IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET {MT-3) !.0 I.I •- IM 1112.2 u 2.0 1.8 1.25 1.4 III 1.6 ■• 6" ► Photographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 872-4503 fe u,''f . I .l'„/ier MiH. y c U: \ ^^r--— \\\i -^i ;//) ^ V S^'^' "■;*ijg»I' ■ -^Sf" u #^4^ *■* •♦» ■ ■^ ^ X? - ,/ ^> ^ : 'A'- - "-— \lltilT y ^^. JJlI R£ FE R£NC£&. .Catilniirl /li'iisi . FaihUottl. ThiChtirehi*. I .I'Hfitr Mifl. > t l/t! Ml HUH I w* .y :(^: IT n !r I \ *»» r i i i flrfnit'TTr i 1--i m Hn ■ 8£ •■%. T ' ' /o ii .52. 1853. HACKSTAFF'S KEW GUIDE BOOK Of NIAGARA FALLS. ILLUSTRATED WITH A .VEW MAP AND VIEWS OP THE FALT.S. :^^' I Wt>' 'I r«K-- I NIAGARA FALLS: rDBLISHED BY W. E. TUNIS ft CO. i"853.*"' »'. m tUciUb m | iirt ii | < iiiii.ni ii(i rwn« K TO THE READER. We present to stranf^ors a new Hand-Book of tlio Falls, being a concise Directory to the many interest- ing places in this vicinity. This compilation we believe to be full and com- prehensive. We have avoided giving any labored descriptions of the Falls, or of the different scenes around, because such are to be found every where; and we think, too, that every one who visits this land of " many wonders " can himself best comprehend and describe the objects presented. Captain Basil Hall, remarks, " All parts of Ni- agara are on a scale which baffles every attempt of the imagination, and it were ridiculous therefore, to think of describing it; the ordinary means of des- oription, J mean analogy, and direct comparison, with things which are most accessible, fail entirely in the case of that amazing cataract, which is alto- gether unique." " All the pictiresyou may see," say J. J. Aud- ubon, " all the descriptions you may read, of these mighty falls, can only produce in your mind the faint- glimmer of the glow worm, compared with the over- ^oweriag glory of the meridian sun." ADVICE TO VISITORS. Much of the beauty and ffrandeiir nf ih. amo Fans . ,0. b/not .^H ^^ points at seasonable hours. anerent The reason is obvions In »„ i, ■ ^ ' has the sun in "r "7l' •. ? °*''' "'^ '?"=""»' painted in 1 nt tI tlr jj"*' 'f """"■" "« and heat is thus avoided a^;r"' ' " °' "«'" an open gaze, without paiTreffott 7°"' """ scene. '^ '*"'' o" «ie gorgeous Tliis advice is designed partieularly forthos^ »!. remain long enou"h with n. »„ i, i ror those who their leisure Thl u I *"' '" '"""<"' ''' »' ir leisure. Those who hasten away at the rlno. mere are to be found exotics and strange birds which seem to ffathcr fmm .e 2. ^''"^"ge oirds '" g^^aer trom afar to pay their homaa« at this august shrine of nature. ^ r^ TORS. Bur of the scenery them at different can side and Iria 5 half past n;on »1 to half past 5. 3ase the spectator lid reflections are ig glare of light eye reposes with on the gorgeous I7 for those who •le f follow it at ^aj at the ring- ih but faint im- s of Niagara in 2n flowers and , and all the air U3ic of birds— f strange birds 7 their homage TABLE OP DISTANCES. From Perry landing to Chippawi, - - 3 Fiom Fort Schlosser across to Chippewa, - 3 Acro««j th« River at the Falls, . - - 3.4 To Goat Island by the Bridge, . - - 58 Across the Falls on the American side, - 56 Across the foot of Goat Island, - • - 160 Across the Horse Shoe Fall, - - « 114 From the Hotels to Table Rock, - - 1^ From the Hotels to the top of the [bank, - 100 Top' of the bank down the Stair-case to the Uiver,',22 Width of the River at the Ferry, - - - 76 Up the Canada bank, - - . . 7(j From the Falls to the Mineral Springs, - 2 To the Suspension Bridge, - - - - 1^ To the Whirlpool, 3 To the Devil's Hole, Sj To Mount Eagle, ...... 4 Depth of water at the edge of Horse Shoe Fall, SO Cepth of water at the Ferry, - . - 180 Mile» (( (( Rods C( (I « Miles Rods Miles (( u (( (( "Feet Number of Steps at the Ferry, 290 Steps " Whirlpool, 85 '« « Devil's Hole, recmZ^\tlLTf\t'^^^' ''"«'> ^cis, adjoining the falhthrll°i'"', ^"■'■"pin. the shore. ' *''™« inadred feet from Atthefcitof Goat U.kJ • • ^i-^rf/e »te>-««y. Thisafforl" "'',*' '^ called the. «;go.to aposition^^oZ/'f^'^^a »afe anieasypas. vewmg thisgreatwort of naTu" "'"'^ ""'«'' ''" ine amount of wafpi. «i,; u spective falls, has been fif. K^T' °^«' ^^^ re- 100 millions 'ofrns an iou'"to Vr *^'^^' "dge, with »ese bridges dous rapids Her for his the island. Bontiguoug. ndes Bath tree huiK a wilder- ^s an eX' nd of the best view ?e, which Terrapin. 'eet from illed the 'asy pas- ther, for the re- re than can be fincipal six or GUIDE BOOK OP l^IAGAEA FALLS. ©OING THE ROUNDS. PERRY—POINT VIEW. On arriving at the Falls, on the American side, and the choice of Hotels is made — or you at once are induced' to take one of the many conveyance* direct to the Suspension Bridge— or desire first of all to cast a hasty glanee at the Fallsj^if the latter 18 your decision, then- tajw Fkll-street and pass the old Buffalo and Niagara Falls Railroad Depot, and! enter the grove beyond; the road which passes through the grove will soon lead you to the Ferry House and Point View. No one having time should omit crossing the- river; nowhere does a person realize tne height ands giwuuicuLi ui mc jCaius, 36 irom me lerry ooat. 10 I KEW GUIDE TO THE •f. POINT VIEW, boforrvou"" fe/v?. ^•'"'^ ">«=« of falling „,t,„ .place for y„„^trfi,.sVZln7T"'""""^ *''o S Point, the last residonoJ nf .f 1^° * ""^- Abbot's' •■■« near tin'., spo , whfch wa, ,'. T^'l^^ ""= 1'""'- among all others to a t fn T t-'"'' ''>' •"'"> ^om in J>isl'and.,toehanthisf.!r-f •"■" "'">'"' gnitar Of Niagara/ witir„tettTifp7el?'r.''.°'^''^" :'Jistoners. P®' ^'^t and dog as CATARACT POl^'T PoKT" ^;;t"p' '^.r »^^-''* '" the descend the bank at If " ' ^?." ""■ "'i safety - about the Fall "that I,. r ^ °'' """0 '^ no point -You ean bft? r a'p ethtc'tt 'l "'T'""^ """" '^^ can Falls at thisXL thVn ' ''"V "'^ ""' ^^O"- 'he bank, as you are neari™ !l"^^'"';''^ '»Pof for, and can watch its Snt , n^ !r' ?^ "'<' "''- into spray on the roXKI "',"'''"'<'' <^asl>es rtould beVolonged atthe F r """^ '^ -^onr stav satisfied by once vi>1tin. r f ' ^'J,'""'''' "ot be this ascend^hestcps'to the wY^f ^''''"- I'™™ to the waters ed4 aT h! / ''•'"""'""^ P^o^ed called " Table Pofnt ' at ,wr"''- ? ^''"' '^'" « carefully holding on to the I, ? P"?'' ^O" "ay by ^iew the ehas. ilotli't': ^i^l^^^ BATH ISLAND. thc^JatVirs;';: trbrnkT/tr"^"'-- '* stream, until y„i arrive at a briS ^^ """'' "P ">« rapids to Bat/l,aj:^ Thl '"0?^^:^^ i I '*- '<«{^^^' «ning waters ^^y the best at cataract, 3. Abbot's >f the Falls, y him from h his guitar 'le Goddess and dog as mds to the with safety 3 no point than this. iG Ameri- the topof ' the wa- 'et dashes •^(^ur stav Iti not be From' ' proceed fj this is may by vard and empties. on, take up the sses the Island !! rALLS or NIAGARA. ]3 twenty-fivo cents, register jour name, and thii w!5 entitle you to cross and recross as often as you iTke during your yisit, or for the current year ^ GOAT ISLAND. Proceed from Bath Island across the Bridge ^hich takes you to Goat Island. Ascend the bank Back -'wh • i'-^i' '^' "S^*' P^«« «° *« the " Hog>8 Back, which IS the extreme point of the Island hog's back. Nearly under this point, between the Biddle Stair- case and the Cave of the Winds, Doct. Hungerford of West Troy, N. Y., was killed by falling rocks While viewing the Falls from below, in May, 1830 4 M. CENTRE FALL. across this centre full tn,.-!! ^P' '""ting direct], over the narrow br.dge, and you are onLnnalslLj LUNA ISLAND. Cross to the opposite side of Luna r«1,„j j zt-^Af^"' *^^^ .ou'tMtro'/;,:- wat'er beaten rolsMow ''"" """'""'^ ^™"' "^ SAM PATCH'S LEAP. Retrace your skps to the top of the bank Pm oeed a few rods up the current, to the Sle sten/ Z^ at^ '*u "" platform raised on a ladder 9i5> feet above the water's edge; i'*uaer, y^. PALLS OF KIAGARA'. this point, to- ^ing directly Jr three Pro- Fall. Pass -Luna Island. land and you- t view of the most heart- ton, a youHjEf- ' a party of ihe daughter ;,and touch- I am going ^as to cause balance she Addington» endeavored etook thorn I of mortal ed from the ok. Pro^ idle steps., on to the itch made adder, 9Qf View looking down the River. CAVE OP THE WINDS. natt« i?/^-''°*'-'"° °^ '^^ ''"'■«'»y yo" ""1 find two ^ h tr.K ^ .»