Found at Last: the Veritable Garden of Eden Part 1

Found at Last: the Veritable Garden of Eden.

by David Van Slyke.

PREFACE.

On the principle of "first know you are right, then go ahead," I have been very slow in making public the results of my discovery. But having become thoroughly satisfied that I have a reasonable thing of it, have ventured to publish it. It has appeared in brief articles in the Galesville INDEPENDENT, in order to invite general inspection, and criticism.

When G.o.d made man to dwell on the face of the earth, He, evidently, must place him somewhere. In giving the antldiluvians a description of the creation, and first location of man, how mankind corrupted themselves, and how G.o.d destroyed them with a flood, he simply stated the princ.i.p.al facts, and gave a description of the location-and it not being on that continent, he could not point it out to them-and as the country in which Noah then resided, was all new to him, and his family, no one knew where it was; nor was any one able then, or since, to find it on that continent; thus, the location, though admitted to be somewhere on earth, has been kept a profound mystery to the present time, and consequently the innocent cause of no little speculation. But by degrees it has been opening to the minds of some, that the first habitation of man must have been somewhere on the American Continent; and the finger of time has been plainly pointing to what is known as the "North West," as the place. But of this last fact I was ignorant when I made the discovery of the garden, and commenced developing the facts about it. The discovery, resulted from my familiarity with, or thorough knowledge of the Bible, and standing on the hanging garden and looking over the plat, and admirirg its most wonderful scenery, and counting the rivers, I became sensibly impressed by a suggestion, This is the garden of Eden: at which suggestion I smiled, as the plat, to me then, was altogether too large. Of course I had never given it thought, nor measured it up in my own mind to what should, or might be its proper dimentions. However so strong were my impressions, that I, as a matter of pleasantry, used, occasionally to say to my friends, This is the garden of Eden.

Since I commenced to publish my views, claiming a possible reality, while some have mocked, others are becoming impressed with the idea of its being not only possible, but highly probable. Where would a scientest place the first pair, to acclimate, and from which to make man, as he now is, an inhabitant of all the earth? Not too far north, not too far south. Our garden is in that place. It should be dest.i.tute of money mineral wealth, as these, if easily obtained, are corrupting in their tendencies, and should be sought, and toiled for, to be properly enjoyed; and should be placed at a distance, just where G.o.d says he provided it, at the head of the stream. Our garden is still in the right place. From inherited wealth and luxury comes danger to the inheritors. Our garden is again right. But it should be a place susceptible of, and adapted to moral and intellectual growth, and lead to the admiration, adoration, and wors.h.i.+p of the great Builder of the universe, the Infinite and Perfect. Is there a better place for that, in all this beautiful earth, than is our garden, and its surroundings? If there is, we would like to see it.

I have related the facts as they have been presented to me, or as I have discovered them, and believe the reader will be pleased and profited with the results, and I hope this will lead to more thorough and satisfactory investigation.

THE AUTHOR.

GARDEN OF EDEN.

See Genesis 2, 8-14.

"And the Lord G.o.d planted a garden eastward in Eden. * * And a river went out of Eden to water the garden,-[or, the river that ran through the land of Eden watered the garden.]-And from thence,-[in, the garden]-it was parted and became into four heads. * * And the fourth river is Euphrates;"

which means long river, symbol of greatness and importance, and which, answers to our "Father of Waters." It is plain that Eden is a certain country; that the Euphrates river crosses that country, that "eastward", or on the eastward, bank of, or at a certain point on that river, is located the garden of Eden; and that three lesser rivers run through and water this garden, flowing into the great river; thus four rivers run into and water it, but only one, the fourth, runs out. As to how it was watered, we have a clue; "And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere * * even as the garden of the Lord;" by streams crossing the plain, and running into the river of Jordon, just as our three rivers cross our garden plain, into our Euphrates. The names given to these rivers were, doubtless, explanations of facts well known to the antideluvians.

