The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1874-10-07

across the waters From this point the steam
er struck out across Lake Ontario headed di-
rectly towards Toronto, distant tlirty-six
miles. Although though there was scarcely
any breeze whatever, the atmosphere was
quite cool and our overeoats aud shawls which
we had fortunately brought with us, we're
very comfortable The view OF Toronto from
the water is very fine indeed, and, Judging
from the public buildings and wharves, shows
it TO be a city of considerable importance and
prosperity. We did not remain here any
longer than just barely time to have our bag
gage examined, which was very politely done.
aud take the steamer g Algerian y for Mon
treal which is distant three hundred and
thirty-three miles,
The steamer 9 Algerian on which we
spent a day and night, is one Of the Cana
dian Navigation Company's Line. The ac-
commodations were wretched The poorly
cooked and scanty meals, small and inoon-
venient state-rooms, together with exorbitant
charges and the ignorant and uncivil officers
make up the description. We are happy to
state that the line is managed by Canadians,
and that no Americans are concerned in it.
The only redeeming feature of the ride is the
magnificent scenery on the st. Lawrence and
of this we cannot speak in terms sufficiently
high.
When night came on we retired to our state
rooms and prepared to climb into our berths
But here a new and amusing difficulty pre-
scented itself. The berths were, of different
lengths and some of the tall ones of the party
short berths assigned to them. A rule was
produced and after much merriment every
body was satisfactorily disposed of for the
night.
Early the next morning before most Of the
passengers were string the steamer touched
and the seat of two institutions of learning.
Shortly after leaving Kingston, the passen-
gers began to assemble on the forward deck,
to see the sun rise among the far-famed Thou
sand Islands. There are, in fact, no less than
1900 of these islands, varying in size from the
little islet of few yards square to the longer
ones of twenty and thirty miles in length.
On account of their size, they are not, at first,
very numerous. The largest is Grande or
Hoff Island, about thirty miles in length.
They lessen in size, and increase in number,
as you approach Clayton, little town on the
American side and a great rafting station
The islands lie partly in Canada, and partly
within the bounds of the State of New York,
the boundary line between the United States
ard Canada dividing them into about equal
parts r ssfz7a~.r.5
Smith, in his Past, Present and Future of
Canada" thus describes these islands lis
lands of all sizes and shapes are scattered in
profusion throughout the waters some
covered with vegetation, others bare and rug
ged rocks some many acres in extent, others
measuring but a few feet; some showing a
bare, bald head, little above the level of the
water while a short distant off, large island
or rock, covered with considerable growth
Of pine or cedar, will rise abruptly out of the
water, to the height probably Of one hundred
feet or more. These islands are mostly Of
granite or sandstone. Built on many of then
are beautiful summer residences belonging t.
wealthy men both from the States and til,
Dominion. George Peabody, the eminent
banker and philanthropist, for number o
years before his death, was accustomed t.
come here to enjoy the cunning and angling
| for which the neighborhood is noted.'
After passing through the Islands, Tho
scenery Wndergocs rapid and complete
change. Then commences that magnificent
series of rapids for which the st. Lawrence is SC
remarkable. The Long Sault is tho first II
is continuous rapid of nine miles in length,
middle. The northern one, known as the
Lost Channel, was formerly supposed to be
unsafe but of late years it has been descended
frequently This channel presents grand
and terrific appearance, the water being dashed
into white foam for several miles.
The passage on the southern channel is
very narrow, and such Is the velocity of the
current, that a raft, it is said will drift the :
miles in 40 minutes. When our steamer
entered this channel, all steam was shut of
and we were carried EDWARDS by the mere
force of the stream alone. Great nerve,
strength and precision are necessary to pilot
the vessel, and six men were required con-
stantly at the wheel.
There are many other rapids beside the
Long Sault, but will speak of only one other,
the most exciting perhaps and dangerous one
of all. The La Chine Rapids. For nearly
two score years, no man had the courage to
take steamer through tie rapids save an
Indian pilot named Baptiste. But at present
no less than five or six white men are perfectly
competent to perform the perilous undertake
ing and one of these piloted the algerian I"
safely through. AS we enter the rapids we
run so close to the shore of a small rocky is
land that it seems as if the vessel cannot be
prevented from striking and laundering.
But the pilot guides the boat among the is
lands and the rocks, over the rapids and
through the intricate channels as easily as a
skillful horseman reins high-sprited char
GER AS quick as thought the boat glides
away from those rocks which it appeared i'm
possible to avoid, and again we breath more
freely. The pilot is aware, and all are aware,
that one false move and all is lost, for the cur