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Las diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 k ■/ m g— itMW m i i i w wii rM «Mi i i > i Bna ii J< ii i i i iii » ii» n iii ■xifii Will II IK ■!» urn-' w aii-i AND GUIDE Being a complete Directory and Guide to the Falls and vicinity. • ' ■ ' ■ ■ ' — ^ -S — DlllECTrONS TO ilAgTY 'I Ist. Start from the Hotels in Mnin.strcct, Niniffirn Fnlla Villngc — no wost to Prospect Placo ni gaze! — cross ihe bridge to Iris Island — rise the hill — fake the road to the right — at llupint of ll thence to the Falls, and round the Island. yd. At nioie If.'isuro walk n'ong the hif^h bank of the rivor, or ride tc the Whirlpool, nnd \h\\ lEFERENCES TO THE MAP. On the American Side. A— *-'atiir.nct Hotel. |B— Englc Hotel. C—niiI 111 ruiLi.. Q» ) GUIDE TABLE. he Falls and vicinity, for remark on *ho spot or for reference at home, JTrONS TO IIA8TY TRAVELLERS. o woBt to Prospect Plac(; and Wnro's Observatory, gaze on the seme .' — go out nlon{r the river, to the bridjro, lie right — «< flupmt nftlis Island lonk aroiiiiU ! — paa^ to the Uiddlcsliiirs — theiico to the I'roapcct Tower f.U the Whirljiou), nnd visit sovcrid other noted pUicos. REFERENCES TO THE MAP. On tho Canada SIIq. I, llcn.ler'8 Cave. !• Concert House. f'„ Col. Clark's olil |)lacr. H» Where the I'plseopal Cluircli tX )0(l. llurnt liy inceii- iliaries, Sept. 1S39. '•), Gull kla«ii. 10, Site of Bridgewater Villi.fic. 11, Chippewa Battle Oround. "Tadli: IlocK." It projects over several feet. Visltors.dc- scerid here to go umfcr the - • eiircthf tratcr, or to «• hill iscallcdTerininati in Rock. "(!UKT0N House," on the brow of the hill, where tikc road rises from the Ferrj-. ;j, U'licrc stood tlic Pavillioii. 12* Carii;:ge road down tlie hunli. llj, i'crry and Guard liouse. Distances from the Ferry, u.c. To Clifton House. 10; rods. •• T;d)!c IJook, i lU " Duriiing Sprin 1 '• " Uender'i Cave, *' Lull la's Lr.n;: • Baule Ground 1 1 ' " Cliippewa Hat. Grouuvi. 1 wliic.li ii* liisraliiii.i'8 Vavv, Y— J'ujicr Mill. .j_l«rr.^l)ytorlan Chorcli. DiitancM from tho Ameri- can Hotoli, U. S. To li.-itii iukI Irid i: bridge, lU roiid. " I'crry, and Warc'8 Oli- ver vntory, 100 " " Ferry lamllaf, ia.» " '• I lorsc Slioc Fiilld, cros- !ciiilcr'.4 Ciivc. :i " liimlii'.H Liiu ! IJnU • f. < iroiii.il 1 \ • Cliijiiiinva IJ.'it. Urouml. 'i ■• Wliirl|i(>(il. 1 •• ijiaiiif.iril, J " -Aloiint l)oa-liesU!r, •i S:. UiivilH, (i " Driiok'.s .>I(imimcir u " (^uceiiston, I* ** r.)rl CJeortje iind -Niiignra, 11 ' Sl CtiUiarinc!', li • NVi.ierlod Ferry, 11 • I'ort l-rip, ID ' ( iy of Toronto, TiO The WhirlpooL lit Niagiiru Kivt-r, 2:2, I'lncc to (lu.-iccml tiic luiiik, A» I'rospcct iioiiit. ^i'J* Siiiooth rock iVoJii wliciic u stone liun lici'ii tlirowii across tlic river. 41, i'isliing gr4)uiiils. t!, Out!ei, D, Uelectory, Britisli siJc. jS, Suauiicr House, Aiiicriciiii side. .toi>nIN(; skorks XrM r/' UallA M^on.^,.Btd^altf ^txierican Fall, about 320 yards around, 164 feet high. V_CrosentFall,about33 yards around, 164 feet h.gh FeTbelow the Falls b 56 rods wide, passage from 5 to 10 minutes. 5,084,080.280 barrels of water U average height of the banks of the river, around the Falls, above the surface of the water below. a-Bndge , the rapids, to s.ve Chnpin. The riverin 6 miles from the Falls descends 104^et to Lew.ston ; from thence 1 > ' • * ;^ V H f". « ( V ;♦* I'' •inge mysi'i , yet to kno I • ? »* U E S S L E (i y. N T) V ;.' T If K 5 ,m,'.: .rfT V H I R L P 00 L. i I ange inyal'ries liido beneath the waves, nnd mnn, yet to know a thousand things thnt nature hUlos.'' ^ .'vWeaiTJ^V -^ ALO )• R E S S O F T H O ai A S &, C O. 1840 .