Montreal. 65 



which is the Cathedral of Notre Dame. This is said to be 

 the largest building in the New World, being 255 feet long 

 and 135 broad ; its two towers are each 220 feet high ; and 

 its great bell weighs 29,400 pounds. In the north-east tower 

 are a chime of bells, while the north-west one contains the 

 monster bell, which is named "Gros Bourdon," from its deep 

 bass tone. This tower is always open to the public, on pay- 

 ment of a small fee, and from the summit a most magnificent 

 prospect is obtained. In the far distance the blue hills ot 

 Vermont tower up; a magnificent plain, stretching miles 

 and miles 1 either hand, studded with cultivated farms ; 

 the splendid River St. Lawrence, two miles wide, interven- 

 ing, crossed by the tubular bridge, and stretching away like 

 a silver thread in the far off distance. The cost of the 

 edifice, was ;£ 100,000. The ground floor is covered with 

 pews capable of seating 8000 persons, and the galleries will 

 hold about 2000 more. To see this church crowded, as is 

 the case at the Fete Dieu or Corpus Christi, or on any par- 

 ticular holiday, is a most imposing sight, and one that will 

 never be forgotten by the spectator. 



The Bonsecour Market is the next most imposing building, 

 being erected at a cost of £y^,QOO. It has a front of three 

 stories, the upper part being occupied by the various offices 

 of the city. The market is remarkably spacious and con- 

 venient in its arrangements, eclipsing anything of the kind 

 on the continent. 



The Hotel Dieic, in the northern outskirts of the city, 

 near the village of Mile-end, is well worth, seeing ; the Con- 

 vents of Notre Dame, and the Grey Sisters, with St. Anne's 

 Church, St. Mary's College, and the new Church of the 

 Jesuits on Bleury Street, the English Cathedral, the new 

 Trinity Church on St. Denis Street, McGill College, the 

 Court House, Molson's Bank, and Bonsecour Church (the 

 oldest in the city) are all worthy of a visit. The Museum 

 of the Natural History Society, near the Crystal Palace, 



