The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-06-24
THE MINI ES0 IA N
SATURDAY MORNING, JUNE II, 1854.
OPINIONS FROM ABROAD.

OPINIONS FROM ABROAD.
-- Number I.
We find the first account of the landing at
St. Paul by the editors of the EXCURSION" In
The Galena Jefersonian of Tuesday. We below
transfer such portions as will be interesting to
our readers. and will continue to transfer, as
It reaches us, all interesting matter which has
fallen from the pens Of the Forty Editors -
ST. PAUL.
We omit the Incidents Of the trip, occurring
on the upward passage from La Crosse to st.
Paul, with the intention OF bringing them out
in their appropriate place
We came in sight of St. Paul about eight o.
clock on the morning of Thursday; and here,
for the first time since leaving Dubuquc,we saw
the War Eagle she had proceeded us several
hours The morning was bright and beautiful.
The clouds and rain Of Wednesday, the petty
discomforts ola crowded cabin and crowded ia
BILE, were forgotten in the enjoyment of the
scene that lay before us. On our right, and a
little in advance Of the line of the boats lay the
embryo capital of the far Northwest, and on
the left. stretching towards the bluff, was that
sea of foliage of that dark green seen only in
nothern forests. In contrast with the spark
ling water beneath it was chief picture in
the charming scene presented, for the first
time, to the astonished eyes of those who gaz-
cd. The War Eagle in advance, the boats came
near together in the channel. and with head to-
ward shore, tarried a few minutes to form line,
and then with streamers flying, with q gay
crowd on deck responding "with will' to the
cheers of those who lined the shores, they float
ed slowly to land. 1t was scene worthy of the
Father OF Waters and of the mighty West thro'
which, it runs.
BY some unaccountable error of arrange
ments, the party arrived one day before the
time they were expected. Under such circum-
stances, it is not wonderful that the st. Paul
people were unprepared to give them the for
NAL reception laid down in the programme !;
but the genuine and unmistakable cOrdiality of
their welcome made amends for any lack of
ceremonial appropriate to the occasion. 1t was
not matter of regret that the intended speech
es, no doubt eloquent and apropos, were omit
ted for as soon as the boats landed, there was
a general rush for carriages in which to visit
the Falls of st. Anthony, Fort Smelling and the
Cave. Here another difficulty was experience
ed carriages and vehicles Of different kinds
had been bespOken for next day, in all parts of
the Territory within easy reach of the city of
course they were not on hand when We arrived.
But the deficiency was made up by little sac
riicc Of comfort and pressing into service every
kind of conveyance known in the West After
o little delay, some few timid shricks from del
icate ladies when introduced, perhaps for the
first time in their lives, to soft pine board
laid across the side of a wagon box, low NUT
tered curses from the dand cs of the party, and
o great deal of hilarious mrth excited by the
novelty of the scene, nearly every one who de-
sired it was under Roadway, with various rates
Of speed. to the Falls. The "March to Finley
was nothing compared to our motley caval-
cade. Here was a Governor bestridc sorry
Rozinate Of which even the great Don would
have been ashamed; here an U. S. Senator,
acting the part offootman, stood bolt upright
In the baggage boot of a coach, holding on by
the iron rail surrounding the top there the his
torian Of which the country is justly proud,
squatted on his launches on top Of a crazy van,
unmindful ofeverything but himself, his book,
hat and spectaclcs; there a hot house flower
nursed in some eastern conservatory, SO deli
cate and fragile that falling leaf might crush
1t, but beautiful specimen of the feminine
gender, withal, would be seated over the hind
axle OF a lumber wagon; supported on each by
opera glass eXquisites, who only wondered
"why the devil the the people didn't send to
New York for better carriages )" and whose
groans between every jolt, furnished amuse-
ment for the more hardy Of the party: here some
corpulent madam, whose idea of ride is boun-
ded BY iuxuriant cushions, shining hammer
eS.
was seated in a hard bottom chair, in an open
one horse market wagon, first cousin to her
husbands vegetable drag or perhaps his ped
dler's cart, before riches came to bless them,
(about which she has forgotten of coursc) here
she was, surrounded perhaps by the canaWe
whom she has learned in latter DAYS to de-
spise, dragged along at snail's pace by one
OLD mare with crazy, foolish, whickering colt
along side, to torment her and make the driv-
RpP hare LII -. H. L
cesstully more than one easy hobby would have
been glad to ride rail. The scene was ami
mated and amusing!
The st. Paulites have reason to felicitatc
themselves that the day of our visit was 50 sur
fine. The air was cool but bracing,
and the prairie and forests had on their holiday
garb. Those of us who know what q prairie is
In bleak November, could but smile at the rap
lures of the uninitiated, and their sudden de-
sire for this or that quiet and sunny nook where
life might be spent without care. The ride of
eight miles bringing to view one of the best
parts OF Minnesota, was greatly enjoyed. 1t
made an impression upon many minds that will
not be forgotten.
ST. ANTHONY.
OF course the Falls were the first attraction.
Ihither, as soon as the carriages pulled up in
the street, everybody rushed. Our familiarity
with the scene there presented gave us oppor-
tunity to observe others and the varying emo
lions that the river produced in those who for
She first time looked on. We confess that we
were disappointed in the effect Many of the
party were fresh from Niagara, and the thunder
Of that cataract was still ringing in their ears
and then st. Anthony has been unduly magni-
ned. Many had expected to be rooted to the
ground by the sublimity of the scene; but St.
Anthony is simply grand and beautiful-not
sublime. Fashionable appreciation was not
wanting even the "opera- glass man" produced
his instrument, and for an instant as be gazed,
signified decided acquiescence in the magnif-
cence OF what he saw but the torrent did not
aetain the party long they soon dropped of
Tor Minne-ha-ha or the Fort.
MINNE-HA-HA.
Again We had charming ride, and again the
loveiiness of the prairie entranced all behold
ers AFTER six miles were accomplished, we
reached tho Little Fall, said by those who are
with natures wonders in other parts of
the world, to be jewel of its kind, At ali
events, among the company with which we
were thrown, there was but one feeling. and
admiration. The short time
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