NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



166 



sachusetts. This State was the scene of one of the most remarkable ev^ents in the history of 

 the Revolution ; this was the march of Arnold and his troops against Quebec, in 1775, across 

 an unexplored wilderness. He set out about the middle of September witii a body of 1,000 

 men ; they proceeded up the Kennebec against a swift current, and the frequent obstructions 

 of rapids and cataracts, round which they were obliged to draw their arms, provisions, and 

 boats, by hand. Their course, after this, lay through deep swamps, and over rugged moun- 

 tains. Such was their incessant toil, that large numbers were overcome with fatigue and sick- 

 ness, and turned back. The whole of the rear division also became disheartened and returned. 

 Those who proceeded, had soon to suffer the horrors of famine in addition to other distresses ; 

 yet they heroically continued their march. Before they reached the highlands, in the neighbor- 

 hood of Canada, their provisions failed, and such was their extremity, that dogs, the leather of 

 cartridge-boxes, and shoes, were devoured. The troops at last nearly sank under fatigue and 

 hunger ; the order of march was broken up and each man sought his own safety. The las/ 

 morsel of food was consumed, when they reached the neighborhood of a settlement. Arnold 

 with a few of the most vigorous among the troops, now pushed on, and, after 30 miles' march, 

 arrived at a French village on the Chaudiere, where relief was obtained. In this expedition, 

 almost unparalleled for the fortitude and suffering which it exhibited, the troops were thirty two 

 days without seeing the abode of man. 



CHAPTER VI. NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY. 



1. Boundaries and Extent. New Hampshire is bounded N. by Lower Canada; E. by 

 Maine ; S. by Massachusetts ; and W. by Connecticut River, Avhich separates it from Ver- 

 mont. It extends from 42° 41' to 45° 20' N. latitude, and from 70° 40' to 72° 28' W. lon- 

 gitude ; being 16S miles in length from N. to S., and 90 in breadth. It comprises an area of 

 9,491 square miles, or 0,074,240 acres, including 110,000 acres of water. 



2. Mountains. Between the Merrimack and Connecticut in the southwest part of this State 

 there extends a ridge from S. to N. called the Whi'.e Mountain Ridge, the loftiest summits of 

 this are Monadnock, 3,254 feet high, Sunapee, Kearsarge, Carr's Mountain, and Mooshelock, 

 called by a corruption, Moosehillock. This last is 4,636 feet high. Towards the N. of the 

 State, these eminences rise to a much higher elevation, and are known by the name of the 

 White Mountains. 



These merit a particular description from their superior height, and the noble and picturesque 



scenery which they exhibit. They are 

 among the loftiest mountains in the United 

 States, east of the Mississippi. They lie 

 between the Connecticut and Androscog- 

 gni rivers on the N. E. and west, and the 

 head waters of the Merrimack on the 

 south, 60 or 70 miles from the coast ; yet 

 their white summits are visible for many 

 miles at sea. They extend about 20 miles 

 froin S. W. to N. E., and their base is 8 

 or 10 miles broad. The highest summit 

 is Mount Washington, 6,428 feet above 

 the level of the sea. The best descrip- 

 tion of these mountains has been given by 

 Dr. Dwight, whose account we shall 

 chiefly follow, using for the most part his 

 own words : 



In passing from the South to Mount Washington, the traveler crosses Mounts Pleasant, 

 Franklin, and Monroe. In the way lie forests and ravines choked with trees, whose branches 

 interlock in such a manner, that it is very difficult to pass through them. Mount Pleasant is 

 easily ascended. Its top, to the extent of 5 or 6 acres is smooth, and gradually slopes away 

 in every direction from its centre. It is everywhere covered with short grass, growing in little 

 tufts to the height r f 4 or 5 inches ; among these tufts mountain flowers are thinly scattered 



