itir»ii kmm SPRINGS. WIA GAM A, S: qi^MMEC\ ,^_^-^ also — — ^^~ — ^ .-^^ 13.^^,, GOOBBICH Sc WILJSY: PREFACE. The present fifth edition of the Northern Travel- ler has been revised with care, and in many parts written over entirely anew. Abridgments have been made as far as was considered consistent with usefulness, and thus space has been found for the introduction of much matter not found in former edi- tions. Every important improvement, especially on the principal routes, it has been the intention of the author to introduce ; and the novel modes of travel- ling, and various new objects of attraction, have re- quired additions in almost every page. The Western Traveller^ which will be found as a distinct appendix to the work, now appears for the first time : the increased travelling and emigration to the West requiring the addition of this now im- portant department to the traveller's book. ^ The in- formation and directions it contains are derived from the most authentic sources, and carefully condensed and arranged in such a manner as to render them most convenient for reference on the route. Numerous prints and maps complete the recom- mendations of this book, which it is the intention of the author to render useful to the utmost of his power. INDEX. Al)raTiara, Plains "of - - 194 Academy of Arts, N. Y. - 1 1 Albany - - - - 34 Albany &. Schenectady Railroad 37 Alexandria, (D, C) - - 332 Altoa 293. Amesbury - - 318 Amherst College, (Mass.) - 241 Andover, (Mass.) - - - 287 Andre aud Arnold - - 24 Animals in the we^ - - 390 Anthony's Nose - - 22 Do de. - - - 49 Antiquities - 63, 72. 90. 393 Aqueducts - - 47. 53. 65 Auburn and state prison - 104 Angusta . - . - 327 Avon Springs - - - 9S B Baker^s Falls - - - 209 Ballston springs - 117. 120 Baltimore - - - - 339 Do and OMo Railroad - 34 1 Bangor 326. Bartlett 303 Batavia 98 Bath 324 Battery (N. Y.) - - - 9 Battle of Balimore - - 340 — — urgh - 157 of Q, eenstown - - 71 of Stillwater - - 113 of Ticonderoga - - 139 «^f White Plains - 18 of Trenton - - 371 Bellow's Falls ... 246 Bemis's Heights - - - 112 Bernardston 245 Berthier 179 Bethlehem 364 Beverly 314 Big Stream Point and Falls - 101 Bissel Farm - - - 232 Blackstone Canal - - _ 261 Siafikweil'^s Mand Feniteoti^iry 21 1 Blackrock 94 Blue Hills 270 Booihbay 325 Bordentown 362 Boston 271 and vicinity - 278 Brattleborough 246 Bristol - 362 Broadway (N. v.; - - 10 Brocks Monument - - 71 Brookfield 283 Brooklyn 14 Brothertown 59 Buel's Farm 37 Buffalo . - - - 95 Burgoyne's expedition 111 to 116 Burlington - - 87. 156. 362 Burning ^rings - - - 99 Butlers Falls 29 Bytewn 173 Caldwell 132 Cambridge 279 Camden and Amboy Railroad 370 Canada 39 Canajoharie 50 Canandaigua - - - - 99 Cape Diamond - 183. 194 Carpenters Point - - - 29 Carthage 66 Cattskill MouBtains 30 Caughnawaga - - - 4^ Cayuga and Seneca Canal - 103 Lake - - - 103 Centre Harbor - - - 293 Chambly - - - - 202 Charleston (S. C.) - - - 335 Oharlestown _ - - 247 Chaudiere Point - - - 183 Chazy 157 Chelmsford 290 Chemung Canal - - - 101 Chesapeak & Delaware Canal 353 & Ohio Canal - 331 Cincinnati 396 Claverack 34 Climate of the west - 391.377 Cohoes Falls - - - 46 Coal Mines (Pa.) - - 355 Cold Spring - - - - 23 Columbia College " - H Concord - - - - 290 Connecticut School Fund - 213 State Prison - 225 Conway 298 Crown Point 152 D Darn near Fort Edward - 209 Dartmouth College - - 251 INDEX. Dedham 269 Deerfield 242 Delaware & Hudson Canal 28 Water Gap - 863 Detroit .... 3b4 Distual Swamp Canal - 337 Dorchester H eights - - 276 Dresden 101 Dundas 87 E East Bloomfield - - 99 -T — (."anada Creek . - 50 fladdam - - - 221 " Hartford - - - 231 River ... 211 Eastport 326 Easion 363 Educnin N Eng.213.277 291.321 Erie Canal ... 35. 45 do do Itinerary of see Routes in Traveller s Directory, p. 414 Expenses in travelling 381. 382. 383 F Falls (Glenns) (Paker's) 209 Montmorenci ■ >>iagara Trenton 55 Farmers, advice to Fishkill Ithacf) 129 104 107 - 69 to 79 (Turner's) 241 . 381 26 Gasport Geneva Foreign Packets from New-York 13 ~ 207 Edward 88 Hill 209 Oswego 50 Putnam 17 . ^Trumbull V Griswold Wm. Henry W ashington . f^ Gallop T lands 94 Geology 297. 310 German Flatts - Georgetown 332 Greenfield 243 Guelph Gulf Road . - 249- IT Haddam 221 Harlem Heights Hanover 251 Hanibu'gh Haiiiptou3i7 Hartford Haverhill . - 252. Haystack Mountain Health of the west . Herkimer 54 Hector Falls Highlands 21 Hell Gate Hoboken 14. 11 Honesdalc 208 25ti 92 23 258 179 17 68 100 53 Glenn's Falls 129 86 -250 17 360 226 288 254 392 102 212 29 House of Refuge - - 13 Hud-son City ... - 33 River steamboats - 1 1. 16 Hunt Farm 247 Hyde Park 27 I Inundation, White Mountains 301-2 Isle aux Nois Ithaca 104 &. Owego Railroad Falls - J Jacques Cartier _ - . Jai vis's Farm - - . Jewett s City - _ . Johnson, Sir William, K Kingston - - - - Li Lackawana River Lachii.e . . - - Lake George 131 of the Clouds St Peter Lancaster 254 Lead Mine - Lebanon Springs l^ehigh Water Gap Lexington 286 Lockport 68 Long Island 14 1-ovell's Pond Lorette, village of Lowrytown - Lowell 288— 29C Lakes Laprairie 236. 158 104 101 182 248 263 49 27 29 171 87 310 180 163 298 - 365 Little Falls 51 Lon^ Branch 17 Long Level 54 - 300 201 . 366 Lynn - 314 M Manufactories in New England 268 Manayunk 358 Marblehead 316 Mauch < hunk - _ . 365 Meredith - - - 293 Merrimack River - - - 292 Michigan ... 384 .A)i Idletown 223 McRea 208 ^iilier's Kails 209 Missouri R. 391 Montreal ... - 164 Mohawk Castle 50 Morristown 93 Mount Carbon 361 Holyoke 237 Vernon . . - 333 Washington 307 to 311 N Hotels aud Boarding houses N. Y> 9 IV ahant Nashua Village Natchez Newark 15 Newburgh - 279 290 - 398 New Brunswick 373 26 Newcastle & Frenchtown R. R.338 INDEX. New England, Tour of - - 21P Newburyport 3l7 Newport 263 New Haven - - - 2J2 do do & Farmini;,ton Canal iI15 New Hope 303 New London 255 New Jersey School Fund - 371 New Orleans - - - 397 New York 30 to 20. Bay - 374 Niagara Falls - - 69 to 79 Norfolk 330 Norristown 358 Northampton - - 236 to 240 Norwich - - - . 260 Notch of Wh. Mountains 305 to 306 o Objects in New- York - - 10 Oideusburgh 94 Ohio Valley 378 Old Man of the Mountain - 29? Oneida Castle - - - ."iS Oswego 9-2 & Canal - 59. 92 Overslaugh 34 Ovid lOl P Palisados 17 Park - 11 Passaic Falls 15 I'aterson 15 Pawtucket 269 Peraigewasset 293 Pennsylvania Canal - - 354 Pennyan - - - - 101 Philadelphia - - .345 to 353 do steamboats to - - 9 Pine Orchard 31 Plainfield 263 Pittsburgh 395 Plattsburgh 156 Plymouth 281 Portland 320 Point Aux Trembles - J 82 Portsmouth 318 Port Carbon 361 Port l'alhousie85 Genesee 91 Kent - - - - 156 Pottsgrove 358 Poughkeepsie 27 Princeton - - - . 372 Prospect Mountain - - 304 Providence - - - 266 Quebec - - - 184 to 200 Quincy Railway - - - 270 R Randolph - - - - 249 Rapids of St. Lawrencel60. 176. 181 — of Niagara- - - 75 Red Mountain - - - 294 Reiissellaerwyck - - - 42 Rideau Canal - - 173 Ridge Road 68 Rochester 61 Rockaway Hotel and Beach 14 Rocky Hill - - - - 224 Rome 58 Roxbury 27o Royalton - - - - 249 Routes By Hudson River - - 11 16 For travelling - - - 15 From Albany to Springs - 109 Auburn to Syracuse - 106 do do by canal - 106 Bath to Wh Mountains 253 Baltimore to Philadelphia by steambt &. railroad 337 Boston - - 282. 283 Boston to Wh. Mountains 286 Boston to Miine - - 313 Buffalo to Canandaigua 97 Centre Harbor to Conway 293 336 335 102 228 251 174 95 94 337 337 337 262 324 201 Charleston to N. York do to Norfolk Geneva . - _ Hartford - - - Montpelier to Burlington Montreal to Qu- bee New Haven to Middletown 217 New l^ondon to Providence256 do to Norwich 258 Jviagar-i to Montreal . do to Albany - Norfolk to Washington ; do to Balti're by st. bt. do to Richm'd l?y do Norwich to Provid'^tice Portland - - 323. Quebec to Boston do to Montreal by land 202 — — Richmond to Washington 337 ;?avannah to Charleston 334 Schenectady to Albany by canal - - - 108 _ — St. Johns to Whitehall 203 ■ Syracuse to Utica - 107 Utica to Schenectady - 107 Waterford to the Springs 109 Worcester - - 231 Whitehall - - - 206 Through New England - 210 To Canada - - - -146 to 84 . the Coal Mines - - ?o5 do do Lehigh - 357 '^- — do do Mauch Chunk 362 Lake George - - 128 Spring and Fal's . 36 St. Louis, via Lake Erie 383 do from N.York - 383 the Western Country - 380 Routes, Remarks on, - - 126 Route up Connecticut R. 220 to 254 8 INDEX. St. Helens Sacbetts Harbor - - 93 Sa em 314 iSalina 61 Salt Springs & salt manufactor's 59 Sandy Hill - - - 129 Saratoga Springs - 121 to 124 Lake - - - 120 Savannah 334 Saugerties R. 30 Saybrook 218 St. Antoine 182 426 169 l.o9 177 397 37 48 125 ■357 360 10- 41 120 20 91 389 179 335 235 233 228 101 173 St. Augustine - St Catharines 85 St Johns . - - _ St Lawrence River - St. Louis . . - - Schenectady 47 & Railroad Schoharie Creek - - - Schuylerville - - - Schuylkill Canal - - 356 do \^ ater Gap Seneca Castle 97 & Lake Shaker's Village, Lebanon, Simpson s Farm - - . Sleepy Hollow - - - Sodus Bay - - - - Soil of the west Sorel - - - - - South Carolina Rail Road — ^ Hartley talis Springfield .... StaflTord Springs Starkie's l^oint - - . Staten Island State Prison 20. 104 Stonington 258 Stafford i opperas works Susquehanuah Railroad - Syracuse . - - - T Tappan 20 Tarrytown Taimton 267 Thomastown 325 Throe Rivers - - - 180 lUiousand Islands Ticonderoga Timber of the west Trenton Falls Trenton (N. J.) - 14 Stillwater 110 Stoney Pt, 21 252 343 59 20 91 144 388 55 370 V Troy 44 Turner's Falls Union Canal - - 350. College 47 l.'tica 241 358 54 42 United States Arsenal V Van Rensselaer School . 45 Vermont 250 Vernon 245 Verplanck's Point . . 21 Virginia Springs . . 338 Voyage on L Champlain 150 — 203 George . 140—143 Wadswortk Farm . . 98 Waldoborough . . .325 Walpole .... 246 Washington 3-28 & College 227 Watchusett Hills . . .231 Welles .... 319 Welland Canal ... 81 West Bloomfield . . 99 Westminster .... 246 West Point ... 23 Western History . . .386 Schools . . .394 States . . 384—385 Steamboats . • 388 Traveller . 374—382 Weather . . 394 Wethersfield . . . .224 Whirlpool, ^'iagara River 72 Whitehall . . .205 White Mountains River 304 to 312 . 249 Willard's Academy, Troy . Willey House Windsor Winds in the west Winnipiseogee Lake Wiscasset . Wolfe's Cove Statue Worcester Y Yale College York . . . 45 305 232. 248 388 . 294 324 196 18S 230 214 87 182 THE NORTHERN TRAVELLER. THE CITY OF NEW- YORK. Hotels and Boarding Houses. (Beginning near the Battery.) The Atlantic, Adelj)hi, Mansion House, (Bunker's,) Mrs. Keese's, Miss Boyd's, Miss Mann's, the National, City Hotel, Webb's, Franklin House, American, (opposite the Park,) Washington, Masonic Hall, (opposite the Hospi- tal,) Niblo's, (Corner of Prince-street.) The above are in Broadway. Holt's is the largest Hotel in the United States, of marble, 6 stories high, and convenient to the eastern steamboats. Food &c, is raised from the kitchen by a steam engine of 12 horse power. It is at the corner of Fulton and Pearl-streets. Besides these are Merchants' Hotel, (Broad-st.) Tammany Hall, U. S. Hotel, Clinton Hall, Ton- tine and N. Y. Coffee Houses, Pearl-sireet House, and many others in different parts of the city. The Battery is a delightful walk in warm weath- er, commanding a view of the Bay and Hudson River, with the opposite Jersey shore, Govern- or's, Gibbet, Bedlow's, Slaten and part of Long Islands, enlivened by ships and steamboats. The Philadelphia Steamhoats start from the wharves near the north end of the Battery, and the Staten Island boats from the south eastern corner. 1 10 CITY OF NEW-YORK. Principal objects of interest in the city of New- York. Leaving the Battery and the Bowling Green, and proceeding up Broadway, we pass Grace and Trinity Churches. Opposite the latter opens Wall-street, where are most of the Banks and Insurance Offices in the city, the 1st Presbyterian Church, the Cvstoni House and the Exchange. 'Change hours are from about 2 to 3 o'clock. In the Exchange are the Post Office, Foreign Letter bag Office, News Room, and here and in the vicinity are the offices of the daily newspapers. The ranges of spacious stores and ware houses in this part of the city are worthy of attention. Numerous vessels belonging to various lines of foreign and domestic packets are found among those which crowd the wharves above and below Coffise House slip, which is at the foot of Wall- street. Returning to Broadw^ay, and passing the City Hotel, the National and Webb's, Liberty and Courtlandt-streets on the left, lead to some of the North River steamboats, the Newark steamboat and the ferry to Powles Hook. Liberty-street on the right leads to Grant Thorburn's Green House. The City Library is in Nassau-street, Maiden Lane, a street of retailers of Dry Goods, leads down to the right. Beyond, Fulton-street leads, on the right, to Fulton Market, Brooklyn ferry, and near to the Providence, N. Haven, Hartford and other Eastern steamboats. [A walk on Brooklyn Heights is recommended to the stran- ger, as they command the finest near view of the city and environs.] CITY OF NEIV-YORfi:. 11 St. Paul's Church is in Broadway near Fulton- Street, with the monument to Gen. Montgomery, in front. In the Church yard is seen the mon- ument to the late Thomas Addis Emmet. It is a marble obelisk. Opposite is Scudder's ex- tensive American Museum. The Astor Hotel now building, is to occupy the fronton Broadway, between Veseyand Barclay-st. The Park has the City Hall in the middle, with the Register's Office on the east. Bridewell west, and the new City Hall north. Adjacent, on the eastern side, are Clinton Hall, containing the Mercantile Library and the gallery of the Na* tional Academy ; the Bible and Tract Societies' spacious edifices ; the Park Theatre ; the Brick Church and Tammany Hall. Public School No. 1 is on Tryon Row; the New- York University, temporarily in Chambers-street, and at a little distance from it the Manhattan Water Works and Arcade Baths- On the west side of the Park is PafF's exhibi- tion of Pictures ; and in Barclay-street the Exhi- bition of the American Academy of Fine Arts, and the painting room of John Trumbull Esq. At the foot of the street is the Iloboken Ferry, with the wharf of some of the North River Steamboats. Just below these is Washington Market. A visit to Hoboken is recommended, on a pleasant morn- ing or afternoon. Columbia College is in a fine square at the foot of Park Place, with the Grammar school in Mur- ray-street, opposite the Murray-street Church. The Athenceum is at the corner of Broadway and Chambers-street. The New-York Hospitalis on Broadway, oppo- 12 CITY OF NEW YORK. 1 site Pearl-street just beyond Masonic Hall, and near the N. York Museum. Broadway extends about a mile and a half further north, broad, strait and well built, and is the finest street in America. The Mechanics' Institution is in Crosby-street above Grand-street. There are above 100 places of public worship ; The Public Schools of the city are now 14 : they are of brick, generally 42 by 85 feet and of three stories; and there are 13 new primary schools. AH these are under the direction of the Public School Society of the city, which consists of 72 Trustees, and expends an income of nearly ^90,000. The schools are on the Lancasterian system. Children who- are able, pay ^$1,50 per quarter, the poor pay nothing.* ^Common Schools in the Stnte of N. York. (Exclusire of the City.) It appears from the Report of the Superintendent of Common Schools, that the whole numbei* of school districts in the State of New-York on the 31st of December, 1833, was 9690, from 9107 of which, reports have been received, showing an aggreg-ite (in 9 107 schools) of 512,475 scholars. The whole number of children in said districts between the ages of 5 and 16 was 522,f)18. On an average the schools were taught eight months iu the year. Increase of scholars in the schools as compared with the pre- vious year, 17,516. Increase of children between the ages of 5 and 16 years, residing in the districts, 13,756. The whole amount paid for teach- ers' wages during the year was $307,733 08 ; of which, $100,000 was received from the Common School Fund, $189,139 84 was raised by tax on the inhabitants, and $18,593 24 was derived from local funds belonging to particular towns. The pi-odiictive capital of the Common School Fund was increased during the vear ending 30th Sept last, by the sum of $18,871 56, and now amounts to $1,754,046 84. Add $173,o64 20, the es- timated amount of unproductive, capital; and we have a total of $'1,927, 711 04. The law requires, that each town receivina; money from the treasury, shall raise an equal sum by tax for tlif support of schools. Before they can draw from the treasury, also, they must have a school house, and a teacher employed three months. N.York has 04 incorporated and several unincorporated academies The form(;r have been established and en- dowed with about $400,000, and receive about $10^000 from the state. There are 21 i- egents of the University who conler medical and other degrees above M. A , incorporalo academie.-, inspect them and the colle- ges, and report on them and distribute the literature ftmd among the 8 •eaate districts, for the common schools. CITY OF NEW-YORK. 13 The House of Refuge is on 24th-st. between the 4th and 5th Avenues, a half mile beyond the north- ern termination of Broadway; the Orphan Asylum, in Greenwich near 7th Avenue; the Deaf and Dumb Institution, near the 3d Avenue, 4 miles north of the city ; the Blind Institution 3 miles, 8th Avenue, between 33d and 34th street; the Almshouse, at Bellevue, on the East River; the Penitentiary, on Blackwell's Island ; the Lunatic Asylum, at Bloomingdale, 6 miles from the city. The finest points of view in the city are the tops of the Exchange and the City Hall, to which access may be obtained. The portraits in the latter are worthy of attention. Forei-gn Packets. The London, Liverpool and Havre packets sail on the 1st, 8th, l6th and 24th of every month. Letters and packages left at the post office or letter bag office in the Ex- change, are sent for 6d each. Public Coaches, Numerous elegant Omnibus- es, &c. are constantly passing between Wall-st. or its vicinity and the most important parts of the city, N. and N. E. through Broadway, Canal, Water and other streets. A ride is X shilling — 6 tickets for 50 cents. [Hachiey Coaches are hired at the following rates, — penalty for demanding more, or for refu- sing to go when not engaged, $10: for not hav- ' ing a copy of the rates in the carriage, ^15. For any distance not over a mile, for each per- son, 25 cents. Over 1 mile, within the lamp and watch district, each person, 50 cents. Do. for 2 persons, 37| cents each. For each additional person, 25 cents. For the 1st or Sandy Hill tour, 1* 14 CITY OF NEW-YORK. for not more than 4 persons, $1 for all. Do. do. 2d tour, $2. Do. do. 3d tour, $2,50. Do. to Harlsem and back, $4. Do. King's bridge and back, with the privilege of the carriage all day, ^5. A coach ma^ be hired by time at 75 cents per hour, and in proportion for more or less.] Excursions from New- York. BrooJcIyn and Hohoken offer the attractions of beautiful views over the city, bay and vicinity. The former is pleasantest in the morning and the latter P. M. A delightful shady walk leads from the latter, a mile or more to the Elysian fields, where are open lawns and fine views. Staten Island commands a most extensive view, from the Pavilion, over the two bays and shores, the city, and a portion of the ocean. Near the water are the Quarantine Hospitals, the Sailor's Snug Harbor and the Marine Hospitals. On Long- Island are many pleasant rides ; and stage coaches run from Brooklyn to different parts. The Navy Yard is near that village. A rail road is to be constructed to Jamaica. Bath or New Utrecht, Coney Island and Rockaway* on the south shore, and Oysterhay on the north, are resorts for bathing, fishing &c. Prince's Botanic Gar- den at Flushing is extensive and interesting. It occupies about 30 acres. A steamboat runs twice a day. Mr. Loubat's vineyard is at Red Hook. Long Branch, 35 miles S. of N. York on the Jersey coast, is a fashionable retreat, with two large hotels. A steamboat runs daily to Red * A splendid Hotel has recently been erected at Rockaway beach. The building is 250 feet in length, and from the promenade roof and galleries, there is a most magnificent view of the Atlantic Ocean, Sandy Hook, the fijgblaads and of the shipping sailing to and fio< ROUTES FROM NEW-YORK. 15 Bank, on Shrewsbury river, whence coaches run, 5 miles. Newark, (New Jersey,) 10 miles fromN. York, is a beautiful and flourishing village, extensively engaged in manufactures, at the beginning of the Morris Canal, which extends across the state to the Delaware. One of the fine inclined planes which are used instead of locks, surmounts a hill west of the village. K Rail Road will lead to Newark from Powles Hook, an excursion on which is recommended. Many pleasant excursions may be made in dif- ferent directions from New-York, particularly in the North River Steamboats, and on L. I. Sound. Paterson, N. J. is an important manufacturing village, 17 miles from N. York, the route to which is partly by a rail road. The water is supplied by the Passaic, which there makes a picturesque fall of 70 feet. The Paterson Rail road begins at Bergen, 2 miles from New-York, and extends 14 miles. Stajje coaches leave the foot of Court- landt-street three times a day, cross the ferry, and carry passengers to the cars at Bergen. Harlaim Rail Road. A Bowery Stage Coach or Omnibus will take a passenger to this Rail Road for 1 shilling, and thence large cars proceed northward. General Remarks on different routes. From the city of New- York many travellers will annually commence their Eastern, Northern and Western tours. It is generally best, in travelling for health or pleasure, to go westward early, to avoid exposure to fevers which prevail there most in the autumn; 16 NEW-YORK TO ALBANY. and not to visit Canada too early or too late (ot iear of cold weather. In New England in August and September the annual commencements of the different universi- ties and colleges are celebrated, which attract many intelligent travellers. Rail roads have already added much to the fa- cility, convenience and cheapness of travelling on some routes, and new ones are constructing in different states, several of which will probably be completed and in use for the first time the pre- sent year. PASSAGE UP THE HUDSON RIVER. On leaving New-York, the traveller finds him- self in the midst of a fine and varied scene. The battery lies behind him, with Governor's Island and Castle Williams projecting beyond ; still more distant opens the passage called the Nar- rows, with Staten Island on the right, leading to Sandy Hook and the Atlantic Ocean, which is 22 miles from the city. On the west side of the Bay are Bedlow's and Gibbet Islands, with fortifica- tions ; the point at the mouth of the Hudson is Powles' Hook, on which stands a small town in New-Jersey called Jersey City; and the village of Hoboken is seen a mile or more up the river. The hills of Weehawken appear beyond. As the boat moves rapidly on, it passes the crowded line of buildings in Washington-street, the North Bat- tery, and the village of Greenwich ; with the build- ing formerly the State Prison, the Episcopal The- ological Seminary and the Blind Asylum in suc- cession. At Weehawken, under a ledge of rocks facing J^ortli Uortli PH\ Red I HUTCHED S CO.j Kiivgsyonf ^ II 1^], i„ el, e cV i j\fovmcLfi ^;q^ FORT WASHINGTON. 