FORT CHAMBLY, BELOEIL MOUNTAIN, ETC.

As the British and French inhabitants of Montreal usually flock to Chambly and Beloeil during the summer months for the enjoy ment of the beauties of natural scenery, which are there so lavishly presented to the view, we would be at fault did we omit to introduce the Tourist to these localities, as he can now be transported to them so comfortably and speedily by the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad, should he prefer such a method of conveyance before that by a calèche over a good plank-road. We shall lay before him both routes, that he may have his option of either. A comfortable calêche and steady driver being procured at Montreal, he proceeds to the Current St. Mary, about a mile below the city, where an excellent steam-ferry boat conveys him across to Longueuil. During this pas sage he enjoys a delightful view of Montreal and its wooded Moun tain, whose summit attains an elevation of six hundred and seventysix feet above the level of the River, and of St. Helen's with its batteries, while villages are seen to skirt the shores on both sides. The plank-road, which is eighteen feet wide, was constructed under Provincial enactments at a cost of £17,500, including the steamferry boats. The country is remarkably level, and the soil is mostly a fine black mould, well adapted for the growth of most kinds of grain and agricultural produce. The farmers? houses generally bespeak comfort and prosperity. A few miles from Longueuil there is a small swampy patch, and about half way to Chambly there is another of greater extent, which are respectively known as the Petite and the Grande Savanne. These tracts, which were formerly entirely unproductive, have, by a good system of drainage undertaken by the residents, and in some measure by the Provincial appropriations for the improvement of the road, been converted into excellent arable land. The seigniory of Longueuil, which extends nine miles in depth, was granted in 1700 to the direct ancestors of the present Baron de

Longueuil. It was in this section of the road that the first positive insurrectionary movements manifested themselves in November, 1837. On leaving the seigniory of Longueil that of Chambly is entered. The whole has been conceded, and two-thirds were granted before the conquest in 1759. The land is well settled and fully cultivated. The road, after crossing the little River Montreal, which falls into the Richelieu, turns somewhat to the westward, and reaches the banks of the latter at a beautiful circular expansion, nearly two miles in diameter, called the Basin of Chambly. This is embellished with several islets, covered with verdure and natural woods, as ornamentally dispersed as if by human ingenuity and art. At the foot of the Rapids the dark-hued foliage of the trees contrasts well with the brilliant whiteness of the foaming current and the clear-blue colour of the more tranquil part of the stream. The placid surface of the calm Basin; the spires of the various churches, glittering brightly in the noon-day sun; the numerous pretty cottages within view, and the interesting features introduced into the scene by the rugged outlines of the dark and isolated eminences of the Montarville, Beloeil, Mount Johnson, Rougemont, Shefford, and the more distant glimpses of the Orford peaks, and the Green Mountains of Vermont-all tend to render the prospect truly enchanting to the be holder. Chambly consists chiefly of one extensive street, which follows the sinuosities of the Basin. It comprises above one hundred dwellings, many of which are substantially built of stone. These are in general tastefully ornamented with gardens well furnished with flowers, fruit-trees, &c. This is commonly called the French Village in contradistinction to the English Village or Canton, and contains an elegant Roman Catholic Church, dedicated to St. Joseph. Its interior is richly decorated. At hand is the residence of the much respected Curé of the parish. The College of Chambly was originally commenced under his auspices, and principally endowed from his private resources. The foundation was laid in June, 1826,

and the main portion of the edifice was completed in the following February. It is sixty feet long by fifty, and contains two stories with a ground-floor. The establishment comprises school-rooms, dormitories, parlours, refectory, &c., affording ample accommoda

tion for principal, tutor, pupils, and domestics. Gardens and pleasure-grounds are attached. A wing was subsequently erected, and the other will by-and-by be added. The pupils receive an elementary mercantile or classical education. From the healthiness of the situation, from the general excellence of the Institution, and from the very moderate terms for board and iustruction in all the principal branches of education in the French, English, and Classical languages, it is much frequented by pupils from a distance, and among others by several from the United States. There are generally about one hundred students, most of whom are boarded in the establishment. Government has recognised its utility by granting numerous annual sums in its aid, and an act of incorporation, by which the benevolent founder has been appointed Principal during life.-The Chambly Canal crosses a wide unoccupied space beyond the village, which is called the Common. This work, which cost the Province an immense sum of money, does not derive a revenue sufficient for the defrayment of expenses. A little farther on stands the ancient fort of Chambly, a building that affords deep interest to such as take pleasure in reading the history of the old French wars. It is built of stone, and is about one hundred and eighty feet square. It was built originally by M. de Chambly, shortly before the conquest of Canada by the British. During the revolutionary times it was the subject of a siege by the continental troops. Before the last American war a detachment of about two companies of infantry usually formed its garrison. On the commencement of hostilities, however, large bodies of troops were assembled here, and an extensive depôt formed. During the various operations from 1812 to 1814 a very considerable force was stationed in its neighbourhood, and in the latter year an encamp. ment was formed, containing upwards of six thousand men. On the rising ground adjoining the Fort were erected eighteen barracks, magazines, storehouses, and other buildings, some of which, after the restoration of peace, were dismantled and disposed of, whilst the rest were allowed to fall into almost total disuse. The insurrectionary movements in 1837 and 1838 in the immediate vicinity induced the Government to again extend the military establishment about Chambly, by the erection of new barracks and other necessary build

