IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 1.0 !t I.I I4£ IIIM ill 2.5 2.2 1^ ^ 1.8 PhotogiBphic Sciences Corporation 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ f," _ ► L1>' ^^ :\ \ % 23 WIST MAIN STRUT WIBSTIR, N.Y. M380 (716) S73-4503 o^ 1 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHIVI/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ D D D Couverture endommagAe Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurte et/ou pelliculAe Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque Coloured maps/ Cartes gAographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) I I Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ D Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur Bound with other material/ ReliA avec d'autres documents Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serrAe peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge IntArieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certainas pages blanches ajouttes lors d'une restauration apparaiesent dans le texte. mais, lorsque cela Atait possible, ces pages n'ont pas «t« fiimies. Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplAmentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la mAthode normale de filmage sont indiqufo ci-dessous. T» to I I Coloured pages/ D Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es Pages restored and/oi Pages restaurAes et/ou pelliculAes Pages discoloured, stained or foxei Pages dAcolortes, tachettes ou piquAes Pages detached/ Pages ditachies Showthroughy Transparence Quality of prir Quality inAgale de I'impression Includes supplementary materii Comprend du matAriel supplAmentaire Only edition available/ Seuie Mition disponible I I Pages damaged/ I I Pages restored and/or laminated/ I I Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ r~~| Pages detached/ I I Showthrough/ I I Quality of print varies/ I I Includes supplementary material/ rn Only edition available/ Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure. etc.. ont M filmdes A nouveau de fa9on A obtenir la meilleure image possible. Tl P< of fil Oi b( th 8i( ot fil si( or T» sh Tl w M di er bt "S re mi This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmi au taux de riduction indiquA ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X / USX 16X 20X 28X 30X 24X 2tX 32X Tha copy filmad her* has bean raproducad thanks to tha ganarosity of: Li^.rary Division Provincial Archives of British Columbia L'axamplaira film* fut raproduit grica A la gAnArosit* da: Library Division Provincial Archives of British Columbia Tha imagas appearing hara ara tha bast quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — ^ (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Lea images suiventes ont At* reproduites avac la plus grand soin. compta tenu de la condition at da la nattet* de I'exemplaire film*, et en conformit* avac las conditions du contrat da filmage. Lea exemplairas originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprim*e sont film*s en commen^ant par la premier plat et en terminant soit par la derni*re page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration. soit par la second plat, salon la cas. Tous las autras exemplairas originaux sont film*s en commen^ant par la premi*ra page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derni*re page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaftra sur la derni*re image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE ". le symbols V signifie "F'N ". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent *tre film*s * des taux de r*duction diff*rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour *tre reproduit en un seul clich*. il est film* * partir da Tangle sup*rieur gauche, de gauche * droite. et de haut en bas, en prenont le nombre d'imagas n*cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m*thode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 -*^ ST A#^ ^t)» 1 1,1' ^wir ►>'• ,4 '-*«• H MUftm^*^ w ■Ss i W. K. W 'J m fuMdm, is>«j^»»*«^ im>i^^- ■^ be sure to exercise it for advancement of their particular interests, and the only way of settling these troubles will be by resort to amicable arbitration. Notwithstanding the grumblings so often heard in the present day of labor being inadequately paid that capital gets the lion's share, and that recourse must be had to communism or legislation to rectify present disproportion there cannot be a doubt, but within this past quarter of a century there has been marked and general improvement in the condition of all classes of society resulting from better remuneration ; and this observation naturally leads to, and brings before us that, in the present day, most Important subject, viz : SOCIAL AMELIORATION And whether there has been as marked an improvement in the manners of the age as progress in material welfare. Never were there more ample means and appliances for the accomplishment of such improvement, and yet when the morning paper is laid upon the breakfast tab there appears 11 the usual record of murders, suicides, defalcations, drunken- ness, etc., and so far as improvement is concerned the posi- tion, to use a military phrase, is " as you were." That we shall ever arrive at that happy period when no such offences prevail could only be the dream of some visionary enthusi- ast. But surely in these days of universal education and other influences in operation, not forgetting Blue Ribbon Societies, indications of more decided improvement might reasonably be expected. But with the view of ascertaining whether we are justified in forming such expectations let us deal with the given position of any community. Now in order to arrive at a correct conclusion of the state of things there prevailing, it will not be necessary to enquire what those who compose this community do when they are at work ? for at such times it always means pretty much the same thing, varying only by being more or less toil involved, or number of hours engaged. But what will be essential to know with the view of obtaining a correct estimate will be what this community do when their day's work is over? for the character of a people depends not so much upon what they do when employed, but how they fill up their leisufb time when not employed. It is the idle hour that tells the tale. Tell me of a community who, when the day's work is done, are busily engaged with healthy pastimes or instruc- tive recreation, and there you will find the elements of a well ordered community. But if on the other hand