether the French and English can
be so united in this great measure as to pull on
the same rope; any disunion among them must
cause defeat of the whole PROJECT.
Montreal IS certainly q handsome town; there
is soldity in the construction fthe houses here
/ have not seen in any OF our cities except only
few occasions, and as regards cleanliness,
can with safety recommend the City Council Of
New York to make visit to this place and take
one lesson. The streets are kept remarkably
clean, and at night the city is well lighted with
gas; so much So that one can read a newspaper
in the principal streets. The streets are paved
with wood blocks; they appear to stand here re-
markably well. The Catholic cathedral of Notre
Dame is noble edifce; the Orphans Asylum is
certainly of the neatest establishments Of the
kind to be met with. Ii is remarkably well
kept by some sisters Of charity.
/ omitted to state in the proper place that
touched ut Kingston, and that the Government
is making at that place most extensive fortif1ca
tons upon the most modern and improved plans
p. s. The races commence over the Montrea
course tomorrow; they are likely to be well at
tended, and the sport good.