New-York tribune., 1900-12-09

tooth that was offered for sale at SlOO
Bpt Professor Heilprin is by no means en-
trely taken up with such oddities OF life. His
description of the methods of KlOndike mining
is Interesting. Though gold has been found in
the quartz. the work done hitherto has
been all placer mining. The extraction of
gold is most IaboriOus, since every foot OF
soil removed must first be softened by build
ing wood fires upon it. The pick, shovel, pan
and rocker and sluicebOx the miners only
implements new and improved contriVances
being unknown Ard the waste of the product
very large. AS to the geological features Of the
country Professor Heilprin is especially compe-
tent to speak and his chapter on the physical
history and geography is of especial value. His
conclusions are that the gold wealth of the
region fully sustains the assertions of the earli
est prOspectoTs that many more auriferous
streams will be discovered, and that the KlOn-
dixie region is merely a fractional part of
"discontinuously continuous auriferOus tract
that extends in a westerly course into the heart
of Alaska and southwark into British Columbia.
Mr. Hamn Garland went to the Klondke
neither a gold seeker nor n newspaper cOrre-
spondent. He believed that he "aboUt to
see and take part in a most picturesque and
impressive movement across the Wilderness; he
believed it to be the last great march of the
kind which could ever come in America So he
Joined in this tramp of the gold seekers TO
cord their deeds also Ito forget books and
theories of art and social problems face to face
with nature. His book is not. therefore, quite
literal transcript of his daily adventures. though
it does give fresh and breezy picture Of some
OF the hardest travelling in the world and
picturesque idea of the succession of plains and
mountains and perilous passes and the priva-
tions of the adventurers. Mr.. Garland never
al nd lie to hiS
mature seeking" in the midst of all this. and to
keep himself n tune with the pOetical view of
things he has interspersed his narrative with
many short interludes in verse; harping more
POLITICALLY upon the strings he has just touched
in palmer prose. In truth, though there is
plenty of strong masculine fibre in the book. the
impression of something extremely self-conscious
about this proceeding cannot be avoided. What
he did was to travel from Ashcroft 10 Teslin
Lake over the sO-called Prairie Route with
partner each his horse and conveying two
pack horses with their supplies Nobody can
withhold sympathy and liking for Mr.. Garland's
enthusiasm and affection for his horse.
Prince Ladrone a chance purchase on the way.
nor for OF the curious and interesting
characters that he met on the road. mean and
generous alike. His talent for showing his
observations is generally attractive, though his
literary manner is not free from crudities and
eXaggerations.
The second edition OF Mr.. Miner Bruce's book
Alaska is welcome because of the remark
able cOmprehensiveness and value of the infor-
nation it gives. 1t is. in fact. exhaustive
treatise upon the history, topography, climate
and resources in agriculture, mining and fish
cries of the Northern possession. The author
also gives a chapter TO the picturesque features
Of the country, which will be suggestive and
serviceable to travellers, and large store OF in
formation about the Yukon and Klondike gold
fields, their discovery and exploitation. A chap
ter that would doubtless have saved lives and
prevented needless hardship is that containing
suggestions to prospectors. telling where to Sc
cure supplies, the amount of money necessary
a detailed list of supplies of food and imple-
ments needed-a formidable list To those accus-
TONED to reliance upon the corner grocer's stock
and how to travel with sled and pack The
last chapter is taken up with account Of the
boundary dispute, the causes that led to il and
an examination of the merits of the case, which
Mr.. Bruce thinks all the side Of the con
tention Of the United States. There is a large
map of Alaska in a portfolio on the inside cover
and number OF smaller maps, together with
many half-tone pictures.