, 1857-11-13

which bay, ETC., We endeavored 70 commu'
nicate IN our last ISSUE few hours Of
steamer loeomotiOn brings US to the con
ReptiOa Of the above named straits with
thOss Of Edca. and abreast Of Victoria,
VSncOuver's Island. As we glide majes-
,ically along, the eye is continuously re.
Heved And refreshed by the wild and beau
tilhl scenery presented by the innumerable
Illauds (Which. dot our magnificent inland
Saoasesry shand--ths largest and most
important Of which are those Of San Juan,
otcas and Lopez Islands claimed by both
the Americas and British governments.
glThe steamer Consultation anchors about
one and half miles from the town Of Vic
toria-eutside oi a narrow passage about
balf a mile in length, and averaging from
three 70 six hundred yards in width-rock-
bound, and reaching into the beautiful lit
tle harbcr Of Victoria. proper. Esquimalt
harbor. about six miles to the northWard
efihis. Is mnch more extensive, equally as
we'll iahd-lOcked, and is entirely safe for
tOsSSls Oflany class 10 find an anchorage
As a preliminary means Of safety, from
ipchsions BY hostile Indians, we imagine
tbAtths Hudsou's Bay Company could have
found no'place ppoa the confines Of the u
Ind more peculiarly adapted to their 50
curity. IN The eslabIishment Of a post In q
Wild Indian country, than that Of Victoria.
The harbor. formed from the narrow chan
mel. referred TO, although quite small in
lroht, makes into inlets, north and south,
and is completely land-locked and rock
ribbed. An abundant depth Of water is
found within the narrow entrance, and the
bay also, for the accommodation Of any
vessels. in tho employ Of the company, used
for the shipping or re-shipping Of its mer-
ehandise, furs, etc. whilst tho guns Of the
bastiOns Of the fort. would not only CON-
pletely cover and protect the vessels in the
bay, but would also command and defend
the entrance thereto. against an Indian
canoe hostile demonstration. The differ
snt store houses and other buildings con
hected with the fort, are, Of course, strongly
picketed IN with bastions on the four cor
hsrs-the barrieade being from 90 to 25
feet 10 height, apparently-enclOsing an
area, as Il would seem, Of some two acres.
It-is strong and commanding fertilization
against the attacks Of the aborigiues.-
The primalive buildings 10 Victoria are
builtinthe most substantial, defensive and
durable manuer-being constructed Of heWn
timber. closely lain together" dOVs.tail,
Cd TO appearances, and "rabitsd" into
strong upright posts firmly secured at the
top, apd 10 the rOo6ng.
Victoria e about tRo-tbirds,ss large ai
Olympia Covering an equal area Of
ground )--and containing corresponding
populatiOn. Tho JresA water obtained from
the welIsin the town, is rather salt-indif
etept-inclined 70 be brackish. Good
spring water. however, can BE- obtained BY
hhnling short distance.
Tue white population Of the Island, &C.
tual resident, including the officers and
servants Of ths, ,Hudsoa's Bay Company, il
stated at oysF six hundred. The claims oI
tie free settlers, we are told, do not extend
beyond twenty miles from Victoria-hence
aknowledge Of the character Of the land
orlthea resources Of that leViathan Island
are alnost entirely unknOEn--no explOra
tiohs Of consequence, except cOast-wise
having ever been made. The character ol
the land, as far as settled, although con.
tanning almost acre for acre Of solid rock
tToga up, in places, mountain high, com
Paratigely, is, nevertheless, represented as
being extremely productive wherever the
pursuit q agriculture is practicable. Many
bsautifnl and valuable farms have been
made insthe Viciaity Of Victoria, and the
settlers appear TO be in quite easy circum.
stances
sThoiOwn Of Victoria is tastefully lain of
the streets are Wide-the principal ones
being paved with gravel, with ditch on
either side, With the exception Of the
residence Of Gov. DOUGLASS. Capt. MoEArr
Bishop DnERs, DR.. JOHNSON. and few
Sthsr5 they are generally small-being one
story high, with an attic The plot Ol
grounds surrounding all the residences, are
brougAt 70 the highest state of cultivation
-~thsnanfal aud ornamental being blended
IN fruit and flower" shrubbery and hedg.
ing; There appears 10 be but few drones
n The Victoria hive Industry and thrift
beng everywhere visible.
The business houses in Victoria, outside
az the Hudson's Bav Fort a.. -, !,