Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1854-06-20
THE GREAT EXCURSION.

THE GREAT EXCURSION.
The first letter giving an account of the Great
Excursion to St. Paul, we find in the Galena JEFF
fersonan of the 18th. An the subject is Of inter-
est to our readers, we make room for the article
to the exclusion of other matter.
SAINT PAuL.-We came in sight of St. Paul
about eight O'Clock on the morning of Friday;
and here, for the first time since leaving Dubuque,
we saw the War Eagle, she had preceded us sew
eral hours. The morning was bright and beauti-
full. The clouds and rain of Wednesday, the petty
discomforts of crowded cabin and crowded Ia
BILE, were forgotten in the enjoyment of the scene
of extreme beauty that lay before us. On our
right, and little in advance Of the line OF the
West, and on the left, stretching toward the bluff,
was the sea Of foliage of that dark green seen
only in northern forests. In contrast with the
sparkling water beneath, it was chief feature in
the charming picture presented, for the first time,
to the astonshed eyes of those who gazed. The
War Eagle in advance, the boats came near to-
gether in the channel, and with head on toward
shore, tarried few minutes to form line, and
then with streamers flying, with gay crowd on
deck responding ''with will'' to the cheers OF
those who lined the shores, they foated slowly to
land. 1t was scene worthy OF the Father OF
Waters and Of the mighty West through which it
runs.
By some unaccOuntable error Of arrangements,
the party arrived one day before the time they
were expected. Under such circumstances, it is
not wonderful that the St. Paul people were
prepared to give them the formal reception laid
down in the programme; but the genuine and I'M
mistakable cordially Of their welcome made
amends for any lack of ceremonial appropriate to
the occasion. 1t was not a matter OF regret that
the intended speeches, no doubt eloquent and ap-
rop0s, were omitted; 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 experienced: carriages and vehicles OF diff
ferent kinds had been bespOken for nert day, in
all parts of the Territory within easy reach OF the
city; of course they were not on hand when we
little sacrifice Of comfort and pressing into SER
vice every kind of conveyance known in the West.
After little delay, some few timid shrieks from
ladies when introduced, perhaps for the first time
in their lives, to soft pine board laid across the
sides of u wagon box, low muttered curses from
the dandies of the party, and great deal of hi
larious mirth excited by the novelty OF the scene,
nearly every one who desired it was under head
way, with various rates of speed, to the Falls
The ''AIarch to Finlay'' was nothing compared to
our motley cavalcade. Here was Governor be
stride a sorry Rosinante of which even the great
Don would have been ashamed here a U. S.
Senator, acting the part of footman, stood bolt
upr: ght in the baggage boot of a coach, holding
ON by the iron rail surrounding the top; here the
historian of which the country is justly proud,
squatted ON his launches on top OF a crazy van,
unmindful of everything but himself, his book,
hat and spectacles; there dollhouse flower
nursed in some eastern conservatory, so delicate
and fragile that falling leaf mi ht crush it, but
beautiful specimen of the feminine gender,
wthal, would be seated over the hind axle Of a
lumber wagon, supported on each side by opera
glass exqu;sitcs, who only wondered ''why the
devil the people of this country didn't send to
New York for better carriages;'' and whose groans
between every jolt, furnished amusement for the
more hardy of the party; here some corpulent
madam, whose idea of ride is bounded by lux
uriant cushions, shining hammercloths, spirited
horses and ObsequiOus tunkies, was seated in a
hard bottom chair, in open one horse market
wagon, first cousin to her husbands vegetable
dray or perhaps his pedler's cart, before riches
came to bless them, (about which she has forgot
ten Of cOurse) here she was, surrounded perhaps
by the cdndiAe whom she has learned in latter
days to desp!se, dragged along at a snalPs pace
by one old mare, with a crazy, foolish, Wicker
ing colt along side, to torment her and make the
driver curse; there politician who has ridden
successfully more than one easy hobby, would
have been glad to ride rail. The scene was an
mated and AMUSING!
The st. PauliteS have reason to frlcitate them
selves that the day of oar visit was so surpass-
in@ly fine. The air was cool but bracing, and
the prairie and forests had on their holiday garb
Those of us who know what prairie is in bleak
November, could but smile at the rapturcs of the
uninitiated, and their sudden DIES re 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 Mime
sofa, was greatly enjoyed. 1t made an impress
sion many minds that will not be forgotten.
ST. ANrnoxr.-O course the Falls were the
first attraction. Th;thcr. as soon as the carriages
pulled up in the street, every body rushed. Our
familiarity with the scene there presented, gave
us opportunity to observe others and the varying
emotions that the river produced IN those who for
the 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 and then
st. Anthony has been unduly magnifed. Many
had expected to be rooted to the ground by the
sublimitv Of the scene but St. Anthony is simply
grand and beautiful-not sublime. Fashionable
appreciation was not wanting even the sOpera-
glass man. produced his instrument and for an
instant as he gazed, signifed descided acquies-
cence in the magnifcence Of what he saw but
The torrent did not detain the party long they
soon dropped off, for Minne-ha-ha or the Fort.
MINNE-HA-HA.- Again we had lovely ride, and
again the loneliness of the prairie entranced all
behOlders. After six miles were accomplished,
we reached the Little Fall, said by those who are
familiar with Natures wonders in other parts of
the world, to be pure jewel of its kind. At all
events, among the company with which we were
thrown, there was but one feeling, and that-un-
qualified admiration. The short time, however,
allowed to make the trip, hurried us toward the
Fort. We did not leave, though, until the opera
glass man arrived, and we had chuckled over his
faint imitation of Mr.. Mantilini, as he pronounced
e-ha-ha, to be &c dcmnition fne!"
FORT SNELLINC.-Reposing in such locality,
surrounded by so much that is lovely in nature,
Fort Smelling, suggesting war and blOodshed,
seemed out of place, and so the visitors appeared
to think, for though from the tower and the walls
a view unequalled for extent and beauty is OBJ
tanned, it passed by with little tarry. AS usu-
al, the gates were open and admittance was easy !;
but further than drive around the area enclosed
by the walls, it was not honored by any lengthen-
ed presence of the yariously distinguished COM
pany. Had he Of the opera-gass been along,
doubtless we should have seen further display
of amiability in commencing what he saw.
FOUNTAIN CAvE.-Three miles from the Fort is
Fountain Cave, whittier many of the party re-
paired. This curious excavation displays so
perfectly some Of the subterranean operations
going on in mother earth, that word in descrip
ton is not amiss. The whole surface of the
country5thereabout is underlaid by stratum of
shaly lime rock, only few feet in thickness
Beneath this is bed of soft and friable sand
stone. Doubtless the cave has been formed by
the waters of a spring forcing their way under
meath the lime rock to the sand stone and along
hot 70 fho odoo Of tho h1nf fbo ov,opinO