* 
 
 • * 
 
Hold the book as shown above. 
 
 (Place the lenses c IoszAq H he 
 both open. 
 
 Secure a posfi 
 the picture. 
 
 Adjust the 
 moving the adj 
 
 the lenses, forward '^^acJ^z^f^fzOermg 
 that but one picture is to be developed out 
 of the two in the illustration , and until 
 this is secured, you fail to obtain that 
 beautiful natural effect which the Stereo= 
 scope will produce. 
 
GEMS 
 
 OF 
 
 AMERICAN SCENERY, 
 
 AMONG THE 
 
 WHITE MOUNTAINS. 
 
 WITH DESCRIPTIVE TEXT. 
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE ARTOTYPE PROCESS. 
 Bierstadt Patent, March 21, 1876. 
 
 PUBLISHED BY 
 
 HARROUN & BIERSTADT, 
 
 NEW-YORK. 
 
* 
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1878, 
 By Harroun & Bierstadt, 
 
 In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 
 
 * 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 I N presenting this work to the public it has not been 
 our purpose to issue an ordinary guide-book, filled 
 with mere records of routes, hotels, prices, &c.; we have 
 rather sought to avoid such details, and have bestowed 
 our attention on the natural scenery of the mountains. 
 We have endeavored to produce a book which will serve 
 as a souvenir to visitors and which will not be thrown 
 aside after a few days, but will always be looked at with 
 pleasure. 
 
 For attaining the present excellence of our illustrations 
 we are largely indebted to the “ Artotype Process,” by 
 means of which we not only produce pictures at less cost, 
 but fully equal to ordinary photographs in brilliancy, with 
 the additional advantage of permanency. Instead of the 
 unstable salts of silver, our illustrations are printed in 
 permanent pigments, and will retain their brilliancy as 
 long as the paper lasts on which they are printed. 
 
 The best form of prismatic lens is adopted. Their 
 arrangement is new and perfect, and they are so carefully 
 adjusted that the stereoscopic effect is seen as easily as 
 with the most costly instrument made. 
 
 The greatest care possible has been used in selecting 
 the various subjects for illustrations, in order to have 
 only those points that would prove most interesting to 
 the public. Appended to each picture is a short de¬ 
 scription of the place it represents, containing many 
 facts which may interest the reader. 
 
 The perfection of the whole arrangement is such that 
 we feel it must commend itself to all lovers of natural 
 scenery'. 
 
 Before describing in detail any particular part of the 
 mountains, perhaps a short historical account of the 
 
region and of some of the associations connected with 
 it would interest the reader. 
 
 Long before the European settlers had broken the 
 solitude which reigned over the New England coast, 
 the White Mountains had been the object of the In¬ 
 dians’ fear and veneration. Their savage minds were 
 early impressed by the wildness and grandeur of the 
 scene. They saw the Great Spirit in the lofty hills and 
 the thunders of the elements. Here they performed 
 their simple rites and ceremonies, without molestation, 
 for ages, and nearly every spot gained fresh interest from 
 some weird story or legend which had been handed down 
 through many generations. Some of the beautiful names 
 they gave to the rivers, mountains and lakes still sur¬ 
 vive : such as Ammonoosuc, Chocorua, Kiarsar^e, Win - 
 nipisaukee. Mt. Washington they called Agiochook, 
 “The Mountain of the Snowy Forehead;” and so, 
 nearly every name suggested some feature of the spot 
 to which it belonged, or recalled some story connected 
 with it. But like the people themselves, the names have 
 been pushed aside by the innovations of the less poetical 
 and more practical explorers, eager to bestow honor on 
 their earthly divinities;. 
 
 The height and situation of the mountains, so near the 
 coast and visible far out at sea, made it extremely im • 
 probable that they would long remain unexplored by the 
 hardy settlers. Accordingly we find that in 1631 or 1632, 
 only eleven years after the landing of the Mayflower, they 
 were visited by Walter Neal and others. These were 
 probably the first white men who had ever trod there, 
 though undoubtedly many of the early visits have never 
 been recorded. In 1642, Darby Field, an Irishman, 
 traveling with Indian guides, made the ascent to the 
 summit. His description of the journey is given at some 
 length in “Winthrop’s Journal.” 
 
 Though so near to our largest cities and most thickly 
 populated districts, they remained unknown except to 
 
venturesome travelers in search of fresh novelties, and to 
 the few people living in the vicinity. The beauties of the 
 scenery were not sufficiently great to cause the discom¬ 
 forts of traveling to be overlooked. As late as 1792 the 
 only settler in the region was Abel Crawford, who gained 
 quite a reputation by acting as guide to visitors. The 
 first hotel in the mountains was built by him in 1803,, 
 on the spot where the Fabyan House now stands. It 
 bore no resemblance, however, to its successors of the 
 present day, being a plain structure capable of giving 
 temporary shelter to a few guests only. 
 
