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Les diagrammas suivants illustrant la mtthoda. irrata to pelure. □ 32X 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 S 6 t' \ ■ \ I- ■' '>--. t ' s , ! ^ ■:\ •:,'"<**; ^ " ' III'^jV ' ,"" X ■Mb "JJ" initf i ;^ . i Nj- ^ t '-Vf*' / i. 4 •» ?2f 'J Mt ^Kf-., W DESCRIPTION or Vi ^^r^'i ^"►, ■'■Ac ,i, i>- I •> V ' ; A VIBW OF 'VK FALLS OF NIAGARA. ^F-r j"> 5c ( ■^ •■ ', ' ^>l> III! TV -.- -i ^ '-^ T* < * *'*; iia^Ht^- 'V /lii^ii The EDITH and LORNE PIERCE COLLECTION of CANADI ANA ilueerfs University at Kingston Univkrsite de Montreal BIBLIOTHEQUE I , . I ,nn University de Montreal AR 1963 ( ••■■ :i '•»-•'.( N v,rj t/# f^r ' *;,-■ V - i;''- V ».-,■"•■*- ■*••*;■«. •• ^ ^^''o- ^'.,'^-':- V r . ■ ■ ■•f^' ' »-*;.v «■ ' !« ■ ' '--'•»* .''!•■ ,1,* V ■ ■ • ,1 • .- "*•.'-•, " ■;p'^: -' •:. ^-v> ^*^ '-,(vA^« V. ^,^/VtJ IRA, '1 "b^srv; ■■'■■ fWA^S"^ ,|ETS, i! '«'»/.ii*»«4k.n. - ■■>» ; ^ i -6d">? i ■t^-\ '}\ ■ t i't OF 1832. ■■ Krpfannfio/t of n TjEWof TKE rAlXS ofyfAlu \ L\ I ■\ "-'v' - V V ... ^'^T- I /U//(ift' Slitiimsr i ( 'ell I HI n i/ Vufiour I llinlfif over 'lirnipin /lorA 'S ■ i lln/Htis fi //or.it- y/i( f/tr Frny n Fmv ffisijnoM ob MiaiavinU iiV oryLUi I /L I Ki/tiNlintj af t/tt Ji\ :^D:fL\M\ , (luiHesStircf, BosUm V z' )■ -1^ \->J /^ >' . ^.VV'.l/^ vh lf(.rf< li /'ft/iy '■/ Aotivt f/n/tniis r .r 20 Xuioara Ci)iinh l^*/ Jksan/ fr (/i< /an 22 SiJi/oss,r /;,// Ti J^ospedh/uml 2/ Villaoc (.'/:\7,/i/,ir,/ /■:///..■ X): 23 Cmtrul fa Ji -2f> /'Milan c; tot'iiw cH/ie Winds 1 Jhrln/- //■ /hih Ju'Ji ■27 I ' l\'/>n /,/,//, nJn/ihS/S „*■;.■.: frey .-:,.^ •j> >*..^ ^v., ^ —'■* w . '-^-vv: r^-V^v" -.. ' ■i-/"! ^-. •»);: F IP X 2 I MAR 1993 v'Qi.oMi. Ik-i w'wUi'l.Ulit ^ DESCRIPTION or A Cj^-^^-l t ^^^® i :\h \ Taaair OF TIIF. FALLS OF NIAGARA, NOW EXHIBITING AT ^mm iF^sr®iEiiffiii^ ]bi^^jLW)WA'^^j CORNER OF PRINCE AND MERCER STREETS, NEW YORK. PAINTED BY ROBERT BURFORD, FROM DRAWINGS TAKEN BY HIM IN THE AUTUMN OF 1832, .■»i^. «i I^O(:6C'9 t '^ 2 '-iH f\j ]^,i?7Tii:M6^»tm iImi ,tA f J- r J '-*■*■ The Fai osities in tl all of the a jiheni in ter J^ubliinltye' * An intclli attempt of (he Deans of desc -fail entirely I certain, m THE FALLS OF NIAGARA. <* " The roarol'wRlrm !— from tho headlonff height iNiairurn] cleavus llii! wnve-worn priu-ipico ; 'he fall of waters ! — rapid us ihe hjilit, The tlusliin)( inaH.4 foams, slinking tlie abysR i The licll of waters ! — where they howl anle and sublime dignity, an ocean of waters three 3uarters of a mile in width, precipitated with astonishing grandeur, in three istinct and collateral streams, down a stupendous precipice upwards of 150 feet in height, on the rocks below, iron) which they rebound, converted, by the violence of the concussion, into a broad sheet of foam as white as snow ; pyramidical clouds of vapor or spray rise majestically in uiisty grandeur from the abyss, sparkling here and there with prismatic coloi-s, and a rainbow of extraordinary pieauty, and peculiar brilliancy, heightens the scene, by spanning the Great Fall. Above are seen the agitated billows, and white-crested breakers of the Rapids, tumultuously hurrying towards the precipice, bounded on the one side by the luxuriant foliage of Goat Island, and on the other by the fertile and thickly-wooded ahores of Upper Canada. Below, the river winds in a stream, bright, clear, and remarkably green, between bold and rugged banks, richly colored by both wood and rock. The surrounding scenery, although it must be viewed with couiparative indifference, whilst the mind is absorbed in contemplating the grandeur and extent of the cataract, is also in excellent keeping ; stupendous and lofly banks, immense fragments of rock in fantastic forms, impenetrable woods approaching their very edge, the oak, ash, cedar, maple, and other forest trees of extraordinary growth and singular shape, the pine, and various evergreens, brushwood peeping from the Assures, and beautiful creeping plants clinging to the perpendicular sides of the rocks, presenting a vast variety of foliage and diversity of hue, rendered still more pleasing by«the first frosts of autumn having changed the leaves of some of the more tender to every shade of color, from the brightest yellow to the deepest crimson, thus combining every thing that is essential to constitute the sublime, the terrific, and the picturesfiue. The Niagara strait — which forms the boundary line between the British posses- sions and the United States — is a grand natural canal, by which the superabundant waters of Lake Erie are poured into Lake Ontiu-io. It is a continuation of the River St. Lawrence. Its length from lake to lake is 37 miles, following the windings of the stream, its general course being n«)rtherly, and it varies in breadth from 30 rods to 7 or 8 miles.