Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-04-20

seeming as if hung in mid-air $50 feet
above him, and making him almost shud-
der at his own insignifcance. The scene
above and below are both eminently sug-
gestive the one of calmness, safety and
life, and the other of passion, danger and
death the one seemingly inviting upward
to the clear blue sky and the blessed sun
light of heaven, the other aluring but to
destroy, unless every moment be guarded
with proper care and watchfulness. Leav-
ing the Bridge, we passed up the Canada
side, perfectly charmed with the imposing
scene before us. When within half mile |
of the Falls, we thought it was raining, but
upon glancing upward, we saw nothing but
the clear, blue sky, and the thought then
occurred to US, that it was only the spray
from the Falls. Our guide informed US
that sometimes the spray, at that distance,
would completely saturate ones garments
in very short time.
We were soon standing upon Table
Rock, where we had the finest view of the
Falls. This Rock derives its name from
its flat surface, being on the same level with
the Falls. Very large portions of the Rock
have already fallen away; and from exist
ing appearances it is evident another crash
will soon occur. After viewing the scenes
from above, we procured guide, and be-
ing furnished with water proof dress, de-
scended Table Rock by circuitous fight
of stairs, and passed behind the thunder
ing waters. Words cannot describe our
feelings there. We stood rapt in silent
wonder and amazement at such sight and
display of power as there witnessed! A
vast cavern, like some mysterious recess of
Nature, stretches out in seeming safety be-
fore us. Some of our company dared not
venture but few feet behind the rolling
waters. Being informed there was no
danger before reaching Termination Rock,
alone we proceeded until the spray COM
4 pletely blinded and drove us back. As we
passed out, we could but think that here
was the temple Of the living God; here the
sanctuary of his awful greatness. Well
might the proud and ambitious here Judge
of their own excessive littleness, in the
great presence of this sacred shrine. Stand
ing once more upon Table Rock, we were
forcibly reminded Of the following beauti-
full lines of Mrs. Sigourney:
"Thou dost make the soul
A wondering witness of thy m jesty;
And while it rushes with delicious Joy
To tread thy vesibule, dost chain its step
And check its rapture, with the humbling view
81 i gtan1
In the DIR cad presence of the Invisible,
As if to answer to its God through thee"
!, We Thuught we could not return to the
{ American side without visiting the battTe
a field of Lundy's Lane Ordering the coach
d man to drive us there, we passed through
J. fertile and highly cultivated section @
y country. AS the battlefield is only two
= miles from the Falls we were soon there;
h large tower has been erected near the cen
i ire of the field, whose summit was sool
IT reached by circuitous fight of stairs
e Here we found an old veteran soldier, VIII
lie took an active part in that bloody battle
st As we stood there, listening with breath
g less silence to his story of other days, W
p could almost hear the sound of the fife an
IS drum, and the clash of arms. He pointe
it out all objects of interest to the traveller
st showed us Brooks monument, distanc
" of seven miles from US, but which could /
of distinctly seen by the naked eye, as it toy
at ers $50 feet into the air. But we will M
1t lnger. Suffice it to say we saw what v
er, could on the Canada side, in the sho
er time we spent there, and returned to tt
to hotel, impressed with the fact that our tin
nd was passing and that we must hasten al
.er visit the places of interest on the Americ;
far side. After enjoying an excellent Dime
We with pencil and sketch book in hand, v
he started on our excursion to Goat island
nd We passed over Bath Island bridge, al
I'd soen found three paths or roads branchil
u off from the road by which one comes
by Goat Island one crossing the island neal
re, in the middle, another to the right, exten
as along the rapids and round to the Hor.
he shoe Falls, and the other to the left, passi
he round and meeting the one from the rig
ed thus encircling the island. We took
,er left that we might, for moment enjoy
,id the head of the island the placid calmnt
er- Of the waters ere they give any visible 81
out of the agitatation that awaits them. As
'th considered them there, so smooth, so
be- rene, and flowing SO gently, but nome
ge before they are lashed into angry surg
/, it as promotion of their impending fall,
ian could but regard them as aptly typifyi
Of the life history of many an earth -pilgri
wa whose course, to- all human appearance
can seems as tranquil and undisturbed aim
ON till he enters the very jaws of destructi
mel Proceeding along the bank, through
sur beautiful grove, we passed the "Three
bly ters," small islands at the left, and 81
um come to the Horseshoe Falls; crossin
the small bridge we ascended Prospect Tow
ing from which place we had the best vie,
zap the Falls from the American side.
Just Tower is 45 feet high, and stands upon
'sed very verge of the precipice. We can
nce describe the feelings awakened while sta
, so ing upon its summit, gazing into the
few rolling waters. We felt like plunging
oble the laundering and ever boiling abyss
Q Of low.
,out Leaving the Tower we, cautiously
wa preached the verge of the precipice, fol
the had yearning desire to look down t
the the dizzy height. Having sufficient ne
snce we approached nearer, and grasping in
of hand stunted shrub, we looked down
orm- frightful chasm, distance of 200 feet
Of the fragments of rock lying directly