Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-08-22

MONTREAL MoUNrAIN-lrs CEMErERrks--uo"
THEY CONDUCT FUNERALS HERE-THK GRAY
Nuss-DEscRIPTIoN OF A NuSNERY-MARA
monk AND HER FABULOUS SroRr-irs scksk
LAID HxRE-PsorEcrIoN-vIEw % MoS1kxAL
ST.. LAwpxxcx HALL (HorKL(-Rron6HNrAL
Dpt,I-THK USIToRM-ENsLIsH, IRfsn, AND
. Scorcu HOME CUSTOMS ADHERED TO nERK-l
'rHr RKlrsIEusx AND THE ScHooLs-OTF FOR
QUEBEc, &C, &c - ~.
a5f~ tEd,toria! Cors,pOndenee Of The Star.l
mo 2s MONTREAL, Aug. S, 1859.
Among the most noticeable features of INV ride
round Montreal mountain few hours since,
was cemetery upon its slope, the monuments
surrounding tasteful chapel with cross-sur-
mounted spire, ofcourse. Its position on the
mountain slope, with beautiful villas on either
side, 10 very conspicuous, and Immediately arrests
the eye of the observer. met three funerals pro-
ceeding to It's portals all Of young children, and
each attended but by single carriage load Of
mourning friends, custom that could be follow
ed to Infinite advantage in the States. Hundreds
Of thousands Of dollars are needlesly thrown
away in our country annually upon funeral ex-
penses. A good bishop Of the church, it will lie
remembered, has already commenced a crusade
against that blame worthy expense, as the Star
explained perhaps a month ago. in Canada. the
church possesses sufficient influence to prevent
SUE needless expenditures az II does not with us;
hence the more sens BILE practice prevailing here
In this connection. On that ride also met many
Canada carts, light two-wheeled vehicles, hardl.
larger than New York dog cart--drawn by the
inevitable pot-bellied pony. This method Of To-
eomotion in this fast age looks exceedingly pris-
tine. Yet the country around Montreal thrves
amazingly. notwithstanding the pertinacity with
which the peasantry adhere to that end and other
customs of their ancestors.
In the course of my ride visited the convent
and hospital Of the Gray Nuns, l26 In number, nov
in Montreal. Their buildings are like those of all
the other orders of rei2ieuse females in the city
1.-THE number of those orders being seven y immense
castellated stone edifces, series of ed fees sur
rounded by high wall, likewise Of lime granite
One enters their grounds by a swinging portal
strong enough to resist an ordinary military attack
and. knocking at a little door, is admitted by .
lay sister after scrutiny through sliding panel
was shown through the house of mercy and
charity name above by an aged pensioner of the
establishment. One ward Ii devoted to the care
and sustenanee Of aged and iHffm males. another
TO the care of aged and infrm females. la another
found aged men still able to do something to-
wards their own supporting in various abors
in another, such females 50 engaged; in another
little founding and orphan boys and In vet an
other little foundling and orphan girls being fed
instructed or al play In all these d fferent apart
ments were two or three experimenting nuns
leisurely engaged. themselves, either in nursing
or feeding the helpless, leading them in PRAYER
according 10 the churchs service and their vows
or industriously manufacturing something for sale
the proceeds Of which go to the support Of the in
stitution. All was neat and clean around them
This family consists now of more than 100 souls
all under tue one roof. The kingdom Of these
good women is not of this earth. They live but
to serve God and suffering mankind. Such is life
In nunnery, however strange 1t may appear to
those who have formed their ideas Of it from such
books as that of Maria Monk, the scene of whose
monstrous batch of infamous falsehood was laid
by the by, in that very religious house.
The chapel Of the Convent is 4 beautiful one
capable Of accommodating comfortably all its in
mates as described above It's pictures and images
are among the finest in the many rei giotts houses
and churches of the city
The best projection-view of the city is obtain
able from the top Of the ST Lawrence Hall fhoteD,
now by far the largest in Montreal. having been
made SO by late large and beautiful addition to
It's capacities. From its top one sees absolutely
not only every spire but every house top in the
whole city, with bird s-eye views of its open
streets in all directions well as the river and
country around as far as the eye can reach. The
construction Of the ST Lawrence Hall will Give
tie reader an idea Of the substantial manner I'm
which they build here Thus the immense house
is fire-proOf from beginning to end every floor
being laid on fre-proof cement connecting with
the tre-proof walls, and iron doors in addition to
The wooden ones are hung between each division
Of the ranges OF apartments, so that by closing
them, If need be, the different parts Of the house
become instantly distinct as different houses in
Jnhtaposluon with us. The house lias been the
principal resort OF American tourists since the de
struction Of the original Donagana's by fire some
years ago. Their increasing patronage made the
recent addition mentioned above. necessary II In
kept in all respects after the style Of our
hotels, except tLat the servants speak French as
well as English, and the resident guests are prin.
cipally English, Irish and Scotch gentlemen and
their families. The daily grand dinner occurs at
p. m, for their accommodation, presume; but
one equally as recherche is served for the accom-
mediation Of American tourists principally, at 2 D.
m. as our folks generally desire their meals at
hours that seem odd to the English.
] saw drill this morning of the 18th Reoi
ment, now sarrison;ng Montreal, in the Champ
de Mars, fine public square for such a purpose
The rcgimental band Was there, and discoursed
eloquent music; and hundreds Of strangers. prin.
cipally American tourists, interested specta-
tors. The military effect of the red uniform of
Her Majestys 18th foot is much finer than any
American regulars uniform. heig htsnisg greatly
tie interest of the dri TO all present unaccustomed
to British soldery. as am. On the square. rs i'm
the streets throughout the day, notice the peril
nacity with which home customs are adhered To
by the English, Irish, and Scotch Of means
especially, here. Their jockeys wear top boot.
or close-ftted legging., and indeed all of their
clothing essentially English.
The number Of Religieuse Ia Montreal must be
Very great mentioned in my first letter Of to day
having seen many priests, I should rather have
written Religiense. who here 20 about always in
the costume OF their respective orders as they do
not do with Us. That costume is generally the
eassock hing u the feet. the broad and SPOT
less white neck band, and the broad ui-cornered
hat turned up at the sides. Turn as one will
numbers Of them seem 10 he visible in the streets
met perhaps twenty Ia my ride around the
mountain, coming in from some Of their manv
educational establishments i'm Montreal,s environs
or returning to them. Under the law here their
Establishments are the public schools, where pa
rents prefer them TO secular educaton al institu