17 the rher, and about the distance of three miles from the city, is the spot where General Alexan- der Hamilton fell in a duel with Col. Burr. A monument of white marble was erected to his memory on the place; but it has been removed within a few years. This is the common duelling ground for combatants from the city, and many lives have been lost on the fatal spot, I'he PaUsadoes — a remarkable range of pre- cipices of trap rock, which begins near this place, extends up the river on the west side 20 miles, to Tappan, and forms a singular, and in many places an impassable boundary. In some places an old red sandstone foundation is seen below ; but the great mass of the rocks presents the mural preci- pices of the trap formation, and rises from the height of 15 or 20 feet to 500 or 550. The eastern shore of the river opposite thePa- lisadoes, is for many miles handsomely rounded with hills, and presents many scenes of cultiva- tion, which contrast with the rude cliffs on the left. The soil is inferior; and the wood land en- croaches too much upon the fields and orchards. The Lunatic Asylum^ about 7 miles from the city, is a large building of hewn stone, occupying a commanding situation. HarlcEm Heights are a short distance further. They form an elevated ridge across Manhattan island, on which a line of fortifications was thrown up during the Revolution and the late war quite over to the East river. Fort Lee, on the west side of the river, is sit- uated on the brow of the PaUsadoes, more than SOO feet above the river. Fort Washington was a fortress on the top of IS NEW-YORK TO ALBANY. a high rounded hill, on the east side of the river* 12 miles from New-York, In October, 1776, when Gen. Washington had evacuated the city, and, subsequently to the battle of White Plains^ (for which see just beyond,) had drawn off his army to Fort Lee, Fort Washington was kept garrisoned, contrary to his advice, and was at- tacked in four divisions. The Hessians and Wal- deckers, under Gen. Knyphausen, went up the hill on the north side, Gen. Matthews on the east, with the English light infantry and guards, march- ed against the entrenchments, which reached al- most to the East river. Col. Sterling made a feint of crossing that river lower down, while Lord Percy with a very strong corps was to act against the western flank. The Hessians suffered much from the riflemen in-passing the swamp, but succeeded, with the other divisions, in driving the Americans into this fort, where they all surrendered, to the number of 2500 men, including militia. They had lost very few ; but the British lost about 800. Fort Lee was immediately evacuated ; but the British crossed so speedily at Dobbs's Ferry, that they took the artillery, military stores, baggage, and tents of the American army. Battle of White Plains. In October, 1776, soon after the American troops evacuated New- York, while General Washington had his army assembled at Kingsbridge, and the British were in possession of the island up as far as Harlaem, General Howe came up the East river, with an intention of surrounding the Americans. He left his German corps at New-Rochelle, and marched for the high grounds at White Plains, several FORT INDEPENDENCE. 19 miles east of the Hudson, to seize the interior road between the city and Connecticut. ,' Washington penetrated his design, and intrench- ed himself on the west side of the small river Bronx, with his right on Valentine's hill, and his left on White Plains. He had garrisons near Har- Icem, at Kingsbridge, and Fort Washington. Skirmishes were kept up till the British approach- ed very near ; when Washington assembled all his troops in a strong camp on the heights near the plains, with the Bronx in front and on the right flank, and a mountainous region in the rear. The right was more accessible; and General M'Dougal was sent to intrench himself on a moun' tain about a n.ile in front. On the morning of October 28th, the British advanced in two columns: the right commanded by Gen. Clinton, and the left by Gen. Heister. The former took post on the Mamaroneck road and the latter on the Bronx, — the armies being a mile distant. Col. Ralle with a Hessian regiment fell upon General M'Dougal in flank, while Leslie at- tacked him in front with a brigade. The militia soon fled, but the regular troops resisted until overpowered. The British determined to wait ; and on the following morning, finding the Ameri- can position much strengthened, and a height in the rear occupied by the left wing, sent for more troops and erected batteries, Washington, there- fore, retired to North Castle ; and soon after, se- curing the bridge over the Croton, and Peekskill, crossed the Hudson. Fort Independence, on the east side of Hudson River. Opposite, the Palisadoes are of still greater height. 20 NEW-YORK TO ALBANY. Dohbs^s Ferry, 10 miles. Tarrytoion, 3| miles. This is the place where Major Andre was stopped, returning from his- visit to Gen. Arnold, and on his way to the British lines. The place w^as then neutral ground, as the Americans and English lay encamped above and below. The tree was recently standing under which his captors searched him, and the bank near by concealed them from his view as he approached them. It was a large tulip tree, 26 feet round and 111 feet high. ^It was struck by lightning in 1801. Tappan, on the west side. Major Andre was ex- ecuted about a mile west of the river in this town. The State Prison, at Singsing, is in a quadran- gle of nearly 44 feet by 480. It has a double stack of cells built back to back, 4 tiers high and 200 on each tier : in all 800. 9 feet distant is the outer wall, which supports a gallery running all round ; size of the cells, 3 feet 6 inches by 7 feet, and 2 feet door way. The whole work was done by convicts, and a great part is of hewn stone. The system is that of the Auburn prison. The Singsing prison is in plain view from the steamboats, being only a few feet from the shore. The excellence of this system of prison disci- pline, which is the invention of Mr. Ljnids, lately superintendent, consists in its economy and cutting off nearly all intercourse among the prisoners. They are separately lodged ; and though they work together, they can seldom converse, even by signs, and therefore can concert nothing, and cannot contaminate each other. Sleepy Hollow, rendered interesting^ by Mr. Irving, is a little above Singsing. FORT MONTGOMERY. 21 The Entrance of the Highlands is a short dis- tance beyond this place, and 40 miles from New- York. This is a reoion no less remarkable for the important military events of which it has been the theatre, than for the grandeur and nobleness of its natural scenery. Sto7iy Point. The little rough promontory on the left, nearly a mile below the entrance of the Highlands, was a fortified position during the American war. The British took it from Gen. Wayne in 1778, but lost it again the same year by surprise. There is a lighthouse on the top. Verplanck''s Point, on the opposite side, was also the site of a fort; but is now ornamented with a handsome private mansion, and the rocks near the landing are tastefully variegated with a lawn, an arbour, and many fine trees. FORT MONTGOMERY AND FORT CLINTON. 5 milcS. These forts were taken by Sir Henry Clinton, on the 6th of October, 1777. His object was to co-operate with Gen. Burgoyne, at that lime closely watched by Gen. Gates near Saratoga, and to aflx)rd him an opportunity to force his way to Hudson river, by effecting a diversion in his favor. Sir H. Clinton had left New-York with 3 or 4,000 troops, and landed at Verplanck's Point. A detachment was sent to Stony Point, and marched round in the rear of these forts, then under Gen. Putnam, and garrisoned by 1000 con- tinental troops, part of whom were unfit for duty, and a small number of militia. Gen. Putnam, supposing the object of the expe- dition to be Fort Independence, crossed the river. 2 22 NEW-YORK TO ALBANY. He did not discover their real intentions until he heard the firing at forts Montgomery and Clinton, which were attacked at the same moment. The fighting began between four and five o'clock P. M. and lasted till dark, when the Americans hav- ing lost about 250 men, the forts were surrender- ed ; but all the troops who were able, about 450, effected their escape, with the Governor and his brother Gen. James Clinton. The dead were thrown into Bloody Pond, in the rear of Fort Clinton. Part of the fleet, under Sir James Wal- lace, went up to Kingston, with Gen. Vaughan and his troops. The village was burnt on the 13th of October. The British proceeded no fur- ther than that place ; for the news of Burgoyne's surrender being received a few days afterward, the fleet returned to New-York. Anthony'' s Nose. This mountain (which has a profile resembling the human face) rises 1228 feet from the river, opposite the mouth of Montgomery Creek. The Cat«ikill Mountains are in sight from the top, part of Connecticut, the Green Mountains, with a view down the Hudson, extending to New- Jersey, and Harlsem Heights, Long Island Sound, «fec. Even the Lunatic Asylum in New-York can be discovered. As the steamboat proceeds, several points are observed projecting into the river some distance above ; and West Point makes its appearance on the left hand, with the ruins o( Fort Putnam, ele- vated on a commanding eminence, a little beyond, 598 feet above the water's ]eYe[. The view this fort commands over this wild and mountainous MILITARY ACADEMIC. 2S lieighborhood, as well as its connexion with our history, will render it worthy of a visit. There are still three our four subterraneous rooms to be seen, and the place is often visited. This fortress commanded at once the river above and below West Point, and the passage into a defile which opens through the mountains westward. A fort stood on the opposite side of the river, called Fort Constitution. .KosciusJco^s Monument is erected at West Point : and the spot is still shown where he culti- vated his little garden. On the East side of the river is Cold Spring, behind it is the West Point Foundry, the best in the United States, WEST POINT. The Military Academy of the United States, lo- cated at West Point, is designed for the instruction of young men destined for the army ; and se- condarily for maintaining the military science of the country. It was established, in 1802, by Gen. Williams, and extends only to the instruction of Cadets. The number of pupils is confined to 250; the sons of revolutionary officers are allowed the first claim, and those children of officers of the last war whose fathers are dead, the next. There are about 30 professors, instructors and assistants. Some of the Cadets affoi-d assistance in instruct- ing, for which they receive additional pay. The law prohibits admission under fourteen years of age. The level on which the buildings of the institu- tion are erected, is 188 feet above the river, though it has the appearance of having once formed a part of its bed. The annual expense of the institution to the United States is $115,000. 24f NEW-YORK TO ALBANY The sum paid for the education of a Cadet is about $330 per annum. The library consists of a large and valuable collection of books, on the various branches of military science. The buildings belonging to the institution are five ; all large, and built of stone. There are, be- sides, six brick buildings for the officers and pro- fessors; near the water, some old military store- houses, which contain arms, &c. used in the revo- lution. The barracks were lately burnt. There is an elegant hotel. The course of study is completed in four years, each being devoted to a class; and includes the French laTnguage, drawing, natural and experi- mental philosophy, chemistry and mineralogy, geography, history, ethics, and national law, ma- thematics in the highest branches, and lastly, ar- tillery and engineering. Study concludes each day at 4 P. M. and is succeeded by the parade, which lasts till sunset. Col. Beverly Robinson's mansion on the east side of the river, was head-quarters at different periods in the Revolution. In September, 1780, while the British held pos- session of Hudson river up to the Highlands, and General Arnold was in command here, a corres- pondence was carried on by him with the British officers, on the subject of surrendering his post into their hands. Andre was sent under cover of the night from the sloop of war Vulture, which was then lying in Haverstraw Bay, to a place which had been appointed for the conference. A man by the name of Smith had been sent on board by Arnold, un- der the pretence of negotiating about an honora- feXl^CUtlON OF Al^fDRfi. 2d ble treaty with Great Britain, and he accompanied Andre to the foot of a mountain called the Long Clove, on the west side of the river. Here they found Gen. Arnold in a dark ffrove of evergreen trees, according to appointment. Daylight put it out of the power of Major Andre to pass in safety the posts at Verplanck's and Sto- ny Points. He was therefore obliged to disguise. General Arnold had furnished him with a pass under the name of John Anderson ; and on the following evening he set out by land, accompanied by Smith as a guide. They rode that night to McKoy's, after going eight or nine miles: and the next he spent at Pine's Bridge, over Croton River» Here he parted with Smith, and proceeded alone six miles, when as he had passed the American lines, and v.'^as approaching those of the British) he was discovered by three men, who were con* cealed from him behind a bank ; and one of them suddenly stepping from under a tree by the road side, seized his horse by the bridle. They found in his boots a description of the works at West Point, with returns of all the forces of the garri- son, in the handwriting of Arnold.. This happened on the 23d of September. A messenger was immediately sent to Gen. Wash- ington ; and at Andre's request, Lieut. Col. Jamie- son sent to Arnold to inform him that Anderson was taken. The latter messenger arrived first ; and Arnold as soon as he learned the truth, rush- ed down a very steep bank, sprang into his boat, and ordered the rowers to take him on board the Vulture Andre was hung at the town of Tappan, where 2* 26 NEW-YORK TO ALBANY, his body was afterwards interred. In 1827, the corporation of New-York erected a monument over the grave of Paulding', one of his captors* On leaving West Point, the distant summit of Catskill mountains is distinguishable. Putnam's Rock was rolled from the top of Butter Hill, June 1778, by a party of soldiers directed by Gen Put- nam. On iheeastsideisanoiher Anthony^ s Nose, Newhurgh. — This is a town of considerable size, six miles beyond the Highlands, with some hand- some buildings. Here begins the Stage Road leading from the river to Ithaca, at the head of Cayuga Lake, and communicating, by a steamboat, with the great western turnpike at Cayuga Bridge. Newhurgh is advantageously situated for the eye of one approaching it, as it stands on the de- clivity of a hill which slopes handsomely to the shore. Half a mile south of the village is seen the old stone house in which Gen, Washington had his head-quarters when the celebrated " New- burgh Letters" came out. A coach runs daily to Goshen, near which are the Chemung Springs. Fishkill Mountain. — The summits called North and South Beacons, which rise opposite New- burgh, at a distance of four miles, command a fine view over the surrounding country and the river, which appears, interrupted by the Highlands, like a number of lakes. Fort Putnam is in sight, and it is said that land may be seen in seven different states. Many villages, as well as the river, are in- cluded in the view. Matteawan Factory, Fishkill. — It stands near the river and directly opposite Newhurgh. It KIXGSTON. , 27 gives employment to about 300 persons, wrth 50 power looms, &c. 1,000 or 1,500 yards of cot- ton are manufactured on an average from the wool every day, principally stripes and ginghams. There is an extensive machine shop connected with it. Poughkeepsic, the Capital of Duchess county, is on the East side of the Hudson, 75 miles South of Albany, 74 North of New York. There is a small village situated on the irregular and pictur- esque ground "near the landing, but the principal village is 1 mile distant, containing a Bank, Aca- demy &c. Much manufacturing is done on the streams in this township ; and great quantities of JBarnegat lime, burnt hereabouts, are sent to dif- ferent parts of the country. Hyde Park^ 6 miles N. of Poughkeepsie, con- tains the summer residence of Dr. Hosack, in view from the landing, and the grounds and garden at- tached are laid out in a princely style, and with some others in the village, are worthy of a visit from the passing traveller. Kingston, on the West side, 100 miles North of New York, has a fine tract of meadow land at the village, 3 miles from the river. The Court house cost 8^0,000. Limestone abounds. The village was burnt by the British in 1777. Esopus creek supplies mill seats. For several miles beyond, the shores are of a regular elevation, but are cut through by several streams, which afford a little variety, as wharves are usually constructed at their mouths, where sloops receive their cargoes of timber or produce for New York. S8 NEW-YORK TO ALBANY. The Delaware and Hudson Canal, which was commenced in July 1825, and completed, with the works in connexion with it, near the close of 1829, extends from Rondout creek, about four miles from the junction of the Waalkill with the Hud- son, to the coal mines on the Lackawana creek, in Pennsylvania. The chief part of it, 65 miles, pass- es through a valley, two or three miles wide, in a south- westerly direction, to the Delaware. The country at the opening of the canal is re- markably irregular and wild. On rising from the level of the river by locks into the basin, an as- semblage of rocks, steep hills, and forest trees is suddenly presented to the view, with a few build- ings; and after passing through a deep cut, where the work is very neai, and under a high bridge, the boat enters the river, whose smooth and gras- sy shore offers a very convenient towing path. The canal is 36 feet in breadth at the surface, and fiuirfeet deep. The locks are nine feet wide, 72 in length between the gates, from eight to ele- ven feet lift, and built of stone. The country seems as if it might have afforded a channel to the Delaware, before its waters forced for themselves a new^ passage through the Blue Ridge, 80 feet above the present level of that river. At the High Falls on the Rondout River, the canal passes over a hewn stone aqueduct of two arches, just above which tlie cascade is seen, 50 feet high. The falls and the aqueduct both pre- sent a fine and striking appearance ; the effect of which is still further increased by the passage of the Five Locks, by which the ascent is surmounted. The Summit Level is about midway between the Hudson and Delaware, at Wurtzborough. honesDale. 29 The Neversink River is crossed on an aqueduct, and the canal then pursues the course of that river. Carpenter^s Pointy on the Delaware, is the place where the canal meets that river, on the line of New Jersey ; and it then proceeds north- westerly, along its course. The excavations of rocks along the Delaware, are in many places on a vast scale ; and the varie- ty of natural scenery and artificial constructions presented to the traveller is highly agreeable and picturesque. A wall of stone rising from the ri- ver's bank, varying in height from 10 to 20 and 30 feet, supports the canal and tow path, in many places where the rocks have been blasted out with great expense to afford it a passage. Butler's Fall's, — At this place the mountains rise to the height of several hundred feet, and a rock, which appeared to present a natural insur- mountable obstacle, has been cut away with im- mense labor just over the tumultuous stream, so that boats pass along the smooth surface of the canal without difficulty or exposure, within a .short distance of an impetuous current. The Dam and Aqueduct over the Delaware. — The canal crosses the Delaware opposite the mouth of the Lackawana River, on a dam 4 feet in height, after which it enters the valley of that stream. The Lackawana River. — -Along the bank of this river the canal passes for a distance of about 20 miles supported for a great part of the way on a wall of stone. The wildness of the country on either side will offer continually striking objects lio the traveller. Honesdale, stands at the Forks of the Dyberry, where the rail way meets the canal atits termination. 