NEW ENGLAND AND THE AROOSTOOK. 91 



standpoint of man's ordinary level can be seen an amphi- 

 theatre of Titanic proportions vast valleys sweeping away 

 into indefinite space ; sky-splitting peaks of every conceivable 

 size and shape standing solitary in the solitude ; blue ranges 

 of mountains trending in double and ^triple phalanx to the 

 farthest limit of vision ; great lakes diminished by distance 

 to globules that gleam in their emerald settings like the light 

 of reflected stars. Among the White Mountains the view is 

 always more contracted, unless one mounts to the highest 

 summits, and from Mount Adams or Washington takes in at 

 a glance that marvelous photograph of inconceivable im- 

 mensity which is defined over an area of two hundred and 

 fifty miles. That view, indeed, to mortal eyes is like a 

 glimpse of eternity. Ordinarily, however, the tourist who 

 picks his way along the roads and by-paths that skirt the 

 bases of this labyrinth of peaks, sees little more than the 

 vista directly before him and the cumulose forests and crags 

 that climb to the clouds. Down at the bottoms of these de- 

 files, the prevailing sense is one of shadow and gloom. The 

 scenery here is Alpine in its features mountains of granite 

 piled together, broken by gorges, slashed by ravines, yawn- 

 ing with chasms, and dashed by torrents and cascades that 

 tumble from hidden places and presently vanish into gloom. 

 All the year round the snow lies in the nethermost rifts, 

 and the water that drains from its melting in summer cools 

 the streamlets to a temperature delicious for trout. No saw- 

 dust or tanbark from mills will ever pollute their purity or 

 curtail their God-given privileges. The forest will remain 

 primeval always, and trout will probably be found wherever 

 the angler's perseverance or curiosity may lead him. There 

 is no more favorite region for the summer rambler, be he 

 sportsman or merely refugee from business cares. Last year 

 was completed a grand tour by which all the hotels and 

 localities of interest can be successively visited. Therefore 

 it matters little whether the tourist who wishes to " do " the 

 White Mountains takes the Grand Trunk Eailway to Gorham, 



