bitants may be set down at 6,000. Victoria
contains about 1,500 buildings, some of them very creditable to the
size of the city, among them the Government offices and the jail.
There are several commodious brick hotels, the principal being the
St. Nicholas, the St. George and the Royal. The city is adorned with
five churches, two belonging to the Church of England, one Roman
Catholic, one Wesleyan and one Congregational. A Jewish synagogue and
a Presbyterian church (Pandora Street) are in course of construction.
There are also a theatre (Theatre Royal, Government Street) and a
hospital, the latter being supported by voluntary contributions.

"The sittings of the Legislature and law courts of Vancouver Island
are held in the city. There are two joint stock banks (British North
America and British Columbia), and three private banking houses.
Until lately Victoria was without a corporation; during the past year
(1862) an act to incorporate the town was passed by the Legislature.
The authorities consisted of a mayor and six councillors. Effective
and speedy measures will now be adopted to complete the grading of
the streets and laying down sidewalks. The water frontage of the town
has since the removal of the old bridge (from foot of Johnson Street
to Indian reserve) been greatly extended, and several wharves are now
available for shipping above the point where that obstacle to
navigation existed. A company has been formed to build a railway
connecting Victoria with the capacious harbor of Esquimalt. Among
other institutions the town may now boast of its gas works. A company
has also been organized to supply the town with water from Elk Lake,
eight miles distant. The value of real estate in the city has
increased in many places over 75 per cent. during the last nine
months. The city is a 'free port,' and therefore not troubled with
custom duties. Vessels drawing fifteen feet of water may cross the
bar of the harbor at high water, and a sum of 10,000 pounds has been
voted by the Legislature to the improvement of the harbor. Steam
communication is carried on three times a month between Victoria and
San Francisco, every alternate trip being made via Portland. A
surprising impetus has been given to agriculture by the number of
newly-arrived immigrants, who have settled in the most fertile
districts around Victoria.

"With land at four shillings an acre, and time allowed for payments,
together with the improved state of commun