The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1858-02-23 00:00:00

AMERICA.

OTTAWA, THE Nxw CAPITAL OF CANADA.—The in-
telligence that Ottawa ha/ been selected by the Queen as
the new capital of United Canada was semi-officially
promulgated last Tuesday. It is generally admitted
that the selection is the beat that was possible. The
position of Ottawa, one portion of which is in Upper and
the other in lower Canada, renders that city the only
compromise, geographically speaking, that could have
been made ; and when this is said, there remains of
those questions nothing but local selfishness which ren-
dered it impossible for the Canadian Parliament to
settle it. Montreal, Quebec and Toronto would each
have preferred that it had been selected; but even in
these cities there is a general disposition to admit that,
after them, Ottawa is the next best place. More than
this could not be expected. Ottawa is approachable by
railroad, and is besides situated on the finest river, after
the St. Lawrence, in Canada. Between the river and
the Georgian Bay there is available for settlement
24,000,000 acres of land. There may be, And un-
doubtedly is, some waste ; but making all due allow-
ance for this, it is evident that Ottawa must be the
centre of the future population of the country. The
navigation between the Ottawa river and the Georgian
Bay will one day be completed by means of the Fiench
river and Lake Nipissing. When this is done • large
portion of the heavy products of the Great West meet
find its way through the Ottawa into the St. Lawrence.
—Canadian New., Toronto correspondent.
ENGLISH HOSPITALITIES AT WASHINGTON. The
Philadelphia North Anierican contains a long account
of sidle given at the English embassy, Washington, on
the 25th ult., in honour of the marriage of the Princess
Royal. Every important branch of the Government
was represented. "Miss Lane, who so becomingly pre-
sides at the White House, and svho had not appeared
in society during the winter, was present to testify the
respect of the President's household. The Cabinet at-
tended either in person or through their families. The
whole diplomatio corps, in full costume, resplendent
with orders and insignia, united in doing honour to the
celebration. All the prominent officers of the army and
navy, in uniform, with the grand person of General
Scott towering, in its fine proportions, above them,
rendered more noticeable by the military trappings of
a lieutenant general, mingled with the throng. The
leading members of both branches of Congress, of all
parties and sections, were also present. British and
other foreign consuls from the principal porta, in their
official dress, added to the general interest. Boston,
New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and other cities,
contributed their quota of represeatation through
citizens eminent in the learned professions." The same
enthusiastic chronicler continues :—" The display of
female beauty was, perhaps, the most marked feature of
a scene of unusual attractions, and to use the enthusiaa-
tio language of a competent critic, the dressing was
sublime.' Among the persons present were several of
our ex-Ministers, who expressed the opinion that, with
the exception of the hereditary jewels worn on state
occasions, the whole spectacle might compare with any
to be met in Europe. The entertainment was in ex-
cellent keeping, almost profuse in its liberality, while
directed by the good taste which everywhere manifested
itself unobtrusively throughout the establishment. In a
word the whole affair may be regarded as an event in
society to be remembered for agreeable associations by
all who had the opportunity of enjoying it. No foreign
Minister has ever endeavoured to conciliate the friendly
feeling of GUT people more earnestly than Lord Napier,
and it may be said, without invidious comparison, that
Lady Napier has completely won the heart of this com-
munity by that high womanly excellence which renders
her so fitting A repreaentative of the Queen who, all over
the civilized world, is more honoured for her domestic
virtues than for the crown which is brightened and en-
nobled by their refulgence."