NIAGARA FALLS. 
117 
the rights and the line of the falls, instead of 
extending from bank to bank in the shortest 
direction, runs obliquely across. The width 
of the falls is considerably greater than the 
width of the river, admeasured some way be¬ 
low the precipice ; but the annexed plan will 
enable you to form a better idea of their posi¬ 
tion than any written description whatsoever. 
For its great accuracy I cannot vouch, as it 
was done merely from the eye; such as it 
is, however, I have sent it to you, conceiving it 
better that you should have a plan somewhat 
imperfect than no plan at all. On looking it 
over you will see that the river does not rush 
down the precipice in one unbroken sheet, but 
that it is divided by islands into three distinct 
collateral falls. The most stupendous of these 
is that on the north western or British side of 
the river, commonly called the Great, or Horse¬ 
shoe Fall, from its bearing some resemblance 
to the shape of a horse-shoe. The height of 
this is only one hundred and forty-two feet, 
whereas the others are each one hundred and 
sixty feet high ; but to its inferior heightit is 
indebted principally for its grandeur; the pre¬ 
cipice, and of course the bed of the river above 
it being so much lower at the one side than at 
the other, by far the greater part of the water 
of the river finds its way to the low side, and 
rushes down with greater velocity, at that side 
