LA CHINE. 
23 
Chipe, which stands on the island of Mont¬ 
real, about nine miles higher up. The goods 
are sent, from Montreal, thither in carts. 
La Chine is built on a fine gravelly beach, 
at the head of a little bay at the lower end of 
Lake St. Louis, which is a broad part of the 
river St. Lawrence. A small current sets 
down the lake, and owing to it there is ge¬ 
nerally a considerable curl on the surface of 
the water, even close to the shore, which, with 
the appearance of the boats and canoes upon 
it in motion, gives the place a very lively air. 
The situation of the village is indeed ex¬ 
tremely agreeable, and from some of the store¬ 
houses there are most charming views of the 
lake, and of the country at the opposite side 
of it. There are very extensive store-houses 
belonging to the king, and also to the mer¬ 
chants of Montreal. In the former the pre¬ 
sents for the Indians are deposited as soon as 
they arrive from England; and prior to their 
being sent up the country, they are inspected 
by the commanding officer of the garrison of 
Montreal and a committee of merchants, who 
are bound to make a faithful report'to govern¬ 
ment, whether the presents are agreeable to 
the contract, and as good as could be ob¬ 
tained for the price that is paid for them. 
In sight of La Chine, on the opposite side 
pf the St. Lawrence, stands the village of (he 
