they are nine miles distant from each other-has | of Pavia, in 1525, put a temporary stop to further naturally caused discussions as to the boundaries between Upper and Lower Canada.

exploration of the coast of Canada. When the Government, however, ceased to follow up the result of The territory of Lower Canada, or seaward portion, Verrazani's formal acquisition of Canada, the Frenchis comprised within the 45th and 52nd of N. latitude, men of St. Maloes commenced a successful fishery at and the parallels of 57.50. to 80.6. of W. longitude, Newfoundland, which, so early as 1517, had had 50 embracing, so far as its boundaries will admit an ships belonging to the English, Spanish, French and estimation, an area of 205,863 square statute miles, Portuguese engaged in the cod fishery on its banks. including a superficies of 3,200 miles covered by the Jacques Cartier, a native of St. Maloes, engaged in numerous lakes and rivers of the province, and ex- Newfoundland fishery, took the lead in exploring, at cluding the surface of the St. Lawrence river and part his own risk, the N. coasts of the new hemisphere. of the gulf, which occupy 52,000 square miles; the This bold and experienced navigator at last received entire province, water and land, being a quarter of a a commission from his sovereign, Francis I., and left million of square miles, or one hundred and sixty mil- St. Maloes on the 20th April, 1534, with two vessels, lion of acres. The boundaries of Lower Canada are neither of which were more than 20 tons burthen! the territories of the Hudson Bay Company, or East He coasted part of the gulf which he named St. LawMaine, on the N.; on the E. the Gulf of St. Lawrence; sailed 300 leagues up the river to which he rence and a line drawn from Ance au Sablon, on the gave the same name; contracted an alliance with Labrador coast, due N. to the 52nd of N. latitude; some of the natives; built a small fort, in which he on the S. by New Brunswick and part of the territo-wintered; took formal possession of the country, and ries of the United States, viz. Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York; and on the W. by the line separating it from Upper Canada as before described. This boundary was fixed by the 6 Geo. IV. c. 59, which also reannexed the Island of Anticosti to Lower Canada. The whole territory is divided into three chief districts-Quebec, Montreal, and Three rivers, and two inferior ones-Gaspé and St. Francis; these again further divided into 40 counties (vide population section), with minor subdivisions consisting of seigniories, fiefs and townships, &c.

II. The discovery of the coast of Canada, according to the most authentic statements, was made by the celebrated Italian adventurers John and his son Sebastian Cabot, who received a commission from Henry VII. of England to discover what Columbus was in search of a N.W. passage to the East Indies or China, or, as the latter country was then called, Cathay. The adventurers sailed, in 1497, with six ships, and, early in June of the same year, discovered Newfoundland; whence, continuing a westerly course, the continent of North America was arrived at, which the Cabots coasted (after exploring the Gulf of St. Lawrence) as far N. as 67.50 N. lat. They returned to England in 1498. In 1502, Hugh Elliott and Thomas Ashurst, merchants of Bristol, with two other gentlemen, obtained a patent from Henry VII. to establish colonies in the countries lately discovered by Cabot; but the result of the permission granted is not known. In 1527, another expedition was fitted out by Henry VIII. by the advice of Robert Thorne, a merchant of Bristol, for the purpose of discovering a N. W. passage to the East Indies, and one of the ships in making the attempt was lost.

Francis I. of France, piqued at the discoveries of Spain and Portugal, and having his ambition roused by the monopolizing pretensions of these two powers to the possessions in the New World, authorized the fitting out of an expedition, the command of which he gave to John Verrazani, an Italian, who discovered Florida, and thence sailing back round the American coast to the 15 degree of lat., took formal possession of the country for his royal master, and called it "La Nouvelle France." On Verrazani's return to Europe 1524, without gold or silver or valuable merchandize, he was at first coldly received, but subsequently sent out with more particular instructions and directions to open a communication with the natives, in endeavouring to fulfil which he lost his life in a fray with the Indians, and the object of the expedition was frustrated; while the capture of Francis I. at the battle

