The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-03-28
The Canadian Houses Of Parliament Splendid
Buildings and Beautiful Views
THE LUXURIES OF LEGISLATION.
Baths and Banquets. Electricity. Music
Steam and Substantial Comforts.

House. or Commons,
A. M


The New Dominion has NO prouder monument OF
the soldtv OF It's government, tho beray Of Its rep
resentaves or the OF architects than ID to DO
found In what are known the Parliament Buildings
With the exception OF the Capitol at Washington there
IL nothing in America with which they can DO COM
pared and IN this instance tue contrast as re-
CARDS the OF the situation the beauty
OF the surroundings ana the conveniences OF the ed
fees IL entirely in favor Of Canadian enterprise
shall not eudeavor give elaborate Details but ratner
from oirdseye view 10 convey general idea OF 'hs
structures the end that the reading public may real
,xs that whatever may the rgors Of climate In these
northern regions the people know how 10 provide and
enjoy substantial comforts and poenca iuxuries
SITE
chosen for the buildings in the centre OF tho city OF
Ottawa about mile below the Chaudiere Falls, on
prominent rocky point juttng out into the Ottawa
River at nm elevation considerably higher than The
city and lands in the vicinity. This Is known
az BarracK Hill and 10 many respects 10
the counterpart OF the citadel Of quebec
In front Is a precipitous embankment running
almost perpendicuarly $50 to the river. Encirchng
the whole face OF the c and about half way down IL
picturesque terraced path, uncovered IN foliage auu
supplied with rustic seats This IL known ~ the
"Lovers Walk and IL the favorte resort OF the lads
and lussies who love the bread and butter joys which
aut0uoto nhtIWOuy. nv ouo o"u s"o A~"@SAS'~ $3.50
themselves overlooking the eight granite locks that lie
IN tho broad rocky chasn which constitutes the on
trance to the Rdeau Canal Passing onward, tho
waters of the Ottawa come boldly into view, with
gmpses of dne scenery among the hills on the Quebec
side Of the stream Reaching the northern point the
summer view Is superb The mighty river, crowded
with Steamers barges and ras rolls swiftly along in
whirlug eddies Opposite rises the city OF Aui Win
its great mills millions OF feet OF lumber covering
acre upon acre TO the waters edge. Further up
tho stream the spray OF Chaudiere Falls aud be-
You'd the noisy cataract tho river comes tumblng
among the rocks and islands on It's way through the
rapids OF Duchesne. Such IL the spot on which are
located
THR PARLIAMENT BUILDINGS.
These are three in number, and respectively
known as tho Main Tor Parliamentary Building, the
Eastern and the Western blocks. The two last named
are used Tor departmental purposes. Beyond the tact
that IN style aud general appearance they correspond
with the edince It is unnecessary TO dwell upon
them longer The three buildings SO placed as to
form three sides Of quadrangle. the front OF which Is
bounded for a distance OF 1850 feet by Wellington
street. splendid boulevard 100 feet In width. may
xdd here parenthetically that Immediately opposite
the central is the handsome Rdeau Club whittier
resort members OF Parliament and their friends 1t Ia
a charming place TO visit, Tor you not only ind pres
ent the representative meu Vi tno OoMIAiou hons
Prince Edward Island to British Columba-a territory
5000 miles broad-but generous current Of Canadian
hospitality that never runs dry Tho Presi-
dent OF the club is Mr.. J. NJ Currier, N. P.
