The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-29
a GLIMPSE OF TORONTO
And How the President Yves Honored
There
Written For The Messenger.)

Wilmington. October %, 1901.
Leaving Niagara Falls by the great
gorge scenic route we took the steamer
Corona at Lewiston and steamed swift
ly up the Niagara river, touching at
Queenstown, Youngston, Fort George,
Niagara on the Lake and passed out
between the forts-Niagara, the Amer
lean. on the right, and Missassauga
the British, on the left All flags on
he American fort fioated at half mast
in honor of our president who tina
morning had died Of his Dun receiv-
ed at Buffalo by the foul hand raised
against him September 9th.
The run across Lake Ontario was
pleasant. AS we sighted Toronto, the
blue waters upon which we glided now
became seas of molten gold reflected
from the retreating sun. MyriadS OF
white sea guls ran screaming along
the waters edge and flew in and out
among the vessels in port and the high
buildings of the city as if it was their
proper home and nesting place. No
one seemed to notice or modest them as
hundreds of snowy wings auttered and
hummed above our heads.
AS we passed through, the streets, the
scenes and names told us we were NJ
NO-SSA - LIN AN0 wv - Ia IA NA-
empire, King Edwards domain. A
large red car sped by with a crown
On the side and The royal mall" (Not
United States). Here was the Victoria
hospital, there the Empress hotel,
Queens park, Victoria college, and here
and there the military stys of the roy
al guards in scarlet coats. And yet
all flags fioated at half mast and the
little boys ran UP and down the streets
calling out memorial buttons, memo
rial buttons, buy one, please" and I
noticed they bore the face OF our pres
ident and our flag.
We were comfortably located at The
Rossin house. / think they mention
with some pride having been patron
lied by such distinguished visitors as
Prince Of Wales, Duke of Edinburgh,
Prince Leopold, two ex-presidents Of
the United States and Prince Bona
parte and suite. The tapestry parlor
is really worth seeing. To me the life
size tapestry painting Of Appolo set in
the wall was very remarkable, being
exquisite in design and finish and the
expression intensely human.
Ten miles from the city by the cleo
trio inc Monroe parry skirts the waters
edge. Various kinds OF amusements,
the Ferris Wheel. ETC., are here but not
in use on Sunday. Many merchants
do not advertise in the Sunday paper
n the curtains are drawn in nearly
every store window. The entire air Of
the city is Remember the Sabbath
day." I do not think her majesty, the
late queen, ever set foot upon this soil
or graced with her presence this remote
part of her kingdom and yet Toronto
with it's $50 miles Of beautiful streets
and lanes and 250,0O 0 souls bears the
impress of her lofty character and per-
sonality. How potent is virtue!
Toronto has So miles Of street rail-
way and n may ride over the entire
system for 5 cents, using transfers.
Near the park I noticed Kenilworth
avenue and Exeter oad I almost
looked for Exmoor and John Riad. It
really was as cold as the day Lorna
attended Sir Ensor Doone' funeral
with "her little breath steaming on the
air like frost"
Toronto may be proud Of it's univer-
sity, magnificent in structure and ae-
commodating a yearly attendance Of
5000 students. 1t is a beautiful city
with 1872 churches and justly boasts Of
having 80 more churches than saloons.
Amid the dark foliage of it's shade trees
three cathedralS, two Anglican, one RO-
man Catholic, lift their lofty spires.
Mountain ash and chestnut trees are
the principal growth of shade. The
house of parliament in Queens park is
an imposing building but not so grand
as our capitol at Washington. 1 no.
ticed while in the reading room of the
house of parliament papers On file,
about the shooting OF the president
were just rs elaborate in detail as New
York papers, and those announcing his
death were bordered in black.
Hundreds pressed around the bulle-
tin boards to get the latest news. I
thought the most touching message
came from Marguerite, the widowed
queen of Italy, to Mrs. Mckinley: I'VE
are sisters in sorrow"
Great preparations were going on
A.
royal visitors. His highness the Duke
and Duchess of Cornwall and York.
Arches were erected in streets through
which they would pass-the royal
yacht Ophir being hen in dominion
waters off Quebec bearing the distin-
guished visitors. Then arose the ques-
ton should not the gaities be subdued
: by our presidents death and it was
suggested and freely discussed that il
would be a graceful act for the royal
] pair to attend the funeral at Washing
5 ton. a.
, Montreal came forward and appear
ed to release the royal visitors from
their engagement then that they
+, might proceed at once to the United
= States to pay their aspects to ouI
, nation. All ladies were requested. tc
wear only white, black or gray who
came into the royal presence. owing tc
late bereavements in the kingly house
= hold.
One of the most unique attentions
saw was a picture of the president
: framed in black with the American anC
British flags united and draped around
= it and beneath these words, W sym
pathize."
: St. James cathedral, Anglican, is ar
imposing building of gray brick anC
stone, almost entirely covered witt
vines. 1t is surrounded by a spaciou!
wall kept green and has three en-
RANGES. Seats are scattered through
out the grounds inviting you to 1t:
calm and repose. On Sunday thu
. churches had memorial services
throughout the city. We attended st
> James, where entire service was inton
, ed. conducted by two ministers wearing
red corols. a vested choir Of IS mall
. voices rendered the choral parts. Thu
: text was: when a few years ar
! come then / shall 90 the wav Whenc.