Memoirs of the Chevalier de Johnstone (Volume 3)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1871 Excerpt: ... CAMPAIGN OF 1760. CAMPAIGN OF 1760, TO THE GENERAL CAPITULATION OF CANADA, WHICH TOOK PLACE AT MONTREAL, THE 7th SEPTEMBER, 1760.. OPE is a blessing of heaven, and a favour of Providence mingled with its afflictions, to soften the bitterness of its chastisements, and to prevent the unfortunate from falling under the weight of their misfortunes. It is natural for man, overwhelmed with adversity, to hope for a favourable change in his lot, however small may be the appearances on which his hopes may be founded, or of the mitigation of his pains and sufferings; and the mode of thinking of all individuals united and forming society ought to be analagous to that of every one in particular. The Canadians, without any foundation and without knowing why, still flattered themselves to be able to save their country, and never lost hope of it, although in their then position without cannon, without munitions of war, and the enemy in possession of Quebec, it would require a miracle for that purpose. They occupied themselves during the winter only to form projects for retaking that city, altogether chimerical, and nowise susceptible of execution. Never did country give birth to more of them, nor more ridiculous and extravagant. Every body intermeddled therein, even from my lord the bishop and his priests, who gave theirs, but which were like the others, without common sense. Among the thousands of imaginary phantasies, that of taking the enemy by surprise, during the winter, by a forced march, and scaling the walls of Quebec, was the only one which had the least possibility of being successful. The plan of escalade was treated so seriously, during some time, that they had employed the work people to make ladders of wood; but having always regarded it as an extravagant re...