\X r\ a a gcssscKgaagstascg^gasce^ LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. % Chap. She!f t o t a & UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. THE HAND-BOOK OF TORONTO CONTAINING ITS CLIMATE, GEOLOGY, NATURAL HISTORY, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, COURTS OE LAW, MUNICIPAL ARRANGEMENTS, * &c. (Sec. BY A MEMBER OF THE PRESS. TORONTO : PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY LOVELL AND GIBSON, YONGE STREET, 1858. .5"., Entered according to the Act of the Provincial Parliament, in the year 1858, BY MESSRS. LOVELL & GIBSON (FOR THE AUTHOR), In the Office of the Registrar of the Province of Canada. H \ PREFACE. In the Summer of 1855 the proof sheets of a "Guide to Toronto " with Niagara Falls as its starting point — were put into my hands by a Bookseller in town, to be corrected and revised — as the Work was going through the press, the gentleman who had prepared it having left the City. In order to verify and give a few additional touches to the description, I made a special trip to the opening scene, and having gazed and gazed again upon that endless roll of living waters surging down into the foaming abyss, I took a conveyance at the Clifton House and proceeded leisurely along through the fine old district, taking special note of Lundy's Lane, and the ancient Battle Field, on which the little village of Drummondville now quietly reposes ; passed on through the village of Stamford to the summit of the Queenston Heights, — now sacred to the memory of the gallant Brock, — where, standing some 300 feet above the level of the Lake, you obtain a magnificent view of the surrounding country, and of the river now freed from its angry foam, silently pursuing its tortuous course ; and catch a stray glimpse of the Scarboro' Heights in the distance. I then descended to the little village of Queenston, crossed the river and took steamer for Toronto. In this way the incidents necessary to fill up a few pages of a Guide Book were carefully sketched. But the work appeared to me altogether too ephemeral, and although the greater part of it was in the press, the Bookseller at my request postponed its publication, until there was a field for something of more permanent value and on a broader basis. That conception is now matured and although there are many things left unnoticed, and much unsaid that might have been said — enough is presented in the following pages to show that a considerable amount of labour and investigation have been bestowed — even although the preliminary chapters are altoge- ther omitted. In arranging my material I proceeded upon the principle that each section should be revised by some gentlemen whose business it is to know practically the subject upon which it IV PEEEACE. treats, and I would take this manner of tendering ray warmest gratitude to the friends who so freely and kindly aided me. In fact in looking over the work now that it is completed, — if there he any merit connected with it, — all the share that I can claim is that of having determined the kind of information wanted, and then selected the best possible source from whence to obtain it. To Sir "William Logan, Professor Hincks, Mr. May, and Mr. Couper, I am under deep obligations. Those other friends to whom I have alluded, I need not here enumerate, as I am not at liberty to name them all. In all matters of fact of an early date, I am indebted to the histories referred to in the work ; for all matters of opinion I am alone responsible. I have endeavoured to walk through the City with my eyes open, and have formed my opinion of men and things as they presented themselves to my own observation, altogether irrespective of what the impressions of others may be, and in so far as I can judge I have endeavoured to give my own impressions to the public. The historical department is perhaps much less diffuse than it might have been ; but there is so much of party politics mixed up with our earlier history, that without entering upon the troubled sea of politics it was impossible to be much more minute than I have been, and I had too much regard for Poor Richard's advice to trust myself upon the angry surf, " For vessels large may venture more But little boats should keep near shore." The beautiful map of the City which accompanies this work has been prepared by Mr. Ellis, engraver, expressly for the work, and it contains a feature never before displayed in any Canadian map, that of giving a microscopic representation of public build- ings upon the sites which they respectively occupy, This has of course considerably increased the expense of the work but it has also enhanced its value. The engraving of the Provincial Exhibition Building; has also been prepared for this work, and its execution reflects the highest credit upon Mr. Seymour for the fineness of detail and the exquisite finish he has given it. Toronto, 20th Sept., 1858. CONTENTS. PAGE Toronto 9 Section I. THE CLIMATE.— Temperature— Barometrical Pressure— Winds —Rain and Snow— Thunder Storms— Auroras— Climatology 10 Section II. GEOLOGY 15 Section III. NATURAL HISTORY.— The Mora— Trees, Shrubs, Flowers— The Fauna— Carnivora— Marsupialia— Rodentia.— Ave s— Diurnal Birds of Prey— Nocturnal Birds of Prey— Perching Birds— Climbers— Scrapers— Stilt Birds or "Waders— Swimming Birds.— Reptilia— Turtles— Snakes— Progs — Salamanders— Amphiuma— Lizards.— Pisces— Perch, Bass, Dace, Pike, Eels. — Insecta— Beetles, Grasshoppers, Locusts, Dragon- flies, Butterflies, Moths, Saw-flies, Mosquitoes.— Mollusca 17-69 Section IV. STATISTICS— Governor Simcoe— Building of York— Governor Hunter— General Brook— Major General Sheaffe— War of 1812— Governor Drummond— Governor Gore— Sir Peregrine Maitland — Sir John Colborne— Sir Francis Bond Head— Census of 1851— Our Social State— Nurseries of Crime— Police Register— Jail Record— Mendicancy— Oue. City Schools — Value as an Investment— Attendance — Average from 1844- to 1857 inclusive- Sunday Schools— Expenses of Criminal Justice— Trade Returns— Customs Returns— Banking Establishments— Bank of Upper Canada— Commer- cial Bank— Bank of British North America— Bank of Montreal— City Bank —Bank of Toronto— Quebec Bank— Molson's Bank.— Savings' Banks— Home District Savings' Bank— Toronto Savings' Bank— Insurance Offices — Building and Investment Societies— Canada Landed Credit Com- pany— North- West Transportation Company 69-102 Section V. EDUCATION.— University of King's College— University of Toronto —University College-Upper Canada College-Trinity College-Knox College- United Presbyterian Hall— Theological Institute— Rolph's School— Toronto School of Medicine— Norm aland Model Schools— Grammar Schools— Gram- mar School Inspection — Model Grammar School— District School— Common Schools— Council of Public Instruction— Separate Schools— Seminaries for Young Ladies 102-135 Section VI. THE PRESS —Daily Papers— Weekly Papers 135-138 Section VII. CHARITIES— General Hospital— Lunatic Asylum— House of Industry— Lying-in Hospital-Catholic Orphan Asylum-Protestant Orphans' Home 138-141 Section VIII. MUNICIPAL ARRANGEMENTS.— Incorporation of Toronto- Liabilities of the City— Public Works and Improvements for 1858— The Police Force— The Licensing System— The Fire Brigade— Loss by Fires— Water Supply— Toronto Water Works Company— Metropolitan Gas and Water Company— Gas Supplv 141-161 Section IX. RELIGIOUS, NATIONAL, AND FRATERNAL SOCIETIES.— Upper Canada Bible Society— Upper Canada Religious Tract and Book So- ciety — Toronto City Mission — The City Mission — Anti-Slavery Society — Ladies' Colored Fugitive Association — The Elgin Association— Church Society St. Andrew's Society— St. George's Society— St. Patrick's Society— Masonic Lodges— Loyal Orange Institution— Odd Fellows— Toronto Typographical Society 161-176 Section X. COURTS OF LAW.— List of Benchers— Court of Queen's Bench- Court of Common Pleas— Co\irt of Chancery— Court of Error and Appeal- County Courts— Insolvent Debtors' Court— Division Court— Court of Quarter Sessions— Courts of Probate and Surrogate— Recorder's Court— Heir and Devisee Commission— Assizes— LawTerms— Chief Justices, 1791-1857— Puisne" Judges, 1791— 1857— List of Attorneys General, 1791— 1858— Legal Holidays- Sheriff's Office— Jurors— County of York Registry Office 176-184 Section XI. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS.— Mechanics' Institute— Canadian Institute— Toronto Literary and Debating Society — Young Canada Debating Club— Ontario Literary Society— Gould Street Young Men's Mutual Improvement Society— British Canadiau Debating Society— University College Literary and Scientific Society— Metropolitan Choral Society 185-193 Section XI f. MISCELLANEOUS.— Provincial Agricultural Association— Pro- vincial Exhibitions— The Crystal Palace— Bureau of Agriculture— Eoard of Arts and Manufactures— Canada Company 193-208 Section XIII. RAILROADS- Northern— Grand Trunk— Hamilton and To- ronto : Section XIV. PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND THEIR LOCAIIONS-City Hall — Gas Works — General Hospital — House of Providence— St Lawrence Hall — Post Office— Mechanics' Institute— Masonic Hall— Knox's Church— Normal School, &c.&c Conclusion.— Arts and Manufactures— Smith, Burke & Co.— Jacques & Hay- Thomson, Keith & Co.— Cumming & Wells, &c. INDEX. Page Agricultural Association 194 Agriculture, Board of 200 Amphiuma 61 Antl Slavery Society 167 Ants 68 Arts and Manufactures 272 Assizes 182 Atlas 137 Attorneys General 183 Auk 56 Auroras 13 Bank of Upper Canada 237 Banking Establishments 91 Barometrical Pressure 12 Bats 35 Beaver...., 37 Beetles 64 Bees 68 Belted King Pisher 42 Benchers 178 Bible Society 163 Birds of Prey 37 Bishop Strachan 109 Bitterns 54 Black Bear 36 BlueBird 47 Blue Jay 52 Board of Agriculture 200 Board of Arts and Manufactures 205 Bohemian Chatterer 48 Bond Head, Sir Francis 77 Bridjre of the Don 230 British Canadian Debating Society... 192 British Colonist 136 Building and Investment Societies ... 97 Buntings 50 Bureau of Agriculture 204 Butterflies 67 Canadian Institute 187 Canada Landed Credit Company 100 Capreol, Mr. P. C 211 Castle Frank 231 Cat Bird 48 Catholic Citizen 137 Catholic Orphan Asylum 139 Cedar Bird 48 Census ol 1851 78 Charities 138 Chief J ustices of Upper Canada 190 Page Christian Guardian 136 Chuck -wills-widow 40 Church Society 170 Churches — Adelaide Street — TVes- leyan 243 " Alice Street— New Con- nexion 256 Bay Street— U.P 254 Cooke's— Free 255 Gould Street— TJ. P 258 Holy Trinity... 257 Knox's 254 " Richmond Street— Wes- leyan 253 " Second Congregational... 254 St. Andrews 241 " Temperance Street — Wesleyan 253 Trinity 229 City Directory Analysis 79 City Property, value of 80 City Hall 225 City Gas Works 227 City Mission 166 Climbers (Birds) 53 Climate 10 Climatology 14 Cockroaches 66 Coot 54 Cormorant 56 County Board of Public Instruction 90 County Court ; 180 Courts of Law 176 Court House 243 Court of Queen's Bench 179 Court of Common Pleas 179 Court of Chancery 179 Court of Error and Appeal 180 Court of Quarter Sessions 181 Court of Probate 1S1 College Charter 103 Common Schools 124 Council of Public Instruction 127 County Registry Oftice 248 Creepers (Birds.) 43 Cricket 67 Criminal Justice, Expense of 90 Crossbills 51 Crow 52 Crystal Palace 199 Cuckoo 53 INDEX. Yll Page Curlew 55 Customs Returns 90 District School 122 Divers 56 Division Court 181 Dragon Flies 67 Drift Clays 15 Ducks 55 Eagles 37 Echo 137 Editors' and Authors' Association ... 272 Education 102 Elgin Association 168 Examiner 138 Exchange Office 249 Fauna ,.... 35 Finches 50 Fire Brigade 148 First Lt.-Governor of U. Canada 70 Fisher 36 Fishes 63 Flora 17 Flowers 22 Fly Catchers 43 Fraternal Societies 161 Frogs 60 Frs. Gore, Lt.-Governor 72 Gallinule 54 Gas Company's Office 248 Gas Supply 159 Geese 55 General Hospital 138 General Brock , 73 General Sheaffe 73 Geology 15 Globe 136 Gnats 69 Godwit 55 Gould Street Young Men's M. I. S. ... 191 Governor Simcoe 70 Grammar Schools 116 Grand Trunk Railway 221 Grasshoppers 67 Grebe 55 Ground Hog 37 Grosbeaks 50 Grouse 54 Gulls 55 Hare 37 Hawks 38 Heir and Divisee Commission 182 Herons 54 Hospital 232 House of Industry 139 House of Providence 234 Humming Birds 42 Improvements in 1858 146 Incorporat ion of Toronto 78 Indian Summer 10 Indigo Bird 61 Insects 64 Insolvent Debtors Court.'.'.'.'!!'!!!!'.!!'.!!! 181 Insurance Offices 95 Invertebrata 63 Investment Societies 97 Jail „ Jail Records 83 Jurors 184 Knox's College 113 Ladies' Colored Fugitive Association 187 Larks 45 Law Society 117 Law Terms 182 Leader 137 Legal Holidays 184 Lessar Red Poll 49 Liabilities of the City 143 Licensing System 147 Literary Institutions 185 Literary and Debating Society 190 Locusts 67 Lord Sydenham 78 Loss by fires 149 Lunatic Asylum 138 Lying- in-Hospital 139 Lynx 36 Mackenzie, ¥m. Lyon 137 Mammals ; 35 Masonic Lodges 173 Masonic Halls 245 Mayors of Toronto 142 Mechanics' Institute 185 Mendicancy 84 Merganser 56 Meteorological Registers 14 Metropolitan Gas and Water Co'y ... 153 Metropolitan Choral Society 193 Mink 36 Mirror 136 Miscellaneous 194 Model Grammar School 119 Moles 36 Mollusca 69 Mosquitoes 69 Moths 67 Mouse 37 Municipal Arrangements 141 National Societies 161 Natural History 17 Navigation and Railway Company ... 101 Necropolis „ 232 Night Hawk 41 Normal and Model Schools 115 Nurseries of Crime 82 Nuthatch 43 Odd Fellows 175 Old Countryman 137 Ontario, Simcoe, and Huron Railroad 208 Orange Lodges 174 Otter 36 Owls 39 Painted Finch , 51 Palace 226 Perching Birds 40 P. Hunter, Lieutenant Governor 72 P. Russel 72 Pigeons 53 Pine Marten 36 Plant Lice 67 Plovers 54 Police Force 146 viii I2TDEX. Page Police Register 83 Population in 1821 76 Population in 1854 78 Porcupine 37 Post Office 244 Prairie Dos 37 Protestant Orphans' Home 139 Provincial Exhibitions 195 Provincial Agricultural Association . 194 Public Buildings 224 Public Works for 1858 145 Puisne" Judges 183 Quail 54 Race Course 231 Racoon 36 Rain and Snow 13 Rails 54 Railroads 208 Rats 37 Raven 52 Recorder's Court 182 RedStart 43 Religious Societies 161 Reptiles 57 River Don 229 Robin 44 Rolph's School of Medicine 114 Ross, Mitchell & Co 251 Sable Marten 36 Salamanders 61 Sandflies 68 Sand Piper 55 Savings Bank 237 Scarlet Tanager 51 Schools 86 Scrapers (Birds) 53 Seminaries for Young Ladies 134 Separation of Upper from Lower Ca- nada 69 Separate Schools 130 Sheriff. 184 Shrike 44 Shrubs , ,. 20 Sir P. Maitland 75 Sir J. Colborne 76 Sir Francis B. Head 77 Sir George Arthur 78 Skunk 36 Skua 56 Snakes 58 Snipes 55 Snow Birds 49 Social State 80 Squirrels 37 Statistics 69 Starling 52 Stilt Birds 54 Streets 224 St. Andrew's Society 171 St. George's Society .., 172 St. Patrick's Society 172 St. Andrew's Church 241 St. James' Cathedral 240 St. Lawrence Hall 238 St. Lawrence Foundry 227 Page Stoat 36 Surrogate Court 181 Tattler 55 Temperance Hall 253 Temperature 11 Terns 56 Terrapins 57 The Press 135 Theological Institute 114 Thrushes 44 Thunder Storms 13 Titmouse 47 Toads 61 Tortoise 57 Toronto City Mission 166 Toronto and Hamilton Railroad 223 Toronto School of Medicine 115 Trade Returns 90 Trees 18 Trinity Church 229 Trinity College 109 Tritons 61 Turnstone 55 Turnip Ply 65 Turtles 57 Typographical Society 176 United Presbyterian Divinity Hall... 113 University College 106 University College Literary and Sci- entific Society 192 University of King's College Charter 105 University of Toronto 106 Upper Canada College 107 Vertebrata 35 "Warblers 45 "Warsofl812andl3 93 Wasps 68 "Water Lizard 61 Water-Hen 54 Water Company 153 Water Supply 150 Weasel 36 Weigh House 226 Weevil 65 Whimbrel 55 Whip-poor-Will 40 Wilton Crescent 237 Wind-Mill 228 Winds 12 Woif 36 Wolverine 36 Woodchuck 37 Woodpecker 53 Woodcock 55 Wrens 46 Young Canada Debating Club 191 York Chambers 248 York, Capital of Upper Canada 71 York in 1806 72 York taken in 1813 74 Zion Chapel 252 TORONTO. Toronto is one of the wealthiest and most important cities in British America. It is the capital of Upper Canada, the centre of commerce, and the seat of the principal Educational Institutions, and is destined from its position to exert a powerful influence on the whole affairs of this Colonial Empire. It is beautifully situated, on a gently sloping plain on the northern shore of Lake Ontario, 45 miles K E. of Hamilton, 165 miles W. of Kingston, 340 miles W. S. W. of Montreal, and 500 miles 1ST. W. of Washington, the capital of the United States. It is in latitude 43° 39' K, longitude 79° 21' W. The southern portion of the city is low, but the ground rises gradu- ally — almost imperceptibly — from the Bay to upwards of 135 feet above the level of Lake Ontario, at Bloor Street, the northern limits of the city. The streets are well laid out, crossing each other at right angles, and forming, very nearly, a parallelogram. Though destitute of the scenic beauty of Montreal, or the picturesque gran- deur of Quebec, Toronto has a more southern latitude, and enjoys a more genial and salubrious climate, and has many local advantages which render it a more desirable place of residence than either of these cities, or than any other city in Canada. Its principal public buildings are the Legislative Assembly Hall and Legislative Council Chamber, with the Government offices, a large pile of plain unpre- tending brick ; the Post Oflice ; the Court House ; the St. Lawrence Hall and City Hall ; the Exchange ; the Mechanics' Institute ; Os- goode Hall, the Seat of the Law Courts ; the University ; Trinity College ; the Lunatic Asylum ; the General Hospital, and the House of Providence ; besides quite a large number of ecclesiastical edifices of more or less pretensions, the localities and general features of which will be noticed as we proceed. 10 TOEOKTO. SECTION I.— THE CLIMATE Although the temperature of Toronto is colder than the normal temperature of this parallel, the climate is remarkably pleasant and salubrious, ameliorated no doubt considerably by the equalizing influence of the great lake which bounds us on the south. The mean temperature of the six months commencing with April, and including our warmest summer months, is 4^ degrees below the average temperature of the same six months in the same parallel of latitude ; while the other six months, in which are in- cluded our coldest winter months, are 9^ degrees below the normal temperature of the parallel, making an average of 6 degrees colder than the normal temperature taking the entire year round. The mean temperature as furnished by the Observatory from 1840 to 1857 inclusive, a period of 18 years, is 44. 07° ; the mean tempera- ture of 1857 was 42. 73°. The greatest heat has not exceeded 100° in the shade ; the cold has been known to descend as low as 25° below zero, but only once (in 1855) in a great many years. It sel- dom descends lower than 20° below zero, and then for a very brief period. The atmosphere is pure and transparent, free from sultry oppressive heat in our warmest summer months, and from raw, humid, frigidity in winter. After the hottest days of summer, the evening air is fresh and genial, the moon glides through a pure cerulean sky with a peculiar brilliancy, from the neighboring woods is heard the curious note of the Whip-poor-will, and the fire-ny floats through the air making it luminous with its starlit sparks. There is nothing, perhaps, which so much strikes a stranger from the foggy avenues of London, or the misty lanes of Manchester, on his first arrival amongst us, as the purity of our atmosphere ; the deep azme of our morning and evening sky, and most of all, the soft silvery brilliancy of our moonlight, resembling as it does the fairest speci- men of genial twilight of his Island home. When it draws towards the end of October, the foliage of the shade trees in our streets and avenues and clumps, changes its summer hues and assumes the most brilliant colours ; — yellow, red, sapgreen, purple, and brown, in varied shades are all sweetly blended, impart- ing to our woodland scenery a peculiar charm. The Indian Summer, tliat mystic period so sacred to the legends of our country, comes on apace. The name " Indian Summer," is given to a few days gener- ally about the beginning of November, which are characterized by a soft and balmy atmosphere of a peculiarly hazy cast. The curtains of nature seem gently drawn that she may enjoy a brief repose. THE CLIMATE. 11 The finely golden-fringed opal-tinted clouds which surround the sun as he sinks below our horizon of a summer night, lose their brilliant transparency and are changed by the haze of the atmosphere into a dull orange colour. Sometimes they have the appearance of layers of strata ranged one above another, and so finely and delicately pen- cilled, that but for the rays of the setting sun striking upon them through the soft haze, they could not be discerned. This name is, however, technically speaking, not used in a meteorological sense. There is nothing positive in connexion with the Indian Summer. It may occur in some years very markedly, and in others so much less so, as scarcely to be appreciable ; and had not the name been estab- lished and surrounded with many pleasing fancies by the aborigines, the man of science would not have invented such a designation for it, as to him its coming and going are alike indefinite. It was inappreciable, for example, in 1856. We had, just about the time when the Indian Summer may be looked for, a dense fog from the 19th to the 22nd of October, — not a lurid, tangible, London fog, however, although altogether a strange fog for Toronto, — and this fog was followed by the kind of weather which is generally expected after Indian Summer. Altogether 1856 was a peculiar year. It was the coldest, the driest, and the most windy year that we have had at least since 1840. Whatever may have been the character of Indian Summer in the remote ages when the Great Spirit of the Red Man wielded the destinies of his forest home, it does not now by any means fulfil the pleasing associations with which tradition has so sacredly surrounded it, summed up as it is in five or six days at the utmost. It is preceded generally by several days of sharp cold weather which makes the transition all the more striking, and very often we have our first snow immediately after the haze has disappeared. Temperature. — The monthly averages of temperature for the year 1857 are as follow : — Months. January February March . . April . . . May . . . June . , . Highest Temperature. Lowest. Mean. -20-1 12-75 —5-9 28-53 — 5'5 27'82 5'9 35 36 26-0 4S-S7 35-0 56-92 12 TOEONTO. Months. July , August . . , September October. . , November December , Highest Temperature. D 86.6 88-2 82-0 64-0 58-2 46-0 Lowest. 1 5 —3-5 — 4-7 Mean. 67-76 65-31 58-64 45-42 33-54 31-86 The maximum 88 '2, minimum —20 -1 : giving a monthly range of 108 -3. The mean of 1857 was 42 73. Barometrical Pressure (corrected to a temperature of 32 degrees. ) — The variations of the Barometer are frequent, but seldom of any great amount. The monthly variations for the year 1857 are thus represented : — Months. January . February . March . . . April May June July August . . . September October. . . November. December. Maximum. Minimum. 30 168 30 361 30 006 30 006 29 896 29 707 29 848 29 860 30 076 29 994 30 281 30 258 29-181 29-152 29-115 28-898 29-199 28*952 29-255 29-155 29-248 29-289 28-452 28-852 Monthly Range. 0-987 1-209 0-891 1-108 0-697 755 0-593 0-705 0-828 705 1-829 1-406 Winds. — The direction of the winds appears to be chiefly from the West. The resultant dire< velocity, are represented as follow : — North and West. The resultant direction for 1857, with the mean Months. Resultant direction. Mean Velocity. N. 70 W. S. 78 W. N. 63 W, N. 60 W. 10^31 9-82 Mai ch 10-84 Aptil 10-24 THE CLIMATE. 13 Months. May June July August September October . . , November . December . Resultant direction. Average Resultant . K 23 W. N. 49 W. S. 68 E. K 77 W. N. 68 W. N". 19 W. S. 61 W. K 89 W. N. 74 \Y. Mean Velocity. 8-13 7-60 4-74 6 36 Mean . . 7 99 Bain and Snow. — The quantity of rain and snow which fell in 1857, and the number of fair days for the year, are as follow : — Rain. Snow. Fair Months. Depth of inches. Days during which rain fell. Depth of Snow. Days of Snow. Days. Inap. 3-050 0-335 1-755 4-145 5-060 3-475 5-265 2-640 1-040 3-235 3-205 3 11 4 10 15 21 15 13 11 10 14 7 21-8 111 11-3 12-9 0*2 69 9 16 11 15 11 1 2 9 14 14 February 10 March 15 April 15 Mav 15 9 16 18 September October 19 19 November 9 December 12 Total 33-205 134 73S 79 171 Thunder Storms, folia Sweet Fern. Comus circinata Round-leaved Cornel or Dog Wood. " sericea Silky Cornel. " stolonifera Red Osier, — Dog Wood. " panicula'a Panicled Cornel. " alternifolia Alternate-leaved Cornel. Corylits Americana Hazel Nut. Crataegus coccinea Scarlet-fruited Thorn. u cruegalli Cockspur Thorn. " tomentota Black or Pear Thorn. Diervilla trifida Bush Honey Suckle. Dirca palustris Leather Wood. Euonymus Amerieanus Strawberry Bugle, — Burning Bush. Humulus lupulus .The Hop. Humamelis Virginica Witch Hazel. Ilex verticillata Black Alder. " levigala Smooth Winterberry. Kalmia glaaca Pale Laurel. Ledum lali folium Labrador Tea. Lonicera hirsuta Hairy Honey Suckle. 