The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1843-07-13
From correspondence of the Newtown Journal.
Ma gora Falls June Is, l843.


Every one has formed some conception
of the Falls from the descriptions they
have heard, hence it would be vain as
we'll as presumptuous in me to attempt
desc riplion. But there are other locai-
ties on the Niagara River exceedingly
interesting which have not been 50 gen.
orally noticed. | will, however, make
few remarks for the special comfort OF
those who may not be abe 10 anticipate
visit to this grand phenomena. The i'm
preston made by a view OF the Falls Is
far inferior to the idea had previously
entertained. ST. FIR from exaIting my
mind beyond all precedent with pre-
eminenty superb conception, it has ex-
plunged grand illusion of the magma
ion, whilst the correct idea substituted is
vastly inferior to many natural phenomeca
which are accessible to all. Thank Heav-
en- the means of exciting the pleasures
of the Imagination are not confned 10 any
condition in life all may listen to the
lower murmur of the distant thunder, or
the near approach of lis threatening peal,
the roar of which as il reverberates from
cloud TO cloud, is louder aud more sublime
than the combined roar of al! the cataracls
of on earth. Masses of clouds resting on
the horizon and piled up 10 the zenith
variousv shaded with distinctly marked
outline 10 the azure armament, whether
calml Y resting on their base, or ma estlc
ally rushing athwart the sky; present 10
the eye, scene Of beauty and subimity,
with which II would be childish to COM
pare view of the Falls of Niagara. 1t
is usual for persons 10 feel-or at least 10
speak, in view of this tremendous rush of
waters as though they felt their nothing
ness. This is certainly irratoraI, or [
am not able to appreciate this species OF
humility. Can comparison with any
phenomena of inaninate matter be derog-
atory to the dignity Of human nature?
Can that mighty intellect which travels
from star TO star-caIcula tes their motions,
magnisudes and distances; or that noble
sympathy Of sou which glories in en-
HANGING the happiness of the animate and
intelligent creation, sink into inslgnlf-
canoe in the presence OF a mere material
element, however stupendous? A great
dIl SOOu lIldu uU SIlduUWS IUIln TIE
greatness and goodness OF God, the crea-
tor and controller of the elements, is the
only creature under Heaven, that humbIes
me in my own estimation. About three
miles below the Falls, the river forms a
whirlpool, which,, in connection with the
sLupendous heights which encompass it,
and the fearful doshing of the waters,
presents scene, in the opinion of many,
more awlulIy interesting than the cee.
brated wonder of the world itself. This
whirlpool Is perhaps ihree-fJurths of a
mile IN circumference, surrounded on ali
sides Except at the ingress and egrsss of
the river, which are hid from The view bv
its windingS) BY a wall of rock three
hundred feet high. The vast volume of
water comes violently dashing and foam
ing through a narrow chdHnel into the
area of the whirIp Of, occasionally bound.
ing up the sides Of IFS rocky ramparls, in
true atlantic style. Pass with US in ina.
glnalon down into this dismal guph.-
We commence our descent from The fear
tai edge of the 2recipce at the only prac-
tlcable place, pass sIantwlse alternately
right and left, holding on TO poles which
have been secured 10 the 6r-rees that
have. grown out OF the crevices of the
rocks, until we come 10 a small platform
when, on looking up we almost quail
beneath the frown of the rugged rocks
hanging eighty feet above our heads Ga
looking down, We find ourselves standing
more than two hundred feet above and
apparently over the dark, deep waters OF
the angry river. We pass down a stair
way and over broken rocks, which have
been loOsened and thrown headIoEg by
the elements to the waters edge. lnme. !
diatey opposite TO us is the centre of the
whirlpool filed with logs whirlng round
in wild confusion. All vegetable AID an
Ima substances that pass down the river
continue for time circIing around this
poo. Were 1t not for the large amount
OF RUBBISH, we should doubtless see the I
remains Of the two unfortunate individuals |
who recently passed over the falls. The
bodies Of three British soldiers who, a
lew years since, were carried down The
cnrrent, in an attempt to desert by swim.
ming the river, were seen pursuing each
other around this dismal current for sew
eral days together. Directly opposite to
us, on the Canadian shore, was found
during the last winter the skeleton of "A
man, his gun and clothing: the remains
OF some stranger who had fallen downthe
precipice and been forgotten. We will
BOW, to saliate our curiosity, continne on
Up 10 Manitou Rock, although il is very
tItLicuIt - We must wait occasionally the
retiring ofIhe waves and then pass qnck
Iy before they return. This rock presents
, few feet Of level area, elevated near one
hundred fee. above the water, aud appears
o have fallen and lodged with its narrow
apex on another perpendicular rock. The
base is SO narrow that it appears as if