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.

PRE F ACE.
NEW HAMPSHIRE and Massachusetts naturally entertain a com mendclable and worthy pride in the joint possession of the magnificent
Merrimack River, and properly appreciate the wonderful beauty of
its scenery, its stupendous hydraulic power, and its incalculable val ue and importance, not alone to these two States, but to all New
England, the nation, and to the world. As a great natural feature the
Merrimack, it is believed, surpasses all others in the harmonious
blending of the useful and the beautiful, and the facts assembled on
these pages are confidently expected to warrant and justify this view.
The source of the Merrimack being more than six thousand feet above
the level of the sea,- much higher than that of the Connecticut, while
it is only half the length of the latter stream,-it is, from its source
to its mouth, literally, a vast system of mill-privileges with excellent
water-power, material and conveniences for dams, and an ample and unfailing supply of water. The amount of manufacturing along this
stream is not equalled by that of any other river in the world, while
even yet many of its best mill-sites are unimproved. Having been
for many years familiar with all the territory which supplies the Merrimack and its branches, it has been a matter of surprise that some
competent person has not, long since, given the subject the attention
it merits. It was not, however, until eminent oculists prescribed
open-air exercise for a malady more firightful, inconvenient, and uncomfcr'table than painful, when the atmospheric purity of this region
suggested it as a proper resort, that the idea occurred to collect some
facts and place them before the public myself. Accordingly, without
experience or pretension, the result is here presented; and while it
is believed some of the matter is new, it is hoped much of it will
prove interesting, and aid in extending a more thorough knowledge
of this important subject. No literary merit is claimed, and whatever is open to criticism the author trusts may be kindly considereld.
Accuracy, both in the aggieg,ate and detail, has been souoght, and, if
not always attained,' may be attributed to erroneous but conscientious deductions, or to incorrect information. The hydraulic ca v
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