Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1865-07-28
PUBLISHED (DAILY) By
EDGAR SN OWDEN, SR.
m~nFFICE-No. 1O4, King street, over
French's Book Store.
NIAGARA FALLS.
Corespondence Of the. .Azepueoria Gazette.

4 .-# i + ! + !. + ##{
q description Of Niagara as seen from the
Canada side. On the 22d, | visited the Amer
can Falls. Before reaching this, there is a
magnificent walk which may be taken, from
the upper part of the town, where the river
rolls in its full majesty mile in width, along
and above the rapids, which surge along,
raging with foam, after you reach the point
opposite the upper end Of Goat Island. 10
reach the island itself, you cross bridge, built,
Ican't conceive how, over the smaller division
Of the fall, and proceed along a beautiful
woody road, bordered with arbor vitae trees,
which here grow wild, to a bridge which
passes you to Luna Island. Here you may
stand at the very edge Of the American Fall,
and see the water rushing over the preclplce
beside you At this point, | observed, tar
below me, the onlygainbow, [ noticed during
my visit. It was nearly circular, and could |
have looked directly over. the edge OF the
precipice would I think, have been perfectly
So, Leaving Luna Island, proceeded along
the river to the .Biddle Stairs, 120 in number,
which wind down about half way Of the cliff !;
here I advanced to the right, under the over,
hanging rock, to the entrance OF the Gave OF
the Winds where visitors pass under the entire
American Fall The walk is said to be ex-
ceedingly sublime, but the description OF 1t |
got from others, did not incline me to make
the trial of it. Ascending the stairs again, |
proceeded to the Horseshoe Fall and down
the bank and over a bridge to Prospect Tower,
seemingly situated in the very midst Of the
torrent From this tower, very grand view
Of the river above the cataract it's rapids and
the Canadian side of the fall, is obtained
Returning from Goat Island, descended to
the ferry, by more steps than chose to count,
but instead Of crossing, [ clambered over the
rocks to the left, and obtained the grandest
view I had yet had. You here get sufficiently
out from the Horseshoe Fall to see it. as it
were in front, and it's great height and the
immense volume OF water, are are more fully
realized than at any other point. Not feeling
inclined to toll up the steps again | seated
myself in car, and for trife was hauled up
again in few seconds; this railway is, OF
course safe, but one can't help imagining the
result if the chain should break On the
American side, mile below the Suspension
Bridge, is the Whirlpool, caused by a sudden
turn in the river, as it rushes on to its normal
state, at Lewiston. This is grand sight. =
From the point at which [ first saw it, it looks
like a lake, so sabrupt is the turn, and the
currents and eddies are so strong that they
will bear up stone for some seconds. The
whole is surrounded by cliffs of solid rock
over 200 feet high. [ descended to the bottom.
The sight was very grand, but to get back, |
had to climb 22O steps, besides inclined planes,
equal in height, so that the experiment scarcely
paid
And now word to your readers who may
wish to visit Niagara. They can come by
New York and Albany for SIT and by Balti-
more and Elmira for $3.50, but their hotel
bills &C., will raise this figure very considerably.
Here they can board at the best houses for three
and a half or four dollars day, but if they
want to spend money, they can do it, for
everybody here is ready to take it. Any one
who can get a spot from which the river can
De seen, puts up fence, adyertises view, and
charges Is cents to come In [ wonder they
nave Mt walled in the Cataract for private ez-
hlbltlon. If they want Indian curiosities, as
as they WILL let them purchase of the Indians
On Goat Island, for they sell at half the price
The stores do: or at least. LET them look round