inferior to the buildings at present on the site : many, no doubt, are the same, having been substantially repaired after the cession of the Province.

PRESENT STATE AND PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

The UPPER and LOWER TOWNS of QUEBEC, together with the Suburbs, occupy a site which may be described as a triangle, the Banlieu line being the base, the Rivers St. Lawrence and St. Charles forming the sides, and the Point, at the confluence of those Rivers, being the apex. The LOWER TOWN includes all the extent of buildings underneath the cliff, from the spot where the Banlieu line strikes the St. Lawrence on the south, to the King's wood-yard on the St. Charles, towards the north. Beyond the wood-yard is the populous Suburb of St. Roch. The houses in Mountain Street below PRESCOTT-GATE are also in the LOWER TOWN.

Owing to the great increase of late years in the trade of the Province, several new wharfs, on which are extensive storehouses, have recently been constructed on lots redeemed from the water, particularly in the neighborhood of the QUEBEC EXCHANGE. But although very considerable improvements have been made in the extent of its mercantile accommodation, the LowER TOWN is still too much confined for the convenience of the trade. Several counting houses and mercantile establishments are still obliged to be kept at such a distance from the centre of business, as to be extremely inconvenient during the urgency of the navigable season. During the last year above one thousand vessels arrived in this port, and this season the number will probably be as great.

One consequence has been, a very great influx of emigrants from the mother country, who arrive in vessels engaged in the timber trade; and who during their stay in the harbor, and in their transit through the Province, expend in the aggregate a very large sum of ready money, out of the capital which they bring with them for agricultural and other purposes. It is to be hoped that these Provinces will long continue to be annually enriched by the immigration of an industrious and moral population from the mother country. In noticing the subject of immigration, it would be unpardonable to omit the conveniences afforded to settlers and travellers by the numerous steam-boats on the St. Lawrence, originally established by the enterprise of the Honorable JOHN MOLSON, of MONTREAL. Their safety, speed, and general excellence are universally acknowledged by the numerous strangers who visit this Metropolis.

THE QUEBEC EXCHANGE.

As a building devoted to general mercantile purposes, this institution demands particular attention. The first institution of this description in QUEBEC is dated in 1817. It was established in a house at the south end of St. Peter Street, whence it was removed, in 1822, to a handsome room in the new building erected by the FIRE ASSURANCE COMPANY. An annually encreasing subscription list led eventually to the erection of the present commodious edifice of cut stone. The ground on which it stands, a water lot, was purchased in June, 1828, and contains ten thousand superficial feet. The Honorable MATTHEW BELL, from whom the site was purchased, gave, in

the most handsome manner, as his subscription to the undertaking, a fifth part of the purchase money, his donation amounting to two hundred pounds. The public spirit of the projectors of this undertaking was truly commendable, and liberally supported by the public. One thousand pounds was soon subscribed to erect the building, and the income being considerable, arising from annual subscriptions to the reading room, no difficulty was found in raising the funds necessary for its completion. The first stone was laid with Masonic ceremonies on the 6th September, 1828.

The edifice is situated at the east end of St. Paul Street; and has answered the most sanguine expectations of the Proprietors, who were incorporated by Act of the Provincial Parliament in 1830.

The lower part, or ground floor, was intended for an EXCHANGE, "where merchants most do congregate," and make engagements for the transaction of business. The centre story contains the excellent READING ROOM, fifty feet long, thirty broad, and sixteen in height; the windows of which command a complete view of the basin and river. The upper part is occupied at present by the BOARD OF TRADE; but by an arrangement between the respective proprietors, it is generally understood that the QUEBEC LIBRARY will be removed from its present situation on the 1st May next, to a spacious room on that story.

The excellent arrangement of the Reading Room was mainly owing to the ability, zeal, and intelligence of the late Mr. HENRY THOMPSON, who had for several years been the Keeper of the Exchange. He fell a victim to the Asiatic Cholera, after a few hours illness, in July, 1834, greatly esteemed and

lamented by all who knew him. The establishment is at present under the judicious management of Mr. R. ROBERTS, late merchant of this city.

THE TRINITY HOUSE.

This is a corporate establishment for the due regulation of the Pilots who ply in the River St. Lawrence, and for their charitable support after they are disabled by age, accident, or infirmity. There is also a fund for the relief of their widows and children. It is governed by a Master, Deputy Master, and Wardens, who are generally Merchants of Quebec. The business of the Corporation is transacted in a house in St. Peter Street, not far from the Quebec Exchange.

This establishment was no doubt founded in imitation of similar institutions in ENGLAND. In the reign of HENRY VIII., certain officers were incorporated by the name of Master and Wardens of the HOLY TRINITY: "they were to take care of the building, keeping and conducting of the Royal Navy." This Corporation had a foundation at DEPTFORD, in KENT, containing fifty-nine houses for decayed Pilots and Masters of Ships, or the widows of such; and the men were allowed twenty, and the women sixteen shillings per month. There is also a noble establishment of this kind at HULL, in YORK

SHIRE,

THE BANKS-FIRE ASSURANCE COMPANY.

The QUEBEC BANK occupies the lower story of the handsome stone edifice built by the QUEBEC