176 



Mountains are more magnanimous than we, 



And suffer all inflictions patiently. 



But you are human, and I feel to you 



A few explanatory words are due. 



If then my song seems longer than was fit, 



Think, that I had not time to shorten it; 



And if the wagon of my rambling rhymes 



Have seemed a little rickety at times, 



My sole apology for this is found 



In the uueveuness of mountain ground. 



But if my work infirm and clumsy seem, 



Then say, too poor a bard essayed too rich a theme. 



Dr. George A. Perkins was uext introducetl. He 

 said it was his happy lot to be a companion, in this early 

 mountain experience, of his friend who had spoken and 

 given the poetry of this journey. Ou the occasion re- 

 ferred to, they started with their packs on their backs, 

 went to Boston, and there took a steamer to Portland, 

 sleeping, as he well remem1)ered, on the dining table, he 

 and his companion having their arms around each others' 

 necks to keep from rolling off. Arriving at Portland, 

 they came on foot through Gorham, Standish, Fry burg 

 and Conway, and up through the Notch, passing over the 

 range of mountains between the notch and the top of 

 Mount Washington, up the mountains and back. Their 

 e'uide told them he had met a bear the dav before, in the 

 road between the Notch and where the Fabyan house now 

 stands — the animal, fortunately, having been in a peace- 

 able frame of mind, and allowing him to pass unmolested. 

 As an illustration of the changed condition of things 

 between that day and the present, he said the bill at the 

 tavern in Conway where the three had partaken of sup- 

 per, lodging and l)reakfast, was only one dollar for the 

 three. He remembered stopping one night at the house 

 of a woman in the Franconia Notch, who, without keep- 

 ing a tavern, often put up travellers over night. In 