returned to France with a native chief named Donnaconna, and two or three of his principal attendants (all of whom were forced from their country by treachery), but without any of those precious metals which were then the great objects of European cupidity. The enterprizing character of his royal master induced him to despatch Cartier in the following year with three larger vessels, and a number of young gentlemen as volunteers. Cartier sailed up the St. Lawrence, found the country densely peopled, and the Indians every where friendly. Quebec (or, as it was termed by the natives, Quilibek) was touched at, and an Indian village found there. Cartier pursued his route until he reached an island in the river with a lofty mountain, which he named Mont Royal, now called Montreal. (There is a discrepancy in the public records as to whether Montreal was visited in the first or second voyage.) After losing many of his followers from scurvy, Cartier returned to France in 1536; and the French court, finding that no gold or silver was to be had, paid no further attention to La Nouvelle France, or Canada, until the year 1540, when Cartier, after much exertion, succeeded in getting a royal expedition fitted out under the command of Francois de la Roque, Seigneur de Roberval, who was commissioned by Francis I. as Viceroy and Lieut-general in Canada, Hochela (or Montreal), &c. Roberval despatched Cartier to form a settlement, which he did at St. Croix's Harbour. The Viceroy himself proceeded to his new colony in 1542, where he built a fort and wintered, about four leagues above the isle of Orleans (first called the Isle of Bacchus); but, for want of any settled plans, and from the rising and deadly hostility of the Indians, owing to Cartier's having carried off the Indian chief in 1535, little was accomplished. Roberval's attention was called from Canada to serve his sovereign in the struggle for power so long waged with Charles V. of Spain; and Jacques Cartier, ruined in health and fortune, returned to France in 1549, where he died neglected by his fickle countrymen. Roberval, on the death of Francis I., embarked for Canada, with his brother and a numerous train of enterprizing young men; but, from having never afterwards been heard of, they are supposed to have perished at sea. For 50 years, France paid no attention to Canada, and the few settlers or their descendants left by Cartier or Roberval, were unheeded and unsuccoured; but, in 1598, Henry IV. appointed the Marquis de la Roche his Lieut.-general in Canada, with power to partition discovered lands into seigniories and fiefs, to be held under feudal tenure, and

as a compensation for military service when required. | by the name of the Alleghanies, rise abruptly from the Such was the origin of the Canadian seigneuries. The further history of the province will be found in the "Colonial Library," vol. i., in which is detailed the struggles and disasters of the colonists until the British capture of Quebec by General Wolfe, on the 12th September, 1759.

their exits to the St. Lawrence) to 15 miles below the | yet but very superficially explored; so far as we know Saguenay. Beyond this coast border, the country is the face of the country is uneven, with a range of flat and undulating with chains of hills of moderate mountains skirting the St. Lawrence to the N., and height, well watered by numerous lakes and rivers; another at no remote distance from the shores of among the latter are the St. Charles, the Montmo- Ristigouche river and Bay of Chaleurs; between renci, the Great river or St. Ann's, the du Gouffre, these ridges is an elevated and broken valley, occa. Black river, &c. sionally intersected by deep ravines. The district is well wooded and watered by numerous rivers and lakes, the soil rich and yielding abundantly when tilled. The sea beach is low (with the exception of Cape Gaspé which has lofty perpendicular cliffs) and frequently used as the highway of the territory; behind, the land rises into high round hills well wooded. The chief rivers are the Ristigouche into which falls the Pscudy, Goummitz, Guadamgonichone, Mistoue and Matapediac; the grand and little Nouvelle, grand and little Cascapediac, Caplin, Bonaventure, East Nouvelle,

The country N. W. of Quebec, between that city and the St. Maurice, is not so bold as it is to the S.E. towards the Saguenay; the land rises in a gentle ascent from the St. Lawrence banks, presenting an extremely picturesque prospect, with alternations of water, wood, and rich cultivation, bounded in the distance by remote and lofty mountains. The rivers Jacques Cartier, Portneuf, St. Ann's and Batiscan with their numerous tributaries, add fertility and beauty to the landscape.

Bay of Chaleurs ;-grand and little Pabos, grand and Jittle River, and Mal Bay river flowing into the Gulf of St. Lawrence :-the river St. John and N. E. and S. W. branches fall into Gaspé Bay: there are also many lakes.

3. The third territorial section N. of the St. Law-and Port Daniel that discharge themselves into the rence, embraces the country lying between the St. Maurice river and the junction of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence, where Upper and Lower Canada meet. The aspect of the country from five to fifteen miles from the river's bank is slightly elevated into table ridges, with occasional abrupt acclivities and small plains.

6. The country comprized between the Western boundary of Gaspé and the E. of the Chaudiere river, has a front along the St. Lawrence river to the N. W. of 257 miles, and is bounded to the S. E. by the high

The islands of Montreal, Jesus and Perrot, situate in the river St. Lawrence, come within this section. Montreal (the principal) is a beautiful isle of a trian-lands dividing the British from the United States tergular shape, 32 miles long by 10 broad, lying at the ritories. These high lands are 62 miles from the St. confluence of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence, and sepa- Lawrence at their nearest point, but on approaching rated on the N. W. from isle Jesus by the rivière des the Chaudiere river they diverge Southwardly. The Prairies. Montreal exhibits a nearly level surface physical aspect of this territory, embracing about with the exception of a mountain, (Coteau St. Pierre) 19,000 square miles (of which the United States and one or two hills of a slight elevation, from which claim about 10,000 square miles), is not so mountaiflow numerous streams and rivulets. The island is nous as the opposite bank of the St. Lawrence; it richly cultivated and tastefully adorned. Isle Jesus may more properly be characterized as a hilly region N. W. of Montreal, 21 miles long by six broad, is every abounding in extensive valleys. The immediate where level, fertile, and admirably tilled; off its S. W. border of the St. Lawrence is flat, soon however riend is Isle Bizard, about four miles in length and sing into irregular ridges, and attaining an elevated nearly oval, well cleared and tenanted. Isle Perrot and extensive tableau: at the distance of 15 to 20 lies off the S. W. end of Montreal seven miles long by miles from the shores of the St. Lawrence, the tableau three broad; level, sandy and not well cleared; the gently descends towards the river St. John, beyond small islets de la Paix are annexed to the seigniory of which it again reascends, acquiring a greater degree isle Perrot, and serve for pasturages. of altitude towards the sources of the Allegash-finally merging in the Connecticut range of mountains.

