The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-26
SUNDAY MORNING, JULY rs, 1868.
LETTER FROM NIAGARA FALLS.



NIAGARA FALLS July II, 1858.
Since my last we have endured here vista.
ton OF heat Of character so intense as to in.
dictate l02 degrees IL the shade on Goat Island.
During the l2th l3thPand l4th insts, it continued
unabsted, without any relief whatever, even from
passing breeze, and in a conversation with d
resident here who claims to be the oldest inha.
bltant, discovered that the like of such heat
never had been experienced here before. ine
shower. however. gave Us infinite relief on the
18th inst, since which the weather has again as.
sumed its delightful temperature.
visited st. Gatherings a few days since, and
must confess my surprise that this should be con
sdered summer resort by any other than invalds
in search of relief through the wells widely re-
puted and resorted to as beneficial for those suf.
feriDg from rheumatic diseases. The city has a
population of about IL 600, covers quite an area,
but to the visitor presents quite deserted appear
RRce; it is remarkable for heat and dust and has
no stream to relieve the eye or hard character
of the surrounding section, except the Weand
Canal Arriving at the Stevenson House, you are
shown the well on the grounds of that establish.
ment, and within few feet of the Welland Canal
reaching the almost incredible depth of $50 feet
and producing a liquid which, from chemical
analysis, produces of chloride of calcium IA S544
and chloride of sodium 30 S034. from COMPOST.
ton of other properties combined of so 62l5.
saw here parties suffering from various diseases,
principally rheumatic, and their experience was
somewhat contradictory. Doubtless there rs vir-
tue in the wells aud as several prominent citizens
of the Crescent City" are now testing this point
for various 'aches and ls," the truth of cure, as
pertains to their cases. can be ascertained Truth
fully the taste of the liquid from this well is be.
yond description, unless connection of petroleum
and salt comes near it. The visitor can amuse
himself well enough so long as he remains 10 the
hotel but beyond drive in the cool of the after.
noon ST. Catherine presents to a healthy pleasure
seeker a sore disappointment.
Looking at a copy of Tuns's Guide Book of
Travel" etc., pertaining to sights ami scenes
hereabouts, find a very interesting statistical
reference to the Suspension Bridge, which will
serve TO inform those who have never visited this
point some what of the stupendous nature of its
construction. Its soldity can be perceived by
the statement, that in passing through the bridge
in carriage halted midway, with train OF cars
passing over and could not detectthe slightest vi
brsti0n in the wire; this is remarkable, when you
consider that the bridge is suspended on wire
cables. borrow from Tunis: The bridge was
commenced in the summer of 1852, under the
direction of John A. Roebling, OF Trenton New
Jersey. Length "a single span of 500 feet be-
tween the towers consists of two floors. the
upper or railway floor being Is feet above the
lower or carriage floor; width OF floors q feet
connected on the sides by open truss wOrk-all
suspended by wire ropes from four cables Of wire
10 inches in diameter each /; two of these cables
have DETECTION of "a feet and sustain the upper
floor; the other two cables have detection of "a
feet, and support the lower fOcr and so arranged
as to sustain equal strain from passing load
Gables are composed of No. WIRE and fastened
on each side of the river by massive iron chains
let down 80 feet in the rock. Towers Is feet
square at base, 8 feet square at top; height on
American side IS feet above rock; height on
Canada side IS feet above rock. Cables-length
OF each of upper, 1856 feet; length of each of
lower, ll9O feet. Average number of wires in
each cable, 1864 total in all four cables H. 1856
number feet Of wire, l8.l29,00I. Number of feet
of wire in wire rope, 3043 022. Aggregate length
of wire, TO- 463 422 feet, or more than 1890 miles.
Ultimate capacity of the four cables H. 400 TO IS
Total weight of the suspension bridge, 800 tons.
linus oy rejecting over these sta istics and view
OF the bridge on the spot, cannot but prove in
terestlng and constant wonder to the visitor
speaking of statistics reminds me of having
heard party assert that a scientific calcula.
tlon OF the body of water plunging over both
falls had been closely estimated at 60 600 tons
per minute. Incredible as it seems. yet to con-
template the scene, and consider that one pro-
lection on the Horse Shoe Fall alone sustains a
cast OF water twenty-four feet through for dis
lance of about forty feet, it does appear possible,
and no doubt IL correct as near can be ascer-
tanned.
During the past week travelling has been brisk,
but nearly all appear to be strangers who stop long
enough TO view the points of interest and are of
again. Parties on their way North can stop over
at the falls for day. and. aside from the scenery
can enjoy rest and recreation before continuing
their journey. Many do this, aud never regret
the occasion.
Quite a number OF citizens of New Orleans
have been here recently some remaining whilst
Others left for Canada and the lakes. All seem
happy at the prospect of a plenteous crop aud
continued good health of our city. stroll to
the International Hotel any afternoon will briag
you IN contact with these gentlemen or ladies' en-.
joying the music of an excellent band after
bounteous dinner, capped with cherries, black
raspberries, etc.
! will close this by assuring you of the great
pleasure an absentee enjoys from the sight of the
familiar type Of the CRESCENT. Ny next NAV
probably detail few items of Canada.