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Let the traveller go to the Falls of Niagara, and below them he will behold a broad, deep ravine, walled by lofty, perpendicular rocks, the strongest barrier of nature, forming a porch of magnificent sublimity, at the head of which stands the unique cascade, like a ponderous rocky altar, erected by the great Architect of the universe, over which He pours the element that has thundered for untold ages, and still proclaims, in tones of thunder, His infinite power and the grandeur of His works, compared with the insignificant productions which the ingenuity of man can frame.

It is worth a long journey to behold the Falls in the clear sunshine, crowned with an ever-changing cloud of vapor, through which thin, misty veil can be seen rainbows of matchless beauty spanning the whole width of the grand cascade.

At Table Rock there is a spiral staircase that leads to a large sheet of water, behind which the visitor can pass one hundred and fifty-three feet to Termination Rock. It cannot be accomplished very comfortably, however, without a requisite dress, which, for a small fee, is supplied by the keeper of the staircase. About half a mile above the Falls the best view of the Rapids can be had, although some persons prefer the view above Moss Island. The whole surrounding country is replete with picturesque and historic interest.

The place is pointed out where Sam Patch jumped twice from the top of a ladder, ninety-seven feet high, into an eddy below the Falls, in 1829; where Francis Abbot, the eccentric and mysterious hermit, lived for two years, and was drowned in 1831; where the company of British soldiers, in 1759, pursued by the French and Indians, were driven over a perpendicular rock, now

known by the name of the Devil's Hole; and, within a few miles of the Falls, where some memorable battles were fought during the last war between the United States and Great Britain, especially those at Fort Erie, Chippewa, and Lundy's Lane. Within ten miles of the Falls is the Reservation of the Tuscarora Indians, who came from North Carolina in the year 1812, and joined the Confederacy of the Five Nations. The famous Whirlpool is about three miles below the Falls. After following a path through some fields, I arrived at a place where visitors descend a perpendicular rock by means of a tree, with its branches cut short, forming a somewhat dangerous rustic ladder, at the foot of which is a rude path that leads to the Whirlpool. The beauty of the Rapids, and the terrific sublimity of the ravine, could alone tempt me again to travel the same route. It is said that ladies visit that place, but those who can go by the road on the Canadian side must have an extraordinary share of feminine courage. The Whirlpool is a deep, singular phenomenon, and the scenery around it is of such a wild and beauteous character, yet so confined and almost inaccessible, that Nature, with her haughty cliffs and ever-rushing waters, seems to forbid the daring intrusion of man into her terrible sanctuary of rugged grandeur, and mocks, in the pride of her sovereignty, the loftiest attempt of art to paint her in her own unrivalled magnificence.

The Rapids above the Falls descend fifty-two feet from Schlosser; the average descent of the Falls is one hundred and sixty-five; and from the Falls to Lewiston, one hundred and four fect. Thus, by deducting the perpendicular plunge that forms the great cascade, there are left one hundred and fifty-six feet of a descent in less than nine miles, which accounts for the ama

zing velocity of the Rapids and the swift current of the whole river.

It was in the month of July when I last visited Niagara. All was calm and still around; the very leaves of the trees were unmoved; a perfect silence seemed to reign over the face of Nature. The sun shone forth in meridian glory, and its burning rays were almost insupportable, while I strolled over Queenston Heights, six miles and a half from the Falls. I could distinctly see the vapory cloud that crowns the cataract, and sometimes rises in pyramidal beauty; yet no distant sound, loud and deep, disturbed the tranquillity of the breathless atmosphere. I have read and been told remarkable stories about the wind bearing the sound of the Falls across Ontario to the city of Toronto, a distance of fifty miles. It is not for me to determine whether such statements be true, and attributable to some inexplicable atmospheric peculiarity, or whether human imagination can make such impressions on the minds of men who are credulous, and, consequently, inclined to believe in the wonderful. In the entire absence of a passing zephyr, I could not hear the sound at a greater distance than half a mile from the spot.

Farewell, Niagara! Early impressions may be effaced; the scenes of my youth, still green in remembrance, may be buried in forgetfulness, and all my fondly cherished recollections may wither and expire in my bosom; but thy Falls, O Niagara! while Reason holds her empire, will ever be a grand and fadeless panorama in my memory, affording a retrospective delight, in the meditative hours of retirement, which no other terrestrial landscape can possibly impart !

Cortez and the Gulf of California.

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TYMOLOGISTS differ about the derivation of the name

"California." Whether it be from the two Latin words, calida fornax, or from caliente fornalla, in the Spanish language, or whether it owes its origin "to some words spoken by the Indians, and misunderstood by the Spaniards," as Michael Venegas verily believes, is a matter so very unimportant, that I shall leave it for the curious to investigate at their leisure.

Lower California was discovered in 1534, by Zimenes, a native of Biscay. He was pilot of the expedition which left Tehuantepec, under the command of Grixalva and Mendoza. After sailing about three hundred leagues northward, the former returned to New Spain, and the latter, in consequence of the severity of his discipline, was murdered by his mutinous crew. Commanded by Zimenes, the voyage of discovery was continued until he moored his vessel in the Bay of Santa Cruz, as it was called at that time. It is now known as La Paz, and is located on the western side of the Gulf of California. Its name would indicate a place of peace. The Indians, through some cause of provocation, killed Zimenes and twenty of his followers. Terrified, and without a leader, the rest of the Spaniards speedily weighed anchor and returned to their homes.

The restless and ambitious Cortez, panting for new kingdoms. to conquer, and dissatisfied with the result of the expedition, in

the following year fitted out three ships at Tehuantepec, and personally joined the daring spirits that were enlisted in his service, when they reached the port of Chiametla. The presence of the great chief, who, during the previous fifteen years, had made the world ring with the glory of his name, inspired his followers with unqualified confidence in their success. The vessels were amply provided with every thing necessary for colonizing purposes. In his retinue he had four hundred Spaniards, and three hundred negro slaves. There were soldiers to fight, if required, and hardy emigrants to settle and cultivate the soil. There were also holy fathers, to administer consolation to the wretched, and to pray for and enlighten the benighted savages of California in the mysteries of the Gospel. He circumnavigated the Gulf, and imperfectly explored it. For a long time afterwards, it was known as the Sea of Cortez. It was also called the Red Sea (Mar Roxo), either on account of its shape resembling so much the one that separates Asia from Africa, or because the Rio Colorado, or Red River, flowing into it at the northern point, discolors its waters. Cortez discovered that the barren land, where his countrymen were slain, was a peninsula, and not an island, as it was hitherto supposed to be. He was tossed about the Gulf in a fearful tempest, and his frail and shattered bark was dashed against the rocks. Destruction and a watery grave seemed inevitable. Famine had thinned his ranks, disappointment had withered the hopes of his devoted followers. In the midst of appalling danger, however, the Conqueror of Mexico stood undismayed. In other days he had baffled the wily and jealous Velasquez in Cuba; he had tumbled down the hideous image in the temple of Tabasco, and placed a statue of

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