Hills in the Vicinity of Boston. 85 



gentlemen crowning almost every hill, and imparting an air of fresh- 

 ness and animation to the valley and the plain, testify how much 

 taste and wealth can do in giving new charms to the face of nature. 



From these hills the observer has also a fine view of Boston Har- 

 bor ; and this is another circumstance of peculiar interest. For to 

 look out upon the ocean is always an imposing sight ; but when that 

 ocean is studded with islands, most picturesque in shape and position, 

 and the frequent sail is seen gliding among them, he must be insen- 

 sible indeed, whose soul does not kindle at the scene, and linger upon 

 it with delight. 



On Monument Hill, is opened perhaps the largest of the quarries 

 of Q,uincy granite ; and from thence a rail road (the only one of 

 much extent yet existing in Massachusetts) runs directly to Nepon- 

 set river: and this is another circumstance of peculiar interest to 

 the visitor of these hills. Let him ascend the granite tower, which 

 the proprietors of the quary have erected on its site, and he will have 

 before him, not merely the rich variety of natural and artificial ob- 

 jects above described, but this railway, also, stretching away for miles 

 in a right line towards the river, with here and there the cars going 

 and returning. Such conveyances, however, will soon cease to be a 

 novelty in Massachusetts. 



Many other hills of moderate altitude around Boston, particularly 

 on the south of the city, might be mentioned as worthy of a visit for 

 the prospects presented from their summits. The heights of the fol- 

 lowing are given on Hales's beautiful " Map of Boston and its vi- 

 cinity." 



In duincy, near the Common, - 210 feet 



do. One mile north, - - - 175 



do. A half mile farther north, 107 



do. A little N.W. of Hon. J. Quincy's seat, 40 

 do. Great Hill, near the eastern extremity of 



the town, - ... 94 



do. Squantum, ... 99 



In Braintree, near the east line, - 205 



In Weymouth, near the west line, - - - 210 



do. Near Town River Bay, - 134 



In Hingham, N.W. part of the town, - 112 



do. On Crown Point, - 102 



do. A little N.W. of Mr. Brook's M. House, 107 



