,original ,cover1 with ,map ,found at ,last3 the ,veritable ,garden of ,eden ,or a place that answers the ,bible description of the notable spot better than anything yet discovered ,by ,rev4 ,d4 ,o4 ,van ,slyke ,independent ,printing ,house1 ,galesville1 ,wisconsin #ahhf ,copyrighted #ahhf1 by ,c4 ,s4 ,van ,slyke ,proprietor1 ,galesville1 ,wis4 ,all rights reserved4 ,preparer's ,note3 ,typographical errors from the original have been retained1 as well as quirks of punctuation 7such as the extensive use of asterisks7 ,,preface4 ,on the principle of 8first know you are right1 then go ahead10 ,i have been very slow in making public the results of my discovery4 ,but having become thoroughly satisfied that ,i have a reasonable thing of it1 have ventured to publish it4 ,it has appeared in brief articles in the ,galesville ,,independent1 in order to invite general inspection1 and criticism4 ,when ,god made man to dwell on the face of the earth1 ,he1 evidently1 must place him somewhere4 ,in giving the antldiluvians a description of the creation1 and first location of man1 how mankind corrupted themselves1 and how ,god destroyed them with a flood1 he simply stated the principal facts1 and gave a description of the location--and it not being on that continent1 he could not point it out to them--and as the country in which ,noah then resided1 was all new to him1 and his family1 no one knew where it was2 nor was any one able then1 or since1 to find it on that continent2 thus1 the location1 though admitted to be somewhere on earth1 has been kept a profound mystery to the present time1 and consequently the innocent cause of no little speculation4 ,but by degrees it has been opening to the minds of some1 that the first habitation of man must have been somewhere on the ,american ,continent2 and the finger of time has been plainly pointing to what is known as the 8,north ,west10 as the place4 ,but of this last fact ,i was ignorant when ,i made the discovery of the garden1 and commenced developing the facts about it4 ,the discovery1 resulted from my familiarity with1 or thorough knowledge of the ,bible1 and standing on the hanging garden and looking over the plat1 and admirirg its most wonderful scenery1 and counting the rivers1 ,i became sensibly impressed by a suggestion1 ,this is the garden of ,eden3 at which suggestion ,i smiled1 as the plat1 to me then1 was altogether too large4 ,of course ,i had never given it thought1 nor measured it up in my own mind to what should1 or might be its proper dimentions4 ,however so strong were my impressions1 that ,i1 as a matter of pleasantry1 used1 occasionally to say to my friends1 ,this is the garden of ,eden4 ,since ,i commenced to publish my views1 claiming a possible reality1 while some have mocked1 others are becoming impressed with the idea of its being not only possible1 but highly probable4 ,where would a scientest place the first pair1 to acclimate1 and from which to make man1 as he now is1 an inhabitant of all the earth8 ,not too far north1 not too far south4 ,our garden is in that place4 ,it should be destitute of money mineral wealth1 as these1 if easily obtained1 are corrupting in their tendencies1 and should be sought1 and toiled for1 to be properly enjoyed2 and should be placed at a distance1 just where ,god says he provided it1 at the head of the stream4 ,our garden is still in the right place4 ,from inherited wealth and luxury comes danger to the inheritors4 ,our garden is again right4 ,but it should be a place susceptible of1 and adapted to moral and intellectual growth1 and lead to the admiration1 adoration1 and worship of the great ,builder of the universe1 the ,infinite and ,perfect4 ,is there a better place for that1 in all this beautiful earth1 than is our garden1 and its surroundings8 ,if there is1 we would like to see it4 ,i have related the facts as they have been presented to me1 or as ,i have discovered them1 and believe the reader will be pleased and profited with the results1 and ,i hope this will lead to more thorough and satisfactory investigation4 ,,the ,,author4 ,,garden ,,of ,,eden4 ,see ,genesis #b1 #h-ad4 8,and the ,lord ,god planted a garden eastward in ,eden4 99 99 ,and a river went out of ,eden to water the garden1--or1 the river that ran through the land of ,eden watered the garden4--,and from thence1--in1 the garden--it was parted and became into four heads4 99 99 ,and the fourth river is ,euphrates20 which means long river1 symbol of greatness and importance1 and which1 answers to our 8,father of ,waters40 ,it is plain that ,eden is a certain country2 that the ,euphrates river crosses that country1 that 8eastward01 or on the eastward1 bank of1 or at a certain point on that river1 is located the garden of ,eden2 and that three lesser rivers run through and water this garden1 flowing into the great river2 thus four rivers run into and water it1 but only one1 the fourth1 runs out4 ,as to how it was watered1 we have a clue2 8,and ,lot lifted up his eyes1 and beheld all the plain of ,jordan1 that it was well watered everywhere 99 99 even as the garden of the ,lord20 by streams crossing the plain1 and running into the river of ,jordon1 just as our three rivers cross our garden plain1 into our ,euphrates4 ,the names given to these rivers were1 doubtless1 explanations of facts well known to the antideluvians4 ,we need not now undertake to prove1 or show what must readily be admitted1 that1 there is no such spot1 or coming together of rivers in the region where it was first supposed to be1 and which has caused explorers and researchers to turn to ,africa1 and other countries1 in search of the place2 and ,dr4 ,warren1 with all his learning and ingenuity1 to the ,north ,pole4 ,but we have found it where he and others1 can come and see for themselves4 ,it is located on the 8eastward bank0 of the ,mississippi ,river1 between the beautiful cities of ,la ,crosse1 ,wisconsin1 and ,winona ,minnesota4 ,please notice the beauty and euphony of those names4 ,the ,mississippi--the bible ,euphrates--river1 being one of the longest and most picturesque rivers in the world4 ,its valley1 proper--with its tributaries1 some of which reach far out into 8,havilah0 the 8,land of good gold0--extends from the ,alleghany mountains on the eastern border1 #b1jjj miles westward to the ,rocky mountains on the western border1 and from the ,gulf of ,mexico1 on the south1 extending #b1jjj miles north1 across the ,united ,states into the ,bridtish possessions4 ,this vast area1 ,eden1--containing the most fertile and habitable region of earth1 and is being settled and inhabited by the most industrious1 enlightened1 christianized and well to-do people in the world2 the asylum or universal home of the oppressed and needy of all lands1--contains 8,the heart of the ,new ,world10 the 8,land of ,promise10 in this ,christian ,united ,states of ,america4 ,central in this domain1 ,eden1 is our ,garden of ,eden4 ,the soil is not a deep1 rich paste1 like the ,american bottoms opposite ,st4 ,louis1 on the same river1 which is known to be the richest land in the world1 but higher1 drier1 and more habitable1 easily cultivated1 and adapted to gardening4 ,the river here1 as in most