Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-09-09
FROM QUEBEC 10 THE WHITE MOUNTAINS.
Letter ~
n snondencs a Ths I9lnr.1

w a CAVses anu IOT6Well 20 Dr. " ackSO0,
who had accompanied us this far, but now re-
turns to the Thousand Islands, we leave Quebec,
taking the cars at Point Levi, for the White
Mountains. The
GRAND TRUNK RAILWAY
from Portland TO Montreal and Quebec ia one
of the two remaining broad gauge roads in
America. The broad gauge has been already
abandoned on that portion of this company's
road extending from Montreal to Toronto aud
preparations are now in progress for the pur
pose OF reducing the eastern section Just men
toned In uniformity of width of track with the
other American railroads. It is proposed to ae-
complish the entire labor ofDarrowing the track
In one day, the 21st of September being the day
appointed for the prosecution and com DletiOn
OF the work. The plan is to have all material
in readiness, and then to station fifteen labor
ers TO each mile along the whole line of the
road, and to accomplish the result OF shifting
one rail the whole length OF the road BY their
simultaneous labors. 1t Is with some regret
that we chronicle the extinction OF broad gauge
roads, for the motion of the cars over them Is SO
smooth, and their width so roomy as to relieve
travel of much Of its fatigue, but it seems that
the overwhelming economy justifes the change.
Starting at Z O'Clock a. N. from Point Levi we
reach Island Pond, the first station of import
ance within the American lines, about one
O'Clock p. m.
THE INTERVENING COUNTRY
between Quebec and Island Pond is remark ably
level, tolerably well wooded, and In a much
higher state Of cultivation than we had ex-
pected to find. Many places along the railroad
exhibit considerable improvement, as Artha-
baska, Richmond, &C., though here, as else
where through Canada, the principal industry
is the lumber business. At Island Pond is es-
t8blished q custom house. with inspection Off
GERS, for the purpose of inspecting the baggage
OF all travellers and preventing the importation
OF articles without the payment Of duty. A
great deal of uReasiness is manifested, particu-
larly by the lady passengers on the approach of
the inspectors. AS far as L observed, however
baggage w eft mad Raf,u
Island Pond and GOrham, \. H., the country is
much more mountainous, the valleys narrower
put apparently fertile enough, though not
much cultivated on account of its precipitous
hills. There was throughout this distance many
evidences along the streams OF numbering
Among them the st. Francis, which we as
cended through Canada to Sherbrook, VT, and
particularly along the Androscoggin descending
into New Hampshire. We arrived at Gorhsn
a little after four o'clock. where stage with
six horses attached awaited, leady to convey
passengers to the Glen House aud
WHITE MOUNTAINS,
eight miles distant. The Glen House is eight
hundred feet higher than the Androscoggin val
ley at GOrham, but it is reached by an extreme
ly easy and gradual ascent, remarkably smooth
for mountain road, along Peabody river. Ar
rlving just before sunset at the hotel we were af-
forded fine view of Mt. Washington as the
last rays of the sinking sun were gliding with
gorgeous hues the few clouds resting sentinel
like above it.
THE GLEN HOUSE
was originally built two stories high and opened
in 1852. 1t is of wood, similar in its construc-
ton to all these mountain hotels intended for
summer occupancy. The new wings are four
stories high, nearly five hundred feet long, and
though somewhat composite in its design, il is
convenient, and makes very pretty picture
It's rooms and halls are unusually large for A
house of this character; the parlor Is probably
one OF the largest rooms in any public mouse in
the country, being somewhat over one hundred
by fifty feet in length. The dining room, which
Is at right angles and in the rear of the
parlor, is room OF nearly the same
dimensions, and quite similar in construction
Both rooms are entirely without columns the
vast ceilings being supporting by truss work
rom the IoOf; the floors are therefore un-
0bStTuct6d. The hotel is well supplied with pas
and water. The farm around it furnishes neaTIy
a'i the Vegetables required for the use of the
table. The hygienic requirements of such an
establishment has been well consdered; the
sewerage is ample and complete. An immense
column OF water is constantly running through
large sewer under the house into which all
he closets drain and the contents are carried off
half a mile to the creek below. From the por-
nco OF the hotel one may obtain an admirable
view OF the four principal peaks OF the White
Mountains known by the names of
WASHINGTON, ADAMS, JEFFERSON. AND NADI-
SON.
The Tip Top or hit. Washington House is also
plainly visible. The term White Mountains is
spplied to a whole group of msuntains covering
space Of about 40 80 miles in the central
ana eastern part of New Hampshire. They are
denominated white because they are covered
with snow over two thirds OF the year, and are
visible at great distance, and even from the
ocean in the vicinity OF Portland. They were
visited as long ago as 1882 by Darby Field, ana
nave 1or moro than century attracted the at
tention OF tourists. We found considerably over
TWO hundred guests at the house, and for time
we apprehended IL would be impossible for us
to obtain rooms. However our fears were soon
allayed, and we were assigned co very comfor-
table apartments which faced toward the
Glen House the
TABLE WALTERS ARE ALL STUDENTS
from various New England colleges. We learned
definitely there were six from Har ward; eighteen
from Bates; eight from Exeter, and two from
WSltham. IL is very evident to an observer
that they give much more satisfaction than does
the class of persons who ordinarily DISCHARGE
such services. The action of these students is
to be admired in thus devoting their vacations
10 such an occupation, enabling them to COM
blne the rest and relaxation from study so essen
nal to the student, at the same time that they
acquire the competence necessary for the fur
ther prosecution of their studies. Their course
has ELECTED the favorable notice of all the guests
OF the house, and is a fact calculated to do honor
10 the energy OF these young men.
When the youths of New England make such
sacrifices or pleasure aud efforts as these for
furthering their education, it is no wonder that
they become influential in shaping the destinies
OF the nation. Mr.. Milliken. the Intelligent and
gentlemanly proprietor Of the house, deserves
or honest industry to this deserving class of
young men. He informed us that the erumbling
and discomfort which is chronic with guests ifI
most hotels had entirely ceased since the intro
duction OF the students to the dning-room,
MT. WASHINGTON SUMMIT
is distant eight miles, and the ascent is made in
light conveyance drawn by six horses over a
road remarkable for its windings, but very safe
wlthal, and kept in excellent condition. The
morning we chose for going up was fine, and
the Shy cloudless and free from mists a circum-
stance OF rare occurrence, as is well known by
those who go to view Mt. Washington, Setting
out at O'Clock, we reached the summit about
half-past IL. Not far distant from the Glen
House, on entering the woods, and just begin
ing the ascent, is tablet of marble Inserted in
granite rock to the memory OF Mr.. Rich, one
or the chief contractors or engineers of the
macadamized road to the summit, which. by
the way, is one continuous ascent after YOU
cross the stream in front of the Glen House.
The road was finished in 1861, after six wears of
labor, and has an average grade throughout of
one foot in eight. The drive over the upper
half OF this road Is one Of unequalled beauty, as
II zig zsgs around the sides and circles to the
top OF this the chief Of the peaks. Before the
construction Of this road the ascent was one of
great fatigue, and not without danger. The old
bride path to the summit from the east side
&cenOe0 nearly In straight line from the