The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1853-04-09
Editorial Core spondence.
MISNEaPnIIs. Anril 4.

dispute between Winter and Spring for supre-
or Improbable to kill the monotonous hours Of
impatient delay by short run cut upon the
prairies and among the country habtations OF
ones friends and neighbors. Besides. the pleas
ant weather Of the past week. after enduring
long winter, and the town mud and slush Incl
dent to its breakup, draws us away from home,
not only for mental and physical recreation,
but to view and note what changes time and
the rapid hand of man have made during the
brief reign of the Ice-King and his attendant
ministers, Frost and Snow
The gradual wasting away, without rain, of
our heavy winters carpet of snow, and the ex-
IRENE dryness of the surface at the time it first
spread itself over the earth last November, has
left our roads in most excellent spring condi-
ton. Our stranger friends, when they arrive
by the boats, and set out on their accustomed
journey to the Falls, will consequently find
nothing to perplex them in the way of mud or
water. We have scarcely ever seen the road
between st. Paul and st. Anthony in better
condition, even in midsummer. Arriving at
the st. Charles you will find the house this
season in most excellent order-clean, tidy,
we'll appointed and well provisioned. 1t strikes
Us that the right man has at length been found
to keep hotel at the Falls of st. Anthony, in
the person Of the present landlord-Mr. Gilbert.
1t is now in truth-as it should bean inn
whereat one may take his ease. Situated
apart from the business avenues of the town,
where quiet and order are not disturbed, save
by the eternal roar of the distant cataract, it
affords most desirable retreat for those who
would escape during the season of heat from
the crowd and turmoil of active city life
Extensive additions are now being made to the
st. Charles preparatory to the summers in
tux of strangers which will render the house
capable of accommodating much larger num-
Der Of guests than formerly. Mr.. Gilbert
will have able and competent assistants in
managing the affairs of the establishment; and
we doubt not his guests will depart from be-
meath his roof with many regrets that the days
oftheir sojourn have so soon terminated.
There is scarcely ever days difference as
to the time of departure of the ice below and
above the Falls. 1t will be recolected, it took
its farewell Of us this year, on last Friday, the
first day of April. The breaking up above the
Falls was Simultaneous Owing to the inter
vening cataract, it however continues to run
in heavy fields, much longer above than below.
On looking out, from the front windows of the
hotel yesterday morning. the river still pre-
sented an impossible barrier of floating ice.
perhaps all the way from Sank Rapids, which
in its descent Of twenty feet a few rods below.
is dashed into minute fragments, which sink or
dissolve before reaching st. Paul. 1t lasted
but an hour or two. when the surface became
comparatively cleared.
Yesterday found US treading the smooth prai-
ries around Minneapolis, "a city yet to be- from
whose luxuriant surface the green grass and
early spring flowers are already starting forth.
1t never fails to inspire us with deeper and
more ardent love for Minnesota, and greater
contempt for the petty annoyances incident to
iaborious vocation, to survey the glories of
nature which surround this great WATERFALL
the second in magnitude and Importance upon
the continent. Here, also, we ever find a quiet
and secluded retreat at the home of q kind,
open-hearted friend, where upon firing with
walking or riding hunting or fishing, one can
take himself to the society Of good books or
agreeable company, and at night lie down with
the roar of the great cataract falling in sub
dued thunder upon his ear, and drop to sleep
dreaming of the by-gone days when old Father
Hennepin, from this same spot. measured the
Falls to the altitude of SIXTY feet, and watched
In the dim, hazy distance the flight of myriads
Of eagles carrying food to their children. eyred
amid the tops of the tall naples upon the island
which now bears his name
There is geological theory connected with
the Falls OF st. Anthony, which perhaps NAV
one day be realized. At the head of the rapids
the ledge of rock is said to terminate entirely.
leaving deep water and sandy or gravelly
bottom In other words, the bottom of the
river above the rapids is nearly or quite on a
level with its bed below. 1t is therefore con.
tended, that as the ledge rests upon sand. it
Will one day be entirely destroyed by the ac-
uon OF the water, leaving nothing but rapids. |
such as those at Rock Island and Des Moncs
we are aware this theory is nothing new and
IT is only alluded to here for the purpose Of no-
ting the fact, that well, recently sunk about
quarter Of mile west of the Falls. coes
strongly to confirm it.
ms rich and eligibly situated county of Hen
nepln is hlllng up with a rapidity beyond con.
eeptlon' Houses appear to grow spontaneous
from these fertile plains with the swiftness
o' 'onahs gourd and the magic of Aladdin.s
Paace' The whole prairie, from the Falls 70
c O,s smelling and from the Mississippi to Lake
".uoun' is dotted with dwellings, with extern
slVe farming arrangements upon almost every
quarter section. 1t appears that roodlv nor.
.,on OF the village of ST. Anthony has taken
i'sel over here. There is also considerable
settlement at Crystal Lake. three or four mi,os
northwest of this place; and at MipnetonL,
before the first of June, there will, in all nroba
~, ",.''y' be two hundred families. Over on Tho