Cruisings in the Cascades. By G. 0. Shields. (Sampson Low
and Co.)—The sporting descriptions in this book are the least in- teresting portions of it, and the vulgarity of the preface is sufficient to induce fastidious readers to lay it aside unread. To do so would, however, be a mistake. Mr. Shields has a great deal to tell that is worth hearing about the little-known Cascade range of mountains (extending from Southern Oregon through Washington Territory away to the northward in British Columbia) whose towering pinnacle is Mount Tacoma. The charm of mystery attaches to this majestic mountain, which enjoys a reputation as malefic as that of Fusiyama itself. Indian legends people Tacoma with evil spirits, and no Indians have ever ascended it to any important distance. It is but thirty years since the first ascent was made by white men. Crater Lake, forcibly described by the author, forms oue of its mysteries ; the Indians shrink with horror from its rugged, ice-bound, rock-rifted shores, and vast, dark caverns. Mr. Shields's descriptions of Puget Sound, of the great fishing-grounds, of the home and habits of the wapiti, of the Spokane Falls, and, indeed, of the entire country, are animated and interesting ; it is the personal part of this narrative to which we take exception. The author's humour, to use a very old joke, takes a slangular direction which, to us at least, is unpleasing.
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