at first annexed as the residence of the Governor of Montreal. It was
purchased from the “_Compagnie des Indes_” by William Grant, Baron
de Longueuil.[22] It is doubtful if the Grants ever occupied the
Château, for it continued to be known for some ten years after the
cession by the name of the “Indian House.” The Governor of Canada
then, finding it necessary to provide the Lieutenant-Governor with
a suitable residence, leased it. The first Lieutenant-Governor who
attended it was Mr. Cramahé. He had scarcely settled there when the
approach of General Montgomery, in November, 1775, with a force of
New England Revolutionists compelled him to vacate it and retire to
Quebec. There, pending the arrival of General Sir Guy Carleton, he
made energetic preparations for the defence of Quebec, and declined to
give any answer to Benedict Arnold’s summons to surrender, which was
made on the 14th of October. On the 19th Sir Guy Carleton arrived, and
assumed command of the defence. It was on the 12th of November, 1775,
that General Montgomery entered Montreal, and on the 4th of December
his forces and those of Arnold, about 1,200 men in all, appeared before
Quebec. Montgomery was slain in a vain attempt to capture the town on
the night of the 31st of December, 1775. Finally, early in May, 1776,
the Americans were driven from before Quebec, leaving guns, stores,
provisions, and even their sick behind. Meanwhile three American
Commissioners, Benjamin Franklin, Samuel Chase and Charles Carroll,
came to Montreal to urge the Canadians to join the revolted colonies
against Great Britain. Benjamin Franklin, certainly, if not the other
two Commissioners, resided when in Montreal in the Château de Ramezay,
and here a certain M. Mesplet, under the orders of Benjamin Franklin,
set up the first printing-press in Montreal.
The first printing-press in Canada was set up in Quebec in 1764, and
on the 21st of June of that year the first number of the _Quebec
Gazette_, a journal which till recently was still published, made
its appearance. Benedict Arnold, after his failure at Quebec, went to
Montreal and took command of the Revolutionary troops there. He resided
in the Château de Ramezay.
After the withdrawal of the Americans, the Château de Ramezay remained
untenanted until the government bought it from the Grants, and made it
the official residence of the Governors of Lower Canada temporarily
resident in Montreal. Their permanent residence was at Quebec, and for
years the Governors, when they visited Montreal, had to bring their
own furniture with them. At last, however, a grant of money was voted
to them for the purchase of permanent furniture for their Montreal
residence. For half a century it was occupied by successive Governors,
who made many alterations and additions. Lord Metcalfe (1843–1844) was
the last resident Governor, the seat of Government between the years
1841 to 1858, being fixed successively at Quebec, Kingston, Montreal,
then at Toronto and Quebec alternately, and finally, by Her Majesty’s
decision, at Ottawa, where it has since remained.
The union of the Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada was formerly
proclaimed on the 10th of February, 1841. After the establishment of
the Governor-General in a new Government House, and again, when the
headquarters of the provincial government of the Lower Province was
transferred to Quebec, the Château de Ramezay was used for various
governmental purposes. Among others, the Law Courts sat there, and
afterwards certain rooms were used for classes of the Normal School
and of the Medical Faculty of Laval. The extensive vaults and cellars
below the house had in the Eighteenth Century been used by the French
as store-houses for the large quantities of supplies which, owing to
the hostility of the Indians it was necessary to maintain there. So
incessant were at times the raids of the Iroquois, whether instigated
by the New England Government or not, that cultivation was almost an
impossibility, and all food supplies had to be imported from France and
stored in Montreal. Some of the vaults also were used as dungeons, and
at times refractory Indian chiefs were probably incarcerated there to
give them time to see reason; while in some cases they were detained
as hostages for the good faith of their tribe. There was also a deep
well in one vault, now boarded over. Under the English Governors,
these vaults were used as wine-cellars, servants’ offices and quarters
for the Governor’s guard, for the preservation of the old French and
English official and other records, and for the storage of fuel and
supplies. In one vault we still find the kitchen. The huge fireplace
was fitted up above with an arrangement for smoking ham and bacon,
while on one side opened a large oven, about five feet in diameter, for
baking bread. In a recess close by was hung a drum, in which worked,
like a squirrel in a cage, the turnspit-dog that roasted the joints.
