Evening star., 1898-08-27
"A Three Hours Stay on Canadian
Soil at Kingston.
THE WEST POINT OF TIE DOMINION
Royal Military Cadets Call Our
Gunners Daisies. ~
LAKE ONTARIO'S BEAUTY
LAKE ONTARIO'S BEAUTY
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
ALEXANDRIA BAY, n. Y,


ALEXANDRIA BAY, n. Y,
August %, 1898.
Nesting at the foot of Lake Ontario and
commanding the mouth of the majestic
st. Lawrence river, Is Kingston, the West
Point of Canada 1t is here the sons of the
dominion are taught the art of war, and
the Royal Military College, which is To-
Gated here, has contributed in no small
degree to Canada's militia
To the visitors among the Thousand Is
lands who have never been abroad a trip
to Kingston is regarded as d visit to a for
eign country. They lose sight of the fact
that it is at our very doors, and the knock
Ing of its people for admission has been
heard again and again by Uncle Sam. And
there is little wonder for it, since the peo-
pie and the customs are so different from
our own
While Kingston is not the only Canadian
neighbor to the visitors among the islands,
1t is, nevertheless, the most interesting and
important, and every day during the sea-
son thousands make the beautiful trip.
Yesterday l made the trip, ana there was
not moment from the time the captain
of the Caspian gave the word to cast off
until we made fast again at Alexandria
Bay that was not enjoyed. Although
Canadian line of steamers run to King
ston, there Is little about them un-Ameri-
>
while the appointments are fTst-class.
Great ceremony attaches to these excur-
sions to Kingston, and they are enliyened
BY the presence of Captain ]. ]. V. OCon-
nor, who is q veritable encyclopaedia of
information concerning the trip.
The trip starts from Alexandria Bay, and
passengers are picked UP at the several
landings among the islands. At length We
head west, and leave behind the panorama
Of the beautiful archipelago The islands
are not 50 numerous, and only occasion
ally do We see one, rising like emerald
out of the clear blue waters OF the river
The trip grows interesting as We proceed.
A monster raft of logs chained together
passes On the front a big, dirty sail sug-
gests the motive power, while rude hut
at the other end. with children playing
about il, evidences it's occupation. The lit
tie ones, UnmindfUl of the danger a false
step would give, play OH, and We watch
them out Of sight, expecting an accident.
Captain O'COnnor explains this is a luU-
be- raft evidently bound for OgdeEsburg,
many miles away, and that numbering is
of the most lucrative pursuits followed.
a big black steamer pushes her nose about
an island and stands out against the clear
blue sky like a specter. Soon another and
another appear. until the procession
stretches out hundreds of yards. These are
coal transports, plying the lakes and carry
ing fuel down the river, where they will
need il 50 much this winter. Further along
more hdTgeS are met, but they are different
looking crafts and are used in carrying
grain While only a portion of the immense
amount of business that is transacted on
the great lakes reaches the st. Lawrence,
enough is seen to give US an idea of its
mag nitude-
While We are wondering at this new fea-
tire of business, our boat runs close tC
Wolfe Island-so close in fact, that it is
Only step from the boat.
All Aboard for Kingston
Away off TO the west we see smoke c1irl-
ing lazily upward. 1t is Kingston. we are
told, and few minutes later the gray bat
Elements Of the ancient city are pointed
out The first one We pass is Fort FreGeI-
lex. standing boldly out on narrow
tongue of land, and kissed al it's base by
the beautiful blue water of Lake Ontario
1t is here that the Royal Military College
is situated, and can plainly see It's