ALASKA.
Alaska. By John Burroughs and others. 2 vols. (John Murray. 63s.)—These volumes, the result of an expedition taken with the co-operation of the Washington Academy of Sciences to Alaska, give a very fairly comprehensive survey of this most interesting purchase of the United States. It has belonged to the States a little more than thirty-five years, and its resources are only now being appreciated. These resources are under the surface, and gold seems to be the principal asset, though, as one writer wisely remarks, its, most important one, from a national point of view, is its scenery. It has paid its value many times over, he says ; but one thing it can never do,— provide homes for settlers. Its scenery, however, is magnificent, and while he is ready to agree with the old who desire to see it while they can, he wisely advises the young to wait, and not to exhaust the beat there is first. This is characteristic of his countrymen. And he truly has a good excuse for this patriotic sentiment. But his advice is true in another respect. Scenery more or less dependent on human associations should be seen before these vast glaciers, mountains, and magnificent panoramas of water and island. The foi este have proved disappointing. Alaska has no reserve to draw upon. It supports a forest, but it does not provide the forest that the lumberman longs foil' nor are its carbonised forests of good quality. Its birds, its flowers, and its scenery are done justice to in many coloured plates and innumerable photographs, and "Days among Alaska Birds" describes some beautiful summer rambles among them. The narrative of the voyage and description of the glaciers by Mr. Burroughs will prepare many for the impressive scenery, while Dr. Dall's short sketch of Alaskan history will make us thankful that a more civilised era in Alaskan govern- ment is approaching. What he says about the condition of the country since the transfer is not likely to make Americans com- fortable, and the waste of its salmon is diegracteul. But the less said about the effectiveness of legislatiOn designed to protect natural resources, either in British Columbia or Alaska, the better. One thing is certain : Alaska to-day must be in a better condition than it was during the Russian occupation. We know what that must have been from what we know of Siberia.
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