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WRITTEN IN ACCORDANCE WITH A
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THE CITY OF OTTAWA
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— AND —
ITS SURROUNDINGS.
"UY
WILLIAM PITTMAN LETT,
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OTTAWA, AUGUST, 1884
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PRINTED BY A. S. WOODBURN, ELGIN ST.
THE CITY OF OTTAWA.
-♦•♦-
O^HE City of Ottawa, Capital of the Dominion of Canada,
4ly^ is situated on tY.^ bank of the Ottawa, or Grand River, in
'^^v the County of Carleton, in the Province of Ontario. It is
1 20 miles from Montreal, the same distance from Kingston*
280 miles from Toronto, and 75 miles from Brockville. It
is now easy of access from all points : by the Grand Trunk, the
Canadian Pacific, the Canada Atlantic, the SL Lawrence &
Ottawa, and the Toronto & Quebec Railways, as also by the fine
steamers of the Ottawa River Navigation Company, and by boat
on the Rideau Canal, between the city and Lake Ontario.
THE OTTAWA RIVER,
upon the bold and commanding banks of which Ottawa
stands, takes its rise near the 49th parallel of north lati-
tude; and after descending through smooth stretches, and
many falls of marvellous beauty, a course of four hundred miles,
it empties itself into the St. Lawrence at two points of confluence,
one above and the other below the Island of Montreal. This noble
river, which is the largest of the third class, drains an area of
57,800 square miles. Its principal tributaries are the North
River, the Rouge, North and South Petite Nation, Riviere du
Lievres, Gatineau, Rideau, Madawaska, Bonnechfere, Coulonge,
Petewawa, Black, du Moines, Mattawa and Montreal Rivers.
The high and dry position of the ground upon which the city is
built, and its admirable system of drainage, by means of a large
main sewer, and subsidiiary drains, renders Ottawa one of the
most delightful and healthy cities on the American continent.
THE TOWN OF BYTOWN,
out of which Ottawa has grown, was founded in the year 1827,
the period of the commencement of the Rideau Canal, an
THE CITY OF OTTAWA
Imperial undertaking constructed for military purposes, as an
internal means of communication between Quebec and Lake
Ontario. From its central position, its natural territorial advan-
tages, and the facilities which it affords for fortification, prior to
the union of the British North American Provinces, in compliance
with colonial reference Ottawa was selected by Her Majesty the
Queen as the political capital of Canada. Its solid natural advan-
tages must have been powerful and peculiar to ensure success in a
competition for metropolitan honors in which Montreal, Quebec,
Toronto and Kingston were rivals.
O iTAWA was incorporated as a city with ten thousand inhabi-
tants, in the latter part of the year 1854, the Act of Incorporation
coming into operation on the first day of January, 1855. It is divid-
ed into five Wards, named respectively, Victoria, Wellington, St.
George's, By and Ottawa; and ^ under the Municipal Act of the
Province of Ontario, each Ward is represented by three Aldermen
elected annually on the first Monday in fhe month of January.
The city contains at present about thirty thousand inhabitants, of
English, Scotch, French, Irish and German origin. Its annual
assessment is about $12,000,000. It is well supplied with mer-
cantile establishments of every kind, and its hotel accommodation
is ample and excellent. The leading hotels are " The Russell,"
the "Grand Union," and the "Windsor."
The City of Ottawa is the centre of the great lumbering
operations of the Ottawa Valley, in the manufacture of square
tmiber and sawn lumber. In the prosecution of this important
staple trade thousands of men and horses are continually employed,
cutting and taking out square timber and saw-logs during the
winter months, and nfting up and floating them to the mills and
Quebec and United States markets in summer.
In the Lumbering Operations of the Ottawa and its tribu
taries, in the square timber^department alone, millions of dollars have
been invested, apart from the immense expenditure incurred in
the purchase of limits, the production of saw-logs, and in the
erection of the many vast mills within the limits of the city, and
in its immediate vicinity, for the purpose of manufacturing sawn
AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.
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lumber of every description, including laths and shingles, sash,
doors, blinds, and planed boards.
Within the limits of the city the chief attractions are the
GOVERNMENT GROUNDS,
AND THE
PARLIAMENT AND DEPARTMENTAL BUILDINGS.
Situated on a lofty hill overlooking the Ottawa River, these
grounds for beauty of situation are unsurpassed, if equalled, in
America.
