RIVER LIFE. 195 



furnished water pure as crystal. The ascent was attended with 

 some danger and fatigue. But what a view when the utmost 

 heights are gained ! What a magnificent panorama of forests, 

 lakes, and distant mountains I The surface of the earth, with 

 its many-tinted verdure, resembled, in form and smoothness, the 

 swelling sea. In the course of the forenoon, light fogs from all 

 the lakes ascended, and, coming to Ktaadn, intertwined themselves 

 most fantastically above our heads, then settled down and dis- 

 persed. But what can be fitly said about the vast expanse of the 

 heavens, to be seen from such an elevation, especially when the 

 sun goes down, and the glowing stars appear in silent majesty? 

 All the gorgeous, artificial brilliancy of man's invention is more 

 than lost in the comparison. Language has no power to describe 

 a scene of this nature. The height of Ktaadn above the level 

 of the sea is five thousand three hundred feet. Its position is 

 isolated, and its structure an immense curiosity. From its sum- 

 mit very few populous places are visible, so extensive is the in- 

 tervening wilderness. On its sides the growth of wood is beau- 

 tiful, presenting a regular variation in altitude and size all the 

 way up to the point where it ceases. 



" The great basin described by Mr. Keep was to none of us 

 an inferior object of interest. Want of time and strength pre- 

 vented our descent into it. It is open to general inspection from 

 all the heights around it. The day being quiet, the view was 

 divested of much of its terror ; but we could readily believe it 

 the abode of all the furies in a storm, and where the polar mon- 

 arch has his chief residence in Maine. We called to each other 

 across the basin, and echo answered ' Wliere !' in earnest. The 

 air was exhilarating, as may be supposed, but the effect not aa 

 sensible as we anticipated. 



" The whole party returned to the head of the slide at three 

 P.M., and engaged in picking cranberries. These grow on all 

 parts of the mountain above the timber region, and no doubt an- 



