QUEBEC, the capital city of Canada East, is situated on the river St. Lawrence, about 400 miles from its mouth, in 46° 99' N. 1st., 71° 12' W. long. The population in 1851 was 42,052. Quebec is alternately with Toronto the seat of government and of the legislature for the province of Canada.
Quebec stands on a promontory formed by the confluence of the river St. Charles with the St. Lawrence, at the north-eastern extremity of an elevated but narrow table-land, which for about 8 miles forms the left bank of the St. Lawrence. Cape Diamond presents a nearly precipitous face to the St. Lawrence; the descent to the St. Charles is more gradual. The height of the platform of the citadel of Quebec, which stands on Cape Diamond, is 333 feet 3 inches above the St. Lawrence. The distance across the ridge between the two rivers is rather more than a mile. The St Lawrence abreast of the town is only 1314 yards wide ; below the point, the basin formed by the junction of the two rivers is above a mile and a half in width, and the tide rises 25 feet. Quebec is situated at that part of the river where the St. Lawrence suddenly contracts in breadth, and is said to take its name from the Indian word "kebee,' which signifies narrow.
Quebec is divided into the Upper Town and Lower Town, and the suburbs of St. Roche, St John, and St. Lewis. The Lower Town, which is the seat of commerce, is built round the base of the pro montory. The eustom-house and exchange reading-room are in the Lower Town. There are two modes of ascent to the Upper Town, one by a narrow and steep winding street, the other by a flight of steps. The Upper Town has a northerly aspect, and is well ventilated ; some of the streets are rather narrow, but they are generally well paved. All public buildings and many private houses are roofed with tin-plates, which produce a very striking effect. The citadel, which crowns the summit of Cape Diamond, is strongly fortified, and covers about 40 acres of ground. Surrounding the Upper Town is a wall mounted with heavy ordnance, and pierced by five gates strongly defended. The citadel contains a very extensive armoury. The parliament house, governor's residence, post-office, and other edifices appropriated to government departments, are among the public buildings. Quebec is the seat of a Protestant bishop and a Roman Catholic bishop. The Protestant cathedral is a plain modern edifice
with a spire. The Roman Catholic cathedral is a large building with a heavy dome and spire. The Established Church of Scotland and the Free Scotch Church have each a place of worship ; and there are several other churches and chapels belonging to the various religious bodies. In the market-place is a barrack, a spacious building, formerly the Jesuits' college. There are several large con ventual establishments. Among the chief public institutions are, the French college, the Royal Grammar school, the Royal Institution, the Literary society, the Historical society, the Medical school, the mechanics institnte, the city library, and several benevolent associa tions. A monument in honour of Wolfe and Montcalm stands on the plains of Abraham, a short way west from the citadel.
The harbour of Quebec admits ships of the line to the lower part of the basin ; merchant ships lie close to the wharfs at the bead of the basin, and iu the St. Lawrence abreast of the city. On the banks of the St. Lawrence, above the city, are extensive timber basins.' Quebec is the great entrep6t for the trade of Canada with Great Britain, the United States, the West Indies, and elsewhere. The total number of ships, inwards, during the year 1852 was 1231, of 505,024 tons aggregate burden ; outwards, 1228 of 518,580 tons.
Quebec contains distilleries, breweries, and soap, candle, and tobacco manufactories; but the moat important branch of industry is ship-building. The ships built at Quebec during the year 1852 were 65, of 41,505 tons ; and in 1851 they were 92, of 27,856 tons. Steamers ply daily in summer between Quebec and Montreal, and between Quebec and places down the river. The city is connected by electric telegraph with Montreal, Canada West, the United States, St. John's In New Brunswick, and Halifax In Nova Scotia.
Quebeo was founded by the French in 1608. It 1759 it was taken by assault by the British troops under General Wolfe. The French garrison was commanded by the Marquis de Moutcalm. Both Wolfe and Montcalm were slain In the action. Quebec was ceded to Great Britain by the treaty of Paris in 1763. A large part of the town outside the fortifications was destroyed by fire in 1645.