Land of mighty lake and forest! Where the winter’s locks are hoarest; Where the summer’s leaf is greenest; And the winter’s bite the keenest; Where the autumn’s leaf is searest. And her parting smile the dearest; Where the tempest rushes forth, From his caverns of the north, With the lightnings of his wrath. Sweeping forests from his path; Where the cataract stupendous Lifteth up her voice tremendous; Where uncultivated nature Rears her pines of giant stature; Sows her jagged hemlocks o’er, Thick as bristles on the boar; Plants the stately elm and oak Firmly in the iron rock; Where the crane her course is steering, And the eagle is careering, Where the gentle deer are bounding, And the woodman’s axe resounding; Land of mighty lake and river, To our hearts thou’rt dear forever! Thou art not a land of story; Thou art not a land of glory; No tradition, tale, nor song, To thine ancient woods belong; No long line of bards and sages Looking to us down the ages; No old heroes sweeping by, In their warlike panoply; Yet heroic deeds are done, Where no battle’s lost or won— In the cottage, in the woods, In the lonely solitudes— Pledges of affection given, That will be redeemed in heaven. In 1783, when a regular survey and settlement of Western Canada commenced, the inhabitants of the Lower Province extended westward, only a few miles above Coteau du lac, upon the St. Lawrence, at Lake St. Francis; but not a house was built within several miles of the division line of the two Provinces, which is above Montreal, about 40 miles, on the north shore. On the south side there was the Fort of Oswegotchie. Besides the squatters around the military posts at Carleton Island, Oswego, and Niagara, there were a few inhabitants at Detroit and Sandwich, of French origin, where a settlement had sprung up in 1750.