Minnesota; Its Character and Climate Part 8

SLEEP

is the "sweet restorer," and invisible physician, playing an important part in the restoration and maintenance of health. Without this daily dying, as we are const.i.tuted, there could be no daily living; and whatever promotes sound, natural, balmy slumber is beyond all price in the economy of life. Chief among these promptings to restful slumber are a clear conscience, proper exercise, a suitable diet, and place. All but the latter have been considered. One-third of the whole time of life is spent in bed. Suppose an individual has attained the age of seventy-five years, twenty-five of this, on the average, have been pa.s.sed in sleeping! How essential, then, it becomes to understand and to have every help which can be afforded, in securing the required rest our wearing frames demand.

The first requisite is an airy room, capable of constant ventilation, either by the windows, doors, or flues, or by all. Next, a comfortable bed, of almost any material, except cotton and feathers, though the latter might be indulged in during the severest season; but it is better to dispense with them _in toto_, and use instead a mattress of hair, husk, moss, or straw. These even should be frequently aired, but only upon bright sunny days, and occasionally changed altogether for new material. In place of heavy cotton counterpanes use woollen blankets at all seasons.

Consumptives, and invalids generally, should never sleep under the former, as they are unhealthful. All bed-clothing should be carefully dried before a fire ere it is used. Many a one can date their final cold and fatal cough from this neglect of otherwise thoughtful housewives.

Never put your friend in the northwest bedroom if it has not been duly aired in summer, or warmed in winter. If this is not done, it is almost manslaughter. That corner in our houses should be used for parlors, store-rooms, or anything, rather than for sleeping people in. We have had some experience in this matter and know how utterly defenseless people are when a.s.signed one of these rooms where death dwells. An open attack with a bludgeon is preferable. Cold, fresh air is beneficial, but a _cold, fresh_ bed isn't.

No one thing, perhaps, serves more to drive away sleep than cold feet.

People ought not to go to bed with cold feet. Dry them by the fire, or rub them till warmth comes. To avoid cold feet wash them frequently in cold salt water, rub them thoroughly, and wear loose, thick boots or shoes. Brisk walking, or chafing them on a rough mat will tend to restore warmth. Stockings should be changed often, and when possible, in winter, placed by the fire to dry. There should always be some extra covering upon the bed over the lower extremities in cold weather; it gives, in various ways, additional comfort to the sleeper, and there is less need of covering for the body. An extra blanket over the footboard, in our changeful climate, is a wise measure. All have at some time been awakened in the night by the increasing cold, which would prevent further sleeping if there were no remedy of this sort at hand. No more covering should be used, however, than seems judicious. Pernicious habits may be formed in this respect, which should be corrected, though we are aware some natures are more delicate and sensitive to cold than others.

Many there are, who sleep with their heads covered; this is highly destructive to health, and cases of scrofula may be directly traced to this custom. The poisonous exhalations from the body, together with the constant exhaustion of the oxygen from breathing, renders this confined air foul to the last degree. "The custom of covering the faces of children with the bed-clothes," says the celebrated Florence Nightingale, "produces a large share of the cases of scrofula found among them."

Invalids afflicted with catarrhal troubles should be careful to sleep upon their sides with their faces as much downward as possible, and dispense with all proppings, except a small thin pillow, the end of which will serve to give the right inclination to the face. The reasons for this, in these cases, are so obvious that there is no need of their statement here. The side is, for that matter, the best att.i.tude for the sleeper in all cases, as also is a very slight elevation of the head, since the flow of the blood is less obstructed.

The habit of throwing yourself down to rest during the day without extra covering, is a source of many colds. The invalids should remove their outer dress wholly and get into bed, and thus secure not only immunity from possible colds, but a better circulation of the blood than they can have if this is not done.

Avoid the taking of colds in every way possible; and to do this, watchfulness and care is needed. Never sit in a draught in either private or public a.s.semblies; no, not even if in church. There is no law of courtesy which requires any one to inflict suffering on themselves, or perhaps to endanger their lives, out of regard to numbskulled architects or incompetent "building committees."

If a cold is taken give it prompt attention, and "scotch" it in the bud if possible. As to treatment, all are apt to have some favorite method.

Pursue any rational course in which you have most faith, only so that you remain in your room, eat little or nothing, and keep the system un.o.bstructed.

