196 OCEAN TO OCEAN ON HORSEBACK, 



and was assuming certain new conceits in architecture, 

 although she has never equalled the splendor of other 

 large cities in her public buildings. The new City 

 and County Hall approaches more nearly to the 

 modern idea, and is very attractive within and with- 

 out. It is built of Maine granite in the form of a 

 double Roman cross, and is surmounted by a lofty 

 tower bearing four symbolic figures. With the in- 

 crease of canal and railroad traffic, the building of the 

 immense grain elevators, which are a striking feature 

 of Buffalo, was commenced. 



Their number and size have been increased to such 

 an extent that they almost make a town in them- 

 selves and are capable of accommodating eight million 

 bushels of grain. The incessant work of storing and 

 transferring is carried on about these wooden giants 

 day after day, sometimes to tlie extent of more than 

 three million bushels, while, at their feet, boats come 

 and go in the great commercial game of "give and 

 take.'' There is every facility for carrying on a trade 

 of this kind, for Buffalo River is navigable for 

 more than two miles from its mouth, which is pro- 

 tected by breakwaters which form an excellent harbor, 

 while there is a warer-front on the lake and the Niagara 

 River five miles long. In 1869, the United States 

 Government began tfie^'onstruction of an outside har- 

 Oor, by building a breakwater 4000 feet long fronting 

 the entrance of tho Buffalo illver. 



Overlooking Buffilo Rne^ stand the office build- 

 ings whence come the calculating -and controlling 

 influences that keep in *^ clock work'' order this mart 

 where grain is ** received, tranrAtired, stored and for- 

 warvle^l with greater dispatch ih\\\ in any other port of 



