The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-05

library.
There are in Quebec two Presby- |
terrain, one Baptist and one Methodist
church-also st. Patrick's cathedral,
with an English speaking preacher.
The church ofScotland and the principal
denominations of dissenters are also
represented in this city. St. Andrews
church with its school, is maintained by
Scottish Presbyterians, and Chalmers
church is a Presbyterian place of wor-
Ship of some note. The Episcopal
churches are the most Imposing and in
teresting. The English cathedral was
erected in 1904, and is situated on a
stately square near the terrace, sur
rounded by beautiful linden trees. 1t
Is 1876 feet long, with a spire 1855 feet
high, built by the British government,
in Roman style Of architecture. Among
them are General Monckton and the
Duke Of Richmond, former governor
of Canada, who died in 1919, of hydro
phobia, and whose remains lie near the
pulpit. In the chancel are the memori-
ais ito the early bishops of Quebec. 1t
contains two tattered flags of the Sixty
ninth regiment of the British army,
which create aromantic interest as they
adorn the high pulpit. There is
chime of eight bells in its tower. Its
windows are Of rich stained glass. Its
superb communion service, altar cloths
and books were presented by King
George III.
Opposite the cathedral is the resi-
dence of Dean Norman, whose stately
form we often seen on the streets i'm his
ecclesiastical dress. st. NJ thew's Epis-
coyali OF Anglican churcl out on st.
Joints street. is an old land mark. 1t
Is surrounded en- three sides by an in
tereslng old burying ground, dating
| back to 1853, in which are tombs erect
ed to noted personages among them,
| one to the brother of Sir Walter Scott;
while near, Is st. Jean Baptiste-a
French Catholic-and in the suburbs
| are st. Sauveur and st. Roch's Roman
Catholic churches, all stately edifices.
The Ilabitants.
The quaint and picturesque figures of
the so-called "habitant," forms am in
teree'ting feature to the visitor and
we'll worthy of description. These am
cient and peculiar people still preserve
the traditions and maintain much of
the civil and religious character of that
early thine. The visitor should take
time to mingle and converse with the
"habltant." The primitive manners and
| joyous customs of the old French Ca
madam has been described, but one
must go among them and witness their
daily life to form correct idea of their
simplicity and happiness. Nothing cam
'surpass the gentle suavity or cordial
welcome with which the visitor is re-
ceived by old and young.
The ''habitant" never hurries, never
worries, but goes through life in hap
py-go4lucky content, always ready ITO
leave his work for days fishing or a
fete," and he dances as merrily as IL
no cold winter or trouble could over
take him. Be they ever so poor, they
find time to fish, hunt, dance and go to
church, the latter example many Amer
leans. even protesting Christians, may
well emulate. In our walks and drives
We never passed church without en-
terdng 1T and We never found one empty.
Every hour of the day some devout
worshipper Is found kneeling before the
shrine of some patron saint in the act
of devotion. The "habitants" love their
religion as they love every inheritance
from their fathers. Even when their
houses are poor white washed cottages,
their stone church is we'll built and or
namented wsthin and gilded without
The emblem of his faith Is ever before
Him, and in our walks and drives through
the environs Of the city, we always
met with the imposing parish church
and the wayside cross. Cast your eye
I'm whatever direction you may, you
can see
Churches here, crosses there,
Churches, crosses,
Spires and churches.
Everywhere.
In the. interior precincts, where they
have no churches. the missionary prizes,
brings them to the altar.
For food they use but little meat, but
milk and eggs, potatoe pie and bacor
fried in maple syrup, are favorite
dishes. Their language is Canadian
French, and among them are those
who speak English intelligibly, with 8
decidedly French accent. They are 8
law-abiding people and content with
their lot, satisfied to eat, drink, dane,
and be merry. The poorest home ha.
its flower bed and windows of green
cry and some of the little balconies
where the family gather on Sunday
blossom all over. The habitant is clos,
fisted, according to American stand
ards, but he has little and lives on q
primitive basis, and 1t Is part of his re
. liglon to save what he inherits. He |.
a good laborer, slow, but willing ant
his light heartedness overcomes al
difficulties.
: A Prolific Race.
! They are prolific people, having
large families, many brought up In ig
norance, unable to read and write. IL
the country parishes, often families ar,
found containing twenty to twenty-fivl
children, 1t was only five years ag,
that the province of Quebec passed
law providing that 100 acres of publi
lands should be given to every fauhe
, Of family who had twelve children
, living, issue Of lawful marriage, ant
, since then no less than 1,742 fathers o
twelve or more children have compile,
. with the conditions of the act and re
ceived the state bounty of 100 acres
One tourist, who has studied thes
people in. their homes in the city an,
= country around, has declared his con
, vlction that, there Is more happines
| to the square inch In this country
/. among this people, than anywhere els
/, on the round globe" With all thel
t ignorance, evidence of high moralit
/, lies In the fact that every habitant |
), self-supporting. and crime among then
5 is almost unknown.
e In the country precincts especiall
i we are reliably told that the French Ca
madam scorns modern agricultural i'm
plements and carries on his farm as hi
j: great, great grandfathers did centurie
ago. Loyalty to the past Is one of hi
: strong characteristics and many a hab
liant still wears tall caps modelled afte
the style of the Village folk on tn