The Merrimack River: its source and its tributaries. Embracing a history of manufactures, and of the towns along its course; their geography, topography, and products, with a description of the magnificent natural scenery about its upper waters./ By J. W. Meader.

THE [ERPILA ACK I PVEPR;
comparably sublime. That this is not overdrawn is attested by the
thousands who annually visit here; and even the polished and schol arly Everett has touched it with the magic of his masterly eloquence.
Is it surprising, then, that a people reared amid such magnificent
surroundings, and familiar with nature in its noblest aspect,- is it
strange that a people thus situated should carve out for themselves a
record which commands the attention and respect of mankind?
MIore than two hundred years ago the State of New Ilampshire was
settled by several slender colonies; some by the authority of crown
patents, others under the king,'s grant, - sometimes made as a reward
for discovery,- or under a semblance of purchase from the Indians,
who, being the occupants, were, consequently, the unquestionable
proprietors. The colonies were few and feeble, and, from various
causes, this condition remained unchanged for many years. Owing
to the severity of the climate and the unmitigated hostility of the
Indians, the settlements maintained a sickly existence or dwindled
afray, and, fibally disheartened and discouraged, broke up, and either
joined their more fortunate neighbors, or returned to Europe with
some of the many exploring expeditions which were constantly vis iting the eastern coast. The progress of the colonies was slow; less
determined people would have succumbed to the almost insurmount able obstacles which they encountered. As it was,' it seemied that
their holding was very precarious, and it was apparently doubtful if
they could maintain a foothold on the soil. But fail, as shown by
'the result, was not in their vocabulary, and ere long the forest
began to melt away before their vigorous blows, and it soon became
apparent that it was only a question of time when the Indian and
his title should both be extinguished.
While the savages were much the most numerous, equally brave,
cunning, sagacious, and active, their trainiig, habits, and imllplements of warfare were so much more primitive as left an immense
disparity between the belligerents. The red man's wants were few
and easily supplied, the field, the forest, and the flood affording all
his necessaries, comforts, and luxuries of life, - the fonaer contributing so little, however, as to be scarcely wortlh taking iniito account. IIis ability to prosecute a successful offensive warfi'e was
limited to an ambuscade, or an unexpected midnighilt attack, while his
defensive power was absolutely nothing; for, though the bow and ar
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