■* ' -'-stJ r I t I, V \ ■1 "'!» ■1l > I-V ^' '\ THE WHIRLPOOL. THE SITUATION OF THE WHIRLPOOL. ♦• How finothing nre these groves, where oiiroiner's warmth Relaxes not, nor niid-duy heat oppressed " Nearly mid way between the Falls of Niagara ond ths Tillage of Lewiston, there is a sudden turn in the river. On the American side a point projects into the stream, and a deep indenture is worn into the bank on the Cana> da side. On the promontory facing the south and west, the basin of the Whirlpool is presented ; and for a long distance above, the rough and torrent waters of the river are seen rushing forward with on impetuosity altogether irresistible, and with a loud and terrific noise. At the Whirlpool the river is wider than at any other place within reach of the eye ; but on the side of the point fa- cing the north and west it is narrower. So narrow, that it hns long been considered the most suitable place to erect a suspension bridge, anda stone has been thrown from one side to the other. W The banks of the river are nere upwards of two hun- dred feet high ; they are crowned with forest trees ; many of which are of large size, mingled with shrubs of smaller growth. Hemlock, pine, spruce, and other ev- ergreens abound. With these are intermixed the oak, birch, maple, chestnut, hickory, and all the other trees and shrubs incident to the country. Besides these, there nre many plants ond flowers not often to be found. On that account, both below and above the bank. Bo tonis, and others, who are fond of strange and curious plants, ll TJIK WHIRLPOOL. Itunkn ol' tlu; Uivcr— UanKer of I'lillitiK Mckx, wiiiider (iround with much curiosity and delight; and their liiliors have in several instances been rewarded by oh- tninin^ vahiablu 8p(3ciinen8. The lirut dcacont of tlio bank to the rivcf is n pcrpeii- (lifubir rock, avcniging I'roiii sixty to eighty fcot, Ironi thence it slopes procipitoucly to the water's edge. The slope in tnadc t'roiii tho loose rocks which have for age niter ago lallen from above. There ore some places where the rocks form a perpendicular wall from the water to the upper terrncc. Few can look down this dizzy height with steady and unmoved nerves. A weakness will im- perceptibly come over the frame, tho head will lose its wonted firmness, ond the spectator wiU bo warned by his sensations, not to approach too near the brink which lies heforo him and eternity, Tho banks are not alone ten ifying ond dangerous from their perpendicular alti- tude ; in many places they project over, and immense masses of rock appear ready every moment to bo launch- ed from their unstable positions. On some, lorge rent» and fissures ore gaping wide, ond fearfully portend evil to those who venture on or near them ; ond others, tho' tho danger is hidden by the sod ond moss that covorB ihem, yet they ore on a poiae cquolly insecure. " On these projecting;; recks the just mny stuoU, And innocence may room beneath ; '• V Hut wliere unpuniahv^d guilt unnerves the hamU Or tearful chatters through tjie tcetli— Avaunt! tliou wretch ! and come not near, For angry vengeance sleepetli here." Thoso who go below, on looking up will bo often owe struck at the dark wall that hangs loose and threatening above thorn. There, a mighty rock seemingly held to tho bank by the frail root of a cedar shrub ; ond scattered far, and near, stones of all dimensions, from a pound to a ton, ready on the movement of a leaf or a breath of air to fall and crush all beneath. thr ooci^ TnR wniaLPooL. fi Tim iitiMorliiiiK iiitrrflht tlint vlnltorH fV««l. Sui'h aro tho grnrnil foatiiiefi oi'iho Imnks ol'iho Mo{(- nr» river from Lnwiston to tho Whirlpool, nnd from thcnco to nnd nroumt tho Fulls. Htill thoru nw .nany })lnc(!3 where no dnngor cxiets, both ut tho Fnlh :.nd th» Whirlpool ; hut nt every point to tho ohscrver, it is nl- ways nour enough to muko tho socnu interesting. In* deed, in this, mninly consists the secret of tho fa^cinntioti nnd charm, that so ottructs us to scones of wonder and Huhlimity. They bring forth unusual emotions of tho mind, and turn it from its wonted chnnnol. They ab- stract us from our doily nnd ordinary duties, and as in nv'xu- ion, for a period transport us to a new world, where fcnr, wonder, courage nnd temerity prevail, nnd an nhBorbinj.j interest