THOS. D. KING

Montréal, August, 1878.

iFrom the ''Montréal Gazette,'' Uh August, 1878.)

It does not seem long since we had the pleasure' of reviewing in the columns of The Gazette Mr. LeMoine's exceedingly interesting historical work, "Québec, Past and Présent." We now meet him again in a new ro1e, or, at least, with additional functions added to those in which we know him so well. As an historian, an antiquarian and a naturalist he has already rendered services to his native land which cannot be too highly appreciated. We have now to welcome him in the garb of a traveller, or, rather, of one who, having completed his wanderings, sita down to pleasantly recount ail that he has seen and heard. Mr. LeMoine has not, however, passed beyond the confines of Canada in search of a subject, and those who read. the instructive pages of this, his latest work, will be proud to acknowledge that on Canadian soil and Canadian waters he has found no lack of topics of abundant interest. The book is well named — consisting essentially of "Chronicles of the St. Lawrence," of everything, in fact, that the author could learn, directly or indirectly, of the people, the scenery, the productions and the associations of the shores and islands of the majestic river below Québec. We are introduced to the author on board the good steamer "Gaspe," as it glides through groups of lovely islands, on its way to the Gulf ports, in September, 1871. After a pleasant sail, we are taken ashore at Gaspe, which> we are told by the way, once boasted of a Governor of its own. It is known that Major Cox held that office in 1775. This fact serves as a starting-poiut for a long course of multifarious information as to the past and présent of the peninsula — its early discovery, its successive settlements, its points of interest, the character, occupation and amusements of its inhabitants. Nothing is omitted, even to the curious changes which, in successive générations, have overtaken the names of places. The towns and villages are minutely described. Douglastown, Malbaie, Port Daniel, rise before us in graphie pen-paintings. We are told strange stories — comic as well as tragic ^of the native tribes, the Micmacs and the Pasbejiacs When we reach Pointe-au-Maquereau, \ie are reminded of the terrible shipwreck of the Colborne in 1838, one of the survivors of which Mr. LeMoine, by a singular

chance, found in a friendly host, who narrated to him his réminiscences of the disaster. Passing through Pabos, Grand River, Cap d'Espoir and other localities, we conie to Perce, of which Mr. LeMoine ^ives an interesting historical sketch from the time of Jacques Cartier's visit in 1534. Thenoted rock is viewed from the standpoint of the poet as well as the natiiralist, romantic legends being told of it. A chapter is devoted to Sir Hovenden Walker's expédition and the shipwreck of his sqiiadron in 1711. We are tlien taken to the Magdalen Islands, which are described under various aspects, their commercial value being especially dwelt on. Anticosti is similarly treated, and many thrillin^ legends andtouching narratives diversify the account, One of the most thrilling descriptions in the book is that of the Lazarretto at Tracadie. Probably there are some of our readers who are not aware that the Oriental plague of leprosy has such fearful illustration in the t'air Dominion of Canada. Of late the subject has attracted considérable attention from scientific men. In this sad épisode there is one thing especially pleasing — the heroic self-sacrifice of the missionaries and sisters wlio minister to the wants of those strangely afliicted people. After accompanying Mr. LeMoine to Dalhousie, Campbellton, St. John, N.B., Halifax and Prince Edward Island, we come to the close of the first part of his admirable work, with minds well stocked with rare and various knowledge.

ïhe second part is called "Lights and Shadows in the Kingdom of Herring and Cod." We begin this voyage with Mr. LeMoine on board the steamer "Secret," on the 5th of June, 1877. As its name indicates, this part is chiefly taken up with the same places as the former part, to which it is complementary. It introduces us, however, to several new scènes, and shows us old ones under new phases. As an account of the extensive "Kingdom" from which it takes its name, as it is at présent, it has no ordinary interest and value. ïliose who would gain an insight, in the pleasantest possible Avay, into the great wealth of our Laurentian and tributary waters, as well as of the chief scenic and other characteristics of the lower St. Lawrence, could not do better than take the trip with Mr. LeMoine's book in their hands. AVe can guarantee that they will not be disappointed.

