Fine orchards of apples, and other kinds of fruit,
The sweet and the bitter, differing tastes to suit,
Fields of wheat, oats and corn, and large meadows of grass,
Are admired by watchful travellers as they pass.
Lovely flowers and vines, and lawns of downy green,
Add their attractiveness to beautify the scene,
Hundreds of pleasant homes adorn the pretty shores,
And many grand hotels hold summer guests in scores.
The river’s eight islands are turned to pleasure’s use,
And if it is not found, no man need make excuse.
Here is hunting, fishing, and games that all can play,
And people joyfully can pass the time away.
Indians hold a part of the land on one side,
But now they are peaceful, having cast war aside,
Many sorts of people form the population,
And by their enterprise help to make the nation.
Mineral waters cure the rheumatic and lame,
Restore health to people and give the river fame;
Thus good health and pleasure come from river and bank,
And give the location a standing high in rank.
On either side the river a railroad runs along,
Thus accommodating the gay and happy throng,
Who gather for pleasure and spend a little wealth,
In hearty enjoyment and in renewing health.
How beautiful to see steamers passing at night,
When brilliantly lighted by the electric light,
Showing on the waters their pictures as they pass,
As lively and pretty as in a looking glass.
Travellers who have seen the Rhone and pretty Rhine,
And rode on the waters of the blue Danube fine,
Have seen the famous Nile and the great Amazon,
Say the St. Clair excels in beauty ev’ry one.
’Tis not alone beauty that gives this river fame,
Its great utility adds glory to its name;
When constructing the earth wise Nature took a halt,
And under this river made a vast sea of salt.
In many factories this salt is now refined,
And no where in the world is found a better kind;
The farmers raise fine crops for man and beast to eat,
And large refineries make sugar from the beet.