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.
General Court of New Hampshire convened at Hampton, while Salisbury had the distinguished honor of being the place of meeting of
the great and General Court of Massachusetts.
As the Legislature of New Hampshire was to meet on the 4th
day of August at Hampton, that of Massachusetts adjourned at Boston to meet again on the 10th of the same month at Salisbury, the
adjoining town. Much preparation had been made in Boston for this
transient session of the portable "great and General Court," and
Gov. Belcher, in company with many dignitaries, rode in great pomp
and state, escorted by troopers and horsemen, to Newbury, from
whence he was escorted by additional companies to the George Tavern, at Hampton Falls, when, as it was long before the enlightened
age of Maine laws and State constables, it is very probable the governor and his friend took something- to eat.
The governor and his cortege made up a brilliant pageant for that
age, much to the disgust of the admirers of official simplicity of man
ners, and the show was lampooned severely. Here is a sample: -
"Dear Paddy, you ne'er did behold such a sight,
As yesterday morning was seen before night.
You in all your born days saw, nor I didn't neither,
So many fine horses and men ride together.
At the head, the lower house rode two in a row,
Then all the higher house trotted after the low;
Then the governor's coach galloped on like the wind,
And the last that came foremost were troopers behind.
But I fear it means no good to your neck or mine,
For they say'tis to fix a right place for the line."
All this parade amounted to nothing, except it was to furnish a
"Court Record " item for the " Boston News Letter," thus: -
"HA.IPTON FALLS, in New ITampshire, Aug. 18.
"On Monday last, at eight o'clock in the morntling, Iis Excellency, our Governor, attended by several of His Majesty's Council and sundry other gentlemen, set out for Lonclonderry, and on MIonday night lodged at the house of
Robert Boyes, Esq., in that town. On Tuesday Illis Excellency went to
Amoskeag and returned in the evenin-to Mr. Boyes's, and ycsterday came back
to this place in good health, having dined on his way hither with Mr. Sanborn, of Kingston (the Representative from that town). His Excellency was
much pleased with the fine soil of Chester, the extraordinary improvements
at Derry, and the mighty falls at'Skeag."
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