Year: 1860

FROM DluchWOous mhBhLipe'J


We had hardly crossed the Atlantic,
and were beginning to look eagerly for
our first sight of the New World, when q
sudden change occurred in the tempera.
.ure, and the balmy days of April sere
followed by May cold and cutting al
most as sharp as winter. At length we
entered the estuary of the st. Lawrence,
and then the mystery was solved, for its
entire surface was checkered with masses
of ice; evidently the brokeu-up winter
covering of the river above being swept by
the current out to sea. Nothing could
exceed the beauty Of the ice fields as they
flashed and sparkled like gigantic gems
in their setting ofazure sea. Many we're
of great size also, like floating Islands,
and tho ha"roA ~ h'ects "rnn, their sur
face cleaned from distance like cit IS
of dazzling crystal.


The wind was in our favor, and our
good ship sped up the gulf, threading her
way through the channels of the floating
ice fields, while hour after hour, her pas
sengers stood watching with unwearied
eyes the splendid scene around them
Even when night came, there
was the same eager throng Of gazers, for
those large frozen plains glittered in the
moon light with strange spectral beauty


which none of us had ever seen before.


After a time, mass Of ice huger than
common, appeared floating down the
stream. Subsequently, we learned that
it was part of the cone the spray forms
every winter before the falls OF Mont
morency. Un il came, cleaning palely
against the deep blue sky like castle Of
spotcss marble, rising in tower and tur-
ret, and massive buttress, and enriched
by the most delicate tracery. Every eye
was fixed upon it in breathless admira-
ton, as it swept nsjestically by, until, as
ii passed between us and the wind, by its
loftiness it momentarily lecalmed us
Suddenly the stationary ship received o
severe blow, which vibrated not only
through all her ;imbers but through every
one Of the hundred and forty human be-
ings who formed her living freight. New
er shall forget the shrieks of terror that
followed, rs women well-nigh frantic with
fear, clasped their children to their bos-
oris, believing that the ship had struck
upon rock, and that their last moment
had come. A c-y from the bow, that it
was but blow from the ice, somewhat
relieved their fears, and they stood quiet
ly by, while the helm was put down, and
the sails drawn round, in the effort TO free
us from the huge mass Of ice which still
lay across the vessels bows pressing and
grating audibly against her tim bers. a
minute more, and above the din of blocks
and cordsge, and the stamping of mems
feet. there arose a wild cry that echoed
far and wide over the surrounding ice
fields, and through every Granny of the
neighboring e.castle-"The ship is sinks
ingp


1t was an appalling announcement and
unfortunately it was true one. The ice
had struck us heavier than we thought,
and its hard, sharp edge, keen and re-
sistess as that OF a knife, pressing against
the bow of our rvessel--undeierde as she
was by the double timbers needed for ice.
encounters had cut them completely
through, SO that the water rushed in with
the force and rapidity of a cascade.


What fearful scene Of terror and confu-
sion ensued the shrieks and lamentation
OF women. the cries of children, and the
silent anguish of men, as they beheld the
fears and danger of those dearest to them.
On none did the blow fall heavier than
on me for had delicate wife on board,
and ofmy two little ones, the youngest
was an invalid. Meanwhile, no time was
lost. There was no space to lower the
boats, and the pale, terrified passengers
were hurriedly passed down, by the bow>
sprit, upon the ice. IL was touching to
see some snatch cloak or wrapper as
they passed, the sole relic of all their
worldly possessions, while others, in their
terror, departed without even that. A
few provisions were next sent down,
quickly followed by the crew; and then
we stood a wretched, covering group
upon the ice-feld that had wrought us
so much evil, watching for the last mos