History of Middlesex County, Massachusetts - citizen hylbom blog

15.3 HISTORY OF MIDDLESEX COUXTY.
on the west by Berlin and Xorthborougli ; east by
Sudbury and Framingham. It is twenty-eight
miles west of Boston, and sixteen east of Worces-
ter. The Boston, Clinton, and Fitchburg Eailroad
runs through the town, and the Fitchburg Railroad
communicates with it by a branch line from South
Acton. It is about six miles in length from east
to west, and three miles in breadth from north to
south. The whole township consists, for the most
part, of elevated land. The highest point is Mount
Sligo, situated some six hundred and fifty feet
above the level of the sea. From this point, on
every side, the country presents a scene of exquisite
pastoral beauty, and suggests a high degree of cul-
tivation. There is nothing wanting to constitute
a complete landscape. To the southwest lies the
sheet of water called Williams' Pond ;
few lakes of
its size exhibit so charming a variety of scenery
its waters are always clear; the land gently rises on
all sides, in part pasture-fields and in part woodland,
until gradually both stretch away and are blended
in the purple distance.
One of the oldest and most interesting land-
marks of the town is the Gates House, situated on
the east cormr u\ llic pdnd. There arc some pleas-
ant stories ot iln- \\>\\ of General Washington and
otlier historic rhaiMciiix ponnceted with the ])lace.
In the centre is th.' liisl,,nr i\\unrMv^:m