Snoqualmie Falls 189 



of foam take their light from the sun alone, and are 

 therefore as white as the sun, and of a brilliance 

 to be seen only in the sun. 



There is one other feature which is peculiar to 

 this fall. It appears about twenty feet below the 

 top and before the water has changed from all 

 green to all white — bars of white and green across 

 the side of the cataract. These bars are about 

 two feet wide and four feet apart. The nearest 

 comparison I can make is of silken curtains, shading 

 off from bright green at top into snow-white at the 

 fringe. The fall produces a strong wind, which 

 drives the rockets and other spray before it. The 

 canon is just like that of Niagara, only narrower 

 and very nearly twice as deep. By observing the 

 movement of the mist one perceives that the air in 

 the chasm is converted into a "breast-wheel." It 

 is driven down with great force by the friction of 

 the fall, moves down stream below, curves up to a 

 height above the level of the top of the fall, and 

 then descends again. The air is thus a wheel four 

 hundred feet in diameter, revolving, as I have said, 

 precisely as, and upon the same principle with, a 

 breast-wheel, as distinguished from an overshot. 



The impression one receives, except in the 

 descending curve at the top of the fall, is not of 

 power but of beauty and grace, and I may say, by 

 association of gentleness. One thinks as he gazes 

 long at the scene that he is looking upon immacu- 

 late and unimaginable beauty and grace. As I said. 



