DALHOUSIE, 241 



is no doubt that a saving of two or three days' time can 

 be effected in the transmission of mails and passengers 

 from Canada and the Western States to Europe, and fully 

 one-half the terrors of a sea voyage will be spared to bad 

 sailors. Thus, from Quebec to Dalhousie by rail, twelve 

 hours ; from Dalhousie to the west coast of Newfound- 

 land by steamboat, thirty-six hours ; across that island by 

 rail to the harbour of St. John's, six hours ; from thence 

 to the west of Ireland, following the line of the Atlantic 

 cable, five days ; total, seven days and a quarter ; or from 

 Quebec to London, eight days, with an ocean voyage of 

 only five, and during the balance of the journey the 

 traveller, instead of groaning on the Atlantic, can enjoy 

 some of the finest scenery on two continents. 



I can confidently say that in the whole range of coast- 

 line between New York and Quebec there is not a more 

 charming summer resort than Dalhousie. In no place 

 can be found clearer water, purer air, and finer scenery. 

 The whole of this vicinity seems to have been upturned 

 by some convulsion of nature, and hill is piled upon hill 

 and rock upon rock in the most fantastic forms imaginable. 

 It seems ridiculous to speak of a place being Alpine in 

 appearance where perhaps the highest hills do not reach 

 a greater altitude than 2000 feet above the level of the 

 sea, but effect in landscape is not produced solely by 

 great heights and vast expanses. The hills rise abruptly, 

 and as it were unexpectedly, to their full height from the 

 water's edge ; glaciers lurk in the summits, which are 

 generally rocky and barren ; while the valleys and slopes 

 are densely wooded, and mountain torrents thunder down 

 the ravines. The atmosphere is wonderfully clear, and 



B 



