\^ <>'^ %^' .>^ ^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) *\^^^ I 1.0 1.1 ■a 12.8 ■50 ^^" as. 12.0 25 2.2 ■ 1.8 BiiHy^u^ 4 6" ► ^' V Fkitogiapbic Sciences Carporation 33 WKT MAIN STRHT WiMTIR,N.Y. MSM (71*)«7a-4503 CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian tnttitut* for Historical Microraproductions / Institut Canadian da microraproductiont hiatoriquas :\ Tschnical and Bibliographic Notat/Notas tachniquat at bibliographiquaa Tha Inatituta liaa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy avaiiabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua. which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproduction. or which may significantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chaclcad balow. 0Colourad covara/ Couvartura da coulaur l~n Covers damagad/ □ D Couvartura andommagia Covars raatorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raataurAa at/ou palliculte Covar titia miaaing/ La titra da couvartura manqua Colourad mapa/ Cartas gtegraphiquaa an coulaur Colourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or black)/ Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua bfoua ou noira) |~n Colourad plataa and/or illuatrationa/ D Planchaa at/ou illuatrationa an coulaur Bound with othar matarial/ RalM avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may causa shadowa or distortion along intarior margin/ Laraliura ••rr^ paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la diatoralon la long da la marga intirlaura Blank laavas addad during rastoration may appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar posaibia, thasa hava baan omittad from filming/ II sa paut qua cartainaa pagaa blanchas ajoutias (ors d'una raatauration apparaissant dans la taxta. mala, lorsqua cala Atait poaalbia, caa pagaa n'ont paa 4t« filmias. Additional comments:/ Commantairas supplAmantairaa; L'Inatitut a microfilm* la maillaur axamplaira qu'il lui a it* possibia da sa procurar. Las details da cat axamplaira qui sont paut-*tra uniquas du point da vua bibliographiqua. qui pauvant modif iar una imaga raproduita. ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dans la mithoda normala da filmaga sont indiquAs ci-daasous. D D D D D D D D Colourad pagaa/ Pagaa da coulaur Pagaa damagad/ Pagaa andommagAas Pagaa raatorad and/or laminatad/ Pagaa raataurias at/ou pallicul4aa Pagaa discolourad. stainad or foxad/ Pagaa dAcolorias. tachatias ou piquias Pagaa datachad/ Pagas dAtachias Showthrough/ Tranaparanca Quality of print varias/ Qualiti inAgala da I'lmpraasion Includas supplamantary matarial/ Comprand du matiriai suppl4mantaira Only adition avaiiabia/ Saula Mition disponibia Pagas wholly or partially obscured by arrata slips, tissues, etc.. hava been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Lea peges totalement ou partiallement obscurcies per un feuillet d'errata. una pelure. etc.. ont it* filmies i nouveau da faqon i obtanir la meilleure imaga possibia. This item Is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est filmi au taux da reduction indiqui ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X / 26X SOX 12X IfX »X 24X 28X 32X Th« eopy film«d hart has bMii raproducad thanks to tha ganarosity of: Brock Univtrtity St. CathariiMS L'axamplaira fllm4 f ut raproduh grica i la gAfiArosM da: Brock Univanity StCatharinM Tha imagaa appaart^ig hara ara tha baat quality poaaibia eonaMaring tha condition and lagibility of tlw original eopy and in kaaping with tlia filming contract tpaciflcatlona. Original copiaa in printad papar covars ara filmad baginnbig with tlia front covar and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or llluatratad impraa> •ion. or tha iMck covar whan appropriata. All othar original copiao ara fMmad baginning on tiM firat paga with a printad or iilustratad impraa- aion. and anding on tha laat paga with a printad or iilustratad imprassion. Tha last racordad frama on aach microficlia shall contain tha symbol — •» (moaning "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol y (moaning "END"), wliicliavar appHaa. I.aa imagaa suhrantaa ont 4tA raproduitaa avac la plus grand soin. compta tanu da la condition at da hi nattatA da l'axamplaira fllmA. at mn conformit* avac las conditions du contrat da fiimaga. Las axamplairaa originaux dont la couvartura an papiar aat imprim^a sont filmte sn comman^nt par la pramlar plat at mi tarminant salt par ia damlAra paga qui comporta una ampralnta dimpraasion ou dlHuatration, sdt par la sacond ptat, salon la caa. Toua las sutraa axamplairaa originaux sont filmto an commandant par la pramMra paga qui comporta una ampralnta dimpraaalon ou dllluatration at an tarminam par la damlAra paga qui comporta una talla ampralnta. Un daa symbolas suivants apparaftra sur la damMra imaga da chaqua mlcroficha, salon la cas: la symbola — »> signifia "A 8UIVRE", la symbola y signifia "FIN". Maps, platas. charts, ate., may ba filmad at diffarant reduction ratios. Tliosa too large to be entirely Included in one exposure ere filmed beginning in the upper left liand comer, left to right and top to bottom, ae many framee aa required. The following diagrams Illustrate the method: Les cartas, planches, tableeux, etc., peuvent Atre filmte A dee taux da rAduction diff Arents. l.orsque le document eet trop grand pour Atra raproduit en un seul clichA, 11 eet fHmA A partir da I'angia supArieur gauche, do gauclw A droite, et do haut en bee, sn prenent le nombre d'imeges nAceesaire. Lee diegrammes suivants iiiustrant la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 ' 2 3 4 5 6 m LIBRAH 1 6Cl UNIVERSITT mi^immmm *^ IPnblts^g, ^oobellhig, SMonei^, AND NEWS HOXraS, ta> at Mifn Wt XHfihttiMM gtlL Iffonrimi BIiOOIl Boifidlli H. Y. ♦ » •♦■ A New Novel by I _ V .2 >a 3 N L .2P bo a 3 BtJRKE^S DESCRIPTIVE GUIDE; OB, THJB # VISITORS' COMPANION TO NIAGARA FALLS: iTi STRANGE AND WONDEBTUL lOCALITIES. BY AN OLD RESIDENT. BUFFALO: ANDREW BURKE, PUBLISHER, BOOKSELLER AND STATIONER, Maoaion Houm Block* 1853. ai N PBEFAOE. Thb peculiar office of a guide, is to pomt out spots of interest, and relate what is interesting libout them. This we have endeavored to accom- plish in the following pages ; leaving as much as possible to the mind and taste of the stranger who visits, that he may see and imderatand. We have refrained altogether from any poetic distraction, so often indulged in by more fanciful guides. Our office has been a grand one, but we have endeavored to ffil it with that simplicity and mo- desty, so much more becoming in view of the awful- grandeur of the scenes, we hiunbly lead to. Our only hope bemg that we have given satisfiicticm. AittrtdMeoidinf toanAetofCoiigrwi,1if Ammvir Bvxkb, iatli* CItoM«tOoiStoftk«Uiiit«dBMM.i» - " " ^ ^^"^ iiKtm, fcr tfa* Jiortlien DMrtsI of N«w Yor^* 1 DESCRIPTIVE GUIDE TO NIAGARA FALLS ^'>^t0»t0*0k^t^^*0^^^m^^0*tm0t^ THE JOURNEY. Stranobr — if you are now ready, we will proceed to the depot of the Bufiklo and Niag^ ara Falls Railroad, on Erie Street, and procure Tickets. The trains leave at 0. A. M.; at 12.45, 8.45, and at 6.30, P.M. . Look sharp, the bell rings^ and nere go&^ THE TRAIN. The road has been rery recently re-laid with the T rail, and the speed b now equal to anything p. Fl DISORIPnyB OUIDl Tha CM*— BloMomI Gi«t»— Workhooac— Mr. Cm% iwidMMa. I m the United States. Teiy pleasant cars, careful engineers, and the most affable conductor to be found between this and the unknown regions about the North Pole. We are moving— quicker and quicker; ah, there we go. See how the houses flit hj us I What shodd we do, were it not for Baikoads ? Won- derful creature is man. Is'nt he. Mamma? We are now flying through Sixth-street, and now we are out of town. You see that picturesque grove on the left — ^that is Blossom's Grove ; and that large brick building, with the dark wing of blue stone, having its windows thickly barred with iron, is the Workhouse, a structure not more than two years old, yet it could tell full many a tale of crime; for, its young waUs are darkly experienced in the wickedness of Adam's sons and daughters. A short time since it took fire, or rather was set on fire, and the roof and upper part were considerably burnt Yet the terrified inmates did not dare to escape. We are now running up hilL That Man- sion of cut stone, with the rich Grecian portico^ which you see on the right is Mr. Coe's, a citizen of wealth and repute. And on the left, that Gothic castle is the property of the United States Govern- ment, and is used for a Military Engineer's Office, NE wa TO KUOARA VALLB. Fort— VUw of BnflklOt *e.»HAwloy houM. and residence of the Lieutenant's family. This castle or castellated mansion was erected by Colo- nel James MoKat, a citizen of taste and spirit^ and was purchased from him by the goyemment, for thirty thousand dollars. On part of the land they have erected a redoubt or fort, which you m&y see adjoining it Thid fort is admirably planned m the form of a pentagon or figure of five sides. Its walls rise from the solid rock, and are seven feet thick, of blue lime stone, beautifully wrought Its roof is arched and covered with gypsum, and sodded with grass. It is five feet thick and perfectly bomb- proof From this roof, on which two Paixan guns are to be placed, is a magnificent view of Buffalo^ Lake Erie, the Canada shore, and the river Niagara to the very Falls. This Fort occupies a most com- manding position and is capable of sheltering eight hundred men, for whose comfort a pure spring of water swells up in its midst from the solid rock. That tall porticoed stone building to your right is called Hawlet House. It was built by Seth C. Hawlet, Esq., at a ti cne when speculation was at its highest, and the owner intended that to be one wing of his proposed palace. He failed -r-and ]liere it stands an overgrown tombstone of inten« L m 6 DESOHIPTIYE GUIBB Erie Canal— Black Rock— Block Rock Dam. tions too mighty to outJive the rude blasts of adversity. The Erie Canal here runs alongside of the river Niagara, from which it is only divided by a pier, which forms the harbour of BLACK ROOK. This place was, at one time, the rival of Buffalo, and on account of its superior accommodation for shipping, it maintained an ascendency for some time over the " Queen City of the Lakes.** In the war of 1812- Conunodore Perry here hid his vessels for the winter, so effectually that the British knew nothing of their dangerous neighbour until he sud- denly came forth from his shelter and pounced upon theuL The actual spot where the United States ships sheltered is below what is called BLACK ROCK DAM. The village is one mile in length, being divided into Upper and Lower Black Eock; the latter be- ing near the Dam formed by a pier of two miles in length which has its termination on Bird Island, opposite Buffalo. This village contains something over two hundred houses, and about one thousand inhabitants, pre- Bcnting at present but a poor apology for its former TO lOAOARA. FALLS. Steam Fen7u.Upp«r Black Rook to Waterloo. pretensions. There are, however, several mills in operation, and sites for as many more. But the velocity of the current of the Niagara and dangers of its entrance, on account of hidden reefs of rocks must always act as a, barrier against the prosperity of the place. There is a steam ferry, crosses at Upper Black Bock to the village of Waterloo, on the opposite shores of Canada; and at any time that a stranger wishes to ride on the rapid current of the Niagara, or to cross its course, he can here readily find ▲ SAIL BOAT. i,^ ■I 8 DBSORIPTIVS OUIDB M Gtand IdmdF-PaiidlAtoa. TONAWANDA. E now approach Tonawanda, wbich lis twelve miles from Buffalo. It is sit- I uated at the mouth of the creek of the I same name, joining the Niagara, di- rectly opposite the widest part of GRAND ISLAND. Here the Erie Canal, lakmg advantage of this noble creek, leaves the river and follows it to Pen- dleton, about twelve miles distant Here, also, the traveller on the American shore, is at the widest part of the Niagara Biver away from her British Majesty's dominions, with all the accompanying fencies of Thrones, CROWNS AND SCEPTRES. ToNAWANDA lics on both sides of the creek; is a pleasant village, containing some two thousand t which [t is sit- ^of the ara, di- of this Pen- so, the widest British mying ^rf k; is 1 .( isasd 1 i 1 :♦ S^^W" «». >,'«l' i:?^ .'ix- k'&. I /,^ m '•*• # t f #„ ■i^' i .?*-' ■.1 J ' .ii TO HUOARA FALLS. 9 The Vilkg*— it! pntandoni. inhabitants and derives its name from the Indian of swift running water, which term is rather mys- terious, the Creek being very deep and sluggish. This village in the years '48 and '9, also put up pretensions to cope with Buffalo. The Merchants of Cleveland, jealous of the prosperity of the " Queen City," under pretence of want of sufficient harbour room, came boldly out and published a plan to make Tonawanda the port for the discharge of Western produce intended for the Eastern market They soon erected elevators, wharves, <&c., but without any apparent disadvantage to BufiFalo. There is here a dam of dghty-four feet in width which, at the same time that it benefits the Canal, produces a very interesting fall or cascade. It is crossed by a long wooden bridge on which the rail road to Niagara Falls runs. • • The 1owaa^3S of Tonawanda^ and sluggishness of its creek, will always make it a prosperous place for rheumatism and ague, and most fit for a specu- lation in BURIAL GROUNDS. Ilvfiil Wrltrn, /rail'W*^!^''' i ASD VIcmiTY 1855. ^ Jiii^Mys /,< XJ'afafftct House. X.Uflf'rrtftfnjnftf Hot,! . ' V^.ffrJ^^^\^ • yNltitiarn Fn/J.t t/ofel . " ^ ■ A.Rfiil Itofifl Ih^ynf . ^'""^^^^ SK( T IPX of thf SI. OPE MliaTi occa«iioiig the FALLS': "'^ ''■^ ^^ latt I- m l.^k. A... 1. //i. hr„J ,1 ih, ,., V 'i^ v-"-'*' '■«// . " I'll 'ill" ' . rA iiJi- .If '< t.