places1 has three banks2 the first a little above high water mark1--densely covered with forest trees1 which consitutes the islands and 8river bottoms0--cut up by water courses and sloughs4 ,the river and bottoms are about two miles wide1 over and through which the 8,laughing0 and 8,father of waters10 courses1 run1 and play their dances4 ,the second bank is high and dry above the hightest water mark1--and generally smooth prairie1 and ready in the state of nature for the garden plow--extending back on one or both sides of the river for miles1 making a valley at this place1 of about ten miles in the widest1 when we reach the bank1 bluff1 or rocky wall1 which rises--on each side of our garden--to the altitude of #fjj feet above the river1 being the point of the highest bluffs on the ,mississippi4 ,nineteen miles above ,la ,crosse1 and twelve miles below ,winona1 on the 8eastward bank10 nestles1 and spreads out that most beautiful town site1 ,trempealeau1 on which ought now to be a large city1 and which doubtless would have been but for the greed and ignorance of a part of its original proprietors1 who being told1 and thinking they had the 8nicest10 8most beautiful10 8splendid10 town site on the ,mississippi river1 they were bound to get rich at once1 8but not knowing their day10 and how to build up a town like1 the fabled dog1 8they grabbed for the shadow and lost the reality20 8,their language was confounded and their work delayed40 ,here on the second bank1 is raised1 our 8,hanging ,garden10 a crescent bluff1 high as the outside wall1 extending three miles up the river1 terminating at each end in a point1 and one mile through the center1 being in the form of a new moon1 and unlike anything of the kind1 so far as known1 in the entire world1 and must be seen to be appreciated4 ,this is not one solid smooth topped hill1 but possesses all the variety of bluff formation1 containing groves of forest trees1 ravines1 slopes1 scattered rocks1 and perpendicular ledges facing the river1 like the 8,face of a ,king10 some of these ledges are #bjj ft4 high1 commencing more than half way up the mound1 then rising perpendicular to near the very top4 ,the top of this hanging garden has its slopes1 mounds1 pyramids1 domes1 and pinnacles1 in most beautiful variety2 and at the present time1 it is dotted with fields of grain1 and specked with stone quarries and lime kilns4 ,now1 please1 place yourself with me on the 8,central ,outer ,dome0 8,heald's quarry10 facing toward the eastward1 and you have1 before1 below1 and around you the veritable ,garden of ,eden2 a valley scene1 in extent and importance unequalled in ,america1 and ,i think1 in the world4 ,not like the ,yosemite1 small1 romantic grand but uninhabitable or unfit for a garden1 but the very beau ideal of a garden4 ,now that we are up where we can see1 let us look across and around this garden4 ,turn1 now and face the south-west4 ,there1 before and below you flows the ,mississippi1 whose name is as euphonious as the ,euphrates1 or its own flowing waters4 ,see its 8,broad channels10 queer and picturesque islands1 its trees and vine-clad bottoms1 lovely beyond description2 its general course1 not meandering1 but evenly hugging the base of the ,minnesota bluffs1 or western wall of the garden1 which it does for some twenty-five miles1 or from just below ,winona1 to just above ,la ,crosse1 running in a southeasterly and southern direction1 making a beautiful curve1 leaving the main garden valley on the 8,eastward0 bank1 in the form of a section of an ampitheater1 #ce miles long1 #e miles wide at each end1 and #aj miles through the center4 ,this vast valley plain is our ,garden of ,eden4 ,now1 ,look6 as thousands before you have done in wonder and surprise6 ,look immediately around you1 over the hanging garden on which you stand1 and1 look out for snakes1 for how could you have such a garden without a 8,serpent401 ,and this hanging garden has been notable and notorious for rattlesnakes1 from time immemorial1 handed down in their ,indian name 8rattlesnake hills10 and including ,mount ,trempealeau1 7a separate and distinct pyramid7 was formerly 8,literally alive with rattlesnakes40 ,mr4 ,dovile1 one of the first white settlers at ,trempealeau1 who built his shanty on the bank1 a few rods from the river1 killed1 and kept count of ninety great rattlesnakes the first season1 in1 and crossing his foot-path from his house to the river1 saying nothing of how many he killed elsewhere4 ,but as ,christians have taken possession of the hanging garden1 the serpents have been destroyed1 or are disappearing4 ,the scenery now around us surpasses my power of adequate description1 as do the great lakes4 ,superior1 ,michigan1 ,huron1--and so on down the line1--in their magnitude and importance1 those little lakes in the garden1 southeast of us1 containing a few acres each1 mirroring their shining beauties into our faces4 ,but ,o1 how beautifully1 and magnificently fenced1 or walled in1 is our garden6 ,while there is a general level1 bounding the top1 yet what an indescribable variety of topping out4 ,cones1 oblongs1 smooth ridges1 trees1 huge rocks1 rough1 ragged and jageed1 in almost endless variety4 ,perpendicular ledges boldly facing us3 or single rocks of varied sizes2 smooth bald heads1 and ridges2 deep1 and dark chasms2 wide openings of river's mouths2 all making one of the grandest panoramas conceivable4 ,at present this 8wild scenery0 is being effaced by the profuse growth of timber4 ,near the southern extremity1 lies the beautiful flourishing city of ,la ,crosse1 with its tall church spires and electric towers1 fringed with smoke from its numerous lumber mills2 most appropriately and providentially named4 ,la ,crosse--saying nothing of its being the name of an ancient game modernized--as here crosses the garden one of the four notable rivers1 whose opening and bluff outline1 may be seen coming in from the 8far east10 making and containing the notable and once far-famed1 8,la ,crosse valley02 on which is located the beautiful city of ,sparta4 ,just beyond ,la ,crosse city1 and to the left we see the outline entrance of ,mormon ,cooley valley1 which creek bounds the lower end of our garden4 ,now as we trace the wall to the left1--past the ,la ,crosse valley1 and first eastern gate--we discover another small line of opening through which runs ,half-way creek1 notable as the home 7,holman7 of ,norwegians4 ,the next bold heavy prominence is 8,king bluff40 ,still tracing on1 we notice some queer looking rocks1 lying on top of a ridge2 then1 the ,twin points1 the outer one the 8,sugar ,loaf10 a most beatiful cone mound pointed with rock1 and beckon to ,black river valley1 this side of which1 is 8,castle rock20 and to the left1 a wide opening and a beautiful valley1--the central and main eastern gate--with branching valleys1 extending east and northeast1 all in front of you1 down which flows the notable 8,black river10 appropriately named1 from the natural blackness of its waters1 and because it cuts and divides our garden through its center1 and making a beautiful belt of timbered bottoms4 ,as it nears the ,mississippi1 it forms a delta1 one part turning to the left1 and