Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1884-02-13
The Carnival.
MONTREAL, Jan. 6th

it raincd. or showed, all day; in fact, al
the sunshine we have had this week
would not cover four hours, without any
crowding.
The carnival has been success, not.
witbstanding the bad weather, as most o.
the sport can be seen in covered buildings
while the spectator can sit in warm
room, if they choose, ana view them
without exposure TO the weather
Wednesday was the big day, as the main
drive came off then and the storming Of
of the ice palace took place that evening
About 1000 men attacked The palace
with fireworks, mostly Roman candles
and the palace was defended with the
same weapons and everyone says they
never sawso good display Of protechnics
Everything was lit up by them and to
approach the palace was dangerous as it
literally rained fire on its besiegcrs. The
air all about was full of rockets and
Roman candles shooting in every direction
The effect was grand, almost terrible, tc
look at.
The drive, in which the governor. genera
took part, was composed of all kinds Of
| vehicles and teams with banners and bands
and occupied an hour in passing given
point. 1t was estimated that there were
, $4,000 people on Dominion square at the
drive and five or six times as many at the
storming of the ice palace.
The encouragement seems to be pop
ular with the people, with whom he
associates in the most familiar manner
sliding with them on their toboygans
minglng with them in their torchligh,
professions and rides. lie is certainly
gaining their good will,
Montreal is queer cd city 10 Yer
monter, All sorts of people and all sort
of buildings jostle each other in the mos,
amiable manner. The English, United
States and French flags float from m ost o.
the public buildings or hang suspended in
the principle streets. In some places \
little, low, old, wealth stained building
a century or two old, nestle close beside a
SIX story brown stone mansion in the most
democratic way imaginable. The Mon
trealers are very hospitable and the
policemen will answer questions civily
! Whisky is cheap and everybody sells il
who wishes 10, as openly as they do
anything else, yet l have not seen n
drunken man this week. The press is
largely represented, and large room in
the Windsor set apart for their use. They
are mostly Canadian, although quite a
number are from the states. Board is
from so so per day up don't know how
high, but high enough to shorten ,he stay
of good many.
The churches and hotels are most all Of
them fine buildings. The largest and
costiest is the Notre Dame, which can
accommodate $4,000 worshippors. 1t has
Two galleries running three quarters round
it and the ceiling is so feet from the floor
Its towers have an elevation of 227 feel
above the foundation and to reach the toy
one has TO climb 305 steps. It's bel
weighs 24,7o0 pounds and cost $4,000
and takes twelve men 10 ring it. 1t alst
has n chime of bells that takes fifteen mel
to ring. The building was erected at al
expense Of Sl,G0O,O0O, although it is no
yet finished. 1t is claimed to be TIT
largest church on the continent. Tn
Jesuit church is second to it in size an,
the Protestant churches are all fine, iarg
buildings.
The Windsor leads the hotels both il
size and style, although all of the leadin
ones are large and commodiou.
, The Grey nunnery is also bnildin
, any city might be proud of, and, like tn
churches and hotels. is built of stone. 1t
inmates number 1928 persons, about one
third Of which are nuns; The res
, orphans and superannuated persons c
both sexes. 1t is under the charge of
superior and is well spoken of by tn
citizens.
Curling bonspeil seems to be the leadn
game in winter and is of great antiquity
8 Toboygan glides are also largely patron
/, lied. The slide is about 20 feet long an
about as steep as the roof of an ordinar
house. This is coated with ice, and III
impetus given in coming down will sen
toboygan quarter Of mile on lev,
II field and will try the nerves of one n,
1 used 10 the business as your correspondent
can testify TO.
The leans too are different from VIII,
@ one sees in the states. l have not seen
:. traverse, sleigh or sled or brcastpla
t. harness since l have been here, althouo
g l have locked closely for them; Meth,
do the work harnesses have any tugs bac
of the home tug but draw their sleds |
:, the lhlls. They are nearly all one hor
:, sleds.
!, saw two funerals in the week one W,
! on the burial of an aged person. In tn
case the horses, harnesses end hears
i, were black, not n speck of white was
be seen. The mourners followed, marcl
ing in double file. Behind the processic
~ were empty carriages for the men. WON,
,. do not 60 in tho procession to ide HON
10 The other was that of child This hear
U was white, with white horses, white flo,
a ers, and the remains, | am told, wei
ia dressed in white; but no mother Or sist,
. could follow the remains of the low,
:. little one to its last resting place
But the carnival week is over. A wee
to be remembered for its gorgeous displa,
O its inclement weather, the view OF palati.
8 dwelling Of the rich and tho humble
b homes of the poor, the kind attention
| the citizens, the queer sights and sound
A so different from those of our cities, bu
Q on the whole, a very pleasant week, nm
: we leave Montre al satisfied 10 live undo
- La. -. r.. Tta. 81