, 1877-01-06

Dan. Morrison, of the Isabel; Capt.
Watt, Sound pilot for the p. NJ. S. s.
Company; and last, but not least. Chris.
Lee, q pioneer steambOatman of Cali
fornia who ran the engines of the Uru-
da to Stockton, in onr boyhood's days.
THE VICTORIA HOTELS
Are neatly kept. tho most fashionable
being the Driard House, kept by Mr..
Lucas. This house was built by the
late Sosthene Driard. from the profits
of the old Colonial Hotel, in which he
earned both fame and money. The
American Hotel, kept by Thos. j.
Burnes, catches nearly all the Puget
Sound trade, and is the headquarters of
Col. Thorpe and Mr.. Leathers. of arti.
fetal stone celebrity. The st. George
is under the excellent management Of
John j. Jacobs. formerly of the st.
Charles Hotel at Portland. He always
has cordial welcome for the Orego-
mans when they call on him The St.
Nicholas, kept by Charles Treehart, is
patronized by the sporting fraternity
chiefly, but exceilently conducted in
every respect. But the
CHIEF BEAUTY OF VICTORIA
Are its environs. From every quarter
beautifully graded roads lead out, af-
fording such drives as San Francisco
might envy. That leading up to Saa-
Mich gives twenty -eight miles over
which fourth hand might 60 for the
entire distance on big swinging trot.
That going down to Esquimait passes
between pretty villas and vine.clad cot
tages, till you reach the finest harbor
in the world of It's size. About all is
the air of comfort, with ornament a
secondary consideration. The finest
drive, however, is that which Lads out
to that exquisite freak of capricious
Nature,
THE GORGE"
A narrow. rocky pass through which
Victoria Arm flows at the rate of seven
miles per hour. There is splendid
trout-fshing here. only three miles
from city of eight thousand people.
If this place were as near San Francisco
as it is to Victoria, there would be five
thousand people out there every week.
day and twenty~thousand every Sunday.
Gazing upon its picturesque beauty,
even now, when the year is in its sheaf,
one almost wished that the magic pen
Gil of a Kensett OF Robert Weir was
ready to transfer its exquisite beauty to
canvass that would speak even after
the quick hand and brain of the artist
had mouldered into dust. 1t is nature
unadorned. even by the art of the land-
scape gardner. Passing over the road to
EsQUIMALT HARBoR,
| We find ourself at the heat hostelry of
genial Jack Howard, the enthusiastic
crickeser and affable sportsman who
knows how to entertain. Here beneath
his quiet roof we spent our Christmas
holidays, warmed by the hearty cheer
which every Englishman provides for q
friend at this season. The gunboat
Rocket lay at her moorings. with her
yards and trucks decked with ever
green's. There was nut brown ale and
SOlutll SucIIy OI LuC uCSo 'oUiV AL tAO
ward>room for those who saw fit to Call
upon the officers and hearty welcome
to all. We attended Divine service at
ST. PAUL's CHURCH,
On Xmas Day and were struck with the
rare beauty of the decorations. A hand.
some rood-screen divided the chaucel
from the body of the church. This
screen was composed Of three Gothic
arches, covered with evergreen of >ari>
Gus descriptions, relieved at intervals
with punches ofImmOrtelles OF different
colors. The central arch was surmoun.
ted by cross of elegant design and
formed Of flowers on background of
evergreen The lectern was beautiful
! ly decorated with ferns, flowers and
moss arranged in remarkably grace
ful and natural manner. The ferns at
the base of the lectern appeared never
to have been separated from their ma
tive moss, but seemed to be growing in
full beauty and luxuriance. The pulpit
was enclrcled by wreath of evergreens
and flowers. while the three most pro-
minent panels were ornamented by de-
vices of different forms.
THE SERVICES
Were conducted by Rev. Mr.. Blundon,
in the liturgy of the Church of England.
The chants were those of the Gregorian
school of music, sung by choir COM
posed of citizens of the village and
sailors from the Rocket. And as we
saw the "blue jackets" sitting beside
the we'll dressed young ladies. in the
choir. we felt that even mona chies be-
came democratic in the presence of
Him who said Go, preach my Gospel
to every living creature" The pews
were crowded with devout attendants
and the services passed off very im-
pressively. After church we drove mp
to the city and took look at the ship
ping about the wharves. Prominent
among them was the new and half
completed
STEAMER ALEXANDRA,
Recently built by the brothers Meal
lister. at Port Essington, near the mouth
of Skeena river. She is not quite as
large as the Goliah. bat of exquisitely
graceful model and will be provided
with ample propelling power. Her hull
is built entirely of cypress (misnamed
Port Oxford cedar in California; ma
terial which costs in Coos Bay $15 for
every thousand feet of logs and is worth
fifty dollars per thousand feet when
sawed into lumber. The vessel is a
wonder of strength and, with the dura-
| hiEtu Of this wood should be q GOOD