Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Ottawa
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
pass under the nose of United States guns on the St. Lawrence. The canal
was never used for military purposes as the Rush-Bagot Convention of 1817
began an era of peace between the two nations which has lasted ever since.
Today, the only invaders are the pleasure craft of American tourists, locking
through the canal on their way to visit the Canadian capital. But Colonel By
gave his name to the settlement and up until 1857 it was known as Bytown.
In that year, Queen Victoria, to put an end to the mutual jealousies of
Montreal and Toronto, proclaimed the town the capital of United Canada.
Its population, then as now, represented both French and English-speaking
elements in the nation, and its position, 270 miles east of Toronto and 125
miles west of Mantreal, in Ontario, yet looking across the river to the hills
of Quebec, made the best of both Canadian worlds. The former lumber town,
as befitting its nobler destiny, took the name of the river that curves past its
door, and became Ottawa.
Though the city today still has a few lumber mills, its prevailing tone is
set by the fact that it is the seat of the federal government. In this sense it
belongs to all Canada; and when Parliament is in session, beneath the soaring
shaft of the Peace Tower, the city is host to Canadians from Cape Race to
Vancouver Island. Parliament, the Supreme Court, the presence of the
Governor General, and the large number of diplomatic missions with their
social round: all these provide the city with more than a normal share of
ceremony and circumstance. But the presence of some 30,000 civil servants
and their families creates an atmosphere of stability and caution. Salary
cheques are regular, and the spirit of venture is largely removed from business
enterprises.
The average Ottawan remains the civil servant on a salary of about $3,000,
with a wife and children, and often an automobile or a small summer cottage
up the Gatineau or along the Ottawa. His life is regular and simple; but it is
saved from becoming routine by the magnificent country of lakes, rivers and
hills which lies within twenty minutes drive of the city.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
