^. ^^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 Ii&|2j8 12.5 m ^^ ■■■ £ 1^ 12.0 lit IL25 iU 6" J Va 7 .^^ ^ V J y Photographic Sciences Corporation ^v \ V ^^■^ C\ 23 WIST MAIN STMET WEBSTER, N.Y. 145M (716) 872-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/iCiy/IH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Tachnical and Bibliographic Notas/Notas tachniquas at bibliographiquaa Tha Inatituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua. which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction. or which may aignificantly changa tha usual mathod of filming, ara chaclcad balow. D n D D D D D Coloured covars/ Couvarture da coulaur I I Covars damagad/ Couvertura endommagia Covars rastorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura rastaurte at/ou palliculAa I I Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ Cartes giographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ Relii avac d'autras documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion la long de la marge intArieure Blank leaves added during reatoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajoutAas lors d'une restauration apparaissant dana le texte, mais, lorsque cela ttait possible, ces pages n'ont pas At6 filmtes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl6mentaires: Tha tot L'Institut a microfilmA le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a At* possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique. qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mithoda normale de filmage sont indiquAs ci-dassous. I I Coloured pages/ D Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommagias Pages restored and/oi Pages restaurias et/ou pelliculAes Pages discoloured, stained or foxei Pages d^colories. tachet^es ou piqudes Pages detached/ Pages ddtachdes Showthrough/ Transparence Quality of priri Quality inigale de I'impression Includes supplementary materii Comprend du materiel suppldmentaire Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible I I Pages damaged/ I I Pages restored and/or laminated/ r^ Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ I I Pages detached/ rTTI Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ I I Includes supplementary material/ I I Only edition available/ The pos oft film Orl( beg the sior oth( first sion or 11 The shal TINI whli Map diffc antii bagi right requ met! Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc.. have been refilmed to ensure the beat possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata. une pelure, etc.. ont M filmies A nouveau de fa^on d obtenir la meilleure image possible. This item is filmed at tha reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film* au taux da reduction indiquA ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X • 12X 16X aox 24X 28X 32X lire details lies du modifier ger une filmage The copy filmed here hae been reproduced thanke to the generoeity of: Library of the Pubiic Archives of Canada The images appearing here are the best quaiity possibie considering the condition and iegibiiity of the original copy and in iceep'ng with the filming contract specifications. L'exemplaire film* fut reproduit grAce A la g4n4roslt* do: La bibiiothique des Archives pubiiques du Canada Lee images suivantes ont M4 reproduites avec ie plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet* de I'exempleire film*, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Original copies in printed peper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or Illustrated Impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated Impression. 6es Les exemplalres originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprim^e sont filmte en commen^ant par Ie premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'iiiuscration, soit par Ie second plat, selon Ie cas. Tous les autres exemplalres originaux sont filmte en commenpant par la premlAre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniire page qui comporte une telle empreinte. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol -^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol ▼ (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants apparaTtra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon Ie cas: Ie symbols -*• signifie "A SUIVRE", Ie symbols ▼ signifie "FIN". re Maps, plates, charts, etc., mey be filmed at different reduction retios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning In the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many framee as required. The following diagrams Illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmte A des taux de reduction diff6rents. Lorsque Ie document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clich6, 11 est filmA A partir de Tangle supArieur geuche, de gauche h droite, et de haut en bes, en prenant Ie nombre d'Images nAcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mithode. y errata id to nt ie pelure, fon d 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 ■», QUEBEC HILL; a R, * - >■. CANADIAN SCENERY. A POEM, IN TWO PARTS. ■* BY 7. MACK AT. *^ EGO LAUDO RURIS AMOENI RIV08, ET MUSCO CIRCUMLITA 8AXA, NUMUJCiyE. 'y\ Hon. . ■•.*■ -* , ■ LONDON: PRINTED BV W. BLACKADER, TOOKE'S COURT, CHANCERY LANE, FOR THE AUTHOR} . ' » " . '■ — AND SOLD BY ELLIOT & KAY* STRAND, AND W. RICHARDSONt R0YAL-EXQI1ANCE. 1797- ■ ' [Price TWO SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE.} ■*<■-« 'J ■r ♦'• I,. . »■• H I ' ;'fc4. -t-. «bnri^ ^ ■ti. :iA m My Doric reed for laurels would contend. Where fam*d Quebec's afpiring heigKts afcend v The native fcenes that fcatter*d round thetn lie, ,,j/r Engage the mind, and charm the gazing eye; , j Here, woods and waters, wilds and v^les confpire ,|r ^ To fwell the cadence of the rmc : lyre^ ^^ ff ; "ff The lawns of Virgil, and his (llvan (hade, * Tho' in the poet's choiceft colours clad, Should here confefs defcription more fublime, Could my weak numbers emulate the clime. n * V. - > , On 4 QUEBEC HILL. On either hand, wide open on the view, Defcending floods and groves of varied hue > Here, glittVing hamlets fwell along the dale, And fragrant foliage clothes the winding vale; Here, lovely bow*rs, unknown to claflic lay And culture's charms, their mingled fweets difplay : There, forefts fpread beyond the bounded fight, And crown the diflant mountains* tow'ring height. The varied verdure of each hill and plain, And fimple grandeur of the rural fcene, Bid Admiration's genial glow arife As o'er the pleafing whole the vifion flies*. ' » • \ • ■ r Oft have I heard Columbian climes pourtray*d, And oft the dangers of the mazy fhade, In early youth, when, by the rural blaze, The traveller told the tale of other days : With him expWd the wide extending wood, Or climVd the hill, or crofs'd the copious flood : 1 , * The country around Quebec abounds with, profpcds in a high de- gree delightful to fuch as have a relilh for romantic fcenery ; but the foil is, in general, poor, and unprodudivc of corn. Few parts of Canada are remarkable for their fertility in this refpedl ; and it is the quantity, and not the quality, of their lands that enables the inha- bitants of this country to export wheat and flour. Now A POEM. Now to thcfc days faint memory refers, As realized th* ideal fcene appears. When Greece her (kill in arts and arms difcl08*d, And haughty Xerxes* hoftile bands opposed ; When great in arms the Roman ftate arofc, And proudly triumph'd o*er her warlike foes; Thefe climes, unknown to foreign fame or rage, Nor felt their fway, nor fwell'd the poet*s page. No mufty record can the curious trace, Engrofs'd by annals of the favage race : Involved in darknefs their atchievments la/; Till fam'd Columbus fought a weftern; way*. The Antiquarian here may fearch in vain For walls eredled iri, Severus* reiga ; * Or lofty tow'rs that their declenfion (how, Or cities built fome thoufand; years ago : For arts and antiques vifit Eaftern ground, Here, Nature fimple and (ublimc i» found : uJ^/O IT Of" i\ . .. J •.i^\ * Alluding to the famous Columbus' having difcovercd America ; or, at leaft, fome of its iflands, while employed in a fruitlefs attempt to obtain a weftern pafTage to the £. Indies. c Alas! i til i t ' QUEBEC HILL. Alas! the human, funk in folly, ftrays 'Mong the fublime the phyfical difplays. « Ye who, in flanzas, celebrate the Po, Or teach the Tyber in your ftrains to flow, How would you toil for numbers to proclaim The liquid grandeur of