selected as the person on whom the Episcopal dignity should first be conferred in New France. He arrived in QUEBEC, according to Charlevoix, on the 6th June, 1659, with the title of Bishop of PETRÆA, and the rank of Vicar Apostolical, accompanied by several Priests and Chaplains. He was received with every mark of joy and distinction in his new diocese, as the first Prelate of New France; and took up his residence for three months after his arrival in apartments belonging to the Nuns Hospitalières, at the Hotel Dieu. The first Pontifical Mass is mentioned in the Jesuits' Journal to have been performed on the 29th June: doubtless in their own Church, which then served as the Paroisse. QUEBEC was not, however, erected formally into a Bishops' See until 1670, owing to some difficulties which arose. It was to hold of the POPE, but to be attached to the Archbishopric of Rouen. In order to support the See, the KING conferred upon it the revenues of the Abbey of Maubec; which in the time of Monseigneur de St. Vallier, the second Bishop, were augmented by those of the Abbey of Benevent. The Bishop was entitled to the second seat in the Council, or that next to the Governor. The chapter originally was composed of the Dean, Grand Precentor, Grand Archdeacon, a Theologal, and twelve Canons. This establishment was, however, afterwards reduced, for want of sufficient revenue. The Bulls, and other necessary and expensive formalities for installing the new Bishop were still to be obtained, and they required his presence in France; so that it was not until 1674, that the King's Letters Patent were finally issued, and the See was officially constituted. This excellent prelate finding, in 1684, that his strength was not equal to the fatigues of his Diocese, repaired to France; and obtained the KING'S permission to retire. He was succeeded by the Abbé DE ST. VALLIER, who came out in 1685, and was afterwards consecrated second Bishop. Bishop DE LAVAL, as stated above, retired to his foundation of the Seminary, where he lived respected and beloved until his death in 1708, at an advanced age. To the second Bishop of Quebec, the city was also indebted for the establishment of the General Hospital, where he himself resided, having let the Episcopal Palace for the benefit of the poor. The FRENCH CATHEDRAL occupies the south side of the market square in the Upper Town, and immediately adjoins the Seminary. It is distinguished rather for its solidity and neatness, than for splendor or regularity of architecture. The aisles, considerably lower than the nave of the Church-and the lofty tower and spire built without, and separated from it on the south side-in the manner of the round towers which are seen near the old Churches in Ireland and in other countries,-destroy all external symmetry, yet do not detract from the religious appearance of the pile. The Cathedral within is very lofty, with massive arches of stone dividing the nave from the aisles, above which is a gallery on each side running the whole length of the interior. It is described by Colonel Bouchette, in his statistical work, as two hundred and sixteen feet in length, by one hundred and eight in breadth. It is able to contain a congregation of about four thousand persons. At the east end are the grand Altar and Choir, superbly decorated. There are also four small Chapels in the aisles, dedicated to different Saints. In a transverse gallery at the west end is the Organ, which though fine, is by no means so powerful in tone as that in the English Cathedral. The Church suffered severely during the bombardment prior to the battle of the Plains, in 1759. In an old print extant, it is represented as almost in ruins, having been set on fire by shells discharged from Pointe Lévi. The consequence was, that the fine pictures and other ancient ornaments of the Cathedral were mutilated, or entirely destroyed. Those which are now seen upon the walls were placed there when the building was renovated, after the cession of the Province to Great Britain. Within the Choir, a little to the right of the Altar, is a marble tablet with the following inscription to the memory of the late Bishop, Monseigneur PLESSIS, who is freshly remembered for his piety and virtue: D. O. M. Hic Jacet, Illust: et Rev: J. O. PLESSIS, Singulari in rebus agendis peritiâ, Eximiâ pietate, zelo, summâ prudentiâ Magna moliri, ardua vincere, Quem iter trans mare aggredientem, Româ reducem post 13 menses, et votis redditum, Plurimisque manis rebus gestis, majora meditatus, Anno rep. sal. MDCCCXXV. prid. Non. Decemb. Hic ora, Lector, Ubi vivens orabat. The ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH of the CONGREGATION stands on the hill leading from the Esplanade to St. John's-Gate. It is not of ancient construction, and perfectly plain in its interior. Its spire is seen immediately above the ramparts. The ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH of ST. ROCH'S is the place of worship frequented by the inhabitants of that populous suburb. It is also a modern edifice of very spacious dimensions, with a spire; and is situated in an open space, fronting towards the Vacherie, or former possessions of the Jesuits. It is well finished within, and has several paintings. In the Sacristy are portraits of Pope Pius VII, and of Bishop PLESSIS, a great benefactor to this Church. The ground on which this Church is built was given by the Honorable JOHN MURE. The Church of Notre Dame des Victoires is the only one in the Lower Town belonging to the French inhabitants. It stands in the square, or market place, plain and substantial within and without; and possesses claims to antiquity, having been built and used as a Church previously to 1690. In that year amid the joy caused by the defeat of Sir William Phipps, in his attempt to capture the Town, the Fête of Notre Dame de la Victoire was established, to be annually celebrated in this Church on the 7th Octo ber-that being the day on which the first intelligence of the coming of the English was received. On that occasion, it is stated that M. DE LA COLOMBIERE, the Archdeacon, preached an eloquent discourse. After the shipwreck of the English fleet in 1711, which was considered by the inhabitants as a second victory, and little less than a miraculous interposition in their favor, this Church received the name of Notre Dame des Victoires, in order to commemorate both occasions at the same time. The same preacher, M. DE LA COLOMBIERE, is stated in our French manuscript to have again delivered a most eloquent sermon, "which was listened to by the auditors with transports of joy." This Church was also destroyed by the fire from the Pointe Lévi batteries in 1759. It is said that it contained at that time a picture representing a city in flames, with an inscription stating "that in the year 1711, when Quebec was menaced with a siege by Admiral Walker and General Hill, one of the Religieuses prognosticated that the Church and the Lower Town would be destroyed by the British in a conflagration before the year 1760." We know not how far this tradition may be founded on fact; but it would seem that the inscription, in those terms, must have been placed upon the picture after the prophecy was accomplished. The story is, however, said to have been well attested, and to have made considerable impression on the minds of the people at the time. Our French manuscript mentions the joy of the people at the defeat of the attempt in 1711, but contains no allusion to the supposed prophecy. |