Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-12-26

GAZETTE BUILDlNG, PRINCE SifEET:
TERMS: -
One ear 90 ~
Sac w
Three Mo7sths.... w
One MoTth,....... 10
BRITISH CoLUMBIA-North of Washington
Territory lies region of great extent known
as British Columbia, in which England still
holds nominal supremacy, but which can never
be brought under the regime ofcivllizatlon, ex-
cept under the stars and stripes. This region
extends northward to Simpsons river, and
from the main axial line of the Rocky noun
tains westward to the Pacific. Since 1867
Vancouver's Island has been attached to its
Jurisdiction It embraces an area of two hun
dred and twenty thousand square miles, OF
which about third are capable of tillage.
very large portion of the remainder being adapt
ed to grazing In the river valleys are found ex
tenslve alluWons, which offer special induce.
superior fertility. At the mouth Of Frazers
river these deposits are Of especial richness and
depth, the accumulation Of ages Of wilderness
seclusion. The Frazer river valley, from ten
to fifteen miles wide, presents quite large
productive surface. The valley of the Koote-
way is another locality offering very consider
able extent Of arabic land for future settlement
The climate of this region exhibits the same
elevation above corresponding ATTITUDES OF the
Atlantic coast which are exhibited in Calif0r-
mia. Oregon, and Washington. Though north
OF the parallel Of Quebec, the winter is almost
without snow. The temperature is uniform,
showing the same tendencies to equilibrium
which mark our Pacific coast climates general
w. The mornings and evenings are fresh in
summer and the nights never of oppressive
temperature. The climate is one calculated to
produce vigorous health and elastic spirits in
good constitutions, but it is not fitted tor i'm
paired systems. The white population OF this
region scarcely equals fifteen thousand, OF which
about one-third reside in Victoria City on YAH
couver's Island another third are located round
New Westminster, while the rest are scattered
through the country as Miners hunters, &c.,
but a small proportion being engaged IN tllllng
the SOIL There are sixty thousand Indians
within the Territory, with whom trade in pei
tries is maintained, more profitable to the
whites than to themselves. The lack OF the
impulse of immigration here causes the white
population to assume a stationary character,
rather incining to retrograde in the scale OF
civilization. The disposition Of England to re-
unce this Improbable appendage OF her enl-
pire is becoming constantly more clear. 1t Will
then naturally gravitate to the great Republic.
-Wush. Chronicle
MANsARD RooFs.-The French or Mansard
roofs which have become so popular within
the last few years, were first used In France,
although modification known as the Gambncl
has been used in this country for nearly cell
tury The invention and introduction Of this
style of roof in Frauce arose through the i'm,
position Of taxes, which were formerly levied
ilpon each story of building below the attic.
By erecting Mansard roof, the builders OBJ
tanned an additional story without CORES
ponding increase of taxes, and under the skill
ful manipulation of the French architects they
assumed very ornamental forms. The intro
duction Of the French Mansard roof IN this
country is of comparatively recent date but
they have been generally adopted for all kinds
of buildings and are becoming more popular
everv wear. They are mostly used, however,
for country residences, or other small buildings,
as they remove in great degree the Hat,
.stilted appearance that two-story building
mostly possesses. Those with straight
outline are known as the Mansard, but
those in which the outline is curved arc
called French roofs. Both Of these styles,
however are frequently combined in the con-
struction of the same roof These roofs are
much lighter than the ordinary style OF roofing;
they cost about the same but they are much
more durable They have hitherto been built
and trimmed with wood, having the space be-
tween the windows shingled or covered with
slate A very large proportion Of the buildings
in Chicago were constructed in this er,and
thew nroyed one of the most fruitful causes of
the sudden destruction Of that city. In conse-
ouence of this, the attention Of builders has
been called to them, and now metal has almost
entirely taken the place of wood, in all their
narts MANY buildings in Eastern cities that
have been built upon the famous plan,
have been entirely changed. The main cor
nices. dorner.windows, crest moulding, and
corner trimming, are now made of galvanized
iron, and for an additional protection against
fire there has recently been patented and intro,
duced a corrugated metallic, and enameleu
shingle, which is considered hre proof IN all
ordinary cases. The principle ,mouldlngs TOR
these roofs are made exclusively py recently
patented machinery.
How GEN. Polk WAS KILLED.-Au ex-
Confederate, writing for the Westminster Re
view, gives the following account OF the death
of the Bishop-Ge eneral
'SThe death of the distinguished man occur
rod while our army lay in front of kenesaw.-
Johnston, with group of officers, among
whom was Polk, was making reconnaissance
Of the enemys lines from the summit OF the
pike Mountains lofty, solitary mount, which
iutted out from the range. and formed the
apex of an acute angle, on which our, line was
arranged. The situation was very hazardous 4
one, being commanded, or rather reached, oy
ouns from any portion Of the enemy's lincs.--
The unusual assemblage in such conspicuous
nlace soon attracted the vigant enemy. A bat
tery t in front Immediately fired one shot,
which we afterwards found out was but the
prelude to one of the most fearful sheIl!ings; l
ever witnessed. The group was standing be-
tween young Beauregard's battery and the NTH
company Of Washington Artillery, Johnston
being on the works looking through held
glass ., h;,,
two feet but the only attention he paid to 1t
was to turn his glass to the battery that hred
it. Polk had, in the meantime, separated