running parallel to the ,mississippi1 forming that grand booming pond1 and depot of lumbering at ,onalaska2 and then empties itself into the ,mississippi at ,la,crosse2 thus inclosing1 and forming ,french island1 once the resort of counterfeiters4 ,as you glance up ,black ,river valley1 coming in from the right1 is 8,flemming's creek10 or ,lewis' valley1 a fertile valley1 in which is located the euphonious ,mendora2 those blue highlands1 apparently at the head of the main valley is 8,robinson's10 or 8,pine ,hill10 between ,black ,river ,falls and ,sparta4 ,this way to the left1 that beautiful notch in the bluff is 8,peacock ,pass10 and is just this side of ,north ,bend1 and though apparently so near1 is some 8twenty miles away40 ,this heavy point1 at the left of ,black river1 is 8,heuston's ,bluff10 the next best point from which to view this valley garden4 ,to the left and farther away1 look at that great rock1 big as a barn1 topping out another cone4 ,that is the veritable 8,decora's ,peak10 named after that wonderful one-eyed chieftain1 who1 with a few of his brave and loyal band1 lodged1 occasionally in a cave in that rock2 and from its hight were enable to discover any game1 or even an enemy within a large range4 ,once on a time1 it is said1 he discovered the prowling 8,black ,hawk10 with his band of warriors1 and ran to ,prairie du ,chien1 ninety miles in one day1 to inform the ,u4 ,s4 ,government2 and1 then1 helped to capture their enemy4 ,a little farther to the left1 and just across the garden from us wedged in a narrow opening1 lies the village of ,galesville1 on ,beaver creek1--a branch of ,black river1--with its exquisitely beautiful lake1 and bounding fish1 its fine water power1 health giving mineral springs1 ,galesville ,university and choice people4 8,beautiful for situation0 is ,galesville1 the joy of all its inhabitants1 if not of all the earth4 ,and 8as the hills are round about ,jerusalem10 so are the hills1 and vastly more magnificent ones1 round about ,galesville1 and the scenery simply ,,grand4 ,looking up ,beaver creek valley1 to the left1 is ,maughmer's bluff which affords a grand view2 and still to the left1 that dim mountain peak1 pointed with rock and shrubs 7in the direction of ,blair1 in ,trempealeau valley17 is 8,chapel ,peak40 ,in the early settlement1 by whites1 of this region of country1 two ,methodist itinerants1 ,a4 ,b4 ,smith and ,isaac ,springer were following a dim wagon track1 on their way to ,galesville1 which track passed along at the base of that peak2 and they clambered to its top1 and found there 8,the rock-formed pulpit0 or altar1 which had stood there for ages1 into which they entered1 and as they were both good singers1 they sang1--to make the welkins ring1 as there was nothing else thereto hear3-- ,on the mountain-top appearing1 ,lo6 ,the sacred ,herald stands1 ,welcome news in ,zion bearing ,zion long in hostile lands4 ,still tracing the garden wall as we turn to the left1 we face the 8,big ,tamarac0 through an opening in the wall1 a swamp of dense tamarac1 one mile wide1 and six miles long1 bordered with belts and groves of oak1 furnishing fencing and fuel for the upper end of the garden4 ,another turn and you are looking through 8,whistler's ,pass10 another of 8,nature's highways0 out of the garden2 this leading through the ,polander settlement into the ,trempealeau ,valley4 ,another turn and we mark the bluff outline and entrance into the garden--the third and last eastern gate1--of the ,trempealeau river1 crossing it at the upper end2 and like ,black river1 it forms a delta1 one part running down along side of the ,mississippi1 forming an island1 on the lower end of which1 is that wonderful 8,mount ,trempealeau10 a rocky cone covered with pine trees1 where with the outlet of ,trempealeau lake1 it flows through a narrow opening between the mountain and crescent hanging garden--of which it forms a part--into the ,mississippi river4 ,trempealeau ,lake1 at the head of the hanging garden1 just back of the mountain1 is a body1 principally of spring water1 and is one of the most notable fishing ponds known1 attracting fishermen from far and near4 8,trempealeau2 surrounded1 soaked1 fertilized with water40 ,so expressive1 so important to this region is the word1 that the lake1 the island1 the mountain1 the river1 the county2 the township1 and the village are all named ,trempealeau4 ,another slight turn and we are looking into the closed up valley of the ,mississippi1--on account of a bend in the river--which is the fourth and last river that enters1 crosses1 and waters this garden is on the west bank of which1 at the upper end of our garden1 right there1 plainly before you1 lies the charming bustling city of ,winona1--associated with a thousand legends of ,indian traditions1--with its tall water tower1 its numerous lumber mills1 churches1 normal school1 and enterprising people1 stretching itself over a smooth and most lovely prairie4 ,vandal proprietors are devouring their 8,sugar ,loaf10 standing just back of the city1 as well as quarrying down their native garden walls4 ,in our constant turning to the left1 that string of white buildings below ,winona1 on the river's bank and pressed against the foot of the wall1 is ,homer1 a quiet little ville4 ,in our western view we shall not see so many objects of interest2 as not a river pierces the western wall1 only a few little brooks1 or trout harboring runs1--where they used to catch the speckled trout by the bushel1 prominent among which is ,cedar run1 just1 a little above us and ,trout run directly opposite of us1 on which is located the celebrated 8,pick ,wick0 flouring mills--are all that indent or mar its smooth and even face4 ,then1 everything appears to be so near by4 ,the forms1 and farm houses1 in such multiplied variety1 so plain in sight1 just 8,over there10 outside of the garden1 rough and rugged1 to where 8,fallen ,humanity0 was driven4 ,and we are getting tired of looking1 so we make a rapid turn1 glancing along the wall down over ,new ,amsterdam and ,holland settlement1 to the point of commencement1 and are looking into the closed-up valley1 on account of another bend1 in this mighty1 mighty1 ,mississippi river1 in its exit out of this ,garden of ,eden4 ,as we look down once more on this valley garden land1 with its little silver lakes1 and shining streams1 beautiful groves and undulating prairies1 and try to peer into its future1 we are completely overwhelmed with emotion1 as we notice it is just beginning to be checkered up1 by marks of intelligent human occupancy1 as well as by the ,indian tepee and wigwam4 ,but the time of gardening is not yet4 ,and here is room for hundreds of thousands of the fallen sons of ,god1 to come and regain a home in this 8,paradise on earth0 to all such as have a ,paradise within them4 ,now1 will any one believe us8 8,come and see60 ,dr4 ,warner and all4 ,take this description in your hand1 read1 and look1 and like the 8,queen of ,sheba10 you will lose your 8spirit of doubting10 and say3 8,it was a true report1 though ,i believed it not1 but now that mine eyes have seen it1 the one half of its greatness was not told40 ,the scenery just outlined1 is amazingly