to think of extending their conquests, and reducing Canada to the dominion of the British crown. For this purpose in the year 1759 general Amherst, who had succeeded to the chief command, marched in the month of July, at the head of twelve thousand men, for Ticonderoga. On their approach the enemy made a show of defence, but on the 27th of the month they blew up their magazine and retired to Crown Point. They soon afterwards abandoned this post also and retired to Aux Noix. On the 4th of August general Amherst took possession of Crown Point. While he was thus victoriously making his way towards the St. Lawrence, for the purpose of joining general Wolfe at Quebec, general Prideaux, agreeably to the plan of the campaign, had arrived at Niagara, which he immediately invested. He was assisted by sir William Johnson,* who commanded the New

Sir William Johnson was born in Ireland in the year 1714, came to America about 1734, and died in 1774. His son, sir John Johnson, was appointed major general in the same year in which his father died, and governor of Canada in 1796.

York militia and a body of Indians who were friendly to the American cause. This officer, soon after their arrival at this place, succeeded to the chief command, in consequence of the death of general Prideaux, who was killed by the bursting of a cohorn in the trenches. The French, alarmed at the preparations making for the reduction of the important post of Niagara, determined to risk a battle in its defence. A body of French and Indians, amounting to about two thousand, under the command of Monsieur D'Anbry, commenced an attack on the 25th of July. In less than an hour they were thrown into disorder by the fire of the English, who took D'Anbry and sixteen other officers prisoners. The fort was immediately surrendered, and the garrison, which consisted of about six hundred men, was conducted to New York and New England.

Meanwhile general Wolfe had proceeded up the St. Lawrence with a body of eight thousand men, the fleet being commanded by admiral Saunders. Having taken possession of the Isle of Orleans and Point Levi, he prepared for an

attack on the capital of the French dominions in America. The situation of the town presented almost insuperable difficulties to the besiegers. Its elevation above the level of the river, while it enabled the garrison to annoy the fleet below, precluded the possibility of much damage from the latter. Batteries were however erected on the Isle of Orleans and Point Levi, and a heavy cannonade opened on the lower town.*

The adventurous spirit of general Wolfe at length determined him to scale the precipice, and attack the enemy in their intrenchments. To execute this plan the army embarked in boats and proceeded several miles up the river, above the place where they designed to land. Under cover of the night they dropped silently down again, undiscovered by the sentinels, and landed directly against the Heights of Abraham.

The tide, which formerly washed the foot of the rock on which the town is built, has long since receded to a great distance, leaving a considerable tract of ground on which has been built what is called the lower town.

The ascent to the top of the rock was so steep and rugged, that the troops could ascend only by laying hold of the bushes and stumps, and pulling themselves up the precipice. At dawn of day the army of Wolfe was drawn up in good order on the Plains of Abraham. Montcalm immediately drew out his forces and advanced to the attack. The battle was obstinately contested and the slaughter great on both sides, and particularly so among the officers. Victory at length crowned the prowess of the English, who pursued the enemy to the very walls of the town. On the 18th of September 1759, Quebec surrendered to the British crown.

The loss of the English in this battle was about five hundred men, while that of the French has been estimated at three times that number. The commander in chief of each

army was mortally wounded. The splendid achievement of Wolfe, which put into the hands of the British the metropolis of the French dominions in America, will ever be remembered with a mixture of regret for the loss of the best of men and the bravest of officers.

General Wolfe early embraced the military profession, and at a very juvenile age distinguished himself at the battle of La Feldt. Under the ministry of the great Chatham his splendid talents were brought into notice, and after distinguishing himself at Louisburg he was appointed to command the army against Quebec. To the vivacity of youth he seemed to unite the wisdom of years; and controlled by the soundness of his judgment the glow of passion and the fire of military genius. The name of Wolfe will descend on the page of history marked with a brilliancy which must long attract the admiration of posterity. His remains were carried to England, and buried with pomp in Westminister Abbey, where a handsome monument has been erected to his memory. His death has given to the celebrated West the subject of a beautiful painting.

Lewis Joseph De Montcalm, marquis of St. Veran, equally unfortunate on this fatal day, was not less distinguished for his talents and his bravery. He was born of a noble family at Candiac in the year 1712, and at an early age