11 ciliata Fly Honey Suckle. " parvifiora Small Honey Suckle. tfATUEAL HISTOET. 21 Myria gale Sweet Gale. JPrunus Americana Wild Yellow Plum. u Virginiana Choke Cherry. Pyrus arbutifolia Chokeberry. " Americana Mountain Ash. Rhodora Canadensis Rhododendron Rhodora. Rhus typhina Stag-horn Sumac. " toxicodendron Poison Tree. Ribes cynosbati Wild or Prickly Gooseberry. " Floridum Wild Black Currant, " p.rostratrum Fetid Currant. Rosa lucida Dwarf Wild Rose. " blanda Early Wild Rose. " rubiginosa True Sweetbrier, — Eglantine. " micrantha Smaller-flower Sweetbrier. " Carolina Swamp Rose. Rubus Canadensis Bramble. «' odoralus Rose-flowering Raspberry — Mulberry. " triflorus Dwarf do. " strigosxts Wild Red Raspberry. " Occidentalis Black Raspberry, — Thimbleberry. " villosus High Bramble. '■ Canadensis Low Blackberry. Sambucus Canadensis Common Eider. An infusion of the bruised leaves of this plant is used by gardeners to expel insects from vines. The flowers are highly esteemed for their medicinal qualities. Sambucus pubens Red-berried Elder. Sassafras officinale Sassafras. Shepherdia Canadensis Wild Oleaster. Spirea opulifolia Mnebark Spirea. This plant is distinguished for the luxuriance of its showy flowers. It is found from Canada to Georgia. Spirea tomcntosa Steeple Bush, — Hardback. " salicifolia Queen of the Meadow-Meadow Sweet* Taxus Canadensis American Yew. Viburnum lentago Sweet Viburnum. " acerifolium Maple-leaved Viburnum. " opidus Cranberry Tree. Vitis labrusca Grape Vine. " cordifolia Winter or Frost Grape. In the April number of the Canadian Journal for 1854, Dr. Craigie of Hamilton published a list of indigenous plants collected 22 TORONTO. by himself and his son, Mr. William Craigie, in the neighborhood of Hamilton, containing 362 species. This was considered a large number at the time, although more recent observation has shown that very great additions could be made thereto. At one of our Horticultural Shows held during the past year, Mr. John Gray, Junr., of the Lake Shore Nursery, exhibited 100 species of native plants, nearly all of which were in bloom. These he had collected himself in the western vicinity and classified and named, and, as a matter of course, took the prize awarded to that special department. Professor Hincks, of University College, has, in his scientific rambles, collected upwards of 600 species in the immediate vicinity of Toronto, embracing all those enumerated by Dr. Craigie, with the exception of 15, some of which may yet be found by the Pro- fessor in his botanical excursions. It may be that a few of them are more particularly indigenous to the neighborhood of Hamilton, a point which time alone can determine. Professor Hincks has very kindly given me the use of his list for this work in order that the Flora may be as complete as present experience will permit. To save space, however, I have been obliged to throw it into the alpha- betic form, leaving it to the Professor himself, at some future day, to issue in systematic order, along with the numerous other plants which he has collected in different parts of the Province, as a Class Book of Canadian Flora for the use of his students. Those marked with an asterisk were exhibited by Mr. Gray, Junr., as already referred to. FI-ORES. FLOWERS. Abulilon avicennce Velvet-leaf. Acalypha Virginica Three-seeded Mercury. * Achillea millefolium Common Yarrow. Actea rubra f Red Baueberry or Cohosh. " alba f White do. *Adianlum peddum Maiden Hair. uElhusa cynap'iu/n Fools' Parsley. Agrhnonia Eupatoria Commou Agrimony. Agrostemma g'thago Corn Cockle. Agrostis alba Bent Grass, *Alisma plant.ngo Water Plantain. Allium tricoccurn \V ild Garlic. " Canaden.se Alopecurus protends Meadow Foxtail. aristulatns Wild Watei FoxlaiL Amaranlhus panic ulat as Red Amaianth. t Not noticed by Dr. Gray. NATTJEAL HISTOBY. 23 Amarinthus Eybridus . Green Amaranth. " albus White do. Ambrosia artemisicefolia. Hog Weed. *Ampelopsis quinquefolia Woodbine. Amphicarpaui monoica Hog Pea-nut. Anacharis Canadensis Water Weed. Anagallis arvensis Pimpernel. Anemone cylindrica Cylindrical long- fruited Anemone. " Virginiana , . .Tall Anemone. " Tennsylvanica Pennsylvanian Anemone. * " nemorosa The Wood Anemone. Anthoxanihum odoratum Sweet-scented Vernal Grass. Antennaria Margaretacea Pearly Everlasting. pi antagini folio, Plantain-leaved Everlasting. *Apios tuber osa Ground Nut. *Apocyiucm Androsemifolium Spreading Dogbane. " cannabinum Indian Hemp. Aphyllon unijlorum One -flowered Cancer-root. *Aquilegia Canadensis .Wild Columbine. Arabis Canadensis , . Sickle-pod. Aralia racemosa Spikenard. " hispida Bristly Sarsaparilla. * " nudicaulis Wild Sarsaparilla. " trifolia Dwax^f Giuseng. Arismma triphyllum Indian Turnip. Aristida parpurescens Triple Lawn Grass. Artemesia Vulgaris Common May wort. " Canadensis Canada Wormwood. Arrhenatherum avenaceum Oat Grass. *Asarum Canadense Wild Ginger. *Asclepias comuti Common Silk Weed. " phytolaccoides Poke-leaved Silk Weed. * " incarnata ....-.- Rose-colored do. * " tuberosa Butterfly Weed. Aspidium thelypteris Marsh Fern. Aspidium spinulosum " dditaium " marginale " acrostichoides Aster corymbosus Aster, or Michaelmas Daisy. * " macrophyllus Large-leaved Aster. * " patens Spreading do. " cordifolius Heart-leaved do. " dumosus Bushy do. " tradescanti 24 TOEONTO. *A ster miser Starved Aster, * u simplex Willow-leaved do. u tenuifolius Narrow-leaved do. " Novce Anglice New England do. Athyrium filix femina Lady Fern. Barbarea Vulgaris Yellow Rocket. " prcecox Early Winter Cress. \Bellis perennis Common Daisy. Bidens frondosa Common Beggar-ticks. " cernua Burr Mariold. " chrysanthemoides *Blephilia hirsuta Hairy Blephilia. * " ciliata Fringed do. *Blitum capitatum Strawberry Blite. " bonus Henricus Good King Harry. Bcehmeria cylindrica False Nettle. Botrichium lunarioides Common Moonwort. " Virginicum Brizia media Quaking Grass. Bromus cecalinus Cheat Grass. Soft Broom Grass. *Calystegia sepium Hedge Bind Weed. * " spithamceus Two-flowered do. * Calopogon pulchellus Calopogon. *Calla palustris Water Arum. Callitriche verna Common Starwort. *Caltha palustris Marsh Marigold. * Campanula rotundifolia Hare Bell. " aparinoides Marsh Bell Flower. Cannabis sativa Hemp. Capsclla bursa pat-iorls Shepherd's Purse. a arex stipata Sedge. " stellulata " scoparia 11 straminea " plantaginea " Inxijlora " varia " pracox ' Jiliformis " inhemescens " ampulacea Cardamine rhomboidea Spring Cress. NATURAL HISTORY. 25 Cardamlne hirsuta Bitter Cress. *Castilleja coccinea Scarlet-painted Cup. Caulophyllum thalictroidcs Blue Cohosh. Centaur ea cyanus Blue Bottle. Ceraslium vulgatum Mouse-ear Chick-weed. " viscosum Larger do. " arvense Field do. Ceratophyllum demersum Horn-wort. Chelidonium majus Greater Celandine. *Chelone glabra Snake-head. * Chenop odium urbicum Goose-foot. " album "White goose-foot — Lamb's quarters. " botrys Jerusalem Oak. Chimaphila umbellata Prince's Pine. " maculata Spotted Winter-green. Chiogenes hispidula Creeping Snowberry. Chrysosplenium Americanum Golden Saxifrage. Cicuta maculata Spotted Cowbane, Water hemlock. " bulbifera Bulb-bearing Co wban.e. Cichorium intybus Chicory. * Cimicifuga racemosa Black Snake-root. Circoza lutetiana Enchanter's Nightshade. " alpina Mountain Nightshade. Cirsium lanceolatum Common Thistle. discolor Tall Thistle. " arvense Canada Thistle. Claytonia Virginica Spring Beauty. " Caroliniana Caroline Spring Beauty. * Clematis Virginiana Virgin's Bower. Clintonia borealis, Clintonia. * * Colllnsonia Canadensis Horse Balm. Comandra umbellata Bastard Toad-flax. Conioselinum Canadense Hemlock Parsley. Conium macidatum Poison Hemlock. f Coptis trifolia Gold Thread. Corallorhiza multijlora Coral Boot. Coriandrum sativum Coriander. Coreopsis verticillata Tick-seed Sunflower. *Comus Canadensis Dwarf Cornel. Cryptotcenia Canadensis Hone- wort. Cynoglossum officinale Hound's Tongue. " Morisoni Virginian Mouse-Ear. Cyperus diandrus Gallingale. " strigosus Brittle-spiked Gallingale. * Cypr'pedium pubescens Larger yellow Ladies' slipper. c 26 TOBOSTC. * Cypripedium speHabile Showy Ladies' slipper. * " parviflorum Smaller yellow do. Cystea bulbifera Bulb-beariug Bladder Fern. " fragilis Common do. Dactylis glomerata Orchard Grass. Datura stramonium Thorn Apple. *I)asy stoma puscebens Downy Dasystoma. Dentaria diphylla Pepper-root — Tooth wort. Desmodium nudiflorum c Naked flowered Tick Trefoil. " acuminatum Spiked do. " Canadense Canadian do. " cuspidatum Smooth tick do. Dicentra Canadensis Squirrel Corn. Dicksonia pilosiuscula Fine-haired Mountain Fern. Drosera rotundifolia Sun-dew. DuNchium spathaceum Echinospermum lappula Stick-seed — Burr-seed. Eleocharis obtusa Spike Rush. " palustris «.,... .Marsh Club Rush. " acicularis Hair Club Bush. Elodea Virginica Marsh St. John's wort. Elymus Canadensis "Wild Rye. *Epilobium angustifolium Great Willow-herb — Rose-bay. palustre Marsh Willow-herb. color atum Dingy Willow-herb. *Equiselum arvense Common Horse-tail. pratense Shady do. sylvaticum Wood do. limosum . . Water do. palustre Marsh do. hyemale Scouring Rush. " scirpoides *Epigwa repens . . Ground Laurel. This was the first flower seen by the Pilgrim Fathers when they landed in New England, and they called it the May Flower, after the ship which had brought them to the land of liberty. Epiphegus Virginiana Beech Drops. Erechtites hieracifolius Fire-Veed. * Erlophorum polystachyon Common Cotton Grass. *Erigeron Canadense Butter Wood. * " bellidifolium Robin's Plantain. " Philadelphicum Flea-bane. NATURAL HISTOET. 27 Erigeron strigosum Daisy Flea-bane. Erysimum cheiranlhoides ."Worm-seed — Mustard. Erythronium Americanum Yellow Adder's-tongue. * Eupatorium purpureum Trumpet-weed. * " perfoliatum Boneset. * " ageratoides "White Snake-root. Euphorbia peplus. Petty Spurge. •' polygonifolia Shore do. u maculata Spotted do. " hypericifolia Larger do. u helioscopia Sun do. " obtusata Obtuse-leaved do. Eagopyrum esculentum Buckwheat. Festuca ovina Sheep 's Fescue Grass. u elatior Tall Meadow Grass. Fragaria Virginiana American Strawberry. " vesca Common Strawberry. Fumaria officinalis Common Fumitory. Galium aparine Goose Grass. " asprellum Rough Bed Straw. " trijlorum Sweet-scented Bed Straw. " triiidum Small Bed Straw. " circozzans Wild Liquorice. " lanceolatum Lance-leaved do. * " boreale Northern do. Galeopsis tetrahit Common Hemp Nettle. * Gaultheria procumbens Aromatic Wintergreen. Gaylussacia resinosa Black Huckleberry. Geranium maculatum "Wild Crane's Bill. * " Carolinianum Carolina Crane's Bill. pusillum Small-flowered Crane's Bill. Robertianum .Herb Robert. *Gentiana crinita , Blue Fringed Gentian. 11 Andrewsii Soapwort or Closed Gentian. " quinqueflora Five-flowered Gentian. *Gerardia tenuifolia „ . .Slender Gerardia. " flava Downy False Fox-glove. " quereifolia Smooth False Fox-glove. * " pedicularia Geum album "White Avens. * " strictum Yellow or Upright Avens. " rivale Water Avens. Glyceria Canadensis Rattlesnake Grass. " aquatica , "Water Manna Grass. 28 NATTTBAL HISTORY. Olyceria Jluitans Floating Manna Grass. * Gnaphalium polycephalum Fragrant Life Everlasting. * " uliginosum Low Cudweed. * Goody era repens Rattlesnake Plantain. * Gymnosticum hysirix Bottle-brush Grass. Helianthemum Canadense Frost Plant — Rock Rose. Helianthus divaricatus Wild Sunflower. " decapetalus Ten-rayed Sunflower. " trachelifolius " " Heliopsis Icevis Ox-eye. Heracleum lanatum Cow Parsnip. *Hepatica triloba Round-lobed Hepatica. * " acutiloba Sharp-lobed do. Hieracium Canadense Canadian Hawk weed. " scabrum Rough do. " Gronovii Hairy do. " paniculatum Slender do. Hierochloa Borealis Seneca Grass. Hippuris vulgaris Mare's Tail. Holcus lanatus Meadow Soft Grass. Hydrophyllum Virginicum Virginian Water-leaf. " Canadense Canadian do. Hydrocotyle Americana Marsh Penny Wort. Hyoscy amies niger Black Henbane. * Hypericum perforatum St. John's Wort. * " Canadense Canadian do. Ilysanthus gratioloides False Pimpernel. *Impatiens pallida Pale Touch-me-not. * " fitlva ... . Spotted do. — Jewel-weed. Inula Helenium Elecampane. *Iris versicolor Variegated Iris — Blue Flag. " Virginica Slender Blue Flag. Juncus effusus Soft Rush— Bulrush, " tenuis Slender Rush. " bufonius Toad Rush. Lactuca elongata Wild Lettuce. Lamium amplexicaule Dead Nettle. Lampsana communis Nipple Wort. Lappa major Burdock. Lemna trisulca Ivy-leaved Duck-meat. " minor Lesser do. " polyrhiza Many-leaved Duck Weed. KATTJKAL HISTOEY. 29 Lathyrus maritimus Beach Pea. Luciola pilosa Hairy Wood Rush. " campestris Common do. Zeontodon autumnalis Fall Dandelion— Hawkweed, Leonurus cardiaca Common Mother Wort. Lepidium Virginicum Wild Pepper Grass. Leucanthemum vulgar e Ox-eye Daisy. Lespedeza hirta Bush Clover. *Liatris cylindrica Button Snake Root. Lilium Philadelphicum Wild Orange Lily. * " Canadense Yellow Lily. * " super bum Turk's Cap Lily. Xinncea borealis .Twin-flower. Linum usitatissimum Common Flax. Lithospermum arvense Corn Gromwell — Wheat Thief. * Lobelia cardinalis Cardinal Flower, * " sylphilitica Blue Cardinal Flower. * in iflata Indian Tobacco. " spicata Spiked Lobelia. * Lupinus perennis Wild Lupine. *Zycopodium lucidulum Shining Club Moss. " dendroideum Ground Pine — Tree Club Moss. * u clavatum Common Club Moss. * " complanatum Seven-leaved Club Moss. Lycopus Virginicus Bugle Weed. " Europams Water Hoarhound. *Lysimachia stricta Upright Lysimachia. " quadrifolia Four-leaved Loose-strife. * " ciliata Heart-leaved Loose-strife. Malva rotundifolia Common Marsh Mallow. Maruta cotula May-weed. Medicago lupulina None-such. *Medeola Virginica Indian Cucumber Root. Melampyrum Americanum American Cow-wheat. Melilotus alba Sweet-scented Clover. Menispermum Canadense Canadian Moon Seed. Mentha viridis Spear Mint. * " Canadensis Common Mint. Menyanthes trifoliata .Buck Bean. Milium effusum Millet Grass. *Mimulus ringens Monkey Flower. *Mitchella repcns Partridge Berry, Mitella diphylla Two-leaved Mitre Wort. " nuda Dwarf do. 30 TOBOtfTO. *Monarda didyma Oswego Tea. 11 fistidosa Wild Bergamot, *Moneses uniflora One-flowered Pyrola. * Monoiropa uniflora Indian Pipe. Myosotis palustris Forget-me-not. " arvensis Scorpion Grass. Myriophyllum spicatum Water Milfoil. Nabalus alius „ Rattlesnake Root. " altissimus Tall White Lettuce* " Fraseri Eraser's Nabulus. Nasturtium officinale Water Cress. " palustre Marsh Cress. *Naumburgia thyrsiflora Tufted Loose-strife. Nepeta cataria , .Catmint — Catnip. Nescea verticillata Swamp Loose-strife. Nicandra physaloides Apple of Peru. *Nupliar advena Yellow Pond Lily. '*Nymphcea odorata Sweet-scented Water Lily. * Oenothera biennis ...» .Common Evening Primrose^ * " fruticosa . . . Perennial Evening Primrose, Oldenlandia ciliolata Rluets r or Clustered Pink Onoclea sensibilis Sensitive Fern. Onopordon acanthium Scotch Thistle. * Orohis spectabilis Showy Orchis. Oryszopsis asperifolia Common Mountain Rice. Osmorhiza longistylis Smooth Sweet Cicely. " brevistylis Hairy do. *Osmunda regalis . Royal Flowering Fern. " Claytoniana " cinnamomea Cinnamon-coloured Fern. Oxa/is Acetosella Common Wood Sorrel. * " stricta Yellow Wood Sorrel. * Oxycoccus macrocarpus Larger Cranberry. Panicum sanguinale Crab Grass. " capillar e Prairie Grass. " latifolium " " clandestinum " " crusgalli , Barnyard do. *Papaver rhceas Common Poppy. " dubium Smooth-fruited Poppy, " somniferum Opium Poppy. Fastinaca sativa Wild Parsnip. MATTTBAL HISTORY. 31 Fedieularis Canadensis Common Louse-wort. *Pentstemon pubescens Beard-tongue. Penthorum sedoides Ditch Stone Crop. Phalaris arundinacca Reed Grass. " Canadensis Canary Grass. Phleum pratense .Timothy Grass. * Phlox divaricata Early Phlox. Phryma leptostachya Lop Seed. Physostegia Virginiana False Dragon-head. Physalis viscosa Ground Cherry. Plantago major Greater Common Plantain. " lanceolata Ribwort Plantain. " Virginica Virginian or Lesser Plantain. *Platanthera orbiculata Large Round-leaved Orchis. * " Hookeriana Small two-leaved do. * " bracteata Bracteated Green Orchis. hyperborea Green Orchis. * " obtusata Dwarf Orchis. Poa annua Low, or Annual Spear Grass. " pratensis Meadow Grass. " compressa Blue Grass. * Podophyllum peltaticm May Apple — Wild Mandrake. *Pogonia ophioglossoides Arethusa . *Polygala senega Seneca Snakeroot. * " paucifolia Fringed Polygala. 11 polygama Bitter do. *Polygonatum bijlorum Smaller Solomon's Seal. [ther. Polygonum Orientate Oriental Knot Grass — Prince's Fea- " amphibium Water Knot Weed. " nodosum Nut Grass. " Pennsylvanicum Pennsylvanian Parsicaria. hydropiper Smart Weed — Water Pepper. " persicaria Lady's Thumb. " aviculare Goose Grass. " convolvulus Black Bind Weed. Polanisia graveolens Honey-scented Polanisia. *Pontederia cor data , Piekerel-weed. Portulaca oleracea Purslane. *Potamogeton natans. Broad-leaved Pond-weed. Potentilla Norvegica Norwegian Cinquefoil. Canadensis Canadian do. " anserina Silver-weed. u palustris Marsh Cinquefoil. Proserpinaca palustris Mermaid-weed. *Prunella vulgaris Self-heal. 32 TOEONTO. Pteris aquilina Common Brake. Pterospora Andromedea Albany Beech-drops. *Pyrola rotundifolia Round-leaved Winter-green. * " elliptica Pear-leaved Winter-green. " chlorantka Small Pvrola. * " secunda One-sided Pyrola. Ranunculus aquatilis White Water Crowfoot. " Flammula Spear-wort. abortivas Round-leaved Crowfoot. * " sceleratus Celery Crowfoot. ' ' recurvatus Hooked Crowfoot. tl Pennsylvanicus Bristly Crowfoot. " fascicularis . . . Early Crowfoot. * " reptans Creeping Crowfoot. " bulbosus Bulbous Crowfoot. " acris Butter-cups, Tall Crowfoot. Raphanus Raphanistrum Wild Radish. *Rudbec~kia laciniata Cone-flower. * " hirta Rough Cone-flower. Rumex crispus Curled Dock. " aquations Great Water Dock. " acetosella Sheep Sorrel. f " acetosa Common Sorrel. *Sagittaria variabilis . , Arrow-head. Samolus Valerandi Water Pimpernel. Sanicula Canadensis Canadian Sanicle. " Marilandica Maryland do. Sanguisorba Canadensis Canadian Burnet. *Sanguinaria Canadensis Blood-Root. * Saponaria officinalis Common Soap-wort. *Sorracenia purpurea Side-saddle Flower. Saxifraga Virginiensis Early Saxifrage. Scirpus lacustris Lake Bulrush. " eriophorum Wool Grass. " sylvaticus Wood Rush. Scleranthus annuus Common Knawel. Silene woctiflora Wight-flowering Catch-fly. Sisymbrium officinale Hedge Mustard. Sinapis alba White Mustard. " arvensis Field Mustard. Sium linear e Water Parsnip, Schollera graminea Water Star Grass.. Scrophularia nodosa Fly-wortj NATURAL HISTORY. 33 ^Scutellaria galericulala Common Scull-cap. " lateriflora Mad-dog Scull-cap. " parvula Small Scull-cap. Senecio vulgaris Common Groundsel. Setaria glauca Foxtail Grass. " viridis Green do. " Italica Millet Grass. * Sisyrinchium Bermudiana Blue-eyed Grass. *Smitax herlacea Carrion Flower. Smilacina racemosa False Spikenard. " stellata Star flowered do. " trifolia Three-leaved do. Solanum Dulcamara Woody Night-shade. Solidago squarrosa Golden-rod. u bicolor Two coloured do. " latifolia " cwsia Blue-stemmed do. " nemoralis Field Aster. " altissima Tall Golden-rod. * " Canadensis Canadian do. * " lanceolata Grass-leaved Golden-rod, * " serotina Smooth Golden-rod. Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow Thistle. " asper Spring-leaved do. Sparganium ramosum Burr Reed. *Spiranthes cernua Nodding Ladies' Tresses. Stellaria media Common Chickweed. " longifolia Stitch-wort. " uliginosa Swamp Stitch-wort. Streptopus roseus Twisted Stock. Struthiopteris Germanica Ostrich Fern. Symphytum officinale Comfrey. Symplocarpus fcetidus Skunk Cabbage. Tanacetum vulgar e Common Tansey. Taraxacum Dens-leonis Common Dandelion. *Teucrium Canadense Wild Germander. liarella cordifolia False Mitre-wort. Thaspium aureum Meadow Parsnip. *Thalictrum dioicum Early Meadow Rue. cornuti Large Meadow Rue. Phragmitis communis Reed Grass. Trientalis Americana Star Flower. Trifolium arvense , , »....., Hare's-foot Trefoil. 34 TOEOSTO. Trifolium pratense Red Clover. " repens White do. " agrarium Hop do. 11 procumbens Yellow Clover. * Trillium cernuum Nodding Trillium. * " erectum Purple do. * " grandifiorum Large White do. Triticum repens Couch Grass. Triosteum perfoliatum Horse Gentian. Typha latifolia Common Cat-tail. " angusiifolia Narrow-leaved do. Urtica gracilis Tall Wild-nettle. " urens Small Stinging nettle. Utricularia Vulgaris Common Bladder-wort. Uvularia grandiflora Large-flowered Bell- wort. " perfoliata Smaller Bell- wort. Vaccinium vitisidcea Common Cowberry. * " Canadense Canadian Blueberry. Verbascum thapsus Common Mullein. * Verbena hastata , , . .Blue Vervain. " anticifolia Nettle-leaved do. Veronica Anagallis Water Speedwell. * " Americana American Brooklime. " scutellata Marsh Speedwell. " officinalis Common Speedwell. " serpyllifolia Thyme-leaved Speedwell. " peregrina Purslane Speedwell. " agrestis Field Speedwell. " Buxbaumii Vicia Caroliniana Carolina Vetch. 1 ' Americana American do. * " cracca. Tufted Vetch. * Viola blanda Sweet White Violet. " palustris Marsh Violet. " cucullata Common Blue Violet. " rostrata Long-speared do. " Muhlenbergii American Dog Violet. * " Canadensis Canadian Violet. " pitbescens Downy Yellow Violet. " tricolor Pansey or Heart' s-ease. * " striata Pale Violet. * " lanceolata Lauced-leaved Violet. Xanthium Strumarium Cockle-burr. NATTJEAL HISTOEY. 85 Zizania aquatica .Indian Rice. Zizia integer rima Entire-leaved Zizia. The Fauna. — The Fauna of the neighborhood has no doubt been considerably modified by the progress of civilization, or at least by the clearing of the forest. The Wolf and the Bear, and other large animals so frequently met with by the early settler, are now seldom seen except by the lumberman, whose store of bacon lures them to his hut. Now and again, indeed, one or other of these ferocious animals, impelled by hunger, or allured by the scent of prey, strays beyond the line marked by civilization, and finds, when too late, that it has wandered too near the haunts of its relentless enemy, man. Of several of the orders of mammals, we have no representatives here. YERTEBRATA. Class 1. Mammals. — Cuvier divides this class into nine orders. Of the first and second Bimana (man) and Quadrumana (monkeys) we have nothing to say. Order III. Camivora (Flesheaters). The New York Bat Vespertilio N'oveboracensis. This bat is from three to four inches in length, with a spread of wing of from ten to twelve inches. In the winter of 1854, Mr. Couper, Entomologist, found one of these bats asleep one forenoon suspended by the feet from the branch of a tree in the Homewood Estate. He stuffed it and sent it to the celebrated Naturalist, L. Agassiz, to whom it was of the utmost importance, for it enabled him to correct an error into which he had fallen in regard to the geographical range of this species. He had set it down as ranging no farther north than the Middle States ; yet here it was apparently at home, a little north of Carlton Street. DeKay, in his valuable Natural History of New York, seems to have fallen into a similar error, for he says that tins species extends only to the 42nd parallel, and from Massachusetts to the Rocky Mountains. The Hoary Bat Vespertilio pruinosus. This is the largest species of bat in America. There are altogether discovered upwards of 150 species distributed over the globe, only five of which seemingly belong to our share. The Hoary Bat is four and a-half inches in length, with a spread of 15 niches. Little Brown Bat Vespertilio subulatus. Silver-ha ; red Bat , " noctivagans. 36 TOEONTO. DeKay says the history of this bat is incomplete. He, however, restricts its northern range to the same parallel as the New York Bat, which is evidently an error ; for although we have no specimen of it, so far as I know, in any collection in the City, it has been seen performing its nocturnal evolutions along the margin of the bay. Carolina Bat Vespertilio Carolinensis. Shrew Mole Scalops Canadensis. This animal resembles the European species both in form and habits. *Stamose Mole , Condylura cristata. *Black Bear Ursus Americamts. The fur of this animal was formerly much sought after as an article of commerce. In 1783, ten thousand five hundred bear skins were imported into England from the northern parts of America, and the number gradually increased until 1803, when it reached twenty-five thousand, — the average value of each skin being estimated at forty shillings sterling. Richardson says it inhabits every wooded district of the American continent from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and from Carolina to the shores of the Arctic sea. *Racoon t Procyon lotor This animal is nocturnal in its habits, sleeping during the day and prowling at night in search of food. It is very partial to shellfish. "Wolverine Gulo luscus. *Skunk Mephitis varians. This little animal,— -the synonyme for all that is offensive, — preys on the smaller animals, rats, mice, &c. *Common Weasel Mustela putorius. * Ermine or Stoat " erminea. *Nurek Yison or Mink Vison lutreola. *Brown Weasel Mustela fuscus. Pine Marten " tnartes. Pekan or Fisher " Canadensis. Sable Marten " eucopus. Canada Otter Lutra Canadensis. *G-rey Wolf Canis Lupus. * American Red Fox Vulpes Fulvus. * Black or Silver Fox " argentatus. *Canada Lynx Felis Canadensis. * Specimens of those so marked have been obtained in the immediate vicinity of Toronto. NATTTBAL HISTORY. 