20 Quebec and its Eiivirons. 



into a grotto and alcoves, wljich, 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 difiiculty 

 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 Abb6 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 