*^ S: • .,^ Ik / b h r TO NIAGARA TAUA Id Fmy Boat CbtoUm— Its dMtraetioa rwolT«d on* the line as a ferry boaC; a speculation which proved very lucrative to the owner. But scarce had her tide of trade began when she was reported to Colonel Sir Allan N. McNab, then commanding a force of nearly three thousand men at Chippewa, as a craft whose employment was conveying aid and comfort to the ** Patriots " on Navy Island. Acting under that impression, this British Com- mander resolved on the destruction of the Caro- line and detailed a chosen gang. Accordingly to cany out his plans, this gallant expedition was placed under the conduct of a half-pay Captain of the Boyal Navy. At the solenm hour of midnight CoL MoNab reviewed the expedition which imme- diately after departed on its fiendish mission in eight boats. SoHLossER was then, as it is still, a place where no accommodation was to be had. What was called a tavern, was but a miserable excuse for Hiat ne- cessary institution, and as a matter of course . numbers filled the sleeping places of the Caroline. She was moored there at the wharf. There were no offensive or defensive weap^is on board. She was floating under her national colors in her own legitimate waters. Midnight came, and the solitary watchman on the deck was totally unaware of the I 14 DISOIFnyS GUIDB DMtmotioa of th* CafoliM. danger that awaited the crafL When suddenly i he hears the plash of oars and the rippling at the bows of approaching boats. In answer to the sentry's challenge of "Who goes there?" — " Friends," was the reply, and in another instant the deck was alive with armed men. The scene that ensued was frightful The dismayed sleepers rushed upon deck. There was a violent struggle between life and death — ^fire arms were freely used by the British; and, amid the cries of ** Cut them down 1 give no quarter !" Half dressed men were seen to spring upon the wharf through showers of blows aimed at their life. The last man that ap- peared upon deck, was poor Durfee. He stood awhile attemptmg to ward off the thrusts made at him, and at last Eiucceeded in jumping on shore. But a too well aimed pistol shot laid the poor fel- low dead upon the wharf Having accomplished so much of their errand, these gallant invaders cut the Caroline loose from her moorings, and, having got all theur precious band into the boats, they pulled back to Her Ma- jesty's dominions, while the devoted little steamer floated into the wild current of the Niagara, enve- loped in flames, which lit up the awful darkness of the night amid the brutal triumph of her destroyers. TO HUOAIU WJLLIM. 16 TIm CmoUb* OB in. Swifter and swifter still she goes on )i^ eternal Toyage. She rides the rapids. Thb raging ele- ments of fire and water battle fiercely for their own. She reaches the awful precipice. As the dying embers light more brightly when about to expire. So the doomed Caroline enwrapt in flame that flies to Hearen for vengeance, lifted her form to the cataracts breast, and plunged amid the hissmg roar of that mysterious M into annihila- tion! •Y 16 DKSCBIPTIVK OUIDB I IfwiMi "sTft/rfi^t'^ .HERE U now a plank road from Sosser Landing to Niaga^^^ iri1M1IIIMl-|"i *"P "'^^ Pleas*^*' f ^^^ ^f'lltli is «.e last place , Chippbwa, on *« ^^"^ ' jji^gara Biver that is navigable with safety on the iN g ,hich even here is ^^^^^^^^^ Creeks are the The Tonawanda and Chippewa v.r onlyau^lliariestot^N^-a.^^^ interest ^°"' ""S'SitfoScaUon. never of any "^^ ^ceT^ erected during the French great «'Pff^''"' J^Ued ite waxlike features to ^ar. and has .^'^IJ'ffJ^, it stood upon a the simple smiles of »*^ ^ ,„^ and the gentle elevation between A P^sent ^^^ ^^^ river. This place is ^ r^^^" y,, distinctly Vlu£ the thunders of whicU ^«J " „ ., 4 W'now over the noise of the rushmg Railroad '^''^ . T T« »KT, wWch Stands in all its There U Ibis ^"^'^1^ of whiteness di- Bummer bloom and winter purity 01 wm ^ h ttt: S % 'M |!^4||^jr']Beek th^ir gallant ; leap 1 //V^6 J^s^y^ ra6opi}(iplisb^4]^^^i^ journey. rTbe ^teato vhistle,8Cre^^h|« ;.an4H7}w*^i 'presto!. We eater J - l^rllu^ 'ioqmvifB^M^-^^^i ! ! r -1- f r*» V i-> If r • t r ' -]■]<".' ' ■■' '.]■;/•'■ .' • <' /' -! --/I j^.y '■"''•• •• H 19 ^W^r^We pj^c) Fas M^ i9Jft iQ.lqtjs by tbe Jl^^te Juijoi; Poi^Tf^, fo : wboiA nearly t]|L^ entire prqpejrty, ^- cluding the^picturesque islan(||^ fti:i^® catarftQt^ as well as adjacent toit, belongs.^ ,^,,|,.j,.j ^ r . f It b laid out witb s^ vmI ju4gxQcnt» i^id itb^fo Js little doubt itiWUl ycitsweU mtp a fine mai^u&e- tu^g town^ if. not a city. Some brick and stone blocks have been put up within a year. 4a ^pf' copalian and a Presbyterian Church have also been erected, as also a Roman Catholic Church of stone. The Odd Fellows and the Sons of Tem- perance have gorgeous hall%^ pn the main street Both orders are in a very flourishing state. \ This is the main street through which we are now steaming. It crosses our track at right angles and that line of rail which you observe runs through the middle of it, is the Raih-oad to Lock- port> on the Erie Canal, about 24 miles from this. 3 mmmm msmmmmm mm I \ 'V *8 '^tllilifiKII^i^ dUS)9B ]j^)iiii(ii; (^ ^ The vQIa^ pres^ntd niatty pkoed'of aoiMisemeii^^ Mtkitt^^liard^^^^^ Alleys, a Public ^6ai^ii/ and ' is &Iso possessed of a smart Itde Weekly Newspaper called ** The Iris of Niaga)ra»" published by G. W. Hagestaff, an English gen- tleman; who fenneriy published m Canada an independent journal, thoroughly advocating libera] j^Aiciples, entxtied " The Lohdon Enqpjper." Ilie Tdegf aiiMc wlreii bpetate he^ incofqund- lion wi^dieiOanadia Line. So t^aV should any Infdfixiatiou^ '^ li^qui)^, ^ any tnessage sent, th^ anxious paHi^i^ will not ' hare to wait upon the :-iiick^bpeed <^ ihat ninirdd hiift^tion which h6ri^ bruised p6^ boys, and too dfteniuled tbptoire, with sAxf iipde of decency^ its tight to like title of-' > nMiiw qu ;^;- ■ ..t ^rmd ft '. A.R <;•?■. •' jioirf^^JToao'::' J.l:j ...JtjU .•)f'.;>r^ i tnm BXPR18S. • ■■.•-'jLt' . I ■ •. v:,i ; , •• f k > c-'V^'l " «S*>magMB V, »■ r, V mUmi ^■iiti£o'taLk''^kEM U Emaimld StttfflitbMt -h;.."'- STEAM5©AT ROU\. TO TBS FALLa / ■■;■' ''it'' S it is to the k jlerest of the sigHt^ seer to be put in possession of that knowledge wluch will enable him to i^lkoos^^ bis bwki tOHi^6yittnd;o>7eo<>iye 'BB? ikiit^ 0f ^ mlbriiialdon, fie came^ perhaps, irOm a great distance to gather. Wd ieeA oiU: dutgjr miW as a good and faithful guide, and worthy of all re- pute, to call the attention of our reiidet' to the Falls by the STEAMBOAT. The lilide craft QHfton sterte from Buffalo every day at 9 o'clock ; and, as she very soon gets into the current of the Nii^ara you find yourself gHditig aWay, m in ^ fairy dream^'on tbe bosom of J .... d^^SUM usmmm those very waters which soon will take that leap which, rather than take, you would submit to be SHOT AT, v Ha»k4 The hist bell rings: '< All aboard iOiere I" ^'In with the plank'V Plaah go tho padc|le8.-r She is under irayl : ' ciiifti I \4 Look towards the bow and you see tiie green wooded shores of Canada. Look to the left and I ^mm M :^ r TO ' NlXaABA tAllai it- I* Qaedn City of the Xalcet '*— FoH Erie. you see tliat you are just passing the pier and light- ' house of Buffalo— and now look to the right and you see the "Queen Gity of the Lakes^" with her many churches ir spiring towards - Heaven, but siSokiiig to earth with the tenacity of stones and , niottar. ' ';•■■' '• . .^ ■ ' ^Buffalo has «phing from- the very Womb of ne- cessity. The position she hblds' is impregnable to the as^ults (rf rivalry. Sh6 mtist grow, and igrowirig,' fehe must expidnd ultimately to the size of a first rate city, blesi^ed with commerce, arid ^h-' dowed with ca|)i^L )rral <•] ■^n'xBl) »>fa(Ml }I'-M?[c[ There 6n the left, ^dii «■ ! . yiMijMyjy-ry^tw^ of t£« ij^fiiti^ ^t|r^a|^cmipfli«^ o(E^i^hje^il?jOrtj>l^:.ij[iQ,,A^^ ^>j\^ /v^^ Vmt which pomt the explosion of the boiler p^.:|)^i9^ t«?^«)fc^%e9j^ift^iPoi*p^ i;p9n|j^njf^, Black IkiDlf^ deteitt^ to landrjb^^ gas^i^^ ]^(^|^i^ip|d^ ^t^ntfb.repc^ ^iii the wwa?^? irdowii ihj5. H to. Blftf \ m!i'- .^,Weyi9^|^ iil^'pamg theUtdeioUi^, wlu^^^^ dis(^a)re. This and Chippewa are tiie only two villages I itogr Die &m4ar.^^lmmA^^ ikof^m^lUtd pfo^^r^' dpi??! hei#i /W*terlo(5i pDifentsi A«( sape woq4^ af{^t)n^ ^ U»,M mim IwlMMSp y^^ag^ Buty fshpiiHd aiiipi^^ iqr«.t|i){K^|^^ I I ti,-'-'' if: T :j . ■ '..,■. :^ nl [■#«*MMk .^••^^•^♦•-•^•i».iir»- ■»•♦«#-• ^ t^ pBBOBtFTnnH OuZDs 1. jiiu^ ..lil , ' " . ":D riiu:il.a!?H'l «in}. nv:>wJini ^u^i rfolfe Ti-t^ £cm^;''> 3 al^^/udT. I a^li^ili/ ov/.f 7ftio o/li -^ii \p,:r3(i\?i.ii'v> bm? siilT ; enuid^ Iiribwl to0k«. ff&axefk&'it abobi h^'^Waiy^ ! pait itK > t ftdi^ kib» lAVer Nl^ii^'bitNEd^ jp^ , wM^/k erghl i^e^ firbka iii^^Giiida i^lkie'toi^^^ the rhreiv hrtmir ^^l^imrihk^^ i Island are about three quarters, or a mile broad. I It is strsmge hov? this extraordinary ^ver, varies ' both in its breadth and depth. Where we are now sailing looks calm and beautiful. Here opposite ScHLOssER, the Niagara is three miles wide. A little farther down it narrows its course to three quarters of a mile, and becomes impetuous in itA progress, a little farther down it expands again to a mile and a half At the Falls it is again thre^ quarters of a mile wide. At the Whirlpool be- low the Falls, the river is but one hundred an I forty-five yards in breadth. It is still more unequal in its depth.* In soma jplaces it is not quite fourteen feet, while in pthen .^ W*- <•' •'a mSK t^utgtitiimmmmmtmmimmmmmm TO' ifttoiiiii. idLftti.; 30L tmukmtmmtmmamimttmmm VmmIi. the soundin^lead has gone down ^t^a hundred and eighty-nine feet The sudden fjalls and level in this riyer are not ito least curipdtyC / H^ico Two,' behold: "^it sleeping peacefuUy,.with scarcely the appearance of a cor- rl^ 1^ luium^ it^th^^ a^'qtabk-'desteenti- ^ '/. . :'• NiidABiL BiVttR is studded with Is^niiih firoiol! itt coxiiiheno^ibeaitb Its disdiai^ overi||iiBL,l'a{hi| They are thirty-seven in number. Somepf them> lit((U tiibl^ tbaii< TOcki^ biit most of ^em beautiful iirlB^ppiBhira^ej ' '■ ^:•' :p r /'.'''■•:• '.■•.:>3.'rM ^ 'Those ' tw>o^]ibn^ so^ n^ the ^extremity of i Grtind Islatid; laid ^aOed reiipectively BuokHomt^ and Navt Island. Oh the latter the French^: in thW w^ of 4lt5^, builtr their ship^ of iir^i. a^d having othe)*, > business ' connected with ^Imr mvf > i ; tliere; ^ Ott the coiut dl the other Islani^^^the Britii^] ; in^lhe safiae war, burned two French vesseKlwhose. } djiit^d/shulls aire yet visible^ xraite-^afrnoi) iU'm bm^^ t • t< •" r.» '3 r i ? i i 1 — — . ni00i«pispreo#fip>l9 rp M ■ IH4.l...l.l..ia..J. U .L-- li JJJ. '( . 'Off o'lij •f9'tn: ^iiit .fii .b7'V '•- ■. .jlt^ mhhiiz »rf^' ■ than the celebrated hea4*quf^i^ ,9ft; Qi9li 1 diitiog^ed host ofc/h^ioes, lowik iolameal **Thft JH«l»iote'' p«w fecBoellencecn •«'••■" . s^H^x^^ n.: rf. ■■■,.. -irj''^i''f'^ '>'^:ff v'^^H' !' Thk choi^ beli^igelJi to Bet: Most Gracious Majesty/QuEEK Yiotojrmk AMti^^uv^r; Dtonn, Beytttreigiti Lad^r oEth^^ British Jsles, 1^^ Heaifea oi%,Jbuiii» ;Ww;SK^ d«p€;]|idei)d^.ibe- ' sides;'::' ' : n^fT;*{:f>«55=^[ y^^.Dv- .^%YTLMi TITaK '■' r i Nomvit TTOuUtiieem ^aii ivtm^ x«Afleto «iAjeet9 of iJie ifiAfesMd/ lil^ l^nale Soireireign irere Hot aii^odQt^BtiiRtt heir pit)YiiidaL iruk;> asi td loyaltg^ j s0eInsd.fit^:8Gf1lle;y^ IkeiBg hwsted n^/aaidrthr^a^ ened mth confiscation olliiikipertjr aad^fib^laiyfettil^ had the audacity to attempt to defend themselves against th^ir persecutors and thus commenced I what is usually called '< the Canadian Rebellion of 1837." Being crushed and put down by the red arm of English power, the rebdiion ceased, and the leaders L '> en ^l5!^5S55!a9JB »»tl»*»W • I W «1lJ^ Tff^-pt^Qi^,:f4VJI^, m .:. ^.L»iJ„ QtnmX ^ tf iff ri yid-^-Wmt .l9udit masters io a cri4is,aBd 0flNXRJdLBo^TT by command of the Govemment, completely suppra-f sed this border waipfore, and Navy Isl^d %fi»' \ eyacuated by ''The^Patnots," K>raye and forever. If. I ^tyi: r'otnoniA ;■• daii^t: i ,«^rQ<5,!3 t erit > ■ ;■■■ ir^'tiil ■,' 4i 'nTF',rni' Mj ::;-*.' «:^ •>'|*:A»'*4 ,'.: :ii <■ * ■ .•!: ^^'TOla 9BB i DBSORIPTXViB ' tJUlDI' Okippimk DmwMdfi^IUBrMMl to QcMtaMoa. ..,«^»>i. » (i.i. . }iJue^<^ j>t Or^ek js i%^ ^lage of the sa^e flame, r fa a JK^ of eni$ i^oia^s from two to tlirea ihousand Siliabr-. tants. The harbor is good, a&d the CreeV, which I IS ipiaYU^^ to ,larg;e vessels for Ijwentj; miles up,, is' spamiecl hy, a drawbridge one hundred tards j There lis a rail-road from Chippewa to Queens- ton:S^ct runsiioig tte bai£f the mer. an^' passing close to the Falls, at 'one point gives a no- ble view of its wonders. As yet the ^ant of that energy and enterprise so remarkable on the Ameri- can side has failed to establish a locomotive power. So that the carriages on these rails are dragged along by horses. The view of the rapids, and scenery above, from this point is very fine. CHIPPEWA TO THE FALLS. It is now in the power of the tourist to keep 'along the Canada shore by land, or to cross to lij^^gH^JgjWgWJJ**" , R! •itor#>«»-«*. «^- ' .^0 1IU9AB4 V4J^ W Brtltorf CM y w y l i^i UnfiMflrMl lUpldt. i . SfihloBser.! and» ^oii . th/B Auericaii dide. to fiBtar ^thii fi|^ofu44 ba q^^ the jfoj^er, Cj^un^ U jf .M of h^v^ an^lfpmi^^' I^t iis 0Q,#ie%r4-Tli^ fi^ fought is about tiro iwlesifron^ ihii|8» QU;ti)«TO^ kl^ BOW, fo^ijpoiji.per- (j^yfif ^,;point,a;t /n^hicb; the Itopids- ppmmei^<|i^, ibiire ft ttiA>e(jppii^g pf /m:/«{ai^ Obfeir^e^f^ , t^t betpe(^0U8, and Iris I|Ian4| fu:e;tiiree;<}|f|i^]^- tive isles called the Sisters, two of which are nayi^ed Moss and Deer, the third being nameless. Be- tween those islands and the main land, where we* are, you behold the Great Rapids! Down on thei shore, where we are now passing, at the bend of this inlet or bay, is a burning spring, and the largej island you see in that litde bay is Cynthea Isle. Our road now runs by the grounds of the Hoh.^ Thomas Culrk, and adjacent is the residence and demesne of the late Samuel Street, Esq., who was; reputed to be the richest individual in Canada. Crescent Isle now takes our attention. There] are many small islands here within view, which though not large enough to entitle them to notice; separately; yeti by their agency, those obstructions ^*0 ^'^^ •i>feBORIP*fyifif QVtt'k ti^mlkM-mmm^oi•\: maddening fury ' ^Mfelf f6i^%eir ipleftdouK *- ' vi J • ^Ontiie left :r;; J'^'ff'^^j^r '^^Qiit JiD^v^' ...:;.■, • -rrija'/D al viid' *?i5lH i^jtli ul m:. ■ jro/ ^vu;.^ oDrtoa ••.,. i::ii\y ■''..: <■■ -mm etr;.r.! Jon &<\iio\U \ i::'ihu"iji{.ii>;v?: ... J ■■■■H F: .. smta y6 iTlJyGUL&A; V(ict^ m ■n CStj of Um FaUi— DmminondTiff^r-LnBdy'* Lao*— QUton— GUAoa Hotel. ^■iiuW■,0;jJ, .' .