The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-12-01
Some Facts Abodt
Ancient Quebec
Dufferin Terrace Is the Longest
Promenade in the World.
THE VISIONS MAJESTIC SWEEP
From This Notable Elevation One Is En-
abled to Comprehend the Whole City,
Including the Place Where Brave
Montgomery Fell.

is unsurpassed LOT beauty anu grandeur,
1t is situated about half way up the
slope of this historic rock, say 200 feet
from the river, perpendicular, right un
der the frowning walls of the Citadel. |
1t Is fully quarter of mile long and |
from 400 to 500 feet wide, extending to |
the base of the Citadel, and said to be |
the longest promenade Of that sort in
the world.
Erected on each corner and front, are
five handsome kiosks (observatories), |
extending out beyond the esplanade, to
which the names of Plessis, Frontenac,
Lorne and Louise, Dufferin Victoria
distinguished French and English
patrons-have been given, besides an
other stand for the use of bands of
music, which at times are those belong
ing to the British and French men-of-
war visiting Quebec. Underneath the
esplanade are some of the old smooth
bore cannon resting upon their plat
forms or caissons but in their present
condition unavailable and of no practi-
cal value or use, until rifled. From the
terrace front facing the river are thirty
seven port holes, designed for both nine
and thirty-two FOUNDER guns and rem
devious for sharpshooters. The terrace
presents formidable appearance from
any point of view, formed from the
solid walls of Gods masonry" One
writer says: "The Notifications are
omnipresent; no matter from what
point you look toward this rock, for
eight or ten miles away, they are still
with their geometry against the sky,
Nor does a nearer view disenchant you"
A ten minutes climb, and $50 feet above
stands the frowning Citadel, whose
hoary walls have protected Quebec
against every foe and is the pride Of
every Quebecer.
Magnificent Terrace View.
What do we see? Standing upon this
gigantic rock, overhanging city and
river, we look down upon the bustling
Lower Town and the guardships masts
of the mighty Cruiser Blake" and
man-of-war Tourmaline, belonging to
Her Majesty's navy, and the French
war vessels Naiade, Neuilly and Rigault
de Genouilly, now visiting Quebec, be-
side the small craft of the harbor and
the merchant vessels of foreign nations
loading the timber from the floating
docks" of the French Canadians, which
are coming down the river from above
the city. Acres and acres of these are
often seen loaded with lumber ready
for shipment to foreign ports. Directly
under the terrace front, the quaint, mar
row street bearing the name of the
founder of Quebec (Champlain) is seen,
and we follow it to the foot of the Cita-
del Cliff.
Here is the narrow pass where the
heroic American, General Montgomery,
fell mortally wounded while galient!y
leading his Ten in Il rash and daring
attack on the Citadel during the Rev
lutionary wa. An inscription painted
hugh upon the solid rock bears this tcs-
timony: Here Montgomery fell, DC
g.. 17;5.''
An Historic Reminder.
This $ the crly mark left oe tie
American attack upon Queb ~ except
4 sign we see in the wall of house On
ST. Louis street Upper Town, to the
effect that 1t has been built upon tha
site of the small dwelling into which
the body Of the American general was
carried after his fall" The discom-
fitted, invading Americans, after their
inglorious defeat We're driven from
Canada the following spring for lack
Of support.
An elevator built upon the outside of
the terrace front, extending to Lower
Town, having the appearance of COW
cred rope walk, or snow shed, will
greatly shorten the descent there, land
ing you in Little Champlain street
This street is a narrow, planked alley
with high, peaked rooted houses on
either side, and not over ten feet wide
Still more quaint is "Sous-le-Cap,"
which is reached by taking the turn in
to Sault-au- Matelot or Sailor street
This old street creeps along under the
city wall and the overhanging rock
which Is thickly bearded with weeds
and grass and trickles with moisture;
though cool in summer it must be an
ice-pit in winter. There are the same
high French roofs, with peaked win
dows in them, and here and there a
prop reaching across the wayne i'm
aglne frail enough supports, If the
sturdy cliff which protrudes itself at
intervals, should attempt to advance
further. You can drive through this
street, provided there Is a guarantee
that you meet no other vehicle.
Site of Fatal Landslide.
Near here, in Champlain street, we
notice considerable rise in the ground,
which was made by the fatal landslide
of 1889, and looking up can see where
the great slice was taken off the cliff at
that time. Equally as good a view of
this slide and ruins We have looking
down from the Kings Bastions of the
Citadel. This huge mass of rock and
earth fell some 200 feet without a mo-
ment's warning, killing forty-three
"habitants" and causing much suffer
ing and loss of property.
Looking from juttlng rock near
Hope Gate, behind which the defeated
Americans took refuge from the fire of
their enemies, the view Is extremely
unique. One is reminde of throng of
gypsies, for there abound gossiping,
!
poultry, cats, dogs and vagrant looking
children. Here are the sag-roofed barns
and stables, weak-backed and dilapi-
dated work shops of every sort, in a
tumble-down posture, leaning up
against the cliff for support. Here are
covered ways extending over the alley
to the second stories of the houses, and
from these galleries and dormer win
dows are numberless clothes-lines, upon
which flutter variety of bright colored
garments of all ages, sexes and condi-
tons. Almost directly upder the north
ern end of the Terrace, where the cliff
stands back further from the river, the
streets and buildings huddle closer to-
gether; the tin-roofed houses seemed
: packed tightly upon the steep slope as
. If for mutual support.
Just below, to the north, not stones S
throw, stands the historical church of
Notre Dame des Victorie, erected in
1890 A little to the south is Champlain