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.

TIE IERiRBIMA"ACK BRIER P;
undermined by long and heavy rains, came pouring down upon the
interval, bearing with it huge rocks and the entire forest which grew
upon and covered it, burying in its overwhelming rush every mem ber of this unfortunate family, father, mother, five children, and
two servants, all finding a common grave in the d6bris of this terribly
fatal slide. It is in this famous mountain that the true source of
the Merrimack is located. On the western slope of Mount Willey,
directly opposite the slide and near the base, is a pond called Ethan
Crawford's Pond, in honor of the old pioneer of the Notch. This
pond, located in an almost unexplored wilderness, but little known,
is generally believed to be the source of the Merrimack. This,
however, is a mistake, for up the mountain, to the north-east of
Ethan's Pond, at a considerable distance, and near the summit of
Mount Willey, is another pond, nearly the same size of the latter,
which is the true source of the Merrimack. The waters of this
pond escape in a southerly direction, and, swinging to the west,
after travelling several miles, unite with the outlet of the Ethan
Pond, to the west of the latter, and form the nucleus or startingpoint of this magnificent stream. Nor does it long remain the insignificant rivulet we find it here; for, surrounded with lofty mountain ranges on either side, it receives accessions at almost every step,
and a progress of but a few miles renders it a real river, respectable
in size, magnificent in its surroundings, lovely and romantic beyond
description.
Starting from the base of Mount Willey, this stream runs through
an unbroken wilderness for nearly forty miles. A ceuntry so wild
and grand few have ever witnessed. It is a singular if not important fact, that within five miles of the source of this stream may be
found the sources of two others, each in its course following a cardinal point of the compass, namely, the Merrimack, running south; the
Saco, east, and the wild Amonoosuck, west; while, but,l few miles
away to the northward, is the Magalloway, otherwise known as the
Androscoggin.
Following down the Merrimack, or, as it is commonly called, the
east branch of the Pemigewasset, it will be found that a grand spur
of the White Hills shuts down within a few hundred yards of the
course of the stream, on its right bank; while, on the left, a similar
range closes in, leaving a broad and beautiful interval between.
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