ad of the lake, was never more
pleasing. In the marshes the cat-tails and the faint flush of color on
the alders and soft maples gave a character to the low shore, and the
gentle rise of the hills from the water's edge combined to make a sweet
and peaceful landscape.

The tourists find the steamer waiting for them at the end of the rail,
and if they are indifferent to the war romances of the place, as most of
them are, they hurry on without a glance at the sites of the famous old
forts St. George and William Henry. Yet the head of the lake might well
detain them a few hours though they do not care for the scalping Indians
and their sometime allies the French or the English. On the east side
the lake is wooded to the shore, and the jutting points and charming
bays make a pleasant outline to the eye. Crosbyside is the ideal of a
summer retreat, nestled in foliage on a pretty point, with its great
trees on a sloping lawn, boathouses and innumerable row and sail boats,
and a lovely view, over the blue waters, of a fine range of hills.
Caldwell itself, on the west side, is a pretty tree-planted village in
a break in the hills, and a point above it shaded with great pines is
a favorite rendezvous for pleasure parties, who leave the ground
strewn with egg-shells and newspapers. The Fort William Henry Hotel was
formerly the chief resort on the lake. It is a long, handsome structure,
with broad piazzas, and low evergreens and flowers planted in front. The
view from it, under the great pines, of the lake and the northern purple
hills, is lovely. But the tide of travel passes it by, and the few
people who were there seemed lonesome. It is always so. Fashion demands
novelty; one class of summer boarders and tourists drives out another,
and the people who want to be sentimental at this end of the lake now
pass it with a call, perhaps a sigh for the past, and go on to fresh
pastures where their own society is encamped.

Lake George has changed very much within ten years; hotels and great
boarding-houses line the shores; but the marked difference is in the
increase of cottage life. As our tourists sailed down the lake they were
surprised by the number of pretty villas with red roofs peeping out from
the trees, and the occupation of every island and headland by gay and
often fantastic summer residences. King had heard this lake compared
with Como and Maggiore, and as a patriot he endeavored to think that its
wild and sylvan loveliness