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.

THE MEBRIMACK 1.E VEP.;
relig,ion, which fails to recognize the perfecting agency of the great
Jehovah in this grand master-piece of natural architecture!"
Placed by itself, without this remarkable combination of grand
surroundings, the Echo Lake, the Flume, the Old Man of the Mountain, or any of the great features of this locality, would stand out in
bolder relief than now, and consequently appear to the beholder more
awfully grand than as it does, surrounded by so many astonishing
and bewildering sights, notwithstanding they are each separately a
wonder, and an insoluble problem, and as a group, a marvel, unequalled
by any collection of natural objects in the world.
Nothing can produce a more happy or beneficent effect upon the
mind than a contemplation of the works of nature. No mind so
besotted or so fragile but it can draw inspiration to higher objects,
aims, and ends by approaching this pure fountain.
Standing here under heaven's great azure dome, if there be any
who know nothing of HIim they may at least observe Ihis works, which
are on the grandest scale, spread out witlh a benevolent and lavish
hand, and in the Divine Presence at least enjoy a more soul-inspiring,
healthful, and innocent recreation.
Come, then, ye frequenters of gilded and gas-illumined palaces,
who transpose the order of nature by turning night into day at the
expense of health and peace of mind, leave the cup of body and soul
destroying beverage; leave your pasteboard an(l human knaves, chips,
shells, spotted cubes, and miasmatic atmosphere, and hasten to the
pure fountains of sweet waters and bracing air fresh from the mountain-tops and the fragrant forests, and here gather a loftier ambition,
and a more profitable and sensible view of the perfect original grand
design!
One of the greatest objects of interest is the Echo Lake, located
on the east side of the road near the northern entrance to the Notch.
This lake is deep, pure, and tranquil, and is a curiosity and a
wonder. Surrounded by lofty mountains and towering cliffs, the report
of fire-arms, the speaking-trumpet, or the voice reverberates from
crag to cliff in oft-repeated echoes, point after point repeating the
sound, returns more and still more indistinct until it has recoiled from
the entire circumference. IIere people linger for hours listening to
this remarkable echo, tracing the gradual diminution of sound; if,
* Extract from letter of D. W. Smith, 1867.
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