Travelers Original Accounts: 1801-1840 



side; and it is a lovely feature in the mighty landscape. The 1832 

 gay arch springs from fall to fall, a fairy bridge. r0 ope 



After breakfast we crossed to the American side, and explored 

 Goat Island. The passage across the Niagara, directly in face 

 of the falls, is one of the most delightful little voyages imagin- 

 able; the boat crosses marvellously near them, and within 

 reach of a light shower of spray. Real safety and apparent 

 danger have each their share in the pleasure felt. The river 

 is here two hundred feet deep. The passage up the rock brings 

 you close upon the American cataract; it is a vast sheet, and 

 has all the sublimity that height and width, and uproar can 

 give; but it has none of the magic of its rival about it. Goat 

 Island has, at all points, a fine view of the rapids; the furious 

 velocity with which they rush onward to the abyss is terrific; 

 and the throwing a bridge across them was a work of noble 

 daring. 



Below the falls, the river runs between lofty rocks, crowned 

 with unbroken forests; this scene forms a striking contrast to 

 the level shores above the cataract. It appears as if the level 

 of the river had been broken up by some volcanic force. The 

 Niagara flows out of lake Erie a broad, deep river; but for 

 several miles its course is tranquil, and its shores perfectly level. 

 By degrees its bed begins to sink, and the glassy smoothness 

 is disturbed by a slight ripple. The inverted trees, that before 

 lay so softly still upon its bosom, become twisted and tortured 

 till they lose their form and seem madly to mix in the tumult 

 that destroys them. The current becomes more rapid at every 

 step, till rock after rock has chafed the stream to fury, making 

 the green one white. This lasts for a mile, and then down sink 

 the rocks at once one hundred and fifty feet and the enormous 

 flood falls after them. God said let there be a cataract, and 

 it was so. When the river has reached its new level, the 

 precipice on either side shows a terrific chasm of solid rock; 

 some beautiful plants are clinging to its sides, and oak, ash, 

 and cedar, in many places, clothe their terrors with rich foliage. 



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