Quebec and its Environs. II 



" History is everywhere around, — she rises from the ramparts 

 replete with daring deeds, and from the plains equally cele- 

 brated for feats of arms, and she again exclaims 'here I am.'" 



Quebec is divided into the Upper and Lower Town, the 

 ascent from the latter being by a very steep and winding 

 street through Prescott Gate. The site of the Lower Town 

 may be regarded as almost entirely the creation of human 

 industry, having been gained by excavation from the base of 

 the impending precipice, or redeemed from the river by 

 building out into its waters. The wharves are, generally 

 speaking, carried out upwards of 200 yards into the river. 



Skirting the bank of the St. Charles, called by Jacques 

 Cartier Port Ste. Croix, a continuation of Lower Town is 

 called St. Rochs, from which, in a circuitous manner, the 

 city ascends to the very border of the Citadel and the 

 Ramparts, the principal access being through Palace Gate. 

 The city is remarkably irregular, and the streets extremely 

 narrow, following the example of all the old French towns ; 

 but, from the massive wails and antiquated appearance of 

 many of its buildings, its appearance is picturesque and 

 romantic. Here and there flights of steps lead the passenger 

 from one street to another, reminding the tourist forcibly of 

 the streets in the islands of Guernsey or of Malta. The 

 fortifications cover an area of forty acres, and beneath them 

 are many spacious and gloomy vaults for the reception of 

 ammunition and stores during a time of war. The tourist, 

 with proper introductions, or if a foreigner, with a note 

 from his Consul, will find no difficulty in obtaining a 

 pass from the military authorities to view them, and will 

 be well rewarded with the sight. The finest prospect that 

 can be enjoyed in the city is obtainable on the ramparts, and 

 though at the signal house a higher altitude can be obtained, 

 yet to lean upon the balustrade of "the platform" in the 

 promenade, just below the Citadel, and gaze over the 

 Lower Town, where the hurry of business is ^ofog on, and 



