Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-08-20
NEWS AND GOSSIP.

CATHEDRAL OF No1RE DAMs--ADsxNcx or,
AMERICANIsMs-GRANDT oUR OF THE NOM |
sTAIN-THE VIEW FROM THENCE, &c, &c. \
1 Editorial Correspondence of TAs Star.
MONTREAL, CAsADA,
NO. 81 4 August g. 1855. Il
Ny last was closed just as the steamer Welland,
rounding an island, brought us in full view of
this city from the water front; a noble picture |
the panorama was, truly. Montreal is built on |
the side of mountain, and the plateau at its
base, which. quickly terminates at the rivers
bank. Though the lamps were beginning to be
lit, there was still dim sunlight enough remain
ing to enable me to obtain very good general
idea of thelocation and construction Of the city;
both being like nothing had ever before seen.
lis location reminded me instantly Of prints Of
more than one South American city built on
mountains sides down to the waters edge, and
Of somewhat similar representations Of more than
one Italian city. All the buildings in my scope
of vision seemed almost castles, in the manner in
which they were constructed being nearly all
apparently of granite, (really Of Limestone, as
afterwards discovered,) built to last q thousand
years. 49,.
/ We passed under the celebrated Victoria Bridge
now being constructed by the Grand Trunk Rail-
road Company; to cost, when finished, about
s. 900 600. 1t is to span the st. Lawrence, 20 as
10 complete the connection Of the railroad systems
Of Canada and the United States. As a work of
engineering, it is equal in skill to any other
bridge in the world; while in the expense of its
construction, it is by long odds the most costly
bridge of modern times in either hemisphere, /
apprehend. The level Of its rail tracks is far
above the smoke-stacks of the largest steamers,
being GO feet above the water level. 1t attracted
the attention Of all on board the Welland for the
them strange aspect of Montreal. was struck
with the entirely foreign uien the city seemed to
wear, and could compare it in my own mind to
nothing save the appearance of European towns
where houses are still inhabited that were built
early in the middle ages. -r-os g
Landing at about a. m, the party with whom
am now travelling proceeded to the st. Lawrence
Hall, opposite the Cathedral Of Notre Dame-the
temporary home Of the Governor General when
here-where we are capitally cared for in all re-
spects Ere reaching there, the number of mag
nficent churches and other buildings, in proper
ton to the citys population. {SO, OO0,) struck me
most forcibly. There seemed to be at least twice
many as in any American city Of like popula-
ton, and with the single exception Of French
Catholic church erected in l125, every Of them
appeared to vie with the others in solidity and
magnifcence of outward appearance. 1 saw
dozen ecclesiastics and relgieuse the street on
my way to the hotel, habited as priests and reli-
gieuse are in the streets Of France, to whom great
Difference appeared to be paid by the passing and
requesting population. Well may this be So for
nearly all Montreal's public charities, doing much
good among the poor and helpless, including the
education of its rising generation are in charge of
the hundreds of ecelesiestcs and relgieuse of the
city.
lf,,I,t
ing, and in few brief hours have seen more of
Montreal than. presume, was ever before seen by
stranger in SO shorta time; and the more see Of
it, the more am impressed with the belief that
take it all in all, it is by far the most substantially
and really conveniently city on this CONT
nent since the great fire here, in le52, no other
than brick or stone house is permitted to be
erected. The few not Of stone or brick ancient
French buildings, of a single story and attic, with
peaked roofs and often plate-iron front doors and
shutters. Many of the considerable houses, mod
ern as well rs ancient, are built with courtway
IN the centre. 70 which there is covered arched
which are barred At night. "
The Cathedral Of Notre Dame is the moe. .on-
spicuous structure in Montreal. 1t is capable of
seating IL, Geo persons, and an average of 10 geo
attend there at the service Of IL O'Clock mass,
every Sunday. At all times 1t is thronged with
curious strangers, who to their credit be il writ
ten, take scrupulous not to disturb the devo-
lions of the many penitents always to be found on
their klsees in its spacious halls Its affairs and
inches are replete with venerable and appropriate.
Scriptural pictures and statuarY, and the style in
which the whole church is ornamented is mcst
impressive to the beholder Of any denomination
One is sngularly struck with the absence of
Americanisms Of manner, as In all other respects
In Montreal The great mass of the laboring
population are Canadian French, whose language
strikes the ear on all sides. The servants at the
hotels speak II, and the workmen in the street
so, too, the marketwomen and the habituts of i :
wnaryes- The importing commerce seems to be
Ia the hands Of English, Irish and Scotch almost
exclusively, while the bulk OF the retail trade is
in these Of Canadian French. The only Amer.
leans visible in the streets appear to be tourists
who are now here to the number of hundreds
every day in the touring season. ...
| have made the grand tour Of the mountain
and a magnificent one il is, truly-the drive Of
nine miles around the mountain on the slope and
at the side Of which Montreal lies Upon II, one
rides through very ancient part Of the city-of
houses single story and attic high, many with
iron doors and shutters, peaked roofs and fan.
tastic figures Thence one proceeds through
scattering French village to a series Of the most
magnificent country seats I ever saw.
The road (macadamized) is as level as 4 gentle.
mans parlor floor, and along il villas stand,
which, for neatness and taste and elaboration of
rural ornament, cas-. the villas on the North river
entirelyin the SPADE Most Of those built recently
are the property of persons doing business in the
city, nearly all of whom, with excellent taste Dor.
row literally from the French natives in their
sly of architecture, which is strikinply pic.
tures1ue and agreeable. In descending the noun.
tain upon the st. Lawrence side, one has view
of the city, the river, or bay in its front, the
grand bridge, and the territory, to the St Johns
mountains In Vermont-more than thirty miles
distant-so distinct that one can see almost
every house and farm improvement existing on
that grand plateau. Nearly half the houses and All
the cuPalos and spires Of the city, are covered with
orig lit tin; while the roofs of nearly all the rest
are painted red. As one suddenly sweeps into
view OF the city on this drive. looking down upon
us f'o's spires, &c, one might easily fancy oneself
viewing the city Of Constantinople from neigh.
boring height, From the other side Of the noun.
tain on this drive the Ottowa river is in sight 70,
m Hes, and plateau Of perhaps thirty miles square
OF country stsdded with thri cultivated farms
quaint farm hOusfS and VT ." ,