CHAPTER XIV.

CITIES OF THE DOMINION.

1. Halifax (Nova Scotia).

HALIFAX, the capital of Nova Scotia, and the Atlantic seaport of the Dominion, is situated in latitude 44° 39' 42" north, 63° 35′ 30′′ west longitude, on the west side of Chebucto Bay, usually called Halifax Harbour. The harbour itself is 6 miles long by about a mile wide, and is connected by a narrow arm with Bedford Basin, an inner harbour 6 miles long by 4 miles wide. No harbour in the world is more accessible, more capacious, or better suited for shipping. The entrance to this

harbour and the city are protected by eleven separate fortifications, and here is the great North American naval station of Great Britain, and the only part now occupied by British troops in Canada. At the north end of the city is a large dockyard for the repair of ships of war. It covers 14 acres, and is the finest dockyard in Canada. In rear of the city a hill 250 feet high is crowned by a citadel, which stands second only to Quebec for strength.

Opposite to the southern extremity of the city is the well-fortified George's Island. Halifax was settled under Lord Cornwallis in 1749, and here the Duke of Kent, who was much attached to the place, resided for some time. The city stands on high land, and the scenery around is very picturesque. Many villas are scattered about the outskirts and on the shores of an inlet of the

sea, about three miles long by half a mile wide, known as the north-west arm. Halifax is an old-fashioned city, and the people, until awakened from colonial quiescence by confederation, the building of the Intercolonial railroad, and the utilisation of their grand seaport, confined their attention chiefly to the fisheries, to trade with the West Indies, and to the gaieties of a naval station. Now they are developing the immense coal deposits of the province, the beds of iron, the rich gold-fields, and the inexhaustible fisheries of the adjacent seas. As the terminal point of the transatlantic system of railways and the eastern seaport of the Dominion, as well as the centre of the vast coal and mineral resources of Nova Scotia, Halifax, independently of the European and North American trade naturally attracted here, cannot fail to become one of the most important seaports on the continent, and a great manufacturing city.

This result would be accelerated were the people to realise the importance of exertion in availing themselves of their great natural advantages, and not allow trade to be diverted from them into other channels artificially created by enterprise and skill. Under all" Sam Slick's' humour lay this patriotic advice to his countrymen, "Wake up, and avail yourself of your advantages."

Halifax is essentially English in its style, and is a charming place of residence. On the east side of the harbour is situated the town of Dartmouth, settled in 1750.

2. Fredricton (New Brunswick).

Fredricton, a city and port of entry of New Brunswick, and the capital of the province, is situated on the west side of the river St. John, 60 miles in a direct line N.N.W. of St. John, lat. 45° 55', long. 66° 31′ 30′′. This St. John River is three-quarters of a mile in width here, and

is navigable for vessels of 120 tons, but small steamers ascend to Woodstock, 65 miles further up the river; or, during high water, to Grand Falls, 75 miles above Woodstock. It has railway connection with the United States. railways, and with the intercolonial railway companies of Canada.

It is a pleasantly situated city, well built, and has a university, a very beautiful Episcopalian cathedral, and, as the seat of government, Parliament Buildings. It is the see of the Episcopalian bishop, the present metropolitan of the old provinces of Canada and the Atlantic provinces. Population, 6000.

3. St. John (New Brunswick).

St. John, a city and seaport of New Brunswick, and the commercial metropolis of the province, is situated on a high rocky peninsula at the mouth of the St. John River, which enters into the Bay of Fundy. It is in lat. 45° 14′ 6′′ N., long.. 6.6° 3′ 30′′ W; 190 miles N.W. of Halifax vid Annapolis, or 276 via the Intercolonial Railway, and 370 miles due east of Montreal. The tides of the Bay of Fundy here rise 27 feet, and cause a reversible cascade in the river about a mile and a half above the city according to the level of the tide. It is the great shipbuilding and shipowning city of the province, and is the rival of Halifax in the fisheries and in the West India and foreign trade. It is subject to fogs at certain seasons of the year, but is otherwise easily approached, and has a safe and commodious port. The city is well built, and presents a striking appearance from the river mouth.

It is connected by railway with the United States and the Dominion, and is a prosperous city. In 1876 it was almost entirely destroyed by fire, but has been since rebuilt, and in an improved style.