In a corner of another vault still lies a portion of the first system
of water-pipes used in Montreal. It is the trunk of a tree, ten or
twelve feet long, by nine or ten inches in diameter, hollowed out. The
walls of the vaults are in some places of great thickness; ranging from
five to eight feet. In the early part of the Eighteenth Century, when
a good house was built, it was solidly built. It is stated that some
fifty years ago, soon after the Château ceased to be the residence of
the Governors, the City Council authorized the demolition of a portion
of it, in order to open up a thoroughfare. The building was thus cut in
two. The portion which is now used as the museum was retained by the
civic authorities. The remainder was turned into a hotel in which Jenny
Lind and Charles Dickens, amongst others, are said to have stayed.
Between 1880 and 1890 the City Magistrates of Montreal meted out
justice for petty misdemeanours in this building. Rooms which had been
tenanted by a Governor-General, and which for a hundred and forty years
had been the centre of the French and British rule in Montreal thus
gradually sank to the level of a police magistrate’s court. About this
time, however, public attention was drawn to this building (largely
owing to the exertions of the Numismatic and Antiquarian Society of
Montreal), and to its antiquarian and historical interest. When, in
1893, the Provincial Government offered it for sale by public auction,
it was bought by the Corporation of the City of Montreal with the
view of preserving the building and establishing in it a free public,
archæological, scientific and historical museum. In 1895, the custody
of the Château, on behalf of the people of the city, was vested in the
Numismatic and Antiquarian Society.
It was in the Château de Ramezay that met from 1838 to 1840, the
Special Council (half English and half French), which was appointed by
the Home Government to act in place of the legislature of Lower Canada
during the Rebellion and so-called “Patriotic War” of 1837–1838. The
Constitution was for the time suspended. The Special Council paved the
way for the Act of Union of 1840, which was a step towards the present
Constitution of the Dominion. The confederation of 1866 was the final
step.
Two of the principal rooms in the Château are now known as the
_Salle du Conseil_ and the Library. With the former, tradition
associates many names (already mentioned), well-known to history,
and on whom the varying fortunes of Canada have depended. Its walls
are now hung with engravings and documents that commemorate those
names and those fortunes. The old fireplace in the Library has only
recently been discovered, having been walled up for many years. The
treasures that have already been collected in this, the first Canadian
Museum of Antiquities, are most interesting and valuable, and some
are unique. There are 113 portraits, 82 historical pictures and 74
old prints, which illustrate the most celebrated names and the most
famous scenes and events of Canadian history, from Jacques Cartier to
Sir John Macdonald. Early explorers, Jesuit missionaries, governors
and generals, both French and English; old maps and prints of Canada,
Quebec and Montreal, etc., are the subjects. In addition, there is a
collection of scarce books, papers, documents and magazines connected
with Canada, weapons of the Seventeenth and Eighteenth Centuries, and
many quaint and curious relics both of war and peace.
THE CITY HALL, NEW YORK
ARTHUR SHADWELL MARTIN
It is a great pity that the open space now known as City Hall Park
is so restricted in area, because the City Hall is an admirable
architectural edifice apart from its historical associations, and is
worthy of a better setting. As it is, it suffers terribly from its
surroundings, being dwarfed, crushed and overwhelmed, by the “World”
building, office sky-scrapers and other unsightly buildings that
surround it. If we want to realize the architect’s intent, we must
level the monster structures in the immediate vicinity and restore the
scene of the date when the City Hall was designed.