controls our faculties. Stupidity is aluno un- charmcd. All others feel the strange ond spiritual influ- enccs. Tho savage, ond the enlightened mind, unite ond revel in the luxury of tho rich developoments of mighty nature. They drink deep of tho spacious fountain which 8)io silvers over, where the hanging leaves arc mirrored, and sun and shade aro reflected in mellowed tints. There are but a few places along tho bank of the river, that can bo descended in its natural state, and none but with some diiBculty. At the point of tho Whirlpool thoro is one of tho places where the descent is natural. Hero immemorially, (before visit*" i by civilized mun)the aborigines passed and repassed to tho river. To n stran- ger tho appearance of the descent is so hazardous, that the first impulse is to turn trembling away ; and many who would like to go down, retreat and leave the place, not daring to venture themselves in a situation so perilous. The first twenty or thirty feet is tho worst, after that it is not so difficult, and is without danger. Both Ladies and Gentlemen ore in tho daily practice of passing down. — Considerable improvement is promised by the person iii occupation ; and to make tho descent easy and oonven (J THE WHIRLPOOL. Basin of the Whirlpool. ient is necessary, os this has now become a place of great, resort, and next only in importance to the Falls. THE BASIN OF THE WHIRLPOOL. " Strange myst'ries bide beneath the waves, anil ntan. Hath yet to know a thousand tilings that nature hides/' At the south the Jver enters, bounding from above ; its course is continued directly forward ; passing the centre of the basin, and striking against the rocky shore of Canada. There driven back it divides ; one portion whirls to the right and passes down the outlet ; the oth- er turns to the left, coursing its way again up the stream, converting one half of the river into an eddy almost as powerful as the main current. The disfnce of the curve or indenture is nearly half a mile on the Canada side on the American shore it is not more than sixty rods. The water is in great commotion, swelling and roar- ing ; and in many places there are formed great whirl- pools round which the timber and logs that are observed cherein are carried with great velocity. They are often sucked down into the depths of the vortices, are for" some time hid from sight, and are again at some distant point thrown to the surface. Sometimes they are ejected near- ly their whole length into the air— fall back, and renew their course around. An individual speaking of the Whirlpool, writes : " I thought there was no other object in this vicinity worth looking upon after beholding the great Falls of Niagara ; but as I have looked at the Whirlpool from the bank, and below it, I have been more amazed and infatuated with the scene, than with any I ever heheld. Below, as I have wandered along the rough shore, viewed the tor- rent as it shoots from the imprisoned circle, heard the THE WHIRLPOOL. TJje opinion of others. hollow bellowing of the dreadful waves, and cast my ^yes over their wai ring surface, all other objects in my imagin- ation have dwindled into mere shadows. Again when I have ascended the high bank, and walked along the edgo looking upon the wide chasm before me, the rush of wa- ters as they urge their mountain waves along, even the great Cataract to this appeared to have lost its magni- tude ; and though my mind acknowlpjged its superior- ity, yet it seemed less mighty. jSiill strange it was, 1 (lid not on my first visit drink the full cup of p 'miration which the lofty scenes around afforded. It was by little, Jind little, that the forms and perfections of the whole prospect grew upon me, till overwhelmed my eyes be- came fixed, and my faculties chained to this fear impres- sing, yet seductive spot. That which at first seemed to require but a few moments attention, became so absorb, ing, that I could pass and repass, and gaze on it for hours." Tho' the Whirlpool