The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-12-19

support tie government. while those
on the left are the opposition.
The senate chamber Is 50 by IS feet In
size, the same dimensions Of the British
house Of lords-and elegantly furnished.
Eighty-twO members compose this
honorable body. The vice-regal throne
Is only occupied by the governor gen.
eral.' Near to 1t are busts Of the prince
and princess OF Wales. The speakers
chair Is directly in front Of the throne
and canopy. The Lord Chancellor's
sofa, or woOl-sack. Is used by the six
supreme judges. The general appear
ance Of the chamber Is sombre and awe
inspiring.
PARLIAMENT'S LIBRARY.
Not so with the buttressed, octagon-
al-shaped parliament library. which en-
joys the distinction Of being the most
cheerful, cOmmOdious, convenient, and
handsome of all this noble group OF
structures. This building. in which
such a store OF literary wealth Is de-
posted, IL not a public library but Is
maintained for parliamentary purpos-
es. 1t Is an institution of which not
only the citizens of Ottawa but also
those Of the whole dominion may be
proud. 1t Is circular in form, the in
terror being ninety feet in diameter and
124 feet from the floor to its dome.
This lofty dome Is supported by
flying buttresses Of admirable design.
In the center. upon a pedestal six feet
high. stands an imposing white marble
statue of Queen Victoria, holding her
regal scepter. Surrounding this statue
Is a row of high. ornamental, circular
desks for the use of the Library clerks.
There are sixteen Bays" or projec-
tions, OF twenty-four divisions each,
three stories high, filled with books Of
merit numbering nearly 200, 900 volumes.
The literature of each province has q
compartment or more set apart for 1t
on the ground floor. easy of access.
The upper floors contain general liter
ature.
The first stone of the parliament
buildings was laid by the Prince of
Wales In 1860. and in their present form
they represent a cost of over 81, 900, 900.
The parliament grounds are .orna :
mented by numerous cannon mortars
etc. In the rear Of the library stands
section of British Columbia fir
tree, surrounded by am iron band.
which was exhibited at the Paris and
Philadelphia expositions. The tablet
reads thus: This tree was eight feet
in diameter. over 300 feet high and
566 years old. 1t was 1873 years old
when Columbus discovered America,
The age can be verified by counting
its rings"
THE FIRST STEAMER.
The Canadians claim the honor OF
building and sailing the first steamer
across the Atlantic as seen by the fol-
lowing tablet before entering the Ii.
| brary:
TABLET.
| Tn h0nor NJ tho y,,a,, h,, u,hoso ootoro,;.o
| skill and courage THE Royal William,
| the first vessel to cross the Atlantic BY
steam power, was wholly constructed II
Canada and navigated to England in 1888
| The pioneer Of those mighty fleets Of ocear
steamers by which passengers and mer
chandlse OF oil nations are now conveyed
on every sea throughout the world.
| The above memorial was placed In posi-
tion by His Excellency the Governor Gen
eral. on the occasion of the opening of tn,
Colonial Conference, June 49, 1894.
| r. S:-This vessel was built In Plctou
Nova Scotia.
| In the suburbs Of the city two mile
distant on the road leading to Ridea,
Falls. through the suburb of New Ed
inburgh, Rideau hall, the residence
Of Lord Aberdeen, governor general o
the dominion. and the center of tht
brilliant social life Of Ottawa. To ou
surprise we found 1t a. most unpreten
| tlouS residence, q nap-haZard conglOm
Grafton of plaster, brick and stone,
but for all very comfortable com
mOdiOus hOme-life place. The ground
are spacious. the site picturesque
though hardly adapted for an officia
representative of the Imperial famil
and government.
The season at Ottawa is during tn
winter months. when parliament is il
session, and then the extensive ground
/ Of the governor general become tn
scene of typical Canadian merry max