admire in western Pennsylvania and Virginia; Kentucky and Ohio are full of attraction; but the man 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 the singular and pleasing associations connected with a sabbath passed in the wilderness?  I have often enjoyed these feelings, but never felt them with such force as on this day.  It was calm and sultry.  The brilliant sunbeams were brightly reflected from the broad bosom of the Mississippi, and the deep green outline of the forest was splendidly illumined, while the deep shadows underneath the foliage afforded an attractive appearance of coolness and seclusion.  The passengers and crew were scattered about singly or in small parties, so that when I wandered but a small distance from the