112 



CASTOROLOGIA. 



of peltries which the Indians had hitherto passed through the 

 French hands immediately followed. Among the first to reach the 

 west by the newly opened route was Alexander Henry, an account 

 of whose adventures, which extended over sixteen years, forms a 

 unique volume in our bibliography. His graphic description of the 

 intertribal game of " Bagawatin " — le jeu de la crosse — followed by 

 the massacre of the English inhabitants of Fort Michilimakinac, 

 gives this book extreme value. During this time the great wars 

 of the Revolution were taking place, whereby Britain lost, in 1776, 

 more than she had added so short a time before. The whole of this 

 conflict had its influence over the Indians, who became the allies 



rUH NORTH WEST COMPANY'S BEAVER TOKEN. 



pro tern of the highest bidder, and the more domestic avocation of 

 fur-hunting was neglected for many years. It was not till 1784 

 that any organized attempt was again made to control the fur trade 

 of Canada, when the formation of "The North West Company of 

 Montreal," marked an epoch in Canadian history, of which we may 

 be justly proud. "With regard to the importance of the Beaver in 

 their estimation, it would almost appear that they cared for little 

 else. The Governor lived in " Beaver Hall," a name still perpetu- 

 ated in Montreal ; the members, only sixteen originally, formed a 

 social club as distinguished as it was exclusive and named the 

 " Beaver Club ; " and finally the Company issued a " Beaver Coin- 

 age," specimens of which realise fabulous prices to-day, as only 

 about seven pieces are known to exist. 