* In this distance the water sustains a fall of 334 feet, thus calculated: — between Lake Erie and the Rapids, IG feet; in the Rapids, 58 feet; in the Crescent Full, 154 feet; and the remainder beiore it reaches Lake Ontario. In the early jmrt of its course, the river is broad and tranquil, and ])resents a scene of the most profound re|)Ose, its waters being nearly level with its shores, and the large and beautiful island, Owunungah, dividmg it into two streams for a considerable distance. At Clii|)pewa and of paintinjs^, might produce a pirliire which would probably distance every thing else of the kind." — " The task must be done I)y a person who shall eo to the spot for the express purpose, making the actual drawings, whieii he himself is afterwards to convert into a Panorama, which, if weH executed, could not fail to impart some portion of the pleasure communicated hy the reality." The same traveller, having seen the painting in progress, has expressfd the foliowmg opinion .■— " The Panorama of Niagara, though not complelecl, is sutticieiilly advanced to enable any one who has seen it to iudge of the elTcct ; and I have no hesitation in saying, you have accomplished a tank which I hardly iioped to sec execiiti-d ; I think your painting gives not only an exceedingly accurate, but a most animated view of the Falls." * Its greatest width is across the centre of Owanungali, or Grand Island, which is about fiA ■nilea across, and divides the river into two parts for about 10 miles, the branch on each side of it being from | to 1 mile in width. The broadest expanse of water is below tiraud Island, where it resemblea a beautiful bay, about 2| miles broad.— /n^ra/tam't Manual, *I)r. never It-sJ above I (hi t L-akof mean doj the sen , and is b\)\ Huron, al the sea, al \ Thesl but thcrri memory ' # lich is indis- iny adequate ance, of this iited, to com- ueiice of the le deep and il a sense of n able Rock — a le same time, front of the waters three ur, in three ds of 150 feet ly the violence pyraniidical im \he abyss, extraordinary he Great Fall. )f the Rapids, 16 side by the lickly-wooded gilt, clear, and by both wood h comparative grandeur and id lotiy banks, s approaching ['extraordinary iwood peeping perpendicular f hue, rendered the leaves of 8t yellow to the ) constitute the British posses- sui)erubnndant iiiuntion of the , following the nd it varies in r sustains a fall IG feet ; in the inder before it r is broad and 8 waters being il, Owanungah, Chippewa and ■ else of ilio kind." ^ lo enalile any one have acroniplislied nly an exceedingly which is alioul fi^ II on each side of it id Island, where il 5 Sclilosser, about two miles above the I'^alls, where the navigation ends, a con- siderabli! cMrniiit is |)erceptil)le, and the glassy smoothness is distiirlied by slight ri|)pl('s ; tlie shores now contract considerably, and tliu bed of the river begins to slope; the water shortly after becomes niui^h agitated, and the magniticcnt Rapids coiiimcnce; rock after rock chafes the stream, wliich becomes perfectly white, and nislies with frightful velocity to the f'l()iis avoirdupois. t Luke Superior, the larijesl fresh-water lake in the world, is 1750 miles in circumference ; its mean dejMli is !l(JO feet, ils uroatcsl deplli VZiM) feet ; and its snrface is (iU feet aliove the level of llie sea . Lake Huron is HlOO miles in circumference ; has almiit the same deplii as Fiake Superior, and is b% feel aliove the level of llie sea : Lake Michiijan has the same level and depth as l^ake Huron, nnd is 731 miles in circumference : Lake Krie is (ioti miles in circumference, Stiri feet above the sea, and has only a mean depili of 1 20 feet. I These rece.ssioiis, however, were in Ihe angle or curve of the Oescent or Horse-shoe Fall ; but there is no evidence that there has been any recession at the .sides of the Falls, within the memory of man. '^ ,,«i«. ^' 6 excavation ; nnd, by tlie ^me calculation, it will require at least 30,000 to reach Lake Erie ; hut when the river was confiiieci to a narrower channel, the operation might have been much quicker. The ilistunce from the mouth of the ravine is nearly seven miles, the average breaiith I'^OO feet. Up to the period when Goat Island divided the Fall, ttie wliole li>rce of the water would have bt^en exerted on this snrftice ; since that time, the op»!rative |)ower of the water has been extended to nearly JJ500 feet : this diminished action would necessarily be attended by a retardation in the retrocession of the cataract. The Fall has also reached a point wlicre, in addition to the thickness of tlie limestone beds, numerous layers of chert give additional strength and durability. A communication has Avithin a few yeare been opened between the western lakes and the (;ea, by tlie grand Erii; Oanal, from Lake Erie to the Hudson, and by the Wetland Canal, between Lake Erie and Luke Ontario. The Welland Canal commences at Port Colburn, in Gravelly Bay, passes the river Chippewa by means of a noble aqueduct, and enters Lake Ontario at Port Dalhousie. The work was commenced in 1824, and was completed in five years ; it is 43 miles in length, 58 feet in width, and 8^ feet in depth; it admits vessels of 125 tons burden ; the whole descent is 342 feet, which is