212 Notice of the Tockoa and Tallulah Falls. 



figures and colors,— brown, white, azure and purple — over- 

 hanging, receding, angular and square surfaces, — figures in 

 bass-relief ornamented with shrubbery — small rivulets fal- 

 ling in graceful cascades down the precipice — the opening 

 abyss, lined with massive rock — the foaming, roaring water, 

 at the bottom encircled by rainbows, all seen at one view, 

 produce sensations unutterable. The feeling once enjoyed 

 you desire to recall, but it can be recalled only by placing 

 yourself again upon the spot. Nor does the scenery lose its 

 power by long and minute examination. I lingered about 

 the Rapids three days, and the effect was rather heightened 

 by new discoveries, than weakened by familiarity. 



The most magnificent general view is from a part of the 

 precipice which projects over the abyss twenty feet, and 

 which is gained by a descent of fifteen feet. This is half 

 way between the commencement and termination of the 

 rapids, near the highest part of the mountain through which 

 they pass, not less than one thousand feet above the water, 

 and affords the best view of the second and third falls, one 

 of which is almost under the projection. Our company had 

 just gained this site, sufficiently agitated with our situation, 

 when instantly a peal of thunder burst over us, and the rain 

 descended upon us. The young ladies took shelter under a 

 projecting bank, from which one step might have precipita- 

 ted them one thousand feet into the foaming river, — the rest 

 of the party crowded under a single umbrella upon the point 

 of the overhanging rock. The rock-house formerly the en- 

 trance of the Indian's paradise, but now the eagle's habita- 

 tion, was before us — the earth in front and on either hand 

 opened wide and deep — over us roared the thunder — under 

 us, at about the same distance, were seen and heard the pour- 

 ing and dashing of the cataracts — " heavens red artillery" 

 played around — and the wind swept by, with great violence. 

 At this moment, a large pine near us was rifted by the light- 

 ning, and its trunk entirely splintered to the ground. Echo 

 answered echo from side to side, rumbling long and loud, 

 through the caverns of the broken mountain. We all 

 trembled, and looked at each other in silence. The la- 

 dies sustained the shock with unexpected equanimity, and 

 kept their places. In half an hour the cloud passed over — 

 the wind slept — the sun casting its brilliant rainbows round the 

 falls, spread over the wilderness a mild and enchanting seren- 

 ity, and we pursued our discoveries with augmented interest. 



