Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
1873

VICTORIA, the seat of Government and capital of British Columbia, is situated near the S.E. extremity of Vancouver Island, where the adjoining Strait of Fuca is 17 miles in breadth, 143 miles from Olympia (Puget'sSound), 320 miles from Portland (Oregon),3,000 miles from Montreal. Lat. 48° 25' 20" N., Lon. 123° 22' 34" W.

The surroundings of Victoria are singularly beautiful. To the south is a wide stretch of sea, closed in by the magnificent range of the Olympian mountain's. These mountains, the lower portion of which is shaded with a soft velvety mist, and the tops covered with snow strongly reflecting the rays of the sun, form the most prominent feature in the landscape. To the eastward is Mount Baker, which, at a distance of nearly 100 miles, rears its snowy peak far away into the clouds. To the west-ward is a long wide stretch of sea, bounded on one side by the Olympian range and on the other by the rocks and mountains of Vancouver, jutting out here and there into the Strait; while to the northward are ranges of hills and mountains, prominent amongst which, and within 5 or 6 miles of the town, are the peaks of Mount Tolmie and Cedar Mountain. From these heights the most beautiful panoramic-views of the southern end of the Island, the surrounding ocean, the Olympian range and the coast range on the mainland far away to the westward may be obtained.

The country in the neighborhood of Victoria is remarkably picturesque. Natural parks— in which there are numbers of fine old oaks, and a profusion of ferns and wild roses, little inlets, bays, and beaches, jutting rocks, and the fine scenery of the back-ground combine to render it one of the most lovely spots on the earth. This, together with its magnificent climate, which is beautifully clear, cool and fresh during the whole summer season, and very mild in winter, must in the future render it a place of great resort.

Three miles from Victoria is the harbor of Esquimault, one of the finest on the Pacific coast, and the western terminus of the Canada Pacific railway. There is here a naval station, at which there are generally two or three ships of war. A graving dock is in contemplation, capable of admitting ships of the largest size, tenders for the construction of which have been invited by the Provincial Government. An excellent macadamized road connects the two harbors.

The city boasts of some good streets, with fine drives, over excellent roads, in various directions. Adjoining the town a large extent of ground has been reserved for a public park. This picturesque locality, known as Beacon Hill, borders on the Strait. Here is the public race course, and cricket ground. On the outskirts of the town are many attractive residences; and every cottage displays its pretty garden.

Though Victoria can boast of no architectural pretensions, there are many neat and substantially constructed buildings, among them maybe mentioned the Provincial offices on James' Bay; the Presbyterian, Wesley-an and Roman Catholic churches; a Jewish Synagogue ; Christ Church Cathedral; the iron church of St. John, a donation to the Episcopalian congregation of the Province from the Baroness Coutts; the Angela College for young ladies, from the same excellent lady; the St. Anne's Convent and Orphan School; the Masonic Building; the Mechanics Institute, Bank of British North America, the St. Nicholas hotel, Alhambra, and Driard House, a public Hospital, and a Theatre. Various public buildings are to be erected by the Dominion Government.

Two daily and two weekly news-papers are published in Victoria.

The city is adequately supplied with gas by an incorporated company ; and with water, by pipes laid down by another company, supplemented by carts— the source of supply being certain springs on a ridge near the town. A bill has passed the last session of the legislature authorizing the Municipal Council to bring water from a bike, distant some 6 miles from the town. This will cost $100,000.

Th -re is constant telegraphic communication between Europe and Victoria, by way of New York and San Francisco. The line which crosses the southern part of the Gulf of Georgia to Victoria by a submerged cable, has a branch extending to the verge of the Cariboo region, a distance of 569 miles.

Victoria contains about 40 stores, 4 breweries, 2 distilleries, 1 iron foundry, 1 soap factory, 2 sash factories, 2 tanneries, 1 shipyard, 2 lumber yards, &c.

The number of arrivals at Victoria and out ports in 1872 was 292 (tons 131,696), and the clearances 285 (tons 129,864.) Total value of imports $1,790,352; exports $1,915,107. Pop. 4,540.

Rates of wages current in Victoria May, 1872; Carpenters $3.50 to $3.75 per diem; blacksmiths, bricklayers, plasterers, &c, $2 to $6 per diem; female servants — nursemaids $12 to $15; cooks, &c, $20 to $25 per month. Menservants (Chinese) $20 to $25 per month. Laborers, scarce at $30 to 35 per month, with board. Flour is sold at 7 to $7.50 per brl. of 200 lbs.; beef, pork and mutton 12½c to 18c. per lb.; butter 40c. to 60c.; sugar 12½c.; an 1 clothing at a moderate advance on invoice.

Lovell's gazetteer of British North America; J. Lovell; Montreal, 1873

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