Niagara Falls 



1822 before it reaches the surface, the surface is not billowy, but com- 

 Dwight paratively level. The wavy, tossed aspect of other streams, 



immediately below their cataracts, is the result of a force, applied 

 at the surface; or of a current, descending only to a moderate 

 depth. In the present case, as the ascending current comes from 

 a depth so vast, it almost equally affects the whole mass, and 

 cannot disturb the common level by the smallest fluctuations. 

 The whole appearance, however, made an impression, on the 

 mind, of an agitation incalculably greater, and a force far more 

 astonishing, than that, which produces the loftiest billows of the 

 ocean. This was a scene, which I was unprepared to expect, and 

 an exhibition of the force of water, which I had never before 

 imagined. 



The noise of this cataract has often been the object of admira- 

 tion, and the subject of loose and general description. We heard 

 it distinctly when crossing the ferry at the distance of eighteen 

 miles; the wind blowing from the North- West, almost at right 

 angles with the direction of the sound. Two gentlemen, who 

 had lived some time at York, on the North side of Lake Ontario, 

 and who were my companions in the stage, informed me, that 

 it was not unfrequently heard there. The distance is fifty miles. 



The note, or tone, if I may call it such, is the same with the 

 hoarse roar of the ocean; being much more grave, or less shrill, 

 than that which proceeds from other objects of the same nature. 

 It is not only louder, but seems as if it were expanded to a sin- 

 gular extent; as if it filled the atmosphere, and spread over all 

 the surrounding country. The only variety, which attends it, is 

 a continual undulation; resembling that of long musical chords,, 

 when struck with a forcible impulse. These undulations succeed 

 each other with great rapidity. When two persons stand very 

 near to each other, they can mutually hear their ordinary conver- 

 sation. When removed to a small distance, they are obliged to 

 halloo; and, when removed a little farther, cannot be heard at 

 alL Every other sound is drowned in the tempest of noise, made 



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