Mother and I have been reading THE GREAT ROUND WORLD all winter and
have enjoyed it so much. I think it is a very valuable little
magazine, you make everything seem so interesting. Halifax is
rather a quaint city. It is noted for its beautiful scenery, fine
harbor, park, and public gardens. It is an ideal place to spend the
hot summer months in, and American tourists are learning more about
us every year. A little girl visiting here from Boston last summer
was asked one morning if she should like to go to the green market
and see the Indians make and sell their baskets. She hesitated a
moment, then said, "Well, if they are not wild Indians I would." I
think strangers have an idea that the inhabitants of Halifax are
nearly all Indians (we rarely see one except market days), that our
noses are really blue in color, that our houses are covered with
codfish-skins, and that our only article of diet is fish. This
seems all very amusing to us. We are going to celebrate the Queen's
Jubilee here next month. One feature of the celebration will be a
grand Military Tournament. I saw one last year, and it _was_ grand.
At the close there was a mimic battle between the British and the
Arabs; it was very exciting. I was so interested that I said to my
sister, "The Arabs fight just as well as the British," forgetting
for a minute that they were all British. I think the American flag
prettier than the flag of any other nation. There is a lovely story
running through _St. Nicholas_, now. It is called "Miss Nina
Barrow." It ought to delight every girl reader. Hoping I am not
taking up too much of your valuable time with my letter, and
wishing THE GREAT ROUND WORLD much success, I remain,
Yours truly,
HALIFAX, N.S., May 11th, 1897. MARIE