A tablet under the Mayor’s office informs us that here Washington read
the Declaration of Independence to the troops, but the City Hall did
not occupy that site in those days. The present miniature park is a
very small part of the original common land known as the “Commons,” or
the “Fields.” Under the Dutch, this open space was called the Vlackte
(the Flat). In Colonial days, the Bridewell, and the New Jail, and
the stake at which negroes were occasionally burnt were situated on
it. King’s College was on the West; on the North was the Collect Pond
and the stream flowing to the Hudson through Lispenard’s Meadow. A
powder house also stood on the Commons and the old Boston Post Road
(now Chatham St.) passed through it on the East. At the corner of
Park Row and Nassau St. was the Brick Presbyterian Church. The Sons of
Liberty used to assemble in the “Fields”; and the present Post Office
covers the spot whereon the Liberty Pole was raised.
[Illustration: THE CITY HALL, NEW YORK]
The first City Hall, or Stadt Huys, was modest enough. It was a stone
house built for a tavern by Governor Kieft, in 1642. The site, on the
“Waal,” at the corner of Pearl St. and Coenties Alley, was selected on
account of its being convenient to the ferry. Thirteen years later, it
was ceded to the city authorities for the sittings of the Burgomasters
and Schepens of New Amsterdam. It was used also as a prison. This old
Dutch house, with its “crow-stepped” gable and cupola, stood till 1700.
The next City Hall, which lasted throughout the Eighteenth Century, was
situated almost on the site of the present Sub-Treasury on Wall St.
In 1800, the corporation of the city of New York felt the need of a
more spacious and imposing civic building, so a prize of $350 was
offered for a plan and elevations of a town-hall of four façades. One
of those sent in received the approbation of the City Fathers two
years later; and the Common Council immediately appointed a building
committee, and appropriated $25,000 for the work. The architect was
a native of New York: his name was John McComb. Born in 1763, he had
already gained distinction in his profession by his plans for the front
of the Government House, Washington Hall, St. John’s Church, the Murray
St. and Bleecker St. churches, and many other public and private
edifices in New York, Philadelphia, and other cities.
Mr. McComb was quite abreast with the architectural tastes of his day.
He had no sympathy with the Gothic style, nor is his work in the least
reminiscent of the great Renaissance town-halls of the Netherlands.
He seems to have almost slavishly followed the English school of
architects, particularly the Adam brothers and Sir William Chambers.
The works of the latter especially were held in the highest esteem and
admiration by the New York architect.
It is not difficult to trace the sources from which Mr. McComb derived
his inspiration for a City Hall which even to-day is unsurpassed in
dignity, simplicity, beauty and purity of design by any building of
this kind in the country. Cross-sectioned north and south it strongly
resembles the Register Office, Edinburgh, that was built by the Adams
in 1774. About the same date they were responsible for the Assembly
Rooms, Glasgow, the stairway of which the one in the City Hall greatly
resembles, but the latter is more graceful and better proportioned. In
fact, the interior details show an intimate acquaintance with the works
of the Adam brothers.
For the principal elevations, the architect went to Inigo Jones’s plans
for Whitehall Palace: with the exception of the Banqueting House, these
had never been carried out. Sir William Chambers was closely followed
in the exterior details; and Adam, Richardson, Soane, Campbell and
Richardson, in the plan and interior work.
When the site was chosen, it was considered that he would indeed be a
wild dreamer who would expect the city to spread further up town than
what is now City Hall Park: the chief façade therefore looked at the
city lying below it, and the back towards the open country was left
plain and unornamented,--for who would ever see that side?
The front, therefore, was built of Stockbridge marble, the sides of
Morrisania or Verplanck marble, and the rear of brown stone. The marble
was carved by John Lemair, whom the architect held in high esteem.
He wrote: “I have visited the carver’s shop almost daily, and I have
always been pleased with Mr. Lemair’s attention, mode of working and
finishing the capitals,--work which is not surpassed by any in the
United States and but seldom seen better executed in Europe and which
for proportion and neatness of workmanship will serve as models for
carvers in future.”
The work on the interior, however, was not so satisfactory; the
execution of the wood-carving is very inferior: there was a scarcity of
good wood-carvers in New York at that date. On account of the scarcity
of labour and funds, it took ten years to build; but on the whole the
work was well done and economically, for it cost no more than half a
million dollars.
