breadth of eighty yards, except at the St. Ursula bastion where it increases to one hundred and twenty. In summer the different guards required for the city are mounted here every morning; it has long been the usual parade ground for the troops and is used for the annual muster of the militia. The citizens find here an excellent place of promenade in fine weather and have occasionally the enjoyment of listening to the military bands whichperform at intervals either here or at the Public Garden. At a short distance from St. Louis Gate at the foot of the rampart is a powder magazine enclosed by a stone wall. The adjoining ramparts, which afford an uninterrupted walk from the Citadel to the Artillery Barracks passing over St. Louis and St. John's Gates, are well deserving of a visit from the stranger. As he descends towards the latter gate the view opens before him of the beautiful valley of the St. Charles which takes its serpentine course between richly cultivated farms until it joins the St. Lawrence. This scene is rich, attractive and full of variety. The white cottages and spire of the village of Charlebourg on the rising ground in the distance sparkle in the rays of the sun, while in the immediate vicinity the attention is arrested by the crowded suburb of St. Roch which extends itself at the feet of the spectator. The Marine and General Hospitals, situated at the outskirts of the suburb, occupy a detached and conspicuous position and are the only buildings upon which the eye rests with any interest. In Buade Street near the steps leading from Prescott Gate is Freemasons' Hall, a building which has not for some years been devoted to the uses of that association. It is not otherwise remarkable than from its having over the doorway the following inscription below the stone figure of a dog gnawing a bone, which from its being gilt has obtained the name of Le Chien d'Or. JE SVIS VN CHIEN QVI RONGE L'OS. EN LE RONGEANT JE PREND MON REPOS. As considerable local interest is attached to this relic, we transcribe the following account which has been given of its origin. "Mr. Philibert was a merchant of Quebec, during the time that this country was under the French Government. Mr. Begon was at the head of the Financial Department in Canada; and he had so conducted the fiscal affairs of Canada, or rather of France in respect of Canada, that one of the Queens of that chivalrous kingdom asked her husband, whether the walls of Quebec were made of gold? Mr. Philibert and Mr. Begon did not agree. The former had not the means or the power to have his complaints heard and redressed. He was therefore obliged, instead of preferring them in the shape of an indictment or an impeachment, to write them in the covert language, which is placed under the dog, as his motto. This was too much for tyranny. Mr. Philibert,when descending the Lower Town Hill, received the sword of Mr. De R- an officer of the garri son, through his back, and the murderer was permitted quietly to depart to the East Indies. The brother of Mr. Philibert receiving intelligence of this mournful event, came from France to Canada to settle his brother's estate, and to avenge his blood. Having arranged the former, he pursued Mr. De R― to Pondicherry, where they met in the street, instantly drew their swords, fought upon the spot, and the assassin was slain.” In the general appearance of the Upper Town many deficiencies are exhibited which are seldom observed in a city of the extent and importance of Quebec. It is to be hoped,however, that improvements too long withheld will soon redeem it from the prejudicial remarks of strangers, the disposition of the piesent Municipal Authorities being evidently bent on the attainment of SO desirable an object.The irregularity of the streets is chiefly owing to the extent of the site occupied by the old ecclesiastical buildings which with their spacious gardens engross so large a portion of the city. This affects |