102    UNITED STATES GAZETTEER.

and more into a state of mutual forbearance, if not of mutual esteem. Thus Bible societies,
and societies for the promotion of temperance, the associations which spring out of the great
cause of education, and those which relate to agriculture, mechanic arts, general science, and
mutual improvement in knowledge, especially by lectures and the founding and use of social
libraries, all tend to occupy healthily the powers of the mind, and produce or promote that
condition of civilization which becomes a free, vigorous, moral, and Christian state.

That such advances are really making is evident to the observer. They have, indeed, been
gradual, but actual. The early colonists were often almost disheartened at the prospect before
them, and complained of the difficulty of procuring a subsistence. It is well remarked by Dr.
Belknap, that they too much neglected the cultivation of the soil, whose productiveness they
had not properly tested, while their chief attention was given to the fishery, the lumber trade,
and the procuring of furs. Many temptations, too, were thrown in their way, as occurred to
other settlers in New England, by invitations to settle elsewhere. Lord Saye and Sele urged
the colonists to people Barbadoes, where he possessed an interest. Cromwell, at a subsequent
period, invited the tried and faithful Puritans to settle in Ireland, where the province of Ulster
had long been devastated, and stood in need of inhabitants; or to enter on his new conquest
of Jamaica, and become West India planters. Few, comparatively, however, were prevailed
on to go; and those who staid became more and more accustomed to the country, and
attached to it.

And now, what is the result ? A healthy, active, intelligent, and industrious population is
found, even among the mountain fastnesses of “ the Granite State," not unaptly characterized
as the Switzerland of America. They subdue the soil, and it yields its treasures; and if not
in so great abundance of cereal grains, at least in valuable pasture — the grazing interest
being very considerable throughout the state. Yet the improvements of modern agriculture
are noticed and adopted. In islands of the beautiful Winnipiseogee — a favorable location, it
must be confessed —136 bushels of Indian corn have been raised on the acre! * One would
suppose that the fertility of the western prairie could offer little temptation to the farmer who
might produce such a crop, and remain among his own paternal fields; especially when the
contrast is made between the healthiness of a northern climate, in a high, hilly region, pure
water flowing plentifully, all facilities for happily training a family; and a country where,
indeed, labor is comparatively light, land cheap, and winters lose much of their rigor and
length; but fever and ague sap the constitution, and send back the adventurer a lean, sallow
invalid for life, or lay him prematurely in the grave.

Of recent years, the legislature has, in its wisdom, encouraged the investigation of the
mineral treasures of New Hampshire. The employment of Dr. C. T. Jackson for this pur-
pose has resulted in the discovery that this state is richer in this respect than any of its sisters.
We do not say that it has the gold of California, — as, happily for its inhabitants, it has not, —
nor that of North Carolina or Georgia; but the variety of its minerals is great, and the de-
posits of several of the most useful, if not most costly ores, are not infrequent. Grant that it
abounds in granite and in ice. It has also a hardy and sagacious population, which can make
that ice and granite articles of profitable commerce.

The increase of manufacturing establishments, in which scientific skill is tasked to mould
the raw material into useful fabrics and forms, renders the possession of water power a
great desideratum. In few spaces of equal extent, it is believed, does there exist a greater
water power than in this state. And human ingenuity will not be backward in turning this
encouraging circumstance to profit. Statistics of several establishments will be found in the
following work, under the heads of their respective localities.

Of all the features of the state, the White Mountains must be regarded as not only the
most prominent, but the most interesting. Forming the highest land in North America east
of the Rocky Mountains and the Andes, they have become a favorite resort of the tourist,
who is in search either of health or pleasure. Dr. Belknap supposed that the highest peak

* See Dr. Jackson's Agricultural Report.