Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-10-15

terprise and courage have conquered the
Rocky mountain barriers, forced way
through far-extending valleys, bridged
mountain rivers. overcome innumerahle
obstacles and brought the extreme cast
at the highest northern latitude to a
successful termination upon tho farthest
western hnrhors of the Pacific ocear. No
one can travel over that wonderful
pathway with his eyes open and his
mind awake without realizing that n
new era In travel and transportation
across 'he North American continent
has begun. Tho line finds its terminus
at the city OF Vancouver but swift and
large steamers connect It directly with
the capital Of British Columbia. tho city
Of Victoria upon tho great island of
Vancouver. IN both of these cities the
evidences of British wealth. enterprise
and prosperity are visible, and while tho
temptation is great to discount the prcs-
ent situation and prospects Of all new
creations by predictions and estimates.
these places can we'll afford to speak ~
what they now are with pride and
praise.
Until May 1850 the site OF Vancouver
was covered with q dense forest. For
procedentod raplditv. but in July Il FIRE,
spreading from ;lo Surrounding forest
fell upon the new town and swept away
every house hut ono from the place. and
there IS no othor vcstlge now standing
Of tho first g"ttlement. with unexa IMPLIED
courage and determination the people re-
solved to rebuild upon a new and great
cr scrlr, AMI nov It has large water
M r.r frs 4 go -tes
houses and extensive wharves, city
with churches schools. hotels and pri--
vatc residences which compare favor
ably with any modern city. and IS cor
structing public buildings Of granite
which would DO credi, to cities Of n CEN
tury's growth one can drive over miles
Of asphalt pavement between cement
sidewalks. or ride for other miles on an
electric railway through streets lighted
by gas and electricity. Its sewerage
system Is complete. and an ample supply
OF pure water Is brought in pipes
beneath the salt water Of the inlet from
q mountain stream across the bay. The
business poured into the town by the
6. p, r.. MS The railroad Is always called
In popular speech, Is large and constant
ly increas sing aud the steamships Of the
shortest. safest and most pleasant route.
At its wharves also lie vessels from all
the coast ports. and from Austra!'a.
Honolulu Japan and China. 1t Is one 81
the principal points of departure for
Alaskan ports. and is n headquarters
| for miners and prospectors. who here
gather their outfits for the Yukon river
Cape Nome and the northern gold felds
OF the continent It is not only an ocean
terminus for a great railroad, but the
metropolis which gathers the produce of
the farms along III" Fraser river which
is second only 10 the Columbia. OF OK
tensve salmon fisheries and canning
factories and receives large coal sup
plies from mines Just across the gulf Of
Georgia, almost within sight and from
other mines OF copper on Vancouver is
land
The scenery about the city ia grand
and beautiful. The Cascade mountains
rise near at hand in the north: In the
south are seen the Olympics OF Wash
ington. with Mt Baker AT their head
rising 10 on feet above sea level covered
summer and winter with robe Of daz-
zllng white, while across the gulf are
tn" rugged mountains Of Vancouver is
land and the rolling Pacific beyond The
inhabitants have not forgotten to pro-
vide places for recreation among which
/ Is Stanley park, whose mammoth cedar
and pine trees, standing in n profuse
growth OF smaller forest trees, would
| make the fortune Of many an eastern
city. Firm roads and enchanting bride
| paths and walks diversity this dmbra
geous spot while n long line Of beach and
water front provides facilities FOR Ho,t-
ing and bathing for many months in the
year
These ocean towns provide, ~ no great
distance, choice sporting p~ivileces. Of
which those who i've on thc Atlantic
seaboard have no conception There arc
still mountain goats hears and deer
upon the hills along Burrard's inlet.
| trout ASKING IS 10 be had in endless
variety and there are number Of re-
sorts, to which the residents Of the
southern Pacific coast and those who
have wearied Of the cold winters and
hot summers Of Canada East hav, be
taken themselves for life or for tempo
rary retirement and rest. II IS a long
/ Journey from the east to the verge OF
inc western ocean. hut climate and
/ health and the surprising quality of tho
air and scenery arc strong magnets to
draw them here. This Is also a roung
mans country for here are the elements
which repay foresight. industry and
courage in abundant measure ] would
not disparage Canadian sagacity and
perseverance, but the American Yankee
/ mas eener vision Of the future than
any civilized creature; he docs no, hesl-
! 'at" to catch hold 81 the opportunity
Wncn he sees It nor to hold on until he
mas made II his own
/ Much that | have said OF Vancouver
applies also to Victoria 1t has the same
grand outlook 10 the Orient. similar
scenery To refresh and reward the eyes,
| an even better climate. Ike and equal
TO mat Of the south Of ENGLAND. and
{ from It's being the capital of British
olun'ba many excellent English char
! a''c'is'ics. The government buildings
are among the handsomcst in North
America, and there is a hotel IN Victoria
which rivals in It's appointmerts anv-
t"'hs mat one can find in London, and
IN us outlook and carte de tour any city
| tnat nave ever visited. II any OF my
'f"oers who are 'lrei Of going % Euro-
| Pe'h capitals and galleries and OF cross
ing the Atlantic in huge. Vibrating arks,
| "esiFe new sensation, one that will
! TeluFehate them and stretch at once tho
NINA ane imagination, they cannot do
peter than cross the LAM of North
unknown ocean, new rivers and forests.