The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1825-10-20

lne oVher, WHICH Is the main lake, stretches
along in northern direction. At the up
per or southern end, this lake is from & 10 s
miles wide, but after dozen miles, il be-
comes narrower, and is sprinkled with is-
lands of rocks, covered with trees, for 10
or IL miles, and opens again to sheet of
water of 3 or 4 four miles; after which.
turning short between the points of two
mountains of solid rock. it seeks its issue
over cataracts into Lake Champlain. The
shores of Lake George are bold, chiefly
mountainous, frequently steep, sometimes
perpendicular; and although these noun
tains are not so high as the Alps, the lake
is, on the whole, finer object than that of
Geneva, because 1t combines better the
sublime with the beautiful, and far exceeds
in the variety and richness of natural see
merry. Its whole length is above 80 miles ;
the water is deep, pellucid, of bright
green; but on the sandy beach, liquid
crystal. IL is difficult which most 10 ad-
mre, the abundance or erceLence fthe fish.
Among these, the trout and perch. called
by the Dutch name of Barsch, or bass, are
most eminent In crossing the lake, took
with trolling line, above fifty, of various
sizes, from half a pound to one pound, and
one of 5 lbs. weight.-A walk oftwo miles
from the landing place, at the lower end of
Lake George, brings you to the landing
place below, and you go thence by a short
river, two or three miles to Ticondetoca
or Lake Champlain.-lIere the scenery is
totally different; the water is turbid the
shores of moderate heights rise gently. and
are cultivated. AT distance on each side
there are high and waving mountains af-
ter passing Crown point there IL some
mountains on the western shore, before we
reach the split rock; un,il that point the
lake varies in width from one TO three miles
but swells there to 9 or ten. The shores
are fine, the land rich, and in rapid ini-
provement there arc good houses, hand
some villages, and many vessels sailing TO
and fro. The point of the lake il some
times rough, but when we reach Cumber-
land Head, it is confined by large fer,.e
islands, within less extensive and more
pleasing limits. The water also having
had time to subside, becomes more pure
The mountains retire to the right and left,
and before we reach the outlet of the lake
which is about 100 miles from Ticondero-
ga, we are already on the great northern
plain, which, beginning at Quebec, extends
above one thousand miles southwest, west,
and northwest, with scarcely any thing on
it that deserves the name Oft hill. Towards
the outlet Of the lake near st. Johns, the
shores are low and marshy.
The usual route from st. Johns is 16
miles to the ferry at La Prairie, a village
where every thing is as much French, as
within league of Paris. The st. Law
renee is crossed obliquely to Montreal
shooting a fall in the way: from Montreal
we 20 by land few miles to La Chine, TO
avoid some difficult and shoal rapids, and
then embark in batteau managed by five
men. From this place 10 Lake Ontario is
us miles; some part of the distance the
current is almost imperceptible, but in gen.
eral it is swift and frequently 30 rapid, that
its waves are like those Of the sea so in
deed are its waters, which are Of bright
sea green, and of wonderful transparency.
In calm on Lake Ontario, let down a
stone not so large as my fist, and saw II
from the side Of batteau, above 10 feet
below the surface. The source Of the 81.
Lawrence is one vast congeries Of Lakes
Ontario, the smallest Of them, is unfa;hom-
able, and has length Of $50 miles, with
breadth Of 80. The river flows out of this
lake, and has therefore the advantage Of
being always full and Of never overilowing
its banks. Let me add here that there is
n brllliancy in our atmosphere, you can
have no idea Of except by going to Italy, or
else by viewing one of Claude Lorrain's
best landscapes, and pcrsuading yourself
that the light there exhibited, is a just tho
faint picture Of nature. The borders of
Lake st. Francis, so called because the
river expands itself there 10 breadth of )
or 6 miles, and has but gentle current, are
chiefly low all the rest arc Of an agreeable
height. The width of the river is various.
Seventy miles from Lake Ontario it isa
bout two miles wide. and deep enough for