•« CITY (Xlilt FALLS. £ nomn eziter ibie prcrposedjiGiTT ofj THE Falls, and a more magnificen-t I site for a city never was given to man. But such is the want of spirit amongst Her Britamc Majesty's subjects in this Province, that as yet it contmues a city on paper, an oriental ; dream — a castle in the air! 1 This is Drummoitdville, a neat thriving village, : which has grown and progressed rapidly. I Having visited Lundt's Lane/ another battle ground of the ^ar of 1812, we will proceed from ; Drummondville to Clifton. • Here is the site of ar.other city of intentions. — | However, we ha^e the comfort of knowing that the ; tourist is well provided for at this magnificent! Hotel, called the Clifton House, where the most comprehensive view can be had. And where, by following the gently descending roadway, we reach the ferry that connects the royal Province with the great Republican Union. vmtn ■SaUiUiMifa HWlfa mmm mm ■«■ SiS^SI ♦ 85 D^aa^ajpTiv^ gu^b Sportiny, ^■i^^-^W^^^^WP" To those disposed for hunting, the Clifton House' offers the unusual aayantage of a pack of hounds, which, with all other necessaries, are ever ready for O L ■. Y T I'D ru'x BfORI^S O^ THE iftXIiD. t>.0£ii Xi ;?i»n JJA r mw Mis'm 'i¥fm ^^h^^ ■J K i iG iUi ,\^- Y-'\ / •! uiVJii ;'ornn'rrr:' . : JOii iri 'ni; c'd ^'iU VOiiii a! It 1j: Lmot) HiU tj > * H fioj'ii'') .[■ itr T n:.'U. ■i' ix'myi 'nr .-rfiiiijiiO'i ?>ou)u i i)n4 ; ravfoliui li dt a.T vn.') i .<>fr) ! ■mii*!«n«apaBMW .)■■ .. f >mmn>^f,l^ L V- f ., «■ ' ' ' V . ,tt-iw y*»i''!?;;f^ i^^.*!:' « l^.-*" «'' l^.'*-r^'^ -Iff if- .■; t. 'ft- ,^;--'-^ ' ;-^;',« ^ 1.. I ■• . ' i^Hi^ s4^'j^^-#*' m^'r*^mimf>'' ^ '"*tif]\^' , ■;'\''>s TO NIAGARA FALLS. 33 Ni»^' a'a connffction with the Lakes. NIAGARA. I A G A R A is a nanif!, wbicli in the descriptive language 6f the Iroquois^ who most frequented these parts, sig- nifies Thunder of Waters ; and where £ould a word be found to convey at once to the mind so distinctly, and so boldly, the truth of conception. This river, or rather strait^ connects Lake Erie and its mighty sister waters — Supe- rior, Michigan, Huron, and St. Clair, with Ontario ; which latter in its turn, pours its proud tribute thnjugh the giant river St. Lawrence, into the vast Ailantio Ocean. All these and numerous smaller lakes, which first find a biith in the rocky mountains, may well be considered us one grand river, which sweeping down from a height of several himdred feet ^ad- vances onward u> the sea, as the monarch of rivers, for more than two thousand miles, receiving in his course the plentiful tiibutaries of his countless allies. Now spreading out his court to almost bomidless extent, now contracting and consolidating 3 THE AMERICAN" PALLS FROM h FALLS FROM THE CANADA SHORE. 84 DESORIPTrVE QUIDS The CftUnot, his rushing power until, at this sacred spot, he vaults down in all his might and majesty into the fathomless depth below, and lismg in sullen grandeur, goes forward to spread out his dominion once again in the green bosom of Ontario! Thus» we see that the waters of the world's widest lakes, together with innumerable tributaries^ making more than one hundred and fifty thousand square miles of surface, are forced over this great fall, forming a cataract, whose raainess must be studied for a time before the boimded imagination of man can realize its actual trutL Language can scarcely approach it nearer than the poor Indian's simple, yet expresme, Thimder ^ tfo^rf-— it is ik truth NugabaI f GENERAL DETAILS OT THB FALLS OF NIAGARA, AND INTBRBSTINa X0CALITIE8 ADJACENT. HIAOAKA FALLS. ST Mkt— CatenMt— Pni« AtaMMpliw*. THE FALLS OF NIAGAilA R E situated in latitude 43 deg. 6 min. north, and longitude 2 deg. 6 min. west from Washington. It is 22 miles north from Buffalo, and 14 miles south from the point of its jimction with Lake Ontario. There is an idea prevalent that the neighbour- hood of the Falls of Niagara must be liable to dis- ease, consequent on the constant mist, which de- scends from the Cataract But such is not the case. The climate of this magic neighbourhood is salubrious in the extreme, as well as highly invig- orating. The atmosphere, bemg constantly acted on by '5 38 DESOIFTIVB OUIDB Reptile*— Wild Aninwle— Inaeeta «nd Fowla. the rushing of the vast flood of water, is conse- quently kept pv*'e. The most decided proof of the purity of Niagara Falls is to be found in the elo- quent fact that when all the world was being scourged by Cholera, this mysterious spot and its neighbourhood entirely escaped! In fact, no epidemic or pestilential complaints ever visit this spot The herbs and wild flowers breathe sweeter perfume here than elsewhere, and curious exotics are common. No reptiles, wild ani- mals or troublesome msects are here to be found, not even musketoes. Fowl of several descriptions here enjoy sweet converse with nature ; and the eagle, and seagull hover around the boundless scene, whilst the bee and the butterfly range through the fragrant islands that stud the preci- pice that has nought of fear for them. We will now proceed to view the Falls from all available pointa / \ r • # TO lOAGARA FALLS. 41 PnwpMt Poink Cottage. VIEW FROM PROSPECT POINT. E T us now proceed througli the grove to Prospoct Point, the best view of the Falls from the American side. — As we advance towards its presence, the thunder of Niagara rolls awfully on our ears; and now a turn in the walk brings us in front of Prospect Point Cottage, where the senses are instantly captivated by the sight Here we are presented with the whole, line of the Cataract in perspective from one shore to the other, a distance of fully three quarters of a mile. Before leaving Prospect Point, let us advance as near the brink as possible. There used to be a small projecting platform, ballanced with rocks at this place to enable the visitor to advance two yards beyond the edge,' and look down in safety at the mad waters dashing down amongst the rocks be- low him, to a depth of nearly two hundred feet! This convenience, through motives of prudence, has been removed, however. I 42 DEBCRTPTIVfi GUIDE American Fall— Bath Island— Iru IiUmd— Honeihoe Fall. This, next us, is the American Fall, with the rapids and Islands above. Behold, too the seething fathomless cauldron beneath ! This Island hear us is called Bath Island, to which a bridge leads, as you see, from the main land. Beyond it is Iris Island, (sometimes called Goat Island) to which another bridge leads, forming one line of commu- nication between the American shore and Iris Island, the grand centre of the series of cataracts. And in the extreme distance is the Canadian (called from its peculiar form) Horseshoe Fall. , ] 44 DEBORIPTIYX: GUIDE X Bath blaod— Th« fearfWi precipiee— Hanging Bridge. VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE AI^D ISLANDS. E will now cross that bridge whici leads to Bath Islan^ Behold how magnificent the wild turmoil of th(^se waters as they roll and foam, and rush on recklessly beneath the bridge on which we stand, to their doomed fall ! It must be a source of surprise to the beholder, that a bridge, such as that on which we are, could be erected amidst this ** Hell of waters/' at little more than sixty rods from the fearful precipice itsel£ The plan adopted was simple, notwithstanding. The first abutment framed of heavy timber, being set up on the bank, peces were run out, bearing on it, and balanced on the land side by large rocks of several tons weight These beams were planked over, and thus a hanging bridge was formed on which the workmen ran out stone and droped them down into the water until the pile showed itself; a \ .> #' ■ TO mAOARA. FALLS. 45 I' The Bridge. \ cradle or strong frame-work was then laid down and filled up with heavy stone-work This pier was soon connected permanently with the abutment, and the same course of proceeding i epeated, until the bridge was finally completed; and by adopting the same plan in making a bridge from Bath Island to Lis, the connection with the main land was made both safe and pleasant Formerly, the visitor to Iris Island was compelled to land from below in a boat, between the falls at the base of Ir'iS Island. The first bridge erected here was m 1817, by General Parehurst Whitney, of the Cataract House. It was somewhat higher up the rapids. This structxLre did not last more than one year, being carried away by the ice. The following summer after its destruction, the present substan- tial bridge was built by the Messrs. Porter. The whole extent of this bridge is forty-four rods, viz : Twenty-eight rods to Bath Island, and thence sixteen rods to Iris Island. It cost about sixteen hundred dollars. This bridge was re- paired in 1839, and also in 1849, and is now in a sound and perfect state. Pause here and scan those overwhelming rapids as they rush down their inclined course, and, rush 46 DESCRIPTIVE OUIDB Melancholy ooourrence. ing vainly against the piers of the bridge under us, seem to tussel with each other with ungovernable anger, till, like their countless predecessors, they too go down the horrid leap together! This bridge has been the silent witness of many a thrilling scene, but of not one which caused more dismay than the following, the detailed account of which we here give from the columns of The Buf- falo Daily Republic and Courier newspapers :— ^ "MELANCHOLY OCCURRENCE AT NIAGARA FALLS." "A most melancholy occurrence took \place at Niagara Falls, on Monday night last, about twelve o'clock. A Mrs. Miller, who represented herselt as the daughter of Senator Norvell, of Michigan, and as the wife of an officer in the army now in Florida, and who, with her children, had been stopping at the Eagle Hotel, jumped from the bridge, leading to Goat Island, into the river, and was canied over the cataract The particulars of this heart-rending affair toe thus given by a cor- respondent of the Courier^ writing from the Falls yesterday : " Our village was this morning thrown mto deep gloom by a report that a young lady had probably committed suicide here, during some X^ot last „^rjrn.m— fci "^mimlltmmmmim^tm. TO KIAOARA FALLS. 47 N«wapsp«r i^tract. 6 V night» which is undoubtedly too true. The cir- cumstances are as follows : " The train of cars yesterday morning .brought hither a young woman of fine persona] appearance, and about thirty-five years of age, having with her two bright looking boys, four and six years old. After taking rooms at the Eagle Hotel, she called for writing materials, and nothing more was known of her until this niorning, Between seven and •eight o'clock, the bell of the room she had jccupied was rung by the little boys. They were inquiring for their mother, " Upon the table were found three letters — one directed to Major Miller, U. S. A., and one to Eion. John ^orvell, Detroit, Mich., and one to the proprietor of the Eagle Hotel, (a copy of which I send you) — also the ringlets of one side of her head, her gold watch, two trunks of clothing, a silk purse containing some gold and silver coins, and her wedding ring. *^ The children state that their mother had bid them good-bye and kissed them, after they had gone to bed — ^that they had last come from Win- chester, Vir^nia, and that their father was in Flo- rida. No cause can be assigned for the act She appeared perfectly rational throughout yesterday, ^ T I f 48 DBSORIPnVB GUIDB Copy of • Utter to Mr. White. and not the least symptom of insanity was noticed. Nothing has yet been found to throw the least light upon the matter. ** P. S. — ^Enough has been found to warrant the belief that the unfortunate lady leaped from the bridge that leads to Goat Island, and was swept over the Falls. Upon the second pier was found her bonnet, which had been trodden upon. Her black crape shawl was found tied to the railing of the bridge, to let her down upon the pier which is some six feet below the railing. She imdoubtedly did this to indicate to those who should look for her, that her mind was made up for the feanal leap into the yawning chasm below. ** Her father has been telegraphed, and the chil- dren have been kindly taken charge of, by the Hon. Augustus S. Porter. "The following is a copy of the letter addressed by Mrs. Miller to Mr. White, of the Eagle Hotel: " *To THE Proprietor OF the Eagle Hotel. — My mind is made up. I have no wish to live any longer. I shall go where my body wiQ never be recovered. No one shall gaze on my mangled re- mains. Please take care of my two little boys till they can be sent to Detroit, where their grand pa- m^mmmmmmmm ^rCf ■ |r -ij-tiii- * t'-'V" W'fi'^'l^,-' "f-i-i %' v>t ^-^) ■i^- i&i.. J: 1Nlft*'*:5N'- ^■i^^y. ...-«fiJ-.Ev (....JJ}-, # VIEW OF THE GF;i2.AT FALLS ] r \J{h.AT FALLS FROM GOAT ISLAND. "'i'7W'w»'"^>^d '*^, ■V, ■' r ?•* H TO NIAGARA FALLS. 49 Po8taeript to Letter— H«nry Blakemw. rents reside. They are the sons of Major Miller, of the Army, now in Florida, and grand-sons of Hon. John Norvell, Detroit, Michigan. Please forward my letters, and protect my children till some of then: relatives can come for them. 'MRS. J. G.MILLER.' " Postscript. — Since the above was put in type, we have learned that there is every reason to be- lieve that Mrs. Miller is still alive, having eloped with a friend from Philadelphia, and that she placed the Si^s: I and bonnet on the bridge and wrote the letters, which were found in her room, to convey the impression that she had gone over the Falls. The circumstances leading to this belief are as follows: "On Thursday last, a man who registered his name * Henry Blakemer, Philadelphia,' stopped at the Exchange Hotel, in this city. He said that he expected some friends in a day or two, and was watching the arrival of every train of cars. On the arrival of the Sunday morning train, he was observed by the porter of the house in conversa- tion, in the sitting room of the depot, with a lady with two children. The lady, who was afterwards ascertained to ]be Mrs. Miller, took lodgings at the •i— — a>a*B 50 DESCIPTIVE OUIDB Mr. Blskemer hires a borM and buggy. Lorejoy House, but subsequently went to tlie Ex- change, where she remained until Monday morn- ing, when she took the nine o'clock train for xhe Falis. " On the afternoon of Monday, Mr. Blakemer went to the livery stable of Mr. Miller on Washington- street, and hired a horse and buggy to go two miles below Tonawanda. He returned about three o'clock on Tuesday morning with a lady, belie /ed to be Mrs. Miller, leaving her at the railroad depot, when he brought the horse back to the liT'ery stable. He then called at the Exchange for his baggage, and, accompanied by Mrs. Miller, took the fast train which leaves here at-|^ past 5, purchasing tickets for Cayuga Bridge." TO KIAOARA FALLS. 