MIDDLESEX FELLS. 



209 



by Brooks Lane, which takes its name from Governor John 

 Brooks. The entire length of this wood-road is delightful for 

 a walk. Leaving the residence of Governor Brooks on the 

 left corner of High Street, the lane passes a brick house, one 

 of the old forts of the Indian times, runs along the foot of 

 Pasture Hill, then between fields where once were farmhouses, 

 and finally through the woods to a point on Forest Street, 

 half-way between Pine Hill and Spot Pond. 



Pine Hill, about 282 feet, 1 is the highest elevation on the 

 southern line of the Pells. The summit is sharp and rocky. 

 The view embraces the Milton Hills, the ocean on both sides 

 of Nahant, and Boston surrounded by its suburbs and harbor. 

 The Mystic Valley lies in the foreground, and just beyond 

 appear the buildings of Tufts College on the summit of Col- 

 lege Hill. The northern half of the view shows the wilder- 

 ness of the Fells region. Distant points are seldom visible. 

 The hill is ascended by two paths, — one from the late resi- 

 dence of Mr. Wright, and the other from the road which leads 

 to the old granite quarries west of the hill. Under the careful 

 protection of Mr. Wright, many young pines have been springing 

 up on the slopes of the hill, and especially on the rocky land 

 west of the quarries. 



Of the many rocky eminences north of Pine Hill, the one 

 which gives the best view might be called Silver Mine Hill. 

 At its northwest base is a deep shaft where the precious metals 

 were sought a few years ago. More money was sunk in the 

 hole than was dug out of it. The extensive wooded elevation 

 north of the mine was called by Mr. Wright, Mt. Lincoln. 

 He said he could get a good view from this hill by climbing a 

 tree. I presume I have never found the tree he climbed. 



In the depression south of Spot Pond and between Forest, 

 Elm, and Fulton Streets, is a pretty pond made for ice-cutting. 

 A higher dam would flow a large anea and furnish a good 

 supply of water. It would be wise policy on the part of Med- 

 ford to secure this area as a future addition to her water- 

 supply ; for if the municipalities which now draw upon Spot 

 Pond continue to grow in population at the rapid rate of the 



1 The height as given by. Mr. Wright, obtained by levelling. 

 APPALACHIA IV. 14 



