Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1836-09-28

already gwen her heart to young hun
ter. ,Fg
On the pebbly beach of the lake, are
found cornelian, agate, and other MINER
ais. lr
From the great depth of the waters of
Lake Pepin, it may not be unreasonable to
conclude, that it has some rocky bed from
whence issue springs, or some vast spring,
ever gushing up, and contributing TO the
strangeness Of these wonder stirring re-
gions.
Mississippi! flowing on in the majestic
course, distance of 5000 miles; through
the fairest valley in the world; receiving in
Vulnerable tributary streams; bearing on
thy waves, the productions of many soils, to
oceans bosom, for remoter eastern chimes
how many water courses less wQrthy-ofno.
tice, have, by description, been carried home
to the minds of men, in familiar acquain-
tanceship, while thou, for ages, hast rolled
on in thy mighty grandeur, receiving little
more than the passing tribute Of admiration.
Perhaps it is, that thy wonders bid defiance
to description; that song, in its loftest flight,
dare not approach thee. The most happily
graphic pen must eye is raised to thy lofty
hioSiihiNOhSC, VI iOpooCS VII TIC ildSiC IC-
velings of nature, on the wave-lashed fresh
ness of the shores, and thy islands ofbeauty.
A sketch, though imperfect might, at least,
allure the idle and curious tourist to vary his
of-travelled eastern route, and whether in
search Of health or pleasure, visit these re-
gions, possessing in so high degree, the
charms Of novelty, more exhilarating than
the sparkling fountains of Saratoga with
airs, balmy and salubrious, and scenery,
which might cause pleasurable excitement
even for those who have fingered around
Niagara's own food.-The contemplation
of thy pictorial beauties, creates visionary
existence, from which one fears to awake
loo soon, and the mind feels an avaricious
desire to prolong sensations, which rarely
enrich the monotonous waste.
Approaching nearer to st. Peters, Indian
villages are seen, on gentle green elevations,
with thrifty young trees, standing at such
distances, as to give an air of cheerfulness
to their locations, always evincing an innate
sense of the tasteful and desirable. Their
wigwams, at this season of the year, are
deserted at these places; their pursuits and
propensties often leaving them to change of
residence. One ofthese openings is called
Prairie la Crosse" where Sioux assemble
for recreation in some Of their favorite
games. On another, is seen a small rock,
painted red, on which it is said Indians leave
offerings of arrows, tobacco, &c. The
savage has his alter, his devotion, and his
Great Spirit, in the sky. One frequently
witnesses here their curious sculpture. The
body is enclosed in a wooden box covered
with white blanket, and placed on a scat
fold Of about ten feet elevation from the
ground. Poor Sioux! with what fondness We
linger round scenes like these, happily UNI
conscious that the time must come, when We
will leave them for far and romoter wilds.
Somewhere in the vicinity of these places,
. ledge of grey rock, 10 feet in height,
stretches for considerable distance, along
the edge of the water, on which is written,
, in red letters, "Catlin."
The approach to Fort Smelling, about
miles from the Falls Of st. Anthony, is high.
ly imposing. 1t stands on high point of
land sloping down to the water; has rocky
foundation, with sub-stratum of pure white
J sandstone. The river st. Peters passes by
{ on one side, the Mississippi on the other,
4 after winding round small island connect
! ed with each by narrow channel in front
of the Fort. A garrison of u. s. troops
{ is here stationed, consisting of five com.
3 panies of about AS in each, commanded by
3 Col. Davenport, who has fine airy resi-
/ dsnoe within the Fort; the tower in front of
: which commands view embracing the is
land, river surrounding hills, inexpressibly
beautiful.
!, Here, at the head of navigation, a spot so
g replete with interest under the rear of Fort
}, Snelling's artillery, we passedthe anniversa-
ry of American Independence. The native
f lords of the soil bringing baskets of straw
t berries, to exchange for bread; or lying a.
a long the bank, their bosoms heaving with no
: patriotic glow; unconscious of the future
t and apparently careless of the present.
i A mornings ride over a high prairie coun-,
: try, brought us to the Falls of st. Anthony.
Here, the Mississippi moves quietly onward,
t until it arrives at the rocky projection, ex-
s tending entirely over; uneven and broken
D off in various shapes, apparently suited to
r the rocks lying piled beneath, in every pos
!. sible form, and some Of immense magni-
e tude.-Over these the water leaps, throwing
: up spray ofsnowy Wilderness. Intervening
4 slips, covered with light vegetation, separate
I. the flood into three divisions. From bank
about half mile below, the fall on the cas-
!. tern side, is seen to peculiar advantage. Its
:, descent is abo;t twenty-five feet, and being
}. less impeded in its course, forms full, un-
d b.oken tide. Near the Falls, small island
y is formed Of huge masses of rock---from
$ their size and form, creating the impression,
: that they have been torn fromth precipice
a above, and carried by the stream to their
/ present bed--these, sheltered with shrub.
g tree. and vine, and terminating in a point of
y land, form very picturesque spot. The
!. scenery around the eccentric work of ma.