MONTREAL 21 



a vexed one. The British North American Act of 

 1867 guaranteed that whilst education was delegated 

 to the provinces, the Dominion or Federal Govern- 

 ment reserved to itself the power to enact a system 

 of tolerance for the dissentient schools of the minority. 

 In 1889 the question of denominational schools 

 assumed an acute form, and conflict arose between 

 the French Canadians and those of the province of 

 Ontario. 



Consummate tact was required to establish and 

 maintain peaceable conditions, but confederation has 

 overcome the chief difficulties. 



Montreal can be reached from Quebec by steamer 

 or train. The river trip is slower, but more interesting, 

 as the St. Lawrence higher up breaks into swift 

 rapids, and the silent water becomes articulate as it 

 dashes over huge rocks, and laps the exquisite leafy 

 islands. Montreal, the Hochelaga of Cartier, is 

 situated on its banks. Its beautiful wooded heights 

 slope down to the river, and from the foot of Mount 

 Royal a tableland extends until it is lost in the blue 

 of far-off mountains. The summit of the mount 

 affords a bird's-eye view of the city, and brings into 

 sight many of the fine ecclesiastical and commercial 

 buildings for which Montreal is celebrated. Seen 

 through the eyes of Cartier in the i6th century, it was 

 nothing more than a couple of score of huts roughly 

 palisaded against the incursions of savage tribes. To- 

 day the traveller who follows the circuitous path to 



