The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-08-07

might enter within the gates, we were told
that, being Monday, it was not retention Sax
ana no entreaty could prevail to obtain a de-
parture from the rules which prohibited tbe
admission Of strangers but once week. Verv
earnestly we gazed at the windows, to see if We
ceuid not get glimpse of those whose only
nignt'oeyond those walls must be in imagina
ucn ana how we longed to know something
OF the inner life OF beings whose hearts and
lips are sealed forever from Communication
with the outer world We can imagine it h
be a blessed retreat for many and Sisters Of
Charity are very far from living an idle or a
useless life.
The Parliament House was burned a few
years since, with all its rich accumulation of
DOCKS and pictures, which no time or money
can restore; but the charred and crumbline
walls OF the imposing structure still remain. q
monument OF shame to those who in an hour
deed. .
The Catholic Churches differ from all others.
in being open as freely on week DAYS as on
Sundays, and, as we were passing, we otter en-
tered, as we have felt we should like to do in
our own, and always found here and there.
throughout the building, humble worshippers.
kneeling before the Saviour or the Virgin,
moving their lips in prayer. 1t is a quiet.
pleasant place to rest, when one is weary. and
to the soul 1T must be ever gratifying and ele.
waiting to study such pictures as adorn the
Cathedral walls of Quebec Here we first saw
the priest and the penitent in the confessional.
The little closets for their accommodation are
arranged against the walls of the church, each
being In An entirely separate apartment, with
the small wire window, for the communication
between their eyes and ears The priest SITS
W fbn
devout. We agree with the Catholics in think
ing the church should be open at all times. for
those who wish to use it as place of PRAYER.
vi the hotels we can say nothing good. so
we will be silent, except to insist that thew
should be better; and, for different reason.
we must leave without abiding to many things
and places of interest
The steamboats, on the St. Lawrence and
Lake Champlain are the finest we ever saw ::
and the Montreal, Captain Rudolf, on board of
which we came up the river on our return, ex-
ceed all we had ever imagined in comfort
and luxury; and for the benefit of ladies' who
have no lords and masters, we commend the
gsllantry of Canadian captains. The ladies'
cabin was perfect boudoir in taste and ele
gance, and the stste-rooms adjoining, fitted
with reference to the most elaborate toilet; and
all this single ladies may enjoy without extra
charge, while all others must pay fifty cents
more than the fare, for accommodations not 80
good. When there is not crowd, each LADY
may also have room all to herself, with the
tidiest most expert little black eyed citoyeane
for ladys maid.
On our little boat, the Saguenay, which
usually leaves Quebec on Tuesday morning,
and returns on Thursday evening, our captain
was the blithest, merriest, and most good.na.
tured Of French habitans, the same in all
weathers and all calamities, and one whom
every tourist, who experiences his gentemanly
Kindness, must remember with the cordiality of
friendship.
We have never been to Europe, therefore our
enthusiasm must be excused, in making a trip
OF only thousand miles, though this took us
almost to the confines Of civilization at the
North-and also to the confines of vegetation.
was as new as if we had been on a
different continent, and we could not help won
dering why customs and manners did not min
gle among those between whom there was no
wall of separation, either of mountain, stream,
or sea.
,. Il is only two wears since boat has been
bay, and then only from June to September, so
that those who are familiar with all other
would find freshness upon this;
and we think that month or two could not be
more pleasantly spent, than at either of the
villages where the little steamer stops on its
way, and where there are good hotels. "a well
as "plenty cherry ting" though none should 60
to whom the Injuries of the st, Nicholas or the
Revere House are necessities, and who are no
genuine lovers of nature in her grandest and
widest moods.