41 



tered by high and bold banks on each side, 

 with good anchorage in every part. The river 

 of Niagara communicates with the west end of 

 Lake Ontario, rendered memorable by events 

 recently passed, and most probably destined 

 to become the scene of contests that will be 

 pregnant with momentous import to North 

 America in future ages. In length it is 17 1 

 miles, at its greatest breadth 59i> and 467 in 

 circumference ; the depth of water varies very 

 much, but is seldom less than three or more than 

 50 fathoms, except in the middle, where at- 

 tempts have been made with 300 fathoms with- 

 out striking soundings ; its position is nearly east 

 and west; the appearance of the shores ex- 

 hibits great diversity; towards the north-east 

 part they are low, with many marshy places ; to 

 the north and north-west they assume a lofty 

 character, but subside again to a very mode- 

 rate height on the south. Bordering the lake 

 the country is every where covered with woods, 

 through whose numerous openings frequent 

 patches of settlements are seen that give it a 

 pleasing effect, which is greatly heightened by 

 the w^hite cliffs of Toronto, and the remarkable 

 high land over Presqu'ile, called the Devil's 

 Nose, on the north ; the view on the south is 

 well relieved with a back ground produced by 

 the ridge of hills that, after forming the pre- 



