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Literary
February 7, 1852
The Minnesotian
Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota
What is this article about?
Descriptive account of Mille Lacs lake in winter, highlighting its picturesque scenery, Native American activities, surrounding landscape, and geographical details west of rice lakes in Minnesota.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
"Mille Lacs in a Winter Evening."
Many beautiful lakes are found in N. York, such as the Seneca, Cayuga, and Skaneateles. Lakes of the same beauty exist in other parts of the world, but for picturesque scenery no one can for a moment look upon Mille Lacs without acknowledging that the grandest view of his life is before him. To enliven the scene, the smoke of a hundred wigwams go up towards the heavens, while around the margin of the lake young Indian children who have not yet given way to their savage nature, are frolicking over the ice, engaged in all manner of plays and capers, as wild and timorous as the deer that range around their forest home. The hunters are returning from their chase, overloaded with the game of the day, the white blankets planted every few yards over the surface of the lake, denoting fishing grounds—the rising moon causing the frozen fish that lie scattered around to glisten like lead ore in the Galena mines, and the shouts of Indians, the crying of the papooses, all presenting such a grotesque assemblage, that Mille Lacs cannot but strike the fancy of visitors. Dense quantities of maple trees line the edge of the lake, and woody islands, of many acres in extent dot its surface, which, at some future day will groan beneath the heavy crops of the white man. The traveler looks in vain for the opposite shore; the width of the lake is far too great for the eye to measure. Huge piles of ice lift their heads like the snow capped hills of Vermont. Peninsulas and capes run out into the lake, extending for miles. In summer the water is clear as crystal, and though deep, the bottom can be seen in many parts of the lake. The land contains a rich soil, and the surface of the country is even, though four or five miles back from the lake a few small hills may be seen. Mille Lacs is west of the three small rice lakes through which Rum river passes, instead of being north, as laid down upon all the maps of the present day. It is only three miles across from the first rice lake to Mille Lacs.
Over five hundred Indians live around this lake. They have a healthy appearance, and seem pleased in returning visits from their white brethren.
Many beautiful lakes are found in N. York, such as the Seneca, Cayuga, and Skaneateles. Lakes of the same beauty exist in other parts of the world, but for picturesque scenery no one can for a moment look upon Mille Lacs without acknowledging that the grandest view of his life is before him. To enliven the scene, the smoke of a hundred wigwams go up towards the heavens, while around the margin of the lake young Indian children who have not yet given way to their savage nature, are frolicking over the ice, engaged in all manner of plays and capers, as wild and timorous as the deer that range around their forest home. The hunters are returning from their chase, overloaded with the game of the day, the white blankets planted every few yards over the surface of the lake, denoting fishing grounds—the rising moon causing the frozen fish that lie scattered around to glisten like lead ore in the Galena mines, and the shouts of Indians, the crying of the papooses, all presenting such a grotesque assemblage, that Mille Lacs cannot but strike the fancy of visitors. Dense quantities of maple trees line the edge of the lake, and woody islands, of many acres in extent dot its surface, which, at some future day will groan beneath the heavy crops of the white man. The traveler looks in vain for the opposite shore; the width of the lake is far too great for the eye to measure. Huge piles of ice lift their heads like the snow capped hills of Vermont. Peninsulas and capes run out into the lake, extending for miles. In summer the water is clear as crystal, and though deep, the bottom can be seen in many parts of the lake. The land contains a rich soil, and the surface of the country is even, though four or five miles back from the lake a few small hills may be seen. Mille Lacs is west of the three small rice lakes through which Rum river passes, instead of being north, as laid down upon all the maps of the present day. It is only three miles across from the first rice lake to Mille Lacs.
Over five hundred Indians live around this lake. They have a healthy appearance, and seem pleased in returning visits from their white brethren.
What sub-type of article is it?
Essay
What themes does it cover?
Nature
What keywords are associated?
Mille Lacs
Winter Evening
Indian Village
Lake Scenery
Rum River
Literary Details
Title
Mille Lacs In A Winter Evening.
Subject
Description Of Mille Lacs Lake In Winter
Form / Style
Descriptive Prose Sketch
Key Lines
To Enliven The Scene, The Smoke Of A Hundred Wigwams Go Up Towards The Heavens, While Around The Margin Of The Lake Young Indian Children Who Have Not Yet Given Way To Their Savage Nature, Are Frolicking Over The Ice, Engaged In All Manner Of Plays And Capers, As Wild And Timorous As The Deer That Range Around Their Forest Home.
Dense Quantities Of Maple Trees Line The Edge Of The Lake, And Woody Islands, Of Many Acres In Extent Dot Its Surface, Which, At Some Future Day Will Groan Beneath The Heavy Crops Of The White Man.
Mille Lacs Is West Of The Three Small Rice Lakes Through Which Rum River Passes, Instead Of Being North, As Laid Down Upon All The Maps Of The Present Day.