The San Francisco call., 1896-03-23
lakes adjoining the city great variety of

lakes ad djoining the city great variety OF
sport is afforded.
Within easy distance, too, at the proper
season. the hunter can indulge at will in
the pleasures OF the chase. finding besides
smaller game the panther, the bear and
the deer. the last named being astonish-
ingly plentiful aud lordly in proportions.
Close to the city limits game birds abound,
these including beautiful English pleas
ants, the golden and the silver ducks,
geese, grouse and quail, and others that
fall easy victims. The term "a sports
mans paradise" has literal meaning
when applied to this island of Vancouver.
Casual visitors who come to spend only
q few days OF course cannot indulge In the
variety OF pastimes above indicated, but
for them very enticing short programme
can be mapped out, and some of the most
notable sights may here be mentioned.
ing that of Victoria, separated by PENN
sula and distant overland about four miles,
which distance swift eIectric-tram service
reduces to minimum. That harbor is the
headquarters of the Pacific fleet OF the
British navy, ard as her Majesty's officers
show great courtesy and afford every pos
sible opportunity for sightseeing to visit
ors. it is q most enjoyable as well as an IN. \.
structlVe experience to go aboard one OF
the great men-of-war The armament re-
Gently placed for the protection OF this sta
tiOn at heavy expense, borne jointly by
the Imperial and Dominion Governments.
also lends additional interest to the local
ity. Every visitor to Esquimalt inspects
the immense graving-dock maintained by
these two Governments and capable OF
taking in the largest vessel plying on the
Pacific.
The Provincial Government buildings
and grounds occupying delightful situa-
ton overlooking Victoria harbor are OBJ
jects of great general interest. There are
now nearing completion three massive
stone blocks of the most modern descrip-
ton, to replace the modest brick struc-
lures erected in the early days of the
colony and made to serve the purpose up
to the present. For the stranger particu-
larly the most interesting of the provincial
institutions is the Geological and Natural
History Museum, where can be seen at
glance the splendid types of wild animals
peculiar to the province and the variety OF
birds and specimens OF ferns and other
plant life. The mineral section, showing
samples OF gold and silver ore from the
famous mines of British Colum bia, is well
worth examination. A department OF
special interest is that devoted to Indian
curiosities, which is well stocked with
quaintly-carved totem poles, images OF
birds, beasts and men held sacred by the
mythology of Pacific Coast tribes; their
and of ornamentation, and the strange
stories associated with these relics and IL
Illustrating the Indian beliefs would I'LL
many interesting volumes.
Beacon Hill Park is for land pastimes
ndSrecreation what the Gorge is for.
aquatic pleasures, and for its natural
beauty is admired by. everybody. In the
cessfully in adding to the charm and pro-
viding for the comfort of the frequenters,
who seemingly never tire of this lovely re-
sort. In the miniature lakes stately swan
sail, and taught by experience that no
harm viii happen them they come fear
lessly out to feed from the hand of the
visitors. Deer roaming in snug inclo-
sure; bears, coons and other fur-bearing
animals In pits or behind bars, and pea
cocks, ducks, pheasants, grouse, magpies,
owls and other birds in cages, give an idea
of the animal and bird life of the province
and add greatly to the general interest
Adjoining the park proper and overlook
ing the outer harbor is Beacon Hill, from
the summit of which comprehensive
view of the beautifully varied surrounding
scenery is obtained, and on whose gently
sloping sides lacrosse. football, cricket,
baseball and other games are often carried
on simultaneously, leach with its own assem-.
blage of spectators, without the least intel.
ference one with the other, so well adapted
and spacious are the grounds.
On q Saturday afternoon especially the
scene is one of remarkable activity. Ex-
ceIlent driveways have been constructed
winding about the hill up to the summit
and skrting the shore above the Straits of
Fuca. Another park splendidly situated
is at Cedar Hill, from which there is OBJ
tanned q fine birdseye view Of the city and
surrounding country-a veritable scene
from fairyland. From this eminence and
from Beacon Hill one can look out at all
seasons upon the snow-capped peaks OF
the Canadian and United States mainland,
with Mount Baker, nearly II 600 feet high,
majestically standing sentinel. This sight
on bright midsummer day is most re-
freshing one.
The sunset effects and the constantly
changing panorama visible through the
long twilights of the summer months are
remarkably brilliant and worthy the skill
of the cleverest artist to attempt to re.
produce. But no brush could make
faithful copy of the enhancing picture
which "Light, the first of painters"
spreads each fine evening over Victoria
harbor.