84 



Topographical Geology. 



unnamed. It is to be hoped that men of taste, will see to it, that nei- 

 ther Tom, nor Toby, nor Bears, nor Rattle Snakes, nor Sugar Loaves, 

 shall be Saddled upon them. 



In the eastern part of the State, the interesting mountains are few. 

 The loftiest and most striking is 



Wachusett. 



This mountain is in Princeton, whose general elevation, above the 

 ocean, is 1100 feet: and the mountain lifts its conical head 1900 feet 

 higher, so as to be 3000 feet above Massachusetts Bay. The ascent 

 on foot is not difficult. From the summit, which is little more than 

 naked rock, the eye takes in a vast extent of country on every side. 

 On the east and south the distant h ills are comparatively low, and seem 

 to possess an even outline. On the west and northwest, mountain 

 ridges, and peaks succeed one another, becoming more and more faint 

 until the distant Hoosic and Green Mountains fade away into the blue 

 heavens. Several neat villages around the base of this mountain with 

 numerous ponds of considerable extent, give an interesting variety 

 and liveliness to the picture. Probably more of Massachusetts may 

 be seen from this mountain than from any other in the State. It at- 

 tracts numerous visitors, and a small square wooden tower has been 

 erected on the top. 



Blue Hills. 



This is the highest and most conspicuous range of hills in the vicin- 

 ity of Boston. It is most elevated at its western extremity, in the 

 southwest part of Milton, where it rises 710 feet above the ocean. A 

 little to the southeast, and just within the limits of Quincy, the sum- 

 mit is elevated 680 feet. Still farther east it is 570 feet. Northeast 

 a little from this peak, another is 530 feet high. The Monument 

 Quarry in the northeast part of these hills, is 390 feet high ; and Pine 

 Hill, to the southeast of this quarry, is 235 feet high. All these sum- 

 mits command extensive and most interesting prospects. And there 

 are some circumstances that impart to these landscapes peculiar inter- 

 est. One is the proximity of these hills to Boston ; whose numerous 

 edifices, masts, spires and towers ; and, nobly peering above the rest, 

 the dome of the State House, present before the observer, a most for- 

 cible example of human skill and industry, vieing with, and almost 

 eclipsing nature. And the high state of cultivation exhibited in the 

 vicinity of Boston, with the numerous elegant mansions of private 



