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.

7TiE MERRIIAAcK RIVER;
still another beyond the last mentioned and south of Bear Hill, all
within a dozen miles, and most of them natural ponds. Taken togethlier, this may be called by any man, red or white, most truly and
emphatically the great pond place.
The large stream, which has its source in the north part of Hooksett, and flows, through each of the ponds named, into the Massabesic,
is one of the feeders of that lake, and the time may come when, by
clearing the forests along the upper waters of the Merrimack and its
brI.nches, it will become so diminished, that the great manufacturing
companies on the lower Merrimack will feel the necessity of securing
this great reservoir, and provide means to draw from it, as they have
AWinnipesaukee, Squam, and Newfound, to replenish the Merrimack
when depleted by seasons of unusual drouth.
The MIassabesic Lake extends into the town of Auburn, formerly
a part of Chester. Auburn was incorporated in 1845. The people
are generally engaged in agricultural pursuits and farming.
" Devil's Den Mountain" is an elevation near the eastern shore
of the lake. At the base of this mountain is a large cave, the miouth
or entrance being about three feet wide and six high. This subterranean passage extends nearly or quite to the centre of the mountain, opening into large apartments, several of which are fifteen feet
square, and vary in height from one to five yards. Through an aperture too small to admit a person, other similar apartmients are seen,
with openings which are supposed to lead into others still beyond.
The walls of this cave are of gneiss formation, and acrid to the taste.
This cave is called the "Devil's Den," and, though frequently
explored, its extent is unknown; but it appears to be divided into
several sections of apartments, and as his satanic majesty has not yet
been seen in the neighborhood, or discovered in the cave, it is presumed his revels are kept in a remote and impenetrable section.
In some respects Londonderry is one of the most remarkable
towns in New Hampshire, originally embracing a large territory
fi'om which in whole or in part several towns have been organized.
It was incorporated in 1722, and has produced many eminent men.
The settlement of this town was in 1719, and Parson McGregor
preached the first sermon, from Isaiah xxxii. 2, under the shade of a
giant oak, on the day after the arrival of the colonists.
MAcGregor, besides being a Christian minister, was a great admirer
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