Connecticut western news., 1881-11-30
Canada Letter.

Canada Letter. ED. NEws:-The. air is full of feathery snow, giving wintry aspect to the outside 1 world but know that all the New England homes are bright and glad with .Thanksgiv. ing cheer, and that family reunions and fes- tivites are being enjoyed by old and young.
 We had ostr Thanksgiving day 8 month ago, it being more harvest home festival than with us. St. James the Apostles, one of the Episcopal churches here, was beauti- fully decorated with fruit, leaves and grain, and the choral service of thanksgiving, sung by choir of sweet voiced boys.
 The winter has kept away wonderfully. only sending two or three little snow furries as heralds of his intended coming, which will not be much longer delayed. This has been charming autumn for walking, and there are many places of interest to see in the city, more particularly in the eastern, the old French part. The houses there are low and large. .chimneyed, with queer little balconies and stand directly upon the street, 50 that in passing, one can look into the windows and see the women ironing or sewing, or sitting in the best room, always decked with stat, uettes and gailY colored pictures of the saints, gossiping with their cronies, and busily knit ting The infant mortality must be very great among the French, for we see 50 many Catholic funerals, a little hearse, with kneel. ing angels, gilt crosses and floating stream' CTS of white, followed by cab holding the mourners, or by two or three men on: foot. Often one sees the saddest sight, awagon with man and a little boy whose hat and coat have broad white sashes. holding upon their knees the tiny coffin of . little baby, which they are bearing to the beautiful mountain cemetery.
 The churches are many, and some are of especial interess The English Cathedral is very beautiful fane of gray stone. of most perfect Gothicf ardhi.ecture, and contrasts we'll, in its uttsk simplicity, with the gor. geousness of the &lomish churches. Of these, the largest is the Parish Church of Notre Dame, whose double towers are 8 guide to be seen from any part of the city, and which contains the largest bell in America, only rung upon rare occasions. Within, 1t Is ex- ceedingly rich and gorgeous in it's decora. tions, and one never enters with finding peo- pie kneeling at altar or shrine, telling their beads. The toe of the bronze statue of St. Peter is like gold, from the pressure of the lips of the faithful From the top of the tower, one can gain wide and beautiful view by dint of long climb. The church of the Jesu is plain building externally, but is richly frescoed, and hasa very handsome al tar, and many fine paintings. At either end of the transept are altars and statues to St. Ignatius Loyalar. the founder of the order of the Jesuits, and St. Francis Xavier, Con. fessionals line the walls, always with kneel- ing penitents and listening priests. The or gan is an exceedingly fine one. and the music at the evening service always calls out many, who enjoy the lovely harmonies evoked by the strong, sweet voices of the choir. Anoth- CT Roman Catholic Church new and beau tiful one, is that 10 Our Lady of Lourdes. It is very fresh and dainty in its appointments. and has a lovely effect as esenters, for in a recess above and behind the high altar, is a life-siged, colored statue of the Virgin as a fair young girl, with saiptly face. The light comes in from one side, falling upon her upturned face and the rosy clouds on which she Is standing. The Bousecours Church is the oldest of the city, away down pear the river, quaint, gray little place. Here the sailors come to pray before going to sea, for safe deliyeFagoe from perils. and to return thanks when they come home iH safety.
 But all may not eare for going to the churches, and there are maRy other places of interest. The Grey Nunnery is large founding hospital, and is well worthy visit. The hotel Dieu is 8 hospital where any stranger, i'll and alone, can receive theN best care. There are many charitable institutions of oil kinds, chiefly Catholic. where the blind, the deafand- dumb, orphans and the sick are cared for most tenderly.
 Montreal has many beautiful houses, gen. orally of gray stone, and surrounded often by well kept gfounds. adorped with flowers and rare plants. The walk up the mountain, well called Royal, the background and the crown of the city, is a favorite one. Flights of steps, with bits of walk between, and an oc- casional summer-house for resting, had one easily to the top. From there, one gains a wide and exceedingly beautiful view, of the city at one's feet, the blue, wide river, span. ned by the wonderful Victoria Bridge, the islands, the broad plain beyond, with villages gleaming out here and there, and beyond all, fhe bonny hills of home.
 She is indeed beautiful city, th,s Mon. treal, set on her fertile island, encircsd by her broad rivers, which bear to her the haryests and the products of the grand lake region and the far west, peopled by mixed races who are yet one in their devotion and love for their ruler as Woman and Queen. With ships of many nations lying at her piers and bring. ing their gifts to her feet. as long as her mountains shall stand to be her crown, she shall be indeed the royal city of the Canadas. pFFreFps. Obituary.