The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1875-09-17
EpITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.

tings and imaginings of brief pleasure
excursion, and leave us uncertain where
to begin. We have already fingered
some time about Victoria, giving per-
haps but the faintest idea of its quaint
and striking peculiarities and the
wierd beauty of its surroundings.
A drive in the early morning to Es-
quimalt, three miles from Victoria, dis
closed cozy and sheltered harbor, upon
whose placid depths, Furnished by the
morning sun, rode proudly at anchor
mammoth man-of-war, surmounted by
the tri-colors of Great Britain, silent
menace to her foes-a potent auxiliary,
if need be, for the maintenance of her
supremacy over these islands of the
Northern Pacific. The sun, that does
not set upon her vast domains, rises on
no fairer picture than the one here dis
closed-of sheltered harbor and stately
vessel; of wooded slopes and sparkling
waters; of varied scenery and peaceful
homes. The location here strikes US as
being far more favorable to the COM
mercial interests of a great city than
that of Victoria; but instead, we see a
quiet little hamlet, without pretentions
to metropolitan proportions, and SEEM
ingly void of life. The drive between
the two locations is exceedingly fine,
over graveled, well-kept road through
somewhat lonely district, over which
rocks and woods keep sentinel. An oc-
casional way-side inn peeps from be-
hind gnarled oaks, with a name
strongly suggestive of Dickens, the sur
roundings conveying the idea that here
may be procured homemade brown
bread and home-brewed stunning ale,"
while gilt letters invite the wayfarer to
a game of 'Skittles."
Returning to Victoria, we drive across
James Bay and view the government
buildings" several pretentious edifices
built of brick, seemingly new, and gor-
geous in colors of bright red and chrome
yellow; then off and around the fa-
nous race-course of Beacon Hill, and
back again to the st. George, a we'll
kept hotel presided over by Mr.. Jacobs,
formerly 'mine host'' of the st. Charles
in Portland, and who, since his sOjourn
in British Columbia, has evidently be-
come accustomed to supplying thevora-
cious demands of hungry tourists.
We were deferred from an attempt at
smuggling something nice from ''furrin
parts'' by the pathetic story of lady
who resides at one of the Sound ports,
which here shall be nameless. The
story, as told us by friend, who vOuched
upon honor" for its truth, was that,
wandering about town, this lady was
tempted by the crispness and cheapness
of lustrous piece of silk, and further
by the remembrance of a rusty dress at
home, to purchase material for a new
one that should excite the envy of all
beholders. To elude the vigilance of the
inspector, she, though heretofore scorn-
ing to disfigure herself in such a man
ner, determined to take advantage of the
prevailing style, and so suspended her
purchase upon cord and tied the same
around her waist, making thus "bus-
tie" enormous enough TO satisfy the
most extravagant demands of fashion.
All would doubtless have gone well, had
not the fabric been so crisp and smooth;
as it was, one end became loose, and
slipping from its moorings, trailed
upon the deck, and was trodden upon by
the ruthless inspector; the treacherous
string proved unfaithful to its trust, and
twenty-five yards of silk fell with a rus
tie at his feet and were borne away in
triumph. All the stories of successful
smuggling that were related to us could
not quite counteract the influence of
this one, so we hurried by the shop
windows with scarcely a glance at their
tempting display, and were soon again
on board the "North Pacific" retracing
our way across the Straits of Fuca.
The various Sound ports were in due
time reached and left in the blue and
hazy distance, and nightfall found US at
Seattle, where we proposed to spend a
few days in the society of relatives and
friends. This city, the city, so far as
business is concerned, of Puget Sound,
presents from the bay a most attractive
appearance, and from the dome of the
Territorial University one scarcely
less commanding and lovely. It has an
air of newness about it which makes il
seem rather unhome-like; but its
wharves crowded with shipping, and its
business streets swarming with life
cause it to present brisk and thrifty
appearance, quite in contrast to othel
cities of this inland sea. Some idea o.
the present growth of the city may bt
formed from the fact that 5000 feet o.
lumber are daily required to supply the
home demand.
In mentioning the activity diseerni
, BILE, we must not omit to note the noisy
+ breath and shrill whistle of the engine
/ that conveys the long trains of sooty
e grimy cars, laden with the wealth o
? Seattle coal-fields, from its native bee
: to the huge vessels that lie in wait t.
/. convey it to other ports.
: Ready for any jaunt that promised
pleasure or contributed to our insatiabl
desire to see, we, in company with