64 Profile Mountain. 



Art. XIII. — Notice of the Profile Mountain in New Hamp- 

 shire ; by Gen. Martin Field. 



(See the Frontisepiece.) 



TO PROFESSOR SILLIMAN. 



New Fane, Vt. Nov. 22, 1827. 



Dear Sir — On a late excursion, which I made among the 

 White Mountains in New Hampshire, I visited Franconia 

 and the Profile Mountain, which has long been considered a 

 rare phenomenon. I there procured a sketch of the moun- 

 tain, which I enclose to you, and if it meets your approba- 

 tion, you will please to insert it in the Journal of Science, &c* 

 I am sir, very respectfully, yours &c. 



Martin Field. 



The White Mountain range passes through the easterly 

 part of Franconia, and presents numerous elevations and 

 sublime mountain scenery. But the greatest elevation, in 

 that vicinity, is Mount La Fayette, which forms the northern 

 boundary of the Notch, so called, and is supposed to exceed 

 four thousand feet, in height. The Profile Mountain is nigh 

 the road leading from Franconia to Plymouth — is five miles 

 from the lower iron works, in Franconia, and about three 

 miles south of Mount La Fayette. The elevation of this 

 mountain, I understand, has never been accurately ascertain- 

 ed, but it is generally estimated to be, at least, one thousand 

 feet. The road passes very nigh the foot of the mountain, 

 from which it rises abruptly, at an angle of about 80° to the 

 profile rock. The bare rock, on which the profile is delinea- 

 ted, is granite, and having been long exposed to the atmos- 

 phere, its color is a dark reddish brown. A side view of the 

 projecting rock, near the peak of the mountain, in a northern 

 direction, exhibits the profile of the human face, in which 

 every line and feature are conspicuous. But after passing 

 the mountain to the south, the likeness is immediately lost. 



* The sketch of the mountain, profile, &c. was taken by a gentleman of Bos- 

 ton, and the likeness is a good one. The mountain scenery is filled up from 

 fancy. The mountain is covered with trees and shrubbery, except the profile 

 rock. The timber is a mixture of beach, birch, rock maple, bass wood, &c. 

 with hemlock, spruce, and other evergreens. 



