The Portland daily press., 1863-06-05

A few words upon topics incidental, before
stepping on board the train. l am satisfied
! that one of John Bulls fixed habits is to take
things leisurely. He don't hurry. The track
was cleared of wreck in six or eight hours
that in Yankeedom would have been cleared
in one quarter of the time. Another thing /:
John for a marvel can beat Jonathan in
a small shave. He wiu not take his o,cn
sitter coin except at a discount of from fire
TO seren per cent! The verdant Yankee pays
40 per cent. premium for English silver to
take with him to Canada, reckoning slillings
at % cents, and half crowns at 81 1-2, and
then finds his English cousin ready to allow
half dollar for the latter and twenty-three
cents for the former. John Bull in this regard
is mean fellow, and Jonathan for once finds
that he don't know how to count money.
Let me say to all who are visiting Canada, that
greenbacks will answer all purposes, for the
discount is not so great shave as the home
premium on silver when added to the Canad-
an discount. There arc occasional exceptions
tn this shaving process. For example: while
in several instances was required TO put four
cents with a couple Of English shillings to pay
half dollar, at Cobourg handed out two of
the shilliugs to pay for half dollar breakfast,
and the gentlemanly fellow handed me back a
sixpence. Whether he made mistake, or
had some new way Of reckoning, never
troubled myself to ascertain.
The Canadians talk of our deprecated cur
rency, as though the people Of the States
were blessed to a much smaller extent than
the colonial subjects of the Queen, and yet
the same class of labor that with us COM
mands two dollars day, or one dollar and
three quarters at least, here in Canada receives
remuneration of serenty cents! Why
shouldn't the Canadian laborer feel degree
of compassion for his unfortunate Yankee
cousin?
From Albany to Toronto is one of the fin
est countries to be met with anywhere. The
view is often beautiful beyond description.
On one side is the broad, placid, ocean-like
Lake, with cultivated farms running down to
its margin; on the other side beautiful fields,
dotted with here and there village and its
church spires, stretch away until the view Is
broken by the primeval forests, thrift and
plenty exhibiting their outward signs on every
hand The country is of the same character
as western New York.
Toronto is the most beautiful city in the
province. 1t is upon the shore of the lake,
forty miles from Niagara Falls, to which place
boats run daily. Horse railroads are among
its institutions as they are also Of Montreal.
The city is laid out regularly, the streets
crossing each other at right angles. The pub
lie buildings are among the most beautiful on
the continent. arrived there in drenching
rain, but found comfortable quarters at the
American House, kept by Mr.. A. B. Walker,
10 whose kind attentions our company was
indebted for many acts of courtesy. Mr.. Wal
ker is native Of Vermont, but has lived in
Toronto for several years, and succeeds in
keeping the best hotel in the city. His carriage
takes passengers without charge to and from
the cars, and we commend our travelling
friends to his well supplied tables and tidy
apartments.
Queens Park is one of the most beautifully
laid out grounds ever stepped foot upon. 1t
is quite extensive, has fine walks, beautifully
shaded by trees selected for their effect, and
planted SO as to initiate as nearly as possible
their natural growth. On this beautiful spot
named for Englands model woman, saw
spectacle Ineverhad met with before-a dead
drunk ocomdn, lying upon the damp ground,
and surrounded by half dozen gaping bipeds,
who did not seem to comprehend the duty of
calling the attention of the police, that the
poor frail specimen of humanity might be
placed in the station house. The Canadian
cities are not cursed with prohibitory liquor
law; the loyal subjects of Queen Victoria are
blessed with perfect freedom to get drunk and
to convert Gods image into the likeness
of something that would degrade brute.
Blessed privilege, isn't it9
The University of Toronto is one of the
wonders of the place. doubt if our own coun-
try can boast SO fine structure for such pur-
poses. 1t is very large, covers an irregularly
shaped piece of ground, is built of stone with
deliberately carved trimmings, no two pieces
alike, has several towers, is covered with
slate cut in fanciful shapes and of variegated
colors, and with its minarets, turrets, balco-
mics, stained windows, etc., it presents mag
nifcent appearance. Inside, the finish is en-
tirely of oak, massive, richly carved, and
evidently built to last for centuries. 1t is a
protestant institution, and is worthy of being
regarded as one of the chief glories Of British
America. The library is elegantly fitted up,
and the shelves now contain 10000 volumes,
but are madea with view to accommodate
nearly double that number. The cabinets OF
natural history are very extensive and very
fine. Birds, beasts, insects, reptiles and fishes
of all imaginable varieties; minerals and ge-
illogical specimens; human skulls, of sages
and fools, Caucasian and African, go to make
up the collection.
Osgood Hall-the seat of JUSTICES noble
specimen of architecture, and in richness o.
ornament and carving, of design and finish
surpasses everything have ever seen before
1t is called handsomer than any other edifce
on the continent. The rotunda, lighted from
above through fancifully stained glass, presents
perfect fairy scene. The Court was in session
judges and barristers alike dressed in thei
silk surplices, but the Canadian Bench doe