has long been a place of notoriety, and has been much visited, yet until of late no printed accounts have appeared. Joseph W. Ingrahim, Esq. in his book, among other things on the same subject, says : ** A visit to the Whirlpool should never be omitted. It is a curious and interesting phenomenon. Watch with a spy glass some of the great logs which are whirling round in the never ending vortex ; and you will be aston- ished at their appearance and motions." Horatio A. Parsons, Esq. in hik. work published in 1838, says of the Whirlpool: "The rapids are hero much more powerful and terrific than they are above the Falls, andappenr like a flood of watery brilliants rushing along." In another place he observes : **A brisk and refreshing breeze is felt there during the hottest and still- est days of summer ; and no place is better ^.tted to ele- vate and expand the mind. The Whirlpool is a phenom- r tk 8 THE WHIRLPOOL. View It with a spy glnsa. enon of great interest, as seen even from the top of the bank, especially if a small telescope be used ; but to have an adequate idea of its powef and motion, visiters ought to descend to the water's edge and walk some dis* tonce up the river." After a second visit he remarks : "And now having spent half a day there in mute as- tonishment, hu is at a loss what language to use in de- scribing it. He can think of no language, no imagery, no comparison, that will not fall immeasurably short of conveying a just idea of the scene He can only say so- berly and earnestly, that no gentleman ought hereafter to acknowledge that he has seen the Falls of Niagara, unless he could also say he has seen the "Whirlpool from the water' a edge. This place has been consecrated by some fabulous tales of wonder and of peril." The rail road from Lockport to Niagara Falls passes within three quarters of a mile of the Whirlpool, and the stage road from Lewiston within half a mile. It is the intention of Mr. Hulett the occupant, to erect a gate, with a Refectory adjoining, on the Lewiston road where travellers stop to visit the Whirlpool ; a trifle will be charged for admission to the grounds, to remu- nerate him for his expenses. The excess he promises to lay out. in further improvements, for the accommodation of the public around this place. i -TiT'^'r^ ':"'■■" '': -1 ' I ! A LEGEND , it;v i-, OF THE WHIRLPOOL. PART L *'Ih vvakchohenry hah nakahneshtheanhabtbohy ehean hanc- teayouth wench healinahreawachereabheank." — Tuscarora'a id- iom of the Iroquois. The same in English from the book of David Cusic, a Tiiscn- rora Indi i, published in 1827. " I found the history mixed with fables. * '' ' I. ^ _ ^ In truth thou art a fearful place, Who shall thy depths explore ? Who'll pass upon thy fluctuant waves, For mines of golden ore ; From far above impetuously, The raging waters sweep, '' ' They come in their sublimity, Descending, leap o'er leap. II. In wrath and foam they rush along. Through caverned rocks they flow, And high towards the mirrored skies, The feathery mist they throw. Their noise is the wild tempest's voice, When whirlwinds sweep the shore. And far abroad the sound is heard, Like ocean's hollow roar. * A part of this Legend was published in the I'nitrd Slater Magazine of October, 1839. 11 i i 10 LEGEND OF THE WHIRLPOOL. III. Trembling, tito neighb'ring hills vibrate^ And tho impending rockB, Shake in their holds, os from the jors Of far off earthquake shocks. And when less loud Niagara's Fall Its distant echoes bound, Thon wide, the thund'ring roll is spread The Whirlpool's ceaseless sound. IV. Through earth's domain a scene more grand^ Is no where to be found. For in one narrow compass rush. Waters that empire's bound. A thousand lakes and rivers deep, Unite their powerful force. Concentrate through the gorge they plunge, Their headlong, downward course. V. ■ ^ ■ Though the Maelstrom's dread abyse No mariner will near ; Though Plegethon roared fierae and loud. Their terrors all are here. Not mightier is the Cataract,, ^ ' i: With rainbow, mist and cloud, Whose snowy sheets hang in the air, And massive rocks enshroud. To him that views this wond'rcus gulf, What glowing thoughts will spring I Awe struck, the reverential heart Will warm devotion bring. O'er chasms wide the frowning rocks On either side arise. Waves here advancing, there recoil^ Break spangling to the skies. ;.i~. '.fi A ,<-. if LEGEND OF THE VVIUULroOL. . 