St. Lawrence' Stream ? Offspring of lakes that like to feas extend ♦, Where floods, unknown, their willing tribute fend; Adorn*d by ifles, that, crown'd with trees, arife, And hemm*d by lofty groves of various dyes : On their expanfc the ventVous trader bears The downy furs exchanged for Britain's wares : Here, as on Ocean's breafl, the tempefls roar, And, round the bark, impetuous billows pourf : Nor fafe the tafk to tread their winding (hores. Or range thofe wilds the Indian explores; »^^: .'J i * The celebrated lakes of Upper Canada, now, in part, ceded to the United States.: the largell of them, viz. Lake Superior, is faid to be 50Q leagues, or 1500 miles in circumference; and the lead. Lake Ontario, about 200 leagues. f Violent florms are frequent on thefe lakes ; and the Mohawk,, a large ftiip, mounting feveral guns, was loll ofi Lake Ontario a few years ago, not to mention fmaller vefTels. Where A POEM. 9 Where danger's hue in divcr'^ forms prevails, And ev'ry grove a hidden foe conceals. . Here, prowling wolves their ftruggling captives tear, And rattling fnakcs advifc of perils near: Whene'er the Granger hears the warning found, He Aaits^ he flies to (hun the baleful wound: So fly the few to higher joys inclined-. From thofe gay fnares would wound their peace of mind :. Here fiery tygers darting on their prey. In comely forms, infktiate rage difplayj The furly bear emerging from his den, ^ In awkward prance explores the wood amain ; With circling paws, and high-ereded crefty He folds the gafping vifhores,. s^hdi mli High foar Niagara's renowned Falls, vrr uRiiW^rd Whofe dreadful grandeur- paflengers appalls : ' r With force colled:ed, down the waters, rpll r.Tbt'fJ^slt Condenfed, fpread^ impatient of control : ^.uO " . . ■ hr/\ * The Indians of Canada are, in general, exceedingly dextrous in the ufe of the bow and arrows j but, lince their intercourfe with the Europeans, they ufe thefe and the fire-lock promifcuoufly. t It is not wond^rfpl that thc; fever and ague, as well as other ma- j ladies, are fo prevalent in Upper Canada, a country, for the mod, v part, covered with forefts and lakes; and interfedted with fwamps which, in the fummer fcaf(Jn, emit vapours highly pernicious to the human conditution. - In *> u A POEM. ' 9 Now, o*er the tailed clifF in chaos bright, The fparkling volumn wings its giddy flight ; In one wide wave the bounding torrent pours, And echo fwells refponflve to its roars j ' Thro* pendant furges gafping fifhes fly, And in the circling eddies lifelefs lie; The riflng mift obfcures the face of day. Faint feems the fun, and feeble gleams his ray ^ Out from the fcenc the lofty banks retire, And ftiun the foaming torrent's mighty ire. Oft, lavage beads, defcending from the wood, To lave their fides^ or crofs the aiAple flood, Become involved within tht Rapids* vtrge. And downward urg'd, hard druggie to emerge; A vam attempt, cv*n birds partake their fatei'"'^^^ ^^* And fcream and fpread their feeble wings too latej^ '^ For as *gaind Ipeed augmenting they contend, - ^^ Adown the deep terrific they deicend. i|,ii I '/ So carelefs, roving men, devoid of thought. Are in the rapids of their paflions caught; At times, alarm'd, they drive the fliore to gain, But, deep involved, their efforts oft are vain ; And I I i ' ! I ;;" 1 ! m 10 QUEBEC HILL. ^ A!vl ^oon o*erwhelm'd by cxcefs' baleful breath, In bloom of youth they prove the pangs of death. I iV .!, • Unfettled flill the river pours along, Thro* floping glades, unknown to claffic fong ;, Or boils chaotic round each jutting rock, That, ftubborn, {brinks not from its founding fliock i At length, more calm, it murm*ring glides away^ While fportive fifhes on its furface play. Great are the treaifures of your ample woods, -^^ firt a And large your tribute, wide-exending floods : iU Slow parts the river from its final fource*, '1 And various winding profecutes its courfe;^ tu :i:iuj'jJi While, with majeftic digpity, it claims . nwoh hn A The humble tribute of the lefler ftreams, « i Great is the wealth its fruitful waves enclofe, l htl/t Thefe brightly gleam, and gold befpangles thofe ^ -^ The finny race its mighty current crowd, uir .ihuhA And yield the natives falutary food : JlOVtJ.. ( • •• ♦By t4ie river St. Lawrence' final fpurcc, is here meant Lake Onta- rio, it being the laft of ttie great lakes through which the moll direct and largeft branch of thofe bodies of water, which form the St. Law- rence, pafles. _ ',. - As: ■is^m a .A POEM. As fome choice fwain, blefs*d in a feeling mind, Intent on aiding c;ach poor famifti'd hind ; His noble bent with ample means are crown'd, Not to amafs, but didibute around. 