| Citation |
EG.775.001
3-10 Jan 1775:23 (7/337)
The following extract of a letter from Quebec, dated Nov.
15th, giving an account of the christening the great Bell
there, will serve to convey some idea of the ceremonial
nature of that religion which is now established there by an
Act of the British Parliament.
A New Bell arrived with Governor Carlton, for the Cathedral,
which was hung up in the Broad Alley, opposite the altar,
but near the great door at the entrance.--- Pere Montgolsia
came down from Montreal to stand Godfather, and Mademoiselle
Delary stood Godmother, the Coadjutor, or Deputy-Bishop,
performed the ceremony of Christening, and very awkwardly
indeed: however, after saying Mass and playing several
tricks with the candles, the young lads holding up the tail
of the gown, putting on and pulling off the Cap, holding it,
&c. he was introduced to the Bell, which was at a small
distance from him, preceeded by two priests who brought the
Eau Benite (Holy Water) and two small brooms made of twigs,
who fell to washing the Bell like mad, outside and in, then
to wiping it with two very fine white napkins, which were
made black enough before they had done cleaning of it from
the impurity of heretical hands; after this it was well
smoak'd with incense, then followed the ceremony of the Oil,
Salt, &c. as to infants, only they mark'd or cross'd it in
three different places; and went three times round it at
each Ceremony of the Oil, Salts, &c. They then wrapt round
it a piece of fine new linen, which they called a shirt,
then over it a piece of crimson damask, by way of a
waistcoat, and after this a piece of light blue damask, to
serve as a coat.--- After its being thus dressed and a few
more capers, it was then undress'd, and by a great number of
people convey'd under the belfrey and hung up, in doing
which one man was killed by a fall from the top, who was
pronounced to have gone immediately to heaven, without
stopping at Purgatory, as he was serving the Lord.
The above mentioned Bell, which was a present from the
Bishop of Quebec, weighed 2500lb. and was baptized by the
name of Louisa.
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