And the River Richelieu. 79 



The road winds through a deep grove of maples, and the 

 ascent has been so far improved as to admit of ladies accom- 

 plishing it with ease. Soon the traveller reaches a lake of 

 singular formation, to which, though there is an outlet, 

 through which the water., is constantly flowing, so as to turn 

 several mills, there is no perceptible inlet. It is supposed 

 to be the crater of an extinct volcano. The lake abounds 

 with fish, of which perch of a goodly size are the most 

 numerous ; but fishing is difficult there on account of the 

 scarcity of boats. The best method is to construct a float 

 of branches and brushwood, from which to fish on the mar- 

 gin of the lake. At a short distance onwards commences 

 the ascent of the peak, which is studded at intervals by 

 fourteen wooden crosses, each of which bears an inscription 

 having reference to our Saviour's journey to the place jof his 

 crucifixion. Some years ago a dignitary of the Church of 

 Rome, the Bishop of Nancy, visited Canada, and caused a 

 small oratory to be erected on the very crest of the moun- 

 tain ; this was surmounted by a huge cross, covered with 

 bright tin and thus rendered visible from a great distance. 

 It was destroyed, however, a few years ago, but is again to 

 be erected. From the summit of the mountain, whose 

 height is from 1,100 to 1,400 feet above the river, when the 

 state of the atmosphere is favorable, the visitor can see about 

 sixty miles in each direction ; and the windings of the St. 

 Lawrence, the shining waters of the Richelieu and Lake 

 Champlain, and the distant range of the Green Mountains, 

 present a panorama that amply repays the beholder for all 

 the fatigue he has undergone. A large hotel, capable of 

 accommodating 200 guests, was built here by the enterprising 

 Seigneur, Major Campbell, but, unfortunately, was totally 

 destroyed by fire. 



Trains from Montreal stop at Belceil Station, several times 

 a day, so that there is no difficulty in returning to the city if 

 desirable, or of leaving for some other direction. 



