Niagara Falls 



1836 



Preston 



1836 



Thomas 



1836 



Wilkie 



As regards the realization of grand scenic effect in the 

 appearance of the Falls, I fully concur in the opinion I have 

 seen expressed, that the best means of inducing it consist in cross- 

 ing the river at the ferry, to within about one-fourth of the dis- 

 tance from the American shore, and in so directing your gaze 

 from such point of view (never heeding the tossing, nor the satu- 

 ration consequent on remaining in such a position), as to take in 

 the American and British Falls together, Goat Island, which 

 lies between them, being entirely shut in by the oblique line of 

 vision. . . . 



On the occasion of my visit to the Falls, which chanced to be 

 just after the opening of the navigation, they still retained some 

 portion of their wintry dress. On the second, on the contrary, 

 their environing adornments were green trees and foliage, but 

 it is to my mind doubtful even now, if these, after all, were so 

 much in unison with the peculiar character of the main object, 

 as the previous accumulated snow and clustering icicles. 



The author points out the need of " close solitary studying " in order 

 to get really acquainted with the Falls, and suggests ways of bringing one's 

 self into proper comprehension of the grandeur of the scene. He feels 

 impelled to give utterance to the thoughts with which the Falls inspire him. 



Thomas, Rev. Abel C. Autobiography. Boston: J. M. Usher. 

 1852. Pp. 211-213. 



An account of a visit made in May, 1837. The author preached on 

 Table Rock. We quote from his own account. " The congregation con- 

 sisted of Rev. Russell Tomlinson and Rev. K. Townsend — Table Rock 

 was both Pulpit and Pew — and my text, ' There was a Rainbow round 

 about the throne '." The discourse was on the seven attributes of the 

 Supreme Being symbolized by the bow. 



WlLKIE, D. Sketches of a summer trip to New York and the Canadas. 

 Edinb. 1837. Pp. 100-102. 



As the diamond is set in metal of the least gaudy hue, so, we 

 really believe the true sublimity of the Falls would be heightened 

 were the soil around shorn of the leafy fringe which decks the 

 verge of the stream; for in that case nothing would be left to 



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