Collingwood to Sarnia. 143 



base, and the rich foliage which waves above, produce an 

 effect truly wonderful. The same general arched and broken 

 line of cliffs borders the coast eastward, culminating in Le 

 Grand Portail. This is a vast mass of rock projecting into 

 the lake about 600 feet, and rising to a height of about 200 

 feet. This has been excavated by the action of the water, 

 forming an arch 100 feet in height and 60 feet broad at the 

 water level. A little further on, in close proximity to Chapel 

 River, is the "Chapel," one of the most grotesque of nature's 

 handiworks. Unlike the other excavations which occur at 

 the water's edge, this has been made in the rock at a height 

 of 30 or 40 feet : it consists of an arched roof of sandstone 

 from 10 to 20 feet in thickness, and rests on four gigantic 

 columns of rocks finely stratified, and which have been worn 

 into curious shapes. At the base of one of them is an arched 

 cavity or niche ; if the whole had been adapted expressly for 

 a place of worship, and fashioned by the hand of man, it could 

 hardly have been arranged more appropriately. Being at 

 such an elevation, this excavation must be .referred to a 

 period when the waters of the lake stood at a higher level. 



Those desirous of visiting this scene should take one of 

 the propellers which navigate the lake, and land at Grand 

 Island, from which he can proceed, if the weather is favour- 

 able, to make the tour of the most interesting points in one 

 day in a small-boat and return. The large vessels on the 

 lake do not approach sufficiently near the cliffs to allow the 

 traveller to gain more than a general idea of their outline 

 and position. To be able to appreciate their character, it is 

 indispensible to coast along in close proximity to the cliffs, 

 and pass beneath the Grand Portal, which is only accessible 

 from the Lake, and to land and enter within the precincts of 

 the Chapel. At Grand Island, boats, men, and provisions 

 may be secured without any difficulty. The island itself is 

 wild and romantic ; tl^e cliffs of sandstone, irregular and 

 broken into by the waves, form picturesque caverns, pillars. 



