Preservation of the Falls 



Fall, with a fine foreground of richly tinted trees on broken banks, 1853 

 and the frothy stream below, while the little tower came in appro- ingslon 

 priately on the left overlooking the cataract. The whole island 

 is beautifully wooded with a great variety of trees, and is as 

 romantic and interesting a spot as the most enthusiastic of medita- 

 tive poets could desire. 



Descending a winding path, we reached the south end of the 

 Horseshoe Fall, where a wooden bridge, some forty yards long, 

 or more, resting on a succession of small rocks parallel with the 

 very brink of the Fall ; but three or four feet from it carried us to 

 the foot of the little tower, whence we ascended a spiral stair to a 

 platform on its summit, surrounded by a light iron railing literally 

 overhanging the great cataract itself. Here the sight is grand and 

 awe-inspiring. We stood where thousands had stood before ; but, 

 as we looked up the river at the wide-spreading rapids, and 

 watched the fiercely-foaming mass come rushing down towards 

 our resting-place, and whirling under our feet, then taking its 

 tremendous plunge down into the caldron on the brim of which 

 we stood, and sending up clouds of vapour which kept circling 

 round our heads, already somewhat confused by the din and 

 roar, a more than usual exertion of mind was required to feel the 

 reality of the security we were enjoying. Not that we experienced 

 anything akin to fear, more than the trained soldier does in the 

 raging battle-field. After we had encountered the first shock of 

 this novel existence, though the wind blew strong round the 

 tower — though the frail fabric shook beneath our feet — though 

 the whirling spray blinded our eyes, and the roar of the cataract 

 — for here indeed it did roar — almost deprived us of the sense 

 of hearing, such only tended to excite and strengthen our nerves, 

 all other feelings were absorbed in the wild grandeur of the 

 scene. 



1085 



