A TRIP THROUGH THE LAKES OF NORTH AMERICA. RAILROAD ROUTE FROM TORONTO TO COLLING- AFTER passing over the delightful and usually smooth waters of Lake Ontario, the Tourist, on approaching Toronto, either from Cape Vincent, Oswego, Rochester, Buffalo, or the FALLS OF NIAGARA, usually experiences sensations which incite him to further travel and enjoyment. From this place the tourist can proceed direct to Montreal and Quebec, by railroad or steamer, or to Hamilton and Detroit on the westwhile the Collingwood route extends north through a beautiful section of country. On landing at Toronto from American ports, it is usual for the custom-house officers to question passengers in regard to the contents of their baggage, which if it consists of nothing but common wearing apparel, is passed without further delay, and the porters take charge of the same, delivering the articles as directed. All persons, however, taking into Canada manufactured goods, whether subject to pay duty or otherwise, are expected to enter the same at the custom house. The hotels are principally situated on Front Street, facing the bay, Church Street, or King Street, the latter being the principal promenade, or Broadway, of Toronto. Yonge Street is another principal thoroughfare, extending from the Esplanade, or water's edge, for many miles into the interior, affording a delightful drive in pleasant weather. The attractions of this thriving city, in connection with the beautiful bay and harbor, are well worthy the attention of the tourist. For a further description of Toronto, see page 240. The railroads diverging from Toronto are the Ontario, Simcoe and Huron Railroad, extending north to Collingwood, 94 miles; the Grand Trunk Railnay, extending northeast to Montreal and Quebec, and west through Guelph to Port Sarnia, situated at the foot of Lake Huron, and the Hamilton and Toronto Branch of the Great Western Railway of Canada, running from Clifton at the Suspension Bridge, to Hamilton, and thence through to Windsor, on the Detroit River. These railroads, in connection with the steamers, render Toronto a great thoroughfare and mart of commerce. It now takes about thirty hours to reach Toronto from New York; five hours from Buffalo, and only twelve hours from Montreal, since the completion of the Grand Trunk Railway: the favorite steamboat route down the St. Lawrence River consumes about twice as much time. In four hours more the traveler can be landed at Collingwood, at the head of Georgian Bay, from whence steamers leave almost daily, during the season of navigation, for Mackinac, Green Bay, Chicago, Saut Ste Marie, and other ports on the Upper Lakes. Passenger trains leave Toronto morning and afternoon for Collingwood, etc., starting from the depôt near the corner of Front and Bay Streets. The first objects of interest passed are the Parliament House, University Building, Lunatic Asylum, the Barracks, and Old Fort,* the latter being situated near the water's edge, for the protection of the bay and harbor. The Grand Trunk Railway also runs for two or three miles parallel with the Ontario, Simcoe and Huron Railroad. The farming land through which the latter road runs is very productive, being in part heavily timbered with maple, birch, beech, oak, elm, pine, and hemlock. For many miles there seems to have been a studied effort to avoid the villages and thriving settlements lying west of Toronto on Yonge Street road. THORNHILL STATION, 14 miles from Toronto, is located four miles west from the village, which is situated on Yonge Street. Here are extensive flouring-mills, propelled by water-power derived from the river Don, flowing into Toronto Bay. The highest summit of the Ontario, Simcoe and Huron Railroad, being 700 feet above Lake Ontario, and 226 feet above the level of Lake Simcoe, is passed about 25 miles north of Toronto. The highest grade ascending is sixty feet to the mile. AURORA, 29 miles from Toronto, is a small village situated on Yonge Street, where the morning trains usually meet on their way to and from Collingwood. NEW MARKET, 34 miles from Toronto, is an old and thriving town, surrounded by a fine section of country. Here are several mills and other manufacturing establishments, situated on a stream which passes through the village, flowing into Lake Simcoe on the north. Fruit of different kinds, of fine quality, as well as grain, is raised in large quantities in this vicinity. HOLLAND LANDING, 38 miles north of Toronto by railroad, is *The Old Garrison, as it is now called, is situated on the lake shore, commanding the entrance to the harbor. On the capture of Toronto, formerly called Little York, by the American army in 1818, the magazine of the fort was fired by the British on their retreat, causing the death of General PIKE, the American commander, and many other valuable men. Long may it be before the scourge of war again desolates the frontier bor dering the waters of the lakes or the St. Lawrence River. advantageously situated on Holland River, which empties into Lake Simcoe. It contains an Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Methodist church; steam and water power, grist and saw mills, an extensive tannery, a foundry, and about 1,500 inhabitants. The railway here again intersects Yonge Street, studded with fine dwellings, orchards, and farms, all the way through from Toronto, 36 miles, bearing evidence of wealth, intelligence, and comfort, not surpassed by any other section of Canada. BRADFORD, 42 miles from Toronto, is a small village situated near Lake Simcoe. The afternoon train of cars meets at this station on its way to and from Toronto. Large quantities of wheat and other farming products are annually sent from this place to Toronto, and other markets. BELL EWART, 53 miles from Toronto, is situated on Cook's Bay, lying at the south end of Lake Simcoe. Here are a convenient steamboat landing, several stores and lumber yards, and a population of some 300 or 400 inhabitants. The stumps and decayed trees by which it is surrounded indicate that it is of recent origin, yet still the town-lots are held at a high price, showing that speculation is not entirely confined to the Yankees, as the Americans are here usually called. During the summer of 1856 the author accepted an invitation to visit Lake Simcoe, and take a trip over its lovely waters, now plowed by one of the most comfortable steamers, named the J. C. MORRISON, in honor of the President of the Ontario, Simcoe and Huron Railroad. This pioneer work of Upper Canada was first advocated and commenced through the untiring zeal of an enterprising citizen of Toronto, now entirely disconnected with its present management. The running of the trains on the above road, and the steamer on the lake, is so arranged that pleasure travelers can leave Toronto in the morning, enjoy a most delightful sail around Lake Simcoe, and return to Toronto in the evening, or proceed onward toward Collingwood, reaching the latter place in ample time for the steamer for the Saut Ste Marie, which usually leaves soon after the arrival of the evening train. THE beautiful steamer J. C. MORRISON daily leaves Bell Ewart, on the arrival of the morning train from Toronto, making a trip around LAKE SIMCOE, a most lovely and pure sheet of water, elevated 474 feet above Lake Ontario and 134 feet above Lake Huron. It is about 40 miles long from north to south, and 25 miles wide, embosoming several picturesque islands, the beauties of which are very much heightened by the effects of light and shade during the summer and autumn months. This romantic lake is elevated above Lake Superior about 100 feet; its surplus waters running through the Severn River into Georgian Bay or Lake Huron. On leaving the landing in Cook's Bay, the steamer usually runs between Bird and Snake Islands, both being owned and inhabited by Indians of the Mohawk tribe, who here lead an idle life, neglecting the noble pursuit of agriculture for the less certain employment of fishing and hunting. JACKSON'S POINT, twelve miles from Bell Ewart, is the first landing usually made on the upward trip. This is a picturesque spot, as yet unimproved, although affording a convenient steamboat landing. GEORGIANA ISLAND, eight miles farther, is next passed, lying on the east, near the main shore. This is a large and fertile island, at present unimproved. BEAVERTON, 29 miles from Bell Ewart and 21 miles distant from Orillia, is a flourishing village, containing about 1,000 inhabitants. Here is a long pier and good steamboat landing. A railroad, to be built, extending from Port Hope, lying on the north shore of Lake Ontario, to Lake Simcoe, will terminate at |