•> opposite directions. First take the path until jou arrive at the Centre Fall. Behind his sheet of water is the " Cave of the IVinda "_ If yott have the curiosity, as many have, to pass un- der this sheet of water, into the Cave, you Slav do- H inhl^tU!" "° ^"^ "' "*' VVlL speai of.- f 16 EW '^ iDI TO THE • 7^^ C^^^* ^^ '''■®' '"^ '*°^®'' *^*' <'*entriil Fall, and IS formod by A projecu. a of the rocks, ovfir which the w«tPr flows from above. The cave i. .bout eighty feet m length, by sixty in breadth, handsome- jy arcUtiJiio the base to the verge of the precipice above Tl»l» rave has been heretofore ir. accessible, except by a peuloMs adventure in a boat /rora the ferry and land mg oa the rocks between the Central and American Falls, and entering the cave on the opposite Eide, until the spring of 1849, when the proprietors of the island, at considerable expense, excavated the rocks, erected steps, and contracted the stream above in such a manner that this cave can now with ease and safety be visited by those who liave the curiosity of seeing all that may be seen, by getting thoroughly drenched with the falling spray. HORSE SHOE FALLS. ]r^en you have sufficiently studied the sublimity «;d grandeur which this point affords, return to tlw 13id'ile steps; continue your walk up the agitated stream. ]f the wind should be up the river, pro- ceed onward to the foot of the Horse Shoe Fall — Cast your eyes upwards whence this mighty torrent eomes, then downwards in its descent into the foam- ing gulf, and you will be lost in doubt whether t>o wonder most at the grandeur above, or the sublimity beiow. Such scenes are only for silent meditation Horse-Shoe '^all, viewed as a single object, is un- questionably one of the most sublime things in nature Jt IS impossible, by description, or penciling, to con-' vey an idea to the reader of the effect produced uji* on the beholder. ^ »tr»l Fall, and 3, over which lave in ihout th,hand8ome- ■ the precipice 3 ii^'iccessible, )oat /rom the a tho Central cave on the J9, when the ible expense, d contract«(i this cave can y those who y be seen, by ling spray. ;he sublimity return to the the agitated 3 river, pro- »hoe Fall. — ghty torrent ito the foam- whether *o he sublimity meditation, bject, isun* ^s in nature, ing, to con- roduced up* TALLS 01" NIAGARA. A CRASH. i: On Fri Jay evening, the 28th Jay of April, ISifJ, n lurgi; portion of projecting rock, near tlio i3iJJle Stopa toll, with a treuienJoiis era..-ih, slightly Jaina- ,t'ing the l^idJlo Stops. The largo rock that i< II Jiioa.surcJ 2.") foot in length, 12 iu width and six in thickness; it li.^s directly in iVont of tho steps load- ing down the bank, about half way from tho per- pendicular bank to th ■ water's odgo. I'horo wor« »>''.)mo veiy choice niinoial^ obtained from the roek^' *!iat fell. Tho«st'f.,: have since been repaired, and visitors may descend them with perfect safety. TERRAPIN BRIDGE. Returning to tho Biddle steps to the height of the Island, and taking a little necessary rest, proceed up the carrent until you arrive at a point called "Pros- pect place." Descend the b.nik to " 'I'errapin bridge;" pas\s over tho biiJ:;'-:in 1 a.. thid h-i^rlit, you Jmvo an ini- ])ressive view of tho l^'alls. A jrentl niaii from Troy, JV. Y., in tho winter of ir^'rj, v/hile passing over tho Bridge ^to the TQWiir, f-ll Into tJu; river, was instantly carried to the voig ' of tlii.' precipice and lodged between two rocks. ' Hugh Brewster and I. J)avy rescued him, by throwing some lines in th<; direction; he had just sufficient strength left to tie them around his body, and they drew him to the .ni'lge,, whence he was taken to the Hotel. He re- mair.' ,1 oeechles- f ^r several hours, but finally re- #v>verod . nd returned to his homo. 1 i llj ! 1 ' , ', 1 *. 18 NEW GUIDE TO THE THE FALLEN ROCIC. pre%?ntr this Vt1;^^„\rt%°^^ Idand, fell „ith a mS cTash Tbtll^f ^"'" tended from the edm ftf tL i i j . P'"'''"" <=x- boins about m jff^ wtS StTo' fe:t''''-T' tt p ec ce" ThM'"'*"^ ''°"" '°P '» ''o"'- of tvof E b„tvrCa:dS";ssf I otfrtrb{:^;:at:tti7r£f~ named abo^e. ^ ' ^ ^ aimensions TKE THREE SISTERS. Jbi. group of if dstt'h::„el Uletir^od hospitable shore, in the fllloTo/'aroer ']?i" "uW "on" tL'"' ^"■•.'^"'■PP-? (thr e"; „il'' V t e Lland In 1 . ^^>^^«^^'«S oar, to the held of ht itlhLJ f \' ""•''' disappointed, as he found e «ouId not contend with the rapids. 't]ip ln«t"^ or' ?! HE X. FALLS OP NIAGARA. ID . a portion of the :>outhsideof Goat This portion ex- toward the Towor ►ut 60 feet wide, id reaching from' fall. The next a base of about 'over. But the ^t remarkable. previously fallen 3ut 30 feet long top to bottom of became loosened d perpendicular. ids an enormous the dimensions "Iris Island, are further one of which Mr. Joel. iaMr. Allen, St upon its in- ler: Mr. A lien e miles up the sundown, and centre of the ance of escape as by steering e head of Iris us he found he rhe last resort to save his life was to make one of this group of islands. His boat dashed through the rapids witli the speed of a ratfohorse, near the outer island. He sprang from his boat, and reached the island with- out much injury. Having matches in his pocket, ho ; struck a light on the head of the island, as a signal i of distress, which was not discovered until the next morning, when a smoke was seen curling througli I the tops of the cedars on the island. As soon as°it I was made known that there was a man upon this isolated island, many of the villagers went to the head of Iris Island, to ascertain, if possible, who the unfortunate individual might be; but he could not be recognized. Upon inquiry, however, it was ascertained, that Mr. Allen had started in a skiff for Chippewa the evening before, and had not returned; and there was no doubt but that he was the unfortunate individual. Mr. Robinson began making preparations to effect his deliverance. The first attempt proved unsuc- cessful; but he succeeded in getting a boat across the rapids, by means of a cord thrown over by a leaden weight from the adjacent island, with provisions sufficient to sustain life until the following day, wiion Mr. Robinson effected his deliverance. ^ Near the foot of these Islands, on Monday morn- mg July 18, 1S52, a ti>licrman named Dan John- eon, was discovered sitting in a sail-boat, fast on a rock, a few rods below the throe islands, botwecn Croat Lsland and the Canada Shore, some 80 rods above the falls, and opposite the centre of Goat Is- hiDd and about 40 yards fVotn land. It appears he bad left Grand Inland the evening previous for the tails, but bcin;jr intoxicated, lie was iinnble to mnn- ago his boat, and was hurried down the Rapids\ and 20 NEW GUIDE TO THE most fortunately for himself, lod'/ej stream Jigl skitt, and succec against a rock mding his dangerous situa. . went to his relief, in a Johnson. - In a moVnlnTXTho ml^^e'S '''I' boat, it started off, and was carried do,V hi tro:,' " A purse of considerable a,nou„t, was madcL tZ y,s tors and Ct.zens and presented to Mr. A'^-binsl or l,,s darm, intrepidity in savins the life ofTftl! low being. " • "^ ^ '^^ iNcar ihe foot of these Wands you will ohs'^rv. nt vour left a road leading back to the brid e ' /on ' nearest route to return. Jf vou arP nnf ' 1 r .in.o you can pa. onward !o tC C' fhe^Hand' .V-ar tl,e head of the Three Sister Is and v™ .•^.11 observe a cascade which was the favor" eba™,- i^og^place of Francis Abbott, the HernTt of tL fj?',t ^Jt"^ ""■'"r •"'"^'^ Moss island, from Ih, fact that ,t IS covered with a heavy bed of mZ. NAVV ISLAND, t e IS ,,t d. At this point you will have a view of te of" f """ '^'?^''^' *'»"■'' ™^ "'>' «'<.ooth ™r. face of the water m front. But mrnini. yonr evo ^m,My. 1 1,„ fi,st ,,land you see to the rijht, near ' Canada, and contains 304 acres. This i.;linri ,.■.. .||cupied by the " Patriots" in the wimerof 183r!« HR FALLS OF NIAGARA. 21 od against a rode is dangerous situa- 3 liis relief, in a rning safolj witli man left the sail- downthe Btrearn. IS made up by tlio to Mr. Robinson the life of a fel- •u will observe «t- ^'•idgo, it isvour e not press -d for ^d of the island, ter Jsland.