The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-11-14


1l9O. Hence the total distances from Iiv-
erpool are: To Halifax $50; 10 Philadel-
pha 1880; TO Norfolk $50. Boston is 45
miles further than Halifax; New York GOO
miles further; Philadelphia 66O; Norfolk
7S0.--( Buffalo Com. Adv. esl
Scenery Of Lake SuperiOr-.Islc Roynle.
The scenery Of Lake Superior is, in
many respects; different from, and more IN
teresting than, any in our country. From
the account below, there is much which
should attract t.e attention of travellers, in
search of pleasure aud novelty. II is from
rhe pen of DIR. Jackson, late u. 5. Geolo-
glst: ..,.t
''lsle Royale is n most Interesting island,
singularly formed, cut up into deep bays,
and sending out long spitS Of rocks INTO the
lake at its north eastern extremity; while ut
its southwestern end it shelves oil far into
the lake, presenting slightly inclined beds
of red sandstone, the tabular sheets of which
for miles from the coast, are barely covered
with water, and offer dangerous shOals and
reefs, on which vessels, and even boats,
would he quickly stranded If they endeav-
ed to pass near that shore. How different
is the coast on that portion OF the island
where the rocks are of igneous origin! Bold
cliffs Of columnar trap and castellated rocks,
with mural escarpments, sternly present
themselves to the surf, aud defy the storms.
The waters Of the lake are deep close 10
their very shores, and the largest ship
n>ighr, in many places, lie close to the rocks
as an artificial pier. The color of the wa
ter. affected by the hues of the sky, and
holding 10 sediment to dim lis Transparent
cy, presents deeper tInts than are seen on
the lower Iakes-deep tints of blue green
and red prevailing, according to the color of
the sky and clouds. have seen at sunset,
the sufacc of the lake, off Isle Royale, of a
deep claret coior--a tint much richer than
is ever reflected from the waters Of other
lakes, or in any other country have visit
ed Added To the fantastic irregularities of
the coast and its castle like iSlands--the alb
rupt elevation of the hills, inland rising like
almost perpendicular walls from the shores
of the numerous beautiful lakes which are
scattered through the interior of the island,
aud corresponding with the lines of the
mountain upheayal-we observe occasion
ally rude crags detached from the main
body Of the mountains, and in one place two
lofty twin towers, standing on hill side,
and rising perpendicular'y, like huge chim-
Z
they are surrounded 10y deep green foliage
Of the prineval forest. requested my AS
sistant (Mr. Foster) to make sketch of
these singular towers, while was engaged
III measuring their height.
Not less strange and fantastic are the eff
iects Of mirage on the appearance of The
peculiar scenery Of this island, and the
northern coast Of the lake seen from it.
For weeks in the summer the traveller may
be gratified by view Of the most curious
phantasmag goria-inages Of the islands and
mountains being most vivIdly represented.
IN al! their outlines, with their tufts of ever
green trees, all inverted in the air, and
hanging over their terrestrial originals, and
again repeated upright IL another picture
directly over the inverted reflection. A very
beautiful view of mirage of this character
was represented near Rock Hurbor.