8 Falls of the JViagara. 



cumference, and in that mile you have a forest of tall, old 

 trees, many of them draperied with climbing and cleaving 

 ivy ; a rich variety of wild shrubs and plants ; several views 

 of the rapids ; an opportunity to pass without discomfort 

 under the smaller American Fall, and the very finest view, I 

 will venture to say, of the great Crescent, or Horseshoe Fall. 

 Turn to the left, as you enter this Eden, and you come out 

 into a cleared and open spot, on which you discern a log hut, 

 with vines round its door and windows, and a little garden in 

 front of it, running down to the water's edge ; a flock of sheep 

 feeding quietly, or reposing pleasantly, under scattered clumps 

 of graceful trees ; while, beyond this scene of rural repose, 

 you see the whole field of the rapids, bearing down in full 

 force upon this point of their division, as if determined to 

 sweep it away. Or, turn to the right, and threading the 

 shady forest, step aside to the margin of the smaller Ameri- 

 can Fall,* and bathe your hands, if you please, in its just 

 leaping waters. Then, pursuing the circuit of the island, 

 descend a spiral flight of stairs, and treading cautiously along 

 a narrow footpath, cut horizontally in the side of the clift', 

 enter the magnificent hall formed by the falling flood, the 

 bank of which you have just left, and command your nerves 

 for a few moments, that, standing as you do about midway in 

 the descent of the Fall, you may look up, eighty feet, to its 

 arched and crystal roof, and down, eighty feet, on its terrible, 

 and misty, and resounding floor. You will never forget that 

 sight and sound. 



Retrace your steps to the upper bank, and then, if your 

 strength holds out, proceed a short way further to the enjoy- 

 ment of a view, already referred to, which excels every other 

 in this place of many wonders. It is obtained from a bridge 

 or platform, which has recently been thrown out over some 

 rocks, f and is carried to the very brink of the Horseshoe Fall, 

 and even projects beyond it; so that the spectator at the end 

 of the platform, is actually suspended over it. And if he is 

 alone, and gives way to his feelings, he must drop upon his 

 knees, for the grandeur of the scene is overpowering. The 

 soul is elevated, and at the same time subdued, as in an awful 

 and heavenly presence. Deity is there. The brooding and 



* This is separated from the greater Fall by a diminutive island, cov- 

 ered virith trees, which tenaciously maintains its terrible position, in 

 emulation, as it were, of Goat Island. This lesser Fail, small as it is 

 compared with the others, would of itself be worth a journey. 



t These are called the Terrapin Rocks. 



