For leisure, Victorians liked to be entertained. This made concerts, parties, fairs, circuses, and shows a popular place to go to. Books and magazines became very common as they were a source of entertainment. Stories were published, and Charles Dickens became known. Bear-baiting and dog and bull fighting, which were known as “blood sports” were popular. With bouts lasting more than a hundred rounds, boxing without gloves was another source of entertainment. It was a brutal sport, and caused many injuries until rules were issued by Britain's Marquis of Queensbury in the 1860s. Medicine shows were favored by the Victorians. However, often only causing intoxication and nausea, the medicines that were sold had no effect or cure for anything. Since there were no electronics or technology, Victorians had to entertain themselves with music, cards, dancing, talking, and checkers and chess.
Travel:
Those who had the money were able to travel to Europe or America, and after the invention of the steamboat, transatlantic travel became tremendously easier. Built in Quebec in 1833, the Royal William crossed the Atlantic in only seventeen days. Because steam locomotives were developed, land travel became accessible to everyone. The infrastructure of Canada began to expand, with railways and steamships being built after 1830. Linking Canada West to the Maritimes, trains that travelled 80 kilometres an hour were regularly scheduled to transport goods and people by 1850. The St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad was completed in 1853.
Newspapers:
Newspapers, in the mid-nineteenth century, were a source of news from outside of Canada such as the US, other colonies, and places that were far from home. It began to be published every day, and were also a source of entertainment during free time.