4. Before proceeding to describe the physical aspect of the S. side of the St. Lawrence, it may be proper to observe that but little is known of the interior of the portion of the province bounded by the Ottawa or Grand River; so far as it has been explored it is not distinguished by the boldness which characterizes the E. section of Lower Canada; now and then small ridges and extensive plains are met with receding from the bed of the Ottawa whose margin is an alluvial flat, flooded often by the spring freshes and autumnal rains to the extent of a mile from the river's bed. Beyond the first ridge that skirts these flats the country is little known.

5. Let us now view the province of the S. of the St. Lawrence, beginning as before at the sea coaston which the large county and district of Gaspé is situate. This peninsulated tract more properly belong. ing to the New Brunswick than to Lower Canada, lies between the parallel of 47.18 to 49.12 N. Lat. and 64.12 to 67.53 W. Long., bounded on the N. by the river St. Lawrence, on the E. by the Gulf of the same name, on the S. by the Bay of Chaleurs adjoining New Brunswick, and on the W. by the Lower Canada territory; having its greatest width from N. to S. about 90 miles, and with a sea coast extending 350 miles from Cape Chat round to the head of Ristigouche Bay. This large tract of territory has been as

7. The last section of Lower Canada S. of the St. Lawrence is that highly valuable tract W. of the river Chaudiere, fronting the St. Lawrence, and having in the rear the high lands of Connecticut and the parallel of the 45 degrees of N. Lat., which constitutes the S. and S. E. boundary of Lower Canada, where the latter is divided from the American States of New Hampshire, Vermont and New York. The superficial extent of this tract is 18,864 miles, containing 17 counties and a population numbering 200,000. The physical aspect varies throughout this extensive section; at the mouth of the Chaudiere the banks of the St. Lawrence still retain the characteristic boldness for which they are remarkable at Quebec and Point Levi, but proceeding Westward they gradually subside to a moderate elevation till they sink into the flats of Baie du Febre, and form the marshy shores of Lake St. Peter, whence the country becomes a richly luxuriant plain. Proceeding from Lake St. Peter towards Montreal, the boldness and grandeur of the country about Quebec may be contrasted with the picturesque champagne beauties of Richelieu, Vercheres, Chambly and La Prairie districts. In the former especially the eye of the spectator is delighted with a succession of rich and fruitful fields, luxuriant meadows, flourishing settlements, neat homesteads,

gay villages and even delightful villas adorning the banks of the Richelieu, the Yamaska and the St. Lawrence, whilst in the distance are seen the towering mountains of Rouville and Chambly, Rougemont, Mount Johnson and Boucherville, soaring majestically above the common level. As the country recedes from the St. Lawrence banks to the E. and S. E., it gradually swells into ridges, becomes progressively more hilly, and finally assumes a mountainous character towards lakes Memphramagog and St. Francis, beyond which the country continues to preserve more or less that boldness of aspect to the borders of the Chaudiere and the height of land at the Connecticut's sources. This is the section of the fine country known by the name of the Eastern Townships, in which the British American Land Company's possessions are situate.

The aspect is N., and well placed for ventilation, although the streets are narrow and irregular. There are suburbs to each town; in the upper, they extend along the slope of the ridge called St. John's; in the Lower, they extend along the valley from the St. Charles, called the Rocks. The influence of the tides, which extend several leagues beyond Quebec, raise the waters at the confluence of the two rivers many feet above their general level, and overflow the St. Charles valley, which rises gradually from the river to the northward, in a gentle slope for a few miles, until it reaches the mountains. This valley and slope is wholly under cultivation and extremely rich and picturesque. The ridge on which Quebec stands is also cultivated as far as Cape Rouge to the westward.

