Travelers' Original Accounts: 1801-1840 



them, and gazed, and that view is impressed on my memory 1836 

 forever. We turned the seemingly dangerous point. I felt " man 

 like a triumphant rider on a battle-field, and as our boat sprang 

 forward, and I looked upward to the mass of waters, they 

 seemed like giant witnesses. 



And now I am in the United States again. It is in vain for me 

 to attempt to describe the beauty and glory of this spectacle. 

 I can only tell its effects on me individually. We paused at the 

 foot of the staircase, near the descent of the lesser Fall. My 

 agitation rather increases than diminishes in contemplating them. 

 I have felt, ever since I came, as if the Great Architect were 

 near. I care for nothing but this work of his hand. Human 

 beings, whom I so love and prize, move by me like visions. 



We are at the Cataract House, and as agreeably accommo- 

 dated as persons can be who see the beautiful and sublime giving 

 place to the useful and the low. This site is ruined. It is the 

 prayer of all persons of taste that Goat or Iris Island may be 

 preserved from this desecration. If any building is erected, it 

 should have a classical exterior, with no more clearing than 

 necessity demands, and be devoted to visitors, giving them a short 

 and romantic walk to these glorious exhibitions. I was glad to 

 escape from the sound of the hammer and mill. We registered 

 our names at Bath Island, and paid our little fee. The rapids at 

 the bridge are indescribably beautiful, and have shed over me, 

 I think, as great an amount of delight as any other view. I 

 never pass them without lingering with a protracted gaze, and 

 feeling the growth of thought at every survey; then succeeds 

 the secluded forest isle, in its perfect natural beauty, affording 

 the eye time to repose, before it is again called to bow before 

 the majesjty of the Cataract. If there was nothing to be seen 

 on the island but the view at Lunar Bridge, it would repay 

 nature's pilgrim, who comes to worship here. Standing near the 

 current of the lesser Fall, a rainbow appears at either side, — 

 distinct arches of light, reposing on the mist like crowns of glory. 

 We descended the Biddle staircase, and passed some hours on 



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