Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-08-20
A Trip to Manchester.


Messrs Editors We read OF travels and So
journs, and the spell was upon us; so we, too,
took flight to the old Granite State. We had
plenty of company, for all the world seemed fit
ting in search of pleasure or health We stopped
at the busy city Of Manchester, which place is
rapidly growing in size and importance The
public grounds are handsomely laid out aud kept
with care-slmost equal to the "old country
The city contains over thirty thousand inhabt-
ants, where, seventy years ago, were only six
hundred and fife n, all told 1t has the natural
advantage OF an immense water power. the
Amoskeag Falls having a fall Of nearly fifty-fve
feet, while Lowell has only thirty, and Lawrence
twenty-eight. By the last census, the capital in
vested in manufactures was nearly ten millions.
The place supports quite an array of doctors, law
yers and other professions, as well as several
newspapers. The shade trees, which are very
numerous add greatly TO both beauty and COM
fort. costly monument Is being erected in one
OF the squares II the memory OF the soldiers who
fell in the late war. II consists OF tall central
shaft, surmounted by large figure representing
a soldier, and several smaller figures are around
1t. They are covered now, but will be unveiled
at the proper time. The cemetery is one OF the
most beautiful in the country. 1t is adorned with
costly monuments and tombs, and flowers are in
profusion. Some elegant residences are located
in the upper part OF the city, and have extensive
g,ounds, well laid out and kept like English
grounds. The residence Of Ex-Governor Smyth
occupies high, commanding situation, and many
costly works Of art adorn the grounds. The bust
ness streets are very attractive the well-flled
shops are kept scrupulously neat and goods taste
fully arranged for display Being "bargain
hunter" we found our way to the remnant store
where all the remnants from the mills are sold at
half the cost Of whole goods. The attendants
were very polite and agreeable, and spared no
pains to please all who call Among them was
one little lady, pretty and blonde who quite won
our heart, as prettiness and frank good nature al
ways do. The new post Office Is neat and commo-
dious, and the horse-cars are great convenience
Manufacturers speak OF business US improving
Building is being done to some extent. Some
fine residences in the upper part OF the city are
going up. There is also new mill or manufac-
tory building near the Amoskeag Falls. Many
OF the best and wealthiest citizens OF Manchester
are natives OF Vermont One can hardly meet
half dozen people there without finding two or
three who hail the name Of Vermont with pride
and pleasure rs their home
Turning homewards, we went to Concord In an
excursion train. We knew 1t was a camp-meet-
ing troupe by the bundles and the hideous look
ing hats, and we recognized the popular young
preachers by their sleek, close cropped appear
anee The old ones INDUCED In gold spectaeles,
sighed at the levty OF the young ladies, but still
could not turn away their eyes from beholding
or repress smile now and then Mt the young sis
tiers, and their folly We then took the Bristol
railroad and soon found ourselves In the thriving
little village of that name. We visited friends In
Alexandria, which Ia in fine agricultural region,
and has some superior farms The immense
quantities Of timber growing so near the railroads
are source Of wealth, but 1t seems too bad to
have 1t cut down so freely. Returning on the
Bristol road to Franklin, we were put In a
Passumpsic car, and there we felt AT home. The
green hills OF this state distinctive feature of
the landscape. There are none like them for
beauty or fertility, and the sons aud daughters Of
Vermont are Ia every land perseyerng, indus
trious and honest race, an honor TO their state,
| am not u native OF Vermont, but have lived
here long enough To love her fair green hills, her
sparkling brooks and crystal lakes, and also, her
generous. snterprising and God-feaIing people. q