30 NEW-YORK TO ALBANlf. The Railway, by which the coal is tjrougy from the mines, is provided with steam engines to move the carts. (We return to Hudson river;) Saugerties.— Here is a large manufacturing place established by Henry Barclay, Esq. of New- York. By a large stone dam on Esopus creek he obtains a supply of water at a fall of nearly 50 feet, which may be twice used on great wheels. The canal conducts it about two hundred yards through rocks 65 feet high. Here is a mill for paper, and an iron rolling and puddling mill 169 feet long, rolls 200 tons a week, and can do dou- ble that work. THE CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. As the traveller proceeds he observes the dis- tant rido^e of the Catskill mountains more distinct- ly, which limit the view north and westerly for many miles, and form a grand feature in the scene. They nowhere approach nearer to the river than 8 miles, and in some places retire 15 and even 20. An excursion to the summit of these mountains is performed by great numbers of travellers ; and indeed has become so favorite an enterprise that it may very properly be ranged among the principal objects in the great tour which we are just com- mencing. The visit may be accomplished in one day, though two or three may be agreeably spent in examining, at leisure, the grand and beautiful scenery of that romantic neighborhood. There is a large and commodious house of entertainment erected at the Pine Orchard, one of the peaks of the mountain, about 3000 feet above the river. It is visible from the steamboat ; and the ascent to it is performed without fatigue, in private carriage^ CATSKILL MOUNTAINS. 3l or a stage coach, which goes and returns regular- ly twice a clay. The place to land for this excursion is CatskiJl, where begins a turnpike road to Ithaca. Taking the stage coach here, you proceed towards the Pine Orchard, passing a good inn at the distance of 7 miles, (640 feet above the river,) and then be- ginning the ascent, which is surmounted by a winding road that affords much wild scenery and many a glimpse at the surrounding country.* Five miles of such travelling brings the visiter to The Pine Orchard. This is a small plain, 2214 feet above the river, scattered with forest trees, and furnished with an elegant hotel. The Eludson is seen winding from afar through its verdant val- ley, its margin adorned with villages, and its sur- face enlivened with vessels of various descrip- tions. Immediately below is seen a region of un- cultivated mountains, which is strikingly contrast- ed with the charming aspect of fertility that reigns beyond, and presents all the variety of hill and vale, town, hamlet, and cottage. The Round Top is a summit of greater eleva- tion from which the view is more extensive. It is 3,718 feet above the ocean. On the west side of the river is seen part of the counties of Albany, Greene, Ulster, and Orange ; and on the east, part of Putnam County, and all of Dutchess, Columbia, and Rensselaer. * The forests of this mountainous region furnish immense quantities of the bark used in tanning leather ; and not le?s than 23 tanneries are in operation in this couaty, which supply about four-fifths of the leather an- nually inspected in the city of New-Vork. (lidwards' large tannery is in the town of Hunter,) Water power is advantageously introduced to aid in some parts of tho process ; and the custom bus been adopted of soak- ing the bark in heated water. More than 155,000 hides were tanned ia Green County in 1826, valued at more than $400,000. 22 NEW-YORK TO ALBANY. The distant highlands in the east belong partly ta Taughkannuc and Saddle Mountains, in Massa- chusetts, and perhaps partly to the Green Moun- tains in Vermont. Lower down is discovered a range of hills in the western counties of Connec- ticut. The eye embraces a tract of country about 100 miles in length, and 50 in breadth; and a large part of it is supposed, by geologists, to have formed the bed of a great lake in some long past age, when the Hudson was thrown back by the barrier presented at the Highlands, before the pre- sent chasm had been cut for its passage. Nearly opposite is seen the old Livingston Ma- nor, which is one of the few great aristocratical estates existing in this part of the country. It originally contained Clermont (14,000 acres,) the Manor (146,000), and East Camp or Palatine (COOO). This last was settled by exiles from the Palatinate in the reign of Queen :^nne. The Cascades. There is a singular and highly romantic scene which has been intentionally re- served for the last. A path leads through the woods to the cascades, passing near two small lakes, from which the supply of water is derived. Carriages may generally be procured to take visi- ters to the spot. The stream flows through the woods to where the level terminates, very abruptly, at a high and shelving precipice, descending into a tremendous gorge between ridges of gloomy mountains. The first fall is 175 feet, and the second SO: both per- pendicular, without a single protruding rock to break the snow-white sheet. A building is erected, where refreshments may be obtained ; and on the right is a steep path by CITY OF HUDSON. 33 which even ladies may descend in safety to the foot of the falls. Tliere is a cavern under the first cataract, where the shelving rock shelters the stranger from the spray, and throws a dark shade around him, which sets off, in the most beautiful manner, the wild scenery below. The cavern is formed by the wearing away of the sand-stone rocks, while the stratum of graywacke remains unimpaired. At a little distance the stream takes it second leap into a dark abyss ; and from a rock at that place, it is seen rushing tumultuously along over a steep and rocky channel, winding between the ba- ses of the mountains until it gradually sweeps away towards the south, and disappears among the rude scenery that surrounds it. The traveller will return fo Catskill to take the steamboat. THE CITY OF HUDSON, 5i miles. This is one of the largest and most important towns on the river, and occupies a commanding eminence on the eastern bank, with several ranges of large stores built neqr the water's level. On the brow of the ascent from the water is a favorite prome- nade, from which a charming view is enjoyed of the river and the opposite Catskill mountains. The western shore is variegated and beautiful, and contains the village of Athens. Hudson is a port of entry, and capital of Co- lumbia county. Several vessels are employed in whaling. Ships of the largest size come up the river to this town without difficulty. 28 miles south of Albany. It may be recommended to the traveller who 3 3* CITY OF ALBANY. wishes to visit New-Lebanon Springs, to land here and lake the stage coaches. From Hudson to New-Lebanon is 28 miles. The road passes through a varied, well culliva- ted, and agreeable tract of coimtry. Stage coach- es go daily to Lenox, Stockbridge, Pittslield, &.c. At Egremont, they exchange passengers with the coaches for Shefiiekl, Hartford, and New-Haven. At Hudson carriages may be engaged for Cats- kill mountains. The Columbia Spring is a place of some re- sort, and the water is considered effectual in ca- ses of scrofula. There are extensive manufactories of cotton, calico, &.C. &c. in this vicinity. Claverack is a pieajgant village a few miles from Hudson. I'he Great Falls is a romantic cascade, of 150 feet, about 9 miles from Hudson, near the old post route. Tljcrc is a large manufactory about 250 yards from the cascade. Various plans have been proposed, for the im- provement of the navigation of Hudson river, and some have been attempted. Nearly 8 150,000 have been expended since the year 1797, about $30,000 of which was by the state. Tiie Overslaugh, 4 miles from Albany, is a place where the channel is narrow and crooked ; and much labor has been resorted to in deepening it. ALBANY, the capitol of the State of New-York, on the west side of the Hudson, 144 miles nortli of New-York, 165 west of Boston, 230 south of Montreal, contained 26,000 inhabitants in 1830, and must have increased much since that time. It is a city of great wealth and prosperity, and em- CITY OF ALBAKY. 35 bellished with fine buildings, public and private. The navigation of the Hudson is here connected with the Erie and Champlain canals and the Schenectady rail-road, and numerous stage coach lines meet. The canal basin is formed by a pier 4,300 feet long ; and the junction of the two ca- nals is 8 miles north. The Capitol or State House, 90 feet |by 115, and 50 high, stands on the top of the hill of that name, at the head of State street, which is broad and fine. It contains the Senate and Assembly Chambers, Superior Court, &c. Near it are the City Hall, of white marble, the Institute, and Aca- demy. There are in the cily 5 Banks, 3 Insurance offices, an Athenaeum, Library, Female Seminary, &c. The first settlement was made in Albany in I6l2, it being the second colony planted in the United States. A little trading house or fort, was erected by the Dutch on an island half a mile be- low the city, after which fort Orange was built on the main land above it. Albany was first called Aiirania, afterwards Beverwyck, in 1625 it was named Fort Orange, in 1647 Williamstadt, and Albany in 1664. It was long protected against Indian attacks by a palisade. The charter was granted in 1686, and included 7160 acres. The form is peculiar: extending 7 miles along the river, although but one mile in breadth. The Erie Canal., extends from Albany to Buf- falo, 362 miles, connecting the navigation of the Hudson with that of Lake Erie, the Ohio river and the upper Lakes ; and, by collateral works, with Lake Ontario and many of the small Lakes and streams in the interior of the State of New-York. 36 NEW-YORK TO ALBANY. At the distance of 8 miles from Albany, it is join- ed by the Champlain Canal, which extends to Lake Champlain. There are many objects of in- terest along the route, both natural and artificial, which will be mentioned in the proper places. It was the first great work of the Idnd completed in the U, States, and its great success has done much to encourage the prosecution of internal improve- ments in different States of the Union. The Canal. The whole quantity of down freight upon which toll is charged by weight, that was conveyed on the New-York Canals to Albany in 1833, amounted to one hundred and fifty-two thousand nine hundred and thirty-five tons, at 2,000 lbs. per ton. Arrived, 734,133 barrels of flour, 22,922 barrels of ashes, 13,489 barrels of provisions, 19,908 barrels of whiskey, 873 hhds. of whiskey, 17,116 bushels of salt, 298,504 bush- els of wheat, 122,944 bushels of coarse grain, 257, 252 bushels of barley, 2,187 boxes of glass. And also the following upon which toll is not charged by the ton : 20,960 cords wood, 74,350 feet tim- ber, 55,338,547 feet lumber, 74,350 M shingles, and 68,321 tons of merchandise, furniture, and sundries, sent up the Canal from Albany. The whole amount of toll received by the Collector at Albany, is $323,689.88, making an increase of $87,053.56 over the receipts of last year. The number of boats arrived and cleared was 16,834. Route to the Springs and the Falls. The com- mon route to Ballston and Saratoga Springs, or that to Niagara will be pursued by most trav- ellers arriving at Albany from the south. They will be given hereafter. They both leave Albany by the Railroad to Schenectady: The route to ALBANY AND SCHENECTADY RAILROAD 37 Lebanon Springs 26 miles east from Albany, will first be given, with descriptions of places and ob- jects along the old routes to Ballston and Saratoga. There is a fine waterfall about 8 miles from Albany, in a south-west direction, on a branch of Nordman's creek; and the spot is of quite a ro- mantic character. There are several pleasant excursions which may be made in different directions from Albany : as to Lebanon Springs, Troy, Cohoes Falls on the Mohawk, (on the way whither will be seen some of the locks on the Erie Canal,) Waterford, Niskayuna, &c. These places will be described hereafter. — (See Index,) Most travellers how- ever will take the Albany and Schenectady Railroad., on the route to the Springs or to Niagara. It is between 15 and 16 miles long, with double tracks, and was commenced in 1830. The summit is a dead level of 14 miles, 335 feet above the Hudson, with a stationary steam engine of -12 horse. power at each end, to draw the cars up inclined planes of 120 perpendicular feet, and branches to the Albany basin and Capital Square. In one place excava- tions of 47 feet have been made several hundred yards.* On approaching the western end, the road makes a gentle curve, which affords a view back upon the whole route, which is strait to that * Mr. Jesse HueVs farm, 3 miles from Albany, lies in the route of the railroad. It contains 80 acres, which, in 1818, was in the neglected, un- productive condition of the adjacent soil. He ploughs much, and adopts a judicious system of rotation of crops, some of which are ploughed in for manure. Some fine hedges of different growths may be seen on the farm. He finds a convenient market in the city. Tht Nnrsim eiwhr&ces about a dozen acres, and coni ains a well stored greenhouse. Here will be found numerous fine native and foreign plants. 3* 38 NEW-LEBANON SPRINGS. place. The wheels run on an iron bar resting on pine rails. When completed the work will pro- bably cost about $40,000 a mile, or $639,908. (For th& continuation of the route to NIAGA- RA, see page 46 and onward.) LEBANON SPRINGS, 26 milesE. from Albany. New Lebanon Springs is one of the most de- lightful resorts for strangers. Among all the pla- ces which might have been selected for an agreea- ble residence in the warm seasons, and calculated to please a taste for the softer beauties of naturi;, none perhaps could have been found more eligible than that we are about to describe. The village of New-Lebanon is situated in a little valley, surrounded by fine hills, or rather spurs from two ranges of high ground, descending with a rich, and graceful slope on every side to its borders. The valley is almost a perfect level, which contrasts delightfully with the bold sides of the uplands, some of which are divested of their forests, and ornamented with cultivated fields and farms, presenting a rich variety to the eye wher- ever it turns. On the side of a hill about two miles east from the village, and about half way to the summit of the ridge, issues out a Spring of clear warm wa- ter, which, although possessed of no strong mine- ral qualities, has given the place its celebrity; and there stands a fine and spacious hotel, to which the visiter will direct his course. In coming from the west, the Shaker Village opens just beyond the last turnpike gate. The terms of boarding are as follows : in July, $S per week, and at other seasons $7. Near the NEW-LEBANON SPRINGS. 39 Spring is a Bath House, containing warm, cold, and shower baths. A little arbor will be observed on the acclivity of the hill above the house, the path to which lies through the garden; and there an uninterrupted view will be enjoyed over the surrounding land- scape. A still more extensive one may be ob- tained from the summit of the hill, by following the road for a considerable distance up, and then turning off into the fields. On the south-east is the road to Northampton; south-west the most extensive scene, and the road to the Shaker Vil- lage; west, village of New Labanon, and road to Albany and Troy ; north-west, the side of a fine sloping hill, well Cultivated, and near at hand. Distances. To Albany, 26 miles ; Troy, 27. (This is the shortest way to Ballston and Saratoga Springs, Lake George, &.c.) *To Hartford, 69 ; Hudson, 28. The waters of the Spring are abundant, and much esteemed for bathing, always keeping the temperature of 72 deg. Fahrenheit, althoug^h they cannot be supposed to possess any mineral vir- tues, as may be inferred from an examination of the followinji; analysis given by Dr. Meade, and quoted by Professor Silliman. Two quarts of the Lebanon water contain. Muriate of lime, 1 grain. Muriate of soda, 1| Sulphate of lime, 1^ Carbonate of do. J Of Aeriform fluids. Nitrogen gas, 13 cubicin. Atmospher air, 8 do. 5 grains. 21 The Lebanon water is therefore purer than most 40 ROADS FROM LEBANON SPRINGS. natural water?, and purer than those in the vicin- ity, which flow from the very same hill. It re- sembles very much the Buxton water in England, though it is not quite so warm ; and the Bristol water is another example of tepid water almost entirely without mineral qualities. Professor Sil- liman compares the scenery about Lebanon Springs to that of Bath in England. It is however grad- uated more on those principles of taste which habit cherishes in an American, as it abounds far more in the deep hues of the forest, and every where exhibits the signs of progressive improve- ment. Messrs, Hull & Bentley's house at the Springs is very latge, commodious, and elegant; and has accommodated 300 persons at one time. It stands close by the spring. The old house measures 90 feet, and the new one 120 feet long. They stand in the form of an L, and a fine piazza runs ah ng them botli, measuring 220 feet. "There is a small fish pond in the neighborhood. Roads from Lebanon Springs. From New- Lebanon Springs to Troy, there is a good road, through a variegated country. Distances as fol- lows : to Nassau, 16 miles; thence to Troy, 11. From the Springs to Hudson is 28 miles, and Stage coaches go thither. The following is a table of distances on the road to Boston : Pittsfiield,* 7 miles; Hinsdale, 9; Peru,t 4; Worthington, 6 ; Chesterfield, 6 ; Northampton, 13; Hadley, 3; Amherst, 4; Belchertown, 7; "Ware, 6; Western, 8; Brookfield, (>; Spencer, * At Pittsficld is a flourishing- Boarding School for boys. t A church roof on a hill in this town, is said to divide the waters of the Connecticut and Housatoaick, (he rain running from it in opposite di- rection*. THE SHAKER VILLAGE. 4l 7 ; Leicester, 1 1 ; Worcester, 6 ; Framingham, 10; Boston, 21 — 134. The Shaker Village, a few miles from the Springs, is an object of attention to most visiters. The village itself presents a scene of great neat- ness and beauty, as it is situated on a beautiful level, and laid out with the utmost regularity. The fields are divided by right lines, fenced with the most substantial materials, and cultivated with great faithfulness and skill. It is a leading prin- ciple with the society, to allow of no private pro- perty: all the possessions of those who join them are thrown into the common stock, and submitted at once to their peculiar system of life and gov- ernment. Celibacy they insist upon as indispen- sable ; and they profess to banish the love of wealth and ambition, as well as luxury in all its degrees, from their territories. The founder of their sect was Ann Lee, who came from England some years ago, and estab- lished at Niskayuna, near Albany, a small "fam- ily," as they call it, which has been succeeded by various similar institutions in different parts of the country. They regard that woman as nearly equal to the Saviour of the world ; and themselves as the only persons who have received that spir- itual light which is necessary to understand and practise the duty of man, that is, to renounce the pleasures of the world, and, by a life of self-denial, present a living testimony against error and wick- edness. Their dress is plain, and their worship consists principally of a strange and disagreeable kind of dancing, whence they have their name, accompanied with a monotonous song. 42 UNITED states' ARSENAL. Some of their most experienced and perfect liiembers })retend to "speak with tongues," heal diseases with a tovich of the hand, and perfornn other miracles like the apostles. They consider the marriage contract as dissolved ou joining the society. They pay great attention to the raising of gar- den seeds in most of their villages, as well as to several of the neater branches of manufacture, and derive from both a very handsome income, by making sales at home and in distant parts of the country. Geology. The tract of country between New- Lebanon and Albany is transition. Bluish gray transition limestone, with veins of calcareous spar, abounds here in strata on a large scale, with a considerable inclination. It is compact, with a slaty structure, Graywacke abounds at intervals; also transition slate, and a fine red sandstone. RENSSELAERWYCK. A fine estate with its respectable old mansion house, about a mile north of the centre of the city, is the seat of the Honorable Stephen Van Rensselaer, who bears the respected old Dutch title of Patroon of Alba- ny. The estate is of immense value, extending ten miles along the river, and double that distance east and west ; while he possesses besides, a fine tract on the Black River, and much other prop- erty. It was formerly entailed and secured by law to the oldest son of the family; but on the death of the present proprietor it is to be divided equally among all the children. v. States' Arsenal, 5i miles, at Gibbonsville. Being in the vicinity to the Hudson, the road, and the canal, it enjoys every convenience for the trans- 43 portation of arms and ammunition. One floor is devoted to such arms as are intended for the sup- ply of the military posts, or have been received for repairing-. The arms in the other parts are disposed with more taste. The muskets are partly packed in boxes, and partly ranged up- right, with fixed bayonets, in compact order ; and present an appearance truly formidable. Thou- sands of pistols are hung overhead ; tliose in the alternate lines standing different ways; and swords with metallic scabbards are disposed horizontally on wire hooks. The walls bear several devices formed of swords, pistols, fl.<'?:c Q ERIE CANAL. 