. — 254 — 



until the Keverend Fathers called on them, as well as 

 that accomplished, charitable and elegant French widow, 

 Madame de la Peltrie, the founder of the Ursuline Con- 

 vent, in 1639. 



To a Silleryonian, it is pleasant to notice also a 

 remembrance in store for that good Father Masse, who, 

 for more than two and a half centuries, enjoys the long 

 rest under the nave of his little church, at the spot 

 marked by his monument, at Sillery Cove. No other 

 New Year's day, however, will dawn for the devoted 

 missionary ; six months more only of sublunary exis- 

 tence are vouchsafed him in his Sillery mission, where 

 he expired among his tawny neophytes on the 12th 

 May, 1646. 



Among the hallowed, primitive New Year's Day 

 customs, perpetuated in some corners of French Canada, 

 is that known as La Benediction Paternelle — the 

 Father's blessing on his children ; it was generally deli- 

 vered in the morning after Mass. 



Not always after High Mass. In some families, the 

 touching observance took place much sooner. The his- 

 torian of Montcalm and Levis, abbe Casgrain, has related 

 how the New Year was ushered in for the young hope- 

 fuls, in the family circle of his late father, the Honble 

 Chs. Eugene Casgrain, at Eiviere-Ouelle, P. Q. " At 

 early morn', says he, our mother woke us up, attired us 

 in our Sundays best suit, and gathered us all together, 

 with the house servants following, in the parlor: she 

 then thrust open the bed room door of our father, who 

 from his couch, invoked a blessing on all of us ranged 

 kneeling round him, whilst emotion used to bring tears 

 to the eyes of our dear mother. Our father in an impres- 

 sive manner accompanied his blessing with a few words 

 to us, raising his hands heavenwards. Of course the 

 crowning part of the ceremony, was the distribution of 

 the New Year's gifts which he kept concealed behind 

 him ". — (Mdmoive de Famille, p. 206.) 



