THE REAL HIGHWAY TO THE PACIFIC. 395 



malt, offers far superior advantages, for tlie coal-mines 

 of Vancouver Island are the only ones on the 

 Pacific coast of North America. Victoria is but 

 6,053 miles from Hongkong, or about twenty-one 

 days' steaming ; and if a railway were constructed 

 from Halifax to some point in British Columbia, 

 the whole distance to Southampton would be accom- 

 plished in thirty-six days — from fifteen to twenty 

 days less than by the Overland Eoute via Suez. Q) 



At the present time this subject acquires addi- 

 tional interest from the projected Federation of the 

 British JSTorth American Colonies, and the uncertain 

 condition of our relations with the Northern States 

 of America. 



The time seems to have come when the Hudson's 

 Bay Company, having done good service by a 

 beneficent rule over the territories granted it, w^hich 

 contrasts strongly with that of the American Fur 

 Companies, should share the fate of all the great 

 monopolies which have fallen before it. Lord 

 Wharncliffe has lately brought this question before 

 the House of Lords, proposing the formation of the 

 north-west territory into a separate colony, and in- 

 quiring whether any steps had been taken in the 

 matter. But of course the Grovernment had done 

 nothing, and apparently has no intention of moving. 



Millions of money and hundreds of lives have 

 been lost in the search for a North-West Passage by 

 Sea. Discovered at last, it has proved useless. The 



(0 Vide Dr. Eathray, " Vancouver Island, and British Columbia." 



