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The 8.13 morning train from Salem took a goodly 

 number of excursionists to Newburyport, who there em- 

 barked on board the barge "Queen of the Merrimack," 

 which was towed by the powerful steam tug "Mattie Sar- 

 gent " up the river to West Newbury, the place of meet- 

 ing. The freshet had made a strong current, and the wind 

 was ahead, hence the passage was not rapid ; this seeming 

 disadvantage was rendered acceptable, however, by afford- 

 ing an opportunity to get better views of the picturesque 

 scenery on either hand. The banks of the river and the 

 surrounding hills and slopes are characterized by sym- 

 metry and beauty. The river is navigable as far as 

 Haverhill, which is about eighteen miles from Newbury- 

 port ; and very attractive scenery is between these points. 

 The Eastern Railroad bridge ; the Amesbury chain bridge ; 

 the fine residence of Mrs. Huse, built and improved at 

 great cost by Rev. Mr. Fletcher, the lecturer and writer 

 on Brazil ; the castle-like mansion on the eastern bank 

 owned by Henry W. Moulton ; the village at Salisbury 

 Point, famous for hats and dory boats ; the laurel grounds, 

 which have furnished so much annual enjoyment to people 

 of a philanthropic and progressive turn ; the village at 

 South Amesbury, and the Rock's Bridge, connecting East 

 Haverhill with West Newbury, were among the more 

 prominent objects which engaged attention, and elicited 

 numerous inquiries. 



West Newbury, as seen from the river, presents the 

 appearance of a clean and thrifty farming town. It con- 

 tains some good farms, and has always furnished an in- 

 telligent representation in the Essex Agricultural Society. 

 The shoe business is carried on to some extent in the 

 town, but the principal manufacturing element is in comb 

 making. 



In literature this town has sent forth one shining light, 