"THE LOVER'S WALK,"
about half a mile in length, around the face of the cliff, shaded
by trees of great beauty, is one of the most delightful retreats
imaginable ; and the Parliament and Departmental buildings,
east and west, are marvels of architectural grace and perfection.
The general style of architecture of these buildings is a modified
1 2th century Gothic. The principal material used in their con-
struction is a hard, cream-coloured sandstone, from the adjacent
Township of Nepean. The dressings, stairs, gablets, pinnacles,
&c., are of Ohio free-stone, whilst a pleasing variety is given to
the whole by the relieving arches of red Potsdam sandstone, over
the window and door openings. The roofs are of Vermont slate,
of a dark colour, variagated by light green bands. The marble
was obtained at Arnprior, and the timber used, excepting the
oak, at various localities in the Ottawa Valley. These magni-
ficent piles of architecture cost between five and six millions
of dollars.
In the central building are the Senate Chamber and House
OF Commons, both beautifully finished inside. The roof of glass
above each, through which the light is admitted, is supported by
numerous marble columns, of elegant design and high polish.
The grounds around the Parliament Buildings are artistically and
elegantly laid out, and constantly maintained in a flourishing
condition by steady attention, and the judicious use of an unfailing
supply of water.
THE CITY OF OTTAWA
Not the least interesting place on Government Hill is the
PARLIAMENTARY LIBRARY,
which is located in a circular building on the north, or river side
of the Parliament buildings ; and contains a vast number of books-
of every kind arranged with great regularity and catalogued and
indexed in the most thorough and convenient manner. In the
interior a statue of Her Majesty the Queen stands in the centre
of the circle, which gives an interesting and beautiful finish to the
elegant design of the structure, comporting well with the air of
regularity and compactness visible in the distribution and position,
of the books.
THE PATENT OFFICE,
also, will well repay a visit. In this department is kept models of
all the patents which have been granted. The list of the patents
issued is long and varied ; and if they continue to increase in
the future as they have multiplied during the past few years,,
additional room will shortly be required for the proper disposition
and custody of those important and interesting evidences of the
inventive talent of the country.
In the corridors of the Parliament buildings may be seen
large-sized portraits of many of the old members of the Canadian
Legislatures, including members who have passed away; and.
who, during their lives, had made themselves conspicuous in the
annals of their country. To those who are acquainted with the
past and present history of Canada, those silent evidences of the
stirring political events of the past must prove peculiarl3s
interesting.
THE DEPARTMENTAL BUILDINGS,
east and west, are occupied as offices by the officials of the civil
service, and hitherto have furnished sufficient room. Recently,
however, the necessary accommodation for the work and storing
of official documents has not been available ; and a new block of
Departmental Buildings is now in process of erection on the south
side of Wellington street, immediately opposite the government
grounds. It is expected that this massive block, when completed
AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
will furnish ample accommodation for the rapidly increasing
exigencies of the public service. In addition to its necessity and
convenience this fine range of buildings, when finished, will have
a strikingly ornamental effect from the Government Hill, and
impart a massive and uniform finish to the appearance of that
part of Wellington street, which will have a fine effect from the
approach at Dufferin bridge.
Another object of great national value and deep scientific
interest is the Government
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GEOLOGICAL MUSEUM,
in which may be found, technically arranged, classified and
labelled, all the rich, abundant and varied mineral productions of
the Dominion, comprising a vast collection of great diversity and
attraction. In addition to the very complete and comprehensive
aggregation of mineral products in this Museum, there is also a
large assortment of native fossils and curious specimens of organic
remains ; together with a vast variety of aboriginal curiositie
appertaining to the past and present history and illustrative of
the manners and customs of several tribes of the North American
Indians.
In addition also to the admirable display of our national
resources already mentioned, many fine and valuable zoological
and ornithological specimens have recently been added to the
Natural History department, which will materially enhance the
pleasure and interest of a visit to the Museum. To the general
non-scientific, as well as to the scientific visitor, the Natural
History branch, when expanded into larger proportions, will prove
exceedingly interesting. This attractive feature of the Museum
is becoming more prominently conspicuous every day, under the
hands of a thoroughly skilled taxidermist.
