Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-09-15

elevation is so great as to bring the place
almost underneath the vision and the view
is remarkably beautiful. Our funny little
French Jehu was most affable, and not on
the point of freezing to death as our poor
old sleigh driver was last winter. What a
contrast. This time the calm beautiful
days make everything SO lovely. Then,
icicles hung from everywhere, even from
the shaggy eyebrows of the drivers, and
the boards and moustaches of the men
generally. Yet there was something so
exhilarating about Montreal IN February
and something delightful about it in sum-
mer. In fact it is fine at any time.
One of the attractions of the city is the
"Champ de Mars" square of smooth
ground that is used for parades. In olden
| times it was the promenade" We went
| again to the churches, which to my idea
are among the most attractive places in
| the city. Notre Dame is an edifice of
mammoth size. This building will seat
over 10000 people When we were there
it was being prepared for funeral, and a
massive structure fifteen or twenty feet in
hight and covered with gold and black
stood in the center of the church. None
of us had ever seen anything of the kind
before, and wondered how they would be
able to raise casket to SO great a hight.
As such was the intention, they no doubt
have ways and means for accomplishing
the purpose. In one of the towers of this
church is
THE LARGEST BELL IN THE WORLD.
For twenty-five cents the elevator will
carry you to the top of the tower, from
which hight you can look down on the
city below and obtain good view of the
surrounding country.
There are any amount of public institu-
tions in Montreal. And here is built the
most gorgeous Methodist Church / have
noticed in my travels. Without exception
the places of worship are most magnificent
that is, of course, the modern buildings
There are some old churches and very
small ones, but interesting because of the
historical memories they awaken. One of
the smallest yet prettiest churches is called
Memorial Chapel, and the entire inside is
of silver-gray marble and frescoed in soft
est tints Of blue aud pink. The almost
total absence of gliding and high coloring
strikes the stranger at the first glance, and
the idea is pleasing.
Besides the churches, there are great
numbers of fine public buildings. The
Gray Nunnery, McGill University, Court
house, Bonsecours Market, the Custom
house, and last but not least, the palatial
Windsor, one of the most gorgeously ap-
pointed hotels in the world. Victoria and
Dominion squares where every winter are
the living arch and ice palace respectively
are pretty spots in the heart of the city.
A nice little trip from town is to take the
ferry to St. Helen's Island, Just little bit
out in the St. Lawrence. This place was
named after the beautiful wife of Cham
plain. Island Park on this bit of land, is
fine pleasure resort.
The last time we visited Montreal we
came by rail, and into the fine new depot
that looked like fairyland in all its
splendor of carnival dress, and bright
bunting, that contrasted so prettily with
the pure white snow. This time our
course was down the majestic ST. Lawrence,
where six months ago we watched the
teams going back and forth on stretch of
ice. How different the picture now. The
hills covered with verdure and the rum
cherry and thorn apple looking so pretty
on the trees.
The aristocratic street of this fine city is
Sherbrooke street, and is lined with
BEAUTIFUL RESIDENCES.
think | am safe in saying that nine
tenths of the streets, lanes and by-wavs
bear the name of saints-Ann, Catherine,
Xavier, James, Peter, Paul and hundred
others have the prefix Ste.
The stores are really good, and while
the difference in price on the majority of
things is not noticeable, there are things
that can be bought more reasonable here
than in the States
We have been amused all along the
way at the various amount of times we
have to hustle around on the lower deck,
to look after our baggage and see that it
receives proper, but by no means, beauti-
flying desecration in the shape of Custom
house stamp Of blazing red or yellow
paper, usually round like saucer. These
excresences are unavoidable, and must be
accepted whether you like it or not
We were on the alert the other morning,
for the biggest show on earth" was ad-
vertised to be here. Unfortunately, the
train met with mishap, and the failure
to materialize was all but death blow to
the expectant and overwhelmingly large
crowd (such as only circus can draw.
that thronged the thoroughfares from
early dawn. Just now the theaters are
not open. The season not yet having
| commenced. The drives about here are
very fine, the winding road to Mount
Royal Cemetery being lovely drive.
Nelson's Monument and the bronze statue
of Queen Victoria are pointed out as at
fractions. There are good art galleries, a
museum, and a great many places of in
terest. Anyone visiting Canada cannot
| fail to be pleased with this lovely city, and
| if possible it is well worth while to devote
several days to the city of Montreal.
LEILA j. LINDLEY.