Year: 1871

February we set out on VISIT 10 Rum-
ford Falls, distant fom Dixtield, Me-,
about seven miles up the Androscog-
gin river. The air was cool and the
sky clear, with northwest breeze
which greeted US in our faces as we took
our course up the left bank of the river.
The invigorating cold air had stimulating
and stirring effect upon us, and We looked
forward, with more then ordinary inter-
est, to the qualification that was to be
ours, in viewing one Of Natures wonder
full works. Following the river we passed
through Mexico Corner, a pleasant VIII
lage upon bend of the Androscoggin.
The river view from this place is very
pleasant in summer and the mountains
and high hills around render the land
scapc quite picturesque in appearance.
Just beyond the village we cross the
Swift river, which enters into the An
droscoggin here. This is n small stream
at the present time, and it is hard 70
realize that this is the river which
caused such devastation in the great
frcshet OF 1869. y mile further on we
reach Rumiord Falls.


Here we left our team in the shed
of the grist mill and proceeded to the
rivers bank to view the falls. We
passed along the ledge of rock now
covered with snow to the edge Of the
cataract. Here We obtained Il very good
view. BY looking up river we saw the
rapids. The river dashed along its
rapid course bordered by an embank.
mcnt Of ice and snow, and outside of
this the rocky shores. As the river
ncars the main fall the descent becomes
more precipitous, and the water is dashed
by the opposing rocks into white spray,
which adds It's charms to the beautiful
scene. The river Of dark, cold water,
as it hurries on its downward course,
suddenly changes to steaming spray, ris-
ing between the crystalized banks Of lee
formed by the beautiful spray which
settles for moment to rest and is bound
in icy fetters by the side Of It's mother
riyer-As one views the river whitencd
into spray on the bank of the precipice
from which ii leaps into the gulf below,
a strange fascination comes over him and
he. loves to linger and gaze at the wild
scene before him. Water in motion has
charms that are peculiarly its own.
There is pleasure in watching the currents
as they rush madly along, dashing reck-
lcssIy against the uuyelding rocks.
The changes of form which the water,
assume please the eye; the roar of the
crtaract falls melodiously upon the ear,
and the mind is soothed, refreshed and
chained to the spot by the many pleasure
ble emotions which spontaneously arise.
1t seems not strange that the untutored
Indian has been awe-struck in the pres
encc of scenes like this, and been i'm
PEELED to interpret the sounds Of the
water fall as being the voice of the
Great Spirit. Thee is pleasure in
viewing bodies Of water in any form,
whether it be the placid lake without
ripple on It's surface, the broad ex-
panse Of the sea with its stormy bill
lows, or the silent river gliding along
its course. One in gazing at the still
eXpanSe Of the lake soon tires Of the
scene and turns away, but let motion
be given to It's waters, and its changes
Of form aud the waves breaking upon
the shore interest and refresh the mind.
The gentle flow Of river along its banks
sooihes and brings dreamy reveries and
makes us forget for once space and
time. When we behold the river broken
and beaten. into foam by the rocks, and
rushing headloug down precipitOus de-
scents, then it is that We are aroused 10
higher and more sublime thoughts, and
stand in silent admiration OF the won.
drous works before us We love to gaze
ut the ocean, and tire not; the longer we
behold it the more We see TO admire;
new beauties and new sublimities con.
tinuc to discover themselves to our eyes.
Every position that we assume from
which to view the scene, presents it in a
different form with its own special allure
mcnts We feel that it is our good for.
tune to view its like but seldom; and we
would that we could indellibly impress its
wondrous beauties upon the tablets of the
mind, that in the future when we wish to
recall its grandeur, it may rise up before
US to again thrill us with its lofty sub
Unity.


Passing to the grist mill, from the
window we obtained fine view Of the