The powers of the night, which, now gathering afar,
Had already sent forward one bright signal star.


A whole host of natural beauties and attractive scenes lie at hand near
this great mountain caravansary. Turn in any and all directions, at
every point a view greets the vision which rivals the touches of an
almost divine brush on Oriental canvas. Avenues lead through a perfect
labyrinth of forests in all directions, and many are the famous sights
to be seen. Profile Lake lies close by at the base of Cannon or Profile
Mountain and Mount Lafayette. From its shore can be seen that inspiring
curiosity known the world over as the "Old Man of the Mountain," about
which much good prose and passable poetry has been written. The profile
is produced by the peculiar combination of the surfaces and angles of
five huge granite blocks, and when viewed from one spot the resemblance
is perfect. Colossal as it is in its proportions, being seventy feet
from chin to forehead, the lines are softened by distance, and the
sphynx itself is not carved more justly. There it stands, calm, grand,
majestic, wearing from age to age the same undisturbed expression of
sovereign and hoary dignity--the guardian spirit of the region. No
wonder the simple red man, as he roamed these wilds, should pause as he
caught sight of this great stone face gazing off through the mountain
openings into the distant valley, and worship it as the countenance of
his Manitou. All are impressed with it, and its influence is magnetic.

To climb Mount Lafayette will be scarcely less interesting than the
ascent of Mount Washington, though it is more tedious, as it has to be
made wholly on foot. But the charming views from its sides and summit
will repay the labor of the tourist. A fine view of the Franconia
Mountains can be obtained from the summit of Bald Mountain, to the top