nation to that branch of the Green Mountains which divides the waters of Lake Champlain from the sources of the Yamaska and St. Francis, and is similar to that of the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The spectator occupies, as it were, the centre of a circle, whose circumference extends before his eyes upwards of sixty miles in almost every direction. In one direction he finds the Green Mountains of Vermont, Lake Champlain stretching along its sluggish length until it is cut off by the visible horizon, or the blue hills that crowd the north-eastern frontier of the State of New York. In another direction, when the state of the atmosphere is favourable, he can trace the St. Lawrence, after receiving into its capacious channel at Sorel the waters of the Richelieu, wending its shining current until it is lost in the distance; or he can trace the majestic river upwards to Montreal and Lachine, and some twenty or thirty miles farther up. Again, reverting to Sorel, he can trace the Richelieu to Chambly, thence to St. John's, and onwards to the upper end of Lake Champlain. We have not brought under notice beyond a third part of the extensive prospect which the spectator commands from the summit of Belœil. Hence, besides, he overlooks a vast woodland, intersected by numerous strips of cultivated fields, and thickly studded with neat villages and churches.

This railroad, the completion of which is regarded as an event of paramount importance to Canada generally and to Montreal especially, was opened as far as St. Hyacinthe on the 26th of last December, (1848). Passengers are conveyed in a steam-boat from Montreal to the Company's Wharf at Longueuil. The Depot here is large and handsome, two hundred and thirty feet long by sixty. The offices and waiting-rooms are fitted up on a scale of great convenience. The engine-house, which is ninety-four feet long by fifty

six, is handsome and substantial, and contains the turning-table. This is a most ingenious and extraordinary mechanical contrivance, and is well worthy of being inspected by such as are not familiar with rail. ways. This piece of machinery is forty feet in diameter, and so perfectly is the mechanism adjusted that the strength of a boy can move round the immense weight of the locomotive and tender, amounting to about thirty tons. For about ten miles from Longueuil the road stretches through a level and well cultivated country to the South of the Montarville Mountain, which is called after a proprietor of that name, At that point there is a slight curve to the north, and thence a straight line of about five miles and a half brings the traveller to the banks of the Richelieu, which is spanned by a stupendous bridge or viaduct, twelve hundred feet in length, at an elevation of upwards of fifty feet from the water. This bridge cost £22,000, and its construction is considered as unsurpassed on this continent. A short distance from the bridge is the St. Hilaire Station. Here the traveller can avail himself of a few minutes' stoppage to admire the beauty of the surrounding landscape. In truth quite a bird's eye glance of this lovely tract of country is here obtained. Behind towers aloft Beloeil with its woods and rugged outline; in the foreground are the grounds and delightful residence of Major Campbell, the Governor's Secretary, and at the foot of the hill is seen the pleasant village of St. Hilaire on the banks of the Richelieu. On the occasion of the opening of the Rail-road Major Campbell entertained the hope of being able, during the summer of 1849, to establish a hotel of a superior description, not far from the romantic lake at the commencement of the ascent to the chapel and cross on Belœil. We trust that the Major's hopes may be realized, as such a hotel would no doubt prove a delightful and healthful place of resort to the citizens of Montreal who may wish for a brief season to leave the dust and heat of the city and to inhale the pure air by an excur sion into the country. Here, too, travellers, who wish to see FrenchCanadian manners, &c., might sojourn pleasantly. From St. Hilaire to St. Hyacinthe, a distance of about twelve miles, the road passes in a straight line through a fertile table-land. The Depôt here is one hundred feet long by sixty-seven, and has offices and waiting

