Niagara Falls 



1807 beyond the place I had advanced; from whence I conclude that 

 the compression of air between the falls and rocks is so great that 

 no living creature ever has, or ever can pass betwixt them. It 

 is impossible for me to describe to you accurately how I felt when 

 I was attacked; for, to confess the truth, I was too much fright- 

 ened at the moment to form any idea not immediately connected 

 with my own preservation. I am wholly at a loss whether or 

 not it was in reality a difficulty of breathing which prevented my 

 advancing. The strongest impression upon my mind is, that I 

 felt something like a blow in my face, without, however, leaving 

 any marks of violence; but how or in what manner I lost my hat 

 I was not sensible, but believe it must have been by a sudden 

 blast of wind. . . . 



While yet at a very great distance, you will always observe a 

 volume of clouds hovering over the falls; nor is there any excep- 

 tion even in the clearest and brightest day; the only perceivable 

 difference is in their height and colour. In a clear bright day they 

 appear very high and white, while, on the contrary, in heavy, 

 cloudy weather, they sink lower, and acquire a smoky appear- 

 ance. These clouds proceed from the vapour arising from the 

 spray formed by the dashing of the water; while the change of 

 colour and variation of height depend upon the change of the 

 heavens and density of the atmosphere. The farmers settled 

 immediately in the neighbourhood of the falls informed me that 

 this spray causes the death of a great part of their cattle during 

 the cold winters, as the continued fall of the dew and vapour 

 constantly covers them with a coat of ice, which brings on a 

 disease that carries them off in a short time. 



When you are at Fort Schlosser you have about one mile to 

 walk to the pitch of the falls, the greater part of which distance 

 is along the banks of the river, where you have an occasional 

 peep at the rapids above. About a quarter of a mile before you 

 arrive at the falls you pass an excellent set of mills, erected by 

 Porter, Barton & Co. The situation of these mills is so very 



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