, 1860-08-08
OHM MONTREAL LETTER.


Iucuyepondtnoe Of tho press and Tribunel
AoITEEA1~ Aug. j, 1850.
The route from Chicago to Montreat during
the summer months is one Of the pleasantest
that the sight seer can select. The writer Of
this came hither By way Of Niagara Falls, and
then through Lake Ontario and The st. Law.
renee River; but 10 those who nre deslrous Of
trip altogether by the lakes, there is no better
route than by Mathcr L Co.'s psope'lers from
Chicago to Ogdensburgh, where they connect
with steamers on the ST. Lawrence, on which
you sail down the rapids. There is much to I'd
mire and 10 excite on tie passage down the
river. Though there is not any actual danger
attending the trip, still The fact that you rush
down past rocks which are within twenty feet
Of you, and which would dash q common sized
craft to pieces in few minutes, is well calcula-
ted to excite passengers just enough to malei
interesting. Romantic young ladies' cau dwell
for month over the feat, and delight their
aunts, cousins, aud school-mstes with highly
drawn pictures OF the noble little steamer dash.
ing down through the scething waters under
the skillfnl guidance Of m old Indian pilot, who
in "lopg years past" used to paddle his canoc
in peace aud quietness.
niagara Falls, at which stopped for q day,
is we'll attended by Southerners this sun,mer;
bnt it is fast approaching the character which
las for some years attached to Saratoga, and
other over.done resorts. With the exception
Of the great natural wonder Of the Falls, every
thing is tires,me and disagreeable. The hetcls,
tho ca5men, The immcnse aocks of steamboat
md other runners, md even Dlondin, all are
perpetual bores, and they harrHss and tire out
the visitor in tWenty.Eo four hours. You caspot
turn ore WY or another, but you aEe beset with
an kinds Of annoyauces in the shape Of impor-
tunities' to purchase Indian gew-eaws, hire
hacks, patronize some hotel East or West, take
some particular line Of boats down the lakes
ETC., etc. The entire community seem to lie bent
on the one oblect-feeei0g. visitors; Or if that
is not possible, worrying them till they 1eAve
the place. Blondin walks rope across the
river every day or two; bct he has ceascd to
attract much attention. In fact, be is very IN.
popular, and is about to be eclipscd By another
ropc-walker-Signo Ferrini-Tho il puttngpp
arope 5000 feet long, across the river just be-
low the Fails, aud on which he ia 10 wa:k on
stiIks, blndfolded. He will also jump IRON The
rope into the river below, distance Of about
1s0 feet. Signor Ferrini is a model in his way,
lie neither drinks tea, coffee, nor liquor of any
kind: eats but little meat; walks twenty miles
any shape or form. Besides waking On rope.
he lectures on ply ysio!egS to schools, etc.
Montreal, at first sight, presents rather an
unprepossessing appearance. The old streets
are mostly narrow, aome Of them not wider than
the alleys in Chicago; but the city improves on
acquaintance, as you witness the beautiful mud
imposing buildings that greet you at almost
ou. doors than usual, on account ot the prepa.
ratious going On for the reception Of the prlEce
Of Wales. Streets which we're ont tf repair are
being re paved squares are being decorated
and newly fenced; monuments re touched; trees
planted in rows along the public parks, and q
general renovation is taking place. BESIDES
this, however, there is being erected t'Crystal
Palace" for the exhibition ofthe board OF Arts
aud Manufactures, at q cost Of 81, ,0oo. An in,-
nense ballroom is also being built for the grand
public ball which will take place during the fes-
tirities. The latter erection is the only thing
that will be temporary. All the other Improve.
ments are Of permanent character, unl will
benefit to the city. The visit Of the pri1co Of
Wales has awakened in the people spirit Of
Improvement, which would otherwise have
been delayed.
One ot the most striking featurcs Of this city
is the immense amount Of money which is
owned, occupied and controlled by The Catholic
Church und its institutions. Besides Church
editices Of u most costly and imposing charac-
ter, whole squares in the very heart oi the city
are taken up with nuuuerles, munasteries, SEM
inaries, colleges, DC. The "grey nuns" the
"black nuns,h tie "Jcsui,s," aud long list Of
other orders, hare each their separate buildings
and grounds md the expense attending their
support must be enormous. The Church also
owns entire business blocks, which are reuted
mt tn merchnntR and gfnrekPhnprE
To an American this is All obnoxious feaature
of the civ, and it would undoubtedly ue 80 TO
most Of the Canadians, but for the shrewdness
displayed by the bishop Of Montreal, Who is
quite popular. lie is very liberal and treats
ail with great respect. With his tenants he Is
hus tue name Of never hAring oppressed the
unfortunate. This is SO fur, all we'll, hat it is
settled policy with the Bishop never TO make
an enemy : ii = kind word wifi make frierd.
At present be is making great preparations for
the celebration in honor Of the Prince OF Wn!es
that the British acs. with bis Ellis Royal High.
ness" had arrived at Newfoundland, tue B:sh.
ops pnlace IVES iIlumiaated-the only notice of
the event which WIS taken in the CITY,
or the buildings in the city the French parish
Church, the uank Of Montreal, and the Bank
Of British North America are the most attract
i've. There are, however. quite L large number
Of imposing aud substantial structures. slcll us
can he seen nowhere else on this continent.
The city is supplied with water from rescr-
voir which WIS dug out Of the rock iu the
mountain, back Of the city, and into which the
water is forced from the st. laurence. So
great is the pressure that there is no necessity
for ire engines CASE Of fires, AL that is re-
quired is to attach hose to the pipe, and the
water will be forced upwards Of hundred feet.
There IRE quite a large number Of Americans
here all bent On recreation. pieasu1e trips are
being got up to the Srusenay River, 10 Qaebec,
and to the various spas Of the Province.
or the commercial aspects Of the city will
treat in another letter.