It is now some months since I com mitted the manuscript of this Lake Guide to the publisher's hands; and now that the work is just ready to appear, I am thankful to him for the Opportunity of saying, in this prefatory page, with what pride and pleasure I have looked over the accessories and embellishments with which, by his zeal and Spirit, and by the admirable cooperation he has been so fortunate as to secure, my humble work is elevated to a quality of real importance.