THE FISHERIES EXHIBIT
in Vic!^oria Hall, O'Connor street, is possessed of many and varied
attractijns. It contains preserved specimens in natural form,
colour and size, admirably executed, of all the fishes indigenous
s
THE CITY OF OTTAWA.
to the waters of the Dominion of Canada, embracing each species,
from the white whale down to the smelt and the mudpout The
collection also includes a splendid display of stuffed and preserved
specimens of the many fish-eating birds of Canada, from the bald
eagle down to the kingfisher, together with several specimens of
fish-destroying animals, comprising seals of various kinds, otters,
minks and fishers. This exhibit is of especial importance and
value, shewing, as it does, the nature, extent and localization of
the food-supplying fishes of the Dominion. For months past it
has been visited daily by hundreds of people from all parts of
Canada and the United States and has proved as great an attraction
here as it was last year at the great exhibition of the fish products
of the world in London, England.
A feature of special ii>terest in the rooms of the Exhibit,
the large collection of primitive hooks, lines and other implements
of rude construction, used by the aborigines of British Columbia
in the capture of fish of various kinds. When contrasted with the
nets, lines, hooks, artificial baits and other highly finished artistic
appliances for taking fish, on exhibition in the same department,
some idea may be formed of the difficulties encountered by the
savage and untutored natives of the country in the art of supplying
themselves with food.
Objects of peculiar attraction in the Fisheries Exhibit are
the white whale, the giant salmon and immense lake trout, the
sharks, the horse mackerel or tunny, the large sturgeons, mas-
kinonge, pike and the varied and complete collection of trout
and lake whitefish.
A mention of the attractions of the Exhibit would not be
complete without a reference to the machinery and appliances for
the hatching of fish to be seen there. The various stages of the
interesting process of artificially producing fish, from the first
deposit of the ova to the development of the live fish, can be
observed ; and the sight is an exceedingly instructive and in-
teresting one.
Those who visit the City of Ottawa should not fail to see the
Geological Museum and the Fisheries Exhibit. Tourists may
1 1
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AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.
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travel far without witnessing sights of such attractive and intrinsic
merit.
MAJOR'S HILL PARK,
situated on the banks of Rideau Canal and the Ottawa River, in
the centre of the city, is a delightful place of summer resort. It
is covered by many fine trees, some of which are the old forest
trees, and all of the others have been planted by the Corporatioa
It is well laid out in winding walks and avenues, and profusely
planted with flowers and shrubs of great variety and beauty. This
beautiful place of recreation is largely made use of in hot weather
by the citizens of Ottawa. Its dry and elevated position and
cooling shade lenders it peculiarly conducive to enjoyment and
health.
THE RIDEAU FALLS,
situated about one mile eastward from the centre c f the city, on
the direct line of the Street Railway, formed by the dividing
branches of the Rideau River, are exceedingly beautiful cascades.
The waters of the Rideau fall into the Ottawa at two points of
confluence, occasioned by a large island which divides the stream
about eight hundred yards from the latter. During the period of
high water in Spring, these falls, tumbling perpendicularly down
a rocky descent of between forty and fifty feet, are singularly
^rand and picturesque in appearance.
THE CHAUDIERE FALLS,
spanned by an iron suspension bridge, which was completed in
the year 1844, is a cataract of great depth and volume ; the
greater part of the water of the river rushing with concentrated
force through a comparatively narrow channel. The view of this
magnificent waterfall from the suspension bridge, always interest-
ing, during the spring freshet is grand beyond conception. From
the perpetually ascending clouds of spray it has derived its French
name Grande Chaudiere, or the " Big Kettle." Travellers who
have seen this beautiful cataract in its most turbulent aspect, have
pronounced it second only to Niagara.
lO
THE CITY OF OTTAWA
THE WATER WORKS
Pump House is well worthy of inspection. It is situated in
Victoria Ward, at the west end of the city. The gigantic pumps
are driven by water power, and are of great strength and capacity.
The hydrants supply effective streams at great pressure to subdue
fires. The supply of water, which is ample, and of the purest
description, even without filtration, is taken from the Ottawa River
above the Chaudiere Falls, far out in the current ; and by analysis
has been proved singularly free from ordinary impurities, which
render the water supply in many places unhealthy.
CARTIER SQUARE,
the property of the Dominion Government, situated near the
Rideau Canal, in the centre of the city, is a beautiful piece of
ground, containing in a large square about twenty-four acres. On
the easterly end of it the Drill Hall, an immense brick building
stands. The Hall, as well as the Square, is used by the military
organizations of the city for the purposes of drill and parade, and
by permission of the Government, for sports and games of various
kinds. During the present summer the square has been broken
up and levelled, and the improvements which have been com
pleted, make it one of the finest public squares in Canada. It has
been planted on all sides with two rows of trees, which, after a
few years, will afford a pleasant shade to visitors and spectators on.
occasions of public display.
