The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-08-22
o A y \ y A a..


QUEBEC, Ausust 10, 1870
Il Glaaee at Moatreal-Ihe Ca'hedraf-barfae"'
--DIiltary Parade Colonel McKee, "ho r a. ~
Buena Vistc- Gray Naanery-lhe """s ~
ibeir Derotio, ~ the Ch0pet-Cshef Na"a9eS-
7Hs Priests Farm-Htnts to Irdca'erS-1he
Ybite Mounsa,,ss-Porttand and Lave usofge |
RonteS.
.s,er an absence Of short time have returned
10 Quebec. and am about proceeding according to
nv original rteition, to the Saguenay; and shall
probably after grossing to the south shore, ex
tend nv tour sonc two hundred and fifty miles be-
low this city, describing the int edate country as
return which rs rincipally settled by the descend
ants of the original settlers from Frnce and sabse
oueptiy the Eastern townships, as far as time will
permit, which ale being rapidly peopled by persons
from the neighborng portion Of the United States,
bordering on that part Of the British territory in
Lower Canada.
Travelling appears to have fairly set in this way,
there being no less than one hundred and seventy
passengers in the steamer Quebec Captain Ru-
dolf, in which | arrived here on Sunday morn
ing; and perhaps l cannot perform more &C
equitable service to those who may he about to
visit Canada-havng already given an account OF
Quebec-than bv briefly describing visit made on
Saturday 10 the Roman Catholic Cathedral, the Bar
racks, the Gray Nunnery, aud the Priests Farm
which occupied nearly the entire day, in company
With an American party, conducted by Mr. Coleman,
Of the Montreal House. whose establishment
have already recommended to the readers OF the
HERALD. At the same time would state that there
are numerous other objects, particularly DIVE
around the mountain and view from its summit
every way deserving the attention Of the intelligent
traveller, who should by no means quit the CONNER
cial capital Of Canada until he shall have spent at
least two day there.
Our first visit was to the cathedral, which was
opened for public worship in 1s2s--havng been five
wears in course Of erection-which is s55 feet in
length and ia in breadth, and IS capable OF
seating between Fix and seven thousand persons.
The height Of the two principal towers IS 40
feet from the summit of which is an extensive
and splendid view of the surrounding scenery.
A woman is seated at the base OF that which we
ascended, to whom twenty-five cents Is PAID Tor
permission to ascend. After viewing the interior OF
the church, where there are number OF pictures by
the first masters procured from France a few years
since we commenced the ascent OF successive flights
OF stairs with convenient resting places leading to
the summit OF the tower, the height OF whlch
cannot be appreciated by view IRON the street.
This tower con,a the largest bell in America hav-
ing been cast expressly for this church, and weighs
29,40O pounds
After leaving the cathedral, we went to the bar.
racks, to witness the morning parade OF the Sixty
sixth Regiment where we found quite number OF
Americans under balcony which commands a fine
view Of the square, and which Is politely thrown
open 70 strangers. The day WAS excessively hot,
and we saw nothing more than the usual morning
INSPECTION of the appearance and arms OF the men.
The words Of command were given ~ the colonel
tall, thin man. III deep, sonorots tone OF voice. ~
was q detachment OF this regiment which recently
fired on the people when Gayazzi iectured IN Mont
real and there is much conflicting statement
as to who gave or1crs TO the troops to hire,
after the general direction was hnrriediy given,
ms is generally believed, by the. Mayor. But
after hearing the word OF command TO which the
men Of tue regnieut are accustomed. do not see
how-mere machi..es rs they are-t Is possible that
without orders being given in the usual military
style The subject, however, is still being invest,
gated by the military authorities, both here and IN
England, involving as it does the discipline and
standing OF distinguished regiment In the bntsh
service.
The uniform height and tbeilt appearance Of
the men, who seemed to be in the prime OF life and
heaithfol visor ~us very general subject OF remarS
among the American visiters, among whom was Q
young lacy whose father Col. Mckee, commanded
the second regiment of Kentucky troops IN the
Mexican war, Of which Henry Clay, Jr, was Lieut.
Colonel, and who both fell together nearly ut the
sane moment, at the battle Of Buena Vista.
RFromsvie wing the pomp aud parade of military
Iife il being near ~ o'clock the hour ut which the
assemble in the chapel after palta.ng Of theil
dinner we proceeded to the Gray Nunaery, and took
our seats ia the cbape, where there we're at least
forty or fty strangers assembled After all had beer
seated for short time, the nuns we're heard ap
preaching ard who were rcciting the service appro
priated to that hour Of the day, and immediately
after entered, walking two and two, wearing gray
dress with black hood, and preceded by seven no
yitiates clothed in white-the youngest OF the nuns
Of whom there were upwards OF forty some oil then
rather pretty, entering first the oil and less attrac
tive in appearance with the Lady Superior, bringing
up the rear each Of them on passing the stone basil
containing holy water, dipping IN thef hngeI
and making the sign of the cross
When the head OF the procession reached the raj
ing in front OF the altar, they al knelt down and =
peated the remainder Of the service -sometiYss In,
Joining together and at others, one-haf " sona
responses with the others alternately ta 49,
from the Superior, they rose aDd;ayy =, retired
altar, courteImarching use |7Sfch they had
having courtesied as tie pas.e'
from the chapel IN the sae wafds n which the IN
entered "a room Ia winch some little
We then yi.a.-were seated henlnins coarse tow.
firm as.-fpeared to be very happy and arc mostly
c,s.nldren OF poor Irish people, who unable to
give them that education which they grataitopsly
oTain here. In another room were some others also
OF lri parentage, but quite young. who | under
stood were orph ana There are two other nunneres
az Mon'real,ote, the Black or Congregational nun
merry founded in 1859 for the education OF females
ana the Hotel Dieu nunnery, founded in 1914 for
the reception Of sick and diseased persons. How.
ever usefully and even henevcently the time of the
inmates OF these living tombs may be spent vet
believe the prevailing feeling of those who nav
casual visit to these institutions must be that OF re-
gIet a! witnessing the utter secuson from the world
OF females, many OF them in the prime of life who
might adoin and render happy the domestic circle,
and whose course OF existence would be less I'M
natural, and more in accordance with the designs OF
their Creator were they no. thus Withdrawn from
society
In the afternoon Mr. Coleman, to whom in COM
mon with all who visit his house, am under obi
cations for his uniform courtesy aud attention drove
me out to what is called the Priests Farm, about
Two miles from the city. II il deli yhtfal place,
perfectly retired, and well fitted for contamination
and study At one time, l understand there was
some aversion manifested as to visiting the farm:
bot The present incumbent, the Rev Mr. yigneuf
Is actuatcd by more liberal feeling and strangers
are now welcomed there. II Is in high state OF
cuitivat0n, with an outrageous garden well stocked
with fruit trees and currant bushes.
Directly opposite the entrance OF the garden Ia q
statue OF the Virgin Mary with the infant Jesus be
.ois winch, when We arrived were prostrated five
Sf1IentIy hesitated nl.o.t - WI