 Since 1821, when the mountains were first visited by 
 ladies, they have become widely known and each year are 
 visited by a large number of people. Every facility for 
 sight-S-eing has been gradually furnished as the increase 
 of travel demanded. Several railroads land the traveler 
 either at or within easy distance of the numerous hotels 
 which have sprung up in the most beautiful spots, and 
 which furnish every comfort imaginable to the city 
 visitors. In 1855 the old bridle path to the summit of 
 Mt. Washington was superseded by a well-built carriage 
 road, thus rendering the ascent rapid and easy, while two 
 houses furnished shelter to those who wished to see the 
 sun rise and set from the summit. Within a few years a 
 railroad has been built up the mountain, a description of 
 which is reserved for another place. 
 
 So much has been already said by others in regard to 
 the beauties of the scenery here that it seems superfluous 
 for us to add anything more. Altogether, the White 
 Mountains form one of the finest places of summer resort 
 on our continent. The sea shore perhaps exerts more 
 powerful attractions for some, but mountain scenery 
 certainly engages the affections of the larger number, 
 and while this is the case Americans will not cease to 
 come and praise the “ Switzerland of America.” 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Plymouth, N. H. 7 
 
 The Flume. h 
 
 The Pool. 15 
 
 The Basin. 19 
 
 The Old Man of the Mountain. 23 
 
 Profile Lake. 27 
 
 Echo Lake. 31 
 
 Beecher’s Cascade. 35 
 
 Elephant’s Head and Gate of the Notch. 39 
 
 View from the Gate of the Notch. 43 
 
 Ripley's Falls. *47 
 
 White Mountain Notch from Mt. Willey. 51 
 
 Willey House. 55 
 
 Upper Falls of the Ammonoosuc . 59 
 
 Mt. Washington Railway and Summit. 63 
 
 View from Mt. Washington Carriage Road_ 67 
 
 Mt. Washington from the Glen. 71 
 
 Emerald Pool . 75 
 
 Thompson’s Cascades. 79 
 
 Crystal Cascade. 83 
 
 Glen Ellis Falls. 87 
 
 North Conway, N. H. 91 
 
 The Cathedral. 95 
 
 Centre Harbor, N. H. 99 
 

 
PLYMOUTH, N. H. 
 
 I S situated on the banks of the Pemigewasset River, 
 
 125 miles from Boston, and is reached in half a 
 day’s ride by the Boston, Concord, and Montreal Rail¬ 
 road. Tourists to and from the White Mountains by 
 railroad and stage stop here to dine at the Pemigewasset 
 House, a part of which is used as the station. From this 
 point stages leave daily for the trip through the Pemige- jg 
 wasset Valley, to the Flume, Profile House, and through 
 the Franconia Notch. Livermore Falls, on the Pemige- v 
 wasset, a short distance from the village, though half 
 artificial, is one of the prettiest of the cascades that 
 abound on that beautiful river. Just north of the village, 
 Baker’s River contributes its waters to the Pemigewasset,_ 
 which in turn joins the Merrimack, miles below, on its 
 way to the sea. In the village stands the old building 
 where Daniel Webster made his first legal argument. 
 
 The lamented T. Starr King says in his book “ The 
 White Hills,” that “ in scenery Plymouth is remarkable 
 for the beauty of its meadows, through which the Pemige¬ 
 wasset winds, and for the grace of its elm-trees.” 
 
 From the Summit of Prospect Mountain, near Plym- ; v 
 outh, we get fine views of the famous lakes Winnipisaukee 
 and Squam, while the hazy mountains in the distance 
 make up a scene of exceeding beauty. 
 

 
THE FLUME. 
 
 O NE of the chief objects of interest in the Franconia 
 Mountains is the Flume. It is situated about 
 three quarters of a mile from the Flume House in the 
 forest. A short walk following the stream up toward its 
 source, and passing on the way several beautiful Cascades, 
 soon brings us to the narrow fissure in the mountain 
 through which the stream flows several hundred feet, 
 between granite walls over fifty feet high Crossing and 
 recrossing from one side to the other on rustic bridges 
 and planks, laid from rock to rock we advance toward 
 the upper end, where the Flume contracts to a width of 
 about ten feet, holding suspended over our heads a large 
 bowlder, which constantly seems as if about to fall and 
 crush the venturesome traveler. By climbing the rocky 
 cliffs one can obtain a fine view from above; a small 
 bridge, formed of a fallen tree, crosses the fissure, and 
 looking down, one sees the stream dancing on its way to 
 the Pemigewasset, the bowlder lightly hanging in its place, 
 and the sight-seers *vearily toiling through. 
 
 Above as well as below the Flume, and on its course 
 through, the stream is broken into numerous small cas¬ 
 cades and falls, which add to the wild beauty of the 
 scene. 
 


