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numerically, this geological feature is best examined. It is not pretended, however, that the velocity of the waters which now pass over or struggle through the largest of boulders found in such placss, is sufficient to account for their presence ;-undoubtedly not.— They could, in general, only owe their position to the motion of an immense body of water suddenly subsiding to a lower level through the channels in which they are now found,

It is usual to attribute the position of large boulders and extensive beds of coarse gravel, whether in rivers, flats or high lands, to the operation of the punitory Deluge of Moses; and there is no doubt that such a catastrophe is fully sufficient to account for much that is actually observed; but the study of Geology informs us that the Mosaic Deluge is by no means the only one which has visited the surface of the globe since its creation. On the contrary, the Tertiary and even Secondary strata, bear witness to the repeated action of anti-diluvial floods. Besides, partial floods originating in the bursting of lakes, &c. have produced, in all times, individual erosive effects over a comparatively small surface equal to the greatest we notice. Now, let it be borne in mind, that effects, at first partial as to extent, become general to the whole globe, after innumerable repetitions over its surface! Thus, if the phenomenon of the emergence of a mountain in the flats of Flanders should be repeated every century, in the course of time that country, which is now remarkable for its uniform level, would become mountainous. A remark which is the germ of modern Geology, the value of which, however, depends upon not being restricted as to time.

To return more particularly to the distribution of boulders:-The buoyancy of ice has been called in to explain it; but this cause, although, no doubt, entitled to some attention, particularly in climates like Canada, can have been but in partial operation, and cannot certainly account for the distribution of boulders under the tropics, without, indeed, what is very improbable, those climes once possessed a frigid atmosphere. The fact appears to be, that no one nor one of two causes will answer satisfactorily for their position, which has been influenced probably by

many.

The neighbourhood of Quebec, as well as Canada in general, is much characterized by boulders, and the size and position of some of them is very striking. There are two crowning the height which over. looks the Domain Farm at Beauport, whose collective weight is little short, by computation of forty

The heights of Abraham, also are, or rather were, crowded with them; and it should never be forgotten that it was upon one of these hoary symbols, the debacle of the Deluge, as they are generally esteemed to be, that the immortal and mortal parts of two rival heroes separated from each other-the former to unite in realms apportioned to the departed brave!

It has often occurred to us, that one of the most suitable monuments to the memory of Wolfe and Montcalm might have been erected with these masses, in the form of a pyramid or pile of shot, instead of burying them, as in many instances has been done, in order to clear the ground.

It is true, that the farmer sees no beauty, and feels no interest in these mysterious and primeval intruders, which we call boulders. He naturally

regards them with a feeling similar to that with which he views the unextracted stumps, that for some time retard the progress of the plough, and impede his agricultural improvements. To us, however, they are far from unwelcome. We never see one without the excitement of curiosity, and the stimulative of research. We would investigate, and gladly discover its age, origin, and the means whereby it occupied its present position upon the otherwise stoneless surface-sometimes indeed, we yield a pardonable indulgence to fancy in picturing the extraordinary events which might be disclosed in the "Genuine Memoirs of a Boulder !"

[For the foregoing Geological account, we are indebted to Lieutenant Baddeley, R. E., Member of the Geology Society of France.]

GENERAL SKETCH.-THE ENVIRONS OF QUEBEC.

To all admirers of romantic scenery, and to the general observer of manners and character, a visit to the interior of the country parishes of LOWER CANADA will afford objects of peculiar interest and attraction. In those parts of the Province, where immigration from the British possessions in EUROPE has taken root, no perceptible difference of manners is to be expected. The same industry, and agricultural improvement-the same national variations of character and temperament will here be found-softened, refined and amalgamated by social intercourse and friendly collision. The remark is equally good as applied to the AMERICAN population. But in the same degree as the Artist seeks to

study nature in her most simple guise, there is an especial charm for the philosophic spectator in the simplicity and natural character of the Habitans, or French peasantry of the Province. An intelligent, and almost primitive people, uninfluenced by the causes that are every day working improvement among their neighbors, and whose dress and dialect prove their identity with the race nursed of yore on the shores of NORMANDY-can never be uninteresting to the contemplation of the educated traveller.

While the ARTIST will be delighted to find the pictures of his imagination realised, in the most beautiful combinations that rock, wood and stream, can be supposed to produce-the TOURIST, in passing through the country parishes, will be struck with the intelligent eye, the gay countenance and hospitable manners of the inhabitants. Their address is eminently polite; and their familiar intercourse is distinguished by personal courtesy. They have been emphatically, and truly, called un peuple gentilhomme. Respect shown to a superior, when free from fear or servility, and founded on a belief in the connexion between a higher rank and moral and intellectual acquirements, displays the genuine, unsophisticated mind of him by whom it is offered; and the TRAVELLER, as he returns the obeisance of the peasant, is pleased to reflect, that even so trivial a mark of courtesy would scarcely be vouchsafed, where a corrupted state of manners had confounded the distinctions of rank or where the lower classes, uninstructed in the rules of morality, had lost their claim to regard from their superiors.

It is not our intention to give a separate description of the various natural beauties which present

themselves in every direction near QUEBEC. There are so many publications which embrace such descriptions among which we more particularly allude to Professor Silliman's "TOUR from HARTFORD to QUEBEC" and they are so generally known, that any minute account is unnecessary in this work, the principal aim of which has been to collect and preserve from oblivion the historical remains and recollections of this remarkable city. We shall, therefore, confine ourselves to a general description; and here we feel great satisfaction in availing ourselves of the following eloquent, and highly attractive extract from the statistical work of Lieutenant Colonel BOUCHETTE, Surveyor General of LOWER CANADA, a production, which, in the words of a Report of a Committee of the LITERARY AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF QUEBEC, "from its minuteness in detail, and excellence in execution, will remain a lasting monument of the ability of the first native Canadian Geographer."

Colonel BOUCHETTE thus expresses himself in respect to his native place :- "The summer scenery of the environs of Quebec may vie in exquisite beauty, variety, magnificence, sublimity, and the naturally harmonized combination of all these prominent features, with the most splendid that has yet been portrayed in Europe, or any other part of the world. Towards Beauport, Charlebourg, and Lorette, the view is diversified with every trait that can render a landscape rich, full, and complete; the foreground shows the River St. Charles meandering for many miles through a rich and fertile valley, embellished by a succession of objects that diffuses an unrivalled animation over the whole scene. The three villages, with their respective

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