Jasper County Democrat, Volume 20, Number 50, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 September 1917 — QUEBEC REALLY FRENCH CITY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

QUEBEC REALLY FRENCH CITY

People Cling to Language of the Land of Their Forefathers—Little Noise on the Streets. Quebec is the seemingly impregnable stronghold of France in America. It is true that Wolfe defeated Montcalm on the plains of Abraham, and the British flag replaced the French on the citadel, but to all intents and purposes It is a French city still. Four-fifths of the people are French; French is taught in the schools, and spoken everywhere. Quebec is not only different from cities of the United States, but it is utterly different from the rest of Canada. It is much older and looks even older because it is built largely of gray stone. Quebec thrives and grows, but not noisily and obviously like other American cities. The additions are all so perfectly in harmony with what is already there that you can scarcely detect them. Just as the city seems to grow imperceptibly, so it seems to be busy without being at all noisy or confused. The narrow streets, many of diem steep as toboggan shifts, are well filled with people; but the din of street noises is strikingly absent. The people are soft-voiced and do not shout about their business; there are few automobiles, and no street venders. «Especially on Saturday nights you are struck by the fact that .the streets are packed, and yet almost silent, except for a low hum of conversation and laughter.

Photo by American Press Association. Chief of Militia Affairs William A. Mann.