grand1 ,the work of the ,deity1 worthy his hand4 ,from our past observation1 it is not so very strange to us1 that individuals often pass along over important sections of earth with out noticing its beauty and its glory4 ,not that its flowers and its fruits are altogether hidden1 but that they have become common place1 or for lack of attention1 on account of preoccupancy of the mind1 are not noticed4 ,nor is it much wonder that individuals should reside right in the midst of the garden of ,eden and not be aware of it2 see many of its peculiar characteristics1 and yet not recognize them2 simply because they seem natural2 were indeed natural2 just as ,god made it2 or1 the results of natural growth and changes4 ,it is perfectly plain from the ,bible account1 and that is our guide in this matter1 that ,eden was a country1 and that a very important river crossed or ran through and watered that country1 and because of its importance was named ,euphrates4--the great river1 a very common ancient method of naming things4--,and that1 8,eastward10 or on the eastward bank of that river1 central in this ,eden1 at a certain point1--where three rivers joined the great river1 the four entering1 and crossing the garden1 and only the great river running out of it1--was located the garden of ,eden2 ,one of the most desirable places for a human being to dwell4 ,conducive of human happiness3 ,first1 where there was a plenty of good water1 for human uses1 and to fertilize the land1 also for fishes and fowls1 and yet exempt from malarial diseases4 ,and we ask1 where can there be found another plat of earth1 of the same size and surroundings1 so abundantly watered1 and with all the requisites for a garden1 and yet so free from malaria1 as is our garden of ,eden4 ,second1 far enough north to catch the dry1 balmy1 health inspiring atmosphere1 and the pure water1 the native home of the speckled trout1 and yet the summer temperature of the mild temperate zone1 a medium from which to send its inhabitants north and south4 ,third1 exemption from the great terrors of mankind1 earthquake and cyclone4 ,while the mountains are far away 8round about0 our ,eden1 and the minerals in great abundance and variety are within and about it1 yet so far removed are they from the garden1 as entirely to exempt it from earthquakes2 as these are confined to sea coasts1 and gas producing regions4 ,and as cyclones are supposed to be produced by the sun's rays1--as they never occur in the night1--and peculiar electric concentration1 which requires uniformity of land1 or region1 and heat1 and as our garden is sunk down into the earth to the depth of #ejj feet1 and in a line or direction1 requiring a cyclone to cross it at right angles1--as their course is from the south of west1 toward the north of east--and thus would have to leap the chasm1 or loose its force in tumbling into it1--and such is the uneveness of the country around it as to lessen liability--for a cyclone is simply an electric wind storm1 and not a thunder storm1 and moves in a single cloud1 and not spread abroad1 and would be broken by an uneven country2 find also on account of the evaporation arising from the 8much water0 of our garden1 such an electric heated current could not well be formed across it2 so we are naturally exempt from cyclone1 as well as earthquakes1 which must be a great relief of mind1 and source of enjoyment to our residents4 ,yet from its size1 and shallowness1 we must still be subject to high and purifying winds1 and rain storms4 ,and as evaporation and consequently the conducting of electricity from the earth to the cloud regions1 must go on more rapidly in our garden1 on a hot day1 because of its 8much water10 so1 doubtless1 we shall always have our full quota of thunder storms4 ,the rains1 however1 being generally1 of the more steady and general character4 ,to the language of ,bishop ,foss in his article on ,minnesota1 just published in the ,christian ,advocate38,from my vantage ground of observation1 near the center of the continent1 ,i greet you and many of your readers on its distant rim20 we just wish to add1 that our garden of ,eden is bounded on the west by southern ,minnesota1 therefore central4 ,again1 8,my point of observation is lofty as well as central4 ,minnesota occupies the most elevated plateau between the ,gulf of ,mexico and ,hudson ,bay1 and forms the watershed of three great river systems of the central part of ,north ,america--the ,mississippi1 the ,st4 ,lawrence1 and the ,red ,river of the ,north--its average elevation being just about #a1jjj feet1 the highest point #a1fjj feet40 ,again1 8,concerning the climate1 ,i condense the statement of the ,encylopedia ,britanica3 ,its elevation above sea-level gives an agreeable rarefaction to the atmosphere1 and makes the prevalence of fogs and damp weather unknown4 ,the comparative dryness of the atmosphere neutralizes the severest effect of excessive cold4 ,the ,smithsonian ,chart assigns to ,minnesota an average temperature for the hottest week in summer of from #he to #ij and for the coldest week in winter from #aj to #bj below zero4 ,the average annual rainfall is about #be inches4 ,it is evident that the causes which mitigate the actual severity of the climate as felt1 and so many clear days 99 99 are those which render a climate healthful in the highest degree40 ,what is thus true of ,minnesota1 is pre-eminently so of our ,garden4 ,while there is in our garden nearly every grade of soil1 from the sand blow-out1 to the richest black muck1 yet it is principally sandy loam1 just the foundation1 for a garden4 ,still it produces fairly all kinds of grain4 ,in our early settlement1 over thirty years ago1 ,deacon ,gilbert1 raised1 near ,galesville1 fifty-two bushels of wheat to the acre2 and it was reported of some one raising #fj4 ,on a farm1 located midway between the hanging garden and the opposite wall1 purchased by ,d4 ,o4 ,van,slyke from the government--as 8,hopkins choice10 or the refuse vacant land1 and last to be entered on the prairie1 or entire upper end of the garden1--when1 at its best1 produced forty bushels of wheat to the acre4 ,and as one forty was devoted to wheat1 several crops were taken1 averaging over #ce bushels to the acre2 then gradually decreasing to the fifteenth crop1 one having been of corn1 and fourteen of wheat1 without the application of any fertilizers whatever1 when it produced only #ah bushels of ,no4 #a wheat to the acre4 ,these facts came within my own observation1 and are probably1 above the average of the entire garden2 as the assessors assessed this farm1 for a number of years at nineteen dollars per acre1 when it was offered for sale at fifteen dollars per acre4 ,but ,trempealeau ,prairie has been notable for many years as the 8,egypt0 for corn producing4 ,and we have no way of estimating what could be done in the line of gardening1 for lack of a market1 or capitalists to successfully enter competition4 ,but as to the apple-tree1 that appears to have been driven out with fallen man2 and whether redeemed man can restore it1 is a question1 as it is not designed at present1 for man to live on the spontaneous productions of the earth4 ,of the scenery