We need not now undertake to prove, or show what must readily be admitted, that, there is no such spot, or coming together of rivers in the region where it was first supposed to be, and which has caused explorers and researchers to turn to Africa, and other countries, in search of the place; and Dr. Warren, with all his learning and ingenuity, to the North Pole. But _we_ have found it where he and others, can come and see for themselves.

It is located on the "eastward bank" of the Mississippi River, between the beautiful cities of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and Winona Minnesota. Please notice the beauty and euphony of those names. The Mississippi-the bible Euphrates-river, being one of the longest and most picturesque rivers _in the world._ Its valley, proper-with its tributaries, some of which reach far out into "Havilah" the "Land of good gold"-extends from the Alleghany mountains on the eastern border, 2,000 miles westward to the Rocky mountains on the western border, and from the Gulf of Mexico, on the south, extending 2,000 miles north, across the United States into the Bridtish possessions. This vast area, Eden,-containing the most fertile and habitable region of earth, and is being settled and inhabited by the most industrious, enlightened, christianized and well to-do people in the world; the asylum or _universal home_ of the oppressed and needy of all lands,-contains "The heart of the New World," the "Land of Promise," in this Christian United States of America. Central in this domain, Eden, is our _Garden_ of Eden. The soil is not a deep, rich paste, like the American bottoms opposite St. Louis, on the same river, which is known to be the _richest_ land in the world, but higher, drier, and more habitable, easily cultivated, and adapted to _gardening._

The river here, as in most places, has three banks; the first a little above high water mark,-densely covered with forest trees, which consitutes the islands and "river bottoms"-cut up by water courses and sloughs. The river and bottoms are about two miles wide, over and through which the "Laughing" and "Father of waters," courses, run, and play their dances.

The second bank is high and dry above the hightest water mark,-and generally smooth prairie, and ready in the state of nature for the garden plow-extending back on one or both sides of the river for miles, making a valley at this place, of about ten miles in the widest, when we reach the bank, bluff, or rocky wall, which rises-on each side of our garden-to the alt.i.tude of 600 feet above the river, being the point of the highest bluffs on the Mississippi.

Nineteen miles above La Crosse, and twelve miles below Winona, on the "eastward bank," nestles, and spreads out that most beautiful town site, Trempealeau, on which ought now to be a large city, and which doubtless would have been but for the greed and ignorance of a part of its original proprietors, who being told, and thinking they had the "nicest," "most beautiful," "splendid," town site on the Mississippi river, they were bound to get rich at once, "but not knowing their day," and how to build up a town like, the fabled dog, "they grabbed for the shadow and lost the reality;" "Their language was confounded and their work delayed." Here on the second bank, is raised, our "Hanging Garden," a crescent bluff, high as the outside wall, extending three miles up the river, terminating at each end in a point, and one mile through the center, being in the form of a new moon, and unlike anything of the kind, so far as known, in the entire world, and must be seen to be appreciated.

This is not one solid smooth topped hill, but possesses all the variety of bluff formation, containing groves of forest trees, ravines, slopes, scattered rocks, and perpendicular ledges facing the river, like the "Face of a King," some of these ledges are 200 ft. high, commencing more than half way up the mound, then rising perpendicular to near the very top. The top of this hanging garden has its slopes, mounds, pyramids, domes, and pinnacles, in most beautiful variety; and at the present time, it is dotted with fields of grain, and specked with stone quarries and lime kilns. Now, please, place yourself with me on the "Central Outer Dome"

"Heald's quarry," facing toward the eastward, and you have, before, below, and around you the veritable Garden of Eden; a valley scene, in extent and importance unequalled in America, and I think, in the world. Not like the Yosemite, small, romantic _grand_ but _uninhabitable_ or unfit for a _garden,_ but the very beau ideal of a garden.

