74 Notices of Mount Washington and the vicinity. 
_over hills and through dense forests of stately evergreens. The 
level country, which had followed us along the banks of the Con- 
necticut, was soon exchanged for gradual undulations, of a re- 
gion with a barren soil, which continued to rise higher, and spread 
wider, until we reached the valley lying near the base of the 
mountains. A very perceptible difference in the temperature 
could be felt, as we gradually made our way upward; and, not- 
withstanding it was now not far from the middle of August, the 
scanty crops had nearly all been destroyed by the frost. Indeed, 
the weather was so cold, that blazing fires were found at most of 
the inns where we stopped. The sparse population of the moun- 
tains is obliged to depend upon the neighboring country for their 
- agricultural supplies, and all that is not consumed, finds a market 
in Portland. Now and then, as you pass along, the eye rests upon 
a little strip of cleared land, composing the farm of some moun- 
taineer. There was one which peculiarly arrested our attention. 
It embraced, along with a few acres of ground, a small rude hut, 
consisting of pine logs piled one upon the other, and made tight 
-by means of plaster. A roof of rough boards was thrown over 
the logs. What a contrast between this rude habitation and 
the splendid mansions of our-cities! Science and commerce 
nourish the arts, and the arts make the difference between the 
mountain hut and the city palace. 
The scenery, as you approach the mountain, increases in gran- 
deur and sublimity. Vast and interminable ridges of mountains 
ise on all sides, one above another, until they seem to be blended 
with the distant horizon. The white peaks of these mountain 
groups, appearing as if snow clad, tower above all other objects 
and hide themselves in the clouds. 
Ascent of the Mountain. 
On Thursday morning, August 18th, our company (consisting 
of three persons and the guide) left the dwelling of our host at 
the early hour of six. ‘Thence we proceeded, as fast as our 
horses could carry us, through forests, over swamps and rugged 
‘steeps, by a path filled with mud, stones, and roots of trees. Ar- 
Tiving at some distance from the foot of Mount Washington, 
our horses were tied to trees and thence we proceeded on foot. 
aang at first easel, but soon became in the main ex- 
and ° ambled 
