4 History of Hingham. 



One of the most prominent of the elevations of the lowest plateau 

 is Otis Hill, which rises quite near the harbor on its western side. 

 The views from this are very fine, and should be seen by all who 

 keenly enjoy an extended prospect. It is said that Daniel Webster 

 ascended the hill whenever opportunity presented itself, feeling 

 amply repaid for the necessary exertion in reaching its summit. 

 On the east, beyond Nantasket Beach and the rocky shore of Co- 

 hasset, the open sea spreads itself to the vision until lost in the 

 distant horizon ; north, the coast of the opposite side of Massa- 

 chusetts Bay may be traced until it, too, fades from sight towards 

 Cape Ann ; and northwest, the domes and spires of the great city, 

 with the expanse of water gemmed with islands and dotted over 

 with vessels gliding among them, afford an enchanting scene. 

 The height of Otis Hill is about 129 feet. The still higher ele- 

 vation of the second plateau, Turkey Hill, before mentioned, 

 affords yet grander views. No one who has not been here can 

 appreciate the transcendent beauty of such as may be enjoyed 

 from its summit, in looking towards the west and northwest just 

 as the sun is sinking beneath the horizon, especially when hover- 

 ing clouds are lit up by its rays and the intervening water is tinted 

 by their reflections. 



The highest elevation of all is that of Prospect Hill, and it is 

 worthy the name. This is in the south part of the town, and has 

 a height of 218-^ feet. Measurements of other hills give the fol- 

 lowing results : — 



Baker's, 141 feet; Squirrel, 133 feet; Great Hill, 120 feet; 

 Planter's, 118 feet ; Old Colony, 70 feet ; Liberty Pole, 107 feet ; 

 the highest of the World's End hills, 92, the lowest, 66 ; Crow 

 Point Hill, 81 ; Pleasant, near Crow Point, 93 ; Bradley's, 87 ; 

 Tucker's, between Crow Point and Pleasant, 65. 



Much of the remaining territory presents itself in rounded hil- 

 locks of various elevations, and in the west part of the town these 

 prevail over a great area. Unfortunately they have to a. great 

 extent been denuded of trees. Barren wastes are found, unsightly 

 to the eye where beauty might abound, and where profit might be 

 realized if the surface could be devoted to forest culture. Nothing 

 could be done that would be more advantageous to this almost 

 destitute portion of the town than to cover it with the white pine, 

 as there can be no doubt but that it would be a wise investment 

 of money to do this if proper precautions were taken to protect 

 the growth from destruction by fires. 



Independently of the interesting features of the landscape men- 

 tioned, there is such variety of surface over the town as to make 

 all parts attractive. 



In some portions are miles of rich and rocky woodlands, in 

 other portions swamps impenetrable from forest growth. In 

 places, high cliffs of rock rise from above the general level ; in 

 others, green meadows of peaceful beauty stretch far before the 



