Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-03-03
Correspondence Of the Boston Mere Journal
NIAGARA FALLS In THE WINTER
NIAGARA, Jan. 80, lS42.

| NIAGARA, Jan. 80, 1642.
MIR. EpIToR lit is not fashionable Ia
visit the Falls D: Niagara in the winter
season; hence but few persons. except
those who are drawn to its vicinity in the
way Of business, see this mammoth oil
wonders in its interesting and imposing
winter aspect. 1t is often described as
surrounded by the foliage and famed by
the breezes Of summer, but seldom as
fringed with the ice and SHOWS OF winter.
4 description of the Falls, however, |
shall not pretend to give, for, besides hav.
ing been a thousand times describ d, il
may truly be said, in the words Of Audi
bon, "all the pictures you may see, all
the descriptions you may read Of these
mighty Falls, can only produce in your
mind the faint GUNNER of the glow.worm
compared with the oyerpowering glory OF
the meridian SUM-"
The scenery as now presented is truly
imposing. The warm weather ofthe past
few days, has loosened the ice in the
lake, and it is gliding down the Niagara,
dashing through the rapids, and sweeping
over the precipice in immense mass, S.
One must have nerves of iron and sinews
Of brass to maintain his equilibrium in
view Of the scene.
The winter scenery at the Falls is Pc
culiar in another respect, and is iudis-
cribablv beautiful. The trees and shrub
berry on the islands and banks Of the river,
near the Falls, are covered by the spray,
which is constantly rising, with transpa.
rent sleei. presenting the appearance of
innumerable brilliants Of all sizes and de-
scriptions. The mist from the Falls
freezes upon the trees so gradually and
to such thickness as to present most ex-
act resemblance to alabaster. This is
often set off by the beautifully verlga,ed
color Of the rainbows which arch the riv
er from dozen different points.
Another popularity ofthe winter scene.
ry is the immense number Of ducks and
geese seen almost daily in and above the
rapids. They are not unfrequently found
in the morning with wing or leg broken,
and sometimes dead, in the river below
the Falls. This generally happens in
dark and foggy night when they are in.
sensibly carried down by the rapids, till
they find themselves going over the pre-.
cipice, and then in attempting to fly, they
dive into the sheet of water and are bur.
ried for time under the Falls, or dashed
upon the rocks. Gulls in great numbers
are seen at the present time performing
their inimitabls gyra,ions, enveloped in
clouds Of mist, fearlessly approaching the
hni I'm n Il dor 81, T. III
and would be any where else, in their
numbers and movements, objects Of great
attraction.
But wha, shall say Of the combined
scene the dashing rapids, the leaping,
foaming waters, the rush, the roar, and
OF the sublimity and beauty OF it all. II
we're vain 10 attempt description, for
the scene SO UNNECESSARILY exceeds every
thing Of the kind elsewhere seen or even
imagined, that no power of language can
give any adequate idea of il to those who
have not been here to see and hear for
themselves.
Two miles above the falls, in approach
ing from Buffalo, you come in sight ofthe
white crested breakers. more than mile
in width, dashng, foa,ning and tossing
above the main current, and at the same
time hear a low, monotonous roar, and as
you approach nearer, feel a tremulous
motion Of the heart. The broad river, as
it comes laundering and foamng down
the declivity, at length leaps the Cataract,
and falls apparently into the bowels ofthe
earth. One who can witness the mighty
rush and conflict, aud hear the dealening
roar of the waters unmoved, and without
amazement, may conclude the falls "were
not made for him."