In carrying forward my work I have freely consulted historical authorities, among which I would like especially to acknowledge indebtedness to the writings of Francis Parkman, who in his many volumes has made the days of Old France in the New World a living reality; to John Fiske, “New France and New England;” to Reuben G. Thwaites, “France in America;” to various publications of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society; to Agnes C. Laut, “Canada;” to William Henry Withrow, “Canada;” to Randall Parrish, “Historic Illinois;” to the Hon. Peter A. Porter, “Brief History of Old Fort Niagara;” to Benson John Lossing, “Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution;” to E. G. Bourne, “Spain in America;” to Charles B. Reynolds, “Old St. Augustine;” to Loyall Farragut, “David Glasgow Farragut;” and to various books of travel and reminiscence, among which I would like to mention: S. A. Drake, “Nooks and Corners of the New England Coast” and “The Pine Tree Coast;” George Champlin Mason, “Reminiscences of Newport;” Irene A. Wright, “Cuba;” A. Hyatt Verrill, “Cuba;” Helen Throop Purdy, “San Francisco;” Ernest Peixotto, “Romantic California;” Adelaide Wilson, “Savannah, Picturesque and Beautiful;” Mrs. St. Julien Ravenel, “Charleston, the Place and the People;” and I have received valuable help in material and suggestions from various State historical societies, which have been uniformly courteous and desirous to be of service. I wish to express gratitude to various friends and individuals who have helped me with suggestions or photographs, among whom I may mention Messrs. Henry P. Baily, Lloyd Norris, William H. Castle, Edward P. Crummer, Maurice T. Fleisher, James Prescott Martin, Edward H. Smith, and Harold Donaldson Eberlein. September, 1915. J. M. H. CONTENTS PAGE STRONGHOLDS OF THE PAST 1 FORT INDEPENDENCE (CASTLE WILLIAM), CASTLE ISLAND, BOSTON HARBOR 25 FORT COLUMBUS, OR JAY, GOVERNOR’S ISLAND, NEW YORK HARBOR 36 TICONDEROGA, LAKE CHAMPLAIN, NEW YORK 49 CROWN POINT, LAKE CHAMPLAIN, NEW YORK 66 THE HEIGHTS OF QUEBEC (THE CITADEL, CASTLE ST. LOUIS), CANADA 72 FORT ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, ANNAPOLIS, ANNAPOLIS BASIN, NOVA SCOTIA 84 THE CITADEL AT HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA 93 FORT GEORGE, CASTINE, MAINE 98 FORT FREDERICK, PEMAQUID, MAINE 105 FORT NIAGARA, AT MOUTH OF NIAGARA RIVER, NEW YORK 113 FORT ONTARIO, OSWEGO, NEW YORK 122