1' ,' '.■.(■Ji i.ij .V ;';,;■:/'. VII. Imagination o'er the view Casts round her ardent gnze^ For far beyond romance's scene, Nature herself displays. Who'll venture in that deluge stream, Who'll float upon the wave T * There is no one with reason given Would in those waters lave. VIII. For death in many frightful forms, His victims waits to win ; And all his dread machin'ry moves, Loud in the furious din. There drive and strike a hundred wrecks That one another crush, Now sucked below, now bounding up, Commingling round they rush. 11 .670: ■ IX. ■•'\&m In olden days that long have fled. When the wild forest glen Was yet in Nature's rayst'ry hid. And sheltered savage men ; ' i i Then the bold Indian armed for war With battle axe and bow, . ^ .^.■ Ranged fearless o'er his hunting grounds, Or watched his wily foe. X. ■'"■' The Iroquois of allthe tribes Extensive conquest sought, ?,: And many a bloody battle field Waa with the Hurons fought ; Between them raged perpetual war, In desert, wood, and plain, Nor did they sheath the slaught' ring knife Till ev'ry foe was slain, w .. % i^p!JJ .i:. K^m it 12 LEGEND OF THE WHIRLPOOL. XI. r When o'er the earth the flowers bloomed, And all the trees wore green, ^^\ . .; And brightly shone the suminer's sun. And lit the smiling scene ; ; ^,,^ // The merry birds melodiously With music filled the vales, And the wild blossoms' sweetness came, Borne on the scented gales. XII. Around the gorgeous landscape lay, In green, and sun, and shade ; The tenants of the wood repose Upon the mossy glade. ii 'Twas then a daring Iroquois <■ Strayed, with his forest love, Through many a vale, and green clad And many a hidden grove. xni i. Their way was near Niagara's flood Where circling eddies run , : ),, / , And many a tale he told of war. Of battles he had Won ; What sleeping foes he had surprised, How swift had flown his dart ; And love and vengeance itiingled. Were to win the maiden's heart. XIV. Right seemly moved the savage pair. As on their course they went, Ar.d still upon the billowy stream, N Admiring eyes they bent. They saw the trees of distant woods, Dismembered torn and peel'd Ride o'er the waves in ceaseless war, And ever on ihey reel'd. ..;,r \ ' copse, LEGEND OF THE WHIRLPOOL. XV. And there the gushing torrent springs, Away with deaf'ning sound, And ridged waves high vaulting rise, And o'er the rocks rebound. Convulsive billows towering fled, Fast on their wild career, And hollow circles widely spread, And opening gulfs appear. XVI. There brilliant dance the white capped waves, Their pluniaged crests display ; As broken diamonds sparkling shine, The drops of snowy spray. Beyond, is beauty's mantle spread ; Here grandeur's scene unfolds. There, vast sublimity in might. Her court in glory holds. xvn. Pleased with the view the lovers stood, No thoughts of danger rose, For distant then th« Hurons dwelt ; Their only living foes ; But then, as now, though safely fenced. And far off'ev'ry fear, Man oft reposing, little thinks What strange events are near. xvni. By them unseen, by foliage hid, Sits on the other side. An angler who with demon scorn, These happy ones had eyed. That Huron chief, for such he waa, Rose slowly from the brake, First rent the air with his shrill cry, Then, taunting, thus he spake : la ifl 14 LEGEND OF THE WHIRLPOOL. XIX. , ** Base dog of Iroquois give ear, Thou mean and palt'ring slave, , I dare thee mongrel meet me there, On yon revolving wave. When Huron meets with Iroquois, In field, or flood, or fire, He or his hated foe must die, Or feed the