LANSDOWNE PARK,
the property of the Corporation of the City of Ottawa, is in the
immediate vicinity of the city. It is picturesquely situated on the
banks of the Rideau Canal, and is thus conveniently accessible
by water as well as by land. On these fine grounds are held the
periodical Exhibitions of the Ontario Agricultural and Arts
Association, and the Park is a popular pleasure resort for picnics
and other festivities. One of the finest half-mile racing tracks in
Canada has recently been constructed on the grounds, which can
be advantageously utilized for the display of saddle and carriage
horses during the Exhibition.
AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.
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Foremost amongst the interesting and attractive sights within
the city limits, and the adjacent city of Hull, are the
GIGANTIC SAW-MILLS,
all driven by the waters of the Chaudiere Falls, which have been
judiciously utilized for manufacturing purposes by the construction
of dams and piers at the head of the current.
The Mills of Messrs. Bronsons & Weston, John R. Booth,^
Perley & Pattee, and the Young Estate, at the Chaudiere, on the
Ontario side, the immense establishment of E. B. Eddy, at
Hull, on the Quebec side, and the newly-constructed mill of
James MacLaren & Co., at the Rideau Falls, are all wonders of
extent and cutting capacity.
When in full operation, cutting at night, under the powerful
and diffusive blaze of the electric light, these mighty lumber manu-
facturing establishments present scenes of bustle, brilliancy, and
magnificence unequalled, as evidences of enterprise, in any part of
America. The vast piles of lumber by which they are surrounded,
notwithstanding the millions of feet shipped every week, furnish
ample proof of the extent and importance of this great staple trade.
The fine cut-stone Court House and Gaol, and Registry
Office of the County of Carleton, are situated on Nicholas street,,
in the City of Ottawa, and are an ornament to the locality.
THE CITY PUBLIC BUILDINGS
are the City Hall (which cost $90,000), Registry Office, Central
and Primary School buildings in the different wards ; By,
Wellington, Victoria, and Ottawa Ward Market houses, and the
Fire Stations, connected by electric telegraph, for fire alarm
purposes, with the Central Office at the City Hall. The Collegiate
Institute and Model and Normal School buildings are centrally-
situated on Cartier Square. The Educational Institutions are all
costly, commodious and ornamental structures.
There are twenty-six churches, many of which are costly and
imposing in architectural design and appearance, in the City
of Ottawa. Denominationally described, they are as follows :
V
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THE CITY OF OTTAWA
I Baptist, I Congregational, i Catholic Apostolic, i German
Lutheran, 5 Episcopal, 5 Methodist, 5 Presbyterian, and 7 Roman
Catholic. The greater number of these churches are of elegant
construction. Notably so, the Basilica, Roman Catholic ; St.
Andrew's, Knox and Bank street churches, Presbyterian ; the
Dominion and Metropolitan, Methodist ; the St. Patrick's, St.
Joseph's and St Jean Baptiste, Roman Catholic, and Christ's
Church, English. Christ's Church cost $45,000 ; the Dominion
Methodist, $50,000 ; St. Andrew's, $60,000 ; Knox Church,
$52,000; St. Patrick's, $42,000; Baptist, $30,000; St. Jean
Baptiste, $40,000.
THE DUFFERIN BRIDGE,
so named in honor of Lord Dufferin, a former popular Governor-
General of Canada, is a noble iron structure connecting Rideau
and Wellington streets : and the Sappers' Bridge, thus designated
from having been built by the Royal Sappers and Miners in 1828,
in its enlarged and widened form, forms a commodious connecting
link between Sparks street, the ** Broadway " of the metropolis,
and Rideau street, which runs easterly to the Rideau River.
There are many other fine ornamental buildings in the City
of Ottawa, which may, without invidious discrimination, be
mentioned. Amongst them are the Post Office, the several Bank
edifices, Stadacona Hall, the French-Canadian Institute, the
Russell House, the Grand Union, and the massive brick block
recently erected by Mr. McLeod Stewart on the corner of Sparks
and Elgin streets.