 
 
 . 
 
14 
 
 ♦ 
 
 THE POOL. 
 
 AKING a small path in front of the Flume House, 
 
 X a walk of three-quarters of a mile through the 
 cool and beautiful woods, brings us to the Pool, which is 
 very similar to the Basin, formed in the same manner, 
 though on a grander scale. The waters of the Pemige- 
 wasset pour over a small cascade into a nearly circular 
 excavation in the rock, about one hundred and fifty feet 
 in diameter. The watei is remarkably clear, and appears 
 of a dark green color, owing to its great depth, nearly 
 forty feet An old man who has been there many years 
 will row any one who wishes it around the Pool in his 
 boat, for a small remuneration. Indeed, the old man is 
 one of the attractions of the place, and is generally called 
 the Philosopher. He propounds a curious theory con¬ 
 cerning the form and structure of the earth, and will sell 
 a small pamphlet setting forth his theory. 
 
 The whole course of the Pemigewasset from Profile 
 Lake through the Basin, Pool, and on its winding way 
 through the forest, is marked by a series of cascades, 
 falls, and rapids, making it one of the prettiest and most 
 attractive streams among the mountains. 
 
15 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
18 
 
 THE BASIN. 
 
 FEW miles south of the Profile House the Pemige- 
 
 ii wasset River, flowing close to the roadside, falls 
 in a small cascade into the Basin. The whirling motion 
 of the water, carrying with it bowlders and stones, has 
 ground this cavity into the solid granite. It is between 
 thirty and forty feet in diameter, and the water in it is 
 about eighteen feet deep. Even in the warmest weather 
 of summer the water is intensely cold, and so clear that 
 minute objects at the bottom can be distinctly seen. 
 
 The situation of the Basin, so near the road that it can 
 easily be seen from the carriage, detracts from the beauty 
 of this natural curiosity, which would otherwise be more 
 generally noticed. 
 
 Just in front of the Basin, on the same side of the road, 
 is a path leading to another series of cascades and rapids 
 well worth visiting. 
 
 * 
 
19 
 

* 
 
 * 
 
 23 
 
 THE OLD MAN OF THE MOUNTAIN. 
 
 HE object which attracts, perhaps, more attention 
 
 JL from visitors ihan any other single place in the 
 mountains, and which all tourists never fail to see, is the 
 “ Old Man of the Mountain.” It has often been the 
 theme of prose and verse, and Hawthorne has made it 
 the subject of one of his most delightful stories. Passing 
 down the road some fifty rods from the Profile House, a 
 small sign inscribed with the single word “ Profile ” directs 
 the visitor’s attention to the object of his search. Taking 
 a seat on the bench by the roadside and looking up, 
 there, 1,500 feet above the road, is the “ Old Stone 
 Face,” looking over the placid lake at the mountain’s 
 base, and down the valley. With its massive forehead 
 and chin, and sharply cut nose, it wears a stern expres¬ 
 sion, but seems a little yielding about the thin lips. 
 
 It is a colossal piece of natural sculpture foimed by 
 masses of rock jutting over one another so as to exactly 
 resemble the human face. Its length from the chin to 
 the top of the forehead is eighty feet; and what adds to 
 the wonder, is the fact that the crags which form the pro¬ 
 file are not directly under each other. Moving a few rods 
 further down, the face becomes distorted into a toothless 
 old woman, and gradually all resemblance to a human 
 face is lost, and it fades away into the bare, steep cliif 
 of Cannon Mountain. 
 
 The beautiful little lake at the mountain’s base is 
 sometimes called the “Old Man’s Wash-bowl,” but is 
 more generally known as “ Profile Lake.” 
 
 
2d 
 

26 
 
 PROFILE LAKE. 
 
 HIS lovely sheet of water was formerly known as 
 
 X “Ferrin’s Pond,” but is now called by the more 
 euphonious title of “ Profile Lake.” It lies near the 
 highest part of the road through Franconia Notch, and 
 is only a few rods from the Profile House. The springs 
 that supply it with water are within a stone’s throw of 
 streams that flow in an opposite direction into Echo 
 Lake, on the other side of the ridge. From the western 
 shore the steep side of Profile or Cannon Mountain 
 covered with trees, rises high above the bosom of the 
 lake. Seated on the benches by the margin, we can 
 watch the dancing image of the “Great Stone Face” 
 inverted in the water; from this circumstance the lake 
 lias been termed by many, in fancy, the “Old Man’s 
 Mirror” or the “ Old Man's Wash-bowl.” Or if we wish 
 we can have a pleasant row around the lake, calling 
 forth the echo that exists here,, but which, of course, 
 cannot compare with its rival in another part of the 
 Notch. From the southern end, the Pemigewasset flows, 
 a rushing, babbling brook, abounding in beautiful rapids 
 and cascades, and deep pools where the speckled trout 
 lurk in the shadows. The lake is a favorite resort of 
 fishermen, and many stories are told of enormous trout 
 that have been drawn from its waters. 
 

