The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-06-15
al W0NDERFUL ISLAND.
The Curiosities TO be Seen ON 0aeen Chsf-
! Iotte's island.

The GuflOsltIts 10 Do ocoo vs. -
Iotte's island.
From The Victoria tB. c. Colonist.J
Probably no other group In the vice
world carries more curiosities, natural and
artificial. than Queen Charlotte Island
Tow I think. have as many ia the same ex'
tent Of country. The geologist, the mine
ralopist the botanist, the artist, and the
aoricrlturist may each OF them ind VIDE
field for research, while the antiquarian,
the tbeolopist, and others OF that Tx, wouio
be highly interested. o--
I'm their strange and wonderful sea mar
rims i'm their not less wonderful caVerhs,
IN which natures work In long past ares
Ia written rs plainly rs on the pages OF
hook: IN their rocks, whose volcanic con-
PORTIONS smite the beholder with amaze
ment. In their shells, which as fossils are
found deep down In the seams OF its an
tbracite coal, while near Cape Ball the
same sort are found alive in the sands oil
the sea-sbore; OF these the geologist could
write volumes.
In their quartz lodges, which have been
traced from shore TO shore, in which gold
is plainly visible in coal measures and
other materials, wide field may yet be
found for the mineralogist.
The various kinds Of plants belonging
TO these islands, the tiny flowers in their
natural beauty peeping out from 0enlnd
the melting snow-drift on the lonely noun
tains. the modest lupins and the luscious
strawberries-na gift to men--and
even the broad-leaved bush.grass-all these,
ns they follow in the wake OF the receding
waters OF Queen Charlotte's stormy seas
would Weld an ample store for the botanist.
Among their snow-clad mountains, by
the wild torrent and the gentle river, by
the lights and shades reflected by their sum
set bills in autumn's shortening days. 4
boundless range is offered for the pencils
magic skill, while the broad acres OF rich
alluvial bottoms and the unlimited extent
OF lands whose nutritious grasses. waving
in the breeze, would ! 'ad the farmer to say.
.Ob, II these lands were mine and my
flocks and herds ranged over the luXurlant
plenty they afford" To the antiquarian,
the ethnOlOgist and other scientists the
rich carvings on the columns and the
quaint old legends they depict and the
legendary lore OF the people would afford
vast untrodden field. Even the chon-
chologist would feel at home on the aba
lone shcl-cOvered shores OF PlllOn Bay and
on the rocks Of North Island.
To the piscatorial disciples OF Izaak
Walton an unlimited amount OF sport Is
furnished by the streams. In them they
can find the silver salmon and the dainty
little trout OF the mountain rill. IL tired
of these, and Wishing larger sport, let
them 90 to the greater depths OF ocean,
down to where the stormy winds OF winter
are never felt, to where, deep In oceans
caves, he will lind myriad throng OF
these denizens Of the deep-the black cod.
ON these islands even the moralist will
find something in his line. Let him seek
the deserted villages and llnger in their
ruined halls and study the works now
crumbling to ruin. left behind by their an
Gent inhabitants. The tall, carved column
pointipg heavenward, with its mystical
hieroglyphics from bottom TO top. Here IS
one whose elaborate carvings bear the
image Of a man on top wearing sto-
ried head. dress. 1t Is three circles IN
height, and each circle is twelve inches
above the other: these circles show
the ruins to have been the dwell
ing OF chief Let him force his
way to the door Of the house through
the grass and elder trees which hide the
ancient pathways. Having reached the
house. let him descend the hali-rotten stair
down to the body Of the house among the
intrusive elder bushes, and there note what
he sees. Piled in one corner is heap OF
iron-remans Of some unfortunate ship.
What are those boxes, mildewed and moss
covered, piled in yonder corner? These
are the family boxes. Some held the oil
and other food they used, while Others held
their clothes. These he will find. but
where are the people! Where are
the women Captain Dixon whites OF
as fair, when washed, as English
milkmaids? Where are they or their de-
scendantsl Call them, and echo, through
their ruined halls, in waIlful, mournful
numbers, replies: "All are gOne.' ASK
those mortuary columns on every hand,
and the answer is still the same: "All are
gone" Ask the Indians who may be along
with YOU. and their answer is: "All are
dead" Look among the empty bottles
scattered in large nuHberS all over tse
floors Of the deserted houses, among the
long grass, and to the boxes on posts
among the green bushes, and you will find
the mummified remains Of al. that is left
OF these people.