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.

ITS SOURCE AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.
tion of dye-stuffs, which was, in 1839, leased by the Messrs. Talbot
who continued the preparation of dye-woods, drugs, etc., on a small
scale at first, but with judicious management it steadily increased,
and grew to be an extensive and important branch of business.
Ill 1840, a carpet manufactory was established here by Messrs.
Lang & Lannagan, which being destroyed by fire was not rebuilt.
In 1851, Messrs. C. P. Talbot & Co. purchased a franchise of the
3li(lcllesex Catitl Co., and thus secured a priority of right to the
mill privilege, which is rated at two hundred horse-power,'and, in
1857, erected a fine mill for the manufacture of flannels, which they
have since continued in successful operation, the average daily product being three thousand yards. As has already been observed, the
Indian name of this stream, Musketaquid or Meadow River, was
peculiarly appropriate, and eminently descriptive of its characteristics; the country through which it passes being so' remarkably level
that its waters are sullen, slu,ggish, and slimy, making out through
the numerous depressions of the soil in extensive marshes and
lagoons, foul with rank water-grasses and filthy reptiles, the haunt
and fishing,-ground of the majestic bittern, which, though a native of
Europe, is found plentiful in all the fresh-water marshes of New
En,glandcl; the black tortoise, the spotted freshwater terrapin, the
great water-adder, and the hordes of disgusting water-bred reptiles common to stagnant pools; its redeeming features being the fine
farms and broad green fertile intervals which border it, and the
" milkyw-ay "' starred with the great white water-lily of midsummer, which in unequalled beauty and fragrance floats gracefully upon
its tranquil surface.
The character of the Concord is entirely different from any other
tributary of the Merrimack; indeed, a gentleman who is something
of a naturalist, and a careful observer, previous to the building of
the dam at Lawrence, and when the tribes of the sea came up the
Merrimack, noticed the difference between the shad, alewives, etc.,
which passed into the tepid, stagnant waters of the Concord, and
those of the same variety, which, proceeding up the Merrimack,
sought its livelier affluents, - the former being darker in color, softer,
poorer in flavor, and less palatable than the latter. This being the
natural condition of the river', it is not a matter of surprise that the
landed proprietors along its course, who had come many years sub
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