 ■ 'X, 
 
 >* 
 
 

30 
 
 ECHO LAKE. 
 
 HIS beautiful lake is situated about half a mile 
 
 A. north of the Profile House, on the road to the 
 village of Franconia, and, as its name implies, is cele¬ 
 brated, and justly too, for the wonderful echo that is 
 heard there. Its location is favorable for producing 
 such a reputation, as it is completely walled in on all 
 sides by Mount Cannon, Bald Mountain, and Mount 
 Lafayette, against whose rocky sides every sound is 
 tossed back and forth until growing fainter in the 
 distance it is borne upward and lost in the thin air. 
 Late in the afternoon when the mountains cast their 
 shadows over the lake, it is visited by a large number 
 from the hotel and vicinity, and boating parties row 
 around wakening with their merry voices the echoes that 
 lie sleeping here. But the human voice is not loud 
 enough for many visitors, so a trumpet is kept at the 
 boat-house to satisfy their longings with its more power¬ 
 ful tones ; or a small cannon is discharged, and then the 
 uproar is tremendous, sounding as if a whole park of 
 artillery were in the neighborhood. 
 
 Perhaps, to those who come here often, impressed with 
 the unfailing charm of the spot, Wordsworth’s noble 
 description of mountain echoes, though originally written 
 of another lake and other mountains, will not seem out 
 of place : 
 
 “The Rock, like something starting from a sleep, 
 
 Took up the Lady’s voice, and laughed again ; 
 
 That ancient Woman, seated on Helm-crag, 
 
 Was ready with her cavern ; Hammer-scar, 
 
 And the tall steep of Silver-how, sent forth 
 A noise of laughter ; southern Loughrigg heard, 
 
 And Fairfield answered with a mountain tone; 
 Helvellyn far into the clear blue sky 
 Carried the Lady’s voice,—old Skiddaw blew 
 His speaking-trumpet ;—back out of the clouds 
 Of Glaramara southward came the voice ; 
 
 And Kirkstone tossed it from his misty head.” 
 
 
 
ECHO iAKE. 
 
 31 
 

 
BEECHER’S CASCADES. 
 
 J UST at the west of the Crawford House is a path 
 leading through the woods for a quarter of a mile, 
 where we reach a brawling mountain stream, along the 
 course of which is a succession of cascades and water¬ 
 falls. 
 
 These cascades were discovered in 1858, and were first 
 named “ Gibb’s Cascades ” in honor of the proprietor of 
 the Crawford House at that time, but the name has 
 since been changed to the one above given. 
 
 Of the three principal falls that make up the group, 
 the middle one, which we have chosen for our illustration, 
 is, perhaps, the most beautiful. But it is difficult to make 
 any choice in that respect; each has its attractions, and 
 with their forest surroundings the series form one of the 
 many charming spots in the Notch. 
 
35 
 

38 
 
 ELEPHANTS HEAD 
 AND GATE OF THE NOTCH. 
 
 ROM the piazza of the Crawford House 
 
 the Gate of the White Mountain Notch 
 
 is in full view. The rock at the left resem¬ 
 bles the head of an elephant facing the road 
 and apparently guarding the entrance. Near 
 this rock the first Crawford House was built, 
 which was afterwards destroyed by fire. In 
 the distance the rounded dome of Mount 
 Webster rises 2,000 feet above the Elephant’s 
 Head, forming the eastern wall of the Notch. 
 
 At the right, near the point from which 
 our illustration is taken, is the road leading 
 to the top of Mount Willard. 
 
E LEPHANT” S HEAD AND GATE OP 
 
 89 
 
mm m ---- -__ 
 
42 
 
 VIEW FROM THE GATE OF THE 
 
 NOTCH. 
 
 HE Saco, searching for a passage through the 
 
 A. mountains, on its way to the ocean, flows, while 
 yet a small brook, through the great White Mountain 
 Notch. This natural gate-way was discovered in 1772, 
 by a hunter named Nash, and served as a shorter route 
 for farmers to bring their provisions from the towns 
 below. 
 
 It is a dark, gloomy scene, but one of sublime grandeur. 
 The greater part of the way is an easy ascent, with the 
 steep walls of Mount Webster on the east and Mount 
 Willey on the west, towering 2,000 feet above the road. 
 Directly to the north is the frowning cliff of Mount 
 Willard, a perpendicular wall of over 1,200 feet, which 
 seems to bar all further progress. Just before reaching 
 this point the hardest part of the road begins. While 
 toiling up the rocky way, a short curve brings us to the 
 gate of the Notch, within full view of the Crawford 
 House, which is situated a short distance outside, on 
 a level plateau several acres in extent. 
 
