The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1859-09-21
English Notes On America.

A distinguished EnglishmGn we should !
not like to assert that he was in any wise
associated with Mr.. Grattan, late British
Consul at Boston-proposes to publish few
observations upon American scenery and
character. With the customary foresight of
Mtsrateurs, he desires to excite public curios
ity with few preliminary extracts. /
NIAGARA FALLS.
The first impre Of stranger visiting
Niagara is, that there ia an extraordinary
quantity Of water rolling over the precipice.
Everything about Niagara Falls is very wet!
The spray rises in majestic supertluity, and
falls upon surrounding objects, such as trees
and rocks, and rolls back to the paren,
stream in sivery cascades, making sweet
music in their flow. Nature participates in
this extraordinary dampness, and as the
clouds of mist ascend, they are carried by
currents of air in various directions, spread
ing fertility and beauty on every hand. This
extra ordinary phenomenon is confined en-
tireIy to American scenery, and although /
have read many descriptions by English
travellers who have written upon the subject
of Niagara Falls, am not aware that any
of them have made the same observation
indeed, tr avelers seem to be satisfied when
they have attempted description OF these
wonderful Falls, which, as we all know
must, under any circumstances, fall far shor
OF the reality.
The country around Niagara Falls is con-
sidered very beautiful In my opinion there
lis too much rock and too little pasture lane
which circumstance will account for the
thnness of the sheep and the poor quality o
the wool produced there. The British Gov
ernment, | learn, have had their attention
drawn TO this singular fact, and have in
creased the duty on raw wool, in order to ait
the producers OF the article whose plantations
are in the vicinity of Niagara Falls.
At the Falls, was much struck will
American enterprise, from the fact of
steamer having been built by an incorporates
mutual assurance company, for the purpos
of ascending the cataract did not ventur
to embark myself, but observed, with hor
ror, that American gentlemen, with thci
wives and families, including children anC
nurses, did not shrink from gratifying thei
hazardous curiosity There is nothing
have vet seen in this country which con
vinces me so strongly of the bold and DARN
character of the Americans. | was told b.
distinguished American, member of Con
gress, that this boat had actually ascende
as far as half way up the Horseshoe Falls
and at a time, too, when it was filled vii,
tender ladies' and small children. I" TIL
4 boat" he added, "was near the summit, ON
having struck a rock, it remained fast fc
several minutes. The captain desired to re
( turn, but the passengers were so determine
that they threatened to shoot him if he d
s not proceed and acco mp!sh the voyage; an
v he would have certainly done 80, had not HI
steam and the power Of his machinery fale
him !" The descent was very rapid, ar
|, they were all landed in safety at the foot
is the hill, which, leads, on the Canada side,
g her Maiesty's IS colonial dependencies in Mort
America Now, this fact illustrates the N
D ture of the American character better tha
% an entire volume could do. They are mo
e extraordinary race of men, and one fro
o whom great things may, some day or othe
be expected. Sill in infancy, this natic
It has proved itself worthy Of its mother. al
10 NAV (some time hence) emulate both the e.
ample and the greatness OF the parent stoc
E, Our writer presents some observations {
10 PHILADELPHIA.
10 Philadelphia, "the cradle of liberty"
is Inhabited by Quakers and their descendant
ID Il il brick built city Of straight lines al
II right angles, and remarkable, In CONNIE
10 cial point of view, as the great eXH'eE
fresh butter, quercitron bark, and 1
h tho only natural productions Of itsSOM