Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-07-19
WRITTEN ron THE VERMONT PnGEII.
MOUNT Iv.fCHUsRTT.

Many mountains are higher than Wa
chuselt. Yet there are but few from which
the views are lovelier. Situate some twelve
miles from Worcester and forty-fve from
Boston, the mountain makes its mark In
the town of Princeton, county of Woroes-
ter Its summit, as deter mined by the en-
gineers Of the coast survey, is 1900 feet
above the level OF the sea. The nearest
ride by railway to Wachusett is over the
Boston, Barre aud Gardner road. one sta
ton of which is in Princeton. The grade
is gradual till the traveller reaches the
"Mountain House," within half a mile or
so of the summit. The last half mile is
steep, yet 1t can be readily travelled on
foot or on horseback but for feeble folks,
Mr.. Morse who keeps the house upon the
top of the mountain, comes down with a
little cart and a stout horse which takes the
mother and child up the mountain with
perfect safety. Three-fourths Of an hour
Is ample time TO take the trip from the
"Mountain House" to the "Tip-top," and
was told by gentleman of our party of to-
day, July II, that his wife went up once in
fifteen minutes. No woman ought, how
S'N't W "NeSihPN ouNh iapiu up VI
down mountain, as such severe labor not
only shocks her constitution, but also de-
prives her of the many. pretty views seen
through the openings of the forest, even
before she stands upon the summit. This
latter point gained, the prospect is grand
and lovely. seemed to stand in the CEN
tire of circular panorama, a view so ex-
tensive that the eye refuses to take in the
whole at once; so kept looking and turn
ing, turning and looking, never satisfied
with such scenes of beauty. One hundred
| villages cities and towns, are said to be seen
from the top of Wachusett. l know the
names of but few of them, and need to
study the geography of Massachusetts in
detail before giving more: Petersham,
Gardner, Westminster, Fitchburg, Leom-
inster, Lancaster, Aver, Bolton, Clinton
| and Worcester, are all set down before me
on a living map of nature and art. Boston,
Bunker Hill monument, the dome Of the
State House, and shipping in the harbor,
the guide said, arc visible at sunset and
sunrise of clear days. was not incredu-
lous, but believed all he said, as he seemed
| a man of truth. The local points near are
the stone house, some 80 by 40 feet base,
kept by Mr.. w. G. Morse and family, who
entertained us so kindly we were sad on
parting, and who furnishe our eyes dur
ing the day with telescope and other glasses
for our surveys of scenery; and the trig-
onometric points of the U. S. survey, sim
| pie copper bolts set in the rocks 10 note the
points of compass; and certain distant
points of observation, like Blue Hill in
Milton, Mount Holyoke, and Monadnock,
| which is the most elevated and prominent
| object seen from Wachusett
| The declining sun advised us to descend.
Among the mementoes of the mountain 1
may mention that travellers enter their
nam es some in the solid rocks, while 9TH
ers Of more modest aspirations simply re-
| cord their names and residences in book
| Mt the house. In this latter, read for Ju-
| ly IL, 1872, with others, "Justin d. Fulton"
| the doctor who, as you know, breaches
in fremont Temp!e-Sarah and Sadie Full
ton, his wife and child. hope he will par
don me for exposing his whereabouts upon
that day devoted to sublime and sweet rec
reation. In answer TO my query, the doc
tor acquaintod me that at considerable ex-
pense of time and money he had crossed
the Atlantic 10 find among the Alps views
no better than what he saw TO day from
Wachusett. l believed him, too, though
with the eye of faith alone could compare
Swiss scenery with the lowlier scenes
spread Lofore me now; nor will l omit TO
say saw fourteen lakes or ponds in Mass
ac husetts around this mountain. Can
Switzerland boast of more lakes or pretter
ponds But was about descending-we
were just half an hour winding our way
down. The jaunt is by no means tresome,
and with the exercise of every needed mus
Gle, the braclng air, the exciting scenery,
and the heavenly lyinfluences which pervade
these upper regions, remote from the toll
and trouble of lower life,-a visit upon
Wachusett allures persons to resort again
to this rocky retreat; and, Mr.. Editor,
when you fly away to this mountain height,
may my wife Matte and be there to see.
| ID. l.. A.