pork. Maine is finely situated for commerce. It has an extensive sea-coast abounding with good harbors, and the numerous rivers which intersect it afford an easy communication with the interior Its supply of lumber, and of materials for potash, is immense, and its resources in the fisheries are almost inexhaustible. The people are very generally inclined to commercial pursuits, and perhaps no part of the United States suffers so much from restrictions on commerce. In amount of shipping it is the fourth state in the Union. The nearest market for the southwestern section of the state is Portland; for the country on the Kennebeck, Hallowell; for the country on the Penobscot, Bangor. The natural market for the northern half of the state, which is yet unsettled, will be Quebec in Lower Canada, and Frederickton in New-Brunswick.

Islands.] The coast abounds with islands and peninsulas. The largest is Mount Desert island on the west side of Frenchman's bay. It is 15 miles long and 12 broad. Deer isle is on the east side of Penobscot bay, about 8 miles S. E. of Castine.

NEW-HAMPSHIRE.

Situation and Extent.] New-Hampshire is bounded N. by Lower Canada; E. by Maine; S. E. by the Atlantic; S. by Massachusetts; and W. by the western bank of Connecticut river, which separates it from Vermont. The eastern boundary is Piscataqua river, and a line drawn N. 2° W. from the source of that river, to the highlands which divide the waters falling into the St. Lawrence from those falling into the Atlantic. The state extends from 42° 41' to 45° 11' N. lat, and from 70° 40′ to 72° 28′ W. lon. It is 170 miles long from N. to S. and 90 broad at the southern extremity. The area is estimated at 9,491 square miles or 6,074,240 acres.

Divisions.] New-Hampshire is divided into six counties and 204 towns.

Lakes.] Winnipiseogee or Wentworth lake, near the centre of the state, is a beautiful body of water, 22 miles long, and from 3 to 12 miles broad. It contains a number of islands.

The sur

rounding country is mountainous and abounds with romantic scenery. Sullivan or Squam lake, lying a few miles N. W. of the Winnipiseogee, is 5 miles long and 4 broad. Sunapee lake, lying S. W. of lake Winnipiseogee, half way between Merrimack river and the Connecticut, is 8 miles long and 3 broad.

Sea coast and Face of the Country.] The whole extent of sea coast is only 18 miles. The shore is generally a sandy beach, and bordering upon it are salt marshes. There are several coves convenient for fishing vessels, but the only harbor for ships is that of Portsmouth, near the mouth of the Piscataqua.

For 20 or 30 miles from the coast, the country is either level or variegated by little hills and vallies. Beyond this, the bills increase in size, and in many parts of the state swell into lofty mountains, particularly in the north, and along the height of land between the Merrimack and the Connecticut. The mountains, lakes, cataracts, and vallies abound with sublime and beautiful scenery, and have acquired for the state the title of "the Switzerland of America."

Soil and Productions.] The soil is inferior to that of the rest of New-England, and much of it is better fitted for grazing than for agriculture. In many places, however, it is rich, particularly along the banks of the Connecticut and the Merrimack. The principal productions are grass, wheat, rye, Indian corn, beef, pork, mutton, butter and cheese. A great multitude of neat cattle, fed in the pastures of New-Hampshire, are annually driven to the markets of Boston and other towns on the coast.

Mountains.] The White mountain range runs from north to south between the Merrimack and the Connecticut, through nearly the whole length of the state. The loftiest summits are the Monadnock, near the S. W. corner of the state, which is 3,254 feet above the level of the sea; Sunapee mountain, near Sunapee lake; and still farther north, Moosehillock, the height of which is estimated at 4,636 feet: the most celebrated of all, however, are the White mountains, from which the range takes its name, and which are the loftiest in the United States. They lie about 30 miles north of Winnipise ogee lake, around the sources of the Saco and the Merrimack. Within a circuit of 60 miles there are 6 peaks, whose elevation exceeds 4,000 feet, and Mount Washington, the highest summit, was formerly estimated at 10,000, but more recent and accurate calculations reduce it to between 6,000 and 7,000.

