Year: 1875

/


in visiting Niagara aud the Northern
cities. Kentucky and Indiana were


soon left behind, and we ere Ions


found ourselves travelling along the


coast of Lake Erie. How grand it was


to see those large ships with their


white sails spread; each floating off in


the distance like thing of life." We
travelled along the coast one hundred


miles, when occasionally by the mean


dering of the lake, it was lost to sight


for few moments and as sat for


hours with my eye entrancingly fixed


on such beautiful scenery, I imagined


its grandeur was unsurpassed, but was


soon awakened to my mistake, when


with rumbling wheels and screaming


whistle we were landed in Niagara


City, where full view of the far


famed falls burst upon us. We went


Immediately to the Cataract House,


one of the largest and finest hotels in


the city. The windows of our rooms


overlooked the rapids, for the rear of


the house extended to the water edge.


AS soon as we could re-arrange our


toilet, which had become very much
disordered by such continuous travel,
secured conveyanees, and crossed over
the river some distance above the falls,
to Goat Island, about three miles in
circumference. Here we had a fine
view of the American falls and limit
ed one of the Canada falls. How l
wish 1 could describe my feelings
when first contemplating such scenic
1 would not in my feeble
way, attempt description, but leave
it for pen more gifted than mine. So
awfully sublime was the scene, that 1
felt merely to speak of it were but to
press on Sinai :" and in silence would
gaze till the brain almost grew dizzy,
so bewiIdering the sight.


In rapture we wandered from point |
to point, never wearying of the vision,
until the hour of4 arrived, when we |
repaired to our hotel to fashionable |
dinner After sumptuous repast we
we we're conducted into very pictur-
esque portico, extending some distance
into the rapids. How Iloved to reach
over and put my hand into the infuri-
ated watere, dashing and splashing
along as if they were mad, and ina
CINE l could, by induction even feel
and partake of the life that seemed
to exist in them. Other points of in
terest compelled us to make our stay
here short. But we took occasion to
come again into the same porch after
The lapse of some hours; when now,
The rushing waters added deep base
note to the music of the string band
ust above. Then, the moon as if
awakened from a gentle sleep by such
sweet harmony, arose in all her majes-
y shedding her silvery light over all
hereby filling all with gladness, and
ending enchantment to the scene
After while when all was still save
he ever rumbling waters We retired
md were lulled to sleep by their con-
slant roar.


We next sought view of the falls
rom the Canada side. We crossed
,ver beautiful bridge, and before
.eaching our desired point of view we
lrove some distance in the mist, which
rose in large clouds from the foot of
he falls, and enveloped all except
hose on the immediate banks. AS
we're standing here in silent contem-
,lation of its grandeur, ever and anon
linking of the One whose name alone
5 uttered in praise by the rolling bill
ows, the proud Sun, whose face had
,een heretofore hidden by a dense
loud, came forth in all his glory, and,


tanding afar off On his lofty throne,
Illuminated the whole surface of the
crystal waters with the glowing smiles
If his appreciation, as if to be the first
n his kingdom to pay tribute to this
,reat and wonderful work of God.
Then, the modest rainbow, quick as its
birth, spread its gorgeous rays of pur-
de and gold at the foot of the great
'alls. in humble and loving acknowl-
,dgment of its power and grandeur.
)h. how enhancing the scene Would
could utter one single expression
;orcible enough to apply to it. No
greater happiness could l imagine on
his earth. than to live on the very
,anks of the falls in house or q hut
lowsoever humble, and watch from
daylight till darkness this great work
If God; for every moment new beau
les are unfolded, and the longer one
watches, the longer he wants to watch.


It is a scene which poetsan authors
have tried for years to tell, and artists
have studied there and attempted to re-
produce it on canvas, but l think |
all have failed. They miss in all their
best attempts its might, its appalling
rush and roar, and above all its grand
eur. Niagara was, is still, and must
always be unpainted and unsung; un-
Less God in his wisdom shall make
one with an intellect capable of con-
eeiying it, and put into his mouth
words rich enough to describe it. But
remembering that there were other
points of interest yet unseen, We has
tened to them in order to get glimpse
of all during our limited stay. We
were carried by rapid wheels back
across the same bridge spoke of be-
fore and then some distance below the
falls to see the great whirlpool andrap-
ids. We dismounted and went in an
elevator down 100 feetat the foot OF
wild and rocky cliff, almost if notquite


perpendicular just to the waters edge.


The whirlpool seemed to be a general


whirling of the waters almost in a


circle; but the rapids, at the extremi-


tv of which the whirlpool was, far ex-


celled it. They (the rapids are grand