CHAPTER LX. The Head of Navigation.--From Roses to Snow.--Climatic

Vaccination.--A Long Ride.--Bones of Poverty.--The Pioneer of

Civilization.--Jug of Empire.--Siamese Twins.--The Sugar-bush.--He Wins

his Bride.--The Mystery about the Blanket.--A City that is always a

Novelty.--Home again.

APPENDIX.          A          B          C          D

THE 'BODY OF THE NATION'

BUT the basin of the Mississippi is the _Body of The Nation_. All the

other parts are but members, important in themselves, yet more important

in their relations to this. Exclusive of the Lake basin and of 300,000

square miles in Texas and New Mexico, which in many aspects form a part

of it, this basin contains about 1,250,000 square miles. In extent it is

the second great valley of the world, being exceeded only by that of the

Amazon. The valley of the frozen Obi approaches it in extent; that of

La Plata comes next in space, and probably in habitable capacity, having

about eight-ninths of its area; then comes that of the Yenisei, with

about seven-ninths; the Lena, Amoor, Hoang-ho, Yang-tse-kiang, and

Nile, five-ninths; the Ganges, less than one-half; the Indus, less

than one-third; the Euphrates, one-fifth; the Rhine, one-fifteenth. It

exceeds in extent the whole of Europe, exclusive of Russia, Norway,

and Sweden. _It would contain austria four times, germany or spain

five times, france six times, the british islands or italy ten times._

Conceptions formed from the river-basins of Western Europe are rudely

shocked when we consider the extent of the valley of the Mississippi;

nor are those formed from the sterile basins of the great rivers of

Siberia, the lofty plateaus of Central Asia, or the mighty sweep of

the swampy Amazon more adequate. Latitude, elevation, and rainfall

all combine to render every part of the Mississippi Valley capable of

supporting a dense population. _As a dwelling-place for civilized man it

is by far the first upon our globe_.

EDITOR'S TABLE, HARPER'S MAGAZINE, FEBRUARY 1863