accomplishetl by 37 locks. At the Deepcut, about 8 miles trou) the Falls, 1,477,700 cubic feet of earth were removed ; and at the Mountain Ridge, where the descent is made, 70,000 cubic yards of rock. The idea originated with Mr. VV. H. Merritt, of St. Catherine's, and the work was planned and accomplished, with the assistance of the British government, by the Canada Land Company, at the expense of £200,000. This canal is now the property of the government Little was known of the Falls of Niagara jirevious to the commencement of the last century. They were described by Father Hennepin in 1()78, and by La Hon- tan in 1687. In the iatter part of the last century, they were visited by several travellers; but it is only within a few years tliat they have been a fashionable place of resort. The numl>er of visitors is now probably from 20,000 to 30,000 annually ; and each successive year greatly outimnd)ers its predecessor. The immediate neighborhood of the Falls, and the banks of the strait, have been the scenes of a succession of actions, attended with the horrors of civil war, between the British and American troops in 1812 — 1814, |)articidarly four desper- ate encounters ui July, August, and September, of the latter year. I Note.— For most of the data in this Description, we are indebted to the valuable " Manual for the Use of Visiters to liie Falls of Niaorara," Sic, by Mr. Joseph W. I.ngraham, of Boston; which we have been kindly permitted by the author to use for this purpose ; and to which we would refer for a more full description of this great wonder of the world. Mr. Iiigraham ha.s been engaged for four years in preparing an extensive work descri|)tive of these Falls, and the country adjacent to them, which is expected soon to issue froni tlie press, and which is to be accompanied by copious Maps, Plans, Elevations, Profiles, Views, &.c. SS«- m^ 0,000 to reach , the operation f the ravine is ()d when Gout en exerted on been extended attended by a caclied u point roua layers of n the western liidson, and by VVellund Cunal Chip|)ewa by allioiisie. The t is 43 miles in s of liJa tons y 37 locks. At of earth were e, 70,000 cubic St. Catherine's, ; of the British 200,000. This sncement of the and by La Hon- sited by several n a fasiiionable >0,000 to 30,000 :^"ssor. the strait, have rors of civil war, irly four desper- iiahlc " Manual for lAHAM, of Boston; e ; and lo which we liigraham has been ills, and Ihc country to be accompanied EXPLANATION OF THE ENGRAVING. 1. — Goat Island. An Island . about half a mile in Icngtli, insrrted' like a wodgn between the Falls, pre- sontinjr its broadest end, wliiclj is about 11120 feet, to the precipice ; it is thickly covered witii wood, and exhibits a variety of romantic scenery. It is approached over two bridgi's tlirown from the main sliore to Bath Island, and from Bath Island to this. A path winds round it, from which various other patiis diverge to the most advantageous points for viewing the ilapids and Falls. It is roport(!d that this island was first visited during the Canadian war of 1755, by General Putnam, who, in consequence of a vager having been laid that no man in the army would dare to attempt a descent upon it, made a successful effort ; he dropped down the river, from a considerable distance above, in a boat, strongly secured by ropes to the shore, by which means lie was afterwards safely landed. Wiien the island was first explored, after the construction of the bridge from the main shore, many dates were found cut upon the frees, one of which was as early as 1745. A young Englishman, named Francis Abbot, of respectable connections, either through misfortune or a morbid state; of mind, which made him desire seclusion, took up his resi- dence on this island, and in the neighborhood of the Falls, for two years.; and became 80 fascinated with the solitude and the scenery, that no inducement could divert his thoughts, or draw him from the spot, where he acquired the name of the " Hermit of the Falls." The following account of him is condensed from one furnished by Mr. In- graham. Me arrived at the Falls, on foot, in June, 1820, dressed in a loose gown or cloak of a chocolate color, carrying under his arm a roll of blankets, a flute, a portfolio, and a large book, which constituted the whole of his baggage. He took up his abode, in the first instance, in the small inn of Ebenezer O'Kelly, on the New York side, stipulating that the room he occupied should be exclusively his own, that he should have his tabic to himself, and that certain i)arts of his cooking only should be done by his host. He then repaired to the library, where he giive his name, and took out a book, j)urchased a violin, and borrowed some music-books. The following day he again visited the library, expa- tiated largely, with great ease and ability, on the beautiful scenery of the Falls, and de- clared his intention of remaining at least a week; for " a traveller might as well," he said, " in two days examine in detail the various nmseums and curiosities