Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1849-12-13
Travelling Sketches,

new 10 the White Mountains, Of which
You have given two or three " Sketches"
in former numbers of your paper, has
long since terminateds and all the men,
bersof the party participant, are enjoying
the delights and quiet of domestic life.
The notes which were made along the
way, however arc not exhausted, and as
o memorial for members OF the party,
more than with the hope Of gratifying
any other of your readers, another and
final sketch is here given.
May all who visit the wild and pictur-.
csQue scenes of the Switzerland of Amer
lea, enjoy rs much, and return with
hearts as grateful, and antIcipations as
fully realized, as they were by the party,
of which your friend was not the least
happy member. /
Our last sketch closed on our arrival
at Centre Harbor, beautiful village sit
uated near the north end Of Lake Win
nipisslogee, and between it and the cell
ebgated Red Hill on the north. One Of
the principal charms of this pleasant t
tie nook, is the excellent hotel OF Mr..
Coe, where one may enjoy as much Of
comfort as is permitted to those who seek
enjoyment away from home.
On Friday, August 3lst, we drove up
to this fine hotel, In one Of the severest
showers VIC had encountered OH our
journey. But as variety is said to be the
spice Ct life, we were not altogether I'M
prepared for, Or displeased with, this
p'ppsring. It purified the atmosphere,
hid the DUST, and brjghtened up the last
leaves OF summer. On the following
morning, we nado an excursion among
the islands OF the lake, in the fine little
steamer which plies upon it between Cen
nc Iiarbor and the rivers for the accom-
mediation Of passengers between the two
places. At the latter point, a railway
;;.toIds an easy and expeditions commu-
licati9a with Boston, Concord, Keene,
&C. Returning to dinner, we prepared
for tide to 6 Red Hill'' in the after.
noon. II you c7u'd have looked out
npon that scene on that lovely afternoon,
you might Lave seen happy party
of some ten Or twelve, all except two,
rolling along III large mountain Wagon
towards the base Of The mountain, with
the requisite number Of ponies attached
and following US, caparisoned, ready for
the ascent OF two miles, commencing at
point some two miles from the hotel.
where the Wagons left US. The ascent
is much easier than that 10 any of the
prominent peaks in the White Mountains,
and the summit, when attained, presents
You with one OF the lovliest seenes in all
shat region. The view contrasts strong
" with that from the mighty and more
majestic Mt. Washington. Here as there,
however, the surroundings are in keep
ing With the points themselves there,
grand, gloomy, and peculiar; here, beau
tiiul, diversified, and near. Immediately
at your feet on the west, is the beautiful
little lake with the most unpoetical name
of "Squam," four or FIVE miles in circu M
ference, and filled with most charming
little islands. many Of rhem looking ike
vessels floating upon its surface. Turn
ing to the south, the eye embraces the
whole of the Winnipissiogee, and very
wide range of country around it. The
lake is some twenty six miles in length,
with an extreme breadth of ten miles, full
Of islands, and with very irregular shores.
Sorae Of the islands are inhabited and
cultivated, and all very picturesque as
seen from this elevation.
Descending, we halted for a moment
about midway, to speak with an old la
dy Of some so years, who came out, as
Is her wont, to shake hands with and
crave Gods blessing upon all who will
favor her with a word, and who has
made the side of Red Hill her residence
for more than half century. Heaven
bless her still We relished delicious
supper, for which the clear mountain air
had sharpened our appetites, and spend
ing an hour or two with an agreeable
party of visitors, some of whom we had
met at other points ON our journey, we
retired to our chambers, to witness for
while the sparkling moon beams dance
upon the silver waveS--and to rest.
The little CHURCH near at hand, was
respectfully filed on the following day,
chiefly with visitors and it was delight
iul to see so large proportion of the lat
ter class disposed to attend upon divine
worship. Every place Of public resort
OF this kind, is rendered far more truly
cheerful and happy, where the majority
do thus worship IN sincerity and truth.
On Monday, September Sd. we drove
to Concord, the capital OF the State,
some thirty eight or forty miles from Cen
tire Harbor. On our way, we passed
through the neat and busting little vii.
lage at Meredith Bridge, upon the outlet
OF the lake, and also through Canterbury.
where we dined with opR of the Shaker
families, and where we were shown thro'
the establishment by one of the trustees.
The gardens, dairy rooms, and Sarsapa-
rllla establishment wara &c mo-.