Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-23
The White Mountain Notch.

Through the courtesy of the President of
were dissuaded from taking the usual route
in returning from the sea, and induced to
come back by way of Portland and the
White Mountain Notch. 1t is very easy for
men to fall into ruts in thinking, in travel
ing, or in amy form of action. Unless man
is jostled out of his habit Of travel, he will
always seek the same place by the same
route. And this physical and intellectual
habit is sure to stand in the way of the high
est pleasure, as well as of the most diversi-
fed culture. 1t keeps us revolving in the
same circle OF ideas and impressions. 1t is
good thing for a man 10 put himself, occa-
sionally, in the range of a new sensation, TO
feel what he has never felt before, to see
what he has never seen, and to think what
he has never thought before And though
it was contrary to the habit Of lifetime TO
return except by way of Boston, we con
cluded 10 sacrifice the habit to a vague i'm
agination that something might be found
worth seeing on another route. At least the
old course was worn threadbare, and was
solitary new sensation.
Old Orchard beach is on the railroad be-
tween Boston and Portland At this point
the camp-fires OF the Methodist church are
kept burning through the summer, and here
men mix the pleasures Of the surf-the en-
loyments of boating, bowling billiards and
religion, in various proportions, according
to taste and temperament. The grove of the
camp-meeting is within sight and sound of
the breakers on the beach. The music of
hymns goes up to heaven with the anthem
OF the sea, and the voice of prayer miugles
with the undertone of the waves. And be-
tween the camp and the sea are the hotels,
hesaloons, the boarding houses, the billiard
rooms aud halls where the pleasures of the
world vie with the destinations of the waters
on one side, and the pernasions of song and
sermon on the other Charles Lamb used
10 say that two good liquors were spoiled in
mixing brandy and water. We have some
what the same opinion OF mixing religion
and pleasure. Along the line of the rail
roads, at convenient and accessible points,
in the neighborhood of great resorts OF pleas.
ure-seekers, we noticed the signs of the
camp-meeting. From Marthas Vineyard TO
Monnt Desert, and from Portland to Ogdens-
burg, the Methodist church is pitching its
summer tabernaeles and warning men at the
very centers of pleasure TO fee from the
wrath To come. 1t is certainly question
whether such a juxtaposition of pleasure
and religion does not increase the force Of
the former, and impoverish the energy Of
the latter.
At Portland we strike the Portland &
Ogdensburg railroad. This road is one of
the marvels of modern engineering. 1t has
been constructed under the direction Of
General Anderson, of Portland, in face of
difficulties which would have appalled, less
courageous faith than his. There are some
railroad enterprises that are feasible on
their face. Nature invites them, business
demands them, but their construction in
wolves none OF the skill, sagacty, foresight
and wisdom that are 80 manifest in this en-
terprise. They are mere business enter
prises like any ordinary highway But this
road is work Of the highest sagacity and
genius. It's very conception would have
been impossible to ordinary minds. Its ex-
ecution was possible only to the highest
scientific ability, and to the most intelligent
and resolnte purpose. There is vast
amount Of thoughtpower and willpower
In this enterprise. II demonstrates mans
power over nature.
After leaving Portland the ride is through
arclling country with slight elevations that
we should hardly dignity with the name Of
bills, till sebago Lake is reached. This is a
urge lake reminding one Of Lake Windemere
Its shores have the same softened outline aud
wavy lines Of beauty The Methodists, like
the medieval monks in the selection Of the
sites OF their monasteries, seem to have an
eye open to the beauty Of the terrestrial, ever