Science, Geology and Physics 



down into the gulf, while under your feet the waters rush and 1834 

 hurry on, and swell and roll over), is one of the jewel-spots, as er 

 I call them in my journal, where, as I think I have mentioned 

 already, I have placed all the fine views I have seen, together — 

 a precious list to me. . . The view from the point of this 



bridge, though of uncommon interest, is not, however, a good 

 view of the Falls, as a whole; this can be only obtained from 

 below, or at a distance. 



Close to this bridge has been erected a turret, which, I think, 

 is perfectly in keeping with all the gigantic objects and stupend- 

 ous phenomena around you, provided you can bring yourself to 

 take it for a pepper-box. But I will be fair. Much, and not 

 without reason, is said against this turret, yet from it you have a 

 view of the incision or receding angle of the Crescent, such as 

 you could not possibly have any where else; and, even with 

 regard to its own appearance, I must say that when on one after- 

 noon I saw from Table-Rock the rainbow resting with one end 

 on Goat Island edge, and the other on the opposite shore, like a 

 glorious triumphal arch over the mighty cataract, this turret, 

 seen at a distance, contributed not a little to beautify the great 

 picture. It was a slight indication that man was there, also; 

 somewhat like a little garden which we sometimes suddenly meet 

 with, perched among the steepest rocks in a lonely Alpine 

 country. 



The water, precipitating itself with such immense swiftness 

 over the edge of the ravine, (it descends about fifty-eight feet in 

 the half mile immediately above the Falls), does not, as you 

 may well imagine, drop down perpendicularly, but in a parabolic 

 line. It is believed that the waters of the Crescent Fall touch the 

 surface of the stream below about fifty feet from the point, 

 which they would reach, were the fall perpendicular. The 

 whole height, including the descent of the rapids above, is given 

 as two hundred and sixteen feet. 



Owing to this projecting of the waters, the traveller is enabled 



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