The Ottawa free trader., 1878-07-06

As we advance inward these towering walls
seem to shut us off from the world beyond, and
all we can see above us is the hanging branches
of the trees through which peep ray OF sun
shine and the blue sky.
To the right, few steps beyond, a small wa
terfall attracts our notice, which in itself seems
not OF much importance as it falls laziy over
precipicc and minglcs with the bright spark
ling waters of a crystal pool at our feet. This
we were told is called the Lower Park
which suggests toa visitor rather queer name
for a waterfall; but everything within tins
spot seems to be misnamcd. The place
itself should be called "Gorge"'-park is no
Iname for it at all, no more than pigs ear Is
horse Call it gorge and you will call IL
by name that has some Specification to us
surroundings and appearance.
think the name that should be applied toI
this Lower Park is "The Double Cascade,
for surely it deserves it, although TO the casual
observer there is nothing very grand in It's ap-
pearance just before the water reaches the
precepice it divides and the main portion goes
over the fall, while the other part trickles over
a ledge of rocks in myriads Of tiny threads ana
drops. have no doubt at all but were one to
be present at a certain hour when the sun
strikes this particular spot, and when water OF
sufficient quantity is in the ravine, that most
beautiful rainbow would greet them, and they
could tell of a scene fully equal to the Rain
bow Falls and Triple Cascade" which is sol
much admired in Watkins Glen.
The rock formations here are quite interest
ing, and the worn" Of geology will find many
formations to interest, while the moss,covcrcd
rocks and varied specimens of ferns, and sap
lings which line the banks, will not fail to in
terest the more sentimental ones. |
The little stream which slowly murmurs
along at our feet gives us no indications at
this point Of its experience a little further
up; its gentle ripple tells us not Of its start
some distance beyond and lis journey over
miniature cliffs, dwarfed chasms and lovely
little cascades; its mingling in crystal pools,
tiny grottos and winding narrow passages
| till finally il finds It's way and mikes with the !
other waters of the park and out into the mud
dy Vermilion. True, they are small, but yet
they are to be seen by any one curious enough
TO look after such things.
Returning to the main portion Of the park,
from which we dlverged, we take another start
and move onward, and us we advance we are
struck by the majestic grandeur Of the pro-
iecting rocks over which drip at various
places tiny sheets of crystal water, and as we
pass them by scene after scene appears more
grand and rugged, and finally into kind of
wild sublmlty From this our every step adds
new scene and every turn view more grand
and sublime than the other. Here we rest for
a moment to enjoy the magnificent view which
is had of the entire park, and take in the beau
ty of all that nature adorned it with. This is
supposed to be about the center and a full view
is had of the gorge" On this spot you find
yourself in an immense amphitheatrc, which
for a name should be called the Great Cathe-
dral" 1t resembles such in more grand and
sublime appearance than the famed cathedral
of Watkins-and as you stand in the center
you behold the projecting rock which shuts
off your view from the entrance. If looked at
rightly and little imagination brought to
bear it will be seen that this grand old rock
forms almost a perfect altar, the trees, ferns
and other verdue answering for decorations.
At the other end or what is called the upper
Ravine," is the beautiful waterfall, which our
party insisted in naming the Bridal Veil"
the music of its falling waters answering !
splendidly for an organ. The floor is irregu-
lar, and here and there vast heaps Of rubbish,
immense rocks and old trees destroy the affect
to a certain extent In the center quite large
stream of water goes rippling by, and in vari-
Gus riffs in the rocks tiny little streams work
their way out, so that the continual murmur
ing of falling waters is heard, and the very air
within this gorge seems musical. The massive
rocky walls tower upward, might say, near
| ly two hundred feet, and are richly onamented
with clinging vines, beautiful ferns and green
moss, all of which are crowned with tall trees
whose spreading branches almost cover the
entire space, and far above them We catch Il
us of the outer world, and that barred and
spanglcd by patches of bright green foliage,
while
AN the air a solemn stiffness holds"
unbroken save by the singing of birds, music
of falling waters and the murmuring ripple of
the stream as it courses through the gorge
This we shall call the Cathedral" for here
we find every appendage necessary for church
purposes. Nearly in the center is a large clear
pool, which answers for the "baptismal font,
while from the rocks above, sparkling like dia-
monds, drips water enough to keep ii full, and
when seen in the sunlight these droppings are
perfectly radiant Those who believe that
without being dipped" no one can be
saved, may enjoy their bath in the crys-