Travelers' Original Accounts Since 1840 



Whilst returning, another icicle fell near at hand; therefore 1865 

 it is my humble opinion that going to Termination Rock in RujseI1 

 winter is not safe except in hard frost, the safer plan being not 

 to go at all. And yet no one has ever been swept or has slipped 

 in, I believe, and so there is a new sensation to be had very 

 easily. The path on our return seemed worse than it was on 

 our going — a very small slippery ridge indeed between us and 

 the gulf; but danger there can be but little. As we emerged 

 from the wooden pillar, we submitted to a photographer for our 

 portraits in waterproof. 



Poor man! In summer he has a harvest, perhaps; in winter 

 he gleans his corn with toil and sorrow, making scenes for stereo- 

 scopes. I am not aware that we omitted anything proper to be 

 done ; for we purchased feather fans — the grifk did — and 

 beadwork and other " mementos of the Falls," which are cer- 

 tainly not selected for any apposite quality. As if the Falls 

 needed a bunch of feathers and beads to keep them in remem- 

 brance ! Well, many a time has a lock of hair, a withered flower, 

 the feeblest little atom of substantial matter, been given as a 

 memento ere now, and done its office well. 



• • • • • 



The Canadian side of the Falls boasts of charming scenery. 

 Even in the snow, the neat cottages and houses — the plantations, 

 gardens, and shrubberies — evince a degree of taste and comfort 

 which were not so observable on the American side, notwith- 

 standing the superior activity of the population. 



Our observations on our return to the right bank of the river 

 confirmed my impression concerning the diminished volume and 

 effect of the cataract. The ice, formed by spray, hung over the 

 torrent, which, always more broken and less ponderous than 

 that on the other side, is in summer very beautiful, by reason of 

 the immense variety of form and colour in the jets and cascades, 

 and of the ease with which you can stand, as it were, amid the 

 very waters of Niagara. 



The town half populated — the monster hotel closed — the 



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