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.
that this small canal had a favorable influence on the men who, the
following year, examined the Pawtucket Falls with a view to establishing the immense business which pre-eminently entitles Lowell to
the distinctive name it bears, -the City of Spindles. Thus, it
will be seen that Oliver M. Whipple is entitled, perhaps equally with
the other distinguished gentlemen whose names have already been
given, to the credit of founding, as he certainly is, in his individual
capacity, to the building up of a famous and flourishing city; and no
citizen of Lowell, or elsewhere, can fail to appreciate the conspicuous part acted by him in forming the worthy character and establishing many of those successful enterprises which redound to the
prosperity and fame of the city of his adoption. While on the floodtide of prosperity in the manufacture of gunpowder, Mr. Whipple
found time to pay some attention to such improvements as would in
the future be of advantage not only to himself, but to individuals
and the community in which he lived. With these aims constantly
in view, and actuated by such motives, he turned his attention
steadily to securing such of the lands bordering on the river as were
necessary for securing the power and independent control of the millsites which it furnishes. In this manner, and by degrees, he obtained possession of much of the land, but it was not until after the
year 1834 that he secured the lands on the east side of the river, and
with them the entire control of this water-power. Mr. Whipple has already disposed of the right to six hundred horse-power to different individual!, while the capacity of the stream is not yet nearly exhausted.
MIr. Whipple deserves more than a passing notice. as he has always
been a very enterprising man, ready for any position in public life
to which the people of Lowell have called him, and efficient in every
position; public-spirited, generous, and coming from a stock that
bears the stamp of honesty, integrity, and uncontrollable activity,
he is a worthy representative of the name he bears, and of the race
to which he belongs.. Ile is now living in the enjoyment of good
health and a vigorous intellect, and takes great pleasure in reviewing
the stirring events of the last fifty years of his life, -events in which
himself has been one of the modt prominent actors, - which he can
review with gratification and the utmost self-satisfaction, as everything of an important character in which he has been engaged bears
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