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After leaving
Montreal it is usual to pay a visit to Ottawa, the political capital
of the Dominion, which lies on the main line of the Canadian Pacific
Railway, between Quebec and Vancouver. The journey only takes from
three to four hours, and the line passes through a country which has
made considerable progress in the last few years.
Comfortable-looking farms are seen for most of the way, and
everywhere will be found evidences of new clearings, and the
extension of land under cultivation. In addition to agriculture, the
lumber industry and phosphate and iron mining are also carried on,
and altogether the district is one which is sure to rapidly expand.
Ottawa occupies a
lovely position on the banks of the river of that name. The river,
which is 100 feet or more below the level of the city, is wide and
picturesque, and the falls of the Chaudiere add considerably to its
attractions. The Parliament buildings are generally recognised by
visitors to Ottawa as a splendid pile. The Library is one of the
finest on the continent, but measures will probably soon have to be
taken to increase the accommodation. Much difficulty is experienced
in finding room for the books of all kinds, from Statutes and Blue
Books down to the lightest literature, which continue to pour in;
and although the building is picturesque and beautiful from an
architectural point of view, its circular plan of construction does
not readily admit of its expansion. The view from the grounds of the
Parliament buildings is very extensive and pretty, especially in the
autumn, when the foliage assumes the glorious colours peculiar to a
northern climate.
The Parliament
buildings — that is, the Senate and the House of Commons, and the
offices in concerned with their administration—are flanked by blocks
on the east and west, in which are to be found the offices of the
different departments of State. The intermediate space is laid out
as ornamental grounds, in which legislators and their friends not
only take the constitutionals, but sometimes indulge in cricket and
other games of that sort. Owing to the increase in the departmental
work, it was found necessary a few years ago to provide additional
accommodation, and the handsome building known as the Langevin Block
was erected on Wellington Street, facing the Parliament buildings.
It was named after Sir Hector Langevin, who was at the time Minister
of Public Works.
There are other
public buildings in the city, but probably the most important is
that known as the Geological Museum, the administration of which is
connected with the Geological Survey Department, of which Dr. Selwyn
is Director, and the well-known Dr. G. M. Dawson, the
Assistant-Director. This building contains treasures of untold
value, illustrative of the mineral and arboricultural wealth of the
Dominion, and of the flora and fauna of the country. There is also a
large and valuable collection of fossils, which could not be
replaced, and the same remark applies to many other contents of the
museum. It is rather a pity, therefore, that a more suitable
building has not been provided. Their present home was intended as
an hotel, and is certainly not well adapted for the purpose to which
it is now applied, especially having regard to the necessity of
safeguarding the collections. No doubt, however, this matter will be
remedied in the course of time.
The city of Ottawa,
although it is only the fourth or fifth in point of population, has
expanded more rapidly than any other place in Canada in the last
decade. The business streets are wide, and the shops and buildings
worthy of the capital, but there is considerable room for
improvement in the roadways, the rugged and uneven character of
which can best be appreciated during a cab ride from the railway
station to the hotels. It must be admitted, however, that the
electric tramcar service is admirable—probably one of the
best-equipped and administered in the Dominion. The residential part
of the city is remarkable for the number and beauty of its
buildings, and the trees which have been planted along most of the
streets certainly add to their picturesque appearance.
The principal
industry of Ottawa, after legislation, and perhaps litigation, is
die lumber business, and, go where you will, especially near the
rivers and railways, immense piles of sawn deals meet the eye, and
the quantity of sawdust in the river itself affords an indication of
the number of mills that aro at work. The power is chiefly provided
by the Chaudiere Falls, before mentioned, and the logs are floated
down from the waters of the Upper Ottawa. Rafts of logs are also
sent from the river down to Montreal and Quebec, and they are
conveyed from the upper to the lower level by means of an artificial
slide which has been constructed. The logs are made up into small
rafts, called cribs, and to come down the slide on one of them is an
experience not likely soon to be forgotten, and beats the excitement
and exhilaration of tobogganing all to pieces. In addition to
lumber, large quantities of matches and match splints are made in
Ottawa, and at Hull, on the other side of the river, and the sawdust
and waste lumber is also utilised for making various kinds of wooden
ware, the material first being made into pulp and then compressed
and dried. Paper-making from pulp is also likely to be an important
industry in the future, and there are many other kinds of
manufactures which are gradually developing.
Rideau Hall, the
residence of the Governor-General, is situated about a mile and a
half from Ottawa, and the grounds run down to the Rideau River,
which empties itself into the Ottawa. It is an old-fashioned house,
which has been added to from time to time, and is not calculated to
impress the visitor. Probably, at some time or another, a new and
fitting residence for the Governor-General will be erected, but
economy is the order of the day in Canada at the present time, as
well as in most other countries, and the matter is not immediately
to the front. Earnscliffe, formerly the residence of Sir John
Macdonald, and from which the Baroness Macdonald takes her title, is
not far from Rideau Hall, and occupies a pretty position on the
cliffs overlooking the river. It is at present occupied by
Major-Gen. Herbert, who commands the Canadian Militia.
Ottawa is a
delightful centre, in which the tourist can pass several weeks very
happily. Excursions may be made into tho back country, where there
is any quantity of shooting and fishing, and camping can be enjoyed
in all its glory. Then, again, the upper Ottawa River itself is a
magnificent stream, often half a mile or more wide, and the scenery
along its banks is perfect in its way—much grander and more romantic
and beautiful than we are accustomed to in Great Britain. It would
be difficult to imagine anything more delightful than a canoe trip
up this grand river, with the attendant hunting, shooting, and
camping, and it is not surprising, therefore, that it is tho holiday
ground of the people of Ottawa and its neighbourhood. |
