The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-07-11

MADISON, June rs, 1857.

vent" and let it flow off from the point of my
sold grey goose quilr' or its substitute the
stiff nib of my steel pen.
am eastward bound-once more to visit
tie scenes of childhood, to greet the friends
of early years,--and how the, heart swells
with emotions which words have not power
to express, for no father or mothers greeting
awaits me there. lean only have the mourn
full satisfaction of visiting their quiet resting
place where the first grass has scarcely
sprung, or the flowers have first bloomed.-
Sufficient unto the day will it's sorrows be
Accompanied by the dearest, best and kind
est Trojan cousin, left st. Paul, (amid the
falling dew drops which had for the last
week, resolved themselves into plentiful show
ers,) on Friday morning, at 3 O'Clock, found
ourselves at Prairie du Chen when a little,
very little life seemed diffused, by the work
ings Of the Railroad system, into the elements
OF this ancient town, confess to my aston
ishment of the rapid progress of the towns
on the river during the last year. W.inona
and La Crosse, have surpassed all others In
growth the latter Ishould Judge having made
most rapid strides. Scarcely twenty-four
hours from home we are welcomed with a
western cordiality to the delightful home Of
a Madison friend, where the full measure of
enjoyments are meted out to their guests
Life is indeed full of rich blessings and no
where can they be more appreciated than in
this lovely young city of the Lakes, which
Nature has done more to beautify than any
spot have ever seen. How much the kind
ness, hospitality, cordiality and amiabillty OF
the citizens may be the result of locality
and the smiles Of benefcent Heaven NAV
not be computed; but sure if the people Of
Madison are not satisfied with themselves
and the surroundings, it is because Earth has
not the power to do it. ..4
Adler pens than mine have failed in at
tempts to do justice to this Eden spot and I
will not attempt what know will prove a
failure. The population since my first and
only visit here eight years since, has grown
from one to eight thousand--thc four lakes
have lost none of their sparkling brightness;
the dense foliage, none of its richness. But
stately buildings and princely mansions have
arisen on vacant lots or taken the place OF
tiny white cottages then scarcely observable
thro' the trees. On university Heights, !"
two fine buildings have been erected, over
looking the city and the third is soon to
crown tie elevation.
Capitol Park in the centre of town is an
inviting resort for prOmenades and in order
to bring those who never visit the House of
God, within the sound Of the Gospel the
Episcopalians are now every Sabbath after
noon holding service in its inviting shade,
whe g large crowds convene. "
The Capital House is well kept Hotel
and a fine substantial structure four stories
high. By the way, if you will pardon d.
gression, | heard a very intelligent gentleman
from Utica, WOO has been spending few
weeks in pleasure seeking in the west, re-
mark that he had found "no better house
than the Fuller in St. Paul, in all his tray
els;' which of course was not little graft
flying to an "old Pioneer of st. Paul. To
return to the Capital House. hope no one
will visit it without view from its cupola,
which takes in the city and its envrons in
one delightful view. Here we in.mortalized
ourselves by registering our names with a
leaa l'enci and reluctantly assembled to a ley.
el with the rest of the world, to stroll among
the shady hooks of the lakes, and for drives
amid its pleasant suburban scenery.
The most inviting of all its inviting resorts,
is Lake Side Retreat" opposite the city on
the shore Of Lake Menota. This is water
cure establishment, embracing 40 acres OF
the finest grove, with winding gravel walks
end rural seats, inviting the invalid, the lover
of rural life, and the adorer of nature to for
get his vows and reyel in the rich feast so
bountifuliy prepared. DR.. Castleman is pro-
prietor of the establishment, and spares no
effort to make it emphaticaIly the spot for
those who seek health or quiet enjoyment.
One word more for Madison. No vain
efforts to improve upon nature mars the
primitive beauty of the town. Instead of
wasting money in street grading, as it verify
seems to ME is being done in St. Paul, they
have here been impyoped without cutting
down; the hills are rendered into incline
plains, which to my eye is far pleasantcr and
infnit- ly less expensive.
Amid the much enjoyment crowded into
the week here, has been a drive to Beaver
Dam, 40 miles distant. We saw all along
the route a glowing and beautiful country,
richly cultivated farms and elegant farm man
sions betoken by the nabob resident. "And
what is nabob 2" said the merry loving
son of "mine host" who was the life of our
carriage party as well as the household So
my good cousin, he who had used the expires.
sion must explain. Now. by-the-way, this
same cousin is the best natured, most COM
panionable soul in the world, save his gentle
manly brother, to whose welcome we are SO
much indebted, (who, by-the-way, has re
Gently been made President Of the Wisconsin
bank, } with plenty Of mony, which is. valued
but for the enjoyment of himself and friends
and to do good with as he may have oppor-
tunity. .o,,.s- .fsa,
Our party during the entire drive both GO
ing and returning was kept in right merry
mood, by the drawing up Of rains and sun
dry questions, put to every pedestrian and
teamster, alwas prefaced by how far is it
to, Sun Prairie, or Columbus or Beaver
Dam? as the case might be which we had
last past, then as to the value of lands, the
price of wheat, and who owned this or that
farm. Thus we did indeed gain much relia-
bic information. The farms are valued from
$50 to $40 per acre accord ng to locality and
improvements, and all were richly worth the
money. Wisconsin is glorious State, twin
sister Of Minnesota! The future, must de-
:. -rnsne wbiea shall be the brightest star in
AZ 80 ,.xy Of our republic n. ssy.a !
~ We fe we're less fsvorably impressed with
Beaver Dam tb,.n the other towns we bad
sesn Int nevertbele. - 1t is fine growing
town located in the mn. 1st Of fertile dis
fr;ct opd dOru a 10 rra hue;p. sS. lue kNao'