MILITARY AND CIVIL. 9I

openings, a guard of honor was drawn up in front of the build- ing, and two field guns were posted near which thundered forth a salute of 15 guns at the close of the ceremony. Within and without an admiring concourse of people assembled, while the beauty and fashion of the city crowded on the floor of the halls during the delivery of the Governor’s interesting speech.

The Parliament halls and the Library, which contained thousands of volumes, were situated upon the second floor, while the lower flat was divided off into a Court Room and various Public Offices. This massive structure was built of Nova Scotia Freestone, adorned with balconies and has always been regarded as the principal building of the city, and is considered to be a model of architectural grandeur. A beautiful view of the surrounding country and harbor is obtained from the roof of the building. On a clear day, the shores of the mainland, forty miles away, can be distinctly seen. Directly opposite the spectator, Zion Church, the Y. M. C. A. Building, the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Cameron Block occupy the foreground. The new St. Dunstan’s Cathedral, now in course of erection, also occupies a prominent place.

Prior to the opening of the new Building the various depart- ments were scattered promiscuously throughout the town, but were now brought together under the same roof, all being subject to the same business hours during the day.

But a more unpleasant reminiscence of this year took place on the Ist of March, when an election for the return of two members to the Legislature was ordered to be held at Pinette, Belfast, upon which occasion four candidates—two conserva- tives and two liberals—entered the campaign. The morning of the election was fine and the poll was duly opened for the taking of votes. But shortly after the opening of the poll the arrival of a numerous body of voters of both parties took place. The bitter feeling existing between the party factions soon found vent in angry words, and in a short time fighting began in front of the hustings which soon became a general riot ; cudgels were freely used and spots of red marked where the wounded had fallen. Being unable to continue the election the sheriff closed the poll and returned to Charlottetown, where he made an official report of the day’s proceedings. But he was again directed to re-open the polls on the 19th day of the month, when a sufl‘icient force was placed at his disposal to