A DELIGHTFUL DRIVE. 331 



these formerly pure, pellucid brooks. Bethel, where 

 you leave the train, will be found a model village, 

 which, for cleanliness and neatness, it would be impos- 

 sible to surpass. As you progress along the principal 

 thoroughfare, the pretty dwellings overshadowed by 

 handsome shade trees, remind you of some of Long- 

 fellow's beau ideal New England homes. The hotel, 

 also, is very comfortable, and Mr. Lovejoy, the pro- 

 prietor, can give good information and instruction as 

 to your future proceedings. He also will supply you 

 with a conveyance to take you to Upton, distant about 

 twenty-seven miles, over a road far from good ; but if 

 the weather be fine, you will be so delighted with the 

 beautiful panoramas of wild and magnificent mountain 

 views that time will slip by rapidly, and ruts and jolts 

 will be totally forgotten. For the first five or six miles 

 of your drive you pass along the margin of the grand 

 Androscogan Kiver, exhibiting a succession of pools 

 and rapids, so eminently suited for salmon retreats, 

 that you cannot fail to regret that these noble fish are 

 debarred from visiting this choice water. A few miles 

 farther your course winds by a beautiful mountain 

 brook well stocked with trout, and in which a good 

 basket can always be taken. We will now suppose you 

 have reached the half-way house, a pretty little roadside 

 tavern, where the horses are baited, and the traveller, if 

 he chooses we would strongly advise you not to fail to 

 may insist upon making the acquaintance of mine 

 host, a worthy man with a wonderful fund of informa- 

 tion on various interesting subjects. The allotted 

 half-hour having expired, and the inner man been 

 refreshed, forward is again the word, and more beau- 

 tiful becomes the scenery. Wild, irregular hills, with 