In the original design, a clock was placed in the centre window of the
attic story front: this clock was not supplied till 1830, when it was
placed in the cupola which was altered to receive it. This change was
detrimental to the general effect as originally intended.
In 1811, before it was quite completed, the Fourth of July was
celebrated in the new City Hall; and the Aldermen took up their
quarters there in August of that year. From that time it became the
nucleus of municipal life, and its grounds were visited for recreation
as well as business. The park gave its name to the famous Park Theatre,
that stood on the south-east side.
A writer of the day describes the Park as “a piece of inclosed ground
in front of the new City Hall, consisting of about four acres, planted
with elms, planes, willows and catalpas, the surrounding foot-walk
encompassed with rows of poplars. This beautiful grove in the middle of
the city, combines in a high degree ornament with health and pleasure;
and to enhance the enjoyments of the place, the English and French
reading-room, the Shakespeare gallery, and the theatre, offer ready
amusement to the mind; while the mechanic-hall, the London hotel and
the New York gardens present instant refreshment to the body. Though
the trees are but young, and of few years’ growth, the Park may be
pronounced an elegant and improving place.”
The artistic beauty of the building has more than once suffered
from overzealous repairs and renovations. Two or three years ago,
the exterior was scoured and cleaned with a sand-blast process that
deprived the marble of all the mellow tones and tints with which Time
had beautified it: but Time can also heal this wound.
In 1858, at the great celebration in honour of the successful laying
of the first Atlantic cable, there was a grand display of fireworks,
during which a stray spark set fire to some inflammable material
stored at base of the cupola. The latter was consumed, and the low dome
over the stairway was also damaged. This was not the only damage done
by this fire, for the clock was also destroyed, and the scales fell
from the hands of Justice,--the figure that surmounted the cupola.
Moreover, when the old bell hanging there, that had so often clanged
forth its alarm to summon the citizens, was removed, the cornice was
injured. For several years, no effort was made to repair the damage;
the windows were boarded up, and the façade remained smoke-blackened.
When the work of repair was finally taken in hand, there was no attempt
to restore anything but the general appearance of the original, so that
both dome and cupola suffered in that Medean cauldron.
The City Hall has often been the scene of important functions. On Feb.
22, 1819, a grand ball was given in honour of General Andrew Jackson;
and in 1825, General Lafayette was escorted there immediately after his
arrival at Castle Garden. A great dinner was given to him within its
walls; and in the “Portrait Room” he held public receptions every day
from twelve to two o’clock, during his stay in New York.
Nearly every important foreigner and distinguished “guest of the
nation” has been welcomed at the City Hall by the Mayor: a brilliant
reception to Prince Henry of Prussia was among the latest.
The City Hall, too, has frequently been illuminated in celebration of
some event of importance. That of 1825, in honour of the opening of the
Erie Canal was considered magnificent at the time. Considering that
they had neither gas nor electricity, they did very well, for no less
than 2,306 lights were displayed, including wax candles, and lamps of
various colours. There was a transparency on the front representing the
Erie Canal, emblematical figures, etc., etc. There was also a lavish
display of fireworks.
Another remarkable demonstration occurred at the City Hall when the
Croton Water Works were given to the city in 1842. There was a great
procession and a fountain was formally opened in the City Hall Park.
This was much admired; and by manipulating the pipes the fountain was
made to assume such shapes as the “Maid of the Mist,” the “Croton
Plume,” the “Vase,” the “Dome,” the “Bouquet,” the “Wheat Sheaf” and
the “Weeping Willow.”
THE WHITE HOUSE
The long low white mansion with its white colonnades surrounded by
green lawns and tall shade trees standing some little distance from
Pennsylvania Avenue is familiar to every one in the United States.
Even those who have not visited the house--and these are few in
number--know it well by means of pictures. Perhaps the prettiest view
of the building is the less familiar one of the South Portico, below
which the greensward stretches down almost to the Potomac and is broken
by fountains and flower beds. The view is very pretty, too, from the
Portico itself, embracing the shining river and the tall Monument on
the right.
