The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-08-17
GurrrspuHhrnrr uf tbr DRnIurrat.

iouuu ourselves rapidly sweeping uo"u LIE
st Lawrence, with large and gay company
of travellers, all flushing with the rich life in
spired by the majestic scenery OF the river
and the rolicking breezes that frolicked around
our steamer. Then, too, there is something in
riding in such a company as ours that is very
delightful in itself. We had an Italian oper-
attic company on board. going from Montreal
to Quebec. This gave me fine opportunity
for indulging in an entertainment which fur
nishes both pleasure and instruction. / never
so long time, and they furnished treat in
the way of manifestation of character. Let
me give you an idea of an Italian social circle
as seen that night
About seven o'clock they gathered togeth-
er in groups of four or i've. They we're not
persons who had been separated for long
time and had just met and were therefore spe-
cially communicative; but persons who had
been together for some time, and whose con-
versatiou must have been the spontaneous
pro uction of their ordinary. natural moods.
have to remark this verv striking character
istic of their manner-Uivnciy. Not only
were their tongues as voluble iE their intona-
tions as timing fork is rapid in its vibrations,
but each ratting cavalcade of words was at
tended by the most varied natural panomime
of motion and countenance it is possible to
; conceive Picture 10 your elf the olive brow
: ed, dark haired, lustrous-eyed maid of Italy,
with that genial superabundance of social
feeling which continually bursts through con-
ventional barriers-bubbliDg and SETTLING as
it moves like the friskirg foam-bubbles of a
waterfall. Imagine the sweet witchery of
smiles and cunning, arch Indignation by which
t Picolomini stole the hearts of the New 7 York-
ers; every emotion playing over their features
as cloud-shadows over a mountain lake; and
f yet seemingly all done with the most delicate
. simplicity-and you may possibly obtain
slight conception of the fountain like play of
this company of Italians. But alas! no sweet
. without it's thorn. Though was exceedingly
4 delighted with thus being enabled to study
+ italian manners, had to suffer from their un-
: intermitting voubiIity. About eleven, P. NJ.
the cabin had been pretty well cleared of all
bnt half dozen of this operate company
e ventured to retire to my state room near
: where they sat, hoping they would soon be
! exhausted and ready to retire But the more
!. endeavored to escape wakefulness for the
It soothing oblivion of sleep. the more unhagging
was the conversation of the Italians. For a
few moments I would wander off inte the at
n.osphere of doing, which sustains the same
D, relation to sleep that great weItering, foggy
e air does to the calm, mighty sea below it; but
IT never SO far but that the liquid, bell-toned
:, babbling OF my prosecutors would bring me
f back into the domain of waking realities No
1t resort would avail me. In vain did turn to
e, nv state room window and dream over the
D. fast rushing river, svered over with the moon-
, beams, until it danced and sparkled like en-
chanted waters; in vain did endeavor to keep
s my mind in harmony with the universally mo-
J. notonous chug! chug! chug! of the ponderous
= = engine, as it angrily pushed IFS paddles through
the wild white waves, the vivacious Italians
e we're sill to be heard; the same liquid voices
y laughed and sighed and wept, until at length
three o'clock came, the Italians departed, and
-e sleep possessed me.
i What strange phenomena is sleep. For
F. the ten-thousandth time the thought came to
my mind as the sepulchral voice of our cabin
ID porter broke through the thin crust of doing
D in which, for three hours. we had been encased
y announcing to our oblivious souls that Quebec
: was in view. Inserting myself speedily in
!. those bifurcated eonveniences. known as pan
# falcons and adjusting the ct ceteras in the most
elegant style, hurried ont to get my first
ne impressions of Quepec. A balmy breeze and
- peerless sun greeted me as gazed upon the
s far spreading river and the impending citadel
v The river was dotted here and there with fish
Sc ing smacks returning to the city after theil
)" nights cruise. Steam ships and othar sea go
n ing vessels Of The largest burden, come up to
.ir the wharves of Quebec. E
" Down the river, at p distance of about two
lis miles. is the Island of Oreans-the garden o.
~ Low er Canada. The harbor. between the city
-. and the island, is of great extent. having il
=, general about twenty eight fathoms of water
;, The tides rise from sixteen to thirty feet
y parts of Upper end Lower Canada--also. with
Mt Halifax. Liverpool, and o'her ports on both
MS sides of the Atlantic. But leaving the har
n bor, let us go and take breakfast at RnsselIs
" who is an American" full of American" en-.
AZ terprise and practical good sense. aa
,e We hear that there is to be parade upon
ne the flights OF Abraham, and as wehave much
to do, we will get carriage and ride first to
a a the Citadel of Quebec.
G The Citadel of Quebec occupies the highest
#, point of Cape Diamond on which Quebec is
Or situated. 1t is elevated three hundred and
!; fifty feet above the river, presenting almost
ID perpendicular cliffs toward the water. AS a
to for ress, it may be lstly ranked of the first
y class AS You approach this Gibraltar ol
'e America by zig gag pathway, thirty-two
90 Founders stare you in the face at every turn
ne You feel that an enemy would be literally
m masacred if one should attempt to pass thro
e; any of the streets. High walls encompass the
d the Citadel to give additional strength to its
al giant might. When inside. the Citadel looks
e, like world itself The officers barracks over
g look the ST. Lawrence. The soldiers quarters
70 are under the ramparts The armories, mag.
azines and war like implements are on colos-
to sal scale. They keep constantly on hand pro.
a vision enough for $4,000 men for seven years.
fe They would hold out for some time in case Of
u Ia p,,k 7 lo II