A People’s Gallery

You have been invited her tonight to view this exhibition on the walls that a suggestion may be put before you for your consideration. Vi, the converting of these rooms into a small picture gallery for the use of the people of Victoria. The Arts and Crafts, a society of long standing in Victoria has rendered valuable service to Victoria by providing a yearly exhibition and also holding sketch classes. But there would seem…

One day, in answer to a gentle knock, I found a little Indian mother. There was a fat baby on her back, lased to it by a gay plaid shawl. She had a full skirt full of loud plaid material, a bright yellow silk handkerchief about her head. A little girl hung unto the mother’s skirt and a heavy boy dawdled behind.  “Basket?” She undid a very large bundle tied at the four corners…

It seemed important enough to me, and the most important building, my father’s wholesale business down on Wharf Street. It was a deep warehouse with a deep smell. There was a black shield at the front with gold lettering that read: Wholesale Importers and Commission Merchants. Father’s little office was near the front door; he had a wicker armchair and sat at a table desk covered with green baize. There was a cupboard of pigeonholes…