Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1897-09-03
Letter from Halifax, y. :.
Church,s. NHrLe,, BHtt1e.hip Indiana.

tie, Public Gardsns, Pubii. buildings.
CHURCHES. NarLe., BatiIe.htp Indiana,
etc.
EdtDr JHDnty HALIFAX is undoubtedly
one u The mos, strongly fortified cities not
only On TINS continent but in the world.
Every avenue Of approach is commanded
By forts aud batteries. while the great har-
Dor Itself il flied with mines. ready 10 De
exploded whenever necessary. by means Of
electricity.
The Citadel rises 10 the very heart Of
the city, keeping uuceasing guard. Ike
watchiul sentinel. over its charge below.
The bin on which IL stands was first fyrti.
fed 10 the year lis. As might ~ sup
posed, iis fret ceieuces Wefe II he most
primitive nature. consisting merely u a
wooden tower and block houses, surround
ed by ditch, with ranparis Of earth and
wood. When the Duke Of Keats. the
father Of Queen Victoria. was IN command
Of the garrison-l794 lsOO-great improve
mehts were made in The Notifications, and
the work commenced by him has been con-
tiuued by succeeding commanders. The
hill on which the citadel stands is ZjG feet
above the sea, and within the citadel are
bomb proof barracks, accommodating an
entire regiment. II contains an electrical
apparatus connecting with the adjacent
forts and batteries The citadel. although
only one Of The many forts. il the centre Of
attraction TO the tourist, and the visit paid
70 it by the writer and bis party will long
be remembered.
Among the old Notifications, which have
not been renovated and improved from
time TO time, but left TO fall into state Of
dilspidatiJn, is tue "Martello Tower
standing on Point Pleasant, which is low
II ~ liz grf Hr.r ND
peculiar structure dates from the year
1872 Il il circular in form as us name
implies, with walls Of stone aud masonry
from : 70 10 feet IN thickness, with open
iugs Tor guns both IN sides and f ,Or. The
centre Of the interior has been boarded up,
leaving space around il OF some 10 feet
10 the outer wall Here are rooms fiited
up and occupied by a Nova ScOtian family,
who have lived III ils damp aud Jafkened
recesses for over i years, many Of Their
children being born there. IL order 20
reach This strange and unusual abode one
mounts the original iron stairs II what
might be called the second story Of the
structure. These Stare are So made as 20
BE- drawn up in case Of invasion The
space below j. now used a. a stable, while
the large open room above the second 4 yOf
reached by an almost perpendicular ladder,
tracks, upon which their carriages were
moved ~ admi. Of dschargiug them al
different angles through The opening. IN
the wall, stil remain. A line yleH Of the
harDOr IS 20 be obtained through these
openings ! saw very few things more
curious and Interesting than the interior Of
this ancient fertilization. l. was a strange
and unique place 10 be called home and
yet its occupants seemed both happy and
contented in their lofty gloomy and amos,
inaccessible dwelling.
Sham Battle.
On the day following our arrival in
Halifax our party crossed over 20 Dart
mouth, on the opposite side Of the haIbor,
TO witness d sham battle, which greatly
interested us. 1t was emphatcaliy a gala
day, beginning with bicycle parade in the
morning, followed ly the sham battle,
with boat races on the lakes in the after
noon, and general illumination at night.
The town was finely decorated with Eng
lish flags, and the streets We're filled with
large crowds of people. The conflict was
between the Royal Engineers, The Royal
Canadian Infantry, and the sailors and
marines from the vessels in the harbor.
The seem was most brilliant one, es-
pecialy the charging of the attacking
enemy was posted, in the midst Of an in
cessant fire. The battle was followed by
review before the admiral and general.
Public Gardens.
The public gardens of Halifax are very
beautiful, comprising some II acres, artis-
tically arranged, with ornamental shrub
berries, arbors, lakes, fountains, statuary,
stately shade trees Of every variety, and
the most exquisite flowers. Every Satur-
day afternoon the military band gives
grand concert, and the gardens are
thronged wilh-ths residents of-the city and
visitors from the states and elsewhere
Public Buildings.
Among the public buildings visited, l
must FIRST mention that called the "Proyin-
cial, where the Parliament holds its an
nual sessions. This is especially interest
ing on account of the collection Of grand
historical paintings, or portraits of life size
in the legislative halls. Among them may
be mentioned those Of King George the
third, and Queen Charlotte, and William
the fourth, by Sir Joshua Reynolds, Sir
Thomas Strange by Benz. West, George
the second and Queen Caroline, Sir c. II.
Doyle, the last royal governor Of Nova
Scotia, SIR John lnglis, the hero of Lock
now, and many others presented to the
Province either by the royal personages
themselves, or English noblemen. Thous-
ands OF guineas are represeniativ of their
value. There are many other public build
ing lncludngs the city hall, court house,
post-' flee, hospitals, infrmaIies, industrial
school, etc, which 1 have no time 70
describe.
Churches.
There are some 40 different churches
and chapes in Halifax. The largest num-
Der among these belong 10 the church Of
England. This being the residence Of the
bishop we have cathedral where there is
a daily celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
Historical interest centres in ST. Pdurs
church, which is the oldest church build
ing in the Province The materials of
which it is constructed were brought here
from Boston in the year 1850, in which
year ii was completed, and divine service
celebrated. The entire expense of the
building was borne by the English govern
ment It's three bells were brought from
England ia 1872 1t is richer in mural
tablets aud Indictments than any other
church in Canada, and the remains of
many distinguished men Of noble birth are
laii ia the crypt below. The GamsOn
church is the place where the regiments
attend divine service. We were present
last Sunday morning at the service. The