The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-08-09


| pendicular rock 164 feet high, INTO
boiling gulf, a sort of natural basin OF
rocks Rainbows wreathe themselves
around the foam, and the million tiny
beads of spray fash like diamonds in
the sun. The best view of this fall is
obtained from Luna Island. AT the
head of this little Island Is a round
tower Of rough stone, washed by the
spray of the great Horseshoe Fall, the
erowning glory of the cataract. Stand
ing by Terrapin Tower, as it Is called,
the wind waited the sheeted foam to-
wards us, and an adventurous friend
ventured out upon the rock, and plucked
a flower that grew on the very edge of
the fall.
"Don't you want to go under the
Fall ?" said some one, and we were
straightway conducted to building
at the top of one of the large,
lofty rocks. Here we saw q railway,
called by courtesy ferry, and seating
ourselves on one of the comfortable
benches, which are arranged like the
steps of stairs, we were chatting gaily
with ourcompanions, when we suddenly
found ourselves going gradually, but
| surely. down, with sensation similar
| to that of sliding down hill on hand
sled. Two or three minutes descent,
landedus under the American Fall, and
looking up We saw the vast pile OF rocks,
far above our heads, and rushing of
mighty watersas they tumbled intotheir
bed at our feet.
The suspension Bridge over the river
to Canada is triumph In mechanical
art. 1t hangs in the air over the deep
torrent, and, as we slowly rode overit,
we heard the shrek of the locomotive
and the noise of the cars as heavily Ia
den train passed over our heads. The
Horseshoe Fall is best seen from the Can
ada side; its waters are precipitated into
basin, not of rocks; but of deep green
water. 1t must be fathoms deep, to lie
there so untroubled and calm, as if the
wall andt terror of the tempest that heaves
itself into its bosom, had no power to
vex its benignant tranquility. It's color
is that of the emerald-a clear, deep,
CLASSY green, and lis that of one portion
of the Horseshoe.
1t seems as if the sublime and the RI
diculous are always meeting in this
world, and twas truly but step from
one to the other when we beheld to the
right of the bridge, atight rope stretch
ed from the Canadian to the American
side, and found for twenty-five cents we
could obtain admittance to the enclos-
ure which was surrounded by high
board fence. Over this rope walked
rival of Blondin, and in imitation of
that daring acrobat, Harry Leslie, when
at the centre of the rope, and suspend
ed only by that quivering thread from
the water that wreathed its cruel waves
below, cody unstrapped a stove
from his back, kindled fire, broke
some eggs, and presently waved aloft in
his triumph, tin plate of that comesti-
BILE which forms so prominent feature
in the restaurants of your goodly city,
Ham and Eggs! He then re-strapped
his stove, and made, with long, fearless
steps, for safer footing on terra trina.
Having reached our side, he set out
again, and performed many feats, IA
miliar to rope-dancers, such as lying on
his back, standing on one foot, and the
like.
Well, if people will be so foolhardy as
to peril their lives in so hazardous
manner, there is no earthly reason why
other people should not look at them.
But the sensations of at least one by
stander were far from pleasurable, and
not such as to cause any great anxiety
ever to witness another such perform
ance.
Time fails me to tell of the Cave of the
Winds, theromantic hooks by the whirl-
pool, and all the ms and outs of this
wonderful place. There is great and
lasting pleasure in store, however, for
those of your readers who have yet to go
to Niagara. NJ. E. NJ.