Description of the Falls of Niagara. 45 



a grey-headed Chippewa had said to him, " the white 

 people believe, that the Falls were once down at the 

 Landing. It is not true. They were always where 

 they are now. So we have heard from our forefa- 

 thers." We are led, therefore, to conclude, that the 

 Niagara-Falls received their present singular position 



It is generally supposed, because the assertion has 

 frequently appeared in print, that it is possible to go 

 behind the descending column of water at the Falls, 

 and to remain there, in perfect safety. Conversation, 

 it has been said, may be held there, without inter- 

 ruption from the noise, which is less there than at a 

 considerable distance. People who live near the spot 

 have daily to contradict these fables. They have 

 themselves been repeatedly as far as possible under 

 the Falls, and are in the habit of conducting strangers 

 there. Their information is, therefore, to be relied 

 on. 



Under the Table-Rock (as it is called), from a 

 part of which the Avater descends, there is, it is true, 

 space sufficient to contain a great number of people, 

 in perfect safety. But how should they get there ? 

 Were they to attempt to enter the cavity, behind the 

 Fall, the very current of the air (as the guides say), 

 even were the stream of water not to touch them, 

 would deprive them of life. The truth is, it is pos- 

 sible to go under, that is, below the Falls, as we did, 

 but not to go behind them. 



