Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1847-08-07
QUEBEC.


the St. Lawrence The river opposite Montreal runs at the
rate of six miles per hour and is two miles wide preserves
this breadth for about sixty miles, and then expands into the
beautiful and emerald looking Lake of St. Peter after which
varies from five in width until il reaches Quebec
which distant from Montreal hundred and eighty miles
Above ST. Peter the shores vary from five to fifteen feet in
height but below the lake they gradually become more ele
waited until they measure three hundred feet in the Vi
ciniy Of Quebec The country between the two Canadian
cities is well cultivated and either side may be seen con
tinaed succession of rural cottages.
Our steamer approached Quebec at the sunset hour and
say that have witnessed more superb prospect
than the lofty Citadel city, the contracted ST Lawrence the
opposite headand called Point Levi and the far distant land
which knew to be Cape Tourmsnt A stiff breeze was
blowing the time. and some twenty ships sailing and
fro, while we had to make our way into port by winding be-
and around three hundred ships which were at
anchor.
have much in this goody city which has made deep
impression my mind. The pronontory called Cape Dia
mond upon which stands formed by the junction of the
ST. Charles and St. Lawrence ve and rises to the height
of three hundred and fifty feet above the water The city
built from the waters edge along the base of the cliff and
from thence in circutous ascends the very bor-
des of the Citadel and ramparts There is but
leading from the Lower the Uppe town. and that narrow
and very Steep and the gateway defended by number of
large The city is remarkably irregular. and,
many of the buildings quite ancient its appearance is
picturesque and romantic The Notifications
of forty acres and beneath them many spacious and
gloomy vaults for the reception Of ammunition and stores during
time Of war. Receding into the Inferior from the very brow
of the Fortress the Plains of Abraham which covered
with rich green sod and planted with unnumbered
Their historical associations numerous and, they would
fill letter in themselves, will refrain from dwelling upon
them.
The religious establishments Of Quebec quite numerous,
and belong mostly to the Roman Catholics like those OF
Montreal they quite ancient and well endowed, but they
did not interest me, and my description of them
would not interest my reader. As matter of visited
the French Cathedral 1t to be old the hills and
yet all the windows of the principal tower roughly boarded
up. On entering the edce which is crowded with gilded
ornanents could fix my eye upon single object which
suggeedhe idea of richness The sculpture the paintings,
and the gliding all without merit and what greatly
addel my disgust was, that could obtain civil
oma single of the many boorsh boys and men who
fussog about the church.
Ii the front Of extensive promenade, just below the
Citadel stands the monument erected to the memory of
Mortcalm and Wolfe. The gentleman who contributed the
largest for its erection Lord Dahousie 1t is hand
obesk, and designed by military gentleman
named Young. The principal inscription on the column is
Characteristic of the English naton and is what shrewd
Yankee would call ga puff of Dahousie"-even though it
be chiseed in Latin. The annoying effect of this nscrp
ton, however, is couneraced by another which is also in
Latin, and very beautiful composed by j. c. Fisher,
ESQ., LII. D., founder of the Quebec Gazette, and is as
follows
Military virtue gave them common death,
History common fame,
Posterity common monument"
The Golden Dog another curiosity which will the
attention of the viser Quebec. 1t is the figure Of dog,
rudey scuptured in eevo and richly gded, which stands
above entrance of ancient house, which built by
NJ. Phber merchant of this city, in the time of M Bgot
the ntendant under the French Government Connected
with is the following curious story, which copy from
old record
"Mr Phibert and the Intendan bad terms, but
under the system then existing the merchant knew that it
in for him TO seek redress the colony and, deter
mining future period prefer his complaint in France
he conened himself with placing the figure of sleeping dog
front Of his house. with the following lines beneath in au
sion to his situation with his powerful enemy:
'Je suis chien qu ronge Pos
En- lie rongeant je prends mon repos-
I'm tens vendra qui nest pas yenu-
Que Je mordrai qu maura mordu.
This aegorca language was, however, plain for Mon
Bgot to misunderstood it. powerful easily found
instrument avenge the insult and Mr. Phbert received
the reward of bis verse; the sword Of officer of the gar
rson through his back when descending the Lower Town
HILL The murderer permitted to leave the colony
lesed and transferred regiment stationed in the East
Indies Thher he pursued by brother Of the deceased
who had first sought him in Canada when he arrived here
settle his brothers affairs. The parties il is related in
the public street Of Pondchey drew their swords and after
severe conflict the assassin honorable fate than
his crime deserved and died by the hand Of his antagonist
know not that there any other curosites in Quebec
really worth mentioning, and willingly turn its natural
attractions. The fortress itself undoubtedly one, if the
most formidable on the Continent but fell in love with it
account of its observatory features To ramble its
commanding rampars, without knowing caring to know
solitary individual has been to agreeable and unique
source Of entertainment. AT time leaned upon the ba
ustrade, and looked down upon the Lower town. II
the hour of noon Horses and carriages men,
sndchden huryng through the Streets and ships
in the docks dschargng their cagoes looked down
upon all these things at single glance, and yet the only
noise heard hum Of business. Even the loud clear
shout Of the sailor he tugged away the masthead of his
ship, could hardly be heard stealing upDard the air.
Doves flying about high above the roofs but they were
far below my point Of vision that could not hear the beat
ing Of their wings.
But the finest prospect that have enjoyed in this city
from the summit Of the Signal House, which looms above the
Citadel visited this spot just the setting and
every thing enveoped in golden atmosphere Beneath
lay the city, gradually lulng itself to repose the
west far the eye could REACH faded away the valley of the
Upper ST. Lawrence towards the north, winding its way be-