Most people have seen or been told something of the lumbermen of Maine.  Allowing this to be so, it will not be difficult to comprehend the condition and character of the lumbermen of Minnesota and the northwest.  But if there is anybody who fancies them to be a set of laborers, such as build our railroads and dig coal and minerals, he is greatly mistaken.  The difference is in birth and education; between foreigners and native-born citizens.  A difference not in rights and merits, so much as in habits and character.  Born on American soil, they have attended our common schools, and have the bearing and independence of sovereigns.  None but very vigorous men can endure, or at least attempt to endure, the exposure of living in the woods all winter and swinging the axe; though by proper care of themselves, such exercise is conducive to health and strength.  Accordingly we find the lumberman—­ I mean of course the practical lumberman—­ to be a thick-set, muscular young man, with a bright eye and florid cheek; in short, one whom we would call a double-fisted fellow.  He is not one of your California boys, but more affable and domestic, with a shorter beard, and not so great a profusion of weapons.  His dress is snug and plain—­ the regular pioneer costume of boots over the pants, and a thick red shirt in lieu of a coat.  His capital stock is his health and his hands.  When in employment he is economical and lays up his wages.  When out of employment and in town, his money generally goes freely.  As a class, the lumbermen are intelligent.  They are strong talkers, for they put in a good many of the larger sort of words; and from their pungent satire and sledge-hammer style of reasoning, are by no means very facile disputants.  They are preeminently jokers.  This is as they appear on their way to the woods.  During the season of their active labor they usually spend the evening, after a day of hard work, in storytelling or in a game of euchre.  Their wages amount to about two dollars a day, exclusive of board.  They have good living in the woods, the provisions, which are furnished on an ample scale, being served by male cooks.

While on the subject of lumber, which may possibly interest some people who wish to redeem the fortunes they have lately lost in Maine lumber, I ought not to leave unmentioned the valuable cargoes of it which are floated down the Mississippi.  When coming up in the boat I was astonished to see such stupendous rafts.  Large logs are transported by being made into rafts.  At a landing where the boat stopped, I on one occasion attempted to estimate the number of logs comprised in one of these marine novelties, and found it to be about eight hundred; the logs were large, and were worth from five to six dollars each.  Here then was a raft of timber worth at least $4000.  They are navigated by about a dozen men, with large paddles attached at either end of the raft, which serve to propel and steer.  Often, in addition to the logs, the rafts are laden with valuable freights