Open Road — Guides — Railroads — Canals — Bridges 



novel character of the scene around, I returned to the stair-way, 1830 

 and on reaching the little building which has been erected at the ow er 

 top of it, and casting off my drenched surtout, I was presented 

 by my guide with a printed form of certificate, in testimony of the 

 performance, in the following words: To wit, — "This may 

 certify that Mr. John Fowler has passed with me behind the 

 Great Falling Sheet, under the Falls of Niagara, to ' Termination 

 Rock.' Given under my hand, at the office of the General 

 Register of Visitors, at the Table Rock, this 30th day of August, 

 1830.— (Signed) W. D. Wright, G. N. F." 



Continuing from this along the bank, about a quarter of a mile 

 lower down, is a man in attendance with a small boat to ferry 

 across the river. To a stranger it would appear altogether impos- 

 sible for a boat to live in such a water, and certainly the impetu- 

 osity and strength of the current, together with its numerous 

 eddies, are not quite pleasant; but I had every confidence in my 

 ferryman, apparently grown gray in the service, and was right 

 little disposed to indulge in any groundless apprehensions of 

 danger. He even told me, but this he esteemed a feat, that his 

 son, a boy of twelve years of age, had, more than once, swam 

 across. 



• • • • • 



I ascended from this place [foot of the American Fall] by a 

 long flight of stairs, which has been constructed to the top of the 

 bank, and passing along the shore about a quarter of a mile, came 

 to a bridge which has actually been carried across the rapids to 

 Bath Island, and upon which, (will it be believed?) there is a 

 large paper mill, as well as other mills, in operation ; there is also a 

 house where the weary traveller may find most comfortable 

 refreshment, and where I partook of all the dinner — it was a 

 very slight and hasty one, to be sure — I either had or needed dur- 

 ing the day. My feasting was of another character, but the 

 richest, the noblest, the most sumptuous banquet I ever did, I 

 ever can enjoy. 



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