march to throw himself into the town on the eighteenth, that very
morning on which it was surrendered. The place was not then completely
invested, as the enemy had broke the bridge of boats, and posted
detachments in very strong works on the other side of the river St.
Charles. The capitulation was no sooner ratified, than the British
forces took possession of Quebec on the land side; and guards were
posted in different parts of the town, to preserve order and discipline;
at the same time captain Palliser, with a body of seamen, entered the
lower town and took the same precautions. Next day about a thousand
prisoners were embarked on board transports, which proceeded to France
with the first opportunity. Meanwhile the inhabitants of the country
came in great numbers, to deliver up their arms, and take the oath of
fidelity to the English government. The death of Montcalm, which was
indeed an irreparable loss to France, in all probability overwhelmed the
enemy with consternation, and confounded all their councils; otherwise
we cannot account for the tame surrender of Quebec to a handful of
troops, even after the victory they had obtained: for although the place
was not regularly fortified on the land-side, and most of the houses
were in ruins, their walls and parapets had not yet sustained the
least damage; the besiegers were hardly sufficient to complete the
investiture; a fresh army was assembled in the neighbourhood, with which
their communication continued open; the season was so far advanced, that
the British forces in a little time must have been forced to desist by
the severity of the weather, and even retire with their fleet before
the approach of winter, which never fails to freeze up the river St.
Laurence.

Immediately after the action at the Falls of Montmorenci, general Wolfe
had despatched an officer to England, with a detail of that disaster,
written with such elegance and accuracy, as would not have disgraced the
pen of a Caesar. Though the public acquiesced in his conduct, they were
exceedingly mortified at his miscarriage; and this mortification was
the greater, as he seemed to despair of being able to strike any other
stroke of importance for the accomplishment of their hope, which had
aspired at the absolute conquest of Canada. The first transports of
their chagrin were not yet subsided, when colonel Hale arrived in the
ship Alcide, with an account of the victory and surrender of Quebec;
which was imm