45 At the Van Rensselaer School, the students de- liver lectures, by turns, on the branches of study to which they are devoted; and during the pleasant seasonsoftheyear, they allow much time to making personal observations on farming, the botany of the neighbourhood, &c. Boarding costs about $1,50 per week, and no charge is made for room rent, use of the library, apparatus, &.c. Any person above 18 years of age is gratuitous- ly ofl'ered education, who possesses the scientific acquisitions to be taught in any incorporated academy ; if he has a good moral character, and will return to his county and exert himself to introduce and extend the experimental plan of education. Miss Willard's Academy^ for young ladies, is also a very respectable establishment. The Double Locks. — The two locks which occur just below tlie junction of the northern and west- ern canals, were doubled in 1825, to furnish room for the boats, which pass here in great numbers. They are built of marble from Westchester county. The junction, 8i miles from Albany, is where the Northern and Western canals unite. To this spot the canal is of a greater width than either of the branches. The Northern canal runs to White- hall, Lake Champlain, with locks, a distance of 62^ miles, passing through Waterford, Halfmoon, Stillwater, near Bemis's Heights, (14 miles from Waterford,) with the battle grounds of General Burgoyne, Fort Hardy, where he surrendered, Fort Miller, Fort Edward, and Fort Anne. THE ERIE OR WESTERN CANAL, reaches to Buflfalo, on Lake Erie, a distance of 363 miles, 4 40 ROUTE TO NIAGARA, It has 83 locks, which raise and lower the water 688 feet in all. The principal points where the most labour and expense were required, are the following : The Basin at Albany, — the Dam and Basin at Troy, — the Locks at the Cohoes Falls, — the two Aqueducts on which the canal twice crosses the Mohawk, — the long Stone Wall and Locks at Lit- tle Falls, together with the beautiful Aqueduct for the Feeder at that place, — the long stretch through the Onondaga Swamp, — the great Embankment at Victor, where for two miles the boats pass 72 feet above the level, — the Aqueduct over the Genesee at Rochester, — the five double combined Imspicuous a figure in the his- tory of the i^tate about the time of the French war, wss born in Ireland, in 1714, and in 1734 came to America, at the solicitaion of his uncle, Sir Peter Warren, who had acquired a large estate here through his wife. Sir William became well acqu'iiuted wiUi the Indian language and man- ners, and acquired a greater influence over them than any white ■nan ever possessed. He lose from the station of ajuivate soldier to the i^nk of a general, and commanded at lake George in 1755, although as will hereafter be seen, the title which he there received W3s really merited by Gen. Lyman. July 25, 1759, he took Fort Niagara, and in 1769 went to join Gen. Gen. Amherst at Oswego, and assisted in the captu e of Mon- treal He died and was buried at his seat, July 7, 1774, at the age of 60 very rich, in consequence of the increase'! value of his extensive estate after the French war. This building was en cted in 177.3, and stands nearly a mile westward from the village. It is called th e H«ll. The Hattle of Johnstown. On the 25th of October, 1781, Col. Willet, with 400 white men and 60 of the Oneida tribe, fought 600 of the Eng- lish and Indians, on the grounds belonginiz to the mansion. The loss of the enemy was considerable, and they suffered so much during thei"* re- treat, that on their arrival in Canada their numbers were reduced to 220. 4* BO ROTTTE TO NIAGARA. Canajoharie Creek and Village, 5 miles. Hence a stage coach two or three times a week to Cherry Valley. Fort Plain, 4 miles. Here is a small village, belonging to a town inhabited by the descendants of Germans. It occupies the site of old Fort Plain. The German language, much corrupted, is spoken. This little fort was surprised by Cap- tain Butler in the revolutionary war, on his re- turn from burning Cherry Valley ; and here he committed similar attrocities. Dam on the River, and Feeder for the Canal. 4 miles. The mouth of East Canada Creek, on the oppo- site side of the Mohawk. Near that place Capt. Butler met a violent death, soon after leaving Fort Plain, on his Vv'ay back to Oneida Lake and the Oswesfo. He had crossed the river some- where below, and while lingering a little in the rear of his troops, was ovv'^rtaken near the mouth of the creek, by two Oneida Indians, in friendship with the Americans. Seeing them preparing to kill him, he begged for his life; but they only re- plied, ^^ Sherry Valley P^ and tomahawked him on the spot. Mohawk Castle, 2 miles. This was the princi- pal defensive position of that famous nation of In- dians now entirely scattered and lost. As the nearest to the Dutch settlements, and New Eng- land, they were long regarded with peculiar soli- citude, and frequently with great dread. They were one of the five nations, of which we shall speak more particularly, at Oneida, and were long faithful and serviceable friends to the white men. Here is an old chapel erected for their use. tlTTLE FALLS. 51 LITTLE FALLS. The country presents a varied surface, and increases in interest on ap- proaching Little Falls, which is the most roman- tic scene on the course of the Erie canal. On reaching a little open meadow surrounded by hills where the views open upon cultivated fields and a {ew farm houses, the Mohawk will be found flowing below on the right; while on the oppo- site side, at the foot of the hills on the verge of the forest that covers them, the great road is seen, after having been lost to the view for a long time. Here is situated Gen. Herkimer's house, on the south side of the river at the foot of Fall Hill. The road, the river, and the canal meet again at the head of the valley; for there is but one pas- sage, and that so narrow as hardly to afford room for them all, through a chain of limestone and granite hills, doubtless torn away in some former age by the force of water. If the chain were again filled up it would throw the water back, and form an immense lake, such as is supposed to have once existed v\^est of this place, and which, by overflowing its bounds, in process of time wore away the limestone strata, and cut deep into the hard granite, until a mere river succeeded, and the fine alluvial plains above, called the German Flats were left dry. The stranger should, by no means, neglect the view of this place. If he reaches it early or late in a pleasant day, particularly near the rising of the sun, the beauty of the scene will be redoubled. On the north bank of the river, the road climbs along the side of the rocks, where there is barely room for its passage. A great part of the way, 52 ftOUTE TO NIAGARA. it is almost overhung by rocks and trees on one side, while on the other is a precipice of granite, cut down by the force of water in perpendicular shafts, originally formed by drills, made by loose stones whirled round in the current. The same appearance extends to the islands and rocks in the channels, many of which appear quite inaccessi' ble, with their ragged and perpendicular sides overhung by dark evergreens, whose shade seems the more intense from its contrast with the white rapids and cascades below. In some places the road is protected by immense natural battlements, formed of massy rock, which have been loosened from above, and planted themselves on the brow of the precipice. The scenery has been compared with that of the river Dove in Derbyshire, and the Killin in Perthshire, England. On the south side of the river runs the canal supported by a wall 20 or 30 feet high, construct- ed at great expense, and rising from the veiy chan- nel of the Mohawk. The wildness of the surround- ing scenery contrasts no less with the artificial beauty of this noble work, than the violence and tumult of the Mohawk with the placid and silent surface of the canal, or the calmness and security with which the boats glide along the side of the mountains. The canal traveller may step on shore at the two locks, and walk along the tow paths, as there are five more locks a mile above. If he wishes to stop a few hours to view the scene more at lei- sure, the village of Little Ealls is only half a mile from that place, where is a large and comfortable inn, with canal boats and stage coaches passing very frequently. GERMAN FLATS. 53 The Aqueduct across the Mohawk is near the five locks; and is considered the most finished spe^ cimen of mason work on the line of the canal though much inferior in size to that over the Ge- nesee at Rochester. It conducts a supply of water from the old canal, formerly built for boats to pass the falls, and communicates also with a large basin on the north bank. It passes the narrow channel of the river with three beautiful arches, which are covered with a calcareous cement roughened by little stalactites, formed by the water that continually drips through the stones. The span of the middle arch is 60 feet. Stones, twigs of trees, &.c. on which the water falls, are soon found incrusted with a similar substance. The channel here shows part of the old limestone strata, with the more durable granite rocks laid bare below. This range of mountains, called in this part of the state the Catsbergs, is a spur of the Alleghany and extends along the west side of Lake Cham- plain, till it disappears in the northern levels in Canada. This neighborhood is interesting to the geolo- gist, abounding in organic remains, and rock- crystals, (quartz), terminating with two pyramids. There are mills of various kinds at this place. On leaving Little Falls, the canal enters upon a beautiful meadow of fine soil, and smooth sur- face ; through which the Mohawk winds in a pla- cid and gentle current, enclosed on each side by sloping hills. At the distance of three miles, we are in the level region called the German Flats^ famous for its fertility. The inhabitants, who are 64 ftOUTE TO NIAGARA. almost all of German extraction, still preserve their language, and many of the customs of their ancestors, and though often laborious and provi dent farmers, are little inclined to those improve- ments in learning or the useful arts, which dis- tinguish so large a portion of the state. The scenes presented along this part of the canal bear a resemblance to some of the meadows of the Connecticut, although of inferior size, and of more recent settlement. Six miles from Little Falls is Lock No. 48. An old church is seen on the south side ; and also, old Fort Herkimer. Herkimer. This village is situated about a mile and a half beyond, and a mile north of the canal, on a semicircular plain ; the circumference of which is traced by the Mohawk, and the diameter by the great road. It derives its name from Gen. Herkimer, of whom there will be more to say at Rome. Fort Herkimer, or the "Stone House," is near the canal, a mile and a half from Herki- mer. The traveller may take a carriage here, to visit Trenton Falls^ and join the canal again at Utica ; or go first from Utica. The Long Level, begins at Lock No. 53, near- ly six miles west of Herkimer. It is the longest reach on the canal, without any interruption by locks, extending to Salina, a distance of 69i miles. After passing Frankfort, we reach UTICA. This is one of the largest and most important of the western towns. Here the river, the great road, and the canal, all meet again. There are TRENTON FATIiS. 65 also roarls concentrating here, from various direc- tions, and stage coaches arriving and departing in great numbers. There are several handsome churches inUtica, and one or more for almost every denomination. The streets are broad, straight, and commodious;, and the principal ones well built with rows of brick stores, or elegant dwelling-houses. The bridge over the Mohawk is at the end of the street. There were, in 1830, 8253 inhabitants. Hamilton College is situated near the village of Clinton, nine miles from Utica. There were fourteen graduated here in 1828. TRENTON FALLS. This most interesting vicinity is well worthy the attention of every person of taste, being justly considered one of the finest natural scenes in this part of the country. An excellent inn is kept near the falls. From this house you descend a long staircase down the steep bank of the West Canada Creek, which has cut a frightful chasm through a rocky range, in some places 150 feet deep, and is seen gliding swiftly by through a declining channel be- low. The chasm continues for four miles, and presents the greatest variety of cascades and ra^ pids, boiling pools and eddies. The passage is everywhere very narrow, and in some places it has been often necessary to form an artificial path by means of gunpowder. These places appear dangerous, but only require a little caution and presence of mind to ensure the safety of the visi- ter, as strong iron chains are fixed into the rocks to ofler him security. There are four principal 58 ROUTE TO NIAGARA. cataracts, between the staircase by which you first descend and the usual limit of an excursion, which is about a mile and a quarter up the stream. The first of these you discover soon after the first turning, and is about 40 feet high ; with the greatest fall towards the west. The top of the rock on the right side is 150 feet high by line mea- surement. The second is a regular fall, much like a mill dam, about eight feet high; the third, a remarkably striking and beautiful one ; and the fourth, rather a succession of cascades, but presents many most agreeable varieties. Near the foot of this a melancholy accident oc- curred in 1827. A lady from New-York was drowned by slipping from a low bank ; unseen, although her friends and parents were near her. A singular species of tree is found in this neighborhood, called the white cedar, with droop- ing branches, which often grow to such a length as to descend far below the root, towards the water. The rocks here are all a dark limestone, of a very slaty structure, and contain astonishing quantities of petrified marine shells and other animals of antideluvian date, such as dilobites, trilobites, &c. &c. There are several other cataracts besides those already mentioned, both above and below ; and a stranger might spend some time here very agreea- bly in observing them at leisure, and in catching the fine trout with which the creek abounds. FORT sTanwix. 57 FROM UTICA TO SYRACUSE. By the Canal 63| miles. Whitestown, 4 miles. Oriskany village. . . . .7 Rome on the right, . . . .8 Feeder from Wood Creek, and the old U. S. Arsenal, . . . .1 Oneida Creek, ... l4 Lock 54, end of the long level, 29 Syracuse, .... — f Those places are noticed in succession. "Whitestown is one of the most beautiful villa- ges in this part of the state, as well as the oldest settlement. All this tract of country was a per* feet wilderness in 1785, when Mr. White, from Middletown in Connecticut, first took up his abode here and lifted an axe against the forest. The traveller may keep this in mind as he pursues his journey, and the progress of civilization will ap- pear more astonishing. SEIGE OF FORT STANV/IX. On the road from Whitestown to Rome, is the spot where Gen. Herkimer remained under a tree after re- ceiving his mortal wound. In 1777, Gen. Bur- goyne sent between 1500 and 1800 men, many of them savages, under Baron St. Leger, from Mon- treal, by Lake Ontario, to attack Fort Stanwix; and then to go down the Mohawk to Albany. Early in August, they arrived at Fort Stanwix. Gen. Herkimer, commander of the militia of Try- on county, was sent against them with 800 men. His men insisted on going on, to meet a detach- ment under Sir J. Johnson, sent out by St. Le- ger ; but at the first shot they fled. A few re- 5 ^ ROUTE TO NIAGARA. mained and fought, and Gen. H. was killed. Con« gress voted a monument to his memory, but il has never been erected. The Americans lost 160 killed, and 240 wounded and prisoners. Two miles below Fort Stanwix the canal commences' between the Mohawk and Wood Creek. Fort Stanwix stood 60 or 80 rods N. E, of the centre of the village of Rome, with a deep ditch) three rows of palisadoes, and a block-house in the middle. Rome. Near this village, when the canal was opened through a ridge of diluvial formation, clams were found alive, which were eaten by the workmen. (See Am. Journ. of Sci. &lc. 1829.) ONEIDA CASTLE. This is a village on the confines of a tract of reserved land belonging^ to the Indians of the Oneida nation. The principal residences of most of the Indians in this part of the country were formerly fortified in a manner corresponding with their ideas of warfare, and hence the name of castle attached to this village, as well as to several others which we have occa- sion to speak of further on. The Oneidas were one of the original Five Na- tions, which form so conspicuous a figure in the history of this state. A mile east of Oneida Creek, and by the road side is the ancient COUNCIL GROVE, where all the public business of the nation was for many years, transacted. It is formed of 27 fine butter- nut trees, which, in the summer season, from a little distance, presents a most beautiful and regu- lar mass of verdure. Towards the south-east from this place is seen the Episcopal church for the use of the Indians. SYRACUSE. 59 A considerable portion of the tribe have recent- ly removed to Green Bay. The Oneida nation were idolaters until within a short time ; but a few years ago the nation re- nounced their ancient superstitious rites, and de- clared in favor of Christianity. BROTHERTOWN AND NEW STOCK- BRIDGE, Are two villages, a few miles south- easterly from here, situated on part of the old Oneida reservation, but granted to some of their scattered Indian brethren from Pennsylvania and -New-England. New-Stockbridge, until recently, was the residence of the Stock-bridge tribe, who came by an invitation from the Oneidas some years ago^ They had Christian ministers among them long before they removed from Stock-bridge in Massachusetts. Most of them now reside at Oreen Bay, on land given them by the Menomi- nies. Manlius Centre. 50 yards from the canal and two miles east of Manlius Centre, is a curious spring, from which sulphuretted hydrogen rises, which is inflammable. SYRACUSE. The great Salt Spring is only a mile and a half distant, and the water is brought in hollow logs to the salt vats, in great abundance, and at a very trifling expense. The vats will be seen at the western side of the villagfe, as well as the works at Salina, Liverpool (6 miles distant), and Ged- desburgh. In all these four villages, about 500 acres, in 1827, were supposed to be covered with vats, for solar evaporation. The vats are large pans made of wood, three or foiir inches deep. 60 ROUTE TO NiAGARAi raised a little from the ground, and placed in long ranges, with a very gradual descent, to permit the salt water to flow slowly along from one end to the othen Each range of vats is supplied by a hollow log placed perpendiculary in the ground : and the constant action of the sun evaporates the water, and leaves the salt to be deposited in small cubical crystals at the bottom. The water is at first a little thick, but gradually deposites its im- purities ; and the lower vats always show a beau- tiful white crust, like the purest snow. Light wooden roofs are kept ready to slide over the vats when the weather requires it ; and the salt is taken out once in two or three days, to be deposited in the storehouses, which are built at regular distances. Thence it is easily removed to the canal, and then is ready for transportation to any part of the country. In 1823, there were about lOO houses, and the number was doubled in 1824. In 1827, the salt vats covered one hundred and sixty acres, and cost the companies engaged, $120,000. The Oswego Canal, was opened in July, 1828, leaves the Erie canal at this place, and affords a direct communication with Lake Ontario. A lake ship canal might be made at a small additional ex- pense. The bank is used as a tow path a consi- derable distance. The shores rise gradually to a height of 100 feet, with few inhabitants and littl© cultivation. The locks and other works are of the best description, and very admirable workman- ship. A barrel of flour will go for six cents less, J?^ the lake and this canal, from Rophes^er to ^^^ SALINA. 61 lina. It is 38 miles long. Half that distance it is constructed along the bank of the river of the same name, connected, with it by locks, and the other half is slack-water navigation in the river. it has 22 bridges, 7 culverts, 1 aqueduct, 2 waste weirs, 8 dams across the river, 13 locks of stone and 1 of stone and timber, with an aggregate lift of 123 feet. SALINA, Is situated a mile and a half north from Syracuse. The mode of evaporation gen- erally adopted here, is that of boiling. Each building contains sixteen or eighteen large iron kettles, of 120 gallons each, which are placed in two rows, forming " a block." They stand about three feet higher than the floor; and under them is a large furnace, which is heated with pine "wood, and requires constant attention to keep the water always boiling. The water is drawn from a large reservoir at one end of the building, after having been allowed to stand awhile and deposite the impurities it has brought along with it. A hollow log, with a pump at one end, and furnished with openings against the kettles, is the only ma- chine used in filling them. The first deposite made by the water after the boiling commences, is a compound of several substances, and is thrown away, under the name of " Bittern ;" but the pure white salt, which soon after makes its appearance, is carefully removed, and placed in a store-room just at hand, ready for barrelling and the market. Each manufactory yields about 75 bushels a day. There are two large manufactories here, where salt is made in reservoirs of an immense size, and evaporated by hot air passing through them in 5* 82 ROUTE TO NIAGARA. large pipes. The reservoir of the princij)al one contains 40,000 gallons. The pipe is supplied with heat by a furnace below, and the salt is form- ed in large loose masses, resembling half-thawed ice. The crystalization also is different from that produced by the other modes, at least in secon- dary forms. The village of Salina is of considerable size and a flourishing appearance. In 1833, it con- tained 8000 inhabitants; the village of Gedde.