FROM its commanding position and

unequalled advantages, Halifax is not only the premier winter port of Canada, but in many respects the chief allyear-round port of the Dominion.

The early history of Nova Scotia, of which Halifax is the chief town and capital, contains much that is stirring and romantic. From the hazy legends of visits of the Vikings, to its discovery in 1498 by Cabot, on to the expulsion of the French in 1758, is a long chapter of conflicts by land and water between the English and French, assisted by the Indians, which has been illustrated by the pens of poets and historians. That of Halifax is more prosiac. Very early the harbour was known and used by the French, who have the singular aptitude of selecting the most available situations, whether for military or naval or commercial

purposes, as for instance Louisburg, Quebec, Montreal, St. Louis, and Chicago.

After the capture of Louisburg in 1745 by the New Englanders under Pepperell and the fleet under Commodore Warren, Halifax was used as a base by the French fleet under the Duke of D'Anville to recapture Louisburg. From the time of his sailing from France with 65 men-of-war and transports, misfortune pursued him.. Storms and disease so crippled the expedition that it returned to France without accomplishing anything.

After the treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748, the English Government determined to take full and definite possession of the country. Free transportation and lands were offered to those willing to go. Preference was given to old soldiers and sailors and their

families. About 2,500 were selected, and sailing from London in the spring of 1749, under Lord Cornwallis, landed and founded the first permanent settlement on the shores of Chebucto Bay at the present site of Halifax ; and Lord Cornwallis writing to the Government, reporting his arrival, adds: "All the officers of the fleet report it the best harbour they have seen." The early settlers of Nova Scotia, both those from home and those coming from the United States, were a superior body of men, and no colony of the Empire has had as good a foundation to build upon as far as regards its population as this province by the Sturdy men from England, Scotland and Ireland, with a little seasoning of American loyalists, make up a strain not excelled.

sea.

A few years after its settlement, war broke out again between England and France. And from Halifax as a rendezvous set sail expeditions under

Amherst and Wolfe, which resulted in the capture of Louisburg and Quebec, glorious victories ending forever French dominion on this continent. Again the war of the Revolution, 1775 to 1782, as all wars have done, brought to Halifax' an increase of population and trade. From this port sailed the fleets and armies for the occupation of Boston and New York. And to this province, at the close of the war, returned large numbers of loyalists who would not accept the new condition of affairs in the States.

The war of 1812 to 1815 between England and the United States followed, during which Halifax was again the principal point in the operations of the English fleets on the North Atlantic. After this war but little of note occurred in the history of Halifax. The town continued to increase in population and wealth, if not as rapidly as some other places, with a continuous and healthy growth, and now has a

population of about 45,000. Before closing this historical sketch of Halifax, it might be well to name some of the distinguished officers of the army and navy whose lives are partially identified with Halifax. Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria, was twice stationed in this garrison, the last time as commander-in-chief of the forces in British North America. Under his administration the defensive works of the town were greatly improved; St. George's church was built, and many improvements made. Later, Sir John Inglis, one of the heroes of Lucknow, and Sir Fenwick Williams of Kars, both of whom were Nova Scotians, served in this garrison. And for some years Halifax has been the only place in British North America garrisoned by British troops. Another of the Royal family, Prince William. Henry, afterwards the Sailor King, William IV., served on this station for two years, as did Lord Nelson.

When the town was first laid out, a large portion of the water front was reserved for a dockyard, and all the necessary buildings erected for building and outfitting ships. And since then it has been the headquarters of the North American squadron. There is ample water at the docks for the largest line-of-battle ship, and the facilities for coaling are unsurpassed.

From a national point of view Halifax is interesting. From its settlement, as before stated, it was the seat of government, at first, of all the lower provinces. But in 1786 New Brunswick was made a separate colony, and later Prince Edward Island was also detached. Nova Scotia, like all other dependencies of Great Britain, was for many years a Crown colony with an irresponsible government of Governor and Council. But, after some years of agitation, a representative government was formed. In 1867 the four Provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New

ocean terminus of which should be Halifax. And this was emphasized by the Imperial Government, which selected the route and subsidized the road.

Besides men distinguished as soldiers and sailors, Nova Scotia and Halifax has been the home of men equally famous as statesmen, whose reputation is national; foremost among these are Howe, Johnston, Archibald, and Haliburton.

quaintance with some of the best harbours in the world, such as Naples, San Francisco, Rio de Janiero, I know of none that combines as many advantages as Halifax. The harbour opens directly on the Atlantic; easy of access at all times; comparatively small rise and fall of tide; safe and commodious; of uniform depth, 10 to 12 fathoms; good holding ground; well buoyed and lighted; with a pilot ser

vice of experienced men, who for twenty-five years have never had a craft in their charge take the bottom, or meet with a mishap. A stranger coming into the port was praising it to an old pilot. The latter said, "Aye, sir, but it is not what you see, but what you don't see." "What do you mean?" enquired the stranger. "I mean, sir, you don't see the bottom," intimating that its freedom from rocks and shoals is the great beauty of the harbour. There are numerous wharves, both public and private, alongside of which the largest vessels can lie free from all dockage dues while handling cargo.

facilities of the road are excellent, and being constantly improved. The cars run down on covered wharves, alongside of which there is from 25 to 40 feet of water at all tides. The Dominion Parliament has recently voted a sum for a grain elevator, which the city council has supplemented with a like sum, taking the place of the one destroyed by fire, and which, with a cold storage plant for the erection of which a company has recently been organized, completes the road's equipment. It is ready now to move expeditiously and cheaply the products of Western Canada and the Northwestern

The Intercolonial Railway is the artery which connects Halifax with the rest of the continent, extending now 756 miles to Montreal, and thence through its branches and connections reaching to the Pacific in an unbroken line of 3,662 miles through British territory. The Intercolonial is one of the best built and equipped roads in the Dominion or the United States. With easy grades, a splendid road bed and good train outfit, it makes as good time to Montreal (about 24 hours) as competing roads, though the distance is somewhat longer. The terminal

States, and to distribute the imports of the country.

To a Haligonian, Samuel Cunard, belongs the credit of establishing in 1840 the first regular line of steamers across the Atlantic. Halifax was the first calling port on this side of the water. The Cunard line is still running, leading all others in size, speed and safety. Besides these boats he pioneered the lines to the West Indies and Newfoundland, which in later years have been followed up by other lines to Great Britain, notably the Allan, Dominion, Beaver and others;