Mount Washington is frequently visited by travellers, who ascend it by various routes, but most usually from the S. E; commencing in the town of Conway, and following the course of Ellis river, a northern branch of the Saco, which has its origin high in the mountain. After climbing by the side of this stream for a considerable distance, the trees of the mountain begin to diminish in height, till at the elevation of about 4,000 feet, you come to a region of dwarfish evergreens, about the height of a man's head, which put forth numerous strong horizontal branches

closely interwoven with each other; thus surrounding the mountain with a formidable hedge, a quarter of a mile in thickness. On emerging from this thicket, you are above all woods, at the foot of what is called the bald part of the mountain, which is very steep and consists of a huge pile of naked rocks. After attaining the summit, the traveller is recompensed for his toil, if the sky be serene, with a most noble prospect, extending on the S. E. to the Atlantic ocean, the nearest part of which is 65 miles distant in a direct line.

The Notch or Gap on the west side of the White mountains, near the source of Saco river, is also frequently visited by travellers. It is a deep and narrow defile, in one part only 22 feet wide. The whole mountain, which otherwise forms a continued range, appears as if cloven down quite to its base, perpendicularly on one side, and on the other at an angle of 45 degrees. The road from Lancaster, on Connecticut river, to Portland, in Maine, passes through this gap, and is crossed by the river Saco, which comes tumbling down the side of the mountain; and several brooks, the tributaries of the Saco, fall down the declivities, form ing a succession of beautiful cascades within sight of the road. No part of the mountain is more interesting to the lover of the picturesque than the scenery of this natural gap.

Rivers The Connecticut forms the western boundary, separating New-Hampshire from Vermont. The Piscataqua runs in a S. S. E. direction about 40 miles and falls into the Atlantic below Portsmouth, forming during its whole course the boundary between Maine and New-Hampshire. The Merrimack rises in the White mountains, near the sources of the Saco, and running south through the centre of the state, passes into Massachusetts, where it turns, and running to the N. E. about 50 miles, falls into the ocean below Newburyport.

The principal tributaries of the Connecticut, beginning in the south, are the Ashuelot, which joins it near the S. W. corner of the state; Sugar river, which is the outlet of Sunapee lake; Lower Ammonoosuck, which rises in the White mountains, near the sources of the Merrimack, and discharges itself at Bath; and Upper Ammonoosuck, which discharges itself at Northumberland.

The principal tributaries of the Merrimack from the west are, the Contoocook, which joins it at Concord; and Baker's river, which rises in Moosehillock mountain and empties itself at Piymouth. The principal tributaries from the east are Winnipiseogee river which forms the outlet of Winnipiseogee lake, and Squam river, which is the outlet of Squain lake.

Inland Navigation.] The Middlesex canal, in Massachusetts, connects Merrimack river with Boston harbor; and by means of various improvements around the rapids and falls of the river, the navigation is now extended as high up as Concord. A company has been incorporated to extend this navigation above Concord and through Winnipiseegee river into Winnipiseogee lake. A company has also been incorporated to cut a canal from Winnipiseogee lake to the tide waters of the Piscataqua, which will

open a water communication between Portsmouth and the centre of the state.

Various routes have been proposed for a navigable communication from the Merrimack to the Connecticut. One plan is to unite Baker's river with the Connecticut; another, to connect the Contoocook with Sunapee lake; and a third, to connect the Contoocook with the Ashuelot.

Chief Towns.

Porthsmouth, the largest town in the state, stands on the south side of Piscataqua river, about two miles from the sea. The barbor is one of the best in the United States. It is landlocked on every side, and perfectly safe, of sufficient depth for the largest vessels at all times of the tide, and, owing to the rapidity of the current, is never frozen. The main entrance is about a mile wide, and is well defended by two forts. There is an island in the inner harbor, opposite the town, on which is a United States navy yard, containing good timber docks, and all the conveniences for building ships of the largest class. Several ships of the line have been built here. Portsmouth has considerable trade. In 1815, it was the ninth town in the United States in amount of shipping, the number of tons being 30,411. The population in 1820 was 7,327.