37 Order IV. Marsupialia (Pouched animals). ♦Virginian Opossum Didelphis Virginiana. This is the only representative we have of this order. Order V. Rodentia (Gnawing animals). *Black Squirrel Sciurus niger. *Louisiana Black Squirrel " Auduboni. *Grey Squirrel " Carolinensis, * Rocky Mountain Flying Squirrel . . . Pteromys alpimts. *Ground Squirrel Tamia striata. * Prairie Dog, Arctomys Ludovicianus. *Ground Hog or Woodchuck „ . " monax. This is the Maryland marmot, known more commonly here as the Ground Hog or Woodchuck. It feeds on garden vegetables, and is particularly fond of young corn, which it devours with avidity. ♦Common Mouse Mus musculus. *Common Rat " decmnanus. *Musquash Fiber zibethicus. *Beaver Castor fiber. *Canada Porcupine Ereihizon dorsatum. *American Hare Lepus Americanus. There are no representatives of the sixth, seventh, eighth, or ninth orders in our vicinity. Class II. Aves. Order I. Accipitres or Raptor es (Birds of prey). In the study of this interesting branch of Natural History, the raptorial birds are the first to claim attention. By virtue of their great muscular strength, and the daring and ferocity by which they are distinguished, they are the terror of the feathered race. Al- though, for the most part, destitute of that brilliancy of plumage which is so attractive in many of the Insessorial birds ; they have many characteristic features, which even the casual observer cannot but admire. This order contains two families, Accipitres Diurni and Accipitres Noctumi, — the former being again divided by Linnaeus into two tribes — the Vultures and Falcons. Family I. — Diurnal Birds of prey. Tribe 1st. — Vulturidce. There is none of the Vulture tribe in our immediate neighborhood. Tribe 2nd. — Falconidce. Golden Eagle .Falco chryscetos. * White-headed or Bald Eagle ...... " leucocephalus. 38 TORONTO. Ring-Tailed Eagle Falco fulvus, *Sea, or Black Eagle " ossifragus. *Eish Hawk or Osprey " halicetus. This bird, as its name implies, subsists entirely on fish, and is one of the most vigorous and industrious of the tribe. It is migratory, — arriving in the neighborhood of Toronto in the Spring, and leaving in the Fall, — and is considered by the fishermen, on its appearance in Spring, as a sure harbinger of the approach of the vast shoals of the finny tribes by which our coast is visited. They were very numerous at the Island last spring. *Gyr Falcon Falco Islandicus. *Great-footed Hawk " peregrinus. * Pigeon Hawk " columbarius. *Sparrow Hawk " sparverius. This is one of the most diminutive of our birds of prey, although very sanguinary, being known to attack and devour birds nearly as large as itself. The female is considerably larger than the male, as is the case with all Raptorial birds. } *Ash colored or Black-capped Hawk . " atricapillus. * Black Hawk .,« " Sancti Johannis. * Red- shouldered, or "Winter Hawk . . " lineatus. * Rough-legged Hawk " lagopus. *Red-tailed Hawk " borealis. *Marsh Hawk or Common Harrier . . " uliginosus. This bird, like the owl, preys on mice as well as on small birds. Wilson states that they are common in New Jersey, and are known by the name of the mouse-hawk ; they are also plentiful in the Southern States, and are useful to the planters in keeping down the "Rice Birds," so destructive to their rice fields. It is the most numerous bird of the order. *Skarp-shinned Hawk Falco fuscus. *Slate-colored Hawk u Pennsylvanicus. Family II. — Nocturnal Birds of prey. There is a striking resemblance between all the members of this family. They have very large heads and short necks. Their eyes being large and prominent, are well fitted for seeing at night, an" consequently ill adapted to stand the glare of the noonday sun, — *American Buzzard, or White- , breasted Hawk. *" Falc0 ^^anus. FATTJKAL HISTOET. 39 although some of them do hunt during the day. Their plumage is so delicately soft, that they are enabled to approach their victim without the least rustling or noise, and they are consequently more successful in their nocturnal depredations, where a stealthy silence is indispensable. The beak and talons are curved and strong, and, judging from the large size and peculiar construction of their external ear, their sense of hearing must be very acute. *Hawk Owl Strix funerea. This bird forms a kind of connecting link between the Hawks and Owls. It is migratory, arriving in the Fall. Like the Snowy Owl, it hunts by day as well as by night. It is an inhabitant of both continents. *Great Cinereous Owl .Strix cinerea. Although the habitation of this bird is in Northern North America, north of 42 ° , yet during the past winter several very fine specimens have been obtained in our neighborhood. This is the largest known species of the owl which inhabits North America, and is restricted on the Atlantic to the Northern States. In Western America its range is not known, but it was brought from Oregon by Dr. Townsend, Dr. Hall says it breeds in the vicinity of Montreal. Snowy Owl Strix nyctea. This is a majestic and most beautiful bird, well deserving the name " King of Owls," or " Snowy Eagle. " It arrives here at the commencement of our cold weather, and many of them are annually shot on the peninsula. It is well fitted to stand the severity of a cold climate, being so closely covered with soft and warm plumage that not a single point is left exposed. It hunts by day as well as by night, and is admirably adapted to that purpose. Its powerful and noiseless flight, aided by the fleecy whiteness of its plumage, enables it, as it skims over snow-clad plains, to approach its victim unseen and unheard. It feeds on mice and birds, and is particularly fond of fish. The female is darker in plumage than the male, and seldom if ever assumes the same snowy whiteness. ♦Barred Owl Strix nebulosa. *Long-eared Owl " Wilsoni. *Short-eared Owl " brachyotus. *Great Horned Owl " Virginiana. This bird is very rare in our neighborhood, although common in every part of the Western States, where it remains throughout the 40 TOKONTO. year. There is a feeling of superstitious clread associated in the minds of many persons in reference to this bird. Its harsh and dis- cordant voice resounding through the gloomy forest, or the desolate ruin where it makes its abode, is regarded as a supernatural omen ; a feeling not much diminished by approaching the bird itself ; for the large goggling and immoveable eye, the loud snapping of the bill, and the grotesque contortions of the neck and body, rather increase the displeasing effect. Mottled Owl Strix asio. ♦Little Owl " Acadica. This pretty little bird is one of the smallest of the nocturnal birds of prey. When disturbed during the day-time, it flies but a short distance ere it is overpowered with the dazzling light, and becomes so stupid that it may be taken by the hand without much effort. Several of them have been caught in Spadina Avenue. Order II. Passeresor Insessores, (Perching Birds.) This order is the most numerous of the entire class, comprehend- ing all those birds which live habitually among trees, with the ex- ception of the birds of prey, and the climbing birds. Their regimen is not fixed like that of the Gallinaceous birds or the Water Fowl. It consists chiefly of insects, fruits, and grain, being more or less granivorous in proportion to the thickness of the bill, and more or less insectivorous as the bill becomes attenuated. The order is sub- divided into four families : Family 1. Fissirostres Cleft beaked. " 2. Tenuirostres Slender beaked. " 3. Dentirostres Tooth beaked. " 4. Conirostres Cone beaked. Family I. Fissirostres. Chuck "Will's Widow Caprimulgus Carolinensis. * Whip-poor Will " vociferus. This species is frequently coufounded with the Night Hawk, al- though very different in habits as well as appearance. It arrives in our neighborhood in early spring. It is a solitary bird, being usu- ally found alone, in high, dry situations, wliile the Night Hawks fly in large flocks, and are very abundant in the immediate vicinity of marshy places. Its extended wing is four inches shorter than that of the hawk ; the tail is rounded ; the hawk's is forked. The man- dible is larger and stronger than that of the hawk, and long ranges KATUEAL HISTOEY. 41 of bristles project from each side beyond the point of the bill. It has a pectinated claw on the middle toe, which, according to modern ornithologists is used to free itself of certain insects with which it is infested. It is nocturnal in its habits, and feeds upon large flies, moths, &c. In quiet evenings, it is heard to utter its name, — whip- poor-will, — very distinctly. During the present season a large num- ber of them have been shot in our neighborhood. *Night Hawk Caprimulgus .4mmcaww$. This is a migratory bird, almost identical with the English Night Hawk or Goat Sucker^ which has from the earliest times been con- sidered a bird of evil omen. It is referred to by Aristotle, Pliny, and other ancient writers as deserving all the imputations cast upon it. It is accused of flying upon goats and sucking them, — the teat soon after becoming dry, and the animal blind, — also of inflicting a fatal distemper on weaning calves should it happen to strike them when in quest of the insects with which these animals are infested. A little study into the real habits of the bird would however remove these erroneous opinions. It is nocturnal, and feeds upon moths and other large insects. It may be often seen in the City of Toronto, on a fine simmer evening, displaying a variety of inimitable evolu- tions as it glides with rapid wing in pursuit of its prey. *Chimney Swallow Hirundo pelasgia. This species is easily distinguished from the rest of its tribe by the thorny-looking extremities of its tail ; the shafts extending consider- ably beyond the vanes, sharp, elastic, and of a black colour. *Purple Martin Hirundo purpurea. This interesting and beautiful bird is so much a favorite in conse- quence of its social character, that it is no uncommon thing for persons to prepare it a place of abode during its brief sojourn. Hundreds of little boxes are stuck up on long poles in the gardens throughout the city, where these wanderers annually find a resting place, and a temporary home after their long flight. * White-bellied Swallow Hirundo bicolor. This bird feeds on the berries of the myrtle previous to its depar- ture in autumn. *Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica. This bird associates with the White-bellied Swallow, but is easily J) 42 TOBONTO. distinguished by the chestnut color of the belly and vent. It flies with great velocity ; its usual speed being a mile a minute, and while on wing it collects its food. *Bank Swallow or Sand Martin Hirundo riparia. The Sand Martin is a social bird, large flocks of them uniting to form a colony in some favorite locality, such as the high sandy bank of an old quarry, or the bluff bank of a river. They excavate holes to the depth of from two to three feet — always horizontally — for their nests, and usually near the surface of the bank. The sand- banks near the Toronto Necropolis contain large colonies of them, and during the summer months they may be seen in hundreds hover- ing around the entrance to their abode. Their nests are always placed at the inner extremity of the burrow, and consist simply of a little dry grass, with a few downy feathers inside. *Belted Kingfisher. . . , Alcedo Alcyon. This bird frequents lonely and secluded places, near streams and torrents, perching on some overhanging bough or jutting cliff where it can watch in every direction for its prey. It darts down with incredible velocity upon its victim, seizes it and carries it off to some lonely spot to be devoured. The idea, — long entertained by the Family II. Tenuirostres. *Humming Bird Trochilus Colubris. This beautiful and delicate little bird makes its appearance amongst us about the middle of May when it may be seen hovering around the currant bushes. When the time of blossom has passed, it leaves our neighborhood and returns again about the end of July. Large numbers of young birds appear on this second visit, but very few adult male birds return, — a circumstance which has caused many to think that they do not rear their young in the immediate neighbor- hood. Upwards of fifty specimens shot during the past summer were examined by Mr. May, and not one of them had the orna- mental feathers on the throat, which are only found on the adult male, — the young male resembling the female in plumage. This is one of the most interesting of our Canadian birds, — brilliant in plumage, delicate in structure, and diminutive in size. Its food con- sists of small insects and of the nectar of flowers. After a shower of rain they may be seen hovering before a flower seemingly as if suspended in the air rather than by their wings, the rapid motion of STATURAL HISTORY. 43 which produces that buzzing sound from which their name is derived. This is the only one of the genus which visits us, although there are upwards of four hundred species known, some few of which are natives of the southern part of North America. ♦Black and "White Creeper Certhia maculata. This species is classed by some naturalists with the Sylviadce, or "Warblers, but as it has many of the characteristics of the Scansorial birds, Wilson has placed it with the genus Certhia. *Brown Creeper Certhia familiaris. This pretty little bird is identical with the European Brown Creeper. Like that bird it is ever on the move, climbing round the branches of trees with astonishing dexterity, and darting its prehen- sile tongue into every crevice for the insects therein lodged. They are very numerous in spring on the peninsula. * White-breasted Black-capped Nuthatch r . . Sitta Carolinensis. This bird, — formerly enrolled as a mere variety of the European Nuthatch, (Sitta Europea), — is now generally acknowledged as a distinct species. It feeds on insects, caterpillars, and beetles of a small size, and is also somewhat granivorous. It derives its name from the peculiar tact which it displays in extracting the kernels of nuts. *Red-bellied Black-capped Nuthatch, Sitta varia. This species is considerably smaller than the former, and is fre- quently found on the pine trees, associating with the smaller wood- peckers. Family III. Dentirosires. *Canada Fly Catcher . . . . , Muscicapa Canadensis, *Tyrant Fly Catcher, or King Bird u tyrannus. This species is very abundant in our neighborhood during the months of June and July. It is one of the most daring of the perching birds, — attacking Crows and Hawks and even Eagles, in defence of its young. It is only on this continent that we meet with the large species, or Tyrant Fly Catcher. Nature has here been lavish with her insect tribes, both as to numbers and size ; but in this bird she has opposed to them a most powerful and cruel enemy. *Crested Fly Catcher Muscicapa crinita. 44 DOEOKTO. This species, like the fly catchers generally, is of a wild and soli- tary character, the physiognomy being of a distrustful, as well as ferocious expression. Green Crested Fly Catcher Ifuscicapa Acadica. *Pewit do do " fusca. *Wood Pewee do " rapax. This is one of our earliest visitants in spring. Small-headed Fly Catcher Museicapa cornutct. *Red Start «* ruticilla. This bird differs from the European Red Start, both in size and color. Our great American ornithologist, Wilson, places it amongst the fly catchers, although differently classed by several most respect- able authorities. Green Black-capped Fly Catcher Muscicctpa pusilla. * Yellow-throated Fly Catcher " sylvicola. *Small Blue-grey Fly Catcher ** ccerulea. White-eyed Fly Catcher u eantatrix. Solitary Fly Catcher. . ^ " Solitaria. *Great American Shrike Lanius borealis. This bird is very rare in the vicinity of Toronto. Although living partly on insects, it displays great ferocity of disposition in attacking small anhnals. Its beak is similar to that of birds of prey, and is used for a similar purpose. Like the European Butcher Bird, it has been accused of cruelty towards its victims ; but a more minute examination has convinced ornithologists that the claws being unadapted for grasping or tearing, it has to resort to methods which would be unnecessary were it furnished with the bill and the claws of a bird of prey. *B,obin Turdus migratorius. This bird is very different both in form and size from the English Robin. It no doubt received the name " Robin" from the early English settlers, in consequence of a similarity in disposition, and a striking resemblance in the colour of its breast. *Hermit Thrush Turdus solztarius. * Golden-crowned Thrush " aurocapillus* *Ferruginous Thrush " rufus. This is the largest of our Thrushes, and is ab once distinguished from the others by the length of its tail, and by its beautiful fan- STATURAL HISTORY. 45 shape when the bird is on the wing. It is a good songster, almost equaling the Song Thrush in musical powers, and it is hailed as one of our earliest harbingers of spring. *Tawn y Thrush Turdus mustelinus. *Water Thrush " aquations. *Wood Thrush " melodus. As a songster, this bird is equal to the European Song Thrush — Turdus musicus. Audubon says : " Its song, although confined to but few notes, is so powerful, distinct, clear, and mellow, that it is impossible for any person to hear it without being struck with the effect it produces on the mind." *Cat Bird * Turdus lividtts. This is one of our most common summer visitants- Brown Lark Antkus spinoletta. This is the Alauda Bufa of Wilson, but Bonaparte, after repeated observations, and the distinguished Audubon, both class it with the genus Anthus. * Yellow-rump Warbler Mniotllta coronata. *Black-poli ** !t striata. *Yellow-throated " " pensilis. *Bay-breasted " " castanea. Bonaparte says this bird was first discovered and described by Wilson. European Ornithologists do not mention it, and probably have not met with it. Cape May Warbler Mniotllta maritima. *Chestnut-sided " " Pennsylvania* *Mouraing " " Philadelphia. *Pine Creeping " " pinns. *Blackburnian " " Blackbumias. Yellow-backed " " Americana. Blaek and Yellow" " maculata. ♦Black- throated Blue Warbler «« Canadensis. ♦Maryland Yellow- throated Warbler " trichas. *Golden- winged Warbler « chrysoptera. *Blue-eyed Yellow " " aestiva. This beautiful little bird is most familiar and unsuspicious in its disposition, allowing you to approach within three or four yards of it, seemingly without fear. Great numbers of them may be seen in 46 TOBONTO. the gardens in the upper part of the city, among the shrubs and fruit trees, and sometimes in the streets, unmindful of the bustle and din of a crowded thoroughfare. For many summers past they have frequented in great numbers a large willow tree in Yonge street, nearly opposite Gerrard street, and always appeared most sprightly and joyful when there was any extra stir on the street. It is the most plentiful of our warbler visitants. The Cow Bunting, which, like the European Cuckoo, deposits its eggs in other birds' nests, frequently does so in the nest of the Blue- eyed Yellow "Warbler, and the way in which this little bird gets rid of the alien egg — which is much larger than its own — is singularly ingenious. Unable to eject the egg, in consequence of its size, it builds a new bottom to the nest, completely covering over the Bunting's egg, and thus depriving it of all warmth during incuba- tion. Should the Bunting again pay a visit to the nest, a similar course is adopted, even at the sacrifice of its own eggs, rather than become a foster parent. The Warblers are extremely numerous. Audubon describes forty- four different species as being common to America. Those most commonly met with in the neighbourhood of Toronto are of small size and very delicate structure, and many of them are remarkable for the melody of their song, which they pour forth incessantly dur- ing the period of incubation. They are migratory in their habits and rank among our summer visitants. They are familiar tenants in our gardens and shrubberies, living almost exclusively on insects which they catch on wing, or peck from the leaves of the trees and shrubs they frequent. When insect food fails they resort to grain and fruit. Carolina Wren Troglodytes Ludoviciaim&. *Winter Wren « " hyemclis. * Marsh Wren " palustris. *Wood Wren „ u Americanus. *House Wren " domestica. The immense numbers of caterpillars and other insects which tliis little bird destroys, should endear it especially to all who have gardens. One pair will, while providing for the wants of their young, destroy many hundreds of these insects daily. They build readily in small boxes fastened to the top of a pole in the garden or under the eaves of the hoiise. They are deserving of all the attention that could be paid to them, in consequence of their value in clearing away the caterpillars and other insects so destructive of the beauty o f the garden. NATTJBAL HISTORY. 47 *Golden-crested Wren, or American. Regulus y Regulus satrapa. This delightful little bird frequents the largest trees. It is almost incessantly in motion from early morn — flitting from branch to branch — clinging to them in every conceivable way in search of the larvae of insects, which are attached to the leaves and stems. It also takes numerous small flies on wing. *Ruby-crowned "Wren Regulus salendula. This is one of our earliest spring visitants, but rarely stays during summer. In the spring of 1857 they were very numerous on the peninsula for eight or ten days ; they then totally disappeared, having removed further north. They penetrate as far as the Hudson's Bay territory, and in that northern region build their nests and rear their young. They visit us again in autumn, and, associating with the Golden-crested Wren, they find a rich harvest in the myriads of insects which infest our fruit trees. These two birds are so closely allied in habits, general form and color, that a narrow inspection is necessary in order to distinguish them. The Ruby-crowned Wren wears a crown of rich vennillion, while the crest of the other is of a golden or orange color. *The Blue Bird Sialea Wilsoni, Early in March this beautiful bird makes its appearance, and visits the old box in the garden, or the hole in the old apple tree, which may have formed the cradle for some generations of its ancestors. It is tame and confiding, and generally receives a joyous welcome from those whose gardens it visits. *Black-capped Titmouse Parus atricapillus. This species is so closely allied in habits and appearance to the European Marsh Titmouse (Parus Palustris) that they were at " vcidactylus. Laughing Gull c " atricilla. Large White-winged Gull '• glacus. Ivory Gull •' cberneus. Common American " zonorhynchns. *Herring Gull '* argentatus. *Saddle-back Gull " marinus. Common Skua Lestris cataractes. Richardson's Skua '* Richardsonii, *Orested Grebe Podiceps cristatus. *Red-necked do " rubricollis. *Horned do " cornutus. * Pied-bellied Dobchick , " Carolinensis. Cormorant « Graculus carbo. NATTJEAL HISTORY. 57 Class III. Beptilia (Reptiles.) With the exception of one member of the Ranidsean Family — and that even by our citizens very rarely, so far as I am aware — there are none of the animals which belong to this class sought after for any utilitarian purpose whatever, unless by the Herpetologist, who lauda- bly pursues his somewhat repulsive investigations, that science may be enriched thereby, or by the collector who wishes to fill up the niche in his museum which would otherwise be left without its proper representative. Although most of them are rather loathsome than otherwise, their organizations are fitted to excite our deepest interest and admiration. The foot of the common frog, for example, is one of the most wonderful pieces of mechanism which nature exhibits, and each member of the class has some distinctive feature which dis • plays the wonderful wisdom of the Creator. I am indebted to DeKay's valuable works for the lengths and markings of the class here described. The specimens found in our neighborhood vary so much that I deemed it better to give the conclusions of so eminent a Herpetologist to any random remarks of my own. Family Chelonid^:. The animals of this family are strictly oviparous, hiding their eggs in the sand and leaving them to be hatched by the heat of the sun. Some of them are exclusively aquatic, others exclusively terrestrial, while others appear to live equally on the land and in the water. Leather Turtle Sphargis coriacea. Soft-shelled Turtle Trionyx ferox. This species is abundant in Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. Snapping Turtle Chelonura serpentina. This is one of our largest turtles ; it is from two to four feet long. It is met with frequently at a distance from the water, either in search of food or a suitable place to deposit its eggs. It feeds upon frogs and fishes, and snaps greedily at ducks as they are swimming along, dragging them under water, to be devoured at leisure. Its popular name is derived from this propensity to snapping. In other places it is known under the names Loggerhead, Alligator Turtle, and Couta. DeKay speaks of having seen a small leech (clepsina scabra) adhering to this species. Smooth Terrapin t Etnys terrapin Painted Tortoise , " picta. Spotted Tortoise " guttata,. 