 This house is a central point from which excursions 
 are made to the Notch, Silver Cascade, Gibb’s Cascade, 
 Mount Willard, Mount Washington, by rail or by the old 
 bridle path. 
 
 Following in the footsteps of man, the railroad has 
 penetrated this quiet place, and broken the solitude of 
 the scene. Travelers to and from North Conway can 
 now pass through the Notch by rail. 
 
43 
 
 *r 
 


RIPLEY’S FALLS. 
 
 I N describing these falls (sometimes known as the 
 “ Sylvan Glade Cataract ” ) we content ourselves 
 with quoting from T. Starr King’s “White Hills,” feeling 
 that his description cannot be improved : 
 
 “ But a more wild and beautiful water-fall than any 
 hitherto seen on the western side of the mountains, was 
 discovered on Mount Willey in September, 1858, by Mr. 
 Ripley, of North Conway, and Mr. Porter, of New York. 
 An old fisherman had reported that he had once seen a 
 wonderful cascade on a stream that pours down that 
 mountain, and empties into the Saco below the Willey 
 House. These gentlemen drove through the Notch to 
 the second bridge below the Willey House, which crosses 
 a stream with the unpoetical name of Cow Brook, and 
 followed up this rivulet into the wild forest. An ascent 
 of nearly two miles revealed to them the object of their 
 search, inclosed between the granite walls of a very steep 
 ravine, whose cliffs, crowned with a dense forest of spruce, 
 are singularly grand. They saw the cascade leaping first 
 over four rock\ stair-ways, each of them about six feet 
 high, and then gliding, at an angle of forty-five degrees, 
 a hundred and fifty feet with many graceful curves, down 
 a solid bed of granite into a pool below. The cascade 
 is about seventy-five feet wide at the base, and fifty at the 
 summit.” 
 
* 
 
WHITE MOUNTAIN NOTCH FROM 
 MOUNT WILLEY. 
 
 S INCE the Portland and Ogdensburgh Railway was 
 built through the White Mountain Notch, many 
 fine views have been made easy of access that formerly 
 required hours of hard climbing. All along the line of 
 the road from North Conway to where it emerges from 
 the shadow of the mountains at the Crawford House, 
 magnificent views are obtained of the Saco Valley in¬ 
 closed by the steep walls of Mount Webster on the east, 
 and Mount Willey on the west. The railroad creeps 
 along the side of the latter, crossing the track of the 
 famous avalanche that overwhelmed the Willey family in 
 1826. 
 
 Our illustration is taken looking toward the north, over 
 the tops of the forest trees, and admirably shows the 
 curve of the valley as it sweeps from the summit of one 
 mountain to another. Far in the distance the Willey 
 House is seen nestling in the bottom of the valley, while 
 above it the railroad clings to the side of Mount Willey, 
 and farther along skirts the almost perpendicular cliffs of 
 Mount Willard. 
 
 Many of the guests at the hotels in the vicinity take 
 advantage of the facilities offered by the railroad company 
 and make the trip through the Notch. Open cars are 
 furnished, so that the traveler can enjoy an unobstructed 
 view in every direction. The trip is a thoroughly enjoy¬ 
 able one, and should not be omitted. 
 
 
 
WHITE MOUNTAIN NOTCH PROM MOUNT WILLEY. 
 
 

 f 
 
 m 
 
 
 
 
54 
 
 THE WILLEY HOUSE. 
 
 HE traveler through the White Mountain Notch 
 
 J. is shown an old house, standing by the roadside, 
 which is the scene of the most tragic incident which 
 ever happened among the mountains. According to 
 Spaulding, the Willey House was originally built in 
 1793, and was first occupied by Mr. Samuel Willey, Jr., 
 and family, in the autumn of 1825. In June of the 
 following year they noticed a large mass of earth and 
 rock glide down the side of Mount Willey, which rises 
 in the rear of the house, and cover the road a short 
 distance from them. Fearing for the safety of his family, 
 Mr. Willey built a strong hut further down the valley, 
 whither they might flee, if any avalanche should threaten 
 the house. Late in the summer there was a long drought, 
 and on the 27th of August the rain commenced. For 
 three days the tempest raged, and when it cleared at last 
 the whole country presented a vast scene of devastation. 
 Trees were felled in all directions, and the beds of the 
 rivers were strewn with vast bowlders, torn from the 
 mountains by the avalanches, which marked and scarred 
 them on all sides. For a few days, the people in the 
 neighboring villages were in doubt ^s to the fate of the 
 Willey family, and when they entered the Notch their 
 worst fears were realized. The house was still standing, 
 but empty and deserted. The avalanche had split on a 
 large rock, just back of the house, and came down on 
 each side. After a short search, the bodies of four of 
 the family and two hired men were discovered. Three 
 others, a daughter and two sons, were never found. It 
 is thought that in the darkness of night, amidst the 
 raging of the tempest, as the family tried to escape to a 
 place of safety, they were overtaken, and perished beneath 
 the avalanche. Their house still stands in the dark and 
 gloomy Notch, and behind it can be seen the rock which 
 saved it from destruction. 
 