11 f 1 • Long rolls the ftream, or rapid, or ferene, Now o*er the fteep, and now along the plain; When, gentler gliding, it forgets to brawl, As ftill it laves the fliores of Montreal * : That verdant ifle, where we with commerce find The precious gifts of Nature amply join*d ; Enrich*d with culture, bloom its fertile grounds, And fcenes romantic circumvent its bounds. As down it flows how pleafant is the fcene, The fliade, the lawn, the burnifli'd cot is feen : Hills, dales, and forefts on each border fmile, And rural plenty fmooths the traveler's toil : Yet, here, neglei^^d droops the human mind, Or, bred in error, fcrupuloufly blind f. . • The large arid beautifut iflahcf o/ Montfbal is well known. Op- pofite the town of Montreal, thcVe is a rapid Which fomctimes prevents fhips from afcending for feveral weeks : on this account it is much regretted that the city was not built at the foot of the current. "t It may not be improper to mention, that almoft all the inhabi- tants of Lower Canada arc papifls. Tberc is^ of late, au Englifli bilhop Be ' il' la ' QUEBEC HILL. ^ Be brief, my ftrain, fee where each placid wave ' * Quebec's firm front with gentle niuririurs lave;'"^ 'n?t?t) The frozen fetters that their courfe delavM, ---^-^'^^^ In glowing Summer's ardent funfhine fled*,' ' ' '^^ ^^'^' Upon its waves the navies gently ride, , And lo! a fleet approaching on ttie tide. Off oi ono. The fons of Britain haflren to the flrand, .' See, where, beneath, in fwelling crowds they ftand ! The eager groups with cxpedation glow. As to the fliore the flender barges row; The gay and bufy have their various views, Thefe pant for merchandife, and thofe for news. f • -♦ K-*-^ AjTT^— -•*« bifhop fettled at Quebec. It is faid, he receives 2CooI. per annum : his income, for one year, woti!d be fufficient td^ered a church ; yet, hitherto, no Englifh church has been built there. In Montreal there are two proteftant churches, * In the fummer feafon, the weather, in general, is extremely hot in Canada, except when the wind veers about t6 a^iortherl'y diredion. Some days in July and Auguft are faid to be as intenfely hot in this country as in the Weft Indies. Frequently, in the months above- mentioned, the iky appears in a great meafure covered with red and inflammable clouds, whil^ at the fame time there prevails fuch a pro- found calm that one can fcarcdy determine from what quarter the wind blows. Thefe heats have been known to afFerl Where art thou fought, or in what feats compriz'd f .J\ Upon the field of battle thou art fought, -'H By fire and fword, by blood and carnage bought; » But, hark! I hear the voice of joy and fong, It iflues from the barks that fkim along ; The fimple matelots, a noify train, To plying oars keep time with tuneful ftrain ; The rifing notes with fpeed to echo fly, .. Loud, and more loud, the lofty hills reply. »5 A ir 1 r f- See to the left a pleafant vale extends, * i By yonder font, that, there its journey ends ; The glitt*ring fun-beams on the current gleam. As fmooth it mingles with the greater ftream; Strew*d are its banks with many a rural charm, The blanchant cot, the ample well-fenc'd farm ; The glimm'ring gkde, perfum'd with fragrant flow'rs. The {helter*d garden, and the fhadybow'rs: ;? Here, loves the lark, on rapid wing, to foar, And fluttering fongfters ftrains harmonious pour ; I Here, jocund youth and penfive age repair. And bufy traders court a paufe from care. A But, chiefly, view the flope of yonder hill, Where (catter*d huts extend along the rill; ' On either fide, wide fpreads the villa's bounds. And waving forefts circumvent its grounds : -^^^' There, • I! i llili iiii I' t$ QUEBEC RILL. There, tam*d and ftaid, the Indian fecks repofe*, Nor ftill imagines all the world his foes;. With art and care, he cultivates his lands, And gathers in their fruits with willing hands. Yet 'mong the few^ who fliun the foreft's gloom, And Europe*s ff^xh and languages aflume, Still floth anc^ gnorance our pity claim, And fiery draughts debilitate their frame. Deftrudtlve liquids, Britain*s cheriih'd bane, What ghaftly horrors flourifh in your train ! ; Bloated by you, the man of wit expires, And favage nations feel your frantic fire$. • f Lower, what landfcapes meet my wand'ring eyes. How gay the rural villages arife, iIl.:!! ■: , The rip*ning corn, flow wavers in the breeze, . *Midft lawns, enriched with tufts of nodding trees 5 J) f.'