51 Twin Islands— Ship and Brig^Loven' Retreat. BATH ISLAND. ■ . . ^^Il ERE at this picturesque little Toll ^illmllQfiJH jjQuse, register your name, and pay twenty-five cents, which sum will give you the freedom of the bridge and islands for the year. We will now take a look at SHIP AND BRia ISLANDS. Those fantastic twins received their present names from a supposed resemblance to vessels. This little bridge which leads to Ship Island, although slight, may be *relied upon as perfectly safe. Yiew the rapids from this point! How wild the world of waters seems. Yet how heavenly peaceful are those islets, embosomed in fair foliage of trees and vines, carpeted with nature's matchless moss, and redolent of nowers that never felt the withering influence of man! Ship Island is also called the " Lovers* Retreat." A truly tasteful lover of Nature must he be who would here take up his abode away from the rude realities of a heartless world, which, like the waters that rdl around him, is ever progressing regardless of agonies which rise on its course Aye, this is the spot for the votary of '^t^=^^. CUPID TO NIAQARA FALLS. 53 Goat Itland^IrisJilHid. IRIS ISLAND. S there an Me in this world, which has so great a charm as this little spot of earth, scarcely half a mile long, jand but eighty rods wide, containing in all not more than sixty-two acres of arable land. Yet it has been visited by bygone generations from all quarters of the globe, and countless generations yet will tre^d its walks of wonder. We before stated that it was also called Goai Island. This appells^tion took its rise from the fact of a Mr. Steadman, then a resident at Schlosser in 1770, placing a variety of animals on it: amongst others a number of goats. Of these, a bearded patriarch was the only one who survived the se- verity of winter, and he remained in sole posses- sion for a long time. The beautiful name of Iris Island, it derives from the rainbows, which perpetually bend round its shrine at the Falls, which indicate this to be the favorite home of the goddess Iris. Here are seats ^■■■^" 1 u PESORIPTIVE GUIDB View from Hogik Back. where we may sit and rest before proceeding further. Let us now turn to the right and take a look at the hog's back. This narrow ridge is so called from its peculiar shape. From it you have a magnificent view of the Central Fall, the American Fall, the river be- low, and the long Une of foliaged perpendicular banks which wall the fallen waters as they speed away. ! TO NIAGARA FALLS. 55 Creioent Fall— Prosp«ct bland. THE CENTRAL OR CRESCENT FALL. 1 i 1 r 1 1 ■!'.v' uliar 1 wof m be- m jular m peed J 1 We will now contemplate the beauties of this Fall; which, though narrow, is, from its amazing depth, alone sufficient to inspu-e reverence. It is formed by that portion of the Niagara river cut off by Prospect Island from the American volume of water, and is but twenty yards wide. How clear — how sparkling — how fairy-like it looks. No break, no— no difference — all in unity— one beautiful vestal's sheet of stainlesss hue spread for eternity! Underneath the rock on which we stand, and behind this cascade, is the Cave of the Winds, which we will visit presently. But first let us cross this bridge and take a still better view than we have yet had of the American Fall from prospect island. By some this is called Luna Island. It is in truth a very lovely spot, the view from which is magnificent Here in this richly embowered Island, PFPH 56 DE80RIPTIVB GUIDE View of the American FhII— The three Profilei. 11 5 If the bird of liberty, the eagle, used to enjoy his fxill bom freedom in repose, in times when the enslaver, Man, had not yet profaned its sanctity with his presence. See now — the view is matchless — Here, come the rude rapids, rolling and struggling down, chafing those many little sunny islands as they rush along, as if jealous of their beauty. There, the broad sheet of the American Fall tumbles down the dizzy descent in terrible majesty. It is a sight to study-s-a memory never to be erased. We will now return to Iris Island, and examine the very singular appearance presented from the Hog's Back, being what are called v' THE THREE PROFILES. You roust, however, draw powerfully on Imagina- tiun, for the action of the waters has nearly effaced them altogether. The first or highest represented the profile of a negro ; the second, of a well featured young man ; and the third, of an aged man with spectacles. TO NIAGARA FALLS. 57 Tli« thra* ProfilM. 'S TBI THREE PROFILES. 68 DESCRIPTIYB GUIDB HoTM-tho* FaU—Pnwpeot Tower. ■I' 1 M VIEW OF THE HORSE-SHOE FALL. Ws now face towards Canada, and by pursuing this walk soon come in sight of the Terrapin Rocks, Bridge, Tower, and the beautiful curve called the Horseshoe Fall. How magical is the scene before us ! Let us contemplate it As you perceive, the name of this Fall is rather inappropriate now, as the constant giving way of parts 60 changed its form, that it rather resembles the figure 5. PROSPECT TOWER. This stone building is forty-five feet high, and was erected in the year 1833, by Judge Porter. There is a flight of winding stairs inside by which you ascend and obtain one of the most unutterably magnificent views that the mind can take in. You look down into the very caldron itself, and see the peerless green waters how they have been lost in foam and mist Look up the rapids, and i TO KIAGARA FALLS. 59 RcnuiiM of a Bridf*— Frttda Abbott, tho Htnnit. see those beautiful billows rushing madly on in their wild career as if desirous of their destined leap. Look at either side and behold the smiling green shores and hear the thoughtless birds how they carrol on> imconscious of the dread abyss and unscared by its endless thtmder. Those timbers which you see scattered about^ are the poor remains of a once highly useful bridge which Gen. Whitney built here. You see that timber which projects over the gulph. On it Francis Abbott, the hermit of the Falls, was in the habit of taking a daily walk, retching the very end, and turning on his heel to come back A feat which few would have nerve eoough to perform. I I 60 DBSCIPnVE GUIDE The Biddle Stair-oaae, THE BIDDLE STAIR-CASE. W let us return by the walk we came from Prospect Island, and visit The Biddle Staircase, which we passed in coming here. This staircase takes its name from Kioholas Biddle, Esq., at whose expense it was erected in 1829, and to whom the tourist is deeply indebted, as it enabled htm to reach this part of the island, to pass over the rocks, and approach the falUng sheet of wat^r. Before its construction, the tourist had to come in a boat from the ferry. A steep of some forty feet, notched into rude steps, leads to the head of the staircase, which is about eighty feet, having ninety steps. From this staircase down to the river is eighty feet more of descent ; making the total descent from the top of the bank above, one hundred and eighty-five feet At this 'point of the river below, the angler may enjoy his vocation in an unequalled degree. Shortly after this staircase was finished, in the fall TO NIAGARA FALLS. 61 6am Patah, the jumper— Foot of the Cataract. of 1829, the eccentric Sam Patch, the most daring jumper in the world, made two successful leaps here from a platform ninety -seven feet high ! Poor Sam, not content with his gloiy, made another, and a greater leap at the Genesee Falls ; but still his ambition -was ungratified ; he jumped once more from the same place from a height of one hundred and twenty-five feet ! This was his last leap : for Sam Patch never rose again, and never since has been heard of. Having descended the Biddle Staira, we advance along at the foot of the cliflF, with the fearfully im- pending rocks above us, seeming as if ready just now to fall and crush us. Yet, with all this fear, there is something so imposing in our situation as to render it pleasing, although you see innumerable evidences around you of the constant falling down of fragments from above. But it is a sort of assu- rance to one that, amongst the couniless tourists who have trod this path till now, not a single acci- dent has yet occurred. Let us now approach the foot of the Cataract, and view the awful splendor of tliis scene. Look at that hue of green m the horseshoe fall — what can equal that ? See the rich silvery waters, how they chase each other down that terrible descent Here, 62 DSSORIPTiyX QUIDS Tbt A—t of roUlng glsM— Th« Ridabow. resembling frosted pillars of snow; there, one solid sheet of rolling glass ! Behold that lovely ram- bow — Gt accompaniment of such a picture. Gaze on. We are m the presence of the en- chanter. P TO NIAOABA VALLS. 68 Th« Lowtr Fiahing Roek— VUw of th« fraat AiMiiMB FalL THE CAVE OF THE WINDS. J N leaving the Biddle Stairs, our best course is to proceed to the Central Fall. Let us descend this sloping bank to that limestone rock at the lowest point of the shore of Iris Island, called the Lower Fishing Rock. From this point see what a noble view we have of the great American Fall. See the bold cataract, how it falls in brilliant folds down the mighty precipice ! What a scene for an atheist to lode upon, and then deny the existence of an all power- ful Creator ! How vast, how grand, how bewilder- ing to the mind ! Dwell on it, stranger — ^try to bring its magnitude within the limits of your com- prehension and acknowledge yourself an atom, a mere atom in nature, for that you are, and no more. Then, what is life but a short confused game of mortality ! As we re-ascend ihe sloping bank to the Central 64 DESCRIPTIVE GUIDE The Central Fall— The Ca^e of the Winds. Fall, we have before us that great curiosity, known THE CAVE OF THE WINDS. Come, let us enter. But, first, cast your eyes upwards, and behold the impending cliff which overhangs us like a dark destiny, and see that mag- nificent sheet of snowy purity, how it leaps exultant from the topmost rock, and flashes down into' mid air, 8\d plunges below with the hoarse voice of thu ,r ! Let us descend these rude steps, and enter the cavern. Listen — here might the ancients have lo- cated Boreas, for, surely, aU the chamed storms are fretting out their madness here ! Now wo are at the bottom. Let us retire to tbe back of the cavern, and gaze in silence on the wondrous scene. This awful temple of Nature was first entered in 1834, by Messrs. White ai>d Sims, resiJent& of the village above us. They came in a boat from the foot r.f Prospect Island, and entered the Cave with a gres-t deal of diflScully. Some, for the romance of the thing, enter by the same way now, although there is no necessity for so doing. The dimensions of the Cave are one hundred J TO NIAGARA FALLS. 65 C~ « of the Winda—A fit PuUce for Old Neptune. feet 11 ide» thirty feet deep, and one hundred and thirty-eight feet high. The bottom is about thirty- five feet from the water's edge, and is composed c" those fragments which time and the wearing cataract have broken and let fall upon tli»3 spot It is curious to observe the spray how it curls along the sloping bottom of the cavern, then roll- ing up along the ro.jky back, seeks the shelving ceiling where it breaks into distinct portions, and by its constant action on the air gives those reverbera- tions which have given rise to its title of " the Cave of the Winds.'* A fit palace tor OLD NBPTITHE HIMSELF. 66 ■^ DESCRIFTIYE OUIDB P«nag* under th* American Fall— Road ronnd Iris Island. ! THE AMERICAN SHEET. ERE, between the Central and American Falls, there is a vacant space, immediately at the foot of Pros- pect Island ; it is roofed by the tum- bling cascade. Let us enter and rest awhile. Oh, what a view have we here ! Come now, we will ramble to the American Fall, and pass under it ai far as you dare. There is no doubt of there being a passage clear through, but who is he who would dare to pass it ? How over- whelming is the majesty of this place — how awe- inspiring, yet sublimely beautiful ! We will now ascend the Biddle Staircase, and resume our dress. Here we will rest, before wo take THE TOUR OV IRIS ISLAND. The road runs entirely round the Island, and presents many attractions. Here you perceive the road has been carried away by the constant en- croachments of the ceaseless flood. TO KIAOARA TXU/B, eTl The Mad Rspid*— Remains of the flag-ahip Detroit. See those trees that rve now trailing m the wa- ter. They were once he . Ishing on the firm bank. Look from this point at the mad rapids, as they career along to their awful bomidary. Those timbers which you observe amongst the rocks are the remains of the Detroit, the flag-ship of Captain Barclay, which was captured together with several other vessels, in the memorable battle of Lake Erie, when Commodore Perry gained a de«sive victory over the British, September the 10th, 1813. The Detroit was brought here from Buffalo in the autumn of 1841, with the intention of sending , her over the Falls. Great numbers of spectators assembled, but were doomed to be disappointed, for the Detroit, striking against one of those ledges of rocks in the rapids, was at once dismasted, and became a wreck ; part of her went over the Falls in the night time, and parts have been going over at intervals since, until now the few sticks which re- main, are all that may be seen of the once gallant ship-of-war. 06 DKSCBIFTIVS OUIDB If r MoH laUnd— Th* miaiatura Cattnmb MOSS ISLAND. HIS lovely Island is so called from its being covered with a lovely velvet- like moss. It presents one of the sweetest spots that eye can rest upon. Here that eccentric character called " The Hermit of the Falls,'' proposed to build a cottage in the rustic style, with a draw-bridge to the island, by which he might be alone when he pleased. It is* a pity that permission was not given for the erection of this hermitage, as it would have added very much to the romance of the Falls. The islands outside Moss Island are called the Sisters. It would be a' vast addition to the mterest of this locality, if these beautiful islandu were united by bridges. Between Moss and Lis Islands, there is a minia- ture cataract, which is mexpressibly beautiful This the Hermit of the Falls was in the habit of using as a showeic-bath, and certainly a more delightful TO NIAGARA FALLS. 