Geology^ ^c of the Connecticut. 13 



of the sluice, it spreads out again into its accustomed width 

 and soon resumes its wonted calmness. 



Near the middle of these Falls a bridge is thrown across 

 the river, and from this, a fine view is afforded of the ra- 

 pids and surrounding scenery. The first time I visited the 

 spot, I chanced to cross this bridge from the east, as ths 

 evening twilight was dying away, and there was just indis- 

 tinctness enough upon objects to leave room for the play of 

 the imagination. In the middle of the bridge I stopped and 

 looked into the foaming stream below, where the ragged 

 rocks, half seen amid the partial darknesSj jutting out from, 

 the banks and shooting up from the bottom, presented a 

 real Charybdis, devouring whatever entered its jaws. Dan- 

 gers enough were visible, in the dark waters below ; and 

 while nothing but the bridge seemed to separate me from 

 destruction, on looking up, I saw the venerable Fall moun- 

 tain, rising with its impending precipices, and threatening 

 to bury the whole in ruins. 



Nearly a mile below the falls, on the Vermont side, is a 

 favourable spot for viewing them and the surrounding 

 scenery. From this point you see the cataract nearly in 

 front, with the bridge crossing it at right angles, with the 

 line of vision ; while the mountain, here seen in its whole 

 length, forms a lofty mural barrier on the eastern bank. At 

 the foot of this mountain, just beyond the bridge and al- 

 most overshadowed by the shaggy rocks, stands a large and 

 elegant mansion house ; and on the opposite side appears a 

 neat compact village. 



Turner's Falls. 



These cross the Connecticut, near the point where the 

 towns of Greenfield, Gill and Montague meet. There is no 

 distinctive name by which they are known in the vicinity ;* 



* Professor SilHmaB denominates this cataract Miller's Falls (See Tour, 

 to Quebec, p. 400.) But Miller's Falls are three miles higher up the riv- 

 er, at the mouth of Miller's river, and not in the Connecticut. 



A few years since an Indian, who lived near Turner's falls, was precipi- 

 tated overthem : But by his dexterity in swimming, and by placing his 

 feet forward as he descended, he escaped alive. Some time afterward, 

 however, as the ice in the springtime was breaking up, he was unfortu- 

 nately carried over among the broken fragments and never appeared again. 



