Niagara Falls 



1796 from which Mr. de Blacons had viewed it the preceding even- 

 Liancoun i n g, and to which he desired to conduct us. This place is known 

 in the country by the name of Table-Rock, and forms a part of 

 the rock over which the river precipitates itself. You here stand 

 in the midst of its bed, and almost in the water, so that you can, 

 with perfect safety, see the river rushing down at your feet; but, 

 advancing only two paces, you would be hurried to destruction. 

 On this spot you also enjoy the beautiful prospect of the foaming 

 water dashing along over the rapids of the awful fall, from which 

 you are not separated by any intervening object, and of the tre- 

 mendous whirlpool, which engulfs it. It is from this spot, that 

 this wonder of nature should be viewed, if you would see it but 

 from one spot. But it ought to be contemplated from all sides; 

 your astonishment will constantly rise, and you will behold and 

 admire in awful silence. 



The descent is more easy to the Table-rock than to any 

 other spot. It is much to be regretted, that the government of 

 a people, which surpasses all other nations for fondness in travel- 

 ling and curiosity, should not have provided convenient places 

 for observing this celebrated phenomenon, at all possible points of 

 view. It is pleaded in excuse, that the number of travellers, 

 whom curiosity leads to this spot, is inconsiderable; that even 

 they, who travel this way on account of business, and stop here 

 to view the falls, are few in number; that only hunting Indians 

 and idle children form the idea of creeping down to the falls; 

 and that consequently nobody would be benefited by the money 

 expended in providing an easy access. Yet all these pleas cannot 

 justify a saving of thirty dollars, for which expense the greatest 

 curiosity in the known world would be rendered accessible. 



It is superfluous to mention, that, notwithstanding the severity 

 of the winter in this country, the cataract, as well as the river 

 above it, are never frozen. But this is not the case with the lakes, 

 and smaller rivers, which supply it with water. Enormous flakes 

 of ice rush constantly down this cataract, when the thaw sets in, 

 without being entirely dashed to pieces on the rocks; and thus 



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