198 NIAGAHA FALLb". 



or brdken surface. From Seneca Lake until it 

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

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

 ly side, from its summit, the country descends 

 with a very gentle and almost imperceptible in- 

 cliaatioQ to the south west. 



LETTER XLVL 



Cataract of J^'iagara, 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 

 hy 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 Devil's 

 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 o^ 

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

 >d BlooC'j Run, precipitating itself into the bank. 



I 