<^, 620; and Liverpool, 375. The extensive marshes "which bound it on the west are unwholesome du- ring the warmer seasons of the year, and the whole neighborhood is more or less infected with the fever and ague. Since the marshes have been partially cleared and drained, the disease has been greatly diminished. The branch canal wliich runs through this vil- lage, is made to turn several mill wheels in its course. A forcing pump raises the water of the salt spring destined to supply the manufactories here and at Syracuse ; that for the latter being elevated to the height of 70 feet, and the pump being able to raise 120,000 gallons in 24 hours. The Salt Spring itself will be viewed as a cu- riosity, but in its present state presents no very remarkable appearance.* The Lake will be seen at the distance of about a mile. It is six miles long and two broad, and must receive a considerable quantity of saltwater from the draining of the marshes, as its banks are covered with saline plants. The valley ig sur- * Quantity of salt inspected in 183], 1.5!4,037 bushels; duty to the States, 12i cents per bushel. About 5 millions of bushels are made in the U. States, and the same quantity imported annually. SYRACUSE TO ROCHESTER. 63 rounded by limestone hills, with petrifactions; and gypsum is found in great quantities. " Tke American Salt Formation,^^ says Dr. Van Renselaer in his * Essay,' "extends over the continent from the Alleghanies to the Pacific, be- tween 31° and 45° N. lat,^ In this immense tract, a-6ck salt has been occasionally found ; but its lo- cality is more generally pointed out by brine springs." The salt springs in this state are in the counties of Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, Onta- rio, Niagara, Genesee, Tompkins, Wayne, and Oneida; but this is the most valuable on various accounts. In 135 manufactories, salt is made by artificial heat, in 3,076 kettles; and the vats would extend if in a line, about 30 miles. In 1831, near 1| millions of pounds of salt, was manufac- tured in all these villages. FROM SYRACUSE TO ROCHESTER. As the traveller is. supposed to go to Rochester by the canal, the description of places on the Turnpike is omitted until we reach that part of the country on the return from Buffalo, By the canal, 99 miles. Weed's Basin 26 m. — A coach to Auburn, 8 miles for 50 cents. 1 1 m. Montezuma Salt Works. Here begin the Cayuga Marshes. The canal across the marshes was constructed at a vast expense. 35 m. Palmy- ra. Coach to Canandaigua, 13 m. for 75 cents. The Great Embankment at Victor, 72 feet high, extending 2 miles. Antiquities, In the towns of Onandaga, Camil- lus, and Pompey, are the remains of ancient vil- lages and forts, of which a description will be found in Yates and Moulton's new History of the State, vol. i, p. 13. In Pompey the form of a m 64 ROUTE TO NIAGARA. triangular enclosure is visible, with the reinains o^ something like circular or elliptical forts at th^ corners, 8 miles apart, the whole including more than 500 acres. DeWitt Clinton, late Governor of this state, in his memoir, read in 1817, before the Lit. and Phil. Society, thinks the place wa^ stormed on the north line. See also North A- merican Review. In Camillus is an elliptical fort on a high hill, three acres in extent, with a covered way, 10 rods long, to a spring on the west, and a gate towards the east. Another is on a less elevation half a mile off, and half as large. Sculls, pottery, and bits of brick used to be picked up in these places. ROCHESTER Is the largest and most flourishing place in this part of the state, being indeed the fourth in the state in point of numbers, the township contain- ing, in 1833, 10,000. It is situated on the west side of the Genesee river, at the upper falls, where it is crossed by the canal ; and enjoys the finest advantages for water-mills of all kinds, from the convenient and abundant supply obtain- ed from the falls. Stage Coaches go hence, daily, to Buffalo through Batavia; to Canandaigua; to Niagara falls by Lockport and Lewiston, &c. c. Sabbath Day Point. — This is a low neck of land, stretching into the lake from the Western shore, and containing the little village of Hague. That on the opposite shore is Putnam. On Sabbath Day Point, Lord Amherst, with his numerous host, stopped for refreshment upon the morning of the Sabbath, and gave this beautiful point the name by which it is now known ; it is a charming spot, and susceptible of the greatest em- bellishment. Rogers' Rock and Anthony's Nose. These are two mountains at which the lake again contracts itself to pass between them. The shores of the lake still continue elevated, and but a few culti\ated farms are distinguishable here and there. Antho- ny's Nose presents a precipice, on the eastern shore, as we enter the strait ; and the firing of a gun produces a fine echo. Roger'^s Rock or Roger^s Slide, is a still more formidable precipice, on the other hand, a little further on. The last retros- pect up the lake is still very fine, even from this LAKE GEORGE. 143 point— Black Mountain being yet clearly to be seen. Rogers'' Slide has its name from Capt. Rogers, a partisan officer, who distinguished himself in the French war, by his boldness, activity, and success. He commanded an expedition which left Crown Point in the year 1756, against the Canadian fron- tiers, and cut oft' the Indian village of St. Francis, afterward returningwith the severest hardships, by the way of Connecticut River. Tradition says, that he was, at another time, closely pursued by a party of Indians, and forced to retreat to the verge of this mountain. Finding no other way to escape, he descended half down by the ravine which opens towards the south, and then by a sud- den turn came to the east side, where is a preci- pice about two hundred feet high of smooth rock, and nearly perpendicular, down which he slipped upon his snow shoes to the lake, escaping upon the ice. The water is deep at the bottom, and fine trout are caught there with a long line. The lake here assumes the appearance of a nar- row pond for three or four miles, and seems closed at both ends. The ground is still elevated on both sides, but hills have succeeded to mountains, and some of these are at length overtopped by Black Mountain. The lake at length diminishes to a very narrow stream, and the bottom becomes gradually covered with weeds. Lord Howe^s Landing is just behind an island of three acres, on the left-hand at the entrance of the creek. Here is the spot where the unfortu- nate expedition of Abercrombie effected their land- ing, and on the island they established their hos- pital, on their way to the attack of Ticonderoga. 144 ROUTE TO CANADA. The steamboat passes on some distance beyond this place, and lands her passengers on the other side, where, at her regular voyages, carriages are found in waiting to convey them to Ticonderoga, three miles, over a rough road. Those who intend to take a steamboat on Lake Champlain, should be careful to inquire the hour when it passes, and regulate their time accordingly. Ticonderoga has become one of the stopping pla- ces, which will prove a great convenience to the numerous travellers attracted to this interesting spot. Abercrombie'sarmy passed for some part of the way along the route we travel. Passing the Up- per Falls, which are the highest, he forded the creek above the second. At the Falls near the bridge which we cross, just above the sawmills, was a stone blockhouse ; and there was a redoubt on the north side of the stream near the bridge, where, as in several other places, there was some fighting to carry the French outposts. At the Upper Falls are several valuable sawmills and forges, and the scenery is highly picturesque. The Fortress of Ticonderoga. This famous old fortress, or rather its remains, are distinctly seen from Lake Champlain, though, from the direction by which we approach it, they are discovered only at a short distance. An ele- vated piece of land, gently sloping towards the south, and ending abruptly over a bend of the lake, appears, partially covered with trees, and crowned near its extremity with a cluster of broken walls and chimneys. The Old French Lines where General Aber- TICONDEROGA. l45 crombie was defeated in 1758, are the only part of the fortification which was ever the scene of a bat- tle. They commenced on the east side, at a bat- tery of heavy cannon on the shore, about a quarter of a mile south of the ferry. The remains of the breastwork can yet be seen. The lines were drawn in a zig-zag ; first stretching off to the right, along the side of marshy ground to a cluster of bushes where was a battery ; and then to the left to the verge of a wood, where was another, then across the ridge of land at its highest elevation, over to the brow of a steep bank looking towards the out- let of Lake George. The woods that now so much interrupt the sight, have grown since the evacua- tion of the fortress, after the revolutionary war. There is a fine spring of water near the west- ern part of the French lines, where a bloody en- gagement occurred between two hostile parties during the battle. Bodies of men have been dug up hereabouts within a few years, and shot were formerly very frequently found in old timber. Mount Hope is a hill about a mile north from this place. It was occupied by Gen. Burgoyne's British line, which formed the right wing on his approach to Ticonderoga, on the 2d of J^re, 1777. Jti^ttf^ In proceeding from the French lines south to- wards the fortress, by a gentle descent, the surface of the ground appears to have been in some pla- ces smoothed in former times by the plough, and by the removal and cutting away of rocks, to ren- der it convenient for the evolutions of troops, and the use of artillery. We pass also the remains of several distinct lines of small redoubts, placed at equal distances, and ranged in the form of a quin- cunx. 12* 146 ROUTE TO CANADA. There are two old intrenchments, 270 and 150 yards from the fortress; and then comes the edge of the outer ditch or counterscarp, where was a row of palisadoes. Five steps more bring you to the walled side of the ditch,, which is still eight feet deep in some places, and therefore impassable ex- cept where it has been partly filled up. Its breadth is generally about 8 or 9 yards, and the wall of the fortress on the other side in some places 20 or 25 feet high. The fortress is of an angular form, and embra- ces a large tract of ground, being divided into parts by deep ditches, which were defended by cannon and musketry, and added very much to the secu- rity of the place. The communication between these different parts was kept up by stone stair- cases, placed in convenient positions of the angles, all so calculated as to make the descent into the ditches and the ascent circuitous and intricate, and open to the cannon and small arms. A glance at some of those that remain will show the plan. The walls were originally much higher than at present, being raised by superstructures of logs filled in with earth, to such a height as to protect the barracks. The Barracks formed an oblong, and the walls still remain of all except those on the eastern side. The parade, which they include, appears to have been formerly carefully smoothed. This area is about 52i yards long, and 8 in breadth. The bar- racks, &c., are built of the rough blue limestone, of the neighboring rocks, two stories high; and these, with the chimneys, several of which are standing, are the principal objects seen from a dis- TICONDEROGA. l47 tance. By the southern entrance, Ethan Allen entered with his 83 raw soldiers, when he surpri- sed the fortress on the 3 8th May, 1775; and on reaching the court yard and calling on the com- mander to surrender, the British officer, Capt. De- place, made his appearance at a window and sub- mitted, delivering up 3 officers and 44 rank and file. In consequence of this coup de main, this important place was in the hands of the Ameri- cans until the arrival of Burgoyne, in 1777. The battlements of Ticonderoga first bore the flag of independence. This circumstance should of itself render this ruin, so fine in other associa- tions, interesting to the traveller. At each corner was a bastion or a demi-bastion; and under that in the north-eastern one is a sub- terranean apartment, the access to which is through a small entrance near that corner of the court yard. It communicates with two magazines at the further end : that on the left, which is the larger, being 19 or 20 feet long. The rcom is also arched, measures about 35 feet in length, 21 in breadth, and 10 or 11 in height, and like the magazines was bomb proof. The cellars south of this, which belonged to the demolished buildings, and are almost filled up, have a room or two with fireplaces still distinguishable. The Grenadiers' Battery. This important outwork is situated on a rocky point towards the east from the main fortress. They were connec- ted by a covered way, the traces of which are distinctly visible. It was surrounded by a wall faced with stone, with five sides, one of which measures about 180 feet; but that towards the \ 148 ROUTE TO CANADA. lake has been undermined by time, and slipped down the bank. The remaining parts are nearly entire, and about 10 feet high. Still in advance of the Grenadiers' Batterv is a small work of earth, which might have contained iive or six guns ; while in front of it, and on the extreme point, two or three more guns appear to have been placed between the rocks, to fire down upon the water, about 40 feet below. A little further east, and under the bank, is an old stone iiouse, formerly a store belonging to the fort, and tiow occupied by the tenant of Mr. Pel!, the pro- prietor of the whole peninsula of Ticonderoga. On a spot formerly occupied as the King^s Gar- den, Mr. P. has a fine garden, abounding in the choicest fruits imported from Europe, and trans- ported from the celebrated nurseries of Long Isl- and. If it is the intention of the traveller to cross the lake, to the neighboring Vermont shore, where are still some slight remains of Burgoyne's in- trenchments, he will be much pleased with a walk across the meadows to the upper ferry, a distance of about three-quarters of a mile. Between the Grenadiers' Battery and the for- tress, the shore retains traces of many little ter- races, breastworks, and buildings, such as were probably workshops, barracks, stores, &c. The great mountain, which rises dark and ab- ruptly from the opposite shore, is Mount Defiance, about 800 feet high, on the summit of which Gen. Burgoyne's troops showed themselves on the morning of July 4th, 1777, with a battery of heavy cannon, which they had drawn up along the ridge by night, and on the MOUNT INDEPENDENCE. l49 firing of a few shots by the British upon a vessel in the lake, which proved the range of their guns, the Americans made preparations to evacuate the place, and effected their retreat to the opposite shore during the night. The ascent of Mount Defiance is laborious, but the view^ is extremely fine from its summit. There are the remains of Burgoyne's battery, with holes drilled in the rocks for blasting, and the marks of a large blockhouse. Mount Independence is a hill of comparatively small elevation east of Mount Defiance, and sep- arated from it by the lake, which has there redu- ced its size to that of a small river. On a bank, just above the water, are the remains of a zig-zag battery for about 40 or 50 guns, running across a little cornfield behind a house, and making five or six angles. The Horse-shoe Battery is traceable on an elevation about a quarter of a mile in the rear. A bridge once connected Ticonderoga with Mount Defiance, the buttresses of which are re- maining, to the great annoyance of the navigators of the lake ; the steamboat passes to the south of them. On the west shore (near the stone store- house,) Arnold, when pursued by the British, cau- sed his flotilla to be run on shore. These hulks remain almost as sound as when first stranded. A forty-two pounder is said to have ranged from the Horseshoe over this channel (now marked by a buoy) and the fortress. After the Revolutionary war about 500 cannon were lying about the fortress, lines, &c. many of them as left by the English with their trunnions knocked off. 150 ROUTE TO CANADA The mountainous region on the west side of the lake abounds with deer, and considerable numbers are killed every season. The Passage from Ticonderoga down Lake Champlain is very pleasant, abounding, the greater part of the way to Canada, with fine natural scenes. The improvements produced in the country en- closing Lake Champlain, by the establishment of steamboats and the opening of the Northern Ca- nal, have been very great. The produce former- ly sent southward was necessarily subject to heavy expenses of transportation ; while the merchan- dise brought in return was liable to delay, uncer- tainty, injuries by land carriage, and exposure to the weather and to pilferers, which are obviated, ^nd these circumstances, it is well known, produce powerful effects. The towns on the lake, five or six years ago, were ill supplied with merchandise, which is now found in abundance and cheap. Some of them have more than doubled their size since 1822, and numerous villages have sprung up into activity and thrift from almost nothing. New roads have also been made into the interior, and mills have been erected on the tributary streams for cutting up the supplies of valuable timber in the forests. In the two townships of Crown Point and Moriah, there are about 60 lumber mills, which will be able to furnish a million of pieces of timber. They contain also vast beds of iron ore, for which forges and furnaces have been erected. The iron region lies between the lake and the north-eastern branch of the Hudson, which heads 6 miles west of it. At Swanton, Vt., LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 151 are quarries of dove-colored and black marble^ where 300 saws are kept at work. It is carried to New- York in considerable quantities. Great numbers of small schooners navigate the waters of Lake Champlain, and within a few years numerous canal boats, some of them fitted . with masts for schooners for sailing. Annesley's mode of building vessels has been adopted here to some extent, in which timbers are discarded, and hulls formed of inch boards running in seve- ral thicknesses, and in cross directions. Only about 20 vessels sailed on this lake before the canal was opened to the Hudson. Five Mile Point was the landing place of Gen* Burgoyne's expedition, as already mentioned^ Mountains appear in the \\est and north-west, with occasional intervals all the way up to Crown Point; while in the north is a lofty and imposing range, with two or three peaks almost bald from the height of their elevation. Summits multiply as we proceed, and distant mountains arise also in the north-east; while Mount Defiance and other eminences towards the south bound the view in that direction. There are scattering farms and houses on both shores. There are many fish caught in some parts of the lake. The shores are in this part strewed with the fragments of blue limestone rock with orga* nic remains. The immediate shores are generally low all the way to Crown Point, where the lake suddenly turns to the west at a right angle, and at the distance of a mile as suddenly to the north again. A low stretch of land, covered with a young forest on the left, conceals the approach to 152 ROUTE TO CANADA. this ancient fortress, which, for position as well as appearance and history, may be called the twin sister of Ticonderoga. Chimney Pointy where the steamboat often re- ceives and lands passengers, is on the north side of the lake, with a large public house in a pleas- ant situation ; and here is the place to stop, if the traveller intends to visit Crown Point, which is opposite, across a ferry | of a mile. The Fortress of Crown Point. There are several old works thrown up along the shore, with little bays between them. The easternmost is called the Grenadiers' Battery, the middle one is the original old French fort of 1731, and now encloses a garden : and that further west is an outwork to a bastion of the fortress. The fortress is about a quarter of a mile from the shore, showing the walls and chimneys of the old barracks, and walls of earth surrounding them. The fortress of Crown Point was a star work, being in the form of a pentagon, with bas- tions at the angles, and a strong redoubt at the distance of 250 or 300 yards in advance of each of them. The fortress is surrounded by a ditch walled in with stone, except where it has been blasted into the solid rock of blue limestone, (as is the case in many parts, from five to twenty-five feet,) and even into the quartz rock which under- lays it. Univalve shells are found in the limestone rock, frequently four inches in diameter. The walls are about 20 or 25 feet high, and there is a convenient path running entirely round upon the top, interrupted only by the gates at the north and south sides. Although much shaded by tall su- CROWN POINT. 