Now that we are up where we can see, let us look across and around this garden. Turn, now and face the south-west. There, before and below you flows the Mississippi, whose name is as euphonious as the Euphrates, or its own flowing waters. See its "Broad channels," queer and picturesque islands, its trees and vine-clad bottoms, lovely beyond description; its general course, not meandering, but evenly hugging the base of the Minnesota bluffs, or western wall of the garden, which it does for some twenty-five miles, or from just below Winona, to just above La Crosse, running in a southeasterly and southern direction, making a beautiful curve, leaving the main garden valley on the "Eastward" bank, in the form of a section of an ampitheater, 35 miles long, 5 miles wide at each end, and 10 miles through the center. _This vast valley plain is our Garden of Eden._ Now, Look! as thousands before you have done in wonder and surprise! Look immediately around you, over the hanging garden on which you stand, and, _look out for snakes,_ for how could you have such a garden without a "Serpent.", And this hanging garden has been notable and notorious for rattlesnakes, from time immemorial, handed down in their Indian name "rattlesnake hills," and including Mount Trempealeau, (a separate and distinct pyramid) was formerly "Literally alive with rattlesnakes." Mr. Dovile, one of the first white settlers at Trempealeau, who built his shanty on the bank, a few rods from the river, killed, and kept count of ninety great rattlesnakes the first season, in, and crossing his foot-path from his house to the river, saying nothing of how many he killed elsewhere.

But as Christians have taken possession of the hanging garden, the serpents have been destroyed, or are disappearing.

The scenery now around us surpa.s.ses my power of adequate description, as do the great lakes. Superior, Michigan, Huron,-and so on down the line,-in their magnitude and importance, those little lakes in the garden, southeast of us, containing a few acres each, mirroring their s.h.i.+ning beauties into our faces. But O, how beautifully, and magnificently fenced, or walled in, is our garden! While there is a general level, bounding the top, yet what an indescribable variety of topping out. Cones, oblongs, smooth ridges, trees, huge rocks, rough, ragged and jageed, in almost endless variety. Perpendicular ledges boldly facing us: or single rocks of varied sizes; smooth bald heads, and ridges; deep, and dark chasms; wide openings of river's mouths; all making one of the grandest panoramas conceivable. At present this "wild scenery" is being effaced by the profuse growth of timber. Near the southern extremity, lies the beautiful flouris.h.i.+ng city of La Crosse, with its tall church spires and electric towers, fringed with smoke from its numerous lumber mills; most appropriately and providentially named. La Crosse-saying nothing of its being the name of an ancient game modernized-as here _crosses_ the _garden_ one of the four notable rivers, whose opening and bluff outline, may be seen coming in from the "far east," making and containing the notable and once far-famed, "La Crosse valley"; on which is located the beautiful city of Sparta.

Just beyond La Crosse city, and to the left we see the outline entrance of Mormon Cooley valley, which creek bounds the lower end of our garden. Now as we trace the wall to the left,-past the La Crosse valley, and first eastern gate-we discover another small line of opening through which runs Half-way creek, notable as the home (Holman) of Norwegians. The next bold heavy prominence is "King bluff." Still tracing on, we notice some queer looking rocks, lying on top of a ridge; then, the Twin points, the outer one the "Sugar Loaf," a most beatiful _cone mound_ pointed with rock, and beckon to Black river valley, this side of which, is "Castle rock;" and to the left, a wide opening and a beautiful valley,-the central and main eastern gate-with branching valleys, extending east and northeast, all in front of you, down which flows the notable "Black river," appropriately named, from the natural blackness of its waters, and because it cuts and _divides_ our _garden_ through its center, and making a beautiful belt of timbered bottoms. As it nears the Mississippi, it forms a delta, one part turning to the left, and running parallel to the Mississippi, forming that grand booming pond, and depot of lumbering at Onalaska; and then empties itself into the Mississippi at LaCrosse; thus inclosing, and forming French island, once the resort of counterfeiters.

