American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-02-18
TIE FALLS OF NIAGARA.

EHE FALLS OF Nlh0hhhs
An accomplished traveller and scholar of the Fl
attainments, while travetsng the interior of I
United States, and particularly the lake couDlr
has furnished some interesting sketches for Pos
sons .1merican .adrertiSer from which we e
tract the following as specimen of the author
style, and as view Of the,s scene which he descl
bes, which will, no doubt, afford qualification
the reader Col. Star.
"There is not in the whole world more augu
and magnificent spectacle, than the Cataract
Niagara All the elements of beauty, submit
terror, awe and ecstasy, are here blended IN or
great and glorious communion, and the mind ms
banquet for ever upon new and SURPRISING reVol,
ti0ns. 1t is not scene over which the vision ma
travel without pause, and the heart follow who
interest 1t ,uus not be looked upon, but studio
and the eve must be disciped, and the soul dilale
nntil they can embrace all its vastness. No or
has ever yet visited the Falls, with adequal
idea of their appearance. 1t is impossible to col
yey to the stranger any vivid and dlstncl conceI
ton OF their character. Language sinks beueat
the burhen of their colossal grandeur and the nut
descriptions OF the canvass exhibit bu silff an
awkward burlesque of their living and moyln
terrors. To describe object with force an
beauty, we must draw our simllitudes and ustra
lions from a higher class OF objects but with Mia
CARA, that is impossible, Tor all illustrations bu
degrade it, standing as it does alone the solitud
OF its own original majesty-wlthout peer AM
without rival.
III approached the Fails upon the east, or Ameri
side, and crossed from the shore to Goat Island
by bridge, which Is in itself curiosity 1t span
the stream between the rapids and the Cataract
but short distance above the latter The current
after struggling with wild agony through these ra
pids, rushes headong into the dreary gulf below
ScrambliOg to the pon OF this isle, which breaks
the long line of falling waters, and projects little
beyond them, obtained the first fine view OF he
Cataract. 1t appeared like an oblque, but parti-
ally lndented line OF falling foam, stretched from
the poIOt where stood to The Canadian side on the
west, an the American on the east. The noise
was terrible; but my view being only 1T its profile,
the srea'es' part Of The suolimity was lost.
"Fon hence | re.crossed the bridge. and passed
aion, be banks 10 a flight Of steps which are p,ac
ed Sl ,rEslisance below the Falls Descending
these8l s'5Sn found myself upon the ma gin 81 the
:lyeG3slelr Ihe falling waters, ana in an instant |
was dtiugei with spray. / strove to attain a mass
d rock llat 3eforc me, and almost under the sheet
where hoped % make some interesting obse va.
lions; but the spray beat powerfully against me
as to Distract my sight, and compel me 10 eject
precipfate retreat. In consequence Of the IN
favourable wind Gh;ch prevented an ad antaeeous
view Of the Falls from this side, resolved to embark
3or the opposite shore Immediately. When ar
rived at the middle Of the RIVER, had the nos,
Complete and entire view any where presented
Around me were the vexed Yaves vet writing from
their terrible tall and the whole bosom of the waters
was mantled With loan. Before me moun,ain
rocks stretched from shore to shore. while over,
them the mighty flood came rushing like deluyp
sweeping from their dizzy height into the profound
and alh0mless abyss.
81 arrived on The other side and pursued neri-
ious path which led along a strata of rocks. midway
between the bank and the water, and after tosomei
and dangerous walk found myself beneath the
= Table kock, which hung horrible caropv
above my head. None OF the views hitherto had |
equalled my anticipations. Tney we're vast thew
were grand, but had not yel found myself over.
@helmed by their subllmity. But here looked
aPwa'd, ana felt my spirit hurried away by an |
empowering ectasy Above me, at an awful dis !
A"ce the current OF the Niagara rolled wn It's
world pt waters The cataract, like mountain of
allIng foam, stretched obliquely across the river.
ndrnted at its western side like horse shoe. The
nns! part OF which rolled dowo volume ollVinp
emerald. A njst splendid Iris spann d he terri6 |
abyss Htmlng upon the chafed waters below and |
linging It's diamond ,parkles upon the coming
lorr0rs. Wherever the bright sun glanced uponI
ne basin the waters glowed and kndled with
wing blaze. Never was a more sublime spectacle
presented 10 mortal eye around me was arrayed
every association of beauty and terror, and sub |
unity --oeneah tlowed the deep river, into wAIch 1
a lew false step, might have buried me for everl
above, lowered the crumbling canopy of"Table
Rock" which threatened every instant to fall, and
crush all beneath IN irrecoverable ruin-wb,le be
Tore me the muttudinous waves OF Erie and Ma.
CARA came laundering on
-"Like an Eterntv
As If to sweep down all things in their tracks
81 was completely drenchrd by the falling waters:
stood amid peiils impending from above, and
ihr' atening from below; but danger had no power
On me-my soul was il my eyes