Integer vitae scelerisque purus.
The inscription, which we think worthy of commendation for the chasteness and conciseness of its style, is from the pen of (the late) J. B. Parkin, Esq., advocate, of this city; the most lasting monument, however, of the honoured deceased is that which was the product of his own brain, his History of Canada. This work is unfortunately incomplete, though the materials of a posthumous volume are still extant; but it is to be regretted that Mr. Christie's widow has been robbed, and that by the hand of no common thief, of some most important documents collected by and belonging to her late husband—Quebec Mercury, 5th Nov., 1859.
[72] Opposite to Mr. Narcisse Turcotte, jeweller, on Mountain Hill.
[73] The Basilica Minor, or Roman Catholic Parish Church, built in 1647, restored after the siege of 1759, was consecrated by Bishop Laval on the 18th July, 1666, under the name of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. It is the oldest church in North America. Its length is 216 feet by 108 in breadth, and is capable of containing a congregation of 4,000 persons. "It originated in a gift, in 1644, on the part of Couillard and Guillemette Hebert, his wife, of 80 perches of land in superficies, for a parish church, on condition on the part of the Fabrique, or church authorities, that they would furnish a pew in perpetuity in said church for them and their successors, on their paying them a sum of 30 livres, tournois, at each mutation. The Church was begun in 1644 and 1645, on this spot, out of collections made in the years 1643 and 1644 together, until the price for which were sold 1,270 beaver skins—worth about 8,000 livres—was given by the Quebec merchants. The partners of the India Company presented the church with a bell."—Histoire abrégée de l'Église de Quebec.
[74] The Indian Fort (Fort des Hurons) was built to protect the unfortunate Hurons who, after the butchery of 1648-49, had sought refuge at Quebec. It is conspicuous on an old plan of Quebec of 1660, republished by Abbé Faillon. It stood on the northern slope of Dufferin Terrace, on the side to the east of the present Post Office, south-east of the Roman Catholic Parish Church.
[75] Voyage Sentimental—LaRue, page 96.
[76] "THE VOLTIGEURS, 1812.—This corps, now forming under the command of Major De Salaberry, is completing with a despatch worthy of the ancient war-like spirit of the country. Capt. Perrault's company was filled up in 48 hours, and was yesterday passed by His Excellency the Governor; and the companies of Captains Duchesnay, Panet and L'Ecuyer have nearly their complement. The young men move in solid columns towards the enlisting officers, with an expression of countenance not to be mistaken. The Canadians are awakening from the repose of an age secured to them by good government and virtuous habits. Their anger is fresh, the object of their preparations simple and distinct. They are to defend their King, known to them only by acts of kindness and a native country, long since made sacred by the exploits of their forefathers."—(From the Montreal Canadian Courant, 4th May, 1812.) Does the sacred fire still burn as bright? We hope so.
[77] The Hôtel Dieu is fully described at page 63 of "QUEBEC PAST AND PRESENT."
[78] Bouchette's British Dominions in North America, 1832, p. 254.
[79] The practical jokers in our good city were numerous and select; we might mention the Duke of Richmond's sons, Lord Charles and Lord William Lennox: Col. Denny, 71st Highlanders; the brilliant Vallières de St. Real, later on Chief. Justice; Petion Christie, P. A. De Gaspé, the writer; L. Plamondon, C. Romain and other legal luminaries; recalling the days of Barrington in Ireland, and those of Henry Cockburn in Scotland; their petit souper, bon mots, boisterous merriment, found a sympathetic chronicler in the author of "The Canadians of Old". Facile princeps for riotous fun stood Chas. R. Ogden, subsequently Attorney-General, as well known for his jokes as for his eloquence: he recently died a judge at the Isle of Wight.—(J. M. L.)