Most of the picturesqueness of Victoria's (British Columbia) Chinatown has passed away. It is not many years ago when to walk down Fisguard street below Gov: ernment street was like a trip into a foreign long, but that part of the city is fast assuming a characteristic Canadian appearance, savouring something of a new backwoods town, where Occidental wares of tne cheaper sort arns exposed for sale. There is no longer the aroma of the Orient, if that is what it was that used to salute ths nostrils. The Proprietor no longer comes out with his almond-eyed baby in his arms and perhaps several larger children at his heels, to wait upon you, apparently quite indifferent as tov: ther or not you buy anything. Yun no longer get glimpses of the family life through a doorway over in the corner. You have no longer to be careful where you walk or how you turn around 60 as to avoid upsetting some weird kinds of merchandize You no longer sit in a carved chair while waiting to be served. Thos: things have gone with the queues of yesterday. If you are an old Vistorian, you miss the slow and dignified manner of the former Chisese merchant, with his smile that was very gracious, even though it conveyed the impression that he was not @ little amused at ths inquisitiveness of the Occidental. In his place is a young man, possibly in European dress, who is courteous enough, but regards neither you nor himself as a curiosity. We suppose the change is for the better, but when you first notice it you will have 8 little feeling of regret.—"Vie toria Daily Colonist."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.