^, you le favorite bafh- Herniit of tlio island, from tha 3ed of moss. ? to the head of have a view of ho smooth i*ur- '■ning your ovo ids in all their the right, near It belongs to 'his island wa« Iter of 183 7-8. rcvolutioniao GRAND ISLAND. The land on the left is a part of Grand Island, 12 miles long, from 3 to 7 wide, and containing 17,- 384 acres. At the left of Grand Island is Buckhorn island; at this point it has the appearance of being a part of the same island, as the channel that sepa- rates them cannot b3 seen. These last mentioned iilauds belong to the State of New York. FORT SCHLOSSER. On the American shore at the left, you will ob- serve a rude massive chiamey, quite too large for the small white building around it. This chimney is the last re^i-raut of old Fort Schlosser, built by the French. It is about a mile distant from the head of the J.sland. Schlosser Landing is two miles distant, and U noted as the scene of the Caroline aifair. This ill- fated steamboat while lying moored at the wharf on * the night of the 29 th December, 1337, wassuprised by a party of volunteers from Canada, cut out, towed into the stream and set on fire. RESIDENCE OP THE HERxMlT. Pass around the head of the island to the Amerl cari channel, until you arrive at a log house frontin; the rapids. This was the residence of Francis Ab bott for about a year in 1820. RETURNING. Now we will recross the Bridge to Bath island. — The white building to the left is a Paper Mill be- longing to B. Bradley & Co. Jho two small island:* above Bath Mand are called Brig and Ship Ibiaud, 22 n NEW GUIDE TO THE -rom their peculiar shape; there k . TT^] connects Bath Island ^^r\th^u^ fi ? ^''''^^ ^hich to thisBridc.ei.TtL f f '^^''^^"^^ the entrance The first snTaV islL'S ,7h "pid f f ^^"^r " nearest the main shore, is o£ n^?. *^,^^%o from the circumstances of a M. n?^"".' ^'^^""^^ ^llage, having made his escano f ^^^f^^"' "^ *^^*« the island-who was thrown? '''" *^^' '^P^^« ^^ ^■hinglin.. the bridl ^ ^''^'^ ^ scaffold while -n on arl5fe:?;,----d^b,Mr. fir. adjaoontare variously namt^ K, , .? "'■''"'■ '«''i°* «f i-nportanoeattaoi^d t^f: """^^ """•<' is nothing interest. "°'' '" ""^"'. "ames will bo of no briJge, by the sidlof ,Lv,T. V° t''»'<^ftfrom the tanoe of about eighty rods!^ "''■'^''"■^' * *«- :o r THE FERRV. '"asnificen?Tiew3;f?"->'/°" .^"I Lave various and tage. "^ "^ " P^'"'^ out to jour bcstadvan- 'i> I FALLS OF NIAGARA. THE INDIAN LADDER. ilboTlt one hundred rods lielow the Falls is the oldest place for descending to the River, it is called the Indian Ladder. The Ladder consisted of a cedar tree, ly ing sloping against the rocks. The natural branches, and notches cut in the body of the tree, were the onl3C slight helps afforded to thosa who went down. The last person known to have descend- ed, was a hunter by the name of Brooks. He was in pursuit of some game which he had shot that had fallen below. Ble got about half way down, when he slipped and fell between twenty and thirty feet, and was badly injured. CATLIN'S CAVE. This cave is situated about three fourths of a milo below the ferry landing, on the American side. It was discovered in 1825, hj Mr. Catlin, of Lock- port, and bears his name. The cave is formed by the constant dripping of lime water upon the mn^H that hangs in large quantities upon the rocks, and rornis it into calcarious Tufa. The diameter of the cave is from six to eight feet, of a circular form, having in its bottom a chfystal fountain of pure wa- ter. The entrance is a circular opening, that will admit the body of a medium sized man. When first discovered, the enterance was nearly enclosed, but was enlarged by Mr. Catlin; who upon first entering, found some beautiful stalactites, and brought them as trophies of his new discovery. * GIANTS CAVE. A few rods below this cave is another, which has sometimes been called the Giant's Cave. Thia cave is elevated from ten to fifteen feet above the base of the NEW GUIDE TO Tin perpondicular rock, and itT^^ti V the constant dHn»inrof 1? • '" '' ^''""'^'^ ^•- mor^ in.n o fi " ,1^*"? 0* water; its annnnmnn.. fJl.!' ^ fire-place than an enclos Its appearanoo 'irenchod in passing the threshdd. if. ' ^ ^ "'^^ t »o- oy Doats la perfectly easy and safe. WAGARA PALLS KAILWAY AND FERRV. uiar bant of'^OO S'':":', °d/er"l7t?''''*"- «-Je the rai way' fa It „ Tr'^IT'^' '"»««>"7-be- botl, are roofed olrnl""' ",'"'" "^ ^90 steps, pin,. -™ter;o l;"LirfaS "'"/™™ "" *''P' head of tl e railwav = „ 1.^ !" " "■ ^' ""' diameter turn!^: ^^ holltr'fl^f "''s'" ^-^ J^'itlr^rtaetif^^^^^^^^ 'j* FALLS ar NIAGARA. ;rancG is guarded '; Its appearanoo closure; the back talactatite forma - r this cave, you tuat liave been >ose, bj getting liore are to ha loys in all stages ihese caves is to boat dowa the and; ascend the ou will find both 'oach them, by cular precip^ice -r; and after a the cave; but ? rocks; while and safe. ) FERRY. d at this place I a perpendio- I ow there is a of the hill to uasonry— be- >f290 steps, Vom the drip^ ove. At the- of eight fec« ;ion, arouncl tor, and 30o' ich end, and Is dowu th* 2T Good care has been taken to have excess of strength in every part of the machinery. It requires about two minutes to make the transit from the top of th« bank to the boat landing. THE FERRF AT THE FALLS. Perhaps there is not a sheet of water on the globs where at first sight the stranger would be less) liable to hazard the attempt at crossing, than at this ferry. ; Notwithstanding the impression thus made, the fad I once known that these violent waters have been fer- I ried for the last thirty years— and during that period I many thousand persons have passed on their agitated I Burface without the occurrence of accidents— whila ?the.f\irries at Black Rock, Lewiston, Youngstown, jand Fort Niagara, each have had their victiTiis, all fears must be dissipated. CHURCHES AT NIAGARA FALLS VILLAGE. Until of late Churches have been wanting at the trails, and many visitors have been in the habit of M-eturnmg to Buffalo, or of spending Sunday at some ; other place. This is no longer necessary. There in now a Presbyterian Church, a Roman Catholic, Me- thodist, Baptist, and a Protestant Episcopal, la St. Peter's, P. E. Church, one half of the seat, are reserved for strangers, and they are made wel- come in all the others. Q6 NfiW GUID%TO THE THE DRIVE. terelr n^tf r '""^"^*^^ ^^^ *« ^11 the places of in- on tt A .^""^^^fte neighborhood of the Falls tI Ar. '^^^''^stinS on the same sMe. nl SDrinr^L W?m'"^". ^r';^^^? ""^ ^«"^^^"« Miner- To most of these places carriarres run rerrnlarl^r cr conveyances .an at all times he obtaLd" ^' elLrnf T)f "/ f«^^^i«it^^nt« who do not avail them- •s thev wjn ' P^'"'"'.? '{ ^ J^"^* *« ^b^«<> points, and ^^ they will necessarily demand from us some notioo ••'0 will speak concisely of each. VILLAGE OF BELLEVUE to the attraction rtho pi e^'^'i';T"'ft-''tS '"""'' Ii.iH lioor. i„„ 1 . pi-'oa, and attoiding what aas ,een long needod, a pleasant stopping plac,. for «rangors^a„.J other, visiting the Briigl ■'iCHouse rMrf I>! r . , "''^''' """^ "' "le entrance to the road leading to the steamer Maid of the .).«/, it is a ■■■'■ l^ALLS OF NIAGARA, 2T the places of in- od of the Falls a ride to other side. BellcvuG Miner- e, Mount Eagle run regularlj, btainod. not avail them- lese points, and us some notice E. nt view which and which has ^ large Hotel , adding much itfording what 3ing plac-j, for . The House latcd within a itranco to the rj .eautifully furnished, has a large pleasant dinin- oom and a parlor on the first floor, from which voa look ou upon one of the most magnificent view^ in .the world— Niagara Falls in the distance. .! A lovelier prospect God never made, through a ^ng, narrow, winding gorge, whose banks are cloth- ed m dark rich green, with bold points here and there uttmg ouf, whose profile shows them covered with iiagnificent trees, rising one above the other, dimin- tive in appearance but lofty in realitv. Far away -retches the blue waters of Niagara; reflecting in ^s placid bosom the lofty forest crowned height* ^hich adorn its sides, till suddenly the view is stop- led by a white wall of foaming water over which angs floating like a snow cloud, a wreath of mi.