160 RIVER LIFE. 



On Moosehead Lake, at the head of the Kennebeck, a steam tow- 

 boat has recently been built, which has proved very serviceable 

 to lumbermen in towing rafts to the outlet. Probably the time 

 will come when the business of other large lakes in Maine will 

 require the services of similar boats. Had the same degree of 

 knowledge and interest existed twenty years ago in regard to the 

 application of steam to the various purposes of life that is now 

 manifested, the crystal waters of the beautiful Grand Lake, at 

 the head of the St. Croix, would have been plowed by the prow 

 of some little steamer long ago. But now one great leading mo- 

 tive for such an undertaking is irrecoverably past ; the "White 

 Pines have been mowed by the woodmens' ax ; they have dis- 

 appeared forever, at least in any considerable quantity. Still, 

 other interests may arise and create a demand sufficiently prom- 

 ising, in a remunerative point of view, to induce an individual, 

 or joint investment, for the construction of such a boat as may 

 be needed. The Grand Lake is some twenty-five miles in length 

 from north to south, and from six to eight miles wide at its great- 

 est breadth. An imaginary line, passing lengthwise, constitutes 

 the boundary between Maine and New Brunswick, the eastern 

 shore being within the limits of her majesty's dominions. Set- 

 tlements to a large extent have already been made on the Amer- 

 ican side ; and when, in the course of time, the other side shall 

 spring into importance, some little commerce may be opened be- 

 tween the two ports, a custom-house be established, &c, so that 

 the places here sketched may constitute a miniature likeness of 

 the two countries, with the broad Atlantic between them. How- 

 ever, in reference to the realization of what is here said of steam- 

 boats and commerce, we will say with the Dutchman, when he 

 spoke prospectively of other matters, " Veil, veil, ve shall see vat 

 ve shall see!' 1 



From lakes and tributary streams, the various parcels of logs 

 cut and drove by different companies issue forth, and form one 



