Morning Star

A Lake.—A lake is a portion of water, either entirely surrounded by land, or having no other outlet than a river, by which its contents are discharged. There are many beautiful lakes scattered over the United States, and some of them are remarkable for their size and for the fine scenery along their banks. Lake Superior, as you probably know, is the largest body of fresh water in the world. It is 400 miles in length, and 100 at its greatest breadth. Its shores are rocky and uneven, and it embraces five large islands, one of which, called Isle Royal, is not less than one hundred miles in length.

The names of the other four great lakes, which lie on the northern border of our country, are Huron, Michigan, Erie and Ontario. This vast chain of lakes is connected with the Atlantic by means of the Erie and Hudson canal and the Hudson river.

Lake George, in the north-eastern part of the state of New York, is one of the most beautiful sheets of water in the world. It is thirty-six miles long and from one to four broad, and abounds with fish. Lake George contains as many islands as there are days in the year. High mountains rise along the shores, which present the most varied and attractive scenery. The hills on the western shore abound in deer, hundreds of which are killed every year. Lake George is celebrated in the history of the revolution, and many battles have been fought upon its borders.

One of the finest lakes in New England is Lake Winnipiseogee, which lies nearly in the centre of the state of New Hampshire. It is about twenty-three miles long, and ten in the broadest part. It is 472 feet above the level of the sea. A steam boat now plies upon this lake, for the conveyance of passengers and freight. Many of the islands contain large farms, and one of them is 500 acres in extent.