Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-02-23
WINTER CARNIVAL.
OUR DAUGHTERS IN J0HSSIE
BULBS BOMiNIGN.
Sacramento Girls Take IN the Ice
Palace Carnival in Montreal
and Other Sights.
FcOrrespondenoe Of the Rrc0nD-UsIoS.l

TCorrespoEdence of the RECORD UNIaH.l
MONTREAL, February 8, 1889.
The desire TO witness the winter carni-
val at Montreal possessing the minds Of
three wandering sight-seers from the Gold
en- State, We concentrated our forces, and
Joining a friend neer the border line, we
crossed into the country Of the g fishing
dissension"
As we journeyed on, the cold, grGy mist
made all objects appear indistinct and dim,
while we gazed with difficulty from the
frosty car windows. Progressing north
ward we felt that Canada was close upor
US in all its blizzard glory. Driven to des-
peration by the sufocatiag effects of two
glowing steves, window would now and
then be steslthily opened, though the air
that greeted us We knew to be direct from
the north pole. 1t was rsthertrying, but be-
tween TIVE evils We had TO choose the least.
In short time the drifts gathering before
US required forward end backward move
ment onfthe part of snow-plow and engine,
and the men outside began to take on a
bulky shape Of fur, with frozen breath on
face and whiskers, tibet had the picturesque
look of Russia. ogr party of four (from
which all male escort had disastrously
failed to materialize) summoned our cour-
age, and felt equal to encountering the
brunt of foreign criticism and testing the
courtesy of the Dominion people.
With a good matronly chaperon, and
three self-reliant young ladies, we finally
found ourselves crossing the wonderful
Victoria bridge over the broad st. Law
renee, and alnaest before we knew it the
train-guide called out Montreal" Gath
ering our many wraps we stepped out into
the clear, cold air of that beautiful CITY.
The gala appearance of the fine new depot,
draped in bunting, was a pleasant and
brilliant greeting to the stranger.
The Victoria bridge, over which we had
Just crossed; IS nearly two miles long, is
built entirely of iron, on immense pillars
of granite, and high enough to admit of the
largest ocean steamers passing under its
spans. This bridge was built at the enor-
nous expense ofSS 00o, 900, and is pointed
out to the visitor as one OF theouriosities OF
the city.
As we reached the station kind fate sent
across our path friend of one of our num-
Der, and he calamity assisted US to a
sleigh, and with kind information directed
our petticoat party to the Hotel Balmo-
raj" where we had secured accommoda-
ton. One of the greatest luxuries Canada
affords is the comfortable sleighs, with
their high backs, delicately graceful run
commodating iehus and the extremely
10 l. e al.
hicles, with their. merry jingling bells,
made the scene that met our eyes one of
contagious gayety, and filled the air with
tinkling melody. The snow between three
and four feet deep, and the buildings liter
ally festooned with icicles, gave one an
idea of fairy land with its frail adorn-
ments.
The hurrying around of merry-makers,
looking like moving masses of fur, their
bright eyes alone being visible, presented
grotesque figures. Mingling with these
were the tobogganers, in their bright
blanket suits and tuques; their skates, or
snow-shoes, strapped on their shoulders,
adding much to the novelty of the scene.
We felt far away from our native land of
palms and citrus fruits, but were pleased
10 learn the thermometer was onlu 2So be-
low zero, and we were happy, though one
of our party had frozen her chubby chin.
As we were hurriedly driven up and
down the billy streets we were impressed
by the wealth Of the city; its many mag
niicent churches; substantial business
buildings of gray granite; modern homes
of massive proportions, and quaint red
brick houses, the dormer windows inside
dainty hung with white curtains, and out
side heavily fringed with icicles.
Dismissing our sleigh we mingled with
the crowd in Victoria square, watching the
living arch being manned by the Snow
shoe Club, preparatory to witnessing the
fancy parade, which reminded us very dis
tinctly of cur own Fourth of July Mardi
Gras, only on a much more elaborate
scale. The living arch," as it is STYLED,
Is modern structure fifty or mole feet
nigh, handsomely decorated with ever
greens, snow-shoes, toboggans and flags Of
Z all nations, our own stars and stripes in
spring Us into humming Hail Columbia. .
As we all must eat to live, we iourneved
back to the Balmorai for dinner. Imne-
diately after our repast we started again
on round of sightseeing. First and fore
most to the Ice Palace, before which we
all stood spellbound The palace was a
piece of mechanical genius. containing
$4,000 blocks of ice, Of immense size. built
with tnrrets and high tower in the cen
ter. In one of the turrets hung Ginning
bells, which pealed forth familiar airs. re.
calling to mind the lines
For peace and hope may brighten.
And patient love may glow
As we listen in the star light
To the bells a. across the snow