Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-09-19
Letter from Quebec.
QUEBEC, Sept. IL, 1867.


1850 altogether into the hands of the
English, and with it all Canada, so
that until our Revolution Great Brit
ain held dominion over that vast ex-
tent of territory from the mouth to
the head waters OF the st. Lawrence,
and from the source of the Mississippi
to the gulf of Mexico; which already
the Jesuit fathers had studded with
churches and French Generals had,
if not wisely governed, at least judic.
iously fortified. Quebec is no ordina-
ry or common place city, but a unique
old town, a cabinet of curiosities.
Viewed from any one gifts approach
ers it impresses the stranger with the
conviction Of strength and permanent
fcy. The reader of American history
on entering its gates and visiting its
churches, or wandering over its
squares, ramparts and battle-fieldS,
puts himself at once in communion
with the illustrious dead. The names
Of Cartier, the celebrated French nav
igator of the 10th century, Of Cham
plain, the founder of Quebec, whose
name the beautiful lake which bounds
Vermont on the West, still bears, of
Marquette and Joliet, self-sacrificing
missionaries of the cross, who set out
from this place on an expedition for
the salvation of souls, which resulted
in the discovery of the upper waters
of the Mississippi, of Montcalm, Wolfe
and Montgomery, whose death has
made Quebec immortal, of Arnold and
Burr, the only traitors TO American
liberty till the late rebellion, crowd
upon the memory, and the visitor has
a desire to know more of these men
and more Of the history of their day,
Not one of them, all prominent Oh the
page of history, with whose biography
Quebec is not intimately connected.
The purpose Of this letter however
forbids an extended alIusion to his
torical associations.
Eight o'clock last evening our party
reached PIT. Levy,opposite the city after
ride of IA hours from Island Pond over
the Grand Trunk road-a road just
now avoided by tourists on account Of
its dilapidated and worn condition
The ride from Richmond Junction i,
through low country inhabited by {
, poor French peasantry; the only no
ticeable objects by the way being large
n wooden houses in each village or ham
p let, and massive towering churches
The contrast between the houses of
the inhabitants, low and poor, and tn,
churches, numerous and costly, is yer,
n striking. 1t is however all under
n stood when it is remembered that tn,
a church is rich and powerful while thu
peasantry are poor and feeble; ant
are made so by the constant and hea
- Wy exactions of the church. From
e Point Levy the st. Lawrence is cross
d ed in well appointed Ferry boat, an,
n the traveller is notified that he is il
@ Quebec by highly concentrated raj
. tie of broken English from the hazel
drivers, among whom there is a CON
tt petition which puts the large cities Of
D. the states altogether in the shade
" Carriage sir" Hack sir, A" CALAIS
% sir, - and 80 or 40 drivers surrOun
= half as many passengers, and the re
suit is he who will stop to banter ca
t secure ride on his own terms.
n carriage secured for the St Louis HI
tel and YOU are taken through tn
lower town, up Mountain St, throug
r Prescott gate-in the attempt to fore
Is the passage of which Gen. Montgon
" cry was killed in 1TT5, and Arnol
wounded-to a first class hotel wit
pleasant rooms, luxurious beds and a
In epicurean table.
r Half an hours stroll in the mornin
n. before breakfast takes the observer
- the Governors Garden, which yer
poorly compares with similar place
- in our large cities, and is interestin
III only on account of the monumel
ne erected therein by Lord Dalhousie
d. 1927, to the memory of Wolfe an
ot Montcalm-on the one side of whi(
is the word WoLFE,-on the 9th
MoNTCALM-both in heavy raise
nc block letters. The top OF this stru
ed ture which is about so feet high al
of block granite, is already beginniI
to separate and will soon need repai
he to preserve its identity. 1t will {
CHI course be repaired and still stand
N serve the purpose Of its erectio
, which was to minister to English pri
no and serve as a solace to French d
lal comfture. This was a fine stroke {
lal state policy on the part Of the Britt
be governor, as in 1927 the population
Quebec and the surrounding count
was largely French, and was of cour
ad 1attered by placing Montcalm's nal
- on the shaft, which they construed
to a disinterested tribute Of respect
III the French general.
. From Durham Terrace on the STR
ct. back the prospect is magnificent
You'd description. This will be rea
lily credited when the reader is tC
las that here stood the chateau of
in Louis, for centuries the residence
lly the Canadian governors, destroyed
,ur fire in 1884, which originated in
ice theatre connected Herewith, at VIII
ted time As persons of high social positi
tn. lost their lives. 1t is here that
81; eye brings together smiling fields a
ow- the interminable primeval forest,
,ne formidable fortress and the signs
ing peaceful industry; grouping-to |
est the language of Warburton-"mo
liy tain and plain, Sinuous river and bro