208 VILLEMARIE DE MONTREAL. [1642. 



by sails, and two row-boats ^ — approached Mont- 

 real ; and all on board raised in unison a hymn of 

 praise. Montmagny was with them, to deliver the 

 island, in behalf of the Company, of the Hundred As- 

 sociates, to Maisonneuve, representative of the As- 

 sociates of Montreal.^ And here, too, was Father 

 Vimont, Superior of the missions ; for the Jesuits 

 had been prudently invited to accept the spiritual 

 charge of the young colony. On the following day, 

 they glided along the green and solitary shores now 

 thronged with the life of a busy city, and landed on 

 the spot which Champlain, thirty-one years before, 

 had chosen as the fit site of a settlement.^ It was 

 a tongue or triangle of land, formed by the junc- 

 tion of a rivulet with the St. Lawrence, and known 

 afterwards as Point Calliere. The rivulet was 

 bordered by a meadow, and beyond rose the forest 

 with its vanguard of scattered trees. Early spring 

 flowers were blooming in the young grass, and 

 birds of varied plumage flitted among- the boughs.^ 

 Maisonneuve sprang ashore, and fell on his 

 knees. His followers imitated his example ; and 

 all joined their voices in enthusiastic songs of 

 thanksgiving. Tents, baggage, arms, and stores 

 were landed. An altar was raised on a pleasant 

 spot near at hand ; and Mademoiselle Mance, with 

 Madame de la Peltrie, aided by her servant, Char- 

 lotte Barre, decorated it with a taste which was the 



1 Dollier de Casson, A.D. 1641-42, MS. 



2 Le Clerc, II. 50, 51. 



3 " Pioneers of France," 333. It was the Place Royale of Champlain. 



4 Dollier de Casson, A.D. 1641-42, MS. 