 \ 
 
 
 
58 
 
 UPPER FALLS OF THE 
 AMMONOOSUC. 
 
 HESE falls or rapids are near the 
 
 X Fabyan House, not more than three 
 miles distant from the Crawford House, 
 and within a short distance of the Mount 
 Washington Railway Station. 
 
 The Ammonoosuc has been called the 
 “wildest stream in New England.” It is 
 fed from the cone of Mount Washington 
 and the Blue Ponds near the summit of 
 Mount Monroe, and dashes down its rocky 
 course of thirty miles with a descent of 
 more than five thousand feet to where it 
 joins the Connecticut at Wells River. 
 
59 
 

 
 ' ■ • : t~ . •' - 
 
 
• ; 
 
 
 
 
 
 
•f 
 
 62 
 
 MOUNT WASHINGTON RAILWAY 
 AND SUMMIT. 
 
 T HIS wonderful piece of engineering was projected 
 in 1858, when a charter was granted to Sylvester 
 Marsh for constructing the road. The work of building 
 was not commenced until 1866, and it occupied three 
 years in construction. 
 
 The road is nearly three miles long, and the ascent is 
 one foot in three. In addition to the ordinary rails, it 
 has a central double rail with cross pieces every four 
 inches, into which a cog-wheel, driven by the locomotive, 
 plays. Four revolutions of the engine are required for 
 one of the driving-wheel; the object being strength and 
 safety rather than speed. The engine is placed below 
 the passenger car and pushes it up the mountain at a 
 moderately slow rate of speed. Both locomotive and 
 car are provided with friction and atmospheric brakes, to 
 guard against accidents, and the arrangements for safety 
 and comfort are so complete that all fear may be laid 
 aside. The station is near the Fabyan House, a short 
 distance only from the Upper Falls of the Ammonoosuc. 
 It is about three miles from the Crawford House, and 
 ten miles from the Twin Mountain House.. Two trips 
 up and down the mountain are made each day. 
 
 The view here represented was taken near the top of 
 the mountain. At the right of the track a rude monument 
 marks the spot where, in 1855, Miss Lizzie Bourne died 
 from fatigue, unablh, to reach the summit, which was 
 almost in sight. Her fate was a sad one, but she was 
 only one of a large number who at different times have 
 lost their way and perished in the dense fogs that 
 frequently envelop the mountain. 
 
 Once arrived at the summit, the visitor finds the old 
 “Tip Top ” and “ Summit ” Houses still standing, though 
 they are used for other purposes than formerly. Their 
 ■places are taken by a large and commodious house, with 
 all the appointments of a first-class hotel. The Mount 
 Washington Summit House stands 6,285 feet above the 
 sea-level, and from its windows magnificent views are to 
 be had. Sometimes on a clear day, the Atlantic Ocean 
 can be seen at a distance of seventy-five miles. The 
 views at sunset and at sunrise alone will repay one for 
 the time and trouble spent in reaching the summit. 
 
 
 ' h 
 
WASHINGTON HAILWAY AND SU 
 
 68 
 

66 
 
 VIEW FROM THE MT. WASHINGTON 
 
 CARRIAGE ROAD. 
 
 MONG the different routes up Mt. Washington, 
 
 the carriage road from the Glen still remains a 
 favorite with many pleasure seekers. This road, from 
 its starting-point to the summit, is about eight miles 
 long, with an average rise of one foot in eight. About 
 half way up, the road winds around the “ Ledge ” 
 near which point our illustration is taken. From here 
 upward vegetation grows more and more stunted until 
 nearly all traces of life are lost sight of, except here 
 and there a tuft of grass or moss among the rocks. 
 
 Looking down the mountain we catch a glimpse of 
 the Glen and the Peabody River valley, while opposite 
 the view is bounded by Mt. Moriah and the Carter 
 Mountains. Down in the valley the Glen House is 
 seen, a white spot on the landscape. This hotel was 
 originally built in 1852, and since then has been 
 constantly enlarged and improved, until now it is one 
 of the largest and best known of all the mountain 
 houses. 
 
 The Glen House is a central point for visiting some 
 of the most striking scenes in the mountains. A few 
 miles distant are the Emerald and Garnet Pools on the 
 Peabody River, Thompson’s Cascade, Crystal Cascade 
 and Glen Ellis Fall. Half way up the carriage road 
 a small path branches off to Tuckerman’s Ravine, 
 though on account of its roughness few persons take 
 this route, preferring another that leads to the same 
 spot from the summit. 
 