funeral pyre. XX. Come on, thou minion's dotard, come, Come where the whirlpool's rage— Or, recreant, bear thyself away. Nor warrior more engage." ** Braggart 1" the Iroquois replied ; Well can'st thou banter here, If thou were not beyond my reach, Thou'd die with very fear. XXL ,,.. .. ,,,, ),. ^ Show, boaster, if thou even dare. Thy wary feet to steep, ? i , In this commingling flood of foam, I'll follow on the deep ; I'll follow thee from rock to rock. And through the stormy wave ; And in some low and loathsome pit. Will lay thee in thy grave." xxn. The Chieftain heard, he bounded in. And through the tossing stream. Like a fierce serpent in his rage His fiery eye balls gleam. The whirlpool's fitful voice ascends— The waters bound away— ..„ And fleecy clouds are wafted round, Formed from the rising spray . (-.fi 1.EGEND OF THE WHIRLPOOL. -Win. ** I come ! I come I" he loudly cried ; "And if you meet me not, I'll seize you where you trembling stand, And rend you on the spot." Quick, echo bears the challenge on, From shore to shore it flies. And through the airy height it rings, And in the distance dies. 15 PART II. Kaline heanwahknyean lieanyeannat kaliakehah hah kah- netihwcah hetho hah yohrakanethe bane hah keanwahkneah liiiklia w(. an.— Tuscaroraa, gfC. 'a Who will secure the woman from the terror of the great wa- ter.— Ucrtd Ciutc, XXIV. The Iroquois cast on the maid, f Sadly, a farewell smile, :..,■, ;i Then hurried turned, and in he plunged. Where th' troubled waters boil ; And she upon that lonely strand Amazed and shuddering stood, A witness of that battle scene. On that rebounding flood. . XXV. The warriors toiling through the deep. Their onward progress urge. And nobly dash o'er whitened waves, Or ride the rolling surge — Now a strong qurrent sweeps them down, Then on the rising swell a ft. ' They buoyant mount, and wave their hands. And peel the Indian yell. 10 LEGKKD OF THE WHlRLPOOt. XXVI. Again, into Romc vortex hurled, Powerless they whirl nrounil Till gathering nil their strength j, ' * They spring and clear the deep prufQund. Their course is to the centre bent, Where the curving waters run ; And face to face and eyes to eyes,. Their way is onward, on I XXVII. And when unto the outward cfisk. The combattants arrive, They whooping loud with furious rage At one another drive. They miss their aim, and round are thrown. Round, round the Whirlpool goes ; Yet near, and nearer they approach,, And fast the circles close. XXVIII. They spread their arms, they reach their handa^ Resistlessly they go. Till grasping in the vortex' mouth, They strug'ling sink below. Down far beneath the gurgling waves. In fierce and bloody strife Foe presses foe, and hard they tug,. '^ ^ For vengeance more than life. XXIX. To noisome vaults, whose horrid sights^ No living eye can see — Where monsters dwell, and ever hold Their venomed revelry ; Through sunken woods that bristle up» And broken timbers stand. Mangled, their bodies press aloug^ DiaabLed and uxmuin'd^ LEGEND OP THE WHIRLPOOL. XXX. In many a mazy depth thoy wind, Till 'gainst a jutting crag Their bodies strike, their holds relax — Apart, they onward drag. The heaving eddies cast them up, Enfeebled they arise, ' ' And sunder'd on the surface, each. Almost exhausted lies. XXXI. Awhile they panting rest their powers, Awhile look wildly round ; Then on each other rush again. And grasp, and tear, and wound. Their gory fingers deeply press. The quiv' ring flesh they rend, And the warm crimsoned flood of lifo With the cold waters blend. XXXII. The Huron's rage without control, Exerts its utmost might ; His enemy reserves his powers, Yet doubtful is the fight. The nymph to the great spirit raised Her fervent prayer, to give. Nerve to the arm of her beloved To conquer and to live. XXXIII. On the vexed waters still they strive, And still around are driven, Sometimes submerged below the waves. And sometimes raised towards Heaven. And as the sweeping eddies turn, And as the torrent flows. Amid the din and tempest roar, Their savage yells uprose. tt .1. 