QUEBEC AND ITS ENVIRONS. 



The City of Quebec, excelling in its fortifications any other 

 city on this continent, has justly been styled the Gibraltar 

 of America. From the natural advantages of its position, 

 surmounting the summit of a promontory 350 feet in height, 

 whose ridge extends from Cap Rouge, the western ex- 

 tremity, to Cape Diamond the eastern end, scarcely any 

 more suitable locality could have been found for a fortress. 

 It is washed on the one side by the waters of the St. Law- 

 rence, whose bosom is here freighted with the ships of all 

 nations, and on the other by the placid waters of the St. 

 Charles. Its innumerable and valuable timber coves or 

 berths, extending some miles in length, are crammed with 

 elm, oak, spruce, pine, tamarack, &c., furnishing an export 

 trade of ^5,000,000 per annum, and we can ^t once com- 

 prehend why in 1608 Champlain should have selected it as 

 his capital. From the circumstance of quartz crystals, 

 sparkling like diamonds, being found in the dark-coloured 

 slate of which the Cape is composed, it has acquired the 

 name of Diamond. Quebecers ought to be proud of their 

 scenery, and of the " historical ivy " which clings to the 

 old walls of Stadacona, its original Indian name. In 1629 

 it was taken by Sir David Kirke, but restored in 1632. In 

 1690 it was unsuccessfully besieged by Sir Wm. Phipps. It 

 was finally captured by Wolfe in 1759, after a heroic defence 

 by Montcalm. The Americans attacked it in 1775, but they 

 were repulsed, and their General, Montgomery, was slain. 

 Neighbouring cities may grow vast with brick and mortar ; 

 their commerce may advance with the stride of a young 

 giant ; their citizens may " sit in the high places among the 



