COLUMBIA RIVER. 351 



on the London prime cost. This is the established price at Vancouver, 

 but at the other posts it is one hundred per cent, to cover the extra 

 expenses of transportation. All these articles are of good quality, 

 and suitable for the servants, settlers, and visiters. Of the quantity 

 on hand, some idea may be formed from the fact that all the posts 

 west of the Rocky Mountains get their annual supplies from this 

 depot. 



Vancouver is the head-quarters of the North vs^est or Columbian 

 Department, which also includes New Caledonia ; all the returns of 

 furs are received here, and hither all accounts are transmitted for 

 settlement. These operations occasion a large mass of business to be 

 transacted at this establishment. Mr. Douglass, a chief factor, and 

 the associate of Dr. M'Laughlin, assists in this department, and takes 

 sole charge in his absence. 



Dr. M'Laughlin showed us our rooms, and told us that the bell 

 was the signal for meals. 



Towards sunset, tea-time arrived, and we obeyed the summons 

 of the bell, when we were introduced to several of the gentlemen of 

 the establishment : we met in a large hall, with a long table spread 

 with abundance of good fare. Dr. M'Laughlin took the head of the 

 table, with myself on his right, Messrs. Douglass and Drayton on his 

 left, and the others apparently according to their rank. I mention 

 this, as every one appears to have a relative rank, privilege, and station 

 assigned him, and military etiquette prevails. The meal lasts no 

 longer than is necessary to satisfy hunger. With the officers who are 

 clerks, business is the sole object of their life, and one is entirely at a 

 loss here who has nothing to do. Fortunately I found myself much 

 engaged, and therefore it suited me. The agreeable company of Dr. 

 M'Laughlin and Mr. Douglass made the time at meals pass delight- 

 fully. Both of these gentlemen were kind enough to give up a large 

 portion of their time to us, and I felt occasionally that we must be 

 trespassing on their business hours. After meals, it is the custom to 

 introduce pipes and tobacco. It was said that this practice was 

 getting into disuse, but I should have concluded from what I saw that 

 it was at its height. 



Canadian French is generally spoken to the servants : even those 

 who come out from England after a while adopt it, and it is not a little 

 amusing to hear the words they use, and the manner in which they 

 pronounce them. 



The routine of a day at Vancouver is perhaps the same throughout 



