Six in the evening
I do n't remember ever having had a more agreeable journey ; the fine prospects of the day so enliven 'd by the gay chat of the evening , that I was really sorry when I approach 'd Montreal . The island of Montreal , on which the town stands , is a very lovely spot ; highly cultivated , and tho ' less wild and magnificent , more smiling than the country round Quebec : the ladies , who seem to make pleasure their only business , and most of whom I have seen this morning driving about the town in calashes , and making what they call , the _ tour de la ville _ , attended by English officers , seem generally handsome , and have an air of sprightliness with which I am charm 'd ; I must be acquainted with them all , for tho ' my stay is to be short , I see no reason why it should be dull . I am told they are fond of little rural balls in the country , and intend to give one as soon as I have paid my respects in form . Six in the evening . I am just come from dining with the -- regiment , and find I have a visit to pay I was not aware of , to two English ladies who are a few miles out of town : one of them is wife to the major of the regiment , and the other just going to be married to a captain in it , Sir George Clayton , a young handsome baronet , just come to his title and a very fine estate , by the death of a distant relation : he is at present at New York , and I am told they are to be married as soon as he comes back . Eight o'clock . I have been making some flying visits to the French ladies ; tho ' I have not seen many beauties , yet in general the women are handsome ; their manner is easy and obliging , they make the most of their charms by their vivacity , and I certainly can not be displeas 'd with their extreme partiality for the English officers ; their own men , who indeed are not very attractive , have not the least chance for any share in their good graces .