in all their variety of colouring, are thrown across the unruffled surface of the water with an almost incredible brilliance. On the plains of Abraham, from the precipice that overlooks the timber-grounds, where an incessant round of activity prevails, the St. Lawrence is seen rolling its majestic wave, studded with many a sail, from the stately ship down to the humble fishing-boat; the opposite bank, extending up the river, is highly cultivated, and the houses, thickly strewed by the main road, from this height and distance, have the appearance of an almost uninterrupted village, as far as the eye can reach in that direction. The country to the southward rises by a very gentle ascent, and the whole view, which is richly embellished by alternations of water, woodland, and cultivation is bounded by remote and lofty mountains, softening shade by shade until they melt into air. Whoever views the environs of Quebec, with a mind and taste capable of receiving impressions through the medium of the eyes, will acknowledge, that, as a whole, the prospect is grand, harmonious, and magnificent; and that, if taken in detail, every part of it will please, by a gradual unfolding of its picturesque beauties upon a small scale.

North-eastward from the capital lie the counties Montmorenci and Saguenay, and part of Quebec, exhibiting in the outline by far the boldest features of any other part of the county. The strongly defined range of mountains that subsides on the Ottawa river in front of Grenville, stretching eastward across the angular tract of land formed by the St. Lawrence and the Ottawa river, skirts the flourishing settlements of Charlesbourg, Beauport, and the Côte de Beaupré, and finally strikes the St. Lawrence at Cape Torment. This conspicuous mountain measures about 1890 feet in altitude, and from its romantic situation on the borders of the St. Lawrence, has acquired much notoriety, although it is seldom visited by travellers. It is also the first and highest of a succession of granitic mountains called "Les Caps," that rise in abrupt slopes to a considerable elevation from the immediate level of the river. The mountainous character of the northern shore of the St. Lawrence may properly be said to commence at Cape Torment, although its banks above Quebec are for many miles high, bold, and majestic. From Cape Torment the ridge continues unbroken, except by the beds of rivers

and rivulets, until it effectually subsides 15 or 18 miles below the Saguenay, in which quarter the boldness of the north shore sinks to a moderate level, presenting a degree of flatness and equality of surface singularly contrasted with the opposite shore, which now becomes mountainous, rugged, and abrupt.

This tract of country is traversed between the west boundary of the county of Quebec and the Saguenay by numerous rivers and streams; the best known and most considerable of which are the St. Charles, the Montmorenci, the Great River or Ste. Anne's, the Riv. du Gouffre, the Mal Bay, the Black River, and the Saguenay, which bounds on the N.E. the section of the province under description. Besides these there are many smaller streams and tributary waters, many of which are imperishable springs that supply the inhabitants with the purest water, at the same time that they moisten and fertilize the soil. On several of the streamlets, as well as the rivers, are frequently to be found excellent mill sites, formed by the rapidity of the water-courses, consequent upon the hilly character of the country. Of the rivers above mentioned the Saguenay is the only one yet known to be navigable to any extent, vessels any burden being able to ascend upwards of 75 miles above its estuary. The river Montmorenci is remarkable, not only for the continued rapidity of its course, but on account of the Falls, situated at its mouth, which lie about nine miles N. E. of Quebec *, and are celebrated for their height, magnificence, and beauty. Violently projected over a perpendicular rock into a precipice 240 feet deep, the waters of the Montmorenci descend in a bright fleecy sheet, of snowy whiteness, to the broad recipient beneath, which forms a deep bay, whose sides rise, almost vertically from the foot of the Falls, to an altitude several feet above their summit. The lower regions of the cliffs are destitute of vegetation, but it gradually makes its appearance at the elevation of 50 or 60 feet, and continues with more apparent vigour to the highest point of the towering banks, the verge of which is lined with shrubs and trees.

of

* From Dorchester-bridge, passing towards the Falls, some traces yet remain of the field fortifications thrown up by the French in the memorable year 1759, as a defence against the British army.