-. ** * Alluding to a colony of Indians fettled many years ago, in a vil- lage called Lorette, at a few miles diftance from Quebec. They arc now fo far<:ivilizcd as to cultivate their lands for their fubfiftence; yet many of them dill retain, not a little, of the indolent roving difpoiition of their anceftors. They are fo fiir initiated in the dodirincs of the church of Rome as to go to mafs, confefs, &c. A colony of a fimilar nature exifts near Montreal. ,,, .., i^'fi' ■^1 » < K Ur 'tui^^yr'i r^iMi^). ^«r#i. The A POEM. 17 The pointed fence each peafanfs right contains, And forms a barrier to the neighbVing fwains : Here, eafy lives the hind, rich, void of pelf*. For freedom's eafe, and competence is wealth : But here blind Superftition holds hii fway ; And artful Prieftcraft leads the mind aflray : Nigh yonder hill, where various verdure grows. The village fpire its foaring feature (hows; The dome beneath for worfhip is aflign*d, ^ « And thence, untaught, returns the weary hind. As humid vapours cloud the face of day, v And lead the wand'ring traveller aftray. So papal mifts obfcure the peafanfs mind. And to the cleared precepts keep him blind. Yet, here, the mift commences to difpell By flow degrees 5 its progrefs who can tell? May fwift decay feize Superftition's gloom, And true Devotion flourifh in its room; imh ^t And placid Peace, that fpurns Commotion's call. And tender Charity, the friend of all. , W-rf. 4At:i -if it J>. > V »: • i L' •ii. * The Canadian peafantry might live very independent were they but induftrious ; this, however, is by no means generally the cafe, and hence, fomc of them are in indigent circumftances. F Adown ' ; I f r - t8 QUEBKC HILL. Adown the vale, with fiKt regard, I trace -^n' i'V 'utA Where Lawrence' willing waves Orleans embrace; Its verdant fhores, encircled by the floods, And round begirt by niany-colour'd woods : Enchanting profpcd ! fair, delightful ifle, Where fmiling plenty crowns the peafant*s toil ; Here, Autumn, in his heft attire, appears, And purling ftreams are mufic to the ears ; Here, the cuckoo his early vifit pays. And tuneful nightingales refume their lays: 'vjti' How fweetly varied is the rural fcenc, '. Here, fpreads the lawn, there, bends the golden grain ; Nigh each neat cot the well-ftock*d garden lies ; And waving orchards, not unfruitful, rife. * o^^ hf» ' Upon the ftream quick beats the noify mill, And well-fed cattle gambol on the hill; i The feather'd coveys haunt each fhady grove, Where, charmed with Nature, I was wont to rove : The maple-trees their liquid treafure pour, And, by imparting, but increafe their ftorc; Behind, the oak his ample branches fpreads, And ftately cedars raife their lofty heads. Yet U i'^M. H. i A POEM. 19 Yet as the laiidfcape, thus, in part pourtray'd, Admits of hght, it will admit of (hade: The' gay the fcene, with varied foliage (hows, ' \,('j^ And, viewed from far, in richer verdure glows: . \ * More near, is feen, the harvefl-choaking tare, And pointed thiflles on each hand appear ; [ I fee hy orchards, crabs for apples borne. And greedy locufts blaft the fpringing corn. Ye, who, thro* life, ambition, ftill enflave*i With groundlefs hopes, and airy views deceive, ' Ye know how changed your profpeds flill appear, i( ^ When you, like me, examine them more near. - ^ut See, o*er the ftream, where wide extends Beaupr^, ' ? Hemm*d in by woods, and profitably gay. There, Montmorency's Falls attradt the ear. In fancy, ftill the foaming flood I hear: The rapid ftream rolls with diminifh'd might. As if appalled by the giddy height ; But when, at length, more adlive, down it pours, Like burfting thunder are its mighty roars : . ¥ < rlX r{T * Alluding