Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-02-06
Iron the Wesleyan Journal.l -
EXCURSION TO MOUNT KTAADN
CHATTER III.
By ". c. LARRABEE.

U, CHATTER III. @
Banks of the Penobscot, Islands, Flow-
ers,-Useful direction, - ConicaI Hills
Mounds of the " estera States, The
camping scene.
AT 6 Q. o'clock, September 18th, we COM
menced our second days journey. The
Penobscot here was about one half mile
wide. The surface was smooth, not a rip
pie being observable. The shores FOL
some distance were lined with continuous
RATS of logs. The soil on the banks is fine
alluyium; the eastern bank Is cultivated,
forming fine farms, but the western is a for
est Of huge elms, red oak, and various
bushes. About o'clock, we caught the
first view of Ktaadn, 100 miles distant.
AS we assembled the river, we found it
grew wider, forming beautiful islands of
which splendid farms might be made. but
the islands all belong to the Indians. and
they will not work. Most of the inhabit-
ants ofthe islands were absent. Their "not
at home" was signifed by sundry old
cloths hung up at their windows. Unlike
civilized society, their "not at home"
means what it says. Althoughin Cumber-
land County vegetation was at that time
cut down by the frost. saw no indications
Of frost among the islands.
Arriving about a o'clock at the mouth
Of the Piscataquis, we left the batteau, and
with the canoe went up that river about
four miles, to pass the night at the hospita-
BILE mansion of Mr.. William G. Hammat.--
The house stands on hill overlooking the
beautiful valley Of the Piscataquis, with
its fertile intervales. In the distance lise
the blue submits Of the Ebeeme Mountains.
This hospitable family enjoy every conven-
fence and indeed luxury; and, Judging
from their kind attentions to US. we doubt
not they are worthy Of the enviable lot
which seems to have fallen to them.
In the morning we returned to the Pc
nobscot to renew our journey. MIR. Ham,
mat, and Mr.. Simmons, young gentleman
from Boston, with two boatmen, having
concluded to make the ascent Of the noun
tain with US. In the course Of the day we
passed up the river as lar as Nockmockan-
ock Island. The country is generally fiat,
and the forest has been burnt over. The
soil is clayey, but by proper cultivation
may be rendered more interesting the
river was deep and rapid, and the shores
and islands covered by thick growth Of
oak, birch, hemlock, and maple.
In addition to innumerabie species of
Aster, and other common flowers, noticed
for the first time, the beautiful, scarlet
colored Lobelia Cardinals; one ofthe most
brilliant flowers ever saw. learned, in
conversation with DR.. Jackson, what it
may be useful to the ladies' who keep house
plants to remember, that when plants are
frozen they may be saved by plunging
them before they thaw into cold water.
We passed on the banks of the river
several conical hills, much resembling the
mounds Of the Western States, so far as 1
can Judge of those in the Western States,
from the descriptions given of them.-
Those on the Penobscot are unquestiona
bly, Of diluvial origin. Professor Hitch
cock has yentured the opinion that those
in the West are of the same origin. and of
course are the works of God rather than 81
man. In this opinion | am inclined TO coin
eide. That the valley between the An.eghan.
les and the Rocky Mountains was once
covered with water, admits not 81 doubt
That such mounds as those of the West are
often formed by diluvial action, every OBJ
server knows. That me Indians finding
such elevations ready made, should nse
them for burial riaces, is quite NATURAL
But that the hatives of this country erected
these mounds for that or any other purpose
l do not believe. | am aware that tbi
opinion is inconsistent with the haf
wrought visions that have been indulget
on the subject, and that we who have new
er seen the Western mounds may be con
sidered as poorly prepared to decide thi
point. The expression of the opinion
however, will hurt nobody, and may brin.
out more carefully reported facts on ith'
question. NJ aa .alt
But to return from this aggression. Fo
the first time on our excur sion we "campe,
OUT for the night. The camping scene
being one new TO many OF my friends,
will describe il. Those we'll acquaiu,e,