Open Road — Guides — Railroads — Canals — Bridges 



water projects far enough to admit you to see a considerable 1808 

 way between the rock and the main sheet, and affords room c> 

 enough for those who wish to descend, to go behind it. This is 

 owing to a projecting ledge of the rock over which the water is 

 precipitated. Opposite to you, at the distance of somewhat less 

 than a quarter of a mile, you see the river broken by a finely 

 wooded island; and the rest of this immense body of water, 

 rushing down into the farther part of the chasm below, on the 

 American side. 



The roaring and foaming of the rapids for near a mile in full 

 view before the river arrives at the precipice; the green tint of 

 the water, edged all the way down by curling folds of snow white 

 foam; the immediate chasm of boiling snow into which the 

 river pours; the mist that eternally hovers over the gulf below, 

 and through which you see at intervals the turbulence of the 

 bottom; the trees of the island which divides the falls, and which 

 seem to descend even below the edge of the precipice itself; 

 the immense interminable mass of wood, which fills the whole of 

 the surrounding country, and borders to the very edge, every part 

 of the watery prospect; and the rapidity with which the green 

 and white current below drives along as if in haste to escape from 

 the horrible chasm in which it had been ingulfed, form altogether 

 a scene of grandeur and of beauty, unrivalled. I felt content that 

 I had taken the journey. It was worth the trouble. 



After having sufficiently contemplated the scene before me, I 

 was satisfied that I could well dispense with my intended tour 

 to the American side; and also with the troublesome descent 

 down an unsafe ladder half a mile off, and a walk of near a 

 mile over the rough rocks at the bottom, to get at the view below, 

 and behind the sheet of water. It appeared to me that every 

 thing that was worth seeing, might be seen in safety and in comfort 

 from the Table Rock; but those who have more youth, more 

 leisure, and more curiosity than I had may like to see all that 

 is to be seen. It is unpardonable in the tavern-keepers at Chip- 

 peway, whose establishments are to be maintained by the con- 



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