The previous autumn with regard to the
learned Dean of Westminster, Revd. A. P. Stanley: proud he was to think
that though Quebec had no such attractions like antique, like classic
England, - turretted castles, moated granges, or even
"Old pheasant Lords,
"Partridge breeders of a thousand years,"
- its romantic past was not without pleasing or startling or interesting
memories.
We have just mentioned "La Vacherie", this consisted of the extensive
and moist pastures at the foot of Coteau Sainte-Genevieve, extending
towards the General Hospital, where the city cows were grazed; on this
site and gracing the handsome streets "Crown" "Craig" and "Desfosses," can
now be seen elegant dry-goods stores, vying with the largest in the Upper
Town. Had St. Peter street, in 1775, been provided with a regular way of
communication with St. Roch; had St. Paul street then existed, the sun of
progress would have shone there nearly a century earlier.
"For a considerable time past, several plans of amelioration of the City
of Quebec," says the Abbe Ferland, "were proposed to the Ministry by M. de
Meules. The absolute necessity of obtaining a desirable locality for the
residence of the Intendant, and for holding the sessions of the Council;
the Chateau St. Louis being hardly sufficient to afford suitable quarters
for the Governor and the persons who formed his household.
