Niagara Falls 



1796 interrupted by an island, which separates the two arms, rests 

 Liancourt unshaken on its rocky basis, and seems, as it were, to swim 

 between the two streams, which rush down at once into this stu- 

 pendous chasm. The waters of the lakes Erie, Michigan, St. 

 Clair, Huron, and Lake Superiour, and of the numerous rivers, 

 emptying themselves into these lakes, incessantly replace the water 

 that thus dashes down. The water of the falls tumbles perpen- 

 dicularly on the rocks. Its colour is, at times, a dark green, at others 

 a foaming white, brilliant throughout, and displaying a thousand 

 variegations, as it is struck by the rays of the sun, or, according to 

 the time of the day, the state of the atmosphere, the force of the 

 wind, &c. The water, which rushes down the rocks, rises in part 

 in a thick column of mist, often towering above the height of the 

 falls, and mixing with the clouds. The remainder, broken in its 

 perpendicular descent by fragments of rocks, is in continual 

 agitation; spouts and foams, and casts on shore logs of wood, 

 whole trees, boats, and wrecks, which the stream has swept along 

 in its course. The bed of the river, formed by the two ridges 

 of rocks which extend a great way farther, is still more narrowed, 

 as if part of this mighty stream had vanished during the fall, or 

 were swallowed up by the earth. The noise, agitation, irregu- 

 larity, and rapid descent of the stream, continue seven or eight 

 miles farther on, and the river does not become sufficiently placid 

 for a safe passage till it reaches Queenstown, nine miles from 

 the falls. 



I crept down to the cataract; the descent is very difficult; per- 

 pendicular steps, hev/n out of trees, caverns, and projecting rocks, 

 the scattered fragments of which warn the traveller of the danger 

 from the descent, without offering any hold, except some decayed 

 bushes, which the imprudent adventurer, who should place any 

 dependence on them, would carry with him into the unfathomed 

 abyss. Everything seems calculated to strike with terror; but 

 curiosity is as heedless as any other passion. The certain pros- 

 pect of a splendid fortune would hardly induce me to attempt, 

 what I at this moment did from the mere impulse of curiosity. 



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