The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-04
Q A n a y a


Leovg Csebec-F4As Of Electromagnetic Of Or
ieaas-G Crosse Ble-Visu 10 MalJaie--AncaoT at
Cacosa,a, a I'd arrive the Seeuray-hs r'as'"F-
,e.t ScensTp-Lake st. Jam-Hndson Bay Com
pans = The Jssuas = Montagrard fna'anS =
Rewn 20 Caconaa.
left Quebec on Tuesday morning, ia q steamboat
called the Alliance, which was crowded with men,
women. and children chiefly intend ng to sojourn at
a,is Canadian watering place, about one hundred
and twenty miles below that city. The weather was
delightful aud the river smooth no one consequent
" was sea sick aud the children-rather an uncoul
mon occurrence at the present day-gave little an-
aoyance, except to those who were entrusted with
their care and attendance.
The view OF Quebec and its ort6cations increases
in interest until it is shut in by Point Levi when the
Balls Of Nortmorency make their appearance. At
first thin disk, resembling the new moon, peeps
out from behind the green foliage in its vicinity,
until gradually the entire fall is seen as you approach
the IsIe Of Orleans Immediately opposite which is
the timber cove of Messrs. Eilsnan and Rankin.
where several vessels are at this time loading for
England
The Ise Of OreAs is about twenty miles in
length and FIVE or six wide, with population
of from iye TO six thousand souls, and appears
to be well cultivated is for Lower Canada.
The ots. however are very narrow, extending
to the summit Of the island, which occasionally
are crossed by a road running iiagonally.
The islaLd, as is the case on the South
shore OF the ST. Lawrence for distance OF two hun
ored miles is one extended village. In some places
the houses are clustered together and here in every
instance is a small church, varying in dimensiOns
u proportion to the size of the parish in which it is
situated. The houses are whtewashed which adds
much TO the beauty of the natural scenery; ana the
honest Canadians have the good taste to spare the
trees occasionally thus agreeably diyersifying the
cleared lands in their neighborhood
The country is gently undulating, and the houses,
where i has been found practicable, are situated
upon some emnence that commands an extensive
prospect around; and nothing can be more delight
fu than the gradual slope extending from the shores
OF Che river both the Island of Orleans and the
right bank Of the st. Lawrence, in marked contrast
with the mountainous region on the opposite coast
Thirty miles below Quebec we passed Crosse Isle,
the quarantine station where there is provincial
establishment, with resident physician, and where
company of troops are quartered to preserve order
among the numerous passengers that are landed from
vessels in which sickness has manifested itself during
the passage, Canada having suffered repeatedly from
the introduction, in this way of the cholera ship
fever, and smallpox. observed but one ship at the
island rs we passed.
Il vas about four o'clock in the afternoon when
we reached Msbaie, or Murray bay, ninety miles
below Quebec, where purposed landing and taking
. caIeche for Chicontam, sixtyeight miles from the
mouth Of the Saguenay wharf which is in course
of completion and which forms the only shelter for
vessels, was crowded with the population of the
place and which seemed to have turned out en- ndsSe
to greet the arrival of the steamer the females wear
ing straw hats with an immense rim which appears
10 be prevailing and fav0rte head dress in this
part Of Lower Canada.
bad been favored previous to leaving Quebec
with general letter of introduction to the Catholic
clergy on my route, by the Rev c. J. Careau, Vicar
General and on landing Immediately proceeded to
the residence of the Cure OF the parish who lives
acme distance from the landing in genteel house,
beautifully situated on the margin OF the river, and
in close proximity With very respectable looking
church. The walk occupied nearly an hour, and az
forced ne IN opportunity of looking around There
appeared 20 De but little cultivation, and the wonder
IL, how the people manage to 1--we, and the women to
wear such large hats.
Il was much struck with the appe arauce of some
ten or twelve couical hills about four ten fifteen to
i've and twenty feet in height. probably Of volcanic
origin situsted not far from the road, Immediately
after passing which, l came upon large garden,
surrounded With high fence, that ascertaiaed be-
longed TO the segnor next appeared bis residence,
with improvements indicating wealth aud refine
meDti aud presently reached the prests mouse
where | learnt TO my CONSERVATION that contrary
u the assurance ! received at Quebec, there was
1othing more than foot path through wilderness
Nth occasionally habitaton between Malbaie AMI
Gaicoutami, which it would require o., least two
DAYS TO reach by this route; aud where expected
20 End carriage road.
Here vas a. fx,n aud the only alternative that
presented Itself was, either 10 start next morning,
after securing the aid Of guide, or to remain where
rss till the arrival OF the next weeks steamer,
ualesa-of which there seemed little chance
could get back 20 the landing place. distance OF at
teast two miles, in time to meet the Rowland
sr ~ %. f.r fI,a
nay when We left Quebec. This, with the assis
lance of French Canadian. who drove me
back at q furious rate in his caleche, ! was so
fortunate as 20 accomplish, and was received on
hoard with much kindness by Captain Ryan one Of
toe most attentive Of the steamboat commanders
have met with About eight o'clock that evening
anchored at Caco1na, and the next morning after
breakfast-tbe hour for psrtaking OF which, every
where in Canada, is eight o'clock, its inhabitants
losing an hour or two in the morning, and running
after them 1N day-we steamed away for the Sa'
g1enay.
The st Lawrence at this point is about twenty-five
mes across he tide rising upwards OF twenty feet
end IN couple Of hours the water having suddenly
changed from a light green 10 a deep black color.
we found ourselves approaching the entrance Of this
extraordinary river, the magnificent scenery OF
which II was the object OF all on board to contemp.
late have not heard any sufficient reason assigned
for the dark hue OF the waters of the Saguenay II
cannot be s great depth. for i dscolors lose Of the
River 81 Lawrence, where il is more shallow; nor
can DC the nature Of the soil which is traversed by
its tributaries through which the main river sub
scuuently passes
This noble river was first visited by Jacques
Cartier IN 1896 and the lat OF September Of that
year he anchored at Jadoussae, which il situated
at Is mouth. The country In the interior vas de
scribed By the savages whom he met as Astounding
With copper ana other mineral wealth. and they spoke
Of {, ssys The historian from whom ! quote,
a. people Of the present day speak OF Cali
fcrnfa Not solitary indication Of any metal
however. las since been discovered IN the
vicinity Of the Saguenay, although the writer
seems 70 think that ss the country comes 70 be ex
pIored the miles which the Indians represented az
existing may yet be discovered But IL possesses
what is really Of more benefit 10 the inhabitants Of
a country i highly fertile soil, and a climate equal
In temperature 20 that Of any part Of Lower Canada
We bad among the passengers IN the steamer se
veral who had travelled extensively In Europe and
the East and although we had all formed what We
conceived might BE extrayagant expectations with
reference TO the imposing scenery Of the Ssguenay,