1 lb LROEXD or THE WIIIBLPOOL. XXXIV. At lcn<;tli with inoru ihnn hunmn strcngtlv The IIuiou'h doadly foe, Seized on his throut and hold him down. To Huirocaio below. Hard wus ihu struggle, nncl tho waves Conicmlini,' cluiiii their prey, And o'or tho dying Huron dunce ; Tlien l)ear his corpse away. , XXXV. All helpless' floats tho Iroquois, And oft around is roU'd. Till on u Trail and broken wreck, .( f. lie faintly makes his hold. No power had ho to tempt the deep, . ; i' Flis wonted strength was gone, And ev'iy passing wave that rose, '1/ Frowned on him as its owik XXXVI. Life wanders through hisshiv'ring frume,r Just ready to depart , it trembles on his quiv'ring lips, » And flut'ring boats his heart ; But 'twas not his its parting throbs, >m 1 To wait with humbled will, r^'- And die in ling' ring agony, .;* / 1 .. As death's slow drops distil, u XXXVII. The Heav'ns in anger frowned, r -i/lj v Thick clouds a ehadowy gloom spread o'er, And gath'ring films obs<;ared his eyes, . , And hid the dibtanl: shore. ...... . The changing watcis suck below, hiJ^ While some upheaving rcse, And hideoiia noiaes whistle round, ■*' As wiiea the storuj wind blow*, LEGEND OF THE WHIRLPOOL. »» XXXVIII I Tho forest maid away hod ilcd, And up tho bank had hied — . Soon sho returns— n light canou Was to her shoulders tied. * 'Tis quickly launched upon the stream, That deep ond trcach'rous flow'd, And swiftly o'er tho crested waves, Light as a swan it rode. YVVIV Ye Spirits of the watery caves, From her your dangers stay, Grant licr ttic object of her hopes. And wafely speed her way. Shenears the dnik nndfainling brave, And 'mid the Whirlpool's roar Bhe lifts him in her fragile boat. And turns her course to shore. XL. Now if that little bark shall pass Yon disk of lucent green. The course is safe unto the land, ' No dangers intervene. ; ' » But once more down it sweeps away, Still further on it wheels — The raging torrent draws it in — ■ ■ ' Away! Awoy ! it reels. .- XLL No longer lonely is the shore. For on the wood crowned height, A numerous band of Iroquois Are ushered to the sight. It was their native village friends. That lined the towering steep, Who saw them in their peril drive, Careering o'er the deep. t '' i. 30 LEGEND OF THE WHIRLPOOL. XTJI. liOud shoutd hurst from the excited band ; Trophies of war the^ -^ar — And pennon-:; formed from human scalps, High flutter iii the air. With eager steps, and straining eyes, They line the rocky cliff, And sight, and thought, are centred all, Upon that whirling skiff. ■ XLIIf. A cry ! from oft 'he water comes. No more the oar is plied I But all erect the maiden sits. Her warrior by her side. They raise their yes towards the sky. Then on the fearful surge — Fondly embrace, then all resigned, They sing the funeral f'irge. XLIV. The bark is on a mountain wave, A moment there it rides. Then downward shoots — the scene is closed, The wreck the wster hidec. And from the Indian band there rose, Sad sounds of sore dismay ; A frightful scream of woe burst forth. Then turned they on their way. XLV. The cauldron deep boils from beneath. The foaming surface shaker — A mighty billow rolls along— ' : *. In misty clouds it breaks : Again recoils the flowing mass And turns its whelming force — Still back aiid forward, round and on. Such is its destined course. ro W£ H 8C( ah th( ar< i'Ut sw dii larj f U i LEGEND OF THE WHIRLPOOL. ■" ■"• ' ■ XLVL .'^''•"•- ^■■^• Fororer shall the wnves revolve, And high the billows Bwell ; And fancy oft amid the roa". Yet hears the India i yell. There lonely jn the hurrying stream, And en the rising hill, Are yet observed the forest's sons, To sit and linger still. 21 d, NOTES. VI. Waves here advancing there recoil, Break spangling to the sliies. Below the bank at the very extremity of the point where ♦he water turns its course from the Whirlpool, a smooth rock extends out into the stream on whicn visiters can walk to the very verge of the deep resistless* torrent.