File:The Jesuits in North America in the seventeenth century (1897) (14782706512).jpg

Identifier: jesuitsinnortham342park (find matches)
Title: The Jesuits in North America in the seventeenth century
Year: 1897 (1890s)
Authors: Parkman, Francis, 1823-1893
Subjects: Jesuits Jesuits
Publisher: Boston : Little, Brown, and Co.
Contributing Library: University of Pittsburgh Library System
Digitizing Sponsor: Lyrasis Members and Sloan Foundation

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Text Appearing Before Image:
afterwards as Point Calliere. The rivulet was bor-
dered by a meadow, and beyond rose the forest with
its vanguard of scattered trees. Early spring flowers
were blooming in the young grass, and birds of
varied plumage flitted among the boughs.³
Maisonneuve sprang ashore, and fell on his knees.
His followers imitated his example; and all joined
their voices in enthusiastic songs of thanksgiving.
Tents, baggage, arms, and stores were landed. An
altar was raised on a pleasant spot near at hand; and
Mademoiselle Mance, with Madame de la Peltrie,
aided by her servant, Charlotte Barré, decorated it
with a taste which was the admiration of the be-
holders.⁴ Now all the company gathered before the
shrine. Here stood Vimont, in the rich vestments of

¹ Le Clerc, ii. 50, 51.
² "Pioneers of France", ii. 188. It was the Place Royale of
Champlain.
³ Dollier de Casson, A.D. 1641-42, MS.
⁴ Morin, Annales, MS., cited by Faillon, La Colonie Française,
i. 440; also Dollier de Casson, A.D. 1041-42, MS.

The First Mass at Montreal.
Text Appearing After Image:

Copyright, 1897, by Little, Brown & C^o

1642.] THE BIRTH OF MONTREAL. 25

his office. Here were the two ladies, with their ser-
vant; Montmagny, no very willing spectator; and
Maisonneuve, a warlike figure, erect and tall, his
men clustering around him, — soldiers, sailors, arti-
sans, and laborers, — all alike soldiers at need. They
kneeled in reverent silence as the Host was raised
aloft; and when the rite was over, the priest turned
and addressed them: —
" You are a grain of mustard-seed, that shall rise
and grow till its branches overshadow the earth.
You are few, but your work is the work of God.
His smile is on you, and your children shall fill the
land."¹
The afternoon waned; the sun sank behind thew
estern forest, and twilight came on. Fireflies were
twinkling over the darkened meadow. They caught
them, tied them with threads into shining festoons,
and hung them before the altar, where the Host re-
mained exposed. Then they pitched their tents,
lighted their bivouac fires, stationed their guards,
and lay down to rest. Such was the the birth-night of
Montreal.<sup>2

1</sup> Dollier de Casson, MS., as above. Vimont, in the Relation of
1642, p. 37, briefly mentions the ceremony.
2 The Associates of Montreal published, in 1643, a thick pam-
phlet in quarto, entitled Les Véritables Motifs de Messieurs et Dames
de la Société de Notre-Dame de Montreal, pour la Conversion des
Sauvages de la Nouvelle France. It was written as an answer to as-
persions cast upon them, apparently by persons attached to the great

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