to mercenary ambition ; for their is a fpccies of ambition, not only blamelefs, but commendable. Impelled ' ap QUEBEC HILL. Impell'd, the fiflics fwiftcr motion know, And dart, rcludant, in the gulf helow ; And while the torrent, ftill unfcttlcd glows, Its troubled current in the Lawrence flows. ,. :. t the fpread, :i * -I' rjple forefts And form a midnight gloom beneath the (hade ; Defcending floods in fweet confufion fall, 'Midfl {lately pines, huge oaks, and cedars tall ; The lofty hills, that, onward, rife in crowds, Oft hide their fummits in the bending clouds. But now, nor duiky (hades obfcure the (ky^ Nor pregnant clouds portending temped nigh; Unveil'd, the mountains (how their lofty heads. Which form a contrafl to the humble meads; Save, that, from far, the intervening fpace, Th* unequal fwellings of their fides deface j That, richly clothed, in colours of the air, '4-^^ '^'^ ^ Increased in fize, and more remote appear. W i!. My mufe *, averfe on ventVous wing to foar, With pleafure fettles on the rural bow'r; . ., * Mufe, or imagination. » Whe re 'Ik 'M id •I £ / A POEM. » ■ ■ " ^ Wlicrc now the flocks hie homeward o'er the plain, And tender lambkins to their dams complain ; The reapers flowly from {} : fields retire, And curling clouds announce the ev'ning fire. ^ The yellow Indians g^itiier oa the f^rand, And pufh their flender canoes out from land ; With gentle ftrokes their paddles cleave the flood, True to the touch their nimble barges feud: ; Mark! how in native drains they wildly yell,. While pliant echoes ftill refponfive fwelL { The fated angler, richly laden, leaves ,t The friendly Lawrence* pure, prolific waves, A while refpiting the unwary brood, W^ho round his fnares, fecure of danger, crowd/ "' The feather*d warblers now forfake the dale, And in the matted groves their plumes conceal, " No more to ravifli with melodious lays. Till radiant Phcebus pours the morning blaze. 3t ntt See, underneath, the parting folar beam, - With milder luftre trembles o'er the flream ; See, how the ling'ring fliips have fpread each fail, To court the influence of the dying gale; G The 22 QUEBEC HILL. « The weary failor, toils and dangers o'er, With kindling rapture fpies the welcome (hore. 'i* ''''^'%. h How fweet, how lovely, is this ev'ning hour, How fraught with fragrance each furrounding bow'r! Each fiery cloud, that lately fcorch'd the wind, - In lightning loft : no fickly dews defcend : . '-'^ The fanning breezes, gently fluttVing, fpread^ ' The grateful odours of the flow'ry mead ; The folar orb on azure fky declines, And, on the fmiling fcene, fcrenely ihincs. ■y-iy ;lili Thus, glides the evening of ibme gentle lagc, Refin*d by grace, and filver'd o*er with age ; His clofing day recedes from fky ferene, And purer funfhine gilds its fetting fcene. •. h ' *■« -». •■ ■' "■■*? ->i *-■ ' !/» . ^ I , ^K *•■■ » ■ t • • QUEBEC HILL. PART II. -4 «ix ^^ i ^ •■ \ >, H WINTER. ;^,*.-'"i-a4 ty. '■■t i .■.>li\ Since, on thefe heights, the Mufe delighted fung, While fragant verdure various round her fprung. How chang'd the ftream, the woodland, and the plain, .► One dreary wafte fucceeds the blooming fcene ! Save where the fpiral pine, and hardy thorn, ^ And cedar, green, their native ipot adorn; Or, where fome plants of lefs deftinguifli^d forms, Spread o'er the fcene, and bloom amid the ftorms. The feather*d fongfters fhun the leaflefs bow'r. Where, in foft notes, they hail'd the morning hour; ♦ To greener (hades the nightingale repairs, ^ And, near the line, a warmer feafon (hares. -••:'-- ' ^;V: •■■ .-.x/;. No llf ■^^ \ QUEBEC HILL. , . No more the rofes glow along the mead, No more the groves their wonted odours fhed ; The nipping froft their tender branches wound, And roaring winds difperfc their leaves around; No more thefe fields the charms of culture know^ Nor joyful peafants guide the friendly plow. ► As where Siberia's barren region lies, Here, fliowVs defcend, and howling tempefts rife ; Keen piercing frofts condenfe the falling fnow, And thick'ning floods with fainter murmurs flow : The fliiv'ring hind forfakes the cheerlefs plain, Where Wmter's train in chilly rigour reign: ^^ . , ' Stern Winter rules, in frigid fplendours clad,^ ^ , r- rr?r That o*er each object his dominion