NO EMIGRATION. 1*2 1 



Quebec is situated on a point of land (Cape Diamond), on 

 the north-west side of the river, and opposite to Point Lewis, 

 nine miles above the falls of Montmorency, and five or six 

 above the island of Orleans. The old town is a narrow, in 

 convenient, and dirty place : it is situated under the im 

 mense rocks of hard black stone, which rise almost perpen 

 dicularly in some places, several hundred feet, nearly all 

 round the Cape ; its length is, extending upwards to Wolfe s 

 Cove (the place where General Wolfe landed on taking 

 Quebec) two miles, and downward to St. Roche, at the 

 mouth of the St. Charles s River, two miles. Near the 

 latter there are many new wharfs built, some ship-yards, 

 steam, and saw mills, &c. The river St. Charles is 

 a fine stream, running through an extensive vale of good 

 land, open, cleared, and pretty well cultivated, partly by 

 Scotch and Irish. Viewing this vale from the heights of 

 Abraham, in fine weather, awakens recollections of a former 

 view of one of the beautiful champaign vales of England. 

 The Upper Town is much better built, having wider streets, 

 and is altogether more handsome : it is founded upon the 

 above-mentioned rock, overlooking the Lower Town, the 

 shipping, the country north of the Isle of Orleans, and 

 Point Levi, across the river. The Upper Town is walled in, 

 and is amazingly strong both by nature and art, particularly 

 the citadel, on the highest and outermost point of Cape 

 Diamond, and is still improving. Strangers are not allowed 

 ingress to it, without a ticket. It is a second Gibraltar, and 

 the key of the Canadas. There is a good garrison stationed 

 here, who enliven the place daily with two or three bands of 

 music. 



There is a small race-ground on the plains. Land in the 

 neighbourhood appears very good, and cultivated chiefly by 

 Scotch, I believe. The grass fields are more luxuriant than 

 I expected, having that deep verdure so natural to England. 

 I have noticed that the pasture land had a fresher appear 

 ance the lower I came down the province, attributable, per 

 haps, to the greater dampness of climate ; the approxima 

 tion to the sea has some effect, for there have been far more 

 misty, foggy days together since I have been in Quebec, 

 than I have ever seen in the Upper Provinces. The hedges 

 about Quebec are of the native thorn, and grow well ; but 

 they are badly managed, not having ditches to protect them; 

 and it is evident the people know nothing of improving by 



