rown down in gold upon the
last year's leaves among the trees. At last we came to where a dam had
been built across the brook many years ago, and was now gone to ruin,
so as to make the spot look more solitary and wilder than if man had
never left vestiges of his toil there. It was a framework of logs with a
covering of plank sufficient to obstruct the onward flow of the brook;
but it found its way past the side, and came foaming and struggling
along among scattered rocks. Above the dam there was a broad and deep
pool, one side of which was bordered by a precipitous wall of rocks, as
smooth as if hewn out and squared, and piled one upon another, above
which rose the forest. On the other side there was still a gently
shelving bank, and the shore was covered with tall trees, among which I
particularly remarked a stately pine, wholly devoid of bark, rising
white in aged and majestic ruin, thrusting out its barkless arms. It
must have stood there in death many years, its own ghost. Above the dam
the brook flowed through the forest, a glistening and babbling
water-path, illuminated by the sun, which sent its rays almost straight
along its course. It was as lovely and wild and peaceful as it could
possibly have been a hundred years ago; and the traces of labors of men
long departed added a deeper peace to it. I bathed in the pool, and then
pursued my way down beside the brook, growing dark with a pleasant
gloom, as the sun sank and the water became more shadowy. B---- says
that there was formerly a tradition, that the Indians used to go up this
brook, and return, after a brief absence, with large masses of lead,
which they sold at the trading stations in Augusta; whence there has
always been an idea that there is a lead mine hereabouts. Great
toadstools were under the trees, and some small ones as yellow and
almost the size of a half-broiled yolk of an egg. Strawberries were
scattered along the brookside.

Dined at the hotel or Mansion-House to-day. Men were playing checkers in
the parlor. The Marshal of Maine, a corpulent, jolly fellow, famed for
humor. A passenger left by the stage hiring an express onward. A bottle
of champagne was quaffed at the bar.

* * * * *

_July 9th._--Went with B---- to pay a visit to the shanties of the Irish
and Canadians. He says that they sell and exchange these small houses
among themselves continually. They may be built in three or four days,
and are valued a