of Paris, as become acquainted witli the splendid scenery of Niagara in the same space of time." On a subsequent visit, ho declared his intention of staying at least a nionlli, perhaps six. Shortly afler, he determined on fixing his abode on (Joat Island, and was desirous of erecting a hut, in which he might live quite secluded. The proprietor f the island did j not think jiroper to grant this request, but permitted him to occupy a small room in the only house on the island, the family in which occasionally furnished him with bread •' and milk, though he more generally dispensed with these, providing, and always cooking, his own food. During the second winter of his seclusion, the family removed, and to the few persons with whom he held coinmuniciition, he expressed great satisfaction at .being able to live alone. For some months he enjoyed this seclusion ; but another fam- ily having entered the house;, he quitted the island, (having resided on it twenty months,) and built himself a small hut on tlie main shore, about thirty rods below the Schlosser Fall. He lived to occupy his new residence only about two months. On the 10th of June, 18111 , he was seen to bathe twice, and was observed by the ferry -man to enter the water a third time about two o'clock in the aflernoon : his clotliea remoiuing for some 8 y 11! \^ hours where he lind deposited them, nn nlami was created, and an inetToctiial search was made for hiiu. On tlic ^IhI, his iiody was tiilsen out of tiie river at Fort Niajjora, and, the next day, was deeently interred in tlie linrial-irround near liie Falls. When his hut was examined, iiis tiiitht'ul dug was t'ouiid i^uardinfr the door, and was with dilKculty jxTsuaded aside while it wiis opened ; his cat ()ec«])ied his bed ; liis gui- tar, violin, flutes, music-books, and portfolio, wen- scattered around in confusion, but no papers relative to himself, or tlirowinji any lijilit ii|)on his extraordinary character, were to be found. lie was a gentleman of liiglily-eultivated mind and manners, and finished education; master of several langua<:es; well vcr.<('d in the arts and sciences, and pos- sessing, in an eminent degree, all tlie minor accomplishments of the gentleman. He performed on various musical instruments with great taste, and his drawings were very spirited. Many yi'ars of his lili' had been spent in travelling. ll<' hud visited Egypt and Palestine; liad traveUed through Turkey, Greece, Italy, ypain, Portugal, and France ; and liad resided for considerable jieriods of time in Home, Naples, and Paris. In all his travels, he said, he had never met with ar.y thing that would compare, in sub- limity, with the Falls of Niagara, except Mount il-Una during an eruj)tion. VVliile at the Falls, business occasionally brought him in contact with some of the inhabitants, with a few of whom he would sometimes be sociable : to all others he was distant and reserved. At such times, his conversation would be of tiie most interesting kind, and his descriptions of peoj)le and countries were highly glowing and animated. But, at times, even with these, he wotild hold no conversation, communicating his wishes on a slate, and desiring not to be spoken to. Sometimes, for three or four months together, he would go-unshaved, often with no covering on his head, his body enveloped in a blan- ket, shunning all, and seeking the deepest stilitudes of Cloat Island. He was about twenty-eight years of age, in person tall and well made, and of handsome features. When obligecf to have any intercourse with others, h<' was generous in paying for all favors and services, never receiving any thing without making immediate payment. He had a deep and abiding sense of religious duty and decorum ; was mild in his beha- vior, and inoffensive in his conduct. Religion was a subject which he appeared well to understand, and highly to appreciate. The charity he asked from others, he extended to all mankind. Many spots on Goat Island arc consecrated to his memory; at the upper end, he es- tablished his promenade, whicli became hard-trodden antl well-beaten, like that in which tlie sentinel performs his round of duty. Between CJoat and Moss Islands, em- bowered in seclusion and shade, is one of tlie most romniilic and charming cascades imaginable. This was his favorite retreat for bathing, where he resorted at all seasons of the year, even in the coldest weather, when there was snow on the ground, and ice on the river. On Terrajiin Bridge it was his daily j)ractice to walk for hours together, from one extremity to the other, with a quick pace ; and sometimes he would let him- self down at the end of the ])rojecting timber, which extends ten or fifteen feet beyond the Fall, and hang under it by his hands and feel over the terrific precipice, for filleen minutes at a time. To the incjuiry why he thus exposed himself, he would reply, that in crossing the ocean, he had frequently seen the sea-boy, " on the high and giddy mast," perform far more perilous acts, and, as he should ])robably again