Further down the street Is Carleton Club which
equally popular among the n. Prs, and gentlemen
attached 10 the civil service. but to resume. The
government grounds thus occupied consist Of twenty
acres of which nine and half acres are covered
by the three public structures referred TO- They are
handsomely laid out with asphalt and wooden pave
ments aud the centre OF the broad beautiful terrace
which ovcrooks plaza there has been constructed
the basin OF fountain, which when summer time ar
rves will be lifted into Its place. Visitors 70 the Gen.
tennIal Exhibition will perhaps recall the elegant de-
sign. Before nnish you will find that these Canadian
gentlemen, though they are supposed 10 1--we IN
hyperb region, do nothing by halves They want
tho best Of everything, and spend money avishiy to
get It, Withal everything seems 10 be honestly done,
for tho microscopic scrutiny is applied to The
work OF the public and public employs who has
tho handling OF the public funds ought not TO
neglect to state in this connection that one
ceuds the broad steps leading two
guns frown upon the visitor. These were captured
from the Russians at Sebaslopo, and one Of them.
curiously enough bears upon It's muzze the rounded
imprint OF o British thIrtytwo pounder thIrd gun
Is bred every day at precisely high noon, whereat all
czcns who the happy possessors OF watches pro-
coed to regulate the same Such has become iorcc
OF habit thus acquired that verify believe II man
were at prayers he would stop In the midst Of The
most solemn invocation investigate the honesty Of
his tmepece But am gosslpping again. and return
once more
HANDSOME STRUCTURES
The Parliament buildings all constructed In what
is called the ponted Gothic style" OF architecture,
with notifications 10 suit the climate Of Canada;
and from the bold, broken outlines they present
near afar their numerous towers and windows,
high pitched. variegaed slate roofs, pierced by
uormers and surrounded by ornamental wrought iron
and terminals, together With the quantities.
OF the carved figures, combine to produce an mpos-
Ing and picturesque effect The outer facing OF the
walls is OF light co0red sandstone, Obtained about
twelve miles IRON the city; the dressings, ptnnaces
gabets &c, are from Ono; arches over the door
and window openings OF reddish sandstone
from Potsdam, ana the states, which vary IN color,
from Vermont. Seen IN the mellow light OF the
dawn sunset. and especially when the clouds wear
their rich purple there not painter IN the world
who produce the gorgeous colorings which these
buildings present. Ii Is a beauty that Is SIMPLY inde-
scribablc and ninitablc by any power Nature
SELL The front OF tho Main Tor Pariamentl Building Is
Az eo IN length and lis depth $40 feet The man en-
Is under central tower the spacious arches or
which admit the largest carriages This tower IS 200
feet in height and Is surmounied by crown-slaped
cap and flagstaff. The royal arms are eabo-
ruieIy carved over the door. The piers which
support this massive work are ornamented with Arm
prior marble and richly cut sandstone We now enter
4 large vcst.bue supported sandstone columns
spacious stairways leading right and LETT TO the
House and senate notice here nose-reel ready for
instant use and tho Office oil the old Dominion Telc
graph Company. Ascending to the lett we are Ia
broad corridor, where Is located the Post Office OF
THR COMMONS
This 10 n handsome hall supported by polished
marble pillars and hung with portraits Of tho former
ypeakerx Othcr corridors embrace the House, AS II
were IN hollow square, and ON tue SIDES oil TWO OF
these urs arranged closets neatly mark ed IN aiphabc
cal ordor where Legislators band their wrappngs
and derosit hats and shoes The Chamber itself
measures 81 BY a icet and SO feet In hight The
ceiling Is open, with handsomely carved raiters
OF Imprinted Canada pine, hiled 10 with
heavy ground glass, above which large skylgnts au-
NIT . soft light 10 the Tho gas " pendant from
the ceiling ia several circular Jets. and Is igned ny
means OF electricity. Galleries tor the accommodation
1000 peopo provided, with reserved places Tor
Senator'S ladies and Others that for the press, Al able
aud cm,nenty courteous body OF gentlemen, being
d'rec.iy over the chair OF the Speaker must con-
Iess, however that tho acoustic properties oil ne
mouse are exceedingly faulty, aud that the Canadian
legsaor who talk more Tor their constituency than
10 determine broad national questions apparently ig-
more TIE only means whereby thai constituency can
De reached. Lne oMcaI reporters, who occupy seats
oa,c1,iv .n,hsrrassea y" on anu ~. ~ 40, ~
he head aud tail OF argumen,s The general arrange.