not leave without regret the
hospitable city where I had received from strangers such a warm
welcome. I have never visited the Lower Province since; but my
remembrance of its old capital is still as agreeable as it is distinct.
The next day our brig was taken in tow by the fine steam-boat, the
"Richelieu de Chambly," and with a leading wind and tide in our favour
we proceeded at a rapid rate up the river.

I shall not attempt to describe the charming scenery of this most
beautiful of all rivers, which has already been so amply described by
abler writers. I was delighted with everything I saw; but nothing
occurred worthy of narration.

The next day saw us safely moored in the port of Montreal, just forty-
five days from our departure from the London Docks. Montreal is a
handsome town, well situated, and must eventually become the most
important city in British North America. The river here is very broad.
The Lachine rapids commence immediately above the town, which are an
impediment to the navigation, now obviated by a canal terminating at
the village of Lachine, I believe nine miles distant from Montreal.

I took my passage in a Durham boat, bound for Kingston, which started
the next day. We had hard work poling up the rapids. I found I had
fallen in with a rough set of customers, and determined in my own mind
to leave them as soon as possible, which I happily effected the next
evening when we landed at Les Cedres. Here the great Otawa pours its
mighty stream into the St. Lawrence, tinging its green waters with a
darker hue, which can be traced for miles, till it is ultimately lost
in the rapids below.

I now determined to walk to Prescot, where I knew I should be able to
take the steam-boat for Kingston, on Lake Ontario. At the Coteau du Lac
I fell in with a Roman Catholic Irishman, named Mooney. We travelled in
company for three days, and as I had nothing else to do, I thought I
might as well make an effort to convert him. However, I signally
failed; and only endangered my own head by my zeal.

In the heat of argument and the indiscretion of youth, I used
expressions which the Papist considered insulting to his religion. He
was not one to put up patiently with this, so he would fire up, twirl
his blackthorn round his head, and say, "By St. Patrick, you had better
not say that again!" In everything else we agreed well enough; but I
found, on parting, that all my eloquence had been entirely thrown away.
Mr. Mooney