EXPLORATIONS AMONG THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. 97 



ing a small house was discussed. From his elevated observatory on 

 Moosilauke, Mr. Huntington, by letter of February i8th, 1870, had pro- 

 posed that negotiations be commenced with the Mt. Washington Railway 

 Company for the use of the engine-house or depot they were intending 

 to build on the summit. After the adverse decision in regard to the Tip- 

 top house, a letter was addressed to Mr. Sylvester Marsh, the president 

 of this company, inquiring whether their building might not be used in 

 the winter by the meteorological party. In reply, it was stated that the 

 completion of the house before winter was uncertain ; but a desire was 

 expressed that the project might be successful. Interviews were had 

 with Mr. Marsh, and he spoke even more favorably than had been 

 expected from his letter ; but he added, that he had not the authority to 

 speak for the company. Having no reason to suppose the directors 

 would not favor us, late in July the state geologist issued a circular, 

 stating the importance of establishing a meteorological observatory upon 

 Mt. Washington in the winter, and asked the friends of science to con- 

 tribute the sum of two thousand dollars to maintain the expedition, and 

 furnish the means of telegraphic communication between the observers 

 and the public. It was stated that with this sum the expedition could be 

 made successful, and the public would receive daily reports describing 

 the character of the arctic phenomena peculiar to the summit, thus giving 

 abundant opportunity for comparison with any observatory in the country. 

 This circular was sent to friends, and small sums were received, but not 

 to any promising extent. It was also posted at the principal hotels among 

 the mountains, in full view of the guests, but failed to excite any special 

 interest. The remainder of the summer was so occupied with necessary 

 geological field-work as to leave no time to beg for money. 



By the first of September not a hundred dollars had been promised. 

 The next effort was in the direction of the press. A prominent journal 

 in New York was willing to give five hundred dollars for daily telegrams 

 and occasional letters sent to them exclusively during the winter. 

 Although a telegraph line, capable of use in the winter months, was 

 beyond the expected means, faith in ultimate success was strengthened 

 by this proposal. About this time attention was called to the recent 

 establishment of the " Bureau of Telegrams and Reports for the Benefit 

 of Commerce," in connection with the War department at Washington. 

 VOL. I. 13 