Concord, the capital of the state, is a flourishing town on the Merrimack, at the head of navigation, and well situated for trade. Much of the produce of the Upper country is brought here, and passes down the Merrimack river and Middlesex canal to Boston. Among the public buildings are a handsome state-house and stateprison, both of stone. Population, in 1820, 2,838.

Dover is 12 miles N. W. of Portsmouth. The village is at the head of the tide on Cocheco river, 4 miles above its junction with the Piscataqua. It has various mills and manufacturing establishments, and daily communication with Portsmouth by a packet. Population, in 1820, 2871. Exeter is pleasantly situated at the head of the tide on Exeter river, a branch of the Piscataqua, 15 miles S. W. of Portsmouth, and about the same distance N. W. of Newburyport in Massachusetts. It has numerous manufacturing establishments. Among the public buildings are a court-house and an academy. Population, in 1820, 2,114.

Amherst is a tile west of the Merrimack, near the southern boundary of the state, 30 miles south of Concord. Plymouth is on the Merrimack, at the mouth of Baker's river, 43 miles north of Concord. Keene is a pleasant town in the southwestern part of the state on the Ashuelot, 55 miles S. W. of Concord.

The principal towns on Connecticut river are Walpole, 13 miles N. W. of Keene; Charlestown, 12 miles N. of Walpole ; Hanover, the seat of Dartmouth college; Haverhill, 27 miles N. of Hanover; and Bath, adjoining Haverhill, at the head of boat navigation.

Education.] Dartmouth college, at Hanover, was founded in 1769, and received its name from the Earl of Dartmouth, one of its earliest and most generous benefactors. In 1821 it had a pres. ident, 8 professors, including 3 medical professors; 2 tutors; and

230 students, including 65 medical students. It has a good chemical apparatus, a philosophical apparatus, and a valuable anatomical museum. The college library contains about 4,000 volumes, and there are 2 libraries belonging to societies of students, each of which contains nearly 2,000 volumes. The permanent funds of the college yield about $2,000 a year. This, with the tuition, makes an annual income of about $6,000.

Phillips Exeter Academy, at Exeter, was founded by the Hon. John Phillips L. L. D. in 1781. It is one of the oldest and most flourishing academies in New-England. It has funds amounting to about $80,000; a well selected library of 700 volumes, and a handsome philosophical apparatus. Its officers are a principal, a professor of mathematics and natural philosophy, and an assistant. The funds are appropriated in part to the support of indigent students.

Union Academy, at Plainfield on Connecticut river, 42 miles N. W. of Concord, was established in 1813. It is handsomely endowed, and is intended for the gratuitous education of indigent young men preparing for the ministry, in the studies preparatory to a collegial course.

Population.] The population in 1790 was 141,885; in 1800, 183,858; in 1810, 214,460; and in 1820, 244,161; having increas ed 74 per cent. in 30 years. The great mass of the population is in the southern half of the state. North of Winnipiseogee lake there are very few inhabitants, except on Connecticut river.

Religion.] The Baptists and Congregationalists are the prevailing denominations. In 1817 the number of ordained ministers was estimated at 222, of whom 107 were Baptists, 100 Congregationalists, and 15 of other denominations.

Government.] The legislative power is vested in a General court, consisting of a Senate and House of Representatives. The Senate consists of 13 members chosen annually by districts. The Representatives are chosen by the different towns; each town having 150 rateable polls sends one Representative, and every addition of 300 polls entitles it to another. The executive power is vested in a Governor, who is chosen annually by general ballot, and a council consisting of 5 members.

Manufactures.] Few countries in the world are better furnished with mill-streams, and mill-seats, than New-Hampshire, and manufactories have increased very rapidly within a few years, There are now more than 30 cotton and woollen factories, many of them on an extensive scale. A glass manufactory has been recently established at Keene, and there are two establishments for the manufacture of iron at Franconia, on a branch of the Lower Ammonoosuck, 14 miles N. E. of Haverhill. The mine from which the iron is obtained is considered the richest in the United States, and is said to be inexhaustible, and there is a large bed of coal within a short distance of the works.

Commerce.] The principal exports are lumber, pot and pearl shes, fish, beef, live cattle, pork and flax seed. The market for the northern part of the state is Portland; for the southeastern,