672 CANADIAN LOCAL HISTORY. 



of which, by means of a short dam, may be thrown into all the streets 

 of the town. Vessels of all sizes may be conveniently built here, and 

 a kind of terrace or second bank in front of the town, affords an ex- 

 cellent situation for a rope walk. The remains of the old French 

 Fort Toronto stand a little to the westward of the present garrison, 

 and the River Humber discharges itself into Lake Ontario about two 

 miles and a half west of that : on this river and the Don are excel- 

 lent mills, and all the waters abound in fish. In winter the harboxir 

 is frozen, and afi'ords excellent ice for the amusement of northern 

 countries, driving in traineaus. The climate of York is temperate, 

 and well sheltei'ed from the northerly winds by the high lands in the 

 rear. The Yonge Street leads from hence to Lake Simcoe, and the 

 Dundas Street crosses the rear of the town. [In the Second Edition 

 the following passages are omitted : "Which (i.e., the garrison creek), 

 being improved by sluices, afibrds an easy access for boats to go xvp to 

 the stores. The ground set apart for the Government house is situated 

 on a most beautiful spot, the vicinity of which is well suited for gar-^ 

 dens and a park. The oaks are in general large ; the soil is excellent, 

 and well watered with creeks, one of which, by means of a short dam, 

 may be thrown into all the streets of the town." The sluicing of the 

 garrison creek, and the transformation of a stream to the east into a 

 reservoir for the supply of water to be "thrown into all the streets of 

 the town," are curious but bold ideas. Was the latter stream that in 

 the ravine which now forms part of St. James's cemetery 1 In the 

 second edition the Government house is stated to be "aboixt two miles- 

 from the east end of the town, at the entrance of the harbour." This 

 was the residence destroyed when the magazine exploded in 1813, 

 The bridge over the Don is spoken of as finished, i.e., a floating bridge 

 near the outlet of the river. The name " York" was conferred on the 

 town in honour of the King's second son, Frederick, Duke of York, 

 On the 27th of August, 1793, a royal salute was fii-ed in the harbour, 

 to celebrate a success recently gained by the troops under the com- 

 mand of the Duke in Holland, and "to commemorate the naming 

 of this harbour from his English title, York." 



York Township, is in the east riding of the County of York, and 

 lies to the west of Scarborough, having the River Humber for its 

 western limit : its front is principally occupied by a long sandy beach, 

 which forms the harbour. The rest of the township in front is opens 

 to Lake Ontario. 



