170 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



Field, who gave rortjautic accounts of their adventures, and of the extent and grandeur of the 

 mountains, which they called the Crystal Hills. 



3. Valleys. The valley of the Connecticut has been already described ; the only one 

 beside, necessary to mention, is the valley of the Merrimack, which consists of sandy plains, 

 covered with pine and black timber. It is narrower than the Connecticut valley, and is often 

 contracted to the shores of the stream by rocky hills. 



4. Rivers. Connecticut River, the largest and the finest stream in New England, has its 

 origin in this State, and washes almost the whole extent of its western border. It rises in the 

 highlands which form the north boundary of the State, and runs about 170 miles S., when it 

 enters Massachusetts, through which State and Connecticut it flows to the sea. For a descrip- 

 tion of its course the reader is referred to New England. The breadth of this river in the north- 

 ern part of New Hampshire is about 150 feet. In the course of 60 miles it increases to 390 ; 

 the depth of the channel below the head of boat navigation varies from 5 to 12 feet. Many falls 

 and rapids occur in this part of the river. The interval lands are generally upon one or both sides 

 of this stream, nearly on a level with its banks, extending from half a mile to 5 miles in 

 breadth ; but the borders of the river are in some places high, rocky, and precipitous. In the 

 spring, the Connecticut overflows its banks, and fertilizes large tracts of rich meadows. Many 

 small tributaries are received by this river from New Hampshire, and 16 bridges cross it in that 

 State. 



The Merrimack rises in N. Hampshire, and has two principal branches ; one of them being 

 the outlet of Lake Winnipiseogee. The N. or longer branch is called the Pemigewasset, and 

 has its source near the Notch of the White Mountains. At its junction with the outlet of the 

 lake, this stream takes the name of Merrimack, and flows S. 78 miles to Chelmsford, where it 

 enters Massachusetts, through which it runs E. to the sea. Its whole course is about 200 

 miles. There are numerous falls in the New Hampshire portion. The Merrimack rises on 

 nearly the same level with the Connecticut, but reaches the sea in running half the extent of the 

 latter, and consequently has double the declivity of the Connecticut in a given space ; its cur- 

 rent is therefore more rapid, and the interval borders are less extensive. Though not equal to 

 the Connecticut for fine scenery, the Merrimack is a noble and beautiful stream ; its waters are 

 pure and salubrious, and on its borders are situated some of the most flourishing towns in New 

 Hampshire. Its name, in the Indian language, signified a sturgeon. Its width varies from 50 

 to 120 rods, and it is crossed by 8 bridges in this State ; it receives many minor streams, and 

 the rivers which form the outlets of several small lakes. Its obstructions have been partly reme- 

 died by locks at different places, and there is a boat navigation of about 40 miles in this State, 

 extending to Concord. The branches of the Merrimack on the east are the Squam and Sun 

 cook ; on the west the Contoocook and Baker's. 



The Piscataqua is the only considerable river whose whole course lies in New Hampshire. It 

 is formed by the junction of several small streams in a wide and deep bed ; the longest of these 

 streams is Salmon Fall River, which forms a part of the boundary between this State and 

 Maine. The others are, the Cocheco, Bellamy Bank, Oyster, Lamprey, Swampscot, and 

 Winnicut ; the last 5 of which unite their waters in a large bay between Durham and Green- 

 land. The waters of this bay meet those of the Salmon Fall and Cocheco, a few miles below 

 Dover, and flow S. E. to the sea at Portsmouth. Piscataqua harbor is one of the finest in 

 the United States. 



5. Lakes and Ponds. The largest lake is the Winnipiseogee or Wenticorth, nearly in the 

 centre of the State ; it is about 23 miles long from S. E. to N. W. and 10 wide in the broad- 

 est part. Its form is very irregular ; it is surrounded by mountains and hills, and sprinkled with 

 a multitude of beautiful islands, which are supposed to be 365 in number. This lake affords 

 the most enchanting views, and is no way inferior in beauty to Lake George. Dr. Dwight 

 thus describes it, as seen from the summit of Red Mountain. " Immediately at the foot of 

 the height on which we stood, and in the bottom of the immense valley below, spread south- 

 easterly the waters of the Winnipiseogee in complete view, except that one or two of its arms 

 were partially concealed by intervening peninsulas. A finer object of the same nature was 

 perhaps never seen. The lakes which I had visited in my northern and western excursions 

 were all of them undivided masses, bordered by shores comparatively straight. This was. 

 centrally, a vast column, if I may be allowed the term, 23 miles in length, and from 6 to 8 in 

 breadth, shooting out with inimitable beauty a succession of arms, some of them not inferior in 

 length to the whole breadth of the lake. These were fashioned with every elegance of figure, 



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