fpread; His hoary robe the fleeping earth conceals, Arrefts the floods, and levels hills and vales! av;.. \ • t-J., » ' • , I . ■ ■ . . : f How ftill thefe heights ! no more is heard, around^ The grating faw, or hammer's pond'rous found; No more their ftrokes reverbVate oh the ear, Or, borne by echo, murmur in the air; In Ihelter'd flieds the drooping artifl:s meet,. Where flaming faggots aid the vital heat. '>- **-^ »/■•*»►■♦ itv*N# r.»iJ See wm fi^ ^ A POEM. J9 ^. . d$$ See, underneath, where wide extends the plain, . T That checquer*d feems with carriages and men; i'» i Where now the courfer drives the gaudy car*, And weary fteeds drag on their loads from far; i There, once, the barges fkimm'd along the flream, -^ And fifhcs glitter'd in the folar beam : ^ ' wo ' *^^ There, late, the (hips the yielding current cleave, il* And fwiftly bounded o'er the fwelling wave; '>"i ii ' But now its breaft, in frozen fetters bound, no ^ ^ : > Unyielding, emulates the rocks around f. • < ' ^ How black appear the dark difmantled woods, ?:♦ f ' In ftriking contraft to the frozen floods; • In the winter feafon many of the inhabitants of Quebec amufe themfelves by riding on the ice in cariolcs, or carriages without wheels. On thefe occalions they are accommodated with warm (kins, fometimes lined with flannel, or green baize, with which they may, if neceflary, cover their whole bodies, while their heads are equipt with fur caps, i '• ' t The river St. Lawrence is every winter frozen between Quebec and L' IfleD' Orleans, or the Ifle <^ Orleans, about a league and a half from that city ; but not annually from fide to fide at Quebec. There, the river becomes very narrow, and the current ftrong; the adion of the tide is alfo a preventative ; for though the fea does not come with- in feveral leagues of Quebec, yet the tide, by preventing the flream from defcending with its ufual rapidity, raifes the water to a great height, and thus enables it to (hatter ice of a vaft thicknefs. The fragments of ice, thus torn from the reft, fwell into impending cliffs, and ihining mountains. H Thcfc ^ij . •6 _ QU£B£OinLL. ^efc, clad in foow, reflect . ^. i- , • Let each beware v,rU^ • i ^' "" *. s„i »Zm 'i.tr.rr-'' "''" Thro' pureft air, where frU '"^" '"" ^^^ ' :«,. His radiant he.;s/::;fr,'^'^^^^^^^^^^ Blaze on the ice anH . ' '" ''"^"''"S ^w, ^. Save, when the^ f"'"" °° '^^ '^"^ = ^ ^^' , When the tempeft ga^h^, ■r?--=^--r' » * When the cnli^ • ^^^ clQuded : on th^r. '' T^ '"^^"^^ ^'^ Canada the flrv • are m k ^ occafions the organs of /T i! . ^ " general^ un^ are much impaired by the fln^^ J. ^*^''*^> efpeciallv of ftr, ' ^ bee. fv A POEM. «t His ufelefs bow lies carelefs by, unftrung, Or to the humble roof is pendant hung ; Supinely feafling on his former toil, He longs again the (lately deer to foil ; Or, if he ventures in the woods, to trace The recent footfteps, or afliime the chaee. Short can he ftray, the dreary groves around The utmofl verge of his excurfions bound. The greedy wolf, with caution, treads the wild. Where, *gainft the roe, he doubtful conflidl held The artful carcajou, with circling tail^ Can fcarcely longer o*er the elk prevail ; The (leepy bear is to his den confin*d^ With nodding creft, unequal moves the hind ; The hungry tygers ftill more fierce appear, And favage bowlings fill the ^nbient air. .i?>\ «> ► The northern winds now fweep along the woods^ '^ Fraught with the ardour of the frozen floods. That ftretch along the pole, keen as the gales,. -/ That fpread athwart Siberia's cheerlefs vales.. tilVf ''*'^ bcc. In the upper cmintry, where the winter is more mild, and the fnows are lefs deep, the favagts range through the woods at this feafon cf the year much as ufual. Out 5^ a8 ' OUEBEC HILL. Out from the ardlic pole the potent blafts. Swift wing their flight, and o'er the dreary waftes. Both land and fca, that form the iitmoft north, Now link'd together, liowhng, they riifh forth "^r' To where, as yet, the agitated main Difow ns the bonds that Greenland's fFiores enchain : A while, the ocean, mindful on defence, n .