we have never tired4 ,it is always fresh and enchanting4 ,and such an inspiring feeling1 of 8this is my home60 8,o what a delightful home60 ,if any1 who pass along at the base of ,chappel ,peak1 on a clear day will take the foot path and ascend it to its top1 its altitude probably not #bjj feet above them1 they will have within easy range of the eye such a landscape scene1 as but few upon earth ever have the privilege of looking2 and one that will greatly enthuse an admirer of nature4 ,and they will be apt to feel as well as to see the appropriateness of its name4 ,if they can sing1 or preach1 they will want to join with those preachers1 and sing1 or preach to an assembled world1 seated within the incircling walls4 ,if you are at ,galesville1 ask some one to point out 8,heuston's ,bluff10 you need no guide1 only good walking muscles1 pick your way1 and tug on until you reach the top4 ,then1 after taking a general look all around you1 sit down and rest you4 ,now1 take another general sweeping birds-eye view1 all around1 seeing everything in the aggregate2 then rest awhile1 and contemplate it4 ,now you are1 or ought to be1 prepared to itemize1 or to look attentively at particular objects2 and if you have our description1 it will greatly assist1 as well as interest you4 ,we believe that no grander garden valley scene exists on this beautiful earth4 ,therefore patiently wait1 don't cease your viewing1 or think of leaving the place in less than two hours2 or until you fully realize the 8inspiration0 of this masterly scene2 and we have no fears1 if you are anything of an admirer of the magnificent in nature1 but that you will thank us a thousand times for calling your attention to it4 ,that heavy bold front in the garden wall beyond the mouth of ,black ,river is 8,king bluff0 which is now easily distinguished as the central highest point in the eastern wall1 and which is just opposite of 8,queen bluff10 the central highest point in the western wall of our garden1 and said to be the highest land on the ,mississippi river4 ,here1 from ,heuston's bluff1 we have a better view of ,black river1 and its tributaries1 than from our former place of observation4 ,now we stand as it were right over them1 and can see to the 8,northward and ,eastward40 8,alps on ,alps arise20 ,decora's ,peak and ,mound so plainly and beautifully near2 then those most beautiful cone mountains1 and ,chapel ,peak1 up ,beaver creek1 points for beacon lights1 and charmingly beautiful scenes looming up most conspicuously4 ,we do say that you can find many grand valley and landscape scenes on the ,mississippi1 and its tributaries1 and we do not wonder that good writers extol them1--should wonder if they did not1--but we further say that we have the ,garden2 and everything considered1 not only the greatest1 and grandest1 and best1 but the only spot on earth that answers the ,bible description of that notable spot1 or ,garden of ,eden4 ,moritz ,engel of ,dresden-,newstadt1 ,germany1 has written a book1 an octavo of #bjg pages1 dated ,adam's and ,eve's day1 ,december #ahhd1 entitled3 8,the ,solution of the ,paradise ,question40 ,to a review of this book1 ,president ,w4 ,j4 ,warren of the ,boston ,university1 has devoted over a column in the ,christian ,advocate of ,aug4 #bj1 #ahhe4 ,engel claims to demolish1 and doubtless does1 the preceding 8eighty nugatory attempts at a solution40 ,and as anyone can see1 ,dr4 ,warren demolishes ,engel's attempt to foist his riverless 8,tartarian swale in the heart of the ,north ,syrian desert10 as the veritable ,eden2 in the lower end of which was his ,garden1 alternating between a pool or lake1 caused by the rains1 and filled by the torrents during the rainy season1 and a dried up1 parched1 barren spot1 drying up1 8towards the end of ,may1 or first of ,june2 without a green thing10--utterly uninhabitable1--and which ,engel admits1 8has always been so40 ,the chief value of ,engel's production1 as well as ,dr4 ,warren's ,north ,pole ,garden1 is to show1 7in ,dr4 ,warren's own language47 8,the imperishable interest of the ,eden problem20 and to leave the subject entirely clear for me1 and a calm consideration of the facts of the case as we find them4 ,dr4 ,warren1 naturally1 7as anyone who undertakes to do a thing and fails17 scouts the idea of anyone else doing it1 or of a litteral four rivered2 ,garden of ,eden4 ,so have others who have failed to find it4 ,engel puts in a claim of ,divine inspiration directing him to the spot2 and he writes with the positiveness and unreasonableness of a crank4 ,all the inspiration we claim1 is the beauty and grandeur of the scenery1 and the adaptation and facsimile1 or actual description of the spot1 to the description given in the ,bible1 a ,divinely inspired book1 as our guide to it4 ,we are aware that we are living in an age of scientific speculation1 of counterfeits1 and humbugs4 ,after misguided explorers have given up the search1 in the ,eastern ,continent1 a scientest1 to show his skill1 must throw a cloud on the possibility of finding a literal 8four rivered spot10 on earth1 and gives us an ingenious unaproachable ,north ,pole ,garden4 ,a crank gives us a volcanic 8,tartarian10 riverless desert as the spot1 under a profession of ,divine inspiration1 ,a land speculator1 must dress up a ,florida malarial swamp as the place1 to entice purchasers to his lands4 ,now1 providentially1 we are clear of all these objections4 ,we do not have an unapproachable1 frozen sea2 or ,tartarian volcanic region2 or malarial swamp2 or government1 or company1 lands to sell4 ,our ,garden is principally owned by actual settlers4 ,all the land ,i own1 is a burial lot in the ,galesville cemetery1 and not for sale2 and not many have money enough to purchase it4 ,but we have an ,eden that challenges your attention2 and a ,garden that will awaken your admiration4 ,come and see6 ,please notice the natural youuthfulness of the region immediately around our ,garden4 ,take about a hundred miles square1--of which our ,garden is the centre1--and you will have some of the most charming mountain and valley scenery in the world1 minus the mountains1 or all in miniature1 just such hills and valleys in which the youth most delight4 ,a more appropriate region to surround the ,garden we cannot conceive4 ,while immediately outside of this region you enter upon a broad level country1 principally prairie1 of rich farming lands1 indicating the next step in developed humanity1 and the very beau ideal of an ,eden2 and as you go outward1 the earth abounds in minerals1 and in unlimited sources of wealth4 ,take a map of ,palestine giving a birds-eye view of the hills and valleys1 of which ,jerusalem is somewhat central1 and you will have a fair representation or view of the region around our ,garden1 and see the force of the expression1 8as the hills are round about ,jerusalem1 so is the ,lord round about his people10 and so are the hills round about our ,garden4 ,did you say as you looked down over our ,garden valley1 that this is too large a plat of ground for the ,garden of ,eden8 ,bless you6 have you not considered that the ,garden should be proportionate to the ,land of ,eden8 ,why1 did you think that