Roots and other esculents of field and garden were more plentiful in
the market, among which might have been seen the newly introduced
potato,--a vegetable long despised in New France, then endured, and
now beginning to be liked and widely cultivated as a prime article
of sustenance.
At the upper angle of the square stood a lofty cross or Holy Rood,
overtopping the low roofs of the shops and booths in its
neighborhood. About the foot of the cross was a platform of timber
raised a few feet from the ground, giving a commanding view of the
whole market-place.
A crowd of habitans were gathered round this platform listening,
some with exclamations of approval, not unmingled on the part of
others with sounds of dissent, to the fervent address of one of the
Jesuit Fathers from the College, who with crucifix in hand was
preaching to the people upon the vices and backslidings of the
times.
Father Glapion, the Superior of the order in New France, a grave,
saturnine man, and several other fathers in close black cassocks and
square caps, stood behind the preacher, watching with keen eyes the
faces of the auditory as if to discover who were for and who were
against the sentiments and opinions promulgated by the preacher.
Pages:
994
995
996
997
998
999
1000
1001
1002
1003
1004
1005
1006
1007
1008
1009
1010
1011
1012
1013
1014
1015
1016
1017
1018