Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-06-29

and taking the road to the left enioyed a full
view of Horse Shoe Falls from below Goat
Island. The sightwas terrific. The frowning
cliff seemed about to fall on us, and we were !
deafened by the roar of water as it falls head
long on the broken rocks, bursts into white
foam, and re-ascends to the very top of the
cataract in clouds of spray.
Retracing our steps we follow the road to
the right until we reach the famous "Caye
of Winds" I was the only one of our par
ty that would venture in, and l doubt wheth-
er would do it again. I regard this as one
of the most wonderful sights about the Falls.
The cave has been formed by the action of the
water on the soft substratum of the preci-
pice, which has been washed away, and the
rock left arching overhead 80 feet above the
base. In front, the transparent Falls form a
beautiful curtain. This cave, in consequence
of the tremendous pressure on the atmos-
phere, is filled with perpetual storms, and
the war Of conflicting elements is quite cha
otto. A beautiful rainbow, describing a per-
feet circle, quivered amid the driving spray.
Along the floor of this remarkable cavern the
spray is hurled with considerable violence,
so that it strika the walls and curls upwards
along the ceiling, hus causing the rough
turmoil which has procured for this place its
title of the "Cave of the Winds" / shall
never forget my visit to it-nor the awe
stricken excitement which well-nigh over
came me-so much SO as to deprive me of
looking about so as to give a better descrip-
ton of this wonderful cave indeed l have
had to depend u on what I heard and read of
it, more than my recollection of what I saw,
when alone under its foaming arch-way.
Re-ascending Biddle's Stairs, We proceeded
to the head Of Goat Island. Passing on along
the edge of the rapids we came to the Three
Sisters-three beautiful little islands-Moss
Island and the Hermit's Cascade. The view
from the head Of Goat Island is very fine, the
wild river and its e~nvirons being seen for q
considerable distance. Navy Island, celebra
ted in the history of border warfare the sitt
of old Fort Schlosser, on the American side
the town of Chippewa on the Canada shore
Grand Island, &C., are all visible from thi
point. 1t is said that any one who falls int
the rapids a mile above the Falls is hurrie
to almost certain destruction; and we hear
several melancholy instances of the kind re
lated.
Having visited all the principal points
interest, and purchased several curious spec
mems of Indian work, which are for sale
great abundance and variety in the stores c
. Goat Island, we proceeded to make prepar
= tons for returning to the Canada side.
l carriage was ordered and we returned throus
II the Village of the Falls Uia the Suspense
Z Bridge, a view from which awakens the fine
: perceptions of power and grandeur in t
" mind. The noble river is seen hurrying
' towards its fnalleap; andas we stand upon t
bridge, looking down upon the gushing food
wator, that sepms as if ii wnnld sweep away O
. frail standing ground and hurl US over t
:, dread precipice whose rounded edge is bu
few yards farther down, we realize, thou
= feebly, the immensely of this far-famed ca
ract. This is the finest point of view frt
which to observe the rapids above the Fal
~ The fall of the river from the head of
rapids "a mile above the Falls) to the edge
the precipice, is nearly go feet; and the
multuous madness of the waters, hurting 9
> foaming in hayward pillows and break
down this descent, is a fine contrast to
uniform magnificent sweep with which
length they gush into the laundering fl
below.
O On the other end of the bridge is Brit
III Custom officer, who made us pay 40
OF cent. duty on the little purchases of curl
ne ties we had made on the American side
" We paid it with reluctance and hurried
zen to our Hotel for rest and refreshment.
ND And here / must close this letter, alre
aus too long, and defer future sightseeing
'he my next.
led 1.-THE above was prepared before my rel
neu home; but having published my prev
TO notes of travel in the form of letters, l
Die thus continue them to their close. -ED1TI
,ut-