Niagara Falls 



1853 people to the Clifton House, treated my proceedings with perfect 

 Weld indifference. As all things, however, come to an end, so did the 



drive. At the end of seven miles the road, hitherto level, sud- 

 denly dipped, and I beheld immediately before me the mighty 

 cataracts, illuminated by brilliant sunshine. To the question 

 " Were you disappointed by the first view? " which is generally 

 asked, I answer " No ; " but it is right to add, I had been careful 

 not to raise my expectations too high. Indeed, remembering how 

 many persons have expressed themselves disappointed by the 

 height of the falls appearing so insignificant in proportion to their 

 great breadth, I had dwarfed my ideal view too much ; and now, 

 when the reality was before me, it exceeded my expectations. 

 This was a pleasing disappointment. . . . With an alacrity 

 which made the numerous drivers surrounding the hotel aware I 

 had just arrived, hastened to the Table Rock. To my surprise, 

 beyond the mere offer of their vehicles, I was left to pursue my 

 way unmolested; and I have to add, that during my abode at 

 the falls, I was never annoyed in any way by guides ; nor, indeed, 

 did I see any persons practising the generally officious and to the 

 tourist distressing office of showman. I mention this, because I 

 have frequently seen and heard it asserted, that the visitor at 

 Niagara is sorely plagued by guides, who start up at all points to 

 the distraction of his peace and enjoyment. A walk — or rather 

 a run — of a few minutes brought me to the Table Rock ; from 

 whence I gazed on the descending sea before me with feelings of 

 awe and wonder, tempered by a feeling of gratitude that I was 

 permitted to look upon a scene whose stupendous majesty is 

 identified with my earliest knowledge of the wonders of the world. 



• • • • • 



How long I remained spell-bound to the spot where I had 

 seated myself, I know not; but as a proof of the entire concentra- 

 tion of all senses on the scene, I was entirely ignorant of the fact 

 that I had been sitting some time in a pool of water formed by the 

 spray. 



1090 



