All the way he belabored his beast with blows and curses, but the animal's hide and ears seemed impervious. I could think of nothing but a parody on a couplet of the old song, "If I had a donkey," &c. As we wheeled up a narrow court from St. Paul's Street to the Exchange Hotel, a merry laugh of half a furlong's audibility rang out from a group of young ladies upon an upper piazza, and that was my first evidence that my traveling companion, Miss B------had arrived safely, as per consignment in the morning to the care of the urbane proprietors of that excellent establishment. She had rambled through the city with pleasant company until thoroughly wearied, so I took an evening stroll alone. The day had been very warm, but the evening was cool. The stars were brilliant, yet it was too dark to see much beyond the dim forms of massy buildings, wrapped in deep shadows. But above, in the far north, a phenomenon seldom exhibited in summer was gorgeously displayed; more so than we often see it in lower latitudes in winter, and I stood an hour in the Place d'Arms, watching the ever-changing beauties of the brilliant Aurora Borealis. It is a strange sight, and well might the ignorant and superstitious of other times regard it with fearful wonder. Lomonosov, a native Russian poet, thus refers to the sublime spectacle: "What fills with dazzling beams the illumined air? What wakes the flames that light the firmament? The lightning's flash; there is no thunder there, And earth and heaven with fiery sheets are blent; The winter's night now gleams with brighter, lovelier ray Than ever yet adorned the golden summer's day. "Is there some vast, some hidden magazine, Where the gross darkness flames of fire supplies-- Some phosphorous fabric, which the mountains screen, Whose clouds of light above those mountains rise, When the winds rattle loud around the foaming sea, And lift the waves to heaven in thundering revelry?" Montreal--A ride to the Mountain--Innervating view--Visit the City Churches--Parliament house--grey nunnery 177 CHAPTER VIII. HE pleasure-seeker will find much about Montreal to amuse him; and the staid traveler, searching for the gold of general knowledge might fill a large chapter in his journal, in recording what is noteworthy amoung present things there. (!!!The remainder of the page is damaged.!!!) The Grey Nuns at Prayer.--First Settlements at Montreal.-- Cartier.-- Jealousy of the Indians. 178Sisters of Charity connected with it, being devoted to the relief of poor and infirm old persons, and the nurture and education of orphans. * The building is spacious, and a large number of both classes are there made comfortable. Our visit was at mid-day. When the clock struck twelve, a long procession of the nuns, veiled, marched slowly into the chapel, singing a Gregorian chant, and knelt within the nave in prayer.