69 '9 Head of lib bland— The Hennit of the F«Ua. one could not have been enjoyed by any prince or potentate. We are now at the head of Iris Island. Here, before the formation of the bridge, the stranger was compelled to gratify his curiosity at the peril of his life, by navigating to this point between the rapids on either side — a daring venture. See, here is the far-famed / » HOUSE OF THB HERMIT. Here is the spot where resided the eccentric and unfortunate Francis Abbott, commonly known as the Herm '^ OF THE Falls. He was a young Englishman, who, coming to viidt ihe F^ls in 1829, became so overpowered that he ':ould not withdraw himself from the romantic spot, but remained week after week, and month after month, until at last his love uf the wild scene became a mono mania, and he shunned all society, save that of nature. He was learned, highly ac- i 70 DESCRIPTIVE OUIDB Th« Honnit'i Uat retting place. complished, gifted with a most attractive person, and a finished elegance of manner, which at once, bespoke him of high origin. But, as to Ids real name or history, all is secret In June, 1831, he was bathing in the river be- low the Falls, when, it is ISupposed, he got into the current and was drowned. His body was picked up some ten days after at Fort Niagara* and buried at his loved Niagara Falls. He was about twenty- eight years of age when he perished. But ^.urs and centuries will pass away before the memory can be obliterated of THE HERMIT OF TUB FALLS. /rt TO NIAGARA FALLS. a, m^ The Grave*— Dridga at Bath Uand. e d d r- "S 7 / t THE GRAVES. EAR this spot on an elerated sand- bank some mounds existed, which, on examination, proved to be graves. Hu- man remains were discovered in them ; each mound containing a body in a sitting position. None of the Indian tribes now in existence can account for these remains, although it is highly probable that they were of some of the aboriginal tribes, who here worshiped the Great Spirit within the sound of his almighty voice, sent up from the fathomless depths of the waters 1 We have now gained the bridge which leads to Bath Island. 12 DESORIPTIVE GUIDB Point Viaw— The f«ny.tt«iiB. h THE CANADA SIDE. AVING now seen all thai is worthy of notice on the American, let us cross) to the British shore. Here is Point View, from whence we took our first observation of the Fails ; and here close at hand is the ferry-stairs. Let us step into the cars, which an overshot water-wheel when loosened, will cause to descend, and at the same time bnng up the return cars on the next track to ours. This water-wheel is turned by a branch of the cataract itself. In the spring of 1850, the rocks here gave way and impeded the course of this railway for a time. Some persons walk up these stairs for exercise or amusement ; but, as there are some 700 steps, the operation is very fatiguing. There is no addi- tional charge made for descending in the cars to those who intend to cross the ferry ; all is paid for at the head of the stairs. At ihe bottom of this railway is a platform, and h'-* TO KUOARA FALLS. IS The ferry-boat— The brawny boatman. an easy flight of stairs, to the right of which brings you at once into the presence of the Kails. This view is very grand. But, muffle youiiself up, and enter the ferry-boat, that we may cross to the Canada side. There is no view more compre- hensive or grander than the I VIEW FROM THE FERR? Over to the other side, is but a distance of a little over four hundred yards, in a straight line. But, to humor the current, this brawny boatman of ours pulls up towards the Falls, and is by it borne back towards his landing, which he has to pull hard for, lest he be carried past There has been no accident to record at this apparently dan- gerous passage, within the memory of any one living. 74 DESORIPTIVB OUIDS Crossing the river— View Arom the Canada side. I^ow view the whole panorama of the Falls. Can any thing equal that? Look above, around, and beneath you. How awful is the might of that Supreme Being whose work this is. The boat begins to toss, but don't be alarmed, it is the agitation of the current^ and the skill of our experienced boatman will soon bear us into still water. Gaze on that amphitheatre of Cataracts, and listen to their roar. Extensive as they seem, we have but a perspective view of them— the beau- tiful Horse-shoe being a considerable distance from us. Now we are nearing Uie Province of Queen Victoria, where a circuitous road leads to the lofty height above. As we ascend, let us pause at intervals, and look back upon the rushing Niagara, which we have just crossed, and as we ascend still higher, and the road winds, we behold the glorious Falls in all their ; sublimity. But let us advance up this easy-ascending road, for the formation of which we have to thank Messrs. Street and Clarke, to whom, us a com- pensation, the Canadian Government granted the > ^ TO NIAGARA FALLS. 75 View from Tabl* Rook. sole right to the ferry for twenty-one years, from the completion of the road m 1827. Now, that we have reached the upper world againi let us proceed towards the Falls and gaze on the view from Table Rock. \ ^vssX iW \^ iS: ^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) .« 1.0 1.1 1.25 itt Ui H2.2 U 11.6 %^ y Fk)tQgraphic Sciences Corporalion ^ :^^ o 23 wis: .V AiN STRUT WIBSTIR.N.Y. 14SM (71*) •72-4503 t ? ■MmhAi ■# TO KIAGARA. FiXIS. 11 t TM* Rock, l«n in extent than foimerly. VIEW FROM TABLE HOCK. lAGARAFALLS here stretches out before us in matchless might and grandeur. This Bock, which derives its name from its flat surface, stretching over the chasm like the raised l^af of a table, is on the same level with the Falls, and belongs to the great ledge over which the Horseshoe fallo. Cautiously approach the edge, and look down. Is it not thrilling ! Look not long, lest your head grow dizzy. Table Bock was of much greater extent than it is at present Very large portions have from time to time fallen away. In the year 1818, a piece nearly one hundred and sixty feet long, and forty feet wide, broke away at midnight, arousing and terrifying the inhabitants for miles round, with the mighty crash, which they conceived to be an earth- quake. In 1828, and the following year, other portions came away, and from existing appearances. mmmm 78 DESORIPTIVE 6UIDB 3t»ireaM vaadtr tbe rock— Table Rock from below. it is evident tliat another crash may soon be ex- pected. Let ud now return to the staircase that leads under the rock. Here we will procure the apparel necessary to protect us from the effects of a wetting, which we may surely expect ThesQ spiral stairs were erected by a Mr. For- syth, several years ago, and afford a great facility for viewing one of the most astounding sights that can be presented to the mind of man, namely: TABLE BOOK FBOM BELOW Here is a temple of the living God! Here is the sanctuary of His awful greatness. Here the incense of air and water, rising In endless mist to heaven, amid the humid thunder which roars and roars eternally. Where may the ambitious, the proud, and the arrogant so perfectly judge of their own excessive littleness, as in the giant presence of this sacred shrine ? Come, let us press on our way behind the sheet The spray beats hard in our faces,, and with thick mist almost prevents our progress. But, remember thousands have pursued this course before us, and why not we ? r ^ i TO NUOARA FALLS. 19 ! 1 The Ledge— The Rock— The Crnvma. Here we halt The clouds of drivhig mists are thinner. Let uS look around. The spot on which you stand, is but a ledge some three feet wide. The Rock is ninety feet above our heads, and be- neath our feet, it is seventy feet down to the boiling cauldron where the tumbling waters fall See that vast cavern, which, like some mysterious recess of Nature, stretches out in seeming safety before us. We dare not venture more tlian a few feet towards it, and that at the extreme peril of our lives. You have now seen Termination Rock. Ijct us return and change our wet clothes—register your name, take a certificate of your visit to this won- derful spot, rest, view the curiosities of the Museum, and return to the ferry. Again we view from the tossed boat, the awing grandeur of the scene, and, with the details fresh upon our mind, what can be more thrilUng than the great frontispiece before us ? Now we are landed once again on the soli of the CJnited States. We ascend the railway, and are 9nce more in the village of Niagara Falls. I I 80 DESORIPTIVB GUIDE Thft Pnblie G«rd«ii— TL« Road-wa} to tli« River. V SCENES IN THE VICINITY OF THE FALLS. U have been round, and we may say, through the Falls, as far as prac- ticable. Let us now view the wonders and beauties of its vicinity. As we advance a few rods, we arrive at THE PUBLiq GARDEN. Here is a beautiful summer-house on the brow of the precipice, from whence we view the Falls and the river in a magnificent light This sum- mer-house occupies the site of the hut erected by Francis Abbott, the Hermit of the Falls, whose history we have before adverted to, and who re- sided in it for many years. We now proceed some eighty rods further, and come to THE ROAD-WAT TO THE RIVER. This carriage-way was projected some 86 years ago ; bul^ for some reason or other was discon- mn .ii ^ „S.V ^ .^ T-. rk -»-£ ^ > ,• *^ m^v^T' w. If. «{ K T0> ITUOABA FALLS. 81 The Indian ladder—Point View. tinned. In 1836, Mr. Ratiibdn recommenced it ; but, the imprisonment of that active man for for- gery put a second stop to it Let us go down and take a trip up to the foot of the Falls on this little steamer, appropriately named the Maid of the Mist, It is an excursion which amply repays the visitor, and is perfectly safe. Here is the INDIAN LADDER, This, which you perceive to be no more than a laige cedar tree, resting against the rock, with the limbs and a few notches answering for rounds, was once the only means of descending to the bottom of the bank — a dangerous operation, truly, and one which is never ventured on. The last daring indi- vidual, who trusted to it, being a daring hunter, named Brooks, who, several years ago, went down in pursuit of game, and fell before he reached the bottom, receiving some severe contusions. Here is POINT TIBW. From this, we catch a beautiful distinct view of 6 KIAGARA RIVER AND AMERICAN 'V l\ [D AMERICAN FALLS NEAR HOG»S BACK. 82 DESCRIPTIVE GUIDE. Ni.igara Chy. the chasm, river, and Falls, and here has grown up like magic, a considerable town» called N I AOARA CITY, ♦ One mile and a half below the Falls, is already well provided with places of entertainment, and has a giist mill, the shaft of the wheel of which is 200 feet long. The mill being on the top of the bank, whilst the wheel which works it is turned by the rapid Niagara river, 200 feet beneath. This place promises to exceed in importance the village of Niagara Falls. It now possesses a fine hotel, "The New York Central Rail Road House," besides several other smaller public houses. On the other side of the river is the town of El^n, the terminus of the Great Western Railway. The celebrated Mineral Spring, a few rods be- low the bridge, on the Amsricun side of the river, wells up between the ro.:ks, and finds a resting- place in a stone basin. It is strongly sulphur- ■-if TO NIAGARA FALLS. 83 Suip«nsion Bridge. ous, and contains lime and magnesia. This chaste little temple was designed and erected by Mr. Rathbun. Turn we now to the mighty attraction which gave a location and a name to Bellevue. One of the wonders of this age of wonders. What visitor could say, he saw the Falls, but not THE SUSPENSION BRIDGE? • This truly fairy-like work was commenced in February, 1849, under the suprintendence of Charles Ellet, Jr., Esq., of Philadelphia^ an En- gineer of good previous reputation, and who, in this work, added much to his fame. The bridge was contracted to be built for the " Niagara Falls Suspension Bridge Company," on the Canada side, and " The Niagara Falls Inter- national Bridge Company," on the/AmeriCan side conjointly ; a bill for the purpose being passed by the Legislature of each country. The manner in which the first line of connection was formed, was at once simple, yet ingenious. A kite was procured, to the tail of which was a string, and By flying this on the one side, and letting it out untu it was over the other side, the gorge was spanned by the string, by which a cord was drawn 84 mSCMFTIVS OUIDB AwAil catastrophe. .[ across, and by means of this cord, a rope of suffi- cient strength to draw a cable, which latter, being well secured on both sides, was the means of transit for the first wire-cable of 36 strands. No. 10 wire, which was 1160 feet in length. Towers had now been erected on each bank, 800 feet apart, by which this wire-cable was secured, and on the 13th of March, just one month from the commencement. Ml*. Ellet crossed in an iron basket, suspended from the cable. This conveyance was used con- stantly by the workmen in constructing the bridge. And even many persons paid for the novelty of a trip across in this frail track. A foot-bridge, three feet in width, was soon con- structed, and over this a great number of persons passed, each paying 25 cents to the contractor. A sunilar foot-bridge was now formed parallel to this, and the basket-cable in the middle. A terrific scene occurred just about this time. Whilst the workmen were busy at the second foot- bridge, which was constructed about 250 feet from the American side, and about 150 from the British, a tornado from the s. w., struck it, turning it quite over. Six men were at work upon the flooring of the bridge at this awful moment* two of whom in a most unaccountable manner made their way lo TO NIAGARA FALLS. 