98 IN AND OUT OF ITHACA. 



descent is nearly a hundred and fifty feet, and is full of 

 striking features. A rustic bridge crosses the stream a 

 little way above the Fall. The view up the stream is 

 charming, and though few visitors ascend the gorge 

 above the main fall, the beauties of the upper ravine 

 well repay those who do for their labor. From the 

 bridge a path leads up the bank on the opposite side. 

 But follow the edge of the stream for a distance, before 

 ascending the path. Just beyond the brink of the Fall 

 a broad shelf of rock several feet wide extends for some 

 thirty or forty feet under the brow of the cliff. From 

 this is disclosed the most impressive sight of all. From 

 the shelf you cannot see the bottom of the ravine im- 

 mediately in front of you, and you seem therefore to be 

 suspended in mid-air. Right by your side the water 

 slides quietly off the edge of the cliff, and one can hardly 

 realize that it is taking such a tremendous plunge in so 

 quiet a manner. Looking directly across the vast am- 

 phitheatre, you gain some adequate conception of its 

 magnitude. From cliff to cliff in the widest part is 

 more than six hundred feet. The views down the ra- 

 vine toward the lake add their own exquisite portion to 

 complete the majesty and beauty of the view. 



You may now return to the path, and follow it through 

 well-kept grounds, furnished with pleasant arbors and 

 comfortable seats along the south brink of the ravine. 

 Lookouts here and there command fine prospects of the 

 Fall and surroundings. To the right is a half public 

 house, where refreshment may be sought if needed. 

 Beyond this, the path soon joins the road, which winds 



