New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-08-20
SUMNER RAMBLES.
The Upper Mississippi.
Correspondence Of The n. Y Tribune.
On BOARD STEAMER BEN CAMPBELL
UPPER MISSISSIPPI, Friday, July 80, 1852 )

Correspondence Of tn. n. Y. Tribune
On BOARD STEAMER "BES CAMPBELL
UPPER MISSISSIPPI Friday, July 80, 1852
The new steamer Ben Campbell was APP
pointed to leave Galena at O'Clock, "Wednesday
morning, 2Sth inst. Capt. Onin Smith, who
usually commands the Nominee, and one VI the
proprietors of this line of boats, was in command,
and we congratulate ourselves on the crcum.
stance, having heard much Of him as an excellent
man and sincere Christian. He Away respects
the Sabbath, not suffering his boat to be out on
that sacred day. Many parties who have gone
up the river have mentioned him as a most desir-
able companion on such an excursion, ao wing
none OF the remarkable localities to escape notice,
and his graceful courtesy and refined and cordial
manners cannot fail to win the regard Of all who
have the good fortune to travel under his care
The boat rivals in size and elegance of arrange
ment the Lake and Ohio steamers the sti ave.
rooms are large and generally furnished with
double beds and wardrobes, and the fare is so ex-
celent that one is naturally at loss to conceive
how passengers can possibly be conveyed four
hundred miles, lodged and fed sumptuously, and
provided with attendance for four dollars each,
less than one would have to pay at an ordinary
hotel. The quiet of departure was noticeable
enough, by one accustomed to the noise and con-
fusion Of misunderstanding in New-York. After
our friends who came to say good bye and promise
a meeting in Minnesota had left US, the boat
dropped silently down the stream, followed its
gentle windings for few miles, and entered the
great river The channel of the Mississippi here
is very tortuous, and the islands numerous. re-
mDding me Of St. Mary River. The scenery is
OF the sotest and most pleasing description there
are grassy meadows and slopes, islands shady
with oak groves and gently cling hills, around
which the steamer wound merrily; the shore be-
coming holder after we left Dubuque, and wooded
hesdands Of considerable hight overlooking the
water, with here and there grassy plateau
sprinkled with tall trees. Buena Vista landing
and its vicinity afford beautiful views the high,
conical hills are turreted with rock, as if their
submits were castle.crowned aud the fairy
Islands d0ttipg the waters, and the range of bluffs
thicky wooded from their tops to the waters edge.
save the rocky projections, with the vast variety
OF shade IN their foliage, form exquisite picture.
1t is d,fhcult to separate into its component
parts the beauty which here nils the Imagination
so as TO convey an adequate impression to those
have little satisfaction in any description of the
wonders Of the Upper Mississippi. But brief
notice CT some points of interest will help the
reader to an imperfect conception. | have not
seen on thus noble river any enc piece of scenery
which surpasses the finest on the Hudson. The
charm consists in the fact that succts siOn of
pictures is presented, embracing as large variety
as any artists fancy could devise. As soon as
one magnificent view disappears another opens on
the sight, each enchanting enough TO induce
wish to linger in the contemplation. Tn 3 i
continued for hundreds Of Understanding range
OF scenery scarcely paraleled upon the Intinent.
Now we sail in the shadow Of iroshing crags one
hundred and fifty or two hundred feet 10 hsht,
deDsely covered with woods, rude lodge or hut
peerlng out from the foliage az long intervals now
we sRlrt some luxurlant prarie or watch the laZy
progress OF large RATS loaded With timber floating
under the rocky ledge, bordering the water; aud
the disposition OF the wiow-frnged islands. and
the sweep Of country beyond are hishly pictur.
esque. PraIrie du Chen was passed by moon.
light, the old dismanted fort cleaning white in
the sil'ery iuster, and the ancient trading house
half destroyed. showing ruin not very slightly.
The town extends back, and can be seen to little
advantage from the liver. Here commences the
loveliest scenery Of the Mississippi
The water is lower at this time than il has been
for many ears but the boat is so constructed that
its bow can touch the slore where d canoe couli
but just ket aloat. At Prairie La Crosse IL
superb view OF the nights further I'D, partially
wooded and chequered by the play of sunshine
and shadow. sudden and welcome shower
came upon u.s. the large drops dancing on the
water, and cooling the air, which had been of
burning heat. Some crevices resembling caprns
may be ssen az we approach, half Say 40 the cliff
and the rocks rising toweilIke from their "a nmt,