ings, so that a large body of infantry, cavalry, and artillery were stationed here. A very great reduction has since taken place, and Chambly is now garrisoned by a single company of infantry. Upper Chambly contains a neat and substantial Episcopal Church and an excellent Academy, at which all the higher branches of a classical education are taught. Here are several handsome private residences; but the Manor-house and grounds, formerly belonging to the late seigneur, the Hon. Samuel Hatt, chiefly attract notice. Here the Basin terminates, and the Richelieu is seen rushing along in rapid currents amid a cluster of islets. On both sides are situated extensive grist and saw-mills, and near the Manor-house is a paper manufactory. The grist-mills are much frequented by the habitants along the valley of the river, as the generally level character of the district prevents the erection of similar establishments. The saw-mills have of late years furnished a large quantity of lumber for the markets in the United States. An immense water-power is still available here. The fall of the river in the course of two miles is not less than seventy feet.-Beloeil Mountain, which is about twelve miles distant from Chambly, is by far the most prominent object in the surrounding landscape. Beloeil is the name of the village and parish on the opposite side of the Richelieu; by which name, as well as by those of Chambly and Rouville, the mountain is popularly called, although its proper name is Mount St. Hilaire. The Richelieu being crossed, a very picturesque road conducts the traveller to the southern base of the Mountain, which towers like a wall of rock above the flat country around. This road passes through the seigneury of Chambly West, the property of the heirs of Colonel de Salaberry, and that of Rouville, now owned by Major Campbell, late of the 7th Hussars. Here are soon reached a hamlet embowered amid luxuriant orchards, and a mill on the edge of a ravine. At a small tavern a little beyond, the traveller usually leaves his calèche, and perchance baits for a brief space before commencing the ascent. The road winds through a deep grove of maples, and has been recently so far improved as to offer no obsta cles even to the enterprising female who may be desirous of making the ascent. Soon the traveller reaches a lake of singular formation,

varying in extent according to the humidity of the season. Its cir cumference therefore may be two miles, more or less. Although there is an outlet through which the water is constantly flowing so as to turn several mills, there is no perceptible inlet. It is supposed to be the crater of an extinguished volcano; and certainly the geological structure of the mountain, in which it is embosomed, favours such a supposition. It abounds with excellent fish. This lake occupies a site so secluded and raised above the surrounding country that, according to the somewhat poetic language of one writer, it seems the Mountain-spirit's bath or the magic lake of some Arabian fiction. According to the popular notion entertained in regard to so calm and sequestered bodies of water, it has been pronounced unfathomable. As one surveys the lake in a deep and thickly timbered valley, overhung by precipitous and lofty hills, the scene, which is presented to the view, though somewhat contracted, is extremely imposing. At a short distance from the lake's margin commences the ascent of the peak. It is studded at intervals by fourteen wooden crosses, each of which bears an inscription having reference to our Saviour's journey as He bore the cross to the place of crucifixion. The spots where these crosses are erected are called stations. There are printed" Meditations and Prayers adapted to the Stations of the Holy Way of the Cross," of which the pious Catholics make use, who visit this solemn retreat in considerable numbers. Some years ago a dignitary of the Church of Rome, the Bishop of Nancy, visited Canada, and caused a small oratory to be constructed on the very crest of the mountain. On this as a base was erected a gigantic cross, covered with bright tin. This cross might have been descried from a vast distance, when it was illuminated by the sun's rays, and presented a very imposing appearance. It was destroyed a few years ago, but is to be re-erected. On reaching the summit of the cone, which is usually called the Sugar Loaf, and whose height is variously estimated at from eleven hundred to fourteen hundred feet above the river at its base, the panorama that bursts upon the view amply repays the beholder for all the fatigue he has undergone. The mountain comprises seven eminences covering a space of about seven miles square. The base is granitic, and forms a bold termi