20 Quebec and its Environs. 



into a grotto and alcoves, which, when illuminated at night, 



presented a most beautiful sight, conveying an idea of the 



winter palace of St. Petersburg on the Neva.— -To those 



who have not resided in Quebec during the winter, it is 



hardly possible to convey an idea of the interest which is felt 



in the formation of an "ice-bridge." When the ice does not 



take between the two shores, there is often much difficulty 



in crossing the river. The stream is then full of masses of 



floating ice, varying in size from a few feet square to many 



hundred feet, through and over which the traveller is taken 



in a canoe. Should the boatmen be fortunate enough to 



strike a good crossing, and get clear water, the journey is 



quickly made, and is not unpleasant. This, however, is not 



always the case, and sometimes the victim of circumstances 



is carried about for hours on the ice, and landed at last 



some miles from the place he set out for. Despite the 



apparent danger of the traverse, we very rarely hear of a 



canoe being lost, and we have never heard of any fatality 



resulting from an accident The "ice-bridge" generally 



holds till the latter end of April, and breaks up all at once. 



As pleasant a drive as the stranger can have in the 

 environs of Quebec is, taking the Cap Rouge Road, out by 

 St. Lewis Gate, and returning by the Ste. Foy Road, nine 

 miles or more. This- drive takes us through Sillery, a 

 place of great historical interest. Here De Maisonneuve 

 passed his first winter with the colonists intended to found 

 Montreal. A chapel, missionary residence, hospital, fort, 

 and houses, were all substantially built in this spot, and 

 twenty years ago Abbe Ferland saw a portion of the church 

 walls standing. At the centre of Sillery Cove is a cape, not 

 very high, but with its sides perpendicular. This was' the 

 fort; on the left is the missionary's house, now converted 

 into a residence for the clerks of H. LeMesurier, Esq. The 

 building has been kept in repair, and is still in a good state 

 of preservation. In a line with it, can be discovered the 



