Rose at four, got some new milk as a good foundation; paid 1/- English
for bed, walked over the new steamboat with air-tubes on each side and
two small helms attached to each, a 1-1/2 yd. long and 1/3 deep turning
nearly upon the centre, 180 feet long and about 27 wide; two engines.
Left at six, breakfasted outside; had a beautiful view of the bank and
island. Paid 1/9 and 7 dollars for passage to Montreal. The sail most
delightful; in some places the surface became suddenly disturbed, one
side a whirlpool, the other boiling up. The Durham boats[19], as they
are called, are drawn up the river by means of six oxen. Cornwall[20]
1/4 past 11. One of the Durham boats drawn by two horses belly deep in
the river because the banks are grassy and soft. Hazel trees different
to ours; a good deal of nuts. Passed a very splendid Rapid, called at
St. Regis, an Indian village; three young Indians nearly naked, one of
them caught a halfpenny thrown a considerable distance, then jumped into
the river; sailed with us in our boat then plunged into the water
towards the shore; they had very black hair and were very brown. An old
female Indian came to beg; also a canoe with two females and a little
one. Prevailed on one of the females to sing: thought it a Catholic
chant in the Indian language. Saw two canoes all of one piece of wood.
Another delightful drive along the banks of the St. Lawrence; more
Rapids; also a beautiful garden, almost the first I have seen since my
visit to America. Arrived at Montreal at nine. The two last days have
been spent delightfully.