New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-12-21
CANADA IN WINTER.

CANADA IN WEN1Eh.
QUEBEC AFTER TIE FIRST SNOW sTORM-sLElGH-
RIDING AND sNOw-sHoEING-QUAINT CERE-
MONIES AT THE OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.
tFROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE]
QUEBEC, Dec. 0.-About two weeks ago the
fine weather, which had stood by beautifully sud
denly left ustook French leave suppose 1t would be
proper 10 say--and since then the "gray lady Of the
North " has been robed in the purest Of ermine.
When the first began 1t was decorous enough.
but before night tossing and about the
houses and whrling around in wellike back yards
in the maddest fashion Imaginable. All night long the
storm ragged, and in the morning our double windows
mufled half way to the top in snow AS the wind
died down. the glossy tin roofs refused to hold any
longer their great drifts and dislodged them with dull
roar upon the pavements below And not upon the
pavemen,s only that would have been innocent enough
but upon unsuspectng heads OF the public do not
know OF any sight that is more amusing TO comfort
ably housed person than snow-slide and It's cOnse-
quences It's not dangerous, only very surprising and
provoking to the vctim and am sure there are few
moments bewdering the life OF man than those
in which he is crushed by small avalanche OF snow
from a steep roof four five stories above his head
But since snow has TO get down somehow. and since.
with the total depravity o: nanimate things usually
selects that to slide when aultlessly atred
gentleman is directly under where Is The harm OF
making study of human nature by watchngi Under
such circumstances the victim hops from foot to foot he
spreads out his hands, he erects his cane, lie even
swears, but he runs cannot imagine why he
II would the most sensible and natural
thing TO do. but he never does run But after Ice is
mixed with is often the case, these slides cease
TO be amusing, and the city that the caves are
cleared of it.
WINTER PLEASURES AND RECREATIONS.
The sleighiug superb. and the clear bracng air
makes "a promenade a Sleigh" as some of my French
highly
very different those seen in our home cities. The
runners are solid and low that when seated You are
only about foot above the ground over the back OF
sleigh. and almost sweeping the snow hangs robe,
which gives the turnout quite Russian appearance,
and this is enhanced by the driver he sits clad in
great-coat Of some fur, and high cap OF the
same 1t is wonderful to see how warmly people are
clad here Tile very beggars who TO door are
snugy wrapped in cloaks and fur hoods Iho intense
cold has taught Canadians o lesson which we in our
almost equally cold climate are so slow to learn From
head foot Canadian prepares for the biting cold,
and the effect OF this care is seen III the healthy people
one everywhere meets.
With this month commences one of the Winter amuse-
ments-snow-shoe A party OF young folks select
mOonligh night and meeting somewhere near the walls
for snow-shoeng is not allowed wthin-they sally out
with their shoes upon their backs and when once cut
enjoy long walk they call il, "une course en- rd
Quettes" which often extends three four miles,
and fields and country roads IL is grand fun
to walk right fences clear any obstruction with
bound though to do this gracefully one must be expert
in raging his long shoes. Both ladies' and gentle,
men a regulation dress for these expeditions All
wear moccasins and double stockings, and the ladies'
snort dresses, a long ?es PFinS hr wcdrcrs to CIef
than Tie IN ionllght here IL il totally different from
soft uster of the moon nj home and thn1 no Que
would Apply the adjective slVery" 10 IT, Ii Is rather
golden and a. the iull shines ont OF cloud II
sparKles through the sharp air with the radiance of
diamonds. 1t umes tne darkest places, and pervades
tam Is drdwD until waking III the night, one thinks 1t
is morning
CEREMONIES AT THE OPENING or PARLIAMENT.
Lust Thursday Parliament opened with great
mouy aud pymp Tickets were issued by :" the gentle
man Of the black rod" inviting the principal citizens of
Quebec TO be present at the opening. was glad TO
avail myself OF one OF these tickets and witness the
ceremony which different from all legislative forms
in the STATES. At o'clock drove to the Parliament
House, very ugly inslSn icant building, imposing IN
brow OF Mountain Hill AS We turned toward IT from
Buadesi. upon the crowd which lined the way
rom either side OF the street. Extending the
street was large detachment OF the Prov .ncla police
in fun dress. Just within the yard, and bordering The
carrIaae-wav was the garrison from the CITADEL When
the Governors state carriage, drawn by Tour horses,
in sight, with its guard of honor and lis three foot
men, the bells in DIFF rent parts OF the city began to
ring a salute fired from the CITADEL and the process
sion, escorted by the band OF Battery, ied INTO The
ward. \ crimson carpet was lud down through tho
long corridor ana out TO the carnage and upon II GOV
Carou full dress stepped, and proceeded to the
Council CHAMBER.
IN TIE HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT.
Upon his entrance, we all arose aud remained stand
ing until lie had seated himself upon the throne at the
end OF the chamber. Then he surrounded by his
Cabinet delivered MS address 10 the Legislature
which came into the lobby TO receive IT, 1t formally
received by the Speaker of the House clad vOumin-
Gus black silk gown, made no other response
low bow at the close, and another when the written
address was handed him by the Governors ad-lc-
camp. forget TO say that II read first in
French ana then ~ English. and was surprisingly short
10 me, rs We Amer are speeches.
quite 10 the point though scarcely more than the
summary mention of the heads OF different matters
to which attention was called. The Council Chamber,
cOmpared vita other legislative halls, Is small and
MAINLY finished surrounded three sides by galleries
In the body, Immediately facing toe Speaker, are
arranged seats for members Of the Upper Honseb
The thr ,ne is draped III crimson, can0pied with
same aud surnOuuted by the E0gIisiI The Gov
ernor when seated it, quite completed In mind
to fact that we were out of the United States The
fisher of the Black Rod acts merely usher 20 the
uernaoral party ana after the Senators aud invited
guests which Included the Mayor aud all the foreign
Consnls in their places hc proceeded backwards
having very TO the throne at mterValsind closed
the railing, then returned with the samc ceremony
his first position near Gov Caron.
The ceremony OF opening Parliament occupied half
hour and at Its close, vita the ringing OF bells firing OF
cannon and sounding of trumpets, the retnue departed
TO the Government House.
" very lively time is anticipated in the session.
" rho taunery mudde" at Montreal IL 10 be thoroughly
stirred up ana IL possible, cleared away. The general
exnectator Is that the present temporary Cabinet will
resign aud the Old will be reinstated And there is
gene raj expectation too current In Feminine Quebec
mar with the session VIII commence series VI balls
and parties which far moro Interesting than tau
merry swlndles.
AN OLD STAGE LINE DISCONTINUED