Niagara Falls 



1840 



Marryat 



1840 



Combe 



1840 



Maxwell 



1840 



Waylen 



looked upon the waters a second time, and then my thoughts 

 were directed into a very different channel. I wished myself a 

 magician, that I might transport the falls to Italy, and pour their 

 whole volume of waters into the crater of Mount Vesuvius; wit- 

 ness the terrible conflict between the contending elements, and 

 create the largest steam-boiler that ever entered into the imagina- 

 tion of man. 



This diary " is to be found in various editions, English and American." 

 The author gives expression to the not unusual desire of visitors to the 

 Falls to leap into the foaming waters, and indulges " in much whimsical 

 writing." " I wished myself a magician, that I might transport the Falls 

 to Italy, and pour their whole volume of water into the crater of Mount 

 Vesuvius: witness the terrible conflict between the contending elements, 

 and create the largest steam-boiler that ever entered into the imagination 

 of man." 



Combe, GEORGE. Notes on the United States of North America 

 during a phrenological visit in 1838-9—40. Phila. : Cary and Hart. 

 1841. 2:79-80. 



Brief and compact account touching on many features. " I was far 

 less impressed by its sublimity than by its beauty: it is full of grace and 

 majesty, and emotions of pleasure were constantly predominant while I 

 gazed on it." 



Maxwell, Archibald Montgomery. A run through the United 

 States during the autumn of 1 840. Lond. : Henry Colburn. 1 84 1 . 

 1:260-287. 2:1-10. 



The author visited the Falls in September, 1840, and wrote these 

 letters giving a most enthusiastic account of his rambles about the Falls 

 with a description of the cataract both by night and day. The account is 

 interspersed with anecdotes and personal touches. He feels that the 

 " hopes and anticipation of years are more than realized " in this " unspeak- 

 ably sublime and magnificent view," which he, however, finally quitted 

 " without regret." 



WAYLEN, Rev. EDWARD. Ecclesiastical reminiscences of the United 

 States. Lond.: Straker. 1846. Pp. 281-283. 



The record of two days spent at the Falls in June, 1840. "The 

 cataract spanned by its perpetual bow, and the deep, steady, constant roll 

 of the measureless volume of water enchained us in speechless admiration 

 and wonder." 



224 



