mmenced
within the fortress of Louisbourg.

Townshend, the Brigadier now in command, had granted easy terms to
the place. He knew too well the peril of his position not to be
thankful for having Quebec almost at any price. The garrison and
the sailors, who formed a considerable portion of the force in the
city, were to march out with the honours of war, and were to be
shipped to France with what speed they might. The promised
protection offered by Wolfe to all peaceable inhabitants was to be
assured to all, together with the free exercise of their own
religion.

To Townshend had been carried upon the very day of the capitulation
a letter written by Montcalm only a few hours before his death, the
feeble penmanship of which showed well how difficult it had been to
him to indite it. In effect it was the last thing he ever wrote,
and the signature was nothing but a faint initial, as though the
failing fingers refused the task before them.

"Monsieur," ran the missive, "the well-known humanity of the
English sets my mind at peace concerning the fate of the French
prisoners and the Canadians. Feel towards them as they have caused
me to feel. Do not let them perceive that they have changed
masters. Be their protector as I have been their father,"

It was probable that Montcalm believed himself addressing Wolfe
when he wrote this last charge. It was not known with any certainty
in Quebec that the English General had fallen, Some had heard he
was wounded, but no certainty prevailed. Indeed it was with no
exultation that Quebec heard of the death of the dreaded Wolfe. If
he were redoubtable in the field of battle, he was known to be a
merciful and generous foe in the hour of victory. Madame Drucour
had shed tears when told for certain of the hero's fall; the Abbe
had sorrowfully shaken his bead, and had told the citizens that
they had nothing to rejoice over in that.

So the garrison marched out with as much bravery and martial show
as they could under the circumstances, and the citizens crowded the
streets and ramparts to cheer them as they went, and watch with
mingled feelings the entrance of the English troops into the town
and the hoisting of the English flag. Sobs broke from many, and a
deep groan rose shudderingly upon the air; and yet there were very
many in the city who cared little for the change of masters, if
only they might be rid of the horrors of war.

Life had long been very difficult under the French rule