you point to a community who when the hour of leisure comes every one is at his wits end to know what is to engage at- tention, in such community the advantages of Public School education will be powerless to prevent irregularities, and Blue Ribbon Societies will not be wanting for subjects to operate upon. Never need we look for any material change for the better until more importance is attached to the man- ner in which the leisure hour is occupied, for there Is so much of truth in the old saying, "That an idle man's head is the devil's own workshop," and mark you, the devil in the present day is a much more formidable opponent than in the past, for he has had so much more experience. Mater- ial improvement does not necessarily also mean moral im- provement, for taking a broad and general view of what 12 is going on in the world, not forgetting ourselves here in Victoria, the improvement in material welfare resulting from the better remuneration of modern days has not been followed by adequate improvement in the moral and social tone, consequently social amelioration afTords abundant scope for philanthropic operation. At this interesting period of British Columbian history, when after so many years of quietude and disappointed expectations when there is open- ed out for us by the developnients in progress a new future, one fails to see any accompanying aspirations for improve- ment in the popular mind, which, with tew exceptions, is simply an affair of animal existence. Noticing some few days since a lad apparently absorbed in deep thought, prompted by curiosity I took the liberty of asking him what he M'as thinking about? " Nothing !" he said, well, I replied, that must be an interesting subject, and it appears to me, that, to a very considerable extent, is the subject that engages the attention of many of the rising gen- eration, and also of many of our citizens in their hours of leisure after day's work is done. The poet Cowper in one of his poems in an illustration places before the reader the pea- sant, his wife and family gathered round the evening fire wrapt in sleep. " Sleep, he says seems their only refuge, ** for alas, where penury is felt the thought is chained, and " sweet colloquial pleasurea are but few." With many of our citizens ins^p-xd of " sleep " behig their only refuge, it should be drink, the sleep coming afterwards. Our city has now passed the pioneer stage which required every faculty to be absorbed in the struggle for existence, and we have arrived at that period in advance which should speak of something better for our young folks, and the gen- eral community than hours of idleness, and refuge sought in drink and sleep. The plain facts are, it is indispensible to the happiness of communities, as well as individuals, to have "an ideal," some excelsior — some standard of excellence to excite ambition, and the more excellent the ideal, the more excellent the influence. In tlie United States the spirit of enterprise prevailhig leads to accuiiiulated wealth being their ideal. The Jay Goulds and Vanderbilts occupy a posi- tion akin to that of the God's in heathen mythology. Amer- 1^' ' here in resulting not been id social .bundant ig period years of is open- V future, improve- ►tions, is absorbed iberty of ing !" he jject, and t, is the sing gen- hours of in one of • the pea- ning fire ly refuge, ned, and elug their ter wards. required existence, ch should the gen- sought in ensible to Is, to have ellence to the more I spirit of dth being ipy a posi- 5y. Amer- 18 ican newspapers frequently put forth for admiration the varied amounts their millionaires are supposed to be worth. In France it is glory that constitutes the national ideal, no man was ever more the subject of hero worship, than their first Napoleon, because he administered so fully to the grati- fication of this desire. In Germany they have for their ideal military excellence, and Count Moltke is idolized. In Great Britain the excellence that constitutes their ideal is unsullied honor, and in whatever rank of life found the subject of respect and esteem, amongst her public men a stain would be felt as a wound. Here in this our city we seem to have no aspirations, or conception of an ideal, but in its place vague and indefinite generalities worthy of no especial re- gard. Two chimney sweep boys meeting each other in Lon- don one of them taunted the other by saying, ** Your Master never gives you any of the fine work, he only sends you up the kitchen flues, my Master sends me up the parlor and drawing-room chimneys. I do the fine work." It is the wholesome vanity here displayed, and satisfaction at being able to excel, it would be well if more forcibly impressed up- on the minds of many of our rising generation. Henry Ward Beecher in his lecture remarked that every city with a population numbering five thousand ought to have a Free Public Library. Unquestionably such an institution seems a necessary addenda to our Public Schools. We are amply provided with all other institutions, but free Public Librar- ies are now the order of the day, and when we get such an institution in our city, it ought to be such a one, both as re- gards the edifice and the manner in which it was sustained, of which our citizens might be proud, and there prevails ample wealth for its accomplishment and which, if estab- lished, might occasionally, nay perhaps, very often be favored with help from money bequeathed, and from contributions that in process of time might cause it to become a truly grand institution, one that by its infiuences might have the happy effect of giving quite an altered tone to the liabits and manners of the general community and furnish us with an ideal worthy of contemplation, making our young people pleased to avail themselves of the privileges afforded, and proud to be identified with a city having such advantages, i 14 and thus in due time it might come to pass, that just as it was said, " Athens was the eye of Greece," so eventually for intelligence and moral worth, our City of Victoria might become the eye of the Pacific Slope. 