Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-02-23

the handsome toboggans, colored lis hts
and fireworks. was wonderful spectacle
against background of pure white snow.
The brightly burning tar barrels gave a
Rembrandt effect to the tobogganers as
they patiently toiled up the hill in
couples. trios and quartets, only to make
another descent down the long icy slide.
1t looked to US periious amusement. The
white and slippery trough was seemingly
a mile from start to finish. We are told it
takes physical courage for the first descent,
but all Of us lacking encouragement rather
than courage, we turned from the slide
without the experience so foreign TO us,
but familiar to the northern people. The
intense cold drove US to a refuge in the
rustic cottage, where club members and
friends were budding over stove and I'M
bibing steanaing bouilion and cocoa.
Next morning We started again on our
rounds. Having heard of she Gray Nun
merry, it was a great pleasure tous TO be shown
through its vast buildings by the dear
little nuns, who so kindly minister to the
poor and the sick There are four hun
dred inmates in this instruction We were
struck with the neatness and peacefuiness
of the entire place, and with the air Of
comfoF. that pervaded all the surround
ings.
We'visited in turn the Bonsecoars Mar
ket, the frozen st. Lawrence river, the va
rious churches, curio stores, and gaze1 ad-
miringly at the sights on all eides. An
interesting feature of our visit was ride
along the river front, where many hun
dred men were cutting ice. We passed
long lines of antiuuated sleds, that come
along the ice all the way from Quebec, a
hundred miles distant, with produce for
the markets.
In travelling, amusing experiences are
always In order. We encountered one
that was laughabie, aud at the same time
2 trifie embarrassing. When in our sleigh
enc morning in Dominion Square we saw a
. photographer with his camera, and wish
ing to be TAKEN" we accosted him and
drove within range of the instrument
When he had finished and we attempted to
settle with him, imagine our surprise at
finding him an amateur and an aristocrat
from Quebec. Apologies followed. He
graclously offered to forward US copies and
we now await the test of genuine French
politeness. The situation was truly ludi-
crous one, but was one enjoyed by all The
most pleasing sight to US was the tandem
parade. The elegant sleighs, spirited
. horses, with arches of bells, outriders and
footmen in fur liveries-the aristocratie
inmates gave me good insight into Eng
lish swelldom," the Governor General
being a conspicuous member of the fine
procession.
The storrning of the ice palace, the
grand ball at the Windsor, the carnival at
Victoria Rink, and the trotting races or
the ice were all wonders 10 the trio from
| the slope. That we were Californians ellie.
tied amazement and interest from all and
our hearts constantly glowed with pride
for our beautiful native State, the glow
counteracting the frigidity of our fingers
and faces. The carnival having ended we
are now ready to turn our steps toward
Home, Sweet Homen As we glance al
the mantel-piece in the hotel parlor we
bid farewell to the companion pictures Of
Mrs. Cleveland and Queen Victoria. as
they rest side by side in the home of our
English cousins.
g My country, It's OF thee,
Land of the noble flee,
OF thee sing.
FEMME THO.