background, while Heaven's ethereal blue lies calmly floating above. The
gently sloping hills lend variety to the scene, stretching in
undulations of soft and rich verdure; luxuriant meadow and cultivated
fields lie in alternate range. The sons of toil are returning from
labour; the birds have sought shelter in their nests; the nimble
squirrel hides beneath the leafy boughs, or finds refuge in the
sheltering grass, until the next day's wants shall urge a repeated
attack upon the goodly spoils of harvest. Soon the golden sheen is
departing, casting backward glances upon the hill tops with studied
coyness, as lingering to caress the deepening charms of nature's
unlimited and priceless wardrobe.

Amid such glowing beauty could the mind hold revel on a glorious
September sunset in Fredericton, 1824. To any one possessed with the
least perception of the beautiful, is there not full scope in this
direction? Is not one fully rewarded by a daily stroll in the suburban
districts of Fredericton, more especially the one now faintly described?
If any one asks why the present site was chosen for Government House in
preference to the lower part of the city, there would be no presumption
in the inference--selected no doubt with due appreciation of its view
both from river and hills on western side. Truly its striking beauty
might give rise to the well established title of "Celestial City."
Though unadorned by lofty monuments of imposing stateliness, costly
public buildings, or princely residences, Fredericton lays claim to a
higher and more primitive order of architecture than that of Hellenic
ages. The Universal Architect lingered lovingly in studying the effect
of successive design. Trees of grace and beauty arose on every side in
exquisite drapery, while softly curved outlines added harmony to the
whole, teaching the wondrous and creative skill of the Divine. The
picturesque river flows gently on, calm, placid, and unruffled save by