THE WEST SHORE.
Fifteenth Year.
JUNE, 1881.
Nmir.it 15,
BRITISH COLUMBIA'S CAPITAL CITY.
M
it
)
ROMINENT among the
beautiful citioi of the IV
cifio coaat ia Victoria, the
capital of the province of
British Colombia, It ia
situated in the southeast
em part of Vancouver inl
and, about an irregular in
dentation from the. Strait
of Juan do Fuca on the
south. One arm of the
harbor, extending a short
distanco to the eastward,
ii known as James bay,
and another, tho North
arm or Portage inlet, reaches inland a distance of so v.
eral miles in a northwesterly direction, forming tho
outlet for the Deadman river, and for tho Colquitz,
which drains a small lake to tho north. About theso
arms of Victoria harbor the city is built on moderate
ly undulating ground, overlooking tho broad strait,
with the snow-coverod Olympio mountains pltiuly in
view on the main land of Waahington to the south,
and tho majesties peaks of tho Cascades relieving tho
landscapo to the southeast and cost From Victoria
the nearest mainland is about twenty miles distant,
south to Port Angeles. Tho nearest Canadian main
land is northeastward about sixty miles by tho main
routes of travel. Vancouver island cxternls south
some forty miles farther than any other portion of
the international boundary west of the great lakes, so
Victoria faces American territory on tho south and
also on the east, but between it aud the eaaton main
land are innumerable islands, for which that arm of
the ocean is noted.
Approaching Victoria from the Math, a all travrl
except from point on the island must, the view pre
sontodby the city captivates every visitor. ltd-
not in any sense wear that stereotyH eire..in
which makes so many cities commonplace from the
very frequent duplication of styles. It has a beauty
that ia all its own. It is unique. In tho first plac,
tho site is different from those occupied by imt of
tho prominent Pacific coast cities. Tho town doos
not boast of rugged precipices or towering hills with
in its limits. Neither is It by any means a Hat There
arc moderate eminences in various ortions of tho
city, which have boon improved for site for archl.
tectural piles of imbuing dimensions. The are
prominent features of tho city seen from a distance,
Tho streets are not laid off iu tho stiff regularity of a
checker hoard. The main thoroughfares arn clearly
defined for long distances, but in all parts of tho town
are streets of varying widths, joining each other at
every conceivable angle. They are roads, walks,
lanes, places, streets, etc All but the main business
street are lined with shado trv, aud all are kept in
excellent condition. The long lines of wharves and
manufacturing establishment along tho water front
show that the city is not wanting in business activity,
additional evidence of which is furnished by the btuy
thoroughfares of the town. A nurnUr of bridge
spanning tho arms of water extending Into or through
tho city add to it general appoaratirfl. The sviia In
the harUir is enlivened by tho shipping, largo and
small craft of all kinds that ply on tho waters of the
sound or oooan Mug found there,
Victoria is prominently a city to dnllght tho heart
of tho tourist Alrnoat the first thing to attract hi
attention after landing Is tho largo numUr of g-xl
bob-Is, there bring more than a do"0 goml ratabliah.
ment of thl kind, on or two of whirh hate, almoat
a world-wide reputation for tho eiellencAnf their ac
commodations. Tho various puMie buildings alao
corn prominently Into notice. Th provinrial capl.
tol is located on tho south side of Jame bay, which
ja rrd by a bridge on (loverntneat atrM leading
directly to tho capitol square. The buildings are sli
in number, aceom Mating tho different department
of tho provincial government treasury, land and