pass the sea himself, he wished to inure himself to such diiugers. If th<' nerves of others were dis- turbed, his were not. In the wildest hours of th(> night, he wiis oflen found walking alone, and without fear, in the most dangerous places near the Falls; and, at such times, he would shun approach, as if he had a dread of man. 2. — Bid die Staircase. Constructed in the year 1820, at the expense of Nicholas Biddle, Esq., of Philadel- phia, to facilitate the descent to the rocks at the foot of (Joat Island, where magnificent and much-admired views of the Falls are obtained. The island is 18") feet abcwe the gulf; the first 44 feet of the descent is in the alluvial soil and rock ; the next HS is a spiral wooden staircase, and the remaining distance the descent is by the sloping bank, in every direction, over immense fragments of rock, which have been broken of!" and tumbled from the ledge above. The construction of this descent has open<>d one of the finest fishing places in this jiart of the Union ; the water beinjr the resort of various fish which come up from Lake Ontario, and are stopped by the Falls. The notorious Sam Patch leajMid from a ladder, 1)7 feet high, into the smooth water in front of this stair- cue, in October, 1829, and received no injury. melancl were reii the Falls to cross ' means, human dashed floated The was vie\ round horse, his arm {round, le. whi ■prung release*' in F. into the In St inhuma to her •econd, round, tiicn fill cataract ken ve #ound a abandoi A consii g ;tnnl soarch was l Miiigora, and, ic door, and was lis bt'd ; his gui- oni'iiciion, but no clianiclor, were :*rs, and iinitslii^d licnct'S, and pos- jri'iitlcnian, Ilo wings wero very ad visilcd Kgypt , I'ortngal, and pies, and Paris, compare, in sub- l)li()n. While at the inhiibitants, was distant and tinjr kind, and iniated. But, at If his wishes on a iiitlis together, he eloped in a blan- I. lie was about iidsonie features. in paying for all nediate payment. mild in his beha- ' appeared well to Lhers, he extended upper end, he es- aten, like that in Moss Islands, eni- ;harming cascades rted at all seasons le ground, and ice for hours together, he would let him- fii'teen feet beyond I'cipice, for filleen would reply, that le high and giddy imiin pass the sea A others were dis- en found walking md, at such times, , Esq., of Philadel- where magnificent 1H5 feet ab<>ve the ; the ne.xt H,-^ is a y the sloping bank, ■en broken ofl' and opened one of the 'sort of various fisli riie notorious Sam front of this stair- 3. — Column of Vapor. The mightv clouds of vapor which are thrown u; from the Falls move with the wind, #nd descend m a misty shower like rain ; they are seen from a very great distance, ap- pearing like a pillar of smoke. When the siin and the position of tne observer are fa- irorable, they present a remarkably beautiful appearance, sparkling like diamonds, with occasional noshes of the most brilliant colors, and a splendid rainbow. 4. — Terrapin Bridge. A singular bridge or pier, 300 feet in length, has been constructed upon what are ealled the Terrapin Rocks, where a single piece of timber actually projects over the edge of the Great Fall about 10 feet. Although the prodigious magnitude of the falling water it not so apparent as from below, yet, trom the extremity oi this bridge, standing, as it were, in the very midst of the mighty flood, the scene is terrific and appalling, and can- not be viewed without astonishment and awe, not unmixed with fear. A late writer ■ays, " If the visitor is alone, and gives way to his feelings, he must fall on his knees, fcr the grandeur of the scene is overpowering." 5. — Rapids. Before approaching the precipice, over which the water is precipitated, the river ■inks, in little more than half a mile, 58 feet, and the stratum of limestone, which forms its bed, is intersected with seams and patches of hard, dark-colored chert. Through this channel of rugged rocks the water rushes with terrific and ungovernable impetuosi- ty, a fiercely-raging torrent, converted, by the resistance with which it meets, into a broad expanse of toam, as white as snow, bearing a strong resend)lance to the breakers on a rocky shore during a gale. The inhabitants of the neighborhood consider it as certain death to get once involved in the Rapids; not only becatise escape from the cataracts would be hopeless, but because the force of the watt?r amongst the rocks would probably destroy life before the Falls were approached. Instances are on record of the melancholy fate of persons who have thus perished. In the summer of 1821, three men were removing furniture from Navy Island ; the wind was high, and in the direction of the Falls ; the current was consequently stronger than usual, and they thought it unsafe to cross so near the Falls. They fastened their boat, and went to sleep in it. By some means, it became loosened, and they discovered themselves already in the Rapids. No human power could save them ; the boat was carried down, and in a few moments dashed to