trees. Other groves of firs and oaks relieve the level monotony of the landscape for a couple of miles away to the north and east; while the hills across Mill Creek are wooded like parks, with a variety of trees. Across the Wallamet, and fronting the town, is a range of high land called the "Polk County Hills," which makes the greatest charm of the whole view of Salem. In outline and coloring, these hills are poetically beautiful. Should we chance to drive in the direction of the Penitentiary grounds (east), a lovely landscape lies stretched on either side, melting and blending into one complete picture. The town is backed by the Polk County Hills, to the west; the "Waldo Hills" (another arable range), to the south-east; the blue Cascade Range with its overtopping snow-peaks, to the north-east; groves of fine, large oaks and firs breaking the middle distance; while immediately about us are level farms and fields of waving grain, with a substantial farm-house, here and there, in their midst.
Salem is a comfortably built town, with an air of stability and propriety about it. The streets are wide, the lots large, and the dwellings neat, with well-kept gardens attached. Shade-trees—locust and maple—line the broad avenues; and the public square is of liberal proportions, promising "lungs" to the city, should it grow large enough to need this breathing-space in its midst. Although the capital of Oregon, it has as yet no State buildings upon its spacious square. During Territorial days, there was in Oregon the usual struggle between rival towns to secure the capital. Salem, having triumphantly carried off the honor and the Government appropriations, had bitter enemies, as might be expected; and when the handsome State House was near its completion, it was un-
