Alaska and the Klondike: a Journey to the New Eldorado, with Hints to the Traveller, and Observations on the Physical History and Geology of the Gold Regions, the Conditions of Working the Klondike Placers, and the Laws governing and regulating Mining in the North-west Territory of Canada

Abstract

THE search for gold still holds something of the romantic glamour which has surrounded it from the earliest days of our civilisation. It is true that modern conditions have enmeshed the winning of gold from vein and banket, reducing it, like diamond-mining, to a systematised industry scarcely more inspiriting to the labourer himself than the mining of coal or ironstone. But placer-deposits still offer a possible chance of sudden riches to the man possessed only of bodily vigour and a few simple uncostly implements, and men's imaginations still take fire whenever the rumour reaches them that the old conventional symbol of wealth is to be had for the digging. And still, as in the ancient days, the greater the difficulties to be overcome, the stronger to the adventurous spirit seems the probability of success. So when, in 1896–7, through an ever-widening circle, was spread the news of rich discoveries of the precious metal in a remote and barely accessible corner of north-western America, thousands were found ready to cast aside their everyday pursuits and make, in the words of the wise Camillo,

Alaska and the Klondike: a Journey to the New Eldorado, with Hints to the Traveller, and Observations on the Physical History and Geology of the Gold Regions, the Conditions of Working the Klondike Placers, and the Laws governing and regulating Mining in the North-west Territory of Canada.

By Angelo Heilprin Pp. 315; with 35 plates from photographs, and 3 maps. (New York: D. Appleton and Co. London: C. A. Pearson, 1899.)