The daily Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1855, 1854-09-02

STEAMER GAI..NA-THE COMfAN1 ON li'Ahi'-
MADAME IDA PFEIFFER, HER APPEARANCE,
TRAVELS, CHARACTER, &c.--ROCK ISLAND, AND
IFS NEW HOTEL. &c, &c.
Correspondence Of the Daily Fioneer.
ISLAND CITY Hotel, Rock Island, /
August oath, 1851 J
We left st. Paul week since, on the
fine steamer Galcaa, and our passage down the
River, though devoid of striking incident, was
sufficiently rcpletc with interest to deserve
notice in your columns. All who have travel
cd know how much their pleasure is enhanced
by an agreeable company of fellow travellers.
1t was our happiness to be thus favored on
our trip of thirty-six hours to Galena OF
our own countrymen and country-women there
were many who deserve an honorable mention,
but our limits obligc us to pass them by, that
we may do justice to q foreigner more distin-
guishcd, and, at least, equally worthy.
Probably few in your vicinityarc aware that
the renowned IDA PFEIFFER has been in your
midst. and possibly, some may be ignorant OF
her history. Many, no doubt, who saw her in
st. Paul, scarce gave her a passing notice, for
her humble exterior gives no token of the
beauty and excellence OF her character. Ones
first impression is of little old woman bronzcd
by exposure, to an Aboriginal hue, and
dressed in the simplest garb, in which, to be
sure, if you observe, you will see a scrupulous
ncatncss. The quetude Of her brown face
may seem to you only the repose of stupidity !;
but speak to her of Austria her Father-and,
of Vienna, her native city, of the countries she
has visited, and especially of the rights and
wrongs of humanity and the blank is filed at
once-the unmistakcable light of intellect and
genius gIows through every feature-yet so
subducd by feminine sweetness, that you arc
ready to cxclaim She is bcautifulr' Her
life has been most peculiar and eventful one
TO travel and observe every phase of human
life has been her leading passion, and in her
declining years it seems scarcely abated
This passion was gratified in youth, in trav-
els with her parents. She married early, and
was the mother of six children, two sons of
whom only are living. During the last thir-
teen years, she has visited almost every part
of the known world, and the accounts Of those
travels, published by her, have obtained a wide
celebrity. Being in theory warm Republi-
can, she has probably expected too much from
the operation Of Democratic principles in the
United States. She seems, thus far, to have
been disappointed. Her first impressions were
unfortunate, being made in California, where
there is reason for her complaint that there
is too general disregard of law" Anarchy
seems to her of an alarming growth with us,
the seeds of which she imagines to have been
sown in childhood by the failure of parents to
enforce obedience. Often annoyed as she has
been by the taunts of rude children, on account
of her humble exterior, it is not strange that
she is confirmed in this idea. From San Fran
cisco, she came to New Orleans; thence up
the Mississippi and ST. Croix Rivers, as far as
the Falls of st. Croix. Her tour through our
great East is yet in prospect, and we trust
that she will therein find satisfactory proof
that Rcpublcanism is no humbug even in
America. She is a practical cntomologist, and
has already collected q large variety of insects
and reptiles, peculiar to this country. These
she carries in a box by themselves, with the
net Tor catching them, and in the other hand
the oilcloth bag that contains her entire war
drobe. Thus VIC saw her equipped rs she
quietly took her leave Of the steamer Galena.
Such entire simplicity with so much worth
and intelligence we have never before seen
combined. We are glad to have known her
and to have seen, at least, one of her sex free
from every vestige of vanity.
The Royal Arch lay in readiness to convey
US to Rock Island, where we are peculiarly
fortunate in finding this admirable house, new
ly opened. Last Spring we carried away
shocking impressions of the town, from oul
miserable accommodations there. Now, We
arc pleased almost enchanted, with the place
and its surroundings. The beauty of the Is
land and the interest of its ruins the fine
drives around, the beautiful suburban resi-
,lcnces, and more especially, this excellent no
tel. makes Rock Island now, desirable re
sort
If there is material on our return trip for {
!sttcr, and it is possible, you shall have it.
Faithfully yours, +.
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