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 SO UPRCE AND ITS TRIBUTARIES.
wealth of the Merrimack is without doubt due solely to the many
unequaLlled water-powers along the course of that stream. The magnitude, complication, and elaboration of the manufacturing business
on the Merrimack would astound and bewilder those unacquainted
with the production of textile fabrics on a large scale. The most
eminent hydraulic engineers in the land have disclosed the superiority of mind over matter, in capturing, the resistless current of this
mag,nificent river and impressing it at pleasure into the service of
civilization and the useful arts. The existence of the splendid
system of waterfalls, such as this alone, of all the streams in the
land, can boast, has cited around them'mechanics, artisans, and
operatives of every degree of skill and ability, and the result is seen
in the steady and successful operation of more than one hundred
monster cotton and woollen mills, whose massive walls, towering on
the'-air line" towards the clouds, enclose gems of huma,nity as
well as of intricate, delicate, and almost intelligent machinery; in
the numerous machanic shops the ring and pleasant hum of which is
the cheerful and melodious diapason of prosperity; in the springing
up with unparalleled rapidity of fine towns and beautiful cities
thronged with industrious and intelligent populations. Anterior to
the manufacturing epoch it has been seen that though the Merrimack
River was the same lovely stream of bright, sparkling water, and
contained the same noble falls, and was surrounded with a population sturdy and indomitable, which, sparse and devoted to the pleasant
and profit'ible pursuits of peace as it was, yet contributed its full share
to the independence, intellect, and character of the niation. Looking
still further back, to the aboriginal period, the Merrimack and the
territory which it drains is replete with interest, different in kind to
be sure, but equal and in some respects surpassing that which invests
it now, and while we condemn the cruelties practised towards the red
man and by him, and the wrong and injustice perpetrated upon hinm
in the name of civilization and under the sometimes pliant banner
of Christianity, it may be proper even in the plentitude of intelligence, enlightenment, and power, to bestow some thought on his
checkered history that we may profit by his example and if possible
avoid his follies, his misfortunes, and his deplorable fate. It has
been said that the result of the practical operation of what is not
inaptly called the philosophy of fate is in direct inverse ratio to
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