As you glance up Black River valley, coming in from the right, is "Flemming's creek," or Lewis' valley, a fertile valley, in which is located the euphonious Mendora; those blue highlands, apparently at the head of the main valley is "Robinson's," or "Pine Hill," between Black River Falls and Sparta. This way to the left, that beautiful notch in the bluff is "Peac.o.c.k Pa.s.s," and is just this side of North Bend, and though apparently so near, is some "twenty miles away." This heavy point, at the left of Black river, is "Heuston's Bluff," the next best point from which to view this valley garden. To the left and farther away, _look_ at that _great rock,_ big as a barn, topping out another cone. That is the veritable "Decora's Peak," named after that wonderful one-eyed chieftain, who, with a few of his brave and loyal band, lodged, occasionally in a cave in that rock; and from its hight were enable to discover any game, or even an enemy within a large range. Once on a time, it is said, he discovered the prowling "Black Hawk," with his band of warriors, and ran to Prairie du Chien, ninety miles in one day, to inform the U. S.

Government; and, then, helped to capture their enemy. A little farther to the left, and just across the garden from us wedged in a narrow opening, lies the village of Galesville, on Beaver creek,-a branch of Black river,-with its exquisitely beautiful lake, and bounding fish, its fine water power, health giving mineral springs, Galesville University and choice people. "Beautiful for situation" is Galesville, the joy of all its inhabitants, if not of all the earth. And "as the hills are round about Jerusalem," so are the hills, and vastly more magnificent ones, round about Galesville, and the scenery simply GRAND. Looking up Beaver creek valley, to the left, is Maughmer's bluff which affords a grand view; and still to the left, that dim mountain peak, pointed with rock and shrubs (in the direction of Blair, in Trempealeau valley,) is "Chapel Peak." In the early settlement, by whites, of this region of country, two Methodist itinerants, A. B. Smith and Isaac Springer were following a dim wagon track, on their way to Galesville, which track pa.s.sed along at the base of that peak; and they clambered to its top, and found there "The rock-formed pulpit" or altar, which had stood there for ages, into which they entered, and as they were both good singers, they sang,-to make the welkins ring, as there was nothing else thereto hear:-

On the mountain-top appearing, Lo! The sacred Herald stands, Welcome news in Zion bearing Zion _long_ in _hostile_ lands.

Still tracing the garden wall as we turn to the left, we face the "Big Tamarac" through an opening in the wall, a swamp of dense tamarac, one mile wide, and six miles long, bordered with belts and groves of oak, furnis.h.i.+ng fencing and fuel for the upper end of the garden. Another turn and you are looking through "Whistler's Pa.s.s," another of "Nature's highways" out of the garden; this leading through the Polander settlement into the Trempealeau Valley. Another turn and we mark the bluff outline and entrance into the garden-the third and last eastern gate,-of the Trempealeau river, crossing it at the upper end; and like Black river, it forms a delta, one part running down along side of the Mississippi, forming an island, on the lower end of which, is that wonderful "Mount Trempealeau," a rocky cone covered with pine trees, where with the outlet of Trempealeau lake, it flows through a narrow opening between the mountain and crescent hanging garden-of which it forms a part-into the Mississippi river. Trempealeau Lake, at the head of the hanging garden, just back of the mountain, is a body, princ.i.p.ally of spring water, and is one of the most notable fis.h.i.+ng ponds known, attracting fishermen from far and near. "Trempealeau; surrounded, soaked, fertilized _with water._" So expressive, so important to this region is the word, that the lake, the island, the mountain, the river, the county; the towns.h.i.+p, and the village are all named Trempealeau.

Another slight turn and we are looking into the closed up valley of the Mississippi,-on account of a bend in the river-which is the fourth and last river that enters, crosses, and waters this garden is on the west bank of which, at the upper end of our garden, right there, plainly before you, lies the charming bustling city of Winona,-a.s.sociated with a thousand legends of Indian traditions,-with its tall water tower, its numerous lumber mills, churches, normal school, and enterprising people, stretching itself over a smooth and most lovely prairie. Vandal proprietors are devouring their "Sugar Loaf," standing just back of the city, as well as quarrying down their native garden walls.