— Here is again presented one of those intensely interestJing scenes which more than any where else nature presents, along the Niagara river. Above and before the spectator the water is much agitated and the tops of the waves are wnite w"\h mist, but here, wild and frantic, the rirer iushes through a narrow gorge ; the waves swell high and sweep along with a power and noise that is perfectly astoun- ding. The river is here narrower and deeper ; the swells larger and the velocity greater than at hv^y other point.. •22 THE WHIRLPOOL. The OiitlPt — Historicnl notiec of tlie IroquoiH uniillurons. :1- X. The Iroquotg of all the tribes Extensive conquests sought, And many a hloody buttle field, Wa3 with the Hurons fought. It is a matter of history that the Iroquois, or Six Nations so well known as a most powerful confederacy of sav- age warriors, carried on against the Hurons almost a war of annihilation. There are yet many vestiges remaining in the country of the destructive character of the contests that occurred between them. At Mount Dorchester, in Canada, two miles from the Niagara river, are the remains of an ancient Indian fort or intrenchment, and within its bounds are a great number of pits filled with human bones lying promiscuously over each other, where they had un- doubtedly been thrown after some bloody engagement. — In 1G50 the Iroquois succeeded in conquering from the Hurons the whole territory between the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario on one side and Lake Huron on the other, and the Huron i that were not destroyed were entirely ex- pelled from the country. H XIV. They saw the trees of distant woods Dismembered, torn and peel'd. Ride o'er the waves in ceaseless war, And ever on tiiey reei'd. There is generally in the Whirlnool large quantities of logs, timber, trees and broken wrecks that have passed down the river. The same i)ieces sometimes remain there for weeks together, still continuing to wind their course around. But sometimes i t is entirely clear of these wrecks and nothing is to be seen but the convulsive flood. When the water is at its usual height or rather lower, the eddies are the largest and the circles take a wider com- pass and the prospect is presented to the best advantage. THE WHIRLPOOL. 23 When the Whirlpool ia seen to best ndvuntuffc It is still more imposing ofter a storm as it is then fhorc filled with trees and wrecks that have found their way over the Falls. XVIIL An angler who with demon scorn These happy ones had eyed. The Whirlpool and Devil's Hole one mile further down the river are the best fishing places with hook and line on the Niagara. XIX. When Huron meets with Iroquois, In Held, or flood or fire, He or his haled foe must die Or feed the funeral pyre. To most persons the meeting in field or flood will not appear strange, for bloody battles occur on the water as well as on land, but to meet for combat in the fire seems to be an unwarrantable exaggeration. If we reflect a mo- ment it does not appear so, and that many contests and blooody engagements have taken place between savages in burning woods and prairies is not to be doubted, as such fires in a wild and forest country are of ordinary and frequent occurrence. XXII. •'l ' Chieftain heard, he bounded in. That if ail c :currence like the one narrated in this le- gend ever took place, it may be imagined that the Iro- quois and his companion were at, or near the smooth rock where the river angles ofl^, and the Huron at the fishing ground nearly opposite. Here a stone has beon thrown across, and altho' the noise is great, yet it is sup- posed 'hat persons on some occasions could make them- solve<^ i.iderstood from one side to the other. Even at : « 24 THE WHIRLPOOL. Navigation of the Wlilrlpool. the Falls of Niagara, where the uproar is still greater and the rircr much wider persons have called across and hare- made themselves distinctly under8too