"The "Cruise of the Dolphin" is an account of a visit paid by Mr. Le- Moine and a party of friends to the beautiful Church of St. Romuald, the Beauport shore, and other places in the environs of old Québec interesting frpm scenery or association. The "Cruise" which was made in the Government steam launch, on the mémorable date, September 13th, last year, is delightfully narrated, and the tourist needs no more pleasant or trustworthy guide in his introduction to the historié scènes of the ancient capital. The Cruise of the Dolphin" cannot fail to inspire the readers who have not yet had an opportunity of obtaining Mr. LeMoine's other publications on the same subject with the désire of surrendering themselves unconditionally to his guidance in a more extended exploration of the historié scènes of our Canadian Gibraltar. Such persons we Avould recommend to lose no time in purchasing the àuthor's now standard work, "Québec, Past and Présent," to which we referred at the beginning of this notice The information contained in this excellent work they will find copiously supplemented in the "Tourists' Notebook" and the "Album Canadien " The rest of Mr LeMoine's publications are "Legendery lore of the Lower St Lawrence (1862)," "Maple Leaves," (in three séries, 1863, 1864 and 1865), "The Sword of Brigadier-General Monlgomery — a Memoir (1870)," "Jottings from Canadian Historv (1871)," "Trifles from my Portfolio (1872)," "L'Ornithologie du Canada (1860)," "Les Pêcheries du Canada (1863)," "Mémoire de Montealm, Vengée (1865)," "Notes Historiques sur les rues de Québec (1876)," and "Tableau Synoptique des Oiseaux du Canada (1877)." A new séries of "Maple Leaves" was also published in 1873."

{Toronto Meth. Magazine.)

"No river in the world better deserves to be celebrated in song and f tory and historié chronicles than our own noble St. Lawrence. For sublimity ôf jBçejiery, for romantic mejiïories, for historié associations of grandest inspirai

tion, with wliat other river shall it be conipared ? To Mr. LeMoine thé writing of thèse chronicles has beeii an eminently con^enial task. Probably no man living is so thorou^hl}/^ versed in the ancient Tore of French Canada, or is so instinct with enthusiastic love of her heroic past. The old legends which haunt the quaint villages of Lower St. Lawrence and their varied associations of romance or war, are carefully woven into the texture of thèse chronicles. No tourist amid its picturesque scenery, no student of its heroic history, shoiild be without this interesting and instructive volume."

{From the New York '-'Nation," Uth July, 1878, a Weeldy Gazeite of Liieraiure and Commerce.)

^'The Chronicles of the St. Lawrence. By J. M. LeMoine. (Montréal: Dawson Bros ; Rouse's Point, N. Y. : John W. Lovell. 1878.)— Mr LeMoine is well known in Canada and out of it as the author of many works, some historical, some relating to natural history, and some to angling. In his four volumes called 'Maple Leaves' he gives a collection of disconnected but exceedingly interesting sketches of Canadian history, founded on extensive research and written in the easy and entertaining style which always characterizes him. We also have from him two works on Canadian ornithology, 'L'Album Canadien,' 'Notes Historiques sur les Rues de Québec,' 'The Tourist's Note-Book/ 'Québec : Past and Présent,' 'Les Pêcheries du Canada,' and varions other works in French and English. He writes in either language with equal facility. The présent volume is thoroughly characteristic of his style and mode of treatment. It is divided into two parts ; the first a sort of itinerary of a voyage from Québec to the Maritime Provinces, and also of the famous "round trip" to the Saguenay and back, The second part is a séries of descriptive and historical sketches of the chief localities of the lower St. Lawrence. The book contains a prodigious amount of information, partly concerning the past and partly the présent, sometimes drawn from study and sometimes from observation. The style is off-hand, rapid, and now and then careless ; but as the volume is meant as much for the deck of a steamboat as for the study-table, this can hardly be reckoned a serions blemish. What it most needs is an index of localities With this addition, it would be the pleasantest and most useful companion for the tourist that it is possible to conceive ; without it, it is a treasury of curions knowledge ratner perplexing from its abundance and variety. Everything is here — history, legend, anecdote, the fanciful and the practical ; and nothing is wanting but the means of finding them without trouble — that sine qua non of the tourist."