« City of Toronto », gravure tirée de Robert Walter Stuart Mackay, The Stranger's Guide to the Cities and Principal Towns of Canada, Montréal, C. Bryson, 1854, p. 97. Photo © Bibliothèque nationale du Québec.

Au moment où Belvèze s'y rend, la ville de Toronto, appelée York de 1793 à 1834, est en voie de devenir une agglomération majeure. Sa population passe de 30 000 habitants en 1852 à plus de 41 000 en 1856, et la ville se dote de toutes les commodités nécessaires à sa taille, du gaz à l'eau courante en passant par un réseau de transport en commun et des institutions d'enseignement supérieur. Le commerce, la finance et, dans une moindre mesure, le secteur manufacturier, alors tous trois en expansion, assurent un développement constant et vigoureux à la ville, tandis que l'ouverture, en 1851, de la ligne de chemin de fer Ontario, Simcoe, and Huron Railway (plus simplement nommée « The Northern » par la population) fait de Toronto un point de transit incontournable pour les marchandises qui proviennent du Nord-Ouest.



« Le Commandant DeBelvèze [sic] in Toronto », The Toronto Mirror, vol. 18, no 50, 10 août 1855, p. 2 :

This distinguished representative of La Belle France, and his “compatriots,” arrived here on Wednesday, about 10 o'clock, in the Canada, from Hamilton. Alderman Phillpotts and Attorney-General Drummond escorted the visitors to Toronto. After a little delay, they proceeded in carriages, with His Worship the Mayor, to Ellah's Hotel, to be entertained at the expense of the city. - On Thursday morning they were driven round by His Worship, and the Committee of Arrangements, to visit the various public institutions of our city. The Commandant seemed surprised at our progress in the arts and sciences; and remarked with the brevity of the Empire: - “C'est bien.” At 2½ o'clock on Thursday, about 130 of our principal citizens sat down to lunch with him in the St. Lawrence Hall. Le Commandant DeBelveze [sic] and companions were loudly cheered on their entrance. His fine Imperial appearance seemed to create such sensation. He is about the average height; and has a firm, commanding step, combined with a certain cautiousness of motion which bespeaks the diplomatist. Le Capitaine Gautier is a fine sailor looking man, and his calculated to produce a favourable opinion of the Navy of France. An address was then presented by the Mayor, on behalf of the Corporation and citizens of Toronto, at the conclusion of which Le Commandant DeBelveze [sic] replied in La Langue Française - Attorney-General Drummond translating into English. The guests were then escorted to the “Siege de L'honneur,” being the platform at the South end of the Hall. Le Commandant DeBelveze [sic] filled the chair, and in common with the other guests did ample justice to the rich viands spread before them. “The Queen and Prince Albert” was first given and received with the usual enthusiasm “Napoleon III.” was then toasted and replied to by Le Commandant de Belveze [sic] in French. The manner in which he was applauded as also the other gentleman who spoke in the French, seemed to indicate a progressive march in that direction. The audience not only seemed to understand them, but also to appreciate the brevity and strength of diction which characterises the language of the Empire. The Chairman was supported on his right by the Rt. Rev. Dr. De Charbonnel, Judge Burns, Capt. Baldwin, &c., &c.; on his left, by the Mayor, Attorney-General Drummond, Le Capitaine Gautier, Judge McLean, Mayor Gurnett, &c., &c. His Lordship Bishop DeCharbonnel was the only clergyman in the room. The highest entente cordiale prevailed during the evening, and everything was conducted in the best possible manner, notwithstanding the limited time for preparation. There were some beautiful songs from the collection of France. They were sung by Mr. Humphry, accompanied by several talented musical artistes. His performances on the Piano were of the most pleasing character. Mr. Maul's band was also present, and rendered effectual service. There were about 130 persons in the Hall. There never was a more respectable, we might almost say, a more patrician assemblage in the St. Lawrence Hall. Everything that was noble, patriotic, or wealthy in our City was fully represented. It is over a hundred years since a French Ambassador visited Canada. Welcome then, say we. Vive l'Empereur Français.