Page:Abbot's Guide to Ottawa.djvu/31

 Saturday evening a member of the staff is in attendance, and visitors are permitted to look through the telescope at interesting celestial objects. The Director of the Observatory and Chief Astronomer, who is also Superintendent of the Geodetic Survey of Canada, and His Majesty's International Boundary Commissioner, is Dr. W. F. King, C.M.G., F.R.S.C.



The University of Ottawa, conducted by the Oblate Fathers, began with the infancy and developed with the growth of the city. Incorporated in 1849 under the name of "College of Bytown," this institution received, in 1861, the title of College of Ottawa; and in 1866 was granted the power of conferring the University degrees of B.A. and B.L. A disastrous fire, in December, 1903, destroyed the University, but it immediately began to rise, phoenix-like, from its ashes. The present University building is of armoured concrete, and stands prominently in the centre of spacious grounds on Laurier avenue. Besides the University Oval and other grounds for athletic sports, there are large recreation halls, and also an infirmary, with doctors in daily attendance. The Science Hall, on Wilbrod street opposite the University, is of solid stone. It contains the physical, chemical and mineralogical laboratories all very completely equipped, and a museum containing a large collection of geological specimens. The Rector of the University is Rev. W. J. Murphy, O.M.I., D.D.