Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-08-28

\
At the little town of Prescott we
boarded the beautiful steamer Kings
ton for the trip through the Thousand
Islands. across Lake Ontario to Char
lotte, and again across the lake to
Toronto. The boat was packed to the
limit, and it was with difficulty
that we secured a stateroom. Soon
after leaving Prescott we made stop
at Brockville, small village, and
then commenced the trip through the
Thousand Islands. one of the most
picturesque and delightful water trips
in the world. In the short distance
of fifty miles from Brockville to
Kingston there are 1.692 islands, and
from the decks of the steamer the
tourist has an excellent opportunity
to view the ever-changiDg attractions
of this wonderful panorama of nature,
every turn of the boat in and out
among the hundreds of islands bring
ing new scenes aud new life. Many
of the islands are owned by wealthy
people who have built beautiful resi-
dences and castles ON them and laid
out the grounds in accordance with
the picturesque surroundings. Hun
dreds of private yachts, launches,
skiffs, etc. are constantly plying
about through the various channels
and from one island to the other 1t
is veritable natural playhouse, and
thousands Of people flock here every
summer both from Canada and the
United States, to enjoy the heated
season at the islands or at the numer-
Gus hotels along the shores. The
magnificent palaces of the wealthy,
the miniature castles, lighthouses,
towers, etc. continuously changing in
style of architecture and natural
beauty are entrancing and the charm
ing beauty of the surroundings is a
tonic for the system such as can be
obtained in no other way than a trip
through this delightful spot
During the trip through the islands
stops were made at Alexandria Bay, a
summer resort, Thousand Island Park,
Frontenac and Clayton. the latter a
railroad terminus. and at Kingston,
the West Point of Canada. Here is a
noted military college. with massive
grey-stone forts skirting the river for
some distance, the Martello towers
and imposing public buildings.
I
turned it's nose toward the American
shore and crossed Lake Ontario to
Charlotte, arriving during the night,
and again crossed the lake to Toronto,
where we arrived early in the morn
ing.
We spent only few hours in Tor
onto, but were fortunate in being able
to get very good idea of the city in
so short time. Toronto, the Queen
City of Canada is the capital O: the
province of Ontario 1t is situated
on the northwest shore of Lake On
tario and has about 800, 900 inhabit-
ants. 1t is the most progressive and
cosmopolitan city of eastern Canada,
has picturesque parks. handsome pub
lie buildings. beautiful churches. col.
leges and residences.
Toronto is also an industrial city,
So, 600 hands being employed in it's
factories, receiving S27, 500. 900 per
annum in wages. 1t is the largest
wholesale jobbing center of Canada,
and has twenty chartered banks with
a combined capital of $66, 700, 600.
thirty four loan and trust companies
with combined capital of S53. .240.-
600. 1t has PIT churches, manysfamous
educational institutions, and is GEN.
ter of art and culture. Among the
places we visited were st. James
Cathedral, beautiful structure with
one of the highest spires on the
American continent, 3iS feet; the
magnificent King Edward Hotel. one
of the finest ON the continent; the
new city hall and court house. cost
ing $1,000, 600; many handsome
churches, hospitals, and public build
ings; Allan Gardens, beautiful ten
acre park opened by King Edward in
1860; Victoria University (Methodist)
st. Michael's College (Catholic) the
handsome Parliament buildings, cost
ing 81, $50, 600; the University build
ings and many other places of in
terest.
The trip across Lake Ontario from
Toronto to Lewiston is of little inter-
est until we arrive at Niagara on the
Lake, on the Canadian side, at the
mouth of the Niagara river. 1t is one
of the oldest towns on the continent
and formerlySthe capital of Ontario.
Here is Fort Missassauga. the walls of
which have been carefully preserved
since its fighting days. Opposite ON
the American shore is Fort Niagara.
one of the most historic spots of the