A Winter View of the Falls of Montmorenci from the Road on the Ice fronting it, taken 12th April 1781, by John Wells

Peachey’s etching of the same subject ‘A View of the Falls of Montmorency, with His Excellency General Haldimand’s Country House near it Taken on the Ice 1st May 1781’ (taken from the same spot 28 days after the present view) is thought to have been published in Quebec circa 1781-84 and is considered to be the first print printed in Canada. It is known only from the copperplate inset in the top of a small wooden box found in the 20th century and from which an impression was taken in 1979 (for which see M. Allodi, Printmaking in Canada. The earliest Views and Portraits, Toronto, 1980, pp.2-3, no.1).