This spacious hotel was commenced by a Joint Stock Company in 1870, and was built on the corner of Germain and Duke Streets. It was opened for business July, 1871, with Mr. B. T. Creagen as Manager, and the following Board of Directors:--Otis Small, Esq., President; John Magee, A. Chipman Smith, John McMillan and William F. Harrison, Esqrs. The hotel building cost one hundred and sixty-five thousand dollars, and furnishing seventy-five thousand dollars. In the Fall of 1873, the Victoria Hotel Club assumed control, and Mr. John Edwards was appointed manager. At the time of the fire the hotel was under the management of Mr. George W. Swett, a very popular and courteous gentleman. Many of the guests sought refuge in the squares, and some escaped from the building with scarcely more clothes than they had on. FOOTNOTES: [C] The outside dimensions of the Academy were 190x51 feet. The front 65 feet high, showing three stories in front. The finish was Italian in its general style, very rich and pleasing to the eye, with heavy and elaborate carved work. A large bust of Queen Victoria adorned the summit of the building, while over the main entrance an excellent bust of Shakespeare indicated the uses for which the building was intended. The front doors were massive in style, of solid walnut, and weighed sixteen hundred pounds. Inside.--The parquette was reached by a wide entrance; on either side of this entrance were broad and easy stairs leading to the balcony; while above this was the gallery for the gods, which was approached from a separate entrance. The parquette was furnished with 600 opera chairs, and the seating capacity of the whole building was 1,200. The scenery, ample in supply and excellent in character, was painted by Gaspard Maeder. The building when finished cost the Company over $60,000. [D] St. John was formerly called Parr Town. [E] ---- Legislature granted £250 towards erection of kirk. [F] Three members of the congregation of this Church were lost at the time of the fire--Mrs. Thos. Reed, Mr. Joseph Bell, Capt. Wm. M. B. Firth. CHAPTER VI. The Odd Fellows' Hall--The fire in Horsfield Street--The Sweep along Germain Street--The old Baptist Church--Some early Ministers--Two fiery ordeals--The Brick Church--The Ruins--The Bay View Hotel--An old Landmark gone--The blazing Barracks--St. James's--The Hazen House--St. Malachi's Chapel--The first Roman Catholic Church.