is at one's feet. Here can be seen 20 miles of the Ottawa river, the thread of the Rideau canal, the Gatineau and Rideau rivers, and the Chaudiere Falls, while the majestic scenery to the north and west have a fitting foil in the peaceful and more level land to the east and south. From the highest point of the tower, when either House is in session, a beautiful electric light flashes. This beacon gives the signal for 20 miles around that the representatives of the people are engaged in their legislative labours.
At the north-west angle of the building elevators ascend to the Restaurant—on the top floor—whence a magnificent view of the Ottawa river is to be had. The Chaudiere Falls are clearly seen, with the spray rising behind the bridge over the Ottawa. A stretch of several miles of the river is broken by the Canadian Pacific Railway bridge, while the whole of the city of Hull and vicinity is in clear view. The large dining room is for the use of Members and Senators and their guests, and the officers of the House. In this room are portraits of many of the previous Governor Generals, including the Marquis of Dufferin, the Marquis of Lansdowne and the Earl of Aberdeen; also portraits of the great Conservative chieftain, Sir John A. Macdonald, the first Premier of Canada, the Hon. Alex. Mackenzie, the first Liberal Premier, and some former Speakers and others. A smaller dining room, a smoking room and a ladies reception room are en suite. In these are other portraits of Speakers, and the well known portrait in oils of Jacques Cartier, the discoverer of Canada. The portrait of Hon. T. W. Anglin, Speaker of the House of Commons from 1874 to 1878, is now in the private apartments of the Speaker. His daughter, Miss Margaret Anglin, well known as one of the leading actresses of America, was born in the Speaker's chambers during her father's regime.
At the rear of the building the rock descends almost perpendicularly to the river. The view from the pavilion at the left is magnificent. Anthony Trollope thus describes Ottawa and the Parliament Buildings: "It stands nobly on a magnificent river, with high overhanging rock, and a natural grandeur of position which has perhaps gone far in recommending it to those whose voice in the matter has been potential. Having the world of Canada from whence to choose the site of a new town, the choosers have certainly chosen well. The glory of Ottawa is the set of public buildings erected on the rock which guards as it were the town from the river. . . . I know no modern Gothic purer of its kind, or less sullied with fictitious ornamentation, and I know no site for such a set of buildings so happy as regards both beauty and grandeur."
It was just 23 years ago that Charles Dudley Warner, one of the unquestioned leaders of American thought and taste, wrote: "The situation on the bluffs of the Ottawa river is commanding, and gives fine opportunity for architectural display. The group of Government buildings is surpassingly fine. The Parliament House and the department buildings on three sides of a square are exceedingly effective in color and in the perfection of Gothic detail, especially in the noble towers. There are few groups of buildings anywhere so pleasing to the eye, or that appeal more strongly to one's sense of dignity and beauty."
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