The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1890-04-24
"DOwn the st. Lawrence"


Those of our citizens who failed to at
tend the lecture OF Mr.. James A. Green,
at the college, on Thursday night OF last
week, missed rare opportunity for en-.
joyment. The night was stormy and the
building is not located conveniently for
the most of our population to be present
at entertainments held there, but still
there was fairly good audience as to
members and excellent as to quality,
and all were well repaid for their efforts
to attend.
The subject was "Down the st. Law
renee" and the lecture was illustrated
with stereopticon views of scenes along
that grand river of the north, beginning
with the Thousand Islands and closing
with the farewell to Quebec, the latter a
night scene taken from the departing
boat and showing the dark bluff and
frowning fortress, illuminated by the
lamps and shining windows Of the his
toric spot.
No portion OF America is more beauti-
full or SO interesting as that traversed by
the st. Lawrence. BY it the French
penetrated to the heart OF the continent,
while the English, the Dutch and the
Spaniards were planting settlements
more or less enduring along the costs OF
the Atlantic or the gulf. Up that river
Jacques Cartier sailed to the foot oi
the great bluff, which has been for cen.
turtles the key to the Great Lakes and
rivers Of the northwest, with all the vast
territory which they drain; end there
in 1885, he founded Stadacona, neal
where Quebec now stands. The broad
bosom of this river bore Count FrontenaC
and his gay courtiers 10 their semi-king
ly life at the provincial capital, and here
were held vice.regal courts, vieing with
those OF France in pomp and luxury, ant
up that river sailed many mailed war
riors, brought from their far-away home.
to fall in battle with the red men aloni
the water ways and in the forests
And over it in birch-bark canoe or alon,
its banks on snow shoes went LeBaeu
and Jogue and scores of other faithful
Jesuit priests on their errands OF low
and mercy to preach salvation to the Iro
quois, the Algonquin, the Huron, to al
the savage nations OF New France. The,
endured hardships and famine and coll
and fever, some of them died at thei
stake, and all this to save souls. Thei
lives have left halo of sanctity over tn
scenes OF their labors and rendered thei
names immortal.
And on through Ontario, Erie, Hurol
and Superior pushed Lasalle, Dhu.Lu
and others, eager for discovery, thinking
that they were following the northwes
passage to China, and finding the Mis-
sissippi River and its great valley, nov
teeming with its millions of busy Whit
men, and rich in countless cities, town
and villages.
Mr.. Green's manner is fascinating. III
is in love with his subject, having know
the st. Lawrence from birth, and, thougl
sincere and thorough citizen of tn
United States, is proud of his nativ
land, as he may well be. His lectur
was listened to with intense interest an,
his sallies of humor were to the poin
and we'll received. The views OF tn
Rapids and of noted spots along tn
route and OF buildings and streets il
Montreal and Quebec were excellent
and the entire entertainment was
pleasure to all.
After its close an informal reception
was held in the college parlors and mos
OF his hearers took the opportunity t
get shake at the lecturers hand.
Mr.. Green expects to go abroad thi
summer to secure illustrations and ms
terial for additional lectures, and shoul
he return to Hillsboro we bespeak 70
him cordial and profitable welcome.