I cannot tell the length we went through of dark passage, but it was some considerable distance, and the rooms are quite large, I suppose capable of each holding fifty people. I have heard it said (but can't vouch for the truth), that these passages have an outlet on the St. Lawrence at one end, and the Martello towers at the other. I have no doubt such is the case. The underground passages are bombproof, and no sound can be heard from them. A soldier forgotten there once gave himself up to die, until he remembered he might be missed at roll call. Such was the case, and his life thus saved. The passages are underneath the Citadel at Cape Diamond, so called because at one time great quantities of an inferior diamond were found there. I remember when the Cape quite shone with them, and many old people have handsome jewellery made from these gems. There is one street of houses opposite the Cape about fifty-five years ago occupied by the following parties: the late Chas. Gethings, the late Col. Dyde, John Carleton Fisher, William Patton and Col. Gore, father of the present Countess of Errol. A small house on the off side, occupied by a waiter, is the spot where is the present High School of Quebec.
THE FIRST ST. PATRICK'S SOCIETY
IN QUEBEC.
Ireland, so prominent at the present time, especially appeals to favorable remembrance of all her true people, and it may prove interesting to many of my readers to hear something of the first St. Patrick's Society ever formed in Quebec. I therefore copy for public benefit the very interesting account of its first doings, given me by an old friend:—
"In the year 1836 a few Irish gentlemen met in a small house in the Upper Town market place to form a St. Patrick's Society without reference to church or creed, but merely for the purpose of rendering assistance to any of their countrymen who might be requiring help or advice. Those gentlemen present on that occasion were as follows:—
The Hon. Dominick Daly, then Secretary of the Province.
The Hon. George Pemberton, merchant.
The Hon. Mr. Cochrane, brother-in-law to Bishop Mountain.
Sir Henry Caldwell, Baronet.
Geo. Holmes Parke, Esq., merchant.
Charles Gethings, Esq., of the Bank, Quebec.