It Seemed To Me Also That At Quebec The Gulf
Which Separates The Two Worlds Is Greater Even Than That Which Lies
Between Belgravia And Bethnal Green Or St. Giles's. The People Who Live In
The Lower Town Are Principally Employed On The Wharfs, And In The Lumber
Trade.
But my readers will, not thank me for detaining them in a
pestiferous atmosphere, among such unpleasing scenes; we will therefore
ascend into the High-street of the city, resplendent with gorgeous
mercers' stores, and articles of luxury of every description.
This street
and several others were at this period impassable for carriages, the
roadways being tunnelled, and heaped, and barricaded; which curious and
highly disagreeable state of things was stated to arise from the laying
down of water-pipes. At night, when fires were lighted in the narrow
streets, and groups of roughly dressed Frenchmen were standing round them,
Quebec presented the appearance of the Faubourg St. Antoine after a
revolution.
Quebec is a most picturesque city externally and internally. From the
citadel, which stands on a rock more than three hundred feet high, down to
the crowded water-side, bustling with merchants, porters, and lumbermen,
all is novel and original. Massive fortifications, with guns grinning from
the embrasures, form a very prominent feature; a broad glacis looks
peaceful in its greenness; ramparts line the Plains of Abraham; guards and
sentries appear in all directions; nightfall brings with it the challenge
- "Who goes there?" and narrow gateways form inconvenient entrances to
streets so steep that I wondered how mortal horses could ever toil up
them.
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