Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-07-04
Iht Gree Dress.
MONTREAI'S PAGEANT.
Grand Historic Procession represent
ing the Progress OF Canada,

Grand Historic Procession Represent
ing the Progress OF Canada.
The scene in Montreal on Wednesday il
thus described; Cloth coated Frenchmen
long legged drum majors, knights, Saracens
aud more modern soldiers, made curious
spectacle as they hurried toward the Champ
de- Alars-that historical ground where the
troops of Normandy and the grenadiers Of
Britain have maupuvrcd. A more animated
scene is rarely witnessed. st. Lawrence
street had so many arches that the gazel
forgot that he was in street at all.
The first car in the procession represented
au Indian hut 1t showed forest scene
and group of the early Americans sat and
stood on the platform, while the sides of the
car were composed to represent the foliage
of river bank. A bark canoe, paddles and
weapons of the aborgines were seen on the
back of the car, and group of Huron and
Lorctte Indians smoked the pipe of peace at
the front end, while In the middle stood the
wigwam. The head of large moose sur.
mounted the front of the car and eight
horses drew it.
The second car in line showed Captain
Jacques Cartier, full of desire to emulate
Columbus. He was represented as receiving
his commission from Francis l., King of
France, to set out for the then unknown
North America The rear of the car con-
tanned the Kings throne, apd the fleurs de
lys in gold was held by lancers in the front
of the car. King Francis was surrounded
by his glitterng suite, and Jacques Cartier
was represented as awaiting the Kings
command to leave the royal presence. Gar
lands of flowers surrounded the outside of
the car.
The next stage in the history of Canada,
as shown by the cars, was the Gronde Her.
mine, the flagship of Carriers fleet of YES
sells. She was full rugged and her officers
and men occasionally went through the
manTuvres as though at sea.
Following this came a car containing a
representation of the first house built in Can
ada. There was stream, pot and kettle
boiling in the open air, and the early settlers
in the garb of old France sat around the
fire. Champlain the founder of Quebec,
provided the first idea of war. He is the
founder of Quebec city, and the car devoted
to representing him showed fort towers at
each corner, bastions and sally ports. In the
centre of the car were four openings, which
led to pavilion, and the whole was thirty
feet high. Maissonneuve, one of Montreals
founders, was represented on car in front
of which stood the tower of the first parish
church, to represent the advent Of the Cath
Ole church in North America. A number of
towers in the background were ornamented
with garlands of palm.
One of the most warllke personages shown
was Captain Dollard, whose heroic defence
of his fort is reputed to have saved the French
cOlonists at a critical time. His fort stood
between Montreal and boards of savages
whom his men were too weak to withstand,
and after three days hard fighting he blew
up with his own hand the fort and the as
saulting savages So great was the loss
inflicted on the savages that they withdrew
from Montreal altogether. Dollard is dis
covered on car behind palisades, with his
barrel of gunpowder ready. His seventeen
heroes surround him.
Another car to the memory of the Canadian
discoveries contained representations of La
Sale lbervlle and Verendrye, each officer
being distinguished by banner.
Another Canadian warrior, Colonel De
Salaberry, stood on car, with artillery
surrounding it.
Six, eight and ten horses drew the cars,
according to weight.
Expectation was on tiptoe for the caval-
cade of Louis IN. 1t occupied the place of
honor, last in the procession, and seen from
the roof TOPS was magnificent spectacle.
-Four herads led, the high constable next,
chief of retinuc next, two pages and the
arms of France, then knights and gentlemen.
The procession was an hour and ten min
utcs passing given point, as between each
of the allegorical cars there marched the diff
crcnt sections of the great st. Jean Baptiste
brotherhood and their friends. 1t covered
nearly two miles of street,
The procession was followed by the laying
Of the foundation for the National Hall, la
crosse, sports and horse races. In the eve.
ming thousands are looking at the attempt tc
reproduce the sports of the tournament un
der electric light. 1t was strange sight to
see the horses and riders 90 through theil
man9uvres. A horse quadrile to.music was
very peculiar the shadows of the riders Civ.
Ing the whole an appearance of the gro
tcsque. While this was in progres the city
at different points was brilliant with fire
works.