Facially he was reminiscent of Lord Beaconsfield, but
there was nothing very striking about him as an orator: his style
was direct and straightforward.
The Houses of Parliament at Ottawa are a splendid pile of
buildings, and though they may owe a great deal to the wonderful
site they occupy on a semicircular wooded bluff projecting into
the river, I should consider them one of the most successful group
of buildings erected anywhere during the nineteenth century. All
the details might not bear close examination, but the general
effect was admirable, especially that of the great circular
library, with its conical roof. In addition to the Legislative
Chambers proper, two flanking buildings in the same style housed
various Administrative departments. Seen from Rideau Hall in dark
silhouette against the sunset sky, the bold outline of the conical
roof of the library and the three tall towers flanking it gave a
sort of picturesque Nuremberg effect to the distant view of
Ottawa, The Parliament buildings proper were destroyed by an
incendiary during the war, but the library and wings escaped.
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