Niagara Falls 



1 84i constantly straining my eyes in the direction where I knew the 

 Falls must be, from seeing the river rolling on towards them ; every 

 moment expecting to behold the spray. Within a few minutes 

 of our stopping, not before, I saw two great white clouds rising 

 up slowly and majestically from the depths of the earth. That 

 was all. At length we alighted: and then for the first time, I 

 heard the mighty rush of water, and felt the ground tremble 

 underneath my feet. 



The bank is very steep, and was slippery with rain, and half- 

 melted ice. I hardly know how I got down, but I was soon at 

 the bottom, and climbing, with two English officers who were 

 crossing and had joined me, over some broken rocks, deafened 

 by the noise, half-blinded by the spray, and wet to the skin. 

 We were at the foot of the American Fall. I could see an 

 immense torrent of water tearing headlong down from some great 

 height, but had no idea of shape, or situation, or anything but 

 vague immensity. 



When we were seated in the little ferry-boat, and were cross- 

 ing the swoln river immediately before both cataracts, I began 

 to feel what it was: but I was in a manner stunned, and unable 

 to comprehend the vastness of the scene. It was not until I 

 came on Table Rock, and looked — Great Heaven, on what a 

 fall of bright-green water ! — that it came upon me in its full 

 might and majesty. 



Then, when I felt how near to my Creator I was standing, 

 the first effect, and the enduring one — instant and lasting — 

 of the tremendous spectacle, was Peace. Peace of Mind : Tran- 

 quillity: Calm recollections of the Dead: Great Thoughts of 

 Eternal Rest and Happiness: nothing of Gloom or Terror. 

 Niagara was at once stamped upon my heart, an Image of 

 Beauty ; to remain there, changeless and indelible, until its pulses 

 cease to beat, for ever. 



Oh, how the strife and trouble of our daily life receded from 

 my view, and lessened in the distance, during the ten memorable 

 days we passed on that Enchanted Ground ! What voices spoke 



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