Ingraham's Cave. desire to use his name, and call it Ingraham's Cave. It was first entered by Mr. Berry Hill White and Mr. Geo. Sims, of Niagara Falls village. They passed over the rocks, and through a part of the sheet of water. It was, they alleged, difficult and hazardous, but they acknowledged themselves fully rewarded in the new and magnificent scene which the lofty cavern presented. Mr. Ingraham soon afterwards visited it himself, and Horatio A. Parsons, Esq. and a few others, have since ventured in. It is represented to be near one hundred and twenty feet wide, about thirty feet deep, and a noble arch hanging over head eighty feet high, and the sheet of water rolling in front. It is said to be quite an adventure to go under Table Rock it is a much greater one, to visit this cavern. The following beautiful lines are taken from Mr. Hooker's Album : "Dread awe-inspiring cavern! 'Mong the new; None strikes my soul like thee! Thou seem'st to me The very portal of sublimity! And nature-as if dreading to expose The hidden mysteries of her mighty throes Hath thrown o'er thee a wide-spread, beauteous viel, And dyed it with the loveliest tints throughout,- What shall we call thee? What name couldst thou have Or thunder there terrific vigils keep, Be thou for ever known as INGRAHAM'S CAVE! A. H. P, of Georgia." The Biddle Staircase. Of Joseph W. Ingraham, Esq. it may be here observed, that, on visiting the Falls, some years since, the scene became to him an object of so much admiration, that he made several journeys to them from the city of Boston, and devoted much time in making examinations and surveys; and in philosophical and historical researches in relation to them. He afterwards published a valuable manual, for the use of visiters, and has been for several years engaged in a large work on the same subject, which the reading public have long looked for, anticipating that it will be a publication of much interest. The able character of the productions which he has already brought before the public, the materials that he has collected, and his distinguished literary abilities, are ample assurances that the expectations which have been formed, as to his large work, will not be disappointed; and that his volume will be worthy a place in every man's library. THE BIDDLE STAIRCASE. The party, after their progress to Prospect Island, retrace their steps, and continue their route to the Biddle Staircase. This convenience, for descending the bank, was erected at the expense of Nicholas Biddle, Esq. It was a great desideratum to travellers, to be enabled to reach this part of the island, to range along over the rocks, and to advance near the sheets of water. The stairs are of the spiral form, well secured from the weather, and about eighty feet high. Near the foot of these stairs, at the edge of the water, Sam. Patch, in 1829, made two leaps from a platform, 97 feet high, erected for the purpose. Horse Shoe Falls. Sam. came off with credit here; but shortly after, the poor fellow made two leaps at Rochester, one from the height of 100 feet, and the other of The last proved fatal: he did not rise, and was 125. never found. After the travellers have proceeded below, and gone as near the sheets of water on each side as they desired, and had pointed out them all the objects of interest, they return, and resume their walk along the brow of the bank. THE HORSE SHOE FALLS. "Thou fearful stream! How do thy terrors tear me from myself, This sublime prospect opens to view suddenly, between the trees. The rainbow, seen below, encompassing a cloud of spray, is as beautiful, with all its mellow tints of coloring, as the same object appears after a summer's shower. The rainbows are seen according to the position of the spectator with that of the sun. In the morning, they are viewed from this side; in the afternoon, from the British side. At night, when the moon shines brightly, a lunar bow encircles the Falls, with rays well defined, but pale and murky. On such nights, large parties of visiters congregate on the island, and melancholy influences seem to pervade every bosom. They linger round, speak lowly, and appear wrapt in reflection. No noisy Prospect Tower. conviviality, no boisterous mirth prevails at such times, and no sound is heard, except the deep and hollow roar of the Falls. That this is not an imaginary picture, every one who has witnessed the scene will allow. In the centre of the Horse Shoe Falls, the water is of a pure green color, and is adjudged to be about twenty feet deep. This is a circular building, with an observatory on the top, built below the point of the island, among the Terrapin rocks. From the observatory is presented a full view into the very midst of the great Falls, and into the chasm below. "It bubbles up, it gurgles forth, it hisses and it roars, As forth from out the black abyss the billowy flood is The timber and fragments that are scattered around, are the remains of a bridge, built by Gen. Whitney, a part of which projected over the bank. It was on a single projecting timber of this bridge, that it was usual for Francis Abbott to walk, and, at the extreme end, turn on his heel and walk back. Painful impression. THE IMPRESSIONS OF VISITERS. "When nature's might some wond'rous scene unfolds, In silence fix'd-th' enrapt imagination More than loud words, shows forth its admiration." It is frequently inquired, what are the usual impressions of visiters? They are various. A very few think lightly of the Falls, or express surprise that others are so absorbed and pleased with them. The greatest remark such persons can make, is "Oh! what a place to sponge a coat! Some are so much moved, as to form a lasting attachment, and visit them often, even from great distances. Others have been completely infatuated, and seem only to live in beholding this sublime work of nature, and in inhaling the pure though mist-impregnated atmosphere, which arises from the broken waters. Some look upon the Falls with feelings of dread, and the impressions they leave on their minds, are those of terror. Many years since, when travelling, I fell in with a party at a public house. Niagara Falls happened to become a topic of conversation. "The Falls," said a lady who was present, "I saw them three months ago, and, neither sleeping or waking, are they out of my mind I hear them roar, and see them before me continually." Is their impression painful, or pleasant?" I inquired. "Oh, very painful and distressing! They are dreadful! was her reply. |