Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1873-06-27
For tho VERMONT FARMER.
A TRIP INTO CANADA.

ty miles below Montreal and twenty-four
above Three Rivers. Analysis shows that
these waters contain larger amount Of min
eral than the best Saratoga waters, and Of
the same kind, but differing essentially in the
gases the Saratoga being highly charged
with carbonic acid gas, and these having
quite as large quantity Of kerosene gas,
which gathered by an inverted tunnel and
lighted at the small end burns continuously
with clear, bright light. These waters are
not surpassed ~ any on the continent for the
cure of rheumatism, dyspepsia, all skin dis
eases, ulcers, sores and debility.
Messrs. Gilman Il Thompson, live Yam
KEGS, have bought these springs and are
building an addition to the house, doubling
its capacity, and fixing up generally, and in.
tend to be ready July lst next for visitors.
Board 81 per day; with large rooms $3.50
per day.
The waters are extensively shipped to all
parts of Canada, many parts Of the United
States and even to Scotland. IL is sold in
barrels at 5 cents per gallon, and charge
for the barrel, and in quart bottles packed,
at $3.50 per dozen. &c. Hale, Esq, Of
St. Johnsbury, has the agency for the sale of
these waters for New England, excepting
Maine, and is ready to gil orders. Steamers
from Montreal Tuesdays and Fridays, and
fiom Three Rivers Sundays and Wednesdays
land passengers at River Du Loup, six miles
from the springs, where teams are waiting.
The new railroad from Newport to Montreal,
it is expected will be opened July lst next
and make the trip in three hours and half,
and that boats will run to the springs in con-
nection with the cars, and said railroad will
issue excursion tickets to the springs. There
is boating and some fishing near the springs
and pleasant drives, and within half days
drive as fine trout fishing as anywhere in
America.
The soil is very fine, equal to that of Illi-
nois, the crops are grass, oats, wheat, peas
aud potatoes etc., etc.
The people here are generally pure blood
ed French, larger and fairer and more intel
lectual than those we see in the United States.
Not one in five hundred can speak English
some have large farms and large stock and
are wealthy, while many have but few acres
in long narrow strips and no wood and are
very poor, but poor and destitute as they
may be they seem always happy and cheer
ful and ready for dance. They are led and
governed, like children, by the numerous
priests whom they vcnerate as tho agents of
God who can do no wrong. The priests have
four per cent. of all the grain raised and the
dowers of all daughters dying before mar
riage, and each spring fee from each culti-
vatOr OF the soil for blessing the seed and land
, to insure good crops. And no poor soul can
get out Of purgatory, through which all must
pass at death to reach the happy shore, un-
, til one hundred and one masses have been
said for each, and for this the priest gets S25.
Ghosts and witches still linger here, and
when troublesome the preist goes in white
robes and, with prayers and ceremonies. exOr-
cises them. The devil is very troublesome
, here there were eight instances in this par
ish last year where he got into individuals
E and drove out their spirits into horses, man
f ifested by strange antics and capers of the
horse a stout, brave man, alone, catches the
horse in the night and bleeds him until the
spirit comes out, assuming the features and
form Of tho person it belongs to, but the oper-
>, ator never tells who it is since il were a great
/ crime punished by long burning in purgatOry.
8 There is very bene6cent Saint Anna in
the church here-a wax 6gure-the sight of
l whom with prayers and faith cures all hui
man in6rmities and diseases; the weak grow
: strong, the deaf hear, the blind see, the
lame the crutch forego and leap exulting
like the bounding roe." No community,
v however much it may excel this in wealth
n and knowledge and civilization, is more NOR
4 al and virtuous or more free from crime, OF
happier.
In steaming along the majestic and grand
= st. Lawrence, the interminable and unbroken
= lines Of little white-washed, red rooted
}. french cottages that line the level road.
? and fringe the river front far as the eye car
= reach, with here and there every few miles
= the broad tin roof aud spire of the church
. glittering and flashing in the sunshine, pre-
sents to the eye pleasing pretty picture o.
rural comfort and content and peace.
nearer inside view shows many commodious
I Well-furnished, neat homes, and many asc
t naked and destitute where filth and hunger
/, and squAlor abide.
One family had for months no food except,
. ing buckwheat mixed with water and baked
\ without grease upon the top Of the stove
n when the father brought in loaf of baker,
Il bread, the little children hoped up anC
down and clapped their hands and shouted
d Oh, bread, bread" Let me retire now
+ leaving the little ones happy with their bread
!" !" in the care of Him who said "Sufer little
n children to come unto me, and forbid them
l. not for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
DIG.
n 81, Leon Springs, p O., June a.
" -
Notes and QMerieS.