We cannot help regretting that the first President of the United States
was never an occupant of the White House and that he did not know it
would be popularly called by a name associated with his wife. He took
the greatest interest in the architectural plans for it, and with Mrs.
Washington visited the mansion just before the arrival of Mr. and Mrs.
Adams.
The story of the White House is as follows:--In 1792, the United States
Government offered a prize of five hundred dollars for the best plan
for the official residence of the President. The fortunate architect
was James Hoban, an Irishman by birth, but at this time a resident of
South Carolina. Hoban selected for his model the Duke of Leinster’s
new house in Dublin, built in the fashionable classic style of the
day. The original plan for the Presidential mansion called for three
stories, and Hoban suggested that wings adorned with colonnades should
be added as need for extension arose. Public opinion, however, was
aghast at such magnificence, and, although Washington liked the plan,
the architect was obliged to modify it.
The stone of which it is built was quarried at Rock Creek, near
Washington. The corner-stone was laid by General Washington in 1792;
but the house was not finished until 1799. By this time John Adams had
become President of the United States and he and Mrs. Adams were the
first occupants. Mrs. Adams’s description shows very plainly that the
Mansion was not, in any sense, palatial. She says in one of her chatty
letters:
“The house is upon a grand and superb scale, requiring about thirty
servants to attend and keep the apartments in proper order, and perform
the ordinary business of the house and stables--an establishment
very well proportioned to the President’s salary. The lighting the
apartments from the kitchen to parlours and chambers is a tax indeed,
and the fires we are obliged to keep to secure us from daily agues is
another very cheering comfort! To assist us in this castle, and render
less attendance necessary, bells are wholly wanting, not one single
one being hung through the whole house, and promises are all you can
obtain. This is so great an inconvenience that I know not how to do, or
what to do.... We have not the least fence, yard or other conveniences
without, and the great unfinished audience-room [the East Room] I
make a drying-room of to hang my clothes in. Six chambers are made
comfortable; two lower rooms, one for a parlour and one for a ballroom.”
[Illustration: THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON]
Little or nothing was done to make the Executive Mansion more sumptuous
during either Jefferson’s or Madison’s administrations; and it must
have been a surprise to visitors from other parts of the world to see
such a simple dwelling. Writing home in 1804, Thomas Moore says: “The
President’s house is encircled by a very rude pale, through which a
common rustic stile introduced visitors.”
The Madisons, whose home it became in 1809, were noted for the
old-fashioned Virginia hospitality that they extended to those invited
to both public and private entertainments. The famous Dolly Madison was
a gracious hostess, and her abundant table did not escape criticism.
The Madisons were compelled to flee from the house on the approach of
the British troops in 1814. Many stories are told of how Mrs. Madison
saved the valued portrait of Washington that had been hanging in the
State Dining-Room since 1800; but her own is the best. Mrs. Madison did
not cut the picture from the frame as the legend has it, but ordered
this to be done. Just before her flight, she writes to her sister on
the 23d of August, 1814:
“My husband left me yesterday morning to join General Winder. He
inquired anxiously whether I had courage or firmness to remain in
the President’s House until his return on the morrow, or succeeding
day, and on my assurance that I had no fear but for him, and the
success of our army, he left, beseeching me to take care of myself,
and of the Cabinet papers, public and private. I have since received
two despatches from him written with a pencil. The last is alarming,
because he desires I should be ready at a moment’s warning to enter my
carriage and leave the city; that the enemy seemed stronger than had at
first been reported, and it might happen that they would reach the city
with the intention of destroying it. I am accordingly ready; I have
pressed as many Cabinet papers into trunks as to fill one carriage; our
private property must be sacrificed, as it is impossible to procure
wagons for its transportation. I am determined not to go myself until
I see Mr. Madison safe so that he can accompany me, as I hear of much
hostility towards him.”
After the Battle of Bladensburg, she continues: