who is really an admirer of
nature, and would witness the most splendid exhibitions of the
creative power, must go to Illinois and Missouri.

"I visited this region for the first time four years ago, while the
Sacs and Foxes were at peace with the whites, and before Black Hawk
had got to be a great man. They were friendly and well-disposed,
and the white people residing near them, would almost as soon have
distrusted or disturbed each other, as those peaceful red men. I
took great interest in noticing their dwellings, and remarking
their deportment, as it was the first occasion I had ever enjoyed
of seeing the savage in his own wild home. I had embarked on board
a steamboat at St. Louis, intending to take a pleasant excursion
to the falls of St. Anthony. The weather was very delightful, only
a little too warm; and the river was unfortunately so low, that on
arriving at the _Des Moines_ rapids, we found it difficult to
ascend them, and above that point, our progress was continually
impeded by the difficulty of the navigation. This circumstance,
though vexatious to such of the passengers as had business ahead,
or families at home, was not disagreeable to one who, like myself,
travelled only for amusement, as it afforded opportunities of
exploring the romantic shores. We spent a day at the Lower Rapids,
and I have seldom seen a more attractive country. The land is high
on both sides, and rises gradually in beautiful swells. I saw
hundreds of acres covered with the native buckeye, the most
beautiful tree of the forest--if, indeed, any can be entitled to
that distinction among so great a variety of noble and majestic
trees. Beneath, was a rich undergrowth of wild gooseberry bushes.
Add to these the beautiful creeper, and the wild honeysuckle, which
were occasionally seen, and it is impossible to imagine a
vegetation more splendidly luxuriant and ornamental. The whole
country is based on rock, and the springs which burst out from the
hill sides are clear as crystal and delightfully cold. The shores
of the river are plentifully strewed with crystalizations and
petrifactions. We picked up some fine specimens of cornelian, and
saw a vast number of geodes of every size, from one inch in
diameter to fifteen.

"It was Sunday. Have you ever experienced t