Geographical Journal (Journal of the Royal Geographical Society): Volume VIII, No. 5 [‎40r] (82/154)

GEOGRAPHY AT THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION, LIVERPOOL, 1896. 485
event of an emergency to send its ships to any part of the world, and
thus contribute materially to the strengthening of the Empire. With
reference to gold, discoveries were made in Nova Scotia in 1860, and
since 1885 the mines in the province bad become exceedingly lucrative,
OAving to the utilization of appliances for the recovery of gold from low-
grade ores. It was estimated that that province had produced gold to
the value of $11,500,000. In the province of Quebec Prof. Hardman
made some investigations. After running a tunnel 600 feet in length,
he struck the bed of an old river, and in three w-eeks removed enough
gold to pay the entire expense of his operations. The consequence was
that to-day there was feverish excitement in the province, and every
acre of land was being taken up. In Ontario the discoveries had
been of a remarkable character. At Manatou there were numerous
seams in which the gold appeared on the surface, and could be removed
with the greatest ease. This district was only 100 miles distant
from Winnipeg and 40 miles from the Pacific Kailway. In British
Columbia 400 miners in one day took from Williams Creek 200 lbs.
weight of gold, and he predicted that the future output in this province
would surprise not only Canadians, but the whole of the civilized
world.
Monday, September 21.—Mr. W. A. L. Fletcher, who accompanied
Mr. and Mrs. St. George Littledale on their great journey across Tibet
from north to south, gave an account of his journey toward Lhasa; and
our readers, who have already had an opportunity of knowing the facts
of this journey, Avill be pleased to learn that Mrs. Littledale has re
covered from the results of the hardships she underwent, and was present
at the reading of the paper.
Iceland was the subject of two short papers, both illustrated by
very fine slides of scenery. Mr. Frederick W. Howell described his
journey through the glacier-region of Northern Iceland, and Dr. K.
Grossman spoke of the volcanic scenery surrounding Hecla.
Mr. G. G. Chisholm treated of the Relativity of geographical
advantages in an able paper, for the adequate discussion of which there
was, unfortunately, no time. He considered geographical advantages:
(1) as relative to the condition of the surface of a country, e.g. the
extent of forests, marshes, etc. The former and present relative
importance of Liverpool and Bristol might be explained, in part at least,
by changes that had taken place under this head. Also the difference
in direction by some of the great Roman roads and those of the present
day, and the consequent fact that some important Roman stations in
Britain were not now represented even by a hamlet. (2) As relative
to the political condition of a country and of other countries. (3) As
relati\ T e to the state of military science. Lnder these two heads the
difference in the situation of the Roman wall between dyne and fed way
and the Anglo-Scottish boundary suggested some considerations. Also