Litchfield enquirer., 1861-07-25

ible from the city.
 All abound in fine fish such as bass pickerel and perch, and Fourth Lake especially, did the young men and maidens of Madison but fancy it, affords an excellent field for scientific boat ing. Did they take to it as kindly as the good people of Chicago have done, on the basin in front of Michigan Avenue, the scene on plea sant evenings, would be very gay and animated as the various craft darted hither and thither under the strong arms of the rowers and in tune to the songs of the ladies. Health, pleasure and beauty all present their claims to the beaux and bellies of Madison in this thing, and the only wonder is, that they do not make more use of their advantages.
 The country about Madison is rolling, sufii- ciently so to afford many fine points of prospec t. Just about there it is dotted with frequent oak openings, mostly of the burr-oak kind not at all common with us, with peculiarly gnarled and twisted branches, and perfect thicket of small twigs. It does not usually attain great size, nor is there often underbrush in the groves compos-
 
 rolling prairie. In the level prairie, there is dreariness connected with the idea of vastness, such as one feels when at sea for the first time, but in the rolling prairie, while its vastness is equally impressive, all dreariness is gone Few sights are more grand, and, at the same time, so beautiful The mind wanders back to those ge- ologic ages, when the earth was a liquid mass, only held in spherical form by its combined heaved and billowed as it drove along its deso- late career, and it seems as if, at some time, when the molten pillows ran highest, they must suddenly have congealed into these graceful ridges and swales, which have since been cover ed with the most exuberan vegetation. Under lying many of these ridges is found sort of cream-colored limestone, similar in grain to our Portland free-stones. Being both accessible and capable of being highly wrought, it furnishes capital building material. This and brick of the same color and of the general character of the M!lwaukie brick, constitute the chief build ing material of the city. The main public build ings are, first, the Capitol. The old building was very good one, built in the usual form of d paralellogram with a Grecian portico and topped with a Roman dome; but it was not up to the march of the growing young State, and a series of extensions is now in progress, which will entirely enclose the former building with others-each of which is finer than it-standing square against it in the rear, and presenting, swhen done four semi-circuIar fronts. The office of the Land Department IS located in the Capi- tol, and as it employs from fifteen to twenty Clerks continually and requires considerable rooms. It gives much more regular show of business than pertains to our venerable State Houses. Next, is the University of Wisconsin. This is perhaps the most imposing building, or rather group of buildings, in the city. Stand ing upon the highest ground whereabouts, quite on the Southwestern verge of the city, 1t over- looks the town itself, its surrounding lakes, and many of the environs. The view thence, on bright morning, must be inspiring, and with the clear, bracing air of the region, if the students do not go to their tasks with clear heads and light hearts, they do not deserve their natural advantages over many of their compeers. If they could awake once or twice amid the mani fold delights of a New Haven fog, they would soon learn to appreciate their position. The main building, which seems to be devoted te the chapel and to recitation rooms, is built rather on the above-described and common State House order, and, precisely crowning the summit of the hill, shows to fine advantage on every side. The dormitories are just little down the slope toward the city, and are usually in the four sto- ry square built, many-windowed style of such buildings. Only two are now built, but it is in- tended to put up two more, 1 believe, at the op- posite corners of now imaginary paralello. gram, as soon as the wants of the Institution re- quire them As the class just graduated num- bers only six, they are not likely to be wanted soon. The Institution has for several years been under the charge of Hon. Henry Barnard, but a mutual dissatisfaction existing between him and the patrons he has lately resigned. For some cause, he has been unable to devote himself to the duties of the position, so exclusively as such post demands, and hence, I believe, is the difficulty. The City Hall and the Episcopal Church lately built, are also fine buildings These are all built of the limestone above men, toned, which certainly proves itself both valu- able and quite ornamental. There are some fine blocks in the business part of the town, and some very beautiful residences on Third and Fourth Lake Ridges. Fourth Lake Ridge is, I believe, considered the West End of Madison, and it certainly has some beautiful. places but, alas on many of the buildings must be written this ep;taph on the fortunes of their builders {: " He builded this and broke," and we have passed into other hands," Of course, there are exceptions, but in too many cases, the construc- ton of superb residence and the crash of '57 were too much for mans fortune.
 | While was at Madison, the 2d Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers were encamped on the Fair Grounds, just by the city. They were a very strong, hardy, enduring-looking set of fel- lows, and doubt not, will do serviceable duty on the field to which they have now gone. The North Western States are sending some splen- did soldiers to the field, many of whom have seen actual service in foreign countries. Con necticut and her sister States, (even old Massa- chusetts,) must look well to their laures.
 There are many delightful places in the en'1, rons. On the East shore of Ihlrd LaAe 1e l. Uo&a