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 8o INTRODUCTION

coming back, and it is my impression I did going. We rode to Bolton, Mr. Randall telling all the things of in- terest as we passed them. At Bolton he showed me an academy built by money left to the town by a clergyman, with the proviso that the families of seven persons whom he disliked should not for several generations have the priv- ilege of attending. I think he displayed the Christian spirit of forgiveness in a high degree. We passed several pretty places on the road, and I enjoyed myself highly. Before long we began to ascend, and, as we rode higher, I could catch glimpses of what afterwards was to constitute the finest prospect that I had seen. At last we gained the top of the hill, and I was almost transported at the vastness of the scene. I could see one hundred miles in some directions ; Vermont, New Hampshire, and northern Massachusetts lay before me with their countless moun- tains, the beautiful valley between them and us. There was Wachusett about twelve miles distant, rearing his bulky form against the sky, Monadnoc with his sharp peak, and the dim outlines of the central peaks of New Hamp- shire, looking so faint and blue in the distance. Then nearer were the villages and towns. Lancaster with its beautiful temple to God was lying amid the trees so still and silent, and the quiet Nashua winding through the midst. It was the most magnificent view I ever saw. By moonlight it must be perfectly enchanting. There is an old mansion house here which is very imposing in its gen- eral appearance. It was long, very long, and did not look any more .like a country-house, such as we see in this country, than a brick house would. It seemed like the residences of the gentry in England, it was so stately. The man who formerly owned this place built a church and parsonage for his own use, and he hired a clergyman to

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