There are, also, at present in course of construction in various
parts of the city, many substantial and elegant private residences,
which cannot be particularized in a sketch of this description,
but which, when completed, will add materially to the house
accommodation of Ottawa, which is now rather limited when
contrasted with the constantly increasing demand.
The journey from Ottawa to Montreal, by the splendid
steamers of the Ottawa River Navigation Company, is one of
the most delightful trips imaginable. The scenery all along the
AND ITS SURROUNDIN(]S
13
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the
route is grand and picturesque in the extreme, embracing
woodland, mountain and valley, the beautiful Lake of Two
Mountains, the Lachine Rapids, and the celebrated Rapids
of the Long Sault, sixteen miles in length, near which is the
site of the old fort of palisades, where the heroic young
Frenchman, Dulac Desormeau, with his sixteen companions,
made their determined and successful stand against the dreaded
Iroquois, and nobly sacrificed themselves to the last man in saving
Montreal and Quebec from a long preconcerted attack of the
enemy.
The route from Ottawa to Kingston by the Rideau Canal,
passes through a fine, rich, agricultural country, and takes the
tourist through the fascinating labyrinth of green islands and
surpassingly beautiful scenery of Rideau Lake, many parts of
which are almost equal in magnificence to the far-famed and
unrivalled scenery of the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence.
Amongst the outlying attractions in the vicinity of the City
of Ottawa,
RIDEAU HALL,
the residence of His Excellency the Governor-General, occupies
a conspicuous place ; not only on account of its pleasant and
commanding site, but also in consequence of its being the stated
abode of Her Majesty's Representative. Rideau Hall is situated
upon a rising ground in the midst of a beautiful grove of fine, old
forest trees, in the village of New Edinburgh. It was built for a
private residence by the late Hon. Thomas Mackay, and has been
enlarged and improved since it came into the hands of the
Canadian Government. The grounds attached to the Vice-regal
residence contain about eighty-seven acres, a portion of which is
covered by a grove of fine trees. The cost of the place together
with the improvements efifected, amounts to about $300,000.
Rideau Hall has been occupied by the representatives of Her
Majesty since the time of Lord Monck. The occupants immedi-
ately prior to the arrival of Lord Lansdowne, were the Marquis of
Lome and Her Royal Highness the Princess Louise. The largest
and finest cricket ground in the Dominion is on this domain,
14
THE CITY OF OTTAWA
vrhich, by permission, also has frequently been used for challenge
inter-provincial games of lacrosse.
NEW EDINBURGH,
built on the south bank of the Ottawa, and running southerly
along the easterly side of the Rideau River, is a neat and thriving
village of considerable extent, with a population of about 2,000.
In it are situated the large grist mills of McKay & Co., together
with an extensive saw-mill and cloth factory. It is the easterly
terminus of the Ottawa City Street Passenger Railway. The
latter fact has added materially towards the building up and
prosperity of New Edinburgh. This village contains many fine
private residences, and the greater number of the streets have
been planted with shade trees, which add much to the beauty of
the place.
STEWARTON,
on the southerly border of the city limits, is a nice little village
containing many fine private dwellings. Its southerly limit is the
north bank of the Rideau Canal. The central station of the
Canada Atlantic Railway, together with the offices and freight
storehouses of the line, are located in Stewarton. The village
contains now about four hundred inhabitants, many of whom
belong to the Civil Service and to the business classes of the city.
ROCHESTERVILLE
IS a large and prosperous village bounding the westerly limit of
the City of Ottawa, on the easterly border of the Township of
Nepean. It is growing rapidly, and must have, at present, about
four thousand inhabitants. From their close proximity and the
natural topographical indications of their position, Stewarton and
Rochesterville are both ultimately destined to become included
within the limits of the City of Ottawa.
VIEWS.
Perhaps in no part of Canada, excepting from the Citadel of
Quebec, can such a magnificent prospect of rock, river, mountain
AND ITS SUKROUNniNCS.
»S
lit of
ip of
tbout
the
and
ided
itain
and waterfall be seen as that from the north-westerly point of the
Government Hill. In a grand panoramic spectacle spreads out
xind expands before the eye the Chaudiere Falls, the Iron Suspen-
sion Bridge and the green islands above on the west ; the great
Laurentian chain of mountains — as it were, walling in the green
fields and comfortable homesteads of the County of Ottawa — on
the north ; and the City of Ottawa on the south and east. Taken
as a whole, in wonderfully pleasing scenic effect this view is one
of the grandest imaginable.
