New-York tribune., 1875-12-10
LIFE IN QUEBEC.
A WALK THROUGH THE STREETS.

IFROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUSE.I
QUEBEC, Nov. 23.-0ne day last Summer |
was idling afternoon away with q party Of Amer
cans, found ourselves nc last in the Lower Town.
near the Champain Wharf Now the Lower Town is not
legitimate or at least conventional stamping grounds
for tourists but yOu had been bcguiled thherto
look at the "Breakneck STAIRS" down which
every good American who comes To Quebec feels
obliged. Mt least once, to 90. We went down
them. after standing awhile at the top and
taking IN the oddly foreign which spread below MS
There was the little street the foot Of tho we'll
worn steps with rs crowd Of healthy frohchng children
st now gathered about gnet in the shape OF an ice
cream cart. little handcart from which this Summer
luxury could be bought at penny cup not deep cups
of course evidently very popular ones, from tho way
in which they were going and perhaps their shallow
ness had advantage after ALL for they could be reached
every part by the juvenile tongue, even after they had
been thoroughly scraped and drained by the purchaser
We looked this phase of contented human nature and
laughed and then | asked my guests II they'd have
thought il possible for any one 10 drive down
the Dreakneck stairs They all exclaimed. Drive
down should think not !'just as knew they would
for I've made a geat many tourists say, "Whod have
believed It l since been in Quebec. So went on and
told in a thrilling manner, as we moved slowly down the
steps how one day, when the Tandem Club was out
che leader OF the Club while dashng down Mountain
Uu suddenly whred his horses into the opening, and
back his followers to "come on"-an invita-
ton which they did not accept hOwever-and made the
descent safety and triumph, with two ladies' IN MS
sleigh "Wth two ladies Oh my!" exclam all my
friends as they pause and look back as If expect
ing TO 6nd even at this late day. fragments Of
the ladies'. explain that I don't think the
ladies' the point OF the story, but rather the feat oi
driving down the steps. and they y"Oh OF course OF
ITO sure and look up again. Then we got on toward
the wharf having vague intention Of crossing over to
Point Lewis By the ferry and taking WALK there But
we look into so many shop windows that we miss the
boat 20 instead decide 10 20 into queer ola auction
room known "a Caseys and II there Is any thing
there the tourists spend ther expensive Canadian
money for.
When We reach the upper floor. find rhe most ras-
cinatng ong0meraon OF thin and there ~ that sense
Of abandon which always peryades auction rooms after
their hours" stroll about, looking at the quaint
old furniture Dishes pictures and odds aud ends Win
no one troubling himself about There are oldash-
oned clocks and three legged pianos, upon which
one Of the Indies PLAYS with "A hd-glOsed
finger a rather jerky Yankee Doodle" partly from
burst OF patriotism and partly desire TO beard the
British lion in his den and wonder how old the piano
IL and whom IT originally belonged and get rather
seniim entail over It, until restless member OF the
party of and calls to Us to come and see wha sue
has found We all crowd around her. for she is holding
up a faded theatricallookng garment Here Is some
thing which looks As if it had much more of history
than that shrl old piano does. Let's ask him about IT,
Him proves to person well posted IN the lore OF the
place and takes the garment from her hand ana SAYS
Well ladies. that belonged to q countrylnan OF
yonrs Ole at once recognizes Americans man
who made great sensation in the states not many years
ago Now, could You guess who ne wa" 1"
We all name each actor, but 10 each he gives ny'
terious No So one OF us asks " Is he living now =
"NO. ma'am, he isn't
So we name over the illustrous theatrical dead, then
give it up.
'That cloak ladiesthat cloak belonged to j. Wilkes
Booth. He used TO play the Hunchback in it,"
We all express our astonshment and It passed from
hand to hand silently for though all loyal Amer
cans there something very pathetic IN the ured robe
ali stained and worn and with the memories OF the
sc deed and the tragic death of the owner clDgng
toit.
How did You come ny It % some one asks.
"Wlv YOU see Booth had been giving readings IN
Canada and was Going down TO Halifax the November
before he killed your President. He shipped his ward
robe and all his belongings by steamer which sunk
away down the river OF course 1t was considered a
dead os the summer the boat was raised ana
thought quantity Of things that thought could sell
again aud among them Booths wardrobe-he was dead
then have OF yet, though II il about used mp
rs I've rented the clothes for private hearicas so Often
can show you the rest il you want to see it, And De-
displayed character dress after another with ls SIX
faded and its tinse tanIshed like the poor msgulded
actors ramo W each carried away little souvenir,
bit OF stage iewery. complimentary card OF admit
tanoe upon which LIE had written bis name And as We
turned home ward that saddest OF the many sad scenes
of our war in minds and We talked OF the TWO
victims-Lncola and Booth--I afraid with almost
equal pity.
By rbe wav there IL In the museums Of MOrip College
in this city, relic of the past which TO me would
value the many antiquity seekers IN connection
with the Centennial. / refer 10 the sword which Cen
Montgomery wore, and which was taken from his body
after his DEATH understand that it is for sale. being
owned by a private citizen who leaves 1t at the college
for tho sake Of exhibiting it, and for safety II will be
hundred years ago the 3Oth December the hope OF
the Americans taking Quebec was abandoned ny Mont
gomerys death, aud so impOrtant-thOugh yisionaly-a
pnase in our history tie expedition or Arnold
and Montgomery should be represented oy
as much tangible evidence as possible. The
sword is short straight blade and has
rather the appearance Of weapon made Tor
dress parade for warfare. though for elegance OF
finish fare badly in comparison with the dainty
swords OF present day. The ht Is OF IVORY sur
mounted by grotCFque head IN silver and II rests in
black leather sheath, slightly oTanented with silver
Upon the blade which plain, and perhaps two feet in
length is the single word Harvey" probably the name
Of the manufacturer II is oruamened by tney chased
suspension chain and clasp Of steel and draped with
strip Of Grape which perhaps tied on by the hands OF
a mourner 100 years ago
Alta late meeting Of the City Council, plans were laid
before the members for the Improvement OF the City of
Quebec which think will interest many TRIBUNE read
er since Quebec 10 beng quite a. muchtO TOURISTS
s "a its own citizens These improvements are suggested
and plans them presented to the city by LORD Dunen
and can be made for something less than 100000.
What il most interesting Americans IN these proposals
Is the preservation of the fascinating quaintness which
first made Quebec famous To it, neighbOrs IN the United
STATES and which has of late been marred by the
inroaI, cf modern conycniences and improvements
First there Is 10 hefor led 70 believe from the
manner Of our Council. that is accepted thing-a
grand boulevard completely surrounding the Upper |
Town. and Durham Terrace is to be extended
IN the Kings Baston." Many travellers VIII !
know the ground which this covers, but %
tl.n-. vim do [ viii thai the |