The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-29
Spray from the Cataract.
NIAGARA FALLS, Sunday Evening
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. q

~ TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD. 4
SIR spent the whole Of yesterday at Niagara
Falls, and after a long spell" Of hot weather in
the Far West, can assure you the change of tenn
perature and scene most delightful. The Nigga
ra river is high, the rapids magnificent, and the
glorious falls now exhibit themselves in all the
glory Of their sublime grandeur. The temperature
in their vicinity is most agreeable, and from this
and other causes all The hotels in the village appear
to be tolerably full BY the way, a new and most
spacious establishment, called the International
was opened last Friday. In external appearance it
strongly reminds of the Irving House; you enter
a noble hall, of vast extent, rooted with groined
arches, supported by four central columns; the par
lors, dining saloons, reading, billiard, and other
public rooms. all Of leviathan proportions stretching
away either side Of this central hail. while above
them there appear to be ntermnable suits of private
apartments.
observed that in the grove at the back Of the
International and Cataract hotels, which, as you
will remember, skirts the edge Of the river close 10
the magnificent American fall, they are making
great preparations for the Lundy Lane festival
there is quite street of frame buildings already
ereoted-and many others about to be commenced,
and in progress of erection for dispensing refresh
ments to the anticipated crowds-one and all of
joy an uninterrupted view Of Dame Natures grandest
achievement. The natives of the village however,
appear to be in blissful state of ignorance to
the particulars Of the celebration, and those who
are to take the leading parts in it-they being per-
fecty satisfied with the prospect of large returns
and commensurate profits, with which pleasing
tcpation they are in high gee All along the lines
Of railway bills posted and distributed, announc-
ing special trains Of ut reduced fares similar
inducements being held out on board the Lake
steamboats,. Hence there is no donbt the Lundy's
Lane festival will attract " big crowd 1.s, -.
regret to see that the spirit Of enterprise is fast
destroying the romantic sublimity Of the Falls Of
Niagara-the paper, saw, and grist mills, on the
American side Of Goat Island rapids, were eyesores
enough, and the mill on the bank near the suspen
sion bridge, with its huge shaft reaching down to
the river a positive nuisance far the wild
grandeur Of the scene is concernedbuta as if this
not bad enough, they are now building another and
larger one on the other side of the bridge, and
have no doubt ore long We shall have series Of
mills and factories all along the edge Of the river,
turning the water power TO good account, and ex-
hibitng IN a strong light the fruits Of American in
destroying the beauty Of the prospect which is too
sublime to admit Of any admixture Of mans handi
work. m. ..t ...i..t. o7 II ..ts,ar ~.
Blythe by, I heard from one Of the guides, that q
young English lady had narrow escape on Friday
morning. Perfectly enchanted with TIE sccne and
anxious to possess some memsnto Of her visit, She
assisted by tho guide, stepped off the ridge Goat
Island, familiarity known as f'Ihe Hogs Back from
rock 70 rock until she reoched the large SLAP when
divides the American sheet of water, and in the
creyices of which grew small tree-from this, ga
therng abranch she on her perilousreturn
journey--the boiling rapids at her feet within two
yards Of takng their mad leap, and the spray flying
aronnd her. AT the second step, the rock being wet
and slippery, she FELL but fortunately the water here
was shallow, and formed an eddy. The guide stood
firm, and she retained her grasp of his hand, end
thus eschped with. an awful fright,'' and a
thorough baptism in Niagara's stream, j. obtained,
perhaps, nearer the extreme edge of the falls, than
was ever previously managed, without loss Of life
She neither screamed nor fainted when she reached
terra frmt-but like sensible woman, felt thankful
for her daliverances and proud of her trophy which
she had detained all the timee no oiioah aiie 30
sg.,a ,sig am Sir. yours respectfully, aiai3 1.3
of ssbod to.3 te'. n' An Ex.BoNpoN EbrToT..