Page:Views of Ottawa.djvu/17

 EASTERN BLOCK. The Eastern Block is irregular in shape, but of elegant design. The west front, facing the square, is 318 feet, the frontage on Wellington Street is 253 feet. This building contains the Governor Generals Office, the Privy Council Room, the Minister of Justice, the Secretary of State, the Finance and Audit Offices, the Registrar, the Secretary of State for the Provinces, the Inland Revenue and Interior Departments.

LUMBER DISTRICT. The Lumber Mills occupy nearly every available spot around the Chaudiére Falls. They are the largest establishments of the kind in the world, are fitted up with the best machinery and lighted by electricity.

CHAUDIÉRE FALLS. Much of the natural beauty and grandeur of these Falls is marred by the Mills &c. which almost surround them. The whole body of the water after passing through nine miles of rapids suddenly contracts its channel and rushes over a fall furty feet in height into a narrow chasm called the Big Kettle. Close to this place exists another natural curiosity, known as the Devil's Hole, a chasm into which several small streams enter, but which has no visible outlet, and is supposed to connect with the river below the falls by a subterranean channel. To see these falls in their grandeur, they should be visited about the beginning of June. In winter they present a magnificent appearance.

SUSPENSION BRIDGE. This bridge spans the Ottawa just below the Chaudière Falls. It was commenced in 1842, the design being furnished by M$r$ S. Keefer C. E. It is 256 feet long and 23½ feet wide. In 1861 the wooden beams were replaced by iron ones on which the stringers now rest.

POST OFFICE. The Post Office is situated on the ground intervening between the Sapper's and Dufferin bridges. It is two stories and a half high, and built throughout of Ohio sandstone. The style is classic. The outside is almost covered with Elaborate carving. In the basement, which extends to the canal level, is the Customs Examining Warehouse. On the first floor are the offices of the Customs House, Inland Revenue, and Post Office Inspector. The building is one of the handsomest in the City.

THE SAPPER'S AND DUFFERIN BRIDGES, which are situated at the head of the locks, start from a single point on Rideau Street and lead by two separate roadways to Sparks and Wellington Streets.