pieces. Some of the goods were picked up below, much broken j but a table floated ashore uninjured. The celebrated Chateaubriai.d relates that he narrowly escaped a similar fate : he was viewing the Falls from the bank of the river, having the bridle of his horse twisted round his arm : a rattlesnake; stirred in the neighboring bushes, and startled the horse, who reared and ran backwards towards the abyss. Not being able to disengage his arm from the bridle, he was dragged atler him; the horse's fore legs were off the S round, and, squatting on the brink of the precipice, he was upheld merely by the bri- le, when, astonished by this new danger, he suddenly threw himself forward, and sprung to a distance of ten feet, again dragging Chateaubriand with him, who was thus released from his perilous situation. In February, IH5i7, two men, who embarked in a boat to cross the river, were forced fcto the Rapids by the ice, precipitated into the abyss below, and dashed to pieces. In September, 1827, a schooner, called the Michigan, with a number of wild animals inhumanly confined on her deck, was tjwed to the margin of the Rapids, and abandoned to her fate. She passed the first fall of the Rapids in safety, but struck a rock at the ■econd, and lost her masts : there she remained an instant, until the current turned her round, and bore her away. A bear here leaped overboard, and swam to the shore. She then filled, and sunk, so that only her upper works were visible, and she went over the cataract almost without being seen. In a fi'w moments her fragments, which were bro- ken very small, covered the basin below. A cat and a goose were the only animals found alive. In October, 182!), the schooner Superior was towed into the current, and abandoned ; but she struck on a rock, about the middle of the river, where she remained a considerable time, and finally went over the Fails in the night. 10 1 1 fi- ll I'l 6. — Crescent or Horse-shoe Fall. The Crescent or Horse-slioe Fall, as it is gencrolly termed, from the precipice having been worn by the water into somewhat of that form, is 154 leet in perpendicular heijjht; in consequence of its shape, tlio water converges to the centre, where it descends in a ■olid mass at least 12 feet in thickness, being driven forward with an impetus that hurls it into the gulf below, 50 feet from the base of the rock. For nearly two thirds of its descent, tlie water in the centre falls in one vast, unbroken mass, smooth and unruffled, and of a beautiful green color: the remainder is hidden by the vast body of vupor, as- cending from the abyss. Tile whole surface of the river ajjpears a body of foam, diffcing essentially from any thing of the kind produced in a similar way : the bubbles of which it is universally composed are extremely small, are always ascending by millions, and spread over the water in one continued and apparently solid mass. The water is also projected upwards, sometimes to the height of iJiO ll'ot, by the force of the air below, in an nnmense number of small white cones, with pointed heads, their tails varying from one to twelve vards, stretching in every direction, which may be seen continually start- ing from the cloud of spray. From Goat Island to Table Rock, the distance in a straight line is 1221 feet, but fol- lowing the curvoture of the Fall, which is an irregular segment of a circle, with a deep angular gash near the centre, it is 2IJ7() feet, which vast width detracts most surprisingly from its ap])arent height. The tremendous noise occasioned by this vast body of water falling on the rocks below is of a most extraordinary description. Capt. Hall comprires it to the incessant rumbling, dee]), monotonous sound, accompanied by tiie tremor, which is observable in a grist-mill of very large dimensions, where ninny pairs of stones are at work ; — Mr. McTaggart, to the tuiiibliiig of a vast (jiinntity of large round stones, from a huge precipice into water of a profound depth. A slight tremulous motion of the earth is felt to some distance on all sides, but is more particularly observable on Goat Island : the noise may be heard, when the atmosphere is favorable, tiily miles. 7. — Cavern behind the Sheet of Water at Table Rock. The violence of the impulse causes the water of the Great Fall to incline considerably forward in its descent, and the continual action on the shale has hollowed out the rock below, leaving the upper or hardest stratum hanging over in a very jicrilous manner, above 50 feet, forming a sort of cavern, into which travellers are able to penetrate as far as Termination Rock, an impas.sable mass, 155 feet from the entrance. The passoge into this cavern is rather difficult; but it is the place of all others to contemplate the extraordinary sight. The rusli of the water here Is awful, the thundering sound tre- mendous ; but the slippery and rugged rocks, the dinieully of respiration, and the blasts of air, which is carried down in vast (piantities by tlie river, and rises again with proper tionate velocity in