Bathing should not be neglected, and cold water baths in summer are refreshing and should be frequently indulged; but in winter, temper the water so as not to shock the system. This jumping into ice-cold water may do for persons in the highest health, perhaps, but the invalid will have nothing to do with this sort. When the sponge is used then cold water applied to one limb or section of the body will do very well, if followed by brisk rubbing. This should be done in the morning, while tepid baths, tempered that no shock be produced, ought to be taken just before retiring, whether it be the sponge or full bath.

The invalid who is much debilitated should take all baths in a warm room, with an a.s.sistant, bathing one portion while the other is kept partially dressed.

There is always a small current of air moving over the floor, and to protect against this, keep the feet covered, and the first thing to be done on rising in the morning, or at any time, should be to dress your feet, otherwise, even if you do not take cold, cold feet will be apt to keep your company the entire day.

We may also add here, that if by any exposure the feet get wet, to prevent taking cold, they should be, on returning home, at once plunged into cold water, rubbed briskly, and dried before the fire.

Finally, pure air, thick shoes, warm clothing, a nourishing diet, liberal exercise, early to bed and early to rise, with a rigid regularity of habit, and the abolition of fashion in the things specified, and many who are now invalids may live long and be comparatively happy. But, indulge in corsets, thin, shoes, irregular hours, and live in damp and unventilated houses, eating fine-bolted, hot breads, with liberal supplies of pie and pound-cake, and it will not be long ere the undertaker will be cultivating your acquaintance.

Beware of this advancement on his part. It bodes no good to you. He has an eye to business. If not the pale-horse, he is its rider. Take another direction quickly, and give him a cold shoulder, but see that he does not get two.

CHAPTER X.

WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO SEE AND EXPECT.

The best localities for invalids and others.--The city of Minneapolis.--Its drives and objects of interest--Cascade and Bridal Tails.--Fort Snelling.--Minnehaha Falls.--The city and Falls of St.

Anthony.--Anoka and St. Cloud.--Fishing and hunting.--Wilmar and Litchfield.--Lake Minnetonka.--Experience in fishing.--Some "big fish."--White Bear Lake.--The Minnesota Valley.--Le Sueur.--St. Peter's and Mankato.--Minneopa Falls.--Southwestern Minnesota.--Its agricultural wealth and capabilities.--Northern Pacific Railroad and its branches.--The Red River country.--Trade with Manitoba.--Western life and habits.

It is essential for the invalid, before undertaking a journey to Minnesota, to know the best points, both as regards matters of accommodation and of location. For there is, even in this State, considerable choice for patients; while for tourists, any point offering attractions is the place for them. We shall briefly consider the whole subject, but first with regard to the former cla.s.s.

The city of St. Paul, an account of which has been previously given, is the most natural place to make the first stop; and it is a bright, cheerful, busy city in which to while away the time. Its location is healthful, as well as beautiful, and invalids may remain there with perhaps as great advantage as at any point in the State, especially in the winter season.

MINNEAPOLIS,

situated on the west bank of the Mississippi River, opposite the Falls of St. Anthony, and less than an hour's ride by rail from St.

Paul,--with a direct line to Milwaukee,--enjoys, at present, the widest celebrity among invalids as a place of resort. This town is on a nearly level plain adjoining the Mississippi River at the Falls of St. Anthony, and possesses a population of thirteen thousand. It is perhaps, _par excellence_, the most wide-awake and flourishing city in the State; and, while not over a dozen years of age, exhibits, in the elegance and cost of its private dwellings, its s.p.a.cious stores, its first-cla.s.s and well-kept hotel, the Nicollet House, its huge factories and thundering machinery--driven by that more than t.i.tanic power of the great and wondrous Falls,--evidence of a solid prosperity.

Scores of invalids may be found in this town at the hotels and various private boarding-houses, of which there are quite a number.

Many visiting the State for health, leave without that improvement they should have obtained, owing to irregular habits and indulgences, which are directly traceable to their a.s.sociations, rather than to any objectionable habits they may possess. The temptation, when time hangs heavy on their hands, to join in billiards, euchre, and tea-parties, keeping the mind unduly excited and leading to late hours, is fatal to every benefit derived from the climate. If friends can accompany the invalid, giving society and controlling their life and habits, they thereby insure against these liabilities to a very great extent.