-t Which hovers round it like a crown of glory \Vb jannot do justice to it so we stop. From the dinin- i^om we ascend to the next story, whore throu water surpasses ostructiv(3 to thu bury themselves uco, the cause of the fruitful germ lese it eradicates, d giving an un- mind. by the Sulphur ng, so sedative, he greatest iu- IILL. does, makes it a below the ma- 'upled totrether, et. nomena, and a omitted. Thtf PALLS or NIAGARA. 33 river here makes an abrupt bend, and the force of ;*he water has worn out a very large bagin in which tlie water constantly revolves; and in which logs, timbers, and other wrecks which are precipitated mer the Falls, and dead bodies are also often drawn into this place, and continue to move round with the •timber and wrecks together. DENTIL'S HOLE. i This gulf is about half a mile below the Whirl- Iwol. There is a saw-mill standing at the edge of * f 1 ^^?>, ^^^^^ ^ ^^"^®^ ^y ^^« ^ater of a brook tailed Bloody Run. It has its name from the battle ♦bat took place there between the Indians and British. CHASM TOWER AT. MOUNT EAGLE. This Tower, erected in the summer of 1849 for the sole purpose of extending the view over one of *he most interesting prospects in the world, is built tipon a knole of land, called " Mount Eagle ' ' U •tands close to the perpendicular bank of the Niagara river, 100- rods north the Devils' Hole. The top of the lower to which the spectator ascends by flights Of easy and convenient stairs, is about 400 feet from the waters edge. There k no view so complete of the gorge of the ^lagftra river, and the scenery around as this: and being m the very centre of many great events, it is tthebestpomt of any ether to call to mind the battle ^grounds of this country, and to describe other inter- esting localities, as this site affords a just conception "Of their relative positions, whether hid from view or ^en by tae eye. Instead of dispersing through our «m^.u publication m separate articles, the subjects tier* notiftpd wn »;ii „« u-t_it ,.' . i^jc^,i. J ,,^ „„^^ „3 ^^ uuhoia ine varied pros- ^K«3' 34 NEW GUIDE TO THE • 1 • i h:\\ pect from Chasm TowoT^^^^^iih^^^^^^^ gle some interesting reminiscences of the past f)nlfrln^^n*^'i"^'*^ i^^.^ ^^^ P^««^« ^^'^ss Lake Ontario, 40 miles, and by the help of the Telescone m clear weather the City of Toronto can beTbserv- It. r'^P"^' 1^^^^' r^^^ ^^^' t>een seen the fleet under Commodore Chauncey, conveying the army of Gen. Deai-born to York, now Toronto, and the Ltett^^"^ ^' ''' ^''^^'^ mighthavebet f hf Sit ^^^ ""^^ T^P^ ^^^°S t?Je distant shore of the lake easterly till the land is lost sight of, and the dark^expanse of waters appear as bolndle^s as Ihe 3rd. To. the west the view extends to Burlington Bay and the head of the lake. ""in^ion 4th Four miles east of Fort Niagara is the Four M.Ie Creek^ At the mouth of this creek the BrS regulars and Provincial auxiliaries Innded and en- trenched themselves in 1759, in their advance upon Fort Niagara then in possession of the French -~ m nt IhTqI '/f' Col. Chrystie landed .ith his regi- ment 111 39 batteaux, in October, 1812, a few davs before the battle of Queenston. The Colond was we " nTkin'^" ^'^* ^f ^^' -^ ^- -g-enl tla were not killed, were also made prisoners. And here may be mentioned a most singular want of man- agement in providing boats for the^conveyance oTou occasion A large number of batteaux had been built at the Falls for this expedition, yet 13 boati were only ready. The forces' were f;rHed over in these, but as day dawned, and the enemy were ci- abled, and before the battle was over the whole were iff; [E lescriptions, min- of the past. iea across Lake of the Telescope to can be observ- 5en seen the fleet jeying the armj 'oronto, and the might have been distant shore of sight of, and the )oundless as the ts to Burlington gara is the Four reck the British Innded and en- r advance upon the French. — ;d with his regi- es, a few days le Colonel was s regiment that risoners. And r want of man- iveyance of our 'anada on that aux had been , yet 13 boa ti erried over in lemy were cn- were soon dis- he whole were FALLS OF NIAGARA. 35 wrecked, destroyed or lost. The 39 boats of Chrystie's *orps at the Four mile creek, only 11 miles distant lay unused; and those built at the Falls were noticed a few days after, strung along the road at different places to to the very brow of the mountain. No doubt the disaster which happened at Queenston was helped on by the want of means of transporta- tion. *^ ^ 5th. The ruins of Fort George, distant 8 miles, /*re now but just discernable, so completely are the porks dilapidated, yet at the commencement of the ^ar, the Fort was the strongest and most complete ifotrification of any this side^ of Quebec. 6th. The village of Newarjk, noiv known by the name yf Niagara, is seen between Fort George and the lake. The battle of the 27^1 of May, 1813, took place near the Lake shore,'a rtile west of the village, and was for our arms a mbst^ViUiant affair. *or three days previous an incessant fire of red hot shot had been kept up from Fort Niagara, the salt battery at Youngotown, and the other batteries, on this side, upon B^ort George and the British works: and nearly every building oocupied by their troops was rendered untenable, or was burnt down. At sun rise on that day the American fleet was anchored out m the Lake, and two hundred boats under cover of the fire of the fleet, proceeded towards the short- at the same time a terific cannonade was kept up from the American side. This scene, with the glo- rious sun just rising, clear and effulgent, is described by those who behelu it, as being inexpressibly grand and absorbing the very soul with the intensity of the emotions which it excited. The troops landed, rushed up the bank, and their impetuosity soon drove the^enomy from the field. ^ J y" 7th. A mile from the Fort on the American sids ' ^^''^-■-- «^ -I,- 36 NEW GUIDE TO THE is Youngstown, where was a large, effective h&tt^v' ca led the - Salt Battery- having beenrfirSe wih about 500 barrels of salt, Covered ovoj wUh earth. It mounted two 18 pounders. nA^u' u^riJ"'^^' *^^' "'^^ ^^ Fort Niagara is one pf the old battle ground* of the French and Euam n which m 1759, the English gained a most f ct sive victory over a body of about 1500 men wh^ TLZ'^''' r^ -'r '^' ^««'^^° posts of t£: b rench to reinforce the Fort. 9th. The Five Mile Meadow, a -mile farther nn the river. At this place, after the American victor J obtained at Fort George, the Dragoons belonginftj pursued They made good their retreat, with their arms nnd some of their artillery and stores 10th Part of Lewiston is seen, but Queenston ics under the brows of the hill, and is hid Sght but where the steam ferry boat now crosses theXr the ,. oops were ferried over to the battle of the 13th 0^ October, 1812. The conflict commenced between one u.d two o'clock at night, and continued tU four clock m the afternoon. Gen. Solomon Van R ns- solaer was wounded and disabled from advancing at ''elf about half way up the high bank of the the Zr:.Tr ^""^''T P?^"* *^ ^^ seen from thisplae^ and called over with a loud voice for his comrades Z arms to advance to the battle. Lewiston Suspension Bridge. 11th. In full view raise? up Brock's Monument broken and shattered, from the heights of Queenston IheC neral and his Aid, McDonald, re?t beneath rts foundation. Brock met his fate about fifty rods .::^.iim-is^^mi IB effective batterj, been at first made )yered oyer with ;rs. 5rt Niagara is one ench and English ned a most deci- 1500 men, who >rn posts of the I •mile farther np f\.merioan victory )ons belonging to enemy was not streat, with their 1 stores. but Queenston is hid from Fight; crosses the river ittle of the 13th menced between ►ntinued till four mon Van Rens- )m advancing at He seated him- ank of the the ifrbm thisplae« his comrades in w crosses is th« 's Monument, 'of Queenston. i, rest beneath bout fifty rods PALLS or NIAGARA. 37 feelow the monument, near a cherry tree on the sido 0f the hill in the rear of Queenston. Below the iiountain and beyond Queenston, on a point of land •bove the river, u the remains of Froman's battery; It did great execution on the day of the battle, and •t the close of the tragic result, when many vainly ittempted to swim the river. 