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 ANYD ITS TP~IB UT1RIES.,
illuminate first of all creation the highest pinnacles, so does the
bright sun of knowledge and of truth first illumine the highest
intellectual summits, and gradually but surely penetrate the lower
level of the valley of mediocrity, dispelling in like manner the mental
and moral darkness.
Franconia Notch, to the east of which, through the wild valley of
the Upper Merrimack flow the cool, bright, sparkling waters of the
principal branch of that stream. is on the west of this valley, with
the Lafayette or Franconia range between the river and the Notch
road, running parallel the whole distance from Plymouth to the top
or opening of the Notch. This wonderful phenomena of nature is
talked about so much by tourists, journalists, and others, is visited
by so many thousands, that were it not an extraordinary subject it
would have become long since exhausted; but the fact that everything connected with it is listened to with marked attention and
eagerly sought for, proves that the subject is still fresh, and that the
unparalleled sublimity, grandeur, and romance of this great warehouse
of nature's wonders have attracted the liveliest interest among all
classes of people. No one sees this gigantic collection of impressive
curiosities without a striking and deep-seated impression of their
peculiar grandeur. Men may see a great ship, an immense building,
or any other interesting work of art, and view it with a kind of
admiration; still its salient features are skill, labor, and capital; but
here he sees the handiwork, nay, the visible presence of the everliving God. Here is his great temple, here His throne; here is open
to the poorest vision and the dullest comprehension, the majesty and
perfection of His works and laws. Many journey to these scenes year
after year, attracted by the indefinable emotions awakened in their
minds at each successive return.
"I had seen pictures only of this mountain scenery before.
Pictures? Mockeries! the best that artist ever sketched but as
faintly portrays their grandeur as dew-drops describe an ocean!
One exclamation of wonder hardly dies in reverberation ere the eye
falls on some new pleasure quite as delightful to behold. One
almost fancies that invisible spirits sit enthroned upon those giant
cliffs, and are ever preparing a gorgeous dioramic display for mortals'
contemplation! His must be a wretched philosophy and worse
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