Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1849-07-06
For he Vermont Plenix.
Christening Of Met-ta-wam-pe.

On the i4ih June, the ceremonies Of christen-
ing this mountain took place.
The day WAS fine, and at an early hour a large
collection Of the inhabitants from the neiqhbor.
ing towns assembled on its summit, TO witness
the exercises. This mountain has been almost
inaccessible, and the fine prospect from il has
been unappreciated, until recently, through the
enterprise Of the Senior Class Of Amherst Col
lege, a path has been constructed to its top, and
a prospect laid open which Is surpassed 10 love.
lines by none in New England.
The ceremonies Of christening were perform
cd by tho Senior Class, by pouring water brought
from the Caspian Sea, Rivers Jordan, Euphra-
tcs and Connecticut, and other exercises appro-
pirate TO the occasion. This mountain is situated
in the eastern part OF Sunderland, 8 miles from
Connecticut River, and is the third in height IN
Massachusetts. It is 1875 feet above The level
Of the sea while Mount Tom is about 1900,
Holyokc 1000, and Sugarloaf 700.
Thus towering above all the mountains in this
valley, We have a more extensive, il not a more
beautiful view than from any one Of them. On
the north, Monadnock is seen on the north.
west, the green hills Of Vermont are visible; on
the west, we see GrAylock, and on the east
Wachuset; and on the south, the view is alb,
ruptly stopped by the Holyoke range. The vieu
from this mountain does not excite that feeling
Of awe which is felt while on the summit Of Mi
Washington, nor that which is felt while stand.
ing on the Table Rock and viewing tho roaring
Niagara; but here the beauty, not the grandeur
attract us-here VIC see Nature in all her lowell
mess, and we feel more like adoring the God o.
Nature than when standing mute, astonished a
his grandeur.
-H Be Il ours to mediate
In these calm shades, Thy mildcr majesty,
And to the beautiful order Of Thy works.
Learn to conform the order Of our lives"
The reason for changing its former name
Toby, to iis present euphonic name, Meta
wampe, 10 obvious 10 every cultivated ear
What poet would dare 10 introduce the name
Toby, in any highly finished poem?
In giving il the present name, we perpetual.
the memory Of that race which once roame,
over our mountains. and held undisputed pos
session Of our lovely New England.
MetiavAmpe was sarhem Of the tribe 20
cumptuck, which lived in this vicinity. lie a,
sisted King Philip in his wars against the Eng
lish, and Is represented az being a fierce am
brave warrior, and inveteraie in bis hatred O
the English. lie had naturally a kind and gen
crous disposition, but he thought the pale lace
had no just title to these territories; he did no
recognize the bargain which bis fathers hal
made, TO sell al their Lands for nine fathoms o
wampum; be thought il was unjust, and deter
mined that the white man should never take pos
80 sion Of this lovely valley, where his father
had lived and roamed, unmolcs,ed % long, with
out soma resistance. They fought for ,hei
homes, and for their land, and they Tough
brnvely, too; and in TOO many instances tho,
fought justly.
"Ye say they all have passed away,
That noble race and brave;
That their light canoes have vanished
From OF the crested wave"
n. - II l. 49, r.