A  point  in  the  Connecticut  River,  at  low-water  mark,  opposite
the  center  of  the  town,  is  said  to  be  212  feet  above  sea-level.
On  leaving  the  river  and  going  east,  this  altitude  is  rapidly  in-
creased by  the  successive  elevations  of  land.  The  surface  is  diver-
sified with  meadows  and  hills,  thus  gradually  rising  to  the  sum-
mit of  Croydon  and  Grantham  mountains  on  the  east.  The  soil
is  equally  diversified,  and  in  places  rocky,  but  taken  as  a  whole,
judging  by  its  appearance,  or  the  record  of  its  production,  Cornish
compares  favorably  with  the  best  towns  of  the  state.  These
elevations  in  the  surface  are  favorable  to  good  drainage.  But
little  stagnant  water  is  to  be  found.  Miasma  is  unknown.  The
brooks,  two  of  which  are  of  considerable  size,  find  their  source  in
the  mountain  sides  on  the  east,  flow  westward  and  empty  into  the
Connecticut  River.  Of  this  beautiful  river  which  fringes  our
entire  western  border,  a  poet  has  well  said:

"Nor  drinks  the  sea  a  lovelier  wave  than  thine."

This  river  renders  no  small  contribution  to  the  pleasure  of  the
tourist  while  journeying  along  its  beautiful  banks.  Its  valley
is  celebrated  for  its  beautiful  and  variegated  scenery.  On
either  side  of  the  river  are  wooded  heights  sometimes  pro-
jecting and  almost  overhanging  its  banks  and  sometimes  reced-
ing, leaving  the  beautiful  meadows  and  fertile  farms   spread


GENERAL   DESCRIPTION.  3

out  in  full  view  of  the  tourist.  In  the  near  distance  on  the  west
stands  in  silent  majesty  the  stately  Ascutney  ever  in  view,  and
the  beautiful  and  historic  village  of  Windsor  lying  between.