 
 ■ V . 
 
 — 
 
 
 «■ - 
 


 
 
 
70 
 
 MOUNT WASHINGTON FROM 
 THE GLEN. * 
 
 F ROM no other point in the mountains can so 
 distinct a view be had of the principal peaks 
 of the range, as from the Glen. In one view Mounts 
 Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Madison and Clay can 
 be seen lifting toward the clouds their giant heads, 
 seamed and scarred with the storms of centuries. A 
 pleasant afternoon may be spent in watching, from the 
 piazza of the hotel, the clouds, as they sweep over the 
 summit of the mountains, often settling until they 
 envelop and hide the peaks from the eye. The carriage 
 road up Mount Washington begins at the door of the 
 house, and some two hours after the carriages have 
 started for the summit, they can be seen to emerge from 
 the forest and follow the road around the ledge about 
 midway of the ascent. The road is visible nearly the 
 whole distance above the ledge ; but the distance is so 
 great that a good glass is required to watch the move¬ 
 ments of the carriages. 
 
 The summit is 4,653 feet above the Glen, and 6,285 
 feet above the level of the sea; and, with the exception 
 of the Black Mountains in North Carolina, is the highest 
 point of land east of the Mississippi. 
 
WASHINGTON PROM THE GLEN. 
 

 
 
 \ 
 
 
 ■ , ■ 
 

74 
 
 EMERALD POOL. 
 
 N the Peabody River, which flows 
 
 directly in front of the Glen House, 
 there are numerous pools among the rocks 
 which form its bed. The largest of these 
 is within a mile of the house, in the direc¬ 
 tion of Pinkham Notch. The depth of the 
 pool and the shade of the surrounding 
 trees lend to the water a delightful green 
 color, that has given it its name. 
 
 The beauty of this forest gem has often 
 been the subject of the artist’s pencil. It 
 is easily reached, not being far from the 
 road. 
 
75 
 
' 
 
 
THOMPSON’S CASCADES. 
 
 I F the visitor were prepared for roughing it and for 
 real mountain-climbing instead of ordinary sight¬ 
 seeing, he might find on nearly every brook and stream 
 in the mountains numerous pools and cascades, for the 
 most part nameless and unknown, which would amply 
 repay him for the trouble undergone. Indeed, a large 
 part of the mountains remain comparatively unexplored, 
 ready to disclose their beauties to those who search 
 them out. 
 
 The Glen is especially rich in these hidden treasures. 
 Two rivers take their rise here, the Ellis flowing south to 
 the Saco, and the Peabody, which joins the Androscoggin 
 at Gorham. These and their tributaries, besides furnish¬ 
 ing the well-known Glen Ellis Fall and Crystal Cascade, 
 offer many smaller but not less interesting points. One 
 of the principal of these is Thompson’s Cascades, situ¬ 
 ated about two miles from the Glen House on a small 
 brook emptying into the Peabody River. 
 
 The quiet of the woods is only broken by the murmurs 
 of the lively mountain brook as it dashes down the steep 
 declivity of Mount Carter, forming a. succession of the 
 most picturesque cascades, now leaping from rock to 
 rock, and now resting for a moment in some clear trans¬ 
 parent pool, until at last it joins the Peabody and is 
 hurried away. 
 
 These falls are so near the Glen House, and the walk 
 to them so pleasant a one, that the trip should not be 
 omitted. 
 
THOMPSON’S CASCAPES. 
 

 
 
 
 
CRYSTAL CASCADE 
 
 I S situated about three miles from the Glen 
 House, and one mile from Glen Ellis 
 Falls. The best view of the fall is to be had 
 from the mossy bank opposite to and about 
 half as high as the cascade. The stream 
 rushing and dashing on its way down from 
 Tuckerman’s Ravine, several miles above, takes 
 a sudden curve at the head of the fall and 
 sweeps, in a broken sheet, seventy feet down 
 a sort of rocky stair-way, spreading toward one 
 side a thin, silvery film of water, beneath which 
 can be seen the moss-covered and stained rocks. 
 Farther down the stream are many pleasant and 
 beautiful little cascades which equal, if not 
 surpass in interest, falls which call forth such 
 ecstasy in other parts of the mountains. 
 
83 
 
86 
 
 GLEN ELLIS FALLS. 
 
 HIS cataract—the finest among the White 
 
 1 Mountains—is on the Ellis River, about 
 four miles from the Glen House, on the road 
 toward Conway through Pinkham Notch. 
 
 It is within a few minutes’ walk of the road, 
 and when viewed from above, one feels in 
 doubt as to the security of the overhanging 
 tree against which he leans for support. The 
 narrow stream of water rushes over the preci¬ 
 pice and falls with a deep roar into the pool 
 eighty feet below, finally flowing into the Saco, 
 forming views well worthy of the artist’s pencil. 
 
