Hayward’s United States Gazetteer (1853) page 653

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IN THE UNITED STATES.    653

the water somewhat resembles that of Albany;
increased, however, in picturesque beauty by the
hill in the rear, originally called
Mount Royal,
which rises, about a mile from the city, to the
height of 550 feet, forming a prominent object in
the picture from every point of view. The bat-
tlemented wall, with which the old city was once
surrounded, has fallen into decay; so that it is
somewhat less like a European city in appearance
than it formerly was, being now entirely open,
and the wooded heights around covered with
villas and pleasure grounds. The principal
streets run parallel to the river, being crossed by
others at right angles. Along the bank of the
river, fronting upon the quays, is an extensive
line of stone warehouses. Commissioners Street
and Water Street are nearest to the river, and
the next is St. Paul's Street, which is the great
commercial thoroughfare, running the whole
length of the city. Notre Dame Street, which is
the Broadway of Montreal, extends in the same
direction along the summit of the elevation of
the Lower town, as it is seen from the river. In
the Upper town and suburbs, which are mostly
inhabited by the principal merchants, the houses
are handsomely built in the modern style ; but in
the Lower town they are very generally of a
gloomy-looking gray stone, with dark iron win-
dow shutters and tinned roofs, giving to the
place rather an antiquated and heavy aspect.
There is, however, a great appearance of strength
and durability in these stone structures, which
makes a favorable impression concerning the
character and wealth of the place. To the tour-
ist approaching Montreal upon the St. Lawrence,
it presents the aspect of a “ City of Granite.'' A
massive stone quay extends along the whole river
front, curving inward, and forming, with its
wharves, a convenient harbor for the shipping.
A broad space upon its brow, and in the rear,
affords a delightful promenade in summer; and
whenever any grand arrival or departure upon
the river calls out the population of the city, this
position, which offers unequalled advantages to
the convenience of a multitude of spectators,
presents an animated and imposing spectacle.

Immediately fronting the St. Lawrence is the
Bonsecours Market, which, by its architectural
embellishments, at once attracts the eye. But
the most remarkable public edifice in Montreal,
towering above every thing else, is the French
Catholic Church of Notre Dame, commonly, but
erroneously, called the French Cathedral. The
Cathedral, or Bishop's Church, in Montreal, is
in the W. part of the city. This Church of
Notre Dame, situated on the street of the same
name, and fronting on a public square, is the
largest religious edifice in America. The length,
from E. to W., is 225 feet, and the breadth 134
feet. There are towers at each of the corners,
on its Gothic front, 220 feet in height; in one of
which is hung the largest bell in the W. hemi-
sphere. The interior contains 9 spacious aisles,
with 1244 pews, and will accommodate 10,000
people. The service here is conducted in the
French language. St. Patrick's is another large
church, for the accommodation of the Irish Cath-
olics, capable of containing about 7000 persons.
There are other church edifices, of various de-
nominations, and numerous public buildings,
which are imposing in their architecture. Among
these are the Government House; the Seminary
of St. Sulpice; the Hotel Dieu, and the Sceurs

Noires, two large nunneries; the Court House
and Prison; some fine banks ; and an extensive
range of barracks, for 2000 men. The hotels
are numerous, some of them affording elegant
accommodations for the travelling public. In
one of the public squares is a colossal statue of
Lord Nelson, placed upon a Doric column, the
pedestal of which is covered with bass-reliefs
representing his principal naval actions. “ Mon-
treal,'' says the British Whig, “is unquestionably
the cleanest city in her majesty's dominions ; al-
though at one time it had the very contrary repu-
tation.'' The labors of the corporation, in this
respect, are worthy of all praise, not merely for
the extreme cleanliness of the city, but for the
good order and perfect quiet maintained both day
and night. The cheapness of cab and caleche hire
in Montreal is a fact which will not fail to interest
the stranger visiting the place. For an English
shilling you can traverse the entire length of the
city and return again to your hotel.

In the year 1640, an association was formed
in France, of persons actuated by religious zeal,
for the purpose of colonizing the Island of
Mount Royal. To this association the king
ceded the whole island, which is about
70 miles
in circumference. The spot selected for the city
was consecrated by the superior of the Jesuits;
the “ Queen of Angels '' was supplicated to take
it under her protection, and it was called, at first,
after her name, “ La Ville Marie.'' In
1644 the
whole of this beautiful domain, which, on ac-
count of its fertility, has been called the “ Garden
of Canada,'' became the property of the St. Sul-
picians of Paris, and was by them afterwards
conveyed to the seminary established by that
order at Montreal. At the conquest of Canada
by Great Britain, in
1760, the property and reve-
nues of the seignories, and all estates belonging
to existing religious institutions, were guarantied
to the possessors. Within the iast half century
many capitalists from England and Scotland
have become residents of Montreal, and have in-
fused a vigor and energy which are manifest in
its greatly-extended commerce, and in the im-
provements which are continually taking place.
At the same time it is true, that every thing
about the city still speaks of its French origin;
and so tenacious have been the French of their
nationality, that a century of English rule has
failed materially to alter their habits and manners.

The distance from Montreal to Boston is 339
miles, and to New York 406 miles.

MOUNT EYERETT, MS.

This is the most lofty of the summits of the
Taconic range, situated in the E. part of the
town of Mount Washington, which lies in the S.
W. corner of the state. From the fact that, in
connection with much of the surrounding ele-
vated region of the Taconic Mountains, it consti-
tutes the township of Mount Washington, the
name of this mountain has often been confound-
ed with that of the town. By the people of the
vicinity it has sometimes been called
Bald Moun-
tain
, and Bald Peak. We prefer, however, the
name of
Mount Evebett, which President
Hitchcock has given to it in his Geology of Mas-
sachusetts, in honor of Edward Everett, LL. D.

The height of this mountain is 2624 feet. The
scenery in its immediate neighborhood is of the
boldest and most romantic description. The
whole township, as before intimated, consists of


























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