every diri'dion, with the (piantity of spray which accompanies its ascent, renders it unpleasant to remain any length of time. 10. — Pavilion Hotel. A large and commodious house, on the heights above the Falls, containing excellent accommodations for about 150 persons. From the top of this house, and from the galle- ries or verandahs in the rear, which are ranged one above tiie other, a fine view is ob- tained ; the surrounding country, the upper course of the river for several miles, the Rapids, and the Falls, being seen at the same time : the lower part of the Fall is of course invisible, but the imagination cannot picture it more grand than it really is. A foot-path, laid with pinnks, winds from the upper bank, on which the house is situated, through the narrow, marshy slip which forms the immediate margin of the river, to Table Rock. The Canadian side is exquisitely beautiful, richly cultivated, and thickly inhabited : the ground is extremely fi-rtile, and the rapid progress of popuhition, business, and the arts, created by the Welland Canal, and its collateral works, and its inexhaustible water Sower, will soon render it one of the most important parts of the British dominions. Ir. Forsyth, who was the first proprietor of the hotel on this side, has recently disposed of his hotel and surrounding property, to a company of gentlemen, who have planned a city, and propose erecting cnurclies, schools, ball and promenade rooms, public gardens, libraries, and houses of various sizes, so as to form a place of fashionable resort, to be called " The City of the Falls." i sel Idom .Jr 11 precipice having ndicular hoi(rht; it descends in a pctuu that hurls two thirds of its 111 and unruflled, )dy of vapor, as- |.)f fooin, difti"'ing l)ubl)l(>8 of wliicR liy millions, and The water is also the air below, in ils varying from uontinuuUy start- 221 feet, but fol- rcle, with a deep nost surprisingly ist body of water )t. Hall compares i by the tremor, ly pairs of stones rgc round stones, ous motion of the servable on Goat y miles. Rock. ;line considerably iwed out the rock l)crilous manner, to penetrate as far oe. The passage [) contemplate the dering sound tre- on, and the blasts igain with proper 1 accompanies its itaining excellent nd from the galle- a fine view is ob- geveral miles, the of the Fall is of an it really is. A house is situated, n of the river, to thickly inhabitj'd : business, and the lexliaustible water British dominions. 1 recently disposed ho have planned a IS, public gardens, lablc rcsoit, to be 11 h 11.— Table Rock. A broad, flat rock, forming a platform of considerable area, on the same level, and in Immediate contact with the western extremity of tlie great leuge, over which the stream ts precipitated ; being IHO feet below the upper bank. It is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the very best point for viewing this magnificent scene, as the eye commands at once the whole of the majestic amrihitheatro of cataracts, as well as the various stations on both sides of the river, a considerable distance. The rocks having fallen away from beneath, the surface projects several feet over the abyss. Visitors possesse^l of strong nerves, frequently lay themselves flat on the rock, with the face beyond the edge, look- ing from tliis fearful iieight into the roaring abyss below. The Table Rock is a" favorite Slace for strangers to inscribe their initials or names, with the date of their visit ; but it I probable that posterity will not be much benefited by this ingenuity, as the rock haa lOany considerable seams and fissures, and a long slip, a few yards below, fell, with a tremendous crash, in August, 181d. This mass, which was KiO feet in length, and from 30 to 40 in breadth, providentially fell during the night, or many lives might have been lost, as the pathway to the guide's house passed over it : a portion of it, 15 feet long, lies in the river below, and is delineated in the Picture, (No. %7.) 15. — Staircase. In the rear of the dwelling of the guide, who provides visitors with suitable dresses, tnd attends them to the cavern behind the Great Fall, a convenient staircase descends ftom the platform to the sloping shore of the water below, and a rough and slippery Sith, over fragments of fallen rock, conducts to the foot of the Fall. From the river the all has an extraordinary appearance ; no part of the Rapids being seen, the water ap- pears to be poured perpendicularly from the clouds. 1 II 18.— Pai A to the Ferry. A convenient road or path, which greatly facilitates the approach to the Ferry, and forms an agreeable promenade ; it proceeds about half a mile in a direct line, when, torning short round, it descends, in a safe and easy manner, to the margin of the river. 