the ,garden of ,eden was only a half-acre garden patch1 or small orchard8 ,read again your ,bible on that subject4 ,how could you get four rivers into it then1 to water it1 and one of them a 8,euphrates0 a wonderful great river8 ,and is not the usual idea of a garden1 a beautiful rich flat1 or valley1 like ,lot's plain of ,jordan8 ,please just think again1 how ,god had created the whole earth for the habitation of the human family1 and would he stint the allotment of the first pair8 ,did you think how long they lived1 how many children they probably had1 what a numerous family before the first pair died1 numbering into the ten thousands8 ,did you ever give thought to the plan of settlement1 of these children8 ,of the necessity of water thoroughfares1 and the wisdom of ,god in locating them in some grand centre1 as is this garden1 in this central1 wonderful water-shed in this ,eden as already shown1 comprising the great centre of this continent2 and that when this garden should be well filled with inhabitants1 by means of boats1 and easy water conveyance1 they could easily branch out and make settlements along the rivers8 ,can you grasp the mightiness of ,jehovah's plan1 in locating the first pair at the junction of so many rivers into one so great a river1 and central to this ,eden2 thus naturally and easily to extend the settlements over so vast a region of excellent country1 as this ,eden--the greatest half of a continent1--and all this before the invention of wagon roads and railroads4 ,please give it wise thought1 before deciding it so quickly4 ,did you pugh6 pugh6 at the idea of the garden1 and antdieluvian settlements1 being so far away from ,mt4 ,ararat8 ,an ingenious ,yankee1 ,f4 ,h4 ,kribs1 has figured that out long ago2 that the ark would naturally go eastward1 and would just about reach that mountain in the time it was floating2 and that the current ran eastward is proven by the eastward direction of submerged antediluvian trees4 ,then1 how natural that ,god should remove the redeemed ones far away from the scenes and remembrances of human corruption and abominations before the flood2 and let him develop 8up anew10 in the midst of new scenes and surroundings1 and1 as it were1 in a 8new world10 until the sufficient development of his being1 to allow1 by slow stages1 to return him to the place of commencement4 ,did you ask what mean these mounds1 or earthly representations of such a variety of living objects1 so plentiful in and around this garden1 and scattered throughout the country of ,eden1 on one of which we are now standing8 ,there was science and durability in their construction4 ,did he say they were built by the mound-builders8 ,evidently2 but who are the mound-builders8 ,that is not in history or tradition4 ,the first who came here after the flood1 found the mounds here1 and asked the question3 who are the mound-builders8 ,the mound-builders were silent4 ,and every new comer and every generation have asked that question1 but no one could answer4 ,naturally enough1 8,there was not one left to tell the tale40 ,they had unwisely1 and laboriously used their time1 strength1 and ingenuity1 for unworthy objects and purposes1 and not for the comfort1 education1 and moral development of humanity4 ,they had added to their folly wickedness2 8they had changed the truth of ,god into a lie20 had 8served and worshiped the creature1 7and dirt images7 and not their ,creator20 and ,god had blotted them out1 while some of their earthworks remain4 ,did a lawyer from this place1 make a point in his plea before court at ,whitehall1 by declaring that ,i must be mistaken in my locality of the ,garden of ,eden1 for lack of the presence of a personal devil8 ,in retort1 ,i am compelled to say1 that ,i was sent a missioniary to this region1 over thirty years ago1 and that ,i found the devil1 or his tools1 then predominating in the ,m4 ,e4 society here2 and when we tried to 8turn the rascals out10 we found that he1 or they1 outnumbered us in influence and facilities1 and turned the scale against us2 and we have abundant facts to show that he has held his grip in that society 8unto this day40 ,did that ,witty ,editor say that we could prove our proposition by ,josh ,billings' method2 viz43 8that no one could prove that it was not the ,garden of ,eden80 ,very good4 ,but we can do better4 ,we can and have proved it1 on scientific principles4 ,we give a law3 8,an hypothesis that explains all the phenomena1 and contradicts every opposing hypothesis1 is considered proof40 ,now1 our hypothesis1 and exact description of the plat1 explains the phenomena1 answers perfectly the requirements2 and1 as it is admitted that no other known plat on earth does so1 we claim the proof1 and shall hold the ground until driven from it by a more successful discoverer4 ,and we do not fear ,dr4 ,warren as competitor1 though he has also written a book2 as he must first go1 or get some one to go to the ,north pole and survey his garden before he can bring in his proof1 7and that1 doubtless1 will let us out during the present generation7 and without which proof we will laugh down his theory1 and his book1 the editor of the ,christian ,advocate to the contrary notwithstanding4 ,we have necessarily1 given a very condensed statement1 and discription1 to meet1 developed modern1 as well as original modes of thinking1 and to give the less developed ones an opportunity to study4 ,in giving the description of the ,garden of ,eden1 does the ,bible1 there1 or anywhere1 say so1 or is there any grounds to believe1 or suppose that it was written or printed in legible imperishable characters1 on the walls around1 on the sky above1 or on conspicuous places within the garden1 8,this is the ,garden of ,eden80 ,if not1 what is our guide8 ,evidently not a ,lo here1 or a ,lo there1 but the plain description1 fairly interpreted1 and the place that answers that description2 and we have it4 ,now1 the public press of ,la ,crosse1 and ,winona1 within the borders of our garden and who might be supposed to know the merit1 or demerit of my claim1 have not deigned to notice my articles on the ,garden of ,eden2 so they cannot be accused of conspiring with me to mislead the public1 to attract to their cities2 or of having any faith in my discovery2 and yet1 ,i challenge any of them to show any material incorrectness of my description and statements4 ,once1 when on a steamboat1 coming up the ,mississippi1 through our garden1 and standing forward1 on the upper deck1 near a well dressed gentleman1 who was intently looking at and admiring scenery which had also attracted my attention1 he turned suddenly1 and excitedly said1 8,see6 7pointing7 ,o see1 that most enchantingly lovely scene1 there60 7as if he had never before seen its equal47 8,there1 if an artist should paint that1 they would say1 #8,that is purely imaginary2 the result of fancy'2 but there is the foundation and excitement to his art2 and no known artist can measure up to the reality40 ,perhaps neither of us will ever again see so enraptureing a scene of clouds1 shades1 lights and shadows1 of bluff scenery1--and that means something here--of beautiful islands and forest trees1 as was just then around