58 TOEONTO. This species feeds on insects, frogs and worms. They bury them- selves on the approach of winter in the mud at the bottom of ponds. Wood Terrapin Emys insculpta. This species is not exclusively aquatic, being often found at a distance from the water. It is generally called the Fresh-water Terrapin. Red-bellied Terrapin Emys rubriventris. Geographic Tortoise " geographica. Pseudo Geographic Tortoise . , " pseudo geographica. Mud Tortoise Kinostemon JPenn&ylvanicum. Musk Tortoise Sternotharrus odoratus. This species, under the names Musk Tortoise, Mud Turtle, Mud Terrapin, or Stinkpot, is to be found in most of our ponds and ditches. Common Box Tortoise Cistuda Carolina. This species is frequently kept in cellars, under the idea that it expels rats and other domestic vermin. It feeds on insects, fruit, and the edible mushroom. It never takes to the water by choice. Blandiog's Box Tortoise Cistuda Blandingii Family Coxuberid^. The Black Snake Coluber constrictor. This species is from three to six feet in length, of a uniform shining bluish black above, with the margin of the jaws, chin, and throat white ; the belly usually slate coloured or bluish white. It climbs trees with great ease by coiling itself round the trunk in a spiral manner in search of eggs and young birds. The colours of most of the snakes are exceedingly brilliant, but they require to be seen alive ascending a tree, or gliding through the grass when the sun is shin- ing on them, to be fully appreciated, as their colour loses its lustre after death. The Milk Snake Coluber eximius. This species is from three to five feet long. It has a variety of names, being known as the Chicken Snake, Thunder and Lightning Snake, House Snake, and Chequered Adder. There are from 30 to 50 chestnut coloured spots, bordered with black, distributed along the whole upper surface of the body and tail. These spots are often minutely punctate with red. On the summit of the head there is often a reddish semi-circular band extending from one eye to the other. NATUKAL HISTOET. 59 Ring Snake Coluber punctatus. This species is from twelve to eighteen inches long. It is bluish brown, approaching to black above ; head lustrous black ; a yellowish white round the neck, margined with black ; beneath it is yellowish white. Grass Snake Coluber vernalis. This species is from one to two feet in length ; grass-green above ; with smooth scales ; beneath white tinged with yellow ; head dark olive brown ; throat dull white. "Water Snake Tropidonotus sipedon. This speeies is from two to five feet long ; dark brown, banded with a darker shade ; beneath white varied with brown or rufous. Striped Snake Tropidonotus tcenia. This species is known under the names Green Garter Snake, Slow Garter, Swamp Garter, Water Garter, &c. ; it is from two to four feet long, greenish-brown, with three light stripes running along the body. Yellow-bellied Snake Tropidonotus leberis. Length from two to three feet ; olive brown, with three black lines above ; beneath, yellow. Small Brown Snake Tropidonotus Dekayi. Length, twelve to fifteen inches ; reddish brown ; lighter coloured dorsal stripe with a double row of small blackish spots. Ribbon Snake .Leptophis saurita. Length, from one to two feet ; body slender ; chocolate brown with three yellowish stripes. Red Snake Calamaria amana. Length, six to twelve inehes ; reddish brown ; beneath red ; scales smooth. Hog-nosed Snake Heterodon platyrhinos* This species is two feet long. It is greyish,, tinged with yellow, and having a triple series of blackish blotches above. The dorsal series largest, bordered with black, and dark brown around the eyes. Family Crotalid^. Copper Head Trigonocephalus contortfix Length, two to three feet ; reddish brown patches over the back. 60 TORONTO. Northern Rattle Snake Crolalus durissus. This snake is three feet long, reddish brown or chestnut, and black with regular rhomboidal black blotches. Although plentiful at Niagara, where it may be seen sunning itself on the limestone cliffs, I am not aware that this species has every been met with in our im- mediate neighborhood. Its range is as far north, but it is only found as a general thing amongst rocks and jutting cliffs, a kind of rustic scenery of which our vicinity is entirely destitute. Class Amphibia. — Family Banid^. Bull Frog Eana pipiens- This species is common throughout North America. It attains to a very large size, measuring from six to seven inches in length, and having a corresponding corpulency. Audubon says that the hind legs (when cooked) are white, tender, and excellent eating. Some specimens weigh half a pound. Large Northern Bull Frog Eana Horiconensis. It is somewhat doubtful whether we have the species here named. It is much smaller than the Bull Frog, being only from three to four inches long. Its name is local, being derived from Lake George, in the State of New York, the Indian name of which is "Lake Horicon," as upon its banks the species first described was found. Spring Frog Eana fontinalis. This is the species which is so much esteemed as a delicacy, al- though I am not aware that that nicely adjusted Epicurean taste which would so peculiarly relish either Spring Frogs, or that other Imperial dish — "peacock's brains" — is much cultivated in Toronto. The appearance of our St. Lawrence market would almost negative such an idea. This species lives in the immediate vicinity of clear pools and running streams, and leaps into them when disturbed. It feeds upon aquatic insects, and such others as may approach within its reach. It is from three to four inches long. Marsh Frog Eana palustris. Shad Frog " halcina. These Frogs seem synonymous with the Water Frog of some Naturalists, being termed Water Frog, Shad Frog, and Marsh Frog, indiscriminately. DeKay gives them as distinct species. The Shad Frog of North America is, however, considered the representative of the Eana esculenta of the European Continent, as it resembles that species closely in habits and colouring. NATURAL HISTOEY. 61 Wood Frog Rana sylvaticus. The Hermit Spade Foot (scophiopus solitarius) is a curious species, with the teeth of a frog and the parotid glands of a toad. It was first detected by the eminent Herpetologist, Dr. Holbrook, and placed by him as a connecting link between the two genera. I have not seen it in any of our collections, and doubt whether it has been found in our immediate neighborhood, although it is very possible. Common American Toad Bufo Americanus. Pickering's Hylodes Hylodes Pickeringi. Cricket Hylodes * gryllus. Northern Tree Toad " versicolor. Squirrel Tree Toad •* squirella. Family Salamaktdbidje. Yellow-bellied Salamander. ..,...»....„... . . .Salamandra symmetrica. Red backed " erythronota,' Painted " " picta. Blotched " " fasciata. Granulated " granulata- Scarlet " coccinea. Tiger Triton Triton tigrinus. Common Spotted Triton " millepunctatus. Dusky Triton " nigra. Grey Spotted Triton " porphyriticus. Family Amphiumid^. Three-toed Ampbiuma Amphiuma tridactylum. Two species of Amphiuma only are known, and specimens of both have been discovered in our neighborhood. They have four limbs, very small and jointless. One species has three toes on each limb ; the other only two. These animals are essentially formed for the water, where they obtain their prey. On the approach of winter, they bury themselves in the mud, and there hybernate. Occasion- ally, however, they creep on land and burrow in spongy places or under decaying logs or fallen trunks of trees in swamps and marshes. Family Sirenid^. The Banded Menobranchus Menobranchus lateralis. This species is generally called the Big Water Lizard. Of its habits little is known. Several specimens have been taken in the River Don — all on night-lines which had been set for eels. 62 TOBOKTO. Class IY. Pisces (Fishes). As our little work is more exclusively confined to Toronto and its immediate vicinity, it would be somewhat out of place to enter at all minutely into a description of the varied kinds of fish that in- habit Lake Ontario. A reference to a few of the more prominent ones will therefore suffice. The first in order that claims notice is — The Yellow Perch Perca flavesceus. Common Pond Fish Pomotis vulgaris. Marsh Sun-fish There is a great variety in the specimens of this genus that have been obtained, and it is consequently difficult to say what number of species there are. The Piearel Lncioperca Americana. The Little Piearel , Pileoma semifasciatum. Black Bass Huro nigricans. Rock Bass Centrarchus ceneus. Lake White Bass Labrax albidus. Lake Sheepshead. Corvina oscula. Agassiz states that this fish is found in Lake Champlain, Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and the Ohio River. It is but remotely allied to the genus Corvina, and must be considered as the type of a dis- tinct genus, described upwards of thirty years ago by Rafinesque, one of our most indefatigable naturalists, under the name of Ambloden. Common Sucker Catastomus communis. Mallet Sucker " aureolus. Pale Sucker " pallidus. Long- finned Chub Sucker Labeo cyprinus. There is a species of the true shad (Clupea Alosa) taken in the Lake, but it is very rare. Roughhead Leuciscus Cornutus. Yery little is known of the genus Leuciscus or Dace Family. The one here named is seldom taken in the Lake, as it prefers the run- ning waters of creeks, where it is always found in company with its congener, the Blacknosed Dace Leuciscus Atronasus. There are many little fishes in the streams in the immediate neigh- borhood that go under the names of Chub and Minnow, but exam- ination shows that they present a great difference in generic form, and have therefore for convenience sake been all classed together. NATURAL HISTORY. 63 We have two species, at least, of the Garpike, or genus Lepidosteus. Common Pike Esox lucius. Maskinonge " estor. Great Lake Catfish Pimelodus nigricans. Agassiz terms this fish Pimelodus Cosrulescens. It weighs occa- sionally over one hundred pounds. Common Catfish Pimelodus catus. The great Lake Trout Salmo namaycush. Brook Trout " fontinalis. White Fish Coregonus albus. Frosted White Fish " There are several species of Coregonus which are termed herrings by the lake fishermen. Sturgeon Acipenser Sturio. There are two species of this fish, one of which is termed by the fishermen, the Rock Sturgeon. The one named above is a very large fish and not so common in our waters. The Dog Fish Amia ocelicauda' There are two species of Dog Fish in the bay ; the one here named is a very pretty fish. They are not eaten. Eel-pout Gadus lota. This fish is sometimes taken in great numbers. The fishermen on the island make an excellent oil from the liver, which burns well and produces a good light. There are two or three species of eel, the largest of which inhabit the lake. Great Lake Eel Anguilla. Silver Eel Long-nosed Eel Tie Lamprey Eel Petromyzon. This fish is common in the lake where it is a parasite on the Salmon. Invebtebrata. The animals which compose the sub -kingdom Articttlata are exceedingly numerous and minute. The Insecta is the only class which I have noticed at any length. It not only belongs to the hig.iest division of the series, but its study is very interesting. The other branches, including the Centipede tribe, the Spiders and Mites, the Crabs and Lobsters and other crustaceous animals, the Leech 64 TOEONTO. and Worm tribe, and the lowest stage of all, the Wheel Animalcules, I have not entered upon. They require an elaboration altogether too minute and microscopic for my present purpose. Class Y. Insecta (Insects). Entomology is a branch of Natural History hitherto but little studied in Toronto. Some nine years ago Professor Croft delivered a very interesting lecture on Entomology in the Mechanics' Institute, and contrary to the expectations of some of the Committee of the Institute, who looked upon the subject as rather a small affair, and not likely to be attractive, he had a large audience. The worthy Professor exhibited a collection which he had himself formed, and which up to that time had been strictly private, and although the subject was entirely new to most of the audience, they were exceed- ingly delighted with such a large collection of " beautiful butterflies..'* This lecture had one happy result,, for it gave a stimulus to Mr. William Couper, then a journeyman printer in the Globe office, to prosecute with greater vigor a study whieh he had a few years before commenced, and which from that time to this, he has prosecuted with unabated zeal and with very great success. When Dr. Goadby delivered his admirable lectures on Natural History in Toronto, in 1854^ he paid a high and justly merited compliment to Mr. Couper as a most successful entomologist. At the Provincial Show held here in 1852, Mr. Couper exhibited a large collection in which were included specimens of all the Orders of this division of Natural History found in the vicinity of Toronto. That beautiful collection, after sundry additions, has recently been sold to Professor Dawson of McGill College, Montreal, and I under- stand it is. placed in the College under the title of the Couper Col- lection. At the same Show, Mr. Couper exhibited a case of Insert Architecture, containing nests, transformations, habitations, and eggs of insects, with the excrescences produced on leaves and plants by their operations. This case was purchased by Mr. Hodgins ior the Museum of the Normal SchooL This interesting department 13 divided into seven Orders. Order I. Coleoptera (Beetles.) Of this order alone, there are at least 5,000 species. The collec- tion already alluded to contained 1, 200, nearly all of winch vere taken by Mr. Couper himself in the vicinity of the city. Many of the beetles are very serviceable by preying upon caterpillars, plant- Numbers of them live NATTJKAL HISTOET. 65 entirely on mushrooms, toadstools, and other members of the agaric family, many of them poisonous, and which in a state of decay are offensive. Others live under the bark and in the trunks of old trees and hasten their decay. One species of the genus Cantharididce, the blistering beetle, has for a long time been employed by the medi- cal faculty. But there are others which are extensively injurious. Of late years, the gardeners in the City and neighborhood have been vexed and annoyed by several insect plagues belonging to this order, which have in a very unceremonious way despoiled the fruit trees of their foliage and their crops, and seemingly defy all attempts at extermination. The plum crop more especially is often entirely ruined by the depredations of these insects. The Plum Weevil, or Curculio, as it is sometimes called, — Hhynchanus Nenuphar y — is a little, rough, dark brown, or blackish beetle, about one-fifth of an inch long. They make their appearance here towards the latter part of April, and remain till July. Soon after the blossom falls from the plum tree, they begin to puncture the little plums with their curved snout, and lay an egg in the wound. From one plum they go to another until their store of eggs is exhausted^, and very rarely is there more than one egg in a plum. From this egg a little whitish grub, very much like a maggot in appearance, is hatched. It imme- diately eats towards the centre of the fruit until it has reached the stone; and the plums drop off before having reached one-fourth their natural size. When the fruit falls, the grub leaves it and burrows in the ground, where it remains for about three weeks, when, having completed its transformations, it comes out of the ground in the beetle form. Our gardeners recommend shaking the trees briskly every morning and evening, when these insects first appear and are laying their eggs. When disturbed in this way they fall off and may be caught in a sheet spread under the tree, and should be immediately put into the fire. Syringing the young fruit with a coating of whitewash or tobacconist's liquor mixed with sulphur and soft soap, is also recommended as an infallible remedy. The Turnip-fly, or flea-beetle, one of the family of the Chrysomelian tribe, and generically termed Halticadse, is a most destructive insect, laying waste entire fields of turnip. When the ground begins to get warm and yield to the genial influences of spring, these little pests come up out of the earth and devour the seedling leaves as the plants spring up, — and they continue their ravages throughout the summer. Cabbage, mustard, cress, radish, and other plants of that family, are subject to attack from one or other of these flea-beetles. The Wheat Weevil, the Sitophilus granarice, of Linnaeus, belongs 66 TOEOFTO. to this order. It is very fully described by Harris in his valuable work on Insects. This weevil, about which so much has been said and written of late, is stated by those who have studied its nature and instincts not to be common in Canada, and, if found at all, only to be detected in stores where grain has been kept for a length of time. In this order are also found the wood-ticks, which include in their number the ominous Death- Watch (Anobium tasselatum), which has made many an otherwise stout heart quail. This little timber-borer is purely European, but we have it in abundance, introduced un- doubtedly, — as Le Conte so conclusively reasons with regard to the importation of other insects, — in the articles of furniture which from time to time have been brought across the Atlantic. Order II. Orthoptera (Cockroaches, Crickets, Grasshoppers, &c.) The Orthopterous insects found in our vicinity belong principally to the grasshopper family. They are not much sought after for collections. All the insects of this order, except the Camel Cricket (Mantidw), which preys on other insects, are injuriuos in our houses or destructive to vegetation. In the collection alluded to there were only 24 species. Order III. Hemiptera (Bugs, Locusts, Plant-lice, &c. &c.) This order includes many insects of much service in the arts, affording us the Cochineal dye, scarlet grain, lac and manna ; but the numerous tribe of plant-bugs, plant-lice, &c. &c. , that suck the juices of plants, require the greatest care to keep them in check. Mr. Couper's collection contained 65 species. Order IV. Neuroptera (Dragon-flies, Lace- winged Flies, May- flies, Day-flies, White Ants, &c. Henry Sherwood. 1857 — John Hutchison. 1844 ) 1858— Wm. H. Boulton. 1845) 1846 [ William H. Boulton. 1847) The Council meets every Monday evening at half-past seven o'clock throughout the year. The doors are open to the public, and every attention is paid to strangers to provide them with a comfort- able seat within the bar where the discussions that take place may be fully heard. MUNICIPAL AEEANGEMENTS. 148 'While the perfection of the Municipal system of Government is one of the most striking and important features of our-constitution, it is very evident that its paramount claims have not hitherto been sufficiently recognized, for nothing strikes the stranger more than the total inaptitude of many of the members of the Council for the transaction of the business brought before them. Annually a num- ber of men are sent to the Couneil Board by the voice of the people, who have not even studied the rudiments of the municipal system, and who meet week after week without ever condescending to make themselves familiar with the rules and regulations which govern their own meetings. Fortunately, Mr. Charles Daly, the Clerk who was installed at the incorporation of the City in 1834, still retains the important position which for so many years he has so ably filled, and to him the Council looks for guidance in aJl their movements. The monetary affairs of the Corporation are conducted by the City Cham- berlain and his assistants. The account for the salaries of Munici- pal officers for 1857, was £15,432 12s. 4d. Liabilities op the City. — The estimated liabilities for the pre- sent year, as presented by the Finance Committee in their Report ]No. 15, amount to $614,550.68* to be provided for as follows : — Amount due on the 31st Dec, 1857, on account of the revenue of that year $166,785.22 Amount of Rental, Licenses, Market Fees, &c, for 1858. . . . 62,712.00 Amount of over expenditure for 1857, proposed to be pro- vided for by an issue of Debentures '94,663 . 80 $324,134.02 Leaving a balance of $290,416.66 to be provided for by assessment in the following manner : For Sehool purposes 3-§-d. in the £ or 1£ cents in the $, on £515,000 or $2,060,000 $3,041.67 For Sinking Fund and interest on Debentures Is. Id. in the £or 52 cents in the$ 111,583.33 General purposes, including dog tax, Is. 6^d. in the £ or 7§ centsinthef 160,791.67 $302,416.67 Less— Probable losses 12,000.00 $290,416.67 The amount of " over expenditure " for 1857, $94,663.80, was caused by a somewhat undue stretch of civic official responsibility. * The City Accounts are now, from June 1858, kept in dollars and cents. 144 TOEOKTO. The construction of the Esplanade, even after all the discussion which it evoked, seems to have been undertaken — as too many of the City Council jobs are — without sufficient forethotight, only a very partial provision having been made for the outlet of the City sewerage, and no provision at all for the gradual subsidence of the water necessarily enclosed in the formation of the breastwork. Only four sewers were mentioned in the specifications — one in Brock street, one in Simcoe street, one in Nelson street, and one in any other street between Brock and Nelson streets. Four sewers only were therefore pro- vided with outlets, and the consequence was that ere the other sewers which formerly found a ready outlet in the Bay could be otherwise provided for — which was ultimately done at considerable expense to the city — they were dammed up, and the sewerage mingled with the enclosed water, now left stagnant, produced a very noisome effluvia. The Medical Faculty — the legitimate guardians of the City's salubrity — after a lengthened consultation, prognosticated sudden pestilence if the nuisance were not at once abated. The Council met, and in their emergency empowered the Mayor, without delay, to make arrangements " for filling up the large space in front of the City, situated between the south side of Palace and Front Streets and the north line of the Esplanade." A contract was accordingly entered into, which many of the citizens and several of the City papers declared to be a job, inasmuch as it was given to parties who had not the means of completing it. A By-law was passed, autho- rizing the issue of £75,000 of Debentures, to pay, amongst other things, for the Mayor's contract ; and some of the Debentures were disposed of in the English market, when the By-law was quashed by our Law Courts as being informal, as it had not been submitted to the vote of the citizens, and the issue of the Debentures was declared illegal, and they were consequently recalled. A By-law for the issue of £50,000 of Debentures was accordingly passed by the Councils and submitted to the popular vote. It was, however, vetoed by a large majority, the citizens plainly declaring that they had little confidence in the men who would have the expenditure of the money. The Council quietly pocketed the affront, passed a By- law for £25,000, which was also vetoed, and then without the slight- est compunction drew $32,000 from the Jail Fund to complete the sewerage and $66,000 from the Esplanade Fund to pay for filling up the open space referred to, leaving their successors to make up the deficiency. In doing so, the present Finance Committee say — " In the cases referred to it would appear to have been a difficult matter MUNICIPAL ABE ANGEMENTS. 145 to have adopted any different course in the very anomalous position in which the Corporation was placed." This over expenditure is therefore provided for by the issue of Debentures as proposed by the Finance Committee. The Council having appropriated the City's share of the proceeds of the sale of the Clergy Reserves to the construction of a new Jail, and the formation of an Industrial Farm for the better classification and training of juvenile delinquents, a piece of ground in the north- east environs of the City immediately beyond the River Don, known as the Scadding Farm, was purchased, and preparations have been made for the construction of the building. The Jail and Industrial Farm account for the year is as follows : — Paid for the Scadding Farm $40,000.00 " to W. Thomas & Son 200.00 Amount at Credit of Account 36,038.77 $76,238.77 Of this balance, $32,000 has been taken for the construction of Main Sewers. Amount at Credit of Account $76,238.77 The Esplanade account, which was formed by the issue of £120,000 of Debentures, stands as follows for the present year : — Paid C. Gamble, Law Expenses $ 917. 