HISTORY OF VERMONT. 27 



The altitude of mountains, has been one of 

 the curious inquiries, which the philosophers of 

 tliis century have been solicitous to determine. 

 The most common method of measuring their 

 heights, has been by the Barometer. I do not 

 know that in many cases, a better method could 

 have been applied. The theory however of 

 this, is not attended with certainty, or precision : 

 And in its application, it has generally gi'> eu 

 very diflerent altitudes, to the same mountain. 

 Geometrical mensurations admit of greater cer- 

 tainty and simplicity, where they can be appli- 

 ed : But the difficulty and expence of making 

 such mensurations, liave prevented any great 

 progress from being made, in this part of the 

 natural history of die earth. In North Ameri- 

 ca, the height of most of our mountains, re- 

 mains yet to be determined. In December^ 

 1792, I attempted to ascertain the altitude of 

 Kellington Peak, one of the highest of the greeu 

 mountains, by a geometrical process ; and had 

 the happiness to succeed in the mensuration. 

 The measures stood thus, 



Height of Kellington Peak above the Feet, 

 plain at the State House in Rutland, 

 by geometrical mensuration, - - 28 IS 

 Height of the State House above the wa- 

 ters of Lake Chaniplain, deduced 

 from the mensuration of tlie falls of 

 Otter Creek, and a computation of 

 other descents, - - - - 371 

 Descent of the water from that part of 

 Lake Champlain where tl\e current be- 

 . gins, to St. John's, a distance of fifty 

 miles, estimated at 12 inches toamile, 50 