 To view the fall from below, we descend a 
 staircase which lands us on the rocks imme¬ 
 diately at the foot of the cataract, where we 
 cross the stream to get the finest view, from 
 which point our illustration is taken. 
 
87 
 

 ' 
 
' 
 
 
 
 
90 
 
 NORTH CONWAY, N. H. 
 
 HIS lovely village is situated on the Saco River, in 
 
 JL the most picturesque part of New Hampshire. It 
 is twenty-five miles south of the White Mountain Notch, 
 and 149 miles from Boston. It is reached by rail from 
 Boston to Lake Winnipisaukee, thence by steamer to 
 Centre Harbor and by stage to North Conway; from 
 Portland it is reached by rail direct. The place almost 
 owes its existence to artists, who find here the most lovely 
 scenery to transfer to canvas. One needs to stop here 
 several days, or even weeks, and to see the mountains at 
 different times, in order to realize the wonderful beauty 
 of the scene. From North Conway can be had the 
 finest view of the chain of the White Mountains and also 
 the Franconia range. In clear weather the houses on 
 the summit of Mount Washington can be seen with the 
 naked eye. The chief place of interest in the vicinity is 
 Mount Kiarsarge, from the summit of which a fine view 
 is had in all directions. Among other places of interest 
 are the White Horse and Hart’s Ledges, Echo Lake, 
 Thompson’s Falls, Diana’s Bath, The Cathedral, Artist’s 
 Brook and Faffs, Swift River Falls, the picturesque 
 intervales, and magnificent groves, worthy to be succes¬ 
 sors of the academic groves of Greece. 
 
 Weeks can be spent here with unceasing pleasure, 
 viewing the distant mountains at all hours. When they 
 are tinged with the gorgeous hues of sunset, during the 
 sudden storms which often burst over them, in the intense 
 glare of noonday, and when the cool shadows of evening 
 creep up their sides, until they are wrapped in the dark¬ 
 ness of night. It is a place long to be remembered, and 
 we leave it with regret. 
 
NORTH CONWAY, 
 

 
 t 
 
THE CATHEDRAL. 
 
 BOUT three miles from the 
 
 ii Kiarsarge House, on the other 
 side of the Saco, in North Conway, 
 and an easy climb on the side of the 
 Ledge, is a large cavity in the rocks, 
 about forty feet deep and sixty feet 
 high, called the Cathedral. It has a 
 smooth, level floor, and the trees 
 ranged round the opening resemble 
 columns supporting the Gothic arches 
 formed by the boughs. 
 
 A fine view of Mount Kiarsarge is 
 obtained from this place. 
 
THE CATHEDRAL 
 

 if 
 

 ~&r- 
 
 CENTRE HARBOR. 
 
 , T Weirs Station, on the Boston, Concord and 
 Montreal Railroad, we go on board the little 
 5 oat, the “ Lady of the Lake,” and a short sail 
 ' over the beautiful waters of Lake Winnipisaukee brings 
 * ;> us to Centre Harbor. This little village of two or three 
 hundred inhabitants is located at the extreme northern 
 end of the lake, and has been for many years a favorite 
 resort of mountain travelers. It is within easy distance 
 of some of the principal towns, Only fourteen mil'es/frbm 
 Plymouth, and thirty-five miles to the north is North 
 Conway on the road -to the White Mountain Notch. 
 Its principal hotel, the.' “Senter House,” directly fronts 
 the lake, and is favorably known throughout the mount¬ 
 ains for the pleasant accommodations it affords. The 
 scenery about here is of the sort that artists love to 
 sketch. There are no.wery high mountains near at hand, 
 no stupendous water-falls or deep chasms. -Nature has 
 done her. work in a gentler mood, and the prevailing 
 type of the landscape seems to be picturesqueness rather 
 than grandeur. 
 
 The numerous excursions which can be made in the 
 vicinity help to make the time pass quickly. One of the 
 pleasantest imaginable is to the summit of Red Hill, 
 which (only five miles away) rises to a height of two 
 thousand feet The view from this point takes in a wide 
 range. Near at hand the Sandwich and Ossipee Mount¬ 
 ains close in the horizon, while sixty miles to the north 
 the outline of the White Mountain range is faintly visible 
 against the "sky. On one side the beautiful little “ Squam 
 Lake” is seen, and right at our feet Winnipisaukee, the 
 “ gem of New England lakes,” stretches twenty-five miles 
 to the southward, its calm surface here and there dotted 
 with the most lovely islands. 
 
 It is hard to Tear one!s self away from the neighbor¬ 
 hood of the lake. It needs to be seen in all phases and 
 under every condition ; flashing in sunlight and darkened 
 by clouds. The scene grows upon a person until he at 
 length feels the full force of the beautiful name the 
 Indians gave it: “The smile of the ; Great Spirit.” 
 
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