Lake George and Lake Champlain. By W. Max Reid. (G.
P. Putnam's Sons. 15s. net.)—These two lakes are near the north-eastern boundary of New York State, not far from the St. Lawrence. The region is full of scenes deeply interesting to both Americans and Canadians. The interest, too, is in the main a uniting one. This lake country was the battlefield on which France and England fought for the dominion of Canada, and not only Canada, but New England. We may well doubt whether things would have gone as well as they did for the making of the United States if France had contrived to hold the north-east corner. It was a great struggle, long—for it lasted for a century and a half—and fierce. It would be difficult to reckon up its cost in life, not in regular battles only, but in bash-fighting, ambus- cades, and exhausting winter expeditions. The ruins of great forts add, it may be said, a charm to the scenery,—the charm of contrast. On the other hand, the same ruins have associations which it is not good to have to recall. For this was the Mohawk country. Rather than lose the help of their Indian allies, white men permitted atrocities which darken the story. Mr. Reid is tactful in dealing with this element, but he cannot prevent it from darkening his pages. We have in this handsome volume an abundance of photographs doing justice to the scenery, and excellent maps which will be of great use to any one who shall make up his mind to visit Ticonderoga and the scenes of the life- work of Samuel de Champlain.
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