192

Interesting Sites 199

Famous Names 203

Echoes from the Past 212

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE.

Fireplace _Frontispiece._

Chateau Kitchen 24

Chateau de Ramezay 26

Montgomery Salon 28

Chapel of Notre Dame de la Victoire 52

Le Seminaire 56

Home of La Salle 84

St. Amable St. 98

Fort Chambly 146

Chateau Fortier 156

Franklin Vaults 170

PREFACE.

In offering this little volume to the kind consideration of Canadian and
American readers, it is the earnest wish of the Author that it may
commend itself to the interest of both, as the early histories of Canada
and the United States are so closely connected that they may be
considered identical.

We have tried to recall the days when, by these firesides, we re rocked
the cradles of those who helped to make Canadian history, and to render
more familiar the names and deeds of the great men, French, English and
American, upon whose valour and wisdom such mighty issues depended.

The recital is, we trust, wholly impartial and without prejudice.

It is to be hoped that the union of sentiment which the close of this
century sees between the two great Anglo-Saxon peoples may cast a veil
of forgetfulness over the strife of the one preceding it; and be a
herald of that reign of peace, when "nation shall no more rise against
nation, and wars shall cease."

[Illustration: Signature]

MARY WILSON ALLOWAY

MONTREAL, May 24, 1899.

INTRODUCTION.

About twelve years after the first Spanish caravel had touched the
shores of North America, we find the French putting forth efforts to
share in some of the results of the discovery. In the year 1504 some
Basque, Breton and Norman fisher-folk had already commenced fishing
along the bleak shores of Newfoundland and the contiguous banks for the
cod in which this region is still so prolific.

The Spanish claim to the discovery of America is disputed by several
aspirants to that honour. Among these are the ancient mariners of
Northern