153 mtics, some fine views are enjoyeJ in making the circuit, which is not far short of half a mile. Opposite the north gate is a small ledge of rocks; and close by, the remains of a covered or subterraneous way to the lake shore. On enter- ing the fortress, the stranger finds himself in a level, spacious area, bounded on the left, and in from, by long ruinous buildings of stone, two stories high, and the first 220 feet long, while the ruins of similar ones are seen on two sides on the right. This parade is about 500 feet in length. The place was surprised by Col. Warner in 1775. The view from the walls towards the north is very fine : looking down the lake, which widens at the distance of two or three miles, you have Chimney Point on the right, and two other Points projecting beyond the distant peak, called CameVs Hump. A range of mountains on the western shore, beginning at the distance of 18 miles, in- cluding Bald Peak, gradually approach till they form a near and bold boundary to the lake on the left, scattered with cleared farms and houses, and then stretching away to the south, terminate in the mountains behind. This elevation, although it seems almost as well calculated to command Crown Point as Mount Defiance does Ticondoro- ga, is not less than four miles distant. Every thing about this old fortress bears the marks of ruin. Two magazines were blown up; the timbers in the south barracks are burnt black; while some of the entrances and other parts are fenced up for a sheep fold. The ground around it is much covered with fragments of blasted rocks, and, particularly at the south, with the ruins of old 13 154 ROUTE TO CANADA. buildings. The trees which are seen have grown since the evacuation of the place ; and on one of the angles is an inscription of the date of the for- tress : 1756. In 1776, the British had a fleet on Lake Cham- plain, composed of the following vessels : ship In- flexible, Capt, Pringle, carrying 18 twelve-pound- ers ; two schooners, one with 14, the other with 12 six-pounders ; a flat-bottomed radeau with 6 twenty-fours and 6 twelves ; and 20 small craft, each carrying a gun from nine to twenty-four pounders, and several long-boats, besides boats for baggage stores, &c. The Americans had only 2 brigs, 1 corvette, 1 sloop, 3 galleys, and 8 gondolas, the largest ves- sel carrying only 12 six and four pounders. These were under the command of Arnold, who drew them up between the island of Valincourt and the western shore, v/here they were attacked. They fought four hours, and the British retreated ; but while making his way towards Crown Point, Ar- nold was overtaken, arid nearly all the squadron fled up the lake, passing this place which was evacuated. Arnold rem.ained fighting as long as possible, and did not leave his vessel until she had taken fire. On making a signal at the ferry to the steam- boat, she will stop and send for a passenger. Proceeding down the lake, the breadth of it soon increases, and at the two islands on the right it is about H miles across. A little further is P'lit-in-Bay, on the eastern shore, with an island of the same name. A little north of this is a small island on the right, with three bushes on it, LAKE CHAMPLAIN. 15& which has hence obtained the name of the Scotch Bonnet, Looking south the lake presents a fine expanse, extending almost to Crown Point, with Bald Peak conspicuous on the right. Basin Harbor is a stopping place. It is very small, with room for only 3 or 4 vessels. At a great distance in the N. E. is seen the CamelV Hump : further north a high mountain in Hali- fax, Vt. Sloop Island 17 miles from Burlington, is low in the middle, and contains several trees, which look not unlike masts. It was mistaken for a sloop in a misty day, in the Revolutionary or French war, and fired upon by a vessel, whence its name. At Hartford the lake suddenly opens to the breadth of several miles, and a new scene is pre- sented to view. On the west side is a rounded island covered with pine trees, like much of the shore previously seen, and separated from the mainland only by a narrow rent of about fifteen feet. Apparently just within this aperture is a rude arch of rock, like the remains of an ancient bridge. A beautiful bay makes up behind the island, of wliich a glimpse is caught in passing; and a little further north it opens beautifully to view, with a smooth declining shore cultivated for several miles; while a blue range of the Allegha- nies rises behind them, like the Catskill Moun- tains seen from the city of Hudson. On the eastern side, the Green Mountains tower at a distance over the wild, uncultivated shore, till a cluster of white buildings is discovered form- ing the little village of Charlotte or M'Neil's Fer- 156 ROUTE TO CANADA. ry, which is backed by a few fields and orchards. Further north the shores are rocky, and rise ab- ruptly from the water. BURLINGTON, 75 miles from WhitehalL— This is the largest town on Lake Champlain, and is situated in a commanding as well as a delight- ful position. The lake suddenly widens as you approach it from the south, and a fine semicircular bay puts np to it from the west, surrounded by a crescent of high ground, under the shelter of which the town is situated. The view from the top of the hills is truly admirable ; embracing in the foreground the elegant gardens of some of the wealthier inhabitants, with the streets of Burling- ton below, the curving form of the bay, the whole breadth of the lake, here ten miles across, and a noble chain of distant blue mountains on the op- posite side. The college has been rebuilt. [The road to Windsor, by the Gulf is very good and interesting. The road to Montreal passes Swanton, St. Alban's, &;c. The lake is occa- sionally in sight; and for a distance of six miles, round the head of Missiscoui Bay, the road runs along the shore. At that -place vast quantities of lumber are annually collected.] Port Kent is a small village on the western shore, 16 miles from Burlington. It was begun in 1824, as a port to the iron works a little back in the country, where is a vast quantity of ore. PLATTSBURGH, 8 m?7c5.— This is a town of considerable importance, on the banks of the Sa- ranac, and just behind the high and steep bank of the lake, on which is a line of forts erected for the defence of the place. The town commands rouse's point. -157 a fine view. There are some remarkable Water' falls on the Saranac. The Battle of Plattsburgh. — While Gen. Macomb was stationed at Plattsburgh, during the last war, Sir George Prevost came from Canada with an army, and occupying the village, stood ready to attack the American troops, who were in position on the elevated ground, between the east bank of the Saranac and the precipitous shore of the lake. Com. M'Donough was on the lake with the American squadron; and hearing of the ap- proach of Capt. Downie with the British ships, extended his line between Hospital Island and Cumberland Head, where he received and fought the enemy, with such success as to capture all his vessels. The action continued two hours and 20 minutes, and was performed in full sight of the ar- mies. Capt. Downie's ship, the Confiance, had 105 shot in her hull, and the Saratoga 59, and was twice on fire. This battle caused the retreat of Prevost, and relieved that part of the country from the danger of being overrun. B'P Donough\s farm on that part of Cumberland Head which is o})posite the scene of his battle, consists of 200 acres. It was presented to him by the legislature of Vermont, in gratitude for his victory. CHAZY, 15 miles. Rouse's Point, 12 miles. — There is a village by this name, on the western side; and a mile beyond it. The Fort, which is a kind of castle, built of hewn stone, with perpendicular walls, and three tiers of embrasures. It stands at the end of a low point, and was built to command the passage of the lake 13* 158 EOtJTE to CANADA, during the last war. On running the line of the United States and Canada, the commissioners at first fixed the boundary a little south of this place, so as to bring the fort within the limits of the lat- ter; but in consequence of the line agreed on by the treaty coming too near Quebec, it was deter- mined that an arrangement should be made for the benefit of both parlies ; and the boundary has been left in its former place. An opening through the woods, like a road, marks the place, about half a mile north of the fort. The country hereabouts is very uninteresting: for the level country has begun which extends far into Canada. The appearance of the banks is quite uniform ; they being low, and in many pla- ces almost overflown by the waters of the lake. Isle aux Noix, 11 miles. — This is the English frontier post, and has been chosen with judgment ; as although the ground is of hardly any elevation, it is higher than any in the neighborhood ; and the island is so situated as partly to occupy the channel, and entirely to command it. There is a long wall and battery on the south side, with angles ; beyond which are seen a large stone building, and the roofs of others on the left and right of it, forming the storehouses, &c. of the post. The channel is on the east side, and very narrow, faced for a considerable distance by another battery. Sentries are posted in different places. The ship-yard succeeds, and the officers* quarters, generally neat one story buildings, with little gardens tastefully laid out. Here is a land- ing place in the Chinese style. A large stockaded hospital succeeds, with a large arch raised on the ST. John's. 159 shore, bearing the royal crown. The little cabins are the soldiers* quarters, and some of them are neat, and ornamented with flowers. The expedition against Canada, in 1775, con- sisted of two divisions: one of 3000 New-England and New- York soldiers, under Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, proceeded down lake Cham- plain in rafts, from Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and took position at Isle aux Noix. The other, which was planned and despatched subsequently, under Gen. Arnold, proceeded through the wil- derness, in the District of Maine, for Quebec. The former division, after a little delay, proceed- ed to St, John's. They afterward formed at this place a chevaux-de-frieze in the river. Beyond, the shores continue low and uninterest- ing, with numerous cabins of settlers near the "Water, the forest encroaching to within a short distance behind. St. John's, 10 miles. — Here the steamboat stops at the head of the rapids, and at the end of navigation. Stage coaches take passengers to Montreal (16 miles by land, and 9 by water, on the St. Lawrence, in a steamboat.) The village presents nothing worthy of particu- lar attention, except as the scene of some military deeds, connected with the expedition of General Montgomery against this country. While the con- tinental troops were stationed at Jsle aux Noix, in 1775, Generals Montgomery and Schuyler invest- ed the fort, which contained a garrison of 5 or 600 troops, besides 200 Canadians, and was com- manded by Major Preston. The siege lasted six weeks, and they did not capitulate till some time 160 ROUTE TO CANADA. after the siUTender of Chambly, nor till the Amer- icans had brought their trenches to the walls of the fort. They then obtained possession of 17 brass pieces, 22 iron, 7 mortars, with balls, bombs, &c. &.C. The Canadian money is different from that of the United States ; but in consequence, of the con- tinual intercourse, the latter pas.ses currently. Nine sous or coppers, (which are of various and sometimes curious stamps,) equal six cents. Two sous nearly id. and 20 cents a shilling. The pleasantest road from St. John's to Mon- treal, is by Chambly, and Longueil. Leaving St. John's for Montreal, by Laprairie, the road passes about a mile along the western shore of the River Richelieu, which sometimes takes the names of St. John's and Sorel, in conse- quence of its running by those towns. Several mountains are in sight, as Beloeil, Boucherville, The Rapids may be regarded as a. specimen, on a small scale, of the numerous rapids in the St. Lawrence, which will hereafter excite the interest, if not the apprehension, of the stranger. The bed of the Richelieu has a rapid descent in several pla- ces, where it comes immediately under observa- tion, and becomes so shallow as to be passable, even for the flattest boats, only during the floods. In the summer it is generally only a few inches deep, and the surface is broken by numerous stones of all sizes, and here and there by little wa- terfalls near the shore. At the same time the banks are low and flat ; the houses of one floor, white-washed, and built at nearly equal distances, LOWER CANADA. 161 facing- the river ; and, in short, the general char- acter of a scene on the St. Lawrence, may be ima- gined from a view here, by making allowance for its size and fertility. It has been proposed to make a canal to the St. Lawrence ; but it is said that the channel of the St. John's might be improved, by stone walls to confine the water over these rapids. The Cham- bly rapids might be passed by a short canal ; and the only remaining obstructions till those at the mouth are at St. Therese and Mille Roches. The inhabitants along the road present the as- pect of foreigners, in dress, countenance, manners, customs, and language. Their fashions are an- tique, and many of them have not been changed for ages : The men wear the Canadian jacket, cap, or hat, red sash, and moccasin of rough leather. The women work laboriously in the field, and all of them speak French, generally without know- ing a word of any other language. The farms will be observed, laid out in strips of 1 or 200 acres, flat, broad, and 1, 2, or even 3 miles in length ; and the system of farming is extremely bad, as will be discovered at once, by the acres that are consigned to the useless and destructive little Canada Thistle. There is no such thing known here as the doctrine of a rotation of crops, and land is recovered to fertility by lying fallow, except that lately the use of manure has begun to be resorted to in a small degree. The horses are of a small breed, well known in the northern states by the name of the country. They are small, but powerful, hardy, and treated with great care. Many of them are driven across the line, and large 162 RIVER ST. LAWRENCE. horses introduced into the towns in return. The value of a common Canadian horse is about ^40; and of a good one ^60. The land titles have been extremely doubtful. There is little encouragement to settlers, 12 per cent, is payable to the Seigneur, on sales of real estate, besides other heavy taxes of different de- scriptions. The landscape is unvarying ; the in- habitants, as well as the soil, are poor ; and there is nothing that deserves the name of a village. In many cases land of exactly the same description is worth from 10 to 15 shillings an acre on the Vermont and New-York side of the line, and only 1 shilling on the Canada side. We pass a house now and then, dignified by a tall pole or mast rais- ed in front of it, which is a singular mark of dis- tinction conceded to officers of militia, and usually adopted by those of the lowest grades. The people appear very happy, and have healthy countenances, inclining to round faces and thick lips. Their aspect denotes a want of education, which is the real cause of the backward condition of society in Canada. They are all Catholics ; and the churches seen here and there upon the road, are devoted to the service of the Romish church. The Half-Way House is generally stopped at only a few minutes. The land is divided in some places by ditches round the farms. One of the most singular traits in the domestic arrangements of the Canadians, is building the oven not only out of doors, like the Dutch, but di- rectly over the pig sty. The mountain from which the city of Montreal LAPRAIRIE. 163 derived its name, and which rises immediately be- hind it, may be discovered at a great distance ; and the house of Mr. M'Tavish maybe perceived, like a white spot, a little distance up its side. Some time before reaching the river, you pass an extensive common, lying on the south side of the road, and then enter the town of Laprairie. This is a large town, from which the steamboats cross several times a day, to Mon- treal, 9 miles. The place is built after the Cana- dian fashion ; and very few of the inhabitants speak English. The streets are narrow, the houses low, and nothing is to be seen worthy of particular no- tice, excepting a nunnery and the church. The nuns possess a large tract of land, nearly in the centre of the town, which is surrounded by a high wall ; and they devote their time to the care of the sick, and the education of girls. Montreal is distinguished at the distance of 9 miles, by its thick mass of buildings, roofed with sheets of tin, and overtopped by church spires, shining with the same metal. Behind it rises a fine mountain, spotted with orchards ; on the right, down the St. Lawrence, is the fortified island of St. Helen ; and on the left, that of the Nuns, and several smaller ones at a distance, through which are seen the sheets of white foam caused by the rapids. The shores are low and perfectly flat in every direction ; which, with the wide expanse of water, gives an aspect of tiresome monotony and extension to the scene. Uniformity will be found characteristic of almost the whole voyage to Que- bec. The current of the river is extremely rapid. 164 MONTREAL. particularly near those parts where the surface is broken by rocks ; but the steamboats are able to effect the passage with facility and in safety. It is impossible for any boat to go through the current without being borne rapidly down in some places ; and there is a part of the river near the middle, where the water is clear, and the rocks are easily seen on the bottom, as the boats glide on above them. In returning, the boats sometimes pass be- tween two rocks, near the rapids, that on the east being under water. Here the river is much agi- tated, and sometimes throws the water on deck without any danger. A large tinned roof in the city, on the left, with a small steeple, belongs to the convent of Gray Nuns ; further back is the Recollet church ; then the French Parish church, near which is seen the Great Cathedral. The English Episcopal church has a tall pyramidal spire ; and that which rises farther to the right, and near the shore, is the church of Bon-secours. From some places may be seen the top of Nelson's monument, with seve- ral other remarkable objects, particularly the bar- racks, on the right, behind the remnant of the old city wall. MONTREAL. Inns. Masonic Hall, at the north end of the city, with a piazza over the bank : Goodenough's, St. Paul's-street ; Mansion house, do. &c. These are all large houses, and porters will be found on the shore belonging to each, who will convey the luggage, and show the way. The landing place is unpleasant, and the stran- ger may be struck with the narrowness of the MONTREAL. 165 streets, the lowness and heavy aspect of the houses, which are of stone or plastereil to resemble it. Montreal contains many fine buildings and other objects worthy of notice, together with a vicinity which in the warm season of the year is truly de- lightful. Those who remain but a short time in this city, may easily pay a hasty visit to the principal objects of curiosity; and are recommended to take a walk through the two principal'streets, and to notice the following buildings and places. At the north end of St. Paul's-street are the Bar- racks. Above these are the Hospital and Public Baths. Just above the Masonic Hall is the French church of Bon-secours, which like the other Ca- nadian religious buildings generally, is formed much on the plan of those in France. This is near the northern limit of Montreal, beyond which be- gins the Quebec suburb. Masonic Hall, on the eastern side of the street. Theatre, adjoining the Masonic Hall. Market Place, and Nelson's Monument. Then follows a double row of shops. On the east side are several, which show articles of Indian manu- facture for sale. These, however, had better be bought at the nunneries, if it is intended to visit them. The Black Nuns^ Garden, Convent, and Chapel, are on the west side of the street. The wall is very high. The porter at the gate will give ad- mission and directions, but in French. Visiters are expected to purchase a few articles of nuns' or In- dian manufacture. It is most agreeable to go in parties. 