rooms comfortably fitted up. The engine-house, which is eightyeight feet by forty-one, contains a turning-table similar to that at Longueuil. St. Hyacinthe stands on an angle formed by a bend of the Yamaska, and is a thriving town, containing a population of about twenty-five hundred. The houses are generally built in a superior style, and very respectably tenanted. There is a large and handsome church; and the college has long enjoyed considerable celebrity as an educational establishment. Being on the main road between Sorel and the frontier, it is much frequented by persons passing to and from these ; and the hotels afford good accommodation. The neighbourhood is very agreeably diversified by rich gardens and orchards, farms, &c. Near the town is a considerable waterfall, and there are also grist and saw-mills. Before closing this notice we must say a few words of the superior manner in which the cars are fitted up, with a view to the entire comfort and conveniency of the passengers. The first-class cars, which reflect the highest credit on Messrs. M'Lean & Wright, of Montreal, are balanced upon air-springs, and thereby have a peculiar smoothness and ease of motion. The seats are likewise fitted-up with springcushions. Each car is also furnished with an elegant apartment for the ladies, should they choose to be invisible; and in each train is a smoking-room for the accommodation of the lovers of the fragrant weed! In short, the cars are replete with every possible convenience; whilst most experienced men have been engaged to superintend and manage the line in all the departments.

L

RIVER RICHELIEU, OR SOREL, &c.

As there is almost daily communication by steam betwixt Montreal and the different landing-places on the Richelieu for the sake of traffic and of pleasure, we subjoin a short notice. Within these few years a trip to or from Chambly by the route of the Richelieu has become a very favourite one with the citizens of Montreal. The two or three steamers on this route are well managed, and attention is paid to the passengers' comforts. The Richelieu conveys the waters of Lake Champlain into the St. Lawrence at Sorel. It is worth noticing an unusual circumstance in reference to this river, that, with the exception of a very few expansions, which are occasions ed by islands, and add much to the beauty, it diminishes in width from its outlet to its confluence, where it is about two hundred and fifty yards wide. It is navigable to Chambly Basin, between which and St. John's has been constructed the Chambly Canal on account of rapids. Few tracts can surpass in picturesque beauty the valley of the Richelieu, wherein the eye rests upon an extensive territory, luxuriant meadows, smiling villages, and a few eminences of considerable elevation. The soil throughout this tract is in general so rich, that the appellation of the Granary of Lower Canada was formerly conferred upon it; but, what from the ravages of the wheat fly, and the indifferent mode of cultivation, its production has greatly fallen off. It may be noticed that this river separates the counties of Chambly and Vercheres on the left from those of Rouville and Richelieu on the right. At various points excellent ferries have been established, affording ready intercommunication betwixt the opposite shores; and the whole valley has the advantage of roads kept in good repair. Fort St. John's, which is on the west bank, is an old frontier post. The fort itself contains about twenty houses, including magazines, &c. A considerable force is stationed here, and the works have been latterly placed in a more

effective state of defence. But this place now derives its chief importance from being the first Canadian port for the steamers from Lake Champlain with their numerous passengers from the States. Hence they are conveyed by railroad to Laprairie,and thence by steam to Montreal. A few miles above St. John's is Isle aux Noix, which belongs to the Crown. It contains about eighty-five acres, and being about ten miles from the boundary line, and in an excellent situation for intercepting the entire communication from the Lake, has been fortified in a manner suitable to its commanding position. We have previously alluded to Chambly and its vicinity. After passing St. Hilaire, where the splendid viaduct spans the Riche lieu, the steamer visits the villages or towns of St. Charles, St. Denis, and St. Ours, on the eastern bank. In front of the seigniory of St. Charles the river expands to the breadth of above half a mile. In this expansion are two small islands, called Les Isles aux Cerfs or Stag Islands. St. Denis numbers above one hundred well built houses, and has a church with three handsome spires. Between the river and the main street are capacious storehouses, formerly used as granaries for the large quantities of grain that used to be collected from the country around for exportation. Almost in front is the Isle de Madere. In this neighbourhood are come windmills. St. Ours, so named from the Sieur de St. Ours, contains many substantial houses of stone, and a handsome church. Near the town is the Island Deschaillons, fully a mile long by a half in breadth. In front of this seigniory is a group of islands, the largest of which is Isle Commune. A few miles below is the pleasant town of Sorel or William Henry, which has been previously noticed.