ng work that the
present being an age of advancement, the period has fully arrived
when our fair town of Victoria is of sufficient importance to deserve
that index of commercial progress, a Directory. We have been reliably
informed that about 35,000 immigrants from California and elsewhere
have arrived, and have produced a most marvellous state of transition
in the two countries [Vancouver Island and British Columbia.] A
number of wharves have been constructed this past season, a new
timber bridge across James Bay has been built, giving access to the
newly-erected Government offices for public lands and to Government
House, which are of an ornamental character. Streets leading to the
bridge have been graded and metalled over and are passable at all
times. A temporary want of funds alone prevents more being done in
this way, as also the completion of two embankments (in lieu of
bridges) in a ravine [Johnson Street, I think, E. F.]. Wooden
buildings have ceased to be the order of the day. We have been
fortunate in hitherto escaping with but one single disaster in the
shape of fire. Some public-spirited citizens taking the lead, a Hook
and Ladder Company has been organized, and subscriptions raised to
defray the necessary outlay of a building and a Hook and Ladder
Apparatus and an Engine. We have a large bookstore [Hibben &
Carswell's]; two hotels of considerable dimensions, Royal and
Victoria, and several houses, all erected in brickwork. The Hudson's
Bay Company are erecting a warehouse of pretentious dimension of
stone, which they import from a distance of not less than forty
miles, and a new bank, 'Bank of British North America.' Great demands
are made for a Public Hall for meetings, and the want of a Theatre
is felt. The last few months have seen an increase in our legal
defenders, and the arrival of an attorney-general for British
Columbia.

"We have seen by an effort in the right direction a large tract of
land, 20,000 acres in the neighborhood of Victoria, put up for sale
by auction at the upset price of $1.00 per acre.

"We have of churches one Episcopalian, one Roman Catholic, one
Methodist mission, one Congregational mission, one nunnery school,
Sisters of St. Ann's, one private educational institute (by the
author) for both sexes, and one Young Ladies' Seminary.

"We have an hospital (Royal) started originally by Rev. Edward
Cridge, of Christ Church, and now sadly overburdened with debt.

"A Masonic lodge