Abbott's Guide to Ottawa and Vicinity. George Francis Abbott
one Gilles Hocquart, Intendant of New France, in 1731, made the first proposal of a building for archives, but not until 1906 was the present structure commenced under Hon. S. Fisher. Previously—since 1873—the Archives had existed as a branch of the Department of Agriculture.
The Dominion Archives building was opened January 1st, 1908, and is admirably adapted for its purposes. It is under the control of the Dominion Archivist—Dr. A. G. Doughty, C.M.G.—to whose indefatigable zeal is due much of the valuable material here stored, and whose knowledge of the history of the country has been invaluable in seeking out and acquiring many thousands of important manuscripts previously resting in strange or private hands. On the ground floor are the administrative offices, the library, and rooms for students. Many beautiful pictures, including rare engravings, hang on the walls. Among the pictures are some by Paul Kane, the celebrated Canadian painter of Indian life, and by Frank Craig. The library contains 20,000 printed books and pamphlets relating to Canadian history. Displayed in cases are historical souvenirs and valuable autograph manuscripts. A painting by Sir Ben. West, presented by Lord Lovat, depicts the death of Simon Fraser at Saratoga. This young officer was with Wolfe at the siege of Quebec in 1759, and was with the officer who answered the historic challenge of the French sentry. In the Archivist's office are documents of the highest interest, among them the plan of Quebec used by Wolfe during the siege. In a corner of the room is the very chair used by Wolfe. On the second floor is the manuscript room with 20,000 volumes, containing over two million documents, a very large portion being originals. These deal with the country from its discovery to Confederation, and are the main sources of Canadian history. An index makes them available to students. On the third floor the map room contains 6,000 manuscript plans of Canada, and the original surveys of the country. An interesting item is a plan of Quebec in relief, on a large scale, showing every house in Quebec as it appeared in 1800. This stood in Woolwich Arsenal for 100 years. It has been restored recently by Father O'Leary.
The building is open from 9.30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
NATIONAL GALLERY.
The National Gallery of Canada has lately been removed to the Victoria Memorial Museum at the south end of Metcalfe street. Three large galleries and six small ones in the east wing have been assigned to its use. The top floor, consisting of one large gallery and six small ones, has been reserved for pictures, etchings, drawings and small bronzes, while the two lower floors are devoted to the exhibition of a representative collection of casts of ancient and mediaeval sculpture. Many fine and valuable pictures have lately been added to the collection. The formal opening by the Governor General is intended to take place in the autumn of 1911.
AYLMER.
Named after Lord Aylmer, a former Governor General of Canada, and situated on Lake Deschenes beside the old highway from Montreal to the Upper Ottawa and the lumbering districts, this quaint little town is about 9 miles from Ottawa by road or electric car (for car service, see p. 48). Here many prominent Ottawans first saw the light of day. The ride alone is well worth the time spent, and in the town itself a visit should be paid to the picturesque old Conroy Hotel on the lake shore, the old Court House, and "Talaly-Ho Farm" at the entrance to the town, on the Aylmer Road. Here Mr. Wright of Ottawa, has his green houses, with some 400,000 feet of glass covering part of the magnificent display of flowers which subsequently find their way to Ottawa and elsewhere. Visitors are admitted at all times. At the Victoria Hotel beyond the town, and fronting on Lake Deschenes, the traveller and tourist can find good accommodation and all that thereto appertains.
BANKS.
There are 29 banks and branches in the cities of Ottawa and Hull, following are the chief offices:
Bank of Ottawa, 116 Wellington st. (with 8 branch offices).
Bank of Montreal, 144 Wellington st. (with 2 branches).
Bank of British North America, 62 Sparks st.
Bank of Nova Scotia, 151 Sparks st.
Canadian Bank of Commerce, 106 Wellington st. (with 1 branch).
Imperial Bank of Canada, 52 Sparks st.
Banque Nationale, 16 Rideau st.
Banque Provinciale du Canada, 183 Main st., Hull.
Merchants Bank of Canada, 10 Metcalfe st.
Molsons Bank, 14 Metcalfe st.
Northern Crown Bank, 97 Sparks st. (with 2 branches).
Quebec Bank, 122 Wellington st.
Royal Bank of Canada, 43 Sparks st. (with 2 branches).
Traders Bank, 136 Sparks st.
BOAT TRIPS.
Ottawa River.—Cumberland—Thurso.
Str. "Victoria" leaves for Thurso (29) miles at 4 p.m. daily. Fare 50c. return. Tickets may be obtained from Geo. Duncan, 42 Sparks St., or on board.
Rideau Canal.—Smith's Falls—Rideau Lakes—Kingston.
Take Strs. "Rideau Queen" and "Rideau King" where Albert street joins the Canal. Steamer leaves, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, at 2 p.m., arriving at Kingston at 5 p.m. the following day (i.e. 27 hours). Fare, $3.80 single, $6.60 return. Tickets may be obtained from Geo. Duncan, 42 Sparks st., or on the boat.
Chats Falls—Lake Deschenes—Fitzroy Harbour.
Take Somerset street car (Maltese cross) for Britannia (allowing three-quarters of an hour from Ottawa), Str. "G. B. Greene" leaves as follows: Monday at 10 a.m. and not returning till Wednesday; Wednesdays and public holidays, 10 a.m., arriving at Chats Falls about 1.30 p.m., reaches Britannia on the return trip about 6.30 p.m.; Saturdays, leaves Britannia at 2.15 p.m., returning about 7.30 p.m. Steamer does not call at any wharf on the down trip Saturday afternoon except Queen's Park, Aylmer.
On the up trips, Wednesday and Saturday, steamer calls at Queen's Park wharf, if not crowded when leaving Britannia, and on these days a caterer is on board from whom light refreshments may be procured.
Fares, 50c. the round trip from Ottawa. Tickets may be obtained from Ottawa Electric Railway office, 48 Bank st., or A. H. Jarvis, 157 Bank st.