They often rise to the height of four and sometimes five hundred feet above the river, standing singly or in groups, and again stretch for long distances like the Palisades of the Hudson, differing from them in that they are not as abrupt and have their sides covered with the most luxuriant sward.

Those who can should climb to the summit of one of these cliffs and get a glimpse of as lovely a picture as it is possible to find in a journey round the world.  The winding river, dotted all over with islands and fringed along its shores with forest-trees, expanding now into some miniature lake, then lost and broken by some intervening bluff, to the right or left of which stretches the distant prairie; the whole forming a panoramic view unrivalled in interest and beauty by any we have ever seen elsewhere.

It is impossible for us adequately to describe to the reader these varying scenes of beauty in the landscapes which present themselves as we sail.  They should come and see for themselves, and bask in the pure, bracing atmosphere, and the genial sunshine of these bluest of blue skies.

CHAPTER III.

RIVER TOWNS.

Brownsville, the first town.—­The city of La Crosse.—­Victoria and Albert Bluffs.—­Trempeleau and Mountain Island.—­The city of Winona.—­Its name and origin.—­The Winona and St. Peters Railroad.—­The Air-Line Railroad.—­Her educational interests.—­Advancement of the West.—­The towns of Wabasha and Reed’s Landing.—­Lake Pepin and Maiden’s Rock.—­Romantic story.—­An old fort.—­Lake City and Frontenac.—­Red Wing and Hastings.—­Red Rock.

The first landing in Minnesota, going up the river, is made at

BROWNSVILLE,

a very small village, nestled close in under the hillside, and overshadowed by the high bluffs which seem to threaten its existence, and would quite exterminate it should land-slides ever become possible with these silicious limestone battlements.  Beyond being an outlet for surplus products of the back country, it has no importance and no attractions.  The traveller is now one hundred and thirty miles above Dubuque, one of the points of embarkation for those from the East who visit the State by the way of the river.  If the sail is made by daylight between these places, most suggestive impressions are made on the mind of the immense area of Iowa; for, while constantly expecting soon to catch a glimpse of “Dakota Land,” you are all day baffled by the presence of this intervening State, which, somehow, seems determined to travel with you up the river, and, by its many attractions, woo you to residence and rest.

The fertile fields of Wisconsin, on the other hand, do not seem at all obtrusive, since you expect them on your right soon after leaving Dunleith; and, when the city of

LA CROSSE