river. The second bridge was built by our old friend Philemon Wright and Sons, under contract. Communication with the opposite bank was obtained by firing a rope from a brass cannon across the channel—240 feet—to Chaudiere Island. During construction the chain cables broke, precipitating workmen and tools into the channel, and three men were drowned. A wooden bridge was nearly completed when a gale overturned the structure, and it was carried down the stream. Again another bridge was commenced, and finally completed. This stood for twelve years, when it followed in the wake of its predecessors. Communication was then had by ferry until 1843, when a new bridge was commenced. This bridge was subsequently replaced by a steel bridge, which the great fire of 1900 twisted into a shapeless mass. The present bridge replaced it immediately afterwards. The only other bridge across the Ottawa, within the city is the Alexandra Bridge, described on p. 12.
Ottawa Today.
From a village with a population of 1,000 persons in 1828, Ottawa has become a city of 90,000, or, if its sister city of Hull and the suburbs of both cities be included, of about 115,000 persons, with an area of over 52,000 acres. It has 145 miles of streets, on which are 42 miles of electric street railway. Making their home at the seat of Government are 3,600 of the country's Civil Service, who, with their families, form no inconsiderable portion of the population. Resident at Ottawa are the members of the more important bodies which control the country and its destinies: the executive, administrative and judicial officers. The wealth of the city is increasing, due largely to its natural resources. The natural beauty is being aided by carefully considered artificial improvements, and before long Ottawa will be known as one of the most beautiful cities on this continent.
ARCHIVES.
Simplicity of architecture is characteristic of the handsome stone building on Sussex street where the records of Old Canada are stored. The wide green lawn forms an effective foreground. Round the parapet of the building will be seen the Arms, carved in stone, of the different provinces, while at either side of the entrance door two bronze tablets inform the reader that one Gilles Hocquart, Intendant of New France, in 1731, made the first proposal of a building for archives, but not until 1906 was the present structure commenced under Hon. S. Fisher. Previously—since 1873—the Archives had existed as a branch of the Department of Agriculture.
The Dominion Archives building was opened January 1st, 1908, and is admirably adapted for its purposes. It is under the control of the Dominion Archivist—Dr. A. G. Doughty, C.M.G.—to whose indefatigable zeal is due much of the valuable material here stored, and whose knowledge of the history of the country has been invaluable in seeking out and acquiring many thousands of important manuscripts previously resting in strange or private hands. On the ground floor are the administrative offices, the library, and
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