00 " T. C. Keefer for Report on Esplanade. 211,26 " Grand Trunk Railway for Construction of Esplanade 244,938.20 Amount at Credit of this Account Ill, 066. 37 $357,124.83 Amount at Credit 1st Jan. , 1857 , . . . $312, 084. 80 Received interest on deposits in Banks 4820. 33 " Proceeds of Sale of Storehouse on Turning's Wharf 219.70 " From Grand Trunk Railway Com- pany for right of way 40,000.00 $357,124.83 Public Works and Improvements for 1858. — The City Sur- veyor, in his Report of the necessary Improvements for 1858, recommends the construction of certain Works and Repairs during the year, involving the expenditure of $224, 262. 92, as follows — Sewers . $63,960 00 Macadamizing 60,130 00 Boulder Paving 6,904 70 146 TORONTO. Turnpiking and Grading $11,857 00 Sidewalks , 19,01 1 22 General Street Account 62,400 00 Total $ 224,2 62 92 The Board of Works, however, while admitting the force of the Surveyor's reasoning, make sundry modifications on his Report and recommend its adoption by the Council in their Report of the 12th of April, thus modified, chargeable on Capital Account — Macadamizing Streets $24,440 Turnpiking and Grading 9,952 New Sidewalks 5,889 Various Sidewalks in short lengths 8,000 Experimental Paving , 4,000 Experimental Sidewalk 1,000 Stone Crossings 1,000 Culverts (new) 500 Total $49,881 The following to be charged as current repairs — Macadamizing Streets $42,000.00 Scraping and Cleaning do , 10,000.00 Renewal of Sidewalks 6,817.07 Repairs to do 5,000.00 Wooden Street Crossings 1,000.00 Repairs of Culverts 800.00 Sundry Repairs 2,000.00 Total $69,617.07 The Police Force. — In the summer of 1855 the Council made some attempts to improve the police department, as the Force was considered totally inadequate to the wants of the City. After a long and patient investigation into some delinquencies that had- occurred, they determined to establish the police system on a surer basis. Their first step was a very judicious one. Wisely considering that Police management, like every other management, required not only an aptitude for the task but a thorough knowledge of the details of the system, they passed a resolution empowering the Mayor to write to the head of the Police establishment, London, and request him to send out a man thoroughly acquainted with Police matters, to organize and drill and superintend our City force. But the local pressure was so great that even the Mayor of 1855 shrank from the position which had been so boldly assumed, and the chief of the day was allowed to retain a position which the Council had declared MUNICIPAL AERANGEMENTS. 147 he was unable to fill with advantage to the citizens. The Police Force at present consists of a Chief of Police, a Deputy Chief, five Sergeants, and fifty men. They are all in uniform, and have their respective number on their coat collar and on their cap. The Ser- geants wear a silver band on their uniform cap, but have no number. There are five Stations : City Hall Station ; Head Quarters ; No. 2, corner of Duke and Berkeley streets ; No. 3, Yonge street ; No. 4, York street ; and No. 5, St. Andrew's Market. There are fifteen men on duty during the day throughout the city ; two men at the City Hall on Station duty, and one at each of the other Stations ; one in the Chief's Office ; and two on special duty — making 24 out of the 50, leaving 26 for night patrol, some of whom, owing to the extent of the City, have rather a wide beat. Several of the men have been connected with the Force for a number of years, and are therefore considered efficient officers. The appointments to the Force are, by recent arrangements, made by a Board of Commis- sioners elected by the Council. The present Board is composed of the Mayor, the Chairman of the Committee on applications to office, and the Chairman of the Committee on Police, Prisons, &c. , for the time being. The expense of the Police Department for 1857 was £10,328 12s. 10d. The Licensing System. — This forms a separate feature in our Municipal arrangements. So greatly had the business of licensing increased, that the City Council in 1854 considered themselves justi- fied in appointing a General Inspector of Licenses to superintend this department, to grant all licenses, receive the money therefor, and prosecute all parties belonging to licensed avocations who have not complied with the rules of his office. As a matter of course, everything is licensed. We have Shop licenses, Auctioneer licenses, Eating-house licenses, Ten-pin Alley licenses, Pedlar's licenses, Menagerie licenses, Billiard licenses, &c. , &c. , and a certain revenue is derived to the city thereby. The amount received for Licenses in 1854 was £3,298 15 Do do 1855 was. 4,079 9 6 Do do 1856 was 4,439 11 3 Do do 1857 was 5,399 15 To this requires to be added £571 2s. 6d. for 1857 for fines and fees accruing from violations of the License Law, chiefly for selling spirits without license. The number of licenses granted for 1857, with their pecuniary results, was as follows : — 148 TORONTO. 116 Shop Licenses,* amounting to £1,155 260 Hotel, Inn, and Tavern Licenses, at £12 3. 9d 3,168 15 16 Auctioneer Licenses, at £10 160 153 Cab Licenses 293 4 Eating-houses 15 3 Ten-pin Alleys 15 13 Pedlars' Licenses 65 6 Menagerie do 101 2 6 6 Livery do 60 1 Temperance House 3 15 96 Butchers' Licenses 24 299 Carters' do - 309 3 Billiard Table Licenses 30 Total * . £5,399 15 The Fire Brigade. — In consequence of a somewhat general dis- affection having been manifested by the several volunteer companies of firemen which formed the Fire Brigade of the City, an Act was passed by the City Council on the 24th September 1855, to repeal the law under which they were organized and to make provision for the organization and management of the Fire Brigade hereafter. By virtue of this Act the new Brigade was placed under the control and direction of the Committee on Fire, Water, and Gas, for the time being. The Brigade consists of one Chief Engineer, two Assistant Engineers, chosen annually by the City Council, and form- ing the Board of Engineers, of which the Chief Engineer is Chair- man. Two Engine Companies of 35 men each ; two of thirty men each ; two of 25 men each ; one Hook and. Ladder Company of 25 men ; and one Hose Company of 40 men. The Board of Engineers are held responsible for the discipline and good order of the whole Brigade, and for the care of all the apparatus belonging to the department. Each company has one Captain, one Lieutenant, and one Secretary, nominated annually by the Board. The remuneration for the services of the Brigade is fixed in the Act of organization. Chief Engineer, per annum £200 First Assistant Engineer, per annum 50 Second do do 40 Captains of Companies do 20 Lieutenants do do 15 Secretaries do do 12 Branchmen do do 12 Men do do 10 * Licenses granted to Grocers to sell spirits by the quart. MUNICIPAL ABRAffGEMENTS. 149 In order that they may be distinguished at fires from the other citizens, they are required to wear a uniform dress and cap. The apparatus belonging to the department are : — 3 Engines, direct action, 6£ inch cylinders, 16 inch stroke. 1 Engine, " 7 " " 16 " 1 " direct side action, 7i inch cylinders, 7 inch stroke. 1 " old style " 7 " « 10 6 Engines, together with suction hose, bells, lamps, leather buckets, span- ners, &c., &c. 1 Hook and Ladder Carriage, with ladders, poll hooks, hand hooks, chain hooks, axes, AW. 179 Smith, Q.C.; L. Wallbridge, Q.C. ; R. Miller, G. A. PHUpots, G. W. Burton, Alex. Campbell, Stephen Richards, junr. ; Thos. Gait, D. B. Reed, Rolland McDonald, Q. C. ; John BeU, John Ogilvie Hatt, and John Hector. The Chief Justices, Chancellor, Puisne Judges, and Vice-Chancellors, are by Statute constituted Visitors. The name of the building belonging to the Society is derived from Chief Justice Osgoode, the first Chief Justice of Upper Canada, who was appointed in 1792. Hon. W. Dummer Powell, the first Puisne' Judge, was appointed in 1794. John White, the first Attorney General of Upper Canada, was appointed in 1794. Up to 1837 the Court of Queen's Bench (then King's Beneh) con- sisted of the present Chief Justice, who was appointed in 1829, and two Puisne Judges ; in that year two additional Judges were added. In 1849 the Court of Common Pleas was established, to which James Buchanan Macaulay was appointed Chief Justice, and each court then and since continues to consist of a Chief Justice and two Puisne* Judges. Both courts have the same jurisdiction. The following are the names of those who now occupy the beneh, with the other officials of the Courts : — Court of Queen's Bench. — Chief Justice, Hon. Sir J. B. Robinson, Bart. ; Puisne Judges, Hons. Arch'd. McLean and R. E. Burns ; Clerk of the Crown and Pleas, C. C. Small ; Reporter, J. L. Robin- son ; Senior Clerk, John Small ; Junior ditto, Thos. Coxwell ; Crier and Usher, Andrew Fleming ; Court-Keeper for Superior CourtSj James Alexander. Court of Common Pleas. — Chief Justice, Hon. W. H. Draper, C. B. ; Puisne Judges, Hons. W. B. Richards and J. H. Hagarty ; Clerk of the Crown and Pleas, L. Heyden ; Reporter, E. C. Jones ; Senior Clerk, A. F. Scott ; Junior ditto, G. C. Goldsmith ; Clerk in Chambers, W. B. Heward ; Clerk of Process, Robert Pearson ; Crier and Usher, Daniel Connell. Court of Chancery. — By an Act of Parliament of the then Pro- vince of Upper Canada, passed in the 7th year of the reign of Wil- liam IY. , chap. 2 (1837), the Court of Chancery was first established, by which Act the Governor, or person administering the Govern- ment, was appointed Chancellor, and a Vice-Chancellor was appoint- ed, to whom was given all the judicial powers of the Court. The late Hon. Mr. Jamieson was the first Vice-Chancellor appointed to this Court, and continued to be the only Judge until the Court was reformed by 12th Vic. chap. 64 (1849), whereby a Chancellor and two Vice- Chancellors were appointed to that Court. The Hon. 180 TOBONTO. Wm. Hume Blake, the present Chancellor, was then appointed, and Mr. Jamieson retained his seat as one of the Vice-Chancellors, and the present Hon. J. C. P. Esten was appointed to the remaining seat. Mr. Jamieson shortly afterwards resigned, and Mr. Spragge, the then Master of the Court, who had for many years discharged the duties of both Master and Registrar of the Court under Mr. Jamie- son, was appointed Vice-Chancellor, since which there has been no change. The other officers are : Master, A. N". Buell ; Registrar and Reporter, A. Grant ; Master's Clerk, Wm. Stanley ; Registrar's Clerk, John Black ; Court-Keeper and Messenger, A. Ross. The three Judges sit in full court once a week (Tuesdays) to hear special applications ; but by a recent statute they have power to sit separate, which will greatly facilitate the business of the Court, and one Judge sits every day in Chambers, except during the Christmas and Mid- summer Vacations. The Judges now go upon circuit, for the pur- pose of taking evidence in the different county towns, practitioners now having the privilege of laying the venue wherever they may prefer, thereby enabling their clients to produce witnesses, who generally reside in the neighborhood, without having to incur the expense of bringing them to this city, as was formerly the case. Witnesses are now examined viva voce. There are still complaints made against this Court on the ground of delay ; this appears to be owing principally to the amount of business to be done in the Master's office, to discharge the duties of which one Master is quite inadequate. There is at present a prospect of either an extra Master being appointed, or Members of the Chancery Bar being made Referees, for the purpose of taking references, and thereby relieving the Master from a portion of his duties. There are two Terms for the examination of witnesses, of two weeks each, and also two Hearing Terms of the same duration, be- sides which many causes are heard by way of Motions for Decrees, and Hearings pro confesso out of term. Court or Error and Appeal. — The same Act which established the Court of Common Pleas (12 Yic, chap. 63) established the pre- sent Court of Error and Appeal. It consists of the Judges of the Courts of Queen's Bench, Common Pleas, and Chancery. Ex-Chief Justice Macaulay has recently been appointed as an additional Judge of this Court. It has jurisdiction of appeal from each of the three Courts. Clerk, A. Grant. County Courts. — These Courts are presided over by Judges who, at the period of being appointed such, were barristers of at COTJBTS OF LAW. 181 least five years' standing, and have original jurisdiction in civil matters, in cases of open account of £50 currency, and £100 cur- rency in cases of notes or bills, &c. , and in cases of torts to personal chattels of £30, with trial by jury. Appeals are had to the Courts of Queen's Bench and Common Pleas. They have also equitable jurisdiction, under 16 Yic. , cap. 119 ; and the registration of bills of sale and chattel mortgages, under Acts 12 Vic, cap. 74, and 13 & 14 Vic. , cap. 62 ; also the registration of limited partnerships is made with the clerks of the County Courts under 12 Vic, cap. 75. Four terms one week each, commencing on the second Tuesday in the months of March, June, September and December in the year. Vacation from 1st July to 21st August. Hon. S. B. Harrison is at present Judge of County Court for the United Counties of York and Peel ; Walter Mackenzie, Clerk. The offices of this Court, as well as those of all others, except the Courts of Queen's Bench, Common Pleas, and Chancery, are located in the Court House. Insolvent Debtor's Court. — The Hon. S. B. Harrison, as Judge of the County Court, also presides in this Court for the relief of insolvent debtors. Division Court. — This Court was also, till recently, presided over by the Judge of the County Court. The Recorder of the City now discharges that duty. Allan McLean Howard is Clerk of Toronto division. The jurisdiction of this Court extends to £25 in amount, so far as regards matters of debt or contract, and £10 in the matters of torts. Court of Quarter Sessions. — The Magistrates of the County, of whom Judge Harrison, as Comity Judge, is ex officio Chairman, hold a Court of Quarter Sessions four times a year for trials by Jury of Criminal offences. Sittings first Tuesday in January, April, and July, and third Tuesday in November. Clerk of the Peace, George Gurnett, Esq. ; Deputy, John H. S. Dolmage. Court of Probate. — Judge (ex officio), the Governor General ; Official Principal, Seeker Brough ; Registrar, C. FitzGibbon. Surrogate Court. — Judge, S. B. Harrison ; Registrar, Wm. J. FitzGerald. The Courts of Probate and Surrogate exercise the powers and functions which the Ecclesiastical Court exercises in England relative to the probate of wills and the administration of the estate of intes- 182 TOBONTO. tates. In cases where parties die leaving property in more than one County, those interested must prove the will in the Court of Probate which is held in Toronto. It is open throughout the year for the proof of wills and the granting of probate, and committing letters of administration to the estate of intestates. It has four terms in every year, commencing on the first Monday in January, last Monday in March, first Monday in June, and the last Monday in September. The Surrogate Court is held on the same days as the Probate Court. Recorder's Court. — This Court is to the City what the Quarter Sessions is to the County, for the trial of small offences. It was created in 1852, George Duggan, Junior, being appointed Recorder ; Mr. Charles Daly is Clerk of the Court. It is held four times a year : on the first Monday in January, April, July, and October. Heir and Devisee Commission.— Established by statute 8 Vic, cap. 8. Commissioners : the Judges of the Superior Courts and suGh other persons as may be appointed under the Great Seal. The duties of the Commissioners are to determine claims of lands in Upper Canada for which no patent has issued from the Crown, in favor of the proper claimant, whether as heirs, devisees, or assignees. Sittings are held at Osgoode Hall, first Monday in January and July, continuing till the Saturday of the ensuing week. Clerk of Com- missioners, H. B. Heward. Assizes.- — The Court of Assize is held in Toronto three times a year (Winter) commencing on the Thursday in January next after the Municipal Elections, (Spring) the second Monday in April, and (Autumn) the second Monday in October. Clerk of Assize, W. A. Campbell. Law Terms. — In Queen's Bench and Common Pleas, Hilary begins first Monday in February and ends Saturday of the ensuing week. Easter begins third Monday in May and ends Saturday of the ensuing week. Trinity begins last Monday in August and ends on Saturday of the ensuing week. Michaelmas begins third Monday in November and ends Saturday of the ensuing week. Attorneys and Solicitors have to take out their certificates annually to enable them to practise, in Michaelmas Term each year, except the year of their admission. The long vacation commences 1st July and ends 21st August. Chief Justices.— The following is a list of the Chief Justices of COURTS OE LAW. 191 Upper Canada, since its constitution as a separate Province, in 1791 (Geo. III. cap. 31) to 1857 :— Hon. William Osgoode (Queen's Bench) 1792 " JohnElmsley do 1196 " Henry Alcock do 1802 " Thomas Scott do 1806 " "Wm. Dummer Powell do 1816 " William Campbell do 1825 " John Beverly Robinson do 1829 " James Buchanan Macaulay (Court of Common Pleas) 1849 " William Henry Draper do do 1856 List of Puisne* Judges from 1791 to 1857 :— Hon. William Dummer Powell 1794 " Peter Russell 1794 " John Elmsley 1794 ■ Henry Alcock 1798 " Thomas Cochrane 1803 " Robert Thorpe 1805 " William Campbell 1811 « D'Arcy Boulton 1818 " Levius Peter Sherwood 1825 " James Buchanan Macaulay 1827 " John Walpole Willis 1827 " Christopher A. Hagerman 1828 " Jonas Jones 1836 " Archibald McLean 1836 " William Henry Draper , 1847 " Robert Baldwin Sullivan . 1848 " Robert Easton Burns 1850 " William Buell Richards 1853 " John Hawkins Hagarty 1856 List of Attorneys General from 1791 to 1858. Hon. John White 1792 " Thomas Scott 1801 * William Firth 1807 " John McDonnell 1811 " D'Arcy Boulton 1814 " John Beverly Robinson. 1818 " Henry John Boulton 1828 ■ Robert S. Jamieson 1833 " Christopher A. Hagerman 1837 " William Henry Draper 1840,1844 184 TOEONTO. Hon. Henry Sherwood 1847 " Robert Baldwin 1848 " William Buell Richards 1851 « John Ross , 1853 " John Alexander McDonald 1854 " John Sandfield McDonald 1858 Legal Holidays. — The Interpretation Act (12 Vic. cap. 10) enacts that the word "holiday," when used in any provincial statute, shall include Sundays ; New Year's Day ; the Epiphany, 6th Janu- ary ; the Annunciation, 25th March ; Good Friday, moveable ; Ascension Day, moveable ; Corpus Christi, moveable ; St. Peter and St. Paul's Day, 29th June ; All Saint's Day, 1st November ; Christmas Day, 25th December ; and any day appointed by procla- mation for a General Fast or Thanksgiving. By the 14th and 15th Vie. cap. 94, it is enacted, that for the pur- pose of protesting bills of exchange and promissory notes, the fol- lowing days shall be deemed non-juridical days : — Sundays, Christ- mas Day, Ash Wednesday, Good Friday, Easter Monday, Fast or ' Thanksgiving Days, Queen's Birth-day, and that all other days shall be juridical days. Sheriff's Office. Sheriff.- — Frederick William Jarvis, for the United Counties of York and Peel. Jurors. — The Clerk of the Peace in each district of the province makes a list annually from the assessor's returns of the inhabitant householders, and delivers the same to the Sheriff. Every person on such list is qualified to serve as a juror. No person can be com- pelled to serve on a jury, at either Assizes or Quarter Sessions, who has served within one year preceding. County Attorney. — Richard Dempsey. There are about 125 practising attorneys, solicitors, and barristers engaged in their profession in the city of Toronto. Registry Office. — This is an office established by Act of Parlia- ment for the public registering of deeds, conveyances, wills, judg- ments, and other incumbrances upon or affecting any lands, tene- ments, or hereditaments. The office is in Toronto Street. Registrar for County of York, John Ridout. SCIENTIFIC AND LITEEAET INSTITUTIONS. 185 SECTION XI— LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS. The Mechanics' Institute. — This institution was established in 1830 under the title of the "York Mechanics' Institute, or Society for mutual improvement in the Arts and Sciences. The success which had attended the establishment of the Mechanics' Institute and School of Arts in Edinburgh in 1821, and the subsequent esta- blishment of a similar institution in London in 1824 led, no doubt, to the formation of the institution in York, as Toronto was then called. Its founders looked with watchful and enquiring eye to any movement in the parent country which tended to increase the ame- nities of social life, separated as many of them felt themselves from the society and associations which had cheered their earlier existence. We find in the list of its first office bearers the names of Dr. Baldwin, Dr. Rolph, Dr. Dunlop, Mr. ex-sheriff Jarvis, Jesse Ketchum, John Ewart, David Paterson, and James Lesslie, — names inseparably asso- ciated with the political, social, educational and literary progress of Toronto. In their original resolution they caught a glimpse as it were of the refreshing stream which was about to gladden and refresh the isolated settlers in this distant land. They say : " the object of this society shall be the mutual improvement of mechanics and others who become members of the Society, in Arts and Sciences, by the formation of a Library of reference and circulation, — by the delivery of lectures on Scientific and Mechanical subjects, — the estab- lishment of classes for the instruction of members in the various branches of study : — and for conversation on subjects embraced by this constitution, — from which all discussion on political or religious matters is to be carefully excluded. " To the prudence here displayed we owe the present prosperous state of the institution. In 1830 York contained 2860 inhabitants and we can easily imagine that unity of purpose was requisite to such an undertaking. Had the association been confined exclusively to Mechanics on the one hand, or had there been the slightest scope on the other for the display of religious or political preferences, — long ere this the institute would have been numbered with the antiquities of Toronto. Such an association was needed in a social point of view to relieve the monotony which generally prevails in small towns, and it is matter of gratulation that what was so well begun has kept pace with the progress and prosperity of this fine city. In 1800, the benevolent and worthy Dr. Birkbeck established a Me- N 186 TOBONTO. chanics' Institute in Glasgow, but for fifteen long years the din of battle hushed every nobler aspiration, and, when at length external peace had dawned, a rustling was heard among the dry bones. War's alarms had subsided, but the political emancipation for which Palmer and Skirving and their compatriots sighed and suffered, again agita- ted the public mind, with all the freshness of its former vitality, only once more, however, to be crushed by a relentless civilized treachery. Bonnymuir was the culminating point, and the innocent blood shed at Stirling was the seed of a political regeneration soon to spring into existence. It was not then till this agitation, in which the mecha- nics of Scotland took so deep an interest, had been dissipated, that the principle of literary and scientific improvement by means of Mechanics' Institutes began to be developed. In 1821, an Institute similar to that in Glasgow was established in Edinburgh, and three years thereafter — in 1824 — the London Mechanics' Institute was es- tablished by the same zealous friend of humanity who, twenty-four years before, had originated the movement in Glasgow. Several similar associations soon followed in London. On the 24th of April, 1828, we find Lord Denman opening one in Aldersgate with a speech in which he showed the advantages of combining a literary taste with commercial pursuits. The learned gentleman said : ' ' The very least advantage that can arise is the acquisition by great numbers of a taste for English literature. Let us pause for a moment to consider the extent and value of this alone. Ask yourselves if any prospect of emolument would tempt you to forego it ; and, in observing others, contrast the man of active habits who can devote his hours of leisure to his intellectual gratification, with him who is destitute of such a resource. Most of us have observed, in various departments of life, strong natural talents, acting with marvellous precision in some nar- row round of daily employment, but from the want of general culti- vation, incompetent to any other effort. How lamentable a waste of time would have been reclaimed in such cases had all the faculties been taught activity. How many starts of unseemly irritation — how many tedious hours of languor would have been avoided. How many low-thoughted cases of sordid gain — how much degrading sensual in- dulgence would have been changed for the present enjoyments, at once independent and social in their nature, delighting the mind in its intervals of idleness, and bracing it for the more cheerful and effective discharge of duty." If our Toronto Mechanics' Institute has not equalled in success either of its prototypes, the difference in condition will afford an am- ple excuse. It must be borne in mind that when once the almost LITEBAEY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS. 187 impervious crust of caste had "been rent, Edinbtirgh and London had each of them a host of wealthy and influential men to take the lead in such a movement and give it a healthy, vigorous tone. Never- theless, our association has progressed wonderfully, and when once its new buildings are taken possession of, various classes will be formed in consonance with the original ideas of the founders of these institutions. The number of members is at present over 800. The Library contains nearly 4000 volumes, ^ind there is also the nucleus of a Mechanical Museum. The office bearers for the present year are : — President John Harrington. First Vice-President „ Rice Lewis. Second Vice-President Hiram Piper. Treasurer .... John Paterson. Recording Secretary Robert Edwards: Corresponding Secretary J. H. Mason. Librarian (Honorary) James Brett, Jr. Committee. William Edwards, Joseph Rowell, J. E. PeU, John McBean, Benjamin Walton, William Hay, Samuel Rogers, Alexander Hamilton^, D. G. Carnegie, ^W. H. Rice, Patrick Freeland, W. H. Sheppard. The receipts from all sources, for the past year, amounted to £858 5s. 2|d; the expenditure to £851 12s. 2d; leaving a balance in hand of £6 13s. OJd. There are upwards of 140 Mechanics' Institutes in the Province. An annual grant of £50 is made by Parliament to each of them, the total annual grant being £7,300. The Canadian Institute.