WINNIPISEOGEE RIVER, N. H. and misty; presenting its loftiest summit, of an exactly semi-circular form, directly at the foot of the channel above mentioned, and terminating the watery vista between the islands, by which it is bordered, in a magnificent manner. On the north-east, the great Ossipee raises its long chain of summits with a bold sublimity, and proudly looks down on all the surrounding region. "As we did not cross the Winnipiscogee, I am unable to determine in what manner an excursion on its waters might be compared with that which I made on Lake George. That the internal and successive beauties of the Winnipiseogee strongly resemble and nearly approach those of Lake George, I cannot entertain a doubt. That they exceed them, seems scarcely credible. But the prospect from the hill at the head of Centre Harbor is much superior to that of Fort George; a fact, of which hardly anything could have convinced me except the testimony of my own eyes. The Winnipiseogee presents a field of at least twice the extent. The islands in view are more numerous, of finer forms, and more happily arranged. The shores are not inferior. The expansion is far more magnificent; and the grandeur of the mountains, particularly of the Great Ossipee, can scarcely be rivalled. It cannot be remarked, without some surprise, that Lake George is annually visited by people from the coast of New England; and that the Winnipiseogee, notwithstanding all its accumulation of splendor and elegance, is almost as much unknown to the inhabitants of this country, as if it lay on the eastern side of the Caspian." The distances to this miniature archipelago may be found by referring to Alton, Centre Harbor, Wolfboro', &c. WINNIPISEOGEE RIVER, N. H., Is the great outlet to the lake of that name; and issues from the S.W. arm of the lake. It thence passes through two bays between Laconia and Gilford, and enters the Great Bay in the N.E. part of Sanbornton; from thence it passes through two other bays, forming the boundary between Sanbornton on the N.W. and Gilmanton and Northfield on the S.E., and unites with the Pemigewasset in the town of Franklin. The stream is rapid in its course, and has a fall of 232 feet from the lake to its junction with the other branch of the Merrimack; this name being given to the confluent stream. See Merrimack River. WINOOSKI RIVER, VT. WINOOSKI RIVER, called also Onion River, is formed in Cabot, by the union of several small streams, and, taking a southerly course, enters Marshfield, where it receives a large tributary from Peacham and Cabot. On this stream is a remarkable cataract, where the water falls about 500 feet in the distance of 30 rods. Through Marshfield the river continues a southerly course to Plainfield, where it bends to the S. W., and crosses the corner of the township into Montpelier. Here it receives Kingbury branch, from Calais. After crossing the S.E. corner of Montpelier, the river takes a north-westerly course, which it continues until it falls into Lake Champlain, between Colchester and Burlington, 5 miles north of Burlington Village. Its most considerable tributaries are Dog River and Stevens' Branch in Berlin, North Branch at Montpelier Village, Mad River in Moretown, Waterbury River in Waterbury, Huntington River in Richmond, and Muddy Brook between Williston and Burlington. The alluvial flats along this river are narrow, till the river has passed through the western range of the Green Mountains, when they become much more extensive. In Bolton, where it passes the range, the mountains approach very near the river. The channels, which have been worn in the rocks by this river, are a great curiosity. One of these, between Middlesex and Moretown, is about 80 rods in length, 60 feet in width, and 30 feet deep; the rock appearing like a wall on each side. Another of these channels is between Waterbury and Duxbury, four miles below Waterbury Village. Its depth is about 100 feet, and the rocks on the south side are perpendicular. The rocks have here fallen into the chasm, and formed a natural bridge, which is crossed by footmen at low water. Among the rocks here are also several curious caverns. Holes, also, of cylindrical form, are here worn into the solid rocks, several feet in depth. This chasm is but a few steps from the turnpike leading from Moutpelier to Burlington, and is worthy the attention of the curious WINSLOW, ME. traveller. A third channel of this kind is between Burlington and Colchester, about three fourths of a mile above Winooski Lower Falls. The channel here is about 40 rods in length, 70 feet in width, and 65 feet deep. Across the channel a bridge has been thrown, which is perfectly secure from floods. There is abundant evidence, both here and at the natural bridge above mentioned, that there formerly existed a large pond at each place, whose waters were drained off by the wearing down of the channels. In Winooski River are several falls, which afford excellent sites for mills. This river is one of the largest in the state, being about 70 miles in length, and watering 970 square miles. That part of the great Northern Railroad, which lies between Montpelier and Burlington, passes almost the whole distance along the banks of this most enchanting stream. People generally love to travel as fast as the fiery courser can carry them; but on this route it is far different, for in almost every mile the traveller wishes to stop, gaze and admire. WINSLOW, ME. KENNEBEC Co. This is a beautiful town, opposite to Waterville. It is watered by Kennebec and Sebasticook Rivers, by several ponds, and by a fine stream, a branch of the Sebasticook. Its water power is constant and abundant. The soil of the town is fertile; the surface is diversified, and rendered productive by industrious and independent farmers. Winslow is 18 miles N. by E. from Augusta. It was incorporated in 1771. WINTHROP, ME, KENNEBEC Co. This town lies 10 miles W. from Augusta, and was incorporated in 1771. It is finely situated, having a fertile soil, an undulating surface, and comprising six beautiful sheets of water, the Cobbessecontee and some of its tributaries. The largest of these lakes or ponds is ten miles in length, and from one to three miles in width. These waters give to Winthrop a valuable water power, and which is partly improved by a large cotton-mill, a flour-mill, carding and cloth-dressing establishments, &c. The principal village is delightfully located, in the