Travelers Original Accounts Since 1840 



away (as I saw it last night from a distance) like a summer 1877 

 cloud. Imagine all this, and you have still the weakest and mwi 

 faintest idea of Niagara. 



1877-1878 



SAUNDERS, William. Through the light continent; or, The United 1877-78 

 States in 1877-1878. 2d ed. Lond.; N. Y.: Cassell, Petter, Galpin. Saunder. 

 1879. Pp. 24-25. 



With the first sight of Niagara I expected to be disappointed, 

 but I was much more disappointed than I expected. I remained 

 for three days, during which time it seemed to get bigger, and 

 when the earth trembled with the force of the falling water the 

 whole effect was impressive; but beautiful or pleasing it is not. 

 A waterfall may be spoiled by having too much water, just as 

 an illumination is destroyed by too much light. It is only when 

 the overflow is sufficiently thin to break and scatter as it falls 

 that falling water is beautiful. This effect is seen with the 

 American Fall, and at the end of the Great Horseshoe Fall, 

 where the overflow is comparatively slight; but the great bulk 

 of the water goes over the centre of the Horseshoe in a straight 

 determined manner which looks like business, but not like beauty. 

 The surrounding country is as flat as a dining table, and a level 

 district is not interesting even though nature has cut a big drain 

 through it. The islands amongst the rapids above the falls are 

 pretty and pleasant, and two or three days can be passed here 

 very agreeably. After leaving the place the scene seems to grow 

 and expand upon the memory, and certainly it is one which will 

 never be forgotten. The water appears to be concentrating on 

 the centre of the Horseshoe Fall, which is evidently breaking 

 away, and the sides of the Horseshoe, which are now the most 

 beautiful part, will be dry if this process is somewhat extended. 

 Indeed, if it should be greatly developed the whole fall will 

 become a mere rapid. 



1879 



ARGYLL, Duke OF. First impressions of the new world. (Lit. liv. 1879 

 age, Jan. 3. 1880. 144:38-40.) Argyl1 



22 337 



