The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-09-04
THE LAND OF LAKES.
Il Philadelphia Tourist on His 1rdrets to
L. - . the Northwest. 49,.

Il Philadelphia Tourist on HIS Irarets to
IL ...' the NOrth,ccst.
ICorrespondenoc of the Philadelphia Record
.r...E METROPOLITAN HOTEL,
Sr. PAUL, Mimi, Aug. 10, 1878. !
Since l wrote my last letter ut Chicago, |
have extended my journey to the westward UNI
til | am now at the capital of Minnesota.
am well repaid for the fatigue and discomfort
of my thousand-mile excursion into what was
in my boy hood vast wilderness, but is now
region mighty in agricultural resources and
filled with populous cities. l left Chicago on
the morning train, over the Chicago and North
western railroad. During our journey to st.
Paul we had the pleasure OF beholding scenery
which is everywhere interesting, and i'll some
places marvelously picturesque. am strong
" tempted to descant upon the beautiful
scenery of this route, but rs l have promised
to devote this letter to St. Paul, shall only
pause to remark that Madison, the capital OF
Wisconsin, has most lovely situation amid a
group of lakes; that the picturesque
variety Of cray, plain and wind
ing stream of the Wisconsin and
that DEVILS Lake. embosomed amid circle Of
steep and lofty hills, whose dark shadows are
most faithfully reflected from the lakes clear
depths, certainly forms picture equal to any
which has ever adorned the canvas of the old
masters. But all these scenes pass away like a
dream, and on the morning of the next day we
awake to find that we are just entering the capt.
tai and metropolis of the great North Star
tate.
As l sat on the hotel piazza this evening"
musing over the events of the day, the sights
and scenes which had Witnessed in my ram
bles about this city. formed q striking and
highly interesting mental panorama
st, Paul is built on series OF natural ter
races, rising one above another from the bank
Of the Mississippi to high plateau about 2O0
feet above the surface of the RIVER. level
tract between the river and the first terrace
is used as levee and for railroad yards
Here the steamers load and unload their car
goes. and receive freight from the railroads or
transfer freight to the long line OF cars which
cover the scores of tracks which are thlckly
head of navigation on the Mississippi, and is
the great e,strepot for the trade between the
South, the East and the great North
west. As I stood on one OF the docks,
at which several steamers were
discharging and receiving their cargoes while
train after train thundered along behind me
bearing It's burden of passengers or freight the
scene was one of surprising interest for the man
who gories in his country progress and has AT
admiration for commercial enterprise. The
roustabouts one steamer were carrying
ashore chests of tea from China, cases OF dry
goods from Europe, and machinery Of various
patterns from the workshops of our Eastern
cities. The crew of another were buslly en-
gagged in transferring to her broad decks bale
of furs from the British possessions, large guam
titles of deerskins and barrels of mineral or
from Lake Superior and the Black Hills. Still
another was receiving the cargo of the magniti
cent wheat for which the Minnesota region
famous. The vast immigration into this Stat
was evident from the groups eff Germans
French, Irish and Swedes scattered about tn
levee and in the railroad depots. Third stree
is the principal business thoroughfare. Th
70 b,;l faria1 tn he q hin
limestone, which when polished closely resen
bles marble, and is found underlying the cit.
Many of the leading wholesa
and retail houses occupy buildings of pail
tial size and style, equal to an!
thing to be met on our own Chestnut or Ma
ket streets. consider Third street the fine:
business street in the West outside Of Chicag
and St. Louis. Summit avenue skirts the ede
of the high plateau I have mentioned. Tt
commanding situation of this avenue b,
made it favorite street for fine residence
aud throughout its whole length, as well
other streets, may be seen elegant villas an
handsome grounds, which denote that wealt
luxury and good taste have chosen this city
their abiding place.
ST. Paul has had rapid growth, and h
>rand commercial position is to me sati
factory ground for believing that her presel
populaeeiion Of As, 900 will be $4,000 within ii,
Years. and if the present prosperity and extr
ordinary development of the Northwest CO.
tinue, her future greatness cannot pc est
mated.
For travellers this city possesses many gre
attractions. The picturesque situation, Il
grand scenery which surrounds it, and Il
exhilarating air, almost intoxicating in i
tonic properties might be dwelt upe
to infinite length without doing justi
to the theme. The weary touri
latter a long jaunt in Il
dusty. rafting railway coac
will find in the handsome and spacious hote
of St. Paul an accommodation and cuisine u
Colorado This house, the Metropolitan, Wi
its long, wide corridors, it's bro;
piazzas, its superb appointments, al
dinners in which game al
fish of the choicest favor are always foun
will linger in my memory as one of the mo
charming of hostelries. And now, lest epth
siastic admiration for my present surroun
ings should render my letter tedious, will b
adieu TO St.. Paul for the present. g..