form of a crescent, at the union of the North Lake, extending into Readfield about six miles, with the South Lake extending into Monmouth about the same distance. The East Village, likewise, is pleasantly WISCASSET, ME. situated at the northern extremity of the large lake, and is about six miles from Augusta. are flourishing places of business. The These villages are neatly built, and lakes add much to the beauty of the town. The descent of their banks is gently sloping, with a dispersion of acclivities, which serve to heighten the beauty of the scenery. Their waters are deep, clear, and are stocked with an abundance of trout, pickerel, perch, and other fish. road passes through the town, and the The Kennebec and Androscoggin Raildepot is near the principal village. In the east part of the town there is a very extensive oil-cloth carpet manufactory, the railroad depot. There is an iron and another has been established near foundery, at which considerable business is done, near the railroad depot, two. large establishments for constructing horse-power machines for thrashing and winnowing grain, and various other labor-saving machines. The boot and shoe business is carried on upon a very extensive scale. A considerable amount of business in this line is carried on between Winthrop and California. There is a water-cure establishment in a very delightful situation, at which many invalids are experiencing the salutary effects of a judicious application of cold water. Winthrop is an excellent farming town, and almost every farmer has an orchard of choice fruit, which yields a valuable income. WINTHROP, MS., SUFFOLK Co. This little beautiful municipality, lately taken from Chelsea, lies about four miles from State street, in possesses a good soil, and that it is enviBoston. After saying this, and that it roned by navigable waters, and in possession of intelligent and industrious people, it is about enough to satisfy our friends from any quarter that there is a spot of ground in Massachusetts not unworthy of the venerable name of Winthrop. place is that of copper, the annual avails WISCASSET, ME. town and a port of entry, situated on WOBURN, MS. Wiscasset contains a noble harbor for vessels of the largest class: it is easy of access, and seldom obstructed by ice. For many years previous to the commencement of the commercial restrictions in 1807, Wiscasset was one of the most active and flourishing sea-ports in Maine. During the disastrous period which followed, Wiscasset suffered severely, in common with all towns largely engaged in navigation. Since the termination of the war the town has been slowly but safely progressing in wealth and prosperity. In addition to its commerce in lumber and shipbuilding, this place is largely and profitably engaged in the fishery, for which pursuit it is admirably located. The village of Wiscasset is delightfully situated on rising ground, in view of the harbor. The court-house, churches, stores, and dwelling-houses, are built with taste, and many of them with elegance. A more beautiful village is rarely seen. A grant has been obtained recently for a railroad to Richmond, 10 miles distant, on the W. side of the Kennebec River, which, when completed, will make Wiscasset the nearest and most convenient sea-port for the trade of the extensive and populous and fertile region of the Kennebec Valley. WOBURN, MS. 657 the Woburn Branch for the express purpose of carrying the ice. The soil is very various, but generally strong; much of it is fertile, and the town contains some beautiful farms. Woburn is, however, essentially a manufacturing town; and pleasant villages have sprung up in its various parts. Warren Academy, incorporated in 1828, is delightfully situated near the centre, on a beautiful eminence. A church was formed in Woburn in the year 1642, and the Rev. Thomas Carter was settled the same year. Mr. Carter's successors were the Rev. Jabez Fox, in 1680; Rev. John Fox, in 1703; Rev. Edward Jackson, in 1729. The following is a copy of the bill of expenses at the ordination of Mr. Jackson in 1729, from the town records: To 433 dinners, at 2s. 6d. a dinner, "Loaf-sugar, lime-juice and pipes, : £ s. d. 54 26 8 18 0 3 0 0 4 11 0 1 16 0 9 10 0 1 15 0 £83 12 6 (When the Rev. Ellis Gray, of Boston, died, in 1752, the sum of £868 was subscribed to defray the expenses of his funeral. The charges were £653, and £215 were given to the widow. Some of the items were as follows:"Wine, rum, pipes and tobacco, £10; shoes and clogs; hose and gloves," to a very large amount. "Necklace for the negro. A large beaver-hat for Mr. Welstead" (the associate pastor). "Three ditto for Mr. Gray's two sons and negro; 15 candles; black shoe-buckles." A great many gold rings; handkerchiefs; a light gray bob-wig for Mr. Welstead; tolling six bells," &c.) MIDDLESEX Co. This town is situated 10 miles N.W. by N. from Boston, 12 E. by N. from Concord, 14 S. E. from Lowell, and 14 W. from Salem. It was granted by the General Court to the town and church of Charlestown, in 1640. First settled in 1641, and called Charles-" town Village. In 1642 it was incorporated under its present name. The surface of the township is uneven, and very much diversified by hills, dales, and woods, being thereby rendered exceedingly variegated and pleasant. It contains several beautiful sheets of water, particularly Horn Pond, which is so remarkable for its rural beauties as to attract numerous visitors from a distance. Middlesex Canal formerly passed by the side of the pond, making a descent of forty-five feet by means of three double locks. The waters of this and several smaller ponds, after furnishing some valuable and well-improved water power, fall into Mystic River, through Mystic Pond, in Medford. A large business is done in ice, cut from Horn Pond, there being a railroad from that pond to The census of 1855 gives Woburn a population of about 5,500, in 1850 it was about 4,000; a gain in five years of about 40 per cent. One hundred and twenty-one different occupations are found here. There are seven churches, viz., two Congregational, two Baptist, one Unitarian, one Methodist, and one Roman Catholic. One academy, one high-school, three grammar and some ten primary schools, and three private schools. The village of Woburn Centre is lighted with gas. A large and handsome Lyceum building of brick has been recently erected, containing stores on the lower floor, a fine hall, seating 1,000 per |