89 
lumn. On one side of the pedestal is an inscription; two others 
contain representations of naval engagements; and the fourth, a 
representation of the capitulation of Copenhagen, 
The next day, Lieutenant-colonel Mac Gregor conducted me 
to the parade, where a part of his regiment was assembled. They 
formed a battalion of six divisions. The battalion exercises were 
not performed, but the manoeuvres, which were very compli¬ 
cated, and only adapted to the place, were executed with much 
precision and admirable celerity. I learned a new mode of mak¬ 
ing ready. At the command u ready,” the soldiers levelled their 
muskets, cocked them in this position; at the command u fire,” 
they brought them slowly to their cheeks. The infantry were 
divided into two bodies, but in making a flank march, they formed 
into three, by passing through the files. The platoons were di¬ 
vided into sections, containing from four to six files, in conse¬ 
quence of which the oblique march was easily executed. 
After this manoeuvre was completed, we took a boat, in com¬ 
pany with the officers, for the island of St. Helen, oppositely to 
Montreal, in the middle of the St. Lawrence. This island con¬ 
tains a large artillery depot, under the direction of Major Wal¬ 
lace. Upon landing we were saluted with a discharge of twenty- 
one guns from the battery on the neck of the island. This battery 
is of a crescent shape, and serves as a training-place for the com¬ 
pany of artillery stationed here. The gunners were just practis¬ 
ing with one nine, and one six pounder, and a seven-inch howit¬ 
zer, each of which was charged with grenades. The mark stood 
in the river, and their dexterity was such that the grenade never 
exploded before reaching it. The skill consists chiefly in the 
proper calculation of the fuse, so that the powder of the grenade 
may explode the moment it is over the mark. 
St. Helen was the only point that the French retained after 
all Canada had submitted to the British power. It is about two 
miles in circumference, and is covered with fine elms and differ¬ 
ent kinds of nut trees, particularly the hickory. The soldiers 
have made excellent paths through and around the island. A bo¬ 
tanic garden was established here a few years ago by the govern¬ 
ment, in which all the North American plants are collected, for 
the purpose of furnishing gardens in England. On the north 
side of the island you have some beautiful views of the shores 
of the river, and Montreal, with her numerous churches, and 
situation at the foot of the green mountain, presents a very im¬ 
posing appearance. Here are also the arsenal and barracks, new 
massy buildings, which are protected against a coup de main 
by a breast-work, as well as by embrasures in the walls. The 
interior of the island is hilly, and in a really romantic valley 
is a powder-magazine, containing four thousand barrels of pow~ 
Vol. I 12 