us1 and mirrored to us in that grand old looking-glass1 on whose placid waters we were then floating4 ,being of like sympathy1 ,i entered into conversation with him1 when he kindly informed me1 that1 to gratify his passion for scenery1 he had traveled extensively in the old world1 or foreign countries1 that he was now taking in the ,mississippi ,river1 and that this was the most beautiful and attractive river scenery he had ever seen in his life2 and that it far surpassed anything they had seen in the old world4 ,i have had several similar statements of noted travelers1 enough1 with what ,i have seen myself1 to satisfy me of the truthfulness of my claim4 ,i have taken several acknowledged eminent travelers to my first point of observation1 7,healds ,bluff7 who invariably1 like myself1 evidently1 labored1 and failed for language adequately to express the overwhelming beauty and grandeur of this valley scene4 ,now1 if ours is not the veritable original ,garden of ,eden1 it is certainly easy of access1 of increasing reputation and importance as a summer resort1 and open to investigation1 and we challenge the strictest inspection4 ,come and see6 ,come and see6 ,i am glad to learn from the ,editor of the ,independent that ,i am not the first one who has 8located the old ,bible ground in the ,northwest20 would like very much to see the volume alluded to1 8written fifty years ago10 treating that subject4 ,perhaps we might gain some information from one who had given it close intelligent thought1 as well as some very desirable information on this somewhat mysterious subject4 ,mine was an entire new thought to me1 suggested by the actual sight1 viewing the garden from a point on the hanging garden1 and studying it over and over during my residence here of over thirty years4 ,and despite of my natural skepticism1 ,i have become so impressed with the striking resemblance or exact likeness of this1 to the ,bible garden1 as therein1 described1 and the immediate surroundings of this1 to ,palestine1 7the type of the surrounding or original habitation of man7 as to force me to admit the possibility1 and to write out my convictions for the benefit of some one better informed1 and to enable such a one to draw better conclusions4 ,when ,god formed the earth into a globe1 and set it rolling to keep it so1 and started it in its orbit around the sun1 and the light of the sun first flashed upon it1 producing the requisite light and motion1 for marking time1 then1 with half in light and half in shade1 as round the sun earth took its flight1 time on earth began4 ,the day1 the month1 the year4 ,chronological time commenced on the first day at high #ab1 and 8,the evening and the morning ending on the second day at high #ab1 one complete diurnal revolution of the earth was the first day40 ,and as man was the only intelligent being placed on earth1 capable of noting time1 his residence was1 evidently1 on that central line4 ,our 8long0 river and garden of ,eden1 is exactly there1 on the #ijth meridian of central time1 as laid down on our present time table maps for this continent4 ,as everything in creation was full and perfect1 ,god wisely placed the earth in the summer solstice point of its orbit1 and this continent facing the sun1 so that when he placed man upon it1 as to give him the benefit of harvest1 and correct time1 and all of which is proved by the change1 ,god ordered1 from original reckoning of time1 when ,israel left ,egypt1 ,ex4 #ab1 #b1 8,this month ,abib1 the #gth month shall be unto you the beginning of months1 it shall be the first month of the year to you40 ,thus changing the beginning of the year from mid-summer to mid-winter4 ,the commencing of the reckoning of the day has also been changed from mid-day to midnight4 ,that the original first month1 now the #gth month1 was harvest time1 is proved from ,lev4 #bc1 #i-ci2 and that the seasons1 of summer and winter1 were then as now1 is also proven by ,gen4 #a1 #ad1 and the history of the clothing of the first pair1 first aprons1 then skins and furs4 ,the names given to the rivers and places1 in connection with the original habitation of man1 were naturally washed out by the flood1 or their recollection continued in names of similar places on the new continent4 ,then1 is it not somewhat remarkable that1 our garden valley is in the form of a beautiful dove1 or bird of paradise2 and so grandly walled in as to appear as a single valley1 and have a hanging garden so situated that from its height1 the whole valley1 the rivers1 and 8much water0 all in plain sight4 ,is it not a little strange that the ,holy ,land should be the counterpart of the regions around our garden1 only ours1 geologically1 a little older1 and at present1 at least1 vastly superior in productiveness and desirability as a home2 and that so many things1 in connection with and in addition to1 the exact ,bible description of the garden of ,eden1 and of the ,holy ,land1 point to this place as the original garden2 oldest1 and best adapted place on earth for the commencement of human existence1 and from which naturally to branch out1 filling the ,palestine around it2 then1 over the entire ,eden as already described4 ,let me once more call your attention to the region immediately around our garden1 of a section of which we have such a good view from this ,heuston's ,muff1 of beautiful hills and valleys1 similar in appearance and extent1 to the land of ,palestine2 which was selected by the ,creator as a representation of the habitation of man on earth1 in its pristine glory2 a beau ideal of a country1 a paradise2 a region of supreme felicity and delight2 8,a land flowing with milk and honey20 which means susceptibility of the highest earthly enjoyments1 and figure of the world to come4 ,such a rough1 youthful country1 is not naturally subject to cyclones1 and disastrous storms1 8but of rains10 and 8green pastures20 not a land of malaria1 but a land of health and happiness4 ,palestine was central to the habitable part of the eastern continent1 and was thus1 in connection wilh its other good qualities1 selected for the residence of ,god's chosen people1 and contained many of the mountains on which ,god appeared to man1 a very interesting chapter in the history of that country4 ,then1 the central location of ,jerusalem1 8the city of the great ,king20 8,beautiful for situation1 the joy of the whole earth1 is ,mount ,zion20 in which was built the ,holy ,temple--of which ,god himself was architect--with its ,holy of ,holies1 where ,god met the ,high priest1 and kept up1 though somewhat broken1 yet1 for long periods1 special communication with man1 thus making it a holy and ,god honored spot4 ,there the ,jews used to point to a stone1 set as they claimed1 by some miraculous power1 in the precise centre of the world4 ,but whether this was so or not1 the city was for a long time the centre of attraction of the world's commerce1 and of the best form of religion4 8,a land flowing with milk and honey40 ,yes1 and that we have the place we hope to make appear by a few extracts from a speech delivered by ,t4 ,d4 ,lewis1 before the ,wisconsin ,dairymen's ,association1 at ,arcadia1 ,trempealeau ,county1 ,wisconsin1 ,february1 #ahhe1 published by the ,dairymen's ,association4 ,mr4 ,lewis1 not knowing of our garden and ,palestine1 spoke only in reference to what is beginning to be recognized1 and well known facts in relation to the dairying interests of this region4 ,commencing on page #gf3 8,as good1 natural grasses and plenty of the right kind of water are the material requisites necessary to successful dairying or stock-growing generally1 ,i propose to discuss in a brief manner1 and for the first time1 call the attention of the public to the peculiar quality of the soil in this section1 and its adaptability for successful grass growing1 especially clover1 and of its action1 through the grasses and water1 in producing a superior quality of butter4 99 99 99 99 ,it is now1 ,i believe1 generally conceded by all stock growers that there is no known plant grown that requires so small an outlay of labor and expense generally1 and furnishes so great an amount of plant food of just the right kind for producing the best butter1 cheese1 and good1 quickly fattened beef1 as clover1 where it can be grown with anything near success4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,my attention was first attracted to this subject some eight or ten years ago1 by noticing spots along the roads where clover had sprung up in small patches1 in soil either wild1 or but1 at the most1 partially subdued4 ,i observed that it grew in the most luxuriant manner1 and spread rapidly1 did not winter kill2 in fact1 looked just as if it had come to stay4 ,i then began a thorough examination of the soil that ,i have not yet entirely completed1 but have ascertained enough to warrant me in saying1 that through the agency of the decomposition of an ancient stratum of rock1 of which the most of our argillaceous clays are composed in this vicinity1 ,i find we have a soil peculiarly adapted to the growth of clover4 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,what were the reasons1 do you suppose1 why the ,arcadia creamery butter took the first1 and the ,alma creamery the second premium at the fair held at ,st4 ,louis last fall8 ,this was from butter made in ,arcadia the second1 and in ,alma the first season of their opperation4 ,you could not believe1 for a moment1 that the butter makers employed in these two creameries were so much better than all the others that exhibited butter at that time1 that this was the cause of obtaining the premiums8 ,i find1 also1 that the ,arcadia butter1 when placed upon the ,elgin market of ,illinois1 is considered superior to the other butter1 in all the qualities that go to make up a first-class article1 and that is the largest butter market1 outside of ,chicago1 in the state4 ,you would most certainly assign this cause to other and more correct reasons1 and1 by an investigation into the facts1 would find it was produced through the effects of this peculiar chemical material1 in its action through the grasses and water of this region4 99 99 99 99,any one looking on ,prof4 ,owens' geological chart of his government survey of this state and ,minnesota1 will see a small area1 colored and marked metamorphic shades4 ,it is no great extent of territory1 includes this and ,buffalo county1 and a portion of ,jackson1 and about us much in ,minnesota4 ,it has been badly cut up through the agencies of erosion1 corrosion1 and denudation1 and probably one-fourth of this area is now composed of arenaceious valleys1 practically inexhaustible40 ,clover fields1 8flowing with milk and honey10 how appropriate4 ,a ,wisconsin ,dairyman took the first premium on butter at the ,worlds fair1 at ,philedelphia1 in #ahgf2 at the ,world's ,exposition at ,new ,orleans1 in #ahhj1 in dairy products1 ,wisconsin1 ,iowa and ,minnesota stands at the head2 and the head centre of which1 when once developed1 is our palestine4 ,in cheese products1 at ,new ,orleans1 out of #hd premiums1 ,wisconsin took #ga1 amounting to #b1hch4 ,on butter1 out of #fi premiums1 ,iowa1 ,minnesota and ,wisconsin took #ed1 amounting to #c1cfd1 thus leading the world4 ,thus who can predict the future greatness of our garden1 and the region around it2 naturally exempt from cyclone--which is beginning to be one of the great terrors of man-kind--as it would require a miracle to leap a cyclone from the top of our southwestern wall1 down #fjj feet1 on to the broad ,mississippi river--and into a decidedly different atmosphere1 the reason already given--and keep a whirling4 ,thirty years of observation has taught me1 that small1 single storms pass around us1 and larger ones1 often1 divide1 and1 no matter how portentous they look1 as did the one the other day--since the ,st ,cloud cyclone--which1 at first sight1 approaching from the southwest1 at the right time of day1 and frightful blue black color1 made the timid ones tremble3 but on approaching the garden1 it naturally divided1 and passed around us1 as usual2 thus confirming our statement4 ,not being a believer in the speculative vague theories of modern geologists1 ,i shall leave the discussion of the geological age of our garden to those wiseacres4 ,but simply notice1 that according to standard authorities1 our hanging garden contains the veritable ,potsdam sand stone of the primordial age4 ,and my stone door step1 taken from another strata1 is a mass of ,molusk shells of the tribe of ,brachiopods--specimens of the earliest life on earth--the shells 8less in size than a finger nail20 7see ,dana's geology page #ha7 related to the modern ,lingula2 thus composing a ,lingula flag1 or ,lingula sandstone1 of which mine is a slab over #e feet long1 #b feet wide and six inches thick1 the finest specimen ,i have ever seen1 and lies at my front door1 free for inspection4 ,thus1 on the oldest continent1 with an overwhelmingly rich1 great1 grand ,eden2 watered by the 8,uphrates10 7long river7 which1 in itself1 is superlative2 and which1 with its tributaries1 waters a superlatively grand portion of the earth2 and with its central garden1 and surpassingly grand hanging gardens1 which overtop1 and as immeasurably transcend the hanging gardens of ,babylon--which tourists travel thousands of miles to see--as does the ,niagra ,falls1 a common creek mill pond1 or as the works of nature transcend the works of art4 ,and did not ,god know which was the longest river on earth1 and which1 with its tributaries1 watered the grandest region of country on earth1 ,eden1 when he said the garden was on it8 ,when all these things shall be properly understood by the public1 who will not wish to come and see8 ,yes come and see66 8,be not faithless1 but believing10 come and see66 ,and now may the ,king ,eternal1 banish the evil one from this place forever1 and build his promised 8,new ,jerusalem0 here1 or to have an extensive one within our ,palestine4 ,,errata4 ,in preface1 line #aa1 for antediluvians read postdiluvians4 ,on page #aa1 line #af1 for #ce miles long etc41 read #bg miles long and #i miles through the centre2 and the hanging garden in a similar form and geometrical proportions1 #c miles long and #a mile through the centre4 ,on page #af1 line #bj1 for is read and4 ,there are few minor mistakes which the reader can readily correct4