The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-09-14
Letter from Evansville Tourists.
SAINT LAWRENCE HALL, !
MONTREAL, Canada, Aug. q, 1860.
'CoNCLUDED.)

We soon after passed under the famous
Victoria Bridge, which is two miles long
and is composed of twenty-five spans, each
of which is $50 feet long. 1t is built in
the shape of an oval tube, and is almost
entirely of iron. 1t is said to be by far the
most stupendous achievement of bridge en-
gineering ROW on the globe. 1t was built
for the use of the Grand Trunk Railway
Company, and cost S7,50O,0Oo-a sum
equal to the cost of one thousand miles of
our Western Railroads, or equal to ten
times the cost of our entire Railroad to
Terre Haute. Soon after passing the Bridge
we landed at Montreal, having made the
entire descent of the St. Lawrence to this
point by day light, well satisfied that we
had that day witnessed more beautiful and
sublime scenery than we ever beheld in
the same length of time.
Montreal is the capital, as well as the
largest and finest city, of the Canadas, and
contains about 10000 inhabitants. We
stopped at St. Lawrence Hall, and soon
found that (although altogether accidental
with us) we had arrived just in the nick of
time, for His Royal Highness the Prince of
Wales and suit, had declined making their
formal entrance into the city on that day
on account of the rain, but would do so
not get the papers regularly, and had not
kept run of the Princes movements; but
perhaps he did ours-as it was, we consid-
cred it all very fortunate for both parties;
for while of course it was some qualification
for as to see Prince, who, if he lives and
don't get swindled, will be the future King
of England, at the same time it gave him
an excellent opportunity to see three of the
soUereigns of Indiana, who are nOto already
in Po10erI
We found the city decorated in all the
spendor here considered necessary for q
royal reception. Quite number of large
and elegant arches spanned the principal
streets, all of which, together with all the
public buildings, were covered with mot
toes, portraits of the Prince and Queen, and
thousands OF flags and devices to prove that
those who got them up were loyal people.
Flags of all nations were unfurled, but of
course the largest number was English and
next the French. Many of the French pop
ulation don't appear to be the best Of the
Queens subjects, and are still proud of the
name Napoleon. At Quebec they opposed
the appropriation for the Princes reception,
and were so bitter rs to abuse the whole
royal family. In retaliation, the Admiral
OF the fort ordered that if French flag was
raised in the city during the Princes visit,
it should instantly be torn down. OF course
none were exhibited.
The French people of Montreal are very
sociable, and manifest great friendship for
Americans. We were frequently met by
them, and offered any attention or informa-
ton we desired. They were more than
ever delighted when our Mr.. B. (who speaks
French well) commenced his "parle vOus."
We found his services valuable to our party.
One evening we were met by party of
Canadians, who at once addressed US Amer
leans, and asked if we wished to partake of
some of the best brandy in Montreal at a
certain cafe? Well-we went of course,
through courtesy. They were very compli-
mentary to the United States in their toasts,
and we being expected TO respond, acciden-
tally hit on the following to sound their 10y
atty: Canada-the twin sister of the
United States, who has not yet made up her
mind to leave her mother, so as to take the
union vow, TO increase and multiply. y
We spoke it on the spur OF the moment
1t was an mpromptu-perhaps it ought to
have been better-perhaps more comrli-
mentary. Most of them cheered Justify
some were Indifferent, and others swore and
considered ii Yankee insult.
Everyw where we have been except Canada,
we have found that q Old Abe" is most de-
cidedly ahead of all competitors; but here,
judging from cheers and manifestations, we
think that the Prince of Wales has rather
got the inside track. f.