The Fall of Quebec

FRANCE in America was still fore-

most in the race, but the struggle

to keep the position was begin-

ning to tell upon her strength.

In 1758, the second fall of Louisbourg had cut Louis XV. to the heart; and, in September of the same year, Bradstreet had taken and dismantled Fort Frontenac. This important post, along with Oswego on the south shore, had hitherto controlled the outlet of Lake Ontario, and safeguarded the entrance to the Great West. Two months afterwards this success was followed by the French retreat from their old frontier fort, Duquesne, in Pennsylvania. Their only success, the reverse to British arms at Ticonderoga, seemed to but slightly retard progress, and the shadow of ponderous England was casting itself always more distinctly over the destiny of New France.

Well for his country, William Pitt had the affair in hand, and was concentrating his atten-

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