The Arkansas banner., 1844-06-19
WESTERN SCENERY.

| During the summer of last year, we had occasion to refer to number of the American Quarterly Re. view, for 1882. We there found Review of that admirable work, "FLINT's Geography and Histoy3 | of the Mississippi Valley," by Professor Caldwell The perusal of this Review afforded us the most fascinating interest," less in the value of it's facts than in the elegance of its style, and the richness o it's descriptions. Before returning the volume, tc the friend who had supplied us with 1t, we copied for future perusa, the following sketches of Western Scenery. A circumstance, within the last few days has called them to mind and we are induced to lay them before readers, alike for the qualification of all who delight in the contemplation of the beau ties of nature of literature and as small tribute to their distinguished author, whom we have the honor of eseeming as kind personal friend and of whom it may be most truly said-ss Nita tetigit, nor 7raa9H" It has been our good fortune to veri- f by personal observation. the fidelity of these de- scripdons, in every instance, exceptin that of the ''Westen Prairies; having frequently voyaged upon the Ohio and Mississippi, at all seasons. and resided for years, upon their banks.
 The splendid imagery of the life-like pictures which follow, and their richness of coloring are in our opinion, unequalled except by their truthfuness to nature. EDITOR OF THE BANNERl
 WESTERN RIVERS.
 "The Atlantic States have nothing to com pare with the rivers ofthe West The length and depth of those mighty streams, the bold ness of their present shores, and the loftiness of the cliffs, which nun parallel, and once constituted their banks, are matters of pecu- liar majesty. When swollen by the floods of spring, overflowing their usual boundaries, inundating their low grounds, at times to the width of miles and leagues, uprooting trees like grass, and bearing them, as stubble, on their bosoms, they present a scene of fearful sublimity, which can scarcely be sur passed. On these occasions, they frequently sweep off whole acres of their banks, loaded with gigantic timber, from some points, and pile them up, in majestic confusion, on others. Now, they cover their shores, to a great depth and distance, with sand or rich vege- table mould, and again wash them away, leaving their beds ragged and bare. In other instances they form themselves new channels, converting their old ones into stagnant ponds, or waterless canals. Such are their power, and the ravages and mutations they produce"
 WESTERN FORESTS.
 'The trees of the West have no equals in size; and, in depth and magnifcence, the for ests are unrvalled. Whether 1t be viewed while under the blossom of sping, the leafy luxurance of summer, or the variegated and splendid garnture of autumn, the Western landscape is unmatched in beauty. When glowing, in particular, in its autumnal garb, 1t IS scarcely surpassed in richness and ra- dance by the splendors of the morning or evening sky. Those who have gazed on it when gilded with sunbeams, will perceive no just ground to charge this representation of 1t with extravagance.n
 WESTERN PRAIRIES.
 "Another sort of landscape, not so pie turesque and romantic, at least not so bold in its outline, and so diversified in its feature, yet scarcely less delightful to the eye, is formed by the great Western prairies. To commu- nicate to readers who have never seen them, just conception of those resplendent and illimitable flats, on whose distant borders the arch of the heavens seems to rest, is impos- sible. But the attempt, however hopeless, may be made. Let us fancy ourselves, then, in the midst of one of them, in clear sum- lileI udy, WneH NeSetduoil IS III ltS PililO'
 Above is the blue sky, radiant with the sun, and, on every side, the eye reposes on an ocean of blossoms, gorgeous in color, deli cious in fragrance, and for aught that is dis coverable, without shore. Is 1t calm' The surface is unruffled, and all IS still.and silent, as if nature were at rest Does a breeze spring up' Every thing is in motion; and the living sea around us,. thrown into easy and graceful fluctuations, presents success sion of feeting pictures, which seem to chase each other in sport, and varying at the plea sure of the capricious wind, ia ;inate the eye with their ever changing forms. There is one plant in particular, the product of some of the prairies, which, when in abundance and perfection. constitutes one of the rich est ornaments of the landscape. It is the wild Heliotrope, with large flowers of gold and bronze. Its growth is lofty, and thou sands of acres are, at times, SO densely GOV cred by it, that other plants are scarcely wis