University of Virginia Library

Sept'r ye 30th.

Yesterday, Cousin Polly and myself, with young
Mr. Jordan, went up to the Top of the Mountain, which
is some Miles from the harbor. It is not hard to climb
in respect to steepness, but it is soe tangled with Bushes
and Vines, that one can scarce break through them.
The open places were yellow with Golden Rods, and
the pale Asters were plenty in the Shade, and by the
Side of the Brooks, that with pleasing Noise did leap
down the Hill. When we got upon the Top, which is
bare and rocky, we had a faire View of the Coast, with
its many windings and its Islands, from the Cape Ann,
near Boston, to the Cape Elizabeth, near Casco, the

Piscataqua and Agamenticus Rivers, and away in the
Northwest we could see the Peaks of Mountains looking
like summer clouds, or Banks of grey Fogg.
These Mountains lie manie leagues off in the Wilderness,
and are said to be exceeding loftie.

But I must needs speak of the Color of the Woods,
which did greatlie amaze me, as unlike anything I had
ever seen in old England. As far as mine Eyes could
look, the mightie Wilderness, under the bright westerly
Sun, and stirred by a gentle wind, did seem like a
Garden in its Season of flowering; green, dark, and
light, orange, and pale yellow, and crimson leaves,
mingling and interweaving their various Hues, in a
manner truly wonderful to behold. It is owing, I am
told, to the sudden Frosts, which in this Climate doe
smite the Vegetation in its full Life and greenness, soe
that in the space of a few days, the Colors of the
Leaves are marvellously changed and brightened.
These Colors did remind me of the Stains of the Windows
of Old Churches, and of rich Tapestrie. The
Maples were all aflame with crimson, the Walnuts
were orange, the Hemlocks and Cedars were well nigh
black, while the slender Birches, with their pale yellow
Leaves, seemed painted upon them as Pictures are laid
upon a dark ground. I gazed until mine Eyes grew
wearie, and a Sense of the wonderful Beautie of the

visible Creation, and of God's great goodness to the
Children of Men therein, did rest upon me, and I said
in mine Heart, with one of old: Oh, Lord! how
manifold are thy Works: in wisdom hast thou made
them all, and the Earth is full of thy Riches.