The look-out towards the north from the Dufferin bridge
between upper and lower town is of great and varied attraction.
When the eye wanders across the waters of the Ottawa river, lingers
for a moment on woodland and verdant field, and finally rests with
sublime delight upon the sun-tinged summits of the blue ridges of
the mountains beyond, the tourist may travel far before he can
see a scene more beautiful.
The view, however, which eclipses all others in expanse and
natural grandeur here, is that which can be enjoyed from the main
tower of the Parliament Buildings. From this lofty point, with
he aid of a strong field glass, the varied and interesting features
f the country for twenty or thirty miles in all directions can be
4)rought within the scope of vision ; and even mountains forty
miles northward up the Gatineau River can be distinctly seen. It
is not too much to say that this is one of the grandest views in
Canada, if not in America.
AYLMER.
Within eight miles of the City of Ottawa, on the bank of the
Duchesne Lake stands Aylmer, the chief lieu of the County of
'Ottawa,the eastern terminus of the boats of the Upper Ottawa
Navigation Company, and the western terminus of the North
Shore branch of the C. P. R. It has a population of about two
thousand, and contains four churches, two telegraph offices, two
steam saw-mills, one chair factory, four hotels, and sixteen stores,
and a weekly newspaper. It is'surrounded by a district rich in
agricultural products as well as iron and phosphates.
i6
THE CITY OF OTTAWA
THE CITY OF HULL,
situated on the north shore of the Ottawa river, opposite the
City of Ottawa, is the Capital of the County of Ottawa, in the
Province of Quebec. It contains about six thousand inhabitants ;.
and participating with Ottawa in the unrivalled water power of the
Chaudiere, it is the seat of a great lumber manufacturing interest.
Hull contains about fifty stores, several fine private residences and
churches, and two telegraph offices. The Canadian Pacific Rail-
way passes through it, the City vStation being the last between
Montreal and Ottawa. Hull is an older place than Ottawa, having,
been quite a village before old By-town was founded.
MINERAL SPRINGS.
The far-famed Caledonia Springs, about fifty miles from
Ottawa, can be reached from here by boat in a few hours. These
powerful mineral springs are now celebrated the world over ; and
hundreds of invalids, especially those suffering from rheumatism
and derangement of the digestive organs, visit them every summer.
In connection with the establishment commodious and first-class
hotel accommodation can be had.
Situated within twelve miles of the City of Ottawa, on
the direct line of the Canada Atlantic Railway, are Eastman's
Springs, which, so far as mineral waters of great medicinal
excellence and variety are concerned, with a little capital and
enterprise might be transformed into a health-seeking resort almost
equal to Saratoga. The saline, sulphur and gas springs here are
unsurpassed for volume and strength, but the most unaccountable
thing in connexion with this place, so singularly rich in the
medicinal elements of health is, that its great natural advantages
and resources hitherto have never been sufficiently utilized and
developed.
Within four miles of this city, on the Montreal macadamized
road, is also a well tested and powerful sulphur spring, which is
much resorted to by the people of Ottawa.
The famous Borthwick Saline Springs are also within
seven miles of the city, in the township of Gloucester. The
AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.
17
on
jized
:h is
tthin
[The
^{u*^
waters of this celebrated mineral spring are largely used by the
people of Ottawa and other places and have been found a potent
aid to health and constitutional regularity.
As a favorite, interesting and attractive route for tourists may
be specially mentioned that north-westward up the
OTTAW\ RIVER,
from the City of Ottawa to the river Mattawa, and thence to the
beautiful Lake Nipissing. In no part of Canada can scenery of
more varied, attractive and gorgeous beauty be found than along
this delightful region. I'he Chaudiere Falls, already mentioned,
the _Re moux_ Rapids, and the Duchesne Rapids at Britannia, arc
each distinguished by features of wildness and grandeur of the
most romantic description. The Duchesne Lake stretches from
Britannia to the surpassingly beautiful cataracts at Fitzroy Harbor.
Here the waters of the entire river are precipitated over a number
of falls, broken by green islands at intervals from shore to shore.
These picturesque water falls are called " Le Chats," from the
fact that some old voyageurs to the North-west many years ago,
discovered a number of raccoons on the shore when they landed
there with their canoes. Chats Sauvage, {angltce, Indian cat), being
the French name for raccoon. At the head of the Chats Rapids,
the great Chats Lake commences, from two to four miles in
width and about thirty miles long — like the Lake of Two Mountains,
the Duchesne and other great stretches, being simply an enlarge
ment and lateral expansion of the Grand River.
