Year: 1868

NAKED eye. St. Louis might improve her
theatres, that is, supposing we saw fair
specimen of them which is doubtful.
The next morning we visited the Poly
technic Institute, Mercantile Library,
Court House and other public institu-
tions. We wish our space would permit
us to describe these places at length, but
we can only say that they are well worthy
of visit, to any who happen that way.
| The Court House was twenty-five years
| building and is a massive structure. At
eleven a. M. we went aboard the Steam
er Belle Of Alton, company Of some
500 in all. The said steamer is one of
the finest vessels on the Mississippi. We
steamed first down the river few miles,
and then up again, past the city dozen
miles or so, giving us grand view of the
river scenery. On board we found re-
freshments for the inner man of every
description, and as usual on such occasions,
numerous speeches were made, many OF
them good, some of them otherwise, but
we think the Missouri gentlemen excelled
in that line. The wine used was native
of the state and was pronounced by good
judges superior to the imported article.
1t at least had the merit of being pure
juice Of the grape and our entertainers
exhibited good taste III selecting it. As
we neared the city on our return a heavy
piece of ordnance on the port bow, loaded
with Latin powder, made in St. Louis,
announced in thunder tones we were on
hand, reminding one of the times during
the war when our steamers loaded with
troops used to shell out the guerriias
along the shore Of the lower Mississippi.
Like an arrow we shot down the river
close to the landing lined with its miles
of steamers. We went ashore well pleased
with our ride and with better knowledge
Of St. Louis, her residences and her men.
Taking carriages we commenced a trip
around town. Miles on miles Of immense
brick blocks were passed, with here and
there monster churches and other public
buildings. The ride was well calculated
to give US an idea of the wealth of the
city and it did not fail Of its object. There
is probably no city in the West possessing
such unbounded riches, such unlimited
resources as st. Louis, and it was a
pleasure to see the evidences spread out
before Us. The only trouble we exper-
fenced was in being obliged to come
away without seeing half we desired


Oar ride led US to the famous Botanic
Gardens of 1IT. Sllaw. This gentleman
IS devoting his whole life and immense
wealth to the cultivation of the useful
and beautiful His gardens embrace 80
acres, enclosed by a high solid wall Of
masonry. The grounds are laid out in the
most perfect taste and beautiful ever
green's, hedges, lawns, rare trees and
plants, flowers Of every variety, etc,
meet the enraptured gaze at every turn.
We could have staid in those hot houses
for hours had time permitted. 1t was a
new thing for us to see oranges and
lemons growing on trees IN Northern
climate. We spent two very pleasant
hours IN this paradise and would have
been glad to remain forever, but one Of
the ancients, surnamed Adam, played
the dickens with any such arrangement
The Mr. Henry Shaw spoken Of as the
owner of these gardeus is deserving Of
especial notice. He is bachelor, COM
raenced in st. Louis poor boy, worked
his way up to wealth, and is now using
his means for the common good of man
kind. His gardens are free to all who
wish to spend an hour or an afternoon
among the flowers. 1t costs some $25,
900, year to keep them UP, and this
sum is annually paid by this man for the
good of the public At his death he
proposes to give the whole to the city,
and fifty acres beside, for park. provid
ing the city will make certain amount





such generosity it gives us renewed faith
in our race and we are led to exclaim the
world moves. On the way back we
stopped at Lafayette Park a most won
derful place, the principal attraction of
which, to US, was the statute of Thomas
Benton, one of Missouri s-aye, one our
country's noblest sons. 1t is Of magnifi-
cent bronze, much larger than lite and SO
natural that one sees the original III every
lineament of the cou .tenance and every
fold Of the apparel.


In the evening there was a might
session. of the editors at the Southern
Hotel and many of the leading men OF
IT. Louis were present. A very pleasant
time was had, many excellent speeches
made the best of which were by General
G.. b. Fisk and Hon. b. W. Fox, both of
st. Louis: Their remarks were sagacious,
witty and well timed. Some good songs
were sung, rousing cheers given for the
Southern Hotel, the citizens of St. Louis,
etc. when at a late hour the meeting
adjourned The next morning we bid
adieu to St. Louis and were taken to the
depot in carriages In closing this article
we cannot refrain from expressing our
heartfelt thanks to the Merchants FIX
change, the Board of Trade and the city
authorities for the munifcent entertain
ment which we received at their hands.
We desired to see their city that We
might have subject to write about, and
that we might be better posted in regard
rNha,r L,