The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1881-09-14

\ NisIr 10 NIAGARA FALLs-ED EDITOR HER.
AID Having had desire for many years
cluded to crafty IT, Fortunately yielded
and now in submission, feel pride in rank
ing myself among the many observers of
Natures greatest wonder Thinking =
brief description of this American scene
would be OF interest to many of the readers
Of the HERALD, will try to make manifest
what | can in the fulfillment of SO arduous
a task ON bright morning in the lat
at Johnstown, which place | was visit
ing on my return from Maryland. whittier
went some three weeks previous, and in
short time found myself in Pittsburgh.
then joined al excursion party en- route to
Niagara Falls, arriving at our destination
the next morning. tired and travel-worn,
but with joyous expectations. In short
time was seated before a table of choice
viands served by one of Niagara's fashiona-
ble hotel keepers. After enjoying this feast
started out on tour Of observation. Not
knowing whittier l was going was soon
accosted by a person who demanded twenty
five cents TO gain admittance into Prospect
Park, having complied with the demands
Immediately emerged into this grand and
sublime park, perfect paradise. Before
l-,,a osp hasp tafta -a6
with delight, | found was in sight Of the
mighty cataract, pouring forth its volumes
of water with miraculous velocity. The
scene filed me with awe and admiration,
FOR never before did man behold so grand,
80 majestic spectacle. The waters fall pre-
cipitous for the distance of near two hun
dred feet. Up above the falls for more than
a mile, the waters leap and burst over rap
ids, as though conscious Of the destiny that
awaits them. The waters though so broken
in their descent are deliciously green. This
color, as seen just as the sun has set, is so
bright as to give TO the place one of its
chief charms.
After gazing till your eyes grow dim from
mere intensity, on what is called the Amer
lean Falls, your curiosity Is aroused to its
highest pitch and onward you advance un-
til you find yourself descending an incline
plane. leading to the bed Of the falls, and in
a few moments you are at the foot of the
majestic precipice, almost in reach Of its
seething waters. And now, where shall |
find quill that shall adequately descant on
the beauty and majesty of the scene. o,
photographic muse, lend me the inspira-
ton and adiectiyes that shall make the
attempt successful. Shades Of Webster
gorgeous, how inspiring, how impressing is
the view. Standing where one will become
drenched with spray in halfa minute, and
looking up against that wall of snow-white
water, one begins TO get an idea Of Niagara
Falls.
The scene is more beautiful in early morn
as the sun, in his ascent, strikes the foam
ing waters, forming perfect rainbows which
are really superb. Truthfully speaking this
vast and prodigious cadence of water, which
plunges over this precipice, has not its par
allel in the universe. At the foot of this
precipice we meet with the river Niagara,
which Is perfect mirror. The waters
which fall from this wonderful cataract
foam and boil after the most hideous man.
ner imaginable, making an outrageous
noise, more terrible than that Of thunder,
for when the wind blows, their dismal roar
ing may be heard more than fifteen leagues
of. How marvellous are the works of Ma
ture.
To cross the river in ferry, as many Of
the visitors do, is delightful, the waters be-
ing smooth and placid. After crossing, the
first Impression that arises in the mind is
that you are under the jurisdiction of Ca
nadians, who. by the way, are sociable.
clever and well spoken people. They ap-
parently live happily and ,ontentedly- On
this side many points Of interest are to be
seen, such as the Burning Springs, the OBJ
serva;ory, the Majestic tower, and other in
scenes.
n u13cn DetteT tfcW oi Tie lo'stsnoe
Falls, can be had on this side, from the fact
that you can get closer TO the waters. After
recrossing the river, the visitor again finds
himself in the park at the head Of the falls,
feeling the same intense desire to review
the billowing rapids. The rapids seem to
some, more impressive than the falls as
seen from above, partly because they are
seen from below. and par;.y ' because looking
from above, the water seems absolutely
helpless as it goes over the precipice. After
a mighty struggle and rapid course the
waters reach the edge, and plunge into the
abyss that is concealed from view by the
veil of mist that has ever guarded these
crets that lie at the bottom of the precipice,
and there all is still. A man need be Meth
cr poet nor preacher to see in this river
the history Of human life.
The most delightful place the visitor viii
find is Goat Island, which divides the river
Immediately above the falls This island is
composed Of some sixty acres, exclusive Of
tha Tbvee Sister isiaude which are near