Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-09-21
4 YANKEE ASTRAT.
Editor IF Kenneb,c journal;

r ditOr gJ n eHHcbtc journal:
QUEBEC, Sept. II, 1877.
After a quiet nights rest in a state room on
board the steamer Quebec, we awoke early yes
terday morning. and found ourselves coming into
view of this famous old city. The first sight you
behold in drawing near the city is the lofty citade
high up the steep sides of fortified eminence
with its frowning battlements and its threatening
array of heavy cannon pointed towards the out
side world, as though all the rest of mankind wer,
enemies who only approached with hostile intent
The appearance of Quebec Is, in these modern
times, strikingly ancient and unique, in fact with
out any parallel in this new continent.
On gong ashore, you find the streets and build
ings equally odd and quaint The bus wind
about through the narrow and tortuous streets.
crooked as the famous cow-psths in Boston, bu
climbing hills such as Boston never knew, AMI
passing amongst buildings evidently erected when
Boston was a cow-pasture. As you gain the ele
waited parts Of the city, you meet with many fine
blocks of residences and stores, and also pub.
lie buildings of various descriptions, but most o
them bear the marks of age.
We visited the Notifications, and were conduct
ed by one of the military employees through the
grounds. These bear marks of more care than
any other part Of Quebec, and In fact are
very well kept. But what the uses for
the rows of formidable cannon and mortars,
and the piles of balls and shells of every size
and construction If such things must be made
and kept, why not stow them away
in arsenals and armories, till the crisis comes
which calls for them, or until the happy dawn of
the golden age when nations shall learn war no
more But here are piles on piles OF
stone and mortar In CITADEL forts, walls, and all
the other frightful old-world fortfcations a most
formidable array of weapons and munments Of
war, and soldiers drilling and drudgng year after
year all in time of profound peace 1t is true
that blood has been shed and valuable lives sacri-
feed on these heights and the adjoining plains, in
the early days Of the settlement of the country
when nations were contending for the mastery
But that is all past, let hope never to return.
On the spot where Wolfe fell, monument mas
been erected to his memory, aud in public
square called the Governors Garden, is another
monument in memory of both Wolfe and Mont
calm. The place where the gallant Montgomery
lost his life is pointed out, but stone marks the
spot where he received the fatal wound. The
house is also shown where he was carried, and
where he breathed his last.
1t is interesting to stroll along Durham terrace
and look of upon the st. Lawrence, where nuner-
Gus vessels of all sizes are at any time to be seen,
some at anchor, some going out, and some com
ing in. On the opposite side of the river is the
growing village of Point Levi, with churches, ho-
tells, dwellings and shops. This is the terminus
Of the railway that leads TO Montreal and to Port
land Looking down from the terrace, you see
directly below you, part of the lower town, with
it's quaint, odd-shaped buildings, narrow and
crooked alleys and courts. You can almost look
into the chimney tops, except that they so far
below you, that you see only the openings that let
out the smoke. In Quebec, and elsewhere in Can
ada, most of the windows open in the middle, and
are hung on hinges like blinds, some opening
outward others inward. Many houses have a
double set, one opening out, and the other In
! The churches and public buildings are mostly