Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1855-08-23
For the Green Mountain Freeman.
LETTER FROM MINNESOTA.

ExCELsoR, NJ. L., July zoth, 1000.
Dame Nature has many admirers 1t is very
common for writers, poets and romancers in par
ticular, who never venture out of the city limits
who occupy small, unvcntilated, tobacco scent.
ed apartments-who never enjoyed the luxury
of pure air and steady nerves-whose habits
are entirely opposed to the worthy DANES de-
crees-in short, who are to all intents and pur-
poses willing slaves to her most deadly enemy
Fashion, to be raving about the beauties of Ma
ture, and the sweet pleasures of 8" rustic retire.
ment and rural sports" These pretended ad-
mirers have brought about q state of feeling
very unfavorable to the enjoyment of the pleas
ures they extol We require practical expert
ence in any business before we can become ac-
quainted with the difficulties to be met, the OBJ
stacles to be overcome, and the peculiar train
ing necessary to fit one to engage in it success
fully. If we would gain the good will of a per-
son-if we would win their affections we should
have personal acquaintance with them-should
have their tastes and their habits of thoughts
and feelings, in order to adapt ourselves to
theirs and thereby make ourselves agreeable to
them. So it il, if we would make love to Ma
ture, we must endeavor to make ourselves agree
able by studying her ways'-becoming acquaint-
ed with her habits, and adapting ourselves to
them as far as possible. need say nothing to
your readers of the desirableness of an intimate,
friendly relation with Nature. would induce
them to use the means to become personally and
practically acquainted with her.
There are, probably, few places in the i" wide
world when she dlsplays herself to better ad-
vadtage, than in this territory. Minnesota has
been very appropriately styled the =" land of
lakes" One of the largest is Minnetonka, upon
whose shore is situated the temperance town
of Excelsior
1t is quite new and rude, but its natural ad-
vantages and beautiful situation is sufficient
guaranty that in few years q thriving town
will occupy this site which, two years ago was
not known but to the wild beasts and the wan
o dering savage scarcity of lumber has kept
it back very much this year; but steam saw
mill will soon be running, which will remove the
=, only obstacle to the immediat settlements of the
town. 1t has, at present, two stores, BLACKSMITH
shop, shoe shop, and one hotel-the " Mime
tonka House, at which pleasure seekers and
- land lockers can be Accommodated with the sub
stantal comforts of life. 1t is decidedly item
perance town " the lots being sold with th'
y liquor prohibition condition, which, am glat
II to find, is being adopted by many of the younl
towns in the territory. The people who hav
settled in the vicinity are all New England peo
IN pie of very high order of intelligence, refine
ID ment and virtue 1t is expected that Seminar
lis will be located here. water-cure establish
OF ment will be open for the reception of the inva
" lid and the lovers of beautiful scenery and rurs
r. sports, early next season. The water is of tn
no purest, softest quality, and the climate cannt
u be surpassed. The air is very dry and bracIn
ar in winter. but rather cold. 1t summer, the lax
ad breezes render the otherwise sultry July and AT
ON gust quite endurable. As far as have bee
ok able to observe, and my observation has bee
iiS very extensive, it is very healthy-is entirel
p free from those bilious diseases which prevail
ne the more southwestern States. Ague is ur
known. The soil is black sandy loan, an
tn produces nearly everything that can be raised
he Illinois or Iowa. Timber is very abundant upo
ed the shores of the lake, and is generally through
sts out the territory, sufficiently for the preser
10 use. a
nd This place is twenty miles west from St. An
nir thonys Falls, and seven miles north of the Mil
at nesota River. Notwithstanding a severe drout
it. early in the season crops look very well. Fa
ed, mers prospects are good. The emigration
so great that produce will be very high next fa
ad- and winter ROVER.
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