WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA 269 



going the same route, politely invited me to join 

 their party. Nothing could be more fortunate. 

 They were highly accomplished. The young ladies 

 sang delightfully; and all contributed their por- 

 tion, to render the tour pleasant and amusing. 



Travellers had already filled the world with 

 descriptions of the bold and sublime scenery from 

 Lake Erie to Quebec : — 



"The fountain's fall, the river's flow. 

 The woody valleys, warm and low; 

 The windy summit, wild and high, 

 Eoughly rushing to the sky." 



And there is scarce one of them who has not de- 

 scribed the achievements of former and latter 

 times, on the different battle-grounds. Here, 

 great Wolfe expired. Brave Montcalm was car- 

 ried, mortally wounded, through yonder gate. 

 Here fell the gallant Brock; and there General 

 Sheaffee captured all the invaders. And in yon- 

 der harbour may be seen the mouldering remnants 

 of British vessels. Their hour of misfortune has 

 long passed away. The victors have now no use 

 for them in an inland lake. Some have already 

 sunk, while others, dismantled and half-dismasted, 

 are just above the water, waiting, in shattered 

 state, that destiny which must sooner or later 

 destroy the fairest works of man. 



The excellence and despatch of the steam-boats, 

 together with the company which the traveller is 

 sure to meet with at this time of the year, render 

 the trip down to Montreal and Quebec very 

 agreeable. 



The Canadians are a quiet, and apparently 



