The Thousand Islands

The beautiful scene depicted on this page was drawn for us by Mr. Kilburn, form a point of view selected among the thousand islands which gem the bosom of the St. Lawrence. The group of wooded islets embraced in our engraving vary in size; on one of them is seen a log cabin. The steamers that cleave their way through the swift current do not detract from the picturesque effect of the scenery. In the foreground a boat with three figures adds life to the lovely landscape. The “Thousand Islands” extend from Lake Ontario thirty miles down the river. Many persons who have not sailed through them are inclined to think the number greatly exaggerated, but such is not the case; there are in fact, over fifteen hundred of them, none of them attaining any large size, and many being merely rocks, slightly elevated above the surface of the water. Most of them are covered with foliage, although very few have any available soil. In many places they lie so close to each other that a canoe can barely pass between them. The scenery here and throughout the St. Lawrence is lovely beyond description; no pen or pencil can do justice to the exquisite charms of this vast collection of islands. At some points as many as eighty can be counted at one time, and the beauty of the foliage, as the light streams in upon them, and the reflections in the water around them, must be seen to be appreciated. The St. Lawrence, forming the outlet to the great chain of lakes or inland seas, lying between the United States and Canada, is one of the most important rivers on the continent. For a part of its course it forms the boundary between the United States and Canada, but after crossing the 46th degree of north latitude, its course is wholly within the Canadian territory. From Lake Ontario to Montreal, it is sometimes called the Iroquois, but is more generally known as the St. Lawrence from the outlet of Lake Ontario to its mouth. Its width below Montreal varies from half a mile to three miles, and it passes through Lake St. peter, which is from twelve to fifteen miles wide, at fifty miles below Montreal. Below Quebec the river increases rapidly in width, and its mouth as it enters the gulf of the same name, is nearly one hundred miles across. Its average descent is about six inches to the mile, though its current is unequal, in some places flowing along calmly and peacefully—in others roaring and rushing among the rocks that fret and break its course. Among its important tributaries are the Richelieu, which is the outlet of Lake Champlain, entering at the head of Lake St. Peter, and the Saguenay, which flows into it on the north, 140 miles below Quebec. The Ottawa, or Grand River, flows into it a little above Montreal. It is a great commercial artery, and wealth to the extent of millions is entrusted to its bosom. It is navigable for ships of the line to Quebec, 400 miles, and for 600-tons vessels to Montreal, and beyond, by a series of ship canals, constructed for the purpose of passing the falls and rapids, into the lakes. The fleets which navigate its waters add much to the beauty of its scenery—the white sails of the ships and smaller craft contrasting with the black funnels of the puffing steamers, while ever and anon the passage of an enormous timber raft, sometimes propelled by sweeps, and sometimes spreading a sail to the breeze, completes the variety of the moving panorama. These timber rafts have huts upon them for the accommodation of the raftsmen. There is also another sort of craft nowhere else known, with long, low hulls, destined for the transportation of timber, and singularly picturesque in their appearance. At all times this noble river with its magnificent scenery is a favorite resort of the artist and the tourist, who admire its beauties.