Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1870-10-08
OUT IN THE COUNTRY.
RUMFoRp CORNER, Oct

RUMFoRD CORNER, Oct. 4.
The lower village in Weld is beautifully
situated, commanding view of the pond
westward of it, and the intervale land
between, as well as the hills and mountains
on the opposite side, and at the head OF the
pond. Old Mount Blue towards the north
east, towers high above all the heights
around it, making them look like pig
mics in giants train. There is good and
much frequented foot path up its steep ac-
clivity, from the Weld side, as well as another
on the Avon side. Having climbed both sides
on former occasions, we did not attempt it
this time, particularly as the weather was not
favorable. There is an increasing tide OF
curious visitors who ascend the summit Of
Mount Blue from year to year, it being SO
easily accessible, and the view fromits top be-
ing more extensive than from other mountains
in Maine which are higher. think seventeen
lakes and ponds can be counted in clear
day, and know not how many villages, be-
sides a wide expanse of varied and beautiful
landscape. The two villages in Weld par
six miles of the mountain, looked like chill
drens play houses as seen from the summit.
Mount Abraham and Saddle Back, 20 or 20
miles away, are in full view, as well as hosts
of lesser mountains. Katahdin ON one side,
and Mount Washington on the other, are seen
in the far distance. As to the shipping IN
Portland harbor," this deponent saith not,
having never seen it from Monut Blue.
Whoever, being at Weld, desires to get the
finest view of the lake and village, and the
scenery around them, should not fail to take
a ride up to Col. Wheeler's, on road paral-
lei with the pond, and mile or SO east from
it, where the height of the land gives favor
able opportunity for an extended view. The
scene was well worth the ride up the hill. and
would have been still more charming with
sunshine upon it. The sky was cloudy and
lowering on Monday; yet we were much
gratifed with the view we obtained.
We took the road, in descending, which
leads to the head of the pond, and rode several
miles down on the west side, noticing some
fine farms and buildings, with frequent views
of the pond and opposite village. We passed
near the head of the pond the extensive farm
and large buildings of Mr.. Robinson, where
died a few years since his father, John Robin
son, painter well known formerly in Hal
lowell, and who lived to be over one hundred
years of age. When he was 95, he painted
the outside of his sons two story house, and
set all the glass in it.
Accidentally noticing, in returning from one
side, the entrance, near the head of the pond,
of the road leading to Byron, we turned into
| it, and rode two or three miles, discovering
some Of the widest and most pictureque seem
cry we had met with in our journey, exhibit
ing succession of grassy and wooded slopes,
interspersed with pastoral landscape, with
here and there frowning cliff of overhanging
rocks, with white brches and mountain spruces
clinging to their sides wherever they could find
| the slightest foot hold.
DIxFIELD.
Tuesday morning we left for Dixfield. Our
| route for some distance was over a fine smooth
| road through the woods. We then came in
|
them in view until we reached the village.
Dixfeld village is beautiful for situation,
embosomed amongst rounded hills, which
seem to shut it in from the outer world on al.
most every side. I have never seen spot
more romantic and picturesque than this; and
after viewing again and again the varied and
striking scenery up and down the Androscog
| gin, I still find a charm in returning to Dix
field village and its surroundings, and taking
| another look at it.
Passing up the river, we came to Rumfort
Falls, where the Androscoggin tumbles ovel
lodges of rocks through which it has somehow
made channel. One of the mysteries which
science and philosophy have failed to solve
is how water, that soft and yielding liquid
finds its course through solid walls of rock
as at Rumford Falls, Berlin Falls, Skowhe
gan, &c. The water is now so low in the An
droscoggin, that workmen were at work pre-
cipitating huge masses Of stone from thu
southern bank into the channel, in order Il
obstruct it so as turn more more of the cur
rent into the dume of the mills on the nortl
side.