The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-08

wide, while the average width from
Lake Ontario to Quebec is over two
miles, and from Quebec to the ocean,
some 450 miles, it expands from one
mile to 100 miles in width. Pilots say
there are no soundings till $50 miles
up the river from its mouth is reached
Looking northward the eye is fascin-
ated by the commodious "silver basin"
formed by this noble river meeting the
descending waters of the st. Charles,
which here mingle, and with the ample
tide of fourteen feet furnishes for Que
bee a harbor on whose bosom float
craft of every description, from the
huge ocean greyhound to the primitive
canoe of the Indian. On the north and
westward the eye follows across the
st. Charles valley to the high, rounded
summit of the far off Laurentides, the
oldest range of mountains on this con-
tinent. Athlete the southwark the land
rises slope after slope. until the purple
mountains close in the view, while
these slopes are studded with villages,
crowned with bristling steeples, look
ing down upon the river basin and
shipping; and in the valley below are
a line of long drawn out white cottages,
extending eight miles, through the
French town of BEAUFORT to the Falls
of Montmorenci, a cataract fifty feet
wide and 275 feet high-100 feet higher
than our Niagara-and at the base dts
waters unite with those of the noble
st. Lawrence; and more distant still
Is the frowning Cape Tourmente, rising
1000 feet abruptly above the st. Law
renee river.
The Isle of Orleans.
While abreast in mid stream on thls
mighty river, three and one-half miles
below the city, reached by a steam
ferry, is the rich and verdant Island OF
Orleans, twenty miles long, six miles
wide, and containing nearly seventy
square miles. 1t is richly wooded from
shore to center with pine and oak, and
laid out in cultivated farms, whose
titles are vested in ancient French fam
lilies of Quebec This island is favor
ite resort for tourists and has many
fine summer residences, being located
at the head of salt water. 1t is noted
place for archery and rendezvous fol-
smugglerS.
Tothe west and southwest stretch out
the historic Plains of Abraham-the
| battlefield where Wolfe fell and Mont
calm fought his last battle. This plain
is the table land on the crest of the
heights on the north bank of the St
Lawrence river. A short distance tc
| l,1 I, ,,,1 aft
hanging the river, is the path by which
the British troops scaled the cliffs
| (Which were thought to be too precip
itous for an enemy to climb, on the
night before the battle which decided
the fate of Canada.
The Wolfe Monument.
In the foreground stands a monument
| (enclosed by an iron fence, erected by
the British army, to mark the spo
where Wolfe fell, which bears the in
scription Here died Wolfe, victorious
Sept. 10, 1859" To the left of the Wolfe
monument is the new jail, massive
stone building, with walls pierced foi
musketry. This hostelry Quebec ha'
but little use for, as its citizens-be i
said to their credit-are law abiding
people, and acts of violence and crim'
are the exception.
A mile beyond, across the historic
plains, is Spencer Wood, the most beau
tiful domain of Canada, with a park o
eighty acres, formerly the home of tn
early governors of the province, bu
now the residence of the lieutenant
governor, which is maintained by tn
Province at an expense of $4,000 an
nually. His grounds comprise eigh
acres, situate on the banks overlooking
the st. Lawrence, near the ravine III
which Wolfe brought his men to tax
the city on the eventful midnight o
Sept. 49, 1779. At its base is Wolfe
Cove, and on the crest of its bank
stands an imposing French church. o.
the Plains of Abraham is located tn
Dominion Trotting park-the only one
mile track in the Province. 1t is under
the distinguished patronage of the gov
ernor-general, whose private apartmen
at the Grand Stand is designated b.
being painted in black and white
The -Four Martello Towers.
On the plains are the Martello Tow
ers, four in number, erected outside tn
wards in order to protect them, and t
occupy the line of heights. They wer
built at great expense, in 1907 to 1S1.
and are arranged for the reception o
seven guns each. They are circular i
form and have walls thirteen feet thic
on the inland side, while facing tn
river, they are only seven feet thick, S
constructed that in case of capture b