12th . On the Lewiston heights was a heavy battery failed Fort Grey, in sight, a mile and a .half from llhe Tower — -it was named after Col. Grey of tho mcmj under whose direction it was built. A con- liant but not very effective fire was kept up from it 4uring the battle of Queenston. 13th. From the commanding site of the Tower, Uiagara river is viewed for 1 1 miles, commencing dl the Whirlpool, and running torrent-like through tffi deep chasm to the termination of the mountain l^dge ; thence to Lake Ontario the current is strong ind unless agitated by the wind, iscimoothand clear, just as it connects with the lake, the small point of knd on which old Fort Niagara stands, and where mQ American Flag is still seen to wave, jets from ahe east and intercepts the eye from tb^ river as it enters the lake. Of the many great and astounding events that have taken place at the this old fort they eiannot be enumerated in this short detail of localities. 14th. At the base of the tower passes the old JPortage road, the oldest road in the country, and irst travelled and formed by the French It is now •onverted into a plank road to run from Lewis- ton landing to the Falls. The location of the respec - tive terminations are in view. 38 li'i r NEW GUIOe to the INDIAN VILLAGE. 15th Three miles from the Tower is the Tasca- rora Indian village, the intervening wood prevent t bemg seen. These Indians are pLtl/chrS. votes L;I.' 'P""'^^''^^^' *^«te for music with good voices; and their women employ much of their time m the manufacture and sale cf bead work ' ' nn fi. D . ^ ^"^"7*^ ^^"^^ °o^*b f'om the Tower March In fh '''^' ^'i ' ^^° ^^ *^« ^'^^oi March, In the war his family had escaped and ' horr^P'""^ ''^''''^ and^as hSsin'g Hi horses when a party of British Indians rushed upon him and slew him. Some American stragglers about two weeks after venturing back and wanferTng over the desolation which had been made, found the^hl^ ther.:?F '°. '^' 'T'^' '^ *^^- owner, wS they gathered up and interred. n^il:? T^^'"" ^ '*^°^'' ^^'•^^ *^« 'oa«. 'I 'li i A2 NEW aUJDE TO THE improvement has already accomplished much vet her work is just begun. Suspension bridges, rail- roads, the Erie canal on one side, its deep rock cut- ting, and on the other the Welland ship canal con- necting Erie with Ontario. Within the same circle are the cities of Buffalo, Toronto andHamiltontand there soon will be the cities of St. Catharines/ and l^ockport, and villages too numerous to mention — Ihe world may be challenged to sho- greater works or more noble enterprises than is presented within these limits. With the great Falls of Niagara, the extraordi- nary capacity ofthisportion of country, and its great adaptation to the enterprize of man, no limit can be set, and no true conception can be formed of its fu- ture greatness. If so much has been done in the infancy of the country, what may not be anticipated with its unrivaled advantages, of its maturity. CANADA SIDE. Though we have incidentally referred to many things belonging to this side, and which willilot need repeating, yet we shall be happy to accompany the mquirmg tourist still further, and furnish him with a full epitome of the various objects of attraction to be found m this locality. LOCAL DISTANCES Prom the water's edge, to tbe Clifton House, — - 160 rod* From the Clifton House to Table Rock, 22O " From Table Rock to Lundy's Lane battle ground,.-^ mile.. To the Burning Spring, gi «« To Chippewa, . . „ 3 «. To the Whirlpool. . .JJZ:^^^ To Brock's Monument, » „ Number of Spiral Steps near table Rock, 87 shed much, jet )n bridges, rail- 8 deep rock cut- ship canal con- the same circle dHamiltonf and Catharines, and 5 to mentio^. — '" greater works resentdl within the extraordi- •ry, and its great no limit can be armed of its fu- en done in the >t be anticipated maturity. jrred to many jh will ilot need iccompany the •nish him with of attraction to J, 160rod« 220 " 3und, — 1| milef. 2i « , 3 " 4 mile«. 7 .. 87 o > o lit i I i i I t riLLS or NIAGARA. 4» Should we take our course from the Ferry, there a carriage road which passes up the bank. Haeki re always to be obtained, and you can either walk |r ride. The Clifton House stands at the top of the lank, and should you feel disposed to call yon will fod yourself pleased with your reception and enter- Mnment. You will now proceed up the stream, and just thit j^dc of the Museum, Misi Martha Rugg, in com- pany with another lady and a gentleman, on the 24th ff August, 1844, passed along the bank. A flower 0r branch attracted her attention; she stepped asido |o pick it; her foot slipped on the edge of the pre- iipico and she fell on the rocks below. When reached ♦llie breathed^ but soon expired. J A little further up, is I BARN^TT'S MUSEUM. Of natural and artificial curiqpities; a place detierviiig patronage. The Museum is admirably arranged, and fepresents a forest scene, containing upwards of ten Hiousand specimens. There are bipeds and quadru- peds; birds, fishes, insects, reptiles, shells, minerals, •nd Indian curiosities. A colle^ction of living snakea Ipay also be seen. Live Buffaloes, and an endless i 46 NEW GUIDE TO THE Yariety of Birds. Attached to the Museum is a Camera Obsoura, Green House and Garden. One of the beat views of the Falls is obtained from the piazzas of this Museum. Mr. Barnett keeps a good house of refreshment, and an assortment of Indian work for sale, and is polite and attentive to visitors. Near the Museum is a spiral stair-case, construc- ted for the purpose of enabling visitors to descend and pass behind the sheet of water. Dresses for the purposes arc furnished by Mr. Barnett. PROSPECT HOUSE. A few rods from the Museum, is the establishment of Mr. S. Davis; ever aiming to gratify the public, he has erected a Camera Obscura and Observatory upon his grounds to aid visitors in looking over the river and falls at this point. Mr. D. furniehes guides and dresses to those wishing to pass under the sheet of water. TABLE ROCK. Proceed a short distance further, to a building near the Horse Shoe Fall, and you are on Table Rock. A mass of Table Rock, 160 feet in letigth and from 30 to 40 feet in width, fell off in July. 1S18, with a tremendous crash. On the 9th of December 1 828, three immense portions broke from the horse shoe fall, causing a shock like an earthquake. An- other large portion fell in the summer of 1829, and the noise it occasioned was heard several miles: and still another in 1850. Yet judging from the publish-- ed accounts of the falls, which reaeh back nearly two hundred years, there has been but very little re- cession of the falls within that neriod Snm« ^.o.» FAI.L8 OF NIAGARA. 47 ^Qoe the person who kept the winding staris at Table Lock, said, that on a certain day, he should put a [umber of kegs of powder in the fissure of the rock id blow it o£f. It would have made a tremendous [rash, but the gentleman who owned the principal iterest in the privilege, would not allow it to be lone, as it would put an end to the charm of the llace — the visit under the sheet of water. From the top of Table Rock House, you have one Iroad and imposing view of the whole falls, and much |f the scenery of the rapids and islands. If you are disposed to descend, you will proceed the spiral stair-case; and if you wish to pass 153 jet behind the falling sheet, you can do so, the pro- irietor will furnish you with a dress and a guide. If jot, you can descend the steps, take the path to the light, and go to the edgo ef the falling sheet. Above jou hangs Table Rock — a fit place to think of the [word of Democles. It was upon Table Rock that these beautiful line» Mrs. SiGouRNEY were written: Flow on, forever, in thy glorious robe Of terror and of beauty. God hath set His rainbow on thy forehead, and the cloud Mantles around thy feet ; and he doth give Thy voice of thunder power to speak of Him Eternally — bidding the lip of man ^, Keep silence, and upon thy rocky altar pour Incense of sweet praise. When satisfied with, the scene above, below and round you, retrace your steps, and if you think Jroper to avail yourself of every advantageous point 0f view, ascend to the promenade on the top of the Clifton House, where you can revel in thoughts of ^lis exhibition of nature's sublimity and power. i K%1 r ill! Pi 4S NEW GUIDE TO THE BURNING SPRIWt. cbulation; from it issues a stream of hydrogen gas match ^^^^ ^ '^ ^^ *^' '^^^^ °^ a burning LUNDY'S LANE BATTLE GROUND. Two Observatories, before alluded to, designate this ground. These observations invite the patron- dge of the stranger, they were built for his accom. modation, and the prospects which they aflford ar« pleasing and extensive. For carriages to these places, or any others which the traveller is disposed to visit on this side, he will . i ^ ^'' advantage to apply to the Clifton House at the P alls, or the Elgin House at the Suspension w!n'?K '^°^?