80 CANADIAN GUIDE BOOK. Then the river is general choked up with broken fields of ice exhib» iting an endless variety of fantastic appearances. The habitant cross in canoes, and are frequently obliged to haul and push them forward among the blocks of ice. The ferrymen do their utmost to prevent the ice from taking, as it deprives them of their usual means of livelihood while it lasts. It is a rare occurrence for the ice to be quite firm between Quebec and Pointe Levi. When this is the case, it is called a pout or bridge ; and a sort of jubilee is indulged in ; and persons are seen enjoying themselves in every direction by sleigh ing, sliding, skating, curling, &c. A ready communication betwixt both shores then takes place, as the Grand Voyer, or Chief Surveyor of Highways, marks out, by means of pine-branches as beacons, a road, over which hay, firewood, and other bulky articles are trans ported in truineaux or sledges. A similar laying-out of roads takes place on the taking of the River at all the important thoroughfares, as in front of Montreal, Three Rivers, &c. During the winter of 1848-9 the River has taken as firmly as it has done since 1816. The channel between the Isle of Orleans and the North Shore is frozen over annually, when the produce of that fertile spot can be conveyed to market. “ EXPEDITION OF 1759.”* By the common consent of the world Quebec is for ever iden tified with the renown of the two great nations that contended for its possession ; and the history of this period will always be referred to as equally interesting, attractive and important. The varied in cidents of the expedition—the arrival before the town—the attack of the fire-ships—the fruitless engagement at Montmorenci—the bombardment from Point Levi—the landing under the Heights of Abraham—the battle of the Plains—the death of two herVfic leaders —the surrender—the subsequent fight at Sillery—the siege by the French—and the arrival of the English fleet, form a series of spirit- stirring events, which possess the mind of the reader with the eager interest of vicissitude, as they in turn develope the great game of • Extracted from Hawkins’ Guide to Quebec.