85 Workmen rescued. the shore upon fragments of boards. The unfin- ished structure was torn and wafted backwards and forwards like tlie broken web of a spider, and four helpless human beings, 200 feet from the shore, supported by two strands of No. 10 wire, were in constant expectation of a headlong fall and plunge into the rapids below ! Oh, who can fathom those men's thoughts just then ? But the tiny thread which held them to existence, proved strong enough to outlast the gale. On the first cessation of the tornado's force, a brave fellow-workman manned the iron basket, and with a ladder proceeded amid the pelting o# the furious rain to save the sufferers. He reached the wreck ; he placed his ladder in communication with it, and the basket thus afford- ing a means by which all were brought back safe to terra-firma, uninjured in person, but well nigh scared to death. On the 26th of July following, Mr. Ellet drove a span of horses and a heavy carriage over and back, accompanied by his lady. A disagreement, which had for some tipie ex- isted between the directors and Mr. Ellet, now came to an open rupture, and the work was dis- continued for some time. The bridge, which we see, is not the structure 86 DESORIPTiyB GUIDB H«ight of tb« Brid([r«« originally intended. This being merely prepara- tory to the great structure, wliich was to have been suspended from stone towers, 10 feet high, and which would have been 10 feet higher than the present bridge, and wholly independent of it The present bridge was at first economically formed of very slight materials, it not being ex- pected to last longer than, until the great bridge was constructed, about a year and a half. It has, however, been strengthened materially, and is now capable of sustaining 250 tons, and is in use as a thoroughfare, unshaken by the greatest pressure. The floor of the bridge is 230 fett above the river, and the depth of the river immediately un- der the bridge is 250 feet THE WHIRLPOOL. From the Suspension Bridge to the commence- ment of the Whirlpool Rapids, is about a hundred rods ; and the Whirlpool itself is about three miles from the Falls, and one hundred rods from the main road. A tavern occupies the intervening space, the garden of which is neatly laid out, and steps are to be found here, wliich lead to the river. A small fee is required of the sti*anger for admis- don. TO NIAGARA FALLS. 87 The Whirlpool, On the American Cliff is a clmrminir summer- house, designed by Mr. Rathbl:x. Look down into the circuhir baj^in, bounded by- giant cliffs, and see the boiling turmoil of waters surging and tossing in this greenwood embowered caldron. No livinof thinfj can struffole with this angry whirlpool. Destruction surely awaits all that falls within its reach. Let us go down these rude steps and have a closer view of it ; for the little sticks, wliich we see whirled around, believe me, are in truth, large timbers. . Now, that we are at the base of the cliff, and on these level rocks, let us note the mad excite- ment of those raging watei*s. Come round now to the riglit and behold the outlet of the wliirlpool. Those giant cliffs wliich rise three hundred feet and are not thirty rods apart, wall in the recreating waters and confine their wild impetuous rush, so that their force raises t'.em in the middle, as they plunge some dozen feet into the air, in the very recklessness of fury. There is a better view of the whirlpool from the Canada cliff The rapids, as they enter, are almost 68 DBSCRIPTIYB GUIDE. Giant Cliff. in front of you, and below you is the outlet of the whirlpool on the Canada side. Unlike the Falls, there is nothing to woo or win the senses about the whirlpool. It rather awes and shocks the mind with its savage fury. . We will now wander on to view devil's hole from below This is a deep, dark cave, or chasm, in the rocky bank — a gloomy spot ; the sad history conntected L TO NIAGARA FALLS. 80 Rapi(U and oatlet of Whlrlpol— Massacre ef Bloody Rnn. with which ^ves it a dismal mterest in the mind of the visitor. A perpendicular massy cliff rises above this demon-titled cavity, and a narrow stream pours down the cliff to the dark rocks below and hurries onward to the rapid river. This gloomy rock-bound, forest-hidden cavern has never felt the influence of one solitary ray of light ; and from its dark thrilling depth, it probably derives its most appropriate name. There is another claim which it possesses, and which likewise gave name to that little stream, which may be found in the thrilling narative of THB MASSACRE OF BLOODT RUN. In the year 1759, when the British had just made good their stand, by the possession of Forts Niagara and Schlosser — ^the French still hovering round them, having in pay the Seneca Indians, who were then a very powerful tribe — a large sup- ply of provisions was forwarded from Fort Niagara to Fort Schlosser, guarded by a body of one hun- dred regulars. The Chief of the Senecas, anxious to show his ardor in the cause of his pay-masters, formed an ambuscade of liis best warriors, several hundred strong. This was the spot chosen ; it being at that day so thickly overgrown with bushes, that 90 DESORIPTIYE GUIDE ln mm .-".J i ".u ' iwWi»l!l';«. ' 'U ' jy i Sf ' ;'i'' ' ' ' ^ i - ' .W^ ' *¥-^'k .(.l^iitWvi':. fi''. -i" ,<< -% •^ ^ t.*!***"!***""*'" TO KIA0A1U rALU. 97 AeeidenU at tb« Falli. ■-T. ■■S ^1 4r^ And knew those parenin soon must part From joys entwined around the heart ; Confiding love receive the blow That lays a worship'd idol low. Surely a pitying angel's tear ChilI'd that fond father's heart with fear, *' Come here, my child I come here I" be cried, ** Beware the rushing river's tide." " Never you mind— let her alone ; I'll watch," said noble Addington. •)i- !* * She puU'd his coat in playful glee — " Aha I you rogue I you 're caught," laid he," " Now shall r throw you in V* She laughs ; Her trembling form he touch'd ; She sprang— she falls ; " O mercy ! save 1' ** She's gone I O God 1" one look he gave. One word of horror, that shall dwell For ever fresh in memory's cell ; Then sprang to clasp that precious trust. Gigantic efforts fail. " We must Be lost! Great God! no human aid Avails us now ! Save us," he pray'd, ** For Jesus' sake^ O save our soula 1" The dashing torrent onward rolls. Unheeding that shrill, bitter cry Of living, human agony. Bursting afresh when straining eye Fail'd soon the loved ones to decry Upon the raging waters tost, ** Heart-rending cry, *' They 're lost ! they 're loit 1" For "Jesus' sake,"— that matchless word- It soared to heaven. The Father heard : " Fly, Gabriel, with thy chosen band, Take crowns of gold, and harps in hand ; Array'd in robes of spotless white. Conduct them to these realms of light." 7 98 DBSOBIFnYB QUIDS Aoeidento at tb* F«Ua. Upriring from the npkl'i foam, Redeem'd those blessed spirits come » 1 what a radiant sight in riew ; With eager haste the angels flew, StriUng their golden harps anew. ** Come, sister spirits, come away, Gome home to hearen," their joyful Uqr. O, mourning souls I 6ouId ye but hear Those strains salute the ravidi'd ear ; Tears for the liring would be shed ; Stoiles are the tribute for the dead, Not " wreathing lips " soon to depart Playing forever round the heart. Grief, pain and death disturb no more, Not ** lost those dear one's gone before." Let, still, Niagara lorely seem, Its island, mist, and rapid stream, Its fleeting bows of splendors bright. Fall plsasantly upon the sight. Remember that two cherished flowei% Transplanted to celestial bowers, The river from that island bore, To bloom unfading evermore. Prayer, grateful, like that mist, should rise From depths of sorrow to the skies ; Then shall the " Sun of righteousness " Shine through its prism of grief, and blest With bows of promise, bright and waraii Fadeless in sunshine and in storm. And when ye hear the ceaseless sound That thundering shakes the solid ground^ The cataract in its dark career, O, not in sorrow close the ear t « Let Faith behold that seraph throng, WhoM ceaaeleai and eternal soiif, TO NIAGARA FALLS. 99 Aeeidents «t th« Falls. Like " sound of many w&ten " seem, And love and bliss are all the themoi / Praising the Wise and Good Supreme. Pleasant Valley, 1849. ^ Makt. Thus perished in the flower of their youths two promising hopes of heaHrwning parents. Poor Mrs. De Forest did not long survive the dreadful fate of her " Nettie," and the anguishing scene of that awful evening has made an impression on tiie horrified young spectators which time can nerer erase. MISS MARTHA K. RUGG. This young lady had visited the Falls, when on her way to Detroit to vi^t a sister, in August, 11344. On the memorable morning of the 24th, whilst approaching Table Rock, she stepped upon the bank, about fifty rods below the Museum, letting go the arm of the gentleman who accompanied her, in order to pluck some evergreens — ^when the earth, giving way with her weight, she was percipi- tated down a perpendicular height of one hundred and twenty feet, falling on a bed of sharp rocks I The poor girl gave one piercing shriek ; her com- panion grasped her shawl, which gave way, and she descended 1 Doctor G.' A. Sturgis^ of New «a« 100 DBSORIPTiyB QjpjiK AMidMta •! tlM Fulli. York, happening to be at the Falls, and just then in the Museum, near at hand, hunied down the stairs at Table Bock, accompanied by several, and after much labor and fsitigue reached the fatal spot, where thej found Miss Ruog on the pomted rocks still alive. On being bled, she revived, and said, flEiintly, to those around her, *' Pick me up." This was done, and she was conveyed m a boat to the ferry-landing, and from thence to the Clifton House, where she expired in three hours from the time of this melancholy accident DEATH OF D. HUNOBBFOBD. Nor are the chances of accident confined to the descent There is danger in many places wher6 strangers go— and, although those accidents hap- pen seldom, yet, when they do occur, there is a painful memory of the solitaiy case, for years after its occurrence. Such, for instance, was that of IX HuNOBRFORD, of Troy, in this State. '^ About 10 o'clock, on the morning of the 27 th of May, 1839, the doctor in company with Mr. Niles, of Columbus, (0.), and Mr. lindsey, the guide, were viewing the river and the Falls, from below Iris Island ; and, being satisfied, were about to de- part» when a cloud of falling dust, told too plainly TO NIAOARA FALLS. 101 Aoeidenta at the Fall*. that some of the impending mass above was falling, Mr. Niles and the guide, in hurrying from the spot became informed of the melancholy fsuot, that D.- HuNGERFORD had been severely hurt by some of the fallen mass. They carried him away, but he did not long survive — Shaving been struck on the head and neck. THE WHITE CANOES. AN INDIAN LEGEND. In years gone by, when the forest wild closed in the sublime temple oi nature, which is now im- veiled to the inquisitive white man in the sheeted cataract of Niagara — when, none, save the Indian worshipers, ventured to gaze upoii the place where their simple, yet beautifully imaginative faith taught them to feel the presence of the Great Being, whose solemn voice made the forest ring, and the ground tremble, — ^it was customary to oflFer a liv- ing sacrifice, once a year, to be conveyed by the foaming messengers of the water-spirit, to the un- known gulf, which, through the light of imagina- tion alone they knew aught about In the bright autumnal month of August, when all earth's flowers were at their richest^ and the _^WP^W«^»" 102 DESORIPTIVS GUIDE ^«^ Aeeid«nta »t the FaIIi. fruits liad attained their mellowest tint aiAk Ccste, ere Time oould bring his sickle round them, the J watchful sachem gave the word, and the full fiuits and flowers were stowed in a white canoe, to be paddled by the iairest maiden that had just thoa arrived at woman-hood. Honored was that tribe, whose turn it was to float their blooming offering to the shrine of the Great Spirit.; and still more honored was the piaid who was a fitting sacrifice. Lena wa? the only cliild and darling of Oronta, the proudest Chief of the Senecaa Full many a bloody fight had seen his single feather pass in triiunph, like the pestilential blast, scathing where he came, and leaving, when he left the red track of his hatchet and tomahawk. Spring followed Spring, Summer breathed on Summer, and Autumn ripened into Autumn, as Time crowned each year with glories which he but |R^pared for witherii^ Winter^s cold embrace. And every annual round had sent an offering to the thunder-god of the secluded Niagara. Oronta danced in pride and triumph at many a holy feast, which followed the sacrifical gift, which his rejoicing tribe had in their turn given. But Obonta felt not for the fathers, whose precious TO NIAGARA. FALLS. 108 Aeeideiiti at tbe Fallk jewels were thus taken from their wigwam, and committed to the grave of roaring waters. OftON- TA thought not that they had earthly feelings, which the ardor of religion could not always quite subdue. Oronta had lost his fiedrwife, Calma; but it was by a foeman's arrow, and teirifoly had he ayenged his bereavement Qmce that event, his motherless child had fdt the glow of fifteen summers — ^till, like a rose she opened all her beauties to the maturing breaith of Nature. The day of sacrifice came. It belongs to the Senecas, and Lena is the only offering fitting the occasion. Can the proud Oronta show his weakness ? Can he let the father's bursting bosom be seen to tremble ? Can he give ear to Nature, lest she blend his ^ove and pity in a tear, that may isH down a blot upon his name ? The moon-lit hour is come ; the rejoicing dance goes on ; Oronta has parted his Lena, to meet where the Great Spirit reigns. His wigwam on the high bank is lonely now. * % He The yeil of fanatic triumph goes up from a thousand Senecas. The white canoe has shot from 104 DBSORIPTIVB OUIDB Aocidanti «t tha FM». yonder bank, and the sachems, as they gaze upon it» shout io heaven their joyous benediction. But, ere the dancing craft has yet approached its doomed descent^ behold another white canoe has shot out on the mad rapids, and both are poxaid for eternity ! The first bears the full blown offering of fruits and flowers, with Lena for their fairest She goes as an offering of the highest value ; and she is fol- lowed by Oronta, who brings his fUll grown glories of battle and of chase, a willing offering for a re- union with his wife. and child. By a strange chance, Lena's little vessel pauses by a rock, just on the verge of the descent — ^per- mitting Oronta's to come near — ^when, both to- gether rise upon the plunging rapids, one look — one mutual look of love, of hope, of happiness, is exchanged — ^and the forest rings again with the yell of the Senecas, as the father and' the child drop down the cataract together in their Whiti Canqss!