termination of numberless failures, the successful solution of the frequently repeated attempts of the British people, ever since America had been discovered, to find a new route to Asia? To what extent the thoughts of those present were turned to the past must, with that undemonstrative group, remain a secret with each individual person. This much may be said: To all the scene was deeply impressive, and especially to the many hundreds of workmen, who from an early hour up to the last moment, had struggled to do their part, and who were now mute lookers-on at the single individual actively engaged—at one who in his own person united the past with the present, the most prominent member of the ancient company of "Adventurers of England," as he was the representative of the great Canadian Pacific Railway Company. The blows on the spike were repeated until it was driven home. The silence, however, continued unbroken, and it must be said that a more solemn ceremony has been witnessed with less solemnity. It seemed as if the act now performed had worked a spell on all present. Each one appeared absorbed in his own reflections. The abstraction of mind, or silent emotion, or whatever it might be, was, however, of short duration. Suddenly a cheer spontaneously burst forth, and it was no ordinary cheer. The subdued enthusiasm, the pent-up feelings of men familiar with hard work, now found vent. Cheer upon cheer followed, as if it was difficult to satisfy the spirit which had been aroused. Such a scene is conceivable on the field of hard-fought battle at the moment when victory is assured.
"Not infrequently some matter-of-fact remark forms the termination of the display of great emotion. As the shouts subsided and the exchange of congratulations were being given, a voice was heard, in the most prosaic tones, as of constant daily occurrence: "All aboard for the Pacific." The notice was quickly acted upon and in a few minutes the train was in motion. It passed over the newly laid rail and amid renewed cheers sped on its way westward.
"On the same night a telegram was sent to Ottawa and published in the eastern Canadian papers. It ran: "The first train from Montreal is approaching Yale, within a few hours of the Pacific Coast. The last spike was driven this morning by Hon. Donald A. Smith at Craigellachie, in Engle Pass, some 340 miles from Port Moody. On reaching the coast our running time from Montreal, exclusive of stoppages, will be five days, averaging twenty-four miles per hour. . . . . . . . . ."
Result of the Completion of the Railway—The driving of the last spike at Craigellachie opened up not only the glorious scenery and invigorating atmosphere of Canada's mountain-belt to the whole world, but also its immense resources in minerals and timber, and the many industries and enterprises dependent upon them, to the capitalist. Soon after construction had been completed European and American travel began to and fro over the transcontinental highway. The fame of the Rockies and Selkirks went forth to the world and they have become the playground of those whose leisure permits such recreation. Others with limited time, content themselves with spending a day or two en route, at the favourite resorts, or simply with passing through and seeing all that can be seen from the railway during an unbroken journey.