— This institution, as its name imports, is provincial in its character and somewhat higher in its aims and pretensions that the local Institute just referred to. In the summer of 1849, the Canadian Institute took its rise as a society to be com- posed of Civil Engineers, Land Surveyors, Architects and men of distinguished attainments in science or the arts. The first meeting was held on the 20th of June and the second on the 20th of July. The plan of operations was to be the formation of a library, the col- lection of maps and drawings, and the formation of a Museum for models, geological specimens and antiquities. Meetings for dis- 188 TORONTO. cussion were to be regularly held, and papers on scientific subjects read. As early as 1831, a Literary and Philosophical Society was formed by three gentlemen whose names have had more than a local interest — Dr. E ees, the founder of the Lunatic Asylum ; Dr. Dunlop, whose valuable Report on Education was of so much service in lead- ing to the organization of the present school system, and Charles Fothergill, whose Royal Almanac for Upper Canada from the varied information which it contains, preserves its interest to the present time. Their aim was noble and extensive. They were to investigate ' ' the Natural and Civil history of the Colony, and of the whole in- terior as far as the Pacific and Polar seas, throughout the animal, mineral and vegetable kingdoms and to promote the cultivation of Natural History, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry, the Fine Arts and other Scientific and Literary pursuits. Unfortunately for the present age, they did not carry out their noble purpose. The Canadian Institute might have shared a similar fate and been numbered now with the things that were, but its founders saw that the original conception was too exclusive, and the basis was extended to include all men of a literary or scientific turn of mind. An Act of Incorporation was granted on the 4th of November, 1851, and Sir William Logan was elected its first President. The first section of the regulations says : "The Canadian Institute has been estab- lished by Royal Charter for the purpose of promoting the Physical Sciences, for encouraging and advancing the Industrial Arts and Manufactures, for effecting the formation of a Provincial Museum, and for the purpose of facilitating the acquirement and the dissemi- nation of knowledge connected with the Surveying, Engineering, and Architectural professions. " Sir William Logan was succeeded as President by Colonel Lefroy, then Superintendent of the Mag- netical Observatory, and from the very great interest he took in the meetings and in the welfare of the Institution generally, its members increased rapidly. In August, 1852, a quarto monthly Journal of the proceedings and papers read, and other literary and scientific information, was commenced under the editorial supervi- sion of Professor Hind. On the opening of the Session of 1855-6 the size of the journal was changed to crown octavo, and an Editing Committee appointed to superintend the various departments. The onerous duty of general Editor has been since that time very ably performed by Professor Wilson of University College. As an acknowledgment of the gratuitous services of the Editor, the Institute, at its meeting on the 19th December, 1857, on motion of LITERABT AND SCIENTIC INSTITUTIONS, 189 F. W. Cumberland, unanimously voted the sum of £120 to be placed at the disposal of the Council for presentation in such manner as, whilst expressive of the gratitude of the Institute, may be most acceptable to Dr. Wilson ; and which was accordingly expended on a service of silver plate. Col. Lefroy was succeeded as President by Sir John Beverly Robinson, Bart. , who was re-elected the following year, and was succeeded by G. W. Allan. Mr. Chief Justice Draper succeeded Mr. Allan, and was re-elected at last annual meeting. The office bearers are : — President — The Hon. Chief Justice Draper, C.B. 1st Vice-President — Col. Baron de Rottenburg, C.B. 2nd do — John Langton, M.A. 3rd do — Hon. W. B. Robinson. Treasurer — D. Crawford. Recording Secretary — Thomas Henning. Corresponding Secretary — E. A. Meredith. LL.D. Librarian — Professor Croft, D.C.L. Curator — Professor Hind, M. A. Council — Professors Wilson, Chapman, Hincks, and Cherriman, Sanford Fleming, C.E., and J. G. Hodgins, M. A. The Editing Committee are : — General Editor — Dan. Wilson, LL. D. Geology and Mineralogy — E. J. Chapman, Prof, of Geology and Mineralogy, Univ. Coll., Toronto. Physiology and Natural History — Rev. Wm. Hincks, F.L.S., Prof, of Natural History, Univ. Coll., Toronto. Ethnology and Archaeology — Daniel Wilson, LL. D. , Prof, of His- tory and English Literature, Univ. Coll., Toronto. Agricultural Science — H. Y. Hind, M.A., Prof, of Chemistry, Trim Coll., Toronto. Chemistry — Henry Croft, D.C.L., Prof, of Chemistry and Ex- perimental Philosophy, Univ. Coll. , Toronto. Mathematics and Natural Philosophy — J. B. Cherriman, M.A., Prof, of Natural Philosophy, Univ. Coll. , Toronto. Engineering and Architecture — Sanford Fleming, C. E. An amalgamation took place between the Institute and the Toronto Athenaeum in 1855, by which the library of the Institute was con- siderably increased and the nucleus of a Museum formed. The membership is now upwards of 500. It was anticipated that by this time the Institute's new buildings 190 TOBONTO. would have been completed ; but the times have been unpropitious. In 1855, a very fine building site on the south-west corner of Pem- broke Street, was presented to the Institute by G. "W. Allan, then President, and on the 14th of November of the same year, the corner stone of the projected building was laid by His Excellency the Governor General. The site is 154 feet on Pembroke Street with a depth on Wilton Crescent of 140 feet. In reference to the proposed plans for building, the Report of the Building Committee presented at last annual meeting, says : " Although highly approving of the general design and convenient arrangements of the contem- plated buildings, they believe that the plans provide greater accom- modation than will probably be required for several years, and that the cost of the erection would very much exceed the means at the disposal of the Institute. They endeavored therefore to ascertain how far, without abandoning the hope of ultimately completing the whole, some portions of the design might for the present be alto- gether postponed, or only partially finished. They found, however, that even upon this supposition they could not hope to obtain a building which the Institute could occupy under an outlay of £6,000, and that even then it would be in an unfinished state, and in many respects inconvenient in its arrangements, whilst the necessary alter- ations would very much increase the cost of completing the original design if this should afterwards be found practicable." The Com- mittee abandoned the original plans, and Messrs. Cumberland and Storm prepared new ones ; but " in the present financial difficulties it has been judged more prudent to postpone any action in the matter for another season. " Toronto Literary and Debating Society. — We have several societies of a literary cast in the city, which although not assuming the dimensions and importance of Institutes, are useful in their own sphere, and find their most fitting locality under this head. The Toronto Literary and Debating Society was organized on the 7th of July, 1853, for the cultivation of literature and the art of public speaking. The society meets in the Mechanics' Institute Hall on Thursday evenings at 8 o'clock ; weekly in winter, and semi-monthly in summer. An essay is read, and a question debated every night of meeting. The office-bearers are : E. T. Fletcher, President ; W. B. Sullivan, Thomas Hodgins, LL. B. , and A. Marling, Vice-Presidents ; James Bright, Secretary ; J. H. Jackson, Assistant Secretary ; F. J. Joseph, Treasurer ; Edgar Judge, A. Howell, D. A. Sampson, LL. B. , J. C. Stewart, and Richard Lewis, Council. LITERARY AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS. 191 Young Canada Debating Club. — This Society was also organ- ized in 1853. Its objects as set forth in its reports are : Improve- ment of the mind, study of literature, practice in composition and in public speaking by debating questions and giving recitations, the stranger an idea of the English character of the city. The Streets are laid out with much regularity, — wide, and well provided with sidewalks. In former times the site of the city was finely un- dulated, presenting here and there a mimic ravine ; but as each new street is opened out, it is graded to the level of the streets with which it joins, forming nearly a water level from east to west, and rising in a gradually inclined plane to 135 feet above the level of the Bay at Bloor Street. The very beautiful map which has been en- graved by Mr. Ellis expressly for this work will show the arrange- ment, names, and relative positions of the streets. It will be seen that Yonge Street, the great leading thoroughfare to the north, di- vides the city into two grand divisions, East and West, and forms the central line of divergence for many of the streets leading east and west. Yonge Street runs nearly due north from the Bay to Holland Landing, a distance of over 30 miles. Front Street skirts the Bay from the Garrison on the west, to the City Hall on the east, where it forms a gore or triangular corner at its junction with Wellington Street. Its continuation "eastward takes the name of Palace Street. Starting north on Yonge Street from the line of Front Street, the following streets occur in the order enumerated, — Wellington, Colborne, Melinda, King, Adelaide, Temperance, Richmond, and Queen Streets. King and Queen are the only ones that traverse the entire length of the city, the others terminate at various points east and west. Above Queen Street, and still parallel to it are Albert, west ; Shuter, east ; Louisa and Alice, west ; Crookshank, east ; Agnes and Edward, west ; Gould, east ; Edward and Elm, west ; Gerrard, Hayter, College Avenue, Grenville, Grosvenor, Breadalbane, Clover Hill, Albany, west ; Gerrard, Magill, Ann, Carlton, Maitland, PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND THEIE LOCATIONS. 225 Wellesley, Gloucester, Isabella, Charles, east ; and Bloor, east and west. The principal Streets running north are : on the east, Church, Nelson and Jarvis, George, Caroline, Ontario, Berkeley, and Par- liament : on the west, Bay, York, Simcoe and William, John, Peter, Brock, and Spadina Avenue, and Bathurst. For intervening streets we refer to the map. Excursion. — Having given the names and leadings of the princi- pal streets, we proceed in company with the stranger to visit the more permanent public buildings located on them, — noting the pro- minent features by the way. Starting east from the foot of Yonge Street, we reach the gore formed by the junction of Front and Wellington Streets, which is appropriated as a City Wood Market, and where during winter large numbers of waggons and sleighs are constantly to be seen laden with wood brought from several miles distant. The wood is sold by the cord of 128 feet ; but the market cord seldom averages more than 90 feet, and there being no law of the Corporation, further than to collect a few coppers of market dues, the people have no recourse, but take what is brought to them. There are in this vicinity several Yards where wood and coal can be purchased, and although at a higher price, it is believed to be cheaper in the end. The scarcity and dearness of choice hard wood has caused a greater demand for coal of late, and as families are getting more into the way of using coal, the demand for wood will lessen considerably. On the left of the Wood Market we pass the City Baths, kept by Mr. Wright, who is also a most expert barber and hairdresser. These Baths are extremely comfortable and convenient, and can be obtained hot or cold at any time. They are pretty well supported. Passing eastwards we reach on the right THE CITY HALL, The head quarters of the Corporation. This building shows a front- age of 140 feet, and is built partly of stone and partly of brick. It has been very much improved in appearance of late. The basement of the centre building is used as Police Station No. 1. A flight of steps in a portico leads to the principal entrance. A circular stair from the right and left of the entrance hall leads to the City Hall on the 2nd floor, where the meetings of the City Council are held. The corridor on the right leads to the offices of the Mayor, the Clerk and his assistants ; on the left it leads to the offices of the Chamberlain, the General Inspector of Licenses, the City Engineer, and the Board of Works. On each side of the main entrance an 226 TORONTO. archway leads to the fruit, vegetable, and poultry Market, — a quad- rangle conveniently fitted up with stalls, and partially covered, afford- ing the market gardener protection in all kinds of weather. There is extensive cellarage underneath for their convenience, and a larg& ice-house for the preservation of their merchandize during the sum- mer months. A flight of steps in the rear leads to the yard, in which the carts with the more bulky roots are usually found, and from which the cellars are entered. In rear of this building, and near the water's edge, stands the Fish Market, where is usually found a tolerably abundant supply of the fish afforded by the waters of Ontario. Here salmon trout, white fish, bass, maskinonge, pike, perch, herrings, eels, and sundry other varieties, and not un- frequently an occasional sturgeon may be obtained. The prices are somewhat arbitrary, depending pretty much on the supply for the day. Returning again to the street, and proceeding eastwards, we come to THE WEIGH HOUSE, Where all kinds of farm produce are weighed for purchasers by the City officer. At this point we enter on Palace Street. On the right hand are seen several steam mills for sawing and planing lum- ber, for grinding wheat, and for other mechanical operations. On the left we pass the original Government House. From which the Street takes its name, the primitive residence of the earlier representative of Royalty. It is a plain, low, frame build- ing, of most unpretending proportions and architecture, — one of the antiquities of a city little more than 20 years old. Further on we pass the villa of the late Hon. Dr. Widmer, the father of the medi- cal profession in Toronto, who was a fine specimen of the gentle- manly and active Army Surgeon. His skill, attention, and success, obtained for him a wide spread reputation. He was honored with a seat in the Legislative Council, and having practised his profession in Toronto, in the palmy days of "agues and intermittent fevers," deservedly realized for himself an honorable independence. On the right, and midway between Berkeley Street and Parliament Street is THE COUNTY JAIL, A substantial, gloomy-looking prison, built of grey limestone, from designs of J. G. Howard, — for sometime City Architect. It is constructed upon what is termed the radial principle, which has PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND THEIB LOCATIONS. 227 been found to afford great facilities of supervision to the jailer, whose residence forms the central culminating point of three wings. Two of the wings only are built as yet, and although admirably managed by the present superior officer, G. L. Allen, they are totally inadequate for the purpose of a classification of prisoners, — a want which has been times without number the subject of presentment by the grand juries of the county, and of comment by visitors, as the juvenile offender is seen herding with those hardened in crime, and deadened to every sense of improvement, save in villany. In other respects the building is well constructed and arranged. It is airy and well ventilated, and at the same time very secure. The prisoners consigned to hard labour, are variously employed in occu- pations which are a source of revenue to the institution. The City has advertised for tenders for a new jail to be built on the Scadding Farm elsewhere alluded to. The designs have been prepared by William Thomas, Architect. Immediately opposite to the jail en- trance is ST. LAWRENCE FOUNDRY, Commenced by Mr. W. Hamilton about six years ago, as a Stove Foundry ; but for several years it was chiefly occupied with rail- way castings — car wheels, pedestals, &e. A large number of men are employed in making patterns, turning, moulding and finishing ; persons desirous of seeing the process of casting may have an oppor- tunity of doing so any afternoon about half past three o'clock, as they cast every day. The work is superintended principally by a son of the proprietor. All the pillars, girders and other iron work for the Crystal Palace, were cast at this foundry. A little East from the jail, and on the same side of the street THE NEW CITY GAS WORKS Are located. These works are very extensive, and have been con- structed on the most improved principles, altogether regardless of expense. The area enclosed by the buildings is three acres, and the estimate for the works completed was £35,000. The original plan shows two Retort Houses ; only one however is for the present constructed, as the supply from that one will meet the demands of the City, after it much increases its present size. The coal sheds are of brick, one 110 feet by 28 feet, and capable of containing 1500 tons of coal, fronting on Palace street ; the other 170 feet by 60 feet and capable of containing 5000 tons. Immediately in rear is t&e Retort House 134 feet by 53 feet and 22 feet high. Thirty 228 TOBOFTO. benches are at present constructed, each bench containing three retorts The scrubber or gas-washer is 18 feet high and 5 feet diameter. The tar- well is 21 feet by 10 feet, and is capable of containing 10,500 gallons of coal tar. The purifying house is 48 feet by 36 feet, with a roof of wrought iron covered with slate. It contains four dry lime purifiers, 16 feet by 10, made of cast iron, and bolted together in sec- tions, and capable of purifying 600,000 cubic feet of gas in 24 hours- The Meter House — next in order, is 32 feet by 20 feet, supplied with a Station Meter capable of registering 300,000 cubic feet of gas in 24 hours. The two tanks for the Gasholders are 102 feet in dia- meter by 21 feet 8 inches deep, each built of good hard brick laid in hydraulic cement, and coped with freestone. The gasholders are 100 feet diameter and 21 feet deep, and will hold 165,000 cubic feet of gas each. The connecting pipes are 12 inches in diameter. The coke shed is 32 feet by 36 feet set upon six-inch cast iron pipes, and covered with coal tar and gravel. It is unnecessary to be more minute in our description of these important works, as our object is simply to aid the visitor in his explorations, not by any means to render these explorations unnecessary by minutely detailed descrip- tion. Immediately opposite the Gas Works on Palace street, there is a large Ice depot belonging to a Joint Stock Company — for sup- plying the City with Ice in summer. In the distance lakewards on the edge of the Bay is seen THE OLD WIND MILL, A piece of mechanism, which in the days when steam was not in Canada, was a source of revenue to its enterprizing owner ; by grinding the wheat of the settlers into flour. It is not so used now. Old Eolus has been supplanted, and has disappeared with the rude denizens of the forest over which he presided. The mill is at pre- sent driven by steam, and in connexion with it there is a distillery, worked by the same proprietor — ,Mr. Aid. Gooderham — which runs off, at an average, about 700 gallons of raw grain spirits daily. Immediately East from the Wind Mill there are four large cow sheds, filled with cows fed chiefly from the swill of the distillery, conducted under the street to the cow troughs by means of drains. East from this and upon the same parallel, the works of the Grand Trunk Railway are located. These works cover a large area, and have immediate connexion with the Bay by a wharf. In this neighborhood there are several limekilns, and brick and tile works liberally patronized by the builders in the City. At the corner of King and Trinity streets, is situated PTTBLIC BUILDINGS AND THEIB LOCATIONS. 229 TRINITY CHURCH, Familiarly known by the soubriquet of Little Trinity. The Rev. R. A. Sanson is the present incumbent. This is an unpretending spurious gothic red brick edifice, built after a design of H. B. Lane, by the enterprising builder Mr. Ritchey. The corner stone was laid in May, 1843, and the Church was opened for divine service in nina months thereafter. It originally gave accommodation to about three hundred persons ; but the addition of a gallery and an improved internal arrangement from designs by Kivas Tully, Architect, have added considerably to the accommodation. The organ is the gift of Joseph Lee. The sittings in the area of the Church are free. Immediately adjoining the Church there is a very neat parochial school house, erected at the expense of Enoch Turner, and by him presented to the Church. Proceeding Eastwards we reach THE RIVER DON. Without seeing anything worthy of special notice. There is an exten- sive Tannery on the banks of this stream, indicated by an abundant display of horns fantastically fastened to the gables, as well as by that peculiar odour which always accompanies works of this kind. The Don is a pleasant looking stream, rather sluggish, and said to be very aguish. Its meandering course from the interior is skirted by elms and other trees, and is in some places very romantic. Lake- wards it expands into a delta, discharging itself into the Bay by two mouths, called, respectively the Big Don and the Little Don. Across these mouths bridges were erected in 1834 by the Ordnance Department, to connect the peninsula with the City. In 1835 during the Mayoralty of the late R. B. Sullivan, these Bridges were trans- ferred with due formality to the Mayor and Corporation of the City by the late Sir Richard Bonnycastle, then commanding the Royal Engineers in this district. The particulars of this transfer are care- fully treasured up in the archives of the Corporation. The Mayor, dressed in his red cloak, — which was then the badge of civic honour, — accompanied by the Common Council, and a number of citizens, proceeded from the City Hall in state to the first bridge. Here their progress was obstructed by a temporary barricade, and the sentry demanded, who dared to pass that way 1 The answer was im- mediately reported, and Major Bonnycastle advanced, and seeing the Mayor and his followers — said WORSHIPFUL SIR, "I am commanded by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor to present to the Mayor and Corporation of the City of Toronto, these 230 TORONTO. two new Bridges over the forks of the Don River, which have been erected for the benefit of the inhabitants, that they may in all time to come, be enabled to enjoy the salubrious air of the peninsula ; — requiring only in return that the Bridges be free of toll for ever to the troops, stores and ordnance of His Majesty." The Mayor made a more elaborate reply, in one part of which he says — " In behalf of the Common Council and of the citizens, I beg you to convey to His Excellency, the grateful feelings with which this new instance of the bounty of our most Gracious Sovereign is received ; and take this occasion, on behalf of the city, to renew our assurance of loyalty and attachment to His Majesty's person and Government, and pray through His Excellency a continuance of royal favour towards this city." The opening ceremony having been gone through with a sort of Mimic Temple Bar formality, the Mayor and Corporation proceeded to the Hotel, then erected on the Island, and having enjoyed a com- fortable luncheon they returned by the ferry boat which at that time plied between the Island and the shore. From some unexplained cause, the Bridges thus ceremoniously opened, have been allowed to go to decay, and at present no access can be had to the peninsula except by water conveyance. In the arrangement for the Esplanade, one Bridge to cross the Big Don is provided for, and as this one will lead only to the triangular portion of the marsh formed by the two mouths of the River, little doubt can be entertained that another Bridge, to cross the Little Don, will shortly be constructed. By this means the pleasing drive of which the citizens have been so long deprived, will be restored. Eastward from the Don an aguish marsh extends a considerable distance along the margin of the Lake. It is the scene of many a hard day's good shooting, ducks of every variety, snipe, plover and cock, — being plentiful. There is a very substantial, though rude looking, BRIDGE ACROSS THE DON, On the line of Palace Street erected to supply the place of an old one, which was carried away by a "freshet" in the spring of 1850, — a calamity which brought destruction to many a bridge and mill dam throughout the township, and broke up the roads in many places to such a dgree as to render them dangerous for travellers. About two miles onward on the Kingston Road, is Mr. Lesslie's garden and Nursery, a spot well worthy a special visit. On the way thither, we pass on the right, PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND THEIR LOCATIONS. 