14 166 MONTREAL. The New Cathedral and Old Parish Church are close by ; a short street leads to them, west. The New Cathedral is probably the largest church in North America, except Mexico. It is partly copied from some of the European models of the 13th, 14th, and l5th centuries. It is of the plainest style thai can bear the name of Gothic; any exuberance of ornament being inconsistent with a clin ate so severe as that of Canada. It is 255 feet long frOm west to east, and 134 feet wide. It was designed to have six quadran- gular towers, each 200 feet high : 3 on each flank, and two at each end. The curtain, or space be- tween the front towers is 73 feet by 119, and has parapets. There are 5 public entrances and 3 private to the first floor, and 4 to the galleries. The building can contain 10,000 persons, which number may assemble and disperse in a few min- utes. The eastern window over the high altar is 32 by 64 feet, and is divided by shafts and mullions for stained glass. The groins of the ceiling are painted in fresco. The ceiling is 80 feet high, groined and partly supported by a double range of grouped columns, intersected by rails. The cir- cuit of the edifice is 1X25 feet. There are to be 7 altars. The floor rises grad- ually Irom the entrance to the high altar. The house is to be warmed by heated air from stoves under the floor. The exterior is faced with hewn stone, from the mountain. A promenade 75 feet by 25, elevated more than 100 feet between the towers will command a noble view. GoodenougK' s Hotel is on the west side, in a court yard. — Further on, a street on the opposite side brings you in sight of the MONTREAL. l67 Gray Nuns'* Convent, a large stone building, partly new, about 410 feet in length. Mansion House Hotel, St, Paul's street, below an open square. [The Canal to Lachine begins on the river shore, nearly against here] The Se/nin ary (Lsi Seminaire de St. Sulpice,) is an antique building, and contains a Catholic libra- ry of about 6000 volumes ; but access to it is not very easily obtained. The Priests are the Seig- neurs of the whole island of Montreal. The College is a large building of stone, three stories high, erected in 1 819 out of the funds of the "Seminary." It has a front of about 1 50 feet, with wings projecting in front and rear, which make the whole length about 220 feet. In order to guard against fire, there is scarcely any wood used in the construction ; and large iron doors are hung in the passages in such a manner that, by shutting them, the whole building may be divided into three parts, each fire-proof. It contains about 300 students, who are divided into 8 classes, to each of which is devoted a year, witti the exception of the' two last, which occupy but 8 months apiece ; so that the whole course of instruction is finished in 7 years. Many of the pupils, however, leave the institution before com- pleting the course. The Chapel is in the south wing ; and the rest of the building is divided into recitation rooms, and bed rooms, the former of which are hung with maps and religious pictures, and the latter suppli- ed with crosses and fonts. Every thing is Aery plain in the furniture. The price of instruction is 168 MONTREAL. about eighty dollars per year, and some of the pupils have allowances made them ; particularly those designed for the Church, who assist in in- struction by day, and study by night. There is a preparatory School connected with the College. One of the instructers always oversees the boys in their recreations. Returning to the square, and entering another principal street running parallel to St. Paul's, you pass numerous respectable and some elegant dwell- ings, leaving the Parish Church and the new Ca- thedral on the east. The Wesleyan Chapel. The American Congre- gational., and the English Episcopal Churches are passed on this side of the town. The Court House is large, but old ; and in the rear of it is The Parade, a handsome piece of ground, with a walk, where the troops are drilled every morn- ing, generally at ten o'clock. The Society of Natural History have an interest- ing collection of animals, minerals, plants, &c. principally collected in the provinces. A House of Industry has been established. The British and Canadian School Society estab- lished Schools on the British system in Montreal, in Sept. 1822. It is supported by voluntary sub- scriptions. There is a Lancasterian School of several hun- dred scholars, and an Episcopal School on Bell's system. The Priests in Canada have begun to educate in self-defence. The schools provided for by go- vernmentj are restricted to masters of the English MONTREAL. 169 Church; and a considerable number of school- houses have been erected, but almost confined to the townships. In 1829, there were, in Montreal, Quebec, and Three Rivers, 3 schools of royal institution, 2 col- leges, 6 convents, 11 gratuitous schools, (contain-, ing 1314 pupils,) and 50 other schools. In the country, there were 70 schools of royal institution, 4 colleges, and 14 mission schools. Island of St. Uelen, or Grant's Island, is a military position and depot. It is principally covered with trees ; but has a beautiful garden be- hind the quarters of the officers : and a fine road winding round from the landing place, on the south end, (vt here are some remains of old works, and a new battery,) to a rocky eminence over the arsenal, which is opposite the northern quarter of the town. This rock is about 11 feet higher than the most elevated parts of the city ; and the view from it is handsome, with a wild ravine just below. The arsenal and storehouses form three build- ings, with a narrow yard between them, about 125 feet in length. Tlie batteries range on the river and town, and are furnished with neat barracks, a magazine, &lc. The Mountain of Montreal, offers an exten- sive and dehghtful view, and should by no means be forgotten by those who have an opportunity to undertake the excursion. It is better calculated to afford an idea of the country, as well as to delight the eye, than any other excursion which can be made. Yet it is recommended, if the traveller stays long enough, to take a ride or two in different di- rections, after having visited this favorite spot. 14* 170 ROtfTE IN CANADA. Capt. Partridge states its elevation at676 feet above tide water. There are three ways of reaching the sumnmit of the mountain : on foot, by an intricate route from the southern part of the city ; onhorseback, or in a carriage, to the ridge ; or round the north end to the rear. There is also a footpath up the north end. A private road turns off from the south- ern road on the ridge, passing through a gate. Heretofore the only good point of view has been from a rock above M'Tavisli's house, whence a very steep path laads directly down. The country spread out to view on arriving at this commanding height, is a plain of such vast extent as to appear in many directions quite boundless. In fact, it stretches much farther than would be imagined ; for all the way to Quebec the river's banks present the same appearance. The spectator faces the east. The side of the mountain, almost precipitous, is thickly covered with trees, which soon give place below to a smooth descent, chiefly devoted to pasturage, on the ele- vation of which stands M'Tavish's house. A beau- tiful display of cultivated fields succeeds on the level, divided by high palings, and scattered with a few houses. Below a moderate descent, which ap- pears like an old bank of the river, gardens and dwellings begin to increase : |ind behind a suc- ceeding one, of a similar description, are suburbs. East, on the horizon, is Boucherville Mountain; and over it Belojil Mountain. The plain country between the Sorel and St. Lawrence is divided into innumerable fields, with scattering houses. In the same direction is seen St. Helen's, or Grant's EXCURSION TO LACHINE. l7l Island ; and in a direction with the south end of it, the steeple of Bon-secoiir church. North of this are the Quebec suburbs, beginning near the barracks ; the Waterworks, and Baths. Nearer, are seen St. Louis and St. Lawrence suburbs. S. S. East, on the opposite shore, La Prairie ;. and nearly over it, the site of St. John's, which is not distinguishable. In a range with them, is Nuns' Island, and Nuns' Farm, the latter on this shore. The river is 3^ miles wide. The suburbs on the south side of the city, are St. Antoine, Ricolet, St. Anne's, and St. Joseph's. Distant Mountains. North. Bout de I'lsle, the extremity of Mon- treal Island, Pointe aux Trembles, and the village of Boucherville ; opposite which is Longueil, and further down, Varennes, with a two-steepled church. N. East, the view is boundless, with a succes- sion of cultivated fields, which in the distance be- come quite undistinguishable Road round the Mountain. — The road near the north end of the mountain is ornamented with ma- ny beautiful seats, and there are also some exten- sive manufactories. Behind it is a fine extent of cultivated ground. Excursion to Lachir^e, 9 miles or 3 leagues. The river road is pleasantest ; giving a view of the Rapids, Nuns' and Heron Islands, the Indian village of Caughnawaga opposite, and crossing the Lachine Canal. At Lachine is a small house kept by an American. Crystals of axenite (carb. lime) were found in excavating the canal. The pebbles along the shore are the fragments of granite, while the black, or deep purple rocks which form the channel are limestone, lying in strata nearly hori- zontal. 172 ROUTE IN CANADA. The southern road to the Mountain, which cross- es it at the less elevated part of the ridge, near the middle, leads through St. Joseph's suburbs, and afterward passes ;i number of fine country seats. The most remarkable are those of Mr. M'Gillivray, and the late Mr. Gregory, members of the old North-West Company, which has lately been con- verted into the Hudson's Bay Company. It en- grossed the Indian trade for a vast distance up the lakes, and 'enriched many individuals, whose resi- dences add materially to the appearance of the city and its environs. The Priests^ Farm is passed on the left, near the base of the mountain, and is a large tract of land, with an old building in the ancient European style, preserving many of the features of feudal days, with its projecting square towers, small win- dows, pointed roofs, and weather-beaten walls. The barns connected with it are very spacious. The whole island of Montreal is a Seigneurie, in which the monks of Ricolet, as- Seigneurs, have the right of a tax on every farm, on every purchase and sale of real estate, and many other privileges, vested in them by the king of France on the first settlement of the place. Circumstances have con- spired to reduce and destroy many of these privi- leges, so that the annual income of the priests from this rich and valuable Seignenrie, though large, is very trivial, in comparison with its extent and fer- tility. Col. Allen, with his detachment for the surprise of Montreal, in 1776, crossed the river from Lon- gueil ; but Major Brown, not being able to land above the city as was intended, the former was ta- THE GREAT OTTAWA BRIDGE. 173 ken prisoner by Gov. Carleton, after a sharp en- gagement, loaded with irons, and sent to England. Col. Warner afterward erected batteries on the shore at Longueil, by which he drove back the go- vernor when he attempted to land on his way to relieve St. John's. The population of Montreal, by a census taken in 1825, was nearly 24,000 ; and 4 or 500 greater than that of Quebec. [THE RIDEAU CANAL is to effect a naviga- ble communication between Lake Ontario and the Ottawa river.] Boats go from Montreal up the Grand River to the mouth of the Ridean, and the commencement of the canal, by the La Chine and Greenville caiiah. Bytown is situated at the juncti(»n of the Rideau and Ottawa ; 120 miles from Montreal, and 150 from Kingston. The Rideau received its French name from the beautiful cascade, like a white cur- tain, with which it descends 27 feet, into the Ot- tawa. North of the town the Ottawa is about a mile in breadth. It has a fall of 32 feet, and is di- versified with numerous islands. Below the fall the water is very deep ; and the Rideau Canal here descends to it down a narrow cleft in a precipitous bank by eight locks of fine stone work, ten feet lift. The canal, on gaining the eminence, passes through the village, and opens upon a large beaver meadow of 250 acres, which receives a branch ca- nal from Lake Chaudiere on the Ottawa. A little south of the town is a mountainous ridge, through which the canal passes by a natural notch. The Great Ottawa Bridge is an immense struc- ture, of bold design and admirable workmanship. 174 ROUTE IN CANADA. The first two arches on the Lower Canada side, are each sixty feet span, and of stone, extending over the two channels on that side of the Kettle. Then follows a piece of wooden bridge, rising on trestles, which brings the traveller to an island, beyond which is a rapid and tirmultuoiis current, called the Chaudiere Great Kettle. Over this an attempt was made, which was repeated in 1828 with success, to throw a magnificent arch, of 220 feet span. Two arches cross the smaller chan- nels on the other side. From the bridge a fine road had been opened in the upper province to the village. A wooden bridge on this road, 114 feet span, crosses a gul- iey. Hull is opposite Bytown, connected with it by- the great Ottawa Bridge. This township belongs to Philemon Wright, Esq. an American farmer of great affluence and experience. His settlement, called Wrightstown, is seen from Bytown, being situated at the Falls. > . ROUTE FROM MONTREAL TO QUEBEC. Road to Quebec — It is recommended to those who may find it convenient, to make arrange- ments for performing a part of the journey in this manner, eitlier going or returning. The country is indeed a dead level, but it is en- tirely reduced to cultivation, thickly populated, and furnished with good roads. The way lies along the very margin of the St. Lawrence, pass- ing an almost uninterrupted succession of dwell- ings, and supplied with many comfortable and some good inns. Steamboat to Quebec. — Leaving Montreal THE ST. LAWRENCE. 175 in the steamboat, you pass under the Fort on St. Helen's Island, the steeples and cupolas of the city being seen nearly in the following' order be- ginning at the south end ; Gray Nuns', Ricolet Church, Black Nuns', New and Old Cathedrals, Episcopal ('hurch, Nelson's Monument, Bon-se- cour Church. Near the last, on the shore, is the Masonic Hotel, then the Barracks, Waterworks, and Baths, the beginning of the Quebec suburbs, the residences of Judge Reed and Mr. Malson, with terraced gardens towards the river, &c. A little below is Malson's Brewery, and the late Sir John Johnson's residence. The following are the villao;es on the south bank of the St. Lawrence, on the way from Mon- treal to Quebec, ^i'he principal ones are descri- bed below, and the churches of most of them are visible from the steamboat : Laprairie, (200 hou- ses,) Longueil, Boucherviile, (a church and 100 houses,) Varennes, (a church with three spires, l5 miles from Montreal,) Vercheres, Contrecoeur, Sorel or William Henrys Yaraaska, (with a pro- testant church,) St. Francis, Buie St. Antoine, or Lefebvre, (the three last Seignories, on the shore of Lake St. Peter, invisible from the water) Nico- let, Gregoire, Becancour, (opposite Three Rivers,) Gentilly, Pierre les Becquets, Deschaillons, Lot- biniere, St. Croix, Antoine, Nicholas. The following villages are on the north bank : Long Point, Pointe aux Trembles, Repentigny, Sulpice, (with many stores for produce, 24 miles from Montreal,) Lavaltrie, Lanoraye, Isle du Pas, (the church on an island, between Berthier and Sorel,) Berthier, Maskinonge, Riviere du Loup, 176 ROUTE IN CANADA. (with a large church with three steeples,) Ma- chiche, Pointe du Lac, (the end of Lake 8t. Pe- ter,) Three Rivers, Cap de la Madeleine, Cham- plain, Batiscan, St. Anne, Grondines, Descham- bault. Cap Sante, Belair or Les Ecureuils, Pointe aux Trembles, Augustin. Almost every view that can be taken from the city of Quebec, and around it, is fine : but it makes the best appearance from Point Levi, on the op- posite side of the St. Lawrence. The Rapids of St. Mary are between the island and these last-mentioned objects, and run with such rapidity that steamboats are sometimes obliged to be drawn up by cattle a little distance. Pointe aux Trembles^ 9 miles, (3 leagues.) Here is a nunnery, in which is a pretty large school for girls. Tliere are two good inns in the place. At this place it is recommended to the traveller by land, to make a deviation from the direct road along the river, if he finds it convenient, to seethe delightful country between it and the town of As- somption. There is a beautiful road on each bank, varied with houses and trees. Return so as to strike the road near Machiche is a pretty town, at the mouth of the Riviere du Loup, and has a very neat and com- fortable inn, of the best Canadian stamp. Many French customs are still preserved by the unmixed inhabitants of the St. Lawrence, some of which are agreeable and interesting. At many of the inns, the traveller will receive the mosf kind and hospitable attentions, and will find great gratifica- tion in observing the handsome flower-gardens, as well as the neat arrangement of the furniture. THE ST. LAWRENCE. 1717 There is very little variety to be discovered in the natural surface of the ground, but the journey through this region presents almost an unvarying scene of cultivation and fertility. For a great part of the distance, there is a narrow strip of corn or potatoes between the road and the river's bank, to correspond with the fields which stretch off to such a distance on the other hand ; and the variety of crops, and the occasional rows and clumps of trees, remove, in a good degree, the natural sameness of the landscape. Navigation and Trade of the St. Law- rence, &c.— Steamboats are of the utmost im- portance on this great river, for they contribute extremely to the convenience and expedition of travelling, and render most valuable assistance to commerce. There are many steamboats constant- ly employed between Montreal and Quebec, most of them fitted to accommodate passengers, as well as to carry freight, and all provided with power- ful engines. The principal article of export from Canada is lumber, a great deal of which is carried to Quebec in immense rafts, and then shipped for England. These rafts have usually a great num- ber of sails to hoist in a fair wind, with huts to shelter the men from the weather, so that they have a very singular appearance, and at a little distance look like a fleet of sail boats. The French Canadians appear, on acquaintance, to be an intelligent people. They certainly are amiable, cheerful, and gay, and their backward- ness in improvements is attributable to the system under which they live. They are generally brought up in great ignorance, and they are taught 15 178 ROUTE IN CANADA. to dislike and avoid not only the Protestant prin- ciples, but protestants themselves. The author has the word of one of their priests foi stating, that not more than one sixth of the population are ever taught to read or write. In New-England, as is well known, the law provides for the instruction of every child, without exception : and every child is actually instructed. Books and newspapers, therefore, lose their effect as well as their value among these people. The '■''Procedure'^ of Canada is founded on the edict of Louis 14th, of 1667, and is the basis of the Civil Code. There were no lawyers before the conquest in 17.o9, when they were created; and martial law prevailed from that time till 1774. The trial by jury was introduced in 1785; and the constitutional charter in 1791. There are many signs of prosperity exhibited by the farmers between Montreal and Three Riv- ers, in the extension or erection of buildings. On each farm is usually to be seen about half an acre of Indian corn, which will furnish 18 or 20 bush- els; and it is the custom not to build fences, the cattle being kept from the land, and fed on weeds until the crops are off. The houses are generally of one story, and are built of wood or stone, according to the natuie of the country. Some of them are formed of squared timbers, and even of round logs ; but the latter are usually employed for the construction of barns only, which are often covered with thatch. The houses and barns are frequently composed of sev- eral small buildings, erected at different periods, according to the capacity or necessities of the proprietors. THE ST. LAWRENCE. 179 William Henry, or Sorel, 45 miles, or 15 leagues, from Montreal. This town, containing about 2000 inhabitants, is one of the principal places between the two capitals. It is on the south side of the St. Lawrence, at the mouth of the Sore], or Richelieu, in a very sandy situation; and contains nothing worthy of notice except a little old church, a palisadoed fort, and a neat little square, at the distance of a short walli, surrounded with several pretty white houses, a church, <&c. a little in the New-England style. The fences are generally low, and afford the sight of gardens. The flowers which abound in the Canadian gard- ens are principally roses, carnations, sweet-wil- liams, candidus, monthly roses (blossoming only a part of the year.) The Government House stands about three-quar- ters of a mile beyond the town. It is a large red building, with barracks near it. The boat turns round on leaving Sorel, and returns to the St. Lawrence, the distant land beginning to have some elevation. On the opposite point. Gen. Montgomery erect- ed batteries on taking the place, in 1776, and pre- pared rafts and floating batteries, which maintain- ed an engagement with the ships in which Gov. Carleton attempted to escape to Quebec, and drove him back towards Montreal. He afterward pass- ed them in an open boat at night ; but his vessels fell into the hands of the Americans. Bertliier is on the opposite side of the St. Law- rence, but out of sight, being behind several low islands. Some of the steamboats stop there in- stead of at Sorel. There is a ferry across. 180 ROUTE IN CANADA. Lake St. Peter. On entering this large tract of water, the shores at the opposite end appear like mere lines upon the horizon, thj land being still so flat near the river as to seem hardly suffi- cient to prevent it from overflovv'^ing. A vessel at the opposite end appears like a mere speck, the length of the lake being 20 miles. Pointe du Lac, or Woodlands, is seen on the northern shore, when nearly across ; but it is sit- uated beyond the lake. A ridge of high land con- tinues on the north, following the course of the river. Opposite Woodlands is Nicolet, 9 miles from Three Rivers. The place is large, and contains an EngHsh and a French church, together with a nunnery, and a college, founded by the Catholic bishop of Quebec. Three Rivers, [Trois Rivieres.] This is the largest town between Montreal and Quebec, and is 96 miles from the former, and 84 from the latter. The streets are generally straight, and regularly built, though narrow ; and the houses, although neat, are only one or two stories high, with wind- ows in the roofs, and being principally plastered, have rather a dark aspect, like those of Montreal. It contains shops of various sorts, and several inns of a decent appearance. The Nunnery is in the east part of the town, and has extensive grounds connected with it. The Chapet of the Convent has a number of pictures, of which the one on the right of the main altar is the best: Magdalen weeping. The Parish Church is in the south part of the town. Two large buildings, for- merly the Court House and Jail, with the Nunne- ry, are the principal objects. RAPIDS OF RICHELIEU. 