'I'hese perhaps may be thought to be optimist notions, but it is by contemplating the optimist we conquer, but by dwelling on the pessimist con- tinue to drag our slow length along. Our city, with its pride of place and suburban charms is entitled to be regarded as the pleasure ground of the Pacific Coast, and every efTort should be made by attractions oflTered to cause it to become the re- sort of pleasure seeking visitors, for such visitors when they come are not like the celebrated John Gilpin, " who though on pleasure he was bent, yet had a frugal mind," but are generally liberal in expenditure, and thus become a source of wealth to our citizens. Doubtless the influx of casual visi- tors to our city has been a considerable item in its prosperity and which solves the mystery of how a city with such a limited population could sustain such extensive commercial establishments, visitors then, whether casual or pleasure seeking, are of importance. It may, perhaps, be yet early days to talk of a Botanical Garden to add to present attractions, but as many of our citi- zens by the erection of elegant villas and palatial mansions evidently intend to make Victoria their home a botanical garden will follow as a matter of course. It speaks volumes for the general welfare, that so many mean permanent resi- dence, and also speaks well for the adaptations of this dis- tant British Province to make happy homes. Truthfully, indeed, has one of our native poets sang, <^ " Vancouver ! Nature with a liberal hand. Has thee, the most remote of Britain's isles, Dower' d with her richest gifts, and brightest smiles. And those who wander hither from her strand. Behold another England in the west, With sweeter air, and rival scenery drest." But I must not dwell longer here, for current events intro- duces us into a busy world full of Interesting incidents. By every mall steamer there is wafted the Intelligence from the Old Country that religious enthusiasm has created Salvation 1 15 Armies, with a General, Colonels, Captains and Rank and File, parading with all the pomp and circumstance of mili- tary life, with colors flying and beat of drum to combat against sin and wickedness, and to carry heaven as it were bj' storm. It seems to me if this movement were resolved into a debtor and creditor account of good and evil, the bal- ance would be on the wrong side, for that good, if any re- sulting, would be more than counterbalanced by the danger incurred of religion by the means resorted to being made a sub- ject of derision. When I read of the eccentric doings of these fanatics, I am forcibly impressed with the truth of a well known couplet, viz : *' That for virtue's self may too much zeal be had. The worst of mad-men is a saint run mad." I feel that I should be open to a charge of reproachful omission if I neglected to mention that recently the subject of Female Suffrage has been brought prominently under notice? both in England and the Dominion of Canada. The editor of one of our newspapers some ten days since in alluding to it, in a leading article concludes his remarks with what he terms " the comfortable assurance that if Womans Suffrage does not do much good, it will do no harm." It appears to me legislation is not justified upon any such supposition, — that legislation is a more important matter than to be made the subject of experiment for it is so much easier to pass laws than to repeal them, and remove objectionable influences resulting. I am of opinion that the interests of women are in safe custody when entrusted to those so closely con- cerned in their welfare as fathers, husbands and brothel's, that there can be no real necessity for woman mixing in the angry arena of politics, and if permission were granted it might introduce discord into many a household were peace and happiness now reigns. For an allwise purpose it has pleased the Creator to diversify his gifts. To the man he has given strength — to the woman beauty. To the man strength that he may flght the rough battle of life— to the woman beauty that by her endearments she may Min man's love, become the wife of his bosom and mother of his chil- dren, but if not occupying such happy position, present days » i I 16 of advanced civilization have opened many new sources of employment for female industry, wliich will be continually on the increase, arising from the creation of artificial wants. But as to causing woman to become politicians that will never be regarded with favor in British communities. But there are other candidates in the field catering for the good of the human family, viz., the advoca^s of total absti- nence from intoxicating drinks, not now presenting them- selves as Teatotallers or Good Templars, but metamorphosed to gratify the taste for novelty by being called A BLUE RIBBON SOCIETY. Experience shows that this panacea of total abstinence as a remedy for prevention of drunkenness has thus far failed to fully accomplish its object, the disease increasing with the remedy, and whenever a vacancy occurs in the ranks of the bachanalian army by the death of a veteran, there are always recruits springing up to fill the vacant place. Some few years since a young friend of my acquaintance who had be- come a victim to intemperance accosted me with the remark that he was going to turn over a new leaf, and that he had taken the pledge. Well, I replied, and what else are you going to do? Don't I tell you, he answered, that I have taken the pledge. Ah ! my friend, I replied, that will not be sufficient, you must do something to fill the void of former (ionvivial excitement, — learn short-hand writing — learn to play the fiddle — write a history of your life — the moral might be useful — in short do something. He did neither one or the other. The poor fellow had no resources; the pledge was broken again and again, and at the early age of thirty he ended his days in some miserable hut at Nanai- mo. I do not mention this circumstance in disparagement of the value of Blue Ribbon Societies, but merely to show that when the pledge alone is relied upon as sufficient security against intemperance there will be frequent disappointments. I have often heard It said that because of the prevalence of Intemperance It is a duty Incumbent upon every one to be- come disciples of the Blue Ribbon movement. I by no means subscribe to that doctrine and regard such assertions as a reflection upon the Intelligence of the age. To say that In ■mm mrces of tinually 1 wants, hat will js. But ;he good al absti- ig them- jrphosed nee as a failed to ivith the ks of the •e always ome few had be- e remark b he had are you t I have will not void of ^'riting — life— the He did ■esources; early age t Nanai- ragement to show b security ntments. alence of le to be- I by no ssertions ly that in tMhlM'deA^ry heh&i^sh'nii^^^^ had been atfensed, there is nootker' tehiedy than Its abihdonittient, Is to repre- i^ent the w'orld as Inits dotage. ' (Granted that indulgence to e±