18 LAKE SUPERIOR. 



Returning to the Suspension Bridge, we went on board the little 

 steamer, " Maid of the Mist," which runs up to the foot of the 

 Falls. I confess I was doubtful as to the advantages to be gained 

 bj any one who had crossed the ferry so often as I had, but I was 

 old traveller enough to know that one oftener repents of not going 

 than of going, and went accordingly, instead of returning by the 

 cars with the more skeptical of the party. The result showed the 

 soundness of the principle. Many things are to be learned by such 

 close proximity, (for the boat, true to her name, runs actually into 

 the mist at the foot of the Fall,) and may be studied more conveni- 

 ently in the steamer, with a chance to dodge any extraordinary 

 shower of spray, than in an open skiff. I saw plainly here, what I 

 had not been able to satisfy myself of before, that the catenary curves 

 in high waterfalls, insisted upon by the " Oxford Graduate,"* are 

 fully exemplified in the greatest cascade of the world. 



At half-past two P. M. we took the cars for Buffalo, and as the 

 steamer was not to start until seven, we had some time on our 

 hands after our arrival there, which we spent in making some last 

 purchases, and in seeing the place. 



The number of Germans here- is a prominent feature. At the 

 Post-office there is a separate delivery for " Deutsche Briefe." 

 Another feature, striking to a New Englander, though common to 

 all the towns in New York, (which justify themselves probably by 

 the example of their great city,) is the number of pigs running at 

 large in the streets. When ^ at length we went on board the 

 " Globe," we found everything in confusion. Bye and bye, how- 

 ever, the confusion subsided ; even the escape-pipe abated its 

 vehemence by degrees, and at last became silent, and still there 

 seemed to be no movement towards starting. But in proportion as 

 the boat became quiet, the passengers became noisy for departure, 

 and at last, after much expostulation, and finally the threat of leaving 

 altogether, at half past ten we got under weigh. 



June 20th. — Weather pleasant, wind S.S.W., strong. The water 

 green, but less so than at Niagara. This forenoon we took possess- 

 ion of a little cabin in the after part of the vessel, to listen to the 



• Modem Painters, (Am. Ed.,) I., 363. 



