Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-07-25
Letter from Montreal.
MONTREAL. july II.

turn one is confronted with churches
of different denominations; the Scotch
Kirk, the American Presby byterian; the
established church of England; as we'll
as French and Irish Catholic Cathe-
drals. Of these the Jesuit Church is
one OF the finest. All the decorations
are In fresco of subdued monotone tints.
Many scenes in the life of Christ are
represented and the figures are gener-
ally of life size. As cne stands at the
entrance door the effect Of the grained
Gothic arches with the perfect proper
tions and the pictures in neutral color
ing, is very pleasing. At the side
aisle are the confessionals. where the
easy chair of the priest and the wooden
stool of the penitent presents a marked
contrast. Underneath the church is
| theatre where entertainments are given
by the students Of the Jesuit College
Ia new idea to an American; at least
| The French Cathedral of Notre Dame,
| fac slnos}e on smaller scale of n ctre
Dame de Paris, is decided opposite to
the Jesuit Church in point Of interior
| decorations. The first view is over
poweringly gorgeous. Here the ,vaul.
ted ceiling Of brilliant blue and gold is
| upheld by green, scarlet and blue pill
lars in clusters of three. The chancel
window is most beautiful. The high
! altar. however, as we'll as the numerous
shrines on the sides are eaudy in the
extreme on rspection, although dazz-
ling at first sight with the Oriental
coloring. The dressof The priests inCan-
ada is different from any we see in the
States. They wear a black skirt which
trails inthe house; but for convenience,
in the street, this is looped up quite
short in the back. Over this is worn
plain long coat, and tall hat com
pletes the costume" as the fashion
writers say. After Notre Dame the
English Cathedral seems almost desti-
tute of ornament. The windows,
however, are very handsome, and the
Bishops chair of Mahogany with en-
blematic designs carved upon it, is in
teresting. There is more or less of
this mahogany carving scattered about
the church. The exterior is of two
kinds of stone. the building itself of
ngnt grey, the trimmings Of buff. In
the same enclosure are the residences
of the Dean and Rector, both built Of
. stone like the church. The Protes-
tant Churches are most Of them hand
some and show various styles of .archi-
lecture; the material is invariably stone
/ which comes from the quarries near
the city. This is used entirely in
house building, too, giving nc ost solid
and substantial appearance. In sum
mer the outside windows are taken off
| the houses and Venetian blinds of
brightest green replace them, for the
summer, althought brief, is fierce in it's
heat, and protection from the sun
is as necessary as in a climate
farther south. The new Windsor
Hotel is approaching completion.
1t will be very fine when it is
finished and will supply a new greatly
felt at present. La passing a marble
cutters one day saw statue strange
ly resembling the Goddess of Liberty.
| felt some curiosity on the subject, for
''Liberty has no business in the Queens
domlnlons. by inquiry found it to
be veritably our Goddess intended to
summount monument to be erected
by the heirs Of the late Jas. Lick of
San Francisco, in his native town.
Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania. De-
signs for this monument were sent from
all parts of the Union as we'll as from
Europe and from Canada, the choice
being awarded to the Canadian sculpt-
or who now has it in process Of execu.
ton. An interesting ceremony which
| had the pleasure of witnessing was
the laying of the cornerstone of the
Deaf and Dumb Asylum, the generous
gift of Montreal citizen, Mr.. Jas.
Mackay. The situation is delightful,
little out Of the city on high ground,
commanding fine prospect of noun
tain town in view, with Victoria Bridge,