The French Period 



river, but which in this place is liker a torrent by its rapidity, by 1721 

 the whirlpools formed by a thousand rocks, through which it 

 with difficulty finds a passage, and by the foam with which it is 

 always covered; on the other the view is confined by three 

 mountains placed one over the other, and whereof the last hides 

 itself in the clouds. This would have been a very proper scene 

 for the poets to make the Titans attempt to scale the heavens. 

 In a word, on whatever side you turn your eyes, you discover 

 nothing which does not inspire a secret horror. 



You have, however, but a very short way to go, to behold a 

 very different prospect. Behind those uncultivated and unin- 

 habitable mountains, you enjoy the sight of a rich country, 

 magnificent forests, beautiful and fruitful hills; you breathe the 

 purest air, under the mildest and most temperate climate 

 imaginable, situated between two lakes the least of which is two 

 hundred and fifty leagues in circuit 



(At the Falls of Niagara, May 26, 1721.) 



. . . The officers having departed, I ascended those fright- 

 ful mountains, in order to visit the famous Fall of Niagara, above 

 which I was to take water; this is a journey of three leagues, 

 though formerly five; because the way then lay by the other, 

 that is, the west-side of the river, and also because the place for 

 embarking lay full two leagues above the Fall. But there has 

 since been found, on the left, at the distance of half a quarter 

 of a league from this cataract, a creek, where the current is not 

 perceivable, and consequently a place where one may take water 

 without danger. My first care, after my arrival, was to visit 

 the noblest cascade perhaps in the world ; but I presently found the 

 baron de la Hontan had committed such a mistake with respect 

 to its height and figure, as to give grounds to believe he had 

 never seen it. It is certain, that if you measure its height by 

 that of the three mountains, you are obliged to climb to get at it, 

 3 33 



