HISTORY OF DERRYFIELD. 4t 



hills, is a vast fissure or opening in a mighty mass of rock, ap- 

 parently made by some convulsion of nature ; over the precipice 

 thus formed is a fall of water some 200 feet into the gulf below. 

 Here are found several excavations in the solid rock, sufficiently 

 large to contain several persons, and one of them, bearmg some 

 resemblance to a pulpit, has given name to the place; at the 

 bottom there is always a small pool of water, where, in the hot- 

 test day, the warmth of the sun scarcely penetrates. As one 

 stands on the verge of this tremendous precipice, emotions of 

 sublimity will be awakened ; and any lover of nature, who should 

 find leisure on a pleasant day, would find himself well paid by 

 a visit to this wild and romantic spot." 



About nine miles from Manchester, as the bird flies, or near- 

 ly twelve by the highway, the "convulsion of nature" referred 

 to is found upon the farm of Mr. Clinton French. Our first 

 visit to this locality was more than twenty years ago, when it 

 may be said to have been in a state of nature. Since that time 

 an increasing number of visitors suggested to the owner the 

 idea of making it more accessible to the general public, and with 

 this in view he caused to be constructed a good carriage road 

 leading from the highway to the Pulpit. Convenient paths were 

 made, plank walks laid where necessary, and a substantial stair- 

 way built, so that the leading points of interest can be easily 

 reached. A turnpike gate guards the entrance and a small toll- 

 fee is exacted, sufficient to reimburse the owner for his care and 

 outlay. 



The road descends to the level of a wet run, which it crosses, 

 and the Pulpit is located in an old pasture a short half-mile from 

 the highway. The swampy run is the source of a small brook, 

 entering upon the extreme left, and a still smaller stream, which 

 is frequently dry during the summer months, enters upon the 

 extreme right of the Pulpit. The direction of this curiosity is 

 west by south from the city hall, lying to the south and some 

 distance west of the Uncanoonucks and east and south-east of 

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