HOMEWARD BOUND 



Montreal they have the pari-mutuel on an old charter 

 which cannot be revoked. The food is of the best too, 

 and the picturesqueness of the Place Viger Hotel, 

 looking as it does over a large open space, reminded me 

 of the romances read about Canada. That wonderful 

 air too — I had the experience which I understand 

 others have had : being surcharged with electricity. 

 If I touched a radiator a spark would fly out from the 

 tip of my finger-nail, and of course it was the same in 

 touching other metals. Presumably it all meant full 

 health ; at all events, there was the keen appreciation 

 for everything which Montreal had to offer. Although 

 there only a few days there were many introductions,, 

 and it was with regret that the train was taken 

 for a thirty-four-hours' journey to Halifax, Nova 

 Scotia, to get a homeward-bounder. The Royal 

 George is a very well-found ship ; in fact, this line from 

 Avonmouth to Canada is most reposeful in the off 

 season. The Royal George and the Royal Edward were 

 originally in the Mediterranean service, but are now 

 proud possessions of the Canadian Northern Railway. 



London did not look quite at its best on an Eastei 

 Monday, and everything appeared rather puny aftei 

 the enormous structures of the western world. Bui 

 what a delight to get hold of an evening paper and rea( 

 the probable starters for the Queen's Prize ! Fanc] 

 not having seen a horse running in colours for eighteeni 

 months ! It sent a thrill through me, the bare 

 suggestion of it, and trouble was taken to read up 

 books of form to get in touch with what I had missed 

 during my absence. I had, however, read assiduously 

 everything which had taken place, and how interest- 

 ing it was to notice that certain horses about whom a 

 high opinion had been held had proved themselves as 



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