In our constant turning to the left, that string of white buildings below Winona, on the river's bank and pressed against the foot of the wall, is Homer, a quiet little ville.

In our western view we shall not see so many objects of interest; as not a river pierces the western wall, only a few little brooks, or trout harboring runs,-where they used to catch the speckled trout by the bushel, prominent among which is Cedar run, just, a little above us and Trout run directly opposite of us, on which is located the celebrated "Pick Wick"

flouring mills-are all that indent or mar its smooth and even face. Then, everything appears to be so near by. The forms, and farm houses, in such multiplied variety, so plain in sight, just "Over there," _outside_ of the garden, rough and rugged, to where "Fallen Humanity" was driven. And we are getting tired of looking, so we make a rapid turn, glancing along the wall down over New Amsterdam and Holland settlement, to the point of commencement, and are looking into the closed-up valley, on account of another bend, in this mighty, mighty, Mississippi river, in its exit out of this _Garden of Eden._

As we look down once more on this valley garden land, with its little silver lakes, and s.h.i.+ning streams, beautiful groves and undulating prairies, and try to peer into its future, we are completely overwhelmed with emotion, as we notice it is just _beginning_ to be checkered up, by marks of intelligent human occupancy, as well as by the Indian tepee and wigwam. But the time of gardening is not yet. And here is room for hundreds of thousands of the fallen sons of G.o.d, to come and regain a home in this "Paradise on earth" to all such as have a Paradise within them.

Now, will any one believe us? "Come and see!" Dr. Warner and all. Take this description in your hand, read, and look, and like the "Queen of Sheba," you will lose your "spirit of doubting," and say: "It was a true report, though I believed it not, but now that mine eyes have seen it, the one half of its greatness was not told."

The scenery just outlined, is amazingly grand, The work of the Deity, worthy his hand.

From our past observation, it is not so very strange to us, that individuals often pa.s.s along over important sections of earth with out noticing its beauty and its glory. Not that its flowers and its fruits are altogether hidden, but that they have become common place, or for lack of attention, on account of preoccupancy of the mind, are not noticed. Nor is it much wonder that individuals should reside right in the midst of the garden of Eden and not be aware of it; see many of its peculiar characteristics, and yet not recognize them; simply because they seem natural; were indeed natural; just as G.o.d made it; or, the results of natural growth and changes. It is perfectly plain from the Bible account, and _that_ is our guide in this matter, that Eden was a country, and that a very important river crossed or ran through and watered that country, and because of its importance was named Euphrates.-the great river, a very common ancient method of naming things.-And that, "Eastward," or on the eastward bank of that river, central in this Eden, at a certain point,-where three rivers joined the great river, the four entering, and crossing the garden, and only the great river running out of it,-was located the garden of Eden; _One_ of the most desirable places for a human being to dwell. Conducive of human happiness: First, where there was a plenty of _good water,_ for human uses, and to fertilize the land, also for fishes and fowls, and yet exempt from malarial diseases. And we ask, where can there be found another plat of earth, of the same size and surroundings, so abundantly watered, and with all the requisites for a garden, and yet so free from malaria, as is our garden of Eden. Second, far enough north to catch the dry, balmy, health inspiring atmosphere, and the pure water, the native home of the speckled trout, and yet the summer temperature of the mild temperate zone, a medium from which to send its inhabitants north and south. Third, exemption from the great terrors of mankind, earthquake and cyclone. While the mountains are far away "round about" our Eden, and the minerals in great abundance and variety are within and about it, yet so far removed are they from the garden, as entirely to exempt it from earthquakes; as these are confined to sea coasts, and gas producing regions. And as cyclones are supposed to be produced by the sun's rays,-as they never occur in the night,-and peculiar electric concentration, which requires uniformity of land, or region, and heat, and as our garden is sunk down into the earth to the depth of 500 feet, and in a line or direction, requiring a cyclone to cross it at right angles,-as their course is from the south of west, toward the north of east-and thus would have to leap the chasm, or loose its force in tumbling into it,-and such is the uneveness of the country around it as to lessen liability-for a cyclone is simply an electric wind storm, and not a thunder storm, and moves in a single cloud, and not spread abroad, and would be broken by an uneven country; find also on account of the evaporation arising from the "much water" of our garden, such an electric heated current could not well be formed across it; so we are naturally exempt from cyclone, as well as earthquakes, which must be a great relief of mind, and source of enjoyment to our residents. Yet from its size, and shallowness, we must still be subject to high and purifying winds, and rain storms. And as evaporation and consequently the conducting of electricity from the earth to the cloud regions, must go on more rapidly in our garden, on a hot day, because of its "much water," so, doubtless, we shall always have our full quota of thunder storms. The rains, however, being generally, of the more steady and general character.

