Volltext Seite (XML)
CANADIAN GUIDE BOOK. 43 grants of land were originally made, parcelled it out in such a manner that each censitaire or tenant might have a frontage upon the river, so desirable for a variety of purposes. In order to secure this partial benefit, each concession, instead of forming a compact square-like parcel of ground, extended longitudinally some two, three, or more miles backwards, and has introduced several anomalies and inconve niences in carrying on the farming operations. In this way the por tion in front is under cultivation, while that in the rear is under pas turage, and frequently under brush-wood. The same system has ob tained in the concessions of the early settlements on both sides of the St. Lawrence below Quebec. The seigneuries still retain the names of the seigneurs to whom the lands were originally granted ; and the villages or parishes are called after the names of Saints.— Three miles below on the right bank lies Longucuil, originally the property of the Sieur of that name, and latterly of Baron Grant. Through this village passes the plank-road to Fort Chambly. The intervening country is highly favourable to the growth of grain and most other species of agricultural produce. The present handsome church occupies the site of the ancient fort of Longucuil, one of many formerly raised as barriers against the Iroquois nation. The ferry boat here is from morning to evening frequented by passengers of every description, but especially by habitans conveying their produce to market and returning with purchases. A little above the landing- place is the terminus of the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad, which was completed in December last (1848) as far as St.Hyacinthe, a distance of thirty miles. For an account of the country through which this portion of the Railroad passes, our reader is referred to the Appendix, as few travellers fail to avail themselves of the oppor tunity which the road affords of enjoying the extensive and romantic scenery of the Beloeil Mountain, &c., within the space of a single day.—Three miles below on the left is the village of Longue Pointe, and three miles beyond is that of Pointe aux Trembles (or Aspeu Point, so called from having been originally covered with aspens)-— Nearly opposite is the considerable village of Boucherville. It was a portion of a grant to Sieur Boucher. In this place many families, still retaining sbme of the titles of the ancient noblesse of the coun-