231 TORONTO RACE COURSE A circular course of about a mile, with stand, betting booth, weighing room, starting and winning posts, and all the attendant parapher- nalia of an Anglo-Canadian Hippodrome. This kind of sport has gone out of vogue, lately ; but some years ago, good horses were brought on the ground, and the races were well conducted. Mr. Lesslie's gardens are very extensive, he is a successful horticulturist, and annually sends to all parts of the province, large numbers of choice fruit trees, and ornamental trees and shrubs of every variety, native and exotic. His terms are moderate, and he seldom dis- appoints his patrons, either as to variety or the health and vigour of his saplings. He is an expert and industrious engrafter, and pur- sues his avocation with a tolerable share of scientific aptitude. An inspection of his hot house and herbarium will amply repay the trouble of a walk thither, and one of his fragrant bouquets will refresh the visitor on his homeward route. Having once more passed the Rubicon of the Don we turn up River Street on the right to Winchester Street, the old plank road, which running eastwards descends by an easy slope to the river, here crossed by a narrow wooden bridge. Instead, however, of crossing by the Bridge, let us turn to the left in front of the Don Vale House, through Mr. Ward's property, where, striking on a footpath or trail we reach by a very romantic course, the spot selected by Governor Simcoe, the first Governor of Canada, as the site of his residence. At this distant day we can form but a very imperfect idea of the wild romantic grandeur of this locality, ere yet the axe of the wood- man had cleared it of its majestic pines, for in those days — " A man was famous and was had In estimation. According as he lifted up His axe thick trees upon."* But even yet there is much that is attractive and picturesque about the grounds of Castle Frank. The mazy windings of the Don, as it silently meanders through the luxuriant flats which form its summer and autumn banks, bordered here and there on each side by high, romantic hills, crowned with trees of all forms and sizes, from the slender but firmly knit ironwood to the majestic primeval pine, and displaying all the varied tints natural to their foliage ; — the various elevations and forms of the hills, and the diversity of fight and shade thus produced, afford a series of views which delight the artist and the admirer of the beautiful in nature. But we must not Old Psalter. 232 TOEONTO. linger here, pleasant though it be to gaze upon the kaleidoscopic variety of the scenery. Returning to the summit of the slope on the old plank road, the tall white fence of THE TORONTO NECROPOLIS Meets the view on the right. This cemetery, laid out a few years ago by three of our city merchants, comprises a plot of rolling ground fifteen acres in extent, stretching from Sumac Street on the west to the banks of the Don, and from the plank road to the old Castle Frank road on the north. In the centre of the grounds is a very neatly constructed mausoleum or vault, for the reception of the dead, and where, during winter, when the ground is imper- vious to the mattock, they are kept for a considerable time. There is also a residence for the Superintendent within the enclosure. This is a pleasant spot for a Necropolis. On the one hand it over- looks the picturesque scenery of the Don, and is on the other suffi- ciently distant from the crowded city to be secluded from its busy hum. Hither may the mourner lonely wend, to drop a silent tear over the dust of the dear departed, or strew fresh flowers around the narrow house. Here, too, the visitor may profitably spend a silent hour. The cemetery has recently passed into the hands of the Trustees of the Toronto General Burying Ground, commonly called Potter's Fteld, a place now comprised within the Municipality of Yorkville, and interdicted as a burying ground. North of this, and bounded by Parliament Street on the west, is st. james's cemetery, Comprising sixty-five acres of rolling ground, and tastefully laid out, under the superintendence of Mr. J. G. Howard, architect. It contains some very good specimens of sculpture. There is a receiv- ing vault or mausoleum in the centre of the grounds. There is also a residence for the Superintendent and a room for the officiating clergyman. The cemetery is in connexion with St. James's Cathe- dral, and under the superintendence of its clergymen and church- wardens. Nearly opposite to the Necropolis, and bounded on the south and west by Don and Sumac Streets, THE NEW GENERAL HOSPITAL, A stately building of the old English domestic style of the 15th cen- tury, raises its majestic towers. The site is high, airy, dry and healthy, being about eighty feet above the level of the bay. The building, — located in an enclosure of four acres, occupies a quad- rangnlar space of 170 feet by 120 feet, in the fomi of a hollow PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND THEIR LOCATIONS. 233 square, with a projecting portion in the centre, to the north, resem- bling in the ground plan a mammoth figure E. The basement is occupied by kitchens, sculleries, servants' apartments, and stores. The first floor is approached by a flight of stone steps, ten feet long, leading to a spacious entrance hall, twenty-two feet by twenty-three feet, on one side of which is the Board-room, thirty-three feet by twenty-one feet, and on the other a suite of waiting, examining and consulting rooms. Immediately beyond, a magnificent corridor, twelve feet wide, extends the entire length of the building. In the centre of the building are two large wards, thirty-three feet by twenty-two feet, for extreme surgical cases, with bath-rooms, closets, and other conveniences exclusively attached. The apart- ments of the House Surgeon, and several private wards, occupy the east end of the first floor, while the dispensary and offices, and apartments of the stewards and nurses, occupy the west end. Ample stairs, twenty-two feet wide, lead to the second and third floors, which are divided into wards, the larger of which are thirty- three feet by twenty-one feet, — arranged to contain twelve patients ; the smaller are arranged to contain eight patients each. These wards are so constructed that several in each story can be shut off from direct communication with the main building. These floors contain also commodious sitting-rooms for convalescents and for nurses, as well as baths, water-closets, &c. On the west end there are roomy balconies approached from the corridors. There are in the building twelve baths and twenty-seven water-closets. The upper story of the central tower contains an apartment twenty-four feet square, for a museum, opening into an extensive gallery, twenty-four feet by 160 feet, within the roof. In the tipper part of the towers at the front angles of the building the reservoirs for the general supply of water to the establishment are placed. The theatre, thirty-seven feet by forty-five feet, is in the central projec- tion of the building, and is approached from the main stairs ; it is semicircular in the rear, and is lighted principally from the roof. The mortuary is immediately under the theatre. In each corridor there are two hydrants, with hose and the necessary apparatus for protection against fire. Considerable attention has been paid to the ventilation of the entire building, and the plan devised by the Archi- tect is not only simple, but likely, we should think, to accomplish the end aimed at. The ceilings of the corridors, which, as already stated, extend the whole length of the building, are lowered two feet below the level of the room ceilings. The spaces thus cut off form flues sixty feet long, twelve feet wide, and nearly two feet deep, Q 234 TOBONTO. terminating in large vertical shafts, which open out at the roof of the building. Each apartment and ward has an opening near its ceiling into the flues, for the purpose of drawing off the impure air, which is conveyed by the shafts to the external air at the top of the towers. A current of fresh air is admitted by openings in the walls near the ground, and conveyed by separate air-ducts along the flues and into smaller channels between the joists, and enters each apart- ment by valvular orifices in the floors. In the winter the current of fresh air, in its course through the building, is brought into con- tact with the surface of pipes heated by hot water and hot air, and is exhausted by means of openings near the floors, communicating with the large flues, the openings near the ceilings being intended chiefly for summer use. The central tower is about 100 feet high, and commands a most magnificent view of the surrounding country. The grounds were laid out under the superintendence of the late Mr. Mundie, one of our most successful landscape gardeners. Descending from Sumac Street to Queen Street, we turn to the left into Power Street, for the purpose of looking at st. Paul's (Roman Catholic) church, A plain but commodious brick building, with nothing remarkable in its appearance or architecture ; but it is one of the antiquities of the place, being amongst the first places of worship erected in it, and for a long time served every purpose of those who worshipped there, until increasing numbers induced the erection of St. Michael's, which will be noticed in due course. Immediately adjoining St. Paul's, an extensive building has been partly erected by the Roman Catholics, under the title of THE HOUSE OF PROVIDENCE. It is intended as an Orphan's Home, an Hospital for the sick and infirm, a temporary refuge for the poor emigrants belonging to that body, and a home for the aged. The main building, fronting on Power Street, independently of out-houses, porter-lodges, etc., will when completed, extend over an area of 220 feet in front, by 140 feet deep. The ground plan is like an elongated letter H, but broken up by various projections, both for convenience and effect. The roofage forms a conspicuous feature in the design. The treatment of this, — too often concealed architectural covering, — is singularly bold and effective, representing somewhat the style of the French roofs of the early part of the 16th century — sharp and truncated, terminating in a crest-railing, or tall branching, with corner stand- PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND THEIB, LOCATIONS. 235 ards, and gilt vanes. Full clusters of chimney stacks, small turret roofs and dormer gables, give considerable variety to the outline. The other architectural details are more or less of French character. Several projecting oriels and porches enrich and beautify the exterior wall surface, more however, by their boldness and simplicity of de- tail, than by any pretensions to individual ornamentation, as all meretricious enrichment seems to have been carefully avoided. The main entrance is in the centre of the facade, fronting on Power Street, and is approached by a flight of stone steps — between massive parapets, — leading to a spacious Hall, 23 ft. by 64 ft. , with an apsidal termination, lighted by three large triple-light windows. Part of this hall is partitioned off by a moveable screen and is to be used as a refectory, — the entire hall, by removing the screen, being available for the same purpose. The apsidal — or semi-octagon — form of the East end of the hall, is carried up to the eave of the main building, three stories high, and forms the appropriate termination of the chapel, which is immediately over the hall. On the left side of the hall, is the main staircase, within a lofty arcade, behind which is the Medical Dispensary, with a convenient entrance within the staircase. A corridor 200 feet long by ten feet wide, with staircases at the extremities, divides the main building equally in the centre, and near the ends of this corridor are two others, each 110 feet long, running at right angles to the main corridor, and giving access to the various apartments in the wings. On one side of the hall, on the ground floor of the main building, are two rooms, each 33 feet by 18 feet for poor emigrants ; besides two or three private rooms of smaller dimensions. On the other side of the hall is a community room, 25 feet by 18 feet, a waiting-room of the same size, and two wards, 33 feet by 18 feet each, for orphans. The two wings on this floor are each divided into six good-sized private rooms, for sick or infirm patients, with large sitting and dining rooms. The corridors of the wings are separated from those of the main building by folding doors, and have private entrances from the exterior. The arrange- ments of the second floor are precisely similar to those of the first. Entering off the corridors of the main building, are the sick wards on each side of the chapel — which divides the building in the middle — and on the other side are convenient rooms for the aged and infirm inmates of the Institution. In the wings are private wards for the sick, and sitting rooms, similar to those on the ground floor. The chapel is on the second floor, and is entered from an upper hall at the stair landing, from which it is separated by solid piers and arches, filled in with light open screen-work. The chapel is lighted from 236 TORONTO. three large windows of middle-pointed design, of three compartments each, with traceried heads, and intended to be filled with stained glass. The roof is of open timber- work of simple construction, con- sisting of principals, with arched ribs, resting on stone corbels, braced purlins and jack rafters, all exposed to view, and of pine timber — stained. The chapel extends in height through three storeys of the building. One end of it is open to the corridors of each of these storeys, — which thus form large galleries to the chapel, and afford the inmates of each floor an opportunity of joining in the services without requiring to descend the stairs. It is proposed to fit up the chapel in a handsome manner, with low benches, and other appro- priate ecclesiastical furniture. The third storey and attics, are exclu- sively fitted up as dormitories. A calefactory of the most improved description will distribute warmth through the entire building ; but independently of this there is an open fire-place in each room. Due attention has also been paid to ventilation. The basement accom- modation is necessarily limited to a few small cellars for storing meat and vegetables ; the drainage of that part of the city being yet incomplete. Ample provision in baths and wash-rooms is made, and for security against fire, hydrants will be erected in each corridor. There will be a variety of out-buildings in connexion with the insti- tution, including a porter's lodge, a detached kitchen, a gymnasium, and recreation sheds for the children, and other conveniences. The Institution will be under the care of the Sisters of the Novitiate of St. Vincent de Paul. This extensive building, which when completed, will add very materially to the appearance of the East end of the city, was constructed from designs by William Hay, architect. Returning westward, and still keeping on Queen Street, we pass, McMahon Cottage, the residence of S. Ridout, and Moss Park, the patriarchal residence of the late Hon. William Allan. The delightful and romantic grounds of Moss Park were frequently thrown open to the public by the grace and courtesy of their present pro- prietor, G. W. Allan, — while he held the position of Mayor of the city of Toronto — the worthy representative and successor of the worthy patriarch already named. In order to enhance the pleasure of such a perambulation, an instrumental band was provided for the occasion by the proprietor to cheer the citizens while they were strolling through his grounds. Here too, on the lawn in rear of the Old Mansion, the members of the City Corporation, the represen- tatives of the various National Societies, and a number of the most prominent citizens, enjoyed a splendid banquet on the anniversary of Her Majesty's 36th birthday, and at the expense of the generous PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND THJEIR LOCATIONS. 237 host, drank oceans of champagne to Her Majesty's health, and to the health of all mankind — themselves alone excepted. Moss Park is bounded on the West by George Street, up which we propose immediately to turn ; but passing down first, a little to the left, we reach Duke Street, at the upper corner of winch is situated THE BANK OP UPPER CANADA. The oldest banking institution in Toronto, and occupying the oldest bank building in the City. The main body of the edifice is a substantial structure of cut stone said to have been designed by the late Hon. Dr. Baldwin at a remote date, ere yet the little town boasted of Architects "cunning in their craft." It is nevertheless a fair evidence of what good sense can accomplish even in cases requiring skill and art. It has been recently enlarged by the addi- tion of a wing of white brick, built as uniformly as the nature of the material would permit, yet giving it a one sided heterogeneous look, if the term is admissible. It has doubtless proved, if not an orna- mental addition, at least a very useful one, and much required from the increase of business hi that institution and the consequent neces- sity for a larger staff of officials. Nearly opposite, on George street is THE SAVINGS' BANK. An excellent and prosperous institution under the able management of C. Scadding. It lends money only on security of real estate-situated in the County of York, with the proviso of a first lien. Proceeding eastwards we pass on the right what was known as George street Free Church, an old wooden building occupied at one time by the Unitarian Congregation and sold by them to what is known as the Irish Free Congregation, which worshipped here until their new Church was erected. Passing on the left several neat brick houses owned by Mr. Snarr, builder, we reach WILTON CRESCENT On the right, formed a few years ago by the proprietor of Moss Park, extending with a bold curve East to Sherbourne street. In the centre of this noble Crescent a new street, called Pembroke street, has been opened, leading north to Gerrard street, and several houses of stately dimensions have sprung up to enliven the scene. On the South-west corner of Pembroke street, the Canadian Institute has a very fine building lot 150 feet in front by 138 feet deep, which we trust will shortly be occupied by a structure in keeping with the ornamental character of the locality, and adapted for the various 238 TORONTO. purposes of the Institution. This lot was very handsomely presented to the Institute, by Mr. Allan, who takes a deep interest in its pro- gress. The mere money value of the gift will be appreciated by those who know the price of land in that locality. The Institute has for the present found a local habitation in hired apartments in York chambers opposite to the Post Office. North of Gerrard street a ten acre lot is opened out for private residences. The intention of the proprietor is to make a carriage drive through the centre of this plot, leading from the line of Pembroke street to Carlton street, and having a large circus in the centre, the interior of which is to be planted with shrubbery, enclosed with a tasteful railing, and relieved and ornamented with statuary, vases, and other decorations in sculp- ture. The entire park is divided into eight lots, four on each side ; thus leaving a commodious space for horticultural embellishment ; and when the drive with its interior decorations is completed, it will form by far the pleasantest part of the city. Proceeding along Gerrard street to the West, we reach Jarvis street, which has filled up very rapidly, and now presents a double row of magnificent villas, some of them of large proportions and expensively furnished. Although Jarvis street stretches in a line from Bloor street to the Bay, it changes its name to Nelson street, where it intersects Queen street, and changes also its imposing appearance. There are cer- tainly some good houses in Nelson street, but they are of a different character from those to the North. There is nothing very noticeable in this street if we except the fact, that two well known characters reside in it. In a large plain old fashioned block resides Mr. James Beaty, proprietor of the Leader Newspaper. A little further down is the residence and business place of Mr. John Nasmith, whose fancy biscuits, sent to the French exposition, so pleased the Emperor of the French that Mr. Nasmith has been declared the prince of biscuit bakers. At the north-east corner of Nelson street let us pause to survey ST. LAWRENCE HALL A substantial and elegant building in the Italian style of architecture, and decidedly one of the ornaments of the City ; although, abutting abruptly as it does upon the street, its architectural beauties are hid from the passer by. This pile of buildings, so much admired for the harmony of its proportions, was erected on the site of the old City Hall from the designs and under the superintendence of William Thomas Architect, whose high professional talent and correct taste have tended greatly to the embellishment and improvement of tins fine City. The principal front of the structure is on King street, and is PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND THEIB LOCATIONS. 