The English Period 



bottom by milk white foam, which ascends in thick volumes from 1796 

 the rocks; but it is not seen to rise above the fall like a cloud of 

 smoke, as is the case at the Horse-shoe Fall; nevertheless the 

 spray is so considerable, that it descends on the opposite side 

 of the river, at the foot of Simcoe's Ladder, like rain. 



Having reached the margin of the river, we proceeded towards 

 the Great Fall, along the strand, which for a considerable part 

 of the way thither consists of horizontal beds of limestone rock, 

 covered with gravel, except, indeed, where great piles of stones 

 have fallen from the sides of the cliff. These horizontal beds 

 of rock, in some places, extend very far into the river, forming 

 points which break the force of the current, and occasion strong 

 eddies along particular parts of the shore. Flere great numbers 

 of the bodies of fishes, squirrels, foxes, and various other animals, 

 that, unable to stem the current of the river above the falls, have 

 been carried down them, and consequently killed, are washed 

 up. The shore is likewise found strewed with trees, and large 

 pieces of timber, that have been swept away from the saw mills 

 above the falls, and carried down the precipice. The timber is 

 generally terribly shattered, and the carcases of all the large 

 animals, particularly of the large fishes, are found very much 

 bruised. A dreadful stench arises from the quantity of putrid 

 matter lying en the shore, and the numberless birds of prey, 

 attracted by it, are always seen hovenng about the place. 



From the foot of Simcoe's Ladder you may walk along the 

 strand for some distance without inconvenience; but as you 

 approach the Horse-shoe Fall, the way becomes more and more 

 rugged. In some places, where the cliff has crumbled down, 

 huge mounds of earth, rocks, and trees, reaching to the water's 

 edge, oppose your course; it seems impossible to pass them; and, 

 indeed, without a guide, a stranger would never find his way to 

 the opposite side; for to get there it is necessary to mount nearly 

 to the top, and then to crawl on your hands and knees through 

 long dark holes, where passages are left open between the torn 



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