RELIGIOUS CEREMONIES

The religious ceremonies were the chief features of the demonstration The Ancient Capital, usually so dull and

sedate, was alive at an early hour this morning, and long before nine o’clock, the hour set for the celebration of mass, thousands commenced to wend their way out of the city to the historical spot of ground at the confluenee of the St. Charles and Lairèt rivers, where three centuries and a half ago Cartier and his companions passed the first winter, and where the Jesuit fathers took up their first residence in this country. Here, close to Jacques Cartier’s fac simile cross of France, with its fleurs de lys escutcheon and the Cartier-Brebeuf monument, a temporary altar had been erected for the celebration of mass. The whole space of the adjoining country on both sides of the St. Charles river was black with humanity, and the various religious and national societies in thirty separate divisions were drawn up on the banks of the river with their national colours and their bands playing national airs. Surrounding the monument and facing the altar a space had been reserved for the clergy and notables. On either s'des of the altar were seated à vast throng of priests. The Papal Zouaves, with the Papal colours, were drawn up immediately outside of the enclosure, and behind them where the 65th Regiment, of Montreal, under Col. Dugas, and the £. Voltigeurs, of Quebec, under Col. Amyot. As far as the eve could reach were to be seen

ract crowds wending their way to the national meeting place. A few minutes after nine o’ciock Sir Adolphe Caron, Minister of Militia, put in an appearance, and was soon follow »d by Lieutenant-Governor Angers, Premier Mercier and his colleagues in the Local Ministry. The Lieutenant-Governor and the other notables were provided w'th seats in front of the altar. The granite monu-

mont was prettily decorated with wreaths. I have already given the reader a deseription of the cross and the monument, which is not by any means as imposing a structure as one would think such an oceasion would demand.