These magnificent sheets of water are navigated by the
steamers of the Upper Ottawa Navigation Company to Pembroke
and beyond. The journey, via the latter thriving town, can also
be accomplished by the Canadian Pacific Railway to Lake
Nipissing.
The frequently recurring rapids and cataracts along this route,
the green-wooded banks and flourishing farms, with the blue
mountains in the back ground on the north add interest and
variety to every mile of the journey. The scenery of the Upper
Ottawa must be seen to be understood and appreciated. The
i8
THE CITY OF OTTAWA
country, on both sides of the river, is dotted over with beautiful
lakes — full of fish — from an acre in size to large bodies of water
twenty or thirty miles long, which supply the numerous large
tributaries of the Ottawa River.
In addition to the above, the tourist, as well as the speculator
can find, amid ^he matchless scenery and mineral wealth of the
(latincaii Valley and Riviere dit Lievres, sufficient to interest them.
'I'he former in the shape of rapid, cataract, lake, mountain and
valley. The latter in ir exhaustible deposits of phosphate, plum-
bago, iron, mica, asbestos and other valuable minerals. The
mineral resources of these parts of the Province of Quebec, so
near the City of Ottawa, are singularly rich, varied and abundant ;
while the lakes therein are teeming with gray trout, from five to
fifty pounds in weight, speckled trout of all sizes, black bass, pike,
pickerel, perch, whitefish and other kinds ; and in the forests may
be found Moose, Cariboo, Virginian deer, bears and all the fur-
bearing animals and birds of the dack and grouse families indi-
genous to this part of Canada. Some of the lakes in the Gatineau
region, such as the Thirty-one Mile Lake, the Pemachongo, the
Kakabonga, and the Whitefish Lake, within easy access to sports-
men, are immense sheets of clear water, studded over with green
islands from an acre to hundreds of acres in extent stocked with
fish in great abundance. Many of the rapids and cascades on the
du Lievres and Gatineau present scenes of wild, romantic and
weird grandeur, which cannot be imagined unless seen.
This is a part of the adjoining Province of Quebec, which,
when accessible by means of railway communication, will be
largely visited by tourists and sportsmen. Nothing can surpass
the wildness and gmndeur of the rapids and chutes on this most
turbulent of Ottawa's tributaries, nor can anything be more
picturesque and beautiful than the mountains, valleys and lakes
to be met with on all sides as the traveller penetrates into the
heart of the wilderness. The people of Canada, those who can
afford it, travel across oceans and traverse deserts to distant lands
in search of the beauties of nature ; while within the boundaries
of their own country scenery of unsurpassed magnificence remains
AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.
If
m
which,
will be
surpass
lis most
more
Id lakes
Into the
Irho can
It lands
kndaries
remains
unexplored. Canadians need scarcely wander from home
search of scenes worthy of their highest admiration ; for no part of
the world is richer in scenery of natural beauty calculated to please
the eye and excite the senses than their own land.
When the contemplated Gatineau Vallej Colonization Rail
way shall have been completed to the River Desert, many scenes
of hitherto unrevealed beauty, and mines of wealth of astonishing
richness and extent will be brought to light.
Around the City of Ottawa on all sides is an exceedingly rich
and fertile Agricultural Country. The townships of Nepean
Gloucester, Osgoode, Goulbourn, March, Huntly, Fitzroy, North
Gower and Beckwith, from the agricultural products of which the
Ottawa markets are supplied, are proverbial for containing within
their borders as large an acreage of fine, fertile soil as any in the
Province of Ontario. The steady and unchanging excellence of
the Ottawa markets has enabled the farmers in the townships
mentioned to become independent and easy in their circumstances
The markets of the city are abundantly supplied with the various
necessaries of life, which meet with a remunerative and ready sale.
In consequence of the attention for some years past given to
market-gardening a large daily supply of fruits and vegetables in
season is brought in for sale.
Butchers' meat of every description, of the best quality, can
always be found in each of the city markets ; and <ish, both
imported and native, is constantly kept on hand.
Ottawa is now a great railway centre. With its natura
advantages, its favorable surroundings, its metropolitan character
its increasing commercial importance and gigantic lumber trade,
it must ultimately grow, progress and expand to an extent not
dreamed of by the most sanguine and prophetic but a few years
ago.
