THE FALLS OF NIAGARA. I. ABOUT four-fifths of the water forming the cataract before me was of a lovely clear deep green hue; and as I earnestly gazed at it, it was beautiful to observe in this semi-transparent fluid the opaque masses of ice which, first appearing on the crest, were easily traced descending leisurely in the fluid, in which, like the white patches in green marble, they were embedded. 2. The remaining fifth part of the magnificent curtain before me was composed of muddy water from Chippewa Creek, which, running into the Niagara River about a mile above, flows, without being permitted to mix with the pure stream, and thus falling with it over the precipice forms a broad red border to the variegated mass I have described. 3. About a mile above the cataract the advancing volume of deep water which, imprisoned within the bordages of the Niagara River, is cheerfully emigrating from its native fresh inland seas to the distant salt ocean, receives its first check from some hidden rocks over which it falls about seventy feet in a series of splendid white breakers. 4. The confusion is of course appalling; but as delirium often leaves the human patient just before his death, so does this water, previous to its grand fall completely recover its tranquil character, and thus for the last hundred yards it approaches its fate with that dignity, serenity, and resignation which attend it to the very edge of the cataract, and faithfully accompany it in its descent. 5. The sight, even for a moment, of this enormous mass of moving water is truly magnificent; but when one reflects that the millions of tons of water per minute which are calmly passing down the glassy cataract, for thousands of years have been falling, and, for aught we know, for thousands of years may continue to flow, by day and by night, over its crest: -the mind is illuminated rather than dazzled by the bright glimmering before it of that Almighty Power which, by evaporation, wind, and condensation, is eternally collecting from remote regions of the globe this everlasting supply of water, to be transported to and deposited in those immense inland reservoirs, Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, and Erie. 6. The scene altogether is one of the most impressive sermons that can be preached; and it is, I think, impossible for any one to stand on the edge of the table-rock of Niagara, sometimes completely enveloped in the dense cloud of white vapour, that in rolling volumes pierced with prismatic colours, is rising from the foaming surges below; sometimes enraptured with the splendid pictures before, beneath, and around him; and sometimes deafened almost to distraction by the thundering, raging, and hissing noises which from all directions assail his ears, without feeling most deeply his abject dependence upon that Sacred Name which naturally rushed into the mind, and cannot, by any one who suddenly beholds the cataract of "O-ni-aw-ga-rah," surely be exclaimed in vain! Sir F. B. Head. The Emigrant. The Niagara River flows from Lake Erie northwards into Lake Ontario. It is 36 miles long, and its descent from the level of the one lake to that of the other is about 334 feet. The Horse-shoe Fall, which is the principal one, is above 600 yards in breadth, and 154 feet in height. There are several magnificent hotels, Canadian and American, within view of the Falls, and a famous wire suspension-bridge, with a road beneath for vehicles and foot-passengers, crosses the river a mile and a half below the Falls. I. Give the past tense and past participle of each of the verbs-to fall, to fell, to drive, to wear, to write, to bid, to shoot, to spin, to shake. 2. Describe the most magnificent sight you ever saw. 3. Give names of any useful or ingenious articles we get from America. THE THUNDER-STORM. I. OH! for evening's brownest Agonizing silence reigns, shade! Where the breezes play by stealth In the forest-cinctured glade, Round the hermi tage of health; While the noonbright moun tains blaze In the sun's tormenting rays. 2. O'er the sick and sultry plains, Through the dim, delirious air, And the wanness of despair : Nature faints with fervent heat, Ah! her pulse hath ceased to beat! 3. Now in deep and dreadful gloom, Hung o'er Nature's shrinking head: Lo! the lightning breaks from high, God is coming! God is nigh! 4. Hear ye not His chariot-wheels, From the centre to the poles : 5. Darkness, wild with horror, found 6. Brighter, broader lightnings flash, 7. God of vengeance from above, While Thine awful bolts are hurled, Oh, remember Thou art Love! Spare! oh spare a guilty world! Stay Thy flaming wrath awhile, See Thy bow of promise smile! |