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[Illustration: MINNEHAHA, LAUGHING WATER.]
Author of "A Winter in Florida" etc., etc.
1871.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1871,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
By general consent Minnesota has enjoyed a superior reputation forclimate, soil, and scenery beyond that of any other State in the Union,with, perhaps, a single exception.
The real ground of this pre-eminence, especially in climate, has notbeen well understood, owing, probably, in part, to the slightacquaintance with the general features and characteristics of the Stateitself, and, in part, to that want of attention which the subject ofclimatology and its effects on the health of mankind has deserved.
Lying to the north of the heretofore customary lines of travel, theState has been visited by few comparatively, except those whoseimmediate interests necessitated it, and even they have gleaned but animperfect knowledge of either the climate or of the unusual beauty andinterest which so distinguish Minnesota from all other Western States.
Instead of the low, level, treeless plain usually associated with one'sideas of the West, there is the high, rolling country, extending manymiles back from the eastern frontier, while the general elevation of theState is upward of one thousand feet above the sea—abounding inpleasant and fertile valleys, large and valuable forests, together withmany beautiful lakes, nearly all of which are filled with the purest ofwater and with great numbers of the finest fish.
While the attractions of Minnesota for the tourist and emigrant havebeen duly considered in these pages, those of the climate for theinvalid have received especial consideration, and we have added suchhints and suggestions as circumstances seemed to demand; together withobservations on other localities and climates favorable to pulmoniccomplaints.
The water system of the State.—Its pure atmosphere.—Violations ofhygienic laws.—A mixed population.—General features of thecountry.—Intelligence of the population.—The bountifulharvests.—Geographical advantages.
The source of the river.—The importance of rivers to governments aswell as commerce.—Their binding force among peoples.—The rapids atKeokuk.—Railroad and steamboat travelling contrasted.—Points at whichtravellers may take steamers.—Characteristics of Westernsteamboats.—Pleasuring on the Upper Mississippi.—The scenery and itsattractions.