Page:Leaves of Knowledge.djvu/123

Rh Oregon, and, I being acquainted with so many at that city, our trip through the buildings was very pleasant. I will say right here, of all the grand buildings I have gone through in my travels, that Victoria's parliament buildings excel them all. To stand under the dome and gaze into the assembly hall beneath, was a sight of such magnificence, I would not attempt to describe it.

Victoria is a model residence city, with its broad streets, beautiful lawns and parks. Near here are the government fortifications of Esquimault. A railroad extends north on Vancouver Island, to Nanaimo, Alberni and Sidney.

My visit coming to an end on the island, I took the steamer Charmer and crossed the straits of Georgia, a distance of eighty-four miles to the city