The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-04-16

early the next morning, Gov. R. and his
beautiful and accomplished wife accompanied
us in a drive to "Spring Cave" about two
miles up the river. A rustic pavilion stands in
the woods, where lights can be procured to en-
ter the cave. A footbridge over narrow "a
vine, and winding path descending into its
depths and leading through it short distance,
brought us to the entrance. This il a small
amphitheatre of white sandstone cliffs resemb-
ling loafsugar; along this base on one side
rushed a stream of the clearest water that ever
flowed, issuing from the cave, and dasking mer-
rily along over the snow-white sand, its trans
parent waters sparkling like shower of dia-
monds. After lively progress through the
shaded ravine, it skirts the rich bottom lana,
and hastens to carry its tribute to Che Missis-
sippi. The arched entrance, with its pillars Of
sand, and the bright streamlet gushing out at
one side, was beautiful as marble teHfple.-
You enter a winding passage, and soon lose
the daylight, the stream becoming larger and
more boisterous till on arriving at narrower
rift, roar is heard like that of a cataract COM
cealed in the bowels of the earth.
"Those who do not mind wet feet and soiled
dress may proceed, ascending the rocks, to sew
eral spacious chambers, and see the rapids and
the waterfall thence onward the passage mar
rows again. and our penetration did not extend
further. No doubt the beatty of the place would
reward search but as there was no prospect Of
finding any trophies in the way of stalactites,
we left the honor to more pcrsevering travel
ers.
'Returning down the river, in about half
mile we meet this pretty stream in a new freak
OF gayety. A miniature waterfall flashes thro'
the depths of a narrow dell, making thirteen
successive shoots in winding course, each fall
ling into lovely basin several feet in depth,
serves for bathng-place curtained by dra-
perry of woods. This little cascade is closely en-
powered in foliage of vivid green, and its pic
turesquc beauty makes up for the want Of
grandeur. 1t is lovely spot to spend sum-
mer morning or afternoon.
THE view of the country in this drive was
delicious one; every feature that can give va
ried beauty to a landscape was there, and one
could not help wondering at the ease with
which this fertile and delightful land can be
subdued to yield the choicest products of Guilt
walton. At present it is said the most profita-
BILE crop is potatoes, but we were assured by
those who know more about farming than our
selves that the soil is excellent for agricultural
purposes. The salubriOus climate, and bracing
air, nvigOrate the human frame for both phys
ical and mental eXertion. In winter, we are
told, the stiffness and dryness of the atmos-
phere enable one to endure with comfort de-
gree of cold that wonld be intolerable in St.
Louis. With all the encouragement to emgra-
ton. it cannot be wondered at that every steam
boat comes laden with new settlers. In a few
years the the tall bluffs that encircle ST. Paul,
inc closing the plain as in an amphitheatre. may
be sprinkled with country residences, Boosting
more advantages of location than many of the
proudest European Villas