^*' , ^"^^r«. acting as guides, rela- ting all the incidents connected with the different points, will make your ride more agreeable and in- •©resting. iJ.o^r'"!^'?''^'^ *^ ''*"'°^ ^^ P^«« ^own, viewing that beautiful prospect of the Falls and river from Victoria point, and note the varied scenery of the rock-bound shores. ^ « BENDER'S CAVE, Is one mile from the Clifton House. Near the top ot the bank you descend a ladder ten feet, and take • a path which eads you into the Cave. Returning to the upper bank, you will find enough to attract your attention until you arrive at the Suspension Jiridge. Jf you do not please to stop at the Elgin Hotel, you can at your leisure pass the bridge, and when over you will find carriages in waiting to W vej you to the Falls. * ^ "i J I IE 'n. iter is in constant 3f hydrogen gas, ch of a burning GROUND. led to, designat« avite the patron- ilt for his aecom- they aflford ar« any others which this side, he will he Clifton House k the Suspension ; as guides, rela- ith the different 'reeable and in- 8 down, viewing and river from 1 scenery of the Near the top n feet, and take ve. Returning lOugh to attract the Suspetreion Dp at the Elgin the bridge, and waiting to cwu- OBSERVATORY — LUNDy's LAnE. „ If m FALLS OF NIAGARA. 51 THE WHIRLPOOL. "N^ew of the Whirlpool, 'he Whirlpool is three quarters of a mile, by the ik of the river, north of the Village of Bellevue; by the rOad and gate, by which travellers always ^ort to it, it is a quarter of a mile farther. It is impossible to give anything liSe a description [this place that will convey an adequate idea of the rific sublimity by which it is distinguished. As a ^at natural curiosity it is second only to the Falls lifferent, indeed, in every respect, but which no desirous of being acquainted with the Niagara ^ait, will omit visiting and beholding for himself. lOugh it is much beneath the dignity of these |nes to compare their greatness with what is trifling, for once may the presumption be allowed. — le Niagara River is like a juggler or a mountebank: iiiittracts large and enthusiastic audiences, who como ft»l of expectation and depart highly gratified, -^he bill of its exhibition is a rhapsody of para- ^xcs: ^t comes, passes, and goes,yetis always before you. |It is always swelling, yet it enlarges not, nor bursts. 52 NEW GUIDE TO THE It is always boiling, yet its waters are ever cold.— So with its anger— very firm but always cool. Though without mental excitement, it is much moved and greatly agitated. Without feet, it dances; ind without an instra- ment it keeps time to its own music. It aspires not, and yet its breath arises in wavmg clouds, and wets wirh dew the surrounding trees. ^ It weeps without eyes, and mpans without passion or foelinc. It cradles and rocks without babies or children. Its curtain or sheet is neither spun nor wove. It has no cohesion , it is sustained neither by bands or cords, yet fhere it hangs, still passing away, and still ever hanging there. * , ci d ♦ k In its tremendous leaps it exceeds Sara 1 atcn, yet its groate!?t leap is a mighty fall. After falling, it rolls without wheels, runs without feet, sprinr.i.r,..^J ii^i 56 NEW GUIDE TO THE ^ BROCK'S MONUMENT, This is an edifice built of freestone, 126 feet in height; standing on Queenston heights, 6^ mile» north of the Falls, opposite th« village of Lewiston. This monument was erected on the spot where the memorable battle of Queenston was fought, on tho 13th day of October, 1812, in which the Britiph General Brock and his aid de camp McDonald fell ; whose remains were deposited beneath this towering edifice. This monument was erected by the Legis- lature of Upper Canada, at the expense of about $15,000 in honor of their hero, who there fell in battle. On the night of the 17th of April, 1840, this magnificent structure was blown up with gun- powder by some unknown miscreants, and is now in complete ruins ; the shaft is split from top to bottom; the dome has fallen, with most of the balustrade; the table stone split through the centre; the keystoneis thrown entirely out; the spiral steps lie at the bottom of the hollow shaft, a heap of ruins ; the powder was supposed to Lave been poured into the interior of the monument through an opening which was left in the wall to admit light, the lowest opening being some fifteen feet from the base ; the powder W9» poured through this opening upon the steps within^ and a match inserted and fired from the ground, which would give the perpetrator a chance to escapo before the explosion ; the door at the top of the monument happened to be open which accounts for its not being levelled from the foundation. The perpetrator of this deed of shame, in thaa. disturbing the ashes of the illustrious dead, was sup- posed to be the notorious Benjamin Lett, who wast setencedto Auburn State Prison, for nine years, for attempting to burn the steamer Great Britain, whili^ Ivinsr in the nort of Osweoro- on I^ake Ontaria. rf -S3 -fS' ' m brock's monument. / isto whi Lai I was con vUI; 1 mos Nia side rum into com 10 \ the thou feet, worl side of E PALLS OF JJIAGARA. LEWISTON. 69 American Hotel, and Steamboat Landing' Seven miles belov the Prills is the village of Lew- iston. It lies upon a beautiful trae t o'f country which extends south .from the mountain ridge to Lake Ontario, and east and west two hundred miles. Lewiston, before the building of the Erie Canal* was a place of considerable importance. Upon the completion of the canal, this trade ceased, and the vulage has increased but slowly. The Suspension Bridge, at this point, is one of the most remarkable works of the day. Spanning the iNiagara, it is supported by ten cables— five up°on a side—resting upon towers of cut stone, the ends running into the earth, and secured to anchors drilled into the solid rock, six or seven feet. Each cable is composed of two hundred and fifty strands of No. 10 wire, placed parallel and firmly bound together the whole length, by another wire. The distance between the points of suspension, or span, is one thousand and forty feet; width of road-way, twenty feet. This, the longest suspension bridge in the world, was erected by a few gentlemen upon each % T.^\tr ^i^^^' ^° 1850, under the superintendence of E. W. Serrell, C E. 60 NEW GUIDE TO THE EXPENSES. A delicate subject. Some people complain of be- ing taxed at every turn. They go on the Island tor 2o cents; on the Whirlpool grounds for 25 cents; on Chasm Tower for 12 j cents; visiting and viewing those three unparalleled scenes, they pay but litile more than half as much as they would have to pay O'e Bull for an hour's fiddling. There is no imposi- tion in this, and it is a fair sample of other like char- ges. The 50 cents paid for the trip on the Maid of the Mist is very low, and has never remunerated the proprietors —the trip is worth a dollar to every man who has the money, and can afford to pay it, and he should give it voluntarily. As to the Hotels at the Falls, it is believed they are not surpassed by any, and that their charges, if there is any difference, aro more moderate, though jastiee entitles them to higher rates as they do but three op four months business is the year. Ferriages, Bridge tolls, Omnibus fare. Hack hire, Steamboat and Railroad fare, people have to pay every where, and to pay them should not at the Falls be considered as peculiar. That a certain class do practice impositions here, as they do every where, is not to be doubted; the experienced traveler only can guard against such. The sura of the matter is, that every prudent man can regulate his expenses at the Falls, as well as at any other place, according to his wishes or his means, without grumbling, which is too nearly allied to meanness to be practised by a gentleman. FALLS OP NIAGARA. 