502 REVIEWS — THE HAND-BOOK OF TORONTO. 



Throughout the volumej moreover, great ability is displayed by the 

 way in which the more Important features of ths subject are brought 

 out and depicted vividly before the reader. In this, indeed, lies the 

 chief charm and merit of Mr. Gi-eikie's book. We look forward, 

 however, to meet its author at no distant day, in fields of strictly 

 original research, in which alone a lasting reputation is to be obtained. 



E. J. C. 



The Hand-Book of Toronto ; containing its Climate, Geology, Natu- 

 ral History, Educational Institutions, Courts of Law, Municipal 

 Arrangements, ^c. ^c. By a Membee oe the Peess. Toronto : 

 Lovell & G-ibson, 1858. 



The publication of a volume of 272 pages, devoted to the history 

 and description of the Capital City of Upper Canada, must be looked 

 upon as in itself a somewhat significant indication of the rapid pro- 

 gress of this City of the West, and of the Upper Province of Cana- 

 da, of which it is the Metropolis. The volume, indeed, owes its bulk 

 in part, to chapters not ordinarily included in the City Guide-book. 

 What, it has been asked, has a Geological or a Natural History sec- 

 tion, extending to upwards of fifty pages, to do in the Hand-Book of 

 Toronto ? And the question would be sufficiently pertinent in 

 reference to any home city of like dimensions and population. But 

 this capital of Upper Canada has been hewn out of the woods, and 

 cleared out of the swamps, within the memory of living men. Its 

 older citizens can remember when the Indian track led through the 

 forest, and they bave been scared by the wolf and bear, where now its 

 principal thoroughfares are lined with well-stocked marts, and 

 crowded by a gay and busy throng. Each year witnesses the pro- 

 gress of like changes. We have noted the lingering survivors 

 of the ancient pine forest ejected from enclosed " town lots," and 

 replaced by tasteful villas. The creek to which, only a year or two 

 ago, we were wont to resort of a summer evening to watch the bril- 

 liant glancing of the fire-flies, now runs underground through a well 

 built drain ; and the stumps of the old clearing have given way to 

 the planking and turnpiking of a city thoroughfare. Nor, with all 

 the rapid progress of a city, now numbering nearly 8,000 dwellings 

 and upwards of 50,000 inhabitants, is the natural history of Toronto 

 entirely a thing of the past. 



