ABOVE the island of Orleans, says Gray, in his "Letters from Canada," published in 1809, the St. Lawrence expands, and a ba sin is formed by the junction of a river called the St. Charles, which takes its course through, a plain separated from the great river by a ridge of high land about nine miles in length, and from one to two in breadth, extending from a place called Cape Rouge, to Cape Diamond. Cape Diamond is a bold promontory advancing into the river St. Lawrence, of an elevation of 350 feet above the river, nearly perpendicular, and the bank the whole way to Cape Rouge is nearly of the same elevation, rising from the river almost perpendicular; the ridge slopes towards the north till it reaches the plain through which the river St. Charles runs. On the northeast or lower end of the peninsula, Quebec is situated, and the line of its fortifications runs from the river St. Charles across to the top of the bank which overlooks the St. Lawrence; the distance is about half a mile, and from the line of fortification to the point of Cape Diamond the distance is about a quarter of a mile; within this space stands the city of Quebec. It consists of an upper and lower town. The upper town may be said to be situated on Cape Diamond, at least upon the side of it which slopes towards the and separated from it by a line of steep rocks which run from the cape towards the river St. Charles. Formerly the river St. Lawrence, at high water, came up close to these rocks; but as the tide rises and falls here about fifteen feet, it gave an opportunity of taking from the river a considerable space. Wharfs were built at low water mark, and even at some places beyond it, and the intermediate ground filled up to such a height that it remained dry at high water. Upon this situation streets were laid out and houses built. These streets run from the upper side of cape Diamond down to the river St. Charles, a distance of about half a mile; they are of considerable breadth, and the houses are large and commodious, those next the river have attached to them very extensive warehouses (called, in the language of Quebec, hangards) and vessels come close to the wharves to discharge their cargoes; at some of them the vessels remain afloat at low water, at others, which are not carried so far out, or where the river does not deepen so suddenly, the vessels lie dry at low water. The lower town is not included in the fortifications, but the passes to it are commanded by the batteries in the line of fortification which surrounds the upper town, so that the approach by land to the lower town will hardly be attempted by an enemy. It is true the Americans attempted it in the winter of 1775, but they were repulsed with great slaughter. The communication from the lower to the upper town is by a winding street, at the top of which is a fortified gate. On entering this gate you find on the right hand a large area in which is situated the house (dignified with the title of a palace) in which the bishop of Quebec formerly resided; at present it is used for public offices, and accommodates the supreme council and house of assembly. On the left is another area, and on the side next the river is the Chateau de St. Louis, in which the governor resides. Quebec on the north, north-east and south sides, is so strongly fortified by the nature of the ground, that little has been left for the engineer to do. What was necessary however has been done. And as the great river and the river St. Charles, surround in a manner the fortifications in these directions, and in some places come very near the bottom of the rocks, no enemy, if a common degree of vigilance is observed, can hope to succeed by an attack on these quarters. The least defensible part of Quebec is towards the south-west, where the line of fortifications extends from one side of the peninsula to the other, enclosing the city and the highest part of Cape Diamond. There a cavalier battery has lately [1806] been erected, which commands the ground to a considerable distance from the walls; at the extent of the range of this battery martello towers are about to be erected which will sweep the plains of Abraham, and prevent, in some measure, an enemy from approaching near enough the walls to make a breach. There is no fosse, so that if a breach were once made, a daring enemy would have no difficulty in entering the city. The ground for a considerable distance to the southwest of the city of Quebec is called the plains of Abraham, famous for the battle in which general Wolfe beat the French. These plains are nearly on a level with the fortifications and widen as you retire from them to the extent of from one to two miles, preserving the level nearly throughout, but sloping a little both ways, particularly towards the river St. Charles on the north. On the side towards the St. Lawrence, the bank is of great height almost perpendicular, and generally covered with wood, where the slope will admit of it, which is not always the case. Notwithstanding the difficulty of ascent, General Wolfe with infinite labour contrived to carry his little army and a few small field pieces to the top of the bank, and took his stand on the plains of Abraham. Instead of remaining within their fortifications, the French came out to meet him, and to this error the English owe the taking of Quebec. MEMOIRS OF THE LATE REV. JOHN ANTES. On the appearance of lord Valentia's travels, in which the veracity of Bruce was questioned, a vindication of his character was published by the Rev. John Antes, who had known Bruce in Egypt, and thought more favoura bly of him, than lord Valentia did. Since the death of Mr. Antes, in 1811, a memoir of his life, partly written by himself, has been published by the so ciety to which he belonged, and as it contains the story of a native American, finds an appropriate place in this journal. The biographer is however obviously mistaken in the birth place of Mr. Antes, and if any of our correspondents can rectify the error, or furnish any further particulars of our wander. ing countryman, we shall be happy to give them an insertion. JOHN ANTES was born March 24, 1740, on one of his father's estates in Frederick town, Philadelphia county, North America. Shortly after his birth his father became acquainted with the church of the Moravian Brethren, and with count Zinzendorf, who visited America, at that time. "On taking leave of my father, the count desired to see all his children, and on that occasion, placing his hand on my head, in a very solemn manner, commended me to the grace of God our Saviour, praying him to preserve and guide me, throughout my whole life. This circumstance made an indelible impres sion on my mind.” Mr. A. was baptized in this society when six years of age. He was also educated among them; and was appointed overseer of the boys' school. In January 1764, he was appointed to accompany the Indian congregation from Philadelphia to Newyork. This year he visited Europe, and went to Herrnhut. Here he studied mechanics; and from hence he went to Neuwied to learn watch making. Jan. 16, 1769, he received a call to serve the mission then forming at Grand Cairo, in Egypt. He sailed for Cyprus; where he arrived Nov. 24. "All the inhabitants of the house were taken ill of the Cyprus fever, an ague of a very malignant kind. I was likewise attacked by it, but the fits left me on the 17th. However, being yet very unwell, Christmas-day was a very heavy day to me. No one being able to help me, I was forgotten, and lay all day without meat or drink, or any refreshment. On the 17th the fits returned; but hearing of a Venetian ship lying at Limasol, bound to Alexandria, I immediately sent a messenger to know whether I could reach it before it sailed. On the very next day the Greek merchant, who acted as English consul, sent a guide to conduct me to Limasol. I was extremely ill; but as the man could not be prevailed on to wait a few days for me, I crept out of bed, packed up my things during the paroxysm, and prayed |