The National tribune., 1885-07-23
WASHINGTON THURSDAY JULY

drives enclrCle the Islands, passing through a
fine natural copse. Goat Island Group lies
above the falls and separates American Falls
from Horseshoe Falls, connecting with the
Canadian side. OF the six Islands, Island Luna,
Three Sisters and TerrapIa Rocks are the most
important. The BiddIe Stairs, leading to a
halfway slope, and Cave of the Winds are
reached from Goat Island. Second-Prospect
Park, situated at the edge of American Falls
and extending along the river nights for a long
distance below. From the park descend the
ferry stairs and pulley cars distance of 175
feet to the river brink, where the Maid of the
Mist conveys passengers to the Canadian side
and parties, protected by rubber garments,
under the mists of American and Horseshoe
Falls, falling like drops OF a mighty shower.
Shadow of the Rock and Hurricane Bridge are
reached from this point. An electric fountain,
formed by electric light thrown through col
ored glass OH small fountain jets, eliminates
the falls nightly. Third-The entire river
front, reaching above the rapids will become
public property and all the encroaching and
unsightly buildings will be removed and tho
shore line be converted into popular walks and
drives. 1t is a magnificent benefaction, worthy
the great Empire State.
CANADIAN SIDE.
The drive-along the nights on the Canadian
side is very beautiful, and one looks beyond on
the perpendicular walls of the canyon and
down into the placid, sea-blue water flecked
with foam, or farther up at the boiling turbu-
lence of the plunging water that comes from
the mighty falls, taking in, with admiring eyes,
the wonders as they slowly unfold. From the
site still known as Table Rock, though the rock
itself fell in 1850, Horseshoe Falls in all its
strange turbulence is seen, and it is here that
one makes the descent under the falls, which
has proved so fatal to many a ventursome foot.
Some miles above is the Lundy's Lane Tower,
and further up Brooks Monument, erected to
one Of the British heroes of 1872.
THREE MIGHTY BRIDGES.
Below the falls are seen these stupendOus
structures, of which the Cantilever Bridge, one
of the railway bridges, built in 1888 for the
Michigan Central and New York Central Rail-
ways, is marvel of engineering. The old Sus-
pension Bridge was built in 1856 by John A..
Roebling, engineer of the great Brooklyn
Bridge, some 8, 900 feet of wires being employed
in the cables whirlpool Rapids lies below the
bridges, where the reckless Capt Webb lost his
life on wager, July "a, 1883. He had swan
the English Channel, but Niagara was too much
for him.
The Tuscarora Reservation, embracing 1000
Government acres where the Tuscarora Nation
reside, is six miles from the falls. Halfbreed
Indians and their wives and babies were a fire.
quent sight on dedication day. They carry
themselves well, and many of the women are
exceedingly demure and pretty. A peculiar
custom seems to be to carry the babies without
supporting their heads which, perhaps, ac-
counts for the fact that they are so erect and
strong. Certainly the effort the little things
make to keep their heads level must have a
tendency to strengthen the backbone.
MEXICAN GALLANTRY.
The famous Mexican Band, now on a North
ern tour following the New Orleans Exhibit
ton, were at Niagara, and played from the
steps of the International while tho troops
were passing. Their music is particularly in
spring. The dark blood of the Spanish cava-
lier seems to flow holly in the veins of these
men, who, in the face of their Indian admixture,
are fine looking and very gallant Whether it
is custom a freak we know not, but as
illustration of Mexican gallantry we give the
episode
The dining room Of the International was
we'll filled, when two, ladies entered and were
seated at table, where three Mexcans were
concluding their dinner The younger lady
was dark-eyed and handsome, and it was APP
parent at glance that the Mexicans had found
a senorita to their liking. However, she neither
seemed to see or be aware ip any way they were
casting admiring Chances towards her. Their
dinner over, all three rose and proceeded to the
corridor, but before, retiring turned, lifted
their hats, and making profound obeisance to
the young lady, (who WIS now gazing after
them much astOnished,) retired from view.