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The couple was wined and dined and soon became fixtures of local society. The Simcoes were to winter at Quebec before beginning their long trip into the interior, and the town's social and military elite was intent on seeing that they enjoyed their time there.
But the time in Quebec was not without its share of adventure.
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"Colonel Simcoe and I were going to walk on the ice bridge. As there was a narrow space containing water between the land and the ice, a plank was laid across, which Colonel Simcoe had passed, and stepping back to give me his hand, he slipped into the water, but luckily caught hold of the plank which supported him until the Canadians who were near and on my screaming out "au secours" (help) assisted him out. Had the plank given away he must have gone under the ice and it would have been impossible to have got out."
- February 15th, 1792
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![Watercolour: Road to the Provision Store [officer going his rounds], Quebec, February 26, 1792 (detail)](pics/6878provisionstores.jpg)
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Road to the Provision Store
[officer going his rounds], Quebec,
February 26, 1792, (detail)
Elizabeth Simcoe, (1766-1850)
Wash/paper
Reference Code: F 47-11-1-0-26
Archives of Ontario, I0006878 |
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"From hence I went in an open Carriole (which is a sort of Phaeton body on a sledge or Runners shod with Iron instead of Wheels) to Woodfield to call on Dr. Mabon's sister. It is 3 miles from Quebec, a beautiful Situation among Woods on the Steep & high banks of the St Lawrence, & within a mile from Wolfes Cove the spot where Gen'l Wolfe Landed."
- December 1st, 1791
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![Watercolour: Officers Carriole [prettier and perpetually over setting]; Canadian carriole [safe and pleasant], [ca. 1792] (detail)](pics/6870carrioles.jpg)
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Officers Carriole [prettier and perpetually over setting];
Canadian carriole [safe and pleasant], [ca. 1792], (detail)
Elizabeth Simcoe, (1766-1850)
Wash/paper
Reference Code: F 47-11-1-0-18
Archives of Ontario, I0006870
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In a letter to a friend in England, Elizabeth described the pleasant sojourn of seven months at Quebec as a "new chapter in my life" and eagerly captured the scenery, flora and fauna of the area in a series of watercolours.
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![Watercolour: Montreal, June 1792 [the Black as rich as velvet; the inside of the above butterfly], (detail)](pics/6884butterfliess.jpg)
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Montreal, June 1792 [the Black as rich as velvet; the inside of the above butterfly], (detail)
Elizabeth Simcoe, (1766-1850)
Wash/paper
Reference Code: F 47-11-1-0-32
Archives of Ontario, I0006884
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Click to see a
larger version (185K)
A Snow Bird, Quebec,
December 15, 1791, (detail)
Elizabeth Simcoe, (1766-1850)
Wash/paper
Reference Code: F 47-11-1-0-19
Archives of Ontario, I0006871 |
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One of the landmarks Elizabeth found particularly memorable was Montmorency Falls.
Located 13km east of Quebec City, the water cascades 83 metres into the St. Lawrence River at the mouth of the Montmorency River.
The waterfall, which is 27 metres higher than Niagara Falls, was named in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain and has been a tourist attraction ever since.
"This afternoon we drove up to Montmorency & drank tea there. I walked a little way up the River which dashes over a very Rocky bed among the woods which being now in leaf made the accompaniments of the fall much finer than when I was last here."
- June 5th, 1792
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![Watercolour: Falls of Montmorency, [179?] (detail)](pics/6887montmorency300.jpg) Click
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Falls of Montmorency, [179?], (detail)
Elizabeth Simcoe, (1766-1850)
Wash card, grey
Reference Code: F 47-11-1-0-35
Archives of Ontario, I0006887 |
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But Colonel Simcoe's duties were in Upper Canada and with the arrival of better weather the family prepared to leave Quebec.
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