The site of the town—­while ample for a large city, having an area of several miles in extent—­seems rather too low to insure that dryness essential to good health, though we believe its general sanitary reputation is as good as any of the towns along the river, and this is more than could be expected, since its general elevation scarce exceeds a dozen feet above the river when at a fair stage of water.  Its levee accommodations are extensive and excellent, and the place must always remain the most important in southern Minnesota.

Passing several minor towns and landings, along the river, we next come to

WABASHA,

a village of about fifteen hundred inhabitants, with the prettiest location of any that we have yet seen.  It stands on an elevated table, about forty feet above the river, and invites the tourist and invalid, by its pleasant quietness, to tarry and inspect the place.  The hospitable-looking hotel, with its ample lawn and grounds close by the banks of the river, give promise of abundant rest and recreation.

The grain interest is the all-absorbing one at this point, as it is everywhere along the river.

A short distance above, and

REED’S LANDING

appears.  This town is at the foot of Lake Pepin, and likewise at the foot of a huge bluff.  This place becomes in spring the terminus of the steamers which are prevented from proceeding farther in consequence of the heavier ice of the lake remaining an obstruction to commerce for a period of ten days or two weeks longer than that in the river proper.

LAKE PEPIN

is nearly thirty miles in length, with an average width of about three miles, presenting an unbroken sheet of water; bounded on both its sides by tall perpendicular bluffs, with here and there isolated peaks towering far above their companions, having something of the dignity of mountain ranges.

This lake is famed for its great attractions of natural beauty, and is not disappointing to the traveller.  It is a singular body of water, and while it is a part of the river still it differs from it in so many aspects that it is fairly entitled to be termed a lake.  Below, the river is divided into numerous and devious channels by intervening islands of an irregular and picturesque character, uniting to give a grand, kaleidoscopic variety to the journey; but here, at Lake Pepin, the waters have free scope, and rise and swell under the pressure of storms sufficient to move and sway the heaviest fleets.  The water is remarkably clear and cold, and is said to be over a thousand feet in depth at some points.  It is a tradition among the Indians that the bed of the river, with its islands, sank during a great storm, in which the earth trembled and shook for many leagues around.  This seems quite possible, and the general formation of the lake indicates that their tradition is founded on actual fact.