Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-09-07
Niagara RevIsIted.
Correspondence Of the Daily Patriot.
ALBANY, n. Y, Aug. a

inexplicsble. When l had left The Falls, and was
floating away smoothly and calmly across Lake On
tario and down the Saint Lawrence, the cataract
still laundering in my ears, the rainbows still
lowering before my eyes, and the grand whole
still pressing upon emotions of awe, sdmira-
ton and wonder. do not know how it is with
tists-whether after still lingering in absorbing
study of objects for their pencil, they yet remain
blind TO the minuter and perfect beautes-
whether or not after having transferred the glow
ing life to the canvass, they are ready to condemn
their work, upon another view of the original; but
thing believe, must be certain; the picture
must first mirror itself upon the mind and soul, OF
rather that essence capacity which comes be
tween the two, and which constitutes the medium
through which great mind passes its communings
between the inward and outward world. II it is
perfect here-if this a,,ipG, spirit, essence,
or whatever else metaphy sicans may call it, is sus
ceptible of perfect apprehension of outward OBJ
jects it will find its proper and perfect expression
liz the corresponding physical effort. So it is of
poetry and sculpture-and it may be of prose.
To appreciate object, therefore, fully, take it,
it should be thoroughly impressed upon this medi-
nm, and then taken from thence aud contemplated
and anal zed. / believe this has never been done
with reference to Niagara. No sufficient genius
has devoted sufficient time to it. and hence we have
no sufficient description of these Incompatible
Falls. The very best painting have of the
main, Horseshoe Crescent Fall, is at present in
3 curiosity shop on the Canada side, the name Of
the keeper of which 1 have forgotten. An Eng
lish artist who to the Falls some eight or ten
years since, painted it. He had painted many of it
and his laef Hoi nd . o min
ture ia for sale. It is imperfect and insufficient but
yet il is good has been or is likely to be made
But did not mean to stray off into a criticism of
art and artists, nor do l mean this a criticism.
had said in previous letter, that Niagara had been
badly treated in the descriptions that have been at
tempted of it by many of its visitors and these
Elections were suggested as reasons for the state
ment. Now, when had left Niagara, my impress
siOns of it misty and dark and irregular
the vortex itself. l had adequate, distinct i'm
pressions Of the Falls. had seen the dashing wa
tiers, the mists, &c, and heard their roaring thun
ders; but yet / unsatisfed, and felt that had
not seen them as they were. 1t was this perhaps
that constituted the fascination, which found it
impossible to overcome. Accordingly when left
Rochester early yesterday morning. it was to revs-
it Niagara. Three hours run brought me to the
place, and lost no time in making my way to them.
1t was dark, cloudy, rainy, gusty day-and in
these circumstances, considered myself fortunate.
There no brilliant sun to glare and dazzle the
sight The waters, rushing along the rapids above
poured the precipice with all that darkness
and fearful solemnity, which suited to their
grandeur. They appeared deeper, higher, black
or, fercer, when the winds blew and the rains
falling For five oiV bours I from mint
to point above, on Bath and Goat Islands, taking
observations from the Biddle Staircase, the Tower,
and other points. l descended to the brink of the
river below, and while the waves dashed widely at
my feet, looked up in increasing wonder at the
terrible hoods. / never so perfectly enraptur-
ed before, and never expect to be again, unless l
60 again TO Niagara. / gave myself barely time
for basty dinner at p NJ, when left for But
falo. prize my second visit much more than the
FIRST; but still the fascination is unbroken, though
the appreciation is heightened. / can well under
stand the feelings and motives of the individual,
who, visiting the Falls some years since, became
enchanted by them, that he made them his home,
his very deity. he was young Englishman, travel
ing in this country under the of Francis Abbott
Visiting the Falls he fell desperately in love With
them that he fingered about them for several weeks
and even months, and until his admiration into
mono mania. He finally determined to make it
his permanent home-built a small log house at the
head of Iris Island, above the Falls-became mop
ish and shu nned society. He was here about two
years, during which he received and wore the APP
pellation of ''The Hermit of the Falls" His only
delight and empoyments to battle in the river,
and from day to day loiter and view the Fals-and
finally lost bis life while taking morning bath I'M
der the cataract. The fascination however, is not
likely to lead me to romantic a course.
spent last night at Buffalo, one of the most de-
ghu cities of the Empire State full Of enterprise
and activity While there, called at the house Of
Mr.. Fillmore, an unpretending framed structure, in
an transformations part of the city, green window
blinds, small stoop over the door, and few shade
trees in the front grounds. Inc Ex-Presi-
dent absent at Montreal, and /, of course, was
disappointed in seeing him.
From Buffalo, came down to this place, Albany,
distance 500 intestine 10 hours-on the n. Y
Central Railroad one Of the best in the State or
country. dined at Syracuse which while it pre-
sents thriving business character is noted for its
political fanaticlsm. At UticO, another prosperous
town, now ranking a city, our train was
pleted, and we reached Albany with from a /, 900
to 1900 passengers. This will give you some idea
Of the travel. From Utica to Aibany-lOO miles
the Railroad courses along down the Mohawk
FiveFthe valleys Of which are in the highest state
of eultivaton-and undulaGing hills beyond, pre-,
sent continuous landscape, which, for quiet aud
cheerful beauty, are rarely surpassed. The river
ITSELF is but small stream, aud wholly unuAvga-
ble- transportation is amply provided for, how
- Al.
traverse lie exuberant valley. II.