The daily morning journal and courier., 1897-10-14
NOVA SC0TIA'S QUEEN CITY
HALIFAX TIEWED FROM WITHOUT
 IND WI1HIN.

A Beautiful City on Beautiful Site-How
 Its Magnificent HarbOr is Protected
 Military Life One of the City's Chief
 Features s-Delightful Drives--Objects of
 Interest Urban and Suburban.
 To the Editor of the Journal and Courier:
 Our party left the City of Films on the 18th of August on the 1l:35 Shore Line
 train for Boston, arriving at p. m.
 We at once repaired to Lewis wharf,
 where we boarded the steamship Oli- vette, which sailed at p. m. for Hali- fax, N. s. As we steamed down Bos- ton harbor the sun shone brightly, cast ing a resplendant glow over the sur rounding mainland, the islands and Forts Independence on Governors Is- land and Warren on an island further down the bay showed up finely. The sunset was particularly fine.
 The voyage was somewhat rough, cool and cloudy. We entered the harbor of Halifax and came up to the dock at : p. m. the next day. The view ap- preaching the city from the steamer is charming. The numerous spires of the churches, the towers and domes Of the public buildings loom up in the evening sunset, making picture for the brush of the artist. The city of Halifax is picturesquely situated on hills that slope gently to a large and beautiful harbor. The size of the harbor may be realized when it is stated that the whole British navy could find safe an- chorage in it. This harbor is guarded
 by fortifications on each side carrying heavy ordnance. Fort Clarence, be- tween Gearge's and McNabb's Islands, commands the Eastern passage, and Fort Ogilvie at Point Pleasant mount ing some heavy guns, guards the other side. Fort Cambridge, on the "T...e side, mounts some modern disappearing carria ge guns. Forts George and Me Nabb on the islands of the same name have the heaviest guns. Tn addition to these submarine mines are placed in various places in the harbor which can be exploded by electricity at any mo- ment. Also on a high hill in the center of the city massive citadel watches as grim giant sentinel always on duty and with a keen eye overlooks both city, harbor and all approaches. This citadel is fortress of the old sort, that has been and is still considered impreg- nable by it's defenders, but whether it would withstand the fire of modern heavy guns and powerful projectiles is problem, but it makes an excellent place to quarter troops and splendid signal station. It was begun by the father of her Majesty the Queen, the Duke of Kent There are long bar racks and broad drill court inside it. These barracks will accommodate a large number of troops. It is quite a walk around the ramparts, which are grass grown. A private is detailed by the sergeant of artillery at the gate to conduct parties over the ramparts and point out the objects of interest. The surrounding view is magnificent. The entire city and =ilarbor lie all around you and at your feet, forming, a grand realistic panorama. Thus the city is apparently we'll defended by numerous earthworks each strongly garrisoned There is also one or more cruisers of the royal navy anchored in the harbor.
 In the city the streets are somewhat narrow, but well paved and kept. The dwellings are mostly of wood, though some are of brick. Flowers are dis played in the windows everywhere. All the government buildings and forts are of gray granite The principal build ings are the Provincial building, the Government House, the Admiral's house. the city hall, the Dominion build ing and court house, and they with, the forts present a very solid and imposing appearance The Government House, before mentioned, is the residence of the governor The leading ho- tels are the Halifax House and the Queen Hotel We stopped at the for mer. The most interesting edifice to the traveller and ranking next in inn portance to the public buildings and Notifications is the Garrison chapel. It is plain substantial wooden structure. Over the main entrance is the crown and arms of Great Britain, with the motto of the kingdom and the words H. M. Garrison Chapel all in gold lettering, and other colors on a white slab. On Sunday morning about eleven o'clock the entire garrison, including artillery and an infantry regiment, headed by a full military band. accompanied by their officers all in full uniform, march from the citadel to the chapel The turnout is called the "church parade'' The officers and their families enter a side door while the privates file in the main entrance. While they are enter ing the band plays outside on the grounds, then leaving the drums there under guard, they go in and ascend to the gallery, where they are stationed during the service. The exercises are entirely of the Church of England The soldiers take an active and earnest part in the service. During the morning a prayer is offered for the Queen the Prince of Wales and all the royal fam fly, and the last hymn they sang was God Save the Queen" At the conclu- sion of the service the troops reform on the chapel grounds and march back to the citadel. This was an English regi- ment, but when an Irish regiment is stationed there they almost all attend the Catholic church, but this chapel is the regular official garrison church. The uniform of royal artillery posted there is a blue sack coat, with red col lar, cuffs, shoulder pieces and facings, blue trousers with red stripes on each side. That of the infantry is scarlet cr,,1- I, J,,. .1tff