THROUGH WONDERLAND. 
55 
priateness of the great ocean’s name. The construction of the Northern Pacific 
Railroad from the Columbia river to Puget Sound has made these sea voyages 
unnecessary to reach a port on the inland passage ; and, unless a person’s 
-stomach is built on “ nautical lines,” so that he really enjoys an ocean trip, he 
can save this discomfort by a cut across lots on a railroad train. In fact, it 
must be kept in mind, that, while the trip on the inland passage is an ocean 
voyage, equal to one from New York City to Havana and return, it is, as far as 
sea-sickness is concerned, as if the Hudson river was turned around in the 
opposite direction, and we sailed on its waters from New York to Havana and 
return ; while the inland passage, in its southern part, is as accessible by rail¬ 
road travel, to the people of the United States and Canada, as any point on the 
Hudson river. Therefore, broad Juan de Fuca Strait, where the pulsations of 
the ocean’s life outside are even felt to its eastern end, in much diminished 
waves, however, carries fewer persons than formerly, and especially of that 
reluctant class who look uncomplainingly at the terrors of the sea, from the basis 
■of dire necessity. 
Crossing this strait, which has led to so many controversies as to whether the 
old Greek from whom it is named actually discovered this beautiful body of water, 
or only made a lucky guess in publishing to the world a mythical journey of 
his, we sight and bear down on the beautiful British island of Vancouver, 
whose metropolis is Victoria, and alongside of whose docks we shall soon be 
made fast. 
Victoria, the city, was built on the site of old Fort Victoria, a Hudson Bay 
•Company trading-post of that great British monopoly that held nearly all 
British America under its control for two hundred years, and, although broken 
-as a monopoly, has yet an influence to assist or retard the development of the 
•country which is incalculable. The Fraser river gold mine excitement in the 
’50’s did much to build up Victoria, and send it forward into the front rank of 
Pacific coast cities, a position which she has held with varying fortunes, 
though now, in common with the whole Northwest, once more on the 
ascending wave. 
Cities, like individuals, have their “ hobbies,” although seldom so prom¬ 
inently marked; and the municipal “ hobby” of Victoria is her splendidly 
constructed roads, leading through the town and far beyond the suburbs, and 
in which she has no superior on the Pacific coast of North America, and but 
few in the world. If the steamer remains long enough in the harbor,—and 
during excursion times in the summer months they always do,—a drive should 
be taken on the Victoria roads,, and especially the one leading to Esquimalt 
harbor and return, some two or three miles in all. It is but one, however, of 
the many beautiful drives ; but it is only necessary to mention them in a general 
way for any one who would desire to test them, so readily can all needed 
information be found on the spot. 
In quaint little smoke-stained and dingy-looking stores in out-of-the-way 
nooks and corners of the streets are to be found the Victorian curiosity shops, 