As a fortress, Quebec may be now ranked in the It is probable that the range of hills traversing first class; the citadel on the highest point of Cape Bolton, Orford, &c., are a continuation of the Green Diamond, together with a formidable combination of mountains which form a conspicuous ridge running strongly constructed works extending over an area of from S. to W. through the state of Vermont. Several forty acres: small batteries connected by ramparts bold and conspicuous mountains rise in an isolated are continued from the edge of the precipice to the manner from the valleys or plains of Yamaska and gateway leading to the lower town, which is defended Chambly, adding a delightful interest to the scenery. by cannon of a large calibre, and the approach to it This territory is abundantly watered by numerous up Mountain Street enfiladed and flanked by many rivers and lakes and rivulets winding in every direc- large guns: a line of defence connects with the grand tion. The chief rivers are the Chaudiere (forming battery, a redoubt of great strength armed with 24 the boundary to the Eastward) the Beçancour, Nico-pounders, entirely commanding the basin and passage let (two branches), St. Francis, Yamaska, Richelieu of the river. Other lines add to the impregnability (or Chambly), Chateauguay and Salmon: all but the of Quebec; the possession of which, (if properly dethree last have their sources within the province. fended) may be said to give the mastery of Upper as The chief lakes are the Memphramagog (part in Ca- well as of Lower Canada. [For a complete descripnada, part in the United States), Scaswaninipus, tion of the topography of the country, see Colonial Tomefobi, St. Francis, Nicolet, Pitt, William, Trout, Library, vol. i.] and many smaller ones.

MONTREAL, in 45.46. Lat. N., is situate upon the N. or left bank of the St. Lawrence (160 miles S. W. from Quebec), upon the Southernmost point of an island bearing the same name, and which is formed by the river St. Lawrence on the S., and a branch of the Ottawa or grand river on the N. The island is in length from E. to W. 30 miles, and from N. to S. eight miles its surface is an almost uniform flat, with the exception of an isolated hill or mountain on its W. extremity, which rises from 500 to 800 feet higher than the river level. Along its foot, and particularly up its sides, are thickly interspersed corn

QUEBEC, in Lat. 46.48. Lon. 70.72. is situated upon the N. E. extremity of a rocky ridge or promontory, called Cape Diamond (350 feet above the water's edge), which runs for seven or eight miles to the westward, connected with another cape called Cape Rouge, forming the lofty and left bank of the river St. Lawrence, which is but for a short space interrupted by a low and flat valley to the N. E. adjoining the level in which the river St. Charles now runs to the N. of the city. The site of the town on the N. of the promontory has apparently been chosen from its more gradual slope on this side than to the south-fields, orchards and villas, above which to the very ward, which is precipitous. To the N. and W. of the city the ground slopes more gradually, and terminates in the St. Charles valley. The large river St. Law. rence flows to the southward of the city, washes the base of the steep promontory of Cape Diamond, and unites its waters with the small river St. Charles, flow-bited, cultivated and fertile country embellished with ing along the N. side of the city, the junction being in front of the town, where they expand into a consisiderable basin, forming the harbour of Quebec.

The city is nominally divided into two, called the Upper and Lower Towns; the latter being built at the base of the promontory, level with the high water, and where the rock has been removed to make room for the houses, which are generally constructed in the old style, of stone, two or three stories high, with narrow and ill-ventilated streets. From the Lower to the Upper Town there is a winding street (Mountainstreet,) extremely steep, which is commanded by well planted cannon, and terminates at an elevation of 200 feet above the river, at the city walls; or by Break Neck Stairs,' where the Upper Town commences, extending its limits considerably to the westward, along the slope of the ridge and up the promontory towards the Cape within fifty or sixty yards of its summit.

summit of the mountain, trees grow in luxuriant variety. The view from the top, though wanting in the sublime grandeur of Cape Diamond at Quebec, is romantically picturesque : on the S. the blue hills of Vermont, and around a vast extent of thickly inha

woods, waters, churches, cottages and farms,-beneath the placid city of Montreal-its shipping and river craft, and the fortified island of St. Helena, altogether exhibiting a scene of softly luxuriant beauty. Within a mile to the N. W. of the town, the range of the mountain gradually declines for a few miles to the W. and N. to the level of the surrounding country. The bank of the river upon which Montreal is built, has a gradual elevation of 20 to 30 feet, sloping again in the rear of the town, where there is a canal to carry off any accumulated water: the land then again undulates to the N. to a higher range. The streets are parallel with the river, and intersect each other at right angles; the houses are for the most part of a greyish stone, roofed with sheet iron or tin: many of them are handsome structures, and would be considered as such in London.

In the extent and importance of her trade-in the

beauty of her public and private buildings-in the | prized in one seigniory, and belongs to the Roman gay appearance of her shops, and in all the extrinsic Catholic clergy, who are consequently wealthy, but signs of wealth, Montreal is far a-head of the metro- very liberal in exacting the lods et ventes due to them politan city of the province. Its population in 1825, on the mutation of land,—they usually compound for was 22,357; and in 1831, 27,297; at present it is these fines (see Section VII.). about 35,000, if not more. The whole island is com