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Show 160 Early Western Travels \ V6L. a6 The adjacent country is prairie; farms exist on the summits of the mounds, which from their declivity are almost inaccessible, and springs gush out from their sides. With but one exception I profess to know nothing of these mounds from personal observation; and, consequently, can hazard no opinion of their character. The fact of the " gushing springs," it is true, [ 133] savours not much of artificial-ness; and in this respect, at least, do these mounds differ from those claimed as of artificial origin. The earth- heaps of which I have been speaking can boast no " springs of water gushing from their sides;" if they could, the fact would be far from corroborating the theory maintained. The analogy between these mounds is admitted to be strong, though there exist diversities; and were there none, even Bishop Butler says that we are not to infer a thing true upon slight presumption, since " there may be probabilities on both sides of a question." From what has been advanced relative to the character of the mounds spoken of, it is believed that the probabilities strongly preponderate in favour of their artificial origin, even admitting their perfect analogy to those " from whose sides gush the springs." But more anon. St. Louis. xn " Where, through the long- drawn aisle and fretted vault, The pealing anthem swells the note of praise." GRAY. " Some men have been Who loved the church so well, and gave so larger/ to't, They thought it should have canopied their bones Till doomsday/' THERE are few more delightful views in the vicinity of St. Louis of a fine evening than that commanded by the |