There is much in the vicinity of Minneapolis to interest the visitor.

Days may be spent in examining the Falls of St. Anthony, which roar and surge along the rapids, impressing one with an appalling sense of their mighty power.

The suspension bridge, connecting the city with that of St. Anthony on the east bank of the river, is an interesting object. It was erected several years since at an expense of over half a hundred thousand dollars, and is the only bridge of its cla.s.s on the whole river.

Take the towns of St. Paul and Minneapolis, together with the intervening country, and perhaps no portion of the Union east of the Rocky Mountains, presents so many objects of interest as does this particular region. St. Paul is itself a n.o.ble town, and the prospect from its highest elevations quite entertaining; while at the latter city the Falls of St. Anthony are "a sight to behold," and make up what the town lacks in striking scenery.

The country between the two cities is as pleasing in general outline as any to be found. Of course, it lacks that romantic element so characteristic of New England, yet its general character is more rolling than that of most of the prairie country found in the West.

A drive from either city is "the thing" for the visitor to do. From Minneapolis one of the most charming drives in the world, for its length, can be had. Pa.s.sing over the suspension bridge to the east side of the river, and down by it to the Silver Cascade and Bridal-veil Falls, which charm from their exquisite beauty, then on to the junction of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers at Fort Snelling, and across by the rope-ferry under the tall battlements of the frowning fort, whose edge is on a line with the towering, perpendicular bluff two hundred feet above your head, round by the road and up to the plain above, and into the inclosure of this old-time fortification, where, leaving your carriage, you proceed to the round tower, or look out of the fort, and on the very pinnacle of both cliff and battlement you may gaze out and over a spectacle more grand and beautiful than anything we know short of the White Hills. Away to the right stretches the valley of the Minnesota River, while before you the "Father of Waters" receives into his embraces the waters of the Minnesota, then, sweeping to the left, rolls slowly and majestically from view behind the companion bluffs of the eastern sh.o.r.e.

Here, from this crowning tower has floated--for more than half a century--the "star-spangled banner" of our country, giving to the early settler an a.s.surance of protection; proclaiming equality and freedom to all peoples who come hither in search of new homes, and to each and all a sense of increased dignity and importance as they stand underneath its ample folds.

A short distance across the open prairie and up the river toward Minneapolis--on the return--is the famed

MINNEHAHA FALLS.

Longfellow's exquisite picture--in words--of these falls seems so perfect and complete that we cannot forbear to quote it. He says:

"Sweet Minne-ha-ha like a child at play, Comes gaily dancing o'er her pebbly way, 'Till reaching with surprise the rocky ledge, With gleeful laugh bounds from its crested edge."

And what can we say of them that shall be new or of fresh interest either to those who have read of, or what is better, have seen them?

After viewing and listening to their laughing-leap we easily understand the fitness of the name they bear--the "Laughing Waters."

The first sight of the falls is captivating, and there seems little of praise which you could wish to withhold. They are the very antipodes of those of Niagara--instead of volume and power inspiring awe, they win your love and enhance your views of the beautiful and good.

The waters

"Flash and gleam among the oak trees, Laugh and leap into the valley,"

and move gaily and gleefully among the maples, oaks, and vines which line and wreathe its banks; rivalling in song the wild birds that linger in the cool shadows of the embowering trees.

Minnehaha Creek has its rise in Lake Minnetonka, a dozen miles or more distant, where it is quite a diminutive little brook; from thence runs to and through Lakes Calhoun and Harriet, meandering along the surface of the country, till it makes its graceful leap at the falls to the chasm, some forty feet below, then empties into the Mississippi about half-a-mile distant to the eastward. The width of the stream and falls does net much exceed twenty feet.

We lingered long, and reluctantly turned our feet away from this enchanting scene where both real and imaginary heroes and heroines have dwelt, and in the bright waters of which their picturesque encampments have been often mirrored.

St. Anthony--opposite Minneapolis--is one of the oldest towns in the State, and was, in _ante bellum_ times, quite a fashionable resort for the Southerners. The war ended that, while the latter city gave to it its final _coup de grace_, and soon after the business set to the west bank of the river.