Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-09-30
among the Mountains.

Mr. Editor: Last week in company
with three intimate lady friends whose
experience and disposition fitted them
Tor agreeable travelling companions
turned my back on the farm, for the pur'
pose of weeks recreation.
Our party started on Thursday last, to
visit Dixyille Notch, by way OF Newry
and Upton. We left Bethel Hill about
s A. NJ, in one large carriage Cross
ing the river a. Barker's Bridge, we pass
down the Androscoggin to Bear River,
passing in lis valley through the village
of Newry Corner, We found several fine
looking farms and dwelling houses.
About noon we arrived at Screw Anger
Falls. Tired OF riding. we took Il ram
bic on The rocks. tho river being 80 low
now that person can easily steps across
it,
II there il spot on earth that " ill
cause n person to feel that there is an
invisible Being who sustains all, it IS
when they behold some OF the wonder.
. iul works oil nature. The Jail, short
distance above the Falls. is an opening
l little way from the river; the rocks
rise perpendcularly on all sides with =
narrow opening towards the west.
After viewing all. the curiositics, we
took our seats in the carriage and passed
on 10 Upton. arriving At The Lake House
about 3, 7. NJ. This house is situated OH
/ the shore OF The Lake. is kept by HoIstlo
/ Il. Goodwin. Esq. and is layorite sum-
mer resort. being conducted by popu'
/ lar landlord who knows how 10 keep 4
/ first class hotel.
Anglers retreat is Is miles from this
place. and is accessible from this point.
The route is 10y steamer across the Lake
to the Inlet and thence by private car
riago over Il good road which is now be-
ing built five miles further. Anglers re-
treat is - great place Of resort for fisher.
men from all parts of the country. The
trout caught here lange from one to eight
pounds in weight, and the tishin. in this
section is probably unsurpassed in New
England.
During our visit, the steamer Diamond
haudsomer than ever since her recon.
siruction. took our party on board and
the excursonist were soon out upon the
bosom of the beautiful Umbagog. The
pleasant kindly face OF Capt. Perkins,
the veteran commander, still welcome:
the traveller, and he does not tire in hi,
courtcsies rs be apparently does no
weary of answering, day after day, the
same old questions Us 10 the nature %
this or that mountain peak, the distance
from this point TO that and the hundred
other queries constantly put by travel
lers. Words are inadequate to express
the charm OF sailing upon the Umbagog
because words are limited and the varie'
ty aud beauty OF the scenes which con
stantly unfold themselves are infinite
The town of Upton is nine mi les lonG
and six miles wide; number of voters
fifty. The people are all wellto-do far
mers. who take life comfortably. made
so by perseverance and economy. Th'
people are now erecting beautiful
church on Upton Hill. The view from
this place is beautiful; it stands higl
and firm among her sister hills. The
lake lvs at the base OF this hill sending
up its vapor like incense in the morning
During our stop ut the Lake House ;
party OF strong pedestrians, from New
York, consisting OF two gentlemen anc
three ladies camo down on the moor
trnin from Sbelbu.ne y. III. TO Bethel anC
after taking dinner at the Chandle
Hotel, walked to Poplar Tavern. dis
tance ten miles. The following day tn,
patty ascended Specklc mountain. pass
ed over its summit which is three thous
and feet above the level OF the sea, ant
arriy ell At the Lake House before sunset
distance 81 miles.
The landlord aud lady of the Lake
House joining our party we made tril
20 Dixvlle Notch on Mouday. At Erro
Dam We lcavo the AndroscOggin am
pass up the valley on Clear Stream; a.
along for miles up we passed some beau
tiCnl larms and iarm-houses. Paying t
respectable attention to the sights on ou
way. admring the dark and grave side
of shadowed foliage wondering whOr
the pass we ale in search Of can open,
turn of the road TO the left brought u
in front of the bare jaws Of the Notch
The sublime and awful grandeur of tn
Notch battles all description. The pas
is about one mile long, running in ;
north westerly direction, turning 10 th'
left little as we pass through. O
both sides of the road the mountains ris
almost vertically some 2000 feet. n
description can impart the wonderful
grandeur oil the decaying cliffs of mic
slate which oyerhang the road. AT
o'clocl, p. NJ, our party commenced t
ascend The mountain. and in forty fiv
minutes we reached the Table Rock
The rock is narrow, projecting ledg
which iuts out from the southerly wall q
the pass, and is about eight hundred fee
above the road. One young lady of on
party, Miss Ada Varney, of East Boston
, walked out upon this cliff, which is abou