Mamelons and Ungava, A Legend of the Saguenay.

365 Washington Street, Boston: DeWolfe, Fiske & Co., c.1890 First Edition, with added annotation by Author. (Originally published under a different Tile in 1888, "The Doom of Mamelons.") Hard cover, 8vo., in pale gray cloth with titles blocked in gold to top board and on spine, top edge gilt, "two novels in one." Dedicated to Dr. George Stewart Jr., D.Litt. of Quebec, "Canadian Man of Letters." The two novellas of this book take place in the hitherto relatively inaccessible Labrador region of eastern Canada. Written in his mature years, the work has been called Author William Henry Harrison Murray's ( 1840-1904) "most literary, and perhaps most abstract work" (R. Beach p. 128.) The writing is a bit reminiscent of James Fenimoore Cooper, to this reader. In the introduction to a different version of this work, the Author describes his fascination with the environs of the enormous Labrador Peninsula: "It is a land of lakes, of rivers, of forests, of tangled swamps, of wild wastes, of rocky desolation, of strange phenomena," (Adirondack Tales, (annotated) VOL. III, Springfield Press, 1898 , p.3.) He describes the savagery and splendor of this landscape, with its huge number of rapids and portages, the dense forrest making it impenetrable to explorers and cartographers, with the ravages of forest fire, volcanic history and earthquakes shaping the lore and fortunes of the twenty or so tribes historically indigenous to the region. Written in the Author's post-clerical days, this romance takes full advantage of Murray's evolving ideas about women; the heroines of the Mamelons story are a passionate Spanish Basque widow, once married to the brother of a tribal chief, and her daughter, Atla. Murray's character John Norton the Trapper makes a fictional reappearance as an ultra-manly character, now beneficiary to the dying chieftain's wish to avoid a cultural doom foretold by prophecy. A very good read overall, and not lacking in the descriptions of canoe-born adventure and conservational ideals the author was known for. **CONDITION: Very Good. Some rubbing to head and foot of spine and superficial wear at joints. Prelims and the odd page contain light foxing, and one area at top edge of text block shows some water damage, but not affecting gilt or boards. Other two text block edges lightly foxed. Christmas Gift Inscription in old ink, dated 1891. OCLC 4861354. Wright 3912. A scarce title. . First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good.