Ludicrous Occurrence at an Inn. 207 



nonsense to speak of the Maine liquor laws. It is well known 

 all over the state that if spirituous liquors cannot be got at the 

 druggist's shop on medical grounds, there are plenty in every 

 hotel, and those who dare not drink openly and get intoxicated 

 in the towns and villages, repair to the wilderness, where in 

 autumn what are called " blackberry parties " generally end in 

 drunken brawls. I remember, when encamped on the banks 

 of Grand Lake, being astonished at seeing two young men 

 quite intoxicated, who had only passed our tent an hour 

 before, apparently perfectly sober. The Indian told us that 

 they had come out for "a spree," and fetched a bottle of whisky, 

 on the consumption of which they would return either to 

 replenish it, or to end their debauch. What pleasure it could 

 have been to these two young men to sit down in the wild 

 wilderness among the blackberries and make themselves 

 insensible with vile liquor smuggled from New Brunswick, was 

 more than I could divine ! Before I proceed to the consider- 

 ation of the natural objects observed during our excursion, I 

 must not omit notice of an amusing instance of inquisitive 

 curiosity on the part of several " loafers " about the little inn 

 of Princetown, on the banks of the Schoodic lakes. As we 

 drew up at the door, there happened to be some half-dozen 

 idlers seated on a bench smoking and whittling sticks; but no 

 sooner did the dog-cart and its inmates make their appear- 

 ance than all gathered round to see our goods and chattels 

 being removed. "They're going a-gunning and fishing, I 

 guess !" said one, as my implements of the chase and my rod 

 were handed down. Next came the professor's botanical 

 vasculum, and his wooden machine, somewhat like a large 

 double sampler-frame with a wooden back, for compressing 

 plants, together with a rather unusually-shaped portmanteau 

 and a large carpet-bag. Every one gazed intently at the two 

 first, and particularly at the machine, when a rather elderly- 

 looking, bearded man " guessed it might be a cheese press ! " 

 u They are pedlars ! " said another. I heard it remarked by 



