A View of Lower Canada, Interspersed with Canadian Tales and Anecdotes, and Interesting Information to Intending Emigrants (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1821. Excerpt: ... of the'latter falling into St Lawrence at the kead of the island, the greater branch-taking a northerly direction, joins it nine miles below the town. The soil is fertile, especially that which lies contiguous to-the rivers. Montreal mountain, celebrated for its beauty, is westward from the town two miles; it is entirely covered with wood, even upon its top the trees are full as large as those that grow around its base. To view the surrounding country, I ascended by the east side, and with much difficulty reached its summit. Here I had a horizon of at least one hundred miles in diameter, under my observation. Casting a glance northward, aver. the Ottaway, or grand river, instead of feeling enlivened by the prospect, a certain degree of horror chilled my spirits. The nameless variety of trees, at this time clothed with leaves and blossoms, present a beautiful scene in the immediate neighbourhood of the mountain. This disappears, and the eye rolls over a seemingly trackless forest, resembling the surface of the ocean when agitated with a strong breeze of wind. So small a proportion does the cultivated part of the country bear to the whole, that it is entirely buried from the sight. Hovr vastly different is this from the landscape which burst forth upon the delighted spectator upon Arthur Seat, or Eildon hills. Turning from the joyless scene, I could not avoid exclaiming, "Who would be so. foolish as to leave a civilized society, and drag out his days in this wilderness?" However, the eye is quickly relieved by a prospect towards the south. The glittering spires of Montreal, the orchards, the farms, and the cottages, with the majestic St Lawrence, all combine to engage the attention, and elevate the mind, which is not only delighted in the contemplation of t...