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.

TIIE A!ERlTIIVACI~ RIVER;
prising firm in Taunton, MTass., who it was believed realized a
handsome profit by printing them for market on their own account.
The partial success of the company, however, in this experiment very
naturally encouraged a favorable view of this business. and deter mined them to commence operations as soon as possible on a large
scale, and the Print AVorks corporation was established. It now
became necessary to obtain a more extensive and practical knowledge
of the art of printing firom Europe, and in canvassing for a suitable
person to fill this mission Mr. Straw was selected as a discreet, in tellig,ent, and fit agent, and, in 1844, visited the great manufactories
abroad, where, under various pretexts and guises, he found entrance
to many of the close establishments which so jealously guarded this
then youthful and most important art. Having gathered much useful
and serviceable knowledge, and engaged some experienced and skilful
worlikmen, M[r. Straw returned the following year. Meantimre the
parties interested, being substantially the stockholders of the works
already in operation at Maancliester, had completed the Print Works,
and put No. 1 mill in operation, and the company is still heavily engaged in the production of this kind of goods, of a style, quality, and
finish unsurpassed by the imported fabrics of older and more experienced foreign manufacturers. Diligent, faithful, and capable in
the line of his duties, Mr. Straw grew in the favor of his employers
as well as in the respect of his fellow-citizens, and, in 1852, hlie was
selected for the important position of agent of the Land and Water
,Power Company. Prior and for some years subsequent to this time
the Amoskleag Company was divided into three separate departments,-the Land and W'iater Power, the Machine Shops, and the
Mills, - each under the exclusive management and control of its own
agent; but experience, if not wisdom, seems to have demonstrated
that the triumvirate system was not, and for obvious reasons could
not lbe particularly advantageous to the proprietors, and as MTr. Straw
hlad discovered superior executive abilities in his position, it was
gradually abandoned, and the onerous and responsible duties of each
were in turn assumed by him. Of the able and satisfactory manner
in which he has discharged the duties of his position for many years
it is not necessary to speak more particularly; but it nlay be inferred
from the material marks of approbation bestowed on him, and the
high esteem entertained for him as a manager and a man, by the
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