42 Description of the Falls of Niagara. 



As we were desirous to enjoy the prospect before us 

 from every possible point of view, we went clown the 

 high bank, below the cataract, into the immense 

 chasm below, and from thence walked, or rather 

 climbed, along the rocks so near the cataract till it 

 appeared ready to overwhelm us. 



The descent, though steep, is not dangerous. 

 General Simcoe, the late governor of the province, 

 caused a ladder to be fixed in the most perpendicular 

 part of it, which is so safe, that his lady ventured to 

 go down it. Below the air is, in some places, strongly 

 tainted with the smell of dead fish, which lie in great 

 numbers on the beach. Every creature that swims 

 down the rapids, is instantly hurried to destruction. 

 We had seen a loon a little above them, which was, 

 unknowingly, approaching swiftly to its ruin. Even 

 birds, which fly above then), are frequently impelled 

 downwards bv the strong; current of the air, as their 

 shattered fragments among the rocks do attest*. 



When the river is low, it is easy to walk up to the 

 foot of the Falls : but when high, one has to climb 

 over rocks and piles of large loose stones, for near 

 half a mile. This last was the case when we were 

 there. In many places, the impending masses of 

 stone seemed ready to fall upon us. 



It is known that the Falls arc divided into the 

 Great and Lesser Falls, by means of a lofty Island 



* Perhaps these were the fragments of water fowl, in which 

 case the above remark is incorrect. 



