New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1845-09-13
A Voice from the Gene-ee-Portase Falls, &c

Neto- York. 4. s. Hotel
A Voice from the Genesee-Portase Falls, &c.
Correspondence of The Tribune.
CASTLE. Wyoming Co Sept "a lsi5.
Have you ever been 10 the Portage Falls Of the
Geneseel If not, just jump into the carriage with
me. and we will listen 10 a sermon Of Natures own
preaching On we go-jotng and tumbng along,
while the quick ear detects the of the Falls
long ere our eyes greeted by the view. At last
we emerge from the woods and by the sound are
fas, nearing the object Of our ride. See you that
cottage upon the cliff ?" Where p why, right
opposite 10 us on the other bank of the river And
there YOU see building somewhat after the fashion
of the Gothic cottages the banks Of the Hudson.
built entirely Of logs perched upon cliff near 400
feet from the bed Of the river. w no resides
there p is the eager inquiry No one at present
Ii was built BY Slr Johnson al the time the State
was engaged in constructing the Genesee Valley
Canal and the tunnel the greatest work in lis whole
extent passes directly under the house The stop
Policy has put an end to all improvement here and
the tunnel Which nearly finished. Is last falling
into decay. As you near the brow OF the NIL the
Middle Falls are still unseen, but seemingly roaring
almost beneath you, while the Upper Falls Ia mile
Distant are in distinct view, throwing up clouds OF
sprayey incense TO their great Power. Oh how
the mind is elevated by such scenes but You are
soon attracted by the grand scene on your lett
Here is sublime magniicd to giants. The river
in its rocky bed lies 800 feet beneath you, Kissing
and foaming in its rapid course bounded by It's per
pendcular walls of rock smooth as the most finished
masonry DENYING a roofing place for even the small
eat shrub The lines of w q. Clark come quick to
remembrance
Here speaks the voice of G I'D let man be dumb
And with his vain aspirings hither come
There at a short distance from you. falls from the
hight little babbling brook which, finding rest
from, III. first lean o
sunshine like shower of diamonds almost loses
itself in spray before il reaches the water But you
are soon called to hngsmore earthly asyou descend
the HILL and the faint hearted beg piteousy TO be al
low ed to get out riding on the edge OF precpce,
with the tieResee 800 feet beneath, Is rather tick
lsh affair la vain they are assured that the horses
are perfectly gentle that there Is no danger, &c.
they cannot be made to believe IT, and so the whole
party are soon terra hrma.' For near hail
mile it is down-s, down precipitous hills at last
the road winds round the side OF the hill IKE thread
round an apple with Just sufficient width for sin
gle carriage and the Middle Falls burst suddenly
into view The most gay and noisy are hushed into
silence while EXPLANATIONS of " How grand Mag
niiceni - Sublime pass IN hushed "hispersirom
lin 10 liz. Our voices are Involuntary lowered
when we feel 1eeply There You stand, watching
the water as it falls forming itself into all magma
BILE shapes with its woody milky crests' until your
dampened clothes you To hasten out OF the
spray. You hurry down and find that the hand OF
man as if in solemn mimicry, has thrown dam
across the river few yards above the Falls.-Ay :
TO turn mill reminding one OF some lines by Ia
cetious genius upon Niagara
Oh what glorious place for washing sheep Niagara
would be-
The Yankees have such money making talent that
they turn every thing to account and the most beau
tfu scenes in nature are desecraied by the rolling
of the -four barrel and the sharp sound OF the saw
Not long since an Irish woman being out IN boat
- H. and Affd
herself fast drifting towards the dam In vain was
every etfort-on she foated, slowly but surely On!
wha; thoughts mus, have crowded her brain az she
drif,ed on that dca,h-voysge' Can any OF Us INA
CINE i, Only few yards between her and that
fearful plunge into eternity. How desperate. Yet
how unavailing are her struggles, while the rocks
and woods echo and reecho her despairing cries
Men stand in their helplessness and can do nothing
for her assistance. One plunge-she has passed the
dam Only few yards between her and her hnal
death leap, Even the siOutesi i0oker-On holds his
breath One chance alone remains See tina, bold
man as he stands on the edge Of the mill. posing
rore ready for throw All : twas heaven direct
ed See that poor creature as she grasps II with
/ death sripe and is drawn out how her warm Irish
heart vents itself in grateful thanks 10 her preserver
Such a deed is gem in the jewelry OF any man
remembrance.
Blu, to return to the Falls Come with me to the
platform inst over them and look down go feet Tor
that is their hight and think how all this came TO
be- Are YOU skeptic Look and see Gods sig
ne, in the rainbow that shines with the Sun 10
claim his work Lean little farther over; see You
that cavern ia the rocks below the Falls Well
that is called in the vulgaie The Devils Oven
We see many in the world, who, il we can judge
/ from Appearances have been baked there but who
would suppose the Old Fellow would choose such
cool. shady place.
Ii is considered quite feat by the gentlemen to
! Chamber down some rude steps at low water hun
dred feet below the Falls where a stream makes ia
way 10 the river and winding along under the CHI
10 enter the cave and one who has been there tells
me that is 100 feet in extent and the coolest place
imaginable One would think otherwise by the
name. go
But see YOU are getting tired. so We will post
pone visiting the Upper Falls and Hornby Lodge
I until another time.
We sight seekers You who haste across the At
laniic with locomotive speed and ransack Europe
for wonders-hr., scan the beauties OF your 0rn
country Linger awhile amid the picturesque
scenery Of Trenton-listen. where the Niagara roars
hi. laundering bass and then hasten hther and drink
in rich drsughts OF submity on the banks OF the
.,,;,, Genesee NIIIA.
"A ~. nd