CANADIAN LOCAL HISTORY. 211 



north-east angle of the county of Lincohi, nearly opposite to the fort 

 of Niagara, at the entrance of the Niagara River; the western point, 

 which forms the mouth of the river, is called Missisaga Point. It is 

 a handsome town, of about a mile square, with its streets at right 

 angles. Here is the gaol and court-house of the homue district; and 

 near to it, on the heights above Navy Hall, is Fort George, where 

 there are' quarters for almost a whole regiment, and the works and 

 buildings now enlarging. 



Before York was made the seat of government, this place was 

 sometimes honoured with the residence of His Excellency the 

 Lieutenant-Governor, and the first Parliament met here. 



The River Niagara affords a noble harbour from its mouth to 

 Queenstown, about seven miles up, for vessels of any size. The white 

 fish are taken here in gi-eat abundance, and ai-e reckoned a delicacy ; 

 they are, however, as useful as delicate, serving the new settlers for 

 constant food, as the salmon do on the north side of the lake. 



There is a good road from Newark along the bank of the River 

 Niagara to Fort Erie, passing through Queenstown and Fort 

 Welland, formerly called Chippewa; Queenstown,- or the lower 

 landing (where there are huts for a regiment), is at one end of the 

 carrying-place, as Fort Welland is at the other. When the wind 

 serves, vessels run up from Newark to Queenstown, and unload their 

 cargoes, receiving packs of peltries in return, for the Lower Canada 

 merchants. Fifty waggons have passed this carrying-place in the 

 course of a day. At Forts Welland and Erie are block-houses, and 

 detachments of the troops from Fort George. The merchandize is 

 transported in boats between the two places. 



There is a stage runs from Newark to Fort Welland. [Chippewa. 

 2nd Edition.] We shall say little of the Falls of Niagara (of which 

 so many persons have written). This immense cataract is a little 

 below the mouth of the River Welland, and is no less, wonderful tlian 

 grand and magnificent. On the avenues to it are good mills; and 

 there is no doubt but profitable water-works might be erected, 

 immediately where it tumbles from a piece of stony flat called the 

 Table Rock. 



Above the Falls, near the upper mills, is a curious spring, the air 

 or vapour of which catches fire, and is emitted with some force; the 

 flame being collected with the pipe of a stove, was sufficiently strong 

 to boil a tea-kettle of water. 



