Explore "Old Quebec" by Gilbert Parker on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The great strength of its natural position had enabled the city to withstand the late siege; but Frontenac saw clearly that the defences would not be sufficient to meet a resolute assault, and it was resolved to reconstruct the fortifications on a larger scale. The great engineer Vauban furnished plans which were carried out under Frontenac's personal direction. For twenty leagues around the _habitants_ were pressed into this service, and such was the general anxiety to make the city impregnable, that even the _gentilhommes_ gave themselves to pick and spade. A line of solid earthworks soon extended on the flank of the city from Cape Diamond to the St. Charles; and at the summit of the Cape, now for the first time embraced within the fortifications, a strong redoubt with sixteen cannon was constructed to command both the river and the Upper Town.
A copper plate[17] bearing the following inscription in Latin was deposited in the stone foundation: --