61 SCHLOSSER. At Schlosser, two miles above the Falls, was an old Fronoh fort ; this passed into the hands of th« English, and an old chimney ia still standing which belonged to their mess-house. Chippewa, a small Canadian village is directly op- posite this place. Just above the village are the Plains of Chippewa. This was thebattle°j^round on the 5th of July, 1814, of the Americans under Gen. Brown, and the Engli.sh commanded by Gen. Rial. At this place two small streams empty into the Ni- agara; the uppjr one is called Street's, and the lower and larger Chippewa Creek. Jnst below this point, commence the Rapids of the Niagara; the descent of the river being fifty feet before it reaches the brink of the great fall. Visitors sometimes express surpii^se at the short dis- tance the Falls can be heard ; this depends altogether opon the state of the atmosphere. During fine, dry weath&r they are heard but a short distance; but jusi before a storm they can be heard from sixteen to eighteen miles. It has passed into a common saying in the surrounding country, " We are going to have a Btorm, the Falls roar so loudly. '» # 62 NEW GUIDE TO THE USEFUL COMPENDIUM. The Falls are 22 miles from Buffalo, and 14 from Lake Ogntario. They are in lat. 43®. 6' N. and long. 79®. r W. from Greenwich. The Fall next New York shore is 56 rods wide and 167 feet descent Luna Island adjoining is 20 yards in width, and the Center Fall about 10 yards. Goat Island is about 80 rods, and the Horse Shoe fall IS a i of a mile in a direct line across to Canada, or i mile following the curve. This fall has a per- pendicular descent of 164 feet. It is estimated that 113,510,000 gallons of water pass the Falls per minute. The depth of the water on the verge of the Horse Shoe Falls is estimated at 20 feet. The depth of the water below the Falls is 250 ft. The Fulls are often distinctly heard at the distance of 25 miles; have been heard at Toronto 44 miles. The cloud that rises at the Falls has been seen from Lake Erie, 100 miles distant. Th*? oldest dates found on the rocks at the Falls are 1711, 1726, 1745; on a tree on the island 1745. Iris or Goat Island, received its name of Goat Island, from having some goats put on it in 1770. The river falls from Lake Erie to Chippawa 20 ft. From thence to the Horse Shoe Fall (one mile) 154 feet; from thence to Lewiston 102 feet, making the whole descent from Buffalo to Lewiston 321 ft. Persons known to go over the Falls formerly was about 2 in a year. Of late years the number has in- creased to about 4. It was some years ago supposed that people could ramble up and down these b^ks, and pass under the overhanging rocks with impunity, as no accident had FALLS OF NIAGARA. ^3 .„i'?..'''f'*"' '" "-'' Goat Island by moonlight- and the Lunar Bow which is formed in th J H. 7 spray of the Falls should be seen ""^ Jn the winter season the incrustations of the trees with congealed spray forms an unique and p'cS seene on which account, many people declare that Jie^wmtry viewof the falls is ipUr tothT'sim-' l.-.^^ '"=';''y?«r of the Falls is not known, theear- lies^t^ description of them is by Father tt^^J, F«?ir?i,''"'P'^ "" ^'^^PPoint""! npon hearing the Falls; they expected to hear a deafening roar h* rd?'rtLn1er'"|[iS tt t^''^' "' ^°''-' -» .likethe racing t^SVst\r4';c^on^:l»4^ falling water always jar the buildings in the nei "hbor 'o'^ftS^'' ^°"'^«-»^l^- and at'oth"e™ mo*. . *1,„^-^* n?^",""",^ """ ''^^'"■''g Pfeaching in the Me thod St Chapel; he held on until a late hour and at length observed, " you may think I am detahiin^ you, but as none would like to venturrn,Tf in ?^ severe storm which is prevailing I !i?!iT ^- ° ""* remarks" OneofhL''h"a™:lTL[ t'orawTndo? esofXtlt^.^r P^^P-gth^ough the branch: of wind r* ?. """" ""'■ ^^""•'"''l ^y a breath Canada side i:, Jlo l^ie" o'" '"""""' ""'^ *" ""^ a4 NEW GUIDE TO THE CAVE OF THE WINDS. This cave was first discovered by Joseph W. lii- graham, Esq., who gave it the name of the Cave of the winds. It was first entered by Mr. Geo. Sims and Mr. B. H. White of Niap^ara Falls villan^. They passed over the rocks, and through a part of the sheet of water. It was, they alloged, difiicult and hazardous, but they acknowledged themselves fully rewarded in the new and magnificent scene which the lofty cavern presented. It is near one hundred and twenty feet wide, about thirty feet deep and a noble arch hang- ing over head eighty feet high and the sheet of water rolling in front. This cave has been heretofore inaccessible, except by a perilous adventure in a boat from the ferry, and landing on the rocks between the centrr' and the American Falls, and entering the cave on the Ofpposite side, until a few years since, when the pro- prietors of the island, at considerable expense, ex- oavated the rocks, erected steps, and contracted the stream above in such a manner that this cuve oan now be visited with ease and safety. Guides and oil eloth dresses can be had on the inland, for passing to the cave ; and in going under the sheet of water in the afternoon, when the sun is shining a perfect circular rainbow is visible. Visitors can pass out and stand in front, from wiiich the view is grand and sublime. One great curiosity of the Cave of the Winds, is the innumerable quantity of ec Is that may be seen Upon first entering, piled in heaps, basking in the rushing spray, but immediately disappear in the rapids upon any disturbance. m Entrance to the Cave of the Winds 5 181 m am Jar| guli sav/ the low( lane lord ol us pare liiije pure brarj and rema after Islun Thre ed fi( he toi biiildi Thus seclua There secrati (one sontrj all hoL twecn FALLS OF NIAGARA 67 FRAISCTS ABBOTT THE HEHMir OF T'lF r- ra the X'of nS^P?!,,'"'''" ^r '"'P""-- - 1829, iu?Le aftor^Sr. L " a'« :■;„ '^ /""■ "^ -f"-. appearaneo, di-psscd ; , .. i , " "'Prepossessing arm a roll o^ fa air '™*^' '"/f «<>''"> ""-d^ ^i^ large book/wLil-;;: ;,,';:j;':^'' * ""'« and a gular appemauee itt 'tl', 1 ,. '"'SSag"- "« sin- saw hi,, ; he Basso?! .1 • ''" """"">"' «<■ all "ho lower pait of th,. vi I, n f '"" ""^ '" <1'« landlord for a week ,, f,;', :"«"«':'* " '•°»"' "f the lord, the room he,; J ','''"'"'; '""' *'"' '""'l- olusively, and but an," J ^V\ ^^ ^'' O"" «" pared b^ the flit'- ,'"' '^""^ "''''^ to bo pre- lage lib/a,.y, 'r' •;, 'f« "'» ''Pai.ed to the vil- parehasod a violt,^''. 1^^''^"""""^ l'«"t«, and brary a^aiu ;^ "4 "-^ ''"-^'' '"^ ™i'*d the Ji- remaiaina a monC, '„„I „ ?' ■""' ■'"» '"'ention of Inland, io buiu'^: ™n:'\f "'f rr'"""' "f 1'- Tbveesistc.sO wVoV n,W.'1- , ' ^""' "^ "'« eJ from h„,„an so ■idvh" '''"'?'''"/' ""^ '^«-I«d- !>« took up l,is ,-esid .,fc'o '" n"''"^ = wlKTcupoa Ihusnoartwo v-nr«^ I... .v • • ''^ island.— ?-'"-n, the so^it':!: r;:,t'." ■?;'"-' i-f«" Ihere are cntaia spot, on ■ """'"? ■"'^^at.- 8emt,.d to his m,M., '.''•'"'"' tliat are con- (one of the Th, oe ;:;. kT" 't "'•"\.':'°^^ '-^'aftj, ssnti-y's lonely r-nn.rr,,,^''' «t>e,-o " he trod the all hours of theV.:- j . ''„' ,W H"'S'f ,*''« y^'^' "'"l tw«n Jus and J.,:! I ,.,"':^' .. ""j .''"i« ^"^'■•ado be- 68 NEW GUIDE TO THE f|r batliiDg. At all hours of the night he could be Been walking, at a rapid pace from one end of Ter- rapin Bridge to the other. At that time Terrapin Bridge extended over the vergeof the precipice, and a single^timber eight inches square extended from the main bridge some eight feet ; upon the extreme point of this projecting timber, he would be seen carelessly sitting at all hours of the pight, and some- times hanging under it by his hands and foet for ten minutes at a time. After having passed two winters upon this inland undisturbed, he left it, in consequence of a family moving into the house he occupied, and built him a rude hut on the main shore, near Point View, where he resided until his existence was terminated by drowning, near the ferry landing, while bathing, at two o'clock, P. M. on the tenth day of June, 1841. Ten days afterwards, his body was found at Fort iN'iagara, fourteen miles below the Falls; recognized, brouglit back, and decently interred in the luvial ground of this village. After his decease, a number of citizf^ns repaired to his cabin ; the door was guard- ed by his faithful dog, his cat occupied his couch, his books and musical instruments were scattered in confusion around his hut; but ho scrap of writing could be found to reveal his secrets ; not even his name. It is said lie composed much, and always com- initted it to pap^r in Latin, and destroyed them as Boon as composed. But very little of the history of this singular in;)ividual is known; he had a highly cultivated mind, periinmcd well on various musical instruments, liad a prtpossc.