APRIL. 89 



to be the highest land in this part of Canada. It is a cur- 

 rent belief with the common people^ that the Owl's Head 

 contains some precious minerals, and much digging and exca- 

 vating have been done in places upon it, by those who wished 

 to possess themselves of them, but without success as yet. 

 l( I believe that no experienced mineralogist has ever yet ex- 

 I plored the mineral kingdom of this, nor indeed of any other 

 1 considerable part of Canada. The sides of this, and of Or- 

 ford Mountain, are covered to the very summits, with a thick 

 growth of maple, birch, spruce, and hemlock timber. The 

 range of Green Mountains, in the State of Vermont, the 

 White Mountains in New Hampshire, and the outlines of 

 most of what are called the Eastern Townships, together 

 with about eighteen small lakes, are all visible from the 

 summit of Orford Mountain, in clear weather." 



C. — It would give me very great pleasure to visit the 

 mountain, and enjoy the prospect of so extensive a country. 



F. — The distance is considerable, but perhaps at some 

 future time we may find opportunity for a visit and a per- 

 sonal examination. But the day wanes, and it is time to 

 return. 



C — There is something very exhilarating in standing at 

 a great elevation ; arising probably from the rarity of the 

 air in such situations. 



F. — The purity of the air, its freedom from noxious and 

 heavy vapours, acting on the body, is no doubt one cause of 

 the buoyancy of spirits which one usually feels at great 

 heights, joined to the purely mental excitement, which the 

 enlarged prospect, and the distance from the ordinary bustle 

 of life, are calculated to produce in minds of a certain tempe- 

 rament. That such an effect is produced, I have myself often 

 proved. 