*i55 r^ With fhifting billows blunts the cold intenfe : *' Its furface thicken'd by the chill around, w More heavy, finks into the depth profound; And, as the billows from the wind recede, . ; Still warmer draughts the empty fpace pervade : But when, in courfe, the waters all afccnd. And all confcf j the adion of the wind. More flow the furface from the blaft recedes. The cold the adion of the tide impedes. The refllefs floods become a folid plain, ' And frigid fetters bind the torpid main. - • .i-i ilH ■ I i ' f What wonder is it that this potent gale, Which o'er the mighty ocean can prevail, To which the hardy fon of Greenland yields. And binds our navies in its frozen fields ! What A POEM. as What wonder, tho' it here pervade each fcene, And o'er thofc wilds, and o*er thefe rivers reign ! How heedlefs he, in fcanty veftments clad, That, carelefs, ventures on the ice to tread. When, o*er thefe regions, piercing Boreas blows,. Howls thro' the woods, and drifts the new-laid fnows. If far he ftray, the keen etherial flood;, Pervades his flcin, and thickens all his blood; His frigid limbs forego their native hue, Then livid red gives way to deep'ning blue; The fanguine current ftagnates in his veins. And cold, intenfe, his adive powers enchains. Happy, at length, if fome obfequious door. To his maim*d limbs a fhelter may procure : But if the wand'rer finds no like refource, Behold the fequel in the frozen corfe, That lies, perhaps, unheeded in the fnows, Till weeping thaws the hidden fpot difclofe. Nor in the fields alone the cold prevails, Nor only there pervade the frigid gales ; The fhelter'd domes confefs their fearching breath,, Which pierces walls, and ifTues from beneath.., ^ I. The 00 QUEBEC HILL. The {hiv*ring Granger lees with new furprizc, As in the morn his chamber he furveys, That fields of ice the fohd mafs pervade, And on the wall like pendant charts are fpread. No more the merchant climbs the hoary height, Foremoft to fpy the navies come in fight ; Or (hould his eye, accuftom'd to explore The utmoft verges of the neighboring fhore. Unmindful, glance along the frozen dream, ^ Soon he recovers from his waking dream, Perhaps, to count the months that (hall recede. Ere drooping Commerce rears her languid head. i?4 7\A M •*x fet^;^. Full many a Briton has deplor'd the day*. That to thefe regions he refolv'd to ftray, Where commerce varies like the ether ftream. And Winter pafles not unlike a dream. * Of all the Englifh who have chofen Canada as the feat of their en- deavours to acquire opulence and independence, few have been fucccfT- ful. This may, in feme meafure, be owing to the fituation of the coun- try, inacceflible in the winter feafon, except by land : and this circum- ftance, as it procures for the man of reflexion leifure to profecute his ftudies, is taken advantage of by the profligate, for the ignoble purpo- fes of riot and diflipation. How A POEM. How wide a field for thofe who love to err, And make their pleafures their peculiar care ! Some, void of thought, with mein fantaftic rove, And (hake the dice, or breath th* ideal love; While, crowds combin'd, their mental pow'rs impair, By fcorching draughts, that {hort-liv*d joys confer : Alas ! how few adhere to virtue true. Or ftamp their condud with its heavenly hue ! How very few the right from wrong can fcan, Or, knowing, prize this privilege of man ! 3t * Does Winter, then, no foothing charms difplay ? Are all departed with th* autumnal ray ? No — here we ftill fome local pleafures find. Some mental joys are to no clime confined : , Now, wrapp*d in furs, the wealthy mount their cars, Each, fmoothly gliding, like a barge appears; Now ftudy courts whoever will but dare Spurn fenfual joys, and each ignoble care. Now, foothing Hope frefli offers to the view, Thofe rural charms that Summer's flight withdrew, Again to bloom when fome fliort months revolve, = ^\ And vernal thaws the Winter's weight diffolve; When 3t QUEBEC HILL. When parting Spring's more ardent warmth begins^ Ere radiant Phcebus quits th' aerial twins. Then (hall the dreary woods again look gay, And fleecy flocks on flow'ry meadows play ; Then, (hall the groves their balmy odours fend,. Upon the pinions of the whifpVing wind : Then Philomela (hall refume her lays, And flutt'ring warblers ftrains melodious raife ; Then, (hall the navies on our (hores appear, } . . And Trade, again, refume his full career. I Thus, bufy Hope the a