198> NIAGARA FALLS. 



or broken surface. From Seneca Lake until if 

 passes into the state of Ohio, it is for the most 

 part abrupt on the north side, but on the souther- 

 ly side, from its summit, the country descends 

 with a very gentle and almost imperceptible in- 

 clination to the south west. 



LETTER XLVL 



Cataract of JViagara, September, 1820. 

 My Dear Sir, 



Lewiston is about seven miles from the Falls 

 of Niagara, and in passing from the former to the 

 latter place, I observed on the top of the high hill 

 or slope of Lewiston. the remains of the old way 

 by which the French drew up their goods which 

 they sent round the cataract. A crane was fixed 

 on the summit of the hill, and an inclined plane 

 down the descent, in which sleighs were placed, 

 and as articles were conveyed up in one vehicle 

 others were let down in another. 



About two miles from Lewiston, the DeviVs 

 Hole is to be seen. It is a monstrous chasm, or 

 ravine, close to the road, and 150 feet deep, where 

 the hill is upwards of 300 feet above the level of 

 Niagara river. It is formed by a small creek cal- 

 ed Bloody Run, precipitating itself into the hank. 



