The Newtown bee., 1891-10-30
Niagara Falls.

hope that, at some time in our life, we
might be permitted to visit the falls of
:. Niagara, admire its wonders and its
beauties and listen to the roar of it's
mighty waters. But SO long had this
hope been deferred that it-seemed like
one of those many dreams of youth
which are not to be realized and that we
were fated never to behold the magnifi-
cent grandeur and awful snblimity, so
often described, of this stupendous
cataract.
But it SO happened that Dame Fortune,
in one of her amiable moods, so arrang-
ed that we were made one of a most
congenial little party and, on morning
of last week, we started. The rain fell
in torrents, but, when we reached New
York, old Sol was shining brightly.
Taking the famous New York and Chi
cago limited express, with it's palatial
accommodations, said to be the fastest
and most luxurious train in the world,
we were soon whirling along, gazing
admiringly at the beautiful private resi-
dencesson the east bank of the Hudson;
the charming, ever changing
landscape on the west, clothed in its
many hues of brown, red, yellow, green
and purple; passed the lofty @atskills,
whose tops were concealed by the flying
clouds beneath them; on to West Point
with Cozzen's hotel looming up on the
bluff, the house where Gen Scott is said
to have been accustomed to resort for
his brandy; dashed into storm opposite
Newburg, with which we more than
kept pace till we reached Albany, when
we made our first stop for passengers in
a run of over lao miles.
Tarrying here few minutes, we were
soon again on the wing. Crossing the
Mohawk river, we noted the extensive
salt works at Syracusir the fine farming
country of the Mohawk valley; caught
frequent glimpses of canal boats laden
with freight; saw herds of 80 Or 40 cows
grazing in fields containing as many
acres; admired the apple orchards,
which were numerous and we'll cared
for, still loaded with fruit, and arrived
at Buffalo about 8 o'clock, too late to
catch the last evening train to Niagara
Falls, where we had expected to pass
the night.
Stopping at the Mansion house near
the depot, we rested we'll, notwithstand-
ing trains were being switched, made
up and driven by, almost constantly and,
seemingly, in the very house. In the
morning, leaving Buffalo to be seen lat
err, we took the first convenient train
and, travelling on % miles, much of the
way through country Astounding in
apple orchards, we found ourselves at
Niagara, the Mecca of our journey aud
caught our first view of this. one of the
wonders of the world.
We were immediately driven across
the new suspension bridge.~a marvel of
engineering ingenuity and skill, to the
Clifton house on the Canada side, almost
directly fronting the American falls;
from our rooms We could view the cata-
racG in its entire length at any time.
Here we were under British authority
and, instead of pictures of President
Harrison, were large sized portraits of
the Empress Queen and Prince of Wales.
Taking our final leave, we were stopped
at the bridge by custom house officer
and asked if we had made any dutiable
purchases. We told him we had not
and he took our word, doubtless trust
ing to the honesty of our countenances.
the falls is usually disappointing. Eth
er too much is expected, or the grandeur
of the scene exceeds all anticipation.
Surely, no one with particle of venera-
ton in his composition can stand by the
side of this stupendous work of Nature
without being inspired with feelings of
reverence and awe. 10 be appreciated,
it must be seen. No pen can adequately
describe it.
The roar of its mighty waters can be
heard, when the wind is favorable, 40
miles and its spray, rising up to the heav-
ems like smoke, can be seen at a great
distance, forming, when the light of the
sun shines upon it, d rainbow equalling
in beauty that we are accustomed to see
in the heavens. Five large and several
small lakes, with at least 100 rivers pour
their waters along the Niagara toward
the ocean, SO it is not surprising that the
quantity is so great, or its volume at the
falls hardly ever preceptibly diminished.
The view of the rapids alone is almost
as grand as that of the falls themselves.
For threefourths of mile above the CAT
aract and, in some places, two miles in
width, the river washes over ledgy,
rough, broken surface, down descent of
10 feet to the mile with almost resistless
force and fury, roaring, foaming, tumbl-
ing in its mad career, at d speed, in some
places, of 80 miles per hour, hurrying to
throw itself down the fearful precipice.
The height of the falls is 16o feet; the
width of the American falls 1000 feet; of
the Canadian Or Horseshoe falls, 1000.
Some conception of the quantity of water
pouring over this fall can be gaIsd, il
we consider that, in some pl IS, the
depth or thickness of the water passing
over the brink has been aseertained to be
the Whirlpool Rapids, Goat Island, Vic
toria Park, the railroad suspension
bridge, the cantilever bridge, etc., are
places of interest which space only per-
mits to mention.
After spending the best of two days
here, we left for Buffalo, well pleased
with Niagara Falls and would recommend
anyone who can to visit this grandest of
Natures works, at least once during
life.
Faithful in Little.