74 Notices of Mount Washington and the vicinity. 



over hills and through dense forests of stately evergreens. The 

 level country, which had followed us along the banks of the Con- 

 necticut, was soon exchanged for gradual undulations, of a re- 

 gion with a barren soil, which continued to rise higher, and spread 

 wider, until we reached the valley lying near the base of the 

 mountains. A very perceptible difference in the temperature 

 could be felt, as we gradually made our way upward ; and, not- 

 withstanding it was now not far from the middle of August, the 

 scanty crops had nearly all been destroyed by the frost. Indeed, 

 the weather was so cold, that blazing fires were found at most of 

 the inns where we stopped. The sparse population of the moun- 

 tains is obliged to depend upon the neighboring country for their 

 agricultural supplies, and all that is not consumed, finds a market 

 in Portland. Now and then, as you pass along, the eye rests upon 

 a little strip of cleared land, composing the farm of some moun- 

 taineer. There was one which peculiarly arrested our attention. 

 It embraced, along with a few acres of ground, a small rude hut, 

 consisting of pine logs piled one upon the other, and made tight 

 by means of plaster. A roof of rough boards was thrown over 

 the logs. What a contrast between this rude habitation and 

 the splendid mansions of our cities ! Science and commerce 

 nourish the arts, and the arts make the difierence between the 

 mountain hut and the city palace. 



The scenery, as you approach the mountain, increases in gran- 

 dem- and sublimity. Vast and interminable ridges of mountains 

 rise on all sides, one above another, until they seem to be blended 

 with the distant horizon. The white peaks of these mountain 

 groups, appearing as if snow clad, tower above all other objects 

 and hide themselves in the clouds. 



Ascent of the Mountain. 



On Thursday morning, August 18th, our company (consisting 

 of three persons and the guide) left the dwelling of our host at 

 the early hour of six. Thence we proceeded, as fast as oiur 

 horses could carry us, through forests, over swamps and rugged 

 steeps, by a path filled with mud, stones, and roots of trees. Ar- 

 riving at some distance from the foot of Mount Washington, 

 our horses were tied to trees and thence we proceeded on foot. 

 The ascent was at first gradual, but soon became in the main ex- 

 ceedingly steep, and we scrambled on over rocks, piled one upon 