19. — Ferry. About half a mile below the Horse-shoe, and a few rods below the Schlosser Fall, the i'iTer, whicli is there 7(5 rods in width, is safely crossed in a small boat. Although the water is considerably agitated, the ferrymen cross, without danger, at any time of the day, in about five minutes ; but when the wind blows down the stream, the passengers seldom escape without a complete soaking from the spray of the Falls, which descends like rain. The comparative smoothness of the river so immediately after the Fall, is ac- counted for by the great depth of the pool into which the cataract is precipitated, and tiie sudden contraction of the river ; the descending water sinks down and forms an under current, while a superficial eddy carries the upper stratum back to the Fall. The banks of the river are here remarkably wild and striking, and the view from this l^ce is of the most gorgeous description, and of most surpassing grandeur. 20. — Niagara County. The banks of the strait, for a considerable portion of its course on the United States' side, arc in the county of Niagara. The roads on both sides are separated from the pre- cipitous banks, in many places, only by a narrow slip of woods, and the country around is most beautiful, being a succession of fertile fields, orchards, and gardens. At a short distance oelow the Falls is a small territory, belonging to the remnant of the once-powerful tribe of Tuscarora Indians, who emigrated from North Carolina about the beginning of the last century, at the invitation of the Five Nations, into whose con- federacy (which then received the title of the Six Nations) they were received : they htve a Protestant missionary resident amongst them, and many have voluntarily adopt- ed Christianity : several of their farms are handsome aiid well cultivated. ^ 19 22.Schlosser Fall. The Fall on the United States' side, called the Fort Schlosser Fall, ia 167 feet in per. pendicular height; and although it ia in reality 13 feet higher than the Great Fall, yet from the Table Rock it appears otherwise. This is partly from the efiect of the per> ■pective, and partly from the accumulation of rocks below, upon which the water breaks. The whole width of the Fall to Prospect Island is if!i4 feet. Its edge is ver^ much indented, and it appears to be gradually assuming the horse-shoe shape. It is chafed to snowy whiteness by projecting rocks, which break its fall in several places to two thirds of its descent ; but it does not approach in extent, sublimity, or awful beau- ty, to the Great Crescent or liorse-shoe Fall. About 64 rods above the crest of this Fall — and of course not seen in the present view — are two bridges, of admirable construction, crossing the worst part of the Rapids on this side, to Goat Island, which was before only accessible, at great personal risk, by dropping down the river between the two currents : much boldness of conception, skill, and intrenuity, were shown in the construction of this bridge, by its spirited projector, Hon. Augustus Porter, the principal proprietor of tlie United States' side of the Falls. 23. — Prospect Island. On the verge of the precipice, near Goat Island, Prospect Island cuts off a portion of the waters, forming the Central Fall. This island is about 10 yards in width, and is connected with Goat Island by a foot bridge. It is a romantic spot ; and from it is pre- sented the best prospect (whence its name) of the Schlosser Fall which can any whero be obtained. 24.— Fi'ffog'c of Niagara Falls. The rapidly-increasing village of Niagara Falls (formerly called Manchester and Grand Niagara) is situated at the FallH, on the United States' side. Two large hotels, the £agle and Cataract, are kept here, and the foundation of a third, on a very extensive scale, was laid in 1836. These hotels, as well as those on the Canada side, are crowded with visitors during^ the travelling season ; and constant communication is kept up with various ports Dy rail-roads and well-appointed stage-coaches. This village was burnt by the British troops in 1813, and was rebuilt after the peace. 25.^ Central Fall. This is a very picturesque cascade, — sometimes called the Ribbon Fall, and some- times dignified with the title of the Montmorency Fall, — which, however insignificant it may here appear, amid the mighty rush of waters, would rank high amongst European Cataracts. Behind this Fall, is a splendid cavern, (No. 20,) similar to that behind the great sheet of water at Table Rock. It was never trodden by human feet previous to July, 1834, when it was explored by Mr. Joseph W. Ingraham, of Boston, who gave it the very appropriate name of "Cave of ^olus, or " Cave of the Winds," in allusion to that ^^muto rex JEolu8 antra," described by Virgil. It is about 50 feet in breadth, from 100 to 150 feet around its floor, and about 100 feet high, and furnishes one of the most splendid views which the imagination can conceive. The visitor may easily pass several feet behind this Fall, and gain a view of the cavern, from the path constructed in the rock, and there, " standing, as he does, about midway in the descent of the Fall, he may look up 80 feet, to iu arched and crystal roof, and down, 80 feet, upon its tenible, and misty, and resounding floor. He will never forget that sight and soundr" '{ ' * V