90 FALLS OF NIAGARA. 



&quot;agitated state of the waters conveys an idea of danger, and we 

 were landed safely on the opposite beach in 14 minutes, hav 

 ing been drenched in crossing by the spray of the falls. Mr 



D remained with the luggage, while we went in search 



of assistance to transport it. Two men of colour were met 

 carrying* trunks to the ferry, who brought ours on their return. 



On the Canada side of the river, a wide road winds up the 

 steep bank, at the top of which were carriages of different 

 descriptions, and people walking to and fro. The ascent 

 being long and difficult, afforded time for observation. Banks, 

 rocks, trees, carriages, and people, appeared like those I had 

 been accustomed to of late, and no important object indicated 

 a change of territory. But characters of countries and indi 

 viduals may sometimes be learned from trifles. On walking 

 up the banks of the river, an elevated board attracted notice, 

 containing the following inscription : &quot; All persons found on 

 these grounds will be prosecuted.&quot; This was so unlike any 

 thing I had seen in the States, that it impressed me with an 

 idea I had left the land of liberality, if not of liberty, and 

 recalled associations connected with notice-boards of Scotland 

 regarding steel-traps, spring-guns, and prosecutions according 

 to law, which deface the country, and exhibit the characters 

 of those who erect them. 



The banks of the Niagara from the ferry to the Pavilion, 

 is the loveliest and most interesting portion of the globe. At 

 the point where the footpath diverges is the Table rock, afford 

 ing the best view of the Horse-shoe fall, one of the most splen 

 did earthly objects the eye of man can behold. We reached 

 the hotel in time for tea. Our bedroom windows overlooked 

 the cataract, whose murmurings soon lulled us to repose. 



Next morning, when the sun was peeping above the hori 

 zon, and ere the vapour had melted before his rays, we were 

 at the Table rock, gazing with increased pleasure at the 

 Horse-shoe fall, preparatory to entering the cavern below it. 

 In a small shanty we changed our clothes for sailcloth dresses 

 kept for visitors, and, laughing at our grotesque appearance, 

 descended a spiral stair to the level of the river. The guide 

 led the way, and after a considerable battering of spray and 

 wind in passing the verge of the cataract, the interior of the 



