Niagara Falls 



1870? Pages 102-105 — Description of "Summer and Winter Scenery. — 



Barham River below the Falls." One of the original additions apparently. 



The surrounding scenery on both sides of the river is in good 

 keeping with the magnificence of the Falls. It is just what it 

 should be, — grand, striking, and unique. By most visitors it is 

 only seen in summer. But in the winter it is also inimitable and 

 indescribably beautiful. The trees and shrubbery on Goat and 

 other islands, and on the banks of the river near the Falls, are 

 covered with transparent sleet, presenting an appearance of " icy 

 brilliants," or rather of millions of glittering chandeliers of all 

 sizes and descriptions, and giving one a most vivid idea of fairy- 

 land. 



" For every shrub and every blade of grass, 

 And every pointed thorn, seems wrought in glass; 

 The frighted birds the rattling branches shun, 

 Which wave and glitter in the distant sun." 



The scene presents a splendid counterpart to Goldsmith's 

 description of the subterranean grottos of Paros and Antiparos. 

 The mist from the Falls freezes upon the trees so gradually and 

 to such thickness, that it often bears a most exact resemblance to 

 alabaster ; and this, set off by the dazzling colours of the rainbows 

 that arch the river from twenty different points, seems by natural 

 association to raise the imagination to that world, where the streets 

 are of pure gold, the gates of pearl, and night is unknown. 



" Look, the massy trunks 

 Are cased in the pure crystal; branch and twig 

 Shine in the lucid covering; each light rod, 

 Nodding and twinkling in the stirring breeze, 

 Is studded with its trembling water-drops, 

 Still streaming, as they move, with coloured light. 

 But round the parent stem, the long, low boughs 

 Bend in a glittering ring, or arbours hide 

 The glassy floor. Oh ! you might deem the spot 

 The spacious cavern of some virgin mine, 

 Deep in the womb of earth, where the gems grow! 

 And diamonds put forth radiant rods, and bud 

 With amethyst and topaz, and the place 



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