The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1855-12-13
June, 1855.
"REMINISCENCES Of SUMMER TRAVEL
QUEBEC
For the National Era.
BY MINNIE MYRTLE.

No other city this side of the Atlantic is
clothed with such interest to the American and
European traveller as Quebec. In the language
of one who landed beneath its walls just forty
years ago, This seat of ancient dominion, now
hoary with the lapse of more than two centuries
| West, lost and won by the blood of gallant
armies and Of illustrious commanders, throned
on a rock, and defended by all the proud def
ance of war, who could approach such city
without emotion? Who in America has not
longed to cast his eyes on the water-girt rocks
and towers of Quebec?"
When we approached the city from the south,
it was early morning, and the sun was Just
shedding food of golden splendor upon the
towers, the spires, and gray battlements, which
burst suddenly upon US, at height of more
than three hundred feet above the river. AS
we approach it from the north, it stretches out
before us like picture, long before any object
can be distinctly discerned. How beautiful and
and how grand!
Charlevoix, who visited Quebec in 1920, says
it then contained seven thousand people but
he predicted that it would one day equal Paris,
and that, as far as the eye could reach on the
St. Lawrence, nothing would be seen but towns,
villages, and pleasure houses, when the whole
road would be faced with magnificent quays,
the port surrounded with superb edifces, and
hundreds of ships should lie in it, laden with
riches. AS we look upon it from without, it
seems to us this is already fully accomplished.
But as we pass through the portals of its mas,
sive gates, and thread its narrow streets see
the dingy walls of its old buildings, and the
quiet routine of its inhabitants, we think it can
scarcely have progressed since the days when
this prediction was made. He describes to us
the Jesuit College, the Bishops palace, the
Ursuline Convent, and the Hotel Dieu, all of
which were built before the year 100; and here
they are, just as he pictured them. The side
walks are of wood, and so narrow that only one
can conveniently walk upon them.
These are our first impressions. How the
money OF Government and the wealth of
prosperous commerce are made to add to the
glory of princes, we had yet to learn.
The first object of interest to stranger must
ever be the proud citadel, which crowns the
heights of Abraham. We inquired after. but
never learned how place like this, the school
OF soldiers and the battle ground of nations,
came to be named from the FATHER OF THE
FAITHFUL In order to reach it, we pass
through the gate st. Louis and we are soon
thrilled with the thought that we are upon the
spot where was terminated the contest between
Professionalism and Catholicism on this CONT
nent-which dethroned the French, and de-
prived them of all hope of permanent posses.
sion and power in this country.
Our permit procured US a pass without chal-
lenge; and, with line of red coats on each
side of US, we entered within the fortress. A
soldier accompanied us to every point, and
readily entered into any explanations, evident
ly endeavoring to magnify the importance of
the place, though to our eyes it was, of itself.
sufhciently important. The citadel stands upon
Cape Diamond, the highest point of land with.
in miles of the city, and overlooks a wide e..
tent of country. Cannons are posted in gloomy
array all round the walls, and ponderous halls
are heaped in pyramids by their sides. Maea.
zines are said to contain sufficient provisions
to sustain an army of ten thousand throupb a
seven years seige, and we should think II would
take longer time to make any perceptible i'm.
preston upon these massive walls. But aSe.
bastopol has fallen" and we were informed
that 1t was stronger fortified town than this.
Several regiments from Quebec and Montreal
have been despatched to the Crimea. so that
the garrison Is greatly reduced, but we presume
sufficient number could be easily summoned
for its defence, so we would not advise anv.
body TO think of attacking It'll Very enthusiast.
tic loyalty was expressed by those with whom
we conversed, and the WOMAN QUEEN might
well be ,gratifed to hear her subjects, SO far
across the water, exclaim, ave would sbed
the last drop OF blood in our veins in her de.
fence" Several times we heard the sentiment
from men, that she made far better ruler
than King ever did or could which, whether
true or false, is sufficiently gratifying to
woman's ears
There is q large library and a chapel for the
garrison, and, when we marvelled at the rich.
ness and elegance of the buildines. wa we're
told that they were at the expense Of the Gov.
eminent, so that the contractors and builders
did not care what amount they spent We pre-
sumo the preaching corresponds to the duties
of the hearers, for we do not understand how
men can be counselled to seek the honors and