To the language of Bishop Foss in his article on Minnesota, just published in the _Christian Advocate:_"From my vantage ground of observation, near the center of the continent, I greet you and many of your readers on its distant rim;" we just wish to add, that our garden of Eden is bounded on the west by southern Minnesota, therefore central. Again, "My point of observation is lofty as well as central. Minnesota occupies the most elevated plateau between the Gulf of Mexico and Hudson Bay, and forms the watershed of three great river systems of the central part of North America-the Mississippi, the St. Lawrence, and the Red River of the North-its average elevation being just about 1,000 feet, the highest point 1,600 feet." Again, "Concerning the climate, I condense the statement of the _Encylopedia Britanica:_ Its elevation above sea-level gives an agreeable rarefaction to the atmosphere, and makes the prevalence of fogs and damp weather unknown. The comparative dryness of the atmosphere neutralizes the severest effect of excessive cold. The Smithsonian Chart a.s.signs to Minnesota an average temperature for the hottest week in summer of from 85 to 90 and for the coldest week in winter from 10 to 20 below zero. The average annual rainfall is about 25 inches. It is evident that the causes which mitigate the actual severity of the climate as felt, and so many clear days * * are those which render a climate healthful in the highest degree." What is thus true of Minnesota, is pre-eminently so of our Garden.

While there is in our garden nearly every grade of soil, from the sand blow-out, to the richest black muck, yet it is princ.i.p.ally sandy loam, just the foundation, for a garden. Still it produces fairly all kinds of grain.

In our early settlement, over thirty years ago, Deacon Gilbert, raised, near Galesville, fifty-two bushels of wheat to the acre; and it was reported of some one raising 60. On a farm, located midway between the hanging garden and the opposite wall, purchased by D. O. VanSlyke from the government-as "Hopkins choice," or the refuse vacant land, and last to be entered on the prairie, or entire upper end of the garden,-when, at its best, produced forty bushels of wheat to the acre. And as one forty was devoted to wheat, several crops were taken, averaging over 35 bushels to the acre; then gradually decreasing to the fifteenth crop, one having been of corn, and fourteen of wheat, without the application of any fertilizers whatever, when it produced only 18 bushels of No. 1 wheat to the acre.

These facts came within my own observation, and are probably, above the average of the entire garden; as the a.s.sessors a.s.sessed this farm, for a number of years at nineteen dollars per acre, when it was offered for sale at fifteen dollars per acre. But Trempealeau Prairie has been notable for many years as the "Egypt" for corn producing. And we have no way of estimating what could be done in the line of gardening, for lack of a market, or capitalists to successfully enter compet.i.tion. But as to the apple-tree, that appears to have been driven out with fallen man; and whether redeemed man can restore it, is a question, as it is not designed at present, for man to live on the spontaneous productions of the earth.

Of the scenery we have never tired. It is always fresh and enchanting. And such an inspiring feeling, of "this is my home!" "O what a delightful home!"

