Quebec and Montreal were important cities before any of the towns
belonging to the States had been founded. But taking the
population of three of each, including the three largest Canadian
towns, we find they are as follows: In Canada, Quebec has 60,000;
Montreal, 85,000; Toronto, 55,000. In the States, Chicago has
120,000; Detroit, 70,000; and Buffalo, 80,000. If the population
had been equal, it would have shown a great superiority in the
progress of those belonging to the States, because the towns of
Canada had so great a start. But the numbers are by no means
equal, showing instead a vast preponderance in favor of the States.
There can be no stronger proof that the States are advancing faster
than Canada, and in fact doing better than Canada.

Quebec is a very picturesque town; from its natural advantages
almost as much so as any town I know. Edinburgh, perhaps, and
Innspruck may beat it. But Quebec has very little to recommend it
beyond the beauty of its situation. Its public buildings and works
of art do not deserve a long narrative. It stands at the
confluence of the St. Lawrence and St. Charles Rivers; the best
part of the town is built high upon the rock--the rock which forms
the celebrated plains of Abram; and the view from thence down to
the mountains which shut in the St. Lawrence is magnificent. The
best point of view is, I think, from the esplanade, which is
distant some five minutes' walk from the hotels. When that has
been seen by the light of the setting sun, and seen again, if
possible, by moonlight, the most considerable lion of Quebec may be
regarded as "done," and may be ticked off from the list.

The most considerable lion, according to my taste. Lions which
roar merely by the force of association of ideas are not to me very