239 composed of a tetrastyle portico of engaged fluted columns, as a centre, supporting a well proportioned pediment, the tympanum of which is enriched with sculpture, the order being continued through- out the entire frontage of one hundred and fifty feet by 12 pilasters and ornamented entablature. The order is from the example of the three remaining columns, &c., of the Temple of Jupiter Sfcator at Rome. The pilasters having greater projection of a tetrastyle distribution as wings to the facade. There are two shops on each side of the centre part of the building with handsome carved and moulded peers, on the ground floor, sustaining rich entablatures with balconies to the first floor windows. A centre archway with highly ornamented bronzed iron gates leads to an arcade of shops, the portico being raised on massive moulded and rusticated piers, and having the opening between them covered by semicircular and segmental arches, having archivolts and key stones sculptured with fine colossal heads of three imaginary or symbolical river deities, of St. Lawrence, Niagara, and Ontario. The spandrils between the arches are sculptured in high relief entwined with wreaths of in- digenous flowers and fruits, with symbolical insignia of Justice, Fame, Commerce, Power, Union, and Victory. Over the piers rise pedestals of the order, between which, in the intercolumniations are balconies with well proportioned balustrades. The principal order embraces two storeys in height, the windows on the first floor decorated with pilasters and cornices, and on the second storey with architraves. The decorations are continued on the east and west flanks of the building, 75 feet in depth, with pil- asters of the principal order at the angles, and with enriched cornice and modillions combined throughout, surmounted with carved acro- terise and circular headed enriched windows on a Mansard or French roof. The sculpture of the pediment consists of the City Arms, with a figure of Britannia and an Indian with bow and quiver as support- ers, coupled with the Royal Arms of England. The effect of this facade in the latter part of a fine summer day is remarkably pleasing, being richly diversified with the sparkling lights on its rich and ap- propriate sculpture and carved work. The central pediment is sur- mounted by an attic with semi-circular headed windows, with moulded architraves, and keystones sculptured with heads of Music and Mirth. The parapet is enriched with foliated guilloche pedestals and acroteria, — the central ornament being the Lyre of Apollo, en- riched with foliage, behind which rises from the roof an octagonal rustic vase, with windows, supporting a cupola or dome 17 feet in 240 TOEONTO. diameter, circular and peripteral, with 12 Corinthian columns, and consoled cornice with arched openings to the enclosed part. In the cupola there is a bell of 2,130 pounds weight, and the City clock, the faces of which are to the four cardinal points. The whole is terminated by a small cupola and flag staff, the height to the top of the cupola being 120 feet. The principal staircase leads by a spacious corridor to several Committee and Retiring Rooms on the first floor, and to the St. Lawrence Hall, with supper rooms, on the second floor. The Hall is 100 feet long, 38 feet 6 inches wide, and 36 feet high, with a gallery at the entrance end, under which is a reception or refreshment room. The ceiling of the Hall is ornamented by flat hemispherical, enriched pannelled, domed compartments, and lyres surrounding them. The side walls have pilasters and bold consoled cornice, with a large cove continued round the hall, terminating on the ceiling with a rich guilloche band. The ceiling of this hall has recently been decorated with some of the most grotesque looking figures perhaps ever witnessed, — yet when the large and mag- nificent chandelier is lighted up, and when the room is filled by such an assembly as that which graced Jenny Lind's concerts, it has a brilliant and most imposing effect. It is admirably adapted for concerts, being easily filled by the voice, and having no echo to mar the performance, and is in fact the only place in the city for lectures and fashionable concerts. The arcade in the rear is occupied as the Butcher Market, having shops on each side, each shop having also a communication with the squares, leading from East and West Mar- ket Streets, respectively, occupied by farmers with their dairy and other produce. Opposite to the St. Lawrence buildings, there is a substantial range of lofty stores, raised upon the ruins of a row of less stately dimensions, desolated by a destructive fire in 1847, which laid waste a large portion of the city, and amongst other buildings, St. James' Church, now replaced by what is termed st. james's cathedral, Opposite to which we may now be supposed to stand. This massive structure is built of white brick, with stone mouldings and facings, and erected from designs by F. W. Cumberland, and under his superintendence. It is in the early English style of the middle of the 13th century. It consists of a nave and aisles, with large flank porches, giving the effect externally of low transepts, an effect PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND THEIR LOCATIONS. 241 which it could have been wished were realized in its internal ar- rangement. In the aisles are triple light windows of the lancet kind, ornamented externally with slender shafts and hood mouldings. The windows of the clerestory have also triple lights of lancet shape, deeply splayed outside, and having columns with foliated capitals within. The north end, where the chancel is situated, is apsidal, with heavy projecting buttresses. On the external angles between the buttresses are richly ornamented windows ; the centre or chancel window being triple light, with monials of clustered columns having foliated capitals supporting the arched and traceried head. The roof is of open timber work, of a very florid and elegant design. It has attic beam with brackets, filled in with perpendicular tracery en- riched with quatrefoils, partaking of the character of the roofs of the 15th century. The entrance from King Street is through a richly ornamented double doorway with pointed cusped arches, and quatrefoil compartments over the centre pier, the whole included within a large deeply recessed pointed arch, ornamented with suites of mouldings. The usual Orientation of English Ecclesiastical buildings is in this instance departed from, the chancel being in the north end. We presume the local peculiarities of the site will be pleaded as an excuse. It is constructed for 1, 120 sittings in the area, and 560 in the galleries, exclusive of free sittings. The most attrac- tive feature of the building, as shown in the original designs, is its massive tower, showing an elevation of 275 feet. But a deficiency in the exchequer has stopped this ornament at its base, and at pre- sent we have only the music of the large bell, 3,004 lbs. weight, to inspire the hope of "a good time coming." Immediately in rear of the Cathedral, on Church Street, is st. james's school house, designed by the same architect. It is an ornament to the street, but is somewhat disfigured by a very disproportionate bell tower, of certainly an antediluvian style. On the left hand is the old building which for many years was the scene of forensic encounter — the County Court Hall ; but it is now eclipsed by a new Court House, which we shall come to by and by, and is divided off into offices of various sorts. North from this, in the centre of a block of plain brick buildings, is the Bank of Toronto, recently established. Immediately beyond is st. Andrew's church, On the corner of Adelaide and Church Streets. This is the " Kirk ■ of Toronto, a plain, unpretending building, attended by those who 242 TOEONTO. adhere to the established religion of Scotland, and under the pastoral charge of the Rev. Dr. John Barclay. At the angle of forty-five from St. Andrew's Church stands THE NEW MECHANICS' INSTITUTE. This building has two fronts of nearly equal architectural impor- tance. That on Church Street consists of a centre of slight projection, the base of which comprises the ground storey, with central door and circular-headed sidelights, with stone imposts, archivolts and keystones. Upon this base the centre, entirely of stone, is designed, with four composite pilasters, having an enriched cornice with pierced parapet and central tablet, the whole covered by stone jermimals. The windows on each side of the centre are grouped in heights, and are finished with pilasters, double cornices, and other decorative features. The Adelaide Street facade is in general keep- ing with that of Church Street, the main difference being that the former possesses, in addition to the projecting centre, two wings in advance of the main frontage line. On the Adelaide Street front the composite pilasters, four in number, are repeated with some little alterations of detail. The Music Hall, which occupies the height of both upper floors on the Church Street front, has, on the Adelaide Street front, three bold windows having imposts, with enriched capitals and cornices. A combination of the florid, or decorative, with the substantial, seems to have been the aim of the architect, and in carrying out his design he has given the building an imposing and stately appearance. The designs are by F. W. Cumberland, and carried oat under his superintendence. The lecture-room, fifty-one feet by forty-two, is intended to be semi- circular, entered from the ground floor, and seated like the gallery of a class-room, gradually descending until they reach the -basement level in the centre. The reading-room, thirty-six feet by twenty- four, and the library, thirty-one feet by twenty-four, are both to be on the ground floor. The music hall, approached by two spacious stairs, will be 76^ feet by fifty-six feet, and from thirty to forty feet high, capable of seating upwards of a thousand persons comfortably. Offices, refreshment and supper rooms are in the design, and are intended to be carried out, but meantime Government has a four years lease of the building, and have it fitted up to accommodate the Officers of the Crown Lands Department and Post Office, — the Government buildings being so small that they were unable to afford the necessary accommodation. They agreed to leave it, at the end of the four years, finished according to the original designs of PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND THEIB, LOCATIONS. 243 the architect, and free of debt. Proceeding along Adelaide Street to the west, and immediately adjoining the Kirk, we reach THE NEW COURT HOUSE, Where the Courts of the united Counties of York and Peel are held, This is a massive and substantial Roman Doric building executed with an apparent economy which is scarcely in keeping with the decorated style of public buildings generally adopted in the City. The facade is three stories in height composed of projecting centre with wings, occupying a frontage of 152 feet. The centre is divided by four massive Roman pilasters with corresponding base and capitals, supporting a bold cornice. The windows have impost pilasters with architraves and cornices, the whole executed in Ohio stone. The wings have each three windows in width. The lower storey having simple architraves, while those of the two superior storeys are grouped within one outline, finished with pediments. The main portion of the wings are executed in white brick, the stone being introduced, however, in all the dressings, cornices and other de- corative features. A main central door, with enriched composite pilas- ters and pediment, leads by a spacious vestibule to the County Coun- cil chamber, immediately in the rear, and to the principal offices connected with County affairs, by wide corridors leading from the vestibule. On the left are the offices of the Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff : — The Division Court office and County Court office. On the right "are, the office of the Treasurer of the County, the office of the Clerk of the Peace, the Warden, and the Clerk of the County Council. Spacious stairs on each side, lead to the Court of Assize, the Recorder's Court, and the Division Court, with the necessary rooms for the accommodation of the grand and petit juries, the jury, barristers and witnesses. The interior arrangements of the Assize Court room have not given so much satisfaction as was anticipated, the barris- ters finding themselves crowded up into a small space, while neither desks nor seats have been provided for the Daily Press. This inattention to the Fourth estate contrasts strikingly with the ample provision for the press in most of the English Law Courts. Some improvement will shortly be effected on this head I have no doubt. This building, like the St. Lawrence Hall, is pretty much hid in consequence of its abutting so closely upon the street. It was built from designs by F. W. Cumberland. Adjoining the Court House is the ADELAIDE STREET WESLEYAN CHAPEL, A plain, substantial brick edifice, seated to accommodate about 800 244 TOEOffTO. persons. Here the Revd. Dr. Ryerson, Chief Superintendent of Edu- cation for Upper Canada, used occasionally to officiate. The stated pastor is the Revd. James Spencer, editor of the Christian Guardian. Turning to the left round the corner of the Wesleyan Church we enter Toronto Street, a short, but very important street, running from Adelaide street to King street and parallel with Church street. This street, formerly celebrated only as the location of the old Jail, has become within a few years one of the most important in the City. On the west side, about midway to King street stands THE NEW POST OFFICE, A very fine specimen of Grecian architecture. It is a chaste and elegant building, with a Greek Ionic front of free stone, with massive fluted columns supporting a bold entablature, on which is cut in alto relievo the words POST OFFICE. The whole surmounted by the Royal Arms, very boldly and neatly sculptured. The building occupies a lot 54 feet in front by 98 feet in depth, and stands detached, having a carriage way all round. The public hall is 44 feet by 18 feet, paved with large flagstones from Ogdensburgh. It has two entrances from Toronto street, and is lighted by windows at the ends and in the front. The front of it consisted of eighteen large squares of plate glass, neatly fastened in brass sashes and originally extended the entire length of the Hall. In consquence of the grow- ing demand for accommodation, however, the south end of the Hall has recently been fitted up with pigeon holes similar to those in front. The whole front and end are now divided into 1149 pigeon holes, or private boxes, — for which a charge of 7s. 6d. a year is made, and into which all letters for the parties occupying boxes are kept and delivered when called for. There are also beneath these four tiers of drawers, in all 210, for banks and other public establishments and for the press. The locks of these drawers are all different, so that the keys do not pass with each other, thus affording security as well as convenience. They are accessi- ble at all times of the day from 7 a. m. to 7 p. m. without interfering in any way with the Post Office officials. The numbers on the boxes are large and distinct, and are so attached that they are withdrawn with the boxes, when it is necessary to clean the inside of the glass plates. The front is divided into three compartments by two massive looking Doric columns, in each of which is a brass- sheathed opening, into which letters for despatch are dropped. Above the box tiers there is a row of narrow plate glass panes set in light brass sashes, and in the centre is a neat double dialled PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND THEIR LOCATIONS. 245 clock, by which the movements of the office are regulated. There are three wickets in front, and one in the end for the delivery of money letters, and where the book in which they are registered lies for the signatures of parties who receive letters marked l ' money" the one at the left hand is for the receipt of unpaid letters, the one on the right for the delivery of letters from what is called the " alphabatical letter box" into which letters, marked " to be called for" and those sent to parties, who have no box, or are not known, are put, and given out when asked for ; a list of this class of letters is kept constantly posted up in the Hall and renewed at stated periods. In the rear of the public department, is the Postmaster's room, part of which is now devoted to the Money Order Office, and ap- proached from the main private entrance on the south side of the building. In rear of the main building is the sorting room, a one storey appendage, lighted from the roof by a large central lantern. The rear end of this attachment is semi-circular, and is neatly divi- ded into pigeon holes, with large sliding doors in front, so as to secure their contents at night. It is also supplied with sealing pedestals, sorting tables, and every convenience for the despatch of business. The basement is appropriated as a residence for the porter and messenger, and for the furnace and fuel rooms. The first floor, approached by spacious stairs from the private entrance on the south end, is occupied by the Post Office Inspector and his assistants, etc. It contains six excellent rooms, a substantial vault, a bath room and water closets. The whole building is heated by one of Chilson's Hot Air Furnaces, and is well lighted with gas, and supplied with an abundance of water, having hydrants on each floor, with a sufficient quantity of hose pipe and branches to pour a copious stream of water into every room at a moment's notice. This very commodious edifice was from designs by Messrs. Cumberland and Storm, and erected under their superintendence. The pathway in front is laid with large flagstones, also from Ogdensburgh. Four large ornament- ed lamps have been erected in front of the building, which, when lighted up, present a very lively appearance. The stranger will be much gratified by a visit to the Post-Office. The Postmaster is one of the most obliging gentlemen in the city. Immediately North of the Post Office is THE MASONIC HALL, A handsome ornamental pile, recently erected by the Messrs. Nordheimers, Music Sellers. It has a frontage of 102 feet by 75 in 246 TOBOffTO. depth, and is four storeys in height with an additional storey in the central portion. The lower storeys are occupied by shops, with fronts formed by cast iron columns, having boxes for wrought iron shutters, and cast iron window sashes glazed with large English plate glass. The upper part of the front is faced with Ohio free- stone, richly carved and ornamented. The elevation is very lofty measuring 72 feet from the ground to the cornice of the central portion of the building. There are five shops on ground storey with safe and good cellars underneath. The coal vaults and water closets are under the side walk, and the main entrance is near the centre of the building. The main stair 9 feet wide leads up to a 10 feet corridor running through the whole length of the building dividing the first storey into 10 double offices. There is a flight of stairs at each end of the corridor leading to the second storey, which is arranged similar to the first storey. The Masonic Halls occupy the whole of the upper storey and con- sist of principal Hall, 73 feet by 42 feet, 24 feet in height, a Chapter room 42 feet by 20 feet, a Hall for encampment of Knights Templar 50 feet by 23 feet and 19 feet in height, having also an armoury attached, a supper room 38 feet by 20 feet with convenient ante- rooms, and cloak rooms. There is a Safe for the jewels of the Masonic Lodge. Tanks are placed under the roofs to supply the washtands and hydrants. There are various out buildings for the convenience of the upper offices. The wing is laid out as a dwelling for the house keeper. The roofs are covered with tin and protected by lightning rods. The style of the building is called by the Architect " the Modern Munich," and we are told that he purposely avoided all heavy projections on the front to avoid the effects of heavy rain or frost. The most of the carving is consequently sunk or fretted in the stone for the same reason. The building was erected from de- signs by Wm. Kauffmann — and under his superintendence. It was finished on the 1st of May, 1858. The Masonic Halls are fitted up internally in a magnificent stjde and with great taste, the central hall is for the accommodation of St. Andrews', St. Johns', and Ionic Lodges. The old furniture of St. Andrew's lodge has been refitted and arranged with many taste- ful additions by Messrs. Cumberland & Storm. The principal object of attraction in the lodge is a gorgeous Corona-lucis, designed by Wil- liam Hay, Architect, the brass work manufactured by Thomson, Keith which lead directly to the upper corridor and reading- room — a spacious apartment 50 feet long by 20 feet wide, well lighted by seven large windows on Wellington and Berczy streets. At a distance of 10 feet from the main entrance on Wellington street, is an attached portico of two stories — the lower of which is of the Doric order, and the upper of the Ionic. The centre of this portico has a principal entrance, 12 feet wide, into the corridor, and on either side inferior entrance to the basements and refreshment rooms. From this principal entrance there are two flights of steps of 24 feet wide, leading directly to the upper corridor before men- tioned, merchants' exchange room, millers' association rooms, bro- kers' offices, committee room, and eight private offices. The " Ex- change" is 50 feet by 30, of an oval form, by a height of about 40 ft. , and lighted by a circular ornamental glass dome. From this floor there are three staircases leading to the corridor on the second floor ; the arrangement of private offices on this floor being similar to that of the first floor. At the north end of the corridor is the entrance to a handsome gallery surrounding the inner wall of the ''Exchange," and communicating therefrom with private offices, committee rooms, and a suite of rooms set apart for the meetings of the Board of Trade. The basement is approached by four entrances, — two on Wellington street, and two on Berczy street. The public portions of the build- ing are heated by furnaces ; and each corridor has two hj^drants and hose, which in case of fire, can be attached, and brought to bear PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND THEIR LOCATIONS. 251 •upon any part of the building. Each office has a fire proof vault. The building covers an area of nearly 8000 superficial feet, is com- posed with a rusticated basement, 20 feet high, on each side of the portico, supporting the cornice, which is surmounted by Ionic pilas- ters and entablature, finished on the top by a balustrade, the piers at each end with ornamented vases, and the centre with the Royal Arms. The Commercial News Room on the second floor is well sup- plied with papers and periodicals. The cost of the structure was somewhere about £11, 500, the site £2,700. By the act of incorporation the capital of the Exchange is fixed at £12,500 divided into shares of £12 10s. each. James Brown is Secretary and Treasurer of the Company, and E "Wiman is Superintendent of the building and its internal arrangements. We have now nearly reached the point from which we started — having made the circuit of the Eastern portion of the City. We shall now proceed up Yonge Street, noting a few of the more promi- nent public buildings in passing. On the right hand as we proceed north, at the corner of Colborne street is the wholesale warehouse of ROSS MITCHELL AND CO., The following short description of which I wrote very soon after its completion. It was designed and constructed under the superin- tendence of William Thomas — and it is pleasing to observe that he has combined very considerable beauty of decoration with a proper consideration of the use for which the building is to be put, and the utmost convenience in the arrangement. He has proved that it is possible to have much that is graceful and elegant, and at the same time not out of character, in a commercial building. The front on Yonge Street is very imposing, thirty-six feet in width and four storeys high, the lower story being of substantial piers of Hamilton stone and the upper of the Ohio stone, which is easily worked, of good colour, and very durable. The style is Italian, with arched windows, the keystones being enriched with ornaments symbolical of Commerce, other parts of the front being ornamented with wreaths of the leaf of the oak, the thistle, and the maple. The whole effect is very striking, considerably heightened as it is, by large squares of beautiful English plate plass, of which the windows are composed. The side view of the building, on Colborne street, is also very fine. It is ninety-six feet in depth, of white brick, with cut stone dressings. The interior is admirably adapted, in its arrange- ment, for the purpose designed, — the conveniences for the receipt 252 TOEONTO. and delivery, and for the conveyance of goods to different parts of the building, are excellent, and the laying in department is as com- plete as long experience and sound judgement could make it. At the main entrance is the counting-room, with private offices and safe ; further in, the receiving-room for goods, and at the rear the packing-room and place of exit. On the next storey, are various departments for fine goods, with admirably arranged shelving and cloth covered counters. Above is another fiat laid out in a similar manner, and the other is open for storage. The sunken floor is used partly as a bonded warehouse, and there are vaults under the yard, and also under the street, for storage. Here also space lias been left for the furnace of the hot air apparatus, with which the build- ing is heated, the flues being very neatly introduced through the different apartments with the utmost precautions against fire. The gas fittings are handsome and in a uniform style ; and the building is supplied with water. The establishment is altogether the most handsome and complete structure of the kind which we have in the City, and reflects the greatest credit upon the owners, architect, and builders. It is in fact a model warehouse. The wholesale stores of William McMaster, Bryce McMurrich