The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-02-27
sketches of Minnesota.
NU NJ Der III.
ST. PAUL., MINNESOTA,
Nov...l5, 1850. !

Nov..l5 1880.
A ride of two hours, from St. Paul,
over fine country, brings us to the cele-
brated Falls of St. Anthony, place Of
great resort for visitors, from the east
and sunny south In the way of cata-
racts it is decidedly the glory of our
West and North West. The pulse of
the traveller seems to beat quicker as he
feels himself approaching the scene,
where father Hennepin, Of old, was so
carried away with admiration as to call
the red mans falls after his patron Saint.
The name has indeed kind of sacred
halo about it, yet we love the more So
norous and far more appropriate appela-
ton Of the Indians. The Dakotas call
the Falls 50 Rara," from Irara, to
laugh.
Long before coming in sight of the
grand scene, the ear is greeted by the
deep, solemn roar, that truly resembles
the ''sound Of many waters" 1t seems
indeed as though some mighty strife
were going on amid the elements of ma
ture. A strange and indescribable feel
ing steals oyer the senses,-a feeling
that awakens spirit Of admiration for
the Almighty's handiwork The Falls
at length burst upon the enraptured view
the noble Falls of st. Anthony. We
are Immediately impressed with the pc
culiar appropriateness Of the Indians
name, as he gazes on the 'Iaughing
waters One is not here SO complete
ly overwhelmed at the incompatible
Niagara, with the great height of the
waters fall, their deafening roar, or the
lofty character of the scenery. Saint
Anthony is luore within the grasp of the
human comprehension, and is therefore
looked upon with more real pleasure.
Niagara appears TO wear kind of
threatening frown while the former grcets
you with more winning and complac-
ent smile. Yet on account of the vast
body of water continually rushing over
the rocky mass in the rivers bed, the
scene is one of great sublimity, as we'll
as one of beauty and lovelincss.-
AS we gaze on the scene and listen to
the warning elements. how forcibIy are
we impressed with the truth Of Brainard'
beautiful lines:
And what we
| That hear the question Of thar voice sublime!
o, what are all the that ever rung
From wars vain trumpet, by thy laundering side.
Yes, what is all the riot make
| In his short life, to thine unceasing roar!
| And yet bold babbler, what art thou to Him
Who drowned the world, and heaped the waters far
Above its loftiest mountains! A light
That breaks und whispers at its Makers might.
| At length weturn away from the more
sublime view afforded by the great
Father of Waters to behold the cluster
of newly made houses scattered along
the river, above and below the Falls on
the eastern side. The extent and beau
ty ofthe town site attracts particular at
tention. The ground rises so gradually
from the river when compared with the
Mississippi bluffs in general that one is
forcihly impressed with the great natur-
al advantage ofthis place for large
town. On the west side, however, there
is much better site, and more extensive.
1t consists of as beautiful a prairie as
real Sucker could wish to look upon, ex-
tending several miles back with gradual
inclination towards Lake Calhoun, Lake
Harriet, &c. i-1
This land, however, is not yet sub
ject to entry. and being such an admira-
BILE situation, hundreds arc looking over