-rsing appearance, ];ut Lis manner of living was ( xtremely fiithy. He had a stipend allowed yearly by his friends iu England, K A m » u FALLS QF NIAGARA. 71 ^amed, tLa he was the son of the lato John Abbott AkV! • J^.' 'P?,V^^^«^« stood the cabin of Frai], Abbott, IS Pomt Vie^: he aolected this spot as a Wi te VIC. of the Falls. The cause that^ed thi^ r.^'^V. ' /»^'^^d"^I to exile him.self from huraan society remain as yet a sealed book. BATH ISLAND BRIDGE. r..^' li ' t^'n- ""^ ^^'' ^"'^ '' ^0 "^ak3 the Visitor perfectly familiar with ovorj point of inferest con nccted with the Falla, without further Lmry and" to answer al quostions that might naturally bo^Isked relative to this great natural wondor, and its sm- roui dmg scenery, the author thinks it -ould no be amiss to answer the n.aay in.iuiries con. ornin. the construction of Bath Island Bridge ° The first bridge from the m,r °hore to the isla i was constructed in the year 1817, near t^ Gri«f Mill, across to Iris Island 1 his bridge V s can- nway by the ico the ensuing spring. ^jI th^ y.' lolS,a bridge was constructed where Bath island Bnd now stand., by *he Hon. Augustus Po t r and loneral P. B. Porter brn'^pro ti. '?\^^^ of the ;^1.1nr^ Ti • u •/' ^^' t^<^ proprietors ot the island. This bridge wa. constructed in the following mann- : A substantial pier wa. sunk at he w.cer's edge, and filled per nanently with stones J rem led m the -ar uith a uifficient weidt of Bt .e prevent the r poising nto the st earn wiS^ 1hL:T"\'''tl ''''' "^*S^*b« ^'^^^^^ry upon th.ir extremity while - ,Hng the .*oxt pier- lu S thorn more safe, legs were fVamed thror di' he nl 73 NEW GUIDE TO THE of the projecting; timbors, resting upon the rocky bottom; planks were then laid upon the timbejs, forming safe but temporary bridge ; a small wooden frame was then let down from the end of this bridge into the water, and held by means of ropes until it was filled with stones and sunk permanently on the bottom; laroje timbers were then framed so as to con- nect them at the corners, forming an oblong square ; these were placed around the small stationary pier, one upon the other, until of sufficient height, and then filled with Ftonc, thus forming a permanent pier, the long projecting timbers were then carried for- ward and placed upon the pier, and so onward until the bri ^e reached Bath island. Thus a permanent bridge, sale for the heaviest loaded teams, was con- structed at the expense of about $2,000, which re- flects great credit npon the cnterpi icing proprietors, who were the sole projectors. In the spring of 1839, the timbers of the bridge were examined, and found to be in a decayed con- dition ; and during the summer of the same year the present bridge was constructed. It was much less difficult to sink the piers of the present bridge tlian the former, although they were sunk 'in the sahie manner, but having the old bridge to sink them from, rendered it less hazardous, and the communi- caHon with the island was not interrupted. The present bridge cost near $3, COO : and was repaired in 1851; it was while this bridge was build- ing that Mr. Chapin was precipitated from a scaffold into the rapids, and rescued from the small island below, by Mr. Robinson, which circumstance has been mentioned before. FALLS OP NIAGARA. 73 ICE BRIDG warm we ES. In conscquonco cient to break up the ice in Lake Erie, it is forced down the Niagara river in huch quantities, as to completely cover the whole ^^urface of the river; this 106 passing over the rapids, ;.nd descending the falls, IK broken mto small cakes, and forms what is termed slush ice; this lee passes down the current in a body and partially congeals, so as to form across the wholo width of the river, a solid body ot moving ice. The river bemg much wider near the falls than below tho consequence is that it sometimes etups; after having stopped, the running ice above passes underneath that which is stationary in such quanlitios, that the . whole mass covering the river from Table Rock to Ins Island, and from Iris Lslane ifonr the Ni!±= fifrT, "" ™i? l'"' ---ffled bosomo fatal cS:;. "' "'"'^ ""'^■^ ^''°- ">^ -PW^ =">J nLT m ''V,'^'«^'«y Morgan, a resident of Chin- awe tbe Fa.,;, :^ ^i:'^ ^::k^^;;:-!^z wciiLr me aeptii or several feet- nn^ nf iU^ i ^ disenga«red himself frnn. \u ' ^® ^^^^"^^ 0*0^^ xiiiuseir rrom the was of wa'^'"""J' '^ith The rocks had rkh1:„t\: Tf ^'^ ""P'''- head, shattered his skull 1?K ^ ^,^<=^,P'«'' «f tho breathed hi^ last wittu'l h"e s to fcS-'' ''' nam e'f Latest Z,.^ ■''"'' '^r' '» "'^'^^ "f changed .get^e rS o? srinl'^'-^H" ''"" w. "rsf rt^LVd'Thet n'^%'^" "p-'^^' break the Mlence of the f "'f ' ""1 °'"=' ">'^to Baol b fo^e'detSl"!'!- ^.'''''''S - Hog', lomng entry inhlsllhtokf ' '" "^""^ '"^f^'" ie rocks that support me, I rend as my foci" There is nothini' sincnlir ;„ (i,„ ■ ■ the death of Dr pC'n, fi, ^ , '•™°' *''=" c*"*^*! oident of the kind tlf! ' ^""^ " " ^^' «'« "«- and thousands may ' rf °''™'-'-'''J '''' '"« P'«e, and another iCL of tlTV''"' °°"' ^='*''' »?» witnessed. " ""^ ^"'•' "'^^ "^Tcr «gaiu b.. ^' "•=5«^*,1TM«.^, St) GUIDE TO NIAGARA FALLS. A % Written for the Ta1»le Rock Album, BY JOHN G. SAXE. See Niagara's torrent pour over the height, 'How rapid the stream ! how majestic the flood Rolls on, and descends in the strength of his might, As a monstrous great frog leaps iiUo ihc mud ! Then, see, o'er the waters in boayty divine, * The rainbow arising, to gild the profound— The Iris, in which all the colors combined, Like the yellow and red ia a calico ''gownd !" How splendid that rainbow ! how grand is the glare OI«the sun through the mist, as it fervently glows, Wherflhe spray with its moisture besprinkles the air As an old washerwoman besprinkles her clothes ! Then see, at the depth of the awful abyss. The whirlpool careering with limitless power. Where the waters revolve perpetually round, As a coofsr revolves round a barret of Jlour I The roar of the waters ! subUme is the sound Which forever is heard from the cataract's steep ! How grand! how majestic ! how vast! how profound ! Like the snore of a pig when he's buried in sleep ! The strong mountain oak and the tall towering pine, When pluntredo'er the steep with a crack and a roar, Are dashed into atoms -to fragments as fine As a pipe ichci His thrown on a hard marble par. And O ! should some mortal— how dreadful the doom— Dcsc«nd to the spot where the whirlpool carousos, Alas ! he would find there a rocky tomb, Or, at least, he'd be likely to fracture his 'Hrowscrs /" V 1 >*^^ ir, i-^y l,«. r£)j?!^^v5 £d^^^ -^is:^ o\: PRINTING OFFICE BUILDING, , NIAGARA FALLS, N. Y. DKAI.KHS IN -ANCY ARTICLES, Keef a .uird a full stock, and invite attention tiiereto. Their lis of Books comprise the late issues ofprojninent Publishing Houses iu the Union, ,j KMBUACINO STANDARD, HISTORICAL, POETICAL BIOGRAPHICAL, & MISCELLANEOUS WORKS, A choice collection of Gilt Books, richly bound. ALL, NEW WORKS OF VALUK RKCKIVKD AS SOON AS ISSVED PHOM THR PRE.-^S. STATIONERY AND FANCY ARTICLES VIEWS OF THE FALLS, School -Books, Toys, Primers, Pencils, Quills. Wafers, Drawing Papers, Pictures, Visiting Cards, PENS, INKS, &C. &C. CAP LETTER AND NOTE PAPERS, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL. fe C5^ Magazines, Daily ^nd Literary Papers, received t9 IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUBLICATION, i^Q ^^ ^^^j, JOB PRINTING NEATLY E X E C U T E p I/. j L — L-,i,,^ ot >L ■-j.—^i^ ' i rrty'^'^'j'fryiy- j _,, . ' '■ _ ' u u r j , U 9 j m l^tS^-D ^^i^'(^^.'^-^^-Qi5^ rN5--^;;>-QC5'^xi.E?l^ MfHlM