If any, who pa.s.s along at the base of Chappel Peak, on a clear day will take the foot path and ascend it to its top, its alt.i.tude probably not 200 feet above them, they will have within easy range of the eye such a landscape scene, as but few upon earth ever have the privilege of looking; and one that will greatly enthuse an admirer of nature. And they will be apt to feel as well as to see the appropriateness of its name. If they can sing, or preach, they will want to join with those preachers, and sing, or preach to an a.s.sembled world, seated within the incircling walls.

If you are at Galesville, ask some one to point out "Heuston's Bluff," you need no guide, only good walking muscles, pick your way, and tug on until you reach the top. Then, after taking a general look all around you, sit down and rest you. Now, take another general sweeping birds-eye view, all around, seeing everything in the aggregate; then rest awhile, and contemplate it.

Now you are, or ought to be, prepared to itemize, or to look attentively at particular objects; and if you have our description, it will greatly a.s.sist, as well as interest you. We believe that no grander garden valley scene exists on this beautiful earth. Therefore patiently wait, don't cease your viewing, or think of leaving the place in less than two hours; or until you fully realize the "inspiration" of this masterly scene; and we have no fears, if you are anything of an admirer of the magnificent in nature, but that you will thank us a thousand times for calling your attention to it.

That heavy bold front in the garden wall beyond the mouth of Black River is "King bluff" which is now easily distinguished as the central highest point in the eastern wall, and which is just opposite of "Queen bluff,"

the central highest point in the western wall of our garden, and said to be the highest land on the Mississippi river. Here, from Heuston's bluff, we have a better view of Black river, and its tributaries, than from our former place of observation. Now we stand as it were right over them, and can see to the "Northward and Eastward." "Alps on Alps arise;" Decora's Peak and Mound so plainly and beautifully near; then those most beautiful cone mountains, and Chapel Peak, up Beaver creek, points for beacon lights, and charmingly beautiful scenes looming up most conspicuously. We do say that you can find many grand valley and landscape scenes on the Mississippi, and its tributaries, and we do not wonder that good writers extol them,-should wonder if they did not,-but we further say that we have the Garden; and everything considered, not only the greatest, and grandest, and best, but the only spot on earth that answers the Bible description of that notable spot, or Garden of Eden.

Moritz Engel of Dresden-Newstadt, Germany, has written a book, an octavo of 207 pages, dated Adam's and Eve's day, December 1884, ent.i.tled: "The Solution of the Paradise Question." To a review of this book, President W.

J. Warren of the Boston University, has devoted over a column in the Christian Advocate of Aug. 20, 1885. Engel claims to demolish, and doubtless does, the preceding "eighty nugatory attempts at a solution."

And as anyone can see, Dr. Warren demolishes Engel's attempt to foist his riverless "Tartarian swale in the heart of the North Syrian desert," as the veritable Eden; in the lower end of which was his Garden, alternating between a pool or lake, caused by the rains, and filled by the torrents during the rainy season, and a dried up, parched, barren spot, drying up, "towards the end of May, or first of June; without a green thing,"-utterly uninhabitable,-and which Engel admits, "has always been so."

The chief value of Engel's production, as well as Dr. Warren's North Pole Garden, is to show, (in Dr. Warren's own language.) "The imperishable interest of the Eden problem;" and to leave the subject entirely clear for me, and a calm consideration of the facts of the case as we find them. Dr.

Warren, naturally, (as anyone who undertakes to do a thing and fails,) scouts the idea of anyone else doing it, or of a litteral four rivered; Garden of Eden. So have others who have failed to find it.

Engel puts in a claim of Divine inspiration directing him to the spot; and he writes with the positiveness and unreasonableness of a crank. All the inspiration we claim, is the beauty and grandeur of the scenery, and the adaptation and facsimile, or actual description of the spot, to the description given in the Bible, a Divinely inspired book, as our guide to it.