The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-11-04

| fanked along It's entire length by the
ramparts Of snow that crown the Olym
plan range, and gancing towards the east
YOU discover Mount Baker proudly rails
ing his snow capped head in presence OF
the regal sun. Such Is the unspeakable
charm and variety of the scene that every
ripple Of the shining sea is dream Of
beauty. and the matchless coordination of
wood and water, the lovely harmony of
tree and flower. and the gorgeous coloring
Of tho ovcrarching sky furnish On endless
series of bright and beautiful pictures
which can never fade from the memory.
-.
Victoria possesses many advantages as
residential city for those who like a
Quiet life, full Of ease and comfort, and
containing q certain amoIelt Of dignity.
It's population, though somewhat English
in tone. is sufficiently cosmopolitan to be
agreeable TO Americans as well rs English
men. Each year viii add toits popularity
with the travelling public, and many Cali
fornians will continue TO spend portion
Of the year in its balmy dir, enjoying not
merely its beautiful scenery and charm
ing society, but that priceless repose and
restfulness ever produced by an entire
change such as can alone be obtained by
occasionally mixing with people Of differ
ent customs and habits and modes Of life
from those one is accustomed to at home.
Vancouver Island has an area of 1900
square miles, being 27J miles long and an
average breadth of IS miles. In 1913 the
Hudson Bay company established .
trading post on the island, when
was for some time claimed by the
United States as constituting part OF the
Louisiana purchase BY the treaty OF
1916, however, the possession was con
firmed to Great Britain. 1t was made
colony in 1859 and was finally consoli-
dated with British Columbia seven years
later. The province was not included III
confederation at the time of the founda-
ton of the Dominion of Canada, which
occurred in 1867, but it joined the Do
minion in 1871 on the condition, since
fulfilled, that tho Dominion government
would unite the Atlantic and Pacific by
railway. The provincial government ex-
ercises similar powers to those Of an
American state government. IL has the
right to levy direct taxes and 10 borrow
money for provincial purposes. II under
takes the management Of the pubic
lands, public works lying within the
province, municipal institutions, homes,
hospitals. prisons, asylums, charities, and
generally ell matters of q local character.
The lieutenant governor is the chief ex-
ecutive and representative of the crown,
who presides over a cabinet or executive
council Of Eve, who form the administra-
ton Of the province and ere responsible
to legislative assembly.
ANY one who visits Vancouver Island
should make trip over the island rail
road which connects Victoria with the
coal fields of Wellington and Nanaimo,
which is gradually opening up the rich
defiles, the unexplored solitudes and
the sloping water sheds of this most
interesting country. The scenery for
some distance along the line is like that
of Cumberland, the lake country Of Eng
land, and though the rugged grandeur of
the Rocky mountains is wanting, we IND
ourselves gliding over deep gorges and
rushing waterfalls, now rounding the
steep side of sorae overhanging precipice,
now speeding past green foliage which is
relieved ct every turn by some winding
river or the smooth, clear waters OF
bright lake reposing in peaceful tranquil
lity. Tho view never tires, and as you
pass over some monster trestlc CT turn
some dizzy height it is impossible not. to
be struck with admiration and surprise at
the many triumphs of engineering skill
and mechanical science by which you ere
enabled to continue your journey on the
iron highway. At Duncans there is
pretty little settlement, and those who
wish to make q more intimate ccquaint-
ance with the interior can find comfortable
quarters here, suitable for sportsman,
artist Or tourist, at the Quamichan hotel.
The drive from Dunc2n's through some
twenty miles of forest, along govern
mcnt road extending all the way, IS de-
lightful The forest is dense mass OF
tall, gigantic trees nearly the whole Of
the way. 1t is almost impenetrahie to the
rays OF the sun. and its depth and gloom
fiji the mind with q sentiment Of religious
awe and silent. mysterious alteration.
The coils of snake like roots, the gnarled
trunks and the thick spreading branches
loaded with fresh foliage, assume in the
dim light forms and shapes of weird and
fantastic beauty Some of the trees tower
TO q height of 800 feet. and are as straight
as q lance. The Hunters Lodge" is
coy little rustic hotel on the river i'm
mediately below its outlet from the
Cowichan lake, and just the sort of place
TO make a hunter feel at home. 1t is a
regular backwoods retreat, endowed with
all the comforts and some of the luxuries
of civilization. There is plenty of sport
to be had for rod or gun and every rea-
sonable facility for pursuing 1t. At
Chemainus, about 20 miles from Nanaimo,
the saw mills Of Messrs Croft q Angus
constitute an important industry. The
large and busy mills, the ships lying at
anchor in the harbor, the steamboats, at
the wharves awaiting cargoes Of lumber,
and the piles Of timber that extend down
to the waters edge and by which the bay
is partly hidden at this point, all combine
to make a pleasant and animated scene.
In distance Of % miles the grade Of
the railway rises 900 feet, and over this
space the line crosses three trestle bridges
Of great height. one 100 feet, another l2j
feet end the third 1G2 feet high, the last
named being, moreover $50 feet long and
built on au elaborate curve. A short run
of .l,t,4 1,o1f ~, h.ur irir 90 the Traveller