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 MERRIMACK RIVER;
here of conventions and other large political bodies, as well as other
organizations, the assembling of the General Court and many stran gers on business connected with the State institutions, necessitates the
maintenance of large hotel accommodations, and there are some eight
or ten in the city, several of them first-class hotels in every respect.
There are fifteen churches and twenty-five clergymen in Concord;
still this large number by no means proves that tares grow rank and
plentiful in the moral wheat fields, as some of them are editors, pro fessors, and chaplains of the different State institutions.
There are about thirty lawyers; but this large proportionate num ber may not be taken to demonstrate that the community is greatly
given to litigation, as Concord is the head-quarters of the legal pro fession in the State, and perhaps the aid of some of them is required to
assist in mystifying legislative enactments. There are onlysome twelve
or fifteen physicians, representing, however, all of the various meth ods of practice; which is a favorable indication of the sobriety, regu larity, and superior sanitary condition of the population generally.
Seven or eight newspapers are published in Concord, representing
the different religious and political opinions, and most of them are
generously supported. The most extensive and famous carriagemanufacturing business in the State has been carried on for many
years in this place by several companies. Every kind of vehicle is
turned out, and in the highest degree of perfection, combining style,
durability, and finish. These carriages find a ready market in all
the States and territories of the Union, Mexico, South America, Aus'tralia, and many other places. There is also an extensive granite
quarry, and -'" Concord granite" is well known in many parts of the
country, as much of it is shipped to distant markets.
In the flourishing village of Fisherville, situated at the confluence
of the Contoocook and Merrimack Rivers, is an extensive cotton
manufactory with a capital of five hundred thousand dollars. There
are also woollen mills in Concord, employing altogether several hundred hands.
Among the many able and distinguished men, native and resident, it may not be invidious to briefly mention a few: The Rev.
Timothy Walker settled in Concord, then Pennacook, in 1726, and
was pastor of the First Congregational Church, organized in the town,
for fifty-two years. He was strong and active in his efforts for the
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