3 81 While the American forces were on the retreat from Quebec, in 1775, Gen. Sullivan sent Gen. Thompson down from Sorel to attack this place. He went down the right bank of Lake St. Peter, and landed 9 miles from the town : but being dis- covered and. misled, he found Gen. Frazer drawn up in order of battle, while Gen. Nesbit was sent to cut off his retreat; and the battle, which imme- diately commenced, was short and disastrous to the assailants, who lost their commander, and many officers and soldiers, as prisoners, although they had (ew killed. After several hours we ap- proach Lotbiniere, a village on the south side of the river, known by its double-spired church. It stands on a steep bank, about (iO feet high, and marks the commencement of the Richelieu rapids. The river here winds between broken banks, and the number of cottages is so great as to make the scene more animating. A few blue, but not lofty, mountains are seen down the river. The land traveller sees the villages of St. Croix, An- toine and Nicholas. Rapids of Richelieu. The river, which is about two miles wide, here runs with great velo- city, particularly the first three miles; but the water is deep, and the surface unbroken, except near the shores, which are lined with innumerable loose round stones and rocks, extremely dange- rous to vessels when they get among them. These rocks seem placed with much regularity, forming two ranges, and making the water appear as if it had a gradual swell from both sides to the middle of the river. Although the navigation of this 15* 182 ROUTE IN CANADA. part of the St. Lawrence requires great skill and caution in other vessels, steamboats pass with se- curity ; yet, on account of the force of the cur- rent at ebb tide, even they are obliged to vary their hours of leaving Quebec, in such a way as to have the flood through the rapids. . Vessels are often seen waiting at the bottom of the rapids for a change of tide, or for a steamboat to tow them up. The rapids extend about nine miles. St. Antoine^ on the south bank, is 18 miles (6 leagues) from Quebec. The mountain seen tow- ards the northeast is that of Lorette, and the bank on that side makes a beautiful slope to the river, agreeably varied by cultivated fields, interrupted by occasional patches of woodland. The south shore continues high and nearl}'^ perpendicular, with innumerable cottages peeping over the brow. Pointe aux Trembles, a village on the north shore. The river is of about the same breadth all along here, viz. about two miles, although it appears much narrower; the depth is about five fathoms, and the tide rises 14 or 15 feet. Not- withstanding the thickness of the population on the shores, the country is a wilderness only about four miles back, being comprehended in what is called the King^s Hunting Ground, which ex- tends from Three Rivers, 40 or 50 miles below this place. Jacques Cartier, 30 miles from Quebec, is a vil- lage on the north side, at the mouth of the river of the same name, distinguished by the name of the first explorer of the river St. Lawrence. Here are the remains of the first church built in Canada. CAPE DIAMOND. 183 Caroiige Crecla, on the north side. Here a pret- ty view opens, for a few minutes, into the interior, on the north shore, showing the Indian village of Lorette, at the distance of three or four miles, with an extent of beautiful land, and a range of fine mountains in the rear. Chaudiere River is a little below, with a rock on the lower side, at its mouth. Looking down the St. Lawrence, part of Point Levi is seen, covered with white buildings, one of which is the church. It is opposite Quebec, which remains for a considerable distance invisible. The banks rise to a greater and greater height, and present every variety of surface. Sillery Cove is a mile below, above which was fought the final battle between the English and French, in 1759, after the capture of Quebec by General Wolfe, which completed the conquest of Canada. ^ Wolfe'^s Cove is behind the next point. This is the place where Wolfe landed in the night, and up the precipitous bank he climbed with his troops, afterward drawing up his cannon. Here Gen. Ar- nold afterward took up his troops, in 1775. There is a remarkable rock projecting from the bank, at the head of the cove, a little to the right of which is seen a road running up the hill, at the place where the troops went up, when there was nothing but a footpath. The spot is about a quarter of a mile west of a large yellow house above the bank. Cape Diamond is an abrupt bluff, under the op- posite side of which Quebec is situated. It is 348 feet high, and the fortified lines on its brow be- long to the city walls, and the citadel, which is in- 184 QUEBEC. eluded by them. The telegraph is raised on the Cavaliers' Battery, and the round buildings on the ridge are Martello towers, which serve as ad- vanced worlis to the fortress. The opposite point is Point Levi; and the mountains of ^?. A7ine and Tourmente appear many miles down the river. General Montgomery was killed just at the base of Cape Diamond, in attacking a blockhouse on the shore, in 1775. QUEBEC. The Lower Town of Quebec begins near this spot, and stretches along at the foot of the rock, while the Upper Town soon begins to open to view above, though the principal part of it is on the top and the opposite side. The harbor requires a pier for its protection, on account of the extreme rapidity of the currents caused by the tide, and particularly the ice. The Castle of St. Louis, or the Governor's House, overhangs the precipice, being built on supporters ; interrupting the city wall, which encloses the Upper Town. The new Monument to Wolfe and Montcalm is also visible from some points on the river. But the current is too swift to allow much time for observation before arriving at the wharf, where the traveller will find servants in waiting from the principal public houses in the city : these are all in the Upper Town, the ascent to which is intricate as well as steep and laborious, so that the stranger will want their assistance as guides. A book called the "Picture of Quebec" is re- commended to the traveller. The Lower Town is crowded and dirty, and contains no decent public houses. After three or QUEBEC, 185 four turns, you begin to ascend Mountain-street, to a gate in the city wall, which is very massive, built in the old European style, of solid stone, with narrow passage ways for carriages and foot- men, and a guard chamber above, with loop-holes for musketeers. On the right, after passing this gate, is a battery of heavy guns. A walk to the Esplanade, in the highest part of the city, by the wall, is very delightful at morning or evening, as it commands a fine view ; but Cape Diamond the finest of all. It is recommended to the stranger to seize the first pleasant days to make excursions to the Falls of Montmorency, the village of Lorette, &c. which will be more particularly spoken of hereaf- ter ; and to set out as early in the morning as pos- sible. The walls of Quebec enclose the upper part of the hill, and a little of its declivity on the north side ; but the space is so small that the buildings are extremely crowded, and the streets are as closely built as in the largest cities. Very few of the private houses present any thing remarkable, but there are many public buildings worthy of particular attention. Population, in 1825, about 22,000. The French Parish Church stands on one side of the public square, facing the barracks, where is also the seminary. The church contains little that is remarkable, the whole interior appearing rather ordinary, and the pictures having little to boast of; the principal of them are a Holy Family, an As- cension, Crucifixion, Descent of Tongues, and Last Supper. 186 QUEBEC. The College (founded in 1663,) which stands a little to the right in coming out of the church, is a large stone building in which a considerable number of youth are educated by priests, and may be distinguished in the city by wearing the long black gown, sash, and cornered cap, common to such institutions in Catholic countries. This build- ing has four sides, i,hree of which are more than 210 feet long, 40 wide, and 3 stories high ; and the fourth 150 feet long, of 4 stories. The garden wall around it encloses about 7 acres. The pro- fessors reside in the building. The Chapel of the Seminary^ which stands a lit- tle left from the principal gate, contains the best collection of pictures, it is said, in all Canada : be- ginning on the right hand near the door, is a pic- ture of the Virgin Mary attended by Angels, &c. ; in the first chapel on that side is a picture of the Crucifixion, over the altar ; on the right, the Bap- tism of the Etheopian, John's Baptism, St. John; on the left, a portrait, St. Peter receiving the keys, infant Saviour, Devotees, &:-c. on the church wall, next is a good picture unknown, then the Ascen- sion, and Interment of the Saviour ; and over the high altar, a Holy Family, and Dove descending; what appears to be some ])riest's dream ; on the left side, is the Descent of Tongues, and an Angel visiting St. Peter in prison, good ; over the altar in the remaining chapel, is the Baptism in the Wil- derness, with a number of poor pictures ; and in the church are an Evangelist, Wise Men present- ing gifts, &,c. In two gilt boxes, one on each side of the high altar, are two skulls, with several human bones. QUEBEC. 187 placed against red silk, which are regarded with superstitious reverence, as holy and perhaps mi- raculous relics; a lamp is kept constantly burning imder that on the left hand. The Barracks are in a large stone building op- posite the church, which was formerly the Jesuits' College : it is three and four stories high, about 200 feet long. Here are quartered most of the troops which garrison the city ; they have hereto- fore consisted of two regiments of infantry, two companies of artillery, and one of sappers and miners. The Exchange, a new edifice, contains a Reading Room. Convents. There are two convents in Quebec ; one of them has about 40 Ursulines, M^ho have a large convent and church near the prison, in the west part of the city, and keep a large school for girls. The other convent is lower down, and con- tains an hospital for diseases of the lighter kinds ; while the most serious and severe are treated at the nunnery near the St. Charles's River, about li miles above the town. These institutions, however, are not now open to visiters as they for- merly were ; at least it is generally impossible to gain access to them. The Parliament House extends from Prescott gate, in Mountain-street, nearly 300 feet, of some- what irregular form. It was originally the resi- dence of the Bishop, who now resides in the east end of the Seminary. The House of Assembly occupies a room 35 feet by 65, formerly a chapel; and near it are the Speaker's room and the Libra- ry, while other apartments are offices, &c. The Legislative Council occupy the third story. 188 QUEBEC. The Public Offices are at the corner of Fort- street and the Place d'Arnies. Above is the Mu- seum of the Literary and Historical Society, which is worthy of a visit. It contains some of the original journals of the British House of Com- mons under Charles 1st, said to have been brought to New-England by Gofte and Whalley. The Public Warehouse, on the King's Wharf, is 250 feet in length. The Statue of Gen. Wolfe, of wood, is at the corner of Palace and John-streets, and is said to resemble him very strongly. Gen. Montcalm's House is on the battery, towards' Palace Gate. The Hotel Dieu is a hospital for the sick poor, under the care of nuns. The grounds, (12 acres,) extend from Couillard st. where is the burying ground, to Palace st. It was founded in 1637, and has liberal funds, but relieves so many, particular- ly emigrants, that the provincial parliament render it assistance. The building for the sick is on the north side, and in it reside the Superior and about 35 nuns. The church may be visited with per- mission of the Chaplain, and contains the follow- ing pictures : the Nativity, by Stella ; Virgin and Child, by Coypel ; Vision of Therese ; and Bru- neau in Meditation. In the Chaplain's room is a picture representing the tortures inflicted on Bre- bneuf and Taliemand, two priests of the Chapel at Three Rivers, who were captured and killed by the Indians. The General Hospital a mile out of the city, on Charles River, was founded by the Bishop in 1693. It is 230 ft. by 33, with a wing, 120 by 50. It is CASTLE OF ST. LOUIS. 189 under the care of the Superior of the convent, and about 45 nuns. There is a separate building for the insane. The church contains some copies of pictures in the city churches. The funds are de- rived from parliamentary appropriations, lands and the labor of the nuns in ornamental work. The Arsenal is near the palace gate, and con- tains about 100,000 stand of arms, arranged with great regularity. The monument to Wolfe and Montcalm, oppo- site, and in front of the Governor's Gardens, bears this inscription: ^''Mortem virtus communem ; fa- Tnarn. historia ; monumentum posteritas dedit.^^ Schools. — There are in the city the Royal Gram- mar school, the school of Ursuline Nuns, the Na- tional school, that of the Education Society, and the British and Canadian School Society, which is Lancasterian. The Protestant Burying Ground is on Main street, in St. John's Suburbs, | ni: from the gate. The Castle of ;St. Louis, about 160 feet by 45, with wings, makes a less imposing appearance than when seen from the water. The street beyond commands a fine view : and there are several beau- tiful terraced gardens formed on the steep side of the rock, 200 feet high, almost overhanging the buildings in the lower town. It is the residence of the governor of the Province of Lower Canada, The fortifications of the city on the land side are strong, and worthy of particular attention ; as be- fore remarked, they may be examined with inter- est by taking a walk in that direction, in the morn- ing or evening. ;S^. Louisas Gate is the highest city gatCi and the 16 190 QUEBEC. street of the same name conducts to it ; this leads to the famous Plains of Abraham. The monu- ments to Wolfe and Montcalm will be erected in the Upper Garden. The Esplanade Battery lies between St. Louis and St. John's gates, and contains 12 cannon and 4 mortars, with magazines built where they could not be injured by an enemy's shot. The ground slopes in such a manner as to expose a large extent of country to view ; the fine fertile plain beyond St. Charles's River, the beautiful ridge of lands beyond, with the villages of Lorette, Charlebourg, and others ; the St. Lawrence on the right, with Point Levi, the Isle of Orleans, and the fine ranges of distant mountains. The mouth of the Mont- morency can easily be discerned, on the left bank of the St. Lawrence, about 9 miles from the city ; that is the spot where the falls are to be seen, and the battle ground where Gen. Wolfe made an un- successful attack on the French Gen. Dieskau, be- fore the capture of the city. Mounting to the parapet near the gate of St. Louis, the plan of the defences maybe in part dis- cerned, even by an unpractised eye ; and by de- scending and passing through the gate, the strength of the place will be better understood. The walls of the city, the bastions, and other works, are from 20 to 30 feet in height, and formed of stone. The path is made to turn several abrupt angles, in order to expose the approach to raking fires. In coming towards the gate from the country, at the first angle, the stranger is brought to face 8 can- non, placed in two rows, at the second angle 2, and at the third 2 ; at the fourth he sees 3 on the right THE CITADEL. l9l and 3 on the left ; and at the fifth finds himself in front of the gate, which has a gun on its top. The gate is of very heavy and durable masonry, and the passage through it is a dark arched way, about 55 feet long; it is closed by two heavy doors, with wickets so placed as not to face each other. Near the Hospital is part of the old French wall, about 50 feet high, which contains gentlemen's gar- dens. The Citadel, on Cape Diamond, is designed for a place of im- pregnable strength. It has been gradually pro- gressing for a number of years. Admission may be usually obtained by application to the proper officers. The British government intended to de- vote 5000Z. per annum on these works. Most of the works are new, though some parts of the old have been made to serve. They include five or six acres, on the very summit of Cape Di- amond, and extend to the verge of the precipice,. 348 feet above the St. Lawrence. There are to be four bastions and one demi-bastion, a ravelin, in advance of the western bastion, and other out- works, and the whole will enclose 40 or 50 acres. The walls are about 40 feet high, and built perpen- dicularly, of fine he \vn stone ; the ditch being blast- ed out of the solid rock, and about 50 feet wide. The Casemates. Entering the gates and passing behind the wall, a continued line of large rooms is discovered following the wall, built of substantial brick work, and bomb-proof. These Casemates are about 50 feet long, 20 wide, and 16 or 18 high, each to be lighted by a door and two small win- dows, looking inward, and pierced at the other side, 192 QUEBEC. with five loop holes each, for musketry. These loop holes are on the new plan, narrow inside, and opening with steps faced with iron, to prevent mus- ket shot from glancing in. There are to be about 40 casemates towards the land side, the natural defence of the precipice over the water being suf- ficiently strong to prevent the attempts of an ene- my in that direction. The casemates will commu- nicate with each other by folding doors, which may be thrown open the whole length of the bomb- proofs, and will then furnish space for the whole garrison (from 3000 to 5000 men) to parade at once. The Suhterranean Passage leads from a little staircase in the bastion next east of the gate, under the ditch, to a small out-work with two or three casemated rooms. The stairs are so narrow as to admit only one person at a time, and are construct- ed in a spiral form, and in the neatest manner. The passage, which is about 130 feet long, has also two branches where guards might be placed to prevent intrusion. The cooking rooms, for part of the garrison, are near the second bastion ; and over the whole are to be mounted large cannon. Brock's Battery, a w«irk of wood and earth, raised during the late war with the United States, is to be partly retained and converted into a Cav- alier's Battery. This, as well as the magazines, barracks, officer's quarters, &c. is within the works ; and at the corner next the river and town, is the old Cavalier's Battery, a very heavy stone building, originally erected for the palace of the French governors of Quebec : below it, at the water's edge, Gen, Montgomery was killed. It brock's battery. 193 has dark vaults, the walls are six feet thick, near the ground, and from the Telegraph on the top is one of the finest views that can be imagined : the broad surface of the St. Lawrence lies below, and stretches off far to the right and left; the whole city of Quebec is crowded together almost beneath you, while Point Levi, with its white buildings, is seen opposite, with a long stretch of lofly shores. Turning the eye in the opposite direction, the beautiful ridge of land, which begins many miles down the river on the northern side, and rises with a gentle swell from the shore, covered with the richest and most varied display of cultivation, offers a most delightful view over an extensive and fertile region, beautiful in form, divided into innu- merable portions, cultivated by a dense and indus- trious population, and scattered with their cluster- ed dwellings. On the left appears, among other villages, that of Xorette, with the Montreal road for nine miles almost lined with houses ; and on the right that of Beaufort, occupying the ridge of the high ground, while a little beyond it is the chasm into which the River Montmorency plunges, with its famous cataract, just before it joins the St. Lawrence. All the horizon in that direction, and indeed from the west to the north, and quite to the east, is broken by ranges of fine mountains, some of them near and hold ; and in other places, be- tween them, distant blue ridges are disclosed, three, four, or five in succession. Tsononthuan Moun- tain, which has two summits and is 2000 feet high in the north-west, is the southern extreme of the granite range reaching from the Labrador coast to Lake Superior. In the south and south-west, 16* 194 QUEBEC. where an aperture is left, is a distant and lower range, scattered with cottages. It may, perhaps, not be hazarding too much to say, that no scene in Canada, or the United States, can boast of a combination of objects comparable in variety and magnificence to those here presented to view. Cape Diatnond derives its name from the beau- tiful little rock-crystals, which are found in veins of white crystalized limestone, disseminated in the black limestone blasted out for the works. The quartz stones used in the walls are very fine, and are brought from three miles above the city. Of those prepared for corner stones of a bastion, near the old governor's house, are homogeneous mass- es of granular quartz, weighing 1| or two tons, or even more. Some of the crystals are perfect and brilliant, though small. There is a long staircase of about 600 steps, leading from this elevated position down to the Lower Town, and an inclined plane, about 500 ft. long, to raise heavy articles. The Plains op Abraham. This interesting tract of ground, the field where Gen. Wolfe succeeded, by a bold and decisive blow, in capturing the city of Quebec in 1759, lies at only about the distance of a mile, and should not be neglected. Indeed it would be found am- ply to repay the trouble, to make a much longer excursion in that direction, as the road is fine and the country interesting.* * After the battle of Montmorency, while the English fleet lay up the river, atone o'clock in the ni