Gilpin observer., 1917-12-13

later Of stone and brick and patterned
after the English style, give the visi-
tor the impression that Halifax is
corner Of London ITSELF lifted and
transplanted In Nova Scotia.
From the citadel beautiful view
Of the entire city and harbor is given.
Facing the water front, one looking
from the fortress may see the entire
business district of Halifax( lying par
allel to the docks and extending back
almost mile from the water 'front.'
On three sides of the citadel the resi-
dence section slopes away to the wa
ter. which almost surrounds the prom
ontory.
Huligonians always took the great
est pride in their public buildings. In
the point of age, Old Msrtello Tower
built during the earliest days of the
city's history. is second only to st.
Paul's church. 1t was used as an out
post when settlers were unable to
leave the Notifications of the colony
without taking chances of being scalp
ed by the Indians.
Other Noted Buildings
The Provincial Building, the Govern
ment House, the City Hall, the Domin-
ion Building and the new Customs
House were among the edifices of
which the natives of Halifax boasted.
Other buildings of prominence are the
Dalhousie College. Provincial Museum,
Academy of Music. Y. NJ. C. A. Build
ing Odd Fellows Temple and the three
principal hotels, Halifax, Prince
George and Queens.
Among the famous edifices of the
city is the st. Paul's Episcopal Church,
said to be the oldest Protestant church
built in North America. 1t was con-
structed in Boston in 1850, a year after
the town was founded, and carried in
schooners to Halifax, where the parts
were put together. The story is told
that when CORVALLIS wrote the Earl
Of Halifax he wanted to build n church
the earl replied by sending to Canada
the architect who built st. Peters in
London.
The architect patterned the desired
church exactly after st. Peters. When
parts arrived the cOlonists, often had
to lay down their implements and take
to their guns to drive off the Indians,
who made frequent attacks upon the
workers.
st. Matthew'S Presbyterian Church,
which was built during the late years
of the eighteenth century, was de-
stroyed by fire in 1857, only to be re-
built.
Cathedral Also Noted.
One of the most beautiful buildings
in the city is the st. Mary's Catholic
Cathedral. With tall white spire
extending upward. 1t is visible for
miles.
Religion Of all denominations seems
to thrive in Nova Scotia. for in a re-
cent census Of religions only 543 per-
sons were listed as belonging to no
sect. AT present there are 10000 Ro-
man Catholics, 100000 Presbyterians,
$1,000 Baptists, 66OOO Anglicans, $1,000
MethOdists and n few thousand spread
through the A0ventists. Disciples and
Jews. OF the latter there were 437.
Eighty years ago, when the province
was small and practically uninhabited.
the Presbyterians were the largest
body, although there was flourishing
colony of Roman Catholics at Cape
Breton. The Baptists then were an in
considerable body of poor peasants
with badly educated teachers and
preachers. Today the Baptists stand
third in the list of denominations.
One Of Worlds Best Harbcrs.
Halifax has one of the finest har-
bors In the world and is the chief
Canadian gateway for exports. 1t is
the capital of Nova Scotia, with n
population of 10000. The city Is three
miles long and mile wide; Is built
on the eastern slope of small penin-
sula.
TT is a garrison city and has eleven
forts and batteries, including the Cita-
del once one of the strongest fortifica-
tions in America.
"The harbOr is open all year. Its
inner haven is Bedford Basin, 20 miles
in circumference, in which the COLI
sion and explosion occurred. 1 have
seen as many as 14O ocean vessels In
the basin ut once.
"Vast new wharves and railway ter
minals are being constructed by the
government at n cost of 100000 900,
but these are near the tip OF the penin-
sula at the south, and evidently We're
not harmed.
Halifax is GIG miles nearer Liver
pool than is New York for trans-Atlan-
plc liners II is 600 miles from New
York.
Colonel Edward CORVALLIS left
Britain In 1749 and founded the city
The French armada gathered there in
1857 bent on demolishing Louisburg,
only to meet disaster through storm
and plague. Howe went to Halifax
with his men after they were defeated
at Boston. Great numbers of royalists
from New York found refuge there In
the revolution. Halifax was the chief
British base of supplies.