[Footnote 64_a_: Page 57.--While Canadian architecture is generally
wanting in originality of conception, yet it affords many good
illustrations of the effective adaptation of the best art of Europe
to the principal edifices of the large cities. These are the most
noteworthy public buildings:
In _Ottawa_.--The parliament and departmental buildings, admirable
examples of Italian Gothic of the 13th century, with a fine central
tower, the effect of which has been marred by a later tower in the
western block out of harmony with the general design of an otherwise
perfect group.
In _Quebec_.--The legislative building in the French style of the 17th
century, noteworthy for its niches containing statues of men famous in
French Canadian history.
In _Montreal_.--The parish church of Notre Dame, on the Place
d'Armes, of a simple Gothic style, attractive for its stateliness and
massiveness.
Christ Church Cathedral, on St. Catherine street, worthy of study as
an admirable specimen of the early English style of ecclesiastical
architecture, exhibiting unity of design and correctness of proportions.
Notre Dame de Lourdes, whose interior has been already spoken of (see
preceding note); a good example of the Byzantine order, combined with
effects of the Italian Renaissance recalling Venetian architecture.
The Montreal Bank, on St. James street, an artistic illustration of the
Corinthian order, with an interior interesting for the artistic effort
to illustrate on the walls remarkable scenes in Canadian history.
The Canadian Pacific Station, on Windsor street, a fine example of an
adaptation of old Norman architecture to modern necessities.
In _Toronto_.--The University, perhaps the best example in America of a
modern conception of Norman architecture, with a tower of much beauty.
Trinity University, whose graceful Tudor-Gothic design, in which the
tower is a conspicuous feature, is marred by the clumsy projection of a
later chapel building, entirely out of harmony with the admirable front.
Osgoode Hall, of the Ionic order, modified by additions of the Italian
Renaissance.
St. Andrew's Church, a combination of the Norman and Byzantine orders,
more suitable for a great library or a hall than an ecclesiastical
edifice. As a specimen of architecture, apart from its purpose, it is
harmonious and artistic.
The new legislative buildings, which are the most pretentious in
Canada after the Ottawa parliament house, are a praiseworthy effort to
illustrate the Romanesque, with details of the Celtic and Indo-Germanic
schools.
The Methodist Metropolitan Church, a judicious example of a modern form
of the Gothic style which distinguished the 13th century in France.
It is at once simple and harmonious in its general design, and has a
massive tower which adds to the general effect of the whole structure.
St. James's Church, often cited as a good example of ecclesiastical
Gothic, with a graceful and well-proportioned tower and steeple,
conspicuous from all points of view.
In _Hamilton_.--The court-house is in some respects the best designed
of its kind in Canada. The head office of the Canada Life Assurance
Company is noteworthy for its graceful simplicity, in its way not
equalled in Canada.
In _Fredericton_.--The Church of England Cathedral, a perfect specimen,
on a small scale, of pure early English Gothic on the Continent.
The new library building which McGill University owes to the public
spirit of Mr. Redpath, of Montreal, is distinguished by the graceful
simplicity of its external form, and the conveniences of its beautiful
interior. Apart from this fine edifice, however, and the parliamentary
library at Ottawa, whose external design is harmonious and whose
internal fittings illustrate the effectiveness of our natural woods,
Canada has no such libraries--in special buildings I mean--noteworthy
for beauty of architecture and convenience of arrangements as we find
among our neighbours, illustrating their public and private spirit.
Neither have we an art gallery of special architectural features, for
the building at Montreal is simple in the extreme. Such as it is,
however, it is an object of imitation to other cities in Canada.]
"FIDELIS."
[Footnote 65: Page 60.--The poetic citation which closes the
presidential address is taken from Miss Machar's ("Fidelis") verses
on "Dominion Day," which appear in "Songs of the Great Dominion," pp.
15-17, and merit a wide audience for their patriotic spirit and poetic
taste.]