Familiarity with the noise.

But the similarity of the sounds to the base drum, and to artillery are so near, at times, that persons have been repeatedly deceived.

It requires a long residence to become familar to, and regardless of the noise. To some it creates unpleasant sensations, but generally they are those of a contrary character. To those who are residents, the quietude which seems to prevail when they visit any of the adjacent villages, makes it appear to them like the stillness of Sunday.

Strangers who remain over night, though the sound of the Falls is in their ears when they retire to rest, yet when they happen to awake from their slumbers, frequently fancy themselves in the midst of a tempest; the the house trembles, the windows and doors clatter, the wind rushes and whistles round, the rain pours; and amid all, they hear the unceasing sound of the cataract. They rise to look out upon the raging storm; and when they draw the curtain, or throw up the windows, they perceive that the stars are shining sweetly, and not a zephyr disturbs the pendant leaves.

In heavy weather the sound is louder, and is heard farther; and to those who live at a distance, though within hearing of the Falls, they are an unfailing barometer. After a pleasant turn of weather, during which the sound has but just been perceptable, often gradually, and sometimes suddenly, the increased roar of the cataract comes upon the ear. A change of weather immediately takes place, and is often followed by a storm.

In some directions the roar of the Falls is not usually heard over six or seven miles; along the course of the river they are constantly perceptable for about fourteen miles; they have been occasionally heard at the distance

Point View.

of thirty miles; and in one instance an individual asserts to have heard them at the city of Toronto, in Canada, distance forty-four miles.

The concussion of the falling waters jar the adjoining shores, and the houses tremble in concert with the unceasing shock.

This may be questioned by those who have only spent an hour or two at the Falls, in the clear, serene, and bland weather of summer; but those who have remained there longer will certify to the fact. If a door is left ajar it vibrates, if a window is loose it clatters; and even sitting quietly at their fire sides, the inhabitants will, at times, perceive a tremendous emotion, which they can trace to the Falls. Such are the sounds; the objects presented to the eye are still more varied.

Point View, on the American side, not a new position, as the clear surface of the bank and well trod foot path will show, but one hardly mentioned by any who have written on this subject, was the spot from which Vanderlyn sketched one of his great paintings of the Falls. For a distant prospect it is unequalled, and more extended than any other. Here, the Falls and the river below can be seen most advantageously, at one view; at other points the objects of interest must be viewed more in detail. It is much the same on the Canada shore, go where you will and you have one grand and comprehensive view of the descending waters.

On the projecting rock at Point View, the spectator stands and beholds the unrivalled prospect which is spread before him. Two hundred feet below the rock from which he looks, lies, silvered over and calm, the waters of the Niagara, bounded on either side with rock and precipice; the adjoining shores crowned with native forest

Distant prospect.

trees, and in the distance green meadows, blooming orchards, and rising villages. He looks at the great object of his gaze, with sensations of reverence; the white sheets hanging in mid air; the waters foaming, and hurrying from beneath those that impend above; the spray rushing up from the deep cavern, and rising in clouds, which hang as a pillar of smoke over this sublime sanctuary of nature's mysteries. The rocky base of Iris island, dividing the Falls, with its tall trees towering above the water; the Terrapin rocks on the American side, and Table Rock, in Canada :-altogether the scene is, beyond conception, unique and imposing.

"Trifles, on an interesting subject,
Cease to be trifles."

As many inquiries are made as to places, heights, distances, and on a variety of other subjects, the following paragraphs are intended as answers to such, and afford in the shortest practicable way, the information required.

The form of the Falls is a curve. That part between Iris island and Canada is called the Horse Shoe Falls.

The western or Horse Shoe Fall is about seven hundred yards in circumference.

The Fall on the northern side of the island is three hundred and thirty yards.

The centre Fall, between Iris and Prospect islands, is about thirty three yards.

The whole distance around the curve, including Iris and Prospect islands, is computed at one thousand four hundred yards.

Inquiries answered.

The height of the Falls, on the American side, is one hundred and sixty-four feet; on the Canada side, one hundred and fifty-eight feet.

From Chippewa to Schlosser the river is the widest. The descent from those places to the great pitch is estimated at ninety feet.

At the ferry below the Falls the river is fifty-six rods wide. It has been crossed in five minutes; it ordinarily requires ten.

The cloud of spray which arises from the Falls, is always seen, except when scattered by the wind. It is sometimes seen from a great distance, even from that of one hundred miles.

Computations have been made of the quantity of water that passes over the Falls. One is that 5,084,089,280 barrels descend in twenty-four hours; 211,836,853, in one hour; 3,530,614, in a minute; and 58,843, in a second. This statement is undoubtedly within bounds; and the quantity is probably considerably more.

The average height of the banks about the Falls is from two hundred to two hundred and fifty feet.

You can go, for a short distance from Iris island, under the spray of the Horse Shoe Falls; some have called in going under the Horse Shoe Falls, but that is saying too much.

The principal spot visited, for going under the sheet of water, is at Table Rock. Even there, it is fashionable to speak of the distance advanced, in exaggerated terms.

Great differences of opinion exist as to the best view of this scene of many wonders. One says, "the best view of the Falls is from Table Rock." Another, "the best view to be had is from the centre of the river, in crossing." A third, "the prospect is the best from

Inquiries answered.

Point View." A fourth, "the best view is from the foot of the stair case, on the American side." A fifth, "the grandest views of all are from the point of Iris island where it overlooks the Horse Shoe Falls, and from the Tower at the Terrapin Rocks.”

After all, it must be conceded that the view of the Falls in Canada, surpass any on the American side. On this side there are many different views; your eye passes over the various prospects, piece by piece; on the Canada side you have a full front view. On the American side, comparing large things with small, you not only occupy the stage box, but go behind the scenes.

Persons who visit the Falls, to form a right conception of the wonders of this country should pass over to Iris island, should visit the Whirlpool, and great rapids along the river, and should cross into Canada.

From the rapidity of the water below the Falls it has been difficult to fathom it, but as nearly as has been ascertained, it is two hundred and forty feet deep.

The ferrymen convey baggage safely from one side of the river to the other, for a fair compensation. The descending and ascending the hills is a laborious task, and they earn their money.

The number of visiters increase yearly. In 1838, from the best authority, the number exceeded twenty thousand.