source: Morning Telegraph, Saint John
date: Wednesday, August 31, 1864

The ochreous soil of the banks [of Charlottetown harbor] forms a pretty setting for the opal waters of the bay, and gives an enviable prominence to the green fields of grain that are spread out luxuriantly above them. There are neat white cottages scattered along the shores, and some pretentious residences near the city surrounded by sheltering groves of fir, and overlooking the bay. The City itself lies on a slight elevation; the houses are chiefly of a quakerish drab and brown hue, clustered together methodically; there is very little foliage in the densest part, the straight parallel streets run down to the water's edge like the red lines of a ledger. There is nothing attractive above the business part of Charlottetown. The streets are clean, except when the wind blows and raises a dust, which flies upon the smallest provocation.