- TO KUOARA FALLS. 105 Conelusion— Staj nid ttniy. CONCLUSION. W, reader, we have visited (he prin- cipal points of attraction in this vicinity of wonders ; it is for you to decide, whether you will remain, study, and contemplate what we have gone over. It is not by a hasty visit, you can become ac- quainted with the unequalled scenes of the world- renowned Niagara No, you must stay and stray ; you must look out for new lights of beauty in which to view them, and you will be sure to find such, however often you seek ! The time is a grand point in viewing these scenes to perfection. It is not in the glare of thenoon- day, when all around is rich and gay with the re- flection of the radiant simbeam : It is not in the company of laughter-loving, thoughtless youth ; It is, rather, by yourself alone, at sunrise, when the ousts are rising in their majesty, like Incense up to heaven; encircled by the peerless rainbow, which 106 DBSOBIFnYtt GUIDl Look oot and eont«Dipl«te. the rising orb of day has sent to herald his coming, in hues of brightest hope. Or, view these varied scenes under the heaven- bom influence of a moon-lit night ; and, oh, what mind would not soften its thoughts to tears, in that holy contemplation of Nature and of God ! TO HIAOARA VILLS. lot late Casualty at the Falla Ob SaAordaj, tfa« 18th of Jone^ 18A8, fhi«e men belongiag to % weoiw ued for taking nuid down iht rirtr, who had got into » boat attaehed to tho aoow, haring beoomo aeparated tharafrom, wara hnrriad down tha xlTar. Tha boat waa iwampad, tha man eaat into tha rirar, two of tham baing ait onoa oarriad orar tha lUla» tha othar, namad Joaaph Ararj, hj ehanoa itrUdng and dinging to a atomp about midwaj batwaan tha Falla and Goat bland Bridge. Hara ha remained, half eUnging to and half perdi- ing npon tha lof^ from whieh ha would ooeaalonalljr dip down and walk a little r^ tiia rodn whidi were onlj a abort diitanea under water. AfewfoetinadTanoawaaaamalllUlofaboutftmrorflta flBet^ and here and on eadi dde of him, the watera rudied wildly on at * apeed of about forty milea an hoar. About two o*doek In the afternoon, a raft waa oonatrueted, formed of eroaaed tlmbens atrongly ikatened in » aqnare form, a hogdiead being i^laeed in tha eenter. The raft waa itrongly aeoured with ropea on eadi dda^ and waa floated down to the roeka upon wbidi Avery waa atar tloned. Aa it approadied the apot where he atood, the rope got Hurt in the rodca, and the raft became Immorable. Arery then appeared to muater atrength and courage, and deaoending from the log, walked orer the rodca to the place where the rope had eanght, and labored long and hard to diaengage it from the rocka. After Bome time he auoceeded, and then, with renewed energy, in- apired by the hope of rescue, he pulled manfolly at the rope un- til he succeeded in bringing the raft from the current toward hia ftarfnl reating.place. Aveiy now got on to the raft, making Umaelf ftat thereto by meana of ropea whldi had been placed there for that purpoae, and thoae on the land commenced drawing it toward the ahore.— It had approached within thirty fittt of one of the amall iaUmd% toward which ita eourae waa directed, when auddenly it became •tationary in the midst of the rapids, the ropea hating again caught in the rocks. All endeaTora to move it were found to be in tmin, and much fear was entertained that the strain upon the ropes might break them and occadon the poor fellow's loss.— Ya^ rious suggestions were now volunteered, and seTeral attem]^ were made to readi Lim. One man went out in » boat aa for aa he dared to yenture, and aaked him if he would Iksten nropa I 108 burkb's ouidb ronnd his bodj and tnxBt to being draT^n in by that. The poor fellow, however, ahook his head despondingly, as though he felt that he had not strength enough remaining to make himself se- enre to » rope. At length a boat was gdt ready— a life-boat, which had aniyed from BuffiUo— and was launched. Seeing the preparations, Avery unloosed his fiutenings, i7ith the intention of bdng ready to spring into the boat. Borne on by the rushing waters, and amid the breathless suspense of the spectators, the boat approached the raft. A thrill ran through the crowC— the boat lived in the angry waves— it struck the raft— a shout of Joy rang fbrth from the shores^ for it was believed that he was saved— when suddenly the hope that had been raised was again de- stroyed— « momenf s confusion followed the collision, and in the next the victim was seen in the midst of the waters, separated from his fhdl support and struggling for life. For a minute or two the poor fellow, striking out boldly, swam strongly toward the island, and the cry echoed from shore to shore that he would yet be saved. But soon the fact became cerh\in that he receded from the shore— his strength was evidently failing. Gradually he was borne back into the fiercest part of the current— slowly at firsts then more rapidly. STriftly and more swiftly he approached the brink of the ffttal precipice— the waters had him at last, their nnAsputed victim, and madly they tthirled him on to death, as though enraged at his persevering efforts to escape their Airy. A sickening feeling came over the spectators when, just on tte brink of the precipice, the doomed mau sprung up from the waters —clear from their surface— raising himself upright sb a statue, with his arms flung wildly aloft, and with a piercing shriek that rang loudly above the mockitig roar of the cataract, fell back again into the foaming waves, and was hurled over the brow of the fatal predpioe I We have no heart for comment upon the melancholy and awful event The fate of poor Avery will add another to the inany fearful local incidents already related by the guides at the Falls, and for tmuv his critical situation, his hard struggles, his fear- M. death, will be the theme of many a harrowing tale. And viftitors to the mighty cataract will seek the scene of the terrible catastro- phe with a shuddt^rinpr curiosity, and the timid and the imagina* five ifiU fimcy, in the dusk of the evening, ttiat they still hear above the waters^ roar the fearful shriek that preceded th^ latal plonge.— JSm^ilo Commercial JdotrtiMr, 110 DBSORIFTIYB GUIDE \ The new Rail war Snipeiuioii Bndife. THE NEW RAILWAY SUSPENSIOK BRIDGE, Immediately over the origmal Suspension bridfi^ erected at Niagara City, there has been construct- ed a firm and stable bridge fojr the passage of the Great Western, and New York Central Bail Boad trains. The largest trains pass over it without earn- ing the slightest vibration. ^.^^ This Rail Ror.d Bridge, winch is MlWyaMtt- fM4Mi4i«f that for foot passen c ^ and vehiolei^ is ^ ^uspended on either side, from fflu towers «» 'im. 1/ "wtB tne solid rock. The height of the towers on the American side, is 88 feet; on the Canada side, but 78 fefiVfl The length of span from tower to t6wer,jyi0 feet The flooring i^ elevated J9^ feet above the^ower bridge, and 4^ feet above the river. Th^^ cables from which the flooring i ^%>9\Ci IS suspended^jtfe^eaph formed o? 3,6&9 strands of No. 9 wire.^ The weisrht of the sunersl iperstructurc ts 750 tons; tne weight of average trains, 600 tons, making an aggregate weight of 1,250 tons when a train is crossing the bridge. The total strength of cables is 12,400 tons; so that it is really capable of sustaining a weight ten timet greater than is required for the safe passage of r^nd railway trains. TO NIAGARA FALLS. Ill L«wist«n. LEWISTON. w i i M i u i wuZ w te j m gBBMBJ ^ I 11 IMhhl^lJ MBi L1WI9T0N LANDINO. C Tbree miles below the Devil's Hole, and at tlic ii( ?t! ♦ira terminus of the Buffalo, Niagara Falls and J .v?iston Rail Road, is the village of Lewiston. It is picturesquely situated upon an even tract of country, w^^'ch reaches from the mountain ridge to Lake Ontario, and presents that pleasing and love- ly appearance which characterizes so many Ameri- n villages. The village was n. med in honor of Gov. Lewi:^, in 1806, and was destroyed by the British forces in 1813. At the termination of the war it was re- built and has gradually increased to its present 112 DBSdRIPTIVB QUIDS, Lswiston. size. A very flourishing academy, four or five churches, and a well conducted hotel— ''The American" — ^grace the village. I Fort Green- and the Five-mile Meadows, locali- ties interesting from their connection -with remin- iscences of he r'^^r strife, are both within short rides of the village. The site of the village of Lewiston once formed the home of the Mohawk Indians, who^ after leav- ^ing the banks of the river bearing their name, in the State of New York, resorted to this place, and here, under the leadership of theur celebrated chief **Thayendenega,'V known in civilized life as Joseph Brant, formed a considerable village. The ''Tuscaroras," an Indian tribe that has long dwelt in the vicinity of the Falls, havv a vil- lage within three miles of Lewiston. The character of the scenery of Niagara Biver is changed at Lewiston. The river from the brow of the mountain sweeps on in a tranquil current to the lake. The shores retain all their beauty, but lose their wildness. Fine farms and beautiful groves line the river on either side. The Ontario and St Lawrence Steamboat Com- pany*b line of beautiful steamers ply regularly dur- ing the summer months between Lewiston, Toronto, TO HIAGARA FALLS. 118 Stearoen oa Lake Ontario. Capeyinoent, Oswego, Ogdensburg, and Montreal. The boats forming the line are commodious and tastefully decorated, and imsurpassed for comfort and seaworthy qualities. MBV KAMA8AU0UA, AX TBI XOUTE OV MUaXRk BI71B. QUEENSTON. QueenstOii, opposite Lewiston, is a sm&ll» quaint- looking, and very irregular village. The place is celebrated as the possessor of two dingy-looking and dilapidated taverns, a stranded hoi'se-boat of ancient conlstruction, and as the scene of one of the hardest fights during the last war with Great Britain. On Queenston Heights, which overlook 8 mmmmm i 114 DXSORIPTIVS GUIDE (ilneenston. the village, was fought the most desperately con- tested battle^ of the late war, in which the Ameri- can forces finally lost a thrioe-won victory, and were compelled to lay down their arms. The English sustained a severe loss in the death of General Brock, which no victory could compensate. He was killed by a musket ball, in the early part of the action, while cheering on the troops under his command. When struck he was standing by a cherry tree, which tree exists, in an orchard to the right, at the foot of the mountain-plain. From the Heights of Queenston an extensive view of the country, river, and lake, is presented to the gaze of nature's admirers. Upon the most lofty pobt of Queenston Heights a monument was erected to the memory of Gen- eral Brock, by the Provincial Legislature, and his remains deposited within its vault On the night of the seventeenth of April, 1840, the monument was blown up by some villain, or villair^, unknown, and completely ruined. The engrav.ig on the opposite page represents the monument after the work of destruction had been done. In the yeaf 1858 the Canadian authorities racced the old monument, and erected a plain and substantial structure, which now stands* TUB OBIQIMAL BBOOK'S KONUMBNT, AB IT APPBJLBBD jLTiMM IT WXM BLOVirUP. P«ttU5 ■H 116 DESORIFTIW GUIDE Table Rock. THE LAST OF THE TABLE ROCK AT NIAGARA. THE WORKING OF THE FALLS. The Falls of I^iagara are gradually moving up stream. The last of the Table llock has tumbled in. It was inevitable. It had to go. Kothing can be more simple than the work of excavation which, from time immemorial, has been going on at Niagara Falls. Almost every year, and fre- quenUy several times in a year, some portion of the shelf over which the river plunges tumbles in- to the chasm below, creating some visible change in the grand curve of the Horse Shoe, or in the irregular line of the American Fall. The process, as we have said, is exceedingly simple. The general level of the country of Lake Ontario is some three hundred feet lower than that of Lake Erie. The depression is abruptly marked by a terrace drawn across Niagara river, near Lake Ontaricv, from which lake said terrace appears like a mountain ridge stretching across the country, the summit of this ridge forming the level of the country of Lake Erie. In the original outflow from Erie to Ontario, then, tke river was very naturally precipitated over this terrace, as GARA. ing up imbled fothing avation )ing on ad fre- tion of bles in- obange r in the edingly )f Lake }r than bruptly I river, terrace across nsr the rigiqal er was ace, as 118 DB80BIPTIVX OUIDX Table Rook. doTvii the side of a mountain. But soon the fall became perpendicular, as the geological structure of this upper country viWl show in a glance at the sides of the chasm below the present falls. From Lake Erie to the descent near Ontario, the first formation under the arable soil is a mass of primitive limestone from eighty to one hundred feet thick Underneath this a friable slate or shale succeeds* which is underlined by sand, <&c. The liver finds it a slow business to grind down this immense overlapping plate of solid limestone ; but the work of excavation is easy by the simple process of undermining it The stream at first, falling over the terrace, washed away the loose materials at the base, and from the tremendous vcdume of water pouring down, soon scooped oat a deep basin at the foot of the Fall. Then' the action of water and air combined rapidly disinte- grated and moved away the friable materials form- ing the back of the Fall, until the overtopping layer of limestone was left projecting like a shelf across the stream, over which the mighty mass of watera was thrown into the chasm below. But as the work of disintegration went on underneath, and as the pulverized materials were washed awa^, this impending shelf of limestone, from its, superincum- TO HUOARA TAIX8. 119 Table Book. bent weight) broke off and fell into the basin; and thus the Niagara Falls have undoubtedly been working their way up streaiia for several thousand years. In this way the deep and narrow gorge, or canon, of some nine or ten miles from the Falls to the lower country, has been cut out The masses of rocks which form the fearful rapids down this awful passage, are but the fragments from the common level of the cliffs, which, on each side, in- dicate a solid body of limestone of from eighty to one hundred feet in thickness. The same process accounts for the Table Rock and its fall. In the course of years another table rock will thus be formed, projecting over the water, and admitting of a state passage under it between the falling river in front and the crumbling wall behind it; but this, too, as its basis is removed, will, from the elementary laws of gravitation, tumble mto the gul£ The work of retrogradation at Niagara is slower, as we should judge, at this time than ever before. The intervention of an island has divided the stream, and the great width of the Canadian branch alone has diminished the excavating force of the river to less than half its power when the Falls were a 120 DBSORIFTXVB OT7IDB Table Rock. mOe lower down, and tbe whole overplus of Lake Erie, was concentrated into a chan;iel of some eight hundred feet wide. From the American shore to the Canadian, including the island, the circuit of the Falls now is extended to neariy a mile. But they illustrate at a glance their future plan of operations. Comparatiyely a light body of water passes over the American channel, insuffi- cient to scoop out a bed for the broken limestone as it tumbles in. It therefore lies piled up in rugged masses above the surface of the watef where it has fallen. This branch of the river, too, has dropped a third of a mile or more behind the Canadian, from the same cause ; the lack of the motive power to do the work. It will be observed, dlso, that the centre of the Horse Shoe is gaining rapidly upon the sides, the heaviest body of water being in the centre. The Horse Shoe will thus probably reach the head of Goat Island, and absorb the water of both channels, before the American Fall shall have made a hundred yards further up stream. In this event the village of Niagara Falls will be left high and dry, and Gpat Island will be- come part of the main land. TO KIAQARA FALLS. 121 Hermit of tbe Falla. HERMIT OF THE /FALLS. HIS ARRIVAL AT NIAGARA — EFFECT OF THE SCENE- RY — HIS HABITS, MANNERS, AND ENDOWMENTS-^ RESIDENCE AMD DEATH OTHER PARTICULARS. '* But soon he knev himself the most unfit Of men, to herd with Man, with whom he held Little in common ; untaught to submit His thoughts to others, though his anal was quelled In youth, by his own thoughts; still, uncompelled, He would not yield dominion of his mind To spirits against whom his own rebelled; Pfoud, though in desolation ; which could find A lift within itself, to breathe without mankind.'* Francis Abbott, the Hermft of the Falls, whose unsocial life, and untimely hie, have made a deep impression upon the pubUo mind, may justly claim the courtesy of a notice, far more lengthy than our limits will permit— we must be brief. There is a charm in every mystery that attracts observa- tion, and excites curiosity. His character is a seal- ed volume— his life scarcely less so— both are in- explicable. The written pages of his heart and mind are open to the All-seeing alone. In humble guise, he came to Niagara in 1829, to remain, perhaps, for a week. He grew enam- ored of the place. The glorious scenery wooed his 122 DBSORIPTZViBi OUIDB Hermit of the Fftils. i melancholy spirit by its sublimv*; grandeur. His visit was prolonged, — moiith after month rolled away, and still he lingered upon i1;s sounding shores. Shunning all society but the companionsnip of nature ; with her only could his soul stoop to be intimate. The darkest seclusions, the most dan- gerous paths, and* the most august scenes, alone seemed to posses? charn s for his idiosyncracy of mind. Learned, accomplished, traveled, gifted with personal beauty, conventional elegance, and singu- lar powers of pleasing, wliy should he withdraw from communion with his kind, and choose Nature and Solitude for hii only ministers? Music and letters were the only luxuries in which he in- dulged : — rhis music was hushed when a step ap- proached, — ^whatever he wrote was destroyed al- most as soon as written. Sometimes, but rarely, he would converse, and eloquence seemed to sit upon his tongue — more frequently, he would indulge in moody silence, re- pelling every attempt to engage him in discourse. He was not misanthropic, loi' he did not hate or despise, but only avoid, his fellow men. He was icubued with a deep sense of religion, and led a blamele?^ life. ■aW ' i * 1 1 1 i;w>tt-Ja*L;-;',?-ti.'«i.'^ r i iim iMOw TO NIAGARA FALLS. 123 Hermit of the Falls. He asked permission to biiild a hut on one of the Three Sisters, which he desired to insolate by a drawbridge, but was refused. He lived on Iris Island about twenty months, in an old house yet standing; and when driver* from that, by the in- trusion of a family, he erected a hut on the brow of the bank, below, but near Prospect Point, in which he residea till his death, which occurred in June, 1831. He went into the river, below the Falls, to bathe, according to his usual custom, and was shortly missed by the ferryman. His body Vas found at Fort Niagara, ten days after his de- cease, and removed to the Falls for burial. His age was about twenty-eight years. An allowance, ample for his maintenance, was furnished by his friends in England, — his father is rector of a parish in that country. Little else is known of his history, than we have here related. His unsocial and other eccentricities, have given him the title of 'Hermit of the Falls,' and much curiosi- ty is manifested by visitors, as to his character and habits. He sleeps in death, by the scenes he loved while living, peace to his repose! II mwmn.miiiiiu 124 DSSCRfFflVB GmDV Hermit of tlie Falb. THE HERMIT OF THE FALLS. It was tbe leafy montli of June, And joyous nnturo, all in tune, With wreatliing buds was dressed. As towards Niagara's fearful side A youthful stranger pressed. tHis ruddy cheek was blanch'd with awe* And scarce ho seemed his breath to draw, While, bending o'er its brim, He mark'd its strong, unfathom'd tide* And heard its thunder-hymn. His measured week too quickly fled, > Another and another sped; And soon the summer rose decay'd. The moon of autumn sank in sliade; Tears tilled their circle, brief and fair. Yet still the enthusiast linger'd there, Till winter hurl'd its dart. For deeply round his soul was wove A mystic chain of quenchless love. That would not let him part. When darkest midnight veil'd the sk}*. You'd hear his hasting step go by, To gain the bridge beside the deep, That thread-like o'er the surge Shot, where the wildest torrents leap* And there upon its awful verge, His vigil lone to keep. pywM^ VO KIAGARA FALLS. 125 Hennit of the Falls. And, when the moon, descending low, Hung on the flood that gleaming bow. Which it would seem some angel's hand, With heaven's own pencil, tinged and spannM, Pure symbol of a better land. He, kneeling, poured in utterance free The eloquence of ecstasy; Though to his words no answer came. Save that one E'^erlasting name Which* since creation's morning broke, Niagara's lip alone hath spoke. When wli^t'ry tempests shook the sky. And the rent pine-tree hurtled by. Unflinching 'mid the storm he stood. And marked sublime the wrathful flood. While wrought the frost-king fierce and drear, > His palaje mid those cliffe to rear, And strike the massive buttress strong, And pile his sleet the rocks a i^, And wasteful deck the branches bare With icy diamonds, rich and rare. Nor lacked the hermit's humble shed Such comforts as our natures ask To fit them for our daily task, — The cheering fire, Ihe peaceful bed— The simple meal in season spread; While by the lone lamp's trembling light. As blazed the hearth-stone clear and bright, O'er Homer's page he hung, Or Maro's martial numbers scanned; For classic lore of many a land Flowed smoothly o'er his tongue; Oft, with wrapt eye and skill profound. He woke the entrancing viol's sound. Or touched the swoot guitar; For heavenly music deigned to dwell An inmate in his cloister'd cell, 126 DESORIPTIVK QUIDS Hermit of the Falls. As beamfci the solemn star All night, with meditative eyes, Where some lone rock-bound fountain lies. As through the groves with quiet tread On his accustomed haunt he sped. The mother thrush, unstvtled, sUng Her descant to her callow young; And fearless o'er his threshold pressed The wanderer from the sparro\. -s nest; The squirrel raised a sparkling eye, Kor from his kernel cared to fly As pass'd that gentle hermit by. No timid creature shrank to meet His pensive g]ance serenely sweet; From his own kind alone ho sought The screen of solitary thought Whether the world too harshly pressed Its iron o'er a yielding breast, Or taught his morbid youth to |. . « The pang of unrequited love. We kuow not, for ne never said Aught of the life that erst he led. On Iris isle, a summer bower He twined with branch, and vine, and flower; And there he mused, on rustic seat« Unconscious of the noonday beat; Or 'neath the crystal water lay, Luxuriant, in the &v. immer's play. Yet once, the whelming flood grew strong. And bore him like a weed along. Though with convulsive throes of paiu And heaving breast, he strove in vain; Then sinking neath the infuriate tide, Lone as he lived, the hermit died. On, hj the rushing current swept. The lifeless corse its voyage kept, To where in narrow gorge compressed The whirling eddies never restf TO NIAGARA FALL& 127 Hmnit of th« Falb. But boil with wild tnmuituoos sway, The maelstrom of Niagara; And thiere within that rocky bound. In swift gyrations round and round. Mysterious course it held; Now springing from the torrent hoarse, Now battling as with maniac force. To mortal strife compelled. Right fearful 'neath the moonbeam bright. It was to see that brow so white. And liaark the ehastly dead Leap upward £om his torture bed. As if in passion gust, And tossing wild with agony, Tq mock the omnipotent decree Of dust to dust /- At length when smoother waters flow. Emerging from the gulf below, The hapless youth they gained and bore bad to nis own forsaken door, There watch'd his dog with straining eye. And scarce would let me train pass by; Save that, with instinct's rushing spell, Thri'U^h the changed cheek's empurpled hue, JLr*u stiff and stony form, he knew The master he nad loved so welL The kitten fair— whose graceful wile So oft had won his musing smile. As at his foot she held her play-^ Stretched on his vacant pillow lay; While strewed around, on board and chair. The last plucked flower, the book last read» The ready pen, the page outspread. The water-cruse, tlie unbroken bread. Revealed how sudden was the snare That swept him to the dead. 128 DBSOBIPTIVE r IDE. Hermit of the Falls- And 80 ho rests in foreign earth. Who drew mid Albion's vales his birth. Yet let no cynic phrase unkind Oondemn tliat youth of gentle mind. Of shrinking nerve and lonely heart, And lettered lore and tuneful art, Who here his humble worship paid. In that most glorious temple-shrine. Where tp the majesty divine Nature her noolest altar made. No, blame him not, but praise the Power Who in the dear, domestic bower, Hath given you firmer strength to rear The plants of love with toil and fear, The beam to meet, the blast to dare. And like a faithful soldier hear. Still with sad heart his requiem potlr. Amid the cataract's ceaseless roar, Not grudge one tear of pitying ^loom, To dew the sad enthusirist's tomo. c: L. H. SiGomtKiT. inclj Th droll 4NMi In dowi beeo Vi mita rwp and Wh< rV/'^'''.- A-<1\ ^^?''>.^ // "•'''*■' '■.^- IJ .,," / ■■/ ^' <:...S t- 1 . .0 i ; 1 ' ■'-" , .,''■ ' -.. 1 \ '- kx'"^^^ .^./^c-' • >\ ^ t :^^ '^-'vi^ . *- - ■. ■ ■ ■ • 1 ^ ?3 ^ 1. Maxwell's NoyoJs ! Juat Bablished ! O'BALliOBAN AND HIS MAH, By W. H. if Axwttt, Bsqt^ Author i>f f< Cf f ■ KOTIOXS OF THB PEVS8. This in one of the beat of all the Irish norela — full of spirit, ftxn, drollery, and wit, and embellished by numerous engravings.— Osur. mud Enquirer, In all the lands whkie feme has flourished, or fun is flot^.nbJnflt— #1ieTe merriment draws open the jaws wtHi i im^ et palhos drawf downiheeyslidiwlthetear— liiftteisnoddi^wd'Halloran" will beemne a fororite with all readen.— Jtfirrw. Hot a ^age can be tead without dispelliiig ^e blues, and putting a misanfkf^ In the best of hombr. loTer and XasweS, the IkUiffl respeetiTe of ** Handy Andy »• and « CyHalloran," ai% kindred spbit^ and worthy, Uke Botts and the CH>taln> to sleep in the same bed. Whoever would "lau^h and grow fli^* should read the iftay W 0'Ballozan*8 adTentures.— JBlreol^ JEiflf . CA7T. mmMwm Military aAd MatrimoBial Ady^itnres. By W. H. Uaxw^l, Es^., Auth<» of «0*iIaUoran and His Han,** elo. CofBplotiB lii one toI^ wtth etiMa iBmiimiliNi* For 8alo by afl Bodkaellera. Copies mailed upon receipt of priee. JL. BtJBXSy Publisher, Buiklo. ^, ar: W "Kan is the onljr animal endowed with the &eulties of laughter, and why diould he not, then, on all flttinr occaaionii, carry out the luqppy oesiffns of hia erea^on ? He 8h<|uld t he should I and not merely with the crnical grin of a dvspcptio hyena neither, but in good, round hUanous window- ratttbig ottrat ; «uch, almost every page of Lover's Irish stories will tbMw him into." 4^■^BROVO«IWO BOOKS. TOK CEOSBIE AXD HIS F&IEirDS. By Samuel iiOYBR, Esq. ^ CMnplefe In one vol* lllnntrftted* Pi;iee ffO t'en|«. NOfr READY, * POUNDS, Sa]$LINOS ANP PENCE, Or Irish Heira. By Samuel LoYXA, Esq. CkHBiplote In «m» vv^f ifeiet Ulostratlonii* f rice 50 cento. Kor sale bj all BookaeUen;. \* Copies malted upon iswjeipt of price. r^^ HANDTANPT, By Samuel Lots&, Efi«|; ^ Oemplete tn one vol* H^vv** larffe tn»e. Illnfltifated. PRIOE 50 CENTS. \* Also a fine edition of ** Handy JiXkdj," p on superior pa- per, with 22 steel engrarings* designed by th. .ciior, in two vols. Price 60 cants a Tol. \ %* A bound edi|^ of Handy An^ is now ready, in handsome gilt cloth, with a^^e'engravlhgs. Price #1*S6. NQTrpsa. *« This boy Handy will be the death of us. What is the police force about V> allow the uttering pf a publication that has alieady brought «t| to tte briidE of apk>ple:^ fifty times ?^ Grftvrpeople^ undertakers, Aixtn&s, and ^0 liM, lliur reni vu]sions.''-^£>9n(loii JomiuU qf CbmsMfM. f\ •-- •A.riimgli.PuMid.er.Bu^; " f • I I