Sarnia to Toronto. 165 



the prey is hooked, that nicety of handling, and the pleasing- 

 oscillation between hope and fear which charms the disciple 

 of the rod and line. When the spear is in the flesh of the 

 fish the battle is over, and it is only a question of sheer 

 strength to lift it out of the water. The spearing season 

 ends with February, after which the law imposes a fine on 

 any person caught taking fish by this means. Hamilton is 

 the chief city on the Great Western Railroad, of which the 

 head offices are erected here, and the terminus of the 

 Toronto branch of that line. On the approach from 

 Windsor is visible overhanging the Bay, Dundurn, the 

 handsome castle or seat of the late Sir Allan McNab, 

 formerly speaker of the House of Assembly. 



There are several very pretty drives near the city, amongst 

 which are "to the beach " and "up the mountain." Either 

 of these on a sultry summer day, when scarcely a breath of 

 air is to be felt stirring in the streets, and a fine dust, which 

 is the peculiar property of the soil in this vicinity, pervades 

 every open space, hemmed in by the mountain heights, is 

 exceedingly pleasant and delightful ; the fresh pure air on 

 the top of the mountain, and the cool lake breeze obtainable 

 at " the beach," are highly beneficial not only to the invalid, 

 but to whoever is able to enjoy them. " Oaklands," also, is 

 a favourite summer resort, which, together with " the beach," 

 are accessible by steam ferry-boats plying on Burlington 

 Bay. Watertown, six miles distant, and Flamboro' Heights, 

 Wellington Square, seven miles distant, " Burning Springs," 

 Ancaster, &c., are all at a distance just far enough to be 

 pleasant, and the roads, which are excellent, run through a 

 well-farmed country. 



Hamilton, being a city of such modern date, has no old 

 associations connected with it as a city ; the only historical 

 interest it possesses being centered in Burlington Heights, 

 and the places in the vicinity where skirmishing and battles 

 took place. But despite of this, though not equalling 