Under the impetus which must naturally be given to trade,
agriculture, commerce and manufactures by the many railroads
converging here, it may be reasonably assumed that, within a few
years, this city shall have expanded and increased in wealth and
importance to such an extent as fully to justify the foresight and
20
THE CITY OF OTTAWA
>.
X
wisdom of Her Majesty the Queen in its selection as the Seat of
Governuient. The rise and progress of Ottawa, if slow compared
with the spasmodic, and not alwayshealthy advance of other places,
has been sure, certain and permanent, and altogether free from
features of an ephemeral character.
In its agricultural surroundings, and in its internal capacities
for large manufacturing industries, Ottawa has been singularly
fortunate ; and no one possessing any foresight can now entertain
a doubt that it is destined to become ultimately one of the most
important cities in the Dominion. Its outskirts on all sides, are
bordered by fine flourishing villages, which will, doubtless, in a
short time become incorporated within its limits, adding materially
to its size, wealth and population.
When the decision of Her Majesty, by the advice of the
Imperial Government, made Ottawa the Capital of Canada, the
St. Lawrence and Ottawa, between here and Prescott, was the
only line of Railway terminating within the limits of the City.
Ottawa had then but few over ten thousand inhabitants ; and its
trade was comparatively insignificant con»rasted with what it is to-
day.
Within the city Hmits are now located the termini of four
Railroads, which are doing a prosperous carrying trade, not only
in passengers and ordinary freight, but also in the transportation
of sawn lumber and other manufactured timber to the Montreal,
Quebec and United States markets.
As stated elsewhere, the City of Ottawa has now a population
of about 30,000, which number, judging by present prospects, will
certainly be more than doubled during the next ten years.
In addition to its natural advantages, being the seat of the
Federal Government, gives to the City of Ottawa a prestige, and
invests it with a degree of importance which it could not have
otherwise attained.
The residence here of Her Majesty's Representative, and the
annual additions to the population during the winter Sessions of
AND ITS SURROUNDINGS.
21
of the
gS:
and
)t have
md the
tions of
the Legislature, impart a lively attraction to society and give a
briskness to the local trade of a highly beneficial character
During the present summer Ottawa has been visited by a
larger number of tourists from Europe and the United States than
in any previous season, many of whom have visited the most
interesting spots in the Ottawa Valley, and have expressed
themselves both surprised and delighted with what they saw.
Amongst the distinguished visitors of the present year, the
members of the
BRITISH ASSOCIATION
will do much towards circulating valuable and correct information
in the Old Country respecting Canada, its present condition, its
resources, its institutions, and its future prospects, so plainly
foreshadowed to every unprejudiced mind.
A visit from such a learned and pre-eminently well-informed
body of experienced and scientific men cannot fail to result most
advantageously to this country.
On the return home of the members of this standard
association, their deliberate and unprejudiced opinions will prove
especially valuable in counteracting many false impressions of this
country prevalent in the old land.
It is to be sincerely hoped that the visit of the members of
the British Association to the City of Ottawa may be of such an
agreeable nature that they shall be enabled to carry away with
jhem none other than the most pleasant recollections of our city
and its people.
THE COUNTY OF CARLETON,
in the centre of which Ottawa is situated, is, perhaps, financially
speaking, the most independent municipality in the Dominion.
The greater portion of the land comprised within the boundaries
of the Metropolitan County is of the richest and most fertile
description. It has an area of 415,291 acres, with a population
of about 50,000. It is traversed by many fine macadamized
roads, and the various railways coming into Ottawa pass through
irr
32
THE CITY OF OTTAWA
it. Surrounded by such tracts of lands as above described, rich
in all the elements of agricultural prosperity, the City of Ottawa
has a specially favorable location. In dealing with the question
of its future as a city, it is not an easy matter to exaggerate. Its
march must be onward and its destiny is assured.
In a brief sketch of this description it has been found
impossible to enumerate many of the minor attractions or
particularize many of the fine establishments and buildings,
mercantile and otherwise, within the limits of the City of Ottawa,
consequently much that is worthy of notice has been unavoidably
omitted. Visitors to the city will not fail to discover what has
been